cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CH3I vapor etching of GaAs in a vertical rotating-disk reactor

A detailed computer model which predicts etch rates and spatial uniformity for chemical vapor etching of GaAs with CH3I in a vertical rotating-disk organometallic vapor phase epitaxy (OMVPE) reactor has been developed. Etch rate predictions compare favorably with experiments performed in the vertical reactor at several temperatures ranging from 525 to 590°C and CH3I mole fractions from 0.005 to 0.050 in an H2 carrier gas. Agreement between the data and the model verifies our earlier assertion that gas phase decomposition of CH3I is the rate-limiting step, and that the etchant species are I and to a lesser extent CH3 radicals. Predictions further show that radial etch rate uniformity improves from a 5% variation over 50% of the substrate at low rotation (20–100 rpm) to a 5% variation over 80% of the substrate at 500 rpm. Increasing rotation rate also reduces the etch rate, a result that is in contrast to earlier results for OMVPE growth from TMGa and AsH3. These contrasting results arise because growth is rate limited by gas phase diffusion of TMGa, whereas CH3I vapor etching is rate limited by gas phase decomposition of CH3I.
Electron Holographic Characterization of Ferroelectric Thin Films

In this paper we will present recent experimental results, using electron holography and electron interferometry, of studies of ferroelectric domain walls in BaTiO3 thin films. Unlike conventional TEM diffraction contrast imaging of ferroelectrics, the new technique that we have developed not only allows direct visualization of ferroelectric domain walls and electrostatic field distributions in the vicinity of the domain wall, but also enables quantitative measurement of domain wall width and local polarization. We have measured 90° domain wall width to be between 20 to 50 A for a BaTiO3 thin specimen. The variation of polarization across the domain wall will be shown to be close to that predicted by the Zhirnov model. The value of the measured spontaneous polarization is about 1.5 × 10−5 C/cm2, which is closed to the bulk macroscopically measured value.
Involvement of Cyclin D3, CDKN1A (p21), and BIRC5 (Survivin) in Interleukin 11 Stimulation of Decidualization in Mice

Interleukin 11 receptor alpha (Il11ra) null mice are infertile due to defective decidualization and abnormal trophoblast invasion. We have previously shown in these mice that downregulation of decidual proteinase inhibitors plays a role in uncontrolled trophoblast invasion. However, the decidua is abnormally smaller in pseudopregnant Il11ra null mice, where trophoblast invasion is not a factor. Here, we examined whether defective decidualization is due to dysregulation of key molecules involved in decidual cell growth and differentiation. We found a dramatic downregulation of cyclin D3 in Il11ra null mice. We also found that IL11 robustly stimulates the expression of cyclin D3 in cell culture. CDK4 and CDK6, known partners of cyclin D3, are not affected. Immunolocalization studies show absence of cyclin D3 in the mesometrial site and absence of differentiated polyploid cells in the antimesometrial site of Il11ra null mice. We also examined the expression of cell differentiation factors CDKN1A (p21) and CDKN1B (p27), and found that in both in vivo and cell culture the expression of CDKN1A (p21) but not CDKN1B (p27) is under the control of IL11. Another clear target of IL11 in the decidua is BIRC5 (Survivin), whose expression is repressed in the decidua of Il11ra null mice and stimulated by IL11 in cell culture. Taken together, these results provide, at least in part, an explanation for the defective small decidua of mice lacking the Il11ra gene, and reveal for the first time that cyclin D3, CDKN1A (p21), and BIRC5 (Survivin) are targets of IL11 in the decidua.
Pricing-based distributed mobile association for heterogeneous networks with cooperative relays

Heterogeneous networks improve the spectrum efficiency and coverage of wireless communication networks by deploying low-power nodes on top of the conventional network nodes. In this paper, we consider a heterogeneous cellular network with multiple low-power relay nodes (RN) deployed in each cell using in-band wireless backhaul between the RN and the base stations (BS). The RNs work cooperatively with the BSs on the downlink communication towards the user equipments (UE). Due to the disparity between the transmit powers of the BSs and the RNs, mobile association schemes developed for the conventional homogeneous networks may lead to a highly unbalanced traffic loading with most of the traffic being concentrated on the BSs. In this paper, we propose a new mobile association framework for the heterogeneous wireless networks with intra-cell node cooperations. The proposed framework aims to maximize the network capacity and balance the traffic load among the network nodes. Furthermore, we introduce a pricing mechanism to enable the distributed implementation of the proposed scheme. Numerical results show that a prominent improvement in network capacity can be achieved by the proposed pricing-based mobile association scheme.
Safety climate: Leading or lagging indicator of safety outcomes?

