cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
LQCD workflow execution framework: Models, provenance and fault-tolerance

Large computing clusters used for scientific processing suffer from systemic failures when operated over long continuous periods for executing workflows. Diagnosing job problems and faults leading to eventual failures in this complex environment is difficult, specifically when the success of an entire workflow might be affected by a single job failure. In this paper, we introduce a model-based, hierarchical, reliable execution framework that encompass workflow specification, data provenance, execution tracking and online monitoring of each workflow task, also referred to as participants. The sequence of participants is described in an abstract parameterized view, which is translated into a concrete data dependency based sequence of participants with defined arguments. As participants belonging to a workflow are mapped onto machines and executed, periodic and on-demand monitoring of vital health parameters on allocated nodes is enabled according to pre-specified rules. These rules specify conditions that must be true pre-execution, during execution and post-execution. Monitoring information for each participant is propagated upwards through the reflex and healing architecture, which consists of a hierarchical network of decentralized fault management entities, called reflex engines. They are instantiated as state machines or timed automatons that change state and initiate reflexive mitigation action(s) upon occurrence of certain faults. We describe how this cluster reliability framework is combined with the workflow execution framework using formal rules and actions specified within a structure of first order predicate logic that enables a dynamic management design that reduces manual administrative workload, and increases cluster-productivity.
UV resonance raman investigation of electronic transitions in α-helical and polyproline II-like conformations

UV resonance Raman (UVRR) excitation profiles and Raman depolarization ratios were measured for a 21-residue predominantly alanine peptide, AAAAA(AAARA) 3A (AP), excited between 194 and 218 nm. Excitation within the pi-->pi* electronic transitions of the amide group results in UVRR spectra dominated by amide vibrations. The Raman cross sections and excitation profiles provide information about the nature of the electronic transitions of the alpha-helix and polyproline II (PPII)-like peptide conformations. AP is known to be predominantly alpha-helical at low temperatures and to take on a PPII helix-like conformation at high temperatures. The PPII-like and alpha-helix conformations show distinctly different Raman excitation profiles. The PPII-like conformation cross sections are approximately twice those of the alpha-helix. This is due to hypochromism that results from excitonic interactions between the NV 1 transition of one amide group with higher energy electronic transitions of other amide groups, which decreases the alpha-helical NV 1 (pi-->pi*) oscillator strengths. Excitation profiles of the alpha-helix and PPII-like conformations indicate that the highest signal-to-noise Raman spectra of alpha-helix and PPII-like conformations are obtained at excitation wavelengths of 194 and 198 nm, respectively. We also see evidence of at least two electronic transitions underlying the Raman excitation profiles of both the alpha-helical and the PPII-like conformations. In addition to the well-known approximately 190 nm pi-->pi* transitions, the Raman excitation profiles and Raman depolarization ratio measurements show features between 205-207 nm, which in the alpha-helix likely results from the parallel excitonic component. The PPII-like helix appears to also undergo excitonic splitting of its pi-->pi* transition which leads to a 207 nm feature.
The American Society of Clinical Oncology program to improve end-of-life care.

Too few cancer patients have optimal care at the end of life, as measured by unrelieved pain, death in a setting other than home, and uncoordinated care. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), as the largest professional society whose members care for most cancer patients in the United States, has begun an initiative to improve end-of-life care. Educational programs for ASCO members have been started at the national level. A Task Force on End of Life Care was created to study the current state of end-of-life care, barriers to improved end-of-life care, and what ASCO can do to improve end-of-life care. A member-wide survey has been completed to assess, from the professional's perspective, the current state of and barriers to end-of-life care. Specific sections of the Task Force will address hospice care, physician- assisted suicide, clinical barriers, economic barriers, research initiatives, educational deficiencies, and quality of care at the end of life. Improvements in end-of-life care can be...
Hydroxamate assay quantitation of ligands covalently bound to affinity chromatography gels.

Abstract Affinity chromatography which utilizes specific biological interactions in the purification or analysis of a variety of biochemical systems is an exceedingly useful method. The technique was initially limited to the use of immunoadsorbants (1) and since has been broadened in scope largely by the efforts of Cuatrecases, Anfinsen and colleagues (2,3). In principle, a specific ligand interacting with a particular substance, usually a macromolecule, is covalently bound to an insoluble support. Substances with no affinity for the ligand will pass unretarded through a column of the bound support; whereas, the interacting materials will be retarded. The methods for preparing a variety of affinity-chromatographic systems are now readily available (2,3). However, a quantitative measure of the covalently bound ligand in many instances depends on the use of radioactively labelled ligands, access to an automatic amino acid analyser, or the subtraction of the amount of ligand recovered in washings after the binding reaction. The latter method is often inaccurate and the former methods may not be practical for all laboratories. We have employed successfully the hydroxamate assay (4,5) for measuring biotin linked through an amide bond to the ω amino group of a 3,3′-diaminodipropylamine substituted agarose gel. This method with individual modifications should be of general use in measuring ligands bound to solid supports through amide, ester, or thioester bonds.
Thermohydraulic Performance Analysis of Offset Strip Fin Microchannel Heat Exchangers

