cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
REPLY TO CRITICISMS

. Comments on my essay, “A Tale of Two Controversies,” were made by Daniel R. DeNicola, Thomas F. Green, Mary Hesse, Holmes Rolston 111, and Abner Shimony. This reply focuses first on three issues: that very recently moral philosophy has taken a turn toward a more traditional, particularistic approach, which could mitigate the problems I described; second, that because creationism is essentially antiscientific, my more philosophical concerns miss the mark; third, that the relativism of the “new philosophy of science” ought not be uncritically accepted. Finally, I compare Hesse's position with that of Shimony, indicating how the former implies a narrowing of distance between scientific description and moral prescription.
Driving Distance as a Barrier to Glycemic Control in Diabetes

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in treatment of diabetes, many barriers to good glycemic control remain.
Controlled Radical Polymerization and Quantification of Solid State Electrical Conductivities of Macromolecules Bearing Pendant Stable Radical Groups

Macromolecules with aliphatic backbones that bear pendant stable radical groups (i.e., radical polymers) have attracted much attention in applications where a supporting electrolyte is capable of aiding charge transport in solution; however, the utilization of these materials in solid state applications has been limited. Here, we synthesize a model radical polymer, poly(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxy methacrylate) (PTMA), through a controlled reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) mediated polymerization mechanism to generate well-defined and easily-tunable functional polymers. These completely amorphous, electronically-active polymers demonstrate relatively high glass transition temperatures (Tg ∼170 °C) and, because of the aliphatic nature of the backbone of the radical polymers, are almost completely transparent in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Additionally, we quantify the conductivity of PTMA (∼1 × 10–6 S cm–1) and find it to be on par with pristine π-conjuga...
Mucho loco for Ricky Martin; or the politics of chronology, crossover, and language within the Latin(o) Music “Boom” 1

(2000). Mucho loco for Ricky Martin; or the politics of chronology, crossover, and language within the Latin(o) Music “Boom”. Popular Music and Society: Vol. 24, Global Popular Music: The Politics and Aesthetics of Language Choice, pp. 55-71.
A tumor vasculature targeted liposome delivery system for combretastatin A4: design, characterization, and in vitro evaluation.

The objective of this study was to develop an efficient tumor vasculature targeted liposome delivery system for combretastatin A4, a novel antivascular agent. Liposomes composed of hydrogenated soybean phosphatidylcholine (HSPC), cholesterol, distearoyl phosphoethanolamine-polyethylene-glycol-2000 conjugate (DSPE-PEG), and DSPE-PEG-maleimide were prepared by the lipid film hydration and extrusion process. Cyclic RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) peptides with affinity for αvβ3-integrins expressed on tumor vascular endothelial cells were coupled to the distal end of PEG on the liposomes sterically stabilized with PEG (long circulating liposomes, LCL). The liposome delivery system was characterized in terms of size, lamellarity, ligand density, drug loading, and leakage properties. Targeting nature of the delivery system was evaluated in vitro using cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Electron microscopic observations of the formulations revealed presence of small unilamellar liposomes of ∼120 nm in diameter. High performance liquid chromatography determination of ligand coupling to the liposome surface indicated that more than 99% of the RGD peptides were reacted with maleimide groups on the liposome surface. Up to 3 mg/mL of stable liposomal combretastatin A4 loading was achieved with ∼80% of this being entrapped within the liposomes. In the in vitro cell culture studies, targeted liposomes showed significantly higher binding to their target cells than non-targeted liposomes, presumably through specific interaction of the RGD with its receptors on the cell surface. It was concluded that the targeting properties of the prepared delivery system would potentially improve the therapeutic benefits of combretastatin A4 compared with nontargeted liposomes or solution dosage forms.
Percutaneous absorption and disposition of iodochlorhydroxyquin in dogs

The percutaneous absorption and disposition of iodochlorhydroxyquin (5-chloro-7-iodo-8-quinolinol; I) from a 3% cream were studied in five dogs over a 28-d topical treatment period. Plasma levels, determined by HPLC, were 0.275-0.525 μg/mL. The steady-state elimination rate of total I in urine was 2.4-3.0 mg/d. The apparent elimination rate constant and half-life were 0.25 ± 0.05 d−1 and 3.1 ± 0.5 d, respectively. Greater than 50% of topically applied I was absorbed over 16 h. Occlusion of the skin without the drug indicated that the skin acted as a reservoir for the drug. Feces analysis for iodochlorhydroxyquin from one dog showed that 27.1 ± 8.5 mg/d was eliminated via this route. Tissue levels of I 15 d after the 28-d topical treatment were 0.7 μg/g of liver, 0.2 μg/g of kidney, and 0.8 μg/g of mesenteric fat. The apparent rate constants of plasma level decline after a 100-mg iv bolus dose of I were α = 3.9 h−1 and β = 0.6 h−1. The urinary elimination after intravenous administration was biphasic. The rate constant for the slow elimination phase was 0.4 ± 0.1 d−1, and the half-life was 2.0 ± 0.5 d. The primary neurological symptoms observed during topical treatment were ataxia and hind limb paralysis. Microscopic examination revealed liver necrosis. A weight loss of 15.3 ± 2.7% was also observed over the 28-d topical treatment period. The results indicate that significant percutaneous absorption of I occurs, and that chronic high-dose topical treatment may lead to toxicity.
Effect of surface design on retention of dowels cemented with a resin

