cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Considerations in the design and verification of microprocessors for safety-critical and security-critical applications: invited tutorial

In this tutorial, we will examine issues in the design and verification of microprocessors for safety-critical and security-critical applications. We will consider architectural and design alternatives to support high-assurance applications, and will describe techniques to improve secure system evaluation -- measured in terms of completeness, human effort required, time, and cost -- through the use of highly automated formal methods. We will describe practical techniques for creating executable formal computing platform models that can both be proved correct, and also function as high-speed simulators. This allows us to both verify the correctness of the models, as well as validate that the formalizations accurately model what was actually designed and built. As a case study, we will examine the design and verification of the Rockwell Collins AAMP7G microprocessor. The AAMP7G, currently in use in Rockwell Collins high-assurance system products, supports strict time and space partitioning in hardware, and has received an NSA MILS (Multiple Independent Levels of Security) certificate based in part on proofs of correctness. We will discuss the AAMP7G verification effort, focusing on the proof architecture that enabled us to show that the AAMP7G separation kernel microcode implements a particular security specification, using the ACL2 theorem prover.
Characterization of adhesive interphase between epoxy and cement paste via Raman spectroscopy and mercury intrusion porosimetry

Abstract When exposed to harsh environmental conditions, the adhesive bond between epoxy and concrete was found to depend almost entirely on the effectiveness of the mechanical interlock which is contingent upon the ability of the adhesive to properly wet and penetrate the substrate. The current study is an investigation of the existence of a distinct interphase region within cement paste through the combined use of mercury intrusion porosimetry and Raman spectroscopy. A positive correlation between median pore size and depth of epoxy permeation into the cement paste substrate was observed. The Lucas-Washburn equation was found to accurately represent the driving mechanisms behind permeation of curing epoxy into the porous cement paste matrix. Interconnectivity of the capillary and gel pore structures was determined to play an important role in the permeation mechanisms. Analysis of relative conversion of epoxy via Raman spectroscopy in the interfacial region showed evidence of epoxy-cement paste interactions.
Feeding circuit development and early-life influences on future feeding behaviour

A wide range of maternal exposures - undernutrition, obesity, diabetes, stress and infection - are associated with an increased risk of metabolic disease in offspring. Developmental influences can cause persistent structural changes in hypothalamic circuits regulating food intake in the service of energy balance. The physiological relevance of these alterations has been called into question because maternal impacts on daily caloric intake do not persist to adulthood. Recent behavioural and epidemiological studies in humans provide evidence that the relative contribution of appetitive traits related to satiety, reward and the emotional aspects of food intake regulation changes across the lifespan. This Opinion article outlines a neurodevelopmental framework to explore the possibility that crosstalk between developing circuits regulating different modalities of food intake shapes future behavioural responses to environmental challenges.
Impact of Magnetic Resonance Elastography on Liver Diseases: Clinical Perspectives

MRE is a commercially available technique for quantitatively assessing liver shear stiffness. The premise of the examination is based on the observation that fibrosis is associated with elevated liver stiffness and significantly different from normal liver parenchyma. Increasingly, MRE plays a role in detection of liver fibrosis, prediction of decompensation of liver disease as well as in further workup of liver masses. Several novel applications of MRE may be possible allowing for its increased role in management of persons with chronic liver disease.
Stopping Antiseizure Drugs

A 32-year-old, right-handed white male with a history of well-controlled epilepsy is evaluated because he is interested in stopping his antiepileptic drug (AED). He developed epilepsy manifested as infrequent focal seizures that evolved into convulsions when he was 28 years of age. He exhibited one type of seizure semiology and became seizure free following initiation of AEDs. The cause for his epilepsy was felt to be due to a motor vehicle accident which resulted in a traumatic brain injury. A brain MRI performed just after the accident showed a small amount of hemosiderin deposition in the right frontal lobe affecting the cortex. His current AED regimen is 1,000 mg of oral levetiracetam twice a day. He had not had a seizure in more than 2 years. He was working full time and was driving a car. While he does not report having any side effects from his medication, he does not like taking it, and is concerned about the cost of continuing use. His last EEG was performed 2 years ago and showed intermittent theta-delta slowing over the right frontal head region, but was otherwise normal (Fig. 16.1). His neurological examination in the clinic was normal.
EVALUATION OF SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANTS USING ECONOMIC AND PERFORMANCE SIMULATIONS

An energy cost analysis is presented for central receiver power plants with thermal storage and point focusing power plants with electrical storage. The present approach is based on optimizing the size of the plant to give the minimum energy cost (in mills/kWe hr) of an annual plant energy production. The optimization is done by considering the trade-off between the collector field size and the storage capacity for a given engine size. The energy cost is determined by the plant cost and performance. The performance is estimated by simulating the behavior of the plant under typical weather conditions. Plant capital and operational costs are estimated based on the size and performance of different components. This methodology is translated into computer programs for automatic and consistent evaluation.
A platform for x-ray Thomson scattering measurements of radiation hydrodynamics experiments on the NIF

