cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract LB-133: Orchestrated recruitment of histone methyltransferases to DNA double strand breaks facilitates 53BP1 binding and proficient repair

While selective binding of the tandem tudor domains of p53 binding protein 1 (53BP1) to dimethylated histone H4 lysine 20 (H4K20me2) at DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) is well-documented to be an essential event for proficient DSB repair, the enzyme(s) responsible for H4K20 methylation at DSBs remained unknown. Contrary to previous reports implicating the MMSET/NSD2 methyltransferase in this pathway, we demonstrate that MMSET is dispensable for H4K20 methylation, 53BP1 accumulation and DSB repair. Alternatively, we discovered that the PR-Set7 H4K20 monomethyltransferase (H4K20me1) is an essential component of nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) which functions early and directly in DSB repair. PR-Set7 was found to mobilize immediately to DSBs and PR-Set7 enzymatic activity was necessary for H4K20 methylation, 53BP1 accumulation and proficient DSB repair. Identification of PR-Set7-associated proteins revealed interactions between PR-Set7 and several NHEJ repair proteins. Consistent with these findings, the rapid recruitment of PR-Set7 to induced DSBs was dependent on direct binding to the NHEJ Ku70/Ku86 heterodimer. PR-Set7-mediated H4K20me1 was found to be necessary, but not sufficient, for H4K20me2 and 53BP1 recruitment at induced DSBs and an undamaged ectopic locus. In addition, we also discovered that the Suv4-20 H4K20 dimethyltransferases mobilize to DSBs and were required for H4K20me2 and 53BP1 accumulation. Importantly, Suv4-20 was not sufficient for H4K20me2 and 53BP1 localization at induced DSBs or an undamaged ectopic locus in cells lacking a catalytically competent PR-Set7. Therefore, these results illuminate an orchestrated molecular pathway whereby PR-Set7-mediated H4K20me1 “primes” the DSB to expedite subsequent catalysis by Suv4-20 for the generation of H4K20me2 at the lesion necessary for 53BP1 binding. The collective findings identify PR-Set7 as an essential early component of NHEJ and reveal a novel temporal PR-Set7-dependent pathway that facilitates H4K20me2 and 53BP1 accumulation at DSBs necessary for proficient DSB repair. Furthermore, these results and preliminary studies indicate that small molecule inhibitors targeting PR-Set7 and/or Suv4-20 will likely be clinically effective radio- and chemo-sensitizing agents in cancer treatment. Citation Format: Creighton T. Tuzon, Tanya M. Spektor, Lauren M. Congdon, Xiaodong Kong, Peggie Cheung, Alex J. Kuo, Kyoko Yokomori, Or Gozani, Judd C. Rice. Orchestrated recruitment of histone methyltransferases to DNA double strand breaks facilitates 53BP1 binding and proficient repair. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-133. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-LB-133
A realtime GPU subdivision kernel

By organizing the control mesh of subdivision in texture memory so that irregularities occur strictly inside independently refinable fragment meshes, all major features of subdivision algorithms can be realized in the framework of highly parallel stream processing. Our implementation of Catmull-Clark subdivision as a GPU kernel in programmable graphics hardware can model features like semi-smooth creases and global boundaries; and a simplified version achieves near-realtime depth-five re-evaluation of moderate-sized subdivision meshes. The approach is easily adapted to other refinement patterns, such as Loop, Doo-Sabin or √3 and it allows for postprocessing with additional shaders.
A framework for tobacco control: lessons learnt from Veterans Health Administration.

Despite considerable progress, smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, responsible each year for 435 000 deaths1 and $157bn (£79bn; €103bn) in health related losses.2 Each pack of 20 cigarettes leads to $3.45 in medical expenditures and $3.73 in lost productivity.2 When Maciosek et al recently prioritised 25 preventive interventions, factoring in burden of disease and cost effectiveness, tobacco control was tied for the top priority, and better screening followed by brief intervention yielded a greater benefit in quality adjusted life years than the next 10 interventions combined.3 Similarly, the Institute of Medicine recently identified improving treatment for tobacco use as one of the top 20 healthcare priorities.4 5 No clear guidance exists for improving the performance of a healthcare system to the goals set by Maciosek.3 The Public Health Service guidelines suggest that providers focus on five steps, outlined in figure 1⇓,6 and these are also relevant for healthcare systems. Systems that more consistently deliver these “5 A’s” to patients are providing better quality care for smoking cessation. The guidelines also include recommendations for healthcare systems (every clinic should implement a system to identify tobacco users, for example), but these are individual items rather than an approach to improve organisational performance. The task for healthcare systems is how to increase delivery of the five steps. Fig 1 “Five A” model guiding providers’ behaviour with smokers In this article I use the VHA’s experience with large scale quality improvement and system change in tobacco control to create a framework for how organisations approach tobacco control, moving through four increasingly complex stages, from no system for tobacco control to a system that provides tailored smoking cessation care to the entire population. By anticipating these stages and approaching the …
Scanning holographic microscopy with transverse resolution exceeding the Rayleigh limit and extended depth of focus

