cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of Pier Stiffness Degradation on Soil-Structure Interaction in Base-Isolated Bridges

Identification of system parameters by recorded accelerographs on base-isolated bridges during earthquakes provides an opportunity to investigate the performance of such bridges. Stiffness degradation in reinforced concrete piers of four multispan continuous base-isolated bridges in Japan during eighteen earthquakes is examined by using system identification results and theoretical load-displacement curves of reinforced concrete piers. Soil-structure interaction (SSI) effect identified in these bridges is found to be independent of free field acceleration and weakly dependent on dynamic soil properties. This apparent contradiction with the popular belief of strong SSI in weaker soil prompted to consider the fact that with increasing seismic intensity, similar degradation in pier stiffness also takes place and it is the ratio of pier and foundation stiffness \I(k\dc/k\dh)\N which should be examined to determine the influence of SSI. A relatively strong relationship between these variables supports the hypothesis that SSI is more strongly related to the stiffness ratio of pier and foundation than dynamic soil properties.
Resonance Raman spectra of bovine liver catalase: enhancement of proximal tyrosinate vibrations.

Abstract Resonance Raman spectra of native bovine liver ferri-catalase have been obtained in the 200–1800 cm −1 region. Excitation at a series of wavelengths ranging from 406.7 to 514.5 nm has been used and gives rise to distinct sets of resonance Raman bands. Excitation within the Soret and Q-bands of the heme group produces the expected set of polarized and nonpolarized porphyrin modes, respectively. The frequencies of the porphyrin skeletal stretching bands in the 1450–1700 cm −1 region indicate that catalase contains only five-coordinate, high-spin heme groups. In addition to the porphyrin modes, bovine liver catalase exhibits bands near 1612 and 1520 cm −1 that are attributable to ring vibrations of the proximal tyrosinate that are enhanced via resonance with a proximal tyrosinate → Fe(III) change transfer transition centered near 490 nm. Similar bands have been observed in mutant hemoglobins that have tyrosinate axial ligands and in other Fe(III)-tyrosinate proteins. No resonance Raman bands have been observed that can be attributed to degraded hemes. The spectra are relatively insensitive to pH over the range of 5–10, and the same spectra are observed for catalase samples that do and do not contain tightly bound NADPH. Resonance Raman spectra of the fluoride complex exhibit porphyrin skeletal stretching modes that show it to be six coordinate, high spin, while the cyanide complex is six coordinate, low spin. Both the azide and thiocyanate complexes, however, are spin-state mixtures with the high-spin form predominant.
RECREATION AND THE OHIO RIVER

: The use of the Ohio River for recreational purposes is increasing. While documentation of the real-time use of the river for recreation is sparse, inferences are made from the availability of mooring facilities. The location of the facilities, the economic advantages of Ohio River recreation, and the hazards to such recreation coincide at the four major urban centers. Future use plans for the Ohio River must consider recreation among the multiple uses of this river.
Microfluidic radiolabeling of biomolecules with PET radiometals

Introduction A robust, versatile and compact microreactor has been designed, fabricated and tested for the labeling of bifunctional chelate conjugated biomolecules (BFC-BM) with PET radiometals.
Biocompatibility analysis of poly(glycerol sebacate) as a nerve guide material

No satisfactory method currently exists for bridging neural defects. Autografts lead to inadequate functional recovery, and most available artificial neural conduits possess unfavorable swelling and pro-inflammatory characteristics. This study examined the biocompatibility of a novel biodegradable elastomer, poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS), for neural reconstruction applications, as the material possesses favorable mechanical property and degradation characteristics. The effect of PGS on Schwann cell metabolic activity, attachment, proliferation, and apoptosis were examined in vitro in comparison with poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), a biomaterial widely utilized for tissue engineering applications. The in vivo tissue response to PGS was compared with PLGA implanted juxtaposed to the sciatic nerve; the physical changes in the implant material were measured during the degradation process. PGS had no deleterious effect on Schwann cell metabolic activity, attachment, or proliferation, and did not induce apoptosis; the in vitro effects of PGS were similar to or superior to that of PLGA. In vivo, PGS demonstrated a favorable tissue response profile compared with PLGA, with significantly less inflammation and fibrosis and without detectable swelling during degradation. PGS is an excellent candidate material for neural reconstruction applications given its lack of in vitro Schwann cell toxicity and minimal in vivo tissue response.
On the Temperature Rise of Bodies Subjected to Unidirectional or Oscillating Frictional Heating and Surface Convective Cooling

A computationally efficient algorithm is presented for simulating the transient temperature in a body subjected to unidirectional sliding or oscillatory heat source along its boundary. The algorithm utilizes the combination of a finite element technique and a transfer matrix method. The method does not require direct simulation at each cycle and thus provides significant computation savings without the loss of accuracy. For a given system, the coefficient matrices are calculated only once and then applied to different sets of heat loads experienced by the same system. This method has application in manufacturing and tribological processes where the temperature rise due to surface heating must be taken into consideration. Illustrative examples are presented where a half space is subjected to a unidirectional sliding or oscillating heat source with consideration of convective cooling at the surface.
High precision floating wire measurements of large dipole magnets at LAMPF

