cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
IP Transactions: On the Theory & Practice of Commercializing Innovation

All too often within organizations and communities, innovations are not generated or put to use as rapidly or as broadly as they could be. Chief targets for blame include the problems of transaction costs, agency costs, lack of coordination, and improper incentives. Borrowing from the rich literature in the field generally known as new institutional economics, which has studied these types of problems more broadly, this Article elucidates how some practical tools might be expected to mitigate such problems. Particular arrangements of formal law and informal practice may help reach across the "valley of death" between early stage technologies and their downstream commercial deployment. Depending on the circumstances of a given situation, different practices and different aspects of the legal regimes of intellectual property, antitrust, business associations, bankruptcy, property, and contract may prove most helpful. Elucidating at least as many questions for further empirical research as answers in the form of practical tips for structuring transactions, this Article focuses on the particular mechanisms by which the problems and proposed solutions might actually operate.
P23.05: Fetal MRI depiction of chest masses

Methods: 20 mother-infant pairs were recruited from postnatal groups. A Live-3D ultrasound system with a 7 MHz transducer was used for submental imaging of the mouth (tongue, hard-soft palates) during breast-feeding. Oral movements were assessed using two-perpendicular 2D views obtained by x-plane imaging and by 2D-reformatting of Live-3D datasets with one view aligned along the body medial [mid-sagittal] plane. A scan was regarded as useful if one or more [x-plane or Live-3D] datasets from a baby could offer sufficient spatial and temporal resolutions for assessing tongue motion patterns. Results: Useful x-plane data were obtained from 19 [95%] babies while useful Live-3D data from 15 [75%]. Using x-plane views alone, tongue peristalsis was only noted in 11 [60%] of the 19 babies. However, using reformatted views along the medial plane, peristalsis was observed in all of the 15 Live-3D babies, including those not showing peristalsis in x-plane views [when off the medial plane]. In total, medial peristalsis was demonstrated in 18 (90%) babies. Conclusions: The absence of a peristaltic view in healthy babies is likely to be caused by off-medial-plane imaging, correctable using a 4D approach. Increasingly used for fetal orofacial [static] anomaly detection, this 4D technology may also be valid for prenatal study of tongue morphophysiology, potentially leading to early prediction of feeding problems.
The importance of preconditioners in fast Poisson-based iterative reconstruction algorithms for SPECT

We study the effects of different preconditioners on Poisson-based iterative reconstruction algorithms. Preconditioners are linear transformations that map the image solution space for the reconstruction problem into a space where the likelihood function can be more efficiently optimized. We apply preconditioners to conjugate gradient (CG) algorithms seeking to optimize the Poisson log likelihood function for SPECT. We show that, without a preconditioner, such algorithms may converge more slowly than the ML-EM algorithm. Previous research has applied a preconditioner that depends on the current iteration's image estimate. However, these algorithms do not generate conjugate step directions and do not obtain the full benefit of the CG algorithm's speed. We propose a preconditioner that depends only on the measured projection data and remains constant with each iteration, thus generating nearly conjugate step directions. We show that our method optimizes the log likelihood function more efficiently than the previously proposed methods. We also show that, if the measured projection data contains few zero or near-zero projection bins, the Poisson CG algorithms have convergence rates comparable with those from weighted least-squares (WLS-CG) algorithms. We conclude that the performance of Poisson CG algorithms depends heavily on the preconditioner chosen, and that they can be made competitive with WLS-CG by manipulation of the preconditioners.
Cost and Information-Driven Algorithm Selection for Vision Systems

A computer vision application can be defined as a sequence of image processing, feature extraction, and interpretation operations that are used to solve a specific task. In most of the computer vision systems this sequence is pre-defined and static. The work presented here shows a dynamic technique for algorithm selection based on both the value of information of each operation, and the computational complexity of the operations, which is modeled in terms of cost. This technique is used in the Ascender II system to select visual operators to perform aerial image interpretation of urban regions. The results show that the cost and information driven method presented here leads to performance gains. Moreover the hierarchical structure of the system simplifies the addition of new visual operations.
Optical Breakdown in Particle Suspension

We have characterized the nonlinearities observed in suspensions of carbon black particles in liquids (CBS). We have developed a preliminary explanation of the optical limiting characteristic of the CBS that qualitatively explains the low limiting thresholds. We have found that the limiting depends primarily on the input optical fluence (J/cm2) rather than irradiance (W/cm2). We have monitored transmission, side scattered light, and the photoacoustic response of the CBS simultaneously. The nonlinear scattered light appears to be the dominant nonlinearity. Additionally, we have observed that the nonlinearities disappear after repeated laser firings. Thus, in essense, we are performing a laser induced damage experiment, and we have prepared a material with a low damage threshold. These data have led us to the following model. The carbon first linearly absorbs the input light efficiently. The carbon is rapidly heated, vaporizes and ionizes to form a rapidly expanding microplasma. This plasma absorbs and scatters subsequent light, thus limiting the transmittance.
The Interpretation of the Spectra of Supernovae

