cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exact and Approximate Cost Functions for Product Aggregates

We show that certain large, multiproduct problems can be well approximated by smaller models of the same form, representing only one aggregate product or a few such products. This reduction follows from a new technique to approximate the minimal cost of a special allocation or "disaggregation" problem, by a simple, closed-form aggregate cost function. This function, moreover, has the same form as the cost functions for the original, individual products. For special cases the "approximation" is exact. This latter result is related to economic-theoretic research on aggregation with homothetic preferences. The results are applied to a one-stage, multiperiod, multi-item production smoothing model, and then to a similar model of a two-stage system, yielding a reduction in the number of items to one or to relatively few.
Diagnostic and prognostic significance of exercise-induced premature ventricular complexes in men and women: A four year follow-up

Two hundred eighty patients (197 men and 83 women) with normal rest electrocardiograms and no history of prior myocardial infarction were referred for evaluation of chest pain. It was found that exercise-induced premature ventricular complexes had a lower sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value in predicting significant coronary artery disease than exercise-induced ST segment depression greater than or equal to 1 mm. The incidence of exercise-induced premature ventricular complexes was not significantly different in patients with no significant coronary artery disease, single vessel disease or multivessel disease. The site of origin of exercise-induced premature ventricular complexes was not helpful in predicting the presence or severity of coronary artery disease. At a mean follow-up period of 47.1 months, exercise-induced premature ventricular complexes did not predict coronary events (cardiac death or nonfatal myocardial infarction) in men or women.
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor as a novel signal transduction and antiproliferative agent: prostate cancer

Abstract In prostate cancer cells, the binding of peptide growth factors to specific receptors increases tyrosine kinases (TK) activity to regulate cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and signaling processes. To determine whether inhibition of receptor TK activity inhibits tumor growth, we studied the effects of a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, RG-13022 (tyrphostin), on cultured human prostate cancer cells. RG-13022 significantly inhibited TGFα-induced phosphorylation of EGF receptor (EGFR). This compound inhibited TGFα-stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 being 30 μM. Clonogenicity in soft agar was reduced in the presence of RG-13022. Inhibitory effects were also observed in androgen-positive LNCaP cells and androgen-negative PC3 cells. RG-13022 not only inhibited TGFα-induced growth but also growth stimulated by epidermal growth factor (EGF), acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) and serum. In addition, RG-13022 also blocked androgen-stimulated cell proliferation, suggesting that functioning TK pathways are required for androgen-induced growth. This novel synthetic inhibitor may be useful in providing a new strategy for future therapeutic intervention for prostate cancer.
A geography student named Janus

Abstract Graduate work should include a large proportion of methodology, but some students find it difficult to see the relevance of many concepts and approaches. It is helpful to provide them with a rough map of geomethodological space to help them find their way, so that they can acquire deeper knowledge in specialised areas pertinent to their research interests. A one‐year, thirty‐lecture course that surveys contemporary methods in geographical research is described.
Insulin pump compared to injected insulin in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes

WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES YVONNE CHENG, INGRID BLOCK-KURBISCH, MARIBETH INTURRISI, ALLA USTINOV, AARON CAUGHEY, University of California, San Francisco, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, San Francisco, California, University of California, San Francisco, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, San Francisco, California, University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing, San Francisco, California OBJECTIVE: To examine perinatal outcomes and factors associated with insulin pump versus conventional injection therapy in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study of women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) enrolled in the California Diabetes and Pregnancy Program (CDAPP) between 2001 and 2004. Women managed with insulin pump infusion were compared to those treated with conventional insulin injections. Measures of glycemic control and perinatal outcomes were examined using Students t and chi-square tests. Potential confounders, including maternal age, parity, ethnicity, gestational age entering CDAPP, and weight gain during pregnancy, were controlled for using multivariate logistic regression analyses. A p-value !0.05 and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to indicate statistical significance. RESULTS: Among the 688 women with type 1 DM, 60 (8.7%) were treated with insulin pumps and 628 (91.3%) with insulin injections. Women managed on insulin pumps had lower mean of hemoglobin (Hgb) A1c values compared to those with insulin injections (6.7% vs. 7.7%, p!0.001). They were also less likely to undergo cesarean delivery (see Table). CONCLUSION: Women with type 1 DM managed with insulin pump are more likely to have a lower HgbA1c !6.0% and lower rates of cesarean delivery, but no differences in rates of preterm delivery, birthweight, or intensive care nursery admission.
Bounded length confidence interval for a common mean

Consider k normal populations with common unknown mean μ and unknown variances . A bounded length confidence interval for μ is considered, using a two stage sampling scheme. In the first stage the sample sizes are equal for all k populations. In the second stage, all observations, if any, are taken from the population which yielded the smallest sample variance in the first stage.
Monoclonal antibodies against the plant cytokinin isopentenyl adenosine

