cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural and control optimization of space structures

Abstract A simultaneous structural and control optimization of flexible structures is presented in this paper. Behavior constraints are imposed on the closed-loop eigenvalue distribution and the damping parameters. Optimum results are obtained with three different optimization algorithms, and the nonunique nature of the optimum solutions is discussed. Also, the minimization of the Frobenious norm is investigated. A two-bar truss and an ACOSS four structure were designed and numerical comparisons are presented. The qualitative aspects of the optimum solutions are discussed with the transient response and control effort simulations.
AN ISOTOPE DILUTION HIGH-RESOLUTION MASS SPECTROMETRY METHOD FOR QUANTITATIVE MEASUREMENT OF ISOMERIC BENZO[A]PYRENE TETROL METABOLITES DERIVED FROM ALBUMIN-BAPDE ADDUCTS AS INDICATORS OF HUMAN EXPOSURE TO POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS

We evaluated in a pilot study a newly developed method of gas chromatography isotope dilution high-resolution mass spectrometry selected ion monitoring (GC-ID-HRMS-SIM). This method measures benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) tetrol metabolites released after albumin-BaPDE adduct hydrolysis. We isolated albumin adducts from the blood of a cohort of adult male and female smokers and nonsmokers randomly selected as exposed and nonexposed groups. Isomeric B[a]P tetrols released after adduct hydrolysis and silyl derivatization were quantified by GC-ID-HRMS-SIM using 13 C 6 -isotopically labeled BaP tetrol isomer standards (+/−)-BaP-r-7,t-8,t-9,c-10-tetrol (BPTI-1), (+/−)-BaP-r-7,t-8,t-9,t-10-tetrol (BPTI-2), (+/−)-BaP-r-7,t-8,c-9,t-10-tetrol (BPTII-1) and (+/−)-BaP-r-7,t-8,c-9,c-10-tetrol (BPTII-2). In all donor samples analyzed the method was sensitive enough to detect BPTII-1 and BPTI-1 in the low fmol range. In both smokers and nonsmokers BPTI-1 levels were higher than BPTII-1 levels. The mean levels of BPTII-1 and BP...
An analysis of covariance markov model for interrupted time series experiments

A simple Markov model is described for the analysis of interrupted time series experiments that employ a control series. The procedure involves regressing the experimental preintervention series on the control preintervention series and then testing for change in the experimental postintervention series which is free of change in the control series.
Abstract IA4: A dualistic model of ovarian carcinogenesis

Recent morphologic, immunohistochemical and molecular genetic studies have led to the development of a new paradigm for the pathogenesis and origin of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) based on a dualistic model of carcinogenesis that divides EOC into two broad categories designated type I and type II. Type I tumors are comprised of low-grade serous, low-grade endometrioid, clear cell and mucinous carcinomas and Brenner tumors. They are generally indolent, present in stage I (tumor confined to the ovary) and are characterized by specific mutations, including KRAS, BRAF, ERBB2, CTNNB1, PTEN PIK3CA, ARID1A, and PPPR1A, which target specific cell signaling pathways. Type I tumors rarely harbor TP53 and are relatively stable genetically. Type II tumors are comprised of high-grade serous, high-grade endometrioid, malignant mixed mesodermal tumors (carcinosarcomas) and undifferentiated carcinomas. They are aggressive, present in advanced stage, and have a very high frequency of TP53 mutations but rarely harbor the mutations detected in type I tumors. In addition, type II tumors have molecular alterations that perturb expression of BRCA either by mutation of the gene or by promotor methylation. A hallmark of these tumors is that they are genetically highly unstable. Recent studies strongly suggest that fallopian tube epithelium (benign or malignant) that implants on the ovary is the source of low-grade and high-grade serous carcinoma rather than the ovarian surface epithelium as previously believed. Similarly, it is widely accepted that endometriosis is the precursor of endometrioid and clear cell carcinomas and as endometriosis is thought to develop from retrograde menstruation these tumors can also be regarded as involving the ovary secondarily. The origin of mucinous and transitional cell (Brenner) tumors is still not well established, although recent data suggest a possible origin from transitional epithelial nests located in paraovarian locations at the tubo-peritoneal junction. Thus, it now appears that type I and type II ovarian tumors develop independently along different molecular pathways, and that both types develop outside the ovary and involve it secondarily. If this concept is confirmed it leads to the conclusion that the only true primary ovarian neoplasms are gonadal stromal and germ cell tumors analogous to testicular tumors. This new paradigm of ovarian carcinogenesis has important clinical implications. By shifting the early events of ovarian carcinogenesis to the fallopian tube and endometrium instead of the ovary, prevention approaches, for example, salpingectomy with ovarian conservation, may play an important role in reducing the burden of ovarian cancer while preserving hormonal function and fertility. Citation Format: Robert J. Kurman. A dualistic model of ovarian carcinogenesis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Ovarian Cancer Research: From Concept to Clinic; Sep 18-21, 2013; Miami, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2013;19(19 Suppl):Abstract nr IA4.
Advances in osteoclast biology reveal potential new drug targets and new roles for osteoclasts

