cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analyzing Longitudinal Data to Characterize the Accuracy of Markers Used to Select Treatment

With the increasing availability of detailed clinical information, there is optimism that treatment choices can be selectively directed to those individuals most likely to benefit. While standard clinical trials can establish whether a treatment appears to be effective on average, subsequent work is needed to determine whether there are identifiable subgroups of subjects for whom treatment is either particularly beneficial or harmful. Molecular assays and modern imaging technology now allow numerous candidate measures to be used as potential determinants of treatment choice. In this manuscript, we focus on novel measures of decision accuracy that reflect the treatment marker objective. Specifically, we define longitudinal individual-level potential outcomes (principal strata) that characterize patient outcomes under treated and untreated states. We propose generalizations of sensitivity and specificity that measure the accuracy with which a marker can distinguish those subjects who are expected to have a more favorable outcome under a specific treatment choice from those subjects who are expected to have a more favorable outcome under alternative treatment options. For quantitative markers, we propose principal receiver operating characteristic curves that display the full range of potential sensitivity and specificity. We use simulations to demonstrate the properties of proposed estimators, and we illustrate the methods using candidate neuroimaging and electrodiagnostic markers that could be used to select patients for carpal tunnel surgery. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Example of decoupling in a distributive system

An example of decoupling in linear distributive systems is presented. Attention is focused on the interaction of feedback and input-output coupling. Avenues for further research are suggested by the example.
Epigenetic modifications of the C9ORF72 gene: a potential biomarker of disease?

123 ISSN 1479-6708 10.2217/FNL.14.5 © 2014 Future Medicine Ltd Future Neurol. (2014) 9(2), 123–126 Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), the most common presenile onset neurodegenerative disease [1], results from progressive neuronal death in the frontal and anterior temporal lobes, and comprises three frontotemporal dementia (FTD) syndromes characterized by changes in personality and social conduct, impairments in naming and word comprehension, or deterioration of expressive language [2]. Approximately 40% of individuals affected with FTLD will eventually develop motor dysfunctions, 15% of which will reach the diagnostic criteria of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) [3,4], the third most common neuro degenerative disease and the most common motor neuron disease [5]. Degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons in ALS progressively leads to muscle weakness, spasticity and atrophy [6]. In addition, approximately 40–50% of ALS patients develop cognitive dysfunctions that, in 15–18% of cases, will fill the diagnostic criteria of FTD [7,8]. These two devastating, lethal disorders are now seen as being part of the same disease spectrum, but the pathological mechanisms underlying neuronal degeneration still need to be better understood. Over the last two decades, genetic studies on ALS and FTLD, in particular linkage studies using families exhibiting Mendelian inheritance, shed light on more than two dozen genes implicated in the pathogenesis of both diseases [9]. The most intriguing locus, identified in 2006 on chromosome 9p21 [10–12], has been confirmed in 2010 by a genome-wide association study using the founder Finnish population and remains the most significant genome-wide association study signal observed to date for ALS [13]. A fruitful 5-year effort led to the 2011 discovery of the chromosome 9p21 genetic culprit: a major hexanucleotide repeat expansion carried by up to 50% of familial ALS and up to 25% of familial FTD patients [14,15], making the expanded C9ORF72 gene the most common genetic cause of ALS and FTLD identified to date, and bringing a wind of change to this field of research. This genetic finding provided a further link between these two disorders; patients carrying a pathogenic C9ORF72 repeat expansion are now being collectively referred to as c9FTD/ALS. Comparable repeat expansions have been shown to alter epigenetic mechanisms while simultaneously leading to toxic RNA gainof-function and protein loss-of-function; such dual involvement of toxicity and
Modified poly(glycidyl metharylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) continuous rod columns for preparative-scale ion-exchange chromatography of proteins

A continuous rod of porous poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) has been prepared by a free radical polymerization within the confines of a 300 x 8 mm I.D. chromatographic column. The epoxide groups of the rod have been modified by a reaction with diethylamine that affords ionizable functionalities required for the ion-exchange chromatographic mode. The properties of this rod column have been characterized and the column has been used successfully for the chromatographic separation of proteins. The column exhibits a dynamic capacity that exceeds 300 mg at a flow velocity of 200 cm/min. An excellent selectivity allows the separation of up to 300 mg of a protein mixture in a single run.
Asymptotes of maximum friction and heat transfer reductions for drag-reducing surfactant solutions

Abstract A new maximum drag reduction asymptote (MDRA) for surfactant solutions is presented. Various concentrations including cationic and non-ionic surfactant solutions were used to experimentally determine this asymptote. It is shown that if solvent viscosity is used to compute Reynolds and Prandtl numbers for viscous solutions, it leads to underestimations of the friction coefficient. To avoid uncertainties in the selection of the fluids viscosity, most solutions used were intentionally conditioned so their shear viscosity was water-like in the ranges covered. Using the same solutions, a maximum heat transfer reduction asymptote (MHTRA) was also determined – a correlation that did not exist for surfactants until now. Finally, by using slightly modified definitions to quantify the heat transfer and drag reductions (TRH and TRD), it is possible to express the ratio between the MHTRA and MDRA with a constant value of 1.06, independent of Reynolds number. This relationship can be used as an auxiliary criterion to determine whether or not a solution is asymptotic when there is an uncertainty about the shear viscosity.
A BODIPY Fluorescent Microplate Assay for Measuring Activity of Calpains and Other Proteases

