cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How well can artificial coalification simulate the natural maturation trend

Abstract A modified Fischer retort apparatus was used to pyrolyze three organic-rich rocks (Types I, II and III) to various degrees of maturation. In order to test the feasibility of constructing hydrocarbon generation models from the pyrolysis data, we examined the coalification trends of natural and pyrolyzed coals. The maturation trend expressed by H/C vs O/C atomic ration of the pyrolyzed coal-residues is very different from that of naturally matured samples. However, the trend expressed by H/C vs vitrinite reflectance of the pyrolyzed coal-residues and natural samples are very similar. In addition, the “H/C vs vitrinite reflectance” trend shown by the published data from both open-system pyrolysis (Rock-Eval) and from closed-system pyrolysis is very similar to that of the natural samples. Although the artificial coalification does not simulate the natural maturation perfectly, it seems to simulate the maturation trend expressed by “H/C vs vitrinite reflectance” rather well. Because the pyrolysis yield of the organic matter in organic-rich rocks (including coals) correlates closely with the H/C of kerogens, the artificial coalification should simulate the maturation trend expressed by “yield vs vitrinite reflectance” as well. This result justifies the simulation of petroleum yield of source rocks as a function of vitrinite reflectance using a pyrolysis apparatus such as the Fischer retort.
So, You Want to Run for Elected Office? How to Engage Students in the Campaign Process Without Leaving the Classroom

The use of active learning strategies can involve students with course material in ways that the traditional lecture can not. As described by Bonwell and Eison ( 1991 ), active learning requires that students engage in activity (other than listening) that emphasizes the development of cognitive skills through higher order thinking tasks such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. There are numerous ways to integrate active learning strategies in the classroom, including: collaborative or group exercises, experiential learning, guided discussion, computer-based instruction, peer-to-peer teaching, and participant demonstrations. Incorporating active learning exercises into course curriculum can have a powerful effect on the development of learning skills. The benefits of active learning for students include an increased motivation to learn, increased responsibility for learning, improved attitudes toward learning, better interpersonal skills, and an increased ability to appreciate and consider a variety of perspectives (Jacobs, Power, and Inn 2002 ).
Observational constraints on the formation of type ia polar stratospheric clouds

On January 11, 1989 during AASE I, Type Ia polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) were observed over a vast area in the Arctic. Synoptic scale temperature histories for this flight are obtained using the Goddard trajectory model. Mesoscale temperature fluctuations (MTF) are divided into two major categories of background and lee waves. The statistics of background MTFs are derived from measurements by the microwave temperature profiler aboard the ER-2 aircraft. A forecast model is used to determine the occurrence of lee waves. The MTFs are then superimposed upon the Goddard synoptic scale temperatures. Statistical correlations between temperature histories and Type Ia PSC observations indicate that MTFs can not be solely responsible for the formation of Type Ia PSCs in the stratosphere. Instead, on a synoptic scale, the exposure time of air masses to temperatures below the nitric acid trihydrate (NAT) frost point for ∼ 1 day or more should be the main criteria for predicting the occurrence of Type Ia clouds in the stratosphere.
Structure and chromosomal localization of the human thrombospondin gene

Thrombospondin (THBS1) is a large modular glycoprotein component of the extracellular matrix and contains a variety of distinct domains, including three repeating subunits (types I, II, and III) that share homology to an assortment of other proteins. Determination of THBS1 gene structure has revealed that the type I repeat modules are encoded by symmetrical exons and that the heparin-binding domain is encoded by a single exon. To further elucidate the higher level organization of THBS1, the gene was localized to the q11-qter region of chromosome 15.
The RAD3 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: isolation and characterization of a temperature-sensitive mutant in the essential function and of extragenic suppressors of this mutant.

Mutations in the RAD3 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were generated by integration of a mutagenized incomplete copy of the cloned gene into wild-type cells. Integrants were mass screened for colonies with abnormal growth characteristics at 37°C. A single temperature-sensitive mutant (rad3ts-1) was isolated and was shown to result from a missense mutation at codon 73 of the RAD3 gene. When shifted from 30° C to 37° C the strain undergoes only 2–4 cell doublings. This phenotype can be rescued by plasmids in which the essential function of the cloned RAD3 gene is intact, but not plasmids in which this function is inactivated. The mutant strain is weakly sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) radiation at restrictive temperatures. Measurement of RNA, DNA and protein synthesis at various times after shifting to restrictive temperatures does not show preferential inactivation of any one of these parameters and the temperature-sensitive mutation does not cause arrest at any specific phase of the cell cycle. The rad3ts-1 strain was transformed with multicopy plasmids from a normal yeast genomic library and two plasmids that partially suppress the temperature-sensitive phenotype were isolated. These suppressor genes (designated SRE1 and SRE2) are distinct from RAD3 and do not suppress the phenotype of several other temperature-sensitive mutants tested. Mutant strains carrying disruptions of the SRE1 gene are viable and are not sensitive to UV or γ radiation.
Parallel Execution of Region-Scale Evacuation Traffic Models

