cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sergi Belbel and Catalan Theatre: Text, Performance, and Identity

by David George Woodbridge: Tamesis, 2010, x + 220 pp, ISBN 9781855662208 (hardback) Catalan playwright and director Sergi Belbel began to garner widespread critical attention in Spain in 1985, whe...
Value of electrocardiographically gated single-photon emission computed tomographic myocardial perfusion scintigraphy in a cohort of symptomatic postmenopausal women.

The aim of this study is to prospectively evaluate the clinical value of electrocardiographically gated single-photon emission computed tomographic myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) imaging in a cohort of postmenopausal women with symptoms suggestive of ischemic heart disease. Forty-six postmenopausal women with no history of coronary artery disease (CAD), but with typical or atypical angina and ≥1 risk factor for CAD, were enrolled and underwent both coronary angiography and technetium-99m sestamibi MPS with exercise (n = 36) or pharmacologic stress (n = 10). All women were followed up for 5.0 ± 3 years for the occurrence of hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction, and/or new-onset or worsening angina. CAD prevalence (≥50% diameter stenosis) was 62% (26 of 42 patients). Fifteen patients (36%) had 1-vessel disease, 7 (17%) had 2-vessel disease, and 4 (10%) had 3-vessel disease. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the exercise electrocardiogram were 67% and 69%, respectively. By comparison, sensitivity of MPS was 88% and specificity was 87.5% (p
Effectiveness of aggressive prophylatic and preemptive therapies targeted against cytomegaloviral and Epstein-Barr viral disease after human intestinal transplantation.

CYTOMEGALOVIRUS (CMV) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) disease are problematic infections after intestinal transplantation (IT) due to the high incidence of infection associated with the graft and patient loss. These problems emphasize the need for better therapies to control these viruses. High-dose long-term gancyclovir prophylaxis has reduced the incidence of CMV disease after liver transplantation. Furthermore, monitoring for early viral replication followed by preemptive therapy has effectively reduced the incidence and severity of viral disease in recipients of solid organ transplants. As the combination of these modalities has not been reported previously in IT, we report herein our experience.
Weakly supercyclic operators

Inspired by a recent result that a weakly hypercyclic operator may fail to be norm hypercyclic, we show there exists a weakly supercyclic operator that fails to be norm supercyclic. Moreover, despite a classical result of Hilden and Wallen that every unilateral weighted backward shift is supercyclic, we show such an operator may have a weakly supercyclic vector that is not a norm supercyclic vector. In addition to these results, we extend a result of Kitai by showing a hyponormal operator cannot be weakly hypercyclic.
Childhood craniopharyngioma: Survival, local control, endocrine and neurologic function following radiotherapy

Between 1961 and 1978, 19 patients with a diagnosis of childhood or teenage craniopharyngioma received supervoltage radiotherapy. All patients had previously undergone either partial surgical resection (10 patients), total gross resection (3 patients), or aspiration and biopsy (6 patients). Fourteen patients were treated primarily and five were treated for recurrence. The five-year survival was 73% with a 10-year survival of 64%. Sixteen percent developed a recurrence following radiotherapy. Long term effects were assessed in terms of neurologic, intellectual, psychological and endocrine function. Seventy-nine percent had none or minimal neurologic disability. The mean full scale IQ for the group was 90. There were no additional endocrine deficiencies that could be directly attributed to radiation. Behavioral disorders occurred in 50%. These results are at least comparable, if not superior, to those of surgery.
Markov analysis of land use change—an application of stochastic processes to remotely sensed data

Abstract The change of land use on San Juan Island, Washington, during the period 1949–1971 is studied to see if the process is compatible with the Markov hypothesis: that past land use is not helpful in predicting future land use, given the present pattern. This hypothesis is tested using a χ 2 -test and the conclusion is that the data is more compatible with the hypothesis than not. The conclusions have implications for the design of programs for collecting aerial photographic information as well as information systems based on such data. The emphasis of the paper is, however, on the use by planners for projecting land use change when the Markov hypothesis holds.
Avalanche mode of motion - Implications from lunar examples.

A large avalanche (21 square kilometers) at the Apollo 17 landing site moved out several kilometers over flat ground beyond its source slope. If not triggered by impacts, then it was as "efficient" as terrestrial avalanches attributed to air-cushion sliding. Evidently lunar avalanches are able to flow despite the lack of lubricating fluid.
Clinical behavior of paroxysmal atrial tachycardia.

