cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ATPase kinetics for wild‐type Saccharomyces cerevisiae F1‐ATPase and F1‐ATPase with the β‐subunit Thr197→Ser mutation

Unisite ATPase kinetic constants were measured for wild-type yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae F1-ATPase and F1-ATPase with the Thr197Ser mutation in the β subunit. Under unisite conditions, the concentration of ATP is greater than that of the enzyme, ATP hydrolysis is slow and the affinity of the enzyme for ATP and ADP is high. The Thr197Ser mutation in the yeast F1-ATPase increases the specific activity of ATP hydrolysis threefold and makes the enzyme much less sensitive to azide and oxyanions [Mueller, D. M. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 16552–16556]. A unifying hypothesis is that the affinity of F1-ATPase for ADP is altered by azide, oxyanions and the Thr197Ser mutation. To address this hypothesis, kinetic and thermodynamic constants were measured for the wild-type and mutant enzymes in the absence and presence of azide and oxyanions. The results indicate that sulfite and azide do not significantly alter unisite thermodynamic binding constants of either enzyme for ADP at the catalytic site. The mutation Thr197Ser has little effect on the binding constant for ADP, or on other unisite kinetic constants of the enzyme, in the presence or absence of azide or oxyanions. However, the binding of ADP to the enzyme was affected by oxyanions and the Thr197Ser mutation as measured by determining the KADPi values for multisite ATPase activity (saturating ATP). The Ki for ADP on ATPase activity was measured for the wild-type and mutant enzymes in the presence and absence of sulfite under multisite conditions. Sulfite increases the KADP values for ATP hydrolysis under multisite conditions approximately threefold for the wild-type and mutant enzymes and the Thr197Ser mutation increases KADPi ninefold. The effect of sulfite on KADPi is additive to the effect of the Thr197Ser mutation, suggesting that these are distinct effects. These results indicate that the effects of azide, oxyanions, and the Thr197Ser mutation on the biochemistry of F1-ATPase are limited primarily to multisite conditions. Both sulfite and the Thr197Ser mutation decrease the affinity of the enzyme for ADP, as measured by the increase in the Ki values. Furthermore, the mechanisms of activation by sulfite and the Thr197Ser mutations are different. This difference occurs despite their common biochemical consequences on the apparent affinity for ADP.
Appendix A—permeability

In the paper entitled “The measurement of the permeability of porous media for homogeneous fluids” by R. D. Wyckoff and others [42] a unit of permeability is proposed which is based on centimeters, seconds, and atmospheres of pressure (76 centimeters of mercury). In 1923, when the Hydrologic Laboratory of the United States Geological Survey was organized, much study was given to the question of a coefficient of permeability, and a coefficient was adopted which is based on feet and gallons a day (U.S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 596, p. 148). This coefficient has been extensively used and has proved very satisfactory in ground-water work. It has the merit of being readily applicable to field-conditions. It is, moreover, of convenient size, the coefficients of most water-bearing materials being integers of two or three figures, that is, between 10 and 1000. It was adopted in place of Slichter's “transmission-constant” (U.S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 67, p. 27, 1902), after much careful consideration, largely because the “transmission-constant” of most water-bearing materials is inconvenient in being only a small decimal.
Demethylation of trimethylated histone H3 Lys4 in vivo by JARID1 JmjC proteins

Histone H3 Lys4 trimethylation (H3-K4me3) is a conserved mark of actively transcribed chromatin. Using a conditional mutant of the yeast H3-K4 methyltransferase, Set1p, we demonstrate rapid turnover of H3-K4me3 and H3-K4me2 in vivo and show this process requires Yjr119Cp, of the JARID1 family of JmjC proteins. Ectopic overexpression of mouse Jarid1B, a Yjr119Cp homolog, greatly diminished H3-K4me3 and H3-K4me2 in HeLa cells, suggesting these proteins function as K4 demethylases in vivo.
Paleocene/Eocene boundary changes in atmospheric and oceanic circulation: A Southern Hemisphere record

Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) Site 215 provides an expanded section across the Paleocene/Eocene boundary, the most complete mid-latitude sequence from a Southern Hemisphere location in the Indo-Pacific area. The events of this transition occurred during a span of about 1.2 m.y. Oxygen isotope values derived from benthic foraminiferal calcite decrease by about 1.0{per thousand}, a decrease most likely related to warming of deep ocean waters. Turnovers of benthic foraminifera accompany {delta}{sup 18}O changes and culminate in the predominant extinction event at the end of the Paleocene Epoch. Carbon isotope ratios also shift dramatically toward lighter values near the end of the Paleocene, beginning about 0.45 m.y. after oxygen isotope values start to change. The intensity of Southern Hemisphere atmospheric circulation as recorded by grain sizes of eolian particles shows a large and rapid reduction beginning another 0.45 m.y. later. A significant reduction of zonal wind strength at the Paleocene/Eocene boundary, until now observed only at Northern Hemisphere locations, appears to have been a global phenomenon related to decreased latitudinal thermal gradients occasioned by more effective poleward heat transport via the deep ocean.
Health policy opinions of graduate students in nursing