This study compared the retentive ability of endodontic dowels cemented with a resin when the surfaces of the dowels were varied. Dowels of standardized material, shape, length, and diameter were cemented with an unfilled Bis-GMA resin. Four dowel surface configurations were tested: transverse serrated, crosshatched, threaded, and longitudinal spirals. The results indicated that the dowel surface design can significantly influence the retention of a resin-cemented dowel. Dowels with transverse serrations or crosshatching were retained better than dowels with longitudinal spirals or threads.
Developing a Voluntary Safety Standard for Step Stools

American Institutes for Research (AIR) assisted the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to identify the human factors issues that should be addressed in a forthcoming voluntary safety standard for step stools. According to CPSC data, older people, children, and women of all ages are over-represented in step stool accidents. We studied the accident scenarios, recommended requirements for step stools, and evaluated the completeness of a draft of the standard with respect to user interaction.
Natural history of limbs with arterial insufficiency and chronic ulceration treated without revascularization.

Objectives The natural history of limbs affected by ischemic ulceration is poorly understood. In this report, we describe the outcome of limbs with stable chronic leg ulcers and arterial insufficiency that were treated with wound-healing techniques in patients who were not candidates for revascularization. Methods A prospectively maintained database of limb ulcers treated at a comprehensive wound center was used to identify patients with arterial insufficiency, defined as an ankle-brachial index (ABI) 2.5 mg/dL), severity of ischemia measured by ABI or toe pressure, wound grade, wound size, and wound location. Results Between January 1999 and March 2005, 142 patients with 169 limbs having arterial insufficiency and full-thickness ulceration were treated without revascularization. Mean patient age was 70.8 ± 4.5. Diabetes mellitus was present in 70.4% of limbs and chronic renal insufficiency in 27.8%. Toe amputations or other foot-sparing procedures were performed in 28% of limbs. Overall, limb loss occurred in 37 patients. By life-table analysis, 19% of limbs required amputation ≤6 months of initial treatment and 23% at 12 months. Complete wound closure was achieved in 25% by 6 months and in 52% by 12 months. Statistical analysis showed a correlation between ABI and the risk of limb loss. In patients with an ABI 0.5 ( P = .01). The only risk factor associated with wound closure was initial wound size ( P Conclusions Limb salvage can be achieved in most patients with arterial insufficiency and uncomplicated chronic nonhealing limb ulcers using a program of wound management without revascularization. Healing proceeds slowly, however, requiring more than a year in many cases. Patients with an ABI
Etiology of cognitive change after CABG surgery: more than just the pump?

There is much debate surrounding the etiology of cognitive decline following CABG surgery. In this Viewpoint, Neuropsychologist Ola Selnes postulates that this worrying complication is likely to be attributable to patient-related factors, such as the extent of pre-existing cerebrovascular disease, rather than to cardiopulmonary bypass.
In situ Ag/YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 contacts for superconductor-normal-metal-superconductor devices

By use of a completely in situ process, we have investigated Ag metal contacts to thin films of ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ (YBCO), in order to study the properties of the Ag/YBCO interface as well as the Josephson effect in SNS bridges made with this technique. Measurements of the temperature dependence of the Josephson current in these devices have been made, and are compared to recent theoretical predictions. SNS devices which exhibited Josephson effects had the critical current--resistance (${\mathit{I}}_{\mathit{c}}$${\mathit{R}}_{\mathit{n}}$) products of the junctions limited by the high specific contact resistance of the SN interfaces. The lowest values of the specific contact resistance obtained were on the order of ${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}8}$ \ensuremath{\Omega} ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ for contacts in the c-axis direction. The specific contact resistance was measured as a function of deposition conditions for the Ag as well as annealing temperature and time. The influence of the specific contact resistance on the magnitude of the Josephson current in SNS bridges is discussed, and a review of the contact literature for noble-metal/YBCO contacts is presented.
Teaching and Research: The Human Capital Paradigm

The authors analyze why research is rewarded in academic institutions where teaching is the primary concern and suggest why even publication in obscure journals may serve as a measure of the worth of an instructor to teaching institutions.
Stochastic Dynamics in Irreversible Nonequilibrium Environments. 4. Self-Consistent Coupling in Heterogeneous Environments

A generalization of the generalized Langevin equation (nonequilibrium dynamics) has recently been introduced in order to model chemical reactions which take place in environments with irreversible ...
Allosteric Activation of Functionally Asymmetric RAF Kinase Dimers

