cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tweed microstructures I. Characterization in β-NiAl

Abstract Abstract We describe an electron microscopic investigation of an as-quenched 63 at. % Ni-Al alloy. This material exhibits strong tweed contrast and associated diffraction effects, commonly called ‘premartensitic effects’. Anomalous diffraction effects in martensite-forming β3 Hume-Rothery phases have been studied extensively, but the mottled microstructures have received little attention. This paper describes an attempt to characterize the microstructure systematically. In addition to some well-known characteristics, we have discovered that in many ways tweed contrast resembles the fringe contrast observed on stacking faults. This includes the variation of fringe spacing with foil orientation, with the extinction distance of the diffraction vector and with the deviation from the Bragg condition. Such behaviour provides a basis for understanding the origin of premartensitic effects in Hume-Rothery phases, and tweed microstructures in general.
Changes in abundance of IgG 2a mRNA in the nucleus and cytoplasm of a murine B-lymphoma before and after fusion to a myeloma cell

Abstract Changes in IgG mRNA half-life, transcription and nuclear and cytoplasmic abundance were studied in two cell lines which contain an identical Ig γ 2a heavy chain but which differ in its expression. The A20.2J mouse lymphoma expresses about equal amounts of Ig γ 2a secretory- and membrane-specific mRNAs whereas in the AXJ hybrids, resulting from the fusion of A20.2J with the J558L myeloma, the secretory-specific form dominates. Further evidence of dominance of the myeloma phenotype was seen in the large changes in mRNA abundance and nuclear accumulation as well as in a small increase in Ig γ 2a mRNA half-lives for both secretory and membrane forms. Contributing to the observed > 100-fold increase in the ratio of secretory vs membrane forms of the Ig γ 2a heavy chain in the AXJ hybrids are both a 10-fold decrease in the production of the membrane form by post-transcriptional RNA processing events and a ≈ 6–7-fold decrease in the nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio for the Ig secretory γ 2a and κ light chain RNAs. Differential RNA accumulation in the nucleus in the lymphma cell therefore contributes to the differential expression of Ig secretory mRNA.
Development of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS) in Sri Lanka with special reference to food crops sub-sector : issues related to science policy

Keywords: Agriculture, agricultural research, national agricultural research system, science and technology, science policy, Sri Lanka J. Natn. Sci. Foundation Sri Lanka 2006 34 (2): 69-83 Doi: 10.4038/jnsfsr.v34i2.2085
Reliability of radiographic interpretations

Abstract The same 253 cases that had been examined by six independent examiners previously were re-examined 6 to 8 months later by three of the original examiners. Each examiner's results were then compared with his original results. They agreed with themselves anywhere from 72 to 88 per cent of the time in various categories. The analysis, however, showed large discrepancies in almost all categories of comparisons.
Smoking expectancy associates among college smokers.

Abstract Although it has been suggested that implicit expectancies influence smoking and other addictive behaviors, there is little direct evidence to support this notion. This study offers the first step in exploring implicit expectancy operation in cigarette smoking. Ninety-nine college smokers completed the sentence, “Smoking makes one_____.” with as many words as possible within 30 s, developing a list of expectancy associates. The results of the sentence completion task were positively correlated with an explicit measure of smoking-related expectancies. Future studies will be able to use the expectancy associates developed by this study to employ implicit memory tasks and further the understanding of the role of smoking-related expectancies.
Polymer Nanocomposites Containing Carbon Nanotubes

We review the present state of polymer nanocomposites research in which the fillers are single-wall or multiwall carbon nanotubes. By way of background we provide a brief synopsis about carbon nanotube materials and their suspensions. We summarize and critique various nanotube/polymer composite fabrication methods including solution mixing, melt mixing, and in situ polymerization with a particular emphasis on evaluating the dispersion state of the nanotubes. We discuss mechanical, electrical, rheological, thermal, and flammability properties separately and how these physical properties depend on the size, aspect ratio, loading, dispersion state, and alignment of nanotubes within polymer nanocomposites. Finally, we summarize the current challenges to and opportunities for efficiently translating the extraordinary properties of carbon nanotubes to polymer matrices in hopes of facilitating progress in this emerging area.
Skin care of the newborn infant.