The use of 4,4-difluoro-5,7-dimethyl-4-bora-3a, 4a-diaza-s-indacene-3-propionic acid (BODIPY-FL) labeled casein in autoquenching assays of proteolytic activity has been recently described, and we have adapted this assay to measurement of calpain activity. BODIPY-FL coupled to casein at a ratio of 8 mol of BODIPY-FL/mol of casein or higher produces a BODIPY-FL-casein substrate that can be used in an autoquenching assay of calpain proteolytic activity. This assay has a number of advantages for measuring calpain activity. (1) The procedure does not require precipitation and removal of undegraded protein, so it is much faster than other procedures that require a precipitation step, and it can be used directly in kinetic assays of proteolytic activity. (2) The BODIPY-FL-casein assay is easily adapted to a microtiter plate format, so it can be used to screen large numbers of samples. (3) Casein is an inexpensive and readily available protein substrate that more closely mimics the natural substrates of endoproteinases, such as the calpains, than synthetic peptide substrates do. Casein has K(m) values for micro- and m-calpain that are similar to those of other substrates such as fodrin or MAP2 that may be "natural" substrates for the calpains, and there is no reason to believe that calpain hydrolysis of casein is inherently different from hydrolysis of fodrin or MAP2, which are much less accessible as substrates for protease assays. (4) The BODIPY-FL-casein assay is capable of detecting 10 ng ( approximately 5 nM) of calpain and is nearly as sensitive as the most sensitive calpain assay reported thus far. (5) The BODIPY-FL-casein assay is as reproducible as the FITC-casein assay, whose reproducibility is comparable to or better than the reproducibility of other methods used to assay calpain activity. The BODIPY-FL-casein assay is a general assay for proteolytic activity and can be used with any protease that cleaves casein.
Considerations for high data rate recording with thin-film heads

The significance of head inductance and eddy currents in limiting field rise times is discussed. Poor rise times can cause severe distortion and loss of performance at high data rates. A simple reluctance model is developed to explore the relationship between the geometry of a head and its inductance. The model is extended to include the effects of eddy currents, and to allow the frequency-dependent efficiency (hence the field rise time) to be calculated. Based on this rise time, a geometric model is used to calculate the positions of the recorded transitions and the resulting transition-shift distortion. Experimental results at transition separations down to 6 ns reveal a strong write current dependency which is not seen in the model. This dependence is, however, clearly seen in a simple domain wall model which implicitly includes magnetic saturation. Transition shift distortion can be mitigated by the use of precompensation. It is found that it is possible to successfully recover data at 180 Mbit/s using a conventional thin-film head. >
Comparative toxicity of nitrite to freshwater fishes

Abstract The primary purpose of this study was to determine the toxicity of nitrite to several species of freshwater fishes and to investigate the underlying physiological mechanisms which account for differential toxicity among species. Green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) was the most resistant species studied while the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) was the least resistant. Ninety-six hour median lethal concentrations correlated significantly with both the percentage of hemoglobin in the methemoglobin form and plasma nitrite concentrations among species. Plasma nitrite levels also correlated significantly with percent methemoglobin. Environmental chloride did not increase the tolerance of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) to nitrite toxicity as it did for channel catfish. These results indicate that plasma nitrite concentrations are the primary determinant of the toxicity of nitrite to fishes. Further, plasma nitrite concentrations in various species depend on the discriminatory ability of the active transport system in fish gills which ordinarily transports chloride ions.
Antiretroviral therapy and management of HIV infection

Antiretroviral therapy of HIV infection has changed a uniformly fatal into a potentially chronic disease. There are now 17 drugs in common use for HIV treatment. Patients who can access and adhere to combination therapy should be able to achieve durable, potentially lifelong suppression of HIV replication. Despite the unquestioned success of antiretroviral therapy, limitations persist. Treatment success needs strict lifelong drug adherence. Although the widely used drugs are generally well tolerated, most have some short-term toxic effects and all have the potential for both known and unknown long-term toxic effects. Drug and administration costs limit treatment in resource-poor regions, and are a growing concern even in resource rich settings. Finally, complete or near complete control of viral replication does not fully restore health. Long-term treated patients who are on an otherwise effective regimen often show persistent immune dysfunction and have higher than expected risk for various non-AIDS-related complications, including heart, bone, liver, kidney, and neurocognitive diseases.
Controlled placement of colloidal quantum dots in sub-15 nm clusters