Recent experimental work on enhanced Silicon microchannels (Colgan et al., 2005, Steinke, 2005) indicates significant improvement in the heat transfer coefficient during single-phase liquid flow. The enhanced microchannel consists of multi-pass arrangements with offset strip fins of short lengths. An analytical treatment employing thermal boundary layer development in the entrance region of each offset fin geometry passage is performed. The analytical results are compared with the experiments and the reasons for the differences are discussed.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Effect of a novel nicotinic receptor antagonist, N,N′ -dodecane-1,12-diyl- bis -3-picolinium dibromide, on nicotine self-administration and hyperactivity in rats

Rationale and objective Recent work has shown that the novel compound N,N′-dodecane-1,12-diyl-bis-3-picolinium dibromide (bPiDDB) may selectively block nicotinic acetylcholine receptors involved in regulating dopamine release. The current experiments examined the acute effect of bPiDDB on nicotine self-administration, sucrose-maintained responding, and nicotine-induced changes in acute and sensitized locomotor activity.
Initial Public Offering Investor Valuations: An Examination of Top Management Team Prestige and Environmental Uncertainty

Relying on one of the more notable entrepreneurial settings, an initial public offering (IPO), this article extends prior work on top management team (TMT) characteristics. We examine whether or not prestigious TMTs at the time of an IPO enhance organizational legitimacy and thereby provide a signal to potential investors. Because an IPO represents an entrepreneurial context characterized by high levels of uncertainty, we also consider the impact of environmental uncertainty on the TMT prestige/investor valuation relationship. We find that both an element of TMT prestige and environmental uncertainty influence investor valuations. However, we also find that the influence of prestige does not assuage investors when analyzing IPOs in different environmental conditions.
Critical Factors in Cultural Immersion: A Synthesis of Relevant Literature

This synthesis of the literature on cross-cultural immersion experiences gives emphasis to the need for effective pedagogy for enhancing multicultural counseling competency, with cultural immersion being a potentially valuable training tool. The authors examine the empirical literature towards identifying both helpful and hindering structural and process factors in immersion experiences. Consideration is given to enhancing training experiences and suggestions for future research are provided.
Absence of interaction as a consequence of good ultraviolet behavior in the case of a local Fermi field

The ICAR theorem asserts that a local relativistic Fermi field is necessarily a free field, if it satisfies the canonical anticommutation relations, irreducibility of the fields at a fixed time, and certain regularity conditions. The regularity conditions are slightly stronger than the requirement that the mass renormalization be finite. It follows that an interacting Fermi field must violate one or more assumptions of the ICAR theorem.
Persistence of carbofuran in marine sand and water.

Marine sand and seawater samples were collected in March 2002 from Laysan Island in the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge, where a small area was contaminated by the carbamate insecticide carbofuran. Carbofuran was still detected at l gg � 1 levels in the Laysan sand after its identification in 1998 and initial observation of the toxicity in 1988. The persistence of carbofuran in the marine sand was investigated in the dark in a 30 � C oven, and in distilled deionized water and seawater samples exposed to artificial 300 nm light and to direct sunlight. The laboratory study showed a half-life (t1=2) of approximately 40 days for carbofuran in the native sand and in Ottawa sand. The photolysis of carbofuran was faster in seawater than in distilled deionized water when it was exposed to 300 nm light (t1=2, 0.1 vs. 3.1 h) and to direct sunlight (t1=2, 7.5 vs. 41.6 h). The large difference between the laboratory results and the field observation of carbofuran dissipation suggests that carbofuran degradation at the remote, undisturbed marine site may be governed by its unique environmental factors. � 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
A Critique of The Function of the Public Schools in Dealing With Religion

(1953). A Critique of The Function of the Public Schools in Dealing With Religion. Religious Education: Vol. 48, No. 3, pp. 169-170.
Pathological response of the parasitoid Glyptapanteles militaris, to nuclear polyhedrosis virus-infected armyworm hosts.

Abstract The development of the embryonic and larval stages of the internal gregarious parsitoid, Glyptapanteles (=Apanteles) militaris, is adversely affected by the hypertrophy strain of a nuclear polyhedrosis virus in the armyworm, Pseudaletia unipuncta. The initial effects are cessation of parasitoid growth and general tissue disruption, followed by the melanization of parasitoid tissues. Melanization spreads from the parasitoids' caudal vesicle throughout the body, culminating in eventual encapsulation in virus-infected hosts. Parasitoids in armyworm hosts infected with the typical strain of nuclear polyhedrosis virus exhibited no abnormal development.
Progress towards a more physiologic approach to donor heart preservation: the advantages of hyperpolarized arrest.

