cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assembly of HIV GAG-B-Galactosidase Fusion Proteins into Virus Particles

Abstract We have studied the assembly of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) Gag-B-galactosidase (Gag-B-gal; GBG) fusion proteins into HIV particles in the presence of HIV Gag proteins. Release of fusion proteins from cells was measured by assay of media versus cellular B-gat activities and was dependent on co-expression of unfused Gag proteins. Gag-B-gal incorporation into virus particles was demonstrated by detergent treatment and density gradient fractionation studies and was dependent on protein-protein interactions requiring the C-terminal two-thirds of the HIV CA domain. The central MA domain appeared unimportant for fusion protein incorporation; a nonmyristylated GBG protein was incorporated but at a relatively reduced level, while the NC and p6 domains slightly affected the assembly of fusion proteins into particles. Subcellular fractionation studies showed that all fusion proteins including the nonmyristylated one were enriched in the cytoplasmic pellet fraction. However, assembly into particles did not correlate with subcellular fractionstions patterns. Similarly, virion incorporation levels of Gag-B-gel proteins did not correlate with their immunofluorescence localization patterns. However, we observed that while most fusion proteins displayed a perinuclear ring with heterogeneous staining throughout cells, short fusion proteins appeared enriched on the intracellular membranes, and fusion proteins with intact MA but deleted NC domains showed an enhanced surface staining without a clear perinuclear ring. Altogether, our data suggest that the CA domain is the primary determinant for assembly of HIV fusion proteins into virus particles.
Clocking structures and power analysis for nanomagnet-based logic devices

Logical devices made from nano-scale magnets have many potential advantages - systems should be non-volatile, dense, low power, radiation hard, and could have a natural interface to MRAM. Initial work includes experimental demonstrations of logic gates and wires and theoretical studies that consider their power dissipation. This paper looks at power dissipation too, but also considers the circuitry needed to drive a computation. Initial results are very encouraging and indicate that clocked magnetic logic could - in the worst case - match equivalent low power CMOS circuits and - in the best-case - potentially provide more than 2 orders of magnitude improvement when one considers energy per operation.
Herpes zoster and occult malignancy

Herpes zoster and malignancy have both been associated with conditions of immune suppression. It has been well documented that herpes zoster occurs more frequently in patients with a previously diagnosed malignancy, especially lymphoma. To determine whether there is an increased frequency of malignancy subsequent to the diagnosis of herpes zoster, we studied fifty outpatients with herpes zoster and compared them with fifty control patients with psoriasis. In a follow-up period ranging from 24 to 68 months, one individual in the herpes zoster group developed a subsequent malignancy, in comparison to none in the control population and to 1.5 cancer cases expected in the general population. These results support the view that herpes zoster is not a marker for an occult malignancy.
Biodegradable arginine-based poly(ester-amide)s as non-viral gene delivery reagents

A novel family of synthetic biodegradable poly(ester-amide)s (Arg-PEAs) was evaluated for their biosafety and capability to transfect rat vascular smooth muscle cells, a major cell type participating in vascular diseases. Arg-PEAs showed high binding capacity toward plasmid DNA, and the binding activity was inversely correlated to the number of methylene groups in the diol segment of Arg-PEAs. All Arg-PEAs transfected smooth muscle cells with an efficiency that was comparable to the commercial transfection reagent Superfect. However, unlike Superfect, Arg-PEAs, over a wide range of dosages, had minimal adverse effects on cell morphology, viability or apoptosis. Using rhodamine-labeled plasmid DNA, we demonstrated that Arg-PEAs were able to deliver DNA into nearly 100% of cells under optimal polymer-to-DNA weight ratios, and that such a high level of delivery was achieved through an active endocytosis mechanism. A large portion of DNA delivered, however, was trapped in acidic endocytotic compartments, and subsequently was not expressed. These results suggest that with further modification to enhance their endosome escape, Arg-PEAs can be attractive candidates for non-viral gene carriers owning to their high cellular uptake nature and reliable cellular biocompatibility.
Gradient Particle Magnetohydrodynamics: A Lagrangian Particle Code for Astrophysical Magnetohydrodynamics

We introduce a new algorithm, gradient particle magnetohydrodynamics (GPM), for the numerical simulation of astrophysical MHD phenomena. The GPM prescription employs a local polynomial fit to recover accurate gradient information from a disordered distribution of particles. This Lagrangian particle method evolves the vector potential to eliminate the problem of magnetic divergence. Validation tests of MHD waves, an advection problem, and an MHD Riemann problem are presented to demonstrate the viability of GPM as a new tool for the investigation of MHD problems in astrophysics.
Purine Metabolism and Inhibition of Xanthine Oxidase in Severely Hypoxic Neonates Going onto Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

