cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
More on Conditioned Sampling in the Simulation of Stochastic Networks

The technique of conditioned sampling has been shown to improve simulation efficiency in the estimation of stochastic activity network duration c.d.f.'s. This paper describes a.method for generalizing the conditioned sampling approach from its current use of product-form estimators to the use of product/convolution-form estimators. Estimators of the latter type are constructed and demonstrated to require fewer samples per realization hence increased estimation accuracy in almost all networks. An algorithm for estimator construction is presented and proven to apply to any given activity network. It is also shown that the derived product/convolution-form estimators may require a precedence structure within the sampling sequence which creates their corresponding realizations.
Soft synchronization of dispersed generators to micro grids for smart grid applications

Fast and proper synchronization of generation stations is becoming inevitable specially in micro grids. Increased number of small generation units raised total quantity of their synchronization process to the micro grids. This Paper provides improvements in synchronization between an emulated power system and its power generation stations in a laboratory scaled power grid. Three methods including duty cycled control of torque controlled prime movers, with and without local load at generator terminal, and implementation of a dynamic load brake controller have been discussed for providing the proper conditions for synchronization. Finally experimental results for such methods in a real time power system test bed have been compared.
Unusual magnetic properties of La5Mo4O16

Abstract In an effort to discover new magnetic materials, we report the first observation of long-range magnetic ordering in a compound, La 5 Mo 4 O 16 , whose only magnetic ion is molybdenum. The magnetization was studied by DC extraction and torque magnetometry. The ordering temperature is a remarkable 193 K, and the net moment corresponds to about 0.35 μ B /formula unit. This metamagnetic compound has its critical point near 110 K and 6 kOe.
General Ramanujan-Type Diophantine Equations and Their Complete Solution

Abstract Ramanujan′s equation x 2 + 7 = 2 n + 2 is generalized in a natural way to the form B 2 n + 7A 2 n = 2 n + 2 , and its complete solution is given. Within this class of equations Ramanujan′s equation becomes a special case, and all the results obtained apply to it. The generalized equation is rich in producing interesting results, among them many recursion relations. We do not think that the consequences of it are still exhausted.
Contact network epidemiology: Bond percolation applied to infectious disease prediction and control

Mathematics has long been an important tool in infectious disease epidemiology. I will provide a brief overview of compartmental models, the dominant framework for modeling disease transmission, and then contact network epidemiology, a more powerful approach that applies bond percolation on random graphs to model the spread of infectious disease through heterogeneous populations. I will derive important epidemiological quantities using this approach and provide examples of its application to issues of public health.
Perception of the voiced–voiceless contrast in syllable‐final stops

A computer editing technique was used to remove varying amounts of voicing from the syllable‐final closure intervals of naturally produced tokens of /pqb, pqd, pqg, pag, pig, pug/. Vowels for all six syllables were approximately the same duration, and the final release bursts were retained. Identification results showed that voiceless responses tended to occur in relatively large numbers when all of the closure voicing and, in most cases, a portion of the preceding vowel‐to‐consonant (VC) transition had been removed. A second experiment demonstrated that removal of final release bursts had very little effect on the identification functions. Acoustic measurements were made in an attempt to gain information about the acoustic bases of the listeners’ voiced–voiceless judgments. In general, stimuli that subjects tended to identify as voiceless showed higher first‐formant offset frequencies and shorter intensity decay times than stimuli that subjects tended to identify as voiced. However, for stops following /i/ and /u/ these acoustic differences were relatively small. We were unable to find a single acoustic measure, or any combination of measures, that clearly explained the listeners’ voiced–voiceless decisions.
Meaning and Interpretation: Can Brandomian Scorekeepers be Gadamerian Hermeneuts?

In his book Tales of the Mighty Dead Brandom engages Gadamer’s hermeneutic conception of interpretation in order to show that his inferentialist approach to understanding conceptual content can explain and underwrite the main theses of Gadamer’s hermeneutics which he calls ‘the gadamerian hermeneutic platitudes’. In order to assess whether this claim is sound, I analyze the three types of philosophical interpretations that Brandom discusses: de re, de dicto, and de traditione, and argue that they commit him to an ‘ecumenical historicism’ that is directly at odds with the hermeneutic approach. Although the variety of de re interpretation that Brandom denominates de traditione comes indeed very close to the Gadamerian approach, I conclude that if Brandomian scorekeepers were to adopt it, they could become Gadamerian hermeneuts, but once they did, they would not be able to go back to their scorekeeping practices as described by Brandom.
Intermodulation distortion and surface resistance in impurity-doped YBCO and MgB 2

Abstract Calculations of the microwave intermodulation distortion (IMD) and surface resistance of impurity-doped YBCO, MgB 2 and Nb are presented. These are qualitatively distinct superconductors due to their energy-gap symmetries, d-wave (l = 2), i-wave (l = 6) and s-wave (l = 0), respectively. The calculations are compared with previously published IMD and surface-resistance measurements of impurity-doped YBCO and Nb. The agreement between the data and fitted calculations is excellent in all cases. In the absence of IMD and surface-resistance measurements for doped MgB 2 , we present representative predictions. The calculations are based on a Green’s-function approach that yields analytical expressions for the penetration depth and the nonlinear kernel in the constitutive relation. This penetration-depth expression reproduces the measured T 2 low-temperature variation for doped superconductors and the surface-resistance reduction over that of the pure material. Regarding the IMD in superconductors with a nodal energy gap, the effect of doping is to enhance its magnitude and suppress its low-temperature 1/ T 2 divergence predicted by the nonlinear Meissner effect.
Sensitivity and reproducibility of chemical tests for fecal occult blood with an emphasis on false-positive reactions.

