cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A proactive tree recovery mechanism for resilient overlay multicast

Overlay multicast constructs a multicast delivery tree among end hosts. Unlike traditional IP multicast, the non-leaf nodes in the tree are normal end hosts, which are potentially more susceptible to failures than routers and may leave the multicast group voluntarily. In these cases, all downstream nodes are affected. Thus, an important problem for making overlay multicast more dependable is how to recover from node departures in order to minimize the disruption of service to those affected nodes. In this paper, we propose a proactive tree recovery mechanism to make the overlay multicast resilient to these failures and unexpected events. Rather than letting downstream nodes try to find a new parent after a node departure, each non-leaf node precalculates a parent-to-be for each of its children. When this non-leaf node is gone, all its children can find their respective new parents immediately. The salient feature of the approach is that rescue plans for multiple non-leaf nodes can work together for their respective children when they fail or leave at the same time. Extensive simulations demonstrate that our proactive approach can recover from node departures much faster than reactive methods, while the quality of trees restored and the cost of recovery are reasonable
Cornerstones of Presidential Power The First Executive Office Buildings

A concept of presidential administrative power is manifested by the siting of the first permanent office buildings of the federal government in Washington. George Washington was instrumental in laying down this concept, insisting that the first two executive buildings be placed on either side of the White House. Opposing political and economic forces twice sought to countermand efforts to centralize administration around the presidency by placing the executive buildings on Capitol Hill. If that had occurred, American governance might be quite different today. The contemporary grouping of executive office buildings stands as a legacy of these early architectural precedents.
Combination of thiopurines and allopurinol: Adverse events and clinical benefit in IBD

Abstract Background and aims Allopurinol has been presented as a safe and effective adjunct to thiopurine therapy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to determine the rate of infectious complications and clinical successes with a combination of thiopurine/allopurinol in IBD, and to identify which variables predict 6-thioguanine, 6-methylmercaptopurine, and white blood cell levels. Additionally we aimed to identify which variables predict complications. Methods A retrospective database search identified patients with inflammatory bowel disease on both thiopurines and allopurinol. Regression modeling was used to identify which variables predicted metabolite levels, white blood cell levels, and complications. Results Twenty-seven subjects were found, with 20 treated intentionally and 7 inadvertently after a concurrent gout diagnosis. Thirteen of 20 patients had a major clinical improvement and 7 of 16 stopped steroids. Five infectious complications occurred. These included 2 cases of shingles, and one each of PCP, EBV, and viral meningitis. Significant predictors of metabolite levels included the dose of thiopurine and allopurinol, age, and BMI. Low white blood cell count levels were associated with increased doses, high BMI, and older age. Despite having only 5 events, there was a difference in absolute lymphocyte count between patients with and without infection (median 200 per mm3 vs 850 per mm3 respectively, p = 0.0503). Conclusions Adjunctive allopurinol therapy in shunting patients produced major clinical improvement in 48% of patients. However, a surprising number of opportunistic infections have occurred. Low absolute lymphocyte count may be a previously unrecognized indicator of risk of opportunistic infections.
Experimental-Based Redesigns for Trailing Edge Film Cooling of Gas Turbine Blades

Magnetic resonance imaging experiments have provided the three-dimensional mean concentration and three component mean velocity field for a typical trailing edge film-cooling cutback geometry built into a conventional uncambered airfoil. This geometry is typical of modern aircraft engines and includes three dimensional slot jets separated by tapered lands. Previous analysis of these data identified the critical mean flow structures that contribute to rapid mixing and low effectiveness in the fully turbulent flow. Three new trailing edge geometries were designed to modify the large scale mean flow structures responsible for surface effectiveness degradation. One modification called the Dolphin Nose attempted to weaken strong vortex flows by reducing three dimensionality near the slot breakout. This design changed the flow structure but resulted in minimal improvement in the surface effectiveness. Two other designs called the Shield and Rounded Shield changed the land planform and added an overhanging land edge while maintaining the same breakout surface. These designs substantially modified the vortex structure and improved the surface effectiveness by as much as 30%. Improvements included superior coolant uniformity on the breakout surface which reduces potential thermal stresses. The utilization of the time averaged data from combined magnetic resonance velocimetry (MRV) and concentration (MRC) experiments for designing improved trailing edge breakout film cooling is demonstrated.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Directed isolation of human genes that escape X inactivation

