cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Opposing roles of blood-borne monocytes and tissue-resident macrophages in limbal stem cell damage

Abstract Limbal stem cell (LSC) deficiency is a frequent and severe complication after chemical injury to the eye. Previous studies have assumed that this is mediated directly by the injury. Here we show that LSC loss occurs through immune cell mediators, even without direct injury to LSCs. In particular, elevation of anterior chamber (AC) pH causes acute uveal stress, release of inflammatory cytokines at the basal limbal tissue, and subsequent LSC death. Peripheral CCR2+ CX3CR1- monocytes are key mediators through the upregulation of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) at the limbus, which in turn causing LSC death. In contrast to peripherally-derived monocytes, CX3CR1+ CCR2- tissue-resident macrophages have a protective role and their pharmacological depletion prior to injury exacerbates LSC loss and increases LSC vulnerability to apoptosis following exposure to TNF-α. This, despite the reduced number of CCR2+ cell infiltration into the tissue. Consistently, repopulation of the cornea by new tissue-resident macrophages after depletion restores their M2-like polarization upon exposure to rTNF-α and suppresses LSC inflammatory cell death. This findings may have clinical implication in patient with chemical burns. Significance Limbal stem cell (LSC) loss after chemical burn is a significant clinical problem that has long been thought to be the result of direct chemical injury. This study demonstrates the existence of competing inflammatory mechanism responsible for LSC death, mediated by infiltrating peripheral monocytes that antagonize and overcome the protective role of tissue-resident macrophages. Thus, enhancing the role of tissue-resident macrophages while suppressing that of infiltrating monocytes could be a novel therapeutic strategy for LSC survival.
We ARE Doing Relevant IS Research: It's The Truth

Research and teaching are closely linked in a professional academic field such as Information Systems. Research informs textbook writers. Textbooks inform students. Students practice what they learn. Research is disseminated to students/practitioners through reading assignments, class presentations and discussions, and easily accessible publications. Our field should be concerned with quality over quantity of research since "good" research is what we want to disseminate to practitioners.
THE ARAL CRISIS: INTRODUCTION TO THE SPECIAL ISSUE

(1992). THE ARAL CRISIS: INTRODUCTION TO THE SPECIAL ISSUE. Post-Soviet Geography: Vol. 33, No. 5, pp. 269-282.
Sex Differences in a Murine Model of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a major cause of chronic pain after surgery or trauma to the limbs. Despite evidence showing that the prevalence and severity of many forms of chronic pain, including CRPS, differ between males and females, laboratory studies on sex-related differences in animal models of CRPS are not available, and the impact of sex on the transition from acute to chronic CRPS pain and disability are unexplored. Here we make use of a tibia fracture/cast mouse model that recapitulates the nociceptive, functional, vascular, trophic, inflammatory and immune aspects of CRPS. Our aim is to describe the chronic time course of nociceptive, motor and memory changes associated with fracture/cast in male and female mice, in addition to exploring their underlying spinal mechanisms. Our behavioral data shows that, compared to males, female mice display lower nociceptive thresholds following fracture in the absence of any differences in ongoing or spontaneous pain. Furthermore, female mice show exaggerated signs of motor dysfunction, deficits in fear memory, and latent sensitization that manifests long after the normalization of nociceptive thresholds. Our biochemical data show differences in the spinal cord levels of the glutamate receptor NR2b, suggesting sex differences in mechanisms of central sensitization that could account for differences in duration and severity of CRPS symptoms between the two groups.
Spectroscopic localization by simultaneous acquisition of the double‐spin and stimulated echoes

Purpose To design a proton MR spectroscopy (1H-MRS) localization sequence that combines the signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) benefits of point resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) with the high pulse bandwidths, low chemical shift displacements (CSD), low specific absorption rates (SAR), short echo times (TE), and superior radiofrequency transmit field (B1+) immunity of stimulated echo acquisition mode (STEAM), by simultaneously refocusing and acquiring both the double-spin and stimulated echo coherence pathways from the volume of interest. Theory and Methods We propose a family of 1H-MRS sequences comprising three orthogonal spatially selective pulses with flip angles 90° < α, β, γ < 128°. The stimulated and double-spin echo are refocused in-phase simultaneously by altering the pulses' phases, flip angles and timing, as well as the interpulse gradient spoiling moments. The ≈ 90° nutations of α, β, γ provide STEAM-like advantages (lower SAR, in-plane CSD and TE; greater B1+ immunity), but with SNRs comparable with PRESS. Results Phantom and in vivo brain experiments show that 83–100% of the PRESS SNR (metabolite-dependent) is achieved at under 75% of the SAR and 66% lower in-plane CSD. Conclusion The advantages of STEAM can be augmented with the higher SNR of PRESS by combining the spin and stimulated echoes. Quantification, especially of J-coupled resonances and intermediate and long TEs, must be carefully considered. Magn Reson Med 73:31–43, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Septic arthritis, navicular bursitis and osseous cyst‐like lesion in a foal

