cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of(S)-1-(1H-indol-4-yloxy)-3-[4-(3-methoxyphenyl)-4-hydroxypiperidin-1-yl)-propan-2-ol (LY333068) succinate, and its 3-[14C]-isotopomer based on chiral glycerol-[14C] derivatives

The 3-[14C]-isotopomer of (S)-1-(1H-indol-4-yloxy)-3-[4-(3-methyoxyphenyl)-4-hydroxypiperidin-1-yl]-propan-2-ol (LY333068), a 5HT1A antagonist, was prepared in 10 steps and 8.2% radiochemical yield from (L)-serine-[3-14C]. Deamination, esterification, and protection of the resulting diol gave methyl (R)-2,2-dimenthyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylate-[3-14C], as a chiral and radiolabeled building block, which then was subsequently coupled with 4-hydroxyindole and 4-(3-methoxyphenyl)-4-hydroxypiperidine to give the titled product with 99.4% radiochemical purity. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of a Nose-Only Inhalation Exposure System for Ectromelia Virus Infection of Mice

A nose-only inhalation exposure system (NOIES) was evaluated for its performance in this study using test polystyrene latex spheres (PLS) and ectromelia virus (ECTV), which is a surrogate for vario...
Ursolic Acid and Other Pentacyclic Triterpenoids: Anticancer Activities and Occurrence in Berries

Ursolic acid and related pentacyclic triterpenoids have been isolated and identified as constituents of various berries, particularly cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) and other Vaccinium species. In vitro studies have shown that these compounds possess anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. These compounds reportedly inhibit the growth of numerous tumor cell lines including colon, breast, liver, prostate and leukemia and inhibit the expression and activity of cyclooxyge- nases. Among the berry triterpenoids, ursolic acid is the most studied. Ursolic acid has been found to induce apoptosis in tumor cells by activation of caspases and modulation of other pathways involved in cell proliferation and migration. These compounds may therefore play a complementary or synergistic role together with other berry constituents in chemoprevention. Further studies of bioavailability and in vivo activities are needed.
The emergence of comparative biomechanics

In recent years, comparative biomechanics, while anything but a new subject, has by an odd concatenation of circumstances emerged from obscurity to become a widely recognized and active area of biology-remarkably diverse in questions asked and techniques employed but with clear intellectual coherence. In North America the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology currently represents the center of gravity in this field.
Human geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase: isolation of the cDNA, chromosomal mapping and tissue expression

We report the nucleotide sequence of human geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) synthase cDNA isolated from a fetal heart library. The 2.5 kb cDNA encodes a protein of 34 kDa. The protein contains six domains that have been identified previously in many other prenyltransferases. Recombinant, purified histidine-tagged protein exhibited the enzymatic properties associated with GGPP synthase, namely the synthesis of GGPP from farnesyl diphosphate and isopentenyl diphosphate. Transient transfection of mammalian cells with a plasmid encoding the putative GGPP synthase resulted in a 55-fold increase in GGPP synthase activity. Taken together, these results establish that the cDNA encodes the mammalian GGPP synthase protein. The mRNA for GGPP synthase was expressed ubiquitously. Of the 16 human tissues examined, the highest expression of the mRNA was in testis. The mRNA levels in cultured HeLa cells were unaffected by alterations in cellular sterol levels and contrasted with the significant regulation of isopentenyl diphosphate synthase mRNA under these same conditions. Fluorescent in situ hybridization was used to map the single gene encoding human GGPP synthase to chromosome 1q43.
Shroom2 regulates contractility to control endothelial morphogenesis

The intrinsic contractile, migratory, and adhesive properties of endothelial cells are central determinants in the formation of vascular networks seen in vertebrate organisms. Because Shroom2 (Shrm2) is expressed within the endothelium, is localized to cortical actin and cell-cell adhesions, and contains a conserved Rho kinase (Rock) binding domain, we hypothesized that Shrm2 may participate in the regulation of endothelial cell behavior during vascular morphogenesis. Consistent with this hypothesis, depletion of Shrm2 results in elevated branching and sprouting angiogenic behavior of endothelial cells. This is recapitulated in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and in a vasculogenesis assay in which differentiated embryonic stem cells depleted for Shrm2 form a more highly branched endothelial network. Further analyses indicate that the altered behavior observed following Shrm2 depletion is due to aberrant cell contractility, as evidenced by decreased stress fiber organization and collagen contraction with an increase in cellular migration. Because Shrm2 directly interacts with Rock, and Shrm2 knockdown results in the loss of Rock and activated myosin II from sites of cell-cell adhesion, we conclude that Shrm2 facilitates the formation of a contractile network within endothelial cells, the loss of which leads to an increase in endothelial sprouting, migration, and angiogenesis.
Isopropanol precipitation method for the determination of apolipoprotein B specific activity and plasma concentrations during metabolic studies of very low density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein apolipoprotein B

