cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Assessment of the Impact of the 2003 epri Ground-Motion Prediction Models on the usgs National Seismic-Hazard Maps

Ground-motion attenuation relations have an important impact on seismic hazard analyses. Ground-motion modeling is particularly sensitive to assumptions about wave-propagation attenuation (crustal Q and geometrical spreading), as well as source and site conditions. Studies of path attenuation from earthquakes in eastern North America (ena) provide insights into the appropriateness of specific attenuation relations. An Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) (2003, 2004) study combines published ena ground-motion attenuation relations into four model forms: single-corner, double-corner, hybrid-empirical, and finite-fault. When substituted in the U.S. Geological Survey 2002 national seismic hazard maps for the five ena relations originally used in those hazard calculations, the EPRI (2003) relations predict similar ground motions and hazard at short periods ( 0.5 sec), relative to the 2002 national maps. A major reason for this difference is due to the crustal seismic-wave attenuation model assumed in a few of the ena relations combined into the EPRI (2003, 2004) models. Although appropriate differences in geometrical spreading models among ena relations can also be significant, a few ena relations have 1-Hz Q -values ( Q ) that are below the EPRI (1993) consensus range for Q when coupled with a geometrical spreading of R −0.5. The EPRI (2003, 2004) single-corner relation is strongly influenced by the inclusion of ena relations with assumed Q below the EPRI (1993) range, which explains much of the discrepancy in predictions at longer periods.
Molybdenum in poult nutrition.

Summary(1) Weights of turkey poults fed a purified type diet were increased significantly upon addition of distillers dried solubles, distillers dried solubles ash, molybdenum (0.0254 ppm) or a mixture of distillers dried solubles, dried whey, fish solubles, an antibiotic fermentation residue, and forage juice. Although differences of as much as 2% in bone ash were observed, statistical significance was not obtained. (2) Both liver and intestinal xanthine dehydrogenase activities were significantly higher in supplemented groups as compared to control birds. A significant (P<0.05) correlation was determined between liver molybdenum content and level of enzyme activity. (3) Under the conditions of this study a portion of growth promoting activity of distillers dried solubles ash would appear to be explained on the basis of the molybdenum content.
A systematic review of bile acid sequestrant therapy in children with familial hypercholesterolemia

Abstract Familial hypercholesterolemia, which arises as a result of a mutation in the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene, is characterized by elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), regardless of dietary and lifestyle modifications. Pharmacological therapy is often required to adequately control the elevated LDL-C levels associated with familial hypercholesterolemia. However, children with this genetic condition present many challenges for physicians, who must weigh the benefits of lipid-lowering therapy against the risks associated with the various treatment options. Furthermore, because familial hypercholesterolemia is a chronic condition, children will likely require long-term lipid-lowering therapy. As such, the potential effect of pharmacological treatment on development is of paramount importance in this population. Bile acid sequestrants represent a unique treatment option for children with familial hypercholesterolemia in that these agents are not systemically absorbed but rather exert their lipid-lowering effects via binding to bile acids within the gastrointestinal tract. A literature search was performed to identify clinical data related to the use of bile acid sequestrant therapy in children (
Analysis of Constitutive and Constitutive-like Secretion in Semi-intact Pituitary Cells

To study biosynthetic transport through the constitutive and regulated secretory pathways, we have designed a semi-intact mammalian cell system that restores the transport of secretory proteins from the trans-Golgi/trans-Golgi network (TGN) to the cell surface. The mouse pituitary AtT-20 cell line is a suitable model to biochemically analyze molecular sorting in the secretory pathway. The prohormone proopiomelanocortin is sulfated on N-linked carbohydrate chains in the trans-Golgi prior to proteolytic processing in the secretory granule. Radiolabeling with [35S]sulfate therefore provides a convenient tool to selectively follow molecular events in the regulated secretory pathway without interference from earlier steps. Likewise, transport through the constitutive secretory pathway may be monitored using sulfate-labeled glycosaminoglycan chains. We show that export from the TGN is efficiently reconstituted in cells made semi-intact with streptolysin O, and is dependent on temperature, ATP and GTP hydrolysis, and cytosol. Packaging of proopiomelanocortin into immature secretory granules also activates the proteolytic processing machinery which eventually converts the prohormone to its bioactive mature product, adrenocorticotropic hormone. In addition, a large fraction of incompletely processed proopiomelanocortin is secreted as the processing intermediates from immature secretory granules. This process of constitutive-like secretion can be clearly distinguished from direct constitutive secretion from the trans-Golgi network by kinetic and compositional criteria. Furthermore, we have found that specific inhibitors of different protein phosphatases and kinases are potent blockers of constitutive and constitutive-like secretion. This experimental model should provide a valuable system to elucidate the molecular mechanism regulating post-Golgi traffic during secretory granule biogenesis.
DNA sequence of a 3.8 kilobase pair region controlling Drosophila chorion gene amplification.

