cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spatially Constrained Sampling

Environmental epidemiology is a discipline that relies to a large extent on observational studies; even the case–control studies that are a standard tool of epidemiologists do not approach the rigor of the design of agricultural field trials. There is a very real tension in environmental epidemiology between the desire to establish a network of causation and the lack of experimental control available in observational studies. However, when the ‘signal’ is strong enough, sometimes it is possible to establish causative relationships. To make progress with noisy data and vaguely formulated hypotheses, statistical models have been developed that allow inference even down to individual levels, such as in frailty models. Many of these models are hierarchical and some are spatial, and it is on these that this article focuses.
Team Description: UW Huskies-01

This paper provides an overview of the robot control system of the UW Huskies, our entry in the RoboCup-2001 Sony AIBO legged robot league. Our development team consisted of one faculty member (D. Fox, team leader), one technical support staff (R. Pitkanen), one undergraduate student (J.K. Burns), and six graduate students. Since this was our first participation in RoboCup, we relied on the implementation of well-established techniques for robot control. These techniques include a layered control system, particle filters for robot localization, and efficient computer vision techniques for object recognition.
Effects of upstream dams versus groundwater pumping on stream temperature under varying climate conditions

[1] The relative impact of a large upstream dam versus in-reach groundwater pumping on stream temperatures was analyzed for humid, semiarid, and arid conditions with long dry seasons to represent typical climate regions where large dams are present, such as the western United States or eastern Australia. Stream temperatures were simulated using the CE-QUAL-W2 water quality model over a 110 km model grid, with the presence or absence of a dam at the top of the reach and pumping in the lower 60 km of the reach. Measured meteorological data from three representative locations were used as model input to simulate the impact of varying climate conditions on streamflow and stream temperature. For each climate condition four hypothetical streamflow scenarios were modeled: (1) natural (no dam or pumping), (2) large upstream dam present, (3) dam with in-reach pumping, and (4) no dam with pumping, resulting in 12 cases. Dam removal, in the presence or absence of pumping, resulted in significant changes in stream temperature throughout the year for all three climate conditions. From March to August, the presence of a dam caused monthly mean stream temperatures to decrease on average by approximately 3.0°C, 2.5°C, and 2.0°C for the humid, semiarid, and arid conditions, respectively; however, stream temperatures generally increased from September to February. Pumping caused stream temperatures to warm in summer and cool in winter by generally less than 0.5°C because of a smaller pumping-induced alteration in streamflow relative to the dam. Though the presence or absence of a large dam led to greater changes in stream temperature than the presence or absence of pumping, ephemeral conditions were increased both temporally and spatially because of pumping.
Fiber coating/matrix reactions in silicon-base ceramic matrix composites

The Knudsen cell technique and coupons of carbon coated Si3N4 and BN coated SiC were employed to study the possible reactions at the SiC/C/Si3N4 and SiC/BN/SiC interface. Carbon reacts with Si3N4 to form gaseous N2 and solid SiC. Solid SiC acts as a physical barrier to the reaction, which prevents the generation of high N2 pressure predicted from thermochemical calculations. Thus, deleterious effects of the reaction to the composite are limited. Limited reactions between BN and C-rich SiC was observed. However, the vapor pressure was so low that it is not likely to cause any interfacial instability. The predicted formation of a BN-C solid solution was not observed.
Expressive completeness of an event-pattern reactive programming language

Event-pattern reactive programs serve reactive components by pre-processing the input event stream and generating notifications according to temporal patterns. The declarative language PAR allows the expression of complex event-pattern reactions. Despite its simplicity and deterministic nature, PAR is expressively complete in the following sense: every event-pattern reactive system that can be described and implemented using finite memory can also be expressed inPAR
Supports of derivations, free factorizations, and ranks of fixed subgroups in free groups

For F a free group of finite rank, it is shown that the fixed subgroup of any set B of endomorphisms of F has rank < rank(F), generalizing a recent result of Dicks and Ventura. The proof involves the combinatorics of derivations of groups. Some related questions are examined.
Fluid analysis of delay performance for QoS support in wireless networks

Providing quality of service (QoS) guarantees over wireless links requires thorough understanding and quantification of the interactions among the traffic source, the wireless channel, and the underlying error control mechanisms. In this paper, we account for such interactions in a network-layer model that we use to investigate the delay performance for an on/off traffic stream transported over a wireless link. The capacity of this link fluctuates according to a fluid version of Gilbert-Elliot's model. We derive the packet delay distribution via two different approaches: uniformization and Laplace transform. Computational aspects of both approaches are discussed. The delay distribution is then used to quantify the wireless effective bandwidth under a given delay guarantee. Numerical results and simulations are used to verify the adequacy of our analysis and to study the impact of error control and bandwidth allocation on the packet delay performance.
Knowledge transfer from poor to rich cities

Abstract As we approach the end of the 20th century there are signs that the transfer of knowledge, hitherto seen to be exclusively from rich countries to poor, is beginning to flow in the opposite direction as all countries struggle with the same spectrum of economic and social problems. Such a change in the direction of transfer challenges stereotypes and may herald an era of more equal intellectual relationships. Transfer of knowledge inevitably involves modification, which cannot but make countries more sensitive to the experiences and conditions of others.
Scheduling and simulation: how to upgrade distributed systems

Upgrading the software of long-lived distributed systems is difficult. It is not possible to upgrade all the nodes in a system at once, since some nodes may be down and halting the system for an upgrade is unacceptable. This means that different nodes may be running different software versions and yet need to communicate, even though those versions may not be fully compatible. We present a methodology and infrastructure that addresses these challenges and makes it possible to upgrade distributed systems automatically while limiting service disruption.
Imaging natural and artificial demineralization on dentin surfaces with polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography.

