cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract P2-10-03: Detrimental impact of T-regulatory cells on outcome of breast cancer in African American population

BACKGROUND. Outcome of breast cancer (BC) in African American females (AA) remains worse than Caucasian females (CA) after accounting for socioeconomic factors and tumor characteristics. Heterogeneity of tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) composition demonstrated varying roles of infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in tumor progression and clinical outcome. We hypothesize that different racial TILs composition impacts downstream tumor signaling and worsens AA BC outcome. METHODS. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) harmonized RNA-Seq HTSeq and 450K Methylation data were accessed from GDC. Clinical and CIBERSORT immune composition data downloaded from final PANCAN publications. Outcome data included overall survival (OS), disease specific survival (DSS) and disease free interval (DFI). Differential expression and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed using R packages limma and ClusterProfiler. FDR corrected p values RESULTS. Of 182 AA and 755 CA, TNBC and Basal subtypes were higher in AA (33% and 34% vs 14% and 13% respectively). OS, DSS, DFI and PFI were worse in AA but did not reach significance. Within TNBC, OS of AA was worse than CA (HR 2.18[1.04-4.56]). Compared to CA, AA had higher TILs, T-Regulatory (Tregs) and T-Follicular Helper cells but lower M2 Macrophages (all p CONCLUSION. AA had overall more immune infiltrates and different composition of BC TIME compared to CA, with higher immunosuppressive fractions. Tregs were persistently higher across all IHC subtypes, predicted worse outcome and generated higher T-cell exhaustion signature, as well as downstream Treg-specific enriched chemotaxis and activation gene sets in AA compared to CA. These data support the hypothesis of adverse TIME in AA and opens venues of personalized TIME modulation. Citation Format: Ahmed Elkhanany, Eriko Katsuta, Kazuaki Takabe. Detrimental impact of T-regulatory cells on outcome of breast cancer in African American population [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-10-03.
Developmental differences in health-related quality of life in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) experience developmental transitions. AYA survivors of cancer are at risk for chronic health conditions due to treatment. This study examined developmental differences in AYA survivors’ health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between age groups and compared to population norms. HRQOL was assessed in AYA survivors of cancer (diagnosed before age 30) in long-term follow-up. Cancer survivors who were 12–39 years old at survey completion and completed therapy ≥ 2 years ago were included. HRQOL was assessed using the PedsQL™ and FACT. Sample size was 155 survivors. PedsQL™ school functioning was worse in 15–17 year olds compared to 12–14 year olds (66.35 vs 77.60, p = 0.012). Compared to population norms, PedsQL™ outcomes were only worse in survivors’ school functioning. Survivors’ 18–39 years old had FACT scores that were better than population norms for overall HRQOL (91.33 vs 80.1, p 7 years old at diagnosis and > 6 years post therapy. A trend in school functioning issues in older adolescent survivors emerged. Older survivors show improved HRQOL when compared to the general population. Those further off therapy are at risk of poor HRQOL.
Structural sensing with deep learning: Strain estimation from acceleration data for fatigue assessment

Abstract Many of the civil structures experience significant vibrations and repeated stress cycles during their life span. These conditions are the bases for fatigue analysis to accurately establis...
In the family way: incest, fertility control, and the power of the patriarchal family in Brazil

This article argues that the legal prosecution of fertility control, defined here as abortion and infanticide, reshaped both governmental and individual patriarchal structures in turn-of-the-centur...
A blood–brain barrier overview on structure, function, impairment, and biomarkers of integrity

The blood–brain barrier is playing a critical role in controlling the influx and efflux of biological substances essential for the brain’s metabolic activity as well as neuronal function. Thus, the functional and structural integrity of the BBB is pivotal to maintain the homeostasis of the brain microenvironment. The different cells and structures contributing to developing this barrier are summarized along with the different functions that BBB plays at the brain–blood interface. We also explained the role of shear stress in maintaining BBB integrity. Furthermore, we elaborated on the clinical aspects that correlate between BBB disruption and different neurological and pathological conditions. Finally, we discussed several biomarkers that can help to assess the BBB permeability and integrity in-vitro or in-vivo and briefly explain their advantages and disadvantages.
Complementary interface formation toward high-efficiency all-back-contact perovskite solar cells

Summary All-back-contact (ABC) architectures for perovskite photovoltaics represent untapped potential for higher efficiency and enhanced durability compared to conventional planar architectures. Interface engineering can be more complex in ABC designs, because both the electron and hole transport layers (ETLs/HTLs) are simultaneously exposed during processing. Herein, we fabricate ABC perovskite solar cells with a non-stabilized current-voltage scan power conversion efficiency >10% by developing complementary interface processing. UV-ozone exposure followed by annealing increases the work function and reduces the defect density of the NiOx HTL and removed contamination from the TiO2 ETL, which increases voltage and current collection. We measure the chemical composition of each transport layer interface using photoelectron spectroscopy and then use the resulting trends to inform a two-dimensional drift-diffusion model. The model suggests that further reduction of charged interface defect density, increase in the hole selective contact work function, and passivation of the front surface will enable >20% of ABC devices.
Development and Validation of a New Technique for Detection of Stress and Pregnancy

