cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A New Reliability Evaluation Methodology With Application to Lifetime Oriented Circuit Design

We propose a new circuit-level vulnerability and reliability evaluation methodology and utilize it to develop a lifetime aware floorplanning strategy. Our work is motivated by increasingly adverse aging failure mechanisms, which have made reliability a growing fundamental challenge in the design of integrated circuits. Because the proposed methodology is based on a divide-and-conquer approach, it enjoys the benefits of transistor level accuracy and of block-level efficiency. At the core of the lifetime estimation engine lies a Monte Carlo algorithm which works with failure times modeled as Weibull and lognormal distributions for several aging mechanisms including time-dependent dielectric breakdown, negative bias temperature instability, electromigration, thermal cycling, and stress migration. To demonstrate the value of the proposed reliability evaluation methodology and floorplanning strategy, we apply them to a network-on-chip router design example. The new floorplanning approach is able to find floorplans with up to 15% difference in the lifetime of the router design. In addition, the proposed reliability evaluation methodology identifies the routing computation and virtual channel allocation units as the most vulnerable subblocks of the design. Such information can be very useful to designers to predict circuit and system mean time to failure and to focus on cost-effective design techniques targeted at specific parts of the design to improve its lifetime.
Reliability of a System Having Standby Spare Plus Multiple-Repair Capability

The reliability of a system having two identical and repairable units, one of which is operating while the other is in inactive standby, is treated. It is assumed that each unit has independent exponentially distributed failure times and independent gamma distributed repair times. The failure rate is ?, and the mean time to repair is ?. Formulas are derived which express system reliability and expected time to system failure, specifically, as a function of the capability for one repair, two repairs, and so on. Results are presented in graphical form. Important conclusions are: 1) the benefit of repair capability is negligible when ?? > 0.5; 2) the choice of the repair time distribution does not influence the results when ?? < 0.2; and 3) the effect of repair capability is comparable to that of additional standby units when ?? < 0.01.
One milliarcsecond precision studies in the regions of Delta Equulei and Chi(sup 1) Orionis

Trigonometric parallaxes for stars in the regions of the binary stars Delta Equulei (HR 8123) and Chi(sup l) Orionis (HR 2047) are derived from data collected with the Multichannel Astrometric Photometer (MAP) and the Thaw Refractor of the University of Pittsburgh's Allegheny Observatory. The weighted mean parallax of all trigonometric studies of delta Equ is now +5.42 +/- 0.93 mas, corresponding to absolute magnitudes of 3.87 +/- 0.04 and 3.95 +/- 0.04 mag, respectively, for the primary and secondary. Using the Popper and Dworetsky orbit we find a photocentric semimajor axis of 2.9 +/- 0.8 mas and individual masses of 1.21 +/- 0.090 and 1.19 +/- 0.088 solar masses, respectively, for the primary and secondary components. The weighted mean trigonometric parallax of all studies of the binary star Chi(sup l) Ori is +111.0 +/- 0.92 mas, implying an absolute visual magnitude for the dominant GO V primary of 4.63 +/- 0.018 mag. The photocentric semimajor axis, derived from a fraction of the orbit, is 96.9 +/- 5.4 mas.
Structures of the Procapsid and Mature Virion of Enterovirus 71 Strain 1095

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is an important emerging human pathogen with a global distribution and presents a disease pattern resembling poliomyelitis with seasonal epidemics that include cases of severe neurological complications, such as acute flaccid paralysis. EV71 is a member of the Picornaviridae family, which consists of icosahedral, nonenveloped, single-stranded RNA viruses. Here we report structures derived from X-ray crystallography and cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) for the 1095 strain of EV71, including a putative precursor in virus assembly, the procapsid, and the mature virus capsid. The cryo-EM map of the procapsid provides new structural information on portions of the capsid proteins VP0 and VP1 that are disordered in the higher-resolution crystal structures. Our structures solved from virus particles in solution are largely in agreement with those from prior X-ray crystallographic studies; however, we observe small but significant structural differences for the 1095 procapsid compared to a structure solved in a previous study (X. Wang, W. Peng, J. Ren, Z. Hu, J. Xu, Z. Lou, X. Li, W. Yin, X. Shen, C. Porta, T. S. Walter, G. Evans, D. Axford, R. Owen, D. J. Rowlands, J. Wang, D. I. Stuart, E. E. Fry, and Z. Rao, Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol. 19:424-429, 2012) for a different strain of EV71. For both EV71 strains, the procapsid is significantly larger in diameter than the mature capsid, unlike in any other picornavirus. Nonetheless, our results demonstrate that picornavirus capsid expansion is possible without RNA encapsidation and that picornavirus assembly may involve an inward radial collapse of the procapsid to yield the native virion.
Intranasal Delivery of Proteins and Peptides in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases.

