cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
AdmixPower: Statistical Power and Sample Size Estimation for Mapping Genetic Loci in Admixed Populations

Admixed populations result from recent admixture of two or more ancestral populations with divergent allele frequencies. The genome of each admixed individual is a mosaic of haplotypes inherited from the ancestral populations. Despite the substantial work to assess power and sample size requirements for association mapping in genetically homogeneous populations of European ancestry, power and sample size estimation methods for mapping genes in genetically heterogeneous admixed populations such as African Americans are lacking. Admixture mapping is a method that traces the ancestral origin of disease-susceptibility genetic loci in the admixed population. We developed AdmixPower, a freely available tool set based on the open-source R software, to perform power and sample size analysis for genetically heterogeneous admixed populations considering continuous or dichotomous outcomes with a case-only or case-control study design. AdmixPower can be used to compute the sample size required to achieve investigator-specified statistical power under several key parameters including ancestry odds ratio, genotype risk ratio, parental risk ratio, an underlying genetic risk model, trait type, and admixture model (hybrid-isolation or continuous gene flow model). We demonstrate that differences in the key parameters in the admixed population results in substantial differences in the sample size required to achieve adequate power in admixture mapping studies. Our tool provides a resource for researchers to develop a strategy to minimize cost and maximize the success of identifying disease-susceptibility loci in an admixed population. R code used in the sample size and power analysis is freely available from https://research.cchmc.org/mershalab/Tools.html.
Regulation of Proto-Oncogene and Tumor Necrosis Factor Gene Expression by Ethanol in HL-60 Myeloid Leukemia Cells

Previous studies have shown that certain low molecular weight polar solvents downregulate c-myc gene expression and induce terminal differentiation of human HL-60 myeloid leukemia cells. We have examined the effects of ethanol on gene expression in this cell line. The results show that while ethanol induces a more differentiated phenotype, this agent has little effect on the self-renewal capacity of HL-60 cells. Ethanol treatment was also associated with a concentration- dependent and transient downregulation of c-myc transcripts. Similar effects were observed for c-myb mRNA levels. The results further show that ethanol exposure is associated with induction of tumor necrosis factor gene expression. These findings indicate that ethanol induces changes in specific gene expression during non-terminal differentiation of HL-60 cells. The clinical effects of this agent could thus be related to altered patterns of gene expression in hematopoietic or other cells.
Plasma n-3 and n-6 Fatty Acids Are Differentially Related to Carotid Plaque and Its Progression: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Objective—ω-3 (n-3) fatty acids (FAs) have long been considered healthful dietary components, yet recent clinical trials have questioned their cardiovascular benefits. By contrast, the ω-6 (n-6) FA...
Navigating the Sea of Long Noncoding RNAs: ZFAS1, Friend or Foe?

With the completion of the human genome in 2003, it became evident what had been suspected for a time through isolated bits of data: a surprisingly small proportion of the genome—only ≈2%!—was actually translated into proteins (DNA→RNA→protein). The vast majority of the DNA had no protein correlate and was considered sterile, receiving the somewhat derisive term junk DNA. However, modern technology, such as next-generation sequencing, has revealed that almost the entire human genome is transcribed (DNA→RNA), meaning therefore that the majority of its nucleotides are associated with at least 1 transcript that does not code for a protein.1 What function do these noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) serve, then? Work from several fields has painstakingly assembled an emergent picture for ncRNAs in epigenetic processes. Generally speaking, ncRNAs are main actors in the regulation of gene expression, both at the translational and post-translational level. Noncoding RNAs, which are arbitrarily divided into short ncRNAs ( 200 nucleotides), play a critical role in heterochromatin formation, histone modification, DNA methylation, and gene splicing and silencing; dysregulation of their interplay with DNA and its transcription machinery may lead to diseases, such as cancer, autism, and Alzheimer.2 Thus, junk DNA, from which ncRNAs stem from, has turned out to be anything but junk, revealing amazing complexity and fruitful design. Article, see p 1354 Although their expression levels are generally low, the number of known ncRNAs is already in the tens of thousands, evidently greater in magnitude than protein-coding mRNA. To be exact, a few lncRNAs have been wrongly annotated and do code for proteins, but differing from the polyvalent role of their parental lncRNAs, these proteins are known to date to circumscribe their function to modulation of other proteins. A good example is myoreguling,3 a 46-amino acid micropeptide that regulates …
Development and characterization of 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the sea sandwort, Honckenya peploides

