cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Confronting Political Authority Non-Violently

If the previous line of argument is plausible, then it follows that some form of legal disobedience is morally justified. But since there are a variety of such ways to disobey the law, then it is important to examine philosophically some of them in order to better understand which ones, if any, are morally justified. Let us consider each of the following forms of legal disobedience: pacifism, civil disobedience, non-violent direct action, and in subsequent chapters, political violence in general, including secession and terrorism.
Review of Steel Bridges with Fracture-Critical Elements

This paper presents findings of NCHRP Synthesis Project 35-08 that gathered available information on bridges with fracture-critical members (FCM) from the literature, from a survey of bridge owners...
Board Interlocks and Corporate Governance

This paper argues that director interlocks, a phenomenon in which directors sit on more than one corporate board, ought to be an object of expanded discussion in corporate governance research and practice. Thus far, interlocks have attracted little attention from legal scholars, and when interlocks have received attention from regulators, it is usually negative. A growing body of evidence points to interlocks as having a significant role in governance propagation and evolution. Core governance practices, including ones that are closely monitored by professionals, propagate via interlocks. Interlocks are not purely channels for spreading information; they have a significant impact even in an informationally rich environment. Both bad and good governance practices propagate via interlocks, and overall board connectivity is associated with higher returns. Interlocks help explain similarities and variations in corporate governance. Drawing strong normative conclusions in light of the state of the literature would be premature. Instead, we summarize the literature on interlocks and governance, analyze how and why interlocks could matter for governance, and suggest that, at the very least, recognizing interlocks as facilitating the diffusion of governance, and highly connected firms as potentially influential in setting governance practices, is important.
Exploring unstructured parent–child communication about sex among African-American adolescents with HIV-positive mothers

Few studies have focused on the sexual health of HIV-affected adolescents despite their exposure to the same community-level factors that contributed to their parent’s status. Guided by an interpre...
A scalable machine learning approach for measuring violent and peaceful forms of political protest participation with social media data

In this paper, we introduce a scalable machine learning approach accompanied by open-source software for identifying violent and peaceful forms of political protest participation using social media data. While violent political protests are statistically rare events, they often shape public perceptions of political and social movements. This is, in part, due to the extensive and disproportionate media coverage which violent protest participation receives relative to peaceful protest participation. In the past, when a small number of media conglomerates served as the primary information source for learning about political and social movements, viewership and advertiser demands encouraged news organizations to focus on violent forms of political protest participation. Consequently, much of our knowledge about political protest participation is derived from data collected about violent protests, while less is known about peaceful forms of protest. Since the early 2000s, the digital revolution shifted attention away from traditional news sources toward social media as a primary source of information about current events. This, along with developments in machine learning which allow us to collect and analyze data relevant to political participation, present us with unique opportunities to expand our knowledge of peaceful and violent forms of political protest participation through social media data.
Cediranib suppresses homology-directed DNA repair through down-regulation of BRCA1/2 and RAD51

Combining the anti-angiogenic agent cediranib with the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor olaparib improves progression-free survival compared to olaparib alone in ovarian cancer patients through an unknown mechanism. PARP inhibitors are used primarily in the treatment of patients with DNA repair-associated (BRCA1/2) mutated cancers because these mutations cause a deficit in homology-directed DNA repair (HDR) that confers sensitivity to these agents. However, the combination of cediranib and olaparib was effective in patients without BRCA1/2 mutations. We report here that cediranib confers sensitivity to olaparib by down-regulating HDR in tumor cells. This occurs partially as a result of cediranib inducing hypoxia, which suppresses expression of the HDR factors BRCA1/2 and RAD51 recombinase (RAD51). However, we also observed that cediranib has a direct effect on HDR independent of its ability to induce tumor hypoxia. This direct effect occurs through platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) inhibition, activation of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), and E2F transcription factor 4 (E2F4)/RB transcriptional corepressor like 2 (RB2/p130)-mediated repression of BRCA1/2 and RAD51 gene expression. This down-regulation was seen in mouse tumor xenografts but not in mouse bone marrow, providing a therapeutic window for combining cediranib and olaparib in cancer therapy. Our work reveals a treatment strategy by which DNA repair can be manipulated in human tumors to induce synthetic lethality, broadening the potential therapeutic scope of cediranib based on its activity as a DNA repair inhibitor.
Fault-Tolerant Tube-Based Robust Nonlinear Model Predictive Control

This paper proposes a nonlinear model predictive control algorithm that is robust to bounded disturbances and tolerant to a finite number of faults. The approach ensures that there are feasible trajectories to a safe state given any fault occurring at any future time. The controller chooses the safe state, which enlarges the feasible region relative to prescribing fixed safe regions as a part of the control design. A numerical example demonstrates the efficacy of the proposed control approach and shows the benefits of the safe state being a decision variable for every possible time of fault occurrence.
Application of Deep Learning Models to MicroRNA Transcription Start Site Identification

