cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cryogenic Experience with the 72-Inch Bubble Chamber

The 72-in. bubble chamber was successfully operated for the first time in March, 1959 [1]. The bubble chamber is a detector for nuclear particles, and it is presently operating in a beam of antiprotons and π- mesons from the 6-Bev bevatron. The chamber operates with 521 liters of liquid hydrogen which is visible through a 5-in.-thickobiongglass window, 23 in, wide by 75 in. long. The hydrogen in the chamber is at a pressure of 6atm. By quick reduction of this pressure (18 msec) to 3atm, the chamber is made “sensitive” for about 10msec. During this sensitive time, the beam particles from the bevatron enter the chamber and cause nuclear interactions.
Comparative Protein Structure Modelling

A prerequisite to understand cell functioning on the system level is the knowledge of three-dimensional protein structures that mediate biochemical interactions. The explosion in the number of available gene sequences set the stage for the next step in genome scale projects, to obtain three dimensional structures for each protein. To achieve this ambitious goal, the costly and slow structure determination experiments are boosted with theoretical approaches. The current state and recent advances in structure modelling approaches are reviewed here, with special emphasis on comparative structure modelling techniques.
Computation of Nonlinear Feedback for Flow Control Problems

When computable, a linear feedback control guarantees the stability of a steady-state flow. However in many cases the stability region of the resulting closed-loop system might be too small to be implemented in practice, or better performance of the closed-loop system might be desired. This motivates investigations of nonlinear feedback strategies to either expand the stability region or improve the local performance. Nonlinear feedback laws can now be efficiently computed using the nonlinear systems toolbox created by Art Krener. However, for distributed parameter systems, it must be implemented on reduced-order models that are very low-dimensional (or in special cases on very coarse discretizations of the original equations). This is also the case for linear systems, but here the dimension of the model has to be much lower. In this paper, we use a model feedback control problem with quadratic and cubic nonlinear terms and compute polynomial solutions to the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equations. Of particular interest is understanding the expansion of the stability regions as the degree of the control is increased for this simple problem. Then we investigate the closed-loop performance benefits on a model flow control problem described by the one-dimensional Burgers equation. This model has the same nonlinear term, but the simplicity of this distributed parameter system allows us to evaluate the performance of both linear and nonlinear feedback gains from the discretized linearized or quadratic system, respectively. We note that the setup time for these solvers can be very expensive due to the need to compute all of the required derivatives of the system and control objective functions when building the Taylor polynomials. Thus, we have developed improvements in the software by using automatic differentiation methods. We also investigate the simplification of the algorithm when the state equations have the quadratic nonlinearities that are typical of flow control problems.
Flt3L-based in situ vaccination for the treatment of lymphoma.

e19040Background: Low-grade B-cell lymphomas are generally incurable, with standard therapies inducing only temporary remissions. Tumor-targeted vaccines represent promising, novel treatment strate...
Spatial data management in apache spark: the GeoSpark perspective and beyond

The paper presents the details of designing and developing GeoSpark, which extends the core engine of Apache Spark and SparkSQL to support spatial data types, indexes, and geometrical operations at scale. The paper also gives a detailed analysis of the technical challenges and opportunities of extending Apache Spark to support state-of-the-art spatial data partitioning techniques: uniform grid, R-tree, Quad-Tree, and KDB-Tree. The paper also shows how building local spatial indexes, e.g., R-Tree or Quad-Tree, on each Spark data partition can speed up the local computation and hence decrease the overall runtime of the spatial analytics program. Furthermore, the paper introduces a comprehensive experiment analysis that surveys and experimentally evaluates the performance of running de-facto spatial operations like spatial range, spatial K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), and spatial join queries in the Apache Spark ecosystem. Extensive experiments on real spatial datasets show that GeoSpark achieves up to two orders of magnitude faster run time performance than existing Hadoop-based systems and up to an order of magnitude faster performance than Spark-based systems.
Heritage, gentrification, participation: Remaking urban landscapes in the name of culture and historic preservation

Why do so many programs of regeneration and social uplift result in marginalizing the bearers of heritage themselves, the historic communities whose traditions are purportedly valued in such projec...
Imaging-guided percutaneous thrombin injection for the treatment of iatrogenic femoral artery pseudoaneurysms

