cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Swell and shrinkage strain prediction models for expansive clays

Abstract A comprehensive laboratory investigation was conducted to study volume change behaviors of five different types of expansive clayey soils sampled from various regions in Texas, USA. The laboratory test results, which were presented in an earlier paper, are analyzed here to evaluate existing correlations that can be used to predict swell and shrink-related displacements in these soils. The test database is also used to develop newer and practical models for predicting volume change-related soil properties. Models developed here used soil plasticity and compaction properties as independent variables. Newer models, that rely on seasonal compaction moisture content variations in the subsoils, were introduced to estimate both volumetric and vertical swell and shrinkage strains expected under civil infrastructure. The developed correlations, along with the existing models, were then used to predict vertical soil swell movements of four case studies where swell-induced soil movements were monitored. This comparison analysis showed that the model dependency on the volume change test procedural information and moisture content variation due to seasonal changes will lead to better prediction of swell movements in subsoils. Future research directions and recommendations are provided on implementation of the developed models in a realistic estimation of swell movements of infrastructure construction projects.
The Response of Mechanoreceptors in Rat Skin to Biaxial Loading: A Preliminary Study

Mechanoreceptor neurons were studied in an isolated rat skin preparation subjected to dynamic biaxial stretch. The strength of the relationship between neuronal responses and mechanical variables was determined using multiple logistic regression. The experimental protocol allowed the normal stresses as well as the maximum shear stress to be manipulated. In n=4 neurons, response was associated with the time rate of change of normal stress and this response was affected by the direction of loading. There was no relationship between response and the value of maximum shear stress. There was a strong association with the rate of change of maximum shear stress.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Lyman-alpha emission from nonthermal proton beams

Nonthermal fast protons penetrating an atmosphere containing neutral hydrogen will produce some nonthermal fast neutrals which will radiate Doppler-shifted photons. The hydrogen line profiles observed from such an atmosphere will thus have nonthermal, partially polarized wings that contain information on the flux, energy spectrum, and direction of the incident proton beam. This paper develops the theory of this effect and applies it to proton beams from impulsive solar flares impacting on the sun's atmosphere. Calculations of the L-alpha profile from the region of impact have been made for the Vernazza-Avrett-Loeser solar atmosphere assuming proton energy fluxes and power-law spectra similar to those inferred for the electron beams believed responsible for hard X-ray bursts. The resulting profiles show that the effect should be detectable and that it could serve as a diagnostic for flare protons near their place of origin on the sun.
Masculine Gender Role Stress and Violence: A Literature Review and Future Directions

Abstract Masculine gender role stress (MGRS) has been linked to violence against women and gay men, although the current literature isolates these groups. Synthesizing literature about violence and MGRS, this review demonstrates how MGRS is used to control people perceived by the perpetrator as feminine. This critique may be useful to professionals implementing anti-violence interventions or working with males struggling with gender role stress. We included peer-reviewed articles (n = 20) that measured MGRS, were conducted in the U.S., and sampled males. MGRS was related to past aggression towards women and gay men. The literature about violence against women showed that high-MGRS males were more likely than low-MGRS males to endorse intimate partner violence when their masculinity was threatened, endorse anti-femininity norms, exhibit maladaptive attachment styles, and adhere to rigid gender norms. The literature examining violence towards gay men showed that high-MGRS males were more likely than low-MGRS males to endorse anti-femininity, anger, and past violence towards gay men. A limitation is not sampling diverse males; a strength is consistent measurement. It is concluded that significant effort needs to be done in developing interventions about MGRS and violence. Future studies should sample diverse males and develop anti-violence interventions directed towards high-MGRS males.
Characterization and Immunotherapeutic Implications for a Novel Antibody Targeting Interleukin (IL)-13 Receptor α2

The high affinity interleukin-13 receptor α2 (IL13Rα2) is selectively expressed at a high frequency by glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) as well as several other tumor types. One approach for targeting this tumor-specific receptor utilizes the cognate ligand, IL-13, conjugated to cytotoxic molecules. However, this approach lacks specificity because the lower affinity receptor for IL-13, IL13Rα1, is widely expressed by normal tissues. Here, we aimed to develop and characterize a novel monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific to IL13Rα2 for the therapeutic purpose of targeting IL13Rα2-expressing tumors. Hybridoma cell lines were generated and compared for binding affinities to recombinant human IL13Rα2 (rhIL13Rα2). Clone 47 demonstrated binding to the native conformation of IL13Rα2 and was therefore chosen for further studies. Clone 47 bound specifically and with high affinity (KD = 1.39 × 10−9 m) to rhIL13Rα2 but not to rhIL13Rα1 or murine IL13Rα2. Furthermore, clone 47 specifically recognized wild-type IL13Rα2 expressed on the surface of CHO and HEK cells as well as several glioma cell lines. Competitive binding assays revealed that clone 47 also significantly inhibited the interaction between human soluble IL-13 and IL13Rα2 receptor. Moreover, we found that N-linked glycosylation of IL13Rα2 contributes in part to the interaction of the antibody to IL13Rα2. In vivo, the IL13Rα2 mAb improved the survival of nude mice intracranially implanted with a human U251 glioma xenograft. Collectively, these data warrant further investigation of this novel IL13Rα2 mAb with an emphasis on translational implications for therapeutic use.
Visual Behavior and Intelligent Agents