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a major impediment to the therapeutic delivery of peptides and proteins to the brain. Intranasal delivery often provides a non-invasive means to bypass the BBB. Advantages of using intranasal delivery include minimizing exposure to peripheral organs and tissues, thus reducing systemic side effects. It also allows substances that typically have rapid degradation in the blood time to exert their effect. Intranasal delivery provides the ability to target proteins and peptides to specific regions of the brain when administered with substrates like cyclodextrins. In this review, we examined the use of intranasal delivery of various proteins and peptides that have implications in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, focusing especially on albumin, exendin/GLP-1, GALP, insulin, leptin, and PACAP. We have described their rationale for use, distribution in the brain after intranasal injection, how intranasal administration differed from other modes of delivery, and their use in clinical trials, if applicable. Intranasal delivery of drugs, peptides, and other proteins could be very useful in the future for the prevention or treatment of brain related diseases.
Policy Options for Integrated Energy and Agricultural Markets

I the past, agricultural markets have been well integrated. Markets for different energy commodities, especially liquid energy products, also have been tightly linked. But agricultural markets and energy markets have not been closely correlated. Table 1 contains partial correlation coefficients between pairwise prices (both levels and first differences) of corn, soybeans, crude oil, gasoline, and ethanol obtained from monthly data for the period 1982–2007. Clearly, the energy pair correlations are quite high ranging from 0.86 to 0.98, while the energy agricultural correlations are quite low, ranging from 0.13 to 0.25. The corn-soybean pair has a correlation of 0.72. Historically recognizing this market separation, we have evaluated energy and agricultural commodities and policies apart. Can we continue to do that in the future? Until 2002, the fraction of the U.S. corn crop going to ethanol had always been less than 10%. As recently as 2004, it was about 11%. But in 2007, the fraction of the corn crop going to ethanol will be about 22%, double that three years ago—even with about a 25% increase in corn production in 2007. This fraction may exceed 30% in 2008 and it could even approach 40% depending on what happens to corn acreage and production. Massive production of energy, mainly liquid fuels, from agricultural resources will link agricultural and energy markets tightly (Schmidhuber). The new market integration is perhaps the most fundamentally important change to occur in agriculture in decades. The link between energy and agricultural markets requires an integrated environment to study these markets and design policy alternatives to guide them toward designated goals. This article develops an integrated partial equilibrium framework to analyze economic impacts of four alternative policies that can be implemented in promoting ethanol
Residential and Racial Mortality Differentials in the South by Cause of Death1

Mortality levels and differences by metropolitan-nonmetropolitan residence for blacks and whites are examined in the South using life-table techniques. Life tables are constructed for Southern subpopulations using U.S. vital statistics and census data for 1980, and differences in the life expectancies are decomposed by cause of death. Results suggest that life expectancy is higher for metropolitan and white populations. Racial mortality differences are slightly greater in metropolitan areas of the South when compared to the nonmetropolitan South. Residential mortality differences are attributable mainly to differences in the effects of heart disease and accidents. Most of the racial mortality difference is due to differences in effects of malignant neoplasms, cardiovascular disease, perinatal conditions, and homicide. Policy efforts aimed at specific causes of death in specific populations are suggested as a means of reducing racial or residential life expectancy differentials.
An Alternative Interpretation of the Relationship between the Inferred Open Solar Flux and the Interplanetary Magnetic Field

Photospheric observations at the Wilcox Solar Observatory (WSO) represent an uninterrupted data set of 32 years and are therefore unique for modeling variations in the magnetic structure of the corona and inner heliosphere over three solar cycles. For many years, modelers have applied a latitudinal correction factor to these data, believing that it provided a better estimate of the line-of-sight magnetic field. Its application was defended by arguing that the computed open flux matched observations of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) significantly better than the original WSO correction factor. However, no physically based argument could be made for its use. In this Letter we explore the implications of using the constant correction factor on the value and variation of the computed open solar flux and its relationship to the measured IMF. We find that it does not match the measured IMF at 1 AU except at and surrounding solar minimum. However, we argue that interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) may provide sufficient additional magnetic flux to the extent that a remarkably good match is found between the sum of the computed open flux and inferred ICME flux and the measured flux at 1 AU. If further substantiated, the implications of this interpretation may be significant, including a better understanding of the structure and strength of the coronal field and I N providing constraints for theories of field line transport in the corona, the modulation of galactic cosmic rays, and even possibly terrestrial climate effects.
Peritonitis involving Capnocytophaga ochracea.

