cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On assessing the H value in fuzzy linear regression

Abstract There are certain circumstances under which the application of statistical regression is not appropriate or even feasible because it makes rigid assumptions about the statistical properties of the model. Fuzzy regression, a nonparametric method, can be quite useful in estimating the relationships among variables where the available data are very limited and imprecise, and variables are interacting in an uncertain, qualitative, and fuzzy way. Thus, it may have considerable practical applications in many management and engineering problems. In this paper, the relationship among the H value, membership function shape, and spreads of fuzzy parameters in fuzzy linear regression is determined, and the sensitivity of the spread with respect to the H value and membership function shape is examined. The spread of a fuzzy parameter increases as a higher value of H and/or a decreasingly concave or increasingly convex membership function is employed. By utilizing the relationship among the H value, membership function, and spreads of the fuzzy parameters, a systematic approach to assessing a proper H parameter value is also developed. The approach developed and illustrated enables a decision maker's beliefs regarding the shape and range of the possibility distribution of the model to be reflected more systematically, and consequently should yield more reliable and realistic results from fuzzy regression. The resulging regressing equations could, for example, also be used as constraints in a fuzzy mathematical optimization model, such as in quality function deployment.
Control of Polar Lobe Formation in Fertilized Eggs of Ilyanassa obsoleta Stimpson

Mechanisms of polar lobe formation in fertilized eggs of Ilyanassa obsoleta are discussed. Data are presented in the context of a model involving a contractile ring of microfilaments in the cortical cytoplasm of the vegetal hemisphere. The polar lobe neck diameter decreases at two distinct rates during formation of second, third, and fourth polar lobes. During the second, more rapid phase of lobe constriction, eggs contain a band of microfilaments arranged circumferentially in the cortical cytoplasm apposed to the plasma membrane at the base of the polar lobe constriction. These microfilaments disappear and lobe constrictions regress in cytochalasin B, but not in colchicine. Colchicine prevents eggs from beginning the second, more rapid phase of lobe constriction. Eggs require the presence of potassium ions but not sodium ions for normal polar lobe formation and cleavage. When eggs are placed in isotonic solutions of CaCl2, within 10–15 min they form cytoplasmic blebs which enlarge into lobes. This calcium-induced blebbing is inhibited by cytochalasin B but not by colchicine. Blebbing occurs in the calcium concentration range of 0.17 m-0.34 m in the presence of NaCl, MgCl2, or MnCl2. Potassium ions actively inhibit the calcium-induced blebbing, however.
Passively mode-locked glass waveguide laser with 14-fs timing jitter

Ultralow jitter pulse trains are produced from a passively mode-locked, erbium/ytterbium co-doped, planar waveguide laser by use of high-bandwidth feedback control acting on the physical cavity length and optical pump power. Synchronization of a 750-MHz, fundamentally mode-locked laser to an external clock signal yields an ultralow, root-mean-square relative timing jitter of 14.4 fs integrated from 10 Hz to the Nyquist frequency of 375 MHz.
Polymerization of glutenin during grain development in near-isogenic wheat lines differing at Glu-D1 and Glu-B1 in greenhouse and field

Abstract The polymerization of glutenin polymers was monitored by measuring the Unextractable Polymeric Protein (UPP) at 3-day intervals after anthesis for four pairs of near-isogenic wheat lines. Two pairs, the variety Lance, differing at the Glu-D1 locus (HMW-GS 5+10 or 2+12) and the variety Halberd, differing at the Glu-B1 locus (HMW-GS 7+9 or 20x+20y) were grown in the field (2000) and twice in the greenhouse (2000 and 2001). Two other pairs, the varieties Warigal and Avocet, differing at the Glu-D1 locus (HMW-GS 5+10 or 2+12) were grown in the greenhouse in 2001. The behavior of all lines was consistent from greenhouse and field plantings in that the lines possessing strength-associated HMW-GS (5+10 at Glu-D1 and 7+9 at Glu-B1) showed an increase in accumulation of larger glutenin polymers (measured by UPP) at an earlier stage during grain filling than the lines with allelic counterparts (HMW-GS 2+12 at Glu-D1 and 20x+20y at Glu-B1). In all cases, the increases were maintained until maturity, paralleling the greater dough strength of flour from these lines, measured by mixograph dough development time.
Dark Matter and the First Stars: A New Phase of Stellar Evolution

A mechanism is identified whereby dark matter (DM) in protostellar halos dramatically alters the current theoretical framework for the formation of the first stars. Heat from neutralino DM annihilation is shown to overwhelm any cooling mechanism, consequently impeding the star formation process and possibly leading to a new stellar phase. A ``dark star'' may result: a giant ($\ensuremath{\gtrsim}1\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{AU}$) hydrogen-helium star powered by DM annihilation instead of nuclear fusion. Observational consequences are discussed.
Fluctuating gravity of Earth’s core

