cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Geometry of fully wiped twin‐screw equipment

The cross section geometry of fully wiped corotating twin screws is derived from simple kinematic principles. A pair of screws can have identical cross sections with each screw running at the same speed, or they can have an unequal number of tips and rotate at different speeds. The more conventional case of equal cross section is reviewed in detail, showing how screw diameter, centerline distance, lead, and number of tips influences design, net volumes, and surface areas. The screw cross section is unique for a given diameter, centerline distance, and number of tips. The construction of the cross section is shown, both for pairs of identical screws, and for screws with a speed ratio. Maps are provided to show applicability of screws with 1, 2, and 3 tips.
Flame Dynamics During Combustion Instability in a High-Pressure, Shear-Coaxial Injector Combustor

We present a large-eddy simulation based investigation of combustion instability in the Continuous Variable Resonance Combustor (CVRC); a high-pressure, shear-coaxial injector combustor studied experimentally at Purdue University. An important characteristic of the CVRC setup is the role that the oxidizer injector length plays in the stable/unstable combustion dynamics occurring within the combustor. We perform three simulations corresponding to different stability regions; one is a semi-stable case whereas the other two cases are unstable. The acoustic pressure fluctuation exhibits a limit cycle behavior in all cases. An abrupt change in the predicted amplitude between stable and unstable cases is also observed, consistent with the experimental trends. Further investigations to characterize the mechanism driving such abrupt change in the stability pattern when the oxidizer injector length is varied, show that acoustic interactions with the flow field lead to subtle changes in the vorticity (and mixing) dynamics, which significantly alters the distribution of species and heat release. In addition, aspects related to flame stabilization such as the mean flame anchoring location and the mode of burning, premixed or non-premixed, are also affected. The analysis of flame structures shows the presence of multi-mode burning regions where premixed and non-premixed flames appear to coexist. However, the dominant burning mode switches from premixed to non-premixed within an acoustic cycle, potentially playing an important role in flame stabilization.
Deletion of endothelial nitric oxide synthase exacerbates myocardial stunning in an isolated mouse heart model.

Background. While endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is an important regulator of vascular tone, it is also constitutively expressed in cardiac myocytes and contributes to the regulation of myocardial function. The role of eNOS in ischemia–reperfusion is uncertain, however, with some studies showing beneficial effects while other studies demonstrate increased cardiac injury. We hypothesized that the beneficial effects of eNOS would predominate, and thus that targeted deletion of eNOS would exacerbate myocardial dysfunction following ischemia–reperfusion. Materials and methods. ENOS knockout and wild-type mouse hearts were Langendorff-perfused using Krebs bicarbonate buffer and subjected to 20 min of global normothermic ischemia followed by 30 min of reperfusion. Myocardial function was measured using a ventricular balloon to determine time to onset of contracture, left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), and rate–pressure product (RPP). Results. Heart rate and coronary resistance were similar in both groups during baseline and reperfusion periods. Diastolic function as determined by peak LVEDP during ischemia and final LVEDP after reperfusion were worse in the eNOS knockout group vs wild-type (114 and 31 mmHg vs 92 and 18 mmHg, P < .05). Although RPP (heart rate × LVDP), measured as an index of systolic function, was initially better in eNOS knockouts (24216 vs 16353), wild-type hearts recovered more function than did eNOS knockout hearts by the end of 30 min of reperfusion (30892 vs 20522, P < .05). Conclusions. These data suggest that the deletion of eNOS results in increased myocardial dysfunction following ischemia–reperfusion in an isolated heart model.
Physiological responses of resistant and susceptible plants to diclofop‐methyl and its antagonism by 2,4‐D and antioxidants

Diclofop-methyl (DM) sprayed onto 6–8-week-old plants of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) caused senescence and abscission of older leaves, while the young leaves and apex remained attached. The phytotoxicity of DM was reversed by the antioxidant, α-tocopherol (vitamin E), in leafy spurge and DM-susceptible oat (Avena sativa L. cv. Gary). DM and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) increased ethylene evolution in mature leaves of leafy spurge. Vitamin E reduced the DM-induced ethylene by ampproximately 50%, but had no effect on the 2,4-D-induced ethylene. DM did not increase ethylene in DM-resistant pea or tobacco, but 2,4-D induced a 3-fold increase in ethylene evolution over controls in DM-resistant tobacco. 2,4-D amppears to act at a site different from that of DM in the pathway of ethylene formation. Ethylene evolution increased in DM-treated susceptible biotypes of annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum L.) and wild oat (Avena fatua L.), but not in resistant biotypes of these species. DM reduced root and shoot formation and dry weight in hypocotyl segments of etiolated leafy spurge seedlings grown in vitro. Organogenesis and dry weights were increased by the combination of DM+antioxidants. Vitamin E was a more effective antioxidant than ascorbic acid. These results sumpport the hypothesis that DM induces oxidative stress in susceptible plant tissues and that antioxidants reduce the damaging action of the phytotoxic free radicals.
Fluorescence labeling and sorting of hepatocyte subpopulations to determine the intralobular heterogeneity of paraoxon-metabolizing enzymes in DDE-treated and control rats