Osteoclasts are multinucleated myeloid lineage cells formed in response to macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) by fusion of bone marrow-derived precursors that circulate in the blood and are attracted to sites of bone resorption in response to factors, such as sphingosine-1 phosphate signaling. Major advances in understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating osteoclast functions have been made in the past 20 years, mainly from mouse and human genetic studies. These have revealed that osteoclasts express and respond to proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Some of these cytokines activate NF-κB and nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1) signaling to induce osteoclast formation and activity and also regulate communication with neighboring cells through signaling proteins, including ephrins and semaphorins. Osteoclasts also positively and negatively regulate immune responses and osteoblastic bone formation. These advances have led to development of new inhibitors of bone resorption that are in clinical use or in clinical trials; and more should follow, based on these advances. This article reviews current understanding of how bone resorption is regulated both positively and negatively in normal and pathologic states.
Lateral Erosion and Overbank Deposition on the Mississippi River in Louisiana Caused by 1973 Flooding

In 1973, the Mississippi River was out of its banks for more than 2 mo from April to June. The thickness and the texture of overbank sediments were determined for a number of depositional environments on the Mississippi River flood plain in Louisiana. Average sediment thickness ranged from 53 cm along the natural levee to 1.1 cm in the back-swamp. The texture of deposits varied from natural levee sediments with 68 percent sand to backswamp sediments with 97 percent silt and clay. The amount of lateral erosion of bordering Pleistocene bluffs increased 271 percent over the previous 9 yr of record because of the flood. Using the rate of backswamp deposition during the 1973 flood, it is suggested that backswamp deposits in this area required 10,000 to 11,000 yr to accumulate.
Freon powered portable air sampling kit.

Abstract An aspirator, designed for operation on compressed air for the driving force, has been adapted to constant pressure “Freon” operation. A limiting orifice installed ahead of the jet permits calibration based on time which eliminates the need for a metering instrument to determine sample volume. “Freon” is delivered from standard low-pressure “throw-away” refrigeration service cans, and standard midget impingers are used.
Unrealistic assumptions invalidate extinction estimates.

Hubbell et al. (1) estimated the number of Amazonian tree species threatened with extinction due to habitat loss predicted under 2 development scenarios for the Brazilian Amazon (,2). Unfortunately, their analysis suffers from several critical weaknesses that render the results suspect, if not meaningless, for conservation. Hubbell et al. (1) model species ranges as circles or …
The role of cytochrome P450-mediated drug-drug interactions in determining the safety of statins

The objectives of this review are to discuss the role of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) isoforms in drug metabolism, to explain differences in metabolism among the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (HMGs, statins), to review drug-drug and drug-food interaction studies dealing with the HMGs, to present case reports dealing with HMG-related myopathy, to discuss major clinical implications of these case reports and to express an opinion of use of HMGs in clinical practice.
Two types of inositol trisphosphate binding in cardiac microsomes.

Two distinct types of [3H]IP3 binding were found in canine cardiac microsomes with high (Kd = 21 nM, Bmax = 0.66 pmol/mg) and low affinity (Kd = 230 nM, Bmax = 2.9 pmol/mg). Also found were low affinity [3H]IP4 binding (Kd = 190 nM, Bmax = 4.5 pmol/mg) and high affinity [3H]IP6 binding (Kd = 10 nM, Bmax = 4.9 pmol/mg). The rank order of potency to displace these radioligands indicates that binding of IP3 and IP6 is ligand-specific. Sucrose gradient centrifugation of the detergent-solubilized cardiac microsomes indicates that the molecular size of the cardiac high affinity IP3 receptor is similar to that of the aortic smooth muscle IP3 receptor and smaller than that of the r ryanodine receptor which migrates more rapidly. The IP4 and IP6 binding migrates more slowly than the IP3 receptor.
Threshold saturation of spatially-coupled codes on intersymbol-interference channels

Recently, it has been observed that terminated low-density-parity-check (LDPC) convolutional codes (or spatially-coupled codes) appear to approach the capacity universally across the class of binary memoryless channels. This is facilitated by the “threshold saturation” effect whereby the belief-propagation (BP) threshold of the spatially-coupled ensemble is boosted to the maximum a-posteriori (MAP) threshold of the underlying constituent ensemble. In this paper, we consider spatially-coupled codes over intersymbol-interference (ISI) channels under joint iterative decoding where we empirically show that threshold saturation also occurs. This can be observed by first identifying the GEXIT curve that naturally obeys the general area theorem. From this curve, the corresponding MAP and the BP threshold estimates are then numerically obtained. Given the fact that regular LDPC codes can achieve the symmetric information rate (SIR) under MAP decoding, we conjecture that spatially-coupled codes with joint iterative decoding can universally approach the SIR of ISI channels.
Sequence of the human lens βB2-crystallin-encoding cDNA

