cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of baclofen on operant performance for food pellets and vegetable shortening after a history of binge-type behavior in non-food deprived rats.

Abstract Operant performance of non-food deprived rats ( n = 8) was assessed under progressive ratio (PR) and concurrent PR-fixed ratio schedules of food pellet and/or vegetable shortening reinforcement. Post operant baselines, rats were matched and divided into 2 groups based upon the schedule of shortening availability: High restriction binge group (H, 1-hr home cage shortening access each week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) and Low restriction (L, 1-hr shortening access daily). Chow and water were continuously available; only access to the shortening was restricted. After 8 weeks, operant performance was reassessed. Lever pressing for shortening increased in the H rats for all schedules, but was either unaffected or decreased in the L rats. Pellet responding under the concurrent schedules increased for both groups. The effects of four dosages of ( R )-baclofen (0.3–1.8 mg/kg, i.p.) on operant performance were also assessed. For both groups, 1.0 mg/kg baclofen significantly reduced shortening responding relative to saline for all schedules except one, but had no or minimal effect on pellet responding. This suggests a specific effect of baclofen on responding maintained by fat. These results indicate that intermittent episodes of bingeing on fat can increase the reinforcing efficacy of fat and that GABA B receptor activation can attenuate this effect.
The Use of Ground-Coupled Tanks in Solar-Assisted Heat-Pump Systems

A research program at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) has studied ground coupling, i.e., the use of the earth as a heat source/sink or storage element, for solar-assisted heat-pump systems. As part of this research program, four buried tank experiments were operated between December 1978 and March 1981 in order to determine the feasibility of ground-coupled tanks in these systems. Heat was added to or removed from the tanks according to a weekly schedule derived from computer simulations of solar heat-pump systems in the local (New York) climate. Each tank was operated according to a different control strategy. This paper presents experimental results from these tank experiments for this period, and compares these results to those generated by a computer model, GROCS, developed at BNL. The model is found to be valid, for the most part, using undisturbed soil thermal properties which provide the best fit to the data most of the time. Its results are very sensitive to soil thermal conductivity during periods of large heat addition to the tanks. A ground coupled tank is found to be desirable in series solar-assisted heat-pump systems. However, no important carry-over of summer-collected heat to winter was observed.
Solid-phase epitaxial growth of polycrystalline silicon films amorphized by ion implantation

Abstract Thin polycrystalline Si films (230 nm) were deposited on Si substrates by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition and amorphized by self-implantation at −150 to −170°C. After a 5 h N 2 anneal at 550°C, the amorphized films recrystallized into monocrystalline films of reasonable quality as determined by reflection electron diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. A concentrated HF rinse prior to the polysilicon film deposition was found to be crucial.
Device, circuit, and technology scaling to micron and submicron dimensions

From the discrete semiconductor component technology of the early 1960's, where the transition from the past focused on a major reduction in device size, i.e., from vacuum tubes to transistors, the emphasis from the late 1960's to the present has centered on integrating an ever-increasing number of devices on a chip. This trend has given rise to the acromyms SSI, MSI, LSI, and VLSI standing for small scale, medium scale, large scale, and very large scale integration, respectively. Following a discussion of the trends in device integration levels, four topics impacting our ability to achieve these levels are discussed from technological and engineering points of view. These are shrinking of conductor and device dimensions, known as scaling, reliability concerns in small structures, representative processes utilized in achieving small structures, and anticipated circuit delays for Insulated-Gate Field-Effect Transistors, IGFET's, at 1-µm design groundrules. The problems are numerous, and the potential solutions are even more numerous. However, it is not unreasonable to expect that these can all be sorted out during the 1980's. If this comes to pass, then one can expect IGFET integration levels of 106bits of dynamic random-access memory, DRAM, storage on a 70-mm2chip, and logic circuit performance at the 1-ns level at room temperature and < 0.5 ns at liquid nitrogen temperature. The logic numbers are in the context of maximum performance achievable at maximum circuit density, and at an acceptable power dissipation level of 2 W/chip or less (where the chip area is between 0.2 and 0.3 cm2).
Decomposition of Poly(perfluorinated ethers): Effect of End Groups on Main-Chain Degradation and Product Formation

The decomposition of polyperfluorinated ether copolymers containing perfluoroethylene oxide, −CF2CF2O−, and perfluoromethylene oxide units, −CF2O−, capped by different end groups, −OCF3, −CH2OH, and −O(OC)CH3, are investigated. Thus, the polymers are scissioned via an electron beam, and the subsequent chemistry is investigated. In all cases, the polymers lose mass, R−CFO on the ends of scissioned chains are produced, and volatile gases such as COF2 are evolved. The G values for polymer decomposition are 0.2−0.8; for gas evolution are 6−7; and for R−CFO end groups are ≃1.5. The end group −CH2OH has a significant effect on the chemistry after irradiation. The oligomeric R−CFO groups produced upon irradiation react with the −CH2OH end groups to produce ester and HF via alcoholysis. The aldehyde −CHO is also produced as a result of direct electron beam irradiation.
Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) subsequent to esophageal adenocarcinoma staging with endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) subsequent to esophageal adenocarcinoma staging with endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
Cost-effective low timing jitter passively Q-switched diode-pumped solid-state laser with composite pumping pulses

