cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Grover's Search Algorithm with an Entangled Database State

Grover's oracle based unstructured search algorithm is often stated as "given a phone number in a directory, find the associated name." More formally, the problem can be stated as "given as input a unitary black box Uf for computing an unknown function f:{0,1}n →{0,1}find x=x0 an element of {0,1}n such that f(x0) =1, (and zero otherwise). The crucial role of the externally supplied oracle Uf (whose inner workings are unknown to the user) is to change the sign of the solution 0 x , while leaving all other states unaltered. Thus, Uf depends on the desired solution x0. This paper examines an amplitude amplification algorithm in which the user encodes the directory (e.g. names and telephone numbers) into an entangled database state, which at a later time can be queried on one supplied component entry (e.g. a given phone number t0) to find the other associated unknown component (e.g. name x0). For N=2n names x with N associated phone numbers t , performing amplitude amplification on a subspace of size N of the total space of size N2 produces the desired state 0 0 x t in √N steps. We discuss how and why sequential (though not concurrent parallel) searches can be performed on multiple database states. Finally, we show how this procedure can be generalized to databases with more than two correlated lists (e.g. x t s r ...).
Development of a two-band spectral imaging system for real-time citrus canker detection

Abstract Inspection of citrus canker is crucial due to its fast spread, high damage potential, and massive impact on export and domestic trade. This research was aimed to develop a prototype for real-time citrus canker detection. An inspection module was developed on a one-line commercial fruit sorting machine. Twenty tungsten halogen spotlights coupled with an aluminum dome painted with white diffuse paint provided reflectance illumination to the fruits in the detection chamber. The camera unit was a two-band spectral imaging system, which mainly consisted of a beamsplitter, two bandpass filters with central wavelengths at 730 and 830 nm, and two identical monochrome cameras. Using an exposure time of 10 ms, the imaging system can capture narrowband images without blurring from samples moving at a speed of 5 fruits/s. Spatial resolution of the acquired images was 2.3 pixels/mm. Real-time image processing and classification algorithms were developed based on a two-band ratio approach (i.e., R830/R730). The system was tested using 360 grapefruits with normal surface, canker lesions, and other peel diseases and defects. The overall classification accuracy was 95.3%, demonstrating that the methodology as well as the hardware and the software are effective and suitable for real-time citrus canker detection. Greasy spot, melanose, and sooty mold could generate false positive errors for the fruits without canker. The current system setup was limited to a single perspective view of the fruits. Future work will be conducted with an emphasis on whole surface inspection of each fruit.
MicroRNA-30c reduces hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in mice by decreasing lipid synthesis and lipoprotein secretion

This study identifies miR-30c as a regulator of both microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, needed for the secretion of APOB-containing lipoproteins such as low-density lipoproteins, and a number of other genes involved in lipid biosynthesis. In mice, miR-30c regulates hepatic lipid biosynthesis and lipoprotein secretion such that hepatic overexpression of miR-30c reduces plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations and decreases atherosclerotic plaque burden.
Initiation of anaerobic metabolism of mammalian spermatozoa by carbon dioxide.

LITTLE is known about the effect of the absence of carbon dioxide on the metabolism of spermatozoa. In 1930 Harvey1 suggested that the inability of Arbacia punctulata spermatozoa to survive during a 4-hr, incubation period in an atmosphere of hydrogen might be due to the absence of carbon dioxide. To our knowledge this suggestion has not been investigated nor has a similar observation and suggestion been reported for mammalian spermatozoa.
Do coronal mass ejections implode in the solar wind

Ulysses observations show that many coronal mass ejections observed at high heliographic latitudes expand because they initially have higher internal pressures than that of the surrounding solar wind. This expansion commonly drives a shock wave into the ambient wind in all directions. In the analogous process of an explosion in the Earth's atmosphere, the expansion is followed by an implosion at the center of the disturbance. Ulysses observations to date, however, suggest that these “over-expanding” CMEs do not implode, at least within 5.4 AU, in spite of the fact that many have central pressures at large heliocentric distances that are considerably lower than that of the surrounding solar wind. We use fluid simulations to investigate whether these CMEs might eventually collapse at larger heliocentric distances. We find that for a wide range of initial perturbations close to the Sun the CMEs do not implode at any heliocentric distance. Implosion does not occur because of the overall reduction in pressure associated with the spherical expansion of the solar wind.
Transfer Effects from Listening to Frequency-Controlled and Frequency-Shifted Accelerated Speech

Two experiments examined intelligibility of sentences reproduced with increased tonal frequency (the spectrum of the speech signal shifted upward), increased speech rate, or both frequency and spee...
Theory of short-scale field-aligned density striations due to ionospheric heating

The theoretical saturation spectrum of parametrically excited Langmuir waves in a locally uniform ionosphere is shown by the present calculations to produce, by ohmic dissipation, short-scale field-aligned density striations. The spectrum of the calculated striations is not inconsistent with observations of field-aligned scatter of VHF and UHF waves in ionospheric modification experiments if local increases of the pump field due to focusing are invoked.
Asymptotic coverage and rate in massive MIMO networks

Massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) is a transmission technique for cellular systems that uses many antennas to support not-as-many users. In this paper, we analyze its performance in large-scale cellular networks with Poisson distributed base station locations. Our analysis incorporates the spatial correlation due to small-scale fading at base station antennas. Numerical results show that, though limited by pilot contamination, massive MIMO is still promising to provide high cell throughput by serving large number of users simultaneously.
Plasticizers in medical application I. Analysis and toxicity evaluation of dialkyl benzenedicarboxylates

A series of dialkyl and dicycloalkyl benzenedicarboxylates (phthalates, isophtha-lates, terephthalates), of which some have been employed as plasticizers, were synthesized and purified. Thin-layer chromatography and infrared spectrometry were employed as methods of detection and identification of these compounds. Toxicity tests were conducted using mammalian cell cultures and limited mouse studies. The low molecular weight esters and their isomers manifested toxic responses while the esters containing alkyl groups C 6 to C 9 were devoid of toxic effect. The di-n-decyl phthalate and terephthalate also elicite toxic actions to cells. Results from this study indicate the need for good quality control procedures to prevent the access of potentially toxic plasticizers in devices for medical and paramedical applications.
Standard Errors of Levine Linear Equating

The delta method was used to derive standard errors (SEs) of the Levine observed score and Levine true score linear equating methods. SEs with a normality assumption as well as without a nor mality assumption were derived. Data from two forms of a test were used as an example to evalu ate the derived SEs of equating. Bootstrap SEs also were computed for the purpose of comparison. The SEs derived without the normality assumption and the bootstrap SEs were very close. For the skewed score distributions, the SEs derived with the normality assumption differed from the SEs derived without the normality assumption and the boot strap SEs.
Use of Grade-Based Norms Versus Age-Based Norms in Psychoeducational Assessment for a College Population

Considerable discussion has occurred about the most appropriate methods for diagnosing learning disabilities (LD) in postsecondary students. Two of the many areas of controversy that have emerged include the appropriate diagnostic criteria to use and the appropriate referent group. A review of previous court cases demonstrates that the issue of whether to compare an individual to the general population or to a smaller referent population has not been adequately clarified. Furthermore, few empirical studies have examined the impact of choosing different referent groups on the likelihood that one will be diagnosed with LD. Therefore, this correlational study described the levels of agreement between three diagnostic models of LD, using both age- and grade-based norms to represent two referent groups for each of the three models. The sample included 155 postsecondary students referred for testing due to academic difficulties. The findings indicated that in two of the three models tested, comparing individuals to their grade-matched peers (i.e., using grade-based norms) resulted in more LD diagnoses than comparing individuals to their age-matched peers (i.e., age-based norms).
Climatology and latitudinal gradients of quiet time thermospheric neutral winds over Millstone Hill from Fabry-Perot interferometer measurements

[1] Midlatitude nighttime thermospheric neutral winds are strongly dependent on season, solar activity, and latitude. We use an extensive database of wind measurements made during 1989–2001 by the Millstone Hill Fabry-Perot interferometer to study the detailed climatology of quiet time neutral winds near an altitude of 250 km. To facilitate the analysis of these data, we develop a local time, day-of-year, solar flux, and latitude-dependent empirical model, with the latitude dependence obtained by considering north looking and south looking observations separately. Our results show that the zonal winds are predominantly eastward after dusk and westward before dawn, with the strongest eastward winds occurring in the winter and with an east-to-west transition that occurs earliest in the summer. The zonal winds exhibit weak-to-moderate latitudinal gradients, with more westward values to the north. The zonal wind magnitudes decrease with increasing solar flux; the strongest trends occur during winter. The meridional winds are predominantly equatorward in all cases and exhibit strong latitudinal gradients, with larger values to the north. The maximum nighttime equatorward winds decrease with increasing solar flux, except during summer, when there is no significant solar activity variation. They are largest during the summer, except at solar minimum when a semiannual variation is observed and the peak winds occur during the equinoxes. Earlier studies of midlatitude wind measurements are generally consistent with our data, with our results providing a considerably more detailed description of the nighttime wind climatology at midlatitudes.
Coupling of Plasmons to Polar Phonons in Degenerate Semiconductors

The coupling between longitudinal optical phonons and plasmons in degenerate polar semiconductors is investigated. At the appropriate carrier density (${10}^{17}$ to ${10}^{18}$ in III-V compounds) the free-carrier plasma frequency is comparable to the optical frequency, and the plasmons and phonons cease to be approximately independent excitations of the system. Then the two new normal modes are strong admixtures of phonons and plasmons. Several features of these modes are treated. In the long-wavelength limit the frequency and phonon strength are expressed as functions of the carrier density. The phonon strength is a measure of the amount of ionic motion present in a mode. The dispersion and the damping are discussed in a qualitative manner. The modes exhibit a repulsion and avoid intersection. Some experiments are considered in which these properties might be investigated. For example, the optical reflectivity gives the mode frequencies in the long-wavelength limit. The calculated shift of the frequencies by the interaction can be of the order of 5 meV at commonly used carrier concentrations.
Jewish medical ethics in the care of the cancer patient

