cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cloning and molecular characterization of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and telomere length analysis of Peromyscus leucopus

Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is the catalytic subunit of telomerase complex that regulates telomerase activity to maintain telomere length for all animals with linear chromosomes. As the Mus musculus (MM) laboratory mouse has very long telomeres compared to humans, a potential alternative animal model for telomere research is the Peromyscus leucopus (PL) mouse that has telomere lengths close to the human range and has the wild counterparts for comparison. We report the full TERT coding sequence (pTERT) from PL mice to use in the telomere research. Comparative analysis with eight other mammalian TERTs revealed a pTERT protein considerably homologous to other TERTs and preserved all TERT specific-sequence signatures, yet with some distinctive features. pTERT displayed the highest nucleotide and amino acid sequence homology with hamster TERT. Unlike human but similar to MM mice, pTERT expression was detected in various adult somatic tissues of PL mice, with the highest expression in testes. Four different captive stocks of PL mice and wild-captured PL mice each displayed group-specific average telomere lengths, with the longest and shortest telomeres in inbred and outbred stock mice, respectively. pTERT showed considerable numbers of synonymous and nonsynonymous mutations. A pTERT proximal promoter region cloned was homologous among PL and MM mice and rat, but with species-specific features. From PL mice, we further cloned and characterized ribosomal protein, large, P0 (pRPLP0) to use as an internal control for various assays. Peromyscus mice have been extensively used for various studies, including human diseases, for which pTERT and pRPLP0 would be useful tools.
Mechanisms of effector T cell suppression by CD4+Foxp3+ Treg in inflamed peripheral tissue (IRC4P.482)

In secondary lymphoid organs (SLO), CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) control immunity by preventing prolonged T cell-DC interactions. Whether Treg suppressor function in inflamed non-lymphoid tissues differs from SLO remains unclear. Thus, we used 2-photon intravital microscopy to dissect how Treg prevent allograft rejection by effector T cells (Teff) in transplanted islets. To restrain the immune reaction to the transplant site, we adoptively transferred Teff, Treg, or both (2-3x10 6 each) to B6 mice lacking SLO (splenectomized LTβR-/- mice) 3-4 days after transplantation of BALB/c islets. Teff alone induced acute allograft rejection. However, the co-transfer of Teff + Treg led to long-term allograft survival in ~50% of recipients. Analysis of adoptively transferred CFSE-labeled Teff recovered from the graft on day 3 and 5 revealed that Treg did not affect either Teff migration or proliferation at that site (compared to Teff alone), despite the presence of Treg in significant numbers. Intravital microscopy of transplanted islets on day 2 showed that Treg were found in the peri-islet region, where they made brief (
Nearest neighbor based i-vector normalization for robust speaker recognition under unseen channel conditions

Many state-of-the-art speaker recognition engines use i-vectors to represent variable-length acoustic signals in a fixed low-dimensional total variability subspace. While such systems perform well under seen channel conditions, their performance greatly degrades under unseen channel scenarios. Accordingly, rapid adaptation of i-vector systems to unseen conditions has recently attracted significant research effort from the community. To mitigate this mismatch, in this paper we propose nearest neighbor based i-vector mean normalization (NN-IMN) and i-vector smoothing (IS) for unsupervised adaptation to unseen channel conditions within a state-of-the-art i-vector/PLDA speaker verification framework. A major advantage of the approach is its ability to handle multiple unseen channels without explicit retraining or clustering. Our observations on the DARPA Robust Automatic Transcription of Speech (RATS) speaker recognition task suggest that part of the distortion caused by an unseen channel may be modeled as an offset in the i-vector space. Hence, the proposed nearest neighbor based normalization technique is formulated to compensate for such a shift. Experimental results with the NN based normalized i-vectors indicate that, on average, we can recover 46% of the total performance degradation due to unseen channel conditions.
Children Riding in the Back of Pickup Trucks: A Neglected Safety Issue

Motor vehicle-related trauma is the leading cause of death in children in the United States. All states have pediatric restraint requirements for passenger vehicles to help prevent these deaths and injuries. Only a few states, however, possess safety laws or restrictions for passengers who ride in the back of pickup trucks. A retrospective review of medical records for a 40-month period revealed 40 patients whose injuries were a direct result of being a passenger in the cargo area (bed) of a pickup truck. Their injuries and other pertinent data are discussed. Representatives from the Highway Safety Commission of each state were surveyed about their specific highway safety laws. The responses revealed that all states and the District of Columbia have child restraint requirements for passenger automobiles, 34 states have adult restraint laws, but only 17 states have any type of restriction for passengers riding in the back of pickup trucks. Seventy-one percent of the states with pickup truck regulations include only the preschool-age child. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration concerning pickup trucks and passenger fatality are presented and discussed.
Mildly non-linear codes

We consider codes coming from systems of sparse linear equations. (These low-density parity check codes are examples of what are called Gallager codes.) We suggest how non-linear equations very elose to the given linear equations might be used to improve decoding properties while retaining the same level of coding and decoding complexity.
Blunt injuries of the cervical trachea: review of 51 patients.

