cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TU-PIS-Exhibit Hall-1: Therapy: Deformable Image Registration, Contour Propagation, and Dose Mapping

Brachytherapy devices and software are designed to last for a certain period of time. Due to a number of considerations, such as material factors, wear-and-tear, backwards compatibility, and others, they all reach a date when they are no longer supported by the manufacturer. Most of these products have a limited duration for their use, and the information is provided to the user at time of purchase. Because of issues or concerns determined by the manufacturer, certain products are retired sooner than the anticipated date, and the user is immediately notified. In these situations, the institution is facing some difficult choices: remove these products from the clinic or perform tests and continue their usage. Both of these choices come with a financial burden: replacing the product or assuming a potential medicolegal liability. This session will provide attendees with the knowledge and tools to make better decisions when facing these issues. Learning Objectives: 1. Understand the meaning of “end-of-life or “life expectancy” for brachytherapy devices and software 2. Review items (devices and software) affected by “end-of-life” restrictions 3. Learn how to effectively formulate “end-of-life” policies at your institution 4. Learn about possible implications of “end-of-life” policy 5. Review other possible approaches to “end-of-life” issue
The Simplex Method, Part 2

This chapter completes this book’s introductory account of the simplex method. In this chapter, you will see: How Phase I of the simplex method determines whether a linear program has a feasible solution and, if so, how it constructs a basic feasible tableau with which to initiate Phase II. That the simplex method can “cycle” (fail to terminate finitely) and that it can be kept from doing so. That the simplex method readily accommodates variables that are not required to be nonnegative.
A novel PID controller for pneumatic proportional valves with hysteresis

A novel modified PID (MPID) controller is developed to control and minimize the effect of hysteresis in pneumatic proportional valves. It consists of four parts: a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller, feedforward term, an anti-windup mechanism, and bang-bang controller. The result is a unique modified PID (MPID) control scheme that demonstrates better command following and disturbance rejection qualities than conventional PID (PID+feedforward+anti-windup) scheme. The control scheme is simulated based on an empirical model derived from actual valve measurement data. The results show that the proposed MPID controller provides better step response, command following, and greater bandwidth than conventional methods. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the robust control is achieved in the presence of significant dynamic variations in the valve. In particular, it is shown that satisfactory performance can be maintained when the valve hysteresis characteristics are varied by as much as 30%.
Jessica Stites Mor. Transition Cinema. Political Filmmaking and the Argentine Left since 1968. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 2012.

En la lente: memoria, referencialidad historica y documentalismo en el cine latinoamericano actual
DNA recognition by the helix-turn-helix motif: Current Opinion in Structural Biology 1992, 2: 100…-108

Abstract Highlights of the past year's studies on helix-turn-helix proteins include the striking details of DNA bending by Escherichia coli catabolite gene activator protein, the structure determination of the E. coli factor for inversion stimulation, and the continued elucidation of specific protein-DNA interactions. In addition, the importance of residues outside the helix-turn-helix motif and of protein conformational changes to DNA binding specificity were underscored.
The Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter Matches Energetic Supply with Cardiac Workload during Stress and Modulates Permeability Transition

Summary Cardiac contractility is mediated by a variable flux in intracellular calcium (Ca 2+ ), thought to be integrated into mitochondria via the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) channel to match energetic demand. Here, we examine a conditional, cardiomyocyte-specific, mutant mouse lacking Mcu , the pore-forming subunit of the MCU channel, in adulthood. Mcu −/− mice display no overt baseline phenotype and are protected against m Ca 2+ overload in an in vivo myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury model by preventing the activation of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, decreasing infarct size, and preserving cardiac function. In addition, we find that Mcu −/− mice lack contractile responsiveness to acute β-adrenergic receptor stimulation and in parallel are unable to activate mitochondrial dehydrogenases and display reduced bioenergetic reserve capacity. These results support the hypothesis that MCU may be dispensable for homeostatic cardiac function but required to modulate Ca 2+ -dependent metabolism during acute stress.
From Images to Votes: The Dynamics of Policy Images of American Political Parties

This paper draws on existing literature to define the policy image of the parties. It is suggested that these images are the link between Americans and the party system – namely, that Americans form policy images of their parties and that these images work to sustain or shatter partisan divisions in the electorate. This is examined using time series analysis of the relationship between macro changes in party identification and policy images as measured by the handling reputations of the most important problem facing the nation. It is shown that, over time, Americans have clear and identifiable images of their parties. Examining the two dominant images – economic and foreign policy – it is further shown that economic policy images of the parties explain long term changes in partisan attachments, whereas foreign policy images have had only short term effects on partisan attachments.
Acute Renal Artery Occlusion with Prolonged Renal Ischemia: A Case of Successful Treatment with Stent Placement and Catheter-directed Thrombolysis

We present a case of acute renal artery occlusion caused by a high-grade stenosis associated with in-situ thrombosis. Endovascular renal artery stent placement combined with catheter-directed thrombolysis reversed the renal ischemia with restoration of renal function despite the prolonged ischemia.
Performance analysis and visualization of electric power systems

