cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Uranium-Series Dating of Corals and Oolites from Bahaman and Florida Key Limestones.

Samples of fossil coral and oolite from marine formations of the Bahamas and the Florida Keys have been analyzed for their concentrations of uranium and thorium isotopes. Ages calculated from the ratio Th230: U234 clearly indicate periods of marine limestone formation at about 85,000, 130,000, and 190,000 years ago, implying that the surface of the ocean was then close to its present level.
Solvent isotope effects on α-glucosidase

Abstract The solvent kinetic isotope effects (SKIE) on the yeast α-glucosidase-catalyzed hydrolysis of p -nitrophenyl and methyl- d -glucopyranoside were measured at 25 °C. With p -nitrophenyl- d -glucopyranoside (pNPG), the dependence of k cat / K m on pH (pD) revealed an unusually large (for glycohydrolases) solvent isotope effect on the pL-independent second-order rate constant, DOD ( k cat / K m ), of 1.9 (±0.3). The two p K a s characterizing the pH profile were increased in D 2 O. The shift in p K a2 of 0.6 units is typical of acids of comparable acidity (p K a =6.5), but the increase in p K a1 (=5.7) of 0.1 unit in going from H 2 O to D 2 O is unusually small. The initial velocities show substrate inhibition ( K is / K m ∼200) with a small solvent isotope effect on the inhibition constant [ DOD K is =1.1 (±0.2)]. The solvent equilibrium isotope effects on the K is for the competitive inhibitors d -glucose and α-methyl d -glucoside are somewhat higher [ DOD K i =1.5 (±0.1)]. Methyl glucoside is much less reactive than pNPG, with k cat 230 times lower and k cat / K m 5×10 4 times lower. The solvent isotope effect on k cat for this substrate [=1.11 (±0. 02)] is lower than that for pNPG [=1.67 (±0.07)], consistent with more extensive proton transfer in the transition state for the deglucosylation step than for the glucosylation step.
Limitations of Foxp3+ Treg depletion following viral infection in DEREG mice☆

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a critical role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and preventing the development of immunopathology. Depletion of REGulatory T cell (DEREG) mice express a diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR)-eGFP transgene under the control of the Foxp3 promoter allowing for Treg depletion following diphtheria toxin (DT) administration. DEREG mice have been utilized to investigate the role of Tregs in a wide range of disease settings. Administration of DT to naive DEREG mice resulted in the rapid depletion of Foxp3+ Tregs from the peripheral blood. However, by day 4 post-DT administration, a GFP− Foxp3+ Treg population emerged that lacked expression of the DTR transgene and was resistant to further depletion by additional DT treatment. We further evaluated the impact of Treg depletion during both acute and chronic viral infections. Similar to naive mice, Treg numbers rapidly rebounded during an inflammatory setting following an acute viral infection. DT treatment of both wild-type (WT) and DEREG mice following both acute and chronic viral infections induced exacerbated disease as compared to PBS-treated controls. Furthermore, following a chronic systemic viral infection, DT treatment resulted in nearly 100% mortality in both WT and DEREG mice while the PBS-treated controls survived. Our results demonstrate that Treg depletion in DEREG mice is transient and that DT administration can have adverse effects during virus-induced inflammation and highlights the critical need to include DT-treated WT mice when using DTR models to control for DT-mediated toxicity.
Russian Nation-building from Yel'tsin to Medvedev: Ethnic, Civic or Purposefully Ambiguous?

Abstract This article surveys nation-building efforts in post-Soviet Russia. There have been five main nation-building projects reflecting the dominant ways of imagining the ‘true’ Russian nation but each has been fraught with contradictions and therefore have been unable to easily guide state policies. At the same time, a solution to the Russian nation-building dilemma may be emerging. This solution does not resolve the contradictions associated with each of the nation-building agendas but instead legalises the ambiguous definition of the nation's boundaries in the 1999 law on compatriots and the 2010 amendments to it. The fuzzy definition of compatriots in the law allows Russia to pursue a variety of objectives and to target a variety of groups without solving the contradictions of existing nation-building discourses.
The impact of emergency medical services on the ED care of severe sepsis.

Abstract Objective The identification and treatment of critical illness is often initiated by emergency medical services (EMS) providers. We hypothesized that emergency department (ED) patients with severe sepsis who received EMS care had more rapid recognition and treatment compared to non-EMS patients. Methods This was a prospective observational study of ED patients with severe sepsis treated with early goal-directed therapy (EGDT).We included adults with suspected infection, evidence of systemic inflammation, and either hypotension after a fluid bolus or elevated lactate. Prehospital and ED clinical variables and outcomes data were collected. The primary outcome was time to initiation of antibiotics in the ED. Results There were 311 patients, with 160 (51.4%) transported by EMS. Emergency medical services–transported patients had more organ failure (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, 7.0 vs 6.1; P = .02), shorter time to first antibiotics (111 vs 146 minutes, P = .001), and shorter time from triage to EGDT initiation (119 vs 160 minutes, P = .005) compared to non–EMS-transported patients. Among EMS patients, if the EMS provider indicated a written impression of sepsis, there was a shorter time to antibiotics (70 vs 122 minutes, P = .003) and a shorter time to EGDT initiation (69 vs 131 minutes, P = .001) compared to those without an impression of sepsis. Conclusions In this prospective cohort, EMS provided initial care for half of the patients with severe sepsis requiring EGDT. Patients presented by EMS had more organ failure and a shorter time to both antibiotic and EGDT initiation in the ED.
A Time and Space Efficient Net Extractor

