cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonparametric estimation of a hedonic price function

In this paper we attempt to replicate the results of an article (Anglin and Gencay 1996) published in this journal which applied semiparametric procedures to estimate a hedonic price function. To relax additional restrictive assumptions, we also employ a fully nonparametric model that captures nonlinearity in both continuous and categorical variables. We find that the nonparametric procedure gives more intuitive and meaningful results.
Cocaine‐induced hepatotoxicity

A patient with hepatonecrosis associated with cocaine use is presented. Postmortem examination of the liver showed marked periportal inflammation and necrosis, and mild diffuse fatty infiltration. These pathologic findings are identical to those previously reported in a mouse model of cocaine hepatotoxicity.
Toward a Mechanism for the Allosteric Transition of Pig Kidney Fructose-1,6-Bisphosphatase

We examine structural aspects of the allosteric transition of pig kidney fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (Fru-1,6-Pase) by analyzing the X-ray structures of the R and T form enzymes. The results show a hierarchical structural change during the R to T transition. Upon binding of AMP, a cascade of structural changes occurs starting from the AMP site: expansion of the AMP site, local conformational changes of helices H1 and H2, independent rotations and translation of helices H1, H2 and H3 (and loops connecting them), reorganization of the AMP domain as a whole and its 1.9 degrees rotation relative to the fructose-1,6-bisphosphate domain, and conformational changes at the C1-C2 and C1-C4 interfaces leading to the quaternary conformational change of a 17 degrees rotation between dimers. The AMP inhibition results from the relative movement between the AMP and FBP domains which distorts the active site during the transition by shifting the metal binding sites to unfavourable positions. Communication that ensures cooperativity during R to T transition relies on changes in positions of helices H1, H2 and H3, loops 127-131, 168-170 and 187-192, and on N-terminal residues. All of these features are close to the C1-C4 and symmetry equivalent C2-C3 interfaces and the relatively small C1-C3 interface of the T form. These secondary structures form the framework along which structural changes due to AMP binding can propagate to other parts of the monomers as well as across monomer interfaces. Future dynamics studies may be useful to analyze initiation, propagation and completion of the quaternary conformational change of Fru-1,6-Pase upon AMP binding. Also, site directed mutagenesis experiments are expected to provide more detailed descriptions of the importance of each of the residues that has been identified here in the proposed mechanisms.
High temperature dielectric stability of liquid crystal polymer at mm-wave frequencies

The temperature dependent dielectric stability and transmission line losses of liquid crystal polymer (LCP) are determined from 11-105 GHz. Across this frequency range, LCP's temperature coefficient of dielectric constant, /spl tau//sub /spl epsi/r/, has an average value of -42 ppm//spl deg/C. At 11GHz the /spl tau//sub /spl epsi/r/ is the best (-3 ppm//spl deg/C), but this value degrades slightly with increasing frequency. This /spl tau//sub /spl epsi/r/ average value compares well with the better commercially available microwave substrates. In addition, it includes information for mm-wave frequencies whereas standard values for /spl tau//sub /spl epsi/r/ are usually only given at 10 GHz or below. Transmission line losses on 3- and 5-mil LCP substrates increase by approximately 20% at 75/spl deg/C and 50% or more at 125/spl deg/C. These insertion loss increases can be used as a design guide for LCP circuits expected to be exposed to elevated operating temperatures.
Protein kinase B/Akt: a nexus of growth factor and cytokine signaling in determining muscle mass

Although the boundaries of skeletal muscle size are fundamentally determined by genetics, this dynamic tissue also demonstrates great plasticity in response to environmental and hormonal factors. R...
Gossip-based sleep protocol (GSP) for energy efficient routing in wireless ad hoc networks

This paper proposes a novel energy saving scheme, termed the Gossip-based sleep protocol (GSP). With GSP, each node randomly goes to sleep for some time with gossip sleep probability p. When the value of p is small enough, the network stays connected. GSP does not require a wireless node to maintain the states of other nodes. It requires few operations and scales to large networks. Two versions of GSP, one for synchronous networks and one for asynchronous networks are proposed, and the advantages of the GSP approach through both simulations and analysis is showed in this paper.
Safe distributed motion coordination for second-order systems with different planning cycles

When multiple robots operate in the same environment, it is desirable for scalability purposes to coordinate their motion in a distributed fashion while providing guarantees about their safety. If the robots have to respect second-order dynamics, this becomes a challenging problem, even for static environments. This work presents a replanning framework where each robot computes partial plans during each cycle, while executing a previously computed trajectory. Each robot communicates with its neighbors to select a trajectory that is safe over an infinite time horizon. The proposed approach does not require synchronization and allows the robots to dynamically change their cycles over time. This paper proves that the proposed motion coordination algorithm guarantees safety under this general setting. This framework is not specific to the underlying robot dynamics, as it can be used with a variety of dynamical systems, nor to the planning or control algorithm used to generate the robot trajectories. The performance of the approach is evaluated using a distributed multi-robot simulator on a computing cluster, where the simulated robots are forced to communicate by exchanging messages. The simulation results confirm the safety of the algorithm in various environments with up to 32 robots governed by second-order dynamics.
Pathology of the aortic arch in hypoplastic left heart syndrome: Surgical implications

