cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Return of Power Gating: Smart Leakage Energy Reductions in Modern Out-of-Order Processor Architectures

Leakage power has been a significant concern in power constrained processor design as manufacturing technology has scaled down dramatically in the last decades. While power gating has been known to deliver leakage power reductions, its success has heavily relied on judicious power gating decisions. Yet delivering such prudent decisions has been particularly challenging for out-of-order processors due to the unpredictability of execution order. This paper introduces an intelligent power gating method for out-of-order embedded and mobile processor execution units by monitoring and utilizing readily available hints on the pipeline. First, we track the counts of different instruction types in the instruction queue to identify the execution units slated to remain idle in the near future. As the presence of an instruction is not a definite indicator of its execution start due to stalls, our second guidance improves the accuracy of the first approach by tracking the stalling instructions in the instruction queue due to memory dependencies. While tracking IQ content delivers dramatically better results than the state-of-the-art timeout-based methods in the literature with 48.8% energy reductions, the memory-aware guidance boosts energy savings up to 72.8% on average for memory intensive applications.
Surgeon experience association with patient selection and outcomes after open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Abstract Background Growing calls for guidelines advocating minimum annual case volumes for surgeon credentialing remain controversial. Although most attention to date has focused on the impact of obligatory case volume, less attention has been devoted to the more complex association between surgeon years of independent practice experience and procedure outcomes after open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (OAR). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the association of surgeon experience with case selection and real-world outcomes after OAR. Methods All Society for Vascular Surgery-Vascular Quality Initiative infrarenal and juxtarenal OARs (n = 11,900; 71% elective; 29% nonelective) from 2003 to 2019 were examined. Surgeon experience was defined by years in practice after training completion. Experience level at time of repair was categorized (≤5 years, n = 1048; 6-10 years, n = 1309; 11-15 years, n = 1244; and ≥16 years, n = 4772) and intergroup univariate comparisons were made. Logistic regression identified independent predictors of complications, 30-day death, and 1-year mortality. Models were constructed with or without surgeon experience strata to determine association with outcomes. Results Increasing surgeon experience was associated with performing greater proportions of elective procedures, whereas less experienced surgeons had disproportionate exposure to nonelective operations (elective, 73% ≥16 years vs 62% ≤5 years [P .15 for all comparisons). Conclusions Increasing surgeon years of practice experience correlated significantly with a reduced risk of developing multiple postoperative complications, including postoperative death in the elective setting. Surgeons within their first 5 years of practice are exposed to greater proportions of nonelective cases but seem to have similar outcomes after these repairs compared with surgeons with more experience. Notably, surgeons in their first 5 years of practice operate on more complex elective patients as underscored by higher aggregate comorbidity scores, larger aneurysm diameters, and need for suprarenal aortic cross-clamping. These data have important implications on training paradigms, faculty recruitment, and the organization of mentorship when on boarding new surgeons.
Initial Results from the M-STONE Group: A Multi-Center Collaboration to Study Treatment Outcomes in Nephrolithiasis Evaluation

Introduction: Despite proven effectiveness of medications in preventing stone recurrence, compliance with pharmacotherapy (PT) is often poor because of cost, side effects, and impact on lifestyle. ...
Accessible Streaming Algorithms for the Chi-Square Test

We present space-efficient algorithms for performing Pearson’s chi-square goodness-of-fit test in a streaming setting. Since the chi-square test is one of the most well known and commonly used tests in statistics, it is surprising that there has been no prior work on designing streaming algorithms for it. The test is not based on a specific distribution assumption and has one-sample and two-sample variants. Given a stream of data, the one-sample variant tests if the stream is drawn from a fixed distribution. The two-sample variant tests if two data streams are drawn from the same or similar distributions. One major advantage of using statistical tests over other quantities commonly measured by streaming algorithms is that these tests do not require parameter tuning and have results that can be easily interpreted by data analysts. The problem that we solve in this paper is how to compute the chi-square test on streams with minimal parameter configuration and assumptions. We give rigorous proofs showing that it is possible to compute the chi-square statistic with high fidelity and an almost quadratic reduction in memory in the continuous case, but the categorical case only admits heuristic solutions. We validate the performance and accuracy of our algorithms through extensive testing on both real and synthetic data sets.
Model-Based Suppression Control for Liquid Vessels Carried by a Humanoid Robot While Stair-Climbing

This paper presents a study to evaluate the effects of sloshing phenomena while a humanoid robot climbs stairs while carrying water containers. Currently humanoid robots can perform a wide range of tasks including handling tools, climbing ladders, and patrolling rough terrain. However, when it comes to manipulation of objects humanoids are fairly limited. This becomes more apparent when humanoids have to handle non-rigid objects. Although many full-sized humanoids cost an extensive amount of money, they fail to respond to common tasks during disaster relief such as delivering water to the victims or possible fires. After disasters such as Hurricane Maria, the need for humanoid robots to assist in these scenarios is becoming increasingly evident. In previous work the authors have developed an algorithm which allows the robot to walk while carrying water buckets. Experiments conducted use the full-sized humanoid DRC-Hubo as an experimental platform. Moreover, a sloshing reduction controller is implemented in order to suppress rocking disturbances. The system was integrated via ROS (Robot Operating System). Additionally, the sloshing reduction was evaluated based on sensor data evaluation.
Lifelong voluntary aerobic exercise prevents age- and Western diet- induced vascular dysfunction, mitochondrial oxidative stress and inflammation in mice.

