cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Large-scale preparation of highly purified dextransucrase from a high-producing constitutive mutant of Leuconostoc mesenteroides B-512FMC

Abstract Conditions for the cultivation of Leuconostoc mesenteroides B-512FMC-16 (formerly L. mesenteroides B-512FMC/6HG8), a high-producing constitutive mutant of dextransucrase, has been studied in a jar fermentor by varying the amount of nitrogen (Bactopeptone and yeast extract) and the amount of carbon (glucose) with pH control. The optimum conditions were found to be 3.76 g l−1 Bactopeptone, 3.76 g l−1 yeast extract, 33.8 g l−1 glucose with the pH controlled at 6.0 for 23 h of fermentation. The mutant produced 20–25 IU ml−1 of the enzyme under the optimum conditions. The enzyme was concentrated using polysulfone ultrafiltration hollow fiber cartridges in the presence of 0.1% Tween 80 and 1 m m CaCl2. It can be concentrated not only by a hollow fiber cartridge with molecular weight cut-off of 100,000, but also by one with a particle cut-off size of 0.1 μm. The enzyme that was concentrated using the later hollow fiber column gave a pure protein band with a molecular mass of 190 kDa on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and the highest specific activity (183 IU mg−1) ever reported for B-512F dextransucrase. The role of Tween 80 and CaCl2 in the concentration procedure was studied and it was found that Tween 80 dissociates inactive enzyme aggregates and produces active enzyme molecules. CaCl2 produces aggregation; in the presence of both Tween 80 and CaCl2, active enzyme aggregates are formed that do not pass through the hollow fiber membrane, permitting concentration and purification. Using the methods described, B-512FMC dextransucrase can be purified on a 10 g or larger scale using only three operation steps.
The Green Area Ratio: an urban site sustainability metric

The Green Area Ratio (GAR) is an urban site sustainability metric which has been used in Berlin, Germany since 1997 to enhance the urban environment by requiring green infrastructure enhancements on private properties. Following an overview of the principles of the GAR instrument, this paper outlines metric development and implementation procedures in Berlin and then analyses how instrument features might affect its potential environmental, social and economic impacts. Despite identified policy deficits and the lack of adequate outcome monitoring in Berlin, the GAR instrument resonates with the environmental planning needs of many urban communities, including its compatibility with dense urbanism, utilisation of green infrastructure techniques, and an aim toward comprehensive environmental planning.
Market structure and endogenous productivity growth: how do R&D subsidies affect market structure?

Abstract Conclusions about optimal RD (2) distribution of firm sizes; and (3) more complex market structures that vary across industries and over time. This paper presents the partial equilibrium for a single industry demonstrating how growth-promoting R&D subsidies alter the endogenously determined market structure. Subsidies to R&D ‘stretch’ the distribution of market shares with an increased number of firms in the market but a higher variance in the market shares across firms.
Stabilization of switched nonlinear systems with passive and non-passive subsystems

This paper addresses the stabilization issue for switched nonlinear systems with passive and non-passive subsystems. For any given average dwell time, if the total activation time rate of passive subsystems in some time interval is larger than any given constant, no matter how small it is, feedback controllers can be designed with respect to the average dwell time and the activation time rate of passive subsystems to achieve exponential stabilization. A numeral example shows the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Fixing the leak in Okun's bucket optimal tax progressivity when avoidance can be controlled

This paper examines optimal income tax progressivity when avoidance responses to taxation are important, and can be controlled at some cost by the government. A simple example shows that ignoring the fact that avoidance can be controlled - that the leak in Okun’s bucket can be fixed - can lead to misleading implications about the optimal degree of tax rate progressivity. The paper then generalizes the standard modei of the optimal linear income tax to include taxpayer avoidance behavior and the ability of government to control the avoidance, but not the labor supply, response to higher marginal tax : ites. The discussion suggests that if the tax burden is to be made more progressive, base broadening and increased enforcement ought to be considered as alternatives, or complements, to increasing tax rates for high-income individuals.
Behavioral contrast and inhibitive stimulus control

Inhibitive stimulus control was present early in discriminative training but weakened with continued exposure to the same discriminative training procedures. Presence and absence of inhibitive stimulus control appeared to be related to the presence or absence of behavioral contrast.
Hatchling painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) survive only brief freezing of their bodily fluids

Abstract Neonatal painted turtles ( Chrysemys picta ) spend their first winter inside the shallow, subterranean nest cavity where they completed embryogenesis. Consequently, hatchlings at high latitudes may be exposed to ice and cold during the winter. This study was undertaken to determine how long hatchlings withstand freezing at temperatures slightly below 0°C because tolerance for freezing has been proposed to be the key to survival by overwintering animals. A thermocouple was glued to the carapace of each hatchling. The animal was dipped in water to provide a site of nucleation of ice and was then placed into a glass jar that was partially immersed in a circulating bath at −2°C. Carapace temperature was monitored throughout the procedure. When a freezing exotherm was detected, timing of the freezing event began. Animals were maintained in a frozen state for 12–48 h prior to being warmed to room temperature. Of the 39 hatchlings, 22 did not survive, and mortality increased as the duration of freezing increased. Logistic regression indicates that no turtle would have survived in a frozen state for more than 54 h. These results indicate that hatchlings can survive only brief exposure to freezing of the body fluids. Thus, hatchlings cannot tolerate freezing during prolonged periods of cold.
The Use of Ivermectin to Kill Ixodes Scapularis Ticks Feeding on Humans

