cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Product Innovation and Technology Choice under Quality Uncertainty

Firms constantly invest in improving product quality with innovative technologies. However, the out- come of research into innovative technology can be inconsistent. This paper investigates how a firm should choose between a mature technology and an innovative technology in upgrading an existing product, where the level of quality improvement is jointly determined by two attributes – one is internal and determined by the firm and the other is external, outside of the firm’s control. The two technologies are differentiated by the external attribute, where the innovative technology exerts some uncertainty but has flexibility in product offering while the mature technology does not have any uncertainty, which leads to no flexibility in product offering. The flexible product offering implies that the firm may switch to offer the existing product if the realization of the external attribute is unfavorable. Our paper is motivated by the battery industry, where innovation is critical and may enable more sustainable operations in the future. According to our analysis, the firm may or may not improve the product, irrespective of the technology adopted. However, it is more likely for the firm to improve the product when the innovative technology is adopted. If it is optimal for the firm to exercise the flexible product offering, the fixed development cost and the variable production cost impose different effects on the two technologies. Specifically, a higher fixed cost encourages the firm to consider the mature technology while a higher variable production cost makes the innovative technology more likely to be adopted. Finally, the high potential of the uncertain event in improving the overall product quality under the innovative technology is crucial for this technology to outperform the mature technology.
Long-Term Dynamics of the LTER Program: Evolving Definitions and Composition

This chapter investigates how the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Program has changed from 1980 to 2018. The LTER program is designed to balance persistence with response to change in science, society, and ecosystems through renewable 6-year grants subjected to peer review at the midterm and at renewal. The LTER program had an initial period of rapid growth with some terminations (1980s), a middle period of slower growth with no terminations (1990–2010), and a third period of no net growth, with added and terminated sites and an accelerated rate of site probations (2010s). Changes in the character and composition of the LTER program are associated with changes in leadership and research directions within individual LTER sites, as well as changes in the sources of funding for the LTER program within NSF, turnover in NSF program officers, and changes in review criteria used to renew LTER site funding. In the past decade, a focus on conceptual frameworks as a tool for integrating LTER research emerged from the LTER renewal review process. Given the accelerated pace of environmental change, the need for long-term ecological research is even more urgent today than when NSF established the pioneering LTER program. The LTER Program history reveals important lessons for how to structure and manage long-term ecological research.
Distinguishing among Pisum accessions using a hypervariable intron within Mendel’s green/yellow cotyledon gene

Distinguishing among commercial varieties or accessions in a germplasm repository presents considerable challenges when dealing with common crops or large collections. In the genus Pisum L. the third intron of the gene STAYGREEN (SGR), responsible for the green/yellow cotyledon variation, contains a complex of repeat sequences that display considerable indel and single nucleotide (SNP) polymorphism. In a sample of 137 Pisum L. accessions obtained from various germplasm collections 76 alleles were identified, ranging from about 600 to 1500 nucleotides in length. In most cases alleles differed by insertion/deletion (indel) polymorphisms in addition to single base changes. The amplicon was particularly useful for distinguishing wild accessions (those with dehiscent pods and dormant seeds). Among the 51 P. sativum L. accessions examined with a definite wild phenotype there were 44 SGR alleles. When this allelic variation was combined with location data for the wild accessions, each allele could be assigned a unique geographical location. Similarly, of the 10 P. fulvum Sibth. & Sm. accessions analyzed, only a group of three had the same allele, two of which are known to be replicates. We were able to confirm the identities of several P. sativum accessions from different germplasm collections, as well as identifying two cases where supposedly synonymous accessions gave different intron sequences. In addition, a group of wild pea accessions from Greece, Sicily, and Portugal exhibited a unique repeat sequence not found in any other wild accession, suggesting that these accessions constitute a distinct lineage. The rate of nucleotide site variation in this fragment of the SGR locus was found to be about 2.22 × 10–8 substitutions per site per year. This value is similar to those found for many other sequences in herbaceous papilionoid tribes, although it is at the faster end of the distribution of herbaceous legume substitution rates. We propose that both a fast substitution rate as well as the formation and rearrangement of indels have contributed to the high level of variation we detected at SGR. This PCR product should prove valuable in the identification of Pisum accessions, for quality control operations in germplasm repositories, and for exploring the evolutionary relationships within the genus.
Neurocognitive deficits in severe COVID-19 infection: Case series and proposed model.

