cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sensitivity of pigmented mucosa and skin to freezing injury

Pigmented areas of canine skin and oral mucosa were subjected to freezing in situ at various temperatures for the purpose of investigating possible differences in the sensitivity of epidermal cells to cold injury. Destruction of melanocytes occurred in the range of −4 to −7 °C, while squamous cells resisted injury even at −20 °C. Replacement of the lost pigmented cells occurred from the normal tissue at the periphery of the injured area. The experiments suggest that selective destruction of pigmented lesions in clinical conditions may be achieved by freezing tissue to −4 to −7 °C or colder, but not to exceed −20 °C in order to avoid destruction of squamous cells. The experiments also support wider use of cryosurgery for pigmented lesions of the skin and oral cavity.
Towards a cellular and molecular understanding of neurulation.

Neurulation occurs during the early embryogenesis of chordates, and it results in the formation of the neural tube, a dorsal hollow nerve cord that constitutes the rudiment of the entire adult central nervous system. The goal of studies on neurulation is to understand its tissue, cellular and molecular basis, as well as how neurulation is perturbed during the formation of neural tube defects. The tissue basis of neurulation consists of a series of coordinated morphogenetic movements within the primitive streak (e.g., regression of Hensen's node) and nascent primary germ layers formed during gastrulation. Signaling occurs between Hensen's node and the nascent ectoderm, initiating neurulation by inducing the neural plate (i.e., actually, by suppressing development of the epidermal ectoderm). Tissue movements subsequently result in shaping and bending of the neural plate and closure of the neural groove. The cellular basis of the tissue movements of neurulation consists of changes in the behavior of the constituent cells; namely, changes in cell number, position, shape, size and adhesion. Neurulation, like any morphogenetic event, occurs within the milieu of generic biophysical determinants of form present in all living tissues. Such forces govern and to some degree control morphogenesis in a tissue-autonomous manner. The molecular basis of neurulation remains largely unknown, but we suggest that neurulation genes have evolved to work in concert with such determinants, so that appropriate changes occur in the behaviors of the correct populations of cells at the correct time, maximizing the efficiency of neurulation and leading to heritable species- and axial-differences in this process. In this article, we review the tissue and cellular basis of neurulation and provide strategies to determine its molecular basis. We expect that such strategies will lead to the identification in the near future of critical neurulation genes, genes that when mutated perturb neurulation in a highly specific and predictable fashion and cause neurulation defects, thereby contributing to the formation of neural tube defects.
The Sound, the Fury, and the Nonevent: Business Power and Market Reactions to the Citizens United Decision

In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission , supporters of campaign finance reform argued that American politics would soon be awash in corporate cash and that public policy outcomes would reflect the desires of big business. Using event study methodology to isolate the effect of Citizens United on firms’ stock prices, this article finds that the financial markets did not share this view. Rather, key events in the case did not significantly affect the share prices of those large firms heavily engaged in and sensitive to politics, suggesting that investors expected the decision to have no effect on political and policy outcomes of concern to corporate America.
Calcitonin studies in turtles.

Acid extracts of turtle (Chrysemys picta, Pseudemys scripta) thyroid glands and ultimobranchial bodies were assayed in young Sprague-Dawley rats. Subcutaneous injection of 0.5 ml of the preparations was administered and blood samples were obtained by cardiac puncture after 1 hr. Ultimobranchial preparations caused an average decrease in serum calcium values of 19%, while thyroid extracts were without significant effect. Calcitonin activity therefore appears to reside in the ultimobranchial body rather than in the thyroid of turtles, as has been demonstrated recently for several other nonmammalian vertebrate species. Porcine calcitonin preparations (Armour) injected subcutaneously into 30 adult turtles (Chrysemys picta) in doses of 0.1, 3.0 or 10.0 MRC U/k body weight were ineffective in altering serum calcium concentrations. Measurements were made at 1, 4 and 24 hr and 3, 5, 7 and 14 days after hormone injection. (Endocrinology 83: 1145, 1968)
Another Ode to Paranoia

The nonprofit Bipartisan Policy Center recently conducted Cyber ShockWave, a series of simulated cyberattacks to role play the US government's response scenarios. The simulations included an attack on US cell phone networks and power grids and a scripted series of cascading crises. Former high-level government officials played the roles of senior administration and national security officials in responding to the various events.
Influence of Moisture on Corrosion of Pipeline Steel in Soils Using In Situ Impedance Spectroscopy

Abstract The interrelationships between the corrosion rate of pipeline steel and soil parameters have been investigated under both controlled laboratory and natural outdoor conditions. Both defect-...
Ligand-Dependent Enhancer Activation Regulated by Topoisomerase-I Activity

