cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fourth-order centrifugal distortion coefficients for the nonlinear XYZ molecule

Abstract Detailed expressions in terms of fundamental molecular parameters are given for the ten fourth-order centrifugal distortion constants of the nonlinear XYZ molecule. The calculation of these coefficients is based on the Darling-Dennison Hamiltonian in the Nielsen-Amat-Goldsmith expansion.
How to Write a Good SBIR/STTR Grant Proposal with a Specific Focus on Gaming: An Opportunity for Digital Media Products Funding

I have had the opportunity to serve as a reviewer on several National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program panels in the subject areas of information technology and education applications. The SBIR/STTR program is a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to get funding for exciting, potentially lucrative products in digital media. Funding is provided for innovative and risky projects that push the boundaries of existing technologies. The program seeks specifically to fund ambitious, entrepreneurial companies that have developed new products for which there is a demonstrated market. Successful phase I grantees are then eligible for phase II grants, which can total more than US$1 million. However, many in the game development community are either unaware of the existence of this funding opportunity or they have little experience in writing good grant proposals. In my experience, the quality of the proposals submitted for funding in this area is lower than the quality of proposals in other areas such as human-computer interaction or user interface design. The goal of this article is to provide information about the program and help authors write solid proposals so that excellent ideas from the game development community can get funded.
Kinetics and mechanism of the gas‐phase reaction of O(3P) atoms with acetone

The kinetics of the reaction of O(3P) atoms with acetone were investigated using fast flow methods. The reaction was studied over a temperature range of 298 to 478°K. The specific rate constant obtained was (1.9 ± 0.4) × 1012 exp(—5040 ± 180/1.987 T) cm3/mol·sec. The observation of a sizable primary H/D kinetic isotope effect in comparing rates of CH3COCH3 and CD3COCD3 led to the conclusion that the major reaction channel involves H atom abstraction, namely, The rather low Arrhenius preexponential factor obtained in this reaction is compared and contrasted with those reported for other reactions of O(3P) with low molecular weight compounds.
Communication-modeling approach for advanced distributed simulation

NRL is developing an end-to-end distributed simulation environment in support of several Navy technology development programs. One of the critical needs in this distributed simulation environment is a tactical communications emulator. Current distributed simulation exercises seldom provide a flexible communications system model with realistic fidelity. As a result, we are creating a tactical communications model server architecture which operates in advanced distributed simulations (ADS). We are taking an evolutionary approach that will allow integration of specialized or general commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) communication connectivity models. This paper describes our objectives, the system architecture and design trade-off considerations.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Phenol-acetic acid-urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of membrane proteins.

A phenol-acetic acid-urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic system (PAU-PAGE) was simplified by adaptation to a slab gel format, allowing the simultaneous comparison of up to 12 samples. The system fractionated most proteins according to molecular mass, although chemical reduction was required since certain proteins (e.g., bovine serum albumin) showed reduction-dependent shifts in mobility. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE of partially purified membrane proteins can be adversely affected by protein aggregation and proteolysis. PAU-PAGE, which solubilized aqueous insoluble proteins and rapidly inactivated proteases, was useful for assessing the polypeptide composition of plasma membrane preparations.
The recovery of metacognitive capacity in schizophrenia across 32 months of individual psychotherapy: A case study

It has been asserted that psychotherapy might help persons with schizophrenia to improve their capacity for metacognition, that is, their ability to think about their own thinking and the thinking ...
Residues of Toxaphene in Insectivorous Birds ( Petrochelidon spp.) From the Rio Grande, Texas

Although it has been documented that wildlife in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) contain increased concentrations of organochlorine (OC) contaminants, particularly DDE, little has been published on residues of toxaphene throughout this major North American watershed. In this study, 28 liver composites from adult swallows (Petrochelidon spp.) collected along the Rio Grande from 1999 through 2000 were analyzed for toxaphene residues using congener-specific gas chromatography–electron-capture negative ionization–mass spectrometry. Estimated total toxaphene concentrations ranged from 12 to 260 ng/g wet wt and were highest in samples from the lower RGV near Llano Grande Lake in Hidalgo and Cameron counties (Texas). Toxaphene congener profiles were relatively invariant throughout the watershed and were dominated by 2,2,5-endo,6-exo,8,8,9,10-octachlorobornane (P-42a or B8-806) with lesser amounts of several other Cl7-Cl9 compounds, many of which remain unidentified. Petrochelidon spp. liver profiles appear to be intermediate in complexity between those in invertebrates and fish (more complex) and mammals (less complex) and differs somewhat from those reported for other avian species. In addition to other legacy OC contaminants, toxaphene residues were most concentrated in the lower RGV and accumulated at up to hundreds of parts per billion in these insect-eating birds, underscoring their utility as avian bioindicators of persistent organic pollutants.
Development of a Career Task Self-Efficacy Scale: The Kuder Task Self-Efficacy Scale.