Sixteen monoclonal antibodies against isopentenyl adenosine (iPA) were developed and characterized for reactivity towards this cytokinin and structurally related molecules by use of a competition fluorescence enzyme immunoassay. Antibodies with suitable affinity and specificity were used in an immunoassay to detect and quantify isopentenyl adenosine. Logit/log plots of fluorescence vs pmol of the cytokinin indicated that the assay had a measurement range of 0.03–256 pmol (10–8500 pg) with high linearity (r =–0.98). This competition fluorescence enzyme immunoassay showed that three antibodies cross-reacted with N-6-benzyladenine and its riboside: cross-reactivity with dihydrozeatin and its riboside, cis-zeatin, trans-zeatin riboside, adenine and adenosine was minor. When an immunoaffinity-HPLC technique was used to measure the cross-reactivity of two of the antibodies in the presence of known quantities of multiple cytokinins, iPA was bound in preference to the other cytokinins. One of the antibodies was used to quantify this cytokinin in developing wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Stephens) seeds and in wheat seeds spiked with known amounts of certain other cytokinins. The use of these antibodies in immunoassay in combination with HPCL for quantification of iPA in plant extracts is discussed.
Communication technology at the Federal Communications Commission: E-government in the public interest?

Abstract Just as the private sector has discovered the potential of e-commerce as a cost-effective means to market goods and services to consumers, the public sector has begun to examine the potential of on-line government (e-government) as an efficient way to interact with citizens and businesses. In recent years in the United States, federal “e-government” initiatives have prompted administrative agencies to use new communication and information technologies like the Internet and World Wide Web (Web) to provide information, deliver services, and channel feedback from citizens, regulated industries, and other government entities. But the question remains: How well will these e-government initiatives, particularly the use of communication and information technologies, serve the public at whom they are directed? This article offers a limited study of the use of a specific communication technology—the Web—by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This article considers the usefulness of FCC's Web site for both regulated industries and the public. The article provides a careful comparison of the ways the site allows regulated industries to conduct their official business with the ways the site permits the public to participate in FCC processes.
Management Under Anarchy: The International Politics of Climate Change

This article analyzes climate change from the perspective of international politics. In the anarchy of the international system, various cooperation problems have stalled the formation of an effective climate regime at the international level. Obstacles occur at three stages of regime formation: the bargaining stage, the transition stage, and the implementation stage. The importance of the transition stage of cooperation, which takes place between the signing of an agreement and its entry into force, has been overlooked by international relations scholars and is particularly important in the climate case. The article assesses the possibility of applying `adaptive management' principles to climate change as a partial response to these political obstacles. While such an approach has significant appeal given the uncertainty surrounding the human-climate interface, its experimental, top-down characteristics are not politically feasible at the international level. I recommend certain modifications of existing institutions and practices to improve international information sharing and facilitate efficient learning. These changes would serve to promote a decentralized and passive – and thus politically viable – version of adaptive management, an effective approach to dealing with climate change at the global level.
Characterization of Water Clusters in Organic Molecular Hosts from Density Functional Theory Calculations

A density functional study of (H2O)6 and (H2O)8 clusters enclosed in organic hosts is undertaken. The calculations use supercells that contain up to 326 atoms. The crystal structures calculated for the (H2O)6/host and the (H2O)8/host systems are in qualitative agreement with those obtained from X-ray diffraction studies. The calculations confirm the presence of (H2O)8 clusters with Ci symmetry in the (H2O)8/host crystal and verify the existence of one-dimensional chains of fused water hexamers within channels of the (H2O)6/host crystal. The major differences observed between the calculated and experimental structures are attributed to the limitations of the Perdew−Wang functional for describing long-range dispersion interactions.
Estimate of satellite-derived cloud optical thickness and effective radius errors and their effect on computed domain-averaged irradiances