We present an experimental design for a radiation hydrodynamics experiment at the National Ignition Facility that measures the electron temperature of a shocked region using the x-ray Thomson scattering technique. Previous National Ignition Facility experiments indicate a reduction in Rayleigh-Taylor instability growth due to high energy fluxes, compared to the shocked energy flux, from radiation and electron heat conduction. In order to better quantify the effects of these energy fluxes, we modified the previous experiment to allow for non-collective x-ray Thomson scattering to measure the electron temperature. Photometric calculations combined with synthetic scattering spectra demonstrate an estimated noise.
Direct Detection of Carbapenem-Resistant Organisms from Environmental Samples Using the GeneXpert Molecular Diagnostic System

In this pilot study, traditional culture and PCR methods were compared to the Cepheid GeneXpert IV molecular diagnostic system with the Xpert Carba-R assay (Carba-R assay) for detection of carbapenem resistance genes in primary environmental samples collected during a health care-related outbreak. Overall, traditional culture-dependent PCR and the Carba-R assay demonstrated 75% agreement. The Carba-R assay detected carbapenemase genes in five additional samples and in two samples that had additional genes when compared to culture-dependent PCR. The Carba-R assay could be useful for prioritizing further testing of environmental samples during health care-related outbreaks.IMPORTANCE Use of the Carba-R assay for detection of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative organisms (CROs) can provide data for implementation of a rapid infection control response to minimize the spread of CROs in the health care setting.
Impact of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Starting Dose on Outcomes in Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer:

Background:Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) can cause intolerable adverse events in patients with non-small cell lung c...
Ultrafast Simulation and Optimization of Nanophotonic Devices with Integral Equation Methods

Integrated photonics is poised to become a billion-dollar industry due to its vast array of applications. However, designing and modeling photonic devices remains challenging due to the lack of ana...
ALISE 2019: Exploring Learning in a Global Information Context

The 2019 Association for Library and Information Science Education (ALISE) annual conference was held in Knoxville, Tennessee from September 24-26 th .This year’s conference theme is Exploring Learning in a Global Information Context .
Multi-objective optimization studies of microalgae dewatering by utilizing bio-based alkali: a case study of response surface methodology (RSM) and genetic algorithm (GA)

In the present study, the flocculating viability of bio-based alkali derived from cocoa pod husk ash was investigated by using a D-optimal design of the response surface methodology (RSM). The interactive effects of biomass concentration and flocculant dose on flocculation efficiency and concentration factors were examined. The generalization ability of modeling and predictive tools such as RSM and artificial neural network (ANN) was also examined. Moreso, the flocculation process was optimized using RSM and response surface methodology coupled with genetic algorithm (RSM-GA). The flocculation process results showed that the bio-based alkali effectively flocculated microalgae with more than 90% flocculation efficiency at the optimum condition predicted by RSM and RSM-GA. Both RSM and ANN have described the flocculation process with high accuracy, based on the values of statistical indices evaluated but ANN has demonstrated a higher generalization potential as compared to RSM. The results of elemental analysis of the bio-based alkali shown that the concentration of K+ (51,489 ppm) was highest, followed by Ca2+ (1450 ppm) and Na+ (210 ppm). This undoubtedly showed the alkaline nature of the bio-based alkali obtained from cocoa pod husk ash that was employed as the flocculant for harvesting microalgae. This study confirms that ash derived alkali can be used to effectively and efficiently harvest microalgae.
The role of the interactor in decoupling

Abstract : Given any proper rational transfer matrix, T(s), a special lower left triangular polynomial matrix, xi sub T (s), called the interactor has been defined and shown to be (together with the rank of T(s)) a complete invariant under dynamic compensation. In this paper, the interactor is used to develop results on decoupling and pole placement via feedback. For example, it is shown that triangular decoupling with arbitrary pole assignment is always possible using state feedback and that decoupling with arbitrary pole assignment is always possible using dynamic compensation. (Author)
Hierarchical detection of diverse Clade II (atypical) nosZ genes using new primer sets for classical- and multiplex PCR array applications

The reduction of nitrous oxide (N2O) to N2 represents the key terminal step in canonical denitrification. Nitrous oxide reductase (NosZ), the enzyme associated with this biological step, however, is not always affiliated with denitrifying microorganisms. Such organisms were shown recently to possess a Clade II (atypical) nosZ gene, in contrast to Clade I (typical) nosZ harbored in more commonly studied denitrifiers. Subsequent phylogenetic analyses have shown that Clade II NosZ are affiliated with a much broader diversity of microorganisms than those with Clade I NosZ, the former including both non-denitrifiers and denitrifiers. Most studies attempting to characterize the nosZ gene diversity using DNA-based PCR approaches have only focused on Clade I nosZ, despite recent metagenomic sequencing studies that have demonstrated the dominance of Clade II nosZ genes in many ecosystems, particularly soil. As a result, these studies have greatly underestimated the genetic potential for N2O reduction present in ecosystems. Because the high diversity of Clade II NosZ makes it impossible to design a universal primer set that would effectively amplify all nosZ genes in this clade, we developed a suite of primer sets to specifically target seven of ten designated subclades of Clade II nosZ genes. The new primer sets yield suitable product sizes for paired end amplicon sequencing and qPCR, demonstrated here in their use for both conventional single-reaction and multiplex array platforms. In addition, we show the utility of these primers for detecting nosZ gene transcripts from mRNA extracted from soil.
Injectable Ketorolac and Corticosteroid Use in Athletes: A Systematic Review.

