cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measurement of the thermal neutron diffusion parameters in diphenyl and monoisopropylbiphenyl (MIPBy pulsed neutron methods

Abstract The diffusion parameters in diphenyl (C 10 H 10 ) at 77°C and MIPB (C 15 H 16 ) at 30°C were determined using the pulsed neutron source technique. The 1 MeV Van de Graaff accelerator at North Carolina State College, Raleigh, was used as the pulsed source of fast neutrons utilizing the 9 Be (d, n) 10 B reaction. The decay of the thermal neutron leakage from a finite cylindrical geometry was measured using a 26-channel time analyser. By measuring the thermal neutron decay constant, A, as a function of buckling, B 2 , a least squares fit of the data to the equation λ = λ 0 + D 0 B 2 − CB 4 yielded values of D 0 , the diffusion constant, and C, the diffusion cooling coefficient. The infinite medium decay constant, λ 0 , was calculated from known cross-section data. For diphenyl measurements in the buckling range from 0·0816 cm −2 to 0·2811 cm −2 , the diffusion parameter values obtained were D 0 = 5437 ± 0117 × 10 4 cm 2 -sec −1 and C = 9·85 ± 5·50 × 10 3 cm 4 -sec −1 . The results obtained for MIPB in the buckling range from 0·0945 cm −2 to 0·2952 cm −2 were D 0 = 3780 ± 0·033 × 10 4 cm 2 -sec −1 and C = 125 ± 1·43 × 10 3 cm 4 -sec −1 . The values of the transport mean free path, λ tr , and diffusion length, L , derived from these results were found to be less than those values predicted by current theoretical models. A preliminary investigation of λ tr , in MIPB as a function of temperature showed a non-linear behaviour of the transport mean free path with temperature.
On Dissipative Systems and Related Variational Principles

A given set of differential equations is always included in a set derivable from a variational principle. In the case of a set of equations representing a dissipative physical system the complementary set of equations may represent a second physical system which absorbs the energy dissipated by the first. This is illustrated by an example in which the total kinetic energy is never negative only when the initial conditions for the second system are related to those for the first.
Patterns of infection of the lizard malaria parasite, Plasmodium floridense, in invasive brown anoles (Anolis sagrei) in Southwestern Florida

Plasmodium floridense is a saurian malaria parasite common in the Anolis lizards of the northern Caribbean islands and the SE USA. In the latter area, it is found in two native lizards (Sceloporus undulatus and Anolis carolinensis) and in the introduced Anolis sagrei, which is native to Cuba. We measured parasite prevalence and parasitemia in the introduced anole at a single site in North Port, Florida over 5 years. Prevalence, based on microscopic examination of blood smears, was high year-round (45.6% of adult lizards infected) but was highest in the two December collections and showed significant variation over time. The parasitemia of the P. floridense infections was extremely low, however, with a median of only three parasites per 1,000 red blood cells in infected lizards. This combination of high prevalence and low parasitemia suggests chronic infections for individual lizards and an endemic prevalence pattern. Our study also underscores the need for long-term studies to establish overall prevalence in malarial parasite systems.
Acute hematopoietic toxicity of aniline in rats

In the present study, acute hematopoietic toxicity of aniline as a function of time was investigated in rats. The animals were given a single oral dose of aniline hydrochloride (2 mmol/kg) and euthanized at zero (control), 0.25, 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h following the treatment. The blood methemoglobin level increased dramatically and attained a peak level of 37% (31 fold greater than the controls) at 0.5 h. Thereafter, the increases were less pronounced and the level declined with time. Spleen weight to body weight ratio remained unchanged up to 24 h, but increased ∼25% at 48 h. Lipid peroxidation (MDA content) in the spleen increased by 39% at 24 h and remained steady even at 48 h. MDA-protein adducts, as quantitated by a competitive ELISA, showed 94, 126 and 265% increases in the spleen homogenates at 12, 24 and 48 h, respectively, following the treatment. However, no changes were observed in the splenic protein oxidation. Morphological examination showed congestion of splenic blood vessels and marked expansion of red pulp at 24 and 48 h. These studies suggest that aniline related changes in the blood are reflected very early as evident from increases in the methemoglobin content, whereas changes in the spleen appear later and are characterized by splenic weight changes, increased lipid peroxidation, MDA-protein adduct formation and morphological changes after a single high dose exposure. The increased lipid peroxidation in the spleen also suggests that free radical-mediated reactions could be the potential mechanism of splenic toxicity of aniline and lipid peroxidation precedes protein oxidation.
Downregulation of SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling factor subunits modulates cisplatin cytotoxicity