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are ~22 base pair long RNAs that play important roles in regulating gene expression. Understanding the transcriptional regulation of miRNA is critical to gene regulation. However, it is often difficult to precisely identify miRNA transcription start sites (TSSs) due to miRNA-specific biogenesis. Existing computational methods cannot effectively predict miRNA TSSs. Here, we employed deep learning architectures incorporating Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) techniques to detect miRNA TSSs in regions of accessible chromatin. By testing on benchmark experimental data, we demonstrated that deep learning models outperform support vector machine and can accurately distinguish miRNA TSSs from both flanking regions and intergenic regions.
Designing Domain Specific Computing Systems

Domain specific computing is an idea that has been proposed as a path forward given the slowing of Moore’s Law and the breakdown of Dennard scaling [3]. Two fundamental questions include: (1) how does one define a domain; and (2) how does one go about architecting hardware that performs well for that domain? We present our preliminary work towards answering these questions.
UNBOUND AMINO ACIDS IN THE PLASMA AND ERYTHROCYTES OF CHILDREN WITH VARIOUS ANEMIAS AND WITH ERYTHROBLASTOSIS FETALIS.

The unbound amino acid concentrations in the plasma and erythrocytes of 24 children with anemias of various types have been determined by the method of salt-saturated paper chromatography (iron deficiency anemia— 8 subjects; sickle cell anemia—3 subjects; hereditary spherocytosis—3 subjects; erythroblastosis fetalis—4 subjects; and 1 subject each for thalassemia minor, thalassemia major, unstable reduced glutathione, acquired hemolytic anemia, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, S & F hemoglobinopathy). Anemia per se was found to have little effect on the plasma amino acid concentrations, although a marked increase in the erythrocyte concentrations of every amino acid determined was found. In multiple regression and correlation analyses, the unbound amino acid concentrations in the erythrocytes were found to be a function of both the reticulocyte counts and the blood hemoglobin content, with a somewhat greater dependence on the latter. No recognizable distinction as to the disease category was evident in the unbound amino acid patterns of the anemia patients. The extent of the unbound amino acid elevations in the erythrocytes was largely a reflection of the severity of the anemia. The subjects with erythroblastosis fetalis were in a category different from those with anemia. Their erythrocyte amino acid concentrations were probably the same as those of normal babies during the first few hours after birth.
Optical variability of quasars: a damped random walk

A damped random walk is a stochastic process, defined by an exponential covariance matrix that behaves as a random walk for short time scales and asymptotically achieves a finite variability amplitude at long time scales. Over the last few years, it has been demonstrated, mostly but not exclusively using SDSS data, that a damped random walk model provides a satisfactory statistical description of observed quasar variability in the optical wavelength range, for rest-frame timescales from 5 days to 2000 days. The best-fit characteristic timescale and asymptotic variability amplitude scale with the luminosity, black hole mass, and rest wavelength, and appear independent of redshift. In addition to providing insights into the physics of quasar variability, the best-fit model parameters can be used to efficiently separate quasars from stars in imaging surveys with adequate long-term multi-epoch data, such as expected from LSST.
Mater Artium Necessitas: The Birth of a COVID-19 Command Center

In February of 2020, New York City was unprepared for the COVID-19 pandemic. Cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection appeared and spread rapidly. Hospitals had to repurpose staff and establish diagnostic testing for this new viral infection. In the background of the usual respiratory pathogen testing performed in the clinical laboratory, SARS-CoV-2 testing at the Montefiore Medical System grew exponentially, from none to hundreds per day within the first week of testing. The job of appropriately routing SARS-CoV-2 viral specimens became overwhelming. Additional staff was required to triage these specimens to multiple in-house testing platforms as well as external reference laboratories. Since medical school classes and many research laboratories shut down at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and students were eager to help fight the pandemic, we seized the opportunity to engage and train senior MD-PhD students to assist in triaging specimens. This volunteer force enabled us to establish the "Pathology Command Center," staffed by these students as well as residents and furloughed dental associates. The Pathology Command Center staff were tasked with the accessioning and routing of specimens, answering questions from clinical teams, and updating ever evolving protocols developed in collaboration with a team of Infectious Disease clinicians. Many lessons were learned during this process, including how best to restructure an accessioning department and how to properly onboard students and repurpose staff while establishing safeguards for their well-being during these unprecedented times. In this article, we share some of our challenges, successes, and what we ultimately learned as an organization.
Upregulated ethanolamine phospholipid synthesis via selenoprotein I is required for effective metabolic reprogramming during T cell activation.