This paper theorizes how and why safety climate can be conceived as both a leading and a lagging indicator of safety events (i.e., accidents, injuries). When safety climate is conceived as a leading indicator, a prospective design is utilized and safety climate data are correlated with accidents/injuries that occur in the future. When safety climate is conceived as a lagging indicator, retrospective designs are used in which safety climate data are correlated with prior accidents/injuries. We examine the research literature to reveal that safety climate has been investigated as both a leading and a lagging indicator, but it is usually only examined as one or the other within a given study and has been examined as a lagging indicator most frequently. Consistent with our theorizing, prospective designs yield stronger relationships than retrospective designs, suggesting that safety climate is a better leading indicator than lagging indicator; however, it is clearly both. Implications for safety climate research and study design are discussed.
Diesel: applying privilege separation to database access

Database-backed applications typically grant complete database access to every part of the application. In this scenario, a flaw in one module can expose data that the module never uses for legitimate purposes. Drawing parallels to traditional privilege separation, we argue that database data should be subject to limitations such that each section of code receives access to only the data it needs. We call this data separation. Data separation defends against SQL-based errors including buggy queries and SQL injection attacks and facilitates code review, since a module's policy makes the extent of its database access explicit to programmers and code reviewers. We construct a system called Diesel, which implements data separation by intercepting database queries and applying modules' restrictions to the queries. We evaluate Diesel on three widely-used applications: Drupal, JForum, and WordPress.
Phenomenology of conduction and breakdown in transformer oil

In a coaxial test apparatus enabling the measurement of voltage and current at the test gap, dc conduction and breakdown in transformer oil caused by the application of dc voltages are investigated. Current measurements cover the range from 10/sup -1/ A to 1 kA, with temporal resolutions of milliseconds at the lowest current amplitudes to sub-nanoseconds for currents larger than 10/sup -4/ A. The dc current/voltage characteristic for sub-breakdown voltage amplitudes point to the injection of charge carriers, allow us to characterize the transport mechanisms, and the influence of space charges. For voltages approaching breakdown thresholds, quasi dc-currents rising from nanoamperes to microamperes are superimposed by current pulses with amplitudes of milliamperes and above, and durations of nanoseconds. The onset of these current pulses occurs up to 10 /spl mu/s before breakdown. One of these current pulses reaches a critical amplitude causing voltage breakdown and current rise to the impedance-limited value within 2 ns. Additional optical diagnostics using photomultipliers and high-speed photography with gated microchannel plates yield information on hydrodynamic processes and charge carrier amplification mechanisms associated with the current pulses and final breakdown, such as bubble formation, as well as on the development of the spark plasma finally bridging the gap.
Platelet mitochondrial DNA methylation: a potential new marker of cardiovascular disease

Background: Platelets are critical in the etiology of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and the mitochondria in these cells serve as an energy source for platelet function. Epigenetic factors, especially DNA methylation, have been employed as markers of CVD. Unlike nuclear DNA methylation, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) methylation has not been widely studied, in part, due to debate about its existence and role. In this study, we examined platelet mtDNA methylation in relation to CVD. Results: We measured mtDNA methylation in platelets by bisulfite-PCR pyrosequencing and examined associations of CVD with methylation in mitochondrial genes; cytochrome c oxidase (MT-CO1, MT-CO2, and MT-CO3); tRNA leucine 1 (MT-TL1); ATP synthase (MT-ATP6 and MT-ATP8); and NADH dehydrogenase (MT-MD5). We report that CVD patients have significantly higher mtDNA methylation than healthy controls in MT-CO1 (18.53%, P < 0.0001), MT-CO2 (3.33%, P = 0.0001), MT-CO3 (0.92%, P < 0.0001), and MT-TL1 (1.67%, P = 0.0001), which are involved in ATP synthesis. Platelet mtDNA methylation was not related with age, BMI, and race in this study. Conclusions: Our results suggest that platelet mtDNA methylation, which could serve as non-invasive and easy-to-obtain markers, may be implicated in the etiology of CVD.
IMMUNOREACTIVE SOMATOSTATIN IN HUMAN PANCREATIC SECRETION

Somatostatin in human pancreatic juice collected during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography following secretin injection was determined by RIA. The mean immunoreactive somatostatin (IRS) levels in the pancreatic juice of 13 non-diabetics was 78± 11 (SE) pg/ml. The IRS levels in 4 non-insulin-dependent diabetics ranged from 843 to 2286 pg/ml with a mean of 1559 ± 392 (SE) pg/ml. This was significantly greater than non-diahetic values.The IRS in the pancreatic juice was immunologically indistinguishable from somatostatin14but consisted of 2 major components, one corresponding to somatostatin 14 and the other being of a molecular size of approximately 3000 daltons.
Fourier series expansion in a non-orthogonal system of coordinates for the simulation of 3D-DC borehole resistivity measurements