Context:The use of injectable medications to help athletes quickly return to the field of play after injury is common. Understanding the effects and risks of these medications will help providers m...
What Causes Toxic Workplace Situations? A Focus on the Individual, Situational, and Systemic Drivers

This chapter examines why there is so much organizational toxicity in the American corporation in an effort to identify the common causes of toxic emotions among employees. A focus on the individual, situational, and systemic drivers of toxic emotions will help to explain the reasons that organizational toxicity has increased and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Takeaways for Practitioners An overview of the individual, situational, and systemic issues that create organizational toxicity Clarity about the issues that cause organizations to often become disconnected from their own employees
Zfh-2 facilitates Notch-induced apoptosis in the CNS and appendages of Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract Apoptosis is a fundamental remodeling process for most tissues during development. In this manuscript we examine a pro-apoptotic function for the Drosophila DNA binding protein Zfh-2 during development of the central nervous system (CNS) and appendages. In the CNS we find that a loss-of-function zfh-2 allele gives an overall reduction of apoptotic cells in the CNS, and an altered pattern of expression for the axonal markers 22C10 and FasII. This same loss-of-function zfh-2 allele causes specific cells in the NB7-3 lineage of the CNS that would normally undergo apoptosis to be inappropriately maintained, whereas a gain-of-function zfh-2 allele has the opposite effect, resulting in a loss of normal NB 7-3 progeny. We also demonstrate that Zfh-2 and Hunchback reciprocally repress each other’s gene expression which limits apoptosis to later born progeny of the NB7-3 lineage. Apoptosis is also required for proper segmentation of the fly appendages. We find that Zfh-2 co-localizes with apoptotic cells in the folds of the imaginal discs and presumptive cuticular joints. A reduction of Zfh-2 levels with RNAi inhibits expression of the pro-apoptotic gene reaper, and produces abnormal joints in the leg, antenna and haltere. Apoptosis has previously been shown to be activated by Notch signaling in both the NB7-3 CNS lineage and the appendage joints. Our results indicate that Zfh-2 facilitates Notch-induced apoptosis in these structures.
Abstract P197: Household And Neighborhood Context As Contributors To Racial Disparities In Sleep Among Adolescents

Background: Short sleep duration (e.g., <9 hours (hrs) for 6-12 years and <8 hrs for 13-18 years) is highly prevalent and associated with cardiometabolic risk among adolescents. Significant racial ...
High Current Field Emission Arrays for Crossed-Field Device Experiments

Specially designed silicon gated field emitter array (SiGFEA) tips are used as large current electron sources for crossed-field device experiments. Thirty-six discrete field emitter arrays, each made of 100×100 tips, are integrated in to a single die using a mesh configuration for uniformity and reliability. The I-V characterization shows the devices are capable of producing current up to 5 mA at a gate voltage of 50 V and anode voltage of 200 V. However, after ultra-violet light exposure of 100 minutes, the anode current increases to > 50 mA. This enhancement can be attributed to the residual gas desorption stimulated by UV exposure. Eight such die are being integrated into a planar crossed-field device configuration with plans to use 32 die in a magnetron experiment.
Current theoretical bases for nutrition intervention and their uses.

Abstract This chapter discusses contemporary theoretical basis for dietary interventions for disease prevention and management and their applications in practice. This chapter (1) introduces key concepts related to the application of theory in understanding and improving diet and eating-related behaviors, (2) reviews behavioral issues related to adopting healthful diets, (3) discusses dietary interventions, and (4) highlights important issues and constructs that cut across theories. Six theoretical models that are in current use and can be particularly useful for understanding the processes of changing eating habits in clinical and community settings are described: social cognitive theory, the stages of change construct from the transtheoretical model, consumer information processing, the theory of planned behavior, multiattribute utility theory, and the social ecological model. The central elements of each theory and how they can be used to guide dietary interventions are described in this chapter.
Transient decreases in methylation at 5'-CCGG-3' sequences in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) meristem DNA during progression of tubers through dormancy precede the resumption of sprout growth

