cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimization models for buyer‐supplier negotiations

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose optimization models for assisting in buyer‐supplier negotiations by effectively considering multiple factors and interrelationships among them.Design/methodology/approach – The approach used in the paper involves a combination of data envelopment analysis and multi‐criteria decision models.Findings – Categorizes suppliers into efficient and inefficient performers and identifies effective negotiation strategies with respect to cost, quality, and delivery performance.Originality/value – This original contribution presents models, which buyers can utilize for effectively negotiating with suppliers across a variety of factors.
Adaptive Outlier Detection and Classification for Online Soft Sensor Update

Abstract Data-driven soft sensors that predict the primary variables of a process by using the secondary measurements have drawn increased research interests recently. They are easy to develop and only require a good historical data set. Among them, the partial least squares (PLS) based soft sensor is the most commonly used approach for industrial applications. As industrial processes often experience time-varying changes, it is desirable to update the soft sensor model with the new process data once the soft sensor is implemented online. Because the PLS algorithms are sensitive to outliers in the dataset, outlier detection and handling plays a critical role in the development of the PLS based soft sensors. In this work, we develop a multivariate approach for online outlier detection. In addition, to differentiate outliers caused by erroneous readings from those caused by process changes, we propose a Bayesian supervisory approach to analyze and classify the detected outliers. Finally, to address time-varying nature of industrial processes, we proposed a simple yet effective scheme to update the detection threshold. Both simulated and industrial case studies of the Kamyr digesters are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approaches.
Quantification of the influence of protein-protein interactions on adsorbed protein structure and bioactivity

While protein-surface interactions have been widely studied, relatively little is understood at this time regarding how protein-surface interaction effects are influenced by protein-protein interactions and how these effects combine with the internal stability of a protein to influence its adsorbed-state structure and bioactivity. The objectives of this study were to develop a method to study these combined effects under widely varying protein-protein interaction conditions using hen egg-white lysozyme (HEWL) adsorbed on silica glass, poly(methyl methacrylate), and polyethylene as our model systems. In order to vary protein-protein interaction effects over a wide range, HEWL was first adsorbed to each surface type under widely varying protein solution concentrations for 2h to saturate the surface, followed by immersion in pure buffer solution for 15h to equilibrate the adsorbed protein layers in the absence of additionally adsorbing protein. Periodic measurements were made at selected time points of the areal density of the adsorbed protein layer as an indicator of the level of protein-protein interaction effects within the layer, and these values were then correlated with measurements of the adsorbed protein's secondary structure and bioactivity. The results from these studies indicate that protein-protein interaction effects help stabilize the structure of HEWL adsorbed on silica glass, have little influence on the structural behavior of HEWL on HDPE, and actually serve to destabilize HEWL's structure on PMMA. The bioactivity of HEWL on silica glass and HDPE was found to decrease in direct proportion to the degree of adsorption-induce protein unfolding. A direct correlation between bioactivity and the conformational state of adsorbed HEWL was less apparent on PMMA, thus suggesting that other factors influenced HEWL's bioactivity on this surface, such as the accessibility of HEWL's bioactive site being blocked by neighboring proteins or the surface itself. The developed methods provide an effective means to characterize the influence of protein-protein interaction effects and provide new molecular-level insights into how protein-protein interaction effects combine with protein-surface interaction and internal protein stability effects to influence the structure and bioactivity of adsorbed protein.
Continuous scanning laser Doppler vibrometer for mine detection

The use of acoustic-to-seismic coupling to detect buried landmines has been successfully demonstrated over the past year. The technique uses a laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV) to measure the velocity of the ground vibration as it is being sonified. As it is currently implemented, the LDV scans individual points on the ground. The technique shows much promise, but it is slow when compared to some other techniques. This work investigates the feasibility of acquiring data with the LDV as the beam moves continuously across the ground. Simple models were developed and experiments were performed to explain the cause of this noises. These result are presented and the feasibility of the approach is discussed. It has been shown that this approach is possible, but that the continuous scanning process introduces noise into the data.
Why do small states have big governments

Building on the literature on public finance, this article explores the consequences of political scale for government spending. The central argument is that the tendency for small political units to have big governments is not merely the result of economies of scale in the provision of public goods, but a reflection of the greater pressures for public spending faced by politicians in smaller and more homogeneous political units. The importance of such political pressures relative to other influences on spending is assessed on the basis of subnational data by comparing the relationship between size and spending under democracy and dictatorship. To the extent that government expansion is driven by citizen demands, the impact of size on spending may be expected to be more pronounced under democratic than authoritarian governance. Results from a time-series cross-sectional analysis of growth in government spending are consistent with this expectation. Government growth is shaped not only by the population size of political units but also by the interaction between regime and size. Analysis of spending patterns under democratic rule further indicates that size is an important determinant of spending even after controlling for variations in citizen preferences, political institutions, electoral competitiveness, and economic performance. The results have important theoretical implications for the study of fiscal policy and democratic governance around the world because they suggest that political scale conditions the linkages between citizens and the state, creating widely varying incentives for government growth across differently sized political units.
Design and Validation of an Instrument To Assess Metacognitive Skillfulness in Chemistry Problem Solving