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether 400 µg/kg oral ivermectin is able to kill Ixodes scapularis nymphs and adult female ticks feeding on humans. Methods Ten study subjects each wore 2 ostomy bags, the one containing 24 I scapularis nymphs, and the other containing 24 I scapularis adult females. Twenty-four hours after the ostomy bags were attached, study subjects received either 400 µg/kg ivermectin or placebo. Thirty hours after the ivermectin or placebo was consumed, the ticks were removed, and mortality determined in a double-blinded manner. Results Eleven percent of the I scapularis nymphs attached in the ivermectin group compared with 17% in the placebo. Mortality for the I scapularis nymphs that attached at the time of removal was 55% in the ivermectin group and 47% in the placebo group. Mortality for the I scapularis nymphs 5 days after removal was 92% in the ivermectin group and 88% for the placebo. Three percent of the I scapularis adults attached in the ivermectin group compared with 9% in the placebo group. Mortality for I scapularis adults was 0% on day 3 and 33% on day 8 for both the ivermectin and placebo groups. There were statistically insignificant differences in the mortality rates between I scapularis nymphs and adults exposed to ivermectin or placebo. Conclusions There were a high number of ticks that died in both groups but the data do not support our hypothesis that ivermectin can kill I scapularis. The study was not designed to determine whether it could prevent the transmission of tick-borne illness.
Ribonucleotide Reductase Inhibition: Regulation of the Radiosensitive Phenotype via NFkB and Bcl-2

No Abstract AvailableCommentary to:Didox (A Novel Ribonucleotide Reductase Inhibitor) Overcomes bcl-2 Mediated Radiation Resistance in Prostate Tumor Cell Line PC-3 Mohammed S. Inayat, Damodaran Chendil, Mohammed Mohiuddin, Howard L. Elford, Vincent S. Gallicchio and Mansoor M. Ahmed Key Words:Ribonucleotide, Reductase, Radiation, NFkB, Bcl-2, Radiosensitivity
A Green's function for non-homogeneous random walks on free products

On considere une fonction de Green pour une marche aleatoire non homogene sur le produit libre d'un nombre fini de groupes. La technique employee pour developper la fonction est algebrique
Evaluation of tyrosine receptor kinases in the interactions of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells and fibroblasts.

Summary Objective Despite treatment advancements, disease-free survival of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has not significantly improved. This may be a result of tumor–fibroblasts interactions providing protective pathways for oncogenic cells to resist therapy. Further understanding of these relationships in HNSCC may improve effectiveness of targeted therapies. In this article, we investigated the role of several receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) in the interactions between HNSCC cells and supporting cells (fibroblasts). Materials and Methods HNSCC cell lines and human tumor samples were evaluated for FGFR1/2/3, and PDGF-beta expression levels. Cell lines (FADU, SCC1, OSC19, Cal27, SCC22A) were treated with a range of physiological concentrations of dovitinib and assessed for proliferation, cytotoxicity, and apoptosis. Mice bearing HNSCC xenografts were treated with dovitinib (20 mg/kg). Results Evaluation of HNSCC tumor specimens, cell lines and fibroblasts found variable expression of multiple RTKs (fibroblasts growth factor receptor, platelet derived growth factor receptor and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor) and their ligands, supporting previous theories of paracrine and autocrine signaling within the microenvironment. In a dose-dependent fashion, RTK inhibition reduced proliferation of HNSCC cell lines and fibroblast in vitro. When HNSCC cells were cocultured with fibroblasts, RTK inhibition resulted in a smaller reduction in the proliferation relative to untreated conditions. In vivo, RTK inhibition resulted in significant tumor regression and growth inhibition ( p Conclusion Effective treatment of HNSCC, therefore, may require inhibition of multiple RTKs in order to adequately inhibit the microenvironment’s various signaling pathways.
URIC ACID LEVELS IN MEN FED ALGAE AND YEAST AS PROTEIN SOURCES

SUMMARY Microorganisms grown on human or industrial waste products may be economical and nutritious food sources. Algae (Chlorella sorokiniana) harvested from continuous culture and extrakted with ethanol, and yeast (food-grade Torulopsis utilis) were compared with casein at 2 levels of nitrogen as the sole source of protein for men. Biological value of algal protein was superior to casein, and yeast protein was not quite as good as algae, in diets containing 25 g of protein. When 50 g of algae protein was consumed, true nitrogen digestibility was reduced from 89 to 82%. Nitrogen balances were not significantly different in groups of men fed the higher protein level, indicating that 50 g of any of these proteins met or exceeded dietary requirements. Urinary uric acid excretion was doubled when the higher level of algae was ingested; with yeast, excretion was nearly 4 times as high as the amount voided with a purine-free diet. During ingestion of these materials, renal clearance rates were not sufficient to prevent plasma uric acid concentrations from reaching abnormally high levels, comparable to those found in gout.
Indications for castration and adrenalectomy for advanced breast cancer.

