cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of Tyrocidine A analogues with improved antibacterial activity.

Abstract The development of new antibacterial therapeutic agents capable of halting microbial resistance is a chief pursuit in clinical medicine. Classes of antibiotics that target and destroy bacterial membranes are attractive due to the decreased likelihood that bacteria will be able to generate resistance to this mechanism. The amphipathic cyclic decapeptide, Tyrocidine A, is a model for this class of antibiotics. Tyrocidine A is composed of a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic face, allowing for insertion into bacterial membranes, creating porous channels and destroying membrane integrity. We have used a combination of molecular modeling and solid phase synthesis to prepare Tyrocidine A and analogues 1 – 8 . The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of these compounds were determined for a host of gram positive species and E. coli as a representative gram negative bacterium. Analogues 2 and 5 demonstrated moderate 2- to 8-fold increases in antibacterial activity over the parent Tyrocidine A for a variety of pathogenic microbes (best MICs for E. coli 32 μg/mL and 2 μg/mL for most gram positives). Examination of the structure– activity relationship between the analogues demonstrated a preference for increased amphipathicity but did not show a clear preference for increasing hydrophilicity versus hydrophobicity in improving antibacterial activity. Of note, movement of positively charged lysine residues or neutral pentafluorophenyl residues to different positions within the cyclopeptide ring system demonstrated improvements in antibacterial activity.
Projecting long-run socioeconomic and demographic trends in California under the SRES A2 and B1 scenarios

The State of California is developing and implementing a new generation of environmental policies to transition to a low-carbon economy and energy system in order to reduce the risks of future damages from global climate change. At the same time, it is increasingly clear that climate change impacts are already occurring and that further effects cannot be completely avoided. Thus, anticipating and planning for emerging and potential future climate change impacts in California must complement the state’s greenhouse gas mitigation efforts. These impacts will depend substantially on the future evolution of the state’s social structure and economy. To support impact studies, this report describes socioeconomic storylines and key scenario elements for California that are broadly consistent with the global “A2” and “B1” storylines in the 2000 Special Report on Emissions Scenarios of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, including qualitative socioeconomic context as well as quantitative projections of key variables such as population, urbanization patterns, economic growth, and electricity prices.
Economic Analysis of Water-Saving Techniques in Iran

: The possibility of increasing the water supply for irrigation through adoption of more efficient water-application techniques as an alternative to new irrigation projects was studied in an irrigated region of Iran. Excessive water application at the farm level ranks high among the causes of water shortages in the selected region. An empirical analysis of the effect of water-saving technology on the farm operator's net return was made choosing two farms in the region as a case study. The problems facing these farms are common to most farms throughout the country. The results of the budgeting analysis of the selected farms indicated that an improvement in irrigation technique can result in the expansion of water supply and higher marginal value product for water. Comparing the costs of irrigation systems with the net returns resulting from the higher efficiency showed that such an investment is economically feasible.
Performance of High Visibility Wet-Night Highway Lane Dividers

Fresnel reflection of most of the light from auto headlights by rain water causes highway stripes to disappear and produces a strong glare against the dark road surface on rainy nights. Battelle has developed and demonstrated the feasibility of a low-profile highway striping design that has survived snowplowing and has remained effective as a wet-night lane divider on a high-speed, high-density traffic thruway.
Towards the information superhighway

Abstract Ultimately the USA will have a universal broadband network (UBN). This report summarizes and comments on Bruce Egan's recent book, Information Superhighways , which addresses transitional problems. First, we need to know the extent to which consumers would value a UBN network. Who should bear the risks associated with massive infrastructure investments? Next, there are questions about whether demand-pull technological progress is also expected to reduce costs in the long run and to improve quality of service. Egan reminds us that some stakeholders will gain and some will lose during the 1990s. The regulatory policies adopted in the coming years will influence the pace and pattern of investment in advanced public communication networks in the USA. Egan argues that it is important that policy discourage fragmentation within the network.
Acceleration of retarded growth in children with Gaucher disease after treatment with alglucerase.

Abstract OBJECTIVES: The incidence and severity of growth retardation in children with type 1 Gaucher disease and the response to enzyme replacement therapy with alglucerase were studied. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of growth in 99 children and adolescents with type 1 Gaucher disease before treatment, and in 54 of those subjects during treatment, was done. Growth was compared with gender, age, and dosage of replacement enzyme. RESULTS: Linear growth was normal in the first 1 to 2 years of life and then decelerated. Height was at or below the 5th percentile in 50% of all subjects immediately before treatment. The mean z score was -1.49 (95% confidence interval, -1.83 to -1.16), corresponding to the 6.8th percentile for height. Seventy-two percent were below the 50th percentile and 50% were at or below the 5th percentile for mid-parental height ( p z score for all subjects was -1.01, which corresponds to the 16th percentile for height. Normal growth was achieved within 4 to 30 months in eight of nine subjects who were at or below the 5th percentile. It occurred only in those receiving higher doses (60 to 120 U/kg per 4-week period) of alglucerase. There was a significant association between z scores for height before treatment and liver enlargement ( r = 0.57; p CONCLUSIONS: Half of the subjects who manifest type 1 Gaucher disease in childhood have growth retardation. Treatment with adequate amounts of modified enzyme replacement was effective in normalizing linear growth. (J PEDIATR 1996;129:149-53)
Regeneration niche differentiates functional strategies of desert woody plant species