A method has been described for the measurement of apoB concentration and specific activity in very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) during metabolic studies. For measurement of specific activity, apoB was separated from other apolipoproteins and lipids by precipitation in, and subsequent washing with, isopropanol. For determination of apoB concentration, equal volumes of lipoprotein and isopropanol were mixed, and the protein content of the apoB precipitate was measured by the difference between total lipoprotein protein and the protein measured in the supernatant. Evidence that there was no apoB solubilization in isopropanol and that precipitated apoB was virtually free of soluble apolipoproteins was obtained by electrophoresis. Lipid contamination of the apoB precipitate was less than 1%. The methods were applicable to VLDL, intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL), and LDL from normolipemic patients with protein concentrations between 187 micrograms/ml and 1898 micrograms/ml. The data obtained using isopropanol were highly correlated with those using tetramethylurea, and recoveries of apoB were similar. Furthermore, the isopropanol method has been demonstrated to yield consistent data for apoB specific activities in a study of VLDL, IDL, and LDL metabolism.
Surface plasmon tweezers-induced nanoparticle patterning in microfluidics

Here we report on dynamic patterning of nanoparticles in microfluidic channels using patterned surface plasmon polaritons (SPP) from a gold thin film with highly ordered nanohole arrays. In particular, the constructive interference of SPPs from neighboring holes leads to a periodic distribution of SPP intensities. Such a SPP distribution drives the nanoparticles into positions of minimal SPP intensities, where the net force is minimal and nanoparticles are most stable. This distribution comprises the patterning of nanoparticles. This technique is simple and cost-effective in fabrication, and only requires a laser intensity of 1/10,000 of that used in conventional optical tweezers, implying less damage to the targeted nanoparticles..
UAV and UGV Collaboration for Active Ground Feature Search and Localization

This paper describes the implementation of a decentralized architecture for autonomous teams of aerial (UAV) and ground (UGV) vehicles engaged in actively searching for and localizing ground features. We provide a theoretical framework based on an established approach to the underlying sensor fusion problem. This provides transparent integration of information from heterogeneous sources. The approach is extended to include an information theoretic utility measure that captures the task objective and robot interdependencies. A distributed solution mechanism is employed to determine information maximizing trajectories subject to the constraints of individual vehicle and sensor sub-systems. This architecture enables the benefit of the complementary aerial and ground based vehicle and sensor capabilities to be realized. The approach is applied to multi-vehicle missions involving searching for and tracking multiple ground targets. Results for a team of fixed wing UAVs and all terrain UGVs equipped with vision sensors are presented.
Molecular beam studies of gas-liquid interfaces.

▪ Abstract Molecular beam scattering experiments provide a way to disentangle the elementary steps involved in energy transfer and chemical reactions between gases and liquids. After surveying the history and recent progress in this field, we review studies of the kinematics of gas-liquid collisions and proton exchange of HCl, DCl, and HBr with supercooled sulfuric acid and liquid glycerol. These experiments help to clarify the role of the surface region in controlling trapping and interfacial- and bulk-phase reactions.
High contrast asymmetric solid state electrochromic devices based on layer-by-layer deposition of polyaniline and poly(aniline sulfonic acid)

Layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly was employed for alternating deposition of two electrochromic poly- mers to fabricate a single film composite. We report a wide spectral range, high contrast asymmetric solid state electrochromic device, fabricated by LbL assembly of the polycation polyaniline (emeraldine base) (PANI) and the polyanion poly(aniline sulfonic acid), (PASA). Detailed spectral and electrochemical investigation of the dual electrochrome thin film confirm that both electrochromic polymers contribute to the electrochromic and electrochemical characteristics of the composite. Under the application of ±2.3 V potential the system exhibited an average contrast of 49.7% across the full visible spectrum. The dual electrochrome system was compared to single electrochrome systems, and it was observed that PANI predominantly affects the electrochromic optical spectra of the composite, whereas PASA increases the switching speed.
Is the corneal posterior cell layer truly endothelial

Abstract The posterior cell layer of the normal human cornea or “endothelium” was investigated by electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry. Ultrastructurally, the cells lacked the characteristic marker for endothelial cells (WeibelPalade body). Immunoperoxidase studies demonstrated these cells to be negative for factor VIII antigen, but strongly positive for keratine, vimentin, S-100 protein, and neuron-specific enolase. The anterior epithelial cell layer showed identical immunoreactivity. These studies strongly suggest that (1) the posterior cell layer of the cornea lacks ultrastructural and immunocytochemical markers of endothelial cells and (2) both the anterior and posterior cell layers share similar cell markers. The authors propose that the posterior cell layer of the cornea should, therefore, not be misnamed as “endothelium”.
High School Students’ Learning and Perceptions of Phylogenetics of Flowering Plants

