cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trade-offs between microbial growth phases lead to frequency-dependent and non-transitive selection

Mutations in a microbial population can increase the frequency of a genotype not only by increasing its exponential growth rate, but also by decreasing its lag time or adjusting the yield (resource...
Infant and Toddler Sleep: Parent Perceived Problems and Goals

Introduction: Approximately 20-30% of parents of young children report that their child has a sleep problem. However, few studies have evaluated the specifics of those sleep problems or areas of change that parents have about their child’s sleep. Thus, the aim was to assess parent perceptions of their child’s sleep and sleep-related goals, regardless of sleep quality. Methods: Caregivers (97.6% mothers) of 807 infants and toddlers (birth to 37 mos; …
Outside Director Social Network Centrality and Turnover Before Stock Performance Crash: A Friend in Need?

This paper investigates the effect of social connections on outside directors’ turnover decisions in the setting of future performance crashes where the outside directors’ personal interests and their role as an advisor are potentially conflicted. We find that, compared to their less connected peers, outside directors who are more connected with managers through social ties are more likely to leave the firm before it experiences stock performance crashes. This finding is consistent with the notion that outside directors exploit private information from their social connections to protect their personal interests. In addition, we find that the association between the connectedness and turnover is weaker (1) when the director’s connections with managers in the focal firm are more important than his/her other connections; and (2) when the size of the focal firm relative to other firms in the director’s board membership portfolio is larger. This finding suggests that the costs of giving up board seats moderate the association between outside director’s connectedness and the likelihood of turnover before performance crashes.
Ambivalent Belonging in the Fields of Home

Through telling the interconnected stories of three women (the author, her grandmother, and her interlocutor, a leader in a temple community), this article explores the complicated dynamics that can occur when one’s field is both one’s home and not one’s home. Specifically, it explores the ways in which being an American scholar of Indian descent who studies the Hindu diaspora can shed light on the gendered dynamics of belonging, authority, autonomy and authenticity in the field and at home. Ultimately, the article suggests that a scholarly approach of ambivalent belonging that eschews the normative boundaries between home and field, the personal and the scholarly, provides an ethical framework for research and writing.
EBV-positive HIV-associated diffuse large B cell lymphomas are characterized by JAK/STAT (STAT3) pathway mutations and unique clinicopathologic features.

Even in the era of highly active combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), patients with HIV have a disproportionate risk of developing aggressive lymphomas that are frequently Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related. Here, we investigate HIV-associated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (HIV-DLBCL) and compare EBV-positive and EBV-negative cases. HIV-DLBCL were identified from two academic medical centres and characterised by immunohistochemistry, EBV status, fluorescence in situ hybridisation, cell of origin determination by gene expression profiling, and targeted deep sequencing using a custom mutation panel of 334 genes. We also applied the Lymphgen tool to determine the genetic subtype of each case. Thirty HIV-DLBCL were identified, with a median patient age of 46 years and male predominance (5:1). Thirteen cases (48%) were EBV-positive and 14 (52%) EBV-negative. Nine of the 16 tested cases (56%) had MYC rearrangement, three (19%) had BCL6 (two of which were double hit MYC/BCL6) and none had BCL2 rearrangements. Using the Lymphgen tool, half of the cases (15) were classified as other. All HIV-DLBCL showed mutational abnormalities, the most frequent being TP53 (37%), MYC (30%), STAT3 (27%), HIST1H1E (23%), EP300 (20%), TET2 (20%), SOCS1 (17%) and SGK1 (17%). EBV-negative cases were mostly of germinal centre B-cell (GCB) origin (62%), showed more frequent mutations per case (a median of 13·5/case) and significant enrichment of TP53 (57% vs. 15%; P = 0·046), SGK1 (36% vs. 0%; P = 0·04), EP300 (43% vs. 0%; P = 0·02) and histone-modifying gene (e.g. HIST1H1E, HIST1H1D, 79% vs. 31%; P = 0·02) mutations. EBV-positive cases were mostly of non-GCB origin (70%), with fewer mutations per case (median 8/case; P = 0·007), and these tumours were enriched for STAT3 mutations (P = 0·10). EBV-positive cases had a higher frequency of MYC mutations but the difference was not significant (36% vs. 15%; P = 0·38). EBV-association was more frequent in HIV-DLBCLs, arising in patients with lower CD4 counts at diagnosis (median 46·5 vs. 101, P = 0·018). In the era of cART, approximately half of HIV-DLBCL are EBV-related. HIV-DLBCL are enriched for MYC rearrangements, MYC mutations and generally lack BCL2 rearrangements, regardless of EBV status. Among HIV-DLBCL, tumours that are EBV-negative and EBV-positive appear to have important differences, the latter arising in context of lower CD4 count, showing frequent non-GCB origin, lower mutation burden and recurrent STAT3 mutations.
Multi-Component Risk Assessment Using Cyber-Physical Betweenness Centrality

