cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
La reconstruction et l'identification des photons dans l'expérience CMS au LHC : applications à la recherche de bosons de Higgs dans le canal H $\rightarrow \gamma\gamma$

Le Modele Standard de la physique des particules explique avec succes les donnees experimentales. L'origine de la masse des bosons W et Z est expliquee a l'aide du mecanisme de Higgs qui permet de briser la symetrie de jauge de l'interaction electro-faible. Cependant ce mecanisme predit l'existence d'une particule, appelee le boson de Higgs, qui n'a pas ete observee pour l'instant. Cette particule est recherchee au LHC en particulier dans les experiences ATLAS et CMS. Les premiers resultats utilisant les donnees du LHC permettent d'exclure, avec un niveau de confiance de 95%, un boson de Higgs qui aurait la section efficace du Modele Standard entre 128 et 600 GeV/c$^2$ et les resultats plus anciens du LEP ont exclu un boson de Higgs plus leger que 114.4 GeV/c$^2$. Dans l'intervalle de masse restant, le canal de desintegration du Higgs en deux photons est le canal ideal pour la recherche du boson de Higgs car, malgre son faible rapport d'embranchement (environ quelques pour mille) et grâce a son etat final clair, il permet d'obtenir une resonance de faible largeur dans le spectre de masse invariante des evenements di-photons. La maniere dont un photon est reconstruit dans CMS sera d'abord decrite et la comprehension de cette reconstruction avec les premieres donnees du LHC presentee. Du fait de la faible largeur de la resonance du boson de Higgs a basse masse, un grand interet doit etre porte a la resolution sur l'energie des photons. C'est pourquoi, nous etudierons les corrections apportees a cette energie. Ensuite, comme les pions neutres qui se desintegrent en deux photons sont le principal bruit de fond aux photons dans les donnees, nous verrons comment utiliser la forme du depot d'energie dans le calorimetre electromagnetique de CMS a l'aide d'un reseau de neurones artificiels pour discriminer ces pions neutres des vrais photons. La chromodynamique quantique est la source d'un large nombre d'evenements di-photons qui forment la majorite du bruit de fond a la desintegration du boson de Higgs. La mesure de la section efficace de ces processus et de leur cinematique aide aussi a la comprehension du Modele Standard. La possibilite d'utiliser le pouvoir discriminant du reseau de neurones pour mesurer le nombre d'evenements diphotons dans les donnees, a ete etudiee. Les mesons neutres sont aussi un bruit de fond pour les photons issus de la desintegration du boson de Higgs. L'amelioration de l'identification a l'aide d'une coupure sur la variable de sortie du reseau de neurones a donc ete evaluee : la consequence de cette amelioration en termes de limite sera presentee sur le premier 1.6fb$^1$ des donnees de 2011 enregistrees par l'experience CMS.
Sex Differences in the Phosphoproteomic Profiles of APP/PS1 Mice after Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress

Approximately two-thirds of those suffering with Alzheimer's disease (AD) are women, however, the biological mechanisms underlying this sex divergence of AD prevalence remain unknown. Previous research has shown sex-specific biochemical differences that bias female mice toward pro-AD signaling on the phosphoproteomic level via corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) receptor 1 activation after CRF overexpression. Here we aimed to determine if chronic stress would induce a similar response in AD mouse models. We stressed 4-month-old APP/PS1 mice using a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) paradigm for up to 1 month. Following CUMS and behavioral assessments, we quantified whole protein and phosphoprotein levels in the cortex of stressed and non-stressed APP/PS1 mice using mass spectrometry-based proteomics. While there were no statistically significant differences at the total protein and peptide abundance levels, we found 909 and 841 statistically significant phosphopeptides between stressed and unstressed females and males, respectively, using a false discovery rate of 5%. Of these significant phosphopeptides, only 301 were the same in males and females. These results indicate that while both males and females undergo protein phosphorylation changes following stress, the peptides that are phosphorylated differ between sexes. We then used Metacore analysis to determine which biological pathways were affected. We found that several pathways were changed differently between male and female mice including NMDA receptor trafficking, cytoskeleton organization, and tau pathology. The differing biological pathways affected between males and females in response to chronic stress may help us to better understand why women are at a higher risk of AD.
Effect of herpes zoster vaccine and antiviral treatment on risk of ischemic stroke