Abstract Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia is a familiar arrhythmia that has been studied extensively for the past decade using intracardiac recording and programmed ]electrical stimulation. These studies have thoroughly documented the mechanisms of this arrhythmia and its associated atrioventricular conduction abnormalities, but little is known about the spontaneous clinical behavior of this arrhythmia. A group of 34 patients with paroxysmal atrial tachycardia were studied using telephone transmission of the electrocardiogram to document recurrent tachycardia. When antiarrhythmic therapy was withdrawn, median time to the first recurrence of tachycardia was 19 days, mean heart rate during spontaneous tachycardia was 203.5 ± 34.9 beats/min, and the median duration of an attack was 20 minutes. In a group of patients who were followed while many consecutive attacks were documented, the time intervals between attacks were found to be uncorrelated and to fit an exponential probability distribution (i.e., the occurrence of paroxysmal atrial tachycardia behaved like a Poisson process). Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia does not occur in a chaotic and unpredictable fashion; it is an event that occurs according to common probability models.
Lymphocyte Subpopulations in Sarcoidosis

Excerpt To the editor: I have read with interest the recent paper by Daniels and Rowlands, "Lymphocyte subpopulations in sarcoidosis: correlation with disease activity and duration" (Ann Intern Med...
39.4: Polarization-Independent Switching With High Contrast from a Liquid Crystal Polarization Grating

We report experimental results of a liquid crystal polarization grating (LCPG) modulating unpolarized light with high contrast for the first time. Striking results are observed: nearly ideal diffraction into the first orders at > 99%, contrast ratios of up to 600:1 for monochromatic light, switching times of ∼ 2 ms for nematic LCs, and threshold voltage of 1.65 Vrms.
Genetic links between diabetes mellitus and coronary atherosclerosis.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrine disorders. It affects almost 6% of the world’s population, and its prevalence continues to increase. The causes of diabetes mellitus are multifactorial, and in the general population both genetic and environmental factors contribute evenly to its development. Several genes have been consistently associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus; however, it is not clear how many of those translate into increased cardiovascular disease risk. Recent evidence suggests that genetic variation at the CALPN10, FABP4, GK, GST, PPARA, and PPARG loci may confer higher cardiovascular disease risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the evidence is scattered and inconclusive and its translation into practical clinical testing will require studies properly designed to examine not only simple genetic associations but also gene-gene and gene-environment interactions.
ESOPHAGEAL MOTOR FUNCTION: NORMAL AND PATHOLOGICAL PHYSIOLOGY AS REFLECTED BY INTRALUMINAL MANOMETRIC STUDIES.

Esophageal motility studies provide an innocuous and relatively uncomplicated method for evaluating esophageal function in both health and disease. In addition to their investigative potential, intraluminal pressure tracings are of significant help in clinical medicine when used to supplement data accruing from the more conventional technics of roentgenologic and endoscopic evaluation. They are particularly useful in evaluating loss of esophageal motor function such as occurs in scleroderma, in detecting early and subtle cases of achalasia, and in documenting disordered peristalsis in individuals with chest pain and other symptoms secondary to esophageal spasm.
Software engineering grows up

The author discusses licensing in the software engineering profession. If software professionals do not participate in defining licensing and other regulation mechanisms, they could find themselves at the mercy of laws designed to protect segments of industry or to increase the reach of professional organizations that do not represent them.
Observations on congenital megacolon

Summary The incidence, theories concerning its causation, and the perverted physiologic mechanisms responsible for the production of congenital megacolon have been discussed. The medical and surgical treatment, with indications and results, have been described. Nine case histories have been briefly presented. An early intensive treatment by the pediatrician in conjunction with surgical methods for the resistant cases has been emphasized.
Influence of the carboxy terminus of serum amyloid A on protein oligomerization, misfolding, and fibril formation.

The fibrillar deposition of serum amyloid A (SAA) has been linked to the disease amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis. We have used the SAA isoform, SAA2.2, from the CE/J mouse strain, as a model system to explore the inherent structural and biophysical properties of SAA. Despite its nonpathogenic nature in vivo, SAA2.2 spontaneously forms fibrils in vitro, suggesting that SAA proteins are inherently amyloidogenic. However, whereas the importance of the amino terminus of SAA for fibril formation has been well documented, the influence of the proline-rich and presumably disordered carboxy terminus remains poorly understood. To clarify the inherent role of the carboxy terminus in the oligomerization and fibrillation of SAA, we truncated the proline-rich final 13 residues of SAA2.2. We found that unlike full-length SAA2.2, the carboxy-terminal truncated SAA2.2 (SAA2.2ΔC) did not oligomerize to a hexamer or octamer, but formed a high molecular weight soluble aggregate. Moreover, SAA2.2ΔC also exhibited a pronounced dec...
Critical behavior of compressible magnets

A model of a compressible $n$-component magnet which includes shearing forces is solved by the renormalization-group recursion relations to first order in $\ensuremath{\epsilon}=4\ensuremath{-}d$. Four fixed points are found and their relevance for critical behavior is discussed. The critical exponents of Heisenberg magnets have their rigid-lattice values. The leading correction to scaling has the exponent $\ensuremath{\alpha}{\ensuremath{\nu}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ with respect to inverse length. In Ising-like systems the transition is of the first order, but may appear as a second order.
Orientation of carbon monoxide and structure-function relationship in carbonmonoxymyoglobin.

