cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An exercise in inducing creativity in undergraduate engineering students through challenging examinations and open-ended design problems

An ongoing exercise within the division of engineering at Brown University that spans from 1989 to 1991 to foster creativity and to encourage engineering students to seek out and solve problems at the boundaries of the engineering disciplines is discussed. The examination questions, reasons the nature of the questions, and reports the students' performance and perceptions are described. This study is limited to six semester-courses taught by the author: freshmen computing, senior-level course in digital systems design, and senior-level course in computer systems organization. Observations indicate that while 1.5-5% of the students demonstrate outstanding creative ability, a solid 45% of the class demonstrate innovative thinking processes that may be rated between good to very good. The lower 40% of the class demonstrates neither capability nor interest in the problems and they usually perceive them as too difficult, unfair, and unrelated. The top 40-50% of the class, based on informal interviews, describe the examinations as very comprehensive, challenging, thought provoking, and difficult but fair. >
Binding of cytoskeletal proteins with silver nanoparticles

We have characterized the binding of cytoskeletal proteins, namely, tubulin and actin, with silver nanoparticles using the techniques of dynamic light scattering, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, circular dichroism spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging, and transmission electron microscopy. Overall, actin displayed a higher propensity than tubulin for silver nanoparticles while both proteins experienced conformational changes upon binding. Conversely, ion release from silver nanoparticles was significantly compromised upon the formation of protein biocoronas, as shown by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. The implications of cytoskeletal protein biocorona on the transformation and cytotoxicity of silver nanoparticles have been discussed.
Cluster dynamics in the range N=2–20: High resolution infrared spectra of HeN–CO

Infrared spectra of HeN–CO complexes with N up to about 20 have been observed in the 2145 cm−1 region of the C–O stretch vibration using a tunable diode laser spectrometer to probe pulsed supersonic expansions from moderately high pressure (⩽40 atm) cooled (>−150 °C) jet sources. Cooler (⩽0.2 K) or warmer (⩽0.5 K) effective rotational temperatures were obtained using pinhole or slit jet nozzles, respectively. Two series of R(0) transitions were observed, each correlating smoothly with the known a-type (K=0←0) and b-type (K=1←0) R(0) lines of the binary complex, He–CO. Although the b-type series starts off about 7 times stronger for N=1, it was observed to lose intensity to the a series with increasing N-value. The numbering of cluster size was reliably established up to N=14 for the a-type and N=6 for the b-type series. Some warmer lines due to higher J-value transitions [e.g., R(1)] were observed and tentatively assigned, but these were not sufficient to enable rotational analysis. Thus it has not yet be...
Abstract 4512: Construction and characterization of novel, human serine protease granzyme B-based cancer therapeutics targeting the TNFR family member Fn14

The TNF superfamily cytokine TWEAK and its receptor Fn14 have emerged as potentially clinically valuable targets for cancer therapy. The expression of Fn14 is comparatively low in normal tissues but elevated in various human solid tumor types, including brain, breast, lung and melanoma, and has been shown to be a negative prognostic indicator. We generated Granzyme B (GrB) containing, Fn14-targeted constructs using either the extracellular domain (ECD) of the human TWEAK ligand (GrB-TWEAK) or an engineered anti-Fn14 humanized single-chain antibody (GrB-Fc-IT4) as the targeting moieties. Both fusion constructs were expressed in mammalian HEK293T cells and purified to homogeneity from conditioned media. Both GrB-TWEAK and GrB-Fc-IT4 constructs were designed to be relatively large in molecular weight (150 kDa and 160 kDa respectively) to allow prolonged circulation in vivo. BiaCore analysis of GrB-TWEAK and GrB-Fc-IT4 binding to the Fn14 ECD indicated that these proteins bound to Fn14 with Kds of ∼8 nM and ∼18 nM, respectively. Confocal immunofluorescence analysis showed that both proteins specifically and rapidly (within 3 hrs) internalized into Fn14-expressing MDA-MB-231 breast cancer and HT-29 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. GrB-TWEAK and GrB-Fc-IT4 demonstrated impressive and selective cytotoxicity to a panel of Fn14-expressing human tumor cell lines in the low nanomolar range. The endogenous presence of the GrB proteinase inhibitor 9 (PI-9) had no impact on the cytotoxic effect of either construct. Treatment of cells expressing the multidrug resistance protein MDR1 showed no cross-resistance to the fusion constructs in vitro. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that GrB-TWEAK and GrB-Fc-IT4 activated caspase cascades and cytochrome C-related pro-apoptotic mechanisms consistent with the known intracellular functions of GrB in target cells. Treatment of mice bearing well-established HT-29 xenografts with GrB-TWEAK (at 20 or 40 mg/kg total doses) showed significant tumor growth inhibition compared to controls (P Citation Format: Hong Zhou, Khalid A. Mohamedali, Yu Cao, Mary Migliorini, Lawrence H. Cheung, Walter N. Hittelman, Jeffrey A. Winkles, Michael G. Rosenblum. Construction and characterization of novel, human serine protease granzyme B-based cancer therapeutics targeting the TNFR family member Fn14. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4512. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4512
3He activation analysis for S, Cl, K and Ca

On utilise trois radioisotopes facilement detectes38Cl,34mCl et38K, produits a partir du soufre, du chlore, de la potasse et du calcium pour doser ces elements par activation au3He. On a analyse un certain nombre d'echantillons de facon non-destructive en utilisant differentes reactions nucleaires pour examiner la precision de la methode et l'etendue des interferences. On donne les fonctions d'excitation absolue pour les reactions nucleaires aux helions 3.
Setting the bar high or setting up to fail? Interpretations and implications of the EXPLORE Study (HPTN 015).