Existing methodologies have been combined to produce a directed approach to the isolation of human genes that escape X inactivation. A mouse-human somatic cell hybrid line was established that has an inactive X as its only human chromosome, and nuclear RNA from this cell line was used to construct a cDNA library. Transcribed human sequences were isolated by screening the library with labeled human DNA. The corresponding genomic sequences were isolated in phage or cosmid clones, and exons were identified by detection of transcripts on northern blots. By these means three human loci have been identified that contain genes expressed from an inactive X chromosome. Fluorescence in situ hybridization has been used to map these genes to Xp21.1-22.1, Xp22.1-22.2, and terminal Xp/Yp. One of the three genes (XE45) corresponds to the ZFX gene, while the other two genes (XE7 and XE59) represent novel cloned sequences. Physical and genetic evidence indicate that XE7 is a newly identified pseudoautosomal gene.
Self-assembled nanofibers from leucine derived amphiphiles as nanoreactors for growth of ZnO nanoparticles

We report a new method for the green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles. A new leucine-based diamine amphiphile was synthesized and self-assembled, which in the presence of Zn2+ ions assembled into nanofibers, that efficiently formed ZnO nanoparticles upon heating in the presence of Zn(CH3COO)2. Further, these ZnO nanoparticles functioned as efficient photocatalysts.
Expression of an mRNA with sequence similarity to pea dehydrin (Psdhn 1) in guard cells of Vicia faba in response to exogenous abscisic acid

The function and location of guard cells uniquely subject them to stress. First, stomatal movements require large fluctuations in the concentration of potassium salts. Second, guard cell inner walls are the first surfaces exposed to evaporation and apo-plastic solutes may accumulate there as a result. We have therefore investigated whether guard cells exhibit atypical expression of dehydrin genes because dehydrins accumulate in vegetative tissues in response to water stress. We have also assayed for osmotin mRNA, which is up-regulated in leaves in response to various stresses. mRNA probes for several representative genes were used with RNA extracts from control and water-stressed Vicia faba leaflets. Correlatively, these probes were used with RNA extracts from isolated guard cells that had been incubated with combinations of abscisic acid, mannitol and Ca 2+ . (Isolated guard cells are epidermal strips sonicated to destroy cells other than guard cells.) Hybridization with the probe prepared for a dehydrin from Pisum sativum (Psdhn 1) was detected in leaf extracts only if the leaf had been stressed. Similarly, after 1- and 6-h incubations with abscisic acid, isolated guard cells contained an mRNA that hybridized with the probe for Psdhn 1. Appearance of this abscisic acid-dependent mRNA required neither mannitol nor exogenous Ca 2+ . Regardless of the conditions or tissue, no hybridization was detected with the probe against osmotin, but our interpretation of this result is qualified. The simplest conclusion is that atypical expression of dehydrin is not the mechanism by which guard cells cope with their peculiar function and location.
Perforation of the IVC: Rule Rather Than Exception After Longer Indwelling Times for the Günther Tulip and Celect Retrievable Filters

This study was designed to assess the incidence, magnitude, and impact upon retrievability of vena caval perforation by Gunther Tulip and Celect conical inferior vena cava (IVC) filters on computed tomographic (CT) imaging. Gunther Tulip and Celect IVC filters placed between July 2007 and May 2009 were identified from medical records. Of 272 IVC filters placed, 50 (23 Gunther Tulip, 46%; 27 Celect, 54%) were retrospectively assessed on follow-up abdominal CT scans performed for reasons unrelated to the filter. Computed tomography scans were examined for evidence of filter perforation through the vena caval wall, tilt, or pericaval tissue injury. Procedure records were reviewed to determine whether IVC filter retrieval was attempted and successful. Perforation of at least one filter component through the IVC was observed in 43 of 50 (86%) filters on CT scans obtained between 1 and 880 days after filter placement. All filters imaged after 71 days showed some degree of vena caval perforation, often as a progressive process. Filter tilt was seen in 20 of 50 (40%) filters, and all tilted filters also demonstrated vena caval perforation. Transjugular removal was attempted in 12 of 50 (24%) filters and was successful in 11 of 12 (92%). Longer indwelling times usually result in vena caval perforation by retrievable Gunther Tulip and Celect IVC filters. Although infrequently reported in the literature, clinical sequelae from IVC filter components breaching the vena cava can be significant. We advocate filter retrieval as early as clinically indicated and increased attention to the appearance of IVC filters on all follow-up imaging studies.
Glucose analysis utilizing immobilized enzymes

Abstract The four commercial instruments that measure glucose by incorporation of immobilized reagents are described and compared. The design of the immobilized enzyme or enzymes is shown to be related to the type of instrument. Three of the instruments are of the partitioned enzyme-sensor type requiring an immobilized enzyme capable of rapid, constant flow rate when inserted in a flowing stream. Moderately high enzyme loading is required if the instrument is designed to operate in the equilibrium mode while lower enzyme loading can be tolerated in kinetic mode. Only one instrument is an enzyme electrode in which the immobilized glucose oxidase is in the immediate vicinity of the electrochemical detector. In that case the immobilized enzyme must have very high enzyme activity per unit volume, but need not have high physical durability. The design of the instrument and immobilized enzyme(s) is also affected by whether the instrument is to be used in an industrial or a clinical laboratory.
Two Related Gadolinium Aquo Carbonate 2-D and 3-D Structures and Their Thermal, Spectroscopic, and Paramagnetic Properties

We report two new extended inorganic materials based on gadolinium. The first, [Gd(CO3)2H2O][NH4], consists of negatively charged 2-D sheets of gadolinium carbonate with one coordinated water molec...
Variational evidence for spin liquids in frustrated lattices.

