cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Automated Verification and Optimization of SFQ Superconducting Circuits

New tools have been created to allow a superconducting design flow for schematic design, verification, and optimization. These tools integrate with the Cadence design environment. In single flux quantum superconducting electronics, individual component values, such as wire inductances, Josephson junction critical currents, and bias currents, must be optimized to allow for maximum deviance from the designer value, which is also known as the device margin. One tool is used to create a description of the proper circuit behavior. Included with this tool is the ability to automatically create the description from a Cadence netlist. The other tool is an automated device margin circuit schematic verification and optimization tool, which widens device margins while maintaining proper circuit behavior derived from the first tool. Additionally, this optimization tool can automatically correct the circuit schematic using the proper circuit behavior description. In this paper, the functionality of the language used to create the description of the proper circuit behavior is presented. Several circuits are then verified and optimized based on their correct behavior.
Post-training TMS abolishes performance improvement and releases future learning from interference

The period immediately after the offset of visual training is thought to be critical for memory consolidation. Nevertheless, we still lack direct evidence for the causal role of this period to perceptual learning of either previously or subsequently trained material. To address these issues, we had human subjects complete two consecutive trainings with different tasks (detecting different Gabor orientations). We applied continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) to either the visual cortex or a control site (vertex) immediately after the offset of the first training. In the vertex cTBS condition, subjects showed improvement on the first task but not on the second task, suggesting the presence of anterograde interference. Critically, cTBS to the visual cortex abolished the performance improvement on the first task and released the second training from the anterograde interference. These results provide causal evidence for a role of the immediate post-training period in the consolidation of perceptual learning.
Analysis of U.S. Food and Drug Administration Data on Soft-Tissue Filler Complications.

BACKGROUNDWith the rising popularity of dermal fillers, the number of complications associated with fillers has increased.OBJECTIVETo identify and review reports of adverse events involving cosmetic injectable soft-tissue fillers from the FDA Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE)
Offender Decision-Making and Displacement

Rational choice approaches to offender decision-making typically focus on the choice to offend or not. In this mixed-method study, we explore how offenders respond to crime control and prevention m...
Determining stationary periods across multiple sensors: An application to observed canopy turbulence response to atmospheric stability

AbstractA recently proposed multisensor stationarity analysis technique (MSATv1) is improved to eliminate the initial interrogation of time-averaged wind directions, a redundant and potentially bia...
Breast Conservation in Women with Autoimmune Disease: The Role of Active Autoimmune Disease and Hypofractionation on Acute and Late Toxicity in a Case-Controlled Series.

Purpose Autoimmune connective tissue disease (CTD) has historically represented a relative contraindication to breast conservation (BC) among patients with early-stage breast cancer. Controversy exists regarding the use of hypofractionated radiation therapy (RT) among patients with CTDs. We evaluated acute and late toxicity in patients with breast cancer and CTD treated with BC. Methods and Materials Of 1983 patients treated with BC from 2012 to 2016, we identified 91 patients with an autoimmune disease (AD). Each patient was matched to a control without AD based on age, RT field, and fractionation. RT toxicity and clinician-rated cosmesis were compared between cases and controls. Overall survival, disease-free survival, and local recurrence-free survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results The median follow-up was 49.9 months for cases and 53.0 months for controls, and 67% of cases and controls were treated with hypofractionated RT. There was no difference in grade 2/3 acute toxicity between cases and controls (26.4% vs. 16.5%, respectively; P = .148). There was a significantly higher rate of grade 2/3 late toxicity among cases (25.8% vs 12.1% among controls; P = .049). Active AD at the time of RT increased the rate of grade 2/3 late toxicity compared with controls (41.7% in cases vs. 11.4% in controls; P = .018). Among patients treated with hypofractionated RT, there was no difference in acute or late grade 2/3 toxicity between cases and controls (acute: 13.1% in cases vs. 11.5% in controls [P > 0.9]; late: 11.9% in cases vs. 13.1% in controls [P > 0.9]). The rates of good/excellent clinician-rated cosmesis were similar between groups (92.9% in cases vs. 98.9% in controls; P = .142). Conclusions In the largest matched case-control study of patients with CTD treated with conventional and hypofractionated RT, we demonstrate low rates of radiation toxicity, with good to excellent clinician-rated cosmesis. There was increased late toxicity in cases, especially in patients with active AD at time of RT. There was no increase in acute or late toxicity in the patients treated with hypofractionation.
Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis in Silicon and 3D Printed Stainless Steel Microchannel Microreactors