Identifying important assets and evaluating the risk they pose to cyber-physical power systems, when compromised, is critical to maintaining the system security and resilience. The cyber-physical betweenness centrality (CPBC) index presents a suitable means for enhancing system resilience through vulnerability analysis and risk assessment. In this paper, we propose and demonstrate the CPBC for the multi-component risk assessment of the cyber-physical power grid. Specifically, the CPBC, based on the concept of betweenness centrality, traverses generated attack graphs to rank important components, while integrating the services, security cost of inter-component communication, and the likelihood of component exploitation as an adversary medium to the target relays. The CPBC index notably categorizes components in the same security caliber, hence simplifying computation for the system operator. The proposed model is implemented on the Cyber-Physical Situational Awareness 8-substation cyber-physical power system model and results demonstrate to the power system operator, the combinations of components to which security resources should be allocated.
Predictability of the state of fetal oxygenation from a quantitative analysis of the components of late deceleration.

Abstract The relationship between the various components of late decelerations of the fetal heart rate (type II dips) and the pH, P o 2, and hemoglobin saturation with oxygen of the fetal arterial blood was investigated in 15 anesthetized near-term rhesus monkeys. These fetuses were asphyxiated by markedly lowering the arterial blood pressure in the distal third of the maternal aorta. Strong uterine contractions occurred spontaneously in all animals. Correlational studies demonstrated that: (1) the latency period (time from onset of uterine contraction to onset of late deceleration), (2) the rate of development, and (3) the magnitude of the late decelerations were all three good predictors of the fetal oxygenation (the P o 2 and per cent saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen of the fetal blood). The correlations between these variables were further improved when the durations of the uterine contractions were also taken into consideration. Although the values of these three components of late deceleration accurately reflected the state of fetal oxygenation, they bore no relation to the fetal blood pH. In the presence of normal uterine contractions, late decelerations never occurred in association with normal fetal oxygenation. When late decelerations did appear in relation to contractions of normal duration, they reflected the development of marked impairments in fetal oxygenation in every instance.
Performance and economic risk evaluation of dispersed solar thermal power systems by Monte Carlo simulation

A preliminary comparative evaluation of dispersed solar thermal power plants utilizing advanced technologies available in 1985-2000 time frame is under way at JPL. The solar power plants of 50 KWe to 10 MWe size are equipped with two axis tracking parabolic dish concentrator systems operating at temperatures in excess of 1000 F. The energy conversion schemes under consideration include advanced steam, open and closed cycle gas turbines, stirling, and combined cycle. The energy storage systems include advanced batteries, liquid metal, and chemical. This paper outlines a simple methodology for a probabilistic assessment of such systems. Sources of uncertainty in the development of advanced systems are identified, and a computer Monte Carlo simulation is exercised to permit an analysis of the tradeoffs of the risk of failure versus the potential for large gains. Frequency distribution of energy cost for several alternatives are presented.
On the state-task network: Time representations

Abstract To model and solve complex Supply Chain problems we study the relationship between the discrete- and continuous-time State-Task Network (STN) representations. We show that the first is a special case of the second. We also propose a new mixed-time representation where the time grid is fixed but processing times are allowed to be variable and span an unknown number of time periods. The proposed scheme accounts linearly for holding and backlog costs, can be extended to handle continuous processes, accounts for due dates at no additional computational cost, and handles variable processing times; i.e. it combines the modelling advantages of both discrete- and continuous-time STN models. Finally, we present strong cutting planes that are used to enhance the solution of the proposed MIP model.
Silence and Sign Language in Medieval Monasticism: The Cluniac Tradition, c.900-1200

List of tables Acknowledgements List of abbreviations Map Introduction: the dormant language 1. Uttering no human sound 2. The training of the hand 3. A silent commerce of signs 4. Transmission and adaptation 5. Continuity and criticism Conclusion Appendix A: the Cluniac sign lexicon Bibliography Index.
Comparison of degradative ability, enzymatic activity, and palatability of aquatic hyphomycetes grown on leaf litter

Stream fungi have the capacity to degrade leaf litter and, through their activities, to transform it into a more palatable food source for invertebrate detritivores. The objectives of the present study were to characterize various aspects of fungal modification of the leaf substrate and to examine the effects these changes have on leaf palatability to detritivores. Fungal species were grown on aspen leaves for two incubation times. Leaves were analyzed to determine the weight loss, the degree of softening of the leaf matrix, and the concentrations of ATP and nitrogen associated with leaves. The activities of a protease and 10 polysaccharide-degrading enzymes produced by each fungus were also determined. Most fungi caused similar changes in physicochemical characteristics of the leaves. All fungi exhibited the capability to depolymerize pectin, xylan, and cellulose. Differences among fungi were found in their capabilities to produce protease and certain glycosidases. Leaf palatability was assessed by offering leaves of all treatments to larvae of two caddisfly shredders (Trichoptera). Feeding preferences exhibited by the shredders were similar and indicated that they perceived distinct differences among fungi. Two fungal species were highly consumed, some moderately and others only slightly. No relationships were found between any of the fungal characteristics measured and detritivore feeding preferences. Apparently, interspecific differences among fungi other than parameters associated with biomass or degradation of structural polysaccharides influence fungal palatability to caddisfly detritivores.
Nonlinear interferometric lithography for arbitrary two-dimensional patterns

