cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Matching coefficients of nonrelativistic QCD, momentum-dependent potentials, and the phenomenology of quark-antiquark systems

The recent lattice calculation by Bali, Schilling and Wachter (BSW) of the leading relativistic corrections to the static potential of a heavy quark-antiquark system offers the prospect of significant advances in our understanding of the anatomy of this interaction. Since the quark propagators of the BSW calculation are derived from the nonrelativistic QCD (NRQCD) Lagrangian, the use of these potentials shares with other NRQCD lattice calculations a need to know values for the matching coefficients at the relevant scale. In a preliminary attempt to identify the sensitivity of experiments to the values chosen for the matching coefficients, we compare results based on BSW's calculated matching coefficients with results based on tree-level values. We point out that the recently discovered ${B}_{c}$ system may be helpful in addressing such questions. Extrapolating the potentials obtained in heavy quark systems to heavy-light systems, we find a surprising prospect for agreement with experiment. An exercise designed to clarify questions about the consistency of the BSW results for the momentum-dependent potentials with the forms proposed by Barchielli, Brambilla, Montaldi and Prosperi is also presented.
Composite Materials Which Exhibit High Stiffness and High Viscoelastic Damping

Composite micro-structures are studied, which give rise to high stiffness combined with high viscoelastic loss. We demonstrate that such properties are most easily achieved if the stiff phase is as stiff as possible. Incorporation of a small amount of damping in the stiff phase has little effect on the composite damping. Experimental results are presented for laminates consisting of cadmium and tungsten and of InSn alloy and tungsten. The combination of stiffness and loss (the product E tan δ) exceeds that of well-known materials.
Platinum-Ruthenium Cluster Complexes from the Reaction of Ru3(CO)12 with Pt(PBut3)2

Three new platinum–ruthenium complexes: Pt3Ru3(PBut3)3(CO)12, 8, Pt5Ru3(PBut3)3(CO)12, 9 and PtRu3(PBut3)2(CO)8(μ3-PBut)(μ-H)2, 10 were obtained from the reaction of Ru3(CO)12 with Pt(PBut3)2. Compound 8 was obtained from this reaction when conducted at 25 °C. Compounds 9 and 10 were obtained when the reaction was conducted at 68 °C. The structure of 8 consists of a central triangular cluster of three ruthenium atoms with one Pt(PBut3) group bridging each of the three Ru–Ru bonds. The structure of 9 consists of a capped pentagonal bipyramidal cluster of eight metal atoms that is formed formally by the addition of two platinum atoms to 8. The structure of 10 contains a triangular cluster of three ruthenium atoms with a Pt(PBut3) group bridging one of the Ru–Ru bonds. A t-butyl phosphido ligand formed by degradation of a molecule of PBut3 bridges the three ruthenium atoms.
Preferences of matedHeliothis virescens andH. subflexa females for host and nonhost volatiles in a flight tunnel

In flight-tunnel bioassays, mated femaleHeliothis subflexa (Gn.) moths demonstrated in dual-choice tests a significant preference for volatiles from an extract of their only known host,Physalis spp. (groundcherry). However,H. virescens (F.), a polyphagous species, responded positively by anemotaxis to extracts from susceptible tobacco, cotton,Desmodium tortuosum (host plants), and groundcherry, a nonhost.H. virescens females did not fly to volatiles emanating from an extract of a resistant tobacco cultivar.
Nano-engineered mesenchymal stem cells as targeted therapeutic carriers

Poor availability in deep-seated solid tumors is a significant challenge that limits the effectiveness of currently used anticancer drugs. Approaches that can specifically enhance drug delivery to the tumor tissue can potentially improve therapeutic efficacy. In our current studies, we used nano-engineered mesenchymal stem cells (nano-engineered MSCs) as tumor-targeted therapeutic carriers. In addition to their exquisite tumor homing capabilities, MSCs overexpress efflux transporters such as P-glycoprotein and are highly drug resistant. The inherent tumor-tropic and drug-resistant properties make MSCs ideal carriers for toxic payload. Nano-engineered MSCs were prepared by treating human MSCs with drug-loaded polymeric nanoparticles. Incorporating nanoparticles in MSCs did not affect their viability, differentiation or migration potential. Nano-engineered MSCs induced dose-dependent cytotoxicity in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells and MA148 ovarian cancer cells in vitro. An orthotopic A549 lung tumor model was used to monitor the in vivo distribution of nanoengineered MSCs. Intravenous injection of nanoparticles resulted in non-specific biodistribution, with significant accumulation in the liver and spleen while nano-engineered MSCs demonstrated selective accumulation and retention in lung tumors. These studies demonstrate the feasibility of developing nano-engineered MSCs loaded with high concentration of anticancer agents without affecting their tumor-targeting or drug resistance properties.
Religiousness, Spiritual Seeking, and Personality: Findings from a Longitudinal Study

