cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diffusion Equation and Distance Scaling Methods of Global Optimization: Applications to Crystal Structure Prediction

Two methods of global minimization, the diffusion equation method and the distance scaling method, are applied to predict the crystal structures of the hexasulfur and benzene molecules. No knowledge about the systems other than the geometry of the molecules and the pairwise potentials is assumed; i.e., no assumptions are made about the space groups, cell dimensions, or number of molecules in the unit cell. Both methods are based on smoothing transformations of the original potential energy surface, which remove all insignificant local minima; the surviving minima are traced back to the original potential energy surface during the so-called reversing procedure, in which the transformations are gradually removed. The crystal structures, known from experiment, were predicted correctly. To verify the power of the methods, the problem of global minimization of the potential energy of crystals of both molecules was intentionally increased considerably in complexity: viz., the numbers of molecules in the unit c...
The Universe on a Desktop: Observational Astronomy Simulations in the Instructional Laboratory

Though the value of hands-on learning has long been recognised by educators, it is difficult to design laboratories in astronomy classes that present realistic astrophysical techniques to undergraduate students. Unlike most other sciences, astronomy is largely observational, not experimental, and making useful observations involves expensive equipment over time scales inconvenient for pedagogy. In recent years, however, astronomy has gone almost completely digital, and the advent of large on-line databases and fast personal computers has made it possible to realistically simulate the experience of research astrophysics in the laboratory. Since 1992, Project CLEA (Contemporary Laboratory Experiences in Astronomy) has been developing computer-based exercises aimed primarily at the introductory astron- omy laboratory. These exercises simulate important techniques of astronomical research using digital data and Windows-based software. Each of the nine exercises developed to date consists of software, technical guides for teachers, and student manuals for the exercises. CLEA software is used at many institutions in all the United States and over 60 countries worldwide, in a variety of settings from middle school to upper-class astronomy classes. The current design philosophy and goals of Project CLEA are discussed along with plans for future development.
Inflammatory pseudotumor of the spleen in a young child

We describe a case of an inflammatory pseudotumor of the spleen in a 5-year-old boy, found incidentally during a physical examination. The boy underwent a hemisplenectomy. The problems in differentiating this disease from lymphoma of the spleen before surgery and the advantages of hemisplenectomy are discussed. This rare disease has previously been described in the spleen in only 28 cases, the youngest being a 16-year-old patient.
Low-dose carbon monoxide treatment attenuates early pulmonary neutrophil recruitment after acid aspiration

Exogenous carbon monoxide (CO) has anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective properties that show promise in the treatment of numerous pulmonary diseases. However, the effectiveness of CO in acute pulmonary injury associated with direct lung insult has not been shown conclusively. The purpose of this study was to determine if exogenous CO would modulate the pulmonary inflammation and lung injury that develops after acid aspiration. Groups of mice were given intratracheal (IT) injections of either saline or an acidic solution. After the IT injection, some of the mice in each group were allowed to spontaneously inhale CO (500 ppm). Mice exposed to CO for 6 h after IT acid had a significant decrease in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid neutrophil counts and in histological evidence of lung injury. These results could not be explained by changes in BAL fluid chemokine levels or altered CXCR2 expression. The reduced neutrophil recruitment was associated with a decrease in the percentage of peripheral blood neutrophils expressing CD11b protein. However, within 24 h, the BAL neutrophil counts increased and were not different from animals without CO exposure. In addition, indices of vascular integrity were not different between animals with acid aspiration regardless of CO exposure at the later time point. These results showed that CO can modulate the early development of acute lung inflammation in this model of acid aspiration. Although these effects were eventually overwhelmed, the results suggest that CO may have efficacy during the initial treatment of aspiration lung injury.
Immunity-based intrusion detection system design, vulnerability analysis, and GENERTIA's genetic arms race

The GENERTIA red team uses a genetic algorithm to perform vulnerability analysis in an effort to discover holes in an intrusion detection system. This paper demonstrates how a GENERTIA blue team generates detectors to patch those holes discovered by the GRT. The GBT uses a novel approach to generate detectors that have different coverage in order to reduce the amount of overlap of detectors created by random generation and negative selection.
The Lineshape of Saturation-Broadened Transitions in the Gas Phase

Abstract The equations of motion for the density matrix are manipulated in spherical tensor form to derive formulas for the lineshapes of saturation-broadened spectroscopic transitions for gas-phase molecules. The formulas, which include consideration of the spatial degeneracy, are given for both plane-polarized and circularly polarized radiation and are in the form of weighted sums of the reciprocals of the eigenvalues of a matrix. In most practical cases, the eigenvalues will be in the form of Lorentz denominators, which expresses the lineshape as a sum of saturation-broadened Lorentz lineshapes. The approximations required to make the lineshapes equal to a sum of Karplus–Schwinger saturation-broadened lineshapes are described. The lineshape formula for plane-polarized radiation is equivalent to the continued-fraction form previously reported (R. H. Schwendeman, J. Chem. Phys. 73, 4838–4847 (1980)).
Bioluminescence of Scintillons Isolated from Noctiluca Miliaris is Inhibited by Divalent Metal Cations, Suggesting Proton Channel Involvement