Objective: To date, very few studies investigating neurocognitive deficits in COVID-19 have been published. This case series addresses cognition in post-COVID-19 patient by describing three patients in acute rehabilitation to inform a model of cognitive sequelae of COVID-19. Methods: Three English-speaking inpatients with severe symptoms and long-term intensive care unit (ICU) treatment are described. All patients had a premorbid history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia and experienced delirium and hypoxemia when hospitalized. Patient 1 is a 62-year-old male with 15 years of education with additional history of obstructive sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes. Patient 2 is a 73-year-old female with 12 years of education with a premorbid medical history of alcohol use disorder and Guillain-Barre syndrome. Patient 3 is a 75-year-old male with 14 years of education. No patients had premorbid psychiatric histories. Results: The three patients demonstrated deficits on formal neuropsychological testing, particularly with encoding and verbal fluency. Memory measures improved with a more structured story memory task compared to a less-structured verbal list-learning task, suggesting executive dysfunction impacted learning. None of the patients demonstrated rapid forgetting of information. Two patients endorsed new depressive and/or anxiety symptoms. Conclusions: The results suggest evidence for neurocognitive deficits after severe COVID-19 infection, particularly in encoding and verbal fluency. These results were interpreted with caution given the limited number of patients and the telephone-based battery. The specific mechanism that caused these cognitive deficits in these individuals remains unclear. A proposed three-stage model of cognitive dysfunction is described to help guide future research.
Take the Current When it Serves—NASPE is Launched!

(1974). Take the Current When it Serves—NASPE is Launched! Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation: Vol. 45, No. 7, pp. 19-20.
Automated cloud and cloud shadow identification in Landsat MSS imagery for temperate ecosystems

Abstract Automated cloud and cloud shadow identification algorithms designed for Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) satellite images have greatly expanded the use of these Earth observation data by providing a means of including only clear-view pixels in image analysis and efficient cloud-free compositing. In an effort to extend these capabilities to Landsat Multispectal Scanner (MSS) imagery, we introduce MSS clear-view-mask (MSScvm), an automated cloud and shadow identification algorithm for MSS imagery. The algorithm is specific to the unique spectral characteristics of MSS data, relying on a simple, rule-based approach. Clouds are identified based on green band brightness and the normalized difference between the green and red bands, while cloud shadows are identified by near infrared band darkness and cloud projection. A digital elevation model is incorporated to correct for topography-induced illumination variation and aid in identifying water. Based on an accuracy assessment of 1981 points stratified by land cover and algorithm mask class for 12 images throughout the United States, MSScvm achieved an overall accuracy of 84.0%. Omission of thin clouds and bright cloud shadows constituted much of the error. Perennial ice and snow, misidentified as cloud, also contributed disproportionally to algorithm error. Comparison against a corresponding assessment of the Fmask algorithm, applied to coincident TM imagery, showed similar error patterns and a general reduction in accuracy commensurate with differences in the radiometric and spectral richness of the two sensors. MSScvm provides a suitable automated method for creating cloud and cloud shadow masks for MSS imagery required for time series analyses in temperate ecosystems.
Long Term Effects of Preschool Investment on school Performance and Labor Market Outcome 1

Using the NLSY data set, this paper formulates and then empirically estimates the production processes for social, motivational and cognitive skills during early childhood development and the long-term effects of these skills on learning and life-time earnings of an individual. Using these estimated relationships, the paper provides a calibrated intergenerational altruistic model of parental investment in children's preschool. This dynamic model is then used to estimate the effects of publicly provided preschool to the children of poor socioeconomic status (SES) on college mobility and intergenerational social mobility and to estimate the tax burden of such a social contract.
Mastodont Procurement by Paleoindians of the Great Lakes Region: Hunting or Scavenging?

Investigations of the evolution of human hunting behavior are complex in many respects, but one of the most challenging issues they must address is the distinction between hunting and scavenging. The difficulty of deciding whether instances of carcass utilization represent hunting or scavenging exists in part because the means of carcass procurement frequently leaves no record on preserved materials. Even when it does, such a record may be obscured by, or confused with, the modification sustained during butchery or other postmortem events (papers by Klein and Behrensmeyer, this volume). The context and nature of an assemblage (as in many Great Plains bison kills; Frison 1978; Todd, this volume) or the preservation of structures showing a unique functional association with hunting (Frison, this volume) sometimes make it possible to reject scavenging as an explanation for a given site. However, judged over the whole history of human utilization of animal carcasses, such a clear choice is more the exception than the rule.
Enzymatic removal and replacement of nucleotides at single strand breaks in deoxyribonucleic acid.