During the past decade substantial progress has been made with the difficult problem of interpreting the spectra of supernovae. The basic character of the spectrum is now apparent and there seems to be general agreement that some few spectral features have been successfully identified in the spectra of supernovae of type I as well as in those of type II. This recent progress stands in striking contrast to the relative stagnation that the subject experienced in the quarter of a century that followed the first detailed description of the spectrum of a supernova by Minkowski (1939). It results in part from the development of new methods of observation and in part from the abandonment of earlier preconceptions regarding the character of supernovae spectia.
A multi-gigabit CMOS data recovery circuit using an analog parallel sampling technique

A CMOS clock and data recovery circuit for multi-gigabit data rates is described. It uses a multiphase PLL and parallel sampling techniques to reduce the speed requirements on the circuits. A parallel phase detection technique that results in linear loop control and improves loop stability is introduced. We present a new charge-pump circuit that encodes phase error into current amplitude, eliminating the problem of creating precise timing pulses to control switches. The proposed circuit was designed using TSMC 0.35 /spl mu/m process parameters and verified by simulations under the presence of channel distortion and switching noise. Simulation results show that the circuit is capable of recovering clock and data at a speed of 2 Gbps.
Inactivating mutation in histone deacetylase 3 stabilizes its active conformation

Histone deacetylases (HDACs), together with histone acetyltransferases (HATs), regulate gene expression by modulating the acetylation level of chromatin. HDAC3 is implicated in many important cellular processes, particularly in cancer cell proliferation and metastasis, making inhibition of HDAC3 a promising epigenetic treatment for certain cancers. HDAC3 is activated upon complex formation with both inositol tetraphosphate (IP4) and the deacetylase-activating domain (DAD) of multi-protein nuclear receptor corepressor complexes. In previous studies, we have shown that binding of DAD and IP4 to HDAC3 significantly restricts its conformational space towards its stable ternary complex conformation, and suggest this to be the active conformation. Here, we report a single mutation of HDAC3 that is capable of mimicking the stabilizing effects of DAD and IP4, without the presence of either. This mutation, however, results in a total loss of deacetylase activity, prompting a closer evaluation of our understanding of the activation of HDAC3.
A novel timing recovery scheme for FDTS/DF detector

Timing-recovery and gain-control play important role in communication systems. In this paper, we propose reliable acquisition, tracking and gain control algorithms for fixed delay tree search with decision feedback (FDTS/DF) detector on magnetic recording channel. First, we propose a modified Mueller and Muller algorithm for timing recovery during tracking period, which is based on selective transitions in the samples at the detector input. Next, we give the modified threshold detection scheme that quickly converges to the correct sampling phase without hang-up problems during acquisition period. Bit-by-bit simulations are included first to show the reliability in tracking performance of the timing-recovery and gain-control loops, and then to show the robustness and accuracy of the fast acquisition algorithm.
PDL++: an optimizing generator language for register transfer design

PDL++, an optimizing generator language for register transfer systems lets users write C++ programs that generate register transfer machines and optimize the logic design using misII. It is shown that a register transfer generator language greatly simplifies the description of many sequential systems, mainly because it frees the designer from worrying about design optimization and makes the generating process more natural: the generator program is often nearly identical to the program which computes the function itself. >
A high-resolution study of the 20Ne(3He, t)20Na reaction and the 19Ne(p, γ)20Na reaction rate

A high-precision measurement of the 20Ne(3He,t)20Na reaction has been made using implanted 20Ne transmission targets to obtain pertinent information on the low-energy resonances in the 19Ne(p, γ)20Na reaction. Resonance energies (447±5, 658±5, 787±5, and 857±5 keV) and upper limits on total intrinsic widths (<10, <6, <10, and <16keV) have been measured for four excited states above the 2.199 MeV proton threshold in 20Na. The stellar 19Ne(p, γ)20Na reaction rate is calculated for temperatures between 1×108 and 1×109 K. When combined with a recent study of the 15O(α, γ)19Ne reaction, a new estimate is made of the conditions required for breakout from the Hot CNO cycle to the rapid proton capture process.
Specific roles of the obstetrician-gynecologist

Obstetrician-gynecologists can play a major role in the prevention, identification, and treatment of substance abuse in women. Maintaining cognizance of abuse potential and consistently using office-screening techniques will identify patients who need assistance. Employing brief interventions at frequent office visits is an effective means of treating many of these patients. Those who do not respond to brief interventions may benefit from referral to an addictionologist. The US Supreme Court recently verified the Fourth Amendment rights of pregnant women by deciding that consent must be obtained to perform drug screening in pregnancy. Obstetrician-gynecologists will need to stay abreast of the changes that occur in their state laws as a result of this decision.
Association of fungi with extended-wear soft contact lenses

