cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Formulating and solving service network pricing and resource allocation games as differential variational inequalities

In this chapter we show how certain noncooperative Cournot-Nash dynamic games arising in service pricing and resource allocation may be articulated as differential variational inequalities. We show how such problems may be solved using a fixed point algorithm having continuous time optimal control subproblems.
Multivariate Threshold Methods

In this paper, I review a variety of approaches to the estimation of extremal properties of a probability distribution or stochastic process. Statistical methods based on exceedances over a high threshold have gained in popularity in recent years, as compared with the much older methods based directly on the extreme value distributions. Nevertheless, there remain some critical questions about their application.
The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence: A Realpolitik Consideration

Abstract In the vigorous academic debate over the risks of the Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence (SETI) and active Messaging ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence (ETI) (METI), a significant factor has been largely overlooked. Specifically, the risk of merely detecting an alien signal from passive SETI activity is usually considered to be negligible. The history of international relations viewed through the lens of the realpolitik tradition of realist political thought suggests, however, that there is a measurable risk of conflict over the perceived benefit of monopoly access to ETI communication channels. This possibility needs to be considered when analyzing the potential risks and benefits of contact with ETI.
Digestible and metabolizable energy in soybean meal sourced from different countries and fed to pigs

Abstract An experiment was conducted to compare the nutritional composition and the concentration of digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) of soybean meal (SBM) from the leading soybean producing countries in the world when fed to growing pigs. Five sources of SBM from Argentina, China, and the United States, and 4 sources from Brazil and India were used. A basal diet based on maize and 23 diets based on maize and each source of SBM were formulated. Twenty-four growing barrows (initial BW: 25.0 ± 1.7 kg) were allotted to a 24 × 7 Youden square design with 24 diets and 7 periods of 14 days. Pigs were individually housed in metabolism crates for total but separate collection of feces and urine. The coefficient of apparent total tract digestibility (CATTD) of gross energy (GE) and concentrations of DE and ME in each diet were calculated using the direct procedure and the DE and ME in each source of SBM were then calculated by difference. Results indicated that there was a tendency (P
Enhanced dynamic equivalent identification method of large-scale power systems using multiple events

Abstract The increasing complexity of the interconnected power system makes high-fidelity dynamic simulation models computationally more intensive. To improve computation efficiency, model reduction techniques have been investigated to only preserve the dynamics in a limited area of interest (study area), while deriving equivalent representation for the external area. For this purpose, a measurement-based reduction approach using system identification techniques has been previously proposed. In that case, external areas are represented by dynamic equivalent loads using transfer function estimation. In this paper, in order to enhance the accuracy of the reduced model in preserving dynamics of the study area, multiple “grid” events of different types and at different locations are considered for identifying the parameters of the equivalent loads. Case studies are carried out in the NPCC 140-bus system. Comparisons are made between multiple events training and single event training, highlighting the advantages of the proposed method in providing a better representation of the grid dynamics under different operating conditions.
Financialization, labor market institutions and inequality

The last three decades have witnessed rising inequality and deepening financialization in post-industrial democracies. A rapidly growing literature has linked these two phenomena. We go beyond exis...
A Longitudinal Analysis of Inflammation and Depression in Patients With Metastatic Lung Cancer: Associations With Survival

Background:Depression and inflammation are concomitantly elevated in patients with lung cancer and may have collective survival implications. However, the longitudinal relationship between depressi...
Can Changing Demographics or Refinancing Behaviors Explain the Rising Levels of Housing Debt Among Older Americans

The share of older households with debt secured by their primary residence more than doubled between 1995 and 2016. This study uses the Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) to examine the sources of t...
Vitamin E deficiency dysregulates thiols, amino acids and related molecules during zebrafish embryogenesis

Vitamin E (α-tocopherol, VitE) was discovered as a nutrient essential to protect fetuses, but its molecular role in embryogenesis remains undefined. We hypothesize that the increased lipid peroxidation due to VitE deficiency drives a complex mechanism of overlapping biochemical pathways needed to maintain glutathione (GSH) homeostasis that is dependent on betaine and its methyl group donation. We assess amino acids and thiol changes that occur during embryogenesis [12, 24 and 48 h post fertilization (hpf)] in VitE-sufficient (E+) and deficient (E-) embryos using two separate, novel protocols to quantitate changes using UPLC-MS/MS. Using partial least squares discriminant analysis, we found that betaine is a critical feature separating embryos by VitE status and is higher in E- embryos at all time points. Other important features include: glutamic acid, increased in E- embryos at 12 hpf; choline, decreased in E- embryos at 24 hpf; GSH, decreased in E- embryos at 48 hpf. By 48 hpf, GSH was significantly lower in E- embryos (P < 0.01), as were both S-adenosylmethionine (SAM, P < 0.05) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH, P < 0.05), while glutamic acid was increased (P < 0.01). Since GSH synthesis requires cysteine (which was unchanged), these data suggest that both the conversion of homocysteine and the uptake of cystine via the Xc- exchanger are dysregulated. Our data clearly demonstrates the highly inter-related dependence of methyl donors (choline, betaine, SAM) and the methionine cycle for maintenance of thiol homeostasis. Additional quantitative flux studies are needed to clarify the quantitative importance of these routes.
Data as Labor: Retrofitting Labor Law for the Platform Economy