A novel scheme that combines gain switching with passive Q switching of a miniature diode-pumped solid-state laser is proposed and implemented. A composite pumping pulse, consisting of a long, low-intensity pulse and a following short, high-intensity pulse, is used to reduce the timing jitter. A greater-than-tenfold reduction in timing jitter is demonstrated.
Coherence of visual representations: Attention and integration of contour shape information

Change blindness demonstrations illustrate the limited detail of visual representations. These demonstrations typically require disruption to the visual input when the change occurs or changes that occur very slowly. With sustained viewing or faster changes to the scenes, changes are more easily detected because attention can be effectively allocated to the part of the scene that is changing. Here, we investigate the interaction of visual attention and memory in the domain of 2-D contour shapes. We show, using a novel combination of established change blindness paradigms, that changes can go unnoticed even when they occur on isolated 2-D contour shapes. The effect appears to be due to involuntary updating of stored shape information. This involuntary updating process, however, is constrained so that previously attended shape information is updated only when attention is reallocated to qualitatively similar shape information.
Magnetic quantum tunneling: key insights from multi-dimensional high-field EPR

Multi-dimensional high-field/frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (HFEPR) spectroscopy is performed on single-crystals of the high-symmetry spin S = 4 tetranuclear single-molecule magnet (SMM) [Ni(hmp)(dmb)Cl]4, where hmp− is the anion of 2-hydroxymethylpyridine and dmb is 3,3-dimethyl-1-butanol. Measurements performed as a function of the applied magnetic field strength and its orientation within the hard-plane reveal the four-fold behavior associated with the fourth order transverse zero-field splitting (ZFS) interaction, ½B44(Ŝ4+ + Ŝ4−), within the framework of a rigid spin approximation (with S = 4). This ZFS interaction mixes the ms = ±4 ground states in second order of perturbation, generating a sizeable (12 MHz) tunnel splitting, which explains the fast magnetic quantum tunneling in this SMM. Meanwhile, multi-frequency measurements performed with the field parallel to the easy-axis reveal HFEPR transitions associated with excited spin multiplets (S < 4). Analysis of the temperature dependence of the intensities of these transitions enables determination of the isotropic Heisenberg exchange constant, J = −6.0 cm−1, which couples the four spin s = 1 NiII ions within the cluster, as well as a characterization of the ZFS within excited states. The combined experimental studies support recent work indicating that the fourth order anisotropy associated with the S = 4 state originates from second order ZFS interactions associated with the individual NiII centers, but only as a result of higher-order processes that occur via S-mixing between the ground state and higher-lying (S < 4) spin multiplets. We argue that this S-mixing plays an important role in the low-temperature quantum dynamics associated with many other well known SMMs.
Genetic modification of neurons to express bevacizumab for local anti-angiogenesis treatment of glioblastoma

The median survival of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is approximately 1 year. Following surgical removal, systemic therapies are limited by the blood-brain barrier. To circumvent this, we developed a method to modify neurons with the genetic sequence for therapeutic monoclonal antibodies using adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene transfer vectors, directing persistent, local expression in the tumor milieu. The human U87MG GBM cell line or patient-derived early passage GBM cells were administered to the striatum of NOD/SCID immunodeficient mice. AAVrh.10BevMab, an AAVrh.10-based vector coding for bevacizumab (Avastin), an anti-human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) monoclonal antibody, was delivered to the area of the GBM xenograft. Localized expression of bevacizumab was demonstrated by quantitative PCR, ELISA and western blotting. Immunohistochemistry showed that bevacizumab was expressed in neurons. Concurrent administration of AAVrh.10BevMab with the U87MG tumor reduced tumor blood vessel density and tumor volume, and increased survival. Administration of AAVrh.10BevMab 1 week after U87MG xenograft reduced growth and increased survival. Studies with patient-derived early passage GBM primary cells showed a reduction in primary tumor burden with an increased survival. These data support the strategy of AAV-mediated central nervous system gene therapy to treat GBM, overcoming the blood-brain barrier through local, persistent delivery of an anti-angiogenesis monoclonal antibody.
Water Policy Issues for the Twenty-first Century

Water resource management throughout the nation is looming as one of the most important political, social, and economic issues of the approaching century. While water allocation and water quality describe the issues of the past and the future, growing and changing social demands for available water, changing technologies, and outdated laws and institutions for water allocation combine to create new opportunities for the attention of economists for the next several decades. The role of economists in this
The effect of fault geometry on the 1999 Chi‐Chi (Taiwan) Earthquake