ABSTRACT This paper describes a method of system performance evaluation for electric power network. The basic element that plays a crucial role here is the fragility information for transmission system equipment. The method utilizes the fragility information for evaluation of system performance degradation of LADWP's (Los Angeles Department of Water and Powers) power network damaged by a severe earthquake by comparing its performance before and after the earthquake event. One of the highlights of this paper is the use of computer code PowerWorld to visualize the state of power flow of the network, segment by segment. Similarly, the method can evaluate quantitatively the effect of various measures of rehabilitation or retrofit performed on equipment and/or facilities of the network. This is done by comparing the system performance with or without the rehabilitation. In this context, the results of experimental and analytical studies carried out by other researchers are used to determine the possible range of fragility enhancement associated with the rehabilitation of transformers in terms of base-isolation systems. In this analysis, 47 scenario earthquakes are used to develop the risk curves for the LADWPs power transmission system. The risk curve can then be correlated to economic impact of the reduction in power supply due to earthquake. Recovery aspects of the damaged power system will be studied from this point of view in future. Key Words: Earthquake, Fragility, Electric Power, Simulation.
Measurements of the acoustic attenuation by single layer acoustic liners constructed with simulated porous honeycomb cores

An experimental investigation into the acoustic suppression by single layer liners with simulated porous honeycomb cores was conducted. The porous honeycomb was simulated by means of porous partitions whose resistance was varied between zero (no partitions) and infinity (impervious partitions). In addition to the resistance of the porous partitions, variation in the face sheet resistance was also included in the test matrix. A wave tube test apparatus was designed, fabricated and set up. An array of 16 transducers was used to measure the acoustic field in the wave tube. This allowed measuring of the acoustic attenuation data for the different liner configurations. These data showed that for a given value of the face sheet resistance, the variation in the resistance of the porous honeycomb had a significant impact on the acoustic attenuation.
Soviet electrification: the roads not taken

Drawing on material presented in greater detail in his book The Electrification of Russia, 1880-1926 (1992), the author discusses the history of electrification in Russia and details the formation of the State Committee for the Electrification of Russia (GOELRO). GOELRO's plan for using a network of regional stations controlled by the Soviet government is described. A discussion on why the Soviet state favored large-scale electrification instead of alternatives that promised more immediate economic and social returns is given. GOLERO's aim to use technology to transform a backward country into a modern, Communist state is also discussed. >
Role of Val509 in Time-dependent Inhibition of Human Prostaglandin H Synthase-2 Cyclooxygenase Activity by Isoform-selective Agents

Prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS), a key enzyme in prostanoid biosynthesis, exists as two isoforms. PGHS-1 is considered a basal enzyme; PGHS-2 is associated with inflammation and cell proliferation. A number of highly selective inhibitors for PGHS-2 cyclooxygenase activity are known. Inhibition by these agents involves an initial reversible binding, followed by a time-dependent transition to a much higher affinity enzyme-inhibitor complex, making these agents potent and poorly reversible PGHS-2 inhibitors. To investigate the PGHS-2 structural features that influence the time-dependent action of the selective inhibitors, we have constructed a three-dimensional model of human PGHS-2 by homologous modeling. Examination of the PGHS-2 model identified Val509 as a cyclooxygenase active site residue, that was not conserved in PGHS-1. Recombinant human PGHS-2 with Val509 mutated to either Ile (the corresponding residue in PGHS-1), Ala, Glu, or Lys was expressed by transient transfection of COS-1 cells to evaluate the effects of the mutations on cyclooxygenase activity and on inhibition by four agents reported to be selective for PGHS-2 (NS398, nimesulide, DuP697, and SC58125). All the recombinant proteins were of the expected mass. The mutants exhibited 45-210% of wild-type cyclooxygenase activity, with Km values for arachidonate of 2.1-7.6 microM (wild-type PGHS-2, 3.8 microM), indicating that changes in position 509 had modest effects on cyclooxygenase catalysis. Each of the agents inhibited wild-type PGHS-2 in a time-dependent fashion, and all but nimesulide did the same for the V509A mutant. In contrast, the V509E and V509I PGHS-2 mutants, like recombinant human PGHS-1, did not show time-dependent inhibition with any of the agents, and the V509K mutant responded in a time-dependent manner only to DuP697. Reversible inhibition was still observed with Val509 mutants that did not show time-dependent inhibition. Thus, the side chain structure at position 509 markedly influenced the ability of PGHS-2 to undergo the time-dependent transition without removing inhibitor or substrate binding. These results indicate that Val509 in PGHS-2 has a major role in the structural transition that underlies time-dependent inhibition by the isoform-selective agents.
Lysophosphatidylethanolamine is the antigen to which apparent antibody to phosphatidylethanolamine binds.

