cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of a gene replacement cosmid vector for cloning alginate conversion genes from mucoid and nonmucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains: algS controls expression of algT.

Abstract Pseudomonas aeruginosa can convert to a mucoid colony morphology by a genetic mechanism called alginate conversion; this results in the production of copious amounts of the exopolysaccharide alginate. The mucoid phenotype of P. aeruginosa is commonly associated with its ability to cause chronic pulmonary tract infections in patients with cystic fibrosis. In this study we isolated the cis-acting locus involved in alginate conversion, called algS, from both mucoid and nonmucoid isogenic strains. We then examined the role of algS in the control of algT, a trans-active gene required for alginate production in P. aeruginosa. We used a new cosmid cloning vector, called pEMR2, that permitted both the cloning of large DNA fragments and their subsequent gene replacement in P. aeruginosa. To verify the predicted properties of this vector, we isolated and tested a pEMR2 hisI+ clone. Using cloned algS-containing DNA and a method for gene replacement, we constructed isogenic strains of P. aeruginosa that had Tn501 adjacent to algS on the chromosome. Two pEMR2 clone banks containing genomic fragments from isogenic algS(On) (exhibiting the alginate production phenotype) and algS(Off) (exhibiting the non-alginate production phenotype) strains were constructed, and Tn501 served as an adjacent marker to select for clones containing the respective algS allele. The pEMR2 algS(On) and pEMR2 algS(Off) clones were shown to contain the indicated algS allele by gene replacement with the chromosome of strains that carried the opposite allele. To test whether algS controls the expression of the adjacent algT gene, we constructed a pLAFR1 algS(Off)T clone and showed it to be unable to complement an algT::Tn501 mutation in trans. In contrast, a pLAFR1 algS(On)T clone did complement algT::Tn501 in trans. Thus, algS appears to control the activation of algT expression, bringing about alginate conversion.
Magnetic Resonance Neurography for Cervical Radiculopathy: A Preliminary Report

Magnetic resonance neurography was used to directly image cervical spinal nerves in patients with clinical and radiographic evidence of cervical radiculopathy. A magnetic resonance imaging phased-array coil system was used to obtain high-resolution coronal T1-weighted spin echo, coronal/axial T2-weighted fast spin echo with fat saturation, and coronal/axial fast short tau inversion recovery weighted images of the cervical spine and spinal nerves. Three patients with neck and upper extremity pain and one asymptomatic volunteer were studied. The T2-weighted and the fast short tau inversion recovery images demonstrated markedly increased signal in the proximal portion of the affected spinal nerves. In two patients, contrast-to-noise measurements of the affected spinal nerves showed a markedly increased intensity compared with that of the noninvolved spinal nerves. Our findings demonstrate that phased-array coils used in conjunction with magnetic resonance neurography sequences can detect signal abnormalities within compressed cervical spinal nerves in patients with corresponding radicular symptoms and findings. This technique may prove to be helpful in evaluating patients with multilevel disc and/or spondylotic disease of the cervical spine.
Parallel Graphics and Interactivity with the Scaleable Graphics Engine

A parallel rendering environment is being developed to utilize the IBM Scaleable Graphics Engine (SGE), a hardware frame buffer for parallel computers. Goals of this software development effort include finding efficient ways of producing and displaying graphics generated on IBM SP nodes and of assisting programmers in adapting or creating scientific simulation applications to use the SGE. Four software development phases discussed utilize the SGE: tunneling, SMP rendering, development of an OpenGL API implementation which utilizes the SGE in parallel environments, and additions to the SGE-enabled OpenGL implementation that uses threads. The performance observed in software tests show that programmers would be able to utilize the SGE to output interactive graphics in a parallel environment.
Abweichungen, Pathologie und Irresein

Das Unbekannte, das Ungewohnliche, das Unerklarte und das Mysteriose haben schon immer eine besondere Faszination auf den Menschen ausgeubt, die sich auf zweierlei Weise ausert: Einmal wird die Neugier geweckt und der Wissensdrang beflugelt, zum anderen reagieren die Menschen mit Furcht. Die erstere Reaktion wurde durch Wissenschaft, Erziehungswesen und Kunst in geordnete und konventionelle Bahnen gelenkt, die letztere findet ihren Niederschlag in dem starken Interesse an heidnischen Brauchen, Hexerei, Magie, Okkultismus, Ufos u. a. Was unbekannt und fur uns nicht einsichtig ist, entzieht sich naturlicherweise unserer Kontrolle und falls es uns ubel will, kann es uns moglicherweise selbst beherrschen oder gar uns zerstoren. Schlimmer noch, wenn es jemandem gelange, die geheime Kraft der unbekannten Machte zu entdecken, konnte er mit diesem Wissen womoglich die Macht uber den Rest der Menschheit an sich reisen. Dieses Grundthema durchzieht unsere Geistergeschichten, die alten Science-fiction-Filmserien und die Literatur uber Horror und Irrsinn Es ist, als ob die Menschen — im Bewustsein ihrer eigenen Verletzbarkeit und Sterblichkeit — Allmacht und Unsterblichkeit ersehnten und gleichzeitig furchteten.
A Combination of Tomato and Soy Products for Men With Recurring Prostate Cancer and Rising Prostate Specific Antigen