Indications for castration and adrenalectomy for advanced breast cancer are presented. Similar criteria utilized for all evaluations were as follows: 1) subjective response (improvement of general health) 2) objective response (proven regression of existing disease) and 3) arrests must have lasted a minimum of 6 months 1000 patients with advanced breast cancer during a 20-year period 1946-1966 were reviewed. 527 of these were treated by therapeutic castration and 500 by adrenalectomy or combined oophoradrenalectomy. Individual results depend on age menstrual status rapidity of neoplastic growth or clinically-free interval regression by local radiotherapy and extent of metastatic disease. A general agreement is that in an actively menstruating female with disseminated breast cancer castration is the treatment of choice. More than 1/3 of 160 patients between 46 and 50 years of age achieved remission by castration whereas only 1/5 of those 35 years or younger responded. Adrenalectomy constitutes a major challenge since it has a 4% morbidity and mortality rate and only benefits 1/3 of the patients so treated. When responses of ablative endocrine procedures were correlated to the histologic types of mammary carcinomas the rates of objective improvement of infiltrating duct carcinomas were as follows: castration 29% adrenalectomy 33% and hypophysectomy 32%.
Make Room Value Added Principals’ Human Capital Decisions and the Emergence of Teacher Observation Data

Increasingly, states and districts are combining student growth measures with rigorous, rubric-aligned teacher observations in constructing teacher evaluation measures. Although the student growth or value-added components of these measures have received much research and policy attention, the results of this study suggest that the data generated by high-quality observation systems have potential to inform principals’ use of data for human capital decisions. Interview and survey data from six school districts that have recently implemented new evaluation systems with classroom observations provide evidence that principals tend to rely less on test scores in their human capital decisions. The consistency, transparency, and specificity of observation data may provide benefits for principals seeking to use these data to inform their decision making.
Study design factors and patient demographics and their effect on the decline of placebo-treated subjects in randomized clinical trials in Alzheimer's disease.

Objective To gain insight into factors affecting the rate of decline in placebo-treated subjects participating in Alzheimer's disease (AD) clinical trials. Data sources Studies were identified through a MEDLINE search using a combination of 2 strategies. The first strategy searched for the term Alzhei-mer's disease and was restricted to those publications that reported a randomized controlled trial in human adults. A second strategy searched for the terms Alzheimer's disease and ADAS-Cog and restricted the results to human adults. Study selection Studies were included if they reported results from a prospective, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel group study and used the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) as a primary outcome measure and included patients with mild to moderately severe probable AD. A total of 69 trials were identified. Three studies were removed from the analysis because of anomalous results. Two data sets were analyzed: an "intent-to-treat" set (69 trials) and a "plausible" set (66 trials). Data extraction Lead or senior author, year of publication, total and placebo sample size, the use of acetylcholinesterase, maximum and minimum Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score allowed, mean MMSE score and mean age at baseline, percentage of female subjects, number of investigational sites, investigational treatment, the number of treatment arms and study evaluations, study duration, percentage of patients with the genotype APOE epsilon4+, and the mean and SD of the change from baseline on the ADAS-Cog were recorded from each study and from the placebo-treated group specifically. Data synthesis Linear regression models were used to explore the relationship between the date of publication and patient demographics. Multiple linear regression was used to explore the contributions of patient demographics and study design variables to the change from baseline score on the ADAS-Cog. Analyses suggest that patients enrolling in trials are progressively older and that trials are getting progressively longer. Other patient demographics and study design variables have not changed over time. The duration of a study was the most consistent predictor of decline in placebo-treated subjects. Increased number of investigational sites, increased number of evaluations, and milder dementia severity at baseline were associated with a loss of decline in placebo-treated subjects. Conclusions Study duration was the only variable that predicted decline consistently, whereas the number of evaluations, the number of sites, and baseline MMSE score are inversely proportional with decline and should be taken into account when planning future clinical trials.
Improving Radiographic Quality at a Busy Outpatient Imaging Center

INTRODUCTION TO THE PROBLEM WE ADDRESSED Radiologists rely on high-quality diagnostic radiographs to detect anatomic abnormalities and make consistent, accurate diagnoses for their patients. Unfortunately, radiographs are sometimes obtained with quality defects, which can impair image interpretation. Although causes of poor radiographic quality are many, increasing imaging volume and digital image acquisition are likely key factors. Between 2003 and 2006, medical imaging utilization increased by 58%, from 206 million to 326 million examinations [1]. Despite more recent decreases in medical imaging utilization, the numbers still reflect a major increase over the past 25 years. More studies to perform, in many cases, means less time spent on each study, unless there are comparable increases in staffing and equipment. With digital radiography replacing film, there is a relative “ease” of acquiring radiographs. This has, at times, resulted in less attention to detail during image acquisition and processing, contributing to diminished radiographic image quality. Quality defects on radiographs can have a variety of deleterious impacts, including interpretation delays, repeat imaging, and interpretation difficulties affecting patient care, safety, cost, and accurate,
Lost memorials: the Procrustean power and punitive amnemotechnics of juvenile sexuality

