cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cardiopulmonary effects of epidurally administered xylazine in the horse.

Summary This study was designed to determine whether the epidural administration of an alpha2 agonist, xylazine, would produce measurable changes in arterial blood pressure, electrocardiographic (ECG) activity and arterial blood gas values in horses. Six horses were given each of four treatments: epidural xylazine, intravenous xylazine, epidural lidocaine and epidural saline. A carotid artery catheter was used to measure arterial blood pressure and to collect samples for blood gas analysis before treatment and at intervals post treatment. Heart rate, arterial pressures, ECG activity and respiratory rate were recorded at the same intervals. No significant changes were recorded between time intervals or between individual treatments. It was concluded that this method of xylazine administration to horses produced potent caudal analgesia without measurable cardiopulmonary effects.
Relaxation by glucagon of potassium contracture in cat ventricle

Glucagon reduces K+-contracture, increases peak active force, but does not alter time to peak force and relaxation of the isometric twitch of cat ventricle.
Carcinoma of the gallbladder: staging, treatment, and prognosis

Sixty-six cases of carcinoma of the gallbladder treated at The Memorial Hospital, Danville, Virginia, and the Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, were staged according to depth of invasion and spread and graded histologically; the findings were correlated with survival. Results from the two hospitals were essentially identical and the survival figures correlated well with 399 reported cases in the medical literature which could be staged according to the depth of invasion. A simple method combining staging and histologic grading of cancer of the gallbladder, which can easily be applied to all cancers of the gallbladder removed surgically and which should prove useful in the management of this disease, is described. Essentially all of the carcinomas of the gallbladder in the series were incidental findings at surgery for gall stones which may explain a relatively high proportion of superficial carcinomas which are cured by the removal of the gallbladder.
Efficient range searching for categorical and plain data

In the orthogonal range-searching problem, we store a set of input points S in a data structure; the answer to a query Q is a piece of information about points in Q∩S, for example, the list of all points in Q∩S or the number of points in Q. In the colored (or categorical) range-searching problem, the set of input points is partitioned into categories; the answer to a query is a piece of information about categories of points in a query range. In this article, we describe several new results for one- and two-dimensional range-searching problems. We obtain an optimal adaptive data structure for counting the number of objects in a three-sided range and for counting categories of objects in a one-dimensional range. We also obtain new results on color range reporting in two dimensions, approximate color counting in one dimension, and some other related problems.
Beyond the Business Case for Diversity in Organizations

Many organizations and institutions are spending extensive time, money, and resources to justify a focus on diversity. In this paper, we argue that, instead of justifying demographic diversity, the more appropriate focus is on properly managing the processes and outcomes of a diverse workforce. Demographic diversity in the workplace is a reality. In terms of both composition and sheer numbers, the workforce today is more demographically diverse than it has ever been, and there is every indication that it will be even more diverse in the future. Accordingly, this paper argues that we must go beyond the business case for diversity to effectively utilize the diversity that already exists and create a just workplace.
Characterization of Fuel Blends by GC-MS and Multi-Way Chemometric Tools

Discrimination of fuel types in mixtures is a common need in remediation of fuel spills and the examination of fuel contamination issues. Available methods for performing these types of discrimination analyses generally rely on either spectroscopic or chromatographic analyses. However, these methods are limited when the compositions of the components of a mixture are very similar. In this study we have shown that many of these limitations can be overcome by including the additional dimension of compositional information provided by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Multidimensional chemometric techniques were successfully used to analyze GC-MS data to unravel multi-component properties of fuel blends. Both qualitative and quantitative features were derived from a series of diesel fuel and heavier heating oil blends.
Platelet-activating factor-mediated synthesis of prostaglandins in rat Kupffer cells

Synthesis of prostaglandins was stimulated in rat Kupffer cells upon challenge with platelet-activating factor (PAF). PAF-mediated synthesis of prostaglandins was inhibited by the Ca2+ ion chelator (EGTA), the Ca2+ channel antagonist (nifedipine) and U66985, a structural analogue and antagonist of the biological effects of PAF in other cellular systems. Inhibitors of protein kinase C, staurosporine and polymixin B, did not affect PAF-induced prostaglandin synthesis. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), an activator of protein kinase C, stimulated synthesis of prostaglandins in Kupffer cells; PAF and PMA exerted additive actions on this process. Both PAF- and PMA-stimulated prostaglandin production was inhibited by TMB-8. PAF-stimulated synthesis of prostaglandins also was inhibited upon treatment of Kupffer cells with pertussis toxin. Cholera toxin, in contrast, stimulated the production of prostaglandins in a concentration-dependent manner; cholera toxin and PAF together had an additive effect. These results suggest that PAF-induced synthesis of prostaglandins is stimulated via a specific receptor coupled to a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein, is dependent upon extracellular Ca2+ and is not influenced by protein Kinase C activation. Since PAF and prostaglandins are produced in the liver under conditions such as endotoxemia, PAF-mediated synthesis of these lipid autacoids may be of importance in the regulation of hepatic function during pathophysiological episodes.
STUDIES ON THE ARTHROPOD FAUNA OF ALFALFA: V. SPIDERS (ARANEIDA)

