cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dark progression reveals slow timescales for radiation damage between T = 180 and 240 K

Can radiation damage to protein crystals be `outrun' by collecting a structural data set before damage is manifested? Recent experiments using ultra-intense pulses from a free-electron laser show that the answer is yes. Here, evidence is presented that significant reductions in global damage at temperatures above 200 K may be possible using conventional X-ray sources and current or soon-to-be available detectors. Specifically, `dark progression' (an increase in damage with time after the X-rays have been turned off) was observed at temperatures between 180 and 240 K and on timescales from 200 to 1200 s. This allowed estimation of the temperature-dependent timescale for damage. The rate of dark progression is consistent with an Arrhenius law with an activation energy of 14 kJ mol−1. This is comparable to the activation energy for the solvent-coupled diffusive damage processes responsible for the rapid increase in radiation sensitivity as crystals are warmed above the glass transition near 200 K. Analysis suggests that at T = 300 K data-collection times of the order of 1 s (and longer at lower temperatures) may allow significant reductions in global radiation damage, facilitating structure solution on crystals with liquid solvent. No dark progression was observed below T = 180 K, indicating that no important damage process is slowed through this timescale window in this temperature range.
Waves generated by a source below a free surface in water of finite depth

The free-surface flow due to a submerged source in water of finite depth is considered. The fluid is assumed to be inviscid and incompressible. The problem is solved numerically by using a boundary integral equation formulation due to Hocking and Forbes [6]. The numerical results show that there is a train of waves on the free surface in accordance with the results of Mekias and Vanden-Broeck [5]. For small values of the Froude number, the amplitude of the waves is so small that the free surface is essentially flat in the far field. These waveless profiles agree with the calculations of Hocking and Forbes [6].
CHARGE-STATE DEPENDENCE OF ELECTRON LOSS FROM H BY COLLISIONS WITH HEAVY, HIGHLY STRIPPED IONS

Theoretical calculations, confirmed by experimental measurements, are used to obtain a new scaling for electron loss from a hydrogen atom in collision with a heavy, highly stripped ion. The calculations cover the energy range 50 to 5000 keV/amu and charge states q from 1 to 50. The experiments are in the range 108 to 1140 keV/amu and charge states 3 to 22. A simple analytic expression that describes the electron-loss cross section for 1 < or = q < or = 50 in the energy range 50 to 5000 keV/amu is presented.
Political Orientation and the Psychology of Christian Prayer: How Conservatives and Liberals Pray

The authors of this study examined relations between self-reported political orientation and the content of prayer narratives in a sample of 128 midlife North American Christians. Politically liberal Christians were more likely than politically conservative Christians to emphasize provision in prayer, asking God to provide resources for people and to fulfill human needs. Conservatives, however, were no more likely than liberals to emphasize protection in prayer, contrary to prediction. Nonetheless, politically conservative Christians tended to emphasize praise and thanksgiving in their prayers and tended to ask God for both guidance and forgiveness to a greater extent than did politically liberal Christians. The results are discussed in terms of recent research and theory on ideological scripts, life narratives, and the intersection of religion and politics in human lives.
Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis (Pinkeye)

As is the case for controlling other infectious livestock diseases, the most successful efforts to control infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) will include consideration of the host, the environment, herd management, and ongoing surveillance even after the immediate crisis has passed. Research over many years has led to the discovery of a variety of antibiotic treatments and antibiotic regimens that can be effective against IBK. The discoveries of Mor bovoculi and reports of IBK associated with Mycoplasma spp without concurrent Mor bovis or Mor bovoculi have raised new questions into the roles that other organisms may play in IBK pathogenesis.
The proposal for appendable projection system

In recent years, in a game or AR (virtual reality), various modes of expression using a computer are proposed. The new system developed with a computer, a projector, and a camera as one of such the modes of expressions. The system irradiates the light such as the laser pointers to the screen under projection. It is reflected in the screen image data under projection by taking the irradiation locus with the video camera. In this paper, we describe the outline of this system and the possibility.
The critical density throughout the superconducting phase of multifilamentary Nb/sub 3/Sn wire for forced flow fusion applications measured using the Bean-Campbell AC magnetization technique

AC magnetization measurements for transverse orientation have been completed on a multifilamentary Nb/sub 3/Sn composite wire, which is a candidate for fusion applications. Using these data, it was possible to determine the critical-current density using the Bean-Campbell analysis in the ranges B >
Hepatic Hemorrhage/Infarction and Arterial Thrombosis Secondary to Antiphospholipid Syndrome: A Therapeutic Dilemma

26-year-old woman with antiphospholipid syndrome presented with pregnancy-induced hypertension at 25 weeks gestation. At cesarean section her liver was noted to have numerous small subcapsular hemorrhages. Her postoperative recovery was complicated by arterial thrombosis, hepatic infarction, and prolonged thrombocytopenia which responded to plasmapheresis and intravenous steroid therapy.
Ab Initio and Analytic Intermolecular Potentials for Ar-CF4 †

