cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical course of asymptomatic patients with carotid duplex scan end diastolic velocities of 100 to 124 centimeters per second.

Objective With the decline of diagnostic angiography, clinicians increasingly rely upon duplex scan criteria to select appropriate asymptomatic candidates for carotid intervention. Some recent trials have enrolled patients for intervention based upon end diastolic velocities (EDVs) as low as 100 cm/second, and peak systolic velocities (PSVs) as low as 230 cm/second. In as much as we have used more selective duplex scan criteria, we reviewed the course of asymptomatic patients who had EDVs from 100 to 124 cm/second. Methods Of the patients evaluated in our Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL) accredited laboratory from 2002 to 2007, 144 patients had an EDV 100 to 124 cm/second. Of these, 47 patients underwent initial carotid intervention for concomitant symptoms (10), contralateral occlusion (3), or other imaging findings felt to warrant intervention. The remaining 97 asymptomatic patients were followed. One patient had both arteries fall within this EDV range. The mean follow-up for the 98 arteries was 29.1 months (range, 2-116 months). Results Five patients (5.2%) developed ipsilateral symptoms consisting of one stroke and four transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), at a mean time of 35.3 months (range, 12-58 months). Twenty-six patients (26.8%), including 3 who also developed ipsilateral symptoms, progressed to having an EDV of ≥125 cm/second at a mean time of 24 months (range, 2-58). Two of these (2.1%) progressed directly to occlusion without symptoms and with no documented interim worsening of stenosis. Conclusion For asymptomatic individuals with an initial EDV of 100 to 124 cm/second, the risk of ipsilateral stroke is small and, therefore, medical management is appropriate in most cases. However, the risk of progression to a more severe degree of stenosis, often warranting carotid intervention, is clinically meaningful. Yearly duplex scan follow-up is necessary to assess disease progression in this patient cohort.
Just How Special is Turkey in Europe

Turkey-European Union Relations: Dilemmas, Opportunities, and Constraints. Edited by Meltem Muftuler-Bac, Yannis A. Stivachtis Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 2008. 352 pp., $75.00 hardcover (ISBN-10: 0-7391-2447-1/ISBN-13: 978-0-7391-2447-5). Turkey's application for membership in the European Union (EU) disappeared from the headlines in 2007 and 2008, as conflict between secular and political authorities distracted attention inside the country and the Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty cast a chill over the Union as a whole. Popular debate over EU enlargement came to the fore again, however, with the August 2008 armed conflict in Abkhazia and South Ossetia followed by the Russian invasion of Georgia. Worried about the implications of extending NATO guarantees further to the East, policy analysts and pundits across Europe reasoned that the best way to shore up the states on Russia's borders is to offer them the chance at EU membership. Whether such an offer will actually materialize for Moldavia or Ukraine remains to be seen. Certainly they are hopeful that it will. Even Georgia dreams of the prospect, and Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili has developed a habit of issuing statements with the EU flag in the background. Yet with all the furor about the EU's role in the Caucasus, the major element missing in the debate has been any consideration of EU relations with Turkey as a critical actor in the region. This is surprising for three reasons: Turkey shares a border …
A weighted test of internal symmetry

This study examines extensions of McNemar's Test with multinomial responses, and proposes a linear weighting scheme, based on the distance of the response change, that is applied to one of these extensions (Bowker's test). This weighted version of Bowker's test is then appropriate for ordinal response variables. A Monte Carlo simulation was conducted to examine the Type I error rate of the weighted Bowker's test for a cross-classification table based on a five-category ordinal response scale. The weighted Bowker's test was also applied to a data set involving change in student attitudes towards mathematics. The results of the weighted Bowker's test were compared with the results of Bowker's test applied to the same set of data.
Electronic management of the peer review process

Abstract This paper deals with managing the peer review process with an electronic management system (EMS). Our approach uses a WWW-based interface to an Oracle database. We describe different aspects of the EMS, namely the peer review process, report generation, and security. An experimental peer review system was developed for the Fourth International World Wide Web (WWW) Conference, which provided a model to automate the underlying processes that had been driven primarily by pen and paper. This system uses the very technology that the International WWW Conference Committee (IW3C2) promotes, so it is fitting that the conference be automated with a WWW-based system. The experimental system has evolved with the help of many suggestions to provide better support for the WWW5 conference as well. This paper discusses the first experimental system, some lessons learned, and the second more evolved system for the WWW5 conference with emphasis on the latter.
Enhancement of mechanical Q for low phase noise optomechanical oscillators

A self-sustained Radiation-Pressure driven MEMS ring OptoMechanical Oscillator (RP-OMO) attaining an anchor-loss-limited mechanical Q-factor of 10,400 in vacuum has posted a best-to-date phase noise of -102 dBc/Hz at a 1 kHz offset from a 74 MHz carrier, more than 15 dB better than the best previously published mark [1]. While enhanced optical and mechanical Q both serve to lower the optical threshold power required to obtain oscillation, it is the mechanical Q that ends up having the strongest impact on phase noise [2], much as in a traditional MEMS-based oscillator [3]. This motivates a focus on increased mechanical Q-a challenge in previous such devices measured in air-and requires measurement in the absence of gas-damping using a custom optical vacuum measurement system. The improved phase noise performance of these RP-OMOs is now on par with many conventional MEMS-based oscillators and is sufficient for the targeted chip-scale atomic clock application.
Facial asymmetry in maxillary sinus hypoplasia

