cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Rack-Aware Pipeline Repair Scheme for Erasure-Coded Distributed Storage Systems

Nowadays, modern industry data centers have employed erasure codes to provide reliability for large amounts of data at a low cost. Although erasure codes provide optimal storage efficiency, they suffer from high repair costs compared to traditional three-way replication: when a data miss occurs in a data center, erasure codes would require high disk usage and network bandwidth consumption across nodes and racks to repair the failed data. In this paper, we propose RPR, a rack-aware pipeline repair scheme for erasure-coded distributed storage systems. RPR for the first time investigates the insights of the racks, and explores the connection between the node level and rack level to help improve the repair performance when a single failure or multiple failures occur in a data center. The evaluation results on several common RS code configurations show that, for single-block failures, our RPR scheme reduces the total repair time by up to 81.5% compared to the traditional RS code repair method and 50.2% compared to the state-of-the-art CAR algorithm. For multi-block failures, RPR reduces the total repair time and cross-rack data transfer traffic by up to 64.5% and 50%, respectively, over the traditional repair.
Remote and Persistent Alterations in Glutamate Receptor Subunit Composition Induced by Spreading Depolarizations in Rat Brain

Spreading depolarizations (SDs) are massive breakdowns of ion homeostasis in the brain's gray matter and are a necessary pathologic mechanism for lesion development in various injury models. However, injury-induced SDs also propagate into remote, healthy tissue where they do not cause cell death, yet their functional long-term effects are unknown. Here we induced SDs in uninjured cortex and hippocampus of Sprague-Dawley rats to study their impact on glutamate receptor subunit expression after three days. We find that both cortical and hippocampal tissue exhibit changes in glutamate receptor subunit expression, including GluA1 and GluN2B, suggesting that SDs in healthy brain tissue may have a role in plasticity. This study is the first to show prolonged effects of SDs on glutamate signaling and has implications for neuroprotection strategies aimed at SD suppression.
National Science Foundation Engineering Education Funding: Tips for Appropriate Program Selection & Competitive Proposal Preparation

The goal of this pre-conference workshop is to provide guidance on engineering education funding opportunities at the National Science Foundation (NSF). This will be accomplished through a series of engaging activities including (i) interactive and dynamic mini-presentations by NSF program directors; (ii) a lively mock proposal review session in which participants work in small groups on a real NSF proposal previously emailed to registrants; (iii) an interactive question and answer session in which participants have the opportunity to cross-examine a panel of current NSF grantees and (iv) candid conversations with NSF program directors. The workshop will describe various funding opportunities including those that promote international collaborations and engineering education for a sustainable future. Guidance will be provided on how to write persuasive and competitive proposals. Participants will experience rich peer interactions and also have the opportunity to connect directly with NSF program directors.
3D cell sheet structure augments mesenchymal stem cell cytokine production

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) secrete paracrine factors that play crucial roles during tissue regeneration. An increasing body of evidence suggests that this paracrine function is enhanced by MSC cultivation in three-dimensional (3D) tissue-like microenvironments. Toward this end, this study explored scaffold-free cell sheet technology as a new 3D platform. MSCs cultivated on temperature-responsive culture dishes to a confluent 2D monolayer were harvested by temperature reduction from 37 to 20 °C that induces a surface wettability transition from hydrophobic to hydrophilic. Release of culture-adherent tension induced spontaneous cell sheet contraction, reducing the diameter 2.4-fold, and increasing the thickness 8.0-fold to render a 3D tissue-like construct with a 36% increase in tissue volume. This 2D-to-3D transition reorganized MSC actin cytoskeleton from aligned to multidirectional, corresponding to a cell morphological change from elongated in 2D monolayers to rounded in 3D cell sheets. 3D culture increased MSC gene expression of cell interaction proteins, β-catenin, integrin β1, and connexin 43, and of pro-tissue regenerative cytokines, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and interleukin-10 (IL-10), and increased VEGF secretion per MSC 2.1-fold relative to 2D cultures. Together, these findings demonstrate that MSC therapeutic potency can be enhanced by 3D cell sheet tissue structure.
Framework for Advancing Epidemiological Criminology Research on Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs

Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) document the dispensing of prescription medications that are designated as controlled substances by federal and state authorities. Previous research using state-operated PDMPs have typically evaluated epidemiological and/or health-related outcomes associated with use of controlled substances; however, PDMPs are accessed, used and impact on a variety of law enforcement applications. As such, there is potential for PDMPs as a research vehicle for the evaluation of programs and policies to capture controlled substance trends and outcomes that are more relevant for criminology. We propose extensions of the epidemiological-criminology framework to identify and classify potential PDMP research opportunities into five non-mutually exclusive categories: 1) effects on public health and safety outcomes, 2) data use for evaluation of criminology-explicit outcomes, 3) data use for emerging epidemiological-criminology applications, 4) data triangulation and integration, and 5) surveillance of “ecosystem” interactions. Applications and a review of relevant published literature are discussed for each of these categories in the context of highlighting opportunities for criminologists to increase research on PDMPs. Multi-disciplinary research partnerships are recommended to develop more robust study designs and to rigorously interpret and apply findings as reported from studies that use PDMP data.
Subjective cognitive decline higher among sexual and gender minorities in the United States, 2015–2018

