cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of immuno-PCR technology platforms as an ultrasensitive tool for the detection of anti-drug antibodies

Aim: During the early clinical development of a receptor-IgG1 fusion protein (Drug X), a risk based strategy was utilized to evaluate immunogenicity from Phase I through Proof of Concept clinical studies. Materials & Methods: Three different technology platforms, enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay, electrochemiluminescent assay and newly emerging immuno-PCR were utilized for evaluation of immunogenic response. Results: An ELISA with adequate sensitivity but significant drug interference was replaced by electrochemiluminescent method with improved drug tolerance; however, an inverse correlation was observed between the administered dose and the incidence of anti-drug antibodies. Further evaluation of an immuno-PCR showed reduced drug interference enabling the detection of anti-drug antibodies in the presence of excess amount of Drug X. Conclusion: Immuno PCR assay proved to be a feasible platform for anti-drug antibody characterization.
Sectoral Interdependence: Current Measures and New Approaches: Discussion

This paper discusses the papers by Leones, Schluter, and Goldman and by Kilkenny and Otto. The material is organized into three sections: the construction of descriptive statistics with specific application to sectoral information, the identification of the objectives of such descriptive efforts, and the research agenda encompassing computable general equilibrium (CGE) analytic approaches. This organization is compatible with first emphasizing the topics in the Leones, Schluter, and Goldman paper and then those in the Kilkenny and Otto paper.
Reduction in Buoyancy Alters Parameters of Motility in E9 Chick Embryos

Over the course of embryonic development, chick embryos express 3 different types of motility (I, II, III). Although neural pattern generators appear to control embryonic motility, the mechanisms responsible for the sequential emergence and/or transformations in these behaviors are not known. Given the early presence of functional sensory connections and substantial changes in movement dynamics associated with body growth in the fixed volume of an egg, it was hypothesized that changes in environmental constraints might contribute to shaping the transformations in motility. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that changes in buoyancy can alter parameters of motility in ovo at embryonic Day 9 (E9). Results demonstrate that attributes of Type I motility can be altered by a reduction in buoyancy. The possible contributions of the environment and experience to transformations in embryonic motor behavior are discussed.
On a general network location-production-allocation problem

Abstract In this paper we consider a network location-production-allocation problem in which demands are related to prices at markets. Profit maximization is achieved through the simultaneous determinations of plant locations and shipments between plants and markets. We show that even subproblems of some special cases of this general problem are NP-hard. For the NP-hard plant allocation problem, both a dynamic programming formulation and two heuristic algorithms are proposed. Empirical results reveal that both heuristic algorithms are attractive in practice, with one of them performing exceptionally well. We also show that the problem has a class of interesting special cases which can be solved in polynomial time.
Subsidence analysis of the Cordilleran miogeocline: Implications for timing of late Proterozoic rifting and amount of extension

Tectonic subsidence of the Cordilleran miogeocline in the western United States during late Proterozoic through early Paleozoic time is best explained by rifting and subsequent thermal contraction of the lithosphere. The tectonic component of subsidence can be calculated by removing the isostatic effects of sediment and water loading. The resultant subsidence curves indicate that rifting began about 600 m.y. ago and that extension of the lithosphere during rifting was in excess of a factor of 1.3.
IBM 2790 digital transmission loop

A tandem connection of terminals for a data collection system has certain desirable advantages over the more common radial configuration. To make use of these advantages, high-speed transmission links are required. This paper describes the transmission capability necessary fora high-speed digital data repeater when it is restricted to an in-house environment. The transmission techniques discussed are implemented in the IBM 2790 Data Communication System.
‘The Iron Curtain’ (1948): Hollywood's first Cold War movie

(1988). ‘The Iron Curtain’ (1948): Hollywood's first Cold War movie. Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television: Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 153-188.
The decomposition of 1,3,5-trioxane at very high temperatures

Abstract The decomposition of 1,3,5-trioxane has been studied in shock waves by the laser schlieren technique from 900 to 3000 K. Dissociation was observed over the range 950–1270 K, the measurements confirming that formaldehyde is the sole product. An RRKM fit to the measured rates suggests log 10 k ∞ (s −1 )=(15.86–50.0 kcal/mol)/2.3 RT in this range. The RRKM model predicts rates and falloff in close agreement with previous low temperature studies, and, in agreement with the experiments, predicts large dissociation rates, k >10 6 s −1 , above 1350 K, so that this dissociation is well separated from that of its product formaldehyde up to 3000 K.
Compact low loss single air interface bends in polymer waveguides

We report the design, fabrication, and measurement of high efficiency, compact 45° single air interface bends in low refractive index contrast waveguides in a low refractive index material system. Using standard microfabrication techniques, the bends are fabricated on silicon substrates using perfluorcyclobutyl (PFCB) copolymers, which feature a high glass transition temperature and low absorption loss. The measured 45° bends have a loss of 0.30±0.03dB/bend for TM polarization and 0.33±0.03dB/bend for TE polarization.
Classification of mixed-radiation fields using the vector representation of thermoluminescent glow curves

