cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assay of Human Plasminogen in Plasma by Affinity Chromatography

A direct, rapid (<3h), and simple technique is described for assaying human plasminogen by affinity chromatography. Plasma is passed over a column of Sepharose—butyl aminobenzoate. The unretarded proteins, including plasmin, are washed out with phosphate—saline, pH 7.4, buffer. The bound plasminogen is released by adding lysine, 0.1 mol/liter, to the buffer and the plasminogen concentration in the eluate is determined by absorbance measurements at 280 nm. A value of 195 ± 10 mg/liter was found for pooled donor plasma from normal individuals. Twenty-one normal women, age 21 to 46, had an average value of 194 ± 38 mg/liter, while 14 pregnant women in the third trimester had an average value of 250 ± 55 mg/liter. The range in 30 hospital patients with various ailments was 122 to 265 mg/liter.
Annealing behavior of refractory metal multilayers on Si: The Mo/Ti and W/Ti systems

Structures consisting of alternate layers of Mo/Ti and W/Ti have been sputter deposited on Si(100) substrates and their annealing behavior has been studied using Auger sputter profiling. The anneals were performed under typical processing conditions. Two major driving forces control the observed reactions: the silicidation of the metals and the oxidation of Ti. The prevalence of one of them depends both on the structure of the as‐deposited film and on the annealing temperature. In the case where silicidation prevails a multisilicide layer is formed, with no alteration with respect to the initial disposition order of the metal films. Intermixing between the reacted layers starts to be observed at 900 °C. The behavior of common contaminants such as oxygen and carbon has been studied.
Spatial Variation in Transferrin Allele Frequencies among Herds of Feral Donkeys in Death Valley National Monument, California

Serum proteins were studied to clarify interrelationships of seemingly disjunct herds of feral donkeys ( Equus asinus ) in the mountains of Death Valley National Monument, California. Sera of 162 donkeys from five localities in the Panamint Mountains were examined by starch-gel electrophoresis to assess polymorphic variation in transferrins. Four homozygous and six heterozygous transferrin phenotypes controlled by four codominant, autosomal alleles were identified with Fe59 autoradiography. Significant interlocality heterogeneity in genotype distribution and allele frequency distribution among herds was demonstrated. The maximum distance between adjacent herds was 52 km and the minimum distance was 14 km. There are no major physical barriers to movements between herds; furthermore, donkeys are highly mobile animals capable of extensive travel. Behavioral isolation of adjacent herds occurs from May through July, during the peak of reproduction. This isolation is reinforced by fidelity of individuals to their respective home ranges, and to physiological dependence on permanent sources of water. Adjacent herds may overlap during winter when breeding and dependence on water sources are reduced.
Prescriptive Analytics for Allocating Sales Teams to Opportunities

For companies with large sales forces whose sellers approach business clients in teams, the problem of allocating sales teams to sales opportunities is a critical management task for maximizing the revenue and profit of the company. We approach this problem via predictive and prescriptive analytics, where the former involves data mining to learn the relationship between sales team composition and the revenue earned for different types of clients and opportunities, and the latter involves optimization to find the allocation of sales resources to opportunities that maximizes expected revenue subject to business constraints. In looking at the overall sales force problem, we focus on the interplay between the data mining and optimization components, making sure to formulate the two aspects in a jointly tractable and effective manner. We perform a sensitivity analysis of the optimization component to provide further insight into the interaction between prediction and prescription. Finally, we provide an empirical study using real-world data from a large technology company's sales force. Our results demonstrate that by using these analytics, we can increase revenue by 15%.
Studies of the impaired inducibility in relaxed mutants of Escherichia coli.

Abstract Escherichia coli RC rel strains exhibit an unusually long induction lag following unbalanced RNA synthesis. Only induced enzyme synthesis is impaired; general protein synthesis and constitutive enzyme production occur during this period. The excess induction lag is a direct consequence of the prior unbalanced RNA synthesis and responds to the presence or absence of an exogenous energy source. Enhanced catabolite or specific repressions do not appear to be causal.
The role of electrophoresis in disease biomarker discovery

There has been increased activity in the last few years in the search for disease markers using fractionation of complex biological fluids combined with MS. While electrophoretic and chromatographic separations have played a major role in this endeavor, this manuscript is limited to a review of electrophoretic methods that have been established for disease biomarker discovery. These methods include 2-DE, difference gel electrophoresis (DIGE), and CE. We define what constitutes a biomarker, identify the steps required for establishing a biomarker, and describe the parameters needed in the design of an ideal diagnostic test. The application, advantages, and limitations of CE, DIGE, and 2-DE in meeting the goal of discovering novel biomarkers is discussed in detail, along with a few selected examples that illustrate the search for biomarkers for cancer and neurological diseases.
Lipid-enhancement of activated sludges obtained from conventional activated sludge and oxidation ditch processes