Abstract To obtain hepatocyte subpopulations of defined intralobular regional origin, rat livers were perfusion-labeled with fluorescein diacetate. A high concentration of fluorescein diacetate solution was prepared with the aid of porcine serum albumin and pulse-infused into the rat liver in situ in an antero- or a retrograde mode. Fluorescein diacetate was rapidly and reversibly taken up by hepatocytes of afferent regions and migrated “chromatographically” along the sinusoid while undergoing very rapid hydrolysis to fluorescein. The migration rate was accelerated by higher albumin concentrations in the infusate and perfusate and by higher flow rates. Flrorescence photomicrographs showed a distinct labeling of afferent regions which appeared as the brightest labeled population in a flow cytometry plot of frequency vs log (fluorescence). The cytometry plot showed unlabeled hepatocytes as a major broad peak above autofluorescence and fluorescence-labeled cells as a plateau above the peak. The centrilobular hepatocytes sorted in a fluorescence-activated cell sorter contained about twofold as much activity for paraoxonase, paraoxon deethylase, and fluorescein diacetate hydrolase as the periportal hepatocytes of the liver from both control and DDE-treated rats. DDE-treated rat livers had about 15-fold higher paraoxon deethylase activity than controls while paraoxonase and fluorescein diacetate hydrolase were elevated about 1.5 times.
On Plasma-Film Interactions In rf Sputtered a-Si:H and a-Ge:H

The extension of a previous investigation of plasma-film interactions in a-Si:H rf sputtered in He/H 2 , Ar/H 2 , and Xe/H 2 , at a target-to-substrate gap d = 1", to include higher gaps and rf sputtered a-Ge:H, is described and discussed. As expected, the interactions are weakened at d≥2", and the resulting films appear to be more relaxed than at d = 1". The analysis of the IR stretch and bending mode bands in annealed films sheds new light on relaxation processes and the relation between the stretch mode structure and the optoelectronic quality of a-Si:H films. In a-Ge:H, the deposition rate increases with increasing rf power in a manner similar to that in a-Si:H, and decreases exponentially with increasing d. The dihydride and trihydride bonding configuration densities decrease and the photoconductivity increases with increasing rf power (as in a-Si:H) and increasing d. These phenomena are discussed in relation to the dependence of the plasma-film interactions on these parameters.
Bayesian Economic Variable Acceptance-Sampling Plan Using Inverse Gaussian Model and Step-Loss Function

Inverse Gaussian (IG) distribution is used as a lifetime model to obtain optimal values for sample size (n) and action limit (d) for employing economic variable acceptance-sampling plans based on step-loss function. IG prior distribution is assumed for the lot mean. The cost function consists of three components: costs of acceptance, rejection, and inspection. Robustness of the proposed samling plan with respect to a choice of prior is studied. It indicates robustness as long as the tail specification of alternative prior distributions are close enough to that of IG distribution. Simulation studies indicate accuracy of Taylor series as an approximation method for intractable expected values. To facilitate employing the proposed sampling plan, Minitab macros are provided in Sec. 4.4 that search for optimal values of n, d and Expected Total Cost (ETC).
Presenilin endoproteolysis is an intramolecular cleavage.

Abstract Mutations in the presenilin genes (PS) account for most cases of familial Alzheimer's disease. PS contain the active site of the γ-secretase complex that cleaves within the transmembrane domain of β-amyloid precursor protein (APP). Full-length PS undergoes regulated endoproteolysis to produce fragments that comprise the active form of PS. The “presenilinase” responsible for endoproteolysis is unknown but may be the same presenilin-dependent γ-secretase activity that cleaves APP. To investigate the mechanism of endoproteolysis, we examined sequence specificity at the cleavage site and tested whether PS dimers are important for endoproteolysis as well as γ-secretase activity. No single point mutation, or a double mutation M292D/V293K, was able to completely abolish endoproteolysis and all mutants supported γ-secretase activity. When wtPS1 was co-expressed with either M292D/V293K or D257A, it was unable to restore normal endoproteolysis to either mutant. Lack of transcleavage by wtPS1 suggests that PS1 endoproteolysis occurs via intramolecular cleavage and does not require dimerization.
Fathers' and Mothers' Verbal Responsiveness and the Language Skills of Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Purpose In this observational study, we examined the interactions of 16 young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their parents to investigate (a) differences in verbal responsiveness used by fathers and mothers in interactions with their children with ASD and (b) concurrent associations between the language skills of children with ASD and the verbal responsiveness of both fathers and mothers. Method Parent verbal responsiveness was coded from video recordings of naturalistic parent–child play sessions using interval-based coding. Child language skills were measured by the Preschool Language Scale–Fourth Edition (Zimmerman, Steiner, & Pond, 2002). Results For both fathers and mothers, parent verbal responsiveness was positively associated with child language skills. Mothers' responsiveness was also significantly associated with child cognition. After controlling for child cognition, fathers' verbal responsiveness continued to be significantly related to child language skills. Conclusions Alth...
Comparison of the effects of cationic porphyrins on DNA properties: influence of GC content of native and synthetic polymers.