Maxillary sinus hypoplasia is a rare finding for pediatric patients. We describe two children with maxillary sinus hypoplasia associated with facial asymmetry. One patient underwent endoscopic maxillary antrostomy. For the other, treatment was deferred at the patient's request. The management options of facial asymmetry for patients with maxillary sinus hypoplasia are discussed.
Cobweb dynamics and price dispersion in illicit drug markets

Extreme price dispersion is a hallmark of illegal drug markets, and this apparent contradiction to the law of one price has long puzzled drug market economists. We propose a novel explanation for this dispersion: the coupling of dealers’ unwillingness to hold inventory with dealers’ imperfect foresight concerning future prices and/or random lead times when “ordering” drugs from higher-level suppliers. Unwillingness to hold inventory means drug markets might operate consistent with a cobweb model. The classic cobweb model was inspired by the observation of cyclic (typically annual) fluctuations in commodity prices. However, with minor changes that make the model more realistic the resulting price trajectories can be highly variable or even chaotic, not just periodic. Cobweb dynamics can also amplify the variability created by supply chain disruptions.
Nanoindentaion and Wear Behavior of Nickel-Titanium Alloys and Thin Films

The unusual constitutive behavior of NiTi alloys that display shape memory and transformational superelasticity may impart useful tribological properties. This paper presents some preliminary results on nanoindentation and pin-on-disk wear experiments that suggest potential tri-bological applications of NiTi alloys. It is shown that high levels of spring-back reversibility together with high hardness, as measured by nanoindentation experiments, correlate with improved wear resistance in bulk Nitinol alloys. Amorphous thin films of equiatomic NiTi, which are readily produced by physical vapor deposition, were found to be especially hard and wear resistant. Finally, stress induced B2-B19’ transformation is shown to occur during wear-loading of martensitic NiTi, indicating that wear processes are capable of inducing superelastic effects in B2 NiTi alloys.
The contemporary management of electrical injuries: resuscitation, reconstruction, rehabilitation.

Purpose:Due to advances in resuscitation of patients with electrical injuries, new challenges in reconstruction and rehabilitation have emerged. This study is a comprehensive institutional review of a prospectively gathered database of patients with electrical injuries, from initial resuscitation th
Photoelectron spectroscopy of Rydberg states of atomic iodine.

The photoelectron spectra obtained following two-photon resonant, three-photon ionization of atomic iodine via a number of Rydberg states are presented. Photoelectron spectra obtained via the (/sup 3/P/sub 2/)np(1)/sub 1/2/ levels and via the ( /sup 3/P/sub 0/)4f(3)/sub 5/2/ level demonstrate the production of state-selected I/sup +/ /sup 3/P/sub 2/ and /sup 3/P/sub 0/ ions, respectively, with approx.85% efficiency. Photoelectron spectra obtained via the (/sup 3/P/sub 2/)nf(3)/sub 5/2/ levels show the effect of a perturbation by the (/sup 3/P/sub 0/)4f(3)/sub 5/2/ level, as both I/sup +/ /sup 3/P/sub 2/ and /sup 3/P/sub 0/ are observed. The relative magnitudes of the /sup 3/P/sub 2/ and /sup 3/P/sub 0/ photoelectron peaks are shown to be strongly dependent on the relative magnitudes of the (/sup 3/P/sub 2/)nf(3)/sub 5/2/ and ( /sup 3/P/sub 0/)4f(3)/sub 5/2/ photoionization matrix elements. Two additional processes are observed in the photoelectron spectra. These correspond to fluorescence of the resonant intermediate level to lower-lying levels, followed by ionization of those levels, and to energy transfer from I( /sup 2/P/sub 1/2/ atoms to Rydberg atoms, resulting in ionization of the latter.
Secretion of Active-Form Streptoverticillium mobaraense Transglutaminase by Corynebacterium glutamicum: Processing of the Pro-Transglutaminase by a Cosecreted Subtilisin-Like Protease from Streptomyces albogriseolus

The transglutaminase secreted by Streptoverticillium mobaraense is a useful enzyme in the food industry. A fragment of transglutaminase was secreted by Corynebacterium glutamicum when it was coupled on a plasmid to the promoter and signal peptide of a cell surface protein from C. glutamicum. We analyzed the signal peptide and the pro-domain of the transglutaminase gene and found that the signal peptide consists of 31 amino acid residues and the pro-domain consists of 45 residues. When the pro-domain of the transglutaminase was used, the pro-transglutaminase was secreted efficiently by C. glutamicum but had no enzymatic activity. However, when the plasmid carrying the S. mobaraense transglutaminase also encoded SAM-P45, a subtilisin-like serine protease derived from Streptomyces albogriseolus, the peptide bond to the C side of 41-Ser of the pro-transglutaminase was hydrolyzed, and the pro-transglutaminase was converted to an active form. Our findings suggest that C. glutamicum has potential as a host for industrial-scale protein production.
Ferrylmyoglobin-catalyzed linoleic acid peroxidation

