cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optofluidics and Optoelectronic Tweezers

Optofluidics 1 is the process of integrating the capabilities of optical and fluidic systems to achieve novel functionalities that can benefit from both. Among the novel capabilities that an optical system can bring to the table is the ability to manipulate objects of interest in a liquid media. In the case of biological samples, the objects of interest consist mainly of cells and viruses, whereas in applications such as nanoelectronics, manipulation of nanoparticles is of interest. In recent years, optoelectronic tweezers 2 (OET) has emerged as a powerful technique for manipulation of microscopic particles such as polystyrene beads, cells, and other biological samples and nanoscopic objects such as nanowires. In this paper, we will focus mostly on recent advances in the optoelectronic tweezers technology, including characterization of optoelectronic tweezers operational regimes, manipulation of biological samples such as cells in highconductivity physiological solutions with translation speeds higher than 30 µm/s 3 , manipulation of air bubbles in silicone oil media with speeds up to 1.5 mm/s 4 , and exploring the limits on the smallest particle that OET is capable of trapping 5 . These advances all contribute immensely to the functionalities of OET as an optofluidic system.
Effects of variation in chronic dose of cocaine on contingent tolerance as assessed in a milk-drinking task.

Tolerance to the suppressive effects of cocaine on milk drinking by rats was studied using a contingent tolerance experimental design. Three separate groups (n=6) of rats received 8.0, 16.0, or 32.0 mg/kg cocaine daily 15 min before a 15-min period of access to sweetened condensed milk for 20 days. Three additional groups of six rats each received the same chronic doses 15 min after access to milk. Milk, water, and food intake as well as body weight were measured daily. Tolerance effects were assessed by comparing initial acute dose-effect determinations with a probe dose-effect redetermination in which all rats again received doses of cocaine pre-session after having experienced the differential pre- or post-session chronic treatment. Behavioral tolerance on the milk intake measure was observed for the 8.0 mg/kg and 16.0 mg/kg doses, but not for the 32.0 mg/kg chronic treatment, even though the latter group exhibited evidence of tolerance in the water intake measure. Chronic treatment with 8.0 and 16.0 mg/kg produced different outcomes in that chronic exposure to 16.0 mg/kg in the presence of milk resulted in generalization of tolerance to both a lower (8.0 mg/kg) and a higher dose (32.0 mg/kg), but the group receiving 8.0 mg/kg did not exhibit generalization of tolerance to higher doses. Modest sensitization effects were observed in the rats treated post-session with either 8.0 or 16.0 mg/kg. Rats receiving 32.0 mg/kg pre-milk exhibited a dramatic lowering of food intake and concomitant loss in body weight compared to the same dose given after the milk access period, suggesting that pairing cocaine with a highly palatable substance may enhance its toxic effects. The observed behavioral tolerance effects were discussed in terms of (1) the reinforcement loss hypothesis, (2) the channeling hypothesis developed in the context of behavioral tolerance to amphetamine, and (3) the concept of dose-specific tolerance.
Social Support and Personal Mastery as Protective Resources During Emerging Adulthood

During emerging adulthood, lesbian and gay (LG) adults must develop an identity within the social context of heterosexist discrimination. Our specific aims were to examine differences by sexual orientation in depressive symptomatology and self-esteem and explore the role of personal resources in explaining these aspects of psychological well-being. Data were analyzed on 306 participants in emerging adulthood who completed an online survey. LG individuals experienced higher depressive symptomatology and lower self-esteem than heterosexuals, and variations in well-being were explained by personal mastery and social support. The instability which characterizes emerging adulthood is likely compounded by the developmental challenges posed by heterosexism. The formation of social relationships, coupled with personal mastery, appear to serve as protective resources during emerging adulthood.
Simultaneous Resections of Colorectal Cancer and Synchronous Liver Metastases: A Multi-institutional Analysis

Background The safety of simultaneous resections of colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases (SCRLM) is not established. This multi-institutional retrospective study compared postoperative outcomes after simultaneous and staged colorectal and hepatic resections.
Surround suppression and temporal processing of visual signals

Extraclassical surround suppression strongly modulates responses of neurons in the retina, lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), and primary visual cortex. Although a great deal is known about the spatial properties of extraclassical suppression and the role it serves in stimulus size tuning, relatively little is known about how extraclassical suppression shapes visual processing in the temporal domain. We recorded the spiking activity of retinal ganglion cells and LGN neurons in the cat to test the hypothesis that extraclassical suppression influences temporal features of visual responses in the early visual system. Our results demonstrate that extraclassical suppression not only shifts the distribution of interspike intervals in a manner that decreases the efficacy of neuronal communication, it also decreases the reliability of neuronal responses to visual stimuli and it decreases the duration of visual responses, an effect that underlies a rightward shift in the temporal frequency tuning of LGN neurons. Taken together, these results reveal a dynamic relationship between extraclassical suppression and the temporal features of neuronal responses.
Level of Pain and Waiting Time in the Emergency Department