During Drosophila oogenesis, two clusters of chorion genes and their flanking DNA sequences undergo amplification in the ovarian follicle cells. Amplification results from repeated rounds of initiation and bidirectional replication within the chorion gene regions, possibly from a single origin, producing nested replication forks. Previously we have shown that following reintroduction into the Drosophila genome, a specific 3.8 kilobase pair DNA segment from the amplified third chromosome domain could induce developmentally regulated amplification at its site of insertion. Here we present the complete nucleotide sequence of this “amplification control element” and of genes encoding the chorion structural proteins s18-1 and s15-1, which are contained within it. Sequences that may be involved in the regulation of chorion gene amplification and expression are identified.
A semiquantitative X-ray diffraction method to determine mineral composition in stream sediments with similar mineralogy

Abstract A semiquantitative X‐ray diffraction procedure has been developed that can be used to acquire reproducible mineralogic data from geographically unrelated stream‐sediment samples having similar mineralogy. Weight percentages for quartz, total‐feldspar, and total‐clay can be determined by direct comparison of intensities with standard‐mineral mixtures of known weight percent. Matrix effects and mass‐absorption differences are circumvented by taking the ratio of peak‐intensity, in counts per second, for quartz relative to that of other minerals being quantified. Mineral percentages generally are reproducible to within 10 percent.
Integrodifferential Equation for the Ground State of an Electron Gas

The variational principle is applied to a previously derived equation for the ground-state energy of a quantum electron gas. An integrodifferential equation for the ground-state wave function is thus obtained. This equation is then solved analytically for asymptotically large values of the particle separation.
Due to intravascular multiple sequential scattering, Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy of tissue primarily measures relative red blood cell motion within vessels

We suggest that Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy (DCS) measurements of tissue blood flow primarily probe relative red blood cell (RBC) motion, due to the occurrence of multiple sequential scattering events within blood vessels. The magnitude of RBC shear-induced diffusion is known to correlate with flow velocity, explaining previous reports of linear scaling of the DCS “blood flow index” with tissue perfusion despite the observed diffusion-like auto-correlation decay. Further, by modeling RBC mean square displacement using a formulation that captures the transition from ballistic to diffusive motion, we improve the fit to experimental data and recover effective diffusion coefficients and velocity de-correlation time scales in the range expected from previous blood rheology studies.
3D computational analyses for SSME internal flows

Two qualities of the turbulent flow of hot gases in liquid fueled rocket engines that affect the selection and performance of turbulence models used in computational fluid analyses of the flow are curvature of the flow passages and rotation of the flow. Three configurations which represent these conditions and for which experimental data are available are subjected to three dimensional computational analyses using both the standard k - epsilon and a multiple-time-scale turbulence models. It is found that the multiple-time-scale model is better able to predict overall flow features, especially where regions of separated flow are present.
Mutational Analysis of the Prokaryotic Pentameric Ligand-Gated Ion Channel GLIC

For pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs), the movements involved in coupling neurotransmitter binding to channel activation are unclear. The crystal structures of the prokaryotic pLGICs homologs from E. chrysanthemi (ELIC) and G. violaceus (GLIC) in presumed closed and open channel conformations provide unparalleled opportunities to explore how ligand binding triggers channel opening. GLIC is a proton-gated channel. To test the hypothesis that the proton binding site in GLIC is located in an analogous position as the agonist binding sites of eukaryotic pLGICs and is formed, in part, by acidic amino acids, we neutralized acidic residues in Loops A (E74Q), C (E176Q, D177N, E180Q), and F (D144N, E146Q). Two-electrode voltage clamp recordings from wild-type and mutant GLIC channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes showed that the mutations had no effect on proton-mediated channel gating (pH50, pHmax) suggesting that titration of these carboxylates is not involved in the proton-dependent gating of GLIC and that the proton binding site is located elsewhere.We are using fluorescence recording of site-specific labels in GLIC expressed in Xenopus oocytes combined with two-electrode voltage clamping to monitor the motions in GLIC associated with channel opening.We made cysteine mutations in a cys-less GLIC (C26A) background in loop 2 (K32C), loop 9 (T157C), M2 helix (E242C, T243C, N244C) and M2-M3 loop (K247C, P249C). The cysteine mutant receptors were labeled with the sulfhydryl-reactive, environmentally-sensitive fluorescent probe Alexafluor 546 C5-maleimide. Combined voltage clamp and fluorometry monitor proton-induced channel activity and local protein movements simultaneously. Application of pH 5 buffer decreased fluorescence at T157C, K247C and P249C suggesting that these residues become more exposed to a hydrophilic or aqueous environment consistent with a movement of the M2-M3 loop upwards and outward on channel activation.
Design and performance of the Berkeley Continuous Media Toolkit

The design and performance of the Berkeley Continuous Media Toolkit (CMT) is described. CMT provides a programming environment for rapid development of continuous media applications. CMT overhead is measured in the context of a simple video playback application and is found to be only a few milliseconds per frame played. As a demonstration of CMT as a research infrastructure, an experiment comparing adaptive frame rate control policies is described.
Replication banding and FISH analysis reveal the origin of the Hyla femoralis karyotype and XY/XX sex chromosomes.