We demonstrated a technique to control the placement of 6 nm-diameter CdSe and 5 nm-diameter CdSe/CdZnS colloidal quantum dots (QDs) through electron-beam lithography. This QD-placement technique resulted in an average of three QDs in each cluster, and 87% of the templated sites were occupied by at least one QD. These QD clusters could be in close proximity to one another, with a minimum separation of 12 nm. Photoluminescence measurements of the fabricated QD clusters showed intermittent photoluminescence, which indicates that the QDs were optically active after the fabrication process. This optimized top-down lithographic process is a step towards the integration of individual QDs in optoelectronic and nano-optical systems.
17O NMR of diastereomeric 3′,5′-cyclic thymidine methyl phosphates, methylphosphonates, and N,N-dimethyl phosphoramidates. Phosphorus configuration of P-chiral [17O, 18O]-nucleoside phosphate diesters

Abstract 17O NMR spectra of the title compounds show well-separated P=O17 peaks and configurationally diagnostic δ17O values and line widths. Use of these features to assign configurational purity to (17O, 18O) P-chiral nucleoside monophosphate diesters is proposed.
MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS OF FACILITY-COMMODITY SCHEDULING PROBLEMS

Abstract A number of operational situations exist in which certain facilities are available and where a number of commodities must be processed on some or all of these facilities. The paper describes an algorithm to generate schedules which are near optimal or optimal with respect to the total processing time of all the commodities, the idle lime of facilities and production rate. Thus, these schedules are characterized by near minimal or minimal total processing time and idle time of facilities and near maximal or maximal production rate. Usually this algorithm does not result in the desired schedule after the first application; it is therefore proposed to generate a set “D” of schedules from which the desired schedule can be selected. A decision rule determines the optimal number of elements belonging to set D In order to justify the concept of the algorithm for the determination of the schedules mentioned above, an analysis is given of the decision tree associated with the sequencing model in terms of ...
Role of catecholamines in stimulating the release of pituitary ovulating hormone(s) in rats.

This study tests the hypothesis that changes in the dynamics of depletion of hypothalamic catecholamines (CA) may affect the stimulation of ovulation. Partial as well as total depletions of CA were attempted by appropriately timed injections of reserpine and inhibitors of monoamine-oxidase. Treatment with reserpine in the morning of proestrus inhibited spontaneous ovulation and elevated the electrical threshold of the medial preoptic area but did not alter the threshold for inducing ovulation by stimulating the median eminencearcuate nucleus region. At high levels of current both areas responded similarly with stimulation of ovulation. Complete blockade of the electrically stimulated release of ovulating hormone was obtained 18–20 hr after treatment with reserpine. However, even after this prolonged reserpine action inhibitors of monoamine-oxidase restored enough CA to support electrically stimulated but not spontaneous ovulation. Infusions into the third ventricle indicated that CA act as neural triggers...
The Role of the United States Supreme Court in Shaping Federal Drug Policy

Through judicial review, the United States Supreme Court has played a pivotal role in deciding and/or interpreting the constitutionality of legislation. Since the passage of the Pure, Food and Drug Act in 1906, the Supreme Court’s role has been integral in formulating drug policy. In some instances, the Court’s decisions have limited the authority of the federal government, while in others have greatly expanded this authority. As a direct result of the decision-making of the Supreme Court, limitations have periodically been placed on Congress to regulate controlled substances. Many people, who were perceived as medical patients, became criminal drug users. The Court has restricted and later approved of the use of drugs during the free exercise of religion. Lastly, the Court has continually reinforced the supremacy of the federal government over the states, in turn limiting the ability of the states to consider marijuana legislative reform.
The function of the parotid gland following radiation therapy for head and neck cancer

Abstract The parotid gland was selected for study of its salivary output before and after radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. Before radiation therapy, a sialogram of the parotid gland was performed with the patient's head positioned for radiation therapy; a lateral radiographic view of the parotid gland was used to compare with the radiation treatment portal to determine the portion of the parotid gland to he irradiated. Samples of stimulated saliva were collected from the parotid gland before and at 1 and 6 months post-radiation. Eighteen patients with head and neck cancer who received radiation therapy were studied. The data showed that in the irradiation of nasopharyageal, advanced oropbaryngeal and Waldeyer's ring lesions, 100% of the parotid gland was irradiated; for the early oropharyageal and hypopbaryugeal lesions, from 30 to 90% of the parotid gland was irradiated and for the supragiottic and oral cavity lesions, 25–30% of the parotid gland was irradiated. When 100% of the parotid gland was irradiated, no saliva was produced at 1 month post-radiation; this remained the same when re-tested at 4–8 months, however, when any portion of the parotid gland was not irradiated, there was residual salivary function.
Age as a factor in 6-hydroxydopamine-induced plasticity in the hypothalamus.