A new, relatively simple experimental technique for generating arbitrary, two-dimensional patterns with high visibility and higher resolution than allowed by the Rayleigh criterion has been developed. The theoretical and experimental details of the method, based on repeated phase-coherent interference of four beams on a multiphoton absorber, are described. A sample pattern generated by numerical computer simulation of the technique is also shown.
Vertical Pullout Test for Measurement of Soil-Geomembrane Interface Friction Parameters

This paper presents a vertical pullout test (VPT) developed to measure the peak interface friction angle (δ) and adhesion (a) between soil and planar geosynthetic products. The key advantages of this test are: 1) relatively low capital cost for the equipment, 2) relatively simple compared to the conventional methods, 3) the setup can be relatively easily adapted by small conventional soil testing laboratories, and 4) the setup can be transported to the field for field measurement for relatively quick preliminary evaluation of soils. The testing method was evaluated by comparing the δ and a obtained from the VPT to: 1) those parameters measured using a conventional soil direct shear apparatus modified to also measure interface friction between planar geomembranes and soil according to ASTM D5321-02, and 2) values published in the literature. Three coarse-grained soils and 3 types of geomembranes having 3 sample sizes were evaluated using the pullout test. The peak interface parameters obtained from the VPT were within 12% of the values obtained from the direct shear test.
Nonparametric Multiple Comparison Procedures

Abstract A general nonparametric methodology for performing multiple comparisons of treatment effects in r-way mixed models is presented. Comparisons can be made among all treatments or for several treatments against a control. The methods can be used on either the raw data or ranked data. Essentially, we perform M permutations of the observations, consistent with our experimental design. For the comparison of all treatments, any “treatment differences” that are larger than 95 percent of the “simulated ranges” are declared significantly different. Similar methods are also developed for one-sided treatments versus control multiple comparison.
Information Technology in the Future of Health Care

Technology advances have changed the face of health care. This paradigm shift blurred the boundaries between public health, acute care, and prevention. Technology's role in the diagnosis, treatment assignment, follow-ups, and prevention will be reviewed and future impact projected. The understanding of shift in our expectation for each aspect of health care is critical so that levels of success are understood. Technology advances in health care delivery will be discussed. Specific applications are presented and explained and future trends discussed. Four applications are defined, and related to categories of technologies and their attributes.
Maximum-voltage-unit-guided MPPT algorithm for improved performance under partial shading

A new maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm of photovoltaic (PV) system is proposed in this paper. It is well suited for microinverter applications especially under partial shading conditions. It relies on voltage measurements on each substring of PV module. The substring with the highest voltage is set as the guiding unit and the global maximum power point (GMPP) is determined based on it. The proposed method can be implemented in any of the existing inverter configurations, with the only additional requirement being the voltage sensors across each substring, i.e., across each bypass diode of the modules. The proposed algorithm referred to as the maximum-voltage-unit-guided MPPT (MVUG-MPPT) is simple to implement and results in superior performance in terms of MPPT accuracy and speed under partial shading. The detailed development of the algorithm and its implementation are described. Validation of the proposed methods using extensive numerical simulations in PLECS and comparison with other MPPT approaches are also presented.
Novel affinity chromatographic methods for purification of β-N-acetylhexosaminidase from rabbit sperm cytoplasmic droplets

Abstract 1. 1. Two affinity chromatography columns for β-N-acetylhexosaminidase were prepared by coupling desialylated Cowper's gland mucin of the boar and desialylated fetuin to Sepharose 4B. These affinity adsorbents completely retained the enzyme. 2. 2. The enzyme was readily eluted either by changing the ionic strength of the buffer or by washing the columns with yN-acetylglucosamine. 3. 3. This method is simple and gives 5–10-fold purification of N-acetylhexosaminidase with 80–85% recovery of the enzyme activity. 4. 4. The β-N-acetylhexosaminidase from rabbit sperm cytoplasmic droplets showed maximum activity at pH 4.O. 5. 5. The Kmn and Vmax values for the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl N-acetyl β- d -glucosaminide were 1.42 mM and 2.0 μmol/min per mg protein and for the corresponding galactosaminide 0.75 mM and 0.48 μmol/min per mg protein respectively. 6. 6. The enzyme is strongly inhibited by Hg2+ and by p-chloromercuribenzoate.
SAM recognition and conformational switching mechanism in the Bacillus subtilis yitJ S box/SAM-I riboswitch.

