cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Message-optimal protocols for fault-tolerant broadcasts/multicasts in distributed systems with crash failures

An essential feature in any fault tolerant design of distributed systems is a mechanism by which a process can reliably broadcast information to other processes in the presence of failures. The paper studies the message complexity of fault tolerant broadcast protocols in weakly synchronous and totally asynchronous distributed systems with point to point communication links, where the system failures are caused by the processes but the communication links are completely reliable. We focus on the number of messages required of any fault tolerant protocol in failure free executions. Our motivation is that one should incur the cost of handling failures only when they actually occur. We present protocols that, in an n-process system subject to at most t crash failures where 1/spl les/t >
Use of sleeping trees by black and white colobus monkeys (Colobus guereza) in the Kakamega Forest, Kenya.

Groups of black and white colobus monkeys, or guerezas (Colobus guereza), observed in the Kakamega Forest, Kenya, had weak fidelity for sleeping sites. Groups often slept in trees near commonly used food sources, which might reduce the time and energetic costs of travel. Although the home range of each group overlapped with four to seven others, groups seemed to avoid sleeping near other groups, which would give them immediate and exclusive access to nearby food sources in the morning. The number of times a species of tree was slept in was positively correlated with its density. This may have occurred because so many suitable sites were available that proximity to feeding trees could be obtained whether or not groups slept in the feeding trees. Groups slept in tall trees, which provide stable sleeping sites and which may provide protection from both aerial and ground predators. Groups were more tightly clustered on nights with greater visibility, which might reduce the risk of predation. Am. J. Primatol. 45:281-290, 1998.
Jump-Diffusion Models Driven by Lévy Processes

During the past and this decade, a new generation of continuous-time financial models has been intensively investigated in a quest to incorporate the so-called stylized empirical features of asset priceslike fat-tails, high kurtosis, volatility clustering, and leverage. Modeling driven by “memoryless homogeneous” jump processes (Levy processes) constitutes one of the most viable directions in this enterprise. The basic principle is to replace the underlying Brownian motion of the Black-Scholes model with a type of jump-diffusion process. In this chapter, the basic results and tools behind jump-diffusion models driven by Levy processes are covered, providing an accessible overview, coupled with their financial applications and relevance. The material is drawn upon recent monographs (cf. Cont and Tankov (2004). Financial modelling with Jump Processes. Chapman & Hall.; Sato (1999). Levy Processes and Infinitely Divisible Distributions. Cambridge University Press.) and papers in the field.
An analysis of Bluetooth scatternet topologies

Bluetooth "scatternets" are targeting wider geographical area applications in factories, warehouses, shopping malls and various sensor network applications. Though some earlier work has looked at scatternet formation and scheduling issues, less attention has been given to optimizing scatternet topologies. We consider in this paper topological design of scatternets, taking into consideration application traffic requirements. We study appropriate topologies, and size the network in terms of piconets. We develop a scatternet queuing model and use it to compare the delay-throughput characteristics of various topologies. We find that the best topology is application independent. The analytical model is also used to determine the optimal point to operate a scatternet, i.e., the traffic load that saturates the network. We validate all out analytical results by simulations.
Understanding the electronic and ionic conduction and lithium over-stoichiometry in LiMn2O4 spinel

We report a first-principles study of defect thermodynamics and transport in spinel-type lithium manganese oxide LiMn2O4, an important lithium-ion battery electrode material, using density-functional theory and the Heyd–Scuseria–Ernzerhof screened hybrid functional. We find that intrinsic point defects in LiMn2O4 have low formation energies and hence can occur with high concentrations. The electronic conduction proceeds via hopping of small polarons and the ionic conduction occurs via lithium vacancy and/or interstitialcy migration mechanisms. The total conductivity is dominated by the electronic contribution. LiMn2O4 is found to be prone to lithium over-stoichiometry, i.e., lithium excess at the manganese sites, and Mn3+/Mn4+ disorder. Other defects such as manganese antisites and vacancies and lithium interstitials may also occur in LiMn2O4 samples. In light of our results, we discuss possible implications of the defects on the electrochemical properties and provide explanations for the experimental observations and guidelines for defect-controlled synthesis and defect characterization.
Guided Imagery as a Treatment Option for Fatigue A Literature Review

Purpose: Fatigue is one of the most common complaints experienced among the general population. Because fatigue is recognized as a biobehavioral occurrence, a biobehavioral intervention such as guided imagery may be effective in reducing self-reported fatigue. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the research literature related to the use of guided imagery as a nonpharmacological mind-body intervention for the symptom of fatigue. Method: The electronic databases MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsychInfo, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection and the Cochrane Library were searched from January 1980 to June 2010. Findings: Of 24 articles retrieved, eight met the inclusion criteria and were included in this systematic literature review. Findings were inconsistent regarding the effectiveness of guided imagery on fatigue. Studies varied in study length, duration of the applied guided imagery intervention, dosage, and whether the images were targeted to the purpose of the intervention. Implications: Gui...
Infections Caused by Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria: Epidemiology and Management