Ab initio calculations at the CCSD(T) level of theory were performed to characterize the Ar + CF4 intermolecular potential. Potential energy curves were calculated with the aug-cc-pVTZ basis set, and with and without a correction for basis set superposition error (BSSE). Additional calculations were performed with other correlation consistent basis sets to extrapolate the Ar−CF4 potential energy minimum to the complete basis set (CBS) limit. Both the size of the basis set and BSSE have substantial effects on the Ar + CF4 potential. Calculations with the aug-cc-pVTZ basis set, and with a BSSE correction, appear to give a good representation of the BSSE corrected potential at the CBS limit. In addition, MP2 theory is found to give potential energies in very good agreement with those determined by the much higher level CCSD(T) theory. Two model analytic potential energy functions were determined for Ar + CF4. One is a fit to the aug-cc-pVTZ calculations with a BSSE correction. The second was derived by fitti...
A linear piezoelectric stepper motor with submicrometer step size and centimeter travel range

A linear stepper motor capable of submicrometer controlled movement has been constructed using the piezoelectric material lead zirconate titanate (PZT). This motor consists of a 25.4-mm*12.7-mm*1.6-mm piezoelectric driving element connected between a glider base and an attached load. The device is inset in a trench to constrain motion to one dimension. An electrode on the bottom of the glider is used with an electrode on the top of the trench to implement an electrostatic clamp. This clamp enables the stepper motor to climb slopes of up to 12 degrees , whereas without the clamp only slopes of 6 degrees or less are tolerated. A linear inertial sliding motion can be achieved by expanding and contracting the piezoelectric bar, but the addition of the electrostatic clamp enhances the movement capabilities of the glider by the periodic clamping and unclamping of the glider. Glider velocities of 5.7-476 mu m/s are measured by timing the movement of the glider over a 1.0-mm portion of the track through an optical microscope. Displacement steps of 0.07-1.1 mu m are calculated by dividing the measured glider velocity by the frequency of the applied voltage pulses. Displacement step size and glider velocity are controlled by the application of PZT extension voltages ranging from +or-(60-340) V. >
An Integrative Analysis of the Muscle Myosin Motor Using Genetic and Transgenic Tools

We use Drosophila melanogaster to investigate the mechanisms by which myosin heavy chain isoforms contribute to muscle-specific cyto-architectures and contractile properties. We expressed various myosin isoforms in transgenic indirect flight muscles. Along with our collaborators, we examined 1) ATPase, in vitro actin sliding, step size and structure of the isolated myosin, 2) ultrastructure and mechanical properties of muscle fibers, and 3) locomotory abilities of the transgenic organisms. We found that isoform-specific differences in myosin cause relatively small structural variations in muscle assembly, but are critical to myofibril stability and function. ATPase, in vitro motility and fiber mechanical assays show that embryonic and indirect flight muscle isoforms represent slower and faster myosins, respectively. We have used a series of chimeric transgenes to study the function of the alternative domains that vary among the Drosophila myosins. We found that the converter is a key determinant of isoform-specific properties, and that some mechanisms of fine tuning myosin function differ from those of vertebrates.Drosophila point mutants also help define the function of structural domains of myosin. We analyzed point mutations in the transducer domain near the nucleotide-binding pocket. While increased myosin ATPase and actin sliding ability of one transducer mutation induce dramatic degeneration of the indirect flight muscles, another mutation that reduces these properties does not affect myofibril stability. The effects of these mutations on the Drosophila heart are disparate as well, with increased function yielding restrictive cardiomyopathy and decreased function leading to dilated cardiomyopathy. These phenotypes parallel those arising from myosin mutations in humans. Drosophila may thus serve as a useful model for studying the molecular basis of cardiomyopathy, as well as mechanisms of its suppression.
Cesare Emiliani (1922–1995), pioneer of Ice Age studies and oxygen isotope stratigraphy

Abstract Cesare Emiliani established that the ice ages of the last half million years or so are cyclic phenomena, which gave strong support to the hypothesis of Milankovitch. He discovered the cycles when analyzing foraminifers from long deep-sea cores for their oxygen isotope composition (cores were from the Swedish Deep-Sea Expedition, from the Lamont collection and later from collections made at Miami). Emiliani’s method has become the standard procedure for interpreting the deep-sea record in terms of ocean and climate history. Emiliani introduced a time scale suggesting that the cycles are typically 40 000 years in duration, and he defended this scale for almost 20 years. He also thought that temperature was a more important influence on oxygen isotope variations of the ocean than the buildup and decay of northern hemisphere ice sheets. Both these notions proved incorrect. However, his insistence that the Milankovitch mechanism, in conjunction with ice dynamics and crustal response to loading, is the driving force behind the climate cycles of the Quaternary proved well founded.
A new defined benefit pension risk measurement methodology