Summary 1. The incidence of impetigo neonatorum in a large maternity hospital over a six-year period is reported. 2. Dry care was used for approximately the first half of the interval mentioned, 1947, 1948, and 1949. During these years the incidence of impetigo was 0.91 per cent, 1.32 per cent, and 2.00 per cent of 3,393, 3,203, and 3,189 live births, respectively. 3. During the second half of the six-year period mentioned, 1950, 1951, and 1952, the babies were bathed every other day with a spray technique, using a sudsing detergent especially suitable for newborn skin. The incidence of impetigo during these years was 0.29 per cent, 0.29 per cent, and 0.13 per cent of 3,356, 3,772, and 3,841 live births, respectively. 4. In our experience, babies of private white mothers have more skin infections than babies of clinic mothers whether white or Negro. The relationship of the longer hospital stay of the first group is mentioned. 5. The gradual but inexorable increase in the nursery population over the last twelve years is mentioned. Thus double the number of babies must now be cared for without doubling either nursing staff or space facilities. 6. The possible relationship of an ever-increasing dependence on a shifting, nonprofessional personnel is suggested. 7. A combination of these factors is probably more significant than any one alone. 8. This experience suggests the desirability of individualizing institutional practices to conform with the situation as it presents.
Characterization of high-resistivity CdTe and Cd0.9Zn0.1Te crystals grown by Bridgman method for radiation detector applications

CdTe and Cd 0.9 Zn 0.1 Te (CZT) crystals have been studied extensively for various applications including x- and γ-ray imaging and high energy radiation detectors. The crystals were grown from zone refined ultra-pure precursor materials using a vertical Bridgman furnace. The growth process has been monitored, controlled, and optimized by a computer simulation and modeling program developed in our laboratory. The grown crystals were thoroughly characterized after cutting wafers from the ingots and processed by chemo-mechanical polishing (CMP). The infrared (IR) transmission images of the post-treated CdTe and CZT crystals showed average Te inclusion size of ~10 μm for CdTe and ~8 μm for CZT crystal. The etch pit density was ≤ 5×10 4 cm -2 for CdTe and ≤ 3×10 4 cm -2 for CZT. Various planar and Frisch collar detectors were fabricated and evaluated. From the current-voltage measurements, the electrical resistivity was estimated to be ~ 1.5×10 10 Ω-cm for CdTe and 2-5×10 11 Ω-cm for CZT. The Hecht analysis of electron and hole mobility-lifetime products (μτ e and μτ h ) showed μτ e = 2×10 -3 cm 2 /V (μτ h = 8×10 -5 cm2/V) and 3-6×10 -3 cm 2 /V (μτh = 4- 6×10-5 cm2/V) for CdTe and CZT, respectively. Detectors in single pixel, Frisch collar, and coplanar grid geometries were fabricated. Detectors in Frisch grid and guard-ring configuration were found to exhibit energy resolution of 1.4% and 2.6 %, respectively, for 662 keV gamma rays. Assessments of the detector performance have been carried out also using 241 Am (60 keV) showing energy resolution of 4.2% FWHM.
Frustration, attribution of blame, and aggression

Abstract In contrast to most recent studies of human aggression, multiple measures of naturally occurring aggressive behavior were examined in a realistic and involving setting. Consistent with attributional formulations, it was found that aggression increased in accord with attributions of blame, and that more blame was attributed to another in response to inadequately justified thwartings than to adequately justified thwartings. As anticipated, anger, other-directed attributions of blame, and other-directed aggression were greatest in response to unjustified (illegitimate) thwartings. Justified (legitimate) thwartings produced intermediate anger and intermediate levels of blame and aggression internally and externally. Self-caused (internal) thwartings, ostensibly caused neither by the other's disposition nor by situational factors, produced the least anger and other-directed aggression but the most self-blame/self-aggression. In addition, unexpected thwartings produced independently more anger than did expected thwartings, and high-drive thwartings produced independently less other-directed aggression than did low-drive thwartings. The results are discussed with reference to both the need and the potential for studies of human aggression which employ more ecologically valid settings and measures of aggressive behavior.
Delayed plasma clearance of phenylalanine and tyrosine in elderly men.

The plasma levels of 17 amino acids were measured in three groups of men: healthy young men, healthy elderly men, and demented tube-fed elderly men living in a nursing home, prior to, and again 2, 4, and 6 hours after the consumption of a standard protein-containing meal. The standard meal provided per kilogram of body weight 8.3 calories, 0.33 grams of protein, 0.90 grams of carbohydrate, and 0.37 grams of fat. The concentrations of all amino acids, except tryptophan, rose significantly at 2 hours and returned to baseline by 6 hours. Plasma phenylalanine and tyrosine were significantly (P < 0.05) higher at 2 hours in the two groups of elderly men than in the young healthy men. In other respects the pre- and post-prandial amino acid profiles were not influenced by age. The ratio, tyrosine/other large neutral amino acids (tyr/LNAA), was significantly higher in both elderly groups than in the young men at nearly all time points before and after the test meal. It was generally higher in the demented older men than in the healthy older men. The data demonstrated a delayed plasma clearance of phenylalanine and tyrosine in old age. The elevated plasma tyr/LNAA ratio in the elderly men may have tended to augment an entry of tyrosine, the precursor of norepinephrine and dopamine, into their brains.
Characterization of harmonic wavelet joint transform (HWJT) in image de-noising