Infections caused by resistant gram-negative bacteria are becoming increasingly prevalent and now constitute a serious threat to public health worldwide because they are difficult to treat and are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. In the United States, there has been a steady increase since 2000 in rates of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, and multidrug-resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii, particularly among hospitalized patients with intraabdominal infections, urinary tract infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and bacteremia. Colonization with resistant gram-negative bacteria is common among residents in long-term care facilities (particularly those residents with an indwelling device), and these facilities are considered important originating sources of such strains for hospitals. Antibiotic resistance is associated with a substantial clinical and economic burden, including increased mortality, greater hospital and antibiotic costs, and longer stays in hospitals and intensive care units. Control of resistant gram-negative infections requires a comprehensive approach, including strategies for risk factor identification, detection and identification of resistant organisms, and implementation of infection-control and prevention strategies. In treating resistant gram-negative infections, a review of surveillance data and hospital-specific antibiograms, including resistance patterns within local institutions, and consideration of patient characteristics are helpful in guiding the choice of empiric therapy. Although only a few agents are available with activity against resistant gram-negative organisms, two recently released β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations - ceftolozane/tazobactam and ceftazidime/avibactam - have promising activity against these organisms. In this article, we review the epidemiology, risk factors, and antibiotic resistance mechanisms of gram-negative organisms. In addition, an overview of treatment options for patients with these infections is provided.
Deformation characteristics of low carbon steel subjected to dynamic impact loading

Abstract The effects of impact loading on changes in microstructure have been studied in low carbon steel. Low to moderate shock loading tests have been carried out on steel specimens using a single stage gas gun with projectile velocities ranging from 200 to 500 m/s. Stress history at the back face of the target specimen and projectile velocity prior to impact were recorded via manganin stress gauges and velocity lasers, respectively. A Johnson–Cook constitutive material model was employed to numerically simulate the material behavior of low carbon steel during impact and obtain the particle velocity at the impact surface as well the pressure distribution across the specimens as a function of impact duration. An analytical approach was used to determine the twin volume fraction as a function of blast loading. The amount of twinning within the α-ferrite phase was measured in post-impact specimens. A comparison between experimental and numerical stress histories, and analytical and experimental twin volume fraction were used to optimize the material and deformation models and establish a correlation between impact pressure and deformation response of the steel under examination. Strain rate controlled tensile tests were carried out on post-impact specimens. Results of these tests are discussed in relation to the effects of impact loading on the yield and ultimate tensile strength as well as the hardening and strain energy characteristics.
Free-recall learning as a function of prior-list organization

The negative transfer which is observed in part-whole, free-recall learning may reflect interference from inappropriate memory units which are developed during part-list learning ( Tulving, 1966 ). In the present study, the selection of words for the part lists established varying degrees of congruence with appropriate memory units for whole-list learning. In accord with the initial hypothesis, the rate of whole-list learning was slowest when the composition of the part list prevented the development of appropriate whole-list memory units. Differences between groups in the sequence of recall of old and new items and items within the same category gave added confirmation to the hypothesis.
Sequential Loss of Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Responses to Simian Virus 40 Large T Antigen Epitopes in T Antigen Transgenic Mice Developing Osteosarcomas

The role of CTL tolerance in tumor immunity to SV40 large T antigen (T ag)-induced tumors was studied using T ag transgenic mice of the line 501 ( H2 b). 501 mice express SV40 T ag under the influence of the α-amylase promoter, which leads to the development of osteogenic osteosarcomas late in life and eventual death between 12 and 17 months of age. We determined the ability of 501 mice to respond to the four H2b-restricted T ag CTL epitopes, which include epitope I (T ag 206–215), epitope II/III (T ag 223–231), the immunorecessive epitope V (T ag 489–497), restricted by H2-Db, and epitope IV (T ag 404–411), restricted by H2-Kb. We demonstrate that 501 mice are partially tolerant to the H2b-restricted T ag epitopes. Immunization of 4-month-old 501 mice with T ag-transformed syngeneic cell lines or a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing full-length T ag elicited CTL responses against the H2-Kb-restricted T ag epitope IV only. In contrast, immunization of 4-month-old 501 mice with recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing individual T ag epitopes as minigenes elicited CTLs against epitopes I, IV, and V, but not against epitope II/III. Complete tolerance to epitopes I, IV, and V developed in 501 mice, but the age when tolerance was detected varied for each epitope. Tolerance to epitope I occurred by 6 months of age and was accelerated in the absence of CD4+ T cells. Tolerance to the immunorecessive epitope V was observed in 12-month-old 501 mice but was independent of the presence of osteosarcomas. In contrast, CTLs specific for epitope IV were detected in mice from 3 to 14 months of age but not in mice that had developed osteosarcomas. Analysis of epitope IV-specific CD8+ cells derived from 3-month-old 501 mice with H2-Kb/epitope IV tetramers revealed decreased numbers of epitope IV-specific CD8+ cells in 501 mice relative to C57BL/6 mice, with a further decrease in older 501 mice. Tumor progression resulted in loss of H2-Kb/epitope IV tetramer staining CD8+ cells. Thus, progression to tolerance to individual T ag CTL epitopes in 501 mice is epitope dependent.
The Negativity Effect in Interaction It's All in Your Point of View