We demonstrate experimentally that the method of scanning holographic microscopy is capable of producing images reconstructed numerically from holograms recorded digitally in the time domain by scanning, with transverse and axial resolutions comparable to those of wide-field or scanning microscopy with the same objective. Furthermore, we show that it is possible to synthesize the point-spread function of scanning holographic microscopy to obtain, with the same objective, holographic reconstructions with a transverse resolution exceeding the Rayleigh limit of the objective up to a factor of 2 in the limit of low numerical aperture. These holographic reconstructions also exhibit an extended depth of focus, the extent of which is adjustable without compromising the transverse resolution.
Waterhouse-Friderichsen Syndrome After Infection With Group A Streptococcus

We report a case of Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome associated with group A streptococcus (GAS) toxic shock syndrome in a previously healthy man. The patient presented with neck pain and fevers of 2 days' duration. Computed tomography of the neck revealed a mass in the retropharyngeal space, suggesting an abscess. Despite prompt treatment with appropriate antibiotics, the patient experienced a fulminant course and died within 8 hours of presentation. Antemortem blood cultures grew GAS positive for exotoxins A, B, and C. Postmortem examination revealed bilateral adrenal hemorrhage, consistent with Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome. Immunohistochemical analysis of the adrenal glands revealed the presence of GAS antigens. However, no disseminated intravascular coagulation was evident. This case demonstrates that adrenal hemorrhage can occur without associated coagulopathy and may result directly from the action of bacterial toxins.
Influence of the pineal on wound healing.

REMOVAL of the pineal gland affects endocrine functions in both birds and mammals, and has been shown to cause increased growth and spread of malignant tumours in the rodent. There are several hypotheses as to the mechanism by which the pineal affects these processes1–4, but no role for the gland or its hormonal product melatonin has been suggested in normal processes. We have now found that pinealectomy can slow wound healing and that this effect can be reversed by treatment with melatonin.
Prosocial Behavior as Affected by Eye Contact, Touch, and Voice Expression

Summary Eighty-one women and 79 men who were walking on a college campus were interviewed by a confederate (C) who either engaged in frequent eye contract or did not look at the S, touched or did not touch the S, and spoke in either a natural, warm, expressive tone of voice or spoke with a flat, nonexpressive voice. At the completion of the interview, the C dropped several folded questionnaires. Greater helping behavior occurred when the C used an expressive voice rather than a flat voice. An interaction effect was obtained for the eye and touch conditions, with high levels of helping for eye contact/no touch and no eye contact/touch, and low levels of helping for no eye contact/no touch and eye contact/touch.
Stability of swirling flows with radius-dependent density

The inviscid instability of heterogeneous swirling flows with radius-dependent density is investigated and secular relations for the instability growth rates for several different flow configurations are obtained from explicit solutions of the governing equations. It is found, in agreement with a sufficiency condition for the stability of such flows obtained earlier, that they are stable to both axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric infinitesimal modes whenever the density is a monotonic increasing function of radius and at the same time the radial variations in both the angular and axial velocity components remain small. The instability mechanisms present in these flows are both of centrifugal and of shear origin, the classical Rayleigh–Synge criterion being a condition for centrifugal stability. It is shown, via several counter examples, that the Rayleigh–Synge criterion for the stability of swirling flows is generally neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition when non-axisymmetric disturbances are considered or large shears exist in the flow. Very stable flows occur when the angular and axial velocity components have no radial variation and simultaneously the density increases with radius as is the case in a typical centrifuge.
Constrained 3D navigation with 2D controllers

Navigation through 3D spaces is required in many interactive graphics and virtual reality applications. The authors consider the subclass of situations in which a 2D device such as a mouse controls smooth movements among viewpoints for a "through the screen" display of a 3D world. Frequently, there is a poor match between the goal of such a navigation activity, the control device, and the skills of the average user. They propose a unified mathematical framework for incorporating context-dependent constraints into the generalized viewpoint generation problem. These designer-supplied constraint modes provide a middle ground between the triviality of a single camera animation path and the confusing excess freedom of common unconstrained control paradigms. They illustrate the approach with a variety of examples, including terrain models, interior architectural spaces, and complex molecules.
Ribosomes: Protein synthesis in slow motion

Using image reconstruction methods, electron microscopists can now visualize ribosomes at resolutions so high that the changes in the positions of ribosome-bound tRNAs which occur during protein synthesis can be seen.
Unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney: a combined pre‐ and postnatal assessment

