cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On-line testing field programmable analog array circuits

This work presents an efficient methodology to on-line test field programmable analog array (FPAA) circuits. It proposes to partition the FPAA circuit under test into sub circuits. Each sub circuit is tested by replicating the sub circuit with programmable resources on FPAAs, and comparing the outputs of the original partitioned sub circuit and its replication. The advantages of this approach includes: low implementation cost, enhanced testability, and flexible testing schedules. This work also presents circuit techniques to address stability problems which are often encountered in the proposed on-line testing approach. In addition, the impact of performing circuit partition on testability is investigated in this work. It shows that testability is generally improved in partitioned circuits. Finally, experimental results are presented to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed techniques.
The need for adaptive dynamic thread scheduling

Earlier studies on Simultaneous Multithreaded (SMT) Architectures showed that performance of a realistic SMT architecture saturates early. This paper addresses our contention that a fixed hardware thread scheduling strategy cannot provide optimal results for various thread combinations. We propose an approach that partially schedules threads in the form of a detector thread at a nominal hardware and software cost. It offers the capability to adaptively switch thread scheduling policies depending on various situations. This article shows that there is much room for performance improvement for our adaptive dynamic thread scheduling approach. The results obtained by simulating a realistic SMT architecture show that 27% is approximately the upper-bound of the performance improvement for SMT with eight contexts. This demonstrates that our approach may significantly improve performance with good low-throughput detection and fetch policy selection heuristics.
Agmatine Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Improves Renal Function in Anti—Thy-1 Glomerulonephritis

Abstract . Changes in the expression of alternate arginine metabolic pathways have been implicated in the pathogenesis of experimental glomerulonephritis. Agmatine, decarboxylated arginine, has been shown in vitro to suppress both inducible nitric oxide synthase and the rate-limiting enzyme of polyamine biosynthesis, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). This study was undertaken to determine whether agmatine administration could reduce tissue injury by decreasing nitric oxide, and reduce cell proliferation, by diminishing ODC activity, in experimental mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (Thy-1 nephritis). Agmatine treatment (50 mg/kg per d intraperitoneally) in Thy-1 nephritis rats prevented a reduction in GFR at day 1. Agmatine treatment decreased nitric oxide production in Thy-1 nephritis rats by 23% and 41% at days 1 and 4, respectively. Agmatine treatment also reduced ODC activity and glomerular 3 H-thymidine incorporation on days 1, 4, and 7. Histologic evaluation revealed a decline in mesangial cell proliferation and extracellular matrix accumulation associated with agmatine treatment administered before or 24 h after Thy-1 antibody, and this was confirmed by a reduction in the number of cells expressing proliferating cell nuclear antigen on days 4 and 7. These studies provide the first in vivo evidence that agmatine administration can reduce cellular proliferation in Thy-1 nephritis and attenuate the initial reduction in renal function associated with this model.
Enhanced external counterpulsation improves endothelial function and exercise capacity in patients with ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction.

Summary Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) therapy decreases angina episodes and improves quality of life in patients with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction (LVD). However, studies have not elucidated the mechanisms of action and overall effects of EECP in patients with LVD. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of EECP on endothelial function in peripheral conduit arteries and exercise capacity (peak Vo2) in patients with LVD. Patients with ischaemic LVD (ejection fraction (EF) 34.5 ± 4.2%; n = 9) and patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD) and preserved LV function (EF 53.5 ± 6.6%; n = 15) were studied before and after 35 sessions (1 h) of EECP. Brachial and femoral artery flow-mediated dilation (bFMD and fFMD, respectively) were evaluated using high-resolution ultrasound. Enhanced external counterpulsation elicited similar significant improvements in the following FMD parameters in the CAD and LVD groups (P ≥ 0.05 between groups for all): absolute bFMD (+53% and +70%, respectively), relative bFMD (+50% and +74%, respectively), bFMD normalized for shear rate (+70% and +61%, respectively), absolute fFMD (+33% and +21%, respectively) and relative fFMD (+32% and +17%, respectively). In addition, EECP significantly improved plasma levels of nitrate/nitrite (+55% and +28%) and prostacyclin (+50% and +70%), as well as peak Vo2 (+36% and +21%), similarly in both the CAD and LVD groups (P ≥ 0.05 between groups for all). Despite reduced LV function, EECP therapy significantly improves peripheral vascular function and functional capacity in CAD patients with ischaemic LVD to a similar degree to that seen in CAD patients with preserved LV function.
Silicon photonics: Silicon's time lens

How can we capture ultrafast optical signals in real time? A time lens is one possibility — able to image the temporal profile of a short optical signal, analogous to a conventional lens. Such a device has now been created on a silicon chip.
Antigen-induced synaptic plasticity in sympathetic ganglia from actively and passively sensitized guinea-pigs

