cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Apparent Comparative Advantage and Development Space in Women’s Apparel Trade

This study investigates the apparent comparative advantage of the world’s top five women’s apparel exporters in order to anticipate the development of future international women’s apparel markets using Vollrath’s Relative Trade Advantage (RTA) Index and market share analysis for both aggregate and disaggregate trade data from the UN Statistics Database for the years 1993-2007. Findings show the complexity of the comparative advantage concept and indicate that appearances can be deceiving. Outstanding performance for exporters based on RTA values at the aggregate level does not necessarily mean outstanding performance at the subcategory level. Furthermore, market share analysis shows that new players are making a strong showing in the women’s apparel trade. Niche opportunities are revealed for the current export leaders, as well as up-and-coming apparel exporters. The results suggest that Vollrath’s RTA Index, heretofore little used in the apparel trade area, offers a useful additional perspective on comparative advantage and should be considered for use in future apparel trade studies.
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Exosomes: Progress and Challenges

Due to their robust immunomodulatory capabilities, mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) have been used as a cellular therapy for a number of human diseases. Part of the mechanism of action of MSCs is the production of extracellular vesicles (EVs) that contain proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids that transmit signals to recipient cells that change their biologic behavior. This review briefly summarizes the development of MSCs as a treatment for human diseases as well as describes our present understanding of exosomes; how they exert their effects on target cells, and how they are differentiated from other EVs. The current treatment paradigm for acute radiation syndrome (ARS) is discussed, and how MSCs and MSC derived exosomes are emerging as treatment options for treating patients after radiation exposure. Other conditions such as graft-versus-host disease and cardiovascular disease/stroke are discussed as examples to highlight the immunomodulatory and regenerative capacity of MSC-exosomes. Finally, a consideration is given to how these cell-based therapies could possibly be deployed in the event of a catastrophic radiation exposure event.
The effect of cannabidiol on canine neoplastic cell proliferation and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation during autophagy and apoptosis.

Low tetrahydrocannabinol Cannabis sativa products, also known as hemp products, have become widely available and their use in veterinary patients has become increasingly popular. Despite prevalence of use, the veterinary literature is lacking and evidence-based resource for cannabinoid efficacy. The most prevailing cannabinoid found in hemp is cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and becomes cannabidiol (CBD) during heat extraction; CBD has been studied for its direct anti-neoplastic properties alone and in combination with standard cancer therapies, yielding encouraging results. The objectives of our study were to explore the anti-proliferative and cell death response associated with in vitro treatment of canine cancer cell lines with CBD alone and combination with common chemotherapeutics, as well as investigation into major proliferative pathways (e.g. p38, JNK, AKT, mTOR) potentially involved in the response to treatment with CBD. CBD significantly reduced canine cancer cell proliferation far better than cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) across five canine neoplastic cell lines when treated with concentrations ranging from 2.5-10 μg/mL. Combinatory treatment with CBD and vincristine reduced cell proliferation in a synergistic or additive manner at anti-proliferative concentrations with less clear results using doxorubicin in combination with CBD. The cellular signaling effects of CBD treatment, showed that autophagy supervened induction of apoptosis and may be related to prompt induction of ERK and JNK phosphorylation prior to autophagy. In conclusion, CBD is effective at hindering cell proliferation and induction of autophagy and apoptosis rapidly across neoplastic cell lines and further clinical trials are needed to understand its efficacy and interactions with traditional chemotherapy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Implant Interface Debonding After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A New Cause for Concern?

Abstract Background Aseptic loosening has long been an associated etiology for revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods This case series investigates commonalities between 9 patients who underwent revision TKA and were found to have complete debonding at the cement-implant interface of a femoral and/or tibial component within the past 2 years. Results Only 3 preoperative radiographs were indicative of aseptic loosening, and all patients had an infectious etiology ruled out. Conclusions This case series and other similar reports suggest that there may be a growing concern for debonding as a modern form of aseptic loosening. Further research through American Joint Replacement Registry and other national databases will need to be conducted to better understand if this is truly a new cause for concern after TKA and how it may be best prevented.
Usefulness of The Bethesda System of Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology in Surgical Planning

The Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology (TBSRTC) has attempted to standardize thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) reporting internationally into six diagnostic categories and help in clinical decision making. But there exists a significant variation in the reporting percentage and rates of malignancies in each category across the centres which complicates clinical decision making. To study the usefulness of TBSRTC in surgical planning of thyroid nodules and to correlate TBSRTC with final histopathology. 85 patients with thyroid nodules who underwent surgery were evaluated prospectively. Preoperatively FNAC and TBSRTC reporting was done and following surgery histopathology was correlated with cytology. Distribution of 85 patients amongst the six categories of TBSRTC was as follows: 2.35% in Category I, 68.23% II, 7.05% III, 16.47% IV, 2.35% V and 3.52% VI. In 93% (79) of patients TBSRTC correlated with histopathology whereas in 7% (6) it did not. Risk of malignancy calculated was 0% in II, 33.33% in III, 7.14% in IV and 100% in V and VI categories. Sensitivity, specificity, Positive Predictive Value and Negative Predictive Value of TBSRTC was 100% for V, VI categories, whereas it was 100%, 78%, 15% and 100% respectively for III, IV. The diagnostic accuracy in our study is 100% for Category V and VI whereas it is 79% for Category III and IV. TBSRTC proved to be a very good screening platform for triaging patients with thyroid nodules into benign and malignant groups, as it is directly related to risk of malignancy in each category. It has helped in appropriate surgical planning in 96.4% of our patients.
The Distributive Effects of Risk Prediction in Environmental Compliance: Algorithmic Design, Environmental Justice, and Public Policy