S-box (SAM-I) riboswitches are a widespread class of riboswitches involved in the regulation of sulfur metabolism in Gram-positive bacteria. We report here the 3.0-A crystal structure of the aptamer domain of the Bacillus subtilis yitJ S-box (SAM-I) riboswitch bound to S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM). The RNA folds into two sets of helical stacks spatially arranged by tertiary interactions including a K-turn and a pseudoknot at a four-way junction. The tertiary structure is further stabilized by metal coordination, extensive ribose zipper interactions, and SAM-mediated tertiary interactions. Despite structural differences in the peripheral regions, the SAM-binding core of the B. subtilis yitJ riboswitch is virtually superimposable with the previously determined Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis yitJ riboswitch structure, suggesting that a highly conserved ligand-recognition mechanism is utilized by all S-box riboswitches. SHAPE (selective 2'-hydroxyl acylation analyzed by primer extension) chemical probing analysis further revealed that the alternative base-pairing element in the expression platform controls the conformational switching process. In the absence of SAM, the apo yitJ aptamer domain folds predominantly into a pre-binding conformation that resembles, but is not identical with, the SAM-bound state. We propose that SAM enters the ligand-binding site through the "J1/2-J3/4" gate and "locks" down the SAM-bound conformation through an induced-fit mechanism. Temperature-dependent SHAPE revealed that the tertiary interaction-stabilized SAM-binding core is extremely stable, likely due to the cooperative RNA folding behavior. Mutational studies revealed that certain modifications in the SAM-binding region result in loss of SAM binding and constitutive termination, which suggests that these mutations lock the RNA into a form that resembles the SAM-bound form in the absence of SAM.
The Oracle: A student perspective of Nathan Marcuvitz

Summary form only given, as follows. I got to know Marc through three different portals: student, colleague and under-study. My intent is to share with you my insights into the man and the scholar.
Determinants of maximal cycling power: crank length, pedaling rate and pedal speed.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of cycle crank length on maximum cycling power, optimal pedaling rate, and optimal pedal speed, and to determine the optimal crank length to leg length ratio for maximal power production. Trained cyclists (n=16) performed maximal inertial load cycle ergometry using crank lengths of 120, 145, 170, 195, and 220 mm. Maximum power ranged from a low of 1149 (20) W for the 220-mm cranks to a high of 1194 (21) W for the 145-mm cranks. Power produced with the 145- and 170-mm cranks was significantly (P<0.05) greater than that produced with the 120- and 220-mm cranks. The optimal pedaling rate decreased significantly with increasing crank length, from 136 rpm for the 120-mm cranks to 110 rpm for the 220-mm cranks. Conversely, optimal pedal speed increased significantly with increasing crank length, from 1.71 m/s for the 120-mm cranks to 2.53 m/s for the 220-mm cranks. The crank length to leg length and crank length to tibia length ratios accounted for 20.5% and 21.1% of the variability in maximum power, respectively. The optimal crank length was 20% of leg length or 41% of tibia length. These data suggest that pedal speed (which constrains muscle shortening velocity) and pedaling rate (which affects muscle excitation state) exert distinct effects that influence muscular power during cycling. Even though maximum cycling power was significantly affected by crank length, use of the standard 170-mm length cranks should not substantially compromise maximum power in most adults.
British Developments and Applications of Carrier Current Principles for Operating Requirements of Power Utilities

Details are given of a wideband coupling equipment for carrier current working with reasons for preferring interphase coupling followed by an investigation into the causes of noise on power line carrier circuits and the reasons for the adoption of single side-band equipment. Recent types of British communications and relaying equipment are then described.
RSH/Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome: Mutations and Metabolic Morphogenesis

For almost 30 years following its description in 1964, the RSH syndrome—now more often called the “Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome” (SLOS)—was just one of many autosomal recessive, multiple anomaly syndromes that filled the pages of dysmorphology atlases (MIM 270400; Smith et al. 1964). Its specific combination of craniofacial anomalies, polydactyly, cleft palate, and genital malformations in males was readily diagnosed by dysmorphologists but otherwise caused little interest. In 1993, however, SLOS was abruptly lifted from relative obscurity by the discovery that affected patients have as much as 2,000-fold–increased blood levels of 7–dehydrocholesterol (7DHC), the immediate precursor of cholesterol in the Kandutsch-Russell pathway of cholesterol biosynthesis (Irons et al.
Suspension bromination of high‐density polyethylene

High-density polyethylene powder has been brominated in suspension. The product was characterized by various physicochemical methods to determine the nature and effect of the substitution. Analysis of the infrared spectra indicates an initial addition reaction to terminal vinyl double bonds, followed by a substitution reaction on the polymer chain. The kinetic and thermal data show that the pseudo-first-order reaction occurs in the amorphous regions only. The brominated sites function as chain defects to decrease the crystallinity of the melt-recrystallized polymer, prevent annealing, and cause intensity changes in the mechanical α relaxation. Limits are observed in these effects, however, which confirms the expected “blocky” rather than random nature of the substitution.
Lattice packing of nearly-euclidean balls in spaces of even dimension

We consider nearly-Euclidean balls of the shapewhere e is a small positive number, and n is even. If e is small enough, then the maximum lattice-packing density of this body is essentially greater than the Minkowski-Hlawka bound for large n.
Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation Therapy Is Beneficial for Clinical Stage T2 N0 Esophageal Cancer Patients Due to Inaccurate Preoperative Staging