The discovery that enhancers are regulated transcription units, encoding eRNAs, has raised new questions about the mechanisms of their activation. Here, we report an unexpected molecular mechanism that underlies ligand-dependent enhancer activation, based on DNA nicking to relieve torsional stress from eRNA synthesis. Using dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced binding of androgen receptor (AR) to prostate cancer cell enhancers as a model, we show rapid recruitment, within minutes, of DNA topoisomerase I (TOP1) to a large cohort of AR-regulated enhancers. Furthermore, we show that the DNA nicking activity of TOP1 is a prerequisite for robust eRNA synthesis and enhancer activation and is kinetically accompanied by the recruitment of ATR and the MRN complex, followed by additional components of DNA damage repair machinery to the AR-regulated enhancers. Together, our studies reveal a linkage between eRNA synthesis and ligand-dependent TOP1-mediated nicking-a strategy exerting quantitative effects on eRNA expression in regulating AR-bound enhancer-dependent transcriptional programs.
Mass Spectrometry of Nucleotides and Oligonucleotides

Recent advances in the use of mass spectrometry for the determination of the molecular weight and sequencing of oligonucleotides are disscussed. Matrix-assisted laser desorption (MALDI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry have been shown to be especially important techniques for both molecular weight assignment and sequencing of oligonucleotides, and are the focus of this article which covers the literature through early 1996.
Power Spectra in V band and Hα of Nine Irregular Galaxies

Fourier transform power spectra of major axis cuts in V and Hα images were made for a sample of nine irregular galaxies. These power spectra reveal structure over a wide range of scales. For six of the galaxies the power spectrum slopes at intermediate scales (10–400 pc) in the V-band images range from -1.3 to -1.5. The similarity of slopes suggests that the same processes are structuring these systems. These slopes are slightly shallower than those observed in other galaxies in H I, molecular emission, dust extinction, and optical light. Three of the galaxies have flat power spectra like sky noise; these three galaxies are relatively indistinct in the direct images. The power spectrum slope for Hα steepens with increasing star formation rate, ranging from a shallow value comparable to the noise at low rates to a steep value with a slope of ~-1.5 at high rates. This change reflects the increasing areal filling factor of Hα emission with increasing star formation rate and an apparently universal slope inside the Hα regions that is comparable to that for Kolmogorov turbulence. The power spectrum of H I in one galaxy has a steeper power law, with a slope of ~-2.9. The fact that the power laws of star formation are about the same for dwarf galaxies and giant spiral galaxies suggests the microscopic processes are the same, independent of spiral density waves and galaxy size.
Particle- and grain-size measurement by x-ray fluorescence☆

Abstract A method of particle size measurement is presented which is based on the fact that the intensity of fluorescent X-rays from an element in a particle is dependent on particle size. The effect can be expressed by the intensity ratio R, the ratio of the intensity from a sample containing particles of size S to the intensity from a sample containing particles of zero size, both samples having the same concentration of the fluorescing element. An equation relating R and S was derived for low concentrations of cubic particles suspended in a matrix material. The equation predicts that R will depend only on the particle size S, the sample thickness, and the linear absorption coefficients of the particle and matrix materials. Experiments were conducted using closely-sized fractions of W, Cu, and bronze powders in various matrices. It was found that by varying the incident X-rays, the matrix material and the fluorescent X-rays, the sensitivity of R to different ranges of particle size can be controlled. R was found to decrease with particle concentration and small deviations in linearity were found for mixtures of particle sizes. The experimental results were in fair agreement with the equation. The method is rapid and non-destructive, requires only a small amount of sample and permits measurement of the sizes of different particle species in a single sample. It appears to be particularly attractive for rapid, routine measurements of average particle size on many commercial powders as well as for grain size measurement on alloy and rock samples. It appears possible to use the method for on-stream particle size measurement of suspensions.
[D85] Do you feel the music?

Hearing-impaired people can experience music through vibrations. During this demonstration, the visitors will have the opportunity to live this experience. They will be asked to identify a song, based only on vibrations administered to their fingers. The vibrations consists of ten actuators attached to each finger. Although the device is originally developed to assess tactile memory in keyboard players, the visitors are not required to have any expertise in music. They will be ask to feel the music through vibrations and then listen to three song partitions to judge which one was felt previously with their fingers.
Cell wall-polypeptide complexes in Bacillus subtilis