Abstract Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, due to Capnocytophaga ochracea, developed in a 65-year-old alcoholic patient with extensive cirrhosis and ascites. Previously reported human infections with this organism have included peridontal diseases, septicemia, and arthritis. This is the first report of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis associated with Capnocytophaga species.
A distributed network-sensor based intrusion detection framework in enterprise networks

In this paper, we propose a distributed network sensor based intrusion detection framework to detect the emerging stealthy attacks, including malware propagation in enterprise networks. In this framework, we consider the distributed detection agents on hosts, which monitor network traffic and other anomalies on the hosts, efficiently process and aggregate detection data, and generates attack alerts. The control center collects information from the distributed detection agents and detects the attacks and compromised hosts. We develop techniques, including a deep packet inspection to process network traffic efficiently, detection algorithms (e.g., passive/ active discovery mechanisms to identify compromised hosts). To demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed framework, we have implemented a proof-of-concept system and conducted real-world experiments. Our data show the effectiveness of our approach to detect attacks, including the malware propagation.
ERRATUM Br. J. Anaesth, 50, 295

Sir,—On page 295, under Patients and Methods, in the sentence "After a fast of at least 8 h, the subjects rested quietly in the supine position and studies were performed according to our standard technique (Brock-Utne, et al., 1976)", the reference should be Brock-Utne et al. (1977). The reason is that for practical and technical purposes we changed our multilumen polyvinyl tube to three portex polythylene, No.54 plastic tubes, assembled together at the distal end. Otherwise the methodology is identical to 1976. The only study in which we used the polyvinyl tube was in the paper of 1796.
Relatedness threshold for the production of female sexuals in colonies of a polygynous ant, Myrmica tahoensis, as revealed by microsatellite DNA analysis

The genetic relationships of colony members in the ant Myrmica tahoensis were determined on the basis of highly polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci. These analyses show that colonies fall into one of two classes. In roughly half of the sampled colonies, workers and female offspring appear to be full sisters. The remaining colonies contain offspring produced by two or more queens. Colonies that produce female sexuals are always composed of highly related females, while colonies that produce males often show low levels of nestmate relatedness. These results support theoretical predictions that workers should skew sex allocation in response to relatedness asymmetries found within colonies. The existence of a relatedness threshold below which female sexuals are not produced suggests a possible mechanism for worker perception of relatedness. Two results indicate that workers use genetic cues, not queen number, in making sex-allocation decisions. (i) The number of queens in a colony was not significantly correlated with either the level of relatedness asymmetry or the sex ratio. (ii) Sex-ratio shifts consistent with a genetically based mechanism of relatedness assessment were seen in an experiment involving transfers of larvae among unrelated nests. Thus workers appear to make sex-allocation decisions on the basis of larval cues and appear to be able to adjust sex ratios long after egg laying.
How Mitochondria Redefine the Code

Annotated, complete DNA sequences are available for 213 mitochondrial genomes from 132 species. These provide an extensive sample of evolutionary adjustment of codon usage and meaning spanning the history of this organelle. Because most known coding changes are mitochondrial, such data bear on the general mechanism of codon reassignment. Coding changes have been attributed variously to loss of codons due to changes in directional mutation affecting the genome GC content (Osawa and Jukes 1988), to pressure to reduce the number of mitochondrial tRNAs to minimize the genome size (Anderson and Kurland 1991), and to the existence of transitional coding mechanisms in which translation is ambiguous (Schultz and Yarus 1994a). We find that a succession of such steps explains existing reassignments well. In particular, (1) Genomic variation in the prevalence of a codon's third-position nucleotide predicts relative mitochondrial codon usage well, though GC content does not. This is because A and T, and G and C, are uncorrelated in mitochondrial genomes. (2) Codons predicted to reach zero usage (disappear) do so more often than expected by chance, and codons that do disappear are disproportionately likely to be reassigned. However, codons predicted to disappear are not significantly more likely to be reassigned. Therefore, low codon frequencies can be related to codon reassignment, but appear to be neither necessary nor sufficient for reassignment. (3) Changes in the genetic code are not more likely to accompany smaller numbers of tRNA genes and are not more frequent in smaller genomes. Thus, mitochondrial codons are not reassigned during demonstrable selection for decreased genome size. Instead, the data suggest that both codon disappearance and codon reassignment depend on at least one other event. This mitochondrial event (leading to reassignment) occurs more frequently when a codon has disappeared, and produces only a small subset of possible reassignments. We suggest that coding ambiguity, the extension of a tRNA's decoding capacity beyond its original set of codons, is the second event. Ambiguity can act alone but often acts in concert with codon disappearance, which promotes codon reassignment.
Ionospheric topography maps using multiple-wavelength all-sky images