Lipid-enhancement of activated sludges was conducted to increase the amount of saponifiable lipids in the sludges. The sludges were obtained from a conventional activated sludge (CAS) and an oxidation ditch process (ODP). Results showed 59–222% and 150–250% increase in saponifiable lipid content of the sludges from CAS and ODP, respectively. The fatty acid methyl ester (FAMEs) obtained from triacylglycerides was 57–67% (of total FAMEs) for enhanced CAS and 55–73% for enhanced ODP, a very significant improvement from 6% to 10% (CAS) and 4% to 8% (ODP). Regardless of the source, the enhancement resulted in sludges with similar fatty acid profile indicating homogenization of the lipids in the sludges. This study provides a potential strategy to utilize existing wastewater treatment facilities as source of significant amount of lipids for biofuel applications.
A wholistic model for teaching computer and information science: learning on a WhIM

This paper outlines a general model for developing the requirements and constraints for the construction of computer science and information education programmes. The model is based upon two key principles: 1) the integration of the elements of information, technology, and people, and 2) the progression of students through higher (more abstract) levels of information leadership. Together, these form the curriculum framework for a Wholistic Information Model, or WhIM. The resulting integration of information, technology, and people into a unified leadership framework serves as an alternative to topical structuring of content for teaching computer and information science, instead introducing core concepts at an early stage and reintroducing them in innovative ways 'across the curriculum'. As illustration, we outline application of the model in an introductory IS/IT course in a university setting.
Morphology of polythiophene films produced via surface polymerization by ion-assisted deposition: A combined experimental and computational study

Control of film morphology is widely recognized as one of the limiting factors in the development of conjugated polymers for photonic and electronic applications. Surface polymerization by ion-assisted deposition (SPIAD) is shown to drive film morphology. A wide variety of structures form in the SPIAD polythiophene films, including islands, lamellar structures, nanoscale crystallites, and fractal-like growth patterns. Density functional theory-molecular dynamic simulations are utilized to illustrate the manner in the incident ions affect polymerization, bond dissociation, and other chemical events in SPIAD. These ion-assisted events mediate thermal processes such as neutral deposition, sublimation, diffusion, and dewetting. However, these thermal processes are on longer timescales that cannot be directly studied by the computational techniques reported here.
Analytical model and experimental characterization of a dielectric elastomer annulus actuator undergoing large quasi-static deformation

An analytical model of a thin annulus made of a dielectric elastomer was derived in our earlier work. It is the focus of this paper to fabricate and test the electroactive polymer actuators presented in the model. Radial displacement measurements were obtained using a digital image correlation technique that involved cross-correlating images of the actuator before and after a change in the electric field. Results showed that the two-term Ogden material model provided a good agreement with experimental data. Hysteresis of the dielectric actuators was observed. Radial displacements of material points on the actuator varied between two consecutive tests which may indicate that strain has history-dependent characteristics.
Learning human behavioral profiles in a cyber environment

Fast and efficient delivery of targeted and personalized advertisements has become a staple in E-commerce. The field of market research targeting in online environments has seen extensive research on the topic of customer targeting, but most of the information detailing the process of profiling is closely guarded by the industry. Much of what is available tells that information such as cookies and browsing history are used to target customers, associating keywords with specific groups of inventory. We designed and conducted a web-based shopping experiment with fifty participants to observe how people of different backgrounds and experiences make decisions. The experiment investigates whether or not it is possible to learn repeatable patterns of behavior through data mining techniques to determine the profile of an online shopper solely based upon outside observation. Our results suggest that by recording the actions taken and time spent on each decision, one may be able to use statistical models to discern demographic information such as gender and infer connections between the shopper and the gift recipient. This brings optimism to the idea that by examining action data and the target of the actions, our methods could be used to determine the identities of online shoppers. Further, these methods could be tested in other online environments to determine identities, in cases such as online fraud or other issues related to cyber security.
A micromechanical analysis of the coupled thermomechanical superelastic response of textured and untextured polycrystalline NiTi shape memory alloys

Abstract In this paper a micromechanical model that incorporates single crystal constitutive relationships is used for studying the pseudoelastic response of polycrystalline shape memory alloys (SMAs). In the micromechanical framework, the stress-free transformation strains of the possible martensite twinned structures, correspondence variant pairs (CVPs), obtained from the crystallographic data of NiTi are used, and the overall transformation strain is obtained by defining a set of martensitic volume fractions corresponding to active CVPs during phase transformation. The local form of the first law of thermodynamics is used and the energy balance relation for the polycrystalline SMAs is obtained. Generalized coupled thermomechanical governing equations considering the phase transformation latent heat are derived for polycrystalline SMAs. A three-dimensional finite element framework is used and different polycrystalline samples are modeled based on Voronoi tessellations. By considering appropriate distributions of crystallographic orientations in the grains obtained from experimental texture measurements of NiTi samples, the effects of texture and the tension–compression asymmetry in polycrystalline SMAs are studied. The interaction between the stress state (tensile or compressive), the number of grains and the texture on the mechanical response of polycrystalline SMAs is studied. It is found that the number of grains (or size) affects both the stress–strain response and the phase transformation propagation in the material. In addition to tensile and compressive loadings, textured and untextured NiTi micropillars with different sizes are also studied in bending. The coupled thermomechanical framework is used for analyzing the effect of loading rate and the phase transformation latent heat on the response of both textured and untextured samples. It is shown that the temperature changes due to the heat generation during phase transformation can affect the propagation of martensite in samples subjected to high strain rates.
Transport of γ-interferon into the cell nucleus may be mediated by nuclear membrane receptors