Abstract We describe a new method to simulate 3D borehole resistivity measurements at zero frequency (DC). The method combines the use of a Fourier series expansion in a non-orthogonal system of coordinates with an existing 2D goal-oriented higher-order self-adaptive hp -finite element algorithm. The new method is suitable for simulating measurements acquired with borehole logging instruments in deviated wells. It delivers high-accuracy simulations and it enables a considerable reduction of the computational complexity with respect to available 3D simulators, since the number of Fourier modes (basis functions) needed to solve practical applications is limited (typically, below 10). Furthermore, numerical results indicate that the optimal 2D grid based on the 0th Fourier mode (also called central Fourier mode) can be employed to efficiently solve the final 3D problem, thereby, avoiding the expensive construction of optimal 3D grids. Specifically, for a challenging through-casing resistivity application, we reduce the computational time from several days (using a 3D simulator) to just 2 h (with the new method), while gaining accuracy. The new simulation method can be easily extended to different physical phenomena with similar geometries, as those arising in the simulation of 3D borehole electrodynamics and sonic (acoustics coupled with elasticity) measurements. In addition, the method is especially suited for inversion, since we demonstrate that the number of Fourier modes needed for the exact representation of the materials is limited to only one (the central mode) for the case of borehole measurements acquired in deviated wells.
Front-end CMOS chipset for 10 Gb/s communication

A 10 Gb/s communication chipset is realized for the first time in 0.18 /spl mu/m generic CMOS. It comprises (all fully differential): (i) a transimpedance amplifier: gain=1300 /spl Omega/, bandwidth 9 GHz; optical. (ii) a limiting amplifier: t/sub rise/, t/sub fall/<23 ps; sensitivity=5 mV at BER=10/sup -12/. (iii) a laser driver: adjustable I/sub bias/ (up to 40 mA) and I/sub mod/ (up to 35 mA), driving a laser module with Z/sub in/=50 /spl Omega/.
Accurate on-chip interconnect evaluation: a time-domain technique

This paper describes an on-chip sampling and measurement technique for accurate (<15 ps) evaluation of interconnect delays and coupled noise. We have used this nonintrusive time-domain technique to extract in situ driver/receiver waveforms, propagation delays, and coupled noise in 120 interconnect structures. The effects studied include multiple AC returns through active devices, gridded planes on adjacent layers, via impedances, variable driver impedances, and noise in bus structures. The results provide a comprehensive evaluation of interconnect delays and noise in a 1.8 V, 0.25 /spl mu/m process.
Comparative osteology and phylogenetic systematics of fossil and living bony-tongue fishes (Actinopterygii, Teleostei, Osteoglossomorpha)

Several recent studies using analyses of morphological characters have addressed the interrelationships of Osteoglossomorpha, a group that sometimes is considered the living sister group of all other living teleosts. Many characters used in these studies were found to be poorly defined, to be coded incorrectly or illogically, or to display more variation than was described. The goal of this study is to address these concerns and contribute generally to knowledge of the morphology and systematic relationships of osteoglossomorphs. Analysis of 72 characters (65 informative) scored for 20 genera resulted in two most parsimonious cladograms (171 steps, CI = 0.6433, CI = 0.6139 excluding uninformative characters, HI = 0.3977, HI = 0.3861 excluding uninformative characters; RI = 0.7782; RC = 0.5006). Osteoglossomorpha is supported by both synapomorphies and homoplasies, although its monophyly was not truly tested in this analysis (only a single outgroup, Elops , was included in the analysis). The only difference in the topologies of these cladograms is in the position of †Lycoptera (recovered as either the sister group of all other osteoglossomorphs sampled or of †Eohiodon +Hiodon ). †Ostariostoma is recovered as the sister group of all non-hiodontiform osteoglossomorphs. Mormyrids are the sister group of notopterids + osteoglossids. This clade has not been found in other recent analyses. Mormyrids and notopterids usually are considered more closely related to each other than to any other group; characters not included here support this relationship and future consideration of these characters must be made. Although almost completely dichotomous, many nodes of the resulting trees lack rigorous support. For example, †Palaeonotopterus is interpreted as the sister group of all mormyrids sampled, although for this taxon only 22% of characters could be scored. © 2003 The Linnean Society of London. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 137, 1−100.
Optimization Analysis of Sunflower Butter

ences in the textural sensory attr y attr y attr y attr y attributes w ibutes w ibutes w ibutes w ibutes were denoted for the initial fir e denoted for the initial fir e denoted for the initial fir e denoted for the initial fir e denoted for the initial firmness and spr mness and spr mness and spr mness and spr mness and spreadability, with panel , with panel , with panel , with panel , with panel judging sunflower butter samples less spreadable and having a higher initial firmness. The panel rated sun- judging sunflower butter samples less spreadable and having a higher initial firmness. The panel rated sun- judging sunflower butter samples less spreadable and having a higher initial firmness. The panel rated sun- judging sunflower butter samples less spreadable and having a higher initial firmness. The panel rated sun- judging sunflower butter samples less spreadable and having a higher initial firmness. The panel rated sun- flo flo flo flower butters mor er butters mor er butters mor er butters mor er butters more adhesive at the 1st bite; ho e at the 1st bite; ho e at the 1st bite; ho e at the 1st bite; ho e at the 1st bite; howev
Mapping Polyamide–DNA Interactions in Human Cells Reveals a New Design Strategy for Effective Targeting of Genomic Sites†