Codominant marker systems are better suited to analyze population structure and assess the source of an individual in admixture analyses. Currently, there is no codominant marker system using microsatellites developed for the sea sandwort, Honckenya peploides (L.) Ehrh., an early colonizer in island systems. We developed and characterized novel microsatellite loci from H. peploides, using reads collected from whole genome shotgun sequencing on a 454 platform. The combined output from two shotgun runs yielded a total of 62,669 reads, from which 58 loci were screened. We identified 12 polymorphic loci that amplified reliably and exhibited disomic inheritance. Microsatellite data were collected and characterized for the 12 polymorphic loci in two Alaskan populations of H. peploides: Fossil Beach, Kodiak Island (n = 32) and Egg Bay, Atka Island (n = 29). The Atka population exhibited a slightly higher average number of alleles (3.9) and observed heterozygosity (0.483) than the Kodiak population (3.3 and 0.347, respectively). The overall probability of identity values for both populations was PID = 2.892e−6 and PIDsib = 3.361e−3. We also screened the 12 polymorphic loci in Wilhelmsia physodes (Fisch. ex Ser.) McNeill, the most closely related species to H. peploides, and only one locus was polymorphic. These microsatellite markers will allow future investigations into population genetic and colonization patterns of the beach dune ruderal H. peploides on new and recently disturbed islands.
A framework for problem solving activities in multi-agent systems

The basic research issues in multi-agent systems (MAS) include problem decomposition, task distribution, communication, plan synthesis, coordination, conflict resolution, and organization design. For practical implementation, there is a need for an integrated framework that can help MAS designers to select appropriate techniques for building their specific systems. Difficulties in the integration of techniques for each of these issues is due to the interdependencies among the issues themselves. We propose a framework that describes the activities that occur during problem solving. This framework is based upon the premise that meta-level reasoning about the agents’ activities adds flexibility to each agent, allowing them to adjust to changes in their environments or operating conditions. Generally speaking, to accomplish a specific goal, agents must perform a sequence of actions that trigger events and change certain states. A strategy is a decisionmaking mechanism that provides long-term consideration for selecting actions toward specific goals which can help agents to observe the environment, evaluate alternatives, and prescribe and schedule actions. Since different strategies may be more or less appropriate in different situations and within different agent organizations, metalevel reasoning is required for strategy selection. Problem solving activities can be decomposed into three phases: organization design, coordinated planning, and plan execution. Strategies have been developed to address the problems posed by each of these phases. Allowing the agent to select the strategy to apply towards a problem increases flexibility and responsiveness to new situations. For this purpose, each phase can follows the three levels of reasoning described above; reasoning on actions, strategies, and strategic decision making. Coordination during each phase occurs through communication. Upon considering goals the agent wishes to achieve, the agent (or the system designers) must decide the manner in which it will interact with other agents. The result could be static or dynamic organizational structures that are
Effects of intra-arterially and intravenously administered ethacrynic acid and furosemide on cochlear N1 in cats*1

Abstract Cats were prepared to record from the cochlear round window. Various doses of sodium ethacrynate and furosemide were administered intraarterially (ia) and iv to ascertain their effect on cochlear N 1 . Equivalent doses of sodium ethacrynate by the ia and iv routes of administration are the same (about 3.5 mg/kg). This, coupled with the finding of a definite latent period after administration of sodium ethacrynate by either route, indicates that ethacrynic acid may be exerting its ototoxic effect through the action of a metabolite. By contrast, the equivalent doses of furosemide by the 2 routes are different (the ia dose being smaller, as expected), and there is no latent period after its administration, indicating a direct action on the cochlea.
A Multirate Repetitive Control for Fractional-order Servos in Laser-based Additive Manufacturing

This paper studies repetitive control (RC) algorithms to advance the quality of repetitive energy deposition in laser-based additive manufacturing (AM). An intrinsic limitation appears in discrete-time RC when the period of the exogenous signal is not an integer multiple of the sampling time. Such a challenge hampers high-performance applications of RC to laser-based AM because periodicity of the exogenous signal has no guarantees to comply with the sampling rate of molten-pool sensors. This paper investigates three RC algorithms to address such fractional-order RC cases. A wide-band RC and a quasi RC apply the nearest integer approximation of the period, yielding overdetermined and partial attenuation of the periodic disturbance. A new multirate RC generates high-gain control signals exactly at the fundamental frequency and its harmonics. Experimentation on a dual-axis galvo scanner in laser-based AM compares the effectiveness of different algorithms and reveals fundamental benefits of the proposed multirate RC.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Executive Dysfunction

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder associated with increased risk for negative social, emotional, and academic outcomes as well as executive functioning vulnerabilities. The purpose of this chapter is to review current research regarding the diagnosis and assessment of ADHD, including review of important neuropsychological correlates and assessment tools that are frequently used, some of which can play a prominent role in diagnostic decision-making and case management. De-identified case examples highlighting neuropsychological test results and potentially helpful treatment recommendations are presented to highlight the practical application of assessment results. The influence of executive functions on children with ADHD and the impact of these difficulties on learning and development are also discussed. The chapter concludes with a review of the best practices for supporting children with ADHD.
Preventing psoriatic arthritis: focusing on patients with psoriasis at increased risk of transition