Fogel and Hastings (1972, P.N.A.S. USA 69:690-693) first hypothesized the existence of voltage gated proton channels in bioluminescent dinoflagellates, where they were postulated to trigger the flash. The flash originates in discrete organelles termed scintillons (Nicolas et al., 1987 J. Cell Biol. 105: 723-735.) that contain luciferase and its substrate, luciferin. Luciferase is activated, and luciferin is released from a binding protein, at low pH. Proton channels in the membranes of the scintillon were postulated to conduct H+ from the acidic central flotation vacuole into the scintillon, activating luciferase and releasing luciferin, causing a bioluminescent flash. We have recently cloned a voltage gated proton channel (kHV1) from a non-bioluminescent dinoflagellate, Karlodinium veneficum (Smith et al., 2011 P.N.A.S.in-press). In heterologous expression systems, this channel exhibits a negative Vthreshold so that inward current is activated, consistent with the proposed role of allowing proton flux from the vacuole into the scintillon. The H+ current of heterologously expressed kHV1 is inhibited by Zn2+, but at much higher concentrations than in mammalian channels. We have developed a method to isolate functional scintillons from the bioluminescent species Noctiluca miliaris through gentle homogenization and sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The density of the scintillon fraction was found to be 1.213 g/cm3. Reducing the pH of the scintillon suspension to below pH 6 elicits a luminescent flash. Addition of divalent metals to the suspension diminishes the intensity of the flash. Zn2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Co2+, and Cd2+ at millimolar concentrations abolished the luminescence from isolated scintillons. The sensitivity of scintillon luminescence to divalent metals is consistent with the idea that proton selective channels in the scintillon membrane mediate the activation of the flash.
Religion, Health, and the Psychology of Religion: How the Research on Religion and Health Helps Us Understand Religion

An increasing replication of studies find a correlation between religious belief and practice and mental and physical health and longevity. This paper discusses some of the implications of this research for the ways in which religion might understood psychologically. Most interpretations of this data focus on the presence of one or more mediating variables. This paper argues that the presence of these mediating factors helps us understand more precisely some of the ways in which religion actually does impact on human life and in what the psychological uniqueness of religion actually consists.
Real-time tracking of bullet trajectory based on chirp transform in a multi-sensor multi-frequency radar

Radar-based tracking technologies enable sub-time-of-flight bullet detection and trajectory tracking before the bullet reaches its target and thus lead to effective reduction of injuries and casualties. The capability of robust detection, tracking, and trajectory prediction in a weak signal environment directly translates to the awareness time for force protection. In this paper, we develop a multi-sensor multi-frequency radar platform and proposed the use of piecewise chirp transform for effective signal enhancement when the Doppler signatures are highly time-varying. Performed upon the time-frequency representations with improved phase information, multi-sensor multi-frequency radars uniquely localize and track bullets through unambiguous range and direction-of-arrival estimations.
Renal Cell Regeneration Following Oxidant Exposure: Inhibition by TGF-β1and Stimulation by Ascorbic Acid

Abstract Renal proximal tubular cell (RPTC) monolayers exposed to the model oxidanttert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP; 0.8 m m ) for 1.5 hrs were 33 and 31% confluent after 1 and 4 days, respectively. Control monolayers remained 100% confluent throughout the experiment. Exogenous TGF-β1promoted monolayer deterioration by potentiating cellular death and suppressed EGF-stimulated regeneration of the RPTC monolayer. Net TGF-β1production in injured RPTC increased 1.7- and 3.2-fold on Days 1 and 2, respectively, and returned to control levels 4 days following TBHP treatment. An anti-TGF-β antibody increased monolayer confluence to 50% and DNA content 1.3-fold 4 days after TBHP exposure. l -Ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (AscP) present only during the recovery period increased monolayer confluence to 67% but had no effect on RPTC proliferation, suggesting that AscP promoted monolayer regeneration by cellular migration/spreading. AscP present continuously had no effect on the extent of TBHP-induced injury but promoted regeneration of RPTC with increased monolayer confluence (1.8-fold) and DNA content (1.8-fold) and decreased cellular lysis by 52% 4 days following TBHP exposure. The results demonstrate that TBHP-induced injury increases net TGF-β1production in RPTC and that autocrine TGF-β1inhibits regeneration of the monolayer by potentiating cellular injury and monolayer deterioration. The data also show that AscP is not cytoprotective during TBHP exposure but promotes RPTC regeneration by stimulating proliferation and migration/spreading and decreasing cellular death during the recovery period.
INTRACELLULAR REGULATIONS IN THE KIDNEY BY ANDROGENS

