cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermal contribution of compact bone to intervening tissue-like media exposed to planar ultrasound

The presence of bone in the ultrasound beam path raises concerns, both in diagnostic and therapeutic applications, because significant temperature elevations may be induced at nearby soft tissue–bone interfaces due the facts that ultrasound is (i) highly absorbed in bone and (ii) reflected at soft tissue–bone interfaces in various degrees depending on angle of incidence. Consequently, in ultrasonic thermal therapy, the presence of bone in the ultrasound beam path is considered a major disadvantage and it is usually avoided. However, based on clinical experience and previous theoretical studies, we hypothesized that the presence of bone in superficial unfocused ultrasound hyperthermia can actually be exploited to induce more uniform and enhanced (with respect to the no-bone situation) temperature distributions in superficial target volumes. In particular, we hypothesize that the presence of underlying bone in superficial target volume enhances temperature elevation not only by additional direct power deposition from acoustic reflection, but also from thermal diffusion from the underlying bone. Here we report laboratory results that corroborate previous computational studies and strengthen the above-stated hypothesis. Three different temperature measurement techniques, namely, thermometric (using fibre-optic temperature probes), thermographic (using an infrared camera) and magnetic resonance imaging (using proton resonance frequency shifts), were used in high-power short-exposure, and in low-power extended-exposure, experiments using a 19 mm diameter planar transducer operating at 1.0 and 3.3 MHz (frequencies of clinical relevance). The measurements were performed on three technique-specific phantoms (with and without bone inclusions) and experimental set-ups that resembled possible superficial ultrasound hyperthermia clinical situations. Results from all three techniques were in general agreement and clearly showed that significantly higher heating rates (greater than fourfold) were induced in soft tissue-like phantom materials adjacent (within ~5 mm) to a bovine bone as compared to similar experiments without bone inclusions. For low-power long-exposure experiments, where thermal conduction effects are significant, the thermal impact of bone reached at distances >10 mm from the bone surface (upstream of the bone). Therefore, we hypothesize that underlying bone exposed to planar ultrasound hyperthermia creates a high-temperature thermal boundary at depth that compensates for beam attenuation, thus producing more uniform temperature distribution in the intervening tissue layers. With appropriate technology, this finding may lead to improved thermal doses in superficial treatment sites such as the chest wall and the head/neck.
Overview and implications of U.S. sanitary landfill practice.

This paper is a summary of observations and trends regarding landfill practice based on a fifteen state, four-and-a-half month tour of facilities and professionals involved in municipal solid waste management, supplemented by 25 years of experience in the field. Modern landfills tend to be well designed and operated, with an emphasis on containment of waste and products of decomposition through liner systems and cover design, plus good operating practice. Forces leading to our concept of modern landfills are based on a history of inadequate landfills and their impacts, and on long-term liability issues, but also stem from a lack of responsibility by the public and their representatives for handling their own waste. While modern landfills incorporate many improvements over previous facilities, the driving forces shaping landfill design now and in the future are unfortunately not based on sound technical and managerial principals and could lead to future problems. The trend to drier landfills, thereby prolo...
Structure-based prediction of C2H2 zinc-finger binding specificity: sensitivity to docking geometry

Predicting the binding specificity of transcription factors is a critical step in the characterization and computational identification and of cis-regulatory elements in genomic sequences. Here we use protein–DNA structures to predict binding specificity and consider the possibility of predicting position weight matrices (PWM) for an entire protein family based on the structures of just a few family members. A particular focus is the sensitivity of prediction accuracy to the docking geometry of the structure used. We investigate this issue with the goal of determining how similar two docking geometries must be for binding specificity predictions to be accurate. Docking similarity is quantified using our recently described interface alignment score (IAS). Using a molecular-mechanics force field, we predict high-affinity nucleotide sequences that bind to the second zinc-finger (ZF) domain from the Zif268 protein, using different C2H2 ZF domains as structural templates. We identify a strong relationship between IAS values and prediction accuracy, and define a range of IAS values for which accurate structure-based predictions of binding specificity is to be expected. The implication of our results for large-scale, structure-based prediction of PWMs is discussed.
Functional template-derived poly(methyl methacrylate) nanopillars for solid-phase biological reactions

Three-dimensional, free-standing polymer nanopillars with ultrahigh aspect ratios fabricated via a template-synthesized approach can be readily functionalized while maintaining their structural integrity to provide high-surface-area scaffolds for biomolecule attachment. The nanopillars can be fabricated in patterns over large areas and in integrated microfluidic networks and subsequently elaborated with chemical and biological functionalities.
H-NS gives invading DNA the silent treatment

Though uptake of beneficial foreign DNA confers fitness advantages to bacteria, the mechanisms protecting bacteria from harmful foreign DNA have been unclear. A new study suggests that the H-NS protein transcriptionally silences invading DNA by recognizing its low G-C content, thereby protecting cell viability during bacterial evolution.
Did schizophrenia change the course of English history? The mental illness of Henry VI