Abstract A novel and robust technique, vector representation (VR), was developed for classifying the glow curves of thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) exposed to proton, photon, and mixed proton–photon fields produced by two types of TLDs:LiF:Mg,Ti (TLD-100) and CaF 2 :Tm (TLD-300). Vectors were constructed from glow curve points and classified based on the TL vector inner product with a unit vector and TL vector magnitude. The goal was to perform two-category (proton or mixed/photon) and three-category (proton, photon, or mixed) classification. The method was tested for accuracy using leave-one-out validation (LOOV) with classification based on the smallest Mahalanobis distance. Using the high-temperature peaks of each material, correct classification rates exceeding 92% in all cases were obtained.
A comparison of stereopsis testing between red/green targets and polarized targets in children with normal binocular vision.

Abstract Background Measurement of stereopsis is important in assessing a patient’s binocular status. Several measurement methods are available, most commonly using polarized targets. Recently, less expensive red/green targets have become available. In this study, we compare polarized versus red/green methods, using random dot and contour targets. Methods Sixty children with no strabismus, amblyopia, or high refractive error and normal ocular health were recruited. Stereopsis measurements were taken using the red/green and polarized versions of the Random Dot Letter “E”/RDE Test, Random Dot Butterfly/Stereo Butterfly Test, Stereo Circles/Wirt Circles, Stereo Numbers, and Stereo Animals tests. Observed agreement was used to assess agreement between results. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare an individual’s response with both targets. Results There was greater than 95% agreement using any of the Random Dot–based tests and the Stereo Animals tests. However, agreement was less than 60% with the Stereo Numbers test and less than 35% with the Stereo Circles/Wirt Circles test. Conclusion The red/green versions of the Random Dot–based tests and the Stereo Animals test appear to be a cost-effective alternative to their polarized equivalents. Our data, however, show that the red/green versions tend to underestimate the level of stereopsis when using the Stereo Numbers and Stereo Circles/Wirt Circles tests compared to their polarized equivalents.
An in vitro comparison of hollow ground and trocar points on threaded positive-profile external skeletal fixation pins in canine cadaveric bone.

Objective— To compare the microstructural damage created in bone by pins with lathe-cut and rolled-on threads, and to determine the peak tip temperature and damage created by positive-profile external fixator pins with either hollow ground (HG) or trocar (T) tips during insertion. Study Design— An acute, in vitro biomechanical evaluation. Sample Population— Twenty-seven canine tibiae. Methods— Lathe-cut thread design with T point (LT-T), rolled-on thread design with T point (RT-T), and rolled-on thread design with HG point (RT-HG) pins were evaluated. Twenty pins of each type were inserted under constant drilling pressure into 12 canine tibiae (12 diaphyseal and 8 metaphyseal sites per pin type). Peak pin tip temperature, drilling energy, end-insertional pin torque, and pullout force were measured for each pin. For the histologic study, five pins of each type were inserted into cortical and cancellous sites in 15 additional tibiae. Entry and exit damage, and thread quality were assessed from 100 micron histologic sections by using computer-interfaced videomicroscopy. Results— T-tipped pins reached higher tip temperature in both diaphyseal and metaphyseal bone compared with HG-tipped pins. RT-T pins had higher pullout strength (diaphyseal) and end-insertional torque compared with other combinations. No differences in drilling energy or insertional bone damage was found between the three pin types (P < .05). Conclusions— T-tipped pins mechanically outperformed HG-tipped pins. Pin tip and thread design did not significantly influence the degree of insertional bone damage. Clinical Relevance— T-tipped pins may provide the best compromise between thermal damage and interface friction for maximizing performance of threaded external fixator pins.
The Gα13-rho signaling axis is required for SDF-1-induced migration through CXCR4

The CXC chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1) binds to CXCR4, a seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor that plays a critical role in many physiological processes that involve cell migration and cell fate decisions, ranging from stem cell homing, angiogenesis, and neuronal development to immune cell trafficking. CXCR4 is also implicated in various pathological conditions, including metastatic spread and human immunodeficiency virus infection. Although SDF-1-induced cell migration in CXCR4-expressing cells is sensitive to pertussis toxin treatment, hence involving heterotrimeric G proteins of the G(i) family, whether other G proteins participate in the chemotactic response to SDF-1 is still unknown. In this study, we took advantage of the potent chemotactic activity of SDF-1 in Jurkat T-cells to examine the nature of the heterotrimeric G protein subunits contributing to CXCR4-mediated cell migration. We observed that whereas G(i) and Gbetagamma subunits are involved in SDF-1-induced Rac activation and cell migration, CXCR4 can also stimulate Rho potently leading to the phosphorylation of myosin light chain through the Rho effector, Rho kinase, but independently of G(i). Furthermore, we found that Galpha(13) mediates the activation of Rho by CXCR4 and that the functional activity of both Galpha(13) and Rho is required for directional cell migration in response to SDF-1. Collectively, our data indicate that signaling by CXCR4 to Rho through Galpha(13) contributes to cell migration when stimulated by SDF-1, thus identifying the Galpha(13)-Rho signaling axis as a potential pharmacological target in many human diseases that involve the aberrant function of CXCR4.
A Scaling Relationship for Satellite-Forming Impacts

