cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiple path IEEE floating-point fused multiply-add

We propose optimizations for the IEEE floating-point fused multiply-add operation by considering multiple exclusive parallel computation paths in the implementation. For the proposed design we can show a significant performance improvement over conventional implementations. Considering a variable latency implementation allows for further reduction of the average latency.
WILL VIDEO KILL THE CLASSROOM STAR? THE THREAT AND OPPORTUNITY OF MASSIVELY OPEN ONLINE COURSES FOR FULL-TIME MBA PROGRAMS

This report examines the emergence of the Massively Open Online Course (MOOC) and its impact on business schools. Business schools provide a bundle of benefits to students, only one of which is learning specific academic subjects. The focal technology relevant to business schools is not the MOOC but rather a technology embedded within the MOOC — chunked asynchronous video paired with adaptive testing, a technology we call “SuperText.” The SuperText technology opens up at least three pathways for business schools. Via one pathway, SuperText allows institutions to serve more students better and/or more efficiently. Via a second pathway, institutions can serve existing students with fewer faculty members. Along a third pathway, the functions of a business school are unbundled and business schools as we know them are substantially displaced by alternatives. These pathways can be thought of as a menu of options for a business school contemplating how to use the new technologies. Alternatively, these pathways are scenarios that could unfold with or without the active participation of an institution. Although our focus is on business schools, we believe the analysis is relevant to higher education more generally.
Function of upper esophageal sphincter during swallowing: the grabbing effect

This study investigated deglutitive axial force developed within the pharynx, upper esophageal sphincter (UES), and cervical esophagus. Position and deglutitive excursion of the UES were determined using combined manometry and videofluoroscopy in eight healthy volunteers. Deglutitive clearing force was quantified with a force transducer to which nylon balls of 6- or 8-mm diameter were tethered and positioned within the oropharynx, hypopharynx, UES, and cervical esophagus. Axial force recordings were synchronized with videofluoroscopic imaging. Clearing force was dependent on both sphere diameter (P < 0.05) and location, with greater force exhibited in the hypopharynx and UES compared with the oropharynx and esophagus (P < 0.05). Within the UES, the onset of traction force coincided with passage of the pharyngeal clearing wave but persisted well beyond this. On videofluoroscopy, the persistent force was associated with the aboral motion of the ball caught within the UES. Force abated with gradual slippage of the UES around the ball. The force attributable to the combination of UES contraction and laryngeal descent was named the grabbing effect. The grabbing effect functions to transfer luminal contents distal to the laryngeal inlet at the end of the pharyngeal swallow, presumably acting to prevent regurgitation and/or aspiration of swallowed material.
Computer‐Generated Structures of Amorphous Ge

Several structures for amorphous Ge have been generated on a computer with procedures that are believed to approximate the true deposition process. All of the structures are characterized by rigid bond lengths and 8 to 10° bond angle distortions. The primary differences among the structures are in the distribution of the dihedral angles. For the most physically reasonable assumed deposition process, in which the dihedral angle are unconstrained, the resulting RDF of the cluster agrees best with the experimental RDF. It is shown that the continuous random network model for amorphous Ge can fit even the higher features of the experimental RDF. Mit einem Verfahren, von dem angenommen wird, das es den wahren Aufbringungsprozes annahert, werden einige Strukturen fur amorphes Ge mit einem Computer simuliert. Alle Strukturen sind charakterisiert durch starre Bindungsabstande und 8 bis 10° Bindungswinkelstorungen. Die hauptsachlichen Unterschiede zwischen den Strukturen bestehen in der Verteilung der diedrischen Winkel. Fur den physikalisch wahrscheinlichsten Aufdampfprozes, bei dem die diedrischen Winkel ungestort sind, stimmt das resultierende RDF des Clusters am besten mit dem experimentellen RDF uberein. Es wird gezeigt, das das kontinuierliche, statistische Netzwerkmodell fur amorphes Ge sogar die feineren Zuge des experimentellen RDF wiedergeben kann.
The relationship between the synthesis of DNA and protein in Escherichia coli treated with sulfur mustard.

Abstract 1. 1. Some of the physiological factors in the resumption of DNA synthesis in E. coli inactivated with sulfur mustard have been explored. Removal of the mustard was a necessary condition for the resumption of DNA synthesis, but not a sufficient one. Recovery from the block in DNA synthesis required the participation of both nitrogen- and carbon-energy sources. 2. 2. Repair of the mustard-induced lesion in E. coli 15 t − could occur in absence of exogenous thymine, suggesting that DNA synthesis itself does not participate in the repair process. 3. 3. Repair of the lesion was blocked under conditions which prevent protein synthesis. Thus, amino-acid requiring mutants of B and 15T- were unable to effect repair when the required amino acids were withheld; repair was blocked by certain amino acid analogs and by chloramphenicol. It would appear that resumption of DNA synthesis after mustard treatment depends upon prior protein synthesis. 4. 4. Evidence is presented suggesting that RNA synthesis is also required for repair of the lesion in DNA synthesis. 5. 5. Possible explanations are considered.
Structure-Function Analysis of the Active Site Tunnel of Yeast RNA Triphosphatase

