cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Flavonoids as DNA topoisomerase antagonists and poisons: structure-activity relationships

Selected flavonoids were tested for their ability to inhibit the catalytic activity of DNA topoisomerase (topo) I and II. Myricetin, quercetin, fisetin, and morin were found to inhibit both enzymes, while phloretin, kaempferol, and 4',6,7-trihydroxyisoflavone inhibited topo II without inhibiting topo I. Flavonoids demonstrating potent topo I and II inhibition required hydroxyl group substitution at the C-3, C-7, C-3', and C-4' positions and also required a keto group at C-4. Additional B-ring hydroxylation enhanced flavonoid topo I inhibitory action. A C-2, C-3 double bond was also required, but when the A ring is opened, the requirement for the double bond was eliminated. Genistein has been previously reported to stabilize the covalent topo II-DNA cleavage complex and thus function as a topo II poison. All flavonoids were tested for their ability to stabilize the cleavage complex between topo I or topo II and DNA. None of the agents stabilized the topo I-DNA cleavage complex, but prunetin, quercetin, kaempferol, and apigenin stabilized the topo II DNA-complex. Competition experiments have shown that genistein-induced topo II-mediated DNA cleavage can be inhibited by myricetin, suggesting that both types of inhibitors (antagonists and poisons) interact with the same functional domain of their target enzyme. These results are of use for the selection of flavonoids that can inhibit specific topoisomerases at specific stages of the topoisomerization reaction.
A Pilot Course for the Training of Peer Counselors for Educationally Disadvantaged Students

Peers gain insights into their own problems and they mature in interpersonal relations as they perform a counseling service to disadvantaged students.
Differences in the perception of monocular and binocular gaze.

PURPOSE: The judged direction of side gaze from a straight head is known to be biased from its true direction. This study reports the specific biases in the perceived direction of gaze from right, left, or both eyes when targets are in the plane of the observer or in a plane in front of the observer. Theories are discussed about the ocular cues that are used to determine the perceived direction of gaze. METHODS: Two sets of 16 observers judged the direction of gaze from each of two models whose LCD-imaged heads gazed toward points that were either on the plane of the observers' faces or on a plane that was midway between the models and observers. RESULTS: For both distant and near targets, straight monocular gaze from the right and left eyes appeared to be mildly exotropic, as expected from the positive angle kappa of the models, but straight binocular gaze appeared orthotropic. However, when binocular gaze was toward the side, the perceived direction of gaze differed significantly between the two eyes, and for this condition, the perception of binocular gaze followed that of the abducting eye. CONCLUSION: When the perceived directions of monocular gaze from the two eyes do not agree, the perceived direction of binocular gaze resolves this conflict by matching that of the abducting eye.
Children's reactions to serial murder

This study examined the psychological reactions of children who lived in a community exposed to serial murder. The research also examined how parents coped with their children's psychological responses. Thirty-four parents of 64 children between the ages of 5 and 18, inclusive, were asked to identify changes in their children since the serial murders. Data collection began 4 weeks following the murders and included assessment of emotional, cognitive and behavioral aspects of the child's responses. Follow-up data collection occurred at 9 months and 18 months after the murders. Results indicated that children, as a group, experienced a number of psychological changes following the murders, even though none of the actual victims were children. The most frequently reported symptoms were anxiety-based (fear of being alone, difficulty falling asleep and wanting to sleep with patents). Most children showed a significant decline in symptoms across time. The most popular parent coping strategies involved discussing issues of risk minimization, talking about the murders, and spending more time with children.
Extinction following intracranial reward: Frustration or drive decay?

Rats trained to press a bar for intracranial reinforcement underwent repeated extinctions and reacquisitions. The first five extinction periods were immediately preceded by a reinforcement period. The last extinction session occurred 24 h after the last reinforcement period. Extinction scores were higher during this session than during the previous ones. This proactive effect of reinforcement training on subsequent extinction is incompatible with the drive decay theory of self-stimulation, but is consistent with an interpretation of frustration produced by non-reward.
British policy toward the Baltic States, 1940–41

(1980). British policy toward the Baltic States, 1940–41. Journal of Baltic Studies: Vol. 11, No. 4, pp. 325-333.
Evidence for a Trimodal Pattern of Acetylation of Isoniazid in Uremic Subjects

Isoniazid metabolic clearance values were calculated retrospectively and plotted on a frequency distribution histogram. A trimodal distribution pattern was observed. According to a two-allele codominant model, the mean clearance values of the slow and rapid acetylators closely predicted the mean clearance value for the intermediate acetylators. The potential clinical implications of identifying intermediate and rapid acetylators of isoniazid and its use in renal failure are discussed.
Social consequences of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases

EnglishInfectious diseases are responsible for nearly half of all deaths in developing countries. The re-emergence of old diseases and drug-resistant pathogens is creating enormous public health challenges. New diseases have been and are being detected. This article suggests that if we act quickly widespread outbreak can be averted.FrenchLes maladies infectueuses sont responsables de pres de la moitie des mortalites dans les pays en voie de developpement. La re-emergence d'anciennes maladies et de pathologies resistantes aux medicaments presentent d'enormes defis aux systemes de sante publique. De nouvelles maladies ont recemment ete detectees et sont en train d'etre detectees. Cet article suggere qu'une action rapide pourrait contrer une propagation a echelle epidemique.SpanishLas enfermedades infecciosas son la causa de la mitad del total de muertes en los paises en vias de desarrollo. El resurgimiento de viejas enfermedades y la resistencia patogena a los medicamentos constituye un reto enorme para la ...
Molecular Cloning and Expression of a cDNA Encoding a Coccidioides posadasii 1,2‐α‐Mannosidase Identified in the Coccidioidal T27K Vaccine by Immunoproteomic Methods

The coccidioidal T27K vaccine is protective in mice against respiratory challenge with Coccidioides posadasii (C. posadasii) arthroconidia. The vaccine is a subcellular multicomponent preparation that has not been fully characterized. To identify potential protective antigens in the heterogeneous mixture, the vaccine has been separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and then analyzed for seroreactive proteins using immunoblot analysis with pooled sera from patients with coccidioidomycosis. Two seroreactive spots of identical apparent molecular weight were identified and sequenced using tandem mass spectrometry. Three peptides were generated, two of which matched a tentative consensus sequence in the TIGR C. posadasii 2.0 gene index database that is similar to fungal 1,2-alpha-mannosidases. The 5' and 3' ends of the mannosidase cDNA were mapped using rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and a full-length cDNA was then obtained using reverse-transcription (RT) PCR. The cDNA was cloned and sequenced and expressed as a recombinant protein. The predicted protein consists of 519 amino acids, has a theoretical molecular weight and pI of 56,918 Da and 4.84, respectively, and is very similar (>60%) to other fungal 1,2-alpha-mannosidases. Class I 1,2-alpha-mannosidase enzyme activity was also detected in the T27K vaccine using the substrate, Man-alpha-1,2-Man-alpha-OCH(3) in a spectrophotometric assay.
Effects of the addition of graphite oxide to the precursor of a nanoporous carbon on the electrochemical performance of the resulting carbonaceous composites

Abstract Composites of reduced graphite oxide and nanoporous sodium-salt-polymer-derived carbons were prepared with 5 or 20 weight% graphite oxide. The materials were characterized using the adsorption of nitrogen, SEM/EDX, elemental analysis and potentiometric titration. DC conductivity was also measured. The performance of the carbon composites in energy storage was linked to their surface features and the effects of the graphene phase addition on these features. Even though the graphene phase increases the electronic conductivity of all materials, the porosity, and especially pores smaller than 0.8 nm, is the main factor governing the capacitive behavior. Owing to the sodium in the carbon precursor and the presence of graphene layers, unique small pores, similar in size to the electrolyte ions are developed in the resulting composites. These pores increase the capacitance by an electrical double layer mechanism. The composites obtained exhibit noticeable redox reactions due to the presence of oxygen and sulfur in the carbon matrix. An increase in the heat treatment temperature increases the capacitance retention ratio at higher currents owing to an increase in the conductivity and chemical stability of the surface.
Nhs: network-based hierarchical segmentation for cryo-electron microscopy density maps.

Electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) experiments yield low-resolution (3–30A) 3D-density maps of macromolecules. These density maps are segmented to identify structurally distinct proteins, protein domains, and sub-units. Such partitioning aids the inference of protein motions and guides fitting of high-resolution atomistic structures. Cryo-EM density map segmentation has traditionally required tedious and subjective manual partitioning or semi-supervised computational methods, while validation of resulting segmentations has remained an open problem in this field. Our network-based bias-free segmentation method for cryo-EM density map segmentation, Nhs (Network-based hierarchical segmentation), provides the user with a multi-scale partitioning, reflecting local and global clustering, while requiring no user input. This approach models each map as a graph, where map voxels constitute nodes and edges connect neighboring voxels. Nhs initiates Markov diffusion (or random walk) on the weighted graph. As Markov probabilities homogenize through diffusion, an intrinsic segmentation emerges. We validate the segmentations with ground-truth maps based on atomistic models. When implemented on density maps in the 2010 Cryo-EM Modeling Challenge, Nhs efficiently and objectively partitions macromolecules into structurally and functionally relevant sub-regions at multiple scales.
Cauchy inequalities for the spectral radius of products of diagonal and nonnegative matrices

