cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computing for human experience: Semantics-empowered sensors, services, and social computing on the ubiquitous Web

People are on the verge of an era in which the human experience can be enriched in ways they couldn't have imagined two decades ago. Rather than depending on a single technology, people progressed with several whose semantics-empowered convergence and integration will enable us to capture, understand, and reapply human knowledge and intellect. Such capabilities will consequently elevate our technological ability to deal with the abstractions, concepts, and actions that characterize human experiences. This will herald computing for human experience (CHE). The CHE vision is built on a suite of technologies that serves, assists, and cooperates with humans to nondestructively and unobtrusively complement and enrich normal activities, with minimal explicit concern or effort on the humans' part. CHE will anticipate when to gather and apply relevant knowledge and intelligence. It will enable human experiences that are intertwined with the physical, conceptual, and experiential worlds (emotions, sentiments, and so on), rather than immerse humans in cyber worlds for a specific task. Instead of focusing on humans interacting with a technology or system, CHE will feature technology-rich human surroundings that often initiate interactions. Interaction will be more sophisticated and seamless compared to today's precursors such as automotive accident-avoidance systems. Many components of and ideas associated with the CHE vision have been around for a while. Here, the author discuss some of the most important tipping points that he believe will make CHE a reality within a decade.
Vapor‐liquid equilibria of light hydrocarbons at low temperatures and high pressures: The methane‐n‐heptane system

Recent experimental observations of the phase behavior of methane–n-paraffin hydrocarbon binary systems are used to make a phase rule analysis of such systems. The vapor-liquid equilibria of light hydrocarbon systems are complicated by liquid-liquid immiscibility and solids formation at low temperatures. The system studied here has limited liquid phase miscibility with a quadruple point involving a gas phase, two liquid phases, and a solid phase. Experimental techniques were developed to sample and analyze gas phases containing concentrations of n-heptane in the range of 0.00001 mole fraction with good precision. Binary K values for methane and n-heptane are reported at intervals of 20°F. from 0° to −100°F. for pressures up to the criticals for the mixtures. The results are reported numerically and illustrated graphically. Additional phase observations were made below the critical temperature of methane to confirm and extend the phase behavior of the methane–n-heptane system as reported by Kohn.
Synthesis of a versatile metacyclophane macrolactam

As Hsp90 has emerged as a promising target for the development of cancer chemotherapeutics, so has the need for systematic evaluation of structure–activity relationships between natural product inhibitors and this molecular chaperone. Utilizing our chimera approach, which encompasses the quinone moiety of geldanamycin and the resorcinol moiety of radicicol, molecules have been produced that are highly effective inhibitors of the Hsp90 protein folding machinery. These chimeric inhibitors contain metacyclophane macrolactams that are difficult to cyclize and modify for incorporation of functional diversity. To circumvent this problem, a highly diversifiable α-bromo-α,β-unsaturated ester has been prepared, which allows for the introduction of various functionalities that enable elucidation of structure–activity relationships between chimeric compounds and Hsp90. The rationale, synthesis, and optimization for such a molecule is reported herein.
Ranging and recognition of small targets in compressed stereoscopic imagery: II. Stereo matching and ATR algorithms

In Part 1 of this two-part series, we show that the processing of compressed data generally yields decreased computational cost, due to the requirement of fewer operations in the presence of fewer data. We described several compressive transformations in terms of image algebra, a rigorous, concise notation that unifies linear and nonlinear mathematics in the image domain. In this paper, we continue our development of compressive automated target recognition algorithms to include compressive stereo matching. In particular, we elucidate techniques for mapping a cepstrum-based stereo matching algorithm to stereoscopic images represented by the aforementioned compressive formats. Analyses emphasize computational cost, stereo disparity error, and applicability to ATR over various classes of surveillance imagery. Since the study notation, image algebra, has been implemented on numerous sequential and parallel computers, our algorithms are feasible and widely portable.
Sensitivity analysis of piezoaeroelastic energy harvesters

We perform a sensitivity analysis of a piezoaeroelastic energy harvester consisting of a pitching and plunging rigid airfoil supported by flexural and torsional springs with a piezoelectric couplin...
Kinetics of the stacking of ethidium bromide by the Raman laser temperature-jump method.

Abstract Raman laser temperature-jump measurements have been made on concentrated solutions of ethidium bromide. Two relaxations were observed. The faster has a lifetime of less than 30 ns and is attributed to rotation of the phenyl ring. The slower relaxation is concentration dependent and is due to the parallel stacking of two dye molecules. The forward and reverse rates for this process are (4.6 ± 1.4) × 10 8 M −1 s −1 and (6.7 ± 1.4)× 10 6 s −1 , respectively, at 25°C. 0.25 M ionic strength, and pH 6.9. This reverse rate and those of three similar reactions are found to fit a linear free energy plot. The implications of these results for studies of nucleic acid base stacking are discussed.
MEMS Based Electrostatically Tunable Circular Microstrip Patch Antenna

