cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
``Gate-keeper'' Residues and Active-Site Rearrangements in DNA Polymerase μ Help Discriminate Non-cognate Nucleotides

Incorporating the cognate instead of non-cognate substrates is crucial for DNA polymerase function. Here we analyze molecular dynamics simulations of DNA polymerase μ (pol μ) bound to different non-cognate incoming nucleotides including A:dCTP, A:dGTP, A(syn):dGTP, A:dATP, A(syn):dATP, T:dCTP, and T:dGTP to study the structure-function relationships involved with aberrant base pairs in the conformational pathway; while a pol μ complex with the A:dTTP base pair is available, no solved non-cognate structures are available. We observe distinct differences of the non-cognate systems compared to the cognate system. Specifically, the motions of active-site residue His329 and Asp330 distort the active site, and Trp436, Gln440, Glu443 and Arg444 tend to tighten the nucleotide-binding pocket when non-cognate nucleotides are bound; the latter effect may further lead to an altered electrostatic potential within the active site. That most of these “gate-keeper” residues are located farther apart from the upstream primer in pol μ, compared to other X family members, also suggests an interesting relation to pol μ's ability to incorporate nucleotides when the upstream primer is not paired. By examining the correlated motions within pol μ complexes, we also observe different patterns of correlations between non-cognate systems and the cognate system, especially decreased interactions between the incoming nucleotides and the nucleotide-binding pocket. Altered correlated motions in non-cognate systems agree with our recently proposed hybrid conformational selection/induced-fit models. Taken together, our studies propose the following order for difficulty of non-cognate system insertions by pol μ: T:dGTP<A(syn):dATP<T:dCTP<A:dGTP<A(syn):dGTP<A:dCTP<A:dATP. This sequence agrees with available kinetic data for non-cognate nucleotide insertions, with the exception of A:dGTP, which may be more sensitive to the template sequence. The structures and conformational aspects predicted here are experimentally testable.
Kinetics Study of Mesophase-Crystal Transformation in Highly Oriented Homogeneous Poly(ethylene-co-1-octene) Filament

Abstract The thermal stability of highly oriented homogeneous poly(ethylene-co-1-octene) (h-PEO) fiber during annealing process was carefully studied by time-resolved two-dimensional wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) pattern. The experimental results show that three phases exist in h-PEO fiber, orthorhombic crystal phase, pseudo-hexagonal mesophase, and amorphous phase, which are stable at room temperature. As soon as the fiber is heated, the mesophase transforms to orthorhombic crystal phase. This transformation kinetics was analyzed in terms of Avrami phase transformation theory. The Avrami index was found to be 1, indicating one-dimensional growth. This can be explained by the bundle-like crystal morphology existing in h-PEO.
Disruption of interdomain interactions via partial calcium occupancy of calmodulin.

Binding of calcium to CaM exposes clefts in both N- and C-domains to promote their cooperative association with a diverse array of target proteins, functioning to relay the calcium signal regulating cellular metabolism. To clarify relationships between the calcium-dependent activation of individual domains and interdomain structural transitions associated with productive binding to target proteins, we have utilized three engineered CaM mutants that were covalently labeled with N-(1-pyrene) maleimide at introduced cysteines in the C- and N-domains, i.e., T110C (Py C -CaM), T34C (Py N -CaM), and T34C/T110C (Py 2 -CaM). These sites were designed to detect known conformers of CaM such that upon association with classical CaM-binding sequences, the pyrenes in Py 2 -CaM are brought close together, resulting in excimer formation. Complementary measurements of calcium-dependent enhancements of monomer fluorescence of Py C -CaM and Py N -CaM permit a determination of the calcium-dependent activation of individual domains and indicate the sequential calcium occupancy of the C- and N-terminal domains, with full saturation at 7.0 and 300 μM calcium, respectively. Substantial amounts of excimer formation are observed for apo-CaM prior to peptide association, indicating that interdomain interactions occur in solution. Calcium binding results in a large and highly cooperative reduction in the level of excimer formation; its calcium dependence coincides with the occupancy of C-terminal sites. These results indicate that interdomain interactions between the opposing domains of CaM occur in solution and that the occupancy of C-terminal calcium binding sites is necessary for the structural coupling between the opposing domains associated with the stabilization of the interdomain linker to enhance target protein binding.
Fish Interactions with a Commercial-Scale Tidal Energy Device in the Natural Environment

