cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New learning from old plastics: The effects of value-chain-complexity on adoption time

Abstract Industrial innovations such as materials often face significant adoption delay due to downstream obstacles in the value chain. While this delay can come from many sources, this study uses the experience of key innovations in the plastics industry to show that value-chain-complexity is a major contributor: increased value-chain-complexity leads to longer adoption delay. Then, building on the economic principles of transaction cost analysis and switching costs, the effects of value chain inertia are explained. This concept exposes different behaviors that can improve development and commercialization of upstream innovation.
Development of a system for transition characterization

The present system for real-time boundary layer transition detection and characterization encompasses aerodynamic simulations, sensor characteristics, and a hybrid analog/digital system for signal analysis, verification, and compression. By using artificial, intermittently laminar/turbulent signals, in conjunction with trajectory simulation, it becomes possible to conduct algorithm development which is independent of, and in advance of, sensor buildup. Attention is given to the illustrative case of the Pegasus launch vehicle's trajectory.
Variable clinical response to choline in tardive dyskinesia

Tardive dyskinesia is widely believed to be a state of relative hyperdopaminergic and hypocholinergic imbalance in the striatum of patients chronically treated with neuroleptics. However, not all patients with tardive dyskinesia respond to cholinergic drugs, which theoretically should restore the balance and improve the symptoms. We report a controlled, double-blind, crossover study of choline chloride in 11 patients with persistent tardive dyskinesia. Seven patients showed partial or minimal improvement, while two did not change and two deteriorated. The results are discussed in the light of other similar findings in the literature, and the implications for pharmacological subtypes of tardive dyskinesia using cholinergic probes are explored.
Changes in Quality, Liking, and Purchase Intent of Irradiated Fresh-Cut Spinach during Storage

: The use of ionizing radiation to enhance microbial safety of fresh spinach at a maximum dose of 4 kGy has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, whether spinach can tolerate those high doses of radiation is unclear. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of irradiation and storage on quality, liking, and purchase intent of fresh-cut spinach. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity values and total phenolic content were not consistently affected by irradiation. However, the ascorbic acid content of irradiated sample decreased rapidly during storage, resulting in these samples being lower in ascorbic acid content than controls after 7 and 14 d of storage at 4 °C. Sensory evaluation by a 50-member panel revealed that purchase intent and ratings for liking of appearance, aroma, texture, flavor, and overall were not affected by irradiation at doses up to 2 kGy. Therefore, irradiation at doses up to 2 kGy may be used to enhance microbial safety without affecting consumer acceptance or overall antioxidant values of irradiated spinach.
Walking beyond the rainbow

We discuss the idea of walking technicolor. Using the operator product expansion, we extract from the conventional rainnow approximation analysis the essence that we expect to persist beyond perturbation theory: that in a gauge theory in which the technicolor gauge coupling evolves very slowly, and in a guage in which the technifermion wave function renormalization vanishes, the renormalized technifermion mass parameter decreases roughly linearly above the scale of spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking.
Ultraviolet-B radiation in a row-crop canopy: an extended 1-D model

Abstract A decrease in stratospheric ozone may result in a serious threat to plants, since biologically active short-wavelength ultraviolet-B (UV-B 280–320 nm) radiation will increase even with a relatively small decrease in ozone. Numerous investigations have demonstrated that the effect of UV-B enhancements on plants includes reduction in grain yield, alteration in species competition, susceptibility to disease, and changes in plant structure and pigmentation. To determine the physiological effects on plants of any increases in UV-B radiation, the irradiances at the potential sensitive plant surface need to be known. A number of radiative transfer models exist but because of the importance of sky diffuse radiation to the global UV-B irradiance, models designed to estimate photosynthetically active radiation or total solar radiation may not accurately model the UV-B. This paper compares spatially and temporally averaged measurements of the UV-B canopy transmittance of a relatively dense maize canopy (sky view: 0.27°) to the estimations of two one-dimensional models differing mainly in the handling of sky radiance. The model that considered the distribution of sky radiance tended to underestimate the canopy transmittance, the model that assumed an isotropic sky radiance distribution tended to overestimate the canopy transmittance. However, the assumption concerning the sky radiance distribution accounted for only about 0.01 of the model error. Consequently, the sky radiance distribution is probably not important in modeling such dense crop canopies. The model that overestimated transmittance and had the generally larger errors, a modified Meyers model, used the assumption of uniform leaf angle distribution, whereas in the other model, designated the UVRT model, leaf angle distributions were estimated by sample measurements. Generally this model would be satisfactory in describing the statistically average UV-B irradiance conditions in the canopy. This model may also be applied to other dense plant canopies including forests.
Cueing for Selective Note-Taking

(1968). Cueing for Selective Note-Taking. The Journal of Experimental Education: Vol. 36, No. 4, pp. 69-72.
Embers of the Distant Past