Fungi were isolated from 11 extended-wear soft contact lenses. In two cases, fungi had penetrated through the contact lens and the same fungus was cultured from corneal ulcers. In four cases, fungal growth on and in the soft contact lens matrix was associated with conjunctivitis and punctate fluorescein staining of the corneal epithelium.
Engineering Properties of Recycled Materials for Use as Embankment Fill

Use of recycled materials promotes sustainability in geotechnical construction. Compaction characteristics, hydraulic conductivity, shear strength and compressibility of bottom ash (BA), foundry slag (FS), recycled asphalt pavement (RAP), and recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) that are produced in large quantities were characterized. Results showed that BA, FS, and RAS have lower maximum dry unit weight than compacted sand and the dry unit weights are not sensitive to compaction moisture content. Shear strength of the tested recycled materials are adequate to provide stability for typical highway embankments. The measured hydraulic conductivities provide sufficient drainage capacity for embankment fills. Results of one- dimensional compression tests showed that BA and FS have comparable compressibility to that of compacted sand up to vertical effective stress (ߪ ௩ ' ) of 200 kPa after which BA and FS exhibited higher compressibility than sand due to crushing of individual particles. Compressibility of RAS is significantly higher than that of sand which makes the material unsuitable as embankment fill. RAP consistently has higher compressibility than sand; however, settlement of typical highway embankments constructed with RAP is still below the typical allowable limit. BA, FS, and RAP have appropriate engineering properties for use as structural fill in typical highway embankments. RAS should be mixed with at least 50% of granular additive to reduce compressibility to an acceptable limit. Construction of embankments with RAS mixture or RAP is recommended during warm seasons to induce thermal preloading and reduce compressibility.
Patients at risk for low systemic oxygen delivery after the Norwood procedure

Abstract Background . Identification of patients at risk for inadequate systemic oxygen delivery following the Norwood procedure could allow for application of more intensive monitoring, provide for earlier intervention of decreased cardiac output, and result in improved outcome. Methods and Results . Superior vena cava saturation (SvO 2 ) and arteriovenous oxygen content difference were prospectively monitored as indicators of systemic oxygen delivery and recorded hourly for the first 48 hours in 29 of 33 consecutive patients following the Norwood procedure. Risk factors were evaluated using multiple linear regression to determine their impact on SvO 2 and arteriovenous oxygen content difference. Age less than 8 days, weight less than 2.5 kg, aortic atresia, and prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time were risk factors for low SvO 2 and wide arteriovenous oxygen content difference ( p 2 and narrower arteriovenous oxygen content difference ( p Conclusions . Aortic atresia, low weight, younger age, and prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass, previously identified risk factors for mortality, were associated with decreased SvO 2 and narrower arteriovenous oxygen content difference in the early postoperative period. The impact of this hemodynamic vulnerability on mortality was minimized by continuous SvO 2 monitoring.
Improved purification and sulfhydryl analysis of thiosulfate reductase

Thiosulfate reductase purified 900-fold from an extract of baker's yeast by a new procedure consisted of three charge-isomeric species, all with catalytic activity. Amino acid analysis of thiosulfate reductase and titrations with 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate) and iodo[14C]acetate indicated only one cysteine residue per enzyme molecule. Alkylation of this cysteine with either iodoacetate or iodoacetamide did not inactivate the enzyme, indicating that sulfur-sulfur bond cleavage in the thiosulfate substrate does not require an enzymic sulfhydryl group as attacking nucleophile.
The oxidation of carbon monoxide on the Au(110) surface

Abstract The adsorption and reaction of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide were investigated on clean and oxidized Au(110) surfaces. Neither molecule could be stabilized on the clean or oxidized surface at temperatures down to 125 K implying that their adsorption energies were less than 8 kcal mol −1 . Carbon monoxide did react with oxygen adatoms to form carbon dioxide. The effective activation energy for this process was 2± 1 kcal mol −1 . Carbon dioxide did not react with oxygen adatoms to form a surface carbonate on Au(110) in contrast to the behavior on silver surfaces. These results are compared to the other group IB metals.
Reduction in the latent period of the response to thyroxin by tadpole tail discs fused to discs pretreated with thyroxin.

Abstract It has been previously shown that tissue blocks prepared from the tail fins of tadpoles ( Rana pipiens ) survive in vitro for several weeks and respond to thyroxin by shrinkage after a latent period of four or more days (20°C). It has been postulated that this shrinkage corresponds to that of normal tail tissue during metamorphic climax. The long latent period of thyroid action is presumed to depend upon the time required to form the necessary cellular or biochemical intermediates. If such intermediates are activated by thyroxin in the amphibian tail tissue, it may be possible to shorten the latent period of the thyroxin response of fin tissue by fusing untreated blocks to blocks previously treated with thyroxin. Experiments are reported here in which tail fin blocks obtained from tadpoles previously immersed in thyroxin for 3 days were docked to recipient blocks not exposed to this hormone. Such recipient tissues responded with characteristic resorptive activity within 24 hr, instead of the minimum of 4 days required by control tissues exposed directly to thyroxin. It is inferred that some component other than thyroxin which is active in inducing resorption is transmitted from the treated to the untreated block. Presumably, this is a product normally present late in the latent period of thyroxin action.
Mammalian cell cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of the haloacetic acids, a major class of drinking water disinfection by‐products