The effect of allopurinol to inhibit purine metabolism via the xanthine oxidase pathway in neonates with severe, progressive hypoxemia during rescue and reperfusion with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was examined. Twenty-five term infants meeting ECMO criteria were randomized in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Fourteen did not receive allopurinol, whereas 11 were treated with 10 mg/kg after meeting criteria and before cannulation, in addition to a 20-mg/kg priming dose to the ECMO circuit. Infant plasma samples before cannulation, and at 15, 30, 60, and 90 min, and 3, 6, 9, and 12 h on bypass were analyzed (HPLC) for allopurinol, oxypurinol, hypoxanthine, xanthine, and uric acid concentrations. Urine samples were similarly evaluated for purine excretion. Hypoxanthine concentrations in isolated blood-primed ECMO circuits were separately measured. Hypoxanthine, xanthine, and uric acid levels were similar in both groups before ECMO. Hypoxanthine was higher in allopurinol-treated infants during the time of bypass studied (p = 0.022). Xanthine was also elevated (p < 0.001), and uric acid was decreased (p = 0.005) in infants receiving allopurinol. Similarly, urinary elimination of xanthine increased (p < 0.001), and of uric acid decreased(p = 0.04) in treated infants. No allopurinol toxicity was observed. Hypoxanthine concentrations were significantly higher in isolated ECMO circuits and increased over time during bypass (p < 0.001). This study demonstrates that allopurinol given before cannulation for and during ECMO significantly inhibits purine degradation and uric acid production, and may reduce the production of oxygen free radicals during reoxygenation and reperfusion of hypoxic neonates recovered on bypass.
An accuracy assessment of the MTBS burned area product for shrub–steppe fires in the northern Great Basin, United States

Although fire is a common disturbance in shrub–steppe, few studies have specifically tested burned area mapping accuracy in these semiarid to arid environments. We conducted a preliminary assessment of the accuracy of the Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity (MTBS) burned area product on four shrub–steppe fires that exhibited varying degrees of within-fire patch heterogeneity. Independent burned area perimeters were derived through visual interpretation and were used to cross-compare the MTBS burned area perimeters with classifications produced using set thresholds on the Relativised differenced Normalised Burn Index (RdNBR), Mid-infrared Burn Index (MIRBI) and Char Soil Index (CSI). Overall, CSI provided the most consistent accuracies (96.3–98.6%), with only small commission errors (1.5–4.4%). MIRBI also had relatively high accuracies (92.2–97.9%) and small commission errors (2.1–10.8%). The MTBS burned area product had higher commission errors (4.3–15.5%), primarily due to inclusion of unburned islands and fingers within the fire perimeter. The RdNBR burned area maps exhibited lower accuracies (92.9–96.0%). However, the different indices when constrained by the MTBS perimeter provided variable results, with CSI providing the highest and least variable accuracies (97.4–99.1%). Studies seeking to use MTBS perimeters to analyse trends in burned area should apply spectral indices to constrain the final burned area maps. The present paper replaces a former paper of the same title (http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/WF13206), which was withdrawn owing to errors discovered in data analysis after the paper was accepted for publication.
Patterns of Adaptive Behavior in Very Young Children with Autism.

The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales were used to investigate patterns of adaptive behavior in children with autism who were under 36 months of age. Subjects were 30 children with autism and 30 children with developmental delay matched on CA and MA. Relative to controls, the autistic group demonstrated weaker socialization and communication skills and greater discrepancies between adaptive behavior and MA. Different patterns of relations between adaptive behavior domains and cognitive and language skills were obtained for the two groups. Preliminary support for the utility of adaptive behavior profiles in identifying subgroups of children with autism is provided. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for early diagnosis of autism.
Evaporation from falling saline water films in laminar transitional flow

An analytical and experimental study was made of the evaporation from pure and saline water films flowing down a heated vertical surface at Reynolds numbers between 160 and 600. Visual observation showed free surface evaporation. Film continuity was poor for pure water, but good for saline water, because of the influence of temperature and salinity on surface tension gradients. Evaporation rates were predicted by (1) a constant-property boundary-layer type of laminar analysis; (2) the constant-property Dukler “eddy” treatment; and (3) a variable property laminar analysis that took into account the boiling point elevation due to salinity. The experimental evaporation rates could be correlated by dimensionless moduli arising out of the laminar analyses, but best quantitative agreement was found with the Dukler eddy treatment.
Constructing a coherent joint prior while respecting biological realism: application to marine mammal stock assessments

Bayesian estimation methods, employing the Sampling–Importance–Resampling algorithm, are currently used to perform stock assessments for several stocks of marine mammals, including the Bering–Chukchi–Beaufort Seas stock of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) and walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) off Greenland. However, owing to the functional relationships among parameters in deterministic age-structured population dynamics models, placing explicit priors on each life history parameter in addition to the population growth rate parameter results in an incoherent joint prior distribution (i.e. two different priors on the estimated parameters). One solution to constructing a coherent joint prior is to solve for juvenile survival analytically, using values generated from the prior distributions for the remaining parameters. However, certain combinations of model parameter values result in values for juvenile survival that are larger than adult survival, which is biologically implausible. Therefore, to respect biological realism, certain parameter values must be rejected for some or all the remaining parameters. This study investigates several alternative resampling schemes for obtaining a realistic joint prior distribution, given the constraint on survival rates. The sensitivity of assessment results is investigated for data-rich (bowhead) and data-poor (walrus) scenarios. The results based on limited data are especially sensitive to the choice of alternative resampling scheme.
Seismic velocity and attenuation structure of the Geysers geothermal field, California

