cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Purification and characterization of two active derivatives of recombinant YplA, a secreted phospholipase from Yersinia entercolitica.

The virulence-associated phospholipase of Yersinia enterocolitica (YplA), which is secreted by a flagellar type III secretion system, was cloned and purified for structure-function analysis using a His(6)-tag expression system. Two versions of YplA have been proposed on the basis of two potential initiating methionine residues. The longer derivative possesses 59 additional amino acids at its N-terminus and appears to represent the native form of YplA; however, the shorter recombinant protein possesses enhanced activity in vitro. Both recombinant YplA derivatives are highly active as type-A(2) phospholipases and possess similar physical properties. Based on type III secretion substrates from other gram-negative bacteria, the N-terminus of YplA is probably required as a secretion signal; however, differences in the time-based activity of these two recombinant enzymes, the N-terminus of YplA may also have a regulatory function.
Retrieving CCN column density from single‐channel measurements of reflected sunlight over the ocean: A sensitivity study

The Twomey effect is an increase of the cloud albedo with increasing concentration of tropospheric aerosols serving as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). Confirmation and quantification of this effect on a global basis requires accurate satellite retrievals of CCN concentrations. We present a theoretical study of the ability of passive satellite remote sensing techniques to provide reliable estimates of tropospheric aerosol column densities over the ocean. We show that a retrieval algorithm based on single-channel single-viewing-angle radiance measurements is incapable of accurately determining CCN column densities and that an algorithm based on multiangle radiance measurements provides much better retrievals. However, even for the latter algorithm the errors in the retrieved CCN column densities can exceed a factor of 5. The poor performance of single-channel radiance-only algorithms is explained by the strong dependence of the extinction cross section and weak dependence of the phase function on aerosol effective radius. In contrast, high-precision multiangle polarization measurements, which are much more sensitive to aerosol microphysics, are capable of constraining CCN column densities to within a few tens of percent.
Changes in secretory cells of hamster tracheal epithelium in response to acute sublethal injury: a quantitative study.

Secretory cells are reported to rapidly increase in number when the tracheobronchial epithelium is irritated. We suggest that this acute change results from accumulation of secretion granules within specialized albeit unobtrusive secretory cells rather than from conversion of undifferentiated cells to secretory cells or the production of new cells by mitosis. This hypothesis was tested in hamster tracheal epithelium 6, 12, and 24 hr after intratracheal instillation of elastase in saline or saline alone. Basal, secretory, and ciliated cells and cells of indeterminate character were quantified by counting 1400 cells per hamster in 2 μm thick glycol methacrylate sections stained with periodic acid—Schiff (PAS)—lead hematoxylin. Secretory cells were characterized and quantified depending upon distribution patterns of the PAS-positive secretion granules and on the amount of intracellular secretion product. Thirty-two hamsters were studied; half of them received colchicine 6 hr prior to tissue sampling. Over 24...
A Continuous Multi-material Toolpath Planning for Tissue Scaffolds with Hollowed Features

This paper presents a new multi-material based toolpath planning methodology for porous tissue scaffolds with multiple hollowed features. Ruled surface with hollowed features generated in our earlier work is used to develop toolpath planning. Ruling lines are reoriented to enable continuous and uniform size multi-material printing through them in two steps. Firstly, all ruling lines are matched and connected to eliminate start and stops during printing. Then, regions with high number of ruling lines are relaxed using a relaxation technique to eliminate over deposition. A novel layer-by-layer deposition process is progressed in two consecutive layers: The first layer with hollow shape based zigzag pattern and the next layer with spiral pattern deposition. Heterogeneous material properties are mapped based on the parametric distances from the hollow features.
The ‘Monster of Troy’ Vase: The Earliest Artistic Record of a Vertbrate Fossil Discovery?

This note proposes a new interpretation of a scene on a well-known Corinthian vase illustrating the Homeric legend of Herakles rescuing Hesione from the Monster of Troy. Commentators have assumed that the artist intended to depict the monster as a ketos, an imaginary sea monster, but the features of the beast do not conform to the traditional imagery of sea monsters in Greek art. I suggest that instead of creating a typical hybrid sea monster by mixing the features of various living creatures, this artist used for his model the large fossil skull of a prehistoric mammal. The vase was painted in the midst of widespread interest in large fossil remains, which the ancient Greeks identified as relics of giants and monsters of the mythological age. The features of the odd head on the vase match the basic skull anatomy of a large mammal of the Tertiary age, such as the Samotherium, a giant giraffe of the Miocene epoch. Numerous literary accounts describe exposures of these and similar large mammal fossils in antiquity along the Turkish coast, on Aegean islands, and on the Greek mainland. I conclude that this vase painting is the earliest artistic record of such a discovery.
Denaturation of polyoma DNA by phage T4 gene 32 protein