The current-carrying, floating wire technique was used to measure the particle momentum versus magnetic field calibration of the EPICS pion spectrometer at LAMPF. Wire orbits were measured through a pair of dipoles bending through 120° in the vertical plane. Measurements were made in situ and corrected for gravitational and frictional effects. The specific manner of correcting for gravitational effects is given. Magnetic field versus particle momentum calibrations were derived with an accuracy of 2 parts in 104.
Inhibition of Ca2+-activated large-conductance K+ channel activity alters synaptic AMPA receptor phenotype in mouse cerebellar stellate cells

Many fast-spiking inhibitory interneurons, including cerebellar stellate cells, fire brief action potentials and express α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA)-type glutamate receptors (AMPAR) that are permeable to Ca2+ and do not contain the GluR2 subunit. In a recent study, we found that increasing action potential duration promotes GluR2 gene transcription in stellate cells. We have now tested the prediction that activation of potassium channels that control the duration of action potentials can suppress the expression of GluR2-containing AMPARs at stellate cell synapses. We find that large-conductance Ca2+-activated potassium (BK) channels mediate a large proportion of the depolarization-evoked noninactivating potassium current in stellate cells. Pharmacological blockade of BK channels prolonged the action potential duration in postsynaptic stellate cells and altered synaptic AMPAR subtype from GluR2-lacking to GluR2-containing Ca2+-impermeable AMPARs. An L-type channel blocker abolished an increase in Ca2+ entry that was associated with spike broadening and also prevented the BK channel blocker-induced switch in AMPAR phenotype. Thus blocking BK potassium channels prolongs the action potential duration and increases the expression of GluR2-containing receptors at the synapse by enhancing Ca2+ entry in cerebellar stellate cells.
POLYMERIZATION IN THE CRYSTALLINE STATE. III. METHACRYLIC ACID AND BUTADIENE-1-CARBOXYLIC ACID '

Methacrylic acid polymerized in the solid state leads to a much less syndiotactic polymer than when polymerized in the liquid state. This is taken as additional evidence for the importance of the geometry of the monomer crystal lattice in solid state polymerization. Butadiene-1-carboxylic acid polymerizes spontaneously in the solid state to a crosslinked product, while the sodium, potassium, and barium salts of this acid are stable and polymerize very little, even on gamma irradiation. (auth)
Plasma angiotensin converting enzyme activity in mother and fetus.

Plasma converting enzyme activity was measured by a spectre-photometric technique inplasma taken from normal mothers and fetuses at term during elective cesarean section or at spontaneous vaginal delivery. Plasma converting enzyme activity in the fetus was within the normal range for non-pregnant adults and for pregnant women undergoing spontaneous vaginal delivery. Fetalconverting enzyme activity was the same whether delivery was accomplished by cesarean section or by the vaginal route, but maternal converting enzyme activity was significantly elevated at cesarean section compared with spontaneous delivery. These data are compatible with the thesis that fetal plasma converting enzyme is, at least in part, derived from extrapulmonary sources and that plasma conversion is not affected by the events that initiate labor or fetal respiration. The increment in maternal converting enzyme activity at cesarean section has not been adequately explainedbut may be due to the effects of anesthesia.II levels.
DETERMINATION OF MANATEE POPULATION TRENDS ALONG THE ATLANTIC COAST OF FLORIDA USING A BAYESIAN APPROACH WITH TEMPERATURE-ADJUSTED AERIAL SURVEY DATA

In many animal population survey studies, the construction of a stochastic model provides an effective way to capture underlying biological characteristics that contribute to the overall variation in the data. In this paper we develop a stochastic model to assess the population trend and abundance of the Florida manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris, along the Atlantic coast of the state, using aerial survey data collected at winter aggregation sites between 1982 and 2001. This model accounts for the method by which the manatees were counted, their movements between surveys, and the behavior of the total population over time. The data suggest an overall increase in the population from 1982 to 1989 of around 5%-7%, a reduction in growth or a leveling off (0%-4% annual growth) from 1990 to 1993, and then an increase again of around 3%-6% since 1994. In winter 2001-2002 (the most recent survey season for which analyses were done), we estimated the adult manatee population along the east coast of Florida to be 1,607 individuals (range = 1,353-1,972; 95% credible interval). Our estimate of manatee abundance corresponds well with maximum counts (approximately 1,600 manatees) produced during synoptic aerial surveys under optimal conditions. Our calculations of trends correspond well with mark and recapture analyses of trends in survival of adult manatees along the east coast through the early 1990s. Our population trend estimates since that time are more optimistic than those generated by mark-recapture models.
Efficient photogeneration of triplets in shock-compressed 2,4-dinitrostilbene

