cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Managing the revenue of sales platforms: : Insights into service fees

Online sales platforms have grown substantially in recent years. These platforms assist sellers to conduct sales, and in return, collect service fees from sellers. We study the fee policies by considering a fee-setting platform, on which a seller may conduct a sale with a reserve price to a group of potential buyers: the seller retains the object for sale if the final trading price is below the reserve price. The platform may charge two types of fees as in current practice: a reserve fee as a function of the seller's reserve price and a final value fee as a function of the sale's final trading price. We derive the optimality condition for fee policies, and show that the platform can use either just a final value fee or just a reserve fee to achieve optimality. In the former case, the optimal final value fee charged by the platform is independent of the number of buyers. In the latter case, the optimal reserve fee is often a decreasing, instead of increasing, function of the seller's reserve price. An increasing reserve fee may make the seller reluctant to use a positive reserve price and hurt the platform's revenue. In general, the optimal fees are nonlinear functions, but in reality, linear fees are commonly used because of their simplicity for implementation. We show that a linear fee policy is indeed optimal in the case that the seller's valuation follows a power distribution. In other cases, our numerical analysis suggests close-to-optimal performance of the linear policy.
Evaluating memory energy efficiency in parallel I/O workloads

Power consumption is an important issue for cluster supercomputers as it directly affects their running cost and cooling requirements. This paper investigates the memory energy efficiency of high-end data servers used for supercomputers. Emerging memory technologies allow memory devices to dynamically adjust their power states. To achieve maximum energy saving, the memory management on data servers needs to judiciously utilize these energy-aware devices. As we explore different management schemes under four real-world parallel I/O workloads, we find that the memory energy consumption is determined by a complex interaction among four important factors: (1) cache hit rates that may directly translate performance gain into energy saving, (2) cache populating schemes that perform buffer allocation and affect access locality at the chip level, (3) request clustering that aims to temporally align memory transfers from different buses into the same memory chips, and (4) access patterns in workloads that affect the first three factors.
A method for approximating the water content of soils

A procedure is described for calibrating fiberglas soil-moisture units, and for preparing the tables required to convert resistance readings into inches of water. The shape and slope of the calibration curves are determined in the laboratory with the units placed in undisturbed soil samples. After the units have been placed in the field, the laboratory curves are translated laterally along the moisture axis by an amount determined through simultaneous field moisture samples and resistance readings. Regression equations characterizing the bulk density of the soil (as a function of moisture content and depth) are taken into account in converting soil-moisture content from a per cent dry-weight basis to inches of water. For thin horizons subject to large errors of measurement, a method is described for correcting the bulk-density regression equation so as to conform with its corresponding calibration curve.
Tuning Garwick's algorithm for repacking sequential storage

Garwick's algorithm, for repacking LIFO lists stored in a contiguous block of memory, bases the allocation of remaining space upon both sharing and previous stack growth. A system whereby the weight applied to each method can be adjusted according to the current behavior of the stacks is discussed. We also investigate the problem of determining during memory repacking that the memory is used to saturation and the driving program should therefore be aborted. The tuning parameters studied here seem to offer no new grasp on this problem.
Isochromosome (X)(p10) in hematologic disorders: FISH study of 14 new cases show three types of centromere signal patterns

Abstract Though X chromosome anomalies are uncommon in hematologic malignancies, isodicentric X chromosomes, idic(X)(q13), with break and fusion points at Xq13 are well known among older females with de novo myelodysplasia. In contrast, only 17 patients with X isochromosomes involving break and fusion points at the centromere i(X)(p10) have been published, to our knowledge. We present 14 new patients with i(X)(p10) identified by G-banding and further characterized by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using probes for the X p-arm, X α-satellite DNA (DXZ1), and the XIST gene (Xq13). These anomalies each had an X p-arm probe signal on either side of a single centromeric FISH signal, thus they are monocentric isochromosomes. On the basis of FISH, the following three centromeric patterns were identified: (1) centromere signal same size as normal X, (2) centromere signal larger than normal X, and (3) centromere signal smaller than normal X. These centromere patterns may be related to the mechanism of i(X)(p10) formation. In 9 (64%) of 14 patients, the i(X)(p10) was the sole anomaly, attesting to its pathogenic potential. Our series, when collated with information on previously reported cases of i(X)(p10), show that this anomaly is associated with females with a median age 74 years, though patients from 3.75 to 49 years, including a 17-year-old in the present cohort, have been described. i(X)(p10) is observed in a wide range of hematologic malignancies, including myeloid and lymphoid disorders, as well as a patient with therapy-related AML in the present series. i(X)(p10) has been reported in occasional males, indicating that this anomaly can arise from active X chromosomes. It is not known whether i(X)(p10) arises randomly from the active or inactive X chromosome in female patients.
Minireview: Regulation of Epithelial Na+ Channel Trafficking

The epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) is a pathway for Na+ transport across epithelia, including the kidney collecting duct, lung, and distal colon. ENaC is critical for Na+ homeostasis and blood pressure control; defects in ENaC function and regulation are responsible for inherited forms of hypertension and hypotension and may contribute to the pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis and other lung diseases. An emerging theme is that epithelial Na+ transport is regulated in large part through trafficking mechanisms that control ENaC expression at the cell surface. ENaC trafficking is regulated at multiple steps. Delivery of channels to the cell surface is regulated by aldosterone (and corticosteroids) and vasopressin, which increase ENaC synthesis and exocytosis, respectively. Conversely, endocytosis and degradation is controlled by a sequence located in the C terminus of α, β, and γENaC (PPPXYXXL). This sequence functions as an endocytosis motif and as a binding site for Nedd4-2, an E3 ubiquitin protein ligase that...
A Truffle in the Mouth Is Worth Two in the Bush: Odor Localization in the Human Brain

It is widely thought that locating the source of a smell is an ability best left to nonhuman members of the animal kingdom. In this issue of Neuron, two complementary articles highlight the neural mechanisms underlying the localization of an odor, either to the left or right side of the nose (Porter et al.) or to the inside or outside of the mouth (Small et al.). Together, these studies validate the idea that the human brain is equipped with the apparatus necessary to pinpoint the location of an odor source.
Phosphorylation of Epidermal Keratins

When human and rat epidermis are exposed to 32 P-orthophosphoric acid, labeled phosphate is incorporated into several proteins. The pattern of phosphorylation is identical whether the isotope is delivered in vivo or in vitro . The predominant phosphorylated proteins are in-soluble in Tris-HC1 buffer but soluble in SDS- β -mercaptoethanol. They migrate in SDS-polyacrylamide gels with apparent molecular weights between 45,000 and 65,000. When analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, the labeled phosphoproteins co-migrate with keratins isolated from human callus. Serine is the phosphate acceptor in these proteins. The pattern of phosphorylation of these SDS- β -mercaptoethanol soluble epidermal proteins is not changed in basal cell carcinoma, icthyosis vulgaris, Kyrle's disease or Netherton's syndrome. The pattern is altered in psoriasis. Others have demonstrated that a 63,000 molecular weight protein is absent from active psoriatic lesions. We have found that a 63,000 molecular weight phosphoprotein is present in uninvolved skin but absent in the psoriatic plaques.
Hypertension in Adult Onset Diabetes Mellitus: Abnormal Renal Hemodynamics and Endogenous Vasoregulatory Factors

We evaluated 10 adult onset diabetics who developed hypertension well after the onset of glucose intolerance. Systemic and renal hemodynamics, intravascular volume, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis, and the renal kallikrein-kinin system were examined at extremes of sodium intake, and compared to results from matched normotensive and essential hypertensive subjects. On unrestricted sodium diet, the diabetics, compared to normotensives, had significantly decreased blood volume ( p p p p p p p p
Apoptosis: A Role in Skin Aging?

Prevailing theories view aging as an outcome of both programmed and stochastic events that occur over the lifetime of the individual. In this context, aging can be defined as a progressive decline in homeostasis and a period characterized by the inability of the organism to respond adaptively to stress. Apoptosis thus stands out as a potential key cellular process that may be affected during aging because apoptosis is both an important homeostatic mechanism and a protective cellular response to stress. In this paper we introduce the topic of apoptosis, its regulation, and its roles in epidermal homeostasis as a feature of normal keratinocyte differentiation and as a cellular endpoint of stress. To probe the question of whether apoptosis contributes to the process of skin aging, we present evidence for apoptotic dysregul-ation during aging in nonskin systems and discuss some findings suggesting that decreased efficiency of apoptosis may contribute to the alterations characteristic of intrinsic (chronologic) aging and extrinsic (photoaging) skin aging. Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings 3:28-35, 1998
SPR Imaging-Based Salivary Diagnostics System for the Detection of Small Molecule Analytes

Saliva is an underused fluid with considerable promise for biomedical testing. Its potential is particularly great for monitoring small-molecule analytes since these are often present in saliva at concentrations that correlate well with their free levels in blood. We describe the development of a prototype diagnostic device for the rapid detection of the antiepileptic drug (AED) phenytoin in saliva. The multicomponent system includes a hand-portable surface plasmon resonance (SPR) imaging instrument and a disposable microfluidic assay card.
Within-session patterns in variable-interval schedule performance: Variation with deprivation level.