Users of online platform services like YouTube, Google, and Facebook are starting to see themselves as workers. The labor share of income is especially low among platform services, raising the question of whether the individuals who produce the data these platforms monetize are, in essence, undercompensated labor. Historically, aggrieved workers have found refuge in labor law, which enables workers to build bargaining power vis-a-vis monopsonistic firms. Yet American labor law is premised on a traditional, hierarchical model of the workplace that excludes most platform contributors from its protections. This Article explores the economic and dignitary reasons for allowing data workers to bargain collectively and proposes (1) that Congress amend the NLRA’s definition of “employee” to include unpaid platform contributors and (2) that the NLRB consider users’ identifying characteristics as a proper basis for forming bargaining units, when user data is sold along those characteristics. The data economy profits from manual labor, but will bear its costs only if contributors have a seat at the table.
Queue length estimation from connected vehicles with range measurement sensors at traffic signals

Abstract This paper presents a method for queue length estimation from connected vehicles equipped with range measurement sensors such as light detection and ranging, stereo camera, and ultrasonic. Simple plug-and-play models are developed for queue length estimations that do not require ground truth queue lengths. The proposed method is simple to implement and can be adopted to cyclic queues like traffic signals with known phase lengths. The models are evaluated with microscopic traffic simulations and connected vehicle field test data. Compared to queue length estimations without range sensors, the numerical experiments performed using microsimulations show that the model with range sensors improves the errors by 25% in variance-to-mean ratio and 5% in coefficient of variation at less than 20% market penetration rates. Using the connected vehicle field test data, it is observed that the fusing range sensor can improve close to 10 % without sensor estimators, 30 % of the queue back, and 48 % of the Highway Capacity Manual’s control delay-based estimations at about 25 % market penetration rate.
Editorial: Transition to Telehealth for Mental Health Clinics: Future Considerations.

The acute mental health demands during the COVID-19 pandemic galvanized early adoption of telehealth for care delivery in all medical settings. This is even more so for the field of psychiatry.1 Whether an established telehealth program existed or not, the abrupt lifting of regulations and urgent need for access to care opened the telehealth flood gates. While video visits and telephone visits improved immediate access to care, they simultaneously challenged our ability to structure, organize, educate, operationalize, and track such visits.1 This swift shift in health care delivery forced providers, health care systems, and patients into a nationwide experiment to learn what works well via telehealth and what does not. The ground-breaking article by Folk et al.2 focuses on challenges and successes for a new shared phenomenon: the sudden pivot from in-person to video/telephone care. We examine the data collected by this consortium and compare it with our own experience at UPMC Western Psychiatric behavioral health outpatient settings, both academic and rural.
The Preoperative Cost of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Purpose Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition, with well-defined diagnostic and treatment guidelines. Despite these guidelines, continued variation in care exists, with providers variably using diagnostic tests and nonsurgical treatment modalities prior to surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the variation and cost associated with the diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of patients prior to undergoing carpal tunnel release. Methods We queried the Truven MarketScan database to identify patients who underwent carpal tunnel release from 2010 to 2017. Patients were identified using common current procedural terminology codes and included if they were enrolled in the database for a minimum of 12 months prior to surgery to allow all preoperative data to be captured. All associated current procedural terminology codes during the 1-year preoperative period were refined to codes related to median neuropathy and categorized as office visits, diagnostic imaging (x-ray, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging), electrodiagnostic testing, injections, occupational or physical therapy, durable medical equipment, and preoperative laboratory tests. Results In total, 378,381 patients were included in the study. A per-patient average cost of $858.74 was spent on preoperative workup and nonsurgical treatment. Electrodiagnostic testing represented 44.6% of the cost, and office visits represented 31.9%. Regarding nonsurgical treatment, 16.1% of the patients received an injection during the 1-year preoperative period, 26.8% received a medical brace, and 6.6% used physical therapy. When analyzed based on age group, the per-patient average cost for patients aged 70 years or older was significantly less than those younger than 70 years ($723.92 vs $878.76). Conclusions Despite robust clinical practice guidelines and high volumes, significant variation in presurgical care exists. These data are useful to begin to critically analyze the causes of variation in the diagnosis and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome and move toward a more effective, efficient, and informed treatment strategy. Type of study/level of evidence Economic/decision analysis II.
Aphasianomics: estimating the economic burden of poststroke aphasia in the United States

This study was designed to estimate the economic burden of poststroke aphasia in the United States. The economic burden of aphasia was calculated based on three cost factors: medical and healthcare...
The Delta-K ocean wave spectrometer - Aircraft measurements and theoretical system analysis