Abstract Efficient pressure-mediated photogeneration of significant triplet state populations was observed in shock-loaded 2,4-dinitrostilbene (DNS) solid samples. This capability allows investigation of the role of the electronic triplet state as a suspected intermediate in the condensed phase shock chemistry of nitrostilbenes. Samples were shock loaded to 100 kbar using a laser-accelerated flyer plate technique and simultaneously optically probed in real time. Spontaneous Raman spectra showed triplet state formation. The high populations ( > 10%) resulted from pressure-enhanced absorption of the probe pulse to form singlets which were rapidly converted to triplets via ISC. The onset shock pressure leading to irreversible chemistry was significantly lowered when photogenerated triplets were present.
Theory for the measurement of competing risks in animal experiments

Abstract The problem of competing risks in animal assay is to evaluate biological activity leading to a specific end point which is one of a set of mutually exclusiveend points. Just one assumption is made: the chance of observing a specific end point is continuous in time. The concept of equal-age replacement is introduced to construct a set of independent nonhomogeneous Poisson processes whose mean value functions are the integrals of the conditional event rates which are taken to represent cumulative specific activities. Only in an experiment which guarantees a minimum number of animals at risk at a fixed time can a measurement be made which is independent of complementary risks. In such an experiment the sum of the reciprocals of the numbers of animals at risk at the times of observation of a specific end point is an unbiased measurement of its cumulative activity.
Identification, Development, and Regional Distribution of Thymidylate Synthetase in Adult Rabbit Brain

The development and regional distribution of thymidylate synthetase (TS) (EC 2.1.1.45) in rabbit brain were determined. After optimization of the assay for brain, TS activity in brain was measured by a nonspecific (3H2O release) and specific method. The specific method involved the conversion of [6-3H]deoxyuridine monophosphate (dUMP) to [3H]thymidine phosphate and the subsequent identification of [3H]thymidine.l The specific activity of the enzyme in whole brain of newborn rabbits declined from 10.35 +/- 1.17 units/mg protein to 0.71 +/- 0.09 units/mg protein at 10-12 weeks of age. Two=year-old rabbits had 0.81 +/- 0.04 units/mg protein. The decline in specific activity with age was not due to an inhibitor of TS activity or a change in the Km for dUMP. The Km for dUMP of the unpurified enzyme in the brains of both 19-day-old and young adult rabbits was 0.8 microM. In young adult rabbits (3 months) the specific activity of TS was similar in the various regions of the brain tested except for the cerebellum, which had 40% higher specific activity than the whole brain. The results show that TS is widely distributed in adult rabbit brain, and, although the activity declines with age, it stabilizes at adult levels at 3 months of age.
A first example in economic simulation design

The economic simulation design problem is that given performance requirements, design the simulation of a linear system and distribute precision among the instruments such that the computational cost is minimized without violating the simulation accuracy. In this paper, we consider the simulation of a large-scale linear system in digital devices with fixed-point arithmetic and finite wordlength. Given the output variance upperbound, we focus on finding an optimal realization and the allocation of wordlength among A/D converter, computer and sensors. This problem is in general not convex because of the scaling constraint. By exploring the special structure of this joint optimization problem and under reasonable assumptions, we simplify this problem and find the optimal coordinate transformation and the wordlength allocation scheme simultaneously by solving LMIs (linear matrix inequalities). Numerical results are given which compare this new realization with the balanced realization and random realizations.
Space-Partitioning Trees in PostgreSQL: Realization and Performance

Many evolving database applications warrant the use of non-traditional indexing mechanisms beyond B+-trees and hash tables. SP-GiST is an extensible indexing framework that broadens the class of supported indexes to include disk-based versions of a wide variety of space-partitioning trees, e.g., disk-based trie variants, quadtree variants, and kd-trees. This paper presents a serious attempt at implementing and realizing SP-GiST-based indexes inside PostgreSQL. Several index types are realized inside PostgreSQL facilitated by rapid SP-GiST instantiations. Challenges, experiences, and performance issues are addressed in the paper. Performance comparisons are conducted from within PostgreSQL to compare update and search performances of SP-GiST-based indexes against the B+-tree and the R-tree for string, point, and line segment data sets. Interesting results that highlight the potential performance gains of SPGiST- based indexes are presented in the paper.
Photoinduced Intermolecular Electron Transfer in Liquid Solutions