Abstract Defined benefit pension plan sponsors have taken on greater risks for sponsoring these plans in the last several years. Due to ever increasing concerns of longevity risk and the weak economic environment, sponsors are eager to understand their pension-related risks to facilitate optimal enterprise decision-making. Borrowing an analytical framework from the life insurance and annuity industry where the amount of risk is framed in terms of the total assets required to remain solvent over a one-year period with a high level of confidence, i.e., the economic capital approach, this paper develops a benchmark risk measure for pension sponsors by obtaining a total asset requirement for sustaining the pension plan. The difference between the total asset requirement and the actual trust assets thus provides a measure of sponsor assets at risk due to plan sponsorship. Two factor-based approaches are proposed for this calculation. The first approach develops a set of pension-specific factors as if the pension plan were a group annuity. The second approach directly simulates the risk drivers of the pension plan and develops a framework for obtaining factors and calculating the pension risk given a desired confidence level. Our approach is very easy to implement and monitor in practice.
Stretch-induced nitric oxide modulates mechanical properties of skeletal muscle cells

In this study, we examined the hypothesis that stretch-induced (nitric oxide) NO modulates the mechanical properties of skeletal muscles by increasing accumulation of protein levels of talin and vinculin and by inhibiting calpain-induced proteolysis, thereby stabilizing the focal contacts and the cytoskeleton. Differentiating C(2)C(12) myotubes were subjected to a single 10% step stretch for 0-4 days. The apparent elastic modulus of the cells, E(app), was subsequently determined by atomic force microscopy. Static stretch led to significant increases (P < 0.01) in E(app) beginning at 2 days. These increases were correlated with increases in NO activity and neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) protein expression. Expression of talin was upregulated throughout, whereas expression of vinculin was significantly increased only on days 3 and 4. Addition of the NO donor l-arginine onto stretched cells further enhanced E(app), NOS activity, and nNOS expression, whereas the presence of the NO inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) reversed the effects of mechanical stimulation and of l-arginine. Overall, viscous dissipation, as determined by the value of hysteresis, was not significantly altered. For assessment of the role of vinculin and talin stability, cells treated with l-NAME showed a significant decrease in E(app), whereas addition of a calpain inhibitor abolished the effect. Thus our results show that NO inhibition of calpain-initiated cleavage of cytoskeleton proteins was correlated with the changes in E(app). Together, our data suggest that NO modulates the mechanical behavior of skeletal muscle cells through the combined action of increased talin and vinculin levels and a decrease in calpain-mediated talin proteolysis.
Interactions between recrystallization and precipitation in hot-deformed microalloyed steels

Abstract The static recrystallization and precipitation characteristics of low alloy steels containing Nb were studied following high temperature compression in the austenite range. The recrystallization kinetics in the Nb-steels were slower than those in the plain carbon steels by approximately an order of magnitude when Nb was in solution. However, much greater retardation of recrystallization was observed in the Nb-steels when precipitates were formed. The initiation of both recrystallization and precipitation appeared to be localized in the early stage of their nucleation. Recrystallization initiated predominantely at the prior austenite grain boundaries. Boundaries were also the preferential nucleation sites for NbCN precipitation. Hence, the NbCN particles were distributed in a highly localized fashion, sometimes delineating what may have been the prior austenite grain or subgrain boundaries. The heterogeneous nature of the nucleation process for recrystallization and precipitation suggested that the critical factor which determined the retardation of recrystallization was the local pinning effect of precipitation. The local pinning force was estimated from the local distribution of precipitation and was found to be of magnitude comparable to that of the driving force for recrystallization. The precipitation pinning force increased in the beginning of precipitation, showed a peak in the intermediate stage, and finally decreased as particles coarsened and were distributed more uniformly.
A new combination in Stigmaphyllon (Malpighiaceae), and notes on the publication dates of Hooker's Botanical Miscellany

The new combination Stigmaphyllon bonariense, based on Banisteria bonariensis Hook. & Arn., is proposed to replace the more recent name Stigmaphyllon littorale Adr. Juss. for a species from southern South America. Because the publication dates of Hooker's Botanical Miscellany, the journal in which the basionym was published, are in part incorrectly given in the widely used reference Taxonomic Literature, the correct dates for all parts are listed and are based on a previously published review by H. S. Marshall.
Glottal source modeling for voice conversion