Alterations in synaptic efficacy induced by antigen challenge to isolated superior cervical ganglia (SCG) were monitored by measuring the magnitude of the postganglionic compound action potential (CAP) elicited by electrical stimulation of the cervical sympathetic nerve trunk. Antigen-induced changes in the CAP were measured in SCG removed from actively and from passively sensitized guinea-pigs. Additionally, some SCG were sensitized in vitro by incubating naive ganglia 24 h in serum obtained from actively sensitized animals. Histamine released from SCG upon specific antigenic challenge was measured to assess the effectiveness of the two forms of sensitization. Challenging SCG isolated from passively or actively sensitized animals with the sensitizing antigen, ovalbumin (OVA), produced a sustained potentiation of the CAP lasting longer than 30 min (antigen-induced long-term potentiation, A-LTP) and a net increase in histamine release. Neither the magnitude nor duration of A-LTP induced by passive sensitization differed significantly (p < 0.05) from results after active sensitization. The existence of A-LTP in SCG following passive sensitization indicates that the afferent limb of the immune system is not required for the development of this phenomenon and that the immune cells and the mediators responsible for A-LTP are resident to sympathetic ganglia.
Carnitine and coenzyme Q10 levels in individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome.

Carnitine deficiency or coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) deficiency may present with hypotonia, poor growth, easy fatigability, and apnea. This constellation of findings can also be seen in individuals with Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS). Animal studies indicate that increased fat mass due to obesity negatively correlates with both carnitine and CoQ10 levels in skeletal muscle. Increased body fat and obesity are characteristic of individuals with PWS. Currently, there is no documentation of serum carnitine levels, and only one study investigating plasma CoQ10 levels, in individuals with PWS. Fasting serum carnitine and plasma CoQ10 levels were measured in 40 individuals with molecularly confirmed PWS (ages 1–27 years; 19 F/21 M), 11 individuals with early-onset morbid obesity of unknown etiology (ages 3–13 years; 5 F/6 M), and 35 control siblings from both groups (ages 1–24 years; 19 F/16 M). There were no significant differences among the three groups in either total carnitine, free carnitine, or CoQ10 levels. However, individuals with PWS had higher serum levels of carnitine esters (P = 0.013) and higher ester-to-free carnitine ratios (P = 0.0096) than controls suggesting a possible underlying impairment of peripheral carnitine utilization and mitochondrial energy metabolism in some individuals with PWS. Serum sampling identified no significant differences in total and free carnitine or CoQ10 levels between individuals with PWS, obese individuals, and sibling control groups. Muscle biopsy or measurement in leukocytes or cultured skin fibroblasts could be a better method to identify abnormalities in carnitine and CoQ10 metabolism in individuals with PWS than peripheral blood sampling. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Periocular mucosa-associated lymphoid/low grade lymphomas: treatment with antibiotics.

Purpose To report on the treatment of primary mucosa-associated lymphoid tumors (MALT)/low grade lymphomas of the conjunctiva/orbit treated solely with systemic antibiotics. Design Retrospective interventional case series. Methods Three adult patients with biopsy/marker proven MALT lymphomas of the conjunctiva/orbit were treated with systemic antibiotics and followed for signs of local or systemic relapse. Results All three patients showed a response to antibiotics based on clinical, ultrasonographic, and MRI/CT imaging studies. Two patients have had complete remissions (42 months follow-up) and one a partial remission (18 months). No systemic relapses have occurred. Conclusion MALT/low grade lymphomas of the conjunctiva/orbit respond to systemic antibiotic therapy and may have complete remissions.
The determination of the specific activity of picomolar amounts of long-chain acylcarnitine esters

Abstract Measurement of the specific activity of cellular pools of long-chain acylcarnitines is complicated by interference of other labeled cellular lipids, especially phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin. To overcome these problems the lipid extract from rabbit aorta labeled with [1- 14 C]palmitate was treated with phospholipase C. Upon two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography, the long-chain acylcarnitines could be isolated in an area free of interfering radioactivity. Mobility of long-chain carnitines was inversely proportional to the fatty acid chain length. The amount of long-chain acylcarnitine was quantified from their carnitine content after alkaline hydrolysis using carnitine acetyltransferase.
QUEUE CONTROL UNDER TIME-VARIANT DELAYS: A DISCRETE TIME SYSTEM APPROACH

This paper introduces a discrete time model for time-variant delays and investigates the very nature of such delays. It is shown that a linear system-delay interface is a system theoretic necessity for the construction of composite linear systems with time-variant delays. Based on this analysis, two interfaces of particular importance are presented and used to obtain new, simple to check stability results for queue control systems. The relevance of the presented modeling and stability results on queue control systems to QoS control in modern communication networks is illustrated via several examples.
Mesenchymal stem cells ability to generate traction stress in response to substrate stiffness is modulated by the changing extracellular matrix composition of the heart during development.