Government agencies are embracing machine learning to support a variety of resource allocation decisions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for example, has engaged academic research labs to test the use of machine learning in support of an important national initiative to reduce Clean Water Act violations. We evaluate prototypical risk prediction models that can support compliance interventions and demonstrate how critical algorithmic design choices can generate or mitigate disparate impact in environmental enforcement. First, we show that the definition of which facilities to focus on through this national compliance initiative hinges on arbitrary differences in state-level permitting schemes, causing a shift in environmental protection away from areas with more minority populations. Second, the policy objective to reduce the noncompliance rate is encoded in a classification model, which does not account for the extent of pollution beyond the permitted limit. We hence compare allocation schemes between regression and classification, and show that the latter directs attention towards facilities in more rural and white areas. Overall, our study illustrates that as machine learning enters government, algorithmic design can both embed and elucidate sources of administrative policy discretion with discernable distributional consequences.
Mindfulness and smoking frequency: An investigation with Australian students.

Abstract Mindfulness training has been shown to be effective in reducing smoking frequency. However, mindfulness training instructions that are free of mentions about smoking are rare, which makes it difficult to ascertain if it is the temporary state of being mindful or demand effects that reduce smoking frequency. It has also been posited that mindfulness training lowers smoking frequency by helping smokers surf the urge, but this remains untested. Thus, we conducted an experiment to test the likely process. We used a 6-minute audio clip to induce a brief mindfulness state or a mind-wandering state in 91 Australian students; the brief mindfulness exercise was free of any mentions about smoking. We found that exposure to the mindfulness-inducing audio clip helped smokers surf their urge when they were later exposed to cigarette cues and they smoked less over the subsequent 7 days. The current work offers empirical evidence for why mindfulness training can be effective in smoking cessation.
Association of Refractory Pain in the Acute Phase After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage with Continued Outpatient Opioid Use

Objective Little is known about the prevalence of continued opioid use following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) despite guidelines recommending their use during the acute phase of disease. We sought to determine prevalence of opioid use following aSAH and test the hypothesis that acute pain and higher inpatient opioid dose increased outpatient opioid use. Methods We reviewed consecutively admitted patients with aSAH from November 2015 through September 2019. We retrospectively collected pain scores and daily doses of analgesics. Pain burden was calculated as area under the pain-time curve. Univariate and multivariable regression models determined risk factors for continued opioid use at discharge and outpatient follow-up. Results We identified 234 patients with aSAH with outpatient follow-up. Continued opioid use was common at discharge (55% of patients) and follow-up (47% of patients, median 63 [interquartile range 49–96] days from admission). Pain burden, craniotomy, and racial or ethnic minority status were associated with discharge opioid prescription in multivariable analysis. At outpatient follow-up, pain burden (odds ratio [OR] 1.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5–2.4), depression (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.1–8.8), and racial or ethnic minority status (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1–4.0) were independently associated with continued opioid use; inpatient opioid dose was not. Conclusion Continued opioid use following aSAH is prevalent and related to refractory pain during acute illness, but not inpatient opioid dose. More efficacious analgesic strategies are needed to reduce continued opioid use in patients following aSAH. Classification of Evidence This study provides Class II evidence that continued opioid use following aSAH is associated with refractory pain during acute illness but not hospital opioid exposure.
Appraisal Inflation and Private Mortgage Securitization

Lenders’ access to soft information on appraisal inflation could lead to adverse selection in private mortgage securitization. Combining a nationwide mortgage data with a real estate transaction data and using a difference-in-differences empirical design, we document that securitized refinance loans have more than 3% higher appraisal inflation than portfolio loans at key LTV notches. At those notches, securitized mortgages are more likely to default by 19 to 50% in relative terms. The additional credit risk associated with the appraisal inflation on sold notch loans does not seem to be priced in the mortgage rate. The results are robust after controlling for servicer and lender effects, and hold when we infer appraisal inflation from repeat sale transactions or hedonic price estimates. These findings indicate the existence of adverse selection in private securitization where lenders sell mortgages with higher appraisal inflation to MBS investors and keep mortgages with lower appraisal bias in their own portfolios, without compensating investors for the additional credit risk.
Restorative Justice for Redlined Communities Displaced by Eco-Gentrification