The low incidence of blunt trauma to the cervical portion of the trachea limits management experience in most centers. Hence, we combined our patients with those in published reports containing essential information on injury, treatment, and results. Among 51 patients (93% male), ages ranged from 3 to 65 years. There were 32 complete transections, 15 partial transections, and four tears. There were associated injuries of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (49%), esophagus (21%), larynx (14%), and cervical spine (9%). Presenting signs and symptoms included subcutaneous emphysema in 84%, respiratory distress in 76%, hoarseness/dysphonia in 46%, and hemoptysis in 21%. Tracheostomy was the best means of airway control; 13 of 17 (76%) attempted oral/nasotracheal intubations failed, necessitating emergency tracheostomy. Five patients with no respiratory distress and minimal tissue injury were successfully managed without tracheal repair. Ten patients had tracheal repair without tracheostomy. The only poor result occurred in a patient with a treatment delay of several days. Tracheal repair with tracheostomy was used in 27 patients, with good results in 19. Two patients died of other injuries, and six patients (four with delayed repair) required subsequent tracheal reconstruction. Repair over a stent was used in seven patients, four of whom had satisfactory results. From this review we conclude that (1) the diagnosis of blunt trauma to the cervical trachea requires a high index of suspicion, since this injury can easily be overlooked; (2) tracheostomy (vs intubation or cricothyroidotomy) is the preferred means of airway control; (3) preoperative laryngoscopy/bronchoscopy should be done to assess vocal cord function, possible laryngeal damage, and level of tracheal injury; (4) good long-term results, measured by voice and airway quality, are best obtained by immediate repair of significant injuries. Language: en
Comment on 'The Business of Business Schools' (by Robert Simons)

This paper is a comment on The Business of Business Schools: Restoring a Focus on Competing to Win by Robert Simons which can be found at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2211700.
Applying the Brakes: When to Stop Eating

The nucleus accumbens regulates consummatory behaviors, such as eating. In this issue of Neuron, O'Connor et al. (2015) identify dopamine receptor 1-expressing neurons that project to the lateral hypothalamus as mediating rapid control over feeding behavior.
Real-time, intracardiac, two-dimensional echocardiography: enhanced depth of field with a low-frequency (12.5 mhz) ultrasound catheter.

Advances in catheter-based ultrasound imaging technology allow for a unique opportunity to develop two-dimensional intracardiac echocardiography, an imaging method that could have significant clinical applications. In this study, we evaluated the potential of a new, percutaneous, 9-Fr prototype intracardiac echocardiographic catheter with a 12.5-MHz rotating crystal in 13 dogs. In all dogs, we were able to easily advance the intracardiac echocardiographic catheter into the right and left hearts percutaneously and obtain dynamic images of cardiac structures in various imaging planes. With the intracardiac echocardiographic catheter in the right atrium, the whole chamber could be visualized. Minor manipulation allowed visualization of the right atrium, right ventricle, and tricuspid valve in a two-chamber view; further maneuvering yielded four-chamber views. With advancement of the catheter into the right ventricle and pulmonary artery, the right ventricular cavity, right ventricular outflow tract, and pulmonary artery could be imaged. The intracardiac echocardiographic catheter in the aortic root allowed visualization of the pulmonary artery and its bifurcation, superior portions of the atria, interatrial septum, aortic valve, and the proximal left coronary artery. With the intracardiac echocardiographic catheter in the left ventricle, short-axis images of the whole left ventricle were obtained. Manipulating the catheter tip within the left ventricle, we could visualize the left ventricle, left atrium (LA), and the mitral valve in the long axis. We were also able to visualize and identify experimentally-induced ischemic regional left ventricular dyskinesis (four out of five dogs), aortic valvular tear (five out of five dogs), and pericardial effusion with right atrial collapse (two out of two dogs). Intracardiac echocardiography was not associated with any complications. We conclude that percutaneous, low-frequency intracardiac echocardiography with a 12.5-MHz, 9-Fr catheter yields cardiac images in many imaging planes with a good depth of field, allows identification of valvular, myocardial, and pericardial abnormalities, and has excellent clinical potential in the assessment of many cardiovascular disorders. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 8, July 1991)
Characterization of monomeric 4-aminobutyrate aminotransferase at low pH.