Previous research has shown that patterns in operant responding may change within the course of individual experimental sessions. The proper interpretation of such changes is controversial. At least one source of this controversy may lie in unstated experimental practices across laboratories, as published reports often have failed to detail important particulars of deprivation operations. The present study was aimed at gathering descriptive data on the contribution of deprivation operations to the observation of within-session changes. In two experiments, four food deprived pigeons were exposed to a multiple variable-interval 30-s variable-interval 30-s schedule of grain presentation, wherein each grain presentation was kept constant at 5 s. In Condition I, a session-entry criterion was in place that permitted the pigeon access to the daily session only if its body weight fell within controlled limits. Within-session rates of responding were generally stable. In Condition II, the entry criterion was removed and experimental sessions were conducted 6 days per week. The effect of removing the session-entry criterion was to increase body weight for all birds and decrease food intake across conditions. With no session entry criterion, robust within-session changes were observed for three of the four pigeons. The results suggest that rich schedules of reinforcement often used in the analysis of within-session changes can produce substantial reductions in deprivation levels that require up to several days to reverse. Future experiments in this area should take precautions to insure that deprivation is tightly controlled and report such measures to eliminate potential errors in replication.
FETAL GROWTH IN THE BABOON DURING THE SECOND HALF OF PREGNANCY

The normal growth profile of critical fetal organs through the last third of gestation has not been documented in detail in human fetuses or the fetus of any nonhuman primate species. Recent epidemiological studies in human pregnancy suggest that fetal growth plays a major role in the programming of life-long health by modifying cardiovascular, pancreatic, brain, and liver growth. The present study aimed to produce a detailed database of individual organ growth in the fetal baboon in late gestation. Fetal organ weights were obtained from 43 baboon fetuses between 121 and 177 days of gestation. Various organs (brain, heart, kidney, femur, intestines, and spinal cord) showed no sign of slowed growth in late gestation while growth of others (lung, liver, stomach, and bladder) accelerated in late gestation. The fetal adrenal and thymus showed a decrease in growth rate over the final 20 and 10 days of gestation respectively. These observations provide a database that will permit analysis of factors responsible for regulation of normal and altered fetal organ development in this important experimental species.
Contemporary management of spinal osteomyelitis.

OBJECTIVE: We review the results of treatment of a series of patients with spinal osteomyelitis, to formulate a systematic and comprehensive approach to the management of this disease in light of recent technical and conceptual advances in imaging, spinal biomechanics, and internal fixation. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records for 57 consecutive patients with pyogenic spinal osteomyelitis who were treated between June 1987 and June 1995. Pain and weakness were the most common presenting symptoms. The mean duration of symptoms at the time of diagnosis was 10.6 weeks. Surgical indications included the presence or development of motor deficits with epidural compression and/or localized kyphotic deformities or the failure of medical therapy. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients underwent surgery as their initial treatment. Six additional patients experienced medical therapy failure and received subsequent surgical treatment. Seventeen patients were treated using an anterior approach only, 13 were treated using a posterior approach only, and 9 were treated using a combined anterior and posterior approach. After a minimal follow-up period of 24 months, 93% of the surgically treated patients showed neurological improvement or were neurologically intact, with a mean 16-degree decrease in localized kyphotic deformities and with solid bony fusion and resolution of pain for all patients. CONCLUSION: Early surgical decompression results in rapid improvement of neurological deficits, decreases in kyphotic deformities, and stabilization with bony fusion. The presence of active infection does not preclude the use of internal fixation. Nonsurgical management is indicated for patients with minimal or no neurological deficits and the absence of significant localized kyphotic deformities. However, 25% of patients who were initially treated nonsurgically experienced medical therapy failure and underwent surgical treatment.
Channel and Data Estimation for Ad Hoc Networks and Cognitive Radio

Estimation of channel and data characteristics by the receiver is important in adaptive wireless transmission protocols and in cognitive radio. This paper formulates the estimation problem with the help of an illustrative example from the IEEE 802.11a OFDM standard. The problem reduces to the estimation of the common component variance and mixing probabilities in a finite Gaussian mixture, with known values for component means. Using the known component means, μ1, ... , μ M , a set of non-linear transformations, $${\sinh \mu_i x}$$ and $${\cosh \mu_i x}$$ of the data (mixture random variable X) are used to develop convergent and computationally efficient estimators for both the noise variance and the vector of symbol probabilities. The estimation equations can be implemented recursively or with a batch processing algorithm. Asymptotic variances of the estimates and the Cramer–Rao minimum variance bounds are derived. The estimates converge to true unknowns even when the sequences of noise and data symbols are dependent sequences. The OFDM example is simulated with parameters corresponding to the highest acceptable error rate. For a time-varying channel model chosen from the literature, it is shown that our estimator receives considerably more than adequate amount of data during an average time interval of unchanging channel characteristics. Analytical results, numerical results and related issues are discussed.
Multi-stage tandem mass spectrometry of metal cationized leucine enkephalin and leucine enkephalin amide