Seeking restorative justice for Black Bayview-Hunters Point residents of the City of San Francisco and others similarly situated in urban centers throughout the US requires recognizing the connections between de jure segregation, pollution, and displacement. Making the issue urgent and unjust, greening that these communities fought for is contributing to intensifying the displacement that began in the 1970s. The benefits of any positive developments in the community, therefore, do not inure to them. The problems these residents, past and present, face are systemic problems rooted in its segregation past and the virulent prejudices Black communities still face. These systemic problems need systemic solutions. To remedy the injustices of this past, the traditional distributive and procedural lens typically employed to achieve environmental justice, while still fundamental, lends too narrow a focus. Instead, achieving true justice requires the hard work of achieving restorative justice: what has been wrested from these communities and residents should be restored to make them whole. Both the federal and local governments who were actors in creating the injustice should employ a restorative justice framework to redress the harm done to these residents.
On the secrecy capacity of fading Gaussian wiretap channel

We consider the fast-fading Gaussian wiretap channel with single antenna nodes and without channel state information at the transmitter (CSIT), where the fading processes of the two links are arbitrary and independent of each other. We derive an upper bound to the secrecy capacity for this channel and an achievable rate as well. Subsequently, we identify a class of channel statistics for which the outer bound and the achievable rates are identical thereby characterizes the exact secrecy capacity of the channel. The class of channels with such channel statistics are called stochastically degraded in this paper. Many practical wireless settings including the Rayleigh fading environment fall under this stochastically degraded class. We illustrate our results by computing explicit expression for the secrecy capacity for Rayleigh distributed wiretap channels.
Systems and Hardware Effects of FMVSS 105-75

FMVSS 105 was a modification of the former SAE voluntary standard and was useful as one of a number of test procedures required to establish the acceptability of a brake system. The subsequent FMVSS 105-75 established criteria which do not appear to correlate to the real world, and adequate brake system design still depends on the integrity of manufacturers and engineers. FMVSS 105-75 has created compliance problems, has increased vehicle costs, and has been of marginal benefit to the customer. /GMRL/
Noble gas halides: The B → X and D → X systems of 136Xe35Cl

Abstract The B → X (2870–3100 A) and D → X (2250–2370 A) band systems of 136Xe35Cl are photographed and vibrationally analyzed. A simultaneous least-squares fit of 41 band-heads in the B-X system and 35 in D-X yields, in part, the following constants (in cm−1): TeB = 32 405.8, TeD = 42 347.9, ωeB = 194.75, ωeD = 204.34, ωeX = 26.22. The ground state dissociation energy ( D ″e) is estimated to be 281 ± 10 cm−1. Potential curves are derived for all three states through Franck-Condon calculations. From these curves the D-state internuclear distance is 0.09 ± .02 A smaller than the B-state distance.
Matrix Triangularization Using Arrays of Integrated Optical Givens Rotation Devices

Solving linear equations is centrally important in many large-scale data processing problems. The describing nonlinear systems of equations can be linearized at each time step to produce a linear system of equations that simplifies the problem-solving process. In general, there are two approaches to solving sets of linear equations-direct methods and iterative methods. Optics-based devices and systems offer one means of solving sets of linear equations using a stable, direct method. These devices can employ Givens rotations to perform matrix triangularization. In this article, the authors describe how to solve linear equations using an electro-optical system that employs arrays of optical Givens rotation devices. They examine how to implement this system using two different configurations, parallel and pipelined, and how to calibrate the system to minimize errors.
Managing Limited Resources: Do Children with Learning Problems Share?

The present study examined the ability of 56 children with learning problems (resulting from mental retardation or mild cognitive delay) and 56 children without learning problems to resolve the social problem of whether to share limited resources with a peer. Children with and without learning problems offered similar strategies for resolving hypothetical limited resources problems, but responded differently to an actual limited resources problem. Only 15% of the dyads of children with learning problems shared the limited resource as opposed to the 58% of children without learning problems. Non-sharers from the two groups differed in their explanations for their behavior. Results suggest the need for intervention efforts to address factors such as goal orientation and emotional arousal that influence whether children with learning problems choose to share in actual limited resources situations.
Enforcing customizable consistency properties in software-defined networks

It is critical to ensure that network policy remains consistent during state transitions. However, existing techniques impose a high cost in update delay, and/or FIB space. We propose the Customizable Consistency Generator (CCG), a fast and generic framework to support customizable consistency policies during network updates. CCG effectively reduces the task of synthesizing an update plan under the constraint of a given consistency policy to a verification problem, by checking whether an update can safely be installed in the network at a particular time, and greedily processing network state transitions to heuristically minimize transition delay. We show a large class of consistency policies are guaranteed by this greedy heuristic alone; in addition, CCG makes judicious use of existing heavier-weight network update mechanisms to provide guarantees when necessary. As such, CCG nearly achieves the "best of both worlds": the efficiency of simply passing through updates in most cases, with the consistency guarantees of more heavyweight techniques. Mininet and physical testbed evaluations demonstrate CCG's capability to achieve various types of consistency, such as path and bandwidth properties, with zero switch memory overhead and up to a 3× delay reduction compared to previous solutions.
Comparison of Vendor Supplied Environmental Data Collection Mechanisms