Abstract Pancreatic DNase has been used to introduce single phosphodiester bond interruptions (nicks) into double stranded circular DNA. Such DNA substrates have been used to study the action of several exonucleases at the site of nicks. Escherichia coli exonuclease III and the exonuclease activities of phage T4 DNA polymerase (3' → 5'-nuclease) and E. coli DNA polymerase (3' → 5'- and 5' → 3'-nuclease) initiate hydrolysis at these sites as well as at the termini of linear molecules. Under conditions of limited hydrolysis, these enzymes initiate hydrolysis at all nicks in the molecules. In contrast, phage λ exonuclease is unable to hydrolyze DNA containing nicks. Either the phage T4 or the E. coli DNA polymerase, in the presence of the four deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, can completely fill in the gaps created by exonuclease action. The combined 5' → 3'-hydrolytic activity and the polymerizing activity of the E. coli DNA polymerase can account for the conversion of a nick displaying a 5'-hydroxyl end group to one displaying a 5'-phosphomonoester; i.e. the nick is translated. These studies have been facilitated by the use of polynucleotide ligase to distinguish nicks containing 5'-phosphomonoesters from gaps and from nicks containing 5'-hydroxyl groups. E. coli alkaline phosphatase does not readily distinguish 5'-phosphomonoesters at gaps from those at nicks; quantitative hydrolysis of phosphomonoesters at these sites by the phosphatase requires a higher temperature than that required for the hydrolysis of phosphomonoesters at the ends of linear duplexes.
Persistent Authenticated Dictionaries and Their Applications

We introduce the notion of persistent authenticated dictionaries, that is, dictionaries where the user can make queries of the type "was element e in set S at time t?" and get authenticated answers. Applications include credential and certificate validation checking in the past (as in digital signatures for electronic contracts), digital receipts, and electronic tickets. We present two data structures that can efficiently support an infrastructure for persistent authenticated dictionaries, and we compare their performance.
Telecommunications IT and navigation for future Mars exploration missions

There are three primary drivers behind current investments in telecommunications information technology and navigation for Mars exploration. One is finding ways to maximize the volume of science data return since instrument data generation often exceeds communication bandwidth. Another is to provide the necessary technology to enable networked spacecraft. The third is to enable more precise landing so in-situ vehicles can be placed in more scientifically interesting regions. This paper describes current NASA investments in these areas funded through the Mars Technology Program (competed via NASA Research Announcements). Current investments are in stereo image compression, next generation Mars relay protocols, and a capability for autonomous approach navigation using in-situ Mars orbiter assets.
A Fully Associative, Nonlinear Kinematic, Unified Viscoplastic Model for Titanium-Based Matrices

Specific forms for both the Gibb's and complementary dissipation potentials are chosen such that a complete (that is, fully associative) potential-based multiaxial, unified viscoplastic model is obtained. This model possess one tensorial internal state variable that is associated with dislocation substructure, with an evolutionary law that has nonlinear kinematic hardening, and both thermal- and strain-induced recovery mechanisms. A unique aspect of the present model is the inclusion of nonlinear hardening through the use of a compliance operator, derived from the Gibb's potential, in the evolution law for the back stress. This nonlinear tensorial operator is significant in that it allows both the flow and evolutionary laws to be fully associative (and therefore easily integrated) and greatly influences the multiaxial response under nonproportional loading paths. In addition to this nonlinear compliance operator, a new, consistent, potential-preserving, internal strain unloading criterion has been introduced to prevent abnormalities in the predicted stress-strain curves that are present with nonlinear hardening formulations during unloading and reversed loading of the external variables. Specification of an experimental program for the complete determination of the material functions and parameters for characterizing a metallic matrix, for example, TIMETAL 21S, is given. The experiments utilized are tensile, creep, and step-creep tests. Finally, a comparison of this model and a commonly used Bodner-Partom model is made on the basis of predictive accuracy and numerical efficiency.
The Identification of High-School Dropouts Identified as Learning Disabled: Evaluating the Utility of a Discriminant Analysis Function

This study examined the utility of a linear discriminant function to distinguish between students identified as learning disabled (LD) who had either been released from high school under codes suggestive of school dropout (n = 213) or graduation (n = 92). The discriminant function was comprised of six variables—student ethnicity, reading ability, family intactness, family socioeconomic status, school transfers, and school-initiated interruptions. The analysis determined that differences between the LD dropout sample and LD graduate sample were sufficient to allow for a discrimination between the groups. On the basis of group differences the discriminant function that was constructed correctly classified 83% of the school dropouts and 46% of the school graduates, for an overall 73% accuracy rate. Those factors contributing most to the function were the number of district-initiated interruptions, school transfers, and family intactness. Based on the findings, implications for school districts and future res...
PCR Detection of Adenovirus in a Bone Marrow Transplant Recipient: Hemorrhagic Cystitis as a Presenting Manifestation of Disseminated Disease