Abstract In this study we present a novel method for studying cellular traction force generation and mechanotransduction in the context of cardiac development. Rat hearts from three distinct stage of development (fetal, neonatal and adult) were isolated, decellularized and characterized via mechanical testing and protein compositional analysis. Stiffness increased ∼2-fold between fetal and neonatal time points but not between neonatal and adult. Composition of structural extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins was significantly different between all three developmental ages. ECM that was solubilized via pepsin digestion was cross-linked into polyacrylamide gels of varying stiffness and traction force microscopy was used to assess the ability of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to generate traction stress against the substrates. The response to increasing stiffness was significantly different depending on the developmental age of the ECM. An investigation into early cardiac differentiation of MSCs demonstrated a dependence of the level of expression of early cardiac transcription factors on the composition of the complex ECM. In summary, this study found that complex ECM composition plays an important role in modulating a cell’s ability to generate traction stress against a substrate, which is a significant component of mechanotransductive signaling.
The reaction kinetics of Cu with the CdTe(111)-B surface: Formation of metastable CuxTe(x∼2)

In the present study, elemental Cu is deposited on the clean CdTe(111)-B surface and annealed in vacuum. Surface-composition maps generated by scanning Auger microcopy provide evidence that a reaction occurs between Cu and the CdTe(111)-B substrate that results in the formation of a metastable copper telluride phase Cu(x)Te (x approximately 2) at the surface. In situ thermal-desorption mass spectrometry measurements show that elemental Cd is released during the reaction and desorbs from the surface. Desorption of Te from the substrate is suppressed during the reaction. Analysis of Cd desorption traces demonstrates that the Cu + CdTe(111)-B reaction proceeds via zero-order kinetics, with an activation energy of 180 +/- 5 kJ mol(-1).
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Perception and Knowledge: A Comparison of Hispanic and White College Students in a Hispanic-Serving Institution

There are clear health conditions that disproportionately affect the Hispanic population. One hundred twenty-four (45%) Hispanic and 153 (55%) White college students completed a questionnaire on ca...
DNA-Mediated Charge Transport as a Probe of MutY/DNA Interaction

MutY is an Escherichia coli DNA repair enzyme that binds to 8-oxo-G:A and G:A mismatches and catalyzes the deglycosylation of the mismatched 2‘-deoxyadenosine. We have applied DNA-mediated charge transport to probe the interaction of MutY with its DNA substrate. Oligonucleotides synthesized with a tethered rhodium intercalator and guanine doublets placed before and after the MutY binding site are used to assay for base flipping activity by MutY. On the basis of this assay, we find no evidence that MutY uses progressive base flipping as a means to find its binding site; protein binding does not perturb long-range DNA charge transport. DNA-mediated charge transport can be utilized to promote protein−DNA cross-linking from a distance. Long-range oxidation of 8-oxo-G within the MutY binding site using tethered rhodium intercalators promoted cross-linking and yielded information on MutY side chains that interact with this base. On the basis of photooxidative cross-linking of the wild type but not K142A mutant, it is evident that, within the protein complex, lysine 142 makes important contacts with 8-oxo-G.
Phase-plane solutions to some singular perturbation problems

Abstract We seek asymptotic solutions of the two-point problem ϵ 2 x + f(x) = 0, 0 ⩽ t ⩽ 1, x(0), x(1) prescribed, as the small parameter ϵ tends to zero. In the ( x, ϵ x ) phase plane, solutions generally tend to remain at rest points (x, 0) corresponding to maxima of the potential energy V(x) = ∝x f(s) ds. As ϵ → 0, we (roughly) find that 1. (i) no solutions of bounded variation exist if either V(x(0)) or V(x(1)) exceeds all finite maximum values of V (if any); 2. (ii) if V has a maximum at b with V(x) 3. (iii) if V has a finite number of maxima between x(0) and x(1), there is a unique monotonic solution which remains at these maximum values; 4. (iv) if x(0) and x(1) are contained between successive maximum points d1 and d2 of V with V(d1) = V(d2), there are denumerably many solutions which switch between the values d1 and d2; 5. (v) if x(0) and x(1) are contained between successive points e1 and e2 with V(e1) = V(e2) where e1, but not e2, is a maximum point of V, there are denumerably many solutions with limit e1 almost everywhere in (0, 1).
Vertical integration and economic performance: a managerial capability framework

Despite the indeterminate economic outcomes of vertical integration, several managers and researchers have questioned its viability. The article proposes that a better understanding of the relationship between vertical integration and economic performance may be made by considering the role of managerial capabilities in directing integration. It is argued that a lack of understanding of non‐core businesses and the managerial approach necessary for managing integrated activities contributes to poor integration outcomes. The magnitude of these knowledge deficiencies will be dependent on how far the company moves from its strategic core and on whether corporate managers can abate these deficiencies through knowledge acquisition. Through synthesis of the complex vertical integration literature, a managerial capability framework presents the issues and environmental contingencies involved in the success of the vertical integration effort.
Changes in the Composition and Meltability of Mozzarella Cheese During Contact with Pizza Sauce

Abstract Changes in pH, moisture contents, NaCl, and Ca contents and in the meltability of low moisture, part-skim Mozzarella cheese were investigated during direct contact of cheese with pizza sauce after 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 d of refrigerated storage (4°C). A model system was set up as follows: cheese cubes (1 × 1 × 3 cm) and pizza sauce were combined in sterile Petri dishes at a ratio of 1:2 (wt/wt), and vacuum-packaged. Exposure to pizza sauce significantly decreased cheese pH, NaCl, and Ca contents and increased moisture content. Significant increases occurred concomitantly in the pH and the NaCl and Ca contents of the pizza sauce that was in contact with the cheese. Compared with control cheese samples, cheese samples that were exposed to pizza sauce showed significant decreases, as much as 50%, in meltability after 12 d of storage. The results demonstrated a correlation between changes in various constituents of Mozzarella cheese and cheese meltability.
Design of Zigzag FM Signals

