cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Demonstration of waferscale voltage amplifier and electrostatic quadrupole focusing array for compact linear accelerators

Compact linear accelerators, with beam energies in the kiloelectron volt to megaelectron volt range, have applications in medicine, neutron/X-ray generation, surface modifications, etc. The size, weight, and power of existing accelerators preclude them from mass availability in portable formats. This paper presents a specific implementation of an ion accelerator architecture based on planar wafers with accelerating and focusing sections. Our low cost approach allows the control of the final ion beam energy with potential applications, for example, for accelerator-based ion implantation. In this paper, we demonstrate two important waferscale modules required to build a linear particle accelerator; these include (1) on-wafer voltage amplification for beam acceleration using Inductor-Capacitor (LC) resonators and (2) waferscale electrostatic quadrupole arrays (ESQA) to refocus the ion beams during transport. On-board LC resonators were developed using Printed Circuit Board fabrication processes to implement an LC element resonant at ∼16.6 MHz with a quality factor of 25. An energy gain of ∼250 eV was observed using a two wafer acceleration unit with an argon ion beam with 6.5 keV initial energy. A 3 × 3 ESQA was fabricated on a glass wafer with metal electrodes formed by depositing copper metal around the beam apertures. The ESQA was used to focus and defocus an argon ion beam, demonstrating a field gradient of ∼500 V over a gap of ∼250 μm.Compact linear accelerators, with beam energies in the kiloelectron volt to megaelectron volt range, have applications in medicine, neutron/X-ray generation, surface modifications, etc. The size, weight, and power of existing accelerators preclude them from mass availability in portable formats. This paper presents a specific implementation of an ion accelerator architecture based on planar wafers with accelerating and focusing sections. Our low cost approach allows the control of the final ion beam energy with potential applications, for example, for accelerator-based ion implantation. In this paper, we demonstrate two important waferscale modules required to build a linear particle accelerator; these include (1) on-wafer voltage amplification for beam acceleration using Inductor-Capacitor (LC) resonators and (2) waferscale electrostatic quadrupole arrays (ESQA) to refocus the ion beams during transport. On-board LC resonators were developed using Printed Circuit Board fabrication processes to implement ...
Biomaterials in non-integer dimensions.

Nature harnesses fractal geometry to create structures with unusual surface-to-volume ratios. Now, a new design approach enables the reversible assembly of functional enzymes into arboreal patterns with fractal geometry.
Legal Linguistics in the Us: Looking Back, Looking Ahead

This paper aims to provide a brief history of research into the relationship between legal and linguistic inquiry in the United States. The title may be a bit misleading, since “legal linguistics” is a term used more in Europe than in North America. Yet the term seems to me to capture the breadth of interaction between the ways we govern ourselves under a system of rules and principles on the one hand, and the ways in which we communicate those rules and principles through our knowledge of language and our knowledge of how to use our knowledge of language.
Dynamic Brain Activity Following Auricular Point Acupressure in Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy: A Pilot Longitudinal Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to investigate the dynamic brain activity following auricular point acupressure (APA) in chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (CIN).MethodsParticipants received...
Disparities in the Lung Allocation Score Due to Geography Have Not Changed Since November 2017

Purpose Differences in geographic donor lung availability affect waitlist outcomes. We hypothesized that the lung allocation score (LAS) at transplant and waitlist time would vary based on local donor lung availability and that broader geographic sharing since November 2017 would improve these disparities. Methods Using UNOS data, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of 23,414 lung transplant recipients from January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2018. Local lung availability was defined as the ratio of donor lungs to waitlist candidates in the local donation service area. We calculated the local lung availability for candidates prior to November 25, 2017. We used mixed multivariable linear regression and Poisson regression, adjusting for time dependent LAS changes, to examine the relationship between local lung availability, LAS at transplant and waitlist time. We used Wilcoxon rank-sum to compare LAS at transplant before and after November 2017. Results Compared to recipients in the top quartile with greatest local lung availability, recipients in the lowest quartile were transplanted with a LAS 6.2 points higher (95% CI: 5.6-6.9, p Conclusion Prior to November 2017, low local lung availability was associated with longer waitlist times and higher LAS at transplant that were much more pronounced for double lung recipients. Since expanding allocation to 250 miles, meaningful differences in LAS at transplant have not yet been observed.
Geographic Heterogeneity in Housing Market Risk and Portfolio Choice

The U.S. housing market is heterogeneous in that house price dynamics vary greatly across regions. Depending on the location of the main residence, households are exposed to completely different housing market risk. This paper examines how geographic heterogeneity in housing market risk affects household portfolio allocations. Housing supply elasticity largely explains variation in housing market risk across regions. Where housing supply elasticity is low, households face higher housing market risk since house price growth rates are more volatile and more positively correlated with stock returns and labor income growth rates. Using the restricted version of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) data with detailed geographic information, I find that households in areas with low housing supply elasticity tend to hold less stock in their portfolios. This tendency, however, weakens after retirement when labor income risk disappears.
Repetition of Computer Security Warnings Results in Differential Repetition Suppression Effects as Revealed With Functional MRI