Post-graduate students in a School of Nursing whose curriculum represents a broad view of the problems and improvement strategies of contemporary health were surveyed on issues in health policy at the beginning of their study and two years later. They formed one group in a survey of the training programs of 12 health professions; this was part of a project surveying leadership of the major organizations active in health policy-making in the United States. Nursing students moved significantly toward more progressive positions on all categories of issues. At the end of two years of graduate study, student opinions were consistent with the leadership of the nursing profession.
Indian nuclear fuel cycle decision-making: an analysis of influences

Early leaders of the Republic of India, including Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and prominent nuclear scientist Homi Bhabha, highly prioritized the development of nuclear technology. Nehru gave Bhabha much autonomy over the nuclear program, and Bhabha devised a three-stage nuclear program in the 1950s to utilize India’s domestic reserves of thorium and uranium. India has remained committed to the three-stage program and also developed nuclear explosives in the 1970s. This paper uses prospect theory to analyze India’s nuclear fuel cycle decision-making from 1948 to 1990. This analysis shows that India’s nuclear program served two of the country’s main strategic interests: self-sufficiency and attaining equal international standing with the great powers. Prospect theory helps explain how Indian leaders perceived these strategic interests and how the nuclear program fit into pursuing these interests. Indian leaders, in a risk averse gains frame, viewed signing the Non-Proliferation Treaty in the 1960s as r...
Molecular Basis for Ebolavirus VP35 Suppression of Human Dendritic Cell Maturation

Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV) VP35 is a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-binding protein that inhibits RIG-I signaling and alpha/beta interferon (IFN-α/β) responses by both dsRNA-binding-dependent and -independent mechanisms. VP35 also suppresses dendritic cell (DC) maturation. Here, we define the pathways and mechanisms through which VP35 impairs DC maturation. Wild-type VP35 (VP35-WT) and two well-characterized VP35 mutants (F239A and R322A) that independently ablate dsRNA binding and RIG-I inhibition were delivered to primary human monocyte-derived DCs (MDDCs) using a lentivirus-based expression system. VP35-WT suppressed not only IFN-α/β but also proinflammatory responses following stimulation of MDDCs with activators of RIG-I-like receptor (RLR) signaling, including RIG-I activators such as Sendai virus (SeV) or 5′-triphosphate RNA, or MDA5 activators such as encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) or poly(I·C). The F239A and R322A mutants exhibited greatly reduced suppression of IFN-α/β and proinflammatory cytokine production following treatment of DCs with RLR agonists. VP35-WT also blocked the upregulation of DC maturation markers and the stimulation of allogeneic T cell responses upon SeV infection, whereas the mutants did not. In contrast to the RLR activators, VP35-WT and the VP35 mutants impaired IFN-β production induced by Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) or TLR4 agonists but failed to inhibit proinflammatory cytokine production induced by TLR2, TLR3, or TLR4 agonists. Furthermore, VP35 did not prevent lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced upregulation of surface markers of MDDC maturation and did not prevent LPS-triggered allogeneic T cell stimulation. Therefore, VP35 is a general antagonist of DC responses to RLR activation. However, TLR agonists can circumvent many of the inhibitory effects of VP35. Therefore, it may be possible to counteract EBOV immune evasion by using treatments that bypass the VP35-imposed block to DC maturation. IMPORTANCE The VP35 protein, which is an inhibitor of RIG-I signaling and alpha/beta interferon (IFN-α/β) responses, has been implicated as an EBOV-encoded factor that contributes to suppression of dendritic cell (DC) function. We used wild-type VP35 and previously characterized VP35 mutants to clarify VP35-DC interactions. Our data demonstrate that VP35 is a general inhibitor of RIG-I-like receptor (RLR) signaling that blocks not only RIG-I- but also MDA5-mediated induction of IFN-α/β responses. Furthermore, in DCs, VP35 also impairs the RLR-mediated induction of proinflammatory cytokine production, upregulation of costimulatory markers, and activation of T cells. These inhibitory activities require VP35 dsRNA-binding activity, an activity previously correlated to VP35 RIG-I inhibitory function. In contrast, while VP35 can inhibit IFN-α/β production induced by TLR3 or TLR4 agonists, this occurs in a dsRNA-independent fashion, and VP35 does not inhibit TLR-mediated expression of proinflammatory cytokines. These data suggest strategies to overcome VP35 inhibition of DC function.
Fungus colony counts from air-borne spores in Birmingham, Alabama.