Abstract Purified mouse interferon gamma (MuIFN-γ), a lymphokine having potent antiviral, immunomodulatory, and growth inhibitory activities is internalized ( t 1 2 ) by mouse L929 fibroblasts via receptor-mediated endocytosis. Individual MuIFN-γ molecules, identified by a postembedding immuno-gold technique, are then transported to the cell nucleus, perhaps through nuclear pores, into areas of dense chromatin. Purified, isolated nuclei of L929 cells bind radiolabeled MuIFN-γ specifically and with high affinity (Kd = 2×10−10 M). These nuclear membrane receptors, distinct from those for MuIFN-β, number about 24,000/nucleus. Treatment of nuclei with trypsin prevents binding of MuIFN-γ. The demonstration of rapid cellular uptake and transport of MuIFN-γ into the dense chromatin, perhaps facilitated by nuclear receptors, suggests that IFN-γ molecules, alone or bound to receptor, may directly affect genome regulation.
Irrigation versus suction alone during laparoscopic appendectomy for perforated appendicitis: a prospective randomized trial.

Background:The efficacy of irrigating the peritoneal cavity during appendectomy for perforated appendicitis has been debated extensively. To date, prospective comparative data are lacking. Therefore, we conducted a prospective, randomized trial comparing peritoneal irrigation to suction alone during
Electronic properties of Zr-doped TiSe2

Abstract Electrical resistivity measurements on substitutionally-Zr-doped TiSe 2 show that the 202 K phase transition in pure TiSe 2 is suppressed by 14 atomic percent Zr. This is the concentration at which the samples are estimated to undergo a semimetal-semiconductor transformation. These results, together with limited electrical resistivity measurements on Te-doped TiSe 2 , indicate that both electrons and holes are necessary for the 202 K phase transition to occur.
Winter precipitation intensity and ENSO/PDO variability in the Willamette Valley of Oregon

There is growing concern about the effects of inter-annual climatic variability, such as the El-Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), on regional hydrology and water resources. We analysed patterns of wintertime precipitation intensity, using both simple intensity and number of heavy precipitation days per year, for eight stations in northwestern Oregon's Willamette Valley for the period 1972–2006, and examined the separate and combined influence of ENSO and PDO on precipitation intensity. The analysis was accomplished using Kendall's tau and analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine differences in precipitation intensity among combinations of positive and negative ENSO and PDO phases. The results suggest that the relation between ENSO phase and precipitation intensity is negative in November and positive in April, while the relation between PDO and intensity is negative and strongest in January and March. These varying seasonal associations with ENSO/PDO phase may be related to the Willamette Valley's location in the transitional zone between positive and negative El Nino response and to the moderating effects of out-of-phase ENSO/PDO. This seasonal variability of heavy rainfall has implications for the quantity and quality of regional water resources. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Changes in golf clubface orientation following impact with the ball

A successful golf shot involves a coordinated set of segmental movements leading to a precise movement direction and orientation of the clubface at impact with the ball. This study measured the movement path and speed of the clubhead as well as clubface orientation and impact location during the golf swing. In addition, changes in clubhead speed and clubface orientation resulting from impact were investigated. A group of 28 golfers with handicaps ranging from 0 to 36 each hit 14 shots with a driver and 5-iron in a controlled laboratory hitting station while standing on turf. Three dimensional video analysis techniques were used to measure the precise movement and orientation of the clubface before, at, and after impact with the ball. At impact, a wide range of values were found for measures of clubface loft, open/closed, and tilt angles, for the direction and speed of movement of the clubhead, and for ball impact location on the clubface. Speed decreased substantially because of impact, and the clubface loft and open/closed angles changed in a manner determined by impact location. An average oblique axis was determined on the clubface that minimized the changes in loft and open/closed angles. This axis was roughly parallel to the shaft orientation and is likely to be related to a `sweetspot' near the centre of the club for optimal impact.
Scalar field quantization on the (2+1)-dimensional black hole background.