Objective To determine whether increased risk of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) following herpes zoster (HZ) might be modified by the status of zoster vaccine live (ZVL) vaccination and antiviral treatment following HZ. Methods We included 87,405 Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged ≥66 years diagnosed with HZ and AIS from 2008 to 2017. We used a self-controlled case series design to examine the association between HZ and AIS, and estimated incidence rate ratios (IRRs) by comparing incidence of AIS in risk periods vs control periods. To examine effect modification by ZVL and antiviral treatment, beneficiaries were classified into 4 mutually exclusive groups: (1) no vaccination and no antiviral treatment; (2) vaccination only; (3) antiviral treatment only; and (4) both vaccination and antiviral treatment. We tested for interaction to examine changes in IRRs across 4 groups. Results Among 87,405 beneficiaries with HZ and AIS, 22.0%, 2.0%, 70.1%, and 5.8% were in groups 1 to 4, respectively. IRRs in 0–14, 15–30, 31–90, and 91–180 days following HZ were 1.89 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.77–2.02), 1.58 (95% CI, 1.47–1.69), 1.36 (95% CI, 1.31–1.42), and 1.19 (95% CI, 1.15–1.23), respectively. There was no evidence of effect modification by ZVL and antiviral treatment on AIS (p = 0.067 for interaction). The pattern of association between HZ and risk for AIS was largely consistent across age group, sex, and race. Conclusions Risk of AIS increased significantly following HZ, and this increased risk was not modified by ZVL and antiviral treatment. Our findings suggest the importance of following recommended HZ vaccination in prevention of HZ and HZ-associated AIS.
Antisense oligonucleotides against monoacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (Mogat1) improve glucose metabolism independently of Mogat1

ObjectiveMonoacylglycerol acyltransferase (MGAT) enzymes catalyze the synthesis of diacylglycerol from monoacylglycerol. Previous work has suggested the importance of MGAT activity in the development of obesity-related hepatic insulin resistance. Indeed, antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-mediated knockdown of the gene encoding MGAT1, Mogat1, reduced hepatic MGAT activity and improved glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in high fat diet (HFD) fed mice. However, recent work has suggested that some ASOs may have off-target effects on body weight and metabolic parameters via activation of the interferon alpha/beta receptor 1 (IFNAR-1) pathway. MethodsMice with whole-body Mogat1 knockout or a floxed allele for Mogat1 to allow for liver-specific Mogat1-knockout (by either a liver-specific transgenic or adeno-associated virus-driven Cre recombinase) were generated. These mice were placed on a high fat diet and glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity was assessed after 16 weeks on diet. In some experiments, mice were treated with control or Mogat1 or control ASOs in the presence or absence of IFNAR-1 neutralizing antibody. ResultsGenetic deletion of hepatic Mogat1, either acutely or chronically, did not improve hepatic steatosis, glucose tolerance, or insulin sensitivity in HFD-fed mice. Furthermore, constitutive Mogat1 knockout in all tissues actually exacerbated HFD-induced weight gain, insulin resistance, and glucose intolerance on a HFD. Despite markedly reduced Mogat1 expression, liver MGAT activity was unaffected in all knockout mouse models. Mogat1 overexpression hepatocytes increased liver MGAT activity and TAG content in low-fat fed mice, but did not cause insulin resistance. Interestingly, Mogat1 ASO treatment improved glucose tolerance in both wild-type and Mogat1 null mice, suggesting an off target effect. Inhibition of IFNAR-1 did not block the effect of Mogat1 ASO on glucose homeostasis. ConclusionThese results indicate that genetic loss of Mogat1 does not affect hepatic MGAT activity or metabolic homeostasis on HFD and show that Mogat1 ASOs improve glucose metabolism through effects independent of targeting Mogat1 or activation of IFNAR-1 signaling. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=65 SRC="FIGDIR/small/238535v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (18K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@18d43c4org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@15c1974org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@18b396dorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@16745bf_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG HighlightsO_LIMogat1 liver-specific KO or KD does not improve metabolism in HFD fed mice. C_LIO_LIWhole-body Mogat1-deletion impairs insulin tolerance in HFD fed mice. C_LIO_LIMogat1 ASOs improves whole body metabolism independently of gene knockdown. C_LIO_LIBlockade of the INFR response does not prevent off-target effects of Mogat1 ASOs. C_LI
Indicators of lime reactivity in soil: particle size, carbon dioxide evolution, and citric acid titration

Accurate predictions of the short-term reactivity of liming products are needed for situations where rapid soil pH adjustment is desired. Lime efficiency (LE) describes the capacity of a liming mat...
Nitrate Uptake and Transport Properties of Two Grapevine Rootstocks With Varying Vigor

In viticulture, rootstocks are essential to cope with edaphic constraints. They can also be used to modulate scion growth and development to help improve berry yield and quality. The rootstock contribution to scion growth is not fully understood. Since nitrogen (N) is a significant driver of grapevine growth, rootstock properties associated with N uptake and transport may play a key role in the growth potential of grafted grapevines. We evaluated N uptake and transport in a potted system using two grapevines rootstocks [Riparia Gloire (RG) and 1103 Paulsen (1103P)] grafted to Pinot noir (Pommard clone) scion. Combining results of nitrate induction and steady-state experiments at two N availability levels, we observed different responses in the uptake and utilization of N between the two rootstocks. The low vigor rootstock (RG) exhibited greater nitrate uptake capacity and nitrate assimilation in roots after nitrate resupply than the more vigorous 1103P rootstock. This behavior may be attributed to a greater root carbohydrate status observed in RG for both experiments. However, 1103P demonstrated a higher N translocation rate to shoots regardless of N availability. These distinct rootstock behaviors resulted in significant differences in biomass allocation between roots and shoots under N-limited conditions, although the overall vine biomass was not different. Under sufficient N supply, differences between rootstocks decreased but 1103P stored more N in roots, which may benefit growth in subsequent growing seasons. Overall, greater transpiration of vines grafted to 1103P rootstock causing higher N translocation to shoots could partially explain its known growth-promoting effect to scions under low and high N availability, whereas the low vigor typically conferred to scions by RG may result from the combination of lower N translocation to shoots and a greater allocation of biomass toward roots when N is low.
Identification of Optimal Left-Turn Restriction Locations using Heuristic Methods