Pain is the leading reason individuals seek emergency care. Studies have concluded that acute pain conditions are underevaluated and undertreated in the emergency department (ED). There is a paucity of information about how the severity of pain influences the time spent in the ED before being seen by a physician. Therefore, this study focuses on what role pain plays regarding time to treatment in the ED, i.e., to examine the effects of patients' perceived level of pain on wait time in the ED. The CDC's National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Survey 2003 data were used in this study. The sample consisted of 12,860 caucasians and African Americans with a mean age of 44.52 years. Analysis of covariance was used to explore differences in length of waiting time in ED based on race, triage nurses rating of the immediacy of the need to be seen by a physician, and the level of pain the patient reported. The findings showed that patients' reports of pain had very little effect on the length of waiting time. Given the sample size, we feel there is adequate power to detect the effect of pain in determining the length of waiting time to see a physician if it were present. In addition, African Americans had a statistically significant longer wait (15.29 minutes) than Whites. The effect of race might be interpreted as another example of health disparities or could be a hospital-level effect which was not examined within this model.
Quorum sensing inhibitors: a patent overview.

Background: Quorum sensing (QS) is a microbial cell–cell signaling system that correlates gene expression with cell population density. It plays important roles in intra-species communications and ...
A preliminary path analysis of expectancy and patient-provider encounter in an open-label randomized controlled trial of spinal manipulation for cervicogenic headache.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this article was to present a preliminary model to identify the effects of expectancy of treatment success and the patient-provider encounter (PPE) on outcomes in an open-label randomized trial. Methods Eighty participants with chronic cervicogenic headache (CGH) were randomized to 4 groups: 2 levels of treatment dose (8 or 16) and 2 levels of therapy from a chiropractor (spinal manipulation or light massage). Providers were instructed to have equal enthusiasm for all care. Structural equation modeling with standardized path coefficients ( β ) was used in a path analysis to identify the effects of patient expectancy and the PPE on CGH pain. The model included monthly pain from baseline to 12 weeks. Expectancy and PPE were evaluated on Likert scales. The patient-provider encounter was measured as patient perception of chiropractor enthusiasm, confidence, and comfort with care. Results Baseline patient expectancy was balanced across groups. The PPE measures were balanced across groups and consistent over the 8-week treatment period. Treatment and baseline pain had the strongest effects on pain outcomes (| β | = .46-.59). Expectations had little effect on pain (| β | β | = .03-.27) and on subsequent confidence in treatment success (| β | = .09 and .12). Conclusions Encouraging equipoise in the PPE and balancing expectancy across treatment groups may protect against some confounding related to the absence of blinding in a randomized controlled trial of pain. In this trial, their effects were found to be small relative to the effects of treatment and baseline values.
Suboptimal Response to or Failure of Imatinib Treatment for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: What Is the Optimal Strategy?

Treatment responses to imatinib vary among patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and definitions of treatment failure and suboptimal response have been published. This article discusses monitoring and treatment of patients with CML after failure of or suboptimal response to imatinib therapy. We reviewed articles listed on PubMed from January 1, 2002, to July 31, 2008, and abstracts from the 2007 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology. Search terms used were chronic myeloid/myelogenous leukemia, imatinib, and BCR-ABL. To enable early recognition of suboptimal responses, patients should be frequently monitored according to published guidelines, including cytogenetic analysis every 6 months until a complete response is achieved and molecular monitoring every 3 months from the start of therapy or monthly if an increasing BCR-ABL1 transcript level is detected. Mutational analysis of BCR-ABL1 may assist with treatment selection. A recent survey suggests that a notable proportion of physicians do not follow treatment guidelines and that broader communication is required. Recent recommendations state that, in patients whose response to imatinib at 400 mg/d is suboptimal, the dose should be increased, whereas alternative therapies, such as dasatinib, nilotinib, and allogeneic stem cell transplant (in eligible patients), and imatinib dose escalation should be considered after imatinib failure. However, clinical data are lacking to confirm this sequence of treatments, and introducing alternative therapies at an earlier stage of treatment, for example, after a suboptimal response, may produce better long-term outcomes in a higher proportion of patients. Patient and disease characteristics should be carefully considered to optimize treatment strategy for CML.
Tocqueville's resistance to the social

This essay examines Tocqueville's conception of the “social” against the background of debates over the relationship between the social and the political in France from the Revolution to mid-century. It focuses on three groups: those associated with the social philosophy of industrialisme, those concerned with the evils of pauperism from the standpoint of Catholic social reform, and those allied with the new Doctrinaire view of society and politics. It argues that Tocqueville consistently resisted the primacy of the “social” as articulated by these thinkers, even in the seductive form offered by Francois Guizot, whose influence on Tocqueville is examined in light of recent debates over this issue.
Respiratory distress after recurrent laryngeal nerve sectioning for adductor spastic dysphonia.