Abstract Cet1, the RNA triphosphatase component of the yeast mRNA capping apparatus, catalyzes metal-dependent γ phosphate hydrolysis within the hydrophilic interior of a topologically closed 8-strand β barrel (the “triphosphate tunnel”). We used structure-guided alanine scanning to identify 6 side chains within the triphosphate tunnel that are essential for phosphohydrolase activity in vitro andin vivo: Arg393, Glu433, Arg458, Arg469, Asp471 and Thr473. Alanine substitutions at two positions, Asp377 and Lys409, resulted in partial catalytic defects and a thermosensitive growth phenotype. Structure-function relationships were clarified by introducing conservative substitutions. Five residues were found to be nonessential: Lys309, Ser395, Asp397, Lys427, Asn431, and Lys474. The present findings, together with earlier mutational analyses, reveal an unusually complex active site in which 15 individual side chains in the tunnel cavity are important for catalysis, and each of the 8 strands of the β barrel contributes at least one functional constituent. The active site residues fall into three classes: (i) those that participate directly in catalysis via coordination of the γ phosphate or the metal; (ii) those that make critical water-mediated contacts with the γ phosphate or the metal; and (iii) those that function indirectly via interactions with other essential side chains or by stabilization of the tunnel structure.
The utility of a communication channel and applications to suboptimal information handling procedures

This paper demonstrates the applicability of the functional equations of dynamic programming to information theory problems. Yielding the same results as those obtainable by Shannon's equations, the functional equations can be modified also to consider the many restrictions enforced upon information systems by the real world. A result of the application of functional equations to systems operating under suboptimum conditions is that the information rate of a system is dependent upon the manner in which the information is used. The Kelly concept-the gain of a gambler who wagers his capital on the outcome of a communication channel — is used to determine the information rate of the channel. The mathematical analysis follows the stochastic multistage decision process technique of Bellman and Kalaba. Together with some extensions by the author, the Kelly-Bellman-Kalaba model of communication is repeated. The models are analyzed for the optimum case and examined for various suboptimum conditions. The gambler's betting policy is analogous to information usage; restrictions upon this policy affect the information rate of the system. They can require that the policy which is best under optimum conditions be replaced by other policies which, although inferior in the ideal case, are better able to compensate for the restrictions. A null zone reception system first analyzed by Bloom and others is reanalyzed to provide a concrete example of the latitude of operation allowed by the functional equation approach. Bloom's analysis assumed that the system operates under optimum conditions. His results are duplicated, and their expression indicates their alteration by suboptimum conditions. An appendix expresses the results of this paper in the form used by Bloom.
Equatorial Kelvin Waves Do Not Vanish

In the last several years many scientists have been using poorly resolved coupled models to study the ENSO. It has been very common to state that an ENSO cycle found in a model cannot have oceanic Kelvin waves as a mechanism because such waves do not exist in an ocean model with coarse grid spaing. In this note it is demonstrated that equatorial Kelvin waves can exist in models with coarse grids.
HAT: Heterogeneous Adaptive Throttling for On-Chip Networks

The network-on-chip (NoC) is a primary shared resource in a chip multiprocessor (CMP) system. As core counts continue to increase and applications become increasingly data-intensive, the network load will also increase, leading to more congestion in the network. This network congestion can degrade system performance if the network load is not appropriately controlled. Prior works have proposed source-throttling congestion control, which limits the rate at which new network traffic (packets) enters the NoC in order to reduce congestion and improve performance. These prior congestion control mechanisms have shortcomings that significantly limit their performance: either 1) they are not application-aware, but rather throttle all applications equally regardless of applications' sensitivity to latency, or 2) they are not network-load-aware, throttling according to application characteristics but sometimes under- or over-throttling the cores. In this work, we propose Heterogeneous Adaptive Throttling, or HAT, a new source-throttling congestion control mechanism based on two key principles: application-aware throttling and network-load-aware throttling rate adjustment. First, we observe that only network-bandwidth-intensive applications(those which use the network most heavily) should be throttled, allowing the other latency-sensitive applications to make faster progress without as much interference. Second, we observe that the throttling rate which yields the best performance varies between workloads, a single, static, throttling rate under-throttles some workloads while over-throttling others. Hence, the throttling mechanism should observe network load dynamically and adjust its throttling rate accordingly. While some past works have also used a closed-loop control approach, none have been application-aware. HAT is the first mechanism to combine application-awareness and network-load-aware throttling rate adjustment to address congestion in a NoC. We evaluate HAT using a wide variety of multiprogrammed workloads on several NoC-based CMP systems with 16-, 64-, and 144-cores and compare its performance to two state-of-the-art congestion control mechanisms. Our evaluations show that HAT consistently provides higher system performance and fairness than prior congestion control mechanisms.
A Single Molecule Investigation of Pycobilisome Energy Transfer and Excess Light Protection Mechanisms

