cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chroma: a wearable augmented-reality solution for color blindness

Color blindness is a highly prevalent vision impairment that inhibits people's ability to understand colors. Although classified as a mild disability, color blindness has important effects on the daily activity of people, preventing them from performing their tasks in the most natural and effective ways. In order to address this issue we developed Chroma, a wearable augmented-reality system based on Google Glass that allows users to see a filtered image of the current scene in real-time. Chroma automatically adapts the scene-view based on the type of color blindness, and features dedicated algorithms for color saliency. Based on interviews with 23 people with color blindness we implemented four modes to help colorblind individuals distinguish colors they usually can't see. Although Glass still has important limitations, initial tests of Chroma in the lab show that colorblind individuals using Chroma can improve their color recognition in a variety of real-world activities. The deployment of Chroma on a wearable augmented-reality device makes it an effective digital aid with the potential to augment everyday activities, effectively providing access to different color dimensions for colorblind people.
The effect of table expansion on the program complexity of perfect hash functions

It has been shown by various researchers that designing a perfect hashing function for a fixed set ofn elements requires Θ(n) bits in the worst case. A possible relaxation of this scheme is to partition the set into pages, and design a hash function which maps keys to page addresses, requiring subsequent binary search of the page. We have shown elsewhere that (nk/2 k+1)(1 +o(1)) bits are necessary and sufficient to describe such a hash function where the pages are of size 2 k . In this paper we examine the additional scheme of expanding the address space of the table, which does substantially improve the hash function complexity of perfect hashing, and show that in contrast, it does not reduce the hash function complexity of the paging scheme.
Molecular structures of glycal-based bolaamphiphiles: analysis of crystal packing and hydrogen-bond networks.

Abstract The crystal structures for the glycal bolaamphiphiles, 1,12-bis-(2,3-α- d - erythro -hex-2-enopyranosyloxy)-dodecane ( 1 ) and 1,12-bis-(2,3-α- d - threo -hex-2-enopyranosyloxy)-dodecane ( 2 ), were determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The structure for 1 showed that the α:α and α:β diastereomers co-crystallized, with occupancy factors determining an isomeric ratio of 69:31. The pyranose rings for both structures are oriented away from each other and adopt a conventional glycal geometry. The head groups are nearly gauche to the hydrophobic chain, which adopts an all-trans zigzag conformation. Bolaamphiphile 1 packs in anti-parallel layers, while bolaamphiphile 2 displays a parallel arrangement of layers. Both structures display a three-dimensional hydrogen-bonding network involving the hydroxylic substituents on the head groups. The high similarity in large-scale solid state structures between 1 and glucosamide bolaamphiphile 3 , and 2 and galactosamide bolaamphiphile 4 suggest a strong dependence on head group stereochemistry, and that only a few, key intermolecular interactions between head groups are necessary in controlling the ultimate structure observed. The solid state results may have implications for understanding the intermolecular forces directing nanoscale self-assembly in solution.
A Mixed Method for the Simplification of High-Order Systems

A mixed algorithm for finding a family of reduced order model using the Routh-Hurwitz array and time moments matching technique is proposed. This method provides a reduced order model in an arbitrary parameter `a'. By selecting different values of `a' a family of stable and unstable reduced order models with the same order is obtained.
Mixed state variable friction laws: Some implications for experiments and a stability analysis

Friction laws that depend on both the rate and past history (or state) of a sliding surface have been previously used to describe the sliding friction of rocks and to model some earthquake features. It has been proposed that these laws require an overall velocity weakening for stick-slip instability to begin. This proposal is based on the assumption that the stress evolution after step changes in slip rate is monotonic. Recent experiments show, however, an irregularly present ‘mixed state variable’ effect in which it appears that a short range state variable is velocity weakening, and a long range state variable velocity strengthening. The stress evolution is clearly not monotonic after imposed step changes in velocity in these cases. It is shown here that instabilities can occur in the presence of overall velocity strengthening. Indeed, mixed state variable laws can explain some paradoxical laboratory observations in a natural way: Slow experiments may be too short to see the effects of the long state variable. Fast experiments may be too fast to resolve the effects of the short state variable. Thus similar experiments can show both velocity strengthening and velocity weakening depending on the total slip length increment measured.
Architecture induced by distributed backstepping design

An important problem in the distributed control of large-scale and infinite dimensional systems is related to the choice of the appropriate controller architecture. We utilize backstepping as a tool for distributed control of nonlinear infinite dimensional systems on lattices, and provide the answer to the following question: what is the worst case controller architecture induced by distributed backstepping design? We demonstrate that distributed backstepping design yields controllers that are intrinsically decentralized, with a strong similarity between plant and controller architectures. In particular, we study the 'worst case' control design in which all interactions are cancelled at each step of backstepping. Any other backstepping strategy yields controllers with better information transmission properties. For this 'worst case' situation we quantify the number of control induced interactions necessary to guarantee desired dynamical behavior of the infinite dimensional system. We also provide an example of systems on lattices and show how the controllers with favorable architectures can be designed.
Volatile Species in Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Implications for Enhanced Sensitivity