The high performance computing landscape is filled with diverse hardware components. A large part of understanding how these components compare to others is by looking at the various environmental aspects of these devices such as power consumption, temperature, etc. Thankfully, vendors of these various pieces of hardware have supported this by providing mechanisms to obtain this data. However, differences not only in the way this data is obtained but also the data which is provided is common between products. In this paper, we take a comprehensive look at the data which is available for the most common pieces of today's HPC landscape, as well as how this data is obtained and how accurate it is. Having surveyed these components, we compare and contrast them noting key differences as well as providing insight into what features future components should have.
"Synchronized" endocytosis and intracellular sorting in alveolar macrophages: the early sorting endosome is a transient organelle.

Incubation of alveolar macrophages in hypoosmotic K(+)-containing buffers results in persistent cell swelling and an inability to undergo regulatory volume decrease. We demonstrate that cells incubated in hypo-K+ show an inhibition of endocytosis without any observed alteration in recycling. The inhibition of endocytosis affected all forms of membrane internalization, receptor and fluid phase. Both increased cell volume and the inhibition of endocytosis could be released upon return of cells to iso-Na+ buffers. The ability to synchronize the endocytic apparatus allowed us to examine hypotheses regarding the origin and maturation of endocytic vesicles. Incubation in hypo-K+ buffers had no effect on the delivery of ligands to degradative compartments or on the return of previously internalized receptors to the cell surface. Thus, membrane recycling and movement of internalized components to lysosomes occurred in the absence of continued membrane influx. We also demonstrate that fluorescent lipids, that had been incorporated into early endosomes, returned to the cell surface upon exposure of cells to hypo-K+ buffers. These results indicate that the early sorting endosome is a transient structure, whose existence depends upon continued membrane internalization. Our data supports the hypothesis that the transfer of material to lysosomes can best be explained by the continuous maturation of endosomes.
Customer Satisfaction and Customer Behavior: The Differential Role of Brand and Category Expectations

Previous research has suggested that consumers use multiple strands to evaluate their satisfaction with a product and to establish postpurchase behavioral intention. However, prior empirical research has focused on which individual standard best predicts satisfaction. In contrast, this article develops and tests a model of consumer satisfaction and postpurchase behavioral intention in which consumers simultaneously use multiple standards—perceptions of performance, brand expectations, and category expectations. The results of an experiment for a simulated service encounter provide support for the proposition that consumers use multiple standards and that these standards have differential effects on such postpurchase outcomes as satisfaction, repurchase intention, and willingness to recommend. Brand expectations are shown to be better predictors of affective outcomes (such as satisfaction), while category expectations are shown to be better predictors of behavioral outcomes (repurchase and recommendation). Consistent with prior research, perceived performance is shown to have a strong effect on both satisfaction and behavioral intention.
Charged detergents enhance the activity of phospholipase C (Bacillus cereus) towards micellar short-chain phosphatidylcholine

Abstract Phospholipase C (phosphatidylcholine cholinephosphohydrolase, E.C. 3.1.4.3.) Bacillus cereus ) activity toward diheptanoylphosphatidylcholine is increased 50–100% by low concentrations of both positively and negatively charged detergents. Zwitterionic and nonionic detergents have no such activating effect. This charged detergent activation requires an interface, since comparable detergent concentrations have no effect on the hydrolysis rate of monomeric dihexanoylphosphatidylcholine. From NMR and diacylglycerol solubility studies it is suggested that activation results from detergent interacting with diacylglycerol to accelerate product release from the enzyme.
A quantitative PCR measurement of messenger RNA expression of IGF-I, IGF-II and IGFBP-5 in human skeletal muscle.

Insulin-like growth factor-I and -II (IGF-I and IGF-II) and their binding proteins are important components in growth promotion and tissue maintenance. We determined the presence of IGF-I, -II, and binding protein 5 (IGFBP-5) gene expression in human skeletal muscle and that mRNA abundance is not altered by nutrients and insulin. In the first protocol, (control) subjects were given water. In the second protocol, half of these subjects drank Polycose (carbohydrate) and the remaining subjects drank equal calories as a mixed meal. Quadriceps muscle biopsies were taken at 10 h. A semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was designed to measure gene expression. IGF-I, IGF-II and IGFBP-5 mRNA are present in adult human skeletal muscle, but no significant changes between meal groups were observed for IGF-I, IGF-II or IGFBP-5 mRNA levels, indicating that the expression of these genes are not altered acutely by nutrients and insulin.
Chlorhexidine inhibits L1 cell adhesion molecule-mediated neurite outgrowth in vitro