Objective To review the prenatal assessment of associated renal pathology, non-renal pathology and renal biometry, fetal outcome and postnatal urological management in the presence of unilateral fetal multicystic dysplastic kidney. Methods A total of 38 singleton pregnancies with fetal unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney was studied over a 13-year period. Prenatally, fetal biometry, including head and abdominal circumferences and largest longitudinal diameter of the affected and contralateral kidneys, was performed. The amount of amniotic fluid was assessed. Fetal karyotyping was offered in cases of contralateral renal or non-renal pathology. A MAG 3 scan and voiding cystogram was performed approximately 4 weeks after delivery to establish renal function and to exclude urinary reflux. Results Unilateral fetal multicystic dysplastic kidney was left-sided in 53% and right-sided in 47% of cases. The fetus was male in 63% and female in 37% of cases. Associated renal and non-renal pathology existed in 21% and 5% of cases, respectively. The fetal karyotype in these subsets was always normal. The longitudinal diameter of the multicystic dysplastic kidney was above the 95th centile in 87%. There was polyhydramnios in three cases and oligohydramnios in two cases. The prematurity rate was 16%. Postnatal examination revealed a non-functional multicystic kidney in 87% (33/38) of cases. Following surgical removal of the affected kidney, these infants progressed normally. Of the remaining five infants, four died because of associated anomalies and one infant developed normally without surgery. Conclusions Fetal outcome is determined by associated renal and/or non-renal structural pathology and not by the size/location of the unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney or amniotic fluid volume. Copyright © 2002 ISUOG
Learning from Student Teachers' Cross-Cultural Communicative Failures

In a study of instructional interaction between classroom teachers and limited English proficient international children, student teachers were observed to be less successful communicators than their cooperating teachers. This was due largely to the student teachers' failure to draw on sociocultural and experiential elements necessary for the construction of meaning. The elements were the children's differing values, beliefs, and attitudes about schooling and their prior knowledge and experiences, both in and out of school. This article describes the patterns of communicative failure, as well as the elements that can contribute to successful interactions, even without a common language.
1225 PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE SECRETION FROM A CELL LINE (A549) WHICH RESEMBLES TYPE II PNEUMOCYTES

The A549 cell line resembles Type II pneumocytes morphologically, synthesizes disaturated phosphatidylcholine and stores it in lamellar bodies. The phospholipid secreting properties of this cell line were studied. The cells were pulsed with either (32P)- or (3H)-choline and release of phospholipid into the medium measured. In the absence of a stimulating agent, small amounts of labelled phospholipid were recoverable in the medium. However, removal of serum from the medium caused a marked (10 fold after 2 hours) reduction in the rate of phospholipid release, probably due to the elimination of exchange between cellular membranes and serum lipoprotein. Albumin can mimic the effect of serum. The calcium ionophore A23187 stimulates exocytosis in many secretory systems and it produced a 30 fold increase in the rate of secretion of phosphatidylcholine (45% disaturated) from A549 cells. The effect was inhibited by the removal of calcium or the addition of EDTA to the medium. Incubation of cells with some potential physiologic secretagogues, including isoproterenol, norepinephrine, carbamyl choline, and dopamine did not produce a significant increase in the rate of phospholipid secretion. The A549 cell line secretes phosphatidylcholine by calcium dependent exocytosis and may be a useful experimental system for elucidating factors which regulate surfactant secretion from Type II pneumocytes.
Factored approximate inverse preconditioners with dynamic sparsity patterns

Abstract We propose two sparsity pattern selection algorithms for factored approximate inverse preconditioners to solve general sparse matrices. The sparsity pattern is adaptively updated in the construction phase by using combined information of the inverse and original triangular factors of the original matrix. In order to determine the sparsity pattern, our first algorithm uses the norm of the inverse factors multiplied by the largest absolute value of the original factors, and the second employs the norm of the inverse factors divided by the norm of the original factors. Experimental results show that these algorithms improve the robustness of the preconditioners to solve general sparse matrices.
Estimation of temperature dependent thermal properties of basic food solutions during freezing

Abstract The thermal properties of food materials exhibit substantial changes with temperature during the freezing process. The estimation of these properties is very important in simulating freezing and in determining the freezing time of foods. Mathematical modeling of thermal properties of foods has been an appealing alternative to experimental methods. These models are generally based on the assumption that food materials are ideal binary solutions. The goal of this research study is to estimate thermal properties, namely the thermal conductivity and apparent volumetric specific heat, of aqueous solutions of basic food substances (sucrose, methylcellulose and wheat gluten) during freezing. Temperature data from transient one-dimensional freezing experiments were used to estimate the temperature dependent thermal properties of these materials during freezing using the Box-Kanemasu estimation method. The estimated thermal properties were then compared with values obtained from models found in the literature. Generally, the predicted thermal conductivities using the models were close to those estimated using the experimental measurements for low concentration sucrose solutions. The predicted apparent volumetric specific heats exhibited larger discrepancies with the estimated values at all sucrose concentrations. Furthermore, the predicted thermal properties of methylcellulose and wheat gluten did not agree well with the estimated thermal properties due to their complex molecular structures and non-ideal characteristics of their aqueous solutions.
The Gospel, Gregory VII, and Modern Theology