Recent robotic models suggest that many complex representational problems in visual perception are actually simplified in systems with behavioral capabilities that permit them to move and interact with the environment. These studies have shown that some complex behaviors can be reduced to a collection of loosely coordinated agents, greatly reducing the complexity of control protocols. These and many other observations emphasize the importance of behavioral context in models of intelligence, and suggest that the natural coordinates for representing information are in terms of behaviors.
SURFACE CHEMISTRY OF CU(100) IN ACIDIC SULFATE SOLUTIONS

Abstract The surface chemistry of Cu(100), in H 2 SO 4 and acidic K 2 SO 4 solutions, has been studied by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) and thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS). Experiments were conducted in an electrochemical cell coupled directly to a UHV surface analysis chamber. Structures formed on the Cu(100) surface emersed (removed) from sulfate solutions were the principal focus of this study. Structures and coverages were primarily dependent on sulfate concentration and the presence of coadsorbates such as Cl and K + . Emersion of Cu(100) from 1 mM H 2 SO 4 resulted in a Cu(100)(2 × 2)−SO 2− 4 adlattice with a 1 4 coverage of sulfate. A 1 5 coverage Cu (100)( 5 × 5 ) R 26.6°− SO 2− 4 structure formed upon emersion mM H 2 SO 4 containing trace Cl − contaminants, and a 1 3 coverage Cu (100)(2 × 100 )− SO 2− 4 structure formed following e from 10 mM H 2 SO 4 . Emersion of Cu(100) from 1 mM K 2 SO 4 (pH = 3.6) resulted in a Cu (100)(4 × 2 5 )− SO 2− 4 , K + surface structure, with K + and SO 2− 4 coadsorbed in a 1:1 stoichiometry, each at 1 4 coverage. No significant potential-dependent variatio in surface structure or coverage was observed when the electrode was emersed from H 2 SO 4 at potentials in the double-layer charging region. For emersion from 1 mM K 2 SO 4 (pH = 3.6), a reduction in K + coverage along with a change in the surface structure to a (2 × 2) occurred at positive potentials. Comparisons were made of sulfate adsorption on the low-index planes of Cu using a Cu single crystal polished on three different faces to the (111), (110) and (100) planes. This electrode was emersed from 1 mM K 2 SO 4 (pH = 3.6) at several potentials. A c(8 × 2) and a diffuse (1 × 1) LEED pattern were observed on Cu(110) and Cu(111), respectively. The K + and SO 2− 4 coverages differed appreciably between the three surfaces. Significant differences were observed in the thermal desorption spectra of Cu(100) emersed from H 2 SO 4 and K 2 SO 4 . Water desorption occurred following emersion from H 2 SO 4 , but not after emersion from K 2 SO 2 . For Cu(100) emersed from 1 mM H 2 SO 4 and l mM K 2 SO 4 (pH = 3.6), sulfate species decomposed into SO 2 (g) and adsorbed oxygen at 670 and 780 K, respectively for the two solutions. This behavior indicates sulfate stabilization by coadsorbed K + following emersion from K 2 SO 4 . Lastly, TDS of an Au(100) surface following emersion from 1 mM H 2 SO 4 indicated that sulfate is considerably more strongly bound to Cu(100).
Ion implantation related defects in GaAs

Extended defect formation is studied in ion implanted GaAs. A number of different species including Si{sup +}, Al{sup +}, Mg{sup +}, Ge{sup +}, As{sup +}, and Sn{sup +} have been investigated. Cross-sectional TEM studies have been done comparing the as-implanted structure (amorphous or crystalline) with the final defect location and morphology. The defects are identified by the same classification scheme used for implanted and annealed silicon. It is found that the threshold dose for type 1 defect formation is very sensitive to the implant energy for heavier ion masses. Type 2, 3, and 4 defects are unstable at annealing temperatures below 900{degrees}C. Type 5 defects are of a loop morphology for Si{sup +} and Ge{sup +} implants. The source of the interstitials may be a kickout process as the implanted species moves onto substitutional sites. Type 5 defects for Sn implants appear as precipitates which at the annealing temperature appear to be migrating in the liquid phase. Upon cooling the Sn precipitates, in many cases, solidify as grey ({alpha}) Sn.
Endocrine Regulation of Melanization in Late Larvae of the Oleander Hawk Moth, Deilephila nerii