Plant communities vary dramatically in the number and relative abundance of species that exhibit facilitative interactions, which contributes substantially to variation in community structure and dynamics. Predicting species’ responses to neighbors based on readily measurable functional traits would provide important insight into the factors that structure plant communities. We measured a suite of functional traits on seedlings of 20 species and mature plants of 54 species of shrubs from three arid biogeographic regions. We hypothesized that species with different regeneration niches—those that require nurse plants for establishment (beneficiaries) versus those that do not (colonizers)—are functionally different. Indeed, seedlings of beneficiary species had lower relative growth rates, larger seeds and final biomass, allocated biomass toward roots and height at a cost to leaf mass fraction, and constructed costly, dense leaf and root tissues relative to colonizers. Likewise at maturity, beneficiaries had larger overall size and denser leaves coupled with greater water use efficiency than colonizers. In contrast to current hypotheses that suggest beneficiaries are less “stress-tolerant” than colonizers, beneficiaries exhibited conservative functional strategies suited to persistently dry, low light conditions beneath canopies, whereas colonizers exhibited opportunistic strategies that may be advantageous in fluctuating, open microenvironments. In addition, the signature of the regeneration niche at maturity indicates that facilitation expands the range of functional diversity within plant communities at all ontogenetic stages. This study demonstrates the utility of specific functional traits for predicting species’ regeneration niches in hot deserts, and provides a framework for studying facilitation in other severe environments.
Microspectrophotometric technique for obtaining the infrared spectrum of microgram quantities of atmospheric dust

Abstract A technique for obtaining full-scale, 4000-250 cm−1 spectra from atmospheric dust samples in the 10–50 μg range is described and a sample dust spectrum is presented.
Physical Approximation of Color-Mixture Functions

One of the most important problems in photoelectric colorimetry is the duplication, by physical means, of a given set of color-mixture functions. Several methods are outlined in this paper for the numerical derivation of close approximations to given color-mixture functions using the relative spectral-sensitivity function of a photoelectric receiver and the spectral transmittances of glass filters. The filters are placed either in series or side by side between the source and the receiver. Numerical examples illustrate the methods.
Dishabituation produces interactions during multiple schedules

Abstract McSweeney and Weatherly (1998) argued that differential habituation to the reinforcer contributes to the behavioral interactions observed during multiple schedules. The present experiment confirmed that introducing dishabituators into one component of a multiple schedule increases response rate in the other, constant, component. During baseline, pigeons and rats responded on multiple variable interval 30-s variable interval 30-s schedules. During experimental conditions, subjects responded on the same schedule except that a dishabituating stimulus (manipulation of a light) was also presented randomly during one of the components. Constant-component responding was faster during the experimental than during the baseline conditions. This difference in responding grew larger across the session. The within-session pattern of responding was similar for the two components of each multiple schedule. Qualitatively similar results were observed for rats and pigeons. These results suggest that behavioral interactions sometimes arise from a change in reinforcer effectiveness between the baseline and experimental phases of the experiment, rather than from an assessment of reinforcer relativity (a comparison of reinforcers delivered during the two components in the experimental phase). Behavioral contrast and induction are sometimes produced by similar factors.
Using Metadata to Discover the Buried Treasure in Google Book Search

Google Book Search presents an opportunity to search millions of books from the Google Library partners and publishing partners. How does metadata compare in Google Book Search and library catalogs?
IL-15 and psoriasis: Another genetic link to Th17?

Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine expressed in several inflammatory disorders. Zhang et al. (2007, this issue) report a significant genetic association between IL-15 and psoriasis, which may involve increased stability of IL-15 mRNA. Among its several activities, IL-15 stimulates the expression of IL-17 by T-cells. Together with recent genetic and therapeutic evidence implicating IL-23, these findings suggest a genetic basis for Th17-mediated inflammation in psoriasis.
Fission-activated laser as primary power for CW laser propulsion

Recent advances in the development of reactor-pumped lasers (RPLs) have stimulated renewed interest in the concept of laser-powered propulsion. This paper surveys a number of laser propulsion concepts and identifies the one that is most promising from the standpoint of practicality. It is proposed that a ground-based FALCON (fission-activated laser concept) RPL can provide primary power for this launch vehicle design. The laser-vehicle system could launch small payloads into low-earth orbit (LEO) with high repetition rates and at low costs per kilogram. For the favored design, thruster efficiencies are currently estimated to be about 50%, with 80% being seen as a potentially reliable goal after further design refinements. Laser launch system simulations indicate that, with a buy-in laser power of 10 MW, it will be possible to obtain specific impulses in the range of 600 to 800 seconds and payload-to-power ratios of 1 to 3 kg/MW.
An efficient algorithm for allocating paged, drum-like storage

