cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of calcineurin inhibitors on an in vitro assay for chronic urticaria.

Summary Background Chronic urticaria is a common skin disorder, which causes considerable morbidity. In approximately 40% of cases, patients have an autoimmune disorder in which functional antibodies cause degranulation of mast cells and basophils, and C5a complement augments this in varying amounts from patient to patient. Since the calcineurin inhibitor ciclosporin has been used in chronic autoimmune urticaria, we examined the effect of ciclosporin and other drugs on the release of histamine from basophils when stimulated by sera from patients with chronic autoimmune urticaria. Methods Leucocytes from healthy donors were isolated and incubated in varying concentrations of ciclosporin, ascomycin, methotrexate, diphenhydramine or hydroxyzine for 30 min prior to stimulation with serum from urticaria patients known to have functional immunoglobulin (Ig)G antibodies directed against the alpha subunit of the IgE receptor. Histamine release was then measured. Results Pre-incubating cells with ciclosporin and ascomycin produced dose-dependent inhibition of histamine release when cells were stimulated by sera of urticaria patients, by purified IgG from these sera, but not by C5a. Inhibition was not prevented by C5a receptor blocking antibodies. No inhibition was seen with methotrexate, diphenhydramine or hydroxyzine. Conclusions This is the first demonstration of inhibition of histamine release by calcineurin inhibitors employing sera of patients with chronic autoimmune urticaria. These drugs may work by interfering with intracellular signalling in cells following cross-linking of the IgE receptor, but not following stimulation of the C5a receptor.
Mechanical behavior and microstructure characterization of sinter-forged SiC particle reinforced aluminum matrix composites

Abstract A novel, low-cost sinter-forging approach to processing particle reinforced metal matrix composites for high-performance applications was examined. The microstructure of the sinter-forged composites exhibited relatively uniform distribution of SiC particles, which appeared to be somewhat aligned perpendicular to the forging direction. The degree of alignment and interparticle bond strength was not as high as that observed for the extruded composite. The sinter-forged composite exhibited higher Young’s modulus and ultimate tensile strength than the extruded material, but lower strain-to-failure. The higher modulus and strength were attributed to the absence of any significant processing-induced particle fracture, while the lower strain-to-failure was caused by poorer matrix interparticle bonding compared to the extruded material. Fatigue behavior of sinter-forged composites was similar to that of the extruded material. Fe-rich inclusions were extremely detrimental to fatigue life. Cleaner processing, which eliminated the inclusions, enhanced the fatigue life of the sinter-forged composites to levels similar to that of the extruded material.
Vendor Test Studies Supporting the Design of a Biomass-to-Ethanol Pilot-Plant

In support of the effort to develop the biomass-to-ethanol process, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is building a pilot plant based on the enzymatic conversion of cellulose to ethanol. The plant will incorporate operations for feed handling, size reduction, pretreatment, fermentation, distillation, and solids separation. Pilot plant testing of critical equipment at vendor facilities was undertaken to ensure good and reliable designs. Specifically, vendors tested pumping, agitation, and centrifugation of biomass slurries. Sulfuric acid pretreated wood was successfully pumped at solids concentrations up to 30%. Agitation of pretreated biomass slurries was investigated over a range of solids concentrations from 11 to 18.5%. Pretreated and fermented biomass slurries can be successfully dewatered in a centrifuge to a 30% solids concentration. Additionally, metals were tested for corrosion under conditions likely to be encountered in a dilute sulfuric acid prehydrolysis to identify suitable materials of construction for a pretreatment system. Corrosion rates were found to be highly dependent on temperature. Zirconium was the only material that had low corrosion rates at conditions of 2% sulfuric acid and 200°C.
TCA: MAN B&W Diesel’s New Turbocharger Generation

MAN B&W Diesel’s proven NA/S and /T9 turbocharger generation has been successfully in the market for approximately 10 years. Early in 2000, MAN B&W Diesel decided to meet the increased demands of the engine manufacturers by developing a new turbocharger generation. The investigations of the two prototype TCA77 turbochargers were already started in the middle of 2001 on the burner rig test bed and afterwards on the engine. This abstract gives an overview about the development targets and shows the TCA turbocharger programme. The design details are explained with special attention to the design features of the compressor, the turbine and the bearing concept. This paper explains MAN B&W’s new containment safety concept applied to the TCA generation and shows the results of the investigations with regard to noise emissions and efficiencies.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
An Evaluation of Methods for Assessing the Quality of Case Management for Inpatients with Malaria in Benin

To improve healthcare quality for hospitalized patients with malaria in Benin, a feasible and valid evaluation method is needed. Because observation of inpatients is challenging, chart abstraction is an attractive option. However, the quality of inpatient charts is unknown. We employed three methods in five hospitals to assess 11 signs of malaria and severe disease: 1) chart abstraction (probability sample of inpatients), 2) chart abstraction compared to interviews of inpatients and health workers (HWs), and 3) abstraction from charts of recently discharged inpatients compared to interviews with HWs. Method 1 showed that of 473 malaria signs (from 43 charts), 178 (38%, 95% confidence interval 24–51%) were documented. Method 2 showed that 96% (45 of 47) of documented signs were valid. Method 3 suggests that 65% (36 of 55) of non-documented signs were assessed (but not documented) by HWs. Chart abstraction was feasible and documented data were valid, but results should be interpreted cautiously in consideration of low levels of documentation.
Impacts of alternative degrees of freedom corrections in two and three stage least squares