POLYOMA virus is a small oncogenic virus containing a circular DNA the identification and location of defined regions of which provides physical reference points which are important for correlation in genetic and biochemical studies. The protein coded by gene 32 of bacteriophage T4 binds tightly to single-stranded DNA and RNA and facilitates denaturation and renaturation of double-stranded DNA1,2. Using glutaraldehyde fixation gene 32 protein denaturation of double-stranded DNA can be observed using electron microscopy at physiological temperatures and denaturation maps are produced which closely resemble those obtained with heat and alkaline denaturation2. Use of gene 32 protein in binding experiments with circular sutpercoiled DNA molecules from polyoma virus and simian virus 40 (SV40) has already shown that only one denaturation loop is formed per molecule2,4 reflecting possible structural constraints in the DNA. The characterisation and mapping of the preferred denaturation site(s)4 is also of interest since these putative A + T-rich region(s) are likely to be related to the binding sites of enzymes using DNA as a template. In the present study the use of two different specific restriction enzymes (endonucleases) has enabled us to identify five regions of polyoma DNA which are preferentially denatured by phage T4 gene 32 protein and the determination of their precise locations on the circular viral DNA.
Delayed Toxicity Associated with Soluble Anthrax Toxin Receptor Decoy-Ig Fusion Protein Treatment

Soluble receptor decoy inhibitors, including receptor-immunogloubulin (Ig) fusion proteins, have shown promise as candidate anthrax toxin therapeutics. These agents act by binding to the receptor-interaction site on the protective antigen (PA) toxin subunit, thereby blocking toxin binding to cell surface receptors. Here we have made the surprising observation that co-administration of receptor decoy-Ig fusion proteins significantly delayed, but did not protect, rats challenged with anthrax lethal toxin. The delayed toxicity was associated with the in vivo assembly of a long-lived complex comprised of anthrax lethal toxin and the receptor decoy-Ig inhibitor. Intoxication in this system presumably results from the slow dissociation of the toxin complex from the inhibitor following their prolonged circulation. We conclude that while receptor decoy-Ig proteins represent promising candidates for the early treatment of B. anthracis infection, they may not be suitable for therapeutic use at later stages when fatal levels of toxin have already accumulated in the bloodstream.
Use of biologics in the treatment of childhood rheumatic diseases.

Over the last two decades, progression in the knowledge of molecular biologic techniques has led to a better understanding of immunopathogenesis and identification of several cytokines, which propagate chronic arthritis in both adult and pediatric patients. A number of biologic agents have been developed in targeting different immune markers or mediators with the hope that they may help in controlling the inflammation in the group of patients who are resistant to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and may alter the natural history of the diseases. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a is the first to be targeted and its antagonists have been approved. Other biologic agents targeting different markers/mediators have followed and have been tested in clinical trials especially in adult rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Experiences in pediatric use are limited and agents proved to be effective in adult RA are not always transferred the same efficacy in different subtypes of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). It is reasonable to see the efficacy, and more importantly the safety profiles of each agent before the decision is made to use them in children. This article reviews the published and anecdotal reports of biologic agents that have been used in children with JIA and also focuses on the potential use of other biologic agents in JIA that have been used in trials to combat adult RA.
Origin of maximal symmetry breaking in even PT-symmetric lattices

By investigating a parity- and time-reversal- ($\mathcal{P}\mathcal{T}$-) symmetric, $N$-site lattice with impurities $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}i\ensuremath{\gamma}$ and hopping amplitudes ${t}_{0}\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}({t}_{b})$ for regions outside (between) the impurity locations, we probe the interimpurity-distance dependence of the critical impurity strength and the origin of maximal $\mathcal{P}\mathcal{T}$-symmetry breaking that occurs when the impurities are nearest neighbors. Through a simple and exact derivation, we prove that the critical impurity strength is equal to the hopping amplitude between the impurities, ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{c}={t}_{b}$, and the simultaneous emergence of $N$ complex eigenvalues is a robust feature of any $\mathcal{P}\mathcal{T}$-symmetric hopping profile. Our results show that the threshold strength ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{c}$ can be widely tuned by a small change in the global profile of the lattice and thus have experimental implications.
NONMETROPOLITAN GROWTH IN THE LATE 1970s: THE END OF THE TURNAROUND?