Restricting left turns throughout a network improves overall flow capacity by eliminating conflicts between left-turning and through-moving vehicles. However, doing so requires vehicles to travel l...
Bedding Management and Udder Health

The role of bedding management in controlling mastitis infection in lactating cows is often underestimated. Bedding management for heifers and dairy cattle that are in their dry period is frequently overlooked and often poorly managed. This is a costly mistake on many dairies.
A self-immolative linker for heparanase activatable probes

Abstract Substrate-based probes utilize known substrate specificity parameters to create a probe that can be activated by a target enzyme. In developing probes for heparanase, an endo-s-glucuronidase, we previously reported that small, inactive substrate-based probes could be electronically tuned by incorporating electron-withdrawing atoms on the aromatic aglycone fluorophore, ortho- to the cleaved glycosidic bond. However, the installation of electron-withdrawing groups directly onto established fluorophores or other reporters complicates the synthesis of new heparanase probes. In this work we report a new design strategy to expand the toolkit of heparanase imaging probes, in which the installation of an electronically tuned benzyl alcohol linker restored the activity of a previously inactive heparanase probe using 4-methylumbelliferone as the fluorescent reporter, suggesting such a linker can provide a scaffold for facile development of activatable heparanase probes bearing a variety of imaging moieties.
Ultra-Thin All-Epitaxial Plasmonically Enhanced Long-Wave Infrared Detectors

We demonstrate all-epitaxial surface plasmon-polariton enhanced type-II superlattice nBn infrared detectors with sub-diffractive absorber thicknesses. Our devices show peak external quantum efficiencies of 50% at 10.4 µm in a 300 nm absorber (~ λ 0 /35).
CORR Insights®: Should High-grade Extraosseous Osteosarcoma Be Treated With Multimodality Therapy Like Other Soft Tissue Sarcomas?

O rthopaedic oncology is a specialty defined by uncertainty. Although we are able to diagnose sarcoma subtypes reliably and recommend treatment plans, the reality is that even tumors with the same name can act dramatically differently. Therefore, the clinician must use many details about the individual scenario—grade, histologic subtype, size, depth, location, stage, and patient demographics—to make a logical guess as to the anticipated behavior of the diagnosed condition. As described by Fan and colleagues [3], extraosseous osteosarcoma is a representative example of a common dilemma in orthopaedic oncology: How do we select the most appropriate management strategy when we are unable to accurately predict the natural history or response to treatment in a rare cancer? The first attempt at understanding a rare tumor is by a simple descriptive case report or case series to reveal general observations about the patients in which the tumor occurs, the common features of presentation, the treatments attempted, and the observations on oncologic outcomes (survival and recurrence). The current study is the most recent in a line of such case series. In attempt to view this problem from a novel perspective, Fan and colleagues question if extraosseous osteosarcoma behaves more similarly to a soft tissue sarcoma than a skeletal osteosarcoma. This is a reasonable approach, and has worked well for most subtypes of highgrade soft tissue sarcoma as their biologic aggressiveness, response to treatment, and patient outcomes are similar. They found that some features, such as a therapeutic response to radiation, are more characteristic of soft tissue sarcoma than skeletal osteosarcoma. As the authors note, the heterogeneity of treatment increases the difficulty in interpretation, as there was This CORR Insights is a commentary on the article ‘‘Should High-grade Extraosseous Osteosarcoma Be Treated With Multimodality TherapyLikeOther Soft Tissue Sarcomas?’’ by Fan and colleagues available at: DOI: 10.1007/s11999-015-4463-y. The author certifies that he, or a member of his immediate family, has no funding or commercial associations (eg, consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/ licensing arrangements, etc.) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article. All ICMJE Conflict of Interest Forms for authors andClinical Orthopaedics and Related Research editors and board members are on file with the publication and can be viewed on request. The opinions expressed are those of thewriters, and do not reflect the opinion or policy of CORR or The Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons. This CORR Insights comment refers to the article available at DOI: 10.1007/s11999-0154463-y. B. J. Miller MD, MS (&) Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Dr, 01015 JPP, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA e-mail: benjamin-j-miller@uiowa.edu CORR Insights Published online: 27 August 2015 The Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons1 2015
Wavefront Fields in the Scattering of Transient Elastic Waves by A Surface-Breaking Crack

