cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The analysis of three representative premium coals by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance

Abstract The analytical characteristics of the three Argonne premium coals 801, 601 and 501 were examined by magic-angle spinning (MAS) 13C n.m.r., using large samples (2.5 cm3). Experiments were performed with 13C magnetization generated by both cross-polarization (CP) and 90 ° pulse, or direct-polarization (DP), approaches. Various 13C-based relaxation measurements were made. Using the Delrin 13C signal of the Delrin-zirconia spinner as a built-in intensity reference, spin counting was carried out. The DP-MAS approach appeared to account for ~80%, and the customary CP-MAS technique for only ~50% of the carbon known to be in each sample; however, a CP-MAS approach that incorporated a better T1ϱH determination appeared to account for > 80% of the carbon. It is concluded that, although useful results can be obtained by 13C CP-MAS experiments (if CP dynamics are properly characterized), the DP-MAS approach with large samples is more straightforward. Dipolar-dephasing 13C n.m.r. studies provide a measure of the contributions of proton-bearing and non-proton-bearing carbons in the three coals and the fraction of aromatic or aliphatic carbons that are proton-bearing. The attractiveness and utility of large-volume 13C MAS approaches in the analysis of coal are demonstrated.
CD22-Binding Peptides Derived from Anti-CD22 Ligand Blocking Antibodies Retain the Targeting and Cell Killing Properties of the Parent Antibodies and May Serve as a Drug Delivery Vehicle

CD22 is a B-cell specific membrane glycoprotein that mediates homotypic and heterotypic cell adhesion; it also regulates B-cell receptor (BCR)-mediated signals. Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) directed at the ligand binding domain of CD22 initiate CD22-mediated signal transduction and apoptosis in B-cell lymphomas (NHL). Amino acid analysis of the complimentary determining regions (CDRs) of six different anti-CD22 ligand blocking mAb revealed a high level of sequence conservation. The heavy chain CDRs 1, 2, and 3 are 85, 40, and 38% conserved, respectively; light chain CDRs 1, 2, and 3, are 95, 90 and 90% conserved, respectively. Based on these conserved sequences, five peptides were designed and synthesized. Only the sequence derived from heavy chain CDR2 (Peptide 5) demonstrated significant B-cell binding. Peptide 5 bound to both malignant and primary B-cells with very little T-cell binding. The affinity had a Km of 5 × 10−6 M. Peptide 5 mediated killing of several NHL cell lines to a degree similar to that of the parent mAb (HB22.7). Peptide 5’s loop structure was shown to be crucial for B-cell binding and ligand blocking. Mutational analysis revealed that most Peptide 5 amino acids were critical for B cell binding. Using a CD22 transfected COS cell line, we demonstrated CD22-specific binding and CD22 ligand blocking to a degree similar to HB22.7. Finally Peptide 5 was used as a vehicle to deliver a pro-apoptotic peptide into NHL cells. Peptide 5 was fused to a BH3 death domain-containing peptide which demonstrated more effective NHL cell killing than the parent peptide.
Aneuploidy analysis in fibroblasts of human premature aging syndromes by FISH during in vitro cellular aging.

Abstract Cultured cells from human premature aging syndromes show premature replicative senescence and as such might serve as models for genetic studies of cellular replicative senescence/aging. To date, no systematic study on chromosome-specific aneuploidy in premature aging syndromes has been carried out using molecular-cytogenetic techniques. We, therefore, have performed a comparative analysis of chromosome-specific aneuploidy levels at both interphase and metaphase in earlier (younger) and later (older) passage fibroblasts from two normal male and female versus six male and female premature aging syndromes (Cockayne, Hutchinson-Gilford and Werner) by FISH. We have used seven chromosome-specific DNA probes (nos. 1, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, X) and four DNA probes (nos. 1, 4, 6, X) for females and males, respectively. Our data on total aneuploidy of each chromosome in all cell cultures indicated that significantly higher percentages of aneuploid cells were detectable at interphase than at metaphase. Also, the interphase aneuploidy levels of all chromosomes under study were significantly higher in cells from the syndromes as compared to those of the normal controls at both earlier and later passages. In general, the interphase aneuploidy level of each of the chromosomes in both the control and experimental cell cultures increased with in vitro proliferation and aging, although to a much lesser extent in the controls. The aneuploidy levels, however, varied widely from chromosome to chromosome in each case. Since adequate numbers of mitotic cells were not always available in some later passage cells of various premature aging syndromes, metaphase chromosome analysis for all chromosomes under study was not always possible at this stage, but interphase cytogenetics was very informative in all cases. No consistent pattern of chromosome-specific aneuploidy was detected in the earlier passage cells (younger cells) of the syndromes. However, the later passage cells (older cells) from all three female syndromes consistently showed the highest aneuploidy levels for the X chromosome at interphase.
The Fairweather Mental Health Housing Model—A Peer Supportive Environment: Implications for Psychiatric Rehabilitation