We have examined the multi-stage collision induced dissociation (CID) of metal cationized leucine enkephalin, leucine enkephalin amide, and the N-acetylated versions of the peptides using ion trap mass spectrometry. In accord with earlier studies, the most prominent species observed during the multi-stage CID of alkali metal cationized leucine enkephalin are the [b(n) + 17 + Cat]+ ions. At higher CID stages (i.e. >MS(4)), however, dissociation of the [b2 + 17 + Cat]+ ion, a cationized dipeptide, results in the production of [a(n) -1 + Cat]+ species. The multi-stage CID of Ag+ cationized leucine enkephalin can be initiated with either the [b(n) -1 + Ag]+ or [b(n) + 17 + Ag]+ ions produced at the MS/MS stage. For the former, sequential CID stages cause, in general, the loss of CO, and then the loss of the imine of the C-terminal amino acid, to reveal the amino acid sequence. Similar to the alkali cationized species, CID of [b2 -1 + Ag]+ produces prominent [a(n) -1 + Ag]+ ions. The multi-stage CID of argentinated peptides is reminiscent of fragmentation observed for protonated peptides, in that a series of (b(n)) and (a(n)) type ions are generated in sequential CID stages. The Ag+ cation is similar to the alkali metals, however, in that the [b(n) + 17 + Ag]+ product is produced at the MS/MS and MS3 stages, and that sequential CID stages cause the elimination of amino acid residues primarily from the C-terminus. We found that N-acetylation of the peptide significantly influenced the fragmentation pathways observed, in particular by promoting the formation of more easily interpreted (in the context of unambiguous sequence determination) dissociation spectra from the [b2 + 17 + Li]+, [b2 + 17 + Na]+ and [b2 -1 + Ag]+ precursor ions. Our results suggest, therefore, that N-acetylation may improve the efficacy of multi-stage CID experiments for C-terminal peptide sequencing in the gas phase. For leucine enkephalin amide, only the multi-stage CID of the argentinated peptide allowed the complete amino acid sequence to be determined from the C-terminal side.
Temperature Dependence of the Outer-Sphere Reorganization Energy

The temperature dependence of the intervalence charge transfer transition (IT) has been studied for a mixed-valence dinuclear iron complex. The two “halves” of this complex consist of trisbipyridineiron moieties that are triply linked with saturated alkyl chains. Because the complex is symmetric, the energy of the IT band is a direct measure of the reorganization energy for electron transfer between the two irons. Moreover, for the specific complex under investigation here, the inner-sphere reorganization energy is essentially zero because of an exact cancellation of sigma- and pi-bonding changes upon changing the oxidation state of each iron. As a consequence, the energy of the IT transition is a direct measure of the outer-sphere (solvent) reorganization energy. The energy of the IT band has been investigated over the temperature range −28 °C to 30 °C. The derivative of the outer-sphere reorganization energy with respect to temperature found from this study was −3.2 ± 0.4 cm-1K-1. Theoretical calculatio...
Response of intramuscular walker 256 rat tumor to sustained‐release cyclophosphamide and ara‐c capsules

Randomly bred Sprague-Dawley rats with the intramuscular form of Walker 256 tumor growing in the right thigh region were treated with sustained-release cyclophosphamide capsules as well as with cytosine arabinoside capsules. A disk-shaped caps-le was implanted subcutaneously adjacent to the tumor mass. Tumor regression, weight gain, and prolongation of lifespan were observed in animals treated with cyclophosphamide capsules of 10 mg or 20 mg total drug content each. However, the walker 256 intramuscular tumor did not respond to ARA-C capsules implanted, and the animals died at the same rate as the controls, with large ulcerated tumor masses and some metastasis. The in vitro diffusion data of ARA-C capsules is shown. Gross and histological changes associated with cyclophosphamide administered in this manner are reported.
Personality characteristics of female homosexuals.

Several writers have suggested that female homosexuals have personality profiles that differ from those of female heterosexuals, but these profiles are not pathological in nature. This hypothesis w...
Non-Foster Circuit Adaptation for Stable Broadband Operation

A non-Foster circuit adaptation algorithm has been developed and demonstrated in a printed circuit board by using commercial off-the-shelf components. This algorithm enables adaptive stabilization of non-Foster circuits (NFCs) to achieve broadband operation, such as matching of electrically small receive antennas, hence avoiding potential oscillation and undesirable signal emission. The demonstrated system has been fabricated in a 6.4 ×8.9 cm2 4 layer FR4 PCB. Together with a fabricated NFC board, it achieves stable wideband matching for a 15 cm long monopole antenna under different environment conditions, such as an additional loading of a Cu metallic sheet in a proximate location to the antenna. The demonstration indicates the effectiveness of the proposed NFC adaptation algorithm and paves the way for broad applications of NFCs without stability concerns.
Methods of Measuring Useful Life of Equipment under Operational Conditions

Abstract The problem discussed is that of comparing the longevities of two or more types of equipment under operational conditions where it is not convenient to identify or keep records of individual items. Such a comparison can be made by adopting certain replacement policies and observing their effect on the composition of the population. Methods of estimating relative and absolute longevities are given for the case where k types of equipment are being compared and various logistical requirements are placed upon the replacement policies. Methods of making decisions and testing hypotheses concerning the relative and absolute longevities are also given. Replacement policies are given which, under certain conditions, are optimum for purposes of studying longevity. * Based on research supported by the Office of Naval Research at the Statistical Research Center, University of Chicago. I wish to thank Merrill M. Flood, Columbia University, for bringing this problem to my attention.
θ VACUUM IN THE CHIRAL SCHWINGER MODEL