Chromatin remodeling complex SWI/SNF plays important roles in many cellular processes including transcription, proliferation, differentiation and DNA repair. In this report, we investigated the role of SWI/SNF catalytic subunits Brg1 and Brm in the cellular response to cisplatin in lung cancer and head/neck cancer cells. Stable knockdown of Brg1 and Brm enhanced cellular sensitivity to cisplatin. Repair kinetics of cisplatin DNA adducts revealed that downregulation of Brg1 and Brm impeded the repair of both intrastrand adducts and interstrand crosslinks (ICLs). Cisplatin ICL-induced DNA double strand break repair was also decreased in Brg1 and Brm depleted cells. Altered checkpoint activation with enhanced apoptosis as well as impaired chromatin relaxation was observed in Brg1 and Brm deficient cells. Downregulation of Brg1 and Brm did not affect the recruitment of DNA damage recognition factor XPC to cisplatin DNA lesions, but affected ERCC1 recruitment, which is involved in the later stages of DNA repair. Based on these results, we propose that SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex modulates cisplatin cytotoxicity by facilitating efficient repair of the cisplatin DNA lesions.
Hospital care and early breastfeeding outcomes among late preterm, early-term, and term infants.

Background Compared with term infants (39–41 weeks), early-term (37–38 weeks) and late preterm (34–36 weeks) infants have increased breastfeeding difficulties. We evaluated how hospital practices affect breastfeeding by gestational age. Methods This Listening to Mothers III survey cohort included 1,860 mothers who delivered a 34–41-week singleton from July 2011 to June 2012. High hospital support was defined as at least seven practices consistent with the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative's Ten Steps for United States hospitals. Logistic regression tested mediating effects of hospital support on the relationship between gestational age and breastfeeding at 1 week postpartum. Results High hospital support was associated with increased exclusive breastfeeding (AOR 2.21 [95% CI 1.58–3.09]). Just 16.4 percent of late preterm infants experienced such support, compared with early-term (37.9%) and term (30.7%) infants (p = 0.004). Although overall breastfeeding rates among late preterm, early-term, and term infants were 87, 88, and 92 percent, respectively, (p = 0.21), late preterm versus term infants were less likely to exclusively breastfeed (39.8 vs. 62.3%, p = 0.002). Inclusion of hospital support in multivariable modeling did not attenuate the effect of late preterm gestation. Discussion Differences in practices do not account for decreased exclusive breastfeeding among late preterm infants. Hospital supportive practices increase the likelihood of any breastfeeding.
Direct Ultrastructural Imaging of Macrophages Using a Novel X-Ray Contact Microscopy

A compact, high-resolution, laser-plasma, x-ray contact microscopy method using a table-top Nd:glass laser system has been developed. This x-ray microscopy system was applied for the observation of macrophage ultrastructures. These images were produced using proximity imaging in which a 5-ns pulse of soft x-rays with wavelengths near and inside the water windows (23A-44A) produced by the laser-plasma were absorbed by the specimen and then registered on a photo resist. The x-ray images imprinted on the photo resist were then developed and analyzed with an atomic force microscope (AFM). Mouse thioglycollate-elicited peritoneal macrophages in suspension were examined by this new x-ray microscope. The x-ray images of the macrophages were compared with those observed by conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The x-ray images showed no obvious organelles, including the nucleus and endoplasmic reticulum, as can be seen with TEM, but high- and low-contrast structures caused by mass distribution of carbon were observed. Thus, using the x-ray microscopy we visualized the first x-ray images of macrophage ultrastructures. The successful x-ray imaging of macrophage ultrastructure indicates that proximity x-ray microscopy may be of value in studying physiology linked to the dynamics of a cell.
Gone with the wind: innovative hydrogen/fuel cell electric vehicle infrastructure based on wind energy sources

The development of sustainable, clean, and efficient transportation systems is a critical factor for the improvement of overall air quality and the reduction of the nation's dependence on diminishing domestic resources and imported fuels. This article presents the development issues for an innovative fuel cell electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and bidirectional grid connection, derived from renewable and clean energy sources, with a focus on wind energy. The effective use of wind power to drive water electrolysis plants to produce hydrogen for advanced fuel-cell EV is also illustrated in this paper.
Dental radiology and oral pathology.

Abstract This article represents an overview of normal and pathological findings of the oral structures for the practicing radiologist. Some of the disease processes discussed are of dental etiology, whereas others are manifestations of systemic diseases. Normal tooth development is described followed by an overview of radiolucent, radiopaque, and mixed lucent-opaque lesions. In the radiolucent category, normal anatomical landmarks of the jaws include the mental foramen, mandibular canal, incisive canal and maxillary sinuses. Other lucencies that represent normal structures or variations include developing tooth buds and root apices, healing dental extraction sites, prominent submandibular fossae and nutrient canals. In the radiopaque category, normal anatomical landmarks of the jaws include the genial tubercle, mental ridge, external oblique ridge, walls of the submandibular canal, walls of the maxillary sinus, nasal septum, stylohyoid ligament, and zygomatic process. Other opacities that represent normal structures or variations include dental restoration material, dental endodontic material, retained roots, sialoliths, salivary duct calculi, calcified lymph nodes, recent extraction sites, hypercementosis, and foreign bodies. Pathological entities which present radiographically as lucencies, opacities, and mixed lucent-opaque areas include inflammatory lesions, cysts, fibro-osseous disease, benign neoplasms, malignant neoplasms, and lesions secondary to metabolic disorders.
AN ELECTROPHORETIC AND SEROLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF SEED PROTEINS IN GALEOPSIS TETRAHIT L. (LABIATAE) AND ITS PUTATIVE PARENTAL SPECIES