This paper reports a MEMS based electrostatically tunable circular microstrip patch antenna fabricated using printed circuit processing techniques. The microstrip patch antenna is patterned on the top side of a Kapton polyimide film which is suspended above the ground plane. The resonant frequency of the antenna is tuned electrostatically by applying a DC bias voltage between the patch and the ground plane. The movable patch deflects downward toward the fixed ground plane due to the electrostatic force of attraction caused by the applied DC bias voltage. This deflection decreases the air gap thereby increasing the effective permittivity of the antenna. This increase in effective permittivity results in a downward shift in the resonant frequency. The patch is inductively coupled to a coplanar waveguide (CPW) feed line via a slot in the ground plane. A 6 mm diameter circular patch antenna tunable from 16.91 GHz at 0 V to 16.64 GHz at 165 V, a tuning range of 270 MHz, is presented in this paper.
Temporal survey of electron number density and electron temperature in the exhaust of a megawatt MPD-Arc thruster

Temporal and radial profiles are obtained 30 cm downstream from the anode for two peak arc currents (11.2 kA and 20 kA) and for various auxiliary magnetic fields (0, 1.0 T, and 2.0 T) using the Thomson scattering technique. Average density and temperature are relatively constant for over 100 microseconds with significant fluctuations. Radial profiles obtained are relatively flat for 4 cm from the axis. Compared to earlier 20 cm data, the exhaust density has decreased significantly, the average temperature has not changed, and the density ?hole' with an auxiliary magnetic field has enlarged.
Polynomial-time transformations and schedulability analysis of parallel real-time programs with restricted resource contention

We present polynomial-time static semantics-preserving transformations of real-time programs. Used in conjunction with schedulability analysis, the transformations significantly increase the class of real-time programs that may be analyzed efficiently for guaranteed schedulability at compile-time. In cases where the form of resource contention among processes resists efficient transformation, we apply a heuristic transformation (and a consequent run-time scheduling heuristic) to allow the programs to be analyzed efficiently.
Control of Sterol Metabolism in Cultured Rat Granulosa Cells

Rat granulosa cells in culture secreted 15–35 μg 20α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one/mg protein-24 h when grown in medium containing 20% calf serum. Within 24 h of exposure to lipoprotein-deficient medium, steroid production was reduced by 80%. The addition of human low density lipoprotein (LDL), human high density lipoprotein (HDL), or the polar sterol, 5-cholesten-3β,25-diol, rapidly restored steroidogenesis to control values. The effects of human lipoproteins were dose dependent, with maximum stimulation of steroid production observed at sterol concentrations of 150 and 200 μg/ml for human LDL and HDL, respectively. Stimulation of steroidogenesis by lipoproteins was prevented by antisera against the specific lipoproteins. Lipoproteins, in particular human LDL, increased the incorporation of [14C]oleate into cellular sterol esters in a dose-related manner. In the case of human LDL, sterol concentrations of 150 μg/ml maximally stimulated sterol esterification. When cells were grown in medium containing lipoprote...
Project TARGET: A Needs Assessment Approach to Gifted Education Inservice

The purpose of Project TARGET (Teacher Assessment Related to Gifted Education Training ) was to deveiop a gifted program inservice training module that is based on a needs assessment approach. The project was funded by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and the North Carolina Board of Science and Technology. Specific goals of the project were to develop a needs assessment instrument, administer that instrument, analyze resulting data, develop training modules that responded to assessed needs, and evaluate the results. Evaluation data indicated favorable teacher response to the needs assessment approach and subsequent use of training module activities in teachers' classrooms.
Thermal Transport Due to Phonons in Random Nano-particulate Media in the Multiple and Dependent (Correlated) Elastic Scattering Regime

Effects of multiple and dependent or correlated elastic scattering of phonons due to nanoparticles on thermal transport in random nano-particulate media (random phononic crystals) are investigated in this paper under various approximations. Multiple scattering means that the scattered wave from one particle is incident on another particle to be scattered again. Dependent scattering means far-field interference of the scattered waves due to phase difference, which is ignored in the independent scattering regime. Multiple and dependent scattering effects become important when the interparticle distance is comparable to the wavelength of phonons. Results show that multiple scattering primarily affects the velocity and density of states of phonons and dependent scattering primarily affects the mean free path of phonons. Effects of both multiple and dependent scattering increases with increasing volume fraction of nanoparticles. Modification of these parameters affects the equilibrium phonon intensity and the thermal conductivity of phonons.
Future directions for etoposide therapy

Etoposide is an important chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of selected patients with germ cell tumors, lymphomas, and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Its optimal use is continuing to evolve. It is clear that schedule dependency is of critical importance. Recently, preliminary studies have suggested that a prolonged schedule of etoposide administration (21 days) may be more effective than the standard 3- to 5-day schedule. Results of several Phase II studies show chronic oral etoposide administration induces occasional responses in resistant tumors and higher-than-expected response rates in patients with germ cell tumors and SCLC. Preliminary data show nearly 90% etoposide absorption when given in a low-dose schedule (50 mg/m2/d) for 21 days. These observations indicate that etoposide may be a "new drug" when given in the chronic schedule. Further exploration of the schedule dependency of etoposide is indicated. Etoposide has recently been proven useful in selected patients with gastric, ovarian, and poorly differentiated carcinoma of unknown primary site. Several other drugs are either synergistic or additive and will be explored in combination chemotherapy. The possibility of adding topoisomerase I inhibitors and modulating etoposide's activity by inhibiting drug resistance is now within the realm of human testing.
Acrylic latex film formation in the critical temperature range