Controlled studies show that HIV risk reduction counseling significantly increases condom use, reduces unprotected sex and prevents sexually transmitted infections. Nevertheless, without evidence of reducing HIV incidence, these interventions are generally discarded. One trial, the EXPLORE study, was designed to test whether ten sessions of risk reduction counseling could impact HIV incidence among men who have sex with men in six US cities. Based on epidemiologic models to define effective HIV vaccines, a 35 % reduction in HIV incidence was set a priori as the benchmark of success in this behavioral intervention trial. Results demonstrated a significant effect of the intervention, with more than a 35 % reduction in HIV incidence observed during the initial 12–18 months following counseling. Over an unprecedented 48-month follow-up, however, the effect of counseling on HIV incidence declined to 18 %. The current review examined how the scientific literature has thus far judged the outcomes of the EXPLORE study as well as the policy implications of these judgments. We identified 127 articles that cited the EXPLORE study since its publication. Among articles that discuss the HIV incidence outcomes, 20 % judged the intervention effective and 80 % judged the intervention ineffective. The overwhelmingly negative interpretation of the EXPLORE study outcomes is reflected in public policies and prevention planning. We conclude that using a vaccine standard to define success led to a broad discrediting of the benefits of behavioral counseling and, ultimately, adversely impacted policies critical to the field of HIV prevention.
Arginine-vasopressin, lysine-vasopressin, and oxytocin, C14-labeled in the glycine residue.

Die Synthese von Arginin-Vasopressin, Lysin-Vasopressin und Oxytocin, deren Glycinrest eine14C-Markierung tragt, wird mit Hilfe der Festkorpermethode nachMerrifield beschrieben.
Cryogenic Fourier transform spectrometer for infrared spectral calibrations from 4 to 20 micrometers

We present initial performance data from a cryogenic Fourier transform spectrometer (Cryo-FTS) designed for lowbackground spectral infrared calibrations. The Cryo-FTS operates at a temperature of approximately 15 K and has been integrated into an infrared transfer radiometer containing a calibrated Si:As blocked impurity band (BIB) detector. Because of its low operating temperature, the spectrometer exhibits negligible thermal background signal and low drift. Data from tests of basic spectrometer function, such as modulation efficiency, scan jitter, spectral range, spectral resolution and sweep speed will be presented. We will also discuss calibration techniques and results pertinent to operation of the Cryo-FTS as part of a calibration instrument, including background, signal offset and gain, and spectral noise equivalent power. The spectrometer is presently limited to wavelengths below 25 micrometers but can be in principle extended to longer wavelengths by replacing its KBr beamsplitter with another beamsplitter engineered for use beyond 25 micrometers.
Transesophageal echocardiography state of the art

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a recently popularized ultrasonic imaging technique that provides high-resolution anatomic and physiologic information due to the probe's proximity to cardiac structures. Although TEE has been available in a single-plane, two-dimensional format for many years, widespread enthusiasm for the technique has only recently developed with the addition of Doppler technology, improved image resolution, and biplanar imaging. Because of the relatively late clinical interest in TEE, literature detailing the technique's utility is at present somewhat limited. There is already good evidence documenting TEE's value in assessment of mitral valve prosthetic function, valvular regurgitation, aortic dissection, left atrial thrombus, and intraoperative monitoring of left ventricular segmental wall motion and mitral valve repair. In addition, the list of proven indications is rapidly growing. This article summarizes the present state of TEE imaging and indicates future directions of TEE clinical applicability.
Formation of V2O5-based mixed oxides in flames

V2O5–TiO2 and V2O5–Al2O3 mixed oxide powders were synthesized in a hydrogen-oxygen flame using VOCl3, TiCl4, and Al(CH3)3 as precursors. The particle formation processes were investigated as a function of VOCl3 concentration by laser light-scattering and by collecting particles directly onto transmission electron microscopy grids. In the V2O5–TiO2 system, the oxides condense as an intimate mixture at all three VOCl3 concentrations. Spherical particles, 40 to 70 nm in diameter, are obtained. In the V2O5–Al2O3 system, chain-like particles composed of an intimate mixture of V2O5 and Al2O3 form at the lowest VOCl3 concentration. At high VOCl3 concentrations, the chain-like particles have a core-mantle structure (a core mainly of Al2O3 and a mantle mainly of V2O5). The crystalline form and the surface area of these mixed oxides were determined by x-ray diffractometry, FT-IR spectroscopy, and BET analysis by nitrogen desorption. These measurements indicate that amorphous vanadium oxide forms at low VOCl3 concentrations, and V2O5 is obtained at the higher VOCl3 concentrations. The structure of the amorphous vanadium oxide matches that published for vanadium oxide “supported” catalysts.
QSAR analysis of membrane permeability to organic compounds