Inequalities for convex functions on the lattice of partitions of a set partially ordered by refinement lead to multivariate generalizations of inequalities of Cauchy and Rogers-Holder and to eigenvalue inequalities needed in the theory of population dynamics in Markovian environments: If A is an n× n nonnegative matrix, n > 1, D is an n× n diagonal matrix with positive diagonal elements, r(·) is the spectral radius of a square matrix, r(A) > 0, and x ∈ [1,∞), then rx−1(A)r(DxA) ≥ rx(DA). When A is irreducible and ATA is irreducible and x > 1, then equality holds if and only if all elements of D are equal. Conversely, when x > 1 and rx−1(A)r(DxA) = rx(DA) if and only if all elements of D are equal, then A is irreducible and ATA is irreducible.
Redox-active polymer-nanoparticle hybrid materials

Ring-opening metathesis polymerization was used to modify organic soluble gold nanoparticles with redox-active polymers. A gel-permeation chromatography study revealed that each nanoparticle is modified with approximately 11 polymer chains. Electrochemical studies of nanoparticles modified with block copolymers of two different redox-active groups revealed that each monomer is electrochemically accessible, while no current rectification was observed.
Acetylcholine noise in tissue culture muscle cells.

ELECTRICAL shot noise fluctuations are produced at the motor endplate by steady streams of acetylcholine (Ach) molecules1–3 and at photoreceptors by steady streams of photons4. These fluctuations appear to be the result of the statistical opening and closing of elementary units of ionic conductance in the excitable cell membrane. Analysis of such shot noise fluctuations gives information about the magnitude of the elementary conductance unit and the kinetics of the activation of these units during membrane excitation.
Effect of fine wire electrode insertion on gait patterns in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

Abstract Background Fine wire electromyography (EMG) is commonly used for surgical decision making in equinovarus foot deformity. However, this invasive technique may have the unwanted effect of altering the gait of children with cerebral palsy (CP). The purpose of this study was to determine if fine wire insertion into the posterior tibialis muscle affects temporal-spatial parameters and hindfoot kinematics during gait in children with equinovarus secondary to hemiplegic CP. Methods 12 children with hemiplegic CP who presented with an equinovarus foot (mean age 12.5 yrs, four right-sided, eight left-sided) were recruited. Temporal-spatial parameters and 3-D segmental foot and ankle kinematic gait data were collected utilizing standard gait analysis and the Milwaukee Foot Model (MFM). Three representative trials with and without fine wire electrode insertion were compared to determine the effect of electrode placement in the posterior tibialis on temporal spatial-parameters and hindfoot sagittal, coronal and transverse plane kinematic peaks, timing of kinematic peaks, and excursions. Results No significant differences in any temporal-spatial or kinematic parameters were observed between “with wire” and “without wire” conditions. Strong correlations were observed among the gait parameters, with the exception of cadence, for the two conditions. Discussion Fine wire insertion into the posterior tibialis had no measurable effect on the gait of individuals with equinovarus secondary to hemiplegic CP. This suggests that the simultaneous collection of segmental foot and ankle kinematics and fine wire EMG data of the posterior tibialis is acceptable for surgical decision making in this patient population.
Molecular sequence accuracy: analysing imperfect data

Molecular sequences are experimentally derived data that can be expected to contain errors as a result of diverse phenomena such as biological variation, molecular cloning artifacts, imperfect sequence determination, and data handling during contig assembly. Errors will affect the reliability of database searches and sequence alignments, but their impact may be minimized by the use of analytical techniques that anticipate that the data will be imperfect.
Sturge-Weber syndrome and glaucoma

Abstract Background Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) belongs to a group of disorders known as the phakomatoses. It is characterized by congenital hamartomatous malformations involving the eye, skin, and central nervous system. Several ocular complications are associated with SWS, including glaucoma. Case A 66-year-old black man presented with a history of SWS and previously diagnosed glaucoma. Conclusion Clinicians need to be aware of cutaneous, neurologic, and ocular complications of this condition. However, glaucoma is the most common ocular complication of SWS.
Routing topology inference for wireless sensor networks

We consider an important problem of wireless sensor network (WSN) routing topology inference/tomography from indirect measurements observed at the data sink. Previous studies on WSN topology tomography are restricted to static routing tree estimation, which is unrealistic in real-world WSN time-varying routing due to wireless channel dynamics. We study general WSN routing topology inference where routing structure is dynamic. We formulate the problem as a novel compressed sensing problem. We then devise a suite of decoding algorithms to recover the routing path of each aggregated measurement. Our approach is tested and evaluated though simulations with favorable results. WSN routing topology inference capability is essential for routing improvement, topology control, anomaly detection and load balance to enable effective network management and optimized operations of deployed WSNs.
Computations for a vibrating system diagonalize the variance

The transformations to diagonalize potential energy matrices for coupled harmonic oscillators will also diagonalize the variance when written in matrix form. After a brief review of a geometrical interpretation of the variance, the transformations are described and an example is given.
Mechanistic contribution of carnitine deficiency to geriatric frailty