Adductor spastic dysphonia is a voice sign associated with various neurologic and psychologic disorders. Treatment of spastic dysphonin in selected patients is unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve sectioning. Except for voice change or, in some patients, return of phonatory spasticity, there have been no long-term sequelae or complications of this treatment. We describe three patients with adductor spastic dysphonia who underwent recurrent laryngeal nerve sectioning and who, 3 to 38 months later, suffered respiratory distress that required tracheostomy. The respiratory distress in all three patients was due to episodic jerky vocal cord hyperadductions that caused stridor during inspiration and expiration. These repetitive laryngospasms during respiration and phonation were progressive. Two patients needed an arytenoidectomy to achieve a useful voice, and all three required a permanent tracheostomy to alleviate in-spiratory laryngeal obstruction.
Petrology and mineralogy of Type II, FeO-rich chondrules in Semarkona (LL3.0) - Origin by closed-system fractional crystallization, with evidence for supercooling

The petrology of type II porphyritic olivine chondrules in Semarkona (LL3.0) has been studied in detail. Olivines in these chondrules are euhedral, Fe-rich, and are strongly zoned from cores to rims of grains in FeO (Fa10-30), Cr2O3 (0.2-0.6 wt pct), MnO (0.2-0.7 wt pct), and CaO (0.1-0.4 wt pct). Interstitial mesostasis is rich in Si, Al, and Ca and is glassy with abundant microcrystallites. Minor minerals include troilite, Fe,Ni metal, and chromite. Some olivine grains contain euhedral, fayalite-rich cores that are probably produced during initial supercooling of the chondrule melt. Rare relict grains of forsteritic olivine have compositions very similar to olivines in type IA chondrules in Semarkona and may result from disaggregation of such chondrules. Apart from these relics, all properties of type II chondrules can be described by closed-system fractional crystallization of droplets which were essentially entirely molten. Type IA chondrules may have formed from type II chondrules by loss of Fe and volatiles. Alternatively, the two chondrule types may have formed in regions of considerable diversity in the solar nebula from precursor materials with different Fe/Mg ratios.
Cellular and molecular analyses of vascular tube and lumen formation in zebrafish

Tube and lumen formation are essential steps in forming a functional vasculature. Despite their significance, our understanding of these processes remains limited, especially at the cellular and molecular levels. In this study, we analyze mechanisms of angioblast coalescence in the zebrafish embryonic midline and subsequent vascular tube formation. To facilitate these studies, we generated a transgenic line where EGFP expression is controlled by the zebrafish flk1 promoter. We find that angioblasts migrate as individual cells to form a vascular cord at the midline. This transient structure is stabilized by endothelial cell-cell junctions, and subsequently undergoes lumen formation to form a fully patent vessel. Downregulating the VEGF signaling pathway, while affecting the number of angioblasts, does not appear to affect their migratory behavior. Our studies also indicate that the endoderm, a tissue previously implicated in vascular development, provides a substratum for endothelial cell migration and is involved in regulating the timing of this process, but that it is not essential for the direction of migration. In addition, the endothelial cells in endodermless embryos form properly lumenized vessels, contrary to what has been previously reported in Xenopus and avian embryos. These studies provide the tools and a cellular framework for the investigation of mutations affecting vasculogenesis in zebrafish.
X-ray study of hydrogenated jojoba wax

Crystallographic analysis of hydrogenated jojoba wax ester shows the crystal structure to be monoclinic with orthorhombic perpendicular, 0⊥, chain packing. Cell dimensions are: a=4.99, b=7.44, c=55.2A, β=90°. A larger secondary unit cell is observed and identified as permitting the hydrocarbon ester chains freedom of rotation. Hydrogenated jojoba was ester is crystallographically similar to polyethylene.
7181 Endoscopic ultrasound (eus) guided fine needle injection (fni) of the pancreatic duct for the diagnosis of pancreas divisum - a new technique.

Background: Pancreas divisum is a recognized cause of acute intermittent pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis. EUS visualization of the "stack sign" for diagnosing pancreas divisum falls short of a 100% sensitivity. Traditional diagnosis has relied upon endoscopic retrograde cannulation of the minor papilla demonstrating non-union of the dorsal and ventral ducts. Utilizing recent techniques, cannulation rates for the minor papilla have improved, but are approximately 90%. Harada et al. have previously described a technique for EUS-guided injection of the pancreatic duct, however its utility in diagnosing pancreas divisum, has not been described. In this abstract, we report on two patients with pancreas divisum and consequent acute intermittent pancreatitis (AIP) or chronic pancreatitis (CP), who underwent EUS-guided FNI for the diagnosis of pancreas divisum. Methods: One patient with CP and one patient with AIP underwent EUS evaluation. The patient with AIP had undergone multiple endoscopic retrograde cholangiograms with failed attempts (including intravenous secretin) in cannulating the minor papilla. The patients underwent EUS evaluation with the Olympus GF-UM20/130 and Pentax FG-36UX or Olympus GF-UC30P. EUS findings were consistent with chronic pancreatitis, but there were no obvious EUS criteria for pancreas divisum. The pancreatic duct as it courses through the body of the pancreas was imaged with the Pentax FG-36UX or Olympus GF-UC30P linear array echoendoscope. Under EUS and fluoroscopic guidance a GIP/Mediglobe 22-gauge needle was advanced into the pancreatic duct. Injection of 60% Hypaque contrast was then used to fill the pancreatic duct. Results: EUS-guided FNI of contrast revealed pancreas divisum with a stenotic accessory papilla in both patients. In the patient with acute intermittent pancreatitis magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and ERCP both failed to demonstrate pancreas divisum anatomy. In the patient with chronic pancreatitis, the EUS findings lead to a repeat ERCP with successful endoscopic sphincterotomy of the minor papilla and stent placement. Neither of the patients experienced pancreatitis or other complications related to the EUS-guided FNI procedure. Conclusions: While ERCP remains the "goldstandard" for the diagnosis of pancreas divisum, EUS-guided FNI of the pancreatic duct may provide an alternative method for diagnosis in patients with difficult ERCP cannulation.
Transient shell response by numerical time integration