Simulation-based planning by emergency management agencies for region-scale evacuation scenarios requires fast execution of large vehicular traffic models. The planning problem is behaviors of population as well as the far-reaching dependencies inherent in heavily stressed network conditions spanning wide spatial scales. Parallel execution is, thus, required to sustain the required detail, size and speed. However, few parallel simulators exist for such applications, partly due to the challenges underlying their development. While most existing simulators are limited in size to a few hundred thousand road segment intersections, region-scale scenarios can involve millions of intersections. Moreover, many simulators are based on time-stepped models, which can be computationally inefficient for the purposes of modeling evacuation traffic. We are addressing the speed and scalability problems using a two-fold approach.
Measurement of malonaldehyde in apple juice using GC-MS and a comparison to the thiobarbituric acid assay

Malonaldehyde (MA) in gamma-irradiated apple juice was measured using a GC–MS method and in comparison to the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assay. The profiles of MA content as a function of radiation dose were similar using both methods, however, MA content was higher when measured with the TBA assay compared to the GC–MS method. The overestimation of MA using the TBA assay increased as the amount of MA decreased. Use of the GC–MS method demonstrated MA content in irradiated juice declined rapidly during storage at 5 °C. MA content appeared to decrease much less when the TBA assay was used. The GC–MS method also allowed measurement of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in addition to MA.
The Equant in India: The Mathematical Basis of Ancient Indian Planetary Models

The planetary models of ancient Indian mathematical astronomy are described in several texts.1 These texts invariably give algorithms for computing mean and true longitudes of the planets, but are completely devoid of any material that would inform us of the origin of the models. One way to approach the problem is to compare the predictions of the Indian models with the predictions from other models that do have, at least in part, a known historical background. Since the Indian models compute true longitudes by adding corrections to mean longitudes, the obvious choices for these latter models are those from the Greco-Roman world. In order to investigate if there is any connection between Greek and Indian models, we should therefore focus on the oldest Indian texts that contain fully described, and therefore securely computable, models. We shall see that the mathematical basis of the Indian models is the equant model found in the Almagest, and furthermore, that analysis of the level of development of Indian astronomy contemporary to their planetary schemes strongly suggests, but does not rigorously prove, that the planetary bisected equant model is pre-Ptolemaic.
Virtual isotropic‐nematic transitions in alkyl cyanobiphenyls

Pretransitional fluctuations in the isotropic phase of liquid crystalline and non‐liquid crystalline alkyl cyanobiphenyls have been investigated using light scattering and magnetic birefringence measurements. We find evidence for a virtual isotropic‐nematic phase transition in short‐chain alkyl cyanobiphenyls with no observable nematic phase. The measured temperature dependence of fluctuations is well‐described by mean‐field theory. Virtual phase transition temperatures extrapolated from separate light scattering and magnetic birefringence experiments are in good agreement. Landau–de Gennes model parameters for the compounds investigated are calculated from the experimental results.
Profile of medication identification requests managed by a U.S.-certified regional poison information center.

Introduction. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, the number of medication identification requests (MIR) to poison centers has increased dramatically. In 2003, there were 617,414 calls compared to 1,070,537 in 2007. The purpose of this investigation was to characterize the nature of the most common requests to a poison center for medication identification. Methods. To profile the MIR to a poison information center, the data from 2003 to 2007 were analyzed to identify all requests for medication identification. The subset of MIR data was extracted and analyzed to profile the requests by the specific medication and category. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the data. Results. MIR were responsible for 193,006 calls: 24,643 in 2003, increasing to 55,473 in 2007. In 2003, there were inquiries about 1,261 different medications and in 2007 that increased to 3,165. During all but two of the five years, substances with known substance abuse potential accounted for 24 of...
Hepatic targeting and biodistribution of human fetal liver stem/progenitor cells and adult hepatocytes in mice.