Abstract The addition of linoleic acid (18:2) to a solution containing oxymyoglobin (Mb II O 2 ), metmyoglobin (Mb III ), or metmyoglobin-azide complex (Mb III -N 3 − ) resulted in the formation of a common complex with identical absorption spectral properties. The addition of H 2 O 2 to a Mb III /linoleic acid mixture revealed a spectral profile with λ max at 530 nm and different from that observed in the reaction of Mb III with H 2 O 2 and identical to that of ferrylmyoglobin. This was accompanied by a progressive decrease in the absorption in the visible region, indicating heme degradation during the lipid peroxidation process. The oxidation products of linoleic acid during the Mb III /18:2/H 2 O 2 interaction were assessed by HPLC under anaerobic and aerobic conditions. In both instances, the chromatograms at λ 234nm revealed the formation of a main peak with a retention time of 11.1 min, which cochromatographed with a standard of 9-hydroperoxide of linoleic acid. The latter adduct was not degraded by the oxoferryl complex of myoglobin. The conclusions originating from this research are twofold. On the one hand, the identical spectral properties exhibited by the product originating from the reaction of either Mb II O 2 or Mb III with linoleic acid bridge the apparent discrepancy between the different reactivities of Mb II O 2 and Mb III toward H 2 O 2 and their ability to promote lipid peroxidation. On the other hand, the pattern of oxidation products of linoleic acid observed during the Mb III /H 2 O 2 interaction, i.e., the formation of a 9-hydroperoxide adduct as a major product, points to a specific binding character and a regioselectivity of the oxoferryl complex in the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids or a catalytic preference for decomposition of the various isomeric hydroperoxides over that of the 9-hydroperoxide.
Social Communicative Anxiety and the Personnel Selection Process: Testing the Similarity Effect in Selection Decisions

Three studies tested competing predictions about the role of similarity in personnel selection decisions. Previous research suggests a significant role for applicant-selector similarity in the determination of selection decisions. Applicants who are similar to selectors are evaluated, by selectors, more positively than dissimilar applicants. The current investigations found that when the object of similarity is the applicant's and selector's level of anxiety, this relationship fails to appear. Regardless of the selector's own level of anxiety, the high anxious applicant is less positively evaluated than the low anxious one. This effect appears even when the communication demands of the position are specified.
Search for Low Temperature Superconductivity in Graphite Compounds

Graphite and graphite compounds with Br, K, Ca, B, ammonium, and bisulfate have been investigated for superconductivity down to 1.25\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. None became superconducting.
Smoke Detector Effectiveness and the Value of Saving A Life

Abstract Engineering estimates of home smoke detector effectiveness are around 50 percent. An economic model finds an effectiveness estimate of about 9 percent. Based on this result, the value of life saving from smoke detector purchases is increased fivefold.
The structure and future of the information economy

Abstract The structure of the U.S. economy is analyzed to determine whether a shift has occurred from a service to an information economy. National Income Accounting concepts are reviewed to facilitate a critical comparison of the works of Machlup and Porat. Evidence about the future of an information economy is reviewed. It is concluded that the growth of the information economy will not continue at the same rate it has in the past and further that the growth will be in information products, not information services. It is also concluded that it is unwarranted to restructure the National Income Accounts to reflect a change to an information economy.
Nanometer size platinum particle arrays: catalytic and surface chemical properties

A new type of spatially controlled model catalyst was prepared by electron beam lithography. The catalyst consisted of a square array of disc shaped platinum particles 50 nm in diameter and spaced at 200 nm on an oxidized silicon wafer. The catalyst was cleaned of surface contaminants by low energy neon ion sputtering without adversely altering the characteristics of the array. Catalytic activity was confirmed by performing ethylene hydrogenation at high pressure. Evidence of deuterium spillover was seen by thermal desorption experiments.
Pediatric dentoalveolar surgery.

Dentoalveolar surgery in children presents general dentists with unique challenges not encountered in adults. The long-term effects that treatments have on these children must always be taken into consideration. A clear understanding of the growth and development of pediatric patients is necessary to correctly identify dental abnormalities. The tooth bud is a collection of cells derived from the ectoderm of the first brachial arch and the ectomesenchyme of the neural crest cells. The formation of primary teeth is evident between 6 and 8 weeks in utero and the permanent teeth form in the twen- tieth week. The initial calcification of the primary teeth ranges from 14 weeks for the incisors to 19 weeks for the second molars. The permanent incisors calcify between age 3 and 4 months and the third molars calcify between 7 and 10 years. If the denti- tion does not develop at these times or there is an event that disrupts the formation, then tooth development ceases. The most common congenitally missing teeth are the third molars followed by the lateral incisors and the mandibular second premolars. The eruption pattern of the primary and permanent dentition is of critical importance (Table 1). If a tooth or teeth fail to erupt, the cause should be investigated. Possible reasons include but are not limited to tooth malposition, retained primary teeth, arch space/length discrepancies, obstruction by a supernumerary tooth or a cyst (usually seen in teens, such as keratocysts and dentigerous cysts), or tumors (usually seen in childhood, such as compound/complex odontomas and fibro-osseous lesions). An anomaly in dental growth and development may be indicative of a more ominous
On the validity of planar, thick curved beam models derived with respect to centroidal and neutral axes