The influence of metacognition on learning and problem solving has been demonstrated, and it is becoming increasingly clear that promoting metacognitive activity can produce substantial improvements in problem solving and learning in chemistry. This article reports the development and validation of an instrument designed to evaluate students’ metacognitive skillfulness in solving chemistry problems: the Metacognitive Activities Inventory (MCAI). This inventory may be used as a diagnostic tool to inform the implementation of interventions, as well as to evaluate the effect of changes in instruction. Reliability of the MCAI was measured in terms of internal consistency, and validity was examined in two dimensions: face validity, and construct validity. Evidence reported in this study indicates that the MCAI is a robust, reliable, and valid instrument.
The guidance molecule Semaphorin III is expressed in regions of spinal cord and periphery avoided by growing sensory axons

The protein collapsin was purified from chick brain on the basis of its ability to inhibit sensory neuron growth cones, implicating this molecule in sensory axon guidance (Luo et al. [1993] Cell 75:217-227). To examine the relationship between collapsin and sensory axon growth, we examined the pattern of mRNA expression of collapsin's mammalian paralogue, Semaphorin III (Sema III), and compared it to dorsal root ganglion (DRG) axon pathways in the developing rat embryo. Centrally, DRG axons enter the spinal cord by embryonic (E) 11 and branch into the gray matter by E15 in brachial and thoracic regions. Laminar specific targets are reached by E17. Between E13 and E17, Sema III mRNA is expressed at high levels in the entire ventral half of the spinal cord except the floor plate. This pattern suggests that Sema III may inhibit non-proprioceptive sensory axons from penetrating the ventral spinal cord. Peripherally, sensory axons have entered the anterior sclerotome by E11 at all rostrocaudal levels. At this age, Sema III mRNA is already expressed in the dermamyotome and ventral aspect of the posterior sclerotome, areas which axons pass between but do not penetrate en route to their peripheral targets. From E12 to E15, the axons lengthen and branch into smaller fascicles which extend toward peripheral targets. During this time, Sema III mRNA is expressed by many mesodermal structures surrounding the axon fascicles, with highest levels observed in the dermamyotome, perinotochordal mesenchyme, pelvic girdle, and limb. As development proceeds, Sema III mRNA expression is quickly downregulated before disappearing by birth. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the gene for Sema III is expressed in central and peripheral regions which are avoided by growing DRG axons. These findings are consistent with the idea that Sema III inhibits growth and branching of axons into inappropriate areas during development.
Parallel computations of high speed jet noise

Calculations are presented of the unsteady flow and noise radiation of high speed circular and rectangular jets. The computations are performed on parallel computers. The simulations use both a traditional LES approach as well as the nonlinear disturbance equations. The formulation and numerical approach are described and the use of a PC cluster for the computations is discussed. The effect on the simultations of several parameters in the numerical method and turbulence model are discussed. Calculations of the jet flow field including the instantaneous and mean velocities are given. Predictions of the radiated noise are based on both a direct calculation and the Kirchhoff method. Comparisons are made with experimental measurements. For the rectangular jets considered the azimuthal asymmetry in the radiated noise field is described.
Measurement of glomerular filtration rate using 99mTc-DTPA and the gamma camera: a comparison of methods

A variety of methods have been proposed to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) from the renal uptake of technetium Tc 99m-DTPA using a gamma camera. To compare alternative methods, we calculated the GFR in several different ways from measurements in 33 patients and compared the results with an independent GFR measurement based on eight-point plasma clearance of ytterbium Yb 169-DTPA. The best agreement was obtained using an algorithm that has not been described previously, in which correction was made for overlap of the kidneys by the liver and spleen. The correlation coefficient was 0.958, and the residual standard deviation was 12.1 ml/min. This method required a single 20-min blood sample as well as the camera data. The best method not requiring a blood sample was significantly less accurate, with a correlation coefficient of 0.837 and a residual standard deviation of 23.1 ml/min. The accuracy of these methods was comparable to that reported for creatinine clearance, the most commonly used estimate of the GFR in current clinical practice.
Interpersonal Influence within Car Buyers' Social Networks: Applying Five Perspectives to Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle Drivers:

Although interpersonal influence is thought to play in important role in proenvironmental consumption behavior, mechanisms of influence are not well understood. Through literature review, we identify five theoretical perspectives on interpersonal influence: contagion, conformity, dissemination, translation, and reflexivity. We apply these perspectives to car buyer perceptions of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), a technology with attributes that can be perceived as functional, symbolic, private, and societal. The context is a PHEV demonstration project in which 275 interpersonal interactions were elicited from interviews with 40 individuals in 11 different social networks in northern California. Results demonstrate how perspectives shape research findings. Contagion, conformity, and dissemination provide useful concepts regarding perceptions of functional, symbolic and societal PHEV attributes, respectively. However, translation and reflexivity provide language and theoretical depth to describe ob...
Photoperiodicity and the function of the hypophysis and the adrenal cortex