To evaluate factors that may affect successful ultrasound-guided percutaneous thrombin injection of iatrogenic femoral artery pseudoaneurysms (PSA). This was an IRB-approved, HIPAA-compliant retrospective study of 326 consecutive subjects (138 males, 188 females; mean age 68 years, range 18–95) who underwent thrombin injection for treatment of femoral PSA; follow-up ultrasound was available in 145 subjects. The number of PSA lobes and dimensions, pre-procedure laboratory values (international normalized ratio [INR], activated partial thromboplastin time [aPTT], platelet count), and concomitant anticoagulation therapy were recorded. Technical success was achieved in 98.2% (320/326) of subjects. Primary effectiveness (complete thrombosis at 24 h) was achieved in 74.5% (108/145). Twenty-five subjects underwent repeat thrombin injection, successful in 21 subjects, for a total effectiveness rate of 97.0% (129/133). No imaging factor was associated with technique failure, including number of lobes (p = 0.898), largest dimension (p = 0.344), or volume (p = 0.697). No statistically significant difference in pre-procedure INR, aPTT, or platelet count was found between subjects with CT and those with IT (p > 0.138). Anticoagulation therapy was associated with incomplete thrombosis (35.5% [38/107] for CT vs. 63.9% [23/26] for IT; p = 0.002). Imaging-guided percutaneous thrombin injection has high technical success and effectiveness rates for the treatment of iatrogenic femoral artery PSA. Anticoagulation therapy was the only factor associated with incomplete thrombosis.
Introduction of Heavy Axle Loads

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) initiated the Heavy Axle Load (HAL) Research Program in 1988 in order to “provide guidance to the North American railroad industry about whether to increase axle loads and to determine the most economic payload consistent with safety” (Kalay and Martland 2001). The research demonstrated the technical feasibility and economic desirability of increasing axle loads and the ability of technology to mitigate the adverse effects of heavier loads. In 1991, the industry decided to accept cars with 286,000 lb. gross vehicle weight (286k GVW) in interchange service. Since then, more than 90% of all bulk equipment acquired has been rated for 286k GVW. By 2010, nearly 100% of coal traffic and 30% of general freight moved in 286k loads. Technological improvements resulting from the HAL research program have been critical in enabling the industry to reduce costs of 286k operations. Stronger materials, better designs, and improved maintenance techniques reduced life cycle costs for rail and other track components. Bridge costs did not increase as much as expected, because of technological developments and better understanding of their ability to withstand HAL loads. Net benefits of HAL operations to railroads, suppliers, and their customers were approximately $6 billion between 1994 and 2010. Annual net benefits exceeded $600 million in 2010. Benefits included reductions in equipment expense, more efficient operations, and increases in line capacity. Given the technological advances in railroad engineering over the past 20 years, further increases in GVW or loading density should now be considered. OVERVIEW OF THE HAL RESEARCH PROGRAMThis paper has two major objectives. First, it estimates the net benefits achieved by increasing the maximum GVW to 286k, taking into account impacts on operations and infrastructure. Second,
CATALYSIS OF THE CARBON–CARBON DIOXIDE REACTION BY IRON*†

Iron in the form of carbonyl iron, ferric oxide, or ferric oxalate solution was added to a spectroscopically pure graphite powder. The graphite was molded in rod-form at 100,000 psi and room temperature. The rate of the reaction of the graphite rods with 1 atm of CO2 was measured from 900° to 1200°C. Some of the rods were reacted without previous heat treatment above reaction temperature; others were reacted following heat treatment at temperatures between 1400° and 2990°C. For the samples without previous heat treatment, the presence of iron is found to produce a very marked increase in graphite reactivity over that of the pure graphite. Even though heat treatment at temperatures of 1400° and 1635°C does not result in a loss of Fe, it does sharply decrease the catalytic efficiency of the Fe. This catalytic efficiency, in whole or in part, can be restored by a secondary pretreatment in H2 or O2 prior to reaction. Heat treatment between 1910° and 2990°C produces an additional decrease in reactivity of the graphite below that which it has following heat treatment at 1635°C. It appears that this additional reduction in reactivity is caused, primarily, by a loss of Fe upon its volatilization from the sample.
Study of wave effect on vorticity in Langmuir turbulence using wave-phase-resolved large-eddy simulation

The effects of a water surface wave on the vorticity in the turbulence underneath are studied for Langmuir turbulence using wave-phase-resolved large-eddy simulation. The simulations are performed on a dynamically evolving wave-surface-fitted grid such that the phase-resolved wave motions and their effects on the turbulence are explicitly captured. This study focuses on the vorticity structures and dynamics in Langmuir turbulence driven by a steady and co-aligned progressive wave and surface shear stress. For the first time, the detailed vorticity dynamics of the wave–turbulence interaction in Langmuir turbulence in a wave-phase-resolved frame is revealed. The wave-phase-resolved simulation provides detailed descriptions of many characteristic features of Langmuir turbulence, such as elongated quasi-streamwise vortices. The simulation also reveals the variation of the strength and the inclination angles of the vortices with the wave phase. The variation is found to be caused by the periodic stretching and tilting of the wave orbital straining motions. The cumulative effect of the wave on the wave-phase-averaged vorticity is analysed using the Lagrangian average. It is discovered that, in addition to the tilting effect induced by the Lagrangian mean shear gradient of the wave, the phase correlation between the vorticity fluctuations and the wave orbital straining is also important to the cumulative vorticity evolution. Both the fluctuation correlation effect and the mean tilting effect are found to amplify the streamwise vorticity. On the other hand, for the vertical vorticity, the fluctuation correlation effect cancels the mean tilting effect, and the net change of the vertical vorticity by the wave straining is negligible. As a result, the wave straining enhances only the streamwise vorticity and cumulatively tilts vertical vortices towards the streamwise direction. The above processes are further quantified analytically. The role of the fluctuation correlation effect in the wave-phase-averaged vorticity dynamics provides a deeper understanding of the physical processes underlying the wave–turbulence interaction in Langmuir turbulence.
Mercury-induced autoimmunity: Report of two adolescent siblings with Morvan syndrome “plus” and review of the literature