Tracking stem/progenitor cells through noninvasive imaging is a helpful means of assessing the targeting of transplanted cells to specific organs. We performed in vitro and in vivo studies wherein adult human hepatocytes and human fetal liver stem/progenitor cells were labeled with indium-111 (111In)-oxine and technetium-99m (99mTc)-Ultratag or 99mTc-Ceretec. The labeling efficiency and viability of cells was analyzed in vitro, and organ biodistribution of cells was analyzed in vivo after transplantation in xenotolerant nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency mice through intrasplenic or intraportal routes. We found that adult hepatocytes and fetal liver stem/progenitor cells incorporated 111In but not 99mTc labels. After radiolabeling, cell viability was unchanged. Transplanted adult hepatocytes or fetal liver stem/progenitor cells were targeted to the liver more effectively by the intraportal rather than the intrasplenic route. Transplanted cells were retained in the liver after intraportal injection and in the liver and spleen after intrasplenic injection, without translocations into pulmonary or systemic circulations. Compared with fetal liver stem/progenitor cells, fewer adult hepatocytes were retained in the spleen after intrasplenic transplantation. The distribution of transplanted cells in organs was substantiated by genetic assays, including polymerase chain reaction amplification of DNA sequences from a primate-specific Charcot-Marie-Tooth element, and in situ hybridization for primate alphoid satellite sequences ubiquitous in all centromeres. Conclusion:111In labeling of human fetal liver stem/progenitor cells and adult hepatocytes was effective for noninvasive localization of transplanted cells. This should facilitate continued development of cell therapies through further animal and clinical studies. (HEPATOLOGY 2009.)
Consistent finite difference equations for thin elastic disks of variable thickness

Abstract The paper is concerned with the establishment of consistent finite difference equations for the displacement field of a thin elastic disk of variable thickness under given body forces and edge tractions. Since this displacement field is only determined to within an arbitrary rigid body displacement, it is desirable that the solution of the difference equations has the same kind of indeterminacy. This consistency condition is not likely to be fulfilled, when arbitrary finite difference analogs of the differential expressions in the field equations and boundary conditions of teh problem are used. A method of establishing consistent finite difference equations is presented and illustrated by examples.
Experimental evaluation of a two-directional electron-bombardment ion thruster.

Electron bombardment ion thrustors with two accelerator-grid systems for producing ion beams in directions 180 or 90 degrees apart
Building communities of practice: the research nurse round table.

This paper shares the experience of establishing a research nurse forum aimed at knowledge sharing, problem solving, and community building from the perspective of a group of clinical research nurses at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), a tertiary care center in Boston, ­Massachusetts. We report on a sequence of developmental steps taken to create this forum as an example of best practice for research nurses. Logistical considerations, mission and goals, as well as outcomes and implications for practice are described, with the intent that others interested in building similar forums can replicate aspects of this model within their own practice settings. Clin Trans Sci 2012; Volume 5: 428–431
Significance of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia on prostate biopsy

The early diagnosis of prostate cancer has been facilitated by the development of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and evolution in transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate. Over a decade has passed since the initial recommendations for systematic sextant sampling of the prostate to increase the accuracy of cancer detection. Subsequently, variations in the number and location of biopsies have been proposed to maximize prostate cancer detection and obtain more complete information regarding tumor grade, tumor volume, and local stage. Although current biopsy strategies provide a wide sampling of the prostate gland, biopsy histology may not be conclusive for either the presence or absence of adenocarcinoma. High-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) is found in a significant fraction of patients undergoing transrectal prostate biopsies. In this article, we discuss the significance of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and other abnormal histology findings and current evidence addressing the presence of cancer and need for additional prostate biopsies.
The effect of phosphatidylserine on in vitro hydroxyapatite growth and proliferation.

The acidic phospholipid phosphatidylserine (PS) has been reported to have variable effects onin vitro hydroxyapatite proliferation. PS promotesin vitro mineralization in systems in which calcium-PS-phosphate complexes are allowed to form, and inhibitsin vitro mineralization when incorporated into liposomes. To investigate these diverse effects, a Langmuir adsorption isotherm was used to determine the affinity of PS for hydroxyapatite crystals, based on binding of14C-PS to synthetic hydroxyapatite crystals of specific surface 54 m2/g. Using this model, PS was found to bind to hydroxyapatite crystals with an affinity comparable to that of the amino acid phosphoserine (K=3.33 ml/μmol). Coating the surface of hydroxyapatite seed crystals with PS reduced their rate of proliferation in a metastable calcium phosphate solution in which calcium-PS-phosphate complexes were previously shown to promote hydroxyapatite formation. The extent of inhibition of hydroxyapatite seeded growth was directly related to the proportion of the hydroxyapatite surface covered with PS. These data suggest that PS may have multiple effects on hydroxyapatite formationin situ, and that mineral-PS interactions can retard crystal proliferation.
A Hydraulic (flow) Unit based model for the determination of petrophysical properties from NMR relaxation measurements