Recent emphasis on consumer empowerment and recovery in psychiatric rehabilitation is uniquely suited to peer-supported service delivery models. The Fairweather mental health housing model's basic tenets of peer support, empowerment, community, and productive work align well with recovery models. This article outlines the major principles of the model, recent research, fidelity standards, and outcomes supporting the model. A case site example is presented, along with a discussion regarding implications for future research and development of the model.
Solvents in novolak synthesis

Novolac resins may be prepared with or without a solvent present. We have found that solvent power greatly affects the properties of the finished resin and thus gives the resist chemist another variable with which to `fine-tune' resist properties. Using designed experiments, we investigated the effect of solvent power, as measured by Hansen's Solubility Parameters, of a number of solvents and solvent mixtures on the final properties of the novolac resin. We found that the relative molecular weight (RMW) and dissolution rate of a novolac resin can be varied by selection of a solvent or solvent mixture with the appropriate polarity and hydrogen- bonding characteristics. The solvent polarity and hydrogen-bonding characteristics may affect the stability of the cresol/formaldehyde transition state, thus causing the observed changes in RMW and dissolution rate.
Slow inactivation differs among mutant Na channels associated with myotonia and periodic paralysis

Several heritable forms of myotonia and hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HyperPP) are caused by missense mutations in the alpha subunit of the skeletal muscle Na channel (SkM1). These mutations impair fast inactivation or shift activation toward hyperpolarized potentials, inducing persistent Na currents that may cause muscle depolarization, myotonia, and onset of weakness. It has been proposed that the aberrant Na current and resulting weakness will be sustained only if Na channel slow inactivation is also impaired. We therefore measured slow inactivation for wild-type and five mutant Na channels constructed in the rat skeletal muscle isoform (rSkM1) and expressed in HEK cells. Two common HyperPP mutations (T698M in domain II-S5 and M1585V in IV-S6) had defective slow inactivation. This defect reduced use-dependent inhibition of Na currents elicited during 50-Hz stimulation. A rare HyperPP mutation (M1353V in IV-S1) and mutations within the domain III-IV linker that cause myotonia (G1299E) or myotonia plus weakness (T1306M) did not impair slow inactivation. We also observed that slow inactivation of wild-type rSkM1 was incomplete; therefore it is possible that stable membrane depolarization and subsequent muscle weakness may be caused solely by defects in fast inactivation or activation. Model simulations showed that abnormal slow inactivation, although not required for expression of a paralytic phenotype, may accentuate muscle membrane depolarization, paralysis, and sensitivity to hyperkalemia.
Reliability validation of multigirder steel bridges designed by LRFD

The reliability index is examined for steel girder highway bridges designed by AASHTO load and resistance factor design (LRFD) Strength I limit state. The reliability analysis is based on the extensive stochastic finite element method (SFEM). The SFEM takes advantages of the conventional advanced first-order second-moment in that it considers the mechanic connection between the critical member and other members in the whole structure. The bridges are modeled as grillage beam systems. Basic design variables include sectional properties and various dead and live loads. The results obtained in noncomposite steel bridges indicate that the reliability index is very sensitive to the lateral distribution of live loads. Consequently, a simplified method is used in the reliability analysis of composite steel bridges. This simplified method can avoid the complex computation in SFEM yet achieve good accuracy. Due to overestimating the lateral distribution of live loads, the Strength I limit state in AASHTO LRFD specifications results in a conservative design for flexure but not for shear.
Dynamics of sliding charge density waves

Abstract A complete phenomenological model for CDW motion, based upon the tunneling theory of John Bardeen, is outlined and compared with experiment. A viewpoint on the requirement for quantum tunneling in CDW systems is also summarized.
Potential importance of spatial and temporal heterogeneity in pH, Al and Ca in allowing survival of a fish population: a model demonstration

Abstract Discrepancies usually exist between the results of bioassay studies and the status of natural fish populations. One cause of such discrepancies is the spatial and temporal heterogeneity in the stressing factors or contaminant concentrations in natural systems. To provide a means of relating laboratory and field bioassay results to natural populations, we have modified an existing Monte Carlo mathematical model to track the movement and survival of fish in a body of water, represented by a two-dimensional grid, subject to acidification stress. We assumed that the fish (adults or the less mobile and generally more sensitive early life stages) are able to sense realistic gradients of pH, aluminium (Al), and calcium (Ca) (or alkalinity) and to move to reduce the chemical stress. We have also considered the effects of food availability and habitat preference on fish movement. Each fish takes one spatial ‘step’ at a time, the direction being randomly selected but also biased by the above factors. A function for accumulation and repair of damage is implemented within the model to relate mortality to the variable exposure history the fish accumulate by moving in the chemically heterogeneous environment. Using the model, we evaluated the influence of the strength and sensitivity of fish avoidance behavior, the presence or absence of the refuge, and the timing of multiple pulses on fish survival. The results highlight the potential importance of a chemically heterogeneous natural environment in allowing a population to survive under average water-quality conditions that laboratory bioassays suggest should prohibit survival. Laboratory and field behavior experiments, including characterization of water chemistry on a microscale in the field, are suggested to explore this phenomenon further.
Coping and Disputing with Neighbors1