How can we understand the application of state power through child pornography prosecutions of legally classified children? In his landmark work, On the Genealogy of Morals, Friedrich Nietzsche argued that, among its many uses, punishment was essentially a means to sharpening the memory so that the various laws and obligations of an individual owed to society could be fulfilled. However, at issue in the prosecutions of child-autopornography is not any lasciviousness or sexuality itself. Rather, as the judges in the A.H. case explicitly stated, the illegal aspect was ‘memorializing’ what were otherwise legal acts. In this paper, I argue that prosecutions of child-autopornography represent an inversion of Nietzsche’s ‘mnemotechnics’, the brutal science of inflicting memory. Instead, in these cases, where state power forces the production of a victimizer where none previously existed, punishment is used in the interest of creating ‘amnemotechnics’, the brutal science of inflicting amnesia.
Two modes of peer teaching in introductory college geography

Abstract Two modes of using undergraduate students as peer teachers in introductory courses have been developed at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Peer teachers are small group leaders in a human geography course built around role playing simulations; in two physical geography courses they are tutors in a self‐paced system. A separate course provides peer teacher guidance—a course‐within‐a‐course model. Socio‐psychological, pedagogical, economic, and political implications of peer teaching are interpreted after ten years' experience with the programme.
Calcium transport in perfused duodena from normal chicks: enhancement within fourteen minutes of exposure to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

The effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3) on calcium transport was studied in vascularly perfused duodena of normal, vitamin D-replete chicks. Addition of 130 pM 1,25(OH)2D3 to the perfusate resulted in a significant increase in 45Ca transport from the lumen to the vascular effluent within 14 μn; the transport rate rose to 140% of levels in comparable preparations exposed for 40 min to vehicle. No effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 were noted on the back flux or transfer of 45Ca from the vascular effluent to the lumen. Vascular perfusion with 100 μM colchicine, an antimicrotubular agent, abolished the rapid lumen-to-vascular effluent effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on 45Ca transport, relative to preparations exposed to the secosteroid and 100 μM lumicolchicine, (a light inactivated analog of colchicine). Colchicine did not, however, alter basal 45Ca transport rates. Addition of 130 pM 1,25(OH)2D3 to the lumenal compartment of normal chicks or vascular perfusion of duodena from vitamin D-deficient birds failed to inc...
CRYSTALLINE TRYPSIN : IV. REVERSIBILITY OF THE INACTIVATION AND DENATURATION OF TRYPSIN BY HEAT.

1. If dilute solutions of purified trypsin of low salt concentration at pH from 1 to 7 are heated to 100 degrees C. for 1 to 5 minutes and then cooled to 20 degrees C. there is no loss of activity or formation of denatured protein. If the hot trypsin solution is added directly to cold salt solution, on the other hand, all the protein precipitates and the supernatant solution is inactive. 2. The per cent of the total protein and activity present in the soluble form decreases from 100 per cent to zero as the temperature is raised from 20 degrees C. to 60 degrees C. and increases again from zero to 100 per cent as the solution is cooled from 60 degrees C. to 20 degrees C. The per cent of the total protein present in the soluble (native) form at any one temperature is nearly the same whether the temperature is reached from above or below. 3. If trypsin solutions at pH 7 are heated for increasing lengths of time at various temperatures and analyzed for total activity and total protein nitrogen after cooling, and for soluble activity and soluble (native) protein nitrogen, it is found that the soluble activity and soluble protein nitrogen decrease more and more rapidly as the temperature is raised, in agreement with the usual effects of temperature on the denaturation of protein. The total protein and total activity, on the other hand, decrease more and more rapidly up to about 70 degrees C. but as the temperature is raised above this there is less rapid change in the total protein or total activity and at 92 degrees C. the solutions are much more stable than at 42 degrees C. 4. Casein and peptone are not digested by trypsin at 100 degrees C. but when this digestion mixture is cooled to 35 degrees C. rapid digestion occurs. A solution of trypsin at 100 degrees C. added to peptone solution at zero degree digests the peptone much less rapidly than it does if the trypsin solution is allowed to cool slowly before adding it to the peptone solution. 5. The precipitate of insoluble protein obtained from adding hot trypsin solutions to cold salt solutions contains the S-S groups in free form as is usual for denatured protein. 6. The results show that there is an equilibrium between native and denatured trypsin protein the extent of which is determined by the temperature. Above 60 degrees C. the protein is in the denatured and inactive form and below 20 degrees C. it is in the native and active form. The equilibrium is attained rapidly. The results also show that the formation of denatured protein is proportional to the loss in activity and that the re-formation of native protein is proportional to the recovery of activity of the enzyme. This is strong evidence for the conclusion that the proteolytic activity of the preparation is a property of the native protein molecule.
Sleep in Patients with Restrictive Lung Disease

