cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
708. Gene Targeting with Triplex-Forming Oligonucletides in the Pyrimidine Motif

Triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) bind DNA in a sequence-specific manner at polypurine/polypyrimidine sites and mediate targeted genome modification. Triplexes are formed by either pyrimidine TFOs, which bind parallel to the purine strand of the duplex (pyrimidine, parallel motif), or purine TFOs, which bind in an anti-parallel orientation (purine, anti-parallel motif). Initial studies demonstrated the ability of TFOs in both motifs to deliver mutagenic agents in a DNA site-specific manner. It was found that purine motif TFOs can induce gene modification in chromosomal DNA containing multiple copies of the mutated gene via the effect of the triple helix itself. Gene modification with TFOs includes induced recombination between a DNA target and a donor DNA molecule, a process that allows a TFO to exert an effect at a distance from the third-strand binding site. In this work, we report the ability of a N3->P5 phosphoramidate-modified pyrimidine motif TFO to induce repair and recombination in the absence of any DNA-reactive conjugate. We establish the ability of this modified TFO when co-transfected with short, single-stranded donor DNAs to induce gene correction at a single-copy chromosomal locus in mammalian cells at frequencies up to 0.1%. We demonstrate sequence, target site, and dose-dependent effects of the TFO. Additionally, we show that the induction of recombination is independent of the binding motif and the orientation of the TFO (parallel versus anti-parallel), but is dependent on the donor fragment being homologous to the transcribed strand of the duplex. This work expands the number of targets available for triplex-mediated gene targeting and shows effective targeting at a chromosomal locus.
Survival of Murine Hemopoietic Cells in an in Vivo Culture System

SummaryMurine bone marrow cells were labeled in vitro with 125IUDR and implanted in diffusion chambers into neutropenic and control mice. Proliferation of granulocytic cells and macrophages in the implanted marrow was not affected by 125IUDR. Granulocytic proliferation was enhanced in chambers implanted into neutropenic animals, but the survival of the implanted marrow, judged by the retention of 125I within the chambers, was the same in neutropenic and control hosts. These data suggest that the augmented growth in neutropenic hosts was the result of a true increase in proliferation rather than improved survival of the implanted marrow.
Ron tyrosine kinase receptor synergises with EGFR to confer adverse features in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Although EGFR inhibitors have shown some success in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs), the results are not dramatic. Additional molecular targets are urgently needed. We previously showed that the loss of Ron receptor activity significantly slowed squamous tumour growth and progression in a murine model. Based on these data, we hypothesised that Ron expression confers an aggressive phenotype in HNSCCs. Methods: We prospectively collected and evaluated 154 snap-frozen, primary HNSCCs for Ron and EGFR expression/ phosphorylation. Biomarker correlation with clinical, pathological and outcome data was performed. The biological responses of HNSCC cell lines to Ron knockdown, its activation and the biochemical interaction between Ron and EGFR were examined. Results: We discovered that 64.3% (99 out of 154) HNSCCs expressed Ron. The carcinomas expressed exclusively mature functional Ron, whereas the adjacent nonmalignant epithelium expressed predominantly nonfunctional Ron precursor. There was no significant association between Ron and sex, tumour differentiation, perineural/vascular invasion or staging. However, patients with Ron þHNSCC were significantly older and more likely to have oropharyngeal tumours. Ron þHNSCC also had significantly higher EGFR expression and correlated strongly with phosphorylated EGFR (pEGFR). Newly diagnosed HNSCC with either Ron/ pEGFR or both had lower disease-free survival than those without Ron and pEGFR. Knocking down Ron in SCC9 cells significantly blunted their migratory response to not only the Ron ligand, MSP, but also EGF. Stimulation of Ron in SCC9 cells significantly augmented the growth effect of EGF; the synergistic effect of both growth factors in SCC9 cells was dependent on Ron expression. Activated Ron also interacted with and transactivated EGFR. Conclusion: Ron synergises with EGFR to confer certain adverse features in HNSCCs.
Effect of Strain Rate on the Dynamic Hardness in Metals

