cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Delayed recovery of behavior after anesthesia in rats

Abstract Early, complete recovery from general anesthesia is of importance for out-patients, in resuscitation research and in behavior testing of neonates. A model was designed to study behavior during the first week of recovery from anesthesia in rats, using two methods: spontaneous and unrestrained locomotor activity was tested and passive avoidance of electroshock was studied in a two session, one trial model. Neurologic deficit and ease of handling were also tested After anesthesia with halothane 1 2% in N 2 O/O 2 for 30 min, spontaneous activity was reduced, compared with unanesthetized rats, for up to at least 48 h. On day 6 post-anesthesia, locomotor activity was recovered, and, on days 4 and 5, passive avoidance was unchanged. Neurologic deficits were absent after the first hour of recovery and ease of handling was unchanged. Conclusion: Halothane and nitrous oxide have prolonged effects on locomotor behavior beyond the immediate post-anesthesia recovery period, at a time when neurologic deficit testing does not reveal any abnormalities. The model is suitable for the comparison of recovery from different anesthesia techniques in rats.
Fault-tolerant routing in MIN-based supercomputers

The authors study methods for routing data in supercomputers that use multistage interconnection networks (MINs) in the presence of faulty components in the network. These methods are applicable to existing multiprocessors such as the IBM GF11 and RP3. These methods are based on the concept of dynamic full-access (DFA) which refers to the ability of the network to route data from any processor in the system to any other processor in a finite number of passes through the network. The authors introduce a graph-model called the DFA graph of a MIN and show how it can be used to determine the DFA capability of the MIN under a given set of network faults. When the faults in the network satisfy certain special properties, algorithms for routing any arbitrary permutation in a faulty Benes network and any Omega permutation in a faulty Omega network are presented. >
The use of computerized tomography in the diagnosis of pulmonary nodules

Pulmonary nodules, in particular the solitary pulmonary nodule or coin lesion, have presented diagnostic difficulties to the specialist in chest diseases. The controversy over managing such lesions ultimately involves the question of whether a given nodule is benign or malignant, and the reports of diagnostic experiences vary considerably. The criteria for diagnosing and managing pulmonary nodules prior to the advent of computerized tomography (CT) were based on anatomic descriptions from conventional and specialized X-ray techniques and on pathological consideration of tissues obtained by invasive techniques. The mathematical manipulation of the absorption coefficients of nodular lesions in the lungs, obtained in a non-invasive manner using CT, can provide additional criteria for diagnosing such lesions. In our study 20 nodules (6 malignant, 14 benign) were retrospectively studied with CT, and from the results it appears that there are distinctive patterns for malignant and benign lesions. We have explained our procedure in this paper and presented an illustrative case study.
The effect of sample geometry on the melting point of polyethylene

We have examined the influence which sample geometry has on the melting point of isothermally melt crystallized polyethylene. The peak positions of curves obtained using a Perkin-Elmer DSC were used as the apparent melting points (Tm). With a constant sample weight (ca. 0.05 mg), we observed an increase of 1.7 K for Tm when the sample thickness was increased from 1 to 8 μm. Experiments which demonstrate the heat transfer problems related to the melting of polymer samples are also presented. This work indicates that, if one is attempting to reduce the heating rate dependence of polymer samples, reduction of sample weight alone is not suffiicient. Rather one should aim at increasing the sample pan contact area and reducing the sample thickness simultaneously.
The Interaction between Hurricane Opal (1995) and a Warm Core Ring in the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract Hurricane Opal (1995) experienced a rapid, unexpected intensification in the Gulf of Mexico that coincided with its encounter with a warm core ring (WCR). The relative positions of Opal and the WCR and the timing of the intensification indicate strong air–sea interactions between the tropical cyclone and the ocean. To study the mutual response of Opal and the Gulf of Mexico, a coupled model is used consisting of a nonhydrostatic atmospheric component of the Naval Research Laboratory’s Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS), and the hydrostatic Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory’s Modular Ocean Model version 2 (MOM 2). The coupling between the ocean and the atmosphere components of the model are accomplished by conservation of heat, salt, momentum, as well as the sensible and latent heat fluxes at the air–sea interface. The atmospheric model has two nests with spatial resolutions of 0.6° and 0.2°. The ocean model has a uniform resolution of 0.2°. The oceanic model domain ...
Endometrial stromal sarcoma: a population-based analysis