A model based on the disputing process is discussed in the context of annoyances with neighbors. Results of a telephone survey (n= 198) which examined the cognitive and behavioral reactions of respondents to neighbor annoyances are presented. Most respondents handled neighbor annoyances through cognitive coping mechanisms. The intensity of annoyance and the cognitions reported in response to the annoyance, were related to whether respondents actively reacted to the annoyance (complained or disputed).
Monte Carlo simulation of photoexcited electrons in AIN

We have examined the ultrafast relaxation of electrons photoexcited by infrared laser pulses in AlN using ensemble Monte Carlo approach. The effects of doping, excitation levels, energy, and pulse duration were investigated. It is found that even at excitation energies above the G-U separation, the role of intervalley scattering is weaker compared to polar optical scattering. This is more significant at longer pulse duration.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Accurate Structural Control and Block Formation in the Living Polymerization of 1,3-Dienes by Nitroxide-Mediated Procedures

The living free radical polymerization of 1,3-dienes, such as isoprene and 1,3-butadiene, has been shown to be a facile process in the presence of alkoxyamine initiators based on a 2,2,5-trimethyl-4-phenyl-3-azahexane-3-oxy, 2, skeleton. These α-hydrido nitroxide derivatives were able to control the homopolymerization to high conversion and molecular weights from 1000 to 100 000 amu with polydispersities of 1.06−1.15 readily obtained. Block and random copolymers based on combinations of 1,3-dienes with a variety of functionalized vinyl monomers, such as styrene, acrylate, or methacrylate derivatives, could also be prepared with similar control. In comparison with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinoxy (TEMPO), these new systems represent a dramatic improvement in the ability to control the polymerization of 1,3-dienes and further demonstrate the versatility of nitroxide-mediated living free radical procedures.
Radium isotopes in sub-Arctic waters

Abstract Measurements of the 228 Ra/ 226 Ra activity ratio in the waters of the Greenland, Norwegian and Labrador Seas and Baffin Bay reveal strong horizontal gradients in the surface waters. The coastal waters are dominated by 228 Ra injection from nearshore sediments. There is an inverse correlation between the 228 Ra/ 226 Ra activity ratio and salinity in the 30–36‰ salinity range. Vertical profiles indicate that the 228 Ra/ 226 Ra activity ratio is also strongly coupled toσ θ except for some regions where 228 Ra is being injected into higher density water as these isopycnals intersect coastal areas. We use these measurements in the area of formation of North Atlantic Deep Water to estimate that this water mass forms with a 228 Ra/ 226 Ra activity ratio of 0.10.
A modified hotelling deflation scheme for inverting matrices

The Hotelling Deflation Algorithm can be modified to generate, with almost no additional effort, the inverse of a matrix simultaneously as its eigenvectors and eigenvalues are being determined. The method is particularly appropriate for small computers (or programmable calculators) with limited memory because the modified matrix occupies the same memory space used for the original matrix.
Microfluidic diagnostics: time for industry standards

Miniaturized, or microfluidic, diagnostics seem to have become lost somewhere on the way from the laboratory to the marketplace. Microfluidics are systems that move around nanoliter or smaller amou...
Natural history of pelviureteric obstruction detected by prenatal sonography.

Fifty-six infants with prenatally diagnosed hydronephrosis are reported. In all instances the diagnosis was confirmed postnatally and at renography 45 were obstructed; 38 obstructed kidneys (84%) and all of the non-obstructed kidneys had a differential function exceeding 40% of total function
Influence of aerobic power and percent body fat on cardiovascular disease risk in youth.

Abstract Purpose To describe how the relationships between aerobic power or percent body fat and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk differ by age. Methods A sample of 1,824 young persons was divided into age groups (8–10, 11–13, and 14–16 years). Aerobic power (VO 2 max) was predicted using a submaximal cycle ergometer test, whereas percent body fat was assessed using the sum of skinfolds. Six CVD risk factors were measured: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and fasting insulin. These risk factors were classified into risk categories (none, borderline, or at risk) and summed to determine a total CVD risk score. Results The percentages of participants with elevated risk scores was low, despite the high mean percent body fat and low mean aerobic power. Correlations among the six risk variables and either body fat or aerobic power were strongest in the youngest participants. In the multiple regression models adjusted for gender and SES, percent body fat was a stronger predictor of CVD risk score than aerobic power. The variance in risk score attributed to fatness was greatest in the youngest participants and declined in older age groups. Conclusions Percent body fat had a greater influence on CVD risk than aerobic power. The relationship between body fat and total risk score was strongest in the youngest participants. Thus, interventions to improve CVD risk in youth should target body fat reduction beginning at an early age.
Best-arm identification algorithms for multi-armed bandits in the fixed confidence setting