Abstract Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of the CO stretch bands in carbonmonoxymyoglobin (MbCO) reveals three major bands implying that MbCO exists in three major substates, A0, A1, and A3. After photolysis at low temperatures the CO is in the heme pocket, and the resulting CO stretch bands represent the B substates. Photoselection experiments determine the orientation of CO in the A (bound) and B (photolyzed) substates: Small fractions of MbCO are photolyzed at 10 K with linearly polarized light at 540 nm. The resulting linear dichroism in the A and B IR bands yields the tilt angle between the heme normal and CO. The average angles are as follows: alpha (A0) = 15 degrees +/- 3 degrees; alpha (A1) = 28 degrees +/- 2 degrees, and alpha (A3) = 33 degrees +/- 4 degrees. The A bands are inhomogeneously broadened; the angle alpha shows a wavenumber dependence within the A bands. The wavenumber dependence is interpreted as a distribution of the tilt angle within the individually inhomogeneous A substates, thus providing a structural parameter to characterize the distribution of the conformational substates. The B substates exhibit no induced linear dichroism; in the photolyzed substates the ligand is randomly oriented with respect to the heme plane. The present results together with earlier data on static and kinetic properties of CO binding to Mb establish relations among spectroscopic, structural, energetic, and functional parameters.
nanoHUB-U: A science gateway ventures into structured online education

nanoHUB.org is arguably the largest online nanotechnology user facility in the world. From an initial user base of about 1,000 users, nanoHUB has grown to support over 250,000 users annually. nanoHUB supports users in 172 countries with materials for research and education, along with a wide variety of simulation tools covering many nano-related areas. Preliminary assessments of user behavior patterns have shown that nanoHUB's open access approach enables published resources to be integrated directly into classrooms. However, there is an increasing demand for pedagogically sound, workforce-ready, advanced courses that allow users to gain depth in topical areas related to nanotechnology. This paper explores an initial case study where an evolving cyber environment, based on the powerful HUBzero platform, begins to offer structured online courses to its massive audience through an experiment known as nanoHUB-U. This paper describes the impetus for this new offering and discusses how new and cutting-edge content formats are being combined with online simulations in significant ways. Further, it explores in-depth the outcomes related to one of the most popular courses offered to date.
A study of fine structural changes in the cartilage-to-bone transition within the developing chick vertebra.

Forty-eight chick embryos were killed at 9–16 days of incubation age. Tissue was obtained from the fourth or fifth cervical vertebra, immersed in Karnovsky's fluid, post-fixed in osmium tetroxide, dehydrated in ethanol, stained “en bloc” with uranyl acetate in ethanol, and embedded in Epon 812. Vertebrae were oriented for cross-sectional microtomy in cephalic to caudal sequence. Thin sections were stained with uranyl and lead salt solutions saturated with tribasic calcium triphosphate to prevent decalcification. Chondrocytes within the cartilaginous vertebral body occur in various stages of degeneration without orderly arrangement. Both reversible and irreversible stages are found at the cartilaginous resorption front. Electron-lucent osteoid and mineralization appear in the intercellular matrix at about 12.5 days. Rapidly invading blood vessels form a highly variable resorption front and irregular marrow cavity. Capillaries with accompanying cells border on the front, but else-where open capillaries allow blood elements to be in direct contact with cartilage. Chondroclasts are associated with small areas of calcified cartilage. At about 14 days trabeculae are formed at the resorption front by osteoblasts which deposit bone osteoid on uncalcified cartilaginous matrix. The matrix is eroded away. A free trabecula of bone without a core of calcified cartilaginous matrix remains. Basic differences between developmental growth processes in the epiphyseal plate and vertebral body may stem from the large amount of uncalcified cartilaginous matrix at the latter's resorption front.
Judgment and Judgment Latency for Freedom and Responsibility Relatedness as a Function of Subtle Linguistic Variations

The goal of this study was to determine whether differential response formats to covariation problems influence corresponding response latencies. The authors provided participants with 3 trials of 16 statements addressing positive and negative relations between freedom and responsibility. The authors framed half of the items around responsibility given freedom and the other half around freedom given responsibility. Response formats comprised true-false, agree-disagree, and yes-no answers as a between-participants factor. Results indicated that the manipulation of response format did not affect latencies. However, latencies differed according to the framing of the items. For items framed around freedom given responsibility, latencies were shorter. In addition, participants were more likely to report a positive relation between freedom and responsibility when items were framed around freedom given responsibility. The authors discuss implications relative to previous research in this area and give recommendations for future research.
Zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures and their association with naso-orbito-ethmoid fractures: a 5-year review.