Abstract There is a lack of uniformity concerning the appropriate degrees of freedom to use in estimating simultaneous equations. This issue is examined through a Monte Carlo study comparing estimates and inferences obtained using alternative choices of degrees of freedom in two and three stage least squares. While 2SLS estimates do not depend upon this choice, 3SLS estimates do. However, in the study the choice had little impact on 3SLS estimates. But the results strongly suggest that approximate tests conventionally used are much more accurate for both methods if estimated variances account for lost degrees of freedom.
The support of steroid aromatization by mitochondrial metabolic activities of the human placenta.

Abstract The role of mitochondrial hexokinase (EC 2.7.1.1.) and mitochondrial ATP synthesis in the utilization of glucose for the support of estrogen biosynthesis was examined in placental mitochondrial preparations supplemented with NADP+, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.49) and 4-androstene-3.17-dione. With 14 mitochondrial preparations, rates of steroid aromatization supported by 100 mM glucose and 20 mM ATP had a mean of 65.7 ± 7.1 (SD) % of rates achieved with saturating levels of glucose 6-phosphate. ADP, but not AMP, could substitute for ATP in this system. Aromatization supported by glucose and high concentrations of ADP was inhibited by AMP but not by 2,4-dinitrophenol or oligomycin. Glucose also supported mitochondrial aromatization when combined with a respiratory chain-linked metabolic substrate (glycerol 3-phosphate) and a limiting concentration of ADP (2 mM). This support was inhibited by 2,4-dinitrophenol, the p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone of carbonyl cyanide, oligomycin and atractyloside. Thus, glucose metabolism by mitochondrial hexokinase, utilizing ATP generated either by oxidative phosphorylation or mitochondrial adenylate kinase (EC 2.7.4.3), can be coupled with a soluble NADPH-generating system to provide effective support of mitochondrial estrogen synthesis.
Application of a Dynamic Global-Coefficient Subgrid-Scale Model for Large-Eddy Simulation in Complex Geometries

The application of a dynamic global-coefficient subgrid-scale eddy-viscosity model for large-eddy simulation in complex geometries is presented. The model employs a dynamic procedure for closure of the subgrid-scale eddy-viscosity model developed by Vreman [Phys. Fluids 16 , 3670 (2004)]. The model coefficient which is globally constant in space but varies in time is dynamically determined assuming the “global equilibrium” between the subgrid-scale dissipation and the viscous dissipation of which utilization was proposed by Park et al. [Phys. Fluids 18 , 125109 (2006)]. Like the Vreman’s model with a fixed coefficient and the dynamic-coefficient model of Park et al., the present model predicts zero eddy-viscosity in regions where the vanishing eddy viscosity is theoretically expected. The present dynamic model is especially suitable for large-eddy simulation in complex geometries since it does not require any ad hoc spatial and temporal averaging or clipping of the model coefficient for numerical stabilization and requires only a single-level test filter.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Comparison of P450s from human and fugu: 420 million years of vertebrate P450 evolution.

Abstract The fugu (pufferfish) genome has been sequenced, and a second genome assembly was released 17 May 2002. Exhaustive searches were made to identify all P450 genes and pseudogenes from the earlier release of 26 October 2001. P450 genes assembled as completely as possible from these data were used to do additional searches of the newer assembly and all P450 genes and pseudogenes in the available fugu sequence data have been identified, compared to human P450s, and assigned names. There are 54 P450 genes in fugu and 1 nearly intact pseudogene (CYP3A50P). CYP1A is missing much of its N-terminal half; however, 45 P450 genes are completely assembled. Eight others are lacking only one or two exons or less. CYP2X4 is known only from an EST. This may be a 55th P450 gene if it represents an accurate sequence. In addition to 2X4, there are 16 other pseudogene fragments or small pieces of P450 genes. At the P450 family level, 17 of 18 mammalian families are found in fugu. CYP39 is the only CYP family missing and it is not seen in any other fish sequence data either. The CYP2 family shows the largest degree of divergence. In the CYP2 family, only CYP2R1 and CYP2U1 are conserved as recognizable subfamilies across species. Intron–exon boundaries are largely preserved across 420 million years of evolution.
Enzymatic Synthesis of a Quorum-Sensing Autoinducer Through Use of Defined Substrates

Many bacteria, including several pathogens of plants and humans, use a pheromone called an autoinducer to regulate gene expression in a cell density-dependent manner. Agrobacterium autoinducer [AAI, N-(3-oxo-octanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone] of A. tumefaciens is synthesized by the Tral protein, which is encoded by the tumor-inducing plasmid. Purified hexahistidinyl-Tral (H6-Tral) used S-adenosylmethionine to make the homoserine lactone moiety of AAI, but did not use related compounds. H6-Tral used 3-oxo-octanoyl-acyl carrier protein to make the 3-oxo-octanoyl moiety of AAI, but did not use 3-oxo-octanoyl-coenzyme A. These results demonstrate the enzymatic synthesis of an autoinducer through the use of purified substrates.
Calorie restriction and methionine restriction in control of endogenous hydrogen sulfide production by the transsulfuration pathway