Because binding of antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) to phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) is central to the definition of the antigenic epitope targeted by aPLs, we examined the binding of aPL-positive SLE sera to PE under various conditions. No serum bound to PE uncontaminated with lysophosphatidylethanolamine (IPE), but many aPL-positive sera bound to IPE-contaminated PE and to IPE coated onto an ELISA plate. Absorption studies indicated partial cross-reactivity between PE containing IPE and cardiolipin. We conclude that clinical aPLs do not bind to PE. Prior reports to the contrary most likely represent binding of aPL to PE's degradation product, IPE.
Is the societal burden of fatal occupational injury different among NORA industry sectors

Problem Since the implementation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, safety and health in the work environment has seen marked improvement. Although these improvements are laudable, workplace hazards continue to plague the American worker. Understanding the economic burden of fatalities by industry sector is important to setting broad occupational safety and health research priorities. Cost estimates provide additional information about how fatal injuries affect society and hence can improve injury prevention program planning, policy analysis, evaluation, and advocacy.
Hemodynamics in atrial flutter with spontaneous reversion to normal sinus rhythm.

Abstract During cardiac catheterization of a 31-year-old woman with mitral stenosis, the development of atrial flutter and subsequent spontaneous reversion to normal sinus rhythm provided an opportunity to study the hemodynamic effects of the arrhythmia under ideally controlled conditions. The ventricular rate remained constant; no cardiac drugs were administered, and the patient, who was neither aware of the arrhythmia nor had symptoms referable to it, remained in a fairly stable, steady state. Neither cardiac output nor pressure levels in the heart and the pulmonary vascular bed were altered significantly by the atrial flutter. Evidence of mitral and tricuspid insufficiency appeared during the arrhythmia but was not present during sinus rhythm. The valvular dysfunction was related to the current concept of the importance of normal atrial contraction to adequate closure of the atrioventricular valves.
Arab images of the United States and the Soviet Union before and after the June War of 1967

The images of America as held by foreigners have been of great interest to social scientists in the last two decades (Buchanan, 1954; Beals, 1954; Washington, 1956; Bell, 1960). Such interest bearing on the cold war and global rivalries needs no elaboration. Of particular importance are images held by elites in developing nations. Their views are crucial in determining the nature and extent of commitments that their countries will make to the Eastern or the Western centers of power. In this article the images of the United States and the Soviet Union as held by Arab students will be analyzed before and after the June War of 1967. The students in question were studying in this country, and over half of them are in graduate schools. The group as a whole has been ideologically oriented and politically active. Like their counterpart in Europe the Arab students in the United States not only have a powerful organization (the OAS with 10,000 members in 130 chapters) but also have been vocal and influential in affecting decision-making in their homelands. Scores of the alumni of the Organization of Arab Students in recent years have occupied strategic positions in their countries ranging from heads of states to cabinet members, from members of revolutionary councils to ambassadors, and from opposition leaders to high bureaucrats.
Surface self diffusion of gold-54.4 at. % silver

Abstract The rate of decay of multiple scratches on a Au-54.4 at.% Ag alloy indicates that surface diffusion kinetics dominate. The analysis of the temperature dependence of the surface diffusivity D 8 , indicates that it has an activation enthalpy of 60 kcal/mole and a D 0 of 2 × 10 6 cm 2 /sec. drop in D 0 at 920°C is associated with the onset of faceting. The results are shown to be consistent with an elementary model of mass transport on alloy surfaces.
Predicting significant wave height off the northeast coast of the United States

Abstract To develop a simple method to predict the significant wave height, we analyze 18 years of hourly observations from 12 different buoys that are off the northeast coast of the United States. Water depths ranged from 19 to 4427 m for these moored buoys. We find that, on average, all of these buoys exhibit a region of constant wave height for 10-m wind speeds between 0 and 4 m s−1. That wave height does, however, depend on water depth. For wind speeds above 4 m s–1, the wave height increases as the square of the wind speed; but the multiplicative factor is again a function of water depth. We synthesize these results in a prediction scheme that yields the significant wave height from simple functions of water depth and 10-m wind speed for wind speeds up to 25 m s–1.
Attitudes and beliefs related to HIV/AIDS in urban religious congregations: Barriers and opportunities for HIV-related interventions

Abstract HIV-related stigmas have been seen as a barrier to greater religious congregation involvement in HIV prevention and care in the United States and elsewhere. We explored congregational and community norms and attitudes regarding HIV, sexuality, and drug use through a qualitative case study of 14 diverse religious congregations in Los Angeles County, California between December 2006 and May 2008. Data collected included semi-structured interviews with 57 clergy and lay leaders across the congregations, structured observations of congregational activities, review of archival documents, and a questionnaire on congregational characteristics. Across and within congregations, we found a wide range of views towards HIV, people with HIV, and populations at risk for HIV, from highly judgmental and exclusionary, to “loving the sinner, not the sin,” to accepting and affirming. Attitudes and norms about HIV, homosexuality, and substance abuse appeared to be related to the type and intensity of congregational HIV-related activities. However, even among the higher activity congregations, we found a range of perceptions, including ones that were stigmatizing. Results suggest that affirming norms and attitudes are not a prerequisite for a congregation to initiate HIV activities, a finding relevant for HIV service providers and researchers seeking to engage congregations on this issue. HIV stigma reduction is not a prerequisite for congregational HIV involvement: both may occur simultaneously, or one before the other, and they dynamically affect each other. Strategies that are congruent with congregations’ current levels of comfort and openness around HIV can themselves facilitate a process of attitudinal and normative change.
Task analysis, calculation and approximation: The work of Stuart K. Card, 2007 Bower Laureate in Computer & Cognitive Science for Human-Centered Computing

