cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A systematic review of interventions to address workplace bias: What we know, what we don't, and lessons learned

Abstract Despite the extensive literature about the pervasiveness and impact of microaggressions in the workplace, little is known about what specific workplace interventions have been adopted to mitigate them and, for those adopted, whether the efforts are effective. Given the nature of this special journal issue, we originally sought to answer this call by focusing solely on workplace interventions targeting microaggressions. However, it became clear that the relative paucity of such interventions (as documented in the literature) necessitated that we cast a broader net. We therefore present the results of a systematic review of studies that evaluate the effectiveness of workplace interventions focused on subtle bias and/or its behavioral manifestations. The review identified only six papers that met the inclusion criteria of: 1) reporting a real-world workplace intervention with a goal of reducing subtle bias and/or behavioral manifestations and 2) including a systematic evaluation of attitude, awareness, and/or behavioral change. Multiple themes across the identified studies are summarized. The discussion addresses the dearth of well-documented interventions and examines lessons learned from existing interventions to inform the development of future training focused on microaggressions in order to contribute to long-lasting change.
Reflective mirror-based line-scan adaptive optics OCT

Abstract Line-scan OCT, incorporated with adaptive optics (AO), offers high resolution, speed and sensitivity for imaging retinal structure and function in vivo. Here, we introduce its implementation with reflective mirror-based afocal telescopes, optimized for imaging light-induced retinal activity (optoretinography) and weak retinal reflections at the cellular scale. A non-planar optical design was followed based on previous recommendations with key differences specific to a line-scan geometry. The three beam paths fundamental to an OCT system – illumination/sample, detection, and reference – were modeled in Zemax optical design software to yield theoretically diffraction-limited performance over a 2.2 deg. field-of-view and 1.5 D vergence range at the eye’s pupil. The performance for imaging retinal structure was exemplified by cellular-scale visualization of retinal ganglion cells, macrophages, foveal cones, and rods in human observers. The performance for functional imaging was exemplified by resolving the light-evoked optical changes in foveal cone photoreceptors where the spatial resolution was sufficient for cone spectral classification at an eccentricity 0.3 deg. from the foveal center. This enabled the first in vivo demonstration of reduced S-cone (short-wavelength cone) density in the human foveola, thus far observed only in ex vivo histological preparations. Together, the feasibility for high resolution imaging of retinal structure and function demonstrated here holds significant potential for basic science and translational applications.
Hydrogel injection molding to generate complex cell encapsulation geometries

Biofabrication methods capable of generating complex, three-dimensional, cell-laden hydrogel geometries are often challenging technologies to implement in the clinic and scaled manufacturing processes. Hydrogel injection molding capitalizes on the reproducibility, efficiency, and scalability of the injection molding process, and we adapt this technique to biofabrication using a library of natural and synthetic hydrogels with varied crosslinking chemistries and kinetics. We use computational modeling to evaluate hydrogel library fluid dynamics within the injection molds in order to predict molding feasibility and cytocompatibility. We evaluate the reproducibility of hydrogel construct molding and extraction and establish criteria for the selection of hydrogels suitable for injection molding. We demonstrate that hydrogel injection molding is capable of generating complex three-dimensional cell-laden construct geometries using diverse hydrogel materials and that this platform is compatible with primary human islet encapsulation. We envision the application of this technique with primary cells via an off-the-shelf clinical kit that can be implemented at the patient bedside by a clinician or integrated with scaled, high-throughput automated cell manufacturing processes to generate encapsulated cell-based therapeutic products.
The Type III Secretion Pathway: Dictating the Outcome of Bacterial-Host Interactions

This chapter reviews the general structure of type III secretion systems in gram-negative bacterial pathogens and the means by which these systems may have arisen and spread. It describes the present state of knowledge regarding the structural details of type III secretion in the Shigella flexneri system (referred to as Mxi-Spa). By presenting both the common features ascribed to the type III pathway and the specific structural details of one such system, the chapter illustrates how bacterial pathogens may exploit one basic mechanism for adaptation to a broad range of host interactions. Features of each secretion pathway are discussed, and major attributes that are either pathway-specific or conserved are highlighted. The net result of this work is an abundance of new insights into both the evolution of pathogenic bacteria and the mechanisms by which they interact with and manipulate basic cellular processes of a host to promote their survival. While issues regarding type III-dependent protein injection are discussed, it is worth noting that enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), Pseudomonas, Salmonella, and probably the plant pathogens also inject effector proteins into target host cells. The chapter presents an abridged description of the type III secretion pathway, including details of its evolution and distinguishing characteristics. Future research should be directed toward defining the true architecture of this structure and the means by which it physically transfers virulence proteins.
The Geography of REIT Audit Service Investments