[1] The process of retrieving cloud optical thickness and effective radius from radiances measured by satellite instruments is simulated to determine the error in both the retrieved properties and in the irradiances computed with them. The radiances at 0.64 μm and 3.7 μm are computed for three cloud fields (stratus, stratocumulus, and cumulus) generated by large eddy simulation models. When overcast pixels are assumed and the horizontal flux is neglected in the retrieval process, the error in the domain-averaged retrieved optical thickness from nadir is 1% to −32% (1% to −27%) and the error in the retrieved effective radius is 0% to 67% (0% to 63%) for the solar zenith angle of 30° (50°). Using the radiance averaged over a 1 km size pixel also introduces error in the optical thickness because of the nonlinear relation between the reflected radiance and optical thickness. Both optical thickness and effective radius errors increase with increasing horizontal inhomogeneity. When the 0.64 μm albedo is computed with the independent column approximation using retrieved properties from nadir (oblique) view for a solar zenith angle of 50°, the error is −0.3% to 14% (−5% to −30%) relative to the albedo from 3-D radiative transfer computations with the true cloud properties. The albedo error occurs even though the radiance at one angle is forced to agree because a plane parallel cloud with a single value of optical thickness and effective radius cannot consistently match the radiance angular distribution. In addition, the error in the retrieved cloud properties contributes to the albedo error. When albedos computed with cloud properties derived from nadir and oblique views are averaged, the albedo error can partially cancel. The absolute error in the narrowband 0.64 μm (3.7 μm) albedo averaged over a 1° × 1° domain is less than 1.5% (0.6%), 5.0% (4.1%), and 7.1% (11%) in order of increasing inhomogeneity, when albedos computed with cloud properties derived from viewing zenith angles between 0° and 60° are averaged and when the solar zenith angle is between 10° and 50°. When the solar zenith angle is 70°, the error increases to up to +24% (+37%) for all three scenes.
Voltammetric and polarographic catalytic hydrogen currents of modified bovine serum albumin

At the HMDE and DME both disulfide and twice their number of sulfhydryl groups contribute to the same extent to values of i1 and i2 of Brdicka currents. It is concluded that the disulfide groups of serum albumin (BSA) adsorbed on mercury are completely reduced in the presence of Co(III) or Co(II) at potentials at which the two Brdicka curents i1 and i2 are observed. This is attributed to the fact that the adsorbed protein is complexed with Co(III) or Co(II). The catalytic “active cobalt” current is close to proportional to the number of sulfhydryl and disulfide groups. Sulfhydryl containing modified BSA products yield well defined anodic polarographic (DME) waves with diffusion currents which are proportional to the concentration of a given product. Such compounds yield anodic waves at the HMDE with peak currents proportional to the square root of the scan rate, a multimolecular film of mercury mercaptide being attached to the electrode. Upon cathodic recycling the cathodic wave has a peak current proportional to the scan rate, indicating reduction of an adsorbed film on the electrode.
The Transforming Activity of Ski and SnoN Is Dependent on Their Ability to Repress the Activity of Smad Proteins

The regulation of cell growth and differentiation by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is mediated by the Smad proteins. In the nucleus, the Smad proteins are negatively regulated by two closely related nuclear proto-oncoproteins, Ski and SnoN. When overexpressed, Ski and SnoN induce oncogenic transformation of chicken embryo fibroblasts. However, the mechanism of transformation by Ski and SnoN has not been defined. We have previously reported that Ski and SnoN interact directly with Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4 and repress their ability to activate TGF-β target genes through multiple mechanisms. Because Smad proteins are tumor suppressors, we hypothesized that the ability of Ski and SnoN to inactivate Smad function may be responsible for their transforming activity. Here, we show that the receptor regulated Smad proteins (Smad2 and Smad3) and common mediator Smad (Smad4) bind to different regions in Ski and SnoN. Mutation of both regions, but not each region alone, markedly impaired the ability of Ski and SnoN to repress TGF-β-induced transcriptional activation and cell cycle arrest. Moreover, when expressed in chicken embryo fibroblasts, mutant Ski or SnoN defective in binding to the Smad proteins failed to induce oncogenic transformation. These results suggest that the ability of Ski and SnoN to repress the growth inhibitory function of the Smad proteins is required for their transforming activity. This may account for the resistance to TGF-β-induced growth arrest in some human cancer cell lines that express high levels of Ski or SnoN.
A comparative study of techniques for intrusion detection

Due to increasing incidents of cyber attacks and heightened concerns for cyber terrorism, implementing effective intrusion detection systems (IDSs) is an essential task for protecting cyber security--as well as physical security because of the great dependence on networked computers for the operational control of various infrastructures. Building effective IDSs, unfortunately, has remained an elusive goal owing to the great technical challenges involved; and applied AI techniques are increasingly being utilized in attempts to overcome the difficulties. This paper presents a comparative study of using support vector machines (SVMs), artificial neural networks (ANNs), multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) and linear genetic programs (LGPs) for intrusion detection. We investigate and compare the performance of IDSs based on the mentioned techniques, with respect to a well-known set of intrusion evaluation data gathered by Lincoln Labs. Through a variety of experiments and analysis, it is found that, with appropriately chosen population size, program size, crossover rate and mutation rate, LGPs outperform other techniques in terms of detection accuracy at the expense of time. SVMs outperform MARS and ANNs in three critical aspects of intrusion detection: accuracy, training time, and testing time.
Diplopia after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in a patient with a history of strabismus

In patients with a history of strabismus, refractive surgery can result in decompensation of ocular alignment, with subsequent diplopia. Refractive surgery in the management of strabismus has been described, although it remains controversial. We present a young adult with past history of strabismus surgery and new-onset diplopia after refractive surgery. Binocular diplopia was treated surgically with laser in situ keratomileusis.
Computer networks and distributed systems