H2S is a gas easily identified by its distinctive odor. Although environmental exposure to H2S has been viewed alternately as therapeutic or toxic through the centuries, H2S has recently regained recognition for its numerous beneficial biological effects. Most experiments documenting such benefits, including improved glucose tolerance, increased stress resistance, and even lifespan extension, are based on exposure of experimental organisms to exogenous sources of H2S. However, appreciation is growing for the importance of H2S produced endogenously by the evolutionary conserved transsulfuration pathway (TSP) in health and longevity. Recent data implicate H2S produced by the TSP in pleiotropic benefits of dietary restriction (DR), or reduced nutrient/energy intake without malnutrition. DR, best known as the most reliable way to extend lifespan in a wide range of experimental organisms, includes various regimens aimed at either reducing overall calorie intake (calorie restriction, intermittent/every-other-day fasting) or reducing particular nutrients such as protein or the essential amino acid, methionine (methionine restriction), with overlapping functional benefits on stress resistance, metabolic fitness and lifespan. Here we will review the small but growing body of literature linking the TSP to the functional benefits of DR in part through the production of endogenous H2S, with an emphasis on regulation of the TSP and H2S production by diet and mechanisms of beneficial H2S action.
Neutron Spectra at 0° from 724 - MeV Protons on Be and Cu

Neutron spectra above 175MeV were measured at 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} from 724-MeV proton bombardment of beryllium and copper. Measurements were made at the 184-in. cyclotron of the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory with a self-contained time-of-flight spectrometer. The results are compared with the predictions of the intranuclear cascade model for the interval from 0 to 5\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. Comparison of the measured and predicted spectra from beryllium indicates that the intranuclear cascade model underestimates the neutron production both in the quasifree peak and in the continuum between 300 MeV and the cutoff energy at 175 MeV. The position of the quasifree peak is observed at the proton bombarding energy in agreement with theory. The measured spectrum from copper shows a substantial contribution in the continuum between 300 MeV and the cutoff energy at 175 MeV. In this continuum region, the measured spectrum from copper increases with decreasing energy, whereas the calculated spectrum decreases with decreasing energy.
Pharmacogenomic Medicine in Autism: Challenges and Opportunities

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects 1 in 68 children in the US and is distinguished by core deficits in social interactions. Developing pharmacologic treatments for ASD is complicated by clinical and genetic heterogeneity. Although pharmacological treatments have not been shown to be effective in treating the core symptoms of ASD (i.e., social deficits), there is evidence that the burden of emotional and behavioral problems can be reduced with pharmacotherapy. Numerous randomized clinical trials of treatments for the core ASD deficits have been conducted; however, most have provided inconclusive results due to the substantial variation in treatment response. Variation also exists in the considerable metabolic side effects of many of the current treatments. Some of this variation may be explained by differences in the underlying genetic pathways. Exploiting the link between genetic heterogeneity and clinical variation associated with behavioral problems may provide an opportunity for targeted treatment of ASD. In this review, we summarize the recent findings from pharmacogenomics studies of ASD and suggest further how understanding how genetic liability modifies the effect of drugs may present an opportunity to address the challenges of personalized medicine in autism.
Fusion of Epstein-Barr virus with epithelial cells can be triggered by αvβ5 in addition to αvβ6 and αvβ8, and integrin binding triggers a conformational change in glycoproteins gHgL.

Fusion of herpesviruses with their target cells requires a minimum of three glycoproteins, namely, gB and a complex of gH and gL. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) fusion with an epithelial cell requires no additional virus glycoproteins, and we have shown previously that it can be initiated by an interaction between integrin αvβ6 or αvβ8 and gHgL. We now report that integrin αvβ5 can also bind to gHgL and trigger fusion. Binding of gHgL to integrins is a two-step reaction. The first step, analyzed by surface plasmon resonance, was fast, with high association and low dissociation rate constants. The second step, detected by fluorescence spectroscopy of gHgL labeled at cysteine 153 at the domain I-domain II interface with the environmentally sensitive probes acrylodan and IANBD, involved a slower conformational change. Interaction of gHgL with neutralizing monoclonal antibodies or Fab′ fragments was also consistent with a two-step reaction involving fast high-affinity binding and a subsequent slower conformational change. None of the antibodies bound to the same epitope, and none completely inhibited integrin binding. However, binding of each decreased the rate of conformational change induced by integrin binding, suggesting that neutralization might involve a conformational change that precludes fusion. Overall, the data are consistent with the interaction of gHgL with an integrin inducing a functionally important rearrangement at the domain I-domain II interface.
Uncertainty of Thrust Prediction for a Small Demonstration Turbojet

