cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the pressure dependence of electron attachment to O2

Abstract The pressure dependence of electron attachment to O 2 has been measured, at 296°C, using relaxation and steady state microwave conductivity methods. When the results from the former method are corrected for the natural time response of the apparatus good agreement between the two methods is found and attachment is shown to be three-body up to an O 2 pressure of 100 torr. The three-body attachment rate constants with O 2 and CO 2 as third bodies are 2.2 ± 0.1 × 10 −30 cm 6 sec −1 and 3.0 ± 0.2 × 10 −30 cm 6 sec −1 , respectively. The initial two-body attachment of an electron to an O 2 molecule is shown to have a rate constant considerably greater than 2 × 10 −11 cm 3 sec −1 .
Design considerations for MIS in an Executive MBA program

Abstract Executive education courses are typically decision making and policy oriented. This paper suggests and empirically evaluates such an introductory MIS course suitable for an Executive MBA program (EMBA). The analysis reported here should be helpful to any educator teaching or preparing to teach MIS to executives. The evaluation indicates that executives seek both a hands-on educational experience with selected MIS technologies as well as a conceptual framework for managing and using MIS. Although not all MIS topics are deemed relevant, executives develop a strong need to insure a proper organizational direction for MIS activities. They are most concerned with understanding and controlling the evolution and rapid changes of MIS and look for ways that MIS can help them cope with change. For this reason, a successful course pedagogy includes joint case analysis with functional or technique courses in the overall curriculum.
Oil-source studies in central Montana: Correlations and migration implications

Abstract Biomaker analyses of oils and source rocks from two anticlinal trends in central Montana (Ragged Point-Ivanhoe-Sumatra, and Big wall-Melstone, respectively) were the key elements in confirming an Upper Mississippian source (Heath formation) for a single family of oils in the Lower Pennsylvanian Tyler sands. For the limestone member of the Heath formation the relative abundances of the various sterane biomarker clases indicate a mesosaline setting. From palaeostructural reconstructions of the present day anticlines [Kranzler I., Bull. Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol. 50 , 2245–2259 (1966)], and considerations of migration routes, oil accumulations occur in the lower Tyler only where the reservoir sands are directly in contact with the limestone member of the Heath formation. The migration of the oil from the Heath formation into the Tyler sands probably did not take place until the late Jurassic or early Cretaceous, until the overburden was great enough for maturation of the Heath source. This would palce time and migration of oil in these two anticlinal trends prior to the uplift of the Central Montana Big Snowy Trough.
The Impact of Human Rights Trials in Latin America

Since the 1980s, states have been increasingly addressing past human rights violations using multiple transitional justice mechanisms including domestic and international human rights trials. In th...
Cosmic background radiation limits for SETI

Searches for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) depend ultimately on the noise introduced in the receiving system by the photon flux from cosmic background radiation. The major sources of the diffuse background radiation include galactic radiation at decimeter wavelengths and longer, 2.7 K radiation at millimeter wavelengths, interstellar dust at submillimeter wavelengths, and interplanetary dust and stellar emission at infrared wavelengths. Our knowledge of these has greatly improved due to recent measurements from the IRAS satellite. We give estimates for various background radiation components over wavelengths from 1 micrometer to 10 meters. Signal-to-noise estimates are presented for background limited linear and direct photon detection systems. Optimal wavelength regions for SETI are discussed. The discussion in this presentation follows a similar discussion given by C.H. Townes (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, Vol. 80, pp. 1147-1151, February 1983).
A distributed data management middleware for data-driven application systems

A key challenge in supporting data-driven scientific applications is the storage and management of input and output data in a distributed environment. We describe a distributed storage middleware, based on a data and metadata management framework, to address this problem. In this middleware system, applications define the structure of their input and output data using XML schemas. The system provides support for 1) registration, versioning, management of schemas, and 2) management of storage, querying, and retrieval of instance data corresponding to the schemas in distributed databases. We carry out an experimental evaluation of the system on a set of PC clusters connected over wide- (WANs) and local-area networks (LANs).
Generating a Family of Optimal Glide Paths for Investment Planning with Target Dates

The article presents an optimization model for an approach to financial planning whereby investment decisions over time follow a (decreasing) glide path. With this strategy, an investment advisor would recommend riskier assets for the immediate future in order to take advantage of their larger expected returns. The author presumes that, over time, the proportion of more conservative investments in the portfolio will increase. Thus, it is likely to achieve expected investment-gain targets while reducing the risk of severe losses in wealth at the time when the money is actually needed (the target dates). There are a number of benefits to front-loading investment risk in this way, even though it comes with an increase in overall risk, as measured by the variance in the random variable representing total accumulated wealth. To accommodate varying objectives among investors regarding this trade-off, the model includes a parameter for “glide-path intensity” that allows the investor to select the level of deviation from the risk-minimizing solution, which would tend to recommend investments having roughly the same risk–return level for every year in the planning horizon (i.e., a “straight-line” strategy). The model then focuses on the traditional multi-goal and multitime-horizon problem and uses simulations to demonstrate the benefits associated with a flexible implementation of the glide-path strategy that further minimizes the risk of missing a goal.
Effects of Pheromone Concentration and Photoperiod on the Behavioral Response Sequence to Sex Pheromone in the Male Brown-Banded Cockroach, Supella longipalpa