Three major justifications for distributed computing-sharing physically distributed resources, combining computers for fast solutions, and providing reliability through replication-are discussed. Distributed computing milestones from 1969 to 1991 are examined, focusing on the ARPAnet national research network, Ethernet and token-ring local area networks, and workstation networks united by distributed systems software. Three themes that dominate current trends in distributed systems and computer networks are examined. They comprise tapping the immense data-carrying potential of optical fibers, efficiently using tightly coupled networks of thousands of computers, and making network access inexpensive so many people will buy services. Developments for the next decade are predicted by extrapolating from these trends. >
Lessons Learned from Biosphere 2: When Viewed as a Ground Simulation/Analog for Long Duration Human Space Exploration and Settlement

President Bush's recent announcement of the Exploration Initiative dictates manned bases on the Moon and eventually Mars. A ground swell of credible privately funded space projects is also reaffirming the notion that was for a time taken for granted but in recent years has seemed further and further from being realized - that humans will live permanently in space. A human mission to Mars, or a base on the Moon or Mars is a lengthier more complex mission than any space endeavor undertaken to date. Simulation Based Acquisition is a fundamental part of preparing for such a mission. Ground simulations provide a relevant, analogous environment for testing technologies and learning how to manage complex, long duration missions, while addressing inherent mission risks. Multiphase human missions and settlements with limited opportunities for immediate return to Earth should a problem occur, require high fidelity, end-to-end, full mission duration tests in order to evaluate a system's ability to sustain the crew for the entire mission and return them safely to Earth. Moreover, abort scenarios are essentially precluded in many mission scenarios though certain risks may only become evident late in the mission. Aging and compounding effects cannot be simulated through accelerated tests for all aspects of the mission. Until such high fidelity long duration simulations are available, and in order to help prepare those simulations and mission designs, it is important to extract as many lessons as possible from analogous environments. Biosphere 2 is a three-acre materially closed ecological system that supported eight crewmembers with food, air and water in a sunlight driven bioregenerative system for two years. It was designed for research applicable to environmental management on Earth and the development of human life support for space. Although the two-year mission of Biosphere 2 was completed ten years ago, it is quite possibly the best analog for a long duration space mission that has been conducted and warrants reexamination in light of NASA's new direction. A brief overview of the two-year Biosphere 2 mission is presented, followed by select data and lessons learned that are applicable to the design and operation of a long duration human space mission, settlement or test bed. These lessons include technical, programmatic, and psychological issues.
High‐Areal‐Capacity Silicon Electrodes with Low‐Cost Silicon Particles Based on Spatial Control of Self‐Healing Binder

Dr. Z. Chen, Dr. C. Wang, J. Lopez, Prof. Z. Bao Department of Chemical Engineering Stanford University Stanford , CA 94305 , USA E-mail: zbao@stanford.edu Dr. Z. Lu, Prof. Y. Cui Department of Materials Science and Engineering Stanford University Stanford , CA 94305 , USA E-mail: yicui@stanford.edu Prof. Y. Cui Stanford Institute for Materials and Energy Sciences SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory Menlo Park , CA 94205 , USA
Multidimensional Pulse-Position Coded-Modulation for Deep-Space Optical Communication

In order to achieve multigigabit transmission (projected for 2020) for the use in interplanetary communications, in this letter, we propose the use of multidimensional pulse-position modulation (PPM). From Shannon's theory, we know that information capacity is a logarithmic function of signal-to-noise ratio, but a linear function of number of dimensions. By using pulse-positions as a basis function, we can improve the spectral efficiency of conventional PPM. The N-dimensional PPM (ND-PPM) can, therefore, be used to solve the high-bandwidth requirements of future deep-space optical communications. The N -dimensional signal constellation can be obtained as N-dimensional Cartesian product one-dimensional pulse-amplitude modulation constellation. The improvement of ND-PPM over PPM for N=8 in strong turbulence regime is even 3.21 dB at a bit-error rate (BER) of 10-5. In addition, the spectral efficiency of the proposed scheme is N/log2N times better than that of PPM.
Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Condition to Be Better Understood