Chlorhexidine is a skin disinfectant that reduces skin and mucous membrane bacterial colonization and inhibits organism growth. Despite numerous studies assessing chlorhexidine safety in term infants, residual concerns have limited its use in hospitalized neonates, especially low-birth-weight preterm infants. The aim of this study was to assess the potential neurotoxicity of chlorhexidine on the developing central nervous system using a well-established in vitro model of neurite outgrowth that includes laminin and L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1) as neurite outgrowth–promoting substrates. Cerebellar granule neurons are plated on poly l-lysine, L1, or laminin. Chlorhexidine, hexachlorophene, or their excipients are added to the media. Neurons are grown for 24 h, fixed, and neurite length is measured. Chlorhexidine significantly reduced the length of neurites grown on L1 but not on laminin. Chlorhexidine concentrations as low as 125 ng/ml statistically significantly reduced neurite length on L1. Hexachlorophene did not affect neurite length. Chlorhexidine at concentrations detected in the blood following topical applications in preterm infants specifically inhibited L1-mediated neurite outgrowth of cerebellar granule neurons. It is now vital to determine whether the blood–brain barrier is permeable to chlorhexidine in preterm infants.
The design and implementation of typed scheme

When scripts in untyped languages grow into large programs, maintaining them becomes difficult. A lack of types in typical scripting languages means that programmers must (re)discover critical pieces of design information every time they wish to change a program. This analysis step both slows down the maintenance process and may even introduce mistakes due to the violation of undiscovered invariants.This paper presents Typed Scheme, an explicitly typed extension of an untyped scripting language. Its type system is based on the novel notion of occurrence typing, which we formalize and mechanically prove sound. The implementation of Typed Scheme additionally borrows elements from a range of approaches, including recursive types, true unions and subtyping, plus polymorphism combined with a modicum of local inference. Initial experiments with the implementation suggest that Typed Scheme naturally accommodates the programming style of the underlying scripting language, at least for the first few thousand lines of ported code.
Using Link Resolver Reports for Collection Management

In 2007–2008, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Libraries conducted a large collection assessment project. The Collection Assessment Committee identified several possible ways to conduct the review, one of which was using reports from the link resolver SFX. The committee used several link resolver reports in conjunction with statistics from the Libraries' document delivery department to identify trends in journal usage among disciplines. The link resolver reports can help identify new journals for purchase and are useful for providing information on user behavior.
Husserl's motivation and method for phenomenological reconstruction

In this paper I present an account of Husserl’s approach to the phenomenological reconstruction of consciousness’s immemorial past, a problem, I suggest, that is quite pertinent for defenders of Lockean psychological continuity views of personal identity. To begin, I sketch the background of the problem facing the very project of a genetic phenomenology, within which the reconstructive analysis is situated. While the young Husserl took genetic matters to be irrelevant to the main task of phenomenology, he would later come to see their importance and, indeed, centrality as the precursor and subsoil for the rationality of consciousness. I then argue that there is a close connection between reconstruction and genetic phenomenology, such that reconstruction is a necessary component of the program of genetic phenomenology, and I set out Husserl’s argument that compels one to enter into reconstructive territory. With that impetus, I schematically lay out the main contours one finds in Husserl’s practice of reconstructive techniques. We find him taking two distinct approaches, that of the individual viewed egologically (through the abstract lens of a single individual’s consciousness) and as embedded in interpersonal relations. Husserl occasionally calls these the approach “from within” and “from without,” respectively. Ultimately, the two approaches are not only complementary, but require one another. In closing, I argue that these considerations lead to a blurring of lines between the genetic and generative phenomenological registers, which challenges the prevalent view that there is a sharp demarcation of the two.
Postsynaptic localization of 5-HT1D receptor binding sites in human caudate.

5-hydroxytryptamine1D (5-HT1D) receptor binding sites were quantified by saturation studies in the postmortem caudate nucleus and frontal cortex of individuals with Huntington's disease and control individuals with no known neurological disease. 3H-5-HT was used as the radioligand in the presence of 100 nM 8-OH-DPAT and 100 nM mesulergine in order to restrict radioligand binding to 5-HT1D receptors. No alteration in KD value was detected in Huntington's disease as compared to control brain tissue. However, the density (Bmax) of the 5-HT1D site was significantly decreased (P < 0.01) in the caudate, but not the frontal cortex, of Huntington's disease versus control individuals. By contrast, no significant difference was found in Bmax or KD of [3H]paroxetine binding between control and Huntington's caudates. These data suggest that a significant number of caudate 5-HT1D receptors are located on the intrinsic neurons of the striatum as opposed to 5-HT nerve terminals.
WHEN GOOD PLANTS GO BAD

makers and conservation managers to individuals well versed in the minutiae of plant evolutionary genetics. To pull this off, Ellstrand organized the book into a series of more or less freestanding chapters. These chapters are aggregated into three sections that provide the reader with an introduction to fundamental evolutionary concepts (Part I: ‘‘Foreplay’’); an exhaustive review of what’s known about spontaneous hybridization between cultivated plants and their wild relatives (Part II: ‘‘Caught in the Act’’); and a discussion of the significance of such hybridization in an evolutionary context, with a special emphasis on GM crops and strategies that we might employ to minimize the risks associated with gene escape (Part III: ‘‘Dangerous Liaisons?’’).
Preparation and structural characterization of the isomorphous compounds: [Bu4N][Mo3(μ3-O)(μ-X)3(μ-OAc)3X3]·(CH3)2CO,X=Cl, Br