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses wavefront fields in the scattering of transient elastic waves by a surface-breaking crack. The chapter discusses application using a method for deriving the wavefront fields in the elastodynamic quarter-plane because of Miklowitz. The application concerns the scattering of transient elastic waves and wavefront fields by a surface-breaking crack. Such wavefront fields, generated by the interaction of incident surface or body waves, carry important information about the geometries of the surface-breaking crack. Information of this type is invaluable—in particular, to quantitative nondestructive evaluation (QNDE). The scattered wavefront fields in the present surface-breaking crack problem are generated by an incident line load on the free surface of a half-plane a distance—for example, from the crack (a Lamb type problem). Numerical results are presented for the surface-breaking crack.
Type-safe optimisation of plugin architectures

Programmers increasingly implement plugin architectures in type-safe object-oriented languages such as Java. A virtual machine can dynamically load class files containing plugins, and a JIT compiler can do optimisations such as method inlining. Until now, the best known approach to type-safe method inlining in the presence of dynamic class loading is based on Class Hierarchy Analysis. Flow analyses that are more powerful than Class Hierarchy Analysis lead to more inlining but are more time consuming and not known to be type safe. In this paper we present and justify a new approach to type-safe method inlining in the presence of dynamic class loading. First we present experimental results that show that there are major advantages to analysing all locally available plugins at start-up time. If we analyse the locally available plugins at start-up time, then flow analysis is only needed at start-up time and when downloading plugins from the Internet, that is, when long pauses are expected anyway. Second, inspired by the experimental results, we design a new framework for type-safe method inlining which is based on a new type system and an existing flow analysis. In the new type system, a type is a pair of Java types, one from the original program and one that reflects the flow analysis. We prove that method inlining preserves typability, and the experimental results show that the new approach inlines considerably more call sites than Class Hierarchy Analysis.
A Model-Based Approach to Blame-Assignment in Design

We analyze the blame-assignment task in the context of experience-based design and redesign of physical devices. We identify three types of blame-assignment tasks that differ in the types of information they take as input: the design does not achieve a desired behavior of the device, the design results in an undesirable behavior, a specific structural element in the design misbehaves. We then describe a model-based approach for solving the blame-assignment task. This approach uses structure-behavior-function models that capture a designer’s comprehension of the way a device works in terms of causal explanations of how its structure results in its behaviors. We also address the issue of indexing the models in memory. We discuss how the three types of blame-assignment tasks require different types of indices for accessing the models. Finally we describe the KRITIK2 system that implements and evaluates this model-based approach to blame assignment.
Configurable arithmetic arrays with data-driven control

Configurable digital systems offer flexibility that leads to cost reduction, performance tuning, and fault tolerance. While one can use FPGA-based methods to synthesize configurable arithmetic structures, this approach results in limited functionality and/or excessive complexity, given that off-the-shelf FPGAs are endowed with only bit-level computational capabilities. Using serial arithmetic cells can increase the ratio of resources devoted to computation (arithmetic, logic) versus communication (wiring), thereby improving per-chip performance or cost-effectiveness. When combined with pipelining, even the absolute latency can be improved. We argue that a controlled-precision digit-serial additive multiplier constitutes an ideal building block for configurable arithmetic arrays and detail our solutions for control of functionality, selection of precision, and reduction of power dissipation within such an array.
Computational Synthetic Biology: Progress and the Road Ahead

Synthetic biology promises to leverage engineering principles to enable model-based design of genetic circuits. To be successful, advancements are needed in both experimental and computational methods to support this new approach. This paper focuses on the progress on the computational side, the remaining challenges, and the road ahead. While much work remains to be done for computational methods to truly have impact on experimental synthetic biology, collaborations between computational and experimental synthetic biologists have the potential for tremendous impact in the areas of health, energy, and the environment.
High‐Tc Superconductors, Physical Structures, and Role of Constituents

The sections in this article are 1 Common Features of High-Tc Superconductors 2 Structures of High-Tc Superconductors 3 Role of Microstructures in High-Tc Superconductors 4 Role of Substituents in High-Tc Superconductors 5 Conclusion
NF-κB-Mediated HER2 Overexpression in Radiation-Adaptive Resistance

Abstract Cao, N., Li, S., Wang, Z., Ahmed, K. M., Degnan, M. E., Fan, M., Dynlacht, J. R. and Li, J. J. NF-κB-Mediated HER2 Overexpression in Radiation-Adaptive Resistance. Radiat. Res. 171, 9–21 (2009). The molecular mechanisms governing acquired tumor resistance during radiotherapy remain to be elucidated. In breast cancer patients, overexpression of HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) is correlated with aggressive tumor growth and increased recurrence. In the present study, we demonstrate that HER2 expression can be induced by radiation in breast cancer cells with a low basal level of HER2. Furthermore, HER2-postive tumors occur at a much higher frequency in recurrent invasive breast cancer (59%) compared to the primary tumors (41%). Interestingly, NF-κB is required for radiation-induced HER2 transactivation. HER2 was found to be co-activated with basal and radiation-induced NF-κB activity in radioresistant but not radiosensitive breast cancer cell lines after long-term radiation exposure, ...
Functional Imaging of Cancer with Emphasis on Molecular Techniques