This paper is concerned with identifying the arm with the highest mean in a multi-armed bandit problem using as few independent samples from the arms as possible. While the so-called “best arm problem” dates back to the 1950s, only recently were two qualitatively different algorithms proposed that achieve the optimal sample complexity for the problem. This paper reviews these recent advances and shows that most best-arm algorithms can be described as variants of the two recent optimal algorithms. For each algorithm type we consider a specific instance to analyze both theoretically and empirically thereby exposing the core components of the theoretical analysis of these algorithms and intuition about how the algorithms work in practice. The derived sample complexity bounds are novel, and in certain cases improve upon previous bounds. In addition, we compare a variety of state-of-the-art algorithms empirically through simulations for the best-arm-problem.
Effect of ambipolar diffusion on ion abundances in contracting protostellar cores

Numerical simulations and analytical solutions have established that ambipolar diffusion can reduce the dust-to-gas ratio in magnetically and thermally supercritical cores during the epoch of core formation. We study the effect that this has on the ion chemistry in contracting protostellar cores and present a simplified analytical method that allows one to calculate the ion power-law exponent k (≡ d ln ni/d ln nn, where ni and nn are the ion and neutral densities, respectively) as a function of core density. We find that, as in earlier numerical simulations, no single value of k can adequately describe the ion abundance for nn 109 cm-3, a result that is contrary to the canonical value of k = $f {1}{2} $ --> found in previous static equilibrium chemistry calculations and often used to study the effect of ambipolar diffusion in interstellar clouds. For typical cloud and grain parameters, reduction of the abundance of grains results in k > $f {1}{2} $ --> during the core formation epoch (densities 105 cm-3). As a consequence, observations of the degree of ionization in cores could be used, in principle, to determine whether ambipolar diffusion is responsible for core formation in interstellar molecular clouds. For densities 105 cm-3, k is generally $f {1}{2} $ -->.
Automatic identification of individual killer whales

Following the successful use of HMM and GMM models for classification of a set of 75 calls of northern resident killer whales into call types [Brown, J. C., and Smaragdis, P., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 125, 221–224 (2009)], the use of these same methods has been explored for the identification of vocalizations from the same call type N2 of four individual killer whales. With an average of 20 vocalizations from each of the individuals the pairwise comparisons have an extremely high success rate of 80 to 100% and the identifications within the entire group yield around 78%.
Understanding the Variation of the Electrostatic Potential along a Biased Molecular Wire

We present first principles calculations of the electronic structure, conductance, and electrostatic potential profile of a biased molecular wire. Metal-molecule charge transfer, bias-induced polarization of the wire, electron backscattering, and intrawire screening affect the electrostatic potential along the wire. Substituting a single atom in the wire can drastically change the potential distribution.
A Second Class of Nuclear Receptors for Oxysterols: Regulation of RORα and RORγ activity by 24S-Hydroxycholesterol (Cerebrosterol)

The retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptors alpha and gamma (RORalpha [NR1F1] and RORgamma [NR1F3]) are members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily. These 2 receptors regulate many physiological processes including development, metabolism and immunity. We recently found that certain oxysterols, namely the 7-substituted oxysterols, bound to the ligand binding domains (LBDs) of RORalpha and RORgamma with high affinity, altered the LBD conformation and reduced coactivator binding resulting in suppression of the constitutive transcriptional activity of these two receptors. Here, we show that another oxysterol, 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24S-OHC), is also a high affinity ligand for RORalpha and RORgamma (K(i) approximately 25 nM). 24S-OHC is also known as cerebrosterol due to its high level in the brain where it plays an essential role as an intermediate in cholesterol elimination from the CNS. 24S-OHC functions as a RORalpha/gamma inverse agonist suppressing the constitutive transcriptional activity of these receptors in cotransfection assays. Additionally, 24S-OHC suppressed the expression of several RORalpha target genes including BMAL1 and REV-ERBalpha in a ROR-dependent manner. We also demonstrate that 24S-OHC decreases the ability of RORalpha to recruit the coactivator SRC-2 when bound to the BMAL1 promoter. We also noted that 24(S), 25-epoxycholesterol selectively suppressed the activity of RORgamma. These data indicate that RORalpha and RORgamma may serve as sensors of oxsterols. Thus, RORalpha and RORgamma display an overlapping ligand preference with another class of oxysterol nuclear receptors, the liver X receptors (LXRalpha [NR1H3] and LXRbeta [NR1H2]).
Spectral element method in time for rapidly actuated systems

In this paper, the spectral element (SE) method is applied in time to find the entire time-periodic or transient solution of time-dependent differential equations. The time-periodic solution is computed by enforcing periodicity of the element set. Of particular interest are periodic forcing functions possessing high frequency content. To maintain the spectral accuracy for such forcing functions, an h-refinement scheme is employed near the semi-discontinuity without increasing the number of degrees of freedom.Time discretization by spectral elements is applied initially to a standard form of a set of linear, first-order differential equations subject to harmonic excitation and an excitation admitting rapid variation. Other case studies include the application of the SE approach to parabolic and hyperbolic partial differential equations. The first-order form of these equations is obtained through semi-discretization using conventional finite-element, spectral element and finite-difference schemes. Element clustering (h-refinement) is applied to maintain the high accuracy and efficiency in the region of the forcing function admitting rapid variation. The convergence in time of the method is demonstrated. In some cases, machine precision is obtained with 25 degrees of freedom per cycle. Finally the method is applied to a weakly nonlinear problem with time-periodic solution to demonstrate its future applicability to the analysis of limit-cycle oscillations in aeroelastic systems.
Peroxidase and NADPH-Cytochrome C Reductase Activity During Thyroid Hyperplasia and Involution