4-Aminobutyrate aminotransferase undergoes a reversible process of association/dissociation at low pH. At pH 5.0, monomeric species exist predominantly in solution as revealed by FPLC and time-dependent emission anisotropy measurements. The observed rotational correlation time at pH 5.0, фobs= 25 ns, corresponds to a compact spherical unit of 52 kDa. An increase in the net charge of the macromolecule at pH 5.0 is responsible for destabilization of the dimeric structure, (WEL≈ 41.84 kJ/mol), but the dissociation of the protein does not perturb the secondary structure as revealed by CD measurements. The fluorescent probe 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate (ANS), bound to hydrophobic sites of the enzyme, was used to monitor the kinetics of protein dissociation by stopped-flow spectroscopy. The dissociation of the dimeric structure at pH 5.0 was characterized by a relaxation time of 18 ms. The rate of association of monomeric subunits at pH 7.0 was too fast to be detected in the stopped-flow instrument. These observations have some bearing on the mechanism of reconstitution of dimeric structures of 4-aminobutyrate aminotransferase in the cell.
Central bank cooperation under the interwar gold standard

Abstract The limits of cooperation and the failures of leadership are recurrent themes in historical accounts which seek to explain the instability of the interwar gold standard. Yet these themes are wholly incompatible with received models of the gold standard. In an attempt at reconciliation, this paper has presented a simple model of central bank interaction under the interwar gold standard, and used it to interpret Anglo-French financial relations following Britain's return to gold. The model is inspired by Keynes' and Norman's comment that the interwar system can be understood as a competitive struggle for gold. It shows that if two central banks play a noncooperative game in which they both seek to augment their gold reserves, they will tend to raise their discount rates above the level consistent with price stability, depressing incomes at home and abroad. While central bank policy was but one factor at work in the world economy in the 1920s, the model is suggestive when applied to a period marked by historically high discount rates, conflicts over the distribution of gold, and steady deflation culminating in a Great Depression.
From blues women to b-girls: performing badass femininity

This article introduces the concept of badass femininity, a marginalized femininity captured in the performances of contemporary b-girls (women breakdancers) and blues women of the 1920s. The author uses the work of Hortense Spillers, Maria Lugones, Chela Sandoval, and Angela Davis to argue that non-normative gender performances from the fringes of society are necessary consequence of histories of enslavement, genocide, and exploitation. Badass femininity is a one version of a multiplicity of femininities. It re-signifies qualities typically associated with masculinity through women whose work in dance and music move these gender performances from the margins to center stage.
Correlates of total plasma homocysteine: folic acid, copper, and cervical dysplasia☆

Abstract We examined correlates of total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) in 294 subjects with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and 170 control subjects. Associations of tHcy with risk factors for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and 24-h intakes and biochemical indices of nutrients were examined. Plasma and red blood cell folate and plasma B 12 were strong inverse correlates of tHcy ( r = −0.35, −0.31, and −0.27, respectively). Plasma copper and severity of dysplasia were positively correlated with tHcy ( r = 0.14 and 0.21, respectively). A stepwise regression model that included red blood cell folate, plasma copper, grade of dysplasia, ethnicity, intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids, plasma vitamin B 12 , intake of fat, and oral contraceptive use explained 29% of the variation in tHcy. Two hundred thirty-five subjects with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia were randomized to receive folic acid (10 mg/d) or placebo for 6 mo. After 2, 4, and 6 mo, mean tHcy in the folate-supplemented group (7.2 ± 1.8, 7.0 ± 1.9, and 7.0 ± 2.3 μmol/L, respectively) was significantly lower than baseline and the placebo group at 2, 4, and 6 mo (8.9 ± 3.1, 8.4 ± 3.0, and 8.9 ± 3.1 μmol/L, respectively). Supplementation lowered tHcy even in subjects in the highest quintile of baseline folate. Folate, vitamin B 12 , copper, and severity of dysplasia are associated with tHcy. Folate supplementation significantly lowers tHcy even in folate-replete subjects.
Two communities join forces to study ice‐covered rivers and lakes

Lake and river ice are important hydrologic variables that increase in significance with latitude and elevation and produce a diverse array of impacts on physical, chemical, and ecological processes in lentic and lotic systems. For instance, ice jam or ice dam events in rivers impede flow and cause rapid and severe flooding upstream and low flow downstream. Such events produce flow magnitudes that mimic the annual extremes of flood and drought. Sequential flow extremes, where “drought” conditions are followed immediately by flooding, are unique to ice jam and release events. These dynamic flow conditions have important implications for erosion, transport, and deposition of sediment; movement of nutrients and contaminants; and quality of stream habitat. Ice jam processes depend on ice cover characteristics and stream flow, both of which are influenced by and sensitive to climate variability
Flocculation to enhance microfiltration

Abstract Tangential flow microfiltration is often used in the manufacture of biopharmaceutical products to separate the cells and cell debris from the growth medium. However, the smaller cellular debris present often fouls the membrane, therefore compromising the permeate flux and reducing the capacity of the microfiltration module. One way of improving the filterability of the feed is to flocculate it thus increasing the average particle size and hence the permeate flux. Here, results are presented for flocculation of yeast suspensions prior to microfiltration using commercially available synthetic polymeric flocculants. Cationic polymers were successful in flocculating the yeast suspensions. Flocculation prior to microfiltration leads to an increase in the permeate flux. An optimum polymer concentration, which maximized the degree of flocculation, was found. Additionally, mixing conditions during flocculation were found to affect the degree of flocculation. Results obtained here show that the average particle size may be used to determine the fouling rate constant during tangential flow microfiltration.
The social, economic and institutional factors affecting adoption of soil conservation practices: the Asian experience

