cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantum Local Monomer IR Spectrum of Liquid D2O at 300 K from 0 to 4000 cm(-1) Is in Near-Quantitative Agreement with Experiment.

The local monomer model is applied, with ab initio potential energy and dipole moment surfaces, to a calculation of the IR spectrum of liquid D2O at 300 K, over the spectral range 0 to 4000 cm–1. The spectrum is an incoherent superposition of spectra of many monomers over snapshots of a molecular dynamics trajectory, where both intramolecular and intermolecular coupling in each monomer is treated. The comparison to experiment shows an unprecedented level of agreement for the stretch, bend, and libration bands and also the bend+libration and stretch+bend combination bands. This indicates that the incoherent approach captures much of the dynamics underlying the spectrum, provided monomer couplings are considered. The calculated spectrum is compared to the recently calculated IR spectrum of H2O, using the same method and potential energy and dipole moment surfaces, and shifts relative to that spectrum are presented and discussed.
Neutron and X-Ray Scattering Studies of (FeF2)m(CoF2)n Multilayers

We have performed elastic neutron scattering measurements of the staggered magnetization in (FeF 2 ) M (CoF 2 ) n superlattices. Thermal expansion Measurements, which are proportional to the magnetic contribution to the specific heat, were also carried out using high resolution x-ray diffraction. One of the two measured samples has thicknesses of M = n = 4.5 and the other M = 26 and n = 28 Monolayers, as determined from high angle x-ray θ — 2θ scans. In the M = n = 4.5 sample, only one transition is observed at T/v = 62.9 K . Analysis of the neutron data, including the rounding effects, indicates an effective β ≈ 0.42. This does not compare well with the 3D Ising exponent β = 0.325. The X-ray data also show the existence of only one specific heat anomaly at T = 62.8 K. For the M = 26, n = 28 sample, dips in the staggered magnetization and peaks in the thermal expansion were observed at T ≈ 40 K and 74 K. The higher temperature anomaly, associated primarily with the FeF 2 layers, is sharper than the lower one, which is presumably rounded by the staggered ordering field imposed by the long range order in the FeF 2 regions on the CoF 2 regions.
Modeling Marketing Interactions with Application to Salesforce Effectiveness

The authors propose that a general class of market response models with marketing parameter equations be used for the study of marketing interactions. They inventory alternative model specification...
Interaction of Cephalosporins with Human and Canine Serum Proteins

The kinetic interaction of cephalothin and cefamandole with human serum protein and of cephalothin with canine serum protein was studied with use of a rate-of-dialysis method. Binding of antibiotic to serum proteins was complete in less than 1 min and was immediately reversible. Human serum bound 76.9% of cephalothin and 73.7% of cefamandole at 10 microgram/ml, and canine serum bound 41.3% of cephalothin at 10 microgram/ml when this technique was used. Quantitative binding determined by ultracentrifugation was 78.5% for cephalothin and 80.1% for cefamandole in human serum and 45.6% for cephalothin and 32.5% for cefazolin in canine serum. There was no delayed binding of these antibiotics to either human or canine serum. In addition, a large number of antibiotic-binding sites appeared to be present on both human and canine serum protein when the antibiotic concentration was increased to 10(5) microgram/ml.
High Divergence of the Precursor Peptides in Combinatorial Lanthipeptide Biosynthesis

Lanthionine-containing peptides (lanthipeptides) are a rapidly growing family of polycyclic peptide natural products belonging to the large class of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs). These compounds are widely distributed in taxonomically distant species, and their biosynthetic systems and biological activities are diverse. A unique example of lanthipeptide biosynthesis is the prochlorosin synthetase ProcM from the marine cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus MIT9313, which transforms up to 29 different precursor peptides (ProcAs) into a library of lanthipeptides called prochlorosins (Pcns) with highly diverse sequences and ring topologies. Here, we show that many ProcM-like enzymes from a variety of bacteria have the capacity to carry out post-translational modifications on highly diverse precursor peptides, providing new examples of natural combinatorial biosynthesis. We also demonstrate that the leader peptides come from different evolutionary origins, suggesting that...
Machiavelli against Method: Paul Feyerabend's Anti-Rationalism and Machiavellian Political ‘Science’

SUMMARYContemporary scholars seeking to advance the study of political phenomena identify their inquiry as a ‘science' that attains success through rigorous method. Thus the ‘methodological anarchism' of Paul Feyerabend's philosophy of science might seem an inauspicious place to find a fruitful disciplinary vision. Nonetheless, it echoes a longstanding conception of the ‘science' of politics articulated by Niccolo Machiavelli. Looking to Feyerabend, we propose to surmount the impasse between Machiavelli's account of politics and the demands of modern science and recover his contribution to the scientific study of politics. In doing so, Machiavelli illustrates the potential of a Feyerabendian political science.
Evaluation of the Partition of Chang'an District Landslide Disaster Prone Based on Fuzzy Judgment Method

On the basis of analyzing Chang'an District landslide development situation and basic conditions for formation of geological disaster prone area,combined with evaluation method of geological disaster prone area,using fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method,landslide geological disaster prone area in Chang'an District was evaluated. Chang'an District landslide susceptibility zoning is divided into 6 high prone areas,3 medium prone areas,1 low prone areas( C) and 1 non prone areas( D). The total area of highincidence of 190. 94 km2 in prone position; the area of middle susceptibility of 382. 93 km2; the area with low susceptibility of 299. 21 km2; not prone area 707. 56 km2.
Steady State Voltage Characteristic of UHV Half-wavelength AC Transmission Line