Tomato and soy products are hypothesized to reduce the risk of prostate cancer or enhance efficacy of therapy. A study was completed to determine if men with active prostate cancer will adhere to a dietary intervention rich in tomato products and a soy protein supplement men (n = 41) with recurrent, asymptomatic prostate cancer were randomized among 2 groups: Group A (n = 20) consumed tomato products (no soy) for Weeks 0 through 4, targeting a minimum of 25 mg of lycopene/day. Group B (n = 21) consumed soy (no tomatoes) for Weeks 0 through 4, providing 40 g of soy protein/day. For Weeks 4 through 8, all men consumed a combined tomato-rich diet and soy supplements. No grade II through IV toxicities were observed. During Weeks 0 through 4, mean daily lycopene intake for Group A was 43 mg (+/- 15 mg) and mean soy intake for Group B was 39 g (+/- 1 g), remaining similar during Weeks 4 through 8. Serum lycopene increased from 0.72 +/- 0.09 micromol/l to 1.21 +/- 0.10 micromol/l (P < 0.0001) and urinary isoflavone excretion increased from not detectable to 54.1 +/- 5.7 micromol/l (P < 0.05) with 8 wk of diet intervention. Serum prostate-specific antigen decreased between Weeks 0 and 8 for 14 / 41 men (34%). Mean serum vascular endothelial growth factor for the entire group was reduced from 87 to 51 ng/ml (P < 0.05) over 8 wk. In conclusion, prostate cancer patients will consume diets rich in tomato products and soy with excellent compliance and bioavailability of phytochemicals. Further studies combining tomato and soy foods to determine efficacy for prostate cancer prevention or management are encouraged.
The Role of the Ant in the Biological Control of Homopterous Insects

The ant as a factor in “facultative helotism” plays an important role in the biological conrrol of certain agricultural pests. This phenomenon was noted by Linne in 1758 (Jones 1929; Wheeler 1910), when he observed that honeydew-producing insects such as aphids, mealybugs, and scale insects often functioned as “cows of the ants.”The importance of this function in the biological control of homopteroas insects lies in the fact that certain species are effectively controlled by their natural enemies when ants are absent, but not when ants are present. The ant, in gathering the honeydew supplied by such homopterous insects, tends more or less automatically to protect them from their natural enemies (Huber 1810). This apparently protective effect is not limited to the honeydew-producing species hut is often extended to other phytophagous forms such as the citrus red mite, Paratetranychus citri (McGregor), (Kenyon 1935; DeBach, Fleschner, and Dietrick 1951) and diaspid scale insects (Flanders 1945) when such forms happen to be within the area of ant activity.
Markov decision process (MDP) framework for software power optimization using call profiles on mobile phones

We present an optimization framework for delay-tolerant data applications on mobile phones based on the Markov decision process (MDP). This process maximizes an application specific reward or utility metric, specified by the user, while still meeting a talk-time constraint, under limited resources such as battery life. This approach is novel for two reasons. First, it is user profile driven, which means that the user's history is an input to help predict and reserve resources for future talk-time. It is also dynamic: an application will adapt its behavior to current phone conditions such as battery level or time before the next recharge period. We propose efficient techniques to solve the optimization problem based on dynamic programming and illustrate how it can be used to optimize realistic applications. We also present a heuristic based on the MDP framework that performs well and is highly scalable for multiple applications. This approach is demonstrated using two applications: Email and Twitter synchronization with different priorities. We present experimental results based on Google's Android platform running on an Android Develepor Phone 1 (HTC Dream) mobile phone.
Phantosmia During Radiation Therapy A Report of 2 Cases

Phantosmia is an infrequently reported and poorly understood qualitative olfactory disorder characterized by the perception of a frequently unpleasant odor in the absence of an odorant stimulus. Peripheral phantosmia is hypothesized to involve abnormally active olfactory receptor neurons while central phantosmia is theorized to be the result of hyperactive neurons in the cortex. The authors present a case report that describes 2 patients with incomparable tumors and radiation fields who both experienced phantosmia featuring a halitosis-like odor during their courses of radiation therapy. Both the 6-year-old with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma and the 15-year-old with World Health Organization grade II-III astrocytoma in the bifrontal lobes experienced significant distress and decreased quality of life during treatment because of the phantosmia, which resolved after completion of radiation therapy. To the best of the authors' knowledge, these are the first descriptions of phantosmia during focal or whole-brain radiation therapy.
THE EFFECTS OF PSYCHOACTIVE AGENTS ON CALCIUM UPTAKE BY PREPARATIONS OF RAT BRAIN MITOCHONDRIA12