The September 20, 1999 M 7.6 Chi-Chi (Taiwan) earthquake produced enough near-source seismic data to verify many theoretical predictions of the effects of fault geometry on the physics of the earthquake process. These effects include increased motion on the hanging wall (peaked at the fault trace), a transition from thrust to significant left-lateral slip as one proceeds northward on the fault, and a mismatch between the near-field and far-field estimates of faulting style, energy, and apparent stress. Through rigorous 3-D dynamic models of this earthquake, all of these features can be seen to be robust consequences of the three-dimensional, asymmetric fault geometry and its angle with the free surface of the earth. The results of this study imply that for dipping faults that intersect the earth's surface, many important features of earthquakes are controlled by the fault geometry, and in principle might be predicted ahead of time.
Constraints and the Hellmann-Feynman theorem

It is pointed out that Hurley's condition applies even in the presence of Lagrange multipliers. Also a useful formula for δEδσ is derived which allows for the possibility that both the trial functions and the constraints may depend on σ.
A Bioinformatics Approach for Determining Sample Identity from Different Lanes of High-Throughput Sequencing Data

The ability to generate whole genome data is rapidly becoming commoditized. For example, a mammalian sized genome (∼3Gb) can now be sequenced using approximately ten lanes on an Illumina HiSeq 2000. Since lanes from different runs are often combined, verifying that each lane in a genome's build is from the same sample is an important quality control. We sought to address this issue in a post hoc bioinformatic manner, instead of using upstream sample or “barcode” modifications. We rely on the inherent small differences between any two individuals to show that genotype concordance rates can be effectively used to test if any two lanes of HiSeq 2000 data are from the same sample. As proof of principle, we use recent data from three different human samples generated on this platform. We show that the distributions of concordance rates are non-overlapping when comparing lanes from the same sample versus lanes from different samples. Our method proves to be robust even when different numbers of reads are analyzed. Finally, we provide a straightforward method for determining the gender of any given sample. Our results suggest that examining the concordance of detected genotypes from lanes purported to be from the same sample is a relatively simple approach for confirming that combined lanes of data are of the same identity and quality.
The Impact of the Secondary Market on the Supply Chain

This paper investigates the impacts of a secondary market where resellers can buy and sell excess inventories. We develop a two-period model with a single manufacturer and many resellers. At the beginning of the first period resellers order and receive products from the manufacturer, but at the beginning of the second period, they can trade inventories among themselves in the secondary market. We endogenously derive the optimal decisions for the resellers, along with the equilibrium market price of the secondary market. The secondary market creates two interdependent effects--a quantity effect (sales by the manufacturer) and an allocation effect (supply chain performance). The former is indeterminate; i.e., the total sales volume for the manufacturer may increase or decrease, depending on the critical fractile. The latter is always positive; i.e., the secondary market always improves allocative efficiency. The sum of the effects is also unclear--the welfare of the supply chain may or may not increase as a result of the secondary market. Lastly, we study potential strategies for the manufacturer to increase sales in the presence of the secondary market.
Transplantation: Immunosuppression and risk of polyomavirus BK replication

According to new data from Hirsch et al., the risk of polyomavirus BK (BKV) viraemia in kidney transplant recipients is increased by high steroid exposure early after transplantation, treatment with tacrolimus rather than ciclosporin A, older donor age and male gender. However, confounding of results due to variations in immunosuppressive drug exposure cannot be excluded.
Defensive burying: A cross-species replication and extension

Five experiments investigating the display of defensive burying by Mongolian gerbils and mice are reported. Adult gerbils failed to engage in defensive burying when the aversive stimulus consisted of a flashbulb (Experiment 1), an electric shock (Experiment 2), and a chemical substance (Experiment 3). Young gerbils also failed to engage in burying under the flashbulb condition (Experiment 4). Mice, however, engaged in burying under the flashbulb condition (Experiment 5).
Spatial Decay of Corruption in Africa and The Middle East

This study contributes to a small, but growing stream of literature exploring the contagious nature of corruption by examining the rate at which the correlation between countries' corruption measures decays as the geographical distance between country capital cities increases. Focusing on countries in Africa and the Middle East and using historical data from Transparency International to measure perceived levels of country corruption and the great circle distance (in miles) between country capitals, the results of this analysis indicate that corruption is contagious and can spread beyond its neighbour's borders. The rate at which corrupt practices are adopted decays as the distance between the countries' capitals increases and the first order conditions suggest that corrupt practices can spread and impact practices beyond 2700 miles. The results also suggest that reducing corruption within a nation's borders can be viewed as a positive externality as reductions in corruption levels can spillover to other countries and help to lower corruption within a larger geographical region.
Characterization of Crystals of Satellite Panicum Mosaic Virus

Satellite panicum mosaic virus (SPMV) has been purified from pearl millet and obtained in a variety of different crystal forms, at least two of which appear suitable for high resolution X-ray diffraction analysis. The first is of cubic space group P4(2)32 with a = b = c = 183.1 A and two virus particles in the unit cell. The second is of a primitive orthorhombic space group with a = 166.1 A, b = 266.7 A and c = 269.1 A, with four virus particles in the unit cell. While the cubic crystal has as its asymmetric unit one twelfth of the icosahedron, or five capsid protein subunits, the asymmetric unit of the orthorhombic crystals is an entire particle. The cubic crystals diffract to at least 2.8 A resolution. We have also succeeded in crystallizing, but not yet characterizing the master virus, PMV.
Family crisis intervention: fish or fowl?