The ACTH content of the hypophysis of rats rises from a minimum in the morning to a maximum in the evening hours. These fluctuations are associated with the diurnal rhythm of light and darkness, and are abolished under conditions of continual light or darkness for 30 days. Rhythmic fluctuations of the ascorbic acid content of the adrenals are also found, with maximum values in the evening, and these are likewise abolished by maintenance under conditions of constant illumination.
An empirical test of the two-threshold model of disease transmission

Summary Recent research on diabetes mellitus has revealed the existence of at least two independent subtypes. The multifactorial analysis method suggested by Reich & co-workers (1972) for testing the independence of transmission between subtypes of a complex disorder agrees with this distinction. These techniques were also sensitive to the non-unitary nature of the mental retardation within a sample of subjects drawn from the data set of Reed & Reed (1965). Therefore, we believe that this analysis could be a valuable adjunct to the limited repertoire of methods currently available to psychiatric researchers for dealing with issues of differential diagnosis.
Test of a model of efficient second-harmonic generation in glass optical fibers.

To test a model recently proposed to account for the observation of efficient second-harmonic generation in glass fibers, we have applied a strong dc electric field to the glass preform from which the fibers were drawn. We find that at most a temporary χ(2) is induced, with a lifetime of a few minutes.
MICROSURGICAL CLIPPING AND ENDOVASCULAR COILING OF INTRACRANIAL ANEURYSMS : A CRITICAL REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

OBJECTIVEAlthough endovascular coiling has been used for 15 years in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms, fewer than 60 published studies have directly compared microsurgical clipping and endovascular coiling, and only two studies have used a randomized, prospective design. The objective of this
Circadian Biology: A Neuropeptide Is Bound To Activate Its Receptor

How do circadian pacemaker neurons provide timekeeping signals by which daily rhythms are organized? Recent technological innovations in the fruitfly model system have allowed observations which suggest some important synchronizing signals may themselves not be gated.
FISH analysis of genetic markers of prognosis for high grade astrocyotmas using tissue micro-arrays from RTOG clinical trials

D.J. Brat, W. Seiferheld, A. Perry, E.H. Hammond, K.J. Murray, A. Schulsinger, M.P. Mehta, W. Curran Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, Statistics, Radiation Therapy Oncology Group, Philadelphia, PA, Pathology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, Pathology, LDS Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT, Radiation Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, Radiation Oncology, SUNY Health Sciences Center, Brooklyn, NY, Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, WI, Radiation Oncology, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA
Intensity-invariance of fine time structure in basilar-membrane click responses: implications for cochlear mechanics.

Basilar-membrane and auditory-nerve responses to impulsive acoustic stimuli, whether measured directly in response to clicks or obtained indirectly using cross- or reverse-correlation and/or Fourier analysis, manifest a striking symmetry: near-invariance with stimulus intensity of the fine time structure of the response over almost the entire dynamic range of hearing. This paper explores the origin and implications of this symmetry for cochlear mechanics. Intensity-invariance is investigated by applying the EQ-NL theorem [de Boer, Aud. Neurosci. 3, 377–388 (1997)] to define a family of linear cochlear models in which the strength of the active force generators is controlled by a real-valued, intensity-dependent parameter, γ (with 0⩽γ⩽1). The invariance of fine time structure is conjectured to imply that as γ is varied the poles of the admittance of the cochlear partition remain within relatively narrow bands of the complex plane oriented perpendicular to the real frequency axis. Physically, the conjecture implies that the local resonant frequencies of the cochlear partition are nearly independent of intensity. Cochlear-model responses, computed by extending the model obtained by solution of the inverse problem in squirrel monkey at low sound levels [Zweig, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 89, 1229–1254 (1991)] with three different forms of the intensity dependence of the partition admittance, support the conjecture. Intensity-invariance of cochlear resonant frequencies is shown to be consistent with the well-known “half-octave shift,” describing the shift with intensity in the peak (or best) frequency of the basilar-membrane frequency response. Shifts in best frequency do not arise locally, via changes in the underlying resonant frequencies of the partition, but globally through the intensity dependence of the driving pressure. Near-invariance of fine time structure places strong constraints on the mechanical effects of force generation by outer hair cells. In particular, the symmetry requires that the feedback forces generated by outer hair cells (OHCs) not significantly affect the natural resonant frequencies of the cochlear partition. These results contradict many, if not most, cochlear models, in which OHC forces produce significant changes in the reactance and resonant frequencies of the partition.
Scaffolding for multiple assignment projects in CS1 and CS2

