cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Large Diameter Trees and the Political Culture of "Restoration": A Case Study with the Grand Canyon Forest Partnership, Flagstaff, Arizona

The material presented in this paper resulted from ethnographic research conducted with the Grand Canyon Forest Partnership (GCFP) of Flagstaff, Arizona, in the fall of 2001, as well as continued attention to the public discourse of commercial timber harvesting, forest fire prevention, ecological restoration, and ecosystem management in Southwestern ponderosa pine (Pin us ponderosa) forests. In general terms, the paper reflects an increasing concern for and attention to the nation's forest lands, primarily in response to what forest experts consider unnatural forest fire behavior. These fires, in turn, constitute a symptom of declining health and sustainability of forest ecosystems. More specifically, this paper concerns the "large tree" or "diameter cap" issue involving Flagstaff area forest restoration prescriptions. Because the "large tree" issue is central to the debate over forest policy and management in the American Southwest and elsewhere, it has become a focal point for regional conflict. The story of this issue as it played out within the GCFP illustrates a local community-level example of what has become widespread in national environmental political culture.
A Fast Partitional Clustering Algorithm based on Nearest Neighbours Heuristics

Abstract K-means, along with its several other variants, is the most widely used family of partitional clustering algorithms. Generally speaking, this family of algorithm starts by initializing a number of data points as cluster centres, and then iteratively refines these cluster centres based on the current partition of the dataset. Given a set of cluster centres, inducing the partition over the dataset involves finding the nearest (or most similar) cluster centre for each data point, which is an O(NK) operation, N and K being the number of data points and the number of clusters, respectively. In our proposed approach, we avoid the explicit computation of these distances for the case of sparse vectors, e.g. documents, by utilizing a fundamental operation, namely TOP(x), which gives a list of the top most similar vectors with respect to the vector x. A standard way to store sparse vectors and retrieve the top most similar ones given a query vector, is with the help of the inverted list data structure. In our proposed method, we use the TOP(x) function to first select cluster centres that are likely to be dissimilar to each other. Secondly, to obtain the partition during each iteration of K-means, we avoid the explicit computation of the pair-wise similarities between the centroid and the non-centroid vectors. Thirdly, we avoid recomputation of the cluster centroids by adopting a centrality based heuristic. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed algorithm on TREC-2011 Microblog dataset, a large collection of about 14M tweets. Our experiments demonstrate that our proposed method is about 35x faster and produces more effective clusters in comparison to the standard K-means algorithm.
Analysis of Circulating Harmonic Currents in Paralleled Three Level ANPC Inverters using SVM

In paralleled voltage source inverters (VSI), circulating current has both high frequency and low frequency components, and its spectrum highly depends on the modulation scheme. Previous research has mostly focused on the circulating current suppression for paralleled two-level VSIs. Little literature exists on similar analysis for paralleled three-level VSIs using space vector modulation. A detailed circulating current spectrum on full frequency range has not been well developed. This paper presents an improved analytical model for three-level space vector modulation (SVM), considering the impacts of regularly sampled reference and dead time. Then, circulating harmonic currents are determined across the full frequency range for various interleaving angles of two three-level ANPC inverters. The calculated harmonics are also verified by experimental results.
“That’s Not How the Story Ends:” Vincent Harding’s Liberating Vision of African American Religious History

A critical reappraisal of Vincent Harding’s transformative work as a preeminent historian of the African American freedom struggle is long overdue. Examining Harding’s major works – There Is A Rive...
War on the Hoof: regional security in Africa and livestock conflicts

Cattle rustling and conflicts between herders and farmers have long existed in several areas in Africas. In recent years, however, both security challenges have increased exponentially. The extent ...
Laboratory-Based Evaluation of Pavement Marking Characteristics

AbstractDespite the growing demand for pavement marking materials that facilitate road driving by providing increased visibility, there is concern about the durability and long-term weatherability ...
Recurrent clear cell carcinoma of the tongue base with high grade transformation in a pregnant patient