Modern cosmology has come a long way in fulfilling its grand goal of reconstructing the entire history of the universe. The emergence of cosmic structure is governed by dark matter whose gravitational attraction led to the condensation of gas into galaxies, stars, and black holes. Whereas the evolution of the dark matter component is well understood ( 1 , 2 ), cosmic star and black hole formation is still subject to large uncertainties. The combined energy production from all stars and black holes, releasing radiation when gas is falling close to their event horizon, however, is preserved in a pervasive cosmic radiation background—the extragalactic background light (EBL). This radiation comprises wavelengths from ultraviolet (UV) to far-infrared (IR) and provides us with an independent check on how many stars and active black holes have existed. On page 1190 of this issue, Ackermann et al. ( 3 ) present a new measurement of the EBL with the Fermi Space Telescope, based on the attenuation of distant sources of gamma-ray photons when they travel through the sea of lower-energy, background EBL photons.
Likelihood-based confidence sets for partially identified parameters

There has been growing interest in partial identification of probability distributions and parameters. This paper considers statistical inference on parameters that are partially identified because data are incompletely observed, due to nonresponse or censoring, for instance. A method based on likelihood ratios is proposed for constructing confidence sets for partially identified parameters. The method can be used to estimate a proportion or a mean in the presence of missing data, without assuming missing-at-random or modeling the missing-data mechanism. It can also be used to estimate a survival probability with censored data without assuming independent censoring or modeling the censoring mechanism. A version of the verification bias problem is studied as well.
Prognosis in stage D-1 prostate cancer relative to anatomic sites of nodal metastases

The investigators of the National Prostatic Cancer Treatment Group (NPCTG) have entered 212 patients with surgically confirmed stage D-1 prostate cancer in studies to determine the efficacy of adjuvant therapy after either definitive surgery (Protocol 900) or definitive radiotherapy (Protocol 1000). Follow-up indicates that this group represents 70% of all patients with recurrent disease. Because patients with less than 20% nodal involvement were found to have a statistically significant better progression-free-survival (PFS) than those with greater than 20% nodal involvement, we examined the exact anatomic sites of nodal metastases. The status of obturator, external iliac, internal iliac, and common iliac nodes was compared to PFS and overall survival in 198 patients with D-1 disease in both protocols. Results demonstrate no significant difference in either PFS or overall survival relative to anatomic sites of positive nodes. These data suggest that although minimal pelvic nodal metastasis is consistent with improved PFS, there is no predictable anatomic distribution of disease consonant with that better prognosis.
Evaluation of principal component selection methods to form a global prediction model by principal component regression

Abstract Most situations using principal component regression (PCR) as a multivariate calibration tool use the conventional top-down selection procedure to determine the number of principal components (PCs) to generate a global model, i.e., the regression model is established by including PCs in sequence according to variances related to the PCs. This model is then used to predict future samples adequately spanned by the corresponding calibration set. Recently, some alternative procedures have been proposed for PC selection with respect to multivariate calibration. These include optimization (selection) by generalized simulated annealing and correlation principal component regression (CPCR) where PCs are ordered according to correlations with the dependent variable (concentration). The PCs are then selected one by one to form the global model based on a prediction criterion. In this paper, a forward selection procedure PCR (FSPCR) is evaluated and compared to CPCR and top-down selection. Four spectroscopic data sets are analyzed for the comparison study. In essence, results reveal that PCs selected based on a top-down approach generates the most stable global model. That is, top-down selection generally performs best for prediction of numerous future samples sets compared to CPCR and FSPCR. Reasons for such differences in performances of these procedures have been analyzed.
Employment and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

MOST LIFE ROLES that are important in the career development of individuals with disabilities are affected by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). In their roles as students, employers and employees, consumers, family members, and as citizens, individuals with disabilities will have more opportunities for participating, benefiting, and contributing in such roles than were previously available. It is imperative that individuals with disabilities, and their service providers, be aware of these opportunities and how the United States Congress intended them to be made available. The authors' purpose in this article is to provide an overview of how the ADA affects employment of individuals with disabilities. The examples are taken directly from congressional reports on the ADA.
Mice deficient in the steroid receptor co-activator 1 (SRC-1) are resistant to thyroid hormone.

Steroid receptor co‐activator 1 (SRC‐1) is a transcription co‐factor that enhances the hormone‐dependent action, mediated by the thyroid hormone (TH) receptor (TR) and other nuclear receptors. In vitro studies have shown that SRC‐1 is necessary for the full expression of TH effect. SRC‐1 knockout mice (SRC‐1 −/− ) provide a model to examine the role of this co‐activator on TH action in vivo . At baseline, SRC‐1 −/− mice display resistance to TH (RTH) as evidenced by a 2.5‐fold elevation of serum TSH levels, despite a 50% increase in serum free TH levels as compared with wild‐type (SRC‐1 +/+ ) mice. When mice were made hypothyroid, TSH levels increased, obliterating the difference between SRC‐1 +/+ and SRC‐1 −/− mice observed at baseline. In contrast, the decline of TSH by treatment with l‐triiodothyronine was severely blunted in SRC‐1 −/− mice. These data indicate that SRC‐1 is not required for the upregulation of TSH in TH deficiency. However, SRC‐1 enhances the sensitivity of TSH downregulation by TH. This is the first demonstration of RTH caused by a deficient co‐factor other than TR. It supports the hypothesis that a putative defect in the SRC‐1 gene or another co‐factor could be the cause of RTH in humans without mutations in the TR genes.
Structure and single-phase regime of boron carbides.