Although RAF kinases are critical for controlling cell growth, their mechanism of activation is incompletely understood. Recently, dimerization was shown to be important for activation. Here we show that the dimer is functionally asymmetric with one kinase functioning as an activator to stimulate activity of the partner, receiver kinase. The activator kinase did not require kinase activity but did require N-terminal phosphorylation that functioned allosterically to induce cis-autophosphorylation of the receiver kinase. Based on modeling of the hydrophobic spine assembly, we also engineered a constitutively active mutant that was independent of Ras, dimerization, and activation-loop phosphorylation. As N-terminal phosphorylation of BRAF is constitutive, BRAF initially functions to activate CRAF. N-terminal phosphorylation of CRAF was dependent on MEK, suggesting a feedback mechanism and explaining a key difference between BRAF and CRAF. Our work illuminates distinct steps in RAF activation that function to assemble the active conformation of the RAF kinase.
Semiconducting Langmuir-Blodgett films of bispyrroloTTF

Abstract Monolayer films of an amphiphilic one-electron bis-pyrrolotetrathiafulvalene (BP) donor do not complex with organic acceptors; a hydrophobic BP donor forms no monolayer films by itself, but forms Langmuir-Blodgett films when complexed with TCNQ, TCNQF 4 , and DDQ; one of them is an anisotropic semiconductor (conductivity about 10 −4 S/cm in the film plane).
Predictive Quality of a Time-Dependent Sequential Logit Evacuation Demand Model:

This study examines the predictive accuracy of a time-dependent sequential logit evacuation demand model. The model was estimated on revealed preference data and applied to stated choice data collected in the same survey. The survey was conducted in New Orleans, Louisiana, after Hurricane Gustav; 300 households participated. The stated choice scenarios of the survey consisted of nine hypothetical storms of varying strength, direction, forward speed, and time at which the storm made landfall, as well as decisions made by emergency managers on the type and timing of evacuation orders. The model was applied to each hypothetical storm, and the predicted evacuation demand from the model was compared with the response from the stated choice survey. The predictive performance of the model varied by hypothetical storm with a percentage root mean square error of 10.4 to 26.7 evacuations per 6-h period over 3 days. The model overpredicted total evacuation on all nine hypothetical storms by an average of 35.6%, with...
TH‐SAMS‐AUD B‐06: TG113: Improving Treatment Consistency and Data Quality for Clinical Trials

The goal of AAPM Task Group 113 is to provide guidance to physicists, QA centers, and others involved in clinical trials on methods to improve the consistency and quality of data generated for trials involving external beam radiotherapy. To date, there are no universally agreed upon standards for the physics practices related to clinical trials. In addition, as treatment techniques become more sophisticated, it is even more challenging to comprehensively maintain consistency across multiple institutions. Since hundreds of institutions may be involved in clinical trials, it is critical to review the entire treatment planning and delivery process and to identify areas where improvements can be made to ensure that high quality and consistent data are acquired from all institutions treating patients on clinical trials. This presentation will focus on factors that impact data quality for the treatment planning and delivery process. In addition, methods to help individual physicists improve the consistency of clinical trials will be discussed. The scope of the task group includes image acquisition for volume definition, treatment planning systems, patient localization, treatment guidance and delivery, and credentialing for clinical trials. Educational Objectives: 1. To describe the goals of TG♯113 Physics Practice Standards for Clinical Trials. 2. To highlight factors that directly impact clinical trials that involve IMRT and IGRT.
Idiopathic Facial Aseptic Granuloma: Review of an Evolving Clinical Entity

Idiopathic facial aseptic granuloma (IFAG), originally termed pyodermite froide du visage, describes a generally asymptomatic facial nodule presenting in childhood with clinical resemblance to pyoderma or cystic, granulomatous, or vascular lesions. Clinical understanding is constantly evolving, with recent observations indicating that IFAG may represent a subtype of childhood rosacea. We present a case of IFAG associated with eyelid chalazions in a 19-month-old boy. Although his clinical course paralleled previously reported IFAG cases, we observed a unique ultrasound variation during initial diagnostic examination. Further delineation of clinical, imaging, and histologic properties of IFAG may reveal insights into etiologic associations and ideal management.
Estimation of Mouse Organ Locations Through Registration of a Statistical Mouse Atlas With Micro-CT Images