A small turbojet, the SR-30, is often used in academic settings to demonstrate thrust generation. The experience and insights afforded by this type of experimentation we find invaluable, because the students appraise a turbojet, from start-up to wind down, in all its dimensions: from basic thermodynamics to creep considerations, passing through instrumentation and lubrication. Experimental uncertainties of measurements taken on this unit lead to conflict with basic thermofluids laws, and have been reported in the literature. The present work introduces a thermodynamic model whereby the thrust can be calculated for a range of speeds. The model resorts to conservation principles and efficiencies to factor in the turbine irreversibilities. Six significant variables are assigned uncertainties, and a thrust distribution is generated via a Monte-Carlo analysis. The parameters of the thrust distribution are analyzed to determine the reliability of thrust predictions. Intermediate cycle temperatures can be estimated via an approach consistent with the thermo-fluids laws.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Aptamer-Based Au Nanoparticles-Enhanced Surface Plasmon Resonance Detection of Small Molecules

Small molecules are difficult to detect by conventional SPR technique directly because the changes in the refractive index resulting from the binding processes of small biomolecules are often small. In order to extend the application of SPR biosensor in detecting a small molecule, we combine the advantage of aptamer technique with the amplifying effect of Au nanoparticles to design a sensitive SPR sensor for detecting small molecules. The principle of this sensor is based on surface inhibition detection. The aptamer is first immobilized on SPR gold film with its ss-DNA structure. The aptamer possessing this structure can be hybridized with Au nanoparticles-tagged complementary ss-DNA and result in a large change of SPR signal. However, the aptamer will change its structure from ss-DNA to tertiary structure after adenosine is added to the SPR cell. The aptamer possessing tertiary structure could not hybridize with Au nanoparticles-tagged complementary ss-DNA. Thus, the change of SPR signal resulted in the ...
Stair Matrices and Their Generalizations with Applications to Iterative Methods I: A Generalization of the Successive Overrelaxation Method

Stair matrices and their generalizations are introduced. Some properties of the matrices are presented. Like triangular matrices this class of matrices provides bases of matrix splittings for iterative methods. A remarkable feature of iterative methods based on the new class of matrices is that the methods are easily implemented for parallel computation. In particular, a generalization of the successive overrelaxation (SOR) method is introduced. The SOR theory on determination of the optimal parameter is extended to the generalized method to include a wide class of matrices. The asymptotic rate of convergence of the new method is derived for Hermitian positive definite matrices using bounds of the eigenvalues of Jacobi matrices and numerical radius. Finally, numerical tests are presented to corroborate the obtained results.
Effect of Exenatide, Pen Insulin, and Vial Insulin on Patient Outcomes: A Retrospective Database Analysis of Persistence and First-Year Costs in a Commercially Insured Population

Abstract Objective We compared health care costs and medication persistence for patients with type 2 diabetes initiating treatment using exenatide, pen insulin, or vial insulin. Methods Commercial health plan data (2004–2008) were used to identify episodes of antidiabetic drug therapy, which were then classified according to treatment history: first observed treatment, restarting a previous therapy (90-day gap in all treatment), switching therapy, and augmentation therapy. Three time periods were defined for each episode: the month in which the episode was initiated (index month), 6 months before the index month (preindex period), and 12 months after the index month (postindex period). All exenatide and insulin episodes were selected for this analysis of persistence and first-year costs. Multivariate statistical methods were adjusted for demographic characteristics, drug use history, previous medical care use, comorbid medical conditions, and prescription drug profile. Several sensitivity analyses were conducted. Results A total of 213,701 episodes of antidiabetic drug therapy were identified, of which 7031 patients were initiated using exenatide, 21,011 used vial insulin, and 422 used pen insulin. Time to all-cause discontinuation (TTAD) was measured for the index drug and all diabetic-related drugs. Pen insulin was discontinued 91 days earlier than exenatide, whereas vial insulin was continued 18 days longer than exenatide. Patients using pen insulin discontinued all antidiabetic drugs 34 days earlier than patients on exenatide, whereas patients using exenatide and vial insulin exhibited similar TTAD for all drugs. Exenatide use was estimated to significantly reduce medical costs of the first posttreatment year sufficient to offset higher prescription drug costs. These results were confirmed using propensity score matching estimation and were robust across episode type. Conclusions Patients initiating drug therapy using exenatide might incur lower posttreatment costs than similar patients who initiated treatment using insulin.
Is duodenogastroesophageal reflux implicated in Barrett's esophagus?