Henry VI, King of England, at age 19 founded Eton College and King's College, Cambridge. At 31 he had a sudden, dramatic mental illness in which he was mute and unresponsive. Before, he had been paranoid, grandiose, and indecisive. After, he was apathetic with deterioration of ability, drive, interest and self-care, and hallucinations and religious delusions. This illness, which is consistent with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, robbed Henry of his personality, his crown, his wife, his only son, and his life. It led to three decades of brutal fighting for the crown (the 'Wars of the Roses') that resulted in a new dynasty with a dramatic impact on the country: the Tudors, Henry VIII, and Elizabeth I and their descendants. Henry's story illustrates how schizophrenia can devastate individuals and families and change the course of history and yet it raises questions about how achievement and illness are related.
Galileo's Religion Versus the Church's Science? Rethinking the History of Science and Religion

Galileo’s conflict with the Catholic Church is well recognized as a key episode in the history of physics and in the history of science and religion. This paper applies a new, historiographical approach to that specific episode. It advocates eliminating the words science and religion. The Church concluded that the plainest facts of human experience agreed perfectly with an omniscient God's revealed word to proclaim the earth at rest. Supported by the Bible, Galileo, God-like, linked the elegance of mathematics to truths about nature. The Church, in effect, resisted Galileo's claim to be able to think like God, instead listening to God himself – and paying close attention to what man himself observed. We can thus see that the phrase “Galileo's religion versus the Church's science” is as meaningful (or meaningless) as the usual designation “Galileo's science versus the Church's religion.”
The impact of knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus serostatus on contraceptive choice and repeat pregnancy

Objective: To examine relationships among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serostatus, postpartum contraceptive choice, and the rate of repeat pregnancy within a short interval. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was performed in 83 seropositive and 218 seronegative women identified from an inner-city prenatal population undergoing routine voluntary HIV antibody screening from July 1987 through June 1989. Postpartum contraceptive choices and rate of repeat pregnancies were compared based on HIV serostatus. Results: Seropositive women were significantly more likely than seronegative women to undergo tubal sterilization (27 versus 15%; odds ratio [OR] 2.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5–5.9). This relationship persisted after controlling for age, race, marital status, and parity by logistic regression modeling (adjusted OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.4–5.9). Seropositive women were significantly less likely than seronegative women to select oral contraceptives (34 versus 68%; OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1–0.4), a relationship that persisted after controlling for age, race, marital status, parity, and foam and condom use (adjusted OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1–0.5). Seropositive women were significantly more likely than seronegative women to select foam and condoms as their primary method of contraception (30 versus 15%; OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2–4.5), a relationship that did not persist after controlling for age, race, marital status, and parity (adjusted OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.4–1.3). The risk of repeat pregnancy was slightly lower in seropositive versus seronegative women (34 versus 44%; OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.4–1.3). Most repeat pregnancies among sera positive and seronegative women were unplanned (90 and 82%, respectively). Conclusion: There was a relationship between the method of postpartum contraception and HIV serostatus, but no significant difference in repeat pregnancy rates associated with choice of method.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION AND URBAN CAPACITY BUILDING: REPRESENTATION AND CONFLICT

The paper focuses on two major urban capacities to which citizen participation policies are expected to contribute—the capacity to represent diverse interests and the capacity to sustain conflict. ...
The ripple effects of technological innovation: The case of iron ore pelletizing

Abstract Changing part of a production system can initiate “ripples” of change in related areas as managers strive to realize the full potential of the original innovation. This paper describes the ripples stemming from one significant innovation—processing the vast stock of taconite rock to replace the depleted reserves of natural iron ore—and draws some general implications for managers from this case.
Evidence for two fossil spreading ridges in the southeast Pacific

Two different sets of extinct spreading ridge segments (Pacific-Farallon and Pacific-Nazca) are identified from bathymetric and magnetic data in the southeast Pacific. The older set is composed of several topographically subdued segments of a fossil ridge (Pacific-Farallon) that trends northwest, parallel to and about 175 to 550 km distant from the younger side of anomaly 7 (26 m.y. B.P.) The younger set trends north-northeast subparallel to the present East Pacific Rise (EPR), at an angle of about 45° to the older fossil ridge. The younger ridge forms the Galapagos Rise and includes a set of west-northwest–trending fracture zones. This was the original site of the EPR before it jumped westward to its present position. Oligocene magnetic anomalies (7–12) were generated at the older northwest-trending ridge rather than from the younger northeast-trending Galapagos Rise. The change in ridge orientation from the older Pacific-Farallon to the younger Pacific-Nazca direction is likely to be associated with the birth of the Cocos-Nacza spreading ridge system, about 20 to 25 m.y. ago.
INHIBITION OF HEXOBARBITAL METABOLISM BY ETHYLMORPHINE AND CODEINE IN THE INTACT RAT.