Interactions of meso-tetra(4-N-methylpyridyl)porphyrin [TMpyP(4)], meso-tetra(2-N-methylpyridyl)porphyrin [TMpyP(2)], and meso-tetra(para-N-trimethylanilinium)porphyrin (TMAP) with several native and synthetic DNAs were studied by a variety of physical techniques: nmr (31P and 1H), absorption spectroscopy, viscosity, and flow dichroism (FD). Of the three porphyrins studied, only the interaction of TMpyP(4) with poly [d(G-C)2] was fully consistent with intercalation. In particular, a large increase in viscosity, a downfield 31P-nmr signal (ca. -1 ppm), and upfield imino proton signals (11 to 12 ppm range) were observed. Comparison of the effects of TMpyP(4) on DNAs of different GC contents revealed larger changes in solution viscosity with increased GC content. However, the characteristic changes in 31P- and 1H-nmr spectra were not observed. The viscosity increases observed in studies with poly[d(A-C)(G-T)] and C. Perf. DNA were much lower than with poly[d(G-C)2], M. Lys. DNA, and calf thymus DNA. Thus, GC sequence and content are clearly important. The principal change in the 31P-nmr signal of native DNA is the appearance of a very broad shoulder centered at ca. -2.0 ppm, which is larger in M. Lys. DNA than in C. Perf. DNA. FD studies indicate highly ordered TMpyP(4) cations arranged perpendicular to the DNA axis of calf thymus DNA. Together, these results suggest the major effects of TMpyP(4) on DNA properties are due to strong GC-binding interactions that influence DNA structure. The data are consistent with combined intercalative and outside binding interactions of TMpyP(4) with GC regions of DNA. In contrast, similar studies with TMAP suggest that it influences AT regions of DNA by an outside binding mode. On the other hand, TMpyP(2) effects on DNA properties are consistent with nonselective outside binding.
Time- and frequency-domain properties of light emitted in slow ion–atom collisions

We describe light emission from the complex formed during ion–atom collisions, that arises from electronic charge transfer and the related oscillatory dipole of the complex. This is treated in an eikonal/time-dependent Hartree–Fock approach which accounts for coupling of electronic and nuclear motions and generates the time-dependent dipole of the complex. Calculations were done for H++H with a basis set of travelling atomic functions, for collision energies of 100, 250, and 1000 eV, to obtain the energy emitted per solid angle versus both time and the light frequency. Results are presented for the intensity components of the light emitted parallel and perpendicular to the incoming projectile H+ velocity. Light emission is found to last several femtoseconds, and to be distributed over ultraviolet frequencies. The intensity of light emitted by the complex H2+ increases as collision energies are lowered.
Abstract SY42-03: Novel DNA repair inhibitors for radiosensitization and cancer therapy

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA There is growing interest in the development of molecules that can inhibit DNA repair or disrupt DNA damage response pathways for application to cancer therapy. Such inhibitors offer the potential to achieve synthetic lethality in the context of DNA repair deficient cancers and/or to sensitize tumors to chemotherapy and radiation. We have identified a series of structurally related small molecules that demonstrate increased toxicity to human cancer cells deficient in BRCA2, PTEN, ATM, and the Fanconi pathway. These compounds are not PARP inhibitors but rather impact DNA damage response pathways at upstream steps, causing impairment of both homology-dependent DNA repair (HDR) and non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) repair of DNA double-strand breaks. The molecules also reduce the formation of DNA repair foci by several damage response factors, including 53BP1, BRCA1, and DNA-PK, following ionizing radiation treatment of cancer cells. Efforts to identify the molecular target of these compounds are underway. In addition, we have found that a highly unusual lupus-derived, cell-penetrating autoantibody, 3E10, preferentially binds DNA single-strand tails, inhibits key steps in DNA single-strand and double-strand break repair, and sensitizes tumor cells and human tumor xenografts to DNA-damaging therapy, including doxorubicin and radiation. Moreover, we find that 3E10 alone is synthetically lethal to BRCA2-deficient human cancer cells and selectively sensitizes such cells to low dose doxorubicin. These findings identify a new antibody that may have clinical application in cancer, particularly in BRCA-related malignancies. Because lupus is associated with circulating autoantibodies reactive against host DNA, the work also suggests that lupus autoantibodies may be a valuable source of other potential therapeutic agents. In addition, our findings raise the possibility that lupus autoantibodies may be partly responsible for the unexpectedly low rates of breast and ovarian cancers observed in lupus patients. Citation Format: Peter M. Glazer. Novel DNA repair inhibitors for radiosensitization and cancer therapy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr SY42-03. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-SY42-03
Earthquake scaling relations for mid‐ocean ridge transform faults