Aortic arch reconstruction plays an important role in the success of the Norwood procedure (NP) for hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). This study investigated the cardiac specimens to determine the etiology of distal aortic arch obstruction after the NP for HLHS and to locate coarctation of the aorta in HLHS untreated by surgery. This study examined 17 cardiac specimens: 9 that had NP and 8 not treated by surgery. The findings after NP showed frequent failure to resect the coarctation segment completely and failure to extend the augmentation patch into the descending aorta. Five (62.5%) of the eight hearts not treated by surgery had significant periductal coarctation of the aorta. After NP for nine patients, three (33%) had residual coarctation of the aorta. To minimize the risk of recurrent or persistent aortic arch obstruction after NP and to improve the long- and short-term outcome, the ductal tissue and the coarctation segment encircling the aortic lumen should be resected. The distal wall incision should be extended at least 5 mm beyond the distal aspect of the ductal tissue. These steps could avoid major aortic arch obstruction, promote growth of the native aortic tissue, and avoid ventricular dysfunction.
Adverse events in the hospitalized elderly

This descriptive study examined the incidence, onset, and correlates of adverse events (acute confusion, adverse drug reactions, nutritional problems, pressure ulcers, falls, and transient urinary incontinence) experienced by elderly persons hospitalized for acute illness. The researchers studied 64 patients (mean age 74.4 years) for the duration of their hospitalization. Over half (54%) experienced some degree of acute confusion during their hospitalization. There was a 24% incidence of pressure ulcers and a 2% incidence of adverse reactions to medications. No instances of falls or transient urinary incontinence were observed or documented in this sample. Nutritional problems were identified in one third of the sample. Predictive profiles of patients at risk for adverse events associated with hospitalization were developed and provide directions for patient care and further research.
Application of Design of Experiment and Simulation Methods to Liquid Chromatography Analysis of Topical HIV Microbicides Stampidine and HI443.

This study intended to determine if experimental design and Monte Carlo simulation methods can be utilized to optimize the liquid chromatography (LC) analysis of active molecules. The method was applied for the simultaneous analysis of two topical microbicides, stampidine (STP) and HI443 in bulk and nanoformulations. The Plackett-Burman design was used for screening; whereas, Box-Behnken design was used to evaluate the main and interaction effects of the selected factors on the responses, namely peak area of STP (Y 1 ), HI443 (Y 2 ), tailing of STP (Y 3 ), and HI443 (Y4). The Monte Carlo simulation was applied to get the minimum defect rate (DR) of the process. The optimized LC conditions were found to be X 1 ; flow rate: 0.6 mL/min, X 2 ; injection volume: 18 µL, and X 3 ; initial gradient acetonitrile ratio: 92% v/v with a minimal DR of 0.077%. The optimized method was applied to determine the percent encapsulation efficiency (%EE) and in vitro release profile of STP and HI443 from solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs). The %EE of STP and HI443 in SLNs was found to be 30.56 ± 9.44 and 94.80 ± 21.90% w/w, respectively, (n=3). It was observed that the release kinetics of STP followed the first order, whereas, HI443 followed the Peppas kinetic model in SLNs. The LC method was also applied for the estimation of molar extinction coefficients (e 270 ) of both drugs for the first time. These values were estimated to be 7,569.03 ± 217.96 and 17,823.67 ± 88.12 L/mol/cm for STP and HI443, respectively, (n=3). The results suggest that experimental design and Monte Carlo simulation can be effectively used to reduce the DR of a process and to optimize the chromatographic conditions for the analysis of bio-active agents as applied in this study.
Isolation of chlorogenic acids from roasted coffee

Chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid and Band 510 have been shown to survive the coffee roasting process. Pure samples of each isomer have been isolated from a commercially roasted coffee and are non-allergenic.
Universal Product Family Design Valuation in an Uncertain Market Environment

Strategic adaptability is essential in capitalizing on future investment opportunities and responding properly to market trends in an uncertain environment. Customized products or services are an important source of revenue for many companies, particularly those working with in a mass customization environment where customer satisfaction is of paramount important. In this paper, we extend methods from mass customization and product family design to create specific methods for universal product family design. The objective of this research is to propose a valuation financial model to facilitate universal design strategies that will maximize the expected profit under uncertain constrains. Real options analysis is applied to estimate the valuation of options related to introducing new modules as a platform in a universal product family. We use customers’ preferences based on performance utilities for universal design to reflect demand and demographic trends. To demonstrate implementation of the proposed model, we use a case study involving a family of light-duty trucks. We perform sensitivity analysis to investigate the behavior of the estimated option value against chaining system parameters.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
The relationship between transistor-based and circuit-based reliability assessment for digital circuits