For centuries, we have known that Earth’s magnetic field varies with time. Edmond Halley (better known for his eponymous recurring comet) first recognized this time variation of magnetic compass needle direction and even offered a remarkable theory that required an intervening fluid between Earth’s solid outer shell and a hypothesized innermost solid core (1). For decades, consensus has emerged for an explanation of this time variation that depends on the dynamics of Earth’s liquid metallic outer core. In this dynamo theory (2), the fluid motions responsible for field regeneration arise because of density differences within the fluid, much as density and pressure differences in Earth’s atmosphere or ocean can drive circulation and vertical motions in those regions of Earth. Density differences necessarily imply changes in Earth’s gravity field, so it is only a small step in logic to imagine that there could be changes in the gravity field that correlate with changes in the magnetic field, with both changes arising from fluid flow in the core. In PNAS, Mandea et al. (3) claim to have found possible evidence for such a correlation on a time scale of a few years to a decade.
Control of the pH-Dependence of the Band Edges of Si(111) Surfaces Using Mixed Methyl/Allyl Monolayers

The open-circuit potentials of p-Si/((MV^(2+)/MV^(+))(aq)) junctions with Si(111) surfaces functionalized with H−, CH_(3)−, CH_(2)CHCH_(2)−, or mixed CH_(3)−/CH_(2)CHCH_(2)− monolayers have been investigated as the solution pH was changed from 2.5 to 11. The pH sensitivity of the open-circuit potentials, and therefore the band-edge positions, was anticorrelated with the total fraction of Si atop sites that were terminated by Si−C bonds. This behavior is consistent with the hypothesis that the non Si−C terminated atop sites were initially H-terminated and were unstable to oxide growth under aqueous conditions with the oxidation-product inducing a pH-dependent dipole. Metal-semiconductor junctions between Hg and CH_(3)-, CH_(2)CHCH_(2)-, or mixed CH_(3)-/CH_(2)CHCH_(2)-terminated n-Si(111) surfaces formed rectifying Hg/Si Schottky junctions and exhibited mutually similar barrier-heights (~0.9 V), suggesting similar magnitudes and direction of the surface dipoles on all of these functionalized surfaces.
Learning from Disappointing Outcomes: An Evaluation of Prevocational Interventions for Methadone Maintenance Patients

To increase rates of employment and improve overall rehabilitation in methadone maintenance treatment, three prevocational trainings, Vocational Problem Solving, Job Seekers Workshop, and the two combined, were evaluated as adjunctive services. Between March 1995 and April 1998, subjects in treatment were interviewed at baseline, randomly assigned to one of the trainings, and followed up at 6 and 12 months postbaseline. None of the three models produced significantly greater employment or better overall rehabilitation. Experience from the study suggests that closer integration of prevocational training with treatment, individualizing efforts to meet training needs, and providing support during job-finding and early job-holding might improve program effectiveness.
On the order of a derivation

In this note we provide the solution to a problem posed by the first author in a previous paper. In particular, we prove a result relating the number of nonzero coefficients of a certain functional equation to the order of any derivation satisfying that equation.
Time resolved X-ray photography of the expansion of nanosecond CO2 laser produced plasmas

Abstract Time resolved X-ray photography of intense nanosecond CO 2 laser interaction with a number of different targets illustrates the complex expansion of the critical density region from the target, and the strong influence that superthermal electrons have on the plasma dynamics and the radial expansion of the superthermal coronal about the target.
Misleading concepts in the field of brain peptides.

Abstract Peptide research, like all of science, requires a careful balance between building upon previously accummulated knowledge and exploring perspectives that are in conflict with prevailing views. Many of the concepts discussed here originally stimulated certain lines of research. The downfall of most of these concepts, and thus their misleading nature, lies in the limitation of possible modes by which peptides are perceived to affect the functioning of the central nervous system (CNS).
Structural Modeling of Inflated Foam-Rigidized Aerospace Structures

An ideal aerospace structure would be inexpensive, a convenient size and weight for launch, easily deployed, and provide necessary stiffness/performance. This paper examines one type of potentially inexpensive, easily deployed space structure: the inflated foam-rigidized structure. Research aimed at gaining insight into the construction and structural characteristics of foam-rigidized inflated aerospace structures is presented in this paper. Sample foam-rigidized struts were fabricated using a two-part commercially available closed-cell polyurethane foam that was injected in a controlled fashion into a cylindrical Kapton shell. These struts were tested nondestructively to evaluate bending behavior and destructively to examine material characteristics. Testing of the foam-rigidized struts indicates that significant variations of material properties should be expected when injecting polyurethane foam into a single spot and allowing it to expand to fill a structure. An analytical model of the bending behavior of foam-rigidized inflated struts is also presented and compared with experimental bending data.
Analytic derivatives of the matrix exponential for estimation of linear continuous-time models