Dear Editor, I read the paper entitled “Trigeminal Neuralgia: Frequency of Occurrence in Different Nerve Branches”, published in your journal (1). The data presented confirms the findings of previous papers (2-4), as was also mentioned by the author. Such findings help the clinicians to diagnose the disease. However, some other points need to be mentioned; even though this study reports no case of bilateral trigeminal neuralgia, previous publications reported that it may affect 1-5% of the patients (5, 6), and another author mentioned that bilateral cases should suggest a systemic involvement, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or cranial tumor (7). We can conclude that bilateral cases are rare, but not impossible; and a clinician should be suspicious of a systemic condition when examining a patient with bilateral trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Considering that TN is a clinical diagnosis, the clinician should not only rely on the epidemiologic data, even though it might help on the differential diagnosis. Clinical characteristics should be considered during the history taking and clinical examination, and those characteristics can be found on the diagnostic criteria published by the International Headache Society (IHS). The IHS divides TN in two subsets: Classical TN, which is not related to any pathology, but vascular compression. Symptomatic TN, which is caused by an identifiable lesion or pathology. It is known that over 85% of the cases with TN have the classical TN. All clinicians involved on the management of pain patients should be familiar with the diagnostic criteria published by the IHS, which helps to correctly identify patients with TN, as well as differentiate between classical TN and symptomatic TN (8). Although diagnosing TN appears to be easy, many patients have undergone unnecessary dental treatment (9), and about 90% of patients diagnosed with TN experienced pain for more than 1 year before receiving the correct diagnosis (10). Before establishing a long-term treatment, the health care provider should first try to identify the etiology of the TN. As the Bangash’s paper well mentioned, the clinician should closely follow the patients up, in order to select the best treatment, watch for side effects and often evaluate the patient for any change on the medical history (including new intra and extra oral exam). Clinicians should become familiar not only with treatment options, indications and contraindications for each treatment modality, side effects and adverse reactions associated with the treatment, but also with new studies about diagnosis and treatment of TN. As all the other neuropathic pain conditions, TN is not completely understood yet. Finally, further investigations should focus not only on the treatment of TN, but also on the pathogenesis of this condition. Epidemiologic studies as the article published by Bangash on your journal are the first step to develop more specific studies regarding etiology and new treatment options in order to decrease/eliminate the patient’s suffering and clinician’s frustration.
Stability and approximator convergence in nonparametric nonlinear adaptive control

This paper investigates nonparametric nonlinear adaptive control under passive learning conditions. Passive learning refers to the normal situation in control applications in which the system inputs cannot be selected freely by the learning system. This article also analyzes the stability of both the system state and approximator parameter estimates. Stability results are presented for both parametric (known model structure with unknown parameters) and nonparametric (unknown model structure resulting in /spl epsiv/-approximation error) adaptive control applications. Upper bounds on the tracking error are developed. The article also analyzes the persistence (PE) of excitation conditions required for parameter convergence. In addition, to a general PE analysis, the article presents a specific analysis pertinent to approximators that are composed of basis elements with local support. In particular, the analysis shows that as long as a reduced dimension subvector of the regressor vector is PE, then a specialized form of exponential convergence will be achieved. This condition is critical, since the general PE conditions are not practical in most control applications. In addition to the PE results, this article explicitly defines the regions over which the approximator converges when locally supported basis elements are used. The results are demonstrated throughout via examples.
Ecological Interactions between Two Broadly Sympatric, Cryptic Species of Dusky Salamander (Genus Desmognathus)

The competition–predation hypothesis has been widely used for many years to explain the segregation along moisture gradients by species of dusky salamanders (genus Desmognathus) along Appalachian streams. According to this idea, all species originally favored aquatic sites, and large, aggressive species displaced smaller ones to more terrestrial habitats, both ecologically and evolutionarily. We tested this hypothesis by investigating the role of a recently described, previously unsuspected member (D. folkertsi) of this assemblage. This species coexists in widespread sympatry with its larger, cryptic congener, D. quadramaculatus. The competition–predation hypothesis predicts that the smaller D. folkertsi is displaced to more terrestrial habitats by the larger, aggressive D. quadramaculatus. We did not find D. folkertsi farther from water than D. quadramaculatus. However, in streams where they are sympatric, D. folkertsi was more abundant in small tributaries while D. quadramaculatus predominated along the...
Recent Trends in the Performance of Tungsten-Halogen and HID Low Beams in the U.S.

In the past several years, there have been major changes in many aspects of low-beam headlighting in the U.S. The changes include continuous shifts: 1) from sealed beams to aerodynamic, vehicle-specific headlamps, 2) from lens to reflector and projector optics, 3) from glass to plastic lenses, and 4) from mechanical to visual aim. Furthermore, new bulbs, both tungsten-halogen- and HID-based have been introduced. Beginning with the 1997 model year, the authors have periodically documented the influence of these technological changes on headlamp photometric performance. The 3 studies of tungsten-halogen lamps performed thus far used the same basic approach. Specifically, in these studies, the photometric output of the low beams was measured for use on the 20 or 23 (depending on the study) best selling vehicles in the U.S., and each vehicle's weighted measurements were compared with the respective sales volume to calculate the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile market-weighted values. In 1 additional study, data was obtained for a sample of 19 HID lamps. This paper: 1) provides new data for 5 HID low beams designed for use on the 5 best selling vehicles that offered HIDs for model year 2004, and for 5 tungsten-halogen lamps for the same vehicles, 2) examines photometric trends from 1997-2004 for both tungsten-halogen and HID low beams, and 3) documents the technological changes over the same time period.
Letter to the Editor: Sequence-specific resonance assignment of the carboxyl terminal domain of Connexin43