The Geysers geothermal field is located in northern California and is one of the world's largest producers of electricity from geothermal energy. The resource consists of primarily dry steam which is produced from a low, porosity fractured graywacke. Over the last several years steam pressure at the Geysers has been dropping. Concern over decline of the resource has prompted research to understand its fundamental nature. A key issue is the distribution of fluid in the matrix of the reservoir rock. In this paper we interpret seismic compressional-wave velocity and attenuation data at the Geysers in terms of the geologic structure and fluid saturation in the reservoir. Our data consist of approximately 300 earthquakes that are of magnitude 1.2 and are distributed in depth between sea level and 2.5 km. Using compressional-wave arrival times, we invert for earthquake location, origin time, and velocity along a three-dimensional grid. Using the initial pulse width of the compressional-wave, we invert for the initial pulse width associated with the source, and the one-dimensional Q structure. We find that the velocity structure correlates with known mapped geologic units, including a velocity high that is correlated with a felsite body at depth that is known from drilling. The dry steam reservoir, which is also known from drilling, is mostly correlated with low velocity. The Q increases with depth to the top of the dry steam reservoir and decreases with depth within the reservoir. The decrease of Q with depth probably indicates that the saturation of the matrix of the reservoir rock increases with depth.
The effect of cluster magnetic field on the Sunyaev–Zel'dovich power spectrum

Precision measurements of the Sunyaev–Zel'dovich (SZ) effect in upcoming blank sky surveys require theoretical understanding of all physical processes with ≳10 per cent effects on the SZ power spectrum. We show that the observed cluster magnetic field could reduce the SZ power spectrum by ∼20 per cent at l∼ 4000, where the SZ power spectrum will be precisely measured by the Sunyaev–Zel'dovich array (SZA) and the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT). At smaller scale, this effect is larger and could reach a factor of several. Such an effect must be considered for an unbiased interpretation of the SZ data. Although the magnetic effect on the SZ power spectrum is very similar to that of radiative cooling, it is measurable by multiband cosmic microwave background polarization measurement.
Pharmacodynamics of Tubulin and Tubulin-Binding Agents: Extending Their Potential Beyond Taxanes

Chemotherapeutic agents that disrupt the assembly or disassembly of microtubules, including paclitaxel and docetaxel, are among the most commonly prescribed anticancer therapies. However, the utility of taxane-based therapy is limited principally by problems with formulation, slow administration, cumulative neurotoxicity, and resistance in part through induction of P-glycoprotein. The broad-spectrum anticancer activity of taxane therapy has encouraged investigators to identify a class of structurally novel microtubulin-stabilizing agents that could produce comparable outcomes with fewer problems. Preclinical studies indicate that epothilones have a broad spectrum activity in paclitaxel-resistant breast cancer models. Several epothilone analogues have displayed promising antitumor activity in initial clinical trials. Ixabepilone, an epothilone derivative in the later stages of clinical development, has exhibited antitumor activity in breast cancers, with or without previous taxane therapy. The most common adverse events associated with ixabepilone are reversible sensory neuropathy and neutropenia. This review briefly outlines the basic science behind microtubule-targeting agents and examines the preclinical studies of several of these agents in breast cancer models. Also discussed are results from clinical trials of epothilones alone and in combination in patients with breast cancer.
Coupling of near infrared spectroscopy to automatic continuous online monitoring of polymerization reactions

Abstract In situ near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is performed simultaneously with automatic continuous online monitoring of polymerization reactions (ACOMP) during methyl methacrylate polymerization. ACOMP is an absolute technique that furnishes weight average molecular mass Mw, intrinsic viscosity, monomer conversion, and other characteristics, whereas NIR furnishes monomer conversion data via an empirical calibration. An advantage of in situ NIR is that it furnishes immediate information on the conversion in the reactor, whereas ACOMP relies on continuous withdrawal and dilution of a small stream of reactor fluid, so that there is a lag time of several minutes between what ACOMP reports and what is occurring in the reactor. Simultaneous monomer conversion data from in situ NIR and ACOMP, the latter derived from both refractive index and UV absorption, are compared and found to be in good agreement. The evolution of conversion kinetics and Mw generally conform to the predictions of the Quasi-Steady State Approximation. Having established the agreement between the methods, the path is now open for combining NIR with ACOMP to characterize increasingly complex systems, such as copolymerization with two or more monomeric species, that are not feasible by either technique separately.
Variational thermodynamic and Finite Element analysis models of the Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Capacitor

