cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Internal dosimetry verification and validation database.

Simulated-data internal dosimetry cases for use in intercomparison exercises or as a software verification and validation tool have been published on the internet (www.lanl.gov/bayesian/software Bayesian software package II). A user may validate their internal dosimetry code or method using this simulated bioassay data. Or, the user may choose to try out the Los Alamos National Laboratory codes ID and UF, which are also supplied. A Poisson-lognormal model of data uncertainty is assumed. A collection of different possible models for each nuclide (e.g. solubility types and particle sizes) are used. For example, for 238 Pu, 14 different biokinetic models or types (8 inhalation, 4 wound and 2 ingestion) are assumed. Simulated data are generated for all the assumed biokinetic models, both for incidents, where the time of intake is known, and for non-incidents, where it is not. For the dose calculations, the route of intake, but not the biokinetic model, is considered to be known. The object is to correctly calculate the known true dose from simulated data covering a period of time. A ‘correct’ result has been defined in two ways: (1) that the credible limits of the calculated dose include the correct dose and (2) that the calculated dose is within a factor of 2 of the correct dose.
Study of the inhibition of four alpha amylases by acarbose and its 4IV-α-maltohexaosyl and 4IV-α-maltododecaosyl analogues

Acarbose analogues, 4IV-maltohexaosyl acarbose (G6-Aca) and 4IV-maltododecaosyl acarbose (G12-Aca), were prepared by the reaction of cyclomaltodextrin glucanyltransferase with cyclomaltohexaose and acarbose. The inhibition kinetics of acarbose and the two acarbose analogues were studied for four different alpha-amylases: Aspergillus oryzae, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, human salivary, and porcine pancreatic alpha-amylases. The three inhibitors showed mixed, noncompetitive inhibition, for all four alpha-amylases. The acarbose inhibition constants, Ki, for the four alpha-amylases were 270, 13, 1.27, and 0.80 microM, respectively; the Ki values for G6-Aca were 33, 37, 14, and 7 nM, respectively; and the G12-Aca Ki constants were 59, 81, 18, and 11 nM, respectively. The G6-Aca and G12-Aca analogues are the most potent alpha-amylase inhibitors observed, with Ki values one to three orders of magnitude more potent than acarbose, which itself was one to three orders of magnitude more potent than other known alpha-amylase inhibitors.
Relationship between gene function and gene location inEscherichia coli

Genes ofEscherichia coli were grouped according to the “biochemical relatedness” of the enzymes they specifiy, using two schemes to determine relatedness: similarity of reaction or similarity of reactants. The tendency of biochemically related genes as so defined to lie approximately 90° or 180° from one another on the circular genetic map was analyzed statistically. Of the classes analyzed, only the genes for the enzymes of glucose catabolism showed a significant departure from random distribution in this respect. The glucose catabolism genes showed a pronounced tendency to lie either 90° or 180° from one another (P = ca. 10−9), and, furthermore, most of these genes were found to lie in only four gene clusters on theE. coli genome. The significance of this observation is discussed in relation to evolutionary mechanisms and to mechanisms of gene expression.
Stabilization of Nrf2 Protein by D3T Provides Protection against Ethanol-Induced Apoptosis in PC12 Cells

Previous studies have demonstrated that maternal ethanol exposure induces a moderate increase in Nrf2 protein expression in mouse embryos. Pretreatment with the Nrf2 inducer, 3H-1, 2-dithiole-3-thione (D3T), significantly increases the Nrf2 protein levels and prevents apoptosis in ethanol-exposed embryos. The present study, using PC12 cells, was designed to determine whether increased Nrf2 stability is a mechanism by which D3T enhances Nrf2 activation and subsequent antioxidant protection. Ethanol and D3T treatment resulted in a significant accumulation of Nrf2 protein in PC 12 cells. CHX chase analysis has shown that ethanol treatment delayed the degradation of Nrf2 protein in PC12 cells. A significantly greater decrease in Nrf2 protein degradation was observed in the cells treated with D3T alone or with both ethanol and D3T. In addition, D3T treatment significantly reduced ethanol-induced apoptosis. These results demonstrate that the stabilization of Nrf2 protein by D3T confers protection against ethanol-induced apoptosis.
Ad valorem tariff and spatial equilibrium models

The objectives of this article are to illustrate theoretically and empirically how to incorporate an ad valorem tariff in spatial equilibrium models and show the equivalence of three approaches (primal, dual and MCP) of spatial equilibrium trade modelling. The article lays out in detail the theory, empirical applications and the results for all three approaches so that trade modellers can easily follow and apply them in their work. The primal approach is commonly used by spatial equilibrium modellers, though the dual approach corresponds to the textbook depiction of consumer surplus, producer surplus and gains from trade. The Mixed Complementarity Problem (MCP) is not commonly used by spatial equilibrium modellers, though it is relatively simpler if the modeller knows the equilibrium conditions. This article also presents advantages and disadvantages of each approach.
Damping of the soft E -symmetry phonon in lead titanate