The purpose of this study was to assess the potential of polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) to measure non-destructively the severity of natural and artificial caries lesions in dentin and determine the efficacy of intervention with anti-caries agents. Although several studies have demonstrated the utility of PS-OCT to image caries lesions in enamel and quantify the lesion severity, only a few studies have focused on lesions in dentin. In this study images of natural root caries lesions on extracted human teeth were acquired with PS-OCT. In addition artificial lesions were produced in dentin after 12 days of exposure to a demineralization solution at a pH of 5.0. Before exposure, three incisions were made on the sample surfaces using Er:YAG laser irradiation and selected areas were treated with topical fluoride. PS-OCT images were acquired using a high power (45-mw) 1310-nm superluminescent diode with a bandwidth of 35-nm. PS-OCT was able to measure demineralization in dentin to a depth of ~ 1 mm. Polarized light microscopy and microradiography were used to measure lesion severity on histological thin sections for comparison. PS-OCT successfully measured the inhibition of demineralization by topical fluoride. Er:YAG laser irradiation did not significantly increase or decrease the rate of dentin demineralization.
MUTATIONS AFFECTING CELL DIVISION IN TETRAHYMENA PYRIFORMIS. I. SELECTION AND GENETIC ANALYSIS

Fourteen nitrosoguanidine-induced mutations that bring about temperature-sensitive morphological abnormalities resulting from a specific effect on cell division have been isolated as heterozygous phenotypic assortants in Tetrahymena pyriformis syngen 1. Genetic analysis revealed all to be single-gene recessives. Detailed analysis of the kinetics of assortment for one of the mutated alleles revealed a rate (0.0104 pure lines per fission) consistent with that previously observed at other loci in this organism. The mutations fall into six complementation groups (mo1, mo2, mo3, mo6, mo8, and mo12). Homozygotes of mo2 are unconditionally expresed, while all alleles of mo1, mo6, mo8, and mo12 are heat sensitive for division arrest. At the mo3 locus two alleles are heat senstivie, one is primarily cold sensitive, while two are sensitive to both heat and cold. Two out of three combinations of different mo3 alleles show conventional Mendelian segregation of conditions of expression. Different alleles of mo1, mo3, mo8, and mo12 also manifest differences in penetrance at the restrictive temperature. Despite these differences involving expression, the abnormal phenotypes themselves are locus-specific and distinctive; in the one case (mo1a and mo1b) in which two alleles manifest somewhat different phenotypes, the F1 between them is intermediate. One additional recessive mutation (fat1) brings about a nonconditional lengthening of the cell cycle, with some arrest of cell division at the restrictive temperature. These findings demonstrate that selection of heterozygotes undergoing phenotypic assortment can be an effective method for obtaining substantial numbers of a desired class of temperature-sensitive mutations in T. pyriformis.
Relationships between statistical measures of agreement: sensitivity, specificity and kappa.

Objectives Cohen's kappa coefficient is presently a standard tool for the analysis of agreement on a binary outcome between two tests. In view of the ubiquity of the use of sensitivity, specificity, raw agreement and kappa in clinical studies, clearly it is advantageous to have a useful analytic relation connecting these measures of agreement. Methods We elaborate on previous work, comment on other results appearing in the literature and discuss analytic formulas relevant to various problems connecting specificity, sensitivity and kappa. Results For selected values of kappa that range from good to excellent, a graph of the curves representing minimal pairs of sensitivity and specificity is provided. Conclusions The analytic formulas and graph could be potentially useful to clinicians and biostatisticians in better interpreting the outcomes of an alternative diagnostic test whenever the measures sensitivity, specificity and kappa are employed together.
The Gift that Keeps on Giving: Preserving New Media Art for Posterity

Preserving works of creative expression in the digital age is notoriously difficult due to issues of technological obsolescence, the intangibility of dynamic media, and the interactive nature of digital art. This is of marked interest to libraries, museums, and cultural heritage institutions given the limitations of traditional forms of preservation that rely heavily on the storage of physical forms. The Re-Gift , a work of new media art by Buffalo-based artist Liz Rywelski, exemplifies many of the complexities of these emerging formats. This essay examines one of the potential approaches to preserving this type of work, with an eye toward methods that could be extrapolated to rescuing other works of new media.
Supersymmetric Randall-Sundrum Scenario

We present the supersymmetric version of the minimal Randall-Sundrum model with two opposite tension branes.
Light-induced inhibition of papain by a {Mn-NO}6 nitrosyl: identification of papain-SNO adduct by mass spectrometry.