The effects of female sex pheromone concentration and time of day on behavioral responses of male brown-banded cockroaches were monitored with a two-choice olfactometer. The duration of each behavior or behavioral event in a deterministic response sequence and the probabilities of behavioral transitions were analyzed. Pheromone concentration had a significant effect on all behaviors in the response sequence. The time of testing, relative to the entrainment photoperiodic regime, significantly affected behavioral events early in the sequence but not later-occuring behaviors. Although the probability of males choosing the pheromone rather than the solvent control was a function of the pheromone concentration, it was independent of the time of testing. By affecting the probability of behavioral transitions, the pheromone concentration and time of testing determined the number of insects exhibiting specific behaviors in the response sequence. The behavioral response sequence can be characterized by probabilities of behavioral transitions along with latencies of early behavioral acts.
Heterogeneous integration of OE arrays with Si electronics and microoptics

This paper describes recent developments of the smart pixel array (SPA) technology for massively parallel optical interconnect applications. Built on Honeywell's commercially successful 850 nm vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) technology, the SPA employs a 2D array of VCSELs and photodetectors (PDs). It aims to push optical interconnect density and capacity to a new level, which brings chip-level input and output (I/O) capacity to the order of 100s to 1000s of gigabit per second (Gbps). This technology has several unique features that make it not only technically feasible but also practical for low cost manufacturing. First, it employs an optoelectronic (OE) array based on the new generation of oxide-confined VCSELs that have desired characteristics such as very high speed, high efficiency, and good array uniformity. Second, the OE array has monolithically integrated VCSELs and PDs that provides true bi-directional optical I/O solutions at the chip-scale. Third, it uses hybrid integration techniques such as solder bump bonding and wafer scale integration. The 2D arrays of VCSELs and PDs can be seamlessly integrated with a beam shaping micro-optics array, and with the state-of-the-art Si-based VLSI electronic ICs. Last, and perhaps most importantly, all of the technology implementations follow the guideline of being compatible with mainstream low cost manufacturing practices. Device performance characteristics, integration approach, and prototype demonstration SPA technology up to over 1000 I/O channels per chip are presented, including some early system prototype demonstrations. We believe the SPA technology provides future application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) with new form packaging solutions-a solution that give an ASIC with unprecedented large capacity of very high density and high speed I/Os. It can be used as a new building block to implement varieties of system architectures that are not possible to build with current electrical interconnection.
Impact of complexity and computer control on errors in radiation therapy

A number of recent publications in both the lay and scientific press have described major errors in patient radiation treatments, and this publicity has galvanised much work to address and mitigate potential safety issues throughout the radiation therapy planning and delivery process. The complexity of modern radiotherapy techniques and equipment, including computer-controlled treatment machines and treatment management systems, as well as sophisticated treatment techniques that involve intensity-modulated radiation therapy, image-guided radiation therapy, stereotactic body radiation therapy, volumetric modulated arc therapy, respiratory gating, and others, leads to concern about safety issues related to that complexity. This article illustrates the relationship between complexity and computer control, and various safety problems and errors that have been reported, and describes studies that address the issue of these modern techniques and whether their complexity does, in fact, result in more errors or safety-related problems. Clinical implications of these results are discussed, as are some of the ways in which the field should respond to the ongoing concerns about errors and complexity in radiation therapy.
Myocardial ischemia: what factors determine arrhythmogenesis?

In ischemic myocardium, cellular architecture and heterogeneous changes in metabolic and ionic conditions interact to cause spatial and temporal heterogeneity of electrical properties predisposing to lethal ventricular arrhythmias. Yet, the details of their interaction, vis-a-vis the initiation and maintenance of reentry, remain poorly understood. Future studies are needed to address the mechanisms of the initial premature beat, reentry, and formation of wavebreaks contributing to ventricular fibrillation. New experimental methods including mathematical and transgenic mouse models are promising techniques to study these phenomena and thereby provide new insights into the fundamental mechanisms of ischemia-related arrhythmias.
Newly recognized GnRH receptors: function and relative role