Phycobilisomes (PBS) are light harvesting antenna complexes in cyanobacteria and red algae. A PBS harvests light energy by using hundreds of phycobilin fluorophores that are evenly distributed in PBS disk components, and the captured energy is believed to transfer to reaction centers in the thylakoid membrane via a set of terminal emitter fluorophores. Although a pair of phycobilins located within the two Lcm linker polypeptides and another pair in the core cylinders have been proposed to be the terminal emitters, their locations in PBS have not been measured. Utilizing single molecule fluorescence imaging and localization measurements, we observed two fluorescence quantum bleaching events in isolated PBS molecules attached to fused silica substrate. We identify these events as the two “terminal emitters" located within the PBS core. By measuring the separation of the two bleaching events, we determine the distance between the two terminal emitters to be 7 nm. Surprisingly, the separation of the two terminal emitters increases with the excitation light intensity from 7 nm to 20 nm, indicating that (i) the locations of terminal emitters are dynamic, and (ii) which may be a consequence of a new excess exposure protection mechanism of PBS by sterically mismatching the terminal emitters and reaction centers' energy transfer sites. Furthermore, we have observed a decrease in PBS fluorescence emission lifetime photon with increased exposure, suggesting the existence of Non-Photochemical Quenching in PBS alone without the involvement of Orange Carotenoid Proteins that is believed to be necessary for PBS' thermal dissipation of excess absorbed energy.
Laser diode facet modal reflectivity measurements.

A simple and accurate method for measuring the front facet modal reflectivity of a Fabry–Perot laser diode is presented. In this method, optical feedback from an external mirror of known reflectivity, Rext, is used to alter the laser diode threshold current. The effect of the external mirror and front facet reflectivities on the threshold current then allows for a measurement of the front facet modal reflectivity of the laser diode and is theoretically and experimentally studied. This method was used to measure a facet reflectivity of R2 = 0.0151(+0.0018/-0.0032) [R2 = 0.00592(+0.00085/-0.00123)] for a commercially antireflection-coated facet of a laser diode with a center wavelength of 795 nm (935 nm). The results of the reflectivity measurements based on the threshold current as a function of the external mirror reflectivity are compared with the results of the reflectivity measurements based on modulation depth of the optical spectrum [IEEE J. Quantum Electron.QE-19, 493 (1983)].
Electronic properties of Si-doped nipi structures in GaAs

The electronic properties of heavily and orderly Si-doped nipi structures in GaAs are studied theoretically using the abinitio self-consistent pseudopotential method within the local density approximation. Two nipi configurations are considered. Besides investigating the nature of the impurity-related band edge states the xy-planar-averaged local ionic and self-consistent potentials are also analyzed. The screening effect of the host crystal on the doping induced potential is found to be small. The effects of the doping induced electric field and the strain due to dopings are also examined.
Precious Metal−Molecular Oxygen Complexes: Neon Matrix Infrared Spectra and Density Functional Calculations for M(O2), M(O2)2 (M = Pd, Pt, Ag, Au)

Laser-ablated palladium, platinum, silver, and gold atoms react with molecular oxygen in excess neon during condensation at 4 K. Reaction products, M-(η2-OO), M-(η2-OO)2 (M = Pd, Pt), PtO, PtO2, Au...
A tree-edit-distance algorithm for comparing simple, closed shapes

A b s t r a c t We discuss a graph-algorithmic approach to comparing shapes. We focus in this paper on comparing simple closed curves in the plane. Our approach is to (1) represent such a shape by its skeleton, which is a tree embedded in the plane, and (2) compare two shapes by comparing their skeletons via tree edit-distance. In this paper, we define our version of tree edit-distance (it differs from that previously described in the literature), and give a polynomial-time algorithm to compute the distance between two trees.
Use of Phosphorothioate-Modified Oligodeoxynucleotides to Inhibit NF-κB Expression and Lymphocyte Function

Abstract NF-κB is a potential target for immunosuppressive therapy. Two methods were evaluated to inhibit NF-κB: the antisense (AS) approach in which single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) bind the mRNA for the RelA subunit of NF-κB and the transcription factor decoy (TFD) approach in which double-stranded ODNs bind the NF-κB protein. AS and TFD inhibited NF-κB binding and decreased total IgG and anti-dsDNA antibody production in splenocytes from the BXSB/ Yaa autoimmune mouse strain. TNF-α expression was reduced by AS and TFD, as were the levels of IL-2. But AS effects did not last beyond 24 h, whereas TFD inhibited cytokine production after 72 h. AS had no effect upon IL-6, while the TFD reduced the secretion of IL-6. Therefore, the suppression of immune response mediators by AS or TFD, through inhibition of NF-κB, is substantial. These inhibitors can serve as novel choices for therapy in the treatment of autoimmune disorders.
Interictal epileptiform activity in elderly patients with epilepsy