Heavy metal toxicity is a global health concern. Mercury intoxication has been implicated in the etiology and pathogenesis of autoimmune disease, including Morvan syndrome. We describe two siblings with overlapping features of distinct autoimmune syndromes following accidental exposure to elemental mercury. Morvan syndrome was the predominant clinical phenotype. In addition to the characteristic anti-leucine-rich glioma-inactivated protein 1 (LGI1) and anti-contactin-associated protein-like 2 (Caspr2) autoantibodies, glutamic acid decarboxylase 65-kilodalton isoform (GAD65), and N-type and P/Q-type voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) antibodies were detected. Treatment with chelation therapy, glucocorticoids, and intravenous immunoglobulin was unsuccessful, but complete resolution of symptoms was achieved following treatment with rituximab. Herein, we perform an extensive review of the literature with a focus on the emerging concepts of mercury-induced autoimmunity and the role of mercury in the etiopathogenesis of autoimmune diseases of the nervous system.
Safety and Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Patients With Cancer Living With HIV: A Perspective on Recent Progress and Future Needs

Recent studies have identified durable responses with the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with mismatch repair-deficient (MMR-D)/microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). The dramatic improvement in clinical outcomes led to the US Food and Drug Administration approval of pembrolizumab, nivolumab, and nivolumab in combination with ipilimumab in metastatic patients with MSI-H/MMR-D CRC who previously experienced progression on cytotoxic therapies. In the clinical trials investigating these agents, HIV-seropositive patients were not included and therefore the clinical efficacy of these agents in patients with metastatic MSI-H/MMR-D CRC living with HIV is unclear. On the basis of growing evidence, immune checkpoint blockade therapies seem to be a safe approach in patients with well-controlled HIV infection. Research on immunotherapeutic approaches in patients living with HIV and cancer is an area of unmet medical need that can be addressed by clinical trial designs that are inclusive of patients with well-controlled seropositive HIV and trials that specifically evaluate immune therapies in patients living with HIV.
THE KANSAS UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION CENTER (KUTC)

Universities are an integral part of society, and they have a role in society. In addition to educate the youngs, many universities also conduct research and service activities. In this paper, a brief description of a university-based research unit, University of Kansas Transportation Center (KUTC) is presented. Three KUTC research/service programs namely the LTAP, the RTAP and the PC-TRANS are discussed in detail. The activities involved in these programs are outlined. These research/service programs have been able to reach and impact a large group of professionals in the field. The programs have contributed significantly to the betterment of our transportation system and the transportation community.
Relationship between Water Vapor Sorption Kinetics and Clay Surface Properties

AbstractA complete understanding of soil–water interactions and the corresponding mechanical behavior of unsaturated soils requires differentiating adsorptive and capillary components of water rete...
Maritime predation between the lines: charting the insular Caribbean in the sixteenth century

European sixteenth-century cartography, narrative descriptions of the islands, and Spanish navigational manuals provide a framework to understand the Caribbean region as a geopolitical stronghold o...
Precise Formation-Flying Telescope in Target-Centric Orbit: the Solar Case

We present the general concept of a telescope with optics and detectors mounted on two separate spacecrafts, in orbit around the telescope’s target (scopocentric or target-centric orbit), and using propulsion to maintain the Target-Optics-Detector alignment and Optics-Detector distance. Specifically, we study the case of such a telescope with the Sun as the target, orbiting at $\sim $ 1 AU. We present a simple differential acceleration budget for maintaining Target-Optics-Detector alignment and Optics-Detector distance, backed by simulations of the orbital dynamics, including solar radiation pressure and influence of the planets. Of prime interest are heliocentric orbits (such as Earth-trailing/leading orbits or Distant Retrograde Orbits), where thrust requirement to maintain formation is primarily in a single direction (either sunward or anti-sunward), can be quite minuscule (a few m/s/year), and preferably met by constant-thrust engines such as solar electric propulsion or even by solar sailing via simple extendable and/or orientable flaps or rudders.
Man in his 70s with fatigue, dyspnoea and recurrent atrial fibrillation.

