cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DNA melting and promoter clearance by eukaryotic RNA polymerase I.

Ribosomal RNA transcription initiation requires the melting of DNA to form an open complex, formation of the first few phosphodiester bonds, commencement of RNA polymerase I movement along the DNA, clearance of the promoter, and the formation of a steady-state ternary elongation complex. We examined DNA melting and promoter clearance by using potassium permanganate, diethylpyrocarbonate and methidiumpropylEDTA.Fe(II) footprinting. In combination, these methods demonstrated: (1) TIF-IB and RNA polymerase I are the only proteins required for formation of an initial approximately 9 base-pair open promoter region. This finding contradicts earlier results using diethylpyrocarbonate alone, which suggested an RNA synthesis requirement for stable melting. (2) DNA melting is temperature-dependent, with a tm between 15 and 20 degrees C. (3) Temperature-dependency of melting, as well as stalling the polymerase at sites close to the transcription start site revealed that the melted DNA region initially opens upstream of the transcription initiation site, and enlarges in a downstream direction coordinate with initiation, eventually attaining a steady-state transcription bubble of approximately 19 base-pairs. (4) The RNA-DNA hybrid protects the template DNA from single-strand footprinting reagents. The hybrid is 9 bp in length, consistent with the longer hybrid estimated by some for the Escherichia coli polymerase and with the hybrids estimated for eukaryotic polymerases II and III.
Electronics dictionaries: A survey

Reviews of several electronic dictionaries are presented. As part of the review process, to determine how up-to-date these dictionaries are, the reviewer chose 50 words (such as artificial intelligence, backplane, digital switching, graded-index fiber, and virtual circuit) that he believed should be in a recent dictionary, even though a writing/publishing cycle could take up to 3 years. Then the dictionaries were checked against this list to arrive at a Current Factor for each.
Characteristics and capabilities of the hyperspectral imaging microscope

Single-pass multispectral imaging enables applications ranging from whole-chromosome painting to gene mapping. We have developed a prototype Hyperspectral Imaging Microscope (HIM) Workstation to take advantage of multispectral imaging analysis on a single pass. We trade a full specimen image on a single pass for a full emission spectrum on a single pass. The prototype HI microscope collects the visible emission spectrum from a microscope slide by multiple exposures of the CCD camera as it steps across the slide. On each step, one dimension is space and the other is wavelength. The software correlates spatial and spectral information with minimal or no use of optical filters, offering important advantages over a standard epi-fluorescence microscope.
An External Heavy Ion Source for the Berkeley 88-Inch Cyclotron

A heavy ion source of the PIG type has been installed on the axial injection line at the 88-Inch Cyclotron. It is now in the testing phase. Arc powers up to 4 kW have been run, and hydrogen and nitrogen beams have been injected and accelerated in the cyclotron.
The use of Brauman's least squares approach for the quantification of deuterated chlorophenols.

The least squares method for the solution of ion overlap problems in quantitative mass spectrometry first introduced by Brauman1,2 was used to quantify isotopic mixtures of chlorophenol derivatives. The samples analyzed consisted of the chlorophenols resulting from the cytochrome P-450 mediated oxidation of isotopic mixtures of chlorobenzenes, and were analyzed on a VG-7070 double-focusing mass spectrometer. The application of this method is described and its advantages are highlighted. In some instances the use of the least squares methods resulted in smaller standard deviations of the means of replicate analyses. Significant features of the technique include its simplicity of use, the universality of its application to all cases of ion overlap and its inherent ability to detect erroneous data, e.g. that due to the presence of impurities or mass spectral parameter variation.
The epigenetic instruction manual for the operation of the genome.

The factors composing the instruction manual for the operation of the genome are, at least initially, of maternal origin and supplied in the egg; they are postulated to be reproduced only slowly, if at all, during growth. This would insure that, as the size of the animal increases, the concentrations of these factors would decline. The progressive decline is postulated to sequentially trigger appropriate master genes, each of which is turned on or off by precise concentrations of these regulatory factors; each master gene in turn specifies a specific pattern of subsidiary gene expression. This formulation can explain how a divided early embryo can grow into two nearly perfect but miniature larvae. The concentration of the regulatory factors would reach a nadir when growth stops and then gradually recover. The increasing concentration after puberty might tend to activate the genome in reverse order and thus contribute to senescence.
Urinary schistosomiasis in childhood.