According to Paul and Augustine, the gospel announced a radical redistribution of priestly privilege, since all baptized shared Christ's priestly and royal status. Over several centuries, due to changes in baptismal liturgies, the Pauline–Augustinian conception faded, replaced by an ecclesiology that separated “true” and “metaphorical” priesthoods. During the eleventh century, the Gregorian reform party provided ideological support for the desacralization of laymen and especially lay rulers. By dividing the church between “sacred” priesthood and “secular” laity, the Gregorians laid the foundation stones of modernity and constructed the ecclesio–theological framework of modern theology.
Inversions related to the stress-strain-fabric relationship

Abstract The stress-strain-fabric relationship is an extension of the anisotropic form of Hooke's law to include a dependence of the elastic coefficients upon a second-rank tensor called the fabric tensor. The fabric tensor represents features of the material microstructure associated with the type and the degree of the anisotropy. The inversion considered first in this work is that in which the stress-strain-fabric relation is constructed from the strain-stress-fabric relation and vice versa. Next, a semi-inversion of the relationship between the fourth-rank tensor of elastic coefficients and the fabric tensor is developed. This latter inversion permits the determination of the fabric tensor from a fourth-rank tensor of elastic constants. Explicit, approximate forms of these results, including a numerical example, are given for the case when the fabric tensor is normalized and terms of order three and higher in the fabric tensor are neglected.
Regulation of low affinity neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) by early growth response (Egr) transcriptional regulators

The low affinity neurotrophin receptor p75(NTR) is a multifunctional receptor with important roles in neurotrophin signaling, axon outgrowth, and oligodendroglia and neuron survival. It is transcriptionally regulated with spatial and temporal precision during nervous system development, injury and regeneration. Very little is known about how p75(NTR) expression is dynamically regulated but it is likely to influence how p75(NTR) signals in particular cellular contexts. Here, we identify the early growth response (Egr) transcriptional regulators, Egr1 and Egr3, as direct modulators of p75(NTR) gene expression. Egr1 and Egr3 bind and transactivate the p75(NTR) promoter in vitro and in vivo, using distinct response elements on the p75(NTR) promoter. Consistent with these results, p75(NTR) expression is greatly diminished in muscle spindle stretch receptors and in peripheral nerve Schwann cells in Egr gene deficient mice. Taken together, the results elucidate a novel mechanism whereby Egr proteins can directly modulate p75(NTR) expression and signaling in vivo.
Towards an efficient and language-agnostic compliance checker for trust negotiation systems

To ensure that a trust negotiation succeeds whenever possible, authorization policy compliance checkers must be able to find all minimal sets of their owners' credentials that can be used to satisfy a given policy. If all of these sets can be found efficiently prior to choosing which set should be disclosed, many strategic benefits can also be realized. Unfortunately, solving this problem using existing compliance checkers is too inefficient to be useful in practice. Specifically, the overheads of finding all satisfying sets using existing approaches have been shown to rapidly grow exponentially in the size of the union of all satisfying sets of credentials for the policy, even after optimizations have been made to prune the search space for potential satisfying sets.In this paper, we describe the Clouseau compliance checker. Clouseau leverages efficient pattern-matching algorithms to find all satisfying sets of credentials for a given policy in time that grows as O(NA), where N is the number of satisfying sets for the policy and A is the average size of each satisfying set. We describe the design and implementation of the Clouseau compliance checker, evaluate its performance, and show that it vastly outperforms existing approaches to finding all satisfying sets of credentials. We then present a method for automatically compiling RT policies into a format suitable for analysis by Clouseau and prove its correctness and completeness.
4-Hydroxy-5,6-dihydropyrones as inhibitors of HIV protease: the effect of heterocyclic substituents at C-6 on antiviral potency and pharmacokinetic parameters.

Due largely to the emergence of multi-drug-resistant HIV strains, the development of new HIV protease inhibitors remains a high priority for the pharmaceutical industry. Toward this end, we previou...
Parkinson's disease: surgical options.

The introduction of levodopa revolutionized the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. However, complications of therapy that diminish functional capacity eventually develop in the majority of patients. Studies in animal models have demonstrated that the parkinsonian state is associated with overactivity in the output nuclei of the basal ganglia. This provides a rationale for surgically targeting these nuclei to diminish this overactivity and reestablish a more balanced output (compensatory strategy). Lesioning and high-frequency stimulation of either the pallidum or the subthalamic nuclei are effective, but many questions remain regarding what surgery is best. Even more questions remain regarding the place of a restorative strategy, namely implantation of fetal midbrain tissue to replace the missing dopamine cells and "cure" the disease. Practical, ethical, and legal issues that complicate the use of human tissue have encouraged initial attempts at xenotransplantation using porcine fetal tissue.
Towards realizing a formal RBAC model in real systems