In the early 1980s there was a large base of well-regarded cognitive theory—explaining human cognition. Additionally, personal technology was increasingly a factor in the workplace, but it was notoriously hard to use, leading to frustration rather than increased satisfaction and productivity [1–3]. In 1974 Stuart Card accompanied Allen Newell from Carnegie Mellon University to Xerox’s Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) to work on the problem of human–computer interaction. Newell returned to CMU, but Card remained to become the founding manager of the User Interface Research group. Card’s first major work The Psychology of Human–Computer Interaction, was published in 1983. It was undertaken to address the problems of usability by closing the gap between theory and technology. It did this by providing a methodology for bringing theory to bear on application. The work served as a foundation for research and development in human–computer interaction for the following 15 years.
High-Voltage D-C Point Discharges

D-c corona discharges from pointed and sharp-edged conductors have been found to give rise to severe radio interference on aircraft under certain precipitation conditions. Laboratory studies, employing a point-to-plane arrangement, have shown that these discharges are greatly influenced not only by voltage and polarity but also by the geometry of the points. Three distinct types of positive and two of negative corona have been found. One of these types, that occurring on sharp, slender points, is essentially common to both polarities and is free from radio interference at all frequencies up to at least several megacycles. Those discharges common to rather bluntly-backed points extend out some distance from the electrodes and are made up, in general, of a steady ion-migration component plus a series, orderly or otherwise, of ionic bursts. The latter phenomena, through an impulse excitation mechanism, give rise to the radio interference. A number of oscillograms were taken with the Duddell-type oscillograph showing the simultaneous current and radio-interference characteristics of the various types of point discharges. These oscillograms, taken with carefully constructed amplifiers, show the steady component of the discharge to be free from radio interference. Each impulsive burst, however, gives rise to a burst of radio output. Cathode-ray oscillograms show these current bursts to be typical double-exponential impulses of very steep wave front, and in general, of short duration. High resistance in the discharge circuit near the ionization point has a suppressing action on the impulses and greatly reduces the accompanying interference.
Crystallization of acetaminophen on chitosan films blended with different acids

Abstract Using polymeric surfaces is a novel way to control crystallization. However, the mechanism is still ambiguous. In the present study, chitosan (CS) films that were doped with different molecules were employed to investigate the impact of surface chemistry on the heterogeneous crystallization behavior of acetaminophen (APAP). Crystal growth rate and crystallization kinetic measurements of APAP on various substrates were performed. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to probe intermolecular interactions between APAP and CS films. The results were interpreted with the aid of molecular simulations. It was found that substrates with more hydrogen bonding groups that could interact with APAP promoted its crystallization.
DEVELOPMENT OF PROCEDURES TO MINIMIZE MECHANICAL DAMAGE IN FREEZE‐DRIED MEAT PATTIES

The effects of various food grade additives on the mechanical integrity, texture, sensory quality and storage stability of freeze-dried meat (beef and pork sausage) patties were evaluated. The major finding of this study has been the appropriateness of salt soluble meat proteins, dispersed by an optimal incorporation of phosphates, as binder for the meat particles, in a process sequence which includes lyophilization. The phosphate treatment is part of the additive system, the effectiveness of which is augmented by sodium chloride and wheat gluten. The optimum levels of additives to be incorporated into fresh comminuted meat were evolved as: 0.35–0.50% kena, in combination with 1.25–1.50% sodium chloride and 0.15% wheat gluten. The additive system developed herein improved significantly the mechanical, rehydration, textural, sensory and storage characteristics of the products when compared with their respective controls prepared without the additives.
Schoolhouses, Jailhouses and the House of Being: The Tragedy of Philosophy’s Metaphors