Abstract Clear cell carcinoma is typically a low-grade salivary neoplasm with nests and trabecula of clear cells in hyalinized and desmoplastic stroma. Clear cell carcinoma has an EWSR1-ATF1 fusion and a good prognosis. We report on a 40-year-old woman with a tongue base clear cell carcinoma, for which she underwent transoral robotic resection, right neck dissection and adjuvant radiotherapy. The neoplastic cells were glycogen-rich and immunophenotypically of squamous lineage. There was brisk mitotic activity, focal comedo-like necrosis and bizarre malignant multinucleated cells. A fluorescent in situ hybridization was positive for EWSR1 rearrangement (22q12), thus confirming clear cell carcinoma. Four ipsilateral level II and III lymph nodes as well as a retropharyngeal lymph node were involved. While a presurgical pregnancy test had been negative, a repeat test after surgery was positive and the patient subsequently underwent shielded radiation therapy without chemotherapy. After two years of disease-free follow-up, the patient developed recurrent neck lymph node and lung metastases.
Exportin Crm1 is important for Swi6 nucleocytoplasmic shuttling and MBF transcription activation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The Swi6 protein acts as a transcription factor in budding yeast, functioning in two different heterodimeric complexes, SBF and MBF, that activate the expression of distinct but overlapping sets of genes. Swi6 undergoes regulated changes in nucleocytoplasmic localization throughout the cell cycle that correlate with changes in gene expression. While the process of Swi6 nuclear import is well understood, mechanisms underlying its nuclear export remain unclear. Here we investigate Swi6 nuclear export and its impact on Swi6 function. We show that the exportin Crm1, in addition to three other karyopherins previously shown to affect Swi6 localization, is important for Swi6 nuclear export and activity. A truncation of Swi6 that removes a putative Crm1 nuclear export signal results in the loss of changes in nucleocytoplasmic Swi6 localization that normally occur during progression through the cell cycle. Mutagenesis of the NES-like sequence or removal of Crm1 activity using leptomycin B results in a similar decrease in nuclear export as cells enter S-phase. Using two-hybrid analysis, we also show that Swi6 associates with Crm1 in vivo. Alteration of the Crm1 NES in Swi6 results in a decrease in MBF-mediated gene expression, but does not affect expression of an SBF reporter, suggesting that export of Swi6 by Crm1 regulates a subset of Swi6 transcription activation activity. Finally, alteration of the Crm1 NES in Swi6 results in cells that are larger than wild type, but not to the extent of those with a complete Swi6 deletion. Expressing a Swi6 NES mutant in combination with a deletion of Msn5, an exportin involved in Swi6 nuclear export and specifically affecting SBF activation, further increases the large cell phenotype, but still not to the extent observed in a Swi6 deletion mutant. These data suggest that Swi6 has at least two different exportins, Crm1 and Msn5, each of which interacts with a distinct nuclear export signal and influences expression of a different subset of Swi6-controlled genes. Summary StatementPrecise intracellular localization is important for the proper activity of proteins. Here we provide evidence that the Swi6 transcription factor important for cell cycle progression shuttles between the cell nucleus and cytoplasm, its nuclear export is important for its activity, and that it contains a nuclear export signal (NES) recognized by the Crm1 nuclear transport factor.
The Financial Analysts Journal and Investment Management

The Financial Analysts Journal is a leading forum for sharing knowledge about investment management. It often features academic research, but its focus has consistently been on practice and how new...
The Exchange of Informational Support in Online Health Communities at the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Content Analysis.

Background: Online health communities (OHCs) provide social support for ongoing health-related problems. COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, has been an acute and substantial stressor worldwide. The disease and its impact, especially in the beginning phases, left many people with questions about the nature, treatment, and prevention of COVID-19. Unlike typical chronic ailments discussed on OHCs, which are more established, COVID-19, at least at the onset of the pandemic, is distinct in that it lacks a consensus of clinical diagnosis and an existing community foundation. Objective: The study aims to investigate a newly formed OHC for COVID-19 to determine the topics and types of information exchange as well as the sources of information this community referenced during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Methods: A total of 357 posts from a COVID-19 OHC on the MedHelp platform were annotated according to an open-coding process. Participants' engagement patterns, topics of posts, and sources of information were quantified. Results: Participants who offered informational support had a significantly higher percentage of responding more than once than those seeking information (P<.001). Among the information-seeking topics, symptoms and public health practice and psychological impacts were the most frequently discussed, with 26% (17/65) and 15% (10/65) of posts, respectively. Most informational support was expressed through feedback/opinion (181/220, 82.3%). Additionally, the most frequently referenced source of information was news outlets/websites, at 55% (11/20). Governmental websites were referenced less frequently. Conclusions: The trends of this community could be useful in prioritizing public health responses to address the most common questions asked by the public during crisis communication and in identifying which venue of communication is most effective in reaching a public audience during such times.
The High Expected-Volatility Threshold Phenomenon in Beta and Size Equity Premia

Over the 1960-2014 period, we find that the equity size premium is pervasively positive, sizable, and statistically significant solely over periods that follow a high-risk month; defined as a month that ends with the expected market volatility being in its top quintile. Following the other lower-risk months, the size premium is essentially zero and statistically insignificant. Conditional CAPM alphas for Small-minus-Big (SMB) long/short portfolio returns also exhibit a very similar risk-based contingent variation. Our results indicate a nonlinear positive intertemporal risk-return relation for the equity size premium, seemingly attributed to high-risk episodes where small-cap stocks face relatively higher market volatility-, default-, and illiquidity-risk. Our findings suggest support for: (1) Hahn-Lee’s (2006) and Kapadia’s (2011) view that default risk has a role for understanding the size premium, (2) Acharya-Pedersen’s (2005) implication that illiquidity shocks can predict higher future returns, and (3) Ang et al’s (2006) view that stocks with a more negative sensitivity to market volatility innovations should have a higher risk premium.
Politics and Markets: The Enduring Dynamics of the US System of Schooling

This essay explores the tension between politics and markets that shapes the central dynamics of the American system of schooling. The primary insight is that the system is at odds with itself. It’s a system without a plan. The system evolved through the dynamic interplay of competing actors seeking to accomplish contradictory social goals through a single organizational machinery. By focusing on this tension, we can understand some puzzling characteristics of American schooling. It’s a radically decentralized but schools are remarkably similar. Its structure is complex, incoherent, and fraught with internal contradictions, but it nonetheless seems to thrive under these circumstances. And it is somehow able to accommodate the demands placed on it by a disparate array of educational consumers. Conflict can be constructive.
Circadian rhythms. Time to get excited by GABA.