We propose a sample introduction method involving the formation of volatile species in solution and subsequent pneumatic nebulization for inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. A study of osmium oxidized to OsO4 and preliminary results for mercury reduced to the elemental form suggest that enhancements in sensitivity by a factor of 10 to 100 are achievable without degradation in analytical precision, in comparison with pneumatic nebulization of solutions containing the element of interest in a nonvolatile form. We discuss the physical basis for the method and support it by a brief theoretical treatment. The technique promises a broad applicability to elements capable of existing in a volatile form in solution. For the elements studied, no modifications of a commercial ICP spectrometer or sample introduction system are required.
Studies of Transport Phenomena and Electrostatic Interactions in Polyacrylate Gels

The transport of uncharged electroactive probes, 1,1‘-ferrocenedimethanol and 4-hydroxy-TEMPO, and electroactive cations, Tl+, was studied in polyacrylate hydrogels using steady-state voltammetry at platinum and mercury film microelectrodes. It was found that, for concentrations of polymer less than 1.5%, the diffusion coefficient of uncharged probes does not differ significantly from that observed in aqueous solutions without a polymeric network. For the probe cation, strong electrostatic interactions were observed between Tl+ and anionic polymeric networks; those interactions resulted in a significant decrease in the diffusivity of Tl+ cations. Experimental data for Tl+ transport in sodium polyacrylate gels were compared with predictions of Manning's theory for polyelectrolyte solutions. Electrostatic interactions between Tl+ and anionic polyacrylate three-dimensional gel network were found stronger than those predicted for solutions of an equivalent polyelectrolyte. Electrostatic effects for gels were ...
Test anxiety, input modality, and levels of organization in free recall

Subjects performed for five trials on a free recall list containing both rhyming word pairs and word-associate pairs, with either visual or auditory presentation. High-anxiety subjects recalled and clustered less than low-anxiety subjects for both rhymes and associates. There was little effect due to input modality, nor did modality interact with anxiety.
Densification of powder compacts: An unfinished story

The focus of this review is to summarize the understanding of why the coarsening of grains and pores accompanies the densification of a powder compact. The review will initiate with a summary of the thermodynamic studies of simple particle arrays, which suggests that the growth of necks between the initial touching particles stop before the compact is dense. Results of analytical and computer studies concerning how grain growth occurs in partially dense powder compacts will be reviewed to show that grain coarsening will reinitiate the neck growth process responsible for further shrinkage. Experimental results will then be reviewed and related to the analytical studies. It will be shown that isolated pores connected to the largest number of grain boundaries, namely, avenues for rapid mass transport, will disappear first. Finally, the lack of pore periodicity will constrain the shrinkage of one region relative to another.
Hormone-dependent transactivation by the human androgen receptor is regulated by a dnaJ protein

Genetic studies were performed to examine the role of eukaryotic dnaJ protein, Ydj1p, in the regulated activation of human androgen receptor (hAR) after heterologous expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Hormone-dependent activation of hAR was measured as a function of lacZ reporter gene expression, which was defective in ydj1-151 and ydj1-2 delta null mutant strains compared to the wild type. This defect was not due to receptor misfolding, since hAR in both wild type and mutant strains had a similar capacity to bind hormone. The target for Ydj1p action was determined to be the hAR hormone binding domain since an N-terminal fragment lacking this region was constitutively active in both wild type and ydj1-151 mutant strains. These data correlate hormone dependence of hAR activation with a requirement for Ydj1p function and are consistent with a role for dnaJ proteins in signal transduction by steroid hormone receptors.
Digital Autoland Control Laws Using Direct Digital Design and Quantitative Feedback Theory

Manually landing an unmanned aerial vehicle presents unique challenges since unmanned vehicle pilots require extensive training to become proficient in the landing task. Operators must therefore choose between a pilot controlling the vehicle from a ground station, or procurement of an automatic landing system. Although several autoland controllers exist for small or micro unmanned vehicles and for large unmanned vehicles, very few are available for medium sized unmanned aerial vehicles (about the size of a small general aviation aircraft). Additionally, medium sized unmanned aerial vehicles often have limited sensors and instrumentation yet must possess good performance in the presence of modeling uncertainties and external disturbances such as turbulence. This paper describes the synthesis and development of a discrete Quantitative Feedback Theory automatic landing controller for medium size unmanned aerial vehicles. Quantitative Feedback Theory is an attractive control methodology that provides good performance and robustness for a system with structured model uncertainties. It has been successfully applied to many aircraft problems, but not to automatic landing. Controllers for the localizer, glideslope tracker, and automatic flare are developed, as well as details of the inner-loop synthesis. Linear, non real-time six degree-of-freedom Monte Carlo simulation is used to compare the Quantitative Feedback Theory controller to a baseline Proportional-Integral controller in several still air and turbulent conditions. Results presented in the paper show that both controllers show good performance and robustness to model uncertainties in still air, but the Quantitative Feedback Theory controller routinely performs significantly better in all respects in turbulent air. It is therefore concluded to be a promising candidate for an autoland controller.
Reflex vasoconstriction following dental injections