Abstract Objective : To examine the frequency of interictal epileptiform activity (IEA) in elderly patients with epilepsy. Design and Methods : From a consecutive 13 905 EEGs recorded over 5 years at a university hospital EEG laboratory, 558 studies were performed on outpatients aged 60 years or more. Medical record review identified 125 patients in whom a confident clinical diagnosis of epilepsy was made by a board-certified neurologist. The EEG findings in these patients were reviewed. The effects of various variables on the likelihood of detecting IEA were calculated using Fisher's test and chi-square analysis. Results : IEA were present on the first EEG in 35% of 55 patients (mean age 65 years) with pre-existing epilepsy, and 26% of 70 patients (mean age 70 years) with seizure onset after 60 years. There were no significant differences in the frequency of IEA in patients with late onset epilepsy in the 7th or in the 8th decades of life. Most IEA were focal. Activation procedures added little additional information. Patients with more than one seizure per month were significantly more likely to have IEA ( P =0.016). There were no major differences in likelihood of IEA detection depending on the underlying cause of the seizures. Conclusions : The frequency of IEA in elderly patients with epilepsy is substantially lower than that reported in epileptic populations as a whole. This low rate of IEA in routine EEG studies must be recognized when considering the diagnosis of an epileptic syndrome for episodic events happening in the elderly.
Putting the Pieces Together: Leadership for Change in Low-Performing Urban Schools.

This article presents a collaborative inquiry analysis of the school improvement experiences of four persistently low-performing schools. It draws on the experiences of three members of the Laborat...
Amyloid-β expression in retrosplenial cortex of triple transgenic mice: relationship to cholinergic axonal afferents from medial septum

Triple transgenic (3xTg-AD) mice harboring the presenilin 1, amyloid precursor protein, and tau transgenes (Oddo et al., 2003b) display prominent levels of amyloid-beta (Abeta) immunoreactivity in forebrain regions. The Abeta immunoreactivity is first seen intracellularly in neurons and later as extracellular plaque deposits. The present study examined Abeta immunoreactivity that occurs in layer III of the granular division of retrosplenial cortex (RSg). This pattern of Abeta immunoreactivity in layer III of RSg develops relatively late, and is seen in animals older than 14 months. The appearance of the Abeta immunoreactivity is similar to an axonal terminal field and thus may offer a unique opportunity to study the relationship between afferent projections and the formation of Abeta deposits. Axonal tract tracing techniques demonstrated that the pattern of axon terminal labeling in layer III of RSg, following placement of DiI in medial septum, is remarkably similar to the pattern of cholinergic axons in RSg, as detected by acetylcholinesterase histochemical staining, choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivity, or p75 receptor immunoreactivity; this pattern also is strikingly similar to the band of Abeta immunoreactivity. In animals sustaining early damage to the medial septal nucleus (prior to the advent of Abeta immunoreactivity), the band of Abeta in layer III of RSg does not develop; the corresponding band of cholinergic markers also is eliminated. In older animals (after the appearance of the Abeta immunoreactivity) damage to cholinergic afferents by electrolytic lesions, immunotoxin lesions, or cutting the cingulate bundle, result in a rapid loss of the cholinergic markers and a slower reduction of Abeta immunoreactivity. These results suggest that the septal cholinergic axonal projections transport Abeta or amyloid precursor protein (APP) to layer III of RSg.
Origin of underwater hearing in whales.

ALL described fossil and Recent cetaceans have relatively similar ear bones (malleus, incus and stapes) that strongly diverge from those of land mammals1–4. Here we report that the hearing organ of the oldest whale, Pakicetus, is the only known intermediate between that of land mammals and aquatic cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises). The incus of Pakicetus is intermediate with respect to inflation, crural proportions, and position of the mallear joint. The incus and mandible of Pakicetus indicate that the path of soundwaves to its ear resembled that of land mammals. These fossils suggest that the first whale was amphibious, and corroborate the hypothesis that artiodactyls (for example, pigs, camels and ruminants) are the closest extant relatives of cetaceans.
Noncompact surfaces are packable

We show that every noncompact Riemann surface of finite type supports a circle packing. This extends earlier work of Robert Brooks [6] and Phil Bowers and Ken Stephenson [3, 4], who showed that the packable surfaces are dense in moduli space.
Biochemical evidence for a separate, MHC-linked locus encoding H-2.28 antigens.

In comparing the tryptic peptide maps of the H-2L and H-2D glycoprotein antigens isolated from NP-40 lysates of RADA1 (H-2 a ) leukemic cells, no more than 37% of the observed arginine-containing tryptic peptides are found to be homologous. Thus, the primary amino-acid sequences of these two antigens are probably less than 90% homologous. This constitutes the strongest evidence to date that the MHC-linkedH-2L region encodes H-2L antigens separately from theH-2D region, even though H-2L antigens bear D-end-associated antigenic determinants of the H-2.28 family. The anti-H-2.28 alloantiserum (k×r anti h2) used to precipitate H-2L antigens in this investigation was the NIH contract antiserum D28b. As the tryptic peptide maps also surprisingly revealed, D28b precipitates H-2D antigens as well and, thus, anti-H-2.4 immunoadsorbants were employed to isolate H-2L free of H-2D antigens. In light of the dual specificity of D28b, its reactivity with BALB/c-H-2 dm2 mutant cells was re-examined. Even though mutant lymphocytes, which lack H-2L but not H-2D antigens, are not cytotoxically lysed by D28b (as are parental H-2d cells), D28b appears to precipitate H-2D antigens from NP-40 extracts of mutant splenocytes.
Abstract 4388: beta-Carotene's oxidative breakdown inhibits p53 conformational folding and function