Abstract This study reports the nucleotide (nt) sequence of the human βB2-crystallin (hβB2-Cry)-encoding cDNA (hβB2-cry). The hβB2-cry gene encodes a major structural protein in the lens of the vertebrate eye. Sequence information obtained from mouse genomic clones and the mouse βB2-cry cDNA (mβB2-cry) sequence was used to design oligodeoxyribonucleotide primers, corresponding to exon 1, transcription start points, and termination and polyadenylation sites, that were used in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to generate full-length cDNA clones from total human lens RNA. In addition, cDNA libraries were made with λgt11 from both human fetal and adult lens tissue RNAs, and screened with a mβB2-cry cDNA clone. The full-length hβB2-cry cDNA is 721 bp and contains an open reading frame of 612 nt. It codes for a 23-kDa protein of 205 amino acid residues. Comparison of the overall nt and deduced aa sequences shows a greater similarity of hβB2-cry to bovine βfB2-cry than to mβB2-cry or rat βB2-cry.
Chinese Americans in the Tucson Community Their History, Their Contributions

This paper focuses on the history and contributions of Chinese Americans in Tucson, Arizona. The Chinese in Tucson have a history of more than 130 years, during which time they made remarkable contributions to the economic prosperity of the Tucson area and attained memorable achievements in the development of the local community, although they lived and worked under difficult and unfavorable conditions before the end of World War II. The Chinese were among the earliest settlers in Tucson. When they came there 130 years ago, the city was still a small scanty rural town in the Southwest. Today, with the efforts of Chinese immigrants and all other ethnic groups, Tucson has become a populous international metropolis. Chinese immigrants have greatly contributed in every aspect of community life to build Tucson to what it is today. The first part of this paper is devoted to the history, historical background, and discrimination early Chinese immigrants experienced. The second part focuses on contributions they ...
Stochastic Productivity Assessment of Continuous Flight Auger Piles

Abstract Continuous flight auger (CFA) piles are widely used in the US and the UK as well as in many other countries. This paper focuses on developing simulation models to provide productivity and cost for various pile sizes and depths. Two simulation models were developed. Based on these models, various charts were developed to assess productivity and cost of the CFA process. Results showed that productivity is approximately 14, 24 and 93 piles (holes)/day for 0.36 m diameter piles at 21.34 m, 12.19 m, and 3.05 m depths, respectively. In addition, a pile of 0.36 m diameter and 12.19 m depth costs approximately US$790.00; however, it costs approximately US$1200/pile for 21.34 m depth. For the same pile size, the cost per unit volume is approximately US$620.00/m3. The developed tools play an essential role in the CFA decision-making process. The results of simulation models are validated with an average validation factor (VF) of 1.01. This paper provides charts for practitioners' usage to schedule and pric...
Neighborhood Attachment in the Multiethnic Metropolis

In acknowledging that patterns of neighborhood attachment—a key component in the maintenance of neighborhood vitality—may shift as a result of growing racial and ethnic diversity, this study develo...
Sentence memory of individuals with Down's syndrome and typically developing children

Background Individuals with Down's syndrome (DS) have an auditory short-term memory span disproportionately shorter than the non-verbal mental age (MA). This study evaluated the Baddeley model's claim that verbal short-term memory deficits might arise from slower speaking rates (and thus less material rehearsed in a 2 s passive store) by using the sentence memory subtest of the Stanford-Binet. Previous work had shown digit span recall speaking rate to be comparable to the examiner's slow rate (one syllable per second) for both DS and language-matched participants. Method Thirty individuals with DS were compared to two control groups [non-verbal MA-matched and mean length of utterance (MLU)-matched] on the sentence span and speaking rate for the longest verbatim recalled sentence. Sentence stimuli were presented at a normal speaking rate. Results The DS group had shorter sentence memory span than the MA-matched group and a faster, rather than slower, speaking rate (syllables per second) than the MLU-matched controls. Conclusions Language production level accounted for a substantial portion of the variance in the sentence memory span in the DS group. Thus, language production skill, rather than speaking rate, predicts variability in verbal memory span.
Dispersion Investigation in the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar

Dispersion of an elastic wave propagating in a 76.2-mm-diameter (3 in.) Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar system was investigated with two consecutive pulses recorded in the transmitter bar. Assuming that the dispersive high frequency oscillatory components riding on the top of the main pulse originate from the first mode vibration, the dispersion was corrected by using the Fast Fourier Transform and Fourier series expansion numerical schemes
Continuous distribution of moving dislocations

Abstract A deformation field due to a moving single dislocation is expressed by line integrals along the dislocation line. Proper definitions for a continuous distribution of moving dislocations and its velocities enable us to extend the expression for the deformation field due to a single dislocation, to the deformation field due to a continuous distribution of dislocations. The fundamental relationship between plastic strains and dislocation density tensors, and the relationship between plastic strain rates and velocities of a continuous distribution of dislocations are determined from a formulation similar to the law of conservation of matter. Also it is found that a continuous distribution of dislocations must satisfy a certain boundary condition on the free boundary of the material. The relationship between the total strain, and the elastic and plastic strains, is discussed by referring to their definitions in the mathematical theory of plasticity.
Effect of cementation on ultrasonic velocities in sandstones