Abstract This retrospective case-control study was designed to help identify whether gastric surgery for benign peptic ulcer disease increases the risk of developing Barrett’s esophagus (BE). A case population of 650 patients with short-segment BE and 366 patients with long-segment BE were compared with 3046 controls without gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and with normal esophageal mucosa during esophagoduodenoscopy. Among the case population, 25 (4%) with short-segment BE and 15 (4%) with long-segment BE had a history of gastric surgery versus 162 (5%) of controls. The adjusted OR and 95% CI were 0.89 (0.54–1.46) for short-segment BE and 0.71 (0.30–1.72) for long-segment BE. Patients with either length segment of BE had no increased exposure to any type of gastric surgery when the type of surgery was analyzed separately. In univariate analysis, white ethnicity, increasing alcohol consumption, and the presence of a hiatal hernia were associated with an increased risk of BE.
Decay of 68Cu isomers

Abstract The decay of 68 Cu was studied by means of a Ge(Li) spectrometer and scintillation detectors. Several new β- and γ-rays were observed and coincidence relations were subsequently established. Five γ-rays attributed to the isomeric decay of 68m Cu (3.8) min result from the deexcitation of an isomeric state at 721.4 keV to levels of 610.2 and 84.3 keV. The isomeric state is interpreted as a J π = 6 − state with a possible neutron-proton configuration of ( g 9 2 + ) n , ( p 3 2 − ) p . Approximately 85 % of the decay is through isomeric transitions to the 31 sec 68 Cu ( J π = 1 + ) ground state. This equilibrium activity was used to study the level stucture of 68 Zn in addition to confirming previous assignments.
The role of bulk and surface properties of selected amino acid copolymers on blood coagulation.

Copolymers formed from 20%-γ-L-benzylglutamate-80%-L-leucine (GL-14), 50%-γ-L-benzylglutamate-50%-L-leucine (GL-11), 80%-γ-L-benzylglutamate-20%-L-leucine (GL-41), 80%-γ-L-benzylglutamate-20%-L-phenylalanine (GP-41), and 100%-γ-L-benzylglutamate (G-1), where all percentages are in mole percent, were cast as thin films and tested for their ability to cause platelet retention in columns and to initiate coagulation, as measured by the partial thromboplastin times and Factor VII assays. Benzene, dichloroethane, and dioxane were used as casting solvents.
Gravity Increase at the South Pole

Measurements made between December 1957 and January 1966 of the gravity difference between the McMurdo Sound pendulum station, which is on bedrock, and the South Pole station, which is on the Antarctic ice sheet, show a gravity increase at the South Pole of 0.11 milligals per year. The most likely hypothesis for the increase is that it was caused by ice flowing downslope across a gravity gradient and by the sinking of the South Pole station as a result of accumulation of ice. An alternate hypothesis that the gravity increase was caused by a decrease in ice thickness, of about 40 centimeters per year, is theoretically possible but is not supported by direct evidence.
Plant class B HSFs inhibit transcription and exhibit affinity for TFIIB and TBP

Plant heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) are capable of transcriptional activation (class A HSFs) or both, activation and repression (class B HSFs). However, the details of mechanism still remain unclear. It is likely, that the regulation occurs through interactions of HSFs with general transcription factors (GTFs), as has been described for numerous other transcription factors. Here, we show that class A HSFs may activate transcription through direct contacts with TATA-binding protein (TBP). Class A HSFs can also interact weakly with TFIIB. Conversely, class B HSFs inhibit promoter activity through an active mechanism of repression that involves the C-terminal regulatory region (CTR) of class B HSFs. Deletion analysis revealed two sites in the CTR of soybean GmHSFB1 potentially involved in protein-protein interactions with GTFs: one is the repressor domain (RD) located in the N-terminal half of the CTR, and the other is a TFIIB binding domain (BD) that shows affinity for TFIIB and is located C-terminally from the RD. A Gal4 DNA binding domain-RD fusion repressed activity of LexA-activators, while Gal4-BD proteins synergistically activated strong and weak transcriptional activators. In vitro binding studies were consistent with this pattern of activity since the BD region alone interacted strongly with TFIIB, and the presence of RD had an inhibitory effect on TFIIB binding and transcriptional activation.
The Preparation of Substituted Allyllithium Reagents from Allyltin Compounds by Transmetalation.

Abstract The reaction of substituted allyltrimethyltin compounds with methyl-lithium in tetrahydrofuran gave substituted allyllithium reagents. Reactions of the latter with trimethylchlorosilane, iodomethane (or benzyl bromide) and carbonyl compounds were examined.
An electron spectroscopy study of the growth and thermally activated diffusion of nickel thin films on Al(111) and Al2O3/Al(111)

Abstract High-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and Auger electron spectroscopy have been used to study the interaction of nickel with clean and oxidized Al(111) surfaces. At about 200 K, nickel deposition on Al2O3 forms three- dimensional nickel clusters. The nickel clusters are bonded directly to surface Al-O moieties as determined from the preferential influence of nickel on the Al2O3 surface phonon modes. Two thermally induced processes compete for dominance for nickel thin films on Al2O3. Heating between 200 and 450 K results in conversion of the nickel clusters to a smoother nickel layer, whereas heating to higher temperatures (450–700 K) causes substantial inward diffusion of the nickel overlayer through defects in the Al2O3 thin film. Only one process occurs for nickel on clean Al(111), as the nickel overlayer simply diffuses steadily into the aluminum throughout the temperature range of about 300–700 K. The Al2O3 layer acts as a barrier to inward diffusion for nickel on Al2O3/Al(111), since the temperature at which inward diffusion starts increases with the thickness of the Al2O3 layer. For nickel deposited onto both clean Al(111) and Al2O3, we find that the metallic aluminum present provides a major driving force for inward diffusion from the nickel overlayer, resulting in Ni-Al alloy formation and segregation of aluminum toward the surface. Our study demonstrates the utility of EELS as a new tool for investigating solid-solid interfaces and thin film barriers.
RECONSTRUCTABILITY ANALYSIS FOR GENERAL FUNCTIONS