The frequency and temperature dependence of the phonon damping function $\ensuremath{\gamma}(\ensuremath{\omega},T)$ of the soft $E$-symmetry phonon in PbTi${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ has been determined using Raman scattering. From 40\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K to room temperature the frequency of the lowest $E$ mode, ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}(T)$, is nearly constant and permits the temperature dependence of $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ to be measured at constant frequency. Below room temperature, $\ensuremath{\gamma}({\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0},T)$ is proportional to the absolute temperature $T$ and extrapolates to zero damping at $T=0$. The frequency dependence of $\ensuremath{\gamma}(\ensuremath{\omega},{T}_{\mathrm{rm}})$ was determined at room temperature using near-forward Raman scattering from polaritons. New results are obtained by reanalyzing previously reported data. The damping is found to increase for decreasing polariton frequencies down to about 53 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. Below the ferroelectric phase transition at 766\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, it is shown that the apparent divergence of $\ensuremath{\gamma}({\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}(T))$ as $T\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{T}_{c}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ results mainly from this frequency dependence and a nearly linear dependence on temperature. At fixed frequency, $\ensuremath{\gamma}(\ensuremath{\omega},T)$ is proportional to the absolute temperature although smaller nonlinear contributions cannot be ruled out. This linear temperature dependence indicates that the dominant damping mechanism for the soft $E$ mode is due to cubic anharmonicity in the lattice potential. These results are interpreted in terms of the model described by Cowley for phase transitions arising from anharmonic decay. A review of experimental results concerning the temperature dependence of the damping of soft modes in related materials is included.
Revelations from a bicistronic calcium channel gene

(2014). Revelations from a bicistronic calcium channel gene. Cell Cycle: Vol. 13, No. 6, pp. 875-876.
Stock price patterns

Stock price anomalies have been studied in detail; however, most studies use daily closing prices or volume-weighted average prices for identifying day-of-the week and holiday effects. In this article, I extend the day-of-the week and holiday analysis to intraday and interday trading. The results show there are definite advantages to buying a stock at the close of business and then selling at the open of the next trading day, provided that next trading day is also the next calendar day. The worst risk-return trade-off is when you buy at the close and sell at the open when there is an extended weekend. In terms of the average daily return to standard deviation ratio, the close–open strategy has the highest ratio. This strategy also has the highest positive skewness and kurtosis of the daily return distribution.
Cost-Effectiveness As A Price Control

After a technology is developed, cost-effectiveness analysis can offer an economically sound approach to adoption decisions. Little attention has been paid, however, to the incentives these criteria induce for getting technologies to market in the first place. We argue that technology adoption procedures more fully take into account the key trade-off inherent in research and development: the decreased welfare of current patients as a result of higher prices versus the increased welfare of future patients as a result of the incentives for innovation that such prices provide. Empirical evidence from a case study of HIV/AIDS provides an illustration of our conclusions.
Of mice and men: the voracious spleen

Comment on Buffet et al, page [3745][1] Over the years, physiological studies have provided many insights into the function of the spleen, and now, in this issue of Blood , Buffet and colleagues describe significant new mechanistic insights into clearance of parasitized human red cells by the
Leucine repeats and an adjacent DNA binding domain mediate the formation of functional cFos-cJun heterodimers

The discovery that the AP-1 family of enhancer binding factors includes a complex of the cellular Fos (cFos) and cellular Jun (cJun) proteins established a direct and important link between oncogenesis and transcriptional regulation. Homodimeric cJun protein synthesized in vitro is capable of binding selectively to AP-1 recognition sites, whereas the cFos polypeptide is not. When cotranslated, the cFos and cJun proteins can form a stable, heterodimeric complex with the DNA binding properties of AP-1/cJun. The related proteins Jun B and vJun are also able to form DNA binding complexes with cFos. Directed mutagenesis of the cFos protein reveals that a leucine repeat structure is required for binding to cJun, in a manner consistent with the proposed function of the "leucine zipper." A novel domain adjacent to, but distinct from, the leucine repeat of cFos is required for DNA binding by cFos-cJun heterodimers. Thus experimental evidence is presented that leucine repeats can mediate complex formation between heterologous proteins and that promotes further understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the function of two proto-oncogene products.
Association of cartilage defects, and other MRI findings with pain and function in individuals with mild–moderate radiographic hip osteoarthritis and controls