The spider fauna of alfalfa was studied at Ithaca, N.Y., in three experimental plots and in nearby fields during 1966–69. As part of an overall study of the arthropod fauna of alfalfa, the spider populations in the study plots were recorded weekly during visual examination of the terminal 6 in. of five stems for 100 plants in each of the plots. Additional information was obtained from sweep-net and pitfall trap collections in the study plots and from sweeping several commercial plantings. The spider fauna of alfalfa was found to consist of 78 species, 10 of which were collected only from the ground layer. Tetragnatha laboriosa Hentz and Dictyna volucripes Keyserling were the most abundant species found in the weekly samples. Notes on the seasonal occurrence, location on the plants, and feeding habits are given for the common species.
Experimental study of electrohydrodynamically augmented pool boiling heat transfer on smooth and enhanced tubes

Abstract The electrohydrodynamically enhanced heat transfer in pool boiling was studied using R-123 as the working fluid at 4°C pool temperature. Both a smooth tube and an enhanced tube were considered. Significant enhancements in heat transfer were achieved with a negligible power consumption for establishing the electric fields.
Ethics, Foreign Policy, and Liberal Wars: The Role of Restraint in Moral Decision Making

Can morality be a basis for making foreign policy? What happens when it is? The dangers in using morality to justify violence are discussed in the light of the just war tradition and liberalism. An ethical case for the importance of restraint in moral decision making, especially with regard to unnecessary but desirable wars within liberalist approaches to foreign policy, is presented.
Field testing of the proposed predictors of BPR success in manufacturing firms

Abstract Business Process Reengineering (BPR) has been touted as necessary for dramatic improvements in organizational competitiveness. In practice, there have been successful and unsuccessful cases; thus, there is a need for systematic and rigorous assessment of the factors deemed important to project success. This paper defines success in three ways: goals and objectives accomplished by the project, benefits derived from the project, and the project's impact on company performance. Based on survey results, recommendations are made on the factors that are important to success and that minimize the risk of failure. Contact persons at the companies participating in this study were internal auditing directors and comptrollers (collectively called IAs here). Questionnaires were mailed to the IAs of 586 randomly selected manufacturing organizations. The usable sample of 135 questionnaires represented a 22% response rate. In general, the surveys showed that organizations are not emphasizing some of the most important activities and task recommended in the BPR literature, such as changes to customer/market-related business processes, the value-added element of every business activity, and applying the right innovative technology. Based on the findings as a whole, top managers should not engage in BPR before ensuring the presence of the important success factors. While the findings are based on manufacturing companies, the results may be generalizable to other industrial sectors.
Review of lasers and aesthetic medicine on five continents

From 10 to 12 September 2009, over 300 delegates, 90 faculty members and 45 vendors (with over 400 individuals present), came together for the Inaugural Lasers and Aesthetic Medicine on Five Continents Congress, which took place in Nice, France. The meeting venue, the Palais de la Mediterranean, welcomed the delegates and industry members with three full days of incredible lectures from dermatologists and plastic surgeons from all over the world; thus, the concept of the Five-Continent Congress was born.
Human Nature, Organizational Politics, and Human Resource Development

The human species possesses psychological attributes derived from evolutionary natural selection. This human nature has developed historically in adaptation to fundamental conditions that continue to exist in modern work organizations. Thus genetic predispositions can cause contemporary self-interested behavior amid organizational threats and opportunities. Select individual attributes and particular organizational conditions suggest specific political behaviors, represented here as theoretical propositions about organizational politics.The prevalence of organizational politics defines a need for human resource development programs to lessen dysfunctional politics. Organizations can act through individual and organizational development programs based on needs assessments to increase awareness of dysfunctional outcomes, discourage political behaviors, and encourage alternative practices. In addition, the human resources function can contribute organizationally by fostering positive organizational politics ...
The ultrastructure of the cornea-lens epidermis in the lateral eye of Limulus polyphemus.