A shear wave of 15 megacycle frequency and four microsecond duration was made to impinge on the under-side of a series of ethyl acrylate-methyl methacrylate copolymer films on fused quartz. Reduction in the reflection coefficient of the pulse provided a direct measure of the increased viscosity and elasticity of the film as it dried, as well as the loss in adhesion which occurred in some cases. Upon reducing the minimum film-forming temperature (MFT) from 54 to 32°C. by increasing the ethyl acrylate content from 35 to 50%, the adhesion loss was reduced, eventually to zero, depending on the drying rate. Despite the fact that elasticity of the latex particles is the controlling parameter in film quality, a dependence on their viscosity was revealed by this work.
A simple vigor test for adjusting switchgrass seeding rate in marginal and fertile soils

Calculating switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) seeding rate is misleading and often causes stand failure. Our objective was to introduce a simple vigor test to adjust the seeding rate and enhance switchgrass establishment and productivity in the establishment year in fertile and marginal soils. Seeding rate for four switchgrass varieties (‘Blackwell,’ ‘Carthage,’ ‘Cave-in-Rock’ and ‘Shawnee’) was adjusted ranging from 25 to 125% based on a vigor test. Results indicated increase in seedling emergence and establishment with increasing the seeding rate. Higher established seedlings were recorded from the fertile soil (131 seedlings m−2) compared with the marginal soil (78 seedlings m−2). Based on our previous findings, 100 established seedlings often is considered as a successful establishment; therefore, a 50% (6.89 kg ha−1) and 100% (13.82 kg ha−1) adjusted seeding rates could provide sufficient stand density (111 and 94 seedlings m−2) in the establishment year in fertile and marginal soils, respectively.
Melanotropin receptors in the brain are differentially distributed and recognize both corticotropin and α-melanocyte stimulating hormone

Melanotropinergic neurons in the brain may mediate the known modulatory effects of α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) on brain functions including thermoregulation, pituitary regulation, learning and behavior. To determine the distribution of brain melanotropin receptors, we used biologically active [125I]Nle4,d-Phe7-α-MSH ([125I]NDP-MSH) for in situ binding and autoradiography in frozen rat brain sections. Specific (α-MSH-inhibitable) [125I]NDP-MSH binding sites were distributed in a region-specific pattern, and were present in numerous structures within the septal area, hypothalamus, thalamus, epithalamus, olfactostriatal complex, and midbrain. Each brain structure studied showed a characteristic, reproducible distribution and relative intensity of binding. Receptor peptide selectivity was assessed by comparing the dose-response relationships for inhibition of binding by α-MSH, NDP-MSH and ACTH. In all brain structures studied, the 3 peptides gave comparable maximal inhibition of tracer binding, indicating that all detectable binding sites recognized all 3 melanotropins. The respective relative potencies were:NDP-MSH(EC50 = 1.7 ± 0.6nM) > α-MSH(EC50 = 46.9 ± 11.7nM) =ACTH. These results provide a preliminary neuroanatomic map of potential target sites for melanotropin actions, and indicate that these sites are capable of recognizing multiple products of the intrinsic melanotropinergic system of the brain.
Anxiety response patterns and etiological factors in dog-fearful and non-fearful subjects.

Abstract Rachman's model of fear acquisition predicts that phobias with direct conditioning etiologies are associated with higher physiological arousal than phobias with indirect etiologies. Physiological. subjective and behavioral measures were obtained from dog-fearful college students and compared with a group of non-fearful controls. The two groups were divided according to the presence or absence of direct conditioning events involving dogs. Equally high proportions of fearful and non-fearful S s reported such conditioning events. Contrary to the model's predictions, the presence of conditioning events among fearful S s was unrelated to higher physiological arousal or behavioral indications of fear. Among the controls, the presence or absence of conditioning events was related to physiological arousal during exposure. Non-fearful S s without conditioning events showed a slight decrease in arousal during exposure while non-fearful S s with conditioning events showed increases in arousal equal to that of the fearful S s. Because conditioning events were equally prevalent and associated with increased arousal in both fearful and non-fearful S s these factors alone cannot account for the development of phobias.
Medullary substrates of descending spinal inhibition activated by intravenous administration of [D-Ala2]methionine enkephalinamide in the rat.