Summary Objective To evaluate the relationship of hip radiographic osteoarthritis (ROA) and MRI findings of cartilage lesions, labral tears, bone marrow edema-like lesions (BMELs) and subchondral cysts with self-reported and physical function. Design Eighty five subjects were classified as controls ( n = 55, Kellgren–Lawrence (KL) 0, 1) or having mild–moderate ROA ( n = 30, KL 2, 3). T 2 weighted MRI images at 3-T were graded for presence of cartilage lesions, labral tears, BMELs and subchondral cysts. Posterior wall sign, cross-over sign, center-edge angle and alpha angle were also recorded. Function was assessed using Hip dysfunction and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS), Timed-Up and Go (TUG) test and Y-Balance Test (YBT). Analysis compared function between subjects with and without ROA and those with and without femoral or acetabular cartilage lesions, adjusted for age. Non-parametric correlations were used to assess the relationship between radiographic scores, MRI scores and function. Results Subjects with acetabular cartilage lesions had worse HOOS (Difference = 5–10%, P = 0.036–0.004), but not TUG or YBT, scores. Acetabular cartilage lesions, BMELs and subchondral cysts were associated with worse HOOS scores ( ρ = 0.23–0.37, P = 0.041–0.001). Differences in function between subjects with and without ROA or femoral cartilage lesions were not significant. Other radiologic findings were not associated with function. Conclusions Acetabular cartilage defects, but not femoral cartilage defects or ROA, were associated with greater self-reported pain and disability. BMELs and subchondral cysts were related to greater hip related self-reported pain and disability. None of the radiographic or MRI features was related to physical function.
Evolution of γ′ Precipitation Kinetics and Morphology in a Ni- 13.36 at.% Al Alloy Aged Under Compression

The influence of an applied uniaxial compressive stress on the coarsening of γ’ (Ni3A1) precipitates at 640°C in a Ni-13.36 at. % Al alloy was studied experimentally. The investigation was done using cylindrical doubly-tapered monocrystalline specimens with axes of revolution parallel to [100]. At an applied load of 940 N the compressive stress varied from ∼30 to ∼130 MPa in any given specimen. Over this range of stresses the strain was primarily elastic. Dark-field transmission electron microscopy, coupled with image-analysis software, was used to characterize evolution of the γ precipitate morphology, and the kinetics of coarsening in (100) were investigated for aging times up to 504 h. We find, quite unexpectedly, that the relationship between the kinetics of coarsening and the applied stress is not monotonic. Instead, a maximum in the coarsening rate obtains at an intermediate stress, in the neighborhood of 55 ± 10 MPa. Theoretical work by Johnson predicts that for certain combinations of lattice and elastic-constant mismatch, an extremum of the solubility limit exists in elastically isotropic specimens aged under uniaxial stress. The theory is not sophisticated enough to enable a quantitative comparison with experimental results, but provides some rationale for our unexpected finding.
Crosslinked hyaluronan hydrogels containing mitomycin C reduce postoperative abdominal adhesions

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of crosslinked hyaluronan (HA) hydrogels that contained covalently-bound mitomycin C (MMC) in reducing postoperative adhesions in a rat uterine horn model. Design Two independent parameters were investigated: [1] the quantity of MMC in preformed crosslinked hydrogel films and [2] the efficacy of intraperitoneal injection of in situ crosslinkable solutions. Setting University animal research facility. Animal(s) Female Wistar rats. Intervention(s) Injuries (3 × 10 mm) were made to contacting serosal surfaces of the medial uterine wall musculature in female rats. Two treatment protocols were used. In the first, sterile crosslinked HA films that contained different MMC loadings (0, 0.5%, and 2%) were applied to two injured uterine horns; control animals received no films. In the second protocol, MMC-loaded crosslinked HA gels that contained different MMC loadings (0.31%, 0.625%, and 1.25%) were spread on the site of uterine horn injury (1 mL); then, an additional 4 mL of the same formulation was injected into the peritoneal cavity after abdominal closure. Control animals were injected with 5 mL of buffer only. Main Outcome Measure(s) Extent of postoperative adhesions between uterine horns and with surrounding tissues and organs. Result(s) Mitomycin C–loaded crosslinked HA films and in situ crosslinked gels were more effective in reducing postoperative adhesion formation than were buffer controls or crosslinked HA films without MMC. Conclusion(s) Mitomycin C–loaded crosslinked HA films and gels reduced formation of postoperative intraperitoneal adhesions.
Picture Partners: A Co-creative Journey into Visual Literacy

This article describes an integrated art and early literacy project entitled, ‘Picture Partners’. The main purpose of the project was to explore how young children create and express meaning through art. Children’s responses, both written and spoken, were included because accompanying modes of expression expand the nature and content of their drawings and inform teachers about children’s intentions and processes of thinking. A secondary purpose was to investigate how children use illustrations from familiar picture books as models for their own creations and whether children’s responses to stories might be enhanced through their collaboration with peers. Partnerships were formed and participants worked in close proximity as they drew pictures in response to a teacher directed prompt. Using qualitative, interpretative analysis, a small subset of drawings produced by kindergarten and first grade children was examined. The results revealed that the process of drawing was influenced by illustrations in picturebooks, peer interactions, and the artwork of partners in close proximity. The shift in emphasis away from the interpretations of visual realism in children’s drawings towards their own purposes allowed readers to focus on the way drawings represent meaning within children’s socio-cultural worlds.
Interferon‐α/β–mediated innate immune mechanisms in dermatomyositis