Intermolecular photoinduced electron transfer between Rhodamine 3B cation (R3B+), and dimethylanaline (DMA) is studied in a variety of solvents using pump−probe spectroscopy from ultrashort times (∼100 fs) to long times (∼10 ns). Excitation of R3B+ results in the transfer of an electron from DMA and the production of the neutral radical R3B and the DMA+ radical cation. Using a very broadband continuum probe, the generation of the R3B neutral radical is observed (430 nm) as well as the ground state bleach (550 nm), an excited state absorption (445 nm), and stimulated emission (620 nm). A good spectrum of the R3B radical is obtained by removing the overlapping excited state absorption. The forward electron transfer is examined by monitoring the time dependence of the stimulated emission. The data are analyzed with a previously presented detailed theory of through-solvent electron transfer for diffusing donors and acceptors, which includes the influences solvent structure and the hydrodynamic effect. Previou...
The design and application of high energy rare earth permanent magnets

When a designer specifies the use of a permanent magnet, he certainly hopes that its magnetization will indeed remain permanent, or at least a close approximation to this. Specifically, he requires the magnet's demagnetization curve, the second quadrant of the B vs. H characteristic, to remain unchanged under normal operating conditions. Unfortunately, this is never the case, so it is important to understand the nature of the changes that may occur, so that any degradation of the magnetic properties reflected in the demagnetization curve may be accounted for in the design. Changes in a magnet after it has been manufactured and fully magnetized may be caused by any combination of external influences, such as temperature, pressure and applied field. These changes fall into three categories. The first category comprises those effects that result in a permanent change in the demagnetization curve, which persist even if the magnet is fully remagnetized. The other two categories are "irreversible" changes which persist even after the cause has been removed, but the original demagnetization curve can be restored by fully remagnetizing the material. Depending upon the shape of the demagnetization curve, an externally applied field may cause the magnet to operate on an "internal" curve with a lower (BH)/sub max/. The other principal cause of irreversible change in the demagnetization curve is thermal fluctuations.
Complex gene expression in the dragline silk producing glands of the Western black widow (Latrodectus hesperus)

Orb-web and cob-web weaving spiders spin dragline silk fibers that are among the strongest materials known. Draglines are primarily composed of MaSp1 and MaSp2, two spidroins (spider fibrous proteins) expressed in the major ampullate (MA) silk glands. Prior genetic studies of dragline silk have focused mostly on determining the sequence of these spidroins, leaving other genetic aspects of silk synthesis largely uncharacterized. Here, we used deep sequencing to profile gene expression patterns in the Western black widow, Latrodectus hesperus. We sequenced millions of 3′-anchored “tags” of cDNAs derived either from MA glands or control tissue (cephalothorax) mRNAs, then associated the tags with genes by compiling a reference database from our newly constructed normalized L. hesperus cDNA library and published L. hesperus sequences. We were able to determine transcript abundance and alternative polyadenylation of each of three loci encoding MaSp1. The ratio of MaSp1:MaSp2 transcripts varied between individuals, but on average was similar to the estimated ratio of MaSp1:MaSp2 in dragline fibers. We also identified transcription of TuSp1 in MA glands, another spidroin family member that encodes the primary component of egg-sac silk, synthesized in tubuliform glands. In addition to the spidroin paralogs, we identified 30 genes that are more abundantly represented in MA glands than cephalothoraxes and represent new candidates for involvement in spider silk synthesis. Modulating expression rates of MaSp1 variants as well as MaSp2 and TuSp1 could lead to differences in mechanical properties of dragline fibers. Many of the newly identified candidate genes likely encode secreted proteins, suggesting they could be incorporated into dragline fibers or assist in protein processing and fiber assembly. Our results demonstrate previously unrecognized transcript complexity in spider silk glands.
Open systems theory in an organizational sub-system: A field experiment

Abstract This paper deals with a leadership change experiment conducted in a major component part (sub-system) of a manufacturing organization (system). The leaders (foremen) in seven of eight groups comprising an entire department of critical importance in the organization were reassigned on 2 days' notice in accordance with an experimental plan designed by the author. The nature of the experiment and associated data provide an unusual opportunity for an empirical field test on certain central aspects of open systems theory as applied to formal organizations.
The use of incentives/feedback to enhance work place safety: A critique of the literature.

Because accidents cost employers $33 billion a year, many organizations have been searching for new approaches to enhancing safety. One of these is the use of positive reinforcement and feedback. This paper reports the findings of 24 studies which have examined the effectiveness of this approach in industry. All studies found that incentives or feedback were successful in improving safety conditions or reducing accidents. The limitations of these studies and avenues for future research are discussed.
Explaining Disability Parents’ Stories of Raising Children with Visual Impairments in a Sighted World

This article is a comparison of the narratives told by and about parents of children who are blind or visually impaired. The narratives in this article come from the author’s own experience raising...
The preschool home literacy environment provided by teenage mothers

Teenage pregnancy is an issue receiving a growing amount of attention in the United States, with approximately one million children born to teenage mothers annually. Teen mothers tend to function less effectively in numerous realms than their peers who delay child‐rearing, and the children of teen mothers are at greater risk of school failure. In the present study we surveyed 493 mothers (22% teen mothers) in order to compare the home literacy environments provided to preschoolers by teenage versus non‐teenage mothers. In general, the teen mothers provided a home literacy environment that afforded their children fewer literacy experiences. The implications of these findings for the development of oral language and early reading‐related skills are discussed.
Inhibition of task set: Converging evidence from task choice in the voluntary task-switching paradigm