The pine woods treefrog, Hyla femoralis, is unique among North American hylid frogs in having a metacentric chromosome 6 and heteromorphic sex chromosomes of the XY/XX type. The X chromosome is distinguished by having a nucleolar organizing region (NOR) in the short arm. The Y chromosome does not possess an NOR. Until the present study, it was not known if the NOR was not present on the Y chromosome or inactive and therefore not detectable by conventional cytogenetic methods like silver staining. Exclusive of its unique features the karyotype of H. femoralis closely resembles those of North American frogs with karyotypes like H. chrysoscelis. We used replication banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a DNA probe to the 18S + 28S ribosomal genes, which are located at the NOR, to characterize the H. femoralis karyotype. Our analysis revealed that the 18S + 28S ribosomal genes are not present on the Y chromosome, and that the karyotype of H. femoralis was derived from an H. chrysoscelis-like karyotype by relocation of the NOR to the X chromosome from chromosome 6 and either a concurrent or subsequent pericentric inversion of chromosome 6.
Synthesis and degradation of dolichyl phosphoryl glucose by the cellular slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum

A particulate fraction prepared from culmination stage Dictyostelium discoideum catalyzed both the synthesis and the degradation of dolichyl phosphoryl glucose (Dol-P-Glc). The glucosyltransferase activity required exogenous dolichyl phosphate, UDP-glucose, Mg2+ and detergent to catalyze Dol-P-Glc synthesis. The pH optimum of the transferase activity was 6.5–7.0, and the temperature optimum was found to be 27–30° C. The glucosyltransferase activity was present at all stages of morphogenesis. A Dol-P-Glc phosphodiesterase activity catalyzed the degradation of Dol-P-[14C]Glc to free [14C]glucose in the presence of Mn2+ and detergent. The phosphodiesterase activity exhibited a pH optimum of 5.5–6.0 and was not markedly inhibited by α- or β-glucosides or by nucleotides. Both the glucosyltransferase and the phosphodiesterase activities were substantially inhibited by micromolar concentrations of UDP-glucuronic acid.
An improved automated method to quantitate infarct volume in triphenyltetrazolium stained rat brain sections.

Abstract Introduction: The identification of acute neuroprotectants relies heavily on rodent stroke models. It is well know that some of the more common models used can exhibit a relatively high degree of inter animal variability. This necessitates the need to increase the sample size per group and to run concomitant positive and negative control groups with each study in order to increase the consistency and reproducibility of the model. As such, one aspect of these studies that has become more labor intensive is the measurement of infarct volume post study. Methods: Herein, we describe a simple method to determine stroke infarct volume in triphenyltetrazolium (TTC) stained brain sections utilizing an automated set of routines using standard software. The method was first validated by determining the correlation of infarct volumes derived from the manual measurements vs the automated method for the same samples across a wide range of infarcts. Results: This comparison resulted in a significant correlation ( r = 0.99) indicating that the automated method was a valid method to assess infarct volume across a wide range in lesion volumes. Next, the automated infarct analysis tool was used to determine the effect of (+)-MK801, a well known neuroprotectant, on infarct volume after cerebral ischemia. This study demonstrated a significant reduction in infarct volume in (+)-MK801 treated rats. Discussion: These data demonstrate a simple, accurate automated routine to measure lesion volume in TTC stained sections.
Cardiovascular risk factors and Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating condition that is increasing in prevalence. No known prevention or cure exists for Alzheimer’s disease. Cardiovascular risk factors are prevalent and increase in the elderly, and there have been conflicting reports of associations between modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and Alzheimer’s disease. The mechanisms for these associations are uncertain, but they are likely to be the result of a combination of direct and cerebrovascular disease-related mechanisms. From this standpoint, diabetes and hyperinsulinemia seem to have the strongest evidence from laboratory, clinical, and epidemiologic studies. Studies have also indicated that hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperhomocysteinemia, and smoking are potentially important risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.
Light propagation characteristics for arbitrary wavevector directions in biaxial media by a coordinate-free approach.

The general case of light propagation in lossless anisotropic media occurs in crystals that are biaxial, either naturally so or by induced means (e.g., by electrooptic effect). In these crystals the optical properties, such as the refractive indices, change with propagation direction and are conveniently described by the two-sheeted wavevector surface. Most published work treats light propagation only in the principal planes of the crystal, where the wavevector surface reduces to a circle and an ellipse and the mathematics is simplified. Commonly, however, a biaxial bulk or waveguide device, especially an active device, will be oriented so that the light propagation is not in a principal plane. A complete and concise coordinate-free approach is presented for isolating each sheet, thereby providing a convenient means for calculating the directional optical properties of the two decoupled waves for arbitrary wavevector directions and birefringence levels. The versatility of this approach coupled with available graphics software is demonstrated by displaying numerous cross sections of the wavevector surfaces.
The difference between Newtonian and relativistic forces