The quantization of a massless conformally coupled scalar field on the (2+1)-dimensional anti-de Sitter black hole background is presented. The Green's function is calculated, using the fact that the black hole is anti-de Sitter space with points identified, and taking into account the fact that the black hole spacetime is not globally hyperbolic. It is shown that the Green's function calculated in this way is the Hartle-Hawking Green's function. The Green's function is used to compute $〈{T}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}^{\ensuremath{\mu}}〉$, which is regular on the black hole horizon, and diverges at the singularity. A particle detector response function outside the horizon is also calculated and shown to be a Fermi-type distribution. The back reaction from $〈{T}_{\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\nu}}〉$ is calculated exactly and is shown to give rise to a curvature singularity at $r=0$ and to shift the horizon outward. For $M=0$ a horizon develops, shielding the singularity. Some speculations about the end point of evaporation are discussed.
The Effects of Delayed and Displaced Visual Feedback on Motor Control

Developments in television technology have made possible new approaches to the study of the role of visual feedback in motor control. In two experiments using a special videodisc recording and playback system, the effects of delaying for 66 msec a subject’s view of his own hand during a target-directed movement were investigated. The observed effects of such visually delayed feedback compared to spatially distorted feedback produced by prisms led to three major conclusions: (a) despite the behavioral similarity (overshooting) induced by the two kinds of altered feedback, the role of each in the visual motor control loop is different; (b) adaptation to and the aftereffect of the two kinds of altered feedback are based on different control mechanisms; (c) the processing and use of visual information in hand control requires less time than previous experiments have indicated.
The TEL gene and human leukemia

Chromosomal translocations have provided valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of leukemogenesis in humans. Examples of genes implicated in pathogenesis of hematologic malignancy by virtue of involvement in translocation breakpoints include the PML-RARa fusion associated with t(15;17) acute promyelocytic leukemia (APML, refs. 1–3), the AML1-ETO fusion associated with t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia (AML, ref.4), the CBFs-MYHII fusion associated with inv(16) acute myelomonocytic leukemia and eosinophilia (5), and MLL fusions at 11q23 breakpoints with various fusion proteins associated with acute myeloid leukemias (6).
A histological study of the carrageenan‐induced granuloma in the rat lung

Intralobular injection of 0.17 ml of 2% carrageenan, through a ventral slit in the trachea of rats, induced localised areas of inflammation with a high survival rate. This inflammation was characterised by immediate polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) infiltration into the interstitial and alveolar spaces followed in 4 days by replacement of the PMNs by carrageenan-containing macrophages. Between days 10 to 70, the macrophages rapidly increased in size and accumulated numerous large vacuoles which stained for the presence of carrageenan. Several macrophages were so large that they each filled an entire alveolar space. From days 70 to 205, the macrophage appearance was unchanged except that the staining of their carrageenan-containing vacuoles was less metachromatic with toluidine blue. Fibrosis was first noted at day 205 and consisted of several small granulomas located near large airways and blood vessels. These granulomas had a central area filled with macrophages and a peripheral zone consisting of fibroblasts, new collagen, scattered macrophages and blood vessels. The morphology of the macrophages remained essentially unchanged from days 205 to 500 but by day 500, the macrophages were found only in numerous pockets within the inflamed lobe. They still stained positive for the presence of carrageenan at day 500. The extreme longevity of these macrophages and the lack of significant fibrosis may be due to the "un-naturalness", indigestibility, and low toxicity of the irritant, carrageenan. In addition, their size and numerous vacuoles may have inhibited their movement and subsequent removal from the lung. The paucity of significant fibrosis may be due to the lack or inhibition of a "fibroblast stimulating factor" released by the macrophages or possibly the collagen was degraded as soon as it was synthesised. This carrageenan-induced inflammation is a very suitable for the study of alveolar macrophages but appears to be inappropriate for the study of pulmonary fibrosis.
Sensor fingerprint digests for fast camera identification from geometrically distorted images

In camera identification using sensor fingerprint, it is absolutely essential that the fingerprint and the noise residual from a given test image be synchronized. If the signals are desynchronized due to a geometrical transformation, fingerprint detection becomes significantly more complicated. Besides constructing the detector in an invariant transform domain (which limits the type of the geometrical transformation) a more general approach is to maximize the generalized likelihood ratio with respect to the transform parameters, which requires a potentially expensive search and numerous resamplings of the entire image (or fingerprint). In this paper, we propose a measure that significantly reduces the search complexity by reducing the need to resample the entire image to a much smaller subset of the signal called the fingerprint digest. The technique can be applied to an arbitrary geometrical distortion that does not involve spatial shifts, such as digital zoom and non-linear lens-distortion correction.
A model of adaptation in amphibian spindle receptors.

Abstract A mathematical model, explaining the adaptation commonly seen in the response of amphibian muscle spindle receptors to sudden increases in muscle length, is developed. It is shown that interaction between supposed mechanical properties of the reticulated and dense zones of intrafusal fibers could be the sole source of this adaptation. The model also displays the characteristic response of spindle receptors to intrafusal motor stimulation. The validity of this model appears easily tested.
How Rho exerts its muscle on RNA.