The neurotransmitter g-aminobutyric acid has long been thought to have an inhibitory effect on neurotransmission. But a new study shows that, in cells of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), GABA can be excitatory. Moreover, cells of the SCN are responsible for the generation of circadian rhythms in mammals, and GABA seems to act as an excitatory neurotransmitter only during the day.
A Generalized Likelihood Ratio Test for Coherent Change Detection in Polarimetric SAR

Several detection statistics have been proposed for detecting fine ground disturbances between two synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images, such as vehicle tracks. The standard method involves estimating a local correlation coefficient between images. Other methods have been proposed using various statistical hypothesis tests. One of these alternative methods is a generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT), which compares a full-correlation image model to a no-correlation image model. In this letter, we expand the GLRT to polarimetric SAR data and derive the appropriate GLRT detection statistics. Additionally, we explore relaxing the equal variance/equal polarimetric covariance assumptions used in previous results and find improved performance on macroscopic scene changes.
Catastrophe Risk Bonds

Abstract This article examines the pricing of catastrophe risk bonds. Catastrophe risk cannot be hedged by traditional securities. Therefore, the pricing of catastrophe risk bonds requires an incomplete markets setting, and this creates special difficulties in the pricing methodology. The authors briefly discuss the theory of equilibrium pricing and its relationship to the standard arbitrage-free valuation framework. Equilibrium pricing theory is used to develop a pricing method based on a model of the term structure of interest rates and a probability structure for the catastrophe risk. This pricing methodology can be used to assess the default spread on catastrophe risk bonds relative to traditional defaultable securities.
Detecting covert timing channels with time-deterministic replay

This paper presents a mechanism called time-deterministic replay (TDR) that can reproduce the execution of a program, including its precise timing. Without TDR, reproducing the timing of an execution is difficult because there are many sources of timing variability - such as preemptions, hardware interrupts, cache effects, scheduling decisions, etc. TDR uses a combination of techniques to either mitigate or eliminate most of these sources of variability. Using a prototype implementation of TDR in a Java Virtual Machine, we show that it is possible to reproduce the timing to within 1.85% of the original execution, even on commodity hardware.The paper discusses several potential applications of TDR, and studies one of them in detail: the detection of a covert timing channel. Timing channels can be used to exfiltrate information from a compromised machine; they work by subtly varying the timing of the machine's outputs, and it is this variation that can be detected with TDR. Unlike prior solutions, which generally look for a specific type of timing channel, our approach can detect a wide variety of channels with high accuracy.
Thyroid hormone-dependent redistribution of the 55-kilodalton monomer of protein disulfide isomerase in cultured glial cells

In addition to the effects of thyroid hormone that are mediated through interaction with chromatin-associated receptors, T4 modulates the activity of the cellular content of the membrane-associated protein type II iodothyronine 5'-deiodinase (5'D-II) by regulating its degradation through an actin-dependent extranuclear mechanism. Under the influence of thyroid hormone, the substrate-binding subunit of 5'D-II is translocated from the plasma membrane to an intracellular microfilament-associated pool. In glial cells, a 55-kilodalton (kDa) protein (glial-p55), which was shown to be identical to the 55-kDa monomer of protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) also demonstrates a similar T4-dependent association to the F-actin microfilaments. To explore the role of glial-p55 in the extranuclear effect of thyroid hormone in glial cells, the effects of thyroid hormone on the subcellular localization of glial-p55 were further examined. The current study demonstrates the presence of two pools of glial-p55. While the majorit...
Bats reject clutter interference for moving targets more successfully than for stationary ones

1. Using a discrimination task, we studied the detection of stationary and moving targets in the presence of background clutter by trainedEptesicus fuscus (Figs. 1, 2). 2. During the test, the amplitude of the target echo was always larger than that of the background echoes at the bat-to-target distance of 30, 50 and 80 cm. At the bat-to-target distance of 110cm, the target echo and background echoes had about the same amplitude (Fig. 3). 3. An electric motor was used to oscillate a target. The frequency content of the motor noise was mostly below 3 kHz (Fig. 4). 4. Monaural ear-plugging reduced the auditory sensitivity of a bat by an average of 33.6 ±11.2 dB over its most sensitive frequency range which is between 15 and 50kHz (Fig. 5). It also reduced a bat's detection of a target (Figs. 6, 8). 5. The detection of stationary and moving targets decreased with increasing bat-to-target distance (Figs. 6–8). However, a bat rejected clutter interference for a moving target more successfully than for a stationary one even when one of its ears was plugged (Figs. 7, 8).
Detection of magnetic field intensity gradient by homing pigeons (Columba livia) in a novel "virtual magnetic map" conditioning paradigm.