The negativity effect is defined as the disproportionate weighting of negative information in comparison to equidistantly valenced positive information in the formation of judgments. The informativeness explanation of the negativity effect posits that the evaluative extremity (the distance from a psychological neutral point) and evaluative valence (positive/negative) of an event serve as determinants of its informativeness. Traditionally, this informativeness hypothesis explains the occurrence of a negativity effect by presuming a skewed distribution with unequal tails for the frequency of outcomes for valence; a mirror-image distribution for informativeness as a function of valence; and a negative, linear relationship between typicality and informativeness. These three assumptions were tested directly in this research through the fitting of nonlinear equations. It was determined that (a) a negatively skewed distribution of outcomes for valence does not occur in interaction contexts and that (b) typicality was a determinant of informativeness, although its importance as a determinant varies in response to whether one's perspective is that of an observer or a participant. Thus, reliance on evaluative extremity and evaluative valence as determinants of informativeness was rejected; these variables are only descriptors when the distribution for the frequency of outcomes for valence is skewed and has uneven tails.
Synthesis and structure determination of [Cp*4Cr4(μ-F)5Cl2]PF6. A tetranuclear chromium complex formed by fluoride abstraction from hexafluorophosphate

Abstract Abstraction of chloride from the binuclear chromium alkyl [Cp*Cr(Me)Cl]2 yields the substitutionally labile complex [Cp*Cr(THF)2Me]+ PF6−. This compound catalyzes the polymerization of ethylene, but it slowly decomposes by abstraction of fluoride from hexafluorophosphate and chloride from CH2Cl2. The crystal structure of the tetranuclear chromium complex [Cp*4Cr4(μ-F)5Cl2]+PF6− was determined. Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry of the decomposition product revealed it to be a mixture of fluoride containing compounds. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicated strong antiferromagnetic coupling of the S = 3/2 ions via the fluoride bridges.
Mandarin Learning Using Speech and Language Technologies: A Translation Game in the Travel Domain

This paper describes a new Web-based translation game we have designed to help a student learn spoken Chinese. The student talks to the system in Chinese and the system compares the recognized sentence against a set of English prompts to judge whether it is a suitable translation of any one of them. The game can also provide translation assistance upon request. The game was developed using the IWSLT corpus of utterances in the tourist domain, and is oriented towards helping the student communicate effectively during foreign travel. In a preliminary evaluation, the system performed correctly on over 90% of test utterances. The system received positive feedback from the subjects.
Sp3 encodes multiple proteins that differ in their capacity to stimulate or repress transcription

The product of the retinoblastoma (Rb) susceptibility gene ( RB-1 ) regulates expression of a variety of growth control genes via discrete promoter elements termed retinoblastoma control elements (RCEs). We have previously shown that RCEs are bound and regulated by a common set of ubiquitously expressed nuclear proteins of 115, 95 and 80 kDa, termed retinoblastoma control proteins (RCPs). We have also previously determined that Sp3 and Sp1, two members of the Sp family of transcription factors, encode the 115 and 95 kDa RCPs respectively and that Rb stimulates Sp1/Sp3-mediated transcription in vivo. In this report we have extended these results by determining that the 80 kDa RCP arises from Sp3 mRNA via translational initiation at two internal sites located within the Sp3 trans -activation domain. Internally initiated Sp3 proteins readily bind to Sp1 binding sites in vitro yet have little or no capacity to stimulate transcription of Sp-regulated genes in vivo. Instead, these Sp3-derived proteins function as potent inhibitors of Sp1/Sp3- mediated transcription. Since cell cycle- or signal- induced expression of a variety of genes, including p21 waf1/cip1, p15 INK4B, CYP11A, mdr1 and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, have been mapped to GC-rich promoter elements that bind Sp family members, we speculate that alterations of the protein and/or DNA binding activities of internally initiated Sp3 isoforms may account in part for the regulation of such differentially expressed genes.
A winter precipitation ‘dipole’ in the western United States associated with multidecadal ENSO variability

[1] The variability of winter precipitation across the western United States has important implications for a wide range of physical and socioeconomic systems. While El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) teleconnections explain a high degree of interannual variance in western U.S. winter precipitation, their influence on decadal time scales is less well understood. In this study, we examine the relationship between ENSO conditions and winter precipitation in the western U.S. within the context of decadal-scale variability, as represented by phasing of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). We identify spatial inconsistencies in the ENSO-precipitation relationship, commensurate with PDO phase shifts, which take the form of a ‘dipole’ signature across the western U.S. This finding has implications for the knowledge of uncertainty of ENSO teleconnections, and may prove meaningful for users of climate information throughout the region.
Second World Congress on the Insulin Resistance Syndrome: Insulin resistance syndrome and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