Measurements of the relative strength of ocean surface wave spectral components have been made from an aircraft using the two-frequency microwave resonance technique. A coherent Ku-band radar was used to study the Bragg type resonance matching (at the difference frequency Delta-f) to the surface wave components. The spatial spectrum of the surface reflectivity modulation was then computed as the value of Delta-f was varied over a matching range of approximately 15 150 m in surface wavelength. This paper contains experimental results from flights conducted during the 1979 MARSEN project and the 1980 ARSLOE project, and the objective here is to present the radar results in terms of the variety of surface illumination geometries encountered. It will be shown that the MARSEN results, with the narrow footprint, are consistent with a one-dimensional theoretical approach and that the ARSLOE results, with a symmetric beam pattern, agree well with the existing two-dimensional theory.
Computational quantum mechanics and the basis set problem

It is advocated to use singularity-matching basis functions in wavefunction expansions. Atomic and molecular Hartree-Fock calculation strongly support this approach. Nonlinear optimization is then totally avoided.
La prosa novelizada del Relox de príncipes de Fray Antonio de Guevara

Siguiendo a Bajtin, la autora revisa, en este trabajo, el Relox de principes (1529), una de las pirncipales obras de fray Antonio de Guevara, en tanto que "prosa novelizada", espacio privilegiado para el analisis de algunas de las tecnicas que dieron lugar a la novela moderna. Dicha prosa se caracteriza, segun Bajtin, por establecer una "zona de maximo contacto" con la realidad gracias al uso de elementos ligados entre si mas no necesariamente inclusivos, como la hibridez, la parodia y la risa. Estos elementos se analizan comparando a Ciro, el modelo de principe presentado por Jenofonte en su Ciropedia, con Marco Aurelio, el emperador en el Relox, de Guevara.
Microstructural Effects on the Cyclic Response of FCC Metallic Alloys – a Dislocation Dynamics Study

Three-dimensional dislocation dynamics (3D-DD) method is used to simulate the cyclic behavior of face-centered cubic (FCC) metallic alloys. The fatigue properties of these alloys are very much sensitive to their dislocation micro structure s and dislocation interactions with grain boundaries and particles. The emphasis is to understand microscale mechanisms of dislocation evolution in such alloy systems. In this study, cyclic behavior of FCC metallic alloys containing impenetrable grain boundaries, hard coherent as well as shearable misfitting particles will be analyzed respectively. Plastic deformation is modeled through the motion of dislocations. The dislocation nucleation, dislocation interaction with obstacles and dislocation annihilation are incorporated in the model through a set of constitutive rules. The micro structure evolutions comprising of these mechanisms and stress-strain curves are obtained directly from simulation results. This technique is shown to be capable to predict cyclic deformation from a set of microstructures.
Challenges for sustaining productivity gains and environmental quality in intensive grain production systems of Asia and the United States

Are present nutrient management recommendations for the world’ major cereal cropping systems adequate to sustain the productivity gains required to meet food demand while also assuring acceptable standards of environmental quality? Current management guidelines and the scientific basis for them were evaluated in large-scale, mechanized maize (Zea mays L.)-based cropping systems of the USA and more labour-intensive, small-scale irrigated rice (Oryza sativa L.) production systems in Asia. The principal challenges in both systems are similar: (1) there is no evidence for significant increases in the genetic yield potential of rice or maize in both systems during the past 30 years, (2) farm yields are presently about 50 to 60% of the attainable yield potential, and (3) nutrient management guidelines rely on mostly static, empirical approaches. Research must seek to develop nutrient management approaches tailored to the technologies and spatial scales relevant to each system that optimise profit, preserve soil quality, and protect natural resources in systems that consistently produce at levels of 70 to 80% of the attainable yield. Significant advances in soil chemistry, crop physiology, plant nutrition, molecular biology, and information technology must be applied to this effort. Future field-oriented plant nutrition research must be of a more strategic, interdisciplinary, and quantitative nature.
Multi-failure fault-tolerance of embedded loops on hypercubes: issues and performance study

The authors study the multi-failure fault-tolerance of hypercubes. Reconfiguration algorithms are proposed to reallocate the function of failed nodes to spare nodes so the communication structure of the interrupted parallel algorithms is preserved. Both clustered fault and concurrent fault are considered. Loops are selected as the embedded communication structures, where a wide variety of applications have been implemented. In early work, two classes of fault-tolerant embedded loops, Mapping II and III, have been designed and proved one-step reconfigurable for any single failure. The authors derive from shortest path algorithms a distributed reconfiguration algorithm for multiple failures on these embedded loops. Proof of reconfigurability for clustered fault is conducted for Mapping III. Performance of both mappings is evaluated by simulation with parameters such as the average number of tolerable failures, the average number of job migrations, and the utilization rate of nodes. >
Taylor series expansion and modified extended Prony analysis for localization

