cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detection of photothermal deflection signals with conjugate masks

A new detection technique for photothermal deflection spectroscopy and photoacoustic deflection spectroscopy is presented. The technique uses a pair of matched multiple slits placed in the path of the probe beam and oriented to block the probe light from the detector in the absence of a deflection signal. Significant improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio and in the frequency bandwidth compared with those available with current techniques is demonstrated.
The alkaline hydrolysis of S-adenosylmethionine in tritiated water.

A mechanism for alkaline hydrolysis of S-adenosylmethionine suggested by Frank et al in which an ethylenic intermediate with the double bond at carbon atoms 4 and 5 of the ribose was confirmed with experiments in tritiated water.
Existence and absence of geometric phases due to mode transformations of high-order modes

We study the geometric phase that is acquired when the second-order mode of an optical beam undergoes a cyclic transformation. We find that a geometric phase appears when the initial and intermediate modes have different quantities of orbital angular momentum. The phase is similar to the one measured previously for transformations of first-order modes. However, we find no accumulated geometric phase when the initial and intermediate modes have zero orbital angular momentum.
KCNE1 Remodels the Voltage Sensor of Kv7.1 to Modulate Channel Function

The KCNE1 auxiliary subunit coassembles with the Kv7.1 channel and modulates its properties to generate the cardiac IKs current. Recent biophysical evidence suggests that KCNE1 interacts with the voltage-sensing domain (VSD) of Kv7.1. To investigate the mechanism of how KCNE1 affects the VSD to alter the voltage dependence of channel activation, we perturbed the VSD of Kv7.1 by mutagenesis and chemical modification in the absence and presence of KCNE1. Mutagenesis of S4 in Kv7.1 indicates that basic residues in the N-terminal half (S4-N) and C-terminal half (S4-C) of S4 are important for stabilizing the resting and activated states of the channel, respectively. KCNE1 disrupts electrostatic interactions involving S4-C, specifically with the lower conserved glutamate in S2 (Glu170 or E2). Likewise, Trp scanning of S4 shows that mutations to a cluster of residues in S4-C eliminate current in the presence of KCNE1. In addition, KCNE1 affects S4-N by enhancing MTS accessibility to the top of the VSD. Consistent with the structure of Kv channels and previous studies on the KCNE1-Kv7.1 interaction, these results suggest that KCNE1 alters the interactions of S4 residues with the surrounding protein environment, possibly by changing the protein packing around S4, thereby affecting the voltage dependence of Kv7.1.
Electronic and geometric structure of acetylide carbon on the surface of lithium

Abstract The reaction products formed on clean evaporated lithium films exposed to acetylene gas under UHV conditions were examined with ultraviolet photoelectron and Auger electron spectroscopies. Good agreement was obtained between the observed ultraviolet photoelectron spectrum and a spectrum simulated from ab initio calculations for C 2 Li 2 in D 2h symmetry. The components of the C(KW) Auger signal were also consistent with carbon being present as C 2 n − units (acetylide) rather than as carbonaceous aggregates or as monomeric carbon. The observed carbon AES structure was fit in good agreement by a simulation using experimental electronic binding energies and Auger transition intensities calculated for C 2 Li 2 . Saturation of the ultraviolet and Auger electron signals with increasing exposure to HC 2 H was not found, although thin films of lithium were slowly consumed on long exposure to acetylene. A loss of the reaction product from the interfacial region was indicated. Cluster models of acetylide on the (100) face of lithium, C 2 /Li 8 (6, 2)-(100), were used to investigate geometric arrangement of C 2 n − relative to lithium. The results show that acetylide resident in the interface below the first layer of lithiums of the model was energetically favored compared to C 2 n − resident on top of the first layer of lithium. The stability of this conformation was calculated to be further increased by a small expansion of lithiums near neighbor to C 2 Li 2 . The restructuring calculated for the model complements the absent saturation and suggests that C 2 n − units diffuse into the actual film via a local expansion.
A study of a MICROMEGAS detector with a new readout scheme

A new MICROMEGAS detector readout scheme that protects the readout electronics from damage caused by discharge initiated by large gas amplification has been studied. In the new method, the signal is produced by a readout plane placed below the MICROMEGAS detector anodes. The ratio of the signal amplitude on the readout plane was more than 65% of the signal amplitude on the cathode of the MICROMEGAS.
Halothane's effects on GABA-gated chloride flux in mice selectively bred for sensitivity or resistance to diazepam.