Dermatomyositis has been modeled as an autoimmune disease largely mediated by the adaptive immune system, including a local humorally mediated response with B and T helper cell muscle infiltration, antibody and complement-mediated injury of capillaries, and perifascicular atrophy of muscle fibers caused by ischemia. To further understand the pathophysiology of dermatomyositis, we used microarrays, computational methods, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy to study muscle specimens from 67 patients, 54 with inflammatory myopathies, 14 with dermatomyositis. In dermatomyositis, genes induced by interferon-alpha/beta were highly overexpressed, and immunohistochemistry for the interferon-alpha/beta inducible protein MxA showed dense staining of perifascicular, and, sometimes all myofibers in 8/14 patients and on capillaries in 13/14 patients. Of 36 patients with other inflammatory myopathies, 1 patient had faint MxA staining of myofibers and 3 of capillaries. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells, potent CD4+ cellular sources of interferon-alpha, are present in substantial numbers in dermatomyositis and may account for most of the cells previously identified as T helper cells. In addition to an adaptive immune response, an innate immune response characterized by plasmacytoid dendritic cell infiltration and interferon-alpha/beta inducible gene and protein expression may be an important part of the pathogenesis of dermatomyositis, as it appears to be in systemic lupus erythematosus.
Range and Endurance Estimates for Battery-Powered Aircraft

T HE utility and cost effectiveness of small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has seen a large increase in their use, in both civilian and military applications. Depending on the particular requirements, the aircraft may be powered using a piston-gasoline engine or an electric motor. Electric propulsion appears to be favored as the UAV size diminishes or if stealth, in terms of acoustic signature, is a design requirement. Expressions to estimate the range and endurance of piston propeller and jet aircraft are well established [1,2] (the Breguet equations). Estimates for the range and endurance of electric aircraft are less well established [3,4] and may not be presented in a fashion consistent with that typically employed in the aeronautics community. Consideration of the propulsion system would suggest that equating the power delivered by the battery, accounting for losses due to the propeller, motor, and motor controller, to the power required to overcome drag would yield performance estimates. While this approach is sound, the behavior of a battery and its effective capacity, depending on the current draw (the so-called Peukert effect [5]), should be accounted for; otherwise, significant estimation errors may occur. Consequently, in this Note, expressions are derived to estimate the range and endurance of a battery-powered electric aircraft, accounting for battery discharge behavior. The impact of ignoring the Peukert effect is investigated. Parameters affecting performance are examined.
Collective-variable approach to the dynamics of nonlinear magnetic excitations with application to vortices.

We propose a collective-variable ansatz for a system of N extended, but finite, nonlinear excitations in magnetic systems. In contrast to earlier approaches, where the interactions between the different excitations have been treated only through an external force term, we explicitly consider a dependence of the microscopic spin field on all the coordinates and velocities of the localized objects. This leads to N coupled equations of motion with parameters (mass and gyro tensors) which explicitly depend on the mutual distances of the excitations. We apply this ansatz to vortices in two-dimensional Heisenberg ferromagnets with weak easy-plane anisotropy. For vortex pairs we find either rotational or translational motion, with an additional cyclotronlike oscillation on top of the main trajectories. Due to the interactions between the two vortices we obtain two different eigenvalues of the mass and gyro tensors with values depending on the distance between the vortices, their vorticities, and the sign of their out-of-plane structures. In contrast to the single-vortex mass, which depends logarithmically on the system size L, we find two-vortex masses, which are independent of L, but depend on their mutual distance. These predictions are in good qualitative agreement with numerical simulations of the complete spin systems. However, since these simulations are performed at zero temperature, where the vortex pairs extend throughout the whole system, we observe a strong influence of the boundaries on the absolute values of the masses.
Michael Oakeshott on Civility, Civil Society and Civil Association:

Contemporary treatments of ‘civil society’ have struggled to formulate clear and explicit criteria for determining which associations ought to count as part of a truly ‘civil’ society and, conversely, which other kinds of groups a liberal democracy would best avoid. Michael Oakeshott's idealized distinction between ‘civil’ association and ‘enterprise’ association may prove extremely helpful in sharpening these contemporary discussions of civil society. Rather than a conservative value with exclusionary and anti-democratic overtones, as many have alleged, the virtue of civility entails immanent inclusivity, democratic equality and the active recognition of others. Understanding civility in this way argues for both its normative and conceptual value in distinguishing the good from the bad in associational life. On the other hand, the contemporary literature on civil society draws attention to ambiguities in Oakeshott's thought that make his understanding of the liberal state, for better or worse, an improba...
Stochastic Simulation of 2μ Multicopy Plasmid Amplification in Yeast