This paper considers the status of family intervention as an area of interest defined by its literature (70 publications) and includes a brief history, assessment of present status, and recommendations for future development of family crisis intervention as a distinct field with concepts and goals that can be clearly defined, taught, researched, and repeated in treatment. Recommendations are made for the development of an explicit paradigm for intervention with a clear, common language of terms and concepts for family involvement. Suggested directions for developing the paradigm and language are explored.
Metabolism of 4-Hydroxynonenal by Rat Kupffer Cells☆

Kupffer cells are known to participate in the early events of liver injury involving lipid peroxidation. 4-Hydroxy-2,3-(E)-nonenal (4-HNE), a major aldehydic product of lipid peroxidation, has been shown to modulate numerous cellular systems and is implicated in the pathogenesis of chemically induced liver damage. The purpose of this study was to characterize the metabolic ability of Kupffer cells to detoxify 4-HNE through oxidative (aldehyde dehydrogenase; ALDH), reductive (alcohol dehydrogenase; ADH), and conjugative (glutathione S-transferase; GST) pathways. Aldehyde dehydrogenase and GST activity was observed, while ADH activity was not detectable in isolated Kupffer cells. Additionally, immunoblots demonstrated that Kupffer cells contain ALDH 1 and ALDH 2 isoforms as well as GST A4-4, P1-1, Ya, and Yb. The cytotoxicity of 4-HNE on Kupffer cells was assessed and the TD50 value of 32.5 ± 2.2 μM for 4-HNE was determined. HPLC measurement of 4-HNE metabolism using suspensions of Kupffer cells incubated with 25 μM 4-HNE indicated a loss of 4-HNE over the 30-min time period. Subsequent production of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenoic acid (HNA) suggested the involvement of the ALDH enzyme system and formation of the 4-HNE-glutathione conjugate implicated GST-mediated catalysis. The basal level of glutathione in Kupffer cells (1.33 ± 0.3 nmol of glutathione per 106 cells) decreased significantly during incubation with 4-HNE concurrent with formation of the 4-HNE-glutathione conjugate. These data demonstrate that oxidative and conjugative pathways are primarily responsible for the metabolism of 4-HNE in Kupffer cells. However, this cell type is characterized by a relatively low capacity to metabolize 4-HNE in comparison to other liver cell types. Collectively, these data suggest that Kupffer cells are potentially vulnerable to the increased concentrations of 4-HNE occurring during oxidative stress.
Shape Memory Polymer With Aluminum Tube Reinforced Impact Resistant Sandwich Core

Sandwich construction has been extensively used in various fields. However, sandwich panels have not been fully exploited in critical structural applications due to damage tolerance and safety concern. A major problem of sandwich panels is the debonding at or near the core/face sheet interface, especially under impact loading, which can lead to a sudden loss of structural integrity and cause catastrophic consequences. In order to improve the debonding resistance and energy absorption of sandwich panel under impact loadings, a new sandwich core is proposed which is a hybrid core consisting of hollow metallic millitubes reinforced Shape Memory Polymer matrix. The objective of this study was to characterize its dynamic performances. The core consisted of programmed shape memory polymer resin. Low velocity (4m/s) impact tests demonstrated that new core panel may be considered a promising option for critical structural applications featured by debonding and multiple impact tolerance.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Resonance raman spectra of chymotrypsin acyl enzymes

Abstract Resonance Raman spectra of cinnamoyl and α-toluyl acyl enzymes of α-chymotrypsin have been obtained. Bands associated with the aromatic portion of the acylating groups were identified and could be distinguished in a cinnamoyl derivative from those associated with the ethylenic residue. Spectral differences in the acyl enzyme relative to substrate and product were observed. These differences, which represent changes in vibrational modes of substrate bonds due to specific interaction with the active site, provide a novel approach to the study of the catalytic mechanisms of enzymes.
Binding and endocytosis of heparin-gold conjugates by the fenestrated endothelium of the rat choriocapillaris.