Abstract The DS (diazepam-sensitive) and DR (diazepam-resistant) lines of mice, selected on the basis of their ataxic response to diazepam, also diverge in the physiologic response of their brain γ-aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) receptors to benzodiazepines, as indicated by augmentation of GABA-mediated chloride flux. Cross-sensitivity and -resistance to other sedatives known to interact with the GABAA-receptor have also been demonstrated in DS and DR mice. Based on the finding that these mice also show cross-sensitivity and -resistance to obtundation by halothane, we predicted that their GABAA-receptors would also exhibit a differential response to halothane as assayed by an in vitro36Cl− influx assay using purified brain microvesicles. Consistent with this prediction, therapeutic concentrations of halothane enhanced 1 μmol/1 GABA-gated flux with significantly greater potency in DS than in DR mice (halothane EC50 336±64 μmol/1 (S.E.M.) vs. 605±110 μmol/1, respectively, P = 0.03), but there was no difference in maximal flux enhancement between the two lines (DS 4.7±0.4 nmol·mg−1·3−1, vs. DR 4.7±0.5nmol·mg−1·3s−). Halothane (500 μmol/1) also shifted the entire GABA concentration-flux relationship significantly to the left, decreasing the EC50 for GABA in both the DS and DR lines. Importantly, the shift in the GABA concentration-flux response in the presence of halothane was more pronounced in the DS mice (GABA EC50 1.8±0.4 μmol/1vs.14.7±0.9 μmol/1 without halothane) than in the DR mice (GABA EC50 4.7±0.6 μmol/1vs.14.7±0.9 μmol/1 without halothane). This effect of halothane was highly significant, both when compared to control, and between the selected lines (P
Potential-dependent photoluminescence of conductive polymers: Simple quenching model and experimental results for poly(aniline)

Abstract We describe a simple model for the oxidation-state-dependent luminescence intensity of conductive polymers that takes into consideration the overlap of adjacent charge carrier quenching centers. The model is compared with literature results for poly(thiophene) and new data for poly(aniline).
Periods and question marks in the punctuated evolution of human social behaviour

Introduction The ability to date fossils has enabled palaeontologists to reconstruct the broad evolutionary history of contemporary species, including humans. Relationships among living species that have been inferred from fossils and from anatomical comparisons can now be crosschecked by comparing genes across species. For example, the DNA that codes for haemoglobin in one species differs somewhat from the DNA that codes for haemoglobin in other species; presumably the greater the difference in haemoglobin DNA between two species, the more distantly they are related. Based on such molecular comparisons, chimpanzees appear to be the living animals most closely related to humans. If it is further assumed that ‘neutral mutations’ in DNA occur at a constant rate, which can be estimated from the fossil record, then it appears that humans and chimps had a common ancestor as recently as five million years ago (Wilson, 1985). There is still uncertainty about how the human line developed since then, but it seems to have passed through the following types (Sherratt, 1980; Johanson & Edey, 1981; Gowlett, 1984):
Melting of a DNA Helix Terminus within the Active Site of a DNA Polymerase

Accurate synthesis of DNA by polymerase is due in part to the selective removal of misincorporated nucleotides by a 3'-5' exonuclease activity (proofreading). Proofreading by an exonuclease domain containing a single-stranded DNA binding site may involve local melting of a duplex DNA substrate. Here we use time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy to analyze the local melting of a DNA duplex terminus induced by the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I. Four oligodeoxynucleotide primer/templates were prepared, each containing the fluorescent adenine analog 2-aminopurine (A*) at the primer 3' terminus, and one of the common DNA bases opposite the A* residue. Fluorescence decays of the duplex DNAs and the single primer oligonucleotide were jointly analyzed using global analysis procedures. Four lifetime components were resolved in the duplex DNAs, representing distinct conformational states of the terminal A* residue: paired A* bases, partially stacked A* bases, and extended A* bases. The variation of the apparent fraction of paired A* bases with temperature was in accord with optical melting data, and the extent of base pairing observed in each duplex was consistent with the base-pairing preferences of A* established in other studies. These results establish that the fluorescence decay characteristics of A* can be used to examine base-pairing interactions at a DNA duplex terminus. Since the fluorescence of A* can be observed without interference from protein amino acid residues, unlike existing methods for monitoring DNA melting transitions, this method was used to examine the extent to which Klenow fragment could induce fraying at each duplex terminus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Sediment loads in the Moore Creek drainage-basin, Idaho 1939–40

The Boise River Project in southwestern Idaho comprises an area of about 333,000 acres of highly developed agricultural land. Precipitation in the irrigated valley averages about ten inches a year which is too low to support any but desert vegetation. Water for irrigation during the growing season is obtained from Arrowrock Reservoir located on the Boise River four miles above Moore Creek, and from Deer Flat Reservoir near Nampa. The deposition of sediment in the river-channel, in irrigation-canals, and in farm-laterals has interfered with the normal operation of the irrigation-system and has occasionally required the expenditure of considerable time and money for removal of the deposited material.
Inference on haplotype/disease association using parent-affected-child data: the projection conditional on parental haplotypes method.

