cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Theory of Critical Fluctuations

A macroscopic system is subdivided into cells of identical size and shape arranged in a regular spatial array. The method of canonical ensembles would consider one of the cells, schematizing the rest into a "reservoir." The present "cellular method" treats the cells on an equal footing and is appropriate to deal with the fluctuations near the critical point for which the standard theory yields infinite results. Earlier theories dealing with the same problem appear as special cases of the present treatment. In particular, the critical points are defined generally enough to include the so-called $\ensuremath{\lambda}$-points in solids. The macroscopic system is invariant under the group of translations which displaces one cell into another. The macroscopic quantities (e.g., the thermodynamic parameters) are invariants of this group.
Visual outcomes with 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy.

PURPOSE To evaluate the outcomes of patients treated with 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy for various posterior segment conditions. METHODS A retrospective chart review of 81 consecutive 23-gauge vitrectomy cases done by a single vitreoretinal surgeon for various posterior segment conditions was done. All surgery was performed using the two-step 23-gauge system developed by Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center. All patients had at least 3-month follow-up. Main outcome measures included visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and operative complications. RESULTS Mean follow-up was 6.5 months (range 3-9 months). Mean overall preoperative visual acuity was 20/150 and final acuity was 20/70 (P < 0.0001). Mean intraocular pressure on postoperative day 1 was 14 mmHg (range 6-28 mmHg). There was a single case of intraoperative retinal tear that required treatment with cryotherapy. Twenty eyes of 48 phakic eyes (42%) had worsening of cataracts in the postoperative period. There were no postoperative complications of endophthalmitis or retinal detachment. CONCLUSIONS Twenty-three-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy is an effective surgical technique in the management of vitreoretinal diseases. Complications were rare and compared favorably with published literature on 20-gauge and 25-gauge surgery.
A highly sensitive, mixed-phase assay for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity in transfected cells

We describe a simple, rapid yet extremely sensitive assay for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) activity in extracts from transfected eukaryotic cells. Using our modified reaction conditions and the mixed-phase assay, less than 0.000010 unit of CAT activity in transfected cells can be reliably detected. The mixed-phase assay is based on the inability of the polar [3H]-acetyl-Coenzyme A (CoA) substrate to partition out of a urea containing aqueous phase into the nonpolar scintillation fluor, while the [3H]chloramphenicol reaction products partition into the toluene scintillation fluor and are quantitated by scintillation counting. The increased sensitivity of this assay is due to the optimization of the acetyl-CoA concentration, to a urea-containing aqueous phase which lowers the assay background, and to the use of extract blanks. The mixed-phase assay is simpler, is quantitative, uses less costly substrates, and is far more sensitive than the most widely used CAT assays, which require solvent extraction followed by thin-layer chromatography to separate the unreacted substrate from product.
Prescribed fire effects on field-derived and simulated forest carbon stocks over time

Abstract To better understand the impact of prescribed fire on carbon stocks, we quantified aboveground and belowground carbon stocks within five pools (live trees and coarse roots, dead trees and coarse roots, live understory vegetation, down woody debris, and litter and duff) and potential carbon emissions from a simulated wildfire before and up to 8 years after prescribed fire treatments. Total biomass carbon (sum of all the pools) was significantly lower 1 year post-treatment than pre-treatment and returned to 97% of pre-treatment levels by 8 year post-treatment primarily from increases in the tree carbon pool. Prescribed fire reduced predicted wildfire emissions by 45% the first year after treatment and remained reduced through 8 year post-treatment (34%). Net carbon (total biomass minus simulated wildfire emissions) resulted in a source (10.4–15.4 Mg ha−1) when field-derived values were compared to simulated controls for all post-treatment time periods. However, the incidence of potential crown fire in the untreated simulations was at least double for the 2 year and 8 year post-treatment time periods than in the treated plots. We also compared field-derived estimates to simulated values using the Fire and Fuels Extension to the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FFE-FVS). In our validation of FFE-FVS to predict carbon stocks, the model performed well for the total biomass carbon (4% difference); however, there was great variability within the individual carbon pools. Live tree carbon had the highest correlation between field-derived and simulated values, and dead tree carbon the lowest correlation and highest percent differences followed by herb and shrub carbon. The lack of trends and variability between the field-derived and simulated carbon pools other than total biomass indicate caution should be used when reporting carbon in the individual pools.
Structural and evolutionary adaptation of rhoptry kinases and pseudokinases, a family of coccidian virulence factors