Cody and Coffman have studied the problem of distributing a set of a equal-size records among the sectors of a drum-like storage device so as to minimize the average rotational latency cost. This paper is an extension of that work. We employ the same model but a different latency delay function. Motivated by the NP-completeness of the general problem and the fact that an arbitrary assignment can have an expected latency cost almost twice that of an optimal assignment, we propose and analyze a fast heuristic whose performance compares favorably with that of an optimal algorithm.
Defining Electronic Excited States Using Time-Resolved Infrared Spectroscopy and Density Functional Theory Calculations†

Characteristic patterns of infrared bands in the ν(CO) region have been observed in the time-resolved infrared (TRIR) spectra of fac-rhenium tricarbonyl complexes that allow for identification of transient states that result following laser flash excitation. These patterns can be interpreted by combining experimental TRIR data with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The DFT calculations are particularly valuable as they provide vibrational energy shifts between the ground and excited states and an analysis of the electronic interactions in terms of the orbitals involved in the excitation. TRIR and DFT results for four different transient excited states, intraligand π → π*, metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT), intramolecular (dπ−Οπ) → π* excited states, and a redox-separated (RS state), are presented here. A unique example of competing excited states studied by TRIR is also presented. The complexes studied include fac-[ReI(CO)3(Me2dppz)(4-Etpy)]+, fac-[ReI(CO)3(bpy)(4-Etpy)]+, fac-[ReI(CO)3(4...
Employee perceptions of the work environment and mental health: A suggestive study

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine a model for investigating employee mental health in industrial environments and, more particularly, to determine the extent to which a worker's perceptions of the environment covaried with mental health criteria. The managerial segments of two divisions of a 35,000 employee company were represented in this study. In general, it was found that employees who perceived the environment as having clarity in the organizational structures, little administrative interference in work processes, equitable reward systems, and trust and consideration for employees tended to have more favorable scores on mental health indices. Also, some differences between the two work environments, as well as between male and female employees, were noted and discussed.
Malonic to Acetic Ester Transformation by Boric Acid

Abstract One of our synthetic projects involves a step of removing a carbalkoxy group from a substituted malonic ester. For accomplishing that goal, Krapcho's method1 was deemed unsuitable, because the malonic ester contains an allylic halogen which is liable to attack by dimethyl sulfoxide (Kornblum reaction). Our recent work on using iodotrimethylsilane2 to achieve decarbal-koxylation of such esters was partly impelled by that need; however, the prohibitive economics associated with even a medium-scale preparation forced us to develop a less expensive alternative.
1640 PROSTACYCLIN DEFICIENCY DOES NOT PLAY A PIVOTAL ROLE IN HEMOLYTIC UREMIC SYNDROME (HUS)

A decrease in the prostacyclin (PGI2) stimulating activity of plasma has been reported in children with HUS. Although no study has attempted to assess plasma PGI2 levels themselves, the presence of a decrease in the PGI2 stimulating activity has been equated with a deficiency of PGI2 in HUS. We have conducted an evaluation of plasma prostanoids (PGI2 and TXB2) in 5 children admitted to SUNY during an epidemic of HUS in the northeast and in 23 controls. We were unable to document a pivotal role for PGI2 deficiency in HUS. Using an RIA for plasma 6KPGF1α(the stable hydrolysis product of PGI2), patients with HUS demonstrated elevated 6KPGF1α levels of 1.05±0.3 (1SD) pmol/ml when compared to controls (0.41±0.13; p<0.001). Increased production of PGI2 in HUS was accompanied by a concomitant increase in plasma thromboxane. Compared to a plasma TXB2 level of 0.10±0.06 in controls, the mean level in patients with HUS was 0.33±0.09pmol/ml (p<0.001). When the ratio of plasma TXB2 to 6KPGF1α was evaluated as an index of proaggregatory and vasoconstrictor versus antiaggregatory and vasodilator influences, no difference was observed between controls (0.33±0.06) and HUS (0.33±0.08). Changes in prostanoid production in HUS appear to reflect vascular injury (T6KPGF1α) and concomitant platelet consumption (↑TXB2). A deficiency of PGI2 in HUS was an attractive hypothesis that explained the systemic hypertension and the observed thrombocytopenia. Our finding however does not support a role for prostacyclin deficiency, and underscores the heterogenousness of HUS.
Dose-response effects of marine omega-3 fatty acids on apolipoproteins, apolipoprotein-defined lipoprotein subclasses, and Lp-PLA2 in individuals with moderate hypertriglyceridemia.