A man in his 70s presents with fatigue, dyspnoea and recurrent atrial fibrillation. Pertinent history includes coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass grafting, concomitant Maze procedure, mitral valve repair with a 26 mm Edwards mitral annuloplasty ring 9 years earlier and a recent extended beta-lactimase Escherichia coli urinary tract infection that was treated with cefoxitin. Admission was permitted for suspected acute on chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction exacerbation and repeat radiofrequency ablation. Physical exam revealed an irregularly, irregular rhythm, holosystolic, murmur best heard at the apex and an S3 gallop. A transesophageal echocardiogram was obtained (see figure 1). Figure 1 3D …
A Multiple Case Study of Coordinated Care for Children with IBD through Caregiver Interviews.

IntroductionEffective care coordination is critical to manage unpredictable complications of conditions such as pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that have a relapsing and remitting course...
ASSESSMENT OF CLIMATE EFFECT ON EGYPTIAN AGRICULTURE: AN EFFICIENCY ANALYSIS APPROACH

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2018 special report on the implications of 1.5 degrees warming (SR 1.5) concludes that the expected impacts of the 2 degrees’ increase are more critical than expected leading to imminent critical tipping points. Additionally, the report indicates that there is a window of only 12 years to take actions to achieve the 1.5 degrees’ target. While Africa is contributing the least to global warming by 4% of global greenhouse-gas emissions, it is one of the vulnerable regions to Climate Change (CC) effects. The objective of this study is to assess different climatic variables on the technical efficiency of the cereal crops production in the largest five producing governorates in Egypt. This objective will be achieved through using panel frontier model to assess the impact of average maximum temperature, humidity and solar radiation on the wheat, rice and maize producing governorates. Results of the analysis show that the average maximum temperature and humidity contribute to worsening the technical efficiency of the cereals producers.
Remote bed-level change and overwash observation with low-cost ultrasonic distance sensors

Few datasets exist of high-frequency, in situ measurements of storm overwash, an essential mechanism for the subaerial maintenance of barrier islands and spits. Here we describe a new sensor platform for measuring bed-level change and estimating overwash inundation depths. Our MeOw (Measuring Overwash) stations consist of two ultrasonic distance sensors, a microprocessor board, and a camera and are capable of withstanding the impacts of large storm events, can be left unattended to collect data for months to years, and are relatively inexpensive. With the exception of the camera, the MeOw stations are built with all open-source hardware and software. Herein we provide complete instructions for manufacturing the MeOw stations and present observations from a single MeOw station for a three-month (2019) deployment on a frequently overwashed section of Smith Island, VA. The MeOw stations captured three large storm events over the course of the deployment (Hurricane Dorian, Tropical Storm Melissa, and a November nor’easter), as well as several high-tide events. Based on our interpretation of the raw data, bed-level changes occurred throughout the deployment from both storm and non-storm overwash, but were particularly large during Tropical Storm Melissa where initial accretion of approximately 0.15 m was followed by 0.77 m of erosion over three days. The maximum overwash inundation depth occurred during the nor’easter and measured approximately 0.83 m. The variability in bed level over the course of our experiment highlights the importance of in situ high frequency bed-level measurements for constraining overwash inundation depths. MeOw stations are ideally suited for measuring storm overwash — or any process that necessitates tracking bed and water level elevations at high frequency during harsh conditions.
Human Reproductive Tissues Contain Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone (TRH) and TRH‐homologous Peptides

Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) immunoreactive peptides occur in high concentration within rat ventral prostate and human semen. To extend these observations to human reproductive organs, tissue fragments from human prostates undergoing benign hypertrophy were obtained by transurethral resection or open surgery. Human prostate, seminal vesicles, testes, and epididymis were also obtained from cadavers within 24 hours postmortem. After tissue extraction, the total TRH immunoreactivity (TRH IR) was measured by TRH radioimmunoassay. The total TRH IR in autopsy seminal vesicles was significantly greater (P less than 0.01) than in all other autopsy reproductive tissues. The mean autopsy TRH IR of prostate was not significantly different from that measured in prostatic tissue obtained at surgery. High pressure liquid chromatography of extracts of autopsy seminal vesicles, prostate, and testis revealed multiple peaks of TRH IR. The two major peaks corresponded to the two TRH-homologous peptides of human semen and one of the minor peaks cochromatographed with synthetic TRH. The distribution of TRH IR in human reproductive tissues appears to be very different from that in the rat, where ventral prostatic TRH IR levels exceed that of any other reproductive tissue by one to two orders of magnitude.
Economic Context and Americans' Perceptions of Income Inequality*