Psoriasis is one of the most common chronic inflammatory skin diseases, affecting 3% of the world's population, and approximately one-third of patients with psoriasis will eventually transition to having psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The evolution from cutaneous to synovio-entheseal inflammation in these patients presents an opportunity to investigate the critical events linked to arthritis development. The events responsible for progression to PsA are currently unclear. Genetic and clinical-demographic risk factors (most notably familial aggregation and psoriasis sub-phenotypes) provide relevant insights into the variables that promote transition. The specific underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms, however, remain poorly defined. Intriguingly, although targeting the IL-23-IL-17 axis substantially improves psoriasis outcomes, this strategy is not more effective than TNF inhibitors in improving musculoskeletal symptoms in PsA. Major unmet needs in the field of PsA include defining those patients with psoriasis at increased risk of developing arthritis, improving our understanding of the natural history of disease and characterizing the immune, environmental and molecular subclinical events preceding PsA onset. Improving our knowledge of this transition is essential for designing clinical trials with treatments that can delay, attenuate or even prevent the development of PsA in patients with psoriasis.
Cervical Cancer Death Rates Among U.S.- and Foreign-Born Women: U.S., 2005-2014.

Introduction Historically, foreign-born women in the U.S. are less likely to be screened and are more likely to die from cervical cancer when compared with their U.S.-born counterparts. In order to inform prevention efforts and reduce this health disparity, mortality data were obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics to describe cervical cancer mortality among U.S.- and foreign-born women. Methods Annual population estimates were obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey from 2005 to 2014. From 2017 to 2018, age-adjusted mortality rates and rate ratios were calculated by nativity status, race/ethnicity, age, geographic region, and country of birth. Results From 2005 to 2014, a total of 5,924 deaths from cervical cancer were recorded among the foreign-born population, compared with 33,893 deaths among U.S.-born women. Overall, foreign-born women had a lower cervical cancer mortality rate when compared with the U.S.-born women (rate ratio=0.95, 95% CI=0.92, 0.97). However, older foreign-born women had significantly higher mortality rates compared with U.S.-born women: aged 65–79 years (rate ratio=1.15, 95% CI=1.09, 1.22) and ≥80 years (rate ratio=1.43, 95% CI=1.32, 1.55). Women born in Mexico had significantly elevated rates of cervical cancer mortality (rate ratio=1.35, 95% CI=1.27, 1.42) when compared with U.S.-born women. Conclusions Efforts that work to increase cervical cancer screening access and guideline compliance might further reduce the cervical cancer deaths in the U.S., and the excess burden observed among older foreign-born women.
1f72 − 2p32 interactions

Abstract The strength of the interactions between nucleons in the 1 f 7 2 shell and 2 p 3 2 shell has been studied for nuclei with A = 40–60. Particle states produced by stripping with (3He, d) and (d, p) reactions, as well as hole states produced by pickup with (p, d) reactions, are considered. It is found that the strength of the 1 f 7 2 −2 p 3 2 interaction remains essentially constant throughout nuclei ranging from calcium to nickel. The positions of the centroids of the p 3 2 states in 48V, 50V, 51Cr and 51Mn are predicted.
Generation of Optimal Velocity Trajectory for Real-Time Predictive Control of a Multi-Mode PHEV

The advancement in vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle- to-infrastructure technologies makes it possible for vehicles to obtain the real-time information related to transportation and traffic infrastructure. This paper presents the development of an optimal velocity generation algorithm that leverages the availability of traffic and road information. The objective of this optimization problem is to generate a velocity trajectory within a prediction horizon to reduce tractive force while monitoring the overall travel time required for the trip. The developed algorithm reduces energy consumption by avoiding wasteful driving maneuvers and utilizes the opportunities to recuperate kinetic energy with regenerative braking capability. This non-linear constrained optimization algorithm is implemented by an automatic control and dynamic optimization (ACADO) toolkit for real-time execution. The energy reduction is observed in the evaluation results obtained with a vehicle model for the 2nd generation of GM Chevrolet Volt, developed at Michigan Technological University. An experimentally validated vehicle dynamic model is used for the assessment of energy consumption and vehicle performance.
THE BEATEN-COPPER PATTERN ON CONE BEAM COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