The "discovery" of the turnaround in growth patterns between metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas in the early 1970s generated a large body of both theoretical and descriptive literature. Early research documented that the switch from negative to positive net migration into nonmetro areas was more than just a continuation of urban sprawl and that real growth was occurring in remote rural areas. Explanations for the trend included both the economic (deconcentration of manufacturing, expanding energy extraction, growth in the government and service sectors) and the non-economic (preference for rural living, retirement migration, and the modernization of nonmetro areas, including
Catching the 'Network Science' Bug: Insight and Opportunity for the Operations Researcher

Recent efforts to develop a universal view of complex networks have created both excitement and confusion about the way in which knowledge of network structure can be used to understand, control, or design system behavior. This paper offers perspective on the emerging field of “network science” in three ways. First, it briefly summarizes the origins, methodological approaches, and most celebrated contributions within this increasingly popular field. Second, it contrasts the predominant perspective in the network science literature (that abstracts away domain-specific function and instead focuses on graph-theoretic measures of system structure and dynamics) with that of engineers and practitioners of decision science (who emphasize the importance of network performance, constraints, and trade-offs). Third, it proposes optimization-based reverse engineering to address some important open questions within network science from an operations research perspective. We advocate for increased, yet cautious, partic...
A revised HindIII map and sequence analysis of a large ‘left-hand’ non-essential region of the rabbit poxvirus genome

Sequence analysis of a 21.5 kb region of the left-hand non-essential region of rabbit poxvirus (RPV) was performed to analyze the structure and gene organization of this region. Initial mapping and cloning studies revealed that the early published HindIII maps are incorrect in that the location of the terminal HindIII B and C fragments, as previously published, are reversed. The sequence of this region was compared to similar regions of several strains of vaccinia virus. The results indicate that this region of RPV has a high degree of homology with a similar region of vaccinia. Analysis of the translated open reading frames (ORFs) has facilitated the detection of several previously unreported ORFs related to human complement proteins. In addition, two defective copies of a homologue of the 77 kDa cowpox virus (CPV) host range gene which allows CPV to grow on Chinese hamster ovary cells have been detected, suggesting a gene duplication has occurred. However, one copy of this gene is segmented into three separate ORFs. Analysis has also identified a large number of indirect repeat elements. A possible role of these repeats in the generation of deletions and gene duplications is suggested.
A simple screening method for detecting gastrointestinal protein loss in intestinal lymphangiectasia

A ten month old female Turkish child with chylous ascites, diarrhea, steatorrhea, peripheral edema and hypoproteinemia was investigated for protein losing enteropathy which probably dated from the first weeks of life. Gastrointestinal protein loss appeared to be due to abnormalities of the intestinal lymphatics. In order to detect a localized lymphoenteric fistula, lymphangiography was tried but failed due to hypoplasia of peripheral lymphatics. However, three hours after intradermal injection of Patent Blue, the dye appeared in the stools of the patient, suggesting intestinal protein loss via a lympho-enteric fistula. This observation may provide the basis for a diagnostic test for gastro-intestinal protein loss in patients with intestinal lymphangiectasia.
Intracellular phagotrophy by malaria parasites: an electron microscope study of Plasmodium lophurae*

SUMMARY. An electron microscope study of thin sections of duck erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium lophurae revealed that the so-called “residual body” is a food vacuole formed by invagination from the cytoplasm of the host cell. Several such food vacuoles may exist in a single parasite. Digestion of hemoglobin evidently proceeds only within these food vacuoles, since they are the only place in the parasite where the characteristic malarial pigment granules may be found. This finding changes the role ascribed to the residual body and gives a new concept of the feeding mechanisms in P. lophurae and other malaria parasites. The cytoplasm of the host is taken in by the parasite by phagotrophy and not only as previously assumed, by diffusion. The fine structure of P. lophurae shows all major components found in other protozoan and metazoan cells. Some of the organelles appear to have a much simpler structure connected probably with the highly specialized intracellular parasitic life.
Theoretical and Numerical Simulation of Herschel-Bulkley Fluid Flow in Propped Fractures

The flow of non-Newtonian fluids in porous media is important in many applications, such as polymer processing, heavy oil flow, and gel cleanup in propped fractures. Residual polymer gel in propped fractures results in low fracture conductivity and short effective fracture length, sometimes causing severe productivity impairment of a hydraulically fractured well. But non-Newtonian fluid flow behavior in porous media is difficult to be described and modeled. The Kozeny-Carman equation, a traditional permeability-porosity relationship, has been popularly used in porous media flow models. However, this relationship is not suitable for non-Newtonian fluid flow in porous media. The aim of this work is to use a combination of 3D finite volume simulation and analytical calculations to develop a comprehensive model of Herschel-Bulkley non-Newtonian fluid flow through porous media. We present the mathematical model development, and then modify the model based on numerical simulation results. In the simulations, we developed a micro pore-scale model to mimic the real porous structure. The correlation of pressure gradient and superficial velocity was investigated under the influence of primary parameters, such as yield stress, power law index, and consistency index. We also considered the effect of proppant packing arrangement and proppant diameter. The Herschel-Bulkley model was used with an appropriate modification proposed by Papanastasiou to avoid the discontinuity of the apparent viscosity and numerical difficulties. The result of the new model indicates that yield stress has a significant impact on non-Newtonian fluid flow through porous media, and the pressure gradient strongly depends on pore structure. The analytical expression reveals the physical principles for flow velocity in porous media.The variation trends of the threshold pressure gradient versus different influence factors are presented. By Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), we obtained a detailed view of the flow streamlines, the velocity field, and the pressure distribution in porous media. Numerical calculation results show that, in the center of the throats of porous media, the increasing yield stress widens the central plug-like flow region, and the increasing power law index sharpens the velocity profile. The new model can be readily applied to provide a clear guide to selection of fracture fluid, and can be easily incorporated into any existing reservoir simulators.
The effects of prostacyclin (PGI2) and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha on bovine plasma progesterone and LH concentrations.