This paper discusses a new turn in the 148-year old electrodynamic force law controversy between the 1822 Ampere force law of the Newtonian electrodynamics and Grassmann's 1845 law which has become the electrodynamic force law of relativistic electromagnetism. Faced with the infallibility of Ampere's empirical law, defenders of relativity theory now argue that Ampere's law is “equivalent” to the relativistic law. This paper demonstrates that, far from being equivalent, the laws require two different mechanics of solid bodies, disagree on internally generated stresses, and predict different force distributions.
On the presence of the genus Branchinecta Verrill, 1869 (Crustacea, Anostraca) in Yugoslavia

The genus Branchinecta Verrill, 1869 is represented in Yugoslavia by two species: Branchinecta ferox (Milne-Edwards, 1840) and Branchinecta orientalis G.O. Sars, 1901. The first species was collected in the steppe-like province of Banat, Pannonian Lowland, and in the lowland around the Skadar Lake, Montenegro, the second only in the province of Banat. On the basis of rich material of both species, a detailed study of the most essential morphological characters has been carried out and comparisons have been made with data in the literature. In B. ferox, significant morphological deviations are not found, whereas, in B. orientalis, essential features are clearly ascertained which were previously unknown or were not stated with sufficient precision. B. ferox is known to appear in small, temporary, natronsoda water rainpools, while B. orientalis has been found in a large temporary inundation pool with a high content of natronsoda and salt in the water.
Substance P modulation of DAMGO binding in the brain of CXBK and Swiss-Webster mice.

Abstract The effects of substance P (SP) on the binding of the selective μ opioid agonist [3H]DAMGO to brain membranes of CXBK and Swiss-Webster (SW) mice were compared. We have previously shown that subnanomolar concentrations of SP and N-terminal fragments of SP modulate DAMGO binding in SW brain membranes and hypothesized that modulation occurs via SP interaction with μ 1 sites. In the present study, binding assays using CXBK mice, a strain deficient in μ receptors including μ 1 sites, were performed to assess the effect of μ receptor deficiency on SP-induced modulation of DAMGO binding. Whereas the addition of 0.1 nM SP to the binding mixtures produced up to 30% increase in the values of Kd and maximum binding capacity (R) for the SW strain, SP produced little or no change in the case of CXBK strain. Maximum binding capacity for DAMGO was 43% less in the brain of CXBK mice than in SW mice. No difference was observed in the estimated binding parameters of the spinal cord for the two strains. Whereas pretreatment of brain membranes of SW mice using β-funaltrexamine (β-FNA) increased from 2- to 10-fold the modulatory effect of SP, CXBK brain membranes pretreated with β-FNA remained nearly insensitive to modulation by SP. The effect of SP on the affinity of DAMGO binding in SW mice, but not in CXBK mice, was reversed by the addition of GTP. It is concluded that μ receptor deficiency can markedly influence SP-induced modulation of DAMGO binding.
Changes in Americans’ Views of Prayer and Reading the Bible in Public Schools: Time Periods, Birth Cohorts, and Religious Traditions

I use repeated cross-sectional survey data spanning the years 1974 to 2010 to examine changes in Americans’ views of prayer and reading the Bible in public schools. Results from logistic regression models show that support for prayer and reading the Bible in public schools was relatively high in the 1970s and that differences between evangelical Protestants and both Catholics and mainline Protestants grew from the 1970s to the first decade of the twenty-first century. Hierarchical age-period-cohort models demonstrate that changes in support for school prayer are due to both period and birth cohort changes, that baby boom cohorts are relatively likely to oppose prayer and reading the Bible in school, and that growing differences in support for prayer and reading the Bible in school between evangelical Protestants and both Catholics and mainline Protestants are predominantly due to changes across birth cohorts. Although religious liberals and conservatives have become more alike in many ways, evangelical Protestants have diverged from affiliates of other major religious traditions in their support for prayer in public schools. These results are relevant to debates regarding the social impact of religious affiliation, generational differences, and Americans’ views of the role of religion in the public sphere.
Extrarenal and urothelial wilms tumor

Two patients with Wilms tumor are presented. One patient had a bilateral Wilms tumor with invasion of the right renal pelvis and proximal ureter. A second patient presented with a large Wilms tumor originating separate from and inferior to the left kidney. The histologic, therapeutic, and prognostic implications of these radiographic presentations are explored.
Stratification in Big Lagoon, California and Its Effect On Copepod Populations

In der 'Big Lagoon' in Kalifornien kommen Perioden ausgepragter Schichtung vor, in welchen Salzgehaltsunterschiede bis zu uber 20% zwischen Oberflache und Boden gemessen werden. Wahrend dieser Periode entwickeln sich unterhalb der Salzgehaltssprungschicht anoxische Bedingungen, die Copepoden konzentrieren sich innerhalb der Sprungschicht; sie erreichen Populations-dichten uber 100.000 Individuen pro m 3 . Die Ursachen fur die beobachteten vertikalen Verbreitungsmuster der Copepoden scheinen reduzierte Salzgehalte zu sein, welche mit erhohter Temperatur oberhalb der Salzgehaltssprungschicht zusammenwirken, sowie Sauerstoffmangel unterhalb der Sprungschicht.
Simple Gate Metal Anneal (SIGMA) stack for FinFET Replacement Metal Gate toward 14nm and beyond