Computer users are often the last line of defense in computer security. However, with repeated exposures to system messages and computer security warnings, neural and behavioral responses show evidence of habituation. Habituation has been demonstrated at a neural level as repetition suppression where responses are attenuated with subsequent repetitions. In the brain, repetition suppression to visual stimuli has been demonstrated in multiple cortical areas, including the occipital lobe and medial temporal lobe. Prior research into the repetition suppression effect has generally focused on a single repetition and has not examined the pattern of signal suppression with repeated exposures. We used complex, everyday stimuli, in the form of images of computer programs or security warning messages, to examine the repetition suppression effect across repeated exposures. The use of computer warnings as stimuli also allowed us to examine the activation of learned fearful stimuli. We observed widespread linear decreases in activation with repeated exposures, suggesting that repetition suppression continues after the first repetition. Further, we found greater activation for warning messages compared to neutral images in the anterior insula, pre-supplemental motor area, and inferior frontal gyrus, suggesting differential processing of security warning messages. However, the repetition suppression effect was similar in these regions for both warning messages and neutral images. Additionally, we observed an increase of activation in the default mode network with repeated exposures, suggestive of increased mind wandering with continuing habituation.
Understanding public support for smart meters: media attention, misperceptions, and knowledge

Public opinion on critical issues, such as technology deployment aimed at reducing greenhouse gases or increasing energy efficiency, may be impacted through information disseminated through the med...
YAP-dependent proliferation by a small molecule targeting annexin A2.

The transcriptional coactivator Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP) orchestrates a proproliferative transcriptional program that controls the fate of somatic stem cells and the regenerative responses of certain tissues. As such, agents that activate YAP may hold therapeutic potential in disease states exacerbated by insufficient proliferative repair. Here we report the discovery of a small molecule, termed PY-60, which robustly activates YAP transcriptional activity in vitro and promotes YAP-dependent expansion of epidermal keratinocytes in mouse following topical drug administration. Chemical proteomics revealed the relevant target of PY-60 to be annexin A2 (ANXA2), a protein that directly associates with YAP at the cell membrane in response to increased cell density. PY-60 treatment liberates ANXA2 from the membrane, ultimately promoting a phosphatase-bound, nonphosphorylated and transcriptionally active form of YAP. This work reveals ANXA2 as a previously undescribed, druggable component of the Hippo pathway and suggests a mechanistic rationale to promote regenerative repair in disease. Annexin A2 (ANXA2) is identified as the target of a pharmacological YAP activator and as a druggable component of the Hippo pathway.
Hazardous sound outputs of white noise devices intended for infants.

Abstract Objectives To measure the sound intensity of popular infant white noise machines and Apple iPhone applications (apps) as they vary with volume setting and distance, and compare these output levels with current National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) noise exposure threshold recommendations. Methods A total of eight infant white noise machines and six iPhone applications were included in the study based on product rating, number of ratings, and cost. The NIOSH Sound Level Meter application through the Apple App Store was used to measure output levels in A-weighted decibels (dBA). Each device was tested at its lowest and highest volume setting and at speaker-to-microphone distances simulating placement within a crib (10 cm), just outside of a crib rail (30 cm), and on a nightstand across the room (100 cm). Results At the minimum volume setting, no device exceeded the NIOSH recommended noise exposure threshold of 85 dBA at any distance tested. At maximum volume setting, nine out of fourteen (64.3%) devices exceeded output levels of 85 dBA at a speaker-to-microphone distance of 10 cm. No device exceeded the recommended threshold at its maximal volume when placed 30 cm or 100 cm away. Conclusion Excessive white noise exposure has the potential to lead to noise-induced hearing loss and other adverse health effects in the neonatal and infant population. We recommend conservative use of white noise machines and apps by avoiding maximal volume setting and placing any device well outside of the crib or at least 30 cm away from the child. To promote safe use of white noise devices, future studies are needed to fully understand the association between early noise exposure and hearing loss in infants.
LITE SABR M1: a phase I trial of Lattice SBRT for large tumors

Abstract Purpose Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is an attractive treatment option for patients with metastatic and/or unresectable tumors, however its use is limited to smaller tumors. Lattice is a form of spatially fractionated radiotherapy that may offer safe delivery of SBRT for bulky tumors. We previously described Lattice SBRT, which delivers 20 Gy in 5 fractions with a simultaneous Lattice boost to 66.7 Gy. The goal of this study was to prospectively evaluate the acute toxicity and quality of life (QoL) of patients with large tumors (> 5 cm) treated with Lattice SBRT. Methods This was a single-arm phase I trial conducted between October 2019 and August 2020. Patients with tumors >4.5 cm were eligible. Lattice SBRT was delivered every other day then patients were evaluated for 90 days. The primary outcome was the rate of treatment-associated grade 3+ acute toxicity by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0 criteria. Other outcomes included patient reported toxicity and QoL inventories, and GTV changes following Lattice SBRT. Results Twenty patients (22 tumors) were enrolled. Median gross tumor volume (GTV) was 783 cc (range: 64-3713 cc). Fifty percent of tumors were in the thorax, 45% abdomen/pelvis, and 5% extremity. There was no grade 3+ toxicity probably or definitely attributable to Lattice SBRT. There was one case of grade 4 toxicity possibly associated with Lattice SBRT. Conclusions This phase I study met its primary endpoint of physician reported safety, confirmed with secondary PRO-CTCAE outcomes. Early efficacy, as demonstrated by PROMIS QoL and imaging, is encouraging. An ongoing phase II clinical trial of Lattice SBRT is evaluating the safety and efficacy of this novel technique.
Facing the music: Stereotyping of and by women in US music journalism:

This study updates and expands the application of stereotyping and professional socialization to music journalism in a way that is generalizable to the United States music journalism industry, and ...
Of vagabonds and fellow travelers: African diaspora literary culture and the cultural Cold War: by Cedric R. Tolliver, Ann Arbor, University of Michigan Press, 2019, 232 pp., $24.95 (paperback), ISBN-13: 978-0-472-05405-3

Throughout the writing of my book Cultural Entanglements: Langston Hughes and the Rise of African and Caribbean Literature, certain questions lurked irritatingly in the margins. The American writer...
Measurement and Signal Processing Techniques for Extracting Highly Accurate and Wideband RCS

This paper discusses both test setup and signal processing techniques to achieve highly accurate radar cross section (RCS) measurements across a wide bandwidth. These methods include calibration, clutter cancellation, and time-gating algorithms in post-processing and test setup hardware modifications to improve measurement quality. By upgrading the measurement setup hardware and applying optimized processing techniques, the RCS average error is reduced from 3.2 dBsm to only 0.21 dBsm across the 2–18 GHz frequency range.
Monitoring Large Scale Supercomputers: A Case Study with the Lassen Supercomputer

Scalable management of user workloads on large-scale supercomputers remains a challenge due to the tradeoff between capturing adequate detail for analysis from various data sources and minimizing overhead. Co-designed frameworks, such as IBM’s Cluster System Management (CSM), provide a unified approach and novel insights for large-scale cluster management. This paper presents a longitudinal study and detailed analysis of a first-of-its-kind dataset collected by CSM from one of the world’s fastest supercomputers – comprised of over 1.4 million jobs on heterogenous nodes over multiple years. Furthermore, by focusing on a case study for power management, we identify the strengths and limitations of current CSM power measurement techniques in production. We present a deep dive into a large-scale scientific workflow, where finer-grained monitoring reveals power fluctuations at megawatt-levels resulting from the dynamic nature of the application, which are not captured by CSM. We make our unique datasets available to the HPC community, and discuss potential mitigation strategies by analyzing both coarse-grained and fine-grained data.
Mitochondrial ultrastructure and energy transduction in rat heart during progressive thiamine deficiency.

Changes in ultrastructure, mitochondrial respiration and enzyme activities of rat myocardium were studied during progressive dietary thiamine depletion. Pronounced changes in mitochondrial fine structure and enlargement in size and increase in number were seen as early as 1 week. By the 5th week on thiamine-devoid diet the mitochondria were further enlarged, and the cristae were reduced in number and irregularly oriented.
A strategy for reducing turnaround time in design optimization using a distributed computer system

There is a need to explore methods for reducing lengthly computer turnaround or clock time associated with engineering design problems. Different strategies can be employed to reduce this turnaround time. One strategy is to run validated analysis software on a network of existing smaller computers so that portions of the computation can be done in parallel. This paper focuses on the implementation of this method using two types of problems. The first type is a traditional structural design optimization problem, which is characterized by a simple data flow and a complicated analysis. The second type of problem uses an existing computer program designed to study multilevel optimization techniques. This problem is characterized by complicated data flow and a simple analysis. The paper shows that distributed computing can be a viable means for reducing computational turnaround time for engineering design problems that lend themselves to decomposition. Parallel computing can be accomplished with a minimal cost in terms of hardware and software.
On the Symmetric Homology of Algebras

Symmetric homology is an analog of cyclic homology in which the cyclic groups are replaced by symmetric groups. The foundations for the theory of symmetric homology of algebras are developed in the context of crossed simplicial groups using derived functors and the symmetric bar construction of Fiedorowicz. The symmetric homology of group rings is related to stable homotopy theory. Two chain complexes are constructed that compute symmetric homology, as well as two spectral sequences. In the setup of the second spectral sequence, a complex isomorphic to the suspension of the cycle-free chessboard complex of Vrecica and Zivaljevic appears. Homology operations are defined on the symmetric homology groups over Z/p, p a prime. Finally, an explicit partial resolution is presented, permitting the computation of the zeroth and first symmetric homology groups of finite-dimensional algebras.
Structure of the carbohydrate units of IgA1 immunoglobulin. I. Composition, glycopeptide isolation, and structure of the asparagine-linked oligosaccharide units.