There still exists an open question on how formal models can be fully realized in the system development phase. The Model Driven Development (MDD) approach has been recently introduced to deal with such a critical issue for building high assurance software systems.There still exists an open question on how formal models can be fully realized in the system development phase. The Model Driven Development (MDD) approach has been recently introduced to deal with such a critical issue for building high assurance software systems.The MDD approach focuses on the transformation of high-level design models to system implementation modules. However, this emerging development approach lacks an adequate procedure to address security issues derived from formal security models. In this paper, we propose an empirical framework to integrate security model representation, security policy specification, and systematic validation of security model and policy, which would be eventually used for accommodating security concerns during the system development. We also describe how our framework can minimize the gap between security models and the development of secure systems. In addition, we overview a proof-of-concept prototype of our tool that facilitates existing software engineering mechanisms to achieve the above-mentioned features of our framework.
Some aspects of the theory of magnets with competing double exchange and superexchange interactions

In colossal magnetoresistance materials, ferromagnetic double exchange presumably coexists with a direct nearest-neighbor antiferromagnetic interaction. We construct a single-site mean-field theory that explicitly takes into account the different nature of carrier-mediated ferromagnetism vs Heisenberg-like superexchange. We find, in contrast to previous results in the literature, that the competition between these two exchange interactions leads to ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic order with incomplete saturation of the magnetization (or sublattice magnetization), rather than spin canting. The associated experimental implications are discussed. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
High performance CMOS image sensor for digitally fused day/night vision systems

We present the performance of a CMOS image sensor optimized for next generation fused day/night vision systems. The device features 5T pixels with pinned photodiodes on a 6.5μm pitch with integrated micro-lens. The 5T pixel architecture enables both correlated double sampling (CDS) to reduce noise for night time operation, and a lateral antiblooming drain for day time operation. The measured peak quantum efficiency of the sensor is above 55% at 600nm, and the median read noise is less than 1e- RMS at room temperature. The sensor features dual gain 11-bit data output ports and supports 30 fps and 60 fps. The full well capacity is greater than 30ke-, the dark current is less than 3.8pA/cm 2 at 20oC, and the MTF at 77 lp/mm is 0.4 at 550nm. The sensor also achieves an intra-scene linear dynamic range of greater than 90dB (30000:1) for night time operation, and an inter-scene linear dynamic range of greater than 150dB for complete day/night operability.
On the sign of some Dedekind sums

Rademacher asked the following: if h1k1 and h2k2 are adjacent terms in a Farey series and if the Dedekind sums s(h1, k1) and s(h2, k2) are both positive, then is s(h1 + h2, k1 + k2) ≥ 0? In this note, an infinite family of counter-examples is constructed.
Determination of the Neutron Scattering Contrast of Hydrated Portland Cement Paste using H2O/D2O Exchange

Abstract Accurate measurements of the surface area of cement based materials using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) require determination of the neutron scattering contrast between the C-S-H gel and H2O. Because the C-S-H gel has a poorly understood structure and a variable composition, calculated values of the C-S-H:H2O neutron scattering contrast based on an assumed C-S-H chemical composition and density are subject to error. The C-S-H:H2O neutron scattering contrast was determined experimentally by measuring the change in apparent surface area as the H2O in a hydrated cement specimen was replaced with D2O, resulting in a new value of 6.78 × 1028 m−4. This new contrast value increases some previously reported SANS surface area values by 21%. The results also confirm that C-S-H interlayer water should be included in the solid phase whereas gel pore water should be excluded.
Isospectral Euler–Bernoulli beams via factorization and the Lie method

Abstract We obtain isospectral Euler–Bernoulli beams by using factorization and Lie symmetry techniques. The canonical Euler–Bernoulli beam operator is factorized as the product of a second-order linear differential operator and its adjoint. The factors are then reversed to obtain isospectral beams. The factorization is possible provided the coefficients of the factors satisfy a system of non-linear ordinary differential equations. The uncoupling of this system yields a single non-linear third-order ordinary differential equation. This ordinary differential equation, called the principal equation , is analyzed, reduced or solved using Lie group methods. We show that the principal equation may admit a one-dimensional or three-dimensional symmetry Lie algebra. When the principal system admits a unique symmetry, the best we can do is to depress its order by one. We obtain a one-parameter family of invariant solutions in this case. The maximally symmetric case is shown to be isomorphic to a Chazy equation which is solved in closed form to derive the general solution of the principal equation. The transformations connecting isospectral pairs are obtained by numerically solving systems of ordinary differential equations using the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method.
Active 10.6μm Image Processing

A variety of image enhancement techniques for use on active (10.6μm) infrared images are presented. The image phenomena known as speckle and glint, which severely degrade image quality, are also discussed. Of primary importance is the identification of those algorithms which can provide a visually recognizable image to a human observer under real-time conditions. Beyond this goal is an extension to automatic recognition of objects of interest. Examples of each processing technique, generated by applying the algorithms on experimental data recorded digitally in real-time by an infrared radar testbed system, are included.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Chemical thermodynamics of polymerization of formaldehyde in an aqueous environment