The effects of chlorpromazine and other psychoactive agents on the uptake of calcium by partially purified preparations of mitochondria from rat brain were studied in vitro. Chlorpromazine at concentrations of about 0-1 ITIM caused a marked inhibition of mitochondrial calcium transport. Perphenazine also exhibited this action and was slightly more potent than chlorpromazine. Imipramine inhibited mitochondrial calcium uptake but higher concentrations were necessary than in experiments with chlorpromazine. The sulph-oxide of chlorpromazine did not inhibit calcium transport when tested at concentrations similar to those used with chlorpromazine. Up to concentrations of 20 mM, lithium ions did not influence mitochondrial calcium uptake.
Computer assisted enhancement of mammograms for detection of microcalcifications

The presence of microcalcifications in mammograms provides an early indication of possible breast cancer. Because of the difficulty associated with visual identification of microcalcifications and the large volume of mammograms read per day, the radiologist stands a good chance of missing some small microcalcification clusters. Although several computer-assisted programs have been developed for the automatic detection of microcalcifications in mammograms, they often generate too many false positives. This paper presents a computer-assisted enhancement technique which is capable of coping with false positive samples. More specifically, a general-purpose clustering algorithm, called Issac (Interactive Selective and Adaptive Clustering), has been developed which achieves a compromise between sensitivity and generalization attributes of existing clustering algorithms. Issac comprises two parts: (i) selective clustering and (ii) interactive adaptation. The first part reduces the number of false positives by identifying sensitive sample domains in the feature space. The second part allows the radiologist to improve results by interactively identifying additional false positive or true negative samples. The clinical evaluation of the results has indicated that the developed enhancement technique has the potential of being an effective mechanism to bring microcalcification areas to the attention of the radiologist during a routine reading session of mammograms. Further clinical evaluation is being carried out for the purpose of full-scale clinical deployment. >
The intersection of sex and social class in the course of linguistic change

Two general principles of sexual differentiation emerge from previous sociolinguistic studies: that men use a higher frequency of nonstandard forms than women in stable situations, and that women are generally the innovators in linguistic change. It is not clear whether these two tendencies can be unified, or how differences between the sexes can account for the observed patterns of linguistic change. The extensive interaction between sex and other social factors raises the issue as to whether the curvilinear social class pattern associated with linguistic change is the product of a rejection of female-dominated changes by lower-class males. Multivariate analysis of data from the Philadelphia Project on Linguistic Change and Variation indicates that sexual differentiation is independent of social class at the beginning of a change, but that interaction develops gradually as social awareness of the change increases. It is proposed that sexual differentiation of language is generated by two distinct processes: (1) for all social classes, the asymmetric context of language learning leads to an initial acceleration of female-dominated changes and retardation of male-dominated changes; (2) women lead men in the rejection of linguistic changes as they are recognized by the speech community, a differentiation that is maximal for the second highest status group.
Resource Evaluation, the Business Environment, and Managerial Agency

This paper uses a formal model to study how firms evaluate and compete to acquire resources in strategic factor markets. It finds that, unlike in a typical market for goods and services, competition among resource investors to acquire strategic resources may not always benefi t resource sellers. Rather, when the level of competition passes a certain threshold, miscoordination among investors increases to the point that sellers expected pro ts decline. In fact, it may sometimes benefi t sellers for competition among investors to be muted to the point that investors earn a positive return. The paper extends the model to consider how investors organize to overcome managerial agency in resource evaluation. Two organizational designs are considered: (a) incentivization, wherein a lower-level manager is motivated by an incentive contract to make good resource acquisition decisions for an investor, and (b) supervision, wherein the acquisition decision is either handled directly or closely monitored by headquarters. The model suggests that competition among investors will be associated with a greater use of supervision, and that investors using supervision will tend to make lower offers. The paper also fi nds that supervision will be more common when valuable resources are rare.
Collaborative research in the model spinal cord injury systems: process and outcomes

AbstractObjective: To review the way in which collaborative research has been conducted under the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)-funded Model Spinal Cord Injury Systems (MSCIS) Program, changes made in that process, and significant outcomes.Methods: A comparison of changes by NIDRR in the way collaborative research was competed and funded in the 1995 and 2001 competitions. A review of outcomes of the 1995 collaborative projects was based on queries to lead centers.Results: Collaborative research through the model SCI systems has been conducted and continues to be conducted through 2 main venues: The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) database, which has provided data for a number of collaborative studies, and specifically funded proposals for collaborative research. In the 1995 competition for NIDRR funding, collaborative research proposals were submitted as part of the Model SCI Systems competitive applications. In the 2001 competition, collabora...
Characterization of ZnO Piezoelectric Nanowires in Energy Harvesting for Fiber-Reinforced Composites

