cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Maxine: An approachable virtual machine for, and in, java

A highly productive platform accelerates the production of research results. The design of a Virtual Machine (VM) written in the Java™ programming language can be simplified through exploitation of interfaces, type and memory safety, automated memory management (garbage collection), exception handling, and reflection. Moreover, modern Java IDEs offer time-saving features such as refactoring, auto-completion, and code navigation. Finally, Java annotations enable compiler extensions for low-level “systems programming” while retaining IDE compatibility. These techniques collectively make complex system software more “approachable” than has been typical in the past.The Maxine VM, a metacircular Java VM implementation, has aggressively used these features since its inception. A co-designed companion tool, the Maxine Inspector, offers integrated debugging and visualization of all aspects of the VM's runtime state. The Inspector's implementation exploits advanced Java language features, embodies intimate knowledge of the VM's design, and even reuses a significant amount of VM code directly. These characteristics make Maxine a highly approachable VM research platform and a productive basis for research and teaching.
De novo DNA methylation is required to restrict T helper lineage plasticity

Naive CD4+ T cells are highly plastic and can differentiate into discrete lineages with unique functions during an immune response. Once differentiated, helper T cells maintain a stable transcriptional memory of their initial lineage choice and resist redifferentiation. During embryogenesis, de novo DNA methylation operates on the hypomethylated genome of the blastocyst to achieve tissue-specific patterns of gene expression. Similarly, the ifnγ promoter is hypomethylated in naive T cells, but Th2, Th17, and iTreg differentiation is accompanied by substantial de novo DNA methylation at this locus. To determine whether de novo DNA methylation is required to restrict T helper lineage plasticity, we used mice with T cell-specific deletion of the methyltransferase DNMT3a. Induction of lineage-specific cytokines occurred normally in the absence of DNMT3a, however, DNMT3a-deficient Th2, Th17, and iTreg completely failed to methylate the ifnγ promoter. This was accompanied by an increase in the transcriptionally permissive trimethyl H3K4 mark, and a reduction in inhibitory H3K27 methylation at the ifnγ locus. Failed de novo methylation resulted in failed silencing of the ifnγ gene, as DNMT3a-deficient Th2, Th17, and iTreg cells produced significant levels of IFNγ following restimulation in the presence of IL-12. Therefore, DNMT3a-mediated DNA methylation restricts T helper plasticity by establishing an epigenetically silent chromatin structure at regulatory regions of the ifnγ gene.
Uveitis precipitated by nonpenetrating ocular trauma.

Abstract Although penetrating trauma is a well-recognized cause of uveitis, the role of nonpenetrating trauma in initiating uveitis is not defined. We analyzed the records of 496 patients seen at the uveitis clinic at our institution. Twenty-four of these 496 patients (4.8%) suspected that the cause of their intraocular inflammation was related to previous nonpenetrating trauma. In contrast, only one of 251 patients (0.4%) attending the general ophthalmology clinic for routine care provided a history of recent trauma or attributed the present ocular complaint to trauma (P
Atomistic simulation of ion beam patterning with crater functions

Abstract In this study, an atomistic model is developed to simulate ripple pattern formation when a surface is irradiated by incident low-energy energetic ions. The model treats individual ion impacts using crater functions, which represent the average change in the surface shape due to a single-ion impact. These functions incorporate the complete redistribution of mass along the surface due to an impact, and not just that due to sputtering. While most models only treat erosion, analysis of the craters reveals that the amount of mass redistributed across the surface is an order of magnitude greater than the mass removed by sputtering. Simulations in this study are conducted for 500 eV Ar+ bombardments of Si at angles of 0° to 60° with 5° increment at temperature of 350 K. Initial simulations with this model have shown agreement with prior observations of ripple pattern formation. However, some significant departures from other models based on the Bradley–Harper theory have emerged; the key difference is that the presence of crater rims plays a key role in ripple formation, which could explain phenomena such as maximum ripple amplitudes which most models do not account for. These results show that atomistic crater functions are a viable method for modeling ion beam patterning. They indicate that mass redistribution is a key mechanism for surface patterning.
Small Vessels, Big Problems

Dr. Steven Greenberg writes that like many neurologic conditions, small-vessel brain disease is a common and potentially devastating disorder crying out for improved treatment.
Persistent increase in the motivation to take heroin in rats with a history of drug escalation.