Introduction Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) represents self-reported problems with memory, a possible early sign of dementia. Little is known about SCD among sexual and gender minority (SGM) adults who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender or gender non-binary. Methods Data were weighted to represent population estimates from 25 states' 2015-2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to describe SCD in adults ≥45 years by SGM status. Logistic regression tested associations between demographic and health conditions. Results SCD prevalence was higher in SGM (15.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI]:13.1-18.2) than in non-SGM adults (10.5%; 95% CI:10.1-10.9; P < .0001). SGM adults with SCD were also more likely to report functional limitations due to SCD than non-SGM adults with SCD, 60.8% versus 47.8%, P = .0048. Differences in SCD by SGM status were attenuated after accounting for depression. Discussion Higher prevalence of SCD in SGM adults highlights the importance of ensuring inclusive screenings, interventions, care services, and resources for SGM adults.
A PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 dispersal switch engages cell ratcheting at specific cell surfaces

Force generation in epithelial tissues is often pulsatile, with actomyosin networks generating contractile forces before cyclically disassembling. This pulsed nature of cytoskeletal forces implies that there must be ratcheting mechanisms that drive processive transformations in cell shape. Previous work has shown that force generation is coordinated with endocytic remodeling; however, how ratcheting becomes engaged at specific cell surfaces remains unclear. Here, we report that PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 is a critical lipid-based cue for ratcheting engagement. The Sbf RabGEF binds to PIP3, and disruption of PIP3 reveals a dramatic switching behavior in which medial ratcheting is activated and epithelial cells begin globally constricting apical surfaces. PIP3 enrichments are developmentally regulated, with mesodermal cells having high apical PIP3 while germband cells have higher interfacial PIP3. Finally, we show that JAK/STAT signaling constitutes a second pathway that combinatorially regulates Sbf/Rab35 recruitment. Our results elucidate a complex lipid-dependent regulatory machinery that directs ratcheting engagement in epithelial tissues.
An Extension of LFFT’ and Some Theorems of the Higher Functional System. The Calculus of Classes

In this chapter some extensions of LFLT’ will be outlined permitting formation of statements and matrices having predicates and predicate variables which are more complex than the monadic predicates of the system as developed in Chapter 7. This is done by adding signs for two-place, three-place, four-place, …, n-place predicates and predicate variables to the primitive basis of the system; adding rules for the determination of well-formedness with respect to formulae; and including rules of transformation for the new signs and wffs. In addition, a brief outline of a further extension of the system is set out and the basis of a Boolean algebra (calculus of classes) is presented.
Frequency of Misconceptions and Reluctance to Teach Controversial Topics Related to Sex among Teachers

Abstract A sex education opinionnaire was constructed and used to determine the frequency and kind of sexual misconceptions held by elementary and secondary teachers in northern California and how these were affected by the factors of age, sex, and grade taught. It was also used to determine the frequency of reluctance to teach controversial topics related to sex among the teachers. The findings disclosed (a) that teacher preparation curriculums should be deeply concerned with including sociopsychological factors in their school health education courses; (b) more effective means of instruction in school health education is needed for teacher preparation curriculums; (c) the most frequent misconceptions believed by teachers; (d) the existence of differences between the misconception scores of teachers of elementary and secondary schools and of age and grade level taught; (.e) a significant correlation between teachers who had the lowest frequency of misconceptions about sex and their willingness to teach h...
A two's complement pipeline multiplier

A serial-data pipeline multiplier was designed and implemented in p-channel silicon-gate MOS. It uses a radix-4 Booth algorithm for two's complement compatibility. The circuit is modular, and is configured to multiply one data word by two coefficient words simultaneously.
Near-Field Characterization of Methane Emission Variability from a Compressor Station Using a Model Aircraft

A model aircraft equipped with a custom laser-based, open-path methane sensor was deployed around a natural gas compressor station to quantify the methane leak rate and its variability at a compressor station in the Barnett Shale. The open-path, laser-based sensor provides fast (10 Hz) and precise (0.1 ppmv) measurements of methane in a compact package while the remote control aircraft provides nimble and safe operation around a local source. Emission rates were measured from 22 flights over a one-week period. Mean emission rates of 14 ± 8 g CH4 s–1 (7.4 ± 4.2 g CH4 s–1 median) from the station were observed or approximately 0.02% of the station throughput. Significant variability in emission rates (0.3–73 g CH4 s–1 range) was observed on time scales of hours to days, and plumes showed high spatial variability in the horizontal and vertical dimensions. Given the high spatiotemporal variability of emissions, individual measurements taken over short durations and from ground-based platforms should be used w...
Local structural distortion of BaZrxTi1−xO3nanocrystals synthesized at room temperature

