cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tyramine, catecholamines and the action of vasopressin on stimulation of water efflux in toad bladders.

Abstract Both vasopressin and adenosine-3′,5-monophosphate enhance the rate of water translocation through the walls of toad bladders. Dichloroisoproterenol, epinephrine, and several related compounds antagonize this action of vasopressin but have little influence on the activity of adenosine-3′,5′-monophosphate. Tyramine also exerts a vasopressin-like effect on toad bladders which, like vasopressin, is antagonized by dichloroisoproterenol. In addition, tyramine overcomes the inhibition of vasopressin action exerted by dichloroisoproterenol. It is suggested that vasopressin acts via stimulation of adenyl cyclase, and that this stimulation may require the presence of tyramine or a closely related compound as a cofactor that can be displaced by dichloroisoproterenol, epinephrine, and several other structurally related compounds.
Set theoretic Hida projectors

In his work on ordinary p-adic modular forms, Hida defined certain idempotents in any commutative algebra of finite rank over the ring of integers in a finite extension of Qp. We generalize his construction in the context of maps of finite sets and their inverse limits.
Reconfigurable robot tool designs and integration applications

Robot tools, or in more general terms, end‐of‐arm tools, or robot end‐effectors are general purpose, programmable or task‐oriented devices connected between the robot wrist and the object or load to be manipulated and/or processed by the robot. They can offer and/or limit the versatility of grasping and/or processing of different components, sensing their characteristics and working together with the robot control system to provide a reliable “service” throughout the component manipulation cycle. Reconfigurable robot tooling enables the robot to rapidly change its end‐effectors or fingers of its end‐effectors, typically under programmable software control. The importance of providing lean‐flexibility by means of reconfigurable, automated robot hand changers (ARHC), particularly in small‐batch robotic welding, assembly, machine loading and in other flexible robot cells, is discussed with examples. Some known systems are demonstrated and the “Ranky‐type” ARHC design is illustrated in more detail.
Customized Prediction of Short Length of Stay Following Elective Cardiac Surgery in Elderly Patients Using a Genetic Algorithm

Objective: To develop a customized short LOS (gery, using local data and a computational feature selection algorithm. Design: Utilization of a machine learning algorithm in a prospectively collected STS database consisting of patients who received cardiac surgery between January 2002 and June 2011. Setting: Urban tertiary-care center. Participants: Geriatric patients aged 70 years or older at the time of cardiac surgery. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: Predefined morbidity and mortality events were collected from the STS database. 23 clinically relevant predictors were investigated for short LOS prediction with a genetic algorithm (GenAlg) in 1426 patients. Due to the absence of an STS model for their particular surgery type, STS risk scores were unavailable for 771 patients. STS prediction achieved an AUC of 0.629 while the GenAlg achieved AUCs of 0.573 (in those with STS scores) and 0.691 (in those without STS scores). Among the patients with STS scores, the GenAlg features significantly associated with shorter LOS were absence of congestive heart failure (CHF) (OR = 0.59, p = 0.04), aortic valve procedure (OR = 1.54, p = 0.04), and shorter cross clamp time (OR = 0.99, p = 0.004). In those without STS prediction, short LOS was significantly correlated with younger age (OR = 0.93, p 0.001), absence of CHF (OR = 0.53, p = 0.007), no preoperative use of beta blockers (OR = 0.66, p = 0.03), and shorter cross clamp time (OR = 0.99, p 0.001). Conclusion: While the GenAlg-based models did not outperform STS prediction for patients with STS risk scores, our local-data-driven approach reliably predicted short LOS for cardiac surgery types that do not allow STS risk calculation. We advocate that each institution with sufficient observational data should build their own cardiac surgery risk models.
The Puget Sound sulphite pulp mills and the tragedy of the commons

Abstract This paper demonstrates that Garrett Hardin's thesis of ‘mutual coercion, mutually agreed upon by the majority of the people affected’, is well-founded, and that it represents a feasible approach to pollution control. Eight pulp-mills discharging waste into Puget Sound were the objects of four years of research into the biological impact of pulping wastes. A Federal-State Conference proposed recommendations that have been incorporated into discharge permits to stop biologically harmful waste discharge into Puget Sound. All mills were treated equally in the process, and all must meet the same effective level of biologically adequate waste discharge. Mutual coercion of this type was the only solution to the problem. Left to themselves, it is doubtful whether the mills would have made an effort to intercept wastes.
A Partial Test of the Social Information Processing Model of Job Attitudes

The effects of social influence, as represented by work-group membership, on perceptions of job dimensions, manifest needs, and job attitudes are examined in a study of 113 engineers. There is evidence for a statistically significant effect of group membership on both needs and job dimensions. In turn, job dimensions, group membership, and job behaviors affect the development of job attitudes. The data provide support for a social information processing approach to analyzing attitudes and other personal constructs in work organizations.
What We Tell Our Daughters and Ourselves About Hysterectomy