Heparin-gold probes were used to localize regions of heparin binding on the luminal surface of the diaphragmed-fenestrated endothelium of the rat choriocapillaris. Structures of endothelial cells were unlabeled when rats were kept on ice and perfused with solutions at 4° C. When the heparin-gold quantity was doubled, only a few heparin-gold particles marked some diaphragms spanning fenestrae, vesicles and channels, parajunctional regions of the plasmalemma, and coated pits. With solutions at 4° C, but the animals kept at room temperature, all of these structures in the endothelial cells were labeled. This binding was not altered by the perfusion of low levels of unlabeled heparin, but was eliminated following high levels of unlabeled heparin, and by digestion with trypsin and pronase. At 37° C, heparin was localized to the above structures and, in addition, was internalized into coated vesicles, endosomes, and multivesicular bodies, but not other types of lysosomes. Some particles were found in tubules adjacent to the Golgi stacks. Heparin-gold was also transported to the abluminal front of the endothelium by vesicles. A desulfated, non-anticoagulant, fraction of heparin bound to gold was localized to the endothelium in the same manner. These results demonstrate receptors for heparin on the surface of a fenestrated endothelium. Furthermore, they show the pathway of endocytosis and transport of heparin. The possible roles of heparin in the function of the endothelium is discussed.
Immigrants’ confidence in police: do country-level characteristics matter?

This study examines the effects of national-level factors on immigrant levels of confidence in police across different countries. Data are pulled from the World Values Survey, which is linked to country information regarding population composition, levels of discrimination, government efficiency, and homicide rates. Results from hierarchical logistic regression analyses reveal that individuals who reside in countries with higher political discrimination are more likely to hold police in lower regard, while confidence in police is higher in countries with higher immigrant concentration and more government efficiency. In addition, the results reveal that immigrants are more likely to hold police in lower regard than native-born citizens. Most importantly, the negative effect of immigrant status is amplified in countries where political discrimination occurs more frequently. The overarching suggestion is that these variations must be considered, as they have important implications for immigrant assimilation ...
Regulation of the calcium/NF-AT T cell activation pathway by the D2 domain of CD45.

CD45 contains tandem repeated protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) domains and is essential for the initiation of the earliest activation events resulting from Ag ligation of the TCR. The second PTP domain (D2) contains four CK2 phosphorylation sites in a unique 19-aa insert, which are targets of CK2 phosphorylation. This study was designed to evaluate the roles of these Ser residues in T cell activation. Transient transfection of the CD45− T cell line, J45.01, with CD45 cDNA incorporating four Ser to Ala (S/A) mutations in the 19-aa insert did not affect the magnitude of NF-AT activation resulting from TCR ligation. However, the basal level of NF-AT activity in unstimulated cells expressing the CD45 S/A mutation was elevated 9- to 10-fold. Increased basal NF-AT was dependent on extracellular Ca2+ stores as judged by EGTA treatment. In additional experiments, isolation of stable clones derived from transfection of the CD45 S/A mutant into CD45− H45.01 cells showed sustained calcium flux after TCR engagement. The sustained calcium flux returned to baseline levels after addition of EGTA, suggesting that the expression of the CD45 S/A mutant may have prevented deactivation of plasma membrane calcium channels. Consideration of both transient and stable transfection systems suggests that in addition to being essential for initial events in T cell triggering, the intact CD45 D2, 19-aa insert is necessary for regulation of TCR-mediated calcium signaling pathways.
Effects of doxorubicin on human dental pulp cells in vitro

There is substantial information concerning the effects of continuous exposure to supratherapeutic or therapeutic concentrations of doxorubicin on human molar pulpal cells; the effects of continuous exposure to subtherapeutic concentrations of this agent are undetermined. To this end, we studied the proliferation of human fibroblasts and pulpal cells and their pattern of mineralized nodule deposition in vitro. Cell proliferation was assessed at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days from populations with either no exposure (control) or exposure to 10−6–10−9 mol/L doxorubicin. Mineralized nodule deposition and calcium-45 incorporation were assessed at 7 and 21 days of culture. Data were compared by factorial ANOVA and a post-hoc Tukey test. 10−6 and 10−7 mol/L doxorubicin significantly reduced the total number of viable pulpal cells in cultures from days 1 to 3 (p < 0.05); doxorubicin 10−6–10−9 mol/L significantly inhibited cell proliferation (p < 0.05) and DNA synthesis 5 days after plating (p < 0.001). After 21 days, doxorubicin 10−6–10−8 mol/L significantly decreased calcium-45 incorporation into pulpal cultures (p < 0.001); all dilutions significantly reduced the number of mineralized nodules within the 21-day pulpal cultures (p < 0.05). In addition, all dilutions of doxorubicin significantly inhibited fibroblast cell proliferation and incorporation of [3H]thymidine. In contrast, the fibroblast cultures did not produce mineralized nodules, suggesting that the mineralized nodules within the pulpal cell cultures did not result from dystrophic calcification. Thus, exposure to subtheraputic doxorubicin concentrations has potential adverse effects on mineralized tissue formation within the pulp, which could affect the rates of reparative dentin deposition within the tooth pulps of patients receiving this chemotherapeutic agent.
Dewigged, Bothered, & Bewildered: British Colonial Judges on Trial, 1800–1900. By John McLaren. (Toronto, Canada: University of Toronto Press, 2011. Pp. xii, 441. $70.00.)