We examine the geographic component of the audit service investments in REIT industry. Because REIT firms have strong incentive for information transparency and high audit quality, we expect that geographic distances, as a proxy for information flow, between REIT firms, their auditors, and the SEC offices have effects on the audit fees and non-audit fees paid by REIT firms. We find that 1) REIT firms pay more audit fees and non-audit fees to their auditor when the REIT firm headquarters are located closer to the SEC offices. 2) REIT firms pay higher audit and non-audit fees when their auditor offices are closer to the SEC. 3) REIT firms pay higher audit fees and non-audit fees when their auditor offices are located closer to their headquarters. 4) REIT firms that are closest to both the SEC and the auditors pay the highest fees in both audit services and non-audit services. The results are consistent with our expectation that REIT firms desire high quality audit service and are willing to pay higher fees for it. Also, REIT industry may enjoy the knowledge spillovers between audit side and non-audit side and the industry specialization from their auditors.
Optimization models for resource allocation under perturbation.

OPTIMIZATION MODELS FOR RESOURCE ALLOCATION UNDER PERTURBATION Dongxue Bridgeman July 26th, 2013 Optimization Models for Resource allocation are investing in how to make the best use of available but limited resources in order to achieve the best results. In strategic planning, resource allocation is a plan for using available resources, especially in the near future, to achieve the goals of the future. It is a process of allocating resources during the entire planning horizon and among the various units. Resource allocation plans can be decided by using mathematical programming. In this dissertation, the research has been focused on how to allocate resources in the uncertain environment. The mathematical programming formulations for the resource allocation model under severe uncertainty will be studied. In particular, we will focus on solving the stability issues of the traditional probabilistic model. We propose an approach consisting of solving a sequence of convex robust optimization models with unknown-but-bounded random variables along with the stochastic programming to pursue the allocation performance for the expected overall objective value. Our theoretical results show that the proposed approach can always obtain an equivalent or a better expected revenue with the corresponding allocation, while significantly reducing the risk under perturbations. Although this method requires solving two convex mathematical
A Probabilistic Power Prediction Tool for the Xilinx 4000-Series FPGA

The work described here introduces a practical and accurate tool for predicting power consumption for FPGA circuits. The utility of the tool is that it enables FPGA circuit designers to evaluate the power consumption of their designs without resorting to the laborious and expensive empirical approach of instrumenting an FPGA board/chip and taking actual power consumption measurements. Preliminary results of the tool presented here indicate that an error of less than 5% is usually achieved when compared with actual physical measurements of power consumption.
Theories of Tying and Implications for Antitrust

This paper first reviews economic theories for why firms tie their products and then discusses our views concerning what this review implies concerning optimal antitrust policy for tying cases. The review considers efficiency rationales for tying, price discrimination rationales, and various exclusionary rationales that have recently been put forth. We specifically discuss the Chicago School view that tying should raise no antitrust concern and explain when that logic breaks down. In our discussion of optimal antitrust policy concerning tying our main point is that, because of the prevalence of efficiency driven tying in real-world markets and the difficulty that courts have in reliably identifying all the welfare consequences of a tie, in general there should be a high hurdle required for intervention in tying cases.
Identification and Characterization of Epitopes Recognized by T Lymphocytes and Autoantibodies from Patients with Herpes Gestationis

Autoantibodies associated with herpes gestationis (HG), a pregnancy-associated autoimmune skin disease, target the hemidesmosomal protein BP180. It was shown that the major noncollagenous stretch of the BP180 ectodomain (NC16A) harbors epitopes recognized by HG sera. Furthermore, Abs reactive with the homologous domain of murine BP180 are known to trigger a cutaneous blistering disease in mice by passive transfer experiments. The present study was aimed at characterizing the T cell responses and specificities of autoantibodies from two HG patients. Using immunoblotting and T cell proliferation assays, we have identified a 14-amino-acid stretch of the BP180 ectodomain (MCW-1; aa 507–520) that is recognized by both T cells and autoantibodies produced by the HG patients. The neonate born to one of these HG patients showed no signs of skin disease and had no detectable T cell response to the BP180 Ag, but did have a low titer of circulating anti-BP180 autoantibodies, presumably of maternal origin. BP180-specific T cell lines and clones developed from an HG patient specifically reacted with the MCW-1 epitope. The proliferative responses of these clones were restricted to HLA-DR, but not -DQ or -DP. These Ag-specific T cells expressed α/β TCRs and a CD4 memory T cell phenotype and secreted IFN-γ and IL-2, but not IL-4 or IL-6, suggesting that they are Th1-type lymphocytes. Further characterization of these Ag-specific T cells and autoantibodies will aid in elucidating the autoimmune mechanism(s) leading to the development of HG.
Synthesis of Nitrite and Nitrate in Murine Macrophage Cell Lines