Background The University of Wisconsin (UW) solution is the gold standard for heart preservation but has limitations in terms of both duration and adequacy of protection. Our laboratory has been interested in a more physiologic approach to heart preservation by maintaining the heart at its resting membrane potential (hyperpolarized arrest) with the KATP channel agonist pinacidil. This study compared our extracellular solution (WashU) with the UW intracellular depolarizing solution and quantified the protective effect of pinacidil in both solutions. Methods Thirty-two rabbit hearts received 1 of 4 solutions in a crystalloid-perfused Langendorff apparatus: (1) UW, (2) WashU containing 0.5 mmol/liter pinacidil, (3) UW with 0.5 mmol/liter pinacidil, or (4) WashU without pinacidil. Thirty minutes of perfusion was followed by data acquisition consisting of left ventricular pressure-volume curves generated by inflating an intraventricular balloon. All hearts were placed in cold storage for 8 hours, followed by 1 hour of reperfusion before data acquisition. Results Post-ischemic developed pressure (DP) was better preserved by WashU (76.8% ± 3.8%) than by UW (48.3% ± 2.5%). Diastolic compliance was better preserved by WashU (239.9% ± 77.2%) compared with UW (711.1% ± 193.1%). Removing pinacidil from our solution resulted in decreased DP (46.6% ± 3.2%) and diastolic compliance (688.8% ± 158.2%) Adding pinacidil to UW had a limited effect on DP and compliance. Conclusions Our results support the superiority of the WashU hyperpolarizing solution for heart preservation over UW. Pinacidil was beneficial in maintaining cardiac function and compliance. This benefit was not observed when pinacidil was placed into the UW depolarizing solution.
Loudness functions under inhibition

In both vision and hearing, a masking or inhibiting stimulus increases the slope (exponent) of the power function that relates sensation to stimulus. The power transformation applies only to the inhibited part of the function where the signal is fainter than the masking noise. Where the signal equals the noise, the function shows a discontinuous knee. Experiments were undertaken to see whether the loudness of a tone of 1000 Hz in a white noise would follow a model based on a constant signal-to-noise ratio at two locations, at the effective threshold and at the knee where the inhibited function meets the uninhibited function. The data accord with the slopes (exponents) generated by the model. The same model gives a fairly good account of the recruitment functions for ears suffering from cochlear involvement (e.g., Meniere’s disease). Regardless of degree of hearing loss, loudness recruitment reaches normal when the tone (1000 Hz) is about 30 dB above the affected threshold.
Fluorescence spectral analysis of sporinite in the Lower Kittanning coal bed

Abstract Sporinite (microspores) from the Lower Kittanning coal bed (western Pennsylvania and Ohio) can be separated into two or more distinct groups, within a single sample at a given rank, on the basis of fluorescence spectral parameters. Differences in sporinite fluorescence color are visually discernible and can be quantified. The wavelength of maximum intensity ( λ max ) between sporinite groups within a sample can differ by as much as 115 nm, with differences of 20–70 nm being common. Spronite groups also exhibit distinctly different spectral quotients ( Q ) and mean spectral areas. The existence of these sporinite groups is due probably to different spore and pollen species in the Lower Kittanning coal. Fluorescence parameters of the dominant sporinite group in each sample vary systematically with rank. Samples in this study range from 0.56 to 1.01% R max ; within this rank range, chromaticity data show that sporinite color shifts from yellow to yellowish orange, and λ max varies from a minimum of 541 nm to a maximum of 667 nm. Comparable changes are observed for Q and mean spectra area. A discontinuity in fluorescence parameters is observed at a reflectance of apporximately 0.9%, and another one may be present at 0.7%. Spectral fluorescence data presented here are in general agreement with those reported by previous workers.
Treatment of Drug Dependence: What Works

While there is at this time no single treatment of drug dependence adequate for the majority of such patients, there are a variety of treatment approaches that can be utilized alone or in combination successfully to treat many of them. These have been summarized by drug. Some, like methadone maintenance, are applicable only to narcotic addicts while others, such as the residential therapeutic community and relapse prevention training, can be used for a wider variety of patients. Patients may need different approaches at different points in their drug using career and failure at any one time or with any one treatment should not be a cause to give up in despair on the patient.
Incorporation and Gated Communities in the Greater Metro-Los Angeles Region as a Model of Privatization of Residential Communities

ABSTRACTThe privatization of urban public space has accelerated through the closing, redesign, and policing of public parks and plazas, the development of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) that monitor and control local streets and parks, and the transfer of public air rights for the building of corporate plazas ostensibly open to the public. In the suburbs, privatization also takes the form of conservation easements that restrict access to public lands, the creation of shopping malls and new town centers relocated within these private commercial developments, and the building of gated residential communities. Accompanying this expansion of private interests are changes in strategies of governance and regional differences in how local governments and residents are encouraging private encroachment on public space. This article focuses this third set of privatization practices by discussing how gated communities manipulate municipal and town planning laws to control public space and tax dollars. To acco...
Hospital use of expressed breast milk.

