cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How much can vehicle emissions be reduced? Exploratory analysis of an upper boundary using an emissions-optimized trip assignment

The development of a trip-assignment model designed to systematically compute emissions-optimized traffic flows for carbon monoxide is explored. Then the exploratory theoretical emissions-optimized trip-assignment model is used to estimate the maximum carbon monoxide emissions reductions under varying congestion levels on a hypothetical network. The experimental results indicate moderate reductions in system-level vehicle emissions under emissions-optimized trip assignment compared with the conventional time-dependent user-equilibrium and system-optimized models. They suggest a possible method for approximating an upper boundary of expected emissions reductions using the standard travel-demand model with a modified trip-assignment objective function. The approximate boundary is useful as an estimate of emissions reductions that might be possible under optimal conditions (e.g., drivers choose emissions-optimized routes, fully implemented intelligent transportation systems, etc.). In other words, the upper boundary suggests that current traffic optimization strategies may be insufficient to fully remedy air quality problems created by mobile-source emissions.
Yb/GaAs (110): the pinning behavior of the rare earth GaAs interface

Abstract The effect of the room temperature interaction of an increasing coverage of the rare earth metal, Yb, on the Fermi level pinning behavior of n-GaAs (110) has been studied in detail. Soft X-ray photoemission spectroscopy was used to obtain information on the variation of the Fermi level position in the band gap via photoelectron emission from the As 3d and Ga 3d core level states. Both As and Ga interact with the overlayer to such a degree that we have used two independent methodologies to obtain a reliable estimate of the Schottky barrier height. The established limits for the barrier height are 0.61–0.72 eV. The results of this study show that the pinning position of the Fermi level is established well before the interface constituents are fully reacted and is stable for higher overlayer coverages. The Schottky barrier height is consistent with the low electronegativity of the rare earth metals.
Are Statistics Labs Worth the Effort?--Comparison of Introductory Statistics Courses Using Different Teaching Methods

This paper compares the academic performance of students in three similar elementary statistics courses taught by the same instructor, but with the lab component differing among the three. One course is traditionally taught without a lab component; the second with a lab component using scenarios and an extensive use of technology, but without explicit coordination between lab and lecture; and the third using a lab component with an extensive use of technology that carefully coordinates the lab with the lecture. Extensive use of technology means, in this context, using Minitab software in the lab section, doing homework and quizzes using MyMathlab ©, and emphasizing interpretation of computer output during lectures. Initially, an online instrument based on Gardner’s multiple intelligences theory, is given to students to try to identify students’ learning styles and intelligence types as covariates. An analysis of covariance is performed in order to compare differences in achievement. In this study there is no attempt to measure difference in student performance across the different treatments. The purpose of this study is to find indications of associations among variables that support the claim that statistics labs could be associated with superior academic achievement in one of these three instructional environments. Also, this study tries to identify individual student characteristics that could be associated with superior academic performance. This study did not find evidence of any individual student characteristics that could be associated with superior achievement. The response variable was computed as percentage of correct answers for the three exams during the semester added together. The results of this study indicate a significant difference across these three different instructional methods, showing significantly higher mean scores for the response variable on students taking the lab component that was carefully coordinated with lecture. The authors acknowledge limitations of this study; however, their findings are in agreement with their classroom experience.
Protection of signal processing at low temperature in baroreceptive neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarius of Syrian hamsters, a hibernating species

We previously described synaptic currents between baroreceptor fibers and second-order neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) that were larger in Syrian hamsters than in rats. This suggest...
Is there a unique operator for the phase difference of two quantum fields

The recent operational approach to the phase operator of a quantized electromagnetic field is applied to the problem of determining the phase difference between two weak coherent fields in two different ways. The phase difference is determined directly, and indirectly by measuring each field in turn against the field of a strong local oscillator. We show by measurements with an eight-port interferometer that these two different schemes lead to quite different outcomes for the probability distribution of the phase difference, in agreement with our theory, but in disagreement with most other theoretical approaches.
Ultradense GaN nanopillar and nanopore arrays by self-assembly nanopatterning

We report on the details of controlled fabrication of highly crystalline gallium nitride (GaN) two-dimensional highly periodic ultradense nanopore and nanopillar arrays by self-assembly nanopatterning. Nanopore synthesis relies on the use of anodized alumina oxide template as a mask for dry etching of GaN top surface using chlorine gas. The inverse patterning is accomplished by site-selective deposition of metal nanodot array by e-beam evaporation of Ni through the pores of the template; after which the template is removed and dry etching is performed. The formed patterns demonstrate an excellent hexagonal order and uniformity according to fast Fourier transformation performed. The presented approach is robust, highly reproducible, and technically undemanding. Moreover, unreduced crystallinity of the produced nanopillars and nanopores was confirmed with Raman measurements, which suggests their possible use as future substrates for engineering advanced nano-optoelectronic devices and sensors.
Overexpression of Bax sensitizes prostate cancer cells to TGF-β induced apoptosis