In recent years, environmental challenges have led to a focus on the production of clean synthetic fuels from different carbon sources using Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis. Catalyst development and reactor improvements are the major points of interest to obtain high selectivity toward desired hydrocarbons in FT synthesis. The first part of this chapter summarizes the fundamentals of FT synthesis, catalysts, and possible reaction mechanisms, the drawbacks of present synthesis reactors, and how microchannel microreactor (specified as microreactor in this chapter) technology addresses them with its unique characteristics. Two case studies are presented to describe catalyst screening for FT synthesis in two types of microreactors: Silicon (Si) microreactors are fabricated using conventional microfabrication techniques with dimensions 1.6 cm × 50 μm × 100 μm. Stainless steel (SS) 3D printed microreactors of dimensions 2.4 cm × 500 μm × 500 μm are fabricated by direct metal laser sintering method. The FT studies with Si and SS microreactors coated with different catalysts/supports and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) experiments with H2 not only provide insight into metal-support interactions but also catalyst performance in terms of kinetics, selectivity, CO conversion, and stability. Conversion of syngas enriched with CO2 and CO2 utilization in FT synthesis are the key factors in the production of next-generation biofuels. A case study on the effect of silica and alumina promoters on Co-Fe-K precipitated catalysts in a lab-scale reactor to enhance CO2 utilization in FT synthesis is also included.
Associations of job demands and patient safety event involvement on burnout among a multidisciplinary group of pediatric hematology/oncology clinicians

Background Workplace burnout can result in negative consequences for clinicians and patients. We assessed burnout prevalence and sources among pediatric hematology/oncology inpatient nurses, ambulatory nurses, physicians (MDs), and advanced practice providers (APPs) by evaluating effects of job demands and involvement in patient safety events (PSEs). Methods A cross-sectional survey (Maslach Burnout Inventory) measured emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index measured mental demand, physical demand, temporal demand, effort, and frustration. Relative weights analyses estimated the unique contributions of tasks and PSEs on burnout. Post hoc analyses evaluated open-response comments for burnout factors. Results Burnout prevalence was 33%, 20%, 34%, and 33% in inpatient nurses, ambulatory nurses, and MD, and APPs, respectively (N = 481, response rate 69%). Reduced personal accomplishment was significantly higher in inpatient nurses than MDs and APPs. Job frustration was the most significant predictor of burnout across all four cohorts. Other significant predictors of burnout included temporal demand (nursing groups and MDs), effort (inpatient nurses and MDs), and PSE involvement (ambulatory nurses). Open-response comments identified time constraints, lack of administrator support, insufficient institutional support for self-care, and inadequate staffing and/or turnover as sources of frustration. Conclusions All four clinician groups reported substantial levels of burnout, and job demands predicted burnout. The body of knowledge on job stress and workplace burnout supports targeting organizational-level sources versus individual-level factors as the most effective prevention and reduction strategy. This study elaborates on this evidence by identifying structural drivers of burnout within a multidisciplinary context of pediatric hematology/oncology clinicians.
Assessing the potential impact of age and inhalant use on sleep in adolescents.

Study Objectives:Targeted marketing has caused a recent surge in teen electronic cigarette usage. In all-age surveys, we isolated adolescent data (13–20 years) to assess age alongside electronic ci...
First-principles study of the surface properties of LiAl5O8: Stability and tritiated water formation

Abstract LiAl5O8 is an important secondary phase of γ-LiAlO2 ceramics in tritium (3H, T)-producing burnable absorber rods (TPBARs), present in small quantities in the as-fabricated condition and in larger quantities after irradiation due to Li burnup and mobility in the radiation-damaged lattice. In this work, we performed first-principles calculations to study the stabilities and structures of LiAl5O8 surfaces the possibility of T2O formation on the (111) surface. By calculating the surface energies of all possible symmetrical stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric low-index surfaces, we identified the two most stable surfaces, one stoichiometric (001) surface and one nonstoichiometric (111) surface in an O-rich condition. The surface oxygen atoms on the nonstoichiometric (111) surface have remarkable displacements after relaxation, due to the large dangling O bonds. Considering a Li-poor and 3H-rich condition relevant to TPBARs, we further studied these two stable surfaces with 37.5%, 75%, and 100% surface O atoms covered by 3H atoms. Our results show that the 3H saturation is favorable for the nonstoichiometric (111) surface but not for the stoichiometric (001) surface. In addition, the structure of nonstoichiometric (111) surface is well stabilized when the surface O atoms are 100% saturated by 3H atoms. Based on the fully 3H-saturated (111) surface, the 3H2O desorption with an energy barrier of 0.69 eV is preferable in the 3H-rich condition.
“We Can Work across Agencies to Build a Powerful, Statewide Response”: Considering the Public Health Department’s Response to Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking

This study explored public health department employees’ perceptions of, and experiences with, identifying and serving victims of domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST). A sample of 47 health departm...
Synthetic amyloid beta does not induce a robust transcriptional response in innate immune cell culture systems