Approximately 78–104 h prior to larval-pupal ecdysis, the last (5th) instar of the oleander hawk moth, Deilephila nerii (L.), undergoes a color change from green to black on the dorsum of all abdominal segments. The color change involves a melanization process whose initiation appears to be under the control of a blood-borne factor. A series of ligation and hormone injection experiments have pinpointed the source of the factor to be the prothorax and the factor to be ecdysone. The head appears not to be necessary for the triggering of melanization. However, the role of the head may be of ensuring that secretion of ecdysone is synchronized with a period of sensitivity during which the epidermal cells are competent to initiate melanization when exposed to ecdysone. The finding that high levels of juvenile hormone or ecdysterone administered to larvae during the precritical period (in respect to melanization) can effectively block melanization but not pupation supports a model involving a critical ratio of ecdysone/juvenile hormone which may be involved in establishing epidermal cell competency for melanization.
Freedom in Dress: The Legal View

The purposes of this paper are to identify dress issues which were taken to court as a result of dress codes in a work environment, and to identify legal principles which the courts associated with freedom in dress. Court cases involved the fol lowing types of employees: teachers, public service employees, members of the Armed Services, employees in privately owned businesses, and attorneys. The source of the legal opinions discussed in this paper was West's National Reporter System. Most court cases involving personal appearance occurred during the last 20 years. The majority of cases were brought by men and involved hair and/or facial hair issues. Judges recognized freedom of choice in appearance in almost 40 percent of the cases reviewed in this paper. In general, employers have more rights to regulate the dress of employees than employees have in choosing their appearance. In safeguarding employees' rights, however, judges ruled that dress regulations must be specific, justifiable, warranted and must not be contrary to principles established in the laws of this country. Even though judges have the authority to restrict the appearance of attorneys in court, procedures are available when restrictions or sanctions are considered excessive.
The influence of sequential information in rats: Learning, memory, and the effects of amnestic drugs

Abstract Tasks with embedded S-R (Stimulus-Response) sequences are commonly used to assess procedural memory in humans, but have not been used to the same extent in animals. Different degrees of embedded information, random or repeating S and/or R sequences, were incorporated into a conditional discrimination paradigm for rats. Experiment 1 showed that subjects trained with a repeating S-R conjoined sequence acquired the task faster than subjects trained with a random S-R sequence, and used the conjoined S-R pattern, rather than only the discriminative stimuli, to guide their behavior. Experiment 2 showed that scopolamine, diazepam, and lorazepam all interacted with the type of embedded information available in the task. Subjects trained with only a repeating S sequence were more sensitive to drug-induced impairments than subjects trained with only a repeating R sequence, who were in turn more sensitive to drug-induced impairments than subjects trained with a repeating S-R conjoined sequence.
Simulated Soil Water Storage Effects on Streamflow Generation in a Mountainous Snowmelt Environment, Idaho, USA

Although soil processes affect the timing and amount of streamflow generated from snowmelt, they are often overlooked in estimations of snowmelt-generated streamflow in the western USA. The use of a soil water balance modelling approach to incorporate the effects of soil processes, in particular soil water storage, on the timing and amount of snowmelt generated streamflow, was investigated. The study was conducted in the Reynolds Mountain East (RME) watershed, a 38 ha, snowmelt-dominated watershed in southwest Idaho. Snowmelt or rainfall inputs to the soil were determined using a well established snow accumulation and melt model (Isnobal). The soil water balance model was first evaluated at a point scale, using periodic soil water content measurements made over two years at 14 sites. In general, the simulated soil water profiles were in agreement with measurements (P 0·85), y-intercept values near 0, slopes near 1 and low average differences between measured and modelled values. In addition, observed soil water dynamics were generally consistent with critical model assumptions. Spatially distributed simulations over the watershed for the same two years indicate that streamflow initiation and cessation are closely linked to the overall watershed soil water storage capacity, which acts as a threshold. When soil water storage was below the threshold, streamflow was insensitive to snowmelt inputs, but once the threshold was crossed, the streamflow response was very rapid. At these times there was a relatively high degree of spatial continuity of satiated soils within the watershed. Incorporation of soil water storage effects may improve estimation of the timing and amount of streamflow generated from mountainous watersheds dominated by snowmelt. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
THE LIMITS OF INFORMATION IN THE VECTORCARDIOGRAM: COMPARATIVE RESYNTHESIS OF BODY SURFACE POTENTIALS WITH DIFFERENT LEAD SYSTEMS.

Abstract This has been a report on a method of evaluating the information content of the vectorcardiogram. Systematically spaced recordings of the QRS complex about the human chest—when subjected to factor analysis—reduced to eight component wave forms or principal factors. These set the limits of information. The ability of any VCG lead set to reproduce these principal factors measures its quantitative content of information and may give some indication as to the qualitative content. VCG lead systems are designed to present the vector or dipolar component of the heart signal; this report may be quasidipolar if the lead system is sensitive to nondipolar components of the signal. The corrected systems reported the planar vector loop (factors 1 and 2) rather well; the uncorrected systems were poorer at reproducing factors 1 and 2 but some-what more sensitive to factor 3—which contained either nonplanar dipolar or nondipolar components. Usable information was restricted by an error of approximately 20 per cent in all current systems. Awareness of these limitations made it possible to suggest a means by which the information content could be improved.
3-Pyridinecarboxaldehyde: A Model System for Superelectrophilic Activation and the Observation of a Diprotonated Electrophile