Restrictive lung disease leads to ventilatory defects and diffusion impairments. These changes may contribute to abnormal nocturnal pathophysiology, including sleep architecture disruption and impaired ventilation and oxygenation. Patients with restrictive lung disease may suffer significant daytime fatigue and dysfunction. Hypercarbia and hypoxemia during sleep may impact progression of lung disease and related symptoms. Little is known about the impact of treatment of sleep disruption on sleep quality and overall prognosis in restrictive lung disease. This review discusses the pathophysiology of sleep and comorbid sleep disorders in restrictive lung diseases including interstitial lung disease, neuromuscular disease, and obesity hypoventilation syndrome.
EXCESS VOLUMES OF SOME C8 AROMATIC MIXTURES

Excess volumes at 298.15 K were measured for m -xylene + p -xylene and o -xylene + p -xylene. Results at both 298.15 and 343.15 K were obtained for o -xylene + m -xylene, ethylbenzene + o -xylene, and ethylbenzene + m -xylene. Accurate results for these small-deviation systems were made possible by a new thermostat capable of maintaining the temperature to within ± 0.0002K during the experiments.
Executive Leadership and Organizational Performance: Suggestions for a New Theory and Methodology

It is argued that the question over whether top-level leadership significantly affects organizationalperformance can be clarified by properly interpreting the results of executive succession studies that have used economic aspects of organizational performance as criteria. When several methodological concerns are addressed, it is evident that executive leadership can explain as much as 45% of an organization's performance. In order to more fully understand how upperlevel leaders affect organizational performance, we propose that a theory of executive leadership be developed. Guidelines are providedfor developing such a theory. Specifically, problems to avoid, methodologies to consider, and places to look for relevant theory are discussed.
Abstract A18: CDK6 binds and promotes the degradation of the EYA2 protein

Cyclin dependent kinase 6 (Cdk6) is a D-cyclin activated kinase that is directly involved in driving the cell cycle through inactivation of pRB in G1 phase. Increasingly, evidence suggests that CDK6, while directly driving the cell cycle, may only be essential for proliferation of specialized cell types, agreeing with the notion that CDK6 also plays an important role in differentiation. Here, evidence is presented that CDK6 binds to and promotes degradation of the EYA2 protein. The EYA proteins are a family of proteins that activate genes essential for the development of multiple organs, regulate cell proliferation, and are misregulated in several types of cancer. This interaction suggests that CDK6 regulates EYA2 activity, a mechanism that could be important in development and in cancer. Citation Format: Dawn Kohrt, Jennifer Crary, Marc Zimmer, Heide Ford, Phi Hinds, Martha Grossel. CDK6 binds and promotes the degradation of the EYA2 protein. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Third AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Basic Cancer Research; Sep 18-22, 2013; National Harbor, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(19 Suppl):Abstract nr A18.
International Research on Women's Education

The seeds for this special issue were sown at the 2005 AESA conference in Charlottesville, Virginia. Two friends—Susan Laird, 2007 president of the Philosophy of Education Society; and Susan Franzo...
Identification of Trophoblast-Specific Regulatory Elements in the Mouse Placental Lactogen II Gene

Placental lactogen II, the major ligand for the PRL receptor during the second half of gestation in rodents, is synthesized specifically by placental trophoblast giant cells. A transient transgenic analysis has been used to localize the giant cell-specific regulatory region within the mouse placental lactogen II gene to sequences between −1340 and −2019 upstream of the transcriptional start site. More precise mapping of the regulatory elements has been accomplished by transfection of promoter constructs into Rcho-1 trophoblast cells, resulting in the characterization of two positive regulatory elements in the −1471 to −1340 region; two other regulatory elements have been implicated but not further characterized, a negative regulatory element between −2019 and −1778 and another positive element within the region from −1340 to −569. Both of the characterized positive regulatory elements are recognized by factors that are enriched in differentiated giant cells compared with proliferative trophoblasts, and th...
Reply to comments on “A unified model of environment assisted cracking”

The major issues and concerns in “Comments on ‘A unified model of environment assisted cracking’ ” by Lynch are addressed. The difference between the unified mechanisms of hydrogen-assisted cracking, liquid metal assisted cracking, and stress corrosion cracking proposed by Lynch and the unified model proposed by Liu are clearly pointed out. The realm of validity of the unified model is fully realized.
Fuzzy computer-aided design of process manufacturing facilities