In 20 healthy volunteers ingesting 5 to 50 ml of51Cr-red cells, reaction intensities obtained with four chemical methods for fecal occult blood were compared with the “true” blood loss simultaneously determined by radioassay of each stool. Dilute tincture of guaiac reagent was found to have the same sensitivity and high frequency of false-positive reactions as the saturated guaiac reagent, but was more reproducible. HematestTM was slightly less sensitive but was poorly reproducible and yielded frequent false-negative as well as false-positive reactions. False-positive reactions by both methods were not eliminated by a meat-free diet; they were increased with guaiac reagents if stools were stored for 3 or more days. A new guaiac method (HemoccultTM) was found to be one-fourth as sensitive as the older tests, but was virtually free from false-positive reactions, even on an unrestricted diet and after storage of the stool specimens. It is recommended that the use of Hematest be abandoned and that Hemoccult be used preferentially if future studies confirm that its sensitivity is sufficient to detect most gastrointestinal lesions which are yielding occult blood.
Microscopic bonding and macroscopic strain relaxations at Si-SiO 2 interfaces

Optical second harmonic generation studies of the temperature dependence of the phase angle differences from contributions of terrace and edge bonding at silicon–silicon dioxide interfaces prepared on vicinal Si(111) wafers have revealed an interface relaxation process at an annealing temperature between 850 and 900 °C. Complementary studies by synchrotron soft X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy have established that this relaxation is associated with changes in the concentration and composition of local suboxide bonding environments in an ultrathin, interfacial transition region that is approximately one molecular layer thick. This relaxation occurs at a significantly lower temperature than an approximately 990±10 °C relaxation of macroscopic compressive strain in the bulk of the SiO2 film. This paper establishes an analogy between i) the Si–SiO2 interface in which there is a transition from a ‘rigid’ substrate, Si, to an ‘ideal continuous random covalent network’, SiO2, in which the average number of bonding constraints/atom matches the network dimensionality, and ii) a concentration dependent transition between ‘under-’ and ‘over-constrained’ local bonding in non-crystalline glass alloys such as GexSe1-x. The interfacial suboxide transition region is demonstrated to have properties in common with a regime of alloy compositions in which ‘self-organization’ reduces bond constraint induced strain, thereby stabilizing these compositions against ‘aging’ as for example in time-dependent changes in the glass transition temperature. These comparisons provide important new insights into defect formation at Si–SiO2 interfaces, as well as interfaces between Si and alternative high-k dielectrics being considered for advanced Si devices including Al2O3 and transition metal silicate alloys, e.g., (ZrO2)x(SiO2)1-x. This new perspective is also extended to interfaces between GaN and SiO2, where the interfacial transition region is a suboxide of Ga, GaOx, with x<1.5.
Book of man

History of Physical Anthropology: An Encyclopedia edited by Frank Spencer Garland: 1997.2 Volumes. Pp. 1,195.$175
Developmental genetics of the lactate dehydrogenase isozymes of fish

Three genes (A, B, and E) encoding lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) subunits are shown to be present in fish by: (1) molecular hybridization, (2) allelic variants at two loci, and (3) kinetic, physical, and immunochemical studies. The same studies reveal that the E4 isozyme is closely related to the B4 isozyme. The E4 isozyme is usually synthesized in the regions of the nervous system concerned with vision. However, in some species the E4 isozyme is found in non-neural tissues such as lens. The closely related B and E loci tend to simulataneously functional in the same retinal cells. The act of hatching by itself does not appear to act as the stimulus to E gene activation. The E subunit facilitates the assembly of A and B subunits into the same teramer. The developmental and tissue specificity of the function of the LDH E gene suggests that the distinctive physical properties and the kinetic behavior of the LDH E4 isozyme may play an important role in the metabolism of teleost vision.
The α2C-adrenoceptor deletion322–325 variant and cold-induced vasoconstriction

Objectives Cold-induced vasoconstriction is mediated in part by selective enhancement of local α2C-adrenoceptor (α2C-AR) activity. A common insertion–deletion variant in the α2C-AR gene (ADRA2C del322–325) results in an approximately 85% reduction of agonist-mediated function in vitro. We tested the hypothesis that individuals with the ADRA2C del322–325 variant have attenuated vasoconstriction in response to cold.
Deciphering isozyme function: exploring cell biology with chemistry in the post-genomic era