Abstract : Two objectives are being nested under the overall goal of developing techniques that can be used for the detection of stress and pregnancy in large whales. 1)The first objective is to develop and conduct analytical and preliminary biological validations of pregnancy and stress hormones for large whales (humpback whales, blue whales, and possibly insular false killer whales). 2) The second objective is to complete the biological validation using archived samples from whales with known life history or behaviors.
THE SO(3) MONOPOLE COBORDISM AND SUPERCONFORMAL SIMPLE TYPE

Abstract We show that the SO ( 3 ) monopole cobordism formula from [15] implies that all closed, oriented, smooth four-manifolds with b 1 = 0 and b + ≥ 3 and odd with Seiberg–Witten simple type satisfy the superconformal simple type condition defined by Marino, Moore, and Peradze [28] , [27] . This implies the lower bound, conjectured by Fintushel and Stern [18] , on the number of Seiberg–Witten basic classes in terms of topological data.
Listening to food workers: Factors that impact proper health and hygiene practice in food service.

Background:Foodborne disease is a significant problem worldwide. Research exploring sources of outbreaks indicates a pronounced role for food workers' improper health and hygiene practice.Objective:To investigate food workers' perceptions of factors that impact proper food safety practice.Method:Interviews with food service workers in Baltimore, MD, USA discussing food safety practices and factors that impact implementation in the workplace. A social ecological model organizes multiple levels of influence on health and hygiene behavior.Results:Issues raised by interviewees include factors across the five levels of the social ecological model, and confirm findings from previous work. Interviews also reveal many factors not highlighted in prior work, including issues with food service policies and procedures, working conditions (e.g., pay and benefits), community resources, and state and federal policies.Conclusion:Food safety interventions should adopt an ecological orientation that accounts for factors at...
Microbiological Assay for Organic Compounds in Seawater

A method for the quantitative identification of organic compounds in seawater has been developed. When auxotrophic mutants of Serratia marinorubra were incubated at 21 to 24 C for 72 hr with constant agitation, standard bioassay reference curves were obtained. Sodium glycerophosphate (400 mg per liter), ammonium dibasic citrate (5 g per liter), and glycerol (25 ml per liter) supplied the needed nutrients for maximal growth with a limited concentration of the required metabolite. Data are presented for the microbiological assay for biotin in waters of the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent bays. The range of sensitivity for the biotin mutant A101V is 5 to 12 mμg per liter in seawater, with a growth response from 2 to 16 mμg per liter of seawater. The possible ecological and chemical significance of biotin occurrence in spring-summer off-shore water is discussed.
Pore‐scale simulation of intragranular diffusion: Effects of incomplete mixing on macroscopic manifestations

[1] Diffusive mass transfer into and out of intragranular micropores (“intragranular diffusion”) plays an important role in the transport of some groundwater contaminants. We are interested in understanding the combined effect of pore-scale advection and intragranular diffusion on solute transport at the effective porous medium scale. We have developed a 3-D pore-scale numerical model of fluid flow and solute transport that incorporates diffusion into and out of intragranular pore spaces. A series of numerical experiments allow us to draw comparisons between macroscopic measures computed from the pore-scale simulations (such as breakthrough curves) and those predicted by multirate mass transfer formulations that assume complete local mixing at the pore scale. In this paper we present results for two model systems, one with randomly packed uniform spherical grains and a second with randomly packed spheres drawn from a binary grain size distribution. Non-Fickian behavior was observed at all scales considered, and most cases were better represented by a multirate mass transfer model even when there was no distinct secondary porosity (i.e., no intragranular diffusion). This suggests that pore-scale diffusive mass transfer processes between preferential flow paths and relatively immobile zones within the primary porosity may have significant impact on transport, particular in low-concentration tails. The application of independently determined mass transfer rate parameters based on an assumption of well-mixed concentrations at the pore scale tends to overestimate the amount of mass transfer that occurs in heterogeneous pore geometries in which preferential flow leads to incomplete pore-scale lateral mixing.
Skin Surface, Dermis, and Wound Healing