KEY POINTS The results of the present study establish the temporal pattern of age-related vascular dysfunction across the adult lifespan in sedentary mice consuming a non-Western diet, and the underlying mechanisms The results demonstrate that consuming a Western diet accelerates and exacerbates vascular ageing across the lifespan in sedentary mice They also show that lifelong voluntary aerobic exercise has remarkable protective effects on vascular function throughout the lifespan, in the setting of ageing alone, as well as ageing compounded by Western diet consumption Overall, the results indicate that amelioration of mitochondrial oxidative stress and inflammation are key mechanisms underlying the voluntary aerobic exercise-associated preservation of vascular function across the lifespan in both the presence and absence of a Western dietary pattern ABSTRACT: Advancing age is the major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, driven largely by vascular endothelial dysfunction (impaired endothelium-dependent dilatation, EDD) and aortic stiffening (increased aortic pulse wave velocity, aPWV). In humans, vascular ageing occurs in the presence of differences in diet and physical activity, but the interactive effects of these factors are unknown. We assessed carotid artery EDD and aPWV across the lifespan in mice consuming standard (normal) low-fat chow (NC) or a high-fat/high-sucrose Western diet (WD) in the absence (sedentary, SED) or presence (voluntary wheel running, VWR) of aerobic exercise. Ageing impaired nitric oxide-mediated EDD (peak EDD 88 ± 12% 6 months P = 0.003 vs. 59 ± 9% 27 months NC-SED), which was accelerated by WD (60 ± 18% 6 months WD-SED). In NC mice, aPWV increased 32% with age (423 ± 13 cm/s at 24 months P < 0.001 vs. 321 ± 12 cm/s at 6 months) and absolute values were an additional ∼10% higher at any age in WD mice (P = 0.042 vs. NC-SED). Increases in aPWV with age in NC and WD mice were associated with 30-65% increases in aortic intrinsic wall stiffness (6 vs. 19-27 months, P = 0.007). Lifelong aerobic exercise prevented age- and WD-related vascular dysfunction across the lifespan, and this protection appeared to be mediated by mitigation of vascular mitochondrial oxidative stress and inflammation. Our results depict the temporal impairment of vascular function over the lifespan in mice, acceleration and exacerbation of that dysfunction with WD consumption, the remarkable protective effects of voluntary aerobic exercise, and the underlying mechanisms.
Propsective evaluation of high-dose methotrexate pharmacokinetics in adult patients with lymphoma using novel determinants of kidney function.

High-dose methotrexate (HDMTX) pharmacokinetics (PKs), including the best estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equation that reflects methotrexate (MTX) clearance, requires investigation. This prospective, observational, single-center study evaluated adult patients with lymphoma treated with HDMTX. Samples were collected at predefined time points up to 96 h postinfusion. MTX and 7-hydroxy-MTX PKs were estimated by standard noncompartmental analysis. Linear regression determined which serum creatinine- or cystatin C-based eGFR equation best predicted MTX clearance. The 80 included patients had a median (interquartile range [IQR]) age of 68.6 years (IQR 59.2-75.6), 54 (67.5%) were men, and 74 (92.5%) were White. The median (IQR) dose of MTX was 7.6 (IQR 4.8-11.3) grams. Median clearance was similar across three dosing levels at 4.5-5.6 L/h and was consistent with linear PKs. Liver function, weight, age, sex, concomitant chemotherapy, and number of previous MTX doses did not impact clearance. MTX area under the curve (AUC) values varied over a fourfold range and appeared to increase in proportion to the dose. The eGFRcys (ml/min) equation most closely correlated with MTX clearance in both the entire cohort and after excluding outlier MTX clearance values (r = 0.31 and 0.51, respectively). HDMTX as a 4-h infusion displays high interpatient pharmacokinetic variability. Population PK modeling to optimize MTX AUC attainment requires further evaluation. The cystatin C-based eGFR equation most closely estimated MTX clearance and should be investigated for dosing and monitoring in adults requiring MTX as part of lymphoma management.
The Study of Organizations through a Resource—Exchange Paradigm

Although not without its critics (e.g., Gouldner, 1970; Weick, 1974; Zaleznik, 1967), the open-systems model has been a major integrative perspective used by many contemporary students of organizations. The systems view is meaningful for many purposes, and indeed will be incorporated into what follows; however, the approach is often an empty one. Although providing an overview of entities which operate as systems, it often fails to provide a set of concepts which focus attention on specific processes which characterize any one set of systems.
Treating Religion as Speech: The Religion Clause Jurisprudence of Justice Stevens