Frailty is a geriatric syndrome characterized by muscle weakness, sarcopenia, and fatigue, and is associated with several adverse health outcomes, including disability. Design of therapeutic interventions for geriatric frailty has been challenging and may be because of inadequate understanding of its biological underpinnings. Carnitine is important for energy production in skeletal muscles and there seems to be a negative correlation between advancing age and muscle carnitine levels. Carnitine deficiency may therefore contribute to geriatric frailty. Age-associated carnitine deficiency from a variety of etiologies, including organic cation transporter (OCTN2) mutation and carnitine palmitoyltransferase II (CPT) deficiency, may potentially explain the relationship between carnitine-associated mitochondrial dysfunction and geriatric frailty. Development of therapeutic agents capable of prevention or reversal of carnitine deficiency in older adults may minimize the occurrence of frailty in geriatric populations.
Critical island size for a shape transition in strained Cu/Ni(100) islands

Abstract We examine the shape instability of dislocation-free strained islands in heteroepitaxial growth, using continuum elasticity theory. Using the dipole interaction approximation for the strain-energy proposed by Pimpinelli and Villain, we have calculated the critical island size at which the shape instability may occur, and found that our expressions for the strain-energy and corresponding critical island size are very similar to those obtained by Li, Liu, and Lagally (Phys. Rev. Lett. 85 (2000) 1922). In addition, for the case of Cu/Ni(100) submonolayer islands we have carried out a direct comparison between the continuum elasticity predictions for the force monopole density and dipole interaction energy and atomistic calculations. Our results indicate that while the continuum elasticity expressions significantly underestimate both the force monopole density and the dipole interaction energy, the use of atomistic calculations leads to reasonable agreement between the two approaches. Our results also confirm that the experimentally observed ramified islands in Cu/Ni(100) submonolayer growth cannot be explained by equilibrium energetics arguments.
Correlation of inert gas hollow cathode performance

A use of the inert gases argon and xenon as possible alternatives to mercury and cesium is being considered for electrical propulsion applications. Operation up to 200 hours has been demonstrated for hollow cathodes employing argon as propellant. A description is presented of an investigation which has been conducted to obtain basic information for an improvement of hollow cathode performance with inert gases. Neutralizer tests were conducted in a 1.2-m diameter vacuum tank, with a 15-cm multipole thruster. Progress was achieved towards the goal of a generalized description of hollow cathode performance. Extrapolation of the erosion based upon a 200-hour endurance test predicts an ultimate lifetime of 1400 to 10,000 hours.
The modification of cerebral electrical activity by intracarotid and topically applied diodrast.

Abstract The effects of intra-carotid injection and topical application of Diodrast on the electrical activity of the brain in humans, cats and monkeys are described. These effects are complex and have been classified as: 1. 1. Augmentation of activity when an increase of previously present discharges or an altogether new type of discharge occurs. 2. 2. Decreased activity when diminution of previously present discharges occurs. 3. 3. If abnormal discharges such as spikes or slow waves are present in the resting record the drug may have a profound effect on them in either an augmenting or a decreasing sense. Slow activity is most often increased whereas the effect on a spike discharge may be augmenting or decreasing, depending on many variables. 4. 4. The most commonly encountered effect would seem to be irritative or convulsive in nature as instanced by the precipitation of electrical seizure discharges in cortical epileptic foci and the prolongation of high-frequency bursts in single-unit responses evoked by peripheral stimulation. The augmentation of evoked responses as recorded on the pial surface over (in) primary sensory receiving areas followed by the subsequent appearance of responses in association areas could well be due to a similar irritative effect, as could also the desynchronization effect when rhythmic burst activity is abolished. 5. 5. It would seem likely that the augmentation of delta foci in the neighborhood of destructive lesions and some instances of flattening of rhythmic burst activity is due to a depression or disruption of neuronal activity which has little in common with the irritative effects.
ACTIVIN-LIKE SIGNAL ACTIVATES DORSAL-SPECIFIC MATERNAL RNA BETWEEN 8- AND 16-CELL STAGES OF XENOPUS