Due to its vast application prospect in China and the features of long distance power transmission and high available transmission capacity(ATC),it is significant for the power system planning and operation in China to research steady state voltage characteristic of half-wavelength AC transmission(HWACT).Based on the theory of electric circuit,the line parameter model for HWACT line is derived,and in two aspects,namely the theory of incident and reflected wave and the theory of reactive power,the steady state voltage characteristic of HWACT line is analyzed.Finally,the voltage distribution along HWACT line is simulated by PSD software,thus the results of theoretical analysis are verified.
Current Situation of Improved Environment Where Snails Found in History of Jiangyin City

[Objective]To investigate the improved environments where sails were found in history in Jiangyin City. [Methods]The historical data of schistosomiasis was accessed,including registration card of snail,registration card of the environment being investigated.All the history of each place with snail registration was checked,and these places were investigated for longitude and latitude by using the Magellan 210,then to create a Google Earth place mark file. [Results]There were 716 places where sails found in the history of Jiangyin City,total area was 2 094 076 m~2.The environment where sails found in the history were distributed in 12 townships and 57 villages and were divided into Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ according to the improvement levels,the proportion were 55.31%,2.51%,12.01% and 30.17% respectively. [Conclusion]The material of improved environment where sails found in the history are as a guide for annual snail investigation,the survey data should be adjusted and enriched after annual investigation so as to provide scientific basis for health administrative department to develop control measures of schistosomiasis.
49. EMG to detect early motor tract injury during resection of intramedullary spinal cord lesions; How reliable is this form of monitoring?

Inadvertent spinal cord impact generates trains of descending pulses which can depolarize motor neurons caudally. Similar to intended electrical spinal cord stimulation, these pulses may traverse along the corticospinal tract … or they may descend via non-corticospinal tracts. In porcine models, hindlimb EMG “injury discharges” may be recorded by direct intramedullary mechanical irritation or rapidly actuated extradural spinal cord impact. The key element is the high end velocity of the stimulus. With repeated/prolonged impact (generating “injury discharges”), MEP recording fails. Spinal cord heating (electrocautery/laser) results in similar EMG/MEP findings. EMG activity, predictive of MEP loss, can be recorded in multiple clinical situations: tumor resection near the motor strip, head/neck positioning, and decompression of the spinal cord at multiple sites. We have rarely seen central EMG activity with deformity correction. This is probably related to slow distraction or compression which is less likely to generate intraspinal depolarization. The external anal sphincter enjoys rich innervation by sacral motor neurons which seem to fire repetitively when excited. Therefore, sphincter recordings add a heightened level of EMG surveillance. We have labeled central EMG injury discharges: “suprasegmentally-generated EMG discharges” (SEDs). Central EMG monitoring adds a neuronavigation component to spinal cord IOM.
Bringing International Tax Policy Into the 21st Century

Michael J. Graetz delivered the following remarks at the Tax Policy Center's "A Corporate Tax for the 21st Century" conference on July 14 in Washington. These remarks are substantially taken from his April 2015 Ross Parsons Lecture at the University of Sydney Law School.
Sequencing content in an adaptive testing system: the role of choice

The effect of choice on student achievement and engagement has been an extensively researched area of learning analytics. Current research findings suggest a positive relationship between choice and varied outcome measures, but little has been reported to indicate whether these findings hold in the context of Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS). In this paper, we report the results of a randomized controlled experiment in which we investigate the effect of student choice on assignment completion and future achievement in an ITS. The experimental design uses three conditions to observe the effect of choice. In the first condition, students are able to choose the order in which to complete assignments, while in the second condition, students are prescribed an intuitive order in which to complete assignments. Those in the third condition were prescribed a counter-intuitive order in which to complete assignments. Results indicate that allowing students to choose the order in which to work on assignments leads to higher completion rates and better achievement at posttest. A post-hoc analysis also revealed that even considering students with similar completion rates, those given choice had higher posttest scores than those observed in any other condition. These results seem to support the many theories of the positive effect of choice on student achievement.
Integrated analysis of somatic genetic alterations and immune microenvironment in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

e20080Background: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare, aggressive tumor and rapidly fatal when untreated. Advanced high-throughput sequencing technologies allow comprehensive characteriz...
Electrophysiological Evidence for the Sources of the Masking Level Difference

Purpose The purpose of this review article is to review evidence from auditory evoked potential studies to describe the contributions of the auditory brainstem and cortex to the generation of the m...
Judith Butler, Feminism, and the Sociology of Sport

Judith Butler, a feminist philosopher and the leading cultural theorist of gender, has had a significant influence on the field of sport studies. The concepts and theoretical frameworks she has provided us include an examination of the discursive creation and maintenance of gender as a category, the performativity of gender and sexuality, the signification of the sexed body, and the complex ‘grid of cultural intelligibility’ (2006: 208) that the heterosexual matrix illuminates. This chapter gives an overview of the ways in which Butler’s theories have been taken up and used among scholars of sport. Specific to the literature, Butler’s theories have been most often used to more fully understand the experiences of female athletes, men and masculinity, lesbian athletes, and transgender and intersex athletes.
A new approach to fluid–structure interaction within graphics hardware accelerated smooth particle hydrodynamics considering heterogeneous particle size distribution