The hypothesis that personality characteristics in adolescence can be used to predict religiousness and spiritual seeking in late adulthood was tested using a structural equation modeling framework to estimate cross-lagged and autoregressive effects in a two-wave panel design. The sample consisted of 209 men and women participants in the Berkeley Guidance and Oakland Growth studies. In late adulthood, religiousness was positively related to Conscientiousness and Agreeableness, and spiritual seeking was related to Openness to Experience. Longitudinal models indicated that Conscientiousness in adolescence significantly predicted religiousness in late adulthood above and beyond adolescent religiousness. Similarly, Openness in adolescence predicted spiritual seeking in late adulthood. The converse effect, adolescent religiousness to personality in late adulthood, was not significant in either model. Among women, adolescent Agreeableness predicted late-life religiousness and adolescent religiousness predicted late-life Agreeableness; both these effects were absent among men. Adolescent personality appears to shape late-life religiousness and spiritual seeking independent of early religious socialization.
On the estimation of antecedent wetness conditions in rainfall–runoff modelling

The analysis of the physical processes involved in a conceptual model of soil water content balance is addressed with the objective of its application as a component of rainfall–runoff modelling. The model uses routinely measured meteorological variables (rainfall and air temperature) and incorporates a limited number of significant parameters. Its performance in estimating the soil moisture temporal pattern was tested through local measurements of volumetric water content carried out continuously on an experimental plot located in central Italy. The analysis was carried out for different periods in order to test both the representation of infiltration at the short time-scale and drainage and evapotranspiration processes at the long time-scale. A robust conceptual model was identified that incorporated the Green–Ampt approach for infiltration and a gravity-driven approximation for drainage. A sensitivity analysis was performed for the selected model to assess the model robustness and to identify the more significant parameters involved in the principal processes that control the soil moisture temporal pattern. The usefulness of the selected model was tested for the estimation of the initial wetness conditions for rainfall–runoff modelling at the catchment scale. Specifically, the runoff characteristics (runoff depth and peak discharge) were found to be dependent on the pre-event surface soil moisture. Both observed values and those estimated by the model gave good results. On the contrary, with the antecedent wetness conditions furnished by two versions of the antecedent precipitation index (API), large errors were obtained. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A community-wide perspective of gender differences and temporal trends in the use of diagnostic and revascularization procedures for acute myocardial infarction

This study compares the overall use, as well as temporal trends, of various diagnostic and revascularization procedures for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in men and women. The study sample comprised a total of 2,924 men and 1,838 women with validated AMI admitted to any of the 16 teaching and community hospitals in the Worcester, Massachusetts, metropolitan area during 1975, 1978, 1981, 1984, 1986 and 1988. During the period under study there was a significant increase in use of each of the examined procedures during hospitalization for AMI in both men and women. Increasing use of multiple procedures was also seen for each of the sexes. After controlling for a variety of demographic and clinical factors that might affect utilization rates, men were marginally more likely to undergo radionuclide ventriculography, and significantly more likely to undergo Holter monitoring, exercise treadmill testing, cardiac catheterization, and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty than women. However, there were no gender differences in the use of coronary artery bypass grafting. On the other hand, men were significantly less likely to undergo echocardiography. The results of this multihospital, population-based study suggest sex differences in the use of several diagnostic and revascularization procedures during hospitalization for AMI. These differences may be attributed to physicians' practice patterns, although gender bias in the delivery of medical care cannot be excluded. Temporal trends in increased overall use of these procedures raise questions about cost-effectiveness that need to be further addressed.
Exogenous prostaglandin F2α stimulates utero-ovarian release of prostaglandin F2α in sheep: A possible component of the luteolytic mechanism of action of exogenous prostaglandin F2α

Abstract Exogenous prostaglandin F 2α (PGF 2α ) is luteolytic in sheep, but its mechanism of action is not completely understood. We hypothesized that exogenous PGF 2α stimulates the uterine and(or) ovarian secretion of PGF 2α and that, when intramuscular doses of PGF 2α are minimal, the utero-ovarian unit is a component of the luteolytic mechanism of action of exogenous PGF2 α . Thus, this study was conducted to determine whether exogenous PGF 2α stimulates the utero-ovarian release of PGF 2α . Catheters were positioned in the vena cava at points cranial and caudal to the entry of utero-ovarian blood, and ewes were either hysterectomized and ovariectomized (H/OX) or left intact (Intact). Treatments were in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (i.e., 14/OX and PGF 2α were the main effects), and there were five ewes per treatment group. In Experiment 1, on Day 9 after the onset of estrus, either saline or PGF 2α (15 mg) was injected intramuscularly in the neck, and vena caval blood samples were collected frequently for 120 min, then less frequently for 48 hr. In Experiment 2, on Day 9 after estrus or H/OX, either saline or PGF 2α (5 mg, then 5 mg 3 hr later) was injected intramuscularly in the neck, and vena caval blood samples were collected frequently for 150 min after each injection. In both experiments, exogenous PGF 2α induced immediate and significant increases in the utero-ovarian release of PGF 2α . The increases in PGF 2α concentrations were considerably more pronounced in vena caval blood samples collected cranial than in those collected caudal to the entry of utero-ovarian blood, and the increase was significantly greater in Intact than in H/OX ewes treated with PGF 2α . Vena caval concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF 2α (PGFM) increased after exogenous PGF 2α , but the changes in PGFM were not suitable representations of the changes in vena caval concentrations of PGF 2α . Changes in progesterone concentrations indicated that both PGF 2α injection regimens were luteolytic. The results from this study indicate that exogenous PGF 2α stimulates the utero-ovarian production of PGF 2α , and we believe that the utero-ovarian unit is a component of the luteolytic mechanism of action of exogenous PGF 2α .
Population genetics and gene variation of stable fly populations (Diptera:Muscidae) in Nebraska