Preliminary design of process manufacturing facilities involves, among other things, the synthesis of detailed layout designs. In current practice, this spatial design process is very labor-intensive and expensive. This paper describes a prototype CAD system which models design decision-making, providing a computable framework for automation. The CAD system performs auto-elicitation of an expert's judgment in the form of fuzzy sets using interactive computer graphics. These fuzzy sets are then used in a heuristic search process employing multi-objective, non-linear optimization. Designs synthesized by this fuzzy CAD system are comparable to those generated “by hand,” and in some cases exceed a practitioner's design in quality. The CAD system, as presently constructed, provides multiple solutions. Conclusions and recommendations regarding processing speed and unrepresented heuristic content are made.
Exact Integral Relationship in Quantum Mechanics: Application to the Variational Method

An external parameter is, by definition, a quantity which may be varied independentiy of the coordinate positions and of the momenta of the various particles composing the system, Thus, the Schrodinger equation, for a particular value of the external parameter, belongs to a family of differential equations obtained by varying the numerical value of the externial parameter. An explicit example of an external parameter is an imposed magnetic field. The way in which the energy changes throughout the family of Schrodinger equations is given by the Hellmann-Feynman theorem. An exact integral relationship, involving a pair of external parameters, is derived from the Hellmann-Feynman theorem using assumptions which are not unduly restrictive. This relationship is used to arrive at trial (variational) wave functions for quantum mechanical problems which are not exactly soluble. The method is demonstrated in two sample problems. A technique for progressively improving variational calculations is discussed. (auth)
Mutagenesis and Functional Characterization of the glnB, glnA, and nifA Genes from the Photosynthetic Bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum

Nitrogen fixation is tightly regulated in Rhodospirillum rubrum at two different levels: transcriptional regulation of nif expression and posttranslational regulation of dinitrogenase reductase by reversible ADP-ribosylation catalyzed by the DRAT-DRAG (dinitrogenase reductase ADP-ribosyltransferase-dinitrogenase reductase-activating glycohydrolase) system. We report here the characterization of glnB, glnA, and nifA mutants and studies of their relationship to the regulation of nitrogen fixation. Two mutants which affect glnB (structural gene for P(II)) were constructed. While P(II)-Y51F showed a lower nitrogenase activity than that of wild type, a P(II) deletion mutant showed very little nif expression. This effect of P(II) on nif expression is apparently the result of a requirement of P(II) for NifA activation, whose activity is regulated by NH(4)(+) in R. rubrum. The modification of glutamine synthetase (GS) in these glnB mutants appears to be similar to that seen in wild type, suggesting that a paralog of P(II) might exist in R. rubrum and regulate the modification of GS. P(II) also appears to be involved in the regulation of DRAT activity, since an altered response to NH(4)(+) was found in a mutant expressing P(II)-Y51F. The adenylylation of GS plays no significant role in nif expression or the ADP-ribosylation of dinitrogenase reductase, since a mutant expressing GS-Y398F showed normal nitrogenase activity and normal modification of dinitrogenase reductase in response to NH(4)(+) and darkness treatments.
Optical Properties of AlN/AlGa(In)N Short Period Superlattices – Deep UV Light Emitting Diodes

We report optical properties of deep UV light emitting diodes (LEDs). Devices are based on short period superlattices of AlN/AlxGa1−x(In)N (x ~ 0.08) grown by gas source molecular beam epitaxy with ammonia. Structures consist of a 50-nm thick AlN nucleation/buffer layer deposited on sapphire. This is followed by a 1-micron thick Si-doped buffer layer of AlGaN or AlN/AlGa(In)N designed to be transparent for wavelengths longer than 240 nm. The design thickness of the superlattice well layers is systematically varied from 0.50 nm to 1.25 nm and the thickness of the barrier is varied from 0.75 nm to 2.00 nm. The n- and p-type SPSLs were doped with Si derived from silane and Mg evaporated from an effusion cell, respectively. We investigate device structures as well as superlattices which are nominally undoped, p-type, and n-type. Optical properties are investigated using reflectance, cathodoluminescence, and, in the case of LEDs, using electroluminescence. By controlling the properties of the superlattice, we obtain optical gaps ranging from 4.5 eV (276 nm) and 5.3 eV (234 nm). A systematic shift between the optical gap and the CL peak emission energy is discussed. Electrical properties are studied using I-V, C-V, and Hall effect. LEDs based on these superlattices and operating in the range of 260 to 280 nm exhibit turn-on voltages in the range of 4 to 6 V and support dc current densities in excess of 500 A/cm2 at room temperature. We present results on the electrical and optical properties of our LEDs designed using these studies.
Low cholesterol concentrations and severe depressive symptoms in elderly people.