Structural health monitoring can enhance reliability, increase safety, and decrease maintenance costs by detecting damage at an early stage. By taking advantage of the electromechanical coupling, piezoelectric materials have the potential to harvest energy from ambient vibration sources to provide low-power electricity for self-powered electronic devices. In comparison with other piezoelectric transducers, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires carry the added advantages of structural flexibility, lower cost, compactness, and lighter weight. In this study, the energy harvesting capabilities of nanoscale ZnO piezoelectric nanowires (NW) grown on the surface of glass fiber fabrics are investigated experimentally. A series of cantilevered carbon fiber beams containing a controlled amount of ZnO nanowires is evaluated. The absolute electrical energy dissipation is quantified by measuring the output power over a broad spectrum of known vibratory loads and frequencies. The maximum amount of power extracted is obtained by employing resistive impedance matching. Here, a maximum peak of ∼6.7 mV was generated when the beam containing ZnO nanowires was excited at 2.90g and connected to a 10 MΩ load. At that excitation level, a maximum of 20.0 pW was generated when an optimal resistor of 1 MΩ is connected. A tip mass of ∼0.6 gram added to the sample with ZnO NWs increased the peak-voltage by 2.21 mV and increased the peak-power by 13.3 pW. A series of DC voltage applied to the ZnO sample suggests the equivalence of poling treatment, where the dipole alignment of the ZnO NWs are disrupted. Here, a maximum peak-power of 45 pW is reported, showing promising potential of scaling-up to harvest ambient energy for low-powered electronics.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Diabetes: Metformin and renal insufficiency—is 45, or even 30, the new 60?

In an analysis of data from NHANES spanning from 1999 to 2010, Tuot et al. address two linked questions. Which patients with diabetes mellitus and renal insufficiency are reasonable candidates for metformin therapy and how does this treatment depend on the approach used to measure renal function?
Fibroblast growth factor-23 and renin–angiotensin system levels in vitamin-D-dependent rickets type I

Background As 1,25(OH)2D3 vitamin D3 induces fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) production and suppresses the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS), its absence in vitamin-D-dependent rickets type I (VDDR-I) may have adverse health consequences.
Forecasting Brand Performance through Simulation Experiments

How can marketing managers develop sound alternative marketing strategies and forecast their relative effectiveness?Simulation techniques may be the answer. Although these techniques and the method...
A suppressor gene involved in chemical induction of conjugation in Paramecium aurelia.

A dominant gene Su(kau–2) partially suppresses the effect of an apparently unlinked recessive kau–2 . Gene kau–2 blocks chemical induction of conjugation in Paramecium aurelia syngen 8 when solutions of acriflavine + either KCl or MgCl2 are used. Wild-type cells are induced to conjugate in either solution. When cells homozygous for kau–2 also have gene Su(kau–2) , they are still uninducible in the solution containing KCl, but become inducible in the MgCl2 solution. Analysis of the concentrations of solutions which are effective in induction of conjugation of various genotypes shows that the action of Su(kau–2) is not a simple restoration of wild-type phenotype since certain novel features of the suppressor can be seen. Analysis of the duration of ciliary reversal of various genotypes suggests that one necessary step in chemical induction of conjugation is a certain magnitude of deplorization of the surface membrane of the cell.
Changes in Nutrient Content during One Year in Workers of the Imported Fire Ant

Analyses for total protein, lipids, glycogen, and glycerol were made on samples of major and minor workers of the imported fire ant, Solenopsis saevissima richteri Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), which were collected over a period of one year. Protein content decreased during brood production and increased during periods when brood was not present in the mound. There was a buildup of lipid during the summer which appeared to be utilized during the cold months. Glycogen increased during the summer and may have been used for brood production when other nutrients were not abundant. Glycerol appeared to increase in response to aphid tending, decreasing in winter.
355 COMPOUND FIELD POTENTIALS VARY WITH INNERVATION OF THE PREGNANT RAT CERVIX

Previously we have demonstrated that innervation of rodent cervix is increased before birth, a process also described in humans. The objective of this study was to determine the physiological contribution of neural input to the cervix from the vagus, hypogastric, and pelvic nerves. Pregnant (D19-D21), post-partum, and non-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with Nembutal (40mg/kg), injected intraperitoneally, and paralyzed with Gallamine triethiodide (2mg/kg) and/or Pancuronium bromide (2mg/kg). Animals were maintained on artificial respiration then dissected using a midline incision to expose the abdominal viscera. The vagus (subdiaphram), hypogastric and pelvic nerves were isolated then stimulated using a bipolar electrode. Signals were recorded from the cervix using a concentric bipolar electrode (Fred Haer Inc-CBEEJ75) connected to an ETH-250 Bioamplifier (CB Sciences). Field potentials were then analyzed with MacLab 4e using Chart 3.6. Nerve conduction velocities were in the range of slow unmyelinated C-afferent pain fibers. The current required to reach threshold was, in general, larger in non-pregnant and post partum groups than in late term pregnant rats. In non-pregnant, post-partum and pregnant rats respectively, threshold potentials were 30 mA, 30 mA, and 5 mA for the vagus, 20-, 18-, and 2 mA for the hypogastric and 30-, 20-, and 0.1 mA for the pelvic nerves. These observations raise the possibility that reduced thresholds of cervical field potentials reflect increased innervation to the cervix before birth. This increase in cervical innervation may contribute to the cervical ripening essential for parturition. Supported by a generous grant form the John Mace Pediatric Grant and the Dean of the School of Medicine.
Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Renal Angiomyolipoma