Targeting the genome with sequence-specific synthetic molecules is a major goal at the interface of chemistry, biology, and personalized medicine. Pyrrole/imidazole-based polyamides can be rationally designed to target specific DNA sequences with exquisite precision in vitro; yet, the biological outcomes are often difficult to interpret using current models of binding energetics. To directly identify the binding sites of polyamides across the genome, we designed, synthesized, and tested polyamide derivatives that enabled covalent crosslinking and localization of polyamide–DNA interaction sites in live human cells. Bioinformatic analysis of the data reveals that clustered binding sites, spanning a broad range of affinities, best predict occupancy in cells. In contrast to the prevailing paradigm of targeting single high-affinity sites, our results point to a new design principle to deploy polyamides and perhaps other synthetic molecules to effectively target desired genomic sites in vivo.
Current Status of Vaccine Development for Group B Streptococcus

The incidence of neonatal early-onset sepsis due to group B Streptococcus (GBS) has decreased with the use of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis, but GBS infection remains a significant clinical concern. Early-onset disease still occurs among term infants born to women falsely screened GBS-negative, and premature infants still disproportionately suffer from both early-onset and late-onset GBS infection. In addition, there is no current strategy for preventing GBS disease among elderly and immunocompromised, nonpregnant adults. The development of GBS vaccines with efficacy across serotypes may address many of the clinical gaps left by GBS intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis. Multiple preclinical and human phase I studies have been completed demonstrating the safety and immunogenicity of candidate glycoconjugate GBS vaccines. Phase III vaccine trials are needed to determine the clinical efficacy of maternal and nonpregnant adult vaccination.
Beginning Movement Experiences for Youth in the Schools

(1977). Beginning Movement Experiences for Youth in the Schools. Journal of Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 48, Including Leisure Today, pp. 58-59.
Molecular genetics of pyrogenic exotoxin "superantigens" of group A streptococci and Staphylococcus aureus.

Many bacteria require a complex set of host-parasite interactions in order to cause disease. Perhaps the most straightforward of these interactions is elaboration by the microbe of toxins which induce disease manifestations. In this example the pathogen must only be able to survive and multiply within the host for a sufficient period of time to make the toxin. Toxin-host cell receptor interactions then determine the extent of host tissue damage.
The Nondelegation Doctrine, the Rules/Standards Dilemma and the Line Item Veto

Professor Bell discusses the revival of the nondelegation doctrine and related problems presented by the Line Item Veto statute and the Supreme Court's recent decision in Clinton v. New York. He concludes that the nondelegation doctrine is unworkable. Ultimately, delegation of lawmaking power is a function of statutory precision: the vaguer a statute, the more lawmaking power it delegates. Thus, to apply the nondelegation doctrine, the Judiciary must be able to form judgments, superior to legislative judgments, about the appropriate specificity of law, including judgments whether definitive rules rather than more open-ended standards must be employed. The Judiciary, which has difficulty making such decisions for itself, cannot make such determinations for Congress or other governmental institutions. The trend in its own decisions has been toward multi-factor, balancing, and reasonableness standards rather than rules, and it has not identified any clear principles to govern the choice between standards and rules. While a nondelegation inquiry (if it were workable) might have concluded that the Line Item Veto Act actually increased the likelihood that policy choices made in appropriations bills would lead to deliberation and votes for which legislators could be held accountable, the central problem with the Act lies elsewhere. The paper argues that by disaggregating the initial legislative package it frustrates the constitutional design that Congress play the predominate role in lawmaking and that the President assume merely a secondary role. By, in effect, permitting the President to define the final form of appropriations statutes, it relieves Congress of responsibility for them and thus reverses those roles. In Clinton v. City of New York, the Justices of the Supreme Court, mischaracterizing the authority granted by the Act, failed to analyzed the central problem posed by the Line Item Veto Act in this way.
Mesomorphic Behaviour of Optically Active Anils: 4-n-Alkoxybenzylidene-4′-Methylalkylanilines

The effect of bulky substituents, at the ortho position of a benzene ring, the α-position of a central linkage, as well as at a terminal alkyl chain, upon mesomorphic properties has recently been studied in several classes of liquid crystals.1–8 The results have shown that in most cases both the solid-mesomorphic and the mesomorphic-isotropic transition temperatures were lowered markedly as compared with the unsubstituted parent compounds. More recently three members of both the active and racemic forms of the 4-alkoxy-benzylidene-4′-β-methylbutylaniline series (I)9 have been prepared to investigate their optical properties. It was found that both the melting and clearing points were about 10–20° lower than that for the corresponding unsubstituted benzylideneanilines.
Sonic Persuasion Reading Sound in the Recorded Age