Three case reports of transient facial blanching or vasoconstriction that followed administration of dental anesthetic are presented. A review of vasomotor cutaneous control is given, along with a proposal to explain this phenomenon.
Variables affecting silicone-polymethyl methacrylate interfacial bond strengths.

Purpose This study investigated the effects of various polymerization methods and of various types of silane coupling agents on the intefacial bond strengths of Molloplast-B and of two types of heat-processed polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Materials and Methods Standardized blocks of PMMA were processed and stored in 100% humidity for 14 days. Silicone of equal dimensions was flasked and processed with premixed and fresh-mixed silane coupling agents interposed. Processing utilized both a typical heated-water system and a dry-heat oven. Following recovery, the specimens were peel-tested at an angle of 180° in an Instron machine. Results There was no significant difference between the test variables of Lucitone (Dentsply/York Division, York, PA) versus Lucitone 199 (Dentsply/York Division), nor with wet versus dry heat polymerization methods. However, the mean bond strengths for premixed silane improved slightly in a wet polymerization environement. Conversely, fresh-mixed silane's mean bond strength increased slightly with dry-heat polymerization. Conclusions The bond strength between a methyl methacrylate denture base and a silicone soft liner varies only slightly when either Lucitone, Lucitone 199, or polymerization in a wet or dry environement is used. Under the conditions of this study, a fresh-mixed silane coupling agent produced a distinctly superior bond strength.
Pollination and facultative ant-association in the African leopard orchid Ansellia africana

ABSTRACT The leopard orchid Ansellia africana (Orchidaceae) is an epiphytic species widely distributed across tropical Africa. The pollination ecology of A. africana was investigated by direct observation. Buds and stalks of A. africana exude droplets of extra-floral nectar, but mature flowers produce no nectar. The role of extra-floral nectar appears to be recruitment of foraging ants to tend the flowers resulting in a facultative ant-association between the orchid and gregarious ants. Four different ant species were found to forage on A. africana's inflorescences. Ant-tended inflorescences suffered significantly less damage by insects. Mature A. africana flowers are non-rewarding which suggests a deceit pollination mechanism being employed by this orchid. The pollinators of A. africana were observed to be wild solitary bees species in the genera Xylocopa, Amegilla (Apidae) and Gronocera (Megachilidae). Observations of bee visitors to A. africana revealed overall low-visitation rates but adequate fruit s...
Lost in translation? Applying information behavior research to information systems design

Information seeking and use research generates numerous results on how users approach systems. Why then does it seem that something is lost in translation between research results and systems design? Panelists will discuss their experiences with incorporating the findings of information behavior research in system design. This panel focuses on the gap between the research on information seeking and use and its applications to systems design. Panelists from industry and academia will address the following issues: 1 Why is there a gap between research and design practice? How can that gap be characterized? 2 What are the obstacles to applying information behavior research to system design? How can these be overcome? 3 What is the role of information behavior research in development projects? Howe can research results more effectively benefit design? 4 How can researchers become more involved in influencing design? 5 What is needed to improve communication between information behavior researchers and others involved in the design of information systems? 6 How can systems designers, vendors, and librarians who purchase and customize commercial and open source information systems address these issues?
Evidence for an essential arginine residue at the active site of Escherichia coli acetate kinase

Abstract Escherichia coli acetate kinase (ATP: acetate phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.2.1.) was inactivated in the presence of either 2,3-butanedione in borate buffer or phenylglyoxal in triethanolamine buffer. When incubated with 9.4 mM phenylglyoxal or 5.1 mM butanedione, the enzyme lost its activity with an apparent rate constant of inactivation of 0.079 min−1 and 0.051 min−1, respectively. The loss of enzymatic activity was concomitant with the loss of an arginine residue per active site. Phosphorylated substrates of acetate kinase, ATP, ADP and acetylphosphate as well as AMP markedly decreased the rate of inactivation by both phenylglyoxal and butanedione. Acetate neither provided any protection nor affected the protection rendered by the adenine nucleotides. However, it interfered with the protection afforded by acetylphosphate. These data suggest that an arginine residue is located at the active site of acetate kinase and is essential for its catalytic activity, probably as a binding site for the negatively charged phosphate group of the substrates.
Hydrogen peroxide mediates plant root cell response to nutrient deprivation.