The haloacetic acids (HAAs) are disinfection by-products (DBPs) that are formed during the disinfection of drinking water, wastewaters and recreational pool waters. Currently, five HAAs [bromoacetic acid (BAA), dibromoacetic acid (DBAA), chloroacetic acid (CAA), dichloroacetic acid (DCAA), and trichloroacetic acid (TCAA); designated as HAA5] are regulated by the U.S. EPA, at a maximum contaminant level of 60 μg/L for the sum of BAA, DBAA, CAA, DCAA, and TCAA. We present a comparative systematic analysis of chronic cytotoxicity and acute genomic DNA damaging capacity of 12 individual HAAs in mammalian cells. In addition to the HAA5, we analyzed iodoacetic acid (IAA), diiodoacetic acid (DiAA), bromoiodoacetic acid (BIAA), tribromoacetic acid (TBAA), chlorodibromoacetic acid (CDBAA), bromodichloroacetic acid (BDCAA), and bromochloroacetic acid (BCAA). Their rank order of chronic cytotoxicity in Chinese hamster ovary cells was IAA > BAA > TBAA > CDBAA > DIAA > DBAA > BDCAA > BCAA > CAA > BIAA > TCAA > DCAA. The rank order for genotoxicity was IAA > BAA > CAA > DBAA > DIAA > TBAA > BCAA > BIAA > CDBAA. DCAA, TCAA, and BDCAA were not genotoxic. The trend for both cytotoxicity and genotoxicity is iodinated HAAs > brominated HAAs > chlorinated HAAs. The use of alternative disinfectants other than chlorine generates new DBPs and alters their distribution. Systematic, comparative, in vitro toxicological data provides the water supply community with information to consider when employing alternatives to chlorine disinfection. In addition, these data aid in prioritizing DBPs and their related compounds for future in vivo toxicological studies and risk assessment.
Targeting Pili in Enterococcal Pathogenesis

Passive protection, the administration of antibodies to prevent infection, has garnered significant interest in recent years as a potential prophylactic countermeasure to decrease the prevalence of hospital-acquired infections. Pili, polymerized protein structures covalently anchored to the peptidoglycan wall of many Gram-positive pathogens, are ideal targets for antibody intervention, given their importance in establishing infection and their accessibility to antibody interactions. In this work, we demonstrated that a monoclonal antibody to the major component of Enterococcus faecalis pili, EbpC, labels polymerized pilus structures, diminishes biofilm formation, and significantly prevents the establishment of a rat endocarditis infection. The effectiveness of this anti-EbpC monoclonal provides strong evidence in support of its potential as a preventative. In addition, after radiolabeling, this monoclonal identified the site of enterococcal infection, providing a rare example of molecularly specific imaging of an established bacterial infection and demonstrating the versatility of this agent for use in future diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
Calpain-1 activity in bovine muscle is primarily influenced by temperature, not pH decline.

The objectives of this study were to 1) determine the conditions (temperature and pH) that exist in early postmortem muscle of normally chilled and delay chilled beef carcasses to provide a model for in vitro work and 2) determine the mechanism by which early postmortem temperature/pH conditions found in beef muscle influence the enzymes that regulate the aging process in vitro. For objective 1, 7 finished beef animals (HCW 385 ± 8 kg) were harvested with the right sides subjected to normal chilling (2.3°C) approximately 1.25 h postmortem and the left sides subjected to ambient temperature (delay chilling; 22.6°C) for an additional 4.75 h postmortem and then allowed to chill at 2.3°C. Delay chilled carcasses had a more rapid pH decline (P 0.10). Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) was reduced in steaks from normally chilled carcasses at 14 d (P 0.10); however, warmer digestions resulted in a tendency for increased activation of μ-calpain (P < 0.10) and a significant reduction in intact TnT (P < 0.05). Additionally, a temperature × time interaction was revealed in μ-calpain activity and in the degradation of intact TnT (P < 0.05). Specifically, assayed calpain activity was lower at 0.17, 0.33, 1, and 3 h and greater at 72 h in warmer digestions, while intact TnT disappearance was greater as both time and digestion temperature increased. Meat aging and μ-calpain activity are influenced by both temperature and pH, but more research is necessary to fully realize their relationships.
Controlling diffraction and waveguide modes by exploiting spatial dispersions in photonic crystals

We present a theoretical condition for achieving three-dimensional self-collimation of light in a photonic crystal. Such effects provide a very interesting mechanism for developing integrated circuits in 3D crystals that can be synthesized in a large scale. We also show that in a dielectric waveguide with a photonic crystal core, the modal properties are very unusual. In particular, a single-mode waveguide for the fundamental mode with a large core and a strong confinement can be realized. This is potentially important for suppressing modal competition in laser structures.
Specific sequences of fibronectin activate the protein kinase C signal transduction pathway in invasive bladder cancer