The 5-methylcytosine (5mC) content in DNA of tuber meristems isolated from field-grown potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) was determined during a 7-month storage period at 3 °C for three growing/postharvest seasons. No significant changes in 5mC levels were noted genome-wide or within 5′-CG-3′ dinucleotide sequences, 5′-CG-3′ islands or 5′-CA(T)G-3′ trinucleotide sequences during storage. However, a consistent but transient 50–70% decrease in methylation at both cytosines within 5′-CCGG-3′ sequences was detected that peaked 112–194 days after harvest. This result was corroborated by methylation-sensitive amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis of meristem DNA. Similar to tuber meristems undergoing progression through natural dormancy, premature chemical termination of dormancy resulted in rapid, transient 5′-CCGG-3′ demethylation in meristem DNA. Minimum methylation levels at this sequence preceded initiation of high levels of de novo DNA synthesis by two days. Cytosine methylation status was also followed in in vitro-generated potato microtubers during 7 months of post-harvest storage. As in DNA from tuber bud meristems, no changes in genome-wide 5mC content or methylation at 5′-CA(T)G-3′ or 5′-CG-3′ island sequences were noted in microtuber DNA. However, there was a transient 46% drop in methylation at 5′-CG-3′ dinucleotides concomitant with minimum levels of 5′-CCGG-3′ methylation (30–60% below those in dormant microtubers) 57–98 days after harvest. As microtubers exited dormancy, there were sustained three- and seven-fold increases in RNA and DNA synthesis rates, peaking on or after 98 days of storage, respectively. Together, these data demonstrate that demethylation of 5′-CCGG-3′ sequences occurs independently of tuber age during dormancy progression and precedes transcriptional activation of genes leading to cell division and meristem growth in potatoes.
A New General Conceptual Approach to Modeling the Livestock Sector: An Application to the Japanese Swine-Pork Sector

Many livestock sector models have limited coverage of relevant variables and are somewhat ad hoc in their structure in the choice of what should be specified as behavioral equations. This study develops a generic conceptual approach to modeling the livestock sector that provides consistent rules of specification and better coverage of variables. The new approach departs significantly from existing models. This approach is applied to modeling the swine-pork sector of Japan and then used to analyze the impact of removing Japan's gate price policy and variable levy for pork imports.
17β-Estradiol Alters the Activity of Conventional and IFN-Producing Killer Dendritic Cells

Estrogens increase aspects of innate immunity and contribute to sex differences in the prevalence of autoimmune diseases and in response to infection. The goal of the present study was to assess whether exposure to 17beta-estradiol (E2) affects the development and function of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells and to determine whether similar changes are observed in CD11c(+) splenocytes exposed to E2 in vivo. E2 facilitated the differentiation of BM precursor cells into functional CD11c(+)CD11b(+)MHC class II(+) dendritic cells (DCs) with increased expression of the costimulatory molecules CD40 and CD86. Exposure of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells to E2 also enhanced production of IL-12 in response to the TLR ligands, CpG and LPS. In contrast, CD11c(+) cells isolated from the spleens of female C57BL/6 mice that were intact, ovariectomized, or ovariectomized with E2 replacement exhibited no differences in the number or activity of CD11c(+)CD11b(+)MHC class II(+) DCs. The presence of E2 in vivo, however, increased the number of CD11c(+)CD49b(+)NK1.1(low) cells and reduced numbers of CD11c(+)CD49b(+)NK1.1(high) cells, a surface phenotype for IFN-producing killer DCs (IKDCs). Ultrastructural analysis demonstrated that CD11c(+)NK1.1(+) populations were comprised of cells that had the appearance of both DCs and IKDCs. CD11c(+) splenocytes isolated from animals with supplemental E2 produced more IFN-gamma in response to IL-12 and IL-18. These data illustrate that E2 has differential effects on the development and function of DCs and IKDCs and provide evidence that E2 may strengthen innate immunity by enhancing IFN-gamma production by CD11c(+) cells.
Characterization and modeling of electroluminescence from single-quantum-well lnGaN/AIGaN/GaN greenIight-emitting diodes

Gallium nitride as well as its alloys with indium and aluminum nitride represent the most important materials for UV emitters and detectors.
Consequence of Integral Conservation Laws on Metric Parameters in the Analysis of the Nordtvedt Effect

The analysis of metric parameters for the Nordtvedt effect is described for Rastall-type theories in which the divergence of the energy-momentum tensor may be non-zero. Two particular cases are considered, one which uses the Einstein theory, and the other, the Brans-Dicke theory as models. Previously we have shown that these theories were compatible with all known experiments, excluding the lunar laser ranging experiment, and that they are “metric” theories in terms of the general definition of a metric theory given by Thorne, Lee and Lightman, since they satisfy integral conservation laws. However, since these theories satisfy integral conservation laws, they can have non-zero ζi metric parameters without additional constraints as would be necessary within the more restrictive definition of a metric theory used by Will and later by Lee, Lightman and Ni. Thus, within this generalized post-Newtonian metric theory, the lunar laser ranging experiment does not provide a unique test of the Robertson parameters β and ϒ nor a limit on the Brans-Dicke parameter ω.
Effect of Ground Wind Shear on Aircraft Trailing Vortices

and evaluated by substituting the -numerical values of transmittance reported by Edwards and Tdbin. Figure 2 presents the results for the apparent emittance of rectangular groove cavities with specularly reflecting metallic walls. Results for the case of dielectric walls can also be obtained in a similar manner. The effect of polarization is illustrated by the comparison in Fig. 2 between the present results and those of Sparrow and Jonsson who neglected polarization in their calculation. It is clearly indicated that the polarization effect is indeed significant in this case.
Zebrafish churchill regulates developmental gene expression and cell migration.