In many animals the dorsalventral axis forms by an initial localization of maternal molecules, which then regulate the spatial location of signals that directly influence the expression of axis-specific fates. Several recent studies have demonstrated that dorsal-animal blastomeres of the Xenopus morula (8–32 cells) are biased toward dorsal fates prior to mesoderm inductive signaling In this study we ask whether the dorsal bias is the result of autonomous expression of maternal molecules specifically localized within dorsal cells or of early activating signals. It was found that although 16-cell dorsal-animal blastomeres (D1.1) can differentiate into dorsal tissues when cultured alone, the 8-cell mothers (D1) can not. Likewise, although RNA extracted from D1.1 can induce an extra dorsal axis when injected into vegetal blastomeres, RNA extracted from D1 can not. However, D1 does express dorsal tissues if co-cultured with dorsal-vegetal cells or with culture medium containing a mixture of activins (PIF-medium). Furthermore, short-term culture of D1 in PIF-medium enables the D1 RNA to induce an ectopic dorsal axis. Ven ral-animal blastomeres also can express dorsal axial tissues when co-cultured with dorsal-vegetal blastomeres or in PIF-medium, but the RNA from the activin-treated ventral cells cannot induce ectopic dorsal axes. These studies demonstrate that there are maternal RNAs that, shortly after fertilization are present only in the dorsalanimal region. They do not act cell autonomously, but require an activin-like signal. These RNAs may function by increasing the responsiveness of dorsal-animal blastomeres to the mesoderm inductive signals present in both the morula and the blastula. © Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Purification and characterization of PRD1 DNA polymerase.

Abstract A small lipid-containing bacteriophage PRD1 encodes a DNA polymerase that utilizes a protein primer for the initiation of DNA replication. The purification of the PRD1 DNA polymerase has been hampered by the insolubility of the overexpressed enzyme in Escherichia coli cells. We have developed a simple and rapid procedure for purification of the overexpressed PRD1 DNA polymerase. This method is based on guanidine hydrochloride denaturation and renaturation of the insoluble PRD1 DNA polymerase overexpressed in E. coli containing the recombinant plasmid pEJG. The purified DNA polymerase was extensively characterized and found to be indistinguishable from the normal soluble PRD1 DNA polymerase as judged by enzymatic properties. These properties include: protein-primed initiation of PRD1 DNA replication, strand-displacement DNA synthesis, DNA polymerase processivity, 3′ to 5′ exonuclease activity and filling-in repair type DNA synthesis. Furthermore, the kinetic parameters determined for dNTPs and primer-terminus were of the same order of magnitude. The availability of a simple purification procedure for the PRD1 DNA polymerase should permit detailed structure-function analysis of this enzyme.
Some short-lived isotopes of cerium and praseodymium☆

Abstract The following new β-decay chains of cerium and praseodymium were identified in the fission products of 235U: 147Ce(65 ± 6 sec)-147Pr(12·0 ± 0.5 min) and 148Ce(43 ± 10 sec)-148Pr(1·98 ± 0·10 min). The cerium half-lives were determined by measuring the relative amounts of the praseodymium daughter activities in samples milked from fission product cerium at suitable intervals. The praseodymium half-lives were obtained by direct observation of the decay of the milked samples. Studies of the radiations of 147Pr and 148Pr with β- and γ-scintillation spectrometers indicated total β-decay energies of 2·7 ± 0·2 MeV and 4·5 ± 0·4 MeV, respectively. A partial decay scheme for 147Pr has been proposed. The mass assignments of 5·98 hr 145Pr and the 12 min 147Pr were substantiated by (γ, p) reactions on enriched 146Nd and 148Nd. Similar irradiations of 150Nd produced some evidence for an ≈ 2·3 min activity attributable to 149Pr.
5-year follow-up study of children with low-to-moderate lead absorption: electrophysiological evaluation.

Abstract Forty-nine children aged 6 to 12 years were evaluated for residual effects of lead exposure using psychometric, electrophysiological, and medical tests 5 years after initial assessment. The original range of blood lead (PbB) levels was 6–59 ( x = 28 ) μg/dl; the current range was 6–30 ( x = 14 ) μg/dl. A linear relationship between PbB and slow brain wave voltage during sensory conditioning was observed at initial evaluation and at 2-year follow-up. No significant relationship between PbB and slow wave voltage during passive conditioning was found at the 5-year follow-up, although a linear increase in slow wave negativity relative to the current PbB level during active conditioning was suggested by exploratory analyses. Another exploratory analysis revealed a significant linear relationship between the original PbB levels and the latency of waves III and V of the brainstem auditory evoked potential. The latency of both waves increased as a function of original PbB. Increased latency of these waves is suggestive of subclinical pathology of the auditory pathway rostral to the cochlear nucleus, although end-organ impairment cannot be ruled out. No threshold for the effect of Pb on auditory function was apparent.
A high-efficiency maximum power point tracker for photovoltaic arrays in a solar-powered race vehicle

A maximum power point tracker for photovoltaic arrays is presented. Components are optimized for weight/power-loss tradeoff in a solar-powered vehicle, resulting in over 97% efficiency. The control circuit uses a robust auto-oscillation method. Measurement and multiplication of array voltage and current is shown to be unnecessary, and the control is based only on output current measurement. Multiple local maxima arising from partial shading of the solar array are discussed. >
Scientific note on mass collection and hatching of honey bee embryos