The reaction of MoCl3(H2O)3 with a mixture of acetic acid and acetic anhydride in the presence of [N(C4H9)4][BF4] followed by crystallization from acetone/hexane gives a 77% yield of dark purple [NBu4][Mo3OCl6(OAc)3]·Me2CO (1). A similar reaction employing MoBr3(H2O)3 gives purple [NBu4][Mo3OBr6(OAc)3]·Me2CO (2) in 50% yield. Also produced in this reaction in low (10–20%) yields are [NBu4]2[Mo4OBr12] · 0.5Me2CO and [NBu4]2[Mo3OBr6(OAc)3] · Me2CO which will be discussed elsewhere Compounds (1) and (2) are isomorphous, space groupP21/n,Z=4 with the following unit cell dimensions, where the values for (1) and (2) are given in that order for each one:a=13.406(4), 13.726(5) A;b=15.701(4), 15.839(5) A;c=19.250(5), 19.831(6) A; β=101.61(2), 102.92(3)°. Both (1) and (2) are eight-electron species in which the mean Mo-Mo distances are 2.578(1) A and 2.597(1) A, respectively.
Response Gene to Complement 32, a Novel Regulator for Transforming Growth Factor-β-induced Smooth Muscle Differentiation of Neural Crest Cells

We previously developed a robust in vitro model system for vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) differentiation from neural crest cell line Monc-1 upon transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) induction. Further studies demonstrated that both Smad and RhoA signaling are critical for TGF-beta-induced VSMC development. To identify downstream targets, we performed Affymetrix cDNA array analysis of Monc-1 cells and identified a gene named response gene to complement 32 (RGC-32) to be important for the VSMC differentiation. RGC-32 expression was increased 5-fold after 2 h and 50-fold after 24 h of TGF-beta induction. Knockdown of RGC-32 expression in Monc-1 cells by small interfering RNA significantly inhibited the expression of multiple smooth muscle marker genes, including SM alpha-actin (alpha-SMA), SM22alpha, and calponin. Of importance, the inhibition of RGC-32 expression correlated with the reduction of alpha-SMA while not inhibiting smooth muscle-unrelated c-fos gene expression, suggesting that RGC-32 is an important protein factor for VSMC differentiation from neural crest cells. Moreover, RGC-32 overexpression significantly enhanced TGF-beta-induced alpha-SMA, SM22alpha, and SM myosin heavy chain promoter activities in both Monc-1 and C3H10T1/2 cells. The induction of VSMC gene promoters by RGC-32 appears to be CArG-dependent. These data suggest that RGC-32 controls VSMC differentiation by regulating marker gene transcription in a CArG-dependent manner. Further studies revealed that both Smad and RhoA signaling are important for RGC-32 activation.
Molecular dynamics simulation of severe adhesive wear on a rough aluminum substrate

Severe adhesive wear on a rough aluminum (Al) substrate is simulated by a hard Lennard-Jones asperity impacting an Al-asperity at high speeds using molecular dynamics (MD). Multiple simulations investigate the effects of variations in the inter-asperity bonding, the geometric overlap between two asperities, the relative impact velocity and the starting temperature. The effect of these experimental variables on degree of adhesive wear and the temperature profiles are discussed, and a design of experiments method is used to help interpret the results. The results indicate that increasing the inter-asperity bonding, the geometric overlap and the starting temperature of two asperities will substantially increase the wear rate, while raising the impact velocity slightly decreases the wear rate. It is observed that the deformation mechanism involves local melting and the formation of a liquid like layer in the contact area between two asperities, and the amorphous deformation of the Al-asperity.
On the Droplet Deposition and Mist Supercooling in a turbulent channel flow

A combined experimental and theoretical study of the droplet deposition and mist supercooling in a turbulent channel flow has been performed. The measurement of droplet deposition on the unheated and heated channel wall was carried out using a particle-sizing two-dimensional reference-mode laser-Doppler anemomentry technique in a 41 mm × 41 mm vertical square channel at Re = 1.0 × 104 − 6.05 × 104. The dimensionless deposition coefficient kd/u1 is analyzed theoretically based on a new unified theoretical approach for the entire transverse flow region from the turbulent core to the quasi-laminar region next to the boundary wall. The proposed analytical model shows satisfactory agreement with the results of present experimental measurement. In the mist supercooling, the heated surface is cooled by the evaporation on the outside surface of an extra thin continuous liquid film which is maintained by the continuous deposition of extremely small droplets of an optimal size determined by a selection process on the droplets transverse migration due to the dynamic interaction between the phases in a parallel turbulent mist flow. The heat transfer enhancement coefficient depends on droplet deposition rate, droplet size, concentration and the Reynolds number.
Magnetic Recording Tapes

