cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A limit on the space density of short-period binary white dwarfs

We infer that detached binary white dwarfs with orbital periods of a few hours exist because we observe both their progenitors and their descendents. The binary LB 3459 has an orbital period of 6.3 hr and contains a pair of hot subdwaffs that will eventually cool to become white dwarfs (Kilkenny, Hill, and Penfold 1981). L870-2 is a pair of white dwarfs and, given enough time, its 1.55 d orbital period will decay to shorter periods (Saffer, Liebert, and Olszewski 1988). GP Corn, AM CVn, V803 Cen, and PG1346+082 are interacting binary white dwarfs with orbital periods between 1051 s for AM CVn and 46.5 mix for GP Corn (Nather, Robinson, and Stover 1981; Solheim et aL 1984; Wood et al. 1987; O'Donoghue and Kilkenny 1988). These ultrashort period systems must be descendents of detached pairs of white dwarfs. We also expect short-period binary white dwarfs to exist for theoretical reasons. All calculations of the evolution of binary stars show that main-sequence binaries can evolve to binary white dwarfs (e.g., Ibex and Tutukov 1984). Among Population I stars, 1/2 to 2/3 of all main-sequence stars are binaries and about 20% of these binaries should become double white dwarfs with short orbital periods (Abt 1983, Ibex and Tutukov 1986). Thus, about 1/10 of all white dwarfs could be close binaries (Paczynski 1985). Nevertheless, no detached binary white dwarfs with extremely short periods have yet been found. The space density of short-period binary white dwarfs is worth measuring for several reasons. Most generally, the space density, is a test of modern theories for the evolution of binary stars. In addition, short-period binary white dwarfs should be the dominant source of gravitational radiation at periods between about 0.5 mix and 1 hour (e.g., Clark and Epstein 1979, Evans, Iben and Smarr 1987). Plans to build detectors of gravitational radiation at these periods using space-based interferometers are now being seriously considered and this new generation of detectors should be sensitive enough to detect binary white dwarfs (Faller and Bender 1984). Finally, in the most commonly discussed model for Type la supernovae, the progenitor of the supernova is a short-period binary consisting of two white dwarfs with a total mass greater than the Chandrasekhar limit (Webbink 1979; Tutukov and Yungelson 1979; Ibex and Tutukov 1984; Paczynski 1985; Tornamb~ and Matteucci 1986). Gravitational radiation drives the binary to shorter orbital periods and ultimately disrupts the lower mass white dwarf. If enough mass accretes onto the higher-mass white dwarf, its mass will exceed the Chandrasekhar limit and it will collapse
Analysis of Impact Craters from the S-149 SKYLAB Experiment

Analysis of craters found on polished plates exposed during Skylab has provided data for a flux measurement over the mass range 10−15 to 10−7 gms. Chemical analysis of residues in the craters shows a high incidence of aluminium. A variety of morphological forms are described.
Are two systemic fish assemblage sampling programmes on the upper Mississippi River telling us the same thing

We applied an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) used on Wisconsin/Minnesota waters of the upper Mississippi River (UMR) to compare data from two systemic sampling programmes. Ability to use data from multiple sampling programmes could extend spatial and temporal coverage of river assessment and monitoring efforts. We normalized for effort and tested fish community data collected by the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program-Great Rivers Ecosystems (EMAP-GRE) 2004–2006 and the Long Term Resource Monitoring Program (LTRMP) 1993–2006. Each programme used daytime electrofishing along main channel borders but with some methodological and design differences. EMAP-GRE, designed for baseline and, eventually, compliance monitoring, used a probabilistic, continuous design. LTRMP, designed primarily for baseline and trend monitoring, used a stratified random design in five discrete study reaches. Analysis of similarity indicated no significant difference between EMAP-GRE and LTRMP IBI scores (n = 238; Global R = −0.052; significance level = 0.972). Both datasets distinguished clear differences only between ‘Fair’ and ‘Poor’ condition categories, potentially supporting a ‘pass–fail’ assessment strategy. Thirteen years of LTRMP data demonstrated stable IBI scores through time in four of five reaches sampled. LTRMP and EMAP-GRE IBI scores correlated along the UMR's upstream to downstream gradient (df [3, 25]; F = 1.61; p = 0.22). A decline in IBI scores from upstream to downstream was consistent with UMR fish community studies and a previous, empirically modelled human disturbance gradient. Comparability between EMAP-GRE (best upstream to downstream coverage) and LTRMP data (best coverage over time and across the floodplain) supports a next step of developing and testing a systemic, multi-metric fish index on the UMR that both approaches could inform. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance analysis of traffic-groomed optical networks employing alternate routing techniques