Finite Element modeling of the electrostatic behavior of semiconductor electronic devices has been a work-horse of top-level design for generations. Commercial off-the-shelf Finite Element code packages are readily available which afford the user convenient geometry options and post-processing tools. Recent effort at our Electron Devices Laboratory has been directed at approaching the problem from a thermodynamic perspective by implementing a Variational Thermodynamic method to the minimization of the Helmholtz Free Energy of the device. In this work we exercise both Variational Thermodynamic methodology and Finite Element analysis to model the static behavior of the Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Capacitor under identical boundary conditions and assumptions to demonstrate how closely they agree.
Two-dimensional transient heat transfer through composite wood frame walls — Field measurements and modeling

Abstract An experimental and theoretical study has been conducted on the importance of two-dimensional heat flow within insulated wood frame walls and the modeling techniques necessary for accurate simulation. Both steady and transient heat flows are considered. A two-dimensional finite difference model provides accurate detailed results that agree with measurements when appropriate thermophysical property values are used. One-dimensional models cannot completely describe the complex transient heat transfer in wood frame walls, however, the total surface heat transfer can be predicted using a framing correction to combine one-dimensional results between the framing and through the framing.
Introduced northern pike predation on salmonids in southcentral Alaska

Northern pike (Esox lucius) are opportunistic predators that can switch to alternative prey species after preferred prey have declined. This trophic adaptability allows invasive pike to have negative effects on aquatic food webs. In Southcentral Alaska, invasive pike are a substantial concern because they have spread to important spawning and rearing habitat for salmonids and are hypothesised to be responsible for recent salmonid declines. We described the relative importance of salmonids and other prey species to pike diets in the Deshka River and Alexander Creek in Southcentral Alaska. Salmonids were once abundant in both rivers, but they are now rare in Alexander Creek. In the Deshka River, we found that juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and coho salmon (O. kisutch) dominated pike diets and that small pike consumed more of these salmonids than large pike. In Alexander Creek, pike diets reflected the distribution of spawning salmonids, which decrease with distance upstream. Although salmonids dominated pike diets in the lowest reach of the stream, Arctic lamprey (Lampetra camtschatica) and slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus) dominated pike diets in the middle and upper reaches. In both rivers, pike density did not influence diet and pike consumed smaller prey items than predicted by their gape-width. Our data suggest that (1) juvenile salmonids are a dominant prey item for pike, (2) small pike are the primary consumers of juvenile salmonids and (3) pike consume other native fish species when juvenile salmonids are less abundant. Implications of this trophic adaptability are that invasive pike can continue to increase while driving multiple species to low abundance.
He I valence photoelectron spectra of oxomolybdenum(V) complexes containing diolato or alkoxide ligands

Abstract The He I valence photoelectron spectra (PES) are reported for several monooxo-molybdenum(V) compounds with the general formula of LMoO[O(CH 2 ) n O] and LMoO(OR) 2 (L = hydrotris(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)borate; n = 2−4; R = Me, Et, n Pr). The spectra show that the size of the metal-chelate ring in these diolato complexes has a substantial effect on the HOMO ionization. As the chelate ring size in the diolato complexes increases, the HOMO shifts ( ca 0.21–0.24 eV) to lower ionization energy. The diolato complexes have their HOMO's at a higher ionization energy than analogous open chain bis-alkoxide complexes possessing the same number of carbon atoms. The unconstrained bis-alkoxide complexes show much smaller shifts ( ⩽ 0.11 eV) in the ionization potential associated with the HOMO upon the addition of a CH 2 unit to each alkoxide group. These gas-phase results are similar to the results observed by electrochemistry in acetonitrile solution, where both the diolato and bis-alkoxide complexes become easier to oxidize upon increasing the number of CH 2 groups, as indicated by their half-wave potentials. The p π orbital ionizations of the oxygen atoms in the alkoxide functions are also shifted ( ca 0.12 eV) to lower ionization energy upon adding CH 2 residues to the alkoxide chain.
Narrowing the climate information usability gap

This Review focuses on how policymakers and others deal with scientific information about the climate, with the aim of understanding how potentially useful information becomes used (or usable) in practice. A conceptual model of the path between usefulness and usability is presented.
Fluorescence evidence for cholesterol regular distribution in phosphatidylcholine and in sphingomyeline lipid bilayers

Our previous studies indicated that sterols (including cholesterol and dehydroergosterol) can be regularly distributed into hexagonal superlattices in the plane of liquid-crystalline phosphatidylcholine bilayers. It was suggested that regular and irregular regions coexist in the membrane. In the present study, we report supporting evidence for our sterol regular distribution model. We have examined the fractional concentration dependencies of dehydroergosterol (a naturally occurring cholesterol analog) fluorescence intensity and lifetime in various phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin bilayers. Fluorescence intensity and lifetime dips have been observed at specific sterol mole fractions. At those mole fractions, the acrylamide quenching rate constant of dehydroergosterol fluorescence reaches a local maximum. Those mole fractions match with the critical sterol mole fractions at which sterol molecules are expected to be regularly distributed into hexagonal superlattices. The results support the idea that the sterols in the regular region are embedded in the bilayer less deep than those in the irregular regions. Furthermore, finding evidence for sterol regular distribution in both phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin membranes raises the possibility that sterol regular distribution may occur within phospholipid/cholesterol enriched domains of real biological membranes.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
DISSOCIATION AND SEPARATION OF GAMMA GLOBULIN INTO SUBUNITS.