The 2 mu plasmid of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been used extensively as a vector for foreign protein expression because of its natural amplification to 60-100 copies per cell. The amplification of the 2 mu plasmid occurs through a recombinational mechanism which we have simulated using two free parameters: the FLP recombinase DNA-binding probability and FLP specific enzymatic activity. Model results indicate that a single plasmid amplifies to 5.5-7 copies on average at maximal FLP concentrations and that amplification is approximately proportional to the probability of FLP attachment but independent of its specific enzymatic activity. Thus, FLP overexpression should lead to maximal plasmid amplification. The model predicts the existence of topologically novel replication intermediates.
Air-stable organic polymer red light-emitting devices on flexible plastic substrates

Organic polymer red light-emitting devices (OPLEDs) with the double layer structure have been fabricated on flexible plastic substrates. Dow red emissive polymer and poly(3,4- ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(styrene)(PEDOT/PSS) have been used as an emissive and a hole injection polymer, respectively. The spin coating technique was used to deposit different polymers. The absorption and the cyclic voltammetry spectra have been used to construct the band diagram of our OPLEDs. The following electrical and optical properties have been obtained for our OPLEDs: turn-on voltage, defined at 1 cd/m 2 =~3.0V; voltage and current density defined at 100 cd/m 2 =~6.5V and ~34mA/cm 2 ; maximum emission efficiency =~0.25 cd/A; and maximum luminous efficiency =~0.1m/W. The extrapolated lifetime of unpackaged OPLEDs on flexible plastic substrate of about 1160 min for initial brightness of 100 cd/m 2 has been obtained.
ANALYZING DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL CORPORATE INNOVATION USING THE DATA SURFACE MINING TECHNIQUE

Corporate innovation continues to be the subject of a stream of articles in the business press as well as the focus of international conferences. Several recent articles in FORTUNE and BusinessWeek have identified innovative companies on a national and international basis. Using a technique labeled "Data Surface Mining" (DSM), previously published data on corporate innovation were further analyzed to characterize the similarities and differences between the Goods and Service Sectors; the results of these analysis are presented herein. In addition, the issues of technology management especially relevant to the Service Sector are presented. These issues are of critical importance in light of the fact that the Service Sector represents 80% (GDP and/or employment) of the United States economy and are of increasing importance in the global economy. It is also important to note that technology management in the Service Sector has not to date been given proportionate attention in the academic literature.
The Attempted Dehydrogenation of 3, 4 Disubstituted Thiolanes

Author Institution: Department of Chemistry, The University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati 21, Ohio
Rotating Rake Turbofan Duct Mode Measurement System

An experimental measurement system was developed and implemented by the NASA Glenn Research Center in the 1990s to measure turbofan duct acoustic modes. The system is a continuously rotating radial microphone rake that is inserted into the duct. This rotating rake provides a complete map of the acoustic duct modes present in a ducted fan and has been used on a variety of test articles: from a low‐speed, concept test rig, to a full‐scale production turbofan engine. The rotating rake has been critical in developing and evaluating a number of noise reduction concepts as well as providing experimental databases for verification of several aero‐acoustic codes.
Preventing Platelet Thrombosis With a PAR1 Pepducin

Platelet-mediated arterial thrombosis, such as occurs after atherosclerotic plaque rupture, erosion, or percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), is the underlying cause for most myocardial infarctions and many ischemic strokes.1 Platelets adhere to damaged blood vessels, aggregate with one another, and facilitate the generation of thrombin, which in turn makes fibrin. Thrombin is also a highly potent stimulator of platelets, and shear stress in settings such as PCI may lead to periprocedural complications due to thrombin-dependent platelet activation.2,3 Human platelets possess 2 main thrombin G-protein–coupled receptors, protease-activated receptor (PAR) 1 and 4 (Figure), which, when cleaved by thrombin, trigger a host of intracellular signaling events resulting in secretion of granule contents including ADP, production of thromboxane A2, and activation of the platelet fibrinogen receptor integrin αIIbβ3 (GPIIb/IIIa). In the setting of acute coronary syndrome and PCI, antiplatelet therapy for secondary prevention of vascular events consists of aspirin to reduce thromboxane A2 production, P2Y12 antagonists to block the effects of ADP, and GPIIb/IIIa inhibitors. However, despite the use of these therapies, the rate of ischemic events remains high. Furthermore, this approach is estimated to prevent only ≈15% to 17% of lethal cardiovascular events with a ceiling effect.4,5 The ability of thrombin to activate platelets in the presence of aspirin and P2Y12 antagonists may explain some of the residual risk. Thus, strategies that target thrombin signaling in platelets have been the focus of considerable attention. Figure. Platelet activation pathways, the role of thrombin receptors. In humans, protease-activated receptors (PAR)-1 and PAR-4 …
Helminths from Four Species of Phyllodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Peru

Four species of Phyllodactylus from Peru were examined for helminths: P. inaequalis, P. johnwrighti, P. lepidopygus, and P. microphyllus. One species of Cestoda, Oochoristica travassosi, and 3 species of Nematoda, Parapharyngodon scleratus, Spauligodon oxkutzcabiensis, and Acuariidae gen sp. were found. Six new host records are reported.
A simple theory of back‐surface‐field (BSF) solar cells