Abstract Linear-in-variables continuous-time processes are estimated nonlinearly, because the coefficients of the implied linear-in-variables discrete-time estimating equations are the exponential of a matrix formed with the continuous-time parameters. Even with sampling complications such as irregular intervals, mixed frequencies, and stock and flow variables, using Van loan's (1978) results, the mapping from continuous- to discrete-time parameters and its derivatives can be expressed as the submatrix of a matrix exponential. For quicker estimation and more accurate hypothesis testing or sensitivity analysis, it is often better to compute analytically the first-order derivatives of the mapping. This paper explains how to compute efficiently the continuous- to discrete-time parameter mapping and its derivatives, without computing an eigenvalue decomposition, the common way of doing this. By linking present results with previous ones, a complete chain rule is obtained for computing the Gaussian likelihood function and its derivatives with respect to the continuous-time parameters.
Non-Abelian structure of Yang-Mills theory and infrared-finite asymptotic states

The idea of Kulish and Faddeev for treating asymptotic dynamics is extended to derive a set of states with which the matrix element of quark scattering from a color-singlet external potential is shown to be free of the leading-order non-Abelian class of infrared divergences to fifth order in $g$.
Atmospheric pressure plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition of zinc oxide and aluminum zinc oxide

Abstract Zinc oxide (ZnO) and aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) thin films were deposited via atmospheric pressure plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. A second-generation precursor, bis(1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedionato)( N , N ′-diethylethylenediamine) zinc, exhibited significant vapor pressure and good stability at one atmosphere where a vaporization temperature of 110 °C gave flux ~ 7 μmol/min. Auger electron spectroscopy confirmed that addition of H 2 O to the carrier gas stream mitigated F contamination giving nearly 1:1 metal:oxide stoichiometries for both ZnO and AZO with little precursor-derived C contamination. ZnO and AZO thin film resistivities ranged from 14 to 28 Ω·cm for the former and 1.1 to 2.7 Ω·cm for the latter.
Development of three-dimensional biomimetic scaffold to study epithelial-mesenchymal interactions.

Epithelial–mesenchymal interactions play a key role in the development of tissues such as tooth, lungs, and kidneys. To successfully engineer or repair such living tissues it is necessary to first understand the complex cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions underlying organogenesis. To mimic an in vivo setting it is necessary to assemble a three-dimensional matrix that would facilitate cell–cell interaction leading to proliferation and cellular differentiation. In this study, we have developed an in vitro three-dimensional multilayered coculture system using type I collagen and chitosan blends as matrices, to study epithelial–mesenchymal interactions that occur during tooth morphogenesis. Results from this study showed that the matrix composition influenced the migration, proliferation, and differentiation properties of the epithelial and mesenchymal cells. Specifically, the system supported the migration and differentiation of the HAT-7 epithelial cells and mesenchymal-derived dental pulp stem cells. Results from the in vivo implantation study of the coculture system in mice demonstrated a similar cellular migration and differentiation pattern that corroborates well with the in vitro model. Interestingly, the biopolymer matrix also permitted neovascularization in vivo.
Luciferase genes cloned from the unculturable luminous bacteroid symbiont of the Caribbean flash-light fish,Kryptophanaron alfredi

Abstract Light organs of anomalopid (flashlight) fish contain luminous bacteroids that have never been cultured and, consequently,have been difficult to study.We have characterized the luciferase ( lux )region of DNA extracted from light organs of the Caribbean flashlight fish Kryptophanaron alfredi by hybridization of cloned Vibrio harveyi lux genes to restriction-endonuclease-digested,light organ DNA. Comparison of the hybridization pattern of light organ DNA with that of DNA of a putative symbiotic isolate provides a method for identifying the authentic luminous symbiont regardless of its luminescence, and was used to reject one such isolate.Light organ DNA was further used to construct a cosmid clone bank and the luciferase genes were isolated.Unlike other bacterial luciferase genes, the genes were not expressed in Escherichia coli .When placed under the control of the E.coli trp promoter,the genes were transcribed but no luciferase was detected,suggesting a posttranscriptional block to expression.
Normal, unipotent subgroup schemes of reductive groups

Let G be a reductive group over a field k of characteristic p .L etk sep be a separable closure of k .I fp � 2, there exists a linear representation of G that is faithful and semisimple; moreover, any unipotent, normal subgroup scheme of G is trivial. For p = 2, these two properties hold if and only if Gksep has no direct factor that is isomorphic to SO2n+1 for some n 1. To cite
Evaluation of an innovative use of removable thin film coating technology for the abatement of hazardous contaminants

This study evaluates a new decontamination technique for the mitigation and abatement of hazardous particulates. The traditional decontamination methods used to clean facilities and equipment are time-consuming, prolonging workers’ exposure time, may generate airborne hazards, and can be expensive. The use of removable thin film coating as a decontamination technique for surface contamination proved to be a more efficient method of decontamination. This method was tested at three different sites on different hazardous metals. One application of the coating reduced the levels of these metals 90% and had an average reduction of one magnitude. The paired t-tests that were performed for each metal demonstrated that there was a statistically significant reduction of the metal after the use of the coating: lead (p = 0.03), beryllium (p = 0.05), aluminum (p = 0.006), iron (p = 0.0001), and copper (p = 0.004). The Kendall tau-b correlation coefficient demonstrates that there was a positive correlation between the...
Towards Web/Java-based high performance distributed computing-an evolving virtual machine