We present a Gutzwiller-projected variational state appropriate for Heisenberg quantum antiferromagnets which incorporates staggered magnetization as a continuous variational parameter. Although we obtain N{acute e}el-ordered ground states with appropriate sublattice magnetization on the square, honeycomb, and triangular lattice spin-1/2 quantum antiferromagnets, we find no such order on the {ital kagom{acute e}} lattice, providing evidence that the ground state on the {ital kagom{acute e}} lattice is disordered. The spin-spin correlations we obtain for spins separated by more than a lattice constant are similar to those obtained by exact diagonalization of small clusters. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
Thermal Conductivity of KCl: Li. Isotope and Electric Field Effects

The resonance scattering of phonons in KCl: Li has been studied through thermal-conductivity measurements of crystals containing ${\mathrm{Li}}^{6}$ and ${\mathrm{Li}}^{7}$, and also of crystals in which the tunneling states of the lithium ion were polarized through an applied electric field. In all cases the resonance scattering can be very well described phenomenologically with a single-resonance relaxation rate of the form $\frac{(\frac{\mathrm{nA}}{{{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}}^{2}}){(\frac{\ensuremath{\omega}}{{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}})}^{2}}{{[1\ensuremath{-}{(\frac{\ensuremath{\omega}}{{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}})}^{2}]}^{2}}$, where ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}$ appears to be the weighted average of the tunneling frequencies. The lighter isotope causes an upward shift of ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}$ by 45%, which agrees with the isotope effect observed for the tunnel splitting in specific-heat measurements. This is considered strong evidence that the phonon scattering is indeed caused by an interaction with the tunneling states. The electric-field-induced shift of ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}$ also is consistent with the known Stark shifts of the tunneling states. The single resonance is explained with the picture that all tunneling states contribute to the scattering, and that the resolution of the thermal-conductivity measurements used for phonon spectroscopy is insufficient to resolve the scattering by the individual states. The scattering strength $A$, to a good approximation, is found to be proportional to ${{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}}^{2}$, regardless of whether ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}$ is changed by applying electric fields or by changing the isotopic mass. This behavior is that of a classical oscillator which is damped by radiation at its resonance frequency ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}$. It is concluded that the combined scattering by the tunneling states, as observed in thermal conductivity, is similar to that of a classical oscillator. For lithium concentrations in excess of 3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{18}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$, the thermal conductivity saturates below 1\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. This behavior is similar to that observed earlier in specific-heat measurements. The origin of this saturation is still not understood and requires further study.
The myopic voter? The economy and US presidential elections

Most scholars of the economy and the vote assume that voters are myopic and focus only on events during the election year. Some take an alternative view and posit that voters are more far-sighted and take into account earlier information. Who is right? This paper addresses the time horizon of economic voting focusing on US presidential elections between 1952 and 2012. The analysis considers whether voters respond to economic change at different points in the election cycle using two objective indicators—income growth and the gross domestic product—as well as a subjective measure of business conditions. The results using each of these measures reveal that voters do not react only to very late economic events or to what happens over the entire election cycle, but that they respond equally to developments during the last two years of a presidential term. The finding contrasts with the dominant approaches in the literature and makes clear that scholars should settle on functional form based on careful empirical analysis and not by assumption.
Modeling the Pnl waveforms of the Fairview Peak-Dixie Valley, Nevada, U.S.A. earthquake sequence (1954–1959)

Abstract The 1954–1959 Fairview Peak-Dixie Valley earthquakes produced one of the most complex and extensive sequences of faulting in the intermountain U.S. during historic time. Study of this sequence provides insight into the processes of crustal extension that are currently taking place in the Basin and Range province. We have modeled the Pnl waveforms of earthquakes of this sequence to: (1) determine the source parameters for smaller ( M M > 6.3) with the results of teleseismic studies, (3) determine whether strainmeter records of Pn1 waveforms can also be used to estimate source parameters. Source parameters obtained for the larger events from Pn1 modeling are in agreement with previous studies. Source parameters estimated from strainmeter records also agree well with results of teleseismic analysis, suggesting the Pn1 strainmeter records may provide a useful addition to other studies of large earthquakes in the western U.S. Focal mechanisms obtained from modeling the smaller earthquakes varied 10°–20° in strike and rake from fault plane solutions determined from first motion studies. The Pn1 data support the results of previous studies that suggest the earthquakes of this sequence occurred along high angle faults (dip of 40°–70°) with significant components of right-lateral strike slip motion (rakes of − 135° to − 145°).
Structural resolutions of collective action problems