Abstract Most dynamic analyses of planar curved beams found in the literature are carried out based on a curved beam model which assumes that the neutral axis coincides with the centroidal axis of the curved beam. This assumption leads to governing equations of motion which are relatively simple with analysis results that have acceptable accuracy for shallow curved beams. However, when a curved beam is not shallow and/or its cross section is not doubly symmetric, the offset distance between the neutral and centroidal axes may be large enough to influence the in-plane dynamics of the curved beam even for small motion. In this paper, the validity of this underlying assumption for modeling a linear curved beam is examined. To this end, two sets of equations of motion governing the in-plane dynamics of a planar curved beam are derived, in a consistent manner for comparison, based on the linear strain–displacement relations and Hamilton’s principle. The first set of equations is derived from the displacement components measured with reference to the neutral axis of the curved beam while the second set is derived with respect to the centroidal axis of the cross section. The curved beam is considered extensional and the effects of rotary inertia and radial shear deformation are included. In addition to the curvature parameter that characterizes the wave motion for both curved beam models, an eccentricity parameter is introduced in the first model to account for the offset between the neutral and centroidal axes. The dynamic behavior predicted by each curved beam model is compared in terms of the dispersion relations, frequency spectra, cutoff frequencies, natural frequencies and modeshapes, and frequency responses. In order to ensure that the comparison is accurate, the wave propagation technique is applied to obtain exact wave solutions. It is shown that, when the curvature parameter is not small, the underlying assumption has a substantial impact on the accuracy of the linear dynamic analysis of a curved beam.
Development of a hollow cylinder test for the elastic modulus distribution and the ultimate strength of bamboo

Abstract Bamboo, which has become increasingly popular as a renewable structural material in past decades, is a natural functionally graded material whose elastic modulus gradually increases from the inner to the outer surfaces. A hollow cylinder test has been developed to characterize the strength and stiffness of bamboo specimens in the cross sectional plane. A hydraulic jack is used to inflate the rubber hose, which is inserted into a bamboo specimen to apply an inner pressure. The strains on the inner and outer surfaces of the bamboo are measured under an increasing inner pressure until that the bamboo specimen splits. The effective elastic modulus of bamboo varies continuously in the radial direction that is tentatively approximated by a power, exponential or linear function, respectively, each of which includes two parameters to be determined experimentally. Given an inner pressure, the stress and strain distributions along the radial direction can be analytically derived for the three forms of elastic modulus distribution functions, respectively. Fitting the test data with the formulation, we can obtain the two parameters for each elastic modulus distribution function. Based on the cellular microstructure and comparison of the elastic modulus distribution, the exponential function of elastic modulus provides the most favorable results and is thus recommended for a future standard test method, which can be used in bamboo material characterization and quality control.
Apprehension of Writing as a Predictor of Message Intensity

Summary The present study sought to determine the effects of writing apprehension on message encoding strategies. Ninety-eight undergraduate students completed measures of language intensity and writing apprehension. As hypothesized, individuals with high apprehension of writing encoded significantly less intense messages than did those with low apprehension (p < .05). The finding offers support for both (a) a theoretic proposition advanced by Burgoon et al. concerning the role of language intensity in persuasive messages and (b) the predictive validity of the writing apprehension measure.
Measurement And Modeling Of Optical Disk Noise

This paper discusses the various components of the noise in the readback signal from an optical disk and suggests methods for measuring them. An analysis is presented of the relationship between optical efficiency of an M-0 head, light intensity at the detector(s), choice between PIN and avalanche photodetectors and the resulting noise levels. A number of measured noise spectra from grooved and ungrooved substrates and disks are presented and mathematical models are used to explain the results. In particular a simple model of an M-0 system with differential detectors is included.
Perceptions of Blue-Collar and White-Collar Crime: The Effect of Defendant Race on Simulated Juror Decisions

Abstract Undergraduate students (N = 56) participated in a study designed to examine the effect of defendant race and type of crime on simulated juror decisions. An equal number of black and white students was randomly assigned to receive one of four crime descriptions that varied in terms of defendant race (black or white) and the type of crime (burglary or embezzlement) committed. Students were subsequently asked to recommend jail sentences and bail amounts and to respond to items regarding the perceived severity of the crime and the likelihood that the defendant would repeat the crime. As predicted, the white embezzler received longer jail sentences than the black embezzler, and the black burglar received longer jail sentences than the white burglar.
Influence of sunflecks on the temperature and water relations of two subalpine understory congeners.

