cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Theory for saturation stress difference in torsion versus other types of deformation at low temperatures

Abstract Torsion tests carried out to large plastic strains typically exhibit a leveling out (saturation) of the flow stress. On the other hand, saturation is usually not observed for other modes of deformation such as wire drawing or rolling. In iron and other body-centered cubic materials linear hardening persists to strains of ≈ 10 . For face-centered cubic materials the behavior is mixed, with saturation not being achieved for most impure metals. We propose an explanation for the difference in flow stress at large strains between torsion and other modes of deformation. The explanation is based on Holt's dislocation cell wall formation theory and on the fact that apparently dislocations of only one Burgers vector are required to be active in torsion at large strains, whereas several are required for other deformation modes. Consequently, at the same dislocation density and applied stress level dislocations of opposite character but of the same kind are closer together in torsion. The dislocations have a stronger force of attraction between them and a faster rate of mutual annihilation through pipe diffusion controlled climb. The saturation stress is larger the larger is the number of different Burgers vectors of the dislocations involved in the deformation. Shear band instabilities are explained as a consequence of material locally reducing the number of active slip systems.
A comparison of water, suspended solid and bottom sediment analyses for geochemical prospecting in a northeast Tennessee zinc district

Abstract Water and bottom sediment samples were taken from a stream draining a mineralized area in a zinc district of northeast Tennessee. From the water the dissolved and suspended (particulate) solids were recovered, the particulates being divided into colloidal (0.01–0.15 μ) and coarser (> 0.15 μ) fractions. The bottom sediment was treated as a total unit and also as a
Insulin-induced activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in skeletal muscle of diabetic rats

The pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex undergoes reversible phosphorylation catalyzed by a PDH kinase (inactivating) and a PDH phosphatase (activating). In skeletal muscle, a decreased proportion of active PDH (PDHa) complex limits glucose oxidation in insulin-deficient states. The time-course for reactivation of the PDH complex by insulin in skeletal muscle of diabetic rats is important to understanding the potential mode of the action of insulin in regulating glucose metabolism. A single injection of insulin (1 U/kg) completely reversed the effects of alloxan-diabetes on PDHa activity within 1 hour. The normalization of the effects of diabetes on PDHa activity by insulin was maintained for a minimum of 6 hours. The increase in PDHa activity occurred before an insulin-induced decrease in plasma free fatty acids levels, demonstrating a dissociation between the antilipolytic effects of insulin and its ability to activate the PDH complex. PDH kinase activity was not normalized to control values following a single injection of insulin. Therefore, acute (1 to 6 hours) insulin-mediated activation of the PDH complex does not result from a decrease in PDH kinase activity. However, longer-term insulin therapy (1 U/kg body weight; twice daily) restored both PDHa and PDH kinase activities. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that activation of the PDH complex immediately following insulin administration is not mediated by a decreased PDH kinase activity. However, with daily insulin therapy in diabetes, activation of the PDH complex results from decreased PDH kinase activity.
Accounting Carbon Storage in Decaying Root Systems of Harvested Forests

Decaying root systems of harvested trees can be a significant component of belowground carbon storage, especially in intensively managed forests where harvest occurs repeatedly in relatively short rotations. Based on destructive sampling of root systems of harvested loblolly pine trees, we estimated that root systems contained about 32% (17.2 Mg ha−1) at the time of harvest, and about 13% (6.1 Mg ha−1) of the soil organic carbon 10 years later. Based on the published roundwood output data, we estimated belowground biomass at the time of harvest for loblolly-shortleaf pine forests harvested between 1995 and 2005 in South Carolina. We then calculated C that remained in the decomposing root systems in 2005 using the decay function developed for loblolly pine. Our calculations indicate that the amount of C stored in decaying roots of loblolly-shortleaf pine forests harvested between 1995 and 2005 in South Carolina was 7.1 Tg. Using a simple extrapolation method, we estimated 331.8 Tg C stored in the decomposing roots due to timber harvest from 1995 to 2005 in the conterminous USA. To fully account for the C stored in the decomposing roots of the US forests, future studies need (1) to quantify decay rates of coarse roots for major tree species in different regions, and (2) to develop a methodology that can determine C stock in decomposing roots resulting from natural mortality.
UXO discrimination using a multiple-component AEM system

Summary Electromagnetic induction data transformed into time dependent object intrinsic polarizabilities allow discrimination of unexploded ordnance (UXO) from false targets (scrap metal). Discrimination of UXO from irregular scrap metal is based on the principal dipole polarizabilities of a target. A near-intact UXO displays a single major polarizability coincident with the long axis of the object and two equal smaller transverse polarizabilities, whereas metal scraps have distinct polarizability signatures that rarely mimic those of elongated symmetrical bodies. Moreover, UXO have unique polarizability signatures, and thus distinctions can be made among various UXO targets. We have developed several approaches for discriminating UXO from scrap metal, based on these object intrinsic polarizabilities as a function of time and a small training data set of known targets. Ground truth from one survey area confirmed that our approach was highly successful we identified all UXO and added relatively few additional “dry” holes (excavations that unearth scrap metal) to the total number of excavation points while maintaining the highest conservatism in determining “stop digging point”.
Estimation of Demand Functions Using Cross-Sectional Household Data: The Problem Revisited