Potassium (K+) is an essential nutrient required by plants in large quantities, but changes in soil concentrations may limit K+ acquisition by roots. It is not known how plant root cells sense or signal the changes that occur after the onset of K+ deficiency. Changes in the kinetics of Rb+ uptake in Arabidopsis roots occur within 6 h after K+ deprivation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ethylene increased when the plants were deprived of K+. ROS accumulated in a discrete region of roots that has been shown to be active in K+ uptake and translocation. Suppression of an NADPH oxidase in Arabidopsis (rhd2), which is involved in ROS production, prevented the up-regulation of genes that are normally induced by K+ deficiency, but the induction of high-affinity K+ transport activity was unchanged. Application of H2O2 restored the expression of genes induced by K+ deficiency in rhd2 and was also sufficient to induce high-affinity K+ transport activity in roots grown under K+-sufficient conditions. ROS production is an early root response to K+ deficiency that modulates gene expression and physiological changes in the kinetics of K+ uptake.
Incorporating global manufacturing into the engineering coursework

Globalization refers to growing economic interdependences among countries, as reflected in increasing cross-border flows of goods and services, capital, and know-how. Although globalization is not new, the number of companies embarking in global operations, and the economic interchange among countries, continues to have a rapid growth - the World Investment Report (UNCTAD, 1999 and 2001) reports that, in 1995 there were 40,000 companies with 250,000 affiliates, while in 2000 this increased to more than 60,000 companies having over 800,000 foreign affiliates. Furthermore, the foreign direct investment inflow of developed countries grew about 5 times from $203 billions in 1995 to $1,005 billion in 2000, and that of developing countries doubled within 1995-2000, from $113.3 billion to $240.2 billion, respectively. This continuing trend is not new and the strategic importance of a workforce with a global perspective has been long recognized by industry and government funding agencies.
Consequences of deviating from predicted CEO labor market compensation on long-term firm value

Abstract Building upon labor market theory, we investigate whether under- or over-investing in CEOs (i.e., strategically paying above or below a CEO's predicted labor market compensation rate) affects long-term firm value and whether there are diminishing returns to these investments. Our results indicate that investments in CEOs are positively related to long-term firm value and that the relationship diminishes, eventually becoming negative, as investments increase.
COST OF CAPITAL IN CAPITAL BUDGETING FOR FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT

The concept of a company's cost of capital is used in capital budgeting as a potential basic discount rate to be applied to expected future cash flows from a proposed investment project being subjected to evaluation for acceptance or rejection. Discounted‐cash‐flow capital budgeting techniques derive from valuation theory that determines present value of expected future cash flows by discounting them down to the present at a discount rate appropriate to the degree of risk involved. Conceptually, this is true with regard to both domestic investment and foreign direct investment. However, there is recognition in the literature that capital budgeting for foreign direct investment decisions may involve complexities not present in the domestic case. These include economic, financial, and political factors, and related risks, e.g., foreign exchange risk, blocked currencies, expropriation. On the other hand, foreign direct investment is thought to provide diversification benefits, so that risks that are not domestically diversifiable are internationally diversifiable, thereby eliminating some otherwise systematic risk. Complexities such as these place a considerable burden upon the concept of cost of capital as a discount rate appropriately reflective of the degree of risk involved in a foreign direct investment project. Furthermore, cost of capital may be affected by environmental factors associated with what country the parent corporation calls “home” (Stonehill and Dullum).
Numerical simulations of orographic effects on NE Colorado snowstorms

In this paper we show using a three-dimensional mesoscale model that terrain forcing has a major effect on the observed snowfall distribution under upslope conditions in northeast Colorado. Two upslope snowstorms (in 1982 and in 1985) were simulated. The effects are strongly dependent on the orientation of the prevailing wind with respect to terrain orientation.
On the minimax feedback control of uncertain dynamic systems

In this paper the problem of optimal feedback control of uncertain discrete-time dynamic systems is considered where the uncertain quantities do not have a stochastic description but instead are known to belong to given sets. The problem is converted to a sequential minimax problem and dynamic programming is suggested as a general method for its solution. The notion of a sufficiently informative function, which parallels the notion of a sufficient statistic of stochastic optimal control, is introduced, and conditions under which the optimal controller decomposes into an estimator and an actuator are identified.
Cell-free expression of soluble and membrane proteins in an array device for drug screening.