Recent advances in telecommunication networks have allowed WDM to emerge as a viable solution to the ever-increasing demands of the Internet. In a wavelength-routed optical network, traffic is transported over lightpaths, which exclusively occupy an entire wavelength on each hop of the source-destination path. Because these networks carry large amounts of traffic, alternate routing methods are designed in order to allow traffic to be properly re-routed from source to destination in the event of certain events, such as link blocking or failure. In this paper, we consider a tandem traffic-groomed optical network, modeled as a multi-level overflow system, where each level represents a wavelength between adjacent nodes. The queueing network is analyzed using a combination of methods. As will be shown, the decomposition method provides a good approximate analysis of large overflow systems supporting traffic from multiple sources.
Rate-weight analysis: A suggested technique for examining regional-national growth rate differentials

Using the 1959–1969 Southeast-national growth rate differential as a case study, this paper has introduced a simple technique for examining the non-behavioral components of this growth rate differential. This technique disaggregates by income source the rate and weight effects of this differential. Its value is that it disaggregates, measures, and offers some conceptual insight into regional phenomena that actually occurred.
Mindful Self-Compassion Strategies for Survivors of Intimate Partner Abuse

Intimate partner abuse is a significant public health issue that is associated with a number of negative emotional responses (such as self-blame and shame), as well as mental health outcomes (such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidality). Although not commonly utilized with survivors of intimate partner abuse (IPA), current research indicates that mindful self-compassion (MSC), a concept embodied by the principles of self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness, can improve emotional responses and mental health outcomes for individuals who have experienced trauma. We lay out the research and potential benefits of using MSC as a healing technique for those who have experienced IPA. Intervention strategies to assist survivors in applying MSC are offered as tools for practitioners in working with survivors. Recommendations are made to guide future research in this area.
Designing Single Fluorescent Protein Based Caspase Sensor For Monitoring Apoptosis In Living Cells

Intracellular apoptotic signals regulated by caspase-cascade systems are closely associated with human diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Monitoring the activation and inhibition of caspase 3 and other caspases with fluorescence spectrum changes in living cells is essential for further understanding these processes. Here, we report progress in the development of caspase sensors based on a single fluorescent protein. These developed sensors exhibit strong enzymatic selectivity as well as high sensitivity based on observed ratiometric fluorescence changes. Additionally, our sensors can be targeted to different subcellular locations, such as the ER and mitochondria. We have further applied these sensors to monitor caspase-dependant apoptosis in different cells. Our results indicate that different inducers and drugs have diversified effects on triggering cell death pathways.
Kinetic and theoretical investigations of the S + NO2 reaction

Ground state atomic sulfur was generated by 193-nm laser photolysis of CS2 precursor in Ar bath gas, in the presence of a large excess of NO2 under pseudo-first-order conditions. Decays of S(3PJ) were monitored over 292–656 K and pressures of 14–535 mbar. No pressure dependence was observed, and the second-order constants are summarized as k(T) = 1.9 × 10−11 exp(+4.1 kJ mol−1)/RT cm3 molecule−1 s−1, with a 95% confidence interval of ±7%. The potential energy surfaces for SNO2 and S(NO2)2 were explored using QCISD/6-311G(d,p) theory for geometries and frequencies, followed by single-point calculations based on coupled-cluster theory and extrapolation of results with cc-pV(T+d)Z and cc-pV(Q+d)Z basis sets to the complete basis set limit. Corrections were made for scalar relativistic effects and core–valence correlation. A mechanism involving initial barrierless addition of S to the N atom in NO2, followed by fast dissociation to SO + NO, is consistent with the observed lack of pressure dependence and a Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus estimate of the dissociation rate of SNO2 compared to collisional stabilization. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 44: 90–99, 2012
Laser polarization-assisted diffusion for modifying electromagnetic properties of metals

Abstarct Laser diffusion has previously been studied to incorporate dopants in semiconductors and to carburize steel for surface hardening without melting the substrate, among others. The optical and electromagnetic properties of materials can also be modified by this diffusion method to tailor the material response at different frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum. Platinum atoms have been diffused into titanium and tantalum sheets by a laser chemical vapor diffusion method using a metallorganic compound of platinum and laser beams of different polarizations. Thermal decomposition of the precursor at the laser-heated spot on the surface of the substrate generates platinum atoms that diffuse into the substrate, producing laser-platinized samples. The transmittances of the samples are determined by measuring the strength of the transmitted magnetic field oscillating at 63.86 MHz. The laser-platinized samples produced by linearly polarized lasers exhibit higher transmittances than the samples obtained by using azimuthally polarized lasers.
Genotyping primers for fully automated multilocus variable-number tandem repeat analysis of Escherichia coli O157:H7.

We recently developed a multilocus variable-number tandem repeat (TR) analysis (MLVA) assay for Escherichia coli O157:H7 ([2][1]). In this assay, we identified seven loci that, when used in combination, were able to identify E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks, discriminate among genetically diverse isolates
A negatively charged residue in place of histone H3K56 supports chromatin assembly factor association but not genotoxic stress resistance.