We determine the acoustic velocities for samples cored from the Jauf and Unayzah sandstone formations of Saudi Arabia. We use microstructural analysis including thin sections and point counting to quantify cementation. Velocities in these formations are strongly controlled by the combination of porosity and cementation. Consequently, rocks of similar porosity but with different cementation materials display different velocities. The objective of this study is to understand the effect of cementation on the acoustic velocity. Cements in these two formations have variable compositions and properties. Pure quartz overgrowth plays a major role in increasing velocities while clay and clay coatings play a minor role. We found that clay coatings inhibit the quartz overgrowth cement leading to a decrease in velocities. Understanding the influence of various cementation types on velocity, and thus elastic properties in sandstone cores, enables an understanding of the variation of sonic velocities and moduli across these formations. The uniqueness of this study is that we emphasize the quantification of the role of cement and not just mineral volume.
Sketching as Autoethnographic Practice

This article is an “autoethnographic sketch” that “draws out” substantive observations about the “sketchy” character of concepts such as identity, theory, self, and society. Using vignettes from my experiences as an art student, post-structuralist theory, and symbolic interaction, I render a brief sketch of how autoethnography and other representations of self can be conveyed in a layered process. The materials in each vignette may not seem to be consistent with or related to the other layers, but as each layer is superimposed on the others, an image or impression emerges from the whole. By presenting these materials in this way, the format or metaphor of sketching offers autoethnographers the possibility of doing analysis and evocation, while leaving open other interpretive possibilities. Artificial closure is not imposed on the final product. I also briefly sketch how self and society exist sous rature and in differance to each other, thus making autoethnographic sketching a useful tool for symbolic interactionists and other observers of society.
Methanosarcina acetivorans C2A topoisomerase IIIα, an archaeal enzyme with promiscuity in divalent cation dependence.

Topoisomerases play a fundamental role in genome stability, DNA replication and repair. As a result, topoisomerases have served as therapeutic targets of interest in Eukarya and Bacteria, two of the three domains of life. Since members of Archaea, the third domain of life, have not been implicated in any diseased state to-date, there is a paucity of data on archaeal topoisomerases. Here we report Methanosarcina acetivorans TopoIIIα (MacTopoIIIα) as the first biochemically characterized mesophilic archaeal topoisomerase. Maximal activity for MacTopoIIIα was elicited at 30–35°C and 100 mM NaCl. As little as 10 fmol of the enzyme initiated DNA relaxation, and NaCl concentrations above 250 mM inhibited this activity. The present study also provides the first evidence that a type IA Topoisomerase has activity in the presence of all divalent cations tested (Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+, Mn2+, Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+ and Cd2+). Activity profiles were, however, specific to each metal. Known type I (ssDNA and camptothecin) and type II (etoposide, novobiocin and nalidixic acid) inhibitors with different mechanisms of action were used to demonstrate that MacTopoIIIα is a type IA topoisomerase. Alignment of MacTopoIIIα with characterized topoisomerases identified Y317 as the putative catalytic residue, and a Y317F mutation ablated DNA relaxation activity, demonstrating that Y317 is essential for catalysis. As the role of Domain V (C-terminal domain) is unclear, MacTopoIIIα was aligned with the canonical E. coli TopoI 67 kDa fragment in order to construct an N-terminal (1–586) and a C-terminal (587–752) fragment for analysis. Activity could neither be elicited from the fragments individually nor reconstituted from a mixture of the fragments, suggesting that native folding is impaired when the two fragments are expressed separately. Evidence that each of the split domains plays a role in Zn2+ binding of the enzyme is also provided.
Elemental concentrations in lichens in the area of the four corners power plant, New Mexico

Abstract Within a several kilometre radius of the Four Corners Power Plant, lichen species had elevated concentrations of B, F, Li and Se compared with lichens of more remote sites. The elements Ba, Cu, Mn and Mo were also found in elevated concentrations, but only in one lichen species. The patterns of elements occurring in both elevated and non-elevated levels correspond very closely to published chemical data on enrichment ratios and elemental solubility for post-precipitator fly ash. Within a 2 km radius F was found in concentrations potentially toxic to lichens. Variation in elemental composition with respect to morphological form was established. The relatively high background concentrations of several elements are probably related to particulate incorporation from dust fall, a characteristic of particular importance in open environments such as the Four Corners Region.
Jefferson's Legacy to the Supreme Court: Freedom of Religion

Religion in Colonial Virginia Except for Rhode Island, each of the thirteen American colonies created some form of established religion. The English venturists who undertook settlements in New England and Virginia simply assumed that religion would be inextricably tied to their colonial enterprises.1 The 1606 charter creating the Virginia colony required that all ministers preach Christianity that followed the “doctrine, rights, and religion now professed and established within the realme of England”—in other words, the Church of England.2 To bolster the struggling Jamestown settlement, in 1610–11, Sir Thomas Dale promulgated “Articles, Lawes, and Orders, Divine, Politic, and Martiall for the Colony in Virginia.” Clergymen were to read “Dale's Laws,” as they were labeled, to assemblies every Sabbath. The thirty-seven rules included eight that specifically referred to God and prohibited impiety, blasphemy, sacrilege, and irreverence toward preachers or ministers. The sixth law was particularly notable for its strict religious requirements and harsh penalties for violations: “Every man and woman duly twice a day … shall … repair unto the Church to divine service upon pain of losing his or her days allowance for the first omission, for the second to be whipped, and for the third to be condemned to the Gallies for six months. Likewise no man or woman shall dare to violate or break the Sabbath by any gaming … but duly sanctify and observe the same, both himself and his family, by preparing themselves at home with private prayer, that they may be better fitted for the public according to the commandments of God and the orders of our Church. …”3 Colonists faced the death penalty after the third offense of missing morning and afternoon Sunday devotional services.
The effect of medication samples on self-reported prescribing practices: a statewide, cross-sectional survey.