Abstract Two experiments were performed in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats to provide information about the locus of the descending inhibitory system(s) in the brainstem engaged by [ d -Ala 2 ]methionine enkephalinamide (DALA) activation of vagal afferents. In Expt. 1, local anesthetic block of either the medial medullary nucleus raphe magnus (NRM) or the combined NRM-lateral medullary reticular formation (MRF) region failed to affect DALA-induced inhibition of the tail-flick reflex or reflex bradycardia. The hypotensive action of DALA was marginally enhanced in rats with a combined NRM-MRF local anesthetic block. However, inhibition of the tail-flick reflex produced by electrical stimulation in the NRM-MRF was eliminated by the local anesthetic. In Expt. 2, local anesthetic blocks of regions at the level of and caudal to obex were effective in blocking DALA-induced inhibition of the tail-flick reflex. These regions included lateral sites approximately 0.4 mm rostral to obex, to −2.4mm caudal to obex, and midline sites approximately −2.4 to −3.2mm caudal to obex. These findings suggest that brainstem areas mediating DALA-induced antinociception are lateral to the midline at the level of the obex. The spinopetal efferents mediating antinociception then course medially and ventrally, and finally course bilaterally in the dorsolateral funiculi before terminating in the spinal dorsal horn.
Integrating classical and intuitionistic type theory

Developpement d'un cadre conceptuel simple prolongeant les mathematiques classiques et englobant certains traits des mathematiques intuitionnistes
Short- and Long-Term Effects of Amiodarone on the Two Components of Cardiac Delayed Rectifier K+ Current

Background—Amiodarone is the most promising drug for the treatment of life-threatening tachyarrhythmias in patients with structural heart disease. The pharmacological effects of amiodarone on cardiac ion channels are complex and may differ for short-term and long-term administration. Methods and Results—The delayed rectifier K+ current (IK) of ventricular myocytes isolated from rabbit hearts was recorded with the whole-cell voltage-clamp technique. IK was separated into 2 components by use of specific blockers for either IKs (chromanol 293B, 30 μmol/L) or IKr (E-4031, 10 μmol/L). Short-term application of amiodarone caused a concentration-dependent decrease in IKr with an IC50 of 2.8 μmol/L (n=8) but only a minimal reduction in IKs. The short-term effects of amiodarone were also determined in Xenopus oocytes expressing the cloned human channels that conduct IKr and IKs (HERG and KvLQT1/minK). HERG current in oocytes was reduced by amiodarone (IC50=38 μmol/L), whereas KvLQT1/minK current was unaffected by ...
Petrolisthes Armatus: a Redescription of Larval Development Under Laboratory Conditions (Decapoda, Porcellanidae) 1)

[Die Entwicklung von Petrolisthes armatus wird auf Grund von Laboratoriumskulturen beschrieben und vier Stadien unterschieden: Pra-Zoea, Zoea I, Zoea II und Megalopa-Stadium. Die Larven wurden in zwei Serien aufgezogen. Serie A wurde mit Artemia-Nauplien gefuttert, Serie B erhielt kein Futter. Beide Serien wurden bei 10°, 15°, 20° und bei 26,5° bis 27,5°C (Zimmertemperatur) oder 28°C gehalten. Die Larven der Serie A uberlebten bei 28°C als Zoea I funf Tage, als Zoea II sechs Tage und als Megalopa sechs Tage, bevor sie sich zum Krabben-Stadium I hauteten. Bei 20°C dauerte jedes Stadium 50% langer, Zoea I und II mindestens 12 beziehungsweise 17 Tage, die Megalopae ungefahr 20 Tage. Bei 28°C werden 80% der Zoeae zu Megalopae; bei 20°C nur 40%. Bei 15° und 10°C und allen Temperaturen der Serie B blieben die Zoeae bis zum Tode in Stadium I. Der Ausdruck "Zwischenstadium" ("substage") sollte fallen gelassen werden, da sich in sogenannten "substages" nur gewisse Anhange ohne Hautung weiterentwickeln. Lebour's (1943) Schlussel zur Identifizierung der Larven, die auf Merkmalen des Telson beruht, ist weiterhin gultig. Allerdings werden zusatzliche Artmerkmale fur andere Gattungen notwendig., Die Entwicklung von Petrolisthes armatus wird auf Grund von Laboratoriumskulturen beschrieben und vier Stadien unterschieden: Pra-Zoea, Zoea I, Zoea II und Megalopa-Stadium. Die Larven wurden in zwei Serien aufgezogen. Serie A wurde mit Artemia-Nauplien gefuttert, Serie B erhielt kein Futter. Beide Serien wurden bei 10°, 15°, 20° und bei 26,5° bis 27,5°C (Zimmertemperatur) oder 28°C gehalten. Die Larven der Serie A uberlebten bei 28°C als Zoea I funf Tage, als Zoea II sechs Tage und als Megalopa sechs Tage, bevor sie sich zum Krabben-Stadium I hauteten. Bei 20°C dauerte jedes Stadium 50% langer, Zoea I und II mindestens 12 beziehungsweise 17 Tage, die Megalopae ungefahr 20 Tage. Bei 28°C werden 80% der Zoeae zu Megalopae; bei 20°C nur 40%. Bei 15° und 10°C und allen Temperaturen der Serie B blieben die Zoeae bis zum Tode in Stadium I. Der Ausdruck "Zwischenstadium" ("substage") sollte fallen gelassen werden, da sich in sogenannten "substages" nur gewisse Anhange ohne Hautung weiterentwickeln. Lebour's (1943) Schlussel zur Identifizierung der Larven, die auf Merkmalen des Telson beruht, ist weiterhin gultig. Allerdings werden zusatzliche Artmerkmale fur andere Gattungen notwendig.]
Wind dispersal of soil invertebrates in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