The gap junction family of integral membrane proteins enables the direct cytoplasmic exchange of ions and small molecules (<1 kDa), including second messengers. Gap junctions are involved in a diverse array of cellular processes including cellular differentiation and development, metabolic homeostasis, and in excitable tissue, electrical coupling. They are formed by the apposition of connexons from adjacent cells, where each connexon is formed of six connexin proteins. Connexins are four transmembrane domain proteins with intracellular Nand C-terminal regions. More than twenty different mammalian connexins exist with the major divergence occurring in the cytoplasmic loop (CL) and carboxyl terminal (CT) domains. The subject of this paper, Cx43, is the most widely expressed gap junction protein and is essential for normal cardiac development and function. Recently, the idea of gap junctions being formed solely of the connexin proteins has been replaced by the concept that connexons may be centerpieces of a macromolecular complex or ‘Nexus’ (Spray et al., 1999). Integral tight junction, tight junctionassociated, cytoskeletal, adhedrens junctional complex and tyrosine kinase proteins bind to and/or modify the CT of Cx43, consistent with a more active role for gap junctions in cellular functions (Duffy et al., 2002a). A 7.5 A resolution structure of a recombinant Cx43 cardiac gap junction channel (Unger et al., 1999) has been solved; however, Cx43 was truncated to remove most of the CT. Such truncated constructs ∗To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: girvin@aecom.yu.edu form functional channels, but pH sensitivity and interactions with the ‘Nexus’ proteins are altered. Separate co-expression of the CT domain partially restores pH sensitivity (Morley et al., 1996), and recombinant CT domain binds to the Nexus proteins (Duffy et al., 2002b). The hypothesis that acidification-induced uncoupling results from the intramolecular interaction between the CT domain and a separate region of the protein affiliated with the pore (Morley et al., 1996), was supported by our studies demonstrating pH dependent binding between the CT domain and a region of CL (L2) (Duffy et al., 2002c). Binding of L2 induced no significant chemical shift changes in 15N labeled CT, suggesting that the CT structure necessary for recognizing and binding CL is pre-formed. To understand the structural bases of connexin regulation, we are studying the Cx43CT in the two protonation states for which binding (pH 5.8) or no binding (pH 7.3) to L2 loop are observed. Here we report the sequence-specific assignments of the loop-binding Cx43CT conformation at pH 5.8. These assignments will be generally useful for mapping the binding sites for all of the Nexus proteins.
Entropy and surface engineering in protein crystallization.

Protein crystallization remains a key limiting step in the characterization of the atomic structures of proteins and their complexes by X-ray diffraction methods. Current data indicate that standard screening procedures applied to soluble well folded prokaryotic proteins yield X-ray diffraction crystals with an ∼20% success rate and for eukaryotic proteins this figure may be significantly lower. Protein crystallization is predominantly dependent on entropic effects and the driving force appears to be the release of ordered water from the sites of crystal contacts. This is countered by the entropic cost of ordering of protein molecules and by the loss of conformational freedom of side chains involved in the crystal contacts. Mutational surface engineering designed to create patches with low conformational entropy and thereby conducive to formation of crystal contacts promises to be an effective tool allowing direct enhancement of the success rate of macromolecular crystallization.
FK 506 FOR LIVER, KIDNEY, AND PANCREAS TRANSPLANTATION

FK 506 was given for immunosuppression in 14 liver recipients. The drug was used in the first 10 cases because the recipients under conventional immunosuppression had rejection, nephrotoxicity, or both. This salvage therapy was successful in 7 of the 10 attempts. 2 of the 10 patients in the original salvage group as well as 4 new patients underwent fresh orthotopic liver transplantation under FK 506 plus low-dose steroids from the outset. None of these 6 patients had rejection although 1 with preexisting cor pulmonale and coronary atherosclerosis died of a myocardial infarction. In addition, 2 of the 14 liver recipients were given cadaveric kidneys, either from the same donor or from a different donor, and a third was given a pancreas as well as a kidney from the liver donor. There were no rejections of the kidney and pancreas grafts, and serious side-effects were not encountered.
Morphine binding sites on human T lymphocytes.