Genetic variation in stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), populations from Nebraska, Canada, and Texas was sampled. Four of 12 allozyme loci were polymorphic, with an average of 1.7 alleles per locus. Observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.086 and 0.070, respectively. Nei's genetic distance between populations averaged 0.001 and ranged from 0.000 to 0.005. Wright's F statistics revealed greater variation within than among populations. Allele frequencies were homogeneous among temporal samples from a single population. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis of 6.4 kb of the mitochondrial DNA genome with 16 restriction enzymes revealed no variation in stable fly populations from Canada, Nebraska, and Texas. PCR-RFLP analysis of a 2.0-kb fragment of the nuclear ribosomal DNA internally transcribed spacer region also revealed no variation. The lack of genetic differentiation among stable fly populations indicates high levels of gene flow among populations. The low levels of variation observed with biochemical and molecular techniques are consistent with a genetic bottleneck during stable fly colonization of North America.
Designing agent collectives for systems with markovian dynamics

The "Collective Intelligence" (COIN) framework concerns the design of collectives of agents so that as those agents strive to maximize their individual utility functions, their interaction causes a provided "world" utility function concerning the entire collective to be also maximized. Here we show how to extend that framework to scenarios having Markovian dynamics when no re-evolution of the system from counter-factual initial conditions (an often expensive calculation) is permitted. Our approach transforms the(time-extended) argument of each agent's utility function before evaluating that function. This transformation has benefits in scenarios not involving Markovian dynamics, in particular scenarios where not all of the arguments of an agent's utility function are observable. We investigate this transformation in simulations involving both linear and quadratic (nonlinear) dynamics. In addition, we find that a certain subset of these transformations, which result in utilities that have low "opacity (analogous to having high signal to noise) but are not "factored" (analogous to not being incentive compatible), reliably improve performance over that arising with factored utilities. We also present a Taylor Series method for the fully general nonlinear case.
A note on some modifications of latent roots and vectors.

When an arbitrary positive scalar matrix is added to a correlation matrix the latent roots of the sum are equal to the corresponding roots of the correlation matrix plus an amount equal to the scalar number of the scalar matrix. The latent vectors of the sum are identical with those of the correlation matrix. An approximation to these relationships is suggested for the case in which the sum is of a correlation matrix and of a positive semidefinite diagonal matrix. The approximation is used to allow the solution of a characteristic problem for a correlation matrix with unities in the main diagonal to provide a family of solutions for the same correlation matrix.
Computational thinking for the sciences: a three day workshop for high school science teachers

This paper describes "Computational Thinking for the Sciences", a 3-day summer workshop for high school science and mathematics teachers. Our workshop emphasizes the deep connections between the natural sciences, mathematics and computer science through activities and simulation development appropriate for scientific explorations. Teachers were exposed to simulation development in VPython, a visual extension to the popular Python programming language. By broadening exposure of computational thinking to the natural sciences and developing activities specifically for science domains, we hope to attract new students into computer science and better prepare natural science students to employ the computational tools they will utilize in the future.
Interaction of dimethyl methylphosphonate with oxidized iron and the effect of coadsorbed water

Abstract The behavior of dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), dosed at 100 K with and without coadsorbed water on oxidized iron has been examined by temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). Molecular and dissociated states of DMMP are readily distinguished by the P(LMM) Auger lineshape. At low coverages DMMP undergoes complete decomposition during heating, leaving carbon, phosphorus and oxygen residues on the surface. The major low temperature decomposition products are CH3OH, H2O, CO, H2 and a surface phosphate species. The DMMP decomposition is limited and large exposures lead to molecular DMMP desorption characteristics of multilayers (200–210 K). Pre-exposure to H2O increases the extent of DMMP decomposition.
Purification and composition of a thermal hysteresis producing protein from the milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus

A protein which produces a thermal hysteresis (a difference between the freezing and melting points) was purified from the hemolymph of the milkweed bug,Oncopeltus fasciatus. The amino acid composition of theOncopeltus thermal hysteresis protein is somewhat different from that of the larvae of the beetle,Tenebrio molitor, which is the only other insect from which such a protein has as yet been purified. The major difference between the two is the large amount of serine (30.5% of the amino acid residues) and glycine (20.0%) present in theO. fasciatus protein. Both insect proteins have a composition which consists of approximately 60% polar amino acids and lacks large amounts of alanine. In these respects they are quite different from the fish protein antifreezes. The apparent differences in structure of the thermal hysteresis proteins and glycoproteins indicates that these proteins have evolved independently and therefore offer an interesting example of convergent evolution.
Parametric study of minimum reactor mass in energy-storage DC-DC converters