Objectives. The increase in income inequality in the United States over the past three decades has been well documented, though Americans differ in their perceptions of rising inequality. In this article we investigate the degree to which context shapes individuals’ perceptions of rising income inequality in the United States. Methods. Using objective data on state-level income inequality and survey data from the 2004 American National Election Study (ANES), we estimate a series of ordered logit models depicting individuals’ perceptions of rising income inequality as a function of state income inequality and various control variables. Results. We find that individuals residing in states with high income inequality are more likely than other individuals to perceive large increases in national income inequality over the past 20 years. We also consider possible interaction effects for state income inequality with political knowledge and family income, but our evidence suggests that such effects are limited to family income. We find that individuals from lower income strata are more likely to translate state income inequality into inequality perceptions than those with higher incomes. Conclusion. State inequality context significantly shapes individuals’ perceptions of rising income inequality, particularly among those with lower incomes. A large literature documents the substantial rise in income inequality in the United States since the early 1970s (Morris and Western, 1999; Gottschalk and Danziger, 2005; Jacobs and Skocpol, 2005; Bartels, 2008; McCall, 2005; Piketty and Saez, 2003; Goldin and Katz, 2008). During this period, the income gap between individuals at different income levels in the United States has grown faster than that in other advanced Western democracies (Bartels, 2008; Jacobs and Skocpol, 2005). Political scientists have begun to consider the political effects of income inequality, including inequality in responsiveness by elected officials to citizens with lower incomes
Comparison of multi-carrier modulation techniques

This work presents a side-by-side comparison between two multi-carrier schemes which have equal bandwidth, information rate, and transmit power. One system uses many narrow sub-bands, while the other is made up of fewer relatively-wide sub-bands. Closed-form expressions for the average bit error probability (BEP) are derived for both systems under two different cases for the coherence bandwidth of the channel, where estimates of the channel are obtained at the receiver via pilot symbols inserted among the data. These results are compared with those where the availability of perfect channel state information (CSI) at the receiver is assumed. Finally, the trade-offs between the two systems are investigated under different values for the information rate, number of users in the system, and number of pilot symbols used in the estimate
The Maury Project

Abstract : The Maury Project is an oceanography-based graduate-level precollege teacher enhancement program, designed to promote the scientific literacy of young people by improving the background of pre-college teachers on the physical foundations of oceanography.
The role of the pediatrician in youth violence prevention in clinical practice and at the community level.

Violence and violent injuries are a serious threat to the health of children and youth in the United States. It is crucial that pediatricians define their role and develop the appropriate skills to address this threat effectively. From a clinical perspective, pediatricians should incorporate into their practices preventive education, screening for risk, and linkages to necessary intervention and follow-up services. As advocates, pediatricians should become involved at the local and national levels to address key risk factors and assure adequacy of preventive and treatment programs. There are also educational and research needs central to the development of effective clinical strategies. This policy statement defines the emerging role of pediatricians in youth violence prevention and management. It reflects the importance of this issue in the strategic agenda of the American Academy of Pediatrics for promoting optimal child health and development. Comment in: Pediatrics. 1999 May;103(5 Pt 1):1080-1. Pediatrics. 1999 Jan;103(1):157. Pediatrics. 1999 Nov;104(5 Pt 1):1171. Language: en
Music Therapy- Based Mechanisms for Coping with Stress and Pain

This article describes three research investigations that focus on the effects of music therapy interventions with different forms of stress and pain. The !rst study involves music listening strategies for women in labor and delivery; the second tests the impact of eight music listening strategies on depression, anxiety, self-esteem and mood in clinically depressed older adults; the third utilizes a more active music therapy intervention, including music listening, improvisation/ active music-making, and songwriting, for women who have metastatic breast cancer. The results of these studies lend support to the use of easily-accessible music strategies in a variety of clinical settings. Implications for applying music therapy-based coping techniques for every day stress and chronic conditions are presented.
Polymer deformation. XIII. Deformation of thin films of polyoxymethylene

The deformation of four types of thin films of polyoxymethylene is discussed. Failure, even at elevated temperatures, occurred by micronecking or in a brittle manner. Slip bands were observed in some of the samples. Moire patterns from portions of the sample indicated little internal distortion of the lamellae during the brittle failure. Micronecking with fibril formation occurred primarily during draw at temperatures near the α transition temperature. The results are in general agreement with concepts of the deformation process previously developed on the basis of work with thin films of polyethylene but cannot be applied directly to the mechanism of deformation of bulk samples. Die Verformung von vier auf verschiedene Weise hergestellten Typen von dunnen Polyoxymethylenfilmen wurde untersucht. Die Filme zerresen, sogar bei erhohter Temperatur, unter mikroskopischer Schulter-Hals-Bildung oder durch sproden Bruch. In einigen Proben wurden Gleitbander beobachtet. Moire-Figuren an verschiedenen Stellen der Proben deuten auf Verzerrungen innerhalb der Lamellen wahrend des sproden Zerreisens. Schulter-Hals-Bildung verbunden mit Fibrillenbildung erfolgt besonders dann, wenn die Dehnung im Bereich der α-Ubergangs-Temperatur erfolgt. Die Ergebnisse sind in Ubereinstimmung mit Vorstellungen uber den Deformationsvorgang, die fruher an Hand von Untersuchungen mit Polyathylenfilmen entwickelt wurden; sie erlauben aber keine direkten Aussagen uber den Mechanismus der Deformation groserer Probekorper.
Selective Deposition of Compositionally Graded Hybrid Adhesive Films