Abstract The knowledge that chemically unrelated drugs may compete for microsomal enzymes of the liver in vitro led to the testing of several drugs for their inhibitory effects on hexobarbital metabolism in vivo . Ethylmorphine and codeine were shown to retard the metabolism of hexobarbital in vivo , as measured by the rate of hexobarbital disappearance from the blood of rats, whereas morphine, norcodeine, dextromethorphan, levomethorphan, meprobamate, and acetanilide were without effect.
Advanced Imaging Assessment of Posterior Circulation Stroke Before and After Endovascular Intervention

Perfusion-computed tomography (CTP) is a relatively new technique that allows rapid semiquantitative noninvasive evaluation of cerebral perfusion aiding in the diagnosis of cerebral ischemia and infarction. There is a paucity of data on its application within the posterior circulation, especially, the brainstem. We describe a case of basilar artery thrombosis with cerebellar and brainstem CTP mismatch and discuss possible future applications of CTP for acute posterior fossa circulation and infarction. Case report. Successful use of CTP to aid in decision to proceed with neurointervention in acute basilar artery occlusion and confirm its resolution after mechanical clot retrieval. Perfusion-computed tomography can successfully be used to define cerebral ischemia and infarction within the posterior fossa and aid in decisions to proceed with neurointervention.
Dependence of cyclotron maser instability growth rates on electron velocity distributions and perturbation by solitary waves

[1] We calculate growth rates and corresponding gains for right-hand circularly polarized extraordinary (RX) and left-hand ordinary circularly polarized (LO) mode radiation associated with the cyclotron maser instability (CMI) for parameterized horseshoe electron velocity distributions. The velocity distribution function was modeled to closely fit the electron distribution functions observed in the auroral cavity. We systematically varied the model parameters as well as the propagation direction to study the dependence of growth rates on model parameters. The growth rate depends strongly on loss cone opening angle, which must be less than 90° for significant CMI growth. The growth rate is sharply peaked for perpendicular radiation (k∥ = 0), with a full width at half maximum 1.7°, in good agreement with observed k-vector orientations and numerical simulations. The fractional bandwidth varied between 10−4 and 10−2, depending most strongly on propagation direction. This range encompasses nearly all observed fractional auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) burst bandwidths. We find excellent agreement between the computed RX mode emergent intensities and observed AKR intensities assuming convective growth length Lc ≈ 20–40 km and group speed 0.15c. The only computed LO mode growth rates compatible observed LO mode radiation levels occurred for number densities more than 100 times the average energetic electron densities measured in auroral cavities. This implies that LO mode radiation is not produced directly by the CMI mechanism but more likely results from mode conversion of RX mode radiation. We find that perturbation of the model velocity distribution by large ion solitary waves (ion holes) can enhance the growth rate by a factor of 2–4. This will result in a gain enhancement more than 40 dB depending on the convective growth length within the structure. Similar enhancements may be caused by strong electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves.
A high-rate fingerprinting code

In fingerprinting, a signature, unique to each user, is embedded in each distributed copy of a multimedia content, in order to identify potential illegal redistributors. As an alternative to the vast majority of fingerprinting codes built upon error-correcting codes with a high minimum distance, we propose the construction of a random-like fingerprinting code, intended to operate at rates close to fingerprinting capacity. For such codes, the notion of minimum distance has little relevance. As an example, we present results for a length 288,000 code that can accommodate 33 millions of users and 50 colluders against the averaging attack. The encoding is done by interleaving the users' identifying bitstrings and encoding them multiple times with recursive systematic convolutional codes. The decoding is done in two stages. The first outputs a small set of possible colluders using a bank of list Viterbi decoders. The second stage prunes this set using correlation decoding. We study this scheme and assess its performance through Monte-Carlo simulations. The results show that at rates ranging from 30% to 50% of capacity, we still have a low error probability (e.g. 1%).
Distortion-product otoacoustic emissions and contralateral suppression findings in children with Asperger's Syndrome.

Abstract Objectives Children with Asperger's Syndrome (AS) often demonstrate auditory behaviors such as hypersensitivity to sounds and poor performance in noisy environments. These auditory behaviors may be related to cochlear dysfunction and abnormal medial olivocochlear bundle (MOCB) activity. The objective of this study was to examine the distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) with and without contralateral white noise to evaluate outer hair cell activity and MOCB activity in children with AS. Methods A case control study where 18 boys with AS and 18 age-matched control subjects participated in the study. For both groups, DPOAEs were recorded at 4031, 2627, 1969, and 1359 Hz f2 frequencies with and without contralateral white noise at 30 dB SL. DPOAE SNRs and difference scores were analyzed for possible differences between both groups and age subgroups (young and old children). Results In the quiet condition, there were no significant group or ear differences in DPOAEs SNR. However, DPOAEs SNR were larger at 4031 Hz than at lower frequencies in both groups, mostly due to negative effect of background noise on low frequency response. Contralateral noise resulted in both suppression and enhancement of the DPOAE SNRs in 93% of the control group and 90% of the AS group. However, there were no significant differences in suppression and enhancement between the two groups or age subgroups. The young controls had right ear advantage and significantly larger suppression at all frequencies except 4031 Hz than old controls. The young children with AS had slight left ear advantage and significantly larger suppression only at 2672 Hz compared to the old children with AS. Conclusions The results, indicating minor differences in DPOAEs and contralateral suppression and enhancement of DPOAEs between both control and AS groups and age subgroups, suggest subtle differences in the function of the outer hair cells and the MOCB activity. Therefore, other central auditory processing in the temporal lobe, limbic system and autonomic nervous system may be involved in the generation of hypersensitivity to sounds and difficulty understanding in noisy environments in children with AS.
The Problem of Ritual Language: From Information to Situation