Background Convolutional markings are inner-table indentations that conform to the cerebral surface of growing brain in infants. If they are pronounced over the more anterior parts of the skull, this is referred to as a beaten-copper skull (BCS). The significance of BCS has been debated, and is generally considered a normal finding in children. However, a diffuse beaten-copper pattern has been shown to be associated with raised intracranial pressure (ICP). Objective(s) The aim of this study was to increase awareness of the features of BCS on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Results A CBCT study of a 4-year-old male was referred for interpretation of radiolucent spots in his head and skull. Findings included diffuse scalloping of the inner table of the anterior and posterior cranial compartments, with localized thinning of the diploe in over 50% of the visualized portions of the frontal, parietal, and occipital bones. No sellar erosion or suture diastases were present. The sagittal suture was not included in the field of view; however, coronal, lambdoidal, frontosphenoidal, frontonasal, sphenosquamous, sphenoparietal, occipitomastoid sutures, and the spheno-occipital synchondrosis were visualized and perceive as not fused. Discussion/Conclusions The appearance of BCS is age dependent in both normal children and those with craniosynostoses. Clinically, children with craniosynostoses should be managed by a multispecialty team providing interdisciplinary care; they have unique oral health and craniofacial growth problems and may require CBCT. The wormian bones are considered abnormal or clinically significant when radiolucencies are greater than 10 in number, measuring over 6 × 4 mm, and presenting with a general mosaic pattern. The majority of patients with craniosynostoses who have elevated ICP have no related symptoms. The associated finding of BCS using CBCT may be incidental; however, physician referral to further evaluate patients for ICP may be warranted in addition to follow-up over a period of time.
Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Children and Youth Ages 5-21 Years.

Importance: Demand is increasing for activity- and occupation-based interventions to address occupational performance and support maximal participation of children and youth. Objective: This Practice Guideline was developed to guide decision making and support best practices in service delivery for children and youth ages 5–21 yr at home, at school, and in the community. Method: The results from three systematic reviews (SRs) of activity- and occupation-based interventions for children and youth ages 5–21 yr were reviewed, synthesized, and translated into recommendations for education, practice, and research. Results: One hundred eighty-five articles were included in the three SRs examining the evidence for interventions to promote activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, play and leisure, and rest and sleep; to improve mental health, positive behavior, and social participation; and to enhance learning, academic achievement, and successful participation in school. The reviews provide evidence for interventions associated with typical concerns addressed by occupational therapy practitioners. Conclusions and Recommendations: On the basis of the evidence, this guideline recommends that occupational therapy practitioners consistently collaborate with families and caregivers and provide services in the natural context of the desired occupation. The evidence also supports group service models and models that include peer mediation; these models can promote participation across areas of occupation. Skills-based training and therapeutic practice in the context of valued occupations are recommended over isolated sensorimotor approaches. Technology, manualized programs, and sports activities can be effective but should be evaluated and matched to age, diagnosis, and outcomes as guided by the evidence. What This Article Adds: When guided by evidence,activity- and occupation-based interventions are effective in promoting participation and enhancing performance in valued occupations of children and youth ages 5–21 yr.
Comparison of procalcitonin testing to a targeted audit-and-feedback strategy on prescribed durations of therapy for community-acquired pneumonia.

Abstract The procalcitonin (PCT) assay is FDA-approved to help guide antimicrobial treatment, however, conflicting data exist regarding its impact on durations of therapy. The purpose of this study was to compare the impact of PCT to a targeted audit-and-feedback (TAF) strategy on antibiotic durations of therapy for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). A retrospective cohort study was conducted at two community teaching hospitals, one implementing PCT with routine audit-and-feedback and one implementing TAF recommending 5 days of therapy for uncomplicated CAP. Three hundred eleven patients with antibiotics ordered having an indication of pneumonia were included (Pre-TAF n = 80, Pre-PCT n = 80, Post-TAF n = 80, Post-PCT n = 71). Average duration of therapy was similar at baseline (Pre-TAF = 7.0 days vs Pre-PCT = 7.8 days, p = 0.1) and post-intervention (Post-TAF = 5.5 days vs Post-PCT = 5.4 days, p = 0.8) between groups. PCT and TAF were equally effective antimicrobial stewardship strategies in reducing total days of antibiotic therapy prescribed for CAP with no differences observed in patient outcomes.
Information content of the risk-free rate for the pricing kernel bound

We propose a new method to tighten the restrictions on the admissible pricing kernel space. Our framework improves information-based pricing kernel bounds and can be used to test various asset pricing models. This method incorporates higher moments of asset returns and conditional information based on the possible risk-free rate fluctuations. The variation in the risk-free rate is attributed to two possible states of the economy, and the proposed approach identifies these states and improves the pricing kernel bound.
Artificial intelligence language predictors of two-year trauma-related outcomes.