Rho factor in bacteria terminates transcription by using energy from ATP hydrolysis to forcefully dissociate the transcripts from RNA polymerase. Adelman et al. (2006) used data from presteady-state ATPase kinetics to support a rational mechanistic model for Rho's action on RNA.
E-discovery revisited: the need for artificial intelligence beyond information retrieval

In this work, we provide a broad overview of the distinct stages of E-Discovery. We portray them as an interconnected, often complex workflow process, while relating them to the general Electronic Discovery Reference Model (EDRM). We start with the definition of E-Discovery. We then describe the very positive role that NIST's Text REtrieval Conference (TREC) has added to the science of E-Discovery, in terms of the tasks involved and the evaluation of the legal discovery work performed. Given the critical nature that data analysis plays at various stages of the process, we present a pyramid model, which complements the EDRM model: for gathering and hosting; indexing; searching and navigating; and finally consolidating and summarizing E-Discovery findings. Next we discuss where the current areas of need and areas of growth appear to be, using one of the field's most authoritative surveys of providers and consumers of E-Discovery products and services. We subsequently address some areas of Artificial Intelligence, both Information Retrieval-related and not, which promise to make future contributions to the E-Discovery discipline. Some of these areas include data mining applied to e-mail and social networks, classification and machine learning, and the technologies that will enable next generation E-Discovery. The lesson we convey is that the more IR researchers and others understand the broader context of E-Discovery, including the stages that occur before and after primary search, the greater will be the prospects for broader solutions, creative optimizations and synergies yet to be tapped.
Assessing the Assessors: Correlating Democracy Methodologies

This paper considers the question of how to “measure” democracy i.e. attach an objective, or at least standardized, quantitative value to a nation or polity’s level of democracy. A number of instruments have been independently developed with this aim in mind. To what extent do they measure the same phenomenon, and how closely are their findings correlated? This study finds a significant variance between recent data from three democracy assessment instruments analyzed. This is an important question not only for academic research, but also for policy-makers, as increasingly important decisions such as the allocation of foreign aid are predicted upon assessments of a country’s level of adherence to democratic practices.
Fatigue Analysis Methods: Their Performance Evaluation for a Class of Pressure Vessels With Welded Joints

This paper provides a basis for evaluating the performance of a fatigue analysis method for a selected class of welded pressure vessels. After the allowable number of cycles that the method permits for a member of the class is calculated, the question is addressed whether that number of cycles can be regarded as conservative or unconservative. To answer that question, a performance evaluation is proposed that requires a mean life estimate of a representative sample of the selected vessel class from tests, and the predicted mean life and the permissible number of cycles from the method. The performance is based on the ratio of two factors: (1) Achieved Factor – test mean life cycles divided by the permissible number of cycles, and (2) Assigned Factor – predicted mean life cycles divided by the permissible number of cycles. The ratio between the former and the latter defines a Performance Index, which indicates whether, and to what extent, the permissible number of cycles can be regarded conservative or unconservative. For an illustration of the performance evaluation, it is applied to three methods for a class of pressurecycled carbon steel vessels with welded-on flat plates.
Induction of defense gene homologues in wheat roots during interactions with Pseudomonas fluorescens.

Abstract Specific strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens directly inhibit soilborne fungal pathogens of Triticum aestivum (wheat) during colonization of the wheat rhizosphere, but until now the impact of these beneficial bacteria on wheat gene expression was unknown. To test the hypothesis that P. fluorescens induces defense genes in wheat roots, we constructed a custom microarray of 192 oligonucleotides representing 84 wheat root expressed sequence tags (ESTs) homologous to defense/stress genes from Arabidopsis, tomato, rice, and barley, and 11 candidate root developmental genes. The ESTs were selected from existing wheat root EST libraries. Arrays were interrogated with Alexa Fluor 546-labeled transcript (cDNA) populations from roots or coleoptiles of cultivar Finley or lines 442 or 443, near-isogenic for the cold temperature-dependent vrn1A flowering locus, four days after seed inoculation with the take-all-suppressive strain P. fluorescens Q8r1-96. Twenty-two transcripts encoding Ca2+-dependent protein kinases, components of the oxidative stress, cold stress and jasmonic acid pathways, and proteins associated with the hypersensitive response were induced or repressed in wheat roots during P. fluorescens interactions. Transcripts encoding pathogenesis-related protein Pr-10a and hypersensitive response protein HRin1 also were induced in coleoptiles. Real-time PCR demonstrated that eleven transcripts were induced in root tissue between 2 and 6 h and remained elevated at 24 h post-inoculation. Our findings suggest that biocontrol P. fluorescens modulates defense/stress gene expression in wheat roots.
A Numerical Model for the Dynamics and Composition of the Venusian Thermosphere