Abstract The present study consisted of developing the Kuder Task Self-Efficacy Scale (KTSES). The KTSES is a 30-item scale measuring a person's self-efficacy for tasks corresponding to Kuder's 10 occupational interest areas (Kuder Zytowski, 1991). Responses from the KTSES were compared with responses to the Self-Esteem Inventory (SES; Rosenberg, 1965) and the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale (CDMSE; Taylor Betz, 1983) to see if career task self-efficacy was related to self-esteem and career decision-making self-efficacy. Answers to the KTSES were also compared with responses given for occupations corresponding to the Kuder Occupational Interest Survey (KOIS; Kuder Zytowski, 1991) to see if occupational self-efficacy was related to career task self-efficacy. Results supported the validity and reliability of the KTSES. The utility of having a task self-efficacy scale to go with the KOIS is discussed, and ideas for future research are given.
Risk, discounts and the pricing of indivisible goods

Abstract We analyze the effect that indivisibilities have on the pricing of goods under imperfect information. We show that risk bearing arguments alone can account for the lower prices per unit of consumption or service of larger indivisible goods or size discounts. This result holds whether or not there are economies of scale in the production of larger goods.
Enforcement Limitations in Water Quality Control

The Federal role in the enforcement of water quality requirements is of recent development. It began with the enactment in 1956 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act as permanent law. It has been expanded by successive amendments to the Act to cover the pollution of navigable as well as interstate waters which endangers the health or welfare of persons, and to cover violations of water quality standards established for interstate waters. Two different enforcement procedures are prescribed in the law to be followed in the two types of enforcement actions. While questions have arisen of jurisdiction, States' rights, and disregard or duplication of local efforts, such questions do not lastingly impede the exercise of Federal enforcement authority and are of value in establishing a body of precedents. Limitations have their basis in the statutory distinctions between interstate and intrastate pollution which govern the application of the enforcement authority, even though a case of intrastate pollution may be as serious or more serious than a case of interstate pollution. An additional limitation results from the statutory time intervals between procedural stages in an action. Lack of data is a limitation but can always be overcome and at most causes delay. State laws which protect the confidentiality of required reports are more of a limitation. Investigative teams may obtain the needed information, however, for consideration in public meetings. Public support for effective water quality control measures, especially enforcement, and for the expenditures needed to enhance the environment, is widespread. Such support may be instrumental in modifying or eliminating existing statutory limitations.
The More You Have, the More You Do: The Relationship Between Wife's Employment, Sex‐Role Attitudes, and Household Behavior

This study explores the relationship between wife's employment, sex-role traditionalism, and the reported division of household tasks and decisions. Data were collected from three samples of currently married women between the ages of 18 and 49 in Los Angeles County. Sex-role traditionalism was positively related to wives’ relative performance of feminine tasks, but generally unrelated to masculine task performance and decision-making between spouses. Employed or professional women took primary responsibility for relatively fewer feminine tasks than did nonemployed or nonprofessional women. The findings suggest that despite differences among women in sex-role traditionalism and employment status, most women say that they and their spouses divide tasks in a traditional sex-role fashion.
Attractive interactions between cations adsorbed on mercury. The unique behavior of isothiocyanato complexes of chromium(III)

Summary The adsorptions of a number of isothiocyanato and azido-chromium(III) ammine complexes were determined at mercury electrodes as a function of concentration and potential. When the azide or isothiocyanate ligands are in the cis configuration, the complexes are adsorbed very strongly. The cis -isothiocyanato complexes obey a Frumkin isotherm with an attractive interaction parameter for coverages less than 0.5 despite the fact that the adsorbing molecules are cations. Several possible rationalizations for this unique behavior are discussed. The increase in ligand field stabilization energy that accompanies the adsorption of each complex is an important factor contributing to the strength of the adsorption.
Diachronic Incontinence is a Problem in Moral Philosophy

AbstractIs there a rational requirement enjoining continence over time in the intentions one has formed, such that anyone going in for a certain form of agency has standing reason to conform to such a requirement? This paper suggests that there is not. I argue that Michael Bratman’s defense of such a requirement (‘Time, Rationality, and Self-Governance’. Philosophical Issues 22 [2012]: 73–88) succeeds in showing that many agents have a reason favoring default intention continence much of the time, but does not establish that all planning agents have such a reason in every case of intending. I then defend an account on which such a reason is grounded in the need to maintain the capacity to commit oneself to a practical option. But although I think this applies more widely than Bratman’s account, it is also not a reason that any planning agent has in every case. I tentatively conclude that although we have many good reasons to stick with our intentions once we have formed them, it is not required by rationa...
Radiation dose to the respiratory tract of uranium miners—A review of the literature

Abstract This work is a review of the literature as regards radiation dose to the respiratory tract of uranium miners due to inhalation of radon daughters. The reasons for the different results obtained by various workers who have calculated dose are discussed and the dose is recalculated on the basis of presently available information. The relationship between exposure in working level months and dose in rads is quantitated. The type of information needed for further improvements in dosage estimation is outlined.
Regression analysis of natural selection statistical inference and biological interpretation