In using the finite element method to compute a transient response, two choices must be made. First, some form of mass matrix must be decided upon. Either the consistent mass matrix prescribed by the finite element method can be employed or some form of diagonal mass matrix may be introduced. Secondly, some particular time integration procedure must be adopted. The procedures available divide themselves into two classes: the conditionally stable explicit schemes and the unconditionally or conditionally stable implicit schemes. The choices should be guided by both economy and accuracy. Using exact discrete solutions compared to the exact solutions of the differential equations, the results of these choices are displayed. Concrete examples of well-matched methods, as well as ill-matched methods, are identified and demonstrated. In particular, the diagonal mass matrix and the explicit central difference time integration method are shown to be a good combination in terms of accuracy and economy.
The removal of defects from solids as observed with positron annihilation

The recovery, recrystallization and grain growth of cold rolled samples of Cu, α-brass, and Ni are followed with positron Doppler broadening and, in the case of Ni, positron lifetime measurements. The positron measurements show similar behavior during the annealing of cold worked metals as do hardness measurements, however, the positron measurements are quite sensitive to changes in the recovery region in which hardness is completely insensitive. Positron measurements are also much more sensitive than hardness measurements to detect the beginning of grain growth. Die Erholung, die Rekristallisation und das Kornwachstum von kaltgerollten Proben von Kupfer, α-Messing und Nickel werden mit Positron-Doppler-Verbreitung und im Falle des Nickels auch mit Positronlebensdauermessungen verfolgt. Die Positronmessungen zeigen ahnliches Verhalten wahrend der Warmebehandlung des kaltgeformten Metalles wie die Hartemessungen, jedoch sind die Positronmesssungen verhaltnismasig empfindlich gegen Anderungen in der Erholungszone in welcher die Harte vollstandig unempfindlich ist. Positronmessungen sind daher fur die Bestimmung des Beginns des Kornwachstums sehr viel empfindlicher als Hartemessungen.
Symptomatic heterotopic pancreas following seat belt injury.

Heterotopic pancreas is defined as the presence of normal pancreatic tissue in an abnormal location and lacking continuity with the main body of the pancreas. Autopsy studies note an incidence of 0.55–13% [1] for this congenital anomaly, but it is usually of limited clinical importance. Although uncommon, when symptomatic, complaints are generally gastrointestinal and include nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding [2]. Men are more often affected than women and clinical symptoms peak in the sixth decade. Heterotopic pancreas can lead to serious complications including gastric/duodenal ulceration, pancreatitis, massive gastrointestinal bleeding or gastric outlet obstruction [3]. Garrett and Braunstein independently described the seat belt syndrome in 1962 [4]. In addition to duodenal haematoma formation and rupture, closed pancreatic injuries with associated traumatic pancreatitis and pseudocyst formation have also been reported following such injuries [4]. We present a case report of heterotopic pancreas which developed symptoms immediately after a seat belt injury suffered at the time of motor vehicle accident (MVA).
Predicted thermal conductivity - Gaseous and liquid para-hydrogen.

Predicted thermal conductivity of gaseous and liquid para hydrogen relationship to viscosity behavior via Enskog theory
Familial hypobetalipoproteinemia: genetics and metabolism

Familial hypobetalipoproteinemia (FHBL), an autosomal dominant disorder, is defined as <5th percentile LDL-cholesterol or apolipoprotein (apo) B in the plasma. FHBL subjects are generally heterozygous and asymptomatic. Three genetic forms exist: (i) premature stop codon specifying mutations of APOB; (ii) FHBL linked to a susceptibility locus on the chromosome 3p21; and (iii) FHBL linked neither to APOB nor to the chromosome 3p21. In heterozygous apoB-defective FHBL, the hepatic VLDL export system is defective because apoB 100, the product of the normal allele, is produced at ∼5% of normal rate, and truncated apoB is cleared too rapidly. The reduced capacity for hepatic triglyceride export increases hepatic fat three-fold. Indexes of adiposity and insulin action are similar to controls. ‘Knock-in’ mouse models of apoB truncations resemble human FHBL phenotypes. Liver fat in the chromosome 3p21-linked FHBL is normal. Elucidation of the genetic basis of the non-apoB FHBL could uncover attractive targets for lipid-lowering therapy. (See note added in proof.)
Polychlorinated biphenyls and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin equivalents in eggs of double-crested cormorants from a colony near Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA

Great Lakes colonial waterbirds have experienced poor reproduction and a greater incidence of birth defects than those in remote areas. An egg was collected from each of 1,000 marked cormorant nests at Spider Island (Lake Michigan). Nine pools comprised of three eggs were randomly selected for instrumental quantification of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) congeners, calculation of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TEq) and measurement of equivalents by bioassay (TCDD-EQ). PCB analysis of the nine samples was semi-automated with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) columns including a porous graphitic carbon column. TEqs were calculated from concentrations of PCB congeners and bioassay-derived toxic equivalency factors (TEfs), and TCDD-EQ were measured directly with an H4IIE bioassay. Total PCB concentrations ranged from 9.7 to 38 μg/g, wet weight (ww). Mean concentrations of PCB 77, 126, and 169 were 2, 7, and 1 ng/g, ww. The mean TEqs and TCDD-EQ were 150 and 350 pg/g, ww, respectively. Thus, PCB congeners contributed less than 50% of the total TCDD-EQs as measured by the bioassay.
Emergence of Cooperative Internet Server Sharing Among Internet Search Agents Caught in the n-Person Prisoner's Dilemma Game

Information on the Internet can be collected by autonomous agents that send out queries to the servers that may have the information sought. From a single agent’s perspective, sending out as many queries as possible maximizes the chances of finding the information sought. However, if every agent does the same, the servers will be overloaded. The first major contribution of this paper is proving mathematically that the agents situated in such environments play the n-Person Prisoner’s Dilemma Game. The second is mathematically deriving the notion of effectiveness of cooperation among the agents in such environments and then presenting the optimal interval for the number of information sites for a given number of information-seeking agents. When the optimal interval is satisfied, cooperation among agents is effective, meaning that resources (e.g., servers) are optimally shared. Experimental results suggest that agents can better share available servers through the kinship-based cooperation without explicitly knowing about the entire environment. This paper also identifies difficulties of promoting cooperation in such environments and presents possible solutions. The long-term goal of this research is to elucidate the understanding of massively distributed multiagent environments such as the Internet and to identify valuable design principles of software agents in similar environments.
Gamma-Ray Astronomy in Space in the 50-KEV to 3-MEV Region

The ?-ray fluxes in space which arise from nuclear and plasma interactions are expected to be of the order of 10-1 to 10-2 photons/cm2.sec. A considerable ?-ray backgrond is produced from the interactions of cosmic-ray nucleons. A detection ystem is described which will allow the measurment of considerably weaker primary fluxes than previous experiments. The apparatus is to be placed on a low-altitude, low-latitude earth satellite. A scintillation counter with a shielding collimator is used in the 50-150 key energy region. In the 0.3 to 3.0 Mev region, the high particle flux requires the use of an anticoincidence shield arond the scintillation counter. A Compton coincidence telescope provides directional collimation in this energy region. Data from the detectors are entered into a temporary binary storage and are read out, together with identification and satellite orientation information, to the payload telemetry system at a one bit/sec rate. The entire apparatus weighs 30 pounds, has a complemnt of 400 transistors, and operates on 650 my of power.
Demography of Bristle-thighed Curlews Numenius tahitiensis wintering on Laysan Island

We studied the nonbreeding ecology of Bristle-thighed Curlews Numenius tahitiensis from 1988 to 1991 on Laysan Island in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Using capture-recapture analysis, we estimated that 300–350 curlews wintered on the island. Annual survival was >85% for adults and 92% for first-year birds. Young birds remained on the island until at least their third calendar year, when some individuals made “exploratory” visits to other islands in the Northwestern chain. Most of the birds marked in their first year migrated north to the breeding grounds when they were 3 years old; several birds remained on the island until they were at least 4 years old. Adults returned to the same discrete home ranges year after year, whereas subadults (which do not migrate) tended to use a greater portion of the island. At least 60% of the subadults marked from 1988 to 1990 returned to the island to winter as adults. Because young curlews arrived after adults and experienced high survivorship while on the island, there did not appear to be intense competition for space at Laysan even though the island is at the northern end of the species' winter range.
Direct evidence of orbital mixing between water and solvated transition-metal ions: An oxygen 1s XAS and DFT study of aqueous systems

Direct evidence of orbital mixing between water and solvated transition-metal ions: An oxygen 1s XAS and DFT study of aqueous systems
Multiple Shifts for Testing Cockerels