Dispersal of soil organisms is crucial for their spatial distribution and adaptation to the prevailing conditions of the Antarctic Dry Valleys. This study investigated the possibility of wind dispersal of soil invertebrates within the dry valleys. Soil invertebrates were evaluated in (1) pockets of transported sediments to lake ice and glacier surfaces, (2) wind-transported dust particles in collection pans (Bundt pans) 100 cm above the soil surface, and (3) sediments transported closer to the surface (<50 cm) and collected in open top chambers (OTCs). Invertebrates were extracted and identified. Nematodes were identified to species and classified according to life stage and sex. Three species of nematodes were recovered and Scottnema lindsayae was the most dominant. There were more juveniles (∼71%) in the transported sediments than adults (29%). Tardigrades and rotifers were more abundant in sediments on lake and glacier surfaces while nematodes were more abundant in the dry sediment collections of Bundt pans and OTCs. The abundance of immobile (dead) nematodes in the Bundt pans and OTCs was three times greater than active (live) nematodes. Anhydrobiosis constitutes a survival mechanism that allows wind dispersal of nematodes in the McMurdo Dry Valleys. Our results show that soil invertebrates are dispersed by wind in the Dry Valleys and are viable in ice communities on lake surfaces and glaciers.
DAI/ZBP1/DLM-1 Complexes with RIP3 to Mediate Virus-Induced Programmed Necrosis that Is Targeted by Murine Cytomegalovirus vIRA

Programmed necrosis, like apoptosis, eliminates pathogen-infected cells as a component of host defense. Receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIP) 3 (also called RIPK3) mediates RIP homotypic interaction motif (RHIM)-dependent programmed necrosis induced by murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection or death receptor activation and suppressed by the MCMV-encoded viral inhibitor of RIP activation (vIRA). We find that interferon-independent expression of DNA-dependent activator of interferon regulatory factors (DAI, also known as ZBP1 or DLM-1) sensitizes cells to virus-induced necrosis and that DAI knockdown or knockout cells are resistant to this death pathway. Importantly, as with RIP3(-/-) mice, vIRA mutant MCMV pathogenesis is restored in DAI(-/-) mice, consistent with a DAI-RIP3 complex being the natural target of vIRA. Thus, DAI interacts with RIP3 to mediate virus-induced necrosis analogous to the RIP1-RIP3 complex controlling death receptor-induced necroptosis. These studies unveil a role for DAI as the RIP3 partner mediating virus-induced necrosis.
Enhanced Heat Rejection of Microscale Geometries in Convective Flow Boiling Evaporators

Four surfaces have been designed, fabricated and tested under convective flow boiling (CFB) conditions in an open loop configuration. They contain features in the 10 micron range and were tested with flow velocities under 3 mm/s. To accomplish these flow rates, this work utilizes a constant pressure potential driving flow, instead of the constant flow rate imposed with a syringe pump. This limited device flooding. The evaporation surfaces were tested to the point of dry-out at three different pressure potentials: 150, 650, and 1150 Pa, across a range of powers from 25 W/cm2 to 50 W/cm2. Temperature data was collected from an IR Camera and showed that fluctuations in the wall temperatures exceed 5 °C in more than 50% of the tests and reached differences as high as 23 °C. The wall temperature instabilities in CFB indicate that one temperature may be inaccurate and that by including time as a variable a better understanding of the behaviour at this scale may be revealed.
Aerothermodynamic Testing of the Crew Exploration Vehicle in the Larc 20-Inch Mach 6 and 31-Inch Mach 10 Tunnels

An experimental wind tunnel program is being conducted in support of a NASA wide effort to develop a Space Shuttle replacement and to support the Agency s long term objective of returning to the Moon and Mars. This report documents experimental measurements made on several scaled ceramic heat transfer models of the proposed Crew Exploration Vehicle Crew Module. The experimental data highlighted in this test report are to be used to assess numerical tools that will be used to generate the flight aerothermodynamic database. Global heat transfer images and heat transfer distributions were obtained over a range of freestream Reynolds numbers and angles of attack with the phosphor thermography technique. Heat transfer data were measured on the forebody and afterbody and were used to infer the heating on the vehicle as well as the boundary layer state on the forebody surface. Several model support configurations were assessed to minimize potential support interference. In addition, the ability of the global phosphor thermography method to provide quantitative heating measurements in the low temperature environment of the capsule base region was assessed. While naturally fully developed turbulent levels were not obtained on the forebody, the use of boundary layer trips generated fully developed turbulent flow. Laminar and turbulent computational results were shown to be in good agreement with the data. Backshell testing demonstrated the ability to obtain data in the low temperature region as well as demonstrating the lack of significant model support hardware influence on heating.
Scanner parameter sensitivity analysis for OPE