A procedure that corrects for selectivity bias is proposed to estimate demand functions using cross-sectional data under the assumption that prices vary across households. This procedure, which extends the work by Cox and Wohlgenant, includes a two-equation system of expenditure and unit value functions. This model is applied to household expenditures for beef steaks and roasts.
Motivating Emergency Preparedness Behaviors: The Differential Effects of Guilt Appeals and Actually Anticipating Guilty Feelings

The continuing threat of terrorist attacks and natural disasters presents a unique challenge for communication scholars and practitioners. One way to increase motivation is through the use of guilt appeals; yet, message designers must be aware of the potential negative consequences of employing messages that induce too much guilt. In a field experiment, researchers investigate the use of guilt appeals within the context of disaster preparedness with a nationally representative sample to enhance perceived importance of emergency preparedness, increase risk perceptions, and motivate behavioral intentions to prepare.
A mathematical model of evaporation-pyrolysis processes inside a naturally smoldering cigarette

Abstract A one-dimensional mathematical model for heat and mass balance has been proposed to elucidate the changes occurring in the temperature and density of the evaporation-pyrolysis zone in a naturally smoldering cigarette. The model considers: (1) pyrolysis of tobacco obeying Arrhenius kinetics, (2) evaporation of water from tobacco following a mass-transfer- and rate-determined process, (3) weight loss of tobacco due to pyrolysis and evaporation, (4) internal heat transfer characterized by effective thermal conductivity, (5) heat loss attributable to free convection and radiation from the outer surface of the cigarette and endothermicity of the evaporation process, and (6) smoldering speed. These processes are expressed in a set of simultaneous ordinary differential equations that can be solved numerically by the Runge-Kutta-Gill method. The calculated distribution profiles of temperature and density in the evaporation-pyrolysis zone approximate the experimental results measured using thermocouples and a β-ray attenuation technique. On the basis of the model, the influences of several physical parameters on the shapes of the temperature and density profiles are predicted.
An egg-specific monoclonal antibody to Lygus hesperus

Abstract A species- and stage-specific monoclonal antibody (MAb) for a Lygus hesperus Knight egg antigen was developed. Positive antigen-antibody reactions were associated only with L. hesperus eggs and adult females. There was no cross-reactivity with any of the other L. hesperus life stages nor with any stage of L. lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois). Furthermore, this MAb did not cross-react with the eggs of 10 other insect species examined. Electrophoretic and Western blot analyses indicated that the egg antigen had four polypeptides that bound to this MAb with molecular weights estimated at 64,000, 123,250, 140,300, and 150,300 Da. The use of this MAb as a diagnostic probe for gut content analysis of potential natural predators of L. hesperus eggs is discussed.
White-light Sagnac interferometer for snapshot multispectral imaging

The theoretical and experimental demonstration of a multispectral Sagnac interferometer (MSI) is presented. The MSI was created by including two multiple-order blazed diffraction gratings in both arms of a standard polarization Sagnac interferometer (PSI). By introducing these high-order diffractive structures, unique spectral passbands can be amplitude modulated onto coincident carrier frequencies. Extraction of the modulated multispectral images, corresponding to each passband, is accomplished within the Fourier domain. This yields a unique multispectral sensor capable of imaging all the passbands in a single snapshot. First, the theoretical operating principles of a PSI are discussed to provide a context for the MSI. This is followed by the theoretical and experimental development of the MSI, which is an extension of a dispersion-compensated PSI. Indoor and outdoor testing and validation of the MSI are performed by observing vegetation, demonstrating the ability of our experimental setup to detect four distinct spectral passbands.
Wavefront tip-tilt/focus-defocus control using a deformable piezoceramic mirror

We present the results from studying different methods to control a deformable piezoceramic mirror with three degrees of freedom in the context of an optical transceiver system. In the first part, we compare the results of controlling the mirror with the Proportional Integral Differential Algorithm (PID) and the stochastic parallel gradient descent optimization technique (SPGD); results demonstrate that both techniques achieve similar performance. In the second part we built an optical transceiver system using deformable piezoceramic mirrors as active elements. The transceiver system was tested over a free space propagation path and controlled using different variants of the SPGD method. We show that the use of the SPGD algorithm as control method for the piezoceramic mirror adaptively corrects part of the turbulence-induced random wave front phase distortions.
Adoption of New Technology and Healthcare Quality: Surgical Margins After Robotic Prostatectomy

