cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relative Cross Sections for Pair Production at 17.6 Mev

The relative cross sections for production of electron pairs by 17.6 Mev gamma-rays have been measured for Li, C, Al, Cu, Sn, and Pb. A gamma-ray pair spectrometer was used to count the number of pairs emitted from thin radiators of these materials when irradiated by 17.6 Mev gamma-rays produced in the ${\mathrm{Li}}^{7}(p,\ensuremath{\gamma}){\mathrm{Be}}^{8}$ reaction. For each material, the number of pairs counted per atom of radiator has been extrapolated to a radiator of zero thickness, in order to obtain the relative pair cross section. From these measurements some information can be obtained about the probability of pair production in the field of the atomic electrons, and about the errors in the theoretical pair cross sections of heavy elements, which presumably arise from the use of the Born approximation. It is found that the ratio of the pair cross section of an electron to that of a nucleus of unit charge is 0.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3. The data indicate that the pair cross sections of heavier elements are lower than predicted by the Born approximation, in qualitative agreement with measurements of the total absorption cross sections.
Choosing the maximum from a sequence with a discount function

Choosing the maximum value from a sequence ofN independent values is a well known problem often called the candidate problem or secretary problem. This paper treats the above problem with a discount penaltyα (0<α<1) for each additional observation taken. It is shown that asN increases indefinitely, the optimal stopping policy is bounded although the maximum expected payoff goes to zero, and that there exists a sequence 0=α0<α1<α2<⋯<1, such that the asymptotic optimal stopping rule is the same for allαi−1<α⩽αi.
Development of neutron shields for gamma-ray detectors

The importance of shields for suppressing neutron-induced background in new classes of (gamma) -ray detectors such as CZT has been emphasized for a variety of reasons. These include high cross-sections for neutron interactions in detector materials and inefficient vetoing of neutrons in conventional active shields. We previously demonstrated through Monte-Carlo simulation how our new approach, supershields, is superior to the monolithic, biatomic neutron shields which have been developed in the past. Here we show the construction of several prototype models for supershields using B and H. We verify the performance of these supershields through lab experiments using radioactive sources and monoenergetic neutron beam at the Radiological Research Accelerator Facility, and compare the results with monolithic neutron shields. We also discuss the implications of this experiment for designs of supershields in general.
Having a Field Day with Environmental Education

Few research examples or discussions about successful and practical application of environmental education within teacher education programs exist (UNESCO-UNEP, 1990). Meaningful environmental education experiences for preservice teachers need to incorporate the processes of inquiry, implementation, and reflection. In this article, we describe an environmental education action research project with preservice teachers grounded in a widely-accepted framework for guiding the teaching and learning of environmental education. We spotlight a cohort of 14 elementary education majors in their efforts to plan and implement an environmental education field day for students and teachers at an elementary school.
Can preoperative PSA doubling time and PSA velocity predict outcomes following radical prostatectomy

Can preoperative PSA doubling time and PSA velocity predict outcomes following radical prostatectomy?
Analytical Prediction of Cogging Torque for Spoke Type Permanent Magnet Machines

A generalized analytical field solution by conformal transformation is presented for calculation of no-load magnetic field distribution in the slot-less and slotted air gap of spoke-type permanent magnet (PM) machines. These analytical field solutions are used to predict the cogging torque of spoke-type PM motors. The computed cogging torque using the proposed method is compared with the results from 2D finite element analysis (FEA) in three application examples.
Lung endothelial barrier protection by iloprost in the 2-hit models of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) involves inhibition of Rho signaling

Mechanical ventilation at high tidal volume (HTV) may cause pulmonary capillary leakage and acute lung inflammation culminating in ventilator-induced lung injury. Iloprost is a stable, synthetic analog of prostaglandin I2 used to treat pulmonary hypertension, which also showed endothelium-dependent antiedemagenic effects in the models of lung injury. To test the hypothesis that iloprost may attenuate lung inflammation and lung endothelial barrier disruption caused by pathologic lung distension and coagulation system component thrombin, we used cell and animal 2-hit models of ventilator-induced lung injury. Mice received a triple injection of iloprost (2 μg/kg, intravenous instillation) at 0, 40, and 80min after the onset of HTV mechanical ventilation (30mL/kg, 4h), combined with the administration of a thrombin receptor-activating peptide 6 (TRAP6, 3 × 10−7mol/mouse, intratracheal instillation). After 4h of ventilation, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), histologic analysis, and measurements of Evans blue accumulation in the lung tissue were performed. The effects of iloprost on endothelial barrier dysfunction were subsequently assessed in pulmonary endothelial cells (ECs) exposed to thrombin and pathologic (18%) cyclic stretch. The combination of HTV and TRAP6 enhanced the accumulation of neutrophils in BAL fluid and lung parenchyma, as well as increased the BAL protein content and endothelial permeability judged by Evans blue extravasation in the lung tissue. These effects were markedly attenuated by iloprost. The application of 18% cyclic stretch to pulmonary ECs enhanced the thrombin-induced EC paracellular gap formation and Rho-GTPase–mediated phosphorylation of regulatory myosin light chains and myosin phosphatase. Iloprost markedly inhibited the Rho-kinase–mediated site-specific phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase, and it prevented cyclic stretch- and thrombin-induced endothelial monolayer disruption. This study characterizes for the first time the protective effects of iloprost in the in vitro and in vivo 2-hit models of VILI and supports consideration of iloprost as a new therapeutic treatment of VILI.
Working memory and intelligence in children: What develops?