The question of age as a possible factor influencing the regenerative response of catecholaminergic varicosities in the hypothalamus was investigated in the supraoptic commissure and the paraventricular, periventricular, and dorsomedial hypothalamic nuclei of rats that had received intraventricular injections of the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine when they were (1) neonates, (2) young adults, or (3) senescent adults. After postneurotoxin survival for 4, 21, 56, or 180 days, the animals were perfused, and the hypothalamic tissue sections were cut and processed using a glyoxylic acid method for localizing catecholamines. Four days following neurotoxin administration, counts of fluorescent varicosities showed a significant loss of catecholamine varicosities in each of the four areas. Subsequently, at least partial restoration of numbers of catecholamine varicosities occurred in all hypothalamic areas in all three age groups. It is concluded that, following selective lesions induced by the neurotoxin 6-OH-DA, catecholamine varicosities were restored both in immature and mature groups. According to the evidence obtained experimentally, the rate of restoration was greater in the neonate group, whereas the percentage restoration attained varies according to the hypothalamic area studied and the age of the animal.
Ferromagnetism in Rutile Structure Cr Doped VO2 Thin Films Prepared by Reactive-Bias Target Ion Beam Deposition

First generation spintronics has entered the mainstream of information technology through its utilization of the magnetic tunnel junction in applicable devices such as read head sensors for hard disk drives and magnetic random access memory. The future of spintronic devices requires next generation spintronic materials (Wolf et al. in IBM J. Res. Dev. 9:101, [2006]). Here we report on the structural, transport, and magnetic characteristics of V1−x Cr x O2 (0.1≤x≤0.2) thin films deposited on (001) Al2O3 substrates. We show that the metal-insulator transition of VO2 is suppressed and the rutile structure is stable down to 100 K. The films are remarkably smooth having a root-mean squared surface roughness of 0.3 nm. Films are conductive at room temperature and appear to follow a variable-range-hopping conduction mechanism below that. Ferromagnetism is observed at room temperature and is dependent on Cr concentration. The combination of these characteristics makes V1−x Cr x O2 a viable candidate material for next generation spintronic multilayer devices.
The performance of piezoelectric crystal sensors used to determine aerosol mass concentrations.

Aersosol mass concentration determination using piezoelectric crystal sensors was investigated. Five areas of influence were studied: temperature, humidity, particle collection characteristics, response linearity, and mass sensitivity. A theoretical review is included. Neither air stream temperature nor humidity fluctuations were compensated by the use of a reference crystal. The temperature induced error was satisfactorily reduced by minimizing the inlet temperature change rate. The humidity induced error resulted principally from moisture absorption and desorption by the aerosol deposit. The observed linear response limits ranged from 0.2 to 6 µg/mm2 for various aerosols and instrument designs. No relationship between the linearity limit and the point of complete saturation was apparent. The mass sensitivity was a function of the deposit size and location. Energy trapping theory helped to predict the mass sensitivity distribution. The mass sensing ability decreased for particle sizes beginning at ∼2 µm ...
Recent Techniques for Analyzing Association in Contingency Tables as Applied to an Analytical Follow-Up Survey of Education Graduates

(1957). Recent Techniques for Analyzing Association in Contingency Tables as Applied to an Analytical Follow-Up Survey of Education Graduates. The Journal of Experimental Education: Vol. 25, No. 3, pp. 203-232.
Holomorphic Imbeddings of Symmetric Domains into a Siegel Space

A symmetric domain is a bounded domain in C N which becomes a symmetric Riemannian space with respect to its Bergman metric. For a symmetric domain 𝒟, we denote by G the connected component of the group of all analytic automorphisms of 𝒟 (or, what is the same, that of the group of all isometries of 𝒟 onto itself) with its natural topology and by K the isotropy subgroup of G at an (arbitrary) point z 0 ∈ 𝒟. Then, as is well-known ([1], [2]), G is a (connected) semi-simple Lie group of non-compact type with center reduced to the identity, K is a maximal compact subgroup of G and 𝒟 is identified with the coset-space G/K. A symmetric domain 𝒟 is decomposed uniquely into the direct product 𝒟 1 × ⋯ × 𝒟 S of irreducible symmetric domains 𝒟 i (i. e. the domains which cannot be decomposed any further) corresponding to the direct decomposition G 1 × ⋯ × G s of G into simple components. Irreducible symmetric domains have been classified completely by E. Cartas [1] into four main series (I), (II), (III) and (IV) of classical domains (see no 3 below) and two exceptional domains corresponding to the simple Lie groups of type (E 6) and (E 7).
Structure-Function Studies with the Unique Hexameric Form II Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase (Rubisco) from Rhodopseudomonas palustris*