More commonly, the skin is exposed to therapeutic radiation incidentally, during treatment of relatively superficial but noncutaneous malignancies such as breast cancer, or head and neck cancer. The skin is a multifunctional organ composed of three layers: the epidermis, dermis, and underlying hypodermis. There are five cell layers in the epidermis: from deep to superficial these are the strata basale, spinosum, granulosum, lucidum, and corneum. The microvasculature in the dermal layer regulates body temperature by dilation and constriction. Acute radiation dermatitis progresses through stages of severity based on accumulation of radiation-induced changes to dermal vascular and appendageal structures, epidermal stem cells, and activation of inflammatory pathways. TGF-β is expressed in irradiated tissue within hours of exposure (Rodemann and Bamberg 1995; Rubin et al. 1992; Rodemann et al. 1991), and has been correlated with late fibrotic changes in several tissue types (Anscher et al. 1998; Anscher et al. 2003), including skin (Kumar et al. 2008). The clinical hallmarks of late radiation dermatitis are fibrosis, atrophy, and telangiectasia. The risk of late necrosis correlated with increasing field size and appeared to be increased when the dose was delivered to greater depth. Retrospective review of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil) compared to breast radiotherapy alone, the addition of concurrent therapy doubled the incidence of grade 2 or greater dermatitis. Radiation Recall: Radiation recall is a phenomenon first described several decades ago (D’Angio et al. 1959), describing a cutaneous reaction in the area of previous radiation exposure, in response to specific systemic agents. SMT: The role of therapeutic radiation in the induction of nonmelanoma skin cancer has been established in several large retrospective studies. Genetic Syndromes: Patients with AT are prone to severe cutaneous side effects. Comorbid Condition: The presence of active collagen vascular disease (CVD) is often cited as a relative contraindication to radiation treatment, due to concern for severe late fibrosis. Wound Healing and Grafts: Grafts are more prone to breakdown, and tissue flaps more likely to fail, especially when the site of origin also lies within the radiation field. Pharmaceutical treatment of fibrosis has been successful with pentoxifylline and vitamin E.
Biodefense Priorities in Life‐science Research: Chemical Threat Agents

Chemicals pose a threat to the United States military and civilian populations because they are relatively inexpensive and easy to obtain, and have the potential to cause mass casualties if released by accident, natural disaster, or by a deliberate act. Chemical threat agents include nerve agents, vesicating or blister agents, pulmonary agents, and blood agents or metabolic poisons. The traditional chemical warfare agents include the organophosphorus nerve agents such as sarin and VX, and the mustard vesicating agents. These remain in several stockpiles around the world. Toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) manufactured, stored, and transported across the nation are not regulated as strictly as traditional warfare agents, and many are stored in large amounts and are readily available. Unfortunately and unlike biological and radiation threats, there are many examples of human suffering and death after deliberate releases of chemical welfare agents (CWAs) (sarin, sulfur mustard) and TICs (cyanide, chlorine). Requirements for an effective response to a civilian chemical event include (i) post exposure treatments that are effective within an often short therapeutic time window, (ii) drugs and devices that can be used by medical personnel at the scene of the event or in a pre hospital setting to treat many victims, (iii) drugs and devices that are appropriate for a diverse population including pediatric and elderly victims, and individuals with preexisting medical conditions, and (iv) rapid and effective diagnostic technologies to determine the chemical agent and pathophysiology. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has developed a research program called Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) to develop new and improved diagnostic technologies and therapies. This program has identified several new opportunities to develop better medical intervention strategies that treat the most severe symptoms, and broad spectrum drugs that target common physiological mechanisms of injury that could be used to treat victims exposed to many different kinds of chemicals. CounterACT and other programs at Department of Health and Humman Services (DHHS) charged with this important goal are essential to national security and will require strong support to meet the challenges ahead. It will require a commitment that is consistent with the cost and time required for drug discovery and development, and should support research at the basic, translational, and clinical levels. Keywords: chemical threats; medical countermeasures; research; Counter ACT; NIH; sarin; VX; cyanide; sulfur mustard; chlorine; phosgene
Sebastião Salgado and visual sociology

This paper links the work of Sebastiao Salgado, recipient of the 2010 American Sociological Association (ASA) Award for Excellence in the Reporting of Social Issues, with the discipline of sociology. I reflect on Salgado's biography, method, and concerns in order to demonstrate how his work contributes to the awareness and understanding of social issues. Toward this end, I summarize sociology's record of involvement with visual documentation. Prior to 1915, the American Journal of Sociology regularly included photographs that provided visual documentation of environments under study. However, as sociology moved away from social reform activities and toward scientific investigation, the regular publication of photographs ceased. During the 1930s and 1940s, photographic projects in disciplines and social movements beyond sociology developed a variety of methods that would prove useful to sociology. During the 1970s, sociologists once again began to use visual methods in their teaching, research, and publication, putting sociology in the position to both contribute to and benefit from insights and social commitments that have distinguished Sebastiao Salgado as a globally significant photographer and social activist during the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries.
High-fidelity phase conjugation generated by holograms: application to imaging through multimode fibers

We present a general method to generate high-fidelity phase conjugation from holograms by the use of a phase-conjugating (PC) mirror. Diffraction-limited phase conjugated images were obtained in our experiments. By applying this technique image transmission through multimode fibers can be accomplished. Such a holographic phase conjugation technique may have more applications for image correction through other aberrating media high quality image projection parallel data communication through short optical multimode fibers holographic couplers high quality laser beam delivery HOEs etc. 2.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Prediction of fluid responsiveness: searching for the Holy Grail