The advent of recorded sound technology constitutes a history documented and discussed rather rigorously in recent years via the emerging field of sound studies. Scholars in this field have focused...
Effects of Precipitation and Wind on Populations of Adult European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Adult European com borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), populations were monitored with three different sampling methods (blacklight trap, dropnet, flush bar) during flights 1 and 2, 1980–1981. There was evidence that rainstorms (1.28 to 2.50 cm) accompanied by moderately violent (30 to 40 km/h) and violent winds (65 to 80 km/h) destroyed much of the aggregated ECB adult populations in a grassy area (action site) during flight 1, 1980. Relatively light precipitation (ca. 0.25 cm) with mild winds (0 to 15 km/h) occurred for periods during the second flight of ECB, 1980, and during the first flight of ECB, 1981. Light (0.03 to 0.25 cm), moderate (0.26 to 1.02 cm), and heavy rains (1.03 to 2.50 cm) fell throughout flight 2, 1981, but were not accompanied by violent winds. During this flight, based on sample data from all three methods, the adult population levels in four action sites were not affected by the rain. We conclude that adult ECB population levels may not be reduced by precipitation alone. But when precipitation is accompanied by violent winds, adult ECB population levels can be greatly reduced.
The Growth of Micro -Structurally Small Multi -Site Cracks

[Abstract] The growth of multi-site fatigue-cracks on smooth surfaces in multiple specimens is considered. It is suggested that the total crack population for all of the specimens is bi-modal. That is, it consists of primary cracks that grow until failure by fracture in each specimen, and secondary cracks that ultimately arrest. An experimental procedure for separating the two distributions is used to obtain confidence intervals for crack length versus loading cycles from crack initiation to failure by fracture. This procedure utilizes a micro-structurally based transition point from small to long crack behavior which is defined using observations of the evolution of scatter found in the measured small crack data.
Measurements of reproductive traits in a field population of meadow voles

Neonatal litter size, pup growth, and birth interval were examined within a population of meadow voles ( Microtus pennsylvanicus ) through use of radiotelemetry and live trapping. Litter sizes observed shortly after birth were significantly smaller than predicted from embryo counts obtained during the same period. The observed litter size was correlated negatively with local population density. Examination of the birth interval indicated ≥95% of females conceived during a postpartum estrus. Pup growth rates ( X = 0.44 g/day) did not vary significantly with litter size, maternal weight, or population density. We postulate that selection for an increase in litter frequency limits the range of growth rates possible for individuals in a litter, and that resource reduction at high densities results in a reduction in litter size postpartum, rather than reductions in pup growth rates, litter frequency, or prepartum litter size.
Novel Luminescent Heterobimetallic Nanoclusters of Copper(I), Silver(I), and Gold(I) Doped in Different Alkali Halide Crystals

Heterometallic d10–d10 nano systems of dicyanocuprate(I) with dicyanoaurate(I) or dicyanoargentate(I) doped in different alkali halide hosts (NaCl, NaBr, and KBr) have been studied. In addition to the characteristic emission peaks for each d10 anion cluster, these doped crystals show a new luminescent peak due to the heterometallic interaction between Cu and Au or Cu and Ag. This new long lifetime emission peak occurs at much lower energy than that of single metal doped cases. The relative intensity of these emission peaks depends on the stoichiometric ratios of the corresponding metals doped in alkali halide hosts. Unlike the emission peaks originating from single Cu(I), Ag(I), and Au(I) doped systems, this emission peak from heterometallic interaction is independent of the alkali halide hosts. A spin-forbidden metal–metal-to-ligand charge-transfer transition is proposed, and the Cu–Au emission peak occurs at lower energy than that of Cu–Ag, which is due to the relativistic effect of Au. Density funcatio...
Correlations Among Yield-related Traits of CMS-FA Hybrid Rice

Using 5 CMS-FA sterile lines as female parents and 5 corresponding restorers as male parents,25 crosses were bred with the incomplete diallel cross design for the experiment.Their parents and F1 generations were planted to generate data on the yield-related traits.By the additive-dominant model and MINQUE(1) method,the genetic correlations among 10 yield-related traits of CMS-FA hybrid rice were analyzed.The results showed significant correlations among the traits.The genetic correlations between the plant height(PH) and seed-set percent(SSP),between the flag-leaf length(FLL) and growth duration(GD) or SSP,between GD and filled grain number per panicle(FGNPP),between SSP and 1000-grain-weight(TGW),and between TGW and yield per plant(YPP) were basically positive and additive.Those between the panicle number per plant(PNPP) and PH,between FLL,total grain number per plant(TGNPP),FGNPP,SSP,and between TGW and TGNPP were mainly negative and additive.There were also significant or very significant positive dominance correlations between traits of PH and panicle length(PL),between FLL,TGNPP,TGW,PL and TGNPP,FGNPP,YPP.Consequently,in breeding,it would be advisable to choose the traits that showed high additive correlations.
Activation of a Muscarinic G-Protein Coupled Receptor and Structure-Based Design of Allosteric Modulators