Adenoviruses (AdV), causing fatal disseminated infections in bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients, are associated not only with hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) but also with hepatitis, conjunctivitis, and viral interstitial pneumonia. The importance of this virus as a cause of disseminated disease, however, has remained underappreciated. AdV infection has been diagnosed primarily through the use of cell culture. The fact that cell culture is insensitive for detecting this virus has hindered recognition of the role that AdV may play in morbidity and mortality in BMT recipients. To emphasize these points, we describe a patient who presented with HC due to AdV serotype 11, genotype c, and died with disseminated infection. In addition to cell culture, this study used a newly developed PCR-based method, capable of detecting all AdV serotypes tested, including different genotypes of serotype 11. The PCR result was positive in all culture-positive samples, including samples of urine, conjunctiva, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Importantly, the PCR method provided evidence of urinary shedding of AdV in a pretransplant, culture-negative specimen and showed dissemination in a subset of culture-negative specimens, including BAL, blood, and bone marrow samples. The lack of widespread awareness of the fact that localized infections may presage dissemination, and the previous associated lack of rapid, sensitive diagnostic assays, has impaired recognition of AdV infections in patients undergoing BMT. Early detection may contribute to therapy modification and avoidance of unwarranted diagnostic procedures. It may also assist in epidemiologic control of this highly infectious pathogen and lead to a renewed interest in preventive and therapeutic approaches.
Prosodic cues to word usage

In this study we examined prosodic characteristics of a word used in several distinct senses in a task-oriented corpus of spontaneous speech. We compared the pitch characteristics of the word "right" used in three different senses: as an acknowledgment, as a direction, and as an affirmative answer to a question. Significant differences in intonation for different classes of usage were found, although the differences are not reliable enough to allow systems to use prosody alone to distinguish between usages. These results suggest that pitch change as reported by a pitch tracker could serve as a confirming cue when analyzing ambiguous speech recognizer output, or could serve as input to a probabilistic parser to aid in disambiguating senses of homonyms.
Priming of antiherbivore defensive responses in plants

Defense priming is defined as increased readiness of defense induction. A growing body of literature indicates that plants (or intact parts of a plant) are primed in anticipation of impending environmental stresses, both biotic and abiotic, and upon the following stimulus, induce defenses more quickly and strongly. For instance, some plants previously exposed to herbivore-inducible plant volatiles (HIPVs) from neighboring plants under herbivore attack show faster or stronger defense activation and enhanced insect resistance when challenged with secondary insect feeding. Research on priming of antiherbivore defense has been limited to the HIPV-mediated mechanism until recently, but significant advances were made in the past three years, including non-HIPV-mediated defense priming, epigenetic modifications as the molecular mechanism of priming, and others. It is timely to consider the advances in research on defense priming in the plant-insect interactions.
Mobilization, collection, and immunomagnetic selection of peripheral blood CD34 cells in recovered aplastic anemia patients.

BACKGROUND: Most patients with severe aplastic anemia (sAA) respond to immunosuppression, but a significant number relapse or develop clonal abnormalities such as paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, myelodysplasia, or leukemia. In principle, patients without matched sibling donors and older patients might benefit from transplantation of autologous hematopoietic peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) obtained during remission. Even patients who have clinically recovered from aplastic anemia have diminished hematopoietic progenitor cells, so the practicability of PBPC mobilization in these individuals is unknown. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The feasibility of PBPC mobilization in nine patients with a history of sAA was evaluated. Granulocyte–colony-stimulating factor (10 µg/kg) was administered subcutaneously for 5 days and followed by a 12-L leukapheresis procedure. RESULTS: Only two of the nine patients had sufficient mobilization of CD34 cells to merit collection; in these cases sufficient CD34 cells were obtained for autologous transplantation should the need arise. CONCLUSION: PBPC collection is feasible only in a fraction of recovered AA patients.
Instability of metastable solid solutions and the crystal to glass transition.

Crystal to glass transitions are simulated using molecular dynamics for an fcc binary random solid solution with varying atomic size ratios and concentrations. The transition occurs at a critical supersaturated solute concentration with a sufficiently large solute-solvent atomic size difference. Close to the amorphization, the shear elastic moduli become dramatically softened, accompanied by a Martensite-like structural change. Large strain fluctuations and small enthalpy and volume changes at the transition indicate that it is triggered by a mechanical instability reached in the metastable crystal.
TUMOUR-ENHANCING ACTIVITY OF THE ACTIVE PRINCIPLES OF CROTON TIGLIUM L.

THE potent tumour-enhancing agent croton oil (from the seed of Croton tiglium L.) has been used for many years in biological investigations of the cause of cancer1,2 and several unsuccessful attempts have been made to purify and to describe chemically the active components3,4. The isolation and chemical structure elucidation of pure compounds which are active tumour-enhancing agents is important since it will facilitate new and definitive studies on the mechanisms of carcinogenesis and cocarcinogenesis.
Are laterborns more innovative and nonconforming consumers than firstborns? A Darwinian perspective

Abstract Recent literature in evolutionary psychology argues that the effects of birth order occur as a result of a Darwinian process guided by a child's quest to maximize parental investment. Specifically, children seek to occupy unique positional niches to be singular in their parents' eyes. Research following this paradigm reveals that laterborns are much more likely to be supportive and accepting of radical scientific innovations, whereas firstborns are more likely to conform to the status quo. The current research examined the validity of this finding within the consumption setting, and the results from an exploratory study appear to support it. This constitutes the first time that a Darwinian-based framework is used to explain birth-order effects within the consumer–marketplace domain.
Gradients of Bat Diversity in Atlantic Forest of South America: Environmental Seasonality, Sampling Effort and Spatial Autocorrelation