On December 18, 2006, I became one of hundreds of thousands of women who undergo hysterectomies annually in the United States—the highest number of any industrialized nation—second only to C-sections as the most commonly performed surgery. Studies have found that at least 90% of these costly procedures are deemed unnecessary, performed for other than lifesaving purposes, i.e. sterilization. As a form of gender violence, all women have been victimized by hysterectomy. Not surprisingly however, African-American women have historically, disproportionately been targets of sterilization by hysterectomy, oftentimes state sponsored and funded, despite still unknown longterm physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual consequences beyond the permanent elimination of the means for propagating the species, leading some to charge racial genocide. This autoethnographic text, produced during my recovery, represents an attempt to rupture silences that hide the historic and contemporary abuse of Black women’s repro...
A comparison of two edge-coloring formulations

A fundamental theorem of Vizing relates the maximum degree, @D(G), of a simple graph G to the minimum number, "@g(G), of colors needed to color its edges. Vizing's theorem asserts that "@g(G) is either @D(G) or @D(G)+1; however, determining which of these two alternatives holds is NP-complete. We present a polyhedral formulation for determining "@g(G), which we analytically and computationally compare to an earlier set-partitioning formulation. We also establish some valid inequalities for our formulation.
Active region design of a terahertz GaN/ Al0.15Ga0.85N quantum cascade laser

Abstract We propose the idea of developing THz quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) with GaN-based quantum well (QW) structures with significant advantages over the currently demonstrated THz lasers in the GaAs-based material system. While the ultrafast longitudinal optical (LO) phonon scattering in AlGaN/GaN QWs can be used for the rapid depopulation of the lower laser state, the large LO-phonon energy (∼90 meV) can effectively reduce the thermal population of the lasing states at higher temperatures. Our analysis of one particular structure has shown that a relatively low threshold current density of 832 A/cm2 can provide a threshold optical gain of 50/cm at room temperature. We have also found that the characteristic temperature in this structure is as high as 136 K.
Factors Affecting the Long-Term Debt Decision of Restaurant Firms:

The purpose of this article is to evaluate the impact of previously theorized factors on the long-term debt ratio of publicly traded restaurant firms. The authors examined the financial literature to find variables related to three capital structure theories: contracting costs of debt, signaling effects, and tax effects. Using a cross-sectional pooled regression model on publicly traded restaurant firms, the authors’ results largely confirm those of Barclay and Smith that were based on a wide range of industrial firms. Firm size and the probability of bankruptcy are positively correlated with higher long-term debt ratios. Firms with growth opportunities use less long-term debt. However, no significant relationship was found between the use of long-term debt and effective tax rates.
Home Style Puerto Rican: A Study of Language Maintenance and Use in New England

Abstract This study explores Spanish language maintenance in Southbridge, Massachusetts, a suburban town with a vibrant Puerto Rican community. The investigation focuses on the extent to which Southbridge Puerto Ricans use Spanish and English at home, and their attitudes toward Spanish language maintenance. Survey data, especially the impact of factors affecting language loyalty, are analyzed and interpreted in light of historical trends, previous research, and first-hand knowledge of the community. Statistical analyses (correlations, ANOVA, t-tests) indicate that age and percentage of life span spent on the mainland play a significant role in language maintenance. For US-born Puerto Ricans, living in a dense and relatively small Puerto Rican enclave appears to arrest but not stop language shift and heritage language loss at home, the domain in which minority language speakers can exercise the most control in terms of which language to use. Given the particular characteristics of this Puerto Rican communi...
Protein malnutrition in the rat: its effects on maternal behavior and pup development.

Repeated time-lapse photographic observations were used to examine the maternal behavior and pup development of female Holtzman rats maintained on either a low-protein (12% casein by weight) or a high-protein (25% casein) diet throughout the period of lactation. Dams fed the low-protein diet were observed to spend more time in the nesting area with their pups than dams fed the high-protein diet. Locomotor activity of the dams did not differ between the 2 groups. The behavioral development of the pups suckling the dams receiving the low-protein diet was markedly depressed as compared with the controls. Included in this latter observation were pup behaviors such as movement from the nesting area, feeding and drinking from available supplies, and rearing and climbing activity. The results indicate that feeding a low-protein diet to a lactating dam results in behavioral changes in both the dam and pups that tend to minimize the exposure of the pups to the immediate environment.
The strength of specific EMS dispatcher questions for identifying patients with important clinical field findings

Introduction. There is growing interest in more efficiently matching emergency medical services (EMS) resources to patient need. Emergency medical services dispatchers may be asked to distinguish between callers with an immediate need for EMS and those who may safely use alternative services. New dispatcher protocols are required or existing protocols must be shown to be reliable for this new task. Objective. To examine whether answers to currently asked dispatcher questions in one urban center can identify callers with important clinical field findings (ICFFs). Methods. Audio recordings of EMS dispatcher-caller conversations within three nature codes (falls, sick, trauma) were retrospectively reviewed. Specifically scripted “cardinal” questions, asked of all callers, identify what happened, whether the patient is breathing okay, and whether the patient is conscious. “Key” questions are specific to each nature code and further specify patient circumstances. Compliance with protocol and caller answers were...
Evolutionary constraints and expression analysis of gene duplications in Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1