Genome sequencing projects are identifying protein sequences faster than it is possible to discover their functions. Fortunately, combinatorial chemistry offers an opportunity to develop new biological reagents with which to determine the roles of related isozymes.
Computational Analysis to Design Energy Efficient Built Environments

Double skin facades (DSF) provide a means of enhancing the energy saving capabilities of buildings. By being able to respond dynamically to changing ambient conditions using natural ventilation, shading devices, and/or thermal insulation devices or strategies, DSFs are being incorporated into modern architecture and even retrofitted in some older structures to reduce the energy required to balance the load input into the building. Utilizing a general building model and weather conditions and integrating various designs for DSFs, a comparative study can be made to support or oppose the different designs changes being made. The analysis of the set-up will be performed by Fluent, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software. Fluent will solve for the Navier-Stokes equations and turbulent flow using the finite volume method. These results show that the energy necessary to power the HVAC system decreases with certain configurations.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
The Regulation of Home Health Care Quality

This descriptive study examined state regulatory activities for home health agencies in California and Missouri. In California, the state survey agency was increasingly unable to meet its annual survey requirements. Missouri's survey agency was able to remain current with its survey activities. Neither state used enforcement actions to any great extent for those facilities with problems to any great during the 1983 to 1988 period. Regulatory activities for home health agencies were not given a high priority in either state, and many barriers to the effective regulation of agencies were identified. This study suggests that additional research should be directed toward the study of state regulation and its relationship to quality of home health care.
Semiclassical S matrix theory for a compound state resonance in the reactive collinear H + H2 collision

The broad compound state resonance found in quantum mechanical calculations of the collinear H + H_2 reaction is shown to correspond semiclassically to multiple collisions of the atoms within the collision complex. The quantitative agreement between QM and SC results is quite reasonable.
POLLINATING SEED EATERS: WHY IS ACTIVE POLLINATION SO RARE?

Insects whose larvae depend on developing seed are very common, but active pollination, meaning that the insect possesses specific structures and behaviors for the purpose of assuring pollination, is only known to have evolved twice in such insects, namely in yucca moths and in fig wasps. This rarity could be due to high cost of pollination, phylogenetic constraints, alternative life history shifts to reduce or avoid risk of seed nondevelopment, or ecological factors such as co-pollinators that can satiate pollen requirements and mask variation in pollinator effectiveness among ovipositing seed eaters. Ecological costs of being a pollinator were measured for a yucca moth species and were found to be low: active time allocated to pollen pickup and deposit was on average 4.1%, an average of 0.42% of female body mass was allocated to specific structures for pollen manipulation, and the average pollen load weighed <4% of moth body mass. These estimates suggest that ecological costs need not be a major obstacle to evolution of active pollination. In contrast, recent combined ecological–phylogenetic analyses for the yucca moth family suggest that the evolution of active pollination and transition to mutualism depended largely on preadaptations, and that few traits were truly novel. If general, active pollination would be predicted to be likely to evolve only in lineages with life histories that facilitate mutualism. Alternative outcomes to evolution of active pollination include delayed oviposition, detection of floral pollination status, egg placement that allows the larva to select a fruit, and modified egg dispersion strategies to balance the cost of pollination. The historical significance of these factors can be assessed only when mechanisms are documented in many lineages and analyzed in a phylogenetic framework. Active fungal inoculation among arthropods is ecologically analogous to active pollination, and offers a complement for comparative analyses. Specific structures for spore transport have evolved many times in at least three orders of insects, and several times in mites. The large number of independent lineages of active pollen and fungus dispersers jointly provide a platform for testing hypotheses about, e.g., the role of preadaptations in evolution of mutualism, reversals of mutualism, and the role of mutualism in diversification.
A Traveling-Wave Frequency Multiplier

A traveling-wave tube designed to operate as a frequency multiplier (twfm) is described, together with experimental results. The tube employs two helices in cascade, the output helix being a dispersive forward-wave helix operating at S band. A wide range of input frequencies can be used, and the dispersive character of the output helix permits the selection of a particular harmonic by voltage tuning of the helix. The experimental tube was designed to operate with an input frequency range of 0.5 to 1.0 kmc and an output range of 2 to 4 kmc, although it was found to have a useful input frequency range from 0.1 to 1.0 kmc. It was found that multiplication ratios up to 10 or 15 are feasible with substantial gain, and with output power corresponding to normal operation of the second helix as an amplifier. Using an input frequency as low as 0.1 kmc, well below the design value, harmonic output in the order of a few milliwatts has been obtained at harmonics as high as the fortieth. For beam powers of 2 to 4 watts and for input frequencies down to 0.25 kmc, the harmonic power varied from 20 to 100 mw, depending upon the output frequency and multiplication ratio. The gross features of the gain characteristics of the twfm using a cascade gain analysis are shown.
E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase activity of Parkin is dependent on cooperative interaction of RING finger (TRIAD) elements.