Abstract Objective T cell activation triggers metabolic reprogramming to meet increased demands for energy and metabolites required for cellular proliferation. Ethanolamine phospholipid synthesis has emerged as a regulator of metabolic shifts in stem cells and cancer cells, which led us to investigate its potential role during T cell activation. Methods As selenoprotein I (SELENOI) is an enzyme participating in two metabolic pathways for the synthesis of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and plasmenyl PE, we generated SELENOI-deficient mouse models to determine loss-of-function effects on metabolic reprogramming during T cell activation. Ex vivo and in vivo assays were carried out along with metabolomic, transcriptomic, and protein analyses to determine the role of SELENOI and the ethanolamine phospholipids synthesized by this enzyme in cell signaling and metabolic pathways that promote T cell activation and proliferation. Results SELENOI knockout (KO) in mouse T cells led to reduced de novo synthesis of PE and plasmenyl PE during activation and impaired proliferation. SELENOI KO did not affect T cell receptor signaling, but reduced activation of the metabolic sensor AMPK. AMPK was inhibited by high [ATP], consistent with results showing SELENOI KO causing ATP accumulation, along with disrupted metabolic pathways and reduced glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor synthesis/attachment Conclusions T cell activation upregulates SELENOI-dependent PE and plasmenyl PE synthesis as a key component of metabolic reprogramming and proliferation.
The fault tolerance approach of the Advanced Architecture Onboard Processor

The Advanced Architecture Onboard Processor is a fault-tolerant multiprocessor for space applications that is based on a fault-tolerant chordal skip-link ring interconnect network. Low-power self-checking circuits in each processor node are combined with distributed reconfiguration control and local rollback recovery to achieve robust fault tolerance within spacecraft weight and power constraints. A ten-processor-node breadboard has been completed. The approach to fault tolerance and the tradeoff analysis leading to the selected implementation are covered. Analytical trade study results such as redundancy overhead as a function of system partitioning for the chordal skip-link ring are discussed. >
Expression of the beta subunit of chorionic gonadotropin in transgenic mice.

Transcriptional activation of the chorionic gonadotropin (CG) genes is linked to trophoblast differentiation. In a multistep process, cytotrophoblasts expressing only the alpha subunit differentiate into intermediates that coexpress the CG beta subunit. To study the regulation of expression of the CG beta genes in vivo, we constructed mice carrying a 36-kilobase cosmid insert containing the six CG beta genes. In the placenta of all three constructed lines, expression occurred at approximately 1% of the levels in first trimester human placenta. The amount of CG beta mRNA in mouse placenta was a function of gestational age; however, in contrast to the human placenta where CG beta peaks early in pregnancy, CG beta transcripts were only detectable in the mouse placenta late in gestation, i.e. from day 14 onward. Human CG beta was expressed also in cerebral cortex, pituitary, and at minute levels in adrenal. Pituitary CG beta expression was significantly lower than in placenta. Unexpectedly, transcripts were observed in cerebral cortex at levels comparable with the placenta. Most of the CG beta transcripts in mouse placenta are derived from CG beta genes 5, 3, and 8, in a ratio similar to that found in human placenta. In contrast, only CG beta genes 1 and 2 were transcribed in transgenic mouse brain; open reading frames from the CG beta 1 and beta 2 transcripts differ substantially from the CG beta protein. The data show that although the mouse lacks a CG beta-like gene, the human CG beta genes are transcribed in a regulated fashion in mouse placenta. Moreover, the stage-specific induction of the transgene suggests that mouse placental cells may express CG beta in an intermediate cell comparable with that seen in human placenta. Taken together, these data suggest that transgenic mice can be used as a model for elucidating the mechanisms involved in regulated expression of the CG beta gene cluster in vivo. Additionally, a different subset of CG beta genes (CG beta 1 and beta 2) is active in the mouse brain.
On the use of a loop-tree decomposition method for the elimination of solenoidal error in time marching

Time-domain integral-equation methods for the simulation of electromagnetic wave scattering have historically been subject to two sources of instability. The first source of instability causes the solution yielded by the process to oscillate wildly, and is caused by spatial integrations that are unable to capture the rapid change in the integrand at shadow boundaries. The second source of instability results in a slow growth of the current on the structure, and is due to the ill-conditioned nature of the electric-field integral equation at low frequencies. In this work, the shadow region instability is eliminated using a convolution quadrature method, and the low-frequency difficulties are improved using a loop-tree decomposition. Numerical results will demonstrate the efficacy of the combination.
Stable variant-specific transcripts of the variant cell surface glycoprotein gene 1.8 expression site in Trypanosoma brucei.

The structure and transcriptional regulation of the 1.8 variant cell surface glycoproteins (VSG) gene expression site located on a 430-kilobase (kb) chromosome was examined in a 430-kb-chromosome-specific library. Using /sup 32/P-labeled nascent transcripts generated by nuclear run-on, the authors selected recombinant clones derived from the 430-kb chromosome which were coordinately activated with the 1.8 VSG gene. The results show that a repetitive region with a minimum size of 27 kb is coordinately activated with the 1.8 VSG gene. As with the 1.8 VSG gene, transcription is by RNA polymerases that are insensitive to the drug alpha-amanitin at concentrations up to 1 mgml. Transcription results in the generation of several stable variant-specific mRNAs. These mRNAs most likely belong to a family of repetitive expression-site-associated genes.
Squeezing or Stretching Molecules as a Possible Way to Facilitate Electron Transfer