To determine independent prognostic factors for the survival of patients with endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS), data were abstracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database of the National Cancer Institute from 1988 to 2003. Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazards models were used for analyses. Of 831 women diagnosed with ESS, the median age was 52 years (range: 17–96 years). In total, 59.9% had stage I, 5.1% stage II, 14.9% stage III, and 20.1% had stage IV disease. Overall, 13.0, 36.1, and 34.7% presented with grades 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Patients with stage I–II vs III–IV disease had 5 years DSS of 89.3% vs 50.3% (P<0.001) and those with grades 1, 2, and 3 cancers had survivals of 91.4, 95.4, and 42.1% (P<0.001). In multivariate analysis, older patients, black race, advanced stage, higher grade, lack of primary surgery, and nodal metastasis were independent prognostic factors for poorer survival. In younger women (<50 years) with stage I–II disease, ovarian-sparing procedures did not adversely impact survival (91.9 vs 96.2%; P=0.1). Age, race, primary surgery, stage, and grade are important prognostic factors for ESS. Excellent survival in patients with grade 1 and 2 disease of all stages supports the concept that these tumors are significantly different from grade 3 tumors. Ovarian-sparing surgeries may be considered in younger patients with early-stage disease.
Relations between dietary choline or lecithin intake, serum choline levels, and various metabolic indices.

Abstract Choline administration increases blood choline, brain choline, and brain acetylcholine levels in rats. It also increases blood choline levels in humans and appears to be a useful treatment for some patients with tardive dyskinesia, a brain disease probably associated with deficient cholinergic tone. In order to characterize other possible metabolic and hormonal effects of choline-containing compounds, we measured changes in serum choline, glucose, insulin, cortisol, prolactin, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels resulting from ingestion of low- or high-choline meals in 16 normal human subjects. After the consumption of a single meal containing 3 g choline chloride, serum choline rose by 86% ( p p p
Physiological characteristics of glutamine synthetases I and II of Frankia sp. strain CpI1

Frankia sp. strain CpI1 has two glutamine synthetases designated GSI and GSII. Biosynthetic activities of both GSI and GSII were strongly inhibited by ADP and AMP. Alanine, aspartate, glycine and serine inhibited both GSI and GSII activities, whereas asparagine and lysine inhibited only slightly. Glutamine inhibited GSII but did not affect GSI. Since GSII is more heat labile than GSI, their relative heat stabilities can be used to determine their contribution to total GS activity. In cells grown on ammonia and on glutamine as sole combined-nitrogen sources most GS activity detected in crude extracts was due to GSI. In cells transferred to glutamate, GSI accounted for all GS activity in the first 15 h and then heat labile GSII was induced and increased to account for 40% of total GS activity within 50 h. Transfer of N2-fixing cells to ammonia-containing medium led to a rapid decrease of GSII and a slow increase of GSI activity within 24 h. Conversely, when ammonia-grown cells were transferred to combined nitrogen-free medium, GSI activity gradually decreased and GSII increased before total activity leveled off in 50 h. GSII appears to be an ammonia-assimilating enzyme specifically synthesized during perceived N-starvation of Frankia cells.
Fiber-matrix debonding effects oncracking in aligned fiber ceramic composites

Abstract The micromechanical fracture analysis of fiber-reinforced ceramics usually requires explicit consideration of sliding at the fiber-matrix interface that is resisted by frictional shear stress. But an interfacial debonding resistance may have to be overcome before frictional sliding can occur. This paper presents an approximate calculation of the stresses needed to initiate and propagate fiber-matrix debonding in the vicinity of a matrix crack. The results are used to define the parameters of a crack-bridging model that serves to determine the effects of debonding and initial stress on the matrix cracking stress of an aligned fiber composite, as well as their effects on overall composite toughness.
Characterization of polymorphism displayed by the coat protein mutants of tomato bushy stunt virus.

Expression of full-length and N-terminal deletion mutants of the coat protein (CP) of tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) using the recombinant baculovirus system resulted in spontaneously assembled virus-like particles (VLPs). Deletion of the majority of the R-domain sequence of the CP, residues 1–52 (CP-NΔ52) and 1–62 (CP-NΔ62), produced capsids similar to wild-type VLPs. Interestingly, the CP-NΔ62 mutant that retains the last 3 residues of R-domain is capable of forming both the T = 1 and T = 3 particles. However, between the two types of VLPs, formation of the T = 1 capsids appears to be preferred. Another mutant, CP-NΔ72, in which R-domain (residues 1–65) was completely removed but contains most of the β-annulus and extended arm (βA) regions exclusively formed T = 1 particles. These results suggest that as few as 3 residues (63–65) of the R-domain, which includes 2 basic amino acids together with the arm (βA) and β-annulus regions, may be sufficient for the formation of T = 3 particles. However, anywhere between 4 to 13 residues of the R-domain may be required for proper positioning of βA and β-annulus structural elements of the C-type subunits to facilitate an error free assembly of T = 3 capsids.
Bioregulation of Lipid and Protein Synthesis in Soybean by 2-Diethylaminoethyl-3,4-Dichlorophenylether