Alzheimers disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that impacts nearly 400 million people worldwide. The accumulation of amyloid beta (A{beta}) in the brain has historically been associated with AD, and recent evidence suggests that neuroinflammation plays a central role in its origin and progression. These observations have given rise to the theory that A{beta} is the primary trigger of AD, and induces proinflammatory activation of immune brain cells (i.e. microglia), which culminates in neuronal damage and cognitive decline. In order to test this hypothesis, many in vitro systems have been established to study A{beta}-mediated activation of innate immune cells. Nevertheless, the transcriptional resemblance of these models to the microglia in the AD brain has never been comprehensively studied on a genome-wide scale. To address this, we used bulk RNA-seq to assess the transcriptional differences between in vitro cell types used to model neuroinflammation in AD, including several established, primary and iPSC-derived immune cell lines (macrophages, microglia and astrocytes) and their similarities to primary cells in the AD brain. We then analyzed the transcriptional response of these innate immune cells to synthetic A{beta}. We found that human induced pluripotent stem cell (hIPSC)-derived microglia (IMGL) are the in vitro cell model that best resembles primary microglia. Surprisingly, synthetic A{beta} does not trigger a robust transcriptional response in any of the cellular models analyzed, despite testing a wide variety of A{beta} formulations, concentrations, and treatment conditions. Finally, we found that bacterial LPS and INF{gamma} activate microglia and induce transcriptional changes similar to those observed in disease associated microglia present in the AD brain, suggesting the potential suitability of this model to study AD-related neuroinflammation.
Mapping of functional regions of murine retrovirus long terminal repeat enhancers: enhancer domains interact and are not independent in their contributions to enhancer activity.

Abstract We have used deletion and recombinant long terminal repeat (LTR) mutants to examine enhancer activity differences between LTRs of the nonpathogenic Akv and the thymus lymphomagenic MCF13 murine retroviruses. Deletion mutant analysis revealed that major control regions for MCF13 and Akv LTR enhancer activity were similar but not identical. For both LTRs, major control regions were distinctly different in a murine T-cell and a fibroblast cell line. Recombinant enhancer analysis showed that LTRs could be divided into three regions capable of altering the level of enhancer activity through cooperative or antagonistic interaction. The contribution of each region to enhancer activity was dependent on its context with respect to the other regions. LTR enhancer function in different cell types appears to be the result of the interaction of enhancer modular elements.
Malingering: Forensic Evaluations

Malingering for the purposes of evading criminal prosecution or obtaining drugs is commonly seen in forensic settings, and forensic mental health clinicians often face difficult decisions when evaluating and treating these individuals. In civil settings, malingering is often related to obtaining potentially large financial settlements. In order to appropriately assess and manage malingering, clinicians must have in-depth knowledge of the following: (i) prevalence rates of (ii) common reasons for countertransference toward malingering patients; (iii) empirically validated measures of malingering; and (iv) clinical issues related with the evaluation of malingering. Keywords: malingering; response styles; assessment
Glycolysis and glycolytic enzyme activity of aging red cells in man. Changes in hexokinase, aldolase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase and glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase.

SUMMARY Hexokinase, aldolase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase and glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase activities, and the rate of glycolysis have been measured in red cells from seven adult males responding to repeated phlebotomy or erythropheresis with iron replacement. The change in median age of the red cell populations of these men was estimated from the measured rates of red cell loss and erythropoietic replacement. These enzyme activities and glycolytic rates were measured also in a patient with aplastic anaemia in whom transfused red cells were aging at a known rate. Hexokinase, aldolase and transaminase activities in the youngest red cell populations were four times greater than the corresponding levels in normal aged cell populations. Pyruvate kinase activity was two or three times higher than normal, but glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was not significantly increased in the youngest cell populations. The rate of glycolysis in intact cells and of lactate formation from glucose or glucose-6-phosphate in coenzyme-supplemented haemolysate showed a two-fold increase above normal in the youngest cell populations. Subnormal enzyme activity in older cells was observed only for transaminase. The deterioration of hexokinase and aldolase activity with red cell aging is sufficiently rapid and the activity of these enzymes is normally sufficiently low to indicate a severe glycolytic limitation in old red cells. Such limitation in glycolysis may impair red cell viability and be the determining factor in normal red cell life span. Measurement of activity of hexokinase, aldolase, or glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase in an unknown red cell population should indicate the median age of the cell population much sooner than such information can be obtained by measurement of red cell survival.
Perspectives on the Subprime Mortgage Market

This paper consists of four short pieces on the subprime mortgage market. Based upon a proprietary database, LoanPerformance, of 80 million mortgage loans originated from January 1999 to July 2007, these pieces demonstrate: (1) the subprime loan market has contributed to a net gain in homeownership; (2) the distinction between subprime and prime borrowers cannot be easily made on the basis of FICO scores and the wide variety of products used by subprime borrowers are also used by prime borrowers; and (3) foreclosures on subprime mortgage loans that are fixed-rate, variable-rate, and hybrids with interest-rate resets are already a serious problem, which means that while hybrids may exacerbate mortgage problems if interest rates reset upwards in 2008 and 2009, the product itself is not the cause of those problems.
Responding to emerging data workforce demand: Harnessing data center expertise

As demand for data expertise intensifies, educators are developing new programs to prepare professionals for emerging roles in data systems and services. They are challenged, however, by not knowing enough about evolving workforce needs and the state-of-the-art and emerging best practices at the forefront of the field. This interactive panel will report on recent studies on workforce demand and educational strategies that are meeting that demand through academic programs built in partnership with established data centers. This panel will offer insights from both LIS educators and practicing professionals in data centers, on building collaborations to develop curriculum and field experiences for students.
Astronomy: a dwarf-eats-dwarf world.