Background:Zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures associated with ipsilateral naso-orbito-ethmoidal fractures are more complex injuries than isolated zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures. This injury pattern can have significant long-term morbidity if not recognized and treated appropriately during
Security of RCL wireless railway communications

Remote control locomotive (RCL) allows a train locomotive to be controlled remotely through radio signals rather than require an engineer to be present aboard the train. This paper evaluates the security of one vendor's RCL technology, specifically what would be required for a malicious attacker to take control of such a locomotive. The paper then investigates possible mitigation strategies to prevent this from happening
Fatty acid-induced NLRP3-ASC inflammasome activation interferes with insulin signaling

High-fat diet (HFD) and inflammation are key contributors to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Interleukin (IL)-1b plays a role in insulin resistance, yet how IL-1b is induced by the fatty acids in an HFD, and how this alters insulin signaling, is unclear. We show that the saturated fatty acid palmitate, but not unsaturated oleate, induces the activation of the NLRP3-ASC inflammasome, causing caspase-1, IL-1b and IL-18 production. This pathway involves mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and the AMP-activated protein kinase and unc-51–like kinase-1 (ULK1) autophagy signaling cascade. Inflammasome activation in hematopoietic cells impairs insulin signaling in several target tissues to reduce glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, IL-1b affects insulin sensitivity through tumor necrosis factor–independent and dependent pathways. These findings provide insights into the association of inflammation, diet and T2D.
Response to Letter Regarding Article, “Restrictive Left Ventricular Filling Pattern Does Not Result From Increased Left Atrial Pressure Alone”

We are grateful for the interest in our article1 expressed by Razzolini and Tarantini. They agree that we have demonstrated that the restrictive filling is not due to an overfilled ventricle. However, they are concerned that this pattern is not due to diastolic dysfunction but instead results from systolic dysfunction. Although restrictive filling is most common in patients with heart failure associated with a …
Primary production measurements in the north coastal waters of South America

Abstract Measurements of surface light intensity, water transparency and concentration of chlorophyll a were made in the northern coastal waters of South America during October and November 1958. Phytoplankton collections were made simultaneously. The highest gross production rates were encountered in the Gulf of Cariaco (3·75 g C/m2/day), over the Cariaco Trench (2·30 g C/m2/day), in Lake Maracaibo (1·23 g C/m2/day) and the Gulf of Venezuela (1·20 g C/m2/day). Upwelling appears to be the source of nutrients for production in the Gulfs of Cariaco and Venezuela. This relationship is less well established over the Cariaco Trench. High silt concentrations limit light for photosynthetic production in the Gulf of Darien, at the mouth of the Magdalena River and to the east of Margarita Island. Phytoplankton reduces materially the light available for photosynthesis in Lake Maracaibo.
SKAIT: A Parameterized Key Assignment Scheme for Wireless Networks

In this paper, we propose SKAIT, a parameterized symmetric key pre-distribution scheme that guarantees a secure and confidential channel between every pair of nodes in a wireless network. Parameterization enables control over the number of keys assigned to a node, and allows users to trade increased key space complexity for improved collusion resistance. We provide an analysis of the space complexity, time complexity, and collusion resistance, and we show that message exchange is secure against internal and external eavesdroppers. We also show via analysis and simulation that SKAIT possesses the ability to make efficient use of key storage capacities of at least 3 sqrt (n), and collusion resistance superior to that of two recently proposed schemes when the number of colluding nodes is small.
Sensorless control scheme for ultra high speed switched reluctance machine

The increasing awareness of higher rotational speeds for certain applications has motivated research into ultra high speed drive systems. The switched reluctance machine (SRM), which is an important member of the high speed machine family, has attracted much attention in recent years. However, there are many challenges to control a SRM at high speed, especially without the help of a position sensor. This paper therefore focuses on speed-sensorless control of a SRM at high speeds. A novel rotor position estimation method is proposed that requires little computational effort. Validation results at high speed are presented with the aid of Ansoft/Maxwell simulation. Finally, a close-loop sensorless control is presented to achieve the full speed range sensorless control.
Reversal of ouabain-induced arrhythmias in the dog by intravenous arginine hydrochloride

Arrhythmias lasting 110 (range 42–221) min were induced in anaesthetized dogs with ouabain. On repeating this regime with the addition of intravenous arginine hydrochloride the duration of arrhythmia was shortened by 60 min. In animals preloaded with arginine hydrochloride much higher doses of ouabain were required to establish an arrhythmia. It is suggested that arginine hydrochloride counteracts cardiac glycoside intoxication by mobilizing intracellular potassium.
Penta-Extensions of Hereditary Classes of Graphs

Penta is the configuration shown in figure 1(a), where continuous lines represent edges and dotted lines represent non-edges. The vertex u in figure 1(a) is called the center of Penta. A graph G is called a pentagraph if every induced subgraph H of G has a vertex v which is not a center of induced Penta in H. The class of pentagraphs is a common generalization of chordal [triangulated] graphs and Mahadev graphs. We construct a polynomial-time algorithm that either find a maximum stable set of G or concludes that G is not a pentagraph. We propose a method for extending α-polynomial hereditary classes based on induced Pentas.
Neutronics assessment for the ARIES advanced reactor studies