Abstract The new discipline of reconstructability analysis has provided a powerful framework for the study of the relationships between parts and wholes. The concentration of effort has been on systems with probabilistic or possibilistic behavior functions. This paper extends aspects of reconstructability analysis to general functions which need not be behavior functions. We refer to a system with such a function as a g-system. First, a g-system is transformed to a dimensionless form (borrowing a term from partial differential equations). A mathematical structure is then induced via a type of isomorphism onto this system which renders it amenable to analysis by established techniques in reconstructability analysis. Absolutely no restrictions are placed on the units or mathematical structure of the g-system. We refer to the system induced from the g-system as a Klir system or k-system. These systems are named in honor of the reconstructability analysis founder. Finally, we explicate some uses of k-systems ...
A cost-effective scheduling algorithm for scientific workflows in clouds

Cloud computing enables the delivery of computing, software, storage, and data access through web browsers as a metered service. In addition to commercial applications, an increasing number of large-scale workflow-based scientific applications are being supported by cloud computing. In order to meet the rapidly growing and dynamic computing demands of scientific users, the cloud service provider needs to employ efficient and cost-effective job schedulers to guarantee workflow completion time as well as improve resource utilization for high throughput. Based on rigorous cost models, we formulate a delay-constrained optimization problem to maximize resource utilization and propose a two-step workflow scheduling algorithm to minimize the cloud overhead within a user-specified execution time bound. The extensive simulation results illustrate that our approach consistently achieves lower computing overhead or higher resource utilization than existing methods within the execution time bound. Our approach also significantly reduces the total execution time by strategically selecting appropriate mapping nodes for prioritized modules.
Radioimmunoassay and bioassay data processing using a logistic curve fitting routine adapted to a desk top computer

Abstract The four parameter logistic curve fitting routine of Rodbard and Hutt [5] was adapted for use on a desk top computer and found to be an appropriate manner to process data from radioimmunoassays and bioassays.
Isotropy of Cosmic Radiation

Cosmic radiation data obtained at the Mass. Inst. of Tech. Volcano Ranch station in 1960 to 1961 were compared with that taken in 1959 to 1960 at the same location. The 1960 to 1961 data were obtained after the area of the array was increased by a factor of four and therefore have 3 times the statistical weight of the 1959 to 1960 data. An isotropic distribution in the direction of arrival of primary particles at about 10/sup 18/ ev is indicated. No conclusive evidence for existence or non-existence of anisotropies was found. (L.N.N.)
Dynamic range extension of BPM at the NSLS

In order to overcome range limitations, the existing Beam Position Monitor (BPM) receiver was modified, extending the dynamic range from 35 dB to 60 dB. The modifications include the insertion of an RF PIN attenuator, RF amplifier, and control circuitry in line with the RF link to add an extra 25 dB to the existing AGC loop. This standalone 25 dB RF gain control stage is integrated into the present system without any change to the existing receiver. >
Negative impedance instability compensation in more electric aircraft DC power systems using state space pole placement control

In aerospace power systems, multiple power converters and multiple voltage power systems interact with each other and can result in unstable operation. When a dc-dc converter is loaded with a constant power load, it shows instability. This is because of the negative impedance characteristic of constant power load. Some poles of the converter with a constant power load are in the right half plane of the s-plane. This paper presents a compensation technique for buck converter using state space pole placement control. With a state space pole placement control, the unstable poles are relocated to the stable region, i.e. left half plane. Furthermore smaller output filter capacitor can be used.
Performance-Driven Simultaneous Place and Route for Row-Based FPGAs

Sequential place and route tools for FPGAs are inherently weak at addressing both wirability and timing optimizations. This is primarily due to the difficulty in predicting these at the placement level. A new performance-driven simultaneous placement / routing technique has been developed for row-based designs. Up to 28% improvements in timing and 33% in wirability have been achieved over a traditional sequential place and route system in use at Texas Instruments for several MCNC benchmark examples.
Ecological and Genetic Barriers Differentiate Natural Populations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

How populations that inhabit the same geographical area become genetically differentiated is not clear. To investigate this, we characterized phenotypic and genetic differences between two populations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae that in some cases inhabit the same environment but show relatively little gene flow. We profiled stress sensitivity in a group of vineyard isolates and a group of oak-soil strains and found several niche-related phenotypes that distinguish the populations. We performed bulk-segregant mapping on two of the distinguishing traits: The vineyard-specific ability to grow in grape juice and oak-specific tolerance to the cell wall damaging drug Congo red. To implicate causal genes, we also performed a chemical genomic screen in the lab-strain deletion collection and identified many important genes that fell under quantitative trait loci peaks. One gene important for growth in grape juice and identified by both the mapping and the screen was SSU1, a sulfite-nitrite pump implicated in wine fermentations. The beneficial allele is generated by a known translocation that we reasoned may also serve as a genetic barrier. We found that the translocation is prevalent in vineyard strains, but absent in oak strains, and presents a postzygotic barrier to spore viability. Furthermore, the translocation was associated with a fitness cost to the rapid growth rate seen in oak-soil strains. Our results reveal the translocation as a dual-function locus that enforces ecological differentiation while producing a genetic barrier to gene flow in these sympatric populations.
Cation Movements in the High Sodium Erythrocyte of the Cat