In fungal species, lysine 56 of newly synthesized histone H3 molecules is modified by the acetyltransferase Rtt109, which promotes resistance to genotoxic agents. To further explore how H3 K56ac contributes to genome stability, we conducted screens for suppressors of the DNA damage sensitivity of budding yeast rtt109Δ mutants. We recovered a single extragenic suppressor mutation that efficiently restored damage resistance. The suppressor is a point mutation in the histone H3 gene HHT2, and converts lysine 56 to glutamic acid. In some ways, K56E mimics K56ac, because it suppresses other mutations that interfere with the production of H3 K56ac and restores histone binding to chromatin assembly proteins CAF-1 and Rtt106. Therefore, we demonstrate that enhanced association with chromatin assembly factors can be accomplished not only by acetylation-mediated charge neutralization of H3K56 but also by replacement of the positively charged lysine with an acidic residue. These data suggest that removal of the positive charge on lysine 56 is the functionally important consequence of H3 K56 acetylation. Additionally, the suppressive function of K56E requires the presence of a second H3 allele, because K56E impairs growth when it is the sole source of histones, even more so than does constitutive H3K56 acetylation. Our studies therefore emphasize how H3 K56ac not only promotes chromatin assembly but also leads to chromosomal malfunction if not removed following histone deposition.
What Makes a Natural Clay Antibacterial

Natural clays have been used in ancient and modern medicine, but the mechanism(s) that make certain clays lethal against bacterial pathogens has not been identified. We have compared the depositional environments, mineralogies, and chemistries of clays that exhibit antibacterial effects on a broad spectrum of human pathogens including antibiotic resistant strains. Natural antibacterial clays contain nanoscale (<200 nm), illite-smectite and reduced iron phases. The role of clay minerals in the bactericidal process is to buffer the aqueous pH and oxidation state to conditions that promote Fe(2+) solubility. Chemical analyses of E. coli killed by aqueous leachates of an antibacterial clay show that intracellular concentrations of Fe and P are elevated relative to controls. Phosphorus uptake by the cells supports a regulatory role of polyphosphate or phospholipids in controlling Fe(2+). Fenton reaction products can degrade critical cell components, but we deduce that extracellular processes do not cause cell death. Rather, Fe(2+) overwhelms outer membrane regulatory proteins and is oxidized when it enters the cell, precipitating Fe(3+) and producing lethal hydroxyl radicals.
Equational definability of addition in certain noncommutative rings

Abstract Boolean rings and Boolean algebras, though historically and conceptually different, were shown by Stone to be equationally interdefinable. Indeed, in a Boolean ring, addition can be defined in terms of the ring multiplication and the successor operation (Boolean complementation) x Λ = 1 + x (= 1 − x ). In this paper, it is shown that this type of equational definability of addition also holds in a much wider class of rings, namely, any ring R with unity, not necessarily commutative , which satisfies the identity x n = x n +1 f ( x ) where n is a fixed positive integer and f ( x ) is a fixed polynomial with integer coefficients. This class, of course, contains all finite rings with unity. As a corollary it is shown that if S ⊆ R and 1 ϵ S , and if along with a , b ϵ S , ab ϵ S and a + 1 ϵ S , then S is a subring of R .
Effectiveness of Employer-Provided Financial Information: Hiring to Retiring †

In order to maximize lifetime utility, workers must make choices throughout their careers to plan and save for retirement. With the aging of the Baby Boomers and increasing life expectancies, it is more important than ever for individuals to ensure they have adequate savings and resources for retirement. To make optimal choices, individuals need sufficient knowledge of how both national and employer-provided retirement plans work and what benefits they should expect. Further, they must have adequate financial literacy to navigate complex financial instruments and to understand the importance of various plan characteristics. Traditional models of life cycle earnings and consumption are based on the assumption that workers are aware of investment options, understand the benefits they will receive from various retirement plans, and have the ability to assess the impact of their saving decisions
Scheduling projects with heterogeneous resources to meet time and quality objectives

Abstract In service organizations, heterogeneity in workforce skills can lead to variation in end-product/service quality. The multi-mode, resource-constrained, project scheduling problem (MRCPSP), which assumes similar skills among resources in a given resource pool, accounts for differences in quality levels of individuals by assigning different activity durations depending on the skill level used. This approach is often inadequate to model the problem type investigated here. Using typical projects from the customer training division of a large telecommunications company (which motivated this research), a labor assignment problem using a successive work–time concept is formulated and solved using integer programming optimization procedures. The setting represents a multiple-project environment where projects are separate and independent, but require the same renewable resource mix for their completion. The paper demonstrates how the output of the model can be used to identify bottlenecks (or critical resource skills), and also demonstrates how cross-training the appropriately skilled groups or individuals can increase throughput. The approach guides decision-making concerning which workers to cross-train in order to extract the greatest benefits from worker-flexibility.
Alkalosis and renal excretion of ammonia by rat kidney.