The mechanism of human bladder cancer cell invasion is not clear, but it appears that extracellular matrix components, such as fibronectin, may be involved. To investigate the role of fibronectin in tumor cell invasion and progression, we used an in vitro invasion assay to define the motility stimulating fragment of fibronectin for invasive human bladder cancer T24 cells. Using a modified Boyden chamber assay and purified fragments of fibronectin, we demonstrated that both the 120 kDa chymotrypsin generated fragment of fibronectin (containing the cell attachment RGD motif and additional sequences towards the carboxyl-terminal heparin binding domain), as well as the trypsin generated 60 kDa fragment of fibronectin (containing the carboxyl-terminal heparin binding domain and additional sequences towards the cell attachment RGD motif), were able to stimulate the migration of invasive human bladder cancer T24 cells. Control fragments containing only the amino-terminal gelatin binding region of fibronectin did not stimulate the motility of the human bladder cancer T24 cells. To determine the molecular mechanism in which these fragments may stimulate the migration of the T24 cells, we assayed for intracellular signal transduction pathway protein kinase C (PKC). We demonstrated that both the 120 kDa and the 60 kDa fragments were able to stimulate the activation of protein kinase C. Non-motility stimulating fragments of fibronectin were not able to activate protein kinase C. We conclude that the PKC signal transduction pathway may be involved in matrix mediated motility, and suggest that the inhibition of such pathway(s) may alter the malignant phenotype of human bladder cancer.
On using a penalty-based cohesive-zone finite element approach, Part I: Elastic solution benchmarks

This paper develops and demonstrates a novel penalty methodology for enhancing the use of the cohesive-zone method (CZM) in finite element models to analyze crack initiation and propagation of surface-bonded structures. For many industrial uses, the CZM finite element approach is troublesome because it is a 3-parameter model depending on critical energy release rate, critical limiting maximum stress and the shape of the traction-separation law. The penalty framework described in the current work maps the CZM approach to fit within the classic Griffith energy release method which is dependent solely on the single material parameter of critical energy release rate. This penalty approach is demonstrated for two generalized problems: double cantilever beam (DCB) analysis and single-arm peeling of very thin elastic substrates. Comparisons with several analytical and pseudo-analytical benchmarks demonstrates how to utilize this new technique as well as the accuracy of the resulting finite element analysis (FEA) solutions for these nonlinear crack propagation and peeling problems.
Copper: An alternative to mercury; more effective than zirconium in Kjeldahl digestion of ecological materials

Abstract Copper sulfate as a catalyst in Kjeldahl digestion of selected ecological materials has been demonstrated to be effective when a salt/acid ratio of 1 g/mL is used. Copper sulfate in combination with zirconium sulfate is no more effective than copper sulfate alone.
Torsional barriers for planar versus twisted singlet styrenes.

Kinetic modeling of the temperature-dependent lifetimes of styrene and several methyl-substituted styrenes has been used to obtain the torsional barriers for singlet-state CC rotation. The barrier for CC torsion is found to be correlated with the ground-state phenyl−vinyl dihedral angle, φ, planar styrenes having barriers of ∼6.5 kcal/mol and moderately twisted styrenes having smaller barriers. Highly twisted styrenes undergo exceptionally rapid intersystem crossing. This unexpected dependence of excited-state behavior on φ is attributed to a change in the character of the excited states from delocalized for planar styrenes to localized for highly twisted styrenes.
Conservatism and the Scientific State of Nature

Those who comment on modern scientific institutions are often quick to praise institutional structures that leave scientists to their own devices. These comments reveal an underlying presumption th...
Ontogenetic shifts in tadpole kin recognition: loss of signal and perception

Abstract Abstract. Although numerous studies of the ontogeny of kin recognition behaviour have been conducted, large gaps in our knowledge remain concerning the dynamics of the individual components of the recognition system. A series of laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the signal/perception system in tadpoles of the red-legged frog, Rana aurora , a species whose kin discrimination ceases at a particular stage of larval development. Laboratory choice tests suggest that the phenotypic marker used in discrimination diminishes and the ability to perceive the marker ceases at a precise stage or larval development. After this stage, tadpoles do not discriminate between kin and non-kin. The phenotypic recognition marker is chemically based and is probably perceived by olfaction.
Three Conserved Transcriptional Repressor Domains Are a Defining Feature of the TIEG Subfamily of Sp1-like Zinc Finger Proteins