The uptake of 42K and 24Na by cat erythrocytes was investigated. Under steady-state conditions, the nontransient component of 42K influx was found to be 0.18 ± 0.01 meq/liter RBC/hr and insensitive to ouabain (100 µM); the corresponding value for 24Na was 17 ± meq/liter RBC/hr. A study was made of the effects of anions upon cation movements in these and other mammalian red cells. Iodide was found to inhibit markedly (>50%) Na inward movements in cat and dog but not in the other erythrocytes. An increase (15–30%) in K uptake in the presence of iodide was noted in all the mammalian cells studied.
A review of Federal Aviation Administration fatigue research: Transitioning scientific results to the aviation industry.

Human fatigue remains a significant challenge in aviation. Basic scientific research has studied fatigue and created a solid scientific understanding. Current efforts seek to transfer the available research into operational environments. This document reviews the research and development conducted by the US Federal Aviation Administration over the past 50 years and focuses on studies that have led to the successful transition from science into the aviation industry. Further, this article reviews current strategies and methods used to transition research into workplace operations.
WebWave: globally load balanced fully distributed caching of hot published documents

Document publication service over such a large network as the Internet challenges us to harness available server and network resources to meet fast growing demand. We show that large scale dynamic caching can be employed to globally minimize server idle time, and hence maximize the aggregate server throughput of the whole service. To be efficient, scalable and robust, a successful caching mechanism must have three properties: (1) maximize the global throughput of the system; (2) find cache copies without recourse to a directory service, or to a discovery protocol; and (3) be completely distributed in the sense of operating only on the basis of local information. We develop a precise definition, which we call tree load balance (TLB), of what it means for a mechanism to satisfy these three goals. We present an algorithm that computes TLB offline, and a distributed protocol that induces a load distribution that converges quickly to a TLB one. Both algorithms place cache copies of immutable documents on the routing tree that connects the cached document's home server to its clients, thus enabling requests to stumble on cache copies en route to the home server.
Exploiting memristance for low-energy neuromorphic computing hardware

As conventional CMOS technology approaches fundamental scaling limits novel nanotechnologies offer great promise for VLSI integration at nanometer scales. The memristor, or memory resistor, is a novel nanoelectronic device that holds great promise for continued scaling for emerging applications. Memristor behavior is very similar to that of the synapses necessary for realizing a neural network. In this research, we have considered circuits that leverage memristance in the realization of an artificial synapse that can be used to implement neuromorphic computing hardware. A novel charge sharing based neural network is described which consists of a hybrid of conventional CMOS technology and novel memristors. Simulation results are presented which demonstrate that dense CMOS-memristive neural networks can be implemented with energy consumption on the order of tens of femto-joules.
Comparison between TOF and non-TOF PET using a scan statistic numerical observer

Two dimensional time-of-flight (TOF) and non-TOF PET image sets are analyzed using a scan statistic (or maximum noise nodule search) observer, as well as a fixed position observer. The results reveal significant differences between the two approaches and indicate that the usual fixed position detectability evaluation techniques, often referred as signal known exactly back-ground known exactly (SKE/BKE) evaluation tasks, insufficiently capture the true nature of image quality improvement that TOF information brings. We review here several results of the detection with localization theory and present a generalization using the noise nodule distribution in a given search area.
Copper in chocolate may improve health

Djousse et al.,1 described an inverse epidemiologic association between chocolate consumption and coronary heart disease prevalence. They suggested that dark chocolate contains potentially beneficial ingredients such as flavonoids, potassium and magnesium. Chocolate also is high in copper, an antioxidant nutrient for cardiovascular health.2 According to a personal communication from the Nutrient Data Laboratory of the US Department of Agriculture, dark chocolate ranges from 1.0 to 1.8 mg copper/100 g, depending on the amount of cocoa solids. Thus 100 g of dark chocolate can provide more than the US Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)3 of copper, 0.9 mg, and the darkest chocolate can double that amount. Even when diluted with sugar and milk inter alia, chocolate can provide an appreciable supplement of copper. The Western diet so closely associated with coronary heart disease often is low in copper. Approximately 1/3 of 849 diets chemically analyzed provided less than 1 mg/day.4 A more recent publication reveals that 62% of analyzed diets of 80 randomly selected adults in Baltimore MD were below the RDA.5 Copper deficiency is the only nutritional insult that elevates cholesterol, blood pressure, homocysteine, isoprostanes and uric acid, has adverse effects on electrocardiograms and arteries, impairs glucose tolerance and paraoxonase activity, promotes thrombosis and oxidative damage, and to which males respond differently than females. Approximately 80 anatomical, chemical and physiological similarities between animals deficient in copper and people with ischemic heart disease have been identified.
The Freshening of Surface Waters in High Latitudes: Effects on the Thermohaline and Wind-Driven Circulations