Logic, analog, RF, SRAM, and DRAM circuits respond differently to NBTI and HCI induced time dependent parametric shifts. We analyze digital logic susceptibility to these transistor degradation mechanisms and identify the benefits of simulation based aging-induced reliability assurance at the product level.
Neonatal thyrotoxicosis presenting as persistent pulmonary hypertension

Neonatal hyperthyroidism is a rare condition caused either by transplacental passage of thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins from a mother with Graves’ disease or by activating mutations of the thyrotropin receptors and α-subunit of G-protein. The clinical features may vary. We report a case of neonatal thyrotoxicosis in an infant born to a mother with Graves’ disease, who presented with cardiorespiratory failure and persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN). PPHN resolved with specific antithyroid treatment and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was not required.
Simple closed form formulas for predicting groundwater flow model uncertainty in complex, heterogeneous trending media

[1] This note presents approximate, closed form formulas for predicting groundwater velocity variances caused by unmodeled small-scale heterogeneity in hydraulic conductivity. These formulas rely on a linearization of the groundwater flow equation but do not require the common statistical stationarity assumptions. The formulas are illustrated with a two-dimensional analysis of steady state flows in complex, multidimensional trending media and compared with a first-order numerical analysis and Monte Carlo simulation. This comparison indicates that despite the simplifications, the closed form formulas capture the strongly nonstationary distributions of the velocity variances and match well with the first-order numerical model and the Monte Carlo simulation except in the immediate proximity of prescribed head boundaries and mean conductivity discontinuities. The complex trending examples illustrate that the closed form formulas have many of the capabilities of a full stochastic numerical model while retaining the convenience of analytical results.
Daily fatigue in women with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia

We examined between and within-person variability, affective correlates, and diagnostic differences in daily fatigue in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Two hundred and fifty-five female patients recruited from the community served as participants for this project. The patients had a physician-confirmed diagnosis of RA (n=89), OA (n=76), or FMS (n=90). Individuals completed an initial questionnaire and up to 32 daily diaries assessing illness symptoms and psychosocial variables (i.e., fatigue, pain, sleep problems, depression, and affect). The primary outcome for the current project was variability in fatigue. We examined affective, pain, and sleep correlates of fatigue, and tested whether these relations varied by diagnosis. Results indicated that FMS patients had higher overall levels of and greater daily variability in fatigue compared with the other pain groups. For all patients, fatigue correlated highly with lower positive affect (PA). Moreover, day-to-day increases in fatigue were associated with decreases in PA, particularly among FMS patients, and with increases in negative affect (NA). Daily pain was associated with increased fatigue in all groups, although OA patients showed less pain reactivity than either FMS or RA patients. These findings indicate that fatigue is a common feature of rheumatologic conditions. Nonetheless, there are important differences between RA, OA, and FM patients in both the everyday manifestations and the biopsychosocial correlates of fatigue.
Intestinal reperfusion-induced pulmonary edema is related to increased pulmonary inducible nitric oxide synthase activity

Abstract Background: This study examines the hypothesis that specific inhibition of the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) will attenuate intestinal reperfusion-induced pulmonary microvascular dysfunction. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats underwent intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) or sham operation (SHAM). Before injury, the animals received a selective inhibitor of iNOS (S-methylisothiourea sulfate, SMT; L-N 6 -[1-iminoethyl] lysine, L- NIL), a nonselective inhibitor of NOS (N G -nitro-L -arginine methylester, L -NAME) or vehicle (0.9% saline). IR-induced changes in pulmonary microvascular permeability were assessed by quantitating the extravasation of Evans blue dye (EBD)-bound protein into the lung. Pulmonary iNOS activity and content were assessed by radiochemical analysis and Western blot, respectively. Results: There was 60% more EBD within the lungs of animals sustaining IR when compared with controls ( P P > .05). There was significantly greater iNOS activity and enzyme content within the lungs of animals sustaining IR compared with controls. Conclusions: These data are consistent with the hypothesis that the release of nanomolar quantities of nitric oxide generated by iNOS contributes to IR-induced pulmonary microvascular dysfunction. (Surgery 1998;124:457-63.)
Resource scheduling in dependable integrated modular avionics

In the recent development of avionics systems, integrated modular avionics (IMA) is advocated for next generation architecture that needs integration of mixed criticality real-time applications. These integrated applications meet their own timing constraints while sharing avionics computer resources. To guarantee timing constraints and dependability of each application, an IMA-based system is equipped with the schemes for spatial and temporal partitioning. We refer the model as SP-RTS (strongly partitioned real-time system), which deals with processor partitions and communication channels as its basic scheduling entities. This paper presents a partition and channel-scheduling algorithm for the SP-RTS. The basic idea of the algorithm is to use a two-level hierarchical schedule that activates partitions (or channels) following a distance-constraints guaranteed cyclic schedule and then dispatches tasks (or messages) according to a fixed priority schedule. To enhance schedulability, we devised heuristic algorithms for deadline decomposition and channel combining. The simulation results show the schedulability analysis of the two-level scheduling algorithm and the beneficial characteristics of the proposed deadline decomposition and channel combining algorithms.
Design and Analysis of a Novel L1 Adaptive Controller, Part II: Guaranteed Transient Performance