We develop a method that allows inference on parameters in log-linear models of the relative risk of disease given an individual's haplotypes, that can be used to analyze case-parent trio data. Our methods are robust to population stratification and can also be used for inference on the effect of interactions between haplotypes and environmental covariates. We compare our results with the family-based association test (FBAT) of Horvath et al. ([2004] Genet. Epidemiol. 26:61–69), and discuss when marginal tests, such as those available in FBAT, can be misleading. Our approach generalizes previous results of Allen et al. ([2005] Biometrika 92:559–571), allowing for missing genotype data and haplotype × environment interactions. Additional computational simplifications are also discussed. Genet. Epidemiol. 2007. Published 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Wiener-Wintner dynamical systems

Let a dense set of functions f for which the following holds: there exists a finite positive constant Cf such that \[\bigg\| \sup_{\varepsilon} \bigg|\frac{1}{N} \sum_{n=1}^Nf\circ T^n e^{2\pi in\varepsilon}\bigg| \bigg\|_1\leq \frac{C_f}{N^{\alpha}}\] for all positive integers N. Examples of ergodic dynamical systems with this WW property include K automorphisms as well as some skew products over irrational rotations. For WW dynamical systems a simpler proof of the almost everywhere double recurrence property, random weights with a break of duality can be obtained. They also provide naturally almost everywhere continuous random Fourier series related to the spectral measure of the transformation.
High-damage-threshold components for radially and azimuthally polarized beam generation

High-damage-threshold liquid crystal devices based on optically aligned coumarin alignment layers have been fabricated to generate beams with radial and azimuthal polarization states.
Phosphatidylserine index as a marker of the procoagulant phenotype of acute myelogenous leukemia cells

Patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) are at risk for thrombotic complications. Risk to develop thrombosis is closely tied to leukemia subtype, and studies have shown an association between leukocytosis and thrombosis in AML M3. We evaluated the relative roles of cell count and the surface expression of tissue factor (TF) and phosphatidylserine (PS) in the procoagulant phenotype of AML cell lines. The TF-positive AML M3 cell lines, NB4 and HL60, and AML M2 cell line, AML14, exhibited both extrinsic tenase and prothrombinase activity in a purified system and promoted experimental thrombus formation. In contrast, the TF-negative AML cell line, HEL, exhibited only prothrombinase activity and did not affect the rate of occlusive thrombus formation. In plasma, NB4, HL60 and AML14 shortened clotting times in a cell-count, PS- and TF-dependent manner. Exposure of cultured NB4, HL60, and AML14 cells to the chemotherapeutic agent daunorubicin increased their extrinsic tenase activity and PS expression. Clot initiation time inversely correlated with logarithm of PS index, defined as the product of multiplying leukocyte count with cell surface PS exposure. We propose that leukemia cell PS index may serve as a biomarker for procoagulant activity.
Sensor alignment using rotors in Geometric Algebra

This paper uses rotors in Geometric Algebra to formulate a stable adaptive identifier on the group of rigid body rotations. This identifier is intended to estimate the alignment offsets between independent sensors. The approach provides a straightforward geometric interpretation based on first-order rotor kinematics. Lyapunov theory is used to prove the stability of the identifier, and numerical simulations illustrate its behavior with and without measurement noise.
Intermittent androgen deprivation: update of cycling characteristics in patients without clinically apparent metastatic prostate cancer.

Abstract Objectives. To update the cycling characteristics and patterns of treatment in patients receiving intermittent androgen deprivation (IAD) for clinically localized and recurrent prostate cancer. Methods. We report our experience with 61 patients treated with IAD. Thirty-four patients had received no prior treatment, and 27 had developed recurrent disease after previous local therapy. No patient had clinically apparent metastatic disease before the initiation of therapy. The mean and median serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level before treatment was 25.3 ng/mL and 16.0 ng/mL, respectively (range 0.5 to 190 ng/mL). For each cycle, androgen deprivation was continued until PSA became undetectable or a nadir level was reached. Patients were then observed without treatment, and therapy was reinstituted after the serum PSA value reached a predetermined level. Patients were no longer eligible to cycle off treatment when their serum PSA increased despite ongoing androgen deprivation or if any objective evidence of disease progression was present on imaging studies. Results. Follow-up ranged from 7 to 60 months (mean 30) from the start of treatment. Patients received from one to five treatment cycles (median two), with a median cycle length of 14 months. The median nadir serum PSA level during androgen deprivation was 0.01 ng/mL and was reached within an average of 6 months (range 4 to 9) after beginning treatment. Patients spent an average of 45% of the time not receiving therapy, but the time off therapy decreased as the number of treatment cycles increased. Five patients (8.1%) demonstrated progressive disease, with a median time to progression of 48 months. When examining the cycling characteristics of these patients, no consistent pattern of failure emerged. Conclusions. IAD appears to be a viable treatment option in select patients with localized prostate cancer. With each consecutive cycle, the amount of time the patient was not receiving therapy decreased, despite achieving a low nadir PSA. Longer follow-up with more patients failing IAD will be required before clear patterns of failure emerge in these patients.
Using the National Provider Identifier for Health Care Workforce Evaluation