Hybrid organic–inorganic materials that are compositionally graded are excellent candidates for addressing the challenges related to the bonding of polymeric layers and inorganic substrates. Often, the synthesis of these hybrid materials involves the use of kinetically driven and dynamic solution systems where obtaining the desired hybrid molecular structures in the deposited film is not trivial. A coating process is used to selectively deposit a small fraction of the total species in solution with an optimized molecular weight, resulting in compositionally graded hybrid films that are organic-rich toward the top and inorganic-rich toward the bottom. This selective deposition technique provides a unique knob to fine tune the molecular structure of films deposited from dynamic solution systems, resulting in hybrid organic–inorganic films that exhibit an eightfold increase in adhesion of an epoxy/silicon interface.
Joint Effects of Elevated Levels of Ultraviolet‐B Radiation, Carbon Dioxide and Ozone on Plants¶†

There is growing interest regarding the joint effects of elevated levels of surface ultraviolet B (UV-B) radiation, carbon dioxide (CO2) and ozone (O3) on plants. Our current knowledge of this subject is too limited to draw any specific conclusions, although one might state that such effects are likely to be highly species dependent and may be more than additive, additive or less than additive. There are a number of uncertainties associated with the experimental protocols used and the conclusions reached in many studies. Nevertheless, in North America, there appear to be genotypes of three monocot crop species (Avena sativa L., Oryza sativa L. and Sorghum vulgare L.); six dicot crops (Cucumis sativus L., Lactuca sativa L., Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., Phaseolus vulgaris L., Pisum sativum L. and Solanum tuberosum L.) and two conifer species (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. and Pinus taeda L.) that may be considered sensitive to the joint effects of elevated levels of UV-B, CO2 and O3. However, to provide a more reliable assessment or validation of the predictions, future research must consider the concept of plant response surfaces and describe them more fully in numerical terms. Achieving that objective will require close cooperation among a number of scientists representing geographic locations with known spatial and temporal differences in UV-B, CO2 and O3 to conduct experiments under their site-specific conditions, using common plant materials and experimental protocols.
Directed Evolution of Metabolic Pathways in Microbial Populations II. a Repeatable Adaptation in SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE.

ABSTRACT A selection experiment was conducted for approximately 1,000 generations in a chemostat population of 10 9 cells of the haploid yeast, S. cerevisiae . The experiment was designed to enhance genetically the rate at which the external enzyme acid phosphatase catalyzed the hydrolysis of very low concentrations of β-glycerophosphate at an unfavorably high pH. The observed genetic adaptation in this experiment consisted of a mutation (ACP-2) in the acid phosphatase structural gene which effected a shift in the pH optimum of the enzyme and incremented its activity. The effects of ACP-2 and a similar mutation, ACP-1, on acid phosphatase substrate specificity are also reported.
Orthology-driven mapping of bidirectional promoters in human and mouse genomes

The presence of bidirectional promoters in all vertebrate species suggests that the promoters may be maintained in orthologous positions. Therefore the identification of the comprehensive orthologous mapping of this type promoter across species can facilitate elucidation of regulatory mechanisms controlling bidirectional gene expression. However, the lack of annotation for many transcribed regions in the genome can impact the orthology designation of these promoters. Human and mouse are among genomes that have been relatively well annotated. Thus we used them as models to study the orthologous patterns of bidirectional promoters. We developed a method to annotate these regulatory regions by confirming the orthology of the genes found on each side of the promoters. In this manuscript we report the cross-species comparisons between human and mouse genomes, where the bidirectional promoter sets regulating UCSC Known Genes and spliced EST annotations were mapped from human to mouse and vice versa. We validate hundreds of orthologous bidirectional promoters through the presence of orthologous flanking gene annotations in the second species. We also show that regulatory activity of these orthologous promoters confers similar gene expression profiles in 21 tissues of human and mouse. In particular, more than one third of human bidirectional promoters annotated from spliced EST annotations regulate ncRNA, of which over 90% are lncRNAs. Although evolutionary conservation shows a weaker signature in promoters than coding regions, our technique of mapping of orthologous genes shows that most bidirectional promoter arrangements are conserved across human and mouse genomes, suggesting a critical function. In addition, the similar expression patterns of the orthologous gene sets indicate that the regulatory mechanisms remain largely conserved as well.
EFFECTS OF UNDERFEEDING ON THIOURACIL ACTION IN RATS AND MICE

The ability of thiouracil to induce thyroid hypertrophy is believed to be mediated through a direct depression of thyroid hormone synthesis, thereby permitting increased thyrotrophic hormone production by the anterior pituitary and greater stimulation of the thyroid (MacKenzie and MacKenzie, 1943; Astwood et al., 1943). Underfeeding is believed to inhibit thyroid function through a direct depression of thyrotrophic hormone secretion by the anterior pituitary (Mulinos and Pomerantz, 1940, 1941; Stephens, 1940; and others). Thiouracil action therefore might be expected to be less effective in underfed than in normally-fed animals, since the initial thyroid and thyrotrophic hormone secretion rates wrould be lower than in normally-fed animals. In a previous report on the effects of starvation on thiouracil action in rats, Gomez Mont, Paschkis and Cantarow (1947) found that the hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the thyroids was less marked and developed later than in normally-fed controls.
Seizure Susceptibility and Epileptogenesis in a Rat Model of Epilepsy and Depression Co-Morbidity