Abstract Modification of Cys25 at the active site of the cysteine protease papain by S -nitrosylation inhibits its hydrolytic ability. Previous studies have demonstrated that NO donors N -nitrosoanilines inhibit papain activity via formation of S–NO bond formation at the active site while NO donors such as S -nitroso- N -acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP), N -nitrosoaniline derivatives, and S -nitroso-glutathione (GSNO) inhibit the enzyme via S -thiolation by thiyl radicals generated from the S -nitrosothiols. In this study, we report papain inactivation by a photosensitive {Mn–NO} 6 nitrosyl [(PaPy 3 )Mn(NO)](ClO 4 ) ( 1 ) where PaPy 3 - is the anion of the designed ligand N , N -bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine- N -ethyl-2-pyridine-2-carboxamide. This nitrosyl releases NO upon exposure to visible light of low intensity (50 W tungsten lamp). With N α -benzoyl- l -arginine- p -nitroanilide ( l -BA p NA) as the substrate, the dissociation constant for the breakdown of the enzyme–inactivator complex ( K I ) and the overall inactivation rate constant ( k i ) were calculated to be 2.46 mM and 64.8 min −1 , respectively. The papainS–NO adduct has been identified using electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The results demonstrate that controlled inactivation of papain can be achieved with the {Mn–NO} 6 nitrosyl 1 and light. The reaction is clean and the extent of inactivation is directly proportional to the exposure time.
Dimorphism of Hepatitis B Virus Capsids Is Strongly Influenced by the C-Terminus of the Capsid Protein

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an enveloped virus with an icosahedral capsid. Its homodimeric capsid protein (“core antigen”) assembles into particles of two sizes, one with T = 3 icosahedral symmetry (90 dimers) and the other with T = 4 symmetry (120 dimers). We have investigated this assembly process in vitro, using a variety of purified, bacterially expressed, capsid proteins. All of our constructs lacked the predominantly basic C-terminal 34 amino acids of the full-length capsid protein (183 amino acids) and were further truncated to terminate at specific points between residues 138 and 149. While the smallest construct (138 residues) did not assemble into capsids, those terminating at residue 140, and beyond, assembled into mixtures of T = 3 and T = 4 particles. The two kinds of capsids could be separated on sucrose gradients and did not interconvert upon protracted storage. The proportion of T = 3 capsids, assayed by sucrose gradient fractionation, analytical ultracentrifugation, and cryoelectron micros...
Atrial Pacing and Exercise in the Evaluation of Patients with Angina Pectoris

The anginal threshold was determined by atrial pacing in 23 patients with coronary artery disease. Twelve of the 23 subjects also performed supine exercise at progressive workloads until the onset of angina. Atrial pacing produced a fall in left ventricular stroke work index and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP); cardiac output increased, and, with the onset of angina, left ventricular dysfunction was sometimes evidenced, either by an increase in LVEDP or by an abnormal LVEDP in the postpacing period. In contrast, exercise consistently produced left ventricular dysfunction. The tension-time index at the onset of angina was similar whether the pain was induced by pacing or exercise. The atrial rate that induced angina bore little relationship to either the clinical or anatomic severity (outlined by coronary arteriography) of coronary artery disease. The exercise workload that produced angina correlated inversely with the quantitated coronary disease. Although atrial pacing is a convenient tool for the study of ischemic ventricular dysfunction, exercise testing provides a more reliable index of functional and anatomic severity of coronary artery disease.
Detection of solid pigment in dermatoscopy images using texture analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Epiluminescence microscopy (ELM), also known as dermoscopy or dermatoscopy, is a non-invasive, in vivo technique, that permits visualization of features of pigmented melanocytic neoplasms that are not discernable by examination with the naked eye. ELM offers a completely new range of visual features. One such feature is the solid pigment, also called the blotchy pigment or dark structureless area. Our goal was to automatically detect this feature and determine whether its presence is useful in distinguishing benign from malignant pigmented lesions. METHODS: Here, a texture-based algorithm is developed for the detection of solid pigment. The factors d and a used in calculating neighboring gray level dependence matrix (NGLDM) numbers were chosen as optimum by experimentation. The algorithms are tested on a set of 37 images. A new index is presented for separation of benign and malignant lesions, based on the presence of solid pigment in the periphery. RESULTS: The NGLDM large number emphasis N2 was satisfactory for the detection of the solid pigment. Nine lesions had solid pigment detected, and among our 37 lesions, no melanoma lacked solid pigment. The index for separation of benign and malignant lesions was applied to the nine lesions. We were able to separate the benign lesions with solid pigment from the malignant lesions with the exception of only one lesion, a Spitz nevus that mimicked a malignant melanoma. CONCLUSION: Texture methods may be useful in detecting important dermatoscopy features in digitized images and a new index may be useful in separating benign from malignant lesions. Testing on a larger set of lesions is needed before further conclusions can be made.
Epidemic methicillin-gentamicin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a neonatal intensive care unit.