In this paper, we present a novel adaptive control architecture that ensures that the input and output of an uncertain linear system track the input and output of a desired linear system during the transient phase, in addition to the asymptotic tracking. Design guidelines are presented to ensure that the desired transient specifications can be achieved for both system's input and output signals. The tools from this paper can be used to develop a theoretically justified verification and validation framework for adaptive systems. Simulation results illustrate the theoretical findings
Communicative behavior and conflict between African-American customers and Korean immigrant retailers in Los Angeles

Face-to-face interaction between Korean immigrant retailers and African-American customers in Los Angeles often leaves members of each group feeling as if the other has behaved in insultingly inapp...
Everett Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations Theory: Its Utility and Value in Public Health

One of the reasons that the Diffusion of Innovations is one of the most cited books in the social sciences is that Ev has been constantly reworking and expanding the framework moving his thinking in different directions. One direction has been in the application of the framework. He has taken diffusion of innovations concepts and profitably put them to work in international development with fertility and family planning as one of the more prominent areas where he and his thinking have made important contributions. More recently he has been working in the applied fields of nutrition education and substance abuse. But the diffusion of innovation framework has also evolved and expanded theoretically from early models of communication process that tended to be linear and ‘‘individual’’ to more interactive models of communication in which participants create and share information to arrive at mutual understandings of new values new concepts and new practices. (excerpt)
Cnidarian Nerve Nets and Neuromuscular Efficiency

Cnidarians are considered "nerve net animals" even though their nervous systems include various forms of condensation and centralization. Yet, their broad, two-dimensional muscle sheets are innervated by diffuse nerve nets. Do the motor nerve nets represent a primitive organization of multicellular nervous systems, do they represent a consequence of radial symmetry, or do they offer an efficient way to innervate a broad, two-dimensional muscle sheet, in which excitation of the muscle sheet can come from multiple sites of initiation? Regarding the primitive nature of cnidarian nervous systems, distinct neuronal systems exhibit some adaptations that are well known in higher animals, such as the use of oversized neurons with increased speed of conduction, and condensation of neurites into nerve-like tracts. A comparison of neural control of two-dimensional muscle sheets in a mollusc and jellyfish suggests that a possible primitive feature of cnidarian neurons may be a lack of regional specialization into conducting and transmitting regions.
A Basketmaker II Wooden Tool Cache from Lower Glen Canyon

ABSTRACTA cache of three Basketmaker II wooden tools was found in a shallow alcove of lower Glen Canyon. The cache includes a digging stick and a complete and fragmentary 5-shaped stick of the type recovered from BMII sites such as White Dog Cave, and variously referred to as clubs, rabbit-sticks, and fending sticks. The complete 5-shaped stick is believed to have been used as a fending stick, whereas the fragmentary example apparently had been recycled as a throwing stick. The grass lining of the cache pit has a calibrated 2 sigma radiocarbon age of 760 to 200 B.c. This date corroborates another early date on BMII remains from the nearby Rock Creek Alcove and supports the conclusion that the ancestral Anasazi had occupied lower Glen Canyon as early as 400 B.C.
Phonological Effects on Syntactic Variation

It is well known that syntax matters to phonology, but does phonology matter to syntax? This question is controversial, partly because judging whether a phenomenon is syntactic or phonological is not always straightforward, and partly because the relevant data (e.g., well-formedness judgments) are often noncategorical, yet grammatically structured in ways that elude performance explanations. This review discusses examples of phonologically constrained syntactic variation and shows how they can be understood in terms of the variation + filtering theory of syntax–phonology interaction. This theory has the following key properties: (a) Phonology refers to syntax, but syntax does not refer to phonology; (b) syntax predicts variation by admitting alternative linearizations as well as alternative choices among constituents; and (c) phonology acts as a filter by evaluating the phonological well-formedness of the variants. I conclude that phonological effects on syntactic variation are limited, but real.
Casein Supplementation Does Not Affect the Estimates of True Total Tract Digestibility of Phosphorus in Soybean Meal for Growing Pigs Determined by the Regression Method

Forty-eight barrows with an average initial body weight of 25.5±0.3 kg were assigned to 6 dietary treatments arranged in a 3×2 factorial of 3 graded levels of P at 1.42, 2.07, or 2.72 g/kg, and 2 levels of casein at 0 or 50 g/kg to compare the estimates of true total tract digestibility (TTTD) of P in soybean meal (SBM) for pigs fed diets with or without casein supplementation. The SBM is the only source of P in diets without casein, and in the diet with added casein, 1.0 to 2.4 g/kg of total dietary P was supplied by SBM as dietary level of SBM increased. The experiment consisted of a 5-d adjustment period and a 5-d total collection period with ferric oxide as a maker to indicate the initiation and termination of fecal collection. There were interactive effects of casein supplementation and total dietary P level on the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and retention of P (p 0.05). In summary, our results demonstrate that the estimates of TTTD of P in SBM for pigs were not affected by constant casein inclusion in the basal diets.
Influence of L-Carnitine on Performance and Ruminal and Blood Metabolites of Grazing Calves and Finishing Lambs