Temperature seasonality has been proposed to be an important determinant of bat community structure in Atlantic Forest of South America and elsewhere. I characterized spatial and environmental patterns of species richness of phyllostomid bats in Atlantic Forest of South America and examined the degree to which temperature seasonality relative to other important environmental gradients was related to patterns of diversity across 60 heterogeneously sampled assemblages. I compared efficacy of different methods of accounting for inventory completeness (rarefaction, species estimation, minimum number of individuals and raw data) in characterizing gradients of bat diversity. I also compared levels of spatial autocorrelation generated by these methods and the degree to which such autocorrelation influenced results of regression analyses. Temperature seasonality was consistently the most important predictor of species richness across all methods of accounting for inventory completeness as well as between spatial and non-spatial regression methods. Spatial autocorrelation of both species richness and regression residuals was lowest for species richness estimators and highest for data rarefied to the highest sample sizes. Strong and characteristic environmental gradients typifying Atlantic Forest of South America translate into coincident gradients of richness of bat assemblages. Although data were characterized by heterogeneous sampling efforts, relationships of species richness with seasonality of temperature were strong and easily detectable. Methods of accounting for inventory completeness improve assessment with species richness estimators performing better than rarefaction methods.
Resolving the Kinematic Distance Ambiguity toward Galactic H II Regions

Kinematic distance determinations in the inner Galaxy are hampered by the near-far kinematic distance ambiguity. Here we resolve the ambiguity for 49 H II region complexes with known recombination-line velocities in the first Galactic quadrant. We measured the 21 cm H I absorption spectrum toward each source with the Very Large Array in the C array. The maximum velocity of H I absorption was used to discriminate between the near and far kinematic distances. The number ratio of far to near sources, ~3, can be entirely explained as a geometrical effect. The kinematic distances that we derive are compared with previous determinations for the same sources. Although our distance determinations are largely in agreement with previous measurements, there are 22 discrepancies that we discuss. Using our distance determinations, we create a face-on Galactic map of the H II region complexes and compare it with a kinematically derived profile of the distribution of CO-traced molecular hydrogen. The H II region complexes delineate the large-scale features seen in the molecular gas. The 5 kpc molecular ring and the Sagittarius spiral arm are clearly evident, and a few H II region complexes lie in the Perseus arm.
Detection of circulating immune complexes in patients with glomerulonephritis

Detection of circulating immune complexes in patients with glomerulonephritis. A panel of three immune complex (IC) assays was used in this study to test sera from patients with glomerulonephritis (GN): the Raji cell radioimmune assay (IRCA), the radiolabeled C1q binding assay (IC1qBA), and the microcomplement consumption test (MCT). The sensitivity and specificity of each assay was evaluated in preliminary studies, and the greater sensitivity (5 to 10µg of aggregated human γ-globulin [AHG] per ml of serum) and IgG specificity of the IRCA was apparent. Problems related to the preliminary heat inactivation of test sera, the interaction of C1q with substances other than IC, and the effects of suboptimal storage of test sera were experienced with the MCT and, to a lesser extent, the IC1qBA. The individual reactivities of the different assays were exploited by using them in combination. Thus ICs were detected by one or more of the assays in 87% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 65% of patients with GN associated with other systemic diseases, and 39% of patients with primary GN. ICs were detected more frequently in patients with acute GN than chronic GN, and in patients with low serum C3, C4, and properdin factor B (C3PA) levels. Detection des immuns-complexes circulants chez les malades atteints de glomerulonephrite. Un eventail de trois types de determination des complexes immuns a ete utilise dans ce travail, pour le serum de malades atteints de glomerulonephrite: le dosage radio-immunologique utilisant les cellules Raji (IRCA), le dosage par radiocompetition de C1Q (IC1qBA) et le microtest de consommation du complement (MCT). La sensibilite et la specificite de chaque dosage ont ete evaluees dans des etudes preliminaires et la plus grande sensibilite (5 a 10 µg de γ-globulines humaines agregees (AHG) par ml de serum) et la specificite d'IgG de IRCA sont apparues. Les problemes lies a l'inactivation prealable par la chaleur des serums, l'interaction de C1q avec des substances autres que IC et les effets de la conservation des serums, ont ete evalues avec MCT et, dans une moindre mesure, avec IC1qBA. Les reactivites individuelles des differents dosages ont ete exploitees en les associant. Ainsi les IC ont ete detectees par un test ou plus chez 87% des malades atteints de lupus erythemateux dissemine (SLE), chez 65% des malades atteints de GN associee a d'autres maladies systemiques et 39% des malades atteints de GN primaire. Les IC ont ete detectes plus souvent chez les malades atteints de GN aigue que de GN chronique, et plus souvent chez les malades ayant des concentrations seriques faibles de C3, C4, et C3PA.
Density and temperature evolution of the plasma sheet during a simulated interval of northward interplanetary magnetic field