Seed proteins from the tetraploid Galeopsis tetrahit L. and its putative parental species G. pubescens Bess. and G. speciosa Mill., were examined using disc gel electrophoresis (PAGE), Ouchterlony double diffusion, and immunoelectrophoresis. Forty-three inbred cultivated lines of G. speciosa, G. pubescens, and G. tetrahit (both the naturally occurring species and an artificially produced hybrid) and two wild populations of G. tetrahit were examined. PAGE gels were stained for total protein or malate dehydrogenase. Although variability in the total protein pattern was detected within and between lines for all three species, there was much similarity among the taxa. No bands appeared in the hybrid that were not present in the parents. The band pattern for synthetic G. tetrahit was very similar to that of natural G. tetrahit suggesting that G. tetrahit originated from a cross in nature between G. pubescens and G. speciosa. The total protein PAGE results were analyzed using numerical taxonomic techniques. Although these analyses did not clearly separate the three species, the general tendency was toward grouping G. pubescens lines together, natural G. tetrahit lines together, and synthetic G. tetrahit lines together. Natural and synthetic G. tetrahit lines were also interspersed among each other along with some G. speciosa lines. The malate dehydrogenase pattern showed little variation among the three species. Qualitative serological methods did not distingush among the three species, but confirmed the similarity observed among the taxa in the results of
Bolus position at swallow onset in normal adults: preliminary observations.

A "delayed swallowing reflex/response" (i.e., when the swallow reflex is not triggered when the bolus passes the back of the tongue at the anterior facial arch) Logemann has been widely accepted as an abnormality. Careful review of the literature supports the premise that a "delayed swallowing reflex/response" may in fact be a variation of normal. This paper describes swallowing in normal adults. We report the videofluoroscopic measurements of bolus position at the onset of swallow. A radiopaque marker was affixed to the anterior facial arch and the distance between the head of the bolus and the anterior facial arch was measured at the onset of swallow. A statistically significant proportion of swallows (22 of 30) occurred after the head of the bolus passed the anterior facial arch. This finding suggests that there may be diverse sites for elicitation of the swallowing response/reflex rather than a single site (i.e., the anterior facial arch). The relevance of this finding to treatment using thermal stimulation is discussed, as is the versatility of the normal pharynx.
A new domino failure mechanism in deep sub-100-nm technologies and its solution

The domino circuit failure is due to competing requirements of the keeper and the NMOS logic transistors that cannot be satisfied simultaneously in order to achieve the noise margin and performance objectives. Domino keeper transistor has to be upsized to compensate for the subthreshold leakage and gate leakage currents that discharge the dynamic node in deep sub-100nm technologies. Domino multiplexer can fail when the fan-in number is greater than 14 for the noise margin of 0.1 Vdd, where the noise margin is defined as the input voltage that causes 10% voltage drop at the dynamic node of Domino. In simulation, 45nm BSIM4 models were used with the power supply voltage of 0.8V. To solve this problem, we propose a dual gate oxide thickness (Tox) implementation for high fan-in Domino. With proper dual gate oxide thickness assignment, subthreshold leakage and gate leakage that discharge the dynamic node are suppressed with the keeper size reduced. Proposed circuit not only prevents the possible failure in high fan-in Domino, but also reduces the delay and power consumption due to decreased contention between the keeper and NMOS logic tree. For 14-bit domino multiplexer, proposed circuit is 56% faster with 66% less power consumption and without area penalty, compared to single Tox domino.
Genetic dissection of lymphopenia from autoimmunity by introgression of mutated Ian5 gene onto the F344 rat

Peripheral T cell lymphopenia (lyp) in the BioBreeding (BB) rat is linked to a frameshift mutation in Ian5, a member of the Immune Associated Nucleotide (Ian) gene family on rat chromosome 4. This lymphopenia leads to type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus (T1DM) at rates up to 100% when combined with the BB rat MHC RT1 u/u genotype. In order, to better study the lymphopenia phenotype without possible confounding effects of diabetes or other autoimmune disease, we generated congenic F344.lyp rats by introgression of lyp on diabetes-resistant MHC RT1 lv1/lv1 F344 rats. Analysis of thymic CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes revealed no difference in the percentage of CD4(-)CD8(+)and CD4(+)CD8(-)subsets in lyp/lyp compared to +/+ F344 rats. The same subsets was however dramatically reduced in blood (P=0.005), spleen (P=0.019) and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) (P<0.0001). Compared to F344 +/+ rats double positive CD4(+)CD8(+)T cells were increased only in lyp/lyp spleen (P=0.034) while double n
Brain and behavior changes in 12-month-old Tg2576 and nontransgenic mice exposed to anesthetics