A self-consistent set of chemical thermodynamic values for the polymerization of formaldehyde in the gas phase and in aqueous solution is obtained with the aid of recent experimental thermochemical results and the use of selected methods of calculation of data not otherwise available. Enthalpies, entropies, and Gibbs free energies of formation are derived for the various intermediates and products, including the first six hydroxyl-terminated oligomers. Simple equations for the logarithm of the equilibrium constant as a function of temperature are presented for a number of polymerization reactions, permitting comparison with experimental results. Reasonable agreement is obtained in almost all cases, even though ideal solutions are assumed.
Industrial crystallization process control

The objective of every industrial crystallization process is to create crystals that meet specifications on size, shape, composition, and internal structure. This objective is achieved using a variety of methods and equipment configurations depending on the properties of the chemical system, the end-product specifications, and the production scale. This paper explain how crystallization is controlled in industrial processes and what challenges must be overcome to achieve better control
Speckle imaging of globular clusters

Speckle imaging is a powerful tool for high resolution astronomy. Its application to the core regions of globular clusters produces high resolution stellar maps of the bright stars, but is unable to image the faint stars which are most reliable dynamical indicators. The limits on resolving these faint, extended objects are physical, not algorithmic, and cannot be overcome using speckle. High resolution maps may be useful for resolving multicomponent stellar systems in the cluster centers.
Encouraging The Development Of New Vaccines

Investment in the development of new vaccines is suboptimal. Changing this situation requires a creative blend of “push” and “pull” strategies. One successful policy model is the Orphan Drug Act, whose key features include large research and development (R&D) tax credits as well as Food and Drug Administration (FDA) counseling and priority review. Such supply-side R&D incentive provisions can be combined with demand-side mandates and vouchers to encourage development of new vaccines. Guaranteed-purchase funds and other pull mechanisms are useful supplementary incentives in the cases of vaccines for bioterrorism and neglected diseases of poverty.
Ethnic differences in weight gain and diabetes risk: the Multiethnic Cohort Study

Abstract Aim To improve our understanding of excess body weight and risk for diabetes type 2, the study examined the influence of weight change in the Hawaii component, including 78,006 Caucasians, Japanese Americans and Native Hawaiians, of the Multiethnic Cohort Study. Methods Participants aged 58.5±9.2 years completed a questionnaire at cohort entry (Qx1), including weight at age 21, and a follow-up questionnaire 5years later (Qx2). After 14 years of follow-up, 8892 incident diabetes cases were identified through self-reports or linkups with the major health plans in Hawaii. Cox regression analysis was applied, stratified by age and adjusted for confounders, to estimate hazard ratios (HRs). Results The mean weight gain from age 21 to Qx1 was 10.5±11.0kg and, between Qx1 and Qx2, 0.8±5.6kg. Diabetes risk showed a significant dose–response relationship with weight gain from age 21 ( P P Conclusion These findings support the current public-health recommendations for weight control and particularly among ethnic groups at high risk for diabetes.
Gene Expression Commons: an open platform for absolute gene expression profiling.

Gene expression profiling using microarrays has been limited to comparisons of gene expression between small numbers of samples within individual experiments. However, the unknown and variable sensitivities of each probeset have rendered the absolute expression of any given gene nearly impossible to estimate. We have overcome this limitation by using a very large number (>10,000) of varied microarray data as a common reference, so that statistical attributes of each probeset, such as the dynamic range and threshold between low and high expression, can be reliably discovered through meta-analysis. This strategy is implemented in a web-based platform named “Gene Expression Commons” (https://gexc.stanford.edu/) which contains data of 39 distinct highly purified mouse hematopoietic stem/progenitor/differentiated cell populations covering almost the entire hematopoietic system. Since the Gene Expression Commons is designed as an open platform, investigators can explore the expression level of any gene, search by expression patterns of interest, submit their own microarray data, and design their own working models representing biological relationship among samples.
Introduction to the Special Section, ‘The Ethics of Geoengineering: Investigating the Moral Challenges of Solar Radiation Management’

Serious high-level discussions are taking place over research into engineering the earth's climate by reducing incoming solar radiation – so called solar radiation management (SRM). Influential bod...
PDF simulations of turbulent combustion incorporating detailed chemistry

Abstract Recently, the technique of in situ adaptive tabulation (ISAT) was proposed to accomplish efficiently the hitherto formidable task of including detailed chemistry in particle methods for turbulent-reactive flows. This paper addresses the performance issues (accuracy, efficiency, and storage requirements) involved in the implementation of ISAT in a particle-mesh code to solve for the joint probability density function (JPDF) of velocity-frequency-composition. Detailed error-control analysis for a skeletal methane mechanism is performed using a pairwise mixing stirred reactor (PMSR) test. The results of the PMSR tests are used to specify the error tolerance for the JPDF simulation of a piloted non-premixed jet flame. We demonstrate that JPDF simulations of realistic turbulent-reactive flows with detailed chemistry are now possible within reasonable CPU time and storage requirements.
Influenza virus vaccines: lessons from the 2009 H1N1 pandemic