Enzymes and membrane protein receptors represent almost three-quarters of all current drug targets. As a result, it would be beneficial to have a platform to produce them in a high-throughput format for drug screening. We have developed a miniaturized fluid array device for cell-free protein synthesis, and the device was exploited to produce both soluble and membrane proteins. Two membrane-associated proteins, bacteriorhodopsin and ApoA lipoprotein, were coexpressed in an expression medium in the presence of lipids. Simultaneous expression of ApoA lipoprotein enhanced the solubility of bacteriorhodopsin and would facilitate functional studies. In addition, the device was employed to produce two enzymes, luciferase and β-lactamase, both of which were demonstrated to be compatible with enzyme inhibition assays. β-lactamase, a drug target associated with antibiotic resistance, was further used to show the capability of the device for drug screening. β-Lactamase was synthesized in the 96 units of the device a...
Exploring the utility of an indel-rich, mitochondrial intergenic region as a molecular barcode for bamboo corals (Octocorallia: Isididae)

Abstract The DNA barcoding initiative has advocated the use of the 5′-end (∼ 658 bp) of mitochondrial (mt) cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 ( cox1 ) to genetically distinguish species. However, this has proven difficult within the subclass Octocorallia due to extraordinarily low substitution rates within mt protein-coding genes. Intergenic regions (IGRs), which have been little examined among octocorals, may be subject to high mutation rates and have proven useful target regions at both the interspecific and population levels of metazoans. Herein we examine a mt IGR ( igr4 ) between the cytochrome b ( cob ) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 ( nad6 ) genes among species of the bamboo coral subfamily Keratoisidinae to evaluate its utility for barcoding and phylogenetic studies. Among 77 keratoisidin specimens, we found igr4 to vary in length between either 42 bp ( Acanella Gray, 1870 and Orstomisis Bayer, 1990) or 302–605 bp ( Isidella Gray, 1857 , Lepidisis Verrill, 1883, Keratoisis Wright, 1869 , and two undescribed genera). We interpreted the short igr4 sequence of Acanella eburnea (Pourtales, 1868) as potentially indicative of additional mt genome-related novelties and thus sequenced its entire mt genome; gene content and gene order were the same as in a previously-sequenced bamboo coral mt genome. Alignment of the longer igr4 sequences included 108 parsimony-informative characters, as well as numerous indels ranging from 2–262 bp in length. Uncorrected pairwise ‘ p ’ distances indicated sequence variation of 0–27.2%, as compared to 0–4.8% among the same specimens for the MutS homolog ( msh1 ), currently the most widely sequenced octocorallian mt gene, and cox1 for a subset of the taxa. Despite the greater levels of variation, fewer unique haplotypes were observed at igr4 compared to msh1 ; however, in combination, the two gene regions revealed increased mt haplotype diversity relative to either gene region on their own.
Pathophysiology of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

This article explores the physiologic basis and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea--a general term encompassing central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea. The former is relatively uncommon while the latter is much more common. Episodic collapse and blockage of the upper airway occur during sleep despite continuous respiratory effort. Three types of sleep obstructive breathing--apnea, hypopnea, and airway resistance--are associated with respiratory-related arousals from sleep.
Orbits of Main-Sequence Eclipsing Binaries of Types Late F to K. IV. HS Aquarii, V1430 Aquilae, HP Aurigae, and CV Bootis

In this fourth paper of a series, values of M i are obtained for the late F–K eclipsing binaries HS Aqr, V1430 Aql, HP Aur, and CV Boo. The values of M i lie in the range 1.07 to 0.71 solar masses, both extremes being for HS Aqr. Lacking useful photometry, the equivalent widths of the Na D lines are employed to obtain, for each binary, a relation between the light ratio of the components in the V band and the two spectral types, a method completely independent of integral photometry. The mass of the secondary of HS Aqr appears anomalously small (0.7 M⊙ for its type, roughly G5, obtained from the strengths of the Na D lines). It appears unlikely that definitive photometry will be obtained for these stars, partly because of intrinsic variability. Under the circumstances, it is proposed to test the relationship between rotational velocities and widths of the stellar cross-correlation functions (used for the velocities), the test being based on results from synthetic binaries with known rotational velocities and binaries with known periods and radii. If the tests prove successful, stellar radii can be evaluated completely independently of photometry. Although extensive tests are required, no new principles are involved.
A die transfer technique

R estorative dentistry has been greatly simplified since the advent of elastomeric materials which enable dentists to obtain accurate reproductions of prepared teeth. Impressions for multiple fixed restorations require great skill as all preparations must be completely and accurately recorded. This is particularly difficult with full crown preparations because of extensive subgingival margins. In making an impression of multiple tooth preparations, it is not unusual to find that margins have been inadequately recorded. A second impression is usually made to obtain an accurate reproduction of the prepared teeth. Due to the difficulties encountered in making an impression of several prepared teeth, another defect may be found in the second impression. Performing this procedure repeatedly is frustrating, time-consuming, and discomforting to both the patient and the dentist. In a situation where the first impression is defective, it can be saved and poured in die stone. A second impression is then made to include only the tooth exhibiting a defect in the first impression and at least the occlusal one third of the adjacent teeth. By utilizing the following technique, the defective tooth can be replaced by transferring the die obtained from the second impression to the master cast.
Can cofactor-binding sites in proteins be flexible? Desulfovibrio desulfuricans flavodoxin binds FMN dimer.