Harmonic Wavelet Joint Transform (HWJT) has recently been proposed for automatic target recognition applications. The preliminary study shows improved noise tolerance for HWJT. In this paper, we investigate the application of JHWT in image de-noising. De-noising characteristics of this HWJTC have been studied and noise removal performances are demonstrated using HWJT correlator model for clutter image. To benchmark its performance, we compare its performance with the performances of well-established image de-noising techniques, such as Wavelet Packet. The image used for our simulation is a Synthetic Aperture Radar image from DARPA Moving and Stationary Target Recognition Program with angle of depression of 15 degree(s). Simulation results are presented to validate the performance of the proposed technique.
Sociodramatic play: Social class effects in integrated preschool classrooms☆

Abstract In previous studies, social class differences in children's sociodramatic play were studied in socially homogeneous, segregated schools. However, social class differences in play behavior were attributed to the abilities or interests of the children rather than to the situation in which they were observed. In the present study, sociodramatic play was observed in middle and lower class children attending the same preschool classrooms. In accord with previous studies, middle class children engaged in a higher level of play than did lower class children. Analyses of individual play components indicated that although middle class children verbalized more frequently, the quality of the language used by the two groups did not differ. Age differences were also significant. With age, play roles became more socially coordinated, the duration of play episodes increased and language became more complex. But social class groups did not differ on these measures. The implications of these results for the developmental lag hypothesis, other explanations of social class differences and classroom strategies are discussed.
Workers' Remittances and the Real Exchange Rate: A Paradox of Gifts

Abstract We test the impact of workers' remittances on the real exchange rate using a panel of 13 Latin American and Caribbean countries. The analysis reveals that workers' remittances have the potential to inflict economic costs on the export sector of receiving countries by reducing its international competitiveness. Our findings raise concerns parallel to those raised by Dutch Disease or Resource Boom models, where resource discoveries result in real exchange rate appreciation and shifting of resources from the traded to the nontraded sectors of the economy.
On improving the accuracy of the Hough transform

The subject of this paper is very high precision parameter estimation using the Hough transform. We identify various problems that adversely affect the accuracy of the Hough transform and propose a new, high accuracy method that consists of smoothing the Hough arrayH(ρ, θ) prior to finding its peak location and interpolating about this peak to find a final sub-bucket peak. We also investigate the effect of the quantizations Δρ and Δθ ofH(ρ, θ) on the final accuracy. We consider in detail the case of finding the parameters of a straight line. Using extensive simulation and a number of experiments on calibrated targets, we compare the accuracy of the method with results from the standard Hough transform method of taking the quantized peak coordinates, with results from taking the centroid about the peak, and with results from least squares fitting. The largest set of simulations cover a range of line lengths and Gaussian zero-mean noise distributions. This noise model is ideally suited to the least squares method, and yet the results from the method compare favorably. Compared to the centroid or to standard Hough estimates, the results are significantly better—for the standard Hough estimates by a factor of 3 to 10. In addition, the simulations show that as Δρ and Δθ are increased (i.e., made coarser), the sub-bucket interpolation maintains a high level of accuracy. Experiments using real images are also described, and in these the new method has errors smaller by a factor of 3 or more compared to the standard Hough estimates.
A Shape Index from Molecular Graphs

A numerical index of molecular shape has been derived from the graph of the non-hydrogen molecular skeleton. The index is based on the count of 2-bond fragments in a graph relative to the maximum number possible in the isomeric star graph and the minimum number in the isomeric linear graph. In this initial study all non-hydrogen atoms and all bonds are considered equal. The 2κ index describes the molecular shape in relationship to the star and linear graph and is normalized to the number of atoms. Applications are presented for shape similarity estimation, cavity filling ability and QSAR analyses.
A Database of Microwave Single-Scattering Properties for Nonspherical Ice Particles

As satellite observations at high microwave frequencies have recently become available, there is an increasing demand for methods that accurately evaluate the single-scattering properties of nonspherical ice particles at these frequencies. Algorithm developers can use the single-scattering datasets in the retrievals of cloud ice water content and snowfall rate. However, the methods that correctly handle the scattering of complex nonspherical particles are computationally inefficient and impractical for physical retrieval algorithms, in which scattering needs to be evaluated many times for particles with various sizes and shapes. As a remedy, during the past several years we have computed the scattering properties—scattering and absorption cross sections, phase functions, asymmetric parameters, and backscattering cross sections —using an accurate discrete dipole approximation method and arranged the results into an easy-to-access database. The database contains the scattering properties at frequencies from...
Programming with Invariants

The use of a restricted class of invariants as part of a language supports both the accurate synthesis of high-level programs and their translation into efficient implementations.
Collaborative Organizational Learning Along a Direction

SYNOPTIC ABSTRACT We introduce the effectiveness of agents as vectors relative to the desired direction for improvement and define a coalition as a collaboration of agents that can improve individual values based on a utility function. We develop algorithms for finding sequentially formed winning coalitions without and with repeated hiring by which an agent joins the coalition if it can improve the values for all existing agents. An algorithm for finding the optimal sequentially formed efficient core is also proposed.
Cognitive and Attitudinal Predictors Related to Line Graphing Achievement among Elementary Pre-service Teachers