Inhaled anesthetics have been shown to increase the aggregation of amyloid beta in vitro through the stabilization of intermediate toxic oligomers, which are thought to contribute to neurocognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. Inhaled anesthetics may escalate cognitive dysfunction through enhancement of these intermediate oligomer concentrations. We intermittently exposed 12-month-old Tg2576 transgenic mice and nontransgenic littermates to isoflurane and halothane for 5 days. Cognitive function was measured before and after anesthetic exposures using the Morris Water Maze; amyloid beta plaque burden and caspase-3 mediated apoptosis were quantified by immunohistochemistry. At 12 months of age, anesthetic exposure did not further enhance cognitive decline in the transgenic mice. Immunohistochemistry, however, revealed that the halothane-exposed Tg2576 mice had more amyloidopathy than the isoflurane treated mice or the nonexposed transgenic mice. Isoflurane exposure impaired cognitive function in the nontransgenic mice, implying an alternative pathway for neurodegeneration. These findings indicate that inhaled anesthetics influence cognition and amyloidogenesis, but that the mechanistic relationship remains unclear.
Characterization of effluent from an inland, low-salinity shrimp farm: what contribution could this water make if used for irrigation

Coastal aquaculture can contribute to eutrophication of receiving waters. New technologies and improved management practices allow the aquaculture industry to be more sustainable and economically viable. Current practices, however, do not provide an additional use for effluent water. Nitrogen, phosphorus and other effluent compounds could be valuable plant nutrients. Inflow and effluent water from an inland, low-salinity shrimp farm, were monitored. Bi-weekly analysis included total nitrogen, ammonia-nitrogen, nitrite-nitrogen, nitrate-nitrogen, total phosphorus, reactive phosphorus, alkalinity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS) and volatile suspended solids (VSS), as well as temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and pH. Alkalinity and total nitrogen decreased during the in-pond residency. The other parameters increased while in the ponds. The potential benefit of having nutrient enriched wastewater to irrigate field crops was substantial, supplying between 20 and 31% of the necessary nitrogen fertilizer for wheat production.
Remediation at a Marine Superfund Site: Surficial Sediment PCB Congener Concentration, Composition, and Redistribution

New Bedford Harbor (NBH) is an estuary severely contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and is undergoing a multistage Superfund remediation. A long-term monitoring program was developed to assess the effectiveness of this remediation. Seventy-two stations were monitored in the harbor and in adjacent Buzzards Bay. Sediments were collected at each station before and after the initial remedial phase (the “hot spot” removal), and the concentrations of 18 PCB congeners were quantified. A qualitative graphical technique was combined with exploratory statistical techniques to examine the spatial and temporal variability in concentrations of PCBs and proportions of the congeners. The combination of the two techniques with PCB congener ratios revealed subtle changes after remediation that were not evident by a more traditional statistical analysis of total PCB concentrations. Although major redistributions of contaminated sediments were confined to the immediate vicinity of remedial activities, there i...
Shear stress inhibition of H(2)O(2) induced p66(Shc) phosphorylation by ASK1-JNK inactivation in endothelium.

Shear stress protects endothelium from a variety of risk factors for vascular disease. Here, we demonstrate a novel mechanism whereby shear stress inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS)-triggered signaling cascades in endothelial cells. Stimulation of bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) with H2O2 induced a 3.07-fold increase in p66Shc phosphorylation. This response was fully blocked by pretreatment of cells with specific JNK but not p38 or ERK MAP kinase inhibitor. Further study showed that knocking down of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) by siRNA transfection in cells dramatically inhibited phosphorylation of JNK and p66Shc elicited by H2O2. Pre-perfusion of BAECs cultured in silastic tubes with laminar flow generated by a servo-pump system for 30 min also significantly suppressed H2O2-induced phosphorylation of p66Shc. This was accompanied by quantitatively similar inhibition of ASK1 and JNK phosphorylation and activation. These results suggested that shear stress protects endothelium against oxidant stress by suppression of ASK1–JNK-mediated p66Shc phosphorylation.
Borderzones in Adolescents’ Literacy Practices: Connecting Out-of-School Literacies to the Reading Curriculum

This article examines how a teacher drew on her urban students’ outside-school literacies to inform teaching and learning in a reading/language arts classroom. The following findings are discussed:...
Toward a neuropsychological model of infantile autism: are the social deficits primary?

Although infantile autism was first described as a disorder of “affective contact,” in the past 20 years it has been largely regarded as a cognitive disorder, with socially deviant behavior seen as a secondary manifestation. After a discussion of diagnostic issues, the nature of the socially deviant behavior is described, and a brief history of theories to account for this behavior is presented. It is then suggested that the social symptoms may more fruitfully be viewed as primary because of (1) the dissociability of social and cognitive impairments both within and across developmentally disabled populations, (2) the special difficulty autistic children may have with social or affective stimuli, and (3) the rarity of social isolation even in severely damaged babies, and its resistance to modification in autistic children. In addition, the specific cognitive deficits suggested to be central to autism (4) can be found in at least as severe a form in sociable retarded children, (5) are theoretically inadequate to explain autistic aloofness, (6) cannot be found in all autistic children, and (7) may be the very cognitive abilities which rest most heavily on social functioning. Some implications are drawn for neuropsychological models of autism.
Chapter 2: Classification of Students with Handicaps:

Classification is more than the assignment of objects or people to certain classes (in this paper class, category, and taxon are used synonymously) because of shared characteristics. Insofar as people are concerned, classification is a social act which, at the extremes, can cast them in the positions of deviates who must be removed from community life or can legitimize extraordinary supportive interventions in their behalf. The current classification system that is used to provide handicapped or disabled children with special services and education in the schools is anomalous: In the past the categories were used to keep children with special needs out of the mainstream of education and society, but now, under the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142), such children are to be included in the mainstream of education whenever feasible. Whether they need to be labeled is very much in controversy. This is not to say that no classification system is necessary, but rather that the current practices, because they represent a hodge podge of approaches and purposes, should be carefully examined and revised as necessary. As a starting point, I suggest Robbins' (1966) acute perception that the choice of categories in a classification system "implies that the category chosen is good for something" (p. 5). It is essential, therefore, that we consider the purposes of classifying children. The importance of classification in the lives of children can hardly be overemphasized. In his report of the study of classification, which he led, Hobbs (1975) warned that "nothing less than the futures of children is at stake" (p. 1) in the formation of categories. Subsequently, he characterized the current system for classifying handicapped children as "a major barrier to the efficient and effective delivery of services to them and their families
Differential outcomes and many-to-one matching: Effects of correlation with correct choice

Pigeons trained on many-to-one matching-to-sample with different probabilities of reinforcement for correct choice acquired the task more rapidly and showed better working memory performance when those different probabilities were correlated with the correct comparisons than when they were uncorrelated with them. Furthermore, this advantage was maintained when all correct choices were subsequently reinforced at the same probability, even though the change to nondifferential outcomes produced a drop in accuracy in the (formerly) correlated group. When birds were later shifted from correlated to uncorrelated outcomes or vice versa, the original between-group differences were reversed or eliminated. These data suggest that differential outcomes will potentiate matching performance if they generate an expectancy cue that is also predictive of correct choice. In addition, different outcomes may enhance common coding of the samples in many-to-one matching to the extent that they too are correlated with the correct comparison alternatives.
Cu/In deposited at room temperature: morphology, phases and reactions

Abstract Bilayers of a slightly copper-rich composition of copper and indium deposited (in that order) at room temperature by vacuum evaporation, electroplating, and r.f. sputtering, were analyzed by MeV 4 He backscattering spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction before and after thermal annealing at 400 °C in vacuum. The surface morphology of as-deposited samples is roughest for evaporated samples and smoothest for samples deposited by sputtering with low r.f. power. All as-deposited samples contain copper and indium phases and the metastable CuIn compound. After 1 h at 400 °C, this metastable phase and that of copper disappear and are replaced by some copper-rich compound (Cu 9 In 4 , Cu 7 In 4 ) in all cases. Simultaneously, the surface morphology smooths out considerably for the initially rough samples. Bilayers of various Cu/In compositions were also prepared. The results are consistent with the absence of stable compounds outside the 26–38 at.% indium range, as indicated by published phase diagrams.
System engineering to support the FAA's NextGen airspace security capability

As a relatively young mission area, Airspace Security offers many interesting opportunities for system engineering. Little formal documentation of the systems and operations exist, and many of the procedures and capabilities used have evolved in an expedient manner to meet urgent mission needs. The success of the mission to date is a testament to the experience and dedication of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operational security personnel and their mission partners in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Defense (DoD), and other agencies, as well as civil National Airspace System (NAS) users. Achieving the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) vision will depend upon leveraging the current operational knowledge and capabilities, while integrating security more closely with trajectory-based operations, collaborative Air Traffic Management (ATM) and utilizing the infrastructure provided by net-centric operations and information sharing. This will be accomplished in part by applying system engineering principles and techniques to derive the NextGen system requirements. This paper will describe the system engineering processes used to begin modernization of the FAA's airspace security capabilities as documented in the NextGen Implementation Plan. The focus of this paper will be on two specific analyses: first, the Goal Directed Task Analysis (GDTA); and second, the functional analysis for the Security Integrated Tool Suite (SITS).
How Fluoridation Affects Adult Dental Caries Systemic and Topical Effects are Explored

Oral assessments conducted to measure caries experience in adults reveal that, on average, each year of exposure to fluoridated water reduced DFS by 0.29 surfaces. Fluoridation appears to have both pre-and post-eruptive benefits.
The r-mode instability in strange stars with a crystalline crust

Among the oscillatory modes of neutron stars or quark stars, the $r$-mode is particularly interesting since it couples strongly to gravitational waves, which rapidly remove angular momentum from the star and spin it down. The $r$-mode can also provide a penetrating probe into the composition of such objects, where matter is compressed to the most extreme densities possible in nature. At these densities, exotic matter composed of subatomic particles---quarks---can manifest many interesting phases. We construct a model for quark stars that is a step towards resolving the puzzle of rapidly spinning pulsars in low mass X-ray binaries. The explanation makes use of a crystalline superconducting quark crust that is sufficiently robust to damp the $r$-mode, keeping the star spinning quickly. A crust made of neutrons or non-superconducting quark matter cannot damp the $r$-mode as effectively, thus, the fast spin rates observed in some LMXB pulsars may be an astrophysical signature of superconducting quark matter.
One university, two campuses: initiating and sustaining research collaborations between two campuses of a single institution