The widespread protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii interferes with host cell functions by exporting the contents of a unique apical organelle, the rhoptry. Among the mix of secreted proteins are an expanded, lineage-specific family of protein kinases termed rhoptry kinases (ROPKs), several of which have been shown to be key virulence factors, including the pseudokinase ROP5. The extent and details of the diversification of this protein family are poorly understood. In this study, we comprehensively catalogued the ROPK family in the genomes of Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Eimeria tenella, as well as portions of the unfinished genome of Sarcocystis neurona, and classified the identified genes into 42 distinct subfamilies. We systematically compared the rhoptry kinase protein sequences and structures to each other and to the broader superfamily of eukaryotic protein kinases to study the patterns of diversification and neofunctionalization in the ROPK family and its subfamilies. We identified three ROPK sub-clades of particular interest: those bearing a structurally conserved N-terminal extension to the kinase domain (NTE), an E. tenella-specific expansion, and a basal cluster including ROP35 and BPK1 that we term ROPKL. Structural analysis in light of the solved structures ROP2, ROP5, ROP8 and in comparison to typical eukaryotic protein kinases revealed ROPK-specific conservation patterns in two key regions of the kinase domain, surrounding a ROPK-conserved insert in the kinase hinge region and a disulfide bridge in the kinase substrate-binding lobe. We also examined conservation patterns specific to the NTE-bearing clade. We discuss the possible functional consequences of each. Our work sheds light on several important but previously unrecognized features shared among rhoptry kinases, as well as the essential differences between active and degenerate protein kinases. We identify the most distinctive ROPK-specific features conserved across both active kinases and pseudokinases, and discuss these in terms of sequence motifs, evolutionary context, structural impact and potential functional relevance. By characterizing the proteins that enable these parasites to invade the host cell and co-opt its signaling mechanisms, we provide guidance on potential therapeutic targets for the diseases caused by coccidian parasites.
Approximations to the Mean and Variance of the Index of Dissimilarity in 2 x C Tables Under a Random Allocation Model

Approximations to the mean and variance of the index of dissimilarity in 2 x C tables under a random allocation model are derived, using a multivariate normal approximation to the multivariate hypergeometric distribution for the cell frequencies and the appropriate multivariate folded-normal distribution for the components of the index. To illustrate one application of these approximations, we standardize values of the dissimilarity index computed from tract-level census data to compare the levels of racial segregation in Birmingham and Richmond in 1970 and 1980, following Cortese, Falk, and Cohen (1976).
InfoMe @ teen design days: a multi-disciplinary, design thinking approach to community development

Despite advances in science and technology, improving the lives of people worldwide is a continuous challenge. Our mixed-method, action-oriented research focuses on youth and the powerful roles they play as information and technology mediaries within their communities, particularly among elders. In this paper, we report on findings from Teen Design Days, an experimental multi-disciplinary framework that uses design thinking combined with perspectives from ICTD, computer science, and information behavior in information science. Teen Design Days enable investigators to explore concepts, test ideas and build ICTD solutions with youth while meeting youths' developmental needs in safe settings and in culturally and gender appropriate ways. Our early findings suggest that teens often assist with situations of daily living ranging from employment and healthcare to education, childcare, social cohesion, navigation, and more that circumvent linguistic, technological and other barriers. Moreover, we are finding that youth are competent partners in designing community-based systems. Findings---to date, we have worked primarily with teens from East African countries, Vietnam and Nepal---are relevant to researchers, designers and policy makers working with youth in development settings worldwide.
Adverse Events Associated with Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole and Atovaquone during the Treatment of AIDS-Related Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia

Atovaquone was compared to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) for the relationship of time receiving therapy, plasma drug concentrations, and incidence of adverse reactions in patients with AIDS-associated Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Treatment-limiting adverse events occurred in 9% of atovaquone-treated patients and 24% of TMP-SMZ-treated patients. Adverse events usually did not occur before day 7 for either treatment. Only the incidence of rash increased with increasing plasma concentrations of atovaquone. The incidence of anemia, neutropenia, and azotemia increased with increasing trimethoprim plasma concentration, while other adverse events (gastrointestinal disorders, rash, fever, and liver function abnormalities) were independent of plasma drug concentration.
Simultaneous estimation ofV max, Km, and the rate of endogenous substrate production (R) from substrate depletion data

The nonlinear and 3 linearized forms of the integrated Michaelis-Menten equation were evaluated for their ability to provide reliable estimates of uptake kinetic parameters, when the initial substrate concentration (S0) is not error-free. Of the 3 linearized forms, the one where t/(S0−S) is regressed against ln(S0/S)/(S0−S) gave estimates ofV max and Km closest to the true population means of these parameters. Further, this linearization was the least sensitive of the 3 to errors (±1%) in S0. Our results illustrate the danger of relying on r2 values for choosing among the 3 linearized forms of the integrated Michaelis-Menten equation. Nonlinear regression analysis of progress curve data, when S0 is not free of error, was superior to even the best of the 3 linearized forms. The integrated Michaelis-Menten equation should not be used to estimateV max and Km when substrate production occurs concomitant with consumption of added substrate. We propose the use of a new equation for estimation of these parameters along with a parameter describing endogenous substrate production (R) for kinetic studies done with samples from natural habitats, in which the substrate of interest is an intermediate. The application of this new equation was illustrated for both simulated data and previously obtained H2 depletion data. The only means by whichV max, Km, and R may be evaluated from progress curve data using this new equation is via nonlinear regression, since a linearized form of this equation could not be derived. Mathematical components of computer programs written for fitting data to either of the above nonlinear models using nonlinear least squares analysis are presented.
Diffusion of chlorine in fluid-bearing quartzite: effects of fluid composition and total porosity