Abstract HUTT and Cole (1955), in describing their system of testing cockerels, have discussed at length our critique of the multiple shift concept (Lerner and Dempster, 1951), and have presented data purporting to show the superiority of a multiple over a single shift selection scheme. Their alleged refutation of our conclusions is based for the most part on a patent misunderstanding of our analysis. At the same time the claim that their results demonstrate empirically the efficiency of the multiple shift method can be readily shown to be spurious. Comment on their article is hence a matter of importance, if for no other reason, then to forestall the possible spread of a breeding technique recommended on fallacious grounds. The main evidence offered by Hutt and Cole in favor of the multiple shift system is summarized in their Figure 1. The least squares regressions of production index on year based on values …
Antiviral Resistance and the Future Landscape of Hepatitis C Virus Infection Therapy

The addition of hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitors (PIs) to interferon and ribavirin therapy has significantly improved the efficacy of treatment for HCV infection. However, for patients who do not respond to therapy, the selection of HCV variants with resistance to PIs is likely. Resistant variants, such as R155K and A156T/V, result in extensive cross-resistance to other HCV PIs. Despite the rapid and frequent appearance of PI-resistant HCV variants, the long-term clinical implications are unknown. In particular, progress in the development of other HCV antivirals, such as NS5A inhibitors, next-generation NS3 protease inhibitors, and NS5B nucleoside and nonnucleoside inhibitors, has provided a broad selection of potent antivirals such that interferon-free therapy is a reality. Promising results from early stages of interferon-free trials will be reviewed.
Genetic Evidence that Synaptonemal Complex Axial Elements Govern Recombination Pathway Choice in Mice

Chiasmata resulting from interhomolog recombination are critical for proper chromosome segregation at meiotic metaphase I, thus preventing aneuploidy and consequent deleterious effects. Recombination in meiosis is driven by programmed induction of double strand breaks (DSBs), and the repair of these breaks occurs primarily by recombination between homologous chromosomes, not sister chromatids. Almost nothing is known about the basis for recombination partner choice in mammals. We addressed this problem using a genetic approach. Since meiotic recombination is coupled with synaptonemal complex (SC) morphogenesis, we explored the role of axial elements – precursors to the lateral element in the mature SC - in recombination partner choice, DSB repair pathways, and checkpoint control. Female mice lacking the SC axial element protein SYCP3 produce viable, but often aneuploid, oocytes. We describe genetic studies indicating that while DSB-containing Sycp3−/− oocytes can be eliminated efficiently, those that survive have completed repair before the execution of an intact DNA damage checkpoint. We find that the requirement for DMC1 and TRIP13, proteins normally essential for recombination repair of meiotic DSBs, is substantially bypassed in Sycp3 and Sycp2 mutants. This bypass requires RAD54, a functionally conserved protein that promotes intersister recombination in yeast meiosis and mammalian mitotic cells. Immunocytological and genetic studies indicated that the bypass in Sycp3−/− Dmc1−/− oocytes was linked to increased DSB repair. These experiments lead us to hypothesize that axial elements mediate the activities of recombination proteins to favor interhomolog, rather than intersister recombinational repair of genetically programmed DSBs in mice. The elimination of this activity in SYCP3- or SYCP2-deficient oocytes may underlie the aneuploidy in derivative mouse embryos and spontaneous abortions in women.
Helix propensities of the amino acids measured in alanine-based peptides without helix-stabilizing side-chain interactions.

Helix propensities of the amino acids have been measured in alanine-based peptides in the absence of helix-stabilizing side-chain interactions. Fifty-eight peptides have been studied. A modified form of the Lifson-Roig theory for the helix-coil transition, which includes helix capping (Doig AJ, Chakrabartty A, Klingler TM, Baldwin RL, 1994, Biochemistry 33:3396-3403), was used to analyze the results. Substitutions were made at various positions of homologous helical peptides. Helix-capping interactions were found to contribute to helix stability, even when the substitution site was not at the end of the peptide. Analysis of our data with the original Lifson-Roig theory, which neglects capping effects, does not produce as good a fit to the experimental data as does analysis with the modified Lifson-Roig theory. At 0 “C, Ala is a strong helix former, Leu and Arg are helix-indifferent, and all other amino acids are helix breakers of varying severity. Because Ala has a small side chain that cannot interact significantly with other side chains, helix formation by Ala is stabilized predominantly by the backbone (“peptide H-bonds”). The implication for protein folding is that formation of peptide H-bonds can largely offset the unfavorable entropy change caused by fixing the peptide backbone. The helix propensities of most amino acids oppose folding; consequently, the majority of isolated helices derived from proteins are unstable, unless specific side-chain interactions stabilize them.
Pebbles and Urns a tangible, presence-based messaging service

The incorporation of contextual elements of location, time, and identity into traditional computer and network systems and services is resulting in enhanced, intuitive, more natural user experiences. This work defines an instance of a presence-based messaging system called Pebbles and Urns. A survey of current messaging systems has indicated key missing elements that are addressed by functionality in the Pebbles and Urns architecture. Current context-based messaging research focuses on the social activities and social interactions of the user. While that is important, this work proposes how Pebbles and Urns would augment the numerous ways a person deploys, obtains, and realizes information in their daily activities. Next, it considers agent design and tuplespaces as implementation components of Pebbles and Urns. An agent's ability to react to context, combined with tuplespace characteristics of distributed, associative memory, persistent storage, and destination - space - time uncoupling allow the investigation of new messaging schemes offering interesting advantages over existing messaging systems. This work closes with several Pebbles and Urns user scenarios and suggested future work to extend the Pebbles and Urns messaging system.
Microwave induced upset of a digital flight control computer