Abstract A total of 4,488 colonies of air-borne fungi was recorded in a one-year period from 468 plate exposures. The Phycomycetes (0.8 per cent) and the Fungi Imperfecti (92.4 per cent) composed 93.2 per cent of all the identified colonies counted. Cryptococci, Saccharomyces, Mycelia-Sterilia, and unidentifiable fungi made up the remaining 7.6 per cent of the colonies counted. Alternaria and Cladosporium accounted for 36.2 per cent of the total colonies, showing the heaviest production during June, July, September, and October. No marked seasonal variations were found among the remaining genera. Showers of Botrytis and Phoma occurred during a number of months of the year. At least nine mold genera occurred in quantities sufficient to be incriminated as possible allergens.
Influence of IR sensor technology on the military and civil defense

Advances in basic infrared science and developments in pertinent technology applications have led to mature designs being incorporated in civil as well as military area defense systems. Military systems include both tactical and strategic, and civil area defense includes homeland security. Technical challenges arise in applying infrared sensor technology to detect and track targets for space and missile defense. Infrared sensors are valuable due to their passive capability, lower mass and power consumption, and their usefulness in all phases of missile defense engagements. Nanotechnology holds significant promise in the near future by offering unique material and physical properties to infrared components. This technology is rapidly developing. This presentation will review the current IR sensor technology, its applications, and future developments that will have an influence in military and civil defense applications.
A parametric study on thermal management of an air-cooled lithium-ion battery module for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles

Abstract Three-dimensional transient thermal analyses of an air-cooled module that contains prismatic lithium-ion cells operating under an aggressive driving profile were performed using a commercial computational fluid dynamics code. The existing module utilized air cooling through evenly-spaced channels on both sides of each cell. It was found that lowering the gap spacing and/or higher flow rate of the fan lead to a decrease of the maximum temperature rise. To achieve improved temperature uniformity over the module, the gap spacing should be of a moderate size. For the given module, operating with a uniform gap spacing of 3 mm and an air flow rate of 40.8 m3 h−1 appears to be the best choice that satisfies the trade-off requirements of the fan power, maximum temperature rise and temperature uniformity. Using the same gap spacing and air flow rate, a proposed design of one-side cooling is less effective than two-side cooling. Uneven gap spacing affects the temperature distributions, but it does not impact the maximum temperature rise markedly. Considering the variety of the design change options and their combinations, it is concluded that the temperature gradients along the air flow direction can be affected but are generally unavoidable.
Interaction of a fluorescent GTP analog with reticulocyte elongation factor 1

Abstract A fluorescent analog of GTP, tetrazolo-oxo-purine nucleoside triphosphate (TOP 2 ), can partially replace GTP in the reticulocyte eEF1 mediated binding of phenylalanyl-tRNA to polyU: ribosomes. Interaction of tetrazolo-oxo-purine nucleoside triphosphate with eEF1 results in a quenching of the fluorescence of the nucleotide. This quenching follows a Stern-Volmer relationship and may be used to calculate the association constant for the formation of the complex between TOP and eEF1. The results provide information as to the chemical nature of the GTP binding site of eEF1 and the size of the functional unit of eEF1 with respect to the binding of GTP.
Analysis of Flavanone 3-Hydroxylase in Arabidopsis Seedlings (Coordinate Regulation with Chalcone Synthase and Chalcone Isomerase)

A genomic clone encoding flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H) was isolated from Arabidopsis thaliana. The deduced amino acid sequence is 72 to 94% identical to all previously reported F3H proteins. Low-stringency DNA blot analysis indicated that F3H is encoded by a single gene in Arabidopsis. The F3H locus was mapped to the bottom of chromosome 3 and therefore does not correspond to any of the 13 flavonoid-deficient transparent testa mutants for which a map position is known. Analysis of gene expression in etiolated seedlings exposed to white light and in two putative regulatory mutants, ttg and tt8, demonstrated that the Arabidopsis F3H gene is coordinately expressed with chalcone synthase and chalcone isomerase in seedlings, whereas dihydroflavonol reductase expression is controlled by distinct regulatory mechanisms. The F3H gene may represent a pivotal point in the regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis because its expression is coordinated with different subsets of genes in different plant species.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL QUANTUM GRAVITY AS DYNAMICAL TRIANGULATION

The dynamical triangulation model of 3-dimensional Quantum Gravity is defined and studied. We propose two different algorithms for numerical simulations, leading to consistent results. One is the 3-dimensional generalization of the bonds flip, another is more sophisticated algorithm, based on Schwinger–Dyson equations. We found such care necessary, because our results appear to be quite unexpected. We simulated up to 60000 tetrahedra and observed none of the feared pathologies like factorial growth of the partition function with volume, or collapse to the branched polymer phase. The volume of the Universe grows exponentially when the bare cosmological constant λ approaches the critical value λc from above, but the closed Universe exists and has peculiar continuum limit. The Universe compressibility diverges as (λ − λc)−2 and the bare Newton constant linearly approaches negative critical value as λ goes to λc, provided the average curvature is kept at zero. The fractal properties turned out to be the same, as in two dimensions, namely the effective Hausdorff dimension grows logarithmically with the size of the test geodesic sphere.
THE VALUE OF ANTENATAL PHYSIOTHERAPY FROM THE NURSE'S ANGLE