This is the first in a series of articles on the Second World Congress on the Insulin Resistance Syndrome, Universal City, California, 18–20 November 2004. Yehuda Handelsman (Tarzana, CA) introduced the Second World Congress on the Insulin Resistance Syndrome, noting the importance of ICD-9 diagnostic code 277.7, which allows one to use insulin resistance syndrome as a specific medical diagnosis, although the nomenclature of the syndrome is complex (1). There is a continuous relationship between the number of risk factors and associated conditions and the severity of insulin resistance, so that it may be incorrect to suggest that a specific number of components is needed to determine the presence of this condition, a potential advantage of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists diagnostic criteria, which appears to be more strongly associated with diabetes than other criteria for the insulin resistance syndrome. Gerald M. Reaven (Stanford, CA) discussed the relationship between obesity and the insulin resistance syndrome, noting that mean fat and energy intake increased between 1990 and 2000 from 81 to 86 g and from 1,969 to 2,200 calories daily, respectively, so that “we’re getting heavier because we’re eating more.” Obesity is associated with increased mortality, with insulin resistance the link between obesity and coronary heart disease. Reaven used 3-h somatostatin, insulin, and glucose infusion to measure the steady-state plasma glucose (SSPG), which is inversely related to insulin sensitivity. There is tremendous variability in healthy individuals, with SSPG in 490 people with normal glucose tolerance 300 mg/dl in the 10th decile. The lowest quartile of insulin sensitivity is strongly predictive of development of diabetes and of coronary artery disease. Both BMI and waist circumference correlate with SSPG, but “with enormous variation,” as some obese individuals have normal and some lean individuals have high …
A decision-making tool to determine economic feasibility and break-even prices for artisan cheese operations

Artisan cheese makers lack access to valid economic data to help them evaluate business opportunities and make important business decisions such as determining cheese pricing structure. The objective of this study was to utilize an economic model to evaluate the net present value (NPV), internal rate of return, and payback period for artisan cheese production at different annual production volumes. The model was also used to determine the minimum retail price necessary to ensure positive NPV for 5 different cheese types produced at 4 different production volumes. Milk type, cheese yield, and aging time all affected variable costs. However, aged cheeses required additional investment for aging space (which needs to be larger for longer aging times), as did lower yield cheeses (by requiring larger-volume equipment for pasteurization and milk handling). As the volume of milk required increased, switching from vat pasteurization to high-temperature, short-time pasteurization was necessary for low-yield cheeses before being required for high-yield cheeses, which causes an additional increase in investment costs. Because of these differences, high-moisture, fresh cow milk cheeses can be sold for about half the price of hard, aged goat milk cheeses at the largest production volume or for about two-thirds the price at the lowest production volume examined. For example, for the given model assumptions, at an annual production of 13,608kg of cheese (30,000 lb), a fresh cow milk mozzarella should be sold at a minimum retail price of $27.29/kg ($12.38/lb), whereas a goat milk Gouda needs a minimum retail price of $49.54/kg ($22.47/lb). Artisan cheese makers should carefully evaluate annual production volumes. Although larger production volumes decrease average fixed cost and improve production efficiency, production can reach volumes where it becomes necessary to sell through distributors. Because distributors might pay as little as 35% of retail price, the retail price needs to be higher to compensate. An artisan cheese company that has not achieved the recognition needed to achieve a premium price may not find distribution through distributors profitable.
Development of Oat Breeding Methods

My topic is the development of oat and plant breeding methods. I will start with a short history of important ideas and reports, laying the ground work for current oat breeding approaches. The bulk of my report will describe and discuss, in a critical way, the philosophies and approaches currently in use and the technology that may become available to the breeder in the future.
Progressive and transient hypoxic ventilatory drive tests in healthy subjects.

In order to ascertain the correlation between progressive and transient hypoxic ventilatory drive tests, 18 healthy subjects were tested by both methods, and the results were compared. Sudden cessa...
Effect of Radiation Dose on the Incidence of Visible Chromosomal Aberrations in Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Testes from progeny of irradiated male Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) were dissected and examined cytologically to identify the larval stage or age that would ensure the presence of primary spermatocytes undergoing meiotic division and to determine the lowest dose of radiation necessary to induce visible chromosomal aberrations in 100% of the larvae. Results from this study revealed that cytological examination of chromosomal aberrations could be accomplished best when the larvae were 3- or 4-d-old fifth instars. The percentage of F1 and F2 males with visible chromosomal aberrations was dependent upon the dose of radiation administered to the P1 male. A 6-krad dose was sufficient to induce visible aberrations in all F1 larvae. Chromosomal aberrations were observed less frequently in F2 larvae than in F1 larvae.
Hydrogen and methanol exchange processes for (TMP)Rh-OCH3(CH3OH) in binary solutions of methanol and benzene.