any of the disciplines of the humanities and social sciences have as one of their principal tasks the analysis of bodies of language. These sets of utterances, especially when congealed into a fixed form that can become a common object of study for scholars, a text, provide unique insights into the human situation that no observation and measurement of mute behavior can duplicate. The text allows entry into the world of ideas. And we assume that that was the intent of the original utterances-to convey meaning to an audience, to make the speaker's or writer's thoughts accessible to another.
Approximating Cornu spirals by arc splines

While modeling planar parametric curves, it is desirable to approximate them efficiently by arc splines with fewest segments within the prescribed tolerance. Planar arc splines are ideal for describing the path of a numerically controlled cutting machine because they are easy to offset. In this paper, we derive a vector solution to interpolate a G1-continuous biarc curve between a given pair of points with specified start, joint and end tangents. Using this solution as the underlying idea, we present an efficient algorithm for approximating a Cornu spiral with a sequence of arcs within the prescribed maximum deviation. The method is simple and generic and can be applied to other types of planar parametric curves as well.
Variations in the low levels of cyclin D1/BCL1 have prognostic value in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Abstract Cyclin D1 (CyD1)/BCL1 (PRAD1) is expressed at high levels in almost all cases of mantle cell leukemia/lymphoma (MCL) and in rare cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The CyD1/BCL1 protein plays an important role in the progression of cells through the G1 phase of cell cycle. Most of the CyD1/BCL1 protein expression studies are performed using immunohistochemistry. We used a sensitive solid-phase radioimmunoassay (RIA) to quantify CyD1 protein expression in 199 patients with CLL. Of these 137 patients were previously untreated with the rest having had standard chemotherapeutic regimens including alkylating agents and fludarabine before being referred to our center. Median white cell count in these patients was 49×10 3 /μl (range 3.0–438.5×10 3 /μl), hemoglobin level 13.1 g/dl (range 5.2–17.3 g/dl), platelet count 157×10 3 /μl (range 10–377×10 3 /μl), age 58 (range 26–89), and β2-microglobulin 2.75 mg/dl (range 1.1–14.3). The median radioactivity (CPM) of mononuclear cells obtained from 56 normal individuals was assigned a value of 1. There was no significant variation in CyD1 levels among normal individuals (SD=0.12). While most CyD1 levels in MCL varied from 6.5 to 15.6, the median CyD1/BCL1 in CLL was 1.4 with 75th percentile under 2.12. Rare CLL cases (3.5%) showed levels between 4 and 8.83. When divided into two groups at the median level, patients with higher CyD1/BCL1 expression had shorter survival ( P =0.03). This remained true when applied only to the previously untreated patients ( P =0.05). Despite the relatively low expression, the CyD1/BCL1 levels in univariate analysis were as good or better predictors of survival than Binet ( P =0.03) or Rai ( P =0.05) staging. Furthermore, CyD1/BCL1 levels correlated with serum β2-microglobulin ( P =0.001), white blood cell count ( P =0.004) and hemoglobin levels at the time of collection ( P =0.0003) but not with lymphocyte count, platelet count or age. The data demonstrate that CyD1/BCL1 is likely to play a significant role in the biology of CLL and can be used as a prognostic indicator. Further studies to clarify the role of CyD1 in the biology of CLL and its value as a prognostic indicator at the time of diagnosis are encouraged.
Linearized ray-trace analysis

A new, coordinate-free version of the exact ray-trace equations for optical systems consisting of conic reflecting, refracting and reference surfaces is presented. These equations are differentiated to obtain closed-form optical sensitivity dyadics. For computation, the sensitivities are evaluated in a single global coordinate frame and combined in linearized ray-trace matrix difference equations that propagate the rays and the sensitivities from element to element. One purpose of this analysis is to create optical models that can be directly integrated with models of the instrument structure and control systems for dynamic simulation.
Lipoxygenase: a new pathway for 2-aminofluorene bioactivation.