The establishment in recent years of a National Provider Identifier (NPI) offers a new method for counting and categorizing physicians and other health care professionals involved in clinical care. In this paper, I describe how the NPI is assigned, the information collected in association with assigning the NPI, potential ways to enhance information on health professionals through data linkages using the NPI, and how the assessment of the health care workforce could be improved by requiring health care professionals to update their information as a part of maintaining their NPI.
Learning to Catch: Applying Nearest Neighbor Algorithms to Dynamic Control Tasks

This paper examines the hypothesis that local weighted variants of k-nearest neighbor algorithms can support dynamic control tasks. We evaluated several k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) algorithms on the simulated learning task of catching a flying ball. Previously, local regression algorithms have been advocated for this class of problems. These algorithms, which are variants of k-NN, base their predictions on a (possibly weighted) regression computed from the k nearest neighbors. While they outperform simpler k-NN algorithms on many tasks, they have trouble on this ball-catching task. We hypothesize that the non-linearities in this task are the cause of this behavior, and that local regression algorithms may need to be modified to work well under similar conditions.
Isotope Dilution Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry for Cadmium Determination in Urine

A stable Isotope dilution gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric method using 1~ as an internal standard Is described for determining Cd in urine. In this method, the urine matrix is digested with HNO3 + H202 and the Cd Is chelated with lithium bls(trifluoroethyl)dithiocarbamate. All Isotope ratio measurements are made with an organic mass spectrometer. Overall precision values for the five major isotopes relative to 114Cd are I to 3% when 10-ng samples of chelated Cd are analyzed. Accuracy of the method is established by measuring Cd in the NIST freeze-dried urine reference material. A small memory effect is observed when measuring isotope ratios differing by a factor of 10. This can, however, be minimized by optimum addition of internal standard solution.
The Morphogenesis Checkpoint in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Cell Cycle Control of Swe1p Degradation by Hsl1p and Hsl7p

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the Wee1 family kinase Swe1p is normally stable during G1 and S phases but is unstable during G2 and M phases due to ubiquitination and subsequent degradation. However, perturbations of the actin cytoskeleton lead to a stabilization and accumulation of Swe1p. This response constitutes part of a morphogenesis checkpoint that couples cell cycle progression to proper bud formation, but the basis for the regulation of Swe1p degradation by the morphogenesis checkpoint remains unknown. Previous studies have identified a protein kinase, Hsl1p, and a phylogenetically conserved protein of unknown function, Hsl7p, as putative negative regulators of Swe1p. We report here that Hsl1p and Hsl7p act in concert to target Swe1p for degradation. Both proteins are required for Swe1p degradation during the unperturbed cell cycle, and excess Hsl1p accelerates Swe1p degradation in the G2-M phase. Hsl1p accumulates periodically during the cell cycle and promotes the periodic phosphorylation of Hsl7p. Hsl7p can be detected in a complex with Swe1p in cell lysates, and the overexpression of Hsl7p or Hsl1p produces an effective override of the G2 arrest imposed by the morphogenesis checkpoint. These findings suggest that Hsl1p and Hsl7p interact directly with Swe1p to promote its recognition by the ubiquitination complex, leading ultimately to its destruction.
Three-dimensional echocardiography of post-myocardial infarction cardiac rupture.

Ventricular septal defects and pseudoaneurysms are two serious complications of acute myocardial infarction and are associated with a high mortality if not surgically treated. Two-dimensional echocardiography provides excellent diagnostic information in such cases, but three-dimensional echocardiography may provide superior anatomic data of these potentially fatal complications. We describe two cases in which three-dimensional echocardiography provided incremental morphological information. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 21, April 2004)
The two-stage model of carcinogenesis: overcoming the nonidentifiability dilemma.

The two-stage mathematical model of carcinogenesis has been shown to be nonidentifiable whenever tumor incidence data alone is used to fit the model (Hanin and Yakovlev, 1996). This lack of identifiability implies that more than one parameter vector satisfies the optimization criteria for parameter estimation, e.g., maximum likelihood estimation. A question of greater concern to persons using the two-stage model of carcinogenesis is under what conditions can identifiable parameters be obtained from the observed experimental data. We outline how to obtain identifiable parameters for the two-stage model.
Guided linking: efficiently making image-to-transcript correspondence