[1] A mid-ocean ridge transform fault (RTF) of length L, slip rate V, and moment release rate can be characterized by a seismic coupling coefficient χ = AE/AT, where AE ∼ /V is an effective seismic area and AT ∝ L3/2V−1/2 is the area above an isotherm Tref. A global set of 65 RTFs with a combined length of 16,410 km is well described by a linear scaling relation (1) AE ∝ AT, which yields χ = 0.15 ± 0.05 for Tref = 600°C. Therefore about 85% of the slip above the 600°C isotherm must be accommodated by subseismic mechanisms, and this slip partitioning does not depend systematically on either V or L. RTF seismicity can be fit by a truncated Gutenberg-Richter distribution with a slope β = 2/3 in which the cumulative number of events N0 and the upper cutoff moment MC = μDCAC depend on AT. Data for the largest events are consistent with a self-similar slip scaling, DC ∝ AC1/2, and a square root areal scaling (2) AC ∝ AT1/2. If relations 1 and 2 apply, then moment balance requires that the dimensionless seismic productivity, ν0 ∝ 0/ATV, should scale as ν0 ∝ AT−1/4, which we confirm using small events. Hence the frequencies of both small and large earthquakes adjust with AT to maintain constant coupling. RTF scaling relations appear to violate the single-mode hypothesis, which states that a fault patch is either fully seismic or fully aseismic and thus implies AC ≤ AE. The heterogeneities in the stress distribution and fault structure responsible for relation 2 may arise from a thermally regulated, dynamic balance between the growth and coalescence of fault segments within a rapidly evolving fault zone.
Customer satisfaction, perceived risk and affective commitment: an investigation of directions of influence

– This paper aims to examine competing models of the directionality of influences between customer satisfaction, affective commitment, and the customer's perceptions of risk associated with a service organization. It also aims to include the effects of a customer's prior experience with the organization and experience with other organizations in the service category in the models., – Structural equation models of data from a survey to customers of a performing arts organization (sample size=401) are used to test the hypotheses., – The study suggests that commitment has a positive influence on customer satisfaction and diminishes risk perceptions. There is less support for a model in which satisfaction increases commitment and reduces perceived risk., – There has been recent controversy as to whether customer satisfaction leads to customer loyalty. This study provides a different perspective by suggesting that customers with high commitment to an organization use satisfaction surveys to express their loyalty.
Roundoff noise and overflow in normal digital filters

Minimum-norm realizations of fixed-point digital filters provide guaranteed immunity from autonomous overflow limit cycles. This paper presents an analysis of the relationship between dynamic range and roundoff noise for a class of minimum-norm realizations called "normal." For normal realizations, the eigenvectors of the system matrix form an orthogonal basis for the system state space. An explicit expression for minimum roundoff noise, under an 12 dynamic range constraint, is derived, and means for achieving this minimum are given. The simple expression for minimum roundoff noise permits easy determination, by trial and error, of optimal subfilter structures. Explicit expressions for the state-space parameters of optimal secondorder normal filters are given.
An Ecosystem View of the Restoration of the Kissimmee River

Restoration of the Kissimmee River and floodplain ultimately will involve restoring 70 km of river channel and riparian zone and 11,000 ha of wetland over a period of two decades. Restoring ecosystem integrity is a crucial goal of the project, and the evaluation program is designed to assess the success of this endeavor. Major components of the riverine and floodplain ecosystem will be evaluated, guided by conceptual models of their structure and function. These studies will be referenced to historic conditions of the past and to present-day conditions in the channelized system. Enhanced connectivity and interactions between the river and floodplain, the interplay of abiotic and biotic variables, and interactions between trophic levels will restructure the channelized river and the largely drained floodplain that now exist. The key to evaluating the success of this ambitious project will be selecting measurements of the structure and function of the river and floodplain ecosystems that are responsive to this large-scale manipulation. The timing and duration of floodplain inundation, improved dissolved oxygen conditions, germination and establishment of wetland vegetation, and enhancement and expansion of rheophilic benthic invertebrate populations are critical initial elements of restoration. Further expected outcomes are an increase in the primary productivity of the ecosystem, expansion of the fish community into the reopened channels and onto the reflooded floodplain, and improved visitation and use by waterbirds in the restored regions. We highlight predictions of some of these key linkages and primary structural and functional attributes of the restored river and floodplain that should be measured.
Epidermal muscles and peristaltic burrowing in Carinoma tremaphoros (Nemertini): Correlates of effective burrowing without segmentation

A structural and ultrastructural investigation of epidermis in the esophageal region of Carinoma tremaphoros is correlated with analysis of burrowing locomotion. The pseudostratified epidermis contains multiciliated epidermal cells, gland cells and granule-containing basal or interstitial cells resting on a well-developed basement membrane. Both circular and longitudinal muscles are present within the epidermis, woven between the cells of this layer. These muscles are well-developed along the anterior region of the worm and, like the subepidermal muscles, are a variation of obliquely striated muscle without continuous Z-rods. Epidermal muscles originate as branches from the underlying mesodermal musculature and cross the basement membrane into the epidermis, confirming earlier observations. These muscles are unrelated to myoepithelial epidermal cells described in other metazoans. This condition is considered a secondary derivation consistent with the Gastraea-Enterocoel theory of bilateral metazoan evolution. Carinoma is a peristaltic burrower. Peristaltic waves are limited to the anterior region of the worm where the diameter of the rhynchocoel is maximal and the bilayered epidermal musculature is strongly developed. Following a consideration of burrowing mechanics in annelids, supernumerary epidermal muscles in Carinoma are interpreted as prerequisites to peristaltic burrowing effectiveness in a non-segmented coelomate.
Behavioral augmentation of tolerance to alcohol and the response measure