Since no practical method is available for synthesizing radar waveforms, a sizable effort has been directed into studies of the matched-filter response, or ambiguity function, of many waveforms. In this paper, we investigate the class of FM signals whose instantaneous frequency varies in a zigzag pattern. The waveforms thus consist of linear FM segments and are relatively easy to generate and process. The paper discusses the relation between the characteristics of the waveform and the features of the associated ambiguity function. The effects studied include those of signal repetition, changes in the FM slope, phase-shift and frequency-shift coding, and staggering of frequency step and segment duration. Ambiguity functions of interesting waveforms illustrate the general results. These ambiguity functions are computer-plotted projections of the three-dimensional surface above the delay-Doppler plane.
ACTIVATION OF AROMATIC C-H BONDS BY (DMPE)PT(ME)X (X = ME, O2CCF3, OTF) SYSTEMS

A series of complexes (dmpe)Pt(X)2 (X = Me, Cl, O2CCF3, OTf) have been prepared and their thermal stabilities examined. In contrast to (dmpe)Pt(Me)(Cl), which is stable up to 150 °C in benzene solution, thermolysis of (dmpe)Pt(Me)(O2CCF3) in benzene at 125 °C results in methane loss and the formation of (dmpe)Pt(Ph)(O2CCF3) as the major product, along with small amounts of the disproportionation products (dmpe)Pt(O2CCF3)2 and (dmpe)Pt(Ph)2 (8−10%). Kinetic studies in C6H6 and C6D6 indicate that the disappearance of (dmpe)Pt(Me)(O2CCF3) is first-order, with an overall kinetic isotope effect of 3.3(2). Methyl/aryl metathesis rates are not inhibited by added TBA+O2CCF3-. Thermolysis of (dmpe)Pt(Me)2 in benzene at 180 °C for 18 h gave a mixture of unreacted (dmpe)Pt(Me)2 (15%), (dmpe)Pt(Me)(Ph) (51%), and (dmpe)Pt(Ph)2 (34%). Thermolysis of (dmpe)Pt(Me)(O2CCF3) in either 1,2- or 1,4-difluorobenzene at 125 °C afforded 2:1:1 statistical mixtures of (dmpe)Pt(Ar)(O2CCF3), (dmpe)Pt(Ar)2, and (dmpe)Pt(O2CCF3)2 (Ar ...
Intrinsic inference difficulties for trait evolution with Ornstein-Uhlenbeck models

Summary For the study of macroevolution, phenotypic data are analysed across species on a dated phylogeny using phylogenetic comparative methods. In this context, the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck (OU) process is now being used extensively to model selectively driven trait evolution, whereby a trait is attracted to a selection optimum μ. We report here theoretical properties of the maximum-likelihood (ML) estimators for these parameters, including their non-uniqueness and inaccuracy, and show that theoretical expectations indeed apply to real trees. We provide necessary conditions for ML estimators to be well defined and practical implications for model parametrization. We then show how these limitations carry over to difficulties in detecting shifts in selection regimes along a phylogeny. When the phylogenetic placement of these shifts is unknown, we identify a ‘large p - small n’ problem where traditional model selection criteria fail and favour overly complex scenarios. Instead, we propose a modified criterion that is better adapted to change-point models. The challenges we identify here are inherent to trait evolution models on phylogenetic trees when observations are limited to present-day taxa, and require the addition of fossil taxa to be alleviated. We conclude with recommendations for empiricists.
The solution of nonlinear compartmental models