• Between October 1985 and August 1986, 49 isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were obtained from 26 neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the Medical University Hospital, Charleston, SC. Sites of MRSA isolation were the respiratory tract (33%); nasopharynx (12%); gastrointestinal tract (12%); eye (8%); blood (6%); and catheter tips, wounds, or umbilicus (29%). Very low birth weight was a significant risk factor for MRSA acquisition. All isolates had the same phage type (47/54/75/83A), antibiogram, and whole-cell protein profile. Agarose gel electrophoresis of all 49 isolates disclosed a plasmid level of approximately 45 × 106 daltons (45 megadaltons) in ten different isolates and no plasmid DNA in 39 isolates. Cultures of NICU personnel failed to disclose MRSA carriers and environmental cultures for MRSA were negative. Ten selected isolates showed lower minimal bactericidal concentrations for hexachlorophene than for chlorhexidine. Standard infection-control measures such as contact isolation, hand washing with chlorhexidine, and cohorting (when possible) failed to contain the epidemic. Ultimately, eradication of MRSA from the NICU was associated with the institution of hexachlorophene hand washing. ( AJDC 1989;143:34-39)
An amperometric method for magnesium

Abstract An amperornetric method for the estimation of magnesium has been devised based on the polarographic wave given by the magnesium complex with Pontachrome Violet SW. Titrations are carried out at a pH of 11 in the presence of ethylenediamine to prevent interference from small amounts of other cations. An accuracy of 1 per cent is obtained under ideal conditions. No preliminary separations are necessary for most types of limestones.
Increased Bile Acid Biosynthesis Is Associated With Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Diarrhea

Background & Aims Variations in genes that regulate bile acid (BA) synthesis are associated with colonic transit in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We investigated features of BA synthesis and excretion and genetic features of patients with different types of IBS. Methods In 26 healthy volunteers, 26 patients with IBS and constipation (IBS-C), and 26 with IBS and diarrhea (IBS-D), we measured serum levels of 7α-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one (C4; a surrogate for BA synthesis) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 19 (an ileal hormone that downregulates BA synthesis). For stool samples, we measured concentration of BA, weight, and amount of fat when participants were given high-fat diets. Spearman correlations were used to explore relationships among factors. We analyzed 1 polymorphism in Klotho-β ( KLB ) and 3 in fibroblast growth factor receptor-4 ( FGFR4 ) for all members of each group using analysis of covariance. Results The concentration of BA in stool was associated with group (for a comparison of 3 groups; P = .057); it was higher in patients with IBS-D than IBS-C ( P = .017). The serum level of C4 was higher in patients with IBS-D than IBS-C ( P = .02) or healthy volunteers ( P = .01); 38% of patients with IBS-D had increased serum levels of C4, compared with healthy volunteers. Serum level of C4 correlated with stool concentration of BA (rs = 0.606; P P = .007), and stool weight (rs = 0.366; P = .003). Stool concentration of BA correlated with weight (rs = 0.737; P P P P P = .036). FGFR4 rs1966265 was associated with stool level of BA ( P = .032). Conclusions Patients with IBS-D have greater body mass index and synthesize and excrete higher levels of BA than individuals with IBS-C or healthy volunteers. Serum levels of C4 might be used to identify patients with IBS-D who have BA malabsorption; studies are needed to determine if some patients have a genetic predisposition to this disorder.
RFLP loci associated with soybean seed protein and oil content across populations and locations.

Molecular markers provide the opportunity to identify marker-quantitative trait locus (QTL) associations in different environments and populations. Two soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] populations, ‘Young’ x PI 416 937 and PI 97100 x ‘Coker 237’, were evaluated with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers to identify additional QTLs related to seed protein and oil. For the Young x PI 416937 population, 120 F4-derived lines were secored for segregation at 155 RFLP loci. The F4-derived lines and two parents were grown at Plains, G.a., and Windblow and Plymouth, N.C. in 1994, and evaluated for seed protein and oil. For the PI 97100 x Coker 237 population, 111 F2-derived lines were evaluated for segregation at 153 RFLP loci. Phenotypic data for seed protein and oil were obtained in two different locations (Athens, G.a., and Blackville, S.C.) in 1994. Based on single-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) for the Young x PI 416937 population, five of seven independent markers associated with seed protein, and all four independent markers associated with seed oil in the combined analysis over locations were detected at all three locations. For the PI 97 100 x Coker 237 population, both single-factor ANOVA and interval mapping were used to detect QTLs. Using single-factor ANOVA, three of four independent markers for seed protein and two of three independent markers for seed oil were detected at both locations. In both populations, singlefactor ANOVA, revealed the consistency of QTLs across locations, which might be due to the high heritability and the relatively few QTLs with large effects conditioning these traits. However, interval mapping of the PI 97100 x Coker 237 population indicated that QTLs identified at Athens for seed protein and oil were different from those at Blackville. This might result from the power of QTL mapping being dependent on the level of saturation of the genetic map. Increased seed protein was associated with decreased seed oil in the PI 97100 x Coker 237 population (r = −0.61). There were various common markers (P⩽0.05) on linkage groups (LG) E, G,H,K, and UNK2 identified for both seed protein and oil. One QTL on LG E was associated with seed protein in both populations. The other QTLs for protein and oil were population specific.
Variations in Park Facility Valuations across Neighborhoods