Tetramesityl porphinato rhodium(III) methoxide ((TMP)Rh-OCH3) binds with methanol in benzene to form a 1:1 methanol complex ((TMP)Rh-OCH3(CH3OH)) (1). Dynamic processes are observed to occur for th...
Promoting Immune Regulation in Type 1 Diabetes Using Low-Dose Interleukin-2

Dysregulation of the immune system contributes to the breakdown of immune regulation, leading to autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes (T1D). Current therapies for T1D include daily insulin, due to pancreatic β-cell destruction to maintain blood glucose levels, suppressive immunotherapy to decrease the symptoms associated with autoimmunity, and islet transplantation. Genetic risks for T1D have been linked to IL-2 and IL-2R signaling pathways that lead to the breakdown of self-tolerance mechanisms, primarily through altered regulatory T cell (Treg) function and homeostasis. In attempt to correct such deficits, therapeutic administration of IL-2 at low doses has gained attention due to the capacity to boost Tregs without the unwanted stimulation of effector T cells. Preclinical and clinical studies utilizing low-dose IL-2 have shown promising results to expand Tregs due to their high selective sensitivity to respond to IL-2. These results suggest that low-dose IL-2 therapy represents a new class of immunotherapy for T1D by promoting immune regulation rather than broadly suppressing unwanted and beneficial immune responses.
Key "Mistranslation" and Purposeful "Misreading"

In his translated version of Uncle Tom's cabin,Lin Shu seemed to leave three critical mistranslations including translating the same names in different ways,deleting and reducing Christianity and refining title translation "yutian".By this he created a new image of Tom different from the original work.However,we should deem that it is not faulty expressions but purposeful "misreading",and that Lin adopted this kind of purposeful mistranslation in order to awake Chinese at that time.Actually,propelled by ideological enlightenment and restricted by social traditional culture,Lin Shu had to change and rewrite some parts of original versions to fulfill readers' reading habits and appreciations at that era.Nevertheless,he also gradually understood foreign literatures and innovated Chinese fictions through selection,adoption and absorption,which cultivated modern translation conception consequently.
Bovine muscle glycogen as affected by fasting and refeeding.

Twelve bulls about 12 mo of age were used to study the effects of dietary stress and realimentation on muscle glycogen depletion and repletion over time. Needle biopsy techniques were used to obtain longissimus muscle samples 11 d before fasting, at the end of fasting, and 3, 7, 10 and 14 d postfasting. Fasting reduced (P less than .05) muscle glycogen from 77 to 50 mumol glycogen-glucose/g. Depressed muscle glycogen content persisted through d 3 while animals were reestablishing normal feed consumption. A glycogen repletion rate of 3 mumol glycogen-glucose X g-1 X d-1 was observed from d 3 to 7.
Effect of Clonal Selection on Daphnia Tolerance to Dark Experimental Conditions.

Recent studies have demonstrated substantial effects of environmental stress that vary among clones. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV) is an important abiotic stressor that is highly variable in aquatic ecosystems due to diel and seasonal variations in incident sunlight as well as to differences in the UV transparency of water among water bodies, the depth distribution of organisms, and the ability of organisms to detect and respond to UV. In contrast to the convention that all UV is damaging, evidence is accumulating for the beneficial effects of exposure to low levels of UV radiation. Whereas UV has been frequently observed as the primary light-related stressor, herein we present evidence that dark conditions may be similarly “stressful” (reduction of overall fitness), and stress responses vary among clones of the freshwater crustacean Daphnia parvula. We have identified a significant relationship between survivorship and reduced fecundity of clones maintained in dark conditions, but no correlation between tolerance of the clones to dark and UV radiation. Low tolerance to dark conditions can have negative effects not only on accumulated stresses in organisms (e.g. the repair of UV-induced damage in organisms with photolyase), but potentially on the overall physiology and fitness of organisms. Our results support recent evidence of the beneficial effects of low-level UV exposure for some organisms.
Plane Algebraic Curves

In Chapter 2, we learned that the set E(M, N) of solutions of a system of Fibonacci-Fermat type equations is an irreducible curve in the projective space P 3 (K), and it is biregularly isomorphic to an irreducible cubic curve C(M, N) in the projective plane P 2 (K). In Chapter 3, we shall deepen our understanding of the curve C(M, N) by exploring some basic facts of plane algebraic curves.
A space-time lower–upper symmetric Gauss–Seidel scheme for the time-spectral method

ABSTRACTThe time-spectral method (TSM) offers the advantage of increased order of accuracy compared to methods using finite-difference in time for periodic unsteady flow problems. Explicit Runge–Kutta pseudo-time marching and implicit schemes have been developed to solve iteratively the space-time coupled nonlinear equations resulting from TSM. Convergence of the explicit schemes is slow because of the stringent time-step limit. Many implicit methods have been developed for TSM. Their computational efficiency is, however, still limited in practice because of delayed implicit temporal coupling, multiple iterative loops, costly matrix operations, or lack of strong diagonal dominance of the implicit operator matrix. To overcome these shortcomings, an efficient space-time lower–upper symmetric Gauss–Seidel (ST-LU-SGS) implicit scheme with multigrid acceleration is presented. In this scheme, the implicit temporal coupling term is split as one additional dimension of space in the LU-SGS sweeps. To improve numer...
A Common but Overlooked Mechanism of BCR-ABL1 Kinase Inhibitor Resistance in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