OBJECTIVES To study the evolution of surgical margins in robotic prostatectomy (DVP), to ascertain the surgical volume necessary to provide quality cancer care. METHODS Clinicopathologic data on consecutive DVP patients were abstracted from our institutional database. The primary outcome evaluated was the presence of any positive surgical margin. Surgeon DVP volume was the unit of exposure. A logistic model was fit to measure the association of volume and margin status, adjusting for patient differences. RESULTS Between November 2001 and August 2005, 193 consecutive patients underwent DVP. Disease and patient characteristics were similar across the levels of surgeon volume. Overall, surgical margins did not dramatically decline over time (first 15 cases, 26% versus cases 81 and beyond, 22%; P = 0.82). However, extensive margins were largely eliminated (first 15 cases, 12% versus cases 81 and beyond, 2%; P = 0.05). After adjusting for preoperative patient differences, the odds of any positive margin among those treated by a surgeon in the highest-volume group was 0.99 (95% confidence interval 0.36 to 2.72) compared with those treated during a surgeon's first 15 cases. CONCLUSIONS Although extensive surgical margins decline with increasing volume, overall positive margin rates after DVP respond slowly. It seems that cumulative surgeon volume beyond that which can be obtained in the typical urology practice may be needed to obtain ideal margin rates with this new technology.
Chick Scope: an interactive MRI classroom curriculum innovation for K-12

Abstract Researchers from several departments of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign initiated Chick Scope, a 21-day chick embryonic development project, to demonstrate the remote control of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) instrument through the World Wide Web. For 21 days, students and teachers from ten kindergarten to high school classrooms participated in this innovative project using an interactive Web lab book. From classroom computers with access to the Internet, students were able to login to the computers at the university that controlled the MRI system, manipulate experimental conditions through a simple on-line form to generate their own data, and then view resulting images of the chick embryo in real-time. Researchers answered students' questions about their MR images and other related issues. Chick Scope made extraordinary hardware, software, and human resources available to the classrooms. However, it left to teachers the tasks of integrating these resources into the classroom and adapting them to the needs and abilities of the students. Thus, the implementation was teacher-based, and its meaning was realized in different ways in each setting. This paper describes the planning, implementation, and the impact of Chick Scope in classrooms for facilitating learning and teaching. We provide examples from various grade levels - primary to high school. We conclude with lessons learned and the implications of advanced technologies for K-12 outreach.
Group Versus Individual Problem Solving and Type of Problem Solved

This article summarizes over 10 years of research on the effects of disjunctive versus conjunctive and multistage versus single-stage problem solving in a classroom setting. By a comparison of real classroom work triads with nominal groups, it is shown that the real triads perform at the level of four-member nominal groups on conjunctive tasks but are not superior on disjunctive tasks. Group participation has a demonstrable effect on individuals: persons working in groups are less likely to drop out of class and tend to give higher subjective ratings of motivation to learn the materials, to perform better on independent tests of classroom material, to know more classmates at the end of the course, and to score higher on the Raven's Progressive Matrices Test than students who do not work in groups.
Internal structure of the Sierra Nevada batholith based on specific gravity and gravity measurements

About 6,000 specific-gravity (SG) measurements of samples collected from nearly 200 granitic plutons comprising the central Sierra Nevada batholith yield a SG contour map across the batholith from 36.25° to 38° north latitude. With notable exceptions, SG decreases from values generally greater than 2.7 in the west to less than 2.6 over a few small areas of high-silica, high-potassium granites near the east edge. A good correlation between measured SG and analyzed weight percent SiO2 enables estimation of average silica variations across the batholith. The average SG is 2.69 corresponding to an average of 68 wt. % SiO2 for the 18,000 km² central part of the batholith. A 1-km gridded version of the SG measurements has been used to generate a series of synthetic gravity maps, assuming that the SG of rocks at the surface extends unchanged to various depths. The synthetic map computed for a depth of 10 km shows the best correspondence with the isostatic residual gravity map indicating that variations in the observed gravity residuals are largely caused by SG variations of the plutonic rocks exposed at the surface that apparently extend downward to an average depth of about 10 km. Although the 10-km synthetic gravity map gives the best overall fit to the observed gravity data, comparison of individual anomalies indicates that the bottoms of the plutons as defined by SG variations at the surface are generally shallower along the west edge of the Sierra Nevada (7±2 km) and deeper in the younger and more felsic eastern part (12±3 km). These depths do not necessarily represent a distinct base of the Sierra Nevada batholith. They may indicate the depth below which density homogenization occurs, either by igneous, or possibly, structural processes.
DoS-resistant broadcast authentication protocol with low end-to-end delay