Single crystalline, sub-15 nm BaZr(x)Ti(1-x)O(3) (0 ≤x≤ 1) nanocrystals were synthesized at room temperature via the vapor diffusion sol-gel method. As-prepared nanocrystals exhibit noncentrosymmetric regions whose volume fraction increases significantly upon substitution of small amounts of Zr(4+) for Ti(4+) and reaches a maximum for substitution levels ranging from 10 to 20 mol%.
Sirolimus use and risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs)

Background Little is known about the use of sirolimus for primary prevention of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) among solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs). Objective We examined the association between sirolimus exposure and incident SCC risk among SOTRs within Kaiser Permanente Northern California. Methods Using a retrospective cohort of all Kaiser Permanente Northern California members given a diagnosis of SOTR from 2000 through 2010, we evaluated incident posttransplantation SCC risk in relation to sirolimus exposure. Sirolimus use was determined from electronic pharmacy records, and incident posttransplantation SCCs were identified from health plan electronic pathology records. We used extended Cox regression to examine the independent association between receipt of sirolimus and risk of SCC. Results Among 3539 SOTRs, 488 were exposed to sirolimus and 47 developed an incident SCC. SCC risk was not associated with ever use of sirolimus (adjusted hazard ratio 1.18, 95% confidence interval 0.84-1.16) or cumulative duration of sirolimus exposure (adjusted hazard ratio 2.75, 95% confidence interval 0.84-9.04, comparing long-term users with nonusers). Limitations No information was available for some known SCC risk factors, such as skin type and sun exposure. Conclusions Among a large cohort of SOTRs, sirolimus exposure was not associated with a reduction in incident posttransplantation SCC risk.
Multispectral imaging for predicting firmness and soluble solids content of apple fruit

Abstract Firmness and soluble solids content (SSC) are important quality attributes for apples and many other fresh fruits. This research investigated the feasibility of using multispectral imaging to quantify light backscattering profiles from apple fruit for predicting firmness and SSC. Spectral images of the backscattering of light at the fruit surface, which were generated from a focused broadband beam, were obtained from Red Delicious apples for five selected spectral bands (10 nm bandpass) between 680 and 1060 nm. Ratios of scattering profiles for different spectral bands were used as inputs to a backpropagation neural network with one hidden layer to predict fruit firmness and SSC. The three ratio combinations with four wavelengths (680, 880, 905, and 940 nm) gave the best predictions of fruit firmness, with r=0.87 and the standard error of prediction (SEP)=5.8 N. Only two ratios with three wavelengths of 880, 905 and 940 nm were needed for predicting the SSC of apples with r=0.77 and SEP=0.78%. The multispectral imaging technique is promising for predicting firmness and sweetness of apples.
Carbon-carbon dioxide reaction: Kinetics at low pressures and hydrogen inhibition

Abstract The gasification of a very high purity natural graphite was studied at temperatures between 960 and 1120°C and at CO 2 pressures below 108 millitorr. For CO 2 depletion up to at least 90%, gasification rates were first order in CO 2 pressure, that is with no inhibition by CO observed. The activation energy for the rate constant for the oxygen transfer step (103.5 ± 5.8 kcal/mole) agreed within experimental error with that found from kinetic studies at intermediate CO 2 pressures where CO does inhibit the reaction. The rate of the oxygen transfer reaction is markedly inhibited by the presence of low pressures of H 2 . As H 2 pressure is increased up to 3 millitorr, the gasification rate in CO 2 at 1100°C monotonically decreases. Further increase in H 2 pressure, has a negligible effect on rate. From measurements of hydrogen uptake at reaction temperature, it is clear that inhibition is caused by dissociative chemisorption of hydrogen on to active sites. Inhibition by hydrogen is even more marked for the Graphon-CO 2 reaction and is attributed not only to its chemisorbing on carbon sites but also on to impurity catalyst sites. It is doubtful if true rate constants for the C-CO 2 reaction, uninhibited by hydrogen, have ever been reported.
Escherichia coli K99 pili are composed of one subunit species