NRP-154 is a tumorigenic epithelial cell line derived from the preneoplastic dorsal-lateral prostate of rats. These cells are exquisitely sensitive to TGF-beta induced apoptosis. In contrast, we find that NRP-154 cells can sustain overexpression of exogenous Bax protein, which is different from non-tumor cells where Bax functions as a ubiquitous stimulator of apoptosis. NRP-154 cells stably overexpressing Bax show increased sensitivity to TGF-beta induced apoptosis. The degree of TGF-beta induced apoptosis displays high correlation with cleavage of Bax at the amino-terminus. Our data indicate that prostate cancer cells can host high levels of latent Bax which can be activated through post-translational modification.
Depositions: An Apologia

Depositions (pre-hearing oral interrogations of opposing witnesses) are characteristic of American litigation. They are being imported into some international commercial arbitrations, by contract and by US statute, over the principled objections of civil lawyers and the practical objections of most international arbitration practitioners. American-style ‘discovery’ should certainly not be imported whole into international arbitration. Depositions, though, under proper circumstances and control, can be effective and cost-effective.
Machine scheduling models in environmentally focused chemical manufacturing

A case problem involving the strategic repositioning of a chemical finishing operation from long cycle, make-to-stock production of high volume commodity products, to short cycle, make-to-order production of low volume speciality products is described. The focus of the analysis is on makespan feasible scheduling of parallel mixers over a short ordering cycle to minimize the resultant waste solvent stream. A model of the physical manufacturing process with respect to the scheduling criteria is described. This model is used in conjunction with a multi-start descent scheduling algorithm based on dispatching rules for clustering and sequencing followed by local improvement based on random numbers. A series of computational studies using the algorithm in conjunction with data from the case problem are described. Implementation issues associated with the case problem are emphasized.
WANG YANG-MING: A PHILOSOPHER OF PRACTICAL ACTION

Dans le systeme philosophique de Wang Yang-Ming, l'esprit subjectif est necessairement lie au monde exterieur a travers l'action pratique, et non pas par l'investigation des choses externes. L'A. analyse les deux doctrines les plus importantes du philosophe: l'extension de la connaissance morale innee, et l'unite de la connaissance de l'action
Unpolymerized tubulin modulates the level of tubulin mRNAs

Although numerous studies have suggested ways in which the assembly of cytoskeletal proteins can be regulated physiologically, less information has been generated on the regulation of the synthesis of these proteins. Ben-Ze'ev et al. recently suggested that the synthesis of tubulin in mouse 3T6 cells is affected by the state of assembly of microtubules. We have investigated the level at which this apparent modulation of tubulin synthesis takes place, using cloned cDNA probes for alpha- and beta-tubulin mRNAs to measure the amounts of tubulin mRNAs combined with immunoprecipitation of tubulin to monitor the rate of protein synthesis. We have found that in many, but not all, cell types tubulin synthesis decreases very rapidly in response to microtubule inhibitors that increase the monomer pool. This decline in synthesis is associated with decline in the amounts of both alpha- and beta-tubulin mRNAs. Kinetic studies of tubulin protein synthesis and RNA levels suggest that the tubulin monomer may regulate the rate of tubulin mRNA transcription. It is likely that tubulin synthesis can be shut off quickly in the cell as the result of short half-lives of the tubulin mRNAs, which may be as short as 1--2 hr. These data suggest that the cell exploits the instability of the tubulin mRNAs as a means to regulate precise levels of the monomer-tubulin pool.
Resource allocation and voter calculus in a multicandidate election

This paper links campaign resources and voter calculus through a microeconomic optimization framework. I assume that candidate policy positions are fixed while personal valence scores and the salience of issue dimensions are malleable. Low valence candidates with many proximate competitors in the policy space will focus on building valence. High valence candidates who are relatively “unclustered” in the policy space will focus on manipulating issue salience. Resources devoted to diminishing others’ valence scores will increase as the number of viable candidates decreases. The model’s results are tested, where feasible, using data from the Democratic Party primary of 2004.
Customer coalitions in the electronic marketplace

In the last few years, the electronic marketplace has witnessed an exponential growth in worth and size, and projections are for this trend to intensify in coming years While the Internet offers great possiblities for creation of spontaneous communities, this potential has not been explored as a means for creating economies of scale among similar-minded customers This demonstration (TSCYOO) ’ will illustrate the economic incentives behind formation of buying clubs and achivement of effect of economies of scale within temporary agent coalitions The demonstration will also focus on coalition formation mechanisms for creation of such buying clubs
Human gastric emptying and colonic filling of solids characterized by a new method