A corrective smooth particle method (CSPM) within smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH) is used to study the deformation of an aircraft structure under high-velocity water-ditching impact load. The CSPM-SPH method features a new approach for the prediction of two-way fluid–structure interaction coupling. Results indicate that the implementation is well suited for modeling the deformation of structures under high-velocity impact into water as evident from the predicted stress and strain localizations in the aircraft structure as well as the integrity of the impacted interfaces, which show no artificial particle penetrations. To reduce the simulation time, a heterogeneous particle size distribution over a complex three-dimensional geometry is used. The variable particle size is achieved from a finite element mesh with variable element size and, as a result, variable nodal (i.e., SPH particle) spacing. To further accelerate the simulations, the SPH code is ported to a graphics processing unit using the OpenACC standard. The implementation and simulation results are described and discussed in this paper.
Identification of Cellular Targets for Virally-Encoded miRNAs by Ectopic Expression and Gene Expression Profiling

Since the first report in 2005, more than 120 microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified in many double stranded DNA viruses-mainly herpesviruses and polyomaviruses [12, 68, 69, 82, 92]. MiRNAs are short 22 ± 3 nt RNA molecules that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression by binding to 3′ UTRs of target mRNAs thereby inducing translational silencing and/or mRNA degradation [1, 3]. Because miRNAs require only limited complementarity, miRNA targets are difficult to determine [24]. Indeed, to date targets have only been experimentally verified for miRNAs of three viruses. SV40 encodes a miRNA which targets viral large T antigen expression [92]. Several KSHV miRNAs target Thrombospondin 1, a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis [82]. In addition, one KSHV miRNA, miRK122-11, mimics a human miRNA, hsa-miR-155, involved in hematopoiesis and tumorigenesis. CMV miRNAs target both cellular and viral gene expression [31, 90]. Thus, virally encoded miRNAs regulate fundamental biological processes such as immune recognition, promotion of cell survival, and angiogenesis and may contribute to tumorigenesis. First, we briefly summarize our current knowledge on identification and expression of viral miRNAs with special emphasis on herpesviruses. Next, we will discuss our work on KSHV-encoded miRNAs to illustrate how viral miRNAs provide a unique opportunity for target identification, and the challenges lying ahead in deciphering their potential roles in viral biology, and pathogenesis.
ASSAY OF SF6 AND SPARK-DECOMPOSED SF6 FOR MUTAGENIC ACTIVITY IN THE CHO/HGPRT MAMMALIAN CELL SYSTEM

ABSTRACT The potential mutagenic (and cytotoxic) activity of SF6 and spark-decomposed SF6 was investigated in an in vitro mammalian cell culture system using Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells. The CHO cells were exposed to the gases in vacutainer tubes which were constantly rotated. After a 4 h exposure the mutagenic and cytotoxic activity was assayed with the CHO/hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (CHO/HGPRT) system. Results indicated that SF6 was neither cytotoxic nor mutagenic to CHO cells. Spark-decomposed SF6 was found to be strongly cytotoxic (~80% cell death following 4 h exposure to 2 kJ spark discharge in 60 cm3 at 1000 torr of SF6) but not mutagenic. Increasing spark energy increased cytotoxicity but the spark samples remained nonmutagenic. The CHO/HGPRT system was coupled with a metabolic activation (S9 fraction) system used for detecting promutagens. When exposures were carried out in the presence of S9 fraction, SF6 was still neither cytotoxic nor mutagenic; spark-decomposed SF6 was again strongly cytotoxic but not mutagenic. It appears that SF6 and sparked SF6 are neither promutagens nor direct acting mutagens in the CHO/HGPRT system. Studies have begun using a more mutagenically sensitive subclone of the CHO cells known as CHO-AS52. Initial results with CHO-AS52 cells are equivocal with certain exposures to sparked SF6 eliciting mutagenesis and replicate exposures that do not. Further experiments are required to confirm any mutagenic activity in the CHO-AS52 cell line.
Loss of cytosolic Mg2+ binding sites in the Thermotoga maritima CorA Mg2+ channel is not sufficient for channel opening.

The CorA Mg2+ channel is a homopentamer with five-fold symmetry. Each monomer consists of a large cytoplasmic domain and two transmembrane helices connected via a short periplasmic loop. In the Thermotoga maritima CorA crystal structure, a Mg2+ is bound between D89 of one monomer and D253 of the adjacent monomer (M1 binding site). Release of Mg2+ from these sites has been hypothesized to cause opening of the channel. We generated mutants to disrupt Mg2+ interaction with the M1 site. Crystal structures of the D89K/D253K and D89R/D253R mutants, determined to 3.05 and 3.3 A, respectively, showed no significant structural differences with the wild type structure despite absence of Mg2+ at the M1 sites. Both mutants still appear to be in the closed state. All three mutant CorA proteins exhibited transport of 63Ni2+, indicating functionality. Thus, absence of Mg2+ from the M1 sites neither causes channel opening nor prevents function. We also provide evidence that the T. maritima CorA is a Mg2+ channel and not a Co2+ channel.
Navigating through a maze