Micro-CT is widely used in preclinical studies of small animals. Due to the low soft-tissue contrast in typical studies, segmentation of soft tissue organs from noncontrast enhanced micro-CT images is a challenging problem. Here, we propose an atlas-based approach for estimating the major organs in mouse micro-CT images. A statistical atlas of major trunk organs was constructed based on 45 training subjects. The statistical shape model technique was used to include inter-subject anatomical variations. The shape correlations between different organs were described using a conditional Gaussian model. For registration, first the high-contrast organs in micro-CT images were registered by fitting the statistical shape model, while the low-contrast organs were subsequently estimated from the high-contrast organs using the conditional Gaussian model. The registration accuracy was validated based on 23 noncontrast-enhanced and 45 contrast-enhanced micro-CT images. Three different accuracy metrics (Dice coefficient, organ volume recovery coefficient, and surface distance) were used for evaluation. The Dice coefficients vary from 0.45 ±0.18 for the spleen to 0.90 ±0.02 for the lungs, the volume recovery coefficients vary from 0.96 ±0.10 for the liver to 1.30 ±0.75 for the spleen, the surface distances vary from 0.18 ±0.01 mm for the lungs to 0.72 ±0.42 mm for the spleen. The registration accuracy of the statistical atlas was compared with two publicly available single-subject mouse atlases, i.e., the MOBY phantom and the DIGIMOUSE atlas, and the results proved that the statistical atlas is more accurate than the single atlases. To evaluate the influence of the training subject size, different numbers of training subjects were used for atlas construction and registration. The results showed an improvement of the registration accuracy when more training subjects were used for the atlas construction. The statistical atlas-based registration was also compared with the thin-plate spline based deformable registration, commonly used in mouse atlas registration. The results revealed that the statistical atlas has the advantage of improving the estimation of low-contrast organs.
Theory of direct creation of quantum-well excitons by hole-assisted electron resonant tunneling.

We have investigated a resonant tunneling process: the direct creation of GaAs quantum-well excitons through hole-assisted electron resonant tunneling. The current density of this tunneling process is on the same order of magnitude as the usual electron resonant tunneling current density. However, the two-particle nature of such a tunneling process makes it different from the conventional one-particle (electron, hole, or exciton) tunneling process, and in fact it is another type of assisted tunneling as compared with the phonon-assisted tunneling. This tunneling process may open a door toward electrically pumped excitonic cavity quantum electrodynamics and optoelectronic devices.
Cardiovascular sequelae of childhood hypertension

Blood pressure (BP) elevation is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in adults. More recently, it has been established through autopsy studies and studies using noninvasive imaging techniques that BP elevation is also a risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis in childhood and adolescence. Hypertension is a powerful risk factor for left ventricular hypertrophy and for congestive heart failure in adults. It is now clear that BP elevation is also associated with left ventricular hypertrophy in children and adolescents. If cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality are to be prevented, then children with elevated BP must be identified and appropriately treated.
Tunneling current through MIS structures with ultra-thin insulators

Leakage currents through MIS (Metal Insulator Semiconductor) structures with several ultra-thin (14-30A) insulators (silicon dioxide, silicon oxynitride, and silicon nitride) have been investigated. The leakage currents through both dioxide and oxynitride films sandwiched between n-type poly-Si gates and n-type substrates can be well fitted by the equation for the electron direct tunneling mechanism using the same effective mass and barrier height. This result indicates that incorporation of a minute amount of nitrogen atoms does not seriously affect the basic electrical properties of the oxide films. Leakage currents through ultra-thin nitride can te also fitted with the equation for the direct tunneling mechanism without assuming any extra conduction mechanisms such as hopping through defects.
Optimization of TCP segment size for file transfer

In this paper, we study the problem of optimal Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) segment size for file transfer from hosts to clients. The criterion of optimality is the minimization of the amount of TCP and IP (Internet Protocol) processing by the sender. The parameters that govern the host-processing cost include the cost for processing both the outgoing TCP segments and incoming TCP acknowledgments, the TCP window size, the maximum transferable unit (MTU) size of the network, and the network reliability factor. We study the variations of the sender processing cost as a function of the TCP segment size and the network reliability factor. We show that there exists a network reliability factor γ 0 such that 1) for all network reliability factors γ ≤ γ 0 , the optimal TCP segment size equals the MTU size less the sizes of the TCP and IP headers (the sender processing cost increases with the TCP segment size in this case); and 2) for each γ > Y 0 , there exists an optimal TCP segment size that is greater than the MTU size. Moreover, the optimal TCP segment size is an increasing function of the network reliability factor. We also derive a sufficient condition for the optimal TCP segment size to be greater than the MTU size. In this case, a lower bound for the optimal TCP segment size can be obtained as a simple function of the network reliability factor.
Interaction between two entomopathogenic nematode species in the same host

Abstract When Steinernema carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (= heliothidis) simultaneously competed for the same insect species in Petri dishes, S. carpocapsae infected significantly more Galleria hosts than H. bacteriophora. When S. carpocapsae was added first followed by H. bacteriophora up to 15 hr, S. carpocapsae was the dominant species. When H. bacteriophora was added first, followed by S. carpocapsae at 0, 10, and 15 hr, S. carpocapsae infected 68% of the insect hosts at 0 hr and 67% at 10 hr, whereas H. bacteriophora infected 71% of the insects at 15 hr. Total percentage mortality by both nematode species in combination was higher than mortality for either species alone. A Steinernema species and H. bacteriophora cannot coexist when both species are inoculated directly into the hemocoel of an insect host. S. carpocapsae, S. feltiae (= bibionis) or S. glaseri, inoculated before H. bacteriophora at 3-hr intervals, was the dominant species. When a steinernematid species was inoculated in the same host after H. bacteriophora, steinernematid dominated for the first 6 hr. Thereafter, H. bacteriophora was the dominant species.
Japanese Management — A Critical Review