We develop an efficient algorithm for net extraction. This algorithm is able to efficiently handle very large layouts even when memory is limited. This is done by effectively using disk storage. The algorithm has been programmed in Fortran and is superior to other existing net extractors.
Venue attacks in location-based social networks

Location-Based Social Networks (LBSNs), such as Foursquare, Yelp and Facebook Place, have attracted many people, including business owners who use LBSNs to promote their businesses. A physical location is called a venue or a place of interest in an LBSN. Associated with each venue are several attributes, such as its latitude and longitude values, and the discounts/coupons users can use. LBSN users usually tend to trust venues, which is becoming a key focus of various attacks [7, 10]. By manipulating attributes related to venues, however, an attacker can deceive users, compromise their privacy and destroy the reputation of the venues in an LBSN. In this paper, we call the attacks targeting venues as venue attacks. We first investigate and characterize such attacks in Foursquare, Yelp and Facebook Place. We then study what makes such attacks successful and discuss potential defense approaches against these attacks. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to characterize various venue attacks in LBSNs.
Representation type and union success in certification elections

Many different variables have been used to predict union certification election success; however, none of the studies has explored the impact of representation type. Using NLRB election data for the period from April 1980 through September 1990, we found that affiliation of a local union with the AFL-CIO was detrimental to the success rate of unions in single union and contested certification elections. We offer preliminary interpretations based on fundamental economic themes often applied to collective choice and conclude with implications for union organizing policy.
A Novel Analog Photonic Method for Broadband Multipath Interference Cancellation

A novel analog optical technique for multipath interference cancellation of broadband signals is proposed. Multiple optical compensation branches are utilized to replicate wireless multipath channel effects. The duplicated signal is subtracted from the total received signal to recover the signal of interest while suppressing interference. The proposed architecture achieved 40 dB of cancellation over 200 MHz and 50 dB over 10 MHz. The depth and broadband nature of the cancellation demonstrates the precision of optical components and the validity of our interference cancellation scheme.
Toluene inducing acute respiratory failure in a spray paint sniffer

Background: Toluene, formerly known as toluol, is an aromatic hydrocarbon that is widely used as an industrial feedstock and as a solvent. Like other solvents, toluene is sometimes also used as an inhalant drug for its intoxicating properties. It has potential to cause multiple effects in the body including death.
An X-ray study of two Crablike supernova remnants - 3C 58 and CTB 80

The instruments on the Einstein Observatory have been used to study the X-ray properties of two Crablike SNRs: 3C 58 and CTB 80. Images of the objects are similar, showing an extended plateau of emission surrounding a pronounced central maximum consistent with the presence of a point source. The X-ray spectrum of 3C 58 is consistent with a power law of spectral index 0.5 + 0.5 or -0.2 modified by absorption in a hydrogen column density N sub H of (2 + or - 0.5) x 10 to the 21st/sq cm. These data suggest an analogy with the Crab Nebula, where the extended X-ray emission is nonthermal and the pointlike emission emanates from a central neutron star. Quantitative comparisons of the X-ray and radio properties for six Crablike remnants indicate significant differences which may reflect an evolutionary sequence.
Comparison of Teacher Motivation for Mathematics and Special Educators in Middle Schools That Have and Have Not Achieved AYP

Mathematics and special educators who taught in middle schools that had or had not made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) were surveyed to compare their motivation across three domains on a Teacher Motivation Survey: Work Environment, Professional Identity, and Career Satisfaction. Educators from schools who had met AYP reported a significantly better Work Environment, also referred to as collective efficacy, than that of educators from schools that had not met AYP. There were no statistically significant differences for special or mathematics educators, whether from a school that had or had not met AYP. Other results from the Teacher Motivation Survey are presented, including qualitative analyses from open-ended queries in the survey. Implications for expanding this research as well as more immediate applications and actions for school administrators are noted.
Raman spectra of Cd1-xMnxTe mixed crystals

Abstract Raman spectra of the mixed crystals Cd1-xMnxTe have been studied over the composition range 0.1 ≤ × ≤ 0.7. They show the two-mode behavior corresponding to the zone center “CdTe-like” and “MnTe-like” LO-TO modes. In addition, a first-order Raman spectrum is observed which reflects the one-phonon density of states. It is attributed to the presence of both translational and spin-disorder in these mixed crystals. We observe an intense feature of A1 symmetry, whose peculiar lineshape suggests the occurrence of a Fano type interference between a discrete mode and an overlapping continuum of states.
Conductance Studies of Na-Bentonite-Water Systems†