Abstract Injections of 1 mg PGI2 directly into the bovine corpus luteum significantly increased peripheral plasma progesterone concentrations within 5 min. Concentrations were higher in the PGI2-treated heifers than in saline-injected controls between 5 and 150 min and at 3.5, 4, 5, and 7 h post-treatment. Levels tended to remain elevated through 14 h. Saline and 6-keto-PGF1α were without effect on plasma progesterone levels. The luteotrophic effect of PGI2 was not due to alterations in circulating LH concentrations. An in vitro experiment assessed the effects of either PGI2 alone or in combination with LH on progesterone production by dispersed luteal cells. Progesterone accumulation over 2 h for control, 5 ng LH, 1 μg PGI2, 10 μg PGI2, and 10 μg PGI2 plus 5 ng LH averaged 99 ± 42, 353 ± 70, 152 ± 35, 252 ± 45, and 287 ± 66 ng/ml (n=4), respectively. Thus PGI2 has luteotrophic effects on the bovine CL both in vivo and in vitro .
Autophagic pathways and metabolic stress

Autophagy is an essential intracellular process that mediates degradation of intracellular proteins and organelles in lysosomes. Autophagy was initially identified for its role as alternative source of energy when nutrients are scarce but, in recent years, a previously unknown role for this degradative pathway in the cellular response to stress has gained considerable attention. In this review, we focus on the novel findings linking autophagic function with metabolic stress resulting either from proteins or lipids. Proper autophagic activity is required in the cellular defense against proteotoxicity arising in the cytosol and also in the endoplasmic reticulum, where a vast amount of proteins are synthesized and folded. In addition, autophagy contributes to mobilization of intracellular lipid stores and may be central to lipid metabolism in certain cellular conditions. In this review, we focus on the interrelation between autophagy and different types of metabolic stress, specifically the stress resulting from the presence of misbehaving proteins within the cytosol or in the endoplasmic reticulum and the stress following a lipogenic challenge. We also comment on the consequences that chronic exposure to these metabolic stressors could have on autophagic function and on how this effect may underlie the basis of some common metabolic disorders.
Suspended material transport: Narragansett Bay area, Rhode Island

Abstract Net circulation patterns and routes of suspended material transport in lower Narragansett Bay and its approaches were investigated utilizing sea-bed drifters, transmissometer measurements, grain size distributions, suspended material concentration data and compositional analyses. In general, seaward flowing near-surface currents carry silt through lower West and East Passages, west across the Bay mouths and then south along Point Judith Neck. Very fine silt is carried along this route with little deposition but medium silt settles toward the Bay mouths. At the entrances to Narragansett Bay, the landward-flowing direction of bottom currents is modified by coastal currents and topographic influences. Near-bottom suspended material is carried into all three Narragansett Bay passages as well as eastward and westward across the entrances. The westward setting component transports suspended matter from East and West Passage across the passage mouths, southward adjacent to Point Judith Neck and then westward into Block Island Sound. Coarse silt suspended by turbulence at East and West Passage mouths is deposited along this path in the sandy silt bed (McMaster, 1960) east of Point Judith Neck. Some of the very fine silt carried along this route may be deposited in the sandy silt bed as well as in Block Island Sound. The eastward component, influenced by the nearshore circulation in Buzzards Bay, flows along the south-eastern Massachusetts coast. Coriolis acceleration may cause the dextral movement of near-surface and near-bottom suspensates from the mouths of estuaries, based on results of this study and investigations of other workers.
Normative postpartum intraabdominal pressure: potential implications in the diagnosis of abdominal compartment syndrome

Objective We sought to establish normative values of intraabdominal pressure (IAP) in postpartum women with and without arterial hypertension. Study Design Bladder pressure was measured via a Foley catheter 1 hour following completion of cesarean section in supine and semirecumbent positions in 21 patients. Results Mean supine IAP (6.4 ± 5.2 mm Hg) was significantly lower than semirecumbent IAP (11.6 ± 7.2 mm Hg) ( P 2 supine=0.46, semirecumbent=0.37; P = .004 for either). Increasing gravidity was associated with decreasing IAP. Patients with arterial hypertension had higher BMI, were delivered earlier, and had higher IAP than patients with normal arterial pressure, either in supine or semirecumbent position. However, these relationships were not significant when results were controlled for BMI. Conclusion Postcesarean section IAP is higher than in the general surgical population. Patients with hypertensive disorders have IAPs approaching to intraabdominal hypertension range.
Enhancing Reading Success With Collaboratively Created Progress Charts