Antenatal exercises were commenced at the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital some fourteen or fifteen years ago. The exercises were designed to train the muscles not normally used enough, such as the abdominal and perineal ones. Thus the patient was helped to relax during the third stage of labour, but the accent with these early exercises was to help the patient to regain the pre-pregnancy contours in the puerperium By applying in addition the teaching of Helen Heardman, the antenatal preparation of the patients for labour has improved tremendously. Not only do the patients get great benefit, but the nursing staff is also helped and the nursing of these patients has become a very peaceful and pleasant occupation.
Comparison of adult and child radiation equivalent doses from 2 dental cone-beam computed tomography units.

Introduction With the advent of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans, there has been a transition toward these scans' replacing traditional radiographs for orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. Children represent a significant proportion of orthodontic patients. Similar CBCT exposure settings are predicted to result in higher equivalent doses to the head and neck organs in children than in adults. The purpose of this study was to measure the difference in equivalent organ doses from different scanners under similar settings in children compared with adults. Methods Two phantom heads were used, representing a 33-year-old woman and a 5-year-old boy. Optically stimulated dosimeters were placed at 8 key head and neck organs, and equivalent doses to these organs were calculated after scanning. The manufacturers' predefined exposure settings were used. Results One scanner had a pediatric preset option; the other did not. Scanning the child's phantom head with the adult settings resulted in significantly higher equivalent radiation doses to children compared with adults, ranging from a 117% average ratio of equivalent dose to 341%. Readings at the cervical spine level were decreased significantly, down to 30% of the adult equivalent dose. When the pediatric preset was used for the scans, there was a decrease in the ratio of equivalent dose to the child mandible and thyroid. Conclusions CBCT scans with adult settings on both phantom heads resulted in higher radiation doses to the head and neck organs in the child compared with the adult. In practice, this might result in excessive radiation to children scanned with default adult settings. Collimation should be used when possible to reduce the radiation dose to the patient. While CBCT scans offer a valuable tool, use of CBCT scans should be justified on a specific case-by-case basis.
Neonatal outcomes in early term birth.

Objective To determine neonatal morbidity rates for early term birth compared with full term birth by precursor leading to delivery. Study Design This was a retrospective study of 188,809 deliveries from 37 0/7 to 41 6/7 weeks of gestation with electronic medical record data from 2002 to 2008. Precursors for delivery were categorized as spontaneous labor, premature rupture of membranes indicated, and no recorded indication. After excluding anomalies, rates of neonatal morbidities by precursor were compared at each week of delivery. Results Early term births (37 0/7-38 6/7 weeks) accounted for 34.1% of term births. Overall, 53.6% of early term births were due to spontaneous labor, followed by 27.6% indicated, 15.5% with no recorded indication, and 3.3% with premature rupture of membranes. Neonatal intensive care unit admission and respiratory morbidity were lowest at or beyond 39 weeks compared with the early term period for most precursors, although indicated deliveries had the highest morbidity compared with other precursors. The greatest difference in morbidity was between 37 and 39 weeks for most precursors, although most differences in morbidities between 38 and 39 weeks were not significant. Respiratory morbidity was higher at 37 than 39 weeks regardless of route of delivery. Conclusion Given the higher neonatal morbidity at 37 compared with 39 weeks regardless of delivery precursor, our data support recent recommendations for designating early term to include 37 weeks. Prospective data is urgently needed to determine the optimal timing of delivery for common pregnancy complications.
A constraint-based approach to feasibility assessment in preliminary design

In this paper, we present the development and application of a technical feasibility model used in preliminary design to determine whether a set of desired product specifications obtained from marketing is feasible in the engineering domain. This model is developed by integrating the capabilities of a multiobjective design problem, a multicriteria design optimization tool, a Pareto frontier gap analyzer, metamodeling methods, and use of the Pareto frontier as a constraint for feasibility assessment. Although the tools are independent of the domain, their application is illustrated using two examples: a simple three-objective mathematical problem and a five-objective passenger vehicle design problem. The feasibility of the desired product specifications is determined with respect to the problem's Pareto frontier, which is considered to be the necessary constraint to satisfy.
CORE-POLARIZATION CONTRIBUTION TO THE KNIGHT SHIFT IN BERYLLIUM METAL

Direct and core-polarization contributions to the Knight shift in beryllium metal were calculated at a number of symmetry points near the Fermi surface. The direct contribution was evaluated using wave functions for the conduction electrons by the orthogonalized-plane-wave method. The contribution of the core electrons was determined using the moment-perturbation (MP) method developed in an earlier paper. The accuracy of the MP method was rechecked by calculating the core contribution to the hyperfine coupling constant in the $^{3}P_{2}$ state of the beryllium atom. Good agreement was obtained with the result of an earlier self-consistent-field calculation by Goodings. For the ${{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{4}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ level, the direct and core contributions to the Knight shift are 0.01536 and 0.00258%, respectively. For the two degenerate levels of ${H}_{1}$, the direct contributions both vanish while the core-polarization contributions are -0.00061 and -0.00001%. These results lead to the conclusion that core-polarization effects alone can not explain the near-vanishing Knight shift observed experimentally in beryllium metal. Some other contributions such as those from various orbital mechanisms would therefore have to be considered.
Walsh functions for digital impedance relaying of power lines