Discusses the emergent World Wide Web-based distributed environments for high-performance computing and communications (HPCC) on the National Information Infrastructure (NII) with the focus on Java as an enabling technology. We start with a review of the past, present and near-term future of the "Java phenomenon", exposed in the background of some related previous approaches towards a distributed interpretative virtual machine architecture. Next, we discuss the anticipated role of Java in building distributed Web-based computing environments. We outline an evolutionary path from the current Web technology "soup" towards "all-Java" systems and we illustrate this process in terms of the Northeast Parallel Architectures Center (NPAC) Web technology prototypes (WebVM, WebFlow, Bridge-based Collaboratory) and selected applications (CareWeb, 3D Visible Human).
Subjective Message Constructs: A Theory of Persuasion.

Subjective message construct theory maintains that the underlying constructs, or cognitive tests, that receivers apply to persuasive messages require that message information be perceived as important, novel, and plausible for belief change to occur. In three different studies a total of six complete replications of the theory were performed. For each replication respondents indicated their subjective beliefs in the probability of the claim, datum, claim given the datum, and claim if not the datum. These subjective probabilities were subsequently placed in a mathematical formulation that represented a multiplicative combination of importance, novelty, and plausibility. The results from six replications indicated that between 25 and 50% percent of the variance in belief change can be explained by subjective message construct theory. Additionally, the results from validity checks indicated that subjective probabilities can be used to construct valid operational measures of importance and novelty.
Effects of 6/85-strain Mycoplasma gallisepticum vaccination alone at ten weeks of age or in conjunction with F-strain Mycoplasma gallisepticum inoculation overlays at twenty-two or forty-five weeks of age on the reproductive and digestive organs of commercial egg-laying hens

Two trials were conducted to determine the effects of a prelay 6/85-strain Mycoplasma gallisepticum (6/85MG) vaccination alone or in conjunction with time-specific F-strain M. gallisepticum (FMG) inoculation overlays on the gross reproductive and digestive organ characteristics of commercial egg-laying hens. In each trial, the following 4 treatments were applied: 1) sham vaccination at 10 wk of age; 2) vaccination of 6/85MG at 10 wk; 3) 6/85MG at 10 wk overlaid by FMG inoculation at 22 wk; and 4) 6/85MG at 10 wk overlaid by FMG at 45 wk. Two birds per isolation pen (experimental replicate unit) were necropsied at the end of both trials to observe the effects of treatment on liver weight, liver lipid and moisture concentrations, incidence of fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome, ovary weight, mature ovarian follicle numbers, and the total and segmental weights, lengths, and histologies of the oviduct and small intestine. The applied treatments affected only liver moisture. Liver moisture content was greater in birds vaccinated with 6/85MG at 10 wk alone or in conjunction with FMG at 45 wk in comparison with sham vaccinated controls and birds that received a 6/85MG vaccination at 10 wk overlaid by an FMG inoculation at 22 wk. Prelay 6/85MG vaccinations may be a suitable substitute for prelay FMG inoculations, and FMG overlays during lay on prelay 6/85MG vaccinations may also provide continual protection against field-strain MG infections without eliciting any subsequent suppressive effects on performance, as noted in an earlier study.
Water Security in Buenos Aires and the Paraná-Paraguay Waterway

This paper develops an ethnographic approach to dilemmas of urban water ecology by examining the ways people, socially organized in unique topographies, understand, represent, and grapple with water crises in their everyday lives. Part of a larger ethnographic project on global port cities, this paper focuses on three narratives of chronic hydrological imbalance across domains and scales: (1) an international maritime lawyer concerned about river sedimentation, (2) a cinematographer's film that brings attention to the deterioration of indigenous terraces that once moderated the downstream force of Andean waters, and (3) a city activist whose home flooded with water from the aquifer below after the privatized water company shut off neighborhood pumps and wells. The diverse actors' assessments of the situations familiar to them represent ethnographic intersections that tie hydrological imbalance to hydropolitics (Ribeiro 1994). Their narratives also encode "scalar mismatches" (Cumming, Cumming, and Redman 2...
Purification and Characterization of Human ZAP-70 Protein-tyrosine Kinase from a Baculovirus Expression System