A general mathematical model involving partition coefficient, molecular weight and hydrogen bonding is used to correlate the structures and permeability of various organic compounds through the toad urinary bladder and human red blood cell (RBC) membranes. Log Per (permeability) is correlated with log Po/w (partition coefficient in olive oil/water, or ether/water), log MW (molecular weight) and Hb (hydrogen bonds). Log Po/w is the most important factor among three parameters examined. While increased MW always has a negative effect on the permeability, increased Hb can have either a slightly positive or a slightly negative effect depending on the solvent and membrane systems used. Systematic comparison of the QSAR's (quantitative structure activity relationship) of different biological membranes may serve as a useful guide in drug targeting to different tissues and cell types.
MER1, a novel organic arsenic derivative, has potent PML-RARα- independent cytotoxic activity against leukemia cells

Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is an inorganic arsenic derivative that is highly effective against PML-RARα-positive leukemia but much less against other hematological malignancies. We synthesized an organic arsenic derivative (OAD), S-dimethylarsino-thiosuccinic acid (MER1), which offers a superior toxicity profile and comparable in vitro activity relative to ATO. In Swiss Webster mice, maximally-tolerated cumulative dose of MER1 when given IV for 5 days was 100 mg/kg/d. We demonstrated that MER1 induced apoptosis and dose- and time-dependent inhibition of survival and growth in a panel of myeloid leukemia cell lines. Unlike ATO, this activity was independent of PML-RARα status and was not associated with induction of myeloid maturation. In NB4 and HL60 cells, MER1 and ATO induced caspase activation and dissipation of mitochondrial transmembrane potential. At the same time, MER1 induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase and proved to be more potent than ATO at inducing apoptosis. ROS generation and intracellular glutathione levels were key modulators of MER1-induced cytotoxicity as evidenced by abrogation of apoptosis in myeloid leukemia cell lines pretreated with the disulfide bond-reducing agent dithiothreitol or the radical scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine. Collectively, these data indicate that MER1 induces apoptosis in PML-RARα-positive and -negative myeloid leukemia cells by enhancing oxidative stress. This agent, therefore, combines low in vivo toxicity with formidable in vitro pro-apoptotic ROS-mediated activity, and may represent a novel OAD suitable for clinical development against a variety of hematological malignancies.
Ten Poems from Hafez, by Jila Peacock

Ten Poems from Hafez JILA PEACOCK Lewes, East Sussex: Sylph Editions, 2006, 46 pp., £24.99, ISBN 978-0-955-29630-7 Jila Peacock's work is a part of the resurgent interest in the connections between...
Effects of Probiotic Bacteria as Dietary Supplements on Growth and Disease Resistance in Young Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)

ABSTRACT Three separate experiments were conducted to determine the beneficial effects of probiotic bacteria added commercial catfish diets. These commercial probiotics, singly and in combination, were incorporated into a commercial diet fed to juvenile channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), in aquaria. Microbial analyses were conducted to confirm viability of the bacteria under storage conditions. Fish were fed twice daily to apparent satiation and weighed biweekly for a period of 5 to 8 weeks. After that time, representative fish were bled for serological analysis of protein, immunoglobulin, complement, and lysozyme. Disease resistance was additionally determined in the remaining fish by observing mortality after immersion challenge with pathogenic Edwardsiella ictaluri, the causative agent of enteric septicemia (ESC). Specific anti-ESC antibody was measured by ELISA after 15 days in the fish which survived challenge. The viability of the bacteria did not decline in storage at 5°C and could ...
An analytical investigation of deformation-induced heating in tensile testing

Abstract A numerical method for analyzing non-isothermal viscoplastic deformation problems has been developed. The physical problem is cumbersome because the thermal and deformation effects are coupled both ways, i.e. plastic deformation generates heat and the temperature rise affects material flow behavior. As an application of this method, sheet tensile tests conducted in air have been analyzed using a two-dimensional finite-element formulation. A modified Bishop's method is used to solve the thermo-plasticity problem in decoupled form at each time step. The analysis consists of two main parts: a rigid-plastic finite-element method to analyze the deformation and a transient heat transfer finite-element method, and each part is assumed to occur at sufficiently small, consecutive time steps. Using the present method, the various factors affecting the non-isothermal ductility of material and flow characteristics can be investigated completely. The accuracy of the analysis is confirmed by comparison with experimental tensile test data for interstitial free (I.F.) steel. The uniform elongation is found to drop by 0.1 to 2.7% at moderate rates (10 −4 −10 −1 s −1 ), while total elongation decreases by 0.3 to 4.0% during tensile testing in air compared to the isothermal case. The predicted drop of uniform and total elongation between isothermal and adiabatic cases is about 2.7 and 4.8%, respectively, at those rates. The effect of deformation heating becomes more pronounced as necking develops and at higher testing speeds. The development of a temperature gradient has a detrimental effect on ductility opposite to the stabilizing effect of rate sensitivity. Consequently, better formability can be achieved by controlling heat transfer during forming.
Identifying, Preventing, and Treating Disturbances between Parents and Their Infants