Abstract This paper describes recent advances in glottal source modeling for speech synthesis. In particular two procedures for modeling the glottal excitation waveform are described and applied to voice conversion. One model uses a polynomial to represent the glottal excitation waveform for one pitch period. The coefficients of the polynomial model form a vector that is used to design a glottal excitation code book with 32 entries for voiced excitation. The codebook is designed and trained using two sentences spoken by different speakers. Speech is synthesized using a quantized glottal excitation waveform for one speaker as the excitation for a glottal excitation linear predictive (GELP) synthesizer designed using tract parameters obtained from the speech of another speaker. Our implementation of the LP synthesizer is patterned after both a pitch-excited LP speech synthesizer and a code excited linear predictive (CELP) speech coder. In addition to the glottal excitation codebook, we use a stochastic codebook with 256 entries for unvoiced noise excitation. Analysis techniques are described for constructing both codebooks. The GELP synthesizer, which resynthesizes speech with high quality, provides the speech scientist with a simple speech synthesis procedure that uses established analysis techniques, that is able to reproduce all speech sounds, and yet also has an excitation model waveform that is related to the derivative of the glottal flow and the integral of the residue. Another approach uses the LF glottal volume-velocity waveform to model the characteristics of three voice types: modal, breathy, and vocal fry (creaky). We then convert a modal voice to sound like a breathy or vocal fry voice using the vocal tract characteristics for modal voice and the glottal volume-velocity waveform model for breathy and vocal fry voices as the excitation.
On Scheduling with Ready Times to Minimize Mean Flow Time

Un algorithme de mise en sequence de travaux dans un processeur simple avec pour objectif de minimiser le temps de flux moyen, quand les travaux ont des prises de temps inegaux, est developpe. La procedure entraine un partage du probleme en sous-problemes, et la resolution des sous-problemes en appliquant les techniques de Branch et Bound
An integrated phylogenomic approach toward pinpointing the origin of mitochondria

Overwhelming evidence supports the endosymbiosis theory that mitochondria originated once from the Alphaproteobacteria. However, its exact position in the tree of life remains highly debated. This is because systematic errors, including biased taxonomic sampling, high evolutionary rates and sequence composition bias have long plagued the mitochondrial phylogenetics. In this study, we address this issue by 1) increasing the taxonomic representation of alphaproteobacterial genomes by sequencing 18 phylogenetically novel species. They include 5 Rickettsiales and 4 Rhodospirillales, two orders that have shown close affiliations with mitochondria previously, 2) using a set of 29 slowly evolving mitochondria-derived nuclear genes that are less biased than mitochondria-encoded genes as the alternative “well behaved” markers for phylogenetic analysis, 3) applying site heterogeneous mixture models that account for the sequence composition bias. With the integrated phylogenomic approach, we are able to for the first time place mitochondria unequivocally within the Rickettsiales order, as a sister clade to the Rickettsiaceae and Anaplasmataceae families, all subtended by the Holosporaceae family. Our results suggest that mitochondria most likely originated from a Rickettsiales endosymbiont already residing in the host, but not from the distantly related free-living Pelagibacter and Rhodospirillales.
Experiments in tele-operator and autonomous control of space robotic vehicles

A program of research is presented that embraces teleoperator and automatic navigational control of freelyflying satellite robots. Current research goals include developing visual operator interfaces for improved vehicle teleoperation studying the effects of different visual interface system designs and achieving autonomous visionbased vehicle navigation and control. This research program combines virtual-environment teleoperation studies with neutral-buoyancy experiments using a space robot simulator vehicle that is currently under development. Visualinterface design variables include monoscopic versus stereoscopic displays and cameras helmet-mounted versus panelmounted display monitors head-tracking versus fixed or manually steerable remote cameras and provision of vehiclefixed visual cues or markers in the remote scene for improved sensing of vehicle position orientation and motion. Autonomous-control work concentrates on developing the neutral-buoyancy vehicle and the vision-based sensing systems that will support automatic vehicle control experiments.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
On Recirculation Forced by an Unstable Jet

Abstract Previous numerical experiments with an unstable zonal jet on a β plane are extended to the reduced-gravity case. The strength of the resulting recirculation varies inversely with the combination β + 1/S where S is the Burger number and β the latitudinal variation of the Coriolis parameter. In addition, the centers of the antisymmetrically located gyres are located a distance from the jet inlet that varies inversely with the linear growth rate of small perturbations. An improved analytic model has also been constructed that predicts the recirculation strength and has the single unsupported assumption that the meridionally integrated potential vorticity anomaly be independent of zonal position.
Analysis of the tsunami generated by the Mw 7.8 1906 San Francisco earthquake