This paper concerns itself with the general problem of achieving cooperation in human groups and higher levels of social systems. Several social situations are considered where cooperation is problematic because self-interest contradicts group or collective interest: the prisoners' dilemma game; the commons' problem (Hardin, 1972); the collective action problem, i.e., the failure of memberships of many large interest groups, e.g., consumers and the general public, to cooperate to achieve common goals (Olson, 1968); and the problem of competitive panics, e.g., a crowd in a burning theater. We introduce a structural framework and methodology, using social system level concepts, to characterize and analyze such problems. It is shown that the various cases have a common underlying structure. In the analysis, we focus on the social context of the problematic situations and, in particular, on social processes that structure human interaction and collective behavior. A basic idea guiding the analysis is that actors purposively structure and transform interaction situations or games into situations of greater or less cooperation or conflict, depending upon the social context. We examine specific social control processes that may be found operating in social systems to resolve problems of achieving cooperative action, that is, to deal with contradictions between individual interests and autonomy on the one hand and group interest and need for cooperative action on the other. In particular, we focus on the social structuring and restructuring in groups of perceptions and evaluations, action possibilities, and decision procedures and, therefore, likely interaction patterns of those involved.
Applications of vector calculus in modeling source-sink dynamics among metapopulations

Abstract. Operating under several assumptions regarding density-dependant dispersal, a novel way of visualizing the source-sink dynamics of metapopulations is introduced in which vector calculus operators were applied to approximated surface functions. First, occurrence data were used to create a population density matrix for a fictional Genus species, which was modeled as a 3-dimensional scatter plot. Next, the data were fitted to an approximated function corresponding to the data's 3-dimensional surface, permitting the data to be treated as a scalar field. This scalar field was then subjected to the gradient and divergence operators to produce a mathematical model of G. species migration and source-sink dynamics, respectively.
Equations of state of a single polymer chain.

A single polymer chain can be described by an equation of state for constant end-to-end separation L or constant torque f. Formal relationships among these equations of state and their equivalence are examined. Numerical calculations of these equations of state find them to be inequivalent. This inequivalence has its source in the van der Waals loop and scaling properties of the constant-L equation of state.
Parallel Processing in Two Transmitter Microenvironments at the Cone Photoreceptor Synapse

A cone photoreceptor releases glutamate at ribbons located atop narrow membrane invaginations that empty onto a terminal base. The unique shape of the cone terminal suggests that there are two transmitter microenvironments: within invaginations, where concentrations are high and exposures are brief; and at the base, where concentrations are low and exposure is smoothed by diffusion. Using multicell voltage-clamp recording, we show that different subtypes of Off bipolar cells sample transmitter in two microenvironments. The dendrites of an AMPA receptor-containing cell insert into invaginations and sense rapid fluctuations in glutamate concentration that can lead to transient responses. The dendrites of kainate receptor-containing cells make basal contacts and respond to a smoothed flow of glutamate that produces sustained responses. Signaling at the cone to Off bipolar cell synapse illustrates how transmitter spillover and synapse architecture can combine to produce distinct signals in postsynaptic neurons.
Selective imaging of adherent targeted ultrasound contrast agents

The goal of ultrasonic molecular imaging is the detection of targeted contrast agents bound to receptors on endothelial cells. We propose imaging methods that can distinguish adherent microbubbles from tissue and from freely circulating microbubbles, each of which would otherwise obscure signal from molecularly targeted adherent agents. The methods are based on a harmonic signal model of the returned echoes over a train of pulses. The first method utilizes an 'image-push-image' pulse sequence where adhesion of contrast agents is rapidly promoted by acoustic radiation force and the presence of adherent agents is detected by the signal change due to targeted microbubble adhesion. The second method rejects tissue echoes using a spectral high-pass filter. Free agent signal is suppressed by a pulse-to-pulse low-pass filter in both methods. An overlay of the adherent and/or flowing contrast agents on B-mode images can be readily created for anatomical reference. Contrast-to-tissue ratios from adherent microbubbles exceeding 30 dB and 20 dB were achieved for the two methods proposed, respectively. The performance of these algorithms is compared, emphasizing the significance and potential applications in ultrasonic molecular imaging.
Relativistic Effects on Low-Energy 5 s → ε p Photoionization for Xenon

Under suitable conditions, relativistic corrections to the interaction of a photoelectron with its parent ion are enhanced, giving rise to large anisotropic final-state effects which can be observed in the photoelectron angular distribution. The particular example of $5s\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\epsilon}p$ photoionization of Xe is considered in detail. It is shown that the angular asymmetry parameter $\ensuremath{\beta}$ is reduced by a factor of 9 from its nonrelativistic value of 2 near the $5s$ "Cooper minimum," so that the energy dependence of $\ensuremath{\beta}$ becomes a sensitive test of atomic correlation theories.
Configurable symbol synchronizers for software-defined radio applications