Abstract A method is described for preparing completely soluble subunits of γ-globulins by a reduction and alkylation procedure. The gamma globulins were reduced with a thiol reagent such as thioglycolate or mercaptoethanol in 8 M urea. Iodoacetate was then used for the dual purposes of blocking the liberated sulfhydryls and introducing charged carboxymethyl groups into the molecule to aid in the solubilization of the individual polypeptide chains. In order to obtain completely dissociated reduction products, it was necessary to utilize a short exposure to alkaline pH conditions and a carefully controlled dialysis procedure for removal of the denaturant. The products of this reaction were readily separated on a Sephadex G-200 column into two sizes of fragments corresponding to polypeptide chains of 27,000 and 55,000 molecular weight.
Carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen in carbonaceous chondrites: abundances and isotopic compositions in bulk samples.

Whole-rock samples of 25 carbonaceous chondrites were analyzed for contents of C, H and N and delta C-13, delta D and delta N-15. Inhomogeneous distribution of these isotopes within individual meteorites is pronounced in several cases. Few systematic intermeteorite trends were observed; N data are suggestive of isotopic inhomogeneity in the early solar system. Several chondrites revealed unusual compositions which would repay further, more detailed study. The data are also useful for classification of carbonaceous chondrites; N abundance and isotopic compositions can differentiate existing taxonomic groups with close to 100 percent reliability; Al Rais and Renazzo clearly constitute a discrete 'grouplet', and there are hints that both CI and CM groups may each be divisible into two subgroups.
Analysis of a stable polymorphism arising in a selection-migration model in population genetics

This investigation studies the dynamic behaviour of a population in which there is a geographic variation in fitness of a one-locus, two allele trait. The results derived here complement certain results by W. H. Fleming who described the existence of a stable polymorphism when the ratio of selection intensity to dispersion rate exceeds a critical value. Here an approximation to the polymorphic state is obtained, and the evolution of other initial states to it is studied.
New options after first-line therapy for chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

Purpose. The pharmacology of immunomodulatory agents and thrombopoietic agonists with novel mechanisms of action, the role of these agents in the management of chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), and potential adverse effects that may complicate use of these agents are reviewed. Summary. Long mired by the toxicity of available treatments and a paucity of randomized, controlled trials evaluating therapeutic options, the treatment of chronic ITP has advanced in recent years. Based on an improved understanding of the pathophysiology of chronic ITP, these advances include the incorporation of immunomodulatory therapy and the development of thrombopoietic stimulating agents. Rituximab, romiplostim, and eltrombopag are promising agents that have recently demonstrated the ability to increase platelet counts in patients with chronic ITP. They have shown benefit in splenectomized and nonsplenectomized patients, including those who have not sustained benefit from multiple other agents. At this time there are insufficient data on the long-term risk associated with continued use of thrombopoietic agents beyond six months. The risk of thrombosis, myelofibrosis, and development of hematologic malignancies with continued use of thrombopoietic stimulating agents is unknown. Conclusion. Rituximab, romiplostim, and eltrombopag are effective in some patients that are unresponsive to other therapies and warrant consideration in patients with relapsed or refractory ITP. Further studies need to be done to define the risks of long-term use of thrombopoietic stimulating agents and the benefit of these novel agents in comparison to other therapies that provide a durable response off therapy.
Mutations involving the endogenous ecotropic murine leukemia virus in primary mammary carcinomas of BALB/c mice

Endogenous murine leukemia virus-related elements (MLVEs) are often overexpressed in primary mammary carcinomas of BALB/c mice. We therefore searched for mutations associated with MLVEs and found amplified sequences of the ecotropic MLVE in hormonally and chemically induced mammary neoplasms. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis revealed DNA rearrangements consistent with 1-10 or more new copies of the ecotropic MLVE in the genome of these tumors. This is the first evidence of mutations involving an endogenous retrovirus other than mouse mammary tumor virus in mouse mammary carcinomas.
SO(1 ; n)-twistors

Abstract We consider an analog of the Penrose transform for ; n), give for it an explicit inversion formula and connect it with the Radon transform on the sphera.
The Mu2e Experiment: Searching for Muon to Electron Conversion