This study explored the contribution of the phonological and executive working memory (WM) systems to 205 (102 girls, 103 boys, 6 to 9 years old) elementary school children's fluid and crystallized intelligence. The results show that (a) a 3-factor structure (phonological short-term memory [STM], visual-spatial WM, and verbal WM) was comparable between age groups, (b) controlled attention and STM storage accounted for 67% of the age-related variance in WM, (c) effect sizes for direct paths from WM were substantially larger when predicting fluid intelligence than crystallized intelligence, and (d) the contribution of STM to intelligence was isolated to reading. The results suggest that the development of WM is distinct from STM, controlled attention plus storage accounted for age-related WM changes, and WM underlies age-related changes in both fluid and crystallized intelligence.
Large manifolds with positive Ricci curvature

The main purpose of this paper is to show that an n-dimensional manifold with Ricci curvature greater or equal to (n−1) which is close (in the Gromov– Hausdor topology) to the unit n-sphere has volume close to that of the sphere. This shows the converse of the theorem in [C1]. Namely together with [C1] it shows that an n-manifold with Ricci curvature greater or equal to (n − 1) is close to the sphere if and only if the volume is close to that of the sphere. In particular, by [P], such a manifold is homeomorphic to a sphere. Further, as an application of this and the result of [C1], we prove a Radius Theorem saying that if an n-manifold with Ricci curvature greater or equal to (n − 1) has radius almost equal to ; then the volume is close to that of the sphere. In order to obtain these results we further develop and apply the estimates of [C1]. Whereas the main concern in [C1] were with the large scale geometry the main concern of this paper is with the small scale geometry. Let !n be the volume of the round n-sphere, Sn; with sectional curvature one.
Identification of molecular targets for immunotherapy of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

To identify molecular targets for immunotherapy of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients, we analyzed gene expression profile in matched tumor (HN) and normal fibroblast (FB) cell lines established from a HNSCC patient using microarray technique followed by real-time RT-PCR. Screening against a series of established normal and malignant cell lines followed by screening against a panel of normal human tissues led to the identification of 7 genes (AREG, CDH3, KLK10, NmU, SLPI, ANAX3 and MAL2), which were over-expressed at least 10-fold in tumors over any of the normal tissues. We determined the expression of mRNA encoding these genes against a panel of 15 HNSCC primary tumor samples. Relative expression of these genes was at least 20-fold. Expression of AREG, CDH3, KLK10, NmU and SLPI at the protein level was determined by immunohistochemistry in seven supraglottic laryngeal cancer specimens. All five proteins were expressed in these tumor samples with high intensity. We conclude that these molecules are potential targets for immunotherapy of HNSCC patients.
On Ultracoproducts of Compact Hausdorff Spaces

I present solutions to several questions of Paul Bankston [2] by means of another version of the ultracoproduct construction, and explain the relation of ultracoproduct of compact Hausdorff spaces to other constructions combining topology, algebra and logic.
Sub-grid modeling of electro-viscous effect in microflows

To successfully design and operate the micro fluidics system, it is essential to understand the fundamental fluid flow phenomena when channel sizes are shrink to micron or even nano dimensions. One important phenomenon is the electro kinetic effect in micro/nano channels due to the existence of the electrical double layer (EDL) near a solid-liquid interface. Modeling and simulation of electro-kinetic effects on micro flows poses significant numerical challenge due to the fact that the sizes of the double layer (10 nm up to microns) are very "thin" compared to channel width (can be up to 100's of mm). To fully resolve the double layer, tremendous computational cells are required in a typical finite volume method. It is impractical for designing purpose on typical lab-on-chip platform, in which the length of the microchannel can be orders of magnitude greater than the width and the flow geometries are three dimensional and complicated. In this study, a novel sub-grid integration method to properly account for the electro-viscous effect is developed. This integration approach can be used on simple or complicated flow geometries. Resolution of the double layer is not needed in this approach, and the effects of the double layer can be accurately accounted for at the same time. With this approach, the numeric grid size can be much larger than the thickness of double layer. Presented in this paper are a description of the approach, model development, implementation, and several validation and demonstration simulations of pressure-driven Lab-on-Chip micro flows with electro-viscous effects.
Comparing Speech Perception of Children With Cochlear Implants or Hearing Aids