As a rule, there is nothing in the words themselves to mark off metaphors from literal language. If a boundary could somehow be drawn, it would be in constant need of re-adjustment as metaphors become entrenched, idiomatic, and finally literal, and literal phrases are put to figurative or hyperbolic, and then metaphorical uses. Further, there is no algorithmic recovery of the intended meaning of a metaphor from the meanings of its components, no function that takes literal meanings as its arguments and has metaphorical meaning as its output. That is, metaphors are syntactically invisible, pragmatically unstable, and semantically under-determined. Their creation, use, and interpretation are almost impenetrable mysteries. As if to spite semantic theorists, they are also linguistic commonplaces, present in every kind of discourse. The discourse of philosophy is no exception to this rule, availing itself of the various stylistic, heuristic, and explanatory roles metaphors can play. Philosophy also produces metaphors of another sort, metaphors that differ in important ways from the metaphors of art and literature, as well as the metaphors of the natural and social sciences. These “grand“ metaphors are lasting monuments to the triumphs of philosophical discourse, even as they are also testimony to the failures of philosophical theorizing. This is because philosophy’s grand metaphors were never intended that way. They are better read as structural hypotheses that have become metaphors only after failing as literal truths. Ironically, it is precisely as metaphors that these images are integrated into our ways of thinking. In the end, thought itself is re-structured, and these failures as descriptive truths succeed in becoming “constitutive truths” of a new reality.
Numerical solution of positive sum exponential equations

A homotopy continuation method is applied to solve an inverse interpolation problem for representing data by a positive sum of decaying exponentials. The homotopy method transforms the interpolation problem to a problem of determining the roots of a given polynomial. The relative effectiveness of the continuation method is contrasted with several other root-finding schemes.
Medical Versus Surgical Treatment of Unstable Angina

Unstable angina is an important symptom of coronary artery disease. Two general clinical presentations may occur: (1) stable angina with a recent increase in severity or angina of recent onset, or (2) acute coronary insufficiency or angina at rest with chest pain resembling that of acute infarction. The risk of death or infarction is greater in patients who have recurrent chest pain and ST-T wave abnormalities despite hospital treatment. In patients without electrocardiographic or serum enzyme evidence of a completed infarct, coronary arteriography and bypass graft surgery can be performed with an acceptably low mortality rate. Surgical treatment provides better symptomatic relief than medical management in many patients, but the significant incidence of perioperative infarction makes it difficult to determine if surgery prevents infarction. Some studies indicate that surgery improves survival in subgroups, but data from large scale randomized studies will be needed to answer this question securely. Patients with disease of the left main coronary artery should probably have surgical treatment. Medical treatment will relieve symptoms in most patients with unstable angina and on a long-term basis may obviate the need for surgery. A preliminary period of intensive medical treatment before surgery may be advantageous since there is little evidence that survival rates are improved by treating unstable angina as an acute surgical emergency.
Accessory oculomotor nuclei in the monkey: projections and effects of discrete lesions.

A study in the monkey was made of the degeneration and effects of lesions in the accessory oculomotor nuclei. Lesions destroyed: (1) the interstitial nucleus (INC), (2) regions lateral and dorsal to the INC, (3) the posterior commissure (PC), and (4) the central gray. Degeneration was studied in Nauta-Gygax stained sections. Efferent fibers from the INC project: (1) contralaterally, to specific subdivisions of the oculomotor complex (OMC), (2) bilaterally, to the trochlear nuclei (TN), and (3) ipsilaterally, to the medial vestibular nucleus, to certain perihypoglossal nuclei and to the spinal cord. Projections of the INC to the oculomotor complex cross in ventral parts of the PC and project differentially to the dorsal, medial and intermediate cell columns via the contralateral INC and MLF. No fibers from the INC project to the ventral somatic cell columns, the visceral nuclei or the caudal central nucleus of the OMC. Discrete lesions in the INC produce transient head tilt to the opposite side. Unilateral and bilateral lesions of the PC interrupt crossing interstitio-oculomotor fibers and produce: (1) symmetrical differential degeneration in the OMC and TN similar to that resulting from discrete lesions of the INC, (2) bilateral eyelid retraction, and (3) impairment of vertical gaze, particularly upward gaze. Horizontal gaze and pupillary reflexes were normal. Evidence suggests that relationships between interstitio-oculomotor fibers and the nuclei of the posterior commissure may underlie neural mechanisms that regulate vertical eye movements.
Relationship between natural variations in motoneuron number and body size in Xenopus laevis: a test for size matching.

During normal development, tadpoles of Xenopus laevis demonstrate large variations in body size that are carried through metamorphosis. This variation in size exists at the stages when lumbar lateral motor column (L-LMC) motoneurons are produced and when neuronal cell death in this neuron population occurs. Body size, hindlimb size, motoneuron number, and motoneuron size (i.e., neuron nuclear cross-sectional area) were measured in animals from three developmental stages: one prior to significant amounts of cell death, one at the peak rate of cell death, and one after cell death. The hypothesis that neuron population size is matched to peripheral size was tested by using the natural size variation found at each of these stages. The ranges of values for the measurements at the three stages were large. Significant correlations between body size and motoneuron number, as well as between motoneuron number and muscle fiber number, were present after cell death. Since these correlations emerged as cell death reduced neuron numbers, size matching may have occurred and cell death may have adjusted the L-LMC motoneuron population's size to variation in body size. In addition to the correlations between body size and motoneuron number at the end of cell death, neuron numbers before and after cell death were significantly correlated among groups of siblings. The possibility that the number of neurons after cell death was also influenced by differences in the number of L-LMC progenitors is discussed.
Assessment of water quality in Wichita, Kansas, using an index of biotic integrity and analysis of bed sediment and fish tissue for organochlorine insecticides.