This article discusses the creation, implementation, and benefits of reading progress charts jointly created by students with reading disabilities and their tutors within the context of a university-based diagnostic-prescriptive program. The author suggests creating and implementing progress charts in the classroom setting for the purposes of student reflection and self-evaluation, celebration of small daily successes/accomplishments, stimulation of active learning, student choice, and control. Tutor use of collaboratively created progress charts enhanced student self-confidence and feelings of success.
Engineering Education A Status Report on the CAD/CAM Revolution

How complete is the effort to integrate computer graphics and CAD/CAM into engineering education? What directions is the effort taking? Are they optimal? Satisfactory?
Returning to work after cancer: quantitative studies and prototypical narratives

Objective: A combination of quantitative data and illustrative narratives may allow cancer survivorship researchers to disseminate their research findings more broadly. We identified recent, methodologically rigorous quantitative studies on return to work after cancer, summarized the themes from these studies, and illustrated those themes with narratives of individual cancer survivors. Methods: We reviewed English-language studies of return to work for adult cancer survivors through June 2008, and identified 13 general themes from papers that met methodological criteria (population-based sampling, prospective and longitudinal assessment, detailed assessment of work, evaluation of economic impact, assessment of moderators of work return, and large sample size). We drew survivorship narratives from a prior qualitative research study to illustrate these themes. Results: Nine quantitative studies met four or more of our six methodological criteria. These studies suggested that most cancer survivors could return to work without residual disabilities. Cancer site, clinical prognosis, treatment modalities, socioeconomic status, and attributes of the job itself influenced the likelihood of work return. Three narratives—a typical survivor who returned to work after treatment, an individual unable to return to work, and an inspiring survivor who returned to work despite substantial barriers—illustrated many of the themes from the quantitative literature while providing additional contextual details. Conclusion: Illustrative narratives can complement the findings of cancer survivorship research if researchers are rigorous and transparent in the selection, analysis, and retelling of those stories. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Revised limit cycle oscillator model of human circadian pacemaker.

In 1990, Kronauer proposed a mathematical model of the effects of light on the human circadian pacemaker. This study presents several refinements to Kronauer's original model of the pacemaker that ...
Robust Control of a Hydraulic Metering Valve and Pump System Model

In this work modern robust control systems are designed and compared to standard techniques for a hydraulic implement system. The system includes a four orifice metering valve in an H-bridge configuration and a variable displacement pump. The four valve orifices are coupled so that there is only one input for the valves. There are two control inputs, one for the valve and one for the pump displacement. The complexity of the system makes classic control methods difficult to design. Parameter variations and unmodeled dynamics can cause sluggish performance and instability in some cases. By applying modern control, robustness can be improved relative to classical and single-input/single-output (SISO) control design techniques. Techniques such as H∞ control have been proven effective in many multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) applications. Linear analysis shows improvement in robustness characteristics of the system over a conventional PID control scheme. Nonlinear simulations show favorable system response and similarly positive robustness traits for the modern control design.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
New shrinkage technology for nano-contact hole formation

More simple and cost-effective shrinkage techniques for contact hole (C/H) are required instead of conventional technologies such as thermal flow 1-5 , RELACS 6 , SAFIER 7-8, and CONPEAT 9 with the aggressive reduction in size of devices. We have developed a new method, Coating Assisted Shrinkage of Space (CASS) process. This process simply coats polymer over the patterned wafer. It doesn't need a bake and rinse step for shrinkage. Sub-100nm C/H patterns were successfully defined after coating CASS material with good profile.
Effect of Antioxidant and Conditions on Solubility of Irradiated Food Proteins in Aqueous Solutions

Food proteins were examined after irradiation. Effects of exposure, headspace gas, buffer, pH, antioxidant, total protein and type, and storage were tested. Decreases in solubility of native protein and formation of high MW polymers were observed. Destruction was greatest at low protein concentrations, high radiation dose (10 kGy) and pH 7. High protein concentration (5-10%), glucose, pH 5–6 and propyl gallate were protective. Ascorbic acid effects were concentration dependent. Nitrogen headspace effect was influenced by antioxidant and was smaller than expected. Propyl gallate plus glucose or SDS helped maintain protein solubility and size at high radiation rates. Marked declines in isoelectric pH consistent with lysine destruction were revealed.
Recollections: an appreciation of the Millers in a personal memoir

I have been asked to reflect on the personal traits of Jim and Jessie Miller in the context of their work in systems theory and from the perspective of occasional encounters with them. These notes record soon-to-be-lost personal conversations, cameos of institutional history, some middle (as opposed to early) development of the field of general systems theory, personal anecdotes, reflections, impressions, and most of all, unexpected connections experienced across thirty years of interaction with the Millers. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Broadcast profitability: A comparison of profits from broadcast and non‐broadcast segments of public corporations

To understand the broadcast segments of multi‐industry companies, it is important to consider the revenue demands of their parent companies. This article develops a methodology for analyzing the profitability of broadcast and non‐broadcast segments and applies that methodology in an examination of publicly held corporations.
Quantitative evaluation of color perception: an hypothesis.