This work by legal historian John McLaren is both a scholarly review of the evolution of justice in the British colonies during the 1800s and an entertaining glimpse into the lives of some colorful...
Ab Initio Simulations of the Vibrational Circular Dichroism of Coupled Peptides

The vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) of peptides in different conformations was simulated using the magnetic field perturbation (MFP) model for the model dipeptide CH3-CONH-CH2-CONH-CH3. The geometry was optimized in the 4-31G basis set with the torsion angles constrained to mimic the a-helical, @-sheet, 310-helical, and polyproline I1 conformations. An effective mass was used for the appropriate H on each C, position to simulate the local chirality of L-alanine residues. The normal modes and VCD spectra were calculated at the ab initio quantum mechanical level with the same basis set using analytical derivatives (CADPAC) and the MFP formulations of Stephens and co-workers. These calculations gave simulated VCD spectra that were quite comparable to experimental results with respect to the VCD sign pattern and relative intensities of both the amide I and I1 modes for polypeptides having these conformations. The MFP results are further shown to be superior to a similar calculation based only on dipole coupling, by comparison to experimental polypeptide spectra.
ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE EPICARDIUM AND THE ENDOCARDIUM OF THE LEFT ATRIUM

Background Electrophysiological properties of the atrial endocardium compared to epicardium are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to compare the electrophysiological properties and vulnerability to arrhythmia induction from these regions.
Bubble measurements downstream of hydraulic jumps

A phase Doppler anemometer (PDA) system was used to measure the velocity profiles and air bubble size distributions downstream of two-dimensional hydraulic jumps for different upstream flow conditions in a 1.92m long laboratory flume. The PDA detected bubbles from 1 to 500 [microns] in diameter, and more were found at the bottom of the downstream flow near the elevation of the upstream free surface. This distribution was more marked for smaller bubbles, those with diameters less that 100 [microns]. The migration of the bubbles is controlled by the effects of buoyancy and by turbulent mixing; the relative magnitude of their effects on bubble distribution depends strongly on bubble size, and also on the energy of the upstream flow.
An Experimental Study of Self-Optimizing Dense Linear Algebra Software

Memory hierarchy optimizations have been studied by researchers in many areas including compilers, numerical linear algebra, and theoretical computer science. However, the approaches taken by these communities are very different. The compiler community has invested considerable effort in inventing loop transformations like loop permutation and tiling, and in the development of simple analytical models to determine the values of numerical parameters such as tile sizes required by these transformations. Although the performance of compiler-generated code has improved steadily over the years, it is difficult to retarget restructuring compilers to new platforms because of the need to develop analytical models manually for new platforms. The search for performance portability has led to the development of self-optimizing software systems. One approach to self-optimizing software is the generate-and-test approach, which has been used by the dense numerical linear algebra community to produce high- performance BLAS and fast Fourier transform libraries. Another approach to portable memory hierarchy optimization is to use the divide-and-conquer approach to implementing cache- oblivious algorithms. Each step of divide-and-conquer generates problems of smaller size. When the working set of the subproblems fits in some level of the memory hierarchy, that subproblem can be executed without capacity misses at that level. Although all three approaches have been studied extensively, there are few experimental studies that have compared these approaches. How well does the code produced by current self-optimizing systems perform compared to hand-tuned code? Is empirical search essential to the generate-and- test approach or is it possible to use analytical models with platform-specific parameters to reduce the size of the search space? The cache-oblivious approach uses divide-and-conquer to perform approximate blocking; how well does approximate blocking perform compared to precise blocking? This paper addresses such questions for matrix multiplication, which is the most important dense linear algebra kernel.
An exploration of graph metric reproducibility in complex brain networks

The application of graph theory to brain networks has become increasingly popular in the neuroimaging community. These investigations and analyses have led to a greater understanding of the brain’s complex organization. More importantly, it has become a useful tool for studying the brain under various states and conditions. With the ever expanding popularity of network science in the neuroimaging community, there is increasing interest to validate the measurements and calculations derived from brain networks. Underpinning these studies is the desire to use brain networks in longitudinal studies or as clinical biomarkers to understand changes in the brain. A highly reproducible tool for brain imaging could potentially prove useful as a clinical tool. In this review, we examine recent studies in network reproducibility and their implications for analysis of brain networks.
Ensemble Kalman Filter based state estimation in 2D shallow water equations using Lagrangian sensing and state augmentation

We present a state estimation method for two-dimensional shallow water equations in rivers using Lagrangian drifter positions as measurements. The aim of this method is to compensate for the lack of knowledge of upstream and downstream boundary conditions in rivers that causes inaccuracy in the velocity field estimation by releasing drifters equipped with GPS receivers. The drifters report their positions and thus provide additional information of the state of the river. This information is incorporated into shallow water equations by using Ensemble Kalman Filtering (EnKF). The proposed method is based on the discretization of the governing nonlinear equations using the finite element method in unstructured meshes. We incorporate the drifter positions into the unknown state, which directly exploits the Langrangian nature of the measurements. The performance of the method is assessed with twin experiments.
Tracking in a spaghetti bowl: monitoring transactions using footprints