Background Apolipoprotein (apo) distribution and lipoprotein (Lp)-associated markers of inflammation, such as lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A 2 (Lp-PLA 2 ), influence the atherogenicity of circulating lipids and lipoproteins. Little evidence exists regarding the dose-response effects of the marine omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on apos, apo-defined Lps, and Lp-PLA 2 . Objective The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 0, 0.85, and 3.4 g/d of EPA + DHA on Lp-PLA 2 mass and activity in individuals with moderate hypertriglyceridemia. We also measured effects on concentrations of apoAI, apoAII, apoB, apoC, apoD, and apoE-defined Lp subclasses. Methods The study was a randomized, doubleblind, crossover design with 8-week treatment periods and 6-week washout periods. During the 3 treatment periods, subjects (n = 25) received 0 g/d EPA + DHA, 0.85 g/d EPA + DHA (low dose), and 3.4 g/d EPA + DHA (high dose) in random order. Results apoB and apoC-III were significantly decreased by the high dose relative to placebo and low dose ( P P P 2 mass with the high dose ( P = .1). Conclusion The effects of 3.4 g/d EPA + DHA on apoB and apoC-III may reduce atherosclerotic plaque progression in individuals with elevated triglycerides.
PI release as a function of the number of prerelease trials

In the first experiment the magnitude of PI release is examined as a function of the number of trials prior to a category shift. Using the sense-impression dimensions of “round” and “white,” the magnitude of release increased from about 6% after one prior trial to about 60% after four trials. A possible explanation of this effect is discussed, and the second experiment explores some implications of the proposed model. The nature of the relationship between the magnitude of PI release and the contents of the memory trace is discussed, and it is argued that until more is known about the operation of the memory system, it will not be possible to use PI-release data as a source of evidence for the manner in which words are encoded.
In vivo and in vitro phosphorylation of the human estrogen receptor

We report here that the human estrogen receptor (hER) overexpressed in Sf9 insect cells is phosphorylated similarly to hER from the human MCF-7 mammary carcinoma cell line. The recombinant and native hER labeled to steady-state with [32P]phosphate were purified to homogeneity using specific DNA-affinity chromatography followed by SDS-gel electrophoresis. Resolution of the hER tryptic digests by reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography revealed that five [32P]phosphopeptides from the hER expressed in the Sf9 cells had retention times identical to five of the seven [32P]phosphopeptides from the hER in MCF-7 cells. Uniquely, a dephosphorylation of a single 32P-labeled peptide occurred in response to estradiol treatment of MCF-7 cells. In vitro protein kinase assays with the purified recombinant hER revealed that the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) phosphorylated the receptor and induced a decrease in the receptor's mobility as demonstrated by SDS-gel electrophoresis. In contrast, protein kinases A and C did not phosphorylate the purified recombinant hER. These results suggest that in the process of becoming transcriptionally active the estrogen receptor undergoes a dephosphorylation after estrogen-binding and subsequent phosphorylations, in part by the DNA-PK.
A preliminary assessment of socio-ecological metabolism for three neighborhoods within a rust belt urban ecosystem.

Abstract Rust belt cities of the northeastern United States are plagued by flat or declining economies and the accompanying social fallout from lack of employment. Advocates of green fuels, green infrastructure and green jobs have proposed these nature-based technologies as means to revitalize the economies of cities. Before making public and private investment a baseline analysis of the relative magnitude of existing energy production and energy respiration at the neighborhood scale is useful in order to understand what the potential for green infrastructure might be. Because the urban canopy and other green infrastructure can enhance urban socio-ecological metabolism, we measured the flows of natural energy produced (P) by the urban forest versus the industrial or fossil energy currently consumed or respired (R) in three economically and demographically distinct neighborhoods of a typical rust-belt city, Syracuse, NY. Our objectives were to (1) understand the potential for green energy to replace fossil fuels in general, (2) assess the degree to which different socio-demographic communities are receiving the ecosystem benefits of existing urban “green” infrastructure (i.e. forest primary production), and (3) identify where local (in-city) biotic energy resources could be enhanced or fossil fuel consumption altered to improve overall urban socio-ecological metabolism. We found that (1) the fossil energy consumed in all three neighborhoods was 200–700 times higher than the biotic “green” energy produced; (2) that to produce this much energy from willow biomass grown in the region would require at least between 0.3 and 0.7 ha of bio-energy production per person depending on affluence, density of living, transportation mix and home fuel mix; (3) that although the more affluent neighborhood used, per residence and per person, almost twice as much energy as that of the downtown more densely settled and poorer neighborhood, its R:P ratio was still the lowest due to the high primary productivity of its neighborhood tree canopy. As a first assessment our findings identify several opportunities for enhancement of the socio-ecological metabolism of these neighborhoods, and the city at large, through conversion of heating units in poorer neighborhoods away from expensive electricity, and toward tree planting, solar installations, and per capita energy use reductions.
Tactual displays for sensory substitution and wearable computers