The boron carbides are composed of twelve-atom icosahedral clusters which are linked by direct covalent bonds and through three-atom intericosahedral chains. The boron carbides are known to exist as a single phase with carbon concentrations from about 8 to about 20 at. %. This range of carbon concentrations is made possible by the substitution of boron and carbon atoms for one another within both the icosahedra and intericosahedral chains. The most widely accepted structural model for ${\mathrm{B}}_{4}$C (the boron carbide with nominally 20% carbon) has ${\mathrm{B}}_{11}$C icosahedra with C-B-C intericosahedral chains. Here, the free energy of the boron carbides is studied as a function of carbon concentration by considering the effects of replacing carbon atoms within ${\mathrm{B}}_{4}$C with boron atoms. It is concluded that entropic and energetic considerations both favor the replacement of carbon atoms with boron atoms within the intericosahedral chains, C-B-C\ensuremath{\rightarrow}C-B-B. Once the carbon concentration is so low that the vast majority of the chains are C-B-B chains, near ${\mathrm{B}}_{13}$${\mathrm{C}}_{2}$, subsequent substitutions of carbon atoms with boron atoms occur within the icosahedra, ${\mathrm{B}}_{11}$C\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${\mathrm{B}}_{12}$. Maxima of the free energy occur at the most ordered compositions: ${\mathrm{B}}_{4}$C,${\mathrm{B}}_{13}$${\mathrm{C}}_{2}$,${\mathrm{B}}_{14}$C. This structural model, determined by studying the free energy, agrees with that previously suggested by analysis of electronic and thermal transport data. These considerations also provide an explanation for the wide single-phase regime found for boron carbides. The significant entropies associated with compositional disorder within the boron carbides, the high temperatures at which boron carbides are formed (g2000 K), and the relatively modest energies associated with replacing carbon atoms with boron atoms enable the material's entropy to be usually important in determining its composition. As a result, boron carbides are able to exist in a wide range of compositions.
Observations and Simulation of the Variability of the Stratosphere and Troposphere in January

Abstract A sufficiently long record of satellite data is now available for the upper stratosphere to make preliminary estimates of the interannual variability of the circulation possible. Global analyses from the lower troposphere to the stratopause for 7 Januaries (1979–85) are used to calculate the ensemble means of the geopotential height field and the zonally averaged temperature and zonal wind fields, together with their daily and interannual variability. These statistics are compared with corresponding statistics from a general circulation model experiment. The model generally simulates the ensemble mean fields reasonably well although several differences are found when the variability of the model is compared to the observations. In particular, the interannual variability of the model is considerably larger than observed in the high latitude winter stratosphere. This excessive variability may be related to the perpetual January methodology used in the model simulation. Statistical significance test...
Recent Publications in Natural History

Principal Review: Sigmon, Becky A. and Jerome S. Cybulski, eds. Homo erectus; papers in honor of Davidson Black. Freeman, R.B. British natural history books, 1495–1900; a handlist.
Phase Behavior of Aqueous Mixtures of Hexaethylene Glycol Monododecyl Ether and Sodium Alkylsulfonates

Addition of low concentrations of sodium alkylsulfonates markedly changes the phase behavior of aqueous solutions of hexaethylene glycol monodecyl ether. Longer chain sulfonates raise the cloud temperature and lead to the formation of new high-temperature phases. One of these phases is colored when illuminated with white light and displays streaming birefringence, while another phase is colored when illuminated.
Comparison of metallic electrodes for constant-potential amperometric detection of carbohydrates, amino acids and related compounds in flow systems

Abstract Constant-potential amperometric detection of carbohydrates, amino acids, and other aliphatic organic compounds is possible by means of their oxidation in alkaline solution at a variety of metal/metal oxide electrodes including Pt, Au, Cu, Ni, Ag and Co. The experimental conditions required for optimum detection and the analytical performance obtainable vary widely for different electrode materials and analytes. In this work, the cyclic voltammetric behavior exhibited by selected analytes (glucose, glycine, lactic acid, ethylamine and ethanol) at each of these electrodes was used to determine the optimum potentials suitable for flow detection so that the capabilities of the different metal electrodes could be evaluated and systematically compared. In general, the Cu electrode was found to provide superior detection capabilities in terms of its range of response, detection limits and especially stability. Despite the fact that Pt and Au are typically used only with a pulsed applied potential, both can provide long-lived constant-potential detection of carbohydrates and other analytes at low concentrations if the potentials ere carefully chosen and the electrodes are allowed to undergo an initial stabilization period.
H-2 antigens of certain t and non-t mice react with the same monoclonal antibody.