The increasing popularity of using breast milk for the sick infant has necessitated statement of a hospital feeding procedure. A major cause of concern when administering expressed breast milk is the potential of delivering pathogenic organisms to an already ill infant. Expressed breast milk, which is universally contaminated with maternal skin flora, has time-limited ability to suppress growth of these organisms. The bacteriostatic activity of breast milk is further compromised by storage procedures that are dictated by a regional approach to perinatal care that often separates infant from mother. This article presents rigid guidelines for providing bolus and continuous breast milk feeds, supported by rationale, that will minimize risk and maximize the beneficial aspects.
Action of a serum protein on muscular contraction

The mechanism of action of a “serum protein” isolated from human serum was assessed in several experimental preparations including glycerol-treated muscle fibers, rat heart papillary muscle and isolatedin vitro perfused rat heart. The action of the “serum protein” was studied also on canine and human heart papillary muscles which were made to respond to electrical stimulation with “ultrasonication modified epinephrine”. In addition the action of the protein on adenosine 5′ triphosphate generated precipitation of purified human actomyosin was investigated. The “serum protein” enhanced and intensified the generation of ATP induced tension in glycerol-extracted muscle fibers. It intensified the developed tension (DT) and increased the rate of development of tension (dT/dt) without influencing the time peak tension (TPT) of capillary muscles from rat, canine and human hearts in response to electrical stimulation. The “serum protein” increased the force of contraction of the isolatedin vitro perfused rat heart, and accelerated the adenosine 5′ triphosphate generated precipitation of purified human heart actomyosin.
A new graft polymer pigment dispersant synthesis

Abstract Structured pigment dispersants are important in higher solids coatings because in these systems the vehicle components are not sufficiently high in molecular weight to disperse the pigment. Structured dispersants contain functional groups that are adsorbed on the pigment surface and arms of sufficient length that they provide entropic stabilization The synthesis of a family of dispersants by the simultaneous reaction of 2,3-epoxypropyl methacrylate (GMA) copolymers with monoacid functional polyester oligomers and the pigment active component, phthalimide, is described. In order to minimize the proportion of dispersant that has no entropic arms, which cause poor dispersion viscosity stability, the average dispersant molecule should contain at least 2.5 entropic arms. The synthesis and characterization of the GMA copolymer backbone, the polyester entropic arm and the hydroxypolyester binder reactive arm is discussed. The product distribution in the synthesis of the hydroxypolyester arm from caprolactone and 2,2′-bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid (DMPA) is dependent on reaction time and temperature. NMR studies show that over half of the product is substituted on only one of the DMPA hydroxyls. The DMPA concentration increases at times and temperatures higher than those required to just complete caprolactone conversion because of equilibration of the kinetic product.
GABA Uptake by GAT-1 Modulates Long-Term Optical Changes following Secretion in the Mouse Neurohypophysis

Intrinsic optical changes in the mouse pituitary gland associated with secretion exhibit three phases (waves) that reflect three distinct physiological events. The first (E-wave) is the rapid light scattering change that is associated with a nerve terminal volume increase (mechanical spike) that accompanies excitation of the neurohypophysial terminals by the invading action potential (Kim et al., Biophys. J. 92(9) 3122-3129 (2007)); the second (S-wave) is the slower, opposite change in light scattering that reflects the secretion of the peptide hormones, oxytocin and arginine vasopressin, and the third is the long duration response (recovery phase or R-wave) that reflects cell volume changes in the pars intermedia. This recovery phase is sensitive to chloride replacement and to blockade of chloride channels. Experiments that employ pharmacological blockers of GABAA receptors (chloride channels), as well as direct bath application of GABA, alter the R-wave in a manner that reflects GABA-induced changes in the intrinsic optical properties of the pars intermedia (Kosterin et al., Neuroendocrinology 92, 158-167 (2010)). Because the full time-course of this optical response takes minutes, we suggested that, in addition to chloride-channel opening / closing, some additional processes related to the restoration of resting physiological chloride concentrations may occur. Indeed, we demonstrate here that the time-course of this long term light scattering signal is also affected by the turnover of GAT-1, the sodium- and chloride-dependent GABA-transporter.Supported by RO1 040966.
Multisine excitation design using synchronous square wave sources

A method for generating a multisine excitation signal from the summation of multiple synchronous square wave sources is presented to reduce the power consumption and complexity of system identification hardware. The proposed algorithm is capable of optimizing a multisine frequency distribution to approximate a target frequency distribution while also preventing corruption from higher order excitation harmonics generated by system nonlinearities. One example of an optimized 11-tone logarithmically-spaced multisine signal shows no corruption from the first five odd-harmonics while achieving a common clock source frequency for the generator that is only 3.9 times greater than the maximum excitation frequency.
Mice Deficient in CHRNA7, a Subunit of the Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor, Produce Sperm with Impaired Motility