Recent theoretical work in quantitative genetics has fueled interest in measuring natural selection in the wild. We discuss statistical and biological issues that may arise in applications of Lande and Arnold's (1983) multiple-regression approach to measuring selection. We review assumptions involved in estimation and hypothesis testing in regression problems, and we note difficulties that frequently arise as a result of violation of these assumptions. In particular, multicollinearity (extreme intercorrelation of characters) and extrinsic, unmeasured factors affecting fitness may seriously complicate inference regarding selection. Further, violation of the assumption that residuals are normally distributed vitiates tests of significance. For this situation, we suggest applications of recently developed jackknife tests of significance. While fitness regression permits direct assessment of selection in a form suitable for predicting selection response, we suggest that the aim of inferring causal relationships about the effects of phenotypic characters on fitness is greatly facilitated by manipulative experiments. Finally, we discuss alternative definitions of stabilizing and disruptive selection.
Distributed smart sensor scheduling for underwater target tracking

Underwater Sensor Networks include multiple sensor nodes that possess the ability to sense and communicate the environmental information where they are deployed. It is desired that these networks are intelligent in the sense that they allow for rapid deployment, self-organization, energy conservation, and fault tolerance via implementation of rapid multi-objective optimization algorithms. This paper proposes a decentralized sensor scheduling approach that enables dynamic space-time clustering for an energy-efficient target-tracking sensor network. Each sensor node is modeled as a Probabilistic Finite State Automata (PFSA) that governs its energy consumption, sensing, and communication activities. This PFSA allows the sensor nodes to dynamically change their states to conserve energy when a target is absent and turn on their high power sensing devices when the target is present. The algorithm proposed is compared with traditional scheduling schemes and the results show that the proposed method conserves energy while maintaining an accurate track estimation in a decentralized manor.
Design and optimization of junction termination extension (JTE) for 4H–SiC high voltage Schottky diodes

Abstract This paper analyzes single- and double-zone junction termination extension (JTE) structures for 4H–SiC Schottky diodes using numerical simulations. In the single-zone case, we study the effects of JTE dose, depth, length, metal/JTE overlap length, and surface or interface charge. In the double-zone case, we systematically vary the inner and outer doses over about 80 possible combinations for each of three sets of inner and outer zone widths. The total JTE width is constrained to be that necessary for optimum breakdown voltage in the single-zone case. The results are presented as contour plots of breakdown voltage and maximum surface field as a function of the two doses, with the locations of peak bulk and surface fields also indicated at each point. The resulting tolerance to variations in activated dose can then be visualized directly. The physics underlying the shapes of the contours is explained in some detail. We show that JTE behavior is significantly different for Schottky diodes compared to the better-known case of p ( i ) n junction diodes. The peak surface field is increased for Schottky diodes when the single-zone dose is reduced below its optimum value, which is opposite to the behavior of pn junctions. Moreover, double-zone JTE is not effective in reducing peak surface field for the Schottky case, unlike pn junctions, although tolerance to dose variations can be improved with two zones. The usual rule of thumb for double-zone JTE design for pn junctions is not appropriate for Schottky diodes, because of the field crowding near the sharp metal edge. We recommend an inner dose of 95–105% of the ideal single-zone and an outer dose of 70–80% of the single-zone value, with a width ratio of ∼1:1 for the inner and outer zones and a total width similar to the optimal value in a single-zone design.
FTIR micro-reflectance measurements of the CO32- ion content in basanite and leucitite glasses

Infrared spectroscopy provides a reliable method for rapid, non-destructive quantitative analysis of volatile species in silicate glasses, with applications to geochemistry and volcanology. The technique has been extensively calibrated for transmission measurements, in which the species concentration present is correlated with the height or area of characteristic absorption peaks, for doubly polished samples of known thickness. There are several drawbacks associated with this method, including the need for double polishing of parallel faces on thin samples, the errors associated with sample thickness measurement, and total absorption of the IR beam intensity for samples with high volatile content. We have tested an alternative method for quantitative IR determination of volatile concentrations in silicate glasses, based on analysis of the IR reflectivity signal. The reflectivity method requires preparation of a single polished glass surface, and no thickness measurement of the sample is necessary. The technique is applied easily as a microbeam technique using apertures as small as a few μm in diameter. The method should be particularly useful for volatile analysis of glass inclusions in phenocrystals, or standard samples in thin section. We have developed the methodology for the technique using a series of basanite and leucitite glasses with high carbonate contents (>1 wt% CO2), which could not be easily analyzed via IR transmission. We have used SIMS to standardize the technique. Two features observed in the reflectance spectra near 1400 cm–1 and 1500 cm–1 are due to resonance of the infrared beam with the asymmetric stretching vibrations of carbonate groups. The contribution of these species to the total reflectivity is directly correlated with the carbon abundance in the samples. This forms the basis for an empirical quantitative analysis. The optical constants, including the IR absorption coefficients associated with the CO32– stretching vibrations, have been extracted by Kramers-Kronig analysis of the reflectivity data. The molar extinction coefficients are 1119 ± 138 L mol–1 cm–1 and 1198 ± 145 L mol–1 cm–1 for the 1400 and 1500 cm–1 bands, respectively, in excellent agreement with results of previous transmission studies, after orientation effects are taken into account.
Lipid spin labels in lecithin multilayers. A study of motion along fatty acid chains.