It has long been thought that birds may use the Earth's magnetic field not only as a compass for direction finding, but that it could also provide spatial information for position determination analogous to a map during navigation. Since magnetic field intensity varies systematically with latitude and theoretically could also provide longitudinal information during position determination, birds using a magnetic map should be able to discriminate magnetic field intensity cues in the laboratory. Here we demonstrate a novel behavioural paradigm requiring homing pigeons to identify the direction of a magnetic field intensity gradient in a “virtual magnetic map” during a spatial conditioning task. Not only were the pigeons able to detect the direction of the intensity gradient, but they were even able to discriminate upward versus downward movement on the gradient by differentiating between increasing and decreasing intensity values. Furthermore, the pigeons typically spent more than half of the 15 second sampling period in front of the feeder associated with the rewarded gradient direction indicating that they required only several seconds to make the correct choice. Our results therefore demonstrate for the first time that pigeons not only can detect the presence and absence of magnetic anomalies, as previous studies had shown, but are even able to detect and respond to changes in magnetic field intensity alone, including the directionality of such changes, in the context of spatial orientation within an experimental arena. This opens up the possibility for systematic and detailed studies of how pigeons could use magnetic intensity cues during position determination as well as how intensity is perceived and where it is processed in the brain.
Effects of Cottonseed and Alfalfa Meals as Fertilizers on Production of Palmetto Bass (Morone saxatilis × M. chrysops) Fingerlings in Plastic-Lined Ponds

Effects of cottonseed meal versus alfalfa meal fertilization on water quality, zooplankton density, and production of phase I palmetto bass, Morone saxatilis × M. chrysops, were compared in plastic-lined ponds. Cottonseed meal promoted better (P < 0.05) water quality, timing of high zooplankton density development, and growth and yield of palmetto bass. Cost of cottonseed meal toward fish production was $0.75/kg of fish, while that of alfalfa meal was $1.74/kg of fish.
Silylation of an OH-terminated self-assembled monolayer surface through low-energy collisions of ions: a novel route to synthesis and patterning of surfaces.

Using a multi-sector ion-surface scattering mass spectrometer, reagent ions of the general form SiR(3) (+) were mass and energy selected and then made to collide with a hydroxy-terminated self-assembled monolayer (HO-SAM) surface at energies of approximately 15 eV. These ion-surface interactions result in covalent transformation of the terminal hydroxy groups at the surface into the corresponding silyl ethers due to Si--O bond formation. The modified surface was characterized in situ by chemical sputtering, a low-energy ion-surface scattering experiment. These data indicate that the ion-surface reactions have high yields (i.e. surface reactants converted to products). Surface reactions with Si(OCH(3))(3) (+), followed by chemical sputtering using CF(3) (+), yielded the reagent ion, Si(OCH(3))(3) (+), and several of its fragments. Other sputtered ions, namely SiH(OCH(3))(2)OH(2) (+) and SiH(2)(OCH(3))OH(2) (+), contain the newly formed Si--O bond and provide direct evidence for the covalent modification reaction. Chemical sputtering of modified surfaces, performed using CF(3) (+), was evaluated over a range of collision energies. The results showed that the energy transferred to the sputtered ions, as measured by their extent of fragmentation in the scattered ion mass spectra, was essentially independent of the collision energy of the projectile, thus pointing to the occurrence of reactive sputtering.A set of silyl cations, including SiBr(3) (+), Si(C(2)H(3))(3) (+) and Si(CH(3))(2)F(+), were similarly used to modify the HO-SAM surface at low collision energies. A reaction mechanism consisting of direct electrophilic attack by the cationic projectiles is supported by evidence of increased reactivity for these reagent ions with increases in the calculated positive charge at the electron-deficient silicon atom of each of these cations. In a sequential set of reactions, 12 eV deuterated trimethylsilyl cations, Si(CD(3))(3) (+), were used first as the reagent ions to modify covalently a HO-SAM surface. Subsequently, 70 eV SiCl(3) (+) ions were used to modify the surface further. In addition to yielding sputtered ions of the modified surface, SiCl(3) (+) reacted with both modified and unmodified groups on the surface, giving rise not only to such scattered product ions as SiCl(2)OH(+) and SiCl(2)H(+), but also to SiCl(2)CD(3) (+) and SiCl(2)D(+). This result demonstrates that selective, multi-step reactions can be performed at a surface through low-energy ionic collisions. Such processes are potentially useful for the construction of novel surfaces from a monolayer substrate and for chemical patterning of surfaces with functional groups.
Effect of count duration on abundance estimates of Black-capped Vireos