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which six cognitive and attitudinal variables predicted pre-service elementary teachers’ (N = 87) performance on line graphing. Predictors included reading comprehension and mathematics scores, logical thinking performance scores, as well as measures of attitudes toward science, mathematics and graphing. Results indicated that mathematical and logical thinking ability were the most significant predictors of line graph performance among the other variables, accounting for 41% of the total variability. Findings from this study suggest that elementary science education programs augment instruction to include aspects of mathematics and logical thinking.
The distributional structure of grammatical categories in speech to young children

We present a series of three analyses of young children’s linguistic input to determine the distributional information it could plausibly offer to the process of grammatical category learning. Each analysis was conducted on four separate corpora from the CHILDES database (MacWhinney, 2000) of speech directed to children under 2;5. We show that, in accord with other findings, a distributional analysis which categorizes words based on their co-occurrence patterns with surrounding words successfully categorizes the majority of nouns and verbs. In Analyses 2 and 3, we attempt to make our analyses more closely relevant to natural language acquisition by adopting more realistic assumptions about how young children represent their input. In Analysis 2, we limit the distributional context by imposing phrase structure boundaries, and find that categorization improves even beyond that obtained from less limited contexts. In Analysis 3, we reduce the representation of input elements which young children might not fully process and we find that categorization is not adversely affected: Although noun categorization is worse than in Analyses 1 and 2, it is still good; and verb categorization actually improves. Overall, successful categorization of nouns and verbs is maintained across all analyses. These results provide promising support for theories of grammatical category formation involving distributional analysis, as long as these analyses are combined with appropriate assumptions about the child learner’s computational biases and capabilities.
The Calpain Domain of the Maize DEK1 Protein Contains the Conserved Catalytic Triad and Functions as a Cysteine Proteinase

Development of the aleurone layer of maize grains requires the activity of the Defective kernel 1 (Dek1) gene, encoding a predicted 240-kDa membrane-anchored protein with a C terminus similar to animal calpain domain II&III. Three-dimensional modeling shows that DEK1 domain II contains a conserved calpain catalytic triad and that domain II&III has a predicted structure similar to m-calpain. Recombinant DEK1 domain II&III exhibits activity in the caseinolytic assay in the absence of calcium, although the activity is enhanced by calcium. This is in sharp contrast to animal calpains, which require Ca2+ to be active. Bacterially expressed DEK1 domain II does not display caseinolytic activity, suggesting an important role for DEK1 domain III. Mutation of the catalytic Cys residue to Ser leads to a loss of caseinolytic activity of DEK1 domain II&III. Two features of DEK1 calpain may contribute to maintaining the active site triad in an "active" configuration in the absence of Ca2+, both of which are predicted to keep m-calpain domains IIa and IIb apart. First, DEK1 lacks key charged residues in the basic loop of domain II, and secondly, the absence of an acidic loop in domain III, both of which are predicted to be neutralized upon Ca2+ binding. The Dek1 transcript is present in all cell types in developing maize endosperm, suggesting that the activity of the DEK1 calpain is regulated at the post-transcription level. The role of DEK1 in aleurone signaling is discussed.
Crystal Structure of the RIM1α C2B Domain at 1.7 Å Resolution

RIM proteins play critical roles in synaptic vesicle priming and diverse forms of presynaptic plasticity. The C-terminal C2B domain is the only module that is common to all RIMs but is only distantly related to well-studied C2 domains, and its three-dimensional structure and interactions have not been characterized in detail. Using NMR spectroscopy, we now show that N- and C-terminal extensions beyond the predicted C2B domain core sequence are necessary to form a folded, stable RIM1alpha C2B domain. We also find that the isolated RIM1alpha C2B domain is not sufficient for previously described protein-protein interactions involving the RIM1alpha C-terminus, suggesting that additional sequences adjacent to the C2B domain might be required for these interactions. However, analytical ultracentrifugation shows that the RIM1alpha C2B domain forms weak dimers in solution. The crystal structure of the RIM1alpha C2B domain dimer at 1.7 A resolution reveals that it forms a beta-sandwich characteristic of C2 domains and that the unique N- and C-terminal extensions form a small subdomain that packs against the beta-sandwich and mediates dimerization. Our results provide a structural basis to understand the function of RIM C2B domains and suggest that dimerization may be a crucial aspect of RIM function.
The burden of infection in long-term care