This paper presents preliminary results of a Hydraulic (flow) Units based research program aimed at defining more effective guidelines for the use of nuclear magnetic resonance tools (NMRT) for petrophysical evaluation. Successful application of the Hydraulic Units concept for predicting petrophysical properties from wireline logs has been demonstrated previously. In this paper, we show obvious but crucial relationships between the Hydraulic Units concept and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation data. The linkage between these two technologies is possible because the hydraulic unit zonation indicators referred to as flow zone indicators (FZI) and NMR relaxation data are related to the surface phenomenon which controls the microscopic attributes of the rock. It is shown that although NMR relaxation measurements respond to pore body size rather than pore throat size, an effective NMR based permeability model, which includes pore size to pore throat size ratios, can be developed. The phenomenological model presented herein consists of mathematical relationships between FZI and NMR relaxation data, specific surface area, tortuosity and relaxivity ({rho}). Laboratory (NMR) relaxation time measurements on CORESPEC-1000 together with core analysis data of permeability, porosity, centrifuge capillary pressure and thin section petrography have been used to validate the model. The results show thatmore » the observed variability in the relaxivity constant ({rho}) is due to the existence of different hydraulic units in the reservoir rock. We also demonstrate that relaxation time cut-off (T{sub 1c}) used for determining producible fluid from relaxation time distributions may vary slightly as a function of rock types. Hydraulic units based predictive algorithms for the estimation of relaxivity ({rho}) and T{sub 1c}, using pore throat size distributions (mercury injection data), and centrifuge capillary pressure data are validated.« less
Toward the AdS/CFT gravity dual for high energy collisions. II. The stress tensor on the boundary

In this second paper of the series, we calculate the stress tensor of excited matter, created by debris of high energy collisions at the boundary. The falling open strings, connected to receding charges, produce a nonzero stress tensor which we found analytically from time-dependent linearized Einstein equations in the bulk. It corresponds to exploding nonequilibrium matter: we discuss its behavior in some detail, including its internal energy density in a comoving frame and the 'freeze-out surfaces'. We then discuss what happens for the ensemble of strings.
Alteration of T-lymphocyte subpopulations in sarcoidosis.

Abstract The present study characterized subpopulations of T lymphocytes from patients with sarcoidosis by the presence of Fc receptors for either IgG or IgM. There was a consistent reduction in the total number of circulating T cells. The percentage of T lymphocytes with receptors for the Fc portion of IgG (T G ) was significantly increased and the percentage of T cells bearing receptors for IgM (T M ) was significantly decreased when compared to control values. There was no change in the proportion of cells which lacked either receptor (T NON-G NON-M ). The absolute numbers of each T-lymphocyte subpopulation were diminished but T G cells were less severely reduced than either T M or T NON-G NON-M . Thus, there is a disproportionate reduction in distinct subpopulations of T lymphocytes in patients with sarcoidosis which results in a relative increase in T G lymphocytes and a relative decrease in T M lymphocytes. Such alterations in lymphocyte subpopulations may explain some of the immunological aberrancies characteristic of sarcoidosis.
The integrated production---inventory---distribution---routing problem

The integration of production and distribution decisions presents a challenging problem for manufacturers trying to optimize their supply chain. At the planning level, the immediate goal is to coordinate production, inventory, and delivery to meet customer demand so that the corresponding costs are minimized. Achieving this goal provides the foundations for streamlining the logistics network and for integrating other operational and financial components of the system. In this paper, a model is presented that includes a single production facility, a set of customers with time varying demand, a finite planning horizon, and a fleet of vehicles for making the deliveries. Demand can be satisfied from either inventory held at the customer sites or from daily product distribution. In the most restrictive case, a vehicle routing problem must be solved for each time period. The decision to visit a customer on a particular day could be to restock inventory, meet that day's demand or both. In a less restrictive case, the routing component of the model is replaced with an allocation component only. A procedure centering on reactive tabu search is developed for solving the full problem. After a solution is found, path relinking is applied to improve the results. A novel feature of the methodology is the use of an allocation model in the form of a mixed integer program to find good feasible solutions that serve as starting points for the tabu search. Lower bounds on the optimum are obtained by solving a modified version of the allocation model. Computational testing on a set of 90 benchmark instances with up to 200 customers and 20 time periods demonstrates the effectiveness of the approach. In all cases, improvements ranging from 10---20% were realized when compared to those obtained from an existing greedy randomized adaptive search procedure (GRASP). This often came at a three- to five-fold increase in runtime, however.
A Christian Philosopher’s View of Recent Directions in the Abortion Debate