Abstract The ARIES tokamak designs have incorporated environmental and safety constraints in the design from the beginning. Low activation materials such as SiC or SiC composites, vanadium alloy, and modified HT-9 ferritic steel were utilized as the main structures in ARIES-IV, II, and III, respectively. All designs employ D-T fuel cycles except ARIES-III which is D- 3 He fuelled. An overall tritium breeding ratio of 1.12 seems adequate for ARIES-II and IV. The Li 2 O breeder requires a beryllium multiplier to achieve T self-sufficiency in the ARIES-IV design while the lithium has the ability to breed sufficient T in ARIES-II without a multiplier. Radiation damage concerns for the structures are the burn-up of the SiC and SiC composites and the atomic displacement in the vanadium. The first wall and blanket require frequent replacement (every 3–4 years) during reactor operation. The end-of-life fluences are 16.5 MW years m −2 and 13 MW years m −2 based on the 200 dpa and 3% burn-up limits for the V and SiC structures respectively. Because of the lower neutron production, the ARIES-III first wall and shield are permanent components and require no replacement over the plant lifetime. A variety of shield options was examined and the ability of various materials to protect the magnets was assessed. At least 1.2 m and 1.4 m of inboard blanket-shield are required for magnet protection in ARIES-II and ARIES-IV respectively. The lack of T breeding and the lower wall loading result in a much thinner shield (0.65 m) for ARIES-III.
Baculovirus infection of the armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) feeding on spiny- or smooth-edged grass (Festuca spp.) leaf blades

Abstract Susceptibility of the armyworm, Mythimna unipuncta (Haworth), to infection by a baculovirus (NPV) isolated from a Kentucky armyworm population was compared on two suspected progenitors of tall fescue, Festuca mairei and Festuca arundinacea subsp. fenas , with spiny leaf margins intact or removed to test whether leaf spines abrade or puncture the peritrophic matrix (PM) and facilitate passage of virions to infection sites in midgut tissue. PCR amplification and sequencing of selected genes from the virus and phylogenetic inference from aligned sequences were carried out to identify and classify the virus. Edge spines had no effect on percentage infection or days to death of newly molted 5th instars fed spiny- or smooth-edged F. mairei leaf blades for 24 h before and after droplet feeding doses of 10 8 or 10 9 OBs ml −1 . Fifth instars fed spiny- or smooth-edged grass blades had similarly undamaged PMs when viewed by scanning electron microscope. Fourth instars fed virus-treated F. arundinacea subsp. fenas leaf blades with spiny edges intact or removed did not differ in proportion infected or days to death. The food bolus moves in a liquid medium within the PM, and frass dissections showed that edge spines were often located inside a food bolus separated from the PM by non-spiny plant material rather than contiguous with the PM; therefore, friction of edge spines with the PM may have been low. These results suggest that armyworms will not be less susceptible to baculovirus infection when feeding on tall fescue cultivars with smooth leaf edges planted for improved livestock performance compared with those feeding on standard spiny-edged cultivars. We believe this to be the first study to investigate the effects of a natural physical structure on disruption of the PM and infection by a baculovirus.
Effects of flow and water chemistry on lead release rates from pipe scales

Lead release from pipe scales was investigated under different water compositions, stagnation times, and flow regimes. Pipe scales containing PbO(2) and hydrocerussite (Pb(3)(OH)(2)(CO(3))(2)) were developed on lead pipes by conditioning the pipes with water containing free chlorine for eight months. Water chemistry and the composition of the pipe scales are two key factors affecting lead release from pipe scales. The water rarely reached equilibrium with pipe scales within one day, which makes solid-water contact time and corrosion product dissolution rates the controlling factors of lead concentrations for the conditions tested. Among five water compositions studied, a solution with orthophosphate had the lowest dissolved lead release rate and highest particulate lead release rate. Free chlorine also decreased the dissolved lead release rate at stagnant conditions. Water flow increased rates of release of both dissolved and particulate lead by accelerating the mass transfer of lead out of the porous pipe scales and by physically destabilizing pipe scales. Dissolved lead comprised the majority of the lead released at both stagnant and laminar flow conditions.
Dendritic cells induce antigen-specific regulatory T cells that prevent graft versus host disease and persist in mice

Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (T reg cells) effectively suppress immunity, but it is not determined if antigen-induced T reg cells (iT reg cells) are able to persist under conditions of inflammation and to stably express the transcription factor Foxp3. We used spleen cells to stimulate the mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR) in the presence of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and retinoic acid. We found that the CD11chigh dendritic cell fraction was the most potent at inducing high numbers of alloreactive Foxp3+ cells. The induced CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cells appeared after extensive proliferation. When purified from the MLR, iT reg cells suppressed both primary and secondary MLR in vitro in an antigen-specific manner. After transfer into allogeneic mice, iT reg cells persisted for 6 mo and prevented graft versus host disease (GVHD) caused by co-transferred CD45RBhi T cells. Similar findings were made when iT reg cells were transferred after onset of GVHD. The CNS2 intronic sequence of the Foxp3 gene in the persisting iT reg cells was as demethylated as the corresponding sequence of naturally occurring T reg cells. These results indicate that induced Foxp3+ T reg cells, after proliferating and differentiating into antigen-specific suppressive T cells, can persist for long periods while suppressing a powerful inflammatory disease.
Thermal decomposition of sodium-containing particles in a flame