SUMMARY Monoclonal antibody 212.i.4.2 mediated complement-dependent lysis of spleen and lymph node cells carrying the tw1, tw12, tw71, t6, tw73, and tLub1 haplotypes, while cells from mice carrying 11 other t haplotypes were not lysed. The antibody also detected an epitope controlled by genes in the H-2Dd region of non-t mice. A molecule of 46,000 molecular weight was immunoprecipitated by 212.i.4.2 from detergent extracts of 125I-labelled spleen cells of +/tw12 and B10.D2 mice. The H-2dm2 mutation did not alter the expression of the epitope recognized by 212.i.4.2. However, the H-2dm1 mutation decreased the reactivity of lymphoid cells with the antibody in cytotoxicity tests, and 212.i.4.2 immunoprecipitated little or no protein from extracts of B10.D2(R106) spleen cells which carry the H-2dm1 mutation.
Comparison of Mothers' and Fathers' Speech with That of Their School-Age Children

The purpose of this study was to examine mothers' and fathers' speech and that of their school-age children. Data were gathered for 32 two-parent families with children (16 boys and 16 girls) between 9 and 10 yr. of age. Parents' speech was categorized as either More Directly Controlling Utterances or Less Directly Controlling Utterances. Other verbal behaviors of parents and children included Mean Length of Utterance, Conversational Turns, and Verbal Responsiveness. Sex-of-parent by sex-of-child interactions were significant for Directly Controlling Utterances and for Mean Length of Utterance, Conversational Turns, and Verbal Responsiveness.
The effects of perceived scarcity on consumers’ processing of price information

This research examines how perceived scarcity influences consumers’ processing of price information. To explain the effects of scarcity, a conceptual framework which incorporates both the motivational and the interference effects of scarcity on information processing is developed. The results from two studies show that under scarcity, consumers’ perceptions of quality and monetary sacrifice exhibit different response patterns, depending on the relative price level and consumers’ motivation to process information. We provide insights into how these perceptions of quality and sacrifice are integrated to form perceptions of value. Additional analyses of thought measures provided further understanding of the underlying processes that influenced the evaluation of price information under scarcity.
A Case of an IT-Enabled Organizational Change Intervention: The Missing Pieces

This case study documents an organizational change intervention concerning the implementation of a novel information technology at a university-owned research foundation (URF). It evidences the disparate expectations and reactions by key actors toward the change event, marking a mismatch between a new paradigm required by the new technology and existing information technology practices. Drawing upon change management and management information systems (MIS) literature, we discuss the perceived change management issues hindering the change process at URF. Our discussion is tempered by a theoretical lens that attempts to integrate the literature bases drawn upon in this research. In particular, resistance from in-house IT specialists was observed as the strongest force obstructing the novel IT implementation. This study offers a forum to stimulate both researchers and practitioners to rethink the necessary elements required to enact change, especially with respect to novel IT implementations.
The adiabatic approximation for coupled oscillators

Abstract The adiabatic approximation is applied to determine the quantum states of coupled oscillators described by a generalized Henon-Heiles hamiltonian. Comparison with exact quantum and other results show that numerically calculated adiabatic energy levels are accurate even for excited states.
Methylation of the minimal promoter of an embryonic globin gene silences transcription in primary erythroid cells

Methylation of cytosines in the dinucleotide CpG has been shown to suppress transcription of a number of tissue-specific genes, yet the precise mechanism is not fully understood. The vertebrate globin genes were among the first examples in which an inverse correlation was shown between CpG methylation and transcription. We studied the methylation pattern of the 235-bp ρ-globin gene promoter in genomic DNA from primary chicken erythroid cells using the sodium bisulfite conversion technique and found all CpGs in the promoter to be methylated in erythroid cells from adult chickens in which the ρ-globin gene is silent but unmethylated in 5-day (primitive) embryonic red cells in which the gene is transcribed. To elucidate further the mechanism of methylation-induced silencing, an expression construct consisting of 235 bp of 5′ promoter sequence of the ρ-globin gene along with a strong 5′ erythroid enhancer driving a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene, ρ-CAT, was transfected into primary avian erythroid cells derived from 5-day embryos. Methylation of just the 235-bp ρ-globin gene promoter fragment at every CpG resulted in a 20- to 30-fold inhibition of transcription, and this effect was not overridden by the presence of potent erythroid-specific enhancers. The ability of the 235-bp ρ-globin gene promoter to bind to a DNA Methyl Cytosine binding Protein Complex (MeCPC) was tested in electrophoretic mobility shift assays utilizing primary avian erythroid cell nuclear extract. The results were that fully methylated but not unmethylated 235-bp ρ-globin gene promoter fragment could compete efficiently for MeCPC binding. These results are a direct demonstration that site-specific methylation of a globin gene promoter at the exact CpGs that are methylated in vivo can silence transcription in homologous primary erythroid cells. Further, these data implicate binding of MeCPC to the promoter in the mechanism of silencing.
On the feasibility of automation for bandwidth allocation problems in data centers