Sp1-like transcription factors are characterized by three highly homologous C-terminal zinc finger motifs that bind GC-rich sequences. These proteins behave as either activators or repressors and have begun to be classified into different subfamilies based upon the presence of conserved motifs outside the zinc finger domain. This classification predicts that different Sp1-like subfamilies share certain functional properties. TIEG1 and TIEG2 constitute a new subfamily of transforming growth factor-beta-inducible Sp1-like proteins whose zinc finger motifs also bind GC-rich sequences. However, regions outside of the DNA-binding domain that differ in structure from other Sp1-like family members remain poorly characterized. Here, we have used extensive mutagenesis and GAL4-based transcriptional assays to identify three repression domains within TIEG1 and TIEG2 that we call R1, R2, and R3. R1 is 10 amino acids, R2 is 12 amino acids, and R3 is approximately 80 amino acids long. None of these domains share homology with previously described transcriptional regulatory motifs, but they share strong sequence homology and are functionally conserved between TIEG1 and TIEG2. Together, these data demonstrate that TIEG proteins are capable of repressing transcription, define domains critical for this function, and further support the idea that different subfamilies of Sp1-like proteins have evolved to mediate distinct transcriptional functions.
Resolving Eustasy from Neotectonics in the Sea-Level History of the Pliocene to Holocene of Qatar

The evolution of coastal plains, their inhabitation patterns, present day shape, and surface hydrology of Qatar are related to changes in relative sea-level. Several factors, acting on different time scales, have contributed to sea-level changes. These include tectonism, glacio-eustasy and possibly isostatic rebound. The peninsula shape is the surface expression of the Qatar Arch, one of the largest structural features of the Arabian Plate. It plunges northward into the Zagros foredeep. Tertiary age, compressional flexure of the foredeep and plate tilting associated with Red Sea rifting are likely tectonic forces. Previous studies indicate the Arabian Gulf was a fluvial plain during the last glacial maximum 18,000 years before present (yr BP). The Gulf began flooding 14,000 yr BP in response to ice melting. The period between 14,000-9,000 yr BP is marked by a rapid rise (2m/100yr). Age dating of coastal deposits indicates that sea-level was about 2-4 meters higher than present between 8,000-3,000 years BP. Most coastal deposits are relicts of this sea-level highstand. During this period coral reefs formed a discontinuous fringe around the windward and oblique coastlines. A sea-level drop approximately 2,000 yr BP may account for the demise of the fringing reefs. Similar beaches are found elsewhere along the Gulf. The occurrence of Pliocene age fluvial gravel deposits of the Hofuf Formation on hill tops 30 to 90 meters above sea-level are interpreted as related to long term tectonic uplift, associated with the evolution of the Zagros foredeep and structural tilting of the Arabian Plate. Pleistocene shoreline deposits may be part of the same structural flexural event or reflect the marine isotope stage 5e. Data from Pliocene to present suggest that the sea-level history of Qatar reflects relatively high-frequency changes in seal-level driven by eustasy superimposed on a long term pattern of tectonic uplift.
Some Effects of Piperazine and Methyridine On the Free-Living Nematode Caenorhabditis Briggsae (Rhabditidae)

Some biological effects of methyridine and piperazine on Caenorhabditis briggsae have been investigated using in vitro techniques on intact worms. It has been found that methyridine produces a contracted paralysis which is not reversed in drug-free medium and piperazine produces a flaccid paralysis reversible in drug-free medium. Methyridine and piperazine negate the action of each other competitively. Different types of evidence have been presented and discussed to show that drugs affect the neuromuscular system of C. briggsae, methyridine being a depolarizing agent and piperazine a neuro-muscular junction blocking agent.
Empirically testing the law of one price in an international commodity market: A rational expectations application to the natural rubber market

Abstract The Law of One Price (LOP) is an important ingredient in theories of international trade and exchange rate determination. An important shortcoming of the existing empirical literature is that parity is typically assumed to hold contemporaneously. This overlooks the fact that international commodity arbitrage takes place over time as well as across spatially separated markets. Recognizing this fact, we expect to see parity holding for expected prices. A model which incorporates the expectations of commodity arbitragers is constructed and used to test the LOP in the natural rubber market. Results indicate that the inclusion of expectations may be of value when considering the LOP.
Approximations of the KdV equation by least squares finite element

Abstract The problem of approximating solutions to the Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation is investigated using a least squares finite element method. The third order KdV equation is recast as a first-order system and a least-squares finite element approach is introduced for the semidiscrete time-differenced form of the resulting equations. Of particular interest are the approximation properties for solitary wave solutions (solitons). We examine the amplitude and phase error for a representative test problem as well as other examples including the passage of one soliton through another.
Effects of Seeking Accommodation and Disability on Preemployment Evaluations

Within the context of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, we examined the impact of requesting accommodation and having a disability on ratings of applicant suitability for employment. Psychology students and human resources (HR) professionals reviewed application materials from a hypothetical job candidate and then evaluated the candidate's qualifications for the job. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 conditions that consisted of a candidate seeking or not seeking accommodation partially crossed with disability type (none, physical, or psychiatric). Three potential covariates were considered: HR employment status, and knowledge of and attitude toward the ADA. Results showed that asking for reasonable accommodation lowered suitability ratings, even when controlling for HR employment status, the only significant covariate. Also, a candidate with a psychiatric disability was given significantly lower employment suitability ratings than was a candidate with no disability. Implications for applicants with disabilities and employers are discussed.
On the development of color naming in young children: Data and theory