In mission-critical networks, command, alerts, and critical data are frequently broadcast over wireless networks. Broadcast traffic must be protected from malicious attacks, wherein sources are impersonated or broadcast packets are forged. Even though broadcast authentication eliminates such attacks, attackers can still launch denial-of-service attacks by injecting substantive false packets, which consume both communication and computation resources. Due to inevitable proliferation of duplicates of broadcast packets, it is especially important to limit false packet propagation range. Evidently, authenticating each packet before forwarding can effectively contain false packets within one hop. But it results in considerable end-to-end delay penalty on authentic packets. In this paper, we propose a randomized authentication scheme, DREAM, which contains most of false packets in one-hop range of attackers and yet keeps end-to-end delay relatively low. Dream also continuously monitors the contextual threat and dynamically adjusts the trade-off among containment and end-to-end delay performance. Extensive evaluations in ns2 validate our idea.
Throughput enhancement with a modified 802.11 MAC protocol with multi-user detection support

Abstract A modification to the traditional CSMA-based media access control protocol, named 802.11-MUD, is proposed in this paper which differs from the IEEE 802.11 in its support of simultaneous transmissions/receptions with multi-user detection (MUD). A joint information and renewal theoretic analysis framework is introduced to study the performance of 802.11-MUD. While the information theoretic part is useful for modeling the increase in sum capacity attributed to MUD, the renewal theoretic part is good for modeling the impact of MUD on alleviating the collision probability and increasing the network throughput. In addition, this analytical framework helps us finetune the 802.11-MUD system (called 802.11-MUD* after the optimal tuning) and achieve significantly enhanced network throughput especially in busy networks.
Correlation between strand stability and magnet performance

Magnet programs at BNL, LBNL and FNAL have observed instabilities in high J/sub c/ Nb/sub 3/Sn strands and magnets made from these strands. This paper correlates the strand stability determined from a short sample-strand test to the observed magnet performance. It has been observed that strands that carry high currents at high fields (greater than 10 T) cannot sustain these same currents at low fields (1-3 T) when the sample current is fixed and the magnetic field is ramped. This suggests that the present generation of strand is susceptible to flux jumps (FJ). To prevent flux jumps from limiting stand performance, one must accommodate the energy released during a flux jump. To better understand FJ this work has focused on wire with a given sub-element diameter and shows that one can significantly improve stability by increasing the copper conductivity (higher residual resistivity ratio, RRR, of the Cu). This increased stability significantly improves the conductor performance and permits it to carry more current.
Life Cycle Design of an Algal Biorefinery Featuring Hydrothermal Liquefaction: Effect of Reaction Conditions and an Alternative Pathway Including Microbial Regrowth

Algae are an appealing source for bioenergy due to their high yields relative to terrestrial energy crops. The high cost of production, however, has prohibited commercialization. Hydrothermal liquefaction is a technology that converts more of the algae into oil than alternative technologies, thereby reducing the amount of expensive pond infrastructure and energy required for cultivation. We incorporate recent experimental results into an analysis that models the economic and life cycle performance of an algal biorefinery across a range of reaction conditions. Two strategies are explored: one pathway with gasification of the aqueous waste products for onsite energy recovery and another pathway featuring cultivation of Escherichia coli on the aqueous products and recycling of the biomass back through the reactor for boosted oil yields. We found that the maximum net energy ratio of 1.9 and minimum global warming potential of 1.0 kg CO2e L-oil–1 occurred with gasification, along with the minimum reaction temp...
A HiFi simulator for Robot Soccer

NEWNEU 3D Robot Soccer simulator is a high fidelity simulation system. NEWNEU 3D Robot Soccer simulator, which is composed of simulation engine service, NEWNEU simulation service and interactive service, implements functions like the 3D/2D real-time display, 4 second real-time playback, strategy-making, human-computer interaction. That platform simulates almost all the processes in a real robot soccer competition with 3D collision effect, and meanwhile avoids shortcomings of other similar system where the same strategy yields similar simulation results. NEWNEU 3D Robot Soccer simulator is validated as a HiFi simulation platform for both research and development of a multi-robots system.
Lanczos versus subspace iteration for solution of eigenvalue problems

In this paper we consider solution of the eigen problem in structural analysis using a recent version of the Lanczos method and the subspace method. The two methods are applied to examples and we conclude that the Lanczos method has advantages which are too good to overlook.
Can social preferences explain gender differences in economic behavior

Abstract This study examines whether gender differences in some economic behaviors are due to differences in social preferences as measured by dictator allocation decisions. We find that, compared to men, women are significantly more likely to be inequity averters and significantly less likely to be social surplus maximizers. These differences in social preferences explain to a large extent why women send less than men in trust games. Inequity averters can ensure equal payoffs if nothing is returned by sending one-fourth of the endowment while surplus maximizers can increase total payoffs by a factor of three for each dollar sent. Social preferences also help explain the size of gifts in dictator games and choice of compensation method for simple tasks, however, after controlling for social preference type, gender is still influential in these decisions. Women give significantly more to charity than men even after accounting for our measure of social preferences. Women prefer egalitarian payment systems both because they are inequity averters and because low self-confidence may lead them to believe they will earn more with equal sharing.
On the refraction of shock waves at a slow-fast gas interface.