Abstract The structure, composition and winds of the mesosphere and thermosphere of Venus are investigated using a nonlinear time-dependent hydrodynamic model. The assumption that all variables depend only on altitude and distance from subsolar point allows a two-dimensional formulation of the problem. Within this framework the model provides an entirely self-consistent treatment of the multi-component fluid. The system solved consists of four time-dependent equations for motion, temperature, and the distributions of O and CO, and two diagnostic equations representing continuity and hydrostatic balance for the total fluid. The model is forced by absorption of solar radiation which provides heating of molecules and dissociation of CO2 into CO and O. A large-scale circulation is calculated, the gross features of which-resemble those derived in an earlier simplified model, consisting of a single cell with rising motion on the dayside, sinking motion on the nightside, and a day-to-night horizontal flow. This ...
Information structure constraints on object marking in Manyika

Abstract Object markers in Bantu languages have commonly been analysed as either agreement morphemes or incorporated pronouns. This paper documents a number of empirical facts concerning object marking in Manyika (chiShona), showing that the distribution of object marking does not fit the predictions of either the agreement or pronominalisation accounts. Specifically, we show that doubling of the object marker and the noun phrase object is in principle possible, but is constrained in a number of instances by the information structure status of the object. This paper therefore makes two distinct claims: first, Manyika object markers (and perhaps other object markers in Bantu languages) ought to be analysed under the rubric of clitics, rather than as agreement morphemes or incorporated pronouns. Second, we claim that the constraints on clitic-doubling are not dependably syntactic in nature; instead, co-occurrence of an object marker and an object is licensed (or not) based on whether the object is in a non-...
Differential algebraic methods for single particle dynamics studies of the University of Maryland electron ring

The University of Maryland electron ring is a small low energy machine for the study of space-charge dominated beams. Differential algebraic methods as implemented in COSY INFINITY offer an accurate method to study and analyze single particle nonlinear dynamics. As a starting point for space-charge related studies, we undertook a comprehensive examination of the single particle nonlinear dynamics based on differential algebra methods. Quantities such as tunes, chromaticities, dispersion, amplitude dependent tune shifts, and resonance strengths were calculated, and robustness of the solutions with respect to errors tested. The model demonstrated that the earth’s magnetic field has a significant impact on the beam, and adds rich dynamics even in the absence of space charge. Initially we determined the tunes for which an injection-free idealization of the ring had the largest dynamic aperture. Our study then showed that the actual ring also had the largest dynamic aperture at these same tunes, and at these tunes was also least sensitive to errors. Comparison of predicted beam trajectories with measured data showed that the model was accurate for the examined area.
Mechanistic Insights from Modeling the Substrate Translocation Path of the Bacterial Glutamate Transporter Homologue GltPh

The membrane protein GltPh, a bacterial homologue of eukaryotic Excitatory Amino Acid Transporters (EAATs), is an important prototype in the study of glutamate reuptake mechanisms that terminate synaptic transmission and prevent excitotoxicity in the brain. Crystal structures of GltPh in various function-related states have provided key insights into conformational changes associated with the translocation path of substrate reuptake, and have enabled the computational modeling of intermediate GltPh structures connecting these states. Still, many details of these molecular changes, which could help integrate results from various experimental approaches, have remained unexplored. To investigate such detailed changes, we have modeled the translocation path of GltPh with a variant of targeted Molecular Dynamics (sTMD-MD) that combines stepwise targeted motion and long, unrestrained equilibrations. The structural inferences regarding intermediate steps in the modeled translocation path agree well with those from MP-MD and sTMD computations, including the observation of intermediate trimer asymmetry (average monomer-monomer RMSDs<4A), relative domain movements, and protein-protein interface changes. A new finding is that the TM3-4 loop, previously suggested to play an essential role in GltPh's substrate transport, undergoes remarkable changes in both conformational and dynamic properties during transition from the outward- to inward-facing end states. Some structural differences between results from the present path calculation and findings from MP-MD are identified in the TM1-TM5 and HP1/2,TM7 region (<5A), TM3 (<3A) and TM3-4 loop (<8A). Together, these computational modeling studies have produced specific predictions amenable to experimental testing, e.g. with FRET/EPR and cross-linking experiments, in the form of predicted residue-specific proximity and accessibility along the translocation path.
Oxone/Fe2+ Degradation of Food Dyes: Demonstration of Catalyst-Like Behavior and Kinetic Separation of Color