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are important cell signaling membrane proteins that represent primary targets of about one third of currently marketed drugs. The M2 muscarinic receptor is a key GPCR that regulates the human heart rate and contractile forces of cardiomyocytes, and is thus targeted for treating many heart diseases. Here, we have performed long-timescale accelerated molecular dynamics (aMD) simulations and captured activation of the M2 receptor at an atomistic level [1]. The receptor activation is characterized by large-scale structural rearrangements of the transmembrane helices and conformational changes in the inter-helical salt bridge and hydrogen bond interactions [2]. Furthermore, using the aMD simulation-derived structural ensembles that account for the receptor flexibility, we have mapped the receptor surface for druggable allosteric sites [3] and targeted the extracellular vestibule for designing allosteric modulators. Retrospective docking of known ligands is first carried out to validate the simulation receptor ensembles, followed by prospective docking to predict new allosteric ligands from the National Cancer Institute compound library. The computationally selected lead compounds are finally tested using experimental binding and functional assays to identify potential allosteric modulators of the M2 muscarinic GPCR [4].1. Miao, Y., et al., Activation and dynamic network of the M2 muscarinic receptor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2013. 110(27): p. 10982-10987.2. Miao, Y., S.E. Nichols, and J.A. McCammon, Free Energy Landscape of G-Protein Coupled Receptors, Explored by Accelerated Molecular Dynamics. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2014. 16(14): p. 6398-6406.3. Miao, Y., S.E. Nichols, and J.A. McCammon, Mapping of Allosteric Druggable Sites in Activation-Associated Conformers of the M2 Muscarinic Receptor. Chemical Biology & Drug Design, 2013. 83(2): p. 237-246.4. Miao, Y., et al., Structural-Based Design of Allosteric Modulators of the M2 Muscarinic G-protein Coupled Receptor. In Preparation, 2015.
Random movement of predators can eliminate trophic cascades in marine protected areas

The protection of predators inside marine reserves is expected to generate trophic cascades with predator density increasing but prey density decreasing; however, predators and prey often both increase inside reserves. This mismatch between the expected and observed change in prey density has been explained because prey also are harvested; that is, the protection of prey compensates for the additional predation inside the reserve. Here, we show that this mechanism alone cannot increase densities of predator and prey; other mechanisms are required, and we hypothesized that movement of predator and/or prey might provide such a mechanism. We therefore built two spatially implicit two-patch predator–prey models with movement of predator and prey between reserve and fishing grounds. We show that post-settlement movement of predators (but not prey) altered the strength of trophic cascades and could increase densities of both predator and focal prey. We further built a more general model that shows that predator post-settlement movement can reinforce and even supplement the effect of two previously investigated mechanisms producing trophic cascades: a prey size refuge and predator density-dependent mortality. Our study increases understanding of mechanisms that can alter the strength (and direction) of prey responses inside marine reserves and highlights the importance of movement in human-induced heterogeneous systems.
Contemporary plays by African American women: ten complete works

The publication of Sandra Adell’s compelling and highly useful anthology of plays comes at a time of extreme urgency in U.S. history and culture. As I write in fall 2016, the end of the era of the ...
ECONOMICS OF SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

In this paper, we investigate economics of software development. We first identify several dimensions of software quality from user’s perspectives. We model the tradeoff between having more features and functionalities and the ease of learning in usability, and the tradeoffs among ease of use, ease of learning, and usage frequency. Based on the impacts of quality dimensions on user’s utility, we analyze the software monopoly’s economic incentives to provide high quality software products and build analytical model to analyze the software company’s optimal design decisions. (Keywords: Software, Usability, Economics)
Tropomyosin Fluctuations Over a Multi-Well Energy Landscape: A Brownian Ratchet Model of Cardiac Muscle Contraction

Cardiac twitch generation in response to action potential is the result of highly thermally fluctuating and mutual nonlinear interactions between a set of regulatory motor proteins namely; actin, myosin, troponin, and tropomyosin (Tm). During muscle activation process, Tm slides over actin filament spanning out three distinct equilibrium positions, which are commonly known as the blocked (B), closed (C), and the open (M) states. These Tm motions control the access of myosin head to actin binding sites and, hence, it plays an important role in regulating muscle contraction. The exact mechanism that governs Tm fluctuations between these regulatory (BCM) states is not yet fully understood. There are several phenomenological models that are mostly based on the classical transition rate functional approach, were proposed in the past to study Tm motions over actin surface. However, such approach limits the predictive capability of these models; hence they can only be used to fit experimental data by adjusting the model parameters. In this study, we propose an alternative mathematical model that can explain Tm fluctuations using both Brownian ratchet theory and energy landscape principle. The model is governed by a set of stochastic differential equations that describe the Tm motions between BCM states along the azimuthal direction. A three-well acto-tropomyosin potential is proposed to govern the critical points of these motions. In this model, the energetic barrier, asymmetry, and energy bias between the profile's three minima are coupled to the cytosolic Ca++ levels, hence it can capture well the observed Tm conformational changes during thin filament activation. Results have shown that, Brownian ratchet and energy landscape principles of acto-tropomyosin interactions could offer an alternative modelling approach to quantify cardiac muscle contraction.
The Transgressive Practices of Silicon Luthiers

This chapter discusses the practices of silicon luthiers, the master craftspeople of electronic music. It illustrates how the design of electronic music instruments is heavily indebted to the spirit of invention that characterized electronics research before the standardization of components, and connects them with the associated engineering methodologies relevant today. Through the presentation of various sound generation schemes and interfaces, an alternate history of electronic music is drawn at the component, interface, and system level. Musicians and designers have always questioned the limits of their devices, as well as the preconceptions of what instruments could or should be: Through the development of original interfaces and unusual synthesis methods, they offered their personal visions for the field. This chapter offers a view of how these innovators helped shape the present and many futures of music technology.
The Effects of Sexual Orientation on the Relationship Between Victimization Experiences and Smoking Status Among US Women.