We present the results of numerical computations of the refraction of a plane shock wave at a CO2/CH4 gas interface. The numerical method was an operator split version of a second-order Godunov method, with adaptive grid refinement. We solved the unsteady, two-dimensional, compressible, Euler equations numerically, assuming perfect gas equations of state, and compared our results with the experiments of Abd-El-Fattah & Henderson. Good agreement was usually obtained, especially when the contamination of the CH4 by the CO2 was taken into account. Remaining discrepancies were ascribed to the uncertainties in measuring certain wave angles, due to sharp curvature, poor definition, or short length of the waves at large angles of incidence. All the main features of the regular and irregular refractions were resolved numerically for shock strengths that were weak, intermediate, or strong. These include free precursor shock waves in the intermediate and strong cases, evanescent (smeared out) compressions in the weak case, and the appearance of an extra expansion wave in the bound precursor refraction (BPR). The structure of a BPR was elucidated for the first time.
Clinical Evaluation of Antibiotic­ Supplemented Bone Allograft

Antibiotic-supplemented bone allograft (ASBA) was originally developed for treatment of combat-acquired, avulsive defects of the oral and maxillofacial skeleton. Earlier findings in experimental wound models showed that ASBA resulted in significantly improved wound repair of infected osseous defects when compared with conventional treatment. In this study, ASBA was evaluated in paired, comparable, mandibular third molar sockets and compared with the findings following conventional surgical removal. The results of this assessment showed that wound healing was significantly improved with the use of ASBA. Evidence produced by this clinical evaluation of ASBA suggests its potential use for other surgical bone defects when grafting is precluded by the risk of infection as a result of contamination by oral flora.
Long-Run Wealth under Progressive Taxation: The Complete Markets Case ∗

This paper considers the long-run distribution of capital holdings in a model with heterogeneous agents, complete asset markets, and progressive taxation. We are able to prove that the model implies negative correlations between capital and labor income regardless of parameter values; typically we find that this correlation is very close to −1 quantitatively. In addition, holders of capital face the lowest marginal tax rates in the population. These results suggest that the assumption of complete markets may be troublesome for political economy considerations.
β-Myosin heavy chain myocytes are more resistant to changes in power output induced by ischemic conditions

During ischemia intracellular concentrations of Pi and H+ increase. Also, changes in myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform toward β-MHC have been reported after ischemia and infarction associated with c...
Enhanced Hole Mobility in High Ge Content Asymmetrically Strained-SiGe p-MOSFETs

The hole mobility characteristics of 〈110〉 /(100)-oriented asymmetrically strained-SiGe p-MOSFETs are studied. Uniaxial mechanical strain is applied to biaxial compressive strained devices and the relative change in effective hole mobility is measured. The channel Ge content varies from 0 to 100%. Up to -2.6% biaxial compressive strain is present in the channel and an additive uniaxial strain component of -0.06% is applied via mechanical bending. The hole mobility in biaxial compressive strained-SiGe is enhanced relative to relaxed Si. It is observed that this mobility enhancement increases further with the application of 〈110〉 longitudinal uniaxial compressive strain. The relative change in mobility with applied stress is larger for biaxial compressive strained-SiGe than for Si and increases with the amount of biaxial compressive strain present in the channel.
PATTERNFINDER: combined analysis of DNA regulatory sequences and double-helix stability

Regulatory regions that function in DNA replication and gene transcription contain specific sequences that bind proteins as well as less-specific sequences in which the double helix is often easy to unwind. Progress towards predicting and characterizing regulatory regions could be accelerated by computer programs that perform a combined analysis of specific sequences and DNA unwinding properties. Here we present PATTERNFINDER, a web server that searches DNA sequences for matches to specific or flexible patterns, and analyzes DNA helical stability. A batch mode of the program generates a tabular map of matches to multiple, different patterns. Regions flanking pattern matches can be targeted for helical stability analysis to identify sequences with a minimum free energy for DNA unwinding. As an example application, we analyzed a regulatory region of the human c-myc proto-oncogene consisting of a single-strand-specific protein binding site within a DNA region that unwindsin vivo. The predicted region of minimal helical stability overlapped both the protein binding site and the unwound DNA region identified experimentally. The PATTERNFINDER web server permits localization of known functional elements or landmarks in DNA sequences as well as prediction of potential new elements. Batch analysis of multiple patterns facilitates the annotation of DNA regulatory regions. Identifying specific pattern matches linked to DNA with low helical stability is useful in characterizing regulatory regions for transcription, replication and other processes and may predict functional DNA unwinding elements. PATTERNFINDER can be accessed freely at: http://wings.buffalo.edu/gsa/dna/dk/PFP/
Decreasing ventilator-associated pneumonia in the intensive care unit: a sustainable comprehensive quality improvement program.