The following is the abstract of the article discussed in the subsequent letter: The accuracy and clinical utility of preload indexes as bedside indicators of fluid responsiveness in patients after cardiac surgery is controversial. This study evaluates whether respiratory changes (Δ) in the
Calculations for beam-flattening filters for high-energy x-ray machines

A flattening filter is an important component in a medical accelerator to modify the photonbeam properties. To simplify the calculations of the flattening-filter profile, we have developed a computer program which sums primary and scatter and then makes iterations in the primary component to produce a desired total-dose profile. The program can account, to first order, for radial spectral changes by using an effective primary attenuation coefficient which varies with radius. Calculations made to model the Clinac-4 dose profiles using the measured variation of half-value layer with radius show good agreement with the measured data. It is shown that the variation of quality within the beam impairs the flatness that can be achieved over a range of depths. Since perfect flatness cannot be achieved for small and large fields with one flattening filter, one may choose a primary profile which is a compromise over a range of field sizes and depths. A compromise profile for a 4-MV beam is discussed.
The validity and reliability of the global index of safety (GIS).

Objective: The global index of safety (GIS) is an adverse event (AE) based instrument designed to evaluate the safety profile of drugs. This paper presents the evaluation of the inter-rater reliability and validity of a 94-item GIS for antipsychotics through Rasch analysis.Research design and methods: A total of 194 psychiatrists participating in an outpatient pharmacoepidemiologic study of olanzapine in schizophrenia rated the severity that each AE would have on a 5-point scale. Reliability wasdetermined through a paired comparison design involving the new independent ratings of 101 different psychiatrists participating in another study of olanzapine in acute inpatient units. Spearman's, Pearson's and Intra-class correlation (ICC) coefficients were used to estimate the interrater reliability of the AE weights. Validity was analyzed through the Rasch rating scale model.Results: Reliability coefficient estimates were excellent (Spearman = 0.99, Pearson = 0.99, ICC = 0.98), supporting the inter-rater reliab...
4-Aminopyridine Improves Spatial Memory in a Murine Model of HIV-1 Encephalitis

HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remains a significant source of morbidity in the era of wide spread use of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Disease is precipitated by low levels of viral growth and glial immune activation within the central nervous system. Blood borne macrophage and microglia affect a proinflammatory response and release viral proteins that affects neuronal viability and leads to death of nerve cells. Increasing evidence supports the notion that HAND is functional channelopathy, but proof of this concept remains incomplete. Based on their role in learning and memory processes, we now posit that voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels could be a functional substrate for disease. This was tested in the severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mouse model of HIV-1 encephalitis (HIVE) by examining whether the Kv channel blocker, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), could affect behavioral, electrophysiological, and morphological measures of learning and memory. HIVE SCID mice showed impaired spatial memory in radial arm water maze tests. Electrophysiology studies revealed a reduction of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. Importantly, systemic administration of 4-AP blocked HIV-1-associated reduction of LTP and improved animal performance in the radial arm water maze. These results support the importance of Kv channel dysfunction in disease but, more importantly, provide a potential target for adjunctive therapies for HAND.
Second-order longitudinal curvature effects in compressible laminar boundary layers

11 Kaufman, L. G., II et al., "Review of Hypersonic Flow Separation and Control Characteristics," ASD-TDR-62-168, March 1962, Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp., New York. 12 Werle, M. J., "A Critical Review of Analytical Methods for Estimating Control Forces Produced by Secondary Injection/' NOLTR 68-5, Jan. 1968, United States Naval Ordnance Lab., White Oak, Md. 13 Hawk, N. E. and Amick, J. L., "Two-Dimensional Secondary Jet Interaction with a Supersonic Stream," AIAA Journal, Vol. 5, No. 4, April 1967, pp. 555-660. 14 Zakkay, V., Erdos, J., and Calarese, W., "An Investigation of the Interaction Between a Transverse Sonic Jet and a Hypersonic Stream," NYU AA-68-27, Aug. 1968, Aerospace Labs., New York University, N.Y.
Decomposing liquidity along the limit order book

Abstract In this paper, we estimate the asymmetric information and order processing components of liquidity at extended depths along the limit order book. Using data from the INET ECN, we find that the asymmetric information component decreases as depth increases. Inactive stocks have more information asymmetry at the inside quotes, but it decreases more rapidly along the book than for active stocks. The order processing component of liquidity has fixed and variable constituents, consistent with a fixed cost per order as well as a variable portion based on the size of the order.
Laminar Natural Convection Flow Over a Vertical Backward-Facing Step