We demonstrate a Simple Gate Metal Anneal (SIGMA) stack for FinFET Replacement Metal Gate (RMG) technology, which uses only thin TiN layers as workfunction (WF)-setting metals for CMOS integration. The SIGMA stack provides 100× PBTI lifetime improvement via band alignment engineering. Moreover, the SIGMA stack enables 9nm more gate length (L g ) scaling compared to the conventional stack with matched gate resistance and thus opens up pathways for aggressive L g scaling toward the 14nm node and beyond.
The responsibility of the speech correctionist in the treatment of the cleft palate patient who has received surgical or prosthetic treatment

U NIVERSAL experience convincingly attests to the primacy of speech in the totality of human behavior. A fact less commonly appreciated is that the integrity of the speech function figures importantly as a determinant of psychosocial health of the individual. It is in the light of these two factsthat of the primacy of speech, and that of the integrity of the speech function-that the full urgency of the cleft palate patient’s needs become manifest. Since the capaciiy for speech is the most distinguishing human attribute, it follows that what affects speech favorably or unfavorably affects the most human part of us. A somatic derangement as extensive as cleft palate will obviously be advertised in a profound functional disturbance. Functional evidences of aberrant organic states assume significance in terms of the level upon which they operate. Some variations of structure have only limited importance because they affect adversely functions that are singularly personal and individualistic. An illustration is the absence of an eye or a leg. Here, locomotion or sensory perception are interfered with. These functions are of primary importance to the person, but their social significance is secondary. Spk-ech, on the other hand, is indisputably a social function. Hence, any disturbance in its integrity resulting from atypic structure assumes additional significance because of its adverse effect upon social adjustment. Its personal importance, though not incidental, is clearly subordinate. It is evident then why the speech c1inicia.n conceives himself to be engaged by the core of the problem of rehabilitating the cleft palate patient. He reasons that the full personal and social impact of the disorder is registered through the patient’s inadequate speech. Rightly or wrongly, he argues that. the success of any and all remedial procedures must be measured in terms of improved speech. He is supported in this observation by the patient’s own testimony, for it is unusual indeed to find a patient who does not give first place to his hope for a recovery of speech. Implicit in the adoption of this view is the acceptance of serious clinical responsibilities. Despite the general recognition of the centrality of the speech needs of the cleft palate patient, a number of practical factors militate against their easy, rapid, and certain satisfaction. First, it is apparent that the patient’s speech improvement is, in a large measure, predetermined by the success of
Appropriation, Mastery and Resistance to Technology in Early Childhood Preservice Teacher Education

AbstractThis report describes how early childhood preservice teachers appropriate, master, and/or resist learning to use technology in teaching. The data collected were part of a three-year study supported by the National Science Foundation of an entire teacher education program to investigate how preservice teachers (PSTs) become socialized to the role of teaching and how they develop as technology using teachers in a technology-rich teacher education program. The article presents survey data from all the students in the program, focus group and interview data with a cohort of early childhood PSTs, and intensive case studies with two early childhood PSTs with data from their freshman to their senior years. The findings suggest that the pathway to appropriation of technology as a teacher is not uni-dimensional and has a varying set of contributors and constraints.
CARBON-13 NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTRUM OF METHAQUALONE

13C nmr chemical shifts of methaqualone, 2-methyl-3-propyl-4-quinazolone, 2-methyl-3-phenyl-4-quinazolone and their precursor, acetanthranil, are reported. The signals are assigned on the basis of suhstituent effects on benzene shifts, intensities, multiplicities in SFORD, and comparison with structurally related compounds.
Spectra in Standard-like Z3 Orbifold Models

General features of the spectra of matter states in all 175 models found in a previous work by the author are discussed. Only twenty patterns of representations are found to occur. Accomodation of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) spectrum is addressed. States beyond those contained in the MSSM and nonstandard hypercharge normalization are shown to be generic, though some models do allow for the usual hypercharge normalization found in SU(5) embeddings of the Standard Model gauge group. The minimum value of the hypercharge normalization consistent with accommodation of the MSSM is determined for each model. In some cases, the normalization can be smaller than that corresponding to an SU(5) embedding of the Standard Model gauge group, similar to what has been found in free fermionic models. Bizarre hypercharges typically occur for exotic states, allowing for matter which does not occur in the decomposition of SU(5) representations--a result which has been noted many times before in four-dimensiona lstring models. Only one of the twenty patterns of representations, comprising seven of the 175 models, is found to be without an anomalous U(1). The sizes of nonvanishing vacuum expectation values induced by the anomalous U(1) are studied. It is found that large radius moduli stabilization may lead to the breakdown of sigma-model perturbativity. Various quantities of interest in effective supergravity model building are tabulated for the set of 175 models. In particular, it is found that string moduli masses appear to be generically quite near the gravitino mass. String scale gauge coupling unification is shown to be possible, albeit contrived, in an example model. The intermediate scales of exotic particles are estimated and the degree of fine-tuning is studied.
Designing workflow management systems for virtual organizations: an empirically grounded approach