Hypothalamic gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH I) and its pituitary receptor are responsible for the CNS regulation of reproduction. However, a second GnRH (GnRH II) is also expressed in humans and a gene that resembles the GnRH II receptor in fish has been identified in humans and monkeys. The amino-acid sequence of this newly identified, seven-transmembrane, G-protein-coupled receptor in monkeys differs from the human GnRH I receptor by having a C-terminal, cytoplasmic tail. GnRH II is ∼400-fold more potent at GnRH II receptors than GnRH I receptors. GnRH I directly inhibits proliferation of human tumor cells, and GnRH II and its receptor might have a similar role. Limited progress has been made, however, because of difficulty translating the mRNA that encodes the human GnRH II receptor. Nevertheless, such receptors are likely to exist in humans because GnRH II is more inhibitory to tumor cell replication than GnRH I, and GnRH I and GnRH II have reciprocal effects on human decidual stromal cells in culture. The focus of this review is the identity of a possible translatable, functional GnRH II receptor in humans. The two possibilities considered are either that GnRH II receptor mRNA is expressed that encodes either 5 or 7 transmembrane domains or that a GnRH II-responsive complex is formed by the GnRH I receptor and fragments derived from the GnRH II receptor.
Tissue-specific regulation of mouse MicroRNA genes in endoderm-derived tissues

MicroRNAs fine-tune the activity of hundreds of protein-coding genes. The identification of tissue-specific microRNAs and their promoters has been constrained by the limited sensitivity of prior microRNA quantification methods. Here, we determine the entire microRNAome of three endoderm-derived tissues, liver, jejunum and pancreas, using ultra-high throughput sequencing. Although many microRNA genes are expressed at comparable levels, 162 microRNAs exhibited striking tissue-specificity. After mapping the putative promoters for these microRNA genes using H3K4me3 histone occupancy, we analyzed the regulatory modules of 63 microRNAs differentially expressed between liver and jejunum or pancreas. We determined that the same transcriptional regulatory mechanisms govern tissue-specific gene expression of both mRNA and microRNA encoding genes in mammals.
Alterations in hepatic p53 gene methylation patterns during tumor progression with folate/methyl deficiency in the rat

Abstract Chronic dietary methyl deficiency in F344 rats was used as an in vivo mammalian model in which to evaluate the genespecific alterations in DNA methylation patterns during multistage hepatocarcinogenesis. Using bisulfite mapping, the sitespecific ethylation profile within exons 6–7 of the 53 gene was determined in control liver, preneoplastic nodules (after 36 weeks of folate/methyl deficiency) and in hepatocellular carcinoma (after 54 weeks of deficiency). A progressive loss of methyl groups was observed at most CpG sites on both coding and non-coding strands during the first 36 weeks of folate/methyl deficiency, with the greatest loss occurring on the coding strand. When the same sequence was evaluated in tumor DNA after 54 weeks of deficiency, the majority of cytosines were unexpectedly found to have become remethylated. CpG sites that had previously lost methyl groups on both strands during preneoplasia as well as CpG sites that had been constitutively non-methylated, had undergone de novo methylation in tumor DNA. Maintenance methyltransferase and de novo methyltransferase activity in nuclear extracts were assessed using hemimethylated and non-methylated DNA substrates, respectively. In tumor, de novo methyltransferase capacity was increased ~4-fold relative to control or preneoplastic liver and associated with a relative increase in both p53 and genome-wide methylation density. In the preneoplastic nodules, the level p53 mRNA was increased and associated with hypomethylation in the coding region of the gene, whereas in tumor tissue, p53 mRNA was decreased and associated with relative hypermethylation. Taken together, these results provide additional insights into the dysregulation and instability in DNA methylation that accompanies the transition to tumor.
Atomic layer deposition of optical coatings inside microchannels

Very high-aspect ratio channels may be coated using atomic layer deposition (ALD) due to the unique self-limiting nature of the process. Reactive ion-etched trenches with aspect ratios near 100:1 have been coated [1]–[3]. For optical and microfluidic applications, most channels are centimeters deep with diameters of tens to hundreds of micrometers. This results in a similarly high aspect ratio as etched trenches but the larger area creates more difficult problems of temperature and gas flow uniformity. To quantitatively explore the behavior, we create an air wedge between 2 square wafers of silicon approximately 7 cm on a side, with the air gap varying in thickness linearly from 0–1650 µm over 7 cm. A Fabry-Perot optical cavity composed of an ALD Al 2 O 3 /HfO 2 multilayer was deposited inside the wedge, and the measured resonant wavelength only shifted by −10:3% over a distance of 6 cm along the gas flow direction and over a 118–1533 µm range of gap thickness. Our first experiments to test optical coatings inside microchannels were performed using 12 cm long glass capillary tubes with an interior dimension defined by a square 500 µm opening, a 240∶1 aspect ratio. Fig. 1 shows cross-sectional SEM images at the midpoint of a capillary coated with 1000 cycles of ALD Al 2 O 3 . The inset indicates that the interior coating is near the expected 110 nm thickness for this 0.11 nm/cycle process, but it is difficult to further quantify the properties of transparent films deposited on the inside of narrow transparent tubes.
Pathogenicity of Coxsackie A-21 virus for suckling mice.