Abstract Background Recent research on artificial intelligence has demonstrated that natural language can be used to provide valid indicators of psychopathology. The present study examined artificial intelligence-based language predictors (ALPs) of seven trauma-related mental and physical health outcomes in responders to the World Trade Center disaster. Methods The responders (N = 174, Mage = 55.4 years) provided daily voicemail updates over 14 days. Algorithms developed using machine learning in large social media discovery samples were applied to the voicemail transcriptions to derive ALP scores for several risk factors (depressivity, anxiousness, anger proneness, stress, and personality). Responders also completed self-report assessments of these risk factors at baseline and trauma-related mental and physical health outcomes at two-year follow-up (including symptoms of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, sleep disturbance, respiratory problems, and GERD). Results Voicemail ALPs were significantly associated with a majority of the trauma-related outcomes at two-year follow-up, over and above corresponding baseline self-reports. ALPs showed significant convergence with corresponding self-report scales, but also considerable uniqueness from each other and from self-report scales. Limitations The study has a relatively short follow-up period relative to trauma occurrence and a limited sample size. Conclusions This study shows evidence that ALPs may provide a novel, objective, and clinically useful approach to forecasting, and may in the future help to identify individuals at risk for negative health outcomes.
The Ricardian Theory of Production and Distribution 1

The “correct” approach to the theory of distribution in economics is by way of a theory of productive organization; in fact, a sound distribution theory is hardly more than a corollary or footnote to an exposition of the mechanism by which resources are apportioned among different uses, and organized in each use, under the forces of price competition. The “sense” in economics as a subject for study is derived from the idea of increasing the efficiency of action ( i.e. , of “economy of resources”) through mutual rendering of services by individuals. Historically, the development of the science may be imputed to the realization that purchase and sale represent and mediate such an exchange of services; with a few individual exceptions, men seem never to have had this realization before the eighteenth century, but to have regarded it as axiomatic that what anyone gains in a pecuniary transaction, someone else must lose. Under analysis, a socially general effort to profit by exchange relations takes the form of a tendency toward a maximum (viewed as a state of equilibrium for the society as a whole) through the attraction of every increment of service capacity into its “best” use for the mutual advantage of both parties, i.e. , the owner of the increment of capacity and the consumer of its service (who gets the service in exchange for that of some increment of capacity owned by him). If it is seen that this urge on the part of individuals as owners of service capacity is the organizing force in all price relations, and in the economic life which prices mediate and reflect, it becomes truistical to remark that the distribution of the product of all service capacity, considered as acting jointly, is on the basis of increments of yield.
Development and validation of a comprehensive clinical risk-scoring model for prediction of overall survival in patients with endometrioid endometrial carcinoma.

Abstract Objective To develop and validate a comprehensive overall survival (OS) risk-scoring model in women with endometrioid endometrial cancer (EC). Methods Patients with EC diagnosed from 2004 to 2013 were identified through the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Patients with known lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) status who were treated surgically (with or without adjuvant therapy) were included. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to identify prognostic factors for OS. This model was used to assign points based on hazard ratios for risk factors and a risk score was obtained. Recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) was used to categorize patients into risk groups. Results were internally validated in a cohort of patients from our institution (CCF cohort). Risk scores were calculated and assessed in a Cox regression model, and Harrell's c-index was calculated to assess model fit. Results Among 349,404 women with EEC during the study period, 42,107 fulfilled inclusion criteria. Factors associated with worse OS were age ≥ 60, African American race, Charlson-Deyo score 1 or 2+, higher grade, LVSI, tumor size ≥2 cm, and no lymphadenectomy performed. Six risk groups were identified (scores 0–30) and OS estimated for each risk group. Risk score per 1-point increase in HR were comparable between NCDB and CCF cohorts (HR 1.21 (1.20–1.22 p Conclusions We report a comprehensive validated OS risk-scoring model for patients with.
Direct radical functionalization methods to access substituted adamantanes and diamondoids

Adamantane derivatives have diverse applications in the fields of medicinal chemistry, catalyst development and nanomaterials, owing to their unique structural, biological and stimulus-responsive properties, among others. The synthesis of substituted adamantanes and substituted higher diamondoids is frequently achieved via carbocation or radical intermediates that have unique stability and reactivity when compared to simple hydrocarbon derivatives. In this review, we discuss the wide range of radical-based functionalization reactions that directly convert diamondoid C–H bonds to C–C bonds, providing a variety of products incorporating diverse functional groups (alkenes, alkynes, arenes, carbonyl groups, etc.). Recent advances in the area of selective C–H functionalization are highlighted with an emphasis on the H-atom abstracting species and their ability to activate the particularly strong C–H bonds that are characteristic of these caged hydrocarbons, providing insights that can be applied to the C–H functionalization of other substrate classes.
Comparison of Bolus and Constant Infusion Techniques for Determining the Resistance of the Absorption of CSF

Two techniques are generally used to determine the resistance to the absorption of CSF (Ro) in clinical settings: constant infusion techniques (Katzman and Hussey 1970) and the bolus injection utilizing the Pressure Volume Index (Marmarou et al. 1976). In previous communications this laboratory measured Ro using the bolus injection technique in normal patients. These studies showed that Ro in normal patients was 2.8 mm Hg/ml/min which differed from the accepted normal range of Ro of 5–9 mm Hg/ml/min reported by others using infusion techniques (Ekstedt 1978). This discrepancy between the two techniques has led some to question the validity of the bolus injection technique in clinical settings (Sullivan et al. 1978). However, the simpliCity of the bolus injection technique and its utility in cases where steady State dynamics are precarious makes it a useful clinical tool. For this reason we have been reluctant to abandon this rapid method for determining Ro and have attempted to understand the differences between the two methods of determining Ro by the following experiments.
MO-DE-210-03