The problem of annotating unstructured images is labor intensive and d ifficult to automate. Linking is a type of annotation where an image region is tagged by representing a correspondence between the region and other information. Any serious effort at creating a digital edition of a manuscript from nothing but images and their associated information, such as transcripts and editorial remarks, must include the task of creating a large number of links between image regions and the related information. We present an approach to the problem of image linking, which concentrates on the fundamental and labor-intensive task of associating image regions with their textual counterparts. We assume the input to the system is a set of images representing a manuscript, and that associated data, such as a transcript, is available to provide guidance to the automated portion of the system. Our approach targets collections that are damaged and difficult-to-read, such as manuscripts that require intensive editorial annotation. It is essentially impossible to perform fully automated techniques, such as optical character recognition (OCR) or accurate handwriting analysis [2], on these kinds of manuscripts.We approach the problem with a semi-automatic solution that involves a document analysis (DA) module and a graphical user interface. The role of the DA module is to assist the user in formulating an algorithm that will automatically detect and rank regions of interest in the image. We provide the user with the capability to configure the parameters and steps of the analysis algorithm and thereby tune it to the task of identifying and ranking candidate regions for linking. With a graphical user interface, the user can interactively establish correspondences between image regions and other data, refine the correspondences detected by the DA module, and supply simple yet critical cues to the DA module to improve the result of subsequent automated processing. One
Letter by Saul and Haemmerich Regarding Article “Comparison of Electrode Cooling Between Internal and Open Irrigation in Radiofrequency Ablation Lesion Depth and Incidence of Thrombus and Steam Pop”

To the Editor: The article by Yokoyama et al1 comparing the effects of cooled-tip ablation catheters using either the internal or open irrigation method makes a number of important observations regarding the potential for thrombus and steam pop formation with cooled-tip techniques. However, the study design does not accurately mimic the methodology used in clinical practice. In clinical application of the open irrigation catheter, temperature control is typically used, with a target temperature of 40° to 45°C.2 Similarly, when using …
Separating effects of changes in atmospheric composition, climate and land-use on carbon sequestration of U.S. Mid-Atlantic temperate forests

Terrestrial carbon dynamics have been vastly modified because of changes in atmospheric composition, climate, and land-use. However, few studies provide a complete analysis of the factors and interactions that affect carbon dynamics over a large landscape. This study examines how changes in atmospheric composition (CO2 ,O 3 and N deposition), climate and land-use affected carbon dynamics and sequestration in Mid-Atlantic temperate forests during the 20th century. We modified and applied the PnET-CN model, a well established process-based ecosystem model with a strong foundation of ecosystem knowledge from experimental studies. We validated the model results using the U.S. Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data. Our results suggest that chronic changes in atmospheric chemistry over the past century markedly affected carbon dynamics and sequestration in Mid-Atlantic temperate forests, while climate change only had a minor impact although inter-annual climatic variability had a far more substantial effect. The NPP response to a century of chronic change in atmospheric composition at the regional scale was an increase of 29%, of which, 14% was from elevated CO2, 17% from N deposition, 6% from the interaction between CO2 and N deposition, and minus 8% from tropospheric ozone. Climate change increased NPP by only 4%. Disturbed forests had 6% lower NPP than undisturbed forests after seven decades. Regrowing forests after harvesting and natural disturbances had much greater capacity for sequestering carbon than undisturbed old-growth forests even though the newer forests had slightly lower net primary production (NPP). The modeling results indicated that N deposition was a stronger force than elevated CO2 for increasing NPP and fast turnover tissues, while elevated CO2 favored more sustainable carbon storage and sequestration. The model results are consistent with various experiments and observations and demonstrate a powerful approach to integrate and expand our knowledge of complex interactive effects of multiple environmental changes on forest carbon dynamics.
The Oxygen- and Iron-Dependent Sigma Factor pvdS of Pseudomonas aevuginosa Is an Important Virulence Factor in Experimental Infective Endocarditis

In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, pvdS, a key oxygen (O2)-dependent locus, regulates expression of a number of virulence genes, including toxA (which encodes exotoxin A production). To define the in vivo role of differing O2 tensions on pseudomonal virulence, 2 knockout mutants, DeltapvdS and DeltatoxA, were compared with their parental strain, PA01, in rabbit aortic and tricuspid endocarditis models (representing aerobic vs. microaerobic conditions in vivo, respectively). In aortic endocarditis, DeltapvdS densities were significantly less than those of PA01 in vegetations, kidneys, and spleen (P<.01). In contrast, in tricuspid endocarditis, there were no significant differences between DeltapvdS and PA01 tissue densities in these same target tissues. The DeltatoxA mutant proliferated within target tissues to the same extent as the parental strain. Thus, pvdS (but not toxA) appears to be required for optimal virulence of P. aeruginosa, particularly in tissues preferentially exposed to high O2 tensions (e.g., aortic vegetations).
Direct Impact of Chemical Bonding of Oxynitride on Boron Penetration and Electrical Oxide Hardening for Nanoscale Flash Memory

We report the direct correlation between chemical bonding and the physical-electrical properties of oxynitride (SiON). Through comparing oxynitrides grown by furnace anneal and by plasma method in the low-nitrogen-concentration region (<; 16 at %), we found that the boron blocking efficiency and oxide hardening against high-field electrical stress are directly enhanced by the N-Si3 and N-(SiOx)3 configurations, while the Si2-N-O configuration, in spite of the much higher nitrogen concentration, moderately degrades the hardening effect with less improvement for boron blocking. The results indicate that controlling the nitrogen bonding configuration for tunnel oxide may be a key solution to the insufficient reliability of nanoscale Flash memory.
Confidence in U. S. Federal Statistical Agencies