Oriented multilayers may be prepared by drying phospholipid dispersions on a glass slide. They provide a convenient model with which to examine motion and orientation in lipid bilayer structures. The lecithin multilayers were examined using a series of four spin labels, consisting of nitroxide free radicals bonded to the 5, 7, 12 or 16 position of stearic acid. Accurate electron spin resonance tensor elements needed to interpret the data were obtained using the nitroxide 2-doxylpropane (the 4′, 4′-dimethyloxazolidine-N-oxyl derivative of acetone) oriented in host single crystals of 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutanedione. In the multilayers, all four lipid spin labels were found to orient with their long axes perpendicular to the glass slide, but there is a pronounced systematic variation in anisotropy, dependent on the positional isomer used. The anisotropy of the electron spin resonance spectra was measured and tabulated for various degrees of hydration of the lecithin multilayers. Changes in segmental regions were examined by utilizing temperature to change the motion. The splittings can be accounted for in terms of restricted anisotropic motion, and computer simulations based on restricted anisotropic motion and a Gaussian distribution of orientations are in good agreement with the experimental electron spin resonance spectra. The molecular motion increases as the label is moved further from the carboxylend, and for all four spin labels studied, raising the relative humidity increases the molecular motion of the labels in the lecithin multilayers. The effects of hydration are most pronounced when the label is near the carboxyl group of the stearic acid probe. Relative regional differences in motion along the lipid chains tend to be maintained over a wide temperature range.
Proposed System-Level Multidisciplinary Analysis Technique Based on Exergy Methods

It is suggested that it may be time to consider whether we have reached a plateau in terms of the evolutionary nature of e ight vehicle design and optimization. For a time, progress was measured in terms of maximum speed, which is a straightforward metric when the next design is evolved from the preceding model. There are times, however, when we need to depart from the evolutionary process and create a breakthrough design. The question to be asked is whether there is any way to dee ne system-level analysis and optimization techniques to facilitate the vehicle design process with a more global measure of effectiveness. This paper presents such a methodology for the design of the complete integrated system of systems. Work that has been done in energy-based methods is briee y reviewed, sinceenergy is an implicit consideration in many aerospace disciplines. In addition, methods such as exergy and thermoeconomics have been applied in the design of ground power stations and they are currently being studied for application to aircraft subsystems. The objective of this paperis to expand exergy methods to the design of a complete e ight vehicle by dee ning mission requirements as an exergy/work problem cascading down to each component in the same framework. This paper also serves to introduce a special section of this journal devoted to the application of exergy methods to all levels of e ight vehicle design. Overall, the proposed technique provides a method to facilitate system-level optimization at all levels of the design process.
MUSCARINIC ACETYLCHOLINE RECEPTOR SUBTYPE mRNAs IN THE HUMAN AND RAT VESTIBULAR PERIPHERY

The expression of the five muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) subtypes (m1-m5) in the vestibular end-organs and in the primary afferent vestibular ganglia of the human and rat was studied using RT-PCR from the two tissue populations from both species. In the human, although all five mAChR subtypes were expressed in brain, only the m1, m2, and m5 mAChR subtypes were amplified from both the vestibular ganglia and the vestibular end-organs, while in the rat, all five mAChR subtypes were expressed. These data suggest that the efferent cholinergic axo-dendritic and axo-somatic synapses have a muscarinic component and that there are pharmacologic implications for patients with vestibular dysfunction.
Thermodynamic Equilibria in Two‐Phase, Elastically Stressed Ionic Crystals

The conditions for thermodynamic equilibrium in two-phase, multicomponent, elastically stressed ionic crystals are derived within the realm of phenomenological thermodynamics using a Gibbsian variational approach. Equilibria between a stressed ionic crystal and a fluid and between two elastically stressed crystals possessing a coherent interface are examined, and an expression for the dependence of the electrochemical potential on stress is derived. The equilibrium conditions are used to calculate composition changes in a ternary (Mg, Ni)O film and the corresponding change in the thermodynamic stability of the film owing to substrate-induced stress. In this example, a substrateinduced strain of 1% yields an absolute shift in composition of 1.1 at.% at 1000 K. Significantly smaller or larger shifts are possible depending upon material parameters.
Murine t-lymphoma 'immunoglobulin' is identical to leukemia virus gp 70.