Abstract The Mu2e experiment proposes to measure the rate of muon to electron conversion in the field of a nucleus with a sensitivity of 6 × 10 − 17 , a four-orders of magnitude improvement over existing limits. Mu2e will use a series of three solenoids to collect, transport, stop, and analyze muons produced by a pulsed proton beam from the Fermilab booster. Fewer than 10 − 10 of the delivered protons will be produced outside a 200 nsec wide primary pulse, reducing the beam background to a negligible level. A precision, low-mass straw tube tracker will measure electron momenta with a precision of 10 − 3 , allowing clean separation of the conversion signal from Decay In Orbit electrons, the principle experimental background. Extensive coverage of multi-layer scintillation counters will detect 99.99% of the cosmic muons which could generate fake signals. A crystal calorimeter will provide particle ID to further reduce backgrounds. The Mu2e schedule is technically limited, with commissioning beginning in 2021. Planned accelerator improvements after 2023 will provide 10× higher luminosity, allowing 10× improved sensitivity after minimal detector upgrades.
Approximate Constant Density Acoustic Inverse Scattering Using Dip-Dependent Scaling

SUMMARYThis abstract presents a computationally efcient method toapproximatetheinverseoftheHessianornormaloperatoraris-ing in a linearized inverse problem for constant density acous-tics model of reection seismology. Solution of the linearizedinverseproblemprobleminvolvesconstructionofanimageviaprestack depth migration, then correction of the image ampli-tudesviaapplicationoftheinverseofthenormaloperator. Thenormal operator acts by dip-dependent scaling of the ampli-tudes of its input vector. This property permits us to efcientlyapproximate the normal operator, and its inverse, from the re-sult of its application to a single input vector, for example theimage, and thereby approximately solve the linearized inversescattering problem.We validate the method on a 2D section of the Marmousimodel to correct the amplitudes of the migrated image.INTRODUCTIONThe linearized inverse scattering problem assumes a knownbackground velocity eld. The background velocity eld con-trols the kinematics of the problem: it governs the relationshipbetween the travel times of acoustic signals and the positionsof reectors. In the case of constant density acoustics the lin-earized inverse problem aims at calculating the velocity per-turbation. The linearized scattering operator F approximatelymaps the true model m (velocity perturbation) to the measureddata d (perturbation of the pressure eld measured at the sur-face),Fm  d : (1)Note that F depends on the background velocity eld, but thisdependenceissuppressedforbrevity. Interpreting(1)inaleastsquares sense yields the normal equations,F Fm = F d ; (2)F
Syntheses of new bacteriochlorins and their antitumor activity

Abstract Purpurin-18 methyl ester 1a was converted into a series of new bacteriochlorins 2b , 2c , 2f and 4b . These stable bacteriochlorins have strong long wavelength absorptions in the range of 760 to 816 nm, and were tested for in vivo photosensitizing activity using the standard screening system of DBA/2 mice bearing transplanted SMT/F tumors. In preliminary screening, among the photosensitizers tested so far, bacteriochlorins 2f and 4b have shown promising anti-tumor activity.
Modeling and Simulation of Vehicle Projection Arrival–discharge Process in Adaptive Traffic Signal Controls

Real-time signal control operates as a function of the vehicular arrival and discharge process to satisfy a pre-specified operational performance. This process is often predicted based on loop detectors placed upstream of the signal. In our newly developed signal control for diamond interchanges, a microscopic model is proposed to estimate traffic flows at the stop-line. The model considers the traffic dynamics of vehicular detection, arrivals, and departures, by taking into account varying speeds, length of queues, and signal control. As the signal control is optimized over a rolling horizon that is divided into intervals, the vehicular detection for and projection into the corresponding horizon intervals are also modeled. The signal control algorithm is based on dynamic programming and the optimization of signal policy is performed using a certain performance measure involving delays, queue lengths, and queue storage ratios. The arrival–discharge model is embedded in the optimization algorithm and both are programmed into AIMSUN, a microscopic stochastic simulation program. AIMSUN is then used to simulate the traffic flow and implement the optimal signal control by accessing internal data including detected traffic demand and vehicle speeds. Sensitivity analysis is conducted to study the effect of selecting different optimization criteria on the signal control performance. It is concluded that the queue length and queue storage ratio are the most appropriate performance measures in real-time signal control of interchanges. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of insulin and neurotrophic factor signaling in brain aging and Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract Although increased lifespan is associated with reduced insulin signaling, insulin signaling is essential for neuronal development and survival. Insulin resistance is central to Type II diabetes and is also implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). This has prompted ongoing clinical trials in AD patients to test the efficacy of improving insulin – like signaling with dietary ω-3 fatty acids or insulin – sensitizing drugs as well as exercise regimens. Here we review the role of insulin signaling in brain aging and AD, concluding that the signaling pathways downstream to neurotrophic and insulin signaling are defective and coincident with aberrant phosphorylation and translocation of key components, notably AKT and GSK3β, but also rac> PAK signaling. These responses are likely to contribute to defects in synaptic plasticity, learning and memory. Both oligomers of β-amyloid (which are elevated in the AD brain) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (which are elevated in the aged or AD brain) can be used to mimic the trophic factor/insulin resistance observed in AD, but details on other factors and mechanisms contributing to this resistance remain elusive. A better understanding of the precise mechanisms underlying alterations in the insulin/neurotrophic factor signal transduction pathways should aid the search for better AD therapeutic and prevention strategies.
Mutagenicity and antimutagenicity testing of six chemicals associated with the pungent properties of specific spices as revealed by the Ames Salmonella/microsomal assay