Paper or plastic tapes with a magnetic coating, as well as solid metal ribbons, have a wide field of use in magnetic recording. Magnetic properties, frequency response, signal-to-nioise ratio, output level, sensitivity, and erasability of a number of different tapes are compared. A newly developed coated material has a balance of these properties which makes it especially suitable for high quality magnetic recording.
Hough Array Processing via Fast Multi-Scale Clustering

The major emphasis in fast Hough transform algorithms has been placed on the transformation involved. Little attention has been paid to fast processing of a Hough array without requiring one to specify a threshold value to determine candidate parameters in the Hough array. This paper gives a comprehensive discussion of Hough array processing as a part of Hough transform, and presents a time efficient clustering algorithm, called Fast Multi-Scale Clustering, to obtain the number of and hence to select the locations of candidate parameters in a Hough array in a threshold independent manner. It is shown that the complexity of this algorithm is O (ndr) where n is the number of non-zero cells in the Hough array, d is the number of cells used in the discretization of the corresponding parameter space, and r is the dimensionality of the Hough array. Two examples of line and circle detection are provided to illustrate the steps involved in deploying this Hough array processing approach.
Time Loss Through Gating of Asynchronous Logic Signal Pulses

The gating of asynchronous signals causes logical errors. It is possible to reduce the frequency of these errors, but the price paid is a severe loss of time and extra cost in hardware.
Regulation and taxation: A complementarity

Abstract I show how quantity regulation can lower elasticities and thereby increase optimal tax rates. Such regulation imposes regulatory incentives for particular choice quantities. Their strength varies between zero (laissez faire) and infinite (command economy). In the latter case, regulation effectively eliminates any intensive behavioral responses to taxes; a previously distortionary tax becomes a lump sum. For intermediate regulation (where some deviation is feasible), intensive behavioral responses are still weaker than under zero regulation, and so quantity regulation reduces elasticities, thereby facilitating subsequent taxation. I apply this mechanism to labor supply and present correlational evidence for this complementarity: hours worked in high-regulation countries are compressed, and these countries tax labor at higher rates.
ALTERATIONS IN PREMATING BEHAVIOR AND PHEROMONE BIOLOGY OF GAMMA‐IRRADIATED TRICHOPLUSIA NI (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE)

Exposure of female cabbage looper pupae, Trichoplusia ni, to gamma irradiation at 0 to 72 hr before eclosion resulted in significantly reduced moving and calling activity of the adults. The effects were dose-related from 10 to 40 kR. Generally, irradiation in a nitrogen atmosphere slightly reduced deleterious effects, but fractionation of the radiation dose did not. Four-day-old irradiated females contained significantly more sex pheromone than untreated females, indicating that loss of pheromone is positively correlated to the amount of calling activity. Males exposed to 20 kR or 40 kR in nitrogen were not affected in their flight response in an olfactometer to a level of synthetic pheromone ca. equal to that released by a calling female or to 0.1 x this level. The response of males exposed to 40 kR in air, however, was significantly decreased at the lower pheromone concentration. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG VERANDERUNGEN IM VORKOPULATIONSVERHALTEN UND IN DER PHEROMONBIOLOGIE BEI GAMMABESTRAHLTEN TRICHOPLUSIA NI (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) Puppen von Trichoplusia ni wurden 0–72 Stunden vor dem Schlupfen der Falter einer Gamma-bestrahlung ausgesetzt. Die Bestrahlung betrug 10–40 kR und erfolgte entweder in Luft (ununterbrochen oder fraktioniert) oder in einer Stickstoffatmosphare. Die Effekte der verschiedenen Behandlungen auf das Rufverhalten der Weibchen (CB), die Bewegungsaktivitat (MA) und den Pheromontiter wurden beurteilt. Die Reaktion bestrahlter Mannchen auf das synthetische Sexual-pheromon (Z-7-Dodecen-l-ol-azetat) wurde gemessen bei einer Konzentration, wie sie von einem Weibchen erzeugt wird. und bei einem Zehntel dieser Menge.
Synthesis of textured complex backgrounds

The statistical characterization of realistic, complex backgrounds where targets may be embedded is essential in the optimization of methods for target acquisition. A modeling framework for complex backgrounds that yields perceptually realistic images may provide a path towards such essential characterizations. To this end, we developed a framework for the synthesis of statistical textured backgrounds. The results of the syntheses of three rock-like structures and that of grass indicate some of the capabilities of the framework. We further extended the methods to synthesize biological tissue samples which present two forms of background complexity: a slowly, spatially varying meanbackground and a residual texture image. The extended framework allows synthesis of each component independently. A mathematical phantom for modeling inhomogeneous backgrounds is then proposed. First and second order statistics of various textures are then presented and a measure of distance between two images is proposed. Finally we discuss how such a framework may lead to effective statistical descriptions of such complex backgrounds for target acquisition.
Stress Velopharyngeal Incompetence in Collegiate Trombone Players