We outline a technique to create three-dimensional topographic maps of the Earth's ionosphere. Using all-sky images at 630.0 and 777.4 nm taken with the Cornell All-Sky Imager (CASI) while located at the Arecibo Observatory, we can estimate the maximum density (Nm) and the height (Hm) of the F layer over a 1000 × 1000 km area. This is possible because to first order, the 777.4 nm emission, produced by radiative recombination, is proportional to the integral of the square of the plasma density, whereas the 630.0 nm line, produced by charge exchange and dissociative recombination, depends on both plasma height and density. Using the neutral atmosphere given by the Mass Spectrometer Incoherent Scatter (MSIS-86) model and electron densities from the international reference ionosphere 1995 (IRI-95) model, we show that the estimates given by these maps are good to within 5% of the values used as input into the models. These errors are slightly larger (10%) when extreme gradients in the height of the F layer are present. We apply our technique to two different nights in 1999. In one example these maps show a steeply rising ridge of ionization stretching equatorward of the Caribbean site, punctuated by a series of parallel ridges and valleys. We compare these observations with previous work at Arecibo during very high magnetic activity. In our case we find no evidence for particle precipitation and agree with Sahai et al. [1981a] that spatial variations may have affected the earlier study. Another example shows the Appleton anomaly much farther north than normal. Instability processes are indicated in the former case, while physical mechanisms associated with a magnetic storm are explored in the latter case.
Subtraktionen in Propagatoren und Vertexfunktionen gebundener Teilchen

The purpose of this note is to clarify the arbitrariness of subtraction parameters appearing in the propagator and the vertex function of a composite particle. Although a certain subtraction parameter in the vertex function can be fixed by asymptotic requirements, another arbitrary parameter necessarily remains. This parameter is related to the FREDHOLM character of the integral equation for the one-particle irreducible part of the scattering amplitude. It is shown that only this parameter is connected with the propagator subtraction or the arbitrary vertex pole position, respectively.
The mammalian Scribble polarity protein regulates epithelial cell adhesion and migration through E-cadherin.

Scribble (Scrib) is a conserved polarity protein required in Drosophila melanogaster for synaptic function, neuroblast differentiation, and epithelial polarization. It is also a tumor suppressor. In rodents, Scrib has been implicated in receptor recycling and planar polarity but not in apical/basal polarity. We now show that knockdown of Scrib disrupts adhesion between Madin–Darby canine kidney epithelial cells. As a consequence, the cells acquire a mesenchymal appearance, migrate more rapidly, and lose directionality. Although tight junction assembly is delayed, confluent monolayers remain polarized. These effects are independent of Rac activation or Scrib binding to βPIX. Rather, Scrib depletion disrupts E-cadherin–mediated cell–cell adhesion. The changes in morphology and migration are phenocopied by E-cadherin knockdown. Adhesion is partially rescued by expression of an E-cadherin–α-catenin fusion protein but not by E-cadherin–green fluorescent protein. These results suggest that Scrib stabilizes the coupling between E-cadherin and the catenins and are consistent with the idea that mammalian Scrib could behave as a tumor suppressor by regulating epithelial cell adhesion and migration.
Analysis by high performance liquid chromatography of cyclooxygenase products of arachidonic acid metabolism in plasma of rabbits bearing the VX2 carcinoma.

Abstract Cyclooxygenase products of arachidonic acid metabolism in the plasma of normal rabbits and animals bearing the VX2 carcinoma were separated by high performance liquid chromatography and the effluent fractions assayed by serologic methods. The products measured were 6-keto-PGFlα, thromboxane B2, PGE2, PGF2α, 13,14-dihydro-PGE2, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGE2, 15-keto-PGE2, and 13,4-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2α. In hypercalcemic, tumor-bearing rabbts, the plasma concentrations o 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGE2 and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2α were markedly elevated (in the range of 0.5 to 16 ng/ml). Previously unmeasured 6-keto-PGF1α, thromboxape B2, 13,14-dihydro-PGE2 and 15-keto-PGE2 were not found in high concentrations in the plasma of tumor-bearing rabbits. These results add further support to our conclusion that the VX2 tumor produces hypercalcemia in the host by a mechanism which utilizes PGE2, rather than a subsequent metabolite of this prostaglandin, as the mediator between the neoplasm and bone.
0.13-μm optical lithography for random logic devices using 248-nm attenuated phase-shifting masks

We report here a lithography process for 0.13 micrometers lines using a high NA 248 nm scanner and attenuated phase-shifting masks (AttPSM) employing optical proximity correction with optimized assisting features. Our current result indicate a common depth of focus of 0.5 micrometers and exposure latitude of 10 percent for lines with line/space ratios from 1:1.2 to isolated. The mask error factor with assisting feature ranges from 1.2 to 1.5 depending on the duty ratio. The line edge roughness is less than 8 nm for our current KrF resist with AttPSM. We also explore the feasibility of strong and weak quadrupole illumination for process enhancement. The results show promising potential for proximity reduction and process window enhancement. Considering practical implementation in foundry fabs, we decided to concentrate our efforts on AttPSM with annular illumination plus OPC with assisting features. Our investigation indicates that 248 nm AttPSM technology is very attractive for 0.13 micrometers device fabrication.
Shifts in Microbial Community Composition Following Surface Application of Dredged River Sediments