This study looked for evidence of task-set inhibition in a voluntary task-switching paradigm. Participants performed one of three tasks on a digit: parity (even or odd), size (less than or greater than 5), or distance (near or far from 5). On each trial, they were allowed to choose which task to perform, with encouragement to perform each task equally often overall and in a random sequence. The question was whether participants would avoid performing a task that they had recently switched away from (e.g., the task performed on trial n22), because the task set was still inhibited. Results confirmed that participants strongly avoided performing the n22 task (e.g., ABA) in favor of performing other tasks (e.g., ABC). This occurred both when participants were required to switch tasks every trial (Experiment 1) and when they were allowed to repeat tasks (Experiment 2). The results suggest that a task set is inhibited during switching to a new task, reducing the likelihood that this task will be selected in the near future.
Mechanism for Oxygen Reduction Reaction on Pt3Ni Alloy Fuel Cell Cathode

We use quantum mechanics, density functional theory at the PBE level, to predict the binding-site preferences and reaction barriers for all intermediates involved in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on the low energy surface of Pt3Ni alloy. Here we calculate that the surface layer is Ni depleted (100% Pt) while the second layer is Ni enriched (50% Pt) as shown by experiment. Even though the top layer is pure Pt, we find that the sublayer Ni imposes strong preferences in binding sites for most intermediates, which in turn strongly influences the reaction barriers. This strong preference leads to a strong site dependence of the barriers. Considering water as the solvent, we predict that, at low coverage of Oad and OHad, the barrier for the rate-determining step is 0.81 eV, whereas, at high coverage, this barrier decreases to 0.43 eV. It can be compared to a barrier of 0.50 eV for pure Pt, explaining the improved ORR rate for the Pt3Ni alloy. We report the results both for gas phase and for aqueous phase ...
Comparing Auditor versus Non-Auditor Assessments of Auditor Liability: An Experimental Investigation of Experts' versus Lay Evaluators' Judgments

SUMMARY: Critics of the legal system argue that the use of lay jurors to adjudicate auditor negligence claims results in non-meritorious decisions of auditor liability. Palmrose (2006) therefore proposes that the courts rely on panels of experienced auditors to evaluate the merits of auditor negligence claims and make recommendations to the courts. There is, however, scant evidence to indicate how auditors' and lay evaluators' judgments might differ in cases of alleged auditor negligence. Our study addresses this gap in the literature by providing theory and empirical evidence that elucidates several systematic differences between auditors' and lay evaluators' judgments. Results of an experiment indicate that auditor evaluators are less reliant on plaintiff losses as evidence than lay evaluators, but—consistent with social identity theory—experience greater empathy for auditor defendants. Consequently, auditor evaluators consistently provide lower assessments of auditor liability than lay evaluators, irr...
Hybrid MD-Nernst Planck Model of Alpha-hemolysin Conductance Properties

Motivated by experiments in which an applied electric field translocates polynucleotides through an alpha-hemolysin protein channel causing ionic current transient blockade, a hybrid simulation model is proposed to predict the conductance properties of the open channel. Time scales corresponding to ion permeation processes are reached using the Poisson-Nemst-Planck (PNP) electro-diffusion model in which both solvent and local ion concentrations are represented as a continuum. The diffusion coefficients of the ions (K(+) and Cl(-)) input in the PNP model are, however, calculated from all-atom molecular dynamics (MD). In the MD simulations, a reduced representation of the channel is used. The channel is solvated in a 1 M KCI solution, and an external electric field is applied. The pore specific diffusion coefficients for both ionic species are reduced 5-7 times in comparison to bulk values. Significant statistical variations (17-45%) of the pore-ions diffusivities are observed. Within the statistics, the ionic diffusivities remain invariable for a range of external applied voltages between 30 and 240mV. In the 2D-PNP calculations, the pore stem is approximated by a smooth cylinder of radius approx. 9A with two constriction blocks where the radius is reduced to approx. 6A. The electrostatic potential includes the contribution from the atomistic charges. The MD-PNP model shows that the atomic charges are responsible for the rectifying behaviour and for the slight anion selectivity of the a-hemolysin pore. Independent of the hierarchy between the anion and cation diffusivities, the anionic contribution to the total ionic current will dominate. The predictions of the MD-PNP model are in good agreement with experimental data and give confidence in the present approach of bridging time scales by combining a microscopic and macroscopic model.
Transcriptome in vivo analysis (TIVA) of spatially defined single cells in live tissue.