Flavodoxins catalyze redox reactions using the isoalloxazine moiety of the flavin mononucleotide (FMN) cofactor stacked between two aromatic residues located in two peptide loops. At high FMN concentrations that favor stacked FMN dimers in solution, isothermal titration calorimetric studies show that these dimers bind strongly to apo-flavodoxin from Desulfovibrio desulfuricans (30 °C, 20 mM Hepes, pH 7, KD = 5.8 μM). Upon increasing the temperature so the FMN dimers dissociate (as shown by 1H NMR), only one-to-one (FMN-to-protein) binding is observed. Calorimetric titrations result in one-to-one binding also in the presence of phosphate or sulfate (30 °C, 13 mM anion, pH 7, KD = 0.4 μM). FMN remains dimeric in the presence of phosphate and sulfate, suggesting that specific binding of a divalent anion to the phosphate-binding site triggers ordering of the peptide loops so only one isoalloxazine can fit. Although the physiological relevance of FMN and other nucleotides as dimers has not been explored, our s...
Rubrerythrin-catalyzed substrate oxidation by dioxygen and hydrogen peroxide

Abstract Investigations were undertaken aimed at distinguishing and clarifying the reactivities of the Fe(SCys) 4 and diironoxo sites of rubrerythrin (Rr) during its catalysis of substrate oxidations by either dioxygen or hydrogen peroxide. Three Rr-catalyzed reactions were investigated: (1) the ferroxidase reaction: Fe aq 2+ +O 2 →Fe aq 3+ +[O] red ; (2) the NADH peroxidase reaction: NADH+H + +H 2 O 2 →NAD + +2H 2 O; and (3) the aromatic diamine peroxidase reaction exemplified with o -dianisidine as substrate: o -dianisidine+H 2 O 2 → o -dianisidine quinonediimine+2H 2 O. A non-native bacterial oxidoreductase was used as a co-catalyst for the NADH peroxidase reaction. Residues at or near both metal sites of Rr, including those furnishing iron ligands, were mutated to assist in clarifying the metal-site reactivities. In addition a Rr with Zn 2+ substituted for iron in the Fe(SCys) 4 site was examined. The results indicate that, in reactions 1 and 2, electrons from the reductant flow initially into the Fe(SCys) 4 site of Rr, then out through the diferrous site into O 2 or H 2 O 2 . In reaction 3 oxidized Rr appears to weakly activate H 2 O 2 for oxidation of the aromatic diamine substrate. The highest turnover occurs for the NADH peroxidase reaction. It is proposed that an extra carboxylate ligand not present in other diironoxo enzymes shifts the reactivity of the diferrous site of Rr towards hydrogen peroxide and away from dioxygen.
Electron spin echo modulation of triplet methylenes by nitrogen photochemical by-product

Abstract Electron spin echo modulations in two triplet arylmethylenes have been observed with rf fields which are too weak to induce coherent branching transitions among proton nuclear spin states. Modulation by the 14N nuclei of N2 released in the photolysis of the diazomethane precursor is consistent with the frequencies and angular dependences of the modulations.
Algorithms for Generating Probabilities with Multivalued Stochastic Relay Circuits

The problem of random number generation dates back to Von Neumann’s work in 1951. Since then, many algorithms have been developed for generating unbiased bits from complex correlated sources as well as for generating arbitrary distributions from unbiased bits. An equally interesting, but less studied aspect is the structural component of random number generation. That is, given a set of primitive sources of randomness, and given composition rules induced by a device or nature, how can we build networks that generate arbitrary probability distributions? In this paper, we study the generation of arbitrary probability distributions in multivalued relay circuits, a generalization in which relays can take on any of $N$ states and the logical ‘and’ and ‘or’ are replaced with ‘min’ and ‘max’ respectively. These circuits can be thought of as modeling the timing of events which depend on other event occurences. We describe a duality property and give algorithms that synthesize arbitrary rational probability distributions. We prove that these networks are robust to errors and design a universal probability generator which takes input bits and outputs any desired binary probability distribution.
Modeling the effect of people's preferences and social forces on adopting and sharing items