This paper describes several projects which are used to support multiple assignments in CS 1 and CS 2. Each project has evolved into its present configuration over several years. This paper focuses specifically on various types of scaffolding used to increase the effectiveness of such projects, and identifies some lessons learned and best practices for faculty seeking to adapt or create such projects for their own environments.
Life orientation and post-mortem reorientation of Chesterian brachiopod shells by paleocurrents

Pediculate, biconvex brachiopods from the Chesterian (Late Mississippian) Chainman Formation of the Confusion Range, Westcentral Utah, lived with their commissures steeply inclined to the sediment surface. This inference is based on 1) commensal epizoans localized anteriorly on both valves, 2) abrasion equally well developed on the posterior of both valves, 3) preservation of specimens attached to skeletal clasts, and 4) flume experiments that reveal the advantages of the erect orientation for lateral inhalant flow between the valves. Experiments show that concavo-convex brachiopods (Linoproductus, Inflatia) are hydrodynamically most stable in their reclining life orientation. Winged taxa (Punctospirifer) and non-winged taxa (Anthracospirifer, Reticulariina) with broad interareas are next in order of stability in their life orientation. Brachiopods with a small interarea (Schizophoria) or no interarea (Rhipidomella) show moderate to very low stability, respectively. Brachiopods with curved hinge lines (Composita, Cleiothyridina, Eumetria, Hustedia) also show low stability in life orientation. Taphonomic data are consistent with these results. Concavo-convex and bioconvex, winged shells, as well as non-winged forms with broad interareas, were most often found anterior-posteriorly crushed by sediment compaction, indicating burial in life orientation. Forms with small interareas and with curved hingelines are often dorsoventrally flattened or laterally compressed, indicating reorientation by currents before burial and sediment compaction. This Chainman brachiopod fauna experienced moderate currents, competent to destabilize the shells selectively from the array of shapes. Frequencies of preservation of shells in life orientation are expected to vary with the hydrodynamic stability of the shape. This is a potentially reliable indicator of paleocurrent competencies in brachiopod community transitions across the paleoslope or from proximal to distal portions of tempestites.
In Vitro Susceptibility Testing with Tobramycin

Tobramycin (nebramycin factor 6) is an aminoglycoside antibiotic active in vitro against many gram-negative species and Staphylococcus aureus . The susceptibility of 191 recently isolated pathogenic bacteria to tobramycin was measured by both a routine broth dilution procedure and the FDA standardized disc technique using a 10-μg disc. Twenty-five isolates each of Escherichia, Enterobacter, Klebsiella , indole-negative Proteus, Pseudomonas, Serratia , and S. aureus , and 16 isolates of group D enterococci were tested. The greatest activity was seen with S. aureus and Pseudomonas species; nearly all isolates of both were inhibited by 0.20 μg or less per ml. Tobramycin was slightly less active against Klebsiella and Enterobacter and moderately active against Escherichia and Proteus , with most isolates of these genera being inhibited by 1.56 μg/ml. Neither Serratia nor the enterococci were particularly susceptible. Correlations between zones of inhibition around the 10-μg disc and minimal inhibitory concentrations were determined, and a zone diameter of 16 mm was recommended as the critical point for prediction of susceptibility.
Wavelength‐Modulated Spectra of the Optical Properties of β′‐CuxZn1−x from 1.5 to 5.1 eV at the β′ ⇄ α + β′ Phase Transition

Wavelength-modulated derivative spectra of the reflectivity of β'-CuxZn1-x are determined between 1.5 and 5.1 eV for compositions near the β' ⇄ α + β' phase transition. The alloys are annealed and quenched in the β' phase on both sides of the phase transition. Both the intraband and interband properties show marked changes at the transition. The Drude effective mass increases dramatically for the β' phase in the region where α + β' composition is thermodynamically preferred, indicating flattening of the bands. Shifts in interband properties also show a marked change at the phase transition, with the conduction bands showing a much greater sensitivity than the d-bands. Wellenlangen-modulierte Ableitungsspektren des Reflexionskoeffizienten von β'-CuxZn1-x werden zwischen 1,5 und 5,1 eV fur Zusammensetzungen nahe des β' ⇄ α + β'-Phasenubergangs bestimmt. Die Legierungen werden in der β'-Phase auf beiden Seiten des Phasenubergangs getempert und abgeschreckt. Sowohl die Interband- als auch die Intrabandeigenschaften zeigen ausgepragte Anderungen am Ubergang. Drudes effektive Masse steigt fur die β'-Phase in dem Bereich, wo die α + β'-Zusammensetzung thermodynamisch bevorzugt ist, dramatisch an, was ein Abflachen der Bander anzeigt. Verschiebungen der Interbandeigenschaften bestatigen diese Deutung und weisen auf konkurrierende physikalische Mechanismen hin, die diese Verschiebungen verursachen.
Some comments on visual perception and the use of video playback in animal behavior studies

Video playback experiments are potentially powerful tools in behavioral research. A video screen mimics natural color, brightness, texture, and motion to humans (for which it was designed) because monitors stimulate human photoreceptors in approximately the same relative proportions as the stimuli that they mimic. Because most animals have vision that is very different from that of humans their cones may be stimulated very differently from ours, and an image that looks excellent to us may be unrecognizable to them, and vice versa. In this article we summarize how the simulation of a monitor works and the ways it can go wrong, using a bird and a fish model retina as examples. Finally we make some recommendations for minimizing some of these problems.
Inhibition of mitochondrial permeability transition pores by cyclosporine A improves cytochrome C oxidase function and increases rate of ATP synthesis in failing cardiomyocytes.