Abstract The carbohydrate composition of an IgA (α1 subtype) myeloma protein has been determined. The carbohydrate, present only on the heavy chain, was found to consist of 3 moles of sialic acid, 9 mole of galactose, 5.4 moles of mannose, 0.8 moles of fucose, 8.8 moles of N-acetylglucosamine, and 5 moles of N-acetylgalactosamine per mole of heavy chain. Four major glycopeptide-containing fractions were isolated following pronase degradation of the protein. Glycopeptide I consisted of galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, threonine, serine, and proline in the molar ratio 4:5:4:5:9. Each of the N-acetylgalactosamine residues was found to be involved in an O-glycosidic linkage, demonstrating that there are five O-glycosidically linked oligosaccharide units per heavy chain. The structure of this glycopeptide is presented in the following paper (Baenziger, J., and Kornfeld, S. (1974) J. Biol. Chem. 249, 7270–7281. The three other glycopeptide fractions contained 1 to 2 residues of sialic acid, 0 to 0.7 residue of fucose, 2 residues of galactose, 3 residues of mannose, 4 to 5 residues of N-acetylglucosamine, and 1 residue of asparagine. Glycopeptide IIA was a homogeneous glycopeptide with the following structure: Glycopeptide fractions IIB and IIC did not appear to be homogeneous, but instead each contained 2 glycopeptides. In both cases, one of the glycopeptides was probably the disialyl form of IIA containing a residue of sialic acid linked α2,6 to the terminal galactose. The other glycopeptide had 2 rather than 3 nonreducing termini arising from the core mannose. Both of these terminated in sialic acid and had the same sequence as that found for the sialic acid-containing terminus of IIA. These termini arose from positions 3 and 6 of the core mannose. The core of this glycopeptide differed from that of IIA in having a residue of fucose which was most likely linked α1,6 to the N-acetylglucosamine involved in the N-glycosidic linkage to the peptide.
Radio Emission from Coronal-Type Stars

In this short review I have limited the discussion to radio continuum emission from stars that have coronae or magnetospheres, i.e., having magnetically structured, X-ray emitting plasma in their outer atmospheres. I first summarize some of the recent improvements and enhancements that have occurred in radio instrumentation and observing capabilities, and then discuss the physical mechanisms and flux density levels of cm radio emission that may be expected to be important for coronal stars using the Sun as an example. I next briefly describe and categorize the various types of radio-emitting coronal stars that have been identified to date. I discuss the factors that appear to be correlated with enhanced levels of radio emission in coronal stars, and explore in detail the intimate linkage between (thermal) X-ray emission and (nonthermal) radio emission that several classes of active star (RS CVn stars, FK Comae stars, dMe stars, etc) exhibit. I finally suggest some potentially fruitful directions in which future research on radio emission in coronal stars might usefully be directed.
Trends in the surgical management of localized renal masses: thermal ablation, partial and radical nephrectomy in the USA, 1998-2008.

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Treatment options for small renal masses include radical nephrectomy (RN), and nephron sparing modalities (NSM) such as partial nephrectomy (PN), and thermal ablation (Cryo- and radiofrequency ablation, C/RFA). Prior studies had demonstrated gross underutilization of PN; however overall treatment trends for C/RFA had not been well studied using a population-based cohort. In this study, which examined management trends of localized renal masses in the USA, we identified an increased prevalence of RN, PN and C/RFA over the study period, with PN increasing the most rapidly, and with RN continuing to account for the vast majority of procedures. This is the first study to examine surgical management of renal masses in patients with non-dialysis dependent chronic renal insufficiency. Although nephron sparing modalities were increasingly utilized over the study period, it is particularly concerning that patients with pre-existing non-dialysis dependent chronic renal insufficiency are receiving less nephron sparing approaches. Further investigations are required to confirm these findings and to identify impediments to the dissemination of nephron sparing modalities. Objective To evaluate the diffusion of nephron-sparing modalities (NSM) for the treatment of renal neoplasms in the USA over the last decade and to identify the factors associated with renal procedure selection. Patients and Methods The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was utlized to identify patients undergoing cryo/radiofrequency ablation (C/RFA), radical nephrectomy (RN) and partial nephrectomy (PN) from 1998 to 2008. Annual trends in procedure prevalence were determined. Multivariate analyses were performed to query the influence of age, race, sex and comorbid disease on surgery selection. Results We identified 443 853 procedures performed during the study period: 25 599 C/RFA, 79 568 PN and 338 687 RN. The prevalence per 100 000 hospital admissions in 1998 was 3.7 for C/RFA, nine for PN and 87.1 for RN. All procedures increased over the study period, by 1.05, 3.1 and 2.2/100 000 admissions per year, respectively (all P < 0.001). Diabetes, urban, teaching and large capacity hospitals were associated with NSM (either C/RFA or PN) compared to RN (all P ≤ 0.011). Age ≥70 years, female, hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and region outside the Northeast favoured C/RFA over PN (all P ≤ 0.026). Compared to those without CKD, patients with CKD had an almost twofold higher probability of undergoing RN than NSM (odds ratio, 1.88; 95% confidence interval, 1.7–2.1). Despite increasing NSM utilization over the study period, most patients with CKD still received RN. Conclusions Although the prevalence of NSM is increasing, RN is more common. The low utilization of NSM in patients with pre-existing CKD warrants further investigation.
Climate Change Comes to the Clean Water Act: Now What?