Transcriptome profiling is an indispensable tool in advancing the understanding of single cell biology, but depends upon methods capable of isolating mRNA at the spatial resolution of a single cell. Current capture methods lack sufficient spatial resolution to isolate mRNA from individual in vivo resident cells without damaging adjacent tissue. Because of this limitation, it has been difficult to assess the influence of the microenvironment on the transcriptome of individual neurons. Here, we engineered a Transcriptome In Vivo Analysis (TIVA)-tag, which upon photoactivation enables mRNA capture from single cells in live tissue. Using the TIVA-tag in combination with RNA-seq to analyze transcriptome variance among single dispersed cells and in vivo resident mouse and human neurons, we show that the tissue microenvironment shapes the transcriptomic landscape of individual cells. The TIVA methodology provides the first noninvasive approach for capturing mRNA from single cells in their natural microenvironment.
Postsecondary Education & Autism: Developing an Online Community

This paper discuss a research project to develop an online community that supports the transition from secondary to postsecondary education for autistic students. It first highlight the impact of inadequate existing support resources for postsecondary education and autism. The paper then share how semi- structured interviews with five key stakeholder groups will inform the development of the online community. Finally, the paper discuss potential technological and social-cultural infrastructure for the community, as well as this project's long-term implications for academia and practice.
Optical Back Scattering from Single Water Droplets

We have studied the two mechanisms responsible for the back scattering of light by water droplets: the axial ray and the edge ray. Using a He–Ne laser and fiber-supported water droplets, ranging in diam from 0.6 to 1.5 mm, we observed the intensity fluctuations of these two rays as the droplet evaporated. The axial ray varies sinusoidally with droplet size, and the edge ray varies in a very complicated, but periodic manner. The edge-ray signal, as a function of the size parameter, appears to consist of periodic humps of spacing 0.27±0.01, upon which are superimposed, in a coherent manner, clusters of spikes, very narrow resonances. The basic spike period seems to be 0.82±0.02. A complicated beat phenomenon appears to be present with a period of 60.7±1.5. Our experimental results are compared with the results of a Mie computation with the size parameter 3000 and with a simple model.
Effects of Genotype and Diet on Age-Related Lesions in Ad Libitum Fed and Calorie-Restricted F344, BN, and BNF3F1 Rats

The effects of calorie restriction (CR) on age-related lesions in Brown Norway, Fischer 344, and BNF3F1 hybrid rats are presented. A logistic regression analysis of data from histologic samples from rats of each genotype, sex, and diet at 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months of age demonstrated the effects of age, diet, and sex on lesion prevalence in all three genotypes. CR reduced the prevalence of neoplastic, nonneoplastic proliferative, and degenerative lesions. All genotype-sex-age cohorts demonstrated a reduced average lesion burden with CR. Importantly, some lesions common to Brown Norway rats seldom occurred in Fischer 344 rats and vice versa. Some lesions that occurred in only one parental strain also occurred in BNF3F1 rats. Many traits occurred in all three genotypes but at significantly different prevalence rates. We suggest that the diseases and lesions that rats develop as they age are controlled by genes and environmental factors such as CR.
Long-Term Effects of Food Supplementation and Psychosocial Intervention on the Physical Growth of Colombian Infants at Risk of Malnutrition

280 Colombian infants at risk of malnutrition were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 experimental groups formed by the presence/absence of 2 interventions: (1) food supplementation for the entire family, from mid-pregnancy until the target child was 3 years old, and (2) a twice-weekly home-visiting program to promote cognitive development, from birth until age 3. All families received free medical care and were studied prospectively. At 3 years of age, children who had received food supplementation averaged 2.6 cm and 642 grams larger than controls. Home visiting and supplementation together reduced the number of children with severe growth retardation. 3 years after intervention (age 6), supplementation effects remained. Children in the home visit condition had become larger than controls, by 1.7 cm and 448 grams. The interactive effect to reduce stunting was marginally significant at this age, and the overall distribution of scores was improved. Other results suggest that changes in family functioning as well as biological mechanisms account for the observed pattern of results.
Molecular optical probes for imaging tumors

Biomedical optical methods provide distinctly new diagnostic capabilities while complementing conventional imaging modalities. To be effective, the molecular probes should produce detectable, quantifiable and discernable signals in response to light absorption or biological activation. Presently, fluorescein, indocyanine green (ICG) and fluorescent photosensitizers are widely used as optical molecular probes for in vivo imaging of tumors, possibly due to their established photophysical properties and safety profile in humans.
Policy debate on the Internet: panelists evaluate the process

The 2001 North Carolina Citizens' Technology Forum provided a unique opportunity to study policy deliberation by average citizens using the Internet. Loosely based on the Danish-style consensus conference, all group work was conducted entirely online. Nine of the 13 citizen members responded to an open-ended questionnaire about their experiences. Four members of the content expert panel also offered their impressions. Despite some of the drawbacks of online communication, overall, citizens had favorable reactions. The average rating was 7.9 on a ten-point scale. Ratings provided by the experts were lower; the average score was 6.5. This may be related to the difficulty of presenting scientific information online. Both agreed that Internet forums have the potential to open up the policy debate by increasing opportunities for citizens to participate in the process. Findings of this evaluation will assist in the design of future online citizen panels.
Recurrence-free survival in breast cancer is associated with MRI tumor enhancement dynamics quantified using computer algorithms