Impedance distance relaying for fault-protection of a plurality of high-voltage lines has not been accomplished with a minicomputer because of the burden of time placed upon these computers. A new method for computing impedance from data samples is proposed, which would employ only the computer operations of Add, Subtract, and Shift. This is valuable because these operations are one to two orders of magnitude faster on present day minicomputers than the operations of Multiply, Divide, Square, and Square Root. The new method is based upon the use of Walsh functions. When compared with the best competitive method, this new method shows superiority in speed and an accuracy that meets proposed objectives.
Pentraxin 3 in maternal circulation: An association with preterm labor and preterm PROM, but not with intra-amniotic infection/inflammation

Objective. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is an acute-phase protein that has an important role in the regulation of the innate immune response. The aim of this study was to determine if maternal plasma PTX3 concentration changes in the presence of intra-amniotic infection and/or inflammation (IAI) in women with preterm labor (PTL) and intact membranes, as well as those with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (preterm PROM).Study design. This cross-sectional study included women in the following groups: (1) nonpregnant (n = 40); (2) uncomplicated pregnancies in the first (n = 22), second (n = 22) or third trimester (n = 71, including 50 women at term not in labor); (3) uncomplicated pregnancies at term with spontaneous labor (n = 49); (4) PTL and intact membranes who delivered at term (n = 49); (5) PTL without IAI who delivered preterm (n = 26); (6) PTL with IAI (n = 65); (7) preterm PROM without IAI (n = 25); and (8) preterm PROM with IAI (n = 77). Maternal plasma PTX3 concentrations were determined by ELISA.Resul...
Family Structure, Family Processes, and Well-Being Among Asian Americans: Considering Gender and Nativity

This article examines how facets of family structure and processes are linked to self-rated health and psychological distress in a national sample of Asian Americans. The authors find little support for well-established theories predicting the effects of family structure. Marital status does not affect self-rated health and has limited effects on psychological distress. The only effects of family composition are evident among men and the U.S.-born, where the presence of extended family in the home is related to lower levels of psychological distress. The authors find important gender and nativity differences in the effects of family cohesion, which protect the physical and psychological well-being of women and the U.S.-born but not men or foreign-born individuals. Findings suggest that the effects of family structure and processes on well-being are not universal. Family studies among Asian Americans that do not account for gender and nativity differences may be overlooking underlying complexity.
Probabilistic calibration of a Greenland Ice Sheet model using spatially resolved synthetic observations: toward projections of ice mass loss with uncertainties

Abstract. Computer models of ice sheet behavior are important tools for projecting future sea level rise. The simulated modern ice sheets generated by these models differ markedly as input parameters are varied. To ensure accurate ice sheet mass loss projections, these parameters must be constrained using observational data. Which model parameter combinations make sense, given observations? Our method assigns probabilities to parameter combinations based on how well the model reproduces the Greenland Ice Sheet profile. We improve on the previous state of the art by accounting for spatial information and by carefully sampling the full range of realistic parameter combinations, using statistically rigorous methods. Specifically, we estimate the joint posterior probability density function of model parameters using Gaussian process-based emulation and calibration. This method is an important step toward calibrated probabilistic projections of ice sheet contributions to sea level rise, in that it uses data–model fusion to learn about parameter values. This information can, in turn, be used to make projections while taking into account various sources of uncertainty, including parametric uncertainty, data–model discrepancy, and spatial correlation in the error structure. We demonstrate the utility of our method using a perfect model experiment, which shows that many different parameter combinations can generate similar modern ice sheet profiles. This result suggests that the large divergence of projections from different ice sheet models is partly due to parametric uncertainty. Moreover, our method enables insight into ice sheet processes represented by parameter interactions in the model.
Bridging the Gap between Accounting Students and the Profession: A Case Study

This study addresses the gap between accounting educators and the profession. Research indicates accounting graduates are underprepared for this challenging career. The issue stems from accounting educators who only lecture and accounting students who memorize the information provided in these lectures. Accounting students need opportunities to build their professional skills through learning activities that mimic real-world situations. This qualitative study analyzes the perspectives of advanced accounting students before and after computer-assisted instruction to determine if they believe their critical thinking, communication and problem solving skills have improved. I conducted an analysis using an auditing simulation, semi-structured interviews before and after computer use, and reflective journals provided by advanced accounting students attending Central North Carolina universities. The auditing simulation introduced in the study created the opportunity for students to practice their knowledge of accounting and enhance their professional skills. The findings suggested students made a connection between concepts learned in course work and situations found in the accounting profession. The simulation built confidence in students and motivated them to learn more about enhancing skills necessary for the accounting profession. The evidence recommends accounting educators to use simulations as a supplemental learning tool in preparing accounting students for the profession. This study allows colleges, universities, and state accounting associations and societies to explore and conduct future research in using learning tools to enhance professional skills to bridge the gap between accounting students and the profession.
Can statistical physics contribute to the science of economics