An earlier calculation of the I-V characteristics of solar cells contains a mistake. The current generated by light within the depletion layer is too large by a factor of 2. When this mistake is corrected, not only are all previous conclusions unchanged, but the agreement with experiment becomes better. Results are presented in graphical form of new computations which not only take account of the factor of 2, but also include more recent data on material parameters.
A model of parenting stress

A preliminary theoretical model of parenting stress was tested. The additive effects of a series of stresses, namely, stressful pregnancy, stress of labor and delivery, and the stress of parenting were examined in a causal model of parenting stress. Factors theoretically expected to be protective in stressful circumstances, like, personality strength, prior experience, age, education, and social support, were predicted to be negatively related to stress. Data from 101 mothers whose infants were 6 weeks old were analyzed using path analysis. The data fit the model and explained 41% of the variance in parenting stress. The empirical model showed significant paths from prior experience and social support to the stress of pregnancy. The mother's education was the only significant variable in the pathway to labor and delivery stress and it was positively related to stress. Paths to parenting stress existed from personality and from pregnancy stress, but not from labor and delivery stress or any of the other variables.
Wading Bird Foraging Habitat Selection in the Florida Everglades

Abstract. To determine how habitat structural complexity, which affects prey vulnerability, influences foraging habitat selection by wading birds, a habitat use versus availability study was conducted throughout the Florida Everglades in 2005 and 2006. Also, an experiment was conducted where structural complexity was manipulated and its effect on wading bird foraging efficiency quantified. Among-year differences in habitat selection were found, which corresponded to disparate hydrological conditions. In 2005, a poor hydrological year in terms of the seasonal recession, wading birds chose foraging sites that had less emergent vegetation, a thicker flocculent layer and higher prey density relative to random sites. In 2006, an optimal hydrological year, wading bird foraging locations were similar to random sites in all aspects. Submerged vegetation did not affect wading bird site selection in either year. The study indicated that hydrological conditions that affect prey density were more important to wading ...
Combinatorial therapies to overcome B-RAF inhibitor resistance in melanomas

The ability of B-RAF inhibitors to induce unprecedented response rates in B-RAF mutant melanoma represents a watershed moment in the treatment of this dreadful disease. However, the efficacy of B-RAF inhibitors is short-lived as a result of acquired drug resistance. Augmenting the efficacy of B-RAF inhibitors to effect prolonged survival requires its combination with other targeted agents that block escape or compensatory tumor-survival pathways. Combinatorial targeted strategies based on B-RAF inhibitors require a thorough knowledge of resistance mechanisms. Successful combinatorial targeting of melanoma and other cancers is arguably the next frontier in accelerating personalized cancer medicine.
Efficacy of Levofloxacin for Experimental Aortic-Valve Endocarditis in Rabbits Infected with Viridans Group Streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus

Levofloxacin is among the more active fluoroquinolones against streptococci and staphylococci. It is effective against moderately severe infections caused by these organisms, but its efficacy in the treatment of bacteremia and serious infections such as endocarditis is not well defined. We compared the efficacy of levofloxacin to those of standard agents in the rabbit model of aortic-valve endocarditis caused by fluoroquinolone-susceptible strains including a penicillin-susceptible strain of Streptococcus sanguis, a penicillin-resistant strain of Streptococcus mitis, a methicillin-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus, and a methicillin-susceptible strain of S. aureus. Levofloxacin administered intramuscularly at dosages of 20 to 40 mg/kg of body weight twice daily (b.i.d.) was completely ineffective against the penicillin-susceptible strain, with mean vegetation titers after 3 days of therapy not statistically significantly different from those for controls. Levofloxacin was no more effective than penicillin against the penicillin-resistant strain. Levofloxacin administered for 4 days at a dosage of 20 mg/kg b.i.d. was at least as effective as vancomycin administered intravenously at a dosage of 25 mg/kg b.i.d. against the methicillin-resistant S. aureus strain and was as effective as nafcillin administered intramuscularly at 100 mg three times daily against the methicillin-susceptible strain. Emergence of resistance to levofloxacin in vitro was less likely to occur than resistance to ciprofloxacin, and resistance to levofloxacin was not observed in vivo. Levofloxacin-rifampin combinations were antagonistic in vitro and in vivo. Levofloxacin was highly effective as a single agent against experimental staphylococcal endocarditis but was surprisingly ineffective against streptococcal endocarditis, suggesting that it has a potential role as treatment for serious S. aureus but not viridans group streptococcal infections in humans.
Reposition Sense of Lumbar Posture as a Function of Torso Angle and Target Lordosis