The search for classic opiate receptors on cells of the human immune system has been essentially futile (1,2). However, a large block of replicable data have suggested that opiates are potent modulators of immune status or function. This quandary has been partially resolved by the demonstration of non-classic opiate binding sites or situational binding sites on cellular elements of the immune system. These sites appear to be highly ligand specific; but their pattern of specificity does not mirror those of the opiate receptors of the central nervous system (CNS).
Autoreceptor-induced inhibition of neuropeptide Y release from PC-12 cells is mediated by Y2 receptors

Pheochromocytoma (PC)-12 cells express Y1, Y2, and Y3 neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptors when differentiated with nerve growth factor (NGF). The present work evaluated NGF-differentiated PC-12 cells as...
Physical model for high indium content InGaN/GaN self-assembled quantum dot ridge-waveguide lasers emitting at red wavelengths (λ ~ 630 nm).

We present a physical model for recently demonstrated high indium content self-assembled In0.4Ga0.6N/GaN quantum dot (QD)-based ridge-waveguide lasers emitting at red wavelengths. The strain distribution in the QD is calculated using linear elastic theory with the application of shrink-fit boundary condition at the InGaN/GaN material interface, and the electronic states are evaluated using a single-band effective mass Hamiltonian. A Schrodinger-Poisson self-consistent solver is used to describe the effect of charge screening under current injection. Our theoretical result shows a good match to the measured Hakki-Paoli gain spectrum. Combining the calculated gain spectrum and cavity properties, we have developed a device-level simulation to successfully explain the electrical and optical characteristics of this specific laser. Possible solutions to improving the device performance have been explored.
Dynamic testing and CAE modeling of body mount: An application in the frontal impact analysis of a body-on-frame vehicle

This study is a systematic investigation of the body mounts' dynamic characteristics in component, sub-system and full system levels and its application in the frontal impact analysis of a body-on-frame (BOF) vehicle. Concluded from the component study, the body mount is modeled by non-linear spring with built-in damage and rupture properties. The sub-system study reveals the importance of modeling the interaction between the body mount and its surrounding structure. A general-purpose interaction modeling is developed to provide a realistic CAE simulation of this interaction behavior. The full system is mainly for methodology validation. Four 90-degree frontal and the one IIHS offset frontal crash tests are used to evaluate the performance of the body mount in low and high speeds and its capability of predicting the body mount and the floor pan failures.
Associations Between Food Restriction and Pressure-to-Eat Parenting Practices and Dietary Intake in Children: a Selective Review of the Recent Literature

The identification of modifiable determinants child dietary intake has become a public health priority. Food-related parenting practices, including pressure-to-eat and food restriction, have been identified as potentially significant determinants of dietary intake in children. This is a review of the literature to date that has explored the relationship between food restriction and pressure-to-eat and child dietary intake. In general, findings from laboratory-based studies and longitudinal studies suggest that children exposed to high levels of food restriction and pressure-to-eat are more likely to consume sugar-sweetened beverages, palatable snack foods, and calorie-dense food items than children exposed to lower levels. Results from the body of cross-sectional studies examining this relationship are decidedly less conclusive, yielding inconsistent and sometimes contradictory results. Overall, the concept of food-related parenting practices as a potentially modifiable factor with the potential to positively impact child dietary intake patterns continues to be worth pursuing through additional future research.
Effects of Articulated Wings on the Stability of Small Unmanned Aircraft

Using wing articulation, or dynamic dihedral, as a flight control mechanism offers the potential for very large control authority which in turn can be used to greatly improve the maneuverability of small unmanned aircraft, as well as reduce their sensitivity to gusts. This paper investigates how changing design parameters of the wings and hinges affect the stability and dynamic characteristics of articulated aircraft. Trade studies of the design parameters are also performed on the control response of such an aircraft. Parameters that are varied include articulation hinge elastic properties and location on the body, along with mass properties of the different bodies that constitute the overall aircraft. A unique multibody flight dynamic simulation tool is used to simulate the cases. This tool is also used for calculation of linear dynamic models about different trim conditions. Eigen analysis is performed on linear models to deduce stability and dynamic characteristics. It is shown that the spiral mode is affected the most by all of the design parameters. A reversal in roll direction is noted when the hinge is located below the center of gravity of the vehicle rather than above. The ratio of applied torque to spring stiffness determines the angle between the wings and fuselage, which then determines the lateral response of the vehicle.
The Effects of Interfacial Reactions in the Formation of Ohmic Contacts to GaAs

The effect of heat treatments between 400°C and 500°C on electrical contacts of In, Ga, Pb, and AU to n- or p-GaAs, and Ni to n-GaAs have been studied using current-voltage (I-V), Auger electron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Ohmic contacts were formed between In and GaAs upon heating due to formation of an InGaAs surface layer with low interfacial transport barriers. The contacts between Ga or Pb and n- and p-GaAs remained rectifying due to a lack of interfacial reaction. Films of Au reacted with both n-and p-type GaAs resulting in rectangular “pits”. This led to ohmic contacts only on n-type substrates due to segregation of the Si dopants to the surface of the decomposed GaAs "pits". Dopant segregation did not occur when Au reacted with p-GaAs or Ni reacted with n-GaAs, thus these contacts remained rectifying at lower doping densities (4 x 1017 cm-3).
Approach on Temperature Test for Flameproof Motor Fed by Frequency Converter