One must look beyond the behavioral aspects of the Japanese management system to the economic conditions which support the system to understand fully its contribution to Japan's economic recovery. Permanent employment (Nenko) has created a highly efficient dual wage and labor market system but it excludes two-thirds of the Japanese labor force from its benefits.
Comment: FDP vs FDR and the Effect of Conditioning

Accurate estimation of the false discovery proportion (FDP) and false discovery rate (FDR) is a problem that has been eagerly waiting for a solution. Fan, Han and Gu have found one. They have achieved this by both clarifying the concept of the problem and providing a feasible algorithmic solution. In this comment, I discuss some of the central concepts involving FDP and its estimation via conditioning in contrast with the estimators by Efron (2007) and Friguet et al. (2009).
Structure, Bonding, and Geochemistry of Xenon at High Pressures

Although xenon becomes metallic at pressures above about 100 gigapascals, a combination of quantum mechanical calculations and high pressure–temperature experiments reveals no tendency on the part of xenon to form a metal alloy with iron or platinum to at least 100 to 150 gigapascals. The transformation of xenon from face-centered cubic (fcc) to hexagonal close-packed (hcp) structures is kinetically hindered, the differences in volume and bulk modulus between the two phases being smaller than we can resolve (less than 0.3 percent and 0.6 gigapascals, respectively). The equilibrium fcc-hcp phase boundary is at 21 (±3) gigapascals, which is a lower pressure than was previously thought, and it is unlikely that Earth9s core serves as a reservoir for primordial xenon.
Atomic beam scattering from single crystal surfaces

Abstract Application of atom-scattering to a variety of surface problems is expanding rapidly, owing in large part to the extreme surface- sensitivity of this probe. Helium is particularly useful because of its low mass and chemical inertness. Beams with velocity spreads of less than one percent and wavelength of the order of one Angstrom can be formed by nozzle expansion. The scattered flux from a clean, well-ordered crystal surface contains elastic and inelastic, coherent and incoherent, components. The coherent elastic component (i.e., the specular and diffracted beams) contains information about the crystallographic structure of the outer- most atomic layer of the crystal and about the interaction potential between the crystal and the scattered particle. The latter manifests itself in the form of resonances between the incoming free-particle state, and the two-dimensional Bloch states bound in the potential well at the surface. Elastic scattering theory has reached the point where the resonance signatures in the various diffracted beams can be predicted accurately. Crystallographic information resides in the diffracted beam intensities. Theoretical interpretation is less well advanced, though some progress has been made with “hard-wall” models. Experimental studies of reconstructed surfaces and chemisorbed overlayers appear very promising. In inelastic scattering, energy resolution has been achieved by both time-of-flight and diffraction methods. High-resolution studies on alkali halide surfaces have led to experimental determination of Rayleighwave dispersion relations over the full Brillouin zone. Preliminary results have also been obtained on some metals.
Sensitive assay for measuring amoxicillin in human plasma and middle ear fluid using solid-phase extraction and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

We developed a sensitive assay to measure amoxicillin in human plasma and middle ear fluid (MEF) using solid-phase extraction and reversed-phase HPLC. Amoxicillin and cefadroxil, the internal standard, were extracted from 50-200 microliters of sample with Bond Elut C18 cartridges. The extract was analyzed on a 15 cm x 2 mm, 5 micron Keystone MOS Hypersil-1 (C8) column with UV detection at 210 nm. The mobile phase was 6% acetonitrile in 5 mM phosphate buffer (pH = 6.5) and 5 mM tetrabutylammonium. The average absolute recovery of amoxicillin and cefadroxil were 91.2 +/- 16.6% and 91.0 +/- 6.8%, respectively. The limit of quantitation was 0.125 microgram/ml with 200 microliters sample size. The linear range was from 0.125 to 35.0 micrograms/ml with correlation coefficients greater than 0.999. These analytic conditions produced a highly sensitive amoxicillin assay in human body fluids without derivatization.
Structural Basis for Small G Protein Effector Interaction of Ras-related Protein 1 (Rap1) and Adaptor Protein Krev Interaction Trapped 1 (KRIT1)

Abstract Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) affect 0.1–0.5% of the population resulting in leaky vasculature and severe neurological defects. KRIT1 (Krev interaction trapped-1) mutations associate with ∼40% of familial CCMs. KRIT1 is an effector of Ras-related protein 1 (Rap1) GTPase. Rap1 relocalizes KRIT1 from microtubules to cell membranes to impact integrin activation, potentially important for CCM pathology. We report the 1.95 A co-crystal structure of KRIT1 FERM domain in complex with Rap1. Rap1-KRIT1 interaction encompasses an extended surface, including Rap1 Switch I and II and KRIT1 FERM F1 and F2 lobes. Rap1 binds KRIT1-F1 lobe using a GTPase-ubiquitin-like fold interaction but binds KRIT1-F2 lobe by a novel interaction. Point mutagenesis confirms the interaction. High similarity between KRIT1-F2/F3 and talin is revealed. Additionally, the mechanism for FERM domains acting as GTPase effectors is suggested. Finally, structure-based alignment of each lobe suggests classification of FERM domains as ERM-like and TMFK-like (talin-myosin-FAK-KRIT-like) and that FERM lobes resemble domain “modules.”
The spread of HIV into the general population of the USA: A simulation