Background The pharmaceutical industry spends billions of dollars annually to encourage clinicians to prescribe their medications. Small studies have demonstrated that one of the marketing strategies, the distribution of free sample medications, is associated with increased use of brand name medication over generic medication.
Transnational crime the new empire of evil

An inexpensive, unmanned aerial vehicle, launched from a vessel off the Atlantic coast, or even a radio‐guided toy plane propelled from a speedboat on the Potomac, disperses one gram of anthrax over the Capitol dome while the president is delivering the State of the Union message. The entire U.S. government, from the president to the chairman of the joint chiefs, from 535 members of Congress to the entire Cabinet, die a horrible death. Lungs implode and victims drown in their own blood.
SU‐GG‐T‐226: Reproducible QA of RapidArc Treatment Plans with MapCHECK2 and MapPHAN

Purpose: To report on an investigation of “best practices” for achieving precise and reproducible results with the MapCHECK2/MapPHAN (MC2/MP) dosimetry system (Sun Nuclear Corporation) for QA of RapidArc (Varian Medical Systems) volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) treatments. Method and Materials: MapCHECK2 (MC2) is a 2D diode array developed for planar IMRTdosimetry; MapPHAN (MP) is a water equivalent phantom that adapts MC2 for rotational dosimetry. The MC2/MP system was checked to verify uniform and equivalent response to 6 MV photon beams incident from anterior and posterior directions. A CT scan of the system was ported to the Eclipse planning system, (v8.0) where it was assigned a generic mass density of 1.05 g/cm^3. RapidArc treatment plans (15 prostate, 2 SBRTlung, and lhead/neck) were projected onto this phantom and planar dose was computed at 5 cm depth. Parameters for specification of phantom and QA delivery were varied to deduce best practices for reproducible QA of RapidArc VMAT plans. Parameters included mass density assignment, collimator/MLC rotation, position of diode array relative to MLC leaves, and resolution of the dose plane exported from Eclipse. QA results were evaluated by absolute dose agreement and by the percentage of points passing a Gamma analysis with criteria 3% dose difference or 3 mm distance to agreement. Results: The most important steps for reproducible QA of RapidArc plans with MC2/MP were zero collimator rotation for QA beam delivery, and a positional offset of the diode array by half the width of an MLC leaf. These actions enhanced the ability of MC2 to measure dose modulation, and increased the percentage of points passing the Gamma analysis by approximately 5% and 3%, respectively. Conclusion: With simple setup interventions, the MapCHECK2/MapPHAN system is capable of measuring precise and reproducible QA of RapidArc‐delivered VMAT plans.
Spatial Contingencies in Thucydides' History

Abstract This paper argues that spatial contingencies, defined by the relationship between where historical actors are in the narrative and what they say, are crucial for understanding the political and ideological effects of Thucydides9 History . A comprehensive approach to these contingencies is linked to two related premises. First, that the city of Athens is the principal spatial referent in the History and, second, that Athens refers both to a set of ““real”” topographical features and to a transcendent and trans-historical ideal that exceeds those features. The dynamic between these two is mediated by Athens9 inevitable defeat and by the related conflict between the History as the presentation of facts about the past, on the one hand, and as the source of future predictions, on the other. Framing this analysis are the distinctive characteristics ascribed to the Athenians as a collective and to the positions of Thucydides and Alcibiades as Athenians in exile.
EVIDENCE FOR A LOW-LYING UNRENORMALIZED VACUUM TRAJECTORY FROM NN SCATTERING

The apparently anomalous energy dependence of the pp and pn elastic polarizations at low energies are used to motivate the existence of a low-lying vacuum trajectory sigma with intercept ..cap alpha../sub sigma/ < 0 coupling more strongly to baryons than to mesons. The sigma is identified with the medium-range attractive NN force in one-boson-exchange models at lower energies. We conjecture that the sigma trajectory undergoes some nondiffractive renormalization at p/sub lab/ approximately-greater-than 30 GeV/c in analogy with recent models of the Pomeron. The possible presence of other low-lying trajectories is briefly discussed. (AIP)
Turbulent entrainment into natural gravity-driven flows