Fish are a key part of the marine ecosystem likely to be affected by hydrokinetic tidal turbines, but little is known about their behavior around such obstacles in the natural environment. In September 2010, two DIDSON acoustic cameras were used to observe fish interactions with a commercial-scale turbine in Cobscook Bay, Maine. Twenty-two hours (nearly two tidal cycles) of footage were collected. Behaviors of individual fish and schools were classified (e.g., entering, avoiding, passing, or remaining in the wake of the turbine). We analyzed the effects of turbine motion (rotating or not rotating), diel condition (day or night), and fish size (small, ≤10 cm; large, >10 cm) on individual fish behaviors, and compared behaviors of individual fish to schools of fish. When the turbine was rotating, the probability of fish entering the turbine decreased by over 35 % from when it was not. The probability that fish would enter the turbine was higher at night than during the day, and this difference was greater for small fish than for large fish (probability of small fish entering = 0.147 day, 0.513 night; large fish = 0.043 day, 0.333 night). Fish were almost always present in the wake of the turbine. Schools of fish had a 56 % lower probability of entering the turbine than individual fish, and reacted at greater distances from the turbine (median distance of 2.5 m for schools, 1.7 m for individuals). This study indicates that fish behavior in response to tidal turbines appears to be similar to responses to obstacles such as trawls, and highlights the importance of environmental context in determining the effects of a tidal turbine on fish.
Health and the mobile phone.

Within the next 8 years, annual U.S. expenditure on health care is projected to reach $4 trillion/year, or 20% of the gross domestic product.1 Whether resource consumption of this order of magnitude is sustainable is an open question, but at the very least it suggests the need for population-level solutions for everything from the primary prevention of disease to improving end-of-life care. Ours is a society that often views challenges like this as being solved through the application of technology, and one technology in particular is emerging that may become very important to the delivery of health care: mobile phones. By June 2007 there were 239 million users of mobile phones in the U.S. or 79% of the population,2 and users are highly diverse.3 Mobile phones are beginning to replace landline telephones for some, and except for very young children, may ultimately reach an effective penetration of “one phone: one person” as is already the case in some countries such as Finland.4 This paper provides an overview of the implications of this trend for the delivery of healthcare services. In addition to addressing how mobile phones are changing the way health professionals communicate with their patients, a summary is provided of current and projected technologic capabilities of mobile phones that have the potential to render them an increasingly indispensable personal health device. Finally, the health risks of mobile phone use are addressed, as are several unresolved technical and policy-related issues unique to mobile phones. Because these issues may influence how well and how quickly mobile phones are integrated into health care, and how well they serve the needs of the entire population, they deserve the attention of both the healthcare and public health community.
A new species of Lepidostoma (Trichoptera: Lepidostomatidae) from Arkansas, U.S.A.

Lepidostoma (Mormomyia)lescheni new species, from Mt. Magazine, Arkansas, is described and illustrated. The new species is most closely related to L. (M.) griseum (Banks) and L. (M.)morsei Weaver of the griseum species‐group, having oval‐shaped setose warts on the dorsum of abdominal segment IX and an acute apex on the main article of the inferior appendage. However, L. lescheni has straight rather than angled maxillary palpi, a flattened rather than circular segment X, and differences in wing venation. The forewing of the new species lacks a setose anal pocket, the setose median groove of the hindwing is poorly developed, and the thyridial cell of the hindwing is open. The new species is possibly endemic to the Ozark Mountain region. Six species of Lepidostoma are now known from the Interior Highlands of Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
“We Don’t Go on the Computers Anymore!”: How Urban Children Lose in Learning Digital Literacies

AbstractIn this study, we collected and analyzed data to examine the extent to which the achievement gap between urban and suburban children extended to their knowledge of digital literacies. Findings indicated that the suburban children outperformed the urban students in each of the performance areas, and that suburban children reported greater opportunity to learn new literacies in school than the urban children. This study provides further evidence regarding the achievement gap between children in urban and suburban schools and suggests that our schools suffer from a lack of social justice in providing the education that all children need to become 21st-century learners.
Liquid-waste incineration in a parallel-stream configuration: Parametric study

Proven efficiency is a prerequisite for incineration to be accepted as a widely used destruction method for hazardous liquid wastes. The goal of this work is to use a multicomponent spray combustion model previously developed to (1) extend the investigation of injection configurations to chlorinated hydrocarbons, (2) predict the effects of initial droplet size and geometrical, volatility and chemical-kinetic parameters on the destruction efficiency in an idealized incinerator, and (3) compare the observed trends with the available experimental data. A parametric study was conducted on three liquid wastes: benzene, toluene and monochlorobenzene, somewhat representative of the range of halogen levels, volatilities and chemical kinetics prevalent in wastes. It was found that monochlorobenzene is the most incineration resistant of the three, followed by toluene and benzene. The destruction efficiency was found to be affected mainly by the waste chemical kinetics and primarily improved by initial droplet size reduction and shorter distance from the provided ignition heat-source location, whereas no dramatic amelioration was induced by initial composition variations. The results are in good qualitative agreement with the related experimental studies. Albeit simplified, this model provides a characterization of the parameters which could be controlled to obtain a more efficient incineration of the waste. Namely, small droplet sizes are needed either by enhanced primary atomization or, in the case of mixed injection, through microexplosion. For most hazardous liquid wastes (heavy with very slow chemical kinetics), mixed injection will achieve a better destruction. An auxiliary fuel significantly more volatile than the liquid waste enhances slightly the destruction because of its effect on the vaporization process, but it is believed that this feature would not be observed with a longer combustor. In the particular case of aromatic compounds however, separate injection with alternated streams of waste and fuel, was found to be better than blending of the waste and auxiliary fuel.
Fuzzy set and semantic similarity in ontology alignment