In the multiple source localization problem, many inverse routines use a rooting of a polynomial to determine the source locations. We present a rooting algorithm for locating an unknown number of three-dimensional, near-field, static sources from measurements at an arbitrarily spaced three-dimensional array. Since the sources are near-field and static, the spatial covariance matrix is always rank one, and spatial smoothing approaches are inappropriate due to the spatial diversity. We approach the solution through spherical harmonics, essentially replacing the point source function with its Taylor series expansion. We then perform a modified extended Prony analysis of the expansion coefficients to determine the number and location of the sources. The full inverse method is typically ill-conditioned, but a portion of the algorithm is suitable for synthesis analysis. We present a simulation for simplifying point charges limited to a spherical region, using an array of voltage potential measurements made outside the region. >
ICU resource allocation: life in the fast lane

In 1973, the then United States President, Jimmy Carter, addressed the issue of declining petroleum resources and increasing automobile traffic by the institution of a rationing plan that mandated decreasing consumption fairly and equitably across the entire population of consumers. The national speed limit (NSL) decreased from 70 to 55 miles per hour, and, according to experts, constituted the perfect rationing plan [1]. It affected only those who used a scarce resource (gasoline) and it applied to all equally. In a perfect world, it should have been an extremely effective conservation method. However, many motorists in the USA were not eager to participate in this utopian plan designed to rescue the whole. American motorists traditionally drive at a speed that is comfortable for them, considering the surrounding circumstances regardless of a posted limit. The Federal Government assigning a speed that did not feel comfortable to the average motorist virtually guaranteed eventual noncompliance [2]. This otherwise fair rationing plan set the stage for a roadway game of evasion, detection, and escalating technology supporting both sides [3]. The law was eventually repealed because it could not be enforced [4]. As a practical matter, motorists who would comply with the law would not exceed 55 miles per hour regardless of the NSL. Motorists who, for whatever reason choose to exceed the speed limits, will always try to stack the deck in their favor when dealing with speed limit enforcement. As technology for detecting speeders improved, so did the technology for detecting detectors [5]. And so a fair and equitable rationing plan designed to benefit the whole at the cost of minimal individual conformation failed because the administrative cost of enforcing individual compliance effaced the advantage [6].
Improvements and Performance Evaluation Concerning Synthetic Age Progression and Face Recognition Affected by Adult Aging

Aging of the face degrades the performance of face recognition algorithms. This paper presents recent work in synthetic age progression as well as performance comparisons for modern face recognition systems. Two top-performing, commercial systems along with a traditional PCA-based face recognizer are compared. It is shown that the commercial systems perform better than the baseline PCA algorithm, but their performance still deteriorates on an aged data-set. It is also shown that the use of our aging model improves the rank-one accuracy in these systems.
Cover Picture: Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 7/2002

The cover picture shows Cu2(μ-O)2 and Fe2(μ-O)2 complexes with the M2(μ-O)2 diamond core motif (the core is shown bottom right, M=green and oxygen=red spheres) and a representative example of a non-heme multimetal enzyme (hydroxylase component of methane monooxygenase, in the background). Although quite a familiar feature in high-valent manganese chemistry, the M2(μ-O)2 diamond core motif has only recently been found in synthetic complexes for M=Cu or Fe. Despite differences in electronic structures that have been revealed through experimental and theoretical studies, Cu2(μ-O)2 and Fe2(μ-O)2 cores exhibit analogously covalent metal–oxo bonding, and similar tendencies to abstract hydrogen atoms from substrates. Our understanding of biocatalysis has been enhanced significantly through the isolation and comprehensive characterization of the Cu2(μ-O)2 and Fe2(μ-O)2 complexes. In particular, it has led to the development of new mechanistic notions about how non-heme multimetal enzymes, such as, methane monooxygenase, fatty acid desaturase, and tyrosinase, may function in the activation of dioxygen to catalyze a diverse array of organic transformations. To find out more see the review by L. Que, Jr. and W. B. Tolman on p.1114 ff.
Selected diseases and conditions associated with bovine conceptus loss in the first trimester

The outcomes of insults to the bovine conceptus depend on the predilection of the insulting agent for the gravid reproductive tract, the virulence of the insult, and the developmental maturity/immune competence of the conceptus at the time of the insult. Agents that are lethal at one time during gestation may be harmless at another, or may have completely different effects (some not so harmless) at different gestational ages. This review discusses some of the known physical-mechanical, physiological, and infectious causes of first trimester bovine conceptus losses, including three infectious agents that have been the subject of recent studies for their potential to transmit disease via embryo transfer.
Organophosphate nerve agent toxicity in Hydra attenuata.