The structure of the “Corneagen,” i.e., the epidermis lying beneath the cornea-lens of the lateral eyes of the adult intermolt Limulus polyphemus was studied with light and electron microscopy. This layer is composed of heavily columnar cells containing a striking number of cytoplasmic microtubules. Many of the microtubules are grouped into compact bundles or fascicles, generally each cell having at least one microtubule bundle. The cornealens end of each cell has numerous microvilli, each with a core of delicate filaments. The crypts between microvilli end in extracellular expansions and plaques of electron dense amorphous material are associated with these terminal expansions. Cytoplasmic microtubules appear to insert into these dense areas. The basal ends of the cells are thrown into many pseudopodial processes which extend into the surrounding extracellular space. The cytoplasm of the pseudopodia is composed largely of microtubules and their associated low density halos. Junctional complexes consisting of zonulae adhaerens and septate desmosomes are present between adjacent cells. Mitochondria, ER, cytoplasmic vesicles, Golgi stacks and other ultrastructural details of the epidermal cells are described. The ultrastructure of a column of pigment free processes lying between the apex of the lens cone and the underlying photoreceptive portion of the ommatidium is also described. Ducts or vessels of uncertain origin are present in the inter-ommatidial spaces. Possible roles played by the microtubules, the significance of their disposition and of their association with the dense subsurface plaques are discussed in terms of intracellular support, epidermis-lens attachment and extracellular pattern determination. In addition, the likelihood of the dense plaques being the site of microtubule assembly is considered.
Gated Baseline Restorer with Adjustable Asymmetry

A baseline restorer (BLR) for pulse amplifiers is described in which current to the memory capacitor can be gated off during a pulse. This technique reduces the BLR recovery time without introducing artifacts when a short-period undershoot accompanies the input signal. The gating and reset thresholds are adjustable, as is the BLR symmetry. Tests with a pulse generator show that the baseline shift with 5V pulses at duty factors up to 75% is less than 1mV. When the signal source is a radiation detector, the gated BLR is usable at duty factors up to 90%.
Asymptotic sequences and rees rings

Abstract Let b1, …, bs be an asymptotic sequence over an ideal I in a Noetherian ring R and let Bi = (b1, …, bi)R. Then it is shown that certain sequences closely related to these elements are asymptotic sequences over R (R,Bi), over tI R (R,I) and over u R (R,I) where R (R,J) is the Rees ring of R with respect to the ideal J. These results then imply that certain other sequences are asymptotic sequences over the corresponding ideals in the associated graded rings and in the monadic transformation rings. As an application of the results, it is shown that if R is local, then each permutation of b1, …, bs is an asymptotic sequence over I and that b1, …, bs are an asymptotic sequence in R.
Natural convection along a wedge

The separation of the natural-convection boundary layers near the tip of a vertical wedge is analyzed. The boundary layer becomes inviscid, but rotational near the tip. An induced pressure gradient in this flow region responds to the upstream transmission of the downstream geometry change. Large temperature and velocity gradients are induced across the thin viscous layer near the solid surface. This causes a substantial modification of the local heat-transfer rate and wall shear stress. This two-layer structure (double decks) connects the natural-convection boundary layers with the thermal plume above the wedge. It is shown that the determination of the proper matching condition, which aligns the natural-convection boundary layers with the thermal plume, is the crucial step in solving this problem.
⁎3442 Role of high resolution endoscopic imaging using optical coherence tomography (oct) in patients with barrett's esophagus (be).

OCT, a novel technique for high resolution endoscopic imaging clearly delineates microscopic mucosal and submucosal structures of the GI tract. Aim: To study the ability of OCT to identify and characterize BE. Methods: OCT images were obtained using an endoscopic OCT probe (2.4 mm dia, 0.5 mm focal distance)in patients undergoing surveillance EGD for BE. Images were captured digitally and were objectively rated in terms of clarity, resolution, ease of identification of BE and to determine whether areas of dysplasia could be identified. Four quadrant large particle biopsies were taken from the area of BE at 2 cm intervals and were correlated with OCT images. Results:8 patients with BE (mean age 62.5 years, 6 men) were studied. Mean length of BE was 7.7 (SE 2.2) cms; 3 patients had focal areas of high grade dysplasia. During OCT imaging squamous epithelium and Barrett's epithelium could be readily distinguished. Also, areas with Barrett's epithelium lacked the characteristic thick, dark band which is seen with stratified squamous epithelium. The esophageal mucosa was significantly thicker in the areas of Barrett's epithelium (mean thickness 0.6 mm vs. 0.4 mm, p
Transformer reactance calculations with digital computers

SINCE one of the important features of a transformer is its series or leakage impedance, improvements in the calculation of this quantity are always searched for. In power transformers this impedance is almost all formed by its reactive component so that the accuracy of the impedance calculation hinges on the accuracy of the leakage reactance calculation. Modern methods of calculation using digital computers have been adopted so that very accurate reactance calculations can be made whenever they may be required in the design of a particular transformer. The use of a digital computer makes this calculation quick, easy, and painless, and permits a major improvement in this phase of transformer design.
Relation of Low Cardiorespiratory Fitness to the Metabolic Syndrome in Middle-Aged Men