Sediment input to the Illinois River has drastically decreased river depth and reduced habitats for aquatic organisms. Dredging is being used to remove sediment from the Illinois River, and the dredged sediment is being applied to the surface of a brownfield site in Chicago with the goal of revegetating the site. In order to determine the effects of this drastic habitat change on sediment microbial communities, we examined sediment physical, chemical, and microbial characteristics at the time of sediment application to the soil surface as well as 1 and 2 years after application. Microbial community biomass was determined by measurement of lipid phosphate. Microbial community composition was assessed using phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis, terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis of 16S rRNA genes, and clone library sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. Results indicated that the moisture content, organic carbon, and total nitrogen content of the sediment all decreased over time. Total microbial biomass did not change over the course of the study, but there were significant changes in the composition of the microbial communities. PLFA analysis revealed relative increases in fungi, actinomycetes, and Gram positive bacteria. T-RFLP analysis indicated a significant shift in bacterial community composition within 1 year of application, and clone library analysis revealed relative increases in Proteobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, and Bacteriodetes and relative decreases in Acidobacteria, Spirochaetes, and Planctomycetes. These results provide insight into microbial community shifts following land application of dredged sediment.
Benchmarking study of 3D mask modeling for 2X and 1X nodes

With ever shrinking critical dimensions, half nm OPC errors are a primary focus for process improvement in computational lithography. Among many error sources for 2x and 1x nodes, 3D mask modeling has caught the attention of engineers and scientists as a method to reduce errors at these nodes. While the benefits of 3D mask modeling are well known, there will be a runtime penalty of 30-40% that needs to be weighed against the benefit of optical model accuracy improvements. The economically beneficial node to adopt 3D mask modeling has to be determined by balancing these factors. In this paper, a benchmarking study has been conducted on a 20nm cut mask, metal and via layers with two different computational lithography approaches as compared with standard thin-mask approximation modeling. Besides basic RMS error metrics for model calibration and verification, through pitch and through size optical proximity behavior, through focus model predictability, best focus prediction and common DOF prediction are thoroughly evaluated. Runtime impact and OPC accuracy are also studied.
Architecture requirements for Ethical, accurate, and resilient Unmanned Aerial Personal Remote Sensing

It is undisputed that number of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) will increase in the coming years. Small unmanned aerial scientific remote sensing systems or “data drones” have great potential to assist the human race with difficult problems such as water management and biofuel production, provided these systems can be integrated properly into society and airspace. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ideally will present rules for integrating UASs into National Aerospace System (NAS) by 2015. Ethics, safety, and data quality are the fundamental architectural components required for successful operation of autonomous aerial remote sensing systems, enabling integration into society and ultimately providing the benefits of these emerging technologies. In aviation, safety is the primary concern. In case of UAS and Personal Remote Sensing (PRS), the sole purpose of flight is to collect data; thus data is the Mission (i.e., the sole reason for airspace usage). Ethical principles for collection of information and personal privacy must also be included, to justify the use of UASs in civil (public) airspace while upholding the rights expected by civilians. Policies, standards, and agreements on architecture are necessary for producing systems which adhere to these fundamentals; aerial systems must include these basic properties in their designs to allow for lasting harmony between society and unmanned systems. In this paper, it is shown that any architecture which accomplishes this integration task must be compliant with the Architecture for Ethical Remote Information Sensing (AERIS) requirements. Several existing consumer-grade SUASs are evaluated based on these criteria and suggestions for AERIS compliance are given.
Labile phosphate in flooded soil as influenced by mineral nutrition of rice plants

Abstract Labile phosphate in flooded soil, subjected to increasing levels of N, P, and K applications, was measured based on isotopic dilution technique (L‐value) four times during rice growing period and at maturity in a growth chamber experiment. Labile P based on isotopic exchange technique (E‐value) was also determined at the end of the experiment. The L‐values in general were fairly steady, increasing, and decreasing, respectively, during 30 to 50 days, 51 to 80 days, and 81 to 150 days. Reactions at soil/root interface favoring anaerobic condition, and increasing microbes responsible for reducing ferric phosphate were attributed to cause an increase in labile P, thus was termed as crop induced P mineralization. The reoxidation of soil/root interface leading to oxidation of ferrous to ferric was thought to be responsible for P immobilization. The labile P status increased with increasing N or P application during the initial period. Later on until the mid growing period labile P status increased at a...
Design and analysis of multi-hospital kidney exchange mechanisms using random graphs

Kidney exchanges enable transplants when a pair of a patient and an incompatible donor is matched with other similar pairs. In multi-hospital kidney exchanges pairs are pooled from multiple hospitals, and each hospital is able to decide which pairs to report and which to hide and match locally. Modeling the problem as a maximum matching on a random graph, we rst establish that the expected benet from pooling scales as the square-root of the number of pairs in each hospital. We design the xCM mechanism, which achieves eciency and incentivizes hospitals of moderate-to-large size to fully report their pairs. Reciprocal pairs are crucial in the design, with the probabilistic uniform rule used to ensure incentive alignment. By grouping certain pair types into so-called virtual-reciprocal pairs, xCM extends to handle 3cycles. We validate the performance of xCM in simulation, demonstrating its eciency and incentive advantages over the Bonus mechanism [3].
Partner-Specific Anger Management as a Mediator of the Relation between Mindfulness and Female Perpetrated Dating Violence.