Abstract In this study we investigate the role of the CHRNA7 subunit (also known as the alpha7 subunit) of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in mouse sperm function. We confirm by reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction the expression in adult mouse testis of Chrna7 mRNA and demonstrate the subunit's presence in mouse sperm by immunoblot. Alpha-bungarotoxin binds a range of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits, including the CHRNA7 subunit. Localization studies using a fluorescent alpha-bungarotoxin-tetramethyl-rhodamine conjugate revealed specific binding sites on the midpiece of mouse sperm with fainter alpha-bungarotoxin binding on the remainder of the flagellum. Mice engineered with a double-null disruption of the Chrna7 gene displayed only faint fluorescence on the midpiece, suggesting that the CHRNA7 contributed the majority of the observed alpha-bungarotoxin binding sites. The location of alpha-bungarotoxin binding suggested that nicotinic acetylcholine receptors may play an ionotro...
Storage aware routing protocol for robust and efficient services in the future mobile Internet

The prominence of wireless, mobile devices on the Internet today has motivated numerous protocols and architectures, such as the MobilityFirst Future Internet Architecture project. In this work, we present a robust, local-scale, storage-aware routing approach, called GSTAR, for use in Mobility-First networks. GSTAR unifies techniques from MANET and DTN routing protocols. This unification with in-network storage enables it to overcome mobility-related challenges such as link quality variation, node disconnection, and network partitioning. Through NS3-based simulation, we show that GSTAR outperforms traditional link-state protocols for both wireless and hybrid wired-wireless network environments.
Correlation of tissue Doppler and two-dimensional speckle myocardial velocities and comparison of derived ratios with invasively measured left ventricular filling pressures.

Background There are a paucity of data comparing spectral and color tissue Doppler (TD) with non-Doppler, speckle-based myocardial velocities, and it is unknown how early transmitral diastolic velocity/mitral annular velocity (E/Ea) calculated using speckle velocities compares with TD-derived E/Ea. Methods We measured systolic (Sa), Ea, and late diastolic (Aa) myocardial velocities using these 3 methods and compared calculated E/Ea with invasively measured left ventricular (LV) hemodynamics. Consecutive patients referred for cardiac catheterization were imaged, and LV pre-A contraction pressure was measured by retrograde aortic cardiac catheterization. Results Fifty patients (22 women, 44%) were studied with a mean age of 54 ± 10 years and a mean LV ejection fraction of 48% ± 19%. Speckle and color TD Sa, Ea, and Aa were significantly lower than spectral TD velocities, resulting in higher E/Ea values compared with spectral TD E/Ea. Spectral TD E/Ea (R = 0.65, P P P 14 (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.87, P 16 (AUC = 0.89, P 18 (AUC = 0.87, P P = not significant for comparisons between the groups). Conclusion Spectral TD, color TD, and speckle imaging measure different velocities, and consequently different cutoff values are needed for E/Ea to predict invasively measured LV filling pressure.
The druggable genome

An assessment of the number of molecular targets that represent an opportunity for therapeutic intervention is crucial to the development of post-genomic research strategies within the pharmaceutical industry. Now that we know the size of the human genome, it is interesting to consider just how many molecular targets this opportunity represents. We start from the position that we understand the properties that are required for a good drug, and therefore must be able to understand what makes a good drug target.
Defending a possible-worlds account of indicative conditionals

One very popular kind of semantics for subjunctive conditionals is aclosest-worlds account along the lines of theories given by David Lewisand Robert Stalnaker. If we could give the same sort of semantics forindicative conditionals, we would have a more unified account of themeaning of ``if ... then ...'' statements, one with manyadvantages for explaining the behaviour of conditional sentences. Such atreatment of indicative conditionals, however, has faced a battery ofobjections. This paper outlines a closest-worlds account of indicativeconditionals that does better than some of its cousins in explaining thebehaviour of such conditionals. The paper then discusses objectionsoffered by Dorothy Edgington and Frank Jackson to closest-worldsaccounts of indicative conditionals, and shows that these objections canbe met by the account outlined.
Large-scale parallel calculations with combined coupled cluster and molecular mechanics formalism: Excitation energies of zinc–porphyrin in aqueous solution

Abstract The need for combined QM/MM approaches with high-level coupled cluster (CC) methods in the QM core is unquestionable. In an effort to make these methods widely applicable, the scalability of CC approaches across hundreds/thousands of CPUs will play a central role. In this Letter we report the performance of our CC codes in calculations of vertical excitation energies of low-lying excited states of the zinc–porphyrin molecule in aqueous solution. Coupled cluster description of excited states is based on equation-of-motion approach with singles and doubles (EOMCCSD) as well as its non-iterative extension for triply excited configurations. These results are compared with those obtained with time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT).
Do Takeover Targets Under-perform? Evidence from Operating and Stock Returns