We have used chicken anti-mouse immunoglobulin antiserum to precipitate molecules from mouse T-lymphoma cells that had been radioiodinated. We analysed the immunoprecipitates by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and compared the results with immunoprecipitates generated by other antisera. We found that the molecule precipitated by chicken anti-mouse immunoglobulin from T-lymphoma cells was identical to the mouse leukemia virus envelope glycoprotein (gp 70) produced by the T-lymphoma. Mouse IgM myeloma proteins block precipitation of T-lymphoma molecules by chicken anti-mouse immunoglobulin. We conclude that mouse IgM and gp 70 share antigenic determinants. This may lead to erroneous conclusions about the presence of immunoglobulin on T-cells.
Celebrating the achievements of women radiologists and physicians.

This Perspectives article highlights and celebrates a major change in radiology during my career: the increased number of women radiologists in the United States.
Stiff-man syndrome and variants: clinical course, treatments, and outcomes.

Background Little information is available about the incidence of stiff-man syndrome (SMS) (the classic form or its variants) or about long-term treatment responses and outcomes. Objective To comprehensively describe the characteristics of a cohort of patients with SMS. Design Observational study. Setting Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Patients Ninety-nine patients with classic SMS vs variants of the disorder, both glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 kD isoform (GAD65) antibody seropositive and seronegative. Main Outcome Measures Neurological, autoimmune, serological, and oncological findings; treatments; and outcomes between January 1984 and December 2008. Results The median follow-up duration was 5 years (range, 0-23 years). Seventy-nine patients (59 having classic SMS, 19 having partial SMS, and 1 having progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus [PERM]) were GAD65 antibody seropositive. Sixty-seven percent (53 of 79) of them had at least 1 coexisting autoimmune disease, and 4% (3 of 79) had cancer. GAD65 antibody values at initial evaluation were significantly higher among patients with classic SMS (median value, 623 nmol/L) than among patients with partial SMS (median value, 163 nmol/L) (P Conclusions Recognition of classic SMS vs variants is important because appropriate therapy improves symptoms in most patients. Classification by anatomical extent and by GAD65 antibody serostatus gives important diagnostic and prognostic information.
Nuclear functions of the HMG proteins

Although the three families of mammalian HMG proteins (HMGA, HMGB and HMGN) participate in many of the same nuclear processes, each family plays its own unique role in modulating chromatin structure and regulating genomic function. This review focuses on the similarities and differences in the mechanisms by which the different HMG families impact chromatin structure and influence cellular phenotype. The biological implications of having three architectural transcription factor families with complementary, but partially overlapping, nuclear functions are discussed.
STUDIES ON THE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF NON-POLAR-POLAR ORGANIC ELECTROLYTES: II. THE INFLUENCE OF DETERGENTS UPON THE POTENTIOMETRIC REACTION AND THE CONTRACTILITY OF NERVE AND MUSCLE

In a previous paper it has been shown that the nonpolar-polar anionic detergents can be divided into two main groups. One chemically characterized by a relatively long chain of non-polar alkyl groups, which in solution are in contact with one end of a muscle and, locally adhering to it, produce a permanent negative injury potential. This is generally accompanied by a loss of excitability. The second group, distinguished by a relatively short chain of non-polar alkyl groups acts reversibly, ordinarily preserves the excitability and, in contrast to the first group, produces locally a reverse positive potential. For reasons mentioned before, this appears likely to correspond to an increased activity. These concepts have been tested in this second paper. The measurements of the resting potentials of muscles have been supplemented by measurements on frog sciatics with the result that there are brought about, again by the detergents with long alkyl chains, regular irreversible negative resting potentials and with the short chain compounds reversible positive potentials are aroused. Furthermore, in addition there appeared the hardly expected result that muscle stimulated in the presence of short chain detergents responded with an even higher contraction. We have endeavored to explain this on the basis of general considerations concerning the physical chemistry of the excitatory process. More direct evidence of this rise of excitability under the influence of the short chain non-polar-polar detergents will be presented in the next papers on studies concerning chronaximetric measurements on nerve, referring particularly to the semidetergents, and concerning the effects of detergents in general upon the heart beat of a clam.
Demystifying thermal channels: driving a channel both forwards and backwards with a single gear?

Thermal TRPs—a group of ion channels from the TRP superfamily—spend their lives on monitoring ambient temperature. As such, their opening has become exquisitely sensitive to temperature changes. How can a channel acquire such sharp temperature dependence? As a simplified conceptual framework for discussion, we can consider the Boltzmann equation, which for a two-state closed-open system predicts Po = 1/[1+exp(−ΔH/RT + ΔS/R)]. In the other words, the opening of a channel relates to temperature via the enthalpy change (ΔH) between closed and open states. Specifically, the enthalpy determines the slope of their gating curve with respect to temperature, whereas the entropy (ΔS) sets the operation point. Given this view, how large an enthalpy change can an ion channel have? The textbooks say that enzymatic reactions generally have a Q10 ∼ 2–3. This translates to ΔH ∼ 20 kcal/mol. Accordingly, the Po would increase by less than threefold over a 10°C temperature increase. Clearly such temperature sensitivity falls considerably short of that observed in TRP channels. Indeed, experiments indicate that thermal channels can have a Q10 > 100, or ΔH ∼ 100 kcal/mol (1). How then do thermal channels acquire such large enthalpic energetics, approximately fivefold larger than for other molecules? In this issue of the Biophysical Journal, Jara-Oseguera and Islas (2) propose a novel and simple explanation for this question. Before turning to their proposal, we review several other hypotheses that have been advanced previously.
Signal transduction: An eye on organ development