Synthesis of nitrite (NO2-) and nitrate (NO3-) was studied in the macrophage cell lines RAW 264.7, WEHI-3, PU5-1.8, J774A.1, and P388D1 and compared to the synthesis by thioglycolate-elicited peritoneal macrophages from C3H/He and C3H/HeJ mice. Treatment with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced NO2-/NO3- synthesis by all the cell lines except P388D1, which remained unresponsive at the highest LPS concentration (50 µg/ml). Recombinant murine γ-interferon induced NO2-/NO3- synthesis in only two cell lines (PU5-1.8 and RAW 264.7), although it activated synthesis by C3H/He and C3H/HeJ macrophages. Dual signal treatments consisting of lymphokines or γ-interferon plus LPS stimulated NO2-/NO3- synthesis by all five cell lines and each line showed enhanced synthesis as compared to that induced by any single stimulus. Heat-killed Bacillus Calmette-Guerin and purified mycobacterial protein derivative stimulated NO2-/NO3- synthesis in three of five cell lines, while dextran sulfate, zymosan, and the synthetic adjuvant muramyl dipeptide were ineffective. Nitrite represented 50–75% of the total NO2-/NO3- produced in all cases. The kinetics of LPS-induced NO2-/NO3- synthesis in J774A.1 and C3H/He macrophages were identical; a 6-h lag phase was followed by a 24- to 48-h period in which NO2- and NO3- were in a ratio of approximately 3:2 at all time points.
Vector quantization of color digital images within a human visual model

A method of vector quantization which uses a color model of the human visual system to improve the quality of encoded images is presented. In this method, the images are first transformed into a 'perceptual space' and then encoded. After reconstruction, the image is transformed back into an intensity representation for viewing. A comparison is made between images encoded at 1.125 bits per pixel with and without the visual model using both an SNR measure and visual observation. Experimental results indicate that there is a significant improvement in the perceived quality of the images encoded in the visual model, although the measured distortion between the images is slightly better for the intensity encoded images. >
Increasing the Efficiency of Autopsy Reporting

Abstract Context.—When autopsy reports are delayed, clinicians and families do not receive information in a timely fashion. Objective.—Using lean principles derived from the Toyota Production System, we set out to streamline our autopsy reporting process. Design.—In a formal workshop setting, we identified the steps involved in producing an autopsy report, then sought to eliminate, abbreviate, or reschedule them into a more efficient format. We established intermediate deadlines for each case, taking care to make them visible; we initiated a weekly quality assurance review, giving attention to both scientific issues and approaching deadlines. Results.—By adopting a more standardized approach, eliminating redundancy, and improving the visibility of tasks, we improved the mean completion time of autopsy reports from 53 days (N = 47 cases) to 25 days (N = 47 cases). Previously, 17% of reports were completed by 30 days and 71% by 60 days; in the 15 months following initiation of the program, 72% of reports we...
Substrate specificity of iodothyronine 5'-deiodinase in rat liver homogenates and its requirements of divalent cations in vitro.

Abstract Studies were carried out to compare the 5′-deiodination reactions of thyroxine (T 4 ) and 3,3′ −5′-triiodothyronine (rT 3 ) in 2.5% rat liver homogenates. The 5′-deiodinase activity was assayed by the 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T 3 ) produced from T 4 or by 125 I-rT 3 . Under our experimental conditions, the two 5′-monodeiodination reactions resulted in similar apparent K M s: 1.5 μM for T 4 and 1.1 μM for rT 3 . However, the apparent V max values of T 4 and rT 3 deiodination reactions were, respectively, 0.91 and 222 pmol/mg protein/min. Both reactions were stimulated by thiol reagents but only rT 3 deiodination showed complete thiol dependence. The inhibitory effect of 6-propyl-2-thiouracil on the 5′-deiodination of rT 3 was at least 50 fold greater than that of T 4 . The divalent ion requirement of the deiodination system was tested with CaCl 2 , MgCl 2 , and ZnCl 2 at a range of concentrations. Zinc ion appeared to be a potent inhibitor in both T 4 and rT 3 deiodination systems. Only the 5′-deiodination of rT 3 was inhibited slightly by low concentrations of calcium and magnesium ions. Our results suggest that based on their apparently distinct regulation mechanisms, the 5′-monodiodination of T 4 and rT 3 in rat liver homogenates is likely mediated by more than one enzyme, despite the similarity of observed K M s.
A micropower integrated platform for wireless multichannel recording of ECoG activity

Electrocorticography (ECoG), the recording of electrical signals from the surface of cortex, is widely used for monitoring and analysis of epileptic brain activity. However, current ECoG recording methods require tethering of the patient causing discomfort and impeding his or her mobility. We demonstrate a system for wireless multichannel recording of ECoG activity. The system is comprised of a custom made VLSI neural front end, transceiver modules, battery and a custom software written in LabView for real-time data monitoring and storage. The system offers programmable gain, bandwidth and ADC setting while maintaining low noise performance and drawing less than 6.7mA of current from 3.7V battery. We have validated this system by recording micro-ECoG signal from the dorsal premotor cortex region of a primate performing reach to grasp movements. In our demonstration, we will show the wireless operation of the system, transmitting pre-recorded ECoG signals from primates through a saline solution. We will also show real-time recording of electromyography (EMG) signals from a human subject performing motor movements. Our system offers a new platform for wireless health monitoring system in epilepsy units.
The cosmetic overdenture