A white dwarf burnt-out star and a brown dwarf wannabe star have been found in mutual orbit. This fascinating system has had a turbulent past, and its future evolution could be just as spectacular.
Radical combination in a mass spectrometer source

Abstract Ion—molecule reactions with ethane resulting from radical combinations have been observed in methane under chemical ionization (CI) conditions. Kinet
Comparisons of Pooled Polyclonal Rabbit Anti‐Human C3d with Four Monoclonal Mouse Anti‐Human C3ds

Labelled polyclonal IgG anti-C3d and monoclonal IgM and IgG anti-C3d antibodies (MAs) were employed at increasing antibody excess to measure the number of C3d molecules on human red blood cells (RBC) coated by complement in vitro and in vivo. Values for the number of C3d sites per cell determined with polyclonal anti-C3d were at least 4-fold higher than when MAs were used. The results suggest that the molar combining ratio for polyclonal anti-C3d with a single RBC-bound C3d fragment is more likely greater than 4.0 than 1.0 as previously assumed. Antiglobulin agglutination studies compared polyclonal and monoclonal anti-C3d antibodies against C3d-coated RBC from 27 patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia. All four MAs showed striking prozones, requiring their use over a 25-fold higher range of dilutions than polyclonal anti-C3d. Polyclonal anti-C3d produced stronger agglutination reactions than any of the IgG MAs. Only the IgM MA produced agglutination as strong as, or stronger than, polyclonal anti-C3d. While IgM MA always gave the strongest MA agglutination reactions, no consistent ranking of the three IgG MAs was observed. Agglutination was not enhanced when all IgG MAs were combined; addition of IgG MAs to IGM MA reduced the strength of agglutination seen with IgM alone, suggesting blocking of IgM binding by competing IgG anti-C3d.
Thermally-Gated Liposomes: A Closer Look

A homologous series of pore-forming amphiphiles (PFAs), derived from cholic acid, lysine, and spermine, have been used as "thermal gates" for releasing sucrose from liposomes made from 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-[phospho-rac-(1-glycerol)] (sodium salt) [DPPG]. Binding measurements have established that these PFAs are fully bound to these liposomes in their gel state and that their transfer to fluid phase membranes is negligible. Release experiments have shown that thermal gating is sensitive to both the size and the concentration of the PFA that are used. Increases in the extent of release of sucrose with increasing temperature that have been found in the gel/fluid coexistence region indicate the existence of heterogeneity among the liposomes.
GOES Imager Shows Diurnal Changes of a Trichodesmium erythraeum Bloom on the West Florida Shelf

The advantages of geostationary observations of sediment plumes and phytoplankton blooms have been reported for coastal waters in the southern North Sea and west Pacific. So far, similar observations have not been possible for the Gulf of Mexico where blooms of Trichodesmium erythraeum often occur. Here, using data collected by the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) Imager, we document diurnal changes of a Trichodesmium bloom first identified by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Despite the low-signal-to-noise ratio ( ~ 46 : 1 for typical ocean radiance), the 550-750-nm band revealed clear patterns of Trichodesmium mats floating on the ocean surface and their temporal changes between 14:15 and 22:30 GMT on May 22, 2004. Normalization of the delineated bloom against the ocean background provided an effective atmospheric correction that enabled quantification of the changes in bloom size (i.e., area) and bloom intensity over the course of a day. The area coverage increased by about eightfold from midmorning (14-15 GMT) to reach its maximum around 18:30 GMT, whereas the mean intensity of the bloom area increased by ~ 22% from midmorning to 17:30 GMT. In the afternoon, while the bloom area remained relatively stable on the water surface, bloom intensity sharply decreased. These temporal patterns may be caused by physical aggregation and/or vertical migration of the Trichodesmium cells, and they agree well with the diurnal changes of a harmful algal bloom of the dinoflagellate Prorocentrum donghaiense in the East China Sea observed by the Geostationary Ocean Color Imager.
Qubit decoherence and Wigner's friend

Following a review of the physics of quantum decoherence, an instructive comparison is made between the mathematical description of qubit decoherence due to interaction with the environment, and certain aspects of the problem of Wigner's friend.
The construct and measurement equivalence of cocaine and opioid dependences: a National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN) study.

Introduction Although DSM-IV criteria are widely used in making diagnoses of substance use disorders, gaps exist regarding diagnosis classification, use of dependence criteria, and effects of measurement bias on diagnosis assessment. We examined the construct and measurement equivalence of diagnostic criteria for cocaine and opioid dependences, including whether each criterion maps onto the dependence construct, how well each criterion performs, how much information each contributes to a diagnosis, and whether symptom-endorsing is equivalent between demographic groups.
Implicit transfer of motor strategies in mental rotation.