The toxicity for analogues of sarin (GB), soman (GD), and VX was evaluated using Hydra attenuata as a model organism. The organophosphate nerve agent analogue simulants used in this investigation included the following: isopropyl p-nitrophenyl methylphosphonate (for GB); pinacolyl p-nitrophenyl methylphosphonate (for GD); and diisopropyl S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl)phosphorothioate, diethyl S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl)phosphorothioate, and diethyl S-(2-trimethylaminoethyl)phosphorothioate (for VX). The toxicity of each organophosphate nerve agent was assessed quantitatively by measuring the minimal effective concentration within 92 h in H. attenuata. There is a positive correlation between the molecular hydrophobicity of the compound and its ability to cause toxicity. Results from this study indicate the potential for application of this assay in the field of organophosphate chemical warfare agent detection, as well as for the prediction of toxicity of structurally similar organophosphate compounds. The mi...
A Common Promoter Variant in the Cytochrome P450c17α (CYP17) Gene Is Associated with Bioavailable Testosterone Levels and Bone Size in Men

Cytochrome P450c17α (CYP17) encodes an enzyme with 17α-hydroxylase and 17,20-lyase activities, which is essential for the normal production of adrenal and gonadal androgens. Because androgens have powerful effects on bone growth and metabolism, we determined whether a single base pair (bp) substitution (T C) in the promoter region (−34 bp) of CYP17 is associated with sex hormone levels, stature, and femoral mass and size in 333 white men aged 51-84 years (mean ± SD; 66 ± 7 years). Femoral neck bone mineral content (BMC), cross-sectional area (CSA), and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Genotype frequencies did not deviate from Hardy-Weinberg expectations. Serum bioavailable testosterone levels were 20% or 0.5 SDs higher in men with the C/C compared with the T/T genotype, whereas heterozygous men had intermediate hormone levels (p = 0.019). Men with the C/C genotype also were nearly 3 cm taller and had 0.6 SD greater femoral neck CSA than men with the T/T genotype (p ≤ 0.01 for both). The association with CSA persisted after adjusting for age, height, and body weight. In contrast, CYP17 genotype was not associated with femoral neck BMC, areal BMD (g/cm2), or estimated volumetric BMD (g/cm3). These results suggest that allelic variation at the CYP17 locus may contribute to the genetic influence on stature and femoral size in men.
Predator-prey interactions between blue crabs and ribbed mussels living in clumps

Abstract Predator-prey interactions between blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) and ribbed mussels (Geukensia demissa) were studied by manipulating different components of mussel clump structure in the laboratory to test their effects on the mussels' susceptibility to crab predation. Mussels with stronger attachment strength or those buried deeper in the sediment suffered lower mortality. Blue crabs showed no significant size selectivity when two size classes of mussles (30–40 and 50–60 mm in shell heights) were offered. When juvenile mussels were attached to adult conspecifics and completely buried in the centres of clumps as in the field, blue crabs did not actively search for them. The crabs, however, did consume juveniles as by-products when they preyed upon the adult mussels to which the juveniles were attached.
Receiver sex differences in visual response to dynamic motion signals in Sceloporus lizards

Visual signal properties often vary greatly between and within individuals in a variety of social contexts. While it is widely known that visual displays emitted by senders can exhibit great variation in efficacy and content, far less is understood whether and how receivers vary in the ability to respond to variability in signal properties, such as motion. Here, we tested for receiver sex differences in visual response latency to motion signals in Sceloporus undulatus lizards. We used a moving robotic lizard model as a visual stimulus to assay response latency in male and female lizards. We measured visual reaction times to slow and fast, up-and-down motions, characteristic of territorial and courtship male motion displays, respectively. We found sex differences in response latency to the two different displays. Specifically, male lizards were faster than females at responding to slow motion produced by the robotic lizard, while female lizards were faster than males at responding to fast motion. These results demonstrate that dynamic visual signals that vary temporally under different social contexts can differ in eliciting a visual response from each sex. Our study highlights that physical differences in dynamic and complex visual signals exhibited during different social contexts (i.e., territorial and courtship contexts) can closely match sex differences in visual responses.
Urea small molecule agonists on mouse melanocortin receptors

A series of urea compounds based on the tripeptide Phe-Trp-Lys were synthesized and pharmacologically characterized at the mouse melanocortin receptors. The results include identification of novel melanocortin receptor agonists with potencies ranging from nanomolar to micromolar.
Bilateral adolescent mammopathy as a presentingsymptom of rhabdomyosarcoma of the heart

Summary The nineteenth case of primary rhabdomyosarcoma of the heart is reported, together with autopsy findings. The differential diagnosis of bilateraladolescent breast masses, the presenting complaint, is discussed. The reasons for considering this neoplasma primary in the heart, a rare site of origin, are enumerated, together with a brief review of the literature.
A variational approach to the solution of poisson's equation in prolate spheroidal coordinates

The present paper considers a charge distribution with an axis of rotational symmetry and formulates a variational principle in prolate spheroidal coordinates by which an approximate solution to Poisson's equation may be obtained. The feasibility of the suggested approach is demonstrated by a simple example for which the exact solution is known.
Proton-threshold states in27Al and the production of 27Al at low stellar temperatures