Upon sulfate administration, UpH falls more in alkalotic rats than in controls. Alkalosis can lead to a reduction in UNH3V at highly acidic urine. The significance of this process is doubtful at UpH ranging from about 6 to 7. At lower UpH less NH3 would be excreted, thereby less H+ would be trapped in urine and some acid would be conserved.
The influence of poly(3-hexylthiophene) regioregularity on fullerene-composite solar cell performance.

A comparison of three samples of poly(3-hexylthiophene) having regioregularities of 86, 90, and 96% is used to elucidate the effect of regioregularity on polymer−fullerene-composite solar cell performance. It is observed that polymer samples with lower regioregularity are capable of generating fullerene composites that exhibit superior thermal stability. The enhanced thermal stability of the composites is attributed to a lower driving force for polymer crystallization in the less regioregular polymer samples, which is supported with two-dimensional grazing incidence X-ray scattering and differential scanning calorimetry measurements. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that all three polymer samples are capable of generating solar cells with equivalent peak efficiencies of ∼4% in blends with [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester. While it may be non-intuitive that polymers with lower regioregularity can exhibit higher efficiencies, it is observed that the charge-carrier mobility of the three polymers is ...
AFM tips: how sharp are they?

From both simple estimates and a 'blind' reconstruction based on cryo-AFM images of filamentous actin, we find that the radius of curvature at the apex of Si3 N4 tips can be as small as 1 nm with a conical angle in the range 30~40°, revealing a relatively high aspect ratio that is much greater than previously anticipated. Our results show that commercially available cantilevers are often sharp enough for routine high resolution imaging of biological materials, and suggest that factors other than an inherent blunt tip are probably responsible for frequent occurrences of poor resolution.
Social development and social protection: New opportunities and challenges

The growing interest in social protection in the interdisciplinary field of development studies presents new challenges and opportunities. However, to respond effectively, development scholars should be cognisant of the extensive research that has been undertaken over many years in the interdisciplinary field of social policy into what is known as ‘social security’. They have hitherto neglected this research, but it can make a significant contribution to their own work. At the same time, they have a rare opportunity to inform social policy research, which has historically relied on a Eurocentric ‘welfare state’ approach that is of limited relevance to the developing world. By forging closer links between these two fields, we can address the challenges facing social protection more effectively.
Assessment of flexural lateral load distribution methodologies for stringer bridges

Abstract Methods for determining flexural lateral load distribution have received significant attention in recent years as a result of the transition from the traditional “ s -over” approach of the AASHTO Standard specification to the semi-empirical based approach of the AASHTO LRFD. This attention has included evaluation of in-service behavior, the development of simplified equations, and assessment of contributing parameters. It is evident that an understanding of load distribution behavior is critical for both design and load rating of stringer bridges because the magnitude of this load sharing determines the resistance that must be provided by the primary load carrying members. However, methods of determining lateral load distribution behavior have potential discrepancies that need to be addressed including relationships of member load effects, influence of secondary members, and impact of boundary conditions. This study investigates a number of methods used by researchers to determine load distribution factors for slab–girder bridges with the goal of determining the appropriate methods for analysis purposes. Results from the investigation, indicate that current methodologies yield similar trends, but potential errors may arise without proper consideration of boundary conditions and internal member load effects.
Re-designing distance functions and distance-based applications for high dimensional data

In recent years, the detrimental effects of the curse of high dimensionality have been studied in great detail on several problems such as clustering, nearest neighbor search, and indexing. In high dimensional space the data becomes sparse, and traditional indexing and algorithmic techniques fail from the performance perspective. Recent research results show that in high dimensional space, the concept of proximity may not even be qualitatively meaningful [6]. In this paper, we try to outline the effects of generalizing low dimensional techniques to high dimensional applications and the natural effects of sparsity on distance based applications. We outline the guidelines required in order to re-design either the distance functions or the distance-based applications in a meaningful way for high dimensional domains. We provide novel perspectives and insights on some new lines of work for broadening application definitions in order to effectively deal with the dimensionality curse.
Grown crystalline Ni-Ti shape memory alloy thin films

Crystallization of sputter deposited Ni-Ti thin film is commonly achieved with high temperature annealing to induce the shape memory effect. High temperature annealing has several disadvantages such as formation of precipitates, exclusion of unstable substrates and increase of residual stress. An attempt has been made to obtain as grown crystallized film by using hot target as a process parameter so that those disadvantages can be overcome. In this paper it will be shown that the transformation properties of sputter deposited as grown NiTi thin films from a hot Ti-rich target on single crystal Si substrate is crystalline in nature and shape memory above room temperature. This is true even though the materials did not undergo crystallization process. X-ray diffraction reveals that as grown films are crystalline and shows a mixture of martensite and rhombohedral phases. Transformation temperatures of the sputtered films are determined by using both differential scanning calorimetry and four point probe technique. Film microstructure has been studied by using transmission electron microscopy. The as deposited films have large sized grains with well defined twinned structure. We believe that the film is crystalline because the composition of the target and the high kinetic energy of the sputtered species create a favorable condition to form crystalline film.
On the harmonic oscillations of a rigid body on a free surface