Abstract Recent research indicates that motor areas are activated in some types of mental rotation. Many of these studies have required participants to perform egocentric transformations of body parts or whole bodies; however, motor activation also has been found with nonbody objects when participants explicitly relate the objects to their hands. The current study used positron emission tomography (PET) to examine whether such egocentric motor strategies can be transferred implicitly from one type of mental rotation to another. Two groups of participants were tested. In the Hand–Object group, participants performed imaginal rotations of pictures of hands; following this, they then made similar judgments of pictures of Shepard–Metzler objects. The Object–Object group performed the rotation task for two sets of Shepard–Metzler objects only. When the second condition in each group (which always required rotating Shepard–Metzler objects) was compared, motor areas (Area 6 and M1) were found to be activated only in the Hand–Object group. These findings suggest that motor strategies can be covertly transferred to imaginal transformations of nonbody objects.
Threaded Components Under Axial Harmonic Vibration, Part 1: Experiments

Threaded components have found ubiquitous use in many systems and structures. Although frequently overlooked, they represent a complex and often critical design element. One can identify numerous instances where such elements are subjected to vibratory conditions, yet their behavior in such an environment is still poorly understood. In this paper, we report on a series of experiments that were run to examine the motions of threaded fasteners subjected to axial harmonic vibration. The components are loaded by gravity and excited over a broad range of conditions. It is found that significant relative twisting motion can occur both with and against the load. This indicates that threaded components may loosen or tighten in the presence of vibration. It is shown that the direction of twist depends on the frequency and amplitude of the vibratory input as well as various physical parameters. Previous theoretical analyses of threaded components under vibration are based on static equilibrium conditions, and only predict a loosening action, i.e., twist with load. In Part 2 of this paper, a kinematic model is developed which predicts twisting both with and against load as observed in the experiments.
Spectral and topographic analysis of EEG in schizophrenic patients

The authors performed spectral analysis of electroencephalograms (EEG), recorded awake, with eyes closed, in 13 patients with schizophrenia and 9 age-matched individuals without psychiatric diagnosis. We tested several possible parameterizations of the data, and two data-reduction strategies; these yielded similar results. Comparison of the two groups revealed a relative increase in alpha frequency activity in the frontal regions in the patient group. The authors believe that this finding is consistent with data from neuropsychologic tests, metabolic imaging studies, and evoked potential studies that suggest impaired activation of frontal brain areas in patients with schizophrenia.
The factions of symbols in legend construction ... some exploratory comments

The process of symbolization is an inherent and critical aspect of legend construction. An analysis of the messages which are overtly and tacitly communicated by the symbol gives an indication as to the manner by which symbols support legends. An analysis of those messages indicated that there is a definable process by which symbols are established, maintained and altered.
The Relation of Age to Certain Measures of Performance of the Heart and the Circulation

The resting cardiac output measurements presented in the preceding article are analyzed in relation to intra-arterial pressure to provide estimates of peripheral circulatory state and of central cardiac performance. The calculated agewise increase in net vascular resistance which is responsible for the decrease in perfusion, indicates that circulatory attrition with age, on the average, outstrips the expected reduction in basal metabolism of the individual. Despite this lessened peripheral requirement, one may adduce evidences for a trend toward diminished cardiac reserve with age even in these subjects who revealed no clinical cardiac abnormality. The feasibility of predicting an individual's cardiac output from his blood pressure is commented upon.
Studies on structural foam processing I. The rheology of foam extrusion

An experimental study was carried out to investigate the flow behavior of gas-charged molten polymers in foam extrusion. For the study, a rectangular slit die with glass windows was constructed to permit visual observations, from the direction perpendicular to flow, of the dynamic behavior of gas bubbles when a gas-charged molten polymer flows between two parallel planes. Pictures were taken of gas bubbles in the flow channel with the aid of a camera attached to a microscope, and these were later used to determine the position at which gas bubbles start to grow. Using three melt pressure transducers mounted on the short side of the rectangular slot, pressure distributions were measured along the longitudinal centerline of the die. The polymeric materials used were high-density polyethylene and polystyrene, and the chemical blowing agents used were a proprietary hydrazide which generates nitrogen, and sodium bicarbonate which generates carbon dioxide. It was observed that the gas-charged molten polymer shows a curved pressure profile as the melt approaches the die exit, whereas the polymer without a blowing agent shows a linear pressure profile. The visual observations of the bubble growth in the flow channel, together with the pressure measurements, permitted us to determine the bubble inflation pressure, often referred to as the critical pressure for bubble inflation. It was found that the critical pressure decreases with increasing melt extrusion temperature, and increases with increasing blowing agent concentration. It was also found that the bulk viscosity of gas-charged molten polymers decreases with increasing blowing agent concentration and with increasing melt temperature. A general remark is made concerning the precaution one should take when an Instron rheometer is used for determining the bulk viscosity of gas-charged molten polymers.
Evaluation of Copper-Induced Oxidized Flavor in Milk by Discriminant Analysis of Capillary Gas Chromatographic Profiles