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to discuss social, economic and institutional factors affecting adoption and continued use of soil conservation practices at the farm level in Asia. Macrosocial factors discussed are population pressure on land resources, poverty, land tenure and national development policies. Microsocial factors selected for examination are awareness of conservation practices, access to information systems, profitability of soil conservation practices, and value orientations of land operators. It is concluded that programs designed to facilitate adoption of soil conservation practices at the farm level in Asia must address macrosocial factors as well as microsocial factors or they will probably not be successful. Specific recommendations for the development of intervention strategies are presented.
Novel Strategies for the Prevention of Bypass Graft Failure

Bypass vein graft disease remains a significant limitation to the care of millions of patients with ischemic disease of the heart and lower extremities. The pathogenesis of this rapid, aggressive, occlusive disease lies in the remodeling response of the grafts themselves to the new arterial environment. As such, the molecular and cellular biology of neointimal hyperplasia provides a unique opportunity for cardiovascular researchers to more closely model a human clinical entity from its inception to the development of advanced disease. Recent years have therefore seen a broad new array of possible interventions for vein graft disease based on a sophisticated translation of genetic and molecular science. One of these applications, E2F decoys, has already progressed to phase III clinical studies, and many others will likely follow as the tools for therapeutic translation continue to improve. These include both gene transfer and gene blockade strategies.
Blockade of central alpha 2-adrenoceptors enhances the carotid occlusion response in dogs.

Intravertebral artery injection of yohimbine at total doses of 10, 50, 100 and 200 μg caused dose-related enhancement of the systemic pressor response to bilateral carotid artery occlusion (BCO) in dogs; the response was depressed by 5000 μg yohimbine. Basal blood pressure was increased by 100 and 200 μg yohimbine, and decreased by 5000 μg. Intravertebral artery injection of rauwolscine, 5 μg enhanced the BCO response but had no effect on basal blood pressure. Corynanthine, 200 or 500 μg was ineffective. The pressor response to intravenously administered noradrenaline was not affected by any of the drugs. It is concluded that enhancement of the BCO response by yohimbine and rauwolscine is caused by blockade of central α2-adrenoceptors.
DEG1, encoding the tRNA:pseudouridine synthase Pus3p, impacts HOT1-stimulated recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, HOT1-stimulated recombination has been implicated in maintaining homology between repeated ribosomal RNA genes. The ability of HOT1 to stimulate genetic exchange requires RNA polymerase I transcription across the recombining sequences. The trans-acting nuclear mutation hrm3-1 specifically reduces HOT1-dependent recombination and prevents cell growth at 37°. The HRM3 gene is identical to DEG1. Excisive, but not gene replacement, recombination is reduced in HOT1-adjacent sequences in deg1Δ mutants. Excisive recombination within the genomic rDNA repeats is also decreased. The hypo-recombination and temperature-sensitive phenotypes of deg1Δ mutants are recessive. Deletion of DEG1 did not affect the rate of transcription from HOT1 or rDNA suggesting that while transcription is necessary it is not sufficient for HOT1 activity. Pseudouridine synthase 3 (Pus3p), the DEG1 gene product, modifies the anticodon arm of transfer RNA at positions 38 and 39 by catalyzing the conversion of uridine to pseudouridine. Cells deficient in pseudouridine synthases encoded by PUS1, PUS2 or PUS4 displayed no recombination defects, indicating that Pus3p plays a specific role in HOT1 activity. Pus3p is unique in its ability to modulate frameshifting and readthrough events during translation, and this aspect of its activity may be responsible for HOT1 recombination phenotypes observed in deg1 mutants.
Cartilage nucleoside triphosphate pyrophosphohydrolase. II. Role in extracellular pyrophosphate generation and nucleotide metabolism.

Extracellular generation of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) in cartilage organ culture is markedly augmented by ATP.ATP, not an ATP metabolite (ADP, AMP, adenosine) is necessary for this augmentation. Excess PPi production is effectively blocked by known inhibitors of nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) pyrophosphohydrolase (EDTA, EGTA, dithiothreitol). Excess 32P-PPi is generated directly from gamma 32P-ATP by cartilage, as substrate and product have similar specific activities. These findings strongly favor ecto-NTP pyrophosphohydrolase as the source of extracellular PPi generation in the presence of NTP. Additionally, active nucleotide and nucleoside catabolism is demonstrated in these cartilage organ cultures.
The influence of personality and history of sexual victimization in the prediction of juvenile perpetrated child molestation.