Abstract Soybean lipoxygenase mediated cooxidation of 2-aminofluorene (2-AF), a putative carcinogen and teratogen, was examined. 2-AF metabolism was followed spectrally as a decrease in absorbance at 286 nm. The enzymatic oxidation displayed a pH optimum at 9.5 with a K m of 0.27 mM and specific activity of 521.7 ± 46.6 nmol/min per nmol of enzyme. The generation of electrophilic 2-AF intermediate(s) capable of covalent binding to macromolecules was also investigated radiometrically. Significant binding to protein and calf thymus DNA was observed, suggesting clearly bioactivation of 2-AF. Several classical lipoxygenase inhibitors caused a marked inhibition of 2-AF oxidation as well as covalent binding to protein and DNA. These results strongly suggest that lipoxygenase is capable of 2-AF metabolism and this may represent another pathway for bioactivation of arylamines.
Histone-protein transition in Drosophila melanogaster: I. Changes during spermatogenesis☆

Abstract The basic protein of the mature spermatozoa of Drosophila melanogaster is an arginine-rich histone but not a protamine, as determined by cytochemical criteria. The histone shift during spermatogenesis occurs during maturation of the sperm rather than at the spermatid stage. “Maturity” of a spermatozoon should not be defined purely on morphological criteria. Adjudged cytochemically, the spermatozoa of the early pupal testis of Drosophila cannot be considered as mature; mature sperms first appear shortly before eclosion. The sperm nucleus, by the very nature of its nucleohistone complex, is assumedly devoid of any synthetic activity. This appears to be an evolutionary adaptation for insulating the genetic information during the period of its transit from one generation to the next.
The differentiation in the family system scale (difs)

Abstract This report outlines efforts to develop a self-report measure that assesses family differentiation. Differentiation is conceptualized as a family-level variable involving interactions that enable individuals to maintain both a sense of ongoing emotional connectedness (support, involvement, personal relationship) and a sense of separateness (autonomy, uniqueness, freedom of personal expression) within the context of their family-of-origin. The scale consists of 11 items and employs a “circular questioning” format to assess an individual's perception of how the various members of the family interact with one another. Scale uses and information on the scale's reliability and validity are presented.
From genomics to metagenomics

Next-generation sequencing has changed metagenomics. However, sequencing DNA is no longer the bottleneck, rather, the bottleneck is computational analysis and also interpretation. Computational cost is the obvious issue, as is tool limitations, considering most of the tools we routinely use have been built for clonal genomics or are being adapted to microbial communities. The current trend in metagenomics analysis is toward reducing computational costs through improved algorithms and through analysis strategies. Data sharing and interoperability between tools are critical, since computation for metagenomic datasets is very high.
Exosomes Are Unlikely Involved in Intercellular Nef Transfer

HIV-1 Nef is an important pathogenic factor for HIV/AIDS pathogenesis. Several recent studies including ours have demonstrated that Nef can be transferred to neighboring cells and alters the function of these cells. However, how the intercellular Nef transfer occurs is in dispute. In the current study, we attempted to address this important issue using several complementary strategies, a panel of exosomal markers, and human CD4+ T lymphocyte cell line Jurkat and a commonly used cell line 293T. First, we showed that Nef was transferred from Nef-expressing or HIV-infected Jurkat to naive Jurkat and other non-Jurkat cells and that the transfer required the membrane targeting function of Nef and was cell density-dependent. Then, we showed that Nef transfer was cell-cell contact-dependent, as exposure to culture supernatants or exosomes from HIV-infected Jurkat or Nef-expressing Jurkat and 293T led to little Nef detection in the target cells Jurkat. Thirdly, we demonstrated that Nef was only detected to be associated with HIV virions but not with acetylcholinesterase (AChE+) exosomes from HIV-infected Jurkat and not in the exosomes from Nef-expressing Jurkat. In comparison, when it was over-expressed in 293T, Nef was detected in detergent-insoluble AChE+/CD81low/TSG101low exosomes, but not in detergent-soluble AChE-/CD81high/TSG101high exosomes. Lastly, microscopic imaging showed no significant Nef detection in exosomal vesicle-like structures in and out 293T. Taken together, these results show that exosomes are unlikely involved in intercellular Nef transfer. In addition, this study reveals existence of two types of exosomes: AChE+/CD81low/TSG101low exosomes and AChE-/CD81high/TSG101high exosomes.
Dopamine receptors in the goldfish retina: 3H-spiroperidol and 3H-domperidone binding; and dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity

Abstract Dopamine receptors in the goldfish retina have been examined by binding studies using 3 H-spiroperidol and 3 H-domperidone as specific ligands, and by measuring retinal adenylate cyclase activities in the presence and absence of dopamine. Our results indicate that washed membranes from goldfish retinal homogenate bind a variety of dopamine agonists and antagonists with high affinities and with characteristics similar to those reported for the brain, with the exception that in this retina there is virtually no binding of the specific D 2 receptor antagonist, 3 H-domperidone. In addition, there is a very low basal activity of adenylate cyclase which can be greatly stimulated by dopamine, possibly reflecting a high degree of coupling between this enzyme and the dopamine receptor. Taken together, our findings indicate that the goldfish retina contains a high density of D 1 type dopamine receptors and few, if any, D 2 type receptors.
On meteorologically induced flushing in three U.S. east coast estuaries