To assess further the role of pore fluids in enhancing mass transport in deep-seated rocks, bulk diffusion coefficients (D-values) for chlorine have been measured at 1.0 GPa and 1000°C in texturally-equilibrated quartzites containing varying amounts (0.3–2.8 vol%) of H2O or a CO2−H2O mixture (X CO2=0.4). Experiments were used to monitor transport predominantly through the fluid phase by employing a chemical tracer dissolved in the fluid (chlorine) that is virtually insoluble in the rock matrix (quartzite) but is somewhat soluble in a small fraction of dispersed indicator minerals (fluorapatite). For diffusion in H2O-bearing quartzite, experiments with ≥ 1 vol.% fluid exhibit a continuous decrease in D-values with decreasing porosity whereas an abrupt drop in the diffusion coefficient is indicated by the experiments with 0.3 vol.% fluid. At a given total porosity, diffusion coefficients obtained from quartzites containing the CO2−H2O fluid range from ∼80x to > 3000x lower than those from H2O-bearing experiments. Bulk transport measurements were correlated with textural observations and the observed reduction in bulk D-values for quartzites containing the CO2−H2O fluid reflects the overall isolated nature of porosity in such samples. The drop in the bulk D-value for quartzites with 0.3 vol.% H2O probably arises from the elimination of interconnected porosity owing to the presence of a sufficient number of dry grain edges. Textural observations, combined with transport measurements, are consistent with the pore structure predicted by dihedral angle measurements. However, due to anisotropy in the interfacial energy of quartz, long-range fluid connectivity is dramatically reduced in quartzites with low H2O contents, despite a median dihedral angle of less than (but near) 60°. Observed variations in chlorine D-values in samples with connected and non-connected porosity are found to be consistent with previous bulk property measurements on texturally-equilibrated, fluid-bearing rocks. Results of this study, combined with prior bulk diffusion measurements for oxygen, provides a general assessment of the effect of small amounts of fluid on the enhancement of mass transport in quartzose lithologies over a range of crustal P and T. At conditions of textural equilibrium, it is expected that the fluid phase provides little or no contribution to the long-range diffusive flux of solutes in quartz-rich rocks containing small amounts of H2O or CO2−H2O mixtures.
Long-Term Low-Level Arsenic Exposure Is Associated with Poorer Neuropsychological Functioning: A Project FRONTIER Study

Exposure to elements in groundwater (toxic or beneficial) is commonplace yet, outside of lead and mercury, little research has examined the impact of many commonly occurring environmental exposures on mental abilities during the aging process. Inorganic arsenic is a known neurotoxin that has both neurodevelopmental and neurocognitive consequences. The aim of this study was to examine the potential association between current and long-term arsenic exposure and detailed neuropsychological functioning in a sample of rural-dwelling adults and elders. Data were analyzed from 434 participants (133 men and 301 women) of Project FRONTIER, a community-based participatory research study of the epidemiology of health issues of rural-dwelling adults and elders. The results of the study showed that GIS-based groundwater arsenic exposure (current and long-term) was significantly related to poorer scores in language, visuospatial skills, and executive functioning. Additionally, long-term low-level exposure to arsenic was significantly correlated to poorer scores in global cognition, processing speed and immediate memory. The finding of a correlation between arsenic and the domains of executive functioning and memory is of critical importance as these are cognitive domains that reflect the earliest manifestations of Alzheimer’s disease. Additional work is warranted given the population health implications associated with long-term low-level arsenic exposure.
Ethanol and Isopropyl Alcohol Exposure Increases Biofilm Formation in Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis

Introduction Alcohols, including ethanol and isopropyl alcohol, are used in clinical practice for disinfection and infection prevention. Recent studies, however, demonstrate that alcohols may enhance biofilm production in Staphylococci.
Molecular Cloning of the Heparin/Heparan Sulfate Δ4,5 Unsaturated Glycuronidase from Flavobacterium heparinum, Its Recombinant Expression in Escherichia coli, and Biochemical Determination of Its Unique Substrate Specificity†