Abstract The ZAP-70 protein tyrosine kinase is essential for T cell antigen receptor (TCR)-mediated signaling. The absence of ZAP-70 results in impaired differentiation of T cells and a lack of responsiveness to antigenic stimulation. In order to study the characteristics of ZAP-70 in vitro, we overexpressed an epitopically tagged human ZAP-70 in a recombinant baculovirus expression system and purified it by column chromatography. The kinase activity of purified, recombinant ZAP-70 required cation and exhibited a strong preference for Mn2+ over Mg2+. The apparent Km of ZAP-70 for ATP was ∼3.0 μM. The activity of the recombinant ZAP-70, unlike that of the homologous protein tyrosine kinase, Syk, was not affected by binding of TCR-derived tyrosine phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif peptides. Several proteins were tested as potential in vitro substrates of ZAP-70. Only α-tubulin and the cytoplasmic fragment of human erythrocyte band 3 (cfb3), which have a region of sequence identity at the phosphorylation site, proved to be good substrates, exhibiting Km values of ∼3.3 and ∼2.5 μM, respectively ([ATP] = 50 μM). α- and β-Casein were poor substrates for ZAP-70, and no activity toward enolase, myelin basic protein, calmodulin, histone proteins, or angiotensin could be detected. In contrast to the T cell protein tyrosine kinase, Lck, ZAP-70 did not phosphorylate the cytoplasmic portion of the TCRζ chain or short peptides corresponding to the CD3ϵ or the TCRζ immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs. Our studies suggest that ZAP-70 exhibits a high degree of substrate specificity.
A new genus and species of tetrigid (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae: Cladonotinae) from Dominican Republic, Hispaniola

Abstract A new genus and species of tetrigid, Antillotettix nanus, is described from several mountain localities (1000 to 1500 m) in the Bahoruco and Central mountains of the Dominican Republic, Hispaniola. Antillotettix is characterized by a very small and rounded body, a frontal costa opened some 30° and a slightly tectate and roundly truncate pronotum that covers just over half the abdomen. It is the smallest of known Hispaniolan tetrigids.
Microcomputers in Graduate School Administration: The Design and Implementation of a Computerized Relational Data Base System for Monitoring Graduate Education

This article discusses the design and practical applications of a relational data base system to monitor activities related to graduate education. The system was designed for a multi-user microcomputer in a graduate school of a large research university, and there is a discussion of the various technical and administrative/political problems which were encountered during the design process. The following practical applications are also discussed: preparing informational reports and projections, monitoring student status, assisting graduation services, preparing departmental profiles, and researching matters related to student recruitment and retention.
Current results of open revascularization for chronic mesenteric ischemia: a standard for comparison.

Abstract Objective: Questions remain concerning the optimal site of graft origin and the extent of revascularization necessary to achieve excellent results for chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI). Endovascular therapy also is performed for CMI. These factors prompted us to review our results to provide a current standard. Methods: Ninety-eight patients who underwent operation for CMI from 1989 to 1998 were reviewed. Patients with acute ischemia and arcuate ligament syndrome were excluded. Results: Seventy-six women (78%) and 22 men (22%), with an average age of 66 years (range, 36 to 87 years), participated in the study. Abdominal pain was present in 95 patients (97%), and weight loss in 92 patients (94%). The superior mesenteric artery was severely diseased (70% to 99% stenosis or occlusion) in 90 patients (92%), the celiac artery in 81 patients (83%), and both arteries in 76 patients (78%). Bypass grafts were performed in 91 patients (93%), 77 antegrade and 14 retrograde. Of the other seven patients, five had endarterectomies, one reimplantation, and one patch angioplasty. Multivessel reconstruction was performed in 79 patients (81%), and single-vessel reconstruction in 19 (19%). Twelve patients had concomitant aortic reconstruction. Three early graft thromboses were seen. Five hospital deaths occurred (5.1%); one case had concomitant aortic reconstruction (1/12 versus 4/86; P = not significant). All five patients who died were older than 70 years (5/41 versus 0/57; P =.011). The median follow-up period was 1.9 years (range, 0 to 9.6 years). Follow-up was complete in all survivors. The 1-year, 5-year, and 8-year survival rates were 83%, 63%, and 55%, respectively. These rates were worse than the rates of the age-matched/gender-matched control subjects (P
Interactions between Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. racheiphilum and Meloidogyne spp. in Vigna unguculata. 2. Specificity of different taxa

A California isolate of Meloidogyne javanica increased Fusarium wilt symptoms in cowpea cultivars California Blackeye No. 3 (CB3) (resistant to wilt) and Grant (tolerant) inoculated with each of the three races of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. tracheiphilum. The same isolate of M. javancia did not similarly increase wilt in wilt-resistant cultivar CB7977 inoculated with two isolates of race 3 of F. o. tracheiphilum. Six of seven isolates of M. javanica caused similar increases in vascular discoloration in cultivar CB3. but one isolate of M. javanica and seven of M. incognita did not. Vascular discoloration rating was positively correlated with galling severity. However, increasing the initial inoculum density, and thus galling index, of one isolate of M. incognita did not increase vascular discoloration. The vascular discoloration ratings for the wilt-susceptible CB5 controls in each experiment were higher than those for the wilt-resistant cultivars infected with M. javanica. It is hypothesized that M. javanica but not M. incognita reduces, but does not eliminate, resistance to all races of F. o. tracheiphilum in cultivars CB3 and Grant.
Effect of pressure and temperature on chromophore reorientation in a side-chain nonlinear optical polymer