Abstract We describe a scaling relationship that can be used to characterize the results of numerical smooth particle hydrodynamic (SPH) experiments of potential satellite-forming impacts. The relationship is used to interpret and summarize data from 41 such SPH simulations, all employing an impactor-to-target mass ratio of 3:7, but with a variety of total masses and angular momenta. The results can be utilized to infer other classes of impacts beyond those simulated to date that are plausible Moon-forming candidates.
A topological map based approach to long range operation of an unmanned surface vehicle

We present an approach to planning dynamically feasible vehicle trajectories for applications where the vehicle operates in very large environments and for which a kinematic model is a poor approximation of the vehicle's dynamics. Our approach is based on new methods for generating topological maps of a sparse and natural environment, such as a tropical riverine system.
Pre- and postsynaptic GABAB receptors in the hippocampus have different pharmacological properties.

Abstract Pharmacological properties of pre- and postsynaptic GABA B receptors were compared in CA1 hippocampal pyramidal neurons in vitro. The postsynaptic effects mediated by GABAB receptors, i.e., the baclofen-induced hyperpolarization, the bicuculline-resistant GABA response, and the slow inhibitory postsynaptic potential elicited by CA1 afferent stimulation, are all blocked by pertussis toxin (which inactivates some G proteins). These events are also suppressed by stimulating protein kinase C by phorbol esters and blocked by the selective GABA B antagonist phaclofen. In contrast, the baclofen-induced presynaptic depression of the excitatory post-synaptic potential elicited by CA1 afferent stimulation is resistant to the action of pertussis toxin and is not antagonized by phaclofen. However, this presynaptic inhibition can be antagonized by phorbol esters. These results indicate that the pre- and postsynaptic effects mediated by GABAB receptors in hippocampus have distinctly different pharmacological properties and possibly a different coupling mechanism.
Dimensional mutation and spacelike singularities

I argue that critical string theory on a Riemann surface of genus h >> 1 crosses over, when the surface approaches the string scale in size, to a background of supercritical string theory with effective central charge as large as 2h. Concrete evidence for this proposal is provided by the high energy density of states (realized on the Riemann surface side by strings wrapping nontrivial elements of the fundamental group) and by a linear sigma model which at large h approximates the time evolution through the initial transition. This suggests that cosmological singularities arising in negatively curved FRW backgrounds may be replaced by a phase of supercritical string theory.
Median sternotomy for bilateral pulmonary metastasectomy in children.

Abstract Background Complete resection of metastatic pulmonary nodules in some children may increase survival. We present a series of 16 children who underwent median sternotomy for bilateral pulmonary metastasectomy from January 1, 1999, to December 31, 2010. Methods We reviewed the records of 16 children (3-18 years old, 12 boys, 4 girls) with bilateral pulmonary metastases who underwent median sternotomy with the intent of curative resection. All were treated with alternating single-lung ventilation and careful bilateral manual palpation for nodules. Results The mean number of lesions resected was 11.6 (range, 2-33). Two patients who were found to have lesions that were too numerous to count underwent biopsy only. There were no major complications, and median length of hospital stay was 4 days. One patient had postoperative atelectasis, and another had an air leak; both were discharged on the fifth postoperative day. Seven patients have since died, 2 of whom underwent further resection for recurrent disease, with a median survival of 30 months. Nine patients are currently alive with a median follow-up of 30 months, 2 of whom have recurrent disease. Conclusions Median sternotomy allows excellent exposure of both lungs. In our series, there were no lesions that could not be resected because of inadequate exposure, including several in the left lower lobe posteriorly, and most patients were discharged within 4 days without major complications. In children with metastatic lung disease, median sternotomy is safe and avoids treatment delay and a second operation.
Genetic transcription during the development and metamorphosis of the tunicate Ascidia callosa.

Abstract Large, synchronous cultures of embryos of the tunicate Ascidia callosa were prepared and grown through metamorphosis in the laboratory. 3 H-uridine is taken up from sea water during all stages of development and metamorphosis. RNA synthesis during development and metamorphosis was studied by following the time course of 3 H-uridine incorporation into TCA precipitable compounds. To the time of hatching, there is little, if any, RNA synthesis. Detectable RNA synthesis begins only after the larvae have been swimming for several hours. Once begun the level of synthesis increases rapidly through metamorphosis. Acrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis demonstrates that heterodisperse, ribosomal and transfer RNAs begin synthesis nearly simultaneously in the swimming tadpole. Early in the synthetic period there is a greater emphasis on heterodisperse RNA synthesis than after metamorphosis, when ribosomal and transfer RNA synthesis predominate. RNA-DNA binding efficiency studies show that tadpole RNA binds to DNA 3 times as efficiently as post-metamorphic RNA, reflecting the proportionally greater transcription of ribosomal cistrons in the older stage. RNA-DNA binding competition studies indicate that part of the genome active in the swimming tadpole was also active during oogenesis. The RNA populations present in the unhatched tadpole and unfertilized egg are identical when compared to radioactive tadpole RNA, lending further support to the incorporation studies. The RNA population transcribed by the swimming tadpole is similar to the RNA populations of newly metamorphosed individuals and adults, suggesting that RNA synthesized by the swimming tadpole may be important to the post-metamorphic development of the ascidian.
Psychological perspectives on collective memory and national identity: The Belgian case:

The formation and maintenance of a collective memory depends the psychological efficacy of societal practices. This efficacy builds on the strengths and weakness of human memory. We view the articl...
A Subkiloparsec Disk in Markarian 231

We present imaging with the Very Long Baseline Array of the neutral hydrogen 21 cm absorption-line system seen toward the nuclear regions of Mrk 231 at z☉ = 0.04217, and imaging of the radio continuum emission at 1.4 GHz on scales ranging from a few parsecs to a few hundred parsecs. These data indicate the existence of a subkiloparsec gas disk in Mrk 231, as seen in H I 21 cm absorption and in radio continuum emission. The radio continuum morphology is consistent with a disk of maximum radius of 440 mas (260 h-1 pc), at an inclination angle of 45°, with a major axis oriented east-west. The H I 21 cm absorption shows an east-west gradient in position and velocity of about ±110 km s-1 out to radii of 100 mas (60 h-1 pc). We identify this H I and radio continuum disk as the inner part of the molecular disk seen on a factor of 3 larger scale. The physical conditions for the thermal and nonthermal gas in the subkiloparsec disk of Mrk 231 are similar to those proposed for compact nuclear starburst galaxies and, in particular, to the conditions proposed for the subkiloparsec gas disk in Arp 220. From the neutral hydrogen velocity field we derive a gravitational mass enclosed within a 50 h-1 pc radius of 3 × 108 h-1 M☉, and from the radio continuum emission we derive a massive star formation rate in the disk of 60 M☉ yr-1. We also present a search for H I 21 cm absorption associated with the optical broad absorption line (BAL) systems toward Mrk 231. We do not detect H I 21 cm absorption associated with any of the optical BAL systems. These negative results require that the neutral atomic gas in the BAL clouds be fairly warm (spin temperature Ts > 50 K), unless the Na I abundance is higher than solar, or the dust-to-gas ratio is higher than Galactic, or the observed extinction toward the nucleus of Mrk 231 is not due to the BAL gas.
Anatomy of an experimental two-link flexible manipulator under end-point control

The design and experimental implementation of an end-point controller for two-link flexible manipulators are presented. The end-point controller is based on linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) theory and is shown to exhibit significant improvements in trajectory tracking over a conventional controller design. To understand the behavior of the manipulator structure under end-point control, a strobe sequence illustrating the link deflections during a typical slew maneuver is included. >
Black’s hypothesis and developed economies

This paper examines the relationship between the volatility of output growth and the average growth rate of output in developed economies using the Generalized Auto-Regressive Conditional Hetereoskedasticity-in-mean (GARCHM) framework. The results indicate that that volatility is correlated with output growth for half of the countries and that the correlation is negative for some countries and positive for others. This finding is consistent with models that suggest country characteristics are important for determining the growth-volatility ralationship. However, the estimated correlation between volatility and the average growth rate is sensitive to the specification of the conditional variance equation.
AIDS in Uganda: the human-rights dimension

Much has been written about Uganda’s successes in HIV prevention. The United Nations estimates that HIV prevalence in the country has declined from about 15% in the early 1980s to 6% today. Beyond this there is little on which experts agree. In particular the respective roles of abstaining from sex being faithful to one’s partner and using condoms (the ABC approach) in this decline has generated extensive and at times ideological debate. At stake in this debate are not only scientific inquiry and substantial US AIDS funding but also potentially the health and lives of millions of people. The assumption is that if abstinence were responsible for Uganda’s HIV decline funding for abstinence-based programmes should be at the centrepiece of the global anti-AIDS effort. (excerpt)
Parabrachial nucleus projections to midline and intralaminar thalamic nuclei of the rat.