Honey bees provide excellent opportunities for studying development, behavior, and defenses against natural parasites and pathogens. They are also a critical component of modern agriculture, through their leading role in pollinating the world’s crops (Aizen and Harder, 2009). Research and diagnostic methods for honey bees require efficient sampling methods for all colony members, often involving a large number of individual bees. As one example, surveys of honey bees for their pathogens require substantial sample sizes within colonies, especially when there is variation across individuals in infection rate or pathogen loads. This need for greater sampling must be balanced by the expenses involved with collecting and screening numerous colony members. In the case of whole-colony surveys for pathogens, mass extractions from adult workers require scaled up amounts of expensive reagents and, as a result, most such surveys have been limited to a small subset of colony members (vanEngelsdorp et al., 2009). Further, collections of adult workers are likely to contain bees of varied ages and levels of pathogen exposure. For pathogens that are inherited vertically (e.g., many viruses, Chen et al., 2006a, b; Yue et al., 2007; de Miranda and Fries, 2008) it can be more informative to collect embryos as an indicator of pathogen risk. When transmission efficiency from queens to their embryos is variable, such collections need to be made on many individual embryos in order to ensure correct diagnoses. Mass removal of viable embryos can also be used as a screening tool for genetic traits of interest including genetic transformation events and, in principle, an efficient first step in programs for in vitro rearing of honey bee
Gluconic Acid from Biomass Fast Pyrolysis Oils: Specialty Chemicals from the Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass

Fast pyrolysis of biomass to produce a bio-oil followed by catalytic upgrading is a widely studied approach for the potential production of fuels from biomass. Because of the complexity of the bio-oil, most upgrading strategies focus on removing oxygen from the entire mixture to produce fuels. Here we report a novel method for the production of the specialty chemical, gluconic acid, from the pyrolysis of biomass. Through a combination of sequential condensation of pyrolysis vapors and water extraction, a solution rich in levoglucosan is obtained that accounts for over 30 % of the carbon in the bio-oil produced from red oak. A simple filtration step yields a stream of high-purity levoglucosan. This stream of levoglucosan is then hydrolyzed and partially oxidized to yield gluconic acid with high purity and selectivity. This combination of cost-effective pyrolysis coupled with simple separation and upgrading could enable a variety of new product markets for chemicals from biomass.
Identification of Mycobacteria in Solid-Culture Media by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has recently been introduced into the clinical microbiology laboratory as a rapid and accurate method to identify bacteria and yeasts. In this paper we describe our work on the use of MALDI-TOF MS for the identification of mycobacterial isolates. We developed a protocol for protein extraction from mycobacteria and utilized it to construct a database containing 42 clinically relevant type and reference strains of mycobacteria. The database was used to identify 104 clinical isolates of mycobacteria. All members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex were identified accurately at the complex level but could not be separated at the species level. All other organisms were identified at the species level, with the exception of one strain of M. kansasii (accurately identified but with a low spectral score) and three pairs of closely related strains: M. abscessus and M. massiliense, M. mucogenicum and M. phocaicum, and M. chimaera and M. intracellulare. These pairs of organisms can currently be identified only by multilocus gene sequence analysis. We conclude that MALDI-TOF MS analysis can be incorporated into the work flow of the microbiology laboratory for rapid and accurate identification of most strains of mycobacteria isolated from solid growth media.
Neurological Complications of Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has decreased the morbidity and mortality associated with open surgical repair of descending thoracic aortic diseases, but important complications unique to the procedure remain. Spinal cord ischemia and infarction is a recognized complication caused by endovascular coverage or injury to spinal cord collateral vessels. Stroke is a consequence of thromboembolism or coverage of aortic arch branch vessels with insufficient collateral circulation. Understanding the risk factors and the pathophysiology of neurological complications of TEVAR are important for the successful anesthetic and surgical management and treatment of patients undergoing endovascular procedures involving the thoracic aorta.
Speech synthesis for computer assisted instruction: The MISS system and its applications

The Institute for Mathematical Studies in the Social Sciences at Stanford (IMSSS) has developed a synthesis system, MISS (Microprogrammed Intoned Speech Synthesizer), designed to test the effectiveness of computer-generated speech in the context of complex CAI programs. No one method of computer controlled speech production is completely satisfactory for all the uses of computer-assisted instruction (CAI). The choice of synthesis method is strongly related to the kinds of curriculums and instructional designs that will use speech. We chose to use acoustic modelling by linear predictive coding as the method of synthesis for MISS.(1)In Section 2 we describe criteria appropriate for organizing the comparison of voice response systems for use with instructional computers. Then we describe the particular requirements imposed by curriculums at IMSSS, review general voice synthesis techniques, and finally discuss our actual choice. In Sections 3 and 4 we outline the hardware and software that have been created to support MISS in operational CAI at Stanford.In Section 5 we discuss the applications of audio to CAI.
Address translation mechanisms in network interfaces