A challenge for the Semantic Web is enabling information interoperability between related but heterogeneous ontologies. Ontology alignment (OA) addresses this challenge by identifying correspondences between entities in different ontologies. The traditional OA evaluation strategy uses a gold standard reference alignment created by a domain expert. The problem is that often a reference alignment may not exist. The current use of semantic similarity measures in the OA process and proposals for their use in the OA evaluation task are presented. Many semantic similarity measures are derivative of fuzzy set similarity measures. A general semantic alignment quality (SAQ) measure is developed and used on the alignment results of 10 different OA systems produced on the anatomy track of the 2010 OA evaluation initiative. The SAQ results indicate much variation in performance depending on the selected semantic similarity measure. Problems with using several semantic similarity measures in SAQ are further investigated and the findings are discussed.
Analysis of the size alleles of the Pro gene in maize — Evidence for a mutant protein processor

Two major proteins in the maize embryo are specified by gene Pro on the long arm of chromosome 1. The gene is polymorphic and size alleles have been found which produce proteins of different molecular weights as well as CRM- null alleles. Evidence is presented for a protein processor which is specific for the PRO proteins. The processor gene, Mep has been mapped to the long arm of chromosome 5.
Effects of attention on the auditory evoked potentials recorded from the vertex (ABR) and the promontory (CAP) of human listeners

Auditory brainstem response (ABR) and the compound whole nerve action potential (CAP) of four human listeners were recorded while they were performing either visual duration or auditory frequency discrimination tasks with both types of stimuli presented simultaneously. The evoking tone bursts had the same center frequency as the standard discrimination tones and were presented between the discrimination tones. Waveforms between the two discrimination tasks did not differ in shape or latency, suggesting that the attention demand of the present task is not a central factor in the control of the auditory efferents.
Regulation of NAD and NADP oxidoreductases in oranges

Abstract Dehydrogenase activity of malate: NAD oxidoreductase in extracts of orange juice vesicles was suppressed by NADH at 5 per cent mole fraction of NAD + . Dehydrogenase activity of alcohol: NAD oxidoreductase in the extract was suppressed by NADH at molar concentration equal to NAD + . Suppressing the reoxidation of reduced NAD by O 2 -linked dehydrogenases in intact fruit increased the mole fraction of reduced NAD in the vesicles. The alcohol content of the juice was increased and the citric acid content of the juice was decreased by the treatment. The increase in ethanol and decrease in citric acid indicates a diversion of pyruvate from citric acid formation to ethanol formation in the fruit.
Pair Interactions in Red-Faced Warblers

Forty pairs of breeding Red-faced Warblers (Cardellina rubrifrons) were observed in 1992 and 1993 on the Mogollon Rim, Arizona. Intrusions by extra-pair males, interactions between pair members, and other pair interaction behaviors were recorded. The majority of intrusions occurred during the building stage of the nesting cycle. Males responded to intrusions during nest building by decreasing intra-pair distance. Males maintained shorter intra-pair distances by following the female when she initiated movements and by not initiating pair movements themselves. Intra-pair distances were as short or shorter during the incubation period as during nest building, and were shorter during incubation than during egg laying. Males continued to follow females beyond the expected fertile period. Possible explanations for continued mate following include: males guard their mates against predators, males guard their paternity for future nesting attempts, and males respond to extra-pair male intrusions, which continue during incubation.
On the distribution of simple zeros of polynomials

Abstract Erdős and Turan discussed in ( Ann. of Math. 41 (1940), 162–173; 51 (1950), 105–119) the distribution of the zeros of monic polynomials if their Chebyshev norm on [−1, 1] or on the unit disk is known. We sharpen this result to the case that all zeros of the polynomials are simple. As applications, estimates for the distribution of the zeros of orthogonal polynomials and the distribution of the alternation points in Chebyshev polynomial approximation are given. This last result sharpens a well-known error bound of Kadec ( Amer. Math. Soc. Transl. 26 (1963), 231–234).
Polypharmacy in oligopopulations: what psychiatric genetics can teach biological psychiatry.