The physical properties of the chiral Schwinger model are studied, for the particular value of the regularization-dependent parameter a=2. Within a gauge-invariant formulation, we prove that, apart from free physical chiral states, the chiral Schwinger model is equivalent to the vector Schwinger model. In particular, we show that, as in the vector theory, the cluster property is not fulfilled unless the vacuum state is properly defined.
Analytic description of the evolution of two-dimensional flame surfaces

The passive propagation of wrinkled, non-folding, premixed flames in quiescent and spatially periodic flow fields is investigated by employing the scalar field, G-equation formulation. Rather than solving the G-equation directly, we transform it into a g-equation, which is a differential equation governing the evolution of the slope of the flame shape in two-dimensional flows. For the Landau limit of flame propagation with constant flame speed, the resulting g-equation degenerates to a quasi-linear wave equation in a quiescent flow. For the stretch-affected propagation mode in which the flame propagation speed is curvature-dependent, the resulting g-equation is in the general form of the Burgers' equation. Analytical solutions were obtained for several flame and flow types, revealing some interesting characteristics of the geometry and propagation of the flame, including the formation of cusps and their inner structure, and the augmentation of the average burning velocity through flame wrinkling.
Acknowledging the Impact of Social Forces on Sexual Minority Clients: Introduction to the Special Issue on Clinical Practice with LGBTQ Populations

Over the last two to three decades, advances in clinical practice with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals have been extensive. Many clinical social workers now incorporate LGBTQ-affirmative approaches into their practice, and a number of social workers have contributed to the literature on clinical practice with sexual minority clients. Despite these advances, we still require specialized knowledge to understand a number of LGBTQ-related mental health issues. The Clinical Social Work Journal’s first special issue on clinical practice with LGBTQ populations emphasizes psychotherapy techniques that acknowledge and also address social forces (e.g., transphobia, homophobia, and heterosexism) that affect the psychosocial functioning of LGBTQ clients. The special issue focuses on LGBTQ populations, such as transgender and bisexual individuals, sexual minority youth, and older adults, and psychotherapy modalities informed by a number of clinical and theoretical approaches. These in-depth articles offer guidance to clinical social workers who need to expand their knowledge of LGBTQ-related mental health issues and also provide those with existing knowledge an opportunity to refine their clinical skills and sharpen their thinking.
Mutation of a strictly conserved, active-site residue alters substrate specificity and cofactor biogenesis in a copper amine oxidase.

The copper amine oxidases (CAOs) catalyze both the single-turnover modification of a peptidyl tyrosine to form the active-site cofactor 2,4,5-trihydroxyphenylalanine quinone (TPQ) and the oxidative deamination of primary amines using TPQ. The function of a strictly conserved tyrosine located within hydrogen-bonding distance to TPQ has been explored by employing site-directed mutagenesis on the enzyme from H. polymorpha to form the mutants Y305A, Y305C, and Y305F. Both Y305A and Y305C behave similarly with regard to aliphatic amine oxidase activity, showing 3−7-fold decreases in kinetic parameters relative to WT, while the more conservative substitution of Y305F results in a >100-fold decrease in kcat and >500-fold decrease in kcat/Km relative to WT for the reductive half-reaction. The oxidation of benzylamine by all three mutants is severely impaired, with very significant effects seen in the oxidative half-reaction. CAO activity was studied as a function of pH for WT and Y305A proteins. Profiles for WT-c...
Fitness costs of resistance to Cry3Bb1 maize by western corn rootworm

Crops producing toxins derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are widely planted to manage insect pests including western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), which is a significant pest of maize in the United States and Europe. However, the widespread use of Bt maize places intense selection pressure on pest populations to evolve resistance, and field-evolved resistance to Bt maize by western corn rootworm has been documented in the United States. In conjunction with non-Bt refuges, fitness costs of Bt resistance can delay resistance evolution. Fitness costs arise in the absence of Bt toxin when individuals with resistance alleles have lower fitness than Bt-susceptible genotypes. We quantified the level of resistance and fitness costs of resistance for a strain of western corn rootworm with laboratory-selected resistance to transgenic maize (Zea mays L.) producing Bt toxin Cry3Bb1. Survival to adulthood on Cry3Bb1 maize was more than twofold higher for resistant insects vs. susceptible insects, which is similar to the magnitude of resistance first observed in the field. Fitness costs were measured in two experiments; the first used maize hybrids and the second used inbred lines. The experiment with maize hybrids compared resistant and susceptible strains while the experiment with maize inbreds compared resistant, susceptible and heterozygous genotypes. The only non-recessive fitness cost detected (i.e. cost affecting heterozygotes) was for adult size. Recessive fitness costs (i.e. costs affecting the resistant strain) were observed for developmental rate, female survival and egg viability. However, when reared on non-Bt maize, the resistant strain also displayed higher fecundity, higher survival for males and greater adult longevity compared to the susceptible strain. These results suggest that resistance to Bt maize by western corn rootworm may not impose substantial fitness costs, and consequently, may evolve quickly and persist once present.
Modified T4 lysozyme fusion proteins facilitate G Protein-coupled receptor crystallogenesis