Cochlear implant (CI) candidacy guidelines continue to evolve as a result of advances in both cochlear implant and hearing aid technology. Empirical studies comparing the speech perception abilities of children using cochlear implants or hearing aids will be reviewed in the context of current device technology and CI candidacy evaluations.
Thoroughly modern medicine

Personalized medicine is receiving increasing attention in the medical literature and lay press as one way to optimize therapy and reduce complications of treatment for almost any disorder. However, understanding the systemic complexities necessary to implement the ambitious goals of personalized medicine is unlikely to arise from the study of common disorders. Rather, dissecting out the individual components to therapeutic response is far more feasible with defined disorders of known cause. Inborn errors of metabolism offer an attractive opportunity to better define the hyperbole surrounding development and institution of personalized medicine.
Pediatric critical care nurses' experience with abdominal compartment syndrome.

Background Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is a syndrome associated with multi-system effects of elevated intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) in critically ill children. It has a 90-100% mortality rate if not recognized and treated promptly. Measuring IAP helps identify patients developing intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) which allows for timely intervention before progression to ACS. IAP helps identify ACS and guides its medical and surgical management. IAP is often measured by the bedside nurse in the intensive care unit. Pediatric critical care nurses (PCCN) play a key role in managing critically ill patients and recognizing potential causes for clinical deterioration such as ACS therefore should be knowledgeable about this entity.
Regulation of the Expression of Autoimmunity in NZB x NZW F1 Mice by Sex Hormones

AbstractThis study examines the role of sex hormones in modulating the expression of autoimmunity in NZB x NZW Flmice. Male sex hormones were found to retard disease. Differekes were noted between prepubertally and postpubertally altered males and females. The presence of male sex hormones prepubertally was associated with marked retardation of the development of antibodies to DNA. Prepu-bertal but not postpubertal castration of males led to significant acceleration in anti-DNA production. Nevertheless, administration of male sex hormones to females retarded the development of fatal glomerulonephritis, even when given postpubertally. These results suggest that manipulation of sex hormones may be used to modify the expression of autoimmunity.
Reliability and validity of three-dimensional fetal brain volumes.

Objective. To determine the intraobserver and interobserver variability in calculating three-dimensional fetal brain volumes and to examine the relationship between these volumes and biparietal diameter and head circumference measurements and estimated gestational age. Methods. Eighty-five subjects between 16 and 40 completed weeks’ gestation participated in the Institutional Review Board‐approved study. Fetal head images were obtained axially and stored on a magnetic optical disk. The fetal brain volumes were calculated in triplicate by each of 2 observers using 8 to 10 coronal cuts. The coefficient of variation was determined for both physicians. Pearson correlations and linear regression were used to evaluate the relationship between three-dimensional head volume and standard biparietal diameter and head circumference measurements and estimated gestational age. Results. The coefficients of variation were low for both investigators, at 2.04% and 2.44%. The correlations between fetal brain volumes and biparietal diameter, head circumference, and estimated gestational age were all highly significant (P < .001). The linear regression of brain volumes with estimated gestational age was also highly significant (P < .001). Conclusions. Three-dimensional fetal brain volume measurements had excellent intraobserver and interobserver reliability. The volumes correlated very
The Communicative Competence of Bilinguals: Some Hypotheses and Suggestions for Research.

A model for the description of bilingual speech is proposed which focuses on the linguistic and social constraints governing the speaker's selection of variables within a single complex linguistic repertoire. The model will be tested with field data from bilingual communities in India and Austria and results will be compared with relevant data on American English. The traditional dichotomy between bilingual and monolingual behavior is discarded and differences between the communities will be described in terms of the level of linguistic structure at which variables appear, the rules governing their co-occurrence and the social meanings they communicate. The goal is to contribute to our knowledge of the linguistic and social nature of code alternation to provide new insights into communication processes in ethnically diverse societies, and to lay the basis for improved educational strategies.
Donor chimerism and stem cell function in a murine congenic transplantation model after low-dose radiation conditioning: effects of a retroviral-mediated gene transfer protocol and implications for gene therapy.