phenomena in a slender rod to determine the dynamic Vickers indentation hardness in metals. The results were verified by obtaining the constitutive response of materials at similar strain rates and then correlating the yield stress with the corresponding hardness. The characteristics of the induced plastic zone under static and dynamic indentations were investigated by contouring microindentation hardness measurements of the indented regions. The results showed that the size of the plastic zone highly depends on yield stress under static and dynamic conditions. Anton and Subhash 3 performed static and dynamic Vickers indentations on six different brittle materials to study the rate effects in hardness and fracture toughness. The dynamic indentations were performed on the same aforementioned hardness tester that is based on elastic stress wave propagation phenomena. Under dynamic indentations, an increase in hardness was observed in all the brittle materials compared to their static hardness measurements. Lu et al. 4 developed a dynamic indentation technique to measure time-resolved depth and load responses during the process of indentation. A moire interferometry-based displacement measurement technique was utilized to measure the depth of indentation and a quartz load transducer was used to measure the load. They introduced a new methodology to deduce the dynamic rate sensitivity of materials using the measured data. Andrews et al. 5 investigated the impact of a sharp indenter at low impact velocities for elastoplastic materials. They developed a one-dimensional model based on the assumption that under dynamic conditions—as well as under static conditions—the variation of indentation load is a parabolic function of the depth Kick’s law. The motion of the indenter as it indents and rebounds from the target was investigated. For rate-independent materials agreement with the model was good provided the impact velocity did not exceed certain critical values. For rate-dependent materials, the relationship between load and depth in the impact problem is no longer parabolic and the model predictions cannot be applied to this case. It was suggested that the rate-dependent case can be solved by incorporating the relationship between the motion of the indenter and the dynamic flow properties of the material into the equation of motion for the indenter. Initially Voyiadjis and Buckner 6 and Voyiadjis et al. 7 studied the axisymmetric contact problem for the elasto-plastic behavior of materials subjected to spherical static indentation using the finite element method with mixed boundary conditions. Vasauskas 8 divided the complete
Effect of Continuous Low-Dose Insulin Treatment on Subsequent Incidence of Diabetes in Genetically Prediabetic Chinese Hamsters

In an attempt to prevent the onset of diabetes, young, genetically prediabetic (but not yet hyperglycemic) Chinese hamsters were treated continuously with insulin via minipump for 4 wk beginning 1 wk before the predicted age of onset of glucosuria (age 7 wk). Continuous insulin infusion, which increased the plasma insulin levels by 70%, did. not cause hypoglycemia, nor did it reduce the incidence or severity of diabetic symptoms over the ensuing year of observation. In fact, early treatment with exogenous insulin tended to cause increased hyperglycemia and glucosuria. No plasma anti-insulin antibodies were detected 3 and 9 months after stopping insulin treatment.
Signal detection theory and reconstruction algorithms-performance for images in noise

In many noisy image processing situations, decision making is the ultimate objective. Here, the authors show using signal detection theory how direct optimal processing of the projection data yields a considerable gain in the decision making performance over that obtained by first using image reconstruction. The problem is formulated in the framework of a two hypotheses detection problem. Optimal processors based on the likelihood ratio approach have been presented for two cases. The first considers direct processing of the projection data. The second applies optimal decision theory to the reconstructed data. Results based on computer simulation are presented in the form of receiver operating curves for different signal-to-noise ratios. Early results indicate that large performance gains can be achieved by direct optimal processing of the projection data compared with optimal processing of reconstructed data. Results for the latter case can be interpreted as providing an upper bound on all postreconstruction decision rules. The authors hope to extend this approach to a number of different aspects of the image decision making problem. >
Female Performance of Male Courtship Display in Northern Cardinals

Abstract Courtship behaviors in birds are often considered male-specific, as males compete for mates through displays that exhibit individual quality. Several courtship displays have been described for male Northern Cardinals including the complex song-dance display. We observed female cardinals performing the song-dance display on two separate occasions in south Mississippi within pre-breeding and breeding periods. Female performance of the display was very similar as reported for males. Given the behavioral attributes of cardinal mating pairs, it is plausible that bi-directional mate choice exists for this species and females are demonstrating aspects of individual quality to males through the song-dance display. Additional monitoring of courtship behavior is needed to determine the function of female performance display that was previously thought to be male specific.
Mesophilic methane fermentation of low-solids dairy-cattle waste

Methane fermentation of low-solids dairy waste was studied in horizontal, unagitated, isothermally maintained, tubular fermenters. The methane fermentation characteristics at temperatures of 20, 30 and 40°C and hydraulic retention times (HRTs) of 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 days are reported. Methane production per fermenter volume was greatest at a 1 day HRT; production of 0·22, 0·31 and 0·32 m3 of methane/m3 fermenter volume/day occurred at 20, 30 and 40°C, respectively. Maximum methane production per unit of substrate fed, however, occurred at longer HRTs. Maximum methane production was: 0·55 m3 at 20°C and an 8 day HRT; 0·55 m3 at 30°C and an 8 day HRT; 0·82 m3 at 40°C and an 8 day HRT (all per kg volatile solids fed).
Tissue specificity of human phosphodiesterase. I. Blood serum