The discovery and development of our initial knowledge of the androgens was based on the recognition that the accessory sex organs of the male depended on the testis for their growth and maintenance (Moore, 1939; Koch, 1939). In 1935 we reported that the androgens had a marked general anabolic action which was characterized by a retention of nitrogen with a concomitant increase in body weight (Kochakian, 1946a, 1951). These initial obser? vations in the dog were quickly confirmed in man (Kenyon, et al., 1938; Kochakian, 1946a, 1951) and extended to the rat (Ko? chakian, 1950). Detailed studies in the rat and those in man demonstrated that the
Sliding Wear Properties of HVOF Thermally Sprayed Nylon-11 and Nylon-11/Ceramic Composites on Steel

Polymer and polymer/ceramic composite coatings were produced by ball-milling 60 μm Nylon-11 together with nominal 10 vol.% of nano and multiscale ceramic reinforcements and by HVOF spraying these composite feedstocks onto steel substrates to produce semicrystalline micron and nanoscale reinforced polymer matrix composites. Room temperature dry sliding wear performance of pure Nylon-11, Nylon-11 reinforced with 7 nm silica, and multiscale Nylon-11/silica composite coatings incorporating 7-40 nm and 10 μm ceramic particles were characterized using a pin-on-disk tribometer. Coefficient of friction and wear rate were determined as a function of applied load and coating composition. Surface profilometry and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize and analyze the coatings and wear scars. The pure Nylon-11 coating experienced less wear than the composites due to the occurrence of two additional wear mechanisms: abrasive and fatigue wear.
Neon gas imaging of gold in the field ion microscope

Abstract An improved field ion microscope (FIM) technique has been developed for the neon gas imaging of gold specimens. The technique produces images which are stable at best image voltage at a tip temperature (TT) of 30 K or less. The first stage of the technique consisted of the development of an end form at 55 K in the presence of a partial pressure of air (∼ 2 × 10−8 Torr gauge pressure) and neon gas (∼ 3 × 10−5 Torr gauge pressure) followed by further field evaporation at 28 K. The second stage involved neon gas imaging of the previously developed end form in a baked FIM in a background pressure of (0.5 to 3) × 10−9 Torr. The FIM images obtained in conjunction with the field ionization characteristic curves showed that there is a working range (in the sense defined by Southon and Brandon). A detailed study was made of artifact vacancies detected in the {203}, {321}, {315}, {421}, {671} and {731} planes, and it was found that at 28 K their concentration was
Freezing phenomenon in patients with parkinsonian syndromes

Freezing is a common symptom in parkinsonian syndromes, but its association with different causes of parkinsonism as well as with other symptoms has never been investigated. We conducted a database survey of the occurrence of freezing in parkinsonism. Of 347 patients with a clinical diagnosis of parkinsonism other than idiopathic Parkinson's disease and with specific data regarding freezing, 158 patients had freezing (46%). Freezing was significantly associated with progression of the disease as rated on the Hoehn & Yahr scale [odds ratio (OR), 1.69; p < 0.004]. Gender was not a risk factor for the development of freezing. Patients with drug-induced parkinsonism were at a very low risk for developing freezing (p < 0.00001; OR, 0.1). Freezing was found in a high frequency in patients with vascular parkinsonism (57%), normal-pressure hydrocephalus (56%), and generally in the group of patients who had parkinsonism resulting from neurodegenerative diseases (progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple system atrophy, and corticobasal ganglionic degeneration; 45%). Freezing was significantly associated with the presence of dementia, incontinence, and tachyphemia (OR, 2.01, 1.7, and 5.09, respectively).
Lewis acid-induced rearrangement of the Diels–Alder dimer of tetrachlorocyclopentadienone: structure reassignments

The structures of various perhalodiones available by isomerization of the Diels–Alder dimers of tetrachloro- and tetrabromocyclopentadienone have finally been determined unambiguously.
A functional thrombin receptor (PAR1) is expressed on bone-derived prostate cancer cell lines.