Distance sampling applied to point count surveys (point transects) has become a common method for estimating the absolute abundance of birds. When conducting point transects, detections of focal species are typically recorded during a fixed time interval. However, count duration has varied among studies and the effect of such variation on the resulting abundance estimates is unclear. My objective was to examine the effect of count duration on abundance estimates of male Black-capped Vireos (Vireo atricapilla). The abundance of these vireos in a 349-ha area in central Texas was estimated using 3-, 5-, and 6-min point transects and results were then compared to actual number present as determined by banding and territory mapping. The 3-min counts provided an estimate that was 26% greater than the actual number of male Vireos present (N = 201), but this number was within the corresponding 95% confidence interval (N = 157-413). Confidence intervals for the 5- and 6-min counts did not include the actual number of vireos present. The shortest count duration may have provided the most accurate abundance estimate because male Black-capped Vireos are typically active, sing intermittently, and sometimes move tens of meters between songs. Thus, shorter-duration counts may also yield the most accurate abundance estimates for other species that exhibit similar behavior. However, because behavior varies among species, I recommend that investigators collect preliminary data to establish an appropriate count duration when accurate estimates of absolute, rather than relative, abundance are important.
Simultaneous Separation of Negatively and Positively Charged Species in Dynamic Field Gradient Focusing Using a Dual Polarity Electric Field

Dynamic field gradient focusing (DFGF) utilizes an electric field gradient established by a computer-controlled electrode array to separate and concentrate charged analytes at unique axial positions. Traditionally, DFGF has been restricted to the analysis of negatively charged species due to limitations in the software of our voltage controller. This paper introduces a new voltage controller capable of operating under normal polarity (positive potentials applied to the electrode array) and reversed polarity (negative potentials applied to the electrode array) for the separation of negatively and positively charged analytes, respectively. The experiments conducted under normal polarity and reversed polarity illustrate the utility of the new controller to perform reproducible DFGF separations (elution times showing less than 1% run-to-run variation) over a wide pH range (3.08 to 8.5) regardless of the protein charge. A dual polarity experiment is then shown in which the separation channel has been divided i...
Mapping and radiofrequency catheter ablation of the three types of sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia in nonischemic heart disease.

Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation, Introduction. Sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) associated with nonischemic cardiomyopathy (CMP) is uncommon. Optimal approaches to catheter mapping and ablation are not well characterized, but they are likely to depend on the VT mechanism. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mechanisms of sustained monomorphic VT encountered in nonischemic CMP and to assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of catheter radiofrequency ablation for treatment. Methods and Results: Twenty-six consecutive patients with nonischemic CMP referred for management of recurrent VT were studied. In 16 (62%) patients, VT was related to a region of abnormal electrograms consistent with scar and the response to pacing suggested a reentrant mechanism. In 5(19%) patients, VT was due to bundle branch or interfascicular reentry. In 7(27%) patients, the VT mechanism was focal automaticity, 4 of whom had evidence of tachycardia-induced CMP. After catheter ablation targeting parts of reentrant circuits, VT was not inducible in 8 (53%) of 15 patients with scar-related reentry, was modified in 5(33%) patients, and still was inducible in 2(13%) patients. Ablation was successful in 5 of 5 patients with bundle branch reentry and in 6 of 7 patients with a focal automaticity mechanism. Overall, catheter ablation abolished clinical recurrence of VT in 20 (77%) of 26 patients during a follow-up of 15 ± 12 months. Conclusion: Three different mechanisms of VT are encountered in patients with nonischemic CMP. The mapping and ablation approach varies with the type of VT. In this selected population, the overall efficacy was 77%.
Staining Behavior and Distribution of Elastic Fibers in the Pig Skin Dermis

Abstract For histological demonstration of elastic fibers in the skin, different investigators use a variety of staining procedures. However, some of these popular methods have pro­duced equivocal results for staining sections of mammalian and human skin. The current study concerned the elastic fiber distribution in the skin of the domestic pig from specimens fixed in four different histological fixatives and subjected to paraffin microtomy at various thickness levels and staining by three commonly used procedures, i.e., aldehyde fuchsin, orcein, and Verhoeff elastic stain. An interconnected elastic fiber network was demonstrated in thick paraffin sections (25–60 μm), whereas thin sections (5–7 μm) presented a disrupted or discontinuous fiber profile. All the staining procedures produced satisfactory results on thin sections. For thicker sections, the most satisfactory results were obtained with aldehyde fuchsin procedure after preoxidation. Preliminary manual morphometric measurement of elastic fiber den...
Examining gender on corporate boards: a regional study

The representation of women in organizations has become an increasingly important topic for academics and practitioners. Despite the growing presence of women in the workforce, representation of women in corporate governance is relatively low. The present study examined the gender composition of corporate boards as a function of organization size and industry. Data from government filings were collected for the top 100 public companies in a suburban region of the USA. Results indicated a positive relationship between organization size and women on boards. Partial support was found for hypotheses related to industry. Practical implications and areas for future study are discussed.
Modeling of a 3-phase Multi-Port Power Electronic Interface