The care of the patient with cancer requires the development not only of a medical plan, but an ethical plan as well. This plan should integrate the physician's and the patient's perceptions of medical and ethical propriety. Jewish biomedical ethical principles are based on the teaching of the Old Testament and its various interpretations. In this paper, I discuss how these principles can be used to help guide the physician caring for the patient with cancer. Other ethical systems could be applied in a similar fashion.
A Detailed Pb Isotopic Study of Crustal Contamination Assimilation : The Edgecumbe Volcanic Field, SE Alaska

Abstract To better understand the process of crustal contamination/assimilation, 23 Pb isotopic compositions and 12 concentrations have been measured on lavas and basement rocks from the Edgecumbe volcanic field, SE Alaska. Measured isotopic ratios have the following ranges: 206 Pb 204 Pb = 18.477–19.161 ; 207 Pb 204 Pb = 15.562–15.679 ; 208 Pb 204 Pb = 38.17–38.85 . While the data form well-constrained linear arrays on Pb-Pb diagrams, no simple correlation exists with major element composition. Basaltic lavas (≤ 51 wt% SiO2) are characterized by two isotopic groups. The olivine basalt (≤ 48% SiO2) is more radiogenic than the plagioclase basalt (48–51%) which also shows more heterogeneity. In the silica range 52–55%, Pb isotopic ratios increase significantly but remain fairly constant in the range 55–70% SiO2. Lead concentrations vary from 1 ppm in the basalts to 7 ppm in the rhyodacites. Analyzed basement rocks are more radiogenic than any of the lavas ( 206 Pb 204 Pb = 19.20 ; 207 Pb 204 Pb = 15.65 ; 208 Pb 204 Pb = 38.86 . The Pb isotopic data are qualitatively consistent with the contamination process described by Myers et al. (1984). However, because of fundamental differences in the mixing relations between the Sr system studied earlier and the Pb system, the new Pb data have revealed details of the process not apparent from the Sr data alone. In particular, it has been shown that the parent magma was more primitive than originally assumed, and that two contamination events are recorded in the lavas. The first event, involving a mafic parent and different crustal contaminants, produced the intermediate and siliceous hybrids in cupolas located above the main basaltic chamber. The types of country rock intruded as well as the degree of partial fusion achieved in individual cupolas controlled the range of hybrid compositions produced while the eruption sequence was determined by the order in which the cupolas were tapped. The second contamination event produced the plagioclase basalt, the most voluminous basaltic unit, by mixing the mafic parent with the olivine basalt, an independent, primary magma. Our results suggest crustal contamination models that assume bulk assimilation of crustal end members may be too simplistic.
STIM2 Is a Feedback Regulator that Stabilizes Basal Cytosolic and Endoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+ Levels

Summary Deviations in basal Ca 2+ levels interfere with receptor-mediated Ca 2+ signaling as well as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondrial function. While defective basal Ca 2+ regulation has been linked to various diseases, the regulatory mechanism that controls basal Ca 2+ is poorly understood. Here we performed an siRNA screen of the human signaling proteome to identify regulators of basal Ca 2+ concentration and found STIM2 as the strongest positive regulator. In contrast to STIM1, a recently discovered signal transducer that triggers Ca 2+ influx in response to receptor-mediated depletion of ER Ca 2+ stores, STIM2 activated Ca 2+ influx upon smaller decreases in ER Ca 2+ . STIM2, like STIM1, caused Ca 2+ influx via activation of the plasma membrane Ca 2+ channel Orai1. Our study places STIM2 at the center of a feedback module that keeps basal cytosolic and ER Ca 2+ concentrations within tight limits.
HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein zinc finger structures induce tRNA(Lys,3) structural changes but are not critical for primer/template annealing.

Retroviral reverse transcriptases use host cellular tRNAs as primers to initiate reverse transcription. In the case of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), the 3' 18 nucleotides of human tRNA(Lys,3) are annealed to a complementary sequence on the RNA genome known as the primer binding site (PBS). The HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein (NC) facilitates this annealing. To understand the structural changes that are induced upon NC binding to the tRNA alone, we employed a chemical probing method using the lanthanide metal terbium. At low concentrations of NC, the strong terbium cleavage observed in the core region of the tRNA is significantly attenuated. Thus, NC binding first results in disruption of the tRNA's metal binding pockets, including those that stabilize the D-TPsiC tertiary interaction. When NC concentrations approach the amount needed for complete primer/template annealing, NC further destabilizes the tRNA acceptor-TPsiC stem minihelix, as evidenced by increased terbium cleavage in this domain. A mutant form of NC (SSHS NC), which lacks the zinc finger structures, is able to anneal tRNA(Lys,3) efficiently to the PBS, and to destabilize the tRNA tertiary core, albeit less effectively than wild-type NC. This mutant form of NC does not affect cleavage significantly in the helical regions, even when bound at high concentrations. These results, as well as experiments conducted in the presence of polyLys, suggest that in the absence of the zinc finger structures, NC acts as a polycation, neutralizing the highly negative phosphodiester backbone. The presence of an effective multivalent cationic peptide is sufficient for efficient tRNA primer annealing to the PBS.
Deterrence For the Prevention and Cure of Litter