Justice Stevens has sometimes been caricatured as the Supreme Court Justice who hates religion, but an exploration of the cases in which Justice Stevens has voted in favor of religious claimants reveals that, rather than being moved by a reflexive hostility toward religion, Justice Stevens appears to respect religion as a powerful motivator of human action, though one that is largely able to look out for its own interests in the political process. Notwithstanding my rejection of the common view of Justice Stevens as hostile to religion, I argue in this paper that there are substantial problems with his actual approach. First, Justice Stevens has a tendency to treat religion as no more valuable than other valuable categories of expressive activity, a tendency that brings him into agreement with a great deal of recent scholarly commentary on the Religion Clauses. The protection he would afford religious practice is therefore largely coextensive with the protection afforded to expressive conduct more generally under the First Amendment, thereby rendering the Free Exercise Clause superfluous. Second, I argue that Justice Stevens places too much faith in the ability of legislatures to look out for the interests of minority religious groups, ignoring the important role that courts play in highlighting for legislatures the situations in which minority religions appear to be suffering disproportionately under generally applicable regulations. Accordingly, I propose a different approach, one that builds on Justice Stevens's views but that adequately acknowledges the unique value of religion in the lives of believers.
5-Keto-d-fructose VI. A SPECIFIC REDUCED NICOTINAMIDE ADENINE DINUCLEOTIDE PHOSPHATE-LINKED REDUCTASE FROM YEAST

Abstract A specific reduced nicotinamide dinucleotide phosphate-linked 5-keto-d-fructose reductase has been isolated and purified approximately 300-fold from extracts of bakers' yeast. The reaction catalyzed by the enzyme was found to be 5-Keto-d-fructose + NADPH + H+ → l-sorbose + NADP+ Km values for NADPH and 5-keto-d-fructose were 4.6 x 10-5 m and 1 x 10-3 m, respectively. All attempts to demonstrate reversibility of the reaction were unsuccessful. Although l-sorbose, at exceedingly high concentrations, does not affect the rate of NADPH oxidation by 5-keto-d-fructose, NADP+ was found to be a competitive inhibitor with a Ki value of 1.3 x 10-4 m. Of all other substrates examined, only 5-keto-d-fructose phosphate was active. The Km value for the phosphate ester was found to be 2.9 x 10-4 m with a maximal rate of reduction of only 1.8% of that observed for 5-keto-d-fructose. It has been established that the yeast reductase as well as sheep liver NAD-specific sorbitol dehydrogenase and Candida utilis NADP-specific polyol dehydrogenase catalyze a stereospecific direct transfer of hydrogen from the A side of the reduced pyridine ring to the ketohexose substrates.
Comparison of 234Th, 228Th, and 210Pb fluxes with fluxes of major sediment components in the Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California

Abstract Sediment trap samples were collected from the Guaymas Basins to examine the factors that control the flux of 234 Th , 228 Th and 210 Pb . Total mass, organic carbon, biogenic opal, carbonate and lithogenic fluxes were measured to compare with the radionuclide fluxes. The fluxes of the three radionuclides are strongly correlated with each other. However, a comparison of the radionuclide fluxes with total mass and major sediment component fluxes revealed two separate correlations with distinctly different slopes. Therefore, the flux of these particle-reactive radionuclides is not controlled by the total mass or the major sediment component fluxes. The correlation showing the highest radionuclide flux relative to the total mass and major sediment components (highest slope) occurs in the winter of the El Nino years, suggesting more efficient scavenging during this period. During the non-El Nino winter and the summers, the flux of the three radionuclides increases much less with the increase in the total mass and major sediment components (lower slope). Mechanisms typically used to explain highly efficient scavenging were examined. These mechanisms include an increase in residence time of particles in the water column, iron and manganese scavenging, finer particle size, and higher productivity. Evidence exists to discount all of these typical mechanisms. El Nino causes a change in the winter hydrographic conditions in the Guaymas Basin and allows the migration of tropical Pacific plankton species into the central Gulf of California. The evidence is consistent with the hypothesis that the plankton species produced under the hydrographic conditions of the El Nino winter are responsible for the more efficient scavenging of the particle-reactive radionuclides in the Guaymas Basin. The possibility also exists that a factor (or factors), associated with the El Nino winter that has not been examined, is responsible for the highly efficient scavenging.
The Role of Gender in Students’ Decisions to Major in Information Systems