Application of the bioregulator 2-diethyla-minoethyl-3,4-dichlorophenylether (DCP-TA) causes significant increases in the lipid (triglyceride) and protein content of the soybean. At the same time, soybean yield is enhanced. No negative relationships among the constituents and yield are observed. Previously DCPTA was shown to affect the synthesis of biogenetically unrelated cis-polyisoprenes in the guayule plant. These observations have implications for agricultural crop productivity and quality.
A Satellite-derived Climatology of the ITCZ

This paper presents fundamental climatological characteristics of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) in a simple concise manner using the highly reflective cloud (HRC) dataset. This satellite-derived dataset uses both visible and infrared observations to measure the frequency of occurrence of large-scale convective systems over the global tropics at a 1 deg spatial resolution. These dataset characteristics make the HRC particularly well suited for climatological analysis of the ITCZ because the dataset is based on estimates of organized deep convective cloud systems rather than observations of clouds as a whole, and it provides the spatial resolution needed to identify these large-scale convective structures. Furthermore, the dataset covers a time period extending nearly two decades, which provides for a fairly robust climatology and the opportunity to examine seasonal and interannual variability of both the convection and the latitude of the ITCZ.
On the asymmetric complexity of the group-intersection problem

Motivated by the question of determining the difference in complexity between the graph-isomorphism and graph-automorphism problems, we study the relationship between the coset-intersection (C-INT) and group-intersection (G-INT) problems in permutation groups. We prove that G-INT is related to C-INT asymmetrically under Ogiwara and Watanabe's notions of left and right sets. This asymmetry suggests that, for given two permutation groups that intersect nontrivially, finding the least nonidentity element in the intersection is likely to be easier than finding the largest nonidentity element in the intersection under any lexicographic ordering. Also as a consequence, unless C-INT (resp., G-INT) @?P, C-INT (resp., G-INT) is not many-one reducible in polynomial time to any sparse set.
Agroforestry systems and soil surface management of a tropical alfisol: I: Soil moisture and crop yields

Field experiments were conducted on a tropical Alfisol at Ibadan, Nigeria, to evaluate the effects on soil moisture and crop yields of three agroforestry systems. Effects of agroforestry treatments involving two perennial shrubs (Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium), each at 2-m and 4-m row spacings, were compared with no-till and plow-till systems of seedbed preparation. Measurements were made for soil properties, runoff and erosion, nutrient losses in runoff, and crop growth and yield for a uniform maize (Zea mays) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) rotation. All of the six plots, each measuring 70 × 10m, were established on a natural slope of about 7%. Alterations in soil properties and effects on crop growth were evaluated for six consecutive years from 1982 through 1987.
Photoreceptor-specific expression of platelet-derived growth factor-B results in traction retinal detachment

Expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-A and PDGF-B is increased in patients with proliferative retinopathies in which traction retinal detachments occur. Previous studies have demonstrated that increased expression of PDGF-A in the retina of transgenic mice results in retinal gliosis due to proliferation of astrocytes with different retinal phenotypes based on the time of onset and location of the PDGF-A production. In this study, we investigated the effects of PDGF-B in the retina using gain-of-function transgenic mice that express PDGF-B in photoreceptors. These mice show proliferation of astrocytes, pericytes, and, to a lesser extent, endothelial cells, resulting in ectopic cells on the surface and extending into the retina. The sheets of cells exert traction on the retina resulting in traction retinal detachments similar to those seen in humans with proliferative retinopathies. These studies suggest that PDGF-B has more dramatic effects in the retina than PDGF-A, because it acts on additional cell types, in particular on pericytes, which have a highly developed contractile apparatus. These studies in the retina suggest a means that could be used in other tissues throughout the body to achieve graded PDGF effects. They also provide a new model of traction retinal detachment that can be used to investigate new treatments for patients with proliferative retinopathies.
Reconstructing the degree pair sequence of a digraph

Abstract It is shown that the degree pair sequence of any digraph with five or more points can be derived from its one point-deleted subdigraphs.
A TIRF titration study of 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate binding to silica-adsorbed bovine serum albumin

Abstract A novel fluorescence titration method was applied to the qualitative study of conformational characteristics of a surface-adsorbed bovine serum albumin (BSA) layer. The probe, 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate (ANS), was used as a fluorescent ligand. The selective excitation of a bound dye in the adsorbed protein layer was achieved using the evanescent surface wave created by total internal reflection at the solid/liquid interface. The same protein/ligand pair dissolved in the bulk solution was used as a reference. The apparent affinity of the ligand towards the surface-adsorbed protein is lower as compared with the dissolved protein. The results of the solution and the surface titration experiments were quantitatively compared after the titration results were normalized with respect to the intrinsic BSA fluorescence in the absence of the ligand. It was found that the protein adsorption leads to fluorescence enhancement of those bound ANS molecules which are otherwise nonfluorescent when bound to BSA in the solution. It is shown that ANS molecules, which are bound to the outer binding sites on the protein surface, can serve as a probe of protein-protein and protein-surface contacts in the adsorbed layer.
Design of Neutron Radiation Tolerant High Effitciency Microwave Avalanche Diode Sources (Trapatt Oscillators)