Abstract The cell surface of Bacillus subtilis contains several peptidoglycan-associated polypeptides. Cell walls were labeled with 125 I or 35 S, and the products were digested with lysozyme. When the digests were chromatographed on Sephacryl S-200, peaks of radioactivity corresponding to molecular weights of 240,000, 125,000, 20,000, 17,000, and 15,000 were observed. The walls solubilized by lysozyme were also subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate-poly(acrylamide) gel electrophoresis, and radioactive bands corresponding to apparent molecular weights of 24,000, 22,000, and 19,000 were found. Isoelectric focusing of the digests revealed the presence of a component having an isoelectric point of 3.7, and, possibly, of minor components having isoelectric points of 4.7 and 6.1. Proteases, including trypsin, subtilisin, and pronase, removed some of the radioactivity from [ 35 S]-labeled walls. Significant proportions of label from [ 35 S]walls were solubilized by the peptide-bond-breaking agents cyanogen bromide and N -bromosuccinimide. Small proportions of radioactivity were released from labeled walls by hydroxylamine and trichloroacetic acid. Direct, amino acid analyses of the walls showed the presence of several amino acids not commonly regarded as constituents of peptidoglycan. Cell walls from a protease-deficient mutant, and from a wall preparation enriched in cell poles, contained similar proportions of amino acids. In addition, wall preparations from an autolysin-deficient mutant, and walls from protease hyper-producing strains, contained amino acids that could not be removed by rigorous extraction-procedures. The results suggest that the cell walls of Bacillus subtilis contain tightly, or covalently, bound protein molecules or polypeptides that are refractory to removal by denaturants.
Impact of low estrogen/progesterone receptor expression on survival outcomes in breast cancers previously classified as triple negative breast cancers.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of low estrogen/progesterone receptor (ER/PR) expression and effect of endocrine therapy on survival outcomes in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative tumors with ER/PR <10%, previously labeled as triple negative. METHODS: In a retrospective review, 1257 patients were categorized according their ER/PR percentages into 3 groups, ER/PR <1% (group A), ER/PR 1% to 5% (group B), and ER/PR 6% to 10% (group C). Kaplan-Meier product limit method was used to estimate survival outcomes. Cox proportional hazards models was used to adjust for patient and tumor characteristics. RESULTS Groups A, B, and C had 897 (71.4%), 241 (19.2%), and 119 (9.4%) patients, respectively. After a median follow-up of 40 months there was no significant difference in 3-year recurrence-free survival (RFS): 64%, 67%, and 77% (P = .34) or overall survival (OS): 79%, 81%, and 88% (P = .33) for groups A, B, and C, respectively. ER/PR expression was not an independent predictor for RFS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.86-1.39; P = .46 for group B, and HR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.66-1.38; P = .81 for group C, compared with group A), or OS (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.84-1.46; P = .46 for group B, and HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.63-1.42; P = .78 for group C, compared with group A). Endocrine therapy had no impact on survival outcomes (RFS: P = .10; OS: P = .45) among groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, a low ER/PR level (1%-5%) does not appear to have any significant impact on survival outcomes. There was a tendency for survival advantages in the ER/PR 6% to 10% is seen. Benefit of endocrine therapy in these patients is unclear. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
R&D Intensity and Economic Recession: Investigating the Moderating Role of CEO Characteristics

The authors employ the upper echelons theory and contingency theory in understanding the moderating effect of the chief executive officer (CEO) characteristics on the relationship between recession and research and development (R&D) intensity. The authors selected 2004 (nonrecession) and 2008 (recession) years for the analysis. Evidence was found that during recession, indeed, organizations decreased their R&D spending. The findings supported that CEOs with a shorter career horizon decreased R&D spending more dramatically than CEOs with a longer career horizon during recession. No evidence was found for the moderating effects of CEO tenure and insider status.
Immunotherapy: It Takes a Village

We in the cancer immunology and immunotherapy community are thrilled that Science named “Cancer immunotherapy” as 2013’s Breakthrough of the Year (J. Couzin-Frankel, 20 December 2013, p. 1432). The rapid succession of clinical successes by blocking antibodies to two immune checkpoints, CTLA-4 and PD-1, and by chimeric antigen-receptor-transduced T cells, shows the power of basic immunology when translated to therapy. As such, I write to acknowledge some of the key scientists whose basic discoveries paved the way for the clinical successes outlined in the Breakthrough issue.
A multiplication identity for characteristic polynomials of matroids

The main result in this paper is the following multiplication identity for the characteristic polynomial @g(G;@l) of a rank-r matroid G: @g(G;@[email protected])[email protected]?"X":"X"@?"L"("G")@g(G/X;@l)@x^r^-^r^a^n^k^(^G^|^X^)@g(G|X;@x), where the sum ranges over all flats of G, the matroid G|X is the restriction of G to X, and the matroid G/X is the contraction of G by X. We give three proofs. One proof is algebraic and applies to all matroids. The other two proofs, less general but giving more insight and meaning, are counting arguments based on the critical problem for representable matroids and the coloring problem for graphs.
Thermal evolution of the Martian core: Implications for an early dynamo

Mars is thought to have possessed a dynamo that ceased ;0.5 b.y. after the formation of the planet. A possible, but ad hoc, explanation is an early episode of plate tectonics, which drove core convection by rapid cooling of the mantle. We present an alternative explanation: that the Martian core was initially hotter than the mantle after core formation, providing an initial high heat flux out of the core. A core initially 150 K hotter than the mantle can explain the early dynamo without requiring plate tectonics. Recent experimental results suggest that potassium is likely to partition into the Martian core, potentially providing an extra source of energy to power a dynamo. We find that the radioactive decay of 40 K cannot explain the inferred dynamo history without the presence of a hot core. Our results also suggest that core solidification is unlikely to have occurred, because this process would have generated a long-lived (.1 b.y.) dynamo. If, as we conclude, the core is entirely liquid, it must contain at least ;5 wt% sulfur. An initially hot core is consistent with geochemical evidence for rapid core formation and incomplete thermal equilibration with the mantle. Thus, the early history of planetary dynamos provides constraints on the processes of accretion and differentiation.
Structure of a trapped endonuclease III-DNA covalent intermediate.