In order to understand the reasons for women’s underrepresentation in IS, we extended the IS Major Choice Goals Model, which identifies the major factors that influence students’ pursuit of IS majors and careers. There were significant differences between female and male students in terms of self-efficacy, interests, and choice goals. Significant gender differences were also found in the relationships among the key determinants of the model meaning that females and males differed with respect to how they developed aspirations to major in IS. The relationship between self-efficacy and interest was stronger in females than in males, as well as the relationship between self-efficacy and outcome expectations. Self-efficacy influenced choice goals more strongly for males than it influenced females. The relationship between outcome expectations and interest was stronger in males than in females. Interest influenced choice goals more strongly for female students than it influenced male students.
Transient expression of small GTPases to study protein transport along secretory pathway in vivo using recombinant T7 vaccinia virus system.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the methodology to express small GTPases using the vaccinia transient expression system for the biochemical and morphological analysis of transport of protein through the secretory pathway of eukaryotic cells. To examine the physiological function of small GTPases in vivo , the recombinant T7 vaccinia virus (VV) system has proven to be a useful tool to express transiently wild-type and mutant forms with altered guanine nucleotide properties in mammalian cells. Using this approach, the inhibitory effects of dominant negative mutant forms of Rab1, Rab2, Arfl, and Sar1 on the vectorial transport of protein from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi apparatus and between successive Golgi compartments have been successfully demonstrated. To determine the effect of small GTPases on the transport of protein between the ER and the Golgi compartment, cells are cotransfected with a recombinant plasmid carrying vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-G) and a recombinant plasmid expressing a wild-type or mutant form of the gene of interest.
Expression of the dermatomyositis autoantigen transcription intermediary factor 1γ in regenerating muscle

Objective Autoantibodies against transcription intermediary factor 1γ (TIF1γ) are found in many patients with dermatomyositis (DM). Although TIF1γ is known to play a role in the differentiation of other tissues, its functional role in muscle regeneration has not been elucidated. This study was undertaken to explore the regulation and functional role of this protein during muscle differentiation and regeneration. Methods TIF1γ expression was analyzed in human muscle biopsy specimens using immunofluorescence microscopy. Immunofluorescence microscopy and immunoblotting analyses were used to study TIF1γ expression in a mouse model of muscle injury and repair. The effect of premature TIF1γ silencing on muscle differentiation was studied in cultured mouse myoblasts. Results In muscle biopsy specimens from DM patients, TIF1γ was expressed at low levels in the nuclei of histologically normal muscle cells but at high levels in the centralized nuclei of atrophic, perifascicular myofibers expressing markers of regeneration. TIF1γ levels were also increased in regenerating myonuclei following muscle injury in mice. Premature silencing of TIF1γ in vitro using small interfering RNA did not accelerate the expression of myogenin, a transcription factor that plays a central role in regulating relatively early stages of muscle differentiation. However, premature silencing of TIF1γ did accelerate myotube fusion and the expression of myosin heavy chain (MyHC), a later marker of muscle differentiation. Conclusion The DM autoantigen TIF1γ is markedly up-regulated during muscle regeneration in human and mouse muscle cells. Premature silencing of this protein in cultured myoblasts accelerates MyHC expression and myoblast fusion. However, TIF1γ may function independently of, or downstream from, myogenin.
Abstract 13159: Adverse Right Ventricular Remodeling by Three Dimensional Echocardiographic Wall Motion Tracking in Pulmonary Hypertension is Associated with Patient Outcomes

Introduction: Right ventricular (RV) adaptive versus adverse remodeling is of prognostic significance in pulmonary hypertension (PH), but its assessment is difficult. Objective: To apply the new technique of 3D echocardiographic wall motion tracking to quantify RV remodeling in PH patients and associate these findings with patient outcomes. Methods: We studied 92 PH patients with 3D wall motion tracking (Toshiba Corp.) for RV end-diastolic volume index (EDVI), end-systolic volume index (ESVI), RV ejection fraction (EF) and RV global area strain (G-AS). All PH patients had invasive systolic and mean pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP, mPAP), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), cardiac index (CI), and right atrial pressure (RAP) measured. We used receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) analysis with area under the curve (AUC) and regression of pressure-volume relations (sPAP and RV ESVI). We defined 3 PH groups: 1) RV Adapted, 2) RV Adapted-Remodeled and 3) RV Adverse-Remodeled. The primary end-point was hospi...
Antibody Specific for the Peptide·Major Histocompatibility Complex IS IT T CELL RECEPTOR-LIKE?

Antibodies recognizing peptide bound to a major histocompatability complex (MHC) protein usually have a higher affinity for the composite peptide·MHC (pMHC) ligand than T cell receptors (TCR) with the same specificity. Because the solvent-accessible peptide area constitutes only a small portion of the contacting pMHC surface, we hypothesized that the contribution of the MHC moiety to the TCR-pMHC complex stability is limited, ensuring a small increment of the binding energy delivered by the peptide to be distinguishable by the TCR or the peptide-specific antibody. This suggests that the gain in affinity of the antibody-pMHC interaction can be achieved through an increase in the on-rate without a significant change in the off-rate of the interaction. To test the hypothesis, we have analyzed the binding of an ovalbumin peptide (pOV8) and its variants associated with soluble H-2Kb protein to the 25-D1.16 monoclonal antibody and compared it with the binding of the same pMHC complexes to the OT-1 TCR. This comparison revealed a substantially higher on-rate of the antibody-pMHC interaction compared with the TCR-pMHC interaction. In contrast, both the antibody and the TCR-pMHC complexes exhibited comparably fast off-rates. Sequencing of the 25-D1.16 VH and VL genes showed that they have very few somatic mutations and those occur mainly in framework regions. We propose that the above features constitute a signature of the recognition of MHC-bound peptide antigens by TCR and TCR-like antibodies, which could explain why the latter are rarely produced in vivo.
Evolution: Convergent and Parallel Evolution