The effects of permanent neutron damage on the operation of high efficiency avalanche microwave sources are explained. The resulting design criteria for increasing the neutron radiation tolerance of these devices are verified by comparing experimental results for two different device doping profiles. In terms of RF failure, the device with the narrower space-charge region is more radiation resistant. This is because RF failure is related to recombination of carriers as they transit the space-charge region. A theoretical curve predicting neutron damage failure versus frequency of operation is presented and shown to agree with the experimental data taken from the two different TRAPATT oscillators. The DC failure of the devices takes the form of a negative temperature coefficient at large reverse breakdown currents which is related to carrier removal at the edges of the space-charge region. In terms of this DC failure mechanism the device with the more abrupt doping profile is more radiation tolerant.
ANOMALOUS MAGNETISM IN SMALL MN CLUSTERS

Abstract Unlike any other transition metal clusters, and in sharp contrast to its bulk behavior, Mn clusters containing up to 5 atoms are found to retain their atomic magnetic moments. Mn 2 , Mn 3 , Mn 4 and Mn 5 clusters in their ground states are coupled ferromagnetically and carry a moment of 10, 15, 20 and 25 μ B , respectively. Several low-lying excited states have also been identified. These results are based on all electron first-principles self-consistent calculations using density functional theory and generalized gradient approximation. Predictive capability of this approach is established by comparing the calculated energetics, electronic and magnetic properties of Mn 2 + with experiment.
Technology uses and student achievement: A longitudinal study

Based on data collected from a middle school, this study investigates how the quantity and quality of technology use affect student learning outcomes. Specifically, this study examines how technologies are used by students, what technology uses are popular among students, and what technology uses are effective for increasing student academic achievement. Results suggest that the quantity of technology use alone is not critical to student learning. ''How much'' matters when ''how'' is identified. Moreover, when the quality of technology use is not ensured, more time on computers may cause more harm than benefit. With students' change in GPA as an indicator, technology uses that had positive impact on students were those related to specific subject areas and focused on student construction. In addition, analysis of the frequency of technology uses found that, in general, technology uses that had positive impact were not popular; on the contrary, some of these technology uses were the least frequently used. Implications for practice and future research are discussed in this paper.
A linguistic analysis of part programming statements

Abstract We present a procedure based on representationalist linguistic theory that enables a numerical control (NC) analyst to derive formal, computable specifications from English part programming sentences in a way that does minimum distortion to the original sentences' syntax and semantics. The principle output of this procedure is a two-level information structure of syntax and semantics linked by a set of correspondence rules. These derived information structures can be used as a tool for understanding the semantics of part programming statements or they can provide a basis for further translation into other NC languages such as automatically programmed tools (APT). We believe that such a cross-application of principles from linguistics to the tasks of NC part programming represents a significant contribution to the scientific foundations of the part programming field. The possibility of deriving computable formal specifications from the initial English statements is based on our observation of the regularity of the underlying information structures at the syntactic and semantic levels. We have identified (1) a uniform syntactic pattern that all the basic part programming statements follow. (2) a uniform corresponding pattern for the semantics of these statements, and (3) a matrix organization of some key semantic categories; namely, LOCATION, PATH, EVENT, and STATE. The regularity of these patterns stems from the fact that part programming statements form a sublanguage based on concepts drawn from the spatial semantic field. For the analyst, the benefits of such regularity is cognitive coherence, leading to shorter programming learning times.
Trajectory of isoelectric focusing from gels to capillaries to immobilized gradients in capillaries

This review presents the need for replacing gels in 2D separations for proteomics, where speed, high-throughput, and the ability to characterize trace level proteins or small samples are the current desires. The theme of the review is isoelectric focusing, which is a valuable tool because it pre-concentrates proteins in addition to separating with high peak capacity. The review traces the technological progress from gel IEF to CIEF to packed capillaries with immobilized gradients for CIEF. Multiple capillary techniques are progressing toward meeting the current desires, providing extremely high sensitivity with regard to concentration and to small samples, integrated automation, and high peak capacity from multiple dimensions of separation. Capillaries with immobilized pH gradients for CIEF are emerging, which will alleviate interference from ampholytes and improve reproducibility in separation times when this valuable technique can be used as one of the dimensions.
Saliency sequential surface organization for free-form object recognition

We introduce an efficient, robust means of obtaining reliable surface descriptions, suitable for object recognition, at multiple scales from range data. Mean and Gaussian curvatures are used to segment the surface into regions of four saliency classes, each based on curvature consistency. We evaluate curvature consistency in a robust multivoting scheme. Contiguous regions consistent in both mean and Gaussian curvature are identified as the most homogeneous, and therefore (probably) the most salient, followed by those consistent in mean curvature only, followed by those consistent in Gaussian curvature only. Segments at each level of the hierarchy are extracted in the order of size, large to small, such that the most salient features of the surface are recovered first. To demonstrate an application of the work, we present an effective recognition system for free form objects based on attributed graphs constructed from the surface segmentation.
Comparison of sinusoidal perceptron with multilayer classical perceptron