Summary The purpose of this report is to describe the clinical, imaging and pathological findings in a Quarter Horse colt admitted to the Texas A&M University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for lameness of the left forelimb and left hindlimb. A presumptive diagnosis of left forelimb septic navicular bursitis was made ultrasonographically. A cyst-like lesion of the calcaneus was diagnosed radiographically and better characterised with computed tomography. The cyst-like lesion of the calcaneus was caused by infection with Actinobacillus sp. and extended into the adjacent tarsocrural, proximal intertarsal and talocalcaneal joints causing septic arthritis. The owner elected for euthanasia due to the poor prognosis. The diagnoses were confirmed on histopathology.
A study of oxide reliability limitation on different field plate based termination techniques for SiC power devices

SiC is a promising material for future power semiconductor devices due to its superior material property. As an important edge termination technique for SiC devices, field plate termination techniques have the advantage of being simple with fabrication process and that it avoids defects induced reverse leakage current associated with implantation based JTE terminations. In this paper, various field plate termination techniques are systematically studied and results reveal that severe electric field crowding exits in the oxide at the metal termination, which will potentially cause reliability concern and limit device breakdown voltage. Oxide reliability issue for various field plate edge termination for the first time is explored in detail and new techniques are proposed to minimize field crowding in the dielectric material. Dielectric reliability concerns are alleviated and a relatively high percentage of ideal breakdown voltage is achieved with the proposed termination structure. The proposed structure is simple and can be a promising termination technology for SiC power semiconductor devices.
Culture-Bound (or Culturally Salient?)

An established body of research has documented the role of culture in mental disorders and notes that culture not only shapes the experiences and symptomatology of disorders, but is a key factor in the organization and clustering of symptoms. As a result, disorders across cultures can be composed of an array of symptoms that do not easily or directly correspond to the disorders listed in the North American nomenclature of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). To account for such difficulties, the DSM-IV-R has a glossary titled “culture-bound syndromes” that lists 25 of the most frequently studied experiences (see Table 1). These experiences are defined as recurrent patterns of abnormal behaviors and distressing experiences that are “bound” to particular populations or regions, which may or may not be associated with specific DSM diagnoses. Keywords: abnormal; indigenous psychology; psychopathology
How Do Public Goods Providers Play Public Goods Games

We study how policymakers play public goods games, and how their behavior compares to the typical subjects we study, by conducting parallel experiments on college undergraduates and American state legislators. We find that the legislators play public goods games more cooperatively and more consistently than the undergraduates. Legislators are also less responsive to treatments that involve social elements but are more likely to respond to additional information that they receive. Further, legislators' fixed characteristics explain much of the variation in how legislators play the game. We discuss the implications of these findings for understanding how institutions affect the provision of public goods.
Robust controller design and analysis for distributed three-phase inverter voltage tracking

For distributed inverter voltage tracking, phase-locked loop are conventionally utilized to achieve synchronization. Its implementation requires a separate Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) with the necessary hardware, and there is still a constant offset in the reference tracking. In previous work, authors proposed a controller “matrix” based on Internal Model Principle to achieve synchronization control for three-phase inverters with balanced loads; and the proposed system does not need PLL, including its corresponding hardware. This paper presents the design and performance analysis of the proposed controller for voltage tracking, considering different plant models with unbalanced loads. Furthermore, robust stability analysis is performed to define robustness boundary, and robust performance analysis is conducted to specify performance limit of the controller with respect to unstructured uncertainty in the plant. The simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed methodology in assuring robust, offset-free, voltage vector tracking for distributed three-phase inverters.
Putting the squeeze on test sequences

Dynamic test sequence compaction is an effective means of reducing test application time and often results in higher fault coverages and reduced test generation time as well. A new algorithm for dynamic test sequence compaction is presented that uses genetic techniques to evolve test sequences. Test sequences provided by a test generator and previously evolved sequences already included in the test set are used as seeds in the genetic population. Significant improvements in test set size, fault coverage, and test generation time have been obtained over previous approaches.
Scattering from a Dielectric Cylinder Partially Embedded in a Perfectly Conducting Ground Plane

A rigorous field analysis of the problem of scattering from a dielectric cylinder partially embedded in a perfectly conducting ground plane, and excited by a magnetic or electric line current in the free space outside the dielectric cylinder, is given in this paper. The dielectric medium is assumed to be linear, homogeneous, isotropic, although not necessarily free from losses. A field equivalence theorem is utilized to derive, for each excitation, an integral equation for the equivalent magnetic current on the dielectric interface, which is later solved using Galerkin's method. The equivalent magnetic currents are then used to determine the scattered field everywhere outside and inside the dielectric cylinder. Numerical results for the equivalent magnetic currents and far scattered field patterns are given. The resonances of the partially embedded dielectric cylinder are also defined and computed for both polarizations.
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) derived vectors: safety considerations and controversy over therapeutic applications