Characteristics of other photochemical processes are cited, which might also pertain to those of the retina. By assuming such relationships for retinal receptors, hypothetical formulas are derived for conversion of tristimulus (CIE) values to physiological terms presumed to represent color perception. Substantial agreement between these physiological functions and actual observer response (ideal Munsell system) indicates a close degree of correlation. This approach is suggested as a basis for studying the problem of balanced perceptual color spacing.
Reconstructing the ubiquitin network: cross-talk with other systems and identification of novel functions.

Background The ubiquitin system (Ub-system) can be defined as the ensemble of components including Ub/ubiquitin-like proteins, their conjugation and deconjugation apparatus, binding partners and the proteasomal system. While several studies have concentrated on structure-function relationships and evolution of individual components of the Ub-system, a study of the system as a whole is largely lacking.
The Taxpayer Relief Act, Estate Planning, and Resource Mobility in U.S. Agriculture

Agricultural resources tend to be owned by individuals in the later stages of their economic life. If older agricultural resource owners tend to use resources less productively than younger owners, then much of the resource base in agriculture may be inefficiently employed. This article argues that U.S. capital taxation laws may be partly responsible for resource immobility. Capital gains taxation tends to reduce resource mobility, as does the family business estate tax exemption. The 1997 Taxpayer Relief Act could exacerbate the immobility problem.
Perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) aromatic polyethers: Synthesis and characterization of new sulfonimide containing monomers and fluoropolymers

The synthesis and thermal cyclopolymerization of aryl trifluorovinyl ether monomers containing novel sulfonimide acid functionalities are described. The monomers are prepared starting from commercially available 4-bromophenol in five steps. These novel polymers explore a new versatile class of partially fluorinated polymers for potential use in fuel cells and other electrochemical applications.
Anthropology, Demography, and the Search for a Critical Analysis of Fertility: Insights from Russia

The socialist and postsocialist contexts offer important challenges for anthropologists developing a critical analysis of fertility. The need for fertility studies to address class and gender inequities is often overlooked by postsocialist scholars, whose work is mired in responses to the socialist past and ongoing pronatalist campaigns. I examine the ways that fertility analysis has been used in national political struggles in Russia, and explain why supporters of democratic reforms and women's rights have neglected to address gender and class issues in their fertility studies. While Russian nationalists cite fertility decline as proof that market reforms threaten Russia's existence, defenders of neoliberalism draw on demographic transition theory to redefine fertility decline as a universal sign of socioeconomic development. Working with conventional demographic paradigms and a postsocialist cultural logic, Russian transition theorists simultaneously oppose pronatalist politics, support women's reproductive choice, and reproduce the limitations of liberal paradigms regarding the family, society, and public policy. This article shows how anthropological critiques of demographic transition theory can be expanded and nuanced by considering the ways this theory gets adapted to particular cultural logics and political contests. [Keywords: anthropology and demography, postsocialism, Russia, fertility decline]
Thin films formed by selenization of CuInxB1−x precursors in Se vapor

Abstract Previous attempts in producing light absorbing materials with bandgaps near the 1.37 eV efficiency optimum have included the partial substitution of gallium or aluminum for indium in the CIS system. The most efficient of these solar cells to date have had absorber layers with bandgaps
Substrate-Integrated Waveguide Ku-Band Cavity-Backed 2 $\,\times\,$ 2 Microstrip Patch Array Antenna

A Ku-band cavity-backed microstrip patch 2 x 2 antenna array has been implemented using the substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) technology-a low-cost multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) process. Cavities are emulated using vias, and the patches are fed using microstrip lines that are centrally fed by a shielded coaxial probe feed line. Simple design guidelines for the cavity, patch, and substrate selection are presented. The array was fabricated, and its measured results agreed very well with theoretical predictions and indicated a relatively high efficiency and wide bandwidth of greater than 70% and 9%, respectively.
Magic-Angle-Spinning NMR of the Drug Resistant S31N M2 Proton Transporter from Influenza A

We report chemical shift assignments of the drug-resistant S31N mutant of M218–60 determined using 3D magic-angle-spinning (MAS) NMR spectra acquired with a 15N–13C ZF-TEDOR transfer followed by 13C–13C mixing by RFDR. The MAS spectra reveal two sets of resonances, indicating that the tetramer assembles as a dimer of dimers, similar to the wild-type channel. Helicies from the two sets of chemical shifts are shown to be in close proximity at residue H37, and the assignments reveal a difference in the helix torsion angles, as predicted by TALOS+, for the key resistance residue N31. In contrast to wild-type M218–60, chemical shift changes are minimal upon addition of the inhibitor rimantadine, suggesting that the drug does not bind to S31N M2.
Optimization of high-dose therapy for the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer

Objective. To determine the effect of chemorespon siveness and dose intensity on event-free survival (EFS) for metastatic breast cancer patients following high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell rescue.Design. This is a retrospective review of data from three allocated, parallel, dose escalation, high dose phase I/II trials.Setting. These trials were carried out at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer, Tampa, Florida.Patients. Since October 1989, 215 patients with metastatic (stage IV) breast cancer receiving the following high-dose treatment regimens with stem cell rescue: (1) ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide (ICE); (2) mitoxantrone and thiotepa (MITT); and (3) Taxol, Novantrone, thiotepa (TNT).Intervention. Patients received either escalating doses of ICE (ifosfamide 6000 to 24,000 mg/m 2, carboplatin 1200 to 2100 mg/m2, etoposide 1800 to 3000 mg/m2), or MITT (mitoxantrone 45 to 105 mg/m2, thiotepa 900 to 1350 mg/m2) or TNT (thiote pa 900 mg/m2, Novantrone 45 to 75 mg/m2, Taxol 120 to 360 mg/m2) followed...
Deconstructing reinforcement learning in sigma

This article describes the development of reinforcement learning within the Sigma graphical cognitive architecture. Reinforcement learning has been deconstructed in terms of the interactions among more basic mechanisms and knowledge in Sigma, making it a derived capability rather than a de novo mechanism. Basic reinforcement learning --- both model-based and model-free --- are demonstrated, along with the intertwining of model learning.
Heat transfer from a very high temperature laminar gas flow with swirl to a cooled circular tube and nozzle

An experimental investigation was carried out to appraise the effect of swirl on heat transfer in the laminar boundary layer development region in a highly cooled tube and nozzle. The ratio of gas-side wall-temperature-to-stagnation-temperature ranged from 0. 095 to 0. 135. In the swirling flow of argon with ratio of peak-tangential-velocity-to-axial velocity of 3. 6 at the injection port, the level at heat transfer to the tube wall was increased from 200 to 60 percent above the level without swirl. In the swirling flows, the wall heat flux level was significantly higher in the tube than in the nozzle downstream. Because of the relatively high heat transfer to the wall, there were appreciable reductions in stagnation enthalpy in the flows that spanned a range of Reynolds numbers from about 360 to 500
Design of high level modelling / high performance simulation environments

Advances in massively parallel platforms are increasing the prospects for high performance discrete event simulation. Still the difficulty in parallel programming persists and there is increasing demand for high level support for building discrete event models to execute on such platforms. We present a parallel DEVS-based (Discrete Event System Specification) simulation environment that can execute on distributed memory multicomputer systems with benchmarking results of a class of high resolution, large scale ecosystem models. Underlying the environment is a parallel container class library for hiding the details of message passing technology while providing high level abstractions for hierarchical, modular DEVS models. The C++ implementation working on the Thinking Machines CM-5 demonstrates that the desire for high level modeling support need not be irreconcilable with sustained high performance.
The Role of Adaptive Immunity in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Hiding in Plain Sight

Deleterious actions of antigen-activated T and B lymphocytes, the major cellular effectors of adaptive immune host defenses, underlie the pathogenesis of nearly every human fibroproliferative disease. Misdirected or especially intense and persistent adaptive immune responses can cause recurrent cellular injury and dysregulated tissue repair in other organs that are comparable to the lung abnormalities found in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This chapter includes a brief discussion of some relevant basic immunobiology to facilitate a better understanding of the mechanisms and typifying features of pathological adaptive immune responses. Subsequent sections then review findings of the numerous translational studies that implicate adaptive immunity in the development and progression of IPF. Many diseases caused by adaptive immune responses are, like IPF, refractory to treatment with nonspecific glucocorticoid regimens. However, patients with these other immunological disorders often benefit from treatment regimens that specifically target the causal inflammatory mechanism(s). The author believes that appreciation of the abnormal immune processes associated with IPF would justify trials of novel, mechanistically focused therapies that have the potential to benefit patients with this morbid and heretofore intractable lung disease.
Do Firms Invest in Forecasting Efficiently? The Effect of Competition on Demand Forecast Investments and Supply Chain Coordination