The first x-ray crystal structure has been solved for an activated transition-state analog-bound form II ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco). This enzyme, from Rhodopseudomonas palustris, assembles as a unique hexamer with three pairs of catalytic large subunit homodimers around a central 3-fold symmetry axis. This oligomer arrangement is unique among all known Rubisco structures, including the form II homolog from Rhodospirillum rubrum. The presence of a transition-state analog in the active site locked the activated enzyme in a “closed” conformation and revealed the positions of critical active site residues during catalysis. Functional roles of two form II-specific residues (Ile165 and Met331) near the active site were examined via site-directed mutagenesis. Substitutions at these residues affect function but not the ability of the enzyme to assemble. Random mutagenesis and suppressor selection in a Rubisco deletion strain of Rhodobacter capsulatus identified a residue in the amino terminus of one subunit (Ala47) that compensated for a negative change near the active site of a neighboring subunit. In addition, substitution of the native carboxyl-terminal sequence with the last few dissimilar residues from the related R. rubrum homolog increased the enzyme's kcat for carboxylation. However, replacement of a longer carboxyl-terminal sequence with termini from either a form III or a form I enzyme, which varied both in length and sequence, resulted in complete loss of function. From these studies, it is evident that a number of subtle interactions near the active site and the carboxyl terminus account for functional differences between the different forms of Rubiscos found in nature.
TaC(110): a periodic facet reconstruction studied by LEED and STM

Abstract A simple model is established to describe diffraction phenomena (LEED) from a unidirectionally reconstructed TaC(110) surface. By comparing diffraction data with results of detailed simulations, the reconstruction is found to consist of alternate (100) and (010) facets propagating periodically along the [110] direction like an irregular ridge-and-valley grating, with (110) terraces completely absent. The irregularity is due to variation in facet sizes, and the mean separation is determined to be L = 6 lattice spacings. The validity of this model is supported by STM imaging results which confirm the structure obtained from the LEED-data analysis.
Trusted BWI: Privacy and trust enhanced biometric web identities

Trusted web identities, which strongly associate a person with a digital identifier or certificate, are an area where biometrics should play a critical role. Balancing usability, security, and privacy is an important issue for any system that captures/stores users' information, especially for any biometric-based technology. To support biometric web services, the Biometric Identity Assurance Services (BIAS) standard was developed and recently approved. BIAS aims to establish standard biometric web services in order to improve interoperability and platform independence. Because they involve biometric data, the deployment of BIAS (and biometric web services in general) faces many challenges in terms of privacy, trust and security. They also face compatibility issues with widely-deployed systems that combine biometric sensors and Trusted Platform Modules (TPM). In order to address these obstacles, we propose an enhanced design of the recently introduced Biocryptographic Key Infrastructure (BKI). The original BKI enhanced the privacy and trust of remote biometric transactions, but, like most existing biometric systems, ignores the trust issues associated with remote enrollment. Our enhanced BKI design addresses this problem of trusted remote biometric enrollment. In addition, the enhanced design also extends the BKI to support biometric sensors with cryptographically secured on-chip biometric matching. Leveraging the new enhanced version of BKI, we propose the Trusted Biometric Web Identities (Trusted-BWI), as privacy and trust-enhanced biometric web services.
Responding to inflammatory challenges is less costly for a successful avian invader, the house sparrow ( Passer domesticus ), than its less-invasive congener

When introduced into new regions, invading organisms leave many native pathogens behind and also encounter evolutionarily novel disease threats. In the presence of predominantly novel pathogens that have not co-evolved to avoid inducing a strong host immune response, costly and potentially dangerous defenses such as the systemic inflammatory response could become more harmful than protective to the host. We therefore hypothesized that introduced populations exhibiting dampened inflammatory responses will tend to be more invasive. To provide initial data to assess this hypothesis, we measured metabolic, locomotor, and reproductive responses to inflammatory challenges in North American populations of the highly invasive house sparrow (Passer domesticus) and its less-invasive relative, the tree sparrow (Passer montanus). In the house sparrow, there was no effect of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) challenge on metabolic rate, and there were no detectable differences in locomotor activity between lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-injected birds and saline-injected controls. In contrast, tree sparrows injected with PHA had metabolic rates 20–25% lower than controls, and LPS injection resulted in a 35% drop in locomotor activity. In a common garden captive breeding experiment, there was no effect of killed-bacteria injections on reproduction in the house sparrow, while tree sparrows challenged with bacteria decreased egg production by 40% compared to saline-injected controls. These results provide some of the first data correlating variation in immune defenses with invasion success in introduced-vertebrate populations.
Modeling radiation belt radial diffusion in ULF wave fields: 2. Estimating rates of radial diffusion using combined MHD and particle codes

[1] Quantifying radial transport of radiation belt electrons in ULF wave fields is essential for understanding the variability of the trapped relativistic electrons. To estimate the radial diffusion coefficients (DLL), we follow MeV electrons in realistic magnetospheric configurations and wave fields calculated from a global MHD code. We create idealized pressure-driven MHD simulations for controlled solar wind velocities (hereafter referred to as pressure-driven Vx simulations) with ULF waves that are comparable to GOES data under similar conditions, by driving the MHD code with synthetic pressure profiles that mimic the pressure variations of a particular solar wind velocity. The ULF wave amplitude, in both magnetic and electric fields, increases at larger radial distance and during intervals with higher solar wind velocity and pressure fluctuations. To calculate DLL as a function of solar wind velocity (Vx = 400 and 600 km/s), we follow 90 degree pitch angle electrons in magnetic and electric fields of the pressure-driven Vx simulations. DLL is higher at larger radial distance and for the case with higher solar wind velocity and pressure variations. Our simulated DLL values are relatively small compared to previous studies which used larger wave fields in their estimations. For comparison, we scale our DLL values to match the wave amplitudes of the previous studies with those of the idealized MHD simulations. After the scaling, our DLL values for Vx = 600 km/s are comparable to the DLL values derived from Polar measurements during nonstorm intervals. This demonstrates the use of MHD models to quantify the effect of pressure-driven ULF waves on radiation belt electrons and thus to differentiate the radial diffusive process from other mechanisms.
Creating change and driving innovation in highly automated and lean organizations: The Temporal Think Tank TM (T3 TM )