Three experiments were conducted to study the influence of level and type of L-carnitine (LC) on performance and rumiasl and plasma metabolites of weanling calves and finishing lambs. Weanling calves (84) grazing dormant dallisgrass-bermudagrass forage were fed a 20% CP supplement to provide 0, 0.5, 1, or 2 g of ruminally unprotected (RUP) LC per calf daily in Exp. 1. There was a linear increase (P=0.01) and cubic response (P=0.03) to RUP LC in growth rate and quadratic changes (P=0.01) in plasma ammonia N (PAN) and plasma urea N (PUN). In Exp. 2, 32 lambs were individually fed 14% CP diets containing 0, 50, 100, or 200 ppm RUP LC or ruminally protected (RP) LC in a 2 × 4 arrangement of treatments. Lambs gained BW faster (P=0.03) and more efficiently (P=0.07) as the LC level increased to 100 ppm and then declined at 200 ppm (quadratic response). Longissimus area decreased (P=0.03), and fat cover tended (P=0.15) to decline, at 50 and 100 ppm LC and increased at 200 ppm (linear and quadratic response). Ruminal ammonia N levels were reduced at 50 ppm LC but increased at greater LC levels (linear, quadratic, and cubic response, P=0.02). Plasma carnitine concentrations increased (P=0.01) as the dietary level of LC increased. Protected LC was more effective than RUP LC in increasing growth rate (P=0.06) and reducing PAN (P=0.1). In Exp. 3, 16 wether and 16 ewe lambs were individually fed corn-based or soybean hull-based diets with 0 or 100 ppm RP LC in a 2 × 2 arrangement of treatments. Lambs fed RP LC gained BW faster and more efficiently (P=0.04) than lambs that were not fed LC. Lambs fed corn-based and soybean hull-based diets responded similarly to RP LC; however, performance was greater (P=0.03) for lambs fed the corn-based diet. Gender of lambs did not influence the response to diet or RP LC. Supplementing the diet with 100 ppm RP LC reduced (P=0.01) ruminal pH and ammonia N. Plasma carnitine concentrations were increased (P=0.01), and PAN was decreased (P=0.04) by feeding 100 ppm RP LC. Ruminnaly unprotected and RP LC were effective in improving growth rate in ruminants; the latter appeared to be more effective in finishing lambs. L-carnitine reduced ruminal ammonia N and plasma glucose and, in some cases, PAN and PUN.
Fracture Energy and Critical Strength of High Molecular Weight Glassy Polymers

The fracture energy and the critical strength of glassy polymers with molecular weight larger than the critical value for the onset of chain entanglements are proportional to the number of chain segments entangled about a unit plane. A new molecular model is presented to calculate the crossing density of these chain segments when the segment length is a stochastic variable. The crossing density depends on the mesh size of the entanglement network and the number of entanglement network strands per unit volume. Theoretical predictions of the variation of the fracture energy and strength with the molecular weight are compared with experimental results for various glassy polymers.
Resistance of Culex pipiens pallens and its control countermeasure

Objective To learn current situation of Culex pipiens pallens resistance to normal used insecticides,and provide scientific information for using insecticides reasonably. Methods Immersion method.Results The LC50 of Culex pipiens pallens to DDVP,malathion,deltamethrin,cypermethrin were 0.820 9,0.161 6,0.006 4,0.008 6 mg/m3.In contrast with standard sensitive strain,relative resistance folds were 18.7,2.2,33.7 and 29.8 respectively.Conclusion Culex pipiens pallens have had resistance to the above four kinds of insecticides to some degree.Its resistance to deltamethrin is the highest,the second is cypermethrin.Its resistance to malathion is the lowest and still in sensitive stage.
Isolation of Vibrio cholerae from the American Eel, Anguilla rostrata.

Nineteen eels ( Anguilla rostrata ), collected from the Suwannee River estuary in Florida, were examined for Vibrio cholerae . Nonagglutinable V. cholerae were isolated from 11 of the eels for an isolation rate of 58%. Isolates from 6 of the eels were confirmed by the Smith serotyping system and found to be types 17, 68 and 175.
The Sampling of Conformational Dynamics in Ambient-Temperature Crystal Structures of Arginine Kinase