We investigate the evolution of the hot component of plasma sheet ions during an extended interval of northward interplanetary magnetic field and assess whether transport can explain the observed cooling of the hot component ions reported by Wing et al. (2005). Our approach is to trace the guiding center particle drift of protons in a magnetic field from the Tsyganenko 2001 (T01) model and in an electric field from the Weimer 2000 model. We then map the phase space distributions to realistic source distributions based on Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms observations. Our simulation results show that magnetic drift is not a significant cooling mechanism for the hot component ions of the plasma sheet on the duskside of the magnetopause, but gradient drift does cool the hot component plasma on the dawnside of the magnetopause.
p66Shc mediates anoikis through RhoA

Detachment of parenchymal cells from a solid matrix switches contextual cues from survival to death during anoikis. Marked shape changes accompany detachment and are thought to trigger cell death, although a working model to explain the coordination of attachment sensation, shape change, and cell fate is elusive. The constitutive form of the adapter Shc, p52Shc, confers survival properties, whereas the longer p66Shc signals death through association with cytochrome c. We find that cells that lack p66Shc display poorly formed focal adhesions and escape anoikis. However, reexpression of p66Shc restores anoikis through a mechanism requiring focal adhesion targeting and RhoA activation but not an intact cytochrome c–binding motif. This pathway stimulates the formation of focal adhesions and stress fibers in attached cells and tension-dependent cell death upon detachment. p66Shc may thus report attachment status to the cell by imposing a tension test across candidate anchorage points, with load failure indicating detachment.
Detonation calculations with a Percus-Yevick equation of state

Chapman-Jouguet detonation calculations were conducted for pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), TNT, and ammonium nitrate-fuel oil (AN-FO) explosives using the compressibility form of an equation of state of hard spheres based upon the Percus-Yevick (PY) theory, and a chemical equilibrium detonation code called TIGER. Similar calculations also were conducted with the Becker-Kistiakowsky-Wilson (BKW) equation of state. For PETN, the BKW equation gives somewhat better agreement with experimental values of detonation velocity and pressure. However, in terms of experimental temperatures and concentrations of the minor product species (NO), the predictions of the PY equation are shown to be more satisfactory. Similar comparisons of experimental and theoretical results for TNT and AN-FO indicate that the PY equation has general utility in predicting the detonation properties of condensed explosives at moderate loading densities (rho/sub o/ < 1.3 g/cu cm). (21 refs.)
Malate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase of Phycomyces blakesleeanus

Abstract Malate dehydrogenase has been isolated from Phycomyces blakesleeanus in electrophoretically distinct supernatant and mitochondrial forms. The supernatant enzyme which comprises at least 88% of total malate dehydrogenase has been purified 190-fold by ammonium sulfate fractionation and diethylaminoethyl-cellulose and carboxymethyl-cellulose chromatography, and characterized kinetically in comparison with mitochondrial enzyme with respect to oxalacetate, malate and nicotinamideadenine dinucleotide and its analogues. Malate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase activities exist on separate macromolecules estimated at 70,000 and 81,500 molecular weight, respectively, on the basis of partial separation on Sephadex G-100. Different heat inactivations, pH-activity profiles, and recoveries on purification support this conclusion.
Acceleration of the generalized global basis (GGB) method for nonlinear problems

Two heuristic strategies intended to enhance the performance of the generalized global basis (GGB) method [H. Waisman, J. Fish, R.S. Tuminaro, J. Shadid, The Generalized Global Basis (GGB) method, International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering 61(8), 1243-1269] applied to nonlinear systems are presented. The standard GGB accelerates a multigrid scheme by an additional coarse grid correction that filters out slowly converging modes. This correction requires a potentially costly eigen calculation. This paper considers reusing previously computed eigenspace information. The GGB@a scheme enriches the prolongation operator with new eigenvectors while the modified method (MGGB) selectively reuses the same prolongation. Both methods use the criteria of principal angles between subspaces spanned between the previous and current prolongation operators. Numerical examples clearly indicate significant time savings in particular for the MGGB scheme.
Validation of automated docking programs for docking and database screening against RNA drug targets