The author categorizes disturbances between parents and their infants and recommends counseling interventions for preventing and treating such disturbances.
Bacterial proteolytic complexes as therapeutic targets

Proteases have been successfully targeted for the treatment of several diseases, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, multiple myeloma, HIV and hepatitis C virus infections. Given the demonstrated pharmacological tractability of this enzyme family and the pressing need for novel drugs to combat antibiotic resistance, proteases have also attracted interest as antibacterial targets--particularly the widely conserved intracellular bacterial degradative proteases, which are often indispensable for normal bacterial growth or virulence. This Review summarizes the roles of the key prokaryotic degradative proteases, with a focus on the initial efforts and associated challenges in developing specific therapeutic modulators of these enzymes as novel classes of antibacterial drugs.
A Tangled Web of Ubiquitin Chains: Breaking News in TNF-R1 Signaling

A flurry of recent revelations is challenging the current dogma on how ubiquitin-dependent processes culminate in the activation of NF-κB by TNF. Here, we integrate these findings into a model for TNF-R1 signaling—and underscore the importance of individual components, including linear ubiquitin chains—which allows for the remarkable versatility of the ubiquitin system.
Erratum to: Caribbean Flamingo resting behavior and the influence of weather variables

The original publication unfortunately relayed incorrect demographic information stating that the flock under investigation consisted of 7 male and 10 female flamingos, which was consistent with the records provided by the Philadelphia Zoo at the time. The authors have recently learned from the veterinarians at the Philadelphia Zoo that they have now officially reclassified as male one of the flamingos that was previously identified as female. Owing to its body size and some observed behaviors being more consistent with those of a male flamingo, concerns arose about the accuracy of the original karyotyping that had been conducted in 2000, and in January of 2012, they repeated the karyotyping with the definitive result that the bird in question is a male and not a female as it had originally been identified. Thus, the reported N of 17 was actually comprised of 8 males and 9 females. While this change in no way alters or jeopardizes the primary findings or conclusions of the report, secondary analyses and results pertaining to sex need to be corrected. The necessary changes are
Solution Structure of Polymerase μ’s BRCT Domain Reveals an Element Essential for Its Role in Nonhomologous End Joining

The solution structure and dynamics of the BRCT domain from human DNA polymerase μ, implicated in repair of chromosome breaks by nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ), has been determined using NMR methods. BRCT domains are typically involved in protein−protein interactions between factors required for the cellular response to DNA damage. The pol μ BRCT domain is atypical in that, unlike other reported BRCT structures, the pol μ BRCT is neither part of a tandem grouping, nor does it appear to form stable homodimers. Although the sequence of the pol μ BRCT domain has some unique characteristics, particularly the presence of >10% proline residues, it forms the characteristic αβα sandwich, in which three alpha helices are arrayed around a central four-stranded β-sheet. The structure of helix α1 is characterized by two solvent-exposed hydrophobic residues, F46 and L50, suggesting that this element may play a role in mediating interactions of pol μ with other proteins. Consistent with this argument, mutation of the...
Nonlinear optical effects for plasma diagnostics

We compare two nonlinear optical effects which show promise of yielding directly plasmon frequencies, damping rates, and intensities in small, transient (submicrosecond) plasmas. The Raman-induced Kerr effect is shown to offer significant advantages over three-wave mixing when the plasma screening length is much smaller thanc÷[plasmon frequency]. When the screening length is much smaller than the optical wavelengths, then the former effect can yield an electron-density fluctuation spectrum with laser powers (∼MW) that are readily available.
Geodesics on S2 and periodic points of annulus homeomorphisms

We show that an area preserving homeomorphism of the open or closed annulus which has at least one periodic point must in fact have infinitely many interior periodic points. A consequence is the theorem that every smooth Riemannian metric onS2 with positive Gaussian curvature has infinitely many distinct closed geodesics.
Decision analysis in project management: An overview

The authors include very general topical summaries in utility theory, mathematical programming, statistical methods, scoring and ranking methods, and cognitive science. The emphasis is on the role of decision analysis in the management of research and development projects. The intent is to provide nonspecialists with a broad survey of the many facets of decision theory.
The influence of different light irradiances on pineal N-acetyltransferase activity and melatonin levels in the cotton rat, Sigmodon hispidus.