,omiasis comprises a group of chronic dised by blood flukes. Three species of schisre clinically important: Schistosoma man~onicum, and S. haematobium. S. mansoni )nicum colonize the portal circulation and estinal schistosomiasis. S. haematobium the veins of the bladder and distal ureter :s urinary schistosomiasis (bilharziasis). 1 estimated that 200 to 300 million people :d with schistosomiasis worldwide. Eighty lion people are infected by S. haemato: vast majority of these cases are found in Memic regions, s. haematobium is found through~t the African continent, including the islands of i~dagascar and Mauritius. In southwest Asia, it is ~nd in Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Syria, rkey, Iraq, and Iran. ~ S. haematobium is not transited in the United States because the appropriate itermediate host snail necessary for asexual repro~ tion of the parasite is absent. However, the ret increase in immigrant populations from enicrnic countries has introduced into the United ;ates a population of patients infected with S. iematobium Urologists in the United States are !~reasingt_y diagnosing and treating patients with :rtnary schistosomiasis. Between December 1991 ndJanuary 1994 we have diagnosed and treated 7 Nldren with schistosomiasis at Children's Hospital !d Health Center, San Diego. The age at presenta!~n was 6 to 12 years of age. All patients presented !th a his tory of gross hematur ia . Urinalysis bowed 15 to 20 red blood cells (RBC) per high~ower field in all patients and ova with, terminal ipines in all but 1 patient (Fig. 1). This patient reiuired a. bladder biopsy to detect ova (Fig. 2). U1~sonography demonstrated bladder wall thicken}ng (Fig. 3) in 5 c h i l d r e n and mi ld r igh t hydronephrosis in 1 child. All patients were treated :~th praziquante140 mg/kg and showed resolution "fhematuria and absence of ova from their urine at { month follow-up. The main focus of this review NIl be on S. haematobium infection in childhood. HISTORY Schistosomiasis is one of the oldest known diseases. Calcified S. haematobium ova have been discovered in Egyptian mummies from the 20th dynasty, 1200 to 1090 BC. Many of Napoleon's troops, "the menstruating men," during the Egyptian invasion are believed to have been infected with S. haematobium. In 1851, Theodore Bilharz first identified S. haematobium as the agent responsible for Egyptian endemic hematuria. In 1921 Cristol described the cystoscopic findings of schistosomiasis. McDonough introduced the first effective chemotherapy, tartar emetic (antimony potassium tartrate) in 1918. 2,3 Recent advances in the control and treatment of schistosomiasis have been based on a better understanding of the life cycle of S. haematobium.
Peers' influence and African-American youth in public housing

Drawing from problem behavior theory (PBT), this study investigates whether the relationship between exposure to delinquent peers and delinquent behavior is moderated by peer influences as well as by generalized self-efficacy and an adolescent's attitudes toward deviance. We also explore how gender may influence these relationships. A sample of 401 African-American adolescents living in public housing developments in two large US cities was recruited for this investigation. The preliminary analyses included t-test and bivariate correlations, while our primary analysis included hierarchical regression analysis. The regression analysis included two-way and three-way interaction terms to assess the moderating effects of peer influences, generalized self-efficacy, and attitudes toward deviance as well as gender, respectively. Results indicate that the effects of exposure to delinquent peers depend on peers' influence over adolescents and other factors. Findings provide partial support for PBT and suggest that...
Image reconstruction by parametric cubic convolution

Cubic convolution, which has been discussed by Rifman and McKinnon (1974), was originally developed for the reconstruction of Landsat digital images. In the present investigation, the reconstruction properties of the one-parameter family of cubic convolution interpolation functions are considered and thee image degradation associated with reasonable choices of this parameter is analyzed. With the aid of an analysis in the frequency domain it is demonstrated that in an image-independent sense there is an optimal value for this parameter. The optimal value is not the standard value commonly referenced in the literature. It is also demonstrated that in an image-dependent sense, cubic convolution can be adapted to any class of images characterized by a common energy spectrum.
Developing Spanish-language family planning materials: lessons learned from extensive field tests.

Despite the importance of providing family planning clients with educational materials that are easy to read and understand scant information is available on the development of materials for clients who feel most comfortable speaking and reading Spanish. Language difficulties and low health literacy including lack of knowledge about contraception or where to get it are important barriers to Latinas utilization of reproductive health services and understanding of health information among Latinas. Other barriers such as cost and lack of health insurance coverage compound difficulties in accessing services placing low-income Latina women at high risk of unintended pregnancy. Noncitizens and most recent immigrants are not eligible for Medicaid-covered family planning services and the proportions of 15-44-year-old women who have no insurance are nearly twice as high among these groups (63% and 66% respectively) as among those born in the United States (35%). (excerpt)
Dual-mode capability for hardware-in-the-loop

This paper details a Hardware-in-the-Loop Facility (HIL) developed for evaluation and verification of a missile system with dual mode capability. The missile has the capability of tracking and intercepting a target using either an RF antenna or an IR sensor. The testing of a dual mode system presents a significant challenge in the development of the HIL facility. An IR and RF target environment must be presented simultaneously to the missile under test. These targets, simulated by IR and RF sources, must be presented to the missile under test without interference from each other. The location of each source is critical in the development of the HIL facility. The requirements for building a HIL facility with dual mode capability and the methodology for testing the dual mode system are defined within this paper. Methods for the verification and validation of the facility are discussed.
Nominal rates, real rates, and expected inflation: Results from a study of U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities

Abstract This paper studies U.S. Government issued inflation-indexed bonds, known by the acronym TIPS (Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities). We test whether changes in nominal interest rates are related to changes in expected inflation, and we also examine the duration of TIPS bonds relative to the duration of ordinary (nominal) Treasury bonds. In addition, we present evidence of the accuracy of the inflation estimates generated using a pricing algorithm. The results of the paper indicate that changes in nominal interest rates are significantly related to changes in expected inflation; that the hypothesis that nominal interest rates adjust on a one-for-one basis with the change in expected inflation cannot be rejected; and, that investors systematically underestimated the rate of inflation in their pricing of TIPS bonds for the time period of the study.
Haze removal for image enhancement

We present a method to improve the quality of hazy digital images for digital photography applications. Most of the methods for haze removal that have been reported in the literature require either multiple images of the scene or auxiliary information, and are thus not suitable for digital photography applications. Our method is based on variable contrast enhancement. To determine where the enhancement should be applied, we find the location of the horizon. We use a ratio of luminance values to form an edge map, a connected components algorithm to find the sky set, and then finally a connected components algorithm to find any object extending over the horizon. The ground cover is then contrast enhanced with a modified piecewise linear function, with more enhancement at the horizon than at the bottom of the image. We demonstrate the capability to improve image quality with several images.
Visual and cognitive predictors of driving safety in Parkinson's disease patients

This study assessed the clinical utility of contrast sensitivity (CS) relative to attention, executive function, and visuospatial abilities for predicting driving safety in participants with Parkinson's disease (PD). Twenty-five, non-demented PD patients completed measures of contrast sensitivity, visuospatial skills, executive functions, and attention. All PD participants also underwent a formal on-road driving evaluation. Of the 25 participants, 11 received a marginal or unsafe rating on the road test. Poorer driving performance was associated with worse performance on measures of CS, visuospatial constructions, set shifting, and attention. While impaired driving was associated with a range of cognitive and visual abilities, only a composite measure of executive functioning and visuospatial abilities, and not CS or attentional skills, predicted driving performance. These findings suggest that neuropsychological tests, which are multifactorial in nature and require visual perception and visual spatial judgments are the most useful screening measures for hazardous driving in PD patients.
Audio aura: light-weight audio augmented reality

/ The physical world can be augmented with auditory cues allowing passive interaction by the user. By combining active badges, distributed systems, and wireless headphones, the movements of users through their workplace can trigger the transmission of auditory cues. These cues can summarize information about the activity of colleagues, notify the status of email or the start of a meeting, and remind of tasks such as retrieving a book at opportune times. We are currently experimenting with a prototype audio augmented reality system, Audio Aura, at Xerox PARC. The goal of this work is to create an aura of auditory information that mimics existing background, auditory awareness cues. We are prototyping sound designs for Audio Aurain VRML --ln L.“.
Differential intra-proteasome interactions involving standard and immunosubunits.

Abstract Animals with immune systems have two types of proteasomes, “standard proteasomes” and “immunoproteasomes” that respectively contain constitutively expressed catalytic subunits or interferon-γ-inducible catalytic subunits. Interestingly, proteasome assembly is biased against formation of most mixed proteasomes containing combinations of standard subunits and immunosubunits. We previously demonstrated that catalytic subunit propeptide differences contribute to this assembly specificity. In the current study, we investigated the contributions of catalytic subunit propeptides and C-terminal extensions to intra-proteasome protein–protein interactions that are potentially involved in mediating biased assembly of human proteasomes, and we found a number of interactions that differentially depended on these structures. For example, the C-terminal extension of standard subunit β2 is required for β2’s interaction with adjacent β3, whereas the C-terminal extension of immunosubunit β2i is dispensable for β2i’s interaction with β3. Taken together, our results suggest mechanisms whereby differential intra-proteasome interactions could contribute to proteasome assembly specificity.
Enthalpy relaxation of reactive graphitic nanofibers reinforced epoxy

The enthalpy relaxation of an epoxy resin modified by three different concentrations of reactive-Graphitic Nanofibers (r-GNFs) has been investigated by standard and modulated differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). From DSC scan at 10 °C/min following cooling at various rates through the transition region, the apparent activation energy, Δh*, was evaluated. The non-linearity parameter, χ, was analyzed by the peak shift method for samples annealed at temperature T g −20 °C for different period of time (up to 167 h). The non-exponentiality parameter, β, was determined based on the inflectional slope of the complex heat capacity. The experimental results showed that the incorporation of r-GNFs into epoxy network causes greater non-linearity, higher apparent activation energy, and broader relaxation time distribution than the neat epoxy resin. These values were optimum for epoxy resin with 0.3 wt% of r-GNFs.
Authorized Peer Pressure and Mutual Accountability in Teams

In this multi-method study, I develop and test a behavioral model of team accountability. Results from an inductive qualitative study involving 157 interviews and 101 hours of participant observati...
A cross-national model of job-related outcomes of work role and family role variables: A retail sales context