Mapping virtual networks to physical networks under bandwidth constraints is a key computational problem for the management of data centers. Recently proposed heuristic strategies for this problem work efficiently, but are not guaranteed to always find an allocation even when one exists. Given that the bandwidth allocation problem is NP-complete, and the state-of-the-art SAT solvers have recently been successfully applied to NP-hard problems in planning and formal verification, the goal of this paper is to study whether these SAT solvers can be used to solve the bandwidth allocation problem exactly with acceptable overhead. We investigate alternative ways of encoding the allocation problem, and develop techniques for abstraction and refinement of network graphs for scalability. We report experimental comparisons of the proposed encodings with the existing heuristics for typical data-center topologies.
Crossover from polytherapy to monotherapy in primary generalized epilepsy

Patients with primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures can obtain equal or superior seizure control and fewer side effects when managed with valproate than when taking multiple antiepileptic drugs. The conversion from polytherapy to valproate monotherapy must be done carefully if side effects and seizure exacerbation are to be avoided. A gradual crossover, often requiring several months, is usually necessary. A well-developed plan and understanding by the patient, coupled with close follow-up, are essential. The major improvement in quality of life that results for the majority of patients after completing such a conversion fully warrants the extra time and effort required.
L-Form Infection of the Rat Kidney Effect of Water Diuresis

SummaryA persistent L-form infection of the kidney was produced in rats by injecting Streptococcus faecalis intravenously and then treating the animals with penicillin. A water diuresis was produced in half the rats by adding 5% glucose to the drinking water. Animals undergoing water diuresis rapidly eliminated L-forms from the kidney, whereas those drinking tap water ad libitum continued to show evidence of L-form infection for up to 8 weeks after termination of penicillin administration.
Protein Docking and Gated Electron-Transfer Reactions between Zinc Cytochrome c and the New Plastocyanin from the Fern Dryopteris crassirhizoma. Direct Kinetic Evidence for Multiple Binary Complexes

A new plastocyanin from the fern Dryopteris crassirhizoma markedly differs from other plastocyanins in having a very large acidic surface, which extends into the area that is hydrophobic in other plastocyanins. The exceptionally large dipole moment of 439 D has a completely different orientation and protrudes through the “northwest” region of the surface, which is now acidic. Consequently, the new plastocyanin differs from its congeners in the photoinduced reaction with zinc cytochrome c: 3Zncyt + pc(II) → Zncyt+ + pc(I). At ionic strength ≤20 mM and solution viscosity ≤1.8 cp, at least three exponentials are needed to describe the oxidative quenching of 3Zncyt. Besides a bimolecular phase, there are two distinct unimolecular phases corresponding to electron transfer within two different persistent complexes 3Zncyt/pc(II). So-called normal and reverse titrations yield consistent values of the unimolecular rate constants: k1 is (3.3 ± 0.7) × 105 s-1 and (3.2 ± 0.4) × 105 s-1, and k2 is (7.6 ± 0.8) × 103 ...
The evaluation from the program director's viewpoint

Abstract In considering the evaluation of the preceptorship and residency programs, our faculty were asked to react to specific dimensions and aspects of the studies. Viewpoints about these data were submitted in formal critiques which will be summarized only briefly here. A number of the comments were in response to specific questions which had been posed; other were spontaneous from the faculty.
Range Optimization of a Fin Stabilized Projectile

This paper investigates the use of controllable canards mounted on a fin stabilized field artillery projectile with the purpose of extending range. The flight control system pitch command is used as the independent control variable. Canard deflection angles are determined by passing interpolated pitch commands through a mixer. Using a non linear simplex method, optimized pitch command functions are determined so that projectile range is maximized. Results are shown for a 155mm projectile currently under developmental testing.
Subdomain interactions as a determinant in the folding and stability of T4 lysozyme

The folding of large, multidomain proteins involves the hierarchical assembly of individual domains. It remains unclear whether the stability and folding of small, single-domain proteins occurs through a comparable assembly of small, autonomous folding units. We have investigated the relationship between two subdomains of the protein T4 lysozyme. Thermodynamically, T4 lysozyme behaves as a cooperative unit and the unfolding transition fits a two-state model. The structure of the protein, however, resembles a dumbbell with two potential subdomains: an N-terminal subdomain (residues 13-75), and a C-terminal subdomain (residues 76-164 and 1-12). To investigate the effect of uncoupling these two subdomains within the context of the native protein, we created two circular permutations, both at the subdomain interface (residues 13 and 75). Both variants adopt an active wild-type T4 lysozyme fold. The protein starting with residue 13 is 3 kcal/mol less stable than wild type, whereas the protein beginning at residue 75 is 9 kcal/mol less stable, suggesting that the placement of the termini has a major effect on protein stability while minimally affecting the fold. When isolated as protein fragments, the C-terminal subdomain folds into a marginally stable helical structure, whereas the N-terminal subdomain is predominantly unfolded. ANS fluorescence studies indicate that, at low pH, the C-terminal subdomain adopts a loosely packed acid state. An acid state intermediate is also seen for all of the full-length variants. We propose that this acid state is comprised of an unfolded N-terminal subdomain and a loosely folded C-terminal subdomain.
Design of peptide affinity ligands for S-protein: a comparison of combinatorial and de novo design strategies