Measurements and predictions of laminar boundary-layer air flow in natural convection over a vertical two-dimensional backward-facing step are reported. The upstream and downstream walls and the step itself were heated to a uniform and constant temperature. The experiment was carried out for the ranges of step heights 3.5 mm ≤ s ≤ 9 mm, temperature differences of 5.8°C ≤ ΔT ≤ 23°C between the heated wall and the free stream (corresponding to 2.238 X 10 7 < Gr xi < 8.877 X 10 7 ), and reference velocities of 0.24 m/s ≤ u * ≤ 0.47 m/s. Laser-Doppler velocimeter and cold-wire anemometer were utilized to measure, respectively, the velocity and the temperature distributions simultaneously. Flow visualization was also performed to determine the reattachment length. Measurements compare favorably with predictions. These results reveal that the step height significantly affects the velocity and temperature distributions, the friction coefficient, and the rate of heat transfer downstream of the backward-facing step.
The emergence of non-standard bodies and sexualities

In the context of ‘feminist pornography,’ I feel compelled to begin this essay with a certain amount of skepticism because I think the term ‘feminist porn’ is so heavily front-loaded with rules of ...
Extraction of shell corrections from Born-approximation stopping-power calculations in A1

From an extensive set of Born-approximation calculations on the proton stopping power of atomic Al, I attempt to extract the inner-shell corrections of Bethe stopping-power theory. Analysis of the subshell calculations produces a leading term consistent with the expected behavior, and a Bethe mean excitation energy (I ) slightly larger (132 eV) than that obtained by summing over optical oscillator strengths (124 eV). The inner-shell corrections found by this analysis are larger than those used earlier, but consistent with measured values in the 4--8-MeV region.
Advances in the Treatment of Phantom Limb Pain

Phantom limb pain (PLP) continues to place a significant emotional and physical burden on amputees and remains a challenge for those treating amputees. Despite advances in psychological, pharmacologic, and interventional therapies, treatment modalities and research results show promise, but there is no evidence to highly recommend any particular treatment. This review concludes that the best treatment approach is a measured and diligent trial of multiple modes of treatment. As researchers forge forward toward definitively establishing etiologies, focused treatment options may become available. Until then, PLP is an area that calls for intense research and which will continue to challenge the clinician caring for the amputee population.
Ground-based imaging system for soil surface roughness measurement

Surface roughness is an important physical property of soil in agricultural applications. It is a key parameter affecting the optical reflectance of bare soils, which can be computed from imagery acquired with airborne or space-based remotesensing devices. Accurate ground-truth roughness data need to be collected before a correct computational interpretation can be made. This paper presents the development of a real-time, geo-referenced, ground-based imaging system that produces quantitative ground truth information of soil surface roughness. The system applies Fourier transform profilometry (FTP) to an image of a soil area under study to obtain relative height data of the surface. Then it computes parameters such as root mean square (RMS) and correlation length as measures of roughness. Measurement experiments have been carried out successfully both under simulated conditions in the laboratory and in the field. The results show that the system is capable of generating reliable ground-truth soil surface roughness information. In comparison with other approaches, this developed system is fast, efficient and inexpensive.
The Limits of Determinacy in Second Order Arithmetic: Consistency and Complexity Strength

We prove that determinacy for all Boolean combinations ofF ( 0 ) sets implies the consistency of second-order arithmetic and more. Indeed, it is equivalent to the statement saying that for every set X and every number n, there exists a -model of 1-comprehension containing X. We prove this result by providing a careful level-by-level analysis of determinacy at the nite level of the dierence hierarchy on F ( 0 ) sets in terms of both reverse mathematics, complexity and consistency strength. We show that, for n 1, determinacy for sets at the nth level in this dierence hierarchy lies strictly between (in the reverse mathematical sense of logical implication) the existence of -models of 1+2 -comprehension containing any given set X, and the existence of -models of 1+2-comprehension containing any given set X. Thus the nth of these determinacy axioms lies strictly between 1+2 -comprehension and 1+2 comprehension in terms of consistency strength. The major new technical result on which these proof theoretic ones are based is a complexity theoretic one. The nth determinacy axiom implies closure under the operation taking a set X to the least n+1 admissible containing X (for n = 1, this is due to Welch [2012]).
Early Pleistocene lake formation and hominin origins in the Turkana–Omo rift

Abstract Prior research has correlated the formation of Plio-Pleistocene lakes in East Africa to global/regional climate changes and interpreted the lacustrine basins as significant settings of hominin evolution. Paleo-Lake Lorenyang from the Turkana–Omo rift is important to these issues, as its marginal deposits contain some of, if not the earliest currently known specimens of Acheulian stone tools and African Homo erectus . Magnetostratigraphic and sedimentological evidence indicates that the oldest preserved paleo-Lake Lorenyang deposits are dated at 2.148–2.128 Ma and derive from the NW Turkana basin, predating those from the Omo basin by ∼100 kyr and the NE Turkana basin by ∼190 kyr. Apparently, the lake expanded asynchronously in the rift, potentially due to a volcano-tectonic influence on the location of drainage networks, depositional slopes, or topographic elevation differences within and between the basins at the time of flooding. The onset of the lake temporally coincides with the eruption of basalt lava flows dated to 2.2–2.0 Ma that blocked the southeast outlet of the Turkana basin. This provides a plausible mechanism for hydrologic closure and lacustrine basin formation through volcano-tectonic impounding. It also points to a non-climatic cause for the initial formation of paleo-Lake Lorenyang at ∼2.14 Ma. First appearances for African H. erectus (∼1.87 Ma) and Acheulian tools (∼1.76 Ma) in the Turkana–Omo rift postdate the lake's initial formation by about 270 kyr and 380 kyr, respectively. Such timing differences contrast with studies that correlate all three to the 400-kyr-eccentricity maximum at 1.8 Ma. Although the Turkana–Omo rift is just one example, it does provide alternative insights to views that link climate, hominin evolution, and lake formation in East Africa.
Nanoscale power and heat management in electronics