Reflecting on the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, we summarize lessons regarding influenza vaccines that can be applied in the future. The two major challenges to vaccination during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic were timing and availability of vaccine. Vaccines were, however, well-tolerated and immunogenic, with inactivated vaccines containing 15μg of HA generally inducing antibody titers ≥1:40 in adults within 2 weeks of the administration of a single dose. Moreover, the use of oil-in-water adjuvants in Europe permitted dose- reduction, with vaccines containing as little as 3.75 or 7.5μg HA being immunogenic. Case-control studies demonstrated that monovalent 2009 H1N1 vaccines were effective in preventing infection with the 2009 H1N1 virus, but preliminary data suggests that it is important for individuals to be re-immunized annually.
15 N(p, t) 13 N and 15 N(p, 3 He) 13 C Reactions and the Spectroscopy of Levels in Mass 13

A 43.7-MeV proton beam has been used to induce ($p, t$) and ($p$,$^{3}\mathrm{He}$) reactions on a $^{15}\mathrm{N}$ target. Transitions to mirror final states of $^{13}\mathrm{N}$ and $^{13}\mathrm{C}$ have been investigated over 15 MeV of excitation and several new spin and parity assignments have been made. The distorted-wave Born-approximation (DWBA) predictions of angular distributions for these $^{15}\mathrm{N}(p, t)^{13}\mathrm{N}$ and $^{15}\mathrm{N}(p, ^{3}\mathrm{He})^{13}\mathrm{C}$ reactions, using intermediate-coupling wave functions to obtain the two-nucleon structure factors, were generally found to reproduce experiment well; in addition, calculated cross sections for the $^{15}\mathrm{N}(p, t)^{13}\mathrm{N}$ reaction were in good agreement with the experimental values.
A modified Tc-99m-phytate colloid for liver-spleen imaging.

Abstract In contrast to the excellent images of liver and spleen obtained with Tc-99m-sulfur colloid, the poor splenic visualization following intravenous administration of Tc-99m-stannous phytate to patients is considered a serious drawback. Attempts to measure the biologic distribution and target to nontarget ratios in mice and rats for sulfur colloid and phytate revealed a discrepancy between the animal data and human scan findings. The rodent data indicated a nearly identical organ distribution for both radiocolloids 30 or 60 min after injection with 80 ± 5% of the Tc-99m activity in the liver and 3 ± 1% in the spleen suggesting both agents to be equally effective in imaging the spleen. As this was clearly not the clinical finding, the rodent models were considered poor indicators for predicting liver-spleen ratios in human subjects. The two agents were administered to 3 rhesus monkeys and 2 baboons in an effort to find an animal model simulating the clinical findings. In all primates tested the spleen/liver ratio for Tc-99m-sulfur colloid was 3–3.5 times greater than that obtained for Tc-99m-stannous phytate (0.70 vs 0.22). The spleen/liver ratios were calculated with the aid of a computer using an interactive light pen and a region of interest program calculating the average number of counts/cell for each organ. On a total organ basis these values are equivalent to a spleen uptake of 3–4% for the sulfur colloid and 1% for the stannous phytate. Modification of the radiopharmaceutical was accomplished by adding various amounts of calcium ion and stabilizer (albumin or gelatin) to the reconstituted solution of Tc-99m-stannous phytate. One to two mg of Ca and 50 mg of albumin were found to give an in vitro colloid with biologic properties nearly identical to sulfur colloid. Less than 1 mg of Ca/kit failed to give adequate spleen visualization and more than 2 mg/kit caused variable lung uptake and macroaggregate formation.
Simultaneous ultramicroanalysis of both 17-keto and 17β-hydroxy androgens in biological fluids

Sensitive methods for quantifying androgens were lacking. Therefore, a relatively simple procedure for separating steroids was combined with highly specific assay methods so that eight androgens could be measured with high accuracy, precision and sensitivity. Semi-automated separations on Sephadex LH-20 columns used heptane:methylene chloride:ethanol:water (50:50:1:0.12) and a flow rate of 17.0 min/ml. The six peaks eluted contained androstenedine; androsterone, epiandrosterone and dihydrotestosterone; testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone; 3alpha-androstanediol; 3beta-androstanediol; and androstenediol. Androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenediol were quantified using specific antisera (sensitivity less than or equal to 75 pg). Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone were measured by competitive protein-binding assays using rabbit TeBG (sensitivity less than or equal to 150 pg). 3alpha- and 3beta-androstanediol were similarly assayed using human TeBG (sensitivity approximately 150 pg). Androsterone was reduced with NaBH4 and the resulting 3alpha-androstanediol was assayed using human TeBG (sensitivity approximately 200 pg). Inter- and intra-assay variations were less than 10% for radioimmunoassays and less than 16% for competitive protein-binding assays over the entire dose response curve.
Structure, Composition and Morphology of Photoelectrochemically Active TiO2-xNx Thin Films Deposited by Reactive DC Magnetron Sputtering