The soil bacterium Flavobacterium heparinum produces several enzymes that degrade heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans (HSGAGs) in a sequence-specific manner. Among others, these enzymes include the heparinases and an unusual glycuronidase that hydrolyzes the unsaturated Delta4,5 uronic acid at the nonreducing end of oligosaccharides resulting from prior heparinase eliminative cleavage. We report here the molecular cloning of the Delta4,5 glycuronidase gene from the flavobacterial genome and its recombinant expression in Escherichia coli as a highly active enzyme. We also report the biochemical and kinetic characterization of this enzyme, including an analysis of its substrate specificity. We find that the Delta4,5 glycuronidase discriminates on the basis of both the glycosidic linkage and the sulfation pattern within its saccharide substrate. In particular, we find that the glycuronidase displays a strong preference for 1-->4 linkages, making this enzyme specific to heparin/heparan sulfate rather than 1-->3 linked glycosaminoglycans such as chondroitin/dermatan sulfate or hyaluronan. Finally, we demonstrate the utility of this enzyme in the sequencing of heparinase-derived HSGAG oligosaccharides.
Host-parasite relationships of Thelohania associated with mosquitoes in louisiana (Nosematidae: Microsporidia)☆

Abstract Parasites of the genus Thelohania were studied in 13 species of mosquitoes collected from two parishes in southwestern Louisiana. New host records were established for Aedes grossbecki, A. sollicitans, A. sticticus, A. taeniorhynchus, Culex salinarius, Psorophora confinnis , and Anopheles bradleyi . The host-parasite relationships of the mosquitoes and associated Thelohania were classified into four types.
Vocabulary and general intelligence

Acquisition of word meanings, or vocabulary, reflects general mental ability (psychometric g) more than than do most abilities measured in test batteries. Among diverse subtests, vocabulary is especially high on indices of genetic influences. Bloom's exposition of the psychological complexities of understanding words, involving the primacy of concepts, the theory of mind, and other processes, explains vocabulary's predominant g saturation.
Diabetes and cognitive function: preliminary studies.

Summary The relationships between diabetes mellitus and cognitive function were studied in patients aged over 50 years with good metabolic control and without chronic complications. The following tests were performed: CES-D, Rey's, Benton's, Span's, Corsi's, MMSE, Raven's. No differences were found in the comparison between groups (12 diabetics and 17 normals) contrary to other similar studies. This could be for the bad metabolic control of patients studied in previous studies or for the existence of minimal deficit not shown with the conventional tests.
Multiple cusp bifurcations 1,2,3

The cusp bifurcation provides one of the simplest routes leading to bistability and hysteresis in neuron dynamics. We show that weakly connected networks of neurons near cusp bifurcations that satisfy a certain adaptation condition have quite interesting and complicated dynamics. First, we prove that any such network can be transformed into a canonical model by an appropriate continuous change of variables. Then we show that the canonical model can operate as a multiple attractor neural network or as a globally asymptotically stable neural network depending on the choice of parameters.
Novel host-vector system for selection and maintenance of plasmid-bearing, streptomycin-dependent Escherichia coli cells in antibiotic-free media

A novel system for selection and maintenance of cells carrying a recombinant plasmid has been developed, using the streptomycin-dependent (Smd) Escherichia coli 4D host and a plasmid vector carrying an rpsL gene from an Sm-resistant (Smr) mutant of E. coli which masks the Smd phenotype. Strain 4D carrying the Smr pBR322 plasmid can grow without Sm. Using this host-vector system, we can select for cells carrying an Smr recombinant plasmid and maintain them in antibiotic-free media.
Interferometric radar observations of Glaciares Europa and Penguin, Hielo Patagonico Sur, Chile

Repeat-pass L-band interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data for part of Hielo Patagonico Sur, Chile, were collected by the space-shuttle-based Spaceborne Imaging Radar C (SIR-C) over a 4 day span in October 1994. Three co-registered complex SAR images are used to generate phase-coherence maps, a digital elevation model (DEM) and an ice-velocity map. The phase-coherence maps indicate low coherence in the 5-15 km approaching the termini due to large displacements, ice deformation and melting. However, the coherence is high over nearly all of the remaining imaged icefield. Ice-velocity precision is greater than 2 cm d -1 , while the DEM is good to about 25 m. A flow divide between two of the glaciers is mapped by locating a narrow band of near-zero ice velocity. Horizontal ice-surface velocity profiles calculated along flowlines show there is a high degree ofspatial variability reaching a peak value of 5.5 m d -1 located 3.5 km from the terminus of Glaciar Europa. Longitudinal strain rates along the center lines calculated from these velocities at the locations of the initiation of crevassing are used to compute the tensile strength of ice (169-224 kPa).
Mitochondrial Targeting of Selective Electron Scavengers: Synthesis and Biological Analysis of Hemigramicidin−TEMPO Conjugates

Synthetic hemigramicidin S-peptidyl TEMPO conjugates are effectively delivered into cells and mitochondria, where they act as electron scavengers and exert protection against apoptosis. Our delivery approach is based on the use of specific structural signaling features recognizable by cells as mitochondria targeting sequences and offers considerable therapeutic anti-apoptotic potential.
The autopoetic state: communication and democratic potential in the net