In this paper, a decomposition scheme is presented as an alternate method for solving nonlinear compartmental models and identification problems associated with biomedical systems. The method is demonstrated by considering some models with Michaelis-Menten elimination kinetics that are of practical significance.
Abstract 203: Dynamic biochemical tissue analysis provides a unique method to detect functional in situ L-selectin ligands and unveils intercellular heterogeneity in colon cancer tissues.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC A growing body of evidence suggests that E-,P-, and L-selectin, a family of cell adhesion molecules, engage their ligands on colon cancer cells to initiate adhesion with the blood vessel wall at the secondary site during metastasis. This initial adhesion is a “rolling” adhesion in which selectin/selectin ligand bonds break and reform under forces in hemodynamic flow. Current standards for tissue analyses, such as immunostaining, do not assay for functional in situ selectin ligands, i.e., those that promote rolling. Recently, our lab developed a novel tissue analysis, termed dynamic biochemical tissue analysis (DBTA), which detects functional selectin ligands in situ by probing pathological tissues with selectin-coated microspheres. Due to the application of hydrodynamic flow in the assay, the selectin coated microspheres “roll” on tissue sections presenting functional selectin ligands. When colon cancer tissue sections of diverse histological classifications were probed with L-selectin-coated microspheres in DBTA, functional L-selectin ligands were detected (i.e., L-selectin microspheres rolled on the surface of the tissue sections). Rolling velocities were a function of hemodynamic shear stress, illustrating the unique kinetic and tensile properties of force-dependent L-selectin/L-selectin ligand bonds. More specifically, DBTA preserved the catch-slip behavior of selectin/selectin ligand bonds. That is, rolling became stabilized at physiologic shear stresses between 0.5-0.75 dyne/cm2, but outside this range microsphere rolling was increasingly erratic as bond breakage exceeded bond formation necessary to preserve adhesion. Differences in microsphere rolling velocities varied with position on the tissue surface and thereby demonstrated the heterogeneous expression of functional L-selectin ligands on colon cancer tissues. In summary, DBTA provides a unique method to detect functional in situ L-selectin ligands and unveils intercellular heterogeneity such that, with further development, DBTA may promote potential diagnostics and prognostics for cancer characterization. Citation Format: Grady E. Carlson, Venktesh S. Shirure, Vicente A. Resto, Ramiro Malgor, Douglas J. Goetz, Monica M. Burdick. Dynamic biochemical tissue analysis provides a unique method to detect functional in situ L-selectin ligands and unveils intercellular heterogeneity in colon cancer tissues. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 203. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-203
Suppression of high-fidelity double-strand break repair in mammalian chromosomes by pifithrin-α, a chemical inhibitor of p53

We investigated the effect of pifithrin-alpha (PFTalpha), a chemical inhibitor of p53, on DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair in mammalian chromosomes. Thymidine kinase-deficient mouse fibroblasts were stably transfected with DNA substrates containing one or two recognition sites for yeast endonuclease I-SceI embedded within a herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene. Genomic DSBs were induced by introducing an I-SceI expression plasmid into cells in the presence or absence of 20 microM PFTalpha. From cells containing the DNA substrate with a single I-SceI site we recovered low-fidelity nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) events in which one or more nucleotides were deleted or inserted at the DSB. From cells containing the substrate with two I-SceI sites we recovered high-fidelity DNA end-joining (precise ligation (PL)) events. We found that treatment of cells with PFTalpha caused a 5-10-fold decrease in recovery of PL but decreased recovery of NHEJ by less than two-fold. Deletion sizes associated with NHEJ were unaffected by treatment with PFTalpha. Our work suggests the possibility that p53 facilitates high-fidelity DSB repair while playing little or no role in mutagenic NHEJ.
Remote operation of the Black Knight unmanned ground combat vehicle

The Black Knight is a 12-ton, C-130 deployable Unmanned Ground Combat Vehicle (UGCV). It was developed to demonstrate how unmanned vehicles can be integrated into a mechanized military force to increase combat capability while protecting Soldiers in a full spectrum of battlefield scenarios. The Black Knight is used in military operational tests that allow Soldiers to develop the necessary techniques, tactics, and procedures to operate a large unmanned vehicle within a mechanized military force. It can be safely controlled by Soldiers from inside a manned fighting vehicle, such as the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Black Knight control modes include path tracking, guarded teleoperation, and fully autonomous movement. Its state-of-the-art Autonomous Navigation Module (ANM) includes terrain-mapping sensors for route planning, terrain classification, and obstacle avoidance. In guarded teleoperation mode, the ANM data, together with automotive dials and gages, are used to generate video overlays that assist the operator for both day and night driving performance. Remote operation of various sensors also allows Soldiers to perform effective target location and tracking. This document covers Black Knight's system architecture and includes implementation overviews of the various operation modes. We conclude with lessons learned and development goals for the Black Knight UGCV.
Health plan selection in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

A survey of over 8,500 employees of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) during the May 1982 open season, supplemented by enrollment data for all DHHS employees enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), was used to study insurance plan selection when multiple fee-for-service options as well as HMOs are available. There is evidence of biased selection of health risks in the FEHBP, yet historically the program has exhibited considerable stability. The stability may be attributable partly to control over entry and over changes in benefits and premiums and partly to inertia on the part of enrollees. In spite of large changes in relative premiums and benefits, only 21 percent of all enrollees in the DHHS switched plans during the May 1982 open season. Those employees who did switch plans astutely identified bargains; on average they lowered their annual contribution to premium by almost 40 percent while maintaining the level of benefits. Insurance plans offering relatively generous coverage of a particular service attract a disproportionately high share of enrollees who expect substantial use of that service. The extent of adverse or beneficial selection into HMOs depends on the price and the comprehensiveness of benefits of each available fee-for-service option.
A novel class of winged helix–turn–helix protein: the DNA–binding domain of Mu transposase