Closed-form analytical solutions for the design equations of a minimum-mass reactor for a two-winding voltage-or-current step-up converter are derived. A quantitative relationship between the three parameters - minimum total reactor mass, maximum output power, and switching frequency - is extracted from these analytical solutions. The validity of the closed-form solution is verified by a numerical minimization procedure. A computer-aided design procedure using commercially available toroidal cores and magnet wires is also used to examine how the results from practical designs follow the prediction of the analytical solutions.
Tracked Speech-To-Text Display: Enhancing Accessibility and Readability of Real-Time Speech-To-Text

Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students are under-served and under-represented in education in part because they miss spoken classroom information, even with aural-to-visual accommodations, such as a real-time speech to text Display (SD). Most SD systems utilize a trained typist to transcribe the speech into text (speech-to-text) onto a display. Still, these students encounter significant but subtle barriers in following speech-to-text displays, especially when detailed visuals are used or when the speaker is fast or uses uncommon words. Hearing students can simultaneously watch the visuals and listen to the spoken explanation, while DHH students constantly look away from the SD to search and observe details in the classroom visuals. As a result, they spend less time watching the visuals and gain less information than their hearing peers. They can also fall behind in reading the speech-text.We discuss the implementation and evaluation of a real-time Tracked Speech-To-Text Display (TSD), that addresses these subtle barriers presented by SD systems. The TSD system minimizes the student's viewing distance between the Speech-to-Text Display and the speaker. This is done through tracking the presenter and displaying the speech-text at a fixed distance above the presenter. Our evaluation showed that students significantly preferred TSD over SD and reported that it was easier to follow the lecture. They liked being able to see both the teacher and speech-to-text, and being able to set the number of displayed lines.
Particulate Dispersion in a Turbulent Serpentine Channel

Particulate dispersion in an S-shaped duct, with periodicity between inlet and exit, is studied by direct numerical simulation. Stokes numbers range from 0.125 to 6.0. In a straight, turbulent channel flow, eddies are responsible for particulate impact. Turbophoresis causes a mean drift toward the wall. In a curved channel, particle inertia can be the dominant cause of impact. Above the lowest Stokes number, particles form into a plume that leaves the inner bend and flows toward the outer wall. Turbulence then disperses the plume. Heavier particles cross the bend and reflect from the outer wall, forming a high concentration layer near the surface. The heaviest particles reflect again from the wall and are dispersed across the duct by turbulence. An empirical formula is used to analyze the propensity for particle impacts to erode the wall. The region of maximum erosion is not the region of maximum number of impacts, nor is it where the impact velocity is highest: the impact angle determines where erosion is largest.
DO GENDER AND RACE MATTER? EXPLAINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SPORTS PARTICIPATION AND ACHIEVEMENT

Using data from the National Educational Longitudinal Survey, I explore whether there are gender and race differences in the effects of participation in a variety of sports on achievement in four domains. While results suggest that selection accounts for some of the sports effects and perhaps gender differences found in prior research, the achievement benefits of playing other team sports (not softball or basketball) and individual sports appear to be greater and more consistent for white female participants than for others particularly in the three achievement domains (Mathematics, Science, and History) where females trail males in average test scores.
Symptom differences between older depressed primary care patients with and without history of trauma.

Objective:The current study explored the relationship between past traumatic experiences and current depression in a sample of depressed older adult primary care patients.Method:Sixty-six patients ...
Critical heat flux (CHF) for water flow in tubes—II.: Subcooled CHF correlations

Abstract The proliferation of critical heat flux (CHF) prediction methods typifies the lack of understanding of the CHF phenomenon and makes it difficult to choose a suitable correlation, look-up table, or model. In fact, an exhaustive literature search by the authors of this study identified over 100 CHF correlations applicable to subcooled water flow in a uniformly heated round tube. The accuracy of the latest versions of these correlations was ascertained using the PU-BTPFL CHF database from Part I of the present study. This database contains the largest volume of subcooled CHF data (5544 data points) of any database available in the literature. In response to the many inaccurate and inordinately complex correlations, two nondimensional, subcooled CHF correlations were formulated, containing only five adjustable constants and whose unique functional forms were determined without using a statistical analysis but rather using the parametric trends observed in less than 10% of the subcooled CHF data. The correlation based on inlet conditions (diameter, heated length, mass velocity, pressure, inlet quality) was by far the most accurate correlation, having mean absolute and root-mean-square errors of 10.3% and 14.3%, respectively, and is recommended for water flow in a tube having a uniform axial heat flux. The outlet (local) conditions correlation was the most accurate correlation based on local CHF conditions (diameter, mass velocity, pressure, outlet quality) and may be applied to water flow in a tube having a nonuniform axial heat flux. Both correlations proved more accurate than a recent CHF look-up table commonly employed in nuclear reactor thermal hydraulic computer codes. The parametric range for the inlet conditions correlation ( 0.25×10 −3 ≤D≤15×10 −3 m, 2≤L/D≤200 , 300≤G≤30,000 kg m−2 s−1, 1×10 5 ≤P≤200×10 5 N m−2, −2.0≤x i ≤0.0 , −1.0≤x o ≤0.0 ) was chosen so as to include those regions where data were most abundant, containing approximately 85% of the subcooled CHF database. Superiority of the correlations was attributed to the systematic development of the functional forms of the correlations from the CHF parametric effects; thus, re-optimization of the constants, when additional subcooled CHF data become available, is not expected to produce an appreciable increase in accuracy.
Direct peroral cholangioscopy