An intensive care unit implemented an oral care bundle to decrease ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). A retrospective analysis comparing like time periods revealed the VAP rate per 1,000 ventilator-days dropped significantly from 10.5 to 0 ( P = .016). The oral care bundle remains in place as of end of May 2011 and has proven to be a sustainable method for VAP prevention.
Identification of a conserved branched RNA structure that functions as a factor-independent terminator

All cells regulate which regions of DNA are transcribed to RNA. Controlling where transcription terminates is an essential part of this regulation. In bacterial cells, RNA structures, referred to as factor-independent terminators, can interact with RNA polymerase to direct termination. These structures are typically inverted sequence repeats that form an RNA hairpin followed by several uridine residues. We identified a branched RNA structure that functions as a factor-independent terminator. The terminated product is a functional small RNA, but termination is inefficient, allowing transcription of downstream genes. Additional branched terminators are encoded in bacterial chromosomes, demonstrating that this unusual terminator is not unique. This work reveals an unappreciated structural diversity of factor-independent terminators and will inform annotation of bacterial genomes.
γCaMKII Shuttles Ca2+/CaM to the Nucleus to Trigger CREB Phosphorylation and Gene Expression

Activity-dependent CREB phosphorylation and gene expression are critical for long-term neuronal plasticity. Local signaling at CaV1 channels triggers these events, but how information is relayed onward to the nucleus remains unclear. Here, we report a mechanism that mediates long-distance communication within cells: a shuttle that transports Ca2+/calmodulin from the surface membrane to the nucleus. We show that the shuttle protein is γCaMKII, its phosphorylation at Thr287 by βCaMKII protects the Ca2+/CaM signal, and CaN triggers its nuclear translocation. Both βCaMKII and CaN act in close proximity to CaV1 channels, supporting their dominance, whereas γCaMKII operates as a carrier, not as a kinase. Upon arrival within the nucleus, Ca2+/CaM activates CaMKK and its substrate CaMKIV, the CREB kinase. This mechanism resolves long-standing puzzles about CaM/CaMK-dependent signaling to the nucleus. The significance of the mechanism is emphasized by dysregulation of CaV1, γCaMKII, βCaMKII, and CaN in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders.
Anterior subaxial cervical spine fixation using a plate with single screw per vertebral body: a simple and efficient construct - clinical series and a cadaver study.

Objective: To report our experience with a novel construct for traumatic and nontraumatic cervical spine lesions that was validated by biomechanical studies of cadaver cervical spine. Study Design: Consecutive cases of anterior cervical spine fixation performed over six years reviewed for stability offered by a construct comprising of a plate fixed by a single screw to each vertebral body. Setting: A university hospital and a biomechanical lab. Materials and Methods: Data were coded and entered into a statistical worksheet for multivariate analysis. Cadaver spine models applied for biomechanical study of stability. Results: Total of 103 cases reviewed; 86 with single-level disease; traumatic in 66 (64%) cases and degenerative in 33 (32%) cases, including hard disks, OPLL, and spondylitis (4% with other causes). Fixation was with diskectomy in 59 and with corpectomy in 40. A bone graft was utilized for fusion in 87 and a bone-filled titanium spacer in 13. A single screw was placed in each vertebral body with a locking plate (having linear arrangement of holes). This construct remained strong in 95% of cases at the end of 6-24 months. Five cases failed requiring reoperation. Five patients with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) died. On statistical analysis, construct was stronger with diskectomy compared with corpectomy. Construct used on cadavers confirmed the biomechanical stability in short segment fixation (C5-6). Conclusion: A conservative construct utilizing a single screw per vertebral body and a one-holed plate system appears to be strong enough to afford stability in both traumatic and nontraumatic lesions of subaxial cervical spine, comparable to others.
Low frequencies of somatic mutation in two expressed Vx genes: unequal distribution of mutation in 5′ and 3′ flanking regions

Somatic mutation of antibody variable region genes is a hallmark of secondary responses. Most often the coexpressed VH and V kappa genes of a B cell mutate at nearly equal rates. We have previously identified hybridomas from two B cell clones that exhibited > 10-fold lower frequency of mutation in their expressed V kappa 12 or V kappa 1A genes relative to their coexpressed VH genes. To gain insight into the mechanism(s) responsible for this low frequency V kappa mutation, we determined the frequency of mutation in non-coding flanking DNA from multiple members of each clone. We find a low frequency of mutation in the 5' (4/700) and 3' (1/670) non-coding regions of the expressed V kappa 1A genes consistent with the low frequency of coding region mutation. In contrast, the distribution and frequency of mutation surrounding the expressed V kappa 12.37 gene are unusual. Among the six members of this clone there are 31 mutations 3' (31/2100 bp) and no mutations 5' (0/2010 bp) of the V kappa exon. This V kappa exon has acquired mutations that are intermediate in number to its flanking regions and are significantly skewed in distribution to the 3' end. None of the 31 3' mutations are shared by two or more members of this clone, indicating that they all occurred late in clonal expansion. These results raise the possibility that some V kappa genes may lack functional cis-regulatory elements which direct V kappa coding region mutation.
Age-Related Slowing, S-R Compatibility, and Stages of Information Processing