The problem of tracking end-to-end service-level transactions in the absence of instrumentation support is considered. The transaction instances progress through a state-transition model and generate time-stamped footprints on entering each state in the model. The goal is to track individual transactions using these footprints even when the footprints may not contain any tokens uniquely identifying the transaction instances that generated them. Assuming a semi-Markov process model for state transitions, the transaction instances are tracked probabilistically by matching them to the available footprints according to the maximum likelihood (ML) criterion. Under the ML-rule, for a two-state system, it is shown that the probability that all the instances are matched correctly is minimized when the transition times are i.i.d. exponentially distributed. When the transition times are i.i.d. distributed, the ML-rule reduces to a minimum weight bipartite matching and reduces further to a first-in first-out match for a special class of distributions. For a multi-state model with an acyclic state transition digraph, a constructive proof shows that the ML-rule reduces to splicing the results of independent matching of many bipartite systems.
The National Ignition Facility and the National Ignition Campaign

The National Ignition Facility (NIF), the world's largest and most powerful laser system for inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and experiments studying high-energy-density (HED) science, is now operational at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). NIF construction was certified by the Department of Energy as complete on March 27, 2009. NIF, a 192-beam Nd:glass laser facility, will ultimately produce 1.8 MJ 500 TW of 351-nm third-harmonic ultraviolet light. On March 10, 2009, a total of 192-beam energy of 1.1 MJ was demonstrated; this is approximately 30 times more energy than ever produced in an ICF laser system. The principal goal of NIF is to achieve ignition of a deuterium-tritium (DT) fuel capsule and provide access to HED physics regimes needed for experiments related to national security, fusion energy, and broader frontier scientific exploration. NIF experiments in support of indirect-drive ignition began in August 2009. These first experiments represent the next phase of the National Ignition Campaign (NIC). The NIC is a national effort to achieve fusion ignition and is coordinated through a detailed execution plan that includes science, technology, and equipment. The equipment required for ignition experiments includes diagnostics, a cryogenic target manipulator, and user optics. Participants in this effort include LLNL, General Atomics, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratory, and the University of Rochester Laboratory for Energetics. The primary goal for NIC is to have all of the equipment operational, integrated into the facility, and ready to begin a credible ignition campaign in 2010. With NIF now operational, the long-sought goal of achieving self-sustained nuclear fusion and energy gain in the laboratory is much closer to realization. Successful demonstration of ignition and net energy gain on NIF will be a major step toward demonstrating the feasibility of inertial fusion energy (IFE) and will likely focus the world's attention on the possibility of an ICF energy option. NIF experiments to demonstrate ignition and gain will use central-hot-spot (CHS) ignition, where a spherical fuel capsule is simultaneously compressed and ignited. The scientific basis for CHS has been intensively developed. Achieving ignition with CHS will open the door for other advanced concepts, such as the use of high-yield pulses of visible wavelength rather than ultraviolet and fast-ignition concepts. Moreover, NIF will have important scientific applications in such diverse fields as astrophysics, nuclear physics, and materials science. The NIC will develop the full set of capabilities required to operate NIF as a major national and international user facility. A solicitation for NIF frontier science experiments is planned for summer 2009. This paper summarizes the design, performance, and status of NIF and plans for the NIF ignition experimental program. A brief summary of the overall NIF experimental program is also presented.
Cardiac Ryanodine Receptors and Accessory Proteins: Augmented Expression Does Not Necessarily Mean Big Function

In cardiac cells, depolarization of the external membrane and its infoldings, the T-tubules, opens voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels/dihydropyridine receptors (DHPRs), allowing a small influx of extracellular Ca2+ (the inward Ca2+ current, I Ca). In mature cardiomyocytes, I Ca is insufficient to elevate myoplasmic [Ca2+] to fully contracting levels; however, I Ca triggers the opening of Ca2+ release channels/ryanodine receptors (RyRs), which produce a rapid and massive release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). This amplification process, termed Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release (CICR),1 may be graded by endogenous effectors, hormones, and neurotransmitters to regulate the intensity and duration of ventricular contractions.2 RyRs are homotetramers of more than 2 megadaltons endowed with more than a fair share of structural elements to produce a bona fide ion channel. They contain a high-conductance Ca2+-selective pore, Ca2+ activation and inactivation sites, several phosphorylation sites, and multiple binding sites for a myriad of endogenous regulators that include ATP, Mg2+, and calmodulin.3 4 Still, as if this huge structural assembly were not sufficiently complex, RyRs are also capable of protein-protein interactions that allow them to bind, in some cases steadily and in other cases in a time- and Ca2+-dependent manner, to small and independently regulated accessory proteins.5 Therefore, although the RyR homotetramer with its intrinsic regulatory domains seems to be the central processor of effector signals, its association with cytosolic (FKBP12, sorcin, and calmodulin) and lumenal (calsequestrin, junctin, and triadin) proteins seems to add another layer of versatility (and complexity) to modulation of CICR in the heart. But how extensive is the level of involvement of these accessory proteins in CICR? Are they indispensable components of Ca2+ release during excitation-contraction coupling? If not, do they play …
α-Helical Polypeptide Materials