Three compounds, capsaicin, thymol and borneol, were initially screened for mutagenic activity using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA97, TA98 and TA100, with and without S9 metabolic activation, and 20 min standard preincubation time. Three other compounds, allyl isothiocyanate, eugenol and cinnamaldehyde, were screened for mutagenic activity as above, but with a prolonged, nonstandard preincubation time of up to 120 minutes. All six test compounds used in the assays are associated with the pungent properties of some specific spices in which the test compounds can be found to exist naturally. The first objective of this study was to observe if mutagenic activity can be correlated to the pungent properties of these six test compounds. However, due to toxicity and the observation that only capsaicin was mutagenic, using strain TA100 in the presence of S9 metabolic activation, it was not possible to deduce any relationship between mutagenicity and the test chemials' pungent properties. Naturally occurring capsaicin, found in the spice Capsicum annum, was detected and quantified using thin layer and gas chromatographic techniques. The final objective was to detect the presence of antimutagenic factor(s) in C. annum that would suppress the mutagenicity of capsaicin. When the mutagenic capsaicin and 2-aminoanthracene were assayed in the presence of C. annum acetone extract, using strain TA100 with S9 metabolic activation, the mutagenic response of both the mutagens were reduced by approximately 50%. Assaying capsaicin and 2-aminoanthracene in the presence of chlorophyll, the mutagenic response of the two mutagens was reduced by less than 40%. From this observation it was inferred that chlorophyll can successfully suppress the mutagenicity activities of capsaicin and 2-aminoanthracene, together with other antimutagenic factors that were present in the acetone extract of C. annum.
Get a real-world education through simulation.

Human patient simulators are as close as you can get to a real patient. Find out how these resources can help you perfed your skills and learn from your mistakes in a safe environment.
Reconstruction families of possibilistic structure systems

Abstract A method is presented for characterizing the family of overall systems reconstructable from a given possibilistic structure system. The technique is elaborated in terms of fuzzy relation equations. It is demonstrated that the reconstruction family of a given structure system is equivalent to the set of solutions of a special type of fuzzy relation equation. The solution set is partially ordered, and contains both minimal solutions and a unique maximum solution. When these elements are identified, all members of the reconstruction family are determined. Another characteristic of the reconstruction family is its reconstruction uncertainty, a measure of which is also developed in this paper. This measure is used to define an identifiability quotient that expresses the degree of confidence with which we may identify a single overall system given a particular structure system.
Metadata for mixed-media access

In this paper, we discuss mixed-media access, an information access paradigm for multimedia data in which the media type of a query may differ from that of the data. The types of media considered in this paper are speech, images of text, and full-length text. Some examples of metadata for mixed-media access are locations of keywords in speech and images, identification of speakers, locations of emphasized regions in speech, and locations of topic boundaries in text. Algorithms for automatically generating this metadata are described, including word spotting, speaker segmentation, emphatic speech detection, and subtopic boundary location. We illustrate queries composed of diverse media types in an example of access to recorded meetings, via speaker and keyword location.
The evaluation of aqueous TRIS solutions as a chemical standard for titration calorimetry

The reaction of aqueous solutions of TRIS, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, with aqueous HClO4 solutions is evaluated as a standard reaction for titration calorimetry and found to be less satisfactory than the reaction of HClO4(aq) with NaOH(aq).
An equivalent length model of microdialysis sampling.

One of the critical issues in microdialysis sampling is how to predict the extraction fraction (Ed), based on transport properties of analytes in both tissues and probes. A one-dimensional (1-D) model has been used widely in previous studies to predict Ed at the steady state. However, this model is valid only for long probes. To this end, an equivalent length (EL) model was developed for probes with any length used in experiments. The key idea in the model was to replace the probe length (L) in the 1-D model with an equivalent length (LE) when calculating transport resistance in surrounding tissues. The length difference, (LE−L), was assumed to be proportional to the penetration depth of analytes (Γ). The proportionality constant (λ) was determined through minimizing the errors in predicted Ed. We found that, the EL model could accurately predict Ed when λ=0.369. The maximum error in EL model predictions was <6%, for model constants varying in the same ranges as those in microdialysis experiments. This error was one order of magnitude smaller than that in 1-D model predictions.
A new approach for the design of assistive technologies: design for social acceptance