Abstract Meteorologically induced exchange with the coastal ocean is examined for three U.S. east coast estuaries using time series of subtidal volume flux over a common five-month period. A volume of water equal to that of the estuary was discharged every 86·4, 135·3 and 108·8 days for Narragansett, Delaware and Chesapeake Bays, respectively. However, a large fraction of the water discharged to the shelf is recirculated ocean water. For Chesapeake Bay, outflowing estuarine water can be considered as a mixture of 2·4–3·0% water of mean estuarine salinity and the remainder water of oceanic salinity. The degree of meteorological flushing is strongly influenced by mean depth, as a drop in sea level of a given amplitude will force a greater fraction of water from a shallow estuary than from a deep system. The relative importance of the meteorologically forced circulation and the gravitational circulation is frequency dependent, as illustrated by salinity variance at the entrance to Chesapeake Bay. Seasonal salinity variance must ultimately be controlled by seasonal changes in runoff, through the mechanism of gravitational circulation. However, the high coherence of wind-induced changes in bay volume and bay entrance salinity at periods of 2–20 days suggests that meteorologically forced advection is primarily responsible for salinity variance at these time scales.
Structural characterization of the parathyroid hormone receptor domains determinant for ligand binding.

Over the years, the association of peptide ligands to Family B GPCRs (G-protein coupled receptors) has been characterized by a number of experimental and theoretical techniques. For the PTH (parathyroid hormone) ligand–receptor system, important insight has been provided by photoaffinity labelling experiments and the elucidation of direct contact points between ligand and receptor. Our research has focused on the structural elucidation of the receptor domains shown to be involved in the binding of PTH. Employing a combination of carefully designed receptor domains, solution-state NMR carried out in the presence of membrane mimetics and extensive computer simulations, we have obtained a well-resolved model of the ligand–receptor complex for PTH. Here, we review the development of this model and highlight some inherent limitations of the methods employed and their consequences on interpretation of the ligand–receptor model.
Ric-8 folding of G proteins better explains Ric-8 apparent amplification of G protein–coupled receptor signaling

In their PNAS article, Kataria et al. conclude that “…Dictyostelium resistant to inhibitors of cholinesterase 8 (Ric-8), in contrast to mammalian Ric-8, does not play a role in the expression or folding of G proteins.” (1) We contend that the experimental evidence presented to support this claim is not sufficient. Figure 5A reported similar steady-state whole cell Gα2 levels in a ric-8-null organism vs. a WT control. This experiment reveals no information about the functionality or folded state of Gα2 or any other Gα subunit in ric-8-null Dictyostelia. In Ric-8A-null mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell whole cell lysates, we reported slight reductions of particular Gα subunits (e.g., Gαo and Gα13) and dramatic reductions of others (e.g., Gαq and Gαi1/2) (2). However, Gαo and Gα13 were reduced dramatically in a subcellular membrane fraction prepared from Ric-8A-null cells because these G proteins were not folded properly during biosynthesis (2, 3). The individual stabilities of misfolded Gα subunits differ depending on subtype. Gα subunit misfolded status in Ric-8 absence may not always be revealed by immunoblotting Gα subunits from whole cell lysates.
Cancer and gene therapy

The authors review the current literature pertaining to gene therapy as related to human cancer, covering gene therapy strategies, techniques of gene transfer, and targeted gene delivery. Gene therapy has various applications. Many technical obstacles in gene delivery need to be overcome. The safe delivery and expression of a gene to its destination are essential for clinical use. A greater understanding of the genetic basis of cancer and tumor immunology is necessary before the goal of cancer gene therapy can be fully realized.
The effects of transverse shearing and anisotropy on vibration frequencies of laminated cylinders

The natural vibration frequencies of orthotropic and anisotropic, simply supported right circular cylinders are predicted using a theory which takes into account higher-order transverse shear deformation effects. A comparison between results based on first-order transverse shear deformation theory and the higher-order theory indicates that an additional allowance for transverse shear deformation has a negligible effect on the predicted natural vibration frequencies associated with long wavelengths, but significantly reduces the natural vibration frequencies associated with short wavelengths. Results of a parametric study of ply orientation for two classes of laminates indicates that while stacking sequence affects natural vibration frequencies, cylinder geometry and mode shape are more important in accurately predicting transverse shear deformation effects. Transverse shearing effects are less important in predicting natural vibration frequencies associated with long wavelength than in predicting axial compressive buckling loads.
Understanding the causes of recent cruise ship mishaps and disasters