A demonstration of the degradation of food coloring dyes by oxidation via the Fenton reaction can be substituted with a simpler demonstration using the oxidant oxone with iron(II) ions as an activator. The addition of small amounts of solid oxone and iron(II) sulfate to solutions containing mixtures of food coloring results in successive degradation of food dyes within minutes, also showing a kinetic separation of color. Because food dyes of different colors degrade at different rates, successive changes in color during degradation can be observed for various dye mixtures. Catalyst-like behavior is also demonstrated; in the absence of a transition metal such as iron to activate the oxone, negligible color degradation is observed within the time frame of the demonstration. The demonstration presents an opportunity to introduce topics such as structural characteristics of organic chromophores, the catalyst-like behavior of a transition metal, the practical importance of chemical kinetics, and challenges inv...
Postrelease Rate of Loss of Juvenile Red Drum Stocked out of Season in the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, Florida

Abstract Rates of loss of juvenile red drum Sciaenops ocellatus (∼85 mm total length) stocked out of season were estimated using hatchery releases and ultrasonically tagged fish in Pumpkin and May creeks in the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge on the Gulf coast of Florida. In Pumpkin Creek, approximately 7,000 of the 10,000 fish released on 27 June 2000 survived combined transport mortality (2%) and 24-h acute mortality (28 ± 8.7% [mean ± SE] n = 6). In May Creek, approximately 5,100 of the 10,000 fish released on 29 June 2000 survived combined transport (7.5–10%) and 24-h acute (44 ± 0%, n = 2) mortality. Catch curve estimates of the instantaneous “rate of loss” (mortality or emigration) within 5 d were 0.46/d and 0.50/d for Pumpkin and May creeks, respectively. Red drum with ultrasonic transmitters (n = 12) also rapidly “disappeared” from the creeks within 4 d after release. These are the first estimates of postrelease rate of loss for juvenile red drum released out of season on the west coast of...
Feature detection using 2D Wiener spike filters

The authors presents an algorithm for computing two-dimensional convolution filters that can detect characters and other image features by generalizing the previously derived one- dimensional Wiener Spike Filter. The author motivates the technique of Wiener Spike Filter design, provides a formal derivation for the two-dimensional generalization, gives a sample example, and describes the results of applying the technique to the task of detecting and recognizing specific English characters. The procedure can be easily adapted to recognize any specific feature that can be expressed as an image.
Alkylation of deoxyguanosine by the sesquiterpene lactone hymenoxon

Abstract Hymenoxon, a toxic sesquiterpene lactone found in the ruminant forage plant Hymenoxys odorata , binds deoxyguanosine in a cell-free system, and forms adducted guanine residues in sheep lymphocyte DNA. Mitogen-stimulated DNA synthesis in lymphocytes was inhibited by hymenoxon at concentrations greater than 100 μM. Unscheduled DNA synthesis in lymphocytes was initiated by hymenoxon concentrations exceeding 50 μM, and inhibited by concentrations above 100 μM. We describe an HPLC method which separates unmodified hymenoxon and deoxyguanosine from the hymenoxon-deoxyguanosine adduct, and allows the quantitation of adducts in hymenoxon-treated cells.
Organic molecules released from olivine by impact fracture

To evaluate the possible inventory of organic matter on the prebiotic Earth efforts have been concentrated on reactions in the atmosphere. Examples are the classic Miller-Urey experiments, using electric discharges, and photochemistry. Minerals have been considered only with respect to their surfaces which provide potential sites for catalytic activity, or as templates for the synthesis of complex organic molecules out of simple precursors.
Computational Anatomy to Assess Longitudinal Trajectory of Brain Growth

This paper addresses the challenging problem of statistics on images by describing average and variability. We describe computational anatomy tools for building 3-D and spatio-temporal 4-D atlases of volumetric image data. The method is based on the previously published concept of unbiased atlas building, calculating the nonlinear average image of a population of images by simultaneous nonlinear deformable registration. Unlike linear averaging, the resulting center average image is sharp and encodes the average structure and geometry of the whole population. Variability is encoded in the set of deformation maps. As a new extension, longitudinal change is assessed by quantifying local deformation between atlases taken at consecutive time points. Morphological differences between groups are analyzed by the same concept but comparing group-specific atlases. Preliminary tests demonstrate that the atlas building shows excellent robustness and a very good convergence, i.e. atlases start to stabilize after 5 images only and do not show significant changes when including more than 10 volumetric images taken from the same population.
Cohort analysis: W.H. Frost's contributions to the epidemiology of tuberculosis and chronic disease.

Although Wade Hampton Frost was not the first to develop cohort analysis, it was the post-humous publication of his study of age and time trends of tuberculosis mortality that directed attention to this method of analysis. Frost's developing interest in and contributions to the epidemiology of chronic disease are reviewed in connection with a summary of his professional career.
Hohlraum-driven ignitionlike double-shell implosions on the omega laser facility.