Abstract Human blood serum was found to contain two enzymes which hydrolyze various phosphate diester and phosphonate ester bonds. The enzymes were isolated by butanol extraction, ammonium sulfate precipitation, column chromatography and gel electrophoresis. Zymograms showed that one of these enzymes is serum alkaline phosphatase and the other is a ‘true’ phosphodiesterase I. Serums of 25 persons showed no polymorphisms for either activity. Alkaline phosphatase hydrolyzes phenolic thymidine 5'-nucleotide esters readily, but phenylphosphonate esters very poorly. Serum phosphodiesterase I prefers phenylphosphonate esters to nucleotide diesters, and has no detectable monoesterase activity.
Abstract 1291: High and moderate penetrance germline mutations in a number of genes are responsible for a small proportion of familial breast cancer risk in BRCAx families

BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA) testing is uninformative in approximately 80% of families with clinical features of inherited susceptibility to breast cancer. Early identification of the individuals at risk in BRCAx families may lead to enhanced screening and prevention strategies, and potentially improved overall survival as has been seen for carriers of BRCA1/2 mutations. A proportion of these families are likely explained by mutations in other high penetrance and moderate penetrance breast cancer susceptibility genes. Although multi-gene panels are now commercially available for clinical testing, only limited information is available on the spectrum of mutations in breast cancer susceptibility genes in specific subgroups of high-risk breast cancer patients. We performed whole exome sequencing in 278 BRCA1/2 negative individuals with high-risk familial breast cancer, defined as a proband and at least two first or second degree relatives with breast cancer. Samples included 232 individuals from 97 families and 49 unrelated individuals, for a total of 146 independent cases. Data were analyzed for identification of all variants in 18 known high and moderate penetrance breast cancer susceptibility genes, in addition to BRCA1 and BRCA2. Two of the 97 families and one of the 49 singletons (2% of independent cases) were found to have deleterious mutations in high penetrance genes, namely TP53 (2) and CDH1 (1). In addition, nine of 146 independent cases (6%) were found to have deleterious mutations in the other predisposition genes. Mutations in ATM and CHEK2 accounted for seven of the ten moderate penetrance mutations identified; additionally one family had a mutation in BLM, one in MRE11A, and one in PALB2. Furthermore, 15 of 146 independent cases (10%) were found to have variants of unknown significance (VUS) in one of eight genes. There were no deleterious mutations or VUS in eight of the 18 genes. Our data show that significant genetic heterogeneity exists in BRCAx families. Large-scale collaborative efforts will be required to attain sufficient power to understand how to appropriately apply these results clinically in cancer risk evaluation. Citation Format: Kara N. Maxwell, Lucia Guidugli, Kasmintan Schrader, Steven Hart, Vijai Joseph, Tinu Thomas, Xianshu Wang, Bradley Wubbenhorst, Robert Klein, Susan M. Domchek, Csilla Szabo, Susan Neuhausen, Jeffrey Weitzel, Katherine L. Nathanson, Kenneth Offit, Fergus Couch. High and moderate penetrance germline mutations in a number of genes are responsible for a small proportion of familial breast cancer risk in BRCAx families. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1291. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1291
Effectiveness of a breath-hold monitoring system in improving the reproducibility of different breath-hold positions in multiphasic CT imaging

Abstract This study tests whether the utilization of an electronic breath-hold monitoring device improves breath-hold reproducibility during computed tomographic (CT) scanning. Two cohorts of 40 patients underwent dual-phase abdominal CT scans, either with a breath-hold monitoring device or with the standard breath-holding technique. Two blinded readers measured the differences in diaphragmatic position between phases. There was no statistical difference in diaphragmatic position ( P =.14) between the monitored (8.5±11.5 mm) and control (5.6±5.2 mm) cohorts. Ten percent of patients from the monitored cohort had greater than 20 mm of deviation, versus 0%–2.5% for the control cohort. Reproduction of breath-holding position remains challenging, even with a monitoring system.
Large Eddy Simulations of Flow Around a Cylinder with Uncertain Wall Heating

ux is assumed to be uncertain and characterized by highest variance in the stagnation point region. Simulations are carried out using a novel uncertainty propagation scheme, the hybrid stochastic projection method. This technique combines the accuracy and convergence properties of intrusive stochastic Galerkin methods with the non-intrusive nature of stochastic collocation. Reynolds averaged and Large Eddy simulations are used to estimate the variability induced by the uncertain boundary conditions; the comparison between the two approaches provides an indirect estimate of the epistemic uncertainty associated to the simplication introduced by the turbulence modeling. The sensitivity of the predictions to the assumed wall heating variability is also presented and shows that the expectation and variance of the temperature converge more slowly when LES is considered.
The influence of watershed run-off on the hydrology, forest floor litter and soil carbon of headwater wetlands