Clay (Na-Wyoming bentonite) was mixed with water to form sols and gels having clay concentrations ranging from 0 to 60 gm clay per 100 gm. The specific conductances of these sols and gels were measured at several temperatures in the range 20° to 25°C. From the results, the weight conductances and apparent activation energies for conductance were calculated. Then these quantities were plotted against clay concentration. Similar plots were made using the data of other investigators. It was found that the weight conductance decreased markedly with clay concentration between 0 and about 0.5 gm of clay per 100 ml, then rose to a maximum at 10–20 gm clay per 100 ml, and fell steadily thereafter. Whereas, the apparent activation energy increased continuously over the same range of clay concentrations. These observations were explained on the basis of equations that were derived in the theoretical part of the paper.
Computer-controlled stereoscopic camera base used to assess visual depth judgment under orthostereoscopic and nonorthostereoscopic conditions

A computer controlled stereoscopic camera system that produces precise and rapid changes of camera orientation and lens parameters is described and assessed. The system consists of a pair of cameras, each attached to a lens with a computer controlled zoom, focus and aperture. Cameras, at right angle to each other, are aimed through a half-silvered mirror to acquire the left and right images. Each camera is mounted on a motorized base that controls the camera separation and convergence angle. The computer controls camera separation from zero to 45 cm, with an accuracy of 0.1 cm, and the convergence angle of each camera from +/- 15 degrees off- center, with an accuracy of 0.02 degrees. Subjects viewed 27 conditions on a stereo monitor system where camera and target parameters were changed. There were three levels of convergence angle, camera separation and target intensity creating 27 viewing conditions. The subjects viewed all conditions and made depth judgments between four pairs of point source lights. Depth judgement results indicate that direct and remote views are consistent, subjects produce consistent judgments despite non-orthoscopic intervening camera configurations and judgments are consistent with varying system parameters.
Preparation of highly selective zeolite ZSM-5 membranes by a post-synthetic coking treatment

Zeolite ZSM-5 membranes with high n-butane:isobutane selectivities, e.g., 322 at 185°C, are obtained by a selective deposition of coke into non-zeolitic pores. The zeolite membranes are prepared by in situ crystallization on either bare porous α-Al_2O_3 support disks or disks that are pretreated to include a diffusion barrier. The post-synthetic coking treatment is accomplished by impregnating these membranes with liquid 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene (TIPB) for 24 h at room temperature and then calcining them in air at 500°C for 2 h. Calcination at 500°C for up to 30 h does not destroy the high n-butane:isobutane selectivity. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) experiments on two model pore systems ZSM-5 (5.5 A) and Vycor glass (40–50 A) suggest that micro-defects are selectively eliminated by the TIPB coking treatment while the intracrystalline pore space of the ZSM-5 is not affected. The elimination of non-zeolitic pores results in a large increase of n-butane:isobutane pure gas flux ratio (45 vs. 320 at 185°C) accompanied by a fourfold reduction of the n-butane flux. The permeation experiments reveal that the n-butane flux increases nonlinearly with the partial pressure in the feed while the n-butane:isobutane pure gas flux ratio remains relatively unchanged.
A Rapid Turbidimetric Potassium Test Modified for Use with the Pressurized Hot‐Water Extraction

Abstract Colorimetric or turbidimetric quantification of soil potassium (K) coupled with pressurized hot‐water (PHW) extraction could provide an inexpensive alternative to standard methods for small‐scale farmers in developing countries. Two of many methods for K analysis, one using sodium tetraphenylborate and the other using sodium cobaltinitrite, were modified for use with PHW extraction and evaluated for the following requirements: readable on the spectrophotometer, minimal equipment requirement, rapid, simple, and comparable in accuracy to proven methods of K analysis. The sodium tetraphenylborate method was unreliable at low K concentrations, did not relate with K extracted using ammonium acetate and analyzed by atomic absorption (AA), required extract filtration and was too expensive in developing countries. Sodium cobaltinitrite was both simple and inexpensive, and results were consistent and reliable. Test results from 38 arid soils from the western United States support the use of sodium cobalti...
DDT inhibition of Ca-ATPase of the peripheral nerves of the American lobster☆

Abstract A Ca-ATPase highly sensitive to DDT has been found in peripheral nerves of lobster, Homarus americanus . The observed I 50 for this Ca-ATPase toward DDT is on the order of 10 −9 M and has a low temperature quotien. The ATPase seems to work over a wide range of ATP concentrations. It is stimulated by Ca 2+ (optimum 0.1 m M ) and shows sensitivity to Na + (optimum 20 m M ) and K + (optimum 20 m M ) ions. The fact that it is highly sensitive to ruthenium red ( I 50 = 10 μM ) suggests that the enzyme is a Ca-ATPase and not a Mg-ATPase. Furthermore the enzyme is not a CaMg-ATPase, since the presence of Mg 2+ along with Ca 2+ ion is not required for its activity. DDT is found to inhibit the process of Ca 2+ binding in the axonic membrane only in the presence of ATP. The evidence suggests the important role of the Ca-ATPase in regulating Ca 2+ concentrations in the membrane. The possible significance of DDT inhibition of the ATPase is discussed.
Nonlinear two-phase equilibrium model for the binding of arsenic anions to cationic micelles