A technique has been described to show how a deviated midline, missing lateral incisor, and diastema were corrected with a cosmetic overdenture for a patient who is a professionl model. Irreversible procedures were unnecessary on an otherwise acceptable and functional dentition.
Error Correction by Alternate-Data Retry

A new technique for low-cost error correction is the alternate-data retry (ADR). Like a conventional retry, an ADR is a re-execution of an operation that initially fails to produce an error-free result. Unlike a conventional retry, an ADR uses an alternate representation of the initial data. The choice of the alternate data representation and the design of the processing circuits combine to insure that even an error due to a permanent fault is not repeated during retry. Error correction is provided at a hardware cost comparable to that of a conventional retry capability.
Re-analysis of the time factor in local control by radiotherapy of T3T4 squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx

The use of logistic regression for the analysis of local control data is illustrated via a re-analysis of previously published data. A larger effect of overall time is found than in the original publication. In addition, the original analysis of 50 percent effective dose (ED50) is found to have obscured the relationship between local control and overall time for some doses.
Caffeine elevates reinforcement threshold for electrical brain stimulation: tolerance and withdrawal changes.

Abstract Caffeine dose-dependently increased the reinforcement threshold for electrical self-stimulation of the brain in rats, which is opposite to the effect of other behavioral stimulants. Tolerance to this effect of caffeine developed rapidly with daily drug administration. Abrupt cessation of daily drug treatment was followed by decreases in reinforcement threshold and response rate lasting 24–48 h, changes consistent with a drug withdrawal phenomenon. Because caffeine has the characteristics of a drug of abuse, these results question the generality of hypotheses relating the abuse potential of a drug to its ability to sensitize brain reward systems.
Janus particles at an oil–water interface

We study the behaviour of Janus particles at an oil–water interface. Amphiphilic Janus particles exhibit attractive interactions at the fluid–fluid interface. The attractive interactions are likely due to the pinning of contact line around the diffuse boundary between the two hemispheres. The undulation of the three-phase contact line around Janus particles leads to quadrupolar capillary interactions, which we confirm by measuring the interparticle forces. We also show that Janus particles with two negatively charged-hydrophilic hemispheres show repulsive interactions.
Remote sensing reveals shrinking Greenland ice sheet

Since sea level rise over the past century can be only partially explained by ocean warming and melting of non-polar ice, we can safely assume that the volume of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets probably is decreasing. However, many decades of glaciological observations have yet to yield even a good estimate of the collective mass balance of these two ice sheets. Until recently this uncertainty applied equally to both ice sheets. Then NASA's Program for Arctic Regional Climate Assessment (PARCA) researched the mass balance of the Greenland ice sheet by measuring changes in icesheet volume through different approaches, by analyzing satellite and aircraft data to investigate various characteristics of the ice sheet, and by conducting in situ measurements aimed at understanding observed changes.
Parental Visitation of the Institutionalized Retarded

An inverse relationship was found between the number of parental visits an institutionalized retarded child received and the distance of the parental home from the institution. When the natural parents were living together, the retarded child was shown to receive more visits than when the child's parents were separated or one parent was deceased. Single mothers were found to be living significantly closer to the facility than single fathers. Single fathers appeared to put more effort into visiting, since they visited just as often as the mothers, but had to travel further distances than the mothers to do so. Visitation frequency followed a curvilinear pattern, decreasing uniformly from 20–60 miles (from 0–20 miles visitation frequency is uniform), and then leveling off.
Diversity Within the Deaf or Hard of Hearing Population: Wisdom from Seeing the Whole

Issues of diversity and multiculturalism within the US population typically address concerns regarding between‐group differences. That is, members of groups distinguished by race, ethnicity, alternative lifestyle, or educational exceptionality become typified by their common characteristic. For example, it is common to refer to children identified as having hearing loss as "the hearing impaired” or "the Deaf.” This terminology may lead service providers to make assumptions about standard practice as to how to assist these children and their families. However, to deliver appropriate services to qualifying children and their families, service providers must be sophisticated at distinguishing within‐group differences, and view each individual case's needs relative to a picture of “the whole.” This article examines the within‐group differences that exist in children who belong to a group whose common characteristic is some degree of hearing loss. A rationale is provided for viewing service options for these c...
Are You Tolerant

A STUDY of a modern foreign language can make you more tolerant! And, by all means, it should. Every student of a foreign language in the United States-especially those in the teachers' training coursesshould be required to pass, and pass creditably, a three-way test: (1) on the country whose language he is studying: its literature, language, history, culture, and achievements; (2) on the English (and North American) language, literature, history, culture, and achievements; (3) on broadmindedness.
Simultaneous feedback control of plasma rotation and stored energy on the DIII-D tokamak