1. INTRODUCTION 2.2. Electrophoretic procedures K99 is a pilus found on most, if not all, ente- rotoxigenic Escherichia co# (ETEC) that cause di- arrhea in neonatal calves [1-6] and on up to one third of all ETEC that cause diarrhea in pigs [7,8]. In vivo, K99 promotes colonization of the small intestine by facilitating adhesion of ETEC to the mucosa of the small intestine [9,10]. K99 facilitates adhesion by bridging the space between bacterium and the putative mucosal receptor. K99 has been purified and shown to be a protein polymer composed of subunits of two dif- ferent Mrs: 22500 and 29500 [11]. A small amount of lipid may also be associated with K99. The objective of this manuscript is to report that K99 is composed of only a single subunit species even though two different molecular weight species are observed by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS 2.1. Purification of K99 K99 was purified from E. coli K12 strain 1474 as previously described [11] except that the pili were extracted from whole cells using 2 M urea in 0.05 M sodium phosphate (pH 7.2) instead of 1 M NaC1 in the same buffer. SDS-5% polyacrylamide continuous gels were prepared and used according to the procedure of Weber and Osborn [12]. SDS-11, 15 and 20% polyacrylamide discontinuous gels were prepared and used according to the procedure of Lugten- berg [13]. Samples were denatured by boiling 5 min in 2% SDS. When required, 1% 2-mercaptoethanol (MetOH) was included in the denaturation solu- tion. Also when required, 1% MetOH was included in the upper electrophoresis buffer. All gels were stained with Coomassie brilliant blue by the proce- dure of Fairbanks [14]. 2.3. Amino-terminal amino acid determination The procedure of Gros and Labousse [15] was used to dansylate purified K99 with the following modifications. Dansyl chloride was dissolved in acetone and the reaction mixture was adjusted to a final concentration of 8 M urea and 1% SDS. The dansylation reaction was allowed to proceed for 16 h at room temperature after which the protein was precipitated and washed twice with 10% tri- chloroacetic acid. The dansylated K99 was hydro- lyzed for 4 h at 100°C in vacuo with 6 N HC1. The hydrolysate was dried over NaOH, extracted with water (pH 3.5):ether (1 : 1) and both phases were dried. The residue from each phase was disgolved in pyridine and chromatographed in two dimen- sions on silica gel-thin layer plates [15].
Verifying Environmental Cleanup: Lessons from the Baltic Sea Joint Comprehensive Environmental Action Programme

In 1992, nations in the drainage basin of the Baltic Sea launched the Joint Comprehensive Environmental Action Programme (JCP) to abate land-based sources of pollution affecting the sea. Some 132 'hot spots' were designated for cleanup and/or environmental restoration. The first phase (phase 1) of the JCP ended in 1997. Analysis of environmental monitoring data from participating states indicate that the first phase failed to meet several pollution-abatement and investment goals prescribed at the outset of the JCP. A key shortcoming of phase 1 was partners' failure to remediate and delist 'priority hot spots' that were emphasized at the outset and that reside exclusively in former centrally planned economies. Among key determinants of underperformance in the JCP were the partners' overly optimistic forecasts for program accomplishments. This problem obscured the real achievements of the program, including its mobilization of substantial capital and human resources for hot-spot cleanup. The partners' experience offers a cautionary tale to regional environmental program designers who rely on deficient baseline data and who develop program goals with use of crude forecasting methods.
Differential gene expression in Streptococcus pneumoniae in response to various iron sources

Iron is a critical co-factor for several enzymes and is known to regulate gene expression in many pathogens. Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) normally colonizes the upper respiratory mucosa, which is an iron-restricted environment. In contrast, during bacteremia available iron from heme and non-heme proteins potentially increases. In iron-depleted medium pneumococcal strain TIGR4 showed reduced growth, however, addition of several physiological iron sources restored growth. Gene expression of selected known and putative pneumococcal virulence factors was analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR in response to iron sources in vitro and during colonization, pneumonia, and bacteremia in a mouse model. Change in mRNA levels relative to transcription in iron-depleted medium was reported. In presence of iron sources, transcription of cps4A, zmpA, pavA, hemolysin and a putative exfoliative toxin was significantly increased, but nanB was suppressed. Hemoglobin at physiological concentration repressed ply and pspA expression. Ferritin, an acute phase protein, increased expression of an iron ABC transporter and repressed expression of a bacterial non-heme iron-containing ferritin. Transcription of cps4A, nanB, hemolysin, and a putative exfoliative toxin were significantly up-regulated during pneumonia and bacteremia, while mRNA of pavA and non-heme ferritin were expressed at higher levels during pneumonia and carriage. An iron ABC transporter was most up-regulated during bacteremia, while pspA and ply were expressed only in pneumonia. Transcription of zmpA was elevated during both pneumonia and bacteremia. These findings suggest that a subset of virulence genes in pneumococci is differentially regulated in response to the quantity and form of iron sources available in a host.
Heating Distributions from January and July Simulations of NCAR Community Climate Models

Abstract Simulations of the global distribution of heating (the sum of latent, sensible, short and longwave radiation) are presented for January and July using the R15 NCAR Community Climate Model (CCM). The vertical and horizontal distributions of heating predicted by an earlier version of the CCM (CCM0B) are contrasted with those predicted by the current version of the CCM (CCMI) in which substantial revisions were made in the physical parameterizations of convective, radiative, and sensible heating. The results are compared with climatological studies of atmospheric heating and with recent diagnostic analyses of heating during the Global Weather Experiment (GWE). The dominant heat sources in the CCM simulations of January and July are located over Indonesia-Southeast Asia in broad agreement with the primary feature of the observed Asian monsoon; however, several marked distinctions between the vertically averaged heating distributions for CCM0B and CCM1 occur. During January, centers of maximum heating...
Burst activity of single units in the penicillin epileptogenic focus