Available data, although fragmentary, indicate that infections impose a large burden on long-term-care facilities (LTCFs) in the United States. Endemic infections occur with frequencies estimated to range between 1.64 and 3.83 million per year. These estimates rival or exceed the annual tally for nosocomial infections in acute-care settings. Infections associated with outbreaks caused by respiratory, gastrointestinal, and antimicrobial-resistant pathogens burden LTCFs even further. As judged by antimicrobial use, transfers to hospital, and mortality figures, infections in LTCFs are not trivial. Moreover, annual costs associated with these infections appear to exceed $1 billion. Recognition of the burden associated with infection in LTCFs helps to identify research priorities for this rapidly growing area of healthcare.
Toxin–antitoxin systems are ubiquitous and plasmid-encoded in vancomycin-resistant enterococci

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are common hospital pathogens that are resistant to most major classes of antibiotics. The incidence of VRE is increasing rapidly, to the point where over one-quarter of enterococcal infections in intensive care units are now resistant to vancomycin. The exact mechanism by which VRE maintains its plasmid-encoded resistance genes is ill-defined, and novel targets for the treatment of VRE are lacking. In an effort to identify novel protein targets for the treatment of VRE infections, we probed the plasmids obtained from 75 VRE isolates for the presence of toxin–antitoxin (TA) gene systems. Remarkably, genes for one particular TA pair, the mazEF system (originally identified on the Escherichia coli chromosome), were present on plasmids from 75/75 (100%) of the isolates. Furthermore, mazEF was on the same plasmid as vanA in the vast majority of cases (>90%). Plasmid stability tests and RT-PCR raise the possibility that this plasmid-encoded mazEF is indeed functional in enterococci. Given this ubiquity of mazEF in VRE and the deleterious activity of the MazF toxin, disruption of mazEF with pharmacological agents is an attractive strategy for tailored antimicrobial therapy.
Phase Stability of Chemically Derived Enstatite (MgSiO3) Powders

A modified Pechini chemical preparation technique was used to produce enstatite (MgSiO3) powder. By this method, low-temperature stable orthoenstatite (OE) was obtained at 850°C after 2 h of calcination. The effects of annealing temperature/time, initial particle size, chemical dopants, and shear stress on the conversion of protoenstatite (PE) to clinoenstatite (CE) on the powder have been studied. The results indicated that the transformation of orthorhombic PE to monoclinic CE was sensitive to the initial powder particle size as well as to the type and amount of chemical dopant used. Sodium ions (Na+), which were found to cause the formation of a glassy phase around the PE grains, destabilized the PE phase physically. In comparison, manganese ions (Mn2+), were found to preferentially substitute for the smaller Mg2+ ions in solid solution and stabilized the PE phase chemically. The powders with different chemical dopants were examined by TEM and EDS.
Magnetically tunable transit-time oscillator

The theory and performance of an electronically tunable transit-time oscillator are presented. The ferromagnetic resonance properties of a YIG toroid were used to magnetically tune the frequency of oscillation over a 3000-MHz frequency range with a minimum output power of 1 mW at X-band.
Mistakes about Preferences in the Social Sciences

Preferences are the central notion in mainstream economic theory, yet economists say little about what preferences are. This article argues that preferences in mainstream positive economics are comparative evaluations with respect to everything relevant to value or choice, and it argues against three mistaken views of preferences: (1) that they are matters of taste, concerning which rational assessment is inappropriate, (2) that preferences coincide with judgments of expected self-interested benefit, and (3) that preferences can be defined in terms of choices.
Solubility of Anthracene in Ternary Dibutyl Ether + Alcohol + Cyclohexane Solvent Mixtures

Experimental solubilities are reported for anthracene dissolved in ternary dibutyl ether + 1-propanol + cyclohexane, dibutyl ether + 2-propanol + cyclohexane, dibutyl ether + 1-butanol + cyclohexane, dibutyl ether + 2-butanol + cyclohexane, and dibutyl ether + 2-methyl-1-propanol + cyclohexane solvent mixtures at 25 °C and atmospheric pressure. Nineteen compositions were studied for each of the five solvent systems. Results of these measurements are used to test the predictive ability of the ternary solvent form of the combined NIMS/Redlich−Kister equation. Computations showed that the model predicted the observed solubility behavior to within an overall average absolute deviation of about 1.5%, which is comparable to the experimental uncertainty of ±1.5%.
Enhancement in sample collection for the detection of MDMA using a novel planar SPME (PSPME) device coupled to ion mobility spectrometry (IMS)