In many synchronous receivers, symbol timing synchronization is achieved through implementation of an analog phase locked loop (PLL). A phase detector and voltage-controlled oscillator drive a reference signal to be in phase with the received training sequence. Due to the quick phase convergence this option is attractive; however, limitations in pre-packaged hardware make this approach infeasible at times. Changes in the received symbol rate in software radio applications can further complicate the hardware implementation by requiring additional control signals to alter the frequency of the reference signal. This paper examines a configurable symbol synchronizer for software-defined radio (SDR) architecture with a predefined RF front end. In this scenario, we implement a typical method for digital phase locking and make it adaptable to different data rates. A pre-synchronization step is used to provide a reasonable initial estimate for the received symbol period for lower, over-sampled data rates. This decreases the synchronization time while maintaining a constant sampling period at the ADC. It also maintains the down-conversion stage at the receiver. The paper shows the feasibility of this architecture to support wide range of symbol rates.
Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica)—Biology, Ecology, and Management

Cogongrass is considered to be one of the ten most troublesome and problematic weedy species in the world. This species is found throughout tropical and subtropical regions, generally in areas dist...
PhishDef: URL names say it all

Phishing is an increasingly sophisticated method to steal personal user information using sites that pretend to be legitimate. In this paper, we take the following steps to identify phishing URLs. First, we carefully select lexical features of the URLs that are resistant to obfuscation techniques used by attackers. Second, we evaluate the classification accuracy when using only lexical features, both automatically and hand-selected, vs. when using additional features. We show that lexical features are sufficient for all practical purposes. Third, we thoroughly compare several classification algorithms, and we propose to use an online method (AROW) that is able to overcome noisy training data. Based on the insights gained from our analysis, we propose PhishDef, a phishing detection system that uses only URL names and combines the above three elements. PhishDef is a highly accurate method (when compared to state-of-the-art approaches over real datasets), lightweight (thus appropriate for online and client-side deployment), proactive (based on online classification rather than blacklists), and resilient to training data inaccuracies (thus enabling the use of large noisy training data).
Congruence of parents' and teachers' ratings of children's behavior problems

This study compared parents' and teachers' perceptions of behavior disorders in 1,008 white children enrolled in kindergarten through eighth grade. Data included background information and ratings on the Behavior Problem Checklist. For the most part, parents perceived more problems in their children than did teachers. Parents and teachers tended to agree that boys exhibited more deviant behavior than girls and that youngsters from the higher social classes had fewer disorders than those from the lower classes. Parent and teacher judgments were somewhat alike in that both groups tended to observe a pattern in the development of problems that first increased then decreased or first increased then decreased and leveled off across grades. Trends were more gradual for parents and sharper for teachers, or declines were not seen by parents that were seen by teachers. Bivariate correlations between parents' and teachers' evaluations were significant but low or low to moderate. Mother-teacher and father-teacher coefficients differed on Socialized Delinquency but were similar on the other behavioral dimensions. Although significant interactions of parentteacher relationships with sex and grade were infrequent, correlations between ratings by the two groups of informants were higher for boys than for girls; and correlations between parent and teacher judgments were lower for early grades than for later grades.
A comparative analysis on energy subsidies in Soviet and Russian policy

Abstract Russia’s recent intent to use gas supplies to influence the former Soviet Union Republics, and now New Independent States (NIS), has mirrored that of the Soviet’s handling of hydrocarbon supplies to the Eastern bloc, or the Council on Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA). This paper explores the historical and unique conditions in making a comparison of energy trading patterns in the 1970s and 2000s. In the end, by comparing ’then’ and ’now’, we see a pattern of negative repercussions when the energy card is employed. This study employs a within case study cross-temporal comparative framework and asks: why would Russia transfer a failed policy of subsidies onto its newly independent states?
Why do nurses leave and what can health oganizations do to retain them

Abstract The American society is a very “mobile” society. It is estimated that Americans move (i.e., relocate to a different city, state, or country) on average every five years—more often than any other culture except nomadic tribes (Lewis 2003). Frequent mobility of individuals can have a direct impact on employers even though employee mobility may be due solely to personal factors. If the rate of employee mobility is repeatedly more prevalent in some industries than in others, then the organizations within those industries may be viewed negatively by potential as well as current employees. Therefore, it is imperative for healthcare organizations to do their best to retain their employees, particularly health professionals who are perhaps the backbone of any healthcare institution. Unfortunately, the healthcare industry has been struggling to retain its quality health professionals because of the current economic conditions of the United States. The void created by the mobility of health professionals, ...
Ultrafast nanoimprint lithography (Invited Paper)