3-Pyridinecarboxaldehyde (7) has been studied as a model system for superelectrophilic activation. When compound 7 is compared with benzaldehyde (3) in acid-catalyzed condensation reactions with ar...
Advancing the deployment of utility-scale photovoltaic plants in the northeast

As one of the premier research laboratories operated by the Department of Energy, Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is pursuing an energy research agenda that focuses on renewable energy systems and will help to secure the nation's energy security. A key element of the BNL research is the advancement of grid-connected utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) plants, particularly in the northeastern part of the country where BNL is located. While a great deal of information has been generated regarding solar PV systems located in mostly sunny, hot, arid climates of the southwest US, very little data is available to characterize the performance of these systems in the cool, humid, frequently overcast climates experienced in the northeastern portion of the country. Recognizing that there is both a need and a market for solar PV generation in the northeast, BNL is pursuing research that will advance the deployment of this important renewable energy resource. BNL's research will leverage access to unique time-resolved data sets from the 37MWp solar array recently developed on its campus. In addition, BNL is developing a separate 1MWp solar research array on its campus that will allow field testing of new PV system technologies, including solar modules and balance of plant equipment, such as inverters, energy storage devices, and control platforms. These research capabilities will form the cornerstone of the new Northeast Solar Energy Research Center (NSERC) being developed at BNL. In this paper, an overview of BNL's energy research agenda is given, along with a description of the 37MWp solar array and the NSERC.
A review of the origin and setting of tepees and their associated fabrics

Carbonate hardgrounds often occur at the surface of shallow subtidal to supratidal, lacustrine, and subaerial carbonate shelf sediments. These are commonly disrupted and brecciated when the surface area of these crusts increases. In the subtidal environment, megapolygons form when cementation of the matrix causes the surface area of the hardgrounds to expand. Similar megapolygons form in the supratidal, lacustrine and subaerial settings when repeated incremental fracturing and fracture fill by sediment and/or cement also causes the area of the hardgrounds to expand. The arched up antiform margins of expansion megapolygons are known as tepees. The types of tepees found in the geological record include: (1) Submarine tepees which form in shallow carbonate-saturated waters where fractured and bedded marine grainstones are bound by isopachous marine-phreatic acicular and micritic cements. The surfaces of these brecciated crusts have undergone diagenesis and are bored. Unlike tepees listed below they contain no vadose pisolites or gravity cements; (2) Peritidal and lacustrine tepees are formed of crusts characterized by fenestral. pisolitic and laminar algal fabrics. This similarity in fabric makes these tepees of different origins difficult to separate. Peritidal tepees occur where the marine phreatic lens is close to the sediment surface and the climate is tropical. They are associated with fractured and bedded tidal flat carbonates. Their fracture fills contain geopetal asymmetric travertines of marine-vadose origin and/or marine phreatic travertines and/or Terra rossa sediments. The senile form of these peritidal tepees are cut by labyrinthic dissolution cavities filled by the same material. Lacustrine tepees form in the margins of shallow salinas where periodic groundwater resurgence is common. They include groundwater tepees which form over evaporitic ‘boxwork’ carbonates, and extrusion tepees which also form where periodic groundwater resurgence occurs at the margins of shallow salinas, but the dominant sediment type is carbonate mud. These latter tepee crusts are coated and crosscut by laminated micrite; the laminae extend from the fractures downward into the underlying dolomitic micrite below the crust. Both peritidal and lacustrine tepees form where crusts experience alternating phreatic and vadose conditions, in time intervals of days to years. Cement morphologies reflect this and the crusts often contain gravitational, meniscus vadose cements as well as phreatic isopachous cement rinds. (3) Caliche tepees which are developed within soil profiles in a continental setting. They are formed by laminar crusts which contain pisolites, and fractures filled by micritic laminae, microspar, spar and Terra rossa. Most of the cements are gravitational and/or meniscoid. In ancient carbonates, when their cementation and diagenetic fabric can be interpreted, tepee structures can be used as environmental indicators. They can also be used to trace the evolution of the depositional and hydrological setting.
Biotorrents: A file sharing service for scientific data

The transfer of scientific data has emerged as a significant challenge, as datasets continue to grow in size and demand for open access sharing increases. Current methods for file transfer do not scale well for large files and can cause long transfer times. In this study we present BioTorrents, a website that allows open access sharing of scientific data and uses the popular BitTorrent peer-to-peer file sharing technology. BioTorrents allows files to be transferred rapidly due to the sharing of bandwidth across multiple institutions and provides more reliable file transfers due to the built-in error checking of the file sharing technology. BioTorrents contains multiple features, including keyword searching, category browsing, RSS feeds, torrent comments, and a discussion forum. BioTorrents is available at http://www.biotorrents.net.
Characterization of the 5' and 3' untranslated regions in murine mdm2 mRNAs.