Background It remains unclear if patients with clinical stage T2 N0 (cT2 N0) esophageal cancer should be offered induction therapy vs surgical intervention alone. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of cT2 N0 patients undergoing induction therapy, followed by surgical resection, or resection alone, at the Johns Hopkins Hospital from 1989 to 2009. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare all-cause mortality in cT2 N0 patients who had resection alone vs those who had induction chemoradiation therapy, followed by resection. Results A study cohort of 69 patients was identified and divided into two groups: 55 patients (79.7%) received induction therapy and 14 (20.3%) did not. No statistically significant difference in 5-year survival rate was observed for the two groups: 49.5% for the resection-only group and 53.8% for the induction group. More than 50% of cT2 N0 patients were understaged. Conclusions For cT2 N0 esophageal cancer patients, the benefit of neoadjuvant therapy is still unclear. Induction therapy for cT2 N0 did not translate into a statistically significant improvement in survival. However, due to the significant understaging of T2 N0 patients, we recommend neoadjuvant therapy to all cT2N0 patients before operation.
Continuous Fractional Component Monte Carlo: An Adaptive Biasing Method for Open System Atomistic Simulations

A new open system Monte Carlo procedure designed to overcome difficulties with insertion and deletion of molecules is introduced. The method utilizes gradual insertions and deletions of molecules through the use of a continuous coupling parameter and an adaptive bias potential. The method draws upon concepts from previous open system molecular dynamics and expanded ensemble Monte Carlo techniques and is applied to both the grand canonical and osmotic ensembles. It is shown to yield correct results for the volumetric properties of the Lennard-Jones fluid and water as well as the phase behavior of the CO2-ethanol binary system.
Fault-tolerant DC-AC converter with split-wound coupled inductors

This paper presents a fault tolerant converter designed for low power applications, as required in a micro-grid environment. The main advantages of this converter when compared with solutions presented in the technical literature are: 1) higher number of levels using the same amount of controlled switching devices (six IGBTs), b) no dead-time requirement for the converter's operation, which is an important aspect for high-frequency micro-grid systems and c) leg isolation procedure with reduced stress for the dc-link capacitor. Furthermore, this paper presents a hybrid pulse-width-modulation for the pre-fault operation. Details regarding the transition from the pre-fault to post-fault operation is presented. Selected steady-state and transient results are presented to validate the theoretical expectations.
Cohort studies and randomized controlled studies in endocrinology

This article describes the basic skills for the design, implementation, and interpretation of randomized controlled studies. Strengths and limitations of each study design are discussed. Epidemiologic issues in the analysis and interpretation of studies, such as loss to follow-up and biases, are included. Numerous clinical examples are provided to better illustrate the epidemiologic methodology.
Toxinology: Taxonomy, Interpretation, and Information Resources

Toxinology is the scientific study of substances produced by living organisms, either delivered as venom, or otherwise residing within the tissues of animals, plants, mushrooms, and bacteria, and which may harm target organisms. Nomenclature and taxonomic issues related to toxinology are necessary prerequisites to precise retrieval and accurate interpretation of the online research and clinical literature. General guidelines to help ascertain the quality of studies are provided, and the challenge of characterizing the toxicity of the toxins is addressed. Information resources, ranging from professional societies to journals and books, as well as databases and other web resources are itemized.
Detecting special nuclear material using muon-induced neutron emission

Abstract The penetrating ability of cosmic ray muons makes them an attractive probe for imaging dense materials. Here, we describe experimental results from a new technique that uses neutrons generated by cosmic-ray muons to identify the presence of special nuclear material (SNM). Neutrons emitted from SNM are used to tag muon-induced fission events in actinides and laminography is used to form images of the stopping material. This technique allows the imaging of SNM-bearing objects tagged using muon tracking detectors located above or to the side of the objects, and may have potential applications in warhead verification scenarios. During the experiment described here we did not attempt to distinguish the type or grade of the SNM.
FIELD IONIZATION OF GASES AT A METAL SURFACE AND THE RESOLUTION OF THE FIELD ION MICROSCOPE

The mechanism of field emission of positive ions is considered as depending upon the supply of molecules and their ionization probability in a field up to 500 million volts/cm. Experimental current-field characteristics match the theoretical curves. The velocity distribution, measured in a retarding potential tube, shows that the ions originate some 5 to 100 A above the surface, depending upon the field. A simple mass spectrometer is described which uses the field emitter as a point ion source. The resolution of the field ion microscope is found to depend upon tip radius, polarizability and ionization potential of the gas, and possibly upon the accommodation coefficient and the temperature. Helium seems to give the best resolution of about 4 A. The possibility of operating a field desorption microscope with sufficient resolution to show the lattice structure of the surface is discussed.
Fluorescent latex microspheres as a retrograde neuronal marker for in vivo and in vitro studies of visual cortex