The transition from stable to escalated levels of cocaine self-administration has been shown to depend upon drug availability. The generality of this phenomenon is assessed here by studying the effects of availability on heroin self-administration. Two groups of rats were trained on a 1-h continuous schedule of self-administration, after which, access to heroin (40 μg/injection) was increased to 11 h in one group (long access or LgA rats) or kept to 1 h in the other group (short access or ShA rats). After 18 sessions on this regimen, both ShA and LgA rats were tested for extinction and stress-induced reinstatement of heroin-seeking behavior. In LgA rats, both total and first hour intake gradually escalated over time. After escalation, LgA rats were slower to extinguish heroin-seeking behavior and responded more to the reinstating effect of stress after extinction. These findings show that: (1) the escalation process in drug consumption is common to both opiate and stimulant self-administration; (2) escalation in heroin consumption is associated with a persistent increase in the motivation for taking heroin.
BioStar models of clinical and genomic data for biomedical data warehouse design

Biomedical research is now generating large amounts of data, ranging from clinical test results to microarray gene expression profiles. The scale and complexity of these datasets give rise to substantial challenges in data management and analysis. It is highly desirable that data warehousing and online analytical processing technologies can be applied to biomedical data integration and mining. The major difficulty probably lies in the task of capturing and modelling diverse biological objects and their complex relationships. This paper describes multidimensional data modelling for biomedical data warehouse design. Since the conventional models such as star schema appear to be insufficient for modelling clinical and genomic data, we develop a new model called BioStar schema. The new model can capture the rich semantics of biomedical data and provide greater extensibility for the fast evolution of biological research methodologies.
Masculine Epigenetic Sex Marks of the CYP19A1/Aromatase Promoter in Genetically Male Chicken Embryonic Gonads Are Resistant to Estrogen-Induced Phenotypic Sex Conversion

Sex of birds is genetically determined through inheritance of the ZW sex chromosomes (ZZ males and ZW females). Although the mechanisms of avian sex determination remains unknown, the genetic sex is experimentally reversible by in ovo exposure to exogenous estrogens (ZZ-male feminization) or aromatase inhibitors (ZW-female masculinization). Expression of various testis- and ovary-specific marker genes during the normal and reversed gonadal sex differentiation in chicken embryos has been extensively studied, but the roles of sex-specific epigenetic marks in sex differentiation are unknown. In this study, we show that a 170-nt region in the promoter of CYP19A1/aromatase, a key gene required for ovarian estrogen biosynthesis and feminization of chicken embryonic gonads, contains highly quantitative, nucleotide base-level epigenetic marks that reflect phenotypic gonadal sex differentiation. We developed a protocol to feminize ZZ-male chicken embryonic gonads in a highly quantitative manner by direct injection of emulsified ethynylestradiol into yolk at various developmental stages. Taking advantage of this experimental sex reversal model, we show that the epigenetic sex marks in the CYP19A1/aromatase promoter involving DNA methylation and histone lysine methylation are feminized significantly but only partially in sex-converted gonads even when morphological and transcriptional marks of sex differentiation show complete feminization, being indistinguishable from gonads of normal ZW females. Our study suggests that the epigenetic sex of chicken embryonic gonads is more stable than the morphologically or transcriptionally characterized sex differentiation, suggesting the importance of the nucleotide base-level epigenetic sex in gonadal sex differentiation.
Assessing the effects of application time and temperature on the efficacy of hot-water sprays to mitigate fouling by Dreissena polymorpha (zebra mussels Pallas).

Dreissenid mussel (Dreissena polymorpha, Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) expansion into the Western US has renewed interest in hot-water spray mitigation of mussel fouling on boat hulls, trailers, and other equipment. However, the efficacy of hot-water sprays to mitigate dreissenid fouling has not been experimentally assessed. Emersed, adult D. polymorpha were exposed to low-pressure, hot-water sprays at 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80°C for 1, 5, or 10 s. Sprays at ≥60°C for 10 s or 80°C at ≥5 s were 100% lethal. In contrast, 1–10 s exposures did not induce 100% mortality at ≤50°C. The results indicate that mitigation of D. polymorpha fouling, especially in areas protected from the hydraulic impacts of high-pressure sprays requires spray temperatures of > 80°C applied for >5 s or no less than 60°C applied for >10 s. Thus, presently recommended spray temperatures of ≥60°C may not be 100% effective unless applied for >10 s.
3-D Rotation And Scale Invariant Object Recognition From Multiple Views

INTRODUCTIONRotation invariant recognition of two -dimensional objects (e.g., images) can be done robustlyusing circular harmonic function (CHF) expansion coefficients.1-4Scale (size) invariant recognitioncan be done using Mellin transforms.5 The two activities together can be combined into a singlealgorithm that efficiently enables scale and rotation invariant recognition. Such algorithms, whetherbased on CHF's or other methods, are described in the literature.6 -7 The method used by the authorsinvolves computing the Mellin transform of the CHF coefficients, generating an appropriate featurevector based on these objects, and comparing these vectors with a reference. If the test featurevector is near enough the reference then a match is declared. The procedure seems to be quite robust.Let us then begin with the premise that we can recognize an object in an image regardless of theorientation and scale of the object. How is this useful to us in recognizing real (i.e., three -dimensional) objects? A three -dimensional (3 -D) object is much more complex than a two -dimensional
In Situ Generation of Borane for the Reduction of Nitriles to Primary Amines