This article proposes a model of job-related outcomes of four role variables in a retail sales context: work-family conflict (WFC), family-work conflict (FWC), work role conflict (RC), and work role ambiguity (RA). We tested the applicability of the model with three cross-national samples, that is, the United States, Puerto Rico, and Romania, and the results revealed that the model's measures and effects are mostly similar across samples. It was also posited and mostly supported that the effects that WFC and FWC have on the job-related outcomes are greater than the effects of RC and RA. Implications concerning the effects of role variables for international retail managers are offered.
Fast alternative Monte Carlo formalism for a class of problems in biophotonics

A practical and effective, alternative Monte Carlo formalism is presented that rapidly finds flux solutions to the radiative transport equa- tion for a class of problems in biophotonics; namely, wide-beam irradi- ance of finite, optically anisotropic homogeneous or heterogeneous bio- medias, which both strongly scatter and absorb light. Such biomedias include liver, tumors, blood, or highly blood perfused tissues. As Fermat rays comprising a wide coherent (laser) beam enter the tissue, they evolve into a bundle of random optical paths or trajectories due to scat- tering. Overall, this can be physically interpreted as a bundle of Markov trajectories traced out by a ''gas'' of Brownian-like point photons being successively scattered and absorbed. By considering the cumulative flow of a statistical bundle of trajectories through interior data planes, the effective equivalent information of the (generally unknown) analytical flux solutions of the transfer equation rapidly emerges. Unlike the standard Monte Carlo techniques, which evaluate scalar fluence, this technique is faster, more efficient, and simpler to apply for this specific class of optical situations. Other analytical or numerical techniques can either become unwieldy or lack viability or are simply more difficult to apply. Illustrative flux calculations are presented for liver, blood, and tissue-tumor-tissue systems. © 1997 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. (S0091-3286(97)03212-1)
Psychological Defense and Self-Esteem Instability: Is Defense Style Associated With Unstable Self-Esteem?

Abstract Defense styles refer to the characteristic employment of automatic psychological processes to maintain and enhance self-esteem. On the basis of clinical literature pertaining to defense styles, it was hypothesized that the maturity of an individual’s defenses would be associated with fluctuations in one’s state self-esteem over time (i.e., self-esteem instability). To examine this hypothesis, the present study included daily diary measures that tracked the state self-esteem of 123 participants each day for 14 consecutive days. The results of the present study found that higher levels of immature defenses were associated with greater self-esteem instability. For both the intermediate and mature defense styles, their associations with self-esteem instability were moderated by self-esteem level such that higher levels of these defenses were associated with less self-esteem instability among those with low self-esteem.
Deformation twins in nanocrystalline body-centered cubic Mo as predicted by molecular dynamics simulations

Abstract This work studies deformation twins in nanocrystalline body-centered cubic Mo, including the nucleation and growth mechanisms as well as their effects on ductility, through molecular dynamics simulations. The deformation processes of nanocrystalline Mo are simulated using a columnar grain model with three different orientations. The deformation mechanisms identified, including dislocation slip, grain-boundary-mediated plasticity, deformation twins and martensitic transformation, are in agreement with previous studies. In 〈1 1 0〉 columnar grains, the deformation is dominated by twinning, which nucleates primarily from the grain boundaries by successive emission of twinning partials and thickens by jog nucleation in the grain interiors. Upon arrest by a grain boundary, the twin may either produce continuous plastic strain across the grain boundary by activating compatible twinning/slip systems or result in intergranular failure in the absence of compatible twinning/slip systems in the neighboring grain. Multiple twinning systems can be activated in the same grain, and the competition between them favors those capable of producing continuous deformation across the grain boundary.
The nature and extent of the geographic market for hogs in the United States

This paper looks at the question of whether hogs sold at different locations in the United States are part of a single geographic market covering the entire country. An answer to this question is sought using an approach to defining a geographic market based on the notion of instantaneous causality. The empirical results, based on prices for hogs at sixteen different locations over the period October 1989 to May 1992, suggest that there was but a single identifiable geographic market covering the entire United States. The implications of this finding are explored.
Ethanol Increases Surface‐Localized Fibrinolytic Activity in Cultured Endothelial Cells