Structural equation modeling was used to delineate the relationship between sexual victimization and personality variables in the prediction of patterns of child molestation in adolescent males. Two hundred thirty-five adolescents, representing subsamples of sexually victimized and nonvictimized, perpetrating and nonperpetrating, and emotionally maladjusted and nonmaladjusted youths, participated in the study. Juvenile child molesters were found to have more pessimistic explanatory styles and deficits in self-sufficiency relative to nonoffending youths. A younger age at time of victimization, a greater number of incidents, a longer period ofwaiting to report the abuse, and a lower level of perceived family support postrevelation of the abuse were found to be predictive of subsequent sexual perpetration. Implications for treatment are discussed.
The binding of cytochrome b5 to plasma membranes of rat liver. Its implication for membrane specificity and biogenesis

Abstract The in vitro incorporation of cytochrome b 5 into purified plasma membranes was investigated by biochemical and immunological methods. Plasma membrane preparations incorporated three times less cytochrome b 5 than did microsomal preparations; 60% of this cytochrome b 5 could not be reduced by the NADH-cytochrome b 5 reductase and was considered as being bound to the plasma membrane. The morphological observations made after the immunochemical labeling of cytochrome b 5 clearly showed a good but asymmetrical distribution of the ferritin labeling: only the inner face of the plasma membrane incorporated cytochrome b 5 . These results are discussed with respect to theories which concern the subcellular membrane relationships in the cell.
SERVICE ORIENTED TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT TO IMPROVE ORGANIZATIONAL AGILITY

The service orientation — coupled with dynamic choreography of business processes, service oriented architectures and service oriented infrastructures — is a developing structure that carries with it the potential to improve agility in today's complex business environments. But because of the newness of the concept and the limited number of large-scale organizations ready or willing to be "early adopters," it is difficult to predict the organizational and technical impacts, understand the critical issues, or perform rigorous research on services computing. So, how should a company begin assessing the real impacts of these service orientation paradigm shifts? In this article, we established an integrated assessment process for creating an organizational roadmap to realize visions of how to deliver reliable, scalable enterprise processes built upon services-computing.
Can there be false hope in recovery

Although hope is key to recovery, might the course of some people's mental illness be so severe that false promise is offered? This paper unpacks considerations and, after a critical analysis, concludes hope is still central to healing and personal well-being.
All-Optical Logic in Optical Waveguides

The motivation for the development of all-optical logic elements in integrated optical waveguides is reviewed. The difficulties inherent in the `all-optical' approach are outlined. The all-optical, universal logic for pipeline operation based on the Mach-Zehnder interferometer is described and experiments on a prototype all-optical modulator fabricated in LiNbO$_{3}$ are presented. The paper concludes with a discussion of a device design for operation with shorter lengths and compatible with semiconductor laser drives.
Effect of overall time and dose on the response of glottic carcinoma of the larynx to radiotherapy

coagulopathy and a non-steroid-related malaise syndrome [2]. Accordingly, much of the recent work pertaining to suramin has focused on developing an optimal, clinician-friendly dosing schedule that would minimise interpatient variability in plasma suramin concentrations and permit its more widespread clinical use [ 11,121. The response seen in this case of resistant thymoma treated with suramin reiterates the role of this compound as a potential therapeutic alternative in a variety of neoplasms otherwise refractory to conventional treatment modalities.
COHESION AND HARDNESS OF EXTRUSION‐COOKED MECHANICALLY‐ AND HAND‐DEBONED POULTRY MEAT WITH SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE AND KAPPA‐CARRAGEENAN

Four variables, including extrusion temperature (85–105C), combinations of mechanically-deboned turkey (MDTM, 60–100%) and hand-deboned chicken (HDCM, 0–40%), level of soy protein isolate (SPI, 22–26%) and kappacarrageenan gum (0–1%), were incorporated in a fractional factorial experiment to study their effect on binding (cohesion) and hardness of extrusion-cooked products. Cohesion scores of extruded products were improved with higher extrusion temperature and levels of kappa-carrageenan, while products became harder with increased HDCM (and correspondingly decreased MDTM), SPI level and extrusion temperature. The results indicated that extrusion cooking can be used to produce value-added poultry products of low fat and high protein contents.
An examination of relationship disengagement: Perceptions, breakup strategies and outcomes

Questionnaires were obtained from 310 participants who reported on past intimate relationships. Items assessed how the relationship and partner were perceived and how the relationship breakup was accomplished. Also assessed were selected outcomes: felt anger, depression, freedom and the extent to which the partners remained friends after the disengagement. The results replicated earlier findings by Baxter (1982) and Cody (1982) and extended the range of variables pertinent to strategy selection by evaluating the role of network overlap, partner desirability, trust and dyadic adjustment. Both relational variables and tactics were associated with consequences of the disengagement. Partners were more likely, for instance, to stay friends if the disengager used de‐escalation tactics, the partner was desirable, and the disengager did not use justification or avoidance tactics. Limitations of the study and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Padé approximants, the second virial coefficient and perturbation theory