The obesity epidemic has renewed policy interest in provision of physical activity-enhancing park facilities. Public health researchers have noted variability in physical activity levels associated with different types of facilities. We assess the hedonic valuation of different types of park facilities. For homes located ¼ mile from the nearest park, the hedonic value of a 1/10 mile improvement in proximity ranges from an 1.3 % increase in home price in African American neighborhoods to a 0.3 % price reduction in “average” neighborhoods. Similar variation occurs across the home price distribution, park facilities, and neighborhood characteristics. Park funding implications are discussed.
Remark about the notation used for calculating the electromagnetic field scattered by a spherical particle

In the theory of light scattering by small particles we use two different kinds of notation for the incident plane wave. In both cases we often use the same notation for the scattered spherical wave (compare H. C. van de Hulst, Light Scattering by Small Particles (Wiley, New York, 1957), Chap. 3, p. 18 and Chap. 1, p. 8, with C. Bohren and D. Huffman, Absorption and Scattering of Light by Small Particles (Wiley, New York, 1957), Chap. 3, p. 18 and Chap. 9, p. 124). If one is careless, this will lead to confusion. We must be aware of this and, correspondingly, change the calculated electromagnetic fields.
Structure and function of the nuclear pore complex: new perspectives.

The double membrane of the nuclear envelope is a formidable barrier separating the nucleus and cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. However, movement of specific macromolecules across the nuclear envelope is critical for embryonic development, cell growth and differentiation. Transfer of molecules between the nucleus and cytoplasm occurs through the aqueous channel formed by the nuclear pore complex (NPC) . Although small molecules may simply diffuse across the NPC, transport of large proteins and RNA requires specific transport signals and is energy dependent. A family of pore glycoproteins modified by O-linked N-acetylglucosamine moieties are essential for transport through the NPC. Recent evidence suggests that the regulation of nuclear transport may also involve the inteaction of RNA and nuclear proteins with specific binding proteins that recognize these transport signals. Are these nuclear pore glycoproteins and signal binding proteins the ‘gatekeepers’ that control access to the genetic material? Recent evidence obtained from a combination of biochemical and genetic approaches suggests – perhaps.
Pretreatment with pertussis toxin spinally, but not supraspinally, blocks the cold water swimming-induced antinociception in the mouse.

Abstract Mice exposed to cold water swimming (4°C) for 3 min produced a marked antinociception. Experiments were designed to determine whether pretreatment with pertussis toxin given intrathecally (i.t.) or intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) attenuates cold water swimming-induced antinociception in male ICR mice. Antinociception was measured by the tail-flick test 7 min after cold water swimming. I.t. pretreatment with pertussis toxin at a dose of 0.5 μg for 24–96 h caused a time-dependent attenuation of cold water swimming-induced antinociception. Moreover, i.t. pretreatment with pertussis toxin at doses from 0.125 to 0.5 μg for 96 h attenuated cold water swimming-induced antinociception in a dose-dependent manner. However, i.c.v. pretreatment with pertussis toxin at doses from 0.125 to 0.5 μg for 24–96 h did not affect the cold water swimming-induced antinociception. The present results suggest that pertussis toxin-sensitive Gi/Go proteins in spinal cord, but not at the supraspinal sites, are involved in cold water swimming-induced antinociception.
Picosecond Electron Diffraction

Electron diffraction on the picosecond time scale is demonstrated using a picosecond photoelectron burst generated by an optical pulse incident on the front end of a streak camera. Because of the picosecond synchronization between the optical and electron pulses, this technique makes possible the study of laser-induced structural kinetics in the picosecond time domain.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Managing a growing high performance infrastructure on a fixed budget

Most universities involved in scientific research utilize some sort of High Performance Computing (HPC) facilities. High Performance Computing (often referred to as High Throughput Computing or Scientific Computing) can be defined as using parallel processing to run advanced applications in an efficient manner. These facilities usually contain a variety of hardware configurations including compute clusters (Beowulf clusters), grids or SMP (Symmetrical Multi Processing) computers. At most institutions the HPC resources utilized by faculty and students are provided in one of three ways: Centralized resources managed by University technology departments, decentralized facilities managed by academic departments, external faculties such as the Pittsburgh Super Computing Center.The management of HPC facilities can be challenging due to specialized nature of the applications, the specialized support needs and the environmental requirements and cost for housing, acquiring and maintaining the hardware. Furthermore, as research problems continue to increase in complexity, computing demands tend to increase as well. There is a delicate balance that must be maintained between faculty/department needs and available funding. How do you effectively meet the needs of departments with varying HPC needs? How do you meet the demand for HPC resources with minimal financial resources? How do you restructure user support to meet the increasing demand?
CD56bright natural killer cell subsets: Characterization of distinct functional responses to interleukin‐2 and the c‐kit ligand