In January 2009, the EPA agreed to respond to the Center for Biological Diversity’s (CBD’s) petition requesting it to modify its marine pH water quality criteria to reflect ocean acidification. Ocean acidification, however, is a by-product of increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Thus, climate change has come to the Clean Water Act - and in May 2009, the CBD filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Washington to bring this point home. The question, of course, is what the Clean Water Act can actually contribute to efforts to deal with climate change. After reviewing the Act’s basic provisions (Part I) and the various kinds of impacts that climate change is likely to have on water quality in the United States (Part II), this Article systematically evaluates the contributions that the Clean Water Act can (Part III) and cannot (Part IV) make to efforts to respond to climate change. It argues that the EPA and the states could use the Act to: (1) make valuable contributions to the nation’s efforts to gather information about actual climate change impacts on water resources and to promote more effective modeling of future impacts; (2) generate expert recommendations about potential responses to those impacts; and (3) encourage and require states and the EPA to implement water quality standards, permitting requirements, best management practices, and other measures to blunt the worst water quality impacts from climate change, increase protections for particularly sensitive areas, and increase the resilience of aquatic species, aquatic ecosystems, and the socio-ecological systems dependent upon them. However, the Article also argues that the Obama Administration and Congress could implement several changes to the Act and its regulations that would increase the its effectiveness as a climate change adaptation tool. Finally, the Article concludes that even though the total maximum daily load (TMDL) provisions could be interpreted to reach greenhouse gas emissions, such an interpretation would lead to costly and ultimately ineffective efforts to make the Clean Water Act a climate change mitigation tool – a role for which the Act is not at all suited.
Tropospheric chemistry : 4 years of U.S. research, 1987-1990

Research on anthropogenic perturbations to tropospheric chemistry is reviewed with particular attention given to species that are either produced or consumed chemically within the troposphere, and to regional and global issues, with minimal references to urban air pollution. Chemical species under consideration include reactive nitrogen oxides, methane, carbon monoxide, nonmethane hydrocarbons, ozone, and sulfur. Also discussed are acidity and model development.
Yersinia yopQ mRNA encodes a bipartite type III secretion signal in the first 15 codons

The type III machinery of Yersinia transports Yop proteins across the bacterial envelope. The minimal secretion signal of yopQ is located in codons 1-10 that, when fused in frame to the neomycin phosphotransferase gene, is sufficient to promote type III secretion of YopQ 1 - 1 0 -Npt. Frame-shift mutations, generated by nucleotide insertions or deletions following the AUG start and suppressed at the fusion site with npt, abrogate signalling of yopQ 1 - 1 0 but not of yopQ 1 - 1 5 . By generating transversions of every single nucleotide in yopQ 1 - 1 0 , we identified 10 nucleotide positions in codons 2, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 10 that were each required for substrate recognition. One transversion that abolishes secretion, uridyl 9 to adenyl (U9A), is a synonymous codon 3 mutation that retains the original amino acid as confirmed by Edman degradation analysis, suggesting that the mRNA but not the amino acid sequence of yopQ 1 - 1 0 is involved in secretion signalling. Although transversion of U8A abrogates signalling of yopQ 1 - 1 0 , fusion of yopO codons 11-15 restores secretion. The nucleotides that are required for this suppression by yopQ 1 1 - 1 5 were identified and revealed both synonymous and non-synonymous mutations. Frame-shift mutations introduced into just this suppressor region (codons 11-15) did not abrogate its ability to suppress mutations in the minimal secretion signal (codons 1-10). Thus, elements downstream of the minimal secretion signal of YopQ increase the efficiency of YopQ secretion and suppress mutations elsewhere in the secretion signal.
Structure and function of Cdc6/Cdc18: implications for origin recognition and checkpoint control.

Abstract Cdc6/Cdc18 is a conserved and essential component of prereplication complexes. The 2.0 A crystal structure of an archaeal Cdc6 ortholog, in conjunction with a mutational analysis of the homologous Cdc18 protein from Schizosaccharomyces pombe , reveals novel aspects of Cdc6/Cdc18 function. Two domains of Cdc6 form an AAA + -type nucleotide binding fold that is observed bound to Mg•ADP. A third domain adopts a winged-helix fold similar to known DNA binding modules. Sequence comparisons show that the winged-helix domain is conserved in Orc1, and mutagenesis data demonstrate that this region of Cdc6/Cdc18 is required for function in vivo. Additional mutational analyses suggest that nucleotide binding and/or hydrolysis by Cdc6/Cdc18 is required not only for progression through S phase, but also for maintenance of checkpoint control during S phase.
Intraspecific variation of a dominant grass and local adaptation in reciprocal garden communities along a US Great Plains' precipitation gradient: implications for grassland restoration with climate change