Basic phylogenetics and associated “tree thinking” are often minimized or excluded in formal school curricula. Informal settings provide an opportunity to extend the K–12 school curriculum, introducing learners to new ideas, piquing interest in science, and fostering scientific literacy. Similarly, university researchers participating in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) outreach activities increase awareness of college and career options and highlight interdisciplinary fields of science research and augment the science curriculum. To aid in this effort, we designed a 6-h module in which students utilized 12 flowering plant species to generate morphological and mo lecular phylogenies using biological techniques and bioinformatics tools. The phylogenetics module was implemented with 83 high school students during a weeklong university STEM immersion program and aimed to increase student understanding of phylogenetics and coevolution of plants and pollinators. Student response reflected positive engagement and learning gains as evidenced through content assessments, program evaluation surveys, and program artifacts. We present the results of the first year of implementation and discuss modifications for future use in our immersion programs as well as in multiple course settings at the high school and undergraduate levels.
Welfare Effects from Reforming Agricultural Policies in Rich Countries in a Spatially Small Heterogeneous Agricultural Economy

Import barriers and subsidies to agriculture sectors in rich countries have favored their farmers at the cost of depressing the economies of developing countries, reducing national welfare, hampering agricultural trade and economic growth, and worsening inequality and poverty. The impact of agricultural policies in rich countries has been extensively analyzed. Less studied are their spatial implications in a small open economy. This paper analyzes the effects of reforming agricultural policies of rich countries on the welfare and income distribution in Tunisia. The analysis is based on a spatial dynamic computable general equilibrium (SD-CGE) model that captures the economies of four Tunisian sub-regions. Simulations suggest a relatively small impact at the macroeconomic level, but significant impacts are felt on the regional economies and income distributions.
Requirement of CDC45 for Postimplantation Mouse Development.

CDC45 is required for the initiation of DNA replication in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and functions as a DNA polymerase α loading factor in Xenopus, but its role in mammalian DNA replication is unknown. To investigate the genetic and physiological functions of CDC45, we used a gene targeting strategy to generate mice lacking a functional CDC45 gene. Homozygous mutant mice lacking a functional CDC45 gene underwent uterine implantation and induced uterine decidualization but did not develop substantially thereafter. Detailed analysis of CDC45 null embryos cultured in vitro revealed impaired proliferation of the inner cell mass. These findings make CDC45 the only putative replication factor experimentally proven to be essential for mammalian development. The CDC45 gene localizes to human chromosome 22q11.2 in the DiGeorge syndrome critical region (DGCR). Almost 90% of individuals with congenital cardiac and craniofacial defects have a monoallelic deletion in the DGCR that includes CDC45. We report here that heterozygous mutant mice develop into adulthood without any apparent abnormalities, so that it is unlikely that hemizygosity of CDC45 alone is responsible for the cardiac and craniofacial defects in the congenital syndromes.
Local anesthetic effects on gene transcription in human skeletal muscle biopsies.

Introduction: We examined if epinephrine in the local anesthetic to help control incision-related bleeding interferes with molecular measurements obtained with the Duchenne-Bergstrom percutaneous needle biopsy technique for sampling human skeletal muscle. Methods: Three groups received 2.5–3.0 ml of 1% lidocaine in 2 injections: (1) 0.5–1.0 ml superficially, which varied among the groups according to (i) −Epi; intra- and subcutaneous without epinephrine, (ii) +Epi −Fascia; intra- and subcutaneous with epinephrine, avoiding the fascia, and (iii) +Epi +Fascia; intra- and subcutaneous with epinephrine, directing a small amount (∽0.2 ml) into the fascia area; and (2) ∽2.0 ml without epinephrine into the fascia area for all subjects. A muscle biopsy was obtained 5–10 min later for IL-6 and MuRF-1 mRNA levels. Results: IL-6 mRNA levels were low in −Epi and +Epi −Fascia, but ∽300-fold higher in +Epi +Fascia. MuRF-1 mRNA levels were similar among the groups. Conclusions: Lidocaine with epinephrine can confound intramuscular measurements from needle biopsies, but this can be avoided with a careful injection approach. Muscle Nerve 48: 591–593, 2013
Greater Leisure Time Physical Activity Is Associated with Lower Allostatic Load in White, Black, and Mexican American Midlife Women: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999 through 2004.

Abstract Background Allostatic load is a useful construct to understand how social and environmental conditions get under the skin to affect health. To date, few studies have examined health-enhancing lifestyle behaviors and their potential benefits in reducing allostatic load. The purpose of this study was to investigate the contributions of leisure time physical activity on level of allostatic load among White, Black, and Mexican American midlife women. Methods Data were from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999 through 2004 ( n = 1,680, women ages 40–59). All analyses were weighted. Negative binomial regression was used to model a summative count measure of allostatic load ( M = 2.30). Models were also computed to estimate adjusted predicted allostatic load for given levels of physical activity, and by race/ethnicity for each age category (40–44, 45–49, 50–54, 55–59), controlling for other demographics and medication use. Findings Higher levels of physical activity were associated significantly with lower levels of allostatic load, independent of demographics. Compared with White women ages 40 to 44, all other racial/ethnic-by-age groups had significantly higher allostatic load. Higher socioeconomic status was associated with a lower allostatic load. Adjusted prediction models demonstrated associations between greater levels of physical activity and lower allostatic load for all ages and racial/ethnic groups. Conclusions Our findings suggest physical activity may ameliorate some of the effects of cumulative physiological dysregulation and subsequent disease burden in midlife women. Programs and policies that encourage and promote healthy aging and provide opportunities for a diversity of women to engage in health-enhancing lifestyle practices such as physical activity are recommended.
Ethnic Change, Personality, and Polarization Over Immigration in the American Public