The latest generation of lentiviral vectors based on HIV‐1 is one of the most efficient tools for gene transduction of mammalian cells. However, the possible employment of HIV‐based vectors in clinical trials is a very controversial issue, mainly due to safety and ethical concerns. HIV‐1 is a lethal pathogenic agent, which induces AIDS. Genetic vectors must derive either from viruses that are not pathogenic in humans, or that eventually just cause mild illnesses. Patients exposed to HIV‐based vectors will test seropositive to certain components of HIV‐1. In addition, there might be other possible adverse effects in patients that cannot be predicted, as many aspects of the pathogenesis of AIDS have not been completely understood yet. On these grounds, it seems necessary to improve the design of other lentiviral vectors, which derive from viruses that are not pathogenic in humans and are distantly related to primate retroviridae.
Avoiding disruptive failovers in transaction processing systems with multiple active nodes

We present a highly available system for environments such as stock trading, where high request rates and low latency requirements dictate that service disruption on the order of seconds in length can be unacceptable. After a node failure, our system avoids delays in processing due to detecting the failure or transferring control to a back-up node. We achieve this by using multiple primary nodes which process transactions concurrently as peers. If a primary node fails, the remaining primaries continue executing without being delayed at all by the failed primary. Nodes agree on a total ordering for processing requests with a novel low overhead wait-free algorithm that utilizes a small amount of shared memory accessible to the nodes and a simple compare-and-swap like protocol which allows the system to progress at the speed of the fastest node. We have implemented our system on an IBM z990 zSeries eServer mainframe and show experimentally that our system performs well and can transparently handle node failures without causing delays to transaction processing. The efficient implementation of our algorithm for ordering transactions is a critically important factor in achieving good performance.
Self-assembled neuromorphic networks

This paper details our experimental progress towards the synthesis of self-assembled nanostructures that may exhibit collective computational activity. Self assembled two dimensional networks of heterostructured quantum dots, linked by resistive and capacitive connections, can function as Boolean logic circuits, associative memory, image processors, and combinatorial optimizers. Computational or signal processing activity is elicited from simple charge interactions between the dots which act as non-linear resistors. Such circuits could be massively parallel, fault-tolerant, ultrafast, ultradense and dissipate very little power.
Aortopulmonary size discrepancy is not a contraindication to the pediatric Ross operation

Abstract Background . Modification of the aortic annulus or the ascending aorta, or both, may be required in pediatric patients undergoing the Ross operation. The fate of these autografts remains uncertain. Methods . Retrospective review of 15 patients undergoing Ross operation without aortic annular modification (group 1), 11 patients requiring annular reduction (group 2, n=11), and 8 patients requiring annular enlargement (group 3, n=8). Autograft function and dimensions were evaluated by echocardiography. Results . Autograft insufficiency was less than or equal to mild in 33 patients and moderate in 1 patient. The annulus body surface area ratio increased in group 1 from 19.7 ± 5 to 20.3 ± 5 mm/m 2 ( p = 0.8). The average annular reduction in group 2 was 5 ± 1.5 mm, and 10 of 11 patients required reduction of the ascending aorta (mean 11 ± 5 mm). The annulus body surface area ratio increased from 18.6 ± 7 to 20.5 ± 9 mm/m 2 ( p = 0.2). The mean augmentation in annulus diameter in group 3 was 6 ± 4 mm; the annulus body surface area ratio decreased from 23.7 ± 14 to 20.3 ± 8 mm/m 2 ( p = 0.5). Conclusions . We continue to offer the Ross operation to pediatric patients even when aortic annular or ascending aortic size discrepancies mandate surgical modifications.
The Work of J. G. A. Pocock

J. G. A. Pocock, Barbarism and Religion. Vol. 1: The Enlightenments of Edward Gibbon, 1737–1764. Vol. 2: Narratives of Civil Government. Cambridge, England, Cambridge University Press, 1999, xi+339 pp. and xiv+422 pp., $90.00, 2 vols., ISBN 0 521 77921 9.
Neuroendocrine and behavioral effects of dietary tryptophan restriction in healthy subjects

The neuroendocrine and behavioral effects of gradual dietary tryptophan (TRP) depletion, utilizing two magnitudes of a 10-day TRP-restriction diet (700 mg/day and 200 mg/day), were studied in 22 healthy subjects. The prolactin response to a 7 gm L-TRP infusion was measured prior to and on day 10 of the diet. Both diets significantly reduced fasting total plasma TRP by 15 to 20%, but only the 200 mg/day TRP diet led to an enhancement of the prolactin response to intravenous L-TRP. Female subjects demonstrated a more robust increase in plasma prolactin following L-TRP infusion pre-diet and exhibited a larger decrease in plasma TRP following dietary TRP restriction compared to males. There were no significant behavioral effects of either diet. Gradual dietary TRP depletion leads to an enhancement of the prolactin response to L-TRP infusion, suggestive of postsynaptic serotonin receptor supersensitivity.
Evidence of an X-linked or recessive genetic component to prostate cancer risk