Abstract Background: Mu transposase (MuA) is a multidomain protein encoded by the bacteriophage Mu genome. It is responsible for translocation of the Mu genome, which is the largest and most efficient transposon known. While the various domains of MuA have been delineated by means of biochemical methods, no data have been obtained to date relating to its tertiary structure. Results We have solved the three–dimensional solution structure of the DNA–binding domain (residues 1–76; MuA 76 ) of MuA by multidimensional heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy. The structure consists of a three–membered α –helical bundle buttressed by a three–stranded antiparallel β –sheet. Helices H1 and H2 and the seven–residue turn connecting them comprise a helix–turn–helix (HTH) motif. In addition, there is a long nine–residue flexible loop or wing connecting strands B2 and B3 of the sheet. NMR studies of MuA 76 complexed with a consensus DNA site from the internal activation region of the Mu genome indicate that the wing and the second helix of the HTH motif are significantly perturbed upon DNA binding. Conclusion While the general appearance of the DNA–binding domain of MuA 76 is similar to that of other winged HTH proteins, the connectivity of the secondary structure elements is permuted. Hence, the fold of MuA 76 represents a novel class of winged HTH DNA–binding domain.
Operationalizing conversation in studies of instructional effect in L2 pragmatics

Abstract This paper examines how conversation is operationalized in studies that investigate the effect of instruction on L2 pragmatics. This survey of 81 instructional effect studies published from 2000 to 2013 considers the operationalization of conversation at three points in the design of such studies: the task(s) used for evaluation, the input used as models, and the activities used for practice. The findings suggest that how conversation is operationalized is a variable that should be taken into account to better understand the range of outcomes reported by studies of how instruction affects development of L2 pragmatics.
Refined crystal structure of adenylosuccinate synthetase from Escherichia coli complexed with hydantocidin 5'-phosphate, GDP, HPO4(2-), Mg2+, and hadacidin.

A crystal structure of adenylosuccinate synthetase from Escherichia coli, complexed with 5‘-phosphate, GDP, HPO42-, Mg2+, and hadacidin at 100 K, has been refined to an Rfactor of 0.195 against data to 2.6 A resolution. Bond lengths and angles deviate from expected values by 0.012 A and 1.86°, respectively. Lys 16 and backbone amides 15−17 and 42 interact with the phosphates of GDP, while Ser 414, Asp 333, and backbone amides 331 and 416 interact with the base. Mg2+ is octahedrally coordinated. Oxygen atoms from GDP, phosphate, and hadacidin define the equatorial plane of coordination of the Mg2+, while backbone carbonyl 40 and the side chain of Asp 13 are the apical ligands. HPO42- hydrogen bonds with Lys 16, His 41, backbone amides 13, 40, and 224, and the base moiety of the hydantocidin inhibitor. The carboxylate of hadacidin interacts with Arg 303 and Thr 301; its N-formyl group coordinates to Mg2+, and its hydroxyl group hydrogen bonds with Asp 13. The 5‘-phosphate of the hydantocidin inhibitor inter...
Duality invariance in four-dimensional N=2 supergravity

The consequences of duality invariance for {ital N}=2 supergravity coupled to vector multiplets are explored. A nonlinear equation for the prepotential is derived.
Molecular Studies on the Microbial Diversity Associated with Mining-Impacted Coeur d’Alene River Sediments

The prokaryotic diversity associated with highly metal-contaminated sediment samples collected from the Coeur d’Alene River (CdAR) was investigated using a cultivation-independent approach. Bacterial community structure was studied by constructing an RNA polymerase beta subunit (rpoB) gene library. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 75.8% of the rpoB clones were associated with β-Proteobacteria while the remaining 24.2% were with γ-Proteobacteria. All phylotypes showed close similarity to previously reported cultivable lineages from metal or organic contaminant-rich environments. In an archaeal 16S rRNA gene library, 70% of the clones were affiliated to Crenarchaeota, while 30% belonged to Euryarchaeota. Most of the Euryarchaeota sequences were related to acetoclastic lineages belonging to Methanosarcinales. A single phylotype within the Euryarchaeota showed no association with cultivable euryarchaeotal lineages and might represent novel taxon. Diversity indices demonstrated greater diversity of Bacteria compared to Archaea in CdAR sediments. Sediment characterization by the X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy revealed high amount of toxic metals. To our knowledge, this is the first culture-independent survey on the prokaryotic diversity present in mining-impacted sediments of CdAR.
Aerosolization of infectious virus by excimer laser

Purpose To determine the potential for aerosolization of infectious virus present within the tear film during excimer laser photoablation of the cornea. Methods Cell monolayers infected with herpes simplex virus or adenovirus, simulating virus-infected corneas, were ablated with the 193-nm excimer laser. Adjacent dishes containing noninfected cell monolayers were subsequently assayed for viral infection. Results Viral spread to sentinel dishes occurred with both herpes simplex and adenovirus. The titer of virus present in the infected cell monolayers influenced the likelihood of spread to adjacent dishes. The presence of a vacuum aspiration system appeared to influence the direction of virus spread, with dishes located in the direction of the vacuum most likely to contain virus. Conclusions The potential for aerosolization of infectious virus exists with photoablation using a large-diameter excimer laser beam. Our experimental design, however, does not prove that spread of infectious virus is likely to occur in the clinical setting. Appropriate measures should be taken to reduce the possibility of the spread of virus from the patient to the surgeon, other medical staff, or other patients.
Relationships Between Craving Beliefs and Abstinence Self-Efficacy are Mediated by Smoking Motives and Moderated by Nicotine Dependence.