Psychiatric genetics and genomics have made major strides in recent years. Some of that knowledge has yet to permeate in the clinical practice of biological psychiatry. The example of cancer-genetics, biology and clinical treatments may be profitable in terms of accelerating translational integratio
Deconcentration, counter-urbanization, or trend reversal? The population distribution of Switzerland, 1900–1980

Abstract This paper provides a detailed description of changes in the population distribution of Switzerland from 1900 through 1980. Switzerland is a fine candidate for such a study since it has excellent population data and has not suffered major disruptions from wars as have other European nations. The results show that Switzerland has experienced deconcentration from 1970–1980. There is also weak evidence for counter-urbanization. The data are not sufficient, however, to conclude that this most recent development is atypical. The Hoover index and the measure for counter-urbanization both seem to be sensitive to external developments in the economy and in politics.
Nucleation, growth, and fractal dimensions of icosahedral and polyicosahedral clusters

In this paper, the concept offractal geometry was applied to the growth of icosahedral and polyicosahedral clusters. Fractal dimensions were calculated for high-frequency icosahedral casters, vertex-sharing polyicosahedral clusters, and linked polyicosahedral clusters. These cluster growth pathways were compared with the fractal growth mechanisms of colloidal particles. Close similarities were found despite the tremendous differences in particle sizes and the forces governing their nucleation and growth processes.
Evaluation of conformational changes in chemically modified bovine serum albumins on a column of sephadex

Abstract A column of Sephadex G-200 was utilized to detect the conformational changes associated with modification of bovine serum albumin. It was found that succinylated bovine serum albumin gave two components having Stokes radii of 7.75 and 11.2 mμ, acetylated bovine serum albumin showed two components of Stokes raddi of 5.5 and 8.4 mμ. Nitroguanylated, guanylated and amidinated bovine serum albumin had Stokes radii of 4.5, 3.78 and 3.88 mμ, respectively. On the other hand bovine serum albumin had a Stokes radius of 3.7 mμ.
Having a Heavy Heart Approaches to Infiltrative Cardiomyopathy

Information about a real patient is presented in stages (boldface type) to expert clinicians (Drs. Neal K. Lakdawala and Jacob P. Laubach) who respond to the information, sharing his or her reasoning with the reader (regular type). A discussion by the authors follows. A 63-year-old man with previous combat-related Agent Orange exposure and no healthcare contact for 40 years presented to his primary care physician with dyspnea on exertion, orthopnea, and bilateral lower extremity edema. Electrocardiography reportedly showed sinus rhythm, and transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated moderate left ventricular hypertrophy with normal systolic function. New onset heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, attributed to hypertensive heart disease, was diagnosed, and he was begun on diuretics with an initial modest improvement in his symptoms. He presented to our hospital 1 month later with worsening heart failure symptoms and inadequate outpatient response to escalating doses of oral furosemide. The patient reported dyspnea with minimal activity, severe orthopnea, nightly paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and worsening lower extremity edema. There was a history of abdominal distension, although he found that his arms were thinner and his eyes appeared more sunken-in. On examination he was cachectic with a pulse of 85 beats per minute, blood pressure of 82/70 mm Hg, and respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute with labored breathing. His skin was cool to touch. A diminished single first heart sound, persistently split second sound with a prominent pulmonary component, and S3 gallop were present. Jugular venous pressure was estimated at 18 cm H 2 O. The remainder of the examination was notable for dullness to percussion at the lung bases, ascites, tender hepatomegaly, and marked bilateral lower extremity pitting edema. ECG revealed sinus rhythm with low voltages in the limb leads and no criteria …
Clinical depression and HIV risk-related sexual behaviors among African-American adolescent females: Unmasking the numbers

Abstract Clinically depressed and nondepressed African-American adolescent females aged 13–19 years (N=131) were interviewed and surveyed to determine the relationship between depression and HIV risk-related sexual behaviors. Narratives indicate that the psychopathology of depression may create situations where the target population could become exposed to HIV. Specifically, depressed participants described feelings of loneliness, isolation, and wanting somebody to “comfort them” as aspects of depression that affect the decisions they make about sex and relationships. In essence, sex was viewed as a stress reliever, an anti-depressant and a way to increase self-esteem. They shared that even if they did not feel like having sex, they might just “git it over wit” so their partners would stop asking. Some also discussed financial and emotional stability offered by older, more sexually experienced partners. These age-discordant relationships often translated into trusting that their partners knew what was bes...
Neotropical Africanized honey bees have African mitochondrial DNA.

NON-INDIGENOUS African honey bees have invaded most of South and Central America in just over 30 years1. The genetic composition of this population and the means by which it rapidly colonizes new territory remain controversial. In particular, it has been unclear whether this 'Africanized' population has resulted from interbreeding between African and domestic European bees, or is an essentially pure African population. Also, it has not been known whether this population expanded primarily by female or by male migration. Restriction site mapping of 62 mitochondrial DNAs of African bees from Brazil, Venezuela and Mexico reveals that 97% were of African (Apis mellifera scutellata) type. Although neotropical European apiary populations are rapidly Africanized by mating with neotropical African males, there is little reciprocal gene flow to the neotropical African population through European females. These are the first genetic data to indicate that the neotropical African population could be expanding its range by female migration.
Progestin Permeation Through Polymer Membranes V: Progesterone Release from Monolithic Hydrogel Devices