Nearly all cells express proteins that confer resistance to the mutagenic effects of oxidative DNA damage. The primary defense against the toxicity of oxidative nucleobase lesions in DNA is the base-excision repair (BER) pathway. Endonuclease III (EndoIII) is a [4Fe–4S] cluster-containing DNA glycosylase with repair activity specific for oxidized pyrimidine lesions in duplex DNA. We have determined the crystal structure of a trapped intermediate that represents EndoIII frozen in the act of repairing DNA. The structure of the protein–DNA complex provides insight into the ability of EndoIII to recognize and repair a diverse array of oxidatively damaged bases. This structure also suggests a rationale for the frequent occurrence in certain human cancers of a specific mutation in the related DNA repair protein MYH.
Natural fractures in shale: A review and new observations

Natural fractures have long been suspected as a factor in production from shale reservoirs because gas and oil production commonly exceeds the rates expected from low-porosity and low-permeability shale host rock. Many shale outcrops, cores, and image logs contain fractures or fracture traces, and microseismic event patterns associated with hydraulic-fracture stimulation have been ascribed to natural fracture reactivation. Here we review previous work, and present new core and outcrop data from 18 shale plays that reveal common types of shale fractures and their mineralization, orientation, and size patterns. A wide range of shales have a common suite of types and configurations of fractures: those at high angle to bedding, faults, bed-parallel fractures, early compacted fractures, and fractures associated with concretions. These fractures differ markedly in their prevalence and arrangement within each shale play, however, constituting different fracture stratigraphies—differences that depend on interface and mechanical properties governed by depositional, diagenetic, and structural setting. Several mechanisms may act independently or in combination to cause fracture growth, including differential compaction, local and regional stress changes associated with tectonic events, strain accommodation around large structures, catagenesis, and uplift. Fracture systems in shales are heterogeneous; they can enhance or detract from producibility, augment or reduce rock strength and the propensity to interact with hydraulic-fracture stimulation. Burial history and fracture diagenesis influence fracture attributes and may provide more information for fracture prediction than is commonly appreciated. The role of microfractures in production from shale is currently poorly understood yet potentially critical; we identify a need for further work in this field and on the role of natural fractures generally.
ITC 2008 Highlights

The 2008 International Test Conference will be held in Santa Clara, California on 28-30 October. As the premier conference for test technology, ITC continues its well-established format for Test Week (26-31 October) with two days of tutorials and a three-day conference program, followed by two days of workshops.
Serum Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase Activity as an Indicator of Disease of Liver, Pancreas, or Bone

Serum γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), leucine aminopeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase activities were assayed in controls and in patients with liver, pancreatic, or bone disease. GGT activity was above normal in all forms of liver disease studied (viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, cholecystitis, metastatic carcinoma to liver, pancreatic carcinoma, liver granuloma, and acute pancreatitis). GGT more sensitively indicated hepatic disease than did alkaline phosphatase, much more so than did leucine aminopeptidase. GGT was disproportionately more active in relation to the transaminases in cases of intraor extrahepatic biliary obstruction; the reverse was true in cases of viral hepatitis. GGT activity was normal in children, adolescents, and pregnant women, and in cases of bone disease and renal failure. Kinetic measurement of GGT activity offers a simple, sensitive, and direct means for distinguishing whether bone or liver is the source of increased serum alkaline phosphatase activity. Activity was highest in obstructive liver disease.
Of Value: A Discussion of Cost, Communication, and Evidence to Improve Cancer Care

The U.S. spends far more per person than any other country in the world in treating cancer, without demonstrably superior results. Though the pursuit and pace of innovation in oncology are perhaps unmatched and promise great benefit for cancer patients, this explosion of innovation has been accompanied by dramatic increases in cost, often without significant increases in patient survival. These trends have led to a growing interest in addressing value—understood as treatment benefits or quality weighed against economic cost—in cancercare.InFebruary2009,theInstituteofMedicine convened a group of experts with diverse perspectives, including those of clinical oncology, patient advocacy, theinsuranceindustry,pharmaceuticalmanufacturing, health economics, and bioethics, to identify challenges to value in cancer care, suggest potential solutions, and discuss what value entails in oncology. This article presents many of the ideas that emerged from this symposium, including ways to correct misaligned economic incentives, improve clinical communication, and generate evidence to promote value in cancer care. The Oncologist 2010;15(suppl 1):73–79
Rethinking post-national citizenship: The relationship between state territory and international human rights law

With the rise of international human rights regimes, the continued relevance of state sovereignty is being called into question. This paper engages with the possibility for the emergence of post-na...
Detection of Culture-Resistant Bacterial Pathogens by Amplification and Sequencing of Ribosomal DNA