The use of retrograde axonal transport of various substances (for example, enzymes, lectins, synthetic fluorescent compounds) has yielded much information on the organization of neuronal pathways. Each type of retrograde tracer has its own set of attributes which define the scope of problems it can address. We describe here a new class of retrograde tracer, rhodamine-labelled fluorescent latex microspheres (0.02-0.2 micron diameter), which have distinct advantages over other available tracers for in vivo and in vitro applications. When injected into brain tissue, these microspheres show little diffusion and consequently produce small, sharply defined injection sites. Once transported back to neuronal somata, the label persists for at least 10 weeks in vivo and 1 yr after fixation. Microspheres have no obvious cytotoxicity or phototoxicity as assessed by intracellular recording and staining of retrogradely labelled cells in a cortical brain slice preparation. This approach was further used to visualize and compare, in cat visual cortex slices, neurones with different projection patterns, and revealed significant differences in patterns of intrinsic axons and dendrites. These properties of microspheres open new avenues for anatomical and physiological studies of identified projection neurones in slices as well as in dissociated cell cultures.
Weight and wages: fat versus lean paychecks

Past empirical work has shown a negative relationship between the body mass index (BMI) and wages in most cases. We improve on this work by allowing the marginal effect of non-linear BMI groups to vary by gender, age, and type of interpersonal relationships required in each occupation. We use the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (1982-1998). We find that the often-reported negative relationship between the BMI and wages is larger in occupations requiring interpersonal skills with presumably more social interactions. Also, the wage penalty increases as the respondents get older beyond their mid-twenties. We show that being overweight and obese penalizes the probability of employment across all race-gender subgroups except black women and men. Our results for the obesity-wage association can be explained by either consumers or employers having distaste for obese workers.
Auger electron spectroscopy and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy studies of TiN and TiC coatings prepared by the activated reactive evaporation process

Abstract TiN x and TiC x films were deposited by the activated reactive evaporation process under different process conditions. The films were studied by Auger electron spectroscopy and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS); standards were used for both techniques. The RBS techniques showed low sensitivity to carbon and nitrogen when 1.8 MeV He + ions were used. The sensitivity was enhanced by using 1.5 MeV H + ions, but the resulting non-Rutherford scattering necessitated the use of standards although RBS is potentially a standardless method. A correlation was found between the chemical composition of TiN x and TiC x films and the partial pressures of N 2 and C 2 H 2 respectively.
PENAL HARM AND UNUSUAL CONDITIONS OF CONFINEMENT: Inmate Perceptions of 'Hard Time' in Jail

Despite the increasingly punitive public policies of the past three decades and the concomitant ‘get tough’ rhetoric aimed at reducing prison and jail amenities, little is known about inmates’ perceptions of punishment. Prison and jail administrators often justify their efforts to increase the “pains of imprisonment” for incarcerated offenders on the basis of retribution and deterrence, but these policies appear to be more symbolic than substantive in nature. Using interview data from 232 inmates about to be released from a large county jail renown for its ‘get tough ’ policies, this study examined inmate perceptions of their unusual conditions of confinement. Findings suggest that many of these policies were benign or even counterproductive to the extent that they promoted a defiant response from offenders.
Response of septal cholinergic neurons to axotomy

In the present study we employed quantitative morphometric techniques to assay the response of septal cholinergic neurons following unilateral transection of the fimbria/fornix and supracallosal stria. Analysis of 50-micron-thick tissue sections with a Quantimet 920 image analysis system demonstrated a reduction in ChAT immunoreactivity as early as 1 day following denervation. This decrease was associated with a drop in the number of labeled cells ipsilateral to the lesion and a decrease in the area of cholinergic perikarya on the lesioned and nonlesioned side of the septum. The response at 1 day, however, was transient, and at 4 days the number of labeled neurons was not significantly different from controls. By 8 days we observed a dramatic reduction in the number and size of ChAT-positive cells ipsilateral to the lesion and a reduction in the size of cholinergic perikarya on the contralateral (i.e., nonlesioned) side. These values persisted throughout the remainder of the study. To assess more completely the morphologic response of neurons to axotomy than can be determined in 50-micron-thick tissue sections, we embedded the adjacent immunolabeled tissue section in Epon and then serially sectioned it to a thickness of 0.75-1.0 micron. By using this method, we were able to measure the area, length, and width of the cell, the area of the nucleus and nucleolus, and the position of the nucleus (i.e., eccentricity). Measurements were performed on ChAT-labeled and nonlabeled cells. The results of our studies demonstrate that cholinergic and noncholinergic cells responded to axotomy in a characteristic yet different fashion from each other and that this response could be quantitatively assayed. In general, labeled and nonlabeled cells on the lesioned side of the septum shrink in response to denervation. This shrunken state was reflected in measurements of cellular area, length, width, and nuclear area. Moreover, other measurements of cellular morphology (i.e., area of the nucleolus, position of the nucleus) indicate that none of the neuronal populations examined in the present study displayed morphologic evidence of regeneration. Our results indicate a dramatic loss of cholinergic perikarya ipsilateral to the lesion. Moreover, although a few neurons do persist they do so in a shrunken state. These data provide an essential baseline for the second study in this series, which will evaluate the effect of nerve growth factor on the survival of denervated septal neurons.
Parallel simulation of multiple proteins through a bioreactor coupled with biochemical reactions