Trace detection of illicit drugs challenges the scientific community to develop improved sensitivity and selectivity in sampling and detection techniques. Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is one of the prominent trace detectors for illicit drugs and explosives, mostly due to its portability, high sensitivity and fast analysis. Current sampling methods for IMS rely on wiping suspected surfaces or withdrawing air through filters to collect particulates. These methods depend greatly on the particulates being bound onto surfaces or having sufficient vapour pressure to be airborne. Many of these compounds are not readily available in the headspace due to their low vapour pressure. This research presents a novel SPME device for enhanced air sampling and shows the use of optimized IMS by genetic algorithms to target volatile markers and/or odour signatures of illicit substances. The sampling method was based on unique static samplers, planar substrates coated with sol-gel polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) nanoparticles, also known as planar solid-phase microextraction (PSPME). Due to its surface chemistry, high surface area and capacity, PSPME provides significant increases in sensitivity over conventional fibre SPME. The results show a 50-400 times increase in the detection capacity for piperonal, the odour signature of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). The PSPME-IMS technique was able to detect 600 ng of piperonal in a 30 s extraction from a quart-sized can containing 5 MDMA tablets, while detection using fibre SPME-IMS was not attainable. In a blind study of six cases suspected to contain varying amounts of MDMA in the tablets, PSPME-IMS successfully detected five positive cases and also produced no false positives or false negatives. One positive case had minimal amounts of MDMA resulting in a false negative response for fibre SPME-IMS.
Pre-TCR signaling inactivates Notch1 transcription by antagonizing E2A

Precise control of the timing and magnitude of Notch signaling is essential for the normal development of many tissues, but the feedback loops that regulate Notch are poorly understood. Developing T cells provide an excellent context to address this issue. Notch1 signals initiate T-cell development and increase in intensity during maturation of early T-cell progenitors (ETP) to the DN3 stage. As DN3 cells undergo beta-selection, during which cells expressing functionally rearranged TCRbeta proliferate and differentiate into CD4(+)CD8(+) progeny, Notch1 signaling is abruptly down-regulated. In this report, we investigate the mechanisms that control Notch1 expression during thymopoiesis. We show that Notch1 and E2A directly regulate Notch1 transcription in pre-beta-selected thymocytes. Following successful beta-selection, pre-TCR signaling rapidly inhibits Notch1 transcription via signals that up-regulate Id3, an E2A inhibitor. Consistent with a regulatory role for Id3 in Notch1 down-regulation, post-beta-selected Id3-deficient thymocytes maintain Notch1 transcription, whereas enforced Id3 expression decreases Notch1 expression and abrogates Notch1-dependent T-cell survival. These data provide new insights into Notch1 regulation in T-cell progenitors and reveal a direct link between pre-TCR signaling and Notch1 expression during thymocyte development. Our findings also suggest new strategies for inhibiting Notch1 signaling in pathologic conditions.
Scalable power control for many-core architectures running multi-threaded applications

Optimizing the performance of a multi-core microprocessor within a power budget has recently received a lot of attention. However, most existing solutions are centralized and cannot scale well with the rapidly increasing level of core integration. While a few recent studies propose power control algorithms for many-core architectures, those solutions assume that the workload of every core is independent and therefore cannot effectively allocate power based on thread criticality to accelerate multi-threaded parallel applications, which are expected to be the primary workloads of many-core architectures. This paper presents a scalable power control solution for many-core microprocessors that is specifically designed to handle realistic workloads, i.e., a mixed group of single-threaded and multi-threaded applications. Our solution features a three-layer design. First, we adopt control theory to precisely control the power of the entire chip to its chip-level budget by adjusting the aggregated frequency of all the cores on the chip. Second, we dynamically group cores running the same applications and then partition the chip-level aggregated frequency quota among different groups for optimized overall microprocessor performance. Finally, we partition the group-level frequency quota among the cores in each group based on the measured thread criticality for shorter application completion time. As a result, our solution can optimize the microprocessor performance while precisely limiting the chip-level power consumption below the desired budget. Empirical results on a 12-core hardware testbed show that our control solution can provide precise power control, as well as 17% and 11% better application performance than two state-of-the-art solutions, on average, for mixed PARSEC and SPEC benchmarks. Furthermore, our extensive simulation results for 32, 64, and 128 cores, as well as overhead analysis for up to 4,096 cores, demonstrate that our solution is highly scalable to many-core architectures.
Surveillance of Antimicrobial Use and Antimicrobial Resistance in United States Hospitals: Project ICARE Phase 2

The search for the means to understand and control the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance has become a public health priority. Project ICARE (Intensive Care Antimicrobial Resistance Epidemiology) has established laboratory-based surveillance for antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial use at a subset of hospitals participating in the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance system. These data illustrate that for most antimicrobial-resistant organisms studied, rates of resistance were highest in the intensive care unit (ICU) areas and lowest in the outpatient areas. A notable exception was ciprofloxacin- or ofloxacin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, for which resistance rates were highest in the outpatient areas. For most of the antimicrobial agents associated with this resistance, the rate of use was highest in the ICU areas, in parallel to the pattern seen for resistance. These comparative data on use and resistance among similar areas (i.e., ICU or other inpatient areas) can be used as a benchmark by participating hospitals to focus their efforts at addressing antimicrobial resistance.
Cognitive principles underlying children's errors in pronominal case-marking