Both ultrafast thermal and photocurable nanoimprint lithography (NIL) are studied and high fidelity transfers of nanopatterns from molds to resists have been achieved. In ultrafast thermal NIL, we use a single excimer laser pulse to melt a NIL resist polymer and imprint it using a fused silica mold. The entire imprint process, from melting the polymer to completion of the imprint, takes less than 200 ns. This technique, termed laser assisted nanoimprint lithography (LAN), has patterned nanostructures in various polymer films with high fidelity over the entire mold area. In LAN, the short laser pulse is absorbed primarily by the resist and the laser energy is minute, hence substrate heating and distortion are negligible. In ultrafast photocurable NIL, a flash lamp (pulse width 94 μs) is used to crosslink photo curable resists over a 4 in. wafer with high uniformity by a single pulse. The significant reduction of the heating of the substrate and mold will greatly benefit overlay alignment.
Role of Vascular Risk Factors and Vascular Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease

Recent findings indicate that vascular risk factors and neurovascular dysfunction play integral roles in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. In addition to aging, the most common risk factors for Alzheimer's disease are apolipoprotein e4 allele, hypertension, hypotension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia. All of these can be characterized by vascular pathology attributed to conditions such as cerebral amyloid angiopathy and subsequent blood-brain barrier dysfunction. Many epidemiological, clinical, and pharmacotherapeutic studies have assessed the associations between such risk factors and Alzheimer's disease and have found positive associations between hypertension, hypotension, and diabetes mellitus. However, there are still many conflicting results from these population-based studies, and they should be interpreted carefully. Recognition of these factors and the mechanisms by which they contribute to Alzheimer's disease will be beneficial in the current treatment regimens for Alzheimer's disease and in the development of future therapies. Here we discuss vascular factors with respect to Alzheimer's disease and dementia and review the factors that give rise to vascular dysfunction and contribute to Alzheimer's disease.
Sclerostin deficient mice rapidly heal bone defects by activating β-catenin and increasing intramembranous ossification

We investigated the influence of the osteocyte protein, sclerostin, on fracture healing by examining the dynamics and mechanisms of repair of single-cortex, stabilized femoral defects in sclerostin knockout (Sost−/−; KO) and sclerostin wild-type (Sost+/+; WT) mice. Fourteen days following generation of bone defects, Sost KO mice had significantly more bone in the healing defect than WT mice. The increase in regenerating bone was due to an increase in the thickness of trabecularized spicules, osteoblast numbers and surfaces within the defect. Enhanced healing of bone defects in Sost KO mice was associated with significantly more activated β-catenin expression than observed in WT mice. The findings were similar to those observed in Axin2−/− mice, in which β-catenin signaling is known to be enhanced to facilitate bone regeneration. Taken together, these data indicate that enhanced β-catenin signaling is present in Sost−/− mice that demonstrate accelerated healing of bone defects, suggesting that modulation of β-catenin signaling in bone could be used to promote fracture repair.
Bioaccumulation and effects of metals and trace elements from aquatic disposal of coal combustion residues: Recent advances and recommendations for further study

Advances have been made recently in assessing accumulation and effects of coal combustion residues (CCR). I provide a brief review of recent advancements, provide a tabulated summary of results of recent work, and put forth recommendations for future studies. One advancement is that mercury accumulation has begun to receive (limited) attention, whereas it had rarely been considered in the past. Additionally, some constituents of CCR have been shown to be accumulated by adults and transferred to offspring, sometimes compromising offspring health. Studies have demonstrated that amphibians, possessing complex life cycles, may accumulate and transfer some contaminants to terrestrial systems. Some study has been given to molecular and cellular effects of CCR exposure, although these studies have been limited to invertebrates. Population models have also been applied to CCR affected systems and have shown that CCR may affect animal populations under some conditions. In light of these advancements, there are several topics that require further assessment. First, more attention to Hg and its dynamics in CCR affected systems is warranted. Hg can be highly accumulative and toxic under some conditions and may interact with other components of CCR (notably Se), perhaps altering accumulation and effects of the contaminant mixtures. Second, further investigation of maternal transfer and effects of CCR contaminants need to be conducted. These studies could benefit from incorporation of quantitative models to project impacts on populations. Finally, more attention to the organic constituents of CCR (PAHs) is required, as a focus on inorganic compounds only may restrict our knowledge of contaminant dynamics and effects as a whole. While further studies will shed light on some chemical and biological nuances of exposure and effect, information available to date from numerous study sites implicates CCR as a bulk effluent that presents risks of bioaccumulation and effects on organisms in aquatic systems.
Interface pattern formation in nonlinear dissipative systems