Our first aim was to compare 111In-labeled Amberlite IR-12OP resin pellets and 131I-labeled fiber in the assessment of gastric and small bowel transit and colonic filling in healthy humans. Both radiolabels were highly stable for 3 h in an in vitro stomach model and remained predominantly bound to solid phase of stools collected over 5 days [90.5 +/- 2.1 (SE)% for 131I and 87.4 +/- 1.4% for 111In). The lag phase of gastric emptying was shorter for 111In-pellets (30 +/- 11 min compared with 58 +/- 12 min for 131I-fiber, P less than 0.05). However, the slope of the postlag phase of gastric emptying and the half time of small bowel transit were not significantly different for 111In-pellets and 131I-fiber. Filling of the colon was characterized by bolus movements of the radiolabel (10-80% range, 26% mean) followed by plateaus (periods of no movement of isotope into colon lasting 15-120 min, range; 51 min, mean). Half of the bolus movements occurred within 1 h of the intake of a second meal. Thus 111In-labeled Amberlite pellets provide an excellent marker for the study of gastric and small bowel transit and colonic filling in humans. The ileum acts as a reservoir and transfers boluses of variable sizes into the colon, often soon after the intake of a subsequent meal.
Perceptual constancy for phonemic categories: A developmental study with normal and language impaired children.

Six synthesized consonant-vowel syllables, three containing the phoneme /b/ in different vowel contexts and three the phoneme /d/, were presented randomly to developmental dysphasics and normal children. The ability to recognize that these six acoustically different stimuli shared two common phonemic categories (perceptual constancy) was investigated using nonverbal operantly conditioned response techniques. Results showed that although several children in both groups had difficulty with the task, the dysphasic group's performance was significantly poorer than the controls. Whereas the normal children improved significantly with age, the dysphasics did not. The results of this study suggest that speech perception, rather than being fully developed in infancy, changes throughout language development. By using procedures which have proven suitable for testing infants, with young children at various stages of language development, more might be learned about how the acoustic signal is encoded into speech and language and how this encoding changes throughout development or is disturbed in language disorders.
The brain of Echiniscus viridissimus Peterfi, 1956 (Heterotardigrada): a key to understanding the phylogenetic position of tardigrades and the evolution of the arthropod head

Abstract The brain of Echiniscus viridissimus , Peterfi, 1956 is composed of a series of orthogonally arranged neuropils. The most anterior neuropils are circumbuccal, positioned dorso- and ventrolateral to the buccal tube and are associated with ganglia for sensory receptors of the mouth cone. Posterior to these are neuropils and ganglia for the (1) internal cirri and (2) cephalic papillae, external cirri, cirri A and clavae. They are joined by two pairs of vertical tracts to neuropils lateral to the buccal tube. A model based on the postcephalic organization of the tardigrade nervous system is used to propose a transformation of segmental ganglia that gives an arrangement congruent with the pattern of neuropils in the brain. The analysis suggests that the brain is derived from nervous elements of four segments with the fourth segment having contributed paired dorsal ganglia and their connecting vertical tracts to the first trunk ganglia of the ventral chain. The organization of the head of tardigrades is compared with that of other lobopods and arthropods and several possible key evolutionary innovations are offered. In addition homologous characters for the heads of tardigrades and other lobopods and arthropods are proposed and the nomenclature for the tardigrade cephalic nervous system is discussed.
EFFECTS OF ACHIEVEMENT GOALS ON PERCEPTIONS OF SUCCESS AND ACHIEVEMENT EMOTIONS IN MINORITY CHILDREN

Obesity is a global epidemic even more so for some minority groups. Physical activity is one arm in the fight against obesity. Research has demonstrated that engagement in physical activity is predicted by positive emotions and perceptions; thus, the activity chosen to help burn calories must be enjoyable for sustained engagement. The present experiment examined the effects of manipulated achievement goal climates (mastery, performance approach and performance avoidance) on perception of success and discrete achievement emotions in Hispanic and African-American 4 th and 5 th grade students. After performing a dribbling task, perception of success, pride, shame, and frustration were assessed. After accounting for the children’s performance expectancies, the mastery participants reported greater perceptions of success (p<.05) as well as less frustration (p<.05) compared to the performance groups. Taken together, the present experiment suggested that the manipulation of the trichotomous goals significantly affects perceptions of success and the discrete achievement of frustration. Some support was found for pride. Future experimental research in a variety of population samples is warranted to clarify and extend achievement goal and discrete achievement emotion relationships with physical activity participation.
Pseudomyxoma peritonei: a review

Pseudomyxoma peritonei is an uncommon clinical entity. It is characterized by massive abdominal distension by gelatinous material. It is produced by mucous-secreting peritoneal implants which are secondary, usually, to an ovarian or appendiceal neoplasm. Although remaining localized to the peritoneal cavity and hence thought to be a benign process, the clinical course of the disease, the association, in the majority of cases, with a malignant primary tumor, and the report of a small number of cases with extraperitoneal spread lends support to the belief that this is a malignant disease. Five-year survival is 68% with ten-year survival at 52%. Despite the utilization of numerous adjuvant therapies, the mainstay of treatment remains complete surgical debulking at initial presentation followed by palliative debulking for symptomatic relief.
Adenoviral Pancreatitis in Rhesus Monkeys: Current Knowledge