Abstract The murine double minute 2 (mdm2) gene is essential for embryogenesis in mice that express the p53 tumor suppressor protein. Mdm2 levels must be regulated tightly because overexpression of mdm2 contributes to tumorigenesis. We investigated whether the 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs) of murine mdm2 affect the expression of MDM2 proteins. Induction of mdm2 expression by p53 results in synthesis of an mdm2 mRNA with a short 5′ UTR. The long 5′ UTR increases internal initiation of translation of a minor MDM2 protein, p76MDM2, without affecting the efficiency of translation of the full-length p90MDM2. We discovered two alternative 3′ untranslated regions in murine mdm2 mRNA expressed in the testis. The longer 3′ UTR contains a consensus instability element, but mdm2 mRNAs containing the long and short 3′ UTRs have comparable half-lives. The 3′ UTRs do not affect either initiation codon use or translation efficiency. Thus, the murine 5′ UTR, but not the 3′UTR, influences the ratio of the two MDM2 proteins but neither UTR affects MDM2 abundance significantly.
Abstract 3838: Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 deficiency increases susceptibility to 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide-induced neoplasia in murine squamous oral epithelium

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Background: Cytokines and pro-inflammatory factors have critical roles in shaping the malignant transformation that gives rise to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), such as p38, JNK, and ERK, relay information from extracellular signals to control the diverse cellular processes of carcinogenesis. These kinases are negatively regulated by MAPK phosphatases (MKPs), the founding member being mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1). Initial studies demonstrated significant over-expression of MKP-1 in human epithelial tumors only in the early phases of disease with levels falling progressively in tumors of higher histological grade and in metastases. We hypothesize low levels of MKP-1 in the HNSCC tumor microenvironment generate high levels of inflammation which promote tumor development and progression. Methods: To address how regulation of inflammatory cytokine expression via MKP-1 activity may affect HNSCC development and progression, we examined the effects of MKP-1 deficiency on a well characterized model for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a subset of HNSCC. MKP-1-/- and wild-type mice were treated with 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO), a surrogate for tobacco exposure, in drinking water for 16 weeks and monitored by oral examination for an additional 16 weeks. Tumor size was assessed by volumetric measurement. Histological grading of the tumors and inflammation were performed in a blinded manner by two collaborating pathologists. Results: Our studies demonstrated significantly earlier onset of 4NQO-induced OSCC in MKP-1-/- mice compared with wild-type controls. Tumor size and histological grade were found to be more severe in the MKP-1-/- mice. In addition, tissues surrounding the tumors demonstrated a significantly higher degree of inflammation in MKP-1-/- mice. Remarkably, development of esophageal squamous carcinomas was dramatically enhanced in MKP-1-/- mice treated with 4NQO. Conclusion: These studies demonstrate increased susceptibility of MKP-1-/- mice to 4NQO-induced neoplasia, suggesting an important role for MKP-1 as a negative regulator of HNSCC development. Further work will be done to characterize mechanisms of regulation by assessing levels of MAPK activity and characterizing the pro- and anti-inflammatory milieu of the tumor tissues and supportive stroma. Elucidating the regulation of inflammatory mediators in the tumor microenvironment may reveal critical tumor suppressive interactions mediated by MKP-1 which are lost during cancer initiation and progression. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3838. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3838
A Study of Geometry Effects on the Performance of Ballistic Deflection Transistor

We present the results of an experimental study of dimensional ratios dependencies on the performance of a ballistic deflection transistor (BDT) operating in a quasi-ballistic regime. Experimental transconductance change based on geometry variations is studied for smaller and larger devices with channel width of 300 and 500 nm, respectively. Transconductance variation for a series of drain biases is also observed for a specific geometry and dimension. By means of Monte Carlo modeling we report the effect of different geometry parameters on the transfer characteristics of BDTs. The strength of the gate control in the InGaAs channel is analyzed.
β-Cell MicroRNAs: Small but Powerful

Noncoding RNA and especially microRNAs (miRs) have emerged as important regulators of key processes in cell biology, including development, differentiation, and survival. Currently, over 2,500 mature miRs have been reported in humans, and considering that each miR has multiple targets, the number of genes and pathways potentially affected is huge. Not surprisingly, many miRs have also been implicated in diabetes, and more recently, some have been discovered to play important roles in the pancreatic islet, including β-cell function, proliferation, and survival. The goal of this Perspective is to offer an overview of this rapidly evolving field and the miRs involved, reveal novel networks of β-cell miR signaling, and provide an outlook of the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Discrimination of Time Series by Parametric Filtering

Abstract A new approach to time series discrimination is discussed. The approach, called parametric filtering, combines a parametric filter bank with an analysis of first-order autocorrelation from the filtered time series. As a function of the filter parameter, the first-order autocorrelation is shown to uniquely characterize the correlation structure of the original stationary time series. It is also shown to produce a diagnostic that not only characterizes correlation structures, but also transforms these structures into smooth and monotone functions. Natural sample estimators of these characterization functions are shown to be uniformly consistent even for mixed-spectrum time series. Examples are provided to demonstrate the potential applications of the method in discrimination of time series with a special emphasis on time series of mixed spectra.
Degradation of a poly(ester urethane) elastomer. II. Kinetic modeling of the hydrolysis of a poly(butylene adipate)