Abstract Objectives To identify genes important in prostate cancer metastatic to bone. Bone-specific metastasis is a common feature of prostate cancer and a significant cause of morbidity. Methods To identify factors involved in organ-specific metastasis, we used cDNA microarray analysis to compare a bone-derived cell line, VCaP, with a soft tissue-derived cell line, DuCaP. Both cell lines were derived from the same patient and spontaneously passaged. Results Forty-five genes were differentially expressed, and only seven of these also had increased expression in VCaP compared with normal prostatic tissue. Of these, protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) was verified as having increased expression by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Northern blot analysis, as well as by immunohistochemistry. PAR1 expression in a panel of prostate cancer cell lines demonstrated increased expression in those cell lines derived from bone metastases. Alpha-thrombin stimulation of the VCaP cells produced a dose-dependent mobilization of intracellular calcium compared with DuCaP, suggesting that PAR1 expressed on the VCaP prostate cancer cell line is functional. Conclusions These data indicate that a functional PAR1 is expressed on prostate cancer cell lines. The prostate cancer cell lines expressing PAR1 appear to have an association with increased bone metastases.
Aggregation of renal brush border membranes by concanavalin A and heavy metals

Abstract Heavy-metal intoxication causes both acute renal failure and chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis with a broad spectrum of transport abnormalities. An effect of these metals on the brush border membrane has been incriminated in the genesis of these conditions. Utilizing combinations of divalent cations together with the lectin concanavalin A (Con A), we studied membrane-metal interaction by quantifying the aggregation of membrane vesicles. Comparisons between native and papain-treated membranes were performed. To alter the state of the lipid bilayer, studies were carried out at 10 and 40°C. Ca2+, Mg2+, and several nephrotoxic metals potentiated the membrane aggregating activity of Con A. Moreover, metals including Hg2+, Cd2+, and La3+ led to aggregation of membranes in the absence of added lectin. In comparison to native membranes, aggregation of papain-treated membranes was retarded at 10°C and generally facilitated at 40°C. The results suggest that the binding of heavy metals to the membrane induces alterations of membrane structure. The functional consequences to the cell in terms of solute transport and survival remain to be determined.
Lysine 5 and Phenylalanine 9 of the Factor IX ω-Loop Interact with Phosphatidylserine in a Membrane-Mimetic Environment†

The binding of factor IX to cell membranes requires a structured N-terminal ω-loop conformation that exposes hydrophobic residues for a highly regulated interaction with a phospholipid. We hypothesized that a peptide comprised of amino acids Gly4−Gln11 of factor IX (fIXG4-Q11) and constrained by an engineered disulfide bond would assume the native factor IX ω-loop conformation in the absence of Ca2+. The small size and freedom from aggregation-inducing calcium interactions would make fIXG4-Q11 suitable for structural studies for eliciting details about phospholipid interactions. fIXG4-Q11 competes with factor IXa for binding sites on phosphatidylserine-containing membranes with a Ki of 11 μM and inhibits the activation of factor X by the factor VIIIa−IXa complex with a Ki of 285 μM. The NMR structure of fIXG4-Q11 reveals an ω-loop backbone fold and side chain orientation similar to those found in the calcium-bound factor IX Gla domain, FIX(1−47)−Ca2+. Dicaproylphosphatidylserine (C6PS) induces HN, Hα back...
A rotary inertial impactor for sampling giant particles in the atmosphere.

Abstract The theoretical considerations, design and evaluation of a novel inertial impactor is presented. A multistage sampler was designed to collect the wide range of giant particles present in the atmosphere. Each stage of the sampler has a different collection efficiency based on variations in either the width of the collector or the velocity of flow. This instrument was inexpensive to construct, was sturdy, and each stage need be operated only in the optimum performance range where collection efficiencies are high and deposited particles are uniformly distributed.
Real-time fatigue life monitoring based on thermodynamic entropy

This article presents a methodology for real-time monitoring of fatigue life in machinery components that utilizes the accumulation of entropy to assess the severity of degradation associated with ...
Blood lipid levels, lipid-lowering medications, and the incidence of atrial fibrillation: The atherosclerosis risk in communities study

Background—Several cardiovascular risk factors have been associated with the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). Limited and inconsistent evidence exists on the association of blood lipid levels and lipid-lowering medication use with AF risk. Methods and Results—We analyzed 13 969 participants (25% African American, 45% men) free of AF at baseline from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study. Fasting high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), triglycerides, and total cholesterol were measured at baseline (1987–1989) and each of 3 follow-up visits. The incidence of AF was ascertained through 2007. The association of the use of statins and other lipid-lowering medications with AF was estimated in 13 044 Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities participants attending visit 2 (1990–1992), adjusting for covariates from the previous visit. During a median follow-up of 18.7 years, there were 1433 incident AF cases. Multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs of AF a...
The in vitro activity of a new fluoroquinolone, ABT-492, against recent clinical isolates of Chlamydia pneumoniae

1. Fenton, K. A., Ison, C., Johnson, A. P. et al. (2003). Ciprofloxacin resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae in England and Wales in 2002. Lancet 361, 1867–9. 2. Plourde, P. J., Tyndall, M., Agoki, E. et al. (1992). Single-dose cefixime versus single-dose ceftriaxone in the treatment of antimicrobial-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection. Journal of Infectious Diseases 166, 919–22. 3. Livermore, D. M., Sefton, A. M. & Scott, G. M. (2003). Properties and potential of ertapenem. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 52, 331–44. 4. King, A. (2001). Recommendations for susceptibility tests on fastidious organisms and those requiring special handling. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 48, Suppl. S1, 77–80.
Identification of a robust gene signature that predicts breast cancer outcome in independent data sets.