Borane was generated in situ using lithium borohydride and methyl iodide in a nonpolar, non-coordinating solvent toluene, which gave marginal conversion of the nitrile to a primary amine. In order to retain generated borane in the reaction mixture through adduct formation and to minimize formation of diborane, various Lewis bases were added, including 1,4-dioxane, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, diethyl ether, triphenylphosphine, pyridine, dimethyl sulfide, tetrahy drothiophene, silica gel, alumina, 2-imidazolidone and tetrahydrofuran (THF). Less than a stoichiometric equivalent, 0.75 equivalents, of THF have been shown to be the best suited to hold borane in solution and therefore facilitate conversions of nitriles to primary amines based on yield and purity.
Use of Si-YBaCuO Intermixed System for Patterning of Superconducting Thin Films

A Si-YBaCuO intermixed system has been formed using rapid thermal annealing (RTA) of Cu/BaO/Y2O2/Si layered structures, which were deposited on MgO substrates by electron-beam evaporation. The electrical and structural properties of the Si-YBaCuO system have been analyzed by resistivity, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Auger depth profiling measurements. It was found that Si mixed with YBaCuO during annealing, thus creating an insulating film. This effect has been used to pattern YBaCuO films. The patterning process was carried out on an underlying silicon layer, rather than the YBaCuO film itself, using conventional photolithography or laser etching. After YBaCuO film deposition and RTA, the patterned region became superconducting separated by Si-YBaCuO intermixed areas. Micron-sized line features with Tc’s above 77 K have been demonstrated.
Analysis of sulfur in deposited aerosol particles by vaporization and flame photometric detection

Abstract An aerosol vaporization method that measures sulfur at the nanogram level directly from the collection substrate is described. Detection is provided by a flame photometric sulfur analyzer. Calibration shows the method to have a coefficient of variance of 7.3% and a lower limit of detection of 1 ng sulfur, independent of sulfur species. The method will respond to sulfur compounds which evaporate or decompose below about 1200°C. The method has been used to measure aerosol sulfur concentrations (both total filter and with respect to particle size) in the Los Angeles atmosphere and in smog chamber experiments.
What is the source of observed annual variations in plasmaspheric density

Plasmaspheric densities have been observed previously to be higher in December than in June, with the ratio varying between 1.5 and 3.0 and with larger variations at lower L shells. In order to search for the cause of the observed annual variations, we have modeled plasmaspheric density, using a time-dependent hydrodynamic model. On an L = 2 field line with geomagnetic longitude equal to 300 deg, the modeled plasmaspheric densities were a factor of 1.5 times higher in December than in June. The modeled December to June density ratio was found to increase slightly with L shell, in contrast to observations; this discrepancy may be due to the fact that outer plasmaspheric flux tubes are never completely full. In addition, for an L = 2 field line with geomagnetic longitude equal to 120 deg, the modeled plasmaspheric density was higher in June than in December by a factor of about 1.2. Various numerical tests were also performed in order to examine the sensitivity of plasmaspheric density to various parameters. In particular, a large vertical neutral wind was applied in order to raise the O(+) profile which had the effect of raising plasmaspheric density by a factor of 6. This in conjunction with a theoretical analysis suggests that plasmaspheric density levels are very sensitive to O(+) levels in the upper ionosphere. We conclude that annual variations in plasmaspheric density are due to similar variations in ionospheric O(+).
Tunable Redox-Responsive Hybrid Nanogated Ensembles

A new redox-responsive hybrid nanogated ensemble has been developed by introducing the disulfide-linked polymeric network at the outlet of mesoporous silica. The cross-linked polymer works as gatekeeper to control molecule release from mesoporous silica. The presence of disulfide reducing agent can effectively open the polymeric network and release the loading in a tunable manner.
Candesartan Acutely Recruits Skeletal and Cardiac Muscle Microvasculature in Healthy Humans

Context: Angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) tone restricts muscle microvascular blood volume (MBV) and decreases muscle insulin delivery and glucose use. Objective: The objective of the study was to examine whether acute AT1R blockade alters microvascular perfusion in skeletal and cardiac muscle in humans. Setting: The study was conducted at the General Clinical Research Center at the University of Virginia. Methods: Eight overnight-fasted healthy young adults were studied thrice in random order. In study 1, each subject received candesartan (32 mg) orally at time 0. In study 2, each subject received placebo at time 0 and a 1 mU/min · kg euglycemic insulin clamp from time 240 to 360 min. In study 3, each subject received candesartan (32 mg) orally at time 0 and insulin infusion from 240 to 360 min. Forearm skeletal and cardiac muscle MBV, microvascular flow velocity, and microvascular blood flow (MBF) were determined at baseline and at 240 and 360 min. Results: Candesartan treatment acutely recruited m...
The Relationship Between Minimum Competency Testing Programs and Students' Reading Proficiency: Implications from the 1983-84 National Assessment of Educational Progress in Reading and Writing.