We used data from a population-based cohort study of blacks, Hispanics, Japanese and whites to examine the frequency of prevalent prostate and breast cancer by family history status of first-degree relatives (parents and siblings). Independent of race, the age-adjusted relative risk for prevalent prostate cancer in subjects with affected brothers was approximately two times that in subjects with affected fathers (P < 0.00005). No such excess risk for breast cancer was observed among subjects with affected sisters compared to those with affected mothers (age- and race-adjusted relative risk = 1.10, P= 0.34). The magnitude of the relative risk for prostate cancer in sibling-versus parent-affected groups was significantly different from that of the comparable relative risk for breast cancer (P < 0.00005). An excess risk of prostate cancer in men with affected brothers compared to those with affected fathers is consistent with the hypothesis of an X-linked, or recessive, model of inheritance.
X-ray spectra of young type I supernova remnants : exploded white dwarfs ?

It is argued that the X-ray spectra of young Type I supernova remnants can be understood consistently in terms of thermal emission mainly from a reverse shock into initially uniform density ejecta. The inferred mass of ejecta is then consistent with 1.4 solar mass in SN 1006, Tycho, and Kepler. A substantial mass of iron, perhaps 0.8 solar mass, may be present provided that the ejecta are chemically inhomogeneous, with iron confined to inner layers of ejecta. The marked difference between the X-ray spectra of SN 1006 and Tycho is explained by the lower interstellar density around SN 1006.
Characterization of the High-Temperature Ferroelectric (100−x−y)BiScO3–(x)Bi(Zr0.5Zn0.5)O3–(y)PbTiO3 Perovskite Ternary Solid Solution

Ternary compositions based on Bi(B′B″)O3–PbTiO3-type compounds have been investigated for high-temperature piezoelectric applications. Compositions in the ternary were chosen to be near the binary morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) composition of BiScO3–PbTiO3 (BS–PT). Ternary compositions in (100−x−y)BiScO3–(x)Bi(Zr0.5Zn0.5)O3–(y)PbTiO3 [(100−x−y)BS–xBZZ–yPT] have been investigated with x ≤ 7.5. For compositions with x > 10, the Curie temperature (TC) decreased below 400°C. Dielectric, piezoelectric, and electromechanical properties were characterized as a function of temperature, frequency, and electric field. Small additions of BZZ were shown to increase the electromechanical properties with only a small loss in TC. The electromechanical properties were temperature stable up to the depoling temperature. The most promising composition exhibited a TC of 430°C, piezoelectric coefficient (d33) of 520 pC/N, and a planar coupling factor (kp) of 0.45 that remained unchanged up to depoling temperature at 385°C.
Four-dimensional symmetry from a broad viewpoint X.—Finite self-masses and the proton-neutron mass difference

We show that the self-mass is finite in this theory with the universal probability for field oscillators. The «bare mass» of the photon in finite QED is related to the fundamental massMf by the relationmγ2≈αMf2/2π. The electromagneticU1 gauge symmetry with the massless photon is the result of the interaction and finite renormalization. Finite «quantum elecweakdynamics» with quarks can lead to the correct sign and the right order of magnitude of the mass differences for nucleons and other hadron isomultiplets. Usual quantum field theories based on special relativity cannot explain these observed mass differences. Furthermore, the present elecweakdynamics suggests that there is a large violation of the isospin invariance due to a mass difference between up and down quarks. It also indicates that the observed lepton masses are smaller than the corresponding bare masses. All these results of self-masses are essentially the same no matter whether one uses an exponential function, exp [−IG], or a rational function, (I2G2+1)−2, for the universal probability distribution of field oscillators.
Proliferative myositis of the mylohyoid muscle

Proliferative myositis (PM) is a head and neck mass of rare etiology. In a review of the literature, 57 cases of PM were found. Of these, only 12 occurred in the head and neck region. Proliferative myositis is most rare in children, with only three reported cases, none of which involved the head and neck region. A case of a 9-year-old girl with PM of the mylohyoid muscle, presenting as a neck mass, is reported.
A Stochastic Framework for Multiprocessor Soft Real-Time Scheduling

Prior work has shown that the global earliest-deadline-first (GEDF) scheduling algorithm ensures bounded deadline tardiness on multiprocessors with no utilization loss; therefore, GEDF may be a good candidate scheduling algorithm for soft real-time workloads. However, such workloads are often implemented assuming an average-case provisioning, and in prior tardiness-bound derivations for GEDF, worst-case execution costs are assumed. As worst-case costs can be orders of magnitude higher than average-case costs, using a worst-case provisioning may result in significant wasted processing capacity. In this paper, prior tardiness-bound derivations for GEDF are generalized so that execution times are probabilistic, and a bound on expected (mean) tardiness is derived. It is shown that, as long as the total expected utilization is strictly less than the number of available processors, the expected tardiness of every task is bounded under GEDF. The result also implies that any quantile of the tardiness distribution is also bounded.
Raman scattering from superconducting gap excitations in the presence of a magnetic field