A major modification made recently to the DIII-D tokamak was the rotation of one of the four neutral beam systems to allow injection of power in the opposite direction of the usual plasma current (counter-injection). Mixing the usual co-injection beams with the counter-injection beams provides a new capability that allows, for the first time, a partial decoupling of the injected energy and momentum during neutral beam heating experiments. To implement this capability, we have developed within the plasma control system (PCS) [B.G. Penaflor, et al., Fusion Eng. Design 71 (2004) 47] a model-based control algorithm for simultaneous regulation of plasma rotation and beta. The present work describes the development of the model, discusses its validation using actual experimental data, and presents the details of the implementation of the model within the PCS to allow simultaneous control of both plasma rotation and stored energy.
Age and resting follicle number predict response to gonadotropin stimulation in in vitro fertilization cycles.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess whether age, resting follicle number, intraovarian blood flow, and/or ovarian volume are predictive of follicular response and oocyte quality in patients with in vitro fertilization. Study Design: A retrospective chart review was done on 90 in vitro fertilization cycles that were completed in a university setting. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the predictive value of age, resting follicle number, pretreatment ovarian volume, and peak systolic velocity for response to gonadotropin stimulation. Results: Age was predictive ( P Conclusion: Age and resting follicle number can be used as additional parameters to support patient counseling before in vitro fertilization stimulation. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;187:285-8.)
First-Principles Study of Experimental and Hypothetical Mg(BH4)2 Crystal Structures

We have used first-principles density functional theory to relax the experimentally reported crystal structures for the low- and high-temperature phases of Mg(BH4)2, which contain 330 and 704 atoms per unit cell, respectively. The relaxed low-temperature structure was found to belong to the P6122 space group, whereas the original experimental structure has P61 symmetry. The higher symmetry identified in our calculations may be the T = 0 ground-state structure or may be the actual room-temperature structure because it is difficult to distinguish between P61 and P6122 with the available powder diffraction data. We have identified several hypothetical structures for Mg(BH4)2 that have calculated total energies that are close to the low-temperature ground-state structure, including two structures that lie within 0.2 eV per formula unit of the ground-state structure. These alternate structures are all much simpler than the experimentally observed structure. We have used Bader charge analysis to compute the cha...
Commentary: Organizational Culture and Practice Epistemologies

Hemmelgarn, Glisson, and James (2006) provide an excellent review of the impact of organizational culture and climate for the implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) models within social and mental health services systems. As their article makes clear, the implementation process should address the organizational context, and effectiveness and services research should consider organizational factors in outcome and EBP transport research. This commentary extends discussion of one aspect of organizational culture—the extent to which organizations are driven by an empirical scientific epistemology—and how this may contribute to establishing a context for EBP design, selection, implementation, and sustained evolution in field settings.
Statistical and Spectral Analysis of Wind Characteristics Relevant to Wind Energy Assessment Using Tower Measurements in Complex Terrain

The main objective of the study was to investigate spatial and temporal characteristics of the wind speed and direction in complex terrain that are relevant to wind energy assessment and development, as well as to wind energy system operation, management, and grid integration. Wind data from five tall meteorological towers located in Western Nevada, USA, operated from August 2003 to March 2008, used in the analysis. The multiannual average wind speeds did not show significant increased trend with increasing elevation, while the turbulence intensity slowly decreased with an increase were the average wind speed. The wind speed and direction were modeled using the Weibull and the von Mises distribution functions. The correlations show a strong coherence between the wind speed and direction with slowly decreasing amplitude of the multiday periodicity with increasing lag periods. The spectral analysis shows significant annual periodicity with similar characteristics at all locations. The relatively high correlations between the towers and small range of the computed turbulence intensity indicate that wind variability is dominated by the regional synoptic processes. Knowledge and information about daily, seasonal, and annual wind periodicities are very important for wind energy resource assessment, wind power plant operation, management, and grid integration.
Substructure of the thick filament of vertebrate striated muscle

Abstract The number of myosin molecules per 143 A cross bridge repeat in the thick filaments of rabbit psoas muscle was determined by two independent methods. First the molecular weight of isolated thick filaments was evaluated using a modification of the conventional particle counting technique. Isolated thick filaments, fixed with 2% formaldehyde, were sedimented onto electron microscope grids and the number per unit volume estimated. From this information and the weight concentration we find the molecular weight of the vertebrate thick filament to be 204 ± 11 × 106. When the weight fraction of C-protein is taken into account, the number of myosin molecules per axial repeat is 4.3 ± 0.2. The second determination is based on the number ratio of myosin cross bridge repeats to actin monomer repeats in the myofibrillar structure. A weight ratio for myosin:actin of 2.65 ± 0.04 was obtained from analysis of the sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis patterns of glycerinated muscle giving 3.9 ± 0.3 myosin molecules per axial repeat. Thus our combined results strongly favor four myosin molecules per 143 A repeat in vertebrate striated muscle. We have also estimated a myosin: C-protein weight ratio of 27.2 ± 1.1 from sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis experiments of glycerinated muscle. This value, coupled with the molecular weight of the thick filament, indicates that 2.9 ± 0.2 C-protein molecules are associated with each of the 18 C-protein stripes flanking the M-line region of the thick filament.
Flexible blade coating