Molecular phylogeny is profoundly influencing the field of bacterial evolution. New knowledge in this area has led to an exciting ability to detect and classify bacteria without culturing them. The process involved consists of either amplification or cloning of ribosomal DNA from a bacterial population, sequencing of this ribosomal DNA, and phylogenetic analysis of the sequences obtained. This approach has so far been applied successfully to four infectious diseases: bacillary angiomatosis, human ehrlichiosis, Whipple's disease, and Tyzzer's disease. Interpretation of data obtained by this method has been straightforward.
Methylxanthines with adenosine alter TNFα-primed PMN activation

Abstract Methylxanthines are best known as phosphodiesterase inhibitors that cause a rise in intracellular cAMP. One would expect the two methylxanthines, caffeine and pentoxifylline, to have similar actions on neutrophils (PMN). However, caffeine stimulated and pentoxifylline inhibited PMN oxidative activity. Micromolar concentrations of pentoxifylline decreased native and recombinant tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα)-primed formyl met-leu-phe (fMLP)-stimulated PMN chemiluminescence, superoxide production and myeloperoxidase (MPO) release. In contrast, equal concentrations of caffeine increased chemiluminescence and MPO release with no effect on superoxide production. These activities of the methylxanthines were only observed in the presence of physiological concentrations of adenosine, and were abolished by the treatment of the PMN with adenosine deaminase. The activities of adenosine, pentoxifylline and caffeine on PMN activity could not be readily explained by changes in PMN [cAMP]. Thus for TNFα-primed PMN, pentoxifylline decreases PMN activity by enhancing the effect of adenosine on degranulation and superoxide production; whereas caffeine increases PMN activity by counteracting the effect of adenosine on degranulation.
Sphingosine 1-phosphate promotes endothelial cell barrier integrity by Edg-dependent cytoskeletal rearrangement

Substances released by platelets during blood clotting are essential participants in events that link hemostasis and angiogenesis and ensure adequate wound healing and tissue injury repair. We assessed the participation of sphingosine 1-phosphate (Sph-1-P), a biologically active phosphorylated lipid growth factor released from activated platelets, in the regulation of endothelial monolayer barrier integrity, which is key to both angiogenesis and vascular homeostasis. Sph-1-P produced rapid, sustained, and dose-dependent increases in transmonolayer electrical resistance (TER) across both human and bovine pulmonary artery and lung microvascular endothelial cells. This substance also reversed barrier dysfunction elicited by the edemagenic agent thrombin. Sph-1-P-mediated barrier enhancement was dependent upon G(ialpha)-receptor coupling to specific members of the endothelial differentiation gene (Edg) family of receptors (Edg-1 and Edg-3), Rho kinase and tyrosine kinase-dependent activation, and actin filament rearrangement. Sph-1-P-enhanced TER occurred in conjunction with Rac GTPase- and p21-associated kinase-dependent endothelial cortical actin assembly with recruitment of the actin filament regulatory protein, cofilin. Platelet-released Sph-1-P, linked to Rac- and Rho-dependent cytoskeletal rearrangement, may act late in angiogenesis to stabilize newly formed vessels, which often display abnormally increased vascular permeability.
HORIZONTAL DIFFUSION, VERTICAL DIFFUSION, AND INTERNAL PRESSURE IN STATE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICYMAKING, 1989-1998

Throughout the 1980s, states developed policies to address the growing problem of abandoned and uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. Not surprisingly, some states have adopted stringent policies that are similar to the federal Superfund program, whereas others have developed different approaches. In this article, we develop and test empirically a model of the strength of state hazardous waste programs, which we depict as a function of both internal determinants and external diffusion. For internal determinant explanations we consider the effects of problem severity, internal political factors, interest group pressure, and socioeconomic and demographic variables. We also include variables representing regional and top-down (national) diffusion. Our results indicate the importance of both internal determinants and external diffusion. Strong state hazardous waste programs are a function of state wealth and the severity of internal hazardous waste problems, as well as external determinants, with regional diffusion as a particularly influential factor.
Implementation of an Intelligent Reconfiguration Algorithm for an Electric Ship's Power System

In all-electric navy ships, severe damage or faults may occur during battle conditions. This might even affect the generators, and as a result, critical loads might suffer from power deficiencies for a long time, ultimately leading to a complete system collapse. A fast reconfiguration of the power path is therefore necessary in order to serve the critical loads and to maintain a proper power balance in the ship's power system. A fast intelligent reconfiguration algorithm based on small-population-based particle swarm optimization (PSO) (SPPSO) is presented in this paper. The reconfiguration of the electric ship's power system is formulated as a single objective as well as a multiobjective optimization problem. In the case of multiobjective optimization, the Pareto optimal solutions are obtained by SPPSO from two conflicting objective functions. From the Pareto set, the final solution is chosen depending on users' preferences regarding the mission of the navy ship. SPPSO is a variant of PSO having fewer numbers of particles and regenerating new solutions within the search space every few iterations. This concept of regeneration in SPPSO makes the algorithm fast and greatly enhances its capability. The strength of the proposed reconfiguration strategy is demonstrated on a real-time digital simulator environment.
Determining optimal fallout shelter times following a nuclear detonation