Abstract Objective We investigated low-dose radiation conditioning for the transplantation of retrovirus-transduced cells in a C57Bl6/J murine model. Materials and Methods The effect of low-dose radiation on stem cell function was investigated using a competitive repopulation assay. Stem cell function of marrow cells that underwent a retroviral-mediated gene transfer (RMGT) protocol was examined by this assay, and donor chimerism of these cells when transplanted into 160-cGy conditioned syngeneic hosts was compared to fresh marrow. Results Irradiation with 300 or 160 cGy substantially decreased stem cell function as measured by competitive repopulation. Animals conditioned with 160 cGy and transplanted with 20 × 10 6 fresh marrow cells permitted donor cell engraftment of 53.6% ± 11.4% 6 months after transplant compared to 100% donor cell engraftment after 1100 cGy irradiation. Lymphoid and myeloid engraftment did not significantly differ from total engraftment in submyeloablated hosts. When transplanted into lethally irradiated hosts, the competitive repopulating activity of marrow treated with a single dose of 5-fluorouracil followed by ex vivo culture according to a standard RMGT protocol was equal to 5-fluorouracil–only treated marrow. However, cells treated with 5-fluorouracil or 5-fluorouracil plus ex vivo culture for RMGT repopulated less well than fresh marrow cells in 160 cGy conditioned hosts. Conclusions Low-dose irradiation decreases host stem cell function, allowing engraftment of both fresh and RMGT protocol-treated marrow, although the engraftment of 5-fluorouracil–treated cells was reduced at least two-fold, and 5-fluorouracil plus RMGT protocol-treated cells at least three-fold, compared to fresh marrow. Modification of current RMGT protocols may be important for optimizing engraftment under these conditions.
The Dimensions of Classroom Data

Behavioral modification techniques have become quite widely utilized. Numerous instances exist where teachers, therapists and others in the field of rehabilitation have effectively used operant techniques to alter behavior. However the majority of reports from classroom settings describe how these techniques have been used to attenuate a variety of socially inappropriate behaviors. Few investigations have attempted to accelerate academic responses. Indeed, while many teachers see the use of behavioral management practices as effective with deceleration targets, they do not see it as effective with acceleration targets.The intent of this paper is to describe how behavioral modification techniques may be employed to increase academic performance through a three phase procedure of data diagnosis, data programming and data decisions. Initially described is a method of obtaining pupil performance data and information concerning relevant variables of the teacher-pupil dyad. A second method is presented whereby ...
Relationship between Proline and Abscisic Acid in the Induction of Chilling Tolerance in Maize Suspension-Cultured Cells

Both proline and abscisic acid (ABA) induce chilling tolerance in chilling-sensitive plants. However, the relationship between proline and ABA in the induction of chilling tolerance is unclear. We compared the time course of the increase in chilling tolerance induced by proline and ABA, and the time course of the uptake of both into the cultured cells of maize (Zea mays L. cv Black Mexican Sweet) at 28[deg]C. The plateau of proline-induced chilling tolerance preceded by 12 h the plateau of ABA-induced chilling tolerance. The uptake of exogenous ABA into the cells reached a plateau in 1 h, whereas the uptake of exogenous proline gradually increased throughout the 24-h culture period. Although the proline content in ABA-treated cells was 2-fold higher than in untreated cells at the end of the 24-h ABA treatment at 28[deg]C, the correlation between the endogenous free proline content and the chilling tolerance in the ABA-treated cells was insignificant. Isobutyric acid treatment, which resulted in a larger accumulation of proline in the cells than ABA treatment, did not increase chilling tolerance. The induction of chilling tolerance by proline and ABA appeared to be additive. Cycloheximide inhibited ABA-induced chilling tolerance, but it did not inhibit proline-induced chilling tolerance. Newly synthesized proteins accumulate in ABA-treated cells at 28[deg]C while the chilling tolerance is developing (Z. Xin and P.H. Li [1993] Plant Physiol 101: 277–284), but none of these proteins were observed in the proline-treated cells. Results suggest that proline and ABA induce chilling tolerance in maize cultured cells by different mechanisms.
Time-Scaling Trajectories of Passive-Dynamic Bipedal Robots

This paper presents a control law that time-scales reference trajectories of dynamical systems, yielding arbitrary velocities in arbitrary time. It is shown that, for unforced (passive) reference trajectories, constant time-scaling results in a potential energy-shaping control. Application to walking trajectories of bipedal robots is shown, extending the use of the control beyond purely continuous dynamical systems to a class of hybrid dynamical systems with discontinuities that are linear in velocity. Two biped models are used to demonstrate the control law: for the compass-gait biped, we illustrate time-scaling of a passive reference trajectory; for the biped with a torso, we show time-scaling of a semi-passive reference trajectory.
Complete Solution to the Eight-Point Path Generation of Slider-Crank Four-Bar Linkages

We study the synthesis of a slider-crank four-bar linkage whose coupler point traces a set of pre d efined task points. We report that there are at most 558 slider-crank four-bars in cognate pairs passing through any eight specified task points. The problem is formulated for up to eight precision points in polynomial equations. Classical elimination methods are used to reduce the formulation to a system of seven sixth-degree polynomials. A constrained homotopy technique is employed to eliminate degenerate solutions, mapping them to solutions at infinity of the augmented system, which avoids tedious post-processing. To obtain solutions to the augmented system, we propose a process based on the classical homotopy and secant homotopy methods. Two numerical examples are provided to verify the formulation and solution process. In the second example, we obtain six slider-crank linkages without a branch or an order defect, a result partially attributed to choosing design points on a fourth-degree polynomial curve.
A refractive index chart for a scattering sphere