The increasing awareness of the essential role of RNA in controlling viral replication and in bacterial protein synthesis emphasizes the potential of ribonucleoproteins as targets for developing new antibacterial and antiviral drugs. RNA forms well defined three-dimensional structures with clefts and binding pockets reminiscent of the active sites of proteins. Furthermore, it precedes proteins in the translation pathway; inhibiting the function of a single RNA molecule would result in inhibition of multiple proteins. Thus, small molecules that bind RNA specifically would combine the advantages of antisense and RNAi strategies with the much more favorable medicinal chemistry of small-molecule therapeutics. The discovery of small-molecule inhibitors of RNA with attractive pharmacological potential would be facilitated if we had available effective computational tools of structure-based drug design. Here, we systematically test automated docking tools developed for proteins using existing three-dimensional structures of RNA-small molecule complexes. The results show that the native structures can generally be reproduced to within 2.5 angstroms more than 50-60% of the time. For more than half of the test complexes, the native ligand ranked among the top 10% compounds in a database-scoring test. Through this work, we provide parameters for the validated application of automated docking tools to the discovery of new inhibitors of RNA function.
Examination of Water Diffusion Process Within a Low Temperature Polymer Fuel Cell Membrane

Water transport in fuel cells is of interest since the hydration state of the electrolyte is strong related to its conductivity. This study focuses on one part of water transport in fuel cell membranes, namely diffusion. In order to study diffusion processes in a fuel cell membrane a computer model has been developed. It is validated using information reported for the electrolyte membrane material Nafion. When the model is compared to experimental data from the literature a maximum error of 24.7% is observed. Two effects in addition to molecular diffusion have been studied; interfacial absorption and desorption of water at the membrane surface, and convective mass transfer. The effect of convective mass transfer is shown to be negligible while the effects of absorption and desorption are significant. By completing this validation it allows for the additional studies in the future of diffusion in other types of proton exchange membranes and the improvement of fuel cell performance.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Dual role of the Drosophila pattern gene tailless in embryonic termini.

One of the first zygotically active genes required for formation of the terminal domains of the Drosophila embryo is tailless (tll). Expression of the tll gene is activated ectopically in gain-of-function mutants of the maternal terminal gene torso (tor); this suggests that tor normally activates the tll gene in the termini. Ectopic expression of tll under the control of an inducible promoter results in differentiation of ectopic terminal-specific structures, the Filzkorper, and leads to the activation of at least one gene, hunchback, that is required to form these structures. Ectopic expression of the tll gene also represses segmentation by repressing the gap genes Kruppel and knirps and probably also pair rule genes.
Development of a web-based DICOM-SR viewer for CAD data of multiple sclerosis lesions in an imaging informatics-based efolder

In the past, we have presented an imaging-informatics based eFolder system for managing and analyzing imaging and lesion data of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, which allows for data storage, data analysis, and data mining in clinical and research settings. The system integrates the patient’s clinical data with imaging studies and a computer-aided detection (CAD) algorithm for quantifying MS lesion volume, lesion contour, locations, and sizes in brain MRI studies. For compliance with IHE integration protocols, long-term storage in PACS, and data query and display in a DICOM compliant clinical setting, CAD results need to be converted into DICOM-Structured Report (SR) format. Open-source dcmtk and customized XML templates are used to convert quantitative MS CAD results from MATLAB to DICOM-SR format. A web-based GUI based on our existing web-accessible DICOM object (WADO) image viewer has been designed to display the CAD results from generated SR files. The GUI is able to parse DICOM-SR files and extract SR document data, then display lesion volume, location, and brain matter volume along with the referenced DICOM imaging study. In addition, the GUI supports lesion contour overlay, which matches a detected MS lesion with its corresponding DICOM-SR data when a user selects either the lesion or the data. The methodology of converting CAD data in native MATLAB format to DICOM-SR and displaying the tabulated DICOM-SR along with the patient’s clinical information, and relevant study images in the GUI will be demonstrated. The developed SR conversion model and GUI support aim to further demonstrate how to incorporate CAD post-processing components in a PACS and imaging informatics-based environment.
Intelligence and spontaneous flexibility in adulthood and old age.

Abstract Interrelationships among measures of intelligence and spontaneous flexibility were examined at two age levels using a multitrait-multimethod matrix design and other multivariate procedures. Measures of intelligence were Ravens Matrices and WAIS Vocabulary, WAIS Digit Symbol, and WAIS Similarities. Blots, Hidden Pictures, Brick Uses, and Impossibilities were used as measures of spontaneous flexibility. Subjects were 100 younger (X¯= 19.54,S.D.= 1.23) and 100 older (X¯= 63.99,S.D.= 2.94) men and women tested at two occasions. Adult age differences in factor structure were explored using a maximum likelihood analysis; common variances among the measures were greater for the elderly compared to the younger adults. Findings supported a dedifferentiation hypothesis with regard to both intelligence and spontaneous flexibility.
Theory of satellite orbit-orbit resonance

On the basis of the strong mathematical and physical parallels between orbit-orbit and spin-orbit resonances, the dynamics of mutual orbit perturbations between two satellites about a massive planet are examined, exploiting an approach previously adopted in the study of spin-orbit coupling. The satellites are assumed to have arbitrary mass ratio and to move in non-intersecting orbits of arbitrary size and eccentricity. Resonances are found to exist when the mean orbital periods are commensurable with respect to some rotating axis, which condition also involves the apsidal and nodal motions of both satellites. In any resonant state the satellites are effectively trapped in separate potential wells, and a single variable is found to describe the simultaneous librations of both satellites. The librations in longitude are 180° out-of-phase, with fixed amplitude ratio that depends only on their relative masses and semimajor axes. At the same time the stroboscopic longitude of conjunction also librates about the commensurate axis with the same period. The theory is applicable to Saturn's resonant pairs Titan-Hyperion and Mimas-Tethys, and in these cases our calculated libration periods are in reasonably good agreement with the observed periods.
The teaching of preventive medicine in American medical schools, 1940--1980.