Features and pathogenesis of adenoviral pancreatitis in rhesus monkeys were studied with an immunofluorescence staining procedure on tissues from two previously documented cases. Fluorescing adenovirus antigen in epithelial cells of the pancreatic ducts, duodenum, and jejunum suggests that under as yet undefined conditions, a primary adenovirus infection of the gastrointestinal tract ascends to the pancreatic parenchyma via pancreatic ducts. In a retrospective survey, over 3,000 microslides of pancreas taken at necropsy from several species of nonhuman primates (1,002 animals) were studied to determine the incidence of and species susceptibility to adenoviral pancreatitis. Other than the two documented cases from our files, we found comparable lesions in only one rhesus monkey. Adenoviral pancreatitis seems to be a distinct entity in rhesus monkeys, and it should be considered when pancreatitis is found in this species. Our findings also suggest a possible viral cause for some cases of pancreatitis in man.
Mss51p and Cox14p jointly regulate mitochondrial Cox1p expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Mutations in SURF1, the human homologue of yeast SHY1, are responsible for Leigh's syndrome, a neuropathy associated with cytochrome oxidase (COX) deficiency. Previous studies of the yeast model of this disease showed that mutant forms of Mss51p, a translational activator of COX1 mRNA, partially rescue the COX deficiency of shy1 mutants by restoring normal synthesis of the mitochondrially encoded Cox1p subunit of COX. Here we present evidence showing that Cox1p synthesis is reduced in most COX mutants but is restored to that of wild type by the same mss51 mutation that suppresses shy1 mutants. An important exception is a null mutation in COX14, which by itself or in combination with other COX mutations does not affect Cox1p synthesis. Cox14p and Mss51p are shown to interact with newly synthesized Cox1p and with each other. We propose that the interaction of Mss51p and Cox14p with Cox1p to form a transient Cox14p–Cox1p–Mss51p complex functions to downregulate Cox1p synthesis. The release of Mss51p from the complex occurs at a downstream step in the assembly pathway, probably catalyzed by Shy1p.
Automatic deletion of obsolete information

Information generated in a programming environment is often allowed to grow indefinitely. Designer and user alike are counting on standard backup and disc clearing procedures for archiving old data. In this paper we take the view that one should distinguish between relevant old data that is purposely archived and obsolete information that should automatically be deleted. The two main topics of the paper are the strategies and mechanisms for deleting information and the facilities available to designers of programming environments to specify deletion strategies. Information can be deleted applying a passive or an active strategy. With the passive strategy, information will not actually be deleted until it is certain that there is no interest in it any longer. With the active strategy, an object is immediately deleted when it becomes obsolete, while users of the object are notified of the deletion event. The paper discusses various implementations for these two strategies and shows when they apply. Taking the view that it must be easy to modify and fine tune programming environments, much attention must be given to the designer's support environment for generating programming environments. The paper discusses in particular the facilities for expressing the semantics of names in an environment. Various naming modes are useful for a designer to specify the deletion strategies for his target programming environment. Details are illustrated by applying the ideas to an environment for software development and maintenance.
Complement C3 mediated targeting of liposomes to granulocytic myeloid derived suppressor cells

Abstract In cancer patients, granulocytic myeloid derived suppressor cells (G-MDSCs) expand in number, infiltrating tumor and lymphatic tissues where they suppress an anti-tumor immune response. We report here the development of a liposomal drug delivery system that selectively targets G-MDSCs. The liposomes form a disulfide bond with activated complement C3 after intravenous injection and are taken up by G-MDSCs, which express the receptor for activated C3. In vitro experiments utilizing serum from a C3 knockout mouse demonstrate that G-MDSCs take up these liposomes in a C3-dependent manner. After systemic administration to tumor bearing mice, liposomes were incorporated by 22% of G-MDSCs in the blood and were also present in a percentage of G-MDSCs in the tumor (11%), spleen (22%), liver (35%) and lungs (26%). This liposomal system offers a versatile means of targeted drug delivery to G-MDSCs and could be an important tool for restoring anti-tumor immunity in cancer patients. From the Clinical Editor It has been shown that the presence of granulocytic myeloid derived suppressor cells (G-MDSCs) in cancer patients suppress the tumor immune response of T cells. Many drugs can be used to reverse this process. In this article, the authors describe the development of a liposomal drug delivery system for targeted drug delivery to G- MDSCs. This system may prove to be useful adjunct in immunotherapy in the fight against cancers.
Members of a Novel Family of Mammalian Protein Kinases Complement the DNA-Negative Phenotype of a Vaccinia Virus ts Mutant Defective in the B1 Kinase

Temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants of vaccinia virus defective in the B1 kinase demonstrate a conditionally lethal defect in DNA synthesis. B1 is the prototypic member of a new family of protein kinases (vaccinia virus-related kinases, or VRK) that possess distinctive B1-like sequence features within their catalytic motifs (R. J. Nichols and P. Traktman, J. Biol. Chem., in press). Given the striking sequence similarity between B1 and the VRK enzymes, we proposed that they might share overlapping substrate specificity. We therefore sought to determine whether the human and mouse VRK1 enzymes (hVRK1 and mVRK1, respectively) could complement a B1 deficiency in vivo. Recombinant ts2 viruses expressing hVRK1, mVRK1, or wild-type B1 were able to synthesize viral DNA at high temperature, but those expressing the more distantly related human casein kinase 1α2 could not. Complementation required the enzymatic activity of hVRK1, since a catalytically inactive allele of hVRK1 was unable to confer a temperature-insensitive phenotype. Interestingly, rescue of viral DNA synthesis was not coupled to the ability to phosphorylate H5, the only virus-encoded protein shown to be a B1 substrate in vivo. Expression of hVRK1 during nonpermissive ts2 infections restored virus production and plaque formation, whereas expression of mVRK1 resulted in an intermediate level of rescue. Taken together, these observations indicate that enzymatically active cellular VRK1 kinases can perform the function(s) of B1 required for genome replication, most likely due to overlapping specificity for cellular and/or viral substrates.
Dynamics of Vertical Displacement in Porous Media Associated With CO2 Sequestration

Summary The problem of CO2 sequestration in geologic formations is analyzed from a fundamental perspective. In order to clearly understand the first order behavior of the system, the mechanisms of trapping, dissolution and chemical reactions are not accounted for. The analysis is concerned with the post-injection period when the CO2 plume rises due to buoyancy. Characteristics of the plume for a 1D problem show that a pair of shocks moving in opposite directions is produced at the top end. The downward moving shock interacts with the bottom end of the plume resulting in a decrease in the maximum value of the CO2 saturation. High accuracy numerical simulations are employed to understand the 2D mechanisms of plume evolution in terms of the viscosity ratio and the capillary number. 2D results show that the plume rises to significantly lower depth, in shorter times, as compared to the 1D problem. This behavior is governed by the 2D velocity field around the plume that additionally leads to spanwise wave interactions and results in a faster decrease of the maximum CO2 saturation. The initial dimensions of the plume have a strong influence on the time scales of the wave interactions. The maximum upward velocity that is generated due to buoyancy is closely related to the maximum saturation and decays rapidly to very small values with a decrease in saturation. In the case where the viscosity of CO2 is a tenth of the viscosity of the surrounding fluid, the plume rises up about 500 m in 700 yrs. Our results provide an upper bound on the maximum rise distance and the sequestration time for the problem involving trapping and dissolution. Comparison with experimental results show that the buoyancy velocity obtained from our results is of the same order as observed in the experiments.
Student Characteristics and Assignment to Ability Groups: Two Conceptual Formulations

This article discusses two conceptual formulations of the relationship between students' ascribed and achieved characteristics and their assignment to ability groups for instruction in school. The first formulation is a sophisticated specification of the commonly used educational rationale for within-class ability grouping. It is based on the work of Barr and Dreeben (1983) as elaborated in their book How Schools Work. The second is a sociological model that predicts an independent and separate role of classroom social organization in classroom processes and learning because of the constraints on implementing the educational theory behind ability grouping. This formulation derives from the research program of the authors. The theoretical propositions of the two conceptual models are compared and contrasted and they are subjected to preliminary empirical testing using two data sets on ability groups.
Explaining Unequal Participation: The Differential Effects of Winter Weather on Voter Turnout

Understanding how economic inequality translates into unequal political participation is critical, as the consequences of such inequality-unequal influence over political outcomes - are so acute. This paper advances an argument about how income influences an individual's propensity to vote: namely, that low income citizens are especially susceptible to negative economic shocks. When individuals in a state suer unexpectedly cold winters, all state residents will experience a shock to their costs of living, but low income residents will be more vulnerable to these shocks. As a result, the opportunity costs of political participation are higher for low income residents, which can influence their voting behavior in an approaching election. These same costs are probably negligible for more financially-secure residents. Using voter data from the American National Election Study in conjunction with state-level temperature data for the years 1952 to 2004, this analysis finds that deviations from average state temperatures in January have a significant impact on voting in the election the following November, but only among low income respondents. These findings hold up to various model specifications and sensitivity tests.
The European Migration Crisis: Can Development Agencies Do Better?