Natural killer (NK) cells are bone marrow-derived large granular lymphocytes that express the CD56 surface antigen. The CD56bright NK subset represents approximately 10% of all NK cells and is thought to be the least differentiated NK cell component in blood. The most mature NK cell expresses CD56 at low density and CD16 (FcR gammaIII) at high density, whereas CD56bright NK cells either lack CD16 (CD56bright CD16-) or express it at low density (CD56bright CD16dim). c-kit is a tyrosine kinase receptor which is expressed on both CD34+ hematopoietic precursor cells and CD56bright NK cells. In the current study, we characterize interleukin (IL)-2 receptor (IL-2R) and c-kit expression in each of the CD56bright subsets. Both the CD56bright CD16- and CD56bright CD16dim NK subsets express the high-affinity IL-2R and the c-kit receptor when isolated from fresh blood. However, each CD56bright NK cell subset has distinct functional responses to IL-2, the c-kit ligand (KL), or both. Activation of the high-affinity IL-2R on CD56bright CD16- NK cells induces a proliferative response that is significantly weaker than that observed in the CD56bright CD16dim NK cell subset. Incubation of the CD56bright CD16 NK cell subset with KL significantly enhances IL-2-induced proliferation, while KL has no such effect on the CD56bright CD16dim NK subset. Activation of the high-affinity IL-2R in both CD56bright subsets induces lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) activity, but the addition of KL has no effect on LAK activity. Co-stimulation of either CD56bright subset with IL-12 and concentrations of IL-2 that only saturate the high-affinity IL-2R induces substantial interferon (IFN)-gamma production. The addition of KL to this co-stimulatory signal enhances IFN-gamma production in both CD56bright NK subsets. The distinct functional responses to IL-2 and KL seen in the CD56bright CD16- and CD56bright CD16dim NK subsets provide insight into IL-2R signaling and suggest that each phenotype identifies a discrete stage of NK cell differentiation.
An 1H NMR investigation into the loci of solubilization of 4-nitrotoluene, 2,6-dinitrotoluene, and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene in nonionic surfactant micelles

Abstract In this study, the enhancement in solubility of 4-nitrotoluene (4-NT), 2,6-dinitrotoluene (2,6-DNT), and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and their loci of solubilization were determined in nonionic surfactant solutions containing linear alcohol ethoxylates (Brij-35, Brij-58, Brij-78, Brij-97 and Brij-98), alkylphenol ethoxylates (Tergitol NP-8 to NP-40), and octylphenol ethoxylates (Triton X-100, X-165, and X-305). In all surfactant solutions, 4-NT had the highest molar solubilization ratio (MSR) and TNT the lowest. For all surfactants, increasing the number of ethoxylate groups (EO) while keeping the hydrocarbon chain length constant decreased or did not significantly change the MSR. To determine the locus of solubilization, 1H NMR spectroscopy was used to determine how the presence of a nitroaromatic solute changed the chemical shifts of the various hydrogen atoms on the surfactant molecule. For the linear alcohol ethoxylates, the greatest change in chemical shift for all three nitroarenes occurred at hydrogens in the hydrocarbon core of the micelle. At higher solute concentration, the nitroarenes spread to the first EO group near the core/shell interface. For both the Tritons and Tergitols, the chemical shift for a hydrogen on the phenyl ring changed the most upon the addition of the nitroarenes. As the nitroarene concentration increased, the chemical shifts for the hydrogens on the first EO group changed for all Triton and Tergitol surfactants. For all surfactants with shorter EO chains, the shifts for all ethoxylate hydrogens changed at higher nitroarene concentration. These results suggest that the solutes are preferentially solubilized at the core/shell interface but spread further into the shell and the core as solute concentration increases.
The F+ centre in CaO

Abstract The trajectories of the six ligands of the octahedral Jahn-Teller system p ⊗( E g + T 2 g ) are described in the strong-coupling limit under conditions of equal frequencies and equal coupling strengths for the two vibrational modes E g and T 2g .
Interleukin-10 Alters Effector Functions of Multiple Genes Induced by Borrelia burgdorferi in Macrophages To Regulate Lyme Disease Inflammation

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) modulates inflammatory responses elicited in vitro and in vivo by Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease spirochete. How IL-10 modulates these inflammatory responses still remains elusive. We hypothesize that IL-10 inhibits effector functions of multiple genes induced by B. burgdorferi in macrophages to control concomitantly elicited inflammation. Because macrophages are essential in the initiation of inflammation, we used mouse J774 macrophages and live B. burgdorferi spirochetes as the model target cell and stimulant, respectively. First, we employed transcriptome profiling to identify genes that were induced by stimulation of cells with live spirochetes and that were perturbed by addition of IL-10 to spirochete cultures. Spirochetes significantly induced upregulation of 347 genes at both the 4-h and 24-h time points. IL-10 inhibited the expression levels, respectively, of 53 and 65 of the 4-h and 24-h genes, and potentiated, respectively, at 4 h and 24 h, 65 and 50 genes. Prominent among the novel identified IL-10-inhibited genes also validated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were Toll-like receptor 1 (TLR1), TLR2, IRAK3, TRAF1, IRG1, PTGS2, MMP9, IFI44, IFIT1, and CD40. Proteome analysis using a multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) revealed the IL-10 modulation/and or potentiation of RANTES/CCL5, macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2)/CXCL2, IP-10/CXCL10, MIP-1α/CCL3, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)/CSF3, CXCL1, CXCL5, CCL2, CCL4, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), IL-1α, IL-1β, gamma interferon (IFN-γ), and IL-9. Similar results were obtained using sonicated spirochetes or lipoprotein as stimulants. Our data show that IL-10 alters effectors induced by B. burgdorferi in macrophages to control concomitantly elicited inflammatory responses. Moreover, for the first time, this study provides global insight into potential mechanisms used by IL-10 to control Lyme disease inflammation.
A clustering approach to segmenting users of internet-based risk calculators.