Mechanical energy from moving mica sheets is a possible renewable energy source for the origin of life.[1] Energy is needed for prebiotic molecular syntheses, among other things. The Reverse Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle is a reductive reaction cycle proposed for the prebiotic synthesis of amino acids, sugars, and other molecules before the existence living organisms with enzymes.[2]Can moving muscovite mica sheets lower the energy barriers for the chemical reduction of molecules such as succinate and citrate by deforming these molecules? A unit cell of mica - K Al2 (Al Si3 O10) (OH)2 - has 2 delocalized hydrogens available for reducing molecules of the Reverse Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle, such as oxalosuccinate or oxaloacetate. A precedent for this idea comes from research showing that mechanical energy alters the reaction kinetics of disulfide reduction.[3].1. Hansma, H.G., Journal of Theoretical Biology, 2010. 266:175-188.2. Smith, E., H.J. Morowitz, and S.D. Copley, in Protocells: bridging nonliving and living matter, S. Rasmussen, et al., Editors. 2009, The MIT Press: Cambridge, MA. p. 433-460.3. Wiita, A.P., et al., 2007, Nature 450:124-127.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Soliton decay and gain focusing in stimulated Raman scattering

Solitons are generated in stimulated Raman scattering using a \ensuremath{\pi} phase shift of a weak Stokes input field; diffraction effects are retained in the calculation. For strong diffractive coupling, we observe an on-axis increase in both the laser and the Stokes intensities and a corresponding narrow transverse profile for both fields; these results are elucidated and explained.
Transcriptional regulation of TNF-α production in neutropenia

Neutropenia has been shown to markedly increase plasma TNF-α concentration after LPS injection and to enhance LPS-induced mortality. Experiments reported here demonstrate that the 15-fold higher pl...
The organisation of London's street gangs

This article examines a grossly neglected area of the street gang literature: the nature and extent of gang organisation. Based upon fieldwork with gangs in London, UK, this article illustrates how recreation, crime, and enterprise are not specific gang ‘types’, but rather represent sequential stages in the evolutionary cycle of gangs. This article demonstrates not only how gangs typically begin life as neighbourhood-based peer groups, but also how, in response to external threats and financial commitments, gangs grow to incorporate street-level drug distribution businesses that very much resemble the multi-level marketing structure of direct-selling companies. Gang organisation, in turn, becomes a function of gang business. Gang organisation is conceptualised here on three levels: internal, external, and symbolic. This article examines, respectively, the presence of subgroups, hierarchy and leadership, incentives, rules, responsibilities, and punishments within gangs; how gangs interact with the local an...
The effect of insulin derivatives on the insulin response of assays in vitro.

Abstract Insulin was split into its component chains by the sulfite reaction. The chains were separated, reduced with mercaptoethanol, and then reoxidized. The chain derivatives were analyzed for their effect on the insulin response of the fat pad (stimulation of the conversion of 14 C-labeled glucose to 14 CO 2 by rat-adipose tissue), hemidiaphragm (stimulation of net glucose uptake by rat hemidiaphragm), and the two-antibody immunoassay system (competition with 131 I-labeled insulin for the reactive sites of guinea-pig anti-insulin antibodies). In all three assay systems, insulin standards responded normally in the presence of an excess of the individual chain derivatives. A mixture of A- and B-chain thiosulfates was inactive in the immunoassay system. However, an insulin response was produced by mixtures of reduced A- and B-chains and by mixtures of the reduced form either chain with the thiosulfate form of the other.
Carbon source utilization profiles as a method to identify sources of faecal pollution in water.

C . H A G E D O R N , J . B . C R O Z I E R , K . A . M E N T Z , A . M . B O O T H , A . K . G R A V E S , N . J . N E L S O N A N D R . B . R E N E A U J R . 2003. Aims: Carbon source utilization profiles as a phenotypic fingerprinting methodology for determining sources of faecal pollution in water were evaluated. Methods and Results: Three hundred and sixty-five Enterococcus isolates were collected from known faecal sources in four different geographical regions and were identified to species with the commercial Biolog system. Discriminant analysis (DA) was used to identify the substrate-containing wells that best classified the 365 isolates by source. By using 30 of the 95 wells for the analysis, the average rate of correct classification (ARCC) by source was 92AE7% for a human vs non-human two-way classification when isolates from all regions were combined into one library. Corresponding ARCCs for other classification schemes were 81AE9% for a four-way classification of human vs livestock vs wildlife vs domestic pets, and 85AE7% for a three-way classification without human isolates. When three individual libraries were made based on classification of sources within Enterococcus species, the ARCC was 95AE3% for the Ent. faecalis library, 95AE8% for the Ent. gallinarum library and 94AE7% for the Ent. mundtii library. Thirty Enterococcus isolates (unknown sources) were obtained from each of three stream sites where a specific source of pollution was apparent; 90AE0% of the isolates from a human-suspected source were classified as human, 86AE6% were classified as livestock from a livestock-suspected site, and 93AE3% were classified as wildlife from a wildlife-suspected site. Conclusions: Phenotypic fingerprinting with carbon source utilization profiles provided levels of correct classification by sources from an Enterococcus library that were in the upper range of those reported in the literature. ARCCs for three Enterococcus species-specific libraries were very high and may be the best approach for further developing this concept and methodology. Significance and Impact of the Study: The results, based on a modest Enterococcus library and a preliminary field validation test, demonstrated the potential for carbon source utilization profiles to be employed as a phenotypic method for determining sources of faecal pollution in water.
An application-independent subsystem for free-text analysis.