Power consumption and heat dissipation are significant challenges in electronics ranging from mobile devices to large data centers. A fundamental examination of energy dissipation in such contexts can lead to orders of magnitude improvements in energy efficiency. We present recent highlights from our work examining power and heat dissipation in nanoscale device geometries, at contacts or interfaces, and when novel materials are involved. For instance, thermal conductivity is significantly reduced in nanostructures due to the role of boundary scattering. However relatively unusual effects such as quasi-ballistic and thermoelectric transport could be used to partially mitigate the heat generated during device operation. In addition, careful low-power device design from the outset can alleviate heat dissipation problems before they begin. For example, data storage based on phase-change (rather than charge) with carbon nanotube electrodes can lead to two orders of magnitude reduction in power dissipation. The results suggest much room to improve power dissipation in nanoscale electronics, towards near-fundamental limits, through the co-design of geometry and materials.
Suture bridge fixation of a femoral condyle traumatic osteochondral defect.

Internal fixation of a traumatic osteochondral defect presents a challenge in terms of obtaining anatomic reduction, fixation, and adequate compression for healing. Fixation with countersunk intraarticular screws, Herbert screws, bioabsorbable screws and pins, mini-cancellous screws, and glue tissue adhesive have been reported with varying results. We present an alternative fixation method used in two patients for femoral condylar defects that achieved anatomic reduction with compression via a cruciate-shaped suture bridge construct tied down over a bony bridge. This fixation method allowed early passive range of motion and permitted high-quality MRI for followup of fracture healing and articular cartilage integrity. Arthroscopic examination of one of two patients at 6 months followup showed the gross appearance of a healed, anatomically reduced fracture. With 1 year followup for one patient and 2 years for the other, the patients have resumed activity as tolerated with full, painless range of motion at the knee. Longer-term outcomes are unknown. However, the suture bridge is an alternative means of fixation with encouraging early results for treatment of traumatic osteochondral fragments in the knee. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Theoretical Compton profiles of graphite and LiC6.

Within the impulse approximation, Compton profiles of graphite and ${\mathrm{LiC}}_{6}$ for several symmetry directions are calculated using the wave functions obtained from pseudopotential local-density-functional calculations. Excellent agreement is found when the calculated profiles are compared with the experimental results. The intercalation effects were analyzed in the difference profile between these two materials.
Remote sensing requirements for precision agriculture

Precision agriculture, an information and technology based agricultural system, will advance the application of remote sensing techniques to agricultural management. There are specific and unique technical and managerial barriers and requirements for the application of remote sensing to soil and corp management. The four principal requirements relate to: spatial resolution, timeliness, coverage frequency, and imagery management infrastructure.
Crystal structure of the S.cerevisiae exocyst component Exo70p

The exocyst is an evolutionarily conserved multiprotein complex required for the targeting and docking of post-Golgi vesicles to the plasma membrane. Through its interactions with a variety of proteins, including small GTPases, the exocyst is thought to integrate signals from the cell and signal that vesicles arriving at the plasma membrane are ready for fusion. Here we describe the three-dimensional crystal structure of one of the components of the exocyst, Exo70p, from Saccharomyces cerevisiae at 3.5A resolution. Exo70p binds the small GTPase Rho3p in a GTP-dependent manner with an equilibrium dissociation constant of approximately 70 microM. Exo70p is an extended rod approximately 155 angstroms in length composed principally of alpha helices, and is a novel fold. The structure provides a first view of the Exo70 protein family and provides a framework to study the molecular function of this exocyst component.
On the Role of Solute Polarizability in Determining the Solubilities of Gases in Liquids

Understanding the factors determining the solubilities of gases in liquids is important from both practical and theoretical standpoints. Gas solute polarizability can be expected to be a significan...
Selective inhibition of reovirus induced RNA in L cells.