The regulation of iodination was investigated in male rats during physiological alterations in thyroid function. Thyroid hyperplasia was produced by giving 0.01% PTU in drinking water or injection of TSH (2 USP U/day); involution was induced after PTU treatment by giving 3 µg L-T4/ml in drinking water. Increase in activity of thyroid peroxidase and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase per gland exceeded gains in thyroid weight and DNA content early in hyperplasia, but increased essentially in parallel manner during chronic PTU treatment. Enzyme activity per µg DNA increased to 155% of control after 4 days of PTU treatment, decreased to 138% on the seventh day, and was at the control level after 21 days of treatment. Cellular enzyme activity also increased after seven days of TSH injection, whether expressed per mg gland weight, per mg protein, or per µg DNA, suggesting enzyme induction and cellular hypertrophy. Involution by T4 administration caused a decrease in thyroid weight, DNA content, and enzyme activity p...
A test sensitive to extreme hidden periodicities

A modified version of the widely used Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) test of null hypothesis is constructed, that a given time series is Gaussian white noise, against the alternative hypothesis that the time series contains an added or multiplicative deterministic-periodic component of unspecified frequency. The usual KS test is treated as a special case. The proposed test is more powerful than the ordinary K-S test in detecting extreme (low or high) hidden periodicities. Computational procedure necessary for implementation are also given.
Pathway Signature and Cellular Differentiation in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Background Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common kidney cancer. The purpose of this study is to define a biological pathway signature and a cellular differentiation program in ccRCC. Methodology We performed gene expression profiling of early-stage ccRCC and patient-matched normal renal tissue using Affymetrix HG-U133a and HG-U133b GeneChips combined with a comprehensive bioinformatic analyses, including pathway analysis. The results were validated by real time PCR and IHC on two independent sample sets. Cellular differentiation experiments were performed on ccRCC cell lines and their matched normal renal epithelial cells, in differentiation media, to determine their mesenchymal differentiation potential. Principal Findings We identified a unique pathway signature with three major biological alterations—loss of normal renal function, down-regulated metabolism, and immune activation–which revealed an adipogenic gene expression signature linked to the hallmark lipid-laden clear cell morphology of ccRCC. Culturing normal renal and ccRCC cells in differentiation media showed that only ccRCC cells were induced to undergo adipogenic and, surprisingly, osteogenic differentiation. A gene expression signature consistent with epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) was identified for ccRCC. We revealed significant down-regulation of four developmental transcription factors (GATA3, TFCP2L1, TFAP2B, DMRT2) that are important for normal renal development. Conclusions ccRCC is characterized by a lack of epithelial differentiation, mesenchymal/adipogenic transdifferentiation, and pluripotent mesenchymal stem cell-like differentiation capacity in vitro. We suggest that down-regulation of developmental transcription factors may mediate the aberrant differentiation in ccRCC. We propose a model in which normal renal epithelial cells undergo dedifferentiation, EMT, and adipogenic transdifferentiation, resulting in ccRCC. Because ccRCC cells grown in adipogenic media regain the characteristic ccRCC phenotype, we have indentified a new in vitro ccRCC cell model more resembling ccRCC tumor morphology.
Pharmacotherapy of aphasia. A critical review.

Communication problems are a common sequela of cerebrovascular disease and other central nervous system disorders. Behavioral treatment of these disorders aims to harness uninjured parts of the brain to improve the communicative life of the individual. While pharmacotherapy has held promise for the treatment of aphasia for over 50 years, it has not fulfilled this promise. This article reviews both the promise and the disappointment of aphasia pharmacotherapy.Diverse theories of the underlying neurological deficits in aphasia have led to different pharmacologic rationales for therapy. Animal studies have demonstrated decreased levels of brain catecholamines after cortical stroke and more rapid stroke recovery with therapy aimed at augmenting brain norepinephrine and dopamine. These studies have led to recent attempts to hasten or extend language and sensorimotor rehabilitation after human stroke by administration of catecholaminergic drugs. When used as an adjunct to behavioral therapy, such pharmacotherap...
Saturn V Apollo Launch Operations Plan

Description of the saturn v/apollo launch operations plan to accommodate the expanded manned lunar landing program
A Study of Software Failures and Recovery in the MVS Operating System