Exploratory studies presented in this report used multilevel data obtained in the 1983–84 National Assessment of Educational Progress to investigate the relationship between minimum competency testing (MCT) programs and student reading proficiency. A “school effects” paradigm was used in Study 1 to assess the effect of a school-level MCT program after adjusting for students' age, sex, region of the country, family background, school-level composition, and socioeconomic status, students' academic behaviors, school-level remedial program, and instructional dollars per pupil. Within-race/ethnic group analyses were conducted to investigate whether or not the effect of MCT programs on reading proficiency was similar for each race/ethnic group. The second study examined the relationship between the type of state testing program and reading proficiency for each grade cohort after adjusting for students' age, sex, district and school-level SES variables, family background, and race. These studies demonstrate the limits and potential of using NAEP data to inform public policy issues.
Induction of 2'5'-oligoadenylate synthetase activity and a new protein by chick interferon.

Abstract Treatment of primary cultures of chick embryo cells with homologous interferon increased the activity of 2′5′-oligoadenylate synthetase in their cytoplasmic extracts. This enzyme is activated by double-stranded RNA to synthesize the novel trinucleotide pppA 2′ p 5′ A 2′ p 5′ A (and higher oligomers) which is a potent inhibitor of cell-free protein synthesis. The increase in enzyme activity was dependent upon the concentration of interferon and the time of treatment. For example, 1 unit of interferon elicited a 10-fold increase in 20 hr, whereas 100 units or more produced a 2000- to 10,000-fold increase. The kinetics of enhancement showed an initial lag of about 1 hr, followed by a 4- to 5-hr period during which the activity increased exponentially. Maximum levels were reached about 10 hr after interferon treatment. Neither an increase in enzyme activity, nor the establishment of a virus-resistant state was observed in cells treated with chick interferon in the presence of actinomycin D or p -fluorophenylalanine, or in cells treated with heterologous (mouse) interferon. Analysis of the proteins labeled by incorporation of [ 35 S]methionine after interferon treatment revealed the appearance of a new polypeptide in the postribosomal supernatants of interferon-treated cells. Upon gel filtration, this polypeptide coeluted with the peak of oligoadenylate synthetase activity, at 50,000–60,000 MW. It had an apparent molecular weight of 56,000 when analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Like the 2′5′-oligoadenylate synthetase activity, the 56,000-dalton polypeptide bound to polyriboinosinic acid -polyribocytidylic acid covalently attached to agarose and could be partially purified in this manner. The appearance of the polypeptide was dependent on the concentration of interferon and the time of treatment employed and was blocked by the presence of actinomycin D. Pulse-labeling studies showed that its rate of synthesis increased sharply about 2 hr after interferon treatment but decreased again about 8 hr later despite the continued presence of interferon in the medium. The possibility that the 56,000-dalton polypeptide is the oligoadenylate synthetase enzyme is being studied. Whatever the outcome, these data suggest that the enzyme and the polypeptide are each the product of a gene whose function is controlled by interferon treatment.
Influence of stuttering therapy on clinicians' disfluencies: Effects of client modeling

This study investigated whether student clinicians working with stutterers subsequently produce more disfluencies than student clinicians providing therapy to clients with other speech and language disorders. Seventeen graduate students working in a 6-wk summer camp setting were divided into two groups: eight who provided treatment for stutterers (group 1) and nine who provided therapy for clients with other communication disorders (group 2). All student clinicians were recorded during spontaneous speaking and oral reading tasks prior to camper arrival and following camper departure. An eight-category classification system was used to determine disfluency types. Findings revealed that Group 1 clinicians significantly decreased their total disfluencies between pre- and post-camp recordings on the spontaneous speaking task. Unexpectedly, this same group also substantially increased part-word repetitions and sound prolongations. The possibilities of incidental learning, reverse modeling, and overidentification with stuttering clients are discussed.
Proteomic analysis of dunning prostate cancer cell lines with variable metastatic potential using SELDI-TOF.