Design of peptide affinity ligands against biological targets is important for a broad range of applications. Here, we report on de novo and combinatorial strategies for the design of high-affinity and high-specificity peptides against S-protein as a target. The peptide libraries employed in this study contain (1) consensus motif (CM) sequences identified from high-throughput phage combinatorial screening, (2) point mutations of CM sequences, and (3) de novo sequences rationally designed based on stereo-chemical information of the complex between S-protein and its natural ligand, S-peptide. In general, point mutations to CM allowed for modulating peptide affinity and specificity over a broad range. This is particularly useful in designing peptides with varying affinities and specificities for the target. De novo sequences, especially those based on the S-protein binding pocket, on average bound with higher affinities within a narrow range (10–100 nM) as compared to point mutations to CM (1 nM–2 $$\mu $$ M). As such, the approaches described here serve as a general guide for optimizing the design of peptide affinity ligands for a wide range of target proteins or applications.
Fabrication of Polymer Magnetics

Here we discuss composites in thermoplastics, which can be flexible and formed or molded in place when heated. Elastomeric resins would be more flexible, depending on the cross link density of the elastomeric gel the stiffening for powder filler. Most elastomers must be oven cured to provide low dielectric loss.
Cost-effectiveness of Treatment Strategies for Pancreatic Head Adenocarcinoma and Potential Opportunities for Improvement

Background Generally dismal outcomes have led to a nihilistic attitude toward treating pancreatic cancer, while fiscal constraints have increased scrutiny of treatments costs. Our objective was to compare the cost-effectiveness of various treatment strategies for resectable pancreatic head adenocarcinoma, and to identify opportunities for improved cost effectiveness.
The inhibitory effect of rapamycin on the oval cell response and development of preneoplastic foci in the rat

Oval cell activation occurs under conditions of severe liver injury when normal hepatocyte proliferation is blocked. Recent studies have shown that a subset of hepatocellular carcinomas expresses oval cell markers, suggesting that these cells are targets of hepatocarcinogens. However, the signaling pathways that control oval cell activation and proliferation are not well characterized. Based on the role of the nutrient signaling kinase complex, mTORC1, in liver development, we investigated the role of this pathway in oval cell activation. Oval cell proliferation was induced in male Fisher rats by a modification of the traditional choline deficient plus ethionine model (CDE) or by 2-acetylaminoflourene treatment followed by 2/3 partial hepatectomy with or without initiation by diethylnitrosamine. To assess the role of mTOR in the oval cell response and development of preneoplastic foci, the effect of the mTORC1 inhibitor, rapamycin, was studied in all models. Rapamycin induced a significant suppression of the oval cell response in both models, an effect that coincided with a decrease in oval cell proliferation. Rapamycin administration did not affect the abundance of neutrophils or natural killer cells in CDE-treated liver or the expression of key cytokines. Gene expression studies revealed the fetal hepatocyte marker MKP-4 to be expressed in oval cells. In an experimental model of hepatic carcinogenesis, rapamycin decreased the size of preneoplastic foci and the rate of cell proliferation within the foci. mTORC1 signaling plays a key role in the oval cell response and in the development of preneoplastic foci. This pathway may be a target for the chemoprevention of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Parity violation in neutron spin rotation

Nonleptonic weak interactions remain one of the most poorly understood sectors of the Standard Model. A quantitative description of the weak NN interaction is needed to understand weak interaction phenomena in atomic, nuclear, and hadronic systems. Measurements with low energy neutrons can lead to significant experimental progress. I describe the phenomenon of parity-odd neutron spin rotation and outline experimental strategies to isolate this phenomenon in light nuclei.
Methane-Generated Lithified Dolostone of Holocene Age: Eastern Mediterranean

ABSTRACT Peritidal beachrock ledges along the south shore of Bardawil Lagoon, a body of water located in the eastern Mediterranean off the coast of the Sinai Peninsula, consist of gypsum or gyprock and change along strike to a thoroughly cemented, solid, tough dolostone. Microprobe analysis shows that this dolostone is a non-stoichiometric dolomite with mol % CaCO3 of 65-70%. Except for fossils and included terrigenous particles, this modern dolostone is solid rock composed entirely of dolomite. Under the microscope, the rock is a peloidal micrite (dolomicrite) in which abundant fragments of solid particulate organic matter are dispersed. In comparison with other kinds of beachrock, this dolostone is tight. The age of the dolostone is < 5700 YBP. The 13CPDB of dolostone samples is -39.3 and -31.2. These strongly negative 13C values suggest that the carbon of the dolomite came from methane. Bacterial reactions form methane when the bacteria have reduced all available sulfate. I infer that bacteria were responsible for the origin of this dolomite through the methane pathway. High desert temperatures may have facilitated such a dolomitization process.
Post traumatic contraction of the diaphragm synchronous with the heartbeat in a dog