The parkin gene codes for a 465-amino acid protein which, when mutated, results in autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism (AR-JP). Symptoms of AR-JP are similar to those of idiopathic Parkinson's disease, with the notable exception being the early onset of AR-JP. We have cloned and expressed human Parkin inEscherichia coli and have examined Parkin-mediated ubiquitination in an in vitro ubiquitination assay using purified recombinant proteins. We found that Parkin has E3 ubiquitin ligase activity in this system, demonstrating for the first time that the E3 activity is an intrinsic function of the Parkin protein and does not require posttranslational modification or association with cellular proteins other than an E2 (human Ubc4 E2 was utilized in this ubiquitination assay). Mutagenesis of individual elements of the conserved RING TRIAD domain indicated that at least two elements were required for ubiquitin ligase activity and suggested a functional cooperation between the RING finger elements. Since the activity assays were conducted with recombinant proteins purified fromE. coli, this is the first time TRIAD element interaction has been demonstrated as an intrinsic feature of Parkin E3 activity.
The effect of water hardness on washing performance of built and unbuilt surfactants

Five different surfactants were used at 2.0% concentrations. The most and least effective were found to be Synthrapol N and Ahcowet RS respectively; based on their rating of whiteness index. Synthrapol N and Ahcowet RS were evaluated with the addition of sodium carbonate, sodium tripolyphosphate and a 1:1 combination of the two builders. In both cases the addition of a builder improved the cleaning efficiency of the surfactant. Although each builder alone improved the cleaning efficiency, the combination of sodium carbonate and sodium tripolyphosphate improved efficiency at a lower total concentration.
Tissue factor expression by rat osteosarcoma cells adherent to tissue culture polystyrene and selected orthopedic biomaterials

Tissue factor (TF), a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed by numerous cell types, plays a critical role in the initiation of blood coagulation at sites of vascular injury. Activated products of the coagulation cascade may then enhance the inflammatory responses associated with wound healing. In the present investigation the ability of rat osteosarcoma (ROS) cells to express TF activity was examined following their growth on tissue-culture polystyrene (TCPS) and selected orthopedic biomaterials (titanium and zirconium alloys, and stainless steel). ROS cells exhibited significant TF activity as evidenced by the conversion of Factor X to Factor Xa in the presence of TF, Factor VIIa, and Ca2+. Factor Xa concentrations ranged from 1.0 fM per cell at 10 min to 6.0 fM per cell after 60 min. Additionally, ROS cells stimulated with calcium ionophore (A23187) exhibited approximately twice the activity of non-stimulated cells when grown on TCPS but not on the metallic substrates. ROS cells (stimulated or unstimulat...
The first reported case of compound heterozygous IL1RN mutations causing deficiency of the interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) deficiency is a rare autoinflammatory disease involving neonatal onset of pustulosis, periostitis, and sterile osteomyelitis. We report the case of a 2-week-old male who presented with a swollen, erythematous left index finger and elevated serum markers of inflammation. He later developed cyclical fevers, diffuse pustular skin lesions, and thrombus formation. After not responding to broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy and achieving only moderate success with systemic steroid therapy, he was ultimately treated with recombinant IL-1Ra, anakinra, and experienced significant clinical improvement. Sequencing of his IL1RN gene revealed that the patient was compound heterozygous for a known mutation (E77X) associated with IL-1Ra deficiency and a novel mutation in exon 2 of the gene (c.140delC; p.T47TfsX4). His case highlights IL-1Ra deficiency as an autoinflammatory disease that is distinct from neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease but that also responds well to anakinra. Our patient is the first reported compound heterozygote for E77X and the novel mutation in exon 2 of the gene, the latter of which adds to what will surely be a growing database of pathologic mutations in IL1RN.
NMR studies of restriction enzyme-DNA interactions: role of conformation in sequence specificity.

Sequence specific DNA binding proteins are thought to adopt distinct conformations when binding to target (cognate) and nontarget (noncognate) sequences. There is both biochemical and crystallographic evidence that this behavior is important in mediating sequence recognition by the Mg- (II)-dependent type II restriction enzymes. Despite this, there are few systematic comparisons of the structural behavior of these enzymes in various complexes. Here, 1 H- 15 N HSQC NMR spectroscopy is applied to PVuII endonuclease (2 18 kDa) in an effort to better understand the relationship between sequence recognition and enzyme conformational behavior. Spectra of the free enzyme collected in the absence and presence of metal ions indicate that while there is a modest backbone conformational response upon binding Ca(II), this does not occur with Mg(II). Substrate binding itself is accompanied by very dramatic spectral changes consistent with a large-scale conformational response. HSQC spectra of the enzyme bound to cognate (specific) and noncognate (nonspecific) oligonucleotides in the presence of Ca(II) are dramatically distinct, revealing for the first time the structural uniqueness of a PVuII cognate complex in solution. The strong correlation between NMR spectral overlap and crystallographic data (CR rmsd) permits characterization of the nonspecific PVuII complex as being more similar to the free enzyme than to the specific complex. Collectively, these data support the notion that it is the DNA, not the metal ion, which promotes a unique conformational response by the enzyme. It therefore follows that the principle role of metal ions in complex formation is one of driving substrate affinity and stability rather than conformationally priming the enzyme for substrate binding and sequence recognition. These results not only provide valuable insights into the mechanism of protein-DNA interactions but also demonstrate the utility of NMR spectroscopy in structure-function studies of these representative nucleic acid systems.
Extending the Haskell foreign function interface with concurrency