Abstract The analysis of free English text is a major subproblem in medical computing. A freetext-analysis subsystem, written entirely in MUMPS language, is in operation at the Laboratory of Computer Science, Massachusetts General Hospital. This subsystem, built around a numerical taxonomy of anticipated input, services multiple application programs. Facilities are provided for matching, spelling correction, disinflection, and phrase analysis. A variety of administrative programs are provided for logging uninterpreted input and for dynamically incrementing the data-base so as to expand the range of correctly interpreted input.
Coming to know criteria: The value of an evaluating writing course for undergraduates

Abstract In this article, the authors argue that evaluation courses grounded in assessment theory and situated within a cultural context of actual workplace practices enhances student learning. Giving students the tools that assessors, both formal and informal, use helps them learn to anticipate and generate those tools for writing situations they will encounter in the future. The authors detail the development, structure, activities, and outcomes of an evaluating writing course at the undergraduate level to illustrate their assertion. Theories and concepts that guide and support the course's ongoing development are also presented. Benefits of the course, demonstrated through various sources including surveys, course evaluations, and student achievement on assignments, are identified. Achieved outcomes support the claim that a course with an explicit focus on evaluating writing, one featuring a critical understanding of criteria for writing in diverse contexts, fosters students’ own development as writers.
Corn Earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Northeastern Field Corn: Infestation Levels and the Value of Transgenic Hybrids

ABSTRACT Corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), is apolyphagous noctuid pest of agricultural crops across the United States that is gaining attention as a pest of field corn. Before the introduction of transgenic insect-resistant hybrids, this pest was largely ignored in field corn, but now many Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn hybrids have activity against corn earworm. However, the value of control in the northeastern United States is unclear because the risk posed by corn earworm to field corn has not been well characterized. To understand the threat from corn earworm and the value of Bt hybrids in field corn, we assessed corn earworm injury in Bt and non-Bt hybrids at 16 sites across four maturity zones throughout Pennsylvania in 2010, and 10 sites in 2011. We also used corn earworm captures from the PestWatch pheromone trapping network to relate moth activity to larval damage in field corn. Corn earworm damage was less than one kernel per ear at 21 of 26 sites over both years, and the percentage of ...
Female choice and plasticity of male calling behaviour in the Pacific treefrog.

Male Pacific treefrogs, Hyla regilla , use advertisement and encounter calls to regulate intermale spacing within breeding choruses. When either type of call produced by a neighbour is detected above a particular amplitude, a resident frog responds aggressively by producing encounter calls. These ‘aggressive thresholds’ differ for the two call types and are plastic: males rapidly resume advertisement calling (accommodate) following repeated presentation of these calls above their aggressive threshold. We tested the hypothesis that this plasticity is the result of female preference for the advertisement call over the encounter call. Female choice was tested in a two-speaker phonotaxis assay with alternating presentation of the two call types. Of the 12 females that met our criteria for demonstrating a phonotaxic response, each approached the speaker playing the advertisement call rather than the encounter call. This strong female preference for the advertisement call supports our hypothesis, and suggests that the plasticity in male calling behaviour allows males to maximize the time spent in producing advertisement calls to attract a female by rapidly adjusting their aggressive behaviour to changes in male spacing within choruses.
Dissociation of humoral and cellular immune reactions of the rabbit, guinea pig, and dog kidney xenografts in the rat

Little is yet known as to mechanisms which bring about graft rejection, either allogeneic or xenogeneic. Several investigators have reported “hyperacute” rejection in human renal allografts performed between ABO-incompatible and even ABO-compatible pairs [3, 13, 16, 22, 34, 351. A Shwartzman reaction [34] or Arthus-like phenomenon [36] was suggested to be the possible mechanism of this severe reaction. On the other hand, more interest has emerged in the study of heterografting in view of its clinical use and experimental interest. Experiences with kidney grafts between widely disparate species have given evidence in favor of circulating humoral antibodies [lo], though their nature has not been clarified yet. In closely related species, however, the rejection seemed to be, to a large extent, a cell-mediated process [l 1,261. In order to understand the interaction between humoral antibodies and cellmediated processes in xenograft reactions, an experimental model was studied of rabbit, guinea pig, and dog kidney transplants in the rat. With this model, an attempt was made to dissociate the humoral and cellular reactions by anticoagulant treatment.
Combined analogue and digital computing techniques for the solution of differential equations