The effects of land use and land cover (LULC) on aquatic systems have been extensively studied however less research has focused on headwater wetlands. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of watershed land conversion and associated run-off on the hydrology and carbon cycling of headwater wetlands in coastal Alabama, USA. A total of 15 headwater wetlands were selected to reflect a range of surrounding LULC across coastal Alabama. Land use and soil data were utilized to estimate watershed run-off curve numbers (CN) that were used with precipitation data to calculate surface run-off (Q). Within each wetland, water level recorders were installed to monitor ground water levels for 1 year and data were used to generate hydrological metrics related to stage and flashiness. Data varied among sites, but wetlands with higher watershed CN tended to have a greater tendency for water level measurements to exceed the normal fluctuation range (outliers). Carbon dynamics associated with leaf litter and soil storage were also measured during this time period. Leaf litter traps were installed to determine litter fall carbon input (CLF). Bimonthly monitoring of forest floor carbon (CFF) was conducted to evaluate its relationship to watershed run-off. Soil carbon content was quantified in each wetland by collecting 40-cm cores analysed at 10 cm sections. Watershed run-off characteristics (CN and Q) were significantly related to mean CFF and CFF : CLF (CFF adjusted for the amount of CLF) suggesting that hydrologic export and possibly decomposition increased with run-off. Surface soil (0–10 cm) carbon content was related to median groundwater level; however, no relationship was detected between soil carbon and CN or Q. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modulation and coding for satellite and space communications

Several modulation and coding advances supported by NASA are summarized. To support long-constraint-length convolutional code, a VLSI maximum-likelihood decoder, utilizing parallel processing techniques, which is being developed to decode convolutional codes of constraint length 15 and a code rate as low as 1/6 is discussed. A VLSI high-speed 8-b Reed-Solomon decoder which is being developed for advanced tracking and data relay satellite (ATDRS) applications is discussed. A 300-Mb/s modem with continuous phase modulation (CPM) and codings which is being developed for ATDRS is discussed. Trellis-coded modulation (TCM) techniques are discussed for satellite-based mobile communication applications. >
Changing the Conversation: Theologizing War in the Twenty-First Century

While the post-9/11 wars have reshaped war as understood and practiced by the United States, theological discourse about war has changed very little. Highlighting distinctive dimensions of twenty-f...
Work, Family, and Religious Involvement for Men and Women

Do family formation and social establishment affect religious involvement in the same way for men and women, given increasing individualism and rapid changes in work and family roles? Using a random sample of adults from upstate New York (N = 1,006), our research builds on previous work in this area by using multiple measures of religious involvement, using multiple measures of individualism and beliefs about work and family roles, placing men and women in their work context, and looking at the relationships separately by gender. Men’s religious involvement is associated with marriage, children, and full-time employment, signaling social establishment and maturity. Women’s involvement is higher when there are school-aged children in the home, but it is also more intertwined with the salience of religion and with an assessment that religious institutions are a good fit with their values and lifestyles, including egalitarian views of gender. For men and women, views of religious authority and the role of religious institutions in the socialization of children are associated differently with religious involvement at different life stages. We call for further research to understand the gendered nature of religious involvement and the role of beliefs about work, family, and religion in explaining why individuals choose to be involved in religious institutions.
Collective Foraging Patterns of Field Colonies of Malacosoma disstria Caterpillars

We monitored 12 colonies of the nomadic social caterpillar Malacosoma disstria Hubner (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) on trembling aspen, Populus tremuloides Michx. (Salicaceae), under field conditions in spring 2007. We examined cohesion and synchronization of colonies and spatiotemporal activity patterns to compare foraging in the field with the results of laboratory studies and with foraging by central-place foragers. All colonies were highly cohesive; fragmentation was observed only three times. Activity was highly synchronous within colonies, with clear alternation between periods of activity and quiescence. Colonies performed 4.25 ± 0.12 (mean ± SE) activity bouts per day, and foraging was more likely to occur in the early morning than at midday. Colony activity was weakly correlated with temperature. In contrast to that of M. americanum (F.), the foraging schedule was flexible: foraging was observed at all recorded times and temperatures. Colonies searched for a new feeding site every 2.54 ± 0.37 days (mean ± SE) after a food source was depleted. Time spent at a food source decreased with colony size, and distance travelled between food sources increased with instar. Malacosoma disstria caterpillars on trembling aspen are not very selective; rather, they minimize movement, thus decreasing potential contacts with predators.
United States trends in thrombolysis for older adults with acute ischemic stroke.