A Haskell system that includes both the Foreign Function Interface and the Concurrent Haskell extension must consider how Concurrent Haskell threads map to external Operating System threads for the purposes of specifying in which thread a foreign call is made.Many concurrent languages take the easy route and specify a one-to-one correspondence between the language's own threads and external OS threads. However, OS threads tend to be expensive, so this choice can limit the performance and scalability of the concurrent language.The main contribution of this paper is a language design that provides a neat solution to this problem, allowing the implementor of the language enough flexibility to provide cheap lightweight threads, while still providing the programmer with control over the mapping between internal threads and external threads where necessary.
Comparison of nitrogen use efficiency of a newly developed sorghum hybrid and two improved cultivars in the Sahel of West Africa

In Sahelian areas such as Niger, West Africa, grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is grown under conditions of low soil nitrogen (N) availability on degraded land with little or no fertilizer N application. Nitrogen use efficiency (grain weight per unit of N supplied from soil and/or fertilizer) is reduced due to poor crop cultural practices, lack of appropriate cultivar, sub-optimal yields and N losses or deficiency of other nutrients. However, little is known about traits that contribute to differences in land races and hybrids for their performances and the adaptive mechanism of N utilization on sandy soils in a high risk environment. A three-year study was conducted to examine the N use efficiency of three cultivars: hybrid NAD-1, and improved lines Sepan82 and IRAT 204 at different N levels to identify their specific characteristics and appropriate management systems to enhance productivity. Three cultivars differed in N extraction capacity from soil indigenous N, where external N was not app...
Kappa3 receptors and levorphanol-induced analgesia

Levorphanol is a widely used opiate analgesic. Although structurally related to morphine, levorphanol has high affinity for a number of receptor subtypes, including both kappa 1 and kappa 3. Prior reports had implicated a kappa component of levorphanol-induced antinociception. Evidence is now presented suggesting that levorphanol-induced analgesia is produced by a mixture of mu and kappa 3 mechanisms. Levorphanol was a potent analgesic in the tail-flick assay, when given systemically, spinally or supraspinally. Isobolographic analysis of the combined administration of levorphanol, spinally and supraspinally implied synergistic interactions. Naloxonazine reduced levorphanol-induced analgesia, implicating a role for mu1 receptors. The kappa 1 antagonist nor-binaltorphimine at a dose which reversed analgesia induced by U50,488H did not antagonize levorphanol-induced analgesia. Additional studies revealed no cross tolerance in either direction, between levorphanol with the kappa 1 analgesic U50,488H. Together, these results strongly argue against a role for kappa 1 receptors in levorphanol-induced analgesia. However, mice tolerant to the kappa 3 analgesic, naloxone benzoylhydrazone (NalBzoH), showed cross tolerance to levorphanol, implying a role of kappa 3 mechanisms in levorphanol-induced analgesia.
Trophic transfer of Au nanoparticles from soil along a simulated terrestrial food chain.

To determine if nanoparticles (NPs) could be transferred from soil media to invertebrates and then to secondary consumers, we examined the trophic transfer of Au NPs along a simulated terrestrial food chain. Earthworms (Eisenia fetida) were exposed to Au NPs in artificial soil media and fed to juvenile bullfrogs (Rana catesbeina). Earthworm Au concentrations were continuously monitored so that the cumulative dose to bullfrogs could be accurately estimated throughout the experiment. We exposed a second group of bullfrogs to equivalent doses of Au NPs by oral gavage to compare the bioavailability of NPs through direct exposure to trophic exposure. We observed accumulation of Au in liver, kidney, spleen, muscle, stomach, and intestine in both treatment groups. Tissue concentrations decreased on average of approximately 100-fold with each trophic-step. The total assimilated dose averaged only 0.09% of the administered dose for direct exposure (oral gavage), but 0.12% for the trophic exposure. The results sugg...
Outcomes by Tumor Histology and KRAS Mutation Status After Lung Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Early-Stage Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract Background We analyzed outcomes after lung stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for early-stage non–small cell lung-carcinoma (NSCLC) by histology and KRAS genotype. Patients and Methods We included 75 patients with 79 peripheral tumors treated with SBRT (18 Gy × 3 or 10 to 12 Gy × 5) at our institution from 2009 to 2012. Genotyping for KRAS mutations was performed in 10 patients. Outcomes were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method/Cox regression, or cumulative incidence method/Fine-Gray analysis. Results The median patient age was 74 (range, 46 to 93) years, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status was 0 to 1 in 63%. Tumor histology included adenocarcinoma (44%), squamous cell carcinoma (25%), and NSCLC (18%). Most tumors were T1a (54%). Seven patients had KRAS -mutant tumors (9%). With a median follow-up of 18.8 months among survivors, the 1-year estimate of overall survival was 88%, cancer-specific survival (CSS) 92%, primary tumor control 94%, and freedom from recurrence (FFR) 67%. In patients with KRAS- mutant tumors, there was a significantly lower tumor control (67% vs. 96%; P = .04), FFR (48% vs. 69%; P = .03), and CSS (75% vs. 93%; P = .05). On multivariable analysis, histology was not associated with outcomes, but KRAS mutation (hazard ratio, 10.3; 95% confidence interval, 2.3-45.6; P = .0022) was associated with decreased CSS after adjusting for age. Conclusion In this SBRT series, histology was not associated with outcomes, but KRAS mutation was associated with lower FFR on univariable analysis and decreased CSS on multivariable analysis. Because of the small sample size, these hypothesis-generating results need to be studied in larger data sets.
A return-on-investment simulation model of workplace obesity interventions