Convergence and parallelism are two forms of independent evolution of similar or identical traits; they are often taken as evidence for adaptive evolution, but can also occur due to design limitations or by chance. Keywords: homology; analogy; homoplasy; convergence; reversal
On the Choice of Asset Price Indices: Performance Measurement versus Asset Class Analysis

Asset price indices are widely used in financial economics to measure portfolio performance and analyze asset class attributes such as risk and returns. This paper uses statistical models and numerical examples to illustrate that these two research needs are different and thus demand different indices. The choice of indices has significant economic consequences since indices can differ dramatically under reasonable market conditions, as demonstrated by simulations. This paper proposes a moment-matching criterion to select indices for portfolio performance measurement, and a process-matching criterion to select indices for asset class attributes analysis.
Taxonomy of Phytopathogenic Pseudomonads

Phytopathogenic pseudomonads were placed into four major groups on the basis of nutritional and physiological characteristics. Group I consists of 86 strains of phytopathogens distinguishable from other fluorescent pseudomonads by low growth rates, ability to induce hypersensitivity on tobacco, absence of arginine dihydrolase, and relatively limited ranges of carbon sources. Most of these strains cannot utilize benzoate, 2-ketogluconate, spermine, β-alanine, l-isoleucine, l-valine, and l-lysine. Most of the organisms in group I clustered into a small number of subgroups, each of which generally corresponded to a previously recognized nomenspecies. These subgroups differ with respect to the number of substrates used. As a rule, the organisms that utilize the fewest substrates have the most limited host ranges. The fluorescent pseudomonads of group II are arginine dihydrolase-positive and utilize a considerably larger number of carbon sources. Most pathogens of group II are similar to Pseudomonas fluorescens biotype A. Groups III and IV consist of nonfluorescent pseudomonads. These two groups can be distinguished by the number of carbon sources used and by pigmentation. An amended description of the flurescent pseudomonads and their internal subdivision is presented.
When colleague accuses colleague: Adjudicating personnel matters through the filing of ethics complaints

(1999). When Colleague Accuses Colleague. Administration in Social Work: Vol. 23, No. 2, pp. 1-16.
Regional changes in body composition by time of year in healthy postmenopausal women

We examined regional changes in fat, lean, and bone tissue for greater than 1 y in 125 postmenopausal women. Duplicate whole-body scans were performed at 6-mo intervals. Period 1 was June or July to December or January and period 2 was December or January to the following June or July. Lean and bone tissue mass in the arms, legs, trunk, and whole body increased in period 1 and decreased in period 2 [eg, lean tissue in legs increased 1.84 +/- 0.41% (mean +/- SE) in period 1 and decreased 2.84 +/- 0.39% in period 2, P less than 0.001]. In each region except the arms, fat tissue decreased in period 1 and increased in period 2. Quadriceps muscle strength was correlated with lean tissue mass of the legs [rp (controlled for height) = 0.24, P V 0.02] and physical activity was correlated with quadriceps strength. Overall, body weight did not change significantly (0.17 +/- 0.41% increase, P greater than 0.20); however, there was a net loss of 1.08 +/- 0.39% (P less than 0.01) in lean tissue in the legs and a net increase of 3.43 +/- 1.12% (P less than 0.01) in fat tissue in the trunk.
ethnicity and smoking-associated Dna methylation changes at hiV co-receptor gPr15

Smoking is associated with poorer health outcomes for both African and European Americans. In order to better understand whether ethnic specific genetic variation may underlie some of these differences, we contrasted the smoking associated genome-wide methylation signatures of African Americans with those of European Americans, and followed up this analysis with a focused examination of the most ethnically divergent locus, cg19859270, at the GPR15 gene. We examined the association of methylation at this locus to the rs2230344 SNP and GPR15 gene and protein expression. Consistent with prior analyses, AHRR residue cg05575921 was the most differentially methylated residue in both African Americans and European Americans. However, the second most differentially methylated locus in African Americans, cg19859270, was only modestly differentially methylated in European Americans. Interrogation of the methylation status of this CpG residue found in GPR15, a chemokine receptor involved in HIV pathogenesis, showed a significant interaction of ethnicity with smoking as well as a marginal effect of genotype at rs2230344, a neighboring non-synonymous SNP, but only among African Americans. Gene and protein expression analyses showed that demethylation at cg19859270 was associated with an increase in both mRNA and protein levels. Since GPR15 is involved in the early stages of viral replication for some HIV-1, and HIV-2 isolates, and the prevalence of HIV is increased in African Americans and smokers, these data support a possible role for GPR15 in the ethnically dependent differential prevalence of HIV.
Detailing Steel Roof Decks to Control Damage from Wind-Borne Debris Impact