Arginine kinase provides a model for functional dynamics, studied through crystallography, enzymology, and nuclear magnetic resonance. Structures are now solved, at ambient temperature, for the transition state analog (TSA) complex. Analysis of quasi-rigid sub-domain displacements show that differences between the two TSA structures average about 5% of changes between substrate-free and TSA forms, and they are nearly co-linear. Small backbone hinge rotations map to sites that also flex on substrate binding. Anisotropic atomic displacement parameters (ADPs) are refined using rigid-body TLS constraints. Consistency between crystal forms shows that they reflect intrinsic molecular properties more than crystal lattice effects. In many regions, the favored directions of thermal/static displacement are appreciably correlated with movements on substrate binding. Correlation between ADPs and larger substrate-associated movements implies that the latter approximately follow paths of low-energy intrinsic motions.
Cross-Bridge Attachment in Relaxed Muscle

We have measured the stiffness of relaxed, skinned rabbit psoas fibers at 5 degrees C in low ionic strength relaxing solution (mu = 0.02 M) by stretching the fibers and measuring the resulting force and sarcomere length changes. This stiffness is very dependent upon the velocity of stretch. With very slow stretches (0.5% of fiber length in greater than 30 ms), it is almost negligible but with stretches as fast as 0.5% of fiber length in 150 microseconds, the stiffness approaches 1/3 that of the rigor fiber. This stiffness is also very sensitive to ionic strength, being reduced more than 20-fold at an ionic strength of 0.17 M. This ionic strength sensitive stiffness scales with the amount of overlap between the actin and myosin filaments which strongly suggests that it is due to attached cross-bridges. The speed dependence suggests that the attached cross-bridges are not statically attached but in rapid equilibrium between attached and detached states. Experiments with adenylyl-imido-diphosphate suggest that the rates of attachment and detachment depend upon nucleotide.
Using Theory of Reasoned Action to Explore "Slow Fashion" Consumer Behavior

Apparel industry is morphing with new retailers encouraging their consumers to build smaller, simpler and longer lasting wardrobes. This is in line with the evolving consumer attitude, especially among Millennials who are increasingly expecting transparency from their clothing brands and are willing to pay more for clothes that last longer. The purpose of the current study was to explore underlying dimensions of slow fashion as elicited from a survey of Millennials and its impact on slow fashion purchase intention based on adapted Theory of Reasoned Action. Data was collected via an online survey (n=218). The findings of this study support the current retailing trends: (1) consumers want sustainable products and not just socially responsible companies; (2) Social Media does not influence Subjective Norms; (3) Attitude towards slow fashion also influences subjective norms and (5) Purchase intention is influenced by attitude, subjective norms and the beliefs towards the sustainable product.
Evaluation of the Use of Zero-Augmented Regression Techniques to Model Incidence of Campylobacter Infections in FoodNet.

Abstract The Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) is currently using a negative binomial (NB) regression model to estimate temporal changes in the incidence of Campylobacter infection. FoodNet active surveillance in 483 counties collected data on 40,212 Campylobacter cases between years 2004 and 2011. We explored models that disaggregated these data to allow us to account for demographic, geographic, and seasonal factors when examining changes in incidence of Campylobacter infection. We hypothesized that modeling structural zeros and including demographic variables would increase the fit of FoodNet's Campylobacter incidence regression models. Five different models were compared: NB without demographic covariates, NB with demographic covariates, hurdle NB with covariates in the count component only, hurdle NB with covariates in both zero and count components, and zero-inflated NB with covariates in the count component only. Of the models evaluated, the nonzero-augmented NB model with de...
Antineoplastic Agents. 605. Isoquinstatins

In order to further explore quinoline-type structural modification of the powerful anticancer drug dolastatin 10, an Indian Ocean sea hare constituent and parent molecule of the very successful antibody drug conjugate (ADC) Adcetris, our recent quinstatin study has been extended by replacing the quinoline ring with an isoquinoline. The resulting isoquinstatins (4–6) were modified to N-terminal desmethylisoquinstatins (7–9) and, in turn, bonded to appropriate linker units to give linker-desmethylisoquinstatin conjugates 11–13 in preparation for eventual monoclonal antibody attachment. Comparison of the new isoquinstatins with their quinstatin counterparts against six human cancer cell lines indicated the isoquinstatins to have GI50 values that were comparable to or somewhat higher than those of the isomeric quinstatins. However, desmethylisoquinstatin 5 (7) was significantly more potent than its desmethylquinstatin 5 analogue. When evaluated against quinstatin 8, its isoquinstatin 8 (6) counterpart was som...
Theory and methods for bearing rigidity recovery

In the bearing-based localization and formation control problem, we can uniquely determine or control the relative positions of all the agents up to a common scale if and only if the problem is rigid. The notion of rigidity therefore plays a central role. In some situations (for instance, restoring rigidity after an agent leaves a formation), it is necessary to solve the rigidity recovery problem: find a way to turn a non-rigid problem into a rigid one by adding new bearing measurements. In this paper, we first provide new theoretical insights on rigidity, and on the minimum number of additional bearing measurements necessary to ensure this property in a non-rigid problem. We then provide algorithms to select which edges to add.
Energy Democracy and the City: Evaluating the Practice and Potential of Municipal Sustainability Planning