Introduction This study examined the relationships between experiences of childhood and adulthood victimization and current smoking among heterosexual and sexual minority women. The main hypothesis was that victimization experiences would predict current smoking status. Further, we hypothesized that the effect of childhood victimization on self-reported smoker status would be mediated by adult victimization. Methods Data are from two studies conducted in the United States that used similar methods and questionnaires in order to conduct a comparative analysis of women based on sexual orientation. Data from Wave 1 (2000-2001) of the Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women (CHLEW) study and from Wave 5 (2001) of the National Study of Health and Life Experiences of Women (NSHLEW) study were used in these analyses. Results Twenty-eight percent of the sample reported current smoking. Victimization experiences were common, with 63.4% of participants reporting at least one type of victimization in childhood and 40.2% reporting at least one type in adulthood. Women who identified as heterosexual were less likely to be victimized during childhood than were women who identified as lesbian or bisexual. Adult victimization had a significant effect on current smoker status, and the effect of childhood victimization on smoker status was mediated by adult victimization. When examined by sexual orientation, this indirect relationship remained significant only among bisexual women in the sample. Conclusions Study findings make a valuable contribution to the literature on victimization and health risk behaviors such as smoking. Given the negative and long-term impact of victimization on women, strategies are needed that reduce the likelihood of victimization and subsequent engagement in health risk behaviors such as smoking. Implications The study findings make a valuable contribution to the literature on sexual minority women's health on the influence of victimization on health risk behaviors. With the goal of reducing the likelihood of adult victimization and subsequent engagement in health risk behaviors, programs and policies aimed at preventing victimization of women are warranted. Providers and community health agencies should assess and target physically and sexually abused sexual minority youth for mental health intervention with the goal of interrupting the progression from childhood victimization to adult victimization and subsequent engagement in health risk behaviors.
Leveraging value locality for efficient design of a hybrid cache in multicore processors

Owing to negligible leakage current, high density and superior scalability, Spin-Transfer Torque RAM (STT-RAM) technology becomes one of the promising candidates for low power and high capacity on-chip caches in multicore systems. While STT-RAM read access latency is comparable to that of SRAM, write operations in STT-RAM are more challenging: writes are slow, consume a large energy, and the lifetime of STT-RAM is limited by the number of write operations to each cell. To overcome these challenges in STT-RAM caches, this paper explores the potential of eliminating redundant writes using the phenomenon of frequent value locality (FVL). According to FLV, few distinct values appear in a large fraction of memory transactions, with emphasis on cache memories in this work. By leveraging frequent value locality, we propose a novel value-based hybrid (STT-RAM +, SRAM) cache that has benefits of both SRAM and STT-RAM technologies — i.e., it is high-performance, power-efficient, and scalable. Our evaluation results for a 8-core chip-multiprocessor with 6MB last-level cache show that our proposed design is able to reduce power consumption of a STT-RAM cache by up to 90% (an average of 82%), enhances its lifetime by up to 52% (29% on average), and improves the system performance by up 30% (11% on average), for a wide range of multi-threaded and multi-program workloads.
Application of Omics Technologies and Computational Approaches for Control of Foodborne Pathogens in Foods

Control of Foodborne Pathogens is an important health-related quality of life topic due to the global burden of foodborne pathogen diseases. The strategies to destroy or control of foodborne pathogens probably starts with the recognition and avoidance of foodborne pathogens that are naturally present in our environment. The foodborne illness could be caused by pathogen itself (e.g. viruses, bacteria, parasites, prions) or biological toxins directly produced by microorganisms in the food; such foods become unsafe for human consumption. The newly emerging or evolving pathogens, along with relatively low minimum infectious doses and/or infection with multidrug resistant pathogens have been increasingly reported and is a new challenge. Control of Foodborne Pathogens need to be closely monitored at various stages throughout the complex food supply chain: food production, food processing, and food consumption. For monitoring of contaminant levels of foodborne pathogens, one must adhere to Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles, an official systematic approach of identifying, evaluating and controlling food safety hazards, including biological foodborne pathogens. The importance of HACCP principles in contributing to protecting our food supply has been recognized by food safety professionals since the 1970s. In this chapter, HACCP principles were followed, discussing traditional and recent advances in some basic concepts and terminology which can be reasonably used for detection and control of foodborne pathogens. The traditional computational approaches mainly rely on information systems, data management, surveillance networking, predictive and computational modeling; whereas the modern computational approaches integrate multiple molecular features of foodborne pathogens and other innovative technologies, including omics technologies.
Systemic-pulmonary shunts in infants and children. Early and late results