We recently observed, using Raman scattering as a probe, the superconducting gap excitation in 2H-NbSe/sub 2/. This was seen by the appearance of two new Raman-active modes of different symmetry A (18 cm/sup -1/) and E (15 cm/sup -1/) when the sample is superconducting. In this paper we present further experimental details and results that confirm the theory of Balseiro and Falicov, which shows that the new modes borrow their Raman activity from low-lying charge-density-wave (CDW) phonons. Evidence of this direct coupling between superconducting electrons and the CDW phonon is seen by the behavior of the modes in a magnetic field. Such behavior of the Raman spectra is explained in terms of a model involving a complex gap. The effect of lifetime broadening of the CDW phonon and consequences of varying the coupling strength are presented.
What Risk Factors Predict Recurrence of Heterotopic Ossification After Excision in Combat-related Amputations?

Background Heterotopic ossification (HO) is common after combat-related amputations and surgical excision remains the only definitive treatment for persistently symptomatic HO. There is no consensus in the literature regarding the timing of surgery, and recurrence frequency, reexcision, and complications have not been reported in large numbers of patients.
Simultaneous gas–liquid interfacial oxygen absorption and biochemical oxidation

Two experimental methods were used in measuring oxygen-transfer rates. The results indicate that two possible mechanisms are operating in simultaneous gas–liquid interfacial oxygen absorption and biochemical oxidation. One of the mechanisms, the direct absorption mechanism, has not been much studied in bioengineering. Mathematical equations are derived to describe the simultaneous mechanisms.
Can the optical excitations of surface plasmons be used to study (liquid) metal surfaces

Abstract The surface plasmon dispersion relation is obtained for a metal with a free electron density given by N(z) = Nb + (Ns − Nb) exp ( −z a ) for z ⪖ 0 and N = 0 for z (N s − N b ) N b and a, which characterize our density profile.
The Influence of the Feminist Subculture in Changing Sex-Role Attitudes.

A recent analysis of longitudinal data indicates that protest participation does not explain the modernization of sex-role attitudes which has occurred on campus during the past decade. As an alternative, it is suggested that the “consciousness raising” (CR) groups that have characterized the subcultural phase of the women's movement are partially responsible for these dramatic changes. To test this hypothesis, changes in the sex-role attitudes of 66 students in a 10-week introductory women studies class were analyzed. While a comparison group of 121 students in an introductory sociology class showed no change in attitudes toward the female sex role, the women studies students significantly increased in sex-role modernism. Female students showed significantly greater increases than males. These findings support the “subcultural thesis” that sex-role modernism, a subcultural value of the feminist movement, has been successfully promoted through the mechanism of CR groups, such as the one studied here. While other factors undoubtedly have affected this change in sex-role attitudes, the spread of CR groups in the 1970s must be give a prominent role.
Detecting "missing mass" candidates with the superheated superconducting detector

Evidence from astrophysics and particle physics suggest that weakly interacting massive particles(WIMPs) may comprise most of the mass of the galaxy. If these particles exist, they can be detected by cryogenic detectors. The superheated superconducting colloid detector is well suited for use in the search for WIMPs. The earth's motion around the Sun provides a distinctive signal which can be used to confirm a detection.
Therapy-related leukemia associated with alkylating agents.

The leukemogenic potential of alkylating agents has been known for many years and almost all alkylating agents in clinical use have been shown to increase the risk of leukemia. With these drugs the risk of leukemia appears to increase with increasing patient age, as does the risk of de novo myeloid leukemia in the population. Susceptibility to alkylating agent-associated leukemia is influenced by the genetic constitution of the patient, and by the nature of the exposure. To illustrate the importance of these factors in etiology of leukemia, this paper discusses the contribution of disorders such as Fanconi anemia and neurofibromatosis to susceptibility to alkylating agent-associated leukemia. This paper also discusses the contribution of alkylkating agents and other therapeutic exposures in the etiology of leukemias occurring after autologous bone marrow transplant. Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 36:536–540, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Large‐scale Procedure for Reprocessing Outdated Clinical Albumin

Recovery of clinical albumin from large stocks of outdated material would help to alleviate the current shortage of this valuable product. A large-scale procedure for reprocessing outdated polymerized albumin is described based on Cohn's cold ethanol technic. The method consists of removing a polymeric fraction by precipitation in the cold at 20 per cent ethanol, pH 5.2 and 0.03 M NaCl, and recovering monomeric albumin from the supernatant at pH 4.8 and 25 per cent ethanol. High nephelometric stability is restored, and the product meets all the NIH requirements for clinical salt-poor albumin. The fractionation method reduces the polymer content from 33.5 per cent to about 10 per cent, which is comparable to that found in indated albumin preparations. The yield of recovered albumin was 32.5 per cent, while the recovery of the monomer, itself, was 45 per cent. Some signs which suggest denaturation of the albumin during the aging process are discussed briefly.
General Solid-Phase Synthesis Approach To Prepare Mechanism-Based Aspartyl Protease Inhibitor Libraries. Identification of Potent Cathepsin D Inhibitors