BACKGROUND. Surface enhanced laser desorption and ionization-time-of-flight (SELDITOF) is an evolving proteomic technology for improving biomarker discovery that allows for rapid and sensitive analysis of complex protein mixtures generated from body fluids, cells, and/or tissues. SELDI—based profiling identifies unique, differentially expressed proteins relating to specific cancer-related disease states. We utilized SELDI-TOF following preprocessing with molecular separation and chemical fractionation of cell membrane extracts from three Dunning rat prostate cancer cell lines of varying metastatic potential to search novel proteins that are differentially expressed. METHODS. Dunningratcellsublinesofvariable (%)metastaticpotential;G(0%),AT-1(20%), andMat-Ly-Lu(100%)wereculturedintwodifferentlaboratories.Celllysiswasperformedina homogenation buffer (320 mM sucrose/50 mM Tris/0.5 mM PSMF) using Dounce homogenation. After centrifugation, the membrane pellet was washed 2 and then solublized in 2% CHAPS/8 M urea. This sample was further processed using positive pressure molecular ultrafiltration at 30 kDa or precipitation with 50% ammonium sulfate. Next, each sample was applied to an IMAC3-Ni ProteinChip (Ciphergen Biosystems, Freemont, CA) and analyzed using Ciphergen’s Protein Biology System with protein peak analysis software. RESULTS. SELDI-TOF analysis differentiated the three Dunning rat cell sublines based upon protein concentration normalized profiles between 5,000 and 20,000 Da. The preparations from the three cells lines showed clear differences when the extracts from the metastatic sublines (AT-1 and MLL) were compared to the benign subline (G) for proteins with molecular weights of 9 kDa (decrease), 12 kDa (significant decrease), 14 kDa (decrease), and 17 kDa (significant gain). After pre-processing extracts with ammonium sulfate and molecular ultrafiltration, the molecular profile changes from one subline to the next became more apparent. Our results were reproducible using multiple runs including from Dunning cells cultured in a separate laboratory, and using different lots of SELDI ProteinChips. CONCLUSIONS. The application ofSELDI-TOF toa seriesofDunning rat prostate cancer cell lines illustrated apparent changes in protein profiles among the three cell lines with known differences in metastatic biologic activity. SELDI-TOF identified four reproducible changes in proteinexpressionintheAT1andMLLmetastaticcellsublines.Threeoftheexpressionchanges weremanifestedasdecreases,butoneprotein(17kDa)wasover-expressedintheAT1andMLL
On the space group of aluminium oxynitride spinel

Abstract In view of the controversy surrounding the crystal symmetry of spinels, an aluminium oxynitride phase reported to be based on the spinel structure has been investigated using convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED) and computer simulation. A variety of CBED point and space group determination methods have been utilized in search of possible non-centrosymmetry which reduces the space group symmetry from Fd3m to F43m. The occurrence of Gj⊘nnes-Moodie (GM) lines in the debated {2 0 0} reflections is also explored through careful voltage variation experiments. The detailed analyses clearly show that the point group of this spinel is the centrosymmetric m3m and that the space group is Fd3m.
Wire in the Heart: Fracture and Fragment Embolization of Retrievable Inferior Vena Cava Filter into the Right Ventricle

We report a case of a 58-year-old female who was found to have a fractured limb of her IVC filter in her right ventricle during a cardiac catheterization. A 25 mm radioopaque thin linear structure was seen in the proximal portion of the right ventricle. It was fixed and did not migrate or change position during investigations. On fluoroscopy, the IVC filter was observed in an appropriate location in the midabdomen. Yet, fractures of at least two of the metal filamentous legs of the IVC device were noticed. The patient was made aware of the many risks associated with filter removal. Due to the high risks of the procedure, she refused surgery and the filter fragment was not removed. We present this case to underscore the potential complications of IVC filters.
Can biological assessments discriminate among types of stress? A case study from the Eastern Corn Belt Plains ecoregion†‡

We investigated the feasibility of using the structure of fish and benthic macroinvertebrate communities to distinguish among major types of stressors (e.g., siltation, nutrient enrichment, and stream structural degradation) using spatially and temporally matched data on stressors and responses. The 19 stressor variables addressed stream chemistry and in-stream habitat and included biological oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids, nitrogen, phosphorus, and components of the Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index. The 42 response variables addressed fish and invertebrate community structure and included many of the component metrics of the Index of Biological Integrity and the Invertebrate Community Index as well as variables specifically calculated for this project. All data were collected between 1988 and 1994 by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency in the Eastern Corn Belt Plains ecoregion. Prior to analysis, variables were transformed to near normality, and variables significantly correlated with drainage area were fit to regression models and the resulting residuals used in the analyses. Multivariate analyses included factor and discriminant analysis. The first six stressor factors explained 69% of the variation. Discriminant functions formed using the response variables significantly separated site clusters classified into high, medium, and low categories along stressor gradients. Both fish and macroinvertebrate variables were important in distinguishing site categories. For example, percentage Tanytarsini midges and percentage Glyptotendipes were important in distinguishing sites having high and low BOD. Percentage darters was associated with sites having high scores for stream corridor structure and low concentrations of inorganic nutrients, and percentage round-bodied suckers was associated with sites having low BOD and low concentrations of zinc and lead. These results indicate that diagnostic models may be developed that will be useful for site-specific and regional assessments.
Using Pathfinder Network as a Measure of Lexical Structure of Bilingual Learners