From September, 1978, to January, 1983, 44 cyanotic infants and children underwent a systemic-pulmonary artery shunt for the treatment of reduced pulmonary blood flow. Age ranged from 18 hours to 4 years (mean age = 0.49 years). Weight ranged from 1.7 kg to 13.2 kg (mean weight = 4.9 kg). There were 12 classic Blalock-Taussig shunts, five central polytetrafluoroethylene shunts, six interposition modified Blalock-Taussig shunts, and 21 Great Ormond Street type of modified Blalock-Taussig shunts. No direct aorta-pulmonary artery anastomoses were performed. There was one postoperative death (1/44 = 2.3%) in a 1,700 gm neonate born with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum (shunt patent). Four shunts required early revision: one thrombosed central shunt, a kinked patent interposition Blalock-Taussig shunt, a small but patent Blalock-Taussig shunt, and one excessive Great Ormond Street type of Blalock-Taussig shunt. Two late deaths were probably shunt-related: one Blalock-Taussig and one central. All four types of shunts provided good palliation, but the Great Ormond Street type of Blalock-Taussig shunt is our preferred shunt because of (1) low operative risk, (2) predictable patency (100% in our series), (3) lack of distortion of pulmonary arterial anatomy, and (4) technical ease of insertion as well as takedown.
BKCa-Channel Structure and Function

Among ion channels, the large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel (BKCa channel) is in many ways unique. It has a very large single-channel conductance—ten times that of most vertebrate K+ channels—and yet it maintains strict K+ selectivity. It senses as little as 200 nM Ca2+, but it contains no consensus Ca2+-binding motifs, and it is the only channel to be activated by both intracellular Ca2+ and membrane voltage. In fact, there is a synergy between these stimuli such that the higher the internal Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]), the smaller the depolarization needed to activate the channel. Furthermore, the BKCa channel has its own brand of auxiliary subunits that profoundly affect gating. In this chapter, I will discuss what is understood about the origins of these properties in terms of allosteric models and channel structure. At the outset, however, I should say that there is not yet a crystal structure of the BKCa channel or any of its components, so much of the current thinking about BKCa-channel structure relies on analogy to other channels.
CRISPR-mediated gene editing for the surgeon scientist.

Abstract Tremendous advances have occurred in gene editing during the past 20 years with the development of a number of systems. The Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)–associated protein 9 (Cas9) system represents an exciting area of research. This review examines both the relevant studies pertaining to the history, current status, and modifications of this system, in comparison with other gene-editing systems and future applications, and limitations of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing system, with a focus on applications of relevance to the surgeon scientist. The CRISPR-Cas9 system was described initially in 2012 for gene editing in bacteria and then in human cells, and since then, a number of modifications have improved the efficiency and specificity of gene editing. Clinical studies have been limited because further research is required to verify its safety in patients. Some clinical trials in oncology have opened, and early studies have shown that gene editing may have a particular role in the field of organ transplantation and in the care of trauma patients. Gene editing is likely to play an important role in future research in many aspects of the surgery arena.
Why Has Breast Cancer Screening Failed to Decrease the Incidence of de Novo Stage IV Disease

Background: Despite screening mammography, the incidence of Stage IV breast cancer (BC) at diagnosis has not decreased over the past four decades. We previously found that many BCs are small due to favorable biology rather than early detection. This study compared the biology of Stage IV cancers with that of small cancers typically found by screening. Methods: Trends in the incidence of localized, regional, and distant female BC were compared using SEER*Stat. The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was then queried for invasive cancers from 2010 to 2015, and patient/disease variables were compared across stages. Biological variables including estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2), grade, and lymphovascular invasion were sorted into 48 combinations, from which three biological subtypes emerged: indolent, intermediate, and aggressive. The distributions of the subtypes were compared across disease stages. Multivariable regression assessed the association between Stage IV disease and biology. Results: SEER*Stat confirmed that the incidence of distant BC increased between 1973 and 2015 (annual percent change [APC] = 0.46). NCDB data on roughly 993,000 individuals showed that Stage IV disease at presentation is more common in young, black, uninsured women with low income/education and large, biologically aggressive tumors. The distribution of tumor biology varied by stage, with Stage IV disease including 37.6% aggressive and 6.0% indolent tumors, versus sub-centimeter Stage I disease that included 5.1% aggressive and 40.6% indolent tumors (p < 0.001). The odds of Stage IV disease presentation more than tripled for patients with aggressive tumors (OR3.2, 95% CI 3.0–3.5). Conclusions: Stage I and Stage IV breast cancers represent very different populations of biologic tumor types. This may explain why the incidence of Stage IV cancer has not decreased with screening.
Kisses and Contagion in Troilus and Cressida

Forsyth considers the role of kissing as a social practice in early modern England, noting the contrast between the historical custom of kissing as an important facet of hospitality and the extreme suspicion and jealousy expressed regarding kissing in contemporary texts, particularly dramas, and identifying key cultural beliefs linking kissing and spirituality through the medium of breath. In particular, she examines the way in which William Shakespeare correlates kissing and contagion in Troilus and Cressida, ultimately arguing that Shakespeare shows how men’s breath, in the form of words, carries more danger than Cressida’s breath, in the form of kisses, due to the male characters’ continual misinterpretation of Cressida’s words, intentions, and actions.