This paper describes an analysis of system detected software errors on the MVS operating system at the Center for Information Technology (CIT), Stanford University. The analysis procedure demonstrates a methodology by which systems with automatic recovery features can be evaluated. Most common error categories are determined and related to the program in execution at the time of the error. The severity of the error is measured by evaluating the criticality of the program for continued system operation. The system recovery and error correction features are then analyzed and an estimate of the system fault tolerance to errors of different levels of severity is made.
Melanoma epigenetics: novel mechanisms, markers, and medicines

The incidence and mortality rates of cutaneous melanoma continue to increase worldwide, despite the deployment of targeted therapies. Recently, there has been rapid growth and development in our understanding of epigenetic mechanisms and their role in cancer pathobiology. Epigenetics—defined as the processes resulting in heritable changes in gene expression beyond those caused by alterations in the DNA sequence—likely contain the information that encodes for such phenotypic variation between individuals with identical genotypes. By altering the structure of chromatin through covalent modification of DNA bases or histone proteins, or by regulating mRNA translation through non-coding RNAs, the epigenome ultimately determines which genes are expressed and which are kept silent. While our understanding of epigenetic mechanisms is growing at a rapid pace, the field of melanoma epigenomics still remains in its infancy. In this Pathology in Focus, we will briefly review the basics of epigenetics to contextualize and critically examine the existing literature using melanoma as a cancer paradigm. Our understanding of how dysregulated DNA methylation and DNA demethylation/hydroxymethylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNAs affect cancer pathogenesis and melanoma virulence, in particular, provides us with an ever-expanding repertoire of potential diagnostic biomarkers, therapeutic targets, and novel pathogenic mechanisms. The evidence reviewed herein indicates the critical role of epigenetic mechanisms in melanoma pathobiology and provides evidence for future targets in the development of next-generation biomarkers and therapeutics.
Hypogonadal symptoms in young men are associated with a serum total testosterone threshold of 400 ng/dL

Objective To investigate the association between hypogonadal symptoms and serum total testosterone (TT) levels in young men (aged <40 years), in an attempt to determine whether there exists a clear-cut discriminatory threshold of TT below which hypogonadal symptoms become more prevalent. Patients and methods We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 352 men who presented to an outpatient Men's Health Clinic with chief complaint of ‘low testosterone’. Sexual, psychological and physical symptoms were evaluated using the Androgen deficiency in Aging Male (ADAM) questionnaire. Serum levels of TT were collected on the same day that men completed their ADAM questionnaires. We subsequently performed univariate (t-test, chi-square) and multivariate analyses (ordinal logistic regression) to evaluate factors that predicted a low TT level. Results The probability of hypogonadal symptoms increased at a serum TT level of 400 ng/dL. A cluster of symptoms: two psychological (‘decreased energy’, ‘sadness’), and three physical (‘decreased strength and endurance’, ‘decreased ability to play sports’, and ‘deterioration in work performance’) were most strongly associated with serum TT levels of <400 ng/dL. On multivariable analysis, only ‘lack of energy’ predicted a TT level of <400 ng/dL. Conclusions Hypogonadal symptoms in men aged <40 years can be associated with a TT level of <400 ng/dL. Of the hypogonadal symptoms evaluated with the ADAM questionnaire, ‘lack of energy’ appears to be the most important symptom that predicts a TT level of <400 ng/dL.
The Relationship of Humor to Intelligence, Creativity, and Intentional and Incidental Learning

Eighty elementary school children completed an intentional and an incidental associative learning task. Each of three groups stratified on intelligence and creativity made either humorous, unusual, or usual associations among common objects. Intentional learning, only, differentiated IQ groups (p<.05); incidental did not. Ss who made unusual associations recalled more information in both incidental and intentional learning than those making usual associations (p<.05) . Humor facilitated retention resulting from incidental learning (p<.05) but not intentional. Intelligence, creativity, and humor were correlated. The independence of creativity and intelligence was verified by a low correlation (r = .29); however, sense of humor correlated highly with both creativity (r = .89) and intelligence (r = .91) .
Isoforms of rat liver fatty acid binding protein differ in structure and affinity for fatty acids and fatty acyl CoAs.

Although native rat liver fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) is composed of isoforms differing in isoelectric point, their comparative structure and function are unknown. These properties of apo- ...
An extended and integrated approach to shift‐share: Decomposition analyses of the Washington metropolitan economy

Shift-share is one of the most widely applied techniques for regional and industrial development analysis. However, the conventional shift-share model has limited analytical capacity and is frequently criticized for its structural problems and sometimes-contradictory explanations. The new extension and integrated approach presented in this article enhances the analytical power of this method and introduces new scope for shift-share applications. This new extension is applied to sectoral change studies of the national capital region, including the detection of structural change, the identification of growth sectors, and growth analysis. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Charge Collection Mechanisms in AlGaN/GaN MOS High Electron Mobility Transistors