AbstractObjective:To calculate return-on-investment (ROI) from workplace obesity interventions, employers require information about costs saved by the intervention. This article presents a simulation model used to calculate ROI for workplace obesity interventions.Methods:We estimated annual savings
A test of quark fragmentation in the quark-parton model framework

Abstract The hadronic system produced in charged-current antineutrino interactions is used to study fragmentation of the d-quark. Some problems encountered in defining the current quark fragments are discussed. The properties of the fragmentation function are in good agreement with the expectations of the naive quark-parton model and, in particular, at the present level of statistics we find no need for either a Q 2 -or an x BJ -dependence.
Rabbit Hunting and Bone Bead Production at a Late Prehistoric Camp in the Wyoming Basin

Rabbit bones are common in sites of the Rocky Mountain Wyoming Basin, occurring in 85% of 111 reported faunal assemblages. They also dominate identified bones at more sites than any other taxon. Nonetheless, sites with large rabbit assemblages are rare. The Raptor site stands out in the region for its large number of rabbit bones as well as fragments of bone bead production waste. Excavations at this single component site dating about 1300-1200 RCYBP yielded 12,727 faunal specimens, principally rabbit or rabbit-sized bone fragments, including a minimum of 65 individual cottontail rabbits. The worked bone assemblage includes 108 rabbit and rabbit-sized specimens of bead production waste, primarily articular ends of tibiae, humeri, and metapodials exhibiting a transverse cut made by the "groove and snap" technique. The objective of the production appears to have been tubular beads 10-45 mm long. Similar bone bead production waste has rarely been found at other sites in the Intermountain West.
DETECTION OF INHERITED ADENYLOSUCCINASE DEFICIENCY BY 2-DIM. THIN LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY OF URINARY IMIDAZOLES: 224

Inherited adenylosuccinase deficiency, a 'new' defect of de novo purine synthesis and nucleotide interconversion has been associated with psychomotor retardation and autistic behavior (1). Biochemical features were: excessive urinary excretion of succinyl-aminoimidazole carboxamide riboside (SAICAR) and succinyladenosine (SAdo). We found that SAICAR can easily be detected by our 2-dim. tlc in use for the screening of abnormal urinary imidazoles. The method consists of 1: isolation of imidazoles (together with amino-acids and purines with a cation exchange resin;2: tlc on cellulose plates, solvent I: isopropanol - ammonia 10% (4:1) and II:butanol - acetic acid - water (4:1:1); detection with Pauly reagent. SAICAR gives rise to an isolated spot with a characteristic bluish-brown color. Xanthinuria and PNP deficiency can also be detected with this system. Confirmative quantitative analysis of SAICAR and SAdo can be done by HPLC. Three new cases could be diagnosed: a one-year-old girl with neurological problems, her elder brother with psychomotor retardation and epilepsy and a ten-year-old girl with severe mental retardation and neurological problems. Chemical and clinical data will be presented. 1. J. Jaeken, G. Van den Berghe: Lancet II(1984) 1058-1061.
Multiple vectors of unidirectional dialect change in eastern New England

Traditional eastern New England (ENE) dialect features are rapidly receding in many parts of northern New England. Because this ENE shift involves seven different phonological features, it provides a prime opportunity to explore different rates of change across multiple linguistic variables at the same time in the same social setting. The present study is the first acoustic sociophonetic investigation of central New Hampshire, and it is based on new field data from 51 adult speakers. Results show that young generations are discarding many traditional ENE pronunciations in favor of leveled, nonregional forms, yet the changes are affecting some variables more quickly than others. Many distinctive traditional ENE variants (nonrhotic speech, intrusive-r, fronted father, “broad-a” in bath) are quickly receding, while others (fronted start and hoarse/horse distinction) are somewhat more conservative, being “overshadowed” by the presence of (r) as a variable within the same syllable. We frame our apparent-time analysis in terms of Sankoff's (2013a) notion of “age vectors” and Labov's (2012) “outward orientation” of the language faculty, illustrating how different generations are juggling multiple age vectors within the same overall shift, and how one variable can overshadow another variable within the same syllable.
Thermal and Photochemical Processes in Polystyrene in the Glassy State