A general method has been developed for the expedient solid-phase synthesis of aspartyl protease inhibitors that do not incorporate any amino acids. The synthesis approach was designed to allow the introduction of diverse functionality at all four variable sites in inhibitors 1a,b using readily available precursors. Representative, analytically pure inhibitors were obtained in 45−64% overall yields for the 12-step solid-phase synthesis sequence that includes both stereoselective reduction and carbon−carbon bond forming steps. A library of 204 spatially separate compounds was also prepared and screened against cathepsin D and resulted in the identification of a number of potent small molecule inhibitors (Ki = 0.7−3 nM). The described synthesis approach enables the rapid identification of small molecule inhibitors to diverse aspartyl protease targets. The general design principles are also applicable to other enzyme classes.
An Exascale Approach to Software and Hardware Design

For the past 10â15 years, horizontal layers of software and hardware design and development have been the de facto standard of creating high-performance computing (HPC) software. The horizontal design approach leads to the development of discrete components in the software stack and independent hardware components â all developed with different methods, requirements and quality dominated by plug-and-play componentization that is focused on horizontal functionality and portability. The horizontal software paradigm will break down at the exascale due to the system scale and complexity. The vertical approach needed for the exascale should include resilience (reliability and fault tolerance); performance; programmability; computational models; I/O; consistency and verification; resource management; and power management/total cost of ownership. To make the exascale an effective reality, instead of thinking of integration as the final step in defining and developing an exascale system, it will have to be the first step.
Overwintering of the Black Blow Fly, Phormia regina (Meigen), in Indiana

Studies were undertaken in central Indiana in 1968 to determine survival of prepupae and pupae of Phormia regina (Meigen) to cold temperatures for varying time periods. Prepupae did not survive an 18-day exposure to 4.5°C (40.1°F). Pupae survived 4.5°C for 18 days, but not for 25 days. Pupae did not survive below-freezing temperatures for more than 2 days. Previous conditioning of pupae, either by exposure to 4.5°C for 5 days, or to 4.5°C for 2 days and 0.5°C (33°F) for 2 days did not improve survival at below-freezing temperatures.
Necessary and sufficient condition for longitudinal magnetoresistance

Since the Lorentz force is perpendicular to the magnetic field, it should not affect the motion of a charge along the field. This argument seems to imply absence of longitudinal magnetoresistance (LMR) which is, however, observed in many materials and reproduced by standard semiclassical transport theory applied to particular metals. We derive a necessary and sufficient condition on the shape of the Fermi surface for nonzero LMR. Although an anisotropic spectrum is a prerequisite for LMR, not all types of anisotropy can give rise to the effect: a spectrum should not be separable in any sense. More precisely, the combination ${k}_{\ensuremath{\rho}}{v}_{\ensuremath{\phi}}/{v}_{\ensuremath{\rho}}$, where ${k}_{\ensuremath{\rho}}$ is the radial component of the momentum in a cylindrical system with the $z$ axis along the magnetic field and ${v}_{\ensuremath{\rho}}({v}_{\ensuremath{\phi}})$ is the radial (tangential) component of the velocity, should depend on the momentum along the field. For some lattice types, this condition is satisfied already at the level of nearest-neighbor hopping; for others, the required non-separabality occurs only if next-to-nearest-neighbor hopping is taken into account.
Dislocation density crystalline plasticity modeling of lath martensitic microstructures in steel alloys

A three-dimensional multiple-slip dislocation density-based crystalline formulation, specialized finite-element formulations and Voronoi tessellations adapted to martensitic orientations were used to investigate large strain inelastic deformation modes and dislocation density evolution in martensitic microstructures. The formulation is based on accounting for variant morphologies and orientations, retained austenite and initial dislocation densities that are uniquely inherent to martensitic microstructures. The effects of parent austenite orientation and retained austenite were also investigated for heterogeneous fcc/bcc crystalline structures. Furthermore, the formulation was used to investigate microstructures mapped directly from SEM/EBSD images of martensitic steel alloys. The analysis indicates that variant morphology and orientations have a direct effect on dislocation density accumulation and inelastic localization in martensitic microstructures, and that lath directions, orientations and arrangeme...
Theory of sequence effects on DNA translocation through proteins and nanopores

A general formula for the sequence effects on the average translocation time of a polymer passing through a narrow hole under a chemical potential gradient is provided. The utility of the general expression is illustrated by considering the diblock sequence of a polymer with two kinds of monomers. The experimental conditions required for sufficient discrimination of various sequences are addressed.
Where the ocean influences the impulse response and its effect on synchronous changes of acoustic travel time.