Peroral cholangioscopy is an important tool for diagnosis and treatment of various biliary disorders. Peroral cholangioscopy can be performed by using a dedicated cholangioscope that is advanced through the accessory channel of a duodenoscope, or by direct insertion of a small-diameter endoscope into the bile duct. Direct peroral cholangioscopy refers to insertion of an ultraslim endoscope directly into the bile duct for visualization of the biliary mucosa and lumen. This approach provides a valuable and economic solution for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in the biliary tree. Compared to ductoscopy using a dedicated cholangioscope, the direct approach has several advantages and disadvantages. In this editorial, I discuss the advantages, disadvantages, and possible future developments pertaining to direct peroral cholangioscopy.
Measurements of unwinding of lac operator by repressor.

WE report here measurements of the rates of association and dissociation of the lac repressor and covalently closed λplac DNAs of various degrees of superhelicity, from which we deduce that the binding of repressor unwinds the lac operator by 40° to 90°. This small unwinding angle is inconsistent with binding mechanisms involving considerable disruption of DNA base-pairs and, in particular, with the model first proposed by Gierer1 for specific repressor–operator interactions. Our measurements were prompted by the existence of a twofold symmetry in the base sequence of the lac operator, which is a prerequisite of the Gierer model. The minimal base sequence of the lac operator, determined by Gilbert and Maxam2, is depicted in Fig. 1 as a regular double helix (Fig. 1a), and as a Gierer-type structure (Fig. 1b). According to Gierer's model, the lac repressor interacts specifically with the hairpinned structure shown in Fig. 1b.
Isomerism in Metal–Organic Frameworks: “Framework Isomers”

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are very important in the development of new technologies and study of gas storage and separation. MOFs are based on the complexation of metal clusters with organic ligands. Occasionally, the same building components combine in multiple different ways to produce different structures. These different structures are what we would call “framework isomers.” This type of isomerism is unique to the field of MOFs. In this Perspective, we classify the different types of framework isomers and provide examples of each type. Additionally, we provide an analysis of the structure/property relationship. In addition, possible methods for future control over the synthesis of a particular framework isomer and characterization techniques have also been discussed.
Effects of temperature and oxygen depletion on metabolic rates of tomato and carrot cell cultures and cuttings measured by calorimetry

Abstract. Isothermal heat-conductance calorimetry was used to monitor responses of tomato and carrot metabolism to changes in temperature and oxygen concentrations. Calorimetric measurements of metabolic heat evolution from tissue segments and cultured cells was found to be a sensitive, nondestructive estimate of metabolic rates. Short-term measurements of metabolic rates of cells in culture correlate well with calorimetric measurements made on tissue sections. The results accurately predict the growth properties of intact plants based on the generally recognized characteristics of these two species. The calorimetric method provides another means for rapid evaluation of plant responses to physical and chemical stresses and is of value for screening and selection.
Patterns in Transition A Writing Teacher's Survey of Organizational Socialization

Research in organizational socialization outlines a common process of transition making. Newcomers first anticipate what the workplace and their involvement there will be like and then adjust these expectations upon encounter with organizational reality. Encounter often brings some disappointment, so struggles with motivation must be resolved before the initiates are ready to settle in and become contributing members. A survey of this research, illustrated with case study excerpts from undergraduate student interns, suggests that classes intended to prepare students for workplace communication can do so more effectively if they make students aware of this adjustment process and if they help students explore the possible writing implications of such nonwriting issues.
The commercialization of biotechnology traits

Over the last few decades, a vibrant base of research in model plant systems and functional plant genomics has identified the genetic basis of hundreds if not thousands of plant traits. Reports in the scientific literature often discuss the potential contribution that a trait could make if deployed in commercial agriculture. Yet, very few have actually been introduced into the farming systems of the world using biotechnology. Moving from an initial discovery, identification, and characterization of a genetic trait to the cultivation of a transgenic crop expressing that trait requires successful navigation of a series of increasingly costly and difficult research and development (R&D) challenges.
Gyroradius scaling of electron and ion transport.