The imaging power of microlithographic lenses, normalized to minimum feature size, has become lower and lower for each generation, even with the progress of high-NA lithography. The rate of increase of NA has not kept pace with Moore's law. Therefore, low k1 lithography techniques such as RET (Resolution Enhancement Technology) have been applied for more than a decade. RET, however, is a technique to increase the imaging contrast only for dedicated pattern types/sizes, and may decrease the imaging power for other than dedicated patterns. To fill this gap between actual imaging power and required imaging power, OPC (Optical Proximity Correction) technologies are becoming more and more important for leading edge lithography. The accuracy of OPC is important for high performance quality chips. On the other hand, due to low relative imaging power and high NA of the current projection lens, imaging performance is very sensitive to various kinds of errors such as defocus, dose error, aberration, apodization, flare, polarization aberration, polarization status, etc. In order to solve this, scanner parameters, which can be obtained even before the scanner itself has been completed, should be embedded in the imaging simulation in OPC design and verification to improve the accuracy. In addition, OPE (Optical Proximity Effect) data simulated with the scanner parameters may be useful for early stage reticle design before actual exposure using first lot scanners. We have studied the sensitivity of OPE to scanner parameters and prioritized parameters to be input to the OPC design and/or verification process for improving the accuracy without significant increase in the amount of calculation.
An evaluation of the American Medical Association's Physician masterfile as a data source--one state's experience.

An evaluation of the American Medical Association's (AMA) Physician Master- file is presented here on a state level. Both completeness and reliability of the AMA data were assessed for physicians licensed and living in Washington State. Comparison of the AMA data with state licensure data indicated excellent agreement, with only a small proportion of licensed physicians “missing” from the AMA Masterfile. Their absence was due largely to differences in the manner in which the two systems updated their files. The reliability of the AMA data was checked by comparing it with similar, independently gathered survey data on birth date, birthplace, medical school, type of practice, specialty, board certifications, and employer. In general, despite some minor deficiencies, the AMA data were shown to be highly reliable.
Commentary: Oversight of Engineered Nanomaterials in the Workplace

Research and business investment in emerging nanotechnologies is leading to a diverse range of new substances and products. As workers are faced with handling new materials, often with novel properties, the robustness of current workplace health and safety regulatory frameworks is being brought into question. Here, 12 characteristics of the U.S. occupational safety regulatory framework identified by Choi and Ramachandran are considered in the context of emerging nanotechnologies. The assessment suggests that, as the number of new materials entering the workplace continues to increase, OSHA will need to develop flexible approaches to identifying and reducing potential risks. Relying on conventional approaches in the face of unconventional challenges will increase the probability of otherwise avoidable heath impacts. If the potential for engineered nanomaterials to cause harm is to be understood and managed, the agency will need to look at new approaches to generating, sharing, and using information.
Institutions really don't matter for development? A response to Chang

Ha-Joon Chang, in his article ‘Institutions and Economic Development: Theory, Policy and History’, argues that the institutions and development literature is theoretically and empirically flawed, trapped by a failure to account for the contextual factors that influence the institutions that drive development. These judgments emerge from a lack of appreciation of the methodological standards of that literature and, especially, from a description of the institutions and development literature that few contributors to it would recognize. At the same time, despite the emphasis he gives to contextual factors, his critique ignores the role of politicians and the progress made in the institutions literature in understanding their incentives to pursue development.
Common PIK3CA Mutants and a Novel 3′ UTR Mutation Are Associated with Increased Sensitivity to Saracatinib

Purpose: Dysregulation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and Src signaling pathways commonly occur in colorectal cancer. Mutations in the PIK3CA gene are associated with an increase in severity of disease and worse clinical outcomes. Elevated levels of Src have been identified in premalignant lesions and are suggested to play a central role in tumor progression. Because these pathways appear to enhance tumor growth and metastasis, molecularly targeted agents for both pathways are currently being evaluated in early-phase clinical trials. Experimental Design: We used colorectal cancer cell lines and a patient-derived explant model to investigate the efficacy of saracatinib. Mutations in the PIK3CA were evaluated to examine the association between mutations in the PIK3CA gene and sensitivity to saracatinib. Results: We have identified a subset of patients with a PIK3CA (exon 9 and 20) mutation with increased sensitivity to saracatinib. A novel 3′ untranslated region (UTR) mutation was also shown to be associated with increased sensitivity to saracatinib and have a reduced affinity for miR-520a and miR-525a. Importantly, we show that Src inhibition reduces the interaction between Src and p85, subsequently decreasing Akt-dependent signaling. Conclusion: These results indicate that a personalized approach in targeting Src in PIK3CA-mutant patients with colorectal cancers may prove effective in a subset of patients with this genetic alteration. Clin Cancer Res; 18(9); 2704–14. ©2012 AACR.
Impact of correlated diversity branches in Rician fading channels

The effect of correlated branches on the performance of coherent maximum ratio combining (MRC) and non-coherent equal gain combining (EGC) diversity receivers over Rician fading channels is studied. The asymptotic error and outage probabilities for the MRC and EGC receivers with arbitrarily correlated branches for high average signal-to-noise ratios (ASNR) are derived, in terms of the diversity and coding gains. Based on this result, we show that the phase vector /spl phi/ of the line-of-sight (LOS) components of the channel has a significant impact on the receiver performance in correlated Rician fading channels. The asymptotic upper and lower bounds of the receiver performance as a function of /spl phi/ are derived. Our results show that with correlated branches the phase vector /spl phi/ affects the effective Rice K-factor at the diversity receiver output, and hence may result in a coding gain significantly higher than that for independent branches. Further, when the channel correlation matrix is rank deficient and under some additional mild conditions, the receiver performance approaches that in a non-fading additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel.
Simplicial dijkstra and A* algorithms for optimal feedback planning