Poly(γ-benzyl-L-glutamate) (PBLG) may be derivatized on its periphery by covalently attaching χ(2)-active NLO chromophores at the termini of its sidechains and thereby give a new class of SHG materials.1 The inherent liquid crystalline properties of concentrated solutions of a-helical PBLG may be exploited to establish unique supramolecular structures prior to E-field poling. When PBLG is derivatized at its N-terminus with lipoic acid, it will self-assemble on gold to give a thin film.2 Angle-dependent XPS, ellipsometry, contact angle measurements, and grazing angle IR reflection-absorption spectroscopy give quantitative information about the orientation of the polypeptide α-helices relative to the substrate surface. Consequently, polypeptides, in particular, Merrifield-synthesized or recombinant DNA-expressed synthetic polypeptides, present a novel fabrication route to thin films wherein molecular-engineered functionalities (chemical, electrical, or optically active species) may be encoded into the macromolecule's primary structure and subsequently expressed spatially via the spontaneous self-organization of these rod-like polymers.
Blockade of neurokinin-3 receptors modulates dopamine-mediated behavioral hyperactivity

Acute activation or blockade of neurokinin-3 (NK-3) receptors has been shown to alter dopamine-mediated function and behaviors, however long-term effects of NK-3 receptor blockade remain largely unknown. The present study investigated whether acute and repeated administration of the NK-3 receptor antagonist SB 222200 altered hyperactivity induced by cocaine, and examined its effects on dopamine D1 receptor density in the striatum. Adult male CD-1 mice received either vehicle or SB 222200 (2.5 or 5 mg/kg, s.c.) 30 min before a cocaine injection (20 mg/kg, i.p.) and behavioral responses were recorded. Mice that were administered SB 222200 had an attenuated stereotypic response to cocaine compared to vehicle treated mice. Mice were also injected once daily with either vehicle or SB 222200 (5 mg/kg, s.c.) for 5 days, and after a 7-day drug-free period they were challenged with either saline, cocaine or the dopamine D1 receptor agonist SKF 82958 (0.125 or 0.25 mg/kg, i.p.). Mice injected with SB 222200 had significantly enhanced hyperactivity when challenged with cocaine or a low dose of SKF 82958 (0.125 mg/kg, i.p.) compared to control mice. Brains of mice administered vehicle or SB 222200 for 5 days were harvested after a 7-day drug-free period for dopamine D1 receptor quantification by radioligand binding. [(3)H] SCH 23390 homogenate binding studies showed a 19.7% increase in dopamine D1 receptor density in the striatum of SB 222200 treated mice. These data suggest that repeated blockade of NK-3 receptors enhances subsequent dopamine-mediated behaviors possibly resulting from dopamine D1 receptor up-regulation in the striatum.
The activation mechanism of α1β2γ2S and α3β3γ2S GABAA receptors

The α1β2γ2 and α3β3γ2 are two isoforms of γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor that are widely distributed in the brain. Both are found at synapses, for example in the thalamus, where they mediate distinctly different inhibitory postsynaptic current profiles, particularly with respect to decay time. The two isoforms were expressed in HEK293 cells, and single-channel activity was recorded from outside-out patches. The kinetic characteristics of both isoforms were investigated by analyzing single-channel currents over a wide range of GABA concentrations. α1β2γ2 channels exhibited briefer active periods than α3β3γ2 channels over the entire range of agonist concentrations and had lower intraburst open probabilities at subsaturating concentrations. Activation mechanisms were constructed by fitting postulated schemes to data recorded at saturating and subsaturating GABA concentrations simultaneously. Reaction mechanisms were ranked according to log-likelihood values and how accurately they simulated ensemble currents. The highest ranked mechanism for both channels consisted of two sequential binding steps, followed by three conducting and three nonconducting configurations. The equilibrium dissociation constant for GABA at α3β3γ2 channels was ∼2.6 µM compared with ∼19 µM for α1β2γ2 channels, suggesting that GABA binds to the α3β3γ2 channels with higher affinity. A notable feature of the mechanism was that two consecutive doubly liganded shut states preceded all three open configurations. The lifetime of the third shut state was briefer for the α3β3γ2 channels. The longer active periods, higher affinity, and preference for conducting states are consistent with the slower decay of inhibitory currents at synapses that contain α3β3γ2 channels. The reaction mechanism we describe here may also be appropriate for the analysis of other types of GABAA receptors and provides a framework for rational investigation of the kinetic effects of a variety of therapeutic agents that activate or modulate GABAA receptors and hence influence synaptic and extrasynaptic inhibition in the central nervous system.