A multitude of noninvasive, quantitative, functional imaging techniques are currently in use to study tumor physiology, to probe tumor molecular processes, and to study tumor molecules and metabolites in vitro and in vivo using computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasonography (US), positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and optical imaging (OI). Such techniques can be used in conjunction with structural imaging techniques to detect, diagnose, characterize, or monitor tumors before and after therapeutic intervention. These can also be used to study tumor gene expression, to track cells and therapeutic drugs, to optimize individualized treatment planning for patients with tumors, and to foster new oncologic drug development. In this article, we review the rich variety of functional imaging techniques that are available for these purposes, which are becoming increasingly important for optimal individualized patient treatment in this day and age of "personalized medicine."
The Great American Recession: Sociological Insights on Blame and Pain

The recent recession is likely to rank as the most significant financial crisis in our lifetimes, but sociologists have powerful tools for understanding this devastating development. Drawing on the...
Toxic effects of tin compounds on microorganisms

Organotins are used for industrial and agricultural purposes and in antibiologic agents. They are significantly more toxic than inorganic tins, and eventually reach the environment where they can be toxic to a wide variety of organisms. Particular attention has been given to tributyltins which are highly toxic components of antifouling paints. Realization that the molecular species of organotin influences fate and effects of organotins led to development of sensitive methods for quantifying individual molecular species. Even though such methods are now available, little information has been obtained on the ability of microorganisms to bioaccumulate tin compounds. Trisubstituted alkyl and aryltins (R3Sn's) are more toxic than disubstituted compounds (R2Sn's) while monosubstituted organotins (RSn's) are still less toxic. R4Sn's are toxic only if they are metabolized to R3Sn's. Among trisubstituted compounds propyl-, butyl-, pentyl-, phenyl-, and cyclohexyl Sn's are generally the most toxic to microorganisms. Toxicity in the R3Sn series is related to total molecular surface area of the tin compound and to the octanol:water partition coefficient,K ow, which is a measure of hydrophobicity; a highK ow indicates greater hydrophobicity and predicts greater toxicity. Care must be taken when testing the toxicity of tin compounds, for a number of biological, physical and chemical factors can influence the apparent toxicity. Although little is known of the effects of tin compounds on microbial processes, a number of bacterial processes can be inhibited by organotins and all relate to membrane functions. They include effects on energy transduction, solute transport and retention and oxidation of substrates. Very little is known of how organotins exert their toxic effects on algae and fungi; Information on effects on chloroplasts and mitochondria stems principally from animal systems and from higher plants. Triorganotins act against chloroplasts and mitochondria by causing swelling, by acting as ionophores and by acting against ATPase, while diorganotins appear to act by binding to dithiol groups on enzymes and cofactors. Nucleic acids do not seem to be affected at environmentally relevant concentrations. Virtually nothing is known of the action of tin compounds on microbial enzymes, but resistant mutants are easy to obtain and should facilitate work to understand modes of microbial interaction with tin compounds and mechanisms of resistance.
Does a Modified Gap-balancing Technique Result in Medial-pivot Knee Kinematics in Cruciate-retaining Total Knee Arthroplasty?: A Pilot Study

Background Normal knee kinematics is characterized by posterior femorotibial rollback with tibial internal rotation and medial-pivot rotation in flexion. Cruciate-retaining TKAs (CR-TKAs) do not reproduce normal knee kinematics.
4H-SiC visible blind UV avalanche photodiode

The first 4H-SiC avalanche photodiode for visible-blind UV applications has been designed and fabricated successfully. The device structure is described and the photo-responsivity characteristics presented. The observation of a positive temperature coefficient for an avalanche breakdown voltage up to 257/spl deg/C is also discussed.
A Process Performance Index and Its Application to Optimization of the RTM Process

Resin transfer molding (RTM) is a promising manufacturing process for high performance composite materials. However, the fact that RTM process design has traditionally been an expensive, time-consuming trial-and-error procedure has prohibited its wide application base. This paper proposes a solution to that problem-a simulation-based optimum process design scheme for RTM. This scheme enables engineers to determine the optimum locations of injection gates and vents so that both process efficiency and high part quality can be ensured. Essential to this optimum process design scheme is a process performance index, which is defined with respect to the major factors influencing RTM process efficiency and part quality. This index is then used as the objective function for the RTM process design optimization model. Gate and vent locations are the process design parameters to be optimized. All data is obtained by running an RTM simulation program, and the genetic algorithm (GA) is employed to carry out the optimization procedure for the design parameters. It is found that constant pressure optimization will yield a process with a short flow path, whereas constant flow optimization will yield a process with smooth and vent-oriented flow pattern. Although there is no dry spot factor in the objective function, it is interesting to note that both constant pressure and constant flow optimization procedures result in process designs with a minimum probability of dry spot formation. This study finds that, in general, constant flow optimization should be employed if injection pressure is not a major concern; otherwise, constant pressure optimization should be used. Two case studies are presented to illustrate the efficacy of this approach.
The Role of Mn(II)-Peroxidase Activity of Mycobacterial Catalase-Peroxidase in Activation of the Antibiotic Isoniazid