Abstract The use of Pade approximants in statistical mechanical perturbation theory is examined by considering the calculation of the second virial coefficient of quadrupolar fluids using a non-spherical reference potential. Even though the perturbation series is slowly convergent, the simplest Pade approximant is found to be quite accurate.
Physics of quasi-four-level lasers

Quasi four level lasers, such as the Ho:Tm lasers, have more physical processes associated with production of laser radiation than the more common four level lasers, such as the Nd lasers. Energy transfer processes, including up conversion and self quenching, as well as the existence of a nonnegligible thermal population in the lower laser level can be largely neglected in common four level lasers but are highly important in quasi four level lasers. Implications of these physical effects are explored with an emphasis on the Ho:Tm laser system.
3D scalar-wave absorbing boundary conditions with optimal coefficients in the frequency-space domain

ABSTRACTTo improve the computational efficiency for the solution of the 3D Helmholtz equation in the frequency-space domain, high-order compact forms of finite differences are preferred. We applied a pointwise Pade approximation to develop a 3D 27-point fourth-order compact finite-difference (FD) stencil in the grid interior, with a space-differentiated source term, for the scalar-wave equation; this has similar high-accuracy (4–5 grid points per the shortest wavelength) to another 27-point fourth-order FD stencil using a parsimonious mixed-grid and staggered-grid combination, but is much simpler. For absorbing boundary conditions (ABCs), a damping zone is expensive, and a perfectly matched layer can not be straightforwardly introduced into the compact FD form for the second-order wave equation. Thus, we developed 3D one-way wave equation (OWWE) ABCs with adjustable coefficients. They have different angle approximations and FD forms for the six faces, twelve edges, and eight corners in 3D models to fit wi...
Bioturbation and particle transport in Carolina slope sediments : A radiochemical approach

In situ tracer experiments investigated short-term sediment mixing processes at two Carolina continental margin sites (water depth = 850 m) characterized by different organic C fluxes, 234 Th mixing coefficients (D b ) and benthic assemblages. Phytoplankton, slope sediment, and sand-sized glass beads tagged with 210 Pb, 113 Sn, and 228 Th, respectively, were placed via submersible at the sediment-water interface at both field sites (Site I off Cape Fear, and Site III off Cape Hatteras). Experimental plots were sampled at 0, 1.5 days, and 90 days after tracer emplacement to examine short-term, vertical transport. Both sites are initially dominated by nonlocal mixing. Transport to the bottom of the surface mixed layer at both sites occurs more rapidly than 234 Th-based D b values predict; after 1.5 days, tagged particles were observed 5 cm below the sediment-water interface at Site I and 12 cm below at Site III. Impulse tracer profiles after 90 days at Site III exhibit primarily diffusive distributions, most likely due to a large number of random, nonlocal mixing events. The D b values determined from 90-day particle tagging experiments are comparable to those obtained from naturally occurring 234 Th profiles (∼100-day time scales) from nearby locations. The agreement between impulse tracer mixing coefficients and steady-state natural tracer mixing coefficients suggests that the diffusive analogue for bioturbation on monthly time scales is a realistic and useful approach. Tracer profiles from both sites exhibit some degree of particle selective mixing, but the preferential transport of the more labile carbon containing particles only occurred 30% of the time. Consequently, variations in the extent to which age-dependent mixing occurs in marine sediments may depend on factors such as faunal assemblage and organic carbon flux.
A comparison of estimators of output multipliers from incomplete input-output data

This paper presents derivations and empirical tests of three formulas for estimating output multipliers with only limited input-output type data. The first formula assumes only knowledge of the proportion of the value of output of the firm or industry in question which is respent within the region, as well as an estimate of the average of this value over all industries. The second formula assumes this value as well as the relative values of the I-O “row totals.” The third equation assumes data equivalent to a column in the I-O matrix is known for the specific firm or industry in question. The data requirements for all three formulas are modest but are more for (2) than for (1) and are more for (3) than for (2). All three formulas are shown to be quite reliable but the third gives especially close estimates of the actual multipliers for the several models tested. It is concluded that fairly rough estimates of the average interindustry proportion can be safely used but it is important to obtain the firm or industry expenditure (direct effects) data as accurately as possible.
Proteoglycans from the substratum adhesion sites of MSV-transformed BALB/c 3T3 cells.