Progesterone release from monolithic devices prepared from various copolymers of poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and poly‐(methoxyethoxyethyl methacrylate) or poly(methoxyethyl methacrylate) was examined. In general, plots of the fraction of drug released versus (time)1/2 were linear during the early stages of drug release. This behavior is similar to that found for drugs released from hydrophobic polymers such as polydimethyl siloxane. However, for some release curves using the hydrogels, a breakpoint appeared during the early stages of drug release. These breakpoints were due to the effects of water absorption by these polymers. From analyses of permeability coefficients, it was demonstrated that release rates also were dependent on the initial drug load and the equilibrium water content of the polymer. These conclusions were verified from cross‐membrane diffusion studies on films depleted of their initial drug load. In conjunction with this work, the aqueous solubility of progesterone was determined by several methods; an average value of 38 μg/ml at 23° was obtained.
American journalism and the decline in event‐centered reporting

The definition of news has changed in the 20th century. Content analysis of the traditional five Ws in three American newspapers found that stories grew longer, included more analysis, expanded from specific locations to broader regions, placed more emphasis on time frames other than the present, and named fewer individuals and more groups, officials, and outside sources. These trends affected each newspaper's coverage of three topics: crimes, accidents, and employment. Thus the basic recipe for news - the report of events new to the bearer - has acquired a third ingredient: For a story to qualify as news, journalists now supply a context of social problems, interpretations, and themes. This trend springs from the workings of the news market and the culture of journalism.
A recent advance in the automatic indexing of the biomedical literature

The volume of biomedical literature has experienced explosive growth in recent years. This is reflected in the corresponding increase in the size of MEDLINE^(R), the largest bibliographic database of biomedical citations. Indexers at the US National Library of Medicine (NLM) need efficient tools to help them accommodate the ensuing workload. After reviewing issues in the automatic assignment of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH^(R) terms) to biomedical text, we focus more specifically on the new subheading attachment feature for NLM's Medical Text Indexer (MTI). Natural Language Processing, statistical, and machine learning methods of producing automatic MeSH main heading/subheading pair recommendations were assessed independently and combined. The best combination achieves 48% precision and 30% recall. After validation by NLM indexers, a suitable combination of the methods presented in this paper was integrated into MTI as a subheading attachment feature producing MeSH indexing recommendations compliant with current state-of-the-art indexing practice.
Effect of cycling rate, particle size and transport properties on lithium-ion cathode performance

Much progress has been made in modeling the lithium-ion battery technology. There exists a critical need to establish a framework to assess the role of various physical, geometrical, and operating parameters and their relative influence on the energy and power capability of batteries. In this study, a surrogate modeling framework has been introduced to map the effect of design-related parameters on the performance of a lithium-ion cell. In particular, the effects of cycling rate, cathode particle size, and diffusion coefficient and electrical conductivity of the solid cathode material, on the specific energy and power have been studied using a cell-level model in conjunction with tools such as kriging, polynomial response, and radial-basis neural networks. Through global sensitivity analysis the relative impact of the various parameters are quantified under different scenarios. Specifically, the design space can be split into distinct regions based on the discharge and diffusion time scales for separate, more refined analysis. It is shown that the cathode performance becomes independent of the diffusion coefficient above a critical value. A Pareto-optimal front was constructed to quantify the tradeoff between maximum achievable energy and power levels. Such an analysis can provide guidelines for the optimization of the positive electrode design.
Post-communist Russia: a historic opportunity missed

This article analyses the nature of the current Russian system and its future trajectory. First, the continuity between the Yeltsin and Putin presidencies is made clear. The nature of the Russian system has, to a great extent, been influenced by Yeltsin, who strengthened demands not for independent institutions but for a new and more powerful authoritarian leadership. Putin has consolidated the system, based on personalized power. But despite signs of economic growth and outward stability there is evidence that the Russian system is unsustainable in the long-term. The current system is based on a modification of the petro-economy that reproduces the merger between power and business with the rentier class. Thus far, however, the model has not been able to solve social conflicts or stop the degradation of ‘human capital’. Nor is it likely to do so in the future.
The immune response to pneumococcal proteins during experimental human carriage.

Colonization of the nasopharynx is the initial step in all infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae . The antibody response to carriage was examined in an experimental model of human colonization in healthy adults. Asymptomatic colonization was detected in 6/14 subjects and continued for up to 122 d. Susceptibility to carriage did not correlate with total serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G to the homotypic capsular polysaccharide. All of the colonized subjects, in contrast, developed a serum IgG and secretory IgA response to a 22 kD protein, whereas 7 of 8 subjects who did not become colonized had preexisting antibody to this protein. Analysis of the 22 kD protein identified it as the NH 2 -terminal region of pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA). Our findings provide evidence for the role of antibody to this protein fragment in preventing pneumococcal carriage by humans.
Optimal therapy for platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer: doxorubicin, gemcitabine or topotecan?