Good network hardware performance is often squandered by overheads for accessing the network interface (NI) within a host. NIs that support user-level messaging avoid frequent operating system (OS) action yet unnecessary copying can still result in low performance. We explore improving application messaging performance by eliminating all unnecessary copies (minimal messaging). For minimal messaging, NIs must support address translation and must do so more richly than has been done in the past. NI address translation should flexibly support higher-level abstractions, map all user space, exploit translation locality, and degrade gracefully, when locality is poor. We classify NI address translation implementations based on where the lookup and the miss handling are performed (CPU or NI). We present alternative designs and we consider how they interact with the OS. We provide simulation results that evaluate the alternative design points and we demonstrate feasibility with a real implementation using Myrinet. We find: NIs need not have hardware lookup structures, as software schemes are fast enough; it is difficult for an NI to handle its own translation misses unless commercial operating systems are substantially modified to view an NI as CPU peer; in the conventional situation where the operating system views the NI as a device, minimal messaging should be used only when the translation is present, while a single-copy protocol is used when it is not; and alternatively one can currently get acceptable performance when the CPU handle misses if the kernel provides very fast trap interfaces but microprocessor and operating system trends may make this alternative less viable in the long run.
JUSTIFICATION AND WAYS OF BELIEVING

One of the issues that has been hotly discussed in connection with the direct designation theory is whether or not coreferential names can be substituted salva veritate in epistemic contexts. Some direct designation theorists believe that they can be so substituted. Some direct designation theorists and all Fregeans and neo-Fregeans believe that they cannot be so substituted. Fregeans of various stripes have used their intuition against free substitution to argue against the direct designation theory. Some direct designation theorists have used the same intuitions to argue against the view that belief reports of simple declarative sentences can be accounted for with singular propositions. 1 This paper has two main goals; first, to show that the discussion of the issue has tended to treat all epistemic contexts equally, and second, to argue that we should not treat substitutions in contexts that involve justification (and hence knowledge) in the same way as we treat substitution in simple belief contexts, i.e., contexts that just involve the belief relation. I.
LU-GPU: Efficient Algorithms for Solving Dense Linear Systems on Graphics Hardware

We present a novel algorithm to solve dense linear systems using graphics processors (GPUs). We reduce matrix decomposition and row operations to a series of rasterization problems on the GPU. These include new techniques for streaming index pairs, swapping rows and columns and parallelizing the computation to utilize multiple vertex and fragment processors. We also use appropriate data representations to match the rasterization order and cache technology of graphics processors. We have implemented our algorithm on different GPUs and compared the performance with optimized CPU implementations. In particular, our implementation on a NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GPU outperforms a CPU-based ATLAS implementation. Moreover, our results show that our algorithm is cache and bandwidth efficient and scales well with the number of fragment processors within the GPU and the core GPU clock rate. We use our algorithm for fluid flow simulation and demonstrate that the commodity GPU is a useful co-processor for many scientific applications.
Critical role of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion in the treatment of a patient with Pseudomyxoma peritonei.

The role of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (HIPEC) in the treatment of Pseudomyxoma peritonei is debated by clinicians. We report the case of a patient who had multiple episodes of short-interval disease recurrence following debulking surgery, and only achieved long-term remission with the addition of HIPEC. A review of the relevant literature is presented. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Photonic Quantum Dual-Containing LDPC Encoders and Decoders

We propose encoder and decoder architectures for quantum low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes suitable for all-optical implementation, based on controlled-not (CNOT) and Hadamard gates only. Given the fact that the CNOT gate can be implemented using directional couplers, and Hadamard gate by using pi-hybrid, the proposed encoders/decoders architectures are suitable for implementation in integrated optics. In addition, we propose several quantum LDPC codes based on balanced incomplete block designs.
Technical factors affecting autogenous vein graft failure: Observations from a large multicenter trial

Objective The influence of operator-dependent variables on the outcomes of lower extremity bypass (LEB) surgery have primarily been reported in single-institution, retrospective studies. We utilized data from a prospective, multicenter trial to identify technical variables that were significantly associated with early and midterm results of autogenous LEB for limb salvage. Methods The PREVENT III trial database includes 1404 North American patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) who underwent LEB using excised autogenous vein. The study protocol excluded claudicants and in situ reconstructions. Technical factors analyzed included vein diameter, conduit type, graft length, vein orientation, location of proximal and distal anastomoses, and performance of completion imaging. Univariate analysis was used to determine the effect of these factors on 30 day and 1-year outcomes. Multivariate Cox regression models evaluated the influence of these factors while adjusting for age, sex, race, tobacco, diabetes, dialysis-dependency, previous index limb bypass, and study drug (edifoligide) administration. The primary outcomes were primary patency (PP), primary assisted patency (PAP), and secondary patency (SP) assessed by Kaplan-Meier method. Results Univariate analysis revealed that vein diameter 50 cm (PP only). Limb salvage and survival at 1 year were not significantly impacted by technical variables. Employing a prespecified trial definition of high-risk conduits (diameter Conclusions In this large, multicenter cohort of patients undergoing LEB for CLI, vein diameter and conduit type were the dominant technical determinants of early and late graft failure. High-risk conduits and longer grafts may benefit from aggressive postoperative graft surveillance.
Sensory feedback alters spontaneous limb movements in newborn rats: effects of unilateral forelimb weighting.