RECENTLY, nylon films irradiated with ultra-violet light1 have been reported to show a post-effect similar in behaviour to one reported earlier in polystyrene films2. It is also suggested that the interpretation advanced for the effect in nylon may be applicable to other polymers. In this note, evidence for different mechanisms in polystyrene is discussed. In nylon, the band that develops during both the irradiation and the post-irradiation periods is centred around 2900 A., while in polystyrene the post-irradiation band is centred around 3400 A. The irradiation spectra for the latter indicate no specific absorption in the region investigated but merely a general increase in absorption. The spectra are shown in Fig. 1, where it is seen that the absorption observed after the post-irradiation period is quite different from that observed immediately after the irradiation period.
Phenylalanine, brain phenethylamine and motor activity in the rat

Varying doses of L-phenylalanine were administered intraperitoneally to rats and motor activity determined by means of photocells in an activity cage. Control rats, and rats whose brain catecholamines were depleted by reserpine, α-methyl-p-tyrosine, or intraventricular 6-hydroxydopamine showed a decrease or no change in motor activity following phenylalanine injections. Injections of the decarboxylase inhibitor, Ro 4–4602, failed to alter the effect of phenylalanine. After injections of [3 H]phenylalanine, [3 H] β-phenethylamine accounted for less than 5 % of brain tritium and radioactivity associated with this amine declined rapidly with time. The proportion of brain radioactivity due to β-phenethylamine was increased by the monoamine oxidase inhibitor, pargyline, and was not affected by the peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor Ro 4–4602. When Ro 4–4602 and pargyline were given together, the increase in radioactive phenethylamine produced by pargyline was prevented, suggesting that a significant proportion of brain phenethylamine may be synthesized in the periphery and can enter brain if monoamine oxidase is inhibited.
Regulation of cerebral vasculature in normal and ischemic brain

We outline the mechanisms currently thought to be responsible for controlling cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the physiologic state and during ischemia, focusing on the arterial pial and penetrating microcirculation. Initially, we categorize the cerebral circulation and then review the vascular anatomy. We draw attention to a number of unique features of the cerebral vasculature, which are relevant to the microcirculatory response during ischemia: arterial histology, species differences, collateral flow, the venous drainage, the blood-brain barrier, astrocytes and vascular nerves. The physiology of the arterial microcirculation is then assessed. Lastly, we review the changes during ischemia which impact on the microcirculation. Further understanding of the normal cerebrovascular anatomy and physiology as well as the pathophysiology of ischemia will allow the rational development of a pharmacologic therapy for human stroke and brain injury.
UV−Visible Spectroscopic Measurement of Solubilities in Supercritical CO2 Using High-Pressure Fiber-Optic Cells

The design and construction of a microscale, fiber-optics-based system for the measurement of solubilities in supercritical CO2 by UV−visible spectroscopy is described. This system consists of three high-pressure fiber-optic cells, with path lengths ranging from 38 μm to 1 cm, constructed from standard 1/16-in. stainless steel fittings and silica fibers. It is capable of withstanding pressures in excess of 300 atm, and spectra over the entire UV−visible range (200−900 nm) can be obtained. Use of three cells with different path lengths enables compounds of high or low solubility to be measured over a concentration range of several orders of magnitude. The solubility of a uranium complex, UO2(tta)2·TBP, in supercritical CO2 at 40 °C and over the pressure range 100−325 atm was determined, and it was found to be possible to attain solubilities in excess of 10-2 M for metal species in unmodified supercritical CO2. Also, the small volume of this system allows solubilities to be measured with relatively small am...
Genetic variation and relationships among cultivated, wild, and semiwild soybean

Some annual Glycine accessions are intermediate between the standard phenotypes of Glycine max (L.) Merr. and Glycine soja Sieb. & Zucc. and have been labeled semiwild. Few studies have examined both the genetic and phenotypic relationships among G. soja, G. max, and semiwild-types by combining morphological traits and DNA markers. The objectives of this research were to quantify genetic variation within G. soja, G. max, and semiwild accessions; to investigate the relationships among the G. soja, G. max, and semiwild accessions; and to examine the relationships among phenotypes on the basis of morphological traits and genotypes on the basis of DNA markers. Ninety-two semiwild, G. soja, and G. max accessions from the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection were evaluated for 20 phenotypic traits and with 137 RAPD markers. Mahalanobis distances and a Jaccard genetic similarity matrix were calculated for phenotypic traits and DNA data, respectively. Nonhierarchical and hierarchical clustering as well as multidimensional scaling (MDS) were used to evaluate relationships among semiwild, G. soja, and G. max accessions. Principal component analysis was applied to identify the morphological traits that were most significant in separating the three groups. For the accessions examined, unique RAPD markers were found for each taxonomic type. Three clusters defined by either phenotypic or DNA data are highly consistent and strongly corresponded to G. soja, G. max, and semiwild classifications. On the basis of the analysis of RAPD data, G. soja accessions have the greatest genetic diversity and semiwild accessions the least. Glycine max and semiwild accessions are more closely related to each other than to G. soja accessions. These data will be useful in helping to define a core collection of annual Glycine.
The initiation and propagation of normal zones in a force-cooled tubular superconductor