While calls for, and work towards, energy democracy have been entrenched in social movements, and the concept has a burgeoning posture in academic discourse, perhaps the most significant implication for its development is the potential for its implementation at the local governance scale. In order for municipal efforts to be wholly democratic, energy policy must be accessible and responsive to the needs of all communities. This necessitates the convergence of an energy democracy paradigm with principles and practices of both energy justice and Just Sustainabilities that encourage communities and households' entree to the energy planning arena, as participants in policy making and with access to renewable innovations. By using a case study as its means of analysis, this paper will evaluate municipal scale energy programming by considering the prospects of energy democracy on a sub-state scale. In our analysis of Washington, DC's Sustainable Energy Utility, we highlight challenges that limit the potential for energy democracy in the nation's capital, along with practices that lead DC towards energy justice and democracy. We conclude by offering indicators for democratized urban energy planning.
Relative value in corporate bond sectors

It is common knowledge that financial sector bonds underperformed on a relative basis immediately following the financial crisis of 2008. We use the portfolio Sharpe ratio and factor regression models to gauge the relative performance of the financial, industrial and utility sectors on a risk-adjusted basis. As the data demonstrate, the underperformance of financial-sector bonds relative to other sectors exists not just for the post-crisis period of 2008–2015 but for the entire sample period of 1996–2015. In our sample of corporate bonds, the utility sector has the best relative performance during 1996–2015. Industrial sector bonds have similar performance to financials in the pre-crisis period and only outperform them post 2008. We find that the underperformance of financial-sector bonds during our sample period is largely attributable to their high relative volatility.
Cardinal spline interpolation and the block spin construction of wavelets

Abstract . The construction of wavelets that are inter-scale orthogonal (pre-ondelettes) but not necessarily intra-scale orthogonal is a major part of the block spin approach to wavelets. We review this in the case of Lemarie wavelets and relate it to the cardinal spline approach of Chui and Wang. We advertize the computational value of the pre-ondelette basis as opposed to that of the orthonormal basis of wavelets.
COUPLED SAMPLING WITH THE MONTE CARLO METHOD IN NEUTRON TRANSPORT CALCULATIONS.

A scheme is devised which combines in a coupled manner the sampling from the transport equation and the adjoint transport equation to improve the sampling for a functional such as the space- and ve...
Synthetic Peptides and Antipeptide Antibodies in Studying Zein Structure and Fingerprinting Maize Genotypes

Zein is the major storage protein (50-60% of the total protein) fraction in the maize endosperm, and it consists of a group of highly hydrophobic proteins. during seed development zein is deposited in distinct membrane-bound subcellular compartments called protein bodies (Wolf et al. 1969, Larkins and Hurkman 1978). The function of zein is thought to be that of a nitrogen source during germination and early seedling growth, and of a nitrogen sink during seed development (Tsai et al. 1978,1980). Zein proteins are completely devoid of two essential amino acids (lysine and tryptophan) and are therefore primarily responsible for the low protein nutritional quality of maize meal and its products. Consequently, there has been continuing interest in improving the nutritional quality of maize and other cereals, as they are major staples providingmost of the calories and protein directly or indirectly for nearly 90% of the worid’s population. The realization of this goal will be dependent upon a thorough knowledge of the structure, function, and regulation of the synthesis and sequestering of zein proteins, as well as prolamins from other cereals. Zein is commonly extracted with 60-70% alcohol solutions and can be separated into three distinct fractions by differential solubility fractionation (Esen 1986). These three fractions have been designated as α-zein (23.8 and 26.7 kDa zeins), β-zein (17 and 18 kDa zeins), and γ-zein (27 kDa zein) Esen 1987). There is also minor 10 kDa zein polypeptide, δ-zein, which exhibits solubility characteristics similar to those of α-zeins. Prat et al. (1987) deduced the complete primary structure of the 18 kDa polypeptide and showed that it shared over 70% sequence similarity with γ-zein (27 kDa) when tandemly repeated hexapeptide region of γ-zein is excluded from sequence comparison. In view of these data, the nomenclature system of Esen (1987) has recently been modified (Esen 1990). In the modified system (Fig. 1), the 18 kDa polypeptide has been removed from β-zein class and designated as γ-zein2, while the 27 kDa polypeptide (formeriy γ-zein) is now referred to as γ-zein1,. Of the different zein fractions, α-zein is the most abundant (75-80% of the total zein) and includes polypeptides with mw 23.8 to 26.7 kDa encoded by members of a multigene family (Parks et al. 1980; Marks et al. 1985). β-Zein includes a methionine-rich polypeptide of 17 kDa and constitutes up to 10% of the total
Japan’s Population Aging and Silver Industries