This paper considers the Euclidean shortest path problem among obstacles in ℝn. Adaptations of Dijkstra's and A* algorithms are introduced that compute the approximate cost-to-go function over a simplicial complex embedded in the free space. Interpolation methods are carefully designed and analyzed so that they are proven to converge numerically to the optimal cost-to-go function. As the result, the computed function produces approximately optimal trajectories. The methods are implemented and demonstrated on 2D and 3D examples. As expected, the simplicial A* algorithm significantly improves performance over the simplicial Dijkstra's algorithm.
The Stimulation of Low-Affinity, Nontolerized Clones by Heteroclitic Antigen Analogues Causes the Breaking of Tolerance Established to an Immunodominant T Cell Epitope

H-2K mice injected, intravenously in saline or intraperitoneally in incomplete Freund's adjuvant, with large quantities of the immunodominant I-Ek–restricted epitope from moth cytochrome c (MCC) 88–103 fail to respond to subsequent immunization with this epitope when administered in complete Freund's adjuvant. This state of tolerance can be broken by immunization with certain MCC 88–103 analogues that are heteroclitic antigens as assessed on representative MCC 88–103 specific T cell clones. In this paper, the mechanism of breaking tolerance by heteroclitic antigens was investigated. The following observations were made: (a) T cell hybridomas derived from tolerance-broken animals required higher concentrations of MCC 88–103 to be stimulated than hybridomas derived from normal immune animals, suggesting that they have T cell receptors (TCRs) of lower affinity; (b) in contrast to normal immune animals whose MCC-specific TCRs are typically Vβ3+/Vα11+, none of the hybridomas derived from tolerance-broken animals expressed Vβ3, although they were all Vα11+. Also, the Vβ complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) regions from the tolerance-broken animals did not contain the canonical structure and length characteristics of the normal MCC 88–103 immune repertoire; and (c) adoptive transfer and tolerization of MCC-specific Vβ3+/Vα11+ transgenic T cells followed by immunization with heteroclitic antigen failed to terminate the state of tolerance. Collectively, these data strongly suggest that the mechanism involved in breaking tolerance in this system is the stimulation of nontolerized, low-affinity clones, rather than reversal of anergy. Further support for this mechanism was the finding that after activation, T cells apparently have a lowered threshold with respect to the affinity of interaction with antigen required for stimulation.
When Is Thrombolysis Justified in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke? A Bioethical Perspective

Background Thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke raises several unsettled bioethical issues related to risk versus benefit. Excluding the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) rt-PA trial, the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage averages 10.3%, and there is a 44% increase in the odds of death among fibrinolysis-treated patients. Some investigators have suggested that as yet unidentified subgroups may benefit despite an increased early risk of hemorrhage and death, while others have warned that the widespread use of thrombolysis cannot currently be recommended despite recent Food and Drug Administration approval. The NINDS rt-PA trial showed a net benefit, but the relative risk to benefit ratio in individual patients is uncertain because of incomplete subgroup analysis. We explore these and related issues by applying the bioethical principle of justification to the selection of stroke patients for thrombolysis. Summary of Comment Justification of a therapy rests on the crit...
Mu-8: visualizing differences between proteins and their families

A complete understanding of the relationship between the amino acid sequence and resulting protein function remains an open problem in the biophysical sciences. Current approaches often rely on diagnosing functionally relevant mutations by determining whether an amino acid frequently occurs at a specific position within the protein family. However, these methods do not account for the biophysical properties and the 3D structure of the protein. We have developed an interactive visualization technique, Mu-8, that provides researchers with a holistic view of the differences of a selected protein with respect to a family of homologous proteins. Mu-8 helps to identify areas of the protein that exhibit: (1) significantly different bio-chemical characteristics, (2) relative conservation in the family, and (3) proximity to other regions that have suspect behavior in the folded protein. Our approach quantifies and communicates the difference between a reference protein and its family based on amino acid indices or principal components of amino acid index classes, while accounting for conservation, proximity amongst residues, and overall 3D structure. We demonstrate Mu-8 in a case study with data provided by the 2013 BioVis contest. When comparing the sequence of a dysfunctional protein to its functional family, Mu-8 reveals several candidate regions that may cause function to break down.
Genetic alterations in malignant melanoma

Abstract Many advances in the understanding of the genetic and cellular events that drive melanoma formation have occurred in the last decade. Despite intensive efforts to develop melanoma therapies, no approved melanoma therapy significantly increases overall survival of advanced-stage patients. An awareness of the genetic alterations that occur in melanoma will be critical in order to facilitate the development of effective individualized melanoma therapies. This understanding may also aid the discovery of molecular biomarkers that refine histopathological determinants of prognosis and melanoma diagnosis. In this article, we review a brief background on melanoma epidemiology and what is currently known about common genetic alterations found in sporadic and inherited melanoma as well as their effects on melanoma formation and progression.
Extravasation of Noncytotoxic Drugs: A Review of the Literature