Abstract Objective Thrombolysis for ischemic stroke has been increasing in the United States. We sought to investigate recent trends in thrombolysis use in older adults. Methods A retrospective, observational analysis of hospitalization data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) in 2005–2010 was performed. Older adults (≥65 years) admitted with a primary diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke were included. Trends in the population-based rates of thrombolysis and outcomes from the NIS were evaluated using the Cochran–Armitage test. Results Thrombolysis in older adult stroke patients increased from 1.7% to 5.4% (2005–2010; trend P P Conclusions Rates of thrombolysis in older adults progressively increased, especially in the oldest old. Increases were largely driven by urban and high volume hospitals.
Functional α-fragment of β-galactosidase can be expressed from the mobile group I intron PpLSU3 embedded in yeast pre-ribosomal RNA derived from the chromosomal rDNA locus

PpLSU3, a mobile group I intron found in the ribosomal RNA genes of Physarum polycephalum, encodes the I-PpoI homing endonuclease. This enzyme represents one of the rare cases in nature where a protein is expressed from an RNA polymerase I transcript. Our previous results showed that the full length intron, but not a further processed species, is the messenger for I-PpoI, implying a role of the untranslated region (UTR) in gene expression. To study the function of the 3′-UTR in expression of the endonuclease and in splicing of the intron, we replaced the I-PpoI gene in PpLSU3 with the gene for the α-fragment of Escherichia coli β-galactosidase, and then integrated this chimeric intron into all the chromosomal rDNA repeats of yeast. The resulting cells synthesized functional α-fragment, as evidenced by a complementation assay analogous to that used in E.coli. The β-galactosidase activity thus provides an unusual and potentially valuable readout for Pol I transcription from chromosomal rDNA. This is the first example in which a eucaryotic homing endonuclease gene has been successfully replaced by a heterologous gene. Using deletion mutagenesis and a novel randomization approach with the α-fragment as a reporter, we found that a small segment of the 3′-UTR dramatically influences both splicing and protein expression.
Methods of separation and in-vitro culture of pre-antral follicles from mammalian ovaries

A variety of procedures to isolate intact pre-antral follicles have been developed in our laboratories based on different concentrations of collagenase and DNase in a simple salt solution containing glucose as an energy substrate. The enzyme mixture effectively separates follicles of different sizes derived from ovaries of hamster, mouse, rat, pig and human. While no damage of the basal lamina is apparent for the hamster and human follicles, some loss is present in the other species. Follicles were classified into several stages or classes based on their diameter, the number of granulosa cell layers and the presence of an antral cavity. Pre-antral hamster and human follicles cultured in the presence of follicle stimulating hormone for up to 168 h developed an antral cavity with intact germinal vesicle oocytes.
Computational organizational network modeling: Strategies and an example

This paper articulates the logic of computational organizational modeling as a strategy for theory construction and testing in the field of organizational communication networks. The paper introduces, Blanche, and objectoriented simulation environment that supports quantitative modeling and analysis of the evolution of organizational networks. Blanche relies on the conceptual primitives of attributes that describe network nodes and links that connect these nodes. Difference equations are used to model the dynamic properties of the network as it changes over time. This paper describes the design of Blanche and how it supports both the process of theory construction, model building and analysis of results. The paper concludes with an empirical example, to test the predictions of a network-based social influence model for the adoption of a new communication technology in the workplace.
Data framework for VLSI design

The authors present a design automation framework (DAF) implementation that was developed in an advanced full custom IC design environment at Motorola Semiconductor Israel. This framework, named TDF (Tools and Data Framework), operates in a large-scale multi-user, multi-node environment. TDF successfully supports all the necessary requirements of a VLSI design framework: data hiding, versioning, atomicity, and recovery of mass files operations; and concurrency control and data sharing for design-team work. In addition to the extensive data management services, TDF provides an open environment for tool integration. The authors emphasize two aspects of TDF: the data model and the dynamic configuration mechanism. The data model directly reflects the data partitioning of IC designs, thereby allowing efficient navigation in the design database. The dynamic configuration mechanism is a simple and powerful format for the definition of ad hoc configurations, such as design integration, revisions freeze, and mixed view. >
Proficiency testing in laboratory medicine: uses and limitations.

Objective To provide a critical review of recently published literature on the effectiveness, uses, and limitations of proficiency testing (PT) as a mechanism for laboratory improvement, and to explore ways to improve the PT process. Data source All publications identified by a MEDLINE search of the literature dating back to 1987 on the subject of "proficiency testing" in laboratory medicine, as well as selected references cited in recent review articles. Study selection No specific selection criteria were used for inclusion of publications identified by the MEDLINE database as long as they dealt with PT as a mechanism of medical laboratory improvement or a measure of laboratory performance. Data extraction Abstractions of data were made depending on relevance of the data. Data synthesis Proficiency testing data are an indicator, but not a measure, of laboratory performance. Limitations of current PT practices are incomplete assessment of the total testing process, PT materials being treated differently than those from patients, PT performance criteria, and "matrix effect." Proficiency testing performance has been related to length of PT experience, test environment and volume, institutional size, laboratory and analyst workload, difficulty of PT materials, performing quality control, testing methodology, and degree of automation. Conclusions Proficiency testing has a well-established role as both a laboratory improvement and an educational tool. There are, however, several practical and design limitations even for the best-administered PT programs. Suggestions to improve the PT process include increased reliance on PT results in combination with other quality indicators (such as performance in regional surveys), occasional use of "blind" PT, introduction of biological materials to PT participants, electronic grading and reporting of PT results, and introduction of challenging PT materials to fulfill the educational role of PT.
Analysis of high-speed continuous casting with inverse finite elements