OBJECTIVE: The current study examined the relationship between facets of mindfulness, partner-specific anger management, and female perpetrated dating violence. In addition, we examined whether anger management mediated the relation between mindfulness and psychological and physical aggression perpetration. METHOD: Female undergraduate students (n = 481) completed self-report measures of mindfulness, partner-specific anger management, and dating violence perpetration. RESULTS: The mindfulness facets of nonreactivity, act with awareness, and nonjudging, as well as anger management, were associated with dating violence perpetration. After controlling for dating violence victimization, structural equation modeling (SEM) demonstrated that anger management fully mediated the relation between nonreactivity and act with awareness and psychological and physical aggression perpetration. Moreover, specific anger management components (escalating strategies and negative attributions) were largely responsible for the mediation findings. CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the first studies to demonstrate a relation between mindfulness and aggression perpetration, and the first to examine theoretically proposed mechanisms responsible for this relationship. Dating violence prevention programs may benefit from including mindfulness-based interventions to improve anger management and reduce aggressive behavior.
Accruing preclinical evidence about metabotropic glutamate 5 receptor antagonists as treatments for drug dependence highlights the irreplaceable contributions of animal studies to the discovery of new medications for human disorders

Accruing Preclinical Evidence about Metabotropic Glutamate 5 Receptor Antagonists as Treatments for Drug Dependence Highlights the Irreplaceable Contributions of Animal Studies to the Discovery of New Medications for Human Disorders
Tumor cell resistance to DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors: new developments

Abstract DNA topoisomerases are critical enzymes involved in replication, transcription, chromatin assembly and other aspects of DNA metabolism. They are also the targets of important anticancer drugs. The type II topoisomerases are specific targets of drug classes that comprise complex-stabilizing (epipodophyllotoxins, anthracyclines) and catalytic (merbarone, bisdioxopiperazines) inhibitors. In this review, we update our current knowledge of resistance to the antitumor inhibitors of the type II DNA topoisomerases, with special emphasis on the catalytic inhibitors, since novel catalytic inhibitor resistant cell lines have only recently been described. Resistance to topoisomerase II inhibitors can manifest as decreased or increased expression of or mutation in the topoisomerase II genes. However, the tumor cell’s response to exposure to these inhibitors involves more than the target enzyme, and these other responses are a major focus of this review. Such cellular changes are associated with and may contribute to the drug resistance phenotype. They involve decreased drug accumulation due to expression of membrane ‘pump’ proteins, altered cytotoxic signaling through stress-activated protein kinases, and alterations in apoptosis and cell cycle proteins (e.g. Bcl-2, Bax, p53, Rb). While it is evident that mutation in or altered expression of the topoisomerase II genes are sufficient to confer resistance to topoisomerase inhibitors, it is not clear whether the other changes are a consequence of the selection or a response to the cytotoxic insult, nor is it clear how these other cellular changes contribute to the drug resistance phenotype.
Writing the Biography of Hans Bethe: Contextual History and Paul Forman1

Some facets of the life of Hans Bethe after World War II are presented to illustrate how Paul Forman’s works, and in particular his various theses—on mathematics and physics in Wilhelmine and Weimar Germany, on physics in the immediate post-World War II period, and on postmodernity—have influenced my biography of Bethe. Some aspects of the history of post-World War II quantum field theory, of solid state/condensed matter physics, and of the development of neoliberalism—the commitment to the belief that the market knows best, to free trade, to enhanced privatization, and to a drastic reduction of the government’s role in regulating the economy—are reviewed in order to make some observations regarding certain “top-down” views in solid state physics in postmodernity, the economic and cultural condition of many Western societies since the 1980s, the decade in which many historians assume modernity to have ended.
Transient expression of glutamate decarboxylase and gamma-amino butyric acid in embryonic lens fibers of the rat.