AbstractStructurally hardened safe rooms are a proven strategy for enhancing life safety during tornadoes and other severe wind events. Performance criteria for safe rooms include resistance to both wind pressure and impact from wind-borne debris. This paper presents the results of a test program evaluating debris impact resistance of light-gauge steel decking for use as roof cladding on safe rooms. Particular attention is given to the modes of damage caused by debris impact and strategies for controlling and mitigating such damage. Recommendations are provided for detailing lap joints and bearing connections and for selecting appropriate support spacing. This information will aid design engineers in detailing light-gauge steel roof decks for use in tornado safe rooms. Recommendations provided in this paper are also applicable to other scenarios where steel roof decks are at risk of wind-borne debris impact.
Understanding Pulmonary Mechanics Using The Forced Oscillations Technique

The lung is a marvelously over-designed mechanical ventilation system. It is capable of sustaining substantial injury or alteration while still maintaining life-sustaining blood gas levels. Nevertheless, these alterations often lead to compromised lung function and breathing discomfort. Consider two basic questions: What is the relative compromise in airway versus tissue properties during asthma?; and flow do airways and tissues contribute to alterations in breathing discomfort (dyspnea) and breathing function (i.e., to adequately ventilate)? Answers to these questions are required for designing and monitoring effective treatment protocols. Unfortunately, obtaining answers is fraught with ambiguities as they will be highly dependent on the breathing frequency and amplitude, on the alterations in the mechanical constituents comprising the airways and tissues (eg., airway geometry and wall properties and the tissue fiber system), and on the topological properties of the interdependent airway-tissue matrix. What is needed is a measurement approach which can provide specific and reliable insight on the mechanical properties and important mechanisms that contribute to breathing. Preferably, the method should be amenable to clinical applications and assessment.
Preliminary Evaluation of a Sensory and Psychomotor Functional Test Battery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Part 1—Confirmed Cases and Normal Subjects

Two new computer-controlled functional tests were developed, known as the Wisconsin test battery, for carpal tunnel syndrome CTS). The gap detection sensory test quantifies tactile thresholds for areas of the hand innervated by the median nerve. The rapid pinch and release psychomotor test measures the initiation and control of specific muscles innervated by the median nerve motor branch. Ten confirmed CTS patients (based on electrophysiological parameters and examination; 18 CTS hands) and eight confirmed normal subjects (16 hands) with a similar average age were administered both tests. The CTS patients showed significant functional deficits for both tactility and psychomotor tests. Average CTS performance was 24 to 104% poorer than for the normal subjects, depending on the performance measure. The results indicated high correlations (r = 0.5 to 0.8) between median nerve electrophysiological parameters and tactility or psychomotor performance variables. No single functional test variable had sufficient ...
Developing a student veterans center: The confluence of academic and military cultures

Lynette Cook Francis and Amanda Kraus describe the benefits and challenges of working together with student veterans to develop a program that contributes to their successful transition to higher education.
Multi-input/multi-output relay design for more compact and versatile implementation of digital logic with zero leakage

Multi-functional digital logic circuits, each utilizing only two relays, are demonstrated for the first time. This work can be extended to relay designs comprising greater than two input electrodes and/or greater than two sets of source/drain electrodes, for more compact realization of zero-leakage digital ICs in the future.
A numerical study of the measurement of elongational viscosity of polymeric fluids in a semihyperbolically converging die

Abstract A method for measuring the elongational viscosity of polymer melts and solutions has been generalized and evaluated by means of numerical simulations. The method involves passing a material through a cylindrical, converging die whose semihyperbolic shape mandates a shear-free, or nearly shear-free, flow within the die, assuming wall slip. From the analysis of the relevant flow equations in the die, an expression for elongational viscosity is derived under less restrictive conditions than in previous studies. This expression consists of two terms, one of which is a measurable effective elongational viscosity defined in terms of the change in pressure over the die, the volumetric flow rate and the Hencky strain determined by the geometry. To evaluate this method, finite element techniques are used to calculate the flow of a low-density polyethylene melt in two semihyperbolically converging dies. After confirming that purely elongational flow is produced within the die, assuming wall slip, the effective elongational viscosity is computed from the calculated flow field and these values are compared with the values of elongational viscosity found by integrating the constitutive equation for the material in elongational flow. Over the wide range of elongation rates considered, very good agreement is found between these two sets of values when the time associated with the effective viscosity is appropriately specified. Further, a similar analysis for a Newtonian fluid showed that the effective elongational viscosity satisfies the Trouton ratio over the range of elongation rates considered. These results indicate that the measured effective elongational viscosity is an excellent approximation to the material’s true elongational viscosity. Consequently, semihyperbolically converging dies can be used effectively to obtain transient elongational viscosity measurements at constant strain or constant strain rate.
Cell division in apicomplexan parasites

Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum are important human pathogens. These parasites and many of their apicomplexan relatives undergo a complex developmental process in the cells of their hosts, which includes genome replication, cell division and the assembly of new invasive stages. Apicomplexan cell cycle progression is both globally and locally regulated. Global regulation is carried out throughout the cytoplasm by diffusible factors that include cell cycle-specific kinases, cyclins and transcription factors. Local regulation acts on individual nuclei and daughter cells that are developing inside the mother cell. We propose that the centrosome is a master regulator that physically tethers cellular components and that provides spatial and temporal control of apicomplexan cell division.
The Effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure on Behavior: Rodent and Primate Studies

The use of alcohol by women during pregnancy is a continuing problem. In this review the behavioral effects of prenatal alcohol from animal models are described and related to studies of children and adults with FASD. Studies with monkeys and rodents show that prenatal alcohol exposure adversely affects neonatal orienting, attention and motor maturity, as well as activity level, executive function, response inhibition, and sensory processing later in life. The primate moderate dose behavioral findings fill an important gap between human correlational data and rodent mechanistic research. These animal findings are directly translatable to human findings. Moreover, primate studies that manipulated prenatal alcohol exposure and prenatal stress independently show that prenatal stress exacerbates prenatal alcohol-induced behavioral impairments, underscoring the need to consider stress-induced effects in fetal alcohol research. Studies in rodents and primates show long-term effects of prenatal and developmental alcohol exposure on dopamine system functioning, which could underpin the behavioral effects.
CAFTURE AND RECYCLE OF BYPASSING BUBBLE GAS IN A FLUIDIZED BED: THE “BUBBLE EATER”

ABSTRACT The bubble eater is a device which can sense, capture, and recycle bubble gas in a bubbling fluidized bed. The theory describing the enhancement of reactant gas conversion are presented and illustrated by means of a numerical example.
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN FLOODING TOLERANCE, LIFE HISTORY, AND SHORT‐TERM COMPETITIVE PERFORMANCE IN THREE SPECIES OF POLYGONUM

The objective of this study was to compare the growth and short-term (single season) competitive performance of three species of Polygonum known to differ in flooding tolerance and life history. Polygonum amphibium is a perennial with low sexual reproductive effort and a relatively high degree of flooding tolerance, P. lapathifolium is an annual species with a high sexual reproductive effort and a low tolerance to flooding, and P. hydropiperoides is intermediate to the other two in terms of sexual reproductive effort and flooding tolerance
Computer simulation of transposable element evolution: Random template and strict master models

It has been proposed that the most extensively studied mammalian retrotransposons replicate by some form of a master template model. This conclusion has been drawn largely from DNA sequence analysis and is based on phylogenetic tree topology, the presence and ordering of shared variants, the degree of divergence between elements within a subfamily, and the shape of the distribution of pairwise differences between elements. To investigate how robust these parameters are as predictors of the model of transposition, computer simulations of the two most extreme transposition models, the Random Template Model and the Strict Master Model, were carried out. A prototype of a computer simulator for studying retrotransposition is presented. The simulator is a versatile digital workbench that maintains DNA sequence data and allows manipulation of a range of factors including reverse transcriptase and in situ mutation rates, transposition template, and transposition rate. All parameters previously used as predictors of the model of transposition were markedly different for the two extreme models when evaluated using large sample sizes of sequences from experiments simulating up to 15 million years of evolution.
Community Participation in Large Public School Systems.

In a 1980 nationwide survey of school systems enrolling 50,000 or more students, it was found that community participation existed at the local school and districtwide levels for all 66 school systems, while 42 (67%) also reported community participation at the decentralized level. School systems with 50,000 to 74,900 students exhibited lower community participation scores than larger school systems with 75,000 or more students. Predominantly white school systems (+50%) tended to have higher community participation scores than predominantly minority school systems (+50%) at the local school and districtwide levels. At the decentralized level, the community participation scores between predominantly white and minority schools were similar. Suburban school systems' community participation scores were higher than city and county school systems' scores at the local, decentralized, and districtwide levels; county school systems' scores were lower at all three organizational levels. Community participation tended to be higher in the Southwest and West and lowest in the Midwest.
Dye Sensitization of Natural Anatase Crystals with a Ruthenium-Based Dye