Abstract The 26 Mg( 3 He, d) 27 Al reaction has been employed to measure excitation energies and proton spectroscopic factors for states corresponding to 26 Mg + p resonances in the vicinity of the proton-capture threshold. The width ratio Γ γ /Γ was measured for three previously established resonances via a study of the 26 Mg( 3 He, d γ ) 27 Al reaction, and corresponding values of the proton widths were obtained. Combining this information establishes strengths for four of the states lying within 150 keV of the proton threshold. A 26 Mg + p reaction rate is deduced, and its astrophysical implications are discussed.
Amino acids in the pore region of Kv1 potassium channels dictate cell-surface protein levels: a possible trafficking code in the Kv1 subfamily

Kv1.1 and Kv1.4 potassium channels have different pore region determinants that were found to affect their cell-surface levels positively and negatively [Zhu, Watanabe, Gomez and Thornhill (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 39419–39427; Zhu, Watanabe, Gomez and Thornhill (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 25558–25567; Zhu, Watanabe, Gomez and Thornhill (2003) Biochem. J. 375, 761–768]. In the present study, we focused on the deep pore region of Kv1 members to test whether a cell-surface trafficking code was dictated by two amino acids. Kv1 channels with a threonine/lysine amino acid pair in a non-contiguous pore region promoted high surface levels, whereas a serine/tyrosine amino acid pair inhibited high surface expression by inducing a high level of partial endoplasmic reticulum retention. Our work suggests that a possible positive trafficking amino acid pair coding here for the Kv1 subfamily is Thr/Lys>Thr/Val>Thr/Tyr>Thr/Arg∼Thr/His>Ser/Val>Ser/Tyr>Ser/Lys. The Kv1 trafficking code was not transferable to a Kv2 family member and thus it appears that it only governs surface levels in the context of its Kv1 native pore loop region and/or its S5 and S6 regions. All members of a given Kv2, Kv3 or Kv4 potassium channel subfamily have identical amino acids at similar positions in their deep pore regions (Thr/Tyr or Thr/Val), which suggests that any difference in surface levels among members is not dictated by these amino acids. Thus a major determinant for cell-surface trafficking of Kv1 potassium channels is an amino acid pair in their deep pore regions, whereas the cell-surface levels of a given Kv2, Kv3 or Kv4 subfamily member are probably not affected by these amino acids.
An algorithm for computing matrix square roots with application to Riccati equation implementation

An iterative algorithm is presented for obtaining a positive definite symmetric square root of a positive definite symmetric matrix. This algorithm has application in the implementation of Riccati type equations. The approach presented here has the advantage that apriori upper and lower bounds to the converged answer can be obtained sequentially at any point in the iterative process. These apriori bounds can also be obtained for the Riccati equation using a discrete implementation procedure. Theorems on convergence are proved and examples are worked.
Induction of a deoxyuridine triphosphate nucleotidohydrolase activity in Epstein-Barr virus-infected cells

Superinfection of Raji cells with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or chemical induction of HR-1 cells with 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) results in the induction of a deoxyuridine triphosphate nucleotidohydrolase (dUTPase) which is not observed in mock-treated cells or TPA-treated EBV genome-negative BJAB cells. The EBV-induced dUTPase could be distinguished from the host dUTPase based upon differences in their migration in polyacrylamide gels and sensitivity to the 5-mercurithioguanosine derivitive of dUTP. The expression of the EBV-specified dUTPase is prevented by phosphonoacetic acid indicating that its expression is dependent upon EBV-DNA replication.
Fiber Local Micro Buckling of Continuous Glass-Fiber Reinforced Rectangular Hollow-Cored Commingled Recycled, Plastic Extrusions under Bending

The experimental results of fiber local micro-buckling and partial failure due to the fiber micro buckling of extruded continuous glass fiber reinforced hollow-cored recycled plastic lumber under four point bending are presented in the paper. The test specimens are commercially produced E-glass roving reinforced recycled HDPE extrusions (2.5 by 3.5 hollow-cored cross section and 42 in length) with/without coupling agent and different color pigment. The test results show that the fiber micro buckling causes a significant drop in strength of the extruded lumber and subsequently causes the matrix cracking that will lead to the total structural failure. It becomes a concern for the continuous fiber reinforced plastic beams used in construction fields because most of them are under bending loads. The micro buckling occurs on the compressive half of the hollow beam when it undergoes bending loads. The critical compressive stress is reasonably close to the predictions of Rosen's model if considering a factor of 0.63 as proposed by Hahn and Williams (1986). For the specimens without the additives and coupling agent, the results show no sign of fiber micro buckling though their strength is much lower than those with the additives and coupling agent. In addition, it is shown that the fiber micro buckling initiates the matrix longitudinal as well as latitudinal cracking.
Selective Mutations in Cloned and Expressed α-Macroglobulin Receptor Binding Fragment Alter Binding to Either the α2-Macroglobulin Signaling Receptor or the Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein/α2-Macroglobulin Receptor