Among the semantics of different common attributes of the environment, consistent and correct color naming seems to develop paradoxically late in children, for even young infants discriminate and categorize colors well, color is a salient feature of the child's world, and children are aware of color as a separate domain, know color terms, and respond to color questions with color names. Several specific anomalies characterize early linguistic development in this domain: Errors in beginning color naming are perseverative or random, there seems to be a minimum age for correct and consistent color naming, developmental rate shows wide individual differences, and acquisition among girls is generally faster than among boys. This essay reviews data that support these observations, and evaluates three traditional explanations for them--including the perceptual salience of color for children, experience and learning in the child, and cognitive development--against a fourth new possibility. It is hypothesized that appropriate color naming may depend on the maturation and integration of specific cortical neurological structures; among several interpretations, the neurological one accounts best for diverse characteristics of early color naming.
Sub-optimal data compression and the subset sum problem

Abstract We propose an efficient, sub-optimal prefix code construction method for discrete sources with a finite alphabet and known probability mass function (pmf). It is well known that for a source that puts out symbols x i with probability p i , the optimal codeword lengths are l i = log ( 1 / p i ) . However, codeword lengths are integers and log ( 1 / p i ) is, in general, not an integer. We propose a method to find binary codewords for x i whose lengths are initially assumed to be ⌈ log ( 1 / p i ) ⌉ − 1 . Every prefix code must satisfy the Kraft's inequality but our initial codeword lengths may not satisfy the Kraft's inequality. Using a simplified version of the subset sum problem we find a minimal set of codeword lengths that must be increased from ⌈ log ( 1 / p i ) ⌉ − 1 to ⌈ log ( 1 / p i ) ⌉ , so that Kraft's inequality is satisfied. Even though this solution is not optimal it leads to average codeword lengths that are close to optimal and in some cases codeword lengths that are optimal. Unlike the Huffman code, our solution does not require the ordering of probabilities in the pmf. The efficiency of our method can be further improved by reducing the size of the subset sum problem. The example of English text shows that our method leads to a solution that is very close to the optimal solution. The proposed method can also be used for encryption, thereby accomplishing both compression and encryption simultaneously.
Atmospheric scavenging of soluble and insoluble matter.

Abstract Retention efficiency of insoluble particle scavenging by rainfall and in-cloud and below-cloud fractions of scavenging for both soluble and insoluble particles were experimentally determined for rainfall rates of about 1 mm/h. The retention efficiency was found to be 0.90, which is in good agreement with the theoretical work of McDonald (1963). In-cloud scavenging was found to be a dominant factor in atmospheric scavenging processes.
Mixed finite element formulation for frictionless contact problems

Simple mixed finite element models and a computational procedure are presented for the solution of frictionless contact problems. The analytical formulation is based on a form of Reissner's large-rotation theory of the structure with the effect of transverse shear deformation included. The contact conditions are incorporated into the formulation by using a perturbed Lagrangian approach with the fundamental unknowns consisting of the internal forces (or stress resultants), the generalized displacements, and the Lagrange multipliers associated with the contact conditions. Numerical examples of axisymmetric deformations of a hemispherical shell and planar deformations of a circular ring are presented. Both structures are pressed against a rigid plate. Detailed information about the response of the structures is presented. The numerical studies demonstrate the high accuracy of the mixed models and the effectiveness of the computational procedure based on combining the geometrically nonlinear terms and the contact conditions in one iteration loop.
Solvent polarity influences product selectivity of lipase-mediated esterification reactions in microaqueous media

Esterification reactions were evaluated by using lipases fromRhizomucor miehei (Lipozyme IM20) andPseudomonas cepacia (PS-30) with equimolar levels (1.77 mmol) of undecanoic acid and glycerol or 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PD) or 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PD) in organic solvents of log P (partition coefficient between 1-octanol/water) values of (−0.33–4.5. Reaction yields (percentage of esterified undercanoate) with glycerol ranged from 1.4 to 72%, with greatest yields observed in solvents of log P 4.0–4.5 for Lipozyme, whereas the PS-30 lipase was similarly effective (27–38% yield) over the full range of solvent polarities. For both enzymes, as solvent apolarity increased, so did the extent of acylation of glycerol in the final product mixture. Reaction yields with 1,3-PD ranged from 8.1 to 64% for Lipozyme and from 18 to 84% for PS-30 lipase, with greatest yields observed for both enzymes in solvents of log P values in the range 1.2–5.0. For both lipases, the shift to greater solvent apolarity was accompanied by an increased molar ratio of diacylated-1,3-PD/monoacylated-1,3-PD in the product mixture. Reaction yields with 1,2-PD ranged from 2.5 to 45% for Lipozyme and from 12 to 52% for PS-30 lipase, with greatest yields observed in solvents of log P values in the ranges 1.4–1.9 and 1.4–4.5, respectively. The shift to greater solvent apolarity was accompanied by an increased molar ratio of diacylated-1,2-PD: monoacylated-1,2-PD in the product mixture, except for Lipozyme in the three most apolar solvents (log P of 3.5–4.5) in which there was a general attenuation of activity. These results suggest the existence of a solvent polarity influence on reaction product selectivity in multiproduct reactions, which can be partially explained on the basis of differential solvation and extraction properties of solvents.
Response of Male Indigo and Lazuli Buntings and Their Hybrids To Song Playback in Allopatric and Sympatric Populations