Ovarian cancer is more fatal than all the other gynaecolological malignancies combined. Although most patients respond to first-line combination chemotherapy, the vast majority (50 – 75%) of patients with advanced disease will relapse. The management of patients with recurrent ovarian cancer is based on their response profile to platinum: patients with platinum-sensitive disease can be rechallenged with platinum-based chemotherapy, whereas the management of patients with platinum-resistant or -refractory disease remains an area of active investigation. In this review, the data for second-line therapy in this latter group of patients will be summarised and recommendations for their optimal management will be made.
Introducing actions into qualitative simulation

Abstract : Many potential uses of qualitative physics, such as robot planning and intelligent computer-aided engineering, require integrating physics with actions taken by agents. This paper proposes to augment qualitative simulation to include the effects of actions to form action-augmented envisionments. The action-augmented envisionment incorporates both the effects of an agent's actions and what will happen in the physical world whether or not the agent does something. Consequently, it should provide a richer basis for planning and procedure generation than any previous representation. This paper defines action augmented envisionments and an algorithm for directly computing them, along with an analysis of its complexity and suitability for different kinds of problems. We describe our initial implementation and discuss potential extensions, including incremental algorithms.
A hybrid architecture for text classification

SKIS, a prototype system that allows for the construction and use of text classification applications, is discussed. SKIS uses a combination of knowledge-based techniques, statistical techniques, morphological processing, and relevance feedback learning techniques to perform text classification. SKIS has been used to construct a prototype text classification application for the routing of customer service requests within customer support centers. The SKIS run-time architecture, the development and knowledge maintenance environment, and how SKIS is used are described. The benefits of combining knowledge-based and statistical techniques for text classification are discussed. SKIS is compared with other text classification systems. >
Influence of Large-Scale Advective Cooling and Moistening Effects on the Quasi-Equilibrium Behavior of Explicitly Simulated Cumulus Ensembles

Abstract The influence of large-scale advective cooling and/or moistening on the quasi-equilibrium behavior of simulated, tropical oceanic cumulus ensembles is examined in this study. Two sensitivity simulations are performed by imposing time varying/invariant large-scale advective cooling effects and time invariant/varying large-scale advective moistening effects. The results are compared with a control simulation performed with both large-scale advective cooling and moistening effects that are time varying. It is found that the generalized convective available potential energy (GCAPE) tendency is almost one order of magnitude smaller than the GCAPE production in all simulations. This indicates that the quasi-equilibrium assumption of Arakawa and Schubert is well justified. The higher-order behavior of quasi-equilibrium cumulus ensemble is then examined. It is found that the GCAPE variations are nearly equally contributed by temperature and water vapor variations in the control simulation. In the sensiti...
A Dual-Mesh Simulation Strategy for Improved AV-8B Empennage Buffet Load Prediction

This paper describes the efforts to model full three-dimensional unsteady loads due to aerodynamic, and engine exhaust effects for an AV-8B aircraft model. This study utilizes USM3D for baseline comparison, and a CREATE-AV product - Helios - to transition into an engineering prediction tool. The comparative advantages of the different aerodynamic load predict in codes involved, and the capability gaps to routinely predict engineering loads for buffet performance are also reported.
Prediction of adsorption of divalent heavy metals at the goethite/water interface by surface complexation modeling

The triple-layer model was used to model the adsorption behavior of Cu(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) onto goethite as a function of pH, total dissolved metal (Me) concentration, surface area, and ionic strength. A single reaction involving adsorption of Me2+ onto negative surface sites as an inner-sphere complex proved successful in describing adsorption of all three metals under the experimental conditions. The calibrated model was validated by comparing model predictions to independent data reported in the literature. A linear-free-energy relationship between the intrinsic surface complexation and the first-hydrolysis equilibrium constants was determined and was used to predict the intrinsic surface complexation constants for Co(II) and Hg(II). The triple-layer model, using the predicted constants, quantitatively described the adsorption of Co(II), but significantly over-predicted the extent of Hg(II) adsorption.
A Fourth Contribution to the Study of Hawaiian Orthotylus (Heteroptera: Miridae): New Species, Addenda, Revised Checklist, and Key to the Perrottetia-Feeding Species

Abstract Supplemental data and addenda are provided to complement and correct the work of Polhemus (2011) dealing with Hawaiian Orthotylus species. The following new species are described, accompanied by illustrations of key morphological characters, distribution maps, and color dorsal habitus photographs: O. erythrinae from Oahu, which feeds on Erythrina sandwicensis, and O. broussaisiae from Kauai, which feeds on Broussaisia arguta. Additional distribution records are provided for O. dubautiae D. Polhemus, O. hedyotivorus D. Polhemus, and O. kopikoides D. Polhemus. The name Orthotylus perrottetioides is proposed as a replacement name for Orthotylus perrottetiopsis Polhemus 2011, which due to a lapsus is a primary homonym of Orthotylus perrottetiopsis Polhemus 2003, and addenda to Polhemus (2011) related to this change are detailed. A revised key to Hawaiian species of Orthotylus occurring on Perrottetia is provided, accompanied by color dorsal habitus photographs of the males and females of the four kno...
An Analysis of Individual Reactions to Potentially Offensive Jokes in Work Settings