Abstract Abstract 2179 Poster Board II-156 Point mutations in the BCR-ABL1 protein are the most commonly reported mechanism of resistance to imatinib mesylate (Gleevec or STI-571) treatment in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). We have reported that some patients with imatinib-resistant CML express an alternatively spliced BCR-ABL1 mRNA with a 35-bp insertion (BCR-ABL135INS), but the prevalence and effect of this mutation have not been well delineated. We sought to improve understanding of this mutation in order to provide insight into mechanisms of resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Using a sensitive PCR method, we determined the prevalence of the alternatively spliced BCR-ABL135INS mRNA in a group of 168 patients with chronic-phase CML resistant to imatinib. Expression of truncated protein was confirmed by Western blot in patient samples. The effects of various kinase inhibitors on human K562 CML cells transfected with BCR-ABL135INS cDNA were tested by measuring cell survival, caspase-3 activation, and the BIM activation pathway. In our analysis of BCR-ABL1 genotypes in 168 imatinib-resistant chronic-phase CML patients, (56%) of patients expressed various levels of BCR-ABL135INS whereas only (25%) had detectable point mutations in BCR-ABL1. Expression of this truncated BCR-ABL1 fusion protein was also confirmed by immunoprecipitation at levels proportional to those predicted by mRNA quantification. In vitro, BCR-ABL135INS expression conferred resistance to the tyrosine kinase inhibitors imatinib, dasatinib, and nilotinib in a concentration-dependent fashion, but had no effect on the protein-synthesis inhibitor homoharringtonine (HHT or omacetaxine) or the aurora kinase inhibitor MK-0457 (VX-680). The combination of imatinib with nilotinib or HHT was synergistic in overcoming BCR-ABL135INS-induced resistance. Moreover, the resistance to imatinib induced by BCR-ABL135INS was associated with loss of BIM expression. This loss of BIM was overcome by pretreatment with HHT. In conclusion, these findings emphasize the importance of the overlooked alternatively spliced BCR-ABL135INS found in imatinib-resistant CML patients. Optimal patient management in the future will likely require periodic testing for the expression of BCR-ABL-135INS mRNA during therapy. This may help in predicting various levels of resistance or the potential for eliminating the disease by adjusting the treatment strategy. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Nanoporous carbon derived from a functionalized metal-organic framework as a highly efficient oxygen reduction electrocatalyst.

High levels of iron–nitrogen doped porous carbon materials are obtained from MOF-253 using a step-by-step post-synthetic modification strategy. MOF-253 possessing open 2,2′-bipyridine nitrogen sites not only serves as a precursor but also provides chelate bonding sites for Fe2+. Followed by further impregnation of 1,10-phenanthroline, high surface area porous carbon materials are obtained. For comparison, when iron-1,10-phenanthroline species as a whole are incorporated into MOF-253, carbon materials with less active sites and low surface area are obtained. The porous carbon materials derived from MOF-253 by using a step-by-step post-synthetic modification strategy demonstrate excellent ORR activity, high selectivity (direct 4e− reduction of oxygen to water) and stability under both alkaline and acidic conditions. The onset potential of the porous carbon material under alkaline conditions (980 mV) is the same as that of Pt/C (20 wt%) (980 mV) and the half-wave potential (E1/2) is 840 mV, which is 20 mV more than that of Pt/C (20 wt%). Under acidic conditions, the onset potential and the half-wave potential are only 20 mV and 30 mV less than those of Pt/C (20 wt%). The developed step-by-step post-synthetic modification route of MOFs has expanded the ways to prepare functionalized porous carbon for energy related applications.
Factors associated with crash severities in built-up areas along rural highways of Nevada: A case study of 11 towns

Abstract In 2014, 32,675 deaths were recorded in vehicle crashes within the United States. Out of these, 51% of the fatalities occurred in rural highways compared to 49% in urban highways. No specific crash data are available for the built-up areas along rural highways. Due to high fatalities in rural highways, it is important to identify the factors that cause the vehicle crashes. The main objective of this study is to determine the factors associated with severities of crashes that occurred in built-up areas along the rural highways of Nevada. Those factors could aid in making informed decisions while setting up speed zones in these built-up areas. Using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression model, 337 crashes that occurred in 11 towns along the rural highways from 2002 to 2010 were analyzed. The results showed that more crashes occurred during favorable driving conditions, e.g., 87% crashes on dry roads and 70% crashes in clear weather. The binary logistic regression model showed that crashes occurred from midnight until 4 a.m. were 58.3% likely to be injury crashes rather than property damage only crashes, when other factors were kept at their mean values. Crashes on weekdays were three times more likely to be injury crashes than that occurred on weekends. When other factors were kept at their mean value, crashes involving motorcycles had an 80.2% probability of being injury crashes. Speeding was found to be 17 times more responsible for injury crashes than mechanical defects of the vehicle. As a result of this study, the Nevada Department of Transportation now can take various steps to improve public safety, including steps to reduce speeding and encourage the use of helmets for motorcycle riders.
Goed of slecht nieuws