Introduction Decreased abstinence self-efficacy is linked to increased craving and negative affect, as well as poorer smoking outcomes, such as lapse, relapse, and withdrawal symptom severity. Research suggests that beliefs and cognitions concerning ourselves and the world orient us toward specific goals and thus impact our judgments and behavior. This study serves to investigate whether motives for smoking mediate the relationship between beliefs about craving and abstinence self-efficacy judgments and whether this may differ by nicotine dependence. Methods In a sample of 198 smokers (M age = 34.96, 51.8% female, 81.8% Caucasian), self-report measures of craving beliefs, situational abstinence self-efficacy, and smoking motives were measured. We examined the effect of beliefs on abstinence self-efficacy in both craving and negative affect situations, with craving and negative reinforcement smoking motives as mediators, and nicotine dependence as a moderator. Results Results indicate that craving beliefs predict lower abstinence self-efficacy judgments in craving situations indirectly through increased craving motives. However, this relationship was only significant for less dependent smokers. Additionally, regardless of nicotine dependence, craving beliefs predicted lower abstinence self-efficacy in negative affect situations via increased negative reinforcement smoking motives. Conclusions These findings suggest that beliefs concerning the specific nature of craving correlate with smoking motives (ie, smoking goals) and thus abstinence self-efficacy judgments. Furthermore, these associations are stronger for less dependent smokers. Such findings suggest the importance of addressing craving beliefs during smoking cessation treatment, especially for less dependent smokers whose craving beliefs are associated with abstinence self-efficacy across multiple situations.
Properties of feedback neural networks studied from discrete algebra and N-dimension geometry

Hopfield net is a typical example of a one-layer, feed-back neural network containing a layer of binary neurons and a linear feed-back matrix - the connection matrix. It was first formulated by Hopfield using nonlinear-differential equations and later by Grossberg using differential-integral equations. The nonlinear properties of the network derived form these formulations are scarce and non-systematic because of the difficulty of obtaining the complete solutions form these formulations. We use a simple discrete- algebra formulation which contains only one nonlinear operator - the threshold-logic operator, or the SGN operator. Many interesting and systematic anomalous nonlinear properties can then be derived. These properties include, eigen-state storage, associative storage, domain of attraction, content-addressable recall, fault-tolerant recall, capacity of storage, binary oscillating states, limit-cycles in the state space, and noise-sensitive input states. This paper will describe the physical origins of these anomalous nonlinear properties and the simplified mathematical analysis that leads to the derivation of these properties.
Widespread Presence of Human BOULE Homologs among Animals and Conservation of Their Ancient Reproductive Function

Sex-specific traits that lead to the production of dimorphic gametes, sperm in males and eggs in females, are fundamental for sexual reproduction and accordingly widespread among animals. Yet the sex-biased genes that underlie these sex-specific traits are under strong selective pressure, and as a result of adaptive evolution they often become divergent. Indeed out of hundreds of male or female fertility genes identified in diverse organisms, only a very small number of them are implicated specifically in reproduction in more than one lineage. Few genes have exhibited a sex-biased, reproductive-specific requirement beyond a given phylum, raising the question of whether any sex-specific gametogenesis factors could be conserved and whether gametogenesis might have evolved multiple times. Here we describe a metazoan origin of a conserved human reproductive protein, BOULE, and its prevalence from primitive basal metazoans to chordates. We found that BOULE homologs are present in the genomes of representative species of each of the major lineages of metazoans and exhibit reproductive-specific expression in all species examined, with a preponderance of male-biased expression. Examination of Boule evolution within insect and mammalian lineages revealed little evidence for accelerated evolution, unlike most reproductive genes. Instead, purifying selection was the major force behind Boule evolution. Furthermore, loss of function of mammalian Boule resulted in male-specific infertility and a global arrest of sperm development remarkably similar to the phenotype in an insect boule mutation. This work demonstrates the conservation of a reproductive protein throughout eumetazoa, its predominant testis-biased expression in diverse bilaterian species, and conservation of a male gametogenic requirement in mice. This shows an ancient gametogenesis requirement for Boule among Bilateria and supports a model of a common origin of spermatogenesis.
Stochastic failure of isotropic, brittle materials with uniform porosity

Abstract Porous materials present serious technological constraints on all applications, such as battery electrodes, solid oxide fuel cells, synthetic bone grafts, filters, pharmaceutical powder compacts and feed pellets. Despite the significance of reliability in brittle materials, current literature is limited in pore–pore interaction effects on fracture statistics of brittle porous materials (BPMs). In this paper, a two-dimensional finite element (FE) simulation-based approach was developed to assess the pore–pore interactions and their impact on fracture statistics of isotropic microstructures. The classical fracture mechanics approach was combined with FE simulations that account for the interactions to predict the decrease in the fracture stress with increasing porosity. Rules were directly compared against experimental data for porous polycrystalline alumina, hydroxyapatite, and all the other data combined in Fig. 6 . The maximum reliability of BPMs was shown to be limited by the underlying pore–pore interactions. Weibull modulus decreased more than threefold for a change in porosity from 1 to 2 vol.%. The Weibull moduli were between 7 and 18 in the range of 2–31 vol.% porosity. Even the microstructures with the same porosity level and size of pores showed substantial differences in fracture strength.
Reversible photoswitchable wettability in noncovalently assembled multilayered films.