Background: Regulation of developmental signaling pathways is essential for embryogenesis. The small putative zinc finger protein, Churchill (ChCh) has been implicated in modulation of both TGF-β and FGF signaling. Results: We used zinc finger nuclease (ZFN) mediated gene targeting to disrupt the zebrafish chch locus and generate the first chch mutations. Three induced lesions produce frameshift mutations that truncate the protein in the third of five β-strands that comprise the protein. Surprisingly, zygotic and maternal zygotic chch mutants are viable. Mutants have elevated expression of mesodermal markers, but progress normally through early development. chch mutants are sensitive to exogenous Nodal. However, neither misregulation of FGF targets nor sensitivity to exogenous FGF was detected. Finally, chch mutant cells were found to undergo inappropriate migration in cell transplant assays. Conclusions: Together, these results suggest that chch is not essential for survival, but functions to modulate early mesendodermal gene expression and limit cell migration. Developmental Dynamics 242:614–621, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.†
A Modern WPA: A Proposal to Empower Our People and Rebuild Our Country

The current welfare system defies common sense and good judgment. It manages to cheat both the taxpayers and those it is supposed to help. Taxpayers resent supporting an overly expensive, inefficient system with very few tangible benefits in return for what they pay. At the same time, poor Americans, who rely on the welfare system for support and hope, are becoming increasingly alienated from mainstream American society. Denied the self-esteem that comes from performing useful work, welfare beneficiaries are left with no hope and little motivation to achieve. Many commentators believe that idleness encouraged by the current welfare system contributes to increased crime rates, family disintegration, higher school dropout rates, and many other serious social problems.1 The call for welfare reform comes from all points on the political spectrum. Although there is an emerging consensus that the current welfare system fosters dependency, rather than self-sufficiency,2 there remains disagreement about the proper direction for reform. Very few Americans advocate eliminating welfare entirely; indeed, a recent poll revealed that 93% of Americans oppose such a radical proposal.3 Some reformers have advocated changing the benefit structure so that it operates in a "carrot-and-stick" fashion. Higher benefits would reward positive changes in recipient behavior, and benefits would decline or disappear for those who continue to exhibit socially undesirable behavior patterns.4 Other reformers, believing that the economic and social environment is the primary cause of dependency, stress increased job training and education for welfare recipients.5 This philosophy underlies the
Paradoxes, Problems, and Opportunities in Zaire

Zaire: The Cycle of the Serpent. 1992. 58 minutes, color. Directed by Thierry Michel. First Run/Icarus Films, 153 Waverly Place, New York, NY 10014. (212) 727-1711. The Last Colonials. 1995. 61 minutes, color. Directed by Thierry Michel. First Run/Icarus Films, 153 Waverly Place, New York, NY 10014. (212) 727-1711.
An evaluation of the use of intraventricularly administered [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine as a marker for endogenous brain 5-hydroxytryptamine.

Abstract Following the intraventricular injection of a small amount of [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine ([3H]5-HT), the amount of radioactivity in telencephalic structures on the injected side was 6–7 times larger than that in corresponding areas on the opposite side. Moreover, a multiphasic disappearance of [3H]5-HT from whole brain or midbrain was found after the intraventricular injection of the labeled amine. However, after the intraventricular injection of [3H]tryptophan, the levels of [3H]5-HT in midbrain declined in a monophasic manner. A significant portion of the labeled amine derived from intraventricularly administered [3H]5-HT was resistant to the depleting effect of Ro4–1284 or to that elicited by destruction of the midbrain raphe nuclei, both of which caused an almost complete loss of endogenous 5-HT and labeled 5-HT formed from tryptophan. It thus appears that the intraventricular injection of [3H]5-HT leads to the formation of artifactual pools which are not present if the amine is synthesized in vivo. Studies with 6-hydroxydopamine suggested, however, that uptake of [3H]5-HT into adrenergic neurons did not occur to any great extent.
Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 Transcription and Chromatin-Remodeling Complexes

Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) encodes the viral protein Tax, which is believed to act as a viral transactivator through its interactions with a variety of transcription factors, including CREB and NF-kappaB. As is the case for all retroviruses, the provirus is inserted into the host DNA, where nucleosomes are deposited to ensure efficient packaging. Nucleosomes act as roadblocks in transcription, making it difficult for RNA polymerase II (Pol II) to proceed toward the 3' end of the genome. Because of this, a variety of chromatin remodelers can act to modify nucleosomes, allowing for efficient transcription. While a number of covalent modifications are known to occur on histone tails in HTLV-1 infection (i.e., histone acetyltransferases [HATs], histone deacetylases [HDACs], and histone methyltransferases [HMTs]), evidence points to the use of chromatin remodelers that use energy from ATP hydrolysis to remodel nucleosomes. Here we confirm that BRG1, which is the core subunit of eight chromatin-remodeling complexes, is essential not only for Tax transactivation but also for viral replication. This is especially evident when wild-type infectious clones of HTLV-1 are used. BRG1 associates with Tax at the HTLV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR), and coexpression of BRG1 and Tax results in increased rates of transcription. The interaction of BRG1 with Tax additionally recruits the basal transcriptional machinery and removes some of the core histones from the nucleosome at the start site (Nuc 1). When using the BRG1-deficient cell lines SW13, C33A, and TSUPR1, we observed little viral transcription and no viral replication. Importantly, while these three cell lines do not express detectable levels of BRG1, much of the SWI/SNF complex remains assembled in the cells. Knockdown of BRG1 and associated SWI/SNF subunits suggests that the BRG1-utilizing SWI/SNF complex PBAF is responsible for HTLV-1 nucleosome remodeling. Finally, HTLV-1 infection of cell lines with a knockdown in BRG1 or the PBAF complex results in a significant reduction in viral production. Overall, we concluded that BRG1 is required for Tax transactivation and HTLV-1 viral production and that the PBAF complex appears to be responsible for nucleosome remodeling.
Quantitative Flow Relaxographic Angiography

A powerful method, termed flow relaxography, allowing the practical and accurate determination of the water proton MR signal relaxation time distributions has been recently introduced with a phantom, having both flowing and non-flowing water. It was demonstrated that this method can discriminate the signals from the flowing and non-flowing spins, since flow affects the apparent T1 (T1*) value. In this report, it is demonstrated that this technique is effective also in the human leg in vivo. Flow relaxographic angiography is presented for the first time. This technique promises to accomplish the twin goals of flow studies in medical MRI, to display vascular anatomy and measure its blood flow rate, in the same image.
Epidermal Growth Factor Stimulates Ornithine Decarboxylase Activity in Cultured Mammalian Keratinocytes

The influence of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on ornithine decarboxylase has been examined in cultured bovine keratinocytes. Keratinocyte ornithine decarboxylase activity was maximal at pH 6.3 in MES buffer in the presence of dithiothreitol and EDTA. When cultured cells, deprived of serum, were exposed to EGF, the activity of ornithine decarboxylase was stimulated severalfold. Enzyme activity increased in a dose-dependent manner with EGF. The time course of this stimulation is unlike any previously reported in cultured cells. The increase in activity was maximal by 8 h. A small dip in activity was seen between 8 and 12 h. Increased activity was sustained for as long as 24 h after exposure to EGF. The prolonged increase in enzyme activity was reduced by actinomycin D. When cycloheximide was added 1 h before EGF, ornithine decarboxylase activity was obliterated. This is the first demonstration of ornithine decarboxylase stimulation following exposure to EGF in cultured keratinocytes. The prolonged duration of ornithine decarboxylase stimulation is unexplained but may be related to processing of EGF by the keratinocytes.
Automatic determination of grain size for efficient parallel processing

The authors propose a method for automatic determination and scheduling of modules from a sequential program.
APPARENT SURFACE CURVATURE AFFECTS LIGHTNESS PERCEPTION

The human visual system has the remarkable capacity to perceive accurately the lightness, or relative reflectance, of surfaces, even though much of the variation in image luminance may be caused by other scene attributes, such as shape and illumination. Most physiological, and computational models of lightness perception invoke early sensory mechanisms that act independently of, or before, the estimation of other scene attributes. In contrast to the modularity of lightness perception assumed in these models are experiments that show that supposedly 'higher-order' percepts of planar surface attributes, such as orientation, depth and transparency, can influence perceived lightness. Here we show that perceived surface curvature can also affect perceived lightness. The results of the earlier experiments indicate that perceiving luminance edges as changes in surface attributes other than reflectance can influence lightness. These results suggest that the interpretation of smooth variations in luminance can also affect lightness percepts.
Sp receiver function imaging of a passive margin: Transect across Texas's Gulf Coastal Plain

Abstract The Gulf Coast of Texas has been the subject of intensive geological and geophysical investigation in pursuit of hydrocarbons but studies that penetrate beyond the upper crust are limited to a few refraction profiles and regional surface wave investigations. The passing of EarthScope's Transportable Array has facilitated regional investigations of the lithosphere but its 70-km station spacing does not allow many important tectonic features to be imaged. A broadband seismic transect across the Texas Gulf Coastal Plain was therefore performed in order to image deep structure beneath this passive margin and the transition to the neighboring craton. A 2D Sp receiver function common conversion point (CCP) stacked image produced for this transect reveals several discontinuities in the sub-crustal lithosphere. The region nearest the shoreline is underlain by an anomalous ∼ 18 km thick low velocity layer that produces a strong negative pulse in the Sp receiver functions. The drop in velocity is too large to be due to any reasonable change in Fe or Mg content but could be produced by partial melt or mantle hydration. It is unlikely that partial melt would still be found in a 160–180-year-old passive margin, such as the Gulf Coast, but hydration, possibly introduced by a through-going Balcones fault system, and resulting serpentinization could produce the observed anomaly. An event with negative polarity appears at a depth of ∼ 110 km , which we interpret to be the lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary (LAB). Thermal variations alone would not produce a sufficiently sharp discontinuity to be imaged by Sp converted phases. Recent shear-wave splitting studies revealed unusually large delay times in this region, along with fast polarization directions that differ from measurements on the Laurentian craton. Large delay times may imply significant flow, which could also produce frictional heating, due to shearing, and partial melt, which would steepen the velocity gradients. An additional layer is bounded by discontinuities at 145–165 km depth (with negative polarity) and 185–205 km depth (with positive polarity). The appearance of these discontinuities suggests that the mantle beneath the LAB is more complicated here than elsewhere and that the transition from lithosphere to asthenosphere occurs over a broad (85–100-km-thick) depth interval.
Theory of geminate recombination as a molecular process : the low-field regime