AbstractExclusive reliance on radiographic techniques for the diagnosis of renal angiomyolipoma can lead to misdiagnosis when the histological status is atypical, computerized tomographic findings are equivocal or renal cell carcinoma coexists. We report our experience and those of others in combining fine needle aspiration biopsy and radiological imaging to identify renal angiomyolipoma. Fine needle aspiration biopsy is safe and provides accurate histological diagnosis of renal angiomyolipoma. (J. Urol., 143: 999–1001, 1990)
Pithecia p. pithecia (Pale-headed saki)

These preparations were kindly donated by Dr. L.E.M. de Boer (Rotterdam, Holland) and come from lymphocyte cultures. Only one previous publication (Chu and Bender, 1961) describes a tentative chromosome analysis but finds 2n=46.
Advances in the use of naltrexone: an integration of preclinical and clinical findings.

Both preclinical and clinical studies are critical in the development of effective pharmacotherapeutic approaches for treating alcoholism. Nowhere has this been more evident than in the development of naltrexone for treating alcohol relapse. As studies continue on the use of naltrexone for modifying alcohol intake, promising avenues for continued work on maximizing the efficacy of naltrexone for treating alcohol abuse and alcoholism are emerging. Recent research suggests that naltrexone can influence key components of alcohol dependence, including loss of control over the decision to drink and the amount of alcohol consumed. Although not uniformly positive, the majority of clinical trials supports the hypothesis that naltrexone can reduce the urge to drink, increase the number of days abstinent, and minimize the risk of relapse to heavy drinking. Human laboratory and preclinical paradigms that have investigated how naltrexone alters patterns of drinking suggest that naltrexone treatment results in earlier cessation of drinking within a session. In addition, preclinical data suggest that the amount of alcohol consumed declines during subsequent sessions in the presence of naltrexone. Based on this analysis, future clinical trials should consider using analytic approaches that evaluate patterns of drinking (e.g., multiple event analysis) rather than single events (e.g., survival analysis). Furthermore, behavioral interventions and instructions can also be developed to take advantage of this effect. Additional preclinical and clinical work is warranted to identify dosing strategies that ensure adequate drug levels while reducing the possibility of developing tolerance to naltrexone. Finally, studies designed to identify the characteristics of drinking populations that are responsive to naltrexone and studies investigating the potential advantage of combining naltrexone with agents that alter a number of neurotransmitter systems are exciting new avenues of research. Ultimately, these lines for research promise to provide critical information that can be used to maximize the efficacy of naltrexone for treating alcoholism.
Immunotherapies targeting CD38 in Multiple Myeloma

Recently, the monoclonal antibody daratumumab was approved as a single agent for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory Multiple Myeloma (MM). Daratumumab is an antibody targeting surface molecule CD38 on myeloma cells and the agent is already widely being used based on its good tolerability and proven efficacy. We believe, however, that the efficacy of this drug and other anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies can be further improved by combining it with other types of immunotherapies. Furthermore, surface molecule CD38 can be used as a target for immunotherapies other than just naked monoclonal antibodies. In this report, we review the expression pattern of CD38 among normal tissues and in different types of plasma cell dyscrasias including their progenitor cells, minimal residual disease, and circulating tumor cells. We summarize the physiological role of CD38 as well as its role in the pathophysiology of MM and we present the most recent clinical trials using CD38 as a target. In addition, we highlight possible combination immunotherapies incorporating anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies and we demonstrate alternative immunotherapeutic approaches targeting the same antigen such as CD38-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells.
Assessing climate change vulnerability in urban America: stakeholder-driven approaches

Localized vulnerability assessments are critical to effective climate adaptation. However, the differences between how local decision-makers and experts see vulnerability have not yet been fully explored, especially in the United States. Seeing possible distinctions between these approaches is critical since it is necessary to ensure a comprehensive, accountable approach. This research explores the distinct approach of local stakeholders to conceptualizing climate vulnerability in six American cities. Sixty-five interviews of cross-sectoral local stakeholders were conducted in: Boston (MA), Los Angeles (CA), Portland (OR), Raleigh (NC), and Tampa (FL). Findings demonstrate that conceptualizations of vulnerability are affected by intellectual frameworks that tend to orient around infrastructure and human health; that retrospective and prospective thinking are inter-related and affect one another; and that institutionalized forms and biases are critical. These factors shape the way that vulnerability is conceived differently than traditional expert frameworks.
In0.53Ga0.47As/In0.52Al0.48As separate absorption, charge, and multiplication layer long wavelength avalanche photodiode