The Mie solution for the scattered electromagnetic fields from a sphere is briefly summarized. A refractive index chart is introduced which makes it possible to evaluate the modal coefficient for lossy materials without evaluating Bessel functions of complex argument. This refractive index chart is used for this purpose and also to find spheres made of different material that have the same scattering pattern and also to find the condition for resonance in small spheres. It is also useful in establishing a solution for the inverse problem for small spheres, e.g., evaluating the constitutive parameters from the scattered fields.
Modeling Reduction of Uranium U(VI) under Variable Sulfate Concentrations by Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria

The kinetics for the reduction of sulfate alone and for concurrent uranium [U(VI)] and sulfate reduction, by mixed and pure cultures of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) at 21 ± 3°C were studied. The mixed culture contained the SRB Desulfovibrio vulgaris along with a Clostridium sp. determined via 16S ribosomal DNA analysis. The pure culture was Desulfovibrio desulfuricans (ATCC 7757). A zero-order model best fit the data for the reduction of sulfate from 0.1 to 10 mM. A lag time occurred below cell concentrations of 0.1 mg (dry weight) of cells/ml. For the mixed culture, average values for the maximum specific reaction rate, Vmax, ranged from 2.4 ± 0.2 μmol of sulfate/mg (dry weight) of SRB · h−1) at 0.25 mM sulfate to 5.0 ± 1.1 μmol of sulfate/mg (dry weight) of SRB · h−1 at 10 mM sulfate (average cell concentration, 0.52 mg [dry weight]/ml). For the pure culture, Vmax was 1.6 ± 0.2 μmol of sulfate/mg (dry weight) of SRB · h−1 at 1 mM sulfate (0.29 mg [dry weight] of cells/ml). When both electron acceptors were present, sulfate reduction remained zero order for both cultures, while uranium reduction was first order, with rate constants of 0.071 ± 0.003 mg (dry weight) of cells/ml · min−1 for the mixed culture and 0.137 ± 0.016 mg (dry weight) of cells/ml · min−1 (U0 = 1 mM) for the D. desulfuricans culture. Both cultures exhibited a faster rate of uranium reduction in the presence of sulfate and no lag time until the onset of U reduction in contrast to U alone. This kinetics information can be used to design an SRB-dominated biotreatment scheme for the removal of U(VI) from an aqueous source.
A simple photoelectron X-ray beam position monitor for synchrotron radiation☆

Abstract A UHV compatible X-ray beam position monitor is described. The monitor operates by detecting the photoelectrons emitted by two parallel tungsten wires. A key feature of the monitor is the simplicity of its design and construction which allows it to fit on a 2 3 4 ′' conflat flange. When combined with a simple log-ratio current amplifier the monitor gives an output linear in the beam position with a sensitivity better than 0.02 mm.
Optical properties of Alexa 488 and Cy5 immobilized on a glass surface.

The absorption and emission spectra were measured for Cy™5 and Alexa™ 488 fluorophores confined on a glass surface. The data were obtained using fluorometry and spectroscopic ellipsometry. Red shifts of the surface-immobilized fluorophore absorption spectra relative to the fluorophore spectra in aqueous solution were observed using both methods. We interpret these red shifts in terms of a change in the polarizability and polarity of the effective solvent. A formula is given that can be used to estimate expected shifts in absorption and emission maxima for surface-immobilized fluorophores. Spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements provide identification of the fluorophores confined on a glass surface. These results suggest that the design of microarray detection systems should be based on the optical properties of fluorophores attached to the surface and not on the optical properties of fluorophores in solution.
Stereoconvergent [1,2]- and [1,4]-wittig rearrangements of 2-silyl-6-aryl-5,6-dihydropyrans: A tale of steric Vs electronic regiocontrol of divergent pathways

The regiodivergent ring contraction of diastereomeric 2-silyl-5,6-dihydro-6-aryl-(2H)-pyrans via [1,2]- and [1,4]-Wittig rearrangements to the corresponding α-silylcyclopentenols or (α-cyclopropyl)acylsilanes favor the [1,4]-pathway by ortho and para directing groups in the aromatic appendage and/or by sterically demanding silyl groups. The [1,2]-pathway is dominant with meta directing or electron-poor aromatic moieties. Exclusive [1,2]-Wittig rearrangements are observed when olefin substituents proximal to the silyl are present. cis and trans diastereomers exhibit different reactivities, but converge to a single [1,2]- or [1,4]-Wittig product with high diastereoselectivity and yield.
Preventing disruption of a mobile communication network using Higher Order Sliding Mode control

In this study, agents in a mobile communication network perform a data-gathering task in response to external commands. If the agents' movement disrupts the connectivity of the network, data transmission may fail. By means of Higher Order Sliding Mode (HOSM) observers, the external commands are reconstructed so that locations of potential disruptions in network connectivity can be predicted on a given time window. A concomitant network of controlled agents is available to be driven to these locations by means of HOSM controllers in order to prevent disruptions. As controlled agents move, effects of unknown bounded external disturbances are cancelled out. The movement of the network of controlled agents thus ensures that the network of data-gathering agents remains intact. The proposed algorithm is demonstrated in a simulation example.
Letter to the Editor Ventricular Fibrillation: Mother Rotor or Multiple Wavelets?