Abstract This study was to determine whether stepwise discriminant analysis of capillary gas chromatographic profiles obtained via purge and trap headspace concentration could be used to distinguish different intensities of oxidized flavor in milk. Oxidized milks were prepared by treatment of commercially pasteurized whole milk of good flavor quality with varying amounts of copper wire mesh. In the stepwise discriminant analysis, four oxidized flavor intensity groups were defined using the copper treatment levels. Seven of the 22volatile components were selected to build discriminant functions. Ninety percent of the 42 samples were classified into the correct intensity group using Lachenbruch's jackknife procedure to evaluate discriminating power. A significant correlation was found between average oxidized flavor intensity judgments from a trained sensory panel and the averages of the first canonical variable values from the stepwise discriminant analysis.
Conjugate Gradient Methods Applied to Transonic Finite Difference and Finite Element Calculations

Most transonic finite difference and finite element calculations are obtained by SLOR. Recently, approximate factorization methods (ADI, AF2, SIP) have been used with finite differences (application of such iterative methods to finite elements is not straightforward). In this paper incomplete LU decomposition and SSOR are used as preconditioning to second-degree iterative methods with adaptive acceleration parameters as in conjugate gradient algorithms for both finite difference and finite element calculations based on the artificial density formulation. Different cases are tested and the results are demonstrated. The present method is certainly more efficient than pure SLOR for obtaining results with reasonable accuracy.
Less invasive pedicled omental-cranial transposition in pediatric patients with moyamoya disease and failed prior revascularization.

Background Patients with moyamoya disease and progressive neurological deterioration despite previous revascularization pose a major treatment challenge. Many have exhausted typical sources for bypass or have ischemia in areas that are difficult to reach with an indirect pedicled flap. Omental-cranial transposition has been an effective, but sparingly used technique because of its associated morbidity. Objective We have refined a laparoscopic method of harvesting an omental flap that preserves its gastroepiploic arterial supply. Methods The pedicled omentum can be lengthened as needed by dividing it between the vascular arcades. It is transposed to the brain via skip incisions. The flap can be trimmed or stretched to cover ischemic areas of the brain. The cranial exposure is performed in parallel with pediatric surgeons. We performed this technique in 3 pediatric patients with moyamoya disease (aged 5-12 years) with previous superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery bypasses and progressive ischemic symptoms. In 1 patient, we transposed omentum to both hemispheres. Results Blood loss ranged from 75 to 250 mL. After surgery, patients immediately tolerated a diet and were discharged in 3 to 5 days. The ischemic symptoms of all 3 children resolved within 3 months postoperatively. Magnetic resonance imaging at 1 year showed improved perfusion and no new infarcts. Angiography showed excellent revascularization of targeted areas and patency of the donor gastroepiploic artery. Conclusion Laparoscopic omental harvest for cranial-omental transposition can be performed efficiently and safely. Patients with moyamoya disease appear to tolerate this technique much better than laparotomy. With this method, we can achieve excellent angiographic revascularization and resolution of ischemic symptoms.
Preparation and some reactions of 3-oxazoline N-oxides

Substituted 3-oxazolines react with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid to give the corresponding 3-oxazoline N-oxides. These heterocyclic nitrones underwent molecular rearrangements, but would not react with 1,3-cyclo-addition type reagents.
Microstructure and Strengthening Mechanisms in an Ultrafine Grained Al-Mg-Sc Alloy Produced by Powder Metallurgy

Additions of Sc to an Al-Mg matrix were investigated, paying particular attention to the influence of Al3Sc precipitates and other dispersoids, as well as grain size, on mechanical behavior. Prior studies have shown that Sc significantly increases the strength of coarse-grained Al-Mg alloys. Prompted by these findings, we hypothesized that it would be of fundamental and technological interest to study the behavior of Sc additions to an ultrafine-grained (UFG) microstructure (e.g., 100’s nm). Accordingly, we investigated the microstructural evolution and mechanical behavior of a cryomilled ultrafine grained Al-5Mg-0.4Sc (wt pct) and compared the results to those of an equivalent fine-grained material (FG) produced by powder metallurgy. Experimental materials were consolidated by hot isostatic pressing (HIP’ing) followed by extrusion or dual mode dynamic forging. Under identical processing conditions, UFG materials generate large Al3Sc precipitates with an average diameter of 154 nm and spaced approximately 1 to 3 μm apart, while precipitates in the FG materials have a diameter of 24 nm and are spaced 50 to 200 nm apart. The strengthening mechanisms are calculated for all materials and it is determined that the greatest strengthening contributions for the UFG and FG materials are Mg-O/N dispersion strengthening and precipitate strengthening, respectively.
Removing the Vertebrate-Specific TBP N Terminus Disrupts Placental β2m-Dependent Interactions with the Maternal Immune System