SummaryThe production of a myopathy and paralysis in mice inoculated with tissue culture passaged Coxsackie A-21 virus was directly related to the inoculum dose and extent of virus multiplication. The virus yield from paralyzed mice was usually about 1067 TCD50 or greater per mouse. Four strains of naturally occurring virus did not produce paralysis of suckling mice but virus multiplication occurred in mice with 2 of the 4 strains. Serial passage of Coxsackie A-21 virus in HEK cell cultures did not alter its virulence for suckling mice. The histopathologic changes associated with Coxsackie A-21 virus infection in mice were characterized by a waxy degeneration of the skeletal musculature which was generally confined to the lower extremities.
Genomics of cellulose biosynthesis in poplars

Genetic improvement of cellulose production in commercially important trees is one of the formidable goals of current forest biotechnology research. To achieve this goal, we must first decipher the enigmatic and complex process of cellulose biosynthesis in trees. The recent availability of rich genomic resources in poplars make Populus the first tree genus for which genetic augmentation of cellulose may soon become possible. Fortunately, because of the structural conservation of key cellulose biosynthesis genes between Arabidopsis and poplar genomes, the lessons learned from exploring the functions of Arabidopsis genes may be applied directly to poplars. However, regulation of these genes will most likely be distinct in these two-model systems because of their inherent biological differences. This research review covers the current state of knowledge about the three major cellulose biosynthesis-related gene families from poplar genomes: cellulose synthases, sucrose synthases and korrigan cellulases. Furthermore, we also suggest some future research directions that may have significant economical impacts on global forest product industries.
Deconcentration and Social Capital: Contradictions of a Poverty Alleviation Policy

ABSTRACT Deconcentration is a policy aimed at reducing poverty by relocating residents of distressed public housing complexes into private mixed income neighborhoods. This change is presumed to offer new social opportunities and better public facilities that can facilitate improved economic status. HOPE VI is a federal U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program, which has effected this policy in a large number of U.S. cities. This paper reports the findings from research in two relocation sites (high and low poverty) in Tampa, Florida, based on interviews with HOPE VI relocatees and their homeowning neighbors. Results indicate that relocation does not enhance social capital for former public housing residents. Social networks are diminished in comparison with prior conditions in public housing. There is very little interaction with homeowners in relocation sites, and considerable resistance by homeowners. Relocatee satisfaction with housing is greater in the low poverty site, but socia...
Three-dimensional drug printing: A structured review

Abstract Objectives To summarize the published literature on existing three-dimensional (3D) printing (3DP) technologies for pharmaceutical manufacturing, describe the limitations of the 3DP process, and highlight the potential of these technologies in pharmacy practice. Data sources A structured search of PubMed and Embase was performed to identify articles published between January 1, 1990, and August 31, 2012. Search terms included drug printing, drug 3D printing , and drug three-dimensional printing . Study selection Original research articles describing 3DP related to drug manufacturing were included. Data extraction "Ink" formulation, printing substrate, printing technology, drugs printed, and results of each study. Data synthesis 21 of 511 identified references were included in the review. Inkjet and powder-based printing were the primary printing technologies used for drug development and fabrication. Eleven articles described a powder delivery system, and 10 identified inkjet printing. These printing technologies are currently being used in the pharmaceutical manufacturing process with the promise to transform pharmacy practice. Advantages include precise control of droplet size, high reproducibility, complex drug release profiles, and personalized medication therapy. Conclusion Individualized medications fabricated through 3DP may offer an important benefit to patients. Printable dosage forms on paper may be easier to deliver to the patient than powder-based printed forms. In addition, medications that have narrow therapeutic indices or have a higher likelihood to be influenced by genetic polymorphisms may be the first to be printed via this technology.
The transcriptional activator ZNF143 is essential for normal development in zebrafish

ZNF143 is a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein that stimulates transcription of both small RNA genes by RNA polymerase II or III, or protein-coding genes by RNA polymerase II, using separable activating domains. We describe phenotypic effects following knockdown of this protein in developing Danio rerio (zebrafish) embryos by injection of morpholino antisense oligonucleotides that target znf143 mRNA. The loss of function phenotype is pleiotropic and includes a broad array of abnormalities including defects in heart, blood, ear and midbrain hindbrain boundary. Defects are rescued by coinjection of synthetic mRNA encoding full-length ZNF143 protein, but not by protein lacking the amino-terminal activation domains. Accordingly, expression of several marker genes is affected following knockdown, including GATA-binding protein 1 (gata1), cardiac myosin light chain 2 (cmlc2) and paired box gene 2a (pax2a). The zebrafish pax2a gene proximal promoter contains two binding sites for ZNF143, and reporter gene transcription driven by this promoter in transfected cells is activated by this protein. Normal development of zebrafish embryos requires ZNF143. Furthermore, the pax2a gene is probably one example of many protein-coding gene targets of ZNF143 during zebrafish development.
Endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms: Stent-graft fixation across the visceral arteries