Abstract The catalase-peroxidase of Mycobacteria smegmatis exhibits Mn(II)-peroxidase activity characterized by a low Km for Mn(II) (5 μM) and a high Km for t-butyl hydroperoxide (100 mM). This activity, monitored by the formation of Mn(III)-malate or -malonate, is inhibited by Co(II) but not by superoxide dismutase. Optical evidence for binding of Mn(II) to the resting (ferric) enzyme is found in a change in intensity of the Soret peak upon titration with Mn(II). A potential role for Mn(III) in the antimycobacterial action of the antibiotic isoniazid is suggested by the rapid reduction of Mn(III)-malonate by this drug. The stoichiometry of the reaction is consistent with two single electron transfer steps per mole of isoniazid.
The position of the duodenojejunal junction: the wrong horse to bet on in diagnosing or excluding malrotation

The purpose of this communication is to highlight the shortcomings of all currently used imaging criteria in diagnosing or excluding malrotation and offer ultrasound demonstration of the 3rd portion of the duodenum (D3) between the AO and the SMA in transverse and sagittal plains as the most reliable diagnostic method. Although UGI is currently considered to be the imaging modality of choice in diagnosis of malrotations, numerous publications indicate that in certain patients, false positives and negatives can be encountered. The material consists of more than 10 years experience in university settings, during which the author has used US as the definitive imaging modality for the work-up of malrotation. High resolution linear transducers (5-17 MHz) are the transducers of choice. In overwhelming majority of cases, by illustrating a retromesenteric D3 malrotation and, therefore, midgut volvulus were excluded. None of the current imaging criteria addresses the following most fundamental anatomic and embryologic facts regarding the gut rotation and fixation. The position of the DJJ, the configuration of the duodenal sweep, the orientation of the mesenteric vessels are all wrong horses to bet on because none of them addresses the fundamental anatomic and embryologic facts. Only the cross-sectional imaging, US, CT and MRI can prove that the D3 is retromesenteric, therefore, excluding malrotation and volvulus. Therefore, demonstrating a retromesenteric duodenum is the reference standard of imaging in the work-up of malrotation, not any other previously published criteria. The US imaging is the most acceptable imaging method for malrotation work-up, in the spirit of ALARA principle and “Image Gently” campaign.
A Comparison of Different Guidance Schemes for a Direct Fire Rocket with a Pulse Jet Control Mechanism

Abstract : Compared to gun launch ammunition, uncontrolled direct fire atmospheric rockets are terribly inaccurate, to the point where they are used most effectively on the battlefield as area weapons. Dispersion characteristics can be dramatically improved by outfitting the rocket with a suitable control mechanism and sensor suite. In the work reported here, a lateral pulse jet control mechanism is considered. The lateral pulse jet mechanism consists of a finite number of small thrusters spaced equally around the circumference of the rocket. Using a simulation model that includes projectile, flight control system, and inertial measurement unit dynamics, three different control laws are contrasted, namely, proportional navigation guidance, parabolic and proportional navigation guidance, and trajectory tracking control laws. When the number of individual pulse jets is small, a trajectory tracking control law provides superior dispersion reduction. However, as the number of pulse jets is increased, the relative performance of the parabolic and proportional navigation guidance control law is slightly better than the trajectory tracking control law. When the number of pulse jets is small, the proportional navigation guidance, as well as the parabolic and proportional navigation guidance control laws, exhibits large mean miss distance. All control laws appear to be equally susceptible to accelerometer and gyroscope errors that corrupt inertial measurement unit rocket state feedback.
Second-order perturbation treatment of dipole—dipole scattering

Abstract Using second-order perturbation theory the contribution of the dipole—dipole potential to elastic scattering is calculated in the limit where the energy defect is large making the first-order terms negligible. The results do not agree with the Keesom—Linder potential commonly used to interpret data in this region.
Voluntary childlessness in marriage and family textbooks, 1950-2000.

We perform a content analysis of twenty marriage and family textbooks published between 1950 and 2000 to study how the voluntarily childless are presented in undergraduate courses. Throughout the time period studied, independence, pursuit of a career, and romance were prominent themes in the representation of voluntary childlessness. Other themes emerged specific to each decade—the 1950s portrayed parenthood as a challenge, while the 1990s concentrated on alleviating negative stereotypes of the voluntarily childless.
Bridged isocytosine-adenosine compounds: Synthesis and antibacterial evaluation

In an approach to novel antibacterial agents, we synthesized a series of 5-nitrosoisocytosines in which a 6-alkylamino substituent is bridged, through an amide linkage at the terminus of the alkyl chain, to the 5′-position of a 5′-deoxyadenosine moiety. A corresponding series of 5-nitro analogues were also prepared. None of the bridged compounds showed significant antibacterial activity.
Opioid receptor subtype-specific cross-tolerance to the effects of morphine on schedule-controlled behavior in mice.