Abstract We have recently described two species of viral-specific RNA that begin to form approximately 7 hours after infection of L cells with reovirus ( Kudo and Graham, 1965 ). One of the new RNA species was heterogenous in sedimentation properties, sensitive to low concentrations of RNase and undoubtedly single-stranded. The other species was RNase resistant and was probably the double-stranded progeny RNA. The relationship between these two RNAs is not yet known. In the present paper it is shown that puromycin, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, blocks the formation of both types of RNA when added early in the latent period. When added 9 hours post-infection, the antibiotic inhibits the synthesis of double-stranded RNA, but single-stranded RNA continues to be made.
The Osmolarity of Adult Drosophila Hemolymph and Its Effect on Oocyte-Nurse Cell Electrical Polarity

In ovarian follicles of Drosophila, changes in external osmolarity affect the steady-state potentials of oocytes more than those of nurse cells. Thus the osmolarity of the incubation medium affects the occurrence and the direction of an electrical gradient across the connecting intercellular bridges. At 255 mOsm nurse cell Em averaged 2.5 mV negative to oocyte Em (P < 0.001). At 275 and at 300 mOsm there was no significant difference between oocyte and nurse cell. At 400 mOsm nurse cell Em averaged 1.1 mV positive to oocyte Em (P = 0.007). The osmolarity of adult Drosophila hemolymph was measured by a variation of freezing point depression and averaged 251 ± 9 (SE) mOsm. The measured osmolarity and measured ionic concentrations of adult Drosophila hemolymph were used to develop an incubation medium, which was used to incubate developing ovarian follicles. Electrical measurements made in this saline, which mimics in vivo conditions, confirmed reports of a nurse cell-oocyte electrical gradient, with nurse cell Em significantly more negative than oocyte Em. Microinjections of the negatively charged dye Lucifer yellow CH showed that this charged molecule accumulated in the oocyte at the in vivo osmolarity, and in the nurse cells at highly elevated osmotic levels.
A stationary treatment of time-dependent Hamiltonian by the many-mode floquet formalism and its application to the study of effects of laser pulses in multiphoton processes

Abstract A general stationary nonperturbative treatment of time-dependent Hamiltonian system is presented by extending the many-mode Floquet formalism and a feature of initial value problem of the Schrodinger equation. The method is applied to the first analytical treatment of the effects of pulsed laser fields in multiphoton processes. Explicit analytical formulas for multiphoton transition probabilities and a generalized (multiphoton) pulse area concept for two-level quantum systems driven by pulse laser fields are obtained for the first time.
Simulation of Series Arrays of Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices

The voltage as a function of applied magnetic field (V-B) was calculated for arrays of superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) connected in series. Comparisons were made between arrays of equal area SQUIDs and superconducting quantum interference filters (SQIFs). The areas for the SQIFs were varied exponentially, so that the V-B had a sharp minimum at zero field. We used equations for the dc SQUID based on resistively shunted junctions, with typical parameters for YBa2Cu3O7 - δ ion damage Josephson junctions. The maximum transfer coefficient of the central minimum VB = (∂V/∂B)max of the SQIF decreases as the area range increases. We find that the equal area array is more robust to the effects of non-uniform junction critical currents than the SQIF, for the junction parameters and SQUID area distributions chosen. Furthermore, we find that slight variations (~5%) to the area due to fabrication irregularities have little effect on the central minimum of V-B for either device.
Promoting interactions with basic scientists and clinicians: summary of the panel session

This is a summary of the main topics discussed in a panel session on the theme of promoting interactions with basic scientists and clinicians. The main topics discussed were: communicating with basic scientists and clinicians; models of collaboration; manuscript review at an Alzheimer's disease centre, and suggestions for conducting future forums or conferences on methodology encountered in Alzheimer's disease.
Not All Housing GSEs Are Alike: An Analysis of the Federal Home Loan Bank System and the Foreclosure Crisis

While the financial crisis of 2008 ultimately affected the range of U.S. financial institutions, it began with practices in home ownership finance. The Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLBank) System was the first instrumentality created by the U.S. government, in 1932, to sustain affordable home ownership finance. In this article, the authors ask what role, if any, the FHLBanks played in the subprime lending and securitization practices that precipitated the current crisis. The authors analyze publicly available FHLBank financial data in terms of a framework focused on the System's assets: advances; mortgage loans acquired from members; and investments, particularly in mortgage-backed-securities. They conclude that the FHLBanks did not contribute significantly to problematic practices. Nonetheless, they recommend consideration of three reforms to the FHLBanks to ensure a return to effective regulation and responsible, affordable home ownership finance.
The effect of sleep deprivation on fine motor coordination in obstetrics and gynecology residents

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of acute sleep deprivation on the fine motor coordination in obstetrics and gynecology residents. Study Design Twenty-eight obstetrics and gynecology residents completed a series of tasks using the Purdue pegboard standardized protocol for testing fine motor coordination both before and after a 24-hour call. Results Twenty-three participants were women and 5 were men. There was a learning curve demonstrated for performance of the tasks. There was a statistically significant decline in performance of residents after overnight call. When adjusting for the learning curve, effects of sleep deprivation were magnified for all tasks: right (dominant) hand ( P = .0005), left hand ( P = .0020), both hands ( P P Conclusion Acute sleep deprivation has a deleterious effect on fine motor coordination in this group of obstetrics and gynecology residents.
Dorsomedial hypothalamic GABA dysfunction produces physiological arousal following sodium lactate infusions