The projections from the parabrachial nucleus to the midline and intralaminar thalamic nuclei were examined in the rat. Stereotaxic injections of the retrograde tracer cholera toxin-beta (CTb) were made in each of the intralaminar nuclei of the dorsal thalamus (the lateral parafascicular, medial parafascicular, oval paracentral, central lateral, paracentral, and central medial nuclei), as well as the midline thalamic nuclei (the paraventricular, intermediodorsal, mediodorsal, paratenial, rhomboid, reuniens, parvicellular part of the ventral posterior, and caudal ventral medial nuclei). The retrograde cell body labeling pattern within the parabrachial subnuclei was then analyzed. The paracentral thalamic nucleus received an input only from the internal lateral parabrachial subnucleus. However, this subnucleus also projected to all the other intralaminar thalamic nuclei, except for the central lateral thalamic nucleus, which received no parabrachial afferent inputs. The external lateral parabrachial subnucleus projected to the lateral parafascicular, reuniens, central medial, parvicellular part of the ventral posterior, and caudal ventromedial thalamic nuclei. Following CTb injections in the paraventricular thalamic nucleus, retrogradely labeled cells were found in the central lateral, dorsal lateral, and external lateral parabrachial subnuclei. The medial and ventral lateral parabrachial subnuclei projected to the oval paracentral, parafascicular, and rhomboid thalamic nuclei. Finally, the waist area of the parabrachial nucleus was densely labeled after CTb injections in the parvicellular part of the ventral posterior thalamic nucleus. Nociceptive, visceral, and gustatory signals may reach specific cortical and other forebrain sites via this parabrachial-thalamic pathway.
Palladium[0]-mediated aminospirocyclization of tertiary allylic sulfones. Stereospecific construction of the azabicyclic ring system of cephalotaxine☆

Tertiary allylic sulfones which bear a secondary aminopropyl moiety undergo smooth palladium [0]-mediated spirocyclization. The reaction proceeds via a π-allyl intermediate and the resultant azabicyclic product is formed with net retention of sulfone stereochemistry. The use of tetramethylguanidine as companion base is required for high yielding reactions.
A method for the identification of glycoproteins from human serum by a combination of lectin affinity chromatography along with anion exchange and Cu-IMAC selection of tryptic peptides

This paper reports a method for identifying glycoproteins from human serum. Glycoproteins were selected with a concanavalin A (Con A) lectin column and then tryptically digested prior to sequential chromatographic selection of acidic and histidine containing peptides. Acidic peptides were selected with a strong anion exchange (SAX) column. Peptides captured by the SAX columns were then released and histidine-containing peptides in the mixture selected with a copper loaded immobilized metal affinity chromatography (Cu-IMAC) column. This serial chromatographic selection process reduced the complexity of proteolytic digests by more than an order of magnitude. Peptides selected by this serial process were then fractionated by reversed-phase chromatography (RPC) and identified by tandem mass spectrometry. The method was initially validated using human transferrin before application to human serum. The results show that all the peptides identified except one contained histidine and acidic amino acids.
Infrared observations of contaminants from shuttle flight 51-F

A small helium-cooled infrared telescope, IRT, was flown on the Shuttle in July/August 1985. The principal astrophysical objectives were to measure the large scale structure of sources and the background radiation. A cold shutter was incorporated to permit absolute flux measurements. Additionally, the engineering objectives included setting upper limits on the infrared radiation from the local environment. Even though the local background overwhelmed the astrophysical background, astronomical sources were still detectable superimposed on this background radiation. Data are presented covering the spectral range from 2 microns to 120 microns. The spatial, spectral, and temporal variations are described. Based on the spectral character and variability in different wavelength bands, the background radiation does not appear to have a single origin. In this paper, the results on the Shuttle environment are presented.
Effect of temperature on capacitive RF MEMS switch performance—a coupled-field analysis

Three-dimensional multiphysics finite element analysis (FEA) was performed to investigate the reliability of RF MEMS switches at various operational temperatures. The investigated MEMS capacitive switch consists of a freestanding metal membrane actuated by a bottom electrode coated by a dielectric film. Coupled-field simulations between thermal, structural and electrostatic domains were performed. The simulations show that temperature significantly changes both the membrane stress state and out-of-plane geometry. In particular, the membrane buckles when temperature increase, from room temperature, takes place. The buckling temperature, i.e. the upper bound to the operational temperature, is a function of manufacturing residual stress state, membrane initial out-of-plane profile and a mismatch in materials coefficient of thermal expansion. The analysis also shows that temperature reduction, from room temperature to −40 °C, causes an increase in pull-in voltage to values that could compromise the switch reliability as a result of charge build-up in the dielectric layer. Our analyses illustrate that by proper designing of the membrane out-of-plane profile, it is possible to keep the pull-in voltage, at all operational temperatures, within allowable values. This design feature of RF MEMS switches offers an effective way to achieve reliable pull-in voltages in applications where large temperature variations are expected such as in satellites and airplane condition monitoring based on wireless communication.
Online Learning Resources Do Make a Difference: Mediating Effects of Resource Utilization on Course Grades

The author explores the extent to which online learning resources help level the playing field through mediating the effects of grade point average (GPA) and gender in determining course grades. Study findings reveal that a greater use of online resources can fully offset the effects of gender and partially offset the effects of GPA on the grades that students earn in a blended course combining face-to-face and online components. Implications for future research and practice in fully online and blended course contexts are outlined.
Difficulties in providing certification and assurance for software defined radios