Abstract Wild-captured cotton rats ( Sigmodon hispidus ) trapped and tested in September and October exhibited a rapid reduction in pineal N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity and melatonin levels after exposure to a light irradiance of 300 ωW/cm 2 during the dark period. The half-time for the depression of both NAT and melatonin was on the order of 2 min. The exposure of cotton rats during darkness to much lower irradiances of light, i.e., 5.0, 0.04, 0.03 or 0.01 W/cm 2 , for 32 min also greatly diminished pineal NAT activity and radioimmunoassayable melatonin levels; however, a light irradiance of 0.005 ωW/cm 2 failed to significantly depress either the acetylating enzyme or the melatonin content of the pineal gland. The results show that the pineal gland of the wild-captured cotton rat, as judged by NAT activity and melatonin levels, is inhibited even by very low irradiances of light.
Anatomic variation in the elastic inhomogeneity and anisotropy of human femoral cortical bone tissue is consistent across multiple donors

Numerical models commonly account for elastic inhomogeneity in cortical bone using power-law scaling relationships with various measures of tissue density, but limited experimental data exists for anatomic variation in elastic anisotropy. A recent study revealed anatomic variation in the magnitude and anisotropy of elastic constants along the entire femoral diaphysis of a single human femur (Espinoza Orias et al., 2009). The objective of this study was to confirm these trends across multiple donors while also considering possible confounding effects of the anatomic quadrant, apparent tissue density, donor age, and gender. Cortical bone specimens were sampled from the whole femora of 9 human donors at 20%, 50%, and 80% of the total femur length. Elastic constants from the main diagonal of the reduced fourth-order tensor were measured on hydrated specimens using ultrasonic wave propagation. The tissue exhibited orthotropy overall and at each location along the length of the diaphysis (p 0.29). Anatomic variation in intracortical porosity may account for these trends, but requires further investigation. The apparent tissue density was positively correlated with the magnitude of each elastic constant (p 0.46), as expected, but was only weakly correlated with C(33)/C(11) (p < 0.05, R(2) = 0.04) and not significantly correlated with C(33)/C(22) and C(11)/C(22).
Modeling and performance assessment of Pd- and Pd/Au-based catalytic membrane reactors for hydrogen production

A mathematical steady-state modeling framework for the isothermal operation of a membrane reactor for methane steam reforming is developed, and a comparative performance assessment of the catalytic membrane reactor (CMR) versus a conventional packed bed reactor (PBR) is accordingly conducted. A detailed literature benchmarking suggests that the models developed in the present study predict total methane conversion levels within 99% of the experimental values reported in the literature. The proposed Pd- and Pd/Au-based CMR model is utilized for the aforementioned performance analysis under a broad range of reactor operating conditions such as temperature (350–750 °C), pressure (2–30 bars), steam to methane ratio (1–15), membrane thickness (1–50 µm), and permeate-side sweep ratio (1–100). In all simulation runs conducted, the superior performance of both the Pd- and Pd/Au-based CMR over the PBR was amply demonstrated. Furthermore, within the proposed CMR modeling framework, an index-based analysis is conducted that concretely quantifies progress towards the attainment of key process intensification objectives. In particular, by appropriately defining the Δ-index, which explicitly captures potential performance and process intensification benefits associated with attainable total CH4 conversion levels under different reactor operating conditions, it is shown that the optimum CMR performance is achieved at high pressure and low temperature operating conditions, which was particularly suitable for the attainment of key process intensification objectives as well as optimum performance target levels.
Investigation of mercury transformation by HBr addition in a slipstream facility with real flue gas atmospheres of bituminous coal and Powder River Basin Coal

An investigation of speciated mercury transformation with the addition of hydrogen bromide (HBr) at elevated temperatures was conducted in a slipstream reactor with real flue gas atmospheres. A real flue gas atmosphere is composed of bituminous coal (with high sulfur and high chlorine contents) and Powder River Basin (PRB) coal (with lower sulfur and chlorine contents). The average sulfur, chlorine, and mercury contents in the tested bituminous coal were 1.31% and 1328 and 0.11 ppm and 0.61% and 170 and 0.08 ppm, respectively, for tested PRB coal. The average CaO, Fe2O3, and loss on ignition in collected fly ash contents of tested bituminous coal were 1.71, 17.51, and 7.13% and 22.95, 4.91, and 0.64%, respectively, for tested PRB coal. The different contents of coal chlorine, CaO, and Fe2O3 in fly ash can be attributed to the different mercury speciations at baseline tests for these two coals in this study. The addition of HBr concentrations into the flue gas was controlled in the 3−15 ppm range. Semi-con...
Vitiligo or Halo Nevi Occurring in Two Patients With Choroidal Melanoma

• Vitiligo frequently develops in patients with cutaneous melanomas, especially those who have survived with metastases for prolonged periods. To our knowledge, only one patient with an ocular melanoma in whom vitiligo developed has been described. We have observed a second patient in whom vitiligo developed six to eight years after he had undergone an enucleation for ocular melanoma. Multiple halo nevi developed in a third patient who had an ocular melanoma. The association of vitiligo and ocular melanomas in these patients may not be the result of chance alone. ( Arch Dermatol 1982;118:34-36)
Using WorldView-2 imagery to track flooding in Thailand in a multi-asset sensorweb