Flexible blades are often employed to spread liquid coating thinly onto a flat smooth substrate. In this study, we derive a fifth-order nonlinear ordinary differential equation for the thickness of a Newtonian coating and for the corresponding blade deflection. After solving this equation numerically, a graph is produced to help engineers predict the coating thickness. We find that blade deflection and coating thickness are governed by the blade angle and by a new dimensionless group called the blade flexibility. For values of blade flexibility less than one, the coating thickness matches that of a rigid blade. The results of this analysis provide an engineer with the ability to design a flexible blade configuration to deliver the desired coating thickness onto a substrate.
Differential surface accessibility of alpha(187-199) in the Torpedo acetylcholine receptor alpha subunits.

Abstract We have probed the surface accessibility of residues α187 to α199 of the Torpedo acetylcholine receptor with monoclonal antibody 383C, which binds uniquely to these residues. However, 383C binds to only one of the two α subunits in the membrane-bound receptor, neither of the two subunits in carbamylcholine-desensitized receptor, and to both α subunits in Triton X-100 solubilized receptor. The kinetics of association and dissoci-ation of 383C with the peptide α(183–199) compared to those with the membrane-bound receptor suggest that all but a single hydrogen bond of affinity derives from contacts between this peptide and the monoclonal antibody paratope. Inhibition of 383C binding by α-bungarotoxin selectively directed to the α subunit correlated with the high-affinity d -tubocurarine binding site, along with a lack of inhibition by α-bungarotoxin directed to the α subunit correlated with the low-affinity d -tubocurarine binding site, suggests that the 383C epitope on the membrane-bound receptor resides on the α subunit associated with the high-affinity d -tubocurarine binding site. The results presented here suggest a structural basis for the differences between the two receptor acetylcholine binding sites.
The circular dichroism of aromatic polypeptides: theoretical studies of poly-L-phenylalanine and some para-substituted derivatives.

We have calculated rotational strengths and circular dichroism (CD) curves for sidechain and backbone transitions in poly-L-Phenylalanine (PLP), POLY-p-amino-L-phenylalanine (PPALP), poly-p-chloro-L-phenylalanine (PPCLP), poly-o-acetyl-L-tyrosine (POALT), and poly-p-nitro-L-phenylanine (PPNLP), using methods applied previously to poly-L-tyrosine (PLT). Comparison of the theoretical CD curves with available experimental data for PLP and PPALP indicate that these polypeptides form right-handed helices with side-chain conformations similar to that of PLT. For PPNLP, where experimental data are also available, no conformational assignment could be made, as none of the calculated curves gave good agreement with experiment. Possible reasons for this lack of agreement are discussed. For the other two polypeptides, PPCLP and POALT, although no experimental data are yet available, the calculated curves indicate that an unambiguous assignment should be possible. For the conformations (RA and LA) in which the side chains are packed more loosely, there are strong similarities in the calculated CD curves of a particular conformation, regardless of the para substituent. In the tighter R1 and L1 conformations, few generalizations can be drawn, each derivative having a distinctive pattern. In PLP, PPCLP, and POALT, where the side-chain La band is in the 200–210 nm region, the L1 conformation exhibits a negative nπ* rotational strength, opposite to that expected for a left-handed helix. One must therefore be cautious about assigning the helix sense of aromatic polypeptides on the basis of the sign of the nπ* CD band. Side-chain nπ* transitions present in POALT and PPNLP were found to have small rotational strength.
Target identification using multi-radar fusion

The problem of target recognition using signatures collected by a multi-radar system is investigated in this paper. A comparison between the performances of target recognition systems that fuse the observed signatures with those that fuse the identification decision is established. Multi-radar systems interrogating the same target provide multi-aspect signatures that can enhance, when fused properly, the recognition performance. This paper proposes a signatures fusion scheme as well as a decision fusion mechanism. The recognition performance assuming a target with unknown azimuth is assessed using both systems, and a comparison is established. The performance is assessed using real radar signatures recorded in a compact range setting. The paper highlights scenarios where a multi-radar system provides little advantage for target recognition purposes, and when it can significantly improve the recognition performance. The same approach can be used when dealing with other types of networked sensors.
Methods for Routine Fish Hematology