This article explores the interplay between ethnic change and individual psychology in shaping mass opinion on immigration. Recent research suggests that personality traits related to uncertainty aversion structure left-right orientation in American politics, and we argue that this personality cleavage should shape citizens’ reactions to ethnic change. Using national survey data and a survey experiment, our analysis reveals that ethnic change polarizes citizens by personality, as those averse to uncertainty feel heightened cultural threat from ethnic change, while those open to uncertainty feel less threatened. The association of traits related to uncertainty aversion with left-right orientation suggests that polarization over immigration is exacerbated by the interaction of citizen personality and ethnic context. While the opinion literature on immigration is replete with studies analyzing the separate effects of ethnic context and individual differences, this article contributes to the literature by analyzing the two in conjunction
Ectopic expression of 10-formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase in A549 cells induces G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

We have recently shown that transient expression of 10-formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (FDH) strongly inhibits proliferation of several cancer cell lines and ultimately results in cell death. In the present studies using Tet-On system, we have generated a stable A549 lung carcinoma cell line capable of inducible FDH expression. Using this system, we were able to express FDH at different levels depending on concentration of the inducer, doxycycline, and we have observed that inhibition of proliferation depends on FDH intracellular levels. We have further shown that induction of FDH expression results in initiation of apoptosis beginning 24 h post-induction. Apoptotic cells revealed cleavage of poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase and general caspase inhibitor zVAD-fmk protected cells against FDH-induced apoptosis. FDH-expressing cells showed accumulation of cells in G0-G1 phase and a sharp decrease of cells in S phase. Accumulation of intracellular FDH was followed by accumulation of the tumor suppressor protein p53 and its downstream target p21. These results indicate that FDH antiproliferative effects on A549 cells include both G1 cell cycle arrest and caspase-dependent apoptosis.
Calculation of Trapped Reflective Wave

An increase in reflected wave energy may result where structures are built along a section of coastline with no beach fronting the structure. In certain instances the structures may combine with a steep bottom slope to form a wave guide which can trap wave energy, magnify wave heights, and increase erosion along an adjacent section of shoreline. Calculations are presented to determine the effects of such trapped wave energy.
Liver glycogen turnover in fed and fasted humans

Whether liver glycogen synthesis and breakdown occur simultaneously during net glycogen synthesis was assessed in fed and fasted healthy humans. The peak intensity of the carbon-1 (C1) resonance of the glycosyl units of glycogen was monitored with 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy during [1-13C]glucose infusion followed by unlabeled glucose infusion. The C1 peak intensity increased almost linearly during the [1-13C]glucose infusion, reflecting a near linear rate of glycogen synthesis. When switched to unlabeled glucose, the C1 peak intensity reached a plateau in the fasted subjects and declined in the fed subjects, reflecting active glycogenolysis during a time of net glycogen synthesis. We conclude that liver glycogen synthesis and degradation occur simultaneously in humans under conditions of net glycogen synthesis. The relative turnover rate was significantly higher in the fed (57 +/- 3%) than in the fasted state (31 +/- 8%; P < 0.01). The results indicate that glycogen may regulate its rate of breakdown and that liver glycogen turnover may be an important factor in limiting the accumulation of liver glycogen in humans.
Obtaining Coagulation Blood Samples From Central Venous Access Devices: A Review of the Literature

Background Central venous access devices are used for chemotherapy and other medication administration, blood product administration, parenteral nutrition, and for obtaining blood samples in patients where the vasculature is difficult to access. Patients may need additional blood samples prior to invasive procedures and when clinical situations arise during cancer care. In addition, monitoring coagulability through ongoing blood testing is common in patients with cancer and requires repeated sampling to adjust anticoagulant medications. Objectives The purpose of this review of the literature is to determine the best practices for collecting coagulation test samples from central venous access devices. Methods The authors conducted a systematic review of the literature. Findings The only method for obtaining reliable coagulation test results from central venous access devices is the flush then waste/discard method. This method has only been studied with peripherally inserted central catheters. Additional randomized, controlled trials with larger sample sizes are needed to determine the most appropriate method for drawing coagulation test results from central venous access devices.
Bradykinin-induced elevations of hydraulic conductivity display spatial and temporal variations in frog capillaries