Abstract Kirsten murine sarcoma virus-transformed Balb/c 3T3 cells (KiMSV) are highly tumorigenic and metastatic in the appropriate murine host, are loosely adherent to the tissue culture substratum, and can be readily detached from the substratum by ethylene glycol bis(β-aminoethyl ether) N,N′-tetraacetic acid treatment leaving their adhesion sites as substratum-attached material. Both long-term culture-generated adhesion sites (L-SAM) of KiMSV cells and newly formed adhesion sites of reattaching cells (R-SAM) contain high levels of hyaluronate (HA) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) whereas the R-SAM of parental Balb/c 3T3 cells is enriched in heparan sulfate (HS). A sizable fraction of KiMSV L-SAM proteoglycans (PG) and a smaller fraction of R-SAM PG's aggregate into two size classes of supramolecular complexes, after extraction off the substratum with 4 m guanidine hydrochloride, as determined by chromatography on columns of Sepharose CL2B in several buffer systems. Isopycnic density gradient analyses under associative conditions of KiMSV L-SAM generated three classes of material—high-density GA1 which contained some HA but principally CS and HS; intermediate-density GA2 which contained only HA; and low-density GA3 which contained some HA and principally glycoprotein. R-SAM gradients contained no GA2 but a sizable amount of “low-density” HA in GA3. When centrifuged under dissociative conditions, most of GA1 and all of GA2 from L-SAM shifted to the top of the gradient, whereas most of the HS-PG in R-SAM remained at the bottom of dissociative gradients. Comparison of these analyses with previous analyses of Balb/c 3T3 extracts demonstrates that (a) KiMSV cells generate adhesion sites with different PG contents than 3T3 sites; (b) the PG's of KiMSV sites have a reduced potential to aggregate into high-molecular-weight complexes but do form intermediate-size complexes not apparent in material from 3T3 sites; (c) these data support the hypothesis that HA is important in detachment of cells from extracellular matrices; and (d) HS-PG's in newly formed adhesion sites of KiMSV cells are considerably different from sites which have “matured”, indicating that there is metabolic activity in these sites during prolonged adherence and movement of transformed cells.
Modelling of microstructural features in Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductors

Abstract We have investigated characteristics of four important microstructural features, namely, grain boundaries (small-and large-angle), twins, stacking faults and cracks in high-Tc YBa2Cu3O7-x superconducting oxides using transmission electron microscopy techniques. A detailed analysis of these microstructural features is carried out to understand their effect on the superconducting properties, mechanical properties and their environmental sensitivity. An atomic model of the small-angle and large-angle grain boundaries in these superconducting oxides is provided using a geometric description. Some important differences between the grain-boundary structure of the superconducting oxides and that of metals have been identified. The environmental sensitivity of the superconducting oxide is explained in terms of the atomic structure of dislocations associated with the grain-boundary configurations. The strain energy associated with the twinned regions and oriented domains is determined using discrete dislo...
Investigating the Effectiveness of IS Security Countermeasures towards Cyber Attacker Deterrence

The efficacy of information system security countermeasures upon the deterrence of external cyber attackers has not yet been examined. As a result, organizations spend large sums of budgetary dollars upon countermeasures without knowledge of their effects upon the hackers who are waging the attacks. These countermeasures can be divided into two categories, both of which can be located inside or outside of the organization: active countermeasures, which directly inhibit or prevent an attack, and passive countermeasures, which obtain information about the attackers themselves. Using these categories, a framework of information system security countermeasures available to organizations was developed. The framework was evaluated in light of data collected from hacker bulletin boards to determine the effects of information system security countermeasures upon the intentions of these attackers to engage in their attacks.
Balanced-budget rules and macroeconomic (in)stability

Abstract It has been shown that under perfect competition and constant returns-to-scale, a one-sector real business cycle model may exhibit indeterminacy and sunspots when income tax rates are determined by a balanced-budget rule with a pre-set level of government expenditures. This paper shows that indeterminacy disappears if the government finances endogenous public spending and transfers with fixed income tax rates. Under this type of balanced-budget formulation, the economy exhibits saddle-path stability and equilibrium uniqueness, regardless of the source of government revenue and/or the existence of lump-sum transfers.
An experimental study of the aerodynamic influence of a pair of winglets on a flat plate model

Abstract The influence of a pair of thin stationary winglets on the aerodynamics of a bluff body is studied in this paper. The bluff body in question is a rectangular prism with a width-to-depth ratio of nine, and is referred to as a flat plate. The aerodynamic and aeroelastic characteristics studied experimentally were the static aerodynamic force and moment coefficients, their rate of change with angle of wind incidence and the motional aerodynamic derivatives. It was observed that a pair of winglets placed directly above the leading and trailing edges of the rectangular prism improved its aeroelastic characteristics. The winglets provided important aerodynamic damping and reduced the sensitivity of the rectangular prism to torsional aerodynamic instability. The experimental approach and a summary of the main findings are presented.
Administration of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen increases macrophage concentrations but reduces necrosis during modified muscle use.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that ibuprofen administration during modified muscle use reduces muscle necrosis and invasion by select myeloid cell populations. METHODS: Rats were subjected to hindlimb unloading for 10 days, after which they experienced muscle reloading by normal weight-bearing to induce muscle inflammation and necrosis. Some animals received ibuprofen by intraperitoneal injection 8 h prior to the onset of muscle reloading, and then again at 8 and 16 h following the onset of reloading. Other animals received buffer injection at 8 h prior to reloading and then ibuprofen at 8 and 16 h following the onset of reloading. Control animals received buffer only at each time point. Quantitative immunohistochemical analysis was used to assess the presence of necrotic muscle fibers, total inflammatory infiltrate, neutrophils, ED1+ macrophages and ED2+ macrophages at 24 h following the onset of reloading. RESULT: Administration of ibuprofen beginning 8 h prior to reloading caused significant reduction in the concentration of necrotic fibers, but increased the concentration of inflammatory cells in muscle. The increase in inflammatory cells was attributable to a 2.6-fold increase in the concentration of ED2+ macrophages. Animals treated with ibuprofen 8 h following the onset of reloading showed no decrease in muscle necrosis or increase in ED2+ macrophage concentrations. CONCLUSION: Administration of ibuprofen prior to increased muscle loading reduces muscle damage, but increases the concentration of macrophages that express the ED2 antigen. The increase in ED2+ macrophage concentration and decrease in necrosis may be mechanistically related because ED2+ macrophages have been associated with muscle regeneration and repair.
The use of complex potentials in nuclear physics