A model for a multi port power electronic converter is presented. This model is based on the generalized averaging method for power electronic converters. This model includes the interactions between individual converters. Control loops are presented using a set of equations. Therefore, variable duty cycles are included in the model. As an example, this model is simulated under a test scenario. The simulated transient response from the model is compared with the transient response of the actual system.
Phosphorylation of Cbl following Stimulation with Interleukin-3 and Its Association with Grb2, Fyn, and Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase

We have demonstrated that a 120-kDa protein, identified as Cbl, becomes rapidly phosphorylated on tyrosine residues following stimulation of factor-dependent cells with interleukin-3 (IL-3). Little or no phosphorylation of Cbl was observed in the absence of IL-3 stimulation and phosphorylation is maximal by 20-30 min after IL-3 stimulation. Association of Cbl with Grb2 was noted in unstimulated cells, and the amount of Cbl associated with Grb2 increased following IL-3 stimulation. The p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase was constitutively associated with Cbl. Approximately 10% of the PI kinase activity present in anti-phosphotyrosine immunoprecipitates was present in anti-Cbl immunoprecipitates of IL-3-stimulated cells. The constitutive association of Cbl with Fyn was also observed. Cbl was observed to bind to bacterial fusion proteins encoding the unique, SH3, and SH2 domains of Fyn, Hck, and Lyn. The SH2 domain of Fyn alone was able to bind Cbl to nearly the same extent as did the fusion protein encoding the unique, SH3, and SH2 domains. This was not the case for the SH2 domain of Hck, however, as binding of the Hck fusion protein to Cbl appeared to require multiple domains. The binding of the fusion proteins to Cbl occurred regardless of whether Cbl was tyrosine-phosphorylated or not, and the binding could not be disrupted by the addition of 30 mM free phosphotyrosine. These data suggest the unexpected conclusion that the Fyn SH2 domain may bind to Cbl in a phosphotyrosine-independent manner.
The organization and relative productivity of Japanese and American industry

This paper compares the structure and productivity of Japanese and American firms. We construct a simple model of labor shares in which the ratio of labor payments to sales is the product of labor's share in take added and the degree of integration. According to Japanese and United States census data, labor shares in value added are fairly similar for Japanese and American firms, whereas the average degree of integration, and therefore the average ratio of payroll to sales of Japanese firms, is distinctly lower than that of their American counterparts, particularly in the machinery and equipment industries. From survey data on Japanese firms in California, we observed payroll-sales ratios that generally lie between values reported for Japan and the United Slates for the machinery and equipment industries. Assuming that Japanese firms in California employ the same technology as their US counterparts, we conclude that the average degree of integration of Japanese firms in California is at least 10% lower. As a result, even though the gross labor productivity of typical Japanese firms in the United States generally, and California in particular, is slightly higher, the former may well be less productive than the latter in terms of net lalmr productivity, measured by value added. While further corroboration is needed, it appears that differences in the extent of integration are an important factor that accounts for reported productivity difference between the two countries.
Antibiotic Therapy of Fulminant E. coli K1 Sepsis in Infant Rabbits

A model of overwhelming E. coli K1 sepsis and early meningitis was developed in infant rabbits and used to compare clinical and bacteriologic efficacy of ampicillin, moxalactam, cephalothin and chloramphenicol. Intraperitoneal injection of 10(7) E. coli K1 into 1- or 2-wk-old rabbits produced a rapidly progressive infection which, if left untreated, produced bacteremia in 100% of animals, meningitis in 78%, and mortality in 100%. Therapy was initiated 4 h after ip infection at which time mean bacterial concentration (log10 CFU/ml) ranged from 4.4-4.8 in the blood and from 1.8-2.3 in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). Pre-treatment frequency of bacteremia (100%) and meningitis (17-23%) was similar for all experimental groups. Antibiotic concentrations in blood and CSF 2 h after a dose exceeded the E. coli minimum inhibitory concentration with the exception of CSF cephalothin, which was undetectable. Moxalactam, ampicillin, and chloramphenicol significantly reduced the incidence of bacteremia and meningitis relative to cephalothin or saline controls (P less than 0.02). Mortality rates among the former three groups were high (64-82%) but significantly less than in saline or cephalothin-treated rabbits (100%). In this neonatal model of fulminant sepsis with early meningitis, moxalactam provided no therapeutic advantage over ampicillin or chloramphenicol.
PneuHaptic: delivering haptic cues with a pneumatic armband

PneuHaptic is a pneumatically-actuated arm-worn haptic interface. The system triggers a range of tactile sensations on the arm by alternately pressurizing and depressurizing a series of custom molded silicone chambers. We detail the implementation of our functional prototype and explore the possibilities for interaction enabled by the system.
Phase conjugation in a flame

The first observation to our knowledge of degenerate four-wave mixing in a sodium-seeded flame is reported. In addition, the theoretical dependence of the phase-conjugate output on the sodium concentration is verified experimentally, demonstrating the potential of this procedure for use as a diagnostic tool to measure species concentration in combusting or noncombusting media.
A first principles analysis of CO oxidation over Pt and Pt66.7%Ru33.3% (111) surfaces