The scaling of heat diffusion with relative gyroradius ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{*}$ is measured on the DIII-D tokamak using dimensionally similar discharges. For the first time, a two-fluid transport analysis allows the ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{*}$ scaling of the electron and ion fluids to be determined separately. The electron diffusivity is found to scale like ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{e}\ensuremath{\propto}{\ensuremath{\chi}}_{B}{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{*}^{1.1\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3}$ (gyro-Bohm-like) while the ion diffusivity is found to scale like ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{i}\ensuremath{\propto}{\ensuremath{\chi}}_{B}{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{*}^{\ensuremath{-}0.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3}$ (Goldston-like). The scaling of the global confinement time and the effective diffusivity can vary from gyro-Bohm-like to Bohm-like depending upon whether the electrons or ions dominate the heat transport.
The inhibition of the serum-stimulated increase of ornithine decarboxylase by ionophores and local anesthetics

Abstract The addition of fresh serum-containing growth medium to L1210 mouse leukemic cells in culture resulted in a 5-fold increase in ornithine decarboxylase ( l -ornithine carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.17) activity. The presence of microtubule disrupting agents (colchine, vinblastine) or cations (5–10 mM K+, Na+ or Mg2+) abolishes this increase of ornithine decarboxylase activity (Chen, K.Y., Heller, J.S. and Canellakis, E.S. (1976) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 70, 212–219). Based on these observations we proposed that fluctuation in cellular cation concentrations may act as a link between the membrane structure and ornithine decarboxylase. To test this proposal, we studied the effects of selective membrane perturbing agents such as ionophores and local anesthetics, on the serum-stimulated increase of ornithine decarboxylase activity in L1210 cells. Among the six inonophores tested, valinomycin was the most potent one, with I50 value (concentration that gives 50% inhibition of orthinine decarbocylase activity) of 6·10−9 M. Dibucaine and tetracaine were also effective inhibitors at 10−4−10−5 M. The I50 values of valinomycin on the protein synthesis and RNA synthesis, however, were greater than 1·10−6 M. These results substantiate the notion that ornithine decarboxylase activity can be regulated at plasma membrane level and such regulation is related to the perturbation of cellular cation pools.
Identification of RBK1 potassium channels in C6 astrocytoma cells

Ionic currents in C6 astrocytoma cells were studied using the patch clamp technique under the whole cell configuration. A delayed rectifier K+ current with an amplitude of approximately 1 nA at +50 mV was observed in 86% (92/107) of the cells examined. This K+ current resembled the delayed rectifier present in type-1 and type-2 astrocytes in vitro and could be inhibited by a variety of K+ channel blockers, including TEA (IC50:0.5 mM), 4-aminopyridine (IC50:0.2 mM), MCD peptide (IC50:52 nM), dendrotoxin I (IC50:9 nM), and charybdotoxin (74% inhibition at 50 nM). Northern blot analysis, cloning of cDNA and subsequent sequencing showed that the C6 cell delayed rectifier K+ channel is equivalent to the RBK1 K+ channel derived from a rat brain cDNA library. The level of RBK1 transcripts in C6 cells was comparable to that reported in rat brain. The C6 delayed rectifier K+ channel is probably a homomeric RBK1 K+ channel judging from its pharmacological properties which are similar to the RBK1 channel expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Some C6 cells also expressed a transiently activated outward K+ current (IA). This current was found in less than 50% of the cells and in general contributed no more than 8% of the total outward current. No voltage-dependent inward Na+ or Ca2+ currents or inwardly rectifying K+ currents were observed in over 100 C6 cells examined. The present results show that the dominant voltage gated ionic current in C6 cells is the RBK1 delayed rectifier K+ channel.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The thin-film module as a high-performance semiconductor package

This paper discusses a multichip module for future VLSI computer packages on which an array of silicon chips is directly attached and interconnected by high-density thin-film lossy transmission lines. Since the high-performance VLSI chips contain a large number of off-chip driver circuits which are allowed to switch simultaneously in operation, low-inductance on-module capacitors are found to be essential for stabilizing the on-module power supply. Novel on-module capacitor structures are therefore proposed, discussed, and evaluated. Material systems and processing techniques for both the thin-film interconnection lines and the capacitor structures are also briefly discussed in the paper. Development of novel defect detection and repair techniques has been identified as essential for fabricating the Thin-Film Module with practical yields.
EVOLUTION OF BIRD SONG AFFECTS SIGNAL EFFICACY: AN EXPERIMENTAL TEST USING HISTORICAL AND CURRENT SIGNALS

Mating signals act as behavioral barriers to gene flow in many animal taxa, yet little is known about how signal evolution within populations contributes to the formation of these barriers. Although variation in mating signals among populations is known to affect mating behavior, there is no direct evidence that the evolution of mating signals changes signal effectiveness within a natural population. Making use of historical recordings of bird song, I found that both male and female white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys) respond more strongly to current than to historical songs, indicating that historical songs are less effective as signals in the current contexts of both mate choice and male–male competition. Finding that historical signals are less effective suggests that signal evolution within populations may ultimately contribute to the formation of behavioral barriers to gene flow between populations.
Structure--activity relationships of lysophosphatidic acid: conformationally restricted backbone mimetics