Key-press responding of mice was maintained under a fixed-ratio (FR) 30-response schedule of food presentation. Successive 3-min periods during which the experimental chamber was illuminated and the schedule was in effect were preceded by 10-min time-out (TO) periods during which all lights were out and responses had no scheduled consequences. Intraperitoneal (IP) injections of saline or of cumulative doses of drugs were given at the start of each TO period. Successive saline injections had little or no effect on response rates, whereas the μ-opioid agonists morphine (0.1–10.0 mg/kg) and levorphanol (0.1–3.0 mg/kg), the κ-opioid agonist ethylketazocine (0.03–3.0 mg/kg), the mixed μ-/δ-opioid agonist metkephamid (0.1–10.0 mg/kg), and the nonopioid dissociative anesthetic ketamine (1.0–100.0 mg/kg) generally produced dose-related decreases in response rates. Following chronic administration of morphine (100.0 mg/kg/6 h), tolerance developed to the effects of morphine on rates of responding. In addition, a comparable degree of cross-tolerance developed to the effects of levorphanol and metkephamid. On the other hand, there was no evidence of cross-tolerance to the effects of ethylketazocine or ketamine. These results are consistent with the evidence suggesting that different opioid agonists exert their behavioral effects through distinct classes of opioid receptors.
Lung retransplantation in children

Abstract Background . Early primary graft failure due to reperfusion injury may occur in up to 10% of all patients undergoing lung transplantation. Late graft failure in the form of bronchiolitis obliterans progressively increases in frequency as posttransplantation follow-up increases. In both situations, the degree of pulmonary dysfunction may worsen and result in the death of the recipient. The only treatment in many instances is retransplantation. The results in adults are reasonably well established. Methods . We reviewed our experience in children. Of the 136 transplant procedures performed to date in children, 14 have been retransplantations. Six patients required retransplantation for early primary graft failure and 8 underwent retransplantation for bronchiolitis obliterans. Results . There were three early and three late deaths. The actuarial survival at 2 years is 58%. The retransplant procedures were more complex than the primary transplant operations as evidenced by the longer time on cardiopulmonary bypass (199 ± 71 versus 150 ± 41 minutes; p p p Conclusions . We believe that lung retransplantation in children is a reasonable therapy to offer in the circumstance of severe graft dysfunction. In the older child, the option of living donor transplantation offers advantages that might offset of the overall higher risk of this procedure.
Acute promyelocytic leukemia fusion proteins: up to new tricks

In this issue, Kawasaki and colleagues (page [3668][1]) demonstrate that the nuclear-matrix–associated protein, promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML), binds to and inhibits Stat3 transcriptional activity. The region of Stat3 bound by PML includes its DNA binding domain. Overexpression of PML
Hearing Campaign Appeals: The Accountability Implications of Presidential Campaign Tone

Citizen understanding of candidate priorities is highly consequential for both elections and postelection accountability and is especially key to the office of the presidency. I examine the impact of campaign advertising tone on citizen understanding of candidate agendas in the context of the 2000 presidential election. Merging data on political ads from the Wisconsin Advertising Project with individual survey data, I test whether citizens are more likely to accurately hear a positive campaign theme. The analysis provides empirical support for this benefit of positivity.
Some of these things are not like the others: Examining motivations and political predispositions among political Facebook activity

Political engagement via social media has evolved, and web sites including Facebook continue to be a place for individuals, especially young ones, to engage politically. Because politics on social media is diverse, it makes sense that the reasons for participating in it vary. In addition, because current events information and political news is accessible via social media, the role of attention to traditional news sources in this type of political engagement is debatable. The study takes up the opportunity to address these questions by examining young people's attention to television, print, and online news, their engagement with four Facebook political activities, and their psychological motivations for using the website politically just prior to the 2012 U.S. Presidential election. The results suggest that the primary motivations for using Facebook politically are not universal, and indeed vary by activity. They revolve around connecting with others socially, sharing information with others, and presenting oneself to others. In addition, attention to offline and online news largely do not matter. The study moves research forward by describing the variety of psychological predispositions some Facebook users bring to their political engagement with the web site, and how these predispositions vary across different Facebook political behavior.
Isolation of three acid phosphatase isozymes from human erythrocytes

Abstract Three acid phosphatase isozymes have been isolated from human erythrocytes by chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex. Complete resolution of the isozymes was obtained. The individual nature of the isozymes was confirmed by the differences in their pH optima, response to activation and inhibition, and electrophoretic mobility. The isozymes are electrophoretically indistinguishable from the three isozymes identified by electrophoresis of crude hemolyzates. The isolation procedure is readily adapted to the preparation of larger quantities of the isozymes. Variations in the characteristics of previously isolated and purified erythrocyte acid phosphatases are interpreted with respect to these three isozymes.
Glutamate, aspartate, and γ-aminobutyrate transport by membrane vesicles prepared from rat brain