This paper introduces the concept of the temporal think tank(TM) (T3(TM)), a temporary in-house research center, based on case studies with a highly automated global manufacturer and in various small-sized manufacture (SME's). The T3(TM) brings individuals from across the organization together in a team setting in which they are charged to look at the future, develop their decision-making skills, and use entrepreneurial thinking to incubate new processes and/or products. After an appropriate time in the temporal think tank(TM), the individuals are asked to return to their regular positions to implement the best practices and best ideas and doing so spur the organization forward. At intervals, the temporal think tanks(TM) can be reconvened, or reconstituted with new participants. This approach prepares technology champions for the SME, who can return to the organization with a fresh outlook and renewed energy to keep the enterprise at the peak of efficiency and effectiveness.
Regulation of Nucleolar RNA Metabolism by Hydrocortisone

Purified rat liver nucleoli were examined for RNA polymerase activity in the presence of Mg2+ and of Mn2+ with added ammonium sulfate. Both types of activity were found to be present in this organelle. A single injection of hydrocortisone 21-phosphate into adrenalectomized rats resulted, after 3.5 hours, in a threefold increase in the Mg2+-dependent polymerase activity while the Mn2+-dependent polymerase activity was not significantly altered. When rats were injected with [14C]orotic acid hydrocortisone induced a 60% increase in the synthesis of 45 S RNA isolated from nucleoli. Pulse-chase experiments using low doses of actinomycin D suggested that the hormone enhances the turnover of newly synthesized 45 S RNA. Similar studies on extra-nucleolar RNA produced smaller changes in the synthesis of this RNA fraction following hydrocortisone treatment and the pattern of RNA turnover in the chase experiments was not affected by the hormone.
SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE MORPHOLOGY OF CHINESE WALLED CITIES

ABSTRACT The walls of early Chinese cities were ramparts made of compressed earth, but since about the fifteenth century, bricks and cut stones have been used to face the earth walls. Most imperial capitals and many important cities in the north had the walls of rectangular shape. In areas of rugged relief, however, a square form was usually replaced by one of irregular shape, determined in many cases by topographic conditions. The size of the walled area and the elaboration of wall construction were normally directly proportional to the rank of the city in the administrative hierarchy. The size of the enclosed area of the typical walled city decreases southward, indicative of the magnitude of regional urbanization in Ming times or earlier. At later dates, an outer wall was often erected to enclose settlement that had spread outside the city, and in many cases “multiple cities”were developed at the same locality. The Chinese walled city presented a uniform appearance unrelieved by the taller structures ty...
Semi-analytical finite element analysis of end problems for orthotropic cylinders

Abstract A semi-analytical finite element method has been developed for the solution of general asymmetric elastostatic end problems for orthotropic cylinders by an eigensolution technique. The finite element equations for the semi-infinite cylinder are derived from the potential energy expression assuming that the solution decays exponentially in the axial direction. The resulting quadratic matrix eigenvalue problem yields the decay parameters of the exponential solutions as eigenvalues. For finite cylinders two sets of eigenfunctions together with zero-eigenvalue solutions, if applicable, are superposed to satisfy the end conditions in a least square sense. Two cases of three dimensional flexure analysis of an orthotropic beam of hollow circular section have been considered for illustration. Accurate results have been obtained using this technique which lends itself to easy programming for a digital computer. Although the method is less versatile than the three dimensional finite element methods, it may prove to be a powerful and economical method for a wide range of elasticity problems.
Online 3D Gaze Localization on Stereoscopic Displays

This article summarizes our previous work on developing an online system to allow the estimation of 3D gaze depth using eye tracking in a stereoscopic environment. We report on recent extensions allowing us to report the full 3D gaze position. Our system employs a 3D calibration process that determines the parameters of a mapping from a naive depth estimate, based simply on triangulation, to a refined 3D gaze point estimate tuned to a particular user. We show that our system is an improvement on the geometry-based 3D gaze estimation returned by a proprietary algorithm provided with our tracker. We also compare our approach with that of the Parameterized Self-Organizing Map (PSOM) method, due to Essig and colleagues, which also individually calibrates to each user. We argue that our method is superior in speed and ease of calibration, is easier to implement, and does not require an iterative solver to produce a gaze position, thus guaranteeing computation at the rate of tracker acquisition. In addition, we report on a user study that indicates that, compared with PSOM, our method more accurately estimates gaze depth, and is nearly as accurate in estimating horizontal and vertical position. Results are verified on two different 4D eye tracking systems, a high accuracy Wheatstone haploscope and a medium accuracy active stereo display. Thus, it is the recommended method for applications that primarily require gaze depth information, while its ease of use makes it suitable for many applications requiring full 3D gaze position.
Rotation generators in two-dimensional space and particles obeying unusual statistics