Collaboration has many benefits, but can also be difficult due to increased coordination, incompatible work styles or research approaches, and difficulty in communication. These problems are often exacerbated by distance, which can make collaboration between departments on a single campus more attractive; particularly as universities invest in interdisciplinary facilities. At some universities, however, some departments may be located on a separate campus, hundreds of miles away. This creates unique challenges for these universities in encouraging and supporting collaboration. There have been few systematic studies, however, of collaborations between campuses of a single institution. We report on a qualitative study of collaborations between the medical college and other departments of our university, located 230 miles apart. Results suggest that participants felt it was very important to build social ties or draw on existing experience with potential collaborators prior to starting a project. Participants also identified unexpected institutional obstacles to working effectively.
Trajectories of self-reported cognitive function in postmenopausal women during adjuvant systemic therapy for breast cancer

Objective In a sample of 368 postmenopausal women, we (1) determined within-cohort and between-cohort relationships between adjuvant systemic therapy for breast cancer and self-reported cognitive function during the first 18 months of therapy and (2) evaluated the influence of co-occurring symptoms, neuropsychological function, and other covariates on relationships. Methods We evaluated self-reported cognitive function, using the Patient Assessment of Own Functioning Inventory (PAOFI), and potential covariates (e.g., co-occurring symptom scores and neuropsychological function z-scores) in 158 women receiving aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy alone, 104 women receiving chemotherapy followed by AI therapy, and 106 non-cancer controls. Patients were assessed before systemic therapy and then every 6 months, for a total of four assessments over 18 months. Controls were assessed at matched time points. Mixed-effects modeling was used to determine longitudinal relationships. Results Controlling for covariates, patients enrolled before chemotherapy reported poorer global cognitive function (p < 0.001), memory (p < 0.001), language and communication (p < 0.001), and sensorimotor function (p = 0.002) after chemotherapy. These patients reported poorer higher-level cognitive and intellectual functions from before chemotherapy to 12 months after initiation of AI therapy (p < 0.001). Higher levels of depressive symptoms (p < 0.001), anxiety (p < 0.001), and fatigue (p = 0.040) at enrollment were predictors of poorer cognitive function over time. PAOFI total score was a predictor of executive function (p = 0.048) and visual working memory (p = 0.005) z-scores, controlling for covariates. Conclusions Findings provide further evidence of poorer self-reported cognitive function after chemotherapy and of relationships between co-occurring symptoms and cognitive changes. AI therapy alone does not have an impact on self-reported cognitive function. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving plasma uniformity in Z-pinch-driven neonlike krypton x-ray lasers

Maintaining plasma uniformity is an essential requirement for successful x-ray laser designs. In this work we focus on a Z-pinch-driven neonlike krypton x-ray laser design for which we (1) investigate the role of initial mass loading in affecting plasma uniformity and gain and (2) show that there are advantages in terms of plasma uniformity to diluting a krypton plasma with a low-Z material such as helium. These results are obtained by using a one-dimensional radiation hydrodynamic model. The results of this study show that low-mass 100% krypton plasmas are optimal for achieving significant gain while maintaining plasma integrity. Diluting a krypton plasma with helium has the advantage of improving plasma uniformity, but it has the disadvantages of enhanced collisionality and line broadening, which are associated with the additional free electrons.
Role of the Stable Signal Peptide of Junín Arenavirus Envelope Glycoprotein in pH-Dependent Membrane Fusion

The envelope glycoprotein of the arenaviruses (GP-C) is unusual in that the mature complex retains the cleaved, 58-amino-acid signal peptide. Association of this stable signal peptide (SSP) has been shown to be essential for intracellular trafficking and proteolytic maturation of the GP-C complex. We identify here a specific and previously unrecognized role of SSP in pH-dependent membrane fusion. Amino acid substitutions that alter the positive charge at lysine K33 in SSP affect the ability of GP-C to mediate cell-cell fusion and the threshold pH at which membrane fusion is triggered. Based on the presumed location of K33 at or near the luminal domain of SSP, we postulate that SSP interacts with the membrane-proximal or transmembrane regions of the G2 fusion protein. This unique organization of the GP-C complex may suggest novel strategies for intervention in arenavirus infection.
Simulation of thermal degradation, peroxide induced degradation, and maleation of polypropylene in a modular co‐rotating twin screw extruder

The characteristics of thermal degradation, peroxide induced degradation, and maleation of polypropylene have been modeled in a modular intermeshing twin screw extruder for a range of screw configurations and screw speeds. The models use the Akro-co-Twin Screw® formulation and account for starvation and fully filled pressurized regions including the effects of viscosity reduction along the screw axis by both degradation and viscous heating. The results are compared with experiments.
Stress Development in Glass Fiber Textile Forming Packages