Tests have established upset levels for a set of digital flight control computers exposed to microwave radiation. Upsets occur for unprotected computers above 10 W/cm/sup 2/ peak power over narrow frequency bands. The frequency range of upsets were from 1 to 4 GHz, no upsets were seen above these frequencies due to increased attenuation from circuit elements. Most vulnerable frequencies are at box resonance, which lie in the low single GHz for these types of avionics. Upset levels can be an order of magnitude lower at box resonance. The main point of entry of the microwave radiation is the I/O wire bundles. Box dimensions, wire runs, and internal board layout affect vulnerability. Almost all upsets seen were digital upsets. This is due to the very wide bandwidth of digital circuits being able to respond to narrow microwave pulses. The most important signal parameters to determine digital flight control computer upset potential are carrier frequency and peak power. Simple shielding techniques have the potential to eliminate any possible upsets seen. >
Energy advantages of microprocessor platforms with on-chip configurable logic

System chips that incorporate configurable logic can reduce the energy consumed in executing software. The key is to use the configurable logic to execute performance-critical loops, producing average energy savings of 25% to 71% for embedded-system benchmarks.
Effect of heat treatment on the microhardness of indium-doped CdTe single crystals

The hardness of CdTe single crystals doped with 1.2 × 1017 and 2 × 1018 In cm−3 varies with treatments that vary the concentrations of electrons or holes. The hardness increases with increasing concentrations of either electrons or holes. Illumination increases or decreases the hardness depending on the position of the Fermi level in the unilluminated crystal. These effects are explained by the interaction of dislocations with point defects on the basis of a model with two types of dislocations, one having acceptor, the other donor properties. Die Harte von mit 1,2 × 1017 und 2 × 1018 In cm−3 dotierten CdTe-Einkristallen andert sich mit Behandlungen, welche die Elektronen- oder Locherkonzentrationen andern. Die Harte vergrosert sich, wenn sowohl die Konzentration der Elektronen als auch die der Locher zunimmt. Belichtung verursacht entweder Zu- oder Abnahme der Harte in Abhangigkeit von der Lage des Ferminiveaus. Diese Vorgange werden erklart mit einem Modell mit zwei Typen von Versetzungen, eine mit Donator-, die andere mit Akzeptoreigenschaften.
VFH/sup */: local obstacle avoidance with look-ahead verification

This paper presents an enhancement to the earlier developed vector field histogram (VFH) method for mobile robot obstacle avoidance. The enhanced method, called VFH/sup */ successfully deals with situations that are problematic for purely local obstacle avoidance algorithms. The VFH/sup */ method verifies that a particular candidate direction guides the robot around an obstacle. The verification is performed by using the A/sup */ search algorithm and appropriate cost and heuristic functions.
Diversification and Specialization of HIV Protease Function During In Vitro Evolution

Our goal is to understand how enzymes adapt to utilize novel substrates. We and others have shown that directed evolution tends to generate enzyme variants with broadened substrate specificity. Broad-specificity enzymes are generally deleterious to living cells, so this observed trend might be an artifact of the most commonly employed high throughput screens. Here, we demonstrate a more natural and effective screening strategy for directed evolution. The gene encoding model enzyme HIV protease was randomly mutated, and the resulting library was expressed in Escherichia coli cells to eliminate cytotoxic broad-specificity variants. The surviving variants were screened for clones with activity against a reporter enzyme. The wild-type human immunodeficiency virus type I protease (HIV PR) is cytotoxic and exhibits no detectable activity in reactions with beta-galactosidase (BGAL). In contrast, the selected variants were nontoxic and exhibited greater activity and specificity against BGAL than did the wild-type HIV PR in reactions with any substrate. A single round of whole gene random mutagenesis and conventional high-throughput screening does not usually effect complete inversions of substrate specificity. This suggests that a combination of positive and purifying selection engenders more rapid adaptation than positive selection alone.
Job Adequacy and Work-Family Balance: Looking at Jobs as a Whole

Using an ecological person—process—context model and recent conceptualization of the “employment continuum,” this study examines differences in components of work—family balance among individuals in diverse types of jobs ranging from “inadequate” to “optimal.” Cross-sectional data from the 1997 National Study of the Changing Workforce (n = 2,877) were used to test differences in work-to-family conflict and enrichment among individuals whose jobs have different constellations of favorable structural and psychosocial attributes. Results suggest jobs enriched with both structural and psychosocial attributes contribute to better work—family balance by reducing conflict and promoting enrichment. Similar patterns occurred regardless of family employment arrangement, but dual earner men reported higher levels of conflict compared with women when holding inadequate jobs. The pattern of results suggests that viewing jobs holistically is important for understanding the work—family interface.
Surface molecular property modifications for poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) based microfluidic devices