(1960). Methods for Routine Fish Hematology. The Progressive Fish-Culturist: Vol. 22, No. 4, pp. 164-171.
Leaky wave antennas based on transmission line metamaterials

This paper reviews progress of development and applications of the leaky wave antennas (LWA) based on the transmission line metamaterial over the past several years.
An auger and EELS study of iron sulfide (FeS2, Fe7S8 and FeS) surfaces

Abstract Auger and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) were used to study the iron sulfide (FeS2, Fe7S8 and FeS) surfaces. A characteristic M2.3VV Auger doublet with a separation of 5.0 eV was observed on the Sulfides. An assignment of the electron energy loss peaks was made based on the energy dependence of the loss peaks and previous photoemission results. In addition to interband transitions and core level excitations, two volume plasmons and two surface plasmons were tentatively identified. The effect of argon ion bombardment was studied by monitoring the changes observed in the EELS spectra with sputtering time. Peaks with strong iron and sulfur character were observed. Heating the damaged sulfides results in reconstruction of the sulfide surfaces through migration of sulfur. For the undamaged sulfides, changes in the EELS spectra are due to variations in surface composition and crystallographic structure. For all the sulfides under study, some evidence of sulfur segregation to the surface was observed. Finally, the reactions of the sulfides with simple gases, such as H2, CO and O2 were studied. Heating with H2 results in removal of elemental sulfur from the surface. CO reacts with Fe on the damage FeS2 and Fe7S8 surfaces. The reaction products can be removed with H2. All the sulfides are easily oxidized by oxygen to form α-Fe2O3. The reactions of H2S and CO with clean Fe surfaces were also studied using EELS.
The migration, dissolution, and fate of chlorinated solvents in the urbanized alluvial valleys of the southwestern USA

The migration, dissolution, and subsequent fate of spilled chlorinated solvents in the urban alluvial valleys of the southwestern U.S. appear to be governed by a unique set of hydrogeologic and geochemical processes occurring within terrigeneous clastic depositional systems. The alluvial and lacustrine fill of the basins, the trapping of solvents in fine-grained sediments beneath the urbanized valley centers, the oxic conditions typical of the deeper alluvium, and the contaminant-transport patterns produced by large-scale basin pumping combine to produce long aqueous-phase plumes derived from the dissolution of trapped chlorinated solvents. Although of limited aqueous solubility, these dense solvents are sufficiently mobile and soluble in the southwestern alluvial valleys to have produced aqueous plumes that have migrated several kilometers through the deeper alluvium and have contaminated valuable water-supply well fields in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. The typical length of these plumes and the presence of oxic groundwater indicate that it is unlikely that natural attenuation will be a practical remedial option in the southwestern alluvial valleys or in other alluvial systems in which similar hydrogeologic and geochemical conditions exist.
Lung vascular endothelial growth factor expression induces local myeloid dendritic cell activation

We previously demonstrated that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in the murine lung increases local CD11c+MHCII+ DC number and activation. In this study, employing a multicolor flow cytometry, we report increases in both myeloid (mDC) and plasmacytoid (pDC) DC in the lungs of VEGF transgenic (tg) compared to WT mice. Lung pDC from VEGF tg mice exhibited higher levels of activation with increased expression of MHCII and costimulatory molecules. As VEGF tg mice display an asthma-like phenotype and lung mDC play a critical role in asthmatic setting, studies were undertaken to further characterize murine lung mDC. Evaluations of sorted mDC from VEGF tg lungs demonstrated a selective upregulation of cathepsin K, MMP-8, -9, -12, and -14, and chemokine receptors as compared to those obtained from WT control mice. They also had increased VEGFR2 but downregulated VEGFR1 expression. Analysis of chemokine and regulatory cytokine expression in these cells showed an upregulation of macrophage chemotactic protein-3 (MCP-3), thymus-expressed chemokine (TECK), secondary lymphoid organ chemokine (SLC), macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC), IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-12 and IL-13. The antigen (Ag) OVA-FITC uptake by lung DC and the migration of Ag-loaded DC to local lymph nodes were significantly increased in VEGF tg mice compared to WT mice. Thus, VEGF may predispose the lung to inflammation and/or repair by activating local DC. It regulates lung mDC expression of innate immunity effector molecules. The data presented here demonstrate how lung VEGF expression functionally affects local mDC for the transition from the innate response to a Th2-type inflammatory response.
Protein sequencing: thermal conversion of thiazolinone derivatives of amino acids to thiohydantoins.