long-term prognostic value of viable myocardium detected by dobutamine echocardiography early after acute myocardial infarction and its relation to indicators of left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Am J Cardiol 2001;88:949–955. 9. Baudhuin T, Marwick T, Melin J, Wijns W, D’Hondt M, Detry M. Diagnosis of coronary artery disease in elderly patients: safety and efficacy of dobutamine echocardiography. Eur Heart J 1993;14:799–803. 10. Anthopoulos LP, Bonou MS, Kardaras FG, Sioras EP, Kardaras DN, Sideris AM, Kranidis AI, Margaris NG. Stress echocardiography in elderly patients with coronary artery disease. Applicability, safety and prognostic value of dobutamine and adenosine echocardiography in elderly patients. J Am Coll Cardiol 1996;28: 52–59. 11. Hiro J, Hiro T, Reid CL, Ebrahimi R, Matsuzaki M, Gardin JM. Safety and results of dobutamine stress echocardiography in women versus men and in patients older and younger than 75 years of age. Am J Cardiol 1997;80:1014– 1020. 12. Elhendy A, von Domburg RT, Bax JJ, Valkema R, Rejis AEM, Krenning EP, Roelandt JRTC. Safety, hemodynamic profile, and feasibility of dobutamine stress technetium perfusion single-photon emission CT imaging for evaluation of coronary artery disease in the elderly. Chest 2000;117:649–656. 13. Previtali M, Fetiveau R, Lanzarini L, Cavalotti C, Klersy C. Prognostic value of myocardial viability and ischemia detected by dobutamine stress echocardiography early after acute myocardial infarction treated with thrombolysis. J Am Coll Cardiol 1998;32:380–386.
A novel gene (Cmya3) induced in the heart by angiotensin II-dependent but not salt-dependent hypertension in mice.

Objective In previous studies using serial analysis of gene expression for elucidation of the molecular pathways of angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertensive/ischemic cardiomyopathy in mice, we found that a hitherto unknown transcript, designated initially as 2310008C07Rik , an unknown expressed sequence tag (EST), was highly significantly upregulated in myocardial tissue. The current experiments were designed to further characterize this gene and to evaluate its expression in various types of hypertension. Methods Mice rendered hypertensive by Ang II infused intravenously at 30 ng/min for 6 h or by osmotic minipump at 0.9 μg/h for 7 or 14 days, were compared to saline-infused normotensive controls and to mice with hypertension induced by subtotal nephrectomy and 1% saline as drinking water. At end point, mice were euthanized, their tissues processed for gene expression analysis, and results were confirmed by ribonuclease protection assay. Results The Ang II-infused mice developed systolic blood pressure (BP) of 134 ± 7, 158 ± 13, and 149 ± 15 mm Hg at 6 h, 7days, and 14 days, respectively, compared to 102 ± 9, 110 ± 8, and 114 ± 7 mm Hg in their respective controls and subtotally nephrectomized salt-fed mice had end point blood pressure of 153 ± 5 v 112 ± 7 mm Hg in controls. Through sequencing and expression analysis we found that the unknown transcript is part of the cardiomyopathy associated 3 ( Cmya3 ) gene, being overexpressed in Ang II-induced but not salt-induced hypertension. Conclusions The highly expressed 2310008C07Rik EST was found to be part of Cmya3 and its upregulation is due to Ang II-induced myocardial damage and not to BP elevation per se.
Future Microsystems for Information Processing: Limits and Lessons From the Living Systems

The paper examines the impact of the physics of extremely scaled information processing devices and systems, with a focus on energy minimization. Architectural implications are also discussed including the impact on system scaling. In order to comprehend the system-level scaling and performance limits, understanding of limiting behavior for many electronic components is needed, e.g., logic and memory devices, I/Os, communication, etc. In the second part of the paper, entirely new information processing concepts are discussed based on learning from examples in nature, specifically, the individual living cell will be considered in the context of information processing. In the paper, a bacterial cell, such as E.coli of about one cubic micrometer volume is shown to be a very efficient and powerful information processor, far surpassing conceivable performance in the same volume by an ultimately scaled semiconductor system. Advances in the science of synthetic biology are beginning to suggest possible pathways for future information processing technologies. It might be possible that some of the physical limits faced by semiconductor technology may in fact be overcome by borrowing from synthetic biology principles.
The Effect of Defensive Responding by Substance-Abusing Patients on the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory

This study explored the effect of defensive (i. e., fake-good) responding by substance-abusing patients on the scale scores of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-II; Millon, 1987). Patients asked to respond honestly (N = 62) had significantly higher scores on most of the scales than patients who were instructed to respond defensively (N = 62) and forensic subjects suspected of abusing psychoactive substances (N = 54). Significantly fewer subjects in the defensive responding simulation and the forensic group had elevated the Drug Dependence and Alcohol Dependence scales compared to the honestly responding patients. These results indicate that most drug-abusing individuals can conceal the presence of a substance-related disorder, as reflected by scale scores on the MCMI-II, if motivated to do so.
Friends of Survivors The Community Impact of Unwanted Sexual Experiences