SUMMARY A recently proposed inverse isotherm finite element method is further extended in order to account for processes with distorted isotherms. With this method a variety of problems can be solved which require the explicit calculation of characteristic material lines along with the common field of unknowns in transport phenomena. The method is applied to high-speed metal casting, where the location and shape of the extensive solidification front is calculated simultaneously with the primary unknowns, the velocity and the pressure, whereas the temperature is fixed at the moving nodes of the finite element tessellation. This is achieved by solving the energy equation inversely along with the rest of the conservation equations, i.e. the temperature field is fixed and its location is calculated. Empirical correlations may be derived which give the shape of the solidification front as a function of the process parameters. This may be used to improve the control means of metal casting, which is currently based on one-dimensional approximate analyses. In this work, high-speed non-isothermal extrusion of Newtonian liquids with solidification inside the die is analysed with the method of inverse finite elements, which is a good prototype of continuous steel casting. This is a highly non-linear problem owing to the dominant convective terms in the conservation equations and the presence of a free boundary, the solidification front, of unknown shape and location. In an extensive recent literature review by Alexandrou et al. an overview was given of the previous work in this area. A number of studies that analyse non-isothermal extrusion of Newtonian and non-Newtonian liquids do not deal with solidification. - Elsewhere, the problem of solidification is studied extensively independently of extrusion. -9 The numerical methods used solve primarily linear Stefan-like problems where the solidification front is obtained by successive iterations of linear convergence. lo- l2 In a comprehensive paper by Ettourney and Brown, l3 non-isothermal flow and solidification of Newtonian fluids was studied and iteration schemes were evaluated for cases where the non-linear convective terms in the equations of motion were neglected. Complete two-dimensional schemes for continuous casting were developed by Onoda14 and Alexandrou et ul.,' where all non-iinearities are addressed and all boundary conditions associated with phase change are satisfied directly at the solidification front. The developed algorithms were tested for Reynolds numbers up to 100
Detecting race conditions in asynchronous DMA operations with full system simulation

In this paper, we describe a technique for detecting race conditions between direct memory access (DMA) operations and load/store instructions using a full system simulator. Our approach uses event monitoring features of a full system simulator to monitor DMA operations and the memory areas they access and detect conflicting accesses that could represent races conditions. Our race condition checker tracks DMA operations from the time they are issued until they are architecturally guaranteed to be complete, rather than simply tracking when they actually complete, and thus detects race conditions in programs even when the actual data accesses do not occur out of order. This feature is valuable because the mechanisms for ensuring ordering of asynchronous DMA operations are complex and often poorly understood by application programmers. These DMA operations may conflict with each other or with loads and stores performed by processor that initiated the operations, creating ample opportunity for race conditions to occur. We describe our race condition checker in detail and show how it can be used to easily detect race conditions in DMA operations initiated by special purpose cores.
Tmem88a mediates GATA-dependent specification of cardiomyocyte progenitors by restricting WNT signaling

Biphasic control of WNT signaling is essential during cardiogenesis, but how the pathway switches from promoting cardiac mesoderm to restricting cardiomyocyte progenitor fate is unknown. We identified genes expressed in lateral mesoderm that are dysregulated in zebrafish when both gata5 and gata6 are depleted, causing a block to cardiomyocyte specification. This screen identified tmem88a, which is expressed in the early cardiac progenitor field and was previously implicated in WNT modulation by overexpression studies. Depletion of tmem88a results in a profound cardiomyopathy, secondary to impaired cardiomyocyte specification. In tmem88a morphants, activation of the WNT pathway exacerbates the cardiomyocyte deficiency, whereas WNT inhibition rescues progenitor cells and cardiogenesis. We conclude that specification of cardiac fate downstream of gata5/6 involves activation of the tmem88a gene to constrain WNT signaling and expand the number of cardiac progenitors. Tmem88a is a novel component of the regulatory mechanism controlling the second phase of biphasic WNT activity essential for embryonic cardiogenesis.
Consequences of nitrogen fertilization on soil methane consumption in a productive temperate deciduous forest