The differential effects upon behavior of alcohol in tolerance acquisition were examined. Consistent with earlier findings using a treadmill and temporal maze, tolerance as assessed by changes in operant response duration was transferable to another operant task, and tolerance as measured by operant response duration was augmented by drug-related practice only in the rate of tolerance acquisition, not in the level of tolerance attained. However, with the use of response rate as the acquisition index, tolerance was not completely transferable to a different operant and drug-related practice augmented rate of acquisition as well as final level of tolerance attained. It is suggested that the response measure employed is a variable in the determination of the behavioral augmentation of alcohol tolerance in the rat.
Terrace selection during equilibration at an icosahedral quasicrystal surface

We investigate the equilibration of a fivefold surface of the icosahedral $\mathrm{Al}\penalty1000-\hskip0pt\mathrm{Pd}\penalty1000-\hskip0pt\mathrm{Mn}$ quasicrystal at 900--915 and $925--950\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$, using scanning tunneling microscopy. After annealing at the lower temperatures, there is a high density of shallow voids on some terraces but not on others; at $925--950\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$, the void-rich terraces are much rarer. The terminations that are consumed by voids exhibit a distinctive local atomic configuration, called a ``ring'' by previous authors. Apparently, through growth and coalescence of the voids, a different termination becomes exposed on the host terraces, which also leads to a change in step heights at the edges of the terraces. We suggest that the shallow steps associated with the voids, and the ring configuration, signal a surface that is in an intermediate stage of structural equilibration.
Single-strand specificity of APOBEC3G accounts for minus-strand deamination of the HIV genome.

Single-strand specificity of APOBEC3G accounts for minus-strand deamination of the HIV genome
Reactivity of Low-Valent Iridium, Rhodium, and Platinum Complexes with Di- and Tetrasubstituted Hydrazines

Three complexes, IrCl(PEt3)3, Rh(NNN)Cl (NNN = 2,6-(CyN═CH)2C5H3N), and (NN)PtMe2 [NN = 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) or 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy)], have been investigated for N−N oxidative addition reactivity with di- and tetrasubstituted hydrazines. The reaction of IrCl(PEt3)3with 1,2-diphenylhydrazine (PhNHNHPh) forms the cyclometalated azobenzene complex (Et3P)2Cl(H)Ir(C6H4N═NPh) (1) and the 2:1 complex [(Et3P)2Cl(H)Ir]2(μ-C6H4N═NC6H4) (2). The Rh(NNN)Cl pincer complex catalyzes the disproportionation of PhNHNHPh to azobenzene and aniline with no change in the Rh complex. The reaction of (bpy)PtMe2 with the hydrazine AcNHNHC(O)CH2CH2CH═CH2 (3) yields the platinum metallacycle (bpy)Pt(η2-AcN-NC(O)(CH2)2CHCH2 (4). Although IrCl(PEt3)3, Rh(NNN)Cl, and (NN)PtMe2 all undergo facile oxidative addition of other X−Y bonds, such reactivity is not observed for hydrazines; in the Ir and Pt systems there is a clear preference for cleavage of the stronger N−H bond over the N−N bond. The tetrasubstituted hydrazines tetrap...
P-80: Extra High Efficiency Reflector Fabricated by a One-Step Exposure Method

In previous works, a high quality reflective TFT-LCD with an internal asymmetric diffusive micro slant reflector (DMSR) was developed. The DMSR is used to enhance the image quality and had been made by a process with multiple exposures. In this paper, we will describe a new approach to form the same structure by single exposure process. Experimental results demonstrate that the DMSR formed by this new approach can have better performance than the previous one.
Affinity membranes : Competitive binding of the human IgG subclasses to immobilized protein G

Sorption of the four subclasses of human immunoglobulin G (hIgG) to recombinant protein G immobilized to microporous membranes was examined to further the understanding and characterization of this medically-important system. Using batch incubation, sorption of the individual hIgG subclasses was measured in competitive and noncompetitive experiments. Individually, all subclasses had very similar sorption rates and equilibrium capacities. In contrast, for mixtures of the subclasses, binding was distinctly different, with strong competitive binding occurring: as the system approached equilibrium, significantly more hIgG1 and hIgG3 bound to the membrane than did hIgG2 and hIgG4. A kinetic and equilibrium model was able to successfully simulate the binding of hIgG1, hIgG2, and hIgG4 but not hIgG3. The results are relevant to the healthcare and biotechnology industries: (1) the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases, (2) mitigation of rejection in recipients of organ transplants, and (3) production of monoclonal antibodies for use as therapeutic biopharmaceuticals.
An outbreak of myxobacterial disease in coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) reared in a Maine estuary.