Abstract Nonlocal gradient corrected DFT slab calculations were carried out to determine the overall reaction energies along with the barriers for the activation of water and the oxidation of CO over well-defined Pt(111) and PtRu(111) surfaces. We attempt to elucidate the features that control the bifunctional mechanism proposed for the oxidation of CO in solution. The addition of Ru to Pt along with the presence of solution helps to enhance the elementary steps that comprise the bifunctional mechanism. The activation of water over Pt(111) in the vapor phase is energetically unfavorable with an activation barrier of +142 kJ/mol and overall heat of reaction of +53 kJ/mol. Water will desorb before it will react on Pt(111). The presence of solution reduces the barrier to about 75 kJ/mol. The addition of Ru lowers the barrier for water activation in the vapor phase. Alloying Pt with Ru lowers the barriers for the homolytic as well as the heterolytic activation of water in solution. The presence of solution, however markedly favors the heterolytic activation which leads to the formation of an adsorbed OH* surface intermediate, a proton which migrates into solution and an electron. The energetics for this path over the Pt 66.7% Ru 33.3% (111) surface were calculated to be quite favorable with an activation barrier of +27 kJ/mol and an overall energy of reaction of +26 kJ/mol. Ab initio molecular dynamics results indicate that water can be activated over PtRu at 300 K. The resulting surface Ru-OH group that forms induces the adsorption and subsequent activation of water at a neighboring Pt site. The surface hydroxyl intermediate continues to diffuse across the surface via a sequence of proton transfer steps. The barrier for the subsequent oxidation of adsorbed CO by surface OH groups over Pt(111) in the vapor phase is 86 kJ/mol with an overall reaction energy of 21 kJ/mol. The barrier is reduced to 71 kJ/mol when carried out over the Pt 66.7% Ru 33.3% alloy in the vapor phase. The barrier for the homolytic disproportionation of CO and OH in solution (over Pt 66.7% Ru 33.3% ) is 90 kJ/mol with an overall reaction energy of +24 kJ/mol. The heterolytic path which involves the oxidation of CO by OH to form CO 2 +H + (aq)+e− is more favorable than the homolytic path. The activation barrier for the heterolytic path over Pt 66.7% Ru 33.3% is +60 kJ/mol with an overall reaction of −6 kJ/mol (exothermic). These results indicate that at potentials which are less than or equal to the potential of zero total charge, water activation over Pt(111) may be difficult. CO oxidation, however is more likely limiting over the Pt 66.7% Ru 33.3% alloy at these potentials. These results only hold for the ideal conditions studied herein including ideal single crystal surfaces, an ideal liquid water solution phase and the absence of an applied potential.
Patient-controlled sedation: a novel approach to sedation management for mechanically ventilated patients.

Background Patient self-administration of medications for analgesia and procedural sedation is common. However, it is not known whether mechanically ventilated ICU patients can self-administer their own sedation to manage symptoms. Methods This descriptive pilot study examined the safety, adequacy, and satisfaction of patient-controlled sedation (PCS) with a convenience sample of critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients (N = 17) in the ICUs at University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dexmedetomidine was administered via a patient-demand infusion pump system for a maximum of 24 h. Pumps were programmed with basal infusion plus patient-triggered boluses; nurses adjusted the basal infusion based on a dosing algorithm. Data were collected on sedation adequacy, additional dosing of analgesics and sedatives, hemodynamic parameters, safety of PCS, patient satisfaction with PCS, and nurse satisfaction with PCS. Results Although a majority of the hemodynamic values were within the established safety parameters for the study, 25% of patients experienced mild adverse physiologic effects. Furthermore, despite patients' perception of sedation adequacy with PCS, 70% received supplemental opiates or benzodiazepine medications while participating in the study. Patients rated dexmedetomidine PCS favorably for self-management of anxiety, level of relaxation obtained, and comfort in self-administering sedation. Nurses also were generally satisfied with PCS as a method of sedation, dexmedetomidine as the sedative, and patient response to the sedation. Conclusions PCS warrants further investigation as a means to promote comfort in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients.
An immunochemical method for determining thioredoxin reductase in rat tissues

Abstract The immunochemical method, microcomplement fixation, was used in the assay of thioredoxin reductase. The method is more sensitive and specific than previously used methods. The enzyme in different tissues of rats was measured.
Role of crack size in the bi-modal static fatigue failure of a cordierite glass and glass-ceramic