Abstract Burst firing patterns of single units in the penicillin epileptogenic focus were studied in cat cerebral cortex. Based on an analysis of their inter-spike interval histograms, it is suggested that within a burst the spike intervals tend to be distributed logarithmic-normally. A possible model, based on logarithmic-normal theory, is proposed for ‘spontaneous’ unitary activity in epileptic and non-epileptic cortex. These data appear to be consistent with, and to support, the concept of the “epileptic-aggregate” as a basic mechanism underlying epileptogenesis.
Genetic Confirmation that the H5 Protein Is Required for Vaccinia Virus DNA Replication

The duplication of the poxvirus double-stranded DNA genome occurs in cytoplasmic membrane-delimited factories. This physical autonomy from the host nucleus suggests that poxvirus genomes encode the full repertoire of proteins committed for genome replication. Biochemical and genetic analyses have confirmed that six viral proteins are required for efficient DNA synthesis; indirect evidence has suggested that the multifunctional H5 protein may also have a role. Here we show that H5 localizes to replication factories, as visualized by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy, and can be retrieved upon purification of the viral polymerase holoenzyme complex. The temperature-sensitive (ts) mutant Dts57, which was generated by chemical mutagenesis and has a lesion in H5, exhibits defects in DNA replication and morphogenesis under nonpermissive conditions, depending upon the experimental protocol. The H5 variant encoded by the genome of this mutant is ts for function but not stability. For a more precise investigation of how H5 contributes to DNA synthesis, we placed the ts57 H5 allele in an otherwise wild-type viral background and also performed small interfering RNA-mediated depletion of H5. Finally, we generated a complementing cell line, CV-1–H5, which allowed us to generate a viral recombinant in which the H5 open reading frame was deleted and replaced with mCherry (vΔH5). Analysis of vΔH5 allowed us to demonstrate conclusively that viral DNA replication is abrogated in the absence of H5. The loss of H5 does not compromise the accumulation of other early viral replication proteins or the uncoating of the virion core, suggesting that H5 plays a direct and essential role in facilitating DNA synthesis. IMPORTANCE Variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox, is the most notorious member of the Poxviridae family. Poxviruses are unique among DNA viruses that infect mammalian cells, in that their replication is restricted to the cytoplasm of the cell. This physical autonomy from the nucleus has both cell biological and genetic ramifications. Poxviruses must establish cytoplasmic niches that support replication, and the genomes must encode the repertoire of proteins necessary for genome synthesis. Here we focus on H5, a multifunctional and abundant viral protein. We confirm that H5 associates with the DNA polymerase holoenzyme and localizes to the sites of DNA synthesis. By generating an H5-expressing cell line, we were able to isolate a deletion virus that lacks the H5 gene and show definitively that genome synthesis does not occur in the absence of H5. These data support the hypothesis that H5 is a crucial participant in cytoplasmic poxvirus genome replication.
The Proton-Proton Interaction

This paper presents a phenomenological analysis of the proton-proton scattering observed at 32 and 340 Mev in terms of static nuclear potentials. Comparison of these results with the neutron-proton scattering at 40, 90, and 280 Mev analyzed previously indicates that nuclear forces are not charge independent. In particular, there is definite evidence in the $n\ensuremath{-}p$ scattering data that but little scattering occurs in the odd parity states, whereas the high $p\ensuremath{-}p$ cross section apparently must be due to scattering in the (odd parity) triplet states. (This holds true even if velocity dependent spin orbit forces, i.e., $\ensuremath{\sigma}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}\mathbf{L}$, are included.)It is possible that the radial dependences found necessary for $p\ensuremath{-}p$ scattering would be acceptable for the $n\ensuremath{-}p$ scattering even though the exchange behavior is different. A definite statement regarding this must await detailed calculations, however.Finally, we must take notice of the fact that no large repulsive forces have shown up in either the $n\ensuremath{-}p$ or the $p\ensuremath{-}p$ system of sufficient magnitude to account for nuclear saturation if saturation is to be predicted from two body forces. In both cases they would have been very easily detected, independent of the potential model assumed.
Double layer formation due to current injection

Abstract It is shown by numerical simulations that enhanced current density can generate double layers, even when the electron drift speed is significantly below the electron thermal speed. The double layer potential is spontaneously produced by the space charge self-consistently developed inside the simulation domain. The particle influxes from the low-potential boundary of our simulation domain are independent of the outfluxes. The potential difference φ 0 is shown increase with increasing number density of the injection current. Strong double layers with potential energy eφ 0 ⪢ kT 0 (the electron thermal energy) are stably formed when the injection electron current much exceeds the thermal current of ambient electrons. The backscattered and mirrored electrons are found to have stabilizing effects on the current-driven double layers.
Platelet dysfunction and platelet transfusion in traumatic brain injury.