Although a strong co-morbidity exists clinically between epilepsy and depression, the cause of this co-morbidity remains unknown, and a valid animal model is crucial for the identification of underlying mechanisms and the development of a screening tool for novel therapies. Although some rodent models of epilepsy have been reported to display behaviors relevant to affective disorders, the seizure susceptibility of animals prone to depression-like behavior has not been characterized. Toward this end, we assessed several forms of seizure sensitivity and epileptogenesis in rats selectively bred for vulnerability (Swim Lo-Active; SwLo) or resilience (Swim High-Active; SwHi) to depression-like phenotypes. The SwLo rats exhibit decreased motor activity in a swim test and other depression-like phenotypes, whereas the SwHi rats display increased motor activity in a swim test. SwLo rats exhibited a decreased latency to limbic motor seizures following acute pilocarpine administration in the absence of differences in pilocarpine pharmacokinetics, and also had a decreased threshold to tonic seizures induced by electroshock. Approximately half of the SwLo rats, but none of the SwHi rats, had spontaneous limbic motor seizures 5 weeks following pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus. While the number of stimulations required to achieve full amygdala and hippocampal electrical kindling were similar in the two rat lines, SwLo rats had a lower final hippocampal kindling threshold and more wet dog shakes during both amygdala and hippocampal kindling. Combined, these results indicate that SwLo rats are a model of epilepsy and depression co-morbidity that can be used for investigating underlying neurobiological and genetic mechanisms and screening novel therapeutics.
Synthesis and photochemistry of Ru(II) complexes containing phenanthroline-based ligands with fused pyrrole rings.

Hydrolysis of 1,10-phenanthrolinopyrrole ethyl ester leads to the acid derivative which is unstable at room-temperature releasing CO2 and forming 1,10-phenanthrolinopyrrole (php). The ligand reacts with ruthenium(II) to form a series of complexes of the general formula [Ru(php)n(bpy)3-n]2+, where bpy = 2,2‘-bipyridine and n = 1−3. The photochemical properties reveal that the complexes have longer-lived excited states than the standard complex, [Ru(bpy)3]2+. Their emission lifetimes range from 9.04 μs (n = 1) to 35.5 μs (n = 3) at 77 K compared to 7.57 μs for the standard. Similarly, at room-temperature, emission lifetimes range from 1.20 μs (n = 1) to 1.70 μs (n = 3) relative to the standard (0.56 μs). The emission quantum yields also have higher values than the standard [Ru(bpy)3]2+ under similar conditions. The temperature-dependent studies for the complexes establish the distribution among the radiative, nonradiative, and 3MLCT to 3d−d decay channels and are in agreement with the energy gap law.
An asymptotic theory for hot spot formation and transition to detonation for reactive granular materials

Abstract The transition to detonation in energetic granular materials is a complex multiphase process. The idea is proposed and developed that, under appropriate conditions, the resonant interaction of a fast-moving compaction burning front with a gas acoustic mode is an essential process in triggering the transition to detonation. The approach involves the study of solutions of a simple quantitative asymptotic model consisting of two nonlinear coupled partial differential equations that has been derived recently in an asymptotic limit from the full reactive multiphase equations. These equations retain some of the resonant mechanisms involving the gas acoustics and the compaction burn front. An analysis of the properties of solutions of the simplified system is developed. This analysis, involving simple resonant mechanisms, is able to qualitatively capture a number of phenomena observed in experiments and large-scale simulations for the equations for multiphase flow. The phenomena documented here include development of the transition to detonation in the region trailing the burning front, development of the resonant gas acoustic hot spot within the burning front, and stability of the fast moving burning front without transition. All these cases occur in the model in parameter regimes with physical significance that is identified through the asymptotic procedure.
Adhesion of Staphylococcus epidermidis and transposon mutant strains to hydrophobic polyethylene

Staphylococcus epidermidis capsular polysaccharide adhesin (PS/A) and slime were studied as possible mediators of bacterial adhesion to NHLBI polyethylene (PE) under dynamic flow. This putative interaction was examined by quantifying the adhesion of M187 (PS/A+, slime+) parent strain and isogenic transposon mutant strain sn3 (PS/A−, slime−) to polyethylene (PE) under a range of physiologic shear stress conditions in both phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and 1% platelet poor plasma (PPP). No significant differences in adhesion were noted between the M187 and sn3 strains in either test medium. However, adhesion of both strains in 1% PPP was decreased 75–95% compared to adhesion in PBS. In PBS, adhesion was shear stress dependent from 0–15 dyne/cm2, after which adhesion was comparatively shear stress independent. Adhesion in 1% PPP was independent of shear stress. Epifluorescent imaging of both strains labeled for slime confirmed the presence of slime on the surface of M187 and suggested that PS/A and slime promote the formation of large aggregates, as aggregates were totally absent in the images of the sn3 strain. The results suggest that PS/A and slime do not mediate S. epidermidis adhesion to bare PE or PE with adsorbed plasma proteins, but may be necessary for intercellular adhesion, which is important for biofilm formation. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 39, 341–350, 1998.
Convergence and instability in PCG methods for bordered systems