In 1983, sounds at 133 Hz, 0.06 s resolution were transmitted in the Pacific for five days at 2 min intervals over 3709 km between bottom-mounted instruments maintained with atomic clocks. In 1989, a technique was developed to measure changes in acoustic travel time with an accuracy of 135 microseconds at 2 min intervals for selected windows of travel time within the impulse response. The data have short-lived 1 to 10 ms oscillations of travel time with periods less than a few days. Excluding tidal effects, different windows exhibited significant synchronized changes in travel time for periods shorter than 10 h. In the 1980s, this phenomenon was not understood because internal waves have correlation lengths of a few kilometers which are smaller than the way sound was thought to sample the ocean along well-separated and distinct rays corresponding to different windows. The paradox’s resolution comes from modern theories that replace the ray-picture with finite wavelength representations that predict sound can be influenced in the upper ocean over horizontal scales such as 20 km or more. Thus, different windows are influenced by the same short-scale fluctuations of sound speed. This conclusion is supported by the data and numerical simulations of the impulse response.
What Accounts for Heterosexual Women’s Negative Emotional Responses to Lesbians?: Examination of Traditional Gender Role Beliefs and Sexual Prejudice

This study examined a pathway to heterosexual women’s experience of anger and anxiety in response to lesbian interactions. Participants were 149 18–30 year old heterosexual female undergraduates (56% African American) from a southeastern United States university. Participants completed measures of female gender role beliefs, sexual prejudice, and state affect, viewed a video depicting relationship behavior between a female–female or male–female dyad, and again completed a measure of state affect. Results indicated that traditional beliefs about women were associated with higher levels of sexual prejudice toward lesbians. In turn, higher levels of sexual prejudice predicted increased anger (not anxiety) in response to the female–female, but not the male–female, dyad. Findings elucidate determinants of heterosexual women’s anger, and potentially aggression, toward lesbians.
Longitudinal phase space transformations

Abstract The linear theory of longitudinal phase space matching is developed. It is shown that one can match equivalently with harmonic potential wells or combinations of lenses and drift spaces. The theory is applied to phase and energy bunching. For linear accelerator pre-bunching, an application of phase bunching, the linear theory is used as a guide to a more exact non-linear calculation. For linear accelerator post-bunching, an application of energy bunching, the linear theory is shown to give adequate results.
Evaluating Physician Communication Competence Scales: A Replication and Extension

Extending the work of Schirmer et al. (2005), physician communication skills of 14 physician communication competence measures were analyzed. Two coders determined what communication skills were assessed by the measures using the Kalamazoo Consensus Statement and the work of Duffy et al. (2004) as frameworks for the investigation. Findings suggest that physician communication competence measures do not all assess the same communication skills. Although a few measures included almost all of the skills, some included very few. In addition, communication adaptability and family interviewing skills should be included in physician communication competence measures, but are absent from many indices.
The challenge of active optical sensing from extreme orbits

A review of the history and current state of atmospheric sensing lidar from Earth orbit was conducted and it was found that space based earth remote sensing is still in its infancy with only one limited success extended duration autonomous mission to date. An analysis of the basic requirements for some candidate geo-synchronous lidar concepts was completed and it was concluded that significant basic work is required in all areas of lidar development.
Sampling the Chemistry of Shallow Aquifer Systems — A Case Study

Pumped waters from 14 Pennsylvania wells, located in shallow sandstone, siltstone and shale aquifers, were continuously monitored for dissolved oxygen (D. O.), nitrate (NO3), pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and water temperature in a discharge manifold at the well head. The amount of pumping or purging required to stabilize these parameter readings varied by well site and parameter being analyzed. However, the purging required was generally greatest for D. O. and least for water temperature where: D. O. < NO3 pH < EC < water temperature. Wells located near the siltstone-shale interface generally required far more purging than did wells located elsewhere. Although parameter stability was often achieved within purging one bore volume, the complexity, diversity, and variability in the data and these well-ground water systems, suggest that no single purging rule is appropriate. Instead, the extent of purging required before sampling these shallow aquifers should be determined by incorporating on-site monitoring of target or related parameters into the purging process. From a sampling perspective, the relationship between NO3 and D. O. concentrations during purging were analyzed relative to aquifer type. For most wells located in sandstone or siltstone, NO3 concentrations remained relatively constant during purging irrespective of changes in D. O. For most wells located in shale, these two were positively and similarly correlated, suggesting that a general relationship exists.
Contrasting anesthetic sensitivities of T-type Ca2+ channels of reticular thalamic neurons and recombinant Cav3.3 channels