The extant literature on business process reengineering has reported extensively on process automation and reengineering for regular organizations. In contrast, relatively little attention has been paid to transient organizational structures such as virtual teams. The study examines how a virtual team can benefit from workflow management systems. Our point of departure is an empirical analysis of the communication patterns and problems in an existing virtual team. The analysis indicates that the communication activities in the team are heavily skewed in time, on subjects, and towards certain team members. This causes overload, bottlenecks and other types of dysfunctionality. We suggest how the communication patterns can be reengineered through a set of Web based information technology solutions.
HISTOCOMPATIBILITY-LINKED IMMUNE RESPONSE GENE FUNCTION IN GUINEA PIGS SPECIFIC INHIBITION OF ANTIGEN-INDUCED LYMPHOCYTE PROLIFERATION BY ALLOANTISERA

A number of autosomal dominant immune response (IR) genes have been identified in both mice and guinea pigs. These IR genes have been shown to be linked to the major histocompatibility antigens of the species and to be functionally expressed primarily in T lymphocytes. In order to more fully understand the relationship between IR genes, histocompatibility antigens, and immune recognition, the effect of specific alloantisera on lymphocyte stimulation induced by antigens under control of IR genes was examined. Using lymphocytes from strain 2 or strain 13 animals, the in vitro proliferative responses both to antigens which are known to be under genetic control (DNP-GL in strain 2 guinea pigs and GT in strain 13 guinea pigs) and to an antigen which is not known to be under genetic control (PPD) were inhibited to a similar degree and to a much greater extent than the response to phytohemagglutinin. However, when cells from F1 (2 x 13) animals are used, the alloantisera markedly inhibit only the response which is linked to the histocompatibility antigens against which the serum is directed. Thus, the anti-2 serum inhibited the response to DNP-GL but not to GT; the anti-13 serum inhibited the response to GT but did not affect DNP-GL response. The inhibitory activity of the alloantisera could not be removed by absorption with gamma globulin of the opposite strain. It can be concluded from these observations that immune response genes produce a cell surface-associated product and that this product plays a role in the mechanism of antigen recognition by the T lymphocyte. The mechanisms by which alloantisera block this process of antigenic recognition is not resolved nor is the relationship between the IR gene product and the antigen-binding receptor of the T lymphocyte. The approach described here offers a powerful tool for the resolution of these problems.
Taxonomic considerations in listing subspecies under the U.S. Endangered Species Act

The U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) allows listing of subspecies and other groupings below the rank of species. This provides the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service with a means to target the most critical unit in need of conservation. Although roughly one-quarter of listed taxa are subspecies, these management agencies are hindered by uncertainties about taxonomic standards during listing or delisting activities. In a review of taxonomic publications and societies, we found few subspecies lists and none that stated standardized criteria for determining subspecific taxa. Lack of criteria is attributed to a centuries-old debate over species and subspecies concepts. Nevertheless, the critical need to resolve this debate for ESA listings led us to propose that minimal biological criteria to define disjunct subspecies (legally or taxonomically) should include the discreteness and significance criteria of distinct population segments (as defined under the ESA). Our subspecies criteria are in stark contrast to that proposed by supporters of the phylogenetic species concept and provide a clear distinction between species and subspecies. Efforts to eliminate or reduce ambiguity associated with subspecies-level classifications will assist with ESA listing decisions. Thus, we urge professional taxonomic societies to publish and periodically update peer-reviewed species and subspecies lists. This effort must be paralleled throughout the world for efficient taxonomic conservation to take place.
Abnormal Lung Pattern in a Newborn

T he patient was the 3.0 kg product of a 38-week gestation of a 27-year-old gravida 1 para 0 woman receiving phenobarbital, 60 mg po, daily for seizure control. Physical examination revealed a cyanotic, lethargic newborn with a heart rate of 120 per minute, respiratory rate of 80 per minute, and a systolic blood pressure of 40 mm Hg in all extremities. There were r#{224}les over both lung fields. Breath sounds were better heard on the right. There was no heart murmur; the second heart sound was single. The liver was palpable 1 cm below the right costal margin. Peripheral pulses were diminished but equal. The electrocardiogram demonstrated right axis deviation and right ventricular predominance. Umbilical artery gases in 40 percent oxygen
Random self-reducibility and zero knowledge interactive proofs of possession of information

The notion of a zero knowledge interactive proof that one party "knows" some secret information is explored. It is shown that any "random self-reducible" problem has a zero knowledge interactive proof of this sort. The zero knowledge interactive proofs for graph isomorphism, quadratic residuosity, and "knowledge" of discrete logarithms all follow as special cases. Based on these results, new zero knowledge interactive proofs are exhibited for "knowledge" of the factorization of an integer, nonmembership in cyclic subgroups of Zp*, and determining whether an element generates Zp*. None of these proofs relies on any unproven assumptions.
Endophilin Functions as a Membrane-Bending Molecule and Is Delivered to Endocytic Zones by Exocytosis