At a time when public confidence in the Federal government is at an all-time low, Federal statistical agencies were interested in knowing whether their image would suffer as well. Using data gathered in the Gallup Daily Poll to answer this question, we found that, as level of knowledge about federal statistics increases and for data users, respondents’ discrimination among government entities seems to increase – the strength of the relationships between confidence in the Federal Statistical System, on one hand, and in Congress and the Military, on the other, decreases. In a time when confidence in Congress is particularly poor, increasing knowledge about the statistical system and increasing the public’s use of statistical data, through programs like “Statistics in Schools” could help people differentiate between sectors of the government, thus increasing confidence in the Federal Statistical System.
Use of TFMPP stimulus properties as a model of 5-HT1B receptor activation

THERE is strong, and ever increasing, neurochemical and other two agents as the drug used in training. Thus, for anatomical evidence that suggests the existence of numerous example, the 8-OH DPAT trained rats generalize when types of serotonin (5-HT) receptors in the central nervous treated with other 5-HT_A agonists, but not to 5-HTtB or ? sytem. These scientific advances have resulted from the 5-HT._, agonists (6). This lack of cross-substitution among ; recognition of molecules with high affinities and selectivities 5-HT receptor subtype agonists indicates the specificity of i for individual receptor sites (3). Receptor classifications, as each of the agonists, as well as that of the drug discriminathey resulted from the use ofligand-binding techniques, have tion procedure. Additional work in Glennon's laboratory also generated identification of site-selective agonists that (11), and an independent investigation in another laboratory may specifically affect each of these receptor types. The (2), has well-characterized the discriminative stimulus propdiscovery of these site-selective agents may allow for the erties of TFMPP as occurring via 5-HTm receptors; thus opportunity to study the specific actions and/or functions of confirming previous in vitro studies (12). Previous work in 5-HT in the brain, this laboratory has shown that rats trained to discriminate In an effort to determine the functional significance of various drugs generalize to TFMPP. Thus, rats trained with each of these 5-HT binding sites, Glennon and his associates either 600 rog/kg ethanol (17), 1.5 rog/kg MDMA (16) or 20 have reported an ingenious series of studies in which they rog/kg THBC (15) select the trained drug-appropriate lever employ the ability of drugs to function as discriminative after TFMPP administration. The purpose of the present instimuli. In each of these studies, they trained rats to dis- vestigation was to provide another independent verification criminate the interoceptive cue produced by a site-specific of the ability of TFMPP to function as a drug capable of 5-HT agonist. Thus, groups of rats were trained to discrimi- controlling discriminative responding and to employ this hate the selective 5-HT2 agonist DOM (8), the 5- paradigm to investigate if drugs previously shown to generalHT_A-selective agonist 8-OH DPAT (6) and a third group was ize to TFMPP will produce a TFMPP-Iike response when trained to discriminate the 5-HTts-selective agonist TFMPP administered to rats trained to discriminate TFMPP. from its vehicle (9). These investigators reported that any
Discrete Logarithms on Elliptic Curves

Cryptographic protocols often make use of the inherent hardness of the classical discrete logarithm problem, which is to solve gx ≡ y (mod p) for x. The hardness of this problem has been exploited in the Diffie-Hellman key exchange, as well as in cryptosystems such as ElGamal. There is a similar discrete logarithm problem on elliptic curves: solve kB = P for k. Therefore, Diffie-Hellman and ElGamal have been adapted for elliptic curves. There is an abundance of evidence suggesting that elliptic curve cryptography is even more secure, which means that we can obtain the same security with fewer bits. In this paper, we investigate the discrete logarithm for elliptic curves over Fp for p ≥ 5 by constructing a function and considering the induced functional graph and the implications for cryptography.
Human Pose Estimation in Videos

In this paper, we present a method to estimate a sequence of human poses in unconstrained videos. In contrast to the commonly employed graph optimization framework, which is NP-hard and needs approximate solutions, we formulate this problem into a unified two stage tree-based optimization problem for which an efficient and exact solution exists. Although the proposed method finds an exact solution, it does not sacrifice the ability to model the spatial and temporal constraints between body parts in the video frames, indeed it even models the symmetric parts better than the existing methods. The proposed method is based on two main ideas: 'Abstraction' and 'Association' to enforce the intra-and inter-frame body part constraints respectively without inducing extra computational complexity to the polynomial time solution. Using the idea of 'Abstraction', a new concept of 'abstract body part' is introduced to model not only the tree based body part structure similar to existing methods, but also extra constraints between symmetric parts. Using the idea of 'Association', the optimal tracklets are generated for each abstract body part, in order to enforce the spatiotemporal constraints between body parts in adjacent frames. Finally, a sequence of the best poses is inferred from the abstract body part tracklets through the tree-based optimization. We evaluated the proposed method on three publicly available video based human pose estimation datasets, and obtained dramatically improved performance compared to the state-of-the-art methods.
Antitumor effects of sorafenib and sunitinib in patients (pts) with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) who had prior therapy with anti-angiogenic agents