The temperature and water relations of the herbaceous, understory, congeners Arnica cordifolia and Arnica latifolia were evaluated in relation to the sunfleck dynamics of their respective microhabitats. Arnica cordifolia microhabitats had more frequent, longer, and more intense sunflecks than those of A. latifolia which led to higher leaf temperatures (31°C versus 15°C) and transpirational fluxes (65 μg cm-2 s-1 versus 16 μg cm-2 s-1). Stomatal closure did not occur in response to high leaf temperatures and low stem water potentials during natural sunfleck exposures, even though plants were observed to wilt during midday, especially A. cordifolia. Experimentally, an artificial midday sunfleck of about 165 min caused plants of A. cordifolia not to regain turgor after 8 h in shade compared to a sunfleck duration of about 90 min for plants of A. latifolia. However, these sunfleck intervals occurred naturally only during the early morning and late afternoon when solar intensities were minimal. Also, A. cordifolia populations had over twice as many plants that were sunlit (>40% of total) compared with A. latifolia (<20% of total) at any particular time during a day. The small-scale distribution of both species appears tightly coupled to the sunfleck dynamics of their respective microhabitats due to the lack of stomatal action which would reduce transpiration and improve plant water status under sunlit conditions.
Generation of Icelandic rhyolites by melting of plagiogranites in the oceanic layer

Trondhjemite and quartz diorite xenoliths ejected in recent Icelandic eruptions are believed to be derived from plagiogranites within layer 3, formed by fractional crystallisation of basaltic magmas in the lower crust. Evidence indicates that rift jumping to older crust can lead to partial melting of plagiogranites at depth and their eruption as rhyolitic magmas.
Molecular cloning of gene sequences regulated by platelet-derived growth factor

We have screened a cDNA library for gene sequences that are regulated by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in BALB/c-3T3 cells. Of 8000 clones screened, less than 14 independent PDGF-inducible sequences were found. Two of these (KC and JE) were studied in detail. By hybrid-selection and translation the KC and JE mRNAs encode 10,000 and 19,000 dalton polypeptides, respectively. In the absence of PDGF, the JE and KC sequences correspond to low abundance mRNAs. One hour after addition of PDGF their abundance level can be increased 10- to 20-fold. Within 4 hr, a 60-fold induction of JE can be attained. Nanogram per ml quantities of pure PDGF regulate these sequences whereas microgram/ml quantities of chemically unrelated mitogens (EGF, insulin, or platelet-poor plasma) have either a weak or an undetectable effect. Inhibitors of protein synthesis block the progression of quiescent 3T3 cells through G1 into S phase; however these drugs do not block the induction of KC and JE by PDGF. This result indicates that these sequences correspond to "early genes" which are not induced as a consequence of cell growth, but rather are directly regulated by PDGF.
The Cytoplasmic Adaptor Protein Dok7 Activates the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase MuSK via Dimerization

Formation of the vertebrate neuromuscular junction requires, among others proteins, Agrin, a neuronally derived ligand, and the following muscle proteins: LRP4, the receptor for Agrin; MuSK, a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK); and Dok7 (or Dok-7), a cytoplasmic adaptor protein. Dok7 comprises a pleckstrin-homology (PH) domain, a phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domain, and C-terminal sites of tyrosine phosphorylation. Unique among adaptor proteins recruited to RTKs, Dok7 is not only a substrate of MuSK, but also an activator of MuSK's kinase activity. Here, we present the crystal structure of the Dok7 PH-PTB domains in complex with a phosphopeptide representing the Dok7-binding site on MuSK. The structure and biochemical data reveal a dimeric arrangement of Dok7 PH-PTB that facilitates trans-autophosphorylation of the kinase activation loop. The structure provides the molecular basis for MuSK activation by Dok7 and for rationalizing several Dok7 loss-of-function mutations found in patients with congenital myasthenic syndromes.
Ab initio and density functional calculations of conformational energies and interconversion pathways in 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine

Abstract Hartree–Fock with and without MP2 (frozen core and full) corrections and density functional calculations have been performed on 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine with basis sets 6-31G∗, 6-31+G∗ and 6-311+G∗∗. For all methods which included diffuse functions, the half-chair equatorial N–H conformer was found to be slightly more stable than the half-chair axial conformer, in agreement with experimental results. A detailed comparison for all the methods and basis sets was made with experimental data. These included rotational constants for both the normal and N–D isotopic species, dipole moments and dipole moment components. In addition, several interconversion pathways and barriers between the axial and equatorial conformations were explored by Hartree–Fock and B3LYP with the 6-31+G∗ basis set. The lowest energy pathway between was found to be via the N–H inversion (∼4–5 kcal/mol); via a bent (boat) axial form (∼6–7 kcal/mol) and finally via a bent (boat) equatorial form (∼7–8 kcal/mol). The planar form was found to be ∼10 kcal/mol less stable than the two half-chair forms.
The genomics of a signaling pathway: a KDD Cup challenge task

This article describes Task 2 of the KDD Cup 2002 datamining competition. The task involved predicting whether deletions of individual genes in a yeast genome would affect a particular signaling pathway in the cell. With its rich data sources and abundance of missing information, the task is representative of data mining problems in genomics and proved to be quite challenging.
Folding/Unfolding of Glycolipid Transfer Protein: Molten Globule-Like Intermediates?