In preparation for studying the kinetics of the hydrolysis of Estane® 5703, published hydrolysis data for a similar poly(butylene adipate) (herein called 63 PBA) have been modeled. Poly(ester urethanes) are known to degrade by acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of the ester links, and the data on 63 PBA show that this degradation is reversible at low relative humidities (RHs). Previous work with these data was unable to fit them with concentration-independent rate coefficients. It is shown herein that, with the water-concentration model of the preceding article and the AAC2 mechanism of reversible hydrolysis/esterification, the experimental kinetic data that vary across temperature, RH, and starting molecular weight can be fit with a single set of concentration-independent rate coefficients. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 192–200, 2002
MYOTONIC AND NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCKING EFFECTS OF INCREASED DOSES OF SUXAMETHONIUM IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN

The myotonic effects and duration of action of several doses of suxamethonium were determined in 24 infants and 16 children during thiopentone-fentanyl-nitrous oxide anaesthesia. Infants received suxamethonium 2, 3 or 4 mg kg-1; children received 1 or 2 mg kg-1. The increase in muscle tone during onset of neuromuscular block was independent of dose. Onset of block was faster in children who received suxamethonium 2 mg kg-1 compared with those who received 1 mg kg-1, and in infants given 2 mg kg-1 than in children given the same dose. Compared with adults given suxamethonium 1 mg kg-1, infants required 3-4 mg kg-1 and children at least 2 mg kg-1 to produce 6-8 min of neuromuscular block. These results provide a clear indication for increasing the intubating doses of suxamethonium in infants and children, and a explanation for the unduly high rate of "masseter spasm" in some paediatric centres.
The WTO Dispute Settlement Mechanism

This working draft first considers issues relating to the philosophy of dispute settlement - what approach works best: one emphasizing settlement of disputes through negotiations or one emphasizing more judicial-like means. Next, it reviews the basis for dispute settlement under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and evaluates the successes and shortcomings of the GATT dispute settlement system. The core of the article describes in detail the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules on dispute settlement. In concluding sections, it reviews the operation of the WTO dispute settlement system to date and discusses several proposed reforms, such as the establishment of a permanent panel body and various ways to improve the effectiveness of remedies in cases of noncompliance with WTO decisions.
Deletion of hapten-binding cells by a highly radioactive 125i conjugate.

Exposure of normal mouse spleen cells in vitro to highly 125I-labeled dinitrophenyl (DNP)-protein carrier conjugates specifically inactivated cells able to mount an immune response to that hapten after in vivo challenge. The deletion was hapten specific and independent of the radioactive carrier to which the hapten was bound. DNP-binding cells were inactivated by radioactivity that was not part of the hapten, but was solely confined to the carrier moiety. The deletion of the anti-DNP response lasted 2–3 wk and could be specifically inhibited.
Intrasplenic Transplantation of Isolated Adult Rat Hepatocytes Sex-Reversal and/or Suppression of the Major Constituent Isoforms of Cytochrome P450

Adult male and female rat hepatocytes were individually transplanted into the spleens of adult male and female rats. The recipients were euthanized at either eight, sixteen, thirty, or forty-five weeks following transplantation, at which time hepatic and splenic levels of liver-specific rat albumin mRNA as well as sex-dependent transcript levels of CYP2C11, -2C12, -2C7, -2A1, and -3A2—which accounts for > 60% of the total concentration of hepatic constituent cytochrome P450—were determined. Whereas the pre-infused hepatocytes expressed their expected cytochrome P450 sexual dimorphisms (female-specific CYP2C12, male-specific CYP3A2, and female-predominant CYP2A1), their post-transplantational competence now reflected the sexual dimorphisms of the recipient (as observed in the host’s liver), which supports the concept that the sexdependent growth hormone circulating profiles are the determinants regulating the expression levels of hepatic cytochrome P450. Also expressed at normal concentrations in the pre-infused hepatocytes, male-specific CYP2C11 and female-predominant CYP2C7 were inexplicably undetectable in the spleens of both recipient males and females, regardless of the sex of the donor hepatocytes, almost one year after transplantation.
Lymphatic transport pathways during volume expansion.