Risk of low back disorders (LBD) is related to spinal posture with greater risk reported in flexed and asymmetric trunk positions. Spinal posture, including trunk position and lumbar lordosis, influences spinal load and stability. Hence, the ability to accurately sense and control spinal curvature may be an important factor in the control LBD risk. Current measurement demonstrated error in spinal reposition sense was increased in flexed trunk positions but was not found to change significantly with trunk asymmetry. Reposition sense error was also found to be reduced in more kyphotic flexed postures (relative to more lordotic flexed postures) possibly due to position sense feedback from ligamentous strain. This research suggests that it may be difficult to control spinal curvature in flexed positions, leading to an increased risk of injury. Fully flexed, kyphotic postures (“stooped postures”) have an improved reposition sensitivity, making this posture easier to control. However these postures may be more ...
Sequence Variation and Genomic Amplification of a Family of Gypsy-like Elements in the Oomycete Genus Phytophthora

A family of sequences resembling Gypsy retroelements was identified and shown to be widely distributed throughout the genus Phytophthora, a member of the algallike oomycete fungi. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific and degenerate primers detected the family in 29 of 37 species tested. DNA hybridization also failed to detect the sequences in the eight species that were negative in PCR. The element appears to have been a major force in the shaping of Phytophthora genomes because its abundance varied drastically from about 10 to more than 10,000 copies per genome within the species containing the element. Family members diverged from each other by single-base changes, insertions, and deletions, with a mean nucleotide divergence of 16.7%. By constructing phylogenies of the elements, lineages were identified that predated speciation events within Phytophthora and subfamilies that had diverged more recently. The element was studied in detail in Phytophthora infestans, in which about 30 copies are dispersed throughout the genome. Phylogenetic comparisons of the reverse transcriptases placed the family within the Ty3/Gypsy group of long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons, with the closest affinities to elements from plants. However, each of 12 family members sequenced contained defects that would render their protein products inactive, including frameshift mutations within reverse transcriptase domains and truncations that appeared to eliminate gag, protease, and terminal repeat sequences.
Effects of 2-(4-Morpholinyl)-8-Phenyl-4H-1-Benzopyran-4-One on Synaptic Vesicle Cycling at the Frog Neuromuscular Junction

Inositol phospholipids are thought to play an important regulatory role in synaptic membrane traffic. We investigated the effects of perturbing 3-phosphoinositide metabolism on neurotransmission at the frog neuromuscular junction. We used the reversible phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) inhibitor 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one [LY294002 (LY)] and we examined its effects by intracellular recording, fluorescence imaging with styryl dyes (FM 1-43 and FM 2-10), calcium imaging, and electron microscopy. LY treatment reversibly inhibited vesicle cycling; electron micrographs indicated a dramatic reduction in the number of vesicles, balanced by the appearance of numerous cisternas. LY wash-off reverted the phenotype; terminals were refilled with vesicles, and they resumed normal FM 1-43 uptake and release. Surprisingly, LY treatment also enhanced the frequency of spontaneous release up to 100-fold in a calcium-independent manner. LY evoked similar effects in normal frog Ringer's solution, Ca-free Ringer's solution, and BAPTA AM-pretreated preparations; imaging of nerve terminals loaded with the calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye fluo-3 showed no significant change in fluorescence intensity during LY treatment. FM 1-43 imaging data suggested that LY evoked the cycling of 70-90% of all vesicles. The LY-induced effect on spontaneous release was reproduced by the casein kinase 2 inhibitor 5,6-dichlorobenzimidazole riboside but not, however, by the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin. Because LY has been shown recently to potently inhibit casein kinase 2 as well as PI3K, we hypothesize that casein kinase 2 inhibition is responsible for the enhancement of spontaneous release, whereas PI3K inhibition induces the block of vesicle cycling.
Applying Information Economics and Imprecise Probabilities to Data Collection in Design

One important aspect of the engineering design process is the sequence of design decisions, each consisting of a formulation phase and a solution phase. As part of the decision formulation, engineers must decide what information to use to support the decision. Since information comes at a cost, a cost-benefit trade-off must be made. Previous work has considered these trade-offs in cases in which all relevant probability distributions were precisely known. However, engineers frequently must estimate these distributions by gathering sample data during the information collection phase of the decision process. In this paper, we introduce principles of information economics to guide decisions on information collection. We present a method that enables designers to bound the value of information in the case of unknown distributions by using imprecise probabilities to characterize the current state of information. We illustrate this method with an example material strength characterization for a pressure vessel design problem, in which we explore the basic performance, subtleties, and limitations of the method.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Crisis: Group Response to Emergency

This descriptive and exploratory paper has as its objective the analysis of group interaction during a crisis and the generation of hypotheses about crisis interaction. Hypotheses are suggested in the areas of verbal and nonverbal interaction, leadership style and fluctuation, and the volume of task and process communication. These hypotheses and the questions raised by the study suggest directions for future crisis research.
Variability in geyser eruptive timing and its causes: Yellowstone National Park

[1] Field data from Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone, indicate that geyser frequency is less sensitive to elastic deformation than might be surmised from a review of the literature. Earth-tide influences are not identifiable in any of the geysers we monitored. Though atmospheric-pressure influences are observed, only long-period variations on the order of 5 mBars or greater seem to influence geyser frequency. Long-distance interconnections between geysers are common and add to the difficulty of identifying strain influences. Additional variations in geyser periodicity may be governed by the internal dynamics of the geysers rather than external influences.
A Bayesian approach to analysis of limit standards