The lattice random walk theory of geminate recombination is applied to the low-field behavior of the dissociation probability η of photogenerated charge carrier pairs. It is demonstrated that this theory predicts a zero value of the slope-to-intercept ratio of η(E) for isotropic initial electron distributions, in contrast to the prediction of the Onsager continuum theory. It is further shown that the apparent slope-to-intercept ratio, given by a linear fit to data points calculated from the random walk approach, can have a wide range of values, including the Onsager value. The apparent slope-to-intercept ratio is controlled by the molecular parameters of the system. This behavior is consistent with the recent discovery of systems in which the Onsager prediction is violated.
Social Exchange and the Progression of Sexual Relationships in Emerging Adulthood

Research has extensively examined matching on race and other characteristics in cohabitation and marriage, but it has generally disregarded sexual and romantic relationships. Using data from the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth and the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, we examine the tempo of key transitions in the recent relationships of young adults ages 18-24. We focus on how the racial mix of partners in relationships is associated with the timing of sex, cohabitation and marriage. We find evidence that relationships between white men and minority women proceed more rapidly from romance to sexual involvement and from sexual involvement to cohabitation compared to relationships involving other racial combinations. Our findings have important implications for social exchange perspectives on mate selection.
Possible origin of improved high temperature performance of hydrothermally aged Cu/beta zeolite catalysts

Abstract The hydrothermal stability of Cu/beta NH 3 SCR catalysts are explored here. In particular, this paper focuses on the interesting ability of this catalyst to maintain and even enhance high-temperature performance for the “standard” SCR reaction after modest (900 °C, 2 h) hydrothermal aging. Characterization of the fresh and aged catalysts was performed with an aim to identify possible catalytic phases responsible for the enhanced high temperature performance. XRD, TEM and 27 Al NMR all showed that the hydrothermal aging conditions used here resulted in almost complete loss of the beta zeolite structure between 1 and 2 h aging. While the 27 Al NMR spectra of 2 and 10 h hydrothermally aged catalysts showed significant loss of a peak associated with tetrahedrally coordinated Al species, no new spectral features were evident. Two model catalysts, suggested by these characterization data as possible mimics of the catalytic phase formed during hydrothermal aging of Cu/beta, were prepared and tested for their performance in the “standard” SCR and NH 3 oxidation reactions. The similarity in their reactivity compared to the 2 h hydrothermally aged Cu/beta catalyst suggests possible routes for preparing multi-component catalysts that may have wider temperature windows for optimum performance than those provided by current Cu/zeolite catalysts.
Anaesthetic implications of mucolipidosis

Summary The anaesthetic implications of mucolipidosis in three siblings is reported. Two of the three children exhibit marked difficulty with their airways under anaesthesia and all three have narrow tracheas. Surgery and anaesthesia should be undertaken with caution in patients with a mucolipidosis.
Cost and market analysis of integrative lightweight PV systems for low-slope commercial rooftops

A lightweight PV (LPV) system that weighs less than 2.5 pounds per square foot (psf), designed for the membrane-based commercial rooftop market, effectively reduces installed system costs by 10% when compared to traditional racked and ballasted systems. By focusing on key cost reduction areas, LPV minimizes hardware, labor, and permitting costs. The system utilizes next-generation rigid CIGS modules to maximize electrical performance and minimize roof load. Simulation studies indicate that the use of CIGS modules will provide 10% more energy at the inverters as compared to equivalent c-Si modules. The U.S. Photovoltaic Manufacturing Consortium (PVMC) is conducting a time-and-motion study to accurately evaluate installation labor and identify additional cost reduction opportunities.
Influenza B virus evolution: Co-circulating lineages and comparison of evolutionary pattern with those of influenza A and C viruses

Abstract Sequence analyses and comparison of the genes coding for the nonstructural (NS) and hemagglutinin (HA) proteins of different influenza B viruses isolated between 1940 and 1987 reveal that the number of substitutions is not always proportional to the time between isolates. Examination of 14 influenza B virus NS gene and 10 HA gene sequences by the maximum parsimony method suggested that—as with influenza C viruses—there are multiple evolutionary lineages which can coexist for considerable periods of time. Comparison of the sequence divergence among genes of viruses belonging to type A, B, and C virus suggests that, in man, influenza B viruses evolve slower than A viruses and faster than C viruses. We propose an evolutionary model for influenza B viruses that is intermediate between the pattern for human influenza A viruses and that for influenza C viruses.
Selective transport of heavy minerals by shoaling waves