Charge collection mechanisms in AlGaN/GaN MOS-HEMTs are investigated. Device types include those with no gate oxide, and those with HfO2 and Al2O3 gate oxides. Simultaneous charge collection is observed at the gate and the drain or the source, depending on strike location. Heavy ion data coupled with device simulations show that the introduction of a thin HfO2 layer in the gate stack introduces only a small valence band barrier, reducing but not preventing collection of holes at the gate in HfO2-gate devices. Furthermore, using Al2O3 gate oxide increases the valence band barrier over that of the HfO2, to the point where the radiation-induced transient is not detectable.
Digital Radiography Using The Quantex DS-20

The Quantex DS-20 digital image processor has been evaluated as a low cost alternative for digital vascular radiography. The processor is used in conjunction with a conventional remote radiographic/fluoroscopic system with no generator/processor interface required. (Use of a video-tape system reduces timing problems with minimal image degradation). Phantom studies indicate vessels as small as 1.5 mm can be seen with concentrations of contrast as low as 10 mgΓ/ml. Animal studies show that subtraction images of diagnostic quality can be generated.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
X-ray structure of human class IV sigmasigma alcohol dehydrogenase. Structural basis for substrate specificity.

Abstract The structural determinants of substrate recognition in the human class IV, or ςς, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) isoenzyme were examined through x-ray crystallography and site-directed mutagenesis. The crystal structure of ςς ADH complexed with NAD+ and acetate was solved to 3-A resolution. The human β1β1 and ςς ADH isoenzymes share 69% sequence identity and exhibit dramatically different kinetic properties. Differences in the amino acids at positions 57, 116, 141, 309, and 317 create a different topology within the ςς substrate-binding pocket, relative to the β1β1 isoenzyme. The nicotinamide ring of the NAD(H) molecule, in the ςς structure, appears to be twisted relative to its position in the β1β1isoenzyme. In conjunction with movements of Thr-48 and Phe-93, this twist widens the substrate pocket in the vicinity of the catalytic zinc and may contribute to this isoenzyme’s high K m for small substrates. The presence of Met-57, Met-141, and Phe-309 narrow the middle region of the ςς substrate pocket and may explain the substantially decreased K m values with increased chain length of substrates in ςς ADH. The kinetic properties of a mutant ςς enzyme (ς309L317A) suggest that widening the middle region of the substrate pocket increases K m by weakening the interactions between the enzyme and smaller substrates while not affecting the binding of longer alcohols, such as hexanol and retinol.
OntologyWidget - a reusable, embeddable widget for easily locating ontology terms.

Background Biomedical ontologies are being widely used to annotate biological data in a computer-accessible, consistent and well-defined manner. However, due to their size and complexity, annotating data with appropriate terms from an ontology is often challenging for experts and non-experts alike, because there exist few tools that allow one to quickly find relevant ontology terms to easily populate a web form.
A numerical method of evaluating electromagnetic fields in a generalized anisotropic medium

A transition matrix method is commonly used to deal with the problems of either plane-wave scattering from or the Green's function of a generalized anisotropic medium. This method, although rigorous analytically, introduces numerical breakdown, when the layers are electrically thick and the waves are evanescent. A variable transformation method is developed to deal with the exponentially-growing terms associated with exponential-matrix method. The proposed scheme is suitable for the numerical analysis of generalized anisotropic layers including ferrites, magneto-plasmas, chiral layers, and bianisotropic layers. >
Use of a layered model for air force enterprise management

Network enterprise management often is considered complex and difficult. A layered model, based on the Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) model, can be used to characterize the enterprise management of the US Air Force (AF) networks and applications. The layered model consists of seven layers. The top three layers characterize the applications and services, while the lower four layers characterize the communication. The enterprise management objectives and functions are systematically identified and analyzed based on these characteristics. Analysis results are documented, and recommendations for making management functions easier using the layered model are shown. Finally, the technologies for and allocation of management functions at each management tier under the AF Operationalizing and Professionalizing the Network (O/PTN) initiative are recommended.
The Heart of an Athlete: Black, White, and Shades of Grey with No Gold Standard

The heart of the athlete has intrigued cardiologists since the original description of increased cardiac dimensions in elite Nordic skiers more than a century ago.1 Athletes exhibit structural and electric cardiac abnormalities that mimic findings associated with cardiovascular disease.2 Some early observers regarded the heart of a conditioned athlete as weakened by strenuous training and thereby subject to progressive deterioration in function.3 Structural findings include chamber enlargement and ventricular hypertrophy.2,3 Electric abnormalities include increased QRS voltage, abnormal Q waves, and T-wave inversions.2,3 Currently, the athlete’s heart is regarded as a benign increase in cardiac mass with circulatory and morphological alterations in response to athletic training.2,3 Contemporary evidence supports the notion that this represents adaptive physiology, not preclinical disease.2,3 Despite considerable advances in diagnostic tests, significant challenges remain in differentiating the athlete’s heart from some types of cardiac disease.2–4 ECG and morphological changes found in athletes can mimic findings of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular (RV) cardiomyopathy (ARVC), and other cardiovascular diseases.2–4 The absence of a definitive diagnostic test or gold standard for many cardiovascular commonly results in diagnostic uncertainty.2–4 Article see p 1783 This overlap of normal and abnormal findings has represented a clinical challenge because diagnostic criteria lacked sufficient sensitivity and specificity to reliably distinguish physiological enlargement of the athlete’s RV from ARVC.5 The importance of this distinction is underscored by the fact that in the United States, ARVC is responsible for 4% of cases of athletic sudden deaths.2 Sudden deaths are attributed to ARVC in 22% of athletes in the Veneto region of Italy.2 Because of the recognized shortcomings of the 1994 International Task Force Criteria for the diagnosis …
Uniaxial-process-induced strained-Si: extending the CMOS roadmap