Humor is seen as a virtuous personality trait that can be used to release tension, convey organizational roles, and alleviate boredom. What may be perceived as a humorous joke to one person, however, could be considered inappropriate or offensive to another. Thus, joking may impact on civil and human rights litigation and on the quality of work life. To further understand perceptions of humor and joking, 165 subjects were asked to evaluate the appropriateness of three types of jokes in work settings. Whites and females considered racist and sexist jokes more inappropriate than blacks and males. Inexperienced employees considered all joking behavior at work to be less appropriate than experienced employees.
Sidelobe suppression in minimum redundancy linear arrays

This paper investigates the issue of finding appropriate weighting coefficients which suppress a maximum number of sidelobes to an arbitrarily specified level. The performance of the resulting system is compared with an equi-spaced array having the same aperture. >
Loose-coupling an air dispersion model and a geographic information system (GIS) for studying air pollution and asthma in the Bronx, New York City.

This study developed new procedures to loosely integrate an air dispersion model, AERMOD, and a geographic information system (GIS) package, ArcGIS, to simulate air dispersion from stationary sourc...
Quantitative Analysis of Thin Films by dc Arc Optical Emission Spectroscopy

dc arc optical emission spectroscopy was investigated as a quantitative method for measuring compositions of thin films commonly used in fabricating semiconductor devices. Thin films studied were nickel-chromium, phosphorus-silicon dioxide, and silicon-aluminum. Film samples were obtained by direct deposition onto ordinary graphite electrodes mounted in vacuum deposition chambers. Standards for each film were prepared by evaporating series of synthetic solutions approximating film compositions onto electrode tips, or by preparing appropriately weighed mixed powder standards. Calibration curves were established by burning multiple sets of these standard electrodes in a 15-A dc arc and plotting the intensity ratios for selected atomic lines of the analyte elements. Correlation of emission results with atomic absorption, electron microprobe, and gravimetric analysis showed absolute agreement to within ±3% for nickel-chromium, ± 0.3% for phosphorus-silicon dioxide, and ± 0.2% for silicon-aluminum. Maximum relative percent error was 5, 10, and 12.5%, respectively. This technique has proved to be a rapid convenient process control tool in the manufacture of microelectronic devices.
Intramolecular Reactions of Diazocarbonyl Compounds

Since the demonstration by Stork and Ficini in 1961 that unsaturated diazoketones undergo intramolecular cyclization to form cyclopropanes the intramolecular reactions of α-diazocarbonyl compounds have been extensively studied under thermal, catalytic, and photochemical conditions. Intramolecular cyclization of α-carbonyl carbenes and carbenoids has found widespread application to the synthesis of theoretically interesting compounds such as bullvalene, twistane, bridged annulenes, and barbaralone, as well as syntheses of natural products such as sabinene, sirenin, α-chamigrene, and phyllocladene. The reaction has also allowed the construction of several intriguing polycyclic systems that were unattainable by alternative methods. A recent review has covered the reactions of diazoacetic esters with alkenes, alkynes, heterocyclics, and aromatic compounds. Unsaturated alkoxycarbonyl carbenes (:CHCO2R) and unsaturated carbonyl carbenes (:CHCOR) (where R contains either aromatic or olefinic groups), which are considered to be intermediates in the absence of catalyst, have been the subject of several other reviews. A review concerning photochemically, thermally, and catalytically induced Wolff rearrangements of α-diazocarbonyl compounds has recently appeared. However to date no comprehensive review has appeared which demonstrates the synthetic potential of α-diazocarbonyl insertion and addition reactions. In reviewing the reactions of α-diazocarbonyl compounds chosen not to include certain peripheral topics such as intermolecular reactions, intramolecular dimerization of bis(α-carbonyl carbenoids) to give diacyl cycloolefins and intramolecular trimerizations of tris(α-keto carbenoids), affording triacylcyclopropanes are not included. Also excluded are base-catalyzed reactions of α-diazocarbonyl compounds and certain ring-contraction reactions involving CC bond insertion of intermediate α-ketocarbenes. The topics included in this report are the intramolecular reactions of α-carbonyl carbenes and carbenoids with olefinic and aromatic unsaturation, with CH bonds, and with CC and NH single bonds. Also included are acid-catalyzed cyclization reactions of α-diazoketones. Keywords: diazocarbonyl compounds; intramolecular reactions; scope; limitations; diazoketone addition; diazoester addition; diazocarbonyl insertions; acid catalyst; diazoketone cyclization; experimental procedures; olefins; CH bonds; cyclization; intramolecular addition
Influence of Endomycorrhizae on Growth of Sweetgum Seedlings From Eight Mother Trees