Gene duplication is a major force that contributes to the evolution of new metabolic functions in all organisms. Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1 is a bacterium that displays a wide degree of metabolic versatility and genome complexity and therefore is a fitting model for the study of gene duplications in bacteria. A comprehensive analysis of 234 duplicate gene-pairs in R. sphaeroides was performed using structural constraint and expression analysis. The results revealed that most gene-pairs in in-paralogs are maintained under negative selection (ω ≤ 0.3), but the strength of selection differed among in-paralog gene-pairs. Although in-paralogs located on different replicons are maintained under purifying selection, the duplicated genes distributed between the primary chromosome (CI) and the second chromosome (CII) are relatively less selectively constrained than the gene-pairs located within each chromosome. The mRNA expression patterns of duplicate gene-pairs were examined through microarray analysis of this organism grown under seven different growth conditions. Results revealed that ~62% of paralogs have similar expression patterns (cosine ≥ 0.90) over all of these growth conditions, while only ~7% of paralogs are very different in their expression patterns (cosine < 0.50). The overall findings of the study suggest that only a small proportion of paralogs contribute to the metabolic diversity and the evolution of novel metabolic functions in R. sphaeroides. In addition, the lack of relationships between structural constraints and gene-pair expression suggests that patterns of gene-pair expression are likely associated with conservation or divergence of gene-pair promoter regions and other coregulation mechanisms.
Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) deficiency. Variant alleles in a midwestern population of the United States.

Objectives To describe a method for the genotype analysis of mutations in the gene encoding mannose binding lectin (MBL), study the incidence of MBL gene mutations in a population of the Midwest of the United States, and compare it with previous reports in other populations. The objective of this report is also an extensive review of the literature to analyze the importance of MBL deficiency in human disease. Data Sources Blood samples were obtained from the blood bank of the Mayo Clinic. They represented a population of blood donors living in the Midwest of the United States. A review of the literature was performed by selection of articles from Medline database. Study selection Blood samples, 148, were randomly selected from a pool of blood donors. They included both females and males. Blood donors had been previously screened by a questionnaire and were found to be generally healthy. For the literature review, articles containing original data on MBL in humans were selected. Results Forty-five (30.4%) of the analyzed blood donors carried one variant allele, while 8 donors (5.4%) showed homozygosity or compound heterozygosity for MBL gene mutations. Allele frequency for the different MBL variants is provided. Our results are similar to those reported for the Danish population. Literature review provides evidence for a significant role of MBL deficiency in the innate immunity. The incidence of MBL mutations is higher among patients with recurrent infections and autoimmune disorders. Conclusions Mannose binding lectin deficiency has a definite role in the pathogenesis of primary immunodeficiency in humans and screening patients with recurrent infections and autoimmunity might be beneficial. The significance of MBL deficiency among apparently healthy blood donors remains to be determined.
Oxidation Behavior of SiCN–ZrO2 Fiber Prepared from Alkoxide‐Modified Silazane

The oxidation behavior of SiCN–ZrO2 fibers and SiCN at 1350°C are compared. The as-measured parabolic rate constants for the two materials are nearly the same (15–20 × 10−18 m2/s). However, after implementing a correction for the difference in the compositions, the rate constant is 13.2 × 10−18 m2/s for the fiber, and 29.4 × 10−18 m2/s for SiCN. The lower oxidation rate of the fiber is ascribed to the lower carbon content in the fiber material.
Determination of vacancy and atomic diffusivities in solid solution alloys

A Monte Carlo procedure is applied to determine the vacancy and tracer diffusion constants in binary solid solutions. The Monte Carlo method uses vacancy jump frequencies which are calculated using an atomistic simulation method (the First Shell-Black/White model) and are tabulated for all possible jumps in all possible local environments. A simpler, more computationally efficient model, the First Shell-Gray model, is also presented. Comparison of the vacancy diffusion constants, the pre-exponential factors and the migration energies in the Cu-Ni alloys obtained using the First Shell-Gray model and the more accurate but much less computationally efficient Monte Carlo simulation method suggests that the First Shell-Gray model is adequate to predict the diffusion behavior over the entire temperature range. The agreement between the two models is even better at high temperatures where the differences among the Cu jump frequencies and Ni jump frequencies are not as important as at low temperatures. Therefore, treating the atoms in the Cu-Ni alloy as mean-field atoms is an adequate approximation in predicting vacancy and atomic diffusion behavior. The effect of the temperature and alloy composition on the tracer and vacancy correlation factors and the short range order are also investigated.
PinX1 Localizes to Telomeres and Stabilizes TRF1 at Mitosis