A new multi-threshold Perceptron capable of handling both binary and analog input is presented and discussed. The modified Perceptron replaces the sigmoid function with sinusoidal function. A computer program has been developed to simulate behavior of a network utilizing the modified Perceptron. Both XOR and Parity Check problems were solved using a single-layer network utilizing this modified Perceptron. Based on the results obtained from the simulation the modified Perceptron is capable of solving problems (such as XOR) that can not be solved using a single-layer of the classical Perceptron. Also a network utilizing this modified Perceptron requires fewer number of iterations to converge to a solution than that of a multi-layer Perceptron network using back propagation. 1.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The interaction of melittin with troponin C.

Abstract Melittin has been found to interact with troponin C with high affinity in the presence of Ca 2+ . The association constant approaches in magnitude that for melittin and calmodulin. The interaction results in a shift to lower wavelengths of the emission band of Trp-19 of melittin and in an increased shielding of Trp-19 from quenching. A major increase occurs in the α-helical content of combined melittin. Formation of the complex inhibits tryptic hydrolysis of the connecting strand. The properties of fluorescent labels attached to Met-25 and to AEDANS-98 are altered as a result of the interaction. It is concluded that the combined melittin makes extensive contact with the connecting strand and adjacent portions of the N- and C-terminal lobes.
c-Myc Suppresses p21WAF1/CIP1 Expression during Estrogen Signaling and Antiestrogen Resistance in Human Breast Cancer Cells

Estrogen rapidly induces expression of the proto-oncogene c-myc. c-Myc is required for estrogen-stimulated proliferation of breast cancer cells, and deregulated c-Myc expression has been implicated in antiestrogen resistance. In this report, we investigate the mechanism(s) by which c-Myc mediates estrogen-stimulated proliferation and contributes to cell cycle progression in the presence of antiestrogen. The MCF-7 cell line is a model of estrogen-dependent, antiestrogen-sensitive human breast cancer. Using stable MCF-7 derivatives with inducible c-Myc expression, we demonstrated that in antiestrogen-treated cells, the elevated mRNA and protein levels of p21WAF1/CIP1, a cell cycle inhibitor, decreased upon either c-Myc induction or estrogen treatment. Expression of p21 blocked c-Myc-mediated cell cycle progression in the presence of antiestrogen, suggesting that the decrease in p21 is necessary for this process. Using RNA interference to suppress c-Myc expression, we further established that c-Myc is required for estrogen-mediated decreases in p21WAF1/CIP1. Finally, we observed that neither c-Myc nor p21WAF1/CIP1 is regulated by estrogen or antiestrogen in an antiestrogen-resistant MCF-7 derivative. The p21 levels in the antiestrogen-resistant cells increased when c-Myc expression was suppressed, suggesting that loss of p21 regulation was a consequence of constitutive c-Myc expression. Together, these studies implicate p21WAF1/CIP1 as an important target of c-Myc in breast cancer cells and provide a link between estrogen, c-Myc, and the cell cycle machinery. They further suggest that aberrant c-Myc expression, which is frequently observed in human breast cancers, can contribute to antiestrogen resistance by altering p21WAF1/CIP1 regulation.
Origin of Entropy Convergence in Hydrophobic Hydration and Protein Folding.

An information theory model is used to construct a molecular explanation why hydrophobic solvation entropies measured in calorimetry of protein unfolding converge at a common temperature. The entropy convergence follows from the weak temperature dependence of occupancy fluctuations for molecular-scale volumes in water. The macroscopic expression of the contrasting entropic behavior between water and common organic solvents is the relative temperature insensitivity of the water isothermal compressibility. The information theory model provides a quantitative description of small molecule hydration and predicts a negative entropy at convergence. Interpretations of entropic contributions to protein folding should account for this result.
The Shape of the Causative Verbal Domain: Evidence from Kashmiri

The properties of the productive morphological causative traditionally understood to be suggestive of biclausality have in more recent accounts been attributed to multiple layers within the verbal domain. This paper evaluates two approaches to the causative verbal domain: one requiring multiple stacked vPs as in Harley 2008 and Folli & Harley 2007, and a second in which causation instantiates a separate causative head as in Pylkkannen 1999, 2008. Features particular to the Indic language Kashmiri, such as verbal agreement with the internal argument in ergative clauses, nominative causees, and iterated causation, provide new empirical ground for testing distinct predictions made by these two approaches. This paper ultimately argues that the CauseP approach better accounts for the facts in Kashmiri, and may also be better suited to capture parametric variation of productive causation crosslinguistically.
Luminescence properties of Tb-activated yttrium gallium garnet phosphors