In recent years, a breakthrough in statistical physics has occurred. Simply put, statistical physicists have determined that physical systems which consist of a large number of interacting particles obey universal laws that are independent of the microscopic details. This progress was mainly due to the development of scaling theory. Since economic systems also consist of a large number of interacting units, it is plausible that scaling theory can be applied to economics. To test this possibility we study the dynamics of firm size. This may help to build a more complete characterization of the nature and processes behind firm growth. To date, the study of firm dynamics has primarily focused on whether small firms on average have higher growth rates than large firms. To a lesser extent, attention has been placed on the relationship between firm size and variation in growth rate. Our research goes beyond these questions by looking at the relationship between numerous firm characteristics and the entire distribution of growth rates. Thus, it may provide a better understanding of the mechanisms behind firm dynamics. In contrast to previous studies, this research analyzes data over many time scales, instead of just a single time interval. From a scientific standpoint, this work could be useful because it will affect the formulation of firm modeling—one of the basic building blocks of all economic analysis. In addition, this work will have practical applications. For example, there are Federal policies that are designed to encourage small businesses. While such policies might be justified on grounds other than their contribution to growth, any systematic difference in the growth rates of small and large firms might be relevant for evaluating such policies. Also, there has traditionally been a concern that an excessive amount of economic activity might become concentrated in a small number of firms. A more detailed understanding of the firm growth process will provide evidence for whether such concerns have any scientific foundation.
Radiation Safety in the Interventional Lab for Nurses

All health care providers want to give “quality” care to patients. But what does quality care really mean? Many quality terms are used interchangeably; however, the words all have slightly different meanings. A difference does exist between the words: total quality management, quality improvement, continuous quality improvement, process improvement, quality assurance, and quality control. Medical Imaging is a unique department because of the varying backgrounds of those staff employed within the department. Each staff member brings his or her own area of expertise when it comes to patient care, and because of this, quality promotion within the Medical Imaging Department is also unique. Making radiology staff aware of various quality projects and the data collected will help improve patient care quality within the Medical Imaging department. This poster defines the meaning of quality, explains the different terms associated with quality improvement, illustrates the importance of quality, and relates the goals of a quality program for Medical Imaging.
Water Quality Improvement Policies: Lessons Learned from the Implementation of Proposition O in Los Angeles, California

This article evaluates the implementation of Proposition O, a stormwater cleanup measure, in Los Angeles, California. The measure was intended to create new funding to help the city comply with the Total Maximum Daily Load requirements under the federal Clean Water Act. Funding water quality objectives through a bond measure was necessary because the city had insufficient revenues to deploy new projects in its budget. The bond initiative required a supermajority vote (two-thirds of the voters), hence the public had to be convinced that such funding both was necessary and would be effective. The bond act language included project solicitation from the public, as well as multiple benefit objectives. Accordingly, nonprofit organizations mobilized to present projects that included creating new parks, using schoolyards for flood control and groundwater recharge, and replacing parking lots with permeable surfaces, among others. Yet few, if any, of these projects were retained for funding, as the city itself also had a list of priorities and higher technical expertise in justifying them as delivering water quality improvements. Our case study of the implementation of Proposition O points to the potentially different priorities for the renovation of urban infrastructure that are held by nonprofit organizations and city agencies and the importance of structuring public processes clearly so that there are no misimpressions about funding and implementation responsibilities that can lead to disillusionment with government, especially under conditions of fiscal constraints.
Coherent optical spectroscopy of a single quantum dot via an off-resonant cavity

Coherent interaction between a quantum dot and a resonant laser is observed through an incoherent read-out channel created by coupling to an off-resonant cavity. Under bichromatic driving of the quantum dot optical output collected from the off-resonant cavity exhibits two peaks, a signature of Rabi-side bands that matches closely with our theoretical model. The off-resonant cavity provides a convenient method for resonant quantum dot spectroscopy and quantum dot state readout.
Neural correlates of coherent and biological motion perception in autism

Recent evidence suggests those with autism may be generally impaired in visual motion perception. To examine this, we investigated both coherent and biological motion processing in adolescents with autism employing both psychophysical and fMRI methods. Those with autism performed as well as matched controls during coherent motion perception but had significantly higher thresholds for biological motion perception. The autism group showed reduced posterior Superior Temporal Sulcus (pSTS), parietal and frontal activity during a biological motion task while showing similar levels of activity in MT+/V5 during both coherent and biological motion trials. Activity in MT+/V5 was predictive of individual coherent motion thresholds in both groups. Activity in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and pSTS was predictive of biological motion thresholds in control participants but not in those with autism. Notably, however, activity in DLPFC was negatively related to autism symptom severity. These results suggest that impairments in higher-order social or attentional networks may underlie visual motion deficits observed in autism.
Reduction and Genetics