An epizootic of a myxobacterial infection in coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) was responsible for the death of 50,000 fish, 30% of the population. Cartilage in the nose, mouth and lower jaw was eroded, and yellow sheets of bacterial growth were observed in the mouth, pharynx and pneumatic duct. The severity of the disease increased with increasing water temperature. Pathogenicity trials were inconclusive; only two of 18 experimentally infected fish succumbed to the disease. However, the lesions, and the absence of other known pathogens suggests the myxo-bacterium was responsible.
Facilitation by Variation: Right-to-Left Learning of English Yes/No Questions.

This study advances the hypothesis that optional structural variation in language facilitates syntactic learning (facilitation-by-variation). Support for this is provided by a right-to-left-elaboration acquisition model for English yes/no questions (YNQs). Previous studies have focused on the acquisition of ‘‘inverted’’ YNQs, a cornerstone of nativist theories of language development. Data from five American children (1;3 to 5;1) and their parents show that children hear a range of adult questions (Coming? You coming? Are you coming?), not all inverted. These variants are ordered from structurally least complex noncanonical forms to complex canonical inverted forms. I use state-of-the-art econometric techniques to estimate breakpoints in YNQ time series and show that noncanonical questions emerge early in children’s speech and facilitate acquisition of canonical ones. This incremental structure-building process relies on an adjunction strategy that augments noncanonical questions with initial auxiliaries and subjects. Development proceeds incrementally from right to left to derive auxiliary-initial structures.
The Nature of Supportive Listening, I: Exploring the Relation between Supportive Listeners and Supportive People

Supportive listening is recognized as an important element of supportive interactions, yet there is little research on the specific behaviors and characteristics of supportive listeners. Moreover, the terms supportive person and supportive listener are used interchangeably. This study sought 1) to investigate how supportive people and supportive listeners are described and 2) to assess similarities and differences among these categories. To answer our research questions, one group (n = 206) described unsupportive/supportive persons, and a second group (n = 211) described unsupportive/supportive listeners. Thought units from these data were then categorized and compared for similarities between these two types of supportive individuals. Results indicate supportive individuals, both listeners and persons, were described similarly, though several notable differences were identified. In general, the label supportive listening may be best described as a set of behavioral responses, whereas the term supportive ...
Stability in Hovering Ornithopter Flight

The quasi-steady aerodynamics model is coupled to a dynamic model of ornithopter flight. Previously, the combined model has been used to calculate forward flight trajectories, each a limit cycle in the vehicle's states. The limit cycle results from the periodic wing beat, producing a periodic force while on the cycle's trajectory. This was accomplished using a multiple shooting algorithm and numerical integration in MATLAB. An analysis of hover, a crucial element to vertical takeoff and landing in adverse conditions, follows. A method to calculate plausible wing flapping motions and control surface deflections for hover is developed, employing the above flight dynamics model. Once a hovering limit cycle trajectory is found, it can be linearized in discrete time and analyzed for stability (by calculating the trajectory's Floquet multipliers a type of discrete-time eigenvalue) are calculated. The dynamic mode shapes are discussed.
Temperature-dependent NMR study of the impurity state in heavily doped Si:P

We report $^{31}\mathrm{P}$ (impurity) and $^{29}\mathrm{Si}$ (host) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data for heavily doped Si:P over a wide temperature range $(100--500\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K})$ for samples with nominal doping levels between $4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{18}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ and $8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{19}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$. The data include resonance shifts, linewidths, and spin-lattice relaxation rates for both host and impurity nuclei. The NMR parameters for $^{31}\mathrm{P}$ exhibit complex dependences on temperature and dopant concentration that are distinct from those of the host $^{29}\mathrm{Si}$ nuclei indicating that the hyperfine fields at the impurity are determined by local characteristics of the impurity electronic state. For nominal carrier concentrations up to about $1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{19}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$, the impurity NMR properties are inconsistent with expectation for fully ionized dopants with carriers exclusively occupying states in the conduction band. A simple impurity band model yields numerical simulations of the resonance shifts and relaxation rates that reproduce the qualitative features and are in semi-quantitative agreement with the $^{31}\mathrm{P}$ data. These results imply that free carriers in Si:P are in dynamic exchange with residual impurity states at concentrations as high as ${10}^{19}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ and at temperatures well above room temperature.
The Effects of Term Limits on State Legislatures: A New Survey of the 50 States

Term limits on legislators were adopted in 21 states during the early 1990s. Beginning in 1996, the limits legally barred incumbents from reelection in 11 states, and they will do so in four more by 2010. In 2002, we conducted the only survey of legislators in all 50 states aimed at assessing the impact of term limits on state legislative representation. We found that term limits have virtually no effect on the types of people elected to office�whether measured by a range of demographic characteristics or by ideological predisposition�but they do have measurable impact on certain behaviors and priorities reported by legislators in the survey, and on the balance of power among various institutional actors in the arena of state politics. We characterize the biggest impact on behavior and priorities as a �Burkean shift,� whereby term-limited legislators become less beholden to the constituents in their geographical districts and more attentive to other concerns. The reform also increases the power of the executive branch (governors and the bureaucracy) over legislative outcomes and weakens the influence of majority party leaders and committee chairs, albeit for different reasons.
Role of phospholipase C in mediating oxytocin -induced release of prostaglandin F2α from ovine endometrial tissue