High-convergence ignition-like double-shell implosion experiments have been performed on the Omega laser facility [T.R. Boehly et al., Opt. Commun. 133, 495 (1997)] using cylindrical gold hohlraums with 40 drive beams. For the first time, repeatable, dominant primary (2.45 MeV) neutron production from the mix-susceptible compressional phase of a double-shell implosion, using fall-line design optimization and exacting fabrication standards, is demonstrated. Effective control of fuel-pusher mix during final compression is essential for achieving noncryogenic ignition with double-shell targets on the National Ignition Facility [Paisner et al., Laser Focus World 30, 75 (1994)].
Nanomechanical Properties of Polymers Determined From Nanoindentation Experiments

The nanomechanical properties of various polymers were examined in light of nanoindentation experiments performed with a diamond tip of nominal radius of curvature of about 20 μm under conditions of maximum contact load in the range of 150-600 μN and loading/unloading rates between 7.5 and 600 μN/s. The elastic modulus of each polymer was determined from the unloading material response using the compliance method, whereas the hardness was calculated as the maximum contact load divided by the corre-sponding projected area, obtained from the known tip shape function. It is shown that while the elastic modulus decreases with increasing indentation depth, the polymer hard-ness tends to increase, especially for the polymers possessing amorphous microstructures or less crystallinity. Differences in the material properties, surface adhesion, and time-dependent deformation behavior are interpreted in terms of the microstructure, crystallinity, and surface chemical state of the polymers. Results obtained at different maximum loads and loading rates demonstrate that the nanoindentation technique is an effective method of differentiating the mechanical behavior of polymeric materials with different microstructures.
An Autonomous Dance Scoring System Using Marker-based Motion Capture

In this paper, we present a dance scoring system developed using marker-based motion capture. The dance score is outputted in form of Labanotation. Promising results have been obtained using the proposed dance scoring system
Relations among cognitive, semantic, and syntactic variables in children's comprehension of the minimum distance principle: A 2-year developmental study

Theoretical issues regarding cognitive aspects of the semantic interpretation of two syntactic structures were examined. A 2-year study was conducted investigating possible developmental trends in children's sentence-processing strategies. Experimental materials incorporated two levels of role expectations and two levels of syntactic complexity. Subjects were initially 6–10 years old; 12 original subjects from each age group were retested a year later. Exceptional and typical syntactic structures were not of significantly different difficulty either year. Semantic and cognitive complexity, as reflected in the two levels of expectation, was significant both years (p<0.001). Performance improved, over the 12-month period, in all but the 7- to 8-year-old group (p<0.005). Results are discussed with reference to cognitive strategies in sentence processing.
Iterative solutions to non-linear fourth order differential equations through multi-integral methods

Implicit solution to a certain class of non-linear fourth order differential equation is presented. Bounds on sup norm for the derivative of a certain function f involved in the equation with different boundary values, are computed. These bounds provide the rate of convergence of the iterative sequence of approximate solutions obtained by Picard method, to the exact solution.
Risk and uncertainty: Shifting decision making for aneuploidy screening to the first trimester of pregnancy

Purpose: The clinical introduction of first trimester aneuploidy screening uniquely challenges the informed consent process for both patients and providers. This study investigated key aspects of the decision-making process for this new form of prenatal genetic screening. Methods: Qualitative data were collected by nine focus groups that comprised women of different reproductive histories (N = 46 participants). Discussions explored themes regarding patient decision making for first trimester aneuploidy screening. Sessions were audio recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed to identify themes. Results: Multiple levels of uncertainty characterize the decision-making process for first trimester aneuploidy screening. Baseline levels of uncertainty existed for participants in the context of an early pregnancy and the debate about the benefit of fetal genetic testing in general. Additional sources of uncertainty during the decision-making process were generated from weighing the advantages and disadvantages of initiating screening in the first trimester as opposed to waiting until the second. Questions of the quality and quantity of information and the perceived benefit of earlier access to fetal information were leading themes. Barriers to access prenatal care in early pregnancy presented participants with additional concerns about the ability to make informed decisions about prenatal genetic testing. Conclusions: The option of the first trimester aneuploidy screening test in early pregnancy generates decision-making uncertainty that can interfere with the informed consent process. Mechanisms must be developed to facilitate informed decision making for this new form of prenatal genetic screening.
The Impact of Continuous and Interval Cycle Exercise on Affect and Enjoyment

Rates of physical activity remain low despite public health efforts. One form of physical activity that provides significant physiological benefit but has not been evaluated in terms of affective and enjoyment responses is interval exercise. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare affect and enjoyment assessed before, during, and after interval and continuous exercise sessions. Method: Twenty-four participants (12 men, 12 women; body mass index = 24 ± 4, maximal oxygen consumption = 41 ± 5 mL/kg/min) completed a maximal cycle ergometer test used to prescribe experimental trials: (a) moderate continuous, (b) heavy continuous, (c) heavy interval, and (d) severe interval. All trials were 20 min in length, and all intervals utilized 60-s segments and a 1:1 work-to-rest ratio. Results: Affective and enjoyment responses were significantly less positive for the heavy continuous trials in comparison with all other trials during exercise (p < .05; ES = .2–.8). Additionally, both severe and heavy interval...