To the Editor: In their Letter to the Editor, Drs Berenfeld, Pertsov, and Jalife1 suggest that our recent article entitled “The Distribution of Refractory Periods Influences the Dynamics of Ventricular Fibrillation”2 characterized the nature of wave organization during fibrillation. They also state that our study “provides important and useful information, particularly in regard to the existence of action potential duration gradients during VF.” With respect to these comments, we should clarify that we did not focus on the nature of wave organization in ventricular fibrillation (VF), nor did we show the existence of action potential duration (APD) gradients during VF. We correlated APD gradients measured in hearts with a normal rhythm (either paced or sinus rhythm) with the distributions of mean activation intervals and fast Fourier transform (FFT) spectra around the epicardium from the same hearts in VF. The main conclusion is stated in the title of the article.2 Berenfeld et al1 criticized the study claiming that we did not address technical issues and overinterpreted our data. Surprisingly, the issues that they raised and their concerns over the …
SMOG@ctbp: simplified deployment of structure-based models in GROMACS.

Molecular dynamics simulations with coarsegrained and/or simplified Hamiltonians are an effective means of capturing the functionally important long-time and large-length scale motions of proteins and RNAs. Structure-based Hamiltonians, simplified models developed from the energy landscape theory of protein folding, have become a standard tool for investigating biomolecular dynamics. SMOG@ctbp is an effort to simplify the use of structure-based models. The purpose of the web server is two fold. First, the web tool simplifies the process of implementing a well-characterized structure-based model on a state-of-the-art, open source, molecular dynamics package, GROMACS. Second, the tutorial-like format helps speed the learning curve of those unfamiliar with molecular dynamics. A web tool user is able to upload any multi-chain biomolecular system consisting of standard RNA, DNA and amino acids in PDB format and receive as output all files necessary to implement the model in GROMACS. Both Ca and all-atom versions of the model are available. SMOG@ctbp resides at http://smog.ucsd.edu.
Design and Management of 3D Chip Multiprocessors Using Network-in-Memory

Long interconnects are becoming an increasingly important problem from both power and performance perspectives. This motivates designers to adopt on-chip network-based communication infrastructures and three-dimensional (3D) designs where multiple device layers are stacked together. Considering the current trends towards increasing use of chip multiprocessing, it is timely to consider 3D chip multiprocessor design and memory networking issues, especially in the context of data management in large L2 caches. The overall goal of this paper is to study the challenges for L2 design and management in 3D chip multiprocessors. Our first contribution is to propose a router architecture and a topology design that makes use of a network architecture embedded into the L2 cache memory. Our second contribution is to demonstrate, through extensive experiments, that a 3D L2 memory architecture generates much better results than the conventional two-dimensional (2D) designs under different number of layers and vertical (inter-wafer) connections. In particular, our experiments show that a 3D architecture with no dynamic data migration generates better performance than a 2D architecture that employs data migration. This also helps reduce power consumption in L2 due to a reduced number of data movements.
Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Consensus Conference: Revised Clinical Diagnostic Criteria

At the recent tuberous sclerosis complex consensus conference, the clinical diagnostic criteria for tuberous sclerosis complex were simplified and revised to reflect both new clinical information about tuberous sclerosis complex and an improved understanding of the disorder derived from molecular genetic studies. Based on this new information, some clinical signs once regarded as pathognomonic for tuberous sclerosis complex are now known to be less specific. No single sign is present in all affected patients, and there is no proof that any single clinical or radiographic sign is absolutely specific for tuberous sclerosis complex. Accordingly, the clinical and radiographic features of tuberous sclerosis complex have now been divided into major and minor categories based on the apparent degree of specificity for tuberous sclerosis complex of each feature. A definitive diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis complex now requires two or more distinct types of lesions, rather than multiple lesions of the same type in the same organ system. Although diagnosis on purely clinical grounds can continue to be difficult in a few patients, there should be little doubt about the diagnosis for those individuals who fulfill these strict criteria. Couples with more than one child with tuberous sclerosis complex, no extended family history, and no clinical features of tuberous sclerosis complex are more likely to have germline mosaicism for tuberous sclerosis than nonexpression of the mutation. Germline mosaicism, while fortunately rare, will not be suspected from either diagnostic criteria or molecular testing until a couple has multiple affected children. Genetic counseling for families with one affected child should include a small (1% to 2%) possibility of recurrence, even for parents who have no evidence of tuberous sclerosis complex after a thorough diagnostic evaluation.
Effective recruitment and retention for online surveys