Abstract To prepare membrane vesicles, nerve terminal preparations (synaptosomes) isolated from rat cerebral cortex were first subjected to hypotonic lysis. After collecting the membranes contained in this fraction by centrifugation, membrane vesicles were then reconstituted during incubation in a potassium salt solution at 37 °C. The transport of glutamate, aspartate, or γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was measured by transferring vesicles to 10 vol of 0.1 m NaCl solution containing the radioactive substrate. Transport was temperature dependent and exhibited saturation kinetics with an apparent K m of 2.5 μ m . The rates and extent of l -glutamate and l -aspartate uptake were equivalent and were greater than those for GABA. Valinomycin increased the rate of uptake of each of these substances suggesting a role for an electrogenic component in transport. Consonant with this notion, external K + and Rb + decreased uptake of all three compounds. External thiocyanate also increases the rate of glutamate, aspartate, and GABA transport. Uptake of these neuroactive amino acids was absolutely dependent on external Na + ; no other monovalent cation tested substitutes for it. Gramicidin D and nigericin inhibit glutamate transport by abolishing both the Na + and K + gradients. Monensin inhibits uptake by selectively dissipating the Na + gradient. For both glutamate and GABA transport, the Na + and K + gradients are synergistic and not additive.
Acute neurotoxic effects of the fungal metabolite ochratoxin-A

Ochratoxin-A (OTA) is a fungal metabolite with potential toxic effects on the central nervous system that have not yet been fully characterized. OTA has complex mechanisms of action that include evocation of oxidative stress, bioenergetic compromise, inhibition of protein synthesis, production of DNA single-strand breaks and formation of OTA-DNA adducts. The time course of acute effects of OTA were investigated in the context of DNA damage, DNA repair and global oxidative stress across six brain regions. Oxidative DNA damage, as measured with the "comet assay", was significantly increased in the six brain regions at all time points up to 72 h, with peak effects noted at 24 h in midbrain (MB), CP (caudate/putamen) and HP (hippocampus). Oxidative DNA repair activity (oxyguanosine glycosylase or OGG1) was inhibited in all regions at 6 h, but recovered to control levels in cerebellum (CB) by 72 h, and showed a trend to recovery in other regions of brain. Other indices of oxidative stress were also elevated. Lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased over time throughout the brain. In light of the known vulnerability of the nigro-striatal dopaminergic neurons to oxidative stress, levels of striatal dopamine (DA) and its metabolites were also measured. Administration of OTA (0-6 mg/kg i.p.) to mice resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in striatal DA content and turnover with an ED50 of 3.2 mg/kg. A single dose of 3.5 mg/kg decreased the intensity of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity (TH(+)) in fibers of striatum, TH(+) cells in substantia nigra (SN) and TH(+) cells of the locus ceruleus. TUNEL staining did not reveal apoptotic profiles in MB, CP or in other brain regions and did not alter DARPP32 immunoreactivity in striatum. In conclusion, OTA caused acute depletion of striatal DA on a background of globally increased oxidative stress and transient inhibition of oxidative DNA repair.
A phase I study of obatoclax mesylate, a Bcl-2 antagonist, plus topotecan in solid tumor malignancies

To establish the safety, maximum tolerated dose (MTD), recommended phase II dose, and preliminary antitumor activity of obatoclax mesylate (GX15-070MS), a Bcl-2 antagonist, in combination with topotecan in patients with solid tumor malignancies. Patients with solid tumor malignancies for whom topotecan was an appropriate treatment were administered obatoclax mesylate and topotecan on a 3-week cycle in a pre-defined, standard 3 + 3 dose escalation scheme. The starting dose for obatoclax mesylate was 14 mg/m2 by 3-h intravenous (IV) infusion. Topotecan 1.25 mg/m2 was given concurrently as an IV infusion on days 1–5 of each cycle. Fourteen patients received 40 cycles of obatoclax mesylate at the following doses: 14 mg/m2 on day 1, 14 mg/m2 on days 1 and 3, and 20 mg/m2 on day 1. The most common toxicities related to obatoclax were neurologic, including ataxia, mood alterations, somnolence, and cognitive dysfunction. The majority of these were grades 1 and 2 (88%). Two of five patients experienced dose-limiting grade 3 neurologic toxicity at a dose of 20 mg/m2; no patients experienced grade 4 neurologic toxicities, and no other patients experienced grade 3 neurologic toxicity. Of the patients who experienced grade 3 neurologic events, one later developed febrile neutropenia, which was also a dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). After an additional three patients were treated without DLT at the previously tolerated dose of 14 mg/m2 on day 1, the level was escalated to 14 mg/m2 on days 1 and 3. Three patients were treated at this dose and, with none experiencing a DLT, 14 mg/m2 on days 1 and 3 was defined as the recommended phase II dose. Two patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) achieved partial responses and four patients had stable disease. Median time to progression (TTP) was 12 weeks. Obatoclax mesylate administered at 14 mg/m2 IV on days 1 and 3 is safe and well tolerated when given in combination with topotecan 1.25 mg/m2 IV on days 1–5 of an every 3-week cycle. A phase II trial to assess the efficacy of this combination for patients with relapsed SCLC is currently accruing patients.
Serious fun: peer-led team learning in CS

In this special session, participants will learn how to use Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) effectively in computer science courses. This technique has been successful in reducing drop rates and increasing satisfaction among students. Therefore, it holds promise as a way to boost sagging computer science enrollments in general, and to increase participation of under-represented groups in particular. The goal of the session is to give participants practical information and hands-on experience.