A study was conducted of the static fatigue behaviour at room temperature of a cordierite glass and glass-ceramic with model flaws of two different sizes introduced by the indentation fracture method. For the cordierite glass the stress intensity exponent, N, for sub-critical crack growth inferred from the dependence. of time-to-failure on stress was the same for the two different crack sizes and showed good agreement with the value of N for data obtained in an earlier study for dynamic fatigue and by the double-torsion method. For the cordierite glass-ceramic, which consisted of larger crystallites (a few micrometres in size) embedded in a primarily crystalline fine-grained matrix, the static fatigue response depended strongly on crack size, also observed during dynamic fatigue. This effect was attributed to the relative size difference between the cracks and the crystallites. The small cracks could propagate in a planar fashion, whereas the larger cracks were subject to toughening by crack-deflection around the crystallites and a corresponding decrease in the rate of sub-critical crack growth. An analysis for the case of idealized “bi-modal” crack-size dependent sub-critical crack-growth indicated that, for a cordierite glass-ceramic with small cracks, the role of the larger crystallites serves to introduce a “pseudo” fatigue-limit.
The subregion method in magnetic field analysis and design optimization

A method that subdivides the finite element solution region into subregions is introduced for the efficient synthesis of magnetic devices. The coefficient matrices of the different subregions are assembled separately and reduced only to those degrees of freedom that are associated with the nodes at subregion interfaces. The reduced matrices of all subregions are used to assemble the final global matrix, which is solved for the reduced system. It is in this repeated analysis of similar field problems that the subregion method is applied with significant computational savings: in synthesis only those subregions that enclose changes in the design have to be assembled and reduced for the modified design. Thus, the computational effort for reanalysis is reduced to the area of design modifications. The subregion approach is successfully applied to the procedure of device synthesis, where a large number of field computations is required in the iterative search for the optimal design. The subregion method is extended to the calculation of the potential gradient directly from the finite element equations. >
Optimization of disk replacement as a large domain objective function

There are several motivations for trying to find hardware infrastructure which can be replaced. Most administrators believe in owning a diversified portfolio of disks, tapes to replace older ones, a strategy that has been widely accepted and practiced. When attempting to create an efficient portfolio of disks to be replaced there are numerous factors to consider set of fitness heuristics over a population of disks, the goal here is to find a portfolio that has a high probability of failure and at the same time will ensure savings in power consumption and carbon emission. Given the fundamental financial and price information of power consumed, cooling required, we attempt to use GA (Genetic Algorithm) and a hybrid PSO-EO (Particle Swarm Optimization) algorithm to identify disks that are likely to outperform the existing ones by preventing failure and having excess returns and compare these two approaches.
Dysfunctional Mitochondria In Hearts From Type 1 Ryanodine Receptor (RyR1) Knockout Mice

Mutations in the genome of the cardiac or skeletal ryanodine receptor subtypes (RyR2 and RyR1, respectively) cause diseases like catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, malignant hyperthermia, or central core disease. The objective of this study is to investigate the consequences of a dysfunctional ryanodine receptor type 1 (RyR1) on the functionality of heart mitochondria.In neonatal control mice, cardiac mitochondrial oxygen consumption was 20.68 ± 2.11 nmol/min/mg protein in the presence of 2 mM succinate or 5 mM malate and 5 mM glutamate. Addition of 1 mM ADP, to induce state 3 respiration, increased oxygen consumption significantly to 52.37 ± 2.14 nmol/min/mg (n=5). On the contrary, cardiac mitochondria from RyR1 knockout mice showed no increase of oxygen consumption upon addition of 1 mM ADP or 10 μM dinitrophenol. The respiratory control index of RyR1 knockout mice was 1.16 ± 0.48 (n=4) compared to 2.42 ± 0.38 in control mice (n=5).Atractyloside, a specific inhibitor of the adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT) did not inhibit oxygen consumption in cardiac tissue homogenates from RyR1 knockout mice. Consistent with this finding is that ANT protein was not detected using specific antibodies in heart mitochondria from RyR1 knockout mice (n=45), while VDAC and cytochrome c protein levels were not different. Lastly, expression mitochondrial creatine kinase was higher in RyR1 knockout mice than in control animals (n=8). However, mitochondrial contact sites, consisting of VDAC, the creatine kinase octamer and ANT, were absent in heart mitochondria from RyR1 knockout mice.These results suggest that RyR1 knockout mice have dysfunctional mitochondria and are unable to consume oxygen for ATP production. These findings are consistent with the notion that mitochondrial RyR1 plays a central role in Ca2+ regulated ATP production in the heart.Supported by HL-33333.
QUANTUM THEORY OF TRANSPORT IN A MAGNETIC FIELD

A quantum-mechanical theory of transport of charge for an electron gas in a magnetic field is presented that takes account of the quantization of the electron orbits. A transport equation for the necessary elements of the density matrix is developed for arbitrary values of the magnetic field. The scattering is taken to be elastic and is treated only in the Born approximation. The effect of both the magnetic and electric fields on the collisions is taken into account. The influence of the latter has been neglected in previous theories. It is proven, however, to be important in high magnetic fields. It is established that the effect of a transverse electric field on the scattering can be described as the tendency of the electrons to "relax" to a distribution characteristic of thermal equilibrium in the presence of the electric field.Previous theories of transport for large Hall angles are consistent with this theory. They can be obtained as a special solution, found by iteration, of this transport equation.The special case of isotropic scattering has been considered in detail. In this case it is demonstrated that for small enough magnetic fields the usual classical result obtains.