Abstract The core of the cruise industry experience is to provide a pleasant recreation for the customer. When a mishap/disaster on a cruise ship occurs it can put the customer at serious risk. Although rare and, precisely why they are a rare phenomenon, cruise ship mishaps receive global media attention when they do occur which can cost the cruise ship companies millions of dollars in lost revenue. Further, some regulators are questioning the safety practices of the cruise industry. There is little academic research on the causes of cruise line mishaps. Merchant vessel mishaps, however, have been greatly investigated. The goal of this research is to contribute to the understanding of the nature of mishaps in the current cruise industry by evaluating 580 mishap incidents from 1989 to 2013 through a two-stage measurement design. This novel application of this methodology may provide a new insight into mishap evaluation research. Under this method, an evaluation of what happened during a reported mishap is done. Then, the incident report data are used to evaluate and classify the cause of the mishap. This classification may reveal what factors contribute to cruise ship mishaps and start to lay a foundation of operator preparedness.
How Important Is the Digital Divide? The Relation of Computer and Videogame Usage to Gender Differences in Mental Rotation Ability

Researchers interested in the associations of gender with spatial experience and spatial ability have not yet focused on several activities that have become common in the modern digital age. In this study, using a new questionnaire called the Survey of Spatial Representation and Activities (SSRA), we examined spatial experiences with computers and videogames in a sample of nearly 1,300 undergraduate students. Large gender differences, which favored men, were found in computer experience. Although men and women also differed on SAT scores, gender differences in computer experience were still apparent with SAT factored out. Furthermore, men and women with high and low levels of computer experience, who were selected for more intensive study, were found to differ significantly on the Mental Rotations Test (MRT). Path analyses showed that computer experience substantially mediates the gender difference in spatial ability observed on the MRT. These results collectively suggest that the “Digital Divide” is an important phenomenon and that encouraging women and girls to gain spatial experiences, such as computer usage, might help to bridge the gap in spatial ability between the sexes.
Evidence from 29Si NMR for the structure of mixed-layer illite/smectite clay minerals

Understanding the crystal structure of mixed-layer illite/smectite (I/S) is important to studies of petroleum migration1 and maturation2, geopressure development3, sandstone cementation4, and thermal histories of sedimentary5 and hydrothermally altered6 rocks. The crystallographic nature of I/S minerals is presently described by two competing theories, one based on Markov theory7 and the other based on transmission electron microscopy of thin crystallites, called 'fundamental particles'8. Here we present 29Si NMR data obtained using an inversion/recovery technique9, which allows direct analysis of the Si/Al(4) ratios of individual illite and smectite components in I/S. The NMR results show that illite-rich I/S contains both high-charge and Al-rich (illite) and low-charge and Al-poor (smectite) structural environments. These results are best represented by the Markovian model of I/S. The NMR data are most consistent with the interpretation that the top and bottom tetrahedral sheets of both MacEwan crystallites and fundamental particles are smectitic. Fundamental particles are best interpreted as large crystallites of I/S that have been separated by osmotic swelling of Li+ and Na+ in smectite interlayers. Thermodynamic studies10 should consider illite-rich I/S as two phases, rather than as one phase, as suggested in previous investigations8,11–15.
Edge dynamics in quantum Hall bilayers: Exact results with disorder and parallel fields

We study edge dynamics in the presence of interlayer tunneling, parallel magnetic field, and various types of disorder for two infinite sequences of quantum Hall states in symmetric bilayers. These sequences begin with the 110 and 331 Halperin states and include their fractional descendants at lower filling factors; the former is easily realized experimentally while the latter is a candidate for the experimentally observed quantum Hall state at a total filling factor of 1/2 in bilayers. We discuss the experimentally interesting observables that involve just one chiral edge of the sample and the correlation functions needed for computing them. We present several methods for obtaining exact results in the presence of interactions and disorder that rely on the chiral character of the system. Of particular interest are our results on the 331 state, which suggest that a time-resolved measurement at the edge can be used to discriminate between the 331 and Pfaffian scenarios for the observed quantum Hall state at filling factor 1/2 in realistic double-layer systems.
Diurnal Variation of Precipitation in the Eastern Tropical Atlantic

Abstract Summaries of ship observations for four marine areas off the west coast of Africa have been used to describe the diurnal variation of precipitation in the eastern tropical Atlantic. These long-term means show a definitive early morning maximum in precipitation frequency throughout the year, in agreement with findings in most tropical ocean areas. In contrast, data for the nearby GATE area, which are limited to summer months, show late afternoon-early evening maxima in precipitation frequency and amount. Support for differences of this type is offered by the patterns of convective activity over the tropical Atlantic shown by satellite IR data during GATE as presented by Murakami (1979).
Force-linear mechanisms