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) mediate the majority of cellular responses to hormones and neurotransmitters. Most GPCR crystal structures have been obtained using a fusion protein strategy where the flexible third intracellular loop is replaced by T4 lysozyme (T4L). However, wild-type T4L may not be ideally suited for all GPCRs because of its size and the inherent flexibility between the N- and C-terminal subdomains. Here we report two modified T4L variants, designed to address flexibility and size, that can be used to optimize crystal quality or promote alternative packing interactions. These variants were tested on the M3 muscarinic receptor (M3). The original M3-T4L fusion protein produced twinned crystals that yielded a 3.4 A structure from a 70 crystal data set. We replaced T4L with the modified T4L variants. Both T4L variants yielded M3 muscarinic receptor crystals with alternate lattices that were not twinned, including one that was solved at 2.8 A resolution.
Evidence for Segment-Nonspecific Packaging of the Influenza A Virus Genome

The influenza A virus genome is composed of eight negative-sense RNA segments (called vRNAs), all of which must be packaged to produce an infectious virion. It is not clear whether individual vRNAs are packaged specifically or at random, however, and the total vRNA capacity of the virion is unknown. We have created modified forms of the viral nucleoprotein (NP), neuraminidase (NA), and nonstructural (NS) vRNAs that encode green or yellow fluorescent proteins and studied the efficiency with which these are packaged by using a plasmid-based influenza A virus assembly system. Packaging was assessed precisely and quantitatively by scoring transduction of the fluorescent markers in a single-round infectivity assay with a flow cytometer. We found that, under conditions in which virions are limiting, pairs of alternatively tagged vRNAs compete for packaging but do so in a nonspecific manner. Reporters representing different vRNAs were not packaged additively, as would be expected under specific packaging, but instead appeared to compete for a common niche in the virion. Moreover, 3 to 5% of transduction-competent viruses were found to incorporate two alternative reporters, regardless of whether those reporters represented the same or different vRNAs — a finding compatible with random, but not with specific, packaging. Probabilistic estimates suggest that in order to achieve this level of dual transduction by chance alone, each influenza A virus virion must package an average of 9 to 11 vRNAs.
Deming's Total Quality Management Movement and the Baskin Robbins Problem: Part 2: Is this Ice Cream American?

W. Edwards Deming' philosophy of total quality management (TQM) constitutes more than an approach to management. It is also a full-fledged theory of organization and a theory of society and politic...
THERMOELECTRIC GENERATION OF CHARGE IMBALANCE AT A SUPERCONDUCTOR-NORMAL METAL INTERFACE

LBL-12029 Preprint c: MAR Submitted to the Journal of Low Temperature Physics THERMOELECTRIC GENERATION OF CHARGE I~ffiALANCE AT A SUPERCONDUCTOR-NORMAL METAL INTERFACE D.J. Van Harlingen January 1981 TWO-WEEK LOAN COPY This is a Library Circulating Copy which may be borrowed for two weeks. For a personal retention copy~ call Tech Info. Division~ Ext. 6782. Prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract W-7405-ENG-48
Laparoscopic cannula cone with means for cannula stabilization and wound closure

A reusable cone suitable for use with existing laparoscopy cannulas was designed to provide means for sealing and stabilizing the operative site throughout the procedure, and for repairing the surgical site after the surgery is completed. The device consists of a moveable laparoscopic cannula cone fitted with suture holders. The cone contains tunnels terminating at its distal end that serve as passages for sutures loaded on a special needle to traverse the abdominal wall. When sutures are pulled into suture holders they stabilize the cannula and seal the puncture site. When sutures are tied at the end of the procedure, they achieve full-thickness closure of the operative site. The laparoscopic cannula cone stabilizes the cannula on the abdominal wall, maintains an air-tight seal, controls potential hemorrhage from the cannula puncture site, and achieves satisfactory closure of the surgical defect. Preliminary experience with the instrument and method has been most satisfactory.
Invariant imbedding method and inverse source problems

Abstract This paper studies the direct scattering and inverse source problems for an one-dimensional inhomo-geneous slab. The method used is the time domain wave splitting and invariant imbedding technique.For the case when the internal source 5 is a product, i.e., j'(x, s) =D(x) i(s) , a new current scatteringoperator J that maps the function i(s) into the scattered waves at the boundaries of the slab is defined.A system of coupled nonlinear integrodifferential equations for the current scattering operator kernelJ(x, s) and the reflection operator kernel R(x, s) is derived. The inverse source problem solved in thispaper is recovering the source space distribution function D(x) from the given permittivity profile and current scattering operator kernel J(0, s) for 0  s 1. Numerical results of the computation of the J kernel and the reconstruction of D(x) are presented. Intro duct ion Reconstruction of material parameters [1][4}[8] using the time domain wave splitting and invariantimbedding method has been used effectively in solving inverse scattering problems. Recently this tech-nique has been extended to higher dimensional cases [6][10]. However, in all these problems it has beenassumed that there is no internal source in the scattering medium.This paper continues the study of the problems in [9] to reconstruct internal source parameters when
A mechanical study of ligature security of commercially available pre-tied ligatures versus hand tied ligatures for use in equine laparoscopy.