Sweetgum seedlings from eight mother trees were grown in fumigated soil with or without the endomycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae at four levels of soil fertility for one growing season in nursery microplots. Nonmycorrhizal seedlings of all families died or failed to exceed 5 em in height regardless of soil fertility. Endomycorrhizal seedlings suffered little mortality, averaged about 36 em in height, and fertility level did not significantly influence their biomass. These results demonstrate that to increase the percentage of plantable seedlings in nurseries sweetgum seedlings must be endomycorrhizal. The data further suggests that adequate endomycorrhizal inoculum in nursery beds can allow the use of less fertilizer than has been customary for production of sweetgum seedlings. FoREST Sci. 23:500-505. ADDITIONAL
Harmonic Analysis of Limit-Cycle Oscillations of an Optically Injected Semiconductor Laser

We analyze the limit cycle, also known as period-one (P1), dynamics induced by strong optical injection to a semiconductor laser. Based on the well-established laser rate equations, an approximate solution of the P1 dynamics can be obtained by starting with a general limit-cycle solution and taking into account high-order harmonics of the P1 frequency. The results from this analysis are in a good agreement with numerical and experimental results. Our analysis shows that the strong coupling between the oscillating carrier density and the oscillating optical field is responsible for the high nonlinearity of these P1 dynamics.
Musical Cultural Exchanges in the Age of Detente: Cultural Fixation, Trust, and the Permeability of Culture

The 1970s era of detente represented a critical period in cultural exchanges between the United States of America and the Soviet Union. The 1960s set in motion socially liberalizing forces to which Soviet authorities were forced to respond. The Brezhnev era brought greater emphasis on orderly, rational consumption as a marker of mature socialism, including cultural products as well as standard consumer items, as formal state-sponsored cultural exchanges coexisted with more subterranean consumption. Musical cultural exchanges, featuring the Duke Ellington band, the Roy Clark Show, and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, emerged as key sites of trust and distrust and impacted efforts to maintain a stable social order. Barbara Misztal's contention that ‘the weakness of undemocratic states lies in their lack of social trust’ paired with historian Sergei Zhuk's observations about how consumption of Western cultural products shaped identity formation under late Soviet socialism suggests the transformative power of cult...
Vibrational Localization and Vibrational Spectra in Amorphous Silicon

Amorphous silicon structures have been generated by quenching liquid silicon configurations using molecular-dynamics simulations. Localized vibrational modes have been identified in these models. The presence of under-coordinated atoms in these a-Si models leads to extra resonant modes at low frequencies. The vibrational densities of states, and dynamic structure factors for localized, resonant and extended modes, are discussed and compared with neutron scattering data. The amorphous networks have also been adapted to model amorphous silicon-germanium systems. Densities of states and localization characteristics have been calculated for a-Si x Ge 1-x alloys and a-Si/a-Ge superlattices, and are compared to Raman measurements.
Diagnostic testing to evaluate ischemic symptoms in women.

Chest pain is a common problem in women. There are many diagnostic strategies available to evaluate patients with chest pain for suspected ischemic heart disease (IHD), each with special considerations for sex differences in presentation and test characteristics. Stable angina is the most frequent manifestation of IHD in women, affecting approximately 4,200,000 (3.2%) women in the USA, and the age-adjusted prevalence of angina is greater in women than men [1–4]. Women with stable angina report more physical limitations and lower quality of life, and suffer from a greater number of nonfatal myocardial infarctions (MIs) and deaths compared with men after 1–2 years [5–7]. This underscores the importance of identifying IHD in women initially presenting with chest pain and other related ischemic symptoms. For patients with suspected IHD noninvasive stress testing is recommended as the first study to confirm diagnosis and risk stratify patients as per current guidelines from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) [8]. Computed tomography (CT) angiography is another choice for patients with symptoms and suspected ischemia. Symptomatic women are less likely than men to undergo stress testing [6–9]. This editorial addresses the challenges in selecting an initial diagnostic test for a woman with possible ischemic symptoms and proposes strategies for choosing the most appropriate first test to diagnose and risk-stratify women with suspected IHD.
Myosin isoform expression and force generation in cultured resistance arteries

Organ culture of mesenteric resistance arteries results in a loss of force-generating ability, which is prevented by 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3]. We have tested the hypothesis that the culture-induced decrease in active stress is associated with altered myosin isoform expression. Rat mesenteric resistance arteries were studied immediately (fresh) or after incubation at 37 degrees C for 48 h in culture medium (control), with 300 pg/ml 1,25(OH)2D3, or with 5 microg/ml insulin. Isometric force was measured by myography; myosin heavy chain (MHC) and regulatory myosin light chain isoform (MLC) contents were determined using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Maximal active stress to 100 mM K+ (mN/mm2) was greater for fresh (147.8 +/- 4.9) than control (109.2 +/- 4.6, P = 0.001) or insulin (79.6 +/- 8.6, P < 0.001) but not 1,25(OH)2D3 (137.4 +/- 9.5, P = 0.197). Organ culture did not alter MLC or MHC smooth muscle (SM)-1 isoform content. MHC SM-2 content (nmol/mg protein)...