The unprecedented influx of refugees and migrants to Europe has increased the visibility of the long-standing nexus of migration, development, and security. The emphasis on terrorism and national security is understandable but myopic if the essential benefits of migration and development are to be realized. The UN will host three key meetings on migration in 2016, an opportunity to rethink how development agencies can contribute.
Repeated habitat disturbances by fire decrease local effective population size

Effective population size is a fundamental parameter in population genetics, and factors that alter effective population size will shape the genetic characteristics of populations. Habitat disturbance may have a large effect on genetic characteristics of populations by influencing immigration and gene flow, particularly in fragmented habitats. We used the Florida Sand Skink (Plestiodon reynoldsi) to investigate the effect of fire-based habitat disturbances on the effective population size in the highly threatened, severely fragmented, and fire dependent Florida scrub habitat. We screened 7 microsatellite loci in 604 individuals collected from 12 locations at Archbold Biological Station. Archbold Biological Station has an active fire management plan and detailed records of fires dating to 1967. Our objective was to determine how the timing, number, and intervals between fires affect effective population size, focusing on multiple fires in the same location. Effective population size was higher in areas that had not been burned for more than 10 years and decreased with number of fires and shorter time between fires. A similar pattern was observed in abundance: increasing abundance with time-since-fire and decreasing abundance with number of fires. The ratio of effective population size to census size was higher at sites with more recent fires and tended to decrease with time-since-last-fire. These results suggest that habitat disturbances, such as fire, may have a large effect in the genetic characteristics of local populations and that Florida Sand Skinks are well adapted to the natural fire dynamics required to maintain Florida scrub.
Spectroscopic characterization of 57Fe-enriched cytochrome c

Abstract Investigation of the heme iron dynamics in cytochrome c with Mossbauer spectroscopy and especially nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy requires the replacement of the natural abundant heme iron with the 57 Fe isotope. For demetallization, we use a safer and milder ferrous sulfate–hydrochloric acid method in addition to the harsher commonly used hydrofluoric acid-based procedure. The structural integrity of the 57 Fe-reconstituted protein in both oxidation states is confirmed from absorption spectra and a detailed analysis of the rich resonance Raman spectra. These results reinforce the application of metal-substituted heme c proteins as reliable models for the native proteins.
Poly(β-amino acid) helices. Theoretical π-π* Absorption and circular dichroic spectra

Absorption and circular dichroic (CD) spectra of the π-π * transition near 190 nm are predicted for helical structures proposed for poly(β-amino acids) in accordance with the hydrogen-bonding schemes of Fernandez-Santin et al. We consider four helical structures which are sterically unhindered when alkyl substituents on C α and C β are in R configurations, including two right-handed forms and two left-handed forms. Calculations are made for polymers of β-alanine, (R)-3-amino-2-methylpropanoic acid, (R)-3-aminobutanoic acid, (2R,3R)-3-amino-2-methylbutanoic acid, and (1R,2R)-2-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid. The predicted absorption and CD spectra are qualitatively similar for the four helices, showing some sensitivity to backbone structure and relatively little sensitivity to side-chain substitutions. The most notable features of the spectra are (i) CD band couplets centered near 200 nm with a +/-pattern, (ii) large hyperchromicities of 48-115% in the absorption spectra, and (iii) linear dichroic spectra dominated by a strong parallel dichroism in one of the right-handed helices and strong perpendicular dichroism in the left-handed helices. It is suggested that poly[(1R,2R)-2-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid] would be a good candidate for experimental study because one of the helices should be particularly stable for this case. Available experimental absorption and CD spectra are qualitatively consistent with the predictions for any of the four helices, though the observed CD spectra are less intense.
Folded Monomers and Hexamers of the Ectodomain of the HIV gp41 Membrane Fusion Protein: Potential Roles in Fusion and Synergy Between the Fusion Peptide, Hairpin, and Membrane-Proximal External Region

HIV is an enveloped virus and fusion between the HIV and host cell membranes is catalyzed by the ectodomain of the HIV gp41 membrane protein. Both the N-terminal fusion peptide (FP) and C-terminal membrane-proximal external region (MPER) are critical for fusion and are postulated to bind to the host cell and HIV membranes, respectively. Prior to fusion, the gp41 on the virion is a trimer in noncovalent complex with larger gp120 subunits. The gp120 bind host cell receptors and move away or dissociate from gp41 which subsequently catalyzes fusion. In the present work, large gp41 ectodomain constructs were produced and biophysically and structurally characterized. One significant finding is observation of synergy between the FP, hairpin, and MPER in vesicle fusion. The ectodomain-induced fusion can be very efficient with only ∼15 gp41 per vesicle, which is comparable to the number of gp41 on a virion. Conditions are found with predominant monomer or hexamer but not trimer and these may be oligomeric states d...
All Press is Good Press: The News Media and the Incumbent Advantage in Judicial Elections

There is a good deal of evidence that planned media exposure influences outcomes in judicial elections via campaign spending and paid campaign advertisements. However, less well understood is the influence of unplanned media exposure of the sort that happens spontaneously in the news media. Here, we investigate the proposition that unplanned media exposure can influence both the emergence of challengers and the outcome of contested judicial elections. Using data from 282 state supreme court elections in 22 states from 2000-2012, we use two-stage selection models to examine the effect of different types of unplanned newspaper exposure on judicial races. we find, among other things, that unplanned media exposure of the incumbent generally benefits the incumbent. Challengers, on the other hand, have difficulty getting the same level of unplanned media coverage. When they do, the benefits to their campaign are not significant.
Antibiotics resistance of 151 strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