Examples of reduction outside of physics typically concern in principle possibilities; e.g., if we had a decent psychological theory of human behavior, we could reduce it to neurophysiology once we know more. However, in one instance, a reduction is actually well underway - the reduction of Mendelian genetics to molecular biology. Empirical and conceptual difficulties in setting out this reduction have led certain philosophers to modify the traditional logical empiricist analysis of theory reduction, first, to allow for necessary corrections and, second, to introduce a temporal dimension [reduction, genetics, theory, logical empiricism].
Effects of the Self-Directed IEP Delivered Using Computer-Assisted Instruction on Student Participation in Educational Planning Meetings

The Self-Directed IEP has been demonstrated to be effective in improving students’ abilities to lead their own Individualized Education Program (IEP) planning meetings. However, teachers need methods that are both effective for teaching students to lead their own educational planning meetings and efficient methods. One method that has been effective in the classroom to teach a variety of skills is computer-assisted instruction. This study used a multiple-probe design across participants to examine the effects of the Self-Directed IEP, adapted for the computer, on improving students’ abilities to lead their own educational planning meetings. Results indicated a functional relationship between the Self-Directed IEP and participation levels in meetings. Follow-up data show that students were able to generalize and maintain these skills. Future research considerations and implications for practice are discussed.
Environmental Variability Affects Distributions of Coastal Fish Species (Maryland)

Abstract We determined how environmental variability affected distributions of seasonally recruiting fishes (i.e., transient species) in coastal lagoons of Maryland from May–October during 1996, 1997, and 1999. A total of 241 monthly sampling events were conducted in the coastal lagoons at 40 sampling stations. Fluctuations in salinity resulting from variation in stream discharge were negatively correlated with intra-annual stability of fish assemblages. Transient, or non-resident species (e.g., recruiting species), were more frequent in habitats where salinity was less variable. When stream discharge lessened during dry years, transient species were more common throughout the coastal lagoons. Thus, environmental variability influenced distributions of young-of-year fishes in coastal estuaries.
Proposed Mechanism of Inheritance and Expression of the Human Fragile-X Syndrome of Mental Retardation

A mechanism is proposed for the inheritance and expression of the fragile-X-linked syndrome of mental retardation in humans. Two independent events are required for expression of the syndrome: the fragile-X mutation, and X chromosome inactivation in pre-oogonial cells. The fragile-X mutation at site Xq27 has little or no effect until the chromosome is inactivated in a female as part of the process of dosage compensation. At a stage where the inactivated X chromosome would normally be reactivated in preparation for oogenesis, the mutation results in a local block to the reactivation process. This block to reactivation leads to mental retardation in progeny by reducing the level of products from the unreactivated Xq27 region in male cells, and, for a heterozygous female, in somatic cells in which the normal X chromosome has been inactivated. Published data relevant to this proposed mechanism are discussed.
Insulin Degludec: A Novel Basal Insulin Analogue

OBJECTIVE:To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical trial data, adverse effects, and potential role in therapy of insulin degludec.DATA SOURCES:Articles were identified using the MEDLINE database (January 1996-December 2012). Abstracts and posters were identified from respective congressional websites and published supplements of the American Diabetes Association, the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (January 2008-December 2012). Clinicaltrials.gov was used to identify any ongoing clinical trials or completed trials whose results had not been presented or published.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:All available studies were reviewed for inclusion; pharmacokinetic studies were limited to those reporting human data.DATA SYNTHESIS:Insulin degludec is a novel, ultra-long-acting basal insulin analogue that has a similar safety and efficacy profile when compared with insulin glargine in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabet...
A multi-class fluid model for a contact center with skill-based routing

Abstract A multi-class deterministic fluid model is proposed to describe and improve the performance of a customer contact center with skill-based routing. The fluid model can be regarded as an approximation for a stochastic queueing system with multiple customer classes and multiple server groups, with customer abandonment and non-exponential service-time and time-to-abandon distributions. The fluid model is attractive to provide a rough analysis of large systems, with high arrival rate and many servers. Even though the fluid model evolves deterministically, the service-time distributions and time-to-abandon distributions beyond their means play a critical role. The fluid model can be used for staffing, routing and system design, because it is possible to formulate tractable optimization problems.
Spectral and Temporal Processing in Rat Posterior Auditory Cortex