Data on children's errors in marking pronominal case are surveyed and the pattern of errors described: children substitute objective forms for nominative ones but do not commit substitution errors in the opposite direction. It is proposed that two general cognitive principles underlying language acquisition might explain the uniformities in the data: avoid exceptions, and pay attention to the ends of words. It is further suggested that the last of these should be extended in scope, to cover short-term processing of larger constituents.
Optimal disease outbreak decisions using stochastic simulation

Management policies for disease outbreaks balance the expected morbidity and mortality costs versus the cost of intervention policies. We present a methodology for dynamic determination of optimal policies in a stochastic compartmental model with parameter uncertainty. Our approach is to first carry out sequential Bayesian estimation of outbreak parameters and then solve the dynamic programming equations. The latter step is simulation-based and relies on regression Monte Carlo techniques. To improve performance we investigate lasso regression and global policy iteration. Comparisons demonstrate the realized cost savings of choosing interventions based on the computed dynamic policy over simpler decision rules.
So Many Doggone Traits: Mapping Genetics of Multiple Phenotypes in the Domestic Dog

The worldwide dog population is fragmented into >350 domestic breeds. Breeds share a common ancestor, the gray wolf. The intense artificial selection imposed by humans to develop breeds with particular behaviors and phenotypic traits has occurred primarily in the last 200–300 years. As a result, the number of genes controlling the major differences in body size, leg length, head shape, etc. that define each dog is small, and genetically tractable. This is in comparison to many human complex traits where small amounts of variance are controlled by literally hundreds of genes. We have been interested in disentangling the genetic mechanisms controlling breed-defining morphological traits in the domestic dog. The structure of the dog population, comprised large numbers of pure breeding populations, makes this task surprisingly doable. In this review, we summarize recent work on the genetics of body size, leg length and skull shape, while setting the stage for tackling other traits. It is our expectation that these results will contribute to a better understanding of mammalian developmental processes overall.
Profiles of Observed Infant Anger Predict Preschool Behavior Problems: Moderation by Life Stress.

Using both traditional composites and novel profiles of anger, we examined associations between infant anger and preschool behavior problems in a large, longitudinal data set (N = 966). We also tested the role of life stress as a moderator of the link between early anger and the development of behavior problems. Although traditional measures of anger were largely unrelated to later behavior problems, profiles of anger that dissociated typical from atypical development predicted behavior problems during preschool. Moreover, the relation between infant anger profiles and preschool behavior problems was moderated such that, when early life stress was low, infants with atypical profiles of early anger showed more preschool behavior problems than did infants with normative anger profiles. However, when early life stress was high, infants with atypical and normative profiles of infant anger did not differ in preschool behavior problems. We conclude that a discrete emotions approach including latent profile analysis is useful for elucidating biological and environmental developmental pathways to early problem behaviors.
Interorganizational Cooperation in Community Mental Health: A Resource-Based Explanation of Referrals and Case Coordination

Using data collected from mental health services delivery systems in 4 cities, this study examines the relationship between resource acquisition, resource utilization, and 3 types of cooperative, client-based interorganizational relationships: referrals received, referrals sent, and case coordination. Relationships were first explored for all 138 agencies in all 4 systems and then under conditions of environmental resource scarcity versus munificence, as measured by per capital mental health spending by the state. Results generally supported the 3 hypotheses proposed but were strongest for case coordination and for systems embedded in resource-scarce environments. Implications of the results for policy and research are discussed as they pertain to building a better understanding of conditions conducive to cooperation among health and human service agencies that provide community-based services to the severely mentally ill and other client groups with long-term needs.
Efficacy of voriconazole in experimental Cryptococcus neoformans infection.

Voriconazole is a third generation triazole with improved activity against many fungal pathogens. We examined the efficacy of voriconazole in a murine infection model and evaluated the drug’s effect on cellular characteristics and serum polysaccharide levels. The antifungal reduced serum polysaccharide and significantly prolonged the survival of lethally infected animals.
Fundamentals of Superconductivity

This course on the science and technology of superconductivity comes at a most appropriate time in the over-all development of the field. The late 1950’s and this past decade of the 1960’s were in many ways the golden age of superconductivity. During that period of some fifteen years, superconductivity grew from little more than a laboratory curiosity being studied at a few low temperature centers, to a full fledged science and technology, being actively pursued by scores of industrial and academic laboratories throughout the world. The years between 1959 and 1962 saw a remarkable growth in the superconducting literature. Figure I shows that in 1959 superconducting publications represented some 6% of all low temperature publications. Three years Later in 1962 it represented almost 17% of the total low temperature literature. This present decade is seeing a new and interesting development — the transformation of superconductivity research out of the laboratory into the realm of military and industrial practicality. Some applications are ripe for immediate practical development, others are still in the realm of basic and applied research. In their totality, they represent an impressive list of existing and potential applications. They include: magnets, motors, generators, magnetometers, infrared and millimeter wave detectors, gravity meters, gyroscopes, bolometers, nuclear particle detectors, voltmeters, ammeters, power transmission lines, dc transformers, computer elements, switches, passenger train suspension systems, accelerometers, antennas, amplifiers, microwave cavities, linear accelerators... This list is by no means complete. It continues to grow with the passage of time.
Hemodynamics in the Left Atrium and Its Effect on Ventricular Flow Patterns