Epidemiological studies demonstrated a positive association between moderate alcohol consumption and reduced cardiovascular mortality that may be mediated, in part, through increased fibrinolysis. These studies were conducted to determine whether low concentrations of alcohol (0.025 to 0.1%, v/v) directly affected the surface-localized versus secreted/solution phase fibrinolytic activity in live cultured endothelial cell (EC) types. Confluent live cultured ECs [human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs), human saphenous vein ECs (HSVECs), and porcine aortic ECs (PAECs)] were preincubated (0 to 20 min, 4 degrees C) in the absence or presence of varying concentrations of alcohol (0 to 0.1%, v/v), in the presence of saturating levels of 125I-labeled Glu-plasminogem (2 microM) and 125I-Plasmin M(r) 20-kDA light-chain formation quantitated by phosphorimaging autoradiography analysis. Endogenous plasminogen activator (PA)-mediated fibrinolytic activity was time- and dose-dependent; reached a maximum approximately 5- to 10-fold increase at 0.05% alcohol in HUVECs, HSVECs, and PAECs; was completely inhibited by anti-t-PA IgG in HUVECs; and partially inhibited by both anti-t-PA (approximately 40%) and anti-u-PA IgG (approximately 60%) in HSVECs. Complete inhibition of alcohol-induced (0.05%) fibrinolytic activity in cultured HUVECs by 2 mM tranexamic acid (an antagonist of plasminogen binding) indicated that the increased fibrinolytic activity was receptor-bound and localized to the EC surface, rather than present in or secreted into the medium (solution phase). Finally, the alcohol-induced increased fibrinolytic activity in cultured HUVECs returned to essentially normal control levels in approximately 1 hr. These studies have demonstrated a direct effect of low alcohol on EC fibrinolytic activity that may contribute, in part, to the decreased risk for thrombosis, coronary artery disease, and myocardial infarction associated with moderate alcohol consumption.
In vivo spin-label murine pharmacodynamics using low-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance imaging

A novel, very-low-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique is used to image the distribution of several nitroxides with distinct pharmacologic compartment affinities in the abdomens of living mice. Image acquisition is sufficiently rapid to allow a time sequence of the distribution for each compound. The spectra and concentrations of these nitroxides are imaged with the use of spectral-spatial imaging to distinguish a single spatial dimension. Liver and bladder of the mouse anatomy are distinguished by this technique. After an intraperitoneal injection of the spin-label probes, a shift in the distribution of the compounds from the upper abdomen (primarily liver) to the lower abdomen (primarily bladder) is observed. The time dependence of the shift in regional distribution depends on the structural properties of the side chain attached to the spin label. These results indicate that this application of in vivo electron paramagnetic resonance imaging will provide a new method of magnetic resonance imaging for determination of pharmacodynamics in the body of an intact animal.
Transnational Environmentalism at Europe's Boundaries: Identity Movements in Lithuania and Turkey

This article discusses the environmental activism of the Aukuras and Romuva movements in Lithuania, and of several organizations opposed to a dam project in the Tunceli region of Turkey. Since the late 1980s, these movements have combined celebration of cultural traditions and identities with environmental protests, lobbying and education projects. Implicit in these movements is a response to criticisms that environmentalism has become overly bureaucratized and perhaps hegemonic, and a challenge to theories that view global environmentalism as a homogeneous movement. The author argues that although these movements are similarly shaped by globalizing forces — including economic liberalization, migration and international institutions — globalization has, paradoxically perhaps, given rise to social movements blending traditional, local identities with global concerns such as the environment. These movements suggest that environmental activism in developing nations subject to forces of globalization may bear...
Entorhinal verrucae geometry is coincident and correlates with Alzheimer’s lesions: a combined neuropathology and high-resolution ex vivo MRI analysis

Entorhinal cortex displays a distinctive organization in layer II and forms small elevations on its surface called entorhinal verrucae. In Alzheimer’s disease, the verrucae disappear due to neurofibrillary tangle formation and neuronal death. Isosurface models were reconstructed from high-resolution ex vivo MRI volumes scanned at 7.0 T and individual verruca were measured quantitatively for height, width, volume, and surface area on control and mild Alzheimer’s cases. Mean verruca height was 0.13 ± 0.04 mm for our cognitively normal (controls) sample set whereas for mild AD samples mean height was 0.11 mm ± 0.05 mm (p < 0.001) in entorhinal cortex (n = 10 cases). These quantitative methods were validated by a significant correlation of verrucae height and volume with qualitative verrucae ratings (n = 36 cases). Entorhinal surfaces were significantly different from other cortical heights such as, cingulate, frontal, occipital, parietal and temporal cortices. Colocalization of verrucae with entorhinal islands was confirmed in ex vivo MRI and, moreover, verrucae ratings were negatively correlated to Braak and Braak pathological stage. This study characterizes novel methods to measure individual entorhinal verruca size, and shows that verrucae size correlates to Alzheimer’s pathology. Taken together, these results suggest that verrucae may have the potential to serve as an early and specific morphological marker for mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.
Involvement of cavitation in the appearance of hyperechoic regions in ultrasound image visualization of high intensity focused ultrasound therapy: in-vivo results