Abstract Morphological evidence on lymphatic transport was derived qualitatively and quantitatively in control and volume-expanded rats in order to identify any changes in transendothelial pathways which accompany enhanced lymph formation. Volume expansion was induced by intravenous mannitol and by intraperitoneal hypertonic or hypotonic saline (10% of body wt). Horseradish peroxidase and ferritin were used as macromolecular tracers. Volume expansion had little effect upon intraendothelial cytoplasmic components. Intracytoplasmic vesicles contained tracer molecules in control and experimental groups and quantitative analysis revealed only one significant difference between the groups—a reduction in vesicular volume and numerical densities in animals receiving mannitol. The major changes between control and experimental animals were in the presence of attenuated areas of cytoplasm, widening of intercellular pathways, and the presence of open regions in the expanded group. In these respects there was little qualitative difference among the three experimental groups, although some quantitative differences were recorded. It was concluded that vesicular transport plays a significant role in translymphatic protein movement and that when the interstitial fluid load to lymphatics is increased the excess fluid preferentially enters between adjacent endothelial cells or diffuses across areas of extreme attenuation. Open regions or junctions were considered to play little if any role in lymph formation under control conditions, but to achieve increasing importance with increases in fluid movement.
Risk factors, attendance, and abstinence patterns of low-income women in perinatal addiction treatment: lessons from a 5-year program.

The purpose of this article is to describe the risk factors, attendance, and abstinence patterns of 40 women who attended a model outpatient perinatal addiction treatment program throughout the 5 years it was funded. Data were regularly collected through use of semistructured interviews, randomly scheduled urine toxicology tests, document reviews, and self-reports, in a descriptive field study design. Mean age of the women was 29 years. They remained in the program an average of 7.89 months. A majority had two or more children, most (90%) were single parents, and 70% were currently in an abusive relationship. Abstinence was positively associated with length of time in the program (r = .4208; p < .01). Attendance was also positively correlated with length of stay (r = .6723; p < .001) as well as abstinence (r = .4454; p < .01). Results suggest that program attendance can be a powerful influence on abstinence, even in the face of the environmental stressors and developmental risk factors that place each woman at increased risk of relapse.
The Challenge of Cultural Modeling for Inferring Intentions and Behavior

Accounting for social, cultural, and political factors must form the basis for understanding decision-making, actions, and reactions of individuals, thus driving their behaviors and intentions. Clearly, the individual is not wholly defined by just personal social, cultural, and political beliefs but also functions within a group of individuals. Within these groups (or organizations), they assimilate a potentially wide variety of different social factors, which may or may not differ from their own. Also, the group itself can vary in degrees of complexity, styles of interaction, and so forth, resulting in highly dynamic and emergent modes of behaviors. Even more difficult, this also includes taking into account the values, attitudes, and beliefs of the local population/environment that the individual/group is situated within. Without all these factors, we cannot expect to effectively understand, analyze, or predict the behaviors and intentions of others which grows ever more critical as our society continues to globalize and especially in today's conflicts and catastrophes. Thus, the need for a comprehensive modeling framework is evident as our only real hope of addressing such complexity. However, to date, only small isolated groups of pertinent behavioral factors have been studied, while there is little or no work towards developing a general unified and comprehensive approach that is also computational. The major challenges we face can be summed up in the following questions: 1. For prediction and explanation of intent and behavior, how does one computationally model individual or organizations and their emergent interactions with others, in various situations? 2. How does one organize and build the necessary social, cultural, political, behavioral, etc. knowledge- base? 3. How do you avoid brittleness and overspecialization? How do you construct these models efficiently and effectively, and dynamically evolve such models over time based on changing cultural and social factors? 4. How do you validate your models? In this talk, we will explore these challenges and focus on addressing pragmatic and computational issues in such modeling and examine some existing real-world efforts, current solutions, and openquestions.
On the spin of the muon

The distribution in angle and energy of the electron arising from the decay of a longitudinally polarized muon of spin 3/2 is calculated, using the most general parity nonconserving direct interaction. The result depends upon three parameters (functions of the coupling constants) which cannot be adjusted to give agreement with experiment.
Short stature and cardiovascular disease among men and women from two southeastern New England communities

BACKGROUND Short stature has been associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), although the reason for the association remains unclear. Data on the relation between stature and stroke is more limited. We examined the association between stature and CHD as well as between stature and stroke in men and women from two communities in southeastern New England. METHODS Coronary heart disease and stroke events were abstracted from medical records between January 1980 and December 1991. An epidemiological diagnostic algorithm developed to measure CHD was used in the present analysis. Unadjusted relative risks (RR) and RR adjusted for age, smoking status, obesity, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol 6.21 mmol/l, hypertension, diabetes, education, and being foreign born were computed by gender-specific height categories separately for men (n = 2826) and women (n = 3741). RESULTS A graded inverse association between stature and risk of CHD was observed among men which persisted after adjustment for confounders. Men >69.75 inches had an 83% lower risk of CHD compared with men < or = 65 inches. In addition, the tallest men had a 67% decreased risk of stroke compared with the shortest men. No significant relation between stature and CHD or stroke was observed among women. CONCLUSIONS These data support the hypothesis that stature is inversely related to both risk of CHD and stroke at least among men. Factors which might explain this association remain to be determined.
On the Choice of High- $\kappa$ Dielectrics for Metal Nanocrystal Memory to Improve Data Retention