This study investigated water quality of the Arkansas River and its tributaries in the Wichita, Kansas, area. Water quality assessment included an evaluation of urban versus agricultural areas using a twofold approach: (1) assessment of fish community health using an index of biotic integrity (IBI); and (2) analysis of organochlorine (OC) insecticides in fish tissue (Cyprinus carpio) and sediment samples via gas chromatography. Results of the IBI analysis indicated that the overall health of the fish community was poor. No significant difference existed among IBI scores at urban sites compared to agricultural sites; however, a pattern was noted with higher IBI scores at the agricultural sites. Total IBI scores and individual metrics were not statistically correlated to either normalized or non-normalized organochlorine concentrations in fish or sediment. Lindane, chlordane, 4,4′-DDT, and 4,4′-DDE were the most commonly detected OCs in sediment and fish tissue and often exceeded federal guidelines. Total OC concentrations and their detection frequency were significantly greater in urban than agricultural areas. In addition, a significant correlation was found among total OC concentrations in fish and sediment. This assessment concluded that overall water quality in the Wichita area was poor and that the urban area has significantly impacted water quality.
How force unfolding differs from chemical denaturation

Single-molecule force spectroscopies are remarkable tools for studying protein folding and unfolding, but force unfolding explores protein configurations that are potentially very different from the ones traditionally explored in chemical or thermal denaturation. Understanding these differences is crucial because such configurations serve as starting points of folding studies, and thus can affect both the folding mechanism and the kinetics. Here we provide a detailed comparison of both chemically induced and force-induced unfolded state ensembles of ubiquitin based on extensive, all-atom simulations of the protein either extended by force or denatured by urea. As expected, the respective unfolded states are very different on a macromolecular scale, being fully extended under force with no contacts and partially extended in urea with many nonnative contacts. The amount of residual secondary structure also differs: A significant population of α-helices is found in chemically denatured configurations but such helices are absent under force, except at the lowest applied force of 30 pN where short helices form transiently. We see that typical-size helices are unstable above this force, and β-sheets cannot form. More surprisingly, we observe striking differences in the backbone dihedral angle distributions for the protein unfolded under force and the one unfolded by denaturant. A simple model based on the dialanine peptide is shown to not only provide an explanation for these striking differences but also illustrates how the force dependence of the protein dihedral angle distributions give rise to the worm-like chain behavior of the chain upon force.
A spectroscopic study distinguishing between chemical phase separation with different degrees of crystallinity in Zr(Hf) silicate alloys

Abstract Chemical phase separation at device processing temperatures is an important issue for integration of Zr and Hf silicates alloys into advanced CMOS devices. Chemical phase separation into ZrO 2 and SiO 2 has been detected by different spectroscopic techniques, including Fourier transform infra red, X-ray photoelectron, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, as well as X-ray diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy imaging as well. Comparisons between these techniques for Zr silicates identify an unambiguous approach to distinguishing between chemical phase separation with different degrees of micro- and nano-crystallinity.
Identification of Charged Residues in an N-Terminal Portion of the Hormone-Binding Domain of the Human Estrogen Receptor Important in Transcriptional Activity of the Receptor

We have shown that charged amino acids near C530 of the human estrogen receptor (ER) are involved in receptor discrimination between estrogen and antiestrogen. We now examine the role of charged residues, adjacent to the three other cysteines (381, 417, and 447) in the hormone-binding domain of the human ER, in the hormone-binding, DNA-binding, and transcription activation abilities of the receptor. Mutation of the one charged amino acid nearest to C381 gave a mutant receptor (E380Q) requiring two to three times less estradiol (E2) than wild type (WT) ER to achieve maximal activity and having activity in the absence of added estrogen that was 6-fold higher than that of WT receptor. The enhanced ability of this mutant to bind to estrogen response element DNA in the absence and presence of estrogen may, at least in part, explain its elevated, seemingly constitutive trans-activation activity and its increased sensitivity to estrogen. While more sensitive to E2, this E380Q mutant was less sensitive than WT ER to antiestrogen for suppression of transcriptional activity. Mutation of all three charged residues nearest to C381 (the triple mutant D374N, E380Q, and E385Q) resulted in a greatly reduced potency of the receptor in trans-activation with no change in estrogen-binding affinity. When K449 (near C447), highly conserved among steroid receptors, was mutated to Q, 400-fold more E2 was required for maximal reporter gene trans-activation due to an unstable, temperature-sensitive hormone-receptor complex. In contrast, the mutant K416Q (near C417) was unaltered in E2-binding or receptor transcriptional activity. These studies reveal a region in the N-terminal portion of the hormone-binding domain (ca. amino acids 374-385) where alterations in charged residues result in either increases or decreases in receptor transcriptional activity with no change in receptor affinity for hormone. Our findings suggest that this region may be important in DNA binding and protein-protein interactions that modulate transcriptional activity of the ER. In addition, the region near C447, which is well conserved among steroid receptors, appears to be important in maintaining the receptor in a conformation that is stable at physiological (37 C) temperatures. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an ER (E380Q) with a sensitivity to E2 for trans-activation greater than that of WT receptor and having high trans-activation activity in the absence of added hormone.
IRS2 signaling in LepR-b neurons suppresses FoxO1 to control energy balance independently of leptin action