Abstract Purpose: Recent studies have suggested that transrenal artery fixation of endovascular stent-grafts is safe and may be a desirable means of reducing the risk of type I endoleaks, particularly those with short infrarenal necks. The close proximity of the superior mesenteric and celiac arteries to the renal arteries may commonly result in the placement of the stent struts across all the vessels of the visceral segment of the aorta. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and impact of transvisceral artery fixation during aortic stent-graft deployment for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Methods: From January 1997 to June 1999, 192 patients (165 men, 27 women; mean age, 82 years) with AAAs were treated with an endovascular graft secured proximally to the aorta with a long (15 mm) uncovered stent segment (60 Parodi/Palmaz, 132 Talent-LPS). Preoperative and postoperative abdominal aortograms and intravenous contrast enhanced spiral computed tomography (CT) scans were performed. Follow-up CT scans were obtained at 3, 6, and 12 months and yearly thereafter as a means of determining stent position and visceral artery patency Results: In 95 patients (49%), the uncovered stent was at or above the level of the superior mesenteric artery. In 23 patients (12%), the stent extended to the level of the celiac axis. In a mean follow-up period of 25 months (range, 6-44 months), serum creatinine levels remained stable, no stenoses or occlusions occurred in the celiac, superior mesenteric, or renal arteries, and no evidence of renal, hepatic, splenic, or intestinal infarction was present on contrast enhanced spiral CT scans. There were no type I endoleaks Conclusion: Transvisceral fixation of the uncovered proximal aortic stent occurs frequently during deployment of devices designed for transrenal fixation and is associated with no early morbidity. Long-term follow-up is necessary to ensure that there are no late sequelae. (J Vasc Surg 2002;35:109-13)
Apolipoprotein E Is a Putative Autocrine Regulator of the Rat Ovarian Theca Cell Compartment

Apolipoprotein (apo) E inhibits androgen production by ovarian theca cells. We found that apo E, as a synthetic peptide mimicked the full-size protein, induced theca and interstitial cell (TIC) apoptosis indicated by pyknotic cell morphology, increased DNA end-labeling (TUNEL), and DNA ladders. None of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor superfamily members were involved because the universal antagonist of these receptors, receptor-associated protein (RAP), did not block apo E-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, several apo E synthetic peptides that do not bind the LDL receptor did induce TIC apoptosis. Similar to apo E, apoptogenic agents such as ceramide and LY 294002, a phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase inhibitor, induced apoptosis and suppressed androstenedione production. However, apoptosis alone was not responsible for apo E suppression of androstenedione production because both insulin and IGF-I prevented apo E-induced apoptosis, but neither restored androstenedione production. Theca cells of atretic follicles express the greatest apo E mRNA, and here we show that cultured TIC produce apo E. When considered with the observation of TUNEL-positive theca cells in atretic follicles these results support our hypothesis that intraovarian apo E controls theca cell production of androgen as well as limiting the size of the theca cell compartment.
A rate-distortion optimal hybrid scalable/multiple-description video codec

In this paper, we present a rate-distortion optimal hybrid scalable/ multiple-description video codec. Traditional scalable codecs produce bitstreams which can be partitioned into layers that form a hierarchy. Thus, in order for a particular layer to be useful to the decoder, all hierarchically higher layers also need to be available. Conversely, traditional multiple description codecs produce layers with no hierarchy. Thus, any of the layers can be decoded by itself and produce a video sequence of a certain quality. The more layers are available to the decoder, the better the corresponding video quality. The drawback of multiple description coding is that layers need to be correlated at the expense of compression efficiency. We propose a hybrid scalable/multiple description codec which produces a base layer and two multiple description enhancement layers. The base layer is required for decoding. If one or two of the multiple description enhancement layers are also received, the SNR of the received video sequence is improved. There is no hierarchy in the multiple description enhancement layers. The layers are constructed using a rate-distortion optimal partitioning of the DCT coefficients. Experimental results are presented and conclusions are drawn.
LLC-PK1 Cell Growth Is Repressed by WT1 Inhibition of G-protein αi−2 Protooncogene Transcription

The temporal expression of the early growth response gene (EGR-1) is one molecular mechanism for both maximal activation of the G alpha i-2 gene and accelerated growth in mitotically active predifferentiated LLC-PK1 renal cells. These events are dependent on an enhancer area in the 5'-flanking region of the G alpha i-2 gene that contains an EGR-1 motif (5'-CGCCCCCGC-3'). However, acquisition of the polarized phenotype in LLC-PK1 cells is accompanied by loss of EGR-1 expression and occupancy of the EGR-1 site by nuclear binding proteins other than EGR-1. We now demonstrate that one of these binding proteins is the Wilms' tumor suppressor (WT1). Furthermore, the temporal expression of WT1 in LLC-PK1 cells acquiring the polarized phenotype represses both G alpha i-2 gene activation and growth in these cells. These findings suggest the existence of differentiation-induced pathways in LLC-PK1 cells that alternatively abrogates EGR-1 and promotes WT1 gene expression, thereby modulating a target protooncogene G alpha i-2 that is participatory for growth and differentiation in renal cells. These studies emphasize the usefulness of the LLC-PK1 renal cell as a model to elucidate normal programs of genetic differentiation in which WT1 participates.
Energy Localization and Decay in Highly Ionic Crystals