Identifying suitable genetic stock for restoration often employs a ‘best guess’ approach. Without adaptive variation studies, restoration may be misguided. We test the extent to which climate in central US grasslands exerts selection pressure on a foundation grass big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), widely used in restorations, and resulting in local adaptation. We seeded three regional ecotypes of A. gerardii in reciprocal transplant garden communities across 1150 km precipitation gradient. We measured ecological responses over several timescales (instantaneous gas exchange, medium-term chlorophyll absorbance, and long-term responses of establishment and cover) in response to climate and biotic factors and tested if ecotypes could expand range. The ecotype from the driest region exhibited greatest cover under low rainfall, suggesting local adaptation under abiotic stress. Unexpectedly, no evidence for cover differences between ecotypes exists at mesic sites where establishment and cover of all ecotypes were low, perhaps due to strong biotic pressures. Expression of adaptive differences is strongly environment specific. Given observed adaptive variation, the most conservative restoration strategy would be to plant the local ecotype, especially in drier locations. With superior performance of the most xeric ecotype under dry conditions and predicted drought, this ecotype may migrate eastward, naturally or with assistance in restorations.
DESIGN HYETOGRAPHS FOR SMALL DRAINAGE STRUCTURES

Improved methods for design and pollution control of storm drainage facilities require not only the average rainfall intensity but also the time distribution of the rainfall. Since the temporal pattern of rainfall varies with storms and the patterns of future storms cannot be predicted exactly, the design hyetograph can only be determined probabilistically using statistical values of past events. The nondimensional triangular hyetograph method is based on the statistical mean of the first time moment of recorded rainstorms and triangular representation of the hyetographs, which are nondimensionalized using the rainfall duration and depth. For a given season the expected nondimensional triangular hyetographs for heavy rainstorms are nearly identical, being insignificantly affected by the duration of rainfall. The established nondimensional triangular hyetograph can then be used to produce the design hyetographs by simple procedures. Results of an analysis of 7,484 rainstorms at three locations indicate that such a method is feasible.
Throughput of Underwater Wireless Ad Hoc Networks With Random Access: A Physical Layer Perspective

Due to frequency selectivity, long propagation delay caused by low speed of sound, and fast channel variation, multiple-access protocols that work well in terrestrial networks may not perform as well in underwater environment. We take a physical-layer approach and investigate frequency-selective underwater channels with uncoordinated multiple bursty transmissions. We first derive the statistical distribution of the interference as seen by a typical receiver, considering burstiness of interference transmissions, packet length, and spatial distributions of the interferers. We then derive expressions for the probability density functions of the frequency-dependent signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR). Expressions for the outage probability of a typical link between two nodes are obtained in the frequency-selective scenarios and the flat-fading special cases. The outage probabilities depend on the bursty transmission probability and the number of interfering transmitters. Previous expressions in the literature on outage probability for flat fading channels and interference-limited systems can be recovered as special cases of our results. Analysis on the throughput of network is provided. Optimization over the number of nodes and bursty transmission probability is performed to maximize the network throughput. Simulation results are presented, which validate the theoretical results and illustrate typical features of the interference in an underwater network.
Immunopathologic alterations in murine models of sepsis of increasing severity.

We investigated inflammatory and physiologic parameters in sepsis models of increasing lethality induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Mice received imipenem for antibiotic therapy, and groups were sacrificed at 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 h after CLP. The severity of sepsis increased with needle puncture size (lethality with 18-gauge puncture [18G], 100%; 21G, 50%; 25G, 5%; sham treatment, 0%). While the temperature (at 12 h) and the activity and diurnal rhythm (at day 4) of the 25G-treated CLP group recovered to normal, the 21G and 18G treatment groups exhibited severe hypothermia along with decreased activities. A direct correlation was also observed between the severity of sepsis and cytokine (interleukin 1β [IL-1β], tumor necrosis factor [TNF], IL-6, and IL-10) concentrations in both the peritoneum and the plasma. There were substantially higher cytokine levels in the more severe CLP models than in the sham-treated one. Peritoneal and plasma TNF levels were always less than 40 pg/ml in all models. None of the cytokines in the septic mice peaked within the first hour, which is in contrast to the results of most endotoxin models. Chemokine (KC and macrophage inflammatory protein 2) profiles also correlated with the severity of sepsis. Except for the chemokines, levels of inflammatory mediators were always higher at the site of inflammation (peritoneum) than in the circulation. Our study demonstrated that sepsis of increasing severity induced increased cytokine levels both within the local environment (peritoneum) and systemically (plasma), which in turn correlated with morbidity and mortality.
MO-F-213CD-06: Implementation of Fluoroscopy Dose Mining and Analysis Process for Continuous Quality Assurance