The present paper deals with the practical and rigorous solution of the potential problem associated with the harmonic oscillation of a rigid body on a free surface. The body is assumed to have the form of either an elliptical cylinder or an ellipsoid. The use of Green's function reduces the determination of the potential to the solution of an integral equation. The integral equation is solved numerically and the dependency of the hydrodynamic quantities such as added mass, added moment of inertia and damping coefficients of the rigid body on the frequency of the oscillation is established.
The 64Zn(p, p′)64Zn and 64Zn(p, d)63Zn reactions at 26 MeV

Abstract Elastic and inelastic scattering measurements with 26.0 MeV protons on 64Zn have been performed. Angular distributions for nine of the 22 observed levels are compared to distorted wave calculations using collective-model form factors. Angular distributions for 21 deuteron peaks were obtained and compared to distorted wave calculations using non-local and finite-range corrections.
Prediction of HPLC retention index using artificial neural networks and IGroup E-state indices.

A back-propagation artificial neural network (ANN) was used to create a 10-fold leave-10%-out cross-validated ensemble model of high performance liquid chromatography retention index (HPLC-RI) for a data set of 498 diverse druglike compounds. A 10-fold multiple linear regression (MLR) ensemble model of the same data was developed for comparison. Molecular structure was described using IGroup E-state indices, a novel set of structure-information representation (SIR) descriptors, along with molecular connectivity chi and kappa indices and other SIR descriptors previously reported. The same input descriptors were used to develop models by both learning algorithms. The MLR model yielded marginally acceptable statistics with training correlation r2 = 0.65, mean absolute error (MAE) = 83 RI units. External validation of 104 compounds not used for model development yielded validation v2 = 0.49 and MAE = 73 RI units. The distribution of residuals for the fit and validate data sets suggest a nonlinear relationship...
Waste-reducing catalysis for acylation of a secondary amine: synthesis of DEET

Mixed oxide catalysts were studied for a model acylation – m-toluic acid reacting with diethylamine to N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET) – and compared to standard homogeneous catalysts such as titanium chelates. More acidic catalysts such as hydroxyapatites and supported 12-tungstophosphates were active, stable in a gas phase, and selective with stoichiometric feeds. Optimal results (long-term MTA conversion of 78 ± 6%, DEET selectivity of 86 ± 3% at WHSV = 3–9 h−1, no deactivation over 100 h) were obtained with a supported 12-tungstophosphate at 573 K, 0.1 MPa.
Mitochondria, glycolytic systems, and the pasteur effect

Abstract The addition of rat-liver mitochondria to rat-brain supernatant fraction depressed the accumulation of lactic acid under aerobic conditions. Glucose utilization was also lowered, but not in proportion to the depression in lactate accumulation seen in the presence of the mitochondria. Rat-liver mitochondria stimulated glycosis when added to a rat-liver supernatant fraction if glucose was the sole substrate. In the presence of hexose monophosphates mitochondria inhibited the accumulation of lactate. Mitochondria from pigeon-breast muscle or heart depressed glycolysis by a pigeon-breast muscle supernatant fraction under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. None of the effects of the mitochondria appeared to be due to either inhibition of phosphofructokinase or the Pasteur effect. The effects of liver mitochondria are attributed to electron transport uncoupled from oxidative phosphorylation and those of the muscle mitochondria to phosphatase activity.
Nanotech's History An Interesting, Interdisciplinary, Ideological Split

Nanotechnology is viewed by those in favor of its development in two different ways, and the divide is not recent. This article describes the origins of the differing visions of nanotechnology and examines their broader impacts. The typical history of the field tells nothing about these differing visions, which perhaps misleads. At least two distinct camps among scientists and engineers pursue work on the nanoscale, but they rarely interact, and when they do, they get nowhere. This article looks first at definitional issues in the field; then turns to the common history of nanotechnology, the history's shortcomings, and one particular episode that highlights the divide; and then examines the broader impacts of this dispute. The divide among those interested in nanotech tells something about the way different groups of people see technology and the application of science. This historical review clarifies controversy over societal issues and terminology in nanotechnology.
Steady flow past sudden expansions at large Reynolds number. Part I: Boundary layer solutions

In the steady laminar flow past a sudden channel expansion at large Reynolds number R, the longitudinal length scale of the separated eddy typically increases linearly with R whereas the transverse length scale is O(1). If these trends were to continue indefinitely, the equations of motion in the bulk flow would reduce to the boundary layer equations as R→∞. Previous investigators obtained steady finite difference solutions to the latter for all values of the expansion ratio when the inlet velocity profile was parabolic; however, when the inflow was uniform, numerical instabilities were encountered below a certain value of the expansion ratio. In the present work these instabilities are avoided through the use of a global Newton method, and uniform inflows to several sudden expansion geometries are considered. In each case steady solutions are found only above a critical value of the expansion ratio where the pressure gradient becomes singular near the reattachment point. These results suggest that for uniform inflows and smaller values of the expansion ratio, the eddy length will no longer increase linearly with R when the latter is sufficiently large.
Stereoselective muscarinic acetylcholine and opiate receptors in human phagocytic leukocytes