Background: We previously showed that mitochondrial respiratory function is abnormal in dogs with chronic heart failure (HF). Mitochondrial permeability transition pores (MPTP) can affect mitochondrial inner membrane potential (Δ m) and mitochondrial function in normal cardiomyocytes. The potential impact of MPTP on Δ m and mitochondrial respiratory function in HF has not yet been determined. We tested the hypothesis that cyclosporine A, a potent blocker of the MPTP, can improve mitochondrial function in HF. Methods: Cardiomyocytes were isolated from the left ventricular myocardium of 7 dogs with HF produced by intracoronary microembolizations and from 7 normal dogs. Cardiomyocytes were treated for 24 hours with cyclosporine A. Δ m, cytochrome c oxidase protein expression, mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase-dependent respiration (CDOR) and ATP synthesis were measured. Results: Δ m, protein expression of cytochrome c oxidase, CDOR and the rate of ATP synthesis were decreased in HF compared to normal controls. Inhibition of MPTP in failing cardiomyocytes with low dose of cyclosporine A (0.2 μM) increased Δ m, preserved expression of cytochrome c oxidase, improved CDOR and the rate of ATP synthesis. Conclusion: MPTP opening contributes to the loss of mitochondrial function observed in the failing heart. Inhibition of MPTP opening represents a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of HF.
Agents to assist in finding help

When a novice needs help, often the best solution is to find a human expert who is capable of answering the novice's questions. But often, novices have difficulty characterizing their own questions and expertise and finding appropriate experts. Previous attempts to assist expertise location have provided matchmaking services, but leave the task of classifying knowledge and queries to be performed manually by the participants. We introduce Expert Finder, an agent that automatically classifies both novice and expert knowledge by autonomously analyzing documents created in the course of routine work. Expert Finder works in the domain of Java programming, where it relates a user's Java class usage to an independent domain model. User models are automatically generated that allow accurate matching of query to expert without either the novice or expert filling out skill questionnaires. Testing showed that automatically generated profiles matched well with experts' own evaluation of their skills, and we achieved a high rate of matching novice questions with appropriate experts.
E-government in China: deployment and driving forces of provincial government portals

Many countries expect e-government to increase the efficiency of public administration and revitalize government–citizen interaction. This paper reviews the existing research on e-government and expands it with a detailed examination of China, where e-government development is considered an important component of the national informatization strategy. To assess the status and driving factors of deployment, a detailed inventory of the e-government capacities of all Chinese provinces was created, allowing a more nuanced assessment than earlier studies. Although the data reveal that information delivery and basic interactional and communicative features dominate, the study also finds a range of advanced transactional and participatory services offered. Furthermore, despite strong guidance by the central government, distinct regional disparities are visible; these can be explained by differences in government spending on science and technology, economic resources, education, and urbanization rate.
Detection of Rainfall Events Using Underwater Passive Aquatic Sensors and Air–Sea Temperature Changes in the Tropical Pacific Ocean

Abstract Several years of long-term high temporal resolution ocean ambient noise data from the tropical Pacific Ocean are analyzed to detect oceanic rainfall. Ocean ambient noise generated by rainfall and wind are identified through an acoustic discrimination process. Once the spectra are classified, wind speed and rainfall rates are quantified using the empirical algorithms. Rainfall-rate time series have temporal resolutions of 1 min. These data provide a unique opportunity to study the rainfall events and patterns in two different climate regions, the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) of the tropical eastern Pacific (10° and 12°N, 95°W) and the equatorial western Pacific (0°, 165°E). At both locations the rain events have a mean rainfall of 15 mm h−1, but the events are longer in the eastern Pacific. After the rain event is defined, the probability that a rain event can be detected using the change in air–sea temperature often associated with the rainfall is investigated. The result shows that the ...
Physical properties of flagellin from Proteus vulgaris, a study involving the application of the Archibald sedimentation principle.