The authors demonstrate the use of In/sub 0.52/Al/sub 0.48/As as the gain material in a separate absorption, charge, and multiplication layer avalanche photodiode (APD) with sensitivity to 0.9-1.7 /spl mu/m wavelength light. A hole to electron ionisation rate ratio of k=0.23 is observed, representing a significant improvement over the 1/k=0.4 characteristic of InP/In/sub 0.53/Ga/sub 0.47/As avalanche photodiodes. Primary dark currents of /spl sim/10 nA and gains approaching 100 for 100 /spl mu/m diameter mesa devices are observed. A 6 dB sensitivity advantage is measured for an APD receiver over an In/sub 0.53/Ga/sub 0.47/As p-i-n detector receiver at a wavelength of 1.55 /spl mu/m, a bit rate of 1.5 Gbit/s, and 10/sup -9/ bit error rate.
Are Black Leaders "Color Safe"? The Impact of Leader Race on Organizational Stigma

Because racial stereotypes conflict with implicit leadership theories, Blacks are commonly deemed less fit to lead than their White counterparts. This suggests consumers might use such stereotypes ...
Measurement of sub degree angular carbon fiber tow misalignment

NASA is investigating the use of carbon fiber tow steering to tune aeroelastic characteristics in advanced composite structures. In support of that effort, NASA is also investigating methods of measuring the angle of carbon fiber tows as they are placed. This work presents the results of using microwave reflectometry in the ∼2 GHz region to measure carbon fiber tow angles at 0.1° resolution.
When Can One Finite Monoid Simulate Another

Let M and N be finite monoids. We want to use N somehow as a computational device that reads a sequence of inputs from M and outputs the product, in M, of this sequence. We ask what relation M must have to N for this to be possible; that is, when can N simulate M?
Evaluating the design of the R language: objects and functions for data analysis

R is a dynamic language for statistical computing that combines lazy functional features and object-oriented programming. This rather unlikely linguistic cocktail would probably never have been prepared by computer scientists, yet the language has become surprisingly popular. With millions of lines of R code available in repositories, we have an opportunity to evaluate the fundamental choices underlying the R language design. Using a combination of static and dynamic program analysis we assess the success of different language features.
The Effect of Corporate Activism on Employee Motivation

Though there has been a recent surge in corporate activism, with firm leaders communicating stances on social-political issues not directly related to their core businesses, we know little about it...
CHAPTER SEVEN – ANALYTIC TRIGONOMETRY

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses fundamental trigonometric identities. The fundamental identities can be employed to prove or, more properly, to verify various trigonometric identities. There are also times in calculus and applied mathematics when simplification of a trigonometric expression may enable one to see a relationship which would otherwise be obscured. In computer applications, it is much more efficient to evaluate a simple trigonometric expression than an involved one. The preferred method of verifying an identity is to transform one side of the equation into the other. There are many trigonometric identities that are indeed of importance; these identities are called trigonometric formulas. The chapter discusses formulas in a logical sequence. It also discusses trigonometric equations that are not true for all values of the variable but may be true for some values. It has been shown that algebraic equations may have just one or two solutions. The situation is quite different with trigonometric equations as the periodic nature of the trigonometric functions assures that if there is a solution, then there are an infinite number of solutions.
Comparing Congestion Control and Hierarchical Databases on statistical networks

NOTICE OF RETRACTION: It has been determined that the author of this Work submitted a computer-generated paper. As a result, ACM has retracted this paper from the ACM Digital Library as it violates the ACM Policy on Plagiarism, Misrepresentation, and Falsification. As from the date of retraction, September 15, 2021, this paper should no longer be cited as a publication in the literature and the author has been advised to no longer list this Work as a published paper in their official list of publications. This article has been Retracted by ACM because it was that the author used computer software to create this paper. Hangkun Ling submitted their paper "Comparing Congestion Control and Hierarchical Databases on statistical networks" to the Proceedings of the 2018 International Conference on Information Hiding and Image Processing (IHIP 2018) which violated the ACM Policy on the ACM Policy on Plagiarism, Misrepresentation, and Falsification https://www.acm.org/publications/policies/plagiarism-overview. https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3292425.3293461. ACM is investigating how the computer-generated paper was accepted, presented and published at the IHIP 2018 Conference. As a Committee for Publications Ethics (COPE) member, the investigation used the COPE guidelines. https://publicationethics.org/retraction-guidelines.
FPGAs in Supercomputers: Opportunity or Folly?