Glycolipid transfer proteins (GLTPs) are small, soluble, single-chain proteins (∼24 kDa) that selectively accelerate the intermembrane transfer of glycolipids in vitro. The GLTP-fold is unique among lipid-binding proteins. However, little is known about GLTP stability and folding/-unfolding. During isolation of heterologously expressed GLTP, FPLC size exclusion chromatography showed peaks corresponding to monomer, multimer, and a third peak of intermediate elution volume. Unexpectedly, native gel electrophoresis showed that the intermediate protein peak migrated as monomer rather than dimer, raising the possibility of a molten globule-like state. Intrinsic GLTP tryptophan fluorescence showed a blue-shifted (∼2nm) emission wavelength maximum (λmax), indicating an altered tryptophan environment compared to monomer. ANS binding resulted in a large blue shift (∼20nm) in λmax and dramatically enhanced emission intensity (∼120%). Far-UV-CD showed retention of ordered secondary structure (>95%), but substantially reduced cooperativity during thermally-induced melting. Near-UV-CD analysis of induced optical activity of GLTP Trp/Tyr residues was insufficient to establish tertiary folding changes. To further evaluate GLTP unfolding intermediates, the effect of urea was studied. Trp emission changes suggested a two-step unfolding pathway involving intermediate formation at 4M urea and characterized by blue-shifted Trp emission. Additional urea induced further unfolding marked by red-shifted Trp emission. Far-UV-CD analyses of the 4M urea-induced intermediate indicated reduced ordered secondary structure and cooperative melting at lower temperature compared to native GLTP, but the near-UV-CD signal did not provide definitive insights into tertiary folding status. ANS binding showed 1nm blue shift and 60% increase in fluorescence intensity compared to untreated GLTP. Conditions are identified under which GLTP may exist in molten globule-like and other partially unfolded states. Studies on the significance of these intermediates with respect to function are underway. [Support: NIH/NIGMS GM45928 & GM34847, NIH/NCI CA121493, The Hormel & Mayo Foundations]
The Coagulation of Finely-Divided Ion Exchange Resins and the Use of the Coagulated Material for Rapid Ion Removal

Abstract Finely-ground ion exchange resin particles remove ions from solution much more rapidly than the conventional-size beads. Such finely-divided solids form suspensions when added to aqueous solutions. A method was required for rapidly removing such suspensions once ion adsorption had occurred, and to this end it is shown that the particles (-400 mesh) can be completely coagulated within a few minutes by the addition of suspensions of oppositely-charged solids. Thus anion exchange resins are coagulated by cation exchange resins (200 to 400), montmorillonite (200), kaolin (30), charcoal (10), silica (10), and glass (5), the figures representing arbitrarily defined relative coagulating abilities. Coagulating power is shown to increase markedly with decreasing particle size. Most suitable for ion removal is a mixed finely-divided resin formed by coagulation of anionic and cationic resins from pure water. The mixed resin, when added to 1 liter of 3 × 10−4 M sodium phosphate solution removes all the phosp...
Neurokinin A depolarizes neurons of the guinea pig inferior mesenteric ganglia.

Abstract Neurokinin A (NKA) applied either by superfusion (0.1–10 μM) or by pressure ejection evoked a slow membrane depolarization in neurons of the inferior mesenteric ganglia in vitro. The NKA-induced depolarization which was not significantly affected by reducing the Ca concentration or by tetrodotoxin was associated in most cases by a small-to-moderate increase in membrane resistance; however, conditioning hyperpolarization increased rather than decreased the response. The depolarization elicited by NKA was eliminated in the presence of substance P (SP) and the depolarization by SP in the presence of NKA. The results suggest that the actions of NKA on prevertebral neurons are similar to that of SP and that these two peptides may act on the same receptors or share similar ionic channels.
Valuing corporate knowledge and intangible assets: some general principles

This paper provides a general set of principles, organized into a usable framework, for the valuation of intangible assets as well as corporate knowledge, in the act of transferring, sharing, selling, or licensing it from one company to another. It provides benchmarks for valuation to both seller and acquirer, to licensor and licensee, and to both partners in a corporate alliance. Part I of the paper classifies the nature and attributes of different kinds of corporate knowledge. Part II focuses on the valuation framework. Intangible assets, whether registered intellectual property such as brands, patents, copyrights, or whether they be ‘knowhow’, or general corporate expertise, are increasingly separable from their organizational context, and can be sold or shared with another firm—for compensation. As such activity increases—as part of a general trend towards outsourcing and modularization of business functions, aided by codification of previously tacit or intuitive knowledge—placing a money value on a ‘knowledge package’ is a crucial managerial function. Many of the principles presented in this paper can also be used when the same firm makes its own investments in other markets, by transferring corporate knowledge to its own subsidiary. The various benchmarks and criteria found in the literature are here, for the first time, presented in a comprehensive valuation framework, eminently usable by managers and negotiators. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Early visual ERP sensitivity to the species and animacy of faces