Abstract The molecular weight of flagellin, the subunit of flagella, from Proteus vulgaris was determined under various conditions by analytical ultracentrifugation employing the Archibald principle. In the absence of salt flagellin exists as a monomer (mol. wt. = ca. 20,000) below pH 3.8 and as a dimer at a pH above 4.5; the dimer is stable up to a pH of ca. 12. Trautman plots for flagellin in the transition region, and also time experiments indicate that the monomer-dimer equilibrium is attained fairly rapidly. An increase in ionic strength or a decrease in temperature increases the amount of dimer in the transition region. During the dissociation of the dimer a fairly large number of hydrogen ions ( q = 4–6) is taken up; this uptake can be most plausibly explained by the postulation that the ionization constants of carboxyl groups decrease as the dimer dissociates. The entropy of dissociation is strikingly similar to that of insulin and much smaller than expected on the basis of the simple increase in translational and rotational freedom. When the pH of flagellin solutions is lowered below pH 3.8, a change of optical rotation can be observed that is interpreted as an unfolding of the monomer accompanied by considerable loss of secondary and tertiary structure. This apparent unfolding is not prerequisite to the dissociation of the dimer which is essentially complete at pH 3.8 where the change in optical rotation is slight. In addition to monomer and dimer, under certain conditions flagellin also forms a rather stable seemingly spherical polymer. No aggregates of intermediate size have been observed in this study.
Association between daily pain and physical function among old–old adults living in the community: Results from the ilSIRENTE study

Little is known about the impact of pain on physical function among old-old subjects. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to assess the association of daily pain with muscle strength and physical performance in a population of subjects aged 80 or older living in the community. We used data from baseline evaluation of the ilSIRENTE Study. Muscle strength was measured by hand grip strength. Physical performance was assessed using the physical performance battery score, which is based on three timed tests: 4-m walking speed, balance, and chair stand tests. Daily pain was defined as any type of pain or discomfort in any part of the body manifested every day over the 7 days preceding the assessment. Mean age of 273 participants was 85.1 (SD 4.6) years, 181 (66.3%) were women and 150 (54.9%) reported daily pain. After adjustment for potential confounders, participants with daily pain had lower grip strength and physical performance battery score (indicating worse performance) than other participants (hand grip strength: daily pain 31.5 kg, SE 1.4, no daily pain 35.0, SE 1.1, p = 0.02; physical performance battery score: daily pain 6.5, SE 0.3, no daily pain 7.2, SE 0.3, p = 0.05). Both hand grip strength and physical performance battery score progressively declined as pain severity increased. In conclusion, the present study shows that among old-old subjects living in the community, daily pain is highly prevalent and that this condition is associated with impaired muscle strength and physical performance.
1024 × 1024 HgCdTe CMOS camera for infrared imaging magnetograph of Big Bear Solar Observatory

The InfraRed Imaging Magnetograph (IRIM) 1,2 is a two-dimensional narrow-band solar spectro-polarimeter currently being developed at Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO). It works in the near infrared (NIR) from 1.0 μm to 1.7 μm and possesses high temporal resolution, high spatial resolution, high spectral resolving power, high magnetic sensitivity. As the detector of IRIM, the 1024 x 1024 HgCdTe TCM8600 CMOS camera manufactured by the Rockwell Scientific Company plays a very important role in acquiring the high precision solar spectropolarimetry data. In order to make the best use of it for solar observation, the characteristic evaluation was carried out at BBSO and National Solar Observatory (NSO), Sacramento Peak in October 2003. The paper presents a series of measured performance parameters including linearity, readout noise, gain, full well capacity, hot pixels, dark, flat field, frame rate, vacuum, low temperature control, etc., and shows some solar infrared narrow band imaging observation results.
Static coating of 5 to 50 μm I.D. capillary columns for open tubular column chromatography

Abstract Dichlorofluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane and tetramethylsilane were used in the static coating of small diameter capillary columns (5 to 50 μm I.D.) in order to obtain highly efficient columns for gas and supercritical fluid chromatography. Capillary columns of 5-, 10-, 25-, and 50-μm I.D. were coated with stationary phase films of SE-33, SE-54, OV-215, 50% n-octyl, 45% phenoxypolyethyl ether, 50% liquid crystal, 25% biphenyl, 50% pentafluorophenyl and 50% cyanopropyl polysiloxane stationary phases. Resultant evaluations of these columns in gas chromatography gave approximately 9000, 66 000, 45 000, and 19 000 plates m−1, respectively, for the different internal diameters. Important parameters which affect coating efficiency are identified and discussed in detail.
13C n.m.r. study of phase heterogeneity in poly(phenylene sulphide)