From the standpoint of a Christian philosopher, heeding the teaching and exhortations of Pope John Paul II and previous popes, I examine three directions in which the recent philosophical debate has developed. In the last seven or eight years there has been 1) a renewed focus on the biological issue of when a human individual comes to be, 2) new arguments for the proposition that personhood is a characteristic acquired after birth, and 3) refinements of the early argument of Judith Thomson. Replying to these developments, I defend, on philosophical grounds, the pro-life position. I argue that a distinct, whole (though immature) human individual comes to be at conception, that he or she is a person, with full moral worth, from the moment he or she comes to be, and the mothers and fathers have a special responsibility to their children which entails (at least) that they ought not to choose to abort them. I conclude by briefly indicating, from the standpoint of Christian faith, why Christian philosophers sho...
Primed for Violence: The Role of Gender Inequality in Predicting Internal Conflict

We know, most notably through Ted Gurr's research, that ethnic discrimination can lead to ethnopolitical rebellion–intrastate conflict. I seek to discover what impact, if any, gender inequality has on intrastate conflict. Although democratic peace scholars and others highlight the role of peaceful domestic behavior in predicting state behavior, many scholars have argued that a domestic environment of inequality and violence—structural and cultural violence—results in a greater likelihood of violence at the state and the international level. This project contributes to this line of inquiry and further tests the grievance theory of intrastate conflict by examining the norms of violence that facilitate a call to arms. And in many ways, I provide an alternative explanation for the significance of some of the typical economic measures—the greed theory—based on the link between discrimination, inequality, and violence. I test whether states characterized by higher levels of gender inequality are more likely to experience intrastate conflict. Ultimately, the basic link between gender inequality and intrastate conflict is confirmed—states characterized by gender inequality are more likely to experience intrastate conflict, 1960–2001.
Effects of preinteraction expectancies on interaction involvement and behavioral responses in initial interaction.

The link between preinteraction expectancies and the structure of interaction was examined in initial interaction. Unacquainted dyads were taped having a five minute interaction in which they talked about anything they desired. A 3 × 2 × 5 between-within subjects design was used to determine the impact of preinteraction expectancies on conversational behaviors reflecting friendliness and affiliation. The first between-factor consisted of three levels of expectancy: friendly, unfriendly, and no-expectancy. The second between-factor was sex composition of the dyads (male, female). The within-factor was time interval which acted as a repeated measure across a series of five, one-minute interaction periods. Subjects were designated as perceivers (those who were in one of the expectancy conditions) or targets (no preinteraction expectancy was induced). Results revealed that unfriendly-expectancy perceivers initiated talk more than friendly and no-expectancy perceivers, as well as talking more during the first minute of interaction, compared to no-expectancy perceivers. In addition, unfriendly-expectancy perceivers rated greater effort in compensating for the target's lack of friendliness than did subjects in the other conditions. The results are discussed in terms of an interaction goals perspective of initial interaction in which there is a preference for smooth, friendly interaction.
Non-ambiguous measurement of disk/slider spacing and effective optical constants with circular heterodyne interferometry

A method for non-ambiguous measurement of disk/slider spacing was reported here. By employing the circular heterodyne interferometric technique and the multiple-beam reflection theory at specific oblique incident angle, both the disk/slider spacing and the effective optical constants could be determined with a single optical configuration. With this method, the extreme values of the phase difference or the intensity variation by moving the slider in forward/backward motion were no longer required. The theoretical derivation revealed that the optimal resolution attainable on the measurement of the flying height was better than 0.025 nm. Owing to its common-path configuration, this method was also free from environmental vibrations. Hence, high stability and accuracy could be achieved relatively with ease based on the simple optical configuration and straightforward measurement procedures.
A estética da imperfeição em orquestras e organizações

In this article, the author investigates the process by which jazz is produced and evaluated. He suggests that this is a valuable tool for organizational theorists who want to understand innovation, the variation process in natural selection, idea generation and creativity. The key ideas about how jazz is produced include the use os songs as a temporal logic and the use retrospective bricolage as a means to create order within chaos. The key idea about evaluation developed here is the notion that jazz appreciation involves an aesthetics of imperfection.
On the behavior of stress waves in composite materials—I. A universal set of boundary conditions