Two models have been proposed for endophilin function in synaptic vesicle (SV) endocytosis. The scaffolding model proposes that endophilin's SH3 domain recruits essential endocytic proteins, whereas the membrane-bending model proposes that the BAR domain induces positively curved membranes. We show that mutations disrupting the scaffolding function do not impair endocytosis, whereas those disrupting membrane bending cause significant defects. By anchoring endophilin to the plasma membrane, we show that endophilin acts prior to scission to promote endocytosis. Despite acting at the plasma membrane, the majority of endophilin is targeted to the SV pool. Photoactivation studies suggest that the soluble pool of endophilin at synapses is provided by unbinding from the adjacent SV pool and that the unbinding rate is regulated by exocytosis. Thus, endophilin participates in an association-dissociation cycle with SVs that parallels the cycle of exo- and endocytosis. This endophilin cycle may provide a mechanism for functionally coupling endocytosis and exocytosis.
Parallel Reduction of Pancreas Insulin Content and Insulin Secretion in 48-h Tolbutamide-Infused Normoglycemic Rats

The overworked-beta-cell hypothesis proposes that lowered glucose-potentiated insulin secretory responses in diabetes are secondary to hyperstimulated insulin secretion and depletion of the beta-cell insulin stores. We tested this hypothesis in normal rats using a 48-h infusion of 200 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1) tolbutamide in 20% glucose. Insulin secretion was measured by in vitro pancreas perfusion. Twice daily blood glucose values were equal in the tolbutamide-infused and control rats. Pancreas insulin content was 47 +/- 7% that of the controls (P < 0.004). Insulin responses to 16.7 mmol/l glucose, 16.7 mmol/l glucose/10 mmol/l arginine, and 5.5 mmol/l glucose/10 mmol/l arginine were reduced in parallel, except for the first phase response to 16.7 mmol/l glucose/arginine. Pancreas amylin content was unchanged in the tolbutamide-infused rats as was amylin secretion, resulting in higher than normal stored and secreted amylin-to-insulin molar ratios. Importantly, a raised amylin-to-insulin ratio and a relatively unimpaired first versus second phase insulin response for high glucose/arginine both occur in diabetic rats. Thus, our results support the overworked-beta-cell hypothesis by showing chronic beta-cell stimulation without hyperglycemia replicates part of the beta-cell dysfunction found with diabetes.
A study of flight-critical computer system recovery from space radiation-induced error

It is well known that space radiation, containing energetic particles such as protons and ions, can cause anomalies in digital avionics onboard satellites, spacecraft and aerial vehicles flying at high altitude. Semiconductor devices embedded in these applications become more sensitive to space radiation as the features are shrunk in size. One of the adverse effects of space radiation on avionics is a transient error known as single event upset (SEU). Given that it is caused by bit-flips in computer memory, SEU does not result in a damaged device. However, the SEU induced data error propagates through the run-time operational flight program, causing erroneous outputs from a flight-critical computer system. This study was motivated by a need for finding a cost-effective solution to keep the flight-critical. computers functioning after SEU occurs. The result of the study presents an approach to recover flight-critical computer systems from SEU induced error by using an identity observer array. The identity observers replicate the state data of the controller in distinct data partitions. The faulty controller can be recovered by replacing data image of the faulty data partition with that of the healthy data partition. The methodology of applying such an approach from the fault tolerant control perspective is presented. The approach is currently being tested via computer simulation.
Effect of instruction, surface stability, and load intensity on trunk muscle activity

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the effect of verbal instruction, surface stability, and load intensity on trunk muscle activity levels during the free weight squat exercise. Twelve trained males performed a free weight squat under four conditions: (1) standing on stable ground lifting 50% of their 1-repetition maximum (RM), (2) standing on a BOSU balance trainer lifting 50% of their 1-RM, (3) standing on stable ground lifting 75% of their 1-RM, and (4) receiving verbal instructions to activate the trunk muscles followed by lifting 50% of their 1-RM. Surface EMG activity from muscles rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), transversus abdominis/internal oblique (TA/IO), and erector spinae (ES) were recorded for each condition and normalized for comparisons. Muscles RA, EO, and TA/IO displayed greater peak activity (39–167%) during squats with instructions compared to the other squat conditions ( P =0.04–0.007). Peak EMG activity of muscle ES was greater for the 75% 1-RM condition than squats with instructions or lifting 50% of 1-RM ( P =0.04–0.02). The results indicate that if the goal is to enhance EMG activity of the abdominal muscles during a multi-joint squat exercise then verbal instructions may be more effective than increasing load intensity or lifting on an unstable surface. However, in light of other research, conscious co-activation of the trunk muscles during the squat exercise may lead to spinal instability and hazardous compression forces in the lumbar spine.
Flyback Converter Protection Scheme with a Selective Shutdown Delay Time