The relationship between the practice of democracy and the use of new information technologies is dependent upon the technologies of communication and information, rules regarding the use of those technologies, and the nature of the entity making rules regarding those technologies. Since today developments in all three of these areas are turbulent, this article looks to social theory that deals with turbulence and chaos as a way of understanding the democratic potential in the qualitatively different network society. The streams of literature drawn upon include second-order cybernetics and chaos theory, organizational sociology, and the literature on the state. The concept of the autopoietic state is developed as a basis for determining appropriate communication policy principles for maximizing the democratic potential in the network environment
Glimpsing order within the disarray

We describe some of the recent advances in the fluctuation microscopy technique for probing medium-range structural correlations in disordered materials. In particular we show that fluctuation microscopy is a surprisingly sensitive method for detecting trace quantities of C60 in a disordered graphite matrix. This surprising sensitivity arises because C60 does not have the same forbidden reflections as graphite. Modeling shows that the method should readily distinguish between C60, C70 and C72. This result indicates that the technique can be used to discern dilute distributions of macromolecules in an otherwise disordered matrix. We also describe preliminary interferometric fluctuation microscopy studies using cross-correlations in diffraction between coherent double probes. This is a form of holography where the diffraction patterns from two neighboring regions are allowed to overlap and interfere. Young's fringes appear wherever both regions scatter strongly. The cross-correlation can be examined as a function of probe separation to estimate a structure correlation length. At present, the method is being applied to x-ray and optical microscopies, but could also be applied to TEM. Since it isolates the essential four-body terms underpinning the fluctuation microscopy technique, this method holds much promise for studying medium-range order.
Deformation potentials and electron-phonon scattering: Two new theorems

This paper gives two new theorems about the band deformation potential ${D}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\beta}}^{b}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}},n)$ which expresses the shift of electron energies under external strains, $\frac{\ensuremath{\partial}{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}n}}{\ensuremath{\partial}{S}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\beta}}}$, and the electron-phonon deformation potential ${D}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\beta}}^{e\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{p}\mathrm{h}}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}},n)$ which gives the matrix element for an electron to scatter from state ($\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}},n$) to a nearby state ($\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}+\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{Q}},n$) by absorption of an acoustic phonon of branch $j$ and amplitude $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{u}}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{Q}}j)$, namely $〈\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}+\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{Q}},n|{\mathcal{H}}_{e\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{p}\mathrm{h}}|\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}},n〉=i{u}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{Q}}j){Q}_{\ensuremath{\beta}}{D}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\beta}}^{e\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{p}\mathrm{h}}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}},n)$. First, it is shown for a rigid ion model that ${D}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\beta}}^{e\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{p}\mathrm{h}}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}},n)$ equals ${D}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\beta}}^{b}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}},n)+m{v}_{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}n\ensuremath{\alpha}}{v}_{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}n\ensuremath{\beta}}$, where ${\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{v}}}_{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}n}$ is the electron group velocity. Second, it is shown that the Fermi surface average of ${D}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\beta}}^{e\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{p}\mathrm{h}}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}},n)$ equals the Fermi surface average of $m{v}_{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}n\ensuremath{\alpha}}{v}_{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}n\ensuremath{\beta}}$. From the second theorem, it is deduced that the first theorem is probably generally valid in a metal [i.e., not restricted to a rigid-ion model) provided the band deformation potential ${D}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\beta}}^{b}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}},n)$ is defined relative to an energy which moves with the Fermi energy under strains. The first theorem contradicts the common belief that the two deformation potentials are always the same, but preserves the usual form of the deformation-potential theorem at band edges where ${v}_{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}n\ensuremath{\alpha}}$ vanishes.
Nitric-acid band intensities and band-model parameters from 610 to 1760 cm −1

A set of 59 spectra of pure nitric acid was obtained at temperatures ranging from 236 to 294 K using path lengths from 10 to 50 cm and pressures from 0.05 to 1.1 Torr. No strong temperature dependencies were observed over the range of our measurements. Absorption coefficients and mean line-spacing parameters were determined at each 1-cm−1 interval in the three strong bands at 5.9, 7.5, and 1.3 μm by using a two-parameter random-band model. The resulting intensities for these bands are 1530 ± 100, 1383 ± 70, and 692 ± 35 cm−2 amagat−1, respectively. In addition, the absorption coefficients were determined in the three weak bands at 8.3, 13.2, and 15.5 μm. The band intensities derived are 44 ± 4, 45 ± 4, and 50 ± 5 cm−2 amagat−1, respectively.
A 3D Fibrous Scaffold Inducing Tumoroids: A Platform for Anticancer Drug Development