4597 Background: Sorafenib and sunitinib are multi-targeted kinase inhibitors (TKI’s) with clinical activity in mRCC. Their effect in mRCC pts refractory to prior anti-angiogenic agents is unclear....
Simulation Modeling in CIM Systems Design

Simulation modeling can be enhanced by appropriate animation to increase the productivity of CIM system designers. This paper proposes a framework for integrating simulation/animation with other facility planning techniques, in order to provide a powerful methodology for CIM system design.
In vivo transduction of mouse epidermis with recombinant retroviral vectors: implications for cutaneous gene therapy

In vivo transduction of mouse epidermis with recombinant retroviral vectors: implications for cutaneous gene therapy
Heparin binds to human monocytes and modulates their procoagulant activities and secretory phenotypes. Effects of histidine-rich glycoprotein.

The binding of heparin to human monocytes and the monocytoid cell line U937 was characterized. Heparin binding was rapid, specific, saturable, and reversible. There was a single class of heparin binding sites, with an apparent dissociation constant of 0.19 mumol/L and 1.9 x 10(6) sites per cell. The binding was not dependent on the anticoagulant property of heparin. Analysis of surface-iodinated cell lysates by heparin affinity chromatography revealed a major 120 Kd cell surface heparin- binding protein. Histidine-rich glycoprotein, a potent heparin antagonist found in human plasma and platelets, decreased the affinity of heparin for cell binding. Cell surface bound heparin was functionally active and markedly accelerated the inactivation of thrombin by antithrombin III. Heparin induced the release of two monocyte secretory proteins of 160 and 17 Kd. Our study supports the thesis that heparin and related glycosaminoglycans interact with monocytes and macrophages, as well as endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells, and play an important and complex role in blood vessel wall biology.
Structural Characteristics of International Influence Relationships

This study replicates Steven J. Brams's previous empirical investigation of influence relationships between pairs of nations in the international system. Brams's diagraph model is applied to international visit data (between heads-of-state and governmental officials) for the 1966–1967 period, thereby extending for two years the time frame originally investigated. As a verification test of the stability, generalizability, and reliability of Brams's original findings, the replication confirms many of Brams's empirically derived generalizations about the hierarchical structure of influence relationships in the international system. Principal among these is that the international system is highly stratified and that influence tends to be pyramidally concentrated in the hands of a relatively small group of major nations. The replication study also provides evidence about temporal variation in the structure of influence relationships, including, for example, the discovery that Soviet influence relationships underwent a marked deterioration in the observation period, while U.S. relationships manifested relative stability, thereby providing additional hypotheses about the structure of internation influence.
The communicology of Roland Barthes’ Camera Lucida: reflections on the sign–body experience of visual communication

This article contributes both to the conversation about visual communication opened by Roland Barthes’ classic book, Camera Lucida: Reflections on Photography and current research in communicology (semiotic phenomenology). The article offers an interpretation (third step) to the reduction (second step) of the description (first step) of Barthes’ semiotic phenomenology of communication. Attention is paid to time consciousness, the concept of the punctum, and the interplay between presence and absence opened by it. The interpretation draws on Jean Luc Nancy’s philosophy of visual images in order to expand the discussion of three emergent themes in Camera Lucida: the unseen, exposure, and death. Discussion of these themes from a communicology perspective deepens our understanding of visual communication as a sign–body experience.
Work Zone Crash Cost Prediction with a Least Median Squares Linear Regression Model

Traffic safety considerations are an important component of work zone design and implementation plans. This study aimed to develop a safety estimation approach on the basis of work zone scheduling and configuration parameters to help engineers and decision makers during the work zone traffic management design stage. This approach has its basis in the fusion of multiple years of statewide work zone records, work zone–related crash reports, and traffic detection data. First, a matching algorithm was used to integrate those data sets to provide detailed circumstances of work zone crashes. Second, the actual vehicle miles traveled in work zones were calculated and used as the exposure measure. The work zone crash costs also were calculated. Third, a least median squares linear regression model was used to build the crash cost prediction tool on the basis of the work zone configurations and vehicle miles traveled. This model was tested, and the results indicated that it could accurately predict work zone crash...
Strategic significance of strengthening China's cultural construction based on soft-power

Consolidating China's cultural construction not only needs to lay a solid foundation for the outlook of value at ideological level and solve the problems in shortage of innovation at institutional level,but also needs to create powerful carrier of innovative culture at implementing level.Only in this way,can culture become a necessary part and beneficial helper of China's soft-power.
Adenocarcinoma of the pancreas in four siblings.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma in four siblings is reported. In two brothers and one sister, there is autopsy or surgical biopsy proof of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. In another brother, carcinoma of the pancreas was found at surgical exploration, but no biopsy or autopsy was obtained. There is no clinical evidence of hereditary pancreatitis in the family.
Process and content in semantic memory