One of the difficulties in the use of an analogue computer for the solution of ordinary differential equations involving variable coefficients is its relative inability to perform certain multiplications rapidly and accurately. In instances where variables must be multiplied by a function of another variable, this difficulty is particularly apparent. This paper describes how a digitally stored table of functions may be used with an analogue computer to solve this general class of ordinary differential equations.
Measures of goodness of a set of color scanning filters

Abstract Accurate scanning of a colour image, which is absolutely essential for good colour reproduction, can ensure that allrelevant information about the colour stimulus of a signal is obtained. This paper introduces a measure of goodnessof a set of colour scanning filters. The q-factor of a single colour scanning filter is shown to be a particular case ofthe measure. Experimental results are presented to justify the appropriateness of the measure. 1 Introduction Most current research in colour systems assumes that the visual frequency spectrum can be adequately representedby samples taken about 10 nm apart over the range 400-700 nm. Integrals are approximated by summations, and theinfinite-dimensional Hilbert space of visible spectra with the usual 2-norm is reduced to an N-dimensional Hilbertspace, where N is the number of samples (in this case N=31). A continuous function of wavelength is representedby an N-vector of its sampled values. Hence, visual spectra will be treated as vectors in an N-dimensional Hilbertspace in this paper.The notation in this paper follows that of [1]. Let S =
Metal oxide reduction: A low-temperature reaction with graphite in flameless atomic-absorption spectrometry.

Abstract The ability of graphite to reduce metal oxides to the free metal is discussed. Differential thermal analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are used to investigate the reaction in the case of CuSO 4 . The reduction process is shown to occur at temperatures which are low relative to the appearance temperature of Cu. Thew results suggest that the appearance temperature of the element is governed by the vapour pressure of the metal and not by the reduction process.
A Policy for Public Investments in Natural Resources

Both pessmistic and optimistic views exist concerning the effects of resource scarcity on social welfare. Early classical doctrines that assume a fixed state of technology are the theoretical underpinning for the pessimistic view. But a new concept of resources has evolved in recent years that suggests the optimistic view. Resources can be created through science and technology. Existing resources can be made more productive and new resources can be created. Economic growth is a function of adequate resources to absorb investments. Resource creation and the improved use of existing resources, then, are key elements of a policy for public investments in natural resources. From a policy standpoint, public resource improvement investments must be compared with the social benefit streams created. Furthermore, these investments must be compared with alternative investment opportunities, such as extension-education programs, which would improve the use of existing resources.
Clonal Relationship Between Closely Approximated Low-Grade Ductal and Lobular Lesions in the Breast A Molecular Study of 10 Cases

The relationship between ductal and lobular breast carcinoma is highlighted in cases in which these morphologically divergent carcinomas coexist in proximity within a single patient. We hypothesized that such cases may result from the proliferation of a precursor lesion into a tumor containing areas of divergent morphologic features. In this study, we analyzed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in 10 cases of coexistent ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), and invasive carcinoma. DNA from the separate components of each lesion was subjected to LOH analysis using 13 markers on 7 chromosomes. In 7 cases, the DCIS and LCIS shared loss of a common allele, suggesting a clonal relationship. The invasive component shared loss of the same allele in 5 tumors. This finding indicates that coexistent lobular and ductal carcinomas exhibit shared genetic abnormalities, contradicting the conventional concept that these lesions represent separate, exclusive pathways of breast neoplasia. Instead, these traditionally segregated classes of breast cancer may, in fact, share common precursor lesions.
Light thermal structures and materials for high speed flight

Over the last twenty years, unified viscoplastic constitutive models have evolved to meet this need. These constitutive models provide a means for representing a material's response from the elastic through the plastic range including strain-rate dependent plastic flow, creep, and stress relaxation. Rate-dependent plasticity effects are known to be important at elevated temperatures. The purpose of this paper is to describe computational and experimental research programs underway at the Light Thermal Structures Center focused on the investigation of the response of structures and materials to local heating. In the first part of the paper, finite element thermoviscoplastic analysis is highlighted. In the second part of the paper, the thermal-structures experimental program is outlined.
The concept of risk unbiasedness in statistical prediction

Abstract This paper extends the concept of risk unbiasedness for applying to statistical prediction and nonstandard inference problems, by formalizing the idea that a risk unbiased predictor should be at least as close to the “true” predictant as to any “wrong” predictant, on the average. A novel aspect of our approach is measuring closeness between a predicted value and the predictant by a regret function, derived suitably from the given loss function. The general concept is more relevant than mean unbiasedness, especially for asymmetric loss functions. For squared error loss, we present a method for deriving best (minimum risk) risk unbiased predictors when the regression function is linear in a function of the parameters. We derive a Rao–Blackwell type result for a class of loss functions that includes squared error and LINEX losses as special cases. For location-scale families, we prove that if a unique best risk unbiased predictor exists, then it is equivariant. The concepts and results are illustrated with several examples. One interesting finding is that in some problems a best unbiased predictor does not exist, but a best risk unbiased predictor can be obtained. Thus, risk unbiasedness can be a useful tool for selecting a predictor.
Tracking H-2 alleles in transgenic mice by RFLP and heteroduplex analysis