In the event of a single, low-yield nuclear detonation in a major urban area, rapidly providing adequate shelter to affected populations could save 10000100000 individuals from a fatal exposure to ...
Plane Contact Problems

In the previous chapter, we considered problems in which the infinite wedge was loaded on its faces or solely by tractions on the infinite boundary. A related problem of considerable practical importance concerns the wedge with traction-free faces, loaded by a concentrated force F at the vertex, as shown in Figure 12.1.
PVM support for clusters

The latest version of PVM (3.4.3) now contains support for a PC cluster running Linux, also known as a Beowulf system. A PVM user of a computer outside the cluster can add the cluster as a single machine. All details of the cluster are hidden, and spawning to the cluster automatically puts tasks on individual nodes. This will work even if the nodes are on a private network, as long as the user's computer has a way of connecting to the "front-end" of the cluster..
Recovery and Determination of Adsorbed Technetium on Savannah River Site Charcoal Stack Samples

Experimental results are provided for the sample analyses for technetium in charcoal samples placed in-line with a Savannah River Site (SRS) processing stack effluent stream as a part of an environmental surveillance program. The method for Tc removal from charcoal was based on that originally developed with high purity charcoal. Presented is the process that allowed for the quantitative analysis of 99Tc in SRS charcoal stack samples with and without 97Tc as a tracer. The results obtained with the method using the 97Tc tracer quantitatively confirm the results obtained with no tracer added. All samples contain 99Tc at the pg·g−1 level.
On Comparing Cash Flow and Accrual Accounting Models for Use in Equity Valuation

A claim is commonly made that cash and accrual accounting methods for valuing equities must always yield equivalent valuations. A recent paper by Lundholm and O'Keefe (Contemporary Accounting Research, Summer, 2001), for example, claims that, because of this equivalence, there is nothing to be learned from empirical comparison of valuation models. So they dismiss recent research that has shown that accrual accounting residual income models and earnings capitalization models perform, over a range of conditions, better than cash flow or dividend discount models. This paper demonstrates, with examples, that the claim is misquided. Practice inevitably involves forecasting over finite,truncated horizons and the accounting specified in a model - cash versus accrual accounting in particular - is pertinent to valuation with finite horizon forecasting. Indeed, the issue of choosing a valuation model is an issue of specifying pro forma accounting, and so, for finite horizon forecasts, one cannot be indifferent to the accounting.
Low-Standby-Power Bulk MOSFET Design Using High- $k$ Trench Isolation

High-permittivity trench isolation (HTI) is proposed as a means to achieve low off-state leakage current without a high-aspect-ratio or ultrathin body structure. The HTI provides for improved capacitive coupling between the gate and the active region sidewalls, which allows the steep-retrograde body-doping profile to be recessed while suppressing short-channel effects. The result is a lower body-doping concentration at the drain junction, resulting in ~ 10times lower band-to-band tunneling leakage than for a conventional bulk MOSFET design.
Semi-supervised Data Organization for Interactive Anomaly Analysis.

We consider the problem of interactive iterative analysis of datasets that consist of a large number of records represented as feature vectors. The record set is known to contain a number of anomalous records that the analyst desires to locate and describe in a short and comprehensive manner. The nature of the anomaly is not known in advance (in particular, it is not known, which features or feature values identify the anomalous records, and which are irrelevant to the search), and becomes clear only in the process of analysis, as the description of the target subset is gradually refined. This situation is common in computer intrusion analysis, when a forensic analyst browses the logs to locate traces of an intrusion of unknown nature and origin, and extends to other tasks and data sets. To facilitate such "browsing for anomalies", we propose an unsupervised data organization technique for initial summarization and representation of data sets, and a semi-supervised learning technique for iterative modifications of the latter representation. Our approach is based on information content and Jensen-Shannon divergence and is related to information bottleneck methods. We have implemented it as a part of the Kerf log analysis toolkit.
Temperature-shock induction of multiple flagella induces additional synthesis of flagellum specific mRNAs and tubulin.