For the flooding seasons of 2011-2012 multiple space assets were used in a "sensorweb" to track major flooding in Thailand. Worldview-2 multispectral data was used in this effort and provided extremely high spatial resolution (2m / pixel) multispectral (8 bands at 0.45-1.05 micrometer spectra) data from which mostly automated workflows derived surface water extent and volumetric water information for use by a range of NGO and national authorities. We first describe how Worldview-2 and its data was integrated into the overall flood tracking sensorweb. We next describe the use of Support Vector Machine learning techniques that were used to derive surface water extent classifiers. Then we describe the fusion of surface water extent and digital elevation map (DEM) data to derive volumetric water calculations. Finally we discuss key future work such as speeding up the workflows and automating the data registration process (the only portion of the workflow requiring human input).
Monitoring particulate carbon collected on Teflon filters: an evaluation of photoacoustic and transmission techniques

The Colorado State University Aerosol Workshop provided an excellent opportunity to obtain various particulate samples collected on filters. Our results indicate that the photoacoustic technique is preferable to the transmission technique (integrating plate method) for ambient samples with low-filter loadings since the presence of a nonabsorbing scattering aerosol (ammonium sulfate) only slightly perturbs the photoacoustic signal and significantly affects the transmitted signal. Measurements indicate that the photoacoustic signal depends not only on the energy absorbed from the incident beam but also on the existence of thermal wave interference effects and, especially for heavily loaded filters, on the presence of a nonabsorbing scattering aerosol.
Structure and biosynthesis of a macrocyclic peptide containing an unprecedented lysine-to-tryptophan crosslink

Streptococcal bacteria use peptide signals as a means of intraspecies communication. These peptides can contain unusual post-translational modifications, providing opportunities for expanding our understanding of nature's chemical and biosynthetic repertoires. Here, we have combined tools from natural products discovery and mechanistic enzymology to elucidate the structure and biosynthesis of streptide, a streptococcal macrocyclic peptide. We show that streptide bears an unprecedented post-translational modification involving a covalent linkage between two unactivated carbons within the side chains of lysine and tryptophan. The biosynthesis of streptide was addressed by genetic and biochemical studies. The former implicated a new SPASM-domain-containing radical SAM enzyme StrB, while the latter revealed that StrB contains two [4Fe-4S] clusters and installs the unusual lysine-to-tryptophan crosslink in a single step. By intramolecularly stitching together the side chains of lysine and tryptophan, StrB provides a new route for biosynthesizing macrocyclic peptides.
Determination of low plasma timolol concentrations following topical application of timolol eye drops in humans by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

Abstract A simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic assay was developed for determination of timolol in human plasma following administration of two drops of a 5% timolol ophthalmic solution. A 4% butyl alcohol—hexane extract of an alkalized sample of plasma was chromatographed on a reversed-phase column and the components in the column effluent were monitored by coulometric detection. The extraction efficiency of timolol was 69.02 ± 4.16% (mean ± S.D.) and its detection limit was 107.2 pg/ml. The effect of mobile phase pH, buffer concentration and the working potential of the detector on column performance and the electrochemical response are described.
Covert oral behavior and auditory hallucinations.

This research sought to establish the existence of covert oral language behavior (as measured by chin muscle action potentials (MAP), tongue MAP, breathing amplitude, and whispered sound production) immediately prior to a psychotic's report of auditory hallucinations. The results indicate that two of these response measures (chin MAP and breathing amplitude) significantly increased just before the report of the hallucinations, and that the other two measures tended to increase at that time. Furthermore, slight whisperings were detected significantly often immediately before the hallucinations were reported. Control measures suggest that the response changes were localized in the speech mechanism and thus are not part of a general bodily arousal. It is concluded that, at least in one case, covert oral language behavior significantly often preceded the occurrence of auditory hallucinations. It is the task of future research to ascertain the nature and generality of the relationship between that behavior and the report of hallucinations.
Management of Adjacent Segment Disease After Cervical Spinal Fusion

Adjacent segment disease (ASD) was described after long-term follow-up of patients treated with cervical fusion. The term describes new-onset radiculopathy or myelopathy referable to a motion segment adjacent to previous arthrodesis and often attributed to alterations in the biomechanical environment after fusion. Evidence suggests that ASD affects between 2% and 3% of patients per year. Although prevention of ASD was one major impetus behind the development of motion-sparing surgery, the literature does not yet clearly distinguish a difference in the rate of ASD between fusion and disk replacement. Surgical techniques during index surgery may reduce the rate of ASD.
Fallow Method Affects Downy Brome Population in Winter Wheat

Downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.) is a prevalent weed infesting winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the Great Plains. Long-term field research was initiated in 1980 on a Williams loam soil (fine-loamy, mixed Typic Argiborolls) near Sidney, MT, to determine the effect of stubble mulch (SM), minimum-till (MT), and no-till (NT) fallow methods on downy brome proliferation in winter wheat-fallow cropping systems. In 1989, downy brome comprised 32% of the winter wheat community phytomass in the SM method, but was not detected in winter wheat of the MT or NT methods. Winter wheat grain yield in 1989 was 23 and 29% less in the SM method infested with downy brome than in the MT or NT methods, respectively (...)
A/J and C57BL/6J mice differ in chorda tympani responses to NaCl.