The rat auditory cortex is divided anatomically into several areas, but little is known about the functional differences in information processing between these areas. To determine the filter properties of rat posterior auditory field (PAF) neurons, we compared neurophysiological responses to simple tones, frequency modulated (FM) sweeps, and amplitude modulated noise and tones with responses of primary auditory cortex (A1) neurons. PAF neurons have excitatory receptive fields that are on average 65% broader than A1 neurons. The broader receptive fields of PAF neurons result in responses to narrow and broadband inputs that are stronger than A1. In contrast to A1, we found little evidence for an orderly topographic gradient in PAF based on frequency. These neurons exhibit latencies that are twice as long as A1. In response to modulated tones and noise, PAF neurons adapt to repeated stimuli at significantly slower rates. Unlike A1, neurons in PAF rarely exhibit facilitation to rapidly repeated sounds. Neurons in PAF do not exhibit strong selectivity for rate or direction of narrowband one octave FM sweeps. These results indicate that PAF, like nonprimary visual fields, processes sensory information on larger spectral and longer temporal scales than primary cortex.
Using Wind Setdown and Storm Surge on Lake Erie to Calibrate the Air-Sea Drag Coefficient

The air-sea drag coefficient controls the transfer of momentum from wind to water. In modeling storm surge, this coefficient is a crucial parameter for estimating the surge height. This study uses two strong wind events on Lake Erie to calibrate the drag coefficient using the Coupled Ocean Atmosphere Wave Sediment Transport (COAWST) modeling system and the the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS). Simulated waves are generated on the lake with Simulating WAves Nearshore (SWAN). Wind setdown provides the opportunity to eliminate wave setup as a contributing factor, since waves are minimal at the upwind shore. The study finds that model results significantly underestimate wind setdown and storm surge when a typical open-ocean formulation without waves is used for the drag coefficient. The contribution of waves to wind setdown and storm surge is 34.7%. Scattered lake ice also increases the effective drag coefficient by a factor of 1.1.
Impact of error recovery on the productivity of a unitary assembly cell

A model that illustrates the impact of error recovery on the productivity of a unitary assembly cell performing one assembly operation at a time is presented. At the design stage of an assembly cell, the determination of the appropriate structure for the error recovery requires a consideration of the tradeoff between productivity and yield. This analysis provides a methodology for the justification of various structural alternatives. For an existing unitary assembly cell, the model can be used to analyze the system performance and estimate the numbers of components required for a given assembly batch size. A sensitivity analysis of the model can be used to identify critical operations whose improvement will result in the maximum increase in productivity of the assembly cell. >
Pathlength independent spectrophotometric measurement of hemoglobin in solution

A spectrophotometric method that provides a quantitative estimation of hemoglobin concentration without explicit knowledge of the optical path length is described. Transmission measurements were made at six discrete wavelengths (476, 503, 661, 751, and 1015 nm) on solutions with hemoglobin content ranging form 3 g/dL to 14.8 g/dL, at path lengths from 100 mu to 1 mm. The resulting six-wavelength spectra were decomposed into contributions from both hemoglobin and water. The ratio of computed hemoglobin absorbance to the computed water absorbance is indicative of hemoglobin concentration, and is independent of the measurement path length. Application to noninvasive hematocrit monitoring is discussed. >
Induction of female Sex-lethal RNA splicing in male germ cells: implications for Drosophila germline sex determination

With a focus on Sex-lethal (Sxl), the master regulator of Drosophila somatic sex determination, we compare the sex determination mechanism that operates in the germline with that in the soma. In both cell types, Sxl is functional in females (2X2A) and nonfunctional in males (1X2A). Somatic cell sex is determined initially by a dose effect of X:A numerator genes on Sxl transcription. Once initiated, the active state of SXL is maintained by a positive autoregulatory feedback loop in which Sxl protein insures its continued synthesis by binding to Sxl pre-mRNA and thereby imposing the productive (female) splicing mode. The gene splicing-necessary factor (snf), which encodes a component of U1 and U2 snRNPs, participates in this RNA splicing control. Here we show that an increase in the dose of snf+ can trigger the female Sxl RNA splicing mode in male germ cells and can feminize triploid intersex (2X3A) germ cells. These snf+ dose effects are as dramatic as those of X:A numerator genes on Sxl in the soma and qualify snf as a numerator element of the X:A signal for Sxl in the germline. We also show that female-specific regulation of Sxl in the germline involves a positive autoregulatory feedback loop on RNA splicing, as it does in the soma. Neither a phenotypically female gonadal soma nor a female dose of X chromosomes in the germline is essential for the operation of this feedback loop, although a female X-chromosome dose in the germline may facilitate it. Engagement of the Sxl splicing feedback loop in somatic cells invariably imposes female development. In contrast, engagement of the Sxl feedback loop in male germ cells does not invariably disrupt spermatogenesis; nevertheless, it is premature to conclude that Sxl is not a switch gene in germ cells for at least some sex-specific aspects of their differentiation. Ironically, the testis may be an excellent organ in which to study the interactions among regulatory genes such as Sxl, snf, ovo and otu which control female-specific processes in the ovary.