We examine possible sources of a small tsunami produced by the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, recorded at a single tide gauge station situated at the opening to San Francisco Bay. Coseismic vertical displacement fields were calculated using elastic dislocation theory for geodetically constrained horizontal slip along a variety of offshore fault geometries. Propagation of the ensuing tsunami was calculated using a shallow-water hydrodynamic model that takes into account the effects of bottom friction. The observed amplitude and negative pulse of the first arrival are shown to be inconsistent with small vertical displacements (∼4–6 cm) arising from pure horizontal slip along a continuous right bend in the San Andreas fault offshore. The primary source region of the tsunami was most likely a recently recognized 3 km right step in the San Andreas fault that is also the probable epicentral region for the 1906 earthquake. Tsunami models that include the 3 km right step with pure horizontal slip match the arrival time of the tsunami, but underestimate the amplitude of the negative first-arrival pulse. Both the amplitude and time of the first arrival are adequately matched by using a rupture geometry similar to that defined for the 1995 M w (moment magnitude) 6.9 Kobe earthquake: i.e., fault segments dipping toward each other within the stepover region (83° dip, intersecting at 10 km depth) and a small component of slip in the dip direction (rake = −172°). Analysis of the tsunami provides confirming evidence that the 1906 San Francisco earthquake initiated at a right step in a right-lateral fault and propagated bilaterally, suggesting a rupture initiation mechanism similar to that for the 1995 Kobe earthquake.
When Will a Large Complex System Be Stable

May, 1972 , May, 1973 and Hastings, 1982a , Hastings, 1982b , Hastings, 1983a , Hastings, 1983b announced criteria for the probable stability or instability, as n ↑ ∞, of systems of n linear ordinary differential equations or difference equations with random coefficients fixed in time. However, simple, explicit counter-examples show that, without some additional conditions, the claims of May and Hastings can be false.
Ketamine as a pharmacological model for tongue dyskinesia

The purpose of this article is to document that ketamine hydrochloride, administered at an anesthetic dosage of about 100 mg/kg, produces tongue contractile activity in the rat. The methods for monitoring and quantitating ketamine-induced tongue contractions (KITCs) are described. We also found that neuroleptic agents consistently and readily abolish KITCs. On the basis of these observations and other pharmacological properties of ketamine, we propose that KITCs may be a useful model for studying neuroleptic-induced oral dyskinesia, e.g., tardive dyskinesia. Additional findings in support of this model are presented.
Comparison of the interactions of H2 and rare-gas atoms with surfaces of insulators.

Calculations are presented for the interactions of ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$, He, Ne, and Ar with the (001) surfaces of LiF, NaCl, and MgO. We have used a model potential that we developed previously and here applied to new systems. The proposed interaction potential has only one free parameter. This is chosen to be a coefficient describing the long-range interaction, since such a coefficient is the least well known. We then discuss the applicability of this model by comparing the results for different systems. In particular we discuss the He/MgO(001) system for which contradictory experimental determinations of the well depth exist.
Limb Salvage and Amputation in Survivors of Pediatric Lower-Extremity Bone Tumors: What Are the Long-Term Implications?

The past four decades have seen tremendous progress in the treatment of pediatric and adolescent cancers. As a consequence, there are increasing numbers of adult childhood cancer survivors. This has prompted investigation into the long-term consequences of cancer treatments. One group that merits special study is the survivors of lower-extremity bone tumors. Their function and quality of life may depend in part on both the surgery and the age at which it was performed. Comparisons between studies are difficult because small numbers of patients and the use of varying research designs and methods have limited research in this area. The purpose of this article is to review the major surgical approaches to lower-limb bone tumors and their impact on pediatric patients. The results show that survival is equivalent between amputation and limb salvage. Complications occur more frequently in limb salvage. The long-term outcomes of those undergoing amputation and limb salvage have not been found to be substantially different in regard to quality of life. In conclusion, prospective long-term follow-up of pediatric patients with lower-limb tumors is needed to (1) determine in a uniform manner the long-term complications, quality of life, and functionality of this population and describe differences within this patient population based on age at diagnosis and surgical procedure, (2) identify areas of concern that are amenable to intervention, and (3) provide clinicians and future patients a better understanding of the surgical options.
The effects of permanent I-125 interstitial implantation on cortical bone

From 1973 to 1980, 1,427 cancer patients were treated by the Brachytherapy Service, Radiation Oncology Department of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) with I-125 permanent interstitial implantation. Concern has been expressed with regard to the possible toxic effects of the low average photon energy (28 kev) of I-125 on bone, secondary to its increased absorption in these tissues because of the photoelectric effect. In an attempt to address this concern with respect to cortical bone, we reviewed pertinent data on those patients whose site of implant was at close proximity to osseous tissue in the pelvic, chest wall and head and neck regions. The review included 74 sites in 58 patients having no prior history or clinical evidence of any pathologic or metabolic bony disorder. Long term (greater than 1 year) follow-up was available in over 50% of the cases, with 10 patients followed more than 4 years. Local control rate for the 74 implanted sites was 93%. The implanted activity ranged from 1.6 to 48.8 mCi and the implanted volume from 0.5 to 152 cm3. At this follow-up range, there appears to be no excessive osseous toxicity either clinically or radiologically with I-125 permanent implantation.
Renal tubule necrosis and apoptosis modulation by A1 adenosine receptor expression.