Observations of entrainment into natural gravity-driven flows on sloping surfaces are described. It is shown that the laboratory-based entrainment law of Ellison & Turner (1959), which is often used for modeling of atmospheric and oceanic flows, underestimates the entrainment rates substantially, arguably due to the fact that the laboratory flows have been conducted at Reynolds numbers (Re /lesssim 10{sup 3}) below what is required for mixing transition (Re /sim 10{sup 4}) whereas the natural flows occur at much higher Reynolds numbers (Re /sim 10{sup 7}). New entrainment law of the form E /sim Ri{sup -3/4} is proposed for the atmospheric Richardson number range 0.15 < Ri < 1.5. In contrast to the laboratory observation that entrainment ceases at Ri = 0.8, field observations show continuous entrainment over the entire Richardson number range.
A Note on the “Social Law of Effect”: Expanding the Model

A growing body of research suggests the appropriateness of social analogues to such psychological constructions as the "law of effect." The focus of this paper is to expand the model to include information about the quality of directive acts and external environmental levels of reinforcement. The expanded multivariable model proposed here provides increased precision and a significant increase in explained variation. The introduction of information concerning environmental considerations shows great promise in expanding applications of the "law of effect" to more natural interaction situations. Several articles by Gray and his colleagues (a,b) have made use of a social form of the "law of effect" (cf. Herrnstein,a,b; Thorndike) to explain relations concerning communication and power in social systems. The general resulting equation has concerned two major variables: (1) the proportion of directive activity engaged in by a member of a group, ai, and (2) the proportion of compliance received by a member of a group, ci. The expression appears as Ci aiD Cj aj for dyadic interaction, in which D represents the "differentiation" parameter of the system. This basic form of the relationship involves situations in which the magnitude of reinforcements is held constant across persons. The value of D should be approximately 1.00 unless external sources operate to provide differential (contingent) reinforcement across individuals. In this basic form the relationship is very similar to that proposed by Baum for relationships involving single organisms.
Effects of biofeedback on childbirth pain

A study of the effects of biofeedback on the pain of childbirth was conducted. Forty primigravidae were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group was given a series of training sessions in biofeedback and used biofeedback equipment during labor. All subjects were monitored during the labor and delivery period for their reports of pain using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and a verbal descriptor scale (VDS). Results showed that women using biofeedback during childbirth reported significantly lower pain: from admission to labor and delivery (p less than 0.05:VDS; p less than 0.01:VAS), at delivery (p less than 0.005:VDS), and 24-hr postpartum (p less than 0.01:VDS). Also, women in the biofeedback group labored an average of 2 hr less and used 30% fewer medications. The results of this study suggest that EMG biofeedback may be effective in reducing levels of acute pain experienced by childbearing women.
A pilot study of circulating miRNAs as potential biomarkers of early stage breast cancer.

Background To date, there are no highly sensitive and specific minimally invasive biomarkers for detection of breast cancer at an early stage. The occurrence of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in blood components (including serum and plasma) has been repeatedly observed in cancer patients as well as healthy controls. Because of the significance of miRNA in carcinogenesis, circulating miRNAs in blood may be unique biomarkers for early and minimally invasive diagnosis of human cancers. The objective of this pilot study was to discover a panel of circulating miRNAs as potential novel breast cancer biomarkers.
Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange Analysis of HIV-1 Capsid Assembly and Maturation

Following budding, HIV-1 virions undergo a maturation process where the Gag polyprotein in the immature virus is cleaved by the viral protease and rearranges to form the mature infectious virion. Despite the wealth of structures of isolated capsid domains and an in vitro-assembled mature lattice, models of the immature lattice do not provide an unambiguous model of capsid-molecule orientation and no structural information is available for the capsid maturation pathway. Here we have applied hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry to immature, mature, and mutant Gag particles (CA5) blocked at the final Gag cleavage event to examine the molecular basis of capsid assembly and maturation. Capsid packing arrangements were very similar for all virions, whereas immature and CA5 virions contained an additional intermolecular interaction at the hexameric, 3-fold axis. Additionally, the N-terminal β-hairpin was observed to form as a result of capsid-SP1 cleavage rather than driving maturation as previously postulated.
Use of an active intra-abdominal drain in 67 horses.

Objective— To describe the insertion technique, efficacy, and complications associated with the use of an active (closed-suction) abdominal drain in horses. Study Design— Retrospective study. Animals— Sixty-seven horses with abdominal contamination treated by abdominal lavage and use of a closed-suction abdominal drain. Methods— Medical records of horses (1989–1996) that had a closed-suction abdominal drain were reviewed. Follow-up information was obtained by telephone interviews with owners. Results— Sixty-eight closed-suction abdominal drains were used in 67 horses that had abdominal contamination, peritonitis, or to prevent adhesion formation. The drain was placed under general anesthesia (62 horses) or in a standing position (6 horses). Abdominal lavage was performed every 4 to 12 hours and about 83% of the peritoneal lavage solution was retrieved. Minor complications associated with drain use occurred in 49% of the horses and included obstruction or slow passage of fluid through the drain in 18 horses (26%), leakage of fluid around the drain in 11 horses (16%), and subcutaneous fluid accumulation around the drain in 8 horses (12%). Incisional suppuration developed in 20 of 62 (32%) and incisional herniation in 5 of 46 (11%) horses. Conclusions— A closed-suction drain system was easily placed and was associated with only minor complications in most horses. Clinical Relevance— Active abdominal drainage and lavage is a useful adjunct in the treatment of peritonitis or as a prophylactic procedure in horses at risk of developing septic peritonitis and abdominal adhesions. Clinicians should be aware of the high incidence of minor complications.
Postpartum estrus as an indicator of reproductive status in the dairy cow.