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between breast cancer recurrence-free survival and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tumor enhancement dynamics which are quantified semi-automatically using computer algorithms. Methods In this retrospective IRB-approved study, we analyzed data from 275 breast cancer patients at a single institution. Recurrence-free survival data were obtained from the medical record. Routine clinical pre-operative breast MRIs were performed in all patients. The tumors were marked on the MRIs by fellowship-trained breast radiologists. A previously developed computer algorithm was applied to the marked tumors to quantify the enhancement dynamics relative to the automatically assessed background parenchymal enhancement. To establish whether the contrast enhancement feature quantified by the algorithm was associated with recurrence-free survival, we constructed a Cox proportional hazards regression model with the computer-extracted feature as a covariate. We controlled for tumor grade and size (major axis length), patient age, patient race/ethnicity, and menopausal status. Results The analysis showed that the semi-automatically obtained feature quantifying MRI tumor enhancement dynamics was independently predictive of recurrence-free survival ( p = 0.024). Conclusion Semi-automatically quantified tumor enhancement dynamics on MRI are predictive of recurrence-free survival in breast cancer patients.
Submarine-canyon complex among Cretaceous island-arc sediments, western Jamaica

Mapping a Cretaceous, island-arc, sedimentary basin revealed a northerly trending submarine canyon complex 4.5 km long and 2 km wide at its southern end. It widens to 4 km in the north, in a downslope direction. The canyon complex cuts across regional stratigraphy and is incised as much as 500 m into a shelf sequence of thinly bedded shale and reef-type limestone. The canyon fill consists of massive, unbedded, mafic, volcanic conglomerate (Tom Spring Formation) and an underlying sequence of volcaniclastic sandstone, calcarenite, shale, and minor conglomerate (Georgia Complex) that was penecontemporaneously deformed. Structures of the Georgia complex suggest a range of deformation mechanisms, including rigid body rotation of bedded blocks, folding, and mass flow. The variation in structural style is attributed to primary variability in rheological properties and to geometry of the basin floor. The deformation of the Georgia complex is attributed to the catastrophic emplacement of the overlying Tom Spring volcanic conglomerate and to gravity-driven processes within the submarine canyon.
Higher Plant Mitochondrial Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complexes

The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) is a very large, multi-enzyme structure which catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate, formation of a hydroxyethyl-TPP intermediate, subsequent reductive acetylation of a lipoic acid cofactor, and ultimately acetylation of Coenzyme-A. NAD then serves as the final electron acceptor for the internal redox coupling which is a portion of the reaction cycle. Divalent cations and FAD are additional required cofactors. Multiple copies of each of the enzymatic components of the PDC are present including, pyruvate dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.4.1)(E1,PDH), lipoyl transacetylase (EC 2.3.1.12)(E2,LTA), and the flavoprotein lipoyl dehydrogenase (EC 1.6.4.3)((E3,LAD). Mitochondrial PDCs contain two types of regulatory enzymes, PDH-kinase (EC 2.7.1.99) and phospho-PDH-phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.43). Recently, an additional component protein “X” has been identified. It has been suggested that this protein may play some role in anchoring PDH-kinase to the core of the complex (37). The overall reaction and the relationship among the enzymes which make up the complex are presented in Figure 1.
Effects of serum lipoproteins on damage to erythrocytes and Candida albicans cells by polyene antibiotics.

Polyene antibiotics can be classified into two major groups based on the size of their macrolide rings [1, 2]. The large polyenes, of which amphotericin B is an example, have seven conjugated double bonds (heptaene), whereas the small polyenes contain fewer than seven double bonds. Nystatin is structurally similar to amphotericin B except that it has four conjugated double bonds and two conjugated bonds separated from the four by a methylene bridge. It has been classified as a large polyene along with amphotericin B [1, 2]. A number of biologic properties distinguish the large polyenes from the small, including the relation between their permeabilizing and lytic actions on cells [1-3]. Here we extend our study of the interactions of lipoproteins with amphotericin B [4] to other polyenes.
Analytical Solution to Coupled Chemical Reaction and Thermally Diffusing Systems: Applicability to Self-Propagating Thermopower Waves