Films of nitrogen-doped TiO2 were made by reactive DC magnetron sputtering in a mixture of argon, oxygen, and nitrogen. The nitrogen gas ratio Φ was varied in the 0 < Φ < 0.025 range during the depositions, resulting in TiO2-xNx films with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.022 as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Structural and morphological properties of the films were investigated by X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Films prepared without nitrogen had a rutile structure, while the nitrogen-doped films were either rutile or anatase depending on Φ being below or above ∼0.007. Deposition rate, effective grain size, root-mean-square roughness, morphology, and optical absorption were also found to depend on Φ. The films were photoelectrochemically active, as reported in an earlier papers of ours [J. Phys. Chem. B 2003, 107, 5709−5716 and J. Phys. Chem. B 2004, 108, 5995−6003].
Endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts

Enlarging pancreatic pseudocysts, as well as those that develop complications such as bleeding, leak, infection, and intestinal or biliary obstruction, require treatment. This treatment is usually surgical and consists of internal or external drainage or, less commonly, excision. Transcutaneous aspiration with or without drain placement has also been reported. We describe four cases of endoscopic cystogastrostomy and cystoduodenostomy undertaken in high risk patients who had either failed previous surgery (two) or were initially refused surgery because of prohibitive operative risk (two). Technique, limitations, and potential use of this procedure are discussed.
Almost every graph has reconstruction number three

On presente une demonstration d'une conjecture de Harary et Plantholt, donnee dans le titre
Photoemission studies of clean and oxidized Cs

Abstract Photoemission studies of the oxidation of Cs at ∼ 140 K have been carried out. Four different states of oxygen were observed. Definitive identification of three of the four states has been achieved in two steps: (1) comparison of the multiplet structure of free oxygen ions and the multiplet structure in the photoemission spectra of oxygen sorbed in Cs (i.e., comparison of the energy separations of the various oxygen levels involved); and (2) comparison of experimentally measured binding energies of various states of oxygen with calculated binding energies of known oxygen species inserted in Cs. The oxygen species identified are O 2− , O 2 2− and O 2 − . The multiplet structure of O 2 2− in Cs is identical to that expected for free O 2 2− with no differential relaxation of orbital energies. In contrast, significant differential relaxation in orbital energies is observed for O 2 − in Cs. This difference is attributed to the closed-shell and open-shell configurations of O 2 2− and O 2 − , respectively. The oxidation-induced changes in the Cs 4 d , 5 s and 5 p core levels and the NOO and OVV Auger transitions have also been studied in detail. A discussion of the oxidation of Cs, based on the oxygen species identified definitively, is also given.
FASTRUN: A special purpose, hardwired computer for molecular simulation

We describe the design, construction, and performance of a special purpose, hardwired accelerator for molecular mechanical calculations called FASTRUN. The processor was designed at Columbia University in 1984, constructed in the Instrumentation Division of Brookhaven National Laboratory, and delivered to Columbia in final form in 1989. It was rendered functional for molecular mechanics in early 1990. Together with its host Star array processor, FASTRUN has a measured performance for molecular dynamics simulations which compares favorably with present day supercomputers. The hardware replication cost of FASTRUN is on the order of $100,000.00.
Chromosome dynamics: Fuzzy sequences, specific attachments?

The assembly of condensed chromosomes in a cell-free system is inhibited by the addition of proteins that bind AT-rich DNA. Does this implicate the AT-rich scaffold attachment regions (SARs) in the formation of chromosomes?
The impact of caloric preloading on attempts at food and eating-related thought suppression in restrained and unrestrained eaters.

Objective The current study examined the impact of dietary restraint and caloric preload on thought suppression in a sample of 64 college females classified as either restrained or unrestrained eaters. Method Participants engaged in a 60-min laboratory session. One half of the participants were preloaded with a high-calorie milkshake and all participants were randomly assigned to a food and eating-related thought suppression condition or a no suppression control condition. Food-related thoughts were assessed with a digital counter and verbal references to food were tracked with an audio recorder. Results Restrained participants instructed to suppress food-related thoughts demonstrated significantly more food and eating-related thoughts than unrestrained participants. Preloading was associated with an increase in the frequency of indirect mentions to food and eating. Discussion Although the hypothesized “rebound” effect did not occur for any study groups, these findings indicate that both restraint status and preloading impact food and eating-related thoughts. © 2005 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Obtaining that elusive Ph.D. - in every sense a marriage

This paper describes the author's perceptions on obtaining Ph.D. degree which is compared with marriage. One should seriously consider the quest for a Ph.D. as a marriage between student and topic and treat the topic with all the respect and passion that one would treat his or her living spouse. Three ways to get through those tough times have been given. A visual aid has been presented that shows how a typical Ph. D. student's happiness varies. Communication and presentation skills have been elevated above technical ability in a formula that relates these skills to the ability to succeed. The Ph.D. is demanding and time consuming. It requires independent thinking skills and dedication, many sacrifices, vision and trust, and of course, a little luck and also think the Ph.D. as an investment