Since sexual assault survivors are most likely to disclose their experiences to a friend; prevention efforts increasingly focus on friends as informal helpers. The current study examined friends' perceptions of the disclosure experience. Undergraduates (N=1,241) at the University of New Hampshire completed a shortened version of the Ahrens and Campbell (2000) Impact on Friends measure. Results found that about 1 in 3 female undergraduates and 1 in 5 male students were told by a friend that they were a victim of an unwanted sexual experience. Gender differences were found in friends' responses to disclosure. Women reported greater emotional distress in response to a friend's disclosure, greater positive responses and lesser-perceived confusion/ineffectiveness as compared to men. Implications include the need to develop specific and clear educational material to help the community cope with and effectively respond to unwanted sexual experiences on college campuses.
Southern Pine Beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis , Antennal and Behavioral Responses to Nonhost Leaf and Bark Volatiles

A growing body of evidence suggests that bark beetles detect and avoid release points of volatile compounds associated with nonhost species, and thus such nonhost volatiles may have potential utility in the management of bark beetles. We used a coupled gas chromatograph-electroantennographic detector (GC-EAD) to assay the olfactory sensitivity of the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann, to volatiles from leaves and bark of eight species of nonhost angiosperm trees that are common in the range of D. frontalis. Tree species sampled were red maple (Acer rubrum L.), mockernut hickory [Carya alba (L.) Nutt. ex Ell.], sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.), black tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica Marsh.), black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), southern red oak (Quercus falcata Michx.), blackjack oak [Quercus marilandica (L.) Muenchh.], and water oak (Quercus nigra L.). Beetle antennae responded to a total of 28 identifiable compounds in these samples. The relative olfactory responsiveness to 14 of these, as well as to nonanoic acid and four additional volatiles reported to be associated with nonhost angiosperms, was assessed in GC-EAD analyses of synthetic dilutions spanning six orders of magnitude. The largest response voltage amplitudes were obtained with trans-conophthorin, nonanoic acid, terpinen-4-ol, phenylethyl alcohol, and eucalyptol, whereas the lowest response thresholds were to nonanoic acid, nonanal, linalool, (E)-2-hexen-1-ol, and phenylethyl alcohol. Funnel traps baited with various combinations of eleven antennally-active angiosperm volatiles along with a standard attractant captured significantly fewer male and female D. frontalis than traps baited with the standard attractant alone. Our data suggest that a diversity of semiochemicals may be involved in host species discrimination by D. frontalis, and several may have utility in their management.
INTERACTIONS OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL PROCESSES: SPECIES RICHNESS IN TUSSOCK SEDGE COMMUNITIES

Grime's model of plant species richness was used as a basis for examining how local and regional processes interact in the regulation of the species richness of vascular plants growing on individual Carex stricta (tussock sedge) tussocks in New Hampshire, USA. We first used a correlational study of 71 tussocks in five marshes to examine the relationships between species richness and standing crop + leaf litter biomass. We found humped (unimodal) relationships with a wide variation in peak species richness per tussock among sites. Then, using a factorial design involving 167 tussocks in three marshes, we performed Carex stricta standing crop removals, leaf litter removals, and seed additions to examine how these factors interacted to influence species richness. The results of both studies supported Grime's model, which implies that the magnitude of local competitive effects on plant species richness is dependent on regional propagule availability.
Three-Family SO(10) Grand Unification in String Theory.

Abstract We present two 3-family SU (5) grand unified models in the heterotic string theory. One model has 3 chiral families and 9 pairs of 5 + 5 Higgs fields, and an asymptotically-free SU (2) ⊗ SU (2) hidden sector, where the two SU (2)s have different matter contents. The other model has 6 left-handed and 3 right-handed 10 s, 12 left-handed and 9 right-handed 5 s, and an asymptotically-free SU (3) hidden sector. At the string scale, the gauge couplings g 2 of the hidden sectors are three times as big as that of SU (5). In addition, both models have an anomalous U (1).
Ischaemic necrosis of the tongue secondary to cardiogenic shock: A case series

INTRODUCTION Ischemic tongue necrosis is rare, with fewer than 15 reported cases in the world literature, all related to giant cell (temporal) arteritis. We previously reported the first case of tongue gangrene as a sequela of profound cardiogenic shock, and now present our updated experience . Our institution’s cardiac surgery service has accrued a total of 4 patients with ischemic necrosis of the tongue as an end-organ manifestation of profound cardiogenic shock.
The Role of Federal Funding on the Demand for State and Local Government Spending

Federal aid to state and local governments lowers the perceived tax price of state and local government output and, in this way, affects the demand for state and local government. After reviewing some theoretical models, an empirical investigation using data from 1960–89 shows that federal aid makes the demand for state and local government spending more income-elastic. State and local government expenditures have grown more rapidly than federal government expenditures since 1960 and there is some empirical support for the idea that federal aid was an important contributing factor.
Quality assurance systems information requirements planning