This article reports the results of an experiment to determine if increased enforcement of sanitation laws improves the cleanliness of city streets. The experiment was conducted over a six-week per...
Anomalous phenomenology in nickel substituted cuprates

Abstract We present structural, magnetic, and superconducting behaviors for YBa2(Cu1−xNix)3Oy with emphasis on x = 0.05 given various thermal redox sequencings. We demonstrate that materials quenched from various air annealing temperatures display an unusual extension of the orthorhombic regime compared to unsubstituted materials. In the range of annealing temperature near 970K, this is accompanied by volume expansion anomalies and slow reoxygenation kinetics probably connected with partial 3+ charge localization on Cu. A second volume expansion anomaly occurs near 1080K, probably connected with partial 3+ charge localization on Ni. These materials can show diamagnetism up to 150K, possibly indicating a small amount of superconductivity. On reoxygenation at 673K materials undergo a slow transition, first to a paramagnetic-semiconducting state (designated Ko compounds) and then after several days to a superconducting state similar to conventionally slow cooled oxygenating preparations (OP) which produce Tc∼74K. These superconductors display anomalous Meissner effects, i.e. the observation of paramagnetism below Tc on small field cooling. This effect is connected with flux trapping in 2 types of regions, namely grain boundaries or local cluster inhomogeneities of the bulk.
HIV-1 infection of a CD4-negative primary cell type: The oligodendrocyte

HIV-1 infection of CD4-negative cells has been described both in vitro and in vivo. Two closely related glycolipids, galactosylceramide (GalCer) and 3′-sulfo-galactosylceramide (GalS), have been proposed as potential alternative cellular receptors for HIV-1. Human adult cultured oligodendrocytes are CD4-negative/GalCer-positive cells that are infected by HIV-1 in vitro, resulting in the presence of stable HIV-1 DNA sequences and the production of virus [Albright et al., Virology, (1996) in press]. The in vivo relevance and the effects of HIV infection on oligodendrocyte biology need to be studied further.
Redox regulation of Rac1 by thiol oxidation

The Rac1 GTPase is an essential and ubiquitous protein that signals through numerous pathways to control critical cellular processes, including cell growth, morphology, and motility. Rac1 deletion is embryonic lethal, and its dysregulation or mutation can promote cancer, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders. Rac1 activity is highly regulated by modulatory proteins and posttranslational modifications. Whereas much attention has been devoted to guanine nucleotide exchange factors that act on Rac1 to promote GTP loading and Rac1 activation, cellular oxidants may also regulate Rac1 activation by promoting guanine nucleotide exchange. Herein, we show that Rac1 contains a redox-sensitive cysteine (Cys18) that can be selectively oxidized at physiological pH because of its lowered pKa. Consistent with these observations, we show that Rac1 is glutathiolated in primary chondrocytes. Oxidation of Cys18 by glutathione greatly perturbs Rac1 guanine nucleotide binding and promotes nucleotide exchange. As aspartate substitutions have been previously used to mimic cysteine oxidation, we characterized the biochemical properties of Rac1C18D. We also evaluated Rac1C18S as a redox-insensitive variant and found that it retains structural and biochemical properties similar to those of Rac1WT but is resistant to thiol oxidation. In addition, Rac1C18D, but not Rac1C18S, shows greatly enhanced nucleotide exchange, similar to that observed for Rac1 oxidation by glutathione. We employed Rac1C18D in cell-based studies to assess whether this fast-cycling variant, which mimics Rac1 oxidation by glutathione, affects Rac1 activity and function. Expression of Rac1C18D in Swiss 3T3 cells showed greatly enhanced GTP-bound Rac1 relative to Rac1WT and the redox-insensitive Rac1C18S variant. Moreover, expression of Rac1C18D in HEK-293T cells greatly promoted lamellipodia formation. Our results suggest that Rac1 oxidation at Cys18 is a novel posttranslational modification that upregulates Rac1 activity.
The ontogeny of enzymes involved in post-translational processing and metabolism of neuropeptides.