The spread of HIV from injection drug users and male homosexuals into the general US population is simulated, using survey data on sexual behavior. We estimate that approximately 150,000 persons are currently infected with HIV through heterosexual transmission, the majority of whom are female partners of drug-using or bisexual men. The estimated number of AIDS cases generated by the model is close to the CDC statistics for males, but much higher for females. We conclude that prevention efforts should be targeted towards these high risk groups rather than the general population.
Fluctuations and correlations in simplicial quantum gravity

Abstract Recent results for simplicial quantum gravity in the Regge formulation are discussed. While no phase transition is found for pure gravity in two dimensions, a phase transition between a ‘rough’ and a ‘smooth’ phase of spacetime is found in both three and four dimensions. The importance of calculating a variety of geometric coordinate invariance correlation functions, in order to determine the properties of the lowest lying excitation, is emphasized. The nature of the apparently non-trivial fixed point found in the four-dimensional simplicial model for pure gravity is discussed. While fluctuations in the local volumes are responsible for critical behavior in two dimensions, in three and four dimensions it is instead the fluctuations in the local curvature that diverge at the critical point.
Double bracket equations and geodesic flows on symmetric spaces

In this paper we consider the geometry of Hamiltonian flows on the cotangent bundle of coadjoint orbits of compact Lie groups and on symmetric spaces. A key idea here is the use of the normal metric to define the kinetic energy. This leads to Hamiltonian flows of the double bracket type. We analyze the integrability of geodesic flows according to the method of Thimm. We obtain via the double bracket formalism a quite explicit form of the relevant commuting flows and a correspondingly transparent proof of involutivity. We demonstrate for example integrability of the geodesic flow on the real and complex Grassmannians. We also consider right invariant systems and the generalized rigid body equations in this setting.
Multi-objective Coverage-based ACO Model for Quality Monitoring in Large Water Networks

A numerical procedure is presented for the optimization of the position of water quality monitoring stations in a pressurized water distribution system (WDS). The procedure is based on the choice of the set of sampling stations which maximizes the monitored volume of water while keeping the number of stations at minimum. The optimization model is formulated in terms of integer programming, and the solution of the mathematical problem is efficiently approximated by means of a multi-objective multi-colony ant algorithm. A built-in routine is developed for calculation of the water fraction matrix and integrated into the general modeling structure to facilitate data entry and storage to minimize problems associated with water fraction matrix determination for varying scenarios and coverage criteria for any scenario. The proposed methodology is very robust in analyzing the effects of different scenarios and/or number of potential monitoring stations by eliminating the need of employing an off-line routine for coverage matrix identification. Robustness, ease of generalization, multi-objective nature, and computational efficiency are the main characteristics and novelty of the proposed approach. Monitoring stations are optimally located in a large-scale real-world network with 104 nodes and multiple demands using the proposed ACO models. The set of non-dominated solutions forming the Pareto front for a number of monitoring stations and the total coverage of the system are also presented.
Mechanical Transmission of the Infectious Variegation Virus of Citrus

INFECTIOUS variegation was described as a possible virus disease of citrus in 1931 by Petri1. His description of symptoms and his illustrations are similar to those reported by Fawcett and Klotz2, who transmitted the causal agent by bud-grafting from variegated lemon to sour orange. They noticed that some of the symptoms were similar to those associated with psorosis and suggested that the diseases might possibly be related. Klotz and Fawcett3noted that crinkly leaf of lemon is sometimes associated with infectious variegation. Fawcett and Bi tancourt4 were uncertain whether infectious variegation differed sufficiently from crinkly leaf to be considered a separate disease. From cross-protection studies, Wallace5 concluded that infectious variegation is caused by a strain of the psorosis virus. Grant and Smith6 reported infectious variegation in Florida and transmitted the causal agent by bud and leaf-piece grafts to several different species of citrus.
A fraction from extracts of demineralized adult bone stimulates the conversion of mesenchymal cells into chondrocytes