We have shown that A1 adenosine receptors (A 1 ARs) are cytoprotective against renal tubular necrosis and apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro . To study the role of A 1 AR numbers on renal epithelial cell survival, we stably overexpressed the human A1 receptor in a porcine renal tubule cell line and utilized primary cultures of proximal tubules obtained from A 1 AR knockout mice. Receptor-overexpressing cells were protected against peroxide-induced necrosis and tumor necrosis factor- α /cycloheximide-induced apoptosis. Conversely, cultured proximal tubule cells from receptor knockout mice showed more necrotic and apoptotic cell loss than corresponding cells from wild-type mice. Overexpression of the receptor resulted in a significantly higher baseline expression of both total and phosphorylated heat-shock protein (HSP)27; the latter due to A1 receptor enhancement of p38 and AP2 mitogen-activated protein kinase activities. The resistance to cell death in the porcine cells was reversed by selective A1 receptor antagonism and by a selective inhibitor of HSP synthesis. Receptor activation in wild-type mice in vivo led to increased total and phosphorylated HSP27, whereas receptor knockout mice showed decreased baseline and adenosine-mediated HSP phosphorylation. These studies show that endogenous A 1 AR activation produces cytoprotective effects in renal proximal tubules by modulating HSP27 signaling pathways.
Update on Estrogen Receptor–Positive Breast Cancer Risk Reduction

Women who are at increased risk of breast cancer can be identified using individual risk factors or by using validated quantitative risk assessment models. There are millions of such women in the US population alone, and many additional millions of women at increased risk worldwide. Decades of randomized, prospective studies of these women using selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) have shown that risk can be reduced safely and effectively by 50% for all invasive breast cancer and by nearly 70% or more for estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer. Safety and tolerability of the SERMs are acceptable in the published studies, and two SERMs, tamoxifen and raloxifene, are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for breast cancer risk reduction. Nevertheless, the drugs are not widely used despite reasonable cost per year of life saved (or morbidity avoided). Clinicians must endeavor to identify women who are suitable candidates for these drugs and educate them about their safety and utility.
Efficient parallel logic simulation techniques for the connection machine

Three efficient parallel logic simulation techniques for the Connection Machine are developed. The first technique which uses a global clock, is a synchronous version of a traditional simulation technique. The second technique is a hybrid of both the synchronous simulation technique with a global clock and the Chandy-Misra algorithm for asynchronous event processing. The third technique, called a simulation time lookahead technique, is proposed to make the second technique more optimistic than the Chandy-Misra algorithm by predicting in advance the timestamp of the next event. Experimental results show that the three techniques achieve better performance than the Time Warp protocol on the Connection Machine. The proposed techniques are several hundred times faster than the VHDL simulator on a SUN3, especially for circuits with very large number of gates. >
Advances in pediatric asthma in 2011: Moving forward

Last year's "Advances in pediatric asthma" concluded with the following statement: "Perhaps new directions in personalized medicine and improved health care access and communication will help maintain steady progress in alleviating the burden of this disease in children, especially young children." This year's summary will focus on recent advances in pediatric asthma that show significant accomplishments in reducing asthma morbidity and mortality over the last 10 years and discuss some pathways to further reduce asthma burden, as indicated in Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology publications in 2011. Some of the recent reports continue to shed light on methods to improve asthma management through steps to reduce asthma exacerbations, identify features of the disease in early childhood, alter asthma progression, intervene with nutrition, and more effectively implement the asthma guidelines. As new information evolves, it is also time to consider a revision of the asthma guidelines based on key studies that affect our management of the disease since the last revision in 2007. Now is also the time to use information recorded in electronic medical records to develop innovative disease management plans that will track asthma over time and enable timely decisions on interventions to maintain control that can lead to disease remission and prevention.
Fatigue behavior of textile composite materials subjected to tension‐tension loads

A model was constructed to evaluate the fatigue behavior of textile composite materials under tension-tension loads. First, traditional FEA was used to evaluate the stiffness reduction and energy release rate due to crack propagation. Results obtained from this study were coupled with data on strength degradation of impregnated yarns under fatigue loading. Second, stiffness and strength degradation were integrated within a hybrid finite element analysis model, which uses a geometric description of textile composites. An iterative loading procedure was used to apply load and distribute stresses on a unit cell of the textile composites for each fatigue load cycle. Crack initiation and propagation were monitored during each hybrid FE load cycle ana strength and stiffness were accordingly degraded. Finally, results obtained from the analytical model were compared to experimental data for 3D angle interlock carbon/epoxy woven composites and showed a good agreement.
Adaptive Coding and Modulation for Satellite Communication Links in the Presence of Channel Estimation Errors