Objectives: Symptoms of stress velopharyngeal incompetence (SVPI) have been reported by many wind instrument players. The current study was designed to determine (1) if symptoms of SVPI were accompanied by aeromechanical signs of SVPI and (2) if signs of SVPI differed across musical tasks. Design: Participants were studied during a single recording session. Setting: The study was conducted in a university laboratory. Participants: Participants were 10 collegiate trombone players. They were separated into two groups: six who reported symptoms of SVPI and four who reported no symptoms. Main Outcome Measure: Nasal pressure recorded during trombone playing was used to determine velopharyngeal status (open or closed). Results: None of the participants exhibited an open velopharynx during trombone playing; however, all participants had positive nasal pressure (indicating an open velopharynx) immediately prior to sound onset on at least some of their breath groups. Two participants had positive nasal pressure pr...
Order, miscibility, and electronic structure of Ag ( Bi , Sb ) Te 2 alloys and (Ag,Bi,Sb)Te precipitates in rocksalt matrix: A first-principles study

Using first-principles density-functional theory calculations and cluster expansion, we predict that ${\text{AgBiTe}}_{2}{\text{-AgSbTe}}_{2}$ alloys exhibit D4 cation order at all temperatures below melting and are fully miscible down to the room temperature and below. We also discuss the miscibility and ordering on the cation sublattice in quasiternary (Ag,Bi,Sb)Te alloys with general composition, within the subclass of structures with rocksalt topology (relevant for the case of coherent precipitates in a rocksalt matrix, e.g., in PbTe). The band structures of the ${\text{AgBiTe}}_{2}$ and ${\text{AgSbTe}}_{2}$ compounds and the evolution of the Fermi-surface topology at low hole dopings are presented. We use these results to refine the interpretation of the recent experimental measurements on naturally doped ${\text{AgSbTe}}_{2}$ samples reported by Jovovic and Heremans [Phys. Rev. B 77, 245204 (2008)] and present a simplified model of the band dispersion near the valence-band maximum.
A body-wave analysis of the 1966 Gisborne, New Zealand, earthquake

Abstract The Ml = 6.2 Gisborne earthquake of March 4, 1966 occurred along the East Coast of the North Island, New Zealand. Modeling of P and S body waves shows that the focal mechanism of this event is consistent with northwestward thrusting of the Pacific Plate beneath the North Island (ϑ = 249°, δ = 25° and λ = 131°). The focal depth is constrained to 18 km, significantly less than the values of 25–30 km computed from local network data. Estimates of the scalar moment, source duration and stress-drop for the event are 4 × 1024 dyne-cm, 2–3 s, and 20–120 bar, respectively. Cross-correlation errors of synthetic to observed waveforms were computed for all possible P and T axis locations and slip vector orientations and contoured on a projection of the focal sphere. The error contour at which the synthetic waveforms distinctly diverged from the observed waveforms was established by eye. The procedure shows that the analysis of long-period body waves, at least in this case, provides much better constraint on focal mechanism orientation than does first motion data alone.
Multi-Point Characterization of Tribometric Test Results

As with measurements in general, there is inherent variability in tribometric test results. This paper discusses the limitations of using single-point characterization in setting tribometric Acceptance Thresholds. A useful technique for explicitly accounting for the variability in a given tribometer/test foot/test surface combination is frequency-based characterization. This paper will discuss weaknesses of single-point characterization of tribometric results and, briefly, how to set two-point Acceptance Thresholds for slip-resistance.
Tethered methanol droplet combustion in carbon-dioxide enriched environment under microgravity conditions

Abstract Tethered methanol droplet combustion in carbon dioxide enriched environment is simulated using a transient one-dimensional spherosymmetric droplet combustion model that includes the effects of tethering. A priori numerical predictions are compared against recent experimental data. The numerical predictions compare favorably with the experimental results and show significant effects of tethering on the experimental observations. The presence of a relatively large quartz fiber tether increases the burning rate significantly and hence decreases the extinction diameter. The simulations further show that the extinction diameter depends on both the initial droplet diameter and the ambient concentration of carbon dioxide. Increasing the droplet diameter and ambient carbon dioxide concentration both of them lead to a decrease in the burning rate and increase in the extinction diameter. The influence of ambient carbon dioxide concentration on extinction shows a sharp transition in extinction for larger size droplets ( d o > 1.5 mm) due to a change in the mode of extinction from diffusive to radiative control. In addition predictions from the numerical model is compared against a recently developed simplified theoretical model for predicting extinction diameter for methanol droplets, where the presence and heat transfer contribution of the tether is not taken into account implicitly. The numerical results suggest some limitation in the theoretical modeling assumptions for favorable comparisons with the experimental data.
Stark ladder excitonic transitions

Abstract We have calculated the binding energy and the transition energies of excitons for a superlattice under an external electric field applied along the growth direction. At low fields the binding energy shifts strongly showing the localization of the superlattice states into the Stark ladder states. For higher fields the energy levels observe a shift associated to the single quantum well Stark effect. We also discuss the contribution of superlattice fluctuations to the carrier confinement.