Studies in flies and mice have revealed a surprising way in which cells regulate gene activity, with consequences for our understanding of organ formation during development.
Atomic inner-shell x-ray laser pumped by an x-ray free-electron laser

We discuss possibilities of pumping an atomic inner-shell x-ray laser with an x-ray free-electron laser (XFEL). Self-consistent gain calculations show that with the first available XFEL, the Linac Coherent Light Source at Stanford, it will become possible to produce subfemtosecond x-ray pulses at intensities reaching $6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{16}\text{ }\text{W}/{\text{cm}}^{2}$. Small-signal gain calculations indicate that saturation of more than one lasing line is possible, resulting in temporally separated femtosecond x-ray pulses of different wavelengths. The presented lasing scheme creates broad capability for advancing the field of high-intensity ultrashort x-ray physics.
Sudden Changes in Rotational Acceleration of the Earth and Secular Motion of the Pole

Development of the atomic clock in 1955 has made possible the detailed determination of irregular variations in speed of rotation. Sudden changes do not occur in speed but do in acceleration, about every 4 years. The motion of the mean pole consists of a progressive component of 10 cm/yr plus a 24-year oscillation. A deviation for 1966.0 is noted. No correlation is found between earthquakes and changes in rotational speed or acceleration.
Muscle-specific calpastatin overexpression prevents diaphragm weakness in cecal ligation puncture-induced sepsis

Recent work indicates that infections are a major contributor to diaphragm weakness in patients who are critically ill and mechanically ventilated, and that diaphragm weakness is a risk factor for ...
Blocking Aβ42 Accumulation Delays the Onset and Progression of Tau Pathology via the C Terminus of Heat Shock Protein70-Interacting Protein: A Mechanistic Link between Aβ and Tau Pathology

The molecular alterations that induce tau pathology in Alzheimer disease (AD) are not known, particularly whether this is an amyloid-beta (Abeta)-dependent or -independent event. We addressed this issue in the 3xTg-AD mice using both genetic and immunological approaches and show that a selective decrease in Abeta(42) markedly delays the progression of tau pathology. The mechanism underlying this effect involves alterations in the levels of C terminus of heat shock protein70-interacting protein (CHIP) as we show that Abeta accumulation decreases CHIP expression and increases tau levels. We show that the Abeta-induced effects on tau were rescued by restoring CHIP levels. Our findings have profound clinical implications as they indicate that preventing Abeta accumulation will significantly alter AD progression. These data highlight the critical role CHIP plays as a link between Abeta and tau and identify CHIP as a new potential target not only for AD but for other neurodegenerative disorders characterized by tau accumulation.
Using symbolic computation to find algebraic invariants

Implicit polynomials have proved themselves as having excellent representation power for complicated objects, and there is growing use of them in computer vision, graphics, and CAD. A must for every system that tries to recognize objects based on their representation by implicit polynomials are invariants, which are quantities assigned to polynomials that do not change under coordinate transformations. In the recognition system developed at the Laboratory for Engineering Man-Machine Studies in Brown University (LEMS), it became necessary to use invariants which are explicit and simple functions of the polynomial coefficients. A method to find such invariants is described and the new invariants presented. This work addresses only the problem of finding the invariants; their stability is studied in another paper. >
Government Rail Car Regulation and the Price of Canola

In this paper I analyze Canadian government regulation of rail transportation as it affects the domestic price of canola in both the street and futures market. The regulation gives rise to an idiosyncrasy: Vancouver canola futures and Vancouver spot prices do not converge, with futures trading at a significant premium to spot prices during the delivery month. As a result, Vancouver futures prices do not reflect international market conditions. I offer an explanation of the futures premium. In addition, I find that there is evidence to support a contention that a change in rail car policy in 1989 improved canola throughput efficiency in Vancouver and may have led to higher street prices.
Elastase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: inactivation of complement components and complement-derived chemotactic and phagocytic factors.