We have determined the localization and developmental expression of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD67) in the rat lens. Immunofluorescence experiments showed that GAD67 was transiently expressed in the nuclear fiber cells of the lens between embryonic days (E) 15 and 20, with maximal immunostaining occurring on E17 and E18. γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) co-localized with GAD67 in the embryonic nuclear fiber cells. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests showed that at least three alternatively spliced forms of GAD67 mRNA, including mRNAs with and without the I80 and the I86 insert, were transiently co-expressed with GAD67 in the embryonic lens. The major GAD67 protein in the lens was 67 kDa. We conclude that enzymatically active GAD67 is transiently expressed in the lens nuclear fiber cells of the embryonic rat. The transient expression is regulated by transcriptional and/or posttranscriptional processes. We speculate on the basis of possible common gene regulatory elements for glutamate and ornithine decarboxylases and the involvement of these enzymes with polyamine synthesis, that the transient expression of GAD67 may be connected to nuclear and/or DNA breakdown during lens fiber cell differentiation. ©1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Progression of asymptomatic carotid stenosis despite optimal medical therapy.

Background Despite level 1 evidence in support of carotid endarterectomy vs medical therapy in selected asymptomatic patients, an alternative posture is that optimal medical therapy (OMT) has not been adequately studied and that such OMT has reduced stroke risk in asymptomatic patients to levels wherein carotid endarterectomy is no longer justified. The goal of this study was to determine the natural history of patients with asymptomatic moderate (50%-69%) carotid artery stenosis (AMCAS) in a contemporary cohort as a function of their associated medical therapy. Methods Patients with AMCAS determined by duplex ultrasound (DUS) from 2005-2006 were identified in our hospital database. Patients were included in the cohort if they had at least one additional DUS during the 6-year follow-up interval. Patient characteristics including medication history and lipid levels were collected. Patients were considered to have OMT if they were on aspirin and a statin with a low-density lipoprotein level that was always Results There were 900 carotid arteries in 794 patients in the study cohort. The average age was 72.5 years, 77.2% had hypertension, 59.6% had coronary artery disease, and 87.1% were on a statin throughout the study. The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was always normal ( P = .0004). The 5-year freedom from plaque progression was 61.2% ± 2.1% with no benefit from OMT vs the control group. Multivariate predictors of plaque progression were chronic kidney disease (HR, 2.1; CI, 1.2-3.7; P = .009), aspirin use (HR, 1.9; CI, 1.2-3.0; P = .01), and the use of calcium channel blockers (HR, 1.4; CI, 1.1-1.8; P = .007). There were 90 (11.3%) patients who developed INS during follow-up (58% of these were strokes), and the 5-year freedom from INS was 88.4% ± 1.5%. Multivariate predictors of INS were diabetes (HR, 2.3; CI, 1.5-3.6; P = .0002) and warfarin use (HR, 1.9; CI, 1.2-2.9; P = .009); while statin use (HR, 0.37; CI, 0.22-0.65; P = .0005) was protective against symptom development. Conclusions At the 5-year of follow-up, OMT failed to prevent carotid disease progression or development of ipsilateral symptoms in 45% of patients with AMCAS.
A revision of the South African myrmecophile Diplocotidus (Coleoptera: Ptinidae)

The southern African myrmecophilous ptinine genus, Diplocotidus Peringuey, is redescribed, and two new species are described. New species and collection localities increase the known distribution from the Cape region to the Kruger National Park in the east, and central Namibia in the west. There is little doubt that the species are associated with ants in some manner as typified by the trichomes located on the pronota.
Improved bone marrow stromal cell adhesion on micropatterned Titanium surfaces

Implant longevity is desired for all bone replacements and fixatives. Titanium (Ti) implants fail due to lack of juxtaposed bone formation, resulting in implant loosening. Implant surface modifications have shown to affect the interactions between the implant and bone. In clinical applications, it is crucial to improve osseointegration and implant fixation at the implant and bone interface. Moreover, bone marrow derived cells play a significant role for implant and tissue integration. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate how surface micropatterning on Ti influences its interactions with bone marrow derived cells containing mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cells. Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) have the capability of differentiating into osteoblasts that contribute to bone growth, and therefore implant/bone integration. Hematopoietic stem cell derivatives are precursor cells that contribute to inflammatory response. By using all three cells naturally contained within bone marrow, we mimic the physiological environment to which an implant is exposed. Primary rat bone marrow derived cells were seeded onto Ti with surfaces composed of arrays of grooves of equal width and spacing ranging from 0.5 to 50 µm, fabricated using a novel plasma-based dry etching technique. Results demonstrated enhanced total cell adhesion on smaller micrometer-scale Ti patterns compared with larger micrometer-scale Ti patterns, after 24-hr culture. Further studies are needed to determine bone marrow derived cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation potential on micropatterned Ti, and eventually nanopatterned Ti.
Influences of experimental factors on spinal stretch reflex latency and amplitude in the human triceps surae