Luminescence from localized states in pure wide-gap crystals is examined from the perspective of modern fast scintillator requirements. Recent advances in the understanding of self-trapped excitons are summarized with regard to excited-state configurations, spectra, and luminescence efficiency. As an example, the fast luminescence of partially quenched type I STEs in RbI offers tuneable-lifetime subnanosecond pulses which could be useful for timing applications. The possible role of hole localization in cross luminescence is discussed. Stokes-shifted luminescence in some pure rare-earth fluoride crystals probably originates from self-trapped excitons of forms to be discussed.
Generic Concepts in the Amphoracrinidae Bather, 1899 (Class Crinoidea) and Evaluation of Generic Assignments of North American Species

Abstract The Amphoracrinidae Bather, 1899 is redefined, and all genera of this family are diagnosed with objective characters. Dilatocrinus Webster and Lane, 1987 and Pimlicocrinus Wright, 1943 are transferred into the Amphoracrinidae. Type specimens that define Displodocrinus Webster and Lane, 1987 and Dilatocrinus Webster and Lane, 1987 are clarified. The emphasis here is on genus definition, and comprehensive species-level systematics is not attempted. However, Amphoracrinus blairi Miller and Gurley, 1896a and Amphoracrinus jessieae Miller and Gurley, 1896b are designated nomina dubia; Sampsonocrinus sp. Webster and Lane, 1987 is reassigned to Amphoracrinus rupinus Webster and Lane, 1987; Amphoracrinus divergens var. multiramosus (Meek and Worthen, 1866) is reassigned to Dilatocrinus multiramosus (Meek and Worthen, 1866); and Sunwaptacrinus nevadensis Webster and Lane, 1987 is reassigned to Displodocrinus nevadensis (Webster and Lane, 1987).
Latent Parallel Analysis and Ordinal Exploratory Factor Analysis of the Vocational Fit Assessment

Date Presented 4/17/2015 The unidimensional structure of Vocational Fit Assessment (VFA) subscales and estimates of internal consistency lend initial evidence in support of reliability and validity. Using the VFA in the field has the potential to improve postsecondary employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
The “Critical” Turn: An Important Imperative for Human Resource Development

The ProblemDominant paradigms have begun to be questioned in some human resource development (HRD) scholarship. However, to date, there have been few systematic interrogations of power and privileg...
Management of Heterogeneous Traffic in the Future National Airspace System: Decision-Support Challenges

This article posits that decision-making for traffic control and management in the future National Airspace System will increasingly involve 1) automation and 2) peer-to-peer communication among air vehicles, and envisions modeling and analysis tool sets that will facilitate decision-making.
Understanding College Students’ Study Abroad Motivations and Preferences

Current globalization trends and greater consumer mobility across nations has led to the world becoming cross-culturally integrated (Friedman, 2005; Hill, 2013). Businesses have increased global presence and employers are looking for candidates that in addition to core skills also possess cross-cultural skills (de Jong, Schnusenberg, and Goel, 2010). Thus higher education institutions are increasingly emphasizing global content including cultural perspectives and study abroad opportunities (American Council on Education, 2008; Relyea, Cocchiara, & Stoddard, 2008). Inspite of all these developments, the vast majority of college students do not partake in study abroad opportunities before they graduate (Institute of International Education, 2012). In light of these observations, a two-step research design was adopted to understand student motivations, expectations, preferences, and outcomes associated with studying abroad. The first step involved a series of phenomenological interviews, while the second involved an online survey.
Racemization of α-melanotropin

Abstract Racemization of the amino acid residues of α-melanotropin was measured after exposure of the peptide to alkali for various lengths of time. Rates of racemization were then compared to the rate of transformation by alkali of α-melanotropin into a hormone with prolonged melanotropic activity. When in vitro prolongation became maximal, serine, methionine, histidine, phenylalanine and arginine were racemized 50–70%, glutamic acid, tyrosine and tryptophan 30–40% and lysine, proline and valine 10% or less. Racemization of a particular amino acid residue in α-melanotropin could not be associated with induction of prolongation of activity. Rather, partial racemization at multiple sites in the molecule seems almost as effective as extensive or total racemization of a single residue in producing a hormone with prolonged biological effects.
Do Views Toward Homosexuality Differ Based on Income Level? An Empirical Study of United States Opinion

Homosexuality is generally viewed negatively. That is certainly the case in the Jewish and Christian holy books as well as the Quran, although opinions differ as to interpretation. The practice has been condemned by these religions. An Imam in Orlando, Florida, the site of the mass murder of homosexuals, has gone so far as to say that killing homosexuals would be the compassionate thing to do.It is not the purpose of this paper to review the history of homosexuality, or the pros and cons or moral standing of the practice. Readers can obtain that information by reading the items listed in the reference section of this paper. The goal of this study is more limited, to determine whether views toward homosexuality differ based on income level in the United States.The present study is part of a series on homosexuality. Other studies in the series look at trends on the acceptance of homosexuality and examine specific demographic variables such as gender, age, ethnicity, education, social class, religion and region to see whether these variables are significant. One study ranks the acceptance of homosexuality for 98 countries. Citations to some of those studies (with links) are listed in the reference section of the present paper.
Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cell Populations