A major challenge in building practical wearable computer systems is the development of output devices to display or transmit information to the human user. Much effort has been devoted to visual displays that are lightweight and have high resolution. Such efforts are warranted since visual displays are still the dominant output devices used by most computing systems. Auditory displays are now becoming the norm of multimedia systems in addition to visual displays. Whereas vision is best suited for perceiving text and graphics, and audition for speech and music, the sense of touch is intimately involved in nonverbal communication. Whether it is a tap on the shoulder to get someone's attention or a firm handshake to convey trust, touch enables us to exchange information directly with people and the environment through physical contact. The skin is the largest organ of our body, yet only a small portion of it (i.e., the hands) is engaged in most human-computer interactions.
The effect of cardiopulmonary bypass and inspired oxygen concentration on left ventricular contrast opacification with optison, a second-generation ultrasound contrast agent.

Abstract Objective: To investigate the influence of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and fraction of inspired oxygen (F I O 2 ) on the contrast effect of Optison, a second-generation ultrasound contrast agent, in humans during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Design: Prospective, observational, repeated-measures design. Setting: A single university hospital. Participants: Ten patients who underwent elective CABG surgery. Interventions: A transgastric, midpapillary, short-axis view of the left ventricle was obtained with TEE in the conventional imaging mode. A central injection of 0.3 mL of Optison was administered at 4 stages: after induction of anesthesia at F I O 2 = 1.0 and F I O 2 = 0.43 ± 0.02 and after protamine administration at F I O 2 = 1.0 and F I O 2 = 0.52 ± 0.09. Background-corrected maximal pixel intensity (PImax corr ) in the left ventricle was determined with videodensitometry. To estimate the magnitude of change in pixel intensities, point estimates of differences in PImax corr and their 95% and 99% confidence intervals were calculated after repeated measures analysis of variance. Measurements and Main Results: Decreasing the F I O 2 from 1.0 to corr significantly before or after CPB (mean change = −4.2 and 0.8; SE = 2.0 and 1.9; p = 0.06 and 0.68). Values for PImax corr before and after CPB were not significantly different at either F I O 2 = 1.0 or F I O 2 p = 0.26 and 0.54). Mean differences from initial values ranged from a 10% decrease to a 5% increase. Conclusion: In patients who undergo CABG surgery, the contrast opacification of Optison in the left ventricle is not changed by CPB or alterations in F I O 2 during intraoperative TEE. The application of Optison for enhancement of the endocardial border is not limited during cardiac surgery.
The road to success: factors affecting the speed of promotion of academic radiologists.

Rationale and Objectives. The authors' purpose was to determine the factors influencing the speed of promotion of academic radiologists. Materials and Methods. Three hundred forty-three surveys from faculty members of academic radiology departments with continuous academic careers were analyzed for time in rank at assistant and associate professor levels in relation to publication rate, grant funding rate, and distribution of professional time. Individuals promoted faster than the median time (6 years for assistant professors, 5 years for associate professors) were considered “fast track” and were compared with the remainder of the group. Results. At the assistant professor level, fast track individuals had significantly higher rates of total publications and original articles than did others. At the level of associate professor, fast track individuals had significantly faster rates of publication of original articles, but no significant difference existed in total publication rate. No significant difference was found in the rate of funding of fast track individuals and others. Those with funding were not more likely to be on a fast track than those without funding. Fast track individuals spent significantly more time in administration at the assistant professor level than did other faculty, but no other significant differences were discovered in time distribution at the assistant or associate professor level. Conclusions. The rate of publishing original articles at the assistant and associate professor levels and the rate of overall publication at the assistant professor level were the most important parameters in predicting speed of promotion.
Design of multistage reactors for nonlinear kinetics

Abstract A general procedure is proposed for the analysis and design of continuous multistage reactors in those instances for which the reaction rate expression are nonlinear with respect to concentration. Curves relating the appropriate dimensionless input-output variables are developed for second order reaction and both segregated and microscopic mixing, and illustrate the procedure. The difference in average reaction rate for the two mixing situations does not affect the number of independent parameters of the system. The dimensionless variables were chosen to reduce the number of independent parameters to the minimum necessary. The curves thus developed for second order combination reactions have reduced to a single sheet of graph paper the calculations that previously required a set of curves. The method is readily adapted to multistage calculations including combinations of completely mixed reactors and pipeline reactors.
Education for critical moral consciousness