Abstract The release of sodium atoms from compounds such as NaCl, NaBr, NaI, Na 2 SO 4 , and NaHCO 3 has been studied with a newly developed flame scintillation spectrophotometer. The process of vaporization of the atoms appears to be largely a surface phenomenon and is discussed in terms of surface energies of the crystals and dissociation energies of the molecules. The results indicate significance for an understanding of the flame scintillation method in its application to air chemistry, and with regard to the thermal instability of certain substances.
Lag time in cell division from the point of view of the Bellman-Harris process

Abstract In this note the phenomenon of lag time in cell division is treated from the point of view of the Bellman-Harris process. Specifically, it is assumed that a cell must undergo a constant lag time τ before it can divide, and that after this lag time it divides following a random length of time ξ. Under this assumption, the mean and variance functions of the process are considered.
Computing learning acquisition

How can learning be computed? Curriculum, using visual language as the motivational context with embedded computer science content was utilized in one college computer science class and two middle school technology classes. From the data collected in these three classes over the course of a semester, associated learning progressions were computed from several computational thinking patterns. By comparing the results (learning progressions), some obvious and some not so obvious indications emerged. We believe that the more obvious indications give credence to the less obvious, and hence the measurement tool. This comparison between middle school students and college students demonstrated that middle school students?' learning progressions are slower than college level students (obvious), but middle school students?' learning skill scores reached/surpassed the entry level scores of students in the college class after designing only two or more games. Consequently, these results tell us that this measurement tool although not validated yet, could measure accumulated learning in certain contexts. Although this is just the first “outing” of this tool these results strongly indicate that the tool provides an accurate measure of the concept, in this case, learning accumulation or transfer.
Characterization of protein kinases in mitotic and meiotic cell extracts

A number of protein kinases have been separated and identified in extracts from mitotic and interphase culture cells and from mature and immature amphibian oocytes using nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by in situ phosphorylation assays. Certain of these protein kinase activities appear to correlate with the biological activity of extracts, assayed by their ability to induce meiotic maturation following injection into Xenopus oocytes. These results are consistent with the notion that protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation may be integral to the mechanisms of both nuclear membrane breakdown and chromosome condensation, events common and distinctive to mitosis and meiosis.
Oxidative addition in the coupling of alkylgold(I) with alkyl halides

Abstract MeAu(PPh3) reacts with MeI to afford C2H6 and I(PPh3)Au by a multi-step mechanism involving: (i) oxidative addition to form an intermediate Me2AuI(PPh3) species, which (ii), undergoes iodide-methyl exchange with another MeAu(PPh3) species to afford Me3Au(PPh3), followed by (iii), reductive elimination of C2H6 and reformation of MeAu(PPh3). The more reactive trime thylphosphine derivative also readily undergoes (i) oxidative addition and (ii) methyl exchange. However, Me3Au(PMe3) is more stable than the PPh3 analog and does not undergo (iii) reductive elimination. Instead, it is involved in (iv), a further very slow reaction with IAu(PMe3) and MeI to afford Me2 AuI(PMe3) in high yields. C2H5Au(PPh3) specifically affords n-C4H10 at 0° in MeI. Reactions of other alkylgold(I) complexes with alkyl halides are also reported, and fit into a general mechanistic pattern desribed by reactions (i) – (iv).
InnoScape: A creative artificial ecosystem model of boundary processes in open science

With the increasing use of cyberinfrastructure and popularity of e-Science initiatives, science is becoming truly globalized, reducing barriers to entry and enabling formation of open and global networked innovation communities. In this study, we characterize such networks as complex adaptive communication systems that exhibit traits of self-organized creative artificial ecosystems. A simulation-based exploratory study is conducted to better understand community traits that confer increased diversity and resilience in such global participatory systems. Five types of interaction topologies are identified and simulated using agent simulation as a method of inquiry. Simulation results show that scale-free network has the highest resilience as compared to random and random group network.
Gate-Controlled Microfluidic Chamber With Magnetic Bead for DNA Sequencing-by-Synthesis Technology

In this paper we present a novel microfluidic platform for DNA sequencing-by-synthesis methods (e.g. pyrosequencing). The proposed platform is based on the valve-controllable PDMS channel technology with DNA-coated magnetic beads. The encapsulation of the reaction of DNA polymerization in picoliter-sized wells provides for excellent isolation and control for detection. This separation prevents cross-talk amongst neighbor reactors which is one of the most limitations for higher integration of the current technologies. Through application of an external magnetic field the beads can be allocated with better accuracy. In addition this property can help mixing for the reaction. The proposed system is useful for a number of other bio-species detection and sorting templates. This paper illustrates the design and experimental results of a primary template as well as different advantages and potential applications of the Gate-Controlled Magnetic Bead (GCMB) platform in the world of DNA sequencing and genetics.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Some Fundamental Considerations During Rapid Solidification Processing