Certification and assurance processes have historically exhibited difficulties when there exists the potential for significant non-functional attributes. We define a non-functional attribute as a condition where the cause-effect behavior cannot readily be specified. Complex systems commonly exhibit such non-functional attributes due to the exceedingly large potential state space. In such systems, analysis based on formal methods becomes very difficult and emergent behaviors (or malicious behaviors that exploit non-functional attributes) can lead to a variety of unintended consequences-some benign and others harmful. Simply put, it is difficult to assure the behavior of a complex system. The shift towards highly flexible and adaptive software defined radios creates a potential complex system problem, and thereby exposes certain assurance and certification challenges for the present regulatory processes. We use certification experiences from the security community to motivate and highlight potential difficulties that may arise within the software defined radio (SDR) space. We then recommend some steps that limit or account for these difficulties
Multiconfigurational Perturbation Theory

The most interesting and technologically relevant problems such as chemical reactions, chemisorption, defects in solids etc. require an accurate description of both the equilibrium and partially or fully dissociated limits of a chemical system. Useful theoretical methods must address these problems by providing chemically accurate potential surfaces at a reasonable computational cost. The general theme of the work presented here is the development of a computationally efficient perturbative scheme of achieving this goal. This work is concerned with both a reasonable and physically appealing zeroth-order description of electronic structure and computationally efficient perturbative methods for improving the accuracy of this zeroth-order description.
Continuum radiation associated with low-energy electrons in the outer radiation zone

A weak nonthermal continuum radiation is generated by the earth's magnetosphere in the frequency range from about 500 Hz to greater than 100 kHz. During magnetically disturbed periods the intensity of this continuum radiation increases significantly. The paper presents a series of observations obtained during a period of greatly enhanced continuum radiation intensity. The enhanced continuum radiation intensities observed during this event are found to be closely correlated with the injection of very intense fluxes of energetic (about 1-30 keV) electrons into the outer radiation zone. Direction-finding measurements of the continuum radiation observed during this event show that the radiation is primarily coming from the dawn side of the magnetosphere, in agreement with the observed dawn-dusk asymmetry in the 1- to 30-keV electron distribution. These results suggest that the continuum radiation may be generated by a coherent plasma instability involving relatively low-energy (about 1-30 keV) electrons rather than by gyrosynchrotron radiation from very energetic (200 keV-1 Mev) electrons as has been previously suggested.
Properties of iron-doped multicrystalline silicon grown by the float-zone technique

Multicrystalline Fe-doped Si ingots were float-zoned from high-purity feed rods. Fe was introduced by pill-doping, which gives uniform impurity content for small segregation coefficients (k/spl sim/10/sup 15/ for Fe in Si). Fe concentrations were calculated from the initial weight of the Fe pill, the molten zone geometry and the growth parameters. Values in the range of 10/sup 12/-10/sup 16/ atoms/cm/sup 3/ were targeted. No additional electrically active dopants were introduced. Minority charge carrier lifetime (via YAG-laser-excited, 430 MHz ultra-high-frequency-coupled, photoconductive decay) was measured on the ingots, and wafers were cut to examine grain structure and electron-beam-induced current response of grain boundaries. Observed lifetimes decreased monotonically with increasing Fe content for similar grain sizes (from /spl sim/10 /spl mu/s to 2 /spl mu/s for 10/sup -2/ cm/sup 2/ grains) as the Fe content increased to 1/spl times/10/sup 16/.
The Objective Conception of Context and Its Logic

In this paper, an ’’objective‘‘ conception of contexts based loosely upon situation theory is developed and formalized. Unlike ’’subjective‘‘ conceptions, which take contexts to be something like sets of beliefs, contexts on the objective conception are taken to be complex, structured pieces of the world that (in general) contain individuals, other contexts, and propositions about them. An extended first-order language for this account is developed. The language contains complex terms for propositions, and the standard predicate ’ist‘ that expresses the relation that holds between a context and a proposition just in case the latter is true in the former. The logic for the objective conception features a ’’global‘‘ classical predicate calculus, a ’’local‘‘ logic for reasoning within contexts, and axioms for propositions. The specter of paradox is banished from the logic by allowing ’ist‘ to be nonbivalent in problematic cases: it is not in general the case, for any context c and proposition p, that either ist(c,p) or ist(c, ¬ p). An important representational capability of the logic is illustrated by proving an appropriately modified version of an illustrative theorem from McCarthy‘s classic Blocks World example.
Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Small Groups