A DNA nanodevice performs pathfinding search and computes the solution of two-dimensional DNA origami puzzles.
The Vestibular System

The vestibular portion of the membranous labyrinth consists of three pairs of semicircular canals, the horizontal, anterior, and posterior, and two pairs of otolith organs, the utricle and the saccule (Fig. 1). Like the cochlea, these structures are filled with endolymph, which communicates with the cochlea through the ductus reuniens. The horizontal, anterior, and posterior semicircular canals are oriented nearly at right angles to one another, and the result is the representation of the three rotational dimensions of space. When the head is tilted approx 25° forward, the horizontal canal is in the horizontal plane, and the anterior and posterior canals, also known as the vertical canals, are in vertical planes. As for the otolith organs, the utricle is oriented almost horizontally, and the saccule is oriented almost vertically in the sagittal plane. The receptors for the vestibular system are hair cells that are morphologically similar to those in the organ of Corti in the cochlea. These receptors are located in the cristae ampullares of the semicircular canals and in the maculae of the utricle and saccule.
Rating visualization in shoulder arthroscopy: A comparison of the visual analog scale versus a novel shoulder arthroscopy grading scale

PURPOSE: To assess the interobserver reliability and intraobserver variability of the visual analog scale (VAS) for visualization in shoulder arthroscopy and compare it to a less variable, more objective novel grading scale, the shoulder arthroscopy grading scale (SAGS). METHODS: Twenty separate 30-s length video clips were created from a library of shoulder arthroscopies. Video clips were randomized and distributed to six sports medicine fellowship-trained surgeons at two time points with a 1-month interval. Each rated visualization according to an adapted VAS and a novel grading scale, the SAGS. RESULTS: The VAS and SAGS both showed an excellent degree of consistency with interobserver reliability among raters with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of 0.96 and 0.97, respectively. Five of six raters demonstrated strong intraobserver variability with the VAS and SAGS with ICC ranging from 0.87 to 0.97 and 0.61 to 0.93, respectively. CONCLUSION: Given the strong-to-excellent degree of consistency in using the VAS and the SAGS, either can be reliably used as a measurement of visualization in shoulder arthroscopy.
SIMULATION STUDIES OF THE TEXT UPGRADE PLASMA RADIAL STABILITY USING AN EXACT POWER SUPPLY MODEL (EMTP).

An Upgrade to the TEXT tokamak will include a divertor and additional ECR heating. Studies of the equilibrium and stability of the base-line configurations have included detailed modelling of the feedback control system incorporating the non-linear effects of the thyristor controlled power supplies. The primary configuration is in-out unstable with a growth time of between 3 and 15 msec depending on the details of the stability model. For the more unstable case the delay times intrinsic to the power supplies dominated over the P-D elements of the power supplies in controlling the plasma response to a simulated transient. For the marginally stable plasmas the response is extremely sensitive to the relative phasing between the simulated transient and the line phase, for some phasing the otherwise stable plasma may be unstable. For the more stable configurations the response was well represented by the simple P-D feedback model.
Cellulose nanofibrils versus cellulose nanocrystals: Comparison of performance in flexible multilayer films for packaging applications

Abstract Cellulose nanomaterials (CNMs) are a unique type of nanomaterial that are produced via several routes including chemical and mechanical, including the most researched cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs). CNM films exhibit excellent oxygen barrier properties in medium to low relative humidity conditions. The oxygen barrier characteristics are desirable for CNM film proposed use in food packaging applications where both performance and biodegradability are of concern. However, the oxygen barrier property of CNM films is reduced if films are exposed to high relative humidity (RH) because of moisture-induced plasticizing and swelling. In this research, CNM films were laminated with polypropylene (PP) film using a polyurethane (PU) adhesive tie layer to form flexible multilayer film packaging. The physical properties of the CNM films indicated that CNC films were denser (∼1.4 g/cm3) than CNF films (1.1–1.3 g/cm3). Casting weight affected the densities of the CNM films and this effect was material type dependent. Optical property evaluation showed that the CNC films were clearer than the CNF films. Laminating CNF films with PU improved the transparency of the CNF films. Mechanical test results showed that CNC and CNF laminates containing thicker CNM films had similar maximum tensile strength as the control PP/PU laminates. Laminating CNM films with PP and PU significantly improved the barrier properties of the CNM films. For example, the water vapor transmission rate of CNC film dropped from 516 to 1.0 g/(m2·day). The oxygen transmission rate of CNC film at 80 % RH decreased from 126 to 6.1 cm3/(m2·day).
Proportional and derivative controllers for buffering noisy gene expression