Three estimates of the solidification rates required to obtain a fully homogeneous structure during rapid solidification processing (RSP) have been made. One is given by the “absolute stability” criterion and another obtained from a new analysis for dendritic solidification. The third estimate, also derived from the above analysis, requires that “hypercooled” conditions be maintained after nucleation. A mechanism for the formation of “featureless” segregation-free zones during melt spinning and atomization processes is suggested and expressions for the critical cooling rate and thermal gradient required to produce such structures have been obtained.
The spatial scale dependence of water vapor variability inferred from observations from a very tall tower

Recent studies have established that atmospheric water vapor fields exhibit spatial spectra that take the form of power laws and hence can be compactly characterized by scaling exponents. The power law scaling exponents have been shown to exhibit substantial vertical variability. In this work, Taylor's frozen turbulence hypothesis is used to infer the first-order spatial structure function and generalized detrended fluctuation function scaling exponents for scales between 1 km and 100 km. Both methods are used to estimate the Hurst exponent (H) using 10 Hz time series of water vapor measured at 396 m altitude from an Ameriflux tower in Wisconsin. Due to the diurnal cycle in the boundary layer height at the 396 m observational level, H may be estimated for both the daytime convective mixed layer and the nocturnal residual layer. Values of H ≈ 1/3 are obtained for the convective mixed layer, while values of H > 1/2 apply in the nocturnal residual layer. The results are shown to be remarkably consistent with a similar analysis from satellite-based observations as reported in Pressel and Collins (2012).
Similar traits, different genes? Examining convergent evolution in related weedy rice populations.

Convergent phenotypic evolution may or may not be associated with convergent genotypic evolution. Agricultural weeds have repeatedly been selected for weed-adaptive traits such as rapid growth, increased seed dispersal and dormancy, thus providing an ideal system for the study of convergent evolution. Here, we identify QTL underlying weedy traits and compare their genetic architecture to assess the potential for convergent genetic evolution in two distinct populations of weedy rice. F2 offspring from crosses between an indica cultivar and two individuals from genetically differentiated U.S. weedy rice populations were used to map QTL for four quantitative (heading date, seed shattering, plant height and growth rate) and two qualitative traits. We identified QTL on nine of the twelve rice chromosomes, yet most QTL locations do not overlap between the two populations. Shared QTL among weed groups were only seen for heading date, a trait for which weedy groups have diverged from their cultivated ancestors and from each other. Sharing of some QTL with wild rice also suggests a possible role in weed evolution for genes under selection during domestication. The lack of overlapping QTL for the remaining traits suggests that, despite a close evolutionary relationship, weedy rice groups have adapted to the same agricultural environment through different genetic mechanisms.
Dielectric and microstructural properties of barium titanate zirconate thin films on copper substrates

Barium titanate zirconate, Ba(Ti1-xZrx)O3 (0 = x = 0.25), thin films were deposited via the chemical solution deposition (CSD) method directly on copper foils. The films were processed in a reductive atmosphere containing nitrogen, water vapor, and hydrogen gas at 900 °C to preserve the metallic copper substrate during crystallization. Increasing the fraction of BaZrO3 revealed several effects, including an increase in unit cell dimensions, a decrease in both the temperature and value of the maximum permittivity, as well as a decrease in the average grain size of the films. The decrease in the relative permittivity was attributed to a grain size effect as opposed to zirconium substitution. In film compositions containing 25 mol% BaZrO3, the permittivity below Tmax became dispersive, and the ferroelectric transitions became increasingly diffuse. These characteristics suggest relaxor-like behavior. The dielectric tunability of Ba(Ti1-xZrx)O3 was studied at room temperature and at Tmax for each composition. There was little variation in the tunability with measurement temperature; however compositions that were ferroelectric at room temperature saw a decrease in hysteresis at Tmax, and all compositions showed an increase in permittivity.
Low-Power FinFET design schemes for NOR address decoders

This paper presents and evaluates six novel, low-power, FinFET-based design schemes of the conventional NOR address decoder. These schemes differ in front- and back-gate connections and input signal swing. Simulations of these schemes were performed using a 32nm FinFET technology model and the schemes' performance was evaluated in terms of dynamic current consumption, delay, and leakage current consumption. The Low-Power (LP) scheme, a scheme where the FinFETs' back gates are reverse-biased for lower-power operation, was used as the base scheme for comparisons. The Shorted-Gate (SG) High Precharge Swing scheme has a better performance tradeoff than the other presented schemes, including the LP scheme. While dynamic power is 10.9% to 11.9% more than the LP scheme, the SG-High Precharge Swing scheme is 48.1% to 59.9% faster and dissipates 93.0% to 99.7% less leakage power than the LP scheme. In addition, the SG-High Precharge Swing scheme requires less supporting hardware as it needs one less voltage level and one less voltage conversion buffer than the LP scheme.
Back Pain and Lumbar Disc Disease in a Military Population: What Conclusions Can We Draw?

ith those words one of the greatest physician thought leaders of all time recognized that the number and W severity ofwounds on the battlefield served as a fertile training ground for physicians—and for surgeons in particular. Perhaps more importantly, he implied that lessons learned providing health care for a military population could translate into improved civilian practice. For centuries, his comments have repeatedly proven true.
An efficient multi-stage, single-arm Phase II futility design for ALS.