Abstract Human granulocytes and monocytes exhibited stereospecific, high-affinity binding to 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) and dihydromorphine (DHM), specific ligands for the muscarinic cholinergic and opiate receptors respectively. The stereoselective muscarinic binding occurred in intact, viable cells as well as in cell fragments prepared by sonication. The apparent K d for the muscarinic binding in granulocytes was 16 nM, and the number of binding sites per cell was on the order of 8 × 10 4 , monocytes contained approximately 3 × 10 4 binding sites per cell with an apparent K d of 20 nM. Studies in sonicated and in non-sonicated cell preparations indicate that the affinity of the l -isomer is approximately 10 times that of the d -isomer. Both cell types also exhibited stereospecific opiate binding with an apparent K d of 10 nM for granulocytes and 8 nM for monocytes. The number of binding sites per cell was 3000 and 4000 respectively.
Improving urban classification through fuzzy supervised classification and spectral mixture analysis

In this study, a fuzzy-spectral mixture analysis (fuzzy-SMA) model was developed to achieve land use/land cover fractions in urban areas with a moderate resolution remote sensing image. Differed from traditional fuzzy classification methods, in our fuzzy-SMA model, two compulsory statistical measurements (i.e. fuzzy mean and fuzzy covariance) were derived from training samples through spectral mixture analysis (SMA), and then subsequently applied in the fuzzy supervised classification. Classification performances were evaluated between the 'estimated' landscape class fractions from our method and the 'actual' fractions generated from IKONOS data through manual interpretation with heads-up digitizing option. Among all the sub-pixel classification methods, fuzzy-SMA performed the best with the smallest total_MAE (MAE, mean absolute error) (0.18) and the largest Kappa (77.33%). The classification results indicate that a combination of SMA and fuzzy logic theory is capable of identifying urban landscapes at sub-pixel level.
Molecular Recognition of Leucine-Aspartate Repeat (LD) Motifs by the Focal Adhesion Targeting Homology Domain of Cerebral Cavernous Malformation 3 (CCM3)

Cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) is a disease that affects between 0.1 and 0.5% of the human population, with mutations in CCM3 accounting for ~ 15% of the autosomal dominant form of the disease. We recently reported that CCM3 contains an N-terminal dimerization domain (CCM3D) and a C-terminal focal adhesion targeting (FAT) homology domain. Intermolecular protein-protein interactions of CCM3 are mediated by a highly conserved surface on the FAT homology domain and are affected by CCM3 truncations in the human disease. Here we report the crystal structures of CCM3 in complex with three different leucine-aspartate repeat (LD) motifs (LD1, LD2, and LD4) from the scaffolding protein paxillin, at 2.8, 2.7, and 2.5 A resolution. We show that CCM3 binds LD motifs using the highly conserved hydrophobic patch 1 (HP1) and that this binding is similar to the binding of focal adhesion kinase and Pyk2 FAT domains to paxillin LD motifs. We further show by surface plasmon resonance that CCM3 binds paxillin LD motifs with affinities in the micromolar range, similar to FAK family FAT domains. Finally, we show that endogenous CCM3 and paxillin co-localize in mouse cerebral pericytes. These studies provide a molecular-level framework to investigate the protein-protein interactions of CCM3.
Folding pathway of guanidine-denatured disulfide-intact wild-type and mutant bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A

The refolding kinetics of guanidine-denatured disulfide-intact bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNase A) and its proline-42-to-alanine mutant (Pro42Ala) have been studied by monitoring tyrosine burial and 2'-cytidine monophosphate (2'CMP) inhibitor binding. The folding rate for wild-type RNase A is faster in the presence of the inhibitor 2'CMP than in its absence, indicating that the transition-state structure in the rate-determining step is stabilized by 2'CMP. The folding rate monitored by 2'CMP binding to the major slow-folding species of Pro42Ala RNase A is faster than the folding rate monitored by tyrosine burial; however, the folding rate monitored by inhibitor binding to the minor slow-folding species is decreased significantly over the folding rate monitored by tyrosine burial, indicating that the major and minor slow-folding species of Pro42Ala fold to the native state with different transition-state conformations in the rate-determining step.
The Absolutely Continuous Spectrum of One-dimensional Schrödinger Operators

This paper deals with general structural properties of one-dimensional Schrodinger operators with some absolutely continuous spectrum. The basic result says that the ω limit points of the potential under the shift map are reflectionless on the support of the absolutely continuous part of the spectral measure. This implies an Oracle Theorem for such potentials and Denisov-Rakhmanov type theorems. In the discrete case, for Jacobi operators, these issues were discussed in my recent paper (Remling, The absolutely continuous spectrum of Jacobi matrices, http://arxiv.org/abs/0706.1101, 2007). The treatment of the continuous case in the present paper depends on the same basic ideas.
Traveling forces on strings and membranes