Researchers using online study methods can face special challenges in recruiting and retaining participants. Participants in online studies are almost always self-selected and dropout rates can be high. The problem of self-selection can be balanced by the fact that using the Internet can be an excellent way to recruit participants from special interest groups. Researchers will need to make special efforts to recruit participants from groups under-represented on the Internet. Dropout rates can be reduced by offering incentives, keeping surveys and experiments short, and testing online studies for usability.
Efficacy of wipers-on, headlamps-on legislation

Empirical evidence for the benefit of so-called wipers-on, headlamps-on legislation, requiring drivers to use vehicle headlamps when windshield wipers are on, is nonexistent. An evaluation of fatal, multi-vehicle crashes during daytime and nighttime in clear and rainy weather was made, for states in the US that have recently enacted such legislation, and for which crash data are available. Results indicate a statistically reliable reduction in the incidence of fatal, multi-vehicle crashes during daytime in these states relative to nighttime, when headlamp use would not be expected to differ before and after enactment of wipers-on, headlamps-on legislation.
T cell responses: naïve to memory and everything in between

THE MAMMALIAN IMMUNE SYSTEM can be broadly divided into two main arms: innate and adaptive immunity. As its name implies, the cells and receptors of the innate immune system are critical for the rapid recognition of the infectious agent and initiating a proinflammatory response. While the inflammation generated by innate immune cells [neutrophils, macrophages, monocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells (DCs), etc.] is important in the initial containment of the infection, it also informs and directs the expansion and differentiation of adaptive immune cells. Responding to the inflammatory environment created by the innate response, cells of the adaptive arm of the immune response (B cells, T cells, and T cells) are stimulated to expand in number (proliferate) and to differentiate into cells with a range of functions appropriate for the immunological challenge. Upon elimination of the invading pathogen, the majority of adaptive cells die and leave behind an (evergrowing) array of memory cell subsets. These memory cells offer a diversity of migratory properties and functions, collectively mediating a rapid and protective immune response upon reinfection. Thus, the major advantages of an adaptive response to the host are twofold. First, it allows the host to form an immune response that is specifically tailored to the invading pathogen. Second, it forms a pool of memory cells from these specific effectors that can last for many years, capable of protecting the host against reinfection by their rapid response. This combination of specificity and memory are the mechanistic underpinnings for the clinical success of vaccination. Critical to almost all functions of the adaptive immune response is the activation and programming of T cells from their naive/resting state. Although there is much more to be learned, we now have a good basic understanding of the signals and cell types involved in the various stages of the T cell response initiated within the secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs). To provide a comprehensive overview, this review will summarize the T cell response broken down into three major stages: activation, differentiation, and memory formation. We will then assemble these components into a description of the anatomy of an immune response and its relationship to productive immune protection.
The stimulation of sodium transport by aldosterone.

Aldosterone, the major sodium retaining hormone in man, will stimulate active transport of sodium across the urinary bladder of the toad, Bufo marinus in vitro, at physiological concentrations of the hormone. The in vitro action of aldosterone is mimicked by steroid hormones with known mineralocorticoid properties and it is competitively inhibited by other analogues, e.g. spironolactone and cortisone. Aldosterone is bound to physiological receptor sites within the transporting epithelial cells, chiefly within the nuclei, and is displaced from these binding sites specifically by structural analogues including other mineralocorticoids. Effects of aldosterone are dependent upon availability of metabolizable substrates to support the active transport of sodium. Although the stimulation of sodium transport by aldosterone can be specifically inhibited by actinomycin D, an inhibitor of RNA synthesis, and by puromycin, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, direct evidence of stimulation of new RNA and protein synthesis during the latent period with physiological concentrations of aldosterone is still lacking. It is possible, however, that the amounts of RNA and protein that are involved are too small to be detected by available techniques. Evidence is summarized which leads us to conclude that the increased sodium transport induced by aldosterone is the consequence of a reduced resistance of the apical plasma membrane of the transporting epithelia to the entry of sodium into the transport pathway.
Scaling challenges of FinFET technology at advanced nodes and its impact on SoC design (Invited)

With the introduction of FinFET technology in mass production, more designs and complex designs are being ported on 22nm and 14nm/16nm FinFET transistors. However, all FinFET transistors are not made equal to offer best System-on-Chip (SoC) performance and power benefits. Careful selection of fin structural parameters is critical for best SoC performance. This paper discusses FinFET scaling challenges, their impact on SoC performance, key trade-offs and possible solutions for best SoC performance at current and future technology nodes.
THE ROLE OF S. CEREVISIAE CELL DIVISION CYCLE GENES IN NUCLEAR FUSION