The development of a suitable three dimensional (3D) culture system for anticancer drug development remains an unmet need. Despite progress, a simple, rapid, scalable and inexpensive 3D-tumor model that recapitulates in vivo tumorigenesis is lacking. Herein, we report on the development and characterization of a 3D nanofibrous scaffold produced by electrospinning a mixture of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and a block copolymer of polylactic acid (PLA) and mono-methoxypolyethylene glycol (mPEG) designated as 3P. Cancer cells cultured on the 3P scaffold formed tight irregular aggregates similar to in vivo tumors, referred to as tumoroids that depended on the topography and net charge of the scaffold. 3P scaffolds induced tumor cells to undergo the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) as demonstrated by up-regulation of vimentin and loss of E-cadherin expression. 3P tumoroids showed higher resistance to anticancer drugs than the same tumor cells grown as monolayers. Inhibition of ERK and PI3K signal pathways prevented EMT and reduced tumoroid formation, diameter and number. Fine needle aspirates, collected from tumor cells implanted in mice when cultured on 3P scaffolds formed tumoroids, but showed decreased sensitivity to anticancer drugs, compared to tumoroids formed by direct seeding. These results show that 3P scaffolds provide an excellent platform for producing tumoroids from tumor cell lines and from biopsies and that the platform can be used to culture patient biopsies, test for anticancer compounds and tailor a personalized cancer treatment.
Quantum efficiency characterization of scientific CCDs

Characterization of CCDs is extremely important when developing scientific detectors. If CCD foundries are used to produce the devices, the foundries require feedback to maintain a quality process. In this case, the users require fairly automated testing to evaluate the large number of devices obtained from even a single lot run. We have developed a CCD characterization facility which is used to evaluate these foundry devices as well as commercial scientific images. Our test capabilities include automated QE measurements, X-ray CTE and gain calibration, optical illumination from 200 nm - 1200 nm, and dark current and read noise characterization. We can also make interferometric flatness measurements of the devices. A cryogenic probe station for wafer testing is being developed to extend some of these tests to the wafer level. We discuss in this paper our facilities and techniques to measure the quantum efficiency (QE) of scientific CCDs. QE (along with read noise) is perhaps the most important parameter for many classes of astronomical observations when working at very low light levels. It is also the most useful parameter for evaluating the quality of backside processing when developing back illuminated CCDs.
Art as a Stimulus for Structural DNA Nanotechnology

The linear, double-helical structure of DNA was initially recognized as beautiful, as well as being informative about the mechanism of heredity. Recently, branched DNA molecules have been used to produce nanoscale objects, crystals and machines, all the products of a new field: structural DNA nanotechnology. The inspiration for much of this work has been art, starting from the notion that Escher’s woodcut Depth was analogous to a molecular crystal of branched DNA. The article describes how connecting branched molecules together with the “sticky ends” used by genetic engineers has led to 3D crystals, and how Dali’s Butterfly Landscape illuminates the relationship between wrappings of DNA and the crossings in knots or links. Disparate aesthetic patterns are related to branched DNA motifs and constructions.
LANGUAGE TESTING. Tim McNamara. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. Pp. xvi + 140. £7.40 paper.

McNamara's book on language testing is part of a series that introduces various areas of language study to readers with little or no formal training in linguistics. Like the other books in the series, it provides a broad overview of trends and issues in the field rather than going into technical depth in any one narrow area. The intent of this approach is to make the material accessible to a wide audience and to provide a “bigger picture” perspective that would render deeper consideration of particular language testing issues more meaningful. McNamara succeeds in making his contribution to the series comprehensible, while at the same time making it challenging and provocative on both intellectual and social levels.
Field theory configuration spaces for connective ko–theory

We describe a new –spectrum for connective ko–theory formed from spaces infn of operators which have certain nice spectral properties, and which fulfill a connectivity condition. The spectral data of such operators can equivalently be described by certain Clifford-linear, symmetric configurations on the real axis; in this sense, our model for ko stands between an older one by Segal [20], who uses nonsymmetric configurations without Clifford-structure on spheres, and the well-known Atiyah–Singer model for KO using Clifford-linear Fredholm operators [1]. Dropping the connectivity condition we obtain operator spaces Infn . These are homotopy equivalent to the spaces EFT n of 1j1–dimensional supersymmetric Euclidean field theories of degree n which were defined by Stolz and Teichner in [22; 23] and with Hohnhold in [9] (in terms of certain homomorphisms of super semigroups). They showed that the EFT n are homotopy equivalent to KOn and gave the idea for the connection between EFT n and Infn . We can derive a homotopy equivalent version of the –spectrum inf in terms of “field theory type” super semigroup homomorphisms. Tracing back our connectivity condition to the functorial language of field theories provides a candidate for connective 1j1–dimensional Euclidean field theories, eft, and might result in a more general criterion for instance for a connective version of 2j1–dimensional such theories (which are conjectured to yield a spectrum for TMF).
Bevacizumab as first-line therapy for glioblastoma

Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds and neutralizes VEGF. Bevacizumab is currently indicated as monotherapy for recurrent glioblastoma. Recent data from Phase II trials of bevacizumab as first-line therapy for glioblastoma have been promising, and have led to two Phase III trials evaluating the use of bevacizumab as first-line therapy when combined with radiation and temozolomide. Potential complications relating to interpretation of the results of these Phase III studies include the crossover use of bevacizumab upon recurrence in the placebo arm. Recently published single-arm evaluations of adding bevacizumab to standard first-line therapy in glioblastoma multiforme have shown an improvement in progression-free survival and overall survival when compared with historical controls obtained prior to widespread use of bevacizumab in recurrent glioblastoma multiforme. When these data are compared with more contemporary studies from the bevacizumab era, the improvement in progression-free survival seems to be maintained but the impact on overall survival with first-line bevacizumab therapy seems less clear. Bevacizumab therapy alters the imaging characteristics of glioblastoma, and new criteria have been established to assess treatment response and progression in the setting of widespread bevacizumab use.
Hospital-based clinical implications of the novel oral anticoagulant, dabigatran etexilate, in daily practice.

AbstractDabigatran etexilate is an oral direct thrombin inhibitor that has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolization in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. It has also been studied for the prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients after hip and knee arthroplasty and for treatment of venous thromboembolism. Although routine laboratory monitoring is not needed, there are clinical scenarios in which physicians will need to have a clear understanding of drug pharmacology, laboratory assessment, and reversibility of this drug to make appropriate clinical decisions. We review the pharmacology of dabigatran etexilate, pertinent clinical trials, and the effects of dabigatran etexilate on prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, and ecarin clotting time. We also provide an approach to patients on dabigatran etexilate who are bleeding, have a suspected therapeutic failure, or require periprocedural man...
Improving software development management through software project telemetry

Conventional wisdom in the software engineering research community says that metrics can make project management more effective. Software metrics range from internal product attributes such as size, complexity, and modularity to external process attributes such as effort, productivity, and reliability. Software project telemetry facilitates local, in-process decision making.
Ethanol synthesis and loss from flooded roots of Medicago sativa L. and Lotus corniculatus L.

Abstract Field flooding of established alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) for up to 12 d resulted in a significant increase in alcohol dehydrogenase activity (ADH) and an increase in the Km of ADH in both species. Root concentration of ethanol increased throughout the flooding regime in alfalfa roots. No ethanol was detected in any trefoil root samples. Alfalfa plants which had shoots removed 5 d prior to flooding accumulated significantly higher levels of root ethanol and showed flooding injury sooner, indicating a significant effect of shoots on development of flooding injury. Alfalfa and trefoil plants grown in the greenhouse were flooded and ethanol in the transpiration effluent was trapped and measured. Alfalfa transpired measurable quantities of ethanol which peaked just prior to development of shoot injury symptoms. No ethanol was detected in the transpiration effluent from trefoil shoots. Flooded roots of both alfalfa and trefoil excreted ethanol but alfalfa roots synthesized more total ethanol and retained a larger proportion in the roots than did trefoil. While the ethanol accumulation response in alfalfa and trefoil are consistent with the ethanol ‘self-poisoning’ hypothesis of flooding injury, the very small quantities of ethanol found in these roots still raises questions as to its absolute effect in the plant.
A Model for Scheduling Electric Power Generation with Optimal Reliability

High operating costs on the one hand and an ever-increasing dependence of economic and social life on reliable power supplies on the other, require that a balance be established between costs of providing and of withholding a high level of operating supply reliability. Defining the objective as minimizing the overall national cost of electricity generation, this paper presents a combined model for daily scheduling, taking into account the effects of possible supply shortages. The optimization procedure comprises dynamic and heuristic programming routines for cost minimization and stochastic models for treating supply reliability. Some numerical results from a sample application are also presented.
Mathematics and Complex Systems

Contemporary researchers strive to understand complex physical phenomena that involve many constituents, may be influenced by numerous forces, and may exhibit unexpected or emergent behavior. Often such "complex systems" are macroscopic manifestations of other systems that exhibit their own complex behavior and obey more elemental laws. This article proposes that areas of mathematics, even ones based on simple axiomatic foundations, have discernible layers, entirely unexpected "macroscopic" outcomes, and both mathematical and physical ramifications profoundly beyond their historical beginnings. In a larger sense, the study of mathematics itself, which is increasingly surpassing the capacity of researchers to verify "by hand," may be the ultimate complex system.
Turning Males On: Activation of Male Courtship Behavior in Drosophila melanogaster