Abstract Four mRNAs (α- and β-tubulin, flagellar calmodulin and Class-I), specifically expressed when Naegleria amebae differentiate into flagellates, were followed at 5–10 min intervals during the temperature-shock induction of multiple flagella in order to better understand how basal body and flagellum number are regulated. Surprisingly, tubulin synthesis continued during the 37 min temperature shock. An initial rapid decline in α- and β-tubulin and flagellar calmodulin mRNAs was followed by a rapid re-accumulation of mRNAs before the temperature was lowered. mRNA levels continued to increase until they exceeded control levels by 4–21%. Temperature shock delayed flagella formation 37 min, produced twice as much tubulin protein synthesis and three fold more flagella. Labeling with an antibody against Naegleria centrin suggested that basal body formation was also delayed 30–40 min. An extended temperature shock demonstrated that lowering the temperature was not required for return of mRNAs to near control levels suggesting that induction of multiple flagella and the formation of flagella per se are affected in different ways. We suggest that temperature-shock induction of multiple flagella reflects increased mRNA accumulation combined with interference with the regulation of the recently reported microtubule-nucleating complex needed for basal body formation.
The effect of discretized feedback in a closed loop system

When a continuous time control law is implemented using a digital computer, the closed loop system may not have the same stability properties as the system with a true continuous controller due to delay and digitization errors. Using a Lyapunov analysis, this paper shows that, for linear systems and a class of nonlinear systems with discretized feedback, some stability properties can be preserved if the sampling frequency is properly chosen. In particular, we propose a variable sampling interval scheme for linear systems. This scheme is desirable when (1) computer resources are tightly shared by many tasks or (2) power consumption is critical. The effect of truncation error is also studied.
Estimating soil turnover rate from tree uprooting during hurricanes in Puerto Rico

Abstract Soil turnover by tree uprooting in primary and secondary forests on the island of Puerto Rico was measured in 42 study plots in the months immediately after the passage of a Category 3 hurricane. Trunk basal area explained 61% of the variability of mound volume and 53% of the variability of mound area. The proportion of uprooted trees, the number of uprooted trees, or the proportion of uprooted basal area explained 84–85% of the variation in hurricane-created mound area. These same variables explain 79–85% of the variation in mound volume. The study indicates that the soil turnover period from tree uprooting by Puerto Rican hurricanes is between 1600 and 4800 years. These rates are faster than soil turnover by landslides and background treefall in the same area and provide a useful age constraint on soil profile development and soil carbon sequestration in these dynamic landscapes.
Criminal Prosecution of Suicide Attempt Survivors in Ghana

Recently, there have been calls for the decriminalization (or depenalization) of nonfatal suicidal behavior (attempted suicide) in Ghana, India, Uganda, and other societies that currently criminalize nonfatal suicidal behavior. Despite this, there is a dearth of systematic studies that examine the extent, nature, and characteristics of attempted suicide prosecutions in countries that currently criminalize nonfatal suicidal behavior. The current study, therefore, explores the phenomenon of criminal prosecution and punishment for suicide attempters in Ghana, one among several countries where nonfatal suicidal behavior is a crime. Drawing from data extracted from local Ghanaian print and electronic news media articles, the study examines the sociodemographic characteristics of suicide attempt survivors, the patterns of nonfatal suicidal behavior, as well as the criminal justice outcomes of the criminal prosecutions. The findings indicate that the majority of defendants pled guilty to or were found guilty of the charge and sentenced to penalties ranging from monetary fines to incarceration. The results are discussed with regard to their implications for reducing nonfatal suicidal behavior in Ghana.
Evaluating Multi-Agent Traffic Controllers

Many multi-agent traffic control designs have been proposed; each makes different assumptions about the environment, which makes it difficult to compare their performance. In this paper, we present a testbed for flexible and consistent evaluation of multi-agent approaches to urban traffic control. The testbed, an extension of the MASON simulator, varies parameters such as traffic load, existence of arterial street and grid size. We instrument the testbed to collect a set of metrics defined in the literature: delay, normal travel time, number of stops, percent stopped, and wait time ratio. We implement three distinct, well known multi-agent traffic controllers and use the testbed to assess the impact of different scenarios by comparing agent performance. The different metrics highlight clear trade-offs between time and flow metrics, but the more challenging scenarios dilute the distinctions. The testbed supports evaluation, comparative analyses and hybridization of the approaches. We use our analyses to suggest modifications to the agents and show that the agent designs can be improved.
Survey of Blunt Body Dynamic Stability in Supersonic Flow

This survey presents a comprehensive investigation of blunt body dynamic stability. An examination of the experimental, analytical, and computational methods for predicting dynamic stability characteristics, along with the deficiencies accompanying each method is presented. The observed influence of vehicle and environmental parameters on the resulting dynamic response is discussed. Additionally, the proposed physical mechanisms that may govern this complex phenomenon are introduced. There exists a vast amount of literature and test data that is continually growing with each mission. Compiling the observations of dynamic behavior acquired from various test geometries, environments, and techniques, as well as the proposed explanations to the observed trends, sheds light on the validity of the proposed physical mechanisms. This in turn guides future efforts to improve the experimental and computational prediction techniques and further the fundamental understanding of blunt body dynamic stability.
Back-pressure routing and rate control for ICNs