To investigate the consequences of long-term N additions on soil CH4 dynamics, we measured in situ CH4 uptake rates, soil profiles and kinetics parameters during the growing season in a temperate deciduous forest in northwestern Pennsylvania (Allegheny College Bousson Environmental Forest). Measurements were made in control and adjacent plots amended with 100 kg N ha−1 year−1 for 8 years. We found that the in situ consumption rates were 0.19±0.02 (mean±SE) for the control and 0.12±0.01 mg CH4–C m−2 h−1 for the N treatment, indicating that consumption had been reduced by 35% after 8 years of N amendments. Despite the large difference in rates of consumption, there were no differences in the CH4 concentration profiles between the control and N-amended plots. Laboratory incubations of CH4 consumption throughout the soil column (organic horizon and mineral soil depths) showed that rates were greatest in the organic horizon of both control and N-amended soils, although consumption was reduced by 42% in the N-amended plot. However, the rate in the organic horizon was only about 50% the rate measured in organic horizons at other temperate forests. The apparent Km [Km(app)] value in the organic horizon of the control plot was fourfold less than the Km(app) value in the organic horizon of another temperate forest, but similar to the Km(app) values in adjacent plots amended with N for a decade. Unlike results for other temperate forests, Km(app) values at Bousson generally did not decrease with soil depth. These results indicate that N cycling strongly controls the CH4-consuming community, and suggest that alterations of the N cycle due to N deposition or addition may alter rates and the location of CH4 consumption by soils, even in soils with high N content and cycling rates.
Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder Symptom Domains Relate Differentially to PTSD and Depression: A Study of War-Exposed Bosnian Adolescents

Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder (PCBD) is a newly proposed diagnosis placed in the Appendix of the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as an invitation for further research. To date, no studies have examined the dimensionality of PCBD or explored whether different PCBD criteria domains relate in similar, versus differential, ways to other psychological conditions common to war-exposed bereaved youth, including symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression. We evaluated the dimensionality of proposed PCBD B and C symptom domains, and their respective relations with measures of PTSD and depression, in 1142 bereaved Bosnian adolescents exposed to the 1992-1995 Bosnian civil war. Instruments included the UCLA PTSD Reaction Index, the Depression Self-Rating Scale, and the UCLA Grief Screening Scale (a prototype measure of PCBD symptoms). We investigated potential differences in grief, PTSD, and depression scores as a function of cause of death. We then examined hypothesized differential relations between PCBD B and C symptom domain subscales and selected external correlates, specifically measures of depression and the four-factor emotional numbing model of PTSD. Results of both analyses provide preliminary evidence of a multidimensional structure for PCBD in this population, in that the PCBD Criterion C subscale score covaried more strongly with each of the four PTSD factors and with depression than did PCBD Criterion B. We conclude by discussing theoretical, methodological, clinical, and policy-related implications linked to the ongoing study of essential features of PCBD.
Invited Review: Cell localization, physiology, and nongenomic actions of estrogen receptors

The existence of binding proteins for the female sex steroid, 17β-estradiol, has been known for almost 50 years. Presently, two estrogen receptors (ERs), ER-α and ER-β, have been cloned in mammals,...
The Differential Distribution of Community Knowledge

from a weighing of divergent evidence and a resulting choice. Rural dwellers, denied such choice, must perforce make decisions in terms of their traditional values-which may or may not be adequate to meet the present situation. The South is characterized by a high percentage of its people living under rural conditions. Concomitant with this situation is a psychic and social isolation with persons and neighborhood-centered opinions and attitudes. Isolation tends to promote in-group feelings and an excessively high evaluation of the local ways of thinking and acting. Without accurate knowledge of the ways of "outsiders" there is no reliable basis on which to judge them. This is coupled with the seemingly universal tendency to rate our own values as superior to those of others. Thus, in a situation of isolation, we are more likely to judge any difference as an indication of inferiority or of wickedness. In either case, differences are seen as dangerous when they come into contact with the attitudes of the in-group. It appears possible, on this line of reasoning, that some of the "chip on the shoulder" attitude of the South may also be tied in with the lack of adequate mass communication facilities. Here again, more research is needed to check on such a conclusion. The solid facts are that the South is deficient in means of mass communication and that the South differs materially from other regions of so closely knit a society as that of the United States. The inference is strong that one of these facts is at least partially explainable in terms of the other, and that both are better understood when seen against the background of the urban-rural characteristics of the region.
Experimental Study of the Unsteady Boundary Layer Behavior on a Turbine Cascade

The unsteady boundary layer behavior on a turbine cascade is experimentally investigated and the results are presented in this paper. To perform a detailed study on unsteady cascade aerodynamics and heat transfer, a new large-scale, high-subsonic research facility for simulating the periodic unsteady flow has been developed. It is capable of sequentially generating up to four different unsteady inlet flow conditions that lead to four different passing frequencies, wake structures, and freestream turbulence intensities. For a given Reynolds number, three different unsteady wake formations are utilized. Detailed unsteady boundary layer velocity, turbulence intensity, and pressure measurements are performed along the suction and pressure surfaces of one blade. The results presented in the temporal-spatial domain display the transition and further development of the boundary layer, specifically the ensemble-averaged velocity and turbulence intensity.Copyright © 1995 by ASME
A methodology for enhancing implementation science proposals: comparison of face-to-face versus virtual workshops