This paper presents a mathematical model of a large class of machines which experience internal friction losses and maintain an essentially linear relation between input and output forces. The model is described in a general setting and a universal theorem is derived quantifying net work done and energy lost over a given process. Examples are given to illustrate the application of the model to predicting the performance of reciprocating heat engines equipped with such mechanisms.
A Pre-impoundment Survey of the Helminth and Copepod Parasites of Micropterus spp. of Beaver Reservoir in Northwest Arkansas

Abstract A total of 489 bass were examined and 21 species of parasites were recovered, as follows: nine species of trematodes representing six families; one cestode; two acanthocephalans representing two families; four nematodes representing three families; two leeches representing one family; and three copepods representing three families. From 410 fish specimens taken from 25 collection sites along the White River drainage, 18 species of parasites were recovered; of these specimens all but one was parasitized by at least one species of parasite. Seventy-nine Micropterus salmoides were examined from three state fish hatcheries presently stocking Beaver Reservoir to determine if the preventative measures used were effective in eliminating ectoparasites. Of these, all but four were parasitized by one or more species of parasite for an overall infection rate of 95%. Eleven species of parasites were recovered from the hatchery fish, three of which were not present in the White River drainage. Posthodiplostom...
Automated measurement and compensation of thermally induced error maps in machine tools

In this paper, a direct method of machine tool calibration is adopted to model and predict thermally induced errors in machine tools. This method uses a laser ball bar (LBB) as the calibration instrument and is implemented on a two-axis computerized numerical control turning center (CNC). Rather than individually measuring the parametric errors to build the error model of the machine, the total positioning errors at the cutting tool and spindle thermal drifts are rapidly measured using the LBB within the same experimental setup. Unlike conventional approaches, the spindle thermal drifts are derived from the true spindle position and orientation measured by the LBB. A neural network is used to build a machine model in an incremental fashion by correlating the measured errors with temperature gradients of the various heat sources during a regular thermal duty cycle. The machine model developed by the neural network is further tested using random thermal duty cycles. The performance of the system is also evaluated through cutting tests under various thermal conditions. A substantial improvement in the overall accuracy was obtained.
Bis(alkylamino)anthracenedione antineoplastic agent metabolic activation by NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and NADH dehydrogenase: Diminished activity relative to anthracyclines

Stimulation of the rates of NAD(P)H oxidation, Superoxide generation, and hydrogen peroxide formation by three anthracenedione antineoplastic agents in the presence of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, NADH dehydrogenase, or rabbit hepatic microsomes was studied and the results compared with those obtained for the anthracyclines Adriamycin and daunorubicin. In all cases the anthracenediones, including mitoxantrone and ametantrone, were significantly (5- to 20-fold) less effective than the anthracyclines in stimulating NAD(P)H oxidation, Superoxide formation, or hydrogen peroxide production. Of the three anthracenediones studied, the ring-monohydroxylated compound showed the greatest activity followed by the ring-dihydroxylated derivative (mitox-antrone). In contrast, the non-ring-hydroxylated anthracenedione (ametantrone) was a relatively ineffective electron acceptor and inhibited the reduction of more effective acceptors such as Adriamycin. Michaelis-Menten kinetic constants were determined by analysis of the rates of NADPH oxidation. NADP+ and 2′-AMP inhibited the reduction of the ring-hydroxylated anthracenediones and anthracyclines, demonstrating the enzymatic nature of the reaction. The non-ring-hydroxylated anthracenedione inhibited the reduction of Adriamycin by both P-450 reductase and NADH dehydrogenase with 50% inhibition achieved at approximately 300 μm. Thus, there appears to exist a structural relationship between anthracenedione ring hydroxylation and metabolic activation. These results also suggest that the relative inability of the anthracenediones to function as artificial electron acceptors in comparison to the anthracyclines may be correlated with diminished anthracenedione cardiotoxicity.
The value relevance of goodwill impairment

Abstract After a 5 year deliberation, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. The main objective of SFAS 142 is to increase transparency. We find that goodwill impairment charges are negatively viewed by investors, on average, but financial health moderates the relation. Returns for profitable firms are negative, but returns for loss firms are positive. The regulatory implications are that the goodwill impairment charge is conveying value relevant information.
Does Diabetes Mellitus Increase the Requirement for Vitamin C

This paper reviews the scientific evidence regarding the vitamin C status of people with diabetes mellitus and whether they might have increased dietary vitamin C requirements. English language articles published from 1935 to the present that either compare ascorbic acid concentrations of persons with and without diabetes mellitus or assess the impact of vitamin C supplementation on various health outcomes among persons with diabetes mellitus were examined. Most studies have found people with diabetes mellitus to have at least 30% lower circulating ascorbic acid concentrations than people without diabetes mellitus. Vitamin C supplementation had little impact on blood glucose concentrations, but was found to lower cellular sorbitol concentrations and to reduce capillary fragility. Much of the past research in this area has been methodologically weak. To further understand the relation of ascorbic acid and diabetes mellitus, randomized clinical trials of ascorbic acid supplementation should be a high priority for research.