Abstract Objective : To investigate the reported association between low serum cholestrol concentration and severe depressive symptoms in an elderly population. Design : Cross sectional analysis of pooled data from three communities of the established populations for epidemiologic studies of the elderly. Participants who completed their interview, including the Centers for Epidemiologic Studies9 depression scale and consented to measurement of their cholesterol concentration were included in the study. Subjects : 3939 men and women aged [elp]71. Methods : X2 analysis, t tests, and multivariate regression analysis of the association between low cholesterol concentration and severe depressive symptoms. All analyses were stratified by sex, and multivariate analyses were adjusted for age, self reported health, physical function, number of drugs used, and weight loss. Main outcome measure - Score of depressive symptoms on the Centers for Epidemiologic Studies9 depression scale. Results : Depressive symptoms, cholesterol concentration, weight, and use of drugs were all associated with age in men and women. The relative odds of severe depressive symptoms (score >=16) for those with low cholesterol concentrations ( Conclusions : After several factors relating to health had been controlled for, no significant association between low cholesterol concentration and severe depressive symptoms was found.
Broadly tunable all solid state femtosecond light source

We have designed and experimentally demonstrated a broadband femtosecond optical parametric amplifier of white-light continuum producing ultrashort light pulses. By using different nonlinear processes femtosecond pulses are generated from 2 micrometers down to 250 nm. Frequency-resolved-optical-gating technique is used to characterize the compressed pulses.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Contributions of qualitative research to understanding savings for children and youth

Abstract This paper explores contributions of qualitative research to saving theory for children, youth, and parents in children's development account (CDAs) programs. It brings together findings from three studies: (1) elementary school age children saving for college, (2) youth transitioning from foster care saving for education and other purposes, and (3) mothers saving for their toddlers’ future college. Findings suggest that children, youth, and parents find CDAs helpful in accumulating savings. CDAs motivate and facilitate saving in ways that reflect developmental stages. Accumulating savings has positive economic and psychological meaning for CDA participants. CDAs overcome some obstacles in saving for the three groups, but other barriers remain, especially income flows, debt, and emergencies.
Interdisciplinary collisions: Bringing healthcare professionals together

Since the publication of its reports, Health professions education: A bridge to quality (2003) and To err is human: Building a safer health system (2000), the Institute of Medicine has continued to emphasize interprofessional education (IPE), founded on quality improvement and informatics, as a better way to prepare healthcare professionals for practice. As this trend continues, healthcare education will need to implement administrative and educational processes that encourage different professions to collaborate and share resources. With greater numbers of students enrolled in health professional programs, combined with ethical imperatives for learning and reduced access to quality clinical experiences, medical and nursing education increasingly rely on simulation education to implement interdisciplinary patient safety initiatives. In this article, the authors describe one approach, based on the Core Competencies for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice released by the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (2011), toward providing IPE to an audience of diverse healthcare professionals in academia and clinical practice. This approach combines professional standards with the authors' practical experience serving on a key operations committee, comprising members from a school of medicine, a school of nursing, and a large healthcare system, to design and implement a new state-of-the-art simulation center and its IPE-centered curriculum.
Single-layer design of microstrip patch Electrically-Steerable Parasitic Array Radiator (ESPAR) with integrated DC isolation

A microstrip patch ESPAR with reactive mutual coupling control is presented as a single-layer design for the first time. A prototype 3-element 1-GHz array without phase shifters and employing tunable reactive loading is fabricated and measured to be in excellent agreement with full-wave simulation. The prototype greatly simplifies the microstrip patch ESPAR design method while maintaining the established high performance, incorporating innovative DC biasing solutions while simultaneously reducing losses. This allows extension of the microstrip ESPAR technique to conformal, high frequency designs while mitigating fabrication risks.
Benefit-transfer valuation of a cultural heritage site: the Petroglyph National Monument

This paper applies a household production framework (Becker, 1971) to infer the economic value of a cultural heritage site, namely, the Petroglyph National Monument, situated in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. The empirical analysis uses benefit-transfer techniques from three source studies: those of Bergstrom and Cordell (1991) and Boxall et al. (2003), which concern willingness-to-pay to hike and view rock art sites; and those of Rolfe and Windle (2003, 2006), which concern willingness-to-pay by Aboriginal and general populations to preserve a cultural heritage site containing rock art. The benefit-transfer analysis estimates recreational values between 3.75 million and 7 million dollars per year (depending on perceptions of the cultural attribute quality) and a nonuse value of approximately 12.5 million dollars per year. By comparison the annualized costs of developing/operating the study site are 8.5 million dollars per year. Thus a partial cost-benefit analysis suggests the study site yields net economic benefits upwards of 7.8 million dollars per year.
Automatic mapping of stream-processing functional programs

Functional programming languages are well suited to the expression and automatic mapping of parallel computations. The Paradigm compiler is being developed to automatically analyze and snap a class of Sisal programs amenable to static analysis for execution by distributed computer systems. A program description tree is constructed to represent the source program. In this form, the program is transformed into a hierarchy of acyclic interconnections of program modules (code blocks) of two basic types: array generators and stream producers. The program description tree is then used to guide decisions about allocation of processing elements to code blocks, and to construct of code for a target multiprocessor. We discuss the problem of finding an optimal allocation (mapping), and illustrate the methodology using a practical signal processing example.
Biorthogonal pulse shape modulation for IR-UWB systems over fading channels