was measured. The crystal face dependence of the sensitization efficiency was also investigated as well as the adsorption kinetics for N3. The efficiency of sensitization of the~101! face was approximately one order of magnitude higher than for the ~001! face. Various surface binding geometries for N3 on the two anatase crystal surfaces are discussed. Sensitization yields that varied by a factor of four were also observed on ~101! faces depending on the identity of the crystal. Examination of the morphology of the crystal surfaces with atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy indicated that differences in sensitization efficiency on different faces and crystals were not solely the result of differences in microscopic surface areas. The rise time for sensitized photocurrents decreased with higher light intensities and higher N3 coverages suggesting that trap states, associated with trapping and detrapping of injected electrons, can be saturated. The comparison of the sensitization behavior between anatase single crystals ~natural and synthetic! and nanocrystalline anatase films revealed that the absorbed photon-to-current efficiency of the nanocrystalline films is approximately three to seven times greater than on single crystals.
Periodic magnetization instabilities in a superconducting Nb film with a square lattice of Ni dots

Abstract Isothermal magnetization curves of a superconducting Nb film perforated by a square lattice of Ni dots exhibit quasiperiodic instabilities below ∼4 K, with a field-dependent period equal to the first, second, or third matching fields. The instabilities are found in a range of applied fields well above the saturation matching value, and where a Nb film with the same dimensions and magnetization remained stable. The recovery of matching effects well below T c ∼8.8 K is unexpected, because strong flux gradients generated by the geometric barrier and random pinning suppress the formation of large domains of matched flux lines and dots. The results suggest that terraces of matched flux density may exist at the border of a flux-free zone near the film edge.
Treatment Strategies for Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia observed in clinical practice, occurring in 0.4% of the general population and in up to 4% of people greater than 60 years old. It is often associated with other cardiovascular disorders, such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathy. Critical evaluation and management of patients with atrial fibrillation requires knowledge of etiology, prognosis, and treatment options of this arrhythmia. On initial presentation, emergency electrical cardioversion should be performed if the patient is hemodynamically unstable. If the patient is stable, initial rate control is recommended, using atrioventricular nodal blocking agents. Further treatment mainly depends upon the duration of the episode. Patients who are in atrial fibrillation 48 hours are commonly anticoagulated for 3 to 4 weeks before and after cardioversion because of the risk of thromboembolism formation in the left atrial appendage. An alternate strategy, which is especially attractive when immediate cardioversion is desired, is transesophageal echocardiography to exclude left atrial thrombus followed by prompt cardioversion. After cardioversion, sinus rhythm can be maintained with class I and III drugs, such as flecainide and propafenone or amiodarone and sotalol. New treatment options, such as atrial defibrillation, atrioventricular junctional ablation, or modification of atrial pacing to prevent atrial fibrillation, are currently under investigation. Although atrial fibrillation is so common in clinical practice, it still remains difficult to treat. Conversion and maintenance to sinus rhythm with antiarrhythmic drug therapy has not shown any improvement in mortality, and some patients may benefit more from ventricular rate control. This review article discusses different treatment strategies for patients with atrial fibrillation.
Primary anastomosis for meconium peritonitis: first choice of treatment.

Abstract Purpose Newborn surgery for meconium peritonitis (MP) is sometimes very difficult owing to severe adhesions and bleeding. The aim of this study was to reveal the benefit of primary anastomosis (PA) for MP by comparing PA with multistep operations (MO). Patients and Methods We retrospectively reviewed 38 patients with MP who underwent surgery in our institution from 1983 to 2009. From 1983 to 2000, we essentially used MO. After 2001, we used PA with the exception of 1 patient. We performed MO on 20 patients (group A) and PA on 18 patients (group B). Results Mortality was 4 in 20 in group A and 1 in 18 in group B. Three patients in group A and 2 in group B required reoperation because of complications. After 2001, 14 of 16 patients underwent PA. Of the 2 patients for whom PA could not be performed, one was postresuscitation from cardiopulmonary arrest and the other was an extremely low–birth-weight infant. The only mortality among the patients who underwent PA occurred in a very low–birth-weight infant who died from intraoperative hepatic hemorrhage. Conclusion PA can be performed for almost all patients with MP except for extremely low–birth-weight infants.
Achieving High Coverage of H1N1 Influenza Vaccine in an Ethnically Diverse Obstetric Population: Success of a Multifaceted Approach

Objective. To report on a multifaceted approach to increase uptake of the H1N1 vaccine in our ethnically diverse obstetrical population. Methods. A review of our obstetric clinic vaccine registry and the approaches used to increase vaccine uptake. We created a real-time vaccine registry, educated patients in their own language via educational videos and use of cultural case workers, facilitated patient appointments and transportation, educated staff, and used other interventions to enhance immunization uptake. Results. Within the first month of H1N1 availability, we vaccinated 120 of our total 157 obstetrics patients. Our overall coverage rate was 76% (number vaccinated/total number eligible.) Of the enrolled patients, the vaccine acceptance rates were similar in our English (59 (78%) of 76) versus non-English (59 (75%) of 79) speaking patients. Conclusions. High vaccine coverage is possible in an ethnically diverse, highly immigrant obstetrics population.