Abstract A purified elastase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa was highly destructive for fluid-phase and cell-bound C1 and C3 and fluid-phase C5, C8, and C9. Inactivation of C4, C2, C6, and C7 by the enzyme varied from 0 to 67%. Low concentrations of elastase generated, then inactivated, a chemotactic factor from human C5 but not from C3. Higher enzyme concentrations inactivated the C5 chemotactic activity at a faster rate. Elastase treatment of sensitized pseudomonads containing cell-bound C3 reduced the phagocytic indexes of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The data support the proposed chemopathogenic role of the elastase in generation of the characteristic non-inflammatory Pseudomonas vasculitis.
Whole-genome and multisector exome sequencing of primary and post-treatment glioblastoma reveals patterns of tumor evolution

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a prototypical heterogeneous brain tumor refractory to conventional therapy. A small residual population of cells escapes surgery and chemoradiation, resulting in a typically fatal tumor recurrence ∼ 7 mo after diagnosis. Understanding the molecular architecture of this residual population is critical for the development of successful therapies. We used whole-genome sequencing and whole-exome sequencing of multiple sectors from primary and paired recurrent GBM tumors to reconstruct the genomic profile of residual, therapy resistant tumor initiating cells. We found that genetic alteration of the p53 pathway is a primary molecular event predictive of a high number of subclonal mutations in glioblastoma. The genomic road leading to recurrence is highly idiosyncratic but can be broadly classified into linear recurrences that share extensive genetic similarity with the primary tumor and can be directly traced to one of its specific sectors, and divergent recurrences that share few genetic alterations with the primary tumor and originate from cells that branched off early during tumorigenesis. Our study provides mechanistic insights into how genetic alterations in primary tumors impact the ensuing evolution of tumor cells and the emergence of subclonal heterogeneity.
Evaluation of a Modified AOAC Determination for Thiamin and Riboflavin in Foods

Modifications of the AOAC thiamin and riboflavin methods allow determination of the two vitamins from aliquots of a single food sample with alternatives to obsolete or dangerous reagents. Mylase 100, an α-amylase enzyme which hydrolyzes thiamin esters, was shown to be effective at releasing thiamin in 3 hr over a pH range of 3.5–5.5, at 35 and 42°C. In thiochrome extraction, anhydrous isopropanol can be substituted for isobutanol, a suspected carcinogen.
Discrete Optimal Control and Nonlinear Programming

In this chapter, we present more mathematical background which is necessary for modeling and solving dynamic transportation network problems. This chapter covers discrete optimal control and nonlinear programming problems. First, we introduce the discrete optimal control problem (OCP). To simplify our presentation, we consider discrete optimal control problems with fixed end times as examples in Section 3.1. The discussion is focused on the analysis of optimality conditions. Then, some nonlinear programming (NLP) problems with equality and nonnegativity constraints are presented in Section 3.2. Similarities between discrete optimal control and nonlinear programming are emphasized.
Patterned Growth of Long and Clean Boron Nitride Nanotubes on Substrates

For the first time, patterned growth of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) on Si substrates has been achieved by catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD). Following the boron oxide chemical pathway and our growth vapor trapping approach, high quality and quantity BNNTs can be produced. Effective catalysts have been found to facilitate the growth of BNNTs, while some critical parameters of the synthesis have also been identified to control the quality and density. The success of patterned growth of high quality BNNTs not only explains the roles of the effective catalysts during the synthesis process, but could also be of technologically important for future device fabrication.
Retinoic Acid Hypersensitivity Promotes Peripheral Tolerance in Recent Thymic Emigrants

Whereas thymic education eliminates most self-reactive T cells, additional mechanisms to promote tolerance in the periphery are critical to prevent excessive immune responses against benign environmental Ags and some self-Ags. In this study we show that murine CD4(+) recent thymic emigrants (RTEs) are programmed to facilitate tolerance in the periphery. Both in vitro and in vivo, naive RTEs more readily upregulate Foxp3 than do mature naive cells after stimulation under tolerogenic conditions. In RTEs, a relatively high sensitivity to retinoic acid contributes to decreased IFN-γ production, permitting the expression of Foxp3. Conversely, mature naive CD4 cells have a lower sensitivity to retinoic acid, resulting in increased IFN-γ production and subsequent IFN-γ-mediated silencing of Foxp3 expression. Enhanced retinoic acid signaling and Foxp3 induction in RTEs upon Ag encounter in the periphery may serve as form of secondary education that complements thymic education and helps avoid inappropriate immune responses. This mechanism for tolerance may be particularly important in settings where RTEs comprise a large fraction of the peripheral T cell pool, such as in newborns or after umbilical cord blood transplant.
Characterization of a female controlled drug delivery system for microbicides.