An investigation on the optimized choice of high-κ gate dielectrics and metal nanocrystals (NCs) for improving retention capability of a flash memory is presented. The influence of charge neutrality level (CNL) of gate dielectrics on retention time is quantified. Results show that retention efficacy of metal NCs with high work function (WF) is adversely affected when embedded in certain oxides with high CNLs. This unravels that both the CNL and WF must be tuned together to maximize the retention period.
Intrinsic Bending and Structural Rearrangement of Tubulin Dimer: Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Coarse-Grained Analysis

Microtubules are long polymers of αβ-tubulin heterodimers. They undergo a process known as dynamic instability, in which the ends of a microtubule switch stochastically between phases of slow growth and rapid shrinkage. The molecular mechanisms inducing the depolymerization of microtubules were attributed to the hydrolysis of the guanosine triphosphate (GTP) nucleotide bound to the β-tubulin. The hydrolysis of GTP is thought to cause microtubule instability by promoting outward curving of the protofilaments constituting the microtubule lattice. The bending of protofilaments is associated with the structural transformation of a tubulin dimer from straight to curved conformations. However, the nature of intrinsic bending of the dimer remains elusive. This study uses molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and coarse-grained analysis to reveal the intrinsic bending, as well as the local structural rearrangements, of the unassembled tubulin dimer as the dimer relaxes from its lattice-constrained, straight conformation of a zinc-induced tubulin sheet. The effect of the nucleotide state on dimer-bending is investigated by the introduction of γ-phosphate into the β-tubulin to form GTP-bound tubulin. In agreement with recent experimental studies that proposed nucleotide-independent curved conformations, both guanosine diphosphate (GDP)-bound and GTP-bound tubulin dimers were found to have curved conformations, but with a tendency toward smaller bending in the GTP-tubulin than in the GDP-tubulin. The perturbation induced through the introduction of γ-phosphate is posited to play a role in straightening the intradimer bending. The local structural rearrangements of GDP-tubulin because of the bending mode of motion of the dimer reveal that one of the three functional domains, the intermediate domain, exhibits significantly lower bending deformation compared with the others, signifying a dynamic connection to the functionally defined domains.
Carotid stenting and endarterectomy: a clinical and cost comparison of revascularization strategies.

Background and Purpose— Investigational carotid stenting for extracranial carotid stenosis has demonstrated procedural results approaching those reported with endarterectomy, but with limited cost and long-term data. This study compared the in-hospital outcomes and costs of these 2 revascularization strategies at a single institution and the long-term effectiveness of carotid stenting. Methods— Data for 136 endarterectomies and 136 carotid stent procedures at a tertiary-care community hospital were obtained. The primary clinical outcome measures were in-hospital major ipsilateral stroke and death. In-hospital direct variable costs and length of stay were the primary economic measures. Information on restenosis and late ipsilateral stroke for the stent group was available at 2-year follow-up. Results— These nonrandomized groups were similar, but the endarterectomy group had more symptomatic patients (42% versus 31%; P=0.0004), and the stent group had more NASCET-excluded patients (68% versus 35%; P<0.0001)...
Lysine, Methionine and Glycine Requirements of Japanese Quail to Five Weeks of Age

Abstract INTRODUCTION FEW studies of the amino acid requirements of Japanese quail have been reported. Donaldson (1967) found the requirements for the total sulfur amino acid to be 0.78% in a practical diet containing 25% protein, the glycine requirement to be 1.28% in a purified diet containing 29% protein, and the lysine requirement was met at 1.35% of a practical diet containing 25% protein. Amino acid requirements of Bobwhite quail and Ringneck pheasants, members of the same family as Coturnix, have been reported; Baldini et al. (1953) suggested a lysine requirement for young Bobwhite quail of 1.3% of the diet when the protein level was 20–24%. Scott et al. (1963) showed the total sulfur amino acid requirements of Bobwhite quail and Ringneck pheasants to be 3.66% of the protein in a practical corn-soybean meal diet. Scott and Reynolds (1949) found in studies with pheasant chicks that the glycine requirement was…
Burkitt s lymphoma variant of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD).

The occurrence of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) in solid organ allograft recipients can be quite varied in clinical presentation, histopathological characteristics and frequency. A variety of lymphomas can develop as a PTLD although some types appear infrequently and remain poorly understood in this clinical setting. In this report, we describe two cases of Burkitt’s lymphoma presenting as a PTLD following liver transplantation. The recipients were 12 and 44 years of age and displayed gastrointestinal involvement by the tumors several years following transplant. The tumors displayed the typical histological features of Burkitt’s lymphoma and were markedly positive for EBV. The tumors displayed similar immunophenotypic characteristics by flow cytometry and had rearrangements of the immunoglobulin J-H heavy chain. The tumors required aggressive chemotherapy and a cessation of immunosuppressive therapy. This report demonstrates that Burkitt’s type lymphomas can develop in the posttransplant setting and that these tumors contain morphologic, cytofluorographic and molecular features identical to Burkitt’s lymphomas that occur in non-transplant patients. Our experience is that these PTLD-Burkitt’s lymphomas behave aggressively and require intensive chemotherapeutic intervention.