Fast advancements of microfabrication processes in past two decades have reached to a fairly matured stage that we can manufacture a wide range of microfluidic devices. At present, the main challenge is the control of nanoscale properties on the surface of lab-on-a-chip to satisfy the need for biomedical applications. For example, poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) is a commonly used material for microfluidic circuitry, yet the hydrophobic nature of PDMS surface suffers serious nonspecific protein adsorption. Thus the current major efforts are focused on surface molecular property treatments for satisfying specific needs in handling macro functional molecules. Reviewing surface modifications of all types of materials used in microfluidics will be too broad. This review will only summarize recent advances in nonbiofouling PDMS surface modification strategies applicable to microfluidic technology and classify them into two main categories: (1) physical approach including physisorption of charged or amphiphilic polymers and copolymers, as well as (2) chemical approach including self assembled monolayer and thick polymer coating. Pros and cons of a collection of available yet fully exploited surface modification methods are briefly compared among subcategories.
Paramagnetic molecule induced strong antiferromagnetic exchange coupling on a magnetic tunnel junction based molecular spintronics device

This paper reports our Monte Carlo (MC) studies aiming to explain the experimentally observed paramagnetic molecule induced antiferromagnetic coupling between ferromagnetic (FM) electrodes. Recently developed magnetic tunnel junction based molecular spintronics devices (MTJMSDs) were prepared by chemically bonding the paramagnetic molecules between the FM electrodes along the tunnel junction's perimeter. These MTJMSDs exhibited molecule-induced strong antiferromagnetic coupling. We simulated the 3D atomic model analogous to the MTJMSD and studied the effect of molecule's magnetic couplings with the two FM electrodes. Simulations show that when a molecule established ferromagnetic coupling with one electrode and antiferromagnetic coupling with the other electrode, then theoretical results effectively explained the experimental findings. Our studies suggest that in order to align MTJMSDs' electrodes antiparallel to each other, the exchange coupling strength between a molecule and FM electrodes should be ~50% of the interatomic exchange coupling for the FM electrodes.
Rendering spaces for architectural environments

We present a new framework for rendering virtual environments. This framework is proposed as a complete scene description, which embodies the space of all possible renderings, under all possible lighting scenarios of the given scene. In effect, this hypothetical rendering space includes all possible light sources as part of the geometric model. While it would be impractical to implement the general framework, this approach does allow us to look at the rendering problem in a new way. Thus, we propose new representations that are subspaces of the entire rendering space. Some of these subspaces are computationally tractable and may be carefully chosen to serve a particular application. The approach is useful both for real and virtual scenes. The framework includes methods for rendering environments which are illuminated by artificial light, natural light, or a combination of the two models.
Photogeometric structured light: A self-calibrating and multi-viewpoint framework for accurate 3D modeling

Structured-light methods actively generate geometric correspondence data between projectors and cameras in order to facilitate robust 3D reconstruction. In this paper, we present photogeometric structured light whereby a standard structured light method is extended to include photometric methods. Photometric processing serves the double purpose of increasing the amount of recovered surface detail and of enabling the structured-light setup to be robustly self-calibrated. Further, our framework uses a photogeometric optimization that supports the simultaneous use of multiple cameras and projectors and yields a single and accurate multi-view 3D model which best complies with photometric and geometric data.
An adaptive scheduling and voltage/frequency selection algorithm for real-time energy harvesting systems

In this paper we propose an adaptive scheduling and voltage/frequency selection algorithm which targets at energy harvesting systems. The proposed algorithm adjusts the processor operating frequency under the timing and energy constraints based on workload information so that the system-wide energy efficiency is achieved. In this approach, we decouple the timing and energy constraints and simplify the original scheduling problem by separating constraints in timing and energy domains. The proposed algorithm utilizes maximum task slack for energy saving. Experimental results show that the proposed method improves the system performance in remaining energy, deadline miss rate and the minimum storage capacity requirement for zero deadline miss rate. Comparing to the existing algorithms, the new algorithm decreases the deadline miss rate by at least 23%, and the minimum storage capacity by at least 20% under various processor utilizations.
Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Regulation of SDF-1/CXCR4 Axis: Implications for Cardiovascular Disease

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) is a ubiquitously expressed protease that regulates diverse number of physiological functions. As a dipeptidase, it exerts its catalytic effects on proteins/peptides with proline, alanine, or serine in the penultimate (P1) amino acid residue from the amino terminus. The evidence to date supports an important effect of DPP4 in catalytic cleavage of incretin peptides and this perhaps represents the main mechanism by which DPP4 inhibition improves glycemic control. DPP4 also plays an important role in the degradation of multiple chemokines of which stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1, also known as CXCL12) is perhaps an increasingly recognized target, given its importance in processes, such as hematopoiesis, angiogenesis, and stem cell homing. In the current review, we will summarize the importance of DPP4-mediated enzymatic processing of cytokines/chemokines with an emphasis on SDF-1 and resultant implications for cardiovascular physiology and disease.