Abstract Bordered almost block diagonal systems arise from discretizing a linearized first-order system of n ordinary differential equations in a two-point boundary value problem with nonseparated boundary conditions. The discretization may use spline collocation, finite differences, or multiple shooting. After internal condensation, if necessary, the bordered almost block diagonal system reduces to a standard finite difference structure, which can be solved using a preconditioned conjugate gradient method based on a simple matrix splitting technique. This preconditioned conjugate gradient method is “guaranteed” to converge in at most 2n + 1 iterations. We exhibit a significant collection of two-point boundary value problems for which this preconditioned conjugate gradient method is unstable, and hence, convergence is not achieved.
RFID: New Technology on the Horizon for IT Majors

Educators have an ongoing challenge as they strive to stay up-to-date with new technology. One emerging technology, RFID (radio frequency identification) tags, has the potential to impact information systems in businesses as well as in our lives. Educators responsible for planning curriculum need to consider how to incorporate topics pertaining to RFID technology into a wide variety of technology courses. Therefore, one purpose of this manuscript is to give curriculum planners and teachers a summary of RFID by: presenting an overview of RFID technology; exploring RFID limitations and possible solutions; and examining the future outlook of RFID. An additional purpose further assists educators in considering how to incorporate this new course topic into the curriculum by providing some teaching resources, objectives and suggestions pertaining to RFID.
Laser Performance Operations Model (LPOM): The computational system that automates the setup and performance analysis of the National Ignition Facility

The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is a stadium-sized facility containing a 192-beam, 1.8 MJ, 500-TW, 351-nm laser system together with a 10-m diameter target chamber with room for many target diagnostics. NIF is the world’s largest laser experimental system, providing a national center to study inertial confinement fusion and the physics of matter at extreme energy densities and pressures. A computational system, the Laser Performance Operations Model (LPOM) has been developed that automates the laser setup process, and accurately predict laser energetics. LPOM uses diagnostic feedback from previous NIF shots to maintain accurate energetics models (gains and losses), as well as links to operational databases to provide ‘as currently installed’ optical layouts for each of the 192 NIF beamlines. LPOM deploys a fully integrated laser physics model, the Virtual Beamline (VBL), in its predictive calculations in order to meet the accuracy requirements of NIF experiments, and to provide the ability to determine the damage risk to optical elements throughout the laser chain. LPOM determines the settings of the injection laser system required to achieve the desired laser output, provides equipment protection, and determines the diagnostic setup. Additionally, LPOM provides real-time post shot data analysis and reporting for each NIF shot. The LPOM computation system is designed as a multi-host computational cluster (with 200 compute nodes, providing the capability to run full NIF simulations fully parallel) to meet the demands of both the controls systems within a shot cycle, and the NIF user community outside of a shot cycle.
Allocating U.S. Department of Homeland Security funds to States with explicit equity, population and energy facility security criteria

Abstract Allocation of funds to states and local governments by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been challenged for relying too heavily on the U.S. Patriot Act formula that contains set-asides for each state. Yet, DHS's recent efforts to include more vulnerability/risk information have been criticized for lacking transparency. Using only off-the-shelf data and an off-the-shelf optimization model, which is a compromise between politically grounded formulas and complex analyses supported by massive data manipulations, the authors maximize need (defined and represented here as funds to protect electrical-generating capacity) subject to explicit constraints based on political equity and population size but introduce risk-related criteria as well in the form of ease of securing the facilities and public perception of risk. The model results closely approximate the DHS allocations at the state level when electricity generation and its retail price are maximized subject to moderate set-asides for political equity and population size. The advantages of this approach are that the results are transparent and sensitivity analysis is relatively easy to do. The advantages and disadvantages of the approach presented here are compared with more sophisticated alternatives.
Rhetorical gamesmanship in the nano debates over sunscreens and nanoparticles

Communication of risk profiles associated with sunscreens incorporating nanoparticles has been challenging when some communicators shift risk profiles from highly problematic nanoparticles to others, which are much less problematic. This article vets a popular publication from a civic advocacy group that cited scientific research papers to make environmental health and safety claims. The phenomenon of risk profile shifts is demonstrated by re-examining the scientific articles being cited. In addition, the authors for correspondence for each of the articles cited were interviewed via email and their comments about the claims made are included.