The innate sexual behaviors of Drosophila melanogaster males are an attractive system for elucidating how complex behavior patterns are generated. The potential for male sexual behavior in D. melanogaster is specified by the fruitless (fru) and doublesex (dsx) sex regulatory genes. We used the temperature-sensitive activator dTRPA1 to probe the roles of fruM- and dsx-expressing neurons in male courtship behaviors. Almost all steps of courtship, from courtship song to ejaculation, can be induced at very high levels through activation of either all fruM or all dsx neurons in solitary males. Detailed characterizations reveal different roles for fruM and dsx in male courtship. Surprisingly, the system for mate discrimination still works well when all dsx neurons are activated, but is impaired when all fruM neurons are activated. Most strikingly, we provide evidence for a fruM-independent courtship pathway that is primarily vision dependent.
Ranked bandits in metric spaces: learning diverse rankings over large document collections

Most learning to rank research has assumed that the utility of different documents is independent, which results in learned ranking functions that return redundant results. The few approaches that avoid this have rather unsatisfyingly lacked theoretical foundations, or do not scale. We present a learning-to-rank formulation that optimizes the fraction of satisfied users, with several scalable algorithms that explicitly takes document similarity and ranking context into account. Our formulation is a non-trivial common generalization of two multi-armed bandit models from the literature: ranked bandits (Radlinski et al., 2008) and Lipschitz bandits (Kleinberg et al., 2008b). We present theoretical justifications for this approach, as well as a near-optimal algorithm. Our evaluation adds optimizations that improve empirical performance, and shows that our algorithms learn orders of magnitude more quickly than previous approaches.
Quantitative studies on fabrics as disseminators of viruses. IV. Virus transmission by dry contact of fabrics.

Cotton and woolen fabrics and fabrics of synthetic fibers were exposed by direct contact (pipette) and by aerosolization to poliovirus and to vaccinia virus in separate experiments, allowed to dry for 16 hr at 25 C in 35% relative humidity, and randomly tumbled with sterile swatches of the same fabrics for 30 min. By use of a HEp-2 cell assay system, up to 103.5 CCID50 of poliovirus per ml and 104.4 CCID50 of vaccinia virus per ml were recovered from the originally sterile fabrics as early as 1 to 10 min after contact. Maximum transfer of both viruses was achieved with wool blanket material, although high titers of vaccinia virus were recovered from all fabrics tested. Poliovirus placed on the fabrics in an aerosol tended to be transferred to the sterile fabrics at a greater rate than when it was placed on the fabrics by direct contact. The method of exposure had essentially no effect on the rate of transfer of vaccinia virus.
Double noding technique for mixed mode crack propagation studies

A simple dynamic finite element algorithm for analyzing a propagating mixed mode crack tip is presented. A double noding technique, which can be easily incorporated into existing dynamic finite element codes, is used together with a corrected J integral to extract modes I and II dynamic stress intensity factors of a propagating crack. The utility of the procedure is demonstrated by analyzing test problems involving a mode I central crack propagating in a plate subjected to uniaxial tension, a mixed mode I and II stationary, slanted central crack in a plate subjected to uniaxial impact loading, and a mixed mode I and II extending, slanted single edge crack in a plate subjected to uniaxial tension.
UV curing by radical, cationic and concurrent radical-cationic polymerization

Abstract UV and EB curing represent complementary technologies with respective advantages and disadvantages. This paper deals with the design and evaluation of UV curable coatings to optimize cure rate and film properties. Topics included are state-of-the-art photoinitiator systems, light intensity effects, retardation of air-inhibition, adhesion, and amplification of photons for enhanced speed of cure.
Parallel Inversion of Sparse Matrices.

This paper presents a parallel algorithm for obtaining the inverse of a large, nonsingular symmetric matrix A of dimension nxn. The inversion method proposed is based on the triangular factors of A. The task of obtaining the "sparse inverse' of A is represented by a directed acyclic graph. The relation between the triangulation graph and the sparse inversion graph is given. The algorithm and the graph for the full inversion of A is also given. It is shown that for any sparse symmetric matrix, and assuming enough processors are available, the full inverse of the matrix can be calculated in the same amount of time as the sparse inverse. For ideally sparse matrices (such as tridiagonal matrices) the order of computation required in both cases is of order log2n. For full matrices the order of computation is n log2n. Claims are substantiated using test data from several power systems.
Reiterated Commemoration: Hiroshima as National Trauma*

This article examines historical transformations of Japanese collective memory of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima by utilizing a theoretical framework that combines a model of reiterated problem solving and a theory of cultural trauma. I illustrate how the event of the nuclear fallout in March 1954 allowed actors to consolidate previously fragmented commemorative practices into a master frame to define the postwar Japanese identity in terms of transnational commemoration of “Hiroshima.” I also show that nationalization of trauma of “Hiroshima” involved a shift from pity to sympathy in structures of feeling about the event. This historical study suggests that a reiterated problem-solving approach can be efficacious in analyzing how construction of national memory of a traumatic event connects with the recurrent reworking of national identity, on the one hand, and how a theory of cultural trauma can be helpful in exploring a synthesis of psychological and sociological approaches to commemoration of a trauma...