Abstract The impacts of a freshening of surface waters in high latitudes on the deep, slow, thermohaline circulation have received enormous attention, especially the possibility of a shutdown in the meridional overturning that involves sinking of surface waters in the northern Atlantic Ocean. A recent study by Fedorov et al. has drawn attention to the effects of a freshening on the other main component of the oceanic circulation—the swift, shallow, wind-driven circulation that varies on decadal time scales and is closely associated with the ventilated thermocline. That circulation too involves meridional overturning, but its variations and critical transitions affect mainly the Tropics. A surface freshening in mid- to high latitudes can deepen the equatorial thermocline to such a degree that temperatures along the equator become as warm in the eastern part of the basin as they are in the west, the tropical zonal sea surface temperature gradient virtually disappears, and permanently warm conditions prevail...
Viral Microencapsulation Delays Protection after Intramuscular Inoculation of Mice with Rotavirus

Intramuscular (i.m.) immunization of mice with microencapsulated infectious rotavirus delayed protection against rotavirus challenge. Whereas unencapsulated rotavirus induced protection 6 but not 16 weeks after i.m. immunization, microencapsulated rotavirus induced protection 16 but not 6 weeks after i.m. immunization. Protection 16 weeks after immunization was associated with increased production of virus-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) by small intestinal lamina propria (LP) lymphocytes. These findings demonstrate that i.m. immunization with microencapulated rotavirus can delay the onset of protection against challenge and the development of intestinal humoral immune responses. Simultaneous i.m. immunization with both unencapsulated and microencapsulated virus may induce prolonged protection from an intestinal pathogen, thus obviating the need for booster doses. Possible mechanisms of delayed protection induced by i.m. immunization with microencapsulated immunogens are discussed.
Passive Immunity in Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases

Antibodies have been used for over a century in the prevention and treatment of infectious disease. They are used most commonly for the prevention of measles, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, tetanus, varicella, rabies, and vaccinia. Although their use in the treatment of bacterial infection has largely been supplanted by antibiotics, antibodies remain a critical component of the treatment of diptheria, tetanus, and botulism. High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin can be used to treat certain viral infections in immunocompromised patients (e.g., cytomegalovirus, parvovirus B19, and enterovirus infections). Antibodies may also be of value in toxic shock syndrome, Ebola virus, and refractory staphylococcal infections. Palivizumab, the first monoclonal antibody licensed (in 1998) for an infectious disease, can prevent respiratory syncytial virus infection in high-risk infants. The development and use of additional monoclonal antibodies to key epitopes of microbial pathogens may further define protective humoral responses and lead to new approaches for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.
Good clean tobacco: Philip Morris, biocapitalism, and the social course of stigma in North Carolina

In this article, I analyze the central role of economic liberalization in Philip Morris's makeover into a “responsible corporate citizen,” including the firm's unlikely support for U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation of tobacco products. On the basis of fieldwork in North Carolina, I provide an ethnographic view of how the recent shift from traditional auction marketing to private contract agriculture affects differently positioned farmers and farmworkers. This transition has galvanized both potent cultural meanings associated with locality and modes of stigmatization deployed by various actors to respond to social and economic restructuring. Ostensibly about improving public health, Philip Morris's makeover, linked to stringent producer contracts and government regulation of consumption, makes U.S. farm businesses less stable, deepens their dependency on a transnational flow of low-wage labor migration from Mexico and Central America, and compounds social and housing problems that affect migrants. The tobacco industry's transition is an exemplary case of biocapitalism, a strategic merger of economic, ethical, and public health values that mirrors trends in the pharmaceutical industry. Analyzing social dynamics of stigmatization in light of health-driven production models, I show how the involvement of a private firm in regulatory politics builds on uneven social and economic conditions among people who manage and work on tobacco farms. This study expands the scope of tobacco's public health picture beyond a narrow focus on consumer health to include important social and health problems related to commercial leaf production. [tobacco, cigarettes, smoking, corporate social responsibility, agriculture, farm labor, stigma, biocapitalism, North Carolina]
The Enzymatic Cleavage of β-Carotene: Still Controversial

The enzyme β-carotene-15, 15′-dioxygenase from guinea pig intestinal mucosa was found to cleave β-carotene and produce 2 mol of retinal for 1 mol of β-carotene. However, extensive evidence exists also for random (excentric) cleavage, resulting in retinoic acid and retinal, with a preponderance of apocarotenals formed as intermediates.
Effectively-single-mode large core passive and active fibers with chirally-coupled-core structures

Chirally-coupled-core fibers with core sizes well exceeding those of conventional LMA provide robust single-mode output irrespective of mode excitation and fiber coiling, are spliceable, and can preserve mode-area in tight bends and reduce nonlinear effects.