Abstract We quantitated the level of activity of several peptidases to determine if enzymes involved in the post-translational processing and metabolism of peptides are detectable and are altered developmentally in specific regions of the rat brain. Carboxypeptidase H (EC 3.4.17.10), a processing enzyme, located in chromaffin secretory granules was expressed at high levels on postnatal day 0 (P 0, birth) in hypothalamus, cortex and cerebellum (3.48, 4.98, 4.29 pmol/mg/min, respectively). An increase of activity occurred from P 0 to P 7 in both hypothalamus and cortex (7.68, 6.94) with a decrease shown in cerebellum (3.89). After P 7, activity increased by P 90 (adult) in the hypothalamus (7.65), decreased to birth levels in the cortex (4.79) and decreased below birth levels in the cerebellum (2.76). This regional pattern of carboxypeptidase H activity may signify its involvement throughout the life of the rat in the synthesis of specific regional neuropeptides important in development. Enzyme activity for the degradative enzymes, neutral endopeptidase (EC 3.4.24.11) and metallo endopeptidase (EC 3.4.24.15) did not present the same developmental pattern as seen with the processing enzyme. Neutral endopeptidase activity doubled in the hypothalamus from P 0 to P 7 (3080 pmol/mg/min) and remained constant throughout the maturation of the animal. In the cortex, activity increased significantly from P 0 to P 30 (1171) and remained at that level to P 90. In the cerebellum, activity decreased from P 0 to P 30 (320) and remained at that level to P 90 (304). At birth, metallo endopeptidase activity was highest in cortex (2702 pmol/mg/min), intermediate in hypothalamus (1658) and lowest in cerebellum (1410). Activity increased in the cortex from P 0 to P 7 (1269), then decreased by P 90 (915) to birth levels. In hypothalamus and cerebellum, levels remained constant from P 0 to P 30 but decreased below birth levels by P 90 (481, 840). These two metabolic enzymes, neutral endopeptidase and metallo endopeptidase were detectable at birth and may function in the degradation of neuropeptides released at the synapse. The presence of both peptide processing and metabolic enzymes at birth and the pattern of their activity during development suggests a regulatory role in the production and degradation of important bioactive peptides in the developing rat brain.
In Vitro Plaque‐Forming Cell Responses Induced by Streptococcus pneumoniae in Humans

When peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were stimulated in vitro with the rough form of type 2 Streptococcus pneumoniae R36a, the resulting plaque-forming cells (PFC) did not produce antibodies directed against phosphorylcholine, a major antigenic determinant of the cell wall C-polysaccharide. Instead, R36a stimulated polyclonal PFC in PBL and splenic lymphocytes. We compared the polyclonal responses stimulated by R36a with those induced by two well-characterized polyclonal activators (PA), Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I and pokeweed mitogen (PWM). We found that R36 a was a poor mitogen for PBL, whereas the other two PA were potent mitogens; that the predominant isotype produced in response to all three PA was IgM; that adherent cells strongly inhibited the polyclonal PFC response to both R36a and Staph. aureus but not PWM; and that T cells were necessary for induction of polyclonal antibody-secreting cells by all three stimuli.
Induced pluripotent stem cells and retinal degeneration treatment

Lesions of the retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptors lead to different kinds of retinal dystrophies, which are characterized by the grade of visual loss and the character of retinal atrophy...
Endogenous Mu opioid systems and perioral responsiveness in the rat fetus

Abstract Petrov, E. S., E. I. Varlinskaya and W. P. Smotherman. Endogenous mu opioid systems and perioral responsiveness in the rat fetus. Physiol Behav 62(1) 31–37, 1997.—Pharmacological manipulation of mu opioid receptors located in rostral and caudal parts of the brain produces distinctive changes in perioral responsiveness to nipple-like tactile stimulation in the E20 rat fetus. Blockade of caudal mu opioid receptors by intracisterna magna (IC) injection of the selective mu antagonist drug CTOP reduces appetitive responses directed toward the artificial nipple. In contrast, blockade of mu opioid receptors in the rostral part of the brain by intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of CTOP increases fetal responsiveness to perioral cutaneous stimulation including oral capture and grasping of the artificial nipple. This pattern of the results suggests that there are at least two functionally different neuronal populations of mu opioid receptor-containing neurons that are involved in the regulation of the perioral responsiveness in the E20 rat fetus. The caudal part of this mu opioid system increases perioral responsiveness while the rostral part of the system decreases responsiveness to nipple-like perioral stimulation. These findings suggest the possibility that mu opioid systems may play a functional role in regulating neonatal behavior at the nipple.
Radio frequency glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (rf-GD-OES) analysis of solid glass samples

The analytical characteristics of rf-GD-OES for the elemental analysis of bulk solid glass specimens are investigated. Studies are carried out to evaluate the role of the major operating parameters—discharge power and pressure, use of an external argon (bath) gas, sample thickness, and internal standard normalization. Plasma stabilization and signal response are optimized at 30 W rf power and 6 Torr as suggested by the relative standard deviation of the background (RSDB) and signal to background ratio (S/B) values respectively. Basic figures of merit are further improved with the introduction of the argon (bath) gas, decreasing by a minimum of 25% of the original %RSD values of the sample-to-sample S/B ratios. Variations in analyte signal intensities due to differences in sample thickness are quantitatively corrected using internal standard (normalization) based on the relative response of the Ar(I) optical emission. Limits of detection (LOD) are on the single µg g−1 level, which are comparable to some other OES methods. Linear calibration curves over the range of ∼1–500 ppm are obtained using the Ar(I) signal emission as the normalizing internal standard.
Neurodegeneration induced by MoMuLV-ts1 and increased expression of Fas and TNF-α in the central nervous system