Abstract The binding of arsenic ions to cationic cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) micelles has been investigated using the semiequilibrium dialysis (SED) technique. In SED experiments, it has been shown that CPC micelles are very effective in binding arsenic ions in the retentate. At the studied pH (pH 8), the unbound and bound arsenic exists primarily as divalent anions (HAsO42−) while CPC molecules exist as monovalent cations. Therefore, arsenic ions are bound electrostatically to the cationic micelle. The resultant colloid is large enough not to pass through the dialysis membrane, producing a rejection greater than 99.59%. The concentration of the unbound arsenic anions passing through the dialysis membrane is practically the same as the permeate concentration of these species in the analogous micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration (MEUF) experiments. Therefore, a nonlinear equilibrium model which combines thermodynamic relations, charge balance equations, and material balance equations with the Oosawa two-phase polyelectrolyte theory has been developed to correlate the binding of arsenic to CPC micelles in SED and MEUF. It was shown that the equilibrium model successfully accounts for the experimental data in both SED and MEUF in the absence and presence of monovalent (HCO31−) and divalent co-ions (HPO42−). Because of their small sizes (less than 10 nm), micelles should retain their equilibrium shapes in the presence of hydrodynamic shear typically attained in most dynamic processes. Therefore, the equilibrium model can be used to predict separation efficiencies in other ultrafiltration units such as in crossflow ultrafiltration processes.
Charge Transfer to Multicharged Recoil Ions in a Penning Trap

Multicharged neon recoil ions at electronvolt energies are produced inside a Penning ion trap by fast, stripped-heavy-ion impact on neon atoms. The stored recoil ions capture electrons in collisions with the parent neon gas. The measured storage times are used with mean energy determinations and neon gas densities to determine charge-transfer rate coefficients. A significant dependence on ion charge ($3l~ql~6$) is observed.
Information content in nonlinear local normalization processing of digital images

In this paper, we investigate the rate at which information is transferred from the scene to the digital processed image in imaging systems using nonlinear Local Normalization. While a formula for the Rate of Information has been used in many studies of linear systems with Gaussian (Normal) signals, a formula applicable to nonlinear/non-Gaussian systems has not been available until now. We discuss a new formula for the Rate of Information developed by the authors for systems with nonlinear Local Normalization processing. The Local Normalization algorithm, which is similar to the Retinex algorithm, is formulated and discussed. As the name implies, this algorithm forms a local average signal and normalizes the detail (high spatial frequency) scene signal by the local average. The scene detail information transferred to the locally normalized image is seen to be at least as high as that transferred to the acquired digital image. Thus, no information loss occurs in using Local Normalization. A case study of the new Rate of Information formula shows that designing the image-gathering system cut-off frequency near or slightly below the Nyquist frequency maximizes the scene detail information transferred to the locally normalized image for all the conditions considered.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Phylogenetic Relationships Among the Sulfate Respiring Bacteria, Myxobacteria and Purple Bacteria

Summary Ribosomal RNA sequence comparisons have been used to refine the phylogenetic relationships among the sulfate (and sulfur) respirers, myxobacteria and the purple bacteria. Several relationships originally suggested by signature analysis of rRNA oligonucleotide catalogs have been substantiated. They are (1) a specific relationship between the beta (represented by Pseudomonas testosteroni ) and gamma (represented by Escherichia coli ) subdivisions of the purple bacteria, to the exclusion of the alpha subdivision (represented by Agrobacterium tumefaciens ), and (2) a specific relationship between the sulfate (and sulfur) respirers (represented by Desulfovibrio desulfuricans ) and the myxobacteria (repesented by Myxococcus xanthus ). At a deeper level the group of sulfate respirers, myxobacteria and bdellovibrios appears specifically related to the previously defined purple bacterial unit.
The recreational sport participation scale: development, testing and practical application

Participation in recreational sport is growing dramatically on a global basis and attracts millions of athletes. Sport event managers are consistently working to employ techniques that attract participants and increase economic impact. In order better understand recreational sport athletes, scholars and practitioners contend that research is needed to substantiate a comprehensive measurement with multiple variables. This study adhered to a multistage research design to develop and test the reliability and validity of a recreational sport participation scale (RSPS). Recreational sport was explored through active, serious and casual leisure. The proposed scale indicated five significant facets (‘challenge’, ‘victory’, ‘sensory’, ‘workout’ and ‘social’). The dimensions were tested through confirmatory factor analysis and produced acceptable reliability, convergent and discriminant validity, and model fit. Event promoters are encouraged to utilise the recreational sport participation scale to benchmark and measure the dimensions of motivation among recreationists. Marketing messages designed for distinct sport subcultures will aid in attracting sponsors and assist in increasing consumption values among this desirable segment of consumers.
Capturing Changes in the Brain Microenvironment during Initial Steps of Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis

Brain metastases are difficult to treat and mostly develop late during progressive metastatic disease. Patients at risk would benefit from the development of prevention and improved treatments. This requires knowledge of the initial events that lead to brain metastasis. The present study reveals cellular events during the initiation of brain metastasis by breast cancer cells and documents the earliest host responses to incoming cancer cells after carotid artery injection in immunodeficient and immunocompetent mouse models. Our findings capture and characterize heterogeneous astrocytic and microglial reactions to the arrest and extravasation of cancer cells in the brain, showing immediate and drastic changes in the brain microenvironment on arrival of individual cancer cells. We identified reactive astrocytes as the most active host cell population that immediately localizes to individual invading tumor cells and continuously associates with growing metastatic lesions. Up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 associated with astrocyte activation in the immediate vicinity of extravasating cancer cells might support their progression. Early involvement of different host cell types indicates environmental clues that might codetermine whether a single cancer cell progresses to macrometastasis or remains dormant. Thus, information on the initial interplay between brain homing tumor cells and reactive host cells may help develop strategies for prevention and treatment of symptomatic breast cancer brain metastases.
Experimental demonstration of wavelength-reconfigurable optical packet- and circuit-switched platform for data center networks

We demonstrate a wavelength-reconfigurable optical packet- and circuit-switched platform for data center networks based on a modular optical switch fabric prototyping system.
Early diagnosis of spinal-epidural metastasis by magnetic resonance imaging.

Sixteen patients with various types of cancer who developed pain along the axial spine were prospectively studied by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The studies were performed with a Fonar Beta-3000 (Fonar Co., Melville, NY) permanent magnet operating at 0.3 Tesla (T). Detailed neurologic examinations were followed by bone x-rays, bone scans, and MRI. In 12 patients there were focal neurologic findings. Bone x-rays and bone scans were diagnostic for metastatic disease in 10 cases; MRIs were consistent with metastatic spinal—epidural disease in all 16 patients. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed bone involvement in three patients whose x-rays and bone scans were both negative indicating a higher degree of sensitivity. In six patients thecal compression was obvious on MRI; in three of these previous myelograms had been interpreted as negative. These early results suggest that MRI can serve as a useful tool for diagnosing early spinal—epidural metastases. Cancer 59:1112-1116, 1987.
Regional expression of directional preferences by experienced homing pigeons

Abstract The behaviour of experienced homing pigeons immediately following release was examined temporally at a single release point and spatially from a gridwork of release points. Directional preferences did not diminish with repeated flight experience from the same release point nor did they shift significantly within a release day. Directional preferences varied systematically as a function of both distance and direction of displacement from the home loft and seemed to represent a varying compromise between flying to the NNW and flying toward home. Homeward directedness of vanishing bearings, time to leave the release point and time to reach home are all superior for releases conducted to the south and southeast of the loft.
The effect of energy charge on the activity of solubilized and bound mitochondrial hexokinase from chicken skeletal muscle

Abstract The activity of mitochondrial hexokinase from chicken breast muscle as a function of energy charge was determined for the native enzyme and the enzyme after it had been solubilized. The activity of the mitochondrial-bound enzyme decreased rapidly over the range of energy charge from 1 to 0.8. Over this same range, there was relatively little effect on the soluble enzyme. This differential effect on bound and soluble mitochondrial hexokinase was shown to be due to a greater sensitivity of the bound form of the enzyme to inhibition by ADP. ADP was a competitive inhibitor with respect to ATP for both the bound and soluble forms of hexokinase.
Formation of Ternary Complex of Factor VIIa, Tissue Factor, and Factor X on the Surface of Anionic Membrane

Most steps in the clotting cascade involve formation of protein complexes between an enzyme, a cofactor, and a substrate, highly catalyzed by membrane binding of individual proteins. Upon binding to anionic regions of the cellular membrane, the rate of enzymatic activity of these proteins is enhanced by several orders of magnitude. Despite its established key role, the mechanism by which the membrane mediates this activation process has remained largely unknown. The complex of factor VIIa (FVIIa), tissue factor (TF), and factor X (FX), namely the TF:FVIIa:FX ternary complex, is the first such complex in the clotting cascade. We report atomistic models of the TF:FVIIa:FX complex, revealing specific interactions between individual proteins in the ternary complex and the structural transitions resulted from such interactions.The ternary complex was constructed in two steps, combining docking and molecular dynamics (MD) methodologies, in conjunction with a highly mobile membrane mimetic (HMMM) model for enhanced lipid mobility. Starting with the known structures of the TF:FVIIa binary complex and a modeled FX, first several candidates of the complex of the enzyme (TF:FVIIa) and its substrate (FX) were generated by docking hundreds of structural snapshots of individual components collected from their respective MD simulations. The best-scored candidates were then subjected to MD simulations on the surface of the HMMM membrane, which can efficiently describe binding/insertion of proteins to the membrane due to the enhanced lipid mobility. During the simulations, weak distance restraints were imposed between residues that have been experimentally reported to be involved in protein-protein interaction. The complexes at the end of the equilibrium process resulted in a well-converged ternary structure characterizing FX residues that interact with the TF exosite.
Graciela Chichilnisky's model of North-South trade