Abstract The rapid development of Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) is causing significant difficulties for planning the information requirements for the technical managers of quality assurance systems. This paper examines the general model of information requirements planning for quality assurances with emphasis on the problems of structuring and adapting to a CIM environment.
Asymptotics of pseudodifferential operators acting on functions with corner singularities

A new definition of the expansion in smoothness of a distribution at a point is introduced. Some properties of the new expansion are studied and a uniqueness result for the coefficients of the expansion is proved. The main application of the definition is for obtaining the asymptotics in smooth ness of pseudodifferential operators acting on a function near a corner point of singsupp f. An example of usage of the obtained results in computed tomog raphy is presented.
Pressure dependence of deep electronic levels in semiconductors: The oxygen-vacancy pair (or A center) in silicon.

A study of the pressure and temperature dependences of the electron thermal emission rate and capture cross section for the oxygen-vacancy (O-V) pair (or A center) deep level in n-type silicon is presented. The results allow characterization of the three important thermodynamic parameters, namely the Gibbs free energy, the enthalpy, and the entropy associated with electron emission from this level and their pressure dependences. Analysis of the results leads to the following highlights of the work. (1) There is a large breathing-mode lattice relaxation accompanying electron emission. The sign of this effect implies that the lattice relaxes inward (i.e., contracts) upon emission and outward (i.e., expands) upon capture. The sign is in agreement with the prediction of a model for the O-V pair defect based on EPR results but, as far as we know, the present results provide the first and only quantitative measure of this relaxation. (2) The energy of this level is not pinned to either the conduction- or valence-band edges. The level moves higher in the gap with pressure consistent with its expected antibonding character. (3) The electron-capture cross section is found to be essentially temperature and pressure independent. It is suggested that this result can bemore » understood in terms of nonradiative electron capture by multiphonon emission.« less
The isolation of restriction fragments containing the att site of bacteriophage λ

Abstract Deletion mutants of bacteriophage λ originating at the att site (POP') and extending either to the right (POΔ') or to the left (ΔOP') were used to identify a DNA restriction fragment which contains the phage att site. A single λ Hind restriction fragment was found to be missing from the gel electrophoresis profiles of both classes of deletion mutants. This att-containing fragment is approximately 1370 base pairs in length. Smaller att-containing fragments were obtained by carrying out secondary digests of the purified Hind fragment with endo R · Hae III or with endo R · Mbo II. To identify the secondary att-containing fragments, the Hae III digest of the Hind POP' fragment was compared with the Hae III digests of Hind fragments containing the partial att sites ΔDOP' or POΔ'; the Mbo II digest of the POP' Hind fragment was compared with the Mbo II digests of Hind fragments containing the hybrid att sites BOP' and POB' (isolated from gal- and bio-transducing phage, respectively). In each independent set of secondary digestions, the POP' secondary fragment was unique to the profile of the Hind att fragment since only this Hind fragment contains DNA sequences from both sides of the phage att site (POP'). The att site-containing fragment isolated from Hae digestion is 980 base pairs; the Mbo att site fragment is 380 base pairs in length and is contained entirely within the larger Hae fragment. These fragments can be isolated in sufficient quantity for biochemical studies on att site interactions and in sufficient purity for sequence analysis.
Customizable virtual private network service with QoS

Abstract In this paper, we propose and implement Virtual Network Service (VNS), a value-added network service for deploying virtual private networks (VPNs) in a managed wide-area IP network. The key feature of VNS is its capability of providing a customer with a VPN that is customizable with management capabilities and performance properties comparable to a dedicated physical network. In addition, VNS ensures confidentiality of data and principals through the use of IPSEC. The main technique underlying VNS is the virtualization of routers in both control and data planes. Virtualization of the control plane enables customizable routing and signaling per VPN. On the data plane, packet forwarding and link bandwidth are virtualized. Virtualization of the forwarding mechanism on the data plane enables forwarding of traffic according to each VPN's topology and policies. Virtualization of the link bandwidth enables each VPN to have guaranteed quality of service (QoS) and customized resource management policies. We have developed a VNS prototype for deployment on the CAIRN network. The VNS prototype implements several resource management mechanisms including packet scheduling, signaling and runtime monitoring. A graphical user interface enables service providers to manage, configure and deploy VPNs remotely.
Interpolation schemes for rigid body motions