Abstract Infection of neonatal mice with ts1, the neuropathogenic mutant of the Moloney murine leukemia virus, results in motor neuronal death in the brainstem and the spinal cord, with gliosis and demyelination, but no inflammatory cell infiltration into the CNS. To evaluate the possible mechanism(s) of ts1-induced neuropathogenesis, we measured CNS expression of cytokines and cell death-related genes in ts1-infected mice with neurological signs and compared with control uninfected mice. In the brainstem, the expression of Fas and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) was increased in the ts1-infected mice. Both TNF-α and Fas were detected in astrocytes, and Fas was also detected in neurons in the brainstem. Some TNF-α-immunolabeled cells also appeared to be microglial cells. Most Fas-positive cells, including astrocytes and neurons, showed cytoplasmic vacuolization and other degenerative changes. In addition, Fas ligand-immunolabled cells were also detected in sites where spongiform degeneration occurred. This study suggests that neural cell death in ts1-induced neurodegeneration is likely due to Fas- and TNF-α-mediated cell death mechanisms.
Development of the Bonding Representations Inventory to Identify Student Misconceptions about Covalent and Ionic Bonding Representations.

Teachers use multiple representations to communicate the concepts of bonding, including Lewis structures, formulas, space-filling models, and 3D manipulatives. As students learn to interpret these multiple representations, they may develop misconceptions that can create problems in further learning of chemistry. Interviews were conducted with 28 high school physical science, high school chemistry, and general chemistry students. The interviews focused on identifying student understanding of, and misconceptions about, covalent and ionic bonding representations through analysis of both student-created and expert-generated representations. Misconceptions about bonding representations were identified regarding four themes: (i) periodic trends, (ii) electrostatic interactions, (iii) the octet rule, and (iv) surface features. The Bonding Representations Inventory (BRI) was developed to quantify the prevalence of these misconceptions. The BRI was administered to 1072 high school chemistry, advanced placement che...
Energy-efficient quickest change detection in sensor networks

We propose a minimax formulation for quickest change detection in sensor networks, where there is a cost associated with taking observations at each sensor. We present two energy efficient algorithms, centralized and distributed, in which on-off observation control is employed and the change is detected under a constraint on the false alarm rate. We show that these algorithms are asymptotically optimal as the false alarm rate goes to zero and have good performance compared to the straightforward approach of fractional sampling in which the observations are selected randomly.
1140 A new method for measuring through-plane strain using slice following with inversion recovery (SFIR)

Meeting abst racts - A single PDF containing all abstracts in this Supplement is available here . http://ww w.biomedcentral. com/content/pdf/ 1532-429X-10-S1- info.pdf
Nucleotide sequence definition of a major human repeated DNA, the Hind III 1.9 kb family

A human Hind III 1.9 kb repeated DNA fragment was isolated and cloned in pBR322. A cloned member that hybridized predominantly to the 1.9 kb Hind III band in a digest of whole human DNA was chosen for sequencing. It is an 1894 bp fragment that shows no significant internal repeats. Few pCG residues are observed in the sequence and there are numerous stop codons. Detailed sequence comparisons confirm this is a novel class of repeats that is not related to previously characterized human satellite DNAs or Alu sequences. At least a portion of the sequence described is conserved in evolution.
Static microfield printing at the Advanced Light Source with the ETS Set-2 optic

While interferometry is routinely used for the characterization and alignment of lithographic optics, the ultimate performance metric for these optics is printing in photoresist. The comparison of lithographic imaging with that predicted from wavefront performance is also useful for verifying and improving the predictive power of wavefront metrology. To address these issues, static, small-field printing capabilities have been added to the EUV phase-shifting point diffraction interferometer (PS/PDI) implemented at the Advanced Light Source at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The combined system remains extremely flexible in that switching between interferometry and imaging modes can be accomplished in approximately two weeks. Relevant printing studies with the ETS projection optics require illumination partial coherence with a of approximately 0.7. However, this a value is very different from the coherent illumination naturally provided by synchrotron undulator beamline and required by the high accuracy EUV PS/PDI. Adding printing capabilities to the PS/PDI experimental system has thus necessitated the development of an alternative illumination system capable of quantitatively reducing the inherent coherence of the beamline. The implemented illuminator is an angular scanning system capable of in situ coherence control. Moreover, this illuminator design readily enables the implementation of conventional resolution-enhancing pupil fills and modeling of the unique Engineering Test Stand (ETS) pupil fill. This new static microfield exposure tool has been used to lithographically characterize the static imaging performance of the ETS Set-2 projection optics. Excellent performance has been demonstrated down to the 70-nm 1:1 line/space level with a focus latitude exceeding 1 μm and a dose latitude of approximately 8%. Moreover, dense-line printing down to a resolution of 50 nm has been demonstrated.
Reaction of glassy carbon with oxygen