Lipophilic electrophiles have been found to have the ability to inhibit wild-type p53 protein function through a thioredoxin-dependent inhibition of functional protein folding. One potential extension of this line of research may help to explain the curious findings of certain carotenoid-based chemopreventive clinical trials that found that beta-carotene may be a contributory causal risk of cancer development in patients who actively smoke. Chemical precepts dictate that wild-type p53 function may be inihibited through a similar mechanism by other other lipophilic compounds such as carotenoids within a high redox milieu of ongoing smoking. We ask the question whether the oxidative breakdown of beta-carotene could inhibit p53 function via a similar post-translational mechanism. Using resonance Raman spectroscopy, HPLC, spectrophotometry, and Western blot analysis, we exposed isolated cell-free and intracellular beta-carotene to various oxidant sources such as nitric oxide (NO·), superoxide (O·), and/or the combination of NO· and O· [i.e. SNAP (NO + donor), Spermine-NONOate (NO . donor), and SIN-1 (NO·/O· donor), and Angeli9s salt (an NO[[Unsupported Character - Codename s]]- donor)] as a model of ongoing oxidative stress. Our results demonstrate that the oxidative breakdown of beta-carotene specifically by SIN-1 (the donor of NO·/O· causes stabilization of p53, attributable to the accumulation of both “functional” and “non-functional” conformational folding. Finally, we demonstrate that the oxidative breakdown products of beta-carotene can inhibit thioredoxin function, thus providing a biochemical mechanism for the inhibition of wild-type protein folding. Taken together, these data support the hypothesis that ongoing oxidation of beta-carotene can inhibit this key cancer-related molecular pathway, through the post-translational inhibition p53 folding and function. These data may provide one biochemical mechanism for the surprising results of initial carotenoid-based chemopreventive cancer trials. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4388.
Designing Wireless Sensor Networks: from theory to applications

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are having a dramatic impact on the way surrounding environment is being monitored. In this article, many underlying design issues of WSNs have been summarized, starting from the coverage and the connectivity. As batteries provide energy to sensor nodes, effective ways of power conservation are considered. Advantages of placing sensors in a regular pattern have also been discussed and various tradeoffs for many possible ways of secured communication in a WSN are summarized. Challenges in deploying WSN for monitoring CO emission are briefly covered. Finally, the use of sensors is illustrated in automatically generating music based on dancers’ movements.
Epidemiology of breast cancer subtypes in two prospective cohort studies of breast cancer survivors

The aim of this study was to describe breast tumor subtypes by common breast cancer risk factors and to determine correlates of subtypes using baseline data from two pooled prospective breast cancer studies within a large health maintenance organization. Tumor data on 2544 invasive breast cancer cases subtyped by estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2) status were obtained (1868 luminal A tumors, 294 luminal B tumors, 288 triple-negative tumors and 94 Her2-overexpressing tumors). Demographic, reproductive and lifestyle information was collected either in person or by mailed questionnaires. Case-only odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using logistic regression, adjusting for age at diagnosis, race/ethnicity, and study origin. Compared with luminal A cases, luminal B cases were more likely to be younger at diagnosis (P = 0.0001) and were less likely to consume alcohol (OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.56 to 0.98), use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) (OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.46 to 0.94), and oral contraceptives (OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.55 to 0.96). Compared with luminal A cases, triple-negative cases tended to be younger at diagnosis (P ≤ 0.0001) and African American (OR = 3.14, 95% CI = 2.12 to 4.16), were more likely to have not breastfed if they had parity greater than or equal to three (OR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.00 to 2.81), and were more likely to be overweight (OR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.03 to 3.24) or obese (OR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.03 to 3.77) if premenopausal. Her2-overexpressing cases were more likely to be younger at diagnosis (P = 0.03) and Hispanic (OR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.16 to 4.13) or Asian (OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.05 to 3.88), and less likely to use HRT (OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.26 to 0.79). These observations suggest that investigators should consider tumor heterogeneity in associations with traditional breast cancer risk factors. Important modifiable lifestyle factors that may be related to the development of a specific tumor subtype, but not all subtypes, include obesity, breastfeeding, and alcohol consumption. Future work that will further categorize triple-negative cases into basal and non-basal tumors may help to elucidate these associations further.
Differential Localization of Alternatively Spliced Hypoxanthine-Xanthine-Guanine Phosphoribosyltransferase Isoforms in Toxoplasma gondii