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) has associated with it an intriguing cell biology that is thought to be mediated through its interaction with G-protein coupled receptor(s). In an effort to extend the structure-activity relationships of LPA, we have produced a series of LPA analogues in which the glycerol core in LPA was replaced with conformationally restricted aryl substructures. The aryl substructures encompassed aminophenol, resorcinol, dihydroxy benzophenone, and tocopherol systems. The benzophenone moiety was investigated both as a conformationally restricting substructure for LPA and as a possible photoreactive alkylating agent for the LPA receptor(s). All LPA analogues were evaluated for their potency and efficacy in mobilizing calcium ions from internal stores in MDA MB-231 cells. Ten of the 14 analogues exhibited activity in this assay at doses up to 5 microM; none of the compounds exhibited nonreceptor-mediated lytic activity at this maximal concentration. The receptor response showed surprising tolerance for manipulation in the backbone region of LPA, although none of the compounds were equipotent to LPA. This tolerance for a variety of structures has given us new leads into the realization of novel agonists and antagonists of the LPA receptor(s).
Mitral Valve Balloon Dilatation: Long-Term Results

Background: Although initial success rates for mitral valve balloon dilatation are currently about 85%, the procedure remains investigational and is not performed in many centers because the procedure is technically challenging and has uncertain long-term results. Alm: The purpose of this report is to identify the predictors of long-term results after mitral valve balloon dilatation. Results: At 30-day follow-up of 738 patients treated at 24 centers (mean age 54 years), 4% of patients required mitral valve surgery, 3% had died, and 83% had their overall condition improved. At 2-month and 1-year follow-up of 17 patients treated at one center, quality of life showed sustained improvement as measured by the Sickness Impact Profile. At 5-year follow-up of 146 patients treated at a single center (mean age 59 years), overall survival was 76% and event-free survival was 51%. At 5-year follow-up of a younger group of 350 patients (mean age 46 years), overall survival was 94% and event-free survlval was 85%. Predictors of survival after mitral balloon dilatation included age and baseline New York Heart Association functional class. Predictors of restenosis included the presence of valve calcification and leaflet thickening. Conclusions: Mitral valve balloon dilatation has good long-term outcome for selected patients with mitral stenosis. The long-term outcome after this procedure can be predicted from baseline clinical and valvular characteristics. (J Card Surg 1994;9[Suppl]:213–217)
The Role of Asp-462 in Regulating Akt Activity

Protein kinase Akt, an important downstream target of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, is one of the major survival factors in mammalian cells. It has been shown that phosphorylation of the C-terminal hydrophobic motif is required for Akt activation. The activated Akt then phosphorylates several pro-apoptotic proteins and prevents apoptosis mediated by caspases and the mitochondria. Interestingly, Akt has also been implicated to be a direct substrate of caspases in apoptotic cells induced by Fas (Widmann, C., Gibson, S., and Johnson, G. L. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 7141–7147) and anoikis (Bachelder, R. E., Wendt, M. A., Fujita, N., Tsuruo, T., and Mercurio, A. M. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 34702–34707). In this study we showed that cytokine withdrawal resulted in Akt degradation by caspases as well. Furthermore, we demonstrated residue Asp-462 of Akt1 which is just upstream of the hydrophobic motif to be the primary cleavage site. The Akt1 mutant (D462N) that prevented caspase cleavage was more stable during factor withdrawal and enhanced cell survival. The Akt truncation mutant mimicking the caspase cleavage product lost its kinase activity and functioned as a dominant negative to promote cell death. Our results suggest that the balance between Akt and caspase activity controls cell survival. In particular, caspases are able to render Akt inactive and dominantly inhibit the Akt pathway by cleaving off the C-terminal hydrophobic motif. Consequently, the survival signal is quickly down-regulated to allow apoptosis to occur.
Indefensible Space: The Architecture of the National Insecurity State

Michael Sorkin, editor. Routledge, New York, 2007. 408 pages. $135, $39.95 (paperback). Indefensible Space is a densely packed series of passionate and often brutal essays on the polemics of planni...
A template-based approach for the analysis of lung nodules in a volumetric CT phantom study