Het centraal planbureau draait op dit moment overuren om de verschillende verkiezingsprogramma’s van politieke partijen door te rekenen. Die willen de lage kosten en hoge opbrengsten van hun programma’s graag voorleggen aan de kiezers.
Cell-specific deletion of C1qa identifies microglia as the dominant source of C1q in mouse brain

The complement cascade not only provides protection from infection but can also mediate destructive inflammation. Complement is also involved in elimination of neuronal synapses which is essential for proper development, but can be detrimental during aging and disease. C1q, required for several of these complement-mediated activities, is present in the neuropil, microglia, and a subset of interneurons in the brain. To identify the source(s) of C1q in the brain, the C1qa gene was selectively inactivated in the microglia or Thy-1+ neurons in both wild type mice and a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and C1q synthesis assessed by immunohistochemistry, QPCR, and western blot analysis. While C1q expression in the brain was unaffected after inactivation of C1qa in Thy-1+ neurons, the brains of C1qa FL/FL :Cx3cr1 CreERT2 mice in which C1qa was ablated in microglia were devoid of C1q with the exception of limited C1q in subsets of interneurons. Surprisingly, this loss of C1q occurred even in the absence of tamoxifen by 1 month of age, demonstrating that Cre activity is tamoxifen-independent in microglia in Cx3cr1 CreERT2/WganJ mice. C1q expression in C1qa FL/FL : Cx3cr1 CreERT2/WganJ mice continued to decline and remained almost completely absent through aging and in AD model mice. No difference in C1q was detected in the liver or kidney from C1qa FL/FL : Cx3cr1 CreERT2/WganJ mice relative to controls, and C1qa FL/FL : Cx3cr1 CreERT2/WganJ mice had minimal, if any, reduction in plasma C1q. Thus, microglia, but not neurons or peripheral sources, are the dominant source of C1q in the brain. While demonstrating that the Cx3cr1 CreERT2/WganJ deleter cannot be used for adult-induced deletion of genes in microglia, the model described here enables further investigation of physiological roles of C1q in the brain and identification of therapeutic targets for the selective control of complement-mediated activities contributing to neurodegenerative disorders.
Matrix product representation of locality preserving unitaries

Matrix product representation provides a useful formalism to study not only entangled states but also entangled operators in one dimension. In this paper, we focus on unitary transformations and show that matrix product operators that are unitary provide a necessary and sufficient representation of one-dimensional (1D) unitaries that preserve locality. That is, we show that matrix product operators that are unitary are guaranteed to preserve locality by mapping local operators to local operators, while at the same time all locality-preserving unitaries can be represented in a matrix product way. Moreover, we show that matrix product representation gives a straightforward way to extract the index defined by Gross, Nesme, Vogts, and Werner in [D. Gross et al., Commun. Math. Phys. 310, 419 (2012)] for classifying 1D locality-preserving unitaries. The key to our discussion is a set of “fixed-point” conditions which characterize the form of the matrix product unitary operators after blocking sites. Finally, we show that if the unitary condition is only required for certain system sizes, then matrix product formalism allows more possibilities. In particular, we give an example of a simple matrix product operator which is unitary only for odd system sizes, does not preserve locality, and carries a “fractional” index.
Understanding Gaming Perceptions and Experiences in a Women's College Community

Recent trends in gaming diversification have shown that women are both an increasingly significant pool of consumers and game producers, and regular victims of misogynistic harassment. Such observations stress the importance of investigating the complex relationships of women and gaming. In this paper, we draw upon perspectives from Feminist HCI to extend the current knowledge of issues in gaming that are specific to women. We present results from a mixed-methods study with 327 participants who are students and alumnae of a women's college. Our findings shed light on the complex relationships of women with games, with other gamers, and with gaming culture and industry. The results also indicate that in some cases gender-related negative experiences of gaming have lasting impact on the participation and self-confidence of young women. We conclude by discussing the implications of our findings for the design of games, game development education, and for the study of gaming.
Using polyfurfuryl alcohol to improve the hydrothermal stability of mesoporous oxides for reactions in the aqueous phase

Hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of bio-oils derived from the pyrolysis of woody biomass is required to improve the stability and heating value of the liquid hydrocarbon products. Since pyrolysis produces bio-oils having up to 30 vol% water, HDO catalysts must not only be active and selective, but also stable under hydrothermal conditions associated with HDO upgrading. We investigated the effect of carbon coatings on a variety of silica, mixed zirconia-silica oxides and alumina. Surface area and porosity changes from exposure to controlled steaming conditions were used to evaluate the effectiveness of carbon coating on support stability. Systematic studies of the effects of the composition and structure of the carbon precursor, the inclusion of a zirconium modifier, the carbon loading and carbonization conditions led to the development of highly stable carbon modified zirconium silicate and mesoporous alumina supports that substantially maintain pore size distribution and surface area after steaming at 493 K with 23 bar of steam pressure.
Myocardial Injury as a New Target for Cell Therapy in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure: When Something Bad Is Actually Good?