Bradykinin, a vasodilator, increases permeability to macromolecules in postcapillary venules. Recent studies indicate that vasodilators elevate water flux from frog mesenteric capillaries. Thus we hypothesized that bradykinin would also increase transcapillary water flux. Arteriolar (ac), true (tc), and venular (vc) capillaries were identified within the microvascular network of frog mesentery. Each capillary was cannulated in situ and perfused with control (frog Ringer and 10 mg/ml bovine serum albumin) and then bradykinin test (10(-7) M) solutions. Hydraulic conductivity (Lp) increased across the network (1.8, 5.3, and 11.0 x 10(-7) cm.s-1.cmH2O-1 for ac, tc, and vc, respectively). Bradykinin test Lp normalized to control (LpBKN/LPC) was elevated threefold (n = 37). Lp for ac (n = 12) was elevated 3.5-fold and oscillated with time. Lp for tc (n = 13) increased fivefold within the first 5 min of exposure and then dropped. Lp for vc (n = 12) was not different from control. Location- and time-dependent responses of Lp indicate that capillaries forming microvascular networks have individual responses to bradykinin.
Bio‐Orthogonally Crosslinked, Engineered Protein Hydrogels with Tunable Mechanics and Biochemistry for Cell Encapsulation

Covalently-crosslinked hydrogels are commonly used as 3D matrices for cell culture and transplantation. However, the crosslinking chemistries used to prepare these gels generally cross-react with functional groups present on the cell surface, potentially leading to cytotoxicity and other undesired effects. Bio-orthogonal chemistries have been developed that do not react with biologically relevant functional groups, thereby preventing these undesirable side reactions. However, previously developed biomaterials using these chemistries still possess less than ideal properties for cell encapsulation, such as slow gelation kinetics and limited tuning of matrix mechanics and biochemistry. Here, engineered elastin-like proteins (ELPs) are developed that crosslink via strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) or Staudinger ligation. The SPAAC-crosslinked materials form gels within seconds and complete gelation within minutes. These hydrogels support the encapsulation and phenotypic maintenance of human mesenchymal stem cells, human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and murine neural progenitor cells. SPAAC-ELP gels exhibit independent tuning of stiffness and cell adhesion, with significantly improved cell viability and spreading observed in materials containing a fibronectin-derived arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) domain. The crosslinking chemistry used permits further material functionalization, even in the presence of cells and serum. These hydrogels are anticipated to be useful in a wide range of applications, including therapeutic cell delivery and bioprinting.
Leveraging Limits for Contract Professionals: Boundary Work and Control of Working Time

How do contract professionals seek to control their working time? Here, the authors identify boundary work strategies through which contractors—both shift workers and project workers—maintain disti...
A Randomized Trial Comparing Fluconazole with Clotrimazole Troches for the Prevention of Fungal Infections in Patients with Advanced Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Background Cryptococcal meningitis and other serious fungal infections are common complications in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Fluconazole is effective for long-term suppression of many fungal infections, but its effectiveness as primary prophylaxis had not been adequately evaluated. Methods We conducted a prospective, randomized trial that compared fluconazole (200 mg per day) with clotrimazole troches (10 mg taken five times daily) in patients who were also participating in a randomized trial of primary prophylaxis for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Results After a median follow-up of 35 months, invasive fungal infections had developed in 4.1 percent of the patients in the fluconazole group (9 of 217) and in 10.9 percent of those in the clotrimazole group (23 of 211; relative hazard, as adjusted for the CD4+ count, 3.3; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.5 to 7.6). Of the 32 invasive fungal infections, 17 were cryptococcosis (2 in the fluconazole group and 15 in the cl...
Investigation on the Factors of the Decontamination Ability of Compound Enzyme

In order to research on the effect about the complex enzyme what it cleaned dirt for washing powder without phosphorus,it were experimented repeatedly under the different conditions,such as the enzymatic consistency,the washing temperature,the washing time,the hardness of water quality and PH value,etc.On the one hand,the complex enzyme obviously affected the function of cleaning the dirt for washing powder was concluded;on the other hand,several concrete factors affected the function of cleaning dirt about enzyme was made clear,so as to guide the productive practice.
Quantum decoherence dynamics of divacancy spins in silicon carbide

Long coherence times are key to the performance of quantum bits (qubits). Here, we experimentally and theoretically show that the Hahn-echo coherence time of electron spins associated with divacancy defects in 4H–SiC reaches 1.3 ms, one of the longest Hahn-echo coherence times of an electron spin in a naturally isotopic crystal. Using a first-principles microscopic quantum-bath model, we find that two factors determine the unusually robust coherence. First, in the presence of moderate magnetic fields (30 mT and above), the 29Si and 13C paramagnetic nuclear spin baths are decoupled. In addition, because SiC is a binary crystal, homo-nuclear spin pairs are both diluted and forbidden from forming strongly coupled, nearest-neighbour spin pairs. Longer neighbour distances result in fewer nuclear spin flip-flops, a less fluctuating intra-crystalline magnetic environment, and thus a longer coherence time. Our results point to polyatomic crystals as promising hosts for coherent qubits in the solid state. The length of time a qubit can store information is linked to its coherence time. Here, the authors demonstrate that industrially important crystals comprising more than one species can host qubits with unexpectedly long coherence times.
Temporal and intrinsic factors of rifampicin tolerance in mycobacteria