Many studies have shown that cord blood is comparable to bone marrow for use in stem cell transplantation. Over the past 20 years, more than 30,000 transplants have been performed worldwide using cord blood stem cells. Cord blood stem cells are also now being investigated in a number of regenerative medicine applications. In addition, cord tissue is a readily available source of mesenchymal stem cells for these potential therapies. As both cord blood and cord tissue can only be collected once in a lifetime, cord blood and tissue banks have been established during the past two decades to assist in the preservation of these tissues. These biobanks serve to harvest, process, evaluate and cryopreserve such biological specimens. This review will discuss the methodology needed to perform such endeavors as well as practical clinical uses for the banked samples.
Abstract 1032: Characterizing the metabolic dependencies of rhabdomyosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma cells

Sarcomas represent a diverse group of malignancies with unique molecular and pathological characteristics. In order to improve sarcoma treatment, a better understanding of the alterations associated with specific sarcoma subtypes is critically important. Renewed interest in the altered metabolic properties of cancer cells has led to an exploration of targeting metabolic dependencies as a novel therapeutic strategy. In this study, we have characterized the dependency of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) and Ewing9s sarcoma (EWS) cells on key metabolic substrates by examining cell proliferation and bioenergetic properties under varying concentrations of glucose and glutamine. We utilized two alveolar RMS cell lines, one embryonal RMS cell line, and five EWS cell lines. While all cell lines tested were completely growth-inhibited by lack of glucose, individual RMS and EWS cell lines were differentially sensitive to removal of glutamine. Furthermore, glutamine deprivation significantly reduced mitochondrial bioenergetic function, as demonstrated by Seahorse metabolic flux analysis. The observed effects of glutamine deprivation on proliferation and mitochondrial bioenergetics were rescued by the re-introduction of glutamine into the culture media. Our findings suggest that metabolic dependencies of RMS and EWS cells should be further investigated in order to identify metabolic vulnerabilities that could be targeted for potential therapeutic benefit. Citation Format: Sameer Issaq, Lee Helman. Characterizing the metabolic dependencies of rhabdomyosarcoma and Ewing9s sarcoma cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1032.
Workplace Violence and Harassment Against Emergency Medicine Residents.

Introduction Several studies have shown that workplace violence in the emergency department (ED) is common. Residents may be among the most vulnerable staff, as they have the least experience with these volatile encounters. The goal for this study was to quantify and describe acts of violence against emergency medicine (EM) residents by patients and visitors and to identify perceived barriers to safety.
Marx’s Universal Metabolism of Nature and the Frankfurt School: Dialectical Contradictions and Critical Syntheses

The Frankfurt School, as represented especially by Max Horkheimer and Theodor Adorno’s 1944 Dialectic of Enlightenment, was noted for developing a philosophical critique of the domination of nature. Critical theorists associated with the Institute for Social Research at Frankfurt were heavily influenced by the writings of the early Karl Marx. Yet, their critique of the Enlightenment domination of nature was eventually extended to a critique of Marx himself as an Enlightenment figure, especially in relation to his mature work in Capital. This position was expressed most notably in the work of Horkheimer and Adorno’s student, Alfred Schmidt, author of The Concept of Nature in Marx (1970). Due largely to Schmidt’s book, the notion of Marx’s anti-ecological perspective came to be deeply rooted in Western Marxism. Moreover, such criticisms of Marx were closely related to questions raised regarding Fredrick Engels’s Dialectics of Nature, which was frequently said to have extended dialectical analysis improperly beyond the human-social realm. First generation ecosocialists, such as Ted Benton and Andre Gorz, furthered these criticisms, arguing that Marx and Engels had gone overboard in their alleged rejection of Malthusian natural limits.
An empirical study of transaction throughput thrashing across multiple relational DBMSes

Modern DBMSes are designed to support many transactions running simultaneously. DBMS thrashing is indicated by the existence of a sharp drop in transaction throughput. Thrashing behavior in DBMSes is a serious concern to database administrators (DBAs) as well as to DBMS implementers. From an engineering perspective, therefore, it is of critical importance to understand the causal factors of DBMS thrashing. However, understanding the origin of thrashing in modern DBMSes is challenging, due to many factors that may interact with each other.This article aims to better understand the thrashing phenomenon across multiple DBMSes. We identify some of the underlying causes of DBMS thrashing. We then propose a novel structural causal model to explicate the relationships between various factors contributing to DBMS thrashing. Our model derives a number of specific hypotheses to be subsequently tested across DBMSes, providing empirical support for this model as well as important engineering implications for improvements in transaction processing. HighlightsWe propose a novel structural causal model to explain the origins of DBMS thrashing.We presenta space of hypotheses thatcan refine and supportthe proposed model.We extend a recent DBMS-centric research infrastructure for thrashing experiments.We propose a novelanalysis protocolthat can be applied to obtained thrashing data.We suggest engineering implications to DBMS developers and DBAs for better performance.
A solvable three-body model in finite volume