Financial economists seem to believe that takeovers are partly motivated by the desire to improve poorly-performing firms. However, prior empirical evidence in support of this inefficient management hypothesis is rather weak. We provide a detailed reexamination of this hypothesis in a large-scale empirical study. We find little evidence that target firms were performing poorly before acquisition, using either operating or stock returns. This result holds both for the sample as a whole and for sub-samples of takeovers that are more likely to be disciplinary. We conclude that the conventional view that targets perform poorly is not supported by the data.
The non-B-DNA structure of d(CA/TG)n differs from that of Z-DNA.

Abstract Chemical probing of two predominantly alternating purine-pyrimidine d(CA/TG)n repeats led us to propose previously that in supercoiled plasmids these elements adopt a non-B-DNA structure distinct from that of Z-DNA formed by d(CG)n sequences. Here, we present further evidence supporting this contention. Reactivity with the conformation-sensitive reagent chloroacetaldehyde, which reacts with unpaired adenines and cytosines, was confined strictly to adenines in the d(CA/TG)n repeat. In contrast, only bases outside the d(CG)n repeat exhibited chloroacetaldehyde reactivity. Two-dimensional gel analysis of topoisomers containing d(CA/TG)n tracts with bases out of strict purine-pyrimidine alteration revealed multiple superhelical-dependent transitions to an alternative left-handed structure. Within individual plasmid molecules, these multiple transitions resulted from the stepwise conversion of contiguous segments of alternating purine-pyrimidine sequence, which are delimited by bases out of alternation, to the full-length alternative conformation. When the left-handed helices increased in length to include more bases out of alternation, the average helical pitch changed substantially to produce a less tightly wound left-handed helix. Overall, these data indicate that d(CA/TG)n tracts adopt a left-handed conformation significantly different from that of the canonical Z-DNA structure of d(CG)n sequences.
Technical risk and new product success: An empirical test in high technology business markets

Abstract Following a methodology similar to the one used in Cooper's NewProd studies, this study examines the impact of technical risk on the ability to predict new product success in high technology business markets. Cooper's original 48 new product characteristics along with 10 new items measuring technical risk are used in examining 406 actual industrial new product success and failures. The findings show the importance of the addition of technical risk assessment in predicting the potential success or failure of new high technology industrial products.
Between Chaos and Entropy: Community of Inquiry from a Systems Perspective

This paper considers the psychosocial and cognitive dynamics of an educational community of inquiry as an inquiring system. It identifies seven characteristics of social systems dedicated to inquiry that are open (as opposed to “control” systems)—autopoiesis, teleology, feedback, noise, redundancy, ambiguous control, and system “event”—and traces their function in the ongoing reconstruction of argument that collective, dialogical inquiry entails. The paper also analyzes the process of group inquiry from a dialectical perspective, interpreting conceptual and argumentation system development as a continuously emergent process of reorganization, which makes its way through the ongoing resolution of the oppositions and contradictions it encounters, resulting in greater organizational complexity and clarity. Rather than maintaining homeostatic stability by rejecting or resisting noise, it develops through accepting and incorporating it in the interest of dialectical emergence. The role of a facilitator in such a system is to provide both positive and negative feedback, navigating between system entropy and system chaos. Finally, the autopoietic inquiring system is offered as one exemplar of the “ideal speech situation,” which requires that all its members have equal opportunity to participate in and contribute to system emergence, free from internal constraints or external coercion. This implies the need for a pedagogy that not only develops communicative competence, but which models a form of argumentation that understands itself as a collective project of ongoing reconstruction—with the major goal of agreement arrived at through open, free communication.
Sequencing independent jobs with a single resource

This paper examines problems of sequencing n jobs for processing by a single resource to minimize a function of job completion times, when the availability of the resource varies over time. A number of well-known results for single-machine problems which can be applied with little or no modification to the corresponding variable-resource problems are given. However, it is shown that the problem of minimizing the weighted sum of completion times provides an exception.
Quartermaster - a resource utility system

Utility computing is envisioned as the future of enterprise IT environments. Achieving utility computing is a daunting task, because enterprise users have diverse and complex needs. In this paper we describe quartermaster, an integrated set of tools that addresses some of these needs. Quartermaster supports the entire lifecycle of computing tasks - including design, deployment, operation, and decommissioning of each task. Although individual components of this lifecycle have been addressed in earlier work, quartermaster integrates them in a unified framework using model-based automation. All tools within quartermaster are integrated using models based on the common information model (CIM), an industry-standard model from the distributed management task force (DMTF). The paper discusses the quartermaster implementation, and describes two case studies using quartermaster.
Simulation of wireless sensor networks under partial coverage