In this paper we propose a novel M-ary biorthogonal pulse shape modulation scheme for an Impulse radio ultra wideband (IR-UWB) system transmitting over lognormal fading channels. Our proposed modulation scheme enables different transmission rates for a fixed number of orthogonal pulses M/2, while the symbol period Ts is constant. In our transmission scheme information bits are mapped into N pulses (N symbols), using M/2 orthogonal pulses and their negates. The N generated pulses are superimposed to form one pulse that will be transmitted over the channel. The transmission rate provided by this scheme is N(log2 M/N)/Ts and is maximized at N = M/4 (i.e., one bit per orthogonal pulse). We consider maximum ratio combing (MRC)-RAKE receiver to demodulate N symbols. For the proposed scheme we derive a closed-form expression for symbol error probability and an upper bound on symbol error rate, using Wilkinsonpsilas method. Given the same channel delay spread, our scheme provides a better error performance and higher throughput than that of pulse position modulation (PPM) scheme.
Do Behavioral Biases Vary across Individuals? Evidence from Individual Level 401(k) Data

This paper investigates whether some individuals are prone to behavioral biases in their 401(k) investments. Using demographic data and allocation information for over 73,000 employees, I examine two allocation biases and a participation bias. The findings suggest that higher salaried employees tend to make significantly better choices. Participants who earn $100,000 hold 12.7% less in company stock, are 3% less likely to follow the framing \/n heuristic, and are 37.7% more likely to participate than those earning $46,000. Women make better choices in two of the three cases and I find evidence of mental accounting.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adolescent depression and suicidality

CBT has emerged as a well-established treatment for depression in children and adolescents but treatment trials for adolescents with suicidality are few in number, and their efficacy to date is rather limited. Although a definitive treatment for adolescent suicide attempters has yet to be established, the limited literature suggests that suicidal thoughts and behavior should be directly addressed for optimal treatment outcome. This chapter reviews the rationale underlying the use of CBT for the treatment of depression and suicidality in adolescents, the literature supporting the efficacy of CBT for depressed adolescents, and whether CBT for depression reduces suicidal thoughts and behavior. A description of some of the core cognitive, affective, and behavioral techniques used in CBT treatments of suicidal ideation and behavior in depressed adolescents is included.
Metal triangles as building blocks in metal cluster chemistry

Many trinuclear metal clusters have structures based on isolated metal triangles with either single bonds (e.g.,M 3(CO)12 whereM = Fe, Ru, Os) or double bonds (e.g., Re3 Cl 12 3− ) along each edge of the triangle. Individual metal triangles can be joined in the following ways to form more complicated triangulated networks: (1) Bridging an edge of a triangle with a new vertex to give rafts in which adjacent triangles share edges; (2) Bridging a vertex of a triangle with a new edge to give bowties in which adjacent triangles share vertices; (3) Capping a triangular face with a new vertex to give a chain of tetrahedra in which adjacent tetrahedra share faces. Such triangulated metal networks are particularly common in osmium carbonyl chemistry and in mixed osmium/platinum carbonyl derivatives. Platinum triangles of the type Pt3L6 are analogous to cyclopropenyl rings and can form sandwiches with one or two mercury atoms in the center such as the mercuric derivative Hg[Pt.3(µ2-2,6-Me2C6H3NC)3] (2,6-Me2C6H3NC)3]2 and the “mercurous” derivative Hg2[Pt3(µ2-CO)3L3]2. Platinum triangles can also be stacked in the absence of “filling” to give [Pt3(µ2-CO)3(CO)3] 2− (n=2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10). Metal triangles also form the faces of metal deltahera of which the octahedron, bicapped square antiprism, and icosahedron are found in globally delocalized transition metal clusters.
Operator splitting implicit integration factor methods for stiff reaction-diffusion-advection systems

For reaction-diffusion-advection equations, the stiffness from the reaction and diffusion terms often requires very restricted time step size, while the nonlinear advection term may lead to a sharp gradient in localized spatial regions. It is challenging to design numerical methods that can efficiently handle both difficulties. For reaction-diffusion systems with both stiff reaction and diffusion terms, implicit integration factor (IIF) method and its higher dimensional analog compact IIF (cIIF) serve as an efficient class of time-stepping methods, and their second order version is linearly unconditionally stable. For nonlinear hyperbolic equations, weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO) methods are a class of schemes with a uniformly high order of accuracy in smooth regions of the solution, which can also resolve the sharp gradient in an accurate and essentially non-oscillatory fashion. In this paper, we couple IIF/cIIF with WENO methods using the operator splitting approach to solve reaction-diffusion-advection equations. In particular, we apply the IIF/cIIF method to the stiff reaction and diffusion terms and the WENO method to the advection term in two different splitting sequences. Calculation of local truncation error and direct numerical simulations for both splitting approaches show the second order accuracy of the splitting method, and linear stability analysis and direct comparison with other approaches reveals excellent efficiency and stability properties. Applications of the splitting approach to two biological systems demonstrate that the overall method is accurate and efficient, and the splitting sequence consisting of two reaction-diffusion steps is more desirable than the one consisting of two advection steps, because CWC exhibits better accuracy and stability.