This paper presents a parallel numerical solution to investigate multiple growth factors competitive binding within a bioreactor, an in vitro flow cell culture system. Since we assume all the species have the same flow, thus the multi-physics of fluid flow is modeled by the same incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. The kinetics of biochemical reactions happens in the fluid and on the cell surfaces as well, thus they are modeled by two separate sets of coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The mass transport of different species in the fluid is modeled by a distinctive set of coupled nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs) for each of them. To solve this computational intensive system efficiently, a novel parallel algorithm is devised, in which all the numerical computations are solved in parallel, including parallel discretization of those mass transport equations PDEs and parallel linear system solver. A novel parallel strongly implicit procedure (SIP) solver is designed. For solving binding equations ODEs in the whole domain efficiently, a parallel scheme combined with a sequential CVODE solver is used for the purpose of high performance and simplicity. Overall, our parallel algorithms show good performance and stability. Preliminary simulation results are obtained. We have found that heparin or possibly other solution binding agents can effectively prevent fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) capture under flow, but only at high concentrations, and FGF-2 cross regulating receptor binding agents, such as heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) or possibly other proteoglycan-competitors, has little effect on FGF-2 capture in single pass flow even at high concentration. Further experiments need to be conducted to verify the predictions of our parallel simulation system. This parallel modeling system can be used to any biochemical reaction analysis in a similar flow environment.
The Thermal-Hydraulic Impact of Delta-Wing Vortex Generators on the Performance of a Plain-Fin-and-Tube Heat Exchanger

This paper reports on experiments to evaluate the effectiveness of delta-wing vortex generators applied to fin-and-tube heat exchangers. For air flowing at Reynolds numbers from about 700 to 2300, Colburn j and friction factor f data are obtained for a conventional refrigerator evaporator with and without a single row of delta-wing vortex generators placed at the inlet face of the test heat exchanger. Colburn j factor enhancements up to 31% over the baseline were obtained, without any pressure-drop penalties. The data confirm the promise for this method of heat transfer augmentation in plain-fin-and-tube heat exchanger applications, and provide a basis for improving heat exchanger performance.
Photoionization of Endohedrally Confined Ca (Ca@C60)

Photoionization cross section of endohedrally confined calcium is computed using R-matrix method.
Best approximation in the space of continuous vector-valued functions

Abstract Using a well-known characterization theorem for best approximations, direct proofs are given of some (generalizations of) recent results of Tanimoto who deduced them from a general minimax theorem that he first established.
RhoG Protein Regulates Glycoprotein VI-Fc Receptor γ-Chain Complex-mediated Platelet Activation and Thrombus Formation

We investigated the mechanism of activation and functional role of a hitherto uncharacterized signaling molecule, RhoG, in platelets. We demonstrate for the first time the expression and activation of RhoG in platelets. Platelet aggregation, integrin αIIbβ3 activation, and α-granule and dense granule secretion in response to the glycoprotein VI (GPVI) agonists collagen-related peptide (CRP) and convulxin were significantly inhibited in RhoG-deficient platelets. In contrast, 2-MeSADP- and AYPGKF-induced platelet aggregation and secretion were minimally affected in RhoG-deficient platelets, indicating that the function of RhoG in platelets is GPVI-specific. CRP-induced phosphorylation of Syk, Akt, and ERK, but not SFK (Src family kinase), was significantly reduced in RhoG-deficient platelets. CRP-induced RhoG activation was consistently abolished by a pan-SFK inhibitor but not by Syk or PI3K inhibitors. Interestingly, unlike CRP, platelet aggregation and Syk phosphorylation induced by fucoidan, a CLEC-2 agonist, were unaffected in RhoG-deficient platelets. Finally, RhoG(-/-) mice had a significant delay in time to thrombotic occlusion in cremaster arterioles compared with wild-type littermates, indicating the important in vivo functional role of RhoG in platelets. Our data demonstrate that RhoG is expressed and activated in platelets, plays an important role in GPVI-Fc receptor γ-chain complex-mediated platelet activation, and is critical for thrombus formation in vivo.
An Experimental Study of Normal-Hexadecane and Iso-Dodecane Binary Fuel Blends in a Military Diesel Engine