Objective— To determine a hand-tied ligature knot configuration, suture size, and suture type that would be an acceptable substitute to commercially available ligature knots for use in equine laparoscopic surgery. Study Design— Three-factor ANOVA with the fixed effects being suture type, suture size, and knot type. The dependent variable was ligature security (load to failure). Methods— Commercially available Endoloop® and 4 hand-tied slipknot ligatures were compared with a 4-layer square knot. The hand tied ligature knots tested were the 4S modified Roeder knot, the Brooks knot, the modified Roeder knot, and the Weston knot. Two suture sizes (0, 2) of each of 2 suture types (polydioxanone, polyglactin 910) were tested with each hand tied knot. Two types (polydioxanone, polyglactin 910) of size 0 Endoloop® were tested. Twenty repetitions of each knot suture type were tested for force to yield on a materials testing machine. Statistical analysis consisted of a 3-way ANOVA with individual comparisons made using the Bonferroni method. Significance was P≤.05. Results— Only the 4S modified Roeder knot in 2 polydioxanone (103 N) was comparable with the breaking strength of the square knots (157 N). All other knot suture combinations tested were significantly weaker than the square knot (range, 2–18 N). Conclusion— For equine laparoscopy, a 2 polydioxanone 4S modified Roeder knot would be an acceptable alternative to the commercially available Endoloop.® Clinical Relevance— Laparoscopic slip knots are commonly used in equine laparoscopic surgery. Various knot configuration and suture size and type combinations will affect the security of the slip knot.
Photoeffects on the Eye

AbstractA number of conferences and workshops in recent years have highlighted the growing interests of vision researchers in the role played by radiation on the integrity of ocular tissues. We review the clinical manifestations and discuss the basic research presently being carried out, with special emphasis on the photochemical events believed to contribute to lenticular and retinal alterations. The clinical battery of tests presently available is discussed in relation to pathologic and toxicologic entities encountered in practice. We hope that greater attention will be given to the early detection of photorelated visual dysfunctions.
The breathing mode of nucleons and Δ-isobars in the Skyrme model

Abstract The excitation energy of the Roper resonance and the breathing mode of the isobar are estimated in the Skyrme model. The results indicate that the skyrmion is rather soft towards changes in size.
A protocol for the order commitment decision in a supply network

Abstract Timely and accurate order commitment decisions are important to supply networks. Many firms face problems such as order over-commitment and inability to fulfill committed orders. Addressing shortcomings in the state-of-the-practice, we developed a protocol based upon the distributed database two-phase commit protocol that guarantees the atomicity of global transactions. We developed extensions of the basic protocol based on requirements of experienced supply chain professionals. Supply chain managers experienced with order promising evaluated the protocol. They opined that adoption of this protocol would reduce the decision-making time by 80%, enhance the accuracy by 30% and also improve customer service levels.
Manner of Pickup of ULV Carbaryl by Aulocara elliotti from Aerially Sprayed Rangeland

Experimental control of an infestation of range grasshoppers with 16 fl oz ULV carbaryl (Sevin®-4-oil/acre) (0.5 lb AI/acre) applied by aircraft was conducted to study the pickup of toxicant by Aulocara elliotti (Thomas). Caged grasshoppers were subjected to 5 treatments: (1) sprayed food; (2) sprayed soil; (3) sprayed grasshoppers; (4) sprayed food, soil, and grasshoppers; and (5) untreated. Highest mortalities, 95 and 93%, were achieved with treatments 4 and 1, respectively. These were significantly greater than the 46, 13, and 2% that were recorded with treatments 3, 2, and 5, respectively. Grasshopper mortality occurred over an extended time period after the single spray application. Cumulative percent mortality due to treatments 1, 4, 3, and 2 increased daily until ca. 11, 8, 5, and 3 days, respectively.
Kinetics and effects of dichloroacetic acid in rainbow trout.