Mycobacteria grow and divide asymmetrically, creating variability in growth pole age, growth properties, and antibiotic susceptibilities. Here, we investigate the importance of growth pole age and other growth properties in determining the spectrum of responses of Mycobacterium smegmatis to challenge with rifampicin. We used a combination of live-cell microscopy and modeling to prospectively identify subpopulations with altered rifampicin susceptibility. We found two subpopulations that had increased susceptibility. At the initiation of treatment, susceptible cells were either small and at early stages of the cell cycle, or large and in later stages of their cell cycle. In contrast to this temporal window of susceptibility, tolerance was associated with factors inherited at division: long birth length and mature growth poles. Thus, rifampicin response is complex and due to a combination of differences established from both asymmetric division and the timing of treatment relative to cell birth.
Experimental Investigation of Wing Rock of Slender Wings and Aircraft Configurations

Experimental investigations of the wing rock characteristics of a slender delta wing with 80° sweep, and a 2.5% model of an F-18 are summarized. The studies were conducted in order to identify physical mechanisms responsible for wing rock of slender wings and aircraft configurations. Results obtained on the slender delta wing indicate that wing rock is sustained by a time lag in vortex position, and limited in amplitude by the unsteady behavior of vortex strength. Vortex breakdown has been shown not to be a primary mechanism in wing rock, however its appearance was shown to reduce the steady state amplitude of the motion. The results obtained on the F-18 subscale model agree with those obtained on the full scale flight vehicle. Flow and motion characteristics observed on the F-18 model are consistent with those seen on the slender wing.
Emergent behaviors in computer-based learning environments

Students' interactions within the game-based ITS, iSTART-ME, varied as a function of individual differences in reading ability.Dynamical analyses and system log data revealed computational signals of variations in controlled and self-regulated behaviors.Over time, low reading ability students caught up to high reading ability students in performance and regulatory ability. Self-regulative behaviors are dynamic and evolve as a function of time and context. However, dynamical fluctuations in behaviors are often difficult to measure and therefore may not be fully captured by traditional measures alone. Utilizing system log data and two novel statistical methodologies, this study examined emergent patterns of controlled and regulated behaviors and assessed how variations in these patterns related to individual differences in prior literacy ability and target skill acquisition. Conditional probabilities and Entropy analyses were used to examine nuanced patterns manifested in students' interaction choices within a computer-based learning environment. Forty high school students interacted with the game-based intelligent tutoring system iSTART-ME, for a total of 11 sessions (pretest, 8 training sessions, posttest, and a delayed retention test). Results revealed that high and low reading ability students differed in their patterns of interactions and the amount of control they exhibited within the game-based system. However, these differences converged overtime along with differences in students' performance within iSTART-ME. The findings from this study indicate that individual differences in students' prior reading ability relate to the emergence of controlled and regulated behaviors during learning tasks.
Spectral clustering in high-dimensions: Necessary and sufficient conditions for dense and sparse mixtures

Loosely speaking, clustering refers to the problem of grouping data, and plays a central role in statistical machine learning and data analysis. One way in which to formalize the clustering problem is in terms of a mixture model, where the mixture components represent clusters within the data. We consider a semi-parametric formulation, in which a random vector X isin Ropfd is modeled as a distribution Fx(x)=Sigmaalpha=1 momegaalphaFalpha(x-mualpha). (1) with m components. Here omegaalpha isin (0, 1) is the weight on mixture component alpha. The mean vectors mualpha isin Ropfd are the (parametric) component of interest, whereas the dispersion distributions Falpha are a non-parametric nuisance component, on which we impose only tail conditions (e.g., sub-Gaussian or sub-exponential tail decay). Given n independent and identically distributed samples from the mixture model (1), we consider the problem of "learning" the mixture. More formally, for parameters (delta, epsi) isin (0, 1) times (0, 1), we say that a method (epsi, delta)-learns the mixture if it correctly determines the mixture label of all n samples with probability greater than 1 - delta, and estimates the mean vectors to accuracy epsi with high probability. This conference abstract provides an overview of the results in our full-length paper. We derive both necessary and sufficient conditions on the scaling of the sample size n as a function of the ambient dimension d, the minimum separation r(d) = minalphanebetaparmualpha - mubetapar2 between mixture components, and tail decay parameters. All of our analysis is high-dimensional in nature, meaning that we allow the sample size n, ambient dimension d and other parameters to scale in arbitrary ways. Our necessary conditions are information-theoretic in nature, and provide lower bounds on the performance of any algorithm, regardless of its computational complexity. Our sufficient conditions are based on analyzing a particular form of spectral clustering. For mixture models without any constraints on the mean vectors mualpha we show that standard spectral clustering-that is, based on sample means and covariance matrices-can achieve the information-theoretic limits. We also analyze mixture models in which the mean vectors are ldquosparse", and derive information-theoretic lower bounds. For such models, spectral clustering based on sample means/covariances is highly sub-optimal, but modified spectral clustering algorithms using thresholding estimators are nearly optimal.
New Arithmetic Algorithms for Hereditarily Binary Natural Numbers