Second harmonic generation (SHG) was used to measure the temperature dependence of the reorientation activation volume of the side-chain copolymer poly(disperse red 1 methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) (DR1-MMA). The decay of the SHG signal from poled films of DR1-MMA was recorded at hydrostatic pressures up to 3060 atm and at different temperatures between 25°C below the glass transition temperature (Tg) to 35°C above it. The activation volume, ΔV*, decreased with increasing temperature. The data suggests that the coupling between chromophore reorientation and the long-range motion of the polymer is stronger for the DR1-MMA side-chain system than in previously measured guest–host systems. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 2793–2803, 1998
Emergency evaluation of the cancer patient

The oncology patient can experience medical or surgical emergencies as a result of effects of the primary tumor, metastases, or systemic effects of the disease. Emergencies unrelated to the primary oncologic diagnosis, such as acute myocardial infarction, drug overdose, or gastrointestinal hemorrhage, also may occur. For this reason routine emergency protocols and diagnostic procedures should be followed in the treatment of oncology patients. We review the major oncologic-related emergencies, including central nervous system and spinal cord compression, airway obstruction, cardiac tamponade, gastrointestinal obstruction, adrenal insufficiency and hypercalcemia, sepsis, and coagulopathies. Medical and surgical emergencies in the oncology patient should be treated aggressively in the emergency department because a determination about the quality of life of the patient, or the reversibility of the acute process, often cannot be answered quickly in the emergency setting.
Designing Incentives for P2P Multimedia Sharing

The design of incentive schemes for P2P multimedia sharing networks is challenging due to the unique features exhibited by such networks: large populations of anonymous peers interacting infrequently, asymmetric interests of peers, network errors, and multiple concurrent transactions. In this paper, we design and rigorously analyze a new family of incentive protocols that utilizes social norms for multimedia sharing. In particular, we show that, given the network and peers' characteristics, social norms can be effectively designed to deter free-riders by reducing their reputations and thus, the services which they receive from the P2P network. Unlike existing research, which deploys ad- hoc reputation schemes in P2P networks, our proposed framework rigorously determines the optimal social norm and associated reputation scheme to be used by a particular P2P system, characterized by its specific network characteristics. We also investigate how the design of the optimal social norms needs to change to account for the impact of altruistic and malicious peers. Our results show that optimal social norms are capable of providing significant improvements in the sharing efficiency of multimedia P2P networks. Specifically, depending on the network environment, the proposed social-norm based P2P protocols are able to outperform conventional Tit-for-Tat protocols by up to 8dB in terms of video quality.
The Estimated Economic Impact of a Chicago Big Box Living Wage Ordinance

Using publicly available data sources and data supplied by Wal-Mart, I estimate the impact of a proposed “big box living wage ordinance” on a new Wal-Mart store scheduled to open in Chicago in the spring of 2006. I find that an ordinance that mandates a $10.00 per hour minimum wage and a $3.00 per hour health care insurance benefit for stores of more than 75,000 square feet would lead to an approximately 15.3 percent increase in labor cost for an average Chicago “big box” retailer. I estimate that, if the entire cost of the mandate were passed on to consumers through price increases, this could be recovered through an approximately 2.1 percent price increase.
Reflections on relationship marketing in consumer markets

The article by S&P is a landmark in the evolution of relationship marketing concepts. Much of what has been done in the past has addressed narrow aspects of relationship marketing or else has taken for granted the meaning of marketing relationships. S&P set the agenda for future work and give us many provocative ideas for pursuing relationship marketing topics. Their synthesis and integration of ideas from disparate literatures and their proposal for the underlying motivation for entering marketing relationships do much to delineate the direction researchers should take in the future. Before we go too far down any one path, however, we should redouble our efforts to specify exactly what is a marketing relationship. Then we would have the foundation to follow the path so eloquently forged by Jagdish Sheth and Atul Parvatiyar.
Glucose, dexamethasone, and the unfolded protein response regulate TRB3 mRNA expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and L6 myotubes.

Tribbles 3 (TRB3) is a recently recognized atypical inactive kinase that negatively regulates Akt activity in hepatocytes, resulting in insulin resistance. Recent reports link TRB3 to nutrient sens...
Some applications of high-frequency titrimetry

Abstract A parallel transmission line oscillator operating at 190 Mc/s was demonstrated to be a useful instrument for the performance of high-frequency titrations. The end point is established by graphically recording either the oscillator grid current or the IR drop, which is produced by passing this current through a load resistor, versus the volume of titrant and extrapolating the two segments of the titration graph to a point of intersection. The instrument has been utilized for the titration of Th, free acid and sulfate in solutions of high ionic strength. The method is of particular value in titrating solutions containing substances which mask the color change of indicators or otherwise interfere with visual titrations. Furthermore, it appears to be adaptable for use in the titration of radioactive materials by remote control.
Optimum facet reflectivity for high speed lasers