Limit standards are probabilistic requirements or benchmarks regarding the proportion of replications conforming or not conforming to a desired threshold. Sample proportions resulting from the analysis of replications are known to be beta distributed. As a result, standard constructs for defining a confidence interval on such a proportion, based on critical points from the normal or Student's t distribution, are increasingly inaccurate as the mean sample proportion approaches the limits of 0 or 1. We consider the Bayesian relationship between the beta and binomial distributions as the foundation for a sequential methodology in the analysis of limit standards. The benefits of using the beta distribution methodology are variance reduction, and smaller sample size (when compared to other analysis methodologies).
Considerations of multiplexing techniques for the land mobile radio services [abstracts]

Summary form only given. Frequency multiplexing techniques and theory with particular emphasis on its possible applicat,ions to the land mobile radio service are presented. Three forms of frequency multiplexing are analyzed: 1) frequency modulated subcarriers which are frequency modulated on a master carrier (FM/FM); 2) single sideband subcarriers which are frequency modulated on a carrier (FM/SSB); 3) single sideband subcarriers which are single sideband modulated on a carrier (SSB/SSB).
Overproduction in Escherichia coli and Characterization of Yeast Replication Factor C Lacking the Ligase Homology Domain

Eukaryotic replication factor C (RF-C) is a heteropentameric complex that is required to load the replication clamp proliferating cell nuclear antigen onto primed DNA. Saccharomyces cerevisiae RF-C is encoded by the genes RFC1-RFC5. The RFC1 gene was cloned under control of the strong inducible bacteriophage T7 promoter, yet induction did not yield detectable Rfc1p. However, a truncated form of RFC1 deleted for the coding region for amino acids 3-273, rfc1-DeltaN, did allow overproduction. The other four RFC genes were cloned into the latter plasmid to yield a single plasmid that overproduced RF-C to moderate levels. Overproduction of the complex was further enhanced when the Escherichia coli argU gene encoding the rare arginine tRNA was also overproduced. The enzyme thus produced in E. coli was purified to homogeneity through three column steps, including a proliferating cell nuclear antigen affinity column. This enzyme, as well as the enzyme purified from yeast, is prone to aggregation and inactivation, and therefore, light scattering was used to determine conditions stabilizing the enzyme and preventing aggregation. Broad-range carrier ampholytes at about 0.05% were found to be most effective. In some assays, the Rfc1-DeltaN containing RF-C from E. coli showed an increased activity compared with the full-length enzyme from yeast, likely because the latter enzyme exhibits significant nonspecific binding to single-stranded DNA. Replacement of RFC1 by rfc1-DeltaN in yeast shows essentially no phenotype with regard to DNA replication, damage susceptibility, telomere length maintenance, and intrachromosomal recombination.
Reanimating paralyzed limbs coping with spatially distributed, multimodal systems

Sensory prostheses generally require dense multichannel interfaces in a small place that is difficult to access but mechanically protected. Motor prostheses must activate a relatively modest number of muscles distributed widely over limbs subject to constant motion and external impacts. Sensory prostheses require high data rates to recreate complex temporospatial patterns of neural activity while muscles are unidimensional low-pass filters. Sensory prostheses generally need one sophisticated interface for stimulation while sensorimotor prostheses require a wealth of command and feedback signals employing different electrical and mechanical sensing modalities. Sensory prostheses do as little signal processing as necessary to enable the brain to do the difficult perceptual computations while sensorimotor prostheses must replace the functionality of motor planning and coordination centers whose normal functions we barely understand. Sensory deficits (e.g. deafness, blindness) tend to affect large numbers of patients in homogeneous and stable ways while motor deficits come in a much wider variety and change over time due to neural and muscular plasticity. We are just starting to assemble the diverse armamentarium of implantable interfaces, control strategies and fitting tools that will be needed to treat motor disabilities successfully.
Spallation Radiation Damage Calculations and Database: Cross-Section Discrepancies between the Codes

A radiation damage database at NCSU is described that contains, at present, cross sections for damage energy, displacements, helium, and hydrogen. For neutrons and protons at 20-3200 MeV energies, the targets include 23 target elements from Mg to U and eight practical alloys. The underlying calculations employ Bertini, ISABEL, and CEM2k intranuclear cascade models as provided within MCNPX, three level-density formulations (GCCI, HETC, and Julich), and multistage pre-equilibrium model (MPM) on and off. The database also includes radiation damage cross sections for lower-energy neutrons and protons, as obtained from LA150, SPECTER, ENDF, and SRIM. Examples of the database contents are provided with regard to damage energy and displacement cross sections for neutrons on Al, Fe, and W. Also, neutron flux and displacement rate calculations are described for neutrons on Fe and the 316 stainless steel mercury container vessel at SNS. In addition, discrepancies between the codes are discussed.