Summary Irs2-mediated insulin/IGF1 signaling in the CNS modulates energy balance and glucose homeostasis; however, the site for Irs2 function is unknown. The hormone leptin mediates energy balance by acting on leptin receptor (LepR-b)-expressing neurons. To determine whether LepR-b neurons mediate the metabolic actions of Irs2 in the brain, we utilized Lepr cre together with Irs2 L/L to ablate Irs2 expression in LepR-b neurons ( Lepr ΔIrs2 ). Lepr ΔIrs2 mice developed obesity, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance. Leptin action was not altered in young Lepr ΔIrs2 mice, although insulin-stimulated FoxO1 nuclear exclusion was reduced in Lepr ΔIrs2 mice. Indeed, deletion of Foxo1 from LepR-b neurons in Lepr ΔIrs2 mice normalized energy balance, glucose homeostasis, and arcuate nucleus gene expression. Thus, Irs2 signaling in LepR-b neurons plays a crucial role in metabolic sensing and regulation. While not required for leptin action, Irs2 suppresses FoxO1 signaling in LepR-b neurons to promote energy balance and metabolism.
The renormalisation group and effective field theories

Much apprehension has been expressed by philosophers about the method of renormalisation in quantum field theory, as it apparently requires illegitimate procedure of infinite cancellation. This has lead to various speculations, in particular in Teller (1989). We examine Teller's discussion of perturbative renormalisation of quantum fields, and show why it is inadequate. To really approach the matter one needs to understand the ideas and results of the ‘renormalisation group’, so we give a simple but comprehensive account of this topic. With this in hand, we explain how renormalisation can and should be understood. One thing that is revealed is that apparently very successful theories such as quantum electro-dynamics cannot be universally true; resolving the tension between success and falsity leads to a picture in which any theory may be viewed as irreducibly phenomenological. We explain how, and argue that the support for this view is tenuous at best.
Microscopic model of true strain softening and hardening in a polymer glass

A simple microscopic model is proposed to describe the true strain softening and hardening behavior of a polymer glass. Equations of motion for the polymer chain embedded in a polymer matrix have been derived and investigated both analytically and numerically. The model correctly predicts both true strain softening and hardening phenomena. The model also allows a new interpretation of the microscopic origin of true strain softening in a polymer glass.
Obesity and Chronic Daily Headache

Obesity may be the greatest epidemic of modern times. It leads to diabetes and heart disease and shortens lifespan. Although not a risk factor for migraine, it is associated with an increased frequency and intensity of migraine. Obesity is also comorbid with chronic daily headache and is a major risk factor for chronification of episodic migraine in adults and children. Although obesity is not a factor in the effectiveness of migraine treatment, it does increase the peripheral and central events in migraine, ultimately increasing the neurologic potential for migraine. Although evidence suggests that obesity is a modifiable risk factor for migraine progression, it is unknown if weight loss is related to decrease in headache frequency. Recent surgical results suggest that this is true. We suggest all possible effective techniques aimed at weight loss be undertaken for migraineurs, especially obese migraineurs, and that carefully monitoring weight changes should be routinely done as part of their migraine care.
Reply by Authors to P. Kulla

Fig. 5 Stability boundaries out of plane for (2 IL = 0.75. References 'Wilgen, F.J. and Schlack Jr., A.L., "Effects of Radial Appendage Flexibility on Shaft Whirl Stability," AIAA Journal, Vol. 15, Oct. 1977, pp. 1531-1533. Likins, P.W., and Barbera, F.J., "Mathematical Modelling of Spinning Elastic Bodies for Modal Analysis," AIAA Journal, Vol. 11, Sept. 1973, pp. 1251-1258. Kulla, P., "Dynamics of Spinning Bodies Containing Elastic Rods," Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 9, April 1972, pp. 246-253. Kolousek, V., Dynamics in Engineering Structures, Butterworths, 1973. Poelaert, D.H.L., "Dynamic Analysis of a Nonrigid Spacecraft—An Eigenvalue Approach," ESA Journal, Vol. 1, 1977.
The angular beam divergence in double-heterojunction lasers with very thin active regions

An analytical expression is found for the angular beam divergence from a double-heterojunction (DH) laser in the limit of an infinitely thin active region. In this limit the beam divergence is proportional to the thickness of the active region and to the index of refraction difference between the active and confining layers. A simple expression combining the limiting expressions for thin and thick active regions gives a very accurate fit to the numerical calculations of the beam divergence for intermediate active region thicknesses.
Genetic Identity of Brook Trout in Lake Superior South Shore Streams: Potential for Genetic Monitoring of Stocking and Rehabilitation Efforts