An elementary model has been developed for predicting the stresses generated within a glass strand textile forming package taking into account the package profile and variable internal support caus...
Determining correspondence in 3-D MR brain images using attribute vectors as morphological signatures of voxels

Finding point correspondence in anatomical images is a key step in shape analysis and deformable registration. This paper proposes an automatic correspondence detection algorithm for intramodality MR brain images of different subjects using wavelet-based attribute vectors (WAVs) defined on every image voxel. The attribute vector (AV) is extracted from the wavelet subimages and reflects the image structure in a large neighborhood around the respective voxel in a multiscale fashion. It plays the role of a morphological signature for each voxel, and our goal is, therefore, to make it distinctive of the respective voxel. Correspondence is then determined from similarities of AVs. By incorporating the prior knowledge of the spatial relationship among voxels, the ability of the proposed algorithm to find anatomical correspondence is further improved. Experiments with MR images of human brains show that the algorithm performs similarly to experts, even for complex cortical structures.
Discrete-dipole approximation with polarizabilities that account for both finite wavelength and target geometry

The discrete-dipole approximation (DDA) is a powerful method for calculating absorption and scattering by targets that have sizes smaller than or comparable with the wavelength of the incident radiation. We present a new prescription—the surface-corrected-lattice-dispersion relation (SCLDR)—for assigning the dipole polarizabilities while taking into account both target geometry and finite wavelength. We test the SCLDR in DDA calculations for spherical and ellipsoidal targets and show that for a fixed number of dipoles, the SCLDR prescription results in increased accuracy in the calculated cross sections for absorption and scattering. We discuss extension of the SCLDR prescription to irregular targets.
Identification of a Repressor of a Truncated Denitrification Pathway in Moraxella catarrhalis

Growth of Moraxella catarrhalis in a biofilm resulted in marked upregulation of two open reading frames (ORFs), aniA and norB, predicted to encode a nitrite reductase and a nitric oxide reductase, respectively (W. Wang, L. Reitzer, D. A. Rasko, M. M. Pearson, R. J. Blick, C. Laurence, and E. J. Hansen, Infect. Immun. 75:4959-4971, 2007). An ORF designated nsrR, which was located between aniA and norB, was shown to encode a predicted transcriptional regulator. Inactivation of nsrR resulted in increased expression of aniA and norB in three different M. catarrhalis strains, as measured by both DNA microarray analysis and quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR. Provision of a wild-type nsrR gene in trans in an nsrR mutant resulted in decreased expression of the AniA protein. DNA microarray analysis revealed that two other ORFs (MC ORF 683 and MC ORF 1550) were also consistently upregulated in an nsrR mutant. Consumption of both nitrite and nitric oxide occurred more rapidly with cells of an nsrR mutant than with wild-type cells. However, growth of nsrR mutants was completely inhibited by a low level of sodium nitrite. This inhibition of growth by nitrite was significantly reversed by introduction of an aniA mutation into the nsrR mutant and was completely reversed by the presence of a wild-type nsrR gene in trans. NsrR regulation of the expression of aniA was sensitive to nitrite, whereas NsrR regulation of norB was sensitive to nitric oxide.
Functional Symptoms in Gastroenterology: A Punch to the Gut

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are highly prevalent in the USA and worldwide among children. These conditions can be broadly divided into those found in specific age groups as well as by symptom (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain). Collectively, these conditions account for a significant percentage of general and subspecialty practitioner visits. When unrecognized and/or untreated, these conditions can lead to significant morbidity including psychological and psychosocial disability for both patients and families. Furthermore, FGIDs are increasingly being recognized among patients with organic intestinal disorders such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Celiac disease and affect disease-related management and utilization of healthcare resources. The Rome Foundation has identified key diagnostic criteria for these disorders. A majority of these disorders can be diagnosed on clinical grounds based on detailed and pertinent history and physical exam. Combined assessment of symptoms, illness experience, and psychosocial factors can be utilized to develop effective individualized treatment plans.
Focus on “Computational modeling of physiological systems”

this issue of Physiological Genomics contains an invited Editorial emphasizing the enormous importance of and the role that computational modeling must play in the synthesis of mechanistically based hypotheses of complex biological systems. It is remarkable that in the short life of our journal (∼
Follicular fluid placental growth factor is increased in polycystic ovarian syndrome: correlation with ovarian stimulation