Abstract A method for converting thiazolinone derivatives of amino acids to their thiohydantoin derivatives is described. Because this method proceeds through a thermally induced intramolecular rearrangement, the amide groups of glutamine and asparagine are not hydrolyzed. Special procedures are not required for the recovery of the derivatives of arginine and histidine. Finally, the thermal method is more rapid than the conventional aqueous conversion procedure.
Instabilities of steady, periodic, and quasi-periodic modes of convection in porous media

Instabilities of steady and time-dependent thermal convection in a fluid-saturated porous medium heated from below have been studied using linear perturbation theory. The stability of steady-state solutions of the governing equations (obtained numerically) has been analyzed by evaluating the eigenvalues of the linearized system of equations describing the temporal behavior of infinitesimal perturbation. Using this procedure, the authors have found that time-dependent convection in a square cell sets in at Rayleigh numer Ra = 390. The temporal frequency of the simply periodic (P{sup (1)}) convection at Rayleigh numbers exceeding this value is given by the imaginary part of the complex eigenvalue. The stability of this (P{sup (1)}) state has also been studied; transition to quasi-periodic convection (QP{sub 2}) occurs at Ra {approx} 510. A reverse transition to a simply periodic state (P{sup (2)}) occurs at Ra {approx} 560; a slight jump in the frequency of the P{sup (2)} state occurs at Ra between 625 and 640. The jump coincides with a second narrow (in terms of Ra) region of quasi-periodicity.
Stabilities of synthetic magnesian calcites in aqueous solution: Comparison with biogenic materials

Abstract Free-drift dissolution data and inverse time plots were used to evaluate the stabilities of synthetic and biogenic magnesian calcites in aqueous solutions at 25°C and 1 atm total pressure. Synthetic phases with MgCO3 concentrations below 6 mole percent have stoichiometric ion activity products that are less than the value for calcite, whereas the values for phases with higher concentrations are greater than that of calcite. For synthetic phases, stability is a smooth function of composition and all phases (up to 15 mole percent MgCO3) have values of ion activity products less than that for aragonite. These results agree with those of Mucci and Morse (1984) derived from precipitation of magnesian calcites in aqueous solutions. “Average” seawater at 25° and 1 atm total pressure is supersaturated with respect to all synthetic phases in the compositional range studied. Biogenic samples are less stable than synthetic phases of similar Mg concentrations and stability is not a smooth function of composition. Biogenic materials with compositions greater than 11–13 mole percent MgCO3 have ion activity products greater than that for aragonite. The difference in stability between biogenic materials and synthetic phases is due to greater variation in chemical and physical heterogeneities found for the biogenic samples. If it is assumed that the results of the dissolution experiments reflect only differences in Gibbs free energies of formation between synthetic phases and biogenic materials of similar Mg concentration, the biogenic materials are 200–850 j/mol less stable than the synthetic phases. Only the results of synthetic dissolution experiments should be used to model the thermodynamic behavior of the magnesian calcite solid solution. The results for the synthetic phases, however, may not be appropriate to use for interpreting diagenetic reaction pathways for magnesian calcites in modern sediments, except as a basis of comparison with the behavior of natural materials.
Steady-state and pre-steady-state kinetic analysis of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine triphosphate incorporation and extension by replicative and repair DNA polymerases.

The kinetics of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine triphosphate (8-oxo-dGTP) incorporation into DNA by Escherichia coli polymerases I exo- (KF-) and II exo- (Pol II-), HIV-1 RT reverse transcriptase (HIV-1 RT), and bacteriophage T7 exo- (T7-) were examined to determine the misincorporation potential for 8-oxo-dGTP and to investigate the role of base pairing symmetry in DNA polymerase fidelity. 8-Oxo-dGTP was found to be a poor substrate for the four polymerases, with insertion efficiencies >104-fold lower than for dGTP incorporation. Insertion efficiencies of 8-oxo-dGTP were also consistently lower than for incorporation of dNTPs opposite template 8-oxo-G, previously studied in this laboratory. In steady-state reactions, T7- had a high preference for 8-oxo-dGTP insertion opposite A (97%) and HIV-1 RT, KF-, and Pol II- preferred to insert 8-oxo-dGTP opposite C. Misinsertion frequencies for 8-oxo-dGTP also varied considerably from frequencies of misinsertion at template 8-oxo-G adducts for Pol II-, HIV-1 RT, and T7...
The Urea Cycle Disorders

The urea cycle is the primary nitrogen-disposal pathway in humans. It requires the coordinated function of six enzymes and two mitochondrial transporters to catalyze the conversion of a molecule of ammonia, the α-nitrogen of aspartate, and bicarbonate into urea. Whereas ammonia is toxic, urea is relatively inert, soluble in water, and readily excreted by the kidney in the urine. Accumulation of ammonia and other toxic intermediates of the cycle lead to predominantly neurologic sequelae. The disorders may present at any age from the neonatal period to adulthood, with the more severely affected patients presenting earlier in life. Patients are at risk for metabolic decompensation throughout life, often triggered by illness, fasting, surgery and postoperative states, peripartum, stress, and increased exogenous protein load. Here the authors address neurologic presentations of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency in detail, the most common of the urea cycle disorders, neuropathology, neurophysiology, and our studies in neuroimaging. Special attention to late-onset presentations is given.