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, presenting with a wide range of histologic, clinical, and genetic features. Microarray technology has shown promise in predicting outcome in these patients.
Private Schools and the Public Good: The Effect of Private Education on Political Participation and Tolerance in the Texas Poll

Private Schools make an undeniable contribution to the public good. Nevertheless, many critics argue that public schools do a better job of instilling civic values in students. This article examines the effect of public and private education on political participation and tolerance and demonstrates that private schools excel in promoting civic values.
Kelvin waves in the nonlinear shallow water equations on the sphere: nonlinear travelling waves and the corner wave bifurcation

The Kelvin wave is the lowest eigenmode of Laplace's tidal equation and is widely observed in both the ocean and the atmosphere. In this work, we neglect mean currents and instead include the full effects of the Earth's sphericity and the wave dispersion it induces. Through a mix of perturbation theory and numerical computations using a Fourier/Newton iteration/continuation method, we show that for sufficiently small amplitude, there are Kelvin travelling waves (cnoidal waves). As the amplitude increases, the branch of travelling waves terminates in a so-called corner wave with a discontinuous first derivative. All waves larger than the corner wave evolve to fronts and break. The singularity is a point singularity in which only the longitudinal derivative is discontinuous. As we solve the nonlinear shallow water equations on the sphere, with increasing e (‘Lamb's parameter’), dispersion weakens, the amplitude of the corner wave decreases rapidly, and the longitudinal profile of the corner wave narrows dramatically.
The Validity of Schizoaffective Disorders: Treatment and Prevention Studies

In 1933, Jacob Kasanin (Kasanin 1933) presented nine patients who he felt were “atypical” and who could “be called either schizophrenic or affective” to illustrate the heterogeneity he believed existed in patient groups classified by the Kraepelinian dementia praecox-manic-depressive dichotomy. Kasanin chose the term schizoaffective to identify these patients and thereby initiated one of the longest and most heated debates in clinical psychiatry: does schizoaffective psychosis exist, and, if so, is it schizophrenia, affective disorder, or another distinct psychosis?
The second to fourth digit ratio: A measure of two hormonally-based temperament dimensions

Constellations of biobehavioral traits are associated with activity in the testosterone and estrogen systems, due to fetal priming or hormonal alterations during the life course. Using these data, we developed two 14-item measures to investigate the traits associated with these hormone systems. To reach adequate internal consistency, we used participants of an Internet dating site; the final sample was 39,913 individuals. Factorial structure and correlations with several validating criteria were consistent with the hypothesis that these scales measured these neurochemical systems (Fisher, 2009; Fisher et al., in preparation). Two of these validity measures are discussed: gender loading of each scale; and degree to which members of each scale pursued particular occupations. Then we investigated the hypothesis that individuals scoring high on either of these scales also expressed a specific second to fourth digit ratio of the right hand. Individuals who reported a longer 4th finger relative to 2nd expressed high scores on the proposed testosterone scale; individuals who reported a longer 2nd finger relative to 4th or 2nd and 4th digits of equal length expressed high scores on the proposed estrogen/oxytocin scale. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that these 2D:4D ratios are artifacts of hormonal priming in utero.
Green Initiatives in the U.S. Lodging Industry

Most hotels maintain resource-intensive operations in order to serve guests around the clock. Therefore, it is important to consider lodging properties with respect to environmental concerns. Though the public has become increasingly cognizant of the environmental impact of real estate in general, it has, for a long time, ignored the specific contributions of hotels to today’s environmental decay. However, a growing number of hoteliers realize that a shift in demand towards more sustainable practice has occurred, and the recent introduction of lodging properties to green rating systems testifies to this shift. The present study is intended to provide convincing evidence of the economic value of green certifications through the lens of the lodging industry.
The Myelin Brake: When Enough Is Enough

Myelination by Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system and by oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system is tightly regulated by interactions with axons. Various investigations have shed light on the signaling pathways that mediate the production of myelin, but an important question remains; that is, which signals determine when the cell stops myelinating. New studies demonstrate that in Schwann cells, this is controlled by the abundance of Dlg1, which acts to stop active myelination.
Are Implicit Associations With Nuclear Energy Related to Policy Support? Evidence From the Brief Implicit Association Test:

Nuclear energy has long been assumed to elicit automatic, negative reactions. However, little research has investigated implicit associations with nuclear energy. To assess implicit and explicit at...
The Politics of Inequality, Social Policy, and Educational Change

This issue of the Peabody Journal of Education is dedicated to exploring “The Politics of Inequality, Social Policy, and Educational Change.” Concerns about the poor quality of public education in ...
Simple Problems