Hereditarily binary numbers are a tree-based number representation derived from a bijection between natural numbers and iterated applications of two simple functions corresponding to bijective base 2 numbers. This paper describes several new arithmetic algorithms on hereditarily binary numbers that, while within constant factors from their traditional counterparts for their average case behavior, make tractable important computations that are impossible with traditional number representations.
A comprehensive simulation platform for transform sensing

The concept of transform sensing was recently proposed to operate radars which consist of multiple antenna elements, for high efficiency and resolution. Using transform sensing, phase delays between and amplitudes of elements are no longer constant as in conventional phased array radars. The purpose is to produce any type of spatial sensing pattern that can be applied to the space for efficient sensing by the radar. Since the delay and amplitude control of individual elements could be widely different, the operation of the radar becomes complex. It is desired that a simulation platform is available which can verify the efficacy of the design before it is applied to generate a desired sensing pattern. A simulation platform of such has been developed which can emulate arrayed radar using the transform sensing mechanism. The platform provides flexibility in multi-facet to enable a powerful soft tool for design and verification of the new algorithm. This includes the sensing patterns in the form of wavelets in various kinds, the number of antenna elements residing in the array, and the desired power of the microwave. Given these parameters, the simulation platform generates the phase and amplitude of the transmitting waveform automatically for each element. It further demonstrates the spatial sensing pattern in both Cartesian and polar forms and in 2D and 3D, respectively for the users to verify the design in a graphical manner.
CONCURRENT FIELD SERVICE AND LABORATORY TESTING AS A MEANS OF IMPROVING RELIABILITY IN CREEP-RUPTURE APPLICATIONS

ABSTRACT A method is presented whereby long-time creep rupture data on several heats of one material are used to extrapolate the long-time behavior for a new heat of the same material. Use is made of short-time data on the new heat, which can be obtained during early design or concurrent with the service of the component.
NLRP12 REGULATES TLR2/DECTIN-1 FUNGAL RECEPTOR SIGNALING THROUGH ASSOCIATION WITH CARD9 (135.74)

The NLR (nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat) proteins are recently recognized as important intracellular regulators of host defense and immunity. One NLR gene, NLRP12/Monarch-1, has emerged as an important inhibitor of inflammatory gene expression in myeloid cells via regulation of TLRs and TNFR signal transduction. In contrast to its known role in regulating bacterial induced TLR activation of downstream genes, little is known about the role of NLRP12 in regulating the immune response to fungal pathogens. Here we show that NLRP12 modulates innate immune cellular responses to A. fumigatus by regulating TLR2/Dectin-1 fungal receptor signaling through its association with downstream signaling proteins CARD9 and Bcl10, but not Malt1. NLRP12, consisting of a pyrin, a nucleotide binding and a leucine rich repeat domain associates with the caspase recruitment domain containing proteins CARD9 and Bcl10 via the adaptor protein ASC. The most severe form of the NLRP12 disease associated mutant protein lacks the ability to associate with ASC, CARD9 and Bcl10 resulting in the lack of NLRP129s normal negative regulatory function. These data demonstrate the important role played by NLRP12 in modulating the innate immune response to fungal pathogens via its regulation of the TLR2/Dectin-1 induced CARD9 signaling pathway. This work was supported by NIH grants HL-30923 and HL-68072 (JRW), NIH COBRE grant RR020185 (RAC) a SERCEB award and funding from CCBVP to KLW.
WWL70 protects against chronic constriction injury-induced neuropathic pain in mice by cannabinoid receptor-independent mechanisms.

Targeting the endocannabinoid system has emerged as an effective strategy for the treatment of inflammatory and neurological diseases. Unlike the inhibition of the principal 2-arachidonyl glycerol (2-AG) hydrolytic enzyme monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), which leads to 2-AG overload and cannabinoid receptor desensitization, selective inhibition of the minor 2-AG hydrolytic enzyme alpha, beta-hydrolase domain 6 (ABHD6) can provide therapeutic benefits without producing cannabimimetic side effects. We have shown that inhibition of ABHD6 significantly reduces neuroinflammation and exerts neuroprotection in animal models of traumatic brain injury and multiple sclerosis. However, the role of ABHD6 inhibition on neuropathic pain has not been explored. Neuropathic pain was induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the mouse sciatic nerve and examined by Hargreaves and Von Frey tests. Activation of inflammatory cells and the production of cytokines and chemokines in the spinal cord dorsal horn, dorsal root ganglion (DRG), and sciatic nerve were assessed by qRT-PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and immunohistochemistry. The levels of 2-AG and arachidonic acid (AA) in sciatic nerve were quantified by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Treatment with the selective ABHD6 inhibitor WWL70 significantly alleviated CCI-induced thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. Microglia activation, macrophage infiltration, and the production of nociceptive mediators were reduced in the ipsilateral lumbar spinal cord dorsal horn, DRG, and sciatic nerve of WWL70-treated animals. The diminished cytokine and chemokine production is likely due to the inhibitory effect of WWL70 on NF-κB phosphorylation. Surprisingly, the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of WWL70 were not reversed by addition of the cannabinoid receptor antagonists. Treatment with WWL70 did not alter the levels of 2-AG, AA, and the phosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), but significantly reduced the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin E synthase-2 (PGES2) in the injured sciatic nerve. This study reveals a novel mechanism for the antinociceptive effect of the 2-AG catabolic enzyme ABHD6 inhibitor WWL70. Understanding the interaction between endocannabinoid and eicosanoid pathways might provide a new avenue for the treatment of inflammatory and neuropathic pain.
Setting Up Your Own Simple Schlieren and Shadowgraph System