Halogenated acetic acids (HAAs) produced by chlorine disinfection of municipal drinking water represent a potentially important class of environmental contaminants. Little is known, however, about their potential to adversely impact fish and other aquatic life. In this study we examined the kinetics and effects of dichloroacetic acid (DCA) in rainbow trout. Branchial uptake was measured in fish confined to respirometer-metabolism chambers. Branchial uptake efficiency was <5%, suggesting passive diffusion through aqueous channels in the gill epithelium. DCA concentrations in tissues following prolonged (72, 168, or 336 h) waterborne exposures were expressed as tissue:plasma concentration ratios. Concentration ratios for the kidney and muscle at 168 and 336 h were consistent with the suggestion that DCA distributes primarily to tissue water. Reduced concentration ratios for the liver, particularly at 72 h, indicated that DCA was highly metabolized by this tissue. Routes and rates of elimination were characterized by injecting chambered animals with a high (5.0 mg/kg) or low (50 μg/kg) bolus dose. DCA was rapidly cleared by naive animals resulting in elimination half-lives (t1/2) of less than 4 h. Waterborne pre-treatment of fish with DCA increased the persistence of a subsequently injected dose. In high dose animals, pre-treatment caused a 4-fold decrease in whole-body clearance (CLB) and corresponding increases in the area under the plasma concentration–time curve (extrapolated to infinity; AUC0→∞) and t1/2. Qualitatively similar results were obtained in low dose fish, although the magnitude of the pre-treatment effect (∼2.5-fold) was reduced. Renal and branchial clearance contributed little (combined, <3% of CLB) to the elimination of DCA. Biliary elimination of DCA was also negligible. The steady-state volume of distribution (VSS) did not vary among treatment groups and was consistent with results of the tissue distribution study. DCA had no apparent effects on respiratory physiology or acid–base balance; however, the concentration of blood lactate declined progressively during continuous waterborne exposures. A transient effect on blood lactate was also observed in bolus injection experiments. The results of this study suggest that clearance of DCA is due almost entirely to metabolism. The pathway responsible for this activity exhibits characteristics in common with those of mammalian glutathione S-transferase zeta (GSTζ), including non-linear kinetics and apparent suicide inactivation by DCA. Observed effects on blood lactate are probably due to the inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase in aerobic tissues and may require the participation of a monocarboxylase transport protein to move DCA across cell membranes.
Saying One Thing and Doing Another: The Paradox of Best Practices and Sex Education

ABSTRACT The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) specifies that all educational programs or curricula be supported by “scientifically based research” in order to ensure better quality control. However, in the arena of sex education, the federal government allocates millions of dollars in grants for schools and organizations to implement abstinence-only-until-marriage sex-education programs, which “scientifically based research” studies suggest are largely ineffective in preventing pre-marital sexual activity or preventing teen pregnancies and STI acquisition. This article explores this policy paradox by contemplating its origin, analyzing its components, and offering suggestions on how it can be remedied.
A new type of singularity created by colliding gravitational waves

An exact solution is obtained for colliding plane impulsive gravitational waves accompanied by shock waves, which, in contrast to other known solutions, results in the development of a null surface which acts like an event horizon. The analytic extension of the solution across the null surface reveals the existence of time-like curvature singularities along two hyperbolic arcs in the extended domain, reminiscent of the ring singularity of the Kerr metric. Besides, the space-time, in the region of the interaction of the colliding waves, is of Petrov-type D and locally isometric to the Kerr space-time in a region interior to the ergosphere. Various other aspects of the solution are also discussed.
Relationship of the eating disorders to depression biological similarities and differences

Behavioral signs and symptoms and biological similarities present in anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and depressive disorder have been the spur for a variety of investigations comparing the eating disorders with affective disorder. These studies have examined and compared the phenomenology, family history, and neuroendocrinology of these disorders. A review of all the pertinent studies does not allow one to conclude that the eating disorders are a form of affective disorder.
Permittivity and Permeability of Mullite-SiC-Whisker and Spinel-SiC-Whisker Composites

Real and imaginary permittivity (ɛ′ and ɛ″, respectively) values were determined on mullite-silicon carbide whisker (mullite-SiCw) composites, mullite-ZrO2 composites, and spinel-SiCw composites, in the frequency range of 2-18 GHz, using a 14 mm coaxial air-line measurement system. Depending on the frequency, the addition of 30 vol% of SiCw to mullite increases ɛ′ from 6.6-6.9 to 16-22 and increases ɛ′ from 0 to 16-22. The addition of 32 vol% of SiCw to spinel increases ɛ′ from 7.5-7.8 to 37-44 and increases ɛ″ from 0 to 13-20. The addition of 21 vol% of ZrO2 to mullite increases ɛ″ to ∼9 but does not change ɛ″. Real and imaginary permeability values were 1 and 0, which are within experimental error.
EPA-0224 - Practical Interventions for Suicide Risk based on Evidence Based Research

In this presentation, Dr. Lineberry will describe practical strategies for management of suicide risk based on research literature. Specific topics covered will include identification and management of sleep problems as an independent risk factor for suicide, identification and management of agitation, pragmatic strategies to systematically manage means restriction in at risk patients, approaches to prescribing medications (e.g. opioids) to reduce risk and strategies to reduce risk associated with transitions from inpatient to outpatient. Translation of evidence to practice through examples will be used.