Background: Risk calculators are widely available Internet applications that deliver quantitative health risk estimates to consumers. Although these tools are known to have varying effects on risk perceptions, little is known about who will be more likely to accept objective risk estimates. Objective: To identify clusters of online health consumers that help explain variation in individual improvement in risk perceptions from web-based quantitative disease risk information. Methods: A secondary analysis was performed on data collected in a field experiment that measured people’s pre-diabetes risk perceptions before and after visiting a realistic health promotion website that provided quantitative risk information. K-means clustering was performed on numerous candidate variable sets, and the different segmentations were evaluated based on between-cluster variation in risk perception improvement. Results: Variation in responses to risk information was best explained by clustering on pre-intervention absolute pre-diabetes risk perceptions and an objective estimate of personal risk. Members of a high-risk overestimater cluster showed large improvements in their risk perceptions, but clusters of both moderate-risk and high-risk underestimaters were much more muted in improving their optimistically biased perceptions. Conclusions: Cluster analysis provided a unique approach for segmenting health consumers and predicting their acceptance of quantitative disease risk information. These clusters suggest that health consumers were very responsive to good news, but tended not to incorporate bad news into their self-perceptions much. These findings help to quantify variation among online health consumers and may inform the targeted marketing of and improvements to risk communication tools on the Internet.
Intraclass Correlation Coefficients in Hierarchical Designs: Evaluation Using Latent Variable Modeling

Interval estimation of intraclass correlation coefficients in hierarchical designs is discussed within a latent variable modeling framework. A method accomplishing this aim is outlined, which is applicable in two-level studies where participants (or generally lower-order units) are clustered within higher-order units. The procedure can also be used to examine hypotheses about the intraclass correlation coefficient. The approach can be employed with multilevel models containing no predictors, as well with models including at least one higher level predictor. The method is applicable with widely available software, and complements existing literature on evaluation of intraclass correlation coefficients. The discussed approach is illustrated with an empirical example.
PERFORMANCE OF RESIDENTS IN ANESTHESIOLOGY AS RELATED TO MEASURES OF PERSONALITY AND INTERESTS

79 male and 16 female residents in anesthesiology at six training centers took the California Psychological Inventory (CPI) and Strong Interest Inventory (Sil) in Year 1 and were rated for performance two years later. Descriptively, the total sample scored highest on CPI scales for Dominance, Social Presence, and Achievement via Independence, and on Sil scales for investigative, mathematical, and medical science interests. Scores from a four-scale CPI cluster of Empathy, Socialization, Achievement via Conformance, and Achievement via Independence correlated 39 with ratings for men and 31 with ratings for women. In another sample of 20 residents, the cluster score correlated 30 with ratings gathered three years after testing. These findings, consonant with prior research, suggest that attributes such as empathy, strong internalization of pronormative values, and the ability to work well within either structured or open settings are conducive to superior performance in the specialty.
Low-density lipoprotein binding affinity of arterial chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan variants modulates cholesteryl ester accumulation in macrophages.

Abstract Proteoglycans are considered to facilitate lipid accumulation in the arterial wall, as part of the injury and repair process in atherogenesis. The present study determined (1) characteristics of arterial tissue chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CS-PG) monomers of versican type that vary in binding affinity to low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and (2) the ability of these variants to modulate LDL metabolism by macrophages. A large CS-PG devoid of dermatan sulfate (DS) was isolated and purified from bovine aorta intima-media under dissociative conditions. The proteoglycan was further subfractionated by LDL affinity chromatography into CS-PGI and CS-PGII variants, the former eluting at 0.1 M NaCl and the latter at 1.0 M NaCl. The core protein of both variants had a similar molecular mass (1.7 · 10 5 ). However, CS-PGII contained more glycosarninoglycan (GAG) chains (30 vs. 25) with higher average molecular mass (4.2 · 10 4 vs. 3.8 · 10 4 ) than CS-PGI. Furthermore, CS-PGII contained a relatively higher proportion of CS6-sulfate to CS4-sulfate (65:35 vs. 52:48). Sulfate-to-hexosamine molar ratio of GAG measured approximately 1 in both variants. In terms of metabolism by macrophages, when compared to complex of LDL and CS-PGI, complex of LDL and CS-PGII produced consistent increase in degradation (10.3-fold vs. 8.4-fold over native LDL) and cell association (16.3-fold vs. 10.2-fold over native LDL) of the ligand, and stimulation of cholesteryl ester synthesis (8.4-fold vs. 6.4-fold over native LDL). CS-PGII was as potent as native CS/DS-PG aggregate, which is a complex made of proteoglycan monomers, hyaluronate, and link protein(s), in stimulating the above activities in macrophages. Thus, variations in LDL-binding affinity of CS-PG can potentially modulate the lipid accumulation in atherogenesis.
The preparation of pyrite solid solutions of the type FexCo1−xS2, CoxNi1−xS2, and CuxNi1−xS2