High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment of soft tissues has been shown to result in a hyperechoic region in B-mode ultrasound (US) images. This is believed to result from bubble activity at the HIFU focus. Here, we report our in vivo results of detecting inertial and stable cavitation in correlation with the appearance of a hyperechoic region. The ultrasound system consisted of an HIFU transducer (3.3 MHz), a broadband A-mode transducer for active and passive cavitation detection (ACID and PCD), and US-imaging probe that were all co-focal and synchronized. HIFU, at in situ intensities of 220-1,710 W/cm/sup 2/, was applied for 10 s to pig muscles in vivo at it focal depth of 2 cm. ACD and PCD results showed a strong correlation between the onset of cavitation and the appearance of a hyperechoic region. PCD results showed that inertial cavitation typically occurred prior (within 0.5 s) to the appearance of a hyperchoic region. The observed cavitation activity suggests that bubbles are present during the formation of a hyperechoic region at the HIFU focus.
A Density Functional Theory Study of the Interactions of H2O with H−ZSM-5, Cu−ZSM-5, and Co−ZSM-5

The interactions of water with H−ZSM-5, Cu−ZSM-5, and Co−ZSM-5 have been investigated by density functional theory (DFT). Calculations were also performed to determine the thermodynamics of metal removal from the zeolite. For all three forms of ZSM-5, water adsorbs by direct interaction of the O atom with the cation and hydrogen bonding of one of the two H atoms with an oxygen atom in the zeolite framework. The magnitude of the energy of adsorption of one H2O molecule decreases in the order Cu−ZSM-5 (Cu as Cu+) > Co−ZSM-5 (Co as Co2+(OH)-) > H−ZSM-5 > Cu−ZSM-5 (Cu as Cu2+(OH)-). Adsorption of a second H2O molecule occurs with a smaller binding energy, which decreases in the order Cu−ZSM-5 (Cu as Cu+) > Cu−ZSM-5 (Cu as Cu2+(OH)-) > Co−ZSM-5 (Co as Co2+(OH)-) > H−ZSM-5. At 800 K, demetalation to form a gaseous metal hydroxide species is unfavorable thermodynamically but will occur spontaneously if the final product is a metal oxide. Demetalation of Cu is projected to occur much more readily than demetalatio...
Isolation of Mutations in the Catalytic Domain of the Snf1 Kinase That Render Its Activity Independent of the Snf4 Subunit

Activation of the Snf1 kinase requires at least two events, phosphorylation of the activation loop on threonine 210 and an Snf4-dependent process that is not completely defined. Snf4 directly interacts with a region of the regulatory domain of Snf1 that may otherwise act as an autoinhibitory domain. In order to gain insight into the regulation of Snf1 kinase by Snf4, deletions in the regulatory domain of the catalytic subunit were engineered and tested for their effect on Snf1 function in the absence of Snf4. Deletion of residues 381 to 488 from the Snf1 protein resulted in a kinase that was activated by glucose limitation even in the absence of the Snf4 protein. A larger deletion (amino acids 381 to 608) encompassing virtually the entire regulatory domain resulted in complete inactivation of the Snf1 kinase even in the presence of Snf4. A genetic screen for amino acid substitutions that conferred an Snf4-independent phenotype identified four point mutations in the Snf1 catalytic domain. One very conservative mutation, leucine 183 to isoleucine, conferred nearly wild-type levels of Snf1 kinase function in the absence of the Snf4 protein. Purified Snf1 kinase was inactive when isolated from snf4Δ cells, whereas the Snf1-L183I kinase exhibited significant activity in the absence of Snf4. Our data support the idea that Snf1 kinase activity is constrained in cis by an autoinhibitory domain and that the Snf4-mediated activation of Snf1 can be bypassed by subtle conformational changes in the catalytic domain of the Snf1 kinase.
Electronic and Vibrational Spectroscopy of Diamondoids and the Interstellar Infrared Bands between 3.35 and 3.55 μm

The electronic and vibrational spectroscopic properties and ionization energies of diamondoids (nano-diamonds, microdiamonds) are computed using density functional theory (DFT). Spectra of both the neutral and cationic forms of diamondoids, ranging in size from C10H16 to C38H42, and the IR spectrum of a diamondoid-PAH hybrid molecule are presented. For the 23 neutral species, the C-H stretching bands fall near 3.47 μm and are the strongest in the spectra. Diamondoid ionization energies (IEs) are found to be quite large (about 8 eV). The electronic excitation energies of the neutral species are of the same order as the IEs and have very small oscillator strengths (f-values). For the cations, the C-H stretching peak positions differ somewhat from the neutrals and their average integrated band strengths are about half those of the neutrals. The computed electronic excitation energies for the cations are much smaller than those of the neutral species, with f-values that are very small. The neutral diamondoids will absorb most strongly near 3.47 μm, which is very close to the position of an absorption band associated with dense clouds that has been tentatively attributed to the tertiary C-H stretch of diamond-like carbon. The spectroscopic properties described here imply that 3 μm emission from highly vibrationally excited diamondoid cations and neutral species should be most intense in regions with strong radiation fields. These results, in conjunction with the observation that the 3.5 μm emission feature originates very close to the exciting star, strongly supports its assignment in HD 97048 and Elias 1 to diamondoid species. While previous work makes an excellent case for large neutral diamondoids, our work shows that some cation contribution cannot be excluded. The very small f-values explain why so few sources show this emission.
Rational learning: Finding a balance between utility and efficiency