Adaptive coding and modulation (ACM) schemes are very useful in satellite communication systems because they provide variable coding rates and modulation levels that can be used under different channel gain conditions. The effectiveness of the ACM scheme depends on the accuracy of the channel estimates. Because channel estimation plays a key role in ACM schemes, we present an estimation technique for the channel SNR. Furthermore, because channel SNR estimates are unreliable, we modify the ACM scheme to incorporate channel estimation errors. It is shown that this scheme significantly improves the performance of the ACM scheme.
Climate change impacts on leatherback turtle pelagic habitat in the Southeast Pacific

Abstract Eastern Pacific populations of the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) have declined by over 90% during the past three decades. The decline is primarily attributed to human pressures, including unsustainable egg harvest, development on nesting beaches, and by-catch mortality. In particular, the effects of climate change may impose additional stresses upon already threatened leatherback populations. This study analyzes how the pelagic habitat of Eastern Pacific leatherbacks may be affected by climate change over the next century. This population adheres to a persistent migration pattern; following nesting at Playa Grande, Costa Rica, individuals move rapidly through equatorial currents and into foraging habitat within the oligotrophic South Pacific Gyre. Forty-six nesting females were fitted with satellite tags. Based on the turtle positions, ten environmental variables were sampled along the tracks. Presence/absence habitat models were created to determine the oceanographic characteristics of the preferred turtle habitat. Core pelagic habitat was characterized by relatively low sea surface temperatures and chlorophyll-a. Based on these habitat models, we predicted habitat change using output from the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory prototype Earth System Model under the Special Report on Emissions Scenario A2 (business-as-usual). Although the model predicted both habitat losses and gains throughout the region, we estimated that overall the core pelagic habitat of the Eastern Pacific leatherback population will decline by approximately 15% within the next century. This habitat modification might increase pressure on a critically endangered population, possibly forcing distributional shifts, behavioral changes, or even extinction.
Cigarette tar causes single-strand breaks in DNA.

Abstract The results of this study demonstrate, for the first time, that cigarette tar causes DNA damage. Incubation in vitro of phage PM2 DNA with aqueous extracts of cigarette tar results in the introduction of DNA single-strand breaks. The effects of protective enzymes and radical scavengers indicate the involvment of active oxygen species. Although the semiquinone components of tar reduce dioxygen forming superoxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide, our results suggest that hydroxyl radicals formed via metal catalyzed decomposition of hydrogen peroxide are ultimately responsible for the DNa lesions. Our results also suggest that the metals in tar are reduced by the semiquinone components of tar and by superoxide at comparable rates.
Perspective for a Special Issue of Polymer Reviews On: Ionic liquids and their Derivatives in Polymer Science and Engineering

Ionic liquids (ILs) are defined as salts that melt below 100°C, while room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) have melting points below 25°C. 1 These materials possess a number of useful properties,...
Residual stress development in UMS TiN coatings

Abstract TiN coatings produced by the unbalanced magnetron sputtering (UMS) technique were used to study the relationship between the most relevant deposition parameters, such as substrate bias and working gas pressure, and the residual stress level. The coatings were deposited on 300 μm thick silicon and steel substrates to allow residual stress measurements using the surface curvature method. In addition to residual stress magnitude, the UMS TiN coatings were also evaluated for microstructure and hardness. It was found that the properties of TiN coatings could be linked to residual stress magnitude, which was also strongly affected by the deposition conditions and substrate properties. Significantly higher stresses were observed for coatings deposited on steel substrates. The role of intrinsic and thermal stresses in the coating–substrate system was evaluated. In the experimental program, coatings were subjected to thermal cycles exceeding the maximum deposition temperature to produce stress–temperature correlation plots. These relationships were used to evaluate the possibility of post-deposition annealing to relax the residual stress. The correlations between residual stress, coating hardness, and deposition conditions are discussed in this paper.
Biomarkers for the Development of New Medications for Cocaine Dependence

There has been significant progress in personalized drug development. In large part, this has taken place in the oncology field and been due to the ability of researchers/clinicians to discover and develop novel drug development tools (DDTs), such as biomarkers. In cancer treatment research, biomarkers have permitted a more accurate pathophysiological characterization of an individual patient, and have enabled practitioners to target mechanistically the right drug, to the right patient, at the right time. Similar to cancer, patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) present clinically with heterogeneous symptomatology and respond variably to therapeutic interventions. If comparable biomarkers could be identified and developed for SUDs, significant diagnostic and therapeutic advances could be made. In this review, we highlight current opportunities and difficulties pertaining to the identification and development of biomarkers for SUDs. We focus on cocaine dependence as an example. Putative diagnostic, pharmacodynamic (PD), and predictive biomarkers for cocaine dependence are discussed across a range of methodological approaches. A possible cocaine-dependent clinical outcome assessment (COA)—another type of defined DDT—is also discussed. At present, biomarkers for cocaine dependence are in their infancy. Much additional research will be needed to identify, validate, and qualify these putative tools prior to their potential use for medications development and/or application to clinical practice. However, with a large unmet medical need and an estimated market size of several hundred million dollars per year, if developed, biomarkers for cocaine dependence will hold tremendous value to both industry and public health.
Oversized self-expanding stents as an alternative to flow-diverters for blister-like aneurysms