Ultrasound imaging is an attractive method for image guided radiation treatment (IGRT), by itself or to complement other imaging modalities. It is inexpensive, portable and provides good soft tissue contrast. For challenging soft tissue targets such as pancreatic cancer, ultrasound imaging can be used in combination with pre-treatment MRI and/or CT to transfer important anatomical features for target localization at time of treatment. The non-invasive and non-ionizing nature of ultrasound imaging is particularly powerful for intra-fraction localization and monitoring. Recognizing these advantages, efforts are being made to incorporate novel robotic approaches to position and manipulate the ultrasound probe during irradiation. These recent enabling developments hold potential to bring ultrasound imaging to a new level of IGRT applications. However, many challenges, not limited to image registration, robotic deployment, probe interference and image acquisition rate, need to be addressed to realize the full potential of IGRT with ultrasound imaging. Learning Objectives: 1. Understand the benefits and limitations in using ultrasound to augment MRI and/or CT for motion monitoring during radiation therapy delivery. 2. Understanding passive and active robotic approaches to implement ultrasound imaging for intra-fraction monitoring. 3. Understand issues of probe interference with radiotherapy treatment. 4. Understand the critical clinical workflow for effective and reproducible IGRT using ultrasound guidance. The work of X.L. is supported in part by Elekta; J.W. and K.D. is supported in part by a NIH grant R01 CA161613 and by Elekta; D.H. is support in part by a NIH grant R41 CA174089.
Towards the supervisory control of uncertain nonholonomic systems

This paper is concerned with control of nonholonomic systems in the presence of parametric modeling uncertainties. The specific problem considered is that of parking a wheeled mobile robot of unicycle type with unknown parameters, whose kinematics can be described by the nonholonomic integrator after an appropriate state and control coordinate transformation. We employ the techniques of supervisory control to design a hybrid feedback control law that solves this problem.
Sharing the American Dream: Towards Formalizing the Status of Long-Term Resident Undocumented Children in the United States

The legal status of the estimated 1.8 million undocumented young persons currently in the United States is a pressing issue that must be addressed by lawyers and policymakers in the near future. These young people arrived in the United States at a very young age yet do not have, and cannot obtain, lawful immigration status. This article examines their complex position and advocates statutory reforms that better account for their unique developmental and cultural attachments to the United States. This article surveys the history of U.S. immigration policies in relation to undocumented youth as well as current reform proposals to argue that there is a long-standing tradition of recognizing the long-term ties of undocumented persons to the United States. Drawing upon the personal experience of the author as an active practitioner in this field as well as social science literature, this article shows that an undocumented youth's attachment to their place of residence is an essential feature of their identity. Using these insights, it concludes with proposals to apply the principles underlying jus soli citizenship to undocumented youth, granting them access to formal status.
Molecular biology of flaviviruses.

Publisher Summary This chapter summarizes the current understanding of the molecular biology of flaviviruses and points out promising avenues for future work. The molecular biology of flaviviruses is best understood in the context of the viral life cycle, which provides a framework for the organization of this chapter. Flavivirus particles bind to cells via interactions between the viral surface glycoprotein and cellular receptors. Several cell surface proteins have been described as putative receptors. In addition, opsonization with immunoglobulins enhances virus particle binding and infection of cells expressing immunoglobulin Fc receptors. Virions are internalized into clathrin-coated pits via receptor-mediated endocytosis. It is thought that virions are brought into a prelysosomal endocytic compartment where low pH induces fusion among the viruses and host cell membranes to release the virus nucleocapsid. The viral genome is released into the host cytoplasm by the process of nucleocapsid uncoating, which is not yet fully understood. Translation of the viral genome produces proteins that lead to replication of the viral genome and assembly of new virus particles. Flavivirus infection induces rearrangement of cytoplasmic membranes in the perinuclear region. Virus particles are thought to assemble by budding into the endoplasmic reticulum. A few studies have shown evidence for budding at the plasma membrane. Based on trans-complementation studies, it appears that genome packaging is coupled to RNA replication. Nascent virus particles pass through the host secretory pathway, where virion maturation occurs, and are released.
Ensemble Scheduling: Resource Co-Allocation on the Computational Grid

This paper investigates a novel scheduling paradigm, ensemble scheduling, that can be used to schedule mixed workloads consisting of singleand multi-resource applications in Grid environments. Ensemble scheduling exploits the pattern of prior resource requests for ensemble (multi-resource) applications to dynamically partition the workload across the system resources. We show via simulation that an ensemble-aware scheduler can provide better performance both for ensemble applications and the more common single resource applications in Grid environment.
Synaptic facilitation at connections of Hermissenda type B photoreceptors