Two experiments were conducted to determine if the ability of oxytocin to stimulate release of prostaglandin (PG)F2 alpha from ovine uterine tissue involved activation of phospholipase C (PLC). In the first experiment, 9 ewes were injected with progesterone for 11 d (12 mg/d, im). On days 11 and 12, ewes received an injection of estradiol (100 micrograms, im). Caruncular endometrial tissue was collected on d 13 and incubated in the presence or absence of oxytocin (10(-6) M). Concentrations of PGF2 alpha and its metabolite, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2 alpha (PGFM), in culture media were determined by radioimmunoassay. PLC activity was determined by measuring the intracellular accumulation of 3H-inositol phosphates after preincubation with 3H-inositol. Concentrations of PGF2 alpha and total PGF (PGF2 alpha + PGFM) in culture media were greater for explants treated with oxytocin than for controls (p. less than .02, p less than .06, respectively). A similar effect of oxytocin on intracellular concentrations of 3H-inositol phosphates was observed (p less than .01). A second experiment was conducted to determine if agonists of second messengers, produced by activation of PLC, could stimulate release of PGF2 alpha from ovine endometrial tissue. Seven ewes were treated with progesterone and estradiol as in experiment 1. Explants of caruncular tissue from each ewe were incubated with 1) control medium, 2) A23187 (10(-5) M), 3) oxytocin (10(-6) M), 4) phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 10(-7) M), 5) PMA + A23187 and 6) PMA + oxytocin. Significant stimulatory effects of oxytocin, PMA and A23187 on concentrations of PGF2 alpha and total PGF in culture media were observed (p. less than .05, p less than .1, p less than .1, respectively). In conclusion, oxytocin stimulated release of PGF2 alpha and activity of PLC in explants of ovine endometrial tissue in vitro. Second messengers associated with activation of PLC enhanced release of PGF2 alpha from ovine endometrial tissue.
An evaluation of the predictions of the Federal Reserve

Abstract To successfully implement monetary policy, the Federal Reserve System (FED) must make forecasts about the future state of the economy. This paper examines some of the characteristics of these forecasts. The analysis presents the usual error measures and tests for rationality. The paper compares these predictions with those generated by ARIMA models and the ASA/NBER surveys. In addition, we analyze (1) the relationship between accuracy and the length of the forecast horizon, (2) whether accuracy has improved over time, and (3) the accuracy of the forecasts in the vicinity of turning points. We conclude that the FED predictions tended to yield the same type of errors that private forecasters have displayed: in some periods either real GNP or inflation had systematic errors; turning point errors occurred prior to recessions; the forecasts were unbiased, but showed evidence of inefficiency. However, the FED forecasts were not significantly different from the predictions of the ARIMA models or ASA/NBER surveys.
Cleavage of syntaxin prevents G-protein regulation of presynaptic calcium channels

Neurotransmitter release into the synapse is stimulated by calcium influx through ion channels that are closely associated with the transmitter release sites1,2. This link may involve the membrane protein syntaxin, which is known to be associated with the release sites and to bind to the calcium channels3,4. There is evidence that presynaptic calcium channels are downregulated by second messenger pathways involving G proteins5,6. Here we use the patch-clamp technique to test whether calcium current is regulated by G proteins in a vertebrate presynaptic nerve terminal7, and whether this regulation is affected by the linkage to syntaxin. The calcium current in the nerve terminal showed typical G-protein-mediated changes in amplitude and activation kinetics which were reversed by a preceding depolarization. These effects of the G protein were virtually eliminated if syntaxin was first cleaved with botulinum toxin C1. Our findings indicate that this sensitivity of the current to modulation by G proteins requires the association of the presynaptic calcium channel with elements of the transmitter release site, which may ensure that channels tethered at release sites2,8 are preferentially regulated by the G-protein second messenger pathway.
On design of a highly secure PUF based on non-linear current mirrors

Physically Unclonable Functions (PUFs) are lightweight hardware security primitives for generating unique signatures from the unpredictable nature of silicon. However, most of the proposed PUFs have been shown to be vulnerable to modeling attacks, especially against Machine Learning algorithms. A subset of challenge-response pairs can leak the required information to break a PUF due to the presence of a linear separating boundary between the PUF responses. In this paper, we propose a strong and secure PUF based on non-linear current mirrors. The fundamental idea is to propagate a current through two identical chains of non-linear current mirrors. The current through a single stage is shifted by some amount based on the strength of the input current. As the current shift is not a fixed value anymore, strong non-linearity is introduced into the challenge-response relationship. The proposed PUF shows excellent properties upon statistical circuit simulation. The average inter-distance and intra-distance of the proposed PUF are 49.9% and 0.8% respectively. One of the most striking features of the proposed PUF is the low information leakage measured in terms of its modeling attack resistance. By employing Support Vector Machine (SVM) based attacks, we observed that the proposed PUF is almost 10-30x stronger than the delay-based PUFs. Moreover, the current mode nature of the PUF circuit enables low power operation. The proposed PUF consumes about 15% lower energy than an arbiter PUF to produce a single response bit.
Performance Limits of Compressive Sensing-Based Signal Classification