Abstract In recent years experiments on uniaxially reinforced composites have revealed anomalous behavior in the stress-wave propagation characteristics of these materials. Whenever the exposed ends of both composite constituents were subjected to moderate pressures of a few kilobars the number of stable propagating waves generated within the composite exceeded by one the number of waves calculated through conventional composite models. This effect greatly increased the wave dispersion and rise-time in the experimentally observed stress wave. The key to the origin of this phenomenon is quite elementary. The composite debonds internally. When the bond between the reinforcing and matrix fails, the composite attains an additional degree of freedom which results in an additional stable propagating wave. Since conventional composite models do not allow for this debonding, they cannot account for the resulting wave. However, as was shown in an earlier paper, direct application of the theory of elasticity to this problem results in wave velocities and mode shapes for all of the waves. The solution to the total problem, including the determination of the various wave amplitudes, was previously hampered by an insufficient set of boundary conditions. The usual procedure was to impose continuity of stress and displacement at the boundary between the composite and the adjoining homogeneous material where the volumetric averages of stress and displacement were used for the composite. While these conditions are necessary and sufficient for the bonded composite problem, they are insufficient for the debonded composite problem. The additional degree of freedom in the debonded problem makes the use of an additional boundary condition necessary. This additional boundary condition is the subject of this paper.
The CheZ-binding Surface of CheY Overlaps the CheA- and FliM-binding Surfaces

CheY, the response regulator of bacterial chemotaxis, plays a pivotal role in signal transduction in bacterial chemotaxis and interacts with at least three proteins: CheA, FliM, and CheZ. CheA receives signals from chemoreceptors and then transfers the signal to CheY by a phosphotransfer reaction. Phosphorylated CheY binds to FliM, one of the switch proteins, resulting in a change in flagellar rotation from counterclockwise to clockwise. Phosphorylated CheY is dephosphorylated by its intrinsic autophosphatase activity and by CheZ. The CheA- and FliM-binding surfaces of CheY have been well studied, but characterization of the CheZ-binding surface of CheY is incomplete. We have analyzed the effect of CheZ on the dephosphorylation rates of 14 mutants of CheY. Nine mutant CheY proteins showed more resistance to CheZ phosphatase activity than did wild-type CheY. These nine mutant CheY proteins could be divided into two groups: one with altered CheZ binding and the other with normal CheZ binding. The mutations causing reduced CheZ binding altered residues on the same surface of CheY, a region consisting of the beta5-alpha5 loop, the alpha1-helix, and part of the alpha5-helix. Mutations rendering CheY resistant to CheZ, isolated by Sanna et al. (Sanna, M. G., Swanson, R. V., Bourret, R. B., and Simon, M. I. (1995) Mol. Microbiol. 15, 1069-1079), were also found to affect this surface. The mutations in the CheY protein that affect CheZ activity but not CheZ binding are located in the beta4-alpha4 loop, which appears to be involved in the catalytic activity of CheZ. Finally, our results indicate that the CheY surfaces that bind CheA, FliM, and CheZ overlap, but are not completely identical.
The cutaneous saltatory area and its presumed neural basis

The saltatory area, defined as that region of the skin within which two successive and spatinily separated signals will interact to produce apparent mislocalization of the prior signal, is measured by a campimetric technique applied to the palm, finger pad, and volar forearm. As contrasted with earlier measures on larger anatomical units, saltatory areas of the hand region are considerably compressed. Comparisons between cortical receptive fields and saltatory areas lead to speculation concerning the operation of the neural principle of “magnification” in the establishment of saltatory limits. The correspondence of configurational properties of both receptive fields and saltatory areas suggests a commonality of principles underlying both, but demands more information on the temporal dimensions of cortical interaction to confirm the parallelism.
Improved performance of self-assembled graphene biosensors integrated with shrink-induced tunable morphology of silver nanoparticles

A procedure to fabricate tunable surface morphology of self-assembled graphene nanoplatelets or silver nanoparticles on a shrink polymer substrate in this paper demonstrates controllable features different from conventional graphene and silver nanoparticle composites. Subsequently, a graphene biosensor integrated with silver nanoparticles is developed using roll-to-roll fabrication process without lithography. This biosensor with a higher sensitivity and a lower detection limit indicates that this simple low-cost process has many potential applications to label-free, ultra-sensitive, and molecule-specific detections. The shrink properties of polymer composites promise potential applications to biomedical and chemical sensing.
Snell or Fresnel: the influence of material index on hyper-NA lithography