We study a network composed of multiple clusters of wireless nodes. Within each cluster, nodes can communicate directly using the wireless links; however, these clusters are far away such that direct communication between the clusters is impossible except through "mobile" contact nodes. These mobile contact nodes are data carriers that shuffle between clusters and transport data from source to destination clusters. There are several applications of our network model (e.g., clusters of mobile soldiers connected via unmanned aerial vehicles). At the same time, much interest has been garnered by cross-layer design for wireless networks in order to improve efficiency and better allocate resources. In this paper, we focus on queue based cross-layer technique known as back-pressure algorithm. The algorithm is known to be throughput optimal, as well as resilient to disruptions in the network, making it an ideal place to start when designing communication protocols for our intermittently connected network. In this paper, we design a back-pressure routing/rate control algorithm for intermittently connected networks (ICNs). We implement a modified back-pressure routing algorithm on a 16-node experimental test bed, discuss some of the issues regarding design and implementation, and present our experimental results.
SPIRITUALITY, MENTAL HEALTH, PHYSICAL HEALTH, AND HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG WOMEN WITH HIV/AIDS: INTEGRATING SPIRITUALITY INTO MENTAL HEALTH CARE

HIV-positive women have used spirituality as a resource to enhance their psychological well-being and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The purpose of this article is to review the literature about depression among HIV-positive women and to describe the positive associations reported among spirituality, mental health, and HRQOL. This article also advocates the development and use of interventions integrated with spirituality. The incorporation of spirituality into traditional mental health practices can optimize healthcare for HIV-positive women who are diagnosed with depression. A case example is presented and spiritual implications are discussed.
The use of human serum albumin in the management of acute pancreatitis; experimental and clinical observations.

Summary In the dog, the level of circulating serum trypsin inhibitor (antifibrinolysin) and a substrate of trypsin (fibrinogen) have been used as indices to measure the activity of trypsin in the blood stream following acute pancreatitis. From these determinations it would appear that considerably less trypsin appears systemically following pancreatitis than is well tolerated by the dog. Using these indices, it appears that albumin now available does not inhibit trypsin in vivo in either dog or human. Albumin does not inhibit trypsin in vitro . Ten dogs treated with adequate albumin to maintain plasma volume survived surgically-induced pancreatitis; nine dogs receiving inadequate albumin had persistent blood volume deficiencies of 30 per cent or more and all died. Four out of five dogs receiving adequate Dextran to support blood volume survived pancreatitis; six untreated controls all died. Patients treated with 800 to 1200 cc. of albumin over four to six days showed restoration of plasma volume to normal; too few have yet been treated to evaluate the effect of albumin on the course of pancreatitis.
Evaluation of Low Temperature Mortality as a Range-limiting Factor for the Southwestern Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Evolutionary and ecological factors were used to assess the likelihood that low winter temperatures limit the range of Diatraea grandiosella Dyar (southwestern corn borer) in the east central United States. In controlled low-temperature mortality trials, dry diapausing laboratory-reared larvae were exposed for 2 d to constant temperatures, ranging from −6.9 to −10.0°C. Mortality of larvae originating from Indiana at the northern range edge was not significantly different from mortality of larvae from Mississippi, over 500 km to the south. However, larvae from these populations had significantly lower mortality than did those from Arizona, suggesting that selection for increased cold-hardiness may have occurred early in the species’ northeastward invasion of the central United States. Temperatures inside intact maize root crowns, the overwintering location of D. grandiosella, were measured over three winters in fields near the species’ northern range edge. Although air temperatures fell below −19°C for up to five consecutive days, root crown temperatures only approached −8°C for periods of a few hours, due primarily to an underappreciated mitigating effect of freezing soil water. Because larvae originating from the east central United States had >60% survival when exposed to −8.8°C for 2 d in the laboratory trials, mortality at the range edge caused by low temperatures was unlikely to have been severe for dry larvae during the three winters during which temperatures were measured. These results suggest that in most years, low winter temperatures are probably not the most important limiting factor at the species’ northern range edge in the east central United States.
Influence of magnetic-field-caused modifications of trajectories of plasma electrons on spectral line shapes: Applications to magnetic fusion and white dwarfs

A general framework for calculating shapes of hydrogen (or deuterium) spectral lines in strongly-magnetized plasmas with the allowance for spiraling trajectories of perturbing electrons has been developed. It has been shown that in this situation the first order term Φ(1)(B) of the Dyson expansion of the electron broadening operator does not vanish – in distinction to the case of rectilinear trajectories, where the first non-vanishing term appeared only in the second order. An example of the Lyα line has been used to illustrate the effects of the spiraling trajectories. It has been shown that the shape of each of the two σ-components can become a doublet: in addition to the shifted component, there can appear also an unshifted component. Moreover, the shape of each of the two σ-components can also become a triplet: in addition to the shifted and unshifted component, there can appear also a component shifted to the opposite wing of the line. Both the positions and the intensities of the shifted components depend strongly on the magnitude of Φ(1)(B). The primary effect in the entire spectral line is a significant increase of the ratio of the intensity of the central peak to the intensity of any of the two lateral peaks. As practical examples, magnetic fusion plasmas and plasmas of DA white dwarfs have been considered. It is shown that for both of these, physically very different objects, the allowance for the spiraling trajectories of perturbing electrons can be important.