Most of the recent compressive sensing (CS) literature has focused on sparse signal recovery based on compressive measurements. However, exact signal recovery may not be required in certain signal processing applications such as in inference problems. In this paper, we provide performance limits of classification of sparse as well as not necessarily sparse signals based on compressive measurements. When signals are not necessarily sparse, we show that Kullback-Leibler and Chernoff distances between two probability density functions under any two hypotheses are preserved up to a factor of M/N with M(<;N)-length compressive measurements compared to that with N-length original measurements when the pdfs of the original-length observation vectors exhibit certain properties. These results are used to quantify the performance limits in terms of upper and lower bounds on the probability of error in signal classification with M-length compressive measurements. When the signals of interest are sparse in the standard canonical basis, performance limits are derived in terms of lower bounds on the probability of error in classifying sparse signals with any classification rule.
Neonatal exogenous testosterone modifies sex difference in radial arm and morris water maze performance in prepubescent and adult rats

To study the involvement of testosterone in the development of spatial abilities, testosterone propionate (TP) was administered to male and female rats during the first week after birth. As adults, these rats were trained and tested on the radial arm maze (RAM) or the Morris water maze (MWM). Sex and neonatal TP treatment influenced number of trials to criterion, accuracy, and the use of an adjacent-arm strategy on the RAM, as well as the speed with which the rats learned the location of a hidden platform in the MWM. On both RAM and MWM, control males performed better than control females, but TP treatment reversed this pattern, producing better maze performance in females and worse in males. Neonatal TP effects on MWM performance were also examined in 21-day-old male and female rats. Performance paralleled that of the adults in all but the testosterone-treated male group, which did not differ from control males. The results of this study provide support for the hypothesis that circulating testosterone during brain development may play a role in the development of spatial memory, and suggest that, in the rat, both the sex difference and testosterone influence are present early in life.
Sonographic assessment of the distal femoral and proximal tibial ossification centers in the prediction of pulmonic maturity in normal women and women with diabetes

A noninvasive method for the assessment of fetal pulmonic maturity via the sonographic characterization of fetal distal femoral and proximal tibial epiphyseal ossification centers was evaluated. The study population included 82 patients in the third trimester of pregnancy, 47 of whom had uncomplicated gestations, while 35 had insulin-dependent diabetes. In uncomplicated pregnancies a distal femoral epiphysis measuring greater than or equal to 3 mm in the axial plane or the sonographic identification of a proximal tibial epiphysis of any dimension correlated with pulmonic maturity. The combination of a distal femoral epiphysis greater than or equal to 3 mm and the presence of a proximal tibial epiphysis was highly correlated with a lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio greater than or equal to 2:1 (sensitivity 100%, specificity 63%, negative predictive value 100%, and false-negative rate 0%). The Kappa value (K) for testing the agreement between ultrasound results and amniocentesis results was 0.39 (p less than 0.002). In diabetic pregnancies neither a distal femoral epiphysis greater than or equal to 3 mm nor a proximal tibial epiphysis of any dimension correlated precisely with the presence of phosphatidyl glycerol in the amniotic fluid. However, the combination of a distal femoral epiphysis greater than or equal to 3 mm and a proximal tibial epiphysis greater than or equal to 2 mm improved the prediction of phosphatidyl glycerol (sensitivity 83%, specificity 79%, negative predictive value 96%, false-negative rate 17%). The K value in this instance was 0.36 (p greater than or equal to 0.19). It is concluded that the sonographic assessment of the distal femoral and proximal tibial epiphyses and their dimensions in the axial plane may be useful as markers for pulmonic maturity in uncomplicated pregnancies.
Understanding Dentists' Restorative Treatment Decisions

A critical review of the literature is presented that examines variation in dentists' restorative treatment decisions and the factors associated with this variation. Substantial variation has been documented in dentists' assessment of caries, in dentists' decisions to intervene, and in the selection of treatment recommended to the patient. However, the factors associated with this variation are not well documented. Following discussion of this review, a model is proposed to help guide further studies of dentists' restorative treatment decisions. This explanatory model incorporates the factors identified in the review, as well as others either observed informally or found in the medical literature. The implications of variation in dentists' treatment decisions highlight the importance of a full explication of the process dentists follow in making treatment decisions. Understanding this process, which heretofore has been examined only superficially because it has been regarded as a function of "clinical judgement," is fundamental to determinations of normative treatment needs, to interventions designed to reduce the frequency of inappropriate treatment, and to the development of valid practice parameters.