Transgenic mice provide valuable tools for biological research including many areas of immunology. In studies involving the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), it is often necessary to place the desired transgene in a specificH-2 (the murine MHC) environment. In this regard, the strains commonly used for the production of transgenic mice also carry well characterizedH-2 alleles and provide an appropriate genetic background for MHC related experiments. In this study, a highly polymorphic microsatellite of tetranucleotide repeats from the second intron of the class IIEb gene within theH-2 complex was used in order to identify the corresponding alleles. The relevantH-2 allele(s) along with the transgene were then tracked throughout the production of a chicken ovalbumin-specific transgenic strain. The technique involved PCR-amplification of a DNA sequence encompassing theH-2 specific microsatellite followed by RFLP and heteroduplex analyses. This approach is likely to find wide application in the background checking of trangenic mice, especially in immunological research requiring a definedH-2 background.
A Langevin dynamics study of mobile filler particles in phase-separating binary systems

The dynamics of phase separation in a simple binary mixture containing mobile filler particles that are preferentially wet by one of the two components is investigated systematically via Langevin simulations in two dimensions. We found that while the filler particles reduce the growth rate of spinodal decomposition, the domain growth remains essentially identical to that of the pure binary mixture. The growth rate diminishes as either the filler particles concentration is increased or their diffusivity is decreased.
Incorporating Lag Time to Benefit Into Prevention Decisions for Older Adults

Prevention holds the promise of maintaining good health by testing, diagnosing and treating conditions before they cause symptoms. However, prevention can harm as well as help when tests or treatments for asymptomatic conditions cause immediate complications. “Lagtime to benefit” (LtB) is defined as the time between the preventive intervention (when complications and harms are most likely) to the time when improved health outcomes are seen.(5) Just as different interventions have different magnitudes of benefit, different preventive interventions have different LtB, ranging from 6 months for statin therapy for secondary prevention to >10 years for prostate cancer screening.(6) Many standardized measures such as relative risk, odds ratio and absolute risk reduction quantify the magnitude of benefit (“How much will it help?”). However, the measures and methodologies to calculate a LtB (“When will it help?”) are underdeveloped and often not reported.
Cannabinoid receptor-mediated translocation of NO-sensitive guanylyl cyclase and production of cyclic GMP in neuronal cells

Abstract Cannabinoid agonists regulate NO and cyclic AMP production in N18TG2 neuroblastoma cells, leading to the hypothesis that neuronal cyclic GMP production could be regulated by CB1 cannabinoid receptors. NO (nitric oxide)-sensitive guanylyl cyclase (GC) is a heterodimeric cytosolic protein that mediates the down-stream effects of NO. Genes of proteins in the cyclic GMP pathway (α1, α2, and β1 subunits of NO-sensitive GC and PKG1, but not PKG2) were expressed in N18TG2 cells, as was the CB1 but not the CB2 cannabinoid receptor. Stimulation of N18TG2 cells by cannabinoid agonists CP55940 and WIN55212-2 increased cyclic GMP levels in an ODQ-sensitive manner. GC-β1 in membrane fractions was increased after 5 or 20 min stimulation, and was significantly depleted in the cytosol by 1 h. The cytosolic pool of GC-β1 was replenished after 48 h of continued cannabinoid drug treatment. Translocation of GC-β1 from the cytosol was blocked by the CB1 antagonist rimonabant (SR141716) and by the Gi/o inactivator pertussis toxin, indicating that the CB1 receptor and Gi/o proteins are required for translocation. Long-term treatment with rimonabant or pertussis toxin reduced the amount of GC-β1 in the cytosolic pool. We conclude that CB1 receptors stimulate cyclic GMP production and that intracellular translocation of GC from cytosol to the membranes is intrinsic to the mechanism and may be a tonically active or endocannabinoid-regulated process.
Risk sharing in supply chains using order bands—Analytical results and managerial insights

Abstract This work generalizes and extends a number of basic production-inventory models. We study a periodic review non-stationary Markovian production-inventory model with stochastic demand and holding and penalty costs (all state-dependent) where goods can be procured from up to two suppliers. Each supplier quotes a state-dependent minimum order quantity (MOQ), order capacity ( C ), and unit price. We concentrate on a base-stock policy that is defined by a vector of numbers—one for each lead time—indexed by the states of the Markov chain. In certain cases, our policy is optimal. For the general case, we show that there is no simple optimal policy. We use infinitesimal perturbation analysis to compute inventory levels within this class for an application motivated by international trade. For this application we find that the imposition of minimum and/or maximum order quantities provides an effective mechanism for risk sharing: the customer guarantees the supplier a minimum order every period, at an increased unit price, and in exchange the supplier grants an increase in capacity. This can more effectively match supply with demand, making the entire supply chain more profitable.
Release of markedly increased quantities of prostaglandin D2 from the skin in vivo in humans after the application of cinnamic aldehyde.