Abstract Solid state 13C n.m.r. was used to study the phase heterogeneity of poly(phenylene sulphide), PPS, at room temperature. Relative fractions of crystal, rigid amorphous and liquid-like amorphous phases were determined from X-ray and thermal analyses. Samples containing very different fractions were examined using cross-polarization contact time and spin-lattice relaxation measurements. The optimum carbon/porton contact time for cross-polarization/magic angle spinning studies was found to be ∼ 1000 μs. Peak intensity of the protonated carbons was studied as a function of delay time. A pronounced amorphous halo exists in the n.m.r. spectrum of PPS films containing a large fraction of liquid-like amorphous phase, and the halo decreases significantly with increasing delay time. A very insignificant halo exists in the n.m.r. spectrum of PPS containing a large fraction of rigid amorphous phase. We conclude that this halo is from the most mobile, liquid-like amorphous phase. Using spin-lattice relaxation measurements, we studied the dynamic heterogeneous phase behaviour of PPS. Here we find that from the standpoint of spin-lattice relaxation time, T1, 100% amorphous PPS shows phase heterogeneity at room temperature. The longest T1 is ∼ 45 s, corresponding to a mass fraction of 0.57. In semicrystalline PPS, spin-lattice relaxation measurements show a much larger amount of the material possesses longer relaxation time. The T1 of semicrystalline PPS ranges from 150 to 200 s, corresponding to mass fractions of 0.91–0.94. This indicates that semicrystalline PPS is more nearly homogeneous: the crystals and most of the amorphous phase are very ‘rigid’ at temperatures far below the glass transition of PPS.
Spectrum upconversion and downconversion in (Tm3+,Yb3+) and (Tb3+,Yb3+) co-doped fluorosilicate glass

ABSTRACT We investigated the upconversion an d downconversion luminescence in (Tm 3+ ,Yb 3+ ) and (Tb ,Yb ) co-doped lithium-lanthanum-aluminosilicate oxyfluoride glass. Upon excitation at 980 nm, where crystalline CdTe solar cells no longer absorb, the sub-bandgap photons can be converted to th e higher-energy ones via upconversion. In addition, under excitation between 470 nm and 490 nm, one blue photon might be split up to two near-infrared ones via downconversion. The downconversion luminescence matches the spectral response of crystalline Si solar cell well. We observed much more intense upconversion luminescence from (Tm 3+ , Yb ) codoped glass than that from (Tb , Yb 3+ ) codoped glass under the same 980 nm excitation conditions. Our results indicate that the sequential energy transfer from Yb 3+ ions to Tm ions is much more efficient than the cooperative ener gy transfer from Yb 3+ ions to Tb ions. Keywords: Glass, Spectrum conversion, Rare-e arth ions, Luminescence, Solar cell.
The responses of bonobos (Pan paniscus) to their mirror images: Evidence of selfrecognition

This research examined the responses of bonobos (Pan paniscus) to their mirror images. Nine bonobos were presented alternately with the reflective and non-reflective sides of a mirror. The apes exhibited considerable interest in the mirror, and immature animals exhibited higher frequencies of contingent action and inactive looking than did adults. four animals used the mirror to inspect parts of their bodies that were otherwise not visible to them, indicating that bonobos are capable of self-recognition.
Phase I trial of maintenance sorafenib after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 internal tandem duplication acute myeloid leukemia.

Abstract The fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) mutation is associated with a high relapse rate for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) even after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Sorafenib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, which inhibits the FLT3 tyrosine kinase and has shown encouraging activity in FLT3-ITD AML. We conducted a phase I trial of maintenance sorafenib after HSCT in patients with FLT3-ITD AML (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01398501). Patients received a variety of conditioning regimens and graft sources. A dose escalation 3 + 3 cohort design was used to define the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), with an additional 10 patients treated at the MTD. Sorafenib was initiated between days 45 and 120 after HSCT and continued for 12 28-day cycles. Twenty-two patients were enrolled (status at HSCT: first complete remission [CR1], n = 16; second complete remission [CR2], n = 3; refractory, n = 3). The MTD was established at 400 mg twice daily with 1 dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) observed (pericardial effusion). Two patients died of transplantation-related causes, both unrelated to sorafenib. Two patients stopped sorafenib after relapse and 5 stopped because of attributable toxicities after the DLT period. Median follow-up for surviving patients is 16.7 months after HSCT (range, 8.1 to 35.0). There was 1 case of grade II acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after starting sorafenib and the 12-month cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD was 38% (90% confidence interval [CI], 21% to 56%). For all patients, 1-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 85% (90% CI, 66% to 94%) and 1-year overall survival (OS) was 95% (90% CI, 79% to 99%) after HSCT. For patients in CR1/CR2 before HSCT (n = 19), 1-year PFS was 95% (90% CI, 76% to 99%) and 1-year OS was 100%, with only 1 patient who relapsed. Sorafenib is safe after HSCT for FLT3-ITD AML and merits further investigation for the prevention of relapse.
Entangled photon pair generation with quantum dot molecules

Here we propose a mechanism to generate entangled photon pairs that makes use of double dot quantum dot molecules. Molecular biexciton and molecular exciton states allow us to circumvent the which-path problem that, in most cases, makes the use of single quantum dots technologically challenging.
Personality, Burnout, and Longevity among Professional Music Therapists