Semantic content knowledge and ability to process that knowledge are both necessary. Theories of semantic memory have tended to focus on knowledge content. Semantic memory impairments in patients with neurodegenerative diseases, manifested in difficulties naming, recognizing, or describing objects, are well documented. Neurologically healthy individuals, including the elderly, are able to appropriately use similarity-or rule-based categorization, both in daily functioning and in controlled studies. This chapter details some work investigating semantic knowledge and semantic categorization processes. The novel animal categorization task was designed to separate content from process and to relate the findings to semantic memory. Processing matters and it may be that category-specific deficits arise because different categories are more or less conducive to particular categorization processes, which can be selectively compromised. Additionally, knowledge of the diagnostic status of features, as well as executive resources, appears to be a necessary component of rule-based processing.
The Case of the Three Numeraires

This paper is concerned, at a theoretical level, with that wide class of general-equilibrium models with which the word numeraire is associated: models whose ‘reduced forms’ expressing real endogenous variables as functions of real and nominal exogenous variables are homogeneous of degree zero with respect to the latter set, and whose ‘reduced forms’ expressing nominal endogenous variables as functions of real and nominal exogenous variables are homogeneous of degree one with respect to the latter set. Traditionally, in models of this type there has been only one exogenous variable expressed in nominal terms (usually the quantity of money) and movements in this variable therefore determined movements in the general level of prices. The case in which money is the nominal exogenous variable is not the only one represented in the literature, however; there is also the traditional Gold Standard case in which the exchange rate is assumed to be exogenously fixed while the money supply is endogenous, and the Keynesian case in which (at least in the original variant and in some models subsequently constructed) the wage level is taken as exogenous.
Synthesis of Hindered Anilines: Three-Component Coupling of Arylboronic Acids, tert-Butyl Nitrite, and Alkyl Bromides.

The synthesis of sterically hindered amines has been a significant challenge in organic chemistry. Herein, we report a modular, three-component coupling that constructs two carbon–nitrogen bonds including a sterically hindered Csp3–N bond using commercially available materials. This process uses an earth-abundant copper catalyst and mild reaction conditions, allowing access to a variety of complex aromatic amines.
Contingency Contractor Optimization Phase 3 Sustainment Platform Requirements - Contingency Contractor Optimization Tool - Prototype

Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia) is in Phase 3 Sustainment of development of a prototype tool, currently referred to as the Contingency Contractor Optimization Tool - Prototype (CCOTP), under the direction of OSD Program Support. CCOT-P is intended to help provide senior Department of Defense (DoD) leaders with comprehensive insight into the global availability, readiness and capabilities of the Total Force Mix. The CCOT-P will allow senior decision makers to quickly and accurately assess the impacts, risks and mitigating strategies for proposed changes to force/capabilities assignments, apportionments and allocations options, focusing specifically on contingency contractor planning. During Phase 2 of the program, conducted during fiscal year 2012, Sandia developed an electronic storyboard prototype of the Contingency Contractor Optimization Tool that can be used for communication with senior decision makers and other Operational Contract Support (OCS) stakeholders. Phase 3 used feedback from demonstrations of the electronic storyboard prototype to develop an engineering prototype for planners to evaluate. Sandia worked with the DoD and Joint Chiefs of Staff strategic planning community to get feedback and input to ensure that the engineering prototype was developed to closely align with future planning needs. The intended deployment environment was also a key consideration as this prototypemore » was developed. Initial release of the engineering prototype was done on servers at Sandia in the middle of Phase 3. In 2013, the tool was installed on a production pilot server managed by the OUSD(AT&L) eBusiness Center. The purpose of this document is to specify the CCOT-P engineering prototype platform requirements as of May 2016. Sandia developed the CCOT-P engineering prototype using common technologies to minimize the likelihood of deployment issues. CCOT-P engineering prototype was architected and designed to be as independent as possible of the major deployment components such as the server hardware, the server operating system, the database, and the web server. This document describes the platform requirements, the architecture, and the implementation details of the CCOT-P engineering prototype.« less
Isolated Hypertrophic Neuropathy of the Oculomotor Nerve.

Background Hypertrophic neuropathy is a rare entity commonly associated with peripheral nerve, characterized by onion bulb formations. Its cranial nerve involvement is very rare; only 7 cases have been found in the literature. Case Description A 32-year-old white man with a 5-year history of intermittent right retro-orbital headache and mild right ptosis presented to the Neurosurgery Clinic. A magnetic resonance imaging of his brain demonstrated an enhancing lesion associated with the right third nerve. He underwent biopsy of the lesion, and its pathology report confirmed the diagnosis of hypertrophic neuropathy. Within 4 months, his third nerve palsy had completely resolved and was functioning fully. Conclusions Here, we report a first case of isolated hypertrophic neuropathy involving the oculomotor nerve.