Purpose: The varied dose reporting capabilities of fluoroscopic equipment combined with the difficultly in compiling and correlating data to specific procedures represents a challenge. The aim is to establish a method of collecting and analyzing cumulative dose from a collection of fluoroscopic equipment in a radiology department. Methods: Preliminary work was performed on each fluoroscopic system, including verification of dose display availability (software modification/upgrade) and accuracy and documentation of current dose metric capabilities and units. For a given procedure, the technologist manually entered the cumulative air kerma (AK) into the radiology information system (RIS). A quarterly report was generated containing AK values and procedure information for every fluoroscopy case performed. Data was separated by equipment classification (customized based on clinical application) and procedure type. For each data subset, cases exceeding a z_score of 5 (indicating >5 SD above mean) were excluded and catalogued. Basic statistics (mean/SD/median/percentiles/min/max) were calculated for the purpose of observing longitudinal trends. Finally, a list of flagged studies ‐ cases exceeding the 95 th percentile for a given data subset ‐ was generated for the purpose of clinical review. Results: Presentation of longitudinal data as a box‐and‐whisker plot highlights shifts in median AK and in the population distributions. For gastrointestinal (GI) studies using a remote digital unit, we observed median AK ranging from 25 mGy for a video esophagram up to 165 mGy for an upper GI with KUB. For mobile c‐arms, median AK values ranged from 0.1 mGy to 402 mGy, depending on procedure. Conclusions: We have developed a robust method of collecting and analyzingdose data from fluoroscopic equipment. By reviewing identified high dose cases, we hope to improve training and clinical practice. To better discern explicit procedure types, modification of the RIS procedure codes is necessary for certain equipment classifications.
Carcinoma of the Lung: Evaluation of Histological Grade and Factors Influencing Prognosis

The results in 96 patients with lung cancer who underwent lobectomy or pneumonectomy were analyzed. In reviewing the case histories of these patients, it became apparent that those with poorly differentiated tumor (grade 3) have an increased likelihood of positive lymph node metastases compared with those with well-differentiated (grade 1) or moderately differentiated (grade 2) tumor. Poor differentiation of the tumor, vascular invasion, and lymph node metastases appear to represent poor prognostic indices in patients undergoing operation. Compared with patients with grade 1 and grade 2 tumors, patients with a grade 3 adenocarcinoma had more local recurrences, while those with grade 3 squamous cell carcinoma had more distant metastases. The findings suggest that histological grading is an important adjunct to the clinical evaluation of and planning of treatment for patients with lung cancer.
The importance of hydrogen bonded clusters in the stabilization of the intramolecular charge transfer state of 4,4'-diaminophenyl sulphone in alcohols and alcohol:acetonitrile mixtures

Abstract The formation of the twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) state of 4,4'-diaminophenyl sulphone (APS) has been examined in hexanol/acetonitrile mixtures. The TICT emission reveals wavelength dependent rise times which are sensitive to the alcohol concentration. Discernible wavelength-dependent rise times are observed for hexanol:acetonitrile mixtures above 1:2. Examination of the infrared O-H stretch for these solutions shows that above this ratio, hydrogen-bonded aggregates are formed. In addition, the emission dynamics of APS in neat hexanol are compared with those observed for 4,4'-dimethylaminophenyl sulphone (DMAPS) and 3,3'-diaminophenylsulphone (3,3'-APS).
Message-handling systems based on the CCITT X.400 recommendations

Message-handling systems allow the exchange of electronic mail between computers. The International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee (CCITT) has proposed a standard for message-handling systems in the form of the X.400 series of recommendations that has been widely recognized by computer manufacturers and communications carriers. This paper provides a tutorial on the X.400 recommendations and then describes two prototypes developed by the IBM European Networking Center in Heidelberg, Germany, in cooperation with its research partners. The prototypes were demonstrated together with X.400 prototypes from other manufacturers at the CeBIT 86 trade fair in Hannover, Germany.
Familial Foveal Retinoschisis Associated by a Rod-Cone Dystrophy

Foveal retinoschisis, thought to be pathognomonic for idiopathic juvenile x-chromosome-linked retinoschisis seen in males, occurs in almost 100% of the cases. 1 Foveal retinoschisis has been seen in a woman who was homozygous for the pathological gene in x-chromosome-linked retinoschisis 2 and recently three sisters with foveal retinoschisis have been described. 3 This report describes foveal retinoschisis associated with a generalized rod-cone dystrophy in a brother and sister.
The Medium Is Not The Message

I have to make a confession at the very beginning of this commentary. Many nights after dinner, I have been observed to sink into the den couch only to resurface an hour or two later after watching...
DiRecT: A disaster recovery system

We describe the design and ongoing research of a Disaster Recovery System that features uncertainty visualization and distributed computing. Our system, DiRect, is intended for use by firefighters, policemen, and rescue personnel to aid in disaster recovery missions. These missions can run the gamut from natural disasters like earthquakes and fire to situations like 9/11. The use of visuals and a distributed communication infrastructure will help rescuers make better informed, more accurate and quicker decisions. In this paper, we discuss the need for such a system as well as the resulting infrastructure architecture we have developed. We further describe how information is collected using ICS (Incident Command System) protocol and is stored and fused. Finally we describe how this information will be visualized by the system. A goal of DiRect is to capture the uncertainties of the information and visually present this for more informed decisions. Current results are presented.
How Risky Are Illiquid Investments

Highly illiquid and non–traded investments?such as private real estate, leveraged buyouts, and venture capital?have historically been very hard to compare to traditional investments. This is particularly problematical when one considers how to include these assets in a traditional portfolio of assets. For the purposes of asset allocation, it is critical that illiquid asset classes are made comparable to liquid asset classes. An estimation procedure here may help to assess the true risks and diversification benefits presented by illiquid asset classes more accurately. Even though the approach involves some assumptions, it should provide a better picture of the variations in illiquid returns.
177 caliber pellet classification system and identification key.