The molecular composition of new hydrotreated renewable fuels consists of both straight chain and branched alkanes. These new fuels do not contain aromatic or cyclo-paraffinic hydro-carbon compounds which are regularly seen in conventional petroleum fuels. Both experimental and modeling work has shown that straight chain alkanes have shorter ignition delays (e.g. higher cetane number) as compared to branched alkanes. In order to better understand the effects of branched and straight chain alkanes fuels in diesel engines, an experimental study was pursued using binary blends of iso-dodecane (iC12H26 with abbreviation: iC12) and normal-hexadecane (nC16H34 with abbreviation nC16) in a military diesel engine (AM General HMMWV ‘Humvee’ engine). Mixtures of 50% iC12 with 50% nC16 as well as 25% iC12 with 75% nC16 were compared to 100% nC16 (cetane) fueled engine operation across the entire speed-load range. Higher nC16 fuel content operation resulted in modestly earlier fuel injection events and combustion phasing that delievered slightly worse engine brake performance (torque and fuel consumption). Interestingly, ignition delay and overall burn durations were relatively insensitive to the binary blends tested. The significantly different physical properties of iC12 relative to nC16 are believed to affect the fuel injection event leading to later fuel injection with increasing iC12 content. Later injection into a hotter chamber mitigates the lower cetane number of the higher iC12 content fuel blends.
Quasi-Symmetry in Stellarator Research 5. Status of Physics Design of Quasi-Axisymmetric Stellarators 5.1 Physics Design of the National Compact Stellarator Experiment

Compact quasi-axisymmetric stellarators offer the possibility of combining the steady-state low-recirculating power, external control, and disruption resilience of previous stellarators with the low-aspect ratio, high beta-limit, and good confinement of advanced tokamaks. Quasi-axisymmetric equilibria have been developed for the proposed National Compact Stellarator Experiment (NCSX) with average aspect ratio ˜4.4 and average elongation ˜1.8. Even with bootstrap-current consistent profiles, they are passively stable to the ballooning, kink, vertical, Mercier, and neoclassical-tearing modes for β = 4%, without the need for external feedback or conducting walls. The bootstrap current generates only 1/4 of the magnetic rotational transform at β = 4% (the rest is from the coils). Transport simulations show adequate fast-ion confinement and thermal neoclassical transport similar to equivalent tokamaks. Modular coils have been designed which reproduce the physics properties, provide good flux surfaces, and allow flexible variation of the plasma shape to control the predicted MHD stability and transport properties.
Nonlethal Weapons and Noncombatant Immunity: Is it Permissible to Target Noncombatants?

Abstract The concept of noncombatant immunity prohibits the intentional targeting of noncombatants. The availability of nonlethal weapons (NLW) may weaken this prohibition, especially since using NLWs against noncombatants may, in some cases, actually save the noncombatants’ lives. Given the advancement of NLWs, I argue that their probable appearance on the battlefield demands close scrutiny due to the moral problems associated with their use. In this paper, I examine four distinct cases and determine whether the use of NLWs is morally permissible. While it seems that the reduced harm caused by NLWs makes their use more acceptable, adhering to noncombatant immunity requires more than not killing noncombatants. It also requires that military forces treat noncombatants a certain way. In the cases I present, to use NLWs against noncombatants treats them as combatants and coerces them to do something against their will. While a consequentialist foundation for noncombatant immunity may permit this action, a ri...
Why Trial Consultants Should Be Licensed

Trial consultants (a.k.a. jury consultants) can and undoubtedly do affect the outcome in many cases-for better or worse. Yet the practice of trial consulting is wholly unregulated, and no license is required. Thus those who use the services of a trial consultant have no assurance that the practitioners they retain have even minimal desirable education, training or ethical standards. This article discusses the rationale for requiring trial consultants to be licensed by the state. The results of a national survey of trial consultants on the issue of licensing are also presented.
Rapid Prediction of the Potential Shelf-Life of Fresh Broiler Chicken Carcasses under Commercial Conditions

Abstract An experiment was conducted to determine if Pseudomonas fluorescens counts could be used to predict the potential shelf-life of broiler carcasses under commercial conditions. Ten whole ready-to-cook carcasses were obtained from the chiller, individually bagged in sterile bags, and placed on ice in two replicate trials. Sterile water (100 mL) was placed into the bag and the fluid from each carcass was sampled. For each sample, Pseudomonas fluorescens plate counts (PFPC), Pseudomonas fluorescens detection times (PDT), and subjective odor evaluations (ODOR) were determined. PFPC and PDT correlated well to day of storage (DAY), indicating that these methods should be useful for predicting the number of days that a carcass has been stored and the number of days remaining before spoilage defects occur. Because PDT estimations require only 1 to 26 hr to conduct and they correlate well do DAY, PDT should be the most practical method for predicting the potential shelf-life of fresh chicken for the poultry industry.
Tomato secondary trisomics: Origin, identification, morphology, and use in cytogenetic analysis of the genome

Tomato secondary trisomics: Origin, identification, morphology, and use in cytogenetic analysis of the genome
The Discovery of Science

The scientist has set himself the problem of finding out as much as he can about the world around him and understanding this as well as he can. In accepting this problem, value judgments are involved which, in turn, involve an emotional component. Among the emotional components are: acceptance for its own sake of the discipline of the fact; subject to this discipline, a sense of complete freedom; the challenge of difficulty; the sense of adventure in penetrating into the unknown. In the passion of the scientist for discovering facts irrespective of whether they are pleasant or unpleasant lies the source of the undoubted incompatibility between scientists and non-scientists. One of the tasks of society is to find how to live with this incompatibility.