Abstract Mammalian TBP consists of a 180 amino acid core that is common to all eukaryotes, fused to a vertebrate-specific N-terminal domain. We generated mice having a modified tbp allele, tbp ΔN , that produces a version of TBP lacking 111 of the 135 vertebrate-specific amino acids. Most tbp ΔN/ΔN fetuses (>90%) died in midgestation from an apparent defect in the placenta. tbp ΔN/ΔN fetuses could be rescued by supplying them with a wild-type tetraploid placenta. Mutants also could be rescued by rearing them in immunocompromised mothers. In immune-competent mothers, survival of tbp ΔN/ΔN fetuses increased when fetal/placental β2m expression was genetically disrupted. These results suggest that the TBP N terminus functions in transcriptional regulation of a placental β2m-dependent process that favors maternal immunotolerance of pregnancy.
Effects of pulsatile perfusion on the immunogenicity of renal allografts.

Abstract The results in 190 consecutive perfused cadaver renal transplants failed to show a detrimental effect of long-term perfusion. In a controlled study in mongrel dogs, those receiving transplants preserved by pulsatile perfusion for 24 or 48 hr had equal or better survival than those receiving grafts preserved by cold storage or unpreserved grafts. In addition, kidneys preserved for 24 hr by perfusion showed functional abnormalities similar to those preserved as long by cold storage and those transplanted as fresh grafts. It can be concluded that pulsatile perfusion as a means of preservation does not adversely affect long-term function and does not increase the effective immunogenicity of renal allografts.
Abundance Denied: Consequences of the Great Recession

This paper reassesses themes developed in the authors' Economic Abundance: An Introduction (Dugger and Peach 2009) in the context of the so-called "Great Recession." In this paper, we make several arguments. First, there is always a substantial gap between actual production and the capacity of the economy to produce. Second, the great recession widened the production gap, but did not change the basic relationship. Third, the anti-recessionary policies, adopted during the recession, were anti-abundance policies, for the most part. Fourth, almost by definition, short-term (cyclical) fiscal and monetary policy regimes do not address longer-term structural issues or the creation of widely shared abundance. Last, but not least, despite the great recession, and the myopic policy responses it generated, the abundant economy � based on a largely undamaged joint stock of knowledge � remains a genuine possibility.
The CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Protein β (C/EBPβ) Cooperates with NFAT to Control Expression of the Calcineurin Regulatory Protein RCAN1–4

Regulator of calcineurin 1 (RCAN1) inhibits the protein phosphatase calcineurin and is required for appropriate immune responses, synaptic plasticity, vascular tone, angiogenesis, and cardiac remodeling. Expression of the RCAN1–4 isoform is under the control of the calcineurin-responsive transcription factor NFAT. Typically, NFATs act in cooperation with other transcription factors to achieve maximal activation of gene expression. In this study, we identify the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ) as an NFAT binding partner that cooperates with NFAT to regulate RCAN1–4 expression. Numerous C/EBPβ binding sites are conserved in the RCAN1–4 proximal promoter. Overexpression of C/EBPβ increased activity of both the endogenous mouse Rcan1–4 gene and a human RCAN1–4 luciferase reporter. Binding of C/EBPβ to multiple sites in the promoter was verified using electrophoretic mobility shift assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation. A direct interaction between C/EBPβ and NFAT was demonstrated by co-immunoprecipitation of proteins and complex formation at NFAT-C/EBPβ composite sites. Depletion of endogenous C/EBPβ decreased maximal activation of RCAN1–4 expression by calcineurin, whereas inhibition of calcineurin did not alter the ability of C/EBPβ to activate RCAN1–4 expression. Together, these findings suggest that calcineurin/NFAT activation of RCAN1–4 expression is in part dependent upon C/EBPβ, whereas activation by C/EBPβ is not dependent on calcineurin and may provide a calcineurin-independent pathway for regulating RCAN1–4 expression. Importantly, nuclear localization, C/EBPβ DNA binding activity and occupancy of the Rcan1–4 promoter increased in mouse models of heart failure demonstrating in vivo activation of this pathway to regulate Rcan1–4 expression and ultimately shape the dynamics of calcineurin-dependent signaling.
Regulation of protein synthesis during the preaggregative period of Dictyostelium discoideum development: Involvement of close cell associations and cAMP☆