This paper presents research using simulation to explore the sensitivity of the network lifetime of a wireless sensor network (WSN) under the constraint to maintain a chosen coverage percentage when different aspects of the node model are included. Specifically, we begin with a simple sensor node that can transition between an Awake mode and a Sleep mode, dependent on meeting the coverage constraint with a simple battery model that expends energy when the node is in the Awake mode. We then compare this network behavior to when the battery model includes battery recovery behavior. We conclude that while the difference between the behaviors is small, they are significant enough to warrant the inclusion of a more sophisticated battery model when modeling wireless sensor networks.
THE FATE OF NITRITE: REACTION WITH PROTEIN

This paper presents results showing that one of the major pathways for loss of nitrite in cured meats may be through reaction with nonheme protein. Incorporation of the stable isotope 15N from nitrite is shown to occur in both bovine serum albumin and the muscle protein myosin, at pH's below and at those found in cured meat. In bovine serum albumin solution at pH 5.5 and at 20°C, 60% loss of added nitrite (200 ppm) occurred within 1 wk and almost half of the lost nitrite nitrogen was recovered as 15N chemically bound to the protein. Analysis of the reaction products of nitrite and myosin showed that, under the conditions used, 10–20% of the incorporated nitrogen was present as 3-nitrotyrosine. Several other products were found in acid hydrolysates of protein containing bound nitrite, but these did not appear to quantitatively account for the remainder of the incorporated nitrite.
Sublobar Resections for Lung Cancer

Sublobar resection has been utilized as an alternative to lobectomy for the treatment of early-stage lung cancer in patients with compromised preoperative pulmonary function. Early data have suggested higher rates of local recurrence and increased late mortality for sublobar resection as compared with lobectomy. Subsequent studies have been mixed with respect to outcomes. Here we review the existing literature comparing sublobar resection to lobectomy with respect to oncologic and pulmonary outcomes. We also discuss the effect of adjuvant intraoperative brachytherapy to sublobar resection and summarize ongoing clinical trials that compare sublobar resection to sublobar resection plus adjuvant brachytherapy in the treatment of early-stage lung cancer. Finally, based on the current evidence, we provide recommendations as to when sublobar resection might be considered in the treatment of lung cancer.
Brain Phenotypes in Two FGFR2 Mouse Models for Apert Syndrome

Apert syndrome (AS) is one of at least nine disorders considered members of the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) -1, -2, and -3-related craniosynostosis syndromes. Nearly 100% of individuals diagnosed with AS carry one of two neighboring mutations on Fgfr2. The cranial phenotype associated with these two mutations includes coronal suture synostosis, either unilateral (unicoronal synostosis) or bilateral (bicoronal synostosis). Brain dysmorphology associated with AS is thought to be secondary to cranial vault or base alterations, but the variation in brain phenotypes within Apert syndrome is unexplained. Here, we present novel three-dimensional data on brain phenotypes of inbred mice at postnatal day 0 each carrying one of the two Fgfr2 mutations associated with AS. Our data suggest that the brain is primarily affected, rather than secondarily responding to skull dysmorphogenesis. Our hypothesis is that the skull and brain are both primarily affected in craniosynostosis and that shared phenogenetic developmental processes affect both tissues in craniosynostosis of Apert syndrome.
Best Practice Guide for the Treatment of Nightmare Disorder in Adults

Prazosin is recommended for treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)-associated nightmares. Level A. Image Rehearsal Therapy (IRT) is recommended for treatment of nightmare disorder. Level A. Systematic Desensitization and Progressive Deep Muscle Relaxation training are suggested for treatment of idiopathic nightmares. Level B. Venlafaxine is not suggested for treatment of PTSD-associated nightmares. Level B. Clonidine may be considered for treatment of PTSD-associated nightmares. Level C. The following medications may be considered for treatment of PTSD-associated nightmares, but the data are low grade and sparse: trazodone, atypical antipsychotic medications, topiramate, low dose cortisol, fluvoxamine, triazolam and nitrazepam, phenelzine, gabapentin, cyproheptadine, and tricyclic antidepressants. Nefazodone is not recommended as first line therapy for nightmare disorder because of the increased risk of hepatotoxicity. Level C. The following behavioral therapies may be considered for treatment of PTSD-associated nightmares based on low-grade evidence: Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting Therapy (ERRT); Sleep Dynamic Therapy; Hypnosis; Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR); and the Testimony Method. Level C. The following behavioral therapies may be considered for treatment of nightmare disorder based on low-grade evidence: Lucid Dreaming Therapy and Self-Exposure Therapy. Level C No recommendation is made regarding clonazepam and individual psychotherapy because of sparse data.
Speaking from the heart: end-of-life discussions in the ICU from the surgeon's perspective.