The issue of optimum facet reflectivity for large bandwidth semiconductor lasers is addressed. The laser facet reflectivity, is chosen for maximising the relaxation oscillation frequency, by optimisation of the photon lifetime and maximum obtainable intracavity photon density. The optimum mirror reflectivity also depends on the relative importance of photon density-induced facet damage, parasitic leakage, heating, and gain saturation. In practice, we find both theoretically and experimentally, that higher mirror reflectivities can result in higher modulation bandwidths. The issue of optimum mirror reflectivity is also of special interest for surface emitting lasers where the cavity length is very short but the mirror reflectivity is very high.
Origin of Enantioselectivity in Benzotetramisole-Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of Azlactones

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to investigate the origins of enantioselectivity in benzotetramisole (BTM)-catalyzed dynamic kinetic resolution of azlactones. The transition states of the fast-reacting enantiomer are stabilized by electrostatic interactions between the amide carbonyl group and the acetate anion bound to the nucleophile. The chiral BTM catalyst confines the conformation of the α-carbon and the facial selectivity of the nucleophilic attack to promote such electrostatic attractions.
αvβ5 Integrin-Dependent Programmed Cell Death Triggered by a Peptide Mimic of Annexin V

Abstract The diverse cytoplasmic domain sequences within the various integrin subunits are critical for integrin-mediated signaling into the cell (outside-in signaling) and for activation of ligand binding affinity (inside-out signaling). Here we introduce an approach based on phage display technology to identify molecules that specifically interact with the cytoplasmic domain of the β5 integrin subunit. We show that a peptide selected for binding specifically to the β5 cytoplasmic domain (VVISYSMPD) induces apoptosis upon internalization. The cell death process induced by VVISYSMPD is sensitive to modulation by growth factors and by protein kinase C (PKC), and it cannot be triggered in β5 null cells. Finally, we show that the VVISYSMPD peptide is a mimic of annexin V. Our results suggest a functional link between the αvβ5 integrin, annexin V, and programmed cell death. We propose the term "endothanatos" to designate this phenomenon.
Molecular dynamics simulations of nanodroplet spreading on solid surfaces, effect of droplet size

Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to study the spreading characteristics of nano-sized droplets on solid surfaces. The spreading behavior was analyzed in terms of the temporal evolution of the dynamic contact angle and spreading diameter for wettable, partially wettable and non-wettable surfaces. The computational model was validated through qualitative comparison with the measurements of Bayer and Megaridis, and through comparison with existing correlations. The comparison based on the ratio of relevant time scales indicated that for the conditions investigated, the spreading dynamics is governed by inertial and surface forces, with negligible influence of viscous forces. In addition, the simulation results indicated that the dynamic contact angle and spreading diameter, as well as the advancing and receding time periods, exhibit strong dependence on droplet size. These results were further analyzed to obtain correlations for the effect of droplet size on these spreading parameters. The correlations indicated that the normalized spreading diameter and contact angle scale with drop diameter as Dm /D0 ∝D00.5 and θR ∝D00.5, while the advancing and receding time periods scale as t∝D02/3. Global kinetic energy and surface energy considerations were used to provide a physical basis for these correlations. The correlations were also found to be generally consistent with the experimentally observed spreading behavior of macroscopic droplets.
On the Characterization of Environmental Nanoparticles

The presence and release of nanoparticles into the environment has important implications for human health and the environment. This article highlights and describes techniques that are effective in the characterization of anthropogenic and naturally occurring nanoparticles. Particle attributes like size, size distribution, shape, structure, microstructure, composition, and homogeneity are critically important to determining the potential impact of such materials on health and the environment. Many techniques yield data for a collection of nanoparticles; while others yield data for individual nanoparticles; and still others yield data showing the size, distribution of chemical species, and variations in structure and microstructure for a single nanoparticle. All are important in the context of environmental nanoparticles. Many of these techniques are complementary, and depending on the information required, the ideal characterization usually employs multiple techniques.
Hydrogen bond network formation

The signs of the dynamic dichroism of the NH stretch and the amide I bands in nylons were found to be counterintuitive. Experiments show that polymer chains tend to align in the direction of an applied tensile strain. The CH stretching bands in nylons exhibit the expected negative dynamic dichroism indicating chain alignment in the strain direction. The ΔA' peaks for the NH and amide I bands are positive. The ΔA' peak for the NH band is also unusual in that it has a derivative shape. This can be explained by band shifts brought about by anisotropic changes in the intermolecular spacing in the glassy polymer. Above T g the derivative shape disappears but the ΔA' peak for both the NH and amide I absorption remain positive. We postulate that the positive ΔA' peaks of the NH and amide I bands result from a hydrogen bonding network where stress is transmitted through a network consisting of covalent chains connected by hydrogen bonds.
Failure of increased sodium avidity to facilitate renal acid excretion in dogs fed sulfuric acid