Objective: Extravasation is a potential complication associated with intravenous therapy administration. Inadvertent leakage of medications with vesicant properties can cause severe tissue necrosis, which can lead to devastating long-term consequences. Recognizing potential agents is an essential step in mitigating the risk of extravasation. Data Source: A literature search was carried out using PubMed with the following key words: extravasation, soft tissue injury, phlebitis, and infiltration, from January 1961 through January 2014. Study Selection and Data Extraction: The publications were screened manually and reviewed to identify reports for medications that included synonyms of the International Nonproprietary Name, while excluding antineoplastic agents, radiographic contrast material, investigational or nonmarketed drugs, and animal data, to yield 70 articles. Furthermore, reference citations from publications were also reviewed for relevance and yielded 4 articles. Data Synthesis: We discovered 232...
State-Based Accumulation and Economic Dependence: Toward an Optimal Policy

This paper develops and evaluates an optimal strategy for the reduction of economic dependence in under developed countries where accumulation is solely under the control of the state. The paper is divided into several parts: 1) the derivation from the dependencia literature of criteria for assessing dependence reduc tion ; 2) the specification of a particular type of situation in which dependence reduction could be pursued, along with the likely constraints on such a situation on any regime attempting to implement such a goal; 3) the derivation and explication of the optimal strategy; 4) assessment of the validity and stability of the strat egy. It is concluded that for the specific type of country considered, the optimal strategy for dependence re duction would be beneficial to the peasants, but for that reason, unstable over the long run.
The term structure of policy rules

Abstract A formula is derived that links the coefficients of the monetary policy rule for the short-term interest rate to the coefficients of the implied affine equations for long-term interest rates. The formula predicts that an increase in the coefficients in the monetary policy rule will lead to an increase in the coefficients in the affine equations. Empirical evidence for such a prediction is provided. The curve of the response coefficients by maturity is also predicted by the formula. The formula's predictive accuracy and its closed form make it a useful tool for studying the policy implications of embedding no-arbitrage affine theories into macro models.
Modified melanocortin tetrapeptide Ac-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-NH2 at the arginine side chain with ureas and thioureas

: The Ac-His-dPhe-Arg-Trp-NH2 tetrapeptide is a nonselective melanocortin agonist and replacement of Arg in the tetrapeptide with acidic, basic or neutral amino acids results in reduced potency at the melanocortin receptor (MCR) isoforms (MC1R and MC3–5R). To determine the importance of the positive charge and the guanidine moiety for melanocortin activity, a series of urea- and thiourea-substituted tetrapeptides were designed. Replacement of Arg with Lys or ornithine reduced agonist activity at the mouse mMC1 and mMC3–5 receptors, thus supporting the hypothesis that the guanidine moiety is important for receptor potency, particularly at the MC3–5 receptors. The Arg side chain-modified tetrapeptides examined in this study include substituted phenyl, naphthyl, and aliphatic urea and thiourea residues using a Lys side-chain template. These ligands elicit full-agonist pharmacology at the mouse MCRs examined in this study.
The IFNAR1 subunit of the type I IFN receptor complex contains a functional nuclear localization sequence

A nuclear localization sequence (NLS) in the type II interferon (IFN) IFNγ, which is responsible for the nuclear translocation of both the ligand and the α-subunit (IFNGR1) of the receptor complex, has previously been characterized and its role in signaling examined in detail. We have now identified an NLS in the type I IFN receptor (IFNAR) common subunit IFNAR1 from humans and show that the human IFNAR1 subunit can translocate to the nucleus following human IFNβ stimulation. An NLS in human IFNAR1 is located in the extracellular domain of IFNAR1 within the sequence 382RKIIEKKT (numbered for the precursor form). Nuclear import by the NLS functions in a conventional fashion requiring cytosolic import factors, is energy-dependent and inhibited by the prototypical NLS of the SV40 large T-antigen. These studies provide a mechanism for nuclear import of IFNAR1, as well as for type I IFN ligands, and a starting point for studying an alternate role for IFNAR1 in nuclear signaling within the type I IFN system.
Ethics, Vulnerability, and Speakers of Other Languages: How University IRBs (Do Not) Speak to Research Involving Refugee Participants

In this study, the author analyzes the websites of 32 universities’ Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) to explore two specific issues: (a) how individual IRBs define vulnerable populations, and (b) the guidelines those IRBs offer with respect to participants who may have limited or no English language proficiency. Analysis indicates wide variation in IRB guidelines. Despite a trend to develop separate IRBs for biomedical and social and behavioral research, social science IRBs still use language reflective of medical models for research. Second, there is great variation in the definition of vulnerable populations, as well as in the requirements for including, or excluding, their participation in research. Finally, university IRBs offer little, if any, guidance about conducting research with participants whose first language is not English. The author offers specific recommendations for the ways in which qualitative researchers may advocate for changes in how IRBs conceptualize these types of research studi...