A numerical analysis has been performed on the time-dependent equations of heat balance, gas convection, pressure drop, and mass-flow rate for supercritical helium gas flowing through a tubular superconductor. Three dimensional graphs of wall temperature, gas temperature, and mass-flow rate as functions of position and time are used to show the evolution of normal zones. In contrast to other methods of studying stability in superconductors by a quasi-steady-state analysis of critical-sized normal zones (minimum propagating zone), our analysis shows that stability is influenced by both the magnitude and the time dependence of the disturbance. As the current is increased in a system subjected to certain types of thermal disturbances, propagating normal zones may originate at positions well downstream from the site of the disturbance. At higher currents, propagating zones may originate both downstream and at the disturbed site, coalescing into a large propagating normal zone. With certain types of disturbances (such as an extraneous heat source over a short length of conductor), higher critical currents may be reached by fast current ramping, while with other types of disturbances (such as self heating in a degraded section of conductor), slow current ramping leads to higher critical currents.
In with the New, Out with the Old? The Democratising Impact of Constitutional Reform in Chile

On 30 July 1989 Chileans cast ballots in an historic but unheralded plebiscite, and approved a massive revision of the Constitution that in 1980 the Pinochet regime had crafted to institutionalise its rule. Some observers had doubted that it would be possible to change Pinochet's prized ‘Constitution of Liberty’, while others have since questioned the significance of the reforms that were achieved. In fact, as a result of the July referendum, 54 modifications involving 12 of the document's 14 chapters were enacted before the Constitution even went fully into effect. Moreover, since the reestablishment of democracy in Chile, the coalition government of Patricio Aylwin has won passage of still other constitutional reforms involving administrative decentralisation, and has introduced draft legislation designed to bring about changes in the judicial and electoral systems. His successor, Christian Democrat Eduardo Frei, is also committed to reform.
Social Venture Strategy from a Global Perspective: An Exploratory Study Assessing Ashoka Fellows

This study is one of the first that utilizes the online profiles of the Fellows in the global social venture network, Ashoka, in order to build a database of 70 social entrepreneurs. The resource-based view serves as the theoretical base by which the preliminary results are evaluated. The findings, which indicate that social entrepreneurs demonstrate similar patterns to commercial entrepreneurs, are assessed through two different lenses of analyses - alliances and knowledge management. Statistically significant relationships were found between alliances, funding sources, innovation, and ease of replication.
Advances in adult asthma diagnosis and treatment in 2014

In 2014, new biologic therapies are emerging for severe asthma based on identification of relevant phenotypes. The exploration of nutritional supplements to treat asthma has been less successful.
Alignment of molecular sequences seen as random path analysis

We propose a generating functional method--random path analysis (RPA)--that generalizes the classical dynamic programming (DP) method widely used in sequence alignments. For a given cost function, DP is a deterministic method that finds an optimal alignment by minimizing the total cost function for all possible alignments. By allowing uncertainty, RPA is a statistical method that weights fluctuating alignments by probabilities. Therefore, DP maybe thought of as the deterministic limit of RPA when the fluctuations approach zero. DP is the method of choice if one is only interested in optimal alignment. But we argue that, when information beyond the optimal alignment is desired, RPA gives a natural extension of DP for biological applications. As an algebraic approach, RPA is computationally intensive for long sequences, but it can provide better parametric control for developing analytical or perturbational results and it is more informative and biologically relevant. The idea of RPA opens up new opportunities for simulational approaches and more importantly it suggests a novel hardware implementation that has the potential of improving the way a sequence alignment is done. Here we focus on deriving a mathematically rigorous solution to RPA both in its combinatorial form and in its graphical representation; this puts DP in logical perspective under a more general conceptual framework.
Bioavailability of Calcium from Tofu, Tortillas, Nonfat Dry Milk and Mozzarella Cheese in Rats: Effect of Supplemental Ascorbic Acid

Using a rat model, calcium bioavailability (BV) from tofu, tortillas, nonfat dry milk (NFDM) and mozzarella cheese was compared to a control diet supplemented with calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The above diets were each formulated with and without 0.05% ascorbic acid. When comparing different calcium sources, the relative BV from tofu (107%) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than from tortillas (93%) or NFDM (95%). Calcium BV from tofu, cheese (105%) and CaCO3. (100%) was not different. Vitamin C supplementation has no significant effect on calcium BV. Although some differences were noted, overall calcium BV from each of the tested products was excellent.