Abstract Derivations of optical potentials are given for several simple, physically interesting reaction models, to illustrate the content of more general derivations. The use of complex coupling potentials in direct-reaction calculations is seen to be natural. A time-dependent analysis is also given.
Neighborhood effects examined through the lens of residential mobility programs.

Although researchers have consistently found that neighborhoods matter, relatively little is known about the processes through which neighborhood-level characteristics influence individual outcomes, and whether interventions targeting improving neighborhood characteristics will be beneficial for children. I examine whether relocating from high- to low-poverty neighborhoods affected low-income Black children’s exposure to promotive developmental experiences. Participating families voluntarily relocated from high-poverty, minority segregated, inner-city Chicago neighborhoods to mostly White, low-poverty, suburban and Chicago neighborhoods. Data come from retrospective qualitative interviews with 22 Gautreaux One families an average of 15 years after initial relocation, and from interviews with 43 Gautreaux Two families as they relocated into their new communities. I find that children primarily benefited from the institutional versus the social interaction resources in their new neighborhoods. Furthermore, suburban placement was key in facilitating children’s access to higher quality resources.
Mathematical Thinking in Second-Grade Children with Different Forms of LD:

Based on their performance on a standardized achievement test, second-grade children (N = 49) were classified as having mathematics difficulties with normal reading achievement (MD only), both mathematics and reading difficulties (MD/RD), reading difficulties with normal mathematics achievement (RD only) and normal mathematics and reading achievement (NA). Each child was given a series of tasks so that we might assess their thinking across four areas of mathematics: number facts, story problems, place value, and written calculation. Children with MD/RD performed significantly worse than NA children in most areas of mathematical thinking, whereas children with MD only performed worse than NA children only on complex story problems. The MD-only group outperformed the MD/RD group on story problems and written calculation. No significant differences were found between the RD-only and NA groups on any of the tasks. The results suggested that among children with mathematics difficulties, the MD/RD subgroup is distinct from the MD-only subgroup, with the former being characterized by pervasive deficiencies in mathematical thinking and the latter by more specific deficits in problem solving.
The effect of the interdependence of protein and bile salt concentrations on the measurement of cerebroside sulphate sulphatase activity in human leucocyte and fibroblast extracts.

Abstract The previously observed differences in properties of human leucocyte and fibroblast cerebroside sulphate sulphatase (cerebroside-3-sulphate 3-sulphohydrolase, EC 3.1.6.8) measured in vitro have been found to be due to subtle differences in incubation conditions. Maximum enzyme activity was observed with either crude sodium taurocholate or with pure sodium taurodeoxycholate. The optimum bile salt concentration of the enzyme in leucocyte or fibroblast extracts, but not the pure ox liver enzyme, was critically dependent on protein concentration. At low concentrations of the latter (less than 0.1 mg/ml), maximum activity was observed at taurocholate concentrations less than 0.5 mg/ml; at protein concentrations greater than 0.20 mg/ml substantially more bile acid (more than 1.3 mg/ml) was required to stimulate maximum activity. Addition of Triton X-100 or bovine serum albumin to the incubation mixtures increased the optimum taurocholate concentration. The dependence of the bile salt optimum on protein concentration appears to be related to the binding of the lipid substrate to membranous protein present in the tissue extracts. Release of the bound lipid is effected either by increasing the bile salt human leucocyte, fibroblast and liver X-100. In the presence of excess bile salt human leucocyte, fibroblast and liver cerebroside sulphate sulphatase activity is stimulated by Triton at low protein concentrations; under identical conditions the pure or crude ox-liver enzyme is substantially inhibited. Our data also show that cerebroside sulphate sulphatase activity measured in extracts from leucocytes and fibroblasts, the tissues normally used to effect a diagnosis of metachromatic leucodystrophy, is the result of a complex interaction of bile salt, protein, Triton X-100 and probably the substrate itself. Any slight alteration in any of those factors, without a corresponding change in any or all of the others, can have a marked effect on the measured enzyme activity, and may lead to errors in the diagnosis of metachromatic leucodystrophy.