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by increased ovarian angiogenesis and vascularity. Accumulating evidence indicates that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is increased in PCOS and may play an important role in these vascular changes and the pathogenesis of this disease. Placental growth factor (PlGF), a VEGF family member, has not been previously characterized in PCOS women. We investigated levels and temporal expression patterns of PlGF and its soluble receptor sFlt-1 (soluble Fms-like tyrosine kinase) in serum and follicular fluid (FF) of women with PCOS during controlled ovarian stimulation. This was a prospective cohort study of 14 PCOS women (Rotterdam criteria) and 14 matched controls undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation. Serum was collected on day 3, day of hCG and day of oocyte retrieval. FF was collected on retrieval day. PlGF, sFlt-1 and anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) protein concentrations were measured using ELISA. Since sFlt-1 binds free PlGF, preventing its signal transduction, we calculated PlGF bioavailability as PlGF/sFlt-1 ratio. Serum PlGF and sFlt-1 levels were constant throughout controlled ovarian stimulation, and no significant differences were observed in either factor in PCOS women compared with non-PCOS controls at all three measured time points. However, FF PlGF levels were increased 1.5-fold in PCOS women compared with controls (p < 0.01). Moreover, FF PlGF correlated positively with number of oocytes retrieved and the ovarian reserve marker anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) and negatively with age. In addition, FF sFlt-1 levels were decreased 1.4-fold in PCOS women compared to controls (p = 0.04). PlGF bioavailability in FF was significantly greater (2-fold) in PCOS women compared with non-PCOS controls (p < 0.01). These data provide evidence that FF PlGF correlates with ovarian stimulation and that its bioavailability is increased in women with PCOS undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation. This suggests that PlGF may play a role in PCOS pathogenesis and its angiogenic dysregulation.
Malformations in a child with dup (7pter-p15.1) and del (7q36-qter) as a result of familial pericentric inversion

We describe a child with multiple anomalies and severe retardation with dup 7pter-p15.1 and del 7q36-qter as a result of a parental pericentric inversion of chromosome 7. The pericentric inversion was found in family members in 3 generations with 9 liveborn children who had severe anomalies probably associated with imbalances of chromosome 7.
Abundance of the δ Subunit of RNA Polymerase Is Linked to the Virulence of Streptococcus agalactiae

Group B streptococcus (GBS) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality among newborn children. The bacterium is a commensal organism colonizing the rectum and the gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts of adults, but it can be transmitted to neonates by an ascending infection of the maternal genital tract or during parturition. We previously reported that a transposon insertion disrupting rpoE resulted in the decreased survival of the mutant in the neonatal rat sepsis model of GBS infection. rpoE encodes the δ protein, a subunit of RNA polymerase (RNAP) that has been characterized in Bacillus species. In this study, we confirm the association of the δ protein with purified GBS RNAP and show that it is expressed in strains representing all nine serotypes. Flow cytometric analysis of a reporter strain containing a transcriptional fusion of the rpoE promoter to gfp revealed that, in vitro, this gene is continuously expressed. Analysis of δ expression in the transposon mutant by quantitative Western blotting revealed a 10-fold reduction in relative abundance (which was linked to the attenuation in virulence that was observed for this mutant) compared to that for the wild-type strain. These data suggest that a minimum intracellular concentration of δ is necessary for this organism to cause disease.
Cache Noise Prediction

Caches are very inefficiently utilized because not all the excess data brought into the cache, to exploit spatial locality, is utilized. Our experiments showed that level 1 data cache has a utilization of only about 57%. Increasing the efficiency of the cache (by increasing its utilization) can have significant benefits in terms of reducing the cache energy consumption, reducing the bandwidth requirement, and making more cache space available for the useful data. In this paper, we focus on prediction mechanisms to predict the useless data in a cache block (cache noise), so that only the useful data is brought into the cache on a cache miss. The prediction mechanisms consider the words usage history of cache blocks for predicting the useful data. We obtained a predictability of about 95% with a simple last words usage predictor. When applying cache noise prediction to L1 data cache, we observed about 37% improvement in cache utilization, and about 23% and 28% reduction in cache energy consumption and bandwidth requirement, respectively. Cache noise mispredictions increased the miss rate by 0.1% and had almost no impact on instructions per cycle (IPC) count.
Heterogeneous dynamics in DNA site discrimination by the structurally homologous DNA-binding domains of ETS-family transcription factors

The ETS family of transcription factors exemplifies current uncertainty in how eukaryotic genetic regulators with overlapping DNA sequence preferences achieve target site specificity. PU.1 and Ets-1 represent archetypes for studying site discrimination by ETS proteins because their DNA-binding domains are the most divergent in sequence, yet they share remarkably superimposable DNA-bound structures. To gain insight into the contrasting thermodynamics and kinetics of DNA recognition by these two proteins, we investigated the structure and dynamics of site discrimination by their DNA-binding domains. Electrophoretic mobilities of complexes formed by the two homologs with circularly permuted binding sites showed significant dynamic differences only for DNA complexes of PU.1. Free solution measurements by dynamic light scattering showed PU.1 to be more dynamic than Ets-1; moreover, dynamic changes are strongly coupled to site discrimination by PU.1, but not Ets-1. Interrogation of the protein/DNA interface by DNA footprinting showed similar accessibility to dimethyl sulfate for PU.1/DNA and Ets-1/DNA complexes, indicating that the dynamics of PU.1/DNA complexes reside primarily outside that interface. An information-based analysis of the two homologs’ binding motifs suggests a role for dynamic coupling in PU.1's ability to enforce a more stringent sequence preference than Ets-1 and its proximal sequence homologs.