This investigation examined how cognitive operations in a second language (L2) interact with a first language (L1). We utilized a "knowledge structure" measurement method to determine the lexical structure of bilingual learners elicited as semantic maps before (Premap), during (During map), and after (Post map) writing in L1 and L2. All semantic maps were converted into "Pathfinder Networks" to compare the mental representation of L1-L2 lexical relationships.
Ground-state energy of a D - ion in two-dimensional semiconductors

The ground-state energy of a ${D}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ion (a donor impurity ion with two attached electrons) in a two-dimensional semiconductor is calculated using a variational approach and is found to be about -4.48 Ry. The ground-state energy of a hydrogenic system in two dimensions is known to be -4 Ry. Thus the binding energy of a ${D}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ion, defined as the energy required to remove one of the two electrons from the ${D}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ion to infinity, is about 0.48 Ry. This is about 12% of the ground-state energy of a hydrogenic system in two dimensions. This is to be compared with the binding energy of a ${D}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ion in three dimensions which is 5.55% of the hydrogenic ground-state energy. The relevance of our results to the problem of a ${D}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ion in thin-quantum-well structures is discussed.
A comparative study of the excitation conditions in the plasma and the electrical parameters of a d.c. arc when using power-stabilized, current-stabilized and manually controlled d.c. sources

Abstract The abilities of three d.c. arc sources—a manually controlled source, a constant current source and a constant power source—to control variations in arc temperature, electron pressure and anode temperature were compared, and the dependency of these factors on the electrical parameters was investigated. It was shown that with well buffered samples there is little advantage to begained in using any one of the three sources. With poorly buffered samples, however, the constant power source showed greater control over the variations in arc temperature, electron pressure and anode temperature. It was also shown that the only electrical. parameter which could be used to obtain an estimate of the arc temperature is the arc power.
Communicating actionable user research for human-centered design

In human-centered design, user research drives design decisions by providing an understanding of end users. In practice, different people, teams, or even companies manage each step of the design process, making communication of user research results a critical activity. Based on an empirical study of current methods used by experts, this paper presents strategies for effectively communicating user research findings across organizational or corporate boundaries. To build researcher–client relationships, understand both user and client needs, and overcome institutional inertia, this paper proposes viewing user research clients as users of user research outcomes. This reframing of the crafting of communication across boundaries as a parallel internal human-centered design process we refer to as a double ethnography.
Prospective evaluation of 1-year outcomes in single-level percutaneous lumbar transfacet screw fixation in the lateral decubitus position following lateral transpsoas interbody fusion

Purpose Lateral transpsoas lumbar interbody fusion (LTIF) is an accepted treatment for degenerative lumbar disc disease. Bilateral percutaneous transfacet (TF) fixation is a promising option for stabilization following LTIF. Here, we describe our experience with this technique and assess the clinical outcomes and efficacy.
Impact factor of JM3

This PDF file contains the editorial “Editorial: Impact factor of JM3” for JM3 Vol. 9 Issue 04
Grounding Language in Spatial Routines

This paper describes a spatial language understanding system based on a lexicon of words defined in terms of spatial routines. A spatial routine is a script composed from a set of primitive operations on sensor data, analogous to Ullman’s visual routines. We hypothesize that a set of primitives that underlie spatial language could be used to succinctly express the meaning of spatial terms in a way that can be used to interpret natural language commands. This hypothesis is tested by using spatial routines to build a natural language interface to a real-time strategy game, in which a player controls an army of units in a battle. Spatial routines are used as a top down control mechanism for the system, providing a mapping from natural language commands to system behavior. Although the current implementation has significant limitations as revealed in an initial evaluation, we believe that the concept of spatial routines holds promise as a way to ground spatial language semantics in terms of embodied sensory-motor interaction.
Proteomic identification of proteins in the human brain: Towards a more comprehensive understanding of neurodegenerative disease

Proteomics has revealed itself as a powerful tool in the identification and determination of proteins and their biological significance. More recently, several groups have taken advantage of the high-throughput nature of proteomics in order to gain a more in-depth understanding of the human brain. In turn, this information has provided researchers with invaluable insight into the potential pathways and mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders, e.g., Alzheimer and Parkinson disease. Furthermore, these findings likely will improve methods to diagnose disease and monitor disease progression as well as generate novel targets for therapeutic intervention. Despite these advances, comprehensive understanding of the human brain proteome remains challenging, and requires development of improved sample enrichment, better instrumentation, and innovative analytic techniques. In this review, we will focus on the most recent progress related to identification of proteins in the human brain under normal as well as pathological conditions, mainly Alzheimer and Parkinson disease, their potential application in biomarker discovery, and discuss current advances in protein identification aimed at providing a more comprehensive understanding of the brain.
Density-dependent natural selection does not increase efficiency