alpha2-Macroglobulin (alpha2M) activated with methylamine binds to two distinct cell-surface receptors: low density-lipoprotein receptor-related protein/alpha2M receptors and alpha2M signaling receptors. Binding to lipoprotein receptor-related protein/alpha2M receptor but not alpha2M signal receptor is inhibitable by another ligand, receptor-associated protein. Direct binding studies with a recombinant receptor binding fragment (RBF) from rat alpha1M and murine macrophages demonstrate two classes of binding sites of apparent Kd = 90 pM (1500 sites/cell) and 40 nM (60,400 sites/cell). Receptor-associated protein competes with RBF for binding to the lower but not the higher affinity site. Site-directed mutation of Lys-1374 (human numbering) in RBF to Arg or Ile residues almost completely abolishes signal transduction as compared to wild-type RBF. Direct binding studies with K1374R demonstrated no significant alteration in binding to the lower affinity site; however, binding to the high affinity site is reduced by 83%. Mutation of Lys-1370 to Ala resulted in a 4-5-fold increase in the Kd for binding to the lower affinity site with no significant alteration in binding to the high affinity site or signal transduction properties. Studies demonstrate comparable internalization and degradation of wild-type RBF and K1374R; however, internalization and degradation of K1370A is negligible. These studies suggest that regions around Lys-1370 and Lys-1374 are involved in lipoprotein receptor-related protein/alpha2M receptor and alpha2M signaling receptor binding, respectively.
The association between selenium and other micronutrients and thyroid cancer incidence in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study.

Background: Selenium is an essential trace element that is important for thyroid hormone metabolism and has antioxidant properties which protect the thyroid gland from oxidative stress. The association of selenium, as well as intake of other micronutrients, with thyroid cancer is unclear. Methods: We evaluated associations of dietary selenium, beta-carotene, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin E, folate, magnesium, and zinc intake with thyroid cancer risk in the National Institutes of Health – American Association of Retired Persons Diet and Health Study, a large prospective cohort of 566,398 men and women aged 50–71 years in 1995–1996. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression was used to examine associations between dietary intake of micronutrients, assessed using a food frequency questionnaire, and thyroid cancer cases, ascertained by linkage to state cancer registries and the National Death Index. Results: With the exception of vitamin C, which was associated with an increased risk of thyroid cancer (HRQ5 vs Q1, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.02–1.76; Ptrend, ,0.01), we observed no evidence of an association between quintile of selenium (HRQ5 vs Q1, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.92–1.65; Ptrend, 0.26) or other micronutrient intake and thyroid cancer. Conclusion: Our study does not suggest strong evidence for an association between dietary intake of selenium or other micronutrients and thyroid cancer risk. More studies are needed to clarify the role of selenium and other micronutrients in thyroid carcinogenesis.
The discrete-time tracking problem with a time delay in the control

The linear-quadratic tracking problem is solved for a discrete-time system with a control delay of T time periods. Two closed-loop solutions are seen to result, one of which applies to the first T time periods, and the second of which holds for the remaining time.
Contributions of improved technologies to reduced residential energy growth

Abstract Energy efficiencies of residential heating and cooling equipment, appliances and structures can be significantly improved by implementing known design changes and by conducting R&D programs to develop advanced systems. These design changes are likely to be cost-effective for typical American housholds. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) residential energy use simulation model is used to evaluate the national energy and direct economic effects of implementing the conservation programs in the proposed National Energy Plan and offering to the market advanced technologies currently being developed by private industry and the Federal government. These changes are likely to cut residential energy use by more than 63.3 × 1018 J between now and the year 2000. The present worth of the fuel bill reductions (at a real interest rate of 8%) is $26.7 billion greater than the present worth of the extra capital cost associated with improved equipment, appliances, and structures.
Tell Me about the Test The Construction of Truth and Lies in Drug Court

Through a multiyear participant observation study in three southeastern drug courts, we explore how staff members react to clients' responses when confronted with positive tests for illicit drug use. Within their professional beliefs about drug addiction, treatment, and testing, staff members interpret the clients' responses as truths or lies, though some lies are worse than others and some truths are better than others. The staff's evaluations of clients' responses are part of their construction of moral identities for drug offenders. Staff members produce the client outcomes that some observers and evaluators attribute to client characteristics or conduct. To understand how staff members produce organizational outcomes as they manage clients, interpretive studies that look beyond the most public arenas of drug and other problem courts need to be conducted as they have been in exploring other service agencies.
Point-count methods to monitor butterfly populations when traditional methods fail: a case study with Miami blue butterfly