Reversible and irreversible photoinduced changes in surface wettability were observed in noncovalently assembled multilayered films. The multilayered films studied were fabricated from a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) consisting of 4-(10-mercaptodecyloxy)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid on gold, Cu(II) ions complexed to the pyridine head group of the SAM, and either cis- (film 1) or trans- (film 2) stilbene-4,4‘-dicarboxylic acid complexed to the Cu(II) ions. Irradiation of film 1 at wavelengths corresponding to the absorption band of the cis-stilbene isomer resulted in an irreversible chemical change and an irreversible increase in wettability, as indicated by surface contact angle and grazing incidence IR measurements. However, no evidence for cis-/trans-photoisomerization was observed. Films 3 and 4, similar to films 1 and 2 in that they consist of an underlying SAM, an intermediate layer consisting of Cu(II) ions, and either cis- or trans-stilbene-4,4‘-dicarboxylic acid as the capping ligand, were fabri...
Cardiac output, coronary flow, ventricular fibrillation and survival following varying degrees of myocardial contusion.

Abstract Varying degrees of myocardial contusion was produced in 10 dogs. Two animals died of left ventricular rupture. Six of the other eight developed ventricular fibrillation. Depression of cardiac output was significantly correlated with percentage myocardial contusion. None of the hemodynamic effects of contusion could be attributed to alterations in coronary flow to contused or non-contused portions of the heart. Attempts to quantitate degree of myocardial contusion may be useful in patients with blunt chest trauma.
Specific Nucleoprotein Residues Affect Influenza Virus Morphology

Influenza virus strains are often pleiomorphic, a characteristic that is largely attributed to specific residues in matrix protein 1 (M1). Although the mechanism by which M1 controls virion morphology has not yet been defined, it is suggested that the M1 interaction with other viral proteins plays an important role. In this study, we rescued recombinant virus WSN-AichiM1 containing the spherical A/WSN/33 (WSN) backbone and the M1 protein from A/Aichi/2/68 (Aichi). Aichi M1 differs from WSN M1 by 7 amino acids but includes those identified to be responsible for filamentous virion formation. Interestingly, Aichi virus produced spherical virions, while WSN-AichiM1 exhibited a long filamentous morphology, as detected by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. Additional incorporation of Aichi nucleoprotein (NP) but not the hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), or M2 gene to WSN-AichiM1 abrogated filamentous virion formation, suggesting that specific M1-NP interactions affect virion morphology. Further characterization of viruses containing WSN/Aichi chimeric NPs identified residues 214, 217, and 253 of Aichi NP as necessary and sufficient for the formation of spherical virions. NP residues 214 and 217 localize at the minor groove between the two opposite-polarity NP helical strands of viral ribonucleocapsids, and residue 253 also localizes near the surface of the groove. These findings indicate that NP plays a critical role in influenza virus morphology, possibly through its interaction with the M1 layer during virus budding.
W-Band Oscillator on Metamorphic HEMT

We present for the first time an un-buffered W-Band oscillator on a Metamorphic HEMT GaAs substrate. The oscillator has an output power of +1.5 dBm and a phase noise of ?101 dBc/Hz at a 1 MHz offset. This oscillator will be part of an integrated monolithic front end.
Direct Transportation Economic Impacts of Highway Networks Disruptions Using Public Data from the United States

This article presents a sequential method to estimate the direct transportation economic impacts (DTEI) related to transportation due to disruptions in highway networks used by trucks and cars. The main input is the Freight Analysis Framework version 3, best public data for truck movements in the United States. The method considers multicommodity flows in an equilibrium framework, associates monetary values to changes in traffic conditions that are specific to each user type, and links truck flows with commodity flows. This approach can consider transportation analysis zones smaller than those presented in the Freight Analysis Framework. A real-world numerical example is presented to estimate the DTEI due to severe floods that occurred in 2008 and disrupted key segments of the highway network in the northwestern Indiana region.
Lipid biosynthesis in the boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boheman) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): distribution of radioactivity in the principal lipid classes synthesized from C14-1-acetate.

Abstract 1. 1. The boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, synthesized fatty acids and hydrocarbons from acetate. The fatty acids were rapidly esterified with glycerol and sterol or were incorporated into the phospholipid fraction. Radioactivity was not incorporated into the sterol fraction, an indication of the absence of sterol biosynthesis from acetate. 2. 2. The feeding history and developmental state of the adult boll weevil determined the eventual location of the newly synthesized fatty acids. Newly emerged unfed adults incorporated the fatty acids principally into the phospholipids. In insects injected with radiolabeled acetate after several days of feeding, the new fatty acids were distributed to the glycerides. 3. 3. Larvae fed a diet containing labeled acetate had an entirely different labeling pattern with much higher amounts of C14 appearing in the free fatty acid fraction.