This paper investigates methods for computing a smooth motion that interpolates a given set of positions and orientations. The position and orientation of a rigid body can be described with an element of the group of spatial rigid body displacements, SE(3). To find a smooth motion that interpolates a given set of positions and orientations is therefore the same as finding an interpolating curve between the corresponding elements of SE(3). To make the interpolation on SE(3) independent of the representation of the group, we use the coordinate-free framework of differential geometry. It is necessary to choose inertial and body-fixed reference frames to describe the position and orientation of the rigid body. We first show that trajectories that are independent of the choice of these frames can be obtained by using the exponential map on SE(3). However, these trajectories may exhibit rapid changes in the velocity or higher derivatives. The second contribution of the paper is a method for finding the maximally smooth interpolating curve. By adapting the techniques of the calculus of variations to SE(3), necessary conditions are derived for motions that are equivalent to cubic splines in the Euclidean space. These necessary conditions result in a boundary value problem with interior-point constraints. A simple and efficient numerical method for finding a solution is then described. Finally, we discuss the dependence of the computed trajectories on the metric on SE(3) and show that independence of the trajectories from the choice of the reference frames can be achieved by using a suitable metric.
Concerted action of poly(A) nucleases and decapping enzyme in mammalian mRNA turnover

In mammalian cells, the enzymatic pathways involved in cytoplasmic mRNA decay are incompletely defined. In this study, we have used two approaches to disrupt activities of deadenylating and/or decapping enzymes to monitor effects on mRNA decay kinetics and trap decay intermediates. Our results show that deadenylation is the key first step that triggers decay of both wild-type stable and nonsense codon–containing unstable β-globin mRNAs in mouse NIH3T3 fibroblasts. PAN2 and CCR4 are the major poly(A) nucleases active in cytoplasmic deadenylation that have biphasic kinetics, with PAN2 initiating deadenylation followed by CCR4-mediated poly(A) shortening. DCP2-mediated decapping takes place after deadenylation and may serve as a backup mechanism for triggering mRNA decay when initial deadenylation by PAN2 is compromised. Our findings reveal a functional link between deadenylation and decapping and help to define in vivo pathways for mammalian cytoplasmic mRNA decay.
Improving Community Cohesion in School Choice via Correlated-Lottery Implementation

In school choice, children submit a preference ranking over schools to a centralized assignment algorithm, which takes into account schools' priorities over children and uses randomization to break ties. One criticism of existing school choice mechanisms is that they tend to disperse communities, so children do not go to school with others from their neighborhood. We suggest improving community cohesion by implementing a correlated lottery in a given school choice mechanism: we find a convex combination of deterministic assignments that maintains the original assignment probabilities, thus maintaining choice but improving community cohesion. To analyze the gain in cohesion for a wide class of mechanisms, we first prove the following characterization, which may be of independent interest: any mechanism that, in the large market limit, is nonatomic, Bayesian incentive compatible, symmetric, and efficient within each priority class is a "lottery-plus-cutoff" mechanism. This means that the large market limit can be described as follows: given the distribution of preferences, every student receives an identically distributed lottery number, every school sets a lottery cutoff for each priority class, and a student is assigned to her most preferred school for which she meets the cutoff. This generalizes liu-pycia-2012 to allow arbitrary priorities. Using this, we derive analytic expressions for maximum cohesion under a large market approximation. We show that the benefit of lottery-correlation is greater when students' preferences are more correlated. In practice, although the correlated-lottery implementation problem is NP-hard, we present a heuristic that does well. We apply this to real data from Boston elementary school choice 2012 and find that we can increase cohesion by 79% for kindergarten 1 K1 and 37% for kindergarten 2 K2 new families. Greater cohesion gain is possible tripling cohesion for K1 and doubling for K2 if we reduce the choice menus on top of applying lottery correlation.
A Bayesian approach for estimating antiviral efficacy in HIV dynamic models

Abstract The study of HIV dynamics is one of the most important developments in recent AIDS research. It has led to a new understanding of the pathogenesis of HIV infection. Although important findings in HIV dynamics have been published in prestigious scientific journals, the statistical methods for parameter estimation and model-fitting used in those papers appear surprisingly crude and have not been studied in more detail. For example, the unidentifiable parameters were simply imputed by mean estimates from previous studies, and important pharmacological/clinical factors were not considered in the modelling. In this paper, a viral dynamic model is developed to evaluate the effect of pharmacokinetic variation, drug resistance and adherence on antiviral responses. In the context of this model, we investigate a Bayesian modelling approach under a non-linear mixed-effects (NLME) model framework. In particular, our modelling strategy allows us to estimate time-varying antiviral efficacy of a regimen during ...
Understanding Life under Public Scrutiny: The U.S. Bio-pharmaceutical Industry Experience

The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry is a major component of the global health economy, of which, the U.S. plays an important role and attracts firms from all over the world to operate and sell products in it. This paper provides an overview of the regulatory environment in the U.S. and reviews relevant finance literature on this industry. Two particular pieces of legislation, the FDA fast track designation and the Orphan Drug Act, both of which have been shown to have significant impact on the financing and product development of firms, are also described in this paper. In addition, this paper surveys the recent U.S. financial market volatility and its effect on firm’s financing opportunity.
Cell-specific regulation of agrin RNA splicing in the chick ciliary ganglion