The “aging problem” should not be viewed as an economic encumbrance. It is better viewed in the context of the robustness of the economy. Expansion of the carrying capacity of the active labor force, as well as active aging among older adults, will decrease the burden on society. This chapter draws out social and cultural implications of demographic changes in the context of Japan’s transformation from a Fordist to post-Fordist economy. The distinction shifts attention to the social organization of technology-based service industries. The growing number of older persons and senior households means immense business opportunities for developing new solutions, products, and services. Older adults are potent consumers, willing and economically able to maintain independent living and a high quality of life. This chapter discusses a number of emerging silver industries, including housing and real estate, food, pets, robotics, senior care appliances, and the funeral market.
Multiple-Pulse N.M.R. Experiments and Averaging Effects

We have recently been developing at MIT a class of transient NMR experiments which appear to offer some interesting new possibilities for the application of NMR, particularly in solids [l–6]. A formal theory has already been given [6], but perhaps a simpler, semiclassical discussion of the main effects is still in order.
MarketingLab — Evaluatives Pretesting mit der GfK Testmarktwelt

Unter dem Begriff Testmarktforschung bzw. Testmarkt werden jene Testverfahren subsumiert, die vor der nationalen Markteinfuhrung von Produktinnovationen, Relaunches, Brand- und Line-Extensions eingesetzt werden. Der Testmarkt bildet das letzte Glied einer ganzen Kette von Tests, die in den verschiedenen Phasen des Launches und Relaunches von Angeboten eingesetzt werden.
Quantum Gravity: A Heretical Vision

The goal of this work is to contribute to the development of a background-independent, non-perturbative approach to quantization of the gravitational field based on the conformal and projective structures of space-time. But first I attempt to dissipate some mystifications about the meaning of quantization, and foster an ecumenical, non-competitive approach to the problem of quantum gravity (QG), stressing the search for relations between different approaches in any overlapping regions of validity. Then I discuss some topics for further research based on the approach we call unimodular conformal and projective relativity (UCPR).
Airway Management in Trauma

Ultimately, the goal of airway management in trauma is to establish and/or maintain adequate oxygenation, ventilation, and airway protection. It is the first priority in the acute phase of care of the trauma patient and consists of evaluation and, when indicated, intervention using various techniques and devices. It involves the recognition of any trauma to the airway or surrounding tissues, anticipation of their respiratory consequences, and planning and application of management, keeping in mind the potential for exacerbation of existing airway or other injuries by the contemplated strategies. It also involves prediction and prevention of progression of airway or surrounding tissue injury with increasing airway compromise.
The Forces of Imperialism: Internalist and Global Explanations of the Anglo-European Empires, 1750–1960

The authors explain the imperial expansion of the Anglo-European states from the 18th century to the 20th century using an original pooled time series database on rates of colonization by the Weste...
Horizontal Open Innovation: Opportunities from “Operational” Inputs

A key contribution of the open innovation literature is the notion that firms need to access outside sources of ideas and complementary assets. A literature has blossomed that details a variety of ...
A Review of Three Major Factors Controlling Carbon Nanotubes Synthesis from the Floating Catalyst Chemical Vapor Deposition

After the discovery of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by Sumio Iijima in 1991, several methods have been developed to synthesize them. High-temperature techniques, such as laser ablation and arc discharge...
The glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist liraglutide attenuates placental ischemia-induced hypertension.

Drugs that target the glucagon-like peptide-1 pathway such as liraglutide are already used clinically, and it has been shown to promote endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) expression. We demon...
Perceived stress, psychological resilience, hair cortisol concentration, and metabolic syndrome severity: A moderated mediation model

Abstract Background Psychological resilience is considered to protect against detrimental effects of perceived stress on cardiovascular and metabolic health, but few studies have tested biological mechanisms underlying these relationships. Purpose This study examined whether psychological resilience moderated the indirect association of perceived stress with Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) severity via hair cortisol concentration (HCC), a retrospective index of hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis activity. Method Participants included 228 adults (73 White, 86 Hispanic, 69 African American; mean age 45.29 years; 68% females). Participants completed questionnaires assessing perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale) and resilience (Brief Resilience Scale). The first 3 cm of scalp-near hair were analyzed for cortisol concentration using enzyme-linked immunoassay analysis. Cardiometabolic risk factors including blood glucose, lipids, blood pressure, and waist circumference were assessed, from which a sex- and race/ethnicity-specific continuous MetS severity score was calculated. A moderated mediation model was tested using path analysis. Results Psychological resilience moderated the association of perceived stress with HCC (R2 change for interaction = 0.014, p = 0.043), such that the association of perceived stress and HCC decreased as resilience scores increased. Resilience also moderated the indirect association of perceived stress with MetS severity via HCC (b = -0.039, 95% CI [-0.001; -0.100]), such that HCC mediated the association of greater perceived stress with greater MetS severity only for individuals reporting Brief Resilience Scale scores 3 or below (range: 1.17–5.00). Psychological resilience was also associated with lower MetS severity (β = -0.227, p = 0.014) independent of perceived stress and HCC. Conclusion Findings suggest that psychological resilience may serve as both a stress buffer and as a direct determinant of cardiometabolic health. These results extend literature on psychological resilience to measures of retrospective HPA axis function and MetS severity in a diverse sample.