Abstract The concept of incorporating prevention into clinical medicine has been addressed by academic medicine since the 1940s. Results reflect the dominant interests of academic medicine over time. This paper reviews this experience, as reflected in national conferences and related activities largely sponsored by the Association of Teachers of Preventive Medicine, and assesses implications for the 1980s. The consensus of the 1940s was that medical education should focus upon quantitative disciplines. Clinical applicability was considered important, but little was developed. Convening in 1952, deans, clinicians, and preventive medicine faculty strongly recommended teaching clinical prevention in “comprehensive care” programs. This movement was eclipsed by research and specialization. Academic preventive medicine focused on residency training and research, culminating in a major conference in 1963. Epidemiology and biostatistics flourished, while teaching clinical prevention received little attention. By 1970, dominant interest shifted to health services policy and research. Currently, some preventive medicine departments have affiliated with primary care training programs, and policy makers are focusing upon prevention. A number of nationally sponsored curriculum development projects deal with preventive aspects of primary care. Under these circumstances, incorporation of prevention into medical practice seems likely to succeed at the academic level. This may in turn stimulate similar occurrences in the medical care system.
The control of body orientation and center of mass location under asymmetrical loading

Abstract This study examined how whole body center of mass (COM) in the medial–lateral direction and spatial orientation of body segments changed during quiet stance when a weight was loaded on asymmetrically on the right side of the pelvis. The load corresponded to 10 and 30% of body weight (BW) of each individual subject, and the stance width was varied from narrow (7.6 cm) to normal (20 cm) and to wide (33 cm). A total of 10 healthy young subjects (18–30 years of age) participated in the study. The results indicated that the COM location was significantly shifted towards the loaded side (about 1.2 cm with a 10% BW load and 3 cm with a 30% BW load). In addition, COM was closer to the center with a narrow stance (0.38 cm to the right of the center) than both normal and wide stance (about 1 cm to the right). However, the COM shifts for all test conditions were smaller (
Primate aging in the mammalian scheme: the puzzle of extreme variation in brain aging

At later ages, humans have high risk of developing Alzheimer disease (AD) which may afflict up to 50% by 90 years. While prosimians and monkeys show more substantial changes, the great apes brains examined show mild neurodegenerative changes. Compared with rodents, primates develop and reproduce slowly and are long lived. The New World primates contain some of the shortest as well as some of the longest-lived monkey species, while the prosimians develop the most rapidly and are the shortest lived. Great apes have the largest brains, slowest development, and longest lives among the primates. All primates share some level of slowly progressive, age-related neurodegenerative changes. However, no species besides humans has yet shown regular drastic neuron loss or cognitive decline approaching clinical grade AD. Several primates accumulate extensive deposits of diffuse amyloid-beta protein (Aβ) but only a prosimian—the gray mouse lemur—regularly develops a tauopathy approaching the neurofibrillary tangles of AD. Compared with monkeys, nonhuman great apes display even milder brain-aging changes, a deeply puzzling observation. The genetic basis for these major species differences in brain aging remains obscure but does not involve the Aβ coding sequence which is identical in nonhuman primates and humans. While chimpanzees merit more study, we note the value of smaller, shorter-lived species such as marmosets and small lemurs for aging studies. A continuing concern for all aging studies employing primates is that relative to laboratory rodents, primate husbandry is in a relatively primitive state, and better husbandry to control infections and obesity is needed for brain aging research.
Signaling networks regulating leukocyte podosome dynamics and function

Podosomes are ventral adhesion structures prominent in cells of the myeloid lineage. A common aspect of these cells is that they are highly motile and must to traverse multiple tissue barriers in order to perform their functions. Recently podosomes have gathered attention from researchers as important cellular structures that can influence cell adhesion, motility and matrix remodeling. Adhesive and soluble ligands act via transmembrane receptors and propagate signals to the leukocyte cytoskeleton via small G proteins of the Rho family, tyrosine kinases and scaffold proteins and are able to induce podosome formation and rearrangements. Manipulation of the signals that regulate podosome formation and dynamics can therefore be a strategy to interfere with leukocyte functions in a multitude of pathological settings, such as infections, atherosclerosis and arthritis. Here, we review the major signaling molecules that act in the formation and regulation of podosomes.