Abstract The spinal stretch reflex (SSR) is commonly assessed via electromyographic (EMG) analysis of joint perturbations inducing changes in muscle length. Previous literature indicates that when large experimental changes in magnitude of agonist background EMG, perturbation velocity, and perturbation amplitude are employed, SSR latency and amplitude are significantly altered. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the relative dependence of SSR latency and amplitude on inherent variability in these experimental variables. Soleus SSR latency and amplitude were assessed in 40 healthy subjects following dorsiflexion perturbation under an active state (∼14% MVC). Experimental variables displayed limited variability (means±SD): soleus background EMG (13.47±7.08% MVC), perturbation velocity (96.1±30°/s), and perturbation amplitude (4±1°). SSR latency was not significantly related to soleus background EMG ( r =0.189), perturbation velocity ( r =0.213), or perturbation amplitude ( r =0.202). Similarly, SSR amplitude was not significantly related to soleus background EMG ( r =0.306), perturbation velocity ( r =0.053), or perturbation amplitude ( r =0.056). Variability in experimental variables was much smaller than what has been reported in the literature to significantly impact SSR characteristics. These results suggest that SSR latency and amplitude are independent of agonist background EMG, perturbation velocity, and perturbation amplitude when experimental variability is relatively limited.
East Cretan Middle Minoan and Late Minoan I Dark Slips: Pixe Characterization Studies

The dark-firing slips used for Minoan pottery have never been adequately characterized, and opinion has been divided on whether or not the slips are made from the same material as the fabrics. A program of analysis by PIXE was carried out at the Bartol Research Institute, University of Delaware, on MM and LM I sherds from east Crete, analyzing both the slips and the fabrics. The results indicate several compositional variations including a consistently higher percentage of K in the slips. A consistently high percentage of Ca is in the fabrics, but the concentration of Ca in the slips is variable. Probably different materials were used for fabrics and slips, and although the clay source may have changed between Middle Minoan and Late Minoan I, the materials remained generally constant in LM I in spite of a change to a different firing technology resulting in browner slips.
Characterizations of Multivariate Differences and Associated Exponential Splines

The subject of this investigation is the class of difference functionals-linear combinations of finitely many function and/or derivative evaluations-which annihilate the nullspace of a certain constant coefficient differential operator. Any such functional can be viewed as an integral-differential operator whose Peano kernel is a compactly supported exponential spline. Besides extending some earlier results (1996, T. Kunkle, J. Approx. Theory84, 290-314), we show that these functionals are the only ones whose convolutions with the associated exponential truncated powers have compact support. It is then proven that, in case the functional depends entirely on function values at rational points, it must be a linear combination of forward differences. These results have applications in the areas of (a) placing compactly supported exponential splines in the span of the box splines, and (b) interpolation by exponential polynomials to function values at the support points of the forward difference functional.
Further Studies on the Influence of Verbal Suggestion on the Parotid Gland Response to Gustatory Stimuli.

SummaryTwo gustatory stimuli, water and citric acid, were presented sequentially to 16 subjects with and without direct verbal suggestions that water was sour and that citric acid was tasteless. Half of the subjects had been previously rated as “highly suggestible” and half as relatively “non-suggestible” according to a standardized suggestibility scale. The results showed that: (1) there was no significant variation in parotid secretion rates when the same stimulus was repeated during a single experimental session; (2) direct verbal suggestion significantly altered parotid gland secretion rates in both the “highly suggestible” and the relatively “non-suggestible” subjects.
“Numb, clumsy hands” and high cervical spondylosis

Thirteen patients with cervical spondylosis and high compressive myelopathy between C-3 and C-5 presented with a distinctive clinical syndrome of "numb, clumsy hands" and stereoanesthesia of the hands. Loss of position and vibration sense was much more severe in the hands than in the legs. Relative sparing of primary sensory modalities and motor and bladder functions were other features. Most patients were incorrectly diagnosed at first and cervical myelography was the critical diagnostic test. Pathology was confirmed surgically or at autopsy. Early recognition and treatment resulted in lessened disability. The syndrome is a distinctive and unusual manifestation of high cervical myelopathy, and it has seldom been reported associated with cervical spondylosis.
Depression as a predictor of worse quality of life outcomes following nonoperative treatment for lumbar stenosis

OBJECT The goal of this study was to determine whether pretreatment depression is predictive of quality of life (QOL) improvement for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) who are treated conservatively. METHODS This retrospective cohort study included patients with LSS and concordant neurogenic claudication who were treated nonoperatively at a single institution between September 2010 and March 2013. Patient QOL measures were recorded pretreatment and then 4 months after treatment. Pretreatment depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire–9 (PHQ-9). Successful outcome was defined as posttreatment improvement in EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) index or in Pain and Disability Questionnaire (PDQ) scores. Regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of outcome while controlling for confounding variables. RESULTS A total of 502 patients were included in the study. The average age for these patients was 66.1 years, with 51% female and 90.6% white. After adjusting for baseline ...