Abstract Comparison of luminescence properties between electron-excited and uv-excited yttrium gallium garnet: Tb phosphors is reported. Although the thermoluminescence and phosphorescence in both cases are quite alike once traps are filled, an apparent difference in the behavior of trap filling has been observed. Small addition of V 2 O 3 to these phosphors revealed a unique effect on luminescence properties either with the electron excitation or with the uv excitation.
Spectroscopic and computational analysis of the molecular interactions in the ionic liquid [Emim]+[FAP]−

A weakly coordinating room-temperature ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium tris(pentafluoroethyl)- trifluorophosphate ([Emim]+[FAP]−), is investigated by DFT method at B3LYP/6-31+G(d, p) level. Four locally stable conformers of the ion pair were located. Atoms-in-molecules (AIM) and electron density analysis indicated the existence of hydrogen bonds. Further investigation through Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis provided insight into the origin for weaker ion pair interactions. Harmonic vibrations of the ion pair were calculated and compared with the experimental Raman and infrared spectra. Assignments and frequency shifts are discussed in light of the inter-ionic interactions.
In silico abstraction of zinc finger nuclease cleavage profiles reveals an expanded landscape of off-target sites

Gene-editing nucleases enable targeted modification of DNA sequences in living cells, thereby facilitating efficient knockout and precise editing of endogenous loci. Engineered nucleases also have the potential to introduce mutations at off-target sites of action. Such unintended alterations can confound interpretation of experiments and can have implications for development of therapeutic applications. Recently, two improved methods for identifying the off-target effects of zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) were described–one using an in vitro cleavage site selection method and the other exploiting the insertion of integration-defective lentiviruses into nucleaseinduced double-stranded DNA breaks. However, application of these two methods to a ZFN pair targeted to the human CCR5 gene led to identification of largely non-overlapping off-target sites, raising the possibility that additional off-target sites might exist. Here, we show that in silico abstraction of ZFN cleavage profiles obtained from in vitro cleavage site selections can greatly enhance the ability to identify potential off-target sites in human cells. Our improved method should enable more comprehensive profiling of ZFN specificities.
Noise Thresholds for Spectral Clustering

Although spectral clustering has enjoyed considerable empirical success in machine learning, its theoretical properties are not yet fully developed. We analyze the performance of a spectral algorithm for hierarchical clustering and show that on a class of hierarchically structured similarity matrices, this algorithm can tolerate noise that grows with the number of data points while still perfectly recovering the hierarchical clusters with high probability. We additionally improve upon previous results for k-way spectral clustering to derive conditions under which spectral clustering makes no mistakes. Further, using minimax analysis, we derive tight upper and lower bounds for the clustering problem and compare the performance of spectral clustering to these information theoretic limits. We also present experiments on simulated and real world data illustrating our results.
Falling Behind? Children's Early Grade Retention after Paternal Incarceration.

A growing literature documents the myriad penalties for children of incarcerated fathers, but relatively little is known about how paternal incarceration contributes to educational outcomes in earl...
Contract Enforcement, Social Efficiency, and Distribution: Some Experimental Evidence

We use economic experiments to investigate how different contract enforcement regimes affect efficiency and the distribution of surplus in a vertically coordinated market with buyer concentration. We find that if a third party (e.g., government) perfectly enforces contracts, social efficiency is enhanced. We also find that when third-party enforcement is imperfect, social efficiency will not necessarily decrease because trading partners find ways to self enforce contracts. However, opportunistic behavior by some traders leaves some sellers (growers) with ex post profits below reservation levels. Finally, partial or one-sided third-party enforcement causes significant efficiency losses by constraining subjects' ability to use informal enforcement instruments.
Analysis on binary responses with ordered covariates and missing data.

SUMMARY We consider the situation of two ordered categorical variables and a binary outcome variable, where one or both of the categorical variables may have missing values. The goal is to estimate the probability of response of the outcome variable for each cell of the contingency table of categorical variables while incorporating the fact that the categorical variables are ordered. The probability of response is assumed to change monotonically as each of the categorical variables changes level. A probability model is used in which the response is binomial with parameters pij for each cell (i, j) and the number of observations in each cell is multinomial. Estimation approaches that incorporate Gibbs sampling with order restrictions on pij induced via a prior distribution, two-dimensional isotonic regression and multiple imputation to handle missing values are considered. The methods are compared in a simulation study. Using a fully Bayesian approach with a strong prior distribution to induce ordering can lead to large gains in efficiency, but can also induce bias. Utilizing isotonic regression can lead to modest gains in efficiency, while minimizing bias and guaranteeing that the order constraints are satisfied. A hybrid of isotonic regression and Gibbs sampling appears to work well across a variety of scenarios. The methods are applied to a pancreatic cancer case–control study with two biomarkers. Copyright q 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rejection criteria for open-path Fourier transform infrared spectrometry during continuous atmospheric monitoring