(2004). An efficient multi‐stage, single‐arm Phase II futility design for ALS. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Other Motor Neuron Disorders: Vol. 5, No. sup1, pp. 55-56.
Managing Cognitive and Mixed-motive Conflicts in Concurrent Engineering

In collaborative activities such as concurrent engineering (CE), conflicts anse due to differences in goals, information available, and the understanding of the task Such conflicts can be categorized into two types mixed-motive and cognitive Mixed-motive conflicts are essentially due to interest differentials among stakeholders Cognitive conflicts can occur even when the stakeholders do not differ in their respective utilities, but simply because they offer multiple cognitive perspectives on the problem Because conflicts in CE occur under a wider context of cooperative problem solving, the imperative for solving conflicts in such situations is strong This paper argues that mechanisms for managing conflicts in CE should bear a strong conceptual mapping with the nature of the underlying conflict Moreover, since CE activities are performed in collaborative settings, such mechanisms should accommodate information processing at multiple referent levels We discuss the nature of both types of conflicts and the r...
Musicomputation: teaching computer science to teenage musicians

While algorithms have existed in math, music and other fields for over one thousand years, the use of algorithms to solve problems has become easier than ever before due to the advent of the modern computer. This fact, in combination with advances in signal processing, makes an understanding of computer science an absolute necessity for future composers of music. This paper describes a highly successful intensive three week class called Musicomputation, in which computer science and computer music were taught to eleven 11-17 year old students with previous expertise in music and mathematics. We discuss details of the class and the possible implications for education.
Legionella Pneumophila Pathogenesis: A Fateful Journey from Amoebae to Macrophages

▪ Abstract Legionella pneumophila first commanded attention in 1976, when investigators from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified it as the culprit in a massive outbreak of pneumonia that struck individuals attending an American Legion convention (84). It is now clear that this gram-negative bacterium flourishes naturally in fresh water as a parasite of amoebae, but it can also replicate within alveolar macrophages. L. pneumophila pathogenesis is discussed using the following model as a framework. When ingested by phagocytes, stationary-phase L. pneumophila bacteria establish phagosomes which are completely isolated from the endosomal pathway but are surrounded by endoplasmic reticulum. Within this protected vacuole, L. pneumophila converts to a replicative form that is acid tolerant but no longer expresses several virulence traits, including factors that block membrane fusion. As a consequence, the pathogen vacuoles merge with lysosomes, which provide a nutrient-rich replication nich...
Retrograde Neurotrophic Signaling Requires a Protein Interacting with Receptor Tyrosine Kinases via C2H2 Zinc Fingers

Neurotrophins at axonal terminals signal to cell bodies to regulate neuronal development via signaling endosomes containing activated Trk receptor tyrosine kinases and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Requirements for the formation of signaling endosomes remain, however, poorly characterized. Here we show that a novel Trk-interacting protein, NTRAP (neurotrophic factor receptor-associated protein), plays a crucial role in this signaling process. NTRAP interacts with the Trk intracellular domain through its C(2)H(2) zinc fingers in a kinase-dependent manner. It is associated with vesicles, some of which contain markers for signaling endosomes. Inhibition of NTRAP function suppresses neurotrophin-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells by altering TrkA endocytic traffic, inhibiting the formation of endosomes containing persistently active MAPKs. In compartmentalized sensory neuron cultures, down-regulation of NTRAP abolishes the ability of neurotrophins applied to distal axons to activate the transcription factor adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate response element-binding protein (CREB) and to promote neuronal survival. We propose that NTRAP regulates retrograde neurotrophic signaling by controlling the formation of signaling endosomes.
A taxonomy of programming models for symmetric multiprocessors and SMP clusters

The basic processing element, from PCs to large systems, is rapidly becoming a symmetric multiprocessor (SMP). As a result, the nodes of a parallel computer will often be an SMP. The resulting mixed hardware models (combining shared-memory and distributed memory) provide a challenge to system software developers to provide users with programming models that are portable, understandable, and efficient. This paper describes and compares a variety of programming models for a parallel computer made up of SMP nodes.
Magnetic Decay at Elevated Temperature Relevant to Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording

This work uses established techniques for quantifying energy barriers to thermal decay of magnetization in magnetic recording media appropriate for heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR). These measurements have been made as a function of temperature and examined for reasonableness, self-consistency, and their ability to predict adjacent track aging in HAMR. We find that the demagnetizing factors and energy barrier distribution widths derived from these measurements appear unreliable. However, zero-time switching fields (often designated H 0 ) appear to be reliably determined, as are mean energy barriers. We conclude that significant magnetization rotation is the source of this unreliability and it also contributes to larger than expected distributions in H 0 and a larger than expected temperature dependence of H 0. Decay predictions are surprisingly effective given the limited amount of reliability in barrier width and demagnetizing field, but a model of decay that includes rotation appears to be needed.