A unique feature of the Toxoplasma gondii purine salvage pathway is the expression of two isoforms of the hypoxanthine-xanthine-guanine phosophoribosyltransferase (HXGPRT) of the parasite encoded by a single genetic locus. These isoforms differ in the presence or absence of a 49-amino acid insertion (which is specified by a single differentially spliced exon) but exhibit similar substrate specificity, kinetic characteristics, and temporal expression patterns. To examine possible functional differences between the two HXGPRT isoforms, fluorescent protein fusions were expressed in parasites lacking the endogenous hxgprt gene. Immunoblot analysis of fractionated cell extracts and fluorescence microscopy indicated that HXGPRT-I (which lacks the 49-amino acid insertion) is found in the cytosol, whereas HXGPRT-II (which contains the insertion) localizes to the inner membrane complex (IMC) of the parasite. Simultaneous expression of both isoforms resulted in the formation of hetero-oligomers, which distributed between the cytosol and IMC. Chimeric constructs expressing N-terminal peptides from either isoform I (11 amino acids) or isoform II (60 amino acids) fused to a chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) reporter demonstrated that the N-terminal domain of isoform II is both necessary and sufficient for membrane association. Metabolic labeling experiments with transgenic parasites showed that isoform II or an isoform II-CAT fusion protein (but not isoform I or isoform I-CAT) incorporate [(3)H]palmitate. Mutation of three adjacent cysteine residues within the isoform II-targeting domain to serines blocked both palmitate incorporation and IMC attachment without affecting enzyme activity, demonstrating that acylation of N-terminal isoform II cysteine residues is responsible for the association of HXGPRT-II with the IMC.
Magnetic characterization of reduction in Mount Fuji basaltic tree-mold

A Mount Fuji basaltic tree-mold presents the mineralogical record associated with a large oxygen fugacity gradient during the cooling of the basalt. Magnetic exchange anisotropy is postulated to be characteristic of cation excess in some spinel titanomagnetites. The exchange anisotropy is characterized by loop shifting along the field and magnetization axes when cooled in a magnetic field, large coercivity increase, and magnetic viscosity which has discrete activation fields and logarithmic to linear decay characteristics. The cryogenic loop characteristics attributable to exchange anisotropy are not found in the tree-mold where iron and ilmenite are the main phases. The coupling has been created in the laboratory with ordinary basalt artificially reduced in Hydrogen gas. The coupling is not found in spinel oxidation non-stoichiometry. These results imply that we are able to identify the presence of spinels that have equilibrated in the low oxygen fugacity range of the spinel stability field where cation excess is characteristic.
Cognitive informatics and nursing: considerations for increasing electronic health records adoption rates.

Nurses and the emerging science of CI may hold the key to the successful implementation and adoption of electronic health records in hospitals. UNDOUBTEDLY, IMPLEMENTING VARIOUS health information technologies designed to support, improve, and transform the care of patients is here to stay. The federal government's financial investment into electronic medical record adoption incentives, demonstrates the critical role that health information technology (HIT) will have in the future of health care. What is not clear, however, is whether these technologies will be readily accepted and used to their greatest capacity by clinicians, particularly by nurses. On February 17, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 into law. A subsection of this legislation entitled “Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health,” or HITECH Act, allocates $19.2 billion to provide health care organizations and physician practices with funding and incentives to promote the acceptance and proliferation of electronic health records (EHRs) (Health Information and Management Systems Society, 2009). Beginning with fiscal year 2011, hospitals that have implemented a certified EHR and can demonstrate “meaningful use” of that system will begin receiving bonuses on a phased transition schedule that rewards early adopters at a higher rate than late adopters. Furthermore, failure to implement an EHR by end of 2015 will result in penalties in the form of decreased Medicare reimbursement (Woodcock, 2010). The benefits of EHRs have been well documented and hailed by many as key components of a safer health care system. EHRs improve access to information, promote standardization, provide decision support tools, and decrease reliance on memory (Kilbridge & Classen, 2008). The Congressional Budget Office (2008) estimates costs of EHR
Accurate Leakage Estimation for FinFET Standard Cells Using the Response Surface Methodology

Among different multi-gate transistors, Fin FETs and Trigate FETs have set themselves apart as the most promising candidates for the upcoming 22nm technology node and beyond owing to their superior device performance, lower leakage power consumption and cost-effective fabrication process. Innovative circuit design and optimization techniques will be required to harness the power of multi-gate transistors, which in turn will depend on accurate leakage and timing characterization of these devices under spatial and environmental variations. Hence, in order to aid circuit designers, we present accurate analytical models using central composite rotatable design (CCRD) based on response surface methodology (RSM) to estimate the leakage current in Fin FET standard cells under the effect of variations in gate length ($L_G$), fin thickness ($T_{SI}$), gate-oxide thickness ($T_{OX}$) and gate-work function ($\Phi_G$). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to develop analytical models for leakage estimation of Fin FET devices/logic gates based on TCAD simulations of adjusted 2D device cross-sections that have been shown to track TCAD simulations of 3D device behavior within a 1-3\% error range. This drastically reduces the CPU time of our modeling technique (by several orders of magnitude) without much loss in accuracy. We present analytical leakage models for different logic styles, e.g., shorted-gate (SG) and independent-gate (IG) Fin FETs, at the 22nm technology node. The leakage estimates derived from the analytical models are in close agreement with quasi-Monte Carlo (QMC) simulation results obtained for different adjusted-2D (3D) devices/logic gates with a maximum root mean square error (RMSE) of 5.28\% (7.03\%).
Dissociation of protonated 2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexanone and related compounds upon high and low energy collisional activation