Abstract A glassy carbon, GC-30, from Tokai Electrode Manufacturing Co., Ltd. has been reacted in O 2 between 750 and 850°C. At low carbon burn-offs the reaction has an activation energy of 63 ± 3 kcal/mole. Changes in dimensions of samples as a function of burn-off at 900°C were studied. Dimensional changes are compared with those resulting from the oxidation of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. For comparable sample shapes, glassy carbon is more reactive than highly oriented pyrolytic graphite.
Embedded Orthogonal Space-Time Codes for High Rate and Low Decoding Complexity

We propose a new family of high-rate space-time block codes called embedded orthogonal space-time (EOS) codes. The family is parameterized by the number of transmit antennas, which can be any positive integer, and by the rate, which can be as high as half the number of transmit antennas. The proposed codes are based on a new concept called embedding, whereby information symbols of a traditional space-time code are replaced by codewords from a second space-time code. The EOS codes use orthogonal designs as this second code, which induces orthogonality in an effective channel matrix and leads to reduced-complexity decoding. The EOS codes have lower decoding complexity than previously reported space-time codes for any number of transmit antennas, and for any rate. Furthermore, simulation results show that the EOS codes outperform previous constructions for certain number of antennas and certain rates, when performance is measured by error probability in quasistatic Rayleigh fading.
SAGA: synthesis technique for guaranteed throughput NoC architectures

We present SAGA, a novel genetic algorithm (GA) based technique for synthesis of custom NoC architectures that support guaranteed throughput traffic. The technique accepts as input a communication trace graph, amount of data, period, and deadline for each trace, interconnection network architecture elements, and generates a custom NoC topology, and routing and schedule of the communication traces on the architecture. SAGA minimizes both the energy consumption and area of the design by solving a multi-objective optimization problem. We present a detailed analysis of the quality of the results and the solution times of the proposed technique by extensive experimentation with realistic benchmarks and comparisons with optimal MILP solutions. SAGA is able to generate solutions that are as good as the optimal solutions produced by the MILP formulation. Whereas the MILP formulation run time rises exponentially for even moderately sized graphs, SAGA generates solutions for large graphs in reasonable time.
Axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer utilizing Harmonic Focus

Background For patients with axillary lymph node metastases from breast cancer, performance of a complete axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) is the standard approach. Due to the rich lymphatic network in the axilla, it is necessary to carefully dissect and identify all lymphatic channels. Traditionally, these lymphatics are sealed with titanium clips or individually sutured. Recently, the Harmonic Focus®, a hand-held ultrasonic dissector, allows lymphatics to be sealed without the utilization of clips or ties. We hypothesize that ALND performed with the Harmonic Focus® will decrease operative time and reduce post-operative complications.
Whalemen's Words: Harpoon, try-works and train-oil

This note examines three terms associated with whaling for which satisfactory etymologies have not been identified and early histories not written. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) defines train...
What good are positive emotions in crises? A prospective study of resilience and emotions following the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11th, 2001.

Extrapolating from B. L. Fredrickson's (1998, 2001) broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions, the authors hypothesized that positive emotions are active ingredients within trait resilience. U.S. college students (18 men and 28 women) were tested in early 2001 and again in the weeks following the September 11th terrorist attacks. Mediational analyses showed that positive emotions experienced in the wake of the attacks--gratitude, interest, love, and so forth--fully accounted for the relations between (a) precrisis resilience and later development of depressive symptoms and (b) precrisis resilience and postcrisis growth in psychological resources. Findings suggest that positive emotions in the aftermath of crises buffer resilient people against depression and fuel thriving, consistent with the broaden-and-build theory. Discussion touches on implications for coping.
Nonlinear endomicroscopy for two-photon autofluorescence imaging of biological tissues

A scanning fiber-optic endomicroscope with enhanced signal collection efficiency was developed for intrinsic two-photon fluorescence imaging of epithelial tissue. Ex vivo two-photon autofluorescence imaging were demonstrated for the first time from both epithelium and stroma of various biological tissues with such a flexible fiber-optic endomicroscope.
A walking intervention to reduce inflammation in patients with diabetes and peripheral arterial/artery disease: A pilot study.

Objectives: In this pilot study, we sought to determine whether walking reduces inflammation in patients with diabetes mellitus and peripheral arterial/artery disease. Methods: We obtained blood samples from patients with diabetes mellitus and peripheral arterial/artery disease. Intervention participants were advised to walk for 50 min 3 days per week for 6 months. Participants completed assessments of comorbidities and walking ability. Difference-in-difference analyses were used to assess the relationship between group assignment and each biomarker over time. Results: We randomized 55 participants (control = 25 and intervention = 30). At 6 months and based on p values of <0.20, vascular cellular adhesion molecule, beta-2 microglobulin, total cholesterol, and triglycerides demonstrated a greater decrease among participants randomized to the intervention compared to the control. Conclusions: Walking may reduce inflammation in persons with diabetes mellitus and peripheral arterial/artery disease. Further research is needed to determine the impact of walking on inflammation in persons with vascular disease.
A study of the ground states of N2, O2, and F2 and their ESCA spectra by the multiple scattering Xα method