Human telomeres are DNA-protein complexes that cap and protect the ends of chromosomes. The protein PinX1 associates with telomeres through an interaction with the resident double-stranded telomere-binding protein TRF1. PinX1 also binds to and inhibits telomerase, the enzyme responsible for complete replication of telomeric DNA. We now report that endogenous PinX1 associates with telomeres primarily at mitosis. Moreover, knockdown of PinX1 caused delayed mitotic entry and reduced the accumulation of TRF1 on telomeres during this stage of the cell cycle. Taking these findings together, we suggest that one function of PinX1 is to stabilize TRF1 during mitosis, perhaps to promote transition into M phase of the cell cycle.
Magnetic Susceptibility of Ferrous Ammonium Tutton Salt at Liquid Helium Temperatures

The magnetic susceptibility of ferrous ammonium sulfate hexahydrate has been measured between 0.95 and 4.2°K by both the Faraday and the ballistic mutual inductance bridge methods. At 4.2°K the susceptibility is (1.45±0.05)×10—3 emu/g, close to the value given by the high temperature Curie‐Weiss law, 9.71×10—3/(T+3.2). Below 2°K the susceptibility is constant at (1.85±0.05)×10—3 emu/g. The results are shown to be compatible with available specific heat data in the low temperature region, provided that the lowest level is taken to be a singlet and the constant susceptibility is ascribed to temperature‐independent paramagnetism of the lowest level.
Crystal Phase Evolution in Quantum Confined ZnO Domains on Particles via Atomic Layer Deposition

The evolution of the crystal phase of quantum confined polycrystalline ZnO films fabricated by atomic layer deposition (ALD) was studied on spherical particle surfaces. A statistical design of expe...
Denominator-free control algorithms for adaptive optics

A class of control algorithms for adaptive optics is presented which does not use or require division in the centroid portion of the control processing. It is shown by theory and observation that the denominator-free algorithms perform significantly better than standard control algorithms, particularly in high- or variable-background situations. The use of this technique made possible the natural-guide-star observation of, among other things, the inner coma of comet Hale-Bopp close to the Sun and of the object GCS 2721:2316 at magnitude V=13.7.
The rate-distortion function of a binary symmetric source when side information may be absent (Corresp.)

A binary symmetric source with binary side information is given. An encoder codes the source for data compression with no knowledge of the side information. It is then decoded, perhaps with and perhaps without the presence of side information. The rate-distortion function of this scheme is a function of two variables: D_{1} is the distortion when side information is present at the decoder, and D2 is the distortion when side information is absent at the decoder. The rate-distortion function is shown to reduce to previously solved problems in much of the (D_{1}, D_{2}) -plane. Tight upper and lower bounds are found for the rate-distortion function in the rest of the (D_{1}, D_{2}) -plane.
Prostaglandin F2α antagonizes thromboxane A2-induced human platelet aggregation

Abstract The effects of prostaglandin F 2α on human blood platelet function were investigated. PGF 2α at 15 μM completely blocked platelet aggregation induced by 500 μM arachidonic acid or 3 μM U46619 but had no effect on aggregatin induced by 7.5 μM ADP. A similar specificity of action was not obtained with either PGI 2 or PGE 2 . Thus concentrations of PGI 2 (3 nM) or PGE 2 (20 μ M) which inhibited U46619-induced aggregation by 100% also blocked ADP-stimulated aggregation. The inhibitory properties of PGF 2α were not related to increases in platelet cAMP, since direct measurement of intracellular cAMP revealed that 15 μ M PGF 2α produced no substantial change in cAMP levels. This finding was in direct contrast to results obtained using either PGI 2 or PGE 2 . Both PGI 2 (3 nM) and PGE 2 (20 μ M) induced significant increases in platelet cAMP levels. The possibility that PGF 2α directly interacts at the platelet TXA 2 /PGH 2 receptor was investigated by measuring [ 3 H]PGF 2α binding to isolated platelet membranes. It was found that [ 3 H] PGF 2α binding reached equilibrium within 30 min at room temperature and could be 90% displaced by addition of 1000 fold excess of unlabelled PGF 2α . Furthermore, when 1000 fold excess of either the TXA 2 /PGH 2 “mimetic” U46619 or the TXA 2 /PGH 2 antagonist 13-azaprostanoic acid was added, specific [ 3 H] PGF 2α binding was displaced by 95% and 85% respectively. In contrast, the same molar excess of 6-keto-PGF 1α , azo analog 1, or TXB 2 , caused displacement of only 15%, 20% or 25% of the [ 3 H] PGF 2α binding. Scatchard analysis indicated that [ 3 H] PGF 2α has two binding sites; i.e., a high affinity binding site with an apparent Kd of 50 nM and a low affinity binding site with apparent Kd of 320 nM. These results suggest that the selective inhibition by PGF 2α of AA or U46619-induced aggregation may be mediated through interaction at the platelet TXA 2 /PGH 2 receptor.
Efficacy of a brief group parent-teen intervention in driver education to reduce teenage driver injury risk: a pilot study.