OBJECTIVE To investigate the drug resistance of clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae(NG) so as to provide scientific evidence for the rational use of antibiotics.METHODS From Jan 2009 to Dec 2011,totally 151 strains of NG were isolated from the cervical secretions of patients suspected with gonorrhea infections.The drug susceptibility testing was performed by K-B method and there were 5 types,7 kinds of commonly used antibacterial drugs(British Oxoid) tested,the β-lactamase was determined by nitrocefin-disk.RESULTS The results suggested that of the 151 strains of NG islated the resistance rate of spectinomycin was the lowest(6.0%),followed by the second and third generation cephalosporins(13.2%-17.2%),the drug resistance rates to penicillin,ciprofloxacin and tetracycline were the highest,which were 84.8%,78.8%,and 72.8%,the straius which were resisitant to 3 or 2 kiuds of autibiotics had the highest porprotiou that accounted for 39.7% and 32.4% respectively.The antibiotics that were all sensitive and the antibiotics that were all resistant only accounted for 6.0% and 1.3%,respectively.CONCLUSION Spectinomycin and third-generation cephalosporins can be recommended for the treatment of gonorrhea.Penicillins,quinolones,and tetracyclines are not suitable for the first-line drugs for the high resistance rates.For the rapid change of resistance,it is necessary to strengthen the bacterial culture and the drug susceptibility testing and reasonably use antibiotics based on the testing result so as to prevent the emergence and spread of drug resistance of NG.
The HLA system and its relation to disease.

The associations of human diseases and particular HLA types have gone through a series of refinements as the nature of the major histocompatibility gene complex and its products has become better known. We have reached a point at which we can foresee the possibility of applying this knowledge in prevention and even treatment of such autoimmune conditions as Graves' disease and type I diabetes.
A frame-based production system architecture

We propose a flexible frame-structured representation and agenda-based control mechanism for the construction of production-type systems. Advantages of this architecture include uniformity, control freedom, and extensibility. We also describe an experimental system, named Wheeze, that uses this formalism.
Female Delinquents: the Effect of Offense Characteristics on Adult Criminal Careers in the 1958 Philadelphia Birth Cohort

This paper uses the official juvenile offenses among delinquent girls in the 1958 Philadelphia Birth Cohort to investigate the two overarching questions. This research investigates the nature of delinquency conduct, offense-by-offense, and its relationship to adult crime status. Although it is convenient to think of an offender’s delinquency career as a whole, such a career actually consists of one or more specific offenses, and offense conduct can be worth studying in its own right. Thus, it is necessary to determine whether the timing, type, severity, court disposition, and so on, of these juvenile offenses can be used to predict adult career pathways. An extensive review of the literature revealed that investigations of early offense conduct and its connection to adult crime are exceedingly scarce. This study indicates as follows. First, the way a delinquent begins her criminal career is predictive of the adult trajectory that will be followed. Second, we also found that aspects of the first few offenses doe influence whether delinquent girls do continue committing crimes as adult. The strongest predictor of adult crime status was juvenile court dispositions.
Stem-loop structure preference for site-specific RNA editing by APOBEC3A and APOBEC3G.

APOBEC3A and APOBEC3G cytidine deaminases inhibit viruses and endogenous retrotransposons. We recently demonstrated the novel cellular C-to-U RNA editing function of APOBEC3A and APOBEC3G. Both enzymes deaminate single-stranded DNAs at multiple TC or CC nucleotide sequences, but edit only a select set of RNAs, often at a single TC or CC nucleotide sequence. To examine the specific site preference for APOBEC3A and -3G-mediated RNA editing, we performed mutagenesis studies of the endogenous cellular RNA substrates of both proteins. We demonstrate that both enzymes prefer RNA substrates that have a predicted stem-loop with the reactive C at the 3′-end of the loop. The size of the loop, the nucleotides immediately 5′ to the target cytosine and stability of the stem have a major impact on the level of RNA editing. Our findings show that both sequence and secondary structure are preferred for RNA editing by APOBEC3A and -3G, and suggest an explanation for substrate and site-specificity of RNA editing by APOBEC3A and -3G enzymes.
Comparison of Echocardiographic Diagnostic Criteria of Left Ventricular Noncompaction in a Pediatric Population