Abstract Reproductive performance of 577 cows of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station dairy herd was evaluated from 1959 to 1968. Following 1,398 parturitions, 1,209 pregnancies occurred and 189 cows were sold for various reasons without having been diagnosed pregnant. Percentages of cows exhibiting standing heat before 60 days postpartum were: 0 heats, 25.9%; 1, 38.7%; 2, 28.0%; 3, 7.2%; and 4, .3%. No cow was bred until 60 or more days postpartum. Average services required per conception for the five groups were 2.60, 2.58, 2.32, 2.21, and 1.75, a significant decline. Overall services required per conception were 2.48. Rates of nonreturn to first service increased with number of heats. Cows exhibiting one or more standing heats during 0 to 30 days postpartum required fewer services (2.29) than did cows with no heats during 0 to 30 days (2.63). However, incidence of standing heats (0, 1, or more) during 31 to 60 days was not related to subsequent reproductive performance. In addition, cows sold nonpregnant experienced fewer postpartum heats during 0 to 30 days and overall than did those which became pregnant.
Three-dimensional transport phenomena in chemical vapor deposition equipment: A comparison of theoretical predictions with measurements and some concepts regarding equipment design

A mathematical representation has been developed describing the velocity and concentration fields in a three-dimensional (3-D) horizontal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactor in the mass transfer-controlled regime. The theoretical predictions for the deposition rate were found to be in excellent agreement with measurements reported by Park and Chun. [17] A parametric study conducted examining the effects of the key process parameters has shown the following: the transport problems in horizontal CVD reactors are definitely 3-D; the concentration of the gaseous reactant at the inlet may have an important effect on the uniformity of the deposition rate; the imposition of a positive pressure gradient on the gas will improve the uniformity of the deposition rate; and the uniformity of the deposition rate may also be promoted by operating at a reduced pressure.
Synaptic Vesicles Isolated from the Electric Organ of Torpedo Californica Posses Multiple Classes of Neurotransmitter Transporters

The fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane, and the subsequent release of small chemical neurotransmitters is the fundamental process by which neurons communicate at chemical synapses, and it has long been proposed that most neurons release a single type of small molecule neurotransmitter. The simplicity of one neuron, one neurotransmitter has come under intense scrutiny as examples of neurons that appear to co-release two or more neurotransmitters at single synapses (neurotransmitter synergy) have been identified. One such synapse is that of the electric organ of Torpedo californica; synaptic vesicles isolated from this single class of neurons appear to contain the neurotransmitter acetylcholine as well as the neurotransmitter ATP. We used immunofluorescence labeling in conjunction with single-molecule TIRF microscopy to observe whether one or more neurotransmitter transporters could be detected on single synaptic vesicles. We found that the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) and several solute carrier proteins (SLC17A) co-localized to the same vesicles. The presence of multiple types of neurotransmitter transporters - and potentially neurotransmitters - in individual synaptic vesicles raises fundamental questions about chemical synaptic transmission at the electric organ of T. Californica. In addition, this approach can be applied to other synapses in order to address the prevalence of neurotransmitter synergy and co-release at chemical synapses.
Picosecond photomodulation spectra of a-Si: H in the small signal limit

Abstract Picosecond photomodulation spectra of a-Si: H have been measured in the spectral range of 1.40 to 2.1 eV and time range of 5 ps to 3 ns for low photocarrier densities (≅1017cm−3). The spectra peak at the absorption edge and decrease exponentially on both sides. It is shown that the previously proposed models for the picosecond transients cannot explain the observed spectra and a new interpretation is proposed and compared with the data. It is based on the electroabsorption effect associated with internal electric fields generated by trapped photocarriers.
Rapid depression of rat liver microsomal calcium pump activity after administration of carbon tetrachloride or bromotrichloromethane and lack of effect after ethanol.

Calcium sequestration was studied in microsomes prepared from the livers of rats given acute doses of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), bromotrichloromethane (BrCCl3), or ethanol. Hepatic mitochondrial calcium uptake was also studied in ethanol-treated animals. The effects of dose and time are reported. It was found that a dose of 6 g ethanol/kg had no effect on either microsomal or mitochondrial calcium uptake during the first 20 hr after administration. After administration of 1.0–5.0 ml CCl4/kg, calcium uptake was reduced 85% from controls in 10 min, and 3 min after administration of 2.5 ml BrCCl3/kg calcium uptake was reduced 90% from controls. The inhibition of microsomal calcium uptake occurred at the same time as the appearance of microsomal lipid diene conjugates and slightly after the maximal incorporation of 14C from 14CCl4 into rat liver microsomal lipids, as reported by K. S. Rao and R. O. Recknagel [(1968). Exp. Mol. Pathol. 9, 271–278; (1969). Exp. Mol. Pathol. 10, 219–228]. Decreased microsomal calcium pumping is one of the earliest signs of CCl4 or BrCCl3 hepatotoxicity. This finding supports the proposal that an early disturbance of calcium uptake may contribute to the chain of events leading from localized toxigenic haloalkane metabolism to the metabolic disorganization eventuating in cell death. The complete absence of any effects of acute ethanol administration on microsomal or mitochondrial calcium pump activity suggests that liver injury by ethanol does not involve lipid peroxidation in these organelles.
Metabiotic Association of Fusarium, Alternaria, and Rhizoctonia with Clostridium botulinum in Fresh Tomatoes