The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of an adapted Checkpoints Program designed to increase parental limits on novice teen independent driving under high-risk conditions. Twenty-seven class sessions with a minimum of 5 dyads each were delivered in driver education to 231 parent-teen dyads. Entire driving school classes were randomized to Checkpoints Program or comparison group sessions, both led by a trained health educator. At licensure, compared with parents in the comparison group, treatment parents had increased awareness of teen driving risk and were more likely to have completed a parent-teen driving agreement and met Checkpoints recommendations for restrictions on teen driving in inclement weather and road types. They were also marginally more likely to have met Checkpoints restrictions on driving with teen passengers. This study indicates that it is feasible to implement the Checkpoints Program in driver education with positive effects on parent management practices. Language: en
Nickel Speciation of Residual Oil Fly Ash and Ambient Particulate Matter Using X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy

The chemical speciation of Ni in fly ash produced from approximately 0.85 wt % S residual (no. 6 fuel) oils in laboratory (7 kW)- and utility (400 MW)-scale combustion systems was investigated using X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and acetate extraction [1 M NaOAc-0.5 M HOAc (pH 5) at 25 degrees C]-anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV). XAFS was also used to determine the Ni speciation of ambient particulate matter (PM) sampled near the 400-MW system. Based on XAFS analyses of bulk fly ash and their corresponding acetate extraction residue, it is estimated that > 99% of the total Ni (0.38 wt %) in the experimentally produced fly ash occurs as NiSO4.xH2O, whereas > 95% of the total Ni (1.70 and 2.25 wt %) in two fly ash samples from the 400-MW system occurs as NiSO4.xH2O and Ni-bearing spinel, possibly NiFe2O4. Spinel was also detected using XRD. Acetate extracts most of the NiSO4.xH2O and concentrates insoluble NiFe2O4 in extraction residue. Similar to fly ash, ambient PM contains NiSO4.xH2O and NiFe2O4; however, the proportion of NiSO4.xH2O relative to NiFe2O4 is much greater in the PM. Results from this and previous investigations indicate that residual oil ash produced in the 7-kW combustion system lack insoluble Ni (e.g., NiFe2O4) but are enriched in soluble NiSO4.xH2O relative to fly ash from utility-scale systems. This difference in Ni speciation is most likely related to the lack of additive [e.g., Mg(OH)2] injection and residence time in the 7-kW combustion system.
Molecular dynamics simulations of macroscopic vibrations on cooling of superheated polyethylene crystals

In this paper a discussion is given of the change of density with time and temperature within a crystal of 192 (CH 2 ) 50 chains, simulated by molecular dynamics computations at temperatures from 65 to 425 K. The highest temperatures exceed the melting temperature (about 365 K). On simulation for times of up to 100 ps the temperature dropped through the melting temperature, permitting the study of the behavior of the crystal during initial melting, followed by limited recrystallization. In these short times only a limited number of chains on the surface can begin to coil and melt conformationally, but there is an indication of a disordering transition. A better comparison with experimental data on density, expansivity and speed of sound is possible
Role of thymic organ structure and stromal composition in steady-state postnatal T-cell production.

The most conspicuous period of cellular proliferation and differentiation occurs during the embryonic stage of development. In some cell lineages, however, including T lymphocytes, this process must continue postnatally and throughout life. Under ordinary circumstances, postnatal T-cell production occurs in the thymus, and can be separated into five functional phases. The first is recognition of thymus-derived recruitment signals by multilineage progenitors in the bloodstream, followed by their extravasation and entry into the organ. Second is the lymphopoietic process, i.e. the expansion of this small number of blood-derived progenitors to produce the raw materials for all subsequent phases. Third is the screening of these cellular products for the ability of their T-cell receptors to appropriately recognize major histocompatibility/peptide ligands, i.e. positive and negative selection. Fourth is functional maturation, a process that follows but is distinct from positive selection. Finally, cells that successfully undergo all of the prior processes must be induced to leave the thymus and enter the peripheral lymphoid pool. From the above, it can be seen that all the hematopoietic components of the thymus are transient, with uncommitted progenitors entering and lineage committed progeny being exported or removed. This process reveals a subtle but critically important fact about the nature of the thymus, namely that the functional components of the thymus are not the hemato-lymphoid cells, but rather the stable (stromal) elements that induce their differentiation. Understanding the nature of these stromal elements, and the signals they deliver to nascent T lymphocytes, is therefore critical not only for understanding how T lymphocytes are produced normally but, by analogy, what goes wrong in congenital, acquired, or age-associated deficiencies in T-lymphocyte production.
The Via Media of Paul Ramsey's Political Ethics

In the discipline of theological ethics, one cannot travel very far before encountering Paul Ramsey. Certainly, in political and medical ethics, his literary output was prodigious before his death in 1988. In fact, Charles Curran, who has himself contributed a great deal to mod ern ethical thought, says this about Ramsey: "No one has written more [on political and medical ethics]."1 In a career spanning over forty years, mostly at Princeton, Ramsey authored thirteen books, edited twelve others, and wrote over 180 articles and [book] chapters.2 It would be a grave mistake to attribute Ramsey's standing merely to the quantity of his writings, however. Some of his influence is no doubt due to his role as the often soli
A monte carlo study of kruskal's variance based measure on stress