The hybridizing semispecies indigo and lazuli buntings (Passerina cyanea, P. amoena) were studied in song playback experiments in allopatric and sympatric populations. In allopatry, males of both species responded strongly to conspecific and weakly to heterospecific songs. In sympatry, indigo, lazuli and hybrid males reacted equally and strongly to both indigo and lazuli songs. Alteration of song structures, by presenting indigo syllables in lazuli temporal pattern and lazuli syllables in indigo temporal pattern, showed that the response of allopatric indigo and lazuli males was determined primarily by syllabic (phonological) cues in the test songs and not by the temporal pattern. The overall pattern of male response in sympatry and allopatry provides some understanding of the observed degree of reproductive isolation between these species.
Improved fat-water reconstruction algorithm with graphics hardware acceleration.

Purpose: To develop a fast and robust Iterative Decomposition of water and fat with Echo Asymmetry and Least-squares (IDEAL) reconstruction algorithm using graphics processor unit (GPU) computation. Materials and Methods: The fat–water reconstruction was expedited by vectorizing the fat–water parameter estimation, which was implemented on a graphics card to evaluate potential speed increases due to data-parallelization. In addition, we vectorized and compared Brent's method with golden section search for the optimization of the unknown field inhomogeneity parameter (ψ) in the IDEAL equations. The algorithm was made more robust to fat–water ambiguities using a modified planar extrapolation (MPE) of ψ algorithm. As compared to simple planar extrapolation (PE), the use of an averaging filter in MPE made the reconstruction more robust to neighborhoods poorly fit by a two-dimensional plane. Results: Fat–water reconstruction time was reduced by up to a factor of 11.6 on a GPU as compared to CPU-only reconstruction. The MPE algorithms incorrectly assigned fewer pixels than PE using careful manual correction as a gold standard (0.7% versus 4.5%; P < 10−4). Brent's method used fewer iterations than golden section search in the vast majority of pixels (6.8 ± 1.5 versus 9.6 ± 1.6 iterations). Conclusion: Data sets acquired on a high field scanner can be quickly and robustly reconstructed using our algorithm. A GPU implementation results in significant time savings, which will become increasingly important with the trend toward high resolution mouse and human imaging. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010; 31: 457–465. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cultivating the Possible: A Tribute to Harry Judge.

More emphasis in teaching upon ‘alternatives’ to the generalisation and the particulars that are being taught in school has the beneficial effect not only of broadening the learner’s knowledge but of opening his or her mind to the existence of possibilities in how we know the world.
Mechanisms of closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect

Although more defects in the muscular ventricular septum close spontaneously than do defects abutting on the membranous septum (perimembranous defects), a good proportion of the latter show a tendency to diminish in size and to close. The mechanism responsible for this closure is usually described as an aneurysm of the membranous septum, although some doubt has been cast as to whether this is the precise mechanism. In this study, 69 unoperated hearts with ventricular septal defect were examined; 26 (38%) showed some evidence of partial closure and none extended exclusively into the outlet part of the septum. Two thirds of the trabecular perimembranous defects, almost half of the inlet defects, and one third of the confluent defects showed signs of partial occlusion. The anatomic structures most frequently responsible were reduplication of tricuspid valve tissue (16 cases), adhesion of tricuspid valve leaflets (6 cases), and prolapse of an aortic valve leaflet (3 cases). Only in 2 cases were subaortic tissue tags observed which might have originated from the remnant of the membranous septum. The present study shows that although anatomic evidence of partial closure was present in two fifths of the hearts studied, only rarely was it due to so-called aneurysm of the membranous septum.
Precision control of carrier-envelope phase in grating based chirped pulse amplifiers

It is demonstrated that the carrier-envelope (CE) phase of pulses from a high power ultrafast laser system with a grating-based stretcher and compressor can be stabilized to a root mean square (rms) value of 180 mrad over almost 2 hours, excluding a brief re-locking period. The stabilization was accomplished via feedback control of the stretcher grating separation in the stretcher. It shows that the long term CE phase stability of a grating based chirped pulse amplification system can be as good as that of lasers using a glass-block stretcher and a prism pair compressor. Moreover, by adjusting the grating separation to preset values, the relative CE phase could be locked to an arbitrary value in the range of 2π. This method is better than using a pair of wedge plates to adjust the phase after a hollow-core fiber compressor. The CE phase stabilization after a hollow-core fiber compressor was confirmed by a CE-phase meter based on the measurement of the left-to-right asymmetry of electrons produced by above-threshold ionization.