The enhancement of excitability in type B photoreceptors is an important neural mechanism underlying classically conditioned suppression of phototaxis in the marine mollusk Hermissenda crassicornis. However, the possibility that type B photoreceptors also exhibit synaptic plasticity has not previously been explored. We now report that connections of type B photoreceptors onto type A photoreceptors exhibit synaptic facilitation, and that this facilitation involves the same first messenger (5-HT) and second messenger (protein kinase C) previously implicated in the learning- produced excitability changes. In brief, we found that application of 5- HT dramatically facilitates synaptic potentials evoked by type B cells in type A cell cells, and that this facilitation is blocked by preincubation with staurosporine, a protein kinase inhibitor. Furthermore, activation of protein kinase C also induces synaptic facilitation, whereas activation of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase has no effect. Changes in synaptic strength produced by these manipulations are paralleled by changes in type B cell input resistance (a simple index of cellular excitability), whereas type A cell input resistance is unaffected. These findings indicate a previously unrecognized form of neuronal plasticity in Hermissenda that may contribute importantly to the learned changes in behavior, and thereby highlight general principles of learning-related neuronal plasticity shared by different preparations and species.
Intra- and interspecific pairing of rediae and sporocysts of five species of digenetic trematodes

In vitro pairing studies on rediae of Echinostoma trivolvis, E. caproni, Zygocotyle lunata, Ribeiroia sp. and sporocysts from a species of armatae cercaria were undertaken at 22°C in a Petri dish bioassay containing an agar substratum and a Locke's 1:1 overlay. Pairing was arbitrarily defined as larvae in contact or within 1 mm of each other. Intraspecific and interspecific pairing occurred in the bioassay using several larval combinations initially placed 5 or 10 mm apart. Intraspecific pairing occurred with the rediae of Ribeiroia sp. and interspecific pairing was seen between E. trivolvis or E. caproni and Ribeiroia sp. A previous study documented intraspecific and interspecific pairing between rediae of E. trivolvis and E. caproni . Armatae sporocysts did not pair intraspecifically or interspecifically when matched with either E. caproni or E. trivolvis rediae. Intraspecific pairing of Z. lunata or interspecific pairing between Z. lunata rediae and echinostome rediae did not occur. The significance of redial pairing remains unclear.
Analysis of Error Propagation in Vector Generalized Finite Element Methods

The generalized finite element method, first introduced by Babuska, is a framework that uses a partition of unity concept to construct a higher order representation of fields within a computation domain without using tessellation or imposing constraints on the space of basis functions. A key result is that the error representing the total field in the computational domain is related to the local representation error in each patch. This implies that one may be able to choose an appropriate set of basis in each sub-domain. While a bulk of literature based on this technique has been applied to construct solvers for scalar and elliptic differential equations, only recently was a method to analyze vector electromagnetic problems proposed. The basis functions proposed in the paper satisfy the requisite boundary conditions at the interface and demonstrate the appropriate h and p convergence. In this paper, the error in wave propagation is studied via a series of numerical experiments, for different classes of local basis functions-polynomials and exponentials.
Aqueous Coordination Chemistry of Quinoline-Based Fluorescence Probes for the Biological Chemistry of Zinc

Metal-specific fluorescence probes are of increasing importance in understanding the neurobiology and general cell biology of zinc. Several quinoline-based compounds such as TSQ and zinquin have been employed to detect zinc in fluorescence microscopy experiments in vivo; however, the aqueous solution chemistry remains equivocal. In some cases, this family of probes is said to reveal labile pools of Zn(II) inside the cell, yet in other cases, these probes are suggested to remove Zn(II) from tightly bound sites in proteins. Since the binding modes, coordination numbers, and thermodynamics of zinc−zinquin interactions in aqueous solution have not been established, these proposals are difficult to distinguish. Here we show that, under physiological conditions, the various forms of zinquin bind Zn(II) with a high degree of cooperativity forming 2:1 complexes. Potentiometric, UV−visible, and fluorescence methods all yield an overall binding constant of log K = 13.5 under physiological conditions. To put this nu...
Large effects on long-term retention after standard list learning vs. adjusted learning

Prior research using the method of adjusted learning has focused on the method’s potential relative to the standard list learning method for minimizing retention differences among items. Concomitantly, there is less overlearning of individual items with the adjusted learning method. Although prior research has reported a retention difference favoring the standard list learning method, our research demonstrates that the magnitude of this difference can be surprisingly large. The results presented here from 11 experiments show retention to be more than 100% greater after standard list learning than after adjusted learning.
Union-Management Welfare Plans

I. The trend toward plans: Gompers' attitude, 64; reasons for late development, 65; growth of current plans, 68. — II. Structure and characteristics of the plans: number in operation, 72; neglect of actuarial considerations, 73; methods of financing, 75; types of administration, 77; benefits and coverage, 80. — III. Implications and prospects: their function as stopgaps, 86; influence of union bargaining power and industrial stability, 87; relation to more comprehensive programs, 93.
Cellular pharmacology of vinca alkaloid resistance and its circumvention