We describe systems of particles obeying unusual statistics in two-dimensional space, as well as solenoid--charged-particle composites, in terms of a complete set of local gauge-invariant currents.
A mutation in pheromonal communication system of cabbage looper moth, Trichoplusia ni

A mutation that results in a dramatic change in the relative proportions of the pheromone components produced by female cabbage looper moths has been found. The most notable changes involve reduction in the emission rate of the major component [(Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate], near absence of a component [(Z)-5-dodecenyl acetate] that is normally present at about 20% of the major component, and a remarkable ca. 20-fold increase in a trace component [(Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate]. In spite of the multiplicity of changes in the pheromone blend, a genetic analysis indicates that the condition is controlled by a single autosomal gene. These mutants are ineffective in attracting conspecifics, but do attract another distantly related noctuid moth. These results suggest that the evolutionary process that leads to distinct chemical signals in sibling species may include single gene mutations that lead to major changes in the species-specific blend.
Synthesis and electrochemistry of a liquid crystalline pyrrole and a structurally related thiophene

Abstract A pyrrolic analog (4-pyrrole-4′-pentylbiphenyl) of the liquid crystal 4-pentyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl (K-15) exists as a liquid crystal between 200°C and 213°C. Attempts to electropolymerize this liquid crystalline pyrrole failed. A structurally related thiophene (3-(4-pentylphenyl)thiophene) has no stable liquid crystalline phase but can be electropolymerized to an isotropic conducting polymer.
Undergraduate Human Factors Curriculum at the United States Air Force Academy

This paper shares one organization's journey to assess its human factors curriculum, develop improved course content to address current topics and accommodate the growing number of systems engineers in the human factors classroom.
From spawning grounds to the estuary: using linked individual-based and hydrodynamic models to interpret patterns and processes in the oceanic phase of Atlantic menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus life history

Present theory suggests that population regulation in marine fishes cannot be resolved until an understanding of the processes involved in shaping the overall distribution (the number of populations, geographical extent, mean abundance and temporal changes in abundance) is developed. Here, we present a step toward understanding Atlantic menhaden population patterns, by studying processes in the Middle and South Atlantic Bights, which shape those patterns. We use individual-based and hydrodynamic models to reinterpret the ‘mechanics’ of the menhaden life history, and put forward several potentially testable hypotheses. The success of the menhaden reproductive strategy seems to depend on the seasonal changes in the mean flow field of the Middle and South Atlantic Bights, suggesting that their life history may have been strongly structured by the regional physics of the system. Because the annual menhaden migration is size-based and spawning occurs throughout the population’s range, the size distribution of the adult population may influence the supply of larvae to particular estuaries along the coast. Recruitment of larvae into Delaware and Chesapeake Bays may be dependent on spawning to the north of the bays’ mouths, owing to coastline shape and orientation in the vicinity of the bays. Our results suggest that management of this resource might be improved by consideration of the spatial and temporal variability in both the biological and the physical system.
Neodymium:YAG laser anterior vitreolysis for Irvine-Gass cystoid macular edema

Twenty-nine consecutive patients with vitreous incarceration in the wound after cataract surgery and cystoid macular edema (Irvine-Gass syndrome) were treated with Nd:YAG laser anterior vitreolysis. Fifty-five percent (55%) achieved two or more lines of stable visual improvement; 17% improved but with fluctuating levels of vision and persistent edema; 28% failed to improve, half of them because of coexisting ocular pathology. Visual improvement was achieved an average of 3.5 months after treatment. Persistent macular edema was associated with several types of anterior chamber intraocular lenses.
The mechanism of cycloheximide inhibition of protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocytes.

Abstract Cycloheximide blocks the movement of peptidyl-tRNA from acceptor (aminoacyl) site to the donor (peptidyl) site on reticulocyte ribosomes. This translocation reaction is dependent upon the transfer enzyme, TF-II, and GTP hydrolysis. Cycloheximide has no effect on the ribosome dependent GTPase activity of TF-II or on the peptidyl transferase reaction by which peptides on tRNA in the donor ribosomal site are transferred to an amino acid on tRNA in the acceptor site.
A phase II study of taxol in patients with malignant melanoma.