Established butterfly monitoring methods are designed for open habitats such as grasslands. Not all rare species occupy habitats that are easy to see across and navigate, in which cases a new approach to monitoring is necessary. We present a novel use of point transect distance sampling to monitor the Miami blue, a highly endangered butterfly that occupies dense shrub habitat. To monitor Miami blue density, we developed surveys consisting of butterfly counts in semi-circular plots. We examined the rate at which an observer detects new butterflies to determine the survey duration that meets the key assumption that butterflies are detected at their initial location. As a related secondary goal, we identified the determinants of adult flight phenology to target monitoring efforts during periods of high adult abundance. We observed peak Miami blue densities in April and July/August 2012, and July/August 2013. We estimated density using detections from a 10-sec survey, our most defensible and conservative estimate. Peak daily density estimates ranged from 592 to 680 butterflies per hectare. Adult density was related to precipitation patterns, with high densities occurring 4–6 weeks after particularly wet 4-week intervals. For butterfly species that exist in high enough densities, we recommend using point transect distance sampling in habitats where traditional methods are impossible to implement.
Repressers, Cryptic Enzymes and Structural Genes

The Multiple Alleles at the MZ Locus. The fermentation of melezitose1 by Saccharomyces is controlled by a gene which generates a single enzyme capable of hydrolysing the five α-glucosides, namely, turanose, maltose, sucrose, α-methyl-glucoside and melezitose2. The gene exists in a series of multiple alleles which differ from wild-type by the loss of capacity to react adaptively to one or more of the five α-glucosidic inductors3,4. Only seven (of 32 theoretically possible) alleles are known: TMSGZ, TMSG-, TMS-Z, TMS- -, TM- - -, T- - - - and - - - - -. (Possibly only six real alleles of MZ exist; the putative TMS-Z allele may be a double mutant—TMSGZtogether with a gene generating a represser of G.) Each of the capital letters indicates ability to respond adaptively to the inductor indicated. Each of the mutant genotypes is stable on vegetative transfer and retains its characteristics without recombination in hybrids, thus establishing each mutant as a genuine allele5. The adaptive enzyme generated by MZ by exposure to each of the different substrates is identical irrespective of the allele or the inductor; the negatives fail to respond adaptively to the inductors indicated. Cell-free preparations and whole living cells, in which the enzyme has been induced, split all five substrates at characteristically similar rates6, indicating that permeability is not a factor in differentiating the different phenotypes; it has been inferred that the enzyme appears quickly after induction in the nucleoprotein layer7.
An Experimental Examination of the Effect of Interface Cooling on Thermal Wear Mechanisms in Carbon Graphite

Premature failure of mechanical seal components is often a result of the elevated temperatures at the sealing interface that arise due to frictional heating. The Heat Sink Mechanical Seal (HSS) is a new approach to interface cooling in which a micro heat sink is constructed within millimeters of the sealing interface. Coolant circulated through the highly structured pin fin region carries away the generated heat. This work investigates the impact of interface cooling on carbon wear rates for a tungsten carbide (WC) and carbon graphite material pair. Experiments are performed using a thrust washer rotary tribometer to simulate a mechanical seal operating in dry running conditions within and in excess of the PV limit for the material pair (17.5 MPa*m/s or 500,000 psi*ft/min). Results show stable operation of sealing components in harsh operating conditions as well as the potential to reduce the occurrence of thermally induced wear and failure.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
On the relationship between mass spectrometry and radiation chemistry

Abstract After a brief historical overview, the major processes which lead to initial reactive species in the radiolysis of gases are summarized with a special view towards formation of positive ions, which initiate 55–85% of the observed chemistry. Approaches to the estimation of relative fragmentation probabilities in low pressure radiation chemistry are discussed, and the applicability of those obtained by mass spectrometry is discussed. The effect of density is presented in terms of the difference in lifetimes characteristics of the two techniques.
Pulsed and CW Gaussian beam interactions with double negative metamaterial slabs

The interactions of pulsed and continuous wave (CW) Gaussian beams with double negative (DNG) metatmaterials are considered. Subwavelength focusing of a diverging, normally incident pulsed Gaussian beam with a planar DNG slab is demonstrated. The negative angle of refraction behavior associated with the negative index of refraction exhibited by DNG metamaterials is demonstrated. The transmitted beam resulting from both 3- cycle and CW Gaussian beams that are obliquely incident on a DNG slab are shown to have this property. Gaussian beams that undergo total internal reflection from a DNG metamaterial slab are also shown to experience a negative Goos-Hanchen (lateral) shift. Several potential applications for these effects in the microwave and optical regimes are discussed.
THE NEURILEMMA CELL IN PERIPHERAL NERVE DEGENERATION AND REGENERATION.

Pinched peripheral cutaneous nerves of the rat were permitted to degenerate and regenerate in situ for various periods of time before removal for observation in the electron microscope. The earliest changes seen were disintegration of the axis cylinder and hypertrophy of neurilemma cell with proliferation of its endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes and mitochondria. Degenerating myelin was phagocytized by cells identifiable as neurilemma. These cells were observed also to envelope and myelinate the new axis-cylinder sprouts. The two processes, phagocytosis and myelination of new axis cylinders, were observed within the same neurilemma cell.