A model to account for the occurrence of heavy mineral concentrations as discrete lamina on beaches is presented. The model is based on the shoreward variation in the distribution of bottom fluid velocities due to shoaling, progressive, gravity, water waves. This variation causes certain portions of the sediment population to be transported shoreward at a faster rate than other portions. On moderate energy shorelines composed of sand-sized sediment the selectively transported portion may include the relatively hard-to-move heavy mineral fraction. Wave tank experiments with artificially prepared sediment populations provide empirical support for the proposed model. Under certain wave conditions it was found that the heavy mineral fraction of the sediment population moved shoreward at a faster rate than did the light mineral fraction.
The perioperative management of an inferior vena caval tumor thrombus in patients with renal cell carcinoma

Abstract Objectives Inferior vena caval tumor thrombus (IVC-TT) occurs in 10% of patients diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The perioperative management of these patients remains challenging. Despite multiple publications outlining surgical approaches and outcomes there have been few studies detailing the best peri-operative management of patients with IVC-TT. Our goal was to define the optimal management of patients with RCC and IVC-TT. Materials and methods A review of all published literature regarding the management of RCC with IVC-TT was performed utilizing Pub Med and the Cochrane Database. Reviews were also made of all relevant literature regarding the need for cardiopulmonary bypass and recommendations regarding thrombus in any location in patients with malignancy. Specific items critically examined included: need for preoperative heart catheterization, need for anticoagulation and type of anticoagulation, need for additional studies such as lower extremity duplex or venogram, and indications for vena caval filter placement. The results were then presented to a multidisciplinary group made up of experts in the fields of Urology, Hematology, Oncology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Interventional Radiology, and Pulmonary/Critical Care. Based on the available literature a best practice guidelines regarding the management of RCC with IVC-TT was established at our institution. Results Our institutional recommendations include (1) preoperative cardiac catheterization in all patients believed to require cardiopulmonary bypass for removal of the thrombus but only cardiac clearance for those who bypass is unlikely, (2) preoperative anticoagulation using a low molecular weight heparin such as enoxaparin unless contraindicated due to bleeding from the tumor or other contraindication, (3) avoidance of vena caval filters whenever possible is recommended due the potential for caval thrombosis and the difficulties they present during surgical resection. Conclusion This study identified the available literature on the management of IVC-TT in association with RCC and was carefully reviewed by a multidisciplinary team. As a result, we have established a set of practice guidelines at our institution to help optimally manage patients with renal cell carcinoma and an inferior venal caval thrombus.
Associations Between Sexual Behavior, Sexual Attitudes, and Marital Horizons During Emerging Adulthood

Using a sample of 1,134 emerging adults, this study explores how the importance place on marriage, ideal marital timing, and criteria for marriage readiness varies by sexual experience. Sexual experience groups were created using cluster analysis techniques that incorporated both sexual behaviors and attitudes. Results from this study indicate that high rates of sexual experience were related to an increased personal belief that marriage is an important goal and a belief that being single holds more advantages over being married. Emerging adults with high rates of sexual experience were also more likely to believe that sexual experience and cohabitation are important criteria for marriage readiness.
On a New Type of Reasoning and Some of Its Possible Consequences

A. On a principle of flexibility of scientific truth -- From a deeper scrutiny of the foundations of scientific truth it follows that every scientific statement referring to observations should possess a certain minimum degree of flexibility. In other words, no set of two-valued truths can be established with the expectation that this set ultimately will stand the test of experience. Formulations of scientific truth intrinsically must be many-valued.
Late horizon silver, copper, and tin from Machu Picchu, Peru

Abstract Analyses of silver–copper alloy artifacts from Machu Picchu show silver contents ranging from 24 to 81%. The tin present, ranging up to 3%, originated with the copper, perhaps from admixture of recycled bronze. The presence of 0.4–0.9% lead in the silver-rich phase indicates use of silver prepared by cupellation. All the objects had been forged after casting, some extensively. All have surface enhancement of the silver arising from depletion of the copper-rich phase. Some of the tin found at the site contains inclusions of hardhead (FeSn 2 ) and of a nickel–arsenic–copper compound. Forming trials with duplicate silver–copper alloys show that intermediate anneals at temperatures between 500 and 600 °C facilitate making thin sheet artifacts. Mechanical tests show that the most commonly used alloys, containing 25–30% silver, are particularly well adapted to forging because of their uniform work hardening during plastic deformation. Annealing of the laboratory-made alloys in air followed by boiling in salty weak acid creates a silver-rich surface layer comparable to that found in the artifacts. Depletion forms a dense silver surface on the alloy containing more silver than the eutectic composition, but a porous surface layer on the 25% silver alloys.