Since impairing gamma-aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) receptor-mediated inhibition in the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) of rats elicits a panic-like response, experiments were conducted to test if rats with GABA dysfunction in the DMH would be vulnerable to precipitation of a panic-like response after intravenous sodium lactate infusions. Rats were implanted with unilateral infusion cannula into the DMH which were connected with Alzet minipumps that chronically infused (3.5 nmol/microliter /h) either a-CSF (vehicle), dl-(racemic), l-(active) or d-(inactive) isomers of allylglycine (AG), an inhibitor of GABA synthesis. Another group of rats had l-allylglycine pumps implanted in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) as anatomical controls. Animals were tested in the social interaction (SI) test and given sodium lactate infusions (10 ml/kg/15 min) before Alzet pump implantations and on days 4, 7, and 14 after pump placement. Rats were also tested in the elevated plus-maze on treatment day 4. Chronic impairment of GABA function in the DMH and not PVN resulted in rats being more anxious in the SI test on treatment days 4, 7, and 14 and in the elevated plus-maze on day 4 compared to a-CSF and d-AG infusions. Further, rats with GABA dysfunction in the DMH, and not PVN, exhibited significant increases in heart rate and blood pressure following IV sodium lactate infusions. There were significant decreases in DMH glutamic acid decarboxylase activity and GABA content in rats receiving 7 days of dl-AG or l-AG infusions. These results indicate that chronic reduction of GABA function in the DMH leads to the development of panic-like disorder in this animal model.
AMPTE/CCE energetic particle composition measurements during the September 4, 1984 magnetic storm

The results of measurements for the magnetic-storm period of September 4-7, 1984 from the medium-energy particle analyzer (MEPA) on the CCE spacecraft are presented. It is shown that within L-shells of about 2.5 to 5 in the dusk sector near the equatorial plane, the enhancement factor in the fluxes for the CNO group is greater than that of helium, which is greater than that of protons. The flux ratios of helium and CNO over all ions at the same total energy show considerable increases in the same L-shell ranges. For the particle population measured by MEPA, a local current-density enhancement of about 0.5 nA/sq m is found over the L range of 3.5 to 6 during the magnetic storm. It is found that the total current density is dominated by the pressure-gradient current of the protons.
The risk of cystic fibrosis with prenatally detected echogenic bowel in an ethnically and racially diverse North American population.

Fetal echogenic bowel has been reported as a normal variant in the second trimester, and has also been associated with an adverse fetal outcome, including cystic fibrosis (CF), an autosomal recessive genetic disease. Previous studies have reported that 3.3 to 13.3 per cent of fetuses with echogenic bowel discovered during the second trimester were affected with CF. Between 1994 and 1998 our laboratory tested 159 cases with echogenic bowel detected during a routine ultrasound examination. The ethnic/racial background of cases included Caucasian, African-American, Middle Eastern, Hispanic, Ashkenazi Jewish and Asian. We identified two CF fetuses (1.3 per cent) and eight fetuses with a single identifiable CF mutation (5 per cent) within this diverse population. These data indicated that the risk of CF in a fetus with echogenic bowel in this population was less than the 3.3 to 13.3 per cent prior risk currently used in most Bayesian calculations. Furthermore, the results suggested that specific risks for couples should be calculated using data specific for their ethnic or racial background. Based on our results, we recommend either amniocentesis for fetal CF studies or CF carrier screening of both parents when fetal echogenic bowel is detected as a 1.3 per cent risk of CF is considered high enough to warrant further testing.
Structural biology: the dance of domains.

Static crystal structures provide only clues about the way large biological molecules work. A recently developed spectroscopic technique also reveals details of their molecular motion, as shown for an RNA molecule from HIV.
Regional flood frequency analysis using extreme order statistics of the annual peak record

A regional flood frequency model is developed for estimating recurrence intervals of extreme floods. The regionalization procedure developed in this paper differs notably from the U.S. Geological Survey index flood method (Dalrymple, 1960) in that a large quantile, rather than the mean annual flood, is used as the “index flood.” Based on a result from extreme value theory, exceedances of the specified quantile are modeled by a generalized Pareto distribution. The generalized Pareto distribution has two parameters: a scale parameter and a shape parameter. It is assumed that the shape parameter does not vary from basin to basin, implying that annual peak distributions for all basins have the same upper-tail thickness. The scale parameter, on the other hand, not only varies from basin to basin, but may also depend on covariate information, such as drainage area or indicator functions for basin geology. Likelihood-based inference procedures are developed for the regional flood frequency model. The model is applied to extreme floods of the Central Appalachian region of the United States.