After many years of developing in small islands scattered around different disciplines, small group research has reached a point where interdisciplinary scholarship has the potential to foster major progress. The goal of this special issue on interdisciplinary perspectives is to capitalize on the theoretical advances made over the last 50 years by synthesizing and integrating models and theories on small groups proposed by various disciplines into a set of general theoretical perspectives. In this introduction, the authors identify nine general theoretical perspectives from which small groups have been examined: the psychodynamic, functional, temporal, conflict-power-status, symbolic-interpretive, social identity, social-evolutionary, social network, and feminist perspectives. This article summarizes each theoretical perspective briefly and then offers some observations about the perspectives as a whole. Articles describing three of these interdisciplinary perspectives appear in this special issue, and four other perspectives will be introduced in the next issue.
Rapid estimation of whole blood everolimus concentrations using architect sirolimus immunoassay and mathematical equations: comparison with everolimus values determined by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2010 approved the use of immunosuppressant drug everolimus, which requires therapeutic drug monitoring in whole blood. Taking advantage of structural similarity between sirolimus and everolimus we attempted to rapidly estimate everolimus concentration from apparent sirolimus concentration obtained by using Architect sirolimus immunoassay and mathematical equations (both polynomial and linear). Mathematical equations were derived by curve-fitting methods based on observed apparent sirolimus concentration and true everolimus concentration determined by a liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method using eight everolimus standards (concentration range 1–30 ng/mL) prepared in whole blood. In order to determine the validity of our approach, we analyzed 12 specimens from patients receiving everolimus using both Architect sirolimus assay and LC/MS method. We observed good correlation between calculated everolimus values and true everolimus values as determined by LC/MS. However, if a patient is switched from sirolimus to everolimus, then sirolimus immunoassay can roughly estimate everolimus concentration plus any residual sirolimus present in whole blood and it is not possible to calculate everolimus concentration. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 25:207–211, 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Identity and function of gamma-secretase.

gamma-Secretase catalyzes intramembrane proteolysis of various type I membrane proteins, including the amyloid-beta precursor protein and the Notch receptor. Despite its importance in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and to normal development, this protease has eluded identification until only very recently. Four membrane proteins are now known to be members of the protease complex: presenilin, nicastrin, aph-1, and pen-2. Recent findings suggest that these four proteins are sufficient to reconstitute the active gamma-secretase complex and that together they mediate the cell surface signaling of a variety of receptors via intramembrane proteolysis.
FUNCTIONAL REGIONS OF THE BACILLUS SUBTILIS SPORE COAT MORPHOGENETIC PROTEIN COTE

The Bacillus subtilis spore is encased in a resilient, multilayered proteinaceous shell, called the coat, that protects it from the environment. A 181-amino-acid coat protein called CotE assembles into the coat early in spore formation and plays a morphogenetic role in the assembly of the coat’s outer layer. We have used a series of mutant alleles of cotE to identify regions involved in outer coat protein assembly. We found that the insertion of a 10-amino-acid epitope, between amino acids 178 and 179 of CotE, reduced or prevented the assembly of several spore coat proteins, including, most likely, CotG and CotB. The removal of 9 or 23 of the C-terminal-most amino acids resulted in an unusually thin outer coat from which a larger set of spore proteins was missing. In contrast, the removal of 37 amino acids from the C terminus, as well as other alterations between amino acids 4 and 160, resulted in the absence of a detectable outer coat but did not prevent localization of CotE to the forespore. These results indicate that changes in the C-terminal 23 amino acids of CotE and in the remainder of the protein have different consequences for outer coat protein assembly.
Rapid Cycling of Organic Nitrogen in Taiga Forest Ecosystems

We examined the dynamics of organic nitrogen (N) turnover in situ across a primary successional sequence in interior Alaska, USA, in an attempt to understand the magnitude of these fluxes in cold, seasonally frozen soils. Through a combination of soil extraction procedures and measurements of 13C-enriched CO2 efflux from soils amended in the field with 13C-labeled amino acids, we were able to trace the fate of this N form. Amino acid turnover in situ at soil temperatures of 10°C or below show that amino acids represent a highly dynamic soil N pool with turnover times of approximately 3–6 h. The rapid turnover of free amino acids is associated with high soil proteolytic activity, which in turn is tightly correlated with soil protein concentration. Moreover, these estimates of soil amino acid turnover in the field correspond well with measurements of amino acid turnover under equivalent temperatures in the laboratory. The gross flux of amino acid-N over the growing season greatly exceeded the annual vegetation N requirement, suggesting that microbial biomass represent a significant sink for this organic N. Depending on the strength of this sink, N flow via free soil amino acids can potentially account for the entire N demand of vegetation in the absence of net N mineralization. These relationships underscore the important biogeochemical role of labile DON fractions in high-latitude forest ecosystems.
A REASSESSMENT OF THE REFERRAL OF SEA TURTLE SKULLS TO THE GENUS OSTEOPYGIS (LATE CRETACEOUS, NEW JERSEY, USA)

Abstract Specimens referred to Osteopygis (Late Cretaceous-Paleocene, North America) represent a chimera, a polyphyletic mixture of taxa. The holotype of Osteopygis (AMNH 1485) and more complete referred postcranial specimens resemble non-marine stem cryptodires (“macrobaenids”). Because the skull material historically referred to Osteopygis shares synapomorphies with cheloniid sea turtles, all current workers accept Osteopygis as a stem-cheloniid sea turtle. Multiple lines of evidence combine to support the hypothesis that sea turtle cranial material is not attributable to Osteopygis. These lines of evidence include: phylogenetic hypotheses of character evolution, the tenuous historical attribution of specimens, and the taphonomy of the Hornerstown Formation. The name-bearing Osteopygis material and referred postcrania are best considered Eucryptodira incertae sedis (cf. “Macrobaenidae”). The cranial specimens formerly assigned to the Osteopyginae now are restricted to the clade Euclastes and those refer...
Delamination Buckling of Pressure-loaded Thin Cylinders and Panels