Supercomputers play an important role in the field of computational science, and are used for a wide range of computationally intensive tasks in various fields. So far, the building blocks for supercomputers have been dominated by CPUs and GPUs. Although FPGAs start to play an important role for cloud computing such as those used in AWS and Microsoft Azure, FPGAs haven't been adopted to build top supercomputers yet. In this evening panel, panelists from industry, research institute, and academia will attempt to answer the following questions, propose actions, and present their point of view through lively discussions and debates. 1)Is there a need to bring FPGAs into supercomputers? Why or why not? 2)Are there unique applications that are specifically suitable for FPGAs for supercomputing fields? 3)What are the challenges and/or major issues facing FPGAs for supporting supercomputing? 4)What and where are the opportunities? Who are the stakeholders? 5)Name one thing that the FPGA industry should (or should not) do in the near term to facilitate FPGA's induction into supercomputers.
Berry Phases in Electronic Structure Theory: Electric Polarization, Orbital Magnetization and Topological Insulators

Over the past twenty-five years, mathematical concepts associated with geometric phases have come to occupy a central place in our modern understanding of the physics of electrons in solids. These 'Berry phases' describe the global phase acquired by a quantum state as the Hamiltonian is changed. Beginning at an elementary level, this book provides a pedagogical introduction to the important role of Berry phases and curvatures, and outlines their great influence upon many key properties of electrons in solids, including electric polarization, anomalous Hall conductivity, and the nature of the topological insulating state. It focuses on drawing connections between physical concepts and provides a solid framework for their integration, enabling researchers and students to explore and develop links to related fields. Computational examples and exercises throughout provide an added dimension to the book, giving readers the opportunity to explore the central concepts in a practical and engaging way.
Dynamic Balance Drills to Promote Skill Acquisition and Prevent Injuries in Children.

The improvement and mastery of balance has been considered an important motor-skill concept for children in the past and incorporating new dynamic balance routines in the curriculum could lead to p...
Engineering Exposure for Pre-College Women: A University-Based Workshop Model

Equity and diversity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors and careers in the U.S. has been consistently problematic. Many policy initiatives and outreach programs have attempted to remediate these inequities. A one-day university-based workshop for high-school female students was designed and sponsored by the Science Training & Research to Inform Decisions and the Institute for Advanced Computational Science at Stony Brook University to inform these young women about science and engineering opportunities, to facilitate networks with female role models, and to engage them in a hands-on engineering task that applied science concepts. The workshop was hosted by 11 female faculty, staff, and university students from various departments including Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ecology and Evolution, Marine Sciences, and Chemistry. Quantitative data (N=32) were collected through pre- and post- surveys, which compared their attitudes toward science and engineering before and after the workshop experience, and explored whether the exposure to engineering activities and role models improved their interest in science and engineering. Results indicated improved attitudes toward STEM majors and careers as a result of the workshop, specifically in terms of confidence to do engineering and knowledge of engineering academic and career pathways (p<.001). This intervention shows promise in engaging high school women in science and engineering in an informal context to increase their self-efficacy and awareness of career opportunities.
Methodology to Assess the Impact of Lump-Sum Compensation Provisions on Project Schedules

AbstractAlthough alternative project delivery methods have become increasingly popular among state transportation agencies and researchers, common design-bid-build (DBB) procurement methods are the...
COVID-19: A Review on Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prophylaxis.

Coronavirus 2 (CoV) Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV2) is causing a highly infectious pandemic pneumonia. Coronaviruses are positive sense single-stranded RNA viruses that infect several animal species, causing symptoms that range from those similar to the common cold to severe respiratory syndrome. The Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the SARS-CoV2 functional receptor. Measures are currently undertaken worldwide to control the infection to avoid disruption of the social and economic equilibrium, especially in countries with poor healthcare resources. In a guarded optimistic view, we hope that the undertaken preventive and treatment measures will at least contribute to contain viral diffusion, attenuate activity, or even eliminate SARS-CoV2. In this review, we discuss emerging perspectives for prevention/treatment of COVID-19 infection. In addition to vaccines under development, passive immunization is an open opportunity since patients develop neutralizing antibodies. A full spectrum of potential drugs for COVID-19 infections could in turn affect virus binding or enzymatic activities involved in viral replication and transcription. Furthermore, clinical trials are currently evaluating the safety and efficacy of anti-inflammatory drugs, such as tocilizumab. Bioinformatics may allow characterization of specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cell responses; thus, CoV2 T cells’ frequency can be correlated with the disease severity and outcome. Combinatorial antibody phage display may be empowered to identify the immune repertoire of CoV2-specific neutralizing antibodies.
SLC5A3-dependent myo-inositol auxotrophy in acute myeloid leukemia.