Ms–Xa–SCF calculations have been carried out over a wide range of separations for the lowest states of N2, O2, and F2. These calculations give binding energies low by a factor of 3 to 5 and equilibrium internuclear separations too large by a factor of 1.6 to 2.0. “Transition–state” calculations of ionization excitation energies are shown for N2 to give ionization potentials virtually identical to those calculated directly. Agreement with experimental ionization energies is adequate.
Predictors of bariatric surgery among an interested population

Abstract Background Severely obese patients considering bariatric surgery face a difficult decision given the tradeoff between the benefits and risks of surgery. The objectives of this study was to study the forces driving this decision and improve our understanding of the decision-making process. Methods A 64-item survey was developed to assess factors in the decision-making process for bariatric surgery. The survey included the decisional conflict scale, decision self-efficacy scale, EuroQol 5D, and the standard gamble. Patients were recruited from a regularly scheduled bariatric surgery interest group meeting associated with a large, university-based bariatric practice and administered a survey at the conclusion of the interest group. Logistic regression models were used to predict who pursued or still planned to pursue surgery at 12 months. Results 200 patients were recruited over an 8-month period. Mean age was 45 years; mean BMI was 48 kg/m 2 , and 77% were female. The 12-month follow-up rate was 95%. At 12 months, 33 patients (17.6%) had surgery and 30 (16.0%) still planned to have surgery. There was no association between age, gender, or obesity-associated conditions and surgery or plan to have surgery. Patients having surgery or still planning to have surgery had significantly worse scores for quality of life and better scores for decisional conflict (indicating readiness to make a decision). Conclusion The decision to have bariatric surgery is strongly associated with patientsʼ perceptions of their current quality of life. In addition, lower decisional conflict and higher self-efficacy are predictive of surgery. Interestingly, factors that clinicians might consider important, such as gender, age, and the presence of obesity-associated co-morbidities did not influence patientsʼ decisions.
Overcoming Obstacles to Test-Driven Learning on Day One

We describe the preliminary construction of a web-based tool for test-driven learning in the first weeks of programming. We discuss obstacles to test-driven learning--both pragmatic and ideological--and describe the ways that we believe our tool overcomes these obstacles.
Single-snapshot beamformer performance using large arrays with faulty sensors

Large sensor arrays are prone to element failures which can seriously degrade their performance. In the event of sensor failures, conventional non-adaptive re-design of array weights for the resulting non-uniform or even sparse array often leads to undesirable mainlobe-versus-sidelobe level trade-offs. Alternatively, adaptive array processing techniques can be employed but for large arrays it can be compromised by lack of snapshot support in dynamic environments. Recently, an approach called beamspace adaptive channel compensation (BACC) was introduced based on the idea of reconstructing the filled array data from the receive beams in which the sidelobe leakage of strong interferers from adjacent beams is minimized. In this paper, BACC and various alternatives are evaluated using actual radar data with both injected and real scatterers. Results of four methods, BACC, MV adaptive beamforming using an augmented Toeplitz covariance matrix (Toeplitz-MV), principal solution beamforming, and conventional beamforming in the presence of faulty sensors are compared in terms of ROC performance, probability of detection versus SINR, and the unmasking of targets in estimated range-Doppler spectra.
Impact of unilateral conductive hearing loss due to aural atresia on academic performance in children.

Objectives/Hypothesis This study evaluates the effect of unilateral conductive hearing loss secondary to aural atresia on elementary school children's academic performance. Study Design Case control survey and review of audiometric data. Methods One hundred thirty-two surveys were mailed to families of children with aural atresia, and 48 surveys were sent to families of children with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) to identify rates of grade retention, use of any resource, and behavioral problems. Audiometric data of the cohort were tabulated. Results Of the 40 atresia patients, none repeated a grade, but 65% needed some resources: 12.5% currently use a hearing aid, 32.5% use(d) a frequency-modulated system in school, 47.5% had an Individualized Education Plan, and 45% utilized speech therapy. Compared to the unilateral SNHL group and a cohort of children with unilateral SNHL in an earlier study,1 children with unilateral atresia were less likely to repeat a grade. Children in both unilateral atresia and SNHL groups were more likely to utilize some resource in the academic setting compared to the unilateral SNHL children in the prior study. Conclusions Unilateral conductive hearing loss due to aural atresia has an impact on academic performance in children, although not as profound when compared to children with unilateral SNHL. The majority of these children with unilateral atresia utilize resources in the school setting. Parents, educators, and health care professionals should be aware of the impact of unilateral conductive hearing loss and offer appropriate habilitative services. Level of Evidence 3b. Laryngoscope, 123:2270–2275, 2013
When will a Genetic Algorithm Outperform Hill Climbing

We analyze a simple hill-climbing algorithm (RMHC) that was previously shown to outperform a genetic algorithm (GA) on a simple "Royal Road" function. We then analyze an "idealized" genetic algorithm (IGA) that is significantly faster than RMHC and that gives a lower bound for GA speed. We identify the features of the IGA that give rise to this speedup, and discuss how these features can be incorporated into a real GA.