Abstract In this study, the feasibility of a carbopol 934P-HPMC-based gel formulation as a vaginal drug delivery system was evaluated. A vaginal fluid simulant (VFS) was utilized to simulate human vaginal mucus. The viscosity of the carbopol-HPMC gel system and VFS was examined using a cone and plate viscometer. The surface tension of VFS was measured using a capillary rising method. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was employed to investigate the effect of carbopol gel on the conformational changes of rat vaginal membrane. The viscosity of carbopol gel increased as the pH of the system increased from 4.0 to 6.0. The viscosity of HPMC gel remained the same irrespective of pH of the system. The viscosity of the carbopol gel significantly increased, when HPMC (0.5–1.5%) was added to the system. The optimal viscosity value (1.5∼2.0 poises) was achieved at 1.0∼1.5% carbopol (pH 4.0) with the presence of 1.0∼1.5% HPMC. There were mucin concentration dependent changes in viscosity and surface tension of VFS. The results of DSC analysis of rat vaginal membrane showed that the profiles of thermal stability for both carbopol-treated and the untreated control at the temperature ranging from 40 to 90°C were almost identical. The thermal denaturation temperatures (Td) of the carbopol-treated membrane and the untreated control were not significantly different from each other. The combination of carbopol and HPMC seems to be an ideal formulation as a vaginal delivery system. Mucin played an important role in the regulation of viscosity and surface tension of VFS. DSC study demonstrated that carbopol gel showed good biocompatibility and did not cause any conformational changes in rat vaginal membrane.
Pressure-sensitive paint measurements in a shock tube

Surface pressures were measured in the short-duration, transient flow environment of a small-scale, low pressure-ratio shock tube using thin-film pressure-sensitive paint (PSP). Issues regarding coating formulation, measurement uncertainty, optical system design, and temperature and illumination compensation are discussed. The pressure measurements were acquired during steady flow conditions following the passage of normal shocks and expansion regions along a flat sidewall and a wedge sidewall. The PSP characteristic response time was 3 to 6 ms. Overall pressure uncertainty for the shock tube measurements ranged up to 5% over one atmosphere and compared well with theoretical estimates of uncertainty.
Sonographic Evaluation of an Embryonic Cervical Pregnancy

Cervical pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy, and early diagnosis and treatment are important when managing this type of emergency. Although rare, if implantation occurs in the endocervical canal, it can pose a serious risk to the patient's future fertility. When an endocervical pregnancy is suspected, transabdominal and endocavity sonography should be performed.
Detection of ventricular fibrillation by sequential testing

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) must be accurately detected by an automatic implantable cardioconverter-defibrillator and must also be discriminated from ventricular tachycardia (VT) and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). A sequential decision rule is described to discriminate probability distributions of VF from VT and SVT. Intracardiac signals are first converted to binary sequences by comparison with a threshold. Probability distributions of threshold-crossing intervals are determined. The sequential test calculates a log-likelihood and compares that with preset detection thresholds. The thresholds are set so as to result in desired test accuracy. Essentially, the sequential algorithm trades off the time to reach decision (number of sequential decision steps) with accuracy. In a study of 170 electrograms from humans, 95.3% of VF signals are classified in 3 s, 97.6% in 5 s, and 100% in 7 s. The sequential algorithm offers ease of implementation for implantable devices and excellent performance. >
Robust and Efficient Multifrontal Solver for Large Discretized PDEs

This paper presents a robust structured multifrontal factorization method for large symmetric positive definite sparse matrices arising from the discretization of partial differential equations (PDEs). For PDEs such as 2D and 3D elliptic equations, the method costs roughly O(n) and O(n 4/3) flops, respectively. The algorithm takes advantage of a low-rank property in the direct factorization of some discretized matrices. We organize the factorization with a supernodal multifrontal method after the nested dissection ordering of the matrix. Dense intermediate matrices in the factorization are approximately factorized into hierarchically semiseparable (HSS) forms, so that a data-sparse Cholesky factor is computed and is guaranteed to exist, regardless of the accuracy of the approximation. We also use an idea of rank relaxation for HSS methods so as to achieve similar performance with flexible structures in broader types of PDE. Due to the structures and the rank relaxation, the performance of the method is relatively insensitive to parameters such as frequencies and sizes of discontinuities. Our method is also much simpler than similar structured multifrontal methods, and is more generally applicable (to PDEs on irregular meshes and to general sparse matrices as a black-box direct solver). The method also has the potential to work as a robust and effective preconditioner even if the low-rank property is insignificant. We demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of the method with several important PDEs. Various comparisons with other similar methods are given.
Abstract 397: The Interaction of Integrin beta1 to Galpha13 Mediates RhoA Inhibition and Cell Migration

Background: Integrin-dependent cell migration is critically important in many physiological and pathological processes such as angiogenesis, inflammation, wound healing, and atherosclerosis. However, the underlying signaling mechanisms remain unclear. Hypothesis: We have recently shown that Ga13 directly interacts with the cytoplasmic domain of integrin b3 subunits in platelets and is a proximal mechanism of integrin outside-in signaling. We further showed that the binding site for Ga13 requires a conserved ExE motif also present in b1 integrins important in adhesion and migration of nearly all vascular cells. We hypothesize that the direct binding of Ga13 to the ExE motif in integrin b1 plays an important role in mediates b1-dependent cell migration. Results: To specifically study the role of b1 integrin in cell migration, we compared cell migration of GD25 cells that are deficient in integrin b1 subunit with cells that re-constitute b1 expression using a scratch wound healing assay and a transwell migra...