The history of the multivalent notion of simplicity that underwrites digital metaphors and "solutions" for government is part of the history of computing and political history alike, and it would make an important tool for understanding, deploying, and critiquing simplifying technologies and the rhetoric of simplification today. By investigating how computer systems themselves came to be seen as simple or complex, and how this came to be a judgment of virtue, historians can shed light on the fitness of such digital tools and metaphors and the problems of public policy that are likely to defy such solutions and descriptions.
Analyzing Trends in the Blogosphere Using Human-Centered Analysis and Visualization Tools

In this paper, we present human-centered visualization and analysis tools that can help users to compare and reason synergies and misalignments revolving around a particular topic. We also present and study that shows the discourse misalignment between Google’s and the blogosphere discourses.
Teaching NeuroImages: Chronic sinus thrombosis with patency of occipital and falcine cerebral venous sinuses

A 42-year-old woman was referred to the emergency department for severe, drug-resistant headache, persisting since 4 weeks. Neurologic examination was unremarkable. CT venography and magnetic resonance angiography (figure) showed occlusion of the sagittal, rectus, and right sigmoidal sinus and of the right jugular vein, and ectasia of cortical veins, including tentorial veins, the falcine, and the occipital sinus. The falcine sinus usually involutes after birth,1 but thrombosis of this sinus have been described.2 It may become visible in neuroimaging if the straight sinus is thrombosed. The occipital sinus pericranii is the smallest dural venous sinus. The simultaneous patency of these alternative venous drainages is consistent with a compensatory mechanism for chronic dural sinus thrombosis.
A simple approach to a vastly improved acetylcholinesterase activity and stability at elevated temperatures using magnetic microbeads and poly(N-(3-aminopropyl methacrylamide)) hydrogel supports

Abstract The thermal stabilization of enzymes is a critical factor in the development and reliability of enzyme-based processes and functional materials. Using a simple amine coupling approach for enzyme immobilization onto magnetic microbeads, followed by encasement of the beads in a hydrogel, we demonstrate that the thermal stability of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase can be increased dramatically. For example, when free and microbead-immobilized enzyme (“EM Conjugate”) are incubated overnight in a dry state at 63 °C (140 °F), the catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) of the latter is higher than the former by six orders of magnitude (a factor of 2.16 × 106). This effect arises mostly through a ∼29,700-fold decrease in Km experienced by the EM Conjugate, relative to that of the free enzyme. Encapsulation of the EM Conjugate in a hydrogel based on poly(N-(3-aminopropyl methacrylamide)), which contains a primary amine, affords the enzyme additional stability when incubated overnight at 63 °C in an aqueous state. For example, its catalytic efficiency is four orders of magnitude higher than that of both the free enzyme (a factor of 4.34 × 104) and that of the EM Conjugate alone (a factor of 1.78 × 104) after all are incubated overnight at 63 °C. The presence of the hydrogel also caused the Michaelis constant to decrease by 1.38 × 104 relative to that of the EM Conjugate, reaching a value of 2.18 × 10−3 M. Thus the hydrogel enables the AChE substrate binding site to retain a significant amount of its natural affinity for the substrate, after heating. This effect may occur via ion-pairing by the primary amines in the hydrogel polymer repeat unit, which are protonated and positively-charged at the assay pH. To the best of our knowledge, this simple method for enzyme thermal stabilization is novel and has not yet been investigated.
Photonic topological insulators in two and three dimensions

Magneto-electric coupling is shown to give rise to topological surface states in 2D and 3D systems with electromagnetic duality. The ability to control magneto-electric coupling locally enables reflectionless routing of electromagnetic states along arbitrarily shaped pathways.
High-throughput BioSorter quantification of relative mitochondrial content and membrane potential in living Caenorhabditis elegans

Mitochondrial respiratory chain disease is caused by a wide range of individually rare genetic disorders that impair cellular energy metabolism. While fluorescence microscopy analysis of nematodes fed MitoTracker Green (MTG) and tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester (TMRE) can reliably quantify relative mitochondrial density and membrane potential, respectively, in C. elegans models of mitochondrial dysfunction, it is a tedious process with limitations in the number and age of animals that can be studied. A novel, large particle, flow cytometry-based method reported here accelerates and automates the relative quantitation of mitochondrial physiology in nematode populations. Relative fluorescence profiles of nematode populations co-labeled with MTG and TMRE were obtained and analyzed by BioSorter (Union Biometrica). Variables tested included genetic mutation (wild-type N2 Bristol versus nuclear-encoded respiratory chain complex I mutant gas-1(fc21) worms), animal age (day 1 versus day 4 adults), classical respiratory chain inhibitor and uncoupler effects (oligomycin, FCCP), and pharmacologic therapy duration (24h versus 96h treatments with glucose or nicotinic acid). A custom MATLAB script, which can be run on any computer with MATLAB runtime, was written to automatically quantify and analyze results in large animal populations. BioSorter analysis independently validated relative MTG and TMRE changes that we had previously performed by fluorescence microscopy in a variety of experimental conditions, with notably greater animal population sizes and substantially reduced experimental time. Older, fragile animal populations that are difficult to study by microscopy approaches were readily amenable to analysis with the BioSorter method. Overall, this high-throughput method enables efficient relative quantitation of in vivo mitochondrial physiology over time in a living animal in response to gene mutations and candidate therapies, which can be used to accelerate the translation of basic research into optimization of clinical therapies for mitochondrial disease.
Architectural tradeoffs for biodegradable computing

Organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) have attracted increased attention because of the possibility to produce environmentally friendly, low-cost, lightweight, flexible, and even biodegradable devices. With an increasing number of complex applications being proposed for organic and biodegradable semiconductors, the need for computation horsepower also rises. However, due to the process characteristic differences, direct adaptation of silicon-based circuit designs and traditional computer architecture wisdom is not applicable. In this paper, we analyze the architectural tradeoffs for processor cores made with an organic semiconductor process. We built an OTFT simulation framework based on experimental pentacene OTFTs. This framework includes an organic standard cell library and can be generalized to other organic semiconductors. Our results demonstrate that, compared to modern silicon, organic semiconductors favor building deeper pipelines and wider superscalar designs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to explore the architectural differences between silicon and organic technology processes. CCS CONCEPTS • Hardware → Emerging architectures; Carbon based electronics; Impact on the environment; Standard cell libraries; Modeling and parameter extraction; Emerging simulation; • Social and professional topics → Sustainability;
Radioresistance, Chemoresistance, and Apoptosis Resistance: The Past, Present, and Future

A wide variety of cancer therapy resistance mechanisms are available, with perhaps surprising overlap between causes of chemotherapy and radiation resistance. As previously discussed, most of the widely used chemotherapeutic agents and gamma-radiation utilize apoptosis as the common death pathway, thereby making apoptosis and the ability to manipulate apoptosis of integral importance to the future of cancer therapy. This is evidenced by the information explosion on this topic in the last 5 years. Obviously much remains to be learned. However, with the aforementioned cooperation of the oncology team and a greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind cancer and cancer therapy resistance, response rates, survival times, the quality of life of patients enduring antineoplastic therapies, and the importance of comparative oncology can only increase. We look forward to the findings in the coming years on this incredibly clinically relevant topic with great fondness and uncertainty.
Abelian group actions on type I C*-algebras

Let (G,A,α) be a separable C*-dynamical system, with G abelian and A type I. We prove that all points in a quasi-orbit in Â have the same isotropy subgroup and determine cocycles of this subgroup of the same class. These results are then used to prove that if Â has a non-transitive quasi-orbit and either the (common) dimension of all representations in this quasi-orbit is finite or the (common) isotropy group is discrete, then the crossed product algebra is non-type I. While this latter result has long been known, we present a new proof using Takai duality. An example is also given of a non-smooth action of ℝ2 on A for which the crossed product algebra is nevertheless type I. Finally, we characterize the Connes spectrum in terms of the separated primitive ideals of the crossed product algebra. When A=C0 (X) is commutative, we determine which primitive ideals of the crossed product algebra are separated in terms of the behaviour of isotropy groups and orbit closures.
Processing Software for Fourier Transform Spectroscopies

Data processing techniques centered around the Fourier Transform (FT) have greatly expanded the power and flexibility of many conventional data manipulation methods. In addition, the availability of inexpensive mini- and micro-computers has made digital data processing techniques cost-effective for most scientific and engineering laboratories. Instrumental methods such as FT-NMR have evolved as a direct consequence of advances in computer hardware and the creation of the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm. While the Fourier transform itself is not a user-interactive technique, the use of interactive software in all other phases of Fourier transform data processing is advantageous. This chapter will use examples from a modular software package nearing completion at Florida State University1 to illustrate how interactive software can be written and used. The package, FSUNMR, was written for, but is not limited to, NMR spectral data. Considerable attention will be given to one of the most difficult aspects of programming many small computers: the implementation of very large data arrays. Finally, a Fourier transform algorithm for large (virtual) arrays will be presented.
In Search of Cyber Stability: International Relations, Mutually Assured Destruction and the Age of Cyber Warfare

Deterrence theory states that world stability can be maintained if the costs of war far out-weigh its benefits. Weapons and strategies that make defense cheaper and offense more costly decrease the likelihood of conflict. Nuclear weapons may have thereby helped create the stability of the Cold War via the costs associated with launching first; according to this argument, war between the US and USSR never occurred because the price of war (i.e. mutual destruction) was too high. This theoretical paper will extend this argument to cyber-attacks and suggest that in order to maintain the security of a nation’s information technology, cyber-defense systems that correspond with Deterrence theory must be introduced. Cyber-attacks can be deterred if the proper system, a virus wall, is in place to counter any infiltration of a nation’s defense systems. This proposed virus wall would be a way to achieve stability from nation state cyber-attacks. Theoretical advancements of International Relations will also be proposed, specifically considering the area of Security Studies.
A Dog’s Life: The Challenges and Possibilities of Animal Biography