Abstract The model of the effects of North-South trade set out by Chichilnisky in the April, 1981, issue of the Journal of Development Economics, is shown to contain a number of errors. The model is presented anew in this note. After corrections are made, one can still obtain results similar in spirit to some of those Chichilnisky tried to derive, although the interpretation of the cause of the results must be substantially altered. In particular, it is shown that for appropriate parameter values in this model, one will find that it is possible for an increase in the demand for the good the North exports to lead to: (1) a worsening of the terms of trade for the South, (2) a worsening of the distribution of factor incomes in the North and in the South, (3) a reduction in the total export revenues of the South, and (4) at the same time an increase in the physical volume of the South's exports. The cause is, in essence, a shift in world demand from the good the South exports to the good the North exports, which leads to a terms of trade loss for the South. Income effects following from the terms of trade loss then lead to a situation where the South's own demand for its export good falls by more than its supply, thus leading to the preverse effect of an increase in the volume of its exports. The paper also considers the model of Chichilnisky and Cole (1978). This model is similar to that of Chichilnisky (1981), and is used to examine the same issues, but is ‘closed’ in a different way. It is shown that this second model may give similar results as the first, but that also a quite different set of results is now possible. Closure is therefore shown to play a key role.
Thirty Stage Annular Centrifugal Contactor Thermal Profile Measurements

A thirty stage 5 cm annular centrifugal contactor cascade was assembled and tested to obtain thermal profiles during both ambient and heated input conditions of operation. Thermocouples were installed on every stage as well as feed inputs, and real-time data was taken during experiments lasting from two to eight hours at total flow rates of 0.5 to 1.4 liters per minute. Ambient temperature profile results show that only a small amount of heat is generated by the mechanical energy of the contactors. Steady state temperature profiles mimic the ambient temperature of the lab but are higher toward the middle of the cascade. Heated inlet solutions gave temperature profiles with smaller temperature gradients, more driven by the temperature of the inlet solutions than ambient lab temperature. Temperature effects of solution mixing, even at rotor speeds of 4000 rpm, were not measurable.
EFFICIENCY IN THE PROVISION OF CONSUMPTION SUBSIDIES

SUMMARY There are numerous devices which are used to affect individuals' consumptions of various goods—direct distributions of goods, vouchers, price-reductions, etc. This paper investigates the efficiency aspects of these devices. In a simple two-person model, it is shown that lumpsum transfers of a good whose consumption yields external benefits will lead to neither optimality nor equilibrium. But a price cut, an alteration of exchange ratios, can produce an optimal equilibrium. In a model in which there is one subsidy recipient and many benefactors, it is shown that in certain cases a transfer of the externality-generating good, of an equal amount of money, or of some other good will all produce the same effect in the individual's consumption of the externality-generating good. A price reduction on an ‘all-or-nothing’ subsidy scheme, in which the individual must pay a given amount for a given quality of the good or receive none at all, will lead to optimality. When there are many givers and many receivers, an efficient subsidy device will in general not be one which faces all individuals with the same conditions. Price reductions, all-or-nothing schemes, and legal standards are shown to be alternate ways of reaching optimality, differing mainly in the way in which they affect the distribution of real income.
Epithelioid glomus tumor.

Abstract Reported are five cases of an unusual histological variant of glomus tumor that we have designated epithelioid glomus tumor. Unlike conventional glomus tumors, which consist of small polygonal cells with dark round nuclei and scanty cytoplasm, the epithelioid lesions were composed of large polygonal to spindle-shaped cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm and large, irregularly shaped nuclei: The cells had both epithelioid and myoid qualities. Two of the cases studied were predominantly epithelioid, with small remnants of conventional glomus tumor at the periphery. The three other lesions were purely epithelioid. Epithelioid glomus tumors are of particular importance because they may be mistaken for other lesions histologically. Both benign and malignant epithelial lesions may be considered in the differential diagnosis; spindle-cell lesions, such as schwannoma, leiomyoma, hemangiopericytoma, and others, are in the histological differential diagnosis. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies indicated that epithelioid glomus tumors had characteristics identical to those of conventional glomus tumors: the cells showed features consistent with smooth muscle derivation. The epithelioid areas frequently exhibited cytological atypicality—features that we believe to be a manifestation of cellular degeneration or senescence (analogous to "ancient" change in schwannomas or symplastic change in leiomyomas) rather than evidence of neoplastic progression. Simple surgical excision seems to have been curative (mean duration of follow-up of 4 years in the three cases in which such information was available). To our knowledge, no similar cases have previously been reported.
Imposing curvature restrictions on flexible functional forms

Abstract A general computational method for estimating the parameters of a flexible functional form subject to convexity, quasi-convexity, concavity, or quasi-concavity at a point, at several points, or over a region, is set forth and illustrated with an example.
Recurrence of renosplenic entrapment after renosplenic space ablation in a seven-year-old stallion.