Abstract The molecular mechanisms of sodium taste transduction are not completely understood, especially those responsible for the portion of NaCl's taste in rodents that is not blocked by amiloride. As a prelude to conducting genetic analyses of peripheral NaCl taste responsiveness, we performed multiunit electrophysiological recordings from the chorda tympani (CT) nerve in C57BL/6J (B6) and A/J mice. Mice were anesthetized, the CT was accessed, and taste solutions were flowed over the tongue in order to measure the integrated whole-nerve response. NaCl was delivered before and during application of 100 μM amiloride. Pre-amiloride responses were significantly larger in A/J than B6 mice for 1–8 mM NaCl. Responses to NaCl were suppressed significantly by amiloride in both strains and to similar degrees. However, the size of the amiloride-insensitive NaCl response component was significantly larger in A/J mice than in B6 mice for NaCl at 2–16 mM. These data help to explain the prior observation that the strains differ in behavioral taste thresholds for NaCl. Specifically, the results suggest that perception of sodium-specific taste by mice depends on the ratio of amiloride-sensitive and -insensitive responses in the CT, rather than on the absolute level of the whole-nerve response to NaCl or on the size of the amiloride-sensitive component alone. Because the B6 and A/J mice differed in the size of their amiloride-insensitive components, they may prove useful in future genetic work designed to characterize the underlying transduction mechanisms.
Intraprogram dynamic voltage scaling: Bounding opportunities with analytic modeling

Dynamic voltage scaling (DVS) has become an important dynamic power-management technique to save energy. DVS tunes the power-performance tradeoff to the needs of the application. The goal is to minimize energy consumption while meeting performance needs. Since CPU power consumption is strongly dependent on the supply voltage, DVS exploits the ability to control the power consumption by varying a processor's supply voltage and clock frequency. However, because of the energy and time overhead associated with switching DVS modes, DVS control has been used mainly at the interprogram level.In this paper, we explore the opportunities and limits of intraprogram DVS scheduling. An analytical model is derived to predict the maximum energy savings that can be obtained using intraprogram DVS given a few known program and processor parameters. This model gives insights into scenarios where energy consumption benefits from intraprogram DVS and those where there is no benefit. The model helps us extrapolate the benefits of intraprogram DVS into the future as processor parameters change. We then examine how much of these predicted benefits can actually be achieved through compile-time optimal settings of DVS modes. We extend an existing mixed-integer linear program formulation for this scheduling problem by accurately accounting for DVS energy switching overhead, by providing finer-grained control on settings and by considering multiple data categories in the optimization. Overall, this research provides a comprehensive view of intraprogram compile-time DVS management, providing both practical techniques for its immediate deployment as well theoretical bounds for use into the future.
Public Budgeting and Public Administration: Enter the Legislature

Although public administration has contributed to the study and reform of public budgeting systems, little attention has been devoted to the role of the legislature in the budgetary process. Neglec...
Amdahl's law revisited for single chip systems

Amdahl's Law is based upon two assumptions - that of boundlessness and homogeneity - and so it can fail when applied to single chip heterogeneous multiprocessor designs, and even microarchitecture. We show that a performance increase in one part of the system can negatively impact the overall performance of the system, in direct contradiction to the way Amdahl's Law is instructed. Fundamental assumptions that are consistent with Amdahl's Law are a heavily ingrained part of our computing design culture, for research as well as design. This paper points in a new direction. We motivate that emphasis should be made on holistic, system level views instead of divide and conquer approaches. This, in turn, has relevance to the potential impacts of custom processors, system-level scheduling strategies and the way systems are partitioned. We realize that Amdahl's Law is one of the few, fundamental laws of computing. However, its very power is in its simplicity. and if that simplicity is carried over to future systems, we believe that it will impede the potential of future computing systems.
Matchability and k-maximal matchings

We present a collection of new structural, algorithmic, and complexity results for matching problems of two types. The first problem involves the computation of k-maximal matchings, where a matching is k-maximal if it admits no augmenting path with @?2k vertices. The second involves finding a maximal set of vertices that is matchable - comprising one side of the edges in some matching. Among our results, we prove that the minimum cardinality @b"2 of a 2-maximal matching is at most the minimum cardinality @m of a maximal matchable set, with equality attained for triangle-free graphs. We show that the parameters @b"2 and @m are NP-hard to compute in bipartite and chordal graphs, but can be computed in linear time on a tree. Finally, we also give a simple linear-time algorithm for finding a 3-maximal matching, a consequence of which is a simple linear-time 3/4-approximation algorithm for the maximum-cardinality matching problem in a general graph.
Pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. According to numbers compiled by the American Heart Association, nearly one of every two Americans dies of cardiovascular disease. For example, in 1987, 976,706 (46%) of the estimated 2,127,000 deaths recorded in the United States were attributable to diseases of the heart and blood vessels [1]. Most of these deaths can be attributed to atherosclerosis and its ensuing complications. The pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is not completely understood. Nevertheless, the purpose of this review is to provide an overview of how an atherosclerotic lesion might develop on the basis of our current understanding. This overview will focus on one hypothesis of atherosclerosis development, the modified response-to-injury hypothesis. Several additional hypotheses will be described briefly. These descriptions can serve as a framework on which researchers can build a more complete understanding of the processes involved in this complicated, multifac...
‘Metabolic syndrome’ in the brain: deficiency in omega-3 fatty acid exacerbates dysfunctions in insulin receptor signalling and cognition