Inside individual cells, protein population counts are subject to molecular noise due to low copy numbers and the inherent probabilistic nature of biochemical processes. Such random fluctuations in the level of a protein critically impact functioning of intracellular biological networks, and not surprisingly, cells encode diverse regulatory mechanisms to buffer noise. We investigate the effectiveness of proportional and derivative-based feedback controllers to suppress protein count fluctuations originating from two noise sources: bursty expression of the protein, and external disturbance in protein synthesis. Designs of biochemical reactions that function as proportional and derivative controllers are discussed, and the corresponding closed-loop system is analyzed for stochastic controller realizations. Our results show that proportional controllers are effective in buffering protein copy number fluctuations from both noise sources, but this noise suppression comes at the cost of reduced static sensitivity of the output to the input signal. Next, we discuss the design of a coupled feedforward-feedback biochemical circuit that approximately functions as a derivate controller. Analysis reveals that this derivative controller effectively buffers output fluctuations from bursty stochastic expression, while maintaining the static inputoutput sensitivity of the open-loop system. As expected, the derivative controller performs poorly in terms of rejecting external disturbances. In summary, this study provides a systematic stochastic analysis of biochemical controllers, and paves the way for their synthetic design and implementation to minimize deleterious fluctuations in gene product levels.
The Young Female Athlete: Psychological Considerations

This article provides a much-needed analysis of those critical psychological variables of the young female athlete and is as comprehensive as the limited research on this topic allows. The three major sections of this article cover the psychological aspects of competing, psychological assessment of female athletic behavior, and treatment strategies designed to enhance performance and psychological well-being. Further considerations and recommendations are also provided as a blueprint for the future.
How Do We Choose? A Review of Residency Application Scoring Systems.

Introduction As the USMLE Step 1 Board exam moves to a pass/fail system there will be fewer objective measurements available to evaluate students applying to residency programs. Thus, there is a need for a reliable, validated method of screening applicants based on all areas of their application. To this end, we conducted a literature review search to examine previously described residency application screening tools. Methods A PubMed search was conducted using the keywords “residency,” “applicant,” “scoring,” “algorithm,” and “ranking.” The search was limited to the last 10 years, and only articles written in English with the full-text available were included. The initial search yielded 512 results. Titles and abstracts were evaluated for inclusion and 11 articles met criteria for full-text evaluation. An additional 6 articles were excluded with reason following the full-text evaluation. Results A total of 5 papers were included in our descriptive analysis. Villwock et al. used the open-source STAR algorithm to create an initial interview list based on program-specific desirable attributes. Bowe et al. attempted to develop a screening tool based on the 6 ACGME competencies that could accurately predict a resident's performance. Similarly, Lyons et al. worked with an outside consulting firm to develop a screening tool that used several situational judgment questions to assess desired competencies for first year residents. Schenker et al. developed an evaluation process that used a combination of a standardized screening tool and semistructured interviews to produce a final rank list. Hu et al. created a screening tool for pharmacology residency applicants based on specific domains. Conclusions Several residency application scoring systems have been evaluated for use in the initial screening process, but there is no consensus on which system is superior and whether or not those systems are successful in selecting the “best” candidates.
What’s New About the Old Bonneville Basin? Fresh Insights About the Modern Limnogeology of Great Salt Lake

Located in the Great Basin Desert within the North American continental interior, the Great Salt Lake (GSL) is a remnant of freshwater Palaeolake Bonneville, and today is the fourth largest perennial and closed basin lake in the world. More than a century of study on the Pleistocene megalake and its modern hypersaline environment (latitude 40.7° to 41.7°N, longitude 111.9° to 113.1°W) has significantly contributed to what we know about lake systems, sediments, and Quaternary climate change. Ongoing geolimnological work on GSL is lively and diverse; there is much progress, this review paper highlights select key themes of interest. Some recent studies aim to quantify hypersaline lake water properties and hydrodynamics in context of human activities (e.g., pressures from transportation, mining, development), as science-informed monitoring and managing GSL waters has become a greater priority for extractive industries, resource managers, environmentalists, and regulating officials. Copious research leverages new technologies and methods to identify and describe microbes living in the GSL and its brine, including halophiles, halobacteria, fungi, and viruses. The GSL’s self-sustaining microbial ecology drives the high productivity of the lake, which has cascading global impacts for millions of migratory birds that stop at this oasis to feed. Furthermore, the question of what extremophiles live in each niche of the modern saline ecosystem in relation to salts and carbonate organosedimentary sedimentary systems is broadly relevant for understanding the deep rock record, the nature of early Earth evolution, and for astrobiological prospection as we aim to find life on other planets.
Pencil Beams from Leaky-Wave Antenna for Terahertz Communications

Leaky-waveguides have been shown to be practical devices in terahertz communication systems. In this work, we study the radiation properties of conventional rectangular slots for leaky-wave antennas at terahertz frequencies and demonstrate that our novel trapezoidal aperture design has an increased efficiency and directionality of the generated beams.
Reinvestigation of MnSn2

The structure of manganese distannite, MnSn2, known from X-ray powder diffraction data, has been refined based on single-crystal data. This inter­metallic compound crystallizes in the tetra­gonal CuAl2 structure type. Mn atoms (4a position) form chains parallel to the c axis and each Mn atom is surrounded by eight Sn atoms in a square anti­prism. Each Sn atom (8h position) has four Mn near neighbors from two neighboring Mn chains forming Mn4Sn recta­ngular prisms.
Estimation of the Reachable Set for the Problem of Vibrating Kirchhoff Plate