Summary Populations of Drosophila melanogaster kept at high population density (K-selected) for 125 generations have higher larval viability than populations kept at low densities (r-selected) when both are raised under crowded conditions. In addition K-selected adults that emerge from crowded cultures are larger than their r-selected counterparts. These differences cannot be explained by differences in efficiency of food use. The minimum food required for successful pupation is actually greater in the K-selected populations. I conjecture that there may be a trade-off between minimum food requirements and competitive ability, which has changed substantially in the K-selected populations. The possibility that K-selected larvae can dig more more deeply and gain access to unused food is examined and rejected as a possible explanation of the viability differences. Evidence is provided supporting the hypothesis that the differences in viability may be due to an increased tendency of the K-selected larvae to pupate off the surface of the medium.
Effect of the spherical indenter tip assumption on nanoindentation

One of the interests and challenges of nanoindentation is determining the shear stress at the onset of plastic yielding, which corresponds to dislocation nucleation. To extract this stress information from experimental load-displacement data, a spherical tip shape is usually assumed. However, it is well known that indenter tips have irregular shapes, especially at the small-length scales that are important for small loads. This will significantly affect the stress distribution under the indentation surfaces. In this work, an indenter tip shape is measured by atomic force microscopy. The measured indenter shape is input into a finite element analysis model for indentation simulations on 〈111〉-oriented single-crystal Al samples in the elastic regime. The resulting stresses, indentation force, and contact area are analyzed and compared to results from a fitted spherical indenter. The deviation of the assumed spherical indenter tip from the real measured indenter tip is studied.
Apnea and macrocephaly-cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita.

The authors report a case of an infant girl with macrocephaly-cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita (Macrocephaly-CMTC). This patient presented with developmental delay, mild subcostal retractions, and occasional apneic spells. An MRI demonstrated mild to moderate lateral ventricle hydrocephalus, left hemi-megalencephaly, and left cerebellar tonsillar herniation with full occlusion of the cisterna magna. Her foramen magnum was narrowed, measuring 17.5 mm in transverse diameter. This value was significantly below the 50th percentile for age, which is 23.5 mm. Together, these findings were suggestive of cervicomedullary cord compression, concerning for sudden death. The patient underwent posterior fossa decompression by suboccipital craniectomy and cervical laminectomy. Initially due to hypertrophy and paralysis of the left true and false vocal cords, endotracheal intubation was not achieved, requiring tracheostomy tube placement. To our knowledge this is the first report of apnea in a patient diagnosed with M-CMTC, likely due to cervicomedullary cord compression and perhaps exacerbated by unilateral laryngeal hypertrophy. M-CMTC is a newly-described hemi-hypertrophy syndrome affecting the neurodevelopment of affected children. The authors emphasize airway obstruction secondary to unilateral hypertrophy of the vocal cords in addition to brainstem compromise as a consideration for the etiology of apnea in M-CMTC patients presenting with signs and symptoms of cervicomedullary cord compression.
Multiple origins and incursions of the Atlantic barnacle Chthamalus proteus in the Pacific

Chthamalus proteus, a barnacle native to the Caribbean and western Atlantic, was introduced to the Pacific within the last few decades. Using direct sequencing of mitochondrial DNA (COI), we characterized genetic variation in native and introduced populations and searched for genetic matches between regions to determine if there were multiple geographical sources and introduction points for this barnacle. In the native range, we found great genetic differences among populations (max. F(ST) = 0.613) encompassing four lineages: one endemic to Panama, one endemic to Brazil, and two occurring Caribbean-wide. All four lineages were represented in the Pacific, but not equally; the Brazilian lineage was most prevalent and the Panamanian least common. Twenty-one individuals spread among nearly every island from where the barnacle is known in the Pacific, exactly matched six haplotypes scattered among Curacao, the Netherlands Antilles; St John, US Virgin Islands; Puerto Rico; and Brazil, confirming a multigeographical origin for the Pacific populations. Significant genetic differences were also found in introduced populations from the Hawaiian Islands (F(CT) = 0.043, P < 0.001), indicating introduction events have occurred at more than one locality. However, the sequence, timing and number of arrival events remains unknown. Possible reasons for limited transport of this barnacle through the Panama Canal are discussed. This and a preponderance of Brazilian-type individuals in the Pacific suggest an unexpected route of entry from around Cape Horn, South America. Unification in the Pacific of historically divergent lineages of this barnacle raises the possibility for selection of 'hybrids' with novel ecological adaptations in its new environment.
Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome (DRESS) syndrome associated with azithromycin presenting like septic shock: A case report

Introduction Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome is a potentially life-threatening cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction characterized by extensive mucocutaneous eruption, fever, hematologic abnormalities including eosinophilia and/or atypical lymphocytosis, and extensive organ involvement. The drugs most often responsible for causing drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome are anticonvulsants, antimicrobial agents and antipyretic or anti-inflammatory analgesics. Although azithromycin is widely prescribed in clinical practice, serious cutaneous reactions from this agent have been rarely described. We report the first adult case of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome associated with azithromycin.
Discrimination of human and animal blood traces via Raman spectroscopy