We pursued studies to determine the effects of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) on brain, and the possibility of modulating these effects by dietary interventions. In addition, we have assessed potential mechanisms by which brain metabolic disorders can impact synaptic plasticity and cognition. We report that high-dietary fructose consumption leads to an increase in insulin resistance index, and insulin and triglyceride levels, which characterize MetS. Rats fed on an n-3 deficient diet showed memory deficits in a Barnes maze, which were further exacerbated by fructose intake. In turn, an n-3 deficient diet and fructose interventions disrupted insulin receptor signalling in hippocampus as evidenced by a decrease in phosphorylation of the insulin receptor and its downstream effector Akt. We found that high fructose consumption with an n-3 deficient diet disrupts membrane homeostasis as evidenced by an increase in the ratio of n-6/n-3 fatty acids and levels of 4-hydroxynonenal, a marker of lipid peroxidation. Disturbances in brain energy metabolism due to n-3 deficiency and fructose treatments were evidenced by a significant decrease in AMPK phosphorylation and its upstream modulator LKB1 as well as a decrease in Sir2 levels. The decrease in phosphorylation of CREB, synapsin I and synaptophysin levels by n-3 deficiency and fructose shows the impact of metabolic dysfunction on synaptic plasticity. All parameters of metabolic dysfunction related to the fructose treatment were ameliorated by the presence of dietary n-3 fatty acid. Results showed that dietary n-3 fatty acid deficiency elevates the vulnerability to metabolic dysfunction and impaired cognitive functions by modulating insulin receptor signalling and synaptic plasticity.
High- Q CMOS-integrated photonic crystal microcavity devices

Integrated optical resonators are necessary or beneficial in realizations of various functions in scaled photonic platforms, including filtering, modulation, and detection in classical communication systems, optical sensing, as well as addressing and control of solid state emitters for quantum technologies. Although photonic crystal (PhC) microresonators can be advantageous to the more commonly used microring devices due to the former’s low mode volumes, fabrication of PhC cavities has typically relied on electron-beam lithography, which precludes integration with large-scale and reproducible CMOS fabrication. Here, we demonstrate wavelength-scale polycrystalline silicon (pSi) PhC microresonators with Qs up to 60,000 fabricated within a bulk CMOS process. Quasi-1D resonators in lateral p-i-n structures allow for resonant defect-state photodetection in all-silicon devices, exhibiting voltage-dependent quantum efficiencies in the range of a few 10 s of %, few-GHz bandwidths, and low dark currents, in devices with loaded Qs in the range of 4,300–9,300; one device, for example, exhibited a loaded Q of 4,300, 25% quantum efficiency (corresponding to a responsivity of 0.31 A/W), 3 GHz bandwidth, and 30 nA dark current at a reverse bias of 30 V. This work demonstrates the possibility for practical integration of PhC microresonators with active electro-optic capability into large-scale silicon photonic systems.
Compressed tree machines

Summary form only given. The problem of reducing the cost of a multiprocessor system without losing system efficiency is investigated. The author proposes a simplified tree architecture, called the compressed tree machine. For computation intensive applications, the author presents a simple load balancing method for compressed tree machines which guarantees the optimal simulation of tree machines in terms of the speed and number of processors. >
A mixed functional microadenoma and ganglioneuroma of the pituitary fossa: Case report

✓ The authors describe a case of a mixed prolactin- and somatotropin-secreting pituitary adenoma and ganglioneuroma of the pituitary fossa in a patient with galactorrhea, hyperprolactinemia, and headaches. Histological and electron microscopic findings were typical for each element of the tumor, but the finding of a ganglioneuroma within the pituitary fossa is unusual; even more unusual was its proximity to an apparently unrelated tumor in the same location. The clinical, radiological, endocrinological, and pathological findings are discussed.
Vocational Preference Inventory High Point Codes and Educational Preferences

This study reports normative data describing the combinations of various VPI high point codes associated with educational preferences classified into one of six of Holland's occupational environments and an undecided category. Eight hundred thirty-one male and 129 female college freshmen were queried regarding their educational preferences and were administered the VPI directly prior to college enrollment. The comparisons between preferences and VPI combinations revealed that Intellectual and Realistic, Social and Enterprising, Conventional and Enterprising, and Social and Artistic, seem to go together frequently for male students. The female sample revealed that Social and Artistic VPI codes were common.