Delamination buckling of long complete cylindrical shells and curved panels, when acted upon by uniform lateral loading, is being investigated. The geometry is such that it covers a wide range of length to radius ratios, as well as panels of different widths. Results, though, are presented only for very long configurations and a limited number of widths. The boundaries of the panels are either clamped or simply supported, along the straight edges. Finally, the geometry is free of initial geometric imperfections, and all parts of the shell are assumed to be virtually isotropic. The emphasis of the investigation concerns the effect of several factors and parameters on the critical load. These include, load behavior during buckling, width of delamination, position of delamination and panel width.
Viscoelasticity of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Unsaturated Polyester Resin: Effects of Purity and Chirality Distribution

The recent commercialization of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) with controlled chirality distributions has created new opportunities for producing SWNT materials with tailored electrical properties. However, there has been relatively little research on understanding the effects of chirality distribution and SWNT purity on the two main determinants of nanocomposite mechanical properties: dispersion microstructure and nanotube–resin interactions. To establish a framework for comparing dispersion and interactions, we investigated the viscoelasticity of four SouthWest NanoTechnologies’ SWNT products: a low and high purity semiconducting grade and a low and high purity metallic grade. Optical microscopy of the dispersions did not show any significant differences between the SWNT types. However, analysis of the dispersions’ viscoelastic properties revealed the difference in dispersion microstructure and the relative strength of SWNT–resin interactions. While all four products had a similar percolation th...
The Impact on SFAS 158 on U.S. Balance Sheets and Asymmetries in International Reporting of Post-Employment Benefits

Abstract British and international accounting standards for reporting post-employment benefits either require or permit the reporting of the funded status of these plans directly in the balance sheet. U.S. accounting standards will require this treatment for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006. Thus, global accounting standards for post-employment benefits appear to be converging. This paper estimates that application of SFAS 158 to the Fortune 250 companies would cause a pretax decrease in net assets of nearly $400 billion. Having estimated the U.S. impact, the paper then evaluates the remaining asymmetries in applying U.S. and international standards.
The Effects of Solve It! on the Mathematical Word Problem Solving Ability of Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders:

General education placement of students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has increased at a rate faster than all other disability categories combined. As more children are diagnosed with ASD an...
An efficient computation of near-continuum rarefied gas flows

A numerical scheme for solving integral equations of rarefied gas dynamics is modified to provide more accurate results in the near continuum flows. The modified scheme is applied to the Poiseuille flow of a rarefied gas between parallel plates and in a cylindrical tube. Flow rate results obtained for both geometries are good over the complete range of Knudsen numbers. In particular, the results are found in excellent agreement with the analytic asymptotic formulas in the near continuum regime even when fairly low order of quadrature formulas are used.
Adenocarcinoma of the Pancreas Undetected by Multidetector CT, Endoscopic Ultrasound, or Intraoperative Ultrasound

Context Patients with known or suspected pancreatic adenocarcinoma are typically evaluated with noninvasive imaging studies and endoscopic ultrasound. Rarely, patients require intraoperative evaluation with intraoperative ultrasound to identify mass lesions. Some patients have pancreatic adenocarcinomas that cannot be detected using any of these methods. Case report A-58-year old female presented with a distal common bile duct stricture seen on ERCP with negative brushings. Multiple endoscopic ultrasound and triple phase pancreatic protocol CT exams were negative for a mass lesion and revealed a normal pancreas. Intraoperative ultrasound of the pancreas was also felt to be normal. Intraoperative biopsy of the head of the pancreas revealed a small, moderately to poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, not visible on any of her imaging studies. Conclusion Some pancreatic adenocarcinomas may defy detection using modern imaging modalities. This case illustrates how extensive imaging failed to detect a malignancy prior to surgery. Patients with a high clinical suspicion for malignancy but no visualized mass should undergo operative evaluation with definitive tissue sampling.
Studies on Seed Dormancy of Dongxiang Wild Rice and Its Interspecific Offsprings

Using germination rate as an evaluating indic at or,the seed dormancy of Dongxiang Wild Rice(Oryza rufipogon Gr iff.) was studied with the population of 230 high-generation backcross inbred l ines(BILs) established from the cross of Jiangxi Dongxiang Wild Rice/Xieqingzao B(O.sativa sp.Indica Kato.) ∥Xieqingzao B and its parents a s the materials.The results showed that the germination rate of BILs in the pop ulation had a continuous skew-normal distribution,indicating that seed dormanc y of Dongxiang Wild Rice is a quantitative trait.Among all of the tested BILs, 11 lines and the parent Dongxiang Wild Rice had very strong seed dormancy,and B IL 216 was strongest in seed dormancy.It was also found that the seed dormancy of these lines could be broken by soaking seeds in 5% of H2O2 solution.BIL 216 can be used as a very good breeding material to develop new rice varieties w ith strong seed dormancy.