Forty temperature-sensitive cell division cycle (cdc) mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were examined for their ability to complete nuclear fusion during conjugation in crosses to a CDC parent strain at the restrictive temperature. Most of the cdc mutant alleles behaved as the CDC parent strain from which they were derived, in that zygotes produced predominantly diploid progeny with only a small fraction of zygotes giving rise to haploid progeny (cytoductants) that signalled a failure in nuclear fusion. However, cdc4 mutants exhibited a strong nuclear fusion (karyogamy) defect in crosses to a CDC parent and cdc28, cdc34 and cdc37 mutants exhibited a weak karyogamy defect. For all four mutants, the karyogamy defect and the cell cycle defect cosegregated, suggesting that both defects resulted from a single lesion for each of these cdc mutants. Therefore, the cdc 4, 28, 34 and 37 gene products are required in both cell division and karyogamy.
“The Beginning Is the Most Important Part of the Work”: Discovering Professional Identity and Purpose at the 2012 RBMS Preconference

The 2012 RBMS Preconference was my first experience participating in a professional, rather than academic, conference; as someone relatively new to the Section, and moreover to the world of rare books and manuscripts generally, naturally I was not entirely sure what to expect. At the same time I did have in mind a certain idea of what I hoped to gain from the experience, and looking back I think that for the most part I realized most of these more concrete goals. However, the greatest benefits for me, as so often seems to happen, were in hindsight also those that . . .
The Education Of The Dullard In The Public School

Read before the Society of the Alumni of City (Charity Hospital), New York City, April 11, 1906.
Quality Improvement Interventions to Improve Appropriateness of Imaging Studies Necessary, But Are They Sufficient?

Since 2005, the American College of Cardiology Foundation, in conjunction with other societies, has released Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) for various procedures and imaging modalities. The AUC are being increasingly recognized as an important link in the chain of quality improvement processes in cardiovascular patient care. Article see p 7 Implementation studies evaluating AUC in usual clinical care have been instrumental in benchmarking the appropriateness and inappropriateness rates. A recent meta-analysis summarizing ≈60 published reports in >100 000 imaging tests found the rate of both appropriateness and rarely or inappropriate imaging test to vary widely by modality, as well as by iteration of the AUC document (Table).1 These data provide important information on how testing is used in usual care, thereby creating the framework for designing quality improvement initiatives. Such initiatives require physicians to change their ordering practices—not an easy task. A broad variety of methods have been proposed to change behavior from passive education to active interventions, with the latter being more effective and harder to implement.2 View this table: Table. Published Data on Appropriateness of Noninvasive Testing by Imaging Modality (After Fonseca et al1) In this issue of Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes , Chaudhuri et al3 provide a systematic review of studies using quality improvement initiatives to reduce the proportion of rarely appropriate cardiovascular imaging based on AUC.3 The meta-analysis used stringent criteria and included just 7 studies with 6 observational studies and 1 randomized control trial, assessing the use of noninvasive imaging. These studies varied significantly in terms of the number of patients, type of imaging modalities, target population for intervention, and the type and practice location of providers. Not surprisingly, the strategies used also varied, ranging from passive interventions, such as lectures, webinars, and pocket cards to more active ones, such as …
From Rewriting Logic, to Programming Language Semantics, to Program Verification

Rewriting logic has proven to be an excellent formalism to define executable semantics of programming languages, concurrent or not, and then to derive formal analysis tools for the defined languages with very little effort, such as model checkers. In this paper we give an overview of recent results obtained in the context of the rewriting logic semantics framework \({\mathbb {K}}\), such as complete semantics of large programming languages like C, Java, JavaScript, Python, and deductive program verification techniques that allow us to verify programs in these languages using a common verification infrastructure.
Rocket-triggered lightning and new insights into lightning

The rocket-and-wire technique has been routinely used since the 1970s to artificially initiate (trigger) lightning from natural thunderclouds for purposes of research and testing. Leader/return stroke sequences in triggered lightning are similar in most (if not all) respects to subsequent leader/return-stroke sequences in natural downward lightning and to all such sequences in object-initiated lightning. The initial processes in triggered lightning are similar to those in object-initiated (upward) lightning and are distinctly different from the first leader/return-stroke sequence in natural downward lightning. The results of triggered-lightning experiments have provided considerable insight into natural lightning processes that would not have been possible from studies of natural lightning due to its random occurrence in space and time. Among such findings are the observation of an UCL in a dart leader/return-stroke sequence, identification of the M-component mode of charge transfer to ground, the observation of a lack of dependence of return-stroke current peak on grounding conditions, discovery of X-rays produced by lightning dart leaders, new insights into the mechanism of cutoff and reestablishment of current in the lightning channel, direct measurements of NOx production by an isolated lightning channel section and the characterization of the electromagnetic environment within tens to hundreds of metres of the lightning channel. Triggered-lightning experiments have contributed significantly to testing the validity of various lightning models and to providing ground-truth data for the US National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN). Triggered lightning has proved to be a very useful tool to study the interaction of lightning with various objects and systems, particularly in view of the fact that simulation of the lightning channel in a high-voltage laboratory does not allow the reproduction of many lightning features important for lightning protection and it does not allow the testing of large distributed systems such as overhead power lines.