Abstract Rehabilitation of migratory (“coaster”) brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis along Lake Superior's south shore is a topic of high interest among resource stakeholders and management agencies. Proposed strategies for rehabilitation of this brook trout life history variant in Wisconsin include supplemental stocking, watershed management, habitat rehabilitation, harvest regulations, or a combination thereof. In an effort to evaluate the success of coaster brook trout rehabilitation efforts, we collected genetic data from four populations of interest (Whittlesey Creek, Bois Brule River, Bark River, and Graveyard Creek) and the hatchery sources used in the Whittlesey Creek supplementation experiment. We characterized the genetic diversity of 30 individuals from each of four populations using 13 microsatellite DNA loci. Levels of genetic variation were consistent with those in similar studies conducted throughout the basin. Significant genetic variation among the populations was observed, enabling adequat...
Analysis by fuzzy difference equations of a model of CO2 level in the blood

In this paper we shall consider a model to determine the carbon dioxide (CO2) level in the blood. The model consists of a set of nonlinear difference equations. However, the linearized model will be solved. Since many measurements and factors that determine the CO2 level in the blood may be imprecise, we will consider the fuzzy analog of the linearized model as a method to compensate for these imprecise measurements. We will estimate, for a fixed threshold α, a solution to the fuzzy difference equation with belief at least α. We will show that the results reduce to the classical case when the fuzzy quantities are replaced by crisp ones.
Equilibrium Reconstruction of Anisotropic Pressure Profile in the Levitated Dipole Experiment

The Levitated Dipole Experiment (LDX) is an innovative confinement concept that uses an internal superconducting dipole field to confine plasma. Plasma equilibrium is calculated by a least-squares fit of an anisotropic pressure model to magnetic measurements constrained by X-ray images. Reconstructions have been done for different heating schemes using two-frequency electron cyclotron heating at 2.45 and 6.4 GHz. Results show that a maximum local β ∼ 20% has been achieved using two frequency heating at a combined full power of 5 kW. Analysis of the reconstruction results shows that the magnetic sensors are sensitive primarily to changes in the plasma dipole moment. This is partly due to the fact that the dipole current decreases as the plasma current increases (as required by flux conservation through the superconducting dipole) and the magnetic sensors detect the sum of these changes. This paper will present details of the reconstruction procedure and describe how new magnetic sensors will aid in resolving the pressure profile more accurately.
The effect of anthropogenic sulfate aerosols on marine cloud droplet concentrations

Nonseasalt sulfate (nss SO 4 2- ) mass concentrations, cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) number concentrations, and cloud droplet concentrations in warm cumulus and stratocumulus clouds were simultaneously measured in situ in marine air masses on El Yunque peak in Puerto Rico. Our results show that CNN number concentrations (measured at 0.5% supersaturation) and nss SO 4 2- mass concentrations (in the range of ∼ 400–1700 ng m -3 ) are significantly correlated at this site. Droplet concentrations in the cumulus clouds studied do not show a discernible trend with nss SO 4 2- mass concentrations (in the range of ∼ 300–1400 ng m -3 ). In stratocumulus clouds, a small increase in droplet concentration with nss SO 4 2- mass concentrations in the range of ∼ 300–1100 ng m -3 was observed. We attribute the low sensitivities of the droplet number concentrations to nss SO 4 2- mass concentrations to the entrainment/mixing processes in these clouds. The magnitudes of the empirically derived sensitivities are considerably lower than those assumed in recent assessments of the effect of anthropogenic sulfate aerosols on cloud albedo. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0889.1994.t01-1-00005.x
On Some Problems in Defining Sets for Q-Analysis:

At the basis of Q-analysis are the notions of well-defined sets, and of hierarchies constructed out of the power sets of such sets. It is here argued that such set-theoretic hierarchies are in general inadequate in themselves for representing the structure of empirical phenomena, because sets defined as collections of individual objects or of other sets cannot, on the whole, be made to correspond directly to specific empirical entities. This is because empirical concepts correspond to more or less complex structures, rather than collections, of other concepts, whereas a set is, by definition, an unstructured collection of elements. This point is illustrated through several examples of sets of ‘things’ that purport to represent certain higher-order ‘things’, but in fact do not. There follows an analysis of the problem that draws from mathematical philosophy and logic on the one hand, and from the theory of Boolean algebras on the other. Both these perspectives point to the same conclusion, namely, that Q-a...
Modified Regression for Estimating Total Lactation from Part-Lactation Yields

A modified regression method for extending part records eliminates population or herd means of the partial lactations. Errors of prediction by the method were compared to those of extended records by ratio factor in two samples of data, one from Dairy Herd Improvement Association and one from the Beltsville herd. Errors of estimates by ratio factor were large, especially early in lactation. For projecting total yield from the first test, the average absolute difference from actual 305-day yield was 500 kg smaller for the modified regression procedure as compared to the ratio estimate.