Abstract The use of explosives to simulate uniformly distributed impulsive loads is investigated theoretically for two simple structures, a stretched infinite string and a stretched infinite membrane. The action of an explosive located over a string or membrane is represented by travelling forces which are approximations to the narrow high pressure regions at the detonation fronts. The resulting velocity distributions are compared with the uniform velocity distributions caused by the same total impulse uniformly distributed over the line or area traversed by the forces. Criteria for good simulation are supplied.
Terms and Truth: Reference Direct and Anaphoric

In this book, Alan Berger further develops the new theory of reference -- as formulated by Kripke and Putnam -- applying it in novel ways to many philosophical problems concerning reference and existence. Berger argues that his notion of anaphoric background condition and anaphoric links within a linguistic community are crucial not only to a theory of reference, but to the analysis of these problems as well. The book is organized in three parts. In part I, Berger distinguishes between two styles of rigid designation. Based on this distinction, he develops a theory of reference change for rigid designator terms and shows how this distinction sheds light on identity statements. In part II, he offers an account of belief attribution containing vacuous names within the belief context, of intentional identity statements, and of true negative existential statements. In part III, he analyzes anaphoric expressions (i.e., expressions whose reference is determined in part by other clauses or sentences in a given discourse) and presents a formalization of anaphora and plural quantification.
Cellular proliferation in the exencephalic brain of the mouse embryo

Autoradiographic studies were conducted on the midbrain and cerebral hemispheres of abnormal (Lp/Lp) exencephalic embryos and normal littermates at 12--18 days of gestation. At 12 days of gestation the percentage of cells labeled (labeling index, LI) in the abnormal brains was similar to that in the normals; however, by 14 and 16 days, the LI had decreased in the normal brains but remained the same in the abnormals. Although an accurate labeling index could not be determined in the 18-day abnormals because of the necrosis and severe histological distortion, incorporation of tritiated thymidine continued to occur, but at an apparently reduced level from earlier stages. On the basis of differences in the LI at 14--16 days of gestation, it appears that cells in the abnormal brains retain their ability to proliferate for longer periods of development than is the case in normal brains.
Acoustical implicit communication in human-robot interaction

Explicit communication addresses the use of distinct language or protocol to convey the idea. Implicit communication helps to compensate many hidden meanings omitted from the explicit language. In some situations, implicit communication may even take the place of explicit communication. For the autonomous robot, implicit communication provides an alternative way to interact with people. This paper introduces the acoustic techniques for implicit communication in human-robot interaction, and the design of acoustical implicit communication based robot games.
Abstract 5288: PHLPP controls cell polarity by negatively regulating the activity of atypical PKC in colon cancer cells

The proper establishment of epithelial polarity allows cells to sense and to respond signals that arise from the microenvironment in a spatiotemporally controlled manner. Increasing evidence has suggested that disruption of polarity promotes the malignant progression of cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanism underlying polarity regulation in the initiation and progression of colon cancer remains largely unknown. PHLPP belongs to a novel family of Ser/Thr protein phosphatases that consists of PHLPP1 and PHLPP2 isoforms. Previously, we have identified conventional PKC isoforms as substrates of PHLPP. Here, we demonstrated that PHLPP controls phosphorylation levels of atypical PKC (aPKC) isoforms, including PKCζ and PKCι, as well. Overexpression of either PHLPP isoform resulted in a decrease in aPKC phosphorylation at both the activation loop (Thr403/410) and the turn motif (Thr555/560) sites in colon cancer cells; conversely, knockdown of PHLPP increased aPKC phosphorylation. In addition, in vitro dephosphorylation experiments revealed that both aPKC isoforms are direct substrates of PHLPP. Since aPKC has been widely implicated in the regulation of cell polarity in intestinal epithelial cells, we determined the function of PHLPP in establishing cell polarity using a 3-D Matrigel culture model. Whereas control Caco2 cells form well polarized cysts in 2 weeks, PHLPP depletion alters the acinar structure by inducing the formation of multiple lumens. Interestingly, knockdown of PKCζ, but not PKCι, results in similar disruption of the polarized lumen structure in Caco2 cells, suggesting that PHLPP may regulate cell polarity through dephosphorylating PKCζ. Taken together, our results identify both aPKC isoforms as novel substrates of PHLPP and downregulation of PHLPP may promote tumorigenesis in colon cancer by disrupting cell polarity. Citation Format: Xiaopeng Xiong, Xin li, Tianyan Gao. PHLPP controls cell polarity by negatively regulating the activity of atypical PKC in colon cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 5288. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-5288
DEVELOPMENT OF APOGAMIC AMOEBAE FROM HETEROTHALLIC LINES OF A MYXOMYCETE, DIDYMIUM IRIDIS'