Alternative splicing results in production of four agrin proteins (agrin0, agrin8, agrin11, and agrin19) with different AChR aggregating activities. However, the cellular origin of mRNAs encoding each agrin isoform remains unknown. Using single-cell PCR, we demonstrate that in the chick ciliary ganglion, nonneuronal cells express only mRNA encoding agrin0, whereas neurons express one or any combination of agrin mRNAs. Moreover, significant differences were observed between the agrin mRNA profiles of ciliary and choroid neurons in the ganglion. The abundance of each agrin mRNA, the fraction of neurons expressing each transcript, and the combinations of transcripts expressed by neurons also change during development. Our results demonstrate that transcripts encoding agrin proteins with high AChR aggregating activity are expressed exclusively by neurons in the ciliary ganglion and that alternative splicing of agrin mRNA is regulated during development and in a cell-specific manner.
Robust position regulation of a shape memory alloy wire actuator

AbstractThis paper presents design and experiment results of active position control of a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire actuator using a sliding mode based robust approach. In this research, an SMA wire was chosen as an actuating element for position control owing to its high recovery stress (gt;500MPa) and tolerance to high strain (up to 5 per cent). To compensate for the inherent non-linearity associated with the SMA, a sliding mode based robust controller was designed and implemented actively to control the position of the SMA wire actuator. Experiments demonstrated the effectiveness of the robust control. For a 12 in long SMA wire actuator, the position can be controlled within 30m.
Self-organized spatial pattern determines biodiversity in spatial competition

In a simple cellular automata model it is shown that self-organization of spatial pattern in a community of strong competitors may generate a previously unrecognized mechanism of species richness determination. Employing some well-known general properties of interspecific competition, we elaborate a theoretical framework that generates both spatial mosaics and spiral waves within the same conceptual framework, dependent on the covariance of competition. We demonstrate that the qualitative nature of the spatial pattern depends on the ‘‘balance’’ of competition and that the number of species retained in the community depends on this spatial patterning. & 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Identifying process variables in career counseling: A research agenda

Abstract Remarkably little is known about what underlying processes and mechanisms lead to effective change in career counseling. This article examines potential reasons why career counseling process research has been infrequently conducted and provides 10 avenues from psychotherapy process research, and the limited pool of existing career counseling process research, that hold promise for advancing a productive process-research agenda in career counseling. These 10 avenues include: (a) examining the working alliance and five promising counselor techniques; (b) reconceptualizing career counseling as a process of learning, and investigating the processes that lead to effective learning; (c) investigating differences in career counseling process and outcome due to subtype membership, cultural perspectives, and other critical client attributes; (d) investigating differences in career counseling process and outcome based on counselors’ levels of self-efficacy, cultural perspectives, and other critical counselor attributes; (e) examining influential session events; (f) utilizing a common problem resolution metric for examining change across clients; (g) examining client change longitudinally to examine stability of change and functional practicality of assessed outcomes; (h) examining cognitive processes that may be mediating the career counseling process; (i) developing molecular and global taxonomies of counselor behaviors; and (j) utilizing advances in methodological approaches and statistical analyses.
Stem respiration of ponderosa pines grown in contrasting climates: implications for global climate change

We examined the effects of climate and allocation patterns on stem respiration in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) growing on identical substrate in the cool, moist Sierra Nevada mountains and the warm, dry, Great Basin Desert. These environments are representative of current climatic conditions and those predicted to accompany a doubling of atmospheric CO2, respectively, throughout the range of many western north American conifers. A previous study found that trees growing in the desert allocate proportionally more biomass to sapwood and less to leaf area than montane trees. We tested the hypothesis that respiration rates of sapwood are lower in desert trees than in montane trees due to reduced stem maintenance respiration (physiological acclimation) or reduced construction cost of stem tissue (structural acclimation). Maintenance respiration per unit sapwood volume at 15°C did not differ between populations (desert: 6.39 ± 1.14 SE μmol m−3 s−1, montane: 6.54 ± 1.13 SE μmol m−3 s−1, P = 0.71) and declined with increasing stem diameter (P = 0.001). The temperature coefficient of respiration (Q 10) varied seasonally within both environments (P = 0.05). Construction cost of stem sapwood was the same in both environments (desert: 1.46 ± 0.009 SE g glucose g−1 sapwood, montane: 1.48 ± 0.009 SE glucose g−1 sapwood, P = 0.14). Annual construction respiration calculated from construction cost, percent carbon and relative growth rate was greater in montane populations due to higher growth rates. These data provide no evidence of respiratory acclimation by desert trees. Estimated yearly stem maintenance respiration was greater in large desert trees than in large montane trees because of higher temperatures in the desert and because of increased allocation of biomass to sapwood. By analogy, these data suggest that under predicted increases in temperature and aridity, potential increases in aboveground carbon gain due to enhanced photosynthetic rates may be partially offset by increases in maintenance respiration in large trees growing in CO2-enriched atmospheres.