As immersion lithography is extended to ever increasing resolution, the resulting propagation angles in the materials involved become closer to grazing than to normal incidence. Classical laws of refraction and reflection cannot be used with either assumption however, as a collection of angles may exist across the entire range. Fresnel reflection at these angles becomes large enough that small disparities in refractive indices at material interfaces may lead to adverse effects. As an example, when water is used at numerical apertures approaching its refractive index, reflection effects are greater than the constraints imposed by refraction or absorption. This will limit the maximum NA value allowed by any given material to values sufficiently lower than its refractive index. Additionally, we have grown accustom to expanding the application of the Snell-Descartes Law to materials with low absorption, assuming that the contribution of the imaginary component of the refractive index is negligible. This is not the case for photoresists, fluids, or glasses, which can not strictly be considered as non-absorbing media. We have expanded the Snell-Descartes Law for absorbing media, with some interesting consequences. We will show that there is no real limit on the numerical aperture into a material, so long as its extinction coefficient is not zero. The relationship that lithographers have been using recently where NA< min[n glass , n fluid , n resist ] will be shown to be inadequate and imaging at numerical apertures up to 1.85 will be demonstrated using materials with significantly lower (real) refractive index values.
Agent wizard: building information agents by answering questions

We present a question-answering approach where a user without any programming skills can build information agents by simply answering a series of questions. These resulting agents can perform fairly complex tasks that involve retrieving, filtering integrating and monitoring data from online sources. We evaluated our approach to building agents, which is implemented in a system called the Agent Wizard, by re-implementing a set of agents for monitoring travel that originally took four programmers roughly four days to implement. Using the Agent Wizard, the entire set of agents can be implemented in under 35 minutes.
The inhibition of L-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase by acetoacetyl-CoA and the possible effect of this inhibitor on fatty acid oxidation.

Abstract Acetoacetyl-CoA was found to strongly inhibit the dehydrogenation of L-3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA catalyzed by L-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase from pig heart. The inhibition constant (Ki) was determined to be 7.7 × 10−6 M, a value which is similar to the Km value of 12 × 10−6 M obtained for acetoacetyl-CoA in its NADH-dependent reduction catalyzed by the same enzyme. A suggested ordered BiBi mechanism for this enzyme, with NAD binding to the enzyme first, explains the observed noncompetitive nature of this inhibition. The possible effect of this inhibition on fatty acid oxidation is discussed.
Anorexia Nervosa: A Synthesis of Poetic and Narrative Therapies in the Outpatient Treatment of Young Adult Women

Current trends for treatment of women with anorexia nervosa often focus on weight gain as the primary therapeutic goal without concurrently addressing psychological concerns. As a result of this singular focus, many women drop out of treatment before recovering. This article offers an alternate treatment model. A synthesized narrative and poetry therapy modality is useful in treating this population because it offers women an opportunity to create an expressive and assertive voice while shifting blame from the self to the disorder.
Factors affecting Florida scrub‐jay nest survival on Ocala National Forest, Florida

ABSTRACT One of the main populations of the Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens), a federally threatened species, occurs on Ocala National Forest, Florida. We determined the nest daily survival rate (DSR) of 474 nests of Florida scrub-jays in stands subject to sand pine reforestation management after timber harvesting or wildfire on Ocala National Forest. We used the information-theoretic approach with logistic-exposure modeling to determine the most likely models to account for DSR for the incubation and nestling stages separately. The models consisted of 4 components (temporal, management, habitat, and helpers) with each consisting of one to several specific variables. In the incubation stage all the best models included the temporal component alone or in concert with the habitat, helpers, or habitat and helpers components. Model averaging in the incubation stage indicated support for the year and day × year in the temporal component and stand age in the habitat component. In the nestling stage, ...
1326 PLASMA LIPIDS IN NEONATES RECEIVING FAT EMULSIONS

Plasma total lipids (TL), free fatty acids (FFA), triglycerides (TG) and free glycerol (FG) were measured in 11 normally grown premature neonates who received total parenteral nutrition with dextrose, amino acids and fat emulsion. Gestational ages ranged from 26 to 32 weeks, birthweights ranged from 964 to 1758g and postnatal ages ranged from 2 to 14 days. Fat emulsion was infused continuously, beginning with a daily dose of 1 g/kg on the first day and increasing by 1 g/kg each 24 hours to a daily dose of 4 g/kg. Blood samples were obtained before and 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours after each dosage change. For all lipid fractions measured the mean (±SE) concentrations increased over mean preinfusion values, differences reaching statistical significance (p<0.05) at 12 hours for TL (413±16.0 vs 327±21.3 mg/dl), at 8 hours for FFA (16.2±1.78 vs 10.6±1.19 mEq/dl), at 12 hours for FG (0.26±0.093 vs 0.16±0.030 mM/dl) and at 4 hours for TG (0.51±0.103 vs 0.30±0.031 mM/dl). The mean concentrations of all lipid fractions remained higher than their respective baselines and there was no significant change in the mean values for any particular fraction. These data suggest that the infusion of fat emulsion at 1 g/kg produces elevations of all plasma lipids but that the effects of 4 g/kg do not markedly differ from those of 1 g/kg. The tolerance of individual patients, however, varies considerably at daily dosage in excess of 2 g/kg. Studies to determine the optimal dosage of fat emulsions in small premature neonates are needed.
In vitro selection of nucleic acids and proteins: What are we learning?