By making appropriate crosses between heterothallic sexual clones of Didymium iridis we can recover apogamic lines in the F1 generation. In this organism, heterothallic forms typically produce a haploid myxamoebal stage, but recently two diploid myxamoebal clones homozygous for mating types were discovered. When these are crossed, A2A2 x A5A5, tetraploid plasmodia are produced which later yield diploid F1 meiospores. Sixty-four percent of the single-spore-derived clones produce both myxamoebae and plasmodia, while the remainder do not progress past the myxamoebal stage. These results are consistent with the predictions that from tetraploid nuclei, mating types should segregate in the meiospores in a ratio of IA2A 2:4A2A 5: IA5A5, and that myxamoebae heterozygous, A2A5, for mating type should yield plasmodia apogamously. As the means for verifying relative ploidy levels of myxamoebae and plasmodia, nuclear DNA was measured with a scanning microspectrophotometer.
Influence of gentling on physiology of the rat.

SummarySmall but statistically significant differences in growth and food utilization were produced in the albino rat through gentling. Gentled animals also showed a trend toward a lowering of thyroid activity. When animals were gentled for 1 wk. preceding stress, no significant differences in growth, food utilization, carcass length or thyroid function could be found between gentled and non-gentled animals. If this initial gentling period was extended to 2 wk., gentled-starved animals extended their growth and food utilization advantage over the non-gentled group, and showed a consistent trend toward lower thyroid function. Animals which were gentled for 2 wks. preceding electrical shock, lost their growth and food utilization advantage over the non-gentled group, and both groups were markedly inferior to the non-shocked controls. Thyroid uptake measurements indicated that the basal metabolism of electrically shocked rats was increased over that of non-shocked animals, but no statistically significant di...
Legislating morality outside of the legislature: Direct democracy, voter participation and morality politics

Abstract Twenty-four states currently use some form of the initiative and referendum in an effort to give Americans the opportunity to make laws directly and vote on proposals given to them by their state legislatures. In one area in particular, morality policy, voters have historically used the ballot box to craft important and often controversial legislation. These have included items concerning gambling, alcohol, abortion, narcotics, obscenity and religion. This research examines two important aspects of the direct democracy issue: does the initiative and referendum increase voter participation in the states giving this option to voters and what is the impact on participation levels when morality issues are considered? For the first question a unique data set is developed to test voter turnout on ballot issues using the state as the unit of analysis. Results of this ordinary-least-squares analysis suggest direct democracy does increase voter turnout rates. In the second part of the analysis, however, several state ballots from 1972 to 2006 are analyzed suggesting that voter interest is strongest when they face morality issues. Hence, ‘legislating morality’ takes on a new meaning here since we commonly associate the phrase only with legislative institutions. As shown, over time citizens have been legislating morality directly in their own unique way. Theoretically, while advocates of direct democracy contend the process increases voter participation, it is argued here that the participation is often skewed toward certain morality issues and not toward issues as a whole. The data support this contention and raise normative questions concerning voters and their propensity to ‘legislate morality’.
The mechanical response of core-shell structures for nanoporous metallic materials

Nanoporous gold (NP-Au) exhibits microscale plasticity, but macroscopically fails in a relatively brittle manner. This current study suggests that a core-shell structure can increase both ductility and strength of NP-Au. A core Au foam structure was created using conventional dealloying methods with average ligament size of 60 nm. Nickel was then electroplated on to the NP-Au with layer thicknesses ranging from 2.5 nm to 25 nm. Nanoindentation demonstrated a significant increase in the hardness of the coated Np-Au, to about five times of that of the pure Np-Au, and a decrease in creep by increasing the thickness of the coated Ni layer. Molecular dynamics simulations of Au–Ni ligaments show the same trend of strengthening behavior with increasing Ni thickness suggesting that the strengthening mechanisms of the Np-Au are comparable to those for fcc nano ligaments. The simulations demonstrate two different strengthening mechanisms with the increased activity of the twins in plated Au–Ni ligaments, which lead...
Short-range effects in meson exchange currents for the radiative n-p capture of the deuteron

Abstract We show that a relatively complete calculation of meson exchange currents, including a short-range hadronic form factor for the pion exchange diagrams and the rho exchange currents can still explain the discrepancy between the theoretical and experimental cross section for the radiative n-p capture of the deuteron.
Minimum supply voltage for bulk Si CMOS GSI

Limits on energy dissipation are investigated for bulk Si CMOS circuits at each node of the 1997 National Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (NTRS). Physical, continuous and smooth MOSFET Transregional drain current models that consider high-field effects in scaled devices, and permit trade-offs between saturation drive current and subthreshold leakage current are described and employed to model CMOS circuit performance and power dissipation at low voltages. The Transregional models are used in conjunction with physical threshold voltage roll-off models and stochastic interconnect distributions, at performances, chip sizes and transistor counts forecast by the 1997 NTRS, to project optimal supply and threshold voltages, minimizing total energy dissipated by CMOS logic circuits. Techniques exploiting datapath parallelism to further reduce supply voltage are shown to offer decreasing reductions in power dissipation with technology scaling.