Previous studies have suggested that the increment in renal acid excretion caused by sulfuric acid feeding is mediated solely by an interplay between the sulfate-induced increase in distal sodium delivery and the gradual augmentation of distal sodium reabsorption that occurs as sodium losses accumulate. This hypothesis predicts that if distal sodium reabsorption were stimulated sufficiently prior to the administration of sulfuric acid, excretion of the hydrogen ion load would occur promptly, thus obviating the fall in plasma bicarbonate or loss of cation that normally occurs. To test this prediction, we fed sulfuric acid (7 mEq of H+/kg/day) to dogs in which distal sodium avidity had been enhanced prior to acid feeding either by diuretic-induced sodium depletion (N = 6) or by deoxycorticosterone acetate 7.5 mg, twice a day and a low-sodium diet (N = 8). Contrary to expectation, over the first 3 days of acid feeding there was a significant fall in plasma bicarbonate (7.1 and 7.5 mEq/liter) and an increase in urinary sodium excretion (48 mEq in both groups). Moreover, changes in both plasma bicarbonate and urinary sodium excretion were similar to those observed previously (5.9 mEq/liter and 46 mEq, respectively) in normal dogs fed the same dose of sulfuric acid.
Tests of a free‐volume model for the permeation of gas mixtures through polymer membranes. CO2‐C2H4, CO2‐C3H8, and C2H4‐C3H8 mixtures in polyethylene

Steady-state permeability coefficients have been measured for equimolar mixtures of CO2-C2H4, CO2-C3H8, and C2H4-C3H8, as well as for a mixture of 74.9 mol % CO2 and 25.1 mol % C2H4 in polyethylene membranes. The measurements were made at 20, 35, and 50°C and at pressures of up to 28 atm. Each component of the permeating mixtures studied had the effect of increasing the permeability coefficient for the other component. Furthermore, at equal partial pressures and at the same temperature, the component exhibiting the highest solubility in the polymer had the largest effect in increasing the permeability coefficient of the other component. This behavior is in agreement with the predictions of a free-volume model for the permeation of gas mixtures proposed by Fang, Stern, and Frisch. From a quantitative viewpoint, the permeability coefficients for the components of the mixtures agreed, on the average, to better than 25% with the predicted values. The theoretical permeability coefficients can be estimated from the model by using parameters determined with the pure components only.
Variation of Amplitude-Dependent Internal Friction in Single Crystals of Copper with Frequency and Temperature

The amplitude-dependent internal friction which originates in the motion of dislocations in single crystals of copper is studied as a function of frequency and temperature. Quantities are introduced which express the dependence of internal friction and of Young's modulus on strain amplitude and it is shown that these quantities are significant measures of the properties of a crystal. Measurements made between -60\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C and +33\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C show that the observed internal friction can be expressed as the product of a function of temperature and a function of amplitude alone. The data also indicate that the internal friction and elastic modulus are frequency independent when the structure sensitivity of the material is taken into account. The results are considered in terms of two viewpoints: a mechanism of relaxation by which dissipation is controlled through a rate process, and simple hysteresis, by which the stress-strain loop is independent of the rate of traversal. It is shown that the latter mechanism gives much better agreement with the experimental facts. Finally, simple hysteresis is interpreted in terms of the dislocation theory.
Mechanism of estrogen-mediated improvement in cardiac function after trauma-hemorrhage: p38-dependent normalization of cardiac Akt phosphorylation and glycogen levels.

ABSTRACTBoth p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38) activation and protein kinase B (Akt) activation have been reported to regulate glucose transport during myocardial I/R. An increase in cardiac glycogen levels prevents myocardial injury in the ischemic or stressed heart. Although studies have
Frontal Fusion: Collapse of Another Anthropoid Synapomorphy

We test the hypothesis that the fused interfrontal suture of anthropoids is a uniquely distinguishing feature and a derived characteristic indicative of their monophyletic origin. Our survey of nonanthropoid primates and several archontan families indicates frontal fusion is widespread. It is most variable (fused, open or partially fused) inter- and intra-specifically among strepsirhines. The frontal bone is more commonly fused in living lemuroids and indrioids than among lorisoids. It appears to be fused regularly among Eocene adapids. Among nonanthropoid haplorhines, the interfrontal is fused in Tarsius, even in neonates and invariably in adults, probably also in all fossil tarsiiforms preserving the frontal bone, and in the late Eocene protoanthropoid Rooneyia. The plesiadapiform pattern remains uncertain, but fusion is ubiquitous among living tree shrews, colugos and bats. Distributional evidence implies that interfrontal fusion was present in the last common ancestor (LCA) of haplorhine primates and possibly in the LCA of euprimates as well. Anthropoids, therefore, cannot be defined cladistically by interfrontal fusion, not out of concern for homoplasy but because it is probably a primitive feature inherited from other taxa related to anthropoids. Fusion of the large anthropoid frontal bone, which was extended anteriorly to roof the orbits and expanded laterally in connection with a wide forebrain in the LCA of anthropoids and protoanthropoids, may have been preadaptive to the evolution of the postorbital septum. The zygomatico-frontal suture of the septum may provide an alternative mechanism for dissipating the calvarial strains of mastication formerly taken up by an open interfrontal suture.