Abstract Background Both aspirin therapy and trauma impair platelet function. Platelet dysfunction is associated with worse outcomes in patients with traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Platelet transfusion is often used to limit progression of ICH in patients on aspirin, but has not been shown to improve platelet function or outcomes. We hypothesized that platelet transfusion would improve aspirin-induced, but not trauma-induced, platelet dysfunction. Materials and methods In this prospective trial, blood samples were collected from patients evaluated in our level 1 trauma center with traumatic ICH, at the time of arrival and at the next clinical laboratory draw after admission. Patients on aspirin therapy were transfused one apheresis unit of platelets. Platelet function was assessed using a Multiplate multiple electrode aggregometer. Platelet activation was induced by collagen (COL) and arachidonic acid (AA). Agonist responses are reported as area under the aggregation curve in units (U). Reference ranges for agonist response were provided by the manufacturer, based on studies of healthy controls. Results Seventeen patients with isolated ICH were enrolled, twelve taking aspirin and five not taking aspirin. All patients on aspirin received platelet transfusion. Median admission platelet function in patients taking aspirin was abnormal in response to both agonists. After transfusion, median platelet function in response to AA improved from 19.0 U to 26.0 U (P = 0.012), whereas there was no improvement in the COL response. In patients not on aspirin, platelet response to COL was abnormal at both time points. Conclusions Patients with isolated ICH have trauma-induced platelet dysfunction. In addition, patients on aspirin have drug-induced abnormalities in platelet response to AA. Platelet transfusion improves aspirin-induced, but not trauma-induced, platelet dysfunction.
Identification and Functional Characterization of the Novel BM-motif in the Murine Phosphoadenosine Phosphosulfate (PAPS) Synthetase

PAPS synthetase (SK) catalyzes the two sequential reactions of phosphoadenosine phosphosulfate (PAPS) synthesis. A functional motif in the kinase domain of mouse SK, designated the BM-motif (86LDGDNhRxhh(N/S)(K/R)97), was defined in the course of identifying the brachymorphic (bm) defect. Sequence comparison and the secondary structure predicted for APS kinase suggest that the BM-motif consists of a DGD-turn sequence flanked by other conserved residues. Mutational analysis of the DGD-turn revealed that a flexible and neutral amino acid is preferred at residue 88, that negatively charged residues are strictly required at positions 87 and 89, and that the active site is rigid. The reduction in kinase activity for all DGD-turn mutants, except G88A, was much less severe than the reduction in overall activity, indicating that the BM-motif may also be playing a role in adenosine phosphosulfate (APS) channeling. Two switch mutations, LD86DL and DN89ND, designed to test the positional constraints of Asp87 and Asp89, exhibited complete loss of both kinase and overall activities, while LD86DL also exhibited a significant (60%) loss of reverse sulfurylase activity, suggesting that this peptide region is interacting with the sulfurylase domain as well as functioning in the kinase reaction. Other residues targeted for mutational analysis were the highly conserved flanking Asn90, Arg92, and Lys97. N90A resulted in a partial (30%) loss in kinase and overall activities, R92A exhibited total loss of kinase and overall activities, and K97A had no effect on any of the three activities. The complexity of the bifunctional SK in catalyzing the kinase reaction and channeling APS is illustrated by the strict requirements of this novel structural motif in the kinase active site.
Src kinase as a mediator of convergent molecular abnormalities leading to NMDAR hypoactivity in schizophrenia.