Case Description—A 7-year-old mixed-breed stallion was admitted because of colic. Clinical Findings—Entrapment of the left colon in the renosplenic space was diagnosed via rectal palpation and ultrasonographic examination, despite a renosplenic space ablation 6.5 years earlier. Treatment and Outcome—The renosplenic entrapment was corrected with a combination of phenylephrine administration, rolling, and ballottement of the horse's abdomen during general anesthesia. The following week, left flank laparoscopic renosplenic space ablation was performed with the horse standing. On examination of the previous surgical site, only 4 bands of fibrous adhesion remained of the original space ablation. The renosplenic space was again closed by suturing the perirenal fascia and renosplenic ligament to the splenic capsule. The horse was discharged from the hospital and recovered at home. No complications or recurrence of entrapment was reported following the procedure. Clinical Relevance—There have been no previous rep...
Influence of prolactin and growth hormone on the activation of dwarf mouse lymphocytes in vivo

The influence of recombinant bovine prolactin (PRL) and recombinant bovine growth hormone (GH) was examined on the popliteal lymph node (PLN) expression of interleukin-2 receptors (IL-2R) in female Snell dwarf mice and normal litter mates after concanavalin A footpad injection. The absolute number of PLN CD4+, CD8+, or B+ cells of dwarf mice was less than that observed for normal litter mates, but when adjusted for the difference in body weight, only the absolute number of B cells was lower in dwarf animals when compared with normal litter mates. The injection of PRL or GH did not alter the observation. The administration of recombinant bovine PRL to normal animals, but not recombinant bovine GH, increased the expression of IL-2R or unstimulated PLN CD4+ and CD8+ subsets. Hormone administration to dwarf animals, however, did not alter the expression of IL-2R on unstimulated PLN T cell subsets. PLN cells from dwarf animals were poorly activated in vivo after injection of concanavalin A and the level of IL-2R expression induced was only 50% of that seen in the PLN of normal animals. The administration of PRL and GH completely corrected the defective induction of IL-2R expression on PLN from dwarf animals after concanavalin A stimulation. These findings strongly suggest that PRL and/or GH play an important role at some stage of the T cell activation process in vivo. Further studies are needed to precisely identify the defect in the dwarf mice.
Multivariate tolerance design for a quadratic design parameter model

The determination of tolerance allocations among design parameters is an integral phase of product/process design. Such allocations are often necessary to achieve desired levels of product performance. Parametric and nonparametric methods have recently been developed for allocating multivariate tolerances. Parametric methods assume full information about the probability distribution of design parameter processes, whereas, nonparametric methods assume that only partial information is available, which consists of only design parameter process variances. These methods currently assume that the relationship between the design parameters and each of the performance measures is linear. However, quadratic response functions are increasingly being used to provide better approximations of the relationships between performance measures and design parameters. This is especially prevalent where there is a multivariate set of performance measures that are functions of a common set of design parameters. In this research we propose both parametric and nonparametric multivariate tolerance allocation procedures which consider the more general case where these relationships can be represented by quadratic functions of the design parameters. We develop the corresponding methodology and nonlinear optimization models to accommodate and take advantage of the presence of interactions and other nonlinearities among suppliers.
Population dynamics of Aeromonas spp. in an urban river watershed

Density of Aeromonas spp. at one site in the Buffalo River and at four sites on its upstream tributaries was followed from June 1992–June 1993. Membrane filtration counts of Aeromonas during the summer ranged between 18 and 4000 ml−1, which were one to two logs higher than faecal coliform and faecal streptococci densities. Aeromonas spp. in the Buffalo River, and faecal coliforms, faecal streptococci, and the heterotrophic plate count throughout the watershed, increased by approximately one log during summer rainstorms. However, Aeromonas spp. increased only by a factor of two during rainstorms at the upstream sites. Aeromonas spp. showed a strong positive correlation with both indicator bacteria and total suspended solids at the upstream sites during the summer but not the winter. Correlations between Aeromonas and indicator bacteria remained strong in the Buffalo River during the winter, signifying that different conditions exist in the Buffalo River and its upstream tributaries. The strong correlation between Aeromonas spp. and indicator bacteria in the Buffalo River suggest that, in the absence of media capable of the quantitative recovery of potentially pathogenic aeromonads, standard faecal coliform analyses may adequately assess public health risks from Aeromonas spp. in an urban river used for recreational purposes.
Psychopathology of Parkinson's disease.