A case of unilateral left-sided contraction of the diaphragm synchronous with the heartbeat following an automobile accident is described in a dog. Plain radiographs revealed no abnormality, but the condition was diagnosed using fluoroscopy.
Characterization of Molecules Binding to the 70K N‑Terminal Region of Fibronectin by IFAST Purification Coupled with Mass Spectrometry

Fibronectin (Fn) is a large glycoprotein present in plasma and extracellular matrix and is important for many processes. Within Fn the 70 kDa N-terminal region (70k-Fn) is involved in cell-mediated Fn assembly, a process that contributes to embryogenesis, development, and platelet thrombus formation. In addition, major human pathogens including Staphlycoccus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes bind the 70k-Fn region by a novel form of protein-protein interaction called β-zipper formation, facilitating bacterial spread and colonization. Knowledge of blood plasma and platelet proteins that interact with 70k-Fn by β-zipper formation is incomplete. In the current study, we aimed to characterize these proteins through affinity purification. For this affinity purification, we used a novel purification technique termed immiscible filtration assisted by surface tension (IFAST). The foundation of this technology is immiscible phase filtration, using a magnet to draw paramagnetic particle (PMP)-bound analyte through an immiscible barrier (oil or organic solvent) that separates an aqueous sample from an aqueous eluting buffer. The immiscible barrier functions to remove unbound proteins via exclusion rather than dilutive washing used in traditional isolation methods. We identified 31 interactors from plasma, of which only seven were previously known to interact with Fn. Furthermore, five proteins were identified to interact with 70k-Fn from platelet lysate, of which one was previously known. These results demonstrate that IFAST offers advantages for proteomic studies of interacting molecules in that the technique requires small sample volumes, can be done with high enough throughput to sample multiple interaction conditions, and is amenable to exploratory mass spectrometric and confirmatory immuno-blotting read-outs.
Conversations in the Blogosphere: An Analysis "From the Bottom Up"

The "blogosphere" has been claimed to be a densely interconnected conversation, with bloggers linking to other bloggers, referring to them in their entries, and posting comments on each other's blogs. Most such characterizations have privileged a subset of popular blogs, known as the 'A-list.' This study empirically investigates the extent to which, and in what patterns, blogs are interconnected, taking as its point of departure randomly-selected blogs. Quantitative social network analysis, visualization of link patterns, and qualitative analysis of references and comments in pairs of reciprocally-linked blogs show that A-list blogs are overrepresented and central in the network, although other groupings of blogs are more densely interconnected. At the same time, a majority of blogs link sparsely or not at all to other blogs in the sample, suggesting that the blogosphere is partially interconnected and sporadically conversational.
Stream Sequential Pattern Mining with Precise Error Bounds

Sequential pattern mining is an interesting data mining problem with many real-world applications. This problem has been studied extensively in static databases. However, in recent years, emerging applications have introduced a new form of data called data stream. In a data stream, new elements are generated continuously. This poses additional constraints on the methods used for mining such data: memory usage is restricted, the infinitely flowing original dataset cannot be scanned multiple times, and current results should be available on demand.This paper introduces two effective methods for mining sequential patterns from data streams: the SS-BE method and the SS-MB method. The proposed methods break the stream into batches and only process each batch once. The two methods use different pruning strategies that restrict the memory usage but can still guarantee that all true sequential patterns are output at the end of any batch. Both algorithms scale linearly in execution time as the number of sequences grows, making them effective methods for sequential pattern mining in data streams. The experimental results also show that our methods are very accurate in that only a small fraction of the patterns that are output are false positives. Even for these false positives, SS-BE guarantees that their true support is above a pre-defined threshold.
Fluctuating Serum Aspartate Aminotransferase Activity in a Complicated Pregnancy