We consider a dynamical system with distributed parameters for the description of controlled vibrations of a Kirchhoff plate without polar moment of inertia. A class of optimal controls corresponding to finite-dimensional approximations is used to study the reachable set. Analytic estimates for the norm of these control functions are obtained depending on the boundary conditions. These estimates are used to study the reachable set for the infinite-dimensional system. For a model with incommensurable frequencies, an estimate of the reachable set is obtained under the condition of power decay of the amplitudes o generalized coordinates.
Simulation of Free Feather Behavior

We present a general framework for simulating the behaviors of free feather like objects inside a dynamic changing flow field. Free feathers demonstrate beautiful dynamics, as they float, flutter, and twirl in response to lift and drag forces created by its motion relative to the flow. To simulate its movement in 2D, we adopt the thin strip model to account for the effect of gravity, lift and inertial drag. To achieve 3D animations, we implement two methods. For the first approach, we extend the thin strip model, use either flow primitive or noise functions to construct a time-varying flow field and extract external forces to update the thin strip computation. For the second approach, we implement a physically based simulation of the flow field and adopt the momentum-exchange method to evaluate the body force on the feather. As a result, the natural flutter, tumble, gyration dynamics emerge and vortices are created all in response to local surface-flow interactions without the imposition of the thin strip model.
Investigation of Seepage Meter Measurements in Steady Flow and Wave Conditions.

Water exchange between surface water and groundwater can modulate or generate ecologically important fluxes of solutes across the sediment-water interface. Seepage meters can directly measure fluid flux, but mechanical resistance and surface water dynamics may lead to inaccurate measurements. Tank experiments were conducted to determine effects of mechanical resistance on measurement efficiency and occurrence of directional asymmetry that could lead to erroneous net flux measurements. Seepage meter efficiency was high (average of 93%) and consistent for inflow and outflow under steady flow conditions. Wave effects on seepage meter measurements were investigated in a wave flume. Seepage meter net flux measurements averaged 0.08 cm/h-greater than the expected net-zero flux, but significantly less than theoretical wave-driven unidirectional discharge or recharge. Calculations of unidirectional flux from pressure measurements (Darcy flux) and theory matched well for a ratio of wave length to water depth less than 5, but not when this ratio was greater. Both were higher than seepage meter measurements of unidirectional flux made with one-way valves. Discharge averaged 23% greater than recharge in both seepage meter measurements and Darcy calculations of unidirectional flux. Removal of the collection bag reduced this net discharge. The presence of a seepage meter reduced the amplitude of pressure signals at the bed and resulted in a nearly uniform pressure distribution beneath the seepage meter. These results show that seepage meters may provide accurate measurements of both discharge and recharge under steady flow conditions and illustrate the potential measurement errors associated with dynamic wave environments.
DFT calculations of phonons in GaAs with zinc blende and wurtzite structures

, Phone: 380-44-525-79-70The phonon bands of GaAs with zinc blende and wurtzitestructures have been calculated by DFT method. The estimatedphononfrequenciesatthecenterofBrillouinzonearecomparedwith results of recent Raman spectroscopy studies of GaAsnanowires, where the formation of the wurtzite structure isfavorable. Present calculations conﬁrm the assignments of thepeaks in the spectra to transfer optical (TO) and longitudinaloptical (LO) phonon modes in wurtzite structure in formingGaAs nanowires.
Host cell membrane-associated phage phi X174 DNA replication. I. Isolation and partial characterization of phi X DNA-containing complexes released from the membrane.

Abstract The infecting, parental, DNA of bacteriophage φX174 becomes associated with a rapidly sedimenting host cell component. This host cell component is thought to be the cell membrane, since it can be radioactively labeled with oleic acid and amino acids. The parental viral DNA can be freed from the cell membrane by treatment with phenol or ionic detergents, but not by enzymatic proteolysis or lipolysis. The cell membrane can be partially disrupted by treatment with the nonionic detergent Triton N-57 under low ionic strength and alkaline pH conditions. When the cell membrane is so disrupted, the parental φX DNA remains associated with membrane fragments. The viral DNA-submembrane complex possibly represents part of the cell membrane-associated viral DNA replication complex.
Exhaust-catalyst development for methanol-fueled vehicles:: 1. A comparative study of methanol oxidation over alumina-supported catalysts containing group 9, 10, and 11 metals

Abstract Methanol was oxidized in a laboratory flow reactor over automotive exhaust catalysts containing highly-dispersed Rh, Pd, Pt, Ag or Cu-Cr on γ-alumina beads. Experiments were carried out both in the presence and absence of a number of methanol exhaust components with emphasis given to the effects of carbon monoxide on methanol oxidation. Catalysts containing Pt and Pd oxidize methanol rapidly in the absence of CO and produce large yields of methyl formate below ~400 K. In the presence of CO, the methanol oxidation activity is strongly inhibited and methyl formate is no longer observed. H 2 CO yields are low over both catalysts in the presence of CO. The Rh catalyst is much less active than Pt or Pd in the absence of CO, but its activity is not greatly affected by CO. H 2 CO and dimethyl ether are the dominant partial oxidation products over the Rh catalyst. In contrast to the Pt and Pd catalysts, methanol oxidation over the Ag and Cu-Cr catalysts is virtually unaffected by CO. Consequently, although the Ag and Cu-Cr catalysts are much less active than the Pd and Pt catalysts in the absence of CO, their low-temperature activities are comparable to or better than those of the Pd and Pt catalysts in the presence of CO.
The Child as Scientific Object