An enhanced requirement for nutrients is a hallmark property of cancer cells. Here, we optimized an in vivo genetic screening strategy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which led to the identification of the myo-inositol transporter SLC5A3 as a dependency in this disease. We demonstrate that SLC5A3 is essential to support a myo-inositol auxotrophy in AML. The commonality among SLC5A3-dependent AML lines is the transcriptional silencing of ISYNA1, which encodes the rate limiting enzyme for myo-inositol biosynthesis, inositol-3-phosphate synthase 1. We use gain- and loss-of-function experiments to reveal a synthetic lethal genetic interaction between ISYNA1 and SLC5A3 in AML, which function redundantly to sustain intracellular myo-inositol. Transcriptional silencing and DNA hyper-methylation of ISYNA1 occur in a recurrent manner in human AML patient samples, in association with IDH1/IDH2 and CEBPA mutations. Our findings reveal myo-inositol as a nutrient dependency in AML caused by the aberrant silencing of a biosynthetic enzyme.
Imaging faster neural dynamics with fast fMRI: A need for updated models of the hemodynamic response.

Abstract Fast fMRI enables the detection of neural dynamics over timescales of hundreds of milliseconds, suggesting it may provide a new avenue for studying subsecond neural processes in the human brain. The magnitudes of these fast fMRI dynamics are far greater than predicted by canonical models of the hemodynamic response. Several studies have established nonlinear properties of the hemodynamic response that have significant implications for fast fMRI. We first review nonlinear properties of the hemodynamic response function that may underlie fast fMRI signals. We then illustrate the breakdown of canonical hemodynamic response models in the context of fast neural dynamics. We will then argue that the canonical hemodynamic response function is not likely to reflect the BOLD response to neuronal activity driven by sparse or naturalistic stimuli or perhaps to spontaneous neuronal fluctuations in the resting state. These properties suggest that fast fMRI is capable of tracking surprisingly fast neuronal dynamics, and we discuss the neuroscientific questions that could be addressed using this approach.
Comanagement With Nephrologist Care Is Associated With Fewer Cardiovascular Events Among Liver Transplant Recipients With Chronic Kidney Disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with cardiovascular (CV) events, a leading complication in liver transplant recipients (LTRs). Timely subspecialty care is associated with improved clinical outcomes in patients with CKD. This study sought to assess associations between nephrology comanagement and CV events among LTRs at risk for or with CKD. Methods LTRs with CKD plus those at risk were identified in an inception cohort at a single tertiary care network between 2010 and 2016, using electronic health record data and manual chart review. CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or International Classification of Diseases 9th or 10th revision code for CKD and at-risk CKD as estimated glomerular filtration rate 60-89 mL/min/1.73 m2. Cox proportional hazard models assessed the association between nephrology comanagement and CV events among LTRs with or at risk for CKD. Results Among 602 LTRs followed for up to 6 y posttransplant, prevalence of CKD plus those at risk increased yearly (71% in year 1, 86% in year 6) (P < 0.0001). Rates of nephrology comanagement decreased yearly posttransplant (35% in year 1, 28% in year 6). In multivariable models, nephrology comanagement was associated with lower CV events (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.33-0.99). Conclusions Among LTRs with CKD, nephrology comanagement may be associated with lower CV events. A prospective study is needed to identify the reasons for improved outcomes and barriers to nephrology referral.
A Comparison of Academic Outcomes in Courses Taught With Open Educational Resources and Publisher Content

What difference do open educational resources (OER) make compared with publisher content (non-OER) when costs and instructors remain constant? A total of 215 community college students enrolled in ...
Gay and Lesbian Adolescents and Their Families

Abstract Drawing on practice wisdom, the literature, theories, concepts, and models that are most commonly used to inform and guide social work practice with families, this paper is limited to an analysis of gay and lesbian adolescents within the context of their family systems. The paper examines the primary reciprocal exchanges and transactions that lesbian and gay youth and their families face as they confront the unique person-environmental tasks involved in a society that assumes all of its members are heterosexual. The author explores the following areas: the effects of sensing differentness; the effects of developing a false self due to the socialization process of hiding; an examination of the means by which adolescents adapt to their identity, and finally, the effects of being “found out” or “coming out” within the family system. Recommendations for social work practice with lesbian and gay adolescents and their families are presented.
Synthesis and characterization of phases of the types BaBi1−xTlxO3−y and BaPb1−xTlxO3−x2

Abstract Thallium has been substituted for Bi in BaBiO3 and for Pb in BaPbO3. Extensive ranges of solubility are found in both systems which have perovskite related structures. Superconductivity was not observed at temperatures down to 2 K.
Biomimicry of the Manduca Sexta Forewing Using SRT Protein Complex for FWMAV Development

A new thermoplastic protein complex, Squid Ring Teeth SRT, has been adapted for use in the artificial reconstruction of a Manduca sexta wing. The SRT protein complex exhibits consistent material properties over a wide range of temperatures 25i¾?C to 196i¾?C and retains it mechanical integrity across a large frequency spectrum 0.1 Hz to 150 Hz. Insect-inspired wings comprised of SRT can therefore be reliable and robust, which are essential characteristics for flapping wing MAVs FWMAV. The preliminary results in this paper suggest that a thorough analysis of an SRT-based wing be conducted using load cell, optical digitization, and PIV techniques. With these results, we believe it will be possible to accurately mimic the M. sexta wing in order to pave the way for next generation FWMAV development.