The field of machine learning has developed a wide array of techniques for improving the effectiveness of performance elements. Learning techniques are able to take general performance systems and tailor them to the eccentricities of particular domains. In this fashion, slow general systems can be automatically adapted into efficient problem solvers for particular domains. Unfortunately, the task of learning is difficult. Learning systems must operate under limited resources and must make many compromises in the interest of learning efficiency. These compromises appear in the form of design commitments implicit in the architecture of learning systems. These ramifications of these commitments is that they impose tradeoffs between the efficiency and usefulness of a learning technique. The fixed nature of these commitments limits the generality of learning techniques. Ideally, a learning system would adapt its commitments to the demands of a particular learning situation. In this article we present an extension of the COMPOSER learning approach which dynamically adjusts its learning behavior based on the resources available for learning.
Disjoint Multipath Routing to Two Distinct Drains in a Multi-Drain Sensor Network

Wireless sensor networks (WSN) are typically employed for monitoring applications that require data collection at specific nodes, called drains. In order to improve the robustness of data collection, multiple drains may be employed. Data from every sensor is required to be logged into two distinct sensors for data collection to be resilient to any single drain failures. In this paper, we develop a routing mechanism based on colored trees. Every node forwards the packets based on the drain address and one additional bit. The number of routing table entries at each node is 2|D|, where |D| denotes the number of drains in the network. The construction of the colored trees guarantees that every node has two node-disjoint paths to two distinct drains. The running time complexity of the algorithm is O(|D||L|), where |L| denotes the number of links in the network. Through extensive simulations, we demonstrate that employing multiple drains and disjoint routing to two distinct drains reduces the average path length compared to disjoint routing to one of the multiple drains.
Mechanisms Underlying Sexual Violence Exposure and Psychosocial Sequelae: A Theoretical and Empirical Review

Sexual violence is associated with a range of negative mental health and behavioral sequelae, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, substance abuse/dependence, risky sexual behavior, and interpersonal relationship problems. However, mechanisms underlying these associations are not well understood. Identifying mechanisms that explain linkages between sexual violence and poor outcomes is of paramount importance in determining when and how to intervene to prevent or reduce the magnitude of these outcomes. This review focuses on theories that have been proposed to explain risk of negative outcomes among sexual violence victims, including the development of traumagenic dynamics and emotion dysregulation. We also review promising biological mechanisms that may explain the risk of negative outcomes among sexual violence victims, including studies concerned with epigenetic and neurobiological mechanisms.
Gang scheduling for the IBM SP-2 workstation cluster

The IBM SP2 is a workstation cluster that executes IBM's version of standard UNIX (AIX) on each processor and provides interprocessor communication via MPI or IP using the SP2 high performance switch. The objective of the scheduling system for the SP2 cluster is to (a) overcome the single process per processor restriction without compromising performance, reliability or security as accustomed to in the dedicated mode, and (b) to provide a general framework to implement flexible scalable scheduling policies based on the principle of gang scheduling. The structure of the scheduler framework consists of three collaborating modules: (1) a global scheduler, (2) a local scheduler and (3) an interface to efficiently interact with the communication subsystem.
Evolution of Information Management at the GSFC Earth Sciences (GES) Data and Information Services Center (DISC): 2006–2007

Increasingly sophisticated National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Earth science missions have driven their associated data and data management systems from providing simple point-to-point archiving and retrieval to performing user-responsive distributed multisensor information extraction. To fully maximize the use of remote-sensor-generated Earth science data, NASA recognized the need for data systems that provide data access and manipulation capabilities responsive to research brought forth by advancing scientific analysis and the need to maximize the use and usability of the data. The decision by NASA to purposely evolve the Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Earth Sciences (GES) Data and Information Services Center (DISC) and other information management facilities was timely and appropriate. The GES DISC evolution was focused on replacing the EOSDIS Core System (ECS) by reusing the in-house developed disk-based Simple, Scalable, Script-based Science Product Archive (S4PA) data management system and migrating data to the disk archives. Transition was completed in December 2007.
Speaking Rate Effects on Normal Aspects of Articulation: Outcomes and Issues

The articulatory effects of speaking rate have been a point of focus for a substantial literature in speech science. The normal aspects of speaking rate variation have influenced theories and model...
Surgical Pulmonary Embolectomy