In the present study, we investigate the hemodynamics inside left atrium (LA) and understand its impact on the development of ventricular flow patterns. We construct the heart model using dynamic-computed tomographic images and perform simulations using an immersed boundary method based flow solver. We show that the atrial hemodynamics is characterized by a circulatory flow generated by the left pulmonary veins (LPVs) and a direct stream from the right pulmonary veins (RPVs). The complex interaction of the vortex rings formed from each of the PVs leads to vortex breakup and annihilation, thereby producing a regularized flow at the mitral annulus. A comparison of the ventricular flow velocities between the physiological and a simplified pipe-based atrium model shows that the overall differences are limited to about 10% of the peak mitral flow velocity. The implications of this finding on the functional morphology of the left heart as well the computational and experimental modeling of ventricular hemodynamics are discussed.
New Understandings of Biocorrosion Mechanisms and their Classifications

Microbes were first associated with corrosion as early as 1910. However, much confusion remains in biocorrosion mechanisms because their investigation involves multidisciplinary knowledge in several diverse research areas such as bio-electrochemistry, microbiology, corrosion engineering and chemical engineering. Billions of dollars are lost to biocorrosion each year in the US alone. The Alaska pipeline leak that caused a major spike in the world regarding oil prices in the spring of 2006, heightened attentions on biocorrosion. As a consequence of depleting oil reserves and high oil prices, water flooding is more frequently used to increase reservoir pressure. The water used in the operation often introduces nutrients and microbes into the reservoirs. Microbial activities are now major concerns in oil and gas production and transportation. As infrastructures are aging, biocorrosion is becoming more often a risk factor in many industrial operations such as oil and gas transportation, water utilities, and power plant cooling systems. An additional risk factor for oil transportation lines is that pipe wall water-wetting, instead of oil-wetting, is becoming a more common flow condition and this promotes the diversity and growth of microbes, leading to faster pipe failures.
A simulation approach for evaluating medication supply chain structures

ABSTRACTHealthcare costs per capita in the United States are one of the most expensive in the world. It may be surprising to note that the second largest expense in a hospital is in inventories. In this paper, we address the need for developing better quantitative models of the hospital medication supply chain system. We develop two simulation models which represent commonly used supply chains: centralised and stockless. We present a case study using meropenem, an antibiotic, to explore the impact of product and demand characteristics on the cost effectiveness of each approach. The results show that while the stockless system is almost always higher performing in terms of cost, it may be at the expense of patient safety. The results of the simulation models suggest developing a strategy using classifications to aid strategic supply chain decisions related to the hospital environment could improve inventory management.
Abstract 109: The Long-Term Risk of Seizures After Stroke

Introduction: Few data exist on the long-term risk of seizures after stroke. Hypothesis: Stroke is associated with a similar long-term risk of seizures as compared with traumatic brain injury (TBI), a well-established long-term seizure risk factor. Methods: Using administrative claims data on all acute care hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits at nonfederal facilities in California, Florida, and New York from 2005-2012, we identified patients at the time of a first documented stroke. Stroke was comprised of ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), as defined by previously validated ICD-9-CM codes. As a control group, we identified patients at the time of a first documented TBI. The primary outcome was an ED visit or hospitalization with a discharge diagnosis of seizure. In sensitivity analyses, we limited the outcome to primary discharge diagnoses of seizure or diagnoses of status epilepticus. Survival statistics and Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to compare the rates and hazard of seizures between groups while adjusting for demographic characteristics and Elixhauser comorbidities. Results: We identified 568,659 patients with stroke and 270,796 patients with TBI. During 2.5 (±2.1) years of follow-up, the cumulative risk of a seizure was 37.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 37.3-37.8%) in patients with stroke and 29.9% (95% CI, 29.5-30.0%) in patients with TBI. After adjustment for demographic characteristics and comorbidities, stroke remained associated with a slightly higher hazard of seizures when compared with the risk after TBI (hazard ratio [HR], 1.12; 95% CI, 1.11-1.13). This finding was unchanged in sensitivity analyses of only primary discharge diagnoses of seizure or only status epilepticus cases. In subgroup analyses, the cumulative rate of any seizure was 26.2% (95% CI, 25.6-26.9%) after SAH, 33.6% (95% CI, 33.4-33.7%) after ischemic stroke, and 35.0% (95% CI, 34.5-35.4%) after ICH. Conclusions: We found that a substantial proportion of patients with stroke develop a seizure. The long-term risk of seizure after stroke appears similar to that after TBI, which is widely recognized as a strong long-term seizure risk factor.