Assessing the agency of potential actors in the visual world is a critically important aspect of social cognition. Adult observers are generally capable of distinguishing real faces from artificial faces (even allowing for recent advances in graphics technology and motion capture); even small deviations from real facial appearance can lead to profound effects on face recognition. Presently, we examined how early components of visual event-related potentials (ERPs) are affected by the "life" in human faces and animal faces. We presented participants with real and artificial faces of humans and dogs, and analyzed the response properties of the P100 and the N170 as a function of stimulus appearance and task (species categorization vs. animacy categorization). The P100 exhibited sensitivity to face species and animacy. We found that the N170's differential responses to human faces vs. dog faces depended on the task participants' performed. Also, the effect of species was only evident for real faces of humans and dogs, failing to obtain with artificial faces. These results suggest that face animacy does modulate early components of visual ERPs-the N170 is not merely a crude face detector, but reflects the tuning of the visual system to natural face appearance.
Generic ideals and Moreno-Socías conjucture

Let f1,…,fn be homogeneous polynomials generating a generic ideal I in the ring of polynomials in n variables over an infinite field. Moreno-Socias conjectured that for the graded reverse lexicographic term ordering, the initial ideal in(I) is a weakly reverse lexicographic ideal. This paper contains a new proof of Moreno-Socias' conjecture for the case n = 2.
(2+1)-dimensional spacetimes containing closed timelike curves

We investigate the global geometries of (2+1)-dimensional spacetimes as characterized by the transformations undergone by tangent spaces upon parallel transport around closed curves. We critically discuss the use of the term ``total energy-momentum'' as a label for such parallel-transport transformations, pointing out several problems with it. We then investigate parallel-transport transformations in the known (2+1)-dimensional spacetimes containing closed timelike curves (CTC's), and introduce a few new such spacetimes. Using the more specific concept of the holonomy of a closed curve, applicable in simply connected spacetimes, we emphasize that Gott's two-particle CTC-containing spacetime does not have a tachyonic geometry. Finally, we prove the following modified version of Kabat's conjecture: if a CTC is deformable to spacelike or null infinity while remaining a CTC, then its parallel-transport transformation cannot be a rotation; therefore its holonomy, if defined, cannot be a rotation other than through a multiple of 2\ensuremath{\pi}.
Optimal regulation of uncertain dynamic systems using adaptive dynamic programming

In this tutorial paper, the finite-horizon optimal adaptive regulation of linear and nonlinear dynamic systems with unknown system dynamics is presented in a forward-in-time manner using adaptive dynamic programming (ADP). An adaptive estimator (AE) is introduced with the idea of Q-learning to relax the requirement of system dynamics in the case of linear system, while neural network-based identifier is utilised for nonlinear systems. The time-varying nature of the solution to the Bellman/Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation is handled by utilising a time-dependent basis function, while the terminal constraint is incorporated as part of the update law of the AE/Identifier in solving the optimal feedback control. Utilising an initial admissible control, the proposed optimal regulation scheme of the uncertain linear and nonlinear system yields a forward-in-time and online solution without using value and/or policy iterations. An adaptive observer is utilised for linear systems in order to relax the need for sta...
Classroom Techniques to Illustrate Water Transport in Plants.

The transport of water in plants is among the most difficult and challenging concepts to explain to students. It is even more difficult for students enrolled in an introductory general biology course. An easy approach is needed to demonstrate this complex concept. I describe visual and pedagogical examples that can be performed quickly and easily during class to assist students in their understanding of transport in plants.
Three days after a single exposure to ozone, the mechanism of airway hyperreactivity is dependent on substance P and nerve growth factor

Ozone causes persistent airway hyperreactivity in humans and animals. One day after ozone exposure, airway hyperreactivity is mediated by release of eosinophil major basic protein that inhibits neuronal M2 muscarinic receptors, resulting in increased acetylcholine release and increased smooth muscle contraction in guinea pigs. Three days after ozone, IL-1β, not eosinophils, mediates ozone-induced airway hyperreactivity, but the mechanism at this time point is largely unknown. IL-1β increases NGF and the tachykinin substance P, both of which are involved in neural plasticity. These experiments were designed to test whether there is a role for NGF and tachykinins in sustained airway hyperreactivity following a single ozone exposure. Guinea pigs were exposed to filtered air or ozone (2 parts per million, 4 h). In anesthetized and vagotomized animals, ozone potentiated vagally mediated airway hyperreactivity 24 h later, an effect that was sustained over 3 days. Pretreatment with antibody to NGF completely prevented ozone-induced airway hyperreactivity 3 days, but not 1 day, after ozone and significantly reduced the number of substance P-positive airway nerve bundles. Three days after ozone, NK1 and NK2 receptor antagonists also blocked this sustained hyperreactivity. Although the effect of inhibiting NK2 receptors was independent of ozone, the NK1 receptor antagonist selectively blocked vagal hyperreactivity 3 days after ozone. These data confirm mechanisms of ozone-induced airway hyperreactivity change over time and demonstrate 3 days after ozone that there is an NGF-mediated role for substance P, or another NK1 receptor agonist, that enhances acetylcholine release and was not present 1 day after ozone.
The Effects of Methimazole on Weight Gains, Carcass Composition, Thyroid Gland Weight and Blood Components of Cockerels,