Clostridium sporogenes and C. botulinum grew, and toxin was produced by C. botulinum in a metabiotic relationship with fungi in fresh tomatoes. Fungi of the genera Alternaria, Rhizoctonia and Fusarium were studied. Infection of tomatoes with the fungi increased the pH of tomato tissues as high as pH 8.0. A gradient in pH across the tomato tissue was observed with pH in healthy tissue at approximately normal values (pH 4.3 to pH 4.5). Macerates from tomatoes inoculated with C. botulinum and Alternaria or Fusarium were toxic to mice but Rhizoctonia infected tomatoes did not tend to support toxin production by C. botulinum even though the pH of infected tomatoes was pH 5.3 to 7.6.
Exertional Changes in Circulating Cardiac Natriuretic Peptides in Patients with Suggested Coronary Artery Disease

Background We measured plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels before and after exercise stress testing and correlated results with echocardiographic evidence of ischemia. Methods Sixty patients with left ventricular ejection fraction greater than 50% referred for clinically indicated exercise echocardiogram were studied. Peptides were measured at rest and 5 minutes after symptom-limited exercise. Results Echocardiography was positive for ischemia in 19 (32%). With exercise, ANP level increased in all 60 patients (median at rest 2501 [799-6440]-3167 [977-8563] pg/mL after exercise [ P P P P = .001 and P = .01, respectively). Exercise ANP was strongly related to rest level ( P P Conclusion In patients with suggested coronary artery disease, exertional levels of BNP are influenced not only by development of stress-induced ischemia, but also by resting levels.
Sex education and the teaching of citizenship: towards a more inclusive conception of childhood

Abstract Sex and politics as curricular issues in England and Wales have traditionally come under the umbrella area of Personal and Social Education, which has usually been dealt with in an ad hoc and unsystematic manner by the political centre. As concerns over values, public order and child protection have become progressively more central, sex education and the teaching of citizenship have crept on to the national educational agenda, and are likely to occupy a more formative role within the national curriculum. This article addresses these education initiatives in four ways: (a) as a challenge to the historically weak tradition in England and Wales for educating children in sexual and political matters and encouraging pupils to participate in school affairs; (b) as a counter to the deterministic thrust of recent education reform; (c) as part of a shift towards the development of children's roles as citizens in terms of their rights to physical integrity and rights to participation in public affairs; (d...
Plantar shear stress distributions: comparing actual and predicted frictional forces at the foot-ground interface.

Plantar shear stresses are believed to play a major role in diabetic ulceration. Due to the lack of commercial devices that can measure plantar shear distribution, a number of mathematical models have been developed to predict plantar frictional forces. This study assessed the accuracy of these models using a custom built platform capable of measuring plantar stresses simultaneously. A total of 48 (38 healthy and 10 diabetic) human subjects (75 ± 20kg, 41 ± 20 yrs, 32 male, 16 female) were recruited in the study. Plantar force data were collected for 2 seconds at 50Hz. Two models (M1 and M2) reported in the literature by different groups were used to predict local shear stresses. Root mean squared errors (RMSE) were calculated to compare model data with the actual data, focusing on three parameters: location, magnitude and timing of peak shear components. RMSE values of estimated peak AP and ML shear locations were 3.1 cm and 2.2 cm for M1 and 3.1 cm and 2.1 cm for M2, respectively. Magnitude RMS error values for M1 were found to be 86.6 kPa in AP shear and 38.5 kPa in ML shear, whereas these values were determined to be 97.8 kPa and 63.5 kPa respectively by M2. Time to peak shear RMSE values averaged 17.2% in terms of the gait duration. In conclusion, shear models that were evaluated in this study performed variously depending on the shear parameter.
A POMDP model for content-free document re-ranking

Log-based document re-ranking is a special form of session search. The task re-ranks documents from Search Engine Results Page (SERP) according to the search logs, in which both the search activities from other users and personalized query log for a user are available. The purpose of re-ranking is to provide the user with a new and better ordering of the initial retrieved documents. We test the system on the WSCD 2014 dataset, in which the actual content of the queries and documents are not available due to privacy concerns. The challenge is to perform effective re-ranking purely based on user behaviors, such as clicks and query reformulations rather than document content. In this paper, we propose to model log-based document re-ranking as a Partially Observable Markov Decision Process (POMDP). Experiments on the document re-ranking task show that our approach is effective and outperforms the baseline rankings provided by a commercial search engine.