This paper presents simple and effective protection schemes for the off-line flyback converter. The proposed protection schemes can protect the power MOSFET from various abnormal conditions. In the proposed scheme, the output short condition can be discriminated from over load or load transient condition by monitoring the duty cycle and error amplifier output. With this technique, the power supply is allowed to be shutdown immediately without time delay at output short condition. Meanwhile, the power supply is shut down with some time delay in over load condition to prevent the premature shutdown during load transient. The validity and effectiveness of the proposed schemes are verified through experimental results.
Increased Frontal Lobe Phosphocreatine Levels Observed in Heavy Cocaine Users after Treatment for Cocaine Dependence–An 1H MRS T2 Relaxometry Study

We have recently reported that relative concentrations of phosphocreatine (PCr) and creatine (Cr) may be estimated from brain 1H MR spectra based upon T2 relaxation times. Emission tomography studies have consistently associated cocaine dependence and abstinence with decreased cerebral metabolism. We hypothesized that increased frontal lobe PCr levels would accompany treatment for cocaine dependence. Twenty-four cocaine dependent (CD) subjects were studied before and after 8 weeks of cocaine dependence treatment. Nine comparison subjects were studied at the same time points. At baseline, left frontal lobe ratios of PCr/tCr were 0.406±0.081 in CD subjects and 0.411±0.016 in comparison subjects. After treatment, these ratios increased 14.3% (0.464 vs. 0.406;p = 0.006) in CD subjects, remaining unchanged in comparison subjects (2.9%, 0.399 vs. 0.411; p = 0.480). At baseline, PCr levels of non‒responders were 17.8% lower (0.375 vs. 0.442; p = 0.042) than those of responders, defined as 25% decrease in urine cocaine metabolites. After treatment, CD subjects had increased PCr levels: 18.4% (0.444 vs. 0.375; p = 0.035) for non-responders and 10.4% (0.488 vs. 0.442; p = 0.092) for responders. These results are consistent with decreased cerebral metabolism during treatment, measured as increased PCr. This is the first report using 1H MRS T2 relaxometry to measure a change in human brain energetics.
Radiology Reporting: A Closed-Loop Cycle from Order Entry to Results Communication

With the increasing prevalence of PACS over the past decade, face-to-face image review among health care providers has become a rarity. This change has resulted in increasing dependence on fast and accurate communication in radiology. Turnaround time expectations are now conveyed in minutes rather than hours or even days. Ideal modern radiology communication is a closed-loop cycle with multiple interoperable applications contributing to the final product. The cycle starts with physician order entry, now often performed through the electronic medical record, with clinical decision support to ensure that the most effective imaging study is ordered. Radiology reports are now almost all in electronic format. The majority are produced using speech recognition systems. Optimization of this software use can alleviate some, if not all, of the inherent user inefficiencies in this type of reporting. Integrated third-party software applications that provide data mining capability are extremely helpful in both academic and clinical settings. The closed-loop ends with automated communication of imaging results. Software products for this purpose should facilitate use of levels of alert, automated escalation to providers, and recording of audit trails of reports received. The multiple components of reporting should be completely interoperable with each other, as well as with the PACS, the RIS, and the electronic medical record. This integration will maximize radiologist efficiency and minimize the possibility of communication error.
Stabilization of plasmon resonance in Cu2−xS semiconductor nanoparticles

Controllable copper vacancy concentrations in copper chalcogenides are essential to any application that requires constant NIR absorption behavior, including cancer phototherapy and photovoltaics. Doping levels, however, can change spontaneously and with oxygen exposure. Treatment of copper sulphide nanoparticles with tetrathiomolybdate is shown here to stabilize vacancy-induced plasmon bands.
Communication 101

To have a successful career as an engineer, and most other career paths, one must be able to communicate clearly and succinctly. The engineer does not want to be the one saying, “I know you think you understand what I said, but I'm not sure you understood what I meant.” Good communication requires that the people involved both understand the message and the intent. Without both, there is a strong probability that the results will not meet the expectations of the sender and receiver.
Native Fly Dispersal in the Field Evaluation of a Prospective Factory Strain of the Screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Sterile flies from a prospective mass-production strain of the screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel), were tested in the field on two occasions between August and November 1981 in the Pacific coastal plain of Chiapas, Mexico. In Test I, flies were released over a 30-by-120-km area where all nine sentinel sheep sampling sites were located 5 to 23 km, including 5 sites <10 km, from the nearest perimeter. The maximum egg mass sterility rate (25%) was obtained by the third of 6 weeks of sterile fly releases. In Test II, flies were released over a 40-by-80-km area where all eight sentinel sheep pens were located 18.5 to 34.5 km from the nearest perimeter. For all pens, the maximum egg mass sterility rate (38%)was obtained by the fourth week. Egg mass sterility rates at sites considered well-insulated from the perimeter were statistically higher than sterility rates at sites considered poorly insulated. In Test II, distance from the sentinel sheep sampling sites to the nearest perimeter of the fly release area and egg mass sterility rate were positively correlated, and a maximum sterility rate of 60% was recorded. This relationship was attributed, at least in part, to the movement of native screwworm females into the test area from untreated areas.