Abstract Demineralized adult bone contains factors which stimulate nonskeletal mesenchymal cells to undergo a developmental progression resulting in de novo endochondral ossification. In this study, isolated embryonic stage 24 chick limb bud mesenchymal cells maintained in culture were utilized as an in vitro assay system for detection of specific bioactive components solubilized from adult chicken bone matrix. Guanidinium chloride extracts (4 M ) of demineralized-defatted bone were fractionated and tested in limb mesenchymal cell cultures for possible effects upon growth and chondrogenesis. Two low-molecular-weight fractions were found to be active in these cultures. A cold water-insoluble, but warm Trisbuffered saline-soluble fraction provoked a dose-dependent increase in the amount of cartilage formed after 7 days of continuous exposure as evidenced by an increased number of chondrocytes observed in living cultures, elevated cell-layer-associated 35 S incorporation per microgram DNA, and greater numbers of toluidine blue-staining foci (i.e., cartilage nodules). Growth inhibitory substances were detected in a low-molecular-weight, water-soluble fraction; 7 days of continuous exposure to this material resulted in less cartilage formation and reduced cell numbers (accumulated DNA) on each plate. These observations demonstrate the usefulness of stage 24 chick limb bud cell cultures for identifying bioactive factors extracted from adult bone matrix. In addition, the action of these factors on mesenchymal cells may now be studied in a cell culture system.
Five strategies for rapid firm growth and how to implement them

Analysis of 45 rapidly growing, profitable firms reveals five strategies: (1) product proliferation, (2) mass market development, (3) increasing value to select customers, (4) distribution innovation, and (5) acquisition and consolidation. These five strategies are not restricted to high-growth industries and arise when firms exploit market disequilibrium to the their advantage. The profitable growth strategies are based on multiple, reinforcing sources of scale, scope, and time-based advantages. The study details the steps needed to implement each growth strategy and potential pitfalls to avoid. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Incorporating Surface Storage and Slope to Estimate Clark Unit Hydrographs for Ungauged Indiana Watersheds

Application of Soil Conservation Service’s (SCS) dimensionless unit hydrograph method for ungauged basins in Indiana yields very high peak flows and short time to peaks for the northern region, thus producing unrealistic flow estimates for design purposes. It is hypothesized that the overestimation of peak flows in northern region using SCS method is due to the flat terrain and high surface storage caused by the Wiconsinan glaciations. To incorporate the slope and storage characteristics, the application of Clark synthetic unit hydrograph (SUH), which incorporates time of concentration ( tc ) and a storage parameter (R) to produce runoff hydrograph, is explored for Indiana. A statistical analysis of 29 geomorphic attributes and past storm hydrographs for thirty watersheds in Indiana show that watersheds in north, central and southern regions are statistically different in terms of slope and storage characteristics. A statistical comparison of Clark parameters ( R and tc ) estimated for past storm events a...
Alternate approach to unify CAPM and APT

We utilize the joint elliptical distribution to model a multi-factor return generating process and derive an equilibrium multi-beta capital asset pricing model (CAPM) in which the market portfolio and a set of nonelliptical factors are sufficient to price all financial assets. Most important, it is shown that the market portfolio, while generally nonelliptical, can proxy all elliptical factors and hence: including elliptical factors in addition to the market portfolio in the pricing equation contribute nothing to asset pricing. While the representative investor prices the exposure of aggregate wealth to various nonelliptical systematic risk factors, individual securities are priced in accordance to their contributions to different aspects of the risk of aggregate wealth. The present model collapses to the Sharpe-Lintner CAPM when either the market investor is neutral to nonelliptical risk factors or when all risk factors follow a joint spherical distribution. When residuals cancel out of the market portfolio, the present model collapses to Conner (1984) pricing model.
Determination of Antioxidant Content and Antioxidant Activity in Foods using Infrared Spectroscopy and Chemometrics: A Review

Developing rapid analytical methods for bioactive components and predicting both the concentration and biological availability of nutraceutical components in foods is a topic of growing interest. Here, analysis of bioactive components and total antioxidant activity in food matrices using infrared spectroscopy coupled with chemometric predictive models is described. Infrared spectroscopy offers an alternative to wet chemistry, chromatographic determination of antioxidants, and in vitro biochemical assays for assessment of antioxidant activity. Spectroscopic methods provide a technique that can be used with biological tissues without extraction, which can often lead to degradation of the antioxidant components. Sample preparation time greatly decreases and analysis time is very short once a predictive model has been developed. Spectroscopic methods can have a high degree of precision when applied to analysis of nutraceutical compound concentration and antioxidant activity in foods. This article summarizes recent advances in vibrational spectroscopy and chemometrics and applications of these methods for antioxidant detection in foods.
Some effects of calcium and magnesium ions on the activity of bovine pancreatic deoxyribonuclease A.

Abstract Bovine pancreatic deoxyribonuclease requires divalent metal cations for hydrolysis of DNA. The effects of calcium and magnesium, alone and combined, on the rate and kinetics of the reaction were examined. Divalent metal salts of DNA were used as substrates. The ratio of either Ca2+ or Mg2+ to DNA -P in these salts was 1 : 2. The Mg2+ salt of DNA was found to have sufficient Mg2+ for optimal DNAase activity. Addition of MgCl2 to a large excess of Mg2+ over DNA -P had no effect on the rate. K m for the hydrolysis of Mg2+-DNA was 1.76 mM. K m for the hydrolysis of Ca2+-DNA was too low to measure by our methods of assay, indicating a high affinity of enzyme for substrate. The rate of hydrolysis of Ca2+-DNA, however, is slow compared to that of Mg2+-DNA. By mixing the Ca2+ and Mg2+ salts of DNA, a synergistic effect on the activity of DNAase was observed. On the basis of kinetic studies the synergistic effect is attributed to an increased affinity of DNAase for DNA ( K m = 0.34 mM for the mixed Ca2+, Mg2+ salt of DNA). A 2-fold increase in DNAase activity was observed when DNAase was incubated in CaCl2 before assay. This 2-fold stimulation was not related to the synergistic effect. DNAase I is inactive against the sodium salt of DNA. In experiments with mixed Na+ and Mg2+ salts of DNA, Na+-DNA was found to be a competitive inhibitor of the action of DNAase against Mg2+-DNA.
Leukemia RNAi: harnessing the killer within