Numerous investigations support decreased glutamatergic signaling as a pathogenic mechanism of schizophrenia, yet the molecular underpinnings for such dysregulation are largely unknown. In the post-mortem dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), we found striking decreases in tyrosine phosphorylation of N-methyl-D aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit 2 (GluN2) that is critical for neuroplasticity. The decreased GluN2 activity in schizophrenia may not be because of downregulation of NMDA receptors as MK-801 binding and NMDA receptor complexes in postsynaptic density (PSD) were in fact increased in schizophrenia cases. At the postreceptor level, however, we found striking reductions in the protein kinase C, Pyk 2 and Src kinase activity that in tandem can decrease GluN2 activation. Given that Src serves as a hub of various signaling mechanisms affecting GluN2 phosphorylation, we postulated that Src hypoactivity may result from convergent alterations of various schizophrenia susceptibility pathways and thus mediate their effects on NMDA receptor signaling. Indeed, the DLPFC of schizophrenia cases exhibit increased PSD-95 and erbB4 and decreased receptor-type tyrosine-protein phosphatase-α (RPTPα) and dysbindin-1, each of which reduces Src activity via protein interaction with Src. To test genomic underpinnings for Src hypoactivity, we examined genome-wide association study results, incorporating 13 394 cases and 34 676 controls. We found no significant association of individual variants of Src and its direct regulators with schizophrenia. However, a protein–protein interaction-based network centered on Src showed significant enrichment of gene-level associations with schizophrenia compared with other psychiatric illnesses. Our results together demonstrate striking decreases in NMDA receptor signaling at the postreceptor level and propose Src as a nodal point of convergent dysregulations affecting NMDA receptor pathway via protein–protein associations.
Chemotherapy for pancreatic carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive disease and its patients typically have a short survival, usually marked by pain and rapid debilitation. The disease has been considered relatively chemoresistant, although many chemotherapy regimens have been described. METHODS Clinical results with chemotherapy, since the first publication of response in 1960, were reviewed for efficacy and toxicity. Emphasis was given to prospective trials with adequate power and clear evaluation criteria and end-points. RESULTS Published response rates vary enormously in this disease, with rates in earlier single-institution trials tending to be much higher than those in studies with stringent response criteria, particularly recent cooperative group trials. Using stringent criteria, the upper limit of the objective response rate is approximately 20%. No convincing improvement in median survival can yet be attributed to chemotherapy. Few trials have measured quality of life, but symptomatic palliation rates may exceed objective response rates. Some low-toxicity regimens (such as those based on infusional 5-FU) yield response rates as high as some more toxic combinations. CONCLUSIONS Many early trials significantly overstate the efficacy of chemotherapy for patients with pancreatic cancer, apparently due to flexibility of response criteria. However, useful symptomatic palliation may occur even without an objective partial response. It is possible that slow resolution of the desmoplastic component of these tumors may underestimate tumor killing. Thus, quality of life is an important parallel endpoint (with survival and response) in chemotherapy trials in this disease. Cancer 1996;78:654-63.
Charge exchange imaging of space plasmas (invited)

Detection of neutral atom emission from hot plasmas has evolved to the point where it is now possible to image hot plasmas in neutral atom emission. In this work, we review a variety of successful approaches to space-based neutral atom imaging and discuss the qualitative and quantitative information that can be obtained from neutral atom images, e.g., hot ion transport and ion temperatures. A challenging aspect of neutral atom imaging of the Earth’s magnetosphere is that the combination of small neutral fluxes and spacecraft motion necessitates the development of algorithms capable of summing neutral emission obtained from different vantage points over many months to obtain statistically significant images. The image summing algorithm and typical summed images are also presented in this work.
Low-temperature internal friction in an aluminum-aluminum oxide fiber composite

The temperature dependence of the internal friction during bending oscillations in an aluminum-aluminum oxide fiber composite exhibits sharp unstable peaks of damped mechanical oscillations, apparently, of a nonrelaxation nature.
Transmission loss in the far field over a one-layer seabed assuming the biot sediment model

A system of differential equations is derived from Biot's constitutive and motion equations for a poroelastic material and a model for a one-layer seabed is constructed. A normal modes representation for pressure in the far field is found in the case of constant parameters. The model's prediction for transmission loss is examined for five different types of sediments and compared to the predictions of a solid elastic halfspace model. Von Biots Spannungs-Dehnungs-Beziehung und von den Bewegungleichungen fur ein poroelastisches Material wird ein System von Differentialgleichungen hergeleitet und ein Modell fur einen einschichtigen Meeresgrund konstruiert. Eine Darstellung in Normal-Schwingungsmoden fur den Druck im Fernfeld wird fur den Fall konstanter Parameter gefunden. Die Modellvorhersage fur die Ubertragungsverluste wird gepruft fur funf verschiedene Typen von Sedimenten und mit den Vorhersagen eines festen elastischen Halbraum-Modells verglichen.
Path planning with uncertainty: Voronoi Uncertainty Fields

In this paper, a two-level path planning algorithm that deals with map uncertainty is proposed. The higher level planner uses modified generalized Voronoi diagrams to guarantee finding a connected path from the start to the goal if a collision-free path exists. The lower level planner considers uncertainty of the observed obstacles in the environment and assigns repulsive forces based on their distance to the robot and their positional uncertainty. The attractive forces from the Voronoi nodes and the repulsive forces from the uncertainty-biased potential fields form a hybrid planner we call Voronoi Uncertainty Fields (VUF). The proposed planner has two strong properties: (1) bias against uncertain obstacles, and (2) completeness. We analytically prove the properties and run simulations to validate our method in a forest-like environment.
Kenneth Burke's Dramatistic criticism applied to the theatre

In this essay the writer presents his explication of Kenneth Burke's critical philosophy and applies it to the analysis of plays.
Rat strain and age differences in kainic acid induced seizures

This study reports comparative dose-response data for kainic acid (KA) induced seizures in juvenile (35-40 days old) and adult (70-90 days old) Wistar-Furth (WF), Fisher 344 (F344), Sprague-Dawley (SD) and Long-Evans Hooded (LEH) rats. Juvenile male WF (n = 51), F344 (n = 55), SD (n = 60), LEH (n = 50) and adult male WF (n = 48), F344 (n = 52), SD (n = 52), LEH (n = 53) rats were given KA 6, 8, 10, 12 or 14 mg/kg, sc. As previously demonstrated adult WF and F344 rats showed the greatest sensitivity and most reliable convulsant responses to kainic acid; SD and LEH rats were less sensitive and showed more variable convulsant responses. Regardless of strain, all juvenile rats exhibited greater sensitivity and less variable convulsant response to KA compared to adults. This was most evident in juvenile SD and LEH rats. Results suggest that while seizure sensitivity to KA decreases with age, genetic factors may regulate the expression of this resistance.
Possible role for acetylcholine in aggregation centre spacing in Polysphondylium violaceum