Based on results of a phase I study demonstrating antitumor activity of taxol in patients with melanoma, 34 patients with documented metastatic melanoma received taxol, 250 mg/m2, as a 24-hours infusion, repeated every 21 days, in this phase II study. All patients received premedication with dexamethasone, diphenhydramine and cimetidine. Four patients experienced anaphylactic reactions and stopped treatment. Other significant toxicity of this drug included short-lived but severe neutropenia (< 1,0007mm2) and peripheral neurotoxicity. Four of 28 evaluable patients demonstrated objective response (14%) (confidence interval, 4%–33%) including 3 complete responses and 1 partial response. Two complete responders are continuing at 25 + and 38 + months after achieving CR. Minor evidence of anti-tumor activity was noted in five additional patients. Taxol has significant activity in melanoma and should be further studied in combination with other agents in this disease.
Fabricating Metal Interconnects for Circuits on a Spherical Dome

Interconnecting three-dimensionally shaped integrated circuitry is a new and exciting field that has been spurred on by the need for conformal displays and detector arrays. These circuits are fabricated by first interconnecting rigid subcircuit islands made on a flat, deformable substrate. To prepare for interconnects, a patterned deformable sacrificial material is applied over the flat substrate. The substrate is then deformed, with the subcircuit islands and the sacrificial pattern on it, to a spherical surface. Following deformation, interconnect metal is evaporated and then the sacrificial material is stripped, leaving only the metal lines that interconnect the islands. Reported here is a method to fabricate a functioning X-Y matrix of interconnects and crossovers insulation. X and Y lines down to 4 μm were fabricated and found to function on the spherically deformed substrate. Yields of line segments were as high as 98% with leakage current density between the most strained insulation being 45 ± 10 μA/cm 2 . To optimize electrical conduction of the interconnects, the morphology of the subcircuit islands and the interconnects were investigated using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic field microscopy. Detailed study shows that the rigid islands may both slip and buckle during spherical deformation.
Thermo-elastoviscoplastic snapthrough behavior of cylindrical panels

The thermo-elastoviscoplastic snapthrough behavior of simply supported cylindrical panels is investigated. The analysis is based on nonlinear kinematic relations and nonlinear rate-dependent unified constitutive equations which include both Bodner-Partom's and Walker's material models. A finite element approach is employed to predict the inelastic buckling behavior. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the effects of several parameters which include the temperature, thickness and flatness of the panel. Comparisons of buckling responses between Bodner-Partom's model and Walker's model are given. The creep buckling behavior, as an example of time-dependent inelastic deformation, is also presented.
Effect of cold-rolling on the crystallization behavior of amorphous Al88Y7Fe5 alloy

Abstract As an alternative to rapid solidification processing, deformation processing offers new opportunities for the synthesis and modification of metastable phases. In one example, the crystallization behavior of amorphous Al-alloys can be modified by cold-rolling of melt-spun ribbons. An examination of cold-rolled Al 88 Y 7 Fe 5 ribbons highlights the effect of rolling on the as-spun alloy as well as on the crystallization behavior during annealing. TEM-based particle size distribution measurements are used in conjunction with DSC measurements as a first step to analyze the deformation influence on the crystallization kinetics.
Atarraya: a simulation tool to teach and research topology control algorithms for wireless sensor networks

Topology Control is a well-known technique for saving energy in wireless sensor networks. Despite the fact that topology control algorithms and protocols have been extensively studied, they are currently unavailable in most, if not all, simulation tools. In this work we introduce Atarraya, a discrete-event simulation tool specifically designed for testing and implementing topology control protocols for wireless sensor networks. The simulation tool includes structures for designing both topology construction and topology maintenance protocols. In addition, Atarraya includes several key algorithms and applications that along with its graphical user interface can be used to support teaching activities. The correctness of the tool is validated using well-known results available in the literature.
The influence of pressure on the photoluminescence properties of a terbium-adipate framework

The influence of pressure (over the 0–4.7 GPa range) on the photoluminescence emissions and crystal structure of the known 3D terbium-adipate metal-organic framework material Tb-GWMOF6 has been evaluated by high-pressure single-crystal X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic techniques. The results from this study show that this complex lanthanide framework structure undergoes three phase transitions within the 0–4 GPa pressure range that involve alterations in the number of symmetry independent Tb{sup 3+} ion sites within the crystal lattice. These pressure induced modifications to the structure of Tb-GWMOF6 lead to pronounced changes in the profiles of the {sup 5}D{sub 4}→{sup 7}F{sub 5} emission spectra of this complex. - Graphical abstract: The influence of pressure on the structure and photoluminescence emissions of a 3D terbium-adipate framework. - Highlights: • High-pressure luminescence spectra for a Tb framework were collected. • High-pressure single-crystal XRD experiments were conducted with the Tb Framework. • The framework undergoes two pressure-induced phase transitions. • The three phases of the material show different photoluminescence behaviour.
On convolution equivalence with applications

A distribution F on (i1;1) is said to belong to the class S(∞) for some ∞ ‚ 0 if limx!1 F (x i u)=F(x) = e ∞u holds for all u and limx!1 F ⁄2 (x)=F(x) = 2mF exists and is flnite. Let X and Y be two independent random variables, where X has a distribution in the class S(∞) and Y is nonnegative with an endpoint ^ y =