The characterization of suspected blood stains is an important aspect of forensic science. In particular, determining the origin of a blood stain is a critical, yet overlooked, step in establishing its relevance to the crime. Currently, assays for determining human origin for blood are time consuming and destructive to the sample. The research presented here demonstrates that Raman spectroscopy can be effectively applied as a non-destructive technique for differentiating human blood from a wide survey of animal blood. A Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) model was built from a training set of the near infrared Raman spectra from 11 species. Various performance measures, including a blind test and external validation, confirm the discriminatory performance of the chemometric model. The model demonstrated 100% accuracy in its differentiation between human and nonhuman blood. These findings further demonstrate a great potential of Raman spectroscopy to the field of serology, especially for species identification of a suspected blood stain.
Physical and Chemical Properties of Substrates to Cultivate Seedling of Citrus Rootstocks

Abstract An experiment was carried out to assess the physical and chemical evolution of three substrates and their relation to the vegetative development of seedlings of citrus rootstock, cultivated in containers. The experiment was carried out in greenhouse conditions on 27 September 2001 and continued until 120 days after sowing. The experimental design was randomized block in a split‐plot scheme. In the plots, there were tested substrates: two of them were specialized for horticulture (commercial 1 and 2) and a mixture (turf plus carbonized rice husk). In the subplots, there were four citrus rootstocks (Trifoliate orange, “C13” Citrange, “C37” Citrange, and “Rangpur” Lime). The main results showed that the physical characteristic of the substrate that had undergone the most modification during cultivation was the remnant water; the chemical characteristics of the substrate were determined for the proper development of the rootstocks, with high salinity being harmful. The nutrient availability, before a...
Complex permittivity measurement of solid and non-solid materials at millimeter wavelengths

This paper describes a free-space measurement method to determine the complex permittivity of dielectrics. A dielectric container comprising two plane-parallel slabs with known properties surrounds a central slab with unknown dielectric properties. The dielectric stack rotates in a free-space planewave measurement system, and we record the transmittance as a function of incidence angle. The best-fit of theoretical transmittance to measured transmittance yields the properties of the unknown dielectric. Experiments are performed at 218 GHz to validate the theory. An uncertainty analysis for the specific measurement geometry in this paper is described in detail, producing a combined uncertainty of 1 % in both the real and imaginary portions of the complex permittivity.
Thermodynamics of natural selection III. Landauer's principle in computation and chemistry

This is the third in a series of three papers devoted to energy flow and entropy changes in chemical and biological processes, and their relations to the thermodynamics of computation. The previous two papers have developed reversible chemical transformations as idealizations for studying physiology and natural selection, and derived bounds from the second law of thermodynamics, between information gain in an ensemble and the chemical work required to produce it. This paper concerns the explicit mapping of chemistry to computation, and particularly the Landauer decomposition of irreversible computations, in which reversible logical operations generating no heat are separated from heat-generating erasure steps which are logically irreversible but thermodynamically reversible. The Landauer arrangement of computation is shown to produce the same entropy-flow diagram as that of the chemical Carnot cycles used in the second paper of the series to idealize physiological cycles. The specific application of computation to data compression and error-correcting encoding also makes possible a Landauer analysis of the somewhat different problem of optimal molecular recognition, which has been considered as an information theory problem. It is shown here that bounds on maximum sequence discrimination from the enthalpy of complex formation, although derived from the same logical model as the Shannon theorem for channel capacity, arise from exactly the opposite model for erasure.
Relationship of phenylalanine to seizure threshold during maturation.

—The effect on seizure threshold of the acute intraperitoneal administration of dl-phenylalanine in varying doses to the albino rat at different ages was investigated. Seizure threshold was measured by the technique using the volatile convulsant, hexafluorodiethylether. The alterations in seizure threshold associated with administration of the amino acid were correlated with blood and brain levels of phenylalanine and tyrosine. In 3- to 4-week-old albino rats the reduction in seizure threshold was directly related to the amount of phenylalanine administered. The effect was detected at 30 min after injection and had returned to control levels by 2 hr after administration of 20 or 40 mg of Dl-phenylalanine and by 3 hr following the injection of 80 mg. There was a decreasing susceptibility to reduction in seizure threshold associated with phenylalanine administration with increasing age of the animals. The time course of reduction in seizure threshold in the youngest animals was temporally related more to the rise and fall of concentrations of phenylalanine in brain than to plasma levels of phenylalanine. The seizure threshold in 10-week-old animals was not reduced in spite of comparable elevation of blood and brain phenylalanine to the levels effective in 3- to 4-week-old animals. The results have been discussed in relation to previous studies on chronic, oral administration of phenylalanine to the rat and to possible mechanisms of action.