Abstract Both energetic and entropic barriers are important factors in controlling the accessible dissociation channels of gas phase ions upon collisional activation. The accessible fragmentation pathways are dependent on the kinetic energy of the selected precursor ion and the number of inelastic collisions that it undergoes with the neutral target. A major fragmentation process of protonated 2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexanone after collisional activation under certain reaction conditions results in the protonated acetone ion. The product ion structure is demonstrated using three methods: (1) deuterium labelling, (2) sequential fragmentation experiments in a hybrid mass spectrometer in which a comparison is made between the consecutive daughter spectrum for protonated 2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexanone and the daughter spectrum of protonated acetone, and (3) by comparison of daughter spectra and breakdown curves for model ions of m/z 59 generated from different precursors in an ion trap mass spectrometer. Furthermore, the dissociation channels for protonated 2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexanone and its daughter ions are characterized using the multiple activation (MSn) capabilities of an ion trap mass spectrometer. Additionally, the product ions from high energy collisional activation of the title ion are examined as a function of scattering angle in a hybrid mass spectrometer. The reaction in which protonated acetone is formed is of particular interest because it involves complex structural reorganization via two 1,2-methyl transfers and a ring contraction. A study of this complex rearrangement/fragmentation sequence with respect to the effects of collision energy (electrovolt range) and number of collisions reveals that it is favored only at high energies and pressures. Large enthalpic and entropic barriers are indicated, and such processes have seldom been studied in any detail.
Utility of immunohistochemical staining with FLI1, D2-40, CD31, and CD34 in the diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related and non-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related Kaposi sarcoma.

Context.—Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a vascular tumor frequently associated with advanced human immunodeficiency virus infection, advanced age, or iatrogenic immunosuppression. Immunohistochemistry for ...
Serum lipoprotein and blood pressure levels in rhesus monkeys fed sucrose diets

Abstract Serum lipids, lipoproteins, insulin, and glucose and blood pressure levels were studied in nine rhesus monkeys ( M. mulatta ) fed diets with a high level of sucrose (77% of calories) containing 0 and 1.0 mg/kcal added cholesterol. Experimental diets significantly altered serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations. Serum cholesterol response was predominantly reflected in β-lipoproteins and to a lesser extent in α-lipoprotein. Dietary sucrose consistently decreased the ratio of cholesterol to triglycerides in β+ pre-β-lipoproteins and to a lesser extent in α-lipoprotein. Exogenous cholesterol added to the above diet reversed this trend. While experimental diets consistently increased the plasma glucose levels, it had varied effects on plasma insulin levels. Like serum triglycerides, glucose and insulin levels tended to decrease when cholesterol was added to the sucrose diet. Dietary sucrose significantly increased the systolic blood pressure. These results suggest that high sucrose diets with appropriate manipulations can be used to study both hyperlipoproteinemia and hypertension in nonhuman primates.
Fractured retained ureteral stent in a patient lost to follow-up

Abstract Retained ureteral stents in patients lost to follow-up present a challenge to urologists. Patients may present with recurrent flank pain, pyelonephritis, stent migration or encrustation, and ureteral obstruction, with resultant renal failure. Rarely, a long-indwelling period may result in stent fragmentation. Herein, we present a case of a fractured retained ureteral stent noted in a patient lost to follow-up for five years and resurfaced only after complaints of contralateral renal colic.
Simultaneous serum nicotine, cotinine, and trans-3′-hydroxycotinine quantitation with minimal sample volume for tobacco exposure status of solid organ transplant patients

Concentrations of nicotine and its metabolites in blood are indicative of patients' current tobacco exposure, and their quantifications have been clinically applied to multiple assessments including demonstration of abstinence prior to heart-lung transplantation. For the purpose of transplant evaluation, the laboratory work up is extensive; thereby an assay with minimal sample volume is preferred. We developed and validated a rapid LC-MS/MS assay to simultaneously quantitate nicotine and its major metabolites, Cotinine and trans-3'-OH-cotinine (3-OH-Cot), in serum. 100μL of serum was spiked with deuterated internal standards and extracted by Oasis HLB solid phase extraction cartridge. Nicotine and metabolites in the reconstituted serum extract were separated by Agilent Eclipse XDB-C8 3.5μm 2.1mm×50mm HPLC column within 4.7min, and quantified by MS/MS with positive mode electrospray ionization and multiple reaction monitoring. Ion suppression was insignificant, and extraction efficiency was 79-110% at 50ng/mL for all compounds. Limit of detection was 1.0ng/mL for nicotine and 3-OH-Cot, and <0.5ng/mL for Cotinine. Linearity ranges for nicotine, cotinine and 3-OH-Cot were 2-100, 2-1000, and 5-1000ng/mL with recoveries of 86-115%. Within-day and twenty-day imprecision at nicotine/cotinine/3-OH-Cot levels of 22/150/90, 37/250/150, and 50/800/500ng/mL were all 1.1-6.5%. The reconstituted serum extracts were stable for at least 7 days stored in the HPLC autosampler at 5°C. Our method correlates well with alternative LC-MS/MS methods. We successfully developed and validated an LC-MS/MS assay to quantitate concentrations of nicotine and its metabolites in serum with minimal sample volume to assess tobacco exposure of heart-lung transplant patients.
Agent design to pass computer games