Volumetric CT has the potential to improve the quantitative analysis of lung nodule size change compared to currently used one-dimensional measurement practices. Towards that goal, we have been conducting studies using an anthropomorphic phantom to quantify sources of volume measurement error. One source of error is the measurement technique or software tool used to estimate lesion volume. In this manuscript, we present a template-based approach which utilizes the properties of the acquisition and reconstruction system to quantify nodule volume. This approach may reduce the error associated with the volume estimation technique, thereby improving our ability to estimate the error directly associated with CT parameters and nodule characteristics. Our estimation approach consists of: (a) the simulation of the object-to-image transformation of a helical CT system, (b) the creation of a bank of simulated 3D nodule templates of varying sizes, and (c) the 3D matching of synthetic nodules - that were attached to lung vasculature and scanned with a 16-slice MDCT system - to the bank of simulated templates to estimate nodule volume. Results based on 10 repeat scans for different protocols and a root mean square error (RMSE) similarity metric showed a relative bias of 88%, 14%, and 4% for the measurement of 5 mm, 8 mm and 10 mm low density nodules (-630 HU) compared to -3%, -6%, and 8% for nodules of +100HU density. However, the relative bias for the small, low density nodules (5 mm, -630 HU), was significantly reduced to 7% when a penalized RMSE metric was used to enforce a symmetry constraint that reduced the impact of attached vessels. The results are promising for the use of this measurement approach as a low-bias estimator of nodule volume which will allow the systematic quantification and ranking of measurement error in volumetric CT analysis of lung nodules.
Variation in seed furanocoumarin content within the wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)

Abstract Furanocoumarins are restricted within the ripe seeds of Pastinaca sativa, the wild parsnip, to the vittae or oil tubes. The furanocoumarin content and composition of these organs vary with their location. Vittae on the inner or commissural side of the mericarp contained over 90% of the total furanocoumarin content of the seed; the relative abundance of the five furanocoumarin components also varies with seed side. The location of the seed within an umbel does not appear overall to affect furanocoumarin characteristics; however, the location of the seed among umbels is associated with significant differences in furanocoumarin content. The absolute amount of furanocoumarin present in seeds of primary and secondary umbels was approximately twice that of seeds in tertiary umbels. In the case of the wild parsnip, then, furanocoumarin distribution is not homogeneous, either through the plant or within the plant part in which it is localized.
An anisotropic mesh adaptation method for the finite element solution of variational problems

It has been amply demonstrated that anisotropic mesh adaptation can significantly improve computational efficiency over isotropic mesh adaptation especially for problems with strong anisotropic features. Although numerous research has been done on isotropic mesh adaptation for finite element solution of variational problems, little work has been done on anisotropic mesh adaptation. In this paper we consider anisotropic mesh adaptation method for the finite element solution of variational problems. A bound for the first variation of a general functional is derived, which is semi-a posteriori in the sense that it involves the residual and edge jump, both dependent on the computed solution, as well as the Hessian of the exact solution. A formula for the metric tensor M for use in anisotropic mesh adaptation is defined such that the bound is minimized on a mesh that is uniform in the metric specified by M (i.e., an M-uniform mesh). Interestingly, when restricted to isotropic meshes, we can obtain a similar but completely a posteriori bound and the corresponding formula for the metric tensor. When M is defined, an anisotropic adaptive mesh is generated as an M-uniform mesh. Numerical results demonstrate that the new mesh adaptation method is comparable in performance with existing ones based on interpolation error and has the advantage that the resulting mesh also adapts to changes in the structure of the underlying problem.
A technic for taking down the Potts' anastomosis.

A technic is described for definitive repair of patients with tetralogy of Fallot whose previously constructed aorticopulmonary (Potts') anastomosis has remained functional. Hypothermia without interruption of the circulation has been used to protect the patient during the brief interval after the shunt is obliterated and until cardiopulmonary bypass is established for the definitive intracardiac repair. The results in three children, followed up to 2 years, are reported.
Strategic Leadership: The Art of Balancing Organizational Mission with Policy, Procedures, and External Environment

In this paper we present a general framework for strategic leadership. We define strategic leadership as the art of creating a balance between external environment, corporate mission and its corresponding system of implementation. We argue that newly chosen leaders of organizations must make choices regarding the best leadership strategy for their organizations. This choice, we suggest, should be based on the leader's evaluation of the organization's total conditions. We provide a methodology for assessing organizational conditions based upon the concept of effectiveness. We then propose a number of leadership strategies associated with various types of organizational effectiveness.This paper aids management in assessing organizational effectiveness, and in selecting an appropriate leadership strategy.
Identification of collagens isolated from bovine Descemet's membrane

In this study collagens were isolated and identified from a morphologically pure preparation of bovine Descemet's membrane (DM) which was obtained by gentle scraping of the cornea, sieving and subsequent treatment with detergents. An alternative procedure of DM isolation with forceps resulted in stromal contamination of the preparation as verified by light and transmission electron microscopy, and gel electrophoresis. The amino acid profile of collagens isolated by pepsinization and salt precipitation from the pure sample was similar to the analysis of the intact bovine DM. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of this collagen under non-reducing conditions resulted in five major bands: 300 000 daltons (300 K), 200 000 daltons (200 K), 100 000 daltons (100 K) and lower molecular weight fractions (50 K1 and 50 K2). Individual collagen chains were isolated from preparative polyacrylamide gels and characterized by 125I two dimensional peptide mapping patterns. This data suggests that (1) the majority of collagen fragments seen in bovine DM pepsin supernatant are derived from a single genetically distinct collagen molecule, and (2) that type I and V collagens are not major components of bovine DM.