Science in the Service of Children, 1893-1935 . By Alice Boardman Smuts . Yale University Press, New Haven, CT, 2006. 395 pp. $55. ISBN 9780300108972. Describing the development of the field of child study during the early 20th century, Smuts discusses the rise of psychological research, "scientific" child rearing, and the intersection of science and policy-making.
CIGARETTE SMOKING DURING PREGNANCY AND THE OCCURRENCE OF SPONTANEOUS ABORTION AND CONGENITAL ABNORMALITY

A multiple logistic regression analysis of 12,914 pregnancies and 10,523 live births, based on a mail survey of professional women in medicine, was carried out to determine the relationship between maternal cigarette smoking, and spontaneous abortion and congenital abnormality. After controlling for interfering variables (age, exposure to trace anesthetic gases, pregnancy history, and mailing response), a statistically significant increase in risk associated with maternal cigarette smoking was found for spontaneous abortions and congenital abnormalities. The risk of spontaneous abortion for the heavy smoker is estimated to be as much as 1.7 times that of the nonsmoker in certain risk groups. The risk for congenital abnormality for babies born of smoking mothers is estimated to be as much as 2.3 times that of the nonsmoker, depending on age, pregnancy history, and other factors.
Origin and Generation of Waves

It is no more possible to speak of the origin of ocean waves than it is to speak of the origin of sound waves, or of electromagnetic waves. Different types of waves exist, often simultaneously, and these differ from one another with respect to their origin and generation.
Estimating cross-training call center capacity through simulation

Call centers have grown world-wide during the past decade. One of the most important aspects considered by call center managers is the optimization of its operators, which implies covering the highly variable demand and finding an efficient way to assign people to certain shifts in order to achieve a desirable service level and abandonment rate. Another challenge is determining which system setup is appropriate for the specific call center. Should we have a single-skill call center or multi-skill call center? If we do have the latter, how many multi-skill agents should we have on staff? In this case study, we generate and analyze discrete-event systems simulation-optimization models to test the behavior of a real-world call center under the actual configuration and under different levels of cross-training. The model results help call center managers by: 1) determining the optimal number of operators needed for different staff configurations in order to achieve the targets for service level and abandonment; 2) providing information about the trade-off between the key measurements in the call center; and 3) providing useful information about the number of operators needed and used for each hour of operation to estimate the number of four-hour shifts required to achieve the performance targets. Our experimental findings from this case study suggest that a bi-skill call center is economically better in the long-run compared to a full-skill or single-skill call center. This case study augments the call center body of knowledge by providing additional managerial insights for the operations management community.
Correlation of phospholipid metabolites with prostate cancer pathologic grade, proliferative status and surgical stage - impact of tissue environment.

This study investigates the relationship between phospholipid metabolite concentrations, Gleason score, rate of cellular proliferation and surgical stage in malignant prostatectomy samples by performing one- and two-dimensional, high-resolution magic angle spinning, total correlation spectroscopy, pathology and Ki-67 staining on the same surgical samples. At radical prostatectomy, surgical samples were obtained from 49 patients [41 with localized TNM stage T1 and T2, and eight with local cancer spread (TNM stage T3)]. Thirteen of the tissue samples were high-grade prostate cancer [Gleason score: 4 + 3 (n = 7); 4 + 4 (n = 6)], 22 low-grade prostate cancer [Gleason score: 3 + 3 (n = 17); 3 + 4 (n = 5)] and 14 benign prostate tissues. This study demonstrates that high-grade prostate cancer shows significantly higher Ki-67 staining and concentrations of phosphocholine (PC) and glycerophosphocholine (GPC) than does low-grade prostate cancer (2.4 ± 2.8% versus 7.6 ± 3.5%, p < 0.005, and 0.671 ± 0.461 versus 1.87 ± 2.15 mmolal, p < 0.005, respectively). In patients with local cancer spread, increases in [PC + GPC + PE + GPE] (PE, phosphoethanolamine; GPE, glycerophosphoethanolamine] and Ki-67 index approached significance (4.2 ± 2.5 versus 2.7 ± 2.4 mmolal, p = 0.07, and 5.3 ± 3.8% versus 2.9 ± 3.8%, p = 0.07, respectively). PC and Ki-67 were significantly lower and GPC higher in prostate tissues when compared with cell cultures, presumably because of a lack of important stromal-epithelial interactions in cell cultures. The findings of this study will need to be validated in a larger cohort of surgical patients with clinical outcome data, but support the role of in vivo (1)H MRSI in discriminating between low- and high-grade prostate cancer based on the magnitude of elevation of the in vivo total choline resonance.
Anhydrobiosis: Cellular Adaptation to Extreme Dehydration