Pulmonary embolectomy is one of the oldest cardiac operations, dating back to the early 20th century. Initially performed blindly as a closed cardiac procedure, the operation is now performed on cardiopulmonary bypass with clots extracted from the opened pulmonary arteries under direct vision. Surgery was the mainstay of therapy for pulmonary emboli in the 1960s and 1970s. Presently, however, with the advent of effective nonsurgical therapy, pulmonary embolectomy is largely reserved for anatomically extensive central emboli with hemodynamic compromise or right ventricular strain, or for cases in which medical therapy has failed or is contraindicated. The results of surgery have improved greatly in recent years, with contemporary series reporting mortality rates below 10%. Patient selection and surgical management are the key to minimizing the mortality of this operation. If patients are operated on at an early stage, before the onset of irreversible right ventricular dysfunction or protracted cardiogenic shock, then the mortality risk is low. On the other hand, preoperative cardiac arrest leads to a fivefold increase in mortality. Modern intraoperative management includes cardiopulmonary bypass, avoidance of cardiac ischemia, extraction of clots under direct vision only, and placement of cava filters. Some patients are not suitable for pulmonary embolectomy, including those undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, those with predominantly peripheral emboli, and patients who do not have immediate access to cardiac surgery (thrombolysis is preferable to a delay in treatment). On the other hand, in centers with the infrastructure for immediate embolectomy, surgery offers the fastest means of deobliterating the pulmonary arteries and should thus be considered as a therapeutic option in all patients with massive or even submassive pulmonary embolism.
Structural Power Equality between Family and Non-Family TMT Members and the Performance of Family Firms

The upper echelons of publicly traded family firms can comprise family members and non-family members. Due to ownership and control factors, family members often wield significant influence in the ...
The Wright Way: 7 Problem-Solving Principles from the Wright Brothers That Can Make Your Business Soar!

The article presents a review of the book "The Wright Way: 7 Problem-Solving Principles from the Wright Brothers That Can Make Your Business Soar," by Mark Eppler.
Introduction to the Special Issue Adoption and Foster Care

The Family Journal publishes special issues that address topics held to be of great importance by the members of the editorial board. This special issue on adoption and foster care explores the exp...
Modality and Intake in Second Language Acquisition

This study replicates, in the aural mode, Leow's (1993) study on the effects of simplification, type of linguistic item, and second/foreign language experience on learners' intake of linguistic items contained in written input. Aural simplified/unsimplified input with either the present perfect or present subjunctive form was made available to learners at two levels of language experience. Statistical analyses performed on the raw scores of a pre- and posttest multiple-choice recognition assessment task revealed significant main effects for type of linguistic item, language experience, and task and a significant interaction between language experience and task. While results corroborate those found in the written mode for the effects of simplification and language experience on adult learners' intake, the same did not hold true for type of linguistic item, underscoring the need for research to consider seriously the role of modality while addressing cognitive processes in SLA.
Determination of the Upper Limit of Vulnerability Using Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Electrograms

Background— The upper limit of vulnerability (ULV) correlates with the defibrillation threshold and can be determined with 1 episode of ventricular fibrillation (VF). To automate the ULV in an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), the most vulnerable intervals must be identified from an ICD electrogram rather than the latest-peaking surface T wave (Tpeak). We hypothesized that the recovery time (TR), defined as the maximum derivative (dV/dt) of the T wave of the shock electrogram, correlates with the most vulnerable intervals. Methods and Results— We determined ULV, defibrillation threshold, and the most vulnerable intervals in 25 patients at ICD implantation. The ULV was the weakest T-wave shock that did not induce VF. The most vulnerable intervals were the ones associated with the strongest shocks that induced VF. Telemetered shock electrograms were stored on digital tape and differentiated offline to measure TR. Tpeak and TR were highly correlated (Tpeak−TR=−2±11 ms; ρ=0.80, P<0.001). At least ...
Stress induced eating and food preference in humans: A pilot study

Psychological stress has been shown to produce feeding behavior in both humans and animals. In our animal studies, it appears that the texture of the food may determine how well a food alleviates stress. We studied the food preferences of 80 stress-eating and nonstress-eating adults and examined the relationships of them with current stress, sex, age, and weight. Preference for high caloric density foods is predicted by being a stress-eater and lower current stress and is associated with a concern over feeding behavior and normal weight. Preference for low caloric density foods is predicted by high stress and stress-eating, as well as obesity, being older and not smoking. Food preference was associated also with food texture. A preference for salty foods (as opposed to sweets) was associated with being younger, stressed, nonobese, and eating less when stressed.
The Supervisory Capital Assessment Program

When President Obama took office in 2009, the Treasury focused on restarting bank lending and repairing the ability of the banking system as a whole to perform the role of credit intermediation. In order to do so, the Treasury needed to raise public confidence that banks had sufficient buffers to withstand even a very adverse economic scenario, especially given heightened uncertainty surrounding the outlook for the U.S. economy and potential losses in the banking system. The Supervisory Capital Assessment Program (SCAP) -- the so-called "stress test" -- sought to rigorously measure the health and resilience of the largest bank holding companies. Those found to have insufficient capital buffers were able to raise funds from the private sector, and if unable to do so, the Capital Assistance Program (CAP) would capitalize the firm with public capital. Ultimately, the SCAP test results were accepted as credible; all except one of the tested firms raised more than enough private capital in the following six months to fill the capital shortfall calculated by the SCAP and the CAP went unused.