Abstract Background: Cinnamic aldehyde is a common fragrance additive in foods and various health and beauty products. Application of cinnamic aldehyde to the skin of humans can induce cutaneous vasodilatation characterized by erythema, urticaria, and stinging. Previous studies have suggested that prostaglandins (PGs) may mediate the vasodilation, but the causative PG has not been established. We have shown that cutaneous vasodilatation induced by compounds such as sorbic acid and methylnicotinate is mediated by PGD 2 . Objective: Our purpose was to determine whether cutaneous vasodilatation induced by cinnamic aldehyde is mediated by PGD 2 in humans. Method and Results: Topical application of 1% cinnamic aldehyde to the forearms of 3 human volunteers resulted in cutaneous flushing and 25- to 42-fold increases in the levels of the major circulating metabolite of PGD 2 , 9α, 11β-PGF 2 , in blood drawn from the antecubital vein draining the treated sites. There was no increase in other vasodilatory mediators, including PGE 2 , PGI 2 , or histamine. The release of PGD 2 was concentration dependent. Cutaneous vasodilatation and PGD 2 release were markedly decreased by the administration of aspirin, but were not significantly altered by pretreatment with the selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor rofecoxib, suggesting that the formation of PGD 2 is dependent on cyclooxygenase-1. Conclusion: The cutaneous vasodilatation induced by cinnamic aldehyde is mediated to a large extent by the release of PGD 2 from a cellular source in the skin. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2001;45:62-7.)
Does laxity alter the relationship between strength and physical function in knee osteoarthritis

Objective Since strengthening interventions have had a lower-than-expected impact on patient function in studies of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and it is known that laxity influences muscle activity, this study examined whether the relationship between strength and function is weaker in the presence of laxity. Methods One hundred sixty-four patients with knee OA were studied. Knee OA was defined by the presence of definite osteophytes, and patients had to have at least a little difficulty with knee-requiring activities. Tests were performed to determine quadriceps and hamstring strength, varus-valgus laxity, functional status (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index Physical Functioning subscale [WOMAC-PF] and chair-stand performance), body mass index, and pain. High and low laxity groups were defined as above and below the sample median, respectively. Results Strength and chair-stand rates correlated (r = 0.44 to 0.52), as did strength and the WOMAC-PF score (r = −0.21 to −0.36). In multivariate analyses, greater laxity was consistently associated with a weaker relationship between strength (quadriceps or hamstring) and physical functioning (chair-stand rate or WOMAC-PF score). Conclusion Varus-valgus laxity is associated with a decrease in the magnitude of the relationship between strength and physical function in knee OA. In studies examining the functional and structural consequences of resistance exercise in knee OA, stratification of analyses by varus-valgus laxity should be considered. The effect of strengthening interventions in knee OA may be enhanced by consideration of the status of the passive restraint system.
Kobalt(II)‐Orthosilicatsynthesen mittels SiO2‐Transport über SiF4 und Reaktion von CoF2 (fest) mit SiO2 (fest)

During studies of CoO-CoF2 mixts. in air at 1000 Deg, incomplete drying of air established the excellent transport property of the reaction SiO2 (s) + 4HF (g) = SiF4 (g) + 2H2O (g) (1). Traces of water in the air hydrolyze CoF2 to HF which reacts with SiO2 according to (1). Then the synthesis of Co2SiO4 proceeds by SiF4 (g) + 2CoF2 (g) + 4H2O (g) = Co2SiO4 (s) + 8HF (g) (2). The HF formed in (2) may react with CoO to produce CoF2. The possibility of 2CoF2 (g) + 2SiO2 (s) = Co2SiO4 (s) + SiF4 (g) is also considered. Carrier gas methods and closed transport cycles are contemplated in the extension of this gas phase synthesis to other metals.
The primary alpha particle spectrum over North America and geomagnetic cut-off energies

The series of flights made in North America have shown that cosmic ray cut-off energies cannot be computed with conventional geomagnetic co-ordinates. The measured cut-off indicates that the effective cosmic ray latitudes in the United States are 4° higher than would be obtained from conventional geomagnetic co-ordinates. This effect is opposite to the effect observed in England where Waddington found that cosmic ray cut-off energies indicated effective cosmic ray co-ordinates 4° lower than those given by geomagnetic co-ordinates. The measurements reported here, taken together with the English measurements, appear to be consistent with the suggestion of Rothwell that cosmic ray co-ordinates more nearly resemble the magnetic dip co-ordinates of the earth than they do the geomagnetic co-ordinates of the earth. Over the period of the sunspot cycle which these measurements cover, there appears to be no evidence within the statistics of our experiments (i.e. ± 10 % for individual absolute flux measurements) of a correlation between the α-particle fluxes and the solar activity.