Abstract Although James Parkinson stated that there were no psychological or cognitive symptoms particular to Parkinson's disease when he described it in 1817, 1 authors for one hundred years have noted an association between a variety of psychological symptoms and the disorder. This article reviews thirteen patients suffering from Parkinson's disease who were sufficiently impaired to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital during a two year period. It compares the phenomenology of their psychiatric symptoms to that described in the literature of the last 100 years and uses these cases to speculate on the common neuroanatomical and physiological bases such psychological and motor symptoms might have.
Application of Biomechanics to Tendon Transfers

This article has focused on considerations important in the application of biomechanics to tendon transfers and has used an example protocol. Different surgeries require different protocols. What is most important is that specific protocols are used, and that they are both safe and effective. The communication among the therapist, surgeon, and patient is essential with the use of any protocol. As Brand has stated, "A hand is a very personal thing. It is the interface between the patient and his or her world. It is an emblem of strength, beauty, skill, sexuality, and sensibility. When it is damaged it becomes a symbol of the vulnerability of the whole person." For the patient who has damage from nerve palsy, paralysis, or injury resulting in a dysfunctional hand, a tendon transfer procedure may prove to be a viable option to restore balance and function, especially if the biomechanics of deformity and correction are considered.
Methodological aspects of international drug price comparisons.

Drug prices have become an important issue in the last few years as concerns about constrained healthcare resources have increased. Healthcare authorities in all industrialised countries are questioning whether their country is carrying a heavier burden than others in paying for drugs. In view of this discussion, several price comparison studies have been conducted. However, there is no generally accepted methodology on how to conduct price comparisons, and many methodological issues remain unresolved. The results of most published studies are affected by moderately serious methodological flaws. which are never properly addressed.
Equivalence of models for polynomial learnability

Abstract In this paper we consider several variants of Valiant's learnability model that have appeared in the literature. We give conditions under which these models are equivalent in terms of the polynomially learnable concept classes they define. These equivalences allow comparisons of most of the existing theorems in Valiant-style learnability and show that several simplifying assumptions on polynomial learning algorithms can be made without loss of generality. We also give a useful reduction of learning problems to the problem of finding consistent hypotheses, and give comparisons and equivalences between Valiant's model and the prediction learning models of Haussler, Littlestone, and Warmuth ( in “29th Annual IEEE Symposium on Foundations of Computer Science,” 1988).
Partner analysis and alliance performance

Abstract The determinants of strategic alliance performance have not been explored adequately in the literature. Empirical studies abound with numerous kinds of performance measures but, thus far, there is no coherent theoretical basis for the determinants of alliance performance. In this article we present a theoretical framework for understanding alliance performance in terms of its key antecedents. We submit that alliance performance is strongly influenced by particular characteristics of the partner firms as mediated by alliance conditions. We use the term “partner analysis” to denote the integrated approach comprising market analysis and resource analysis of partner firms. Alliance conditions are composed of collective strengths, interpartner conflicts, and interdependencies. We discuss the various linkages between the components of partner analysis, alliance conditions, and alliance performance. Finally, we develop a number of propositions to facilitate empirical testing of our partner analysis framework, and indicate its key implications for future research and managerial practice.
Angular distributions of H2 desorbed from the (100), (110), and (111) faces of copper crystals

Abstract The angular distributions of hydrogen molecules desorbed from copper have been measured for single-crystal surfaces of three different orientations: (100), (110), and (111). The surfaces were cleaned to the degree that the impurities were below the level of detection by Auger electron spectroscopy. The angular distributions were all significantly more peaked at the surface normal than the distribution corresponding to diffuse emission, i.e., where the molecular flux is proportional to cos θ, where θ is the angle measured from the surface normal. We have characterized the observed angular distributions by fitting the emperical expression cosdθ to the data, where d is an adjustable parameter. The results are: d ≈ 5 for (100); d ≈ 2.5 for (110); d ≈ 6 for (111). The distributions are nearly symmetric about the azimuthal angle between the plane of detection and the principal axes of the surface lattice. Possible models are considered.
Position validation strategies using partially observable Markov decision processes

The collision avoidance system that is currently deployed worldwide relies upon radar beacon surveillance. With its broad deployment over the next decade, aviation surveillance based on Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) reports may reduce the need for frequent beacon interrogation over the communication channel, but there is a risk of ADS-B providing erroneous data to the collision avoidance system, resulting in a potential collision. Hence, there is a need to use beacon interrogation to periodically validate ADS-B position reports. Various threshold-based validation strategies based on proximity and closure rate have been suggested to reduce channel congestion while maintaining the reliability of the collision avoidance system. This paper shows how to model the problem of deciding when to validate ADS-B reports as a partially observable Markov decision process, and it explains how to solve for the optimal validation strategy. The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated in simulation.