Researchers in the past ten years have studied various parameters involved in nonmetric multidimensional scaling by utilizing Monte Carlo procedures. This paper develops stress distributions using Kruskal's second stress formula based upon a null hypothesis of equal likelihood in the ranking of a set of proximities. These distributions can serve to determine whether a set of data has other than random structure.
Fluorine reactivity in difluoromethylimidazoles

A difluoromethyl substituent attached directly to an imidazole ring is very reactive toward basic hydrolysis. A correlation of rate of fluoride loss with increasing pH is consistent with a mechanism that involves initial ionization of the imidazole NH, formation of an intermediate azafulvene by loss of HF, and reaction of the intermediate with solvent water.
Issues in FMS installation: a field study and analysis

This report is based on plant visits and extensive interviews conducted as part of the authors' field study of five distinct flexible manufacturing system (FMS) installations. The FMS and the settings they are housed in are described. The findings are integrated with the existing published literature on automation in manufacturing. The literature is confirmed in some respects and is augmented in many instances. A critical analysis of these installations is presented, indicating the problems associated with them and identifying probable causes. Based on their visits and the analysis, the authors developed an implementation plan for proactive management of automation project. It is hoped that it will help to avoid the pitfalls identified and to regain and retain competitive advantage. >
Solvation Free Energy of Biomacromolecules: Parameters for a Modified Generalized Born Model Consistent with the AMBER Force Field

The generalized Born (GB) model provides rapid estimates of the electrostatic free energies of solvation for diverse molecules and molecular ions. This method is expected to be of considerable utility for studies of solvation in macromolecular and biological systems. Calculations on biological molecules are typically based on empirical energy functions, each of which have their own prescriptions for determining net atomic charges. For maximum compatibility, GB parameters tailored to specific force fields are required. The development of parameters compatible with the AMBER force field is described. The method is used to estimate free energies of A and B form structures of DNA obtained from molecular dynamics simulations. The results provide an account of the conformational preferences of right-handed DNA in solution.
A Clinical and Histomorphometric Study of Calcium Sulfate Compared With Freeze‐Dried Bone Allograft for Alveolar Ridge Preservation

Background: Many materials have been found to be effective in ridge preservation. The purpose of this study is to determine whether calcium sulfate (CS) is as effective as freeze-dried bone allograft (FDBA) in preserving postextraction ridge dimensions and to evaluate the amount of new bone formation and graft clearance through histologic analysis.Methods: Thirty-one extraction sites were selected. Postextraction clinical measurements were made, and sites were divided randomly into the test group (CS) or the control group (FDBA). After graft placement, all individuals received the same postoperative treatment and instructions. Participants were recalled after 3 months, measurements were made, and sites were re-entered. Bone samples were harvested and analyzed with histologic methodology for new bone formation and remaining residual graft.Results: Thirteen test and 15 control sites were evaluated. There was no significant change in vertical ridge height before or after surgery within the test and control g...
Identifying transcription factor binding sites through Markov chain optimization

Even though every cell in an organism contains the same genetic material, each cell does not express the same cohort of genes. Therefore, one of the major problems facing genomic research today is to determine not only which genes are differentially expressed and under what conditions, but also how the expression of those genes is regulated. The first step in determining differential gene expression is the binding of sequence-specific DNA binding proteins (i.e. transcription factors) to regulatory regions of the genes (i.e. promoters and enhancers). An important aspect to understanding how a given transcription factor functions is to know the entire gamut of binding sites and subsequently potential target genes that the factor may bind/regulate. In this study, we have developed a computer algorithm to scan genomic databases for transcription factor binding sites, based on a novel Markov chain optimization method, and used it to scan the human genome for sites that bind to hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4alpha). A list of 71 known HNF4alpha binding sites from the literature were used to train our Markov chain model. By looking at the window of 600 nucleotides around the transcription start site of each confirmed gene on the human genome, we identified 849 sites with varying binding potential and experimentally tested 109 of those sites for binding to HNF4alpha. Our results show that the program was very successful in identifying 77 new HNF4alpha binding sites with varying binding affinities (i.e. a 71% success rate). Therefore, this computational method for searching genomic databases for potential transcription factor binding sites is a powerful tool for investigating mechanisms of differential gene regulation.
Circadian activity rhythm of the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus).