Objective: Blister-like aneurysms (BLAs) are challenging to treat. Their friable nature makes them high risk for both traditional microsurgical and endovascular treatments. We discuss employing a single oversized self-expanding stent in the treatment of these treacherous lesions. Methods: A retrospective review from our institution was conducted. Five patients with BLAs were identified, who went on to be treated with a single oversized self-expanding stent, defined as 1 mm larger than the parent vessel, by the senior author (KRB), who is dual fellowship trained in both cerebrovascular/skull base microsurgery and endovascular neurosurgery. Additionally, a literature review was performed on BLAs treated with sole stenting and outcomes discussed. Results: Our five patients had complete aneurysm occlusion at long-term follow-up and all had good neurological outcomes. The literature review demonstrated that most aneurysms at long-term follow-up were either completed occluded or progressively becoming occluded,...
Toward Developing a Velocity Controlled Tactile Impact Display

This paper presents a novel impact display capable of rendering impact on a fingertip over a range of velocities commonly experienced during everyday manipulation and tactile exploration. An optical range sensor is used to measure the separation between the user?s finger and the contact block in which the sensor is embedded. Ordinarily, impact is rendered by imposing a rigid boundary when contact is made with a virtual object, which is experienced by the user through a thimble interface. Our impact display adds the making and breaking of contact to this experience and allows control over impact dynamics by controlling impact velocity.
Overall smoothing of first and second derivatives of known functions in a set of points scattered through a domain in the plane (R2)

Abstract Spline functions defined from certain kernels, the orthogonal polynomials, and the tensorial product of B-splines are tested for the approximation of the first and second derivatives of a known function in a set of points scattered throughout a domain in the plane (R2). The influence of boundary conditions is examined in the case of smoothing with the tensorial product of B-splines. These approximations were tested on thin-plate deflections and on an example obtained from holography.
Sources of stem cells: ethical controversies and policy developments in the United States.

The bioethical controversy about public policy in the United States regarding human stem cell research, particularly with regard to several potential sources of stem cells, including aborted fetuses,
Petrology of the freetown layered complex, Sierra Leone: part II. Magma evolution and crystallisation conditions

Abstract The Freetown Layered Complex, Sierra Leone, is a 65 km long, 14 km wide and 7 km thick tholeiitic intrusion, which had been intruded in the West African Craton during the Jurassic (∼ 190 Ma) opening of the middle Atlantic Ocean. The complex consists of four zones of rhythmically layered sequences of Pl+Ol+Aug±Tmt-Ol+Opx+Pgt+Ol-Pgt. Cumulus inverted pigeonite first appeared at the bottom of Zone 2 before disappearing in the middle of Zone 3 only to reappear at the top of Zone 4 with cumulus titanomagnetite. Calculated emplacement pressures, based on the compositions of coexisting plagioclase-pyroxene and the CaTs reaction, range from 2.8 to 5.1 kbar. Two-pyroxene geothermometer gives crystallisation temperatures of 972–1305 ± 70°C, which compare favourably with temperatures estimated from O isotope thermometers (1040–1290 ± 60°C) and plagioclase-liquid thermometers (1045–1381°C) applied to the Freetown bulk composition and obtained by geochemical summation for each zone. Fe-Ti oxides have all re-equilibrated during subsolidus cooling of the complex, but yield f O 2 between quartz-fayalite-magnetite and wustite-magnetite buffers at high pressure. Silica activity, based on the En = Fo + SiO 2 equilibrium, has been calculated for the entire stratigraphic section. Instead of a progressive increase from the bottom to the top of the complex, values of silica activity fluctuate within the zones, with major decreases corresponding to levels of new magma additions or the arrival of cumulus titanomagnetite. Stratigraphic summation of whole rock chemical composition of cumulates for zones 2–4, weighted according to the average density of the zones, indicates the zones were produced by multiple injection of high alumina (18.38–20.47 wt%) low Ti (0.46–0.70 wt%) hypersthene-normative tholeiites with moderately high activities of silica. Numerical simulation using the COMAGMAT computer algorithm indicates zone 4 bulk composition, interpreted as approximating the parental magma, has the crystallisation sequence Pl(1277°C)→Ol(1245°C)→Opx(1224°C)→Cpx + Mt(1182°C). Contemporary fine-grained diabase dykes cutting the complex evidently are not suitable parental magma candidates for the Freetown Complex. The dykes, which are thought to represent evolved liquids expelled from the roof zone of the chamber in response to compositional convection, are not saturated in olivine; their compositions (Mg ratio = 38–42) crystallised Mt and Opx before Pl at 1 kbar pressure and f O 2 corresponding to the quartz-fayalite-magnetite buffer.