Recommender systems within social networks face three distinct challenges: suggesting what to consume/adopt, what to share and who to share it with. For all three cases, my and others' research work shows that people's decisions to adopt and share depend not only on their preferences for items, but also on social forces such as influence, conformity and identity management. Modeling the combined effects of people's preferences and social forces can lead to socially-aware recommender algorithms and interfaces as well more accurate models of information diffusion.I take a bottom-up approach to understanding how items are shared or adopted in a social network. First, I conduct behavioral experiments that give insights about, and allow to model the processes by which people decide to share or adopt items. Second, I use data from multiple social networking websites to validate and extend these models and develop tractable algorithms to predict people's decisions on items.This paper presents preliminary models for adoption and sharing along with future directions towards more accurate models. Results of my current work indicate that people consider their own preferences for items more than the recipients' when sharing and share only highly liked items. When adopting, people's preferences towards items matter, but so do annotations that accompany recommendations based on social influences; I show how their relative effects can be modeled as a mixture distribution.
How well do neurosurgeons care for trauma patients? A survey of the membership of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the trauma community's perceptions about neurosurgeons' involvement in trauma. METHODS: Mail survey of the membership of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma. RESULTS: The response rate was 33.6% (280 of 833 mailings). Eighty-four percent of respondents practiced in an academic setting, and 51% reported that neurosurgery residents were available in their hospitals at night and on weekends. Approximately 60% reported that neurosurgeons were in charge of the care of adults with isolated head injuries (HIs) who had been operated on. A similar percentage thought that neurosurgeons should be in charge of such patients' care. Only 31.5% indicated that neurosurgeons were in charge if no operation had been performed (P < 0.001 versus patients who had been operated on), but 42.1% thought that neurosurgeons should be in charge of patients who had not been operated on (P < 0.001 versus neurosurgeons who actually were in charge of such patients). The same question was asked with regard to adults with both HIs and systemic injuries and with regard to children with HIs with and without systemic injuries. In general, the actuality of a leadership role for neurosurgeons depended on whether a craniotomy had been performed, and it was believed that more neurosurgeons should be in charge than actually were in charge of patients with HIs. Reluctance to insert intracranial pressure monitors was the most commonly reported problem (44.8% of respondents) with regard to neurosurgeons' care of patients with HIs. All problems were reported to be significantly more common when in-house neurosurgery residents were not available. More than 40% of respondents indicated that non-neurosurgeons should be allowed to insert intracranial pressure monitors, and 14% thought that non-neurosurgeons should be allowed to perform trauma craniotomies. These opinions were strongly associated with the reporting of problems in neurosurgeons' performance in these areas (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Neurosurgeons frequently yield responsibility for managing patients with HIs to other specialists, but more frequent leadership of neurosurgeons in this area would be welcome. Reported problems with neurosurgical care of trauma patients may be related to a lack of immediate availability of neurosurgeons, such as the absence of in-house neurosurgery residents at night. Failure of neurosurgeons to address perceived deficiencies in their care of trauma patients may lead to serious erosion of the central role of neurosurgeons in managing patients with HIs.
Developing Legally Correct and Educationally Meaningful IEPs Using Curriculum-Based Measurement:

The individualized education program (IEP) has been the cornerstone of special education since the Education for All Handicapped Children's Act became law in 1975. Nevertheless, IEPs have been fraught with legal and educational problems. In this article we examine the process for developing IEPs and suggest that, by using curriculum-based measurement, school districts can ensure that they develop and implement IEPs that both meet the requirements of the law and provide meaningful educational programs for students with disabilities who have basic skills deficits. We begin by examining problems in IEP development, focusing on violations of the IEP process. Then, we discuss the three major components of the IEP. Finally, we present a case study of the use of curriculum-based measurement to develop legally correct and educationally meaningful IEPs.
Pneumonia caused by gram-negative bacilli

Gram-negative bacillary pneumonia has become an increasingly important disease in immunosuppressed, elderly, and hospitalized patients. The clinical features, etiologic agents, population at risk, treatment, and outcome in patients with well-documented gram-negative pneumonia were compared in two groups of patients: those with bacteremic pneumonia and those with nonbacteremic pneumonia documented by transtracheal aspiration. Clinical features were frequently subtle in both groups. A wide range of gram-negative bacilli were implicated as pathogens and pneumonias documented by transtracheal aspiration were frequently mixed infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens were the most common pathogens causing bacteremic pneumonias, whereas Escherichia coli and Klebsiella were more common in the nonbacteremic group. Gram-negative bacillary pneumonia was frequently a lethal disease despite two-drug therapy, particularly in bacteremic patients.
THE SCREEN‐FILTRATION PRESSURE METHOD FOR DETECTING PARTICULATE MATTER IN FLUIDS*

Summary A constant flow, screen-filtration pressure method is described which has proved sensitive to the presence of particulate matter in fluids. It has the advantage of simplicity and speed of operation.
Cyclotron resonance in single crystal graphite at 72 GHz

Abstract Cyclotron resonance experiments on single crystal graphite at 72 GHz are compared with earlier high-resolution data of Williamson et al. at 35 GHz. The results are consistent with their model which involved only majority hole resonance.
Alternative approaches to factorial invariance

Special cases of the factor analysis model are developed for four selection situations. Methods are suggested whereby parameters in each case can be estimated using a maximum likelihood procedure recently developed by Joreskog. Also, a numerical illustration is presented for each case.
Fluctuations in the process of resonant atomic absorption: laser phase-noise to amplitude-noise conversion