Comment on Thomas et al, page [3559][1] Thomas and colleagues demonstrate that RNAi targeted to the MLL-AF4 leukemia fusion can effectively induce apoptosis as well as inhibit clonogenicity, proliferation, and engraftment of MLL-AF4 leukemia cell lines in a xenotransplantation model.
A Crash Course in Science Radio Reporting

This past summer, 5 weeks after defending my doctoral dissertation, I traded my lab bench and field sampling gear for a radio reporter's recorder and a microphone, and I headed west. As a graduate student at Yale University in New Haven, Conn., I had seen great science going on all around me, but the public was unaware of most of it. Having dabbled in science writing while finishing my Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology, I was looking for ways to gain more experience in science communication and even had been considering pursuing a career in science reporting. Then a remarkable opportunity opened up that took me to Greeley, Colo., covering science stories at KUNC, a National Public Radio affiliate, for 10 weeks this past summer.
Canine leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania leishmania infantum in two Labrador retrievers

Canine leishmaniasis, a generally fatal parasitic disease, was diagnosed in 2 dogs with a medical history of foreign travel, lymphadenopathy, emaciation, anorexia, intermittent fever, and cutaneous lesions. Clinically, hyperproteinemia, proteinuria, azotemia, and glomerulopathy were evident. Isolation of Leishmania species was done using Schneider's Drosophila medium. Syrian hamsters were used for infectivity studies. Clear taxonomic identification was done biochemically by isoenzyme analysis and comparison of zymogram banding patterns with 6 World Health Organization reference strains. Based on the geographic origin of affected dogs, clinicopathologic presentation, visceralization with hepatosplenomegaly in hamsters, and isoenzyme analysis, a diagnosis of Leishmania leishmania infantum was made. This study, representing the first taxonomic iden- tification of an isolate from canine leishmaniasis, demonstrates the Zoonotic and epidemiologic implications of this disease. Dogs and other members of the family Canidae are reservoir hosts for members of the Leishmania don- ovani complex in both the New and Old World. In endemic foci of visceral leishmaniasis in the Mediter- ranean littoral, South America, the Caucasus, and Turkistan, the dog is considered the reservoir of L. donovani and is the principal factor in the maintenance of endemicity. 1 Canine leishmaniasis has increased in prevalence in the United States over the last decade. Most dogs from North America with clinical visceral leishmaniasis have had a history of travel to foreign countries. 23,24,26 There are also reports of an endemic focus of canine visceral leishmaniasis in the south- western United States 2 and of a single autochthonous case in the midwestem United States. 20 Canine and human visceral leishmaniasis is caused by members of the L. donovani complex, which con- sists of L. leishmania donovani, L. 1. infantum, and L. 1. chagasi. In addition to this complex, L. 1. arabica, L. 1. major, and L. 1. tropica have all been isolated from cases of canine cutaneous leishmaniasis. 6,15 Clear iden- tification is based on the newer taxonomic techniques such as isoenzyme characterization. 6 The parasite that causes leishmaniasis is a dimorphic protozoan transmitted to the mammalian host by sandflies of the genera Phlebotomus and Lutzomyia. The sandfly injects metacyclic promastigotes, which
A revision of the East African species of Melanoseps Boulenger (Sauria : Scincidae : Feylininae) : original article

Abstract The East African species of Melanoseps are revised and the following taxonomic changes proposed: 1. M. ater matengoensis Loveridge 1942 and M. ater misukuensis Loveridge 1953 are placed in the synonymy of M. ater (Gunther 1873). 2. Melanoseps emmrichi sp. nov. is described from the Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania, where it is parapatric with M. loveridgei Brygoo & Roux‐Esteve 1981. 3. Melanoseps pygmaeus sp. nov. is described from coastal forests in the Muheza District of northeastern Tanzania and a syntype of M. ater var. longicauda Tornier 1900 is included in the type series. The lectotype (and sole surviving specimen) of M. longicauda Tornier 1902 is lost; it may be referable to Typhlacontias. Sequence data analysed from three mitochondrial genes strongly supports the monophyly of the East African Melanoseps relative to M. occidentalis. Divergences among species of East African Melanoseps are small and probably of relatively recent (Plio‐Pleistocene) origin. Melanoseps ater and M. uzungwensis are ...