Over 32,000 interferograms measured during open-path Fourier transform infrared (OP/FT-IR) measurements at dairy and hog farms were evaluated for anomalies. Five types of anomalies could be distinguished: a reduction in the interferogram intensity because of weather-related optical misalignment; an increase in the amplitude of interferograms measured with too short a path-length that leads to a non-linear detector response; a periodic interference caused by wind-induced vibrations; the presence of spikes in the interferogram; and an increase in the noise level of the interferogram (and hence of the spectrum) because of the effect of electrical interference. Prior to testing for the presence of anomalous data, each interferogram is subjected to a high-pass filter. A noise level index is then calculated from the wings of the interferogram and interferograms are rejected if the value of this parameter is too high. When the criteria developed in this project are applied, OP/FT-IR spectra may be measured at 1-min intervals over a period of several days.
Interaction of Volatile Anesthetics with Calcium-Sensitive Sites in the Myocardium

There are a number of inhaled agents that can produce general anesthesia. They are known as volatile anesthetics (VA). Three of the most commonly used VA are halothane (CF3CHBrCl), enflurane (CFHClCF2OCHF2), and isoflurane (CF3CHClOCHF2). They are effective and safe anesthetics, but their major side effect is a concentration-dependent depression of cardiac contractility (Brown and Crout, 1971). The depression of contractility, like anesthesia itself, is amazingly reversible but can have serious hemodynamic consequences in patients with cardiac disease, vascular abnormalities, and other organ system malfunctions. In these cases, the depression of cardiac contractility can result in dangerous metabolic imbalances.
Effects of Temperature, Sex, and Gravidity on the Metabolism of Small-Mouthed Salamanders, Ambystoma texanum, during the Reproductive Season

Amphibians that breed in early spring may encounter considerable variation in ambient temperature. In this study, I investigated how the metabolic rate of male and female Small-Mouthed Salamanders (Ambystoma texanum) is influenced by variation in temperature (5-208C) during the reproductive season. As expected, both rates of resting oxygen consumption (VO2) and resting carbon dioxide production (VCO2) increased with increasing temperature. Both measures of respiration were significantly higher in gravid females than in males and postgravid females across all temperatures. Moreover, the VO2 of gravid females increased more with increasing temperature than did those of either males or postgravid females. These findings suggest that variation in ambient temperature may have an important influence on the energetic cost of reproductive activity in males and females in this species and in other spring-breeding amphibians.
Silicon-on-Insulator Platform for Integration of 3-D Nanoplasmonic Devices

We experimentally demonstrate a compact platform to convert near-infrared signals between nanoplasmonic and nanophotonic domains. In particular, we utilize a pair of adiabatic nanoplasmonic tapers to assist direct-coupling and shrink the plasmonic guiding area to a deep-subwavelength scale as small as 50-nm-by-80-nm with a propagation loss of 2.28 dB/μm. The integrated plasmonic devices developed on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate could build up a solid platform for plasmonic gauges of ultrafast communications and optical sensing.
PIC simulations of power flow in a linear transformer driver for radiographic applications

The 7 cavity, 1 MV linear transformer driver for radiography at Sandia National Laboratories has recently been upgraded to 21 cavities with an output voltage of 2.5 MV. In this paper, results from 2-D, r-z particle-in-cell simulations of the full 21 cavity system are presented. Each cavity feed is driven with its own external RLC circuit that is independently triggered, and has a realistic 45° slanted vacuum/insulator. Electrons are emitted from the central cathode with a conventional space-charge-limited emission model. Detailed diagnostics monitor electron loss to the anode, cavity conductors, and the insulators. The most significant and encouraging result is that the simulations have absolutely no electron loss to the insulators, even with large random variations in the trigger timing.
Water soluble electrically conducting polymers

Summary form only given. Polyanaline is a family of electrically conducting polymers. Various polyaniline derivatives have been found to be viable in a number of lithographic applications. These have included charge dissipators for electron-beam lithography and SEM mask metrology, conducting resists, and imageable metal seeders. Most of the polyanilines to date have been processed in organic solvents. This paper introduces a novel series of polyaniline derivatives, PanAquas, which are water soluble in the conducting form and thus, eliminate environmental concerns of organic solvents. As these materials can be easily applied and removed in water, they can be used as removable charge dissipators in a number of lithographic areas replacing metals which often need to be sputtered or plated. By incorporating cross-linkable functionality on the backbone of these derivatives , the polyanilines can be made to cure upon irradiation. The cured polymers are no longer soluble and thus can be used as permanent conducting coatings for electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection. They can be applied as coatings on electronic component carriers replacing metals and carbon filled materials. The cross-linkable polyanilines can also be made into water developable conducting resists. >
Parameter space studies for the self-gravity interfacial instability