In the weak-field limit, resonant absorption is viewed as a passive process: an optical field impinges on an atom, and within some cross-sectional area the atom has a high probability for absorbing the radiant energy. Absorption, however, is a dynamic process. Consequently, though a singlemode laser is highly monochromatic, the field's phase noise (i.e., quantum noise) generates fluctuations in the atom's absorption cross section. Laser phase noise (PM) thereby gives rise to absorption cross-section noise, and hence fluctuations in the medium's transmitted light intensity (AM). Following a brief overview of the PM-to-AM conversion process, we consider the role of collisions on PM-to-AM conversion efficiency in the weak-field regime. Specifically, the relative-intensity-noise of a diode laser, tuned to the Rb D1 transition, was measured after it passed through a rubidium/nitrogen vapor. Varying the nitrogen pressure, we found that rapid collisional dephasing decreased the efficiency of PM-to-AM conversion. Examining the rubidium hyperfine transition lineshape as a function of nitrogen pressure, we then found that pressure-broadening increased the transition's signal-to-noise ratio when limited by the PM-to-AM conversion process.
Pharmaceutical development and manufacturing of a parenteral formulation of a novel antitumor agent, VNP40101M.

The objective of this study was to develop and manufacture a stable parenteral formulation for Phase I clinical trials of VNP40101M (1,2-Bis(methylsulfonyl)-1-(2-chloroethyl)-2-[(2-methylamino)carbonyl] hydrazine), a novel antitumor agent. The solubility and stability of the drug was determined. Solubility studies suggested that VNP40101M exhibited poor aqueous solubility but showed appreciable solubility in nonaqueous solvents. The aqueous solubility of the drug could not be increased by adjusting the pH. At a pH above 7, basecatalyzed decomposition of VNP40101M occurred. The low octanol-water partition coefficient of 0.75 suggested poor solubility in lipophilic solvents. Based on these preformation observations, a parenteral formulation containing 10 mg/mL of VNP40101M was prepared in a solvent system consisting of 30% ethyl alcohol and 70% polyethylene glycol-300 (PEG-300). To minimize base-catalyzed hydrolytic degradation. citric acid at 0.6% concentration was included to acidify the formulation. Rubber closures, filter membranes, and liquid transfer tubing were selected on the basis of compatibility studies and absence of loss of drug the of adsorption of these components. The formulation was subjected to accelerated stability studies and dilution studies with large volume parenteral (LVP) solutions, normal saline, and 5% dextrose injection (D5W). The results of the dilution study indicated that the formulation could be diluted in these solutions up to 2 mg/mL for 8 hours without drug precipitation and degradation. Accelerated stability studies suggested that the product should be kept at 2°C to 8°C for long-term storage. The developed formulation was successfully scaled up and manufactured for use in clinical trials.
Electrical impedance spectra of trans-polyacetylene

Abstract The electrical impedence spectra of trans -polyacetylene were studied. Using an equivalent circuit model, the impedence could be separated into two components. One component was identified as involving an intrinsic conduction which showed classical semiconductor behavior; the other component was identified as an inhomogeneity contribution. The results are discussed in terms of various transport experiments and models.
Hypertension risk factors and cardiovascular reactivity to mental stress in young men.

Hypertension risk may be associated with increased pressor response to mental stress. However, studies using family history as a predictor of reactivity have obtained mixed results. We assessed cardiovascular responses to mental arithmetic stress (a 5-min serial subtraction task) in male medical students (n = 220) at three levels of hypertension risk based on parental history and the subject's systolic blood pressure (SBP): low (SBP < 125 mm Hgand 0 or 1 hypertensive parent), moderate (resting SBP ≥ 125 mm Hgor 2 hypertensive parents), or high (resting SBP ≥ 125 mm Hgand 1 or 2 hypertensive parents). High risk men showed the greatest blood pressure responses (+ 22/ + 16 mm Hg), while moderate and low-risk groups showed correspondingly smaller responses (+ 17/ + 13 and + 14/ + 11 mm Hg, p's < 0.02). Family history alone did not predict differential reactivity. This study replicates and extends our previous work suggesting the importance of using both family history and resting blood pressure level in determining future risk for hypertension in studies of cardiovascular reactivity in relation to hypertension risk in males.
Nonoxide Chalcogenide Glasses as Infrared Optical Materials

In recent years, glassy systems based on the group VI A elements S, Se, or Te in combination with group IV A and group V A elements or V A elements alone, have been investigated as potential sources for new iroptical materials. The results obtained in the qualitative evaluation of glasses from many systems reported in the literature are given. Several specific compositions from different glass systems have been prepared in amounts large enough to allow quantitative evaluation of optical and related physical properties. The magnitudes of the parameters that describe the properties of chalcogenide glasses are discussed and compared to those of other ir optical materials. The methods currently used to compound the glass compositions are given and problems associated with fabrication are briefly discussed. Three potential sources of limited quantities of chalcogenide glasses are given.