We study the effect of downstream competition on incentives for demand forecast investments in supply chains. We show that with common pricing schemes, such as wholesale price or two-part tariffs, downstream firms under Cournot competition overinvest in demand forecasting. Analyzing the determinants of overinvestment, we demonstrate that under wholesale price contracts and two-part tariffs, total demand forecast investment can be very significant, and as a result, the supply chain can suffer substantial losses. We show that an increased number of competing retailers and uncertainty in consumer demand tend to increase inefficiency, whereas increased consumer market size and demand forecast costs reduce the loss in supply chain surplus. We identify the causes of inefficiency, and to coordinate the channel with forecast investments, we explore contracts in the general class of market-based contracts used in practice. When retailers' forecast investments are not observable, such a contract that employs an index-price can fully coordinate the supply chain. When forecast investments are observable to others, however, the retailers engage in an “arms race” for forecast investment, which can result in a significant increase in overinvestment and reduction in supply chain surplus. Furthermore, in that case, simple market-based contracts cannot coordinate the supply chain. To solve this problem, we propose a uniform-price divisible-good auction-based contracting scheme, which can achieve full coordination when forecast investments are observable. We also demonstrate the desirable properties for implementability of our proposed coordinating contracting schemes, including incentive-compatible and reliable demand forecast information revelation by the retailers, and being regret-free.
The effects of head-mounted display mechanics on distance judgments in virtual environments

In virtual environments that use head-mounted displays (HMD), distance judgments to targets on the ground are compressed, at least when indicated through visually-directed walking tasks. The same tasks performed in the real world yield veridical results over distances ranging from 2m to 25m. This paper describes experiments aimed at determining if mechanical aspects of HMDs such as mass and moments of inertia are responsible for the apparent distortion of distance. Our results indicate that the mechanical aspects of HMDs cannot explain the full magnitude of distance underestimation seen in HMD-based virtual environments, though they may account for a portion of the effect.
Asthma due to inhalation of moth flies (Psychoda)

Abstract A case of allergic rhinitis and asthma due to sensitization to the moth fly (Psychoda) is reported. The patient was a 38-year-old white male who was employed on a rubber plantation in West Africa. For approximately 5 years he had had episodes of nasal congestion and asthma that occurred during March and April and were associated with exposure to large numbers of small flying insects which were present only during that time of the year. Direct scratch and intradermal tests with an extract of the flies were positive in the patient and negative in control subjects. The passive-transfer test gave a strong wheal and flare reaction, and the Shultz-Dale reaction was positive after the ileum had been sensitized by exposure to the patient's serum. Serum that had been inactivated by heat gave a negative result. PCA in the rhesus monkey was positive with the use of the patient's unheated serum only, but PCA in the guinea pig was negative. Precipitin and hemagglutination tests were negative, and lymphocyte cultures were not reactive. However, antibodies in this patient's serum fixed to human and primate skin but not to guinea pig skin and sensitized guinea pig ileum. Each of these properties was destroyed after heating at 56° C. for 30 minutes. Therefore this antibody had the characteristics of reaginic antibody.
EFFICACY OF STABLE ISOTOPE RATIOS IN ASSIGNING ENDANGERED MIGRANTS TO BREEDING AND WINTERING SITES

A primary constraint on effective conservation of migratory animals is our inability to track individuals through their annual cycle. One such animal is the endangered southwestern subspecies of the Willow Flycatcher, which is difficult to distinguish from conspecifics. Identifying wintering regions used by the endangered subspecies would be an important step in formulating an effective conservation strategy. Our objective was to use stable isotope ratios as a means of identifying wintering sites of Southwestern Willow Flycatchers. We analyzed stable isotope ratios of carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen from feathers of breeding and wintering Willow Flycatchers. Based on winter samples, we document a positive trend in hydrogen isotope ratios across latitude. We also found that Willow Flycatchers use C4 food webs south of 88 N latitude, but we found no evidence of use of C4 food webs farther north. Nitrogen stable isotope ratios of feathers showed no discernable geographic variation. Discriminant function analyses, based on stable isotope ratios of wintering Willow Flycatchers, were only useful (.50% accurate) for assigning individuals to winter regions if the regions were large and the threshold probability for assignment was relatively high. When using these discriminant functions, most breeding samples of Southwestern Willow Flycatchers were assigned to two wintering regions: central Mexico and Ecuador. We think that assignment of Southwestern Willow Flycatchers to Ecuador is unrealistic. Given the large percentages of samples that could not be classified with certainty, we are not confident that these two regions are truly more likely to harbor wintering Southwestern Willow Flycatchers than other winter regions. We think our inconclusive results are due primarily to weak and nonlinear gradients in isotope ratios across the winter range of Willow Flycatchers.
Drivers of Resident Support for Animal Care Oriented Ballot Initiatives

Recent high profile incidents and public debates in the United States have highlighted the increasing interest residents have regarding animal rearing and handling practices. This paper examines resident support for national legislation that mirrors Proposition 2, which in November 2008 passed in California. Results suggest perceptions regarding animal welfare information accuracy of livestock industry and consumer groups are particularly influential determinants of voting behavior and demand. The analysis also suggests residents may not fully appreciate price or tax implications when supporting additional animal welfare legislation. Implications for livestock industry and policy makers are provided along with suggestions for additional research.