This paper proposes a lifespan developmental model of critical moral consciousness and examines its implications for education in childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Mature moral consciousness, central to negotiating the challenges of the 21st century, is characterized by a deepening lifelong integration of moral motivation, agency and critical discernment. The paper describes the evolution of moral consciousness through three levels; pre‐critical consciousness (pCC), transitional critical consciousness (tCC) and critical consciousness (CC) and eight chronologically ascending psychosocial themes. It focuses on the first two periods and operationalizes the role of education in cultivating the four dimensions of moral motivation: a moral sense of identity, a sense of responsibility and agency, a deep sense of relatedness on all levels of living and a sense of meaning and life purpose. The paper proposes a re‐envisioning of education in the direction of integrating mind and heart, developing both moral mot...
Status of the applied magnetic field capability on Z

Summary form only given. The capability to apply external magnetic fields is of interest to several areas of research on the Z pulsed power facility. The Inertial Confinement Fusion Program (ICF) will evaluate the modification of fusion plasma particle transport properties via flux compression of applied magnetic fields to >50 MGauss in the Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF) concept.1 The Dynamic Materials Properties (DMP) program will use applied magnetic fields for the Magnetically Applied Pressure Shear (MAPS) technique for measuring dynamic material strengths.2 Other applications and research areas that may be interested in utilizing this applied magnetic field capability include magnetic flux compression experiments, magnetized gas puffs, magnetically stabilized wire-array Z-pinches, and magnetized astrophysical samples for fundamental sciences. The magnetic field generation requirements for the different research areas are similar and have overlapping requirements for field strength (1-10's of T), pulse length (1-10 ms), magnet size (bore diameter and length ~ 1-10 cm), magnetic field energy (10-100's of kJ) and split-magnet topologies for diagnostic and sample access. Because of the unique and energetic nature of experiments on Z, the integration and implementation of applied magnetic fields on Z presents some unique engineering challenges. Preliminary experiments utilizing the applied magnetic field are planned for early this year. The design, implementation, and experimental status of the applied magnetic field capability on Z are described.
Ising Model with First-, Second-, and Third-Neighbor Interactions

The high-temperature expansion of the partition function of an Ising model in zero magnetic field is calculated through terms of ${T}^{\ensuremath{-}9}$ for a fcc lattice and variable first-, second-, and third-neighbor interactions (${J}_{1}$, ${J}_{2}$, and ${J}_{3}$). Values of the transition temperature ${T}_{c}$ and of the first-, second-, and third-neighbor correlation coefficients at $T={T}_{c}$ are given for $\frac{{J}_{2}}{{J}_{1}}$ and $\frac{{J}_{3}}{{J}_{1}}$ each varying between 0 and 2.
Robust gold nanoparticles stabilized by trithiol for application in chemiresistive sensors

The use of gold nanoparticles coated with an organic monolayer of thiol for application in chemiresistive sensors was initiated in the late 1990s; since then, such types of sensors have been widely pursued due to their high sensitivities and reversible responses to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, a major issue for chemical sensors based on thiol-capped gold nanoparticles is their poor long-term stability as a result of slow degradation of the monothiol-to-gold bonds. We have devised a strategy to overcome this limitation by synthesizing a more robust system using Au nanoparticles capped by trithiol ligands. Compared to its monothiol counterpart, the new system is significantly more stable and also shows improved sensitivity towards different types of polar or non-polar VOCs. Thus, the trithiol-Au nanosensor shows great promise for use in real world applications.
Barriers to Effective Ground-Water Management: The California Casea

Ground water meets 40% of California's annual water needs, yet is essentially unmanaged. Current overdrafting is of special concern because supplemental surface supplies are becoming scarcer and more expensive. A dynamic optimization model is used to show that potential benefits from management in the southern San Joaquin area may be substantial. The magnitude of these benefits is sensitive to costs of energy, interest rates, demand for water, and availability of substitute surface supplies. The distribution of benefits from management depends upon the regulatory strategy employed. Collectively, pumpers gain through quota regulation but lose with pump taxes. Individual pumpers may lose even if the collective group benefits. Existing arrangements for ground-water management in California appear inadequate. Statutes permit State regulation of withdrawals where water quality is threatened but only if additional surface supplies are provided. Management may be initiated in the courts at considerable cost. Historically, court action has required supplemental surface supplies. Legal authority exists for local control of withdrawals but has never been used. Resistance to ground-water management in California is widespread and stems from the perception that regulation may impose real losses on individual users even if the majority benefits. Individual fears of economic loss borne for the collective and uncertain gain to larger group constitutes a significant barrier to management Effective management policies will need to be simple, flexible, equitable and inexpensive to administer.
Selective Activation of Vestibular Hair Cells by Infrared Light