The problem of interface pattern selection in nonlinear dissipative systems is critical in many fields of science, occurring in physical, chemical and biological systems. One of the simplest pattern formations is the Saffman–Taylor finger pattern1 that forms when a viscous fluid is displaced by a less viscous fluid. Such finger-shaped patterns have been observed in distinctly different fields of science2,3,4 (hydrodynamics, combustion and crystal growth) and this has led to a search for a unified concept of pattern formation, as first proposed by the classic work of D'arcy Thomson5. Two-dimensional finger-shaped patterns, observed in flame fronts6 and the ensembled average shape of the diffusion-limited aggregation pattern, have been shown to be similar to Saffman–Taylor finger shapes7,8. Here we present experimental studies that establish that the cell shapes formed during directional solidification of alloys can be described by the form of the Saffman–Taylor finger shape equation when a second phase is present in the intercellular region.
Fever and sweats in the patient with advanced cancer

Fever and sweats are common complications of cancer and its treatment. This article reviews potential causes and pathophysiologic mechanisms of fever and sweat. Management recommendations, consisting of primary interventions directed at contributing causes and pathophysiologic mechanisms, and non-specific palliative measures are discussed. Optimal management is contingent on the physician's integration of medical expertise with patient-derived goals of care.
Methanococcus jannaschii Coenzyme F420 Analogs Contain a Terminal α-Linked Glutamate

Analyses of the F(420)s present in Methanococcus jannaschii have shown that these cells contain a series of gamma-glutamyl-linked F(420)s capped with a single, terminal alpha-linked L-glutamate. The predominant form of F(420) was designated as alpha-F(420)-3 and represented 86% of the F(420)s in these cells. Analyses of Methanosarcina thermophila, Methanosarcina barkeri, Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum, Archaeoglobus fulgidus, and Mycobacterium smegmatis showed that they contained only gamma-glutamyl-linked F(420)s.
Comparative tolerability of treatments for inflammatory bowel disease.

Despite limited understanding of therapeutic aetiopathogenesis of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, there is a strong evidence base for the efficacy of pharmacological and biological therapies. It is equally important to recognise toxicity of the medical armamentarium for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Path aware event scheduler in HoldAdvisor for fixing min timing violations

Min timing violations are fatal and need to be fixed in order to avoid chip failure. HoldAdvisor is used in chip design to find good locations for buffer insertion or swaps to assist in min timing fixing. Previously published work on buffer insertion has mainly focused on reducing delays to fix max timing violations. Those approaches cannot be directly applied to delay insertion for fixing min timing violations. A simple algorithm without considering path commonality has been used in HoldAdvisor. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to select nodes to fix min timing violations without causing new max timing violations. It dynamically computes the number of paths that can be fixed when a buffer is inserted or swapped at a particular location, and selects the node with the biggest gain. Compared to previous algorithms, it generates much better min timing solutions by making much fewer changes to a design.
Some heuristics of kernel based estimators of ratio functions

Ratio functions for which nonparametric estimators have been considered include the hazard rate and density under random censoring. One estimation method involves individual estimates of the numerator and denominator. An alternative targets the entire function not the separate pieces. The two estimators are not comparable in terms of Mean Integrated Squared Error. However, the second type is seen to be more natural because it admits an elegant and useful martingale representation, and also is pictorially more attractive.
The oxidant stress hypothesis in Parkinson's disease: Evidence supporting it

Oxidant stress, due to the formation of hydrogen peroxide and oxygen-derived free radicals, can cause cell damage due to chain reactions of membrane lipid peroxidation. Because the substantia nigra is rich in dopamine, which can undergo both enzymatic oxidation via monoamine oxidase and nonenzymatic autoxidation, hydrogen peroxide and oxyradicals (superoxide anion radical and hydroxyl radical) are generated in this midbrain nucleus. Although proof that oxidant stress actually causes the loss of monoaminergic neurons in patients with Parkinson's disease is lacking, there is a considerable body of evidence from studies in both animals and humans that support the concept. (1) Neurotoxins that selectively destroy the dopaminergic neurons in the nigra, such as 6-hydroxydopamine and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), appear to act via oxidant stress. (2) The substantia nigra of patients with Parkinson's disease reveals evidence of oxidant stress by the findings of increased lipid peroxidation and decreased reduced glutathione. (3) Total iron is increased and ferritin is reduced in the substantia nigra pars compacta in patients with Parkinson's disease. This combination suggests that this transition metal is in a low molecular weight form, capable of catalyzing nonenzymatic oxidative reactions, especially the conversion of hydrogen peroxide to hydroxyl radical, which is the most reactive of the oxygen radicals. (4) Neuromelanin, a product of dopamine autoxidation, can serve as a reservoir for iron, promoting the generation of oxyradicals. (5) Antioxidant defense mechanisms appear to be reduced in the parkinsonian substantia nigra with the findings of decreased activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A note on a paper by Brenner

We note that a result of Brenner (1962) follows from a theorem of Lerch (1896) which also extends it.
Suppressors of frameshift mutations in Salmonella typhimurium.