s m M As a surgeon, end-of-life discussions with my patients are often difficult for me to conduct. A recent experience has given me a new perspective regarding this difficult process. As a new surgical critical care fellow, I received a late-night call regarding a middle-aged patient with a terminal stage IV gastric cancer invading into his chest and other vital structures. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for dyspnea and tachycardia. I was surprised to discover that no restrictions had been put in place regarding resuscitation; he was a “full code.” The admitting service had not discussed end-of-life issues and it became my responsibility to have this family meeting. These types of meetings are an integral part of critical care medicine. In my previous experience as a surgical attending, I led many of these meetings; to discuss a surgical complication, a poor outcome, or withdrawal of support. But in this meeting something was different, profoundly different. Previously, these meetings weighed heavily on my mind; but not this time. I pondered the question, “Does my perspective on end-of-life care depend on my role as a surgeon or consulting intensivist?” After much reflection, I realized the difference was from a lack of “guilt.” The imminent death of this patient could not be traced directly or indirectly to one of my interventions or decisions. While I was currently undoubtedly responsible for the care of this patient, I did not create this situation. To the contrary, I was trying to help a situation that was handed to me. In the end-of-life discussions that I previously led as a surgeon, there was frequently a sense of personal failure. This may stem from the particular emotional investment that a surgeon has with his or her patients and their families. I often hear from my nonsurgical colleagues that “surgeons only want to operate and do not want to deal with the emotional needs of their patients.” I disagree with this viewpoint. As a surgeon, I have both a professional and an emotional investment in every patient; and by extension, to each and every family member. This starts with spending a tremendous
Accelerated Convergence of Numerical Solution of Linear and Non-Linear Vector Field Problems

The numerical solutioit of vector field problems on digital computers is a slow process, especially when the characteristics of the regions investigated vary considerably. A method for the acceleration of the convergence of iterative procedures is described and applied to linear and non-linear problems. Physical considerations based on Stokes' theorem are utilized to modify Southwell's relaxation technique.
TNFR2-deficiency contributes to sex-biased spontaneous experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (IRC4P.481)

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) antagonism has improved the treatment of autoimmune disorders including rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease but is contraindicated in multiple sclerosis (MS) due to disease exacerbation. The mechanisms underlying these contrasting responses remain elusive. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of selective TNFR2 ablation on the autoreactivity of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-specific T cells. We report that 92% of female C57BL/6 TNFR2-/- MOG-specific (2D2) TCR transgenic mice spontaneously develop experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE); whereas, only 8% of male TNFR2-/- 2D2 littermates developed an autoimmune phenotype. Demyelination accompanied B cell and CD4 T cell infiltration in the spinal cords and optic nerves of TNFR2-/- 2D2 mice with EAE. CNS inflammation in these mice correlated with increased production of IFN-γ and IL-17 and elevated sera titers of MOG35-55-specific IgG2b. Ex vivo co-culture studies demonstrated autonomous TNFR2-/- 2D2 CD4 FoxP3+ regulatory T cell (Treg) dysfunction as well as increased resilience by FoxP3-/- 2D2 CD4 T cells to respond to Treg suppression. These results suggest that TNFR2 plays a key role in the functional tolerance of MOG-specific CD4 T and B cells in a sex-related manner. This novel spontaneous autoimmune model provides a unique paradigm to study T and B cell interactions as well as sex-related factors in multiple sclerosis susceptibility.
Parallel Creation of Linear Octrees from Quadtree Slices

Quadtrees and octrees are hierarchical data structures for efficiently storing image data. Quadtrees represent two dimensional images, while octrees are a generalization to three dimensions. The linear form of each is an abstraction of the tree structure to reduce storage requirements. We have developed a parallel algorithm to efficiently create a linear octree from quadtree slices of an object without the use of an intermediate data structure. We also propose the d-slice, which is a generalization of a quadtree and, octree which efficiently represents non-cubic volumes.
Specific heat, electrical resistance, and other properties of superconducting Pd-H alloys

Abstract Specific heat and electrical resistance measurements have been carried out in the ∼1.2 to 4.2 K range for a series of Pd-H alloys having H/Pd atomic ratios in the ∼0.82 to 0.88 range. Superconductive transitions in the resistance were observed; the specific heat data exhibited broad, yet very pronounced peaks with characteristics that depended strongly upon hydrogen concentration. A fairly successful theoretical fitting of the specific heat data was carried out on the basis of the assumption that Pd-H alloys are simply inhomogeneous BCS superconductors. Data for the dependence of the superconducting transition temperature upon hydrogen concentration were derived from both the specific heat and electrical resistance measurements. An interesting scaling feature of the specific heat data is discussed. A search for a possible interrelationship between the superconductive properties and an exothermic process which occurs in Pd-H alloys yielded negative results. A marked suppression of superconductive effects was observed in Pd-H alloys based on one particular Pd ingot; this was probably due to Fe impurities.