Optical stimulation using pulsed infrared light is novel method with potential for selectively stimulating a small group of neurons. In present study, we show that infrared light can selectively activate vestibular hair cells and may offer a novel method to investigate biophysical mechanisms underlying the response. In experiments conducted in toadfish, O. tau, horizontal semicircular canal afferents showed a mix of inhibitory and excitatory responses evoked by infrared radiation. In a subset of afferents the background discharge rate decreased, while in other afferents the background discharge rate increased with infrared radiation. Excitatory vs. inhibitory afferent responses correlated with the dynamic adaptive properties of afferent responses observed during mechanical stimuli. Primary semicircular canal afferents in the toadfish are known to receive convergent inhibitory (GABA) and excitatory (glutamate) synaptic input from hair cells that ultimately shape the afferent discharge response. The present data indicate that afferents known to synapse on glutamatergic hair cells increase their discharge rate with incident infrared light, consistent with depolarization of hair cells and increased tonic release of glutamate. Acceleration-coding afferents which synapse on combinations of Glutamatergic and GABAergic hair cells were observed to reduce their discharge rate with infrared light, again indicating depolarization of hair cells but, in this case the inhibition was consistent with increased release of GABA. Repeated optical radiation elicited depolarization/repolarization of hair cells. Sensitive afferents were observed to phase-lock their discharge with the pulsed light stimulation. Since the entire epithelium was irradiated, this argues against simple kT thermodynamic modulation of hair cell channel kinetics. The results compel the hypotheses that infrared light stimulation increases the open probability of IR-sensitive ion channels and depolarizes hair cells due to the influx of cations. [Supported by NIH R01 DC06685 (Rabbitt, RD) and NIH grant 1R41DC008515-02 (Richter, CP)].
The permeability of reconstituted liposomes containing the purified lens fiber cell integral membrane proteins MP20, MP26 and MP70.

A number of lens fiber cell integral membrane proteins have been localized to junctional regions where they have been proposed to play a role in either mediating or controlling cell-to-cell communication. We have examined the effect of three lens fiber cell membrane proteins, MP20, MP26 and MP70, on the permeability properties of unilamellar phospholipid liposomes. This approach has been previously used to examine the channel-forming properties of MP26. Liposome permeability was determined by measuring the effect of Co2+ on the quenching of the fluorescence of N-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3 diazole phosphatidyl ethanolamine (NBD-PE)-containing liposomes as described previously by Scaglione and Rintoul (Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 30:961–966, 1989). The effect of all three proteins on liposome permeability was similar. Permeability was dependent on the protein/phospholipid ratio and was not significantly affected by agents known to modify gap junctional permeability in vivo. Glycophorin A, a non-channel-forming integral membrane protein derived from erythrocytes, was also shown to increase the permeability of unilamellar phospholipid liposomes. The ability of a non-channel membrane protein to increase Co2+ quenching of NBD-PE-containing liposomes (presumably in a nonspecific manner) indicates that reports describing the permeability of lens membrane protein-containing liposomes should be interpreted with caution in terms of their relationship to cell-to-cell communication.
Cell division of the Escherichia coli lon -mutant

Escherichia coli lon-cells were subjected to treatments which produced a decrease in the DNA/mass ratio of the cell. Thymine starvation, a shift-up from minimal medium to rich medium, and exposure to BUdR each caused greater inhibition of cell division in lon-cells than in lon+cells. DNA metabolism was found to be the same in both lon+and lon-cells during these treatments. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the lon-defect leads to inhibition of cell division under conditions which produce a decreased DNA/mass ratio.
Developing an arterial bleed detection algorithm for diagnostic ultrasound

While trained sonographers can reliably diagnose arterial injury using imaging ultrasound in the hospital, a portable ultrasound device with an automated algorithm to detect major bleeding would be useful for medics in the field. We characterized normal blood flow in the upper extremities with an image-based flow model and evaluated its ability to detect vascular abnormalities by looking for flows that deviate from the model.
When the social mirror breaks: deficits in automatic, but not voluntary, mimicry of emotional facial expressions in autism

Humans, infants and adults alike, automatically mimic a variety of behaviors. Such mimicry facilitates social functioning, including establishment of interpersonal rapport and understanding of other minds. This fundamental social process may thus be impaired in disorders such as autism characterized by socio-emotional and communicative deficits. We examined automatic and voluntary mimicry of emotional facial expression among adolescents and adults with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) and a typical sample matched on age, gender and verbal intelligence. Participants viewed pictures of happy and angry expressions while the activity over their cheek and brow muscle region was monitored with electromyography (EMG). ASD participants did not automatically mimic facial expressions whereas the typically developing participants did. However, both groups showed evidence of successful voluntary mimicry. The data suggest that autism is associated with an impairment of a basic automatic social-emotion process. Results have implications for understanding typical and atypical social cognition.
Microstructural and Mineralogical Characterization of Cement Kiln Dust-Activated Fly Ash Binder

A clinker-free binder for making sustainable concrete was developed using cement kiln dust (CKD) and Class F fly ash. The CKD-activated fly ash binder developed a compressive strength of approximately 30 MPa after 48 h of elevated temperature curing. The mineralogical composition of the developed clinker-free binder was determined with the help of thermogravimetric and X-ray analysis. Microstructure of the hardened binder was examined to identify phases using a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray detector. Various reaction products, such as calcium aluminosilicate hydrate (C-A-S-H), ettringite (Aft), and calcium silicate hydrate, were identified in the hardened clinker-free binder. The major contribution to strength development is attributed to the C-A-S-H gel, which was found extensively as a ground mass in the hardened CKD-activated fly ash system.
Ordering relations in human and machine planning