Abstract Co-precipitated mixed-crystal sulfates have proved to be useful precursors in the preparation of random solid solutions of the types Fe x Co 1−x S 2 , Co x Ni 1−x S 2 , and Cu x Ni 1−x S 2 with the pyrite structure. The preparative procedure is described and x-ray lattice parameters are given for a large number of these compounds.
Simplified kinetic model for chemical oxygen-iodine lasers

A computational study including sensitivity, non-dimensional, and steady-state analyses of the gas phase kinetics associated with chemical oxygen-iodine lasers (COIL) was performed to develop simplified kinetic models and assess kinetic limitations to laser performance. A minimal set of eleven reactions is presented that adequately reproduces the time evolution of the major chemical constituents as described by the standard COIL kinetic model. The impact of poorly determined rate coefficients is assessed through a linear sensitivity analysis. By transforming the rate equations to a non-dimensional form, scaling laws for iodine fraction, singlet oxygen yield, and water content are developed. Finally, an approximate analytic solution to the iodine dissociation problem is established for a broad range of reagent concentrations. The current study is limited in applicability due to the exclusion of chemical heat release, fluid dynamic, and reactive mixing phenomena.
Journey into the Unknown Beyond

The Voyager 1 spacecraft has passed an important milestone. As is reported in papers in this issue, Voyager 1 has crossed the termination shock of the solar wind, where the wind abruptly decelerates to begin its merger into the local interstellar medium. The termination shock provided surprises; the region beyond is truly uncharted territory.
Randomization tests for small samples: an application for genetic expression data

Summary. An advantage of randomization tests for small samples is that an exact P-value can be computed under an additive model. A disadvantage with very small sample sizes is that the resulting discrete distribution for P-values can make it mathematically impossible for a P-value to attain a particular degree of significance. We investigate a distribution of P-values that arises when several thousand randomization tests are conducted simultaneously using small samples, a situation that arises with microarray gene expression data. We show that the distribution yields valuable information regarding groups of genes that are differentially expressed between two groups: a treatment group and a control group. This distribution helps to categorize genes with varying degrees of overlap of genetic expression values between the two groups, and it helps to quantify the degree of overlap by using the P-value from a randomization test. Moreover, a statistical test is available that compares the actual distribution of P-values with an expected distribution if there are no genes that are differentially expressed. We demonstrate the method and illustrate the results by using a microarray data set involving a cell line for rheumatoid arthritis. A small simulation study evaluates the effect that correlated gene expression levels could have on results from the analysis.
Accretion of Bone Mass and Strength with Parathyroid Hormone Prior to the Onset of Estrogen Deficiency Can Provide Temporary Beneficial Effects in Skeletally Mature Rats

Intermittent administration of parathyroid hormone (PTH) has been shown to be an anabolic agent for animal and human skeletons. In previous studies, PTH has been used concurrent with, or subsequent to, the onset of bone loss. However, it is entirely possible that PTH may be used as an anabolic agent in a situation where there is stable skeletal remodeling. Increasing bone mass at this time might confer long-lasting beneficial effects when bone loss begins, for example, subsequent to the loss of ovarian function. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the effects of administering rat PTH(1-34) (80 microg/kg/day, subcutaneously [s.c.]) to 6-month-old rats for a 2-week period prior to ovariectomy, and followed the natural occurrence of bone loss over a 14-week period. To determine the effects of estrogen intervention on bone gained by PTH treatment, one group was repleted with 17beta-estradiol (10 microg/kg/day via s.c. implant). Serial measurements of bone mass in vivo at the distal femur were obtained at 2-week intervals using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, while histologic and mechanical strength data were obtained from excised proximal tibiae and distal femurs after sacrifice. Two weeks of PTH treatment resulted in an increase of bone mineral density (BMD), mechanical strength, and cancellous bone volume (CnBV/TV). Four weeks after PTH withdrawal, significant residual beneficial effects on BMD and strength, irrespective of ovarian status, were observed. However, 14 weeks after PTH withdrawal, although there were still residual effects on CnBV/TV in ovariectomized animals pretreated with PTH, the PTH effects on BMD and mechanical strength had been lost. Estradiol repletion during the rapid bone loss phase following ovariectomy prevented the reduction in BMD associated with either ovariectomy or PTH withdrawal. Our results suggest that: treatment of rats with PTH prior to ovariectomy produces an increase in BMD and strength, these beneficial effects extend for a period of at least three times the treatment duration, the BMD that is lost when PTH is discontinued equates to the amount accrued during the PTH treatment, estrogen replacement can be used to maintain the bone gained as a result of PTH treatment.