With the current funding climate and need for advancements in implementation science, there is a growing demand for grantsmanship workshops to increase the quality and rigor of proposals. A group-based implementation science-focused grantsmanship workshop, the Implementation Development Workshop (IDW), is one methodology to address this need. This manuscript provides an overview of the IDW structure, format, and findings regarding its utility. The IDW methodology allows researchers to vet projects in the proposal stage in a structured format with a facilitator and two types of expert participants: presenters and attendees. The presenter uses a one-page handout and verbal presentation to present their proposal and questions. The facilitator elicits feedback from attendees using a format designed to maximize the number of unique points made. After each IDW, participants completed an anonymous survey assessing perceptions of the IDW. Presenters completed a funding survey measuring grant submission and funding success. Qualitative interviews were conducted with a subset of participants who participated in both delivery formats. Mixed method analyses were performed to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of the IDW and compare the delivery formats. Of those who participated in an IDW (N = 72), 40 participated in face-to-face only, 16 in virtual only, and 16 in both formats. Thirty-eight (face-to-face n = 12, 35 % response rate; virtual n = 26, 66.7 % response rate) responded to the surveys and seven (15.3 % response rate), who had attended both formats, completed an interview. Of 36 total presenters, 17 (face-to-face n = 12, 42.9 % response rate; virtual n = 5, 62.9 % response rate) responded to the funding survey. Mixed method analyses indicated that the IDW was effective for collaboration and growth, effective for enhancing success in obtaining grants, and acceptable. A third (35.3 %) of presenters ultimately received funding for their proposal, and more than 80 % of those who presented indicated they would present again in the future. The IDW structure and facilitation process were found to be acceptable, with both formats rated as equally strong. The IDW presents an acceptable and successful methodology for increasing competitiveness of implementation science grant proposals.
Rheumatic tendon pathologies

Hintergrund Die rheumatoide Arthritis betrifft etwa 2 % der Gesamtbevolkerung. Am haufigsten manifestiert sich die Erkrankung im mittleren Lebensalter. In etwa 15 % aller Falle sind Fus- und Sprunggelenk die Orte der Erstmanifestation. Isolierte Chirurgie der Sehnen wird v. a. als praventive (Tenosynovektomie) oder auch rekonstruktive Therapie (Sehnennaht, Sehnentransfer) ausgefuhrt.
Energy Efficient Spiking Temporal Encoder Design for Neuromorphic Computing Systems

Neuromorphic computing hardware has undergone a rapid development and progress in the past few years. One of the key components in neuromorphic computing systems is the neural encoder which transforms sensory information into spike trains. In this paper, both rate encoding and temporal encoding schemes are discussed. Two novel temporal encoding schemes, parallel and iteration, are presented. The power consumption of the encoder has been significantly reduced by combing the iteration encoding and low sampling rate in advanced complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) nano-technology. Both the simulation and measurement results show the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed encoding circuits. The proposed iteration encoder has immediate applicability as a general purpose input encoder for a reservoir computing system.
Quality of Service in Information Technology

The Internet began as a research project in late sixties and for many years functioned quite well without concern for QoS. Network designers and users’ generally ignored the QoS facility embedded in the basic Internet Protocol (IP). Within the past few years, however, there has been an explosion of interest in the area, and all major Internet service providers and vendors are providing products that have QoS features. The importance of QoS provision in the current and future Telecommunications Infrastructures and Information Technologies is essential to sustainable economic growth of any nation worldwide. The author presents a framework to analyse and evaluate different strategies for QoS provision in telecommunication systems and IT. The main contribution of the habilitation’s collection of works is to stress the importance of QoS provision in the current and future Telecommunications Technologies and Internet, while presenting a methodology for assessing the QoS provision within University Campus and Corporate networks in the light of the users’ perceptions and expectations, while using available resources including people and network hardware-software at minimum cost.
Application of blood purification of critical disease with non-renal indications in PICU

Objective To investigate the application of blood purification for critical disease with non-renal indications in PICU. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 10 critical disease cases with non-renal indications in PICU admitted from Jan to Dec 2009. Five cases were with acute liver failure,2 with autoimmune disease (1 with Guillaln-Barre syndrome, 1 with systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis with macrophage activation syndrome) ,2 with severe sepsis,one with metabolic diseases. Results Four cases were treated with plasma exchange combined with continuous veno-venous hemmofiltration. Three cases were treated with continuous veno-venous hemmofiltration. Three cases were treated with plasma exchange.Conclusion CBP is an effective and safe method in the treatment of critical diseases with non-renal indications in PICU. Key words: Blood purification; PICU; Liver failure; Autoimmune disease