Abstract Suppressors specific for frameshift mutations have been studied. Of 21 frameshift mutations of the histidine operon selected for study, 13 gave rise to ICR † -induced external suppressors. Five of these mutants also gave rise to nitrosoguanidine-induced suppressors. Two frameshift mutations in the tryptophan operon were found which could be suppressed externally along with certain his frameshift mutations. Most of the externally suppressible mutations ( 12 15 ) are those tentatively classified as (+1) frameshifts. Forty-eight independent suppressor mutations were placed in 9 groups on the basis of their ability to suppress 13 his frameshift mutations. The 13 suppressible mutations are apparently of two general types. No cross-suppression of mutations of these two types has been observed. The efficiency of suppression was estimated for at least one suppressor from each of 8 groups. The efficiency of suppression ranges from 1% to about 15%.
Efficient trans-Splicing of Mutated Spliced Leader Exons in Leishmania tarentolae

Every kinetoplastid mRNA receives a common, conserved leader sequence via the process oftrans-splicing. In Leishmania tarentolae the precursor spliced leader RNA is 96 nucleotides, with a 39-nucleotide exon that is 7meG-capped and methylated on the first 4 nucleotides.trans-Splicing was inferred from the presence of tagged leader in the high molecular weight RNA population and confirmed for accuracy by cDNA cloning. Linker scan substitutions within the exon between positions 10 and 39 did not affect trans-splicing. The trans-splicing efficiency for three of the scan exons was proportional to the tagged:wild type ratio in the spliced leader precursor population. Two scan leader RNAs that were efficiently spliced showed reduced methylation. Longer exons showed reduced splicing, whereas 10- or 20-base pair deletions abolished splicing. These results indicate that size, but not content, of the exon is a constraint on the splicing process. These results, in combination with previous data eliminating a role in transcription initiation, suggest that translation may be the selective pressure on the leader content.
The genetic architecture of fasting plasma triglyceride response to fenofibrate treatment.

Metabolic response to the triglyceride (TG)-lowering drug, fenofibrate, is shaped by interactions between genetic and environmental factors, yet knowledge regarding the genetic determinants of this response is primarily limited to single-gene effects. Since very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) is the central carrier of fasting TG, identifying factors that affect both total TG and VLDL–TG response to fenofibrate is critical for predicting individual fenofibrate response. As part of the Genetics of Lipid Lowering Drugs and Diet Network (GOLDN) study, 688 individuals from 161 families were genotyped for 91 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 25 genes known to be involved in lipoprotein metabolism. Using generalized estimating equations to control for family structure, we performed linear modeling to investigate whether single SNPs, single covariates, SNP–SNP interactions, and/or SNP–covariate interactions had a significant association with the change in total fasting TG and fasting VLDL–TG after 3 weeks of fenofibrate treatment. A 10-iteration fourfold cross-validation procedure was used to validate significant associations and quantify their predictive abilities. More than one-third of the significant, cross-validated SNP–SNP interactions predicting each outcome involved just five SNPs, showing that these SNPs are of key importance to fenofibrate response. Multiple variable models constructed using the top-ranked SNP--covariate interactions explained 11.9% more variation in the change in TG and 7.8% more variation in the change in VLDL than baseline TG alone. These results yield insight into the complex biology of fenofibrate response, which can be used to target fenofibrate therapy to individuals who are most likely to benefit from the drug.
Investigating Faculty Familiarity with Assessment Terminology by Applying Cluster Analysis to Interpret Survey Data.

A cluster analysis was conducted with a set of survey data on chemistry faculty familiarity with 13 assessment terms. Cluster groupings suggest a high, middle, and low overall familiarity with the terminology and an independent high and low familiarity with terms related to fundamental statistics. The six resultant clusters were found to be associated with key demographic variables such as institution type, chemistry subdiscipline, and years of teaching experience. Implications of this work include informing the creation of targeted professional development opportunities for faculty based on representative familiarity levels, leveraging both high and low familiarity with the 13 assessment terms.
Electromechanical carbon nanotube switches for high-frequency applications

We describe the fabrication and characterization of a nanoelectromechanical (NEM) switch based on carbon nanotubes. Our NEM structure consists of single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) suspended over shallow trenches in a SiO(2) layer, with a Nb pull electrode beneath. The nanotube growth is done on-chip using a patterned Fe catalyst and a methane chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process at 850 degrees C. Electrical measurements of these devices show well-defined ON and OFF states as a dc bias up to a few volts is applied between the CNT and the Nb pull electrode. The CNT switches were measured to have speeds that are 3 orders of magnitude higher than MEMS-based electrostatically driven switches, with switching times down to a few nanoseconds, while at the same time requiring pull voltages less than 5 V.