While assistive technology focuses on providing function to help people with disabilities overcome barriers to access, awkward and clunky designs often draw unwanted attention to the user. In this way, assistive technologies are not always designed with social situations in mind, and may contribute to issues of in-access, particularly in social situations. I am defining and developing a new approach, Design for Social Acceptance, to incorporate social acceptance into the design of assistive technology. The goal of my research is to make assistive technologies more socially acceptable to alleviate social misperceptions of assistive technologies and people with disabilities through improved design processes. I will conduct this work by (1) defining what design elements make up socially acceptable designs, and (2) by adapting and developing design techniques to incorporate social acceptance into the design process for assistive technologies. Thus far, I have conducted studies exploring how people with disabilities feel about using their technologies in social and professional contexts to gain an understanding of the socio-technical relations arising around assistive technologies.
Toward a viscoelastic modelling of the injection molding of polymers

By using theLeonov viscoelastic constitutive equation, an idealized problem has been solved for onedimensional, unsteady, non-isothermal flow of polymer between two parallel plates and the subsequent non-isothermal relaxation following cessation of flow. Numerical results are presented for the time dependence of the pressure gradient, the gapwise distribution of linear velocity, shear rate, shear stress and normalstress differences, together with the components of birefringence in different planes. Comparison of the present predictions for the pressure gradient with results based upon an “inelastic” model indicate close agreement whereas the corresponding predictions for normal-stress differences are found to be markedly different from those for the “inelastic” case.
Superconductivity and electronic structure of perovskite MgCNi 3

The electronic structure, stability, electron phonon coupling and superconductivity of the non-oxide perovskite MgCNi$_3$ are studied using density functional calculations. The band structure is dominated by a Ni $d$ derived density of states peak just below the Fermi energy, which leads to a moderate Stoner enhancement, placing MgCNi$_3$ in the range where spin fluctuations may noticeably affect transport, specific heat and superconductivity, providing a mechanism for reconciling various measures of the coupling $\lambda$. Strong electron phonon interactions are found for the octahedral rotation mode and may exist for other bond angle bending modes. The Fermi surface contains nearly cancelling hole and electron sheets that give unusual behavior of transport quantities particularly the thermopower. The results are discussed in relation to the superconductivity of MgCNi$_3$.
We Better Get This Party Started

Abstract Each fall, the Tunxis Library hosts a party. Usually thematic, sometimes didactic, and always cerebral, the library uses the party to communicate our “party line” to the entire campus community: we are here to make your life easier. It's particularly effective when delivered at the start of the semester, before the unrelenting rhythm of classes, committee work, and meetings has begun. Showing the campus community that the library is here to support them is our core theme, wrapped in a party context. Our goal is to create a party that jump-starts the fall semester for everyone. In this article, we describe our most recent parties, focusing how we develop, plan, and execute these promotional initiatives, with little money, but plenty of creativity and teamwork.
Mystical Language in Meister Eckhart and His Disciples

Meister Eckhart and his two main followers, Henry Suso and John Tauler, preached and wrote at a unique time, or kairos moment, in the development of vernacular mysticism in German-speaking lands. This article investigates aspects of their vernacular vocabulary regarding the divine nature as unique ground and overflowing Trinity. For Eckhart and his followers ‘God’s ground and the soul’s ground is one ground’, an apophatic mystery that can be figured in powerful symbols like the abyss and the desert. The article also considers the five practices Eckhart, Suso, and Tauler identified for returning to the ground: interiorization, detachment, inner poverty, birthing, and breaking-through.
Air filter sterilization using a one atmosphere uniform glow discharge plasma (the volfilter)

Two characteristics of microorganisms-extremely small size (0.01 to a few micrometers) and the ability to reproduce-hinder the effective filtration of bacteria and viruses from indoor air. The microorganisms captured by a filter in spite of their small size can reproduce in situ and be released into the airstream, giving rise to the "sick building syndrome". The application of the One Atmosphere Uniform Glow Discharge Plasma (OAUGDP) to a filter can address both these issues. At University of Tennessee at Knoxville, we have recently developed the "Volfilter", a planar version of the OAUGDP produced by attaching strip electrodes to both sides of a sheet of dielectric filter material and energizing the electrodes with a high-voltage, low-frequency RF source. After the filter material removes microorganisms from the airstream, the OAUGD plasma kills the captured microorganisms. The combination of an appropriate filter material and periodic application of the OAUGDP results in an effective capture and sterilization device even for the smallest microorganisms and requires minimum maintenance. This paper will describe results obtained during the operation of a laboratory-scale "Volfilter" challenged by two kinds of microorganisms, S. aureus and the bacterial virus Phi X 174. An objective of this work is to demonstrate that a "Volfilter" exposed to a OAUGDP will have the number of captured microorganisms on its surface reduced by a factor of one million.
Functional imaging with the multi-wavelength Adaptive Optics Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope

The adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope may be used in multi-wavelength mode to allow simultaneous imaging and retinal stimulation and so probe retinal function. The wavelengths available are 532 nm, 658 nm and 840 nm. Typically the imaging is performed at 840 nm and precisely coincident retinal stimulation occurs in one of the visible wavelengths. Simultaneous multi-wavelength imaging in the living human retina is demonstrated, and experiments to test retinal function that may be carried out using this instrument are presented.