The purpose of this study was to examine possible relationships between personality, burnout level, longevity, and demographic variables among professional music therapists. The Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) were used to test personality and burnout. Subjects were 137 professional music therapists from all seven American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) regions with an overall average longevity of 17.85 years. The 16PF showed the personality traits that most describe music therapists are emotional sensitivity, reasoning, apprehension, warmth, openness to change, self-reliance, extraversion, anxiety, abstractedness, rule-consciousness, and self-control. Logistic regressions showed that the personality factor of anxiety (p < .007) significantly predicts the MBI-HSS subscale of emotional exhaustion and the personality factor of dominance (p < .01) significantly predicts the MBI-HSS subscale of personal accomplishment. While no personality factor significantly predicts the MBI-HSS subscales of depersonalization, social boldness (p < 0.07) and vigilance (p < .09) strongly contributed to this relationship. Logistic regressions also showed that highest degree earned is significantly (p < .000) predictive of longevity. Since the overall burnout level was in the average range, in essence this study described the profile of music therapists who are staying and thriving in the profession.
A Gray-Box Based Virtual SCFM Meter in Rooftop Air-Conditioning Units

Knowledge of supply airflow rate (SCFM) measurement in packaged rooftop air-conditioning units (RTUs) is vital for improving energy management and indoor air quality and facilitating real-time automated control and fault detection and diagnosis. Despite the importance of SCFM measurement in RTUs, the conventional SCFM metering devices are very vulnerable. The credibility of SCFM measurement would be compromised dramatically after a long-term use in adverse duct work surroundings. Moreover, application of conventional SCFM meters in RTUs is very costly in regard to procurement, installation, and periodic maintenance. A cost-effective and accurate nonconventional first principles based SCFM meter in RTUs was proposed previously to virtually monitor SCFM measurement. In order to overcome the deficiencies of the first principles based virtual SCFM meter in model implementation and fault diagnostics, experiments with a wider combination and coverage are investigated in this study. It is found that a gray-box based virtual SCFM meter can be obtained with available system information (outside air damper status) and low-cost temperature measurements (direct measurement of a manufacturer-installed supply air temperature sensor (SAT mfr,meas ) and outside air temperature). Further experiment evaluations demonstrate that the gray-box based virtual SCFM meter could predict the true value of SCFM very accurately (the uncertainty is ±5.9%) with significantly enhanced applicability in model implementation and capability in fault diagnostics. Additionally, the gray-box based virtual SCFM meter also inherits good characteristics of the first principles based virtual SCFM meter, such as high cost-effectiveness, good robustness against variations in multivariable operating conditions, and applicability to similar RTUs. This innovative virtual meter could serve as a permanent monitoring tool to indicate real-time SCFM measurement and/or to automatically detect and diagnose an improper quantity of SCFM for RTUs.
A point set puzzle revisited

Two discrete point sets in R^n are said to be homometric if their difference sets coincide. Homometric point sets were first studied in the 1930s in connection with the interpretation of x-ray diffraction patterns; today they appear in many contexts. Open questions still abound, even for point sets on the line. Under what conditions does a difference set S-S characterize S uniquely? If it does not, how can we find all the sets S"i,i=1,..., that give rise to it, and how are these sets related?
Using Focus Groups to Investigate Issues of Red Light Running

Red light running (RLR) has been an important issue among transportation officials seeking to make intersections safer for drivers and pedestrians. Many cities in the United States have started programs aimed at reducing the number of red light violations, and many of these programs include the use of automated enforcement utilizing a camera to record violations. Previous research on such enforcement has quantified the rate of its public acceptance through surveys; however, little research has been performed probing the reactions and concerns of the public toward red light cameras. For this study, focus groups were used to investigate the attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions of the public toward RLR and red light cameras. Fifteen focus groups were held throughout North Carolina with representatives from organizations interested in and knowledgeable about traffic safety, traffic engineering, and traffic law enforcement, as well as with people not professionally involved in law enforcement or traffic engineering. Some of the focus group discussions involved such issues as determining an appropriate RLR grace period, developing an educational campaign, addressing financial issues, and determining appropriate penalties for RLR violations. Participants voiced their opinions on both sides of the issues; for instance, many participants said they strongly believed there should be some sort of grace period with automated enforcement, whereas others said they felt a zero-tolerance policy should be used. Also, many participants voiced their unequivocal support for automated enforcement, whereas others expressed concerns.
The local interstellar medium. IV - The line of sight to Upsilon Scorpii

Profile fitting of Copernicus UV absorption lines separates out four components in the line of sight to Upsilon Sco. Velocities for three of the components, including the two components associated with major H I and H II regions, are in excellent agreement with the corresponding components in the nearby line of sight to Lambda Sco. The velocity of the remaining component is between the velocities of the two remaining Lambda Sco components. Column densities of the various ionization stages of C, N, Si, S, and Ar in the major H I and H II regions are in reasonable agreement with those determined from the Lambda Sco observations, with four notable exceptions. In Upsilon Sco there is more N II and substantially less S III in the H I component and significantly less N I and Si III in the H II component.