A 29-year-old para 0 gravida 2 woman with a history of infertility and spontaneous abortion presented to her local hospital at 9 weeks gestation with severe nausea and vomiting. Symptoms persisted for 10 weeks, leading to the diagnosis of hyperemesis gravidarum and treatment with intravenous fluids (3 times/week) and Zofran. At 8 weeks gestation, laboratory tests were unremarkable with the exception of increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST)5 measured at a regional reference laboratory [105 U/L; reference interval (RI), 10–40 U/L]. AST continued to be monitored at the same laboratory, peaking at 132 U/L (9 weeks gestation) and gradually declining to 38 U/L by 19 weeks gestation. By 20 weeks gestation, the symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum resolved. At 32 weeks gestation the patient returned to the hospital with significant right upper quadrant (RUQ) pain. Serum AST, measured this time at the local hospital laboratory, was markedly increased [336 U/L (RI, 14–36 U/L)], whereas alanine aminotransferase (ALT; EC 2.6.1.2), γ-glutamyltransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and bile acids were within reference intervals. RUQ ultrasound findings were unremarkable. Symptoms persisted 1 week later (33 weeks gestation) and the AST activity measured at the local hospital laboratory remained increased (311 U/L). However, a paired sample evaluated at the regional reference laboratory indicated that AST activity was within the reference interval (17 U/L). All other laboratory values were consistent between the regional reference laboratory and the local hospital laboratory (data not shown). For the next 3 weeks (33–36 weeks gestation) AST was monitored at the regional reference laboratory and the AST results were within reference intervals (16 U/L, 15 U/L, and 25 U/L). By 36 weeks gestation the RUQ pain was continuous and the patient's liver enzymes were closely monitored at the local hospital laboratory, where AST activity was again increased (312 U/L, 309 U/L, and 294 U/L). …
Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma: Diagnosis, Genetics, and Treatment

This article highlights the epidemiology and pathophysiology of pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas. The current management of pheochromocytoma and paragangliomas, including utilization and interpretation of biochemical testing, preoperative imaging, and genetic screening are discussed. Furthermore, perioperative surgical management, outcomes, and recommended follow-up are reviewed.
Capital Structure Behavior of Domestic and Cross-Listed Firms: Evidence from the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) is an exogenous shock to the information environment of firms listed in the U.S. Thus, firms might adjust their capital structures to reflect the new information environment. I examine SOX’s effect on capital structure. Since SOX applies only to firms listed in the U.S, the control group consists of Canadian firms listed in Canada. The test groups in this study are U.S. firms listed in the U.S. and Canadian firms cross-listed in the U.S. Relative to the control firms, SOX is associated with higher long-term debt ratios for U.S. firms listed in the U.S. but not for Canadian firms cross-listed in the U.S. Also, firms that heavily (modestly) manage pre-SOX earnings decrease (increase) their long-term debt ratios post-SOX.
Axisymmetric rotational stagnation point flow impinging on a flat liquid surface

Abstract The normal impingement of the rotational stagnation-point flow of Agrawal (1957) on a liquid layer is studied. Results are compared with the work of Wang (1985) who studied the normal impingement of the classic Homann (1936) stagnation-point flow on a liquid layer which results in a family of solutions dependent on β , the nondimensional velocity at the interface. In the present case there arises a family of solutions dependent on both α and β , where α is the cube root of the ratio of kinematic viscosity of the oncoming stagnation fluid to that of the quiescent liquid layer. Results are given for the upper layer interfacial shear stress as a function of β . Lower layer interfacial shear stress results and the axial flow induced in the lower liquid layer are given as a function of α . Sample dimensionless velocity profiles are presented for radial and axial flows in both layers.
Achieving Reversible Sensing of Nitroxyl by Tuning the Ligand Environment of Azamacrocyclic Copper(II) Complexes.

To elucidate the factors that impart selectivity for nitroxyl (HNO) over nitric oxide (NO), thiols, and H2S in metal-based fluorescent probes, we investigated five Cu(II)-cyclam (14-N4) derivatives. Upon exposure to NO gas at pH 7, no changes occur in the UV–vis spectra of any of the complexes. Addition of Angeli’s salt to generate HNO promotes reduction of Cu(II) only in the case of [CuII(14-N4-Ts)(OTf)2], which has the most positive reduction potential of the series. To gain insight into the observed reactivity, we prepared the Cu(II) complex of the mixed thia/aza 14-N2S2 ligand. [CuII(14-N2S2)(OTf)2] reacts reversibly with HNO at pH 7, although nonselectively over thiols and H2S. The recurrent sensing of HNO uncovered with the study of Cu(II) azamacrocyclic complexes is a remarkable feature that opens the door for the design of a new generation of metal-based probes.
Measurements of Sound Pressure in the Cochleae of Anesthetized Cats

It is generally presumed that motion of the ossicles in the mammalian middle ear produces sound pressure in the cochlear fluids, and that differences in sound pressure across the cochlear partition result in its motion.
OSTEOPONTIN AND BRAIN DERIVED NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR: BIOMARKERS OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE IN DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

Cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of death in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Biomarkers such as troponin and brain natriuretic peptide are unable to reliably assess disease severity. We previously demonstrated abnormalities of osteopontin (OPN) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in
Permissionless Innovation and Public Policy: A 10-Point Blueprint

This article summarizes the major policy recommendations contained in the book, "Permissionless Innovation: The Continuing Case for Comprehensive Technological Freedom" (now in its second edition). The book highlights the importance of permissionless innovation and explains how technological advancement is the fundamental driver of long-term economic growth and human flourishing more generally.
Distribution, density, and clustering of functional glutamate receptors before and after synaptogenesis in hippocampal neurons.

Postsynaptic differentiation during glutamatergic synapse formation is poorly understood. Using a novel biophysical approach, we have investigated the distribution and density of functional glutama...