Analytical results from AI planning research provide the motivation for this experimental study of ordering relationships in human planning. We examine timings of humans performing specific tasks from the AI planning literature and present evidence that normal human planners, like "state of the art" AI planning systems, use partial-order plan representations. We also describe ongoing experiments that are designed to shed light on the plan representations used by children and by adults with planning deficits due to brain damage. Several points of interest for collaboration between AI scientists and neuropsychologists are noted, as are impacts that we feel this research may have on future work in AI planning.
Flexible scheduling and control of bandwidth and in-transit services for end-to-end application workflows

Emerging end-to-end scientific applications that integrate high-end experiments and instruments with large scale simulations and end-user displays, require complex couplings and data sharing between distributed components involving large data volumes and varying hard (in-time data delivery) and soft (in-transit processing) quality of service (QoS) requirements. As a result, efficient data transport is a key requirement of such workflows. In this paper, we leverage software-defined networking (SDN) to address issues of data transport service control and resource provisioning to meet varying QoS requirements from multiple coupled workflows sharing the same service medium. Specifically, we present a flexible control and a disciplined resource scheduling approach for data transport services of science networks. Furthermore, we emulate an SDN testbed on top of the FutureGrid virtualized testbed and use it to evaluate our approach for a realistic scientific workflow. Our results show that SDN-based control and resource scheduling based on simple intuitive models can meet the coupling requirement with high resource utilization.
Methanol-associated matrix effects in electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

Background: Matrix effects can profoundly reduce the performance of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Preliminary observations indicated that the methanol used in the mobile phase could be a source of differential ionization or ion suppression. Methods: Drug stability studies, analysis of biological extracts, mixing experiments, and postcolumn infusions were used to test 9 commercial methanols for ionization differences in liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assays for immunosuppressants. Area responses for the drugs and internal standards were compared for mobile phases prepared with each selected methanol. Postcolumn infusion experiments were performed to confirm the degree of ionization differences occurring at the ion source, and to evaluate the proportions of ammonium, sodium, and potassium adducts. Results: The decrease in signal for the immunosuppressant drugs was shown to result from differential ionization associated with the selected methanols. Product ion intensity varied by 10-fold among the methanols tested. For sirolimus, tacrolimus, and mycophenolic acid, the percentage change in ionization was the same for the drug and its corresponding internal standard. Postcolumn sirolimus infusion evaluation revealed that a 1000-fold analyte concentration difference did not affect ionization. The proportions of ammonium, sodium, and potassium adducts of sirolimus precursor ions differed in relation to the source of methanol. Conclusions: Organic solvents used in mobile phases and extract preparation of biological samples may be associated with ion suppression, affecting adduct formation and assay sensitivity.
Effects of chlorine and chloramines on earthy and musty odors in drinking water

Water treatment plants in the US may operate under the assumption that chlorine masks earthy and musty odors from geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) in drinking water. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the effects of chlorine and chloramines on geosmin and MIB by two sensory analysis approaches - a statistical Pairwise Comparison Test, and Flavor Profile Analysis (FPA). All Pairwise Ranking test statistics were significant ( p <0.05); we conclude that panelists can differentiate minor differences in geosmin and MIB concentrations in a Pairwise Comparison Test even in the presence of chlorine. FPA appeared to be more challenging in discerning subtle differences in concentrations of geosmin or MIB than did the Pairwise Comparison Test, and the presence of chlorine (0.5-20 mg/L) and chloramines (3-24 mg/L) confused the panelists (i.e showed a larger error in the intensity of response reported by the panel), but did not necessarily mask geosmin or MIB.
The Dynamics of Public Opinion on Cultural Policy Issues in the U.S., 1972-2010

This study investigates the dynamics of public opinion on cultural policy issues over the past four decades. We find collective opinions on many such issues follow the same path over time, driven by an underlying cultural policy mood (CPM). We use more than 2,000 survey marginals, nested in more than 200 time series, that reflect aggregate opinions in 16 cultural policy domains, across 38 years. Using a dynamic principal components method, the results show that since the early 1970s, CPM has moved steadily and consistently in a liberal direction. Over this period, changes in CPM have been tightly linked to changes in aggregate religiosity. Opinion on two notable cultural issues—the death penalty and abortion—do not follow CPM. While public opinion has grown increasingly anti-death-penalty for more than a decade, over roughly the same period it has become as pro-life on abortion as at any time since Roe v. Wade. The measurement of CPM provides evidence of a macro construct of cultural issues that includes opinion toward many, but not all, morality policies.