Previous work in this laboratory (Vercruyssen, Carlton & Diggles-Buckles, 1989) has found that older individuals are at a disproportional disadvantage when stimulus-response (S-R) compatibility relationships are made more difficult. When stimulus quality and S-R compatibility were manipulated, age interacted with the S-R manipulation, suggesting in an additive factors framework that the locus of age-related slowing was the response selection stage. In that study S-R compatibility was manipulated by changing the S-R spatial map as well as changing the environment (subjects were required to cross their arms). The present study attempted to tease apart factors that might be contributing to that age x S-R compatibility relationship by using S-R maps of simple, moderate, and high difficulty as one factor and the arm position (crossed or uncrossed, a test of the Simon effect, Simon, Sly & Vilapakkam, 1981) as a different factor. In addition, stimulus quality was manipulated as a factor in this 4 factor design: ...
Abstract Mind-Sets and Social Comparison When Global Comparisons Matter

When evaluating personal performance, there is a propensity for people to rely more heavily on social comparison information from individuals than from aggregates, which is often more diagnostic—referred to as the Local Dominance Effect. The present research explored the possibility that under certain conditions, a global dominance effect may emerge; that is, in some circumstances people might rely more on average comparison information. Two studies investigated the influence of abstract mind-sets on the use of social comparison information. In Study 1, self-evaluations of participants who were given comparison information from both individual and aggregate sources while in an abstract mind-set were affected more by aggregate than individual comparison information—demonstrating a global dominance effect. Study 2 investigated how construal level influences the use of social comparison information and results indicated that when thinking abstractly, people shifted their attention to average comparison info...
The Role of Heliothine Hairpencil Compounds in Female Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Behavior and Mate Acceptance

Studies on numerous insect species suggest that male-produced sex pheromones play a role in attracting females; as aphrodisiacs, making females more quiescent; or as a means of inhibiting competing males. Male heliothine moths display abdominal hairpencils during courtship, but the specific effects of the odors released on female behavior have not yet been elucidated. This study investigates the role of male hairpencil compounds in female Heliothis virescens mating behavior. Female H. virescens were exposed to filter paper loaded with hairpencil extracts of male H. virescens, Heliothis subflexa and Helicoverpa zea, and observed for behavioral responses to odors. Single synthetic compounds found in the H. virescens hairpencil blend were also tested. In mating assays between single male and female H. virescens it was found that: (i) antennectomized females mated less frequently than sham-operated females; (ii) females mated less frequently with males whose hairpencils had been surgically removed; (iii) females mated with males with ablated hairpencils if a filter paper loaded with one male equivalent of H. virescens hairpencil extract was presented simultaneously; and (iv) this effect was species-specific, as presentation of H. subflexa or H. zea hairpencil extracts did not restore mate acceptance. This study suggests that odors released by male hairpencils are important in mate acceptance by female H. virescens, and may play a role in mate choice and species isolation.
A Note on Parametric and Nonparametric Uncertainties in Control Systems

It is shown that robust stability and robust performance questions for control systems with nonparametric uncertainties can be turned into those with a particularly simple parametric description. It is pointed out that there exist Routh-like procedures which determine whether a system containing uncertain subsystems is robustly stable (or robustly meets performance requirements).
EUV nanolithography: sub-50-nm L/S

Extreme Ultra Violet Lithography (EUVL, (lambda) equals 13.4 nm) is one of the next generation lithography technologies developed for patterns smaller than 70 nm feature size. In our system, EUV light is obtained from an undulator in an electron storage ring. This provides a temporally and spatially coherent light source for Extreme Ultra Violet Interferometric lithography (EUV-IL). The patterning system uses a Lloyd mirror interferometer. Using EUV-IL to print high-resolution pattern allows us to study resist characteristic in the EUV. Previously we demonstrated 19 nmL/S fringe pattern by using IL technique with EUV light. In this paper, we will report our progress on development of sub-50 nm dense line/space patterns using EUV-IL, and the transferring patterns into 0.12 micrometer Poly-Si.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
On shape-preserving capability of cubic L1 spline fits

Cubic L 1 spline fits have shown some favorable shape-preserving property for geometric data. To quantify the shape-preserving capability, we consider the basic shape of two parallel line segments in a given window. When one line segment is sufficiently longer than the other, the spline fit can preserve its linear shape in at least half of the window. We propose to use the minimum of such length difference as a shape-preserving metric because it represents the extra information that the spline fits need to preserve the shape. We analytically calculate this metric in a 3-node window for second-derivative-based, first-derivative-based and function-value-based spline fits. In a 5-node window, we compute this metric numerically. In both cases, the shape-preserving metric is rather small, which explains the observed strong shape-preserving capability of spline fits. Moreover, the function-value-based spline fits are indicated to preserve shape better than the other two types of spline fits. This study initiates a quantitative research on shape preservation of L 1 spline fits. We analytically quantify shape-preserving capability of cubic L1 spline fits.We propose a shape-preserving metric for the linear shape of Heaviside step function.We analytically calculate and numerically compute the metric.We find that function-value-based spline fits preserve linear shape best.
Generalized epilepsies: a review