The sections in this article are: 1 Induction of Anhydrobiosis 2 Biochemical Adaptations in Anhydrobiotes 2.1 Accumulation of Sugars by Anhydrobiotes 2.2 Sugars and the Wafer Replacement Hypothesis 2.3 Other Organic Compounds in Anhydrobiotic Plants 3 Sugars Stabilize Dry Proteins 3.1 Stabilization of Dried Proteins 3.2 Evidence for Direct Interaction between Sugars and Dry Proteins 3.3 Freezing Proteins 3.4 Preferential Interaction Mechanism and Cryoprotection of Proteins 4 Are Freezing and Dehydration Equivalent Stress Vectors? 5 Physical Properties of Phospholipids and Consequences of Dehydration 5.1 The Hydration Force 5.2 Effects of Water on the Physical Properties of Phospholipids 5.3 Physiological Consequences of Dehydration 6 Stabilization of Dry Liposomes 6.1 Retention of Trapped Solutes 6.2 Is the Bulk Concentration of Trehalose Important for Preservation? 6.3 Effects of Other Sugars 6.4 Mechanism of Stabilization of Dry Bilayers 6.5 Sugars and Lipid Phase Transitions 6.6 A Corollary to the Phase Transition Model 6.7 Effects of Trehalose on Phase Transitions in Dry DPPC 7 Mechanism of Interactions Between Sugars and Phospholipids 7.1 Evidence for Direct Interaction 7.2 When During the Drying Process Does Direct Interaction Occur? 8 Vitrification: An Alternative to the Water Replacement Hypothesis? 9 Extension of the Phase Transition Hypothesis to Native Membranes 10 Extension of the Phase Transition Hypothesis to Intact Cells 10.1 Effects on Phase Transitions in Intact Cells 10.2 The Phenomenon of Imbibitional Damage 10.3 Escape from Imbibitional Damage 10.4 Effects of Temperature on Leakage 10.5 What Is the Mechanism of Leakage? 10.6 Evidence for Gel-to-Liquid Crystalline Phase Transitions During Imbibition 10.7 Imbibition, Lipid Phase Transitions, and Germination 10.8 A Hydration-Dependent Phase Diagram for Dry Cells 10.9 General Applicability of FTIR for Studies on Anhydrobiotes 10.10 Depression of Tm in Dry Pollen 10.11 Lipid Phase Transitions and Imbibitional Leakage in Dry Yeast 11 Toward a Mechanism for Stabilizing Dry Cells 11.1 Potential Routes for the Introduction of Trehalose into Cells 11.2 Studies on Genetics of Trehalose Synthesis 11.3 Survival of Drying by Mutants 11.4 A Transport System for Trehalose in Yeasts 11.5 Conditions for Expression of the Trehalose Transporter 11.6 Prospectus for Stabilizing Dry Cells 12 Are Additional Adaptations Required in Anhydrobiosis? 12.1 Studies on Nematodes 12.2 Studies on Pollen 12.3 Mechanism of Destabilization of Membranes by Fatty Acids 12.4 Generation of Free Fatty Acids in Dry Bilayers: Oxidation 12.5 Enzymatic Deesterification of Fatty Acids: Lipases 12.6 Is PLA2 Active in Dry Bilayers? 12.7 Inhibition of PLA2 13 Summary of Adaptations to Dehydration: Is Trehalose Sufficient?
Fluorescence stopped-flow study of relaxation processes in the binding of bilirubin to serum albumins

Bilirubin binding to albumins of different species has been studied with stopped-flow measurements of protein fluorescence quenching and the appearance of bilirubin fluorescence. Binding, itself, as indicated by quenching of protein fluorescence, occurs at an immeasurably fast rate. The visible fluorescence of bilirubin, however, appears more slowly. The development of this fluorescence is a first-order process with a half-time of 50–100 msec, depending on the species of albumin, and may be related to the relaxation of bilirubin to a helical conformation. A slower secondary quenching of protein fluorescence occurs after the initial quenching associated with binding itself. The secondary process reduces the already quenched fluorescence by another 50%, is a first-order reaction, and has a half-time of 300–400 msec. From energy transfer calculations, a 4 A migration of bound bilirubin along the albumin binding crevice toward tryptophans could account for this degree of secondary quenching, but a protein conformational change is not ruled out. Multiple relaxation processes in macromolecular binding may prove to be rather general phenomena.
The Usefulness of the Stress-Cath® in the diagnosis of genuine stress incontinence

The purpose of this study is to assess the positive and negative predictive accuracy of the Stress-Cath® (Continental Pharmaceuticals, UK) as compared to single channel cystometry and a standing cough stress test in the diagnosis of genuine stress incontinence. Twenty-eight women were evaluated for incontinence by single-channel cystometry and a standing cough stress test at cystometric capacity. These same 28 women also underwent a modified fluid bridge test, using a device known as Stress-Cath®. This catheter is able to detect urine in the proximal urethra. The data demonstrated that the Stress-Cath® was 81.3% sensitive and 83.3% specific for the diagnosis of genuine stress incontinence as determined by the simplified urodynamic evaluation. The Stress-Cath® had a positive predictive rate of 86.6% and a negative predictive rate of 76.9%. Its false positive rate was 16.7% and false-negative rate was 18.7%. The Stress-Cath® is relatively insensitive in diagnosing genuine stress incontinence.
Approaches to N-Methylwelwitindolinone C Isothiocyanate: Facile Synthesis of the Tetracyclic Core

The synthesis of a functionalized, tetracyclic core of N-methylwelwitindolinone C isothiocyanate is reported. The approach features a convergent coupling between an indole iminium ion and a highly functionalized vinylogous silyl ketene acetal followed by an intramolecular palladium-catalyzed cyclization that proceeds via an enolate arylation.