Although cell therapy in patients with chronic heart failure has been safe, its efficacy has been modest with considerable variability across trials.1,2 This may be attributed to a wide variety of factors, including cell type and dose, cell function—in particular autologous cells, method of delivery, cell processing issues, and the pathogenesis of heart failure. However, important factors rarely considered are individual patient characteristics that may be predictive of the clinical response to therapy and recovery of left ventricular (LV) function. Knowledge of these characteristics would be helpful in selecting patients for cell therapy trials and further identifying mechanisms of benefit. Article, see p 1938 In patients with recent ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction who received bone marrow mononuclear stem cells (BMCs), several clinical characteristics from the TIME trial3 (Timing in Myocardial Infarction Evaluation) and its pilot study4 predicted improved LV function at 6 months (defined as a >10% absolute improvement in LV ejection fraction [LVEF]). Not surprisingly, patients with shorter ischemic times, smaller infarcts, and those with pre-infarction angina had significant recovery of LV function. Conversely, patients with larger infarcts and increased LV mass experienced a decline in LVEF over time. In addition, the presence of microvascular obstruction on baseline magnetic resonance imaging was most predictive of adverse LV remodeling. These changes in LV function were observed irrespective of treatment with BMCs or placebo. Identifying those patients in a chronic heart failure population who would benefit from cell therapy may be more challenging given the chronicity of the disease and decline in stem cell homing signals. The chemokine SDF-1 (stromal-derived factor-1) and its CXCR4 (chemokine receptor type 4) ligand are important mediators of tissue repair and stem cell homing. SDF-1 is briefly upregulated in response to tissue injury, such as myocardial infarction, and may enhance …
Regulation of Escherichia coli Pathogenesis by Alternative Sigma Factor N

σN (also σ54) is an alternative sigma factor subunit of the RNA polymerase complex that regulates the expression of genes from many different ontological groups. It is broadly conserved in the Eubacteria with major roles in nitrogen metabolism, membrane biogenesis, and motility. σN is encoded as the first gene of a five-gene operon including rpoN (σN), ptsN, hpf, rapZ, and npr that has been genetically retained among species of Escherichia, Shigella, and Salmonella. In an increasing number of bacteria, σN has been implicated in the control of genes essential to pathogenic behavior, including those involved in adherence, secretion, immune subversion, biofilm formation, toxin production, and resistance to both antimicrobials and biological stressors. For most pathogens how this is achieved is unknown. In enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157, Salmonella enterica, and Borrelia burgdorferi, regulation of virulence by σN requires another alternative sigma factor, σS, yet the model by which σN-σS virulence regulation is predicted to occur is varied in each of these pathogens. In this review, the importance of σN to bacterial pathogenesis is introduced, and common features of σN-dependent virulence regulation discussed. Emphasis is placed on the molecular mechanisms underlying σN virulence regulation in E. coli O157. This includes a review of the structure and function of regulatory pathways connecting σN to virulence expression, predicted input signals for pathway stimulation, and the role for cognate σN activators in initiation of gene systems determining pathogenic behavior.
Evolving a real-time evacuation for urban disaster management

In an urban disaster it is important to efficiently evacuate people to safety. We use evolution strategies and a probability model to route the population by optimizing their safety. The algorithm is designed to use the strengths of evolutionary computing to repeatedly optimize an evacuation under the dynamics of a disaster such as accidents blocking critical roadways, bridge collapses, debris closures, changes in safety, and people not following evacuation directions. Our model is unconcerned with specific evacuation routes but rather evolves a robust cloud of probabilities to represent best directions of escape. We show that maintaining a population of diverse solutions may allow for rapid adaptation as a disaster unfolds. The core optimization algorithm is tested using challenging test cases as well as real-world data.
Complications of First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Arthrodesis

First metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) arthrodesis has long been established as an effective surgical procedure for treatment of many different pathologies. These commonly include severe hallux valgus, chronic joint instability, neuromuscular disease, avascular necrosis, and arthritic conditions such as hallux rigidus, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, infective arthritis, gouty arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis [1–25]. First MTPJ arthrodesis has also been indicated for failed procedures of the first ray including previous hallux valgus osteotomies, hallux varus deformity, and salvage of replacement and resectional arthroplasties [20, 26–38]. As with any surgical procedure, complications of first MTPJ arthrodesis may arise postoperatively, which may include infection, wound dehiscence, osteomyelitis, ischemic limb, nerve entrapment hematoma, seroma, failed hardware, delayed union, nonunion, malunion, and hallux interphalangeal joint (HIPJ) arthritis [4, 5, 13, 14, 19, 39–44]. Amputation or loss of limb may be a catastrophic sequelae as a result of one of the aforementioned complications.