Abstract Eight gopher tortoises, Gopherus polyphemus , exhibited circadian activity rhythms under controlled light and temperature. The internal clock of this tortoise is similar to that described for other animals. Light-dark and temperature fluctuations entrain the clock, which under constant light and temperature (26°C) shows a mean period length of 22:33·4 hr. Comparison of the conventional averaging method and the linear regression method for determining the mean period length shows little difference. There is considerable variability in an individual's rhythm, at least in comparison to that reported in other species. The implications of this variability and possible orientation mechanisms are discussed.
The LED Surprise

Address correspondence to Kevin W. Houser, The Pennsylvania State University, 218 Engineering Unit A, University Park, PA 16802, USA. E-mail: khouser@engr.psu.edu Five years ago, I was skeptical about predictions for light emitting diodes (LEDs). I questioned forecasts about the expected rate of adoption, and prophecies about LEDs becoming suitable for nearly every lighting application. It seemed implausible that, in just a few more years, LED lighting solutions would replace incumbent technologies in applications as diverse as office interiors, sport fields, stage and studio, museums, and surgical operating theatres. These applications—office, sports, stage, museums, surgery, and many others— are demanding in different ways, and they seemed too different to be illuminated by one underlying technology. Offices require uniform illumination on the visual tasks and glare control at the source, within rooms that typically have ceiling heights of about 3 m. Sports lighting must also deliver uniform illumination, but the distance between the luminaire and target may exceed 150 m. Stage lighting requires the ability to project deeply saturated light distances of 50 m or more. Museum lighting requires exceptional color rendition, uniformity, and stability, and tight control of the projected beam. Surgical light heads must deliver extremely high illuminance levels of exceptional color quality, without creating unwanted shadows. To my delight, manufacturers have continued to refine, broaden, and improve all aspects of LED lighting systems. LED chips have improved in luminous efficacy, lumen maintenance, and color quality. LED drivers have become more flexible and reliable. End-use controls have advanced. Optics have been developed to harness and control the radiation emitted by LED chips. LED packages have been integrated into luminaires in thoughtful and creative ways. The industry has come a long way in a short-time, from non-compatible kits-of-parts to turn-key solutions that can be specified similarly to other lighting technologies. This isn’t to say that innovation is over, or that LEDs are a mature technology. Far from it. Most LED luminaires mimic the shapes and typologies of existing luminaires. There are still many more LED products of dubious quality than of undeniable merit. Caution and skepticism should still drive specification decisions, and this will be true for quite some time. My surprise comes from the fact that the best-in-class LED products are not just exceptional, they are also better than the fluorescent, metal halide, and halogen products that they are intended to replace. That LEDs can perform so well across such a wide range of applications is evidence of their potential to deliver on the promise of a future illuminated by LEDs.
Binding of Dinuclear Ruthenium Complexes, SWNTs and Nanoparticles for Hybrid Nanocomposite Materials

Integration of nanomaterials into composite systems is the next evolutionary step in nanoscale science. Until recently nanocomposites are formed by embedding nanomaterial components into matrices, through chemical bonding or with various wrapping agents. We seek to show that through directed self assembly nanomaterials can be coupled with photosensitizing ruthenium complexes while avoiding chemical augmentation and insulating effects from polymer, surfactant or DNA wrapping. We have synthesized dinuclear ruthenium complexes (dimers) possessing rigid conjugated π-electron systems that form a nanoscale pocket. The pocket is dimensionally suited to interact strongly with nanomaterials forming an architecture that could facilitate photon collection and charge transfer across the interaction. This study explores the binding interaction of our ruthenium dimers with SWNTs. The binding strength varies relative to the magnitude of formal charge which trends with DFT simulations that predict SWNT dimer interactions. SWNT surface saturation by ruthenium dimers can be observed using UV-visible spectroscopy and characterized with adsorption isotherms. We also explore a new technique to measure nanomaterial interactions, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). We show that ITC can be used to directly measure the binding enthalpy of nano material surface interactions in solution.
Autophagy and phagocytosis converge for better vision

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a single layer of nonregenerating cells essential to homeostasis in the retina and the preservation of vision. While the RPE perform a number of important functions, 2 essential processes are phagocytosis, which removes the most distal tips of the photoreceptors to support disk renewal, and the visual cycle, which maintains the supply of chromophore for regeneration of photo-bleached visual pigments. We recently reported that these processes are linked by a noncanonical form of autophagy termed LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP) in which components of the autophagy pathway are co-opted by phagocytosis to recover vitamin A in support of optimal vision. Here we summarize these findings.
Understanding information preview in mobile email processing

Browsing a collection of information on a mobile device is a common task, yet it can be difficult due to the small size of mobile displays. A common trade-off offered by many current mobile interfaces is to allow users to switch between an overview and detailed views of particular items. An open question is how much preview of each item to include in the overview. Using a mobile email processing task, we attempted to answer that question. We investigated participants' email processing behaviors under differing preview conditions in a semi-controlled, naturalistic study. We collected log data of participants' actual behaviors as well as their subjective impressions of different conditions. Our results suggest that a moderate level of two to three lines of preview should be the default. The overall benefit of a moderate amount of preview was supported by both positive subjective ratings and fewer transitions between the overview and individual items.
Compensatory role of NO in cerebral circulation of piglets chronically treated with indomethacin