In some sense this is a stand-alone Chapter. It describes a modest schlieren system that should be within the financial and technical means of just about anyone who has read this far. Variations of this optical system were built as science-fair projects by several generations (see Stong [344,385,386,532]), and that is, in fact, how your author got his humble start in schlieren imaging at age 16 [385,532]. The optical setup suffices for both schlieren and shadowgraphy, the latter by either direct parallel-light or in the “focused” shadowgraph mode. It deliberately evokes Scientific American magazine's Amateur Scientist section in its heyday, when C. L. Stong’s text and Roger Hayward's splendid artwork helped convince amateurs that it was both fascinating and fun to build the simple — and sometimes not-so-simple — apparatus described there. The same schlieren system is now used as a learning tool by students of the Penn State Gas Dynamics Laboratory. So, despite the science-fair flavor, professionals who are new to schlieren and shadowgraph techniques can equally benefit from this exercise.
Hydrochoeris hydrochaeris (Capybara, Carpincho)

The karyotypes were made from bone marrow preparations by Dr. Francisco A. Saez (Departamento de Citogenetica, Instituto de Investigacion de Ciencias Biologicas, Montevideo, Uruguay) and Dr. Osvaldo R. Vidal (Laboratorio de Citogenetica, Departamento de Ciencias Biologicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina).
Criminal Punishment and Society

Criminal sentencing has always evoked considerable passion on the part of the judicial system and society. Judges frequently complain that it is one of their least favorite responsibilities, and the general public and many politicians think it exacerbates the problem of crime. Efforts to reform sentencing laws and practices have been introduced in virtually every state and the federal government (Shane-DuBow et al., 1985). As the National Academy of Sciences report emphasized, “the decade of the 1970’s was characterized by a variety of efforts to modify sentencing practices, to establish more detailed criteria for sentencing, and to establish new sentencing institutions and procedures” (Blumstein et al., 1983:1).
Approaches for semantically annotating and discovering scientific observational data

Observational data plays a critical role in many scientific disciplines, and scientists are increasingly interested in performing broad-scale analyses by using data collected as part of many smaller scientific studies. However, while these data sets often contain similar types of information, they are typically represented using very different structures and with little semantic information about the data itself, which creates significant challenges for researchers who wish to discover existing data sets based on data semantics (observation and measurement types) and data content (the values of measurements within a data set). We present a formal framework to address these challenges that consists of a semantic observational model, a high-level semantic annotation language, and a declarative query language that allows researchers to express data-discovery queries over heterogeneous (annotated) data sets. To demonstrate the feasibility of our framework, we also present implementation approaches for efficiently answering discovery queries over semantically annotated data sets.
The Use of 3-D Printing in Teaching MEMS Device Design and Fabrication

This paper presents an overview of how three-dimensional (3-D) printing can be used as an educational tool in the area of Micro-Electromechanical Systems (MEMS) and microfabrication. Microfabrication processes used to realize MEMS devices typically take place in a cleanroom. The use of 3-D printing to emulate the process of MEMS device layout, fabrication and design provides a cost-effective alternative method to teaching MEMS fabrication and modeling without the need to access a cleanroom.
Limitations of Environmental Epidemiology for Guiding Environmental Policy

Background and Aims: Environmental epidemiologists aspire to generate research findings that provide an objective basis for the formulation of environmental policy. The ideal scenario in which epid...
Residential Demand Response Program: Virtual Storage Model and Its Optimization

Demand response programs are becoming an integral part of the power system, helping create a closer alignment between the electrical service providers and customers. The research described in this paper uses the residential demand response (DR) program during a peak demand event to determine the demand reduction capacity as a virtual storage (VS). The amount of demand that is reduced due to the demand response program is analogous to the amount of energy discharged by storage to reduce the demand. Since there is no hard storage involved, demand reduction is taken as VS. The aggregator is a third party who communicates between the client (electrical service provider) and customers to utilize the virtual storage capacity. The aggregator provides incentive to customers to take control over their thermostat and receive a reward from the client for load reduction. Incentives must benefit both clients and customers in order for programs to succeed. A mathematical modeling of the load reduction capacity of a demand response program as a virtual storage system and its optimization is presented in this paper.