Problems involving chemical reaction coupled to thermal diffusion are central in the chemistry and physics of propulsion, self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) of materials, and new approaches to power generation involving thermopower waves. We present an analytical solution to a one-dimensional Fourier description of heat propagation in a solid reactant, with a first-order chemical reaction of Arrhenius form providing a thermal source. A generalized logistic function can completely determine the form of the temperature and concentration profiles within the solid, as well as the velocity of the reaction wave under a wide range of conditions. This alternative to the common asymptotic and three-zone approximate solution methods in the literature requires fewer assumptions and is valid at all time and length scales. The solution is limited to cases where the reaction wave velocity is constant but can be generalized to nth-order kinetics. Applications to the theory of power generation using self-p...
Small sample adjustments for robust variance estimation with meta-regression

Although primary studies often report multiple outcomes, the covariances between these outcomes are rarely reported. This leads to difficulties when combining studies in a meta-analysis. This problem was recently addressed with the introduction of robust variance estimation. This new method enables the estimation of meta-regression models with dependent effect sizes, even when the dependence structure is unknown. Although robust variance estimation has been shown to perform well when the number of studies in the meta-analysis is large, previous simulation studies suggest that the associated tests often have Type I error rates that are much larger than nominal. In this article, I introduce 6 estimators with better small sample properties and study the effectiveness of these estimators via 2 simulation studies. The results of these simulations suggest that the best estimator involves correcting both the residuals and degrees of freedom used in the robust variance estimator. These studies also suggest that the degrees of freedom depend on not only the number of studies but also the type of covariates in the meta-regression. The fact that the degrees of freedom can be small, even when the number of studies is large, suggests that these small-sample corrections should be used more generally. I conclude with an example comparing the results of a meta-regression with robust variance estimation with the results from the corrected estimator.
Formation of Iridium(III) Allene Complexes via Isomerization of Internal Alkynes

Syntheses of the alkyne complexes (POCOP)Ir(η2-RC≡CR) (1-DPA, R = Ph; 1-Oct, R = C3H7; 1-Hex, R = C2H5; POCOP = 2,6-bis(di-tert-butylphosphonito)benzene) are reported. 1-DPA is stable in both the solid state and as a benzene solution; however, both 1-Oct and 1-Hex slowly isomerize to afford the corresponding allene complexes 2-Oct and 2-Hex, respectively. A single-crystal X-ray structure determination of 2-Oct confirmed the assignment of an iridium-bound allene isomerization product. The rates of isomerization were measured using NMR techniques over a range of temperatures to allow determination of thermodynamic parameters. Finally, in contrast to prior reports, initial mechanistic studies have indicated the isomerization process is not catalyzed by the presence of an acid.
Cluster Models for Point Defect Structure in La2CuO4+δ

We report theoretical studies on oxygen excess defect structure of lanthanum cuprate, La2CuO4+δ, using the Local Density formalism. The self-consistent Discrete Variational method has been used to find energy levels, densities of states, charge transfer, wavefunctions and potentials for a fragment consisting of N atoms embedded in the infinite crystal. Various possible interstitial oxygen positions and relative stability have been studied, including the structure suggested by Chaillout, et al. on the basis of neutron diffraction. Calculated electronic structures have been used to predict defect-related spectroscopic consequences.
The performance impact of strategic similarity in horizontal mergers: Evidence from the U.S. banking industry

This study examined the impact of strategic similarities between target and bidder firms on changes in postmerger performance. Set in the U.S. banking industry, the empirical examination shows that...
A case of recurrent bilateral uveitis independently associated with dabrafenib and pembrolizumab therapy

Abstract Purpose To report the case of an adult female who presented on different occasions with recurrent uveitis provoked by initiating therapy of two recently approved agents, dabrafenib and pembrolizumab, for treatment of metastatic melanoma. Observations A 61 year old female presented with bilateral anterior uveitis after initiating therapy with dabrafenib for advanced metastatic melanoma. Her symptoms resolved and exam improved with oral and topical steroid therapy. Months later, she was started on pembrolizumab and transitioned off dabrafenib. Within days of starting pembrolizumab, she developed recurrent bilateral uveitis. This responded to escalating doses of topical and oral corticosteroid therapy and resolved following discontinuation of pembrolizumab. Nine months later, our patient received her third dose of pembrolizumab due to further progression of melanoma and within three days developed blurry vision, photophobia and subsequent ophthalmologic exam demonstrated bilateral panuveitis. Conclusions and importance Dabrafenib and pembrolizumab therapy have both previously been associated with uveitis. Here, we document a case of a woman who developed acute uveitis in response to beginning therapy with dabrafenib and then later developed acute uveitis soon after initiating pembrolizumab. To our knowledge, this is the first time this uncommon side-effect has been reported in the same patient after receiving sequential targeted agents and checkpoint inhibitors.
Researches on the Cost Structure Optimization Model of Equipment System Construction Based on the Value Engineering

Scientific and reasonable allocation of costs has important and practical significance to strengthen the equipment system construction and to improve the combat effectiveness of the army.This paper introduced the basic principle of value engineering, established the cost structure optimization model of equipment system construction based on the value engineering and made application for Forced Decision method and discusses the feasibility and practicality of the optimization method with example.