This paper reviews the history of strained-silicon and the adoption of uniaxial-process-induced strain in nearly all high-performance 90-, 65-, and 45-nm logic technologies to date. A more complete data set of n- and p-channel MOSFET piezoresistance and strain-altered gate tunneling is presented along with new insight into the physical mechanisms responsible for hole mobility enhancement. Strained-Si hole mobility data are analyzed using six band k/spl middot/p calculations for stresses of technological importance: uniaxial longitudinal compressive and biaxial stress on [001] and [110] wafers. The calculations and experimental data show that low in-plane and large out-of-plane conductivity effective masses and a high density of states in the top band are all important for large hole mobility enhancement. This work suggests longitudinal compressive stress on [001] or [110] wafers and channel direction offers the most favorable band structure for holes. The maximum Si inversion-layer hole mobility enhancement is estimated to be /spl sim/ 4 times higher for uniaxial stress on (100) wafer and /spl sim/ 2 times higher for biaxial stress on (100) wafer and for uniaxial stress on a [110] wafer.
A property theory of land use behavior

(1988). A property theory of land use behavior. Society & Natural Resources: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 189-203.
Predicting risk of dementia in older adults. The late-life dementia risk index

Objective: To develop a late-life dementia risk index that can accurately stratify older adults into those with a low, moderate, or high risk of developing dementia within 6 years. Methods: Subjects were 3,375 participants in the Cardiovascular Health Cognition Study without evidence of dementia at baseline. We used logistic regression to identify those factors most predictive of developing incident dementia within 6 years and developed a point system based on the logistic regression coefficients. Results: Subjects had a mean age of 76 years at baseline; 59% were women and 15% were African American. Fourteen percent (n = 480) developed dementia within 6 years. The final late-life dementia risk index included older age (1–2 points), poor cognitive test performance (2–4 points), body mass index c statistic, 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.79–0.83). Four percent of subjects with low scores developed dementia over 6 years compared with 23% of subjects with moderate scores and 56% of subjects with high scores. Conclusions: The late-life dementia risk index accurately stratified older adults into those with low, moderate, and high risk of developing dementia. This tool could be used in clinical or research settings to target prevention and intervention strategies toward high-risk individuals.
Fluid flow, Newton's second law and river rescue

We consider the situation of a boat pinned or wrapped against a rock by moving water in a river. The force exerted by moving water is calculated and the force required to extricate the boat is estimated. Rafts, canoes and kayaks are each considered. A rope system commonly employed by river runners to extricate a boat is analysed. This system includes a mechanical advantage z-drag and a self-equalizing tie-off, and the tensions in various parts of the system are calculated. Introductory undergraduate physics is used throughout this work.
Using Centrality-Based Power Control for Hot-Spot Mitigation in Wireless Networks

When shortest path routing is employed in large scale multi-hop wireless networks, nodes located near the center of the network have to perform disproportionate amount of relaying for others. To solve the problem, various divergent routing schemes are used which route the data on center-avoiding divergent routing paths. Though they achieve better load balancing, overall relaying is increased significantly due to their longer routing paths. In this paper, we propose power control as a way for balancing relay load and mitigating hot-spots in wireless networks. Using a heuristic based on the concept of centrality, we show that if we increase the power levels of only the nodes which are expected to relay more packets, significant relay load balancing can be achieved even with shortest path routing. Different from divergent routing schemes, such load balancing strategy is applicable to any arbitrary topology. Also, it is shown that centrality based power control results into better throughput capacity in many different topologies.
Angioplasty of an idiopathic intracranial arterial stenosis

Treatment of symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis usually involves maximizing medical therapy. In patients with medically refractory symptoms despite maximum pharmacologic therapy, intracranial angioplasty and/or stenting has become an accepted treatment option. The use of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for idiopathic intracranial stenoses has not been reported to date. We describe a case of idiopathic intracranial stenosis which was refractory to medical therapy and was successfully treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. The presenting symptoms included multiple episodes of aphasia and right-sided weakness as well as a left basal ganglia infarct. The patient underwent treatment with two intracranial angioplasty procedures. There was a recurrence of the stenosis and symptoms following the first procedure. However, after a second treatment with a slightly larger balloon, flow in the MCA normalized. Furthermore, the symptoms attributed to her MCA stenosis had essentially resolved. This case suggests that patients with medically refractory idiopathic intracranial stenosis can be successfully treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.