The creation of intelligent, human-like agents becomes increasingly eminent in the development of computer games. This paper discusses how the Turing Test might be applied to computer games to find an appropriate design for such an agent.
Large-area imaging micro-well detectors for high-energy astrophysics

Abstract Micro-well detectors are pixelized imaging sensors that can be inexpensively fabricated in very large arrays. Owing to their intrinsic gain and operation at room temperature, they can be instrumented at very low power, per unit area, making them valuable for a variety of space-flight applications where wide-angle X-ray imaging or large-area particle tracking is required. For example, micro-well detectors have been chosen as the focal plane imager for Lobster-ISS, a proposed soft X-ray all-sky monitor. We have fabricated detectors which image X-rays with 200 μm FWHM resolution at 3 keV. In agreement with other groups using similar geometries, we find nominal proportional counter energy resolution (20% at 6 keV in P-10), and stable operation at gas gains up to 30,000.
COCKAYNE SYNDROME (CS) MASQUERADING AS SECKEL SYNDROME (SS)

Our patient presented at 3 months of age with microcephaly, nystagmus, optic atrophy and developmental delay. Birth weight was 2.7 kg. At 11 months he was labeled as SS on the basis of microcephaly, short stature and facial features. Over the next 4 years he developed marked growth failure, mental retardation, ataxia, sunken eyes, photosensitivity, and dental caries. Kyphosis, contractures, lens opacities and long extremities with shortened trunk were present at the time of death at 8 years of age. We identified 132 CS case reports in the world literature comprised of 72 males and 56 females (4 undescribed). Mean (±S.D.) birth weight was 2.9(0±.6)kg. Mean age at death (27 cases) was 14(±8) years. The most common neurologic abnormalities noted were mental retardation (90%), microcephaly (83%), motor disturbance (71%), deafness (47%), intracranial calcification (39%), ventricular dilatation (23%) and peripheral neuropathy (21%). Reported physical manifestations were cachectic dwarfism (91%), characteristic facies (89%), photosensitivity (60%), contractures (52%), long extremities with shortened trunk (43%), dental caries (42%), small or undescended testes (38% of males), kyphosis (21%). Opthalmologic features included retinal pigmentation (51%), optic atrophy (37%), and cataracts or lens opacities (27%). CS is an autosomal recessive leukodystrophy with considerable variation in the expression and progression of clinical manifestations. The constellation of clinical features and the inexorable course of physical and mental deterioration which distinguish CS from SS will be discussed.
Targeting the PI3K pathway for cancer therapy

The PI3K pathway plays an important role in key cellular functions such as cell growth, proliferation and survival. Genetic and epigenetic alterations in different pathway components lead to aberrant pathway activation and have been observed in high frequencies in various tumor types. Consequently, significant effort has been made to develop antineoplastic agents targeting different nodes in this pathway. Additionally, PI3K pathway status may have predictive and prognostic implications, and may contribute to drug resistance in tumor cells. This article provides an overview of our current knowledge of the PI3K pathway with an emphasis on its application in cancer treatment.
Performance Analysis Of Post Focal Plane Processing Using Charge Coupled Devices (CCDs)

In recent years, long wavelength infrared (LWIR) sensor systems have gained significant importance in a wide range of applications such as surveillance, reconnaissance and target acquisition. The interests in the LWIR sensor area can be reflected by the many technology development programs currently being sponsored and supported by NASA and the various DoD agencies.
Synthesis, Structure, and Characterization of Cu4S10(4-methylpyridine)4

The title compound, Cu4S10(4-methylpyridine)(sub 4) (dot) 4-methylpyridine was prepared by three different reactions: the oxidation of copper powder by sulfur and the reaction of copper (I) sulfide (or CuBr (dot) SMe2) with excess sulfur, both in the coordinating solvent, 4-methylpyridine. Red crystals of the compound obtained by layering with hexanes were subjected to single crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure was refined to R = 0.026 and R(sub w) = 0.036 in a space group P1bar (No. 2), with Z = 2, a = 13.983 (2) A, b = 15.384 (2) A, c = 9.660 (1) A, alpha = 93.87 (1)deg., beta = 93.38 (1)deg., gamma = 99.78 (1)deg., V = 2037.9 (9) A(exp 3). The compound has approximate S(sub 4) symmetry and consists of two pentasulfide chains linking four Cu(I) ions, each with a corrdinating 2-methylpyridine. The infrared spectrum was dominated by absorption due to coordinated 4-methylpyridine with several low-energy peaks attributable to S-S stretches, which were also observed by Raman spectroscopy. A featureless electronic absorption spectrum yielded a single peak in the near ultraviolet upon computer enhancement (lambda = 334 nm, epsilon = 10,000), most likely an intraligand transition. Cyclic voltammetry indicates that the polysulfide complex undergoes irrversible oxidation and reduction at +0.04 and -0.34 V vs. SCE, respectively, at 298 K in 4-methylpyridine when swept at 20 mV/sec. The electrochemical behavior was unvaried even at sweep rates as high as 100 V/sec.