In this discussion of the pathophysiology of generalized seizures, the authors conclude that current evidence supports a primarily cortical origin, and that there is a continuum between strictly partial seizures at one end of the spectrum and definite generalized seizures at the other. Typical interictal electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns seen in patients with generalized seizures and their clinical correlations are discussed, and the ictal EEG patterns are subdivided according to their relationship to interictal EEG patterns. Special tests, such as sleep, photic stimulation, hyperventilation, evoked potentials, computer analysis, and prolonged EEG video-monitoring, which enhance diagnostic ability, are reviewed.
Quantitative Measurements of Electron Number Density and Threshold for Laser Induced Breakdown in Air

In this paper, quantitative measurements of the electron number density and threshold energy for laser-induced breakdown in air at various pressures were conducted by utilizing dielectrics-calibrated coherent microwave scattering. The influence of pressure on the threshold energy for laser induced breakdown in air was investigated, ranging from atmospheric to 40 bar gauge pressure. The laser induced breakdown threshold energy in air was found to decrease as the pressure increased up to 40 bar. The 1 st -3 rd harmonics of a Nd:YAG laser (i.e. 1064 nm, 532 nm, and 355 nm) were utilized to examine the wavelength dependence of the threshold energy. It was found that the shorter wavelength has lower energy threshold. Quantitative measurements of electron density were conducted via dielectrics-calibrated coherent microwave scattering. The electron density was found to be 10 14 -10 17 /cm 3 . Dependence of breakdown threshold on local laser power density was quantitatively determined. New standard for laser-induced breakdown threshold is defined as ~5×10 15 /cm 3 at atmospheric pressure.
An Efficient Method of Effective Porosity Prediction Using an Unconventional Attribute Through Multi-attribute Regression And Probabilistic Neural Network: A Case Study In a Deep-water Gas Field, East Coast of India

Effective porosity prediction in 3D space away from the well is essential to characterize reservoir effectively. Precise prediction of effective porosity is a challenging task because of the non-uniqueness in its relationship with conventional seismic attributes. The challenge further intensifies incase of complex geological setup having heterogeneous reservoir properties. In the present case, major channel-levee complexes associated with smaller episodes of channel-cut-fill and migration has made the study area a geologically complex one. To overcome this challenge, the authors have adopted an approach which combines multi-attribute linear regression with Probabilistic Neural Network (PNN) technology. However, choice of unconventional attribute, “Gas Volume”, along with conventional attributes and parameter selection has resulted in much improved prediction of effective porosity volume. This effective porosity volume has been found to contain finer detail amenable for further quantitative reservoir characterization efficiently.
Mouse P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1: molecular cloning, chromosomal localization, and expression of a functional P-selectin receptor

A mouse homolog of P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1), a P- selectin receptor on myeloid cells, has been cloned using the human cDNA sequence to probe a cDNA library prepared from the mouse WEHI-3 monocytic cell line and a genomic DNA library prepared from 129/SvJ mouse tissue. The gene flanking the entire open reading frame of 397 amino acids is composed of a single exon. Mouse and human PSGL-1 show an overall similarity of 67% and an identity of 50% and contain a similar domain organization. However, there are 10 threonine/serine- rich decameric repeats in mouse PSGL-1 as compared with 15 threonine- rich repeats in human PSGL-1. When the mouse PSGL-1 cDNA is coexpressed with an alpha 1,3/1,4 fucosyltransferase cDNA in COS cells, a functional protein is expressed on the COS cell surface mediating binding to human P-selectin. The mouse PSGL-1 gene, Selpl, was mapped to a position on mouse chromosome 5 (Chr 5). Northern blot analyses of mouse tissues showed moderate expression of a PSGL-1 mRNA species in most tissues including heart, kidney, liver, muscle, ovary, and stomach and high levels of expression in blood, bone marrow, brain, adipose tissue, spleen, and thymus. Whereas certain mouse myeloid cell lines including PU5–1.8, WEHI-3B, and 32DC13 express high levels of PSGL-1 mRNA, only WEHI-3B and 32DC13 bind to P-selectin; this interaction is blocked by anti-PSGL-1 antibody. WEHI-3B cells bind significantly better to P-selectin than to E-selectin. Although comparable P-selectin binding is observed in 32DC13 cells, these cells bind better to E- selectin. Binding of 32DC13 cells to E-selectin is not blocked by anti- PSGL-1 antibody. Treatment of WEHI-3B cells with trypsin or neuraminidase abolished their ability to interact with P-selectin. These results indicate that mouse PSGL-1 has structural and functional homology to human PSGL-1 but is characterized by differences in the composition and number of the decameric repeats. PSGL-1 on mouse myeloid cells is critical for high-affinity binding to P-selectin but not E-selectin.