Vinca alkaloid-resistant human leukemic cells express the multiple drug-resistant phenotype, characterized by cross resistance to natural product compounds of unrelated structure and action. While there are also distinct biochemical lesions associated with this phenotype, their role(s) in the expressions of resistance is not known at this time. More clear, however, is our understanding of the pharmacologic determinants of this resistance--apparent decreased drug uptake and decreased drug retention. This latter phenomenon has been attributed to the workings of an active efflux pump, but data presented here and elsewhere permit an alternative explanation--that of altered drug binding to an as yet unidentified target(s). Elucidation of the mechanism of multiple drug resistance is important in the design of new chemotherapeutic strategies to overcome it. In this regard, calcium channel blocking agents and calmodulin inhibitors can cause an apparent reversal of resistance by enhancing the cytotoxic effectiveness of the anticancer drugs, possibly by increasing the amount of drug retained by the tumor cells. The basis for this enhanced retention and cytotoxicity is not presently known, but it may be related to cellular calcium fluxes, calmodulin content or membrane fluidity and permeability. The meaning of these findings is unclear at the present time, but they may provide new insights into the mechanism of action and ultimate cellular target(s) for Vinca alkaloids. Whether these modifying drugs sensitize the cells to the action of the alkaloids or potentiate the oncolytic drug effect in the cell remains to be determined. Regardless of the mechanism, calcium channel blocking agents may have a role in the combination chemotherapy of the leukemias with Vinca alkaloids.
Crystallographic, Spectroscopic, and Computational Analysis of a Flavin C4a−Oxygen Adduct in Choline Oxidase

Flavin C4a-OO(H) and C4a-OH adducts are critical intermediates proposed in many flavoenzyme reaction mechanisms, but they are rarely detected even by rapid transient kinetics methods. We observe a trapped flavin C4a-OH or C4a-OO(H) adduct by single-crystal spectroscopic methods and in the 1.86 A resolution X-ray crystal structure of choline oxidase. The microspectrophotometry results show that the adduct forms rapidly in situ at 100 K upon exposure to X-rays. Density functional theory calculations establish the electronic structures for the flavin C4a-OH and C4a-OO(H) adducts and estimate the stabilization energy of several active site hydrogen bonds deduced from the crystal structure. We propose that the enzyme-bound FAD is reduced in the X-ray beam. The aerobic crystals then form either a C4a-OH or C4a-OO(H) adduct, but an insufficient proton inventory prevents their decay at cryogenic temperatures.
Coherent optical receiver for PPM signals received through atmospheric turbulence: performance analysis and preliminary experimental results

The performance of a coherent free-space optical communications system is investigated. Bit Error Rate (BER) performance is analyzed, and laboratory equipment and experimental setup used to carry out these experiments at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory are described. The key components include two lasers operating at 1064 nm wavelength for use with coherent detection, a 16 element (4X4) focal plane detector array, and data acquisition and signal processing assembly needed to sample and collect the data and analyze the results. Combining of the signals is accomplished using the least-mean-square (LMS) algorithm. Convergence of the algorithm for experimentally obtained signal tones is demonstrated in these initial experiments.
A comprehensive fatigue failure criterion based on thermodynamic approach

In this work, stress curve and energy-based (linear elastic strain energy, and hysteresis loop energy) fatigue failure criteria are compared with a new, entropy-based model for the prediction of fa...
Design and calibration of a multi-view TOF sensor fusion system

This paper describes the design and calibration of a system that enables simultaneous recording of dynamic scenes with multiple high-resolution video and low-resolution Swissranger time-of-flight (TOF) depth cameras. The system shall serve as a testbed for the development of new algorithms for high-quality multi-view dynamic scene reconstruction and 3D video. The paper also provides a detailed analysis of random and systematic depth camera noise which is important for reliable fusion of video and depth data. Finally, the paper describes how to compensate systematic depth errors and calibrate all dynamic depth and video data into a common frame.
The stratum corneum—Some structural and functional correlates

SUMMARY The human skin surface outside the areas bearing dermatoglyphics has been studied and an attempt made to explain the surface pattern in simple geometric and functional terms. The basic geometrical unit is a rectangle or square which in turn is subdivided by one or two diagonals. The triangles and diamonds thus formed undergo varying degrees of collapse under tension. These collapse units are sometimes composed of smaller polygonal compressible sub units with a distinctly honeycomb appearance. The hexagonal shape of the individual horny cell is an ideal smallest structural unit within this geometric system. The regional differences are considerable, but can be explained by the regional differences in the mechanical requirements. These features are of considerable functional significance for the stretching and deformation of the essentially inelastic stratum corneum