Hydrodynamic instabilities play an important role in determining the morphology and evolution of astronomical entities. Any interface of discontinuous density is subject to instabilities, including Rayleigh–Taylor, Kelvin–Helmholtz, and a recently discovered instability driven by self-gravity. In an ongoing computational study, we seek to validate the linear theory developed for the self-gravity-driven interfacial instability and examine its non-linear behaviour. Here, we present the results from hydrodynamic simulations designed to expand the parameter space and investigate the effects of perturbation strength, Atwood number and compressibility.
Polysilanes for microlithography

We have recently reported the formation of scum-free micron images in a bilayer composed of a thin (1500 angstrom) imaging layer of poly(cyclohexylmethylsilane) coated over a thick planarizing layer of a hardbaked diazoquinone-novalac type photoresist using deep UV exposure. Although excellent resolution was achieved (< 0.5 micrometers ) in this process, the exposure doses required (125-150 mJ/cm2) were higher than desirable for commercial DUV imaging tools. We have addressed this problem using two approaches: (i) the synthesis of new polysilanes which are intrinsically more sensitive to photodegradation in the solid state and (ii) the incorporation of additives which enhance the photosensitivity. Regarding the former, a number of aryl substituted polysilane homopolymers which are significantly more photolabile than the standard poly (methylphenylsilane), as assayed by the rate of spectral photobleaching upon exposure to DUV radiation, have been prepared and tested. In addition, a number of small molecule additives which quantitatively quench the polymer fluorescence in the solid state have been identified. Some of the additives which efficiently quench the polymer fluorescence in the solid state also accelerate the rate of photodegradation. The combination of the new polysilane materials with sensitizing additives has allowed submicron DUV imaging at exposure doses as low as 20 mJ/cm2 or less in a bilayer configuration employing O2-RIE for image transfer of the wet-developed images.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Use of the NBME Comprehensive Basic Science Examination as a progress test in the preclerkship curriculum of a new medical school

In the present study, we describe the innovative use of the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) Comprehensive Basic Science Examination (CBSE) as a progress test during the preclerkship medical curriculum. The main aim of this study was to provide external validation of internally developed multiple-choice assessments in a new medical school. The CBSE is a practice exam for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 and is purchased directly from the NBME. We administered the CBSE five times during the first 2 yr of medical school. Student scores were compared with scores on newly created internal summative exams and to the USMLE Step 1. Significant correlations were observed between almost all our internal exams and CBSE scores over time as well as with USMLE Step 1 scores. The strength of correlations of internal exams to the CBSE and USMLE Step 1 broadly increased over time during the curriculum. Student scores on courses that have strong emphasis on physiology and pathophysiology correlated particularly well with USMLE Step 1 scores. Student progress, as measured by the CBSE, was found to be linear across time, and test performance fell behind the anticipated level by the end of the formal curriculum. These findings are discussed with respect to student learning behaviors. In conclusion, the CBSE was found to have good utility as a progress test and provided external validation of our new internally developed multiple-choice assessments. The data also provide performance benchmarks both for our future students to formatively assess their own progress and for other medical schools to compare learning progression patterns in different curricular models.
Targeting lymphocyte activation through the lymphotoxin and LIGHT pathways

Cytokines mediate key communication pathways essential for regulation of immune responses. Full activation of antigen-responding lymphocytes requires cooperating signals from the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related cytokines and their specific receptors. LIGHT, a lymphotoxin-β (LTβ)-related TNF family member, modulates T-cell activation through two receptors, the herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM) and indirectly through the LT-β receptor. An unexpected finding revealed a non-canonical binding site on HVEM for the immunoglobulin superfamily member, B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA), and an inhibitory signaling protein suppressing T-cell activation. Thus, HVEM can act as a molecular switch between proinflammatory and inhibitory signaling. The non-canonical HVEM-BTLA pathway also acts to counter LTβR signaling that promotes the proliferation of antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DCs) within lymphoid tissue microenvironments. These results indicate LTβ receptor and HVEM-BTLA pathways form an integrated signaling circuit. Targeting these cytokine pathways with specific antagonists (antibody or decoy receptor) can alter lymphocyte differentiation and activation. Alternately, agonists directed at their cell surface receptors can restore homeostasis and potentially reset immune and inflammatory processes, which may be useful in treating autoimmune and infectious diseases and cancer.
Mental Health Pathways From Interpersonal Violence to Health-Related Outcomes in HIV-Positive Sexual Minority Men

Interpersonal violence (IPV) is a widespread and devastating public health concern. In addition to negative health consequences for victims, it exacts a high toll from society in the form of millions of dollars in health care expenditures and losses in job-related productivity (Corso, Mercy, Simon, Finkelstein, & Miller, 2007). IPV includes child and partner abuse as well as adult abuse perpetrated by nonpartners, such as hate crimes, stranger rape, and sexual assault (e.g., Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000).