WHILE ridding my laboratory of an invasion of flies, I tested the toxicity of an organophosphate insecticide, 2,2-dichlorovinyldimethylphosphate (DDVP), against the growth and development of Polysphondylium violaceum strain PvD 7206. Plate cultures of the slime mould exposed to the vapours of a pest strip containing the insecticide seemed to grow and develop normally in most respects, but showed a startling increase in the number of aggregation centres and sorocarps formed. I report here the results of preliminary investigations on the basis for this phenomenon.
A mobile location search system with active query sensing

How should the second query be taken once the first query fails in mobile location search based on visual recognition? In this demo, we describe a mobile search system with a unique Active Query Sensing (AQS) function to intelligently guide the mobile user to take a successful second query. This suggestion is built upon a scalable visual matching system covering over 0.3 million street view reference images in New York City, where each location is associated with multiple surrounding views and panorama. In online search, once the initial search result fails, the system will perform online analysis and suggest the mobile user to turn to the most discriminative viewing angle to take the second visual query, from which the search performance is expected to greatly improve. The AQS suggestion is based on both offline salient view discovery and online viewing angle prediction and intelligent turning decision. Our experiments show our AVS can improve the mobile location search with a performance gain as high as 100%, reducing the failure rate to only 12% after taking the second visual query.
Scenario Planning: a Tool for Conservation in an Uncertain World

Conservation decisions about how, when, and where to act are typically based on our expectations for the future. When the world is highly unpredictable and we are working from a limited range of expecta- tions, however, our expectations will frequently be proved wrong. Scenario planning offers a framework for developing more resilient conservation policies when faced with uncontrollable, irreducible uncertainty. A scenario in this context is an account of a plausible future. Scenario planning consists of using a few con- trasting scenarios to explore the uncertainty surrounding the future consequences of a decision. Ideally, sce- narios should be constructed by a diverse group of people for a single, stated purpose. Scenario planning can incorporate a variety of quantitative and qualitative information in the decision-making process. Often, con- sideration of this diverse information in a systemic way leads to better decisions. Furthermore, the participa- tion of a diverse group of people in a systemic process of collecting, discussing, and analyzing scenarios builds shared understanding. The robustness provided by the consideration of multiple possible futures has served several groups well; we present examples from business, government, and conservation planning that illustrate the value of scenario planning. For conservation, major benefits of using scenario planning are (1) increased understanding of key uncertainties, (2) incorporation of alternative perspectives into conservation planning, and (3) greater resilience of decisions to surprise.
Estimating daily dose for pharmacoepidemiologic studies: Alprazolam as an example

Pharmacoepidemiologic research utilizing large automated prescription databases requires measures of daily drug dose. The objectives of this report were to develop a measure of the average daily dose from such a database and to apply it to a specific drug (alprazolam) to determine if the average daily dose had changed over time. An estimate of the average daily dose was developed by calculating total exposure (in mg) over time and dividing it by the total number of days of exposure over the same time period. The total number of days of exposure was calculated with an algorithm linking prescriptions into periods of use if certain conditions were met. Applying the measure, the average daily dose of alprazolam increased after it was approved for use at higher doses, and we observed no seizure disorders among any users with highest average daily doses. Since the data fields to develop the measure appeared to be valid and are common to most automated prescription systems, and given an assumption that the receipt of multiple dispensings in a consistent temporal sequence indicates that the drug is consumed, average daily doses can be estimated from large automated prescription databases.
Neutron-induced nucleation inside bubble chambers using Freon 115 as the active medium

Abstract Neutron imaging is used in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) experiments to measure the core symmetry of imploded targets. Liquid bubble chambers have the potential to obtain higher resolution images of the targets for a shorter source–target distance than typical scintillator arrays. Due to the fact that nucleation models used in gel detectors research cannot always give correct estimates for the neutron-induced bubble density inside a liquid bubble chamber, an improved theoretical model to describe the mechanism of bubble formation for Freon 115 as the active medium has been developed. It shows that the size of the critical radius for the nucleation process determines the mechanism of bubble formation and the sensitivity of the active medium to the 14.1-MeV incident neutrons resulting from ICF implosions. The bubble-growth mechanism is driven by the excitation of the medium electronic levels and not by electrons ejected from the medium's atoms as happens for the bubble chambers used to detect charged particles. The model accurately predicts the neutron-induced bubble density measured on OMEGA with both liquid bubble chambers and gel detectors.