If one were to write a biography of a nonhuman animal, a likely candidate is Hachikō, an Akita dog who became popular in 1932 when a newspaper claimed he had been awaiting the return of his master at a Tokyo train station since his owner’s death seven years earlier. That fame led to the production of an enormous variety of source material that a historian could use to reconstruct his life’s story. This chapter uses Hachikō to explore the methodological and theoretical challenges of animal biography. It argues that two new(er) kinds of primary sources—taxidermy and photography—allow Hachikō (and some other animals) to “speak” and play a collaborative role in telling their own stories.
Informal Caregiving and Network Turnover Among Older Adults

Objectives Personal network turnover, a combination of lost and added network contacts, is suggested to affect health as well as moderate access to social support and resources. This article tests whether the caregiving process is associated with network turnover in later life and whether the process is different for men and women. Methods Network turnover was assessed using two waves of personal network data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project. Network contacts were uniquely identified in each wave making it possible to document contact loss and addition. Rates of change were modeled using Poisson regression. Results Respondents transitioning into caregiving lost and added network contacts at higher rates than non-caregivers. Conversely, respondents providing care during both waves and respondents transitioning out of the role saw no significant levels of network turnover. The analysis provided minimal evidence of gender differences. Discussion Findings suggest that the initial shift into the caregiving role is associated with notable personal network change. This is an important consideration given that long-term network instability may lead to poor health and limited access to social resources whereas adaptive network change tends to elicit more positive outcomes.
Challenges and Solutions for Testing Modern Optically Networked Weapon Systems

Current weapon system assemblies that operate in high bandwidth optical networks are driving the need for new test methods and capabilities. In the past, the number of networked assemblies has been small with a limited number of I/O ports and data bandwidth requirements. Modern networks include many assemblies with numerous I/O and high bandwidth data intensive computing, where fiber optics is the preferred technology that meets these requirements. The sensitivity of optical networks and transceivers to maintenance and environmentally induced degradation creates challenges for Automated Test System (ATS) in assuring that any given Weapon Replaceable Assembly (WRA) can work properly and repeatably with any other WRA across multiple platforms of the same type. Meeting this challenge requires high bandwidth (10GB+) instruments capable of sending, receiving, processing and storing large amounts of data coupled with Optical Network Performance Verification. ATS must also be capable of switching these high bandwidth instruments across large number of optical IO while verifying the Unit Under Test (UUT) performance across the full range of optical operating parameters. This paper will discuss these problems, solutions and relevance to the Defense and Aerospace industry.
A lateral hypothalamus to basal forebrain neurocircuit promotes feeding by suppressing responses to anxiogenic environmental cues

Animals must consider competing information before deciding to eat: internal signals indicating the desirability of food and external signals indicating the risk involved in eating within a particular environment. The behaviors driven by the former are manifestations of hunger, and the latter, anxiety. The connection between pathologic anxiety and reduced eating in conditions like typical depression and anorexia is well known. Conversely, anti-anxiety drugs such as benzodiazepines increase appetite. Here, we show that GABAergic neurons in the diagonal band of Broca (DBBGABA) are responsive to indications of risk and receive monosynaptic inhibitory input from lateral hypothalamus GABAergic neurons (LHGABA). Activation of this circuit reduces anxiety and causes indiscriminate feeding. We also found that diazepam rapidly reduces DBBGABA activity while inducing indiscriminate feeding. Our study reveals that the LHGABA→DBBGABA neurocircuit overrides anxiogenic environmental cues to allow feeding and that this pathway may underlie the link between eating and anxiety-related disorders.
Toward high-performing topological edge-state optical isolators

The development of on-chip optical isolators for integrated photonic circuits has been actively pursued for several decades now, especially since the advent of optical-fiber telecommunication. This article reports the experimental realization, practical implementation, and performance of a $t\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}o\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}p\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}o\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}l\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}o\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}g\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}c\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}a\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}l$ $e\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}d\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}g\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}e\ensuremath{-}s\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}t\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}a\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}t\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}e$ $i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}s\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}o\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}l\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}a\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}t\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}o\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}r$, based on the Su-Shrieffer-Heeger model in the optical regime. Such isolators have been predicted to deliver superior isolation ratios (up to -50 dB at telecom wavelengths), due to the existence of a topological edge state in the forward propagation direction, and its destruction in the reverse direction via the magneto-optical nonreciprocal phase-shift effect.