Perinatal mammals show spontaneous movements that often appear random and uncoordinated. Here, we examined if spontaneous limb movements are responsive to a proprioceptive manipulation by applying a weight unilaterally to a forelimb of postnatal day 0 (P0; day of birth) and P1 rats. Weights were calibrated to approximate 0%, 25%, 50%, or 100% of the average mass of a forelimb, and were attached at the wrist. P0 and P1 pups showed different levels of activity during the period of limb weighting, in response to weight re- moval, and during the period after weighting. Pups exposed to 50% and 100% weights showed proportionately more activity in the nonweighted forelimb during the period of weighting, suggesting a threshold for evoking proprioceptive changes. Findings suggest that newborn rats use movement-related feedback to modulate spontaneous motor activity, and corroborate studies of human infants that have suggested a role for proprioception during early motor develop- ment. 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol
A faster galerkin boundary integral algorithm

SUMMARY The symmetry present in Green’s functions is exploited to significantly reduce the matrix assembly time for a Galerkin boundary integral analysis. A relatively simple modification of the standard Galerkin implementation for computing the non-singular integrals yields a 20‐30 per cent decrease in computation time. This faster Galerkin method is developed for both singular and hypersingular equations, and applied to symmetric-Galerkin implementations in two dimensions for the Laplace equation and for orthotropic elasticity. In three dimensions, the modified algorithm has been implemented for the singular equation for the Laplace and elastodynamics equations. Comparison timing results for standard and modified algorithms are presented. #1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extension Of The High-Order Space-Time Discontinuous Galerkin Cell Vertex Scheme To Solve Time Dependent Diffusion Equations

In this paper, the high-order space-time discontinuous Galerkin cell vertex scheme (DG-CVS) developed by the authors for hyperbolic conservation laws is ex- tended for time dependent diffusion equations. In the extension, the treatment of the diffusive flux is exactly the same as that for the advective flux. Thanks to the Riemann- solver-freeand reconstruction-free featuresof DG-CVS, both the advectiveflux and the diffusive flux are evaluated using continuous information across the cell interface. As a result, the resulting formulation with diffusive fluxes present is still consistent and does not need any extra ad hoc techniques to cure the common "variational crime" problem when traditional DG methods are applied to diffusion problems. For this reason, DG-CVS is conceptually simpler than other existing DG-typed methods. The numerical tests demonstrate that the convergence order based on the L2-norm is op- timal, i.e. O(h p+1 ) for the solution and O(h p ) for the solution gradients, when the basis polynomials are of odd degrees. For even-degree polynomials, the convergence order is sub-optimal for the solution and optimal for the solution gradients. The same odd-even behaviour can also be seen in some other DG-typed methods. AMS subject classifications: 65M99, 76M25
Department of Energy/University research: A smart partnership for a smart grid

The U.S. Department of Energy is partnering with NERC in supporting the development and deployment of a time-synchronized phasor measurement network in North America that takes advantage of advanced sensing, communication and computational systems. This network for the first time enables a wide area view of the power system, and real time monitoring of voltage and current magnitudes and phase angles, and system frequency under both steady state and dynamic conditions. To take full advantage of this new real-time access to synchronized data, DOE is turning its R&D focus increasingly to longer range research at laboratories and universities to develop advanced analytical tools and applications that support better planning and operation of the grid, and improved grid reliability and asset management. This research includes fundamental investigations in data integration, adaptive islanding, optimal power flow, oscillation analysis, and other areas. Development of these tools through universities provides cutting edge research focused on a national need and strengthens university power programs that will provide the next generation of power engineers and educators.
Analysis and design of an adaptive virtual queue (AVQ) algorithm for active queue management

Virtual Queue-based marking schemes have been recently proposed for AQM (Active Queue Management) in Internet routers. We consider a particular scheme, which we call the Adaptive Virtual Queue (AVQ), and study its following properties: stability in the presence of feedback delays, its ability to maintain small queue lengths and its robustness in the presence of extremely short flows (the so-called web mice). Using a mathematical tool motivated by the earlier work of Hollot et al, we present a simple rule to design the parameters of the AVQ algorithm. We then compare its performance through simulation with several well-known AQM schemes such as RED, REM, PI controller and a non-adaptive virtual queue algorithm. With a view towards implementation, we show that AVQ can be implemented as a simple token bucket using only a few lines of code.