Abstract IN THE past two decades, numerous studies have been conducted on the use of antithyroid drugs for growing and fattening poultry. It was shown early that alteration in thyroid activity severe enough to affect carcass quality would also reduce growth rate and feed efficiency of young chickens. Kumaran and Turner (1949) and Moreng and Shaffner (1949) reported that thiouracil fed at levels of 0.10 to 0.20 percent of the ration consistently improved carcass quality of chickens while it simultaneously depressed growth rate and feed efficiency. Andrews and Schnetzler (1946) also observed an improvement in the carcass quality of chickens receiving thiouracil. This improvement, these authors stated, was due to the increased fat deposition induced by thiouracil treatment. Reineke et al. (1946) found that the administration of thiouracil to turkeys increased the plasma lipids 65 to 85 percent. Hebert and Branson (1957) reported that thiouracil appreciably altered the chemical composition of …
Implantable cardioverter defibrillators: even better than we thought?

This editorial refers to ‘The effect of duration of follow-up and presence of competing risk on lifespan-gain from implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy: who benefits the most?’[†][1], by C. Raphael et al ., on page 1676. In certain parts of the world, cardiologists struggle on a daily basis to convince government-run health services to allow them to implant defibrillators into patients who have guideline indications for a device. The general opinion of the wider health service is that implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) are expensive and our health systems cannot afford them. In recent years there is a general consensus between guidelines from Europe (European Society of Cardiology and European Heart Rhythm Association) and the USA (American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology and Heart Rhythm) for device implantation.1 The indications for ICDs have appropriately expanded, based on excellent clinical data, to include wider indications for device implantation. This has made implementation of guidelines even less achievable for some countries, exacerbating the geographical variation in use. Sudden cardiac death is one of the most prevalent causes of death in the USA, with 180 000–400 000 deaths per year,2 with a higher incidence than death from stroke, lung cancer, and breast … [1]: #fn-2
A low-spray apple-pest-management program for small orchards

From 1981 to 1984, a low-spray management program was employed against injurious arthropods on the 40 disease-resistant apple trees in my experimental orchard in Massachusetts. The program consisted of an annual early-season application of petroleum oil followed by 2 applications of phosmet (1 at petal fall and another 10–14 days later). Visual traps were used to suppress Rhagoletis pomonella flies. For all years combined, a mean of 89.7% of fruit sampled at harvest in this orchard was free of insect injury compared with 0% uninjured fruit on neighboring unsprayed trees. Populations of foliar-feeding pests never reached injurious levels.
Measurement of the prompt fission neutron multiplicity from the 245Cm(n, f) and 242mAm(n, f) reactions☆

Abstract The prompt fission neutron multiplicity, v p , of 245 Cm was measured relative to that of 235 U using the neutron time-of-flight facility at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) 100 MeV electron linac. Incident neutron energies ranged from 0.05 eV to 14 MeV. In addition, a monoenergetic measurement of v p for 245 Cm relative to 235 U was made at E n = 14.1 MeV using the LLNL Insulated Core Transformer (ICT) Neutron Source. Fission fragments were detected using a hemispherical ionization chamber containing ∼ 200 μg of 245 Cm. A separate fission chamber contained 8.3 mg of 235 U. Fission neutrons were detected in liquid scintillators using pulse-shape discrimination to separate γ-rays from neutrons. The measurements reported here for 245 Cm are in agreement with each other and indicate an overall rate of increase in v p with incident neutron energy which departs significantly from systematic trends. Interpretations are presented which suggest that these results are a consequence of changing fragment kinetic energies. Results from a concurrent measurement of v p for 242m Am at E n = 14.1 MeV are also included and agree with previously reported data.
A 3D-IC Technology with Integrated Microchannel Cooling

A 3D-IC technology with integrated microchannel cooling is demonstrated in this paper. Fluidic interconnect network fabrication proceeds at the wafer-level, is compatible with CMOS processing and flip-chip assembly and requires four lithography steps. Measurements for single chips prior to 3D stacking reveal that each die in a two chip 3D stack may potentially exhibit a junction-to-ambient thermal resistance of 0.24°C/W. The demonstrated silicon die contain a through-silicon copper via density of 2500/cm2 integrated within the microchannel heat sink.
An improved algorithm to accelerate regular expression evaluation

Modern network intrusion detection systems need to perform regular expression matching at line rate in order to detect the occurrence of critical patterns in packet payloads. While deterministic finite automata (DFAs) allow this operation to be performed in linear time, they may exhibit prohibitive memory requirements. In [9], Kumar et al. propose Delayed Input DFAs (D2FAs), which provide a trade-off between the memory requirements of the compressed DFA and the number of states visited for each character processed, which corresponds directly to the memory bandwidth required to evaluate regular expressions.In this paper we introduce a general compression technique that results in at most 2N state traversals when processing a string of length N. In comparison to the D2FA approach, our technique achieves comparable levels of compression, with lower provable bounds on memory bandwidth (or greater compression for a given bandwidth bound). Moreover, our proposed algorithm has lower complexity, is suitable for scenarios where a compressed DFA needs to be dynamically built or updated, and fosters locality in the traversal process. Finally, we also describe a novel alphabet reduction scheme for DFA-based structures that can yield further dramatic reductions in data structure size.