There is controversy regarding the best echocardiographic diagnostic criteria for left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC). We assessed the diagnostic utility and reproducibility of the previously proposed echocardiographic diagnostic criteria in a pediatric population using a segmental approach. Echocardiograms were matched for patients with and without a clinical diagnosis of LVNC. Blinded reviews of echocardiograms measured (1) depths of intertrabecular recesses (X/Y), (2) noncompaction-to-compaction ratio (NC/C), and (3) number of trabeculations, using a segmental approach. Measurements were analyzed for area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity. There were 30 echocardiograms in the initial cohort (15 LVNC cases, 15 controls). Median age was 1.7 years (IQR 0.2–6.9 years) and systolic function was decreased in 40%. Comparison of diagnostic criteria demonstrated the best interrater agreement and AUC with an X/Y ratio measured in end-diastole in the parasternal short axis in the apical anterolateral segment (κ 0.72, CI 0.43–1.00, p value <0.001), yielding 100% sensitivity and 70–86% specificity, among readers. The least predictive and reproducible method was the NC/C ratio. A validation cohort confirmed the superiority of the X/Y ratio, although the interrater agreement and AUC decreased. Measurements according to existing LVNC diagnostic criteria vary by echocardiographic view and segment. Modification of the Chin et al. criteria (Circulation 82:507–513, 1990) using an X/Y ratio <0.5 had the greatest interrater reliability and predictive validity when measured in end-diastole in the parasternal short axis in the apical anterolateral segment. The NC/C ratio had the lowest reliability and predictive validity.
Jackup Design Primer

Jackup hulls provide the buoyancy to be towed to site, and once on location, the legs support the deck weight, which transfers the equipment and drilling rig loads into the seafloor. As drilling progressed into deeper and more challenging environments, rigs evolved based upon the experience of the builder and the demands of the market. In this chapter, we discuss the designs used in jackup construction and the tradeoffs between technical and economic factors. We summarize the design process and discuss the major design factors, highlighting the decisions made at the conceptual and preliminary stages. A discussion of the most popular jackup designs concludes the chapter.
Concepts in Hepatobiliary Surgery

This chapter introduces the most common disorders of the hepatobiliary tract and provides the concepts necessary for safe surgery in this region. The diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of cholecystitis and its variants are described, including a discussion of the merits of intraoperative cholangiography and drain placement during cholecystectomy. Indications for cholecystostomy tube placement as an alternative to cholecystectomy are also discussed. Iatrogenic common bile duct injury is described in detail, with attention to common mechanisms of injury, management of bile leak, and timing of definitive repair. The etiology of cholangitis and the options for ductal drainage procedures are explored, along with a discussion on the indications and management of T-tubes. The evaluation and management of gallbladder carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma are also introduced. Within the section on hepatic surgery, liver tumors including hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal liver metastases are presented along with their classic imaging characteristics. Important concepts such as how to determine tumor resectability and estimating liver remnant function are explained. Techniques for hemostasis during hepatectomy are described, including central venous pressure management, clamping of the hepatoduodenal ligament, and application of topical coagulants. Hepatic trauma is briefly presented with a discussion of its operative and nonoperative management. Finally, the management of postoperative complications of hepatectomy is explained.
Compact Modeling for New Transistor Structures

Using embedded SRAM as a path, FinFET may enter manufacturing at 32nm. FinFET provides several advantages over the planar MOSFET structure—smaller size, larger current, smaller leakage, and less variation in threshold voltage. A compact model of multi-gate transistors will facilitate their adoption. BSIM-MG is a surface-potential based compact model of multi-gate MOSFETs fabricated on either SOI or bulk substrates. The effects of body doping are modeled. It can also model a double-gate transistor with independently biased front and back gates and asymmetric front and back gate work-functions and dielectric thicknesses.
miRNA Targeted Therapy in Lung Cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that play critical role in many human diseases, including cancer, where they function as regulatory molecules. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths world-wide, which calls for a dire need to elucidate novel targets for early detection and therapy. In recent years, miRNAs have emerged as a class of molecular targets that can potentially be exploited for diagnosis, prognosis as well as therapy of lung cancer. The miRNAs are intricately involved in lung cancer relapse through their regulation of drug resistance and metastasis. This chapter summarizes the state-of-our-knowledge on the role of miRNAs in the progression as well as potential targets for lung cancer therapy. Since this is a rapidly evolving field, we will discuss the novel research published in last 1 year only. It is our hope that the promising pre-clinical results discussed here can quickly find their way to the clinic for the benefit of scores of patients battling with this deadly disease.
Intratympanic steroid perfusion for the treatment of Ménière's disease: a retrospective study.

We conducted a retrospective outcomes review of the charts of 22 patients with Meniere's disease who were treated with intratympanic perfusion of methylprednisolone and/or dexamethasone. Outcomes were determined by subjective assessment of vertigo control and by objective changes in audiometric pure-tone average (PTA) and speech discrimination score (SDS). These evaluations were made at the first postperfusion visit (short term) and at least 12 months later (long term). In the short term, 12 patients (54.5%) achieved vertigo control, 4 patients (18.2%) demonstrated a greater than 10-dB improvement in PTA, and 1 patient (4.5%) experienced an increase in SDS of at least 15%. In the long term, the corresponding numbers of patients were 4 (18.2%), 2 (9.1%), and 1 (4.5%). The level of hearing ultimately deteriorated in 9 patients (40.9%). These findings suggest that intratympanic steroid perfusion does not result in any long-term alleviation of vertigo or hearing loss. However, the short-term alleviation of vertigo seen in approximately half of these patients suggests that this treatment may be useful for the temporary relief of symptoms of Meniere's disease.