A classification system and identification key for .177 caliber air gun pellets was developed based on a five-class characteristic criterion. Sixty-eight pellet types from 15 companies were examined and compared. A classification system was developed based on the pellets' head shapes, skirt types, lengths, weights, and other markings or observations. In some cases, when a pellet is recovered from a crime scene, product brand identification may aid the investigation. Even though all product brands cannot be identified, various brands of pellets can be eliminated based on a pellet's class characteristics. The pellet producers in this study were located in the following countries: China, Czech Republic, England, Korea, Spain, and the United States. An identification key can be used for possible pellet identification or elimination.
Hemodynamic consequences of neuropeptide Y-induced obesity.

Abstract Background Acute central nervous system administration of neuropeptide Y (NPY) elicits variable hemodynamic responses. Chronic intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of NPY produces obesity in rats. Obesity has been shown to increase arterial pressure. Methods In this study we examined the chronic hemodynamic effects of NPY-induced obesity. Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with radiotelemetry transmitters to continuously record heart rate and arterial pressure in the conscious state. Neuropeptide Y or vehicle was delivered into the third cerebral ventricle by osmotic minipumps over 2 weeks. Three groups were studied: vehicle, NPY-treated (free-fed), and NPY-treated (pair-fed to vehicle-treated rats). Results Neuropeptide Y increased food intake and body weight in free-fed animals, and substantially augmented visceral adiposity in both free- and pair-fed rats. Despite increased adiposity, chronic ICV administration of NPY in conscious unstressed rats did not increase arterial pressure. Neuropeptide Y decreased heart rate, suggesting a sympathoinhibitory effect. Conclusions Obesity induced by 2-week ICV administration of NPY does not increase arterial pressure, perhaps indicating inhibition of sympathetic outflow that may oppose the pressor effect of adiposity.
Effect of partial hepatectomy and hydrocortisone administration on liver and serum sialyltransferase activities

Abstract Partial hepatectomy of rats was followed by a rise in liver sialyltransferase activity. The maximum (2.5-fold increase) was reached on the third day after the operation, after which the level started to decline, returning to normal by day 6. Determination of serum sialyltransferase in these animals showed a parallel pattern. Daily injection of 5 mg hydrocortisone to adrenalectomized rats led to a maximal 3-fold elevation in liver sialyltransferase within 3 days, but failed to elicit any changes in the corresponding enzyme in the serum. Results from these two experiments suggest that the elevations of sialyltrasferase in the tissue and in the circulation are independently regulated.
AMPA Receptor Subunit-Specific Regulation by a Distinct Family of Type II TARPs

Summary AMPA-type glutamate receptors (GluRs) play major roles in excitatory synaptic transmission. Neuronal AMPA receptors comprise GluR subunits and transmembrane AMPA receptor regulatory proteins (TARPs). Previous studies identified five mammalian TARPs, γ-2 (or stargazin), γ-3, γ-4, γ-7, and γ-8, that enhance AMPA receptor function. Here, we classify γ-5 as a distinct class of TARP that modulates specific GluR2-containing AMPA receptors and displays properties entirely dissimilar from canonical TARPs. γ-5 increases peak currents and decreases the steady-state currents selectively from GluR2-containing AMPA receptors. Furthermore, γ-5 increases rates of GluR2 deactivation and desensitization and decreases glutamate potency. Remarkably, all effects of γ-5 require editing of GluR2 mRNA. Unlike other TARPs, γ-5 modulates GluR2 without promoting receptor trafficking. We also find that γ-7 regulation of GluR2 is dictated by mRNA editing. These data establish γ-5 and γ-7 as a separate family of "type II TARPs" that impart distinct physiological features to specific AMPA receptors.
Sports Participation and Disordered Eating Behaviors and Beliefs of Middle School Girls.

Abstract The purposes of this study were to examine and describe the disordered eating behaviors and beliefs of middle school female athletes and to determine whether a relationship exists between the number and type of sports participation and disordered eating behavior among the young athletes. Two hundred twenty-six girls in five schools completed surveys that addressed sports participation and behaviors and beliefs related to eating disorders. The students participated in a mean of 4.6 sports, and reported an average of 2.1 weight dissatisfied beliefs and restrictive or disordered eating behaviors. No relationships were found between the number of sports the girls played and their disordered beliefs and behaviors.