The preaggregative period of Dictyostelium discoideum is composed of two rate-limiting components which exhibit dramatic differences in either their dependency upon, or sensitivity to, close cell-cell associations, inhibitors of protein synthesis, temperature, and pH. The first component comprises the initial 4.5 hr and the second component the last 2.5 hr of the preaggregative period. By pulse-labeling cells with [35S]methionine, separating polypeptides by 2D-PAGE, and semiquantitatively comparing the rates of synthesis of 778 individual polypeptides by fluorography, the following results were obtained: a detailed program of protein synthesis accompanies the preaggregative (0-7 hr) and aggregative (7-10.5 hr) periods of development; this includes significant decreases in the rate of synthesis of 93 polypeptides synthesized during vegetative growth and significant increases in the rate of synthesis of 74 polypeptides either undetectable or synthesized at relatively low rates during vegetative growth; 35 polypeptides are transiently synthesized at different times during the preaggregative and aggregative periods; two peaks of activity are clearly defined for both increases and decreases; these peaks correlate temporally with the first and second rate-limiting components of the preaggregative period; the majority of changes (74%) which occur during the first rate-limiting component will occur in the absence of close cell-cell associations, but the majority (66%) which normally occur during the second rate-limiting component do not occur in the absence of close cell-cell associations; a high concentration of cAMP in the medium of continuous suspension cultures does not stimulate most of the changes which are dependent upon close cell-cell associations; even though cAMP stimulates progress through the second rate-limiting component in suspension cultures first allowed to associate for 4.5 hr ("competent" cells) prior to disaggregation it still does not stimulate most of the changes which are dependent upon close cell-cell associations; and synthesis of only 3 out of 778 polypeptides appears to be stimulated by addition of exogenous cAMP, and only in resuspended cultures of "competent" cells. The prominent role of close cell-cell association and the surprisingly minor effect of cAMP in the regulation of the program of protein synthesis accompanying the preaggregative and aggregative periods of Dictyostelium are discussed, especially as they relate to the effect of cAMP on protein synthesis in suspended cultures of postaggregative cells.
Surface active agents in sputum evacuation: a blind comparison with normal saline solution and distilled water.

Normal saline, distilled water, and two commercial surface-active solutions were used in this double-blind trial to determine the efficiency to increase sputum evacuation in 20 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. An ultrasonic aerosol or tyloxapol solution (Alevaire), when compared with distilled water aerosol, increased both the volume of sputum expectorated by 48.6 ml per hour and the dry weight by 84 mg per hour. Distilled water was found to increase the volume of sputum by 34.9 ml per hour as compared with normal saline. There was no difference between the normal saline and sodium ethasulfate solution (Tergemist). Tyloxapol solution also caused a transient small decrease in the FEV1 in four patients during the week of treatment. This effect may be related to increased mobilization with incomplete evacuation of secretions.
Performance of embedded grating polarizing beam-splitters varying with grating period and angles of incidence

Visible grating polarizing beam-splitters imbedded in prism substrates are analyzed using rigorous coupled wave analysis method and effective medium theory. The performance of the device depends on the grating period and angles of incidence.
Synthesis of the C1-phosphonate analog of UDP-GlcNAc.

Abstract We describe the first synthesis of the C1 -phosphonate analog of UDP-GlcNAc, based on a new preparation of the corresponding glycosyl phosphonate. This C -glycosyl analog is shown to be a very weak inhibitor ( K i > 10 mM) of fungal chitin synthase, indicating that at least in this case the replacement of the anomeric oxygen with a methylene group is not an innocent substitution.
Eukaryotic DNA topoisomerases: two forms of type I DNA topoisomerases from HeLa cell nuclei.

Abstract Two type I DNA topoisomerases have been purified to homogeneity from the nuclei of HeLa cells. One topoisomerase has a peptide molecular weight of 100,000 and the other, a molecular weight of 67,000. Several lines of evidence indicate that these two topoisomerases are closely related, (a) Both exhibit similar enzymatic activities on DNA. (b) The chromatographic properties of the two topoisomerases during purification are similar. (c) Mild proteolysis of the purified molecular weight 100,000 topoisomerase in vitro generates a group of protein bands of molecular weight approximately 67,000, and these bands retain topoisomerase activity. (d) The peptides formed by partial proteolysis of the 67,000 topoisomerase in the presence of NaDodSO4 form a subset of those produced from the 100,000 enzyme. The 100,000 topoisomerase is the major type I enzyme in the cell. The 67,000 topoisomerase, which may be identical to the previously identified "nicking-closing" enzyme [Champoux, J. J. & Dulbecco, R. (1972) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 69, 143-146], is probably formed by proteolysis of the 100,000 enzyme.
Intein-mediated protein ligation: harnessing nature's escape artists

Inteins are naturally occurring proteins that are involved in the precise cleavage and formation of peptide bonds in a process known as protein splicing. Genetic engineering has allowed the controllable cleavage of peptide bonds at either the N- or C-terminus of the intein. Inteins displaying controllable cleavage have been used in the isolation of bacterially expressed proteins possessing either a C-terminal thioester or an N-terminal cysteine. The specific placement of these reactive groups has allowed either protein-protein or protein-peptide condensation through a native peptide bond. This review describes the methods used to specifically generate these reactive groups on bacterially expressed proteins and some applications of this technique, known as intein-mediated protein ligation. Furthermore, a versatile two intein (TWIN) system will be described which enables the circularization and polymerization of bacterially expressed proteins or peptides.