In this work, we propose an approach to the solution of finite volume three-body problem by considering asymptotic forms and periodicity property of wave function in configuration space. The asymptotic forms of wave function define on-shell physical transition amplitudes that are related to distinct dynamics, therefore, secular equations of finite volume problem in this approach require only physical transition amplitudes. For diffractive spherical part of wave function, it is convenient to map a three-body problem into a higher dimensional two-body problem, thus, spherical part of solutions in finite volume resembles higher spatial dimensional two-body Luscher's formula. The idea is demonstrated by an example of two light spinless particles and one heavy particle scattering in one spatial dimension.
Are metals made from molecules

In the traditional view, covalently bound materials differ in a fundamental way from metallic substances. Though both are built from more basic units that are, in turn, constructed from a small number of atoms, for these two materials classes the nature of these units is thought to be quite different. For covalent solids and liquids, these units are considered to be molecular, meaning that they possess properties and bonding that are retained in the condensed phase and thus they continue to be identifiable within the larger system. For metallic materials, these basic units are considered to be mere constructs that are not observable against the delocalized bonding of metals or alloys. The perceived dissimilarity of metallic and covalently bound materials has fostered distinctly different approaches to their design and improvement. Here, the delocalized view of metallic bonding is examined. This examination suggests that much of the rationale used in the design of molecular materials my be applied to metals and alloys as well.
Local and Transnational Claims in the Films of Fatih Akin: Recognition and the Gaze at the Body in Akin and Fassbinder's Films

Fatih Akin heads the newest wave of prize-winning filmmakers in Germany with his productions, which often rely upon chronotopes such as rootlessness and homecoming to increase the marketability of films within the realm of what Hamid Naficy termed ‘accented cinema,’ films portraying “an aesthetic response to displacement through exile, migration or diaspora.” However, Akin moves beyond those themes and plays with expectations around raced and gendered bodies particularly with his casting choices. Akin’s films depict bodies that elicit visceral responses from the audience that have allowed him to be viewed as more than a mere “representative of Turkish German film.” In this article, I analyze Gegen die Wand (2004), Kebab Connection (2004), and Auf der anderen Seite (2007) to explore how Akin claims “membership” in a local and transnational film community and which intertextual references Akin makes to Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s films, highlighting how he draws upon Fassbinder’s gaze at the body. (PL)
Glia initiate brain assembly through noncanonical Chimaerin–Furin axon guidance in C. elegans

Brain assembly is hypothesized to begin when pioneer axons extend over non-neuronal cells, forming tracts guiding follower axons. Yet pioneer-neuron identities, their guidance substrates, and their interactions are not well understood. Here, using time-lapse embryonic imaging, genetics, protein-interaction, and functional studies, we uncover the early events of C. elegans brain assembly. We demonstrate that C. elegans glia are key for assembly initiation, guiding pioneer and follower axons using distinct signals. Pioneer sublateral neurons, with unique growth properties, anatomy, and innervation, cooperate with glia to mediate follower-axon guidance. We further identify a Chimaerin (CHIN-1)- Furin (KPC-1) double-mutant that severely disrupts assembly. CHIN-1 and KPC-1 function noncanonically, in glia and pioneer neurons, for guidance-cue trafficking. We exploit this bottleneck to define roles for glial Netrin and Semaphorin in pioneer- and follower-axon guidance, respectively, and for glial and pioneer-neuron Flamingo (CELSR) in follower-axon navigation. Taken together, our studies reveal previously undescribed glial roles in pioneer-axon guidance, suggesting conserved principles of brain assembly.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sensible Pragmatism in Federal Jurisdictional Policy

This article, written as part of a symposium celebrating the work of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the occasion of her fifteenth year on the Supreme Court, examines the strain of sensible legal pragmatism that informs Justice Ginsburg's writing in the fields of Civil Procedure and Federal Jurisdiction. Taking as its point of departure the Supreme Court's decision in City of Chicago v. International College of Surgeons, in which Ginsburg dissented, the article develops an argument against strict textualism in federal jurisdictional analysis. In its place, the article urges a purposive mode of interpretation that approaches jurisdictional text with a presumption in favor of respecting and preserving stable institutional arrangements unless Congress's purpose in altering those arrangements is clear - an analytical mode that Justice Ginsburg's work exemplifies.
On the Reproduction of Organisms with Overlapping Generations

We omit the final section of Thompson’s paper, in which he shows the effects on population size of(a) lengthening the pre-reproductive interval, (b) lengthening the period of reproduction, (c) increasing the number of offspring produced per day, and (d) compacting the reproductive period while leaving the number of offspring constant.