We hypothesize that inhibitory effects exist between prostanoids and nitric oxide (NO) in their contributions to cerebral circulation. Piglets (1-4 days old) were divided into three chronically treated (6-8 days) groups: control piglets, piglets treated with indomethacin (75 mg/day), and piglets treated with N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 100 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)). Pial arterioles dilated in response to hypercapnia similarly among the three groups (41 +/- 4, 40 +/- 6, and 45 +/- 11%). Cerebrospinal fluid cAMP increased in control piglets, while cGMP increased in indomethacin-treated piglets. L-NAME, but not 7-nitroindazole, inhibited the response to hypercapnia only in indomethacin-treated piglets (40 +/- 6 vs. 17 +/- 5%). Topical sodium nitroprusside or iloprost restored dilation in response to hypercapnia. Similar results were obtained when the dilator was bradykinin. Pial arterioles of control and L-NAME-treated piglets constricted in response to ACh (-24 +/- 3%). However, those of indomethacin-treated piglets dilated in response to ACh (15 +/- 2%). This dilation was inhibited by L-NAME. NO synthase activity, but not endothelial NO synthase expression, increased after chronic indomethacin treatment. These data suggest that chronic inhibition of cyclooxygenase can increase the contribution of NO to cerebrovascular circulatory control in piglets.
Evaluation of elastic T-stress by the stress difference method

Abstract A simple method, called the stress difference method , is proposed to compute the elastic T -stress at a crack tip, incorporating the iterative single-domain dual-boundary-element method and a tip-node rule imposing zero displacement jump at the crack tip. In this method, the difference between σ 11 and σ 22 at a point ahead of the crack tip is demonstrated to be able to evaluate the elastic T -stress efficiently and accurately, in comparison to the I -integral method. Convergence of the T -stress computed by this method with mesh and spatial distribution of σ 11 − σ 22 near a crack tip was examined to validate the numerical technique for the T -stress. When applying to a thermoelastic crack, the present stress difference method also shows good agreement with the corresponding I -integral method. On the other hand, the present inspection method for the T -stress is obviously more advantageous than the I -integral method because of its simplicity in expression and much less computational effort. It is also shown that the tip-node rule for the crack tip element with regular polynomial interpolation and node distribution offers good estimates of the stress intensity factor, in contrast to the quarter-point element method.
Estimation of a Bernoulli parameter p from imperfect trials

Imperfect Bernoulli trials arise when the outcome of a Bernoulli experiment is not known with certainty. In signal processing, we often need to estimate a probability of occurrence p of an event from imperfect Bernoulli trials. A typical example is the estimation of the probability of a signal being present in noisy data. In his famous essay, Bayes solved the same problem but for perfect trials. In this letter, a solution is provided for imperfect trials. It is shown that it includes Bayes' solution as a special case.
Driving NFL Fan Satisfaction and Return Intentions With Concession Service Quality

Sports organizations have begun to focus on assessing quality. Rising ticket prices, skyrocketing team costs for owners, and increasing competition from other entertainment entities make service quality central. SERVQUAL, as applied to a National Football League (NFL) game day concession experience is discussed in this paper. Studies were conducted at two separate NFL games where total of 558 respondents reported assessments of service quality and important dependent variables. The results help to clarify the impact of key service quality drivers on fan satisfaction and return intentions. Results are reported and conclusions and recommendations are drawn dealing with how fans respond to the key dimensions of service.
Host-pathogen interactions: basic concepts of microbial commensalism, colonization, infection, and disease.

Most of the terminology used to define the host-microbe interaction has been in use for nearly a century. Early in this period, microbes were thought to be primary aggressors that governed the host-pathogen interaction, resulting in disease. Later, new information about the attributes of microbes and their hosts resulted in the understanding that the hostpathogen interaction does not always result in disease. This recognition, in turn, led to the introduction of terms to explain states in which microbes exist within hosts without causing overt disease and why some microbes only cause disease in certain hosts. Commensal, carrier state, and opportunist were terms put forth to account for microbes and conditions that were sometimes associated with disease but for which Koch’s postulates could not be fulfilled for one reason or another. Most of these terms were originally proposed to describe the behavior of particular microbes, rather than to define a more general host-microbe relationship. Recently, we reviewed the concepts of virulence and pathogenicity and described how the definitions for these terms changed over the years as microbiologists tried to find ways to convey that microbial pathogenesis reflects an interaction between two entities, host and pathogen (7). Based on the concept that host damage was the most relevant outcome of the host-pathogen interaction, we proposed revisions to the definitions of the terms pathogen, pathogenicity, and virulence (7). However, the proposed framework suggested a need to reexamine the terms used to define the outcomes of host-microbe interactions. Here, we critically review the origin and historical evolution of key concepts used to describe the outcome of host-microbe interactions, namely, infection, commensalism, colonization, persistence, infection, and disease. We propose that the meaning of these terms can be clarified by placing them in the context of the damage framework put forth previously (7).