Reticular thalamocortical neurons express a slowly inactivating T-type Ca(2+) current that is quite similar to that recorded from recombinant Ca(v)3.3b (alpha1Ib) channels. These neurons also express abundant Ca(v)3.3 mRNA, suggesting that it underlies the native current. Here, we test this hypothesis by comparing the anesthetic sensitivities of recombinant Ca(v)3.3b channels stably expressed in HEK 293 cells to native T channels in reticular thalamic neurons (nRT) from brain slices of young rats. Barbiturates completely blocked both Ca(v)3.3 and nRT currents, with pentobarbital being about twice more potent in blocking Ca(v)3.3 currents. Isoflurane had about the same potency in blocking Ca(v)3.3 and nRT currents, but enflurane, etomidate, propofol, and ethanol exhibited 2-4 fold higher potency in blocking nRT vs Ca(v)3.3 currents. Nitrous oxide (N(2)O; laughing gas) blocked completely nRT currents with IC(50) of 20%, but did not significantly affect Ca(v)3.3 currents at four-fold higher concentrations. In addition, we observed that in lower concentration, N(2)O reversibly increased nRT but not Ca(v)3.3 currents. In conclusion, contrasting anesthetic sensitivities of Ca(v)3.3 and nRT T-type Ca(2+) channels strongly suggest that different molecular structures of Ca(2+) channels give rise to slowly inactivating T-type Ca(2+) currents. Furthermore, effects of volatile anesthetics and ethanol on slowly inactivating T-type Ca(2+) channel variants may contribute to the clinical effects of these agents.
Activity recognition in planetary navigation field tests using classification algorithms applied to accelerometer data

Accelerometer data provide useful information about subject activity in many different application scenarios. For this study, single-accelerometer data were acquired from subjects participating in field tests that mimic tasks that astronauts might encounter in reduced gravity environments. The primary goal of this effort was to apply classification algorithms that could identify these tasks based on features present in their corresponding accelerometer data, where the end goal is to establish methods to unobtrusively gauge subject well-being based on sensors that reside in their local environment. In this initial analysis, six different activities that involve leg movement are classified. The k-Nearest Neighbors (kNN) algorithm was found to be the most effective, with an overall classification success rate of 90.8%.
A multi-class queuing network analysis methodology for improving hospital emergency department performance

This paper derives an open queuing network model of an emergency department (ED) design intended to increase the capacity of an ED to treat patients. The methodology captures hospital-specific differences in patient acuity mix, arrival patterns and volumes, and efficiencies of processes in a single common computational model. A spreadsheet implementation of the resulting queuing equations is used by managers, in real time, to size ED areas using waiting time and overflow probability as quality of service targets. Non-homogeneous arrival patterns, non-exponential service time distributions, and multiple patient types are all incorporated. The methodology has been applied to a fleet of hospitals for validation. Results from one of them are used to demonstrate the methodology. Scope and purpose: Population growth, closure of emergency departments (EDs) nearby, or seasonal peak variation can cause ED patient wait times to increase dramatically. Prolonged waits induce patients to leave the ED before receiving treatment, creating a public health problem. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new paradigm of ED care that reduces ''walk-aways'', and increases ED access, through an operational research method that customizes to any hospital through the use of hospital-specific data elements.
Determination of serum alkaline phosphatase activity by electrochemical detection with flow injection analysis

In this enzyme assay for kinetic measurement of alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) activity in human serum by flow injection analysis with electrochemical detection (FIA-EC), the substrate phenyl phosphate is enzymatically hydrolyzed and the phenol produced is quantified by FIA-EC. The standard curve is linear over the range 40 to 500 U/l, and the predicted linearity is up to 1000 U/l. The CV is 5% over the range of the assay. Correlation with the Sclavo Diagnostics nitrophenyl phosphate spectrophotometric technique gave an r of 0.98. This new technique requires as little as 1 μl of serum. The FIA-EC method is not subject to interference by hemolysis, icteria, or lipemia or by electroactive substances such as urate, ascorbate, or acetaminophen. Sensitive measurements free from spectrophotometric interferences are thus possible.
Foraging site use and interspecific competition between bluegills and golden shiners

Laboratory experiments examined the foraging performances of a dietary generalist, bluegill,Lepomis macrochirus, and a dietary specialist, golden shiner,Notemigonus crysoleucas, as they fed from devices simulating four foraging sites (bottom substrate, water column, submerged macrophytes, and water surface). Fishes foraged in monospecific and mixed-species groups of two and four individuals. For monospecific groups, foraging rates of bluegills did not differ among the four sites, but golden shiners had significantly higher rates on bottom and midwater sites than on plant and surface sites. The size of monospecific groups did not affect foraging rates of either species. In mixed-species trials, bluegills removed more food items than golden shiners from plant and surface sites in two- and four-fish groups and from bottom sites in two-fish groups. Bluegills' foraging performances improved with experience, golden shiners' performances did not. Experimental results are discussed with respect to interactions between bluegills and golden shiners in natural assemblages.
Elicitation of Subjective Probabilities by Sequential Choices

Abstract The subjective probability of an uncertain outcome can be elicited by offering the subject a sequence of choices of prospects. At any step Prospect A is a reward of g(r) if the outcome in question occurs, while Prospect B is a reward of g(r) if br occurs, where br has known probability r. For a particular sequence of r-values a characterization is given of rewards which encourage honest responses. The results are related to the method of scoring rules for eliciting subjective probabilities.