In this paper,the basic conception of frequency conversion explosion protection is present. considering the characteristic of flameproof motor powered by converter,the requirements of the standards involved are given.Meanwhile,the fundamental principles of temperature test method,the questions and counter measures during testing are summarized,with the features and key points of flameproof motors.
Investigation on nitrite residue in cooked meat produced and sold in Wuhan City

Objective:To understand the nitrite residues in cooked meat produced and sold in Wuhan City.Methods:A total 135 samples were tested for nitrite according to GB/T5009.33-2003.Results:Judged by GB2760-2007,nitrite concentration of 4 samples were over standard,the qualified rate was 64%.Conclusion:The food hygiene supervision departments should take measures to reduce the nitrite residues in cooked meat.
Computed tomography of the lung. Densitometric studies

This discussion summarizes the physical basis for CT densitometry, the methods used for extracting density information from CT scans, and how the CT scanner has been used to noninvasively monitor the changes in the major mass and volume components that determine lung density (gas, vascular, and extravascular volumes).
Placing Fatherhood Back in the Study and Treatment of Military Fathers

This chapter argues that contemporary military fathers are best understood within a contextual family stress and social interaction learning model of parenting. The chapter begins with a review of father absence models, and their limitations, that have dominated historical research on military fathers. This milieu is then contrasted against contemporary fatherhood theory and research on father involvement, to better understand the contemporary demands and societal pressures for military fathers to effectively serve as distance fathers. The family stress model is then applied to discuss preventive intervention and treatment perspectives designed to promote healthy adjustment of military fathers and their family members. It is variation in individual differences in fathering behaviors, not the presence or absence of fathers that is central to research on military fathers.
The “chaperone” effect in microwave-driven reactions

Chemically reactive molecules that are poor absorbers of microwave radiation can be selectively heated by the microwave and can experience chemical-rate enhancement if they are associated (agglomerated) in solution with non-reactive polar molecules that are strong microwave absorbers.
The Effects of Searching and Learning on Pick-Worker Performance

The rise in online and multichannel retailing has pushed retailers to give increased attention to their order fulfillment operations. We study "chaotic storage" fulfillment systems in which dissimilar items are stored together in a single location. This necessitates a searching task as part of the picking process, which has not been previously studied. We show that pick times increase by as much as 16% as the searching task becomes more difficult. However, the deleterious effect of searching decreases with pick worker experience. Using simulation, we show that pick times can be improved by incorporating distance, bin density, and picker experience into pick assignments and pick routing. Through properly combining the details of the task and the workers, order fulfillment productivity can be increased by approximately 5%.
Multimodal Deep Learning for Cervical Dysplasia Diagnosis

To improve the diagnostic accuracy of cervical dysplasia, it is important to fuse multimodal information collected during a patient’s screening visit. However, current multimodal frameworks suffer from low sensitivity at high specificity levels, due to their limitations in learning correlations among highly heterogeneous modalities. In this paper, we design a deep learning framework for cervical dysplasia diagnosis by leveraging multimodal information. We first employ the convolutional neural network (CNN) to convert the low-level image data into a feature vector fusible with other non-image modalities. We then jointly learn the non-linear correlations among all modalities in a deep neural network. Our multimodal framework is an end-to-end deep network which can learn better complementary features from the image and non-image modalities. It automatically gives the final diagnosis for cervical dysplasia with 87.83 % sensitivity at 90 % specificity on a large dataset, which significantly outperforms methods using any single source of information alone and previous multimodal frameworks.
AFrame: A Domain Specific Language for Virtual Reality: Extended Abstract

Do Domain Specific Languages (DSLs) have anything to contribute towards the building and animating of three-dimensional scenes for Virtual Reality (VR)? Yes! AFrame is a DSL, and a widely-supported HTML5 extension for building virtual reality experiences. AFrame is open-source, actively developed by Mozilla, and works inside most modern browsers, including mobile browsers. Customizable web-based delivery of VR experiences is possible, because AFrame is a DSL.
Tumor cell isolation in microfluidic devices for cancer treatment monitoring

This paper reports two microfluidic devices for isolating circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood samples of pancreatic cancer patients. These devices consist of micromixers or micropillars for enhancing the interactions between tumor cells and capture agents, which are immobilized onto the surfaces of microchannels and microfeatures. Both antibodies and aptamers, as well as their ensemble, have been explored for tumor cell isolation. The devices have been used for enumerating CTCs and we have correlated the CTC number with the anti-cancer treatment responses in a clinical trial.