For almost a decade, in vitro selection experiments have been used to isolate novel nucleic acids, peptides and proteins according to their function. Selection experiments have altered our perception of molecular mimicry and catalysis, and they appear to be more facile than rational design at generating biopolymers with desired properties. New methods that have been developed improve the power of functional strategies in ways that nature has already discovered — by expanding library size and facilitating the recombination of positive mutations. Recent structural information on a number of selected and evolved molecules highlights future challenges for design via rational approaches.
The soft X-ray/EUV calibration facility at the University of Colorado

The components of the calibration facility at the University of Colorado are described. The system is capable of analyzing the performance of optical components in the wavelength range from 2.7 to 2500 A. The system uses two light sources: a water-cooled hollow cathode gas discharge source and a soft X-ray source. The 2.2-m grazing incidence monochrometer, slits, large chamber, and computer-controlled manipulator are examined. The NBS aluminum oxide photodiode, a flowing gas proportional counter, and an imaging microchannel plate device are employed to detect the light. The optics, detectors, and data acquisition system are computer controlled. The facility is applicable for evaluating the performance of diffraction gratings, multilayer mirrors, reflective coatings, spectrographs, surface roughness scattering, and absolute detector efficiencies. Examples demonstrating the capabilities of the facility and a diagram of the facility are presented.
Estimating the tumour onset distribution in animal carcinogenesis experiments

SUMMARY In most survival-sacrifice experiments for the detection and quantification of risks from chronic exposure to chemical agents, the onset of the condition of interest is not clinically observable. Cancer is typically such an event. In this paper, an approximate maximum likelihood method is proposed for parametric estimation of the distribution of unobservable tumour onset times in the presence of competing risks, when cause-ofdeath information is unavailable.
Adenosine metabolism in dog whole blood: effects of dipyridamole.

Abstract The effects of dipyridamole on the metabolism of adenosine added to dog whole blood were studied in vitro at 37°C. The half-lives for 8.8μM and 100μM adenosine were 3.42 and 6.89 min, respectively. Dipyridamole, in concentrations of 10−7 to 10−4M increased the half-life of 8.8μM adenosine 2 to 5-fold. The disappearance rate of adenosine in the presence of 10−4 dipyridamole was similar to the disappearance rate of adenosine in plasma. Inosine formation was enhanced by dipyridamole. Control blood samples not receiving exogenous adenosine showed an increase in endogenous adenosine and inosine during 30 min of incubation. Endogenous production of nucleosides was unaffected by dipyridamole. Analysis showed that endogenous adenosine approached a steady-state concentration of 1μM. The results indicate that the half-life for adenosine in dog whole blood is significantly greater than previously reported and that dipyridamole is effective in inhibiting adenosine disappearance in concentrations as low as 10−7M. The implications of endogenous production of adenosine are discussed.
Large-scale fractures related to inception of the Yellowstone hotspot

During middle Miocene time, western North America was subject to flood-basalt volcanism, dike-swarm injection, and broad-scale fracturing and folding of the crust. We propose a simple model to account for these events and for a regional pattern of geologic and geophysical features. Aeromagnetic maps reveal some of the most important elements of this pattern, which are several narrow, arcuate anomalies, here referred to as the Northern Nevada rifts. These rifts extend hundreds of kilometers across Nevada and are likely caused by highly magnetic, middle Miocene mafic dikes. With the aid of filtering techniques, the anomalies can be traced into Oregon. Together with other geologic features, such as fold axes, dike swarms, and faults, they produce a spoke-like pattern fanning over 2208 of arc that converges toward a point near the Oregon-Idaho border (lat ;448N). A possible cause for this pattern is a point source of stress at the base of the crust related to the formation of the Yellowstone hotspot. The spoke-like pattern, however, does not persist at large distances from the emerging hotspot; several hundred kilometers to the south, the Northern Nevada rifts deviate significantly (.308) from a radial trend. We show that a simple model—imposing a point source of stress at the base of the crust and a regional stress field aligned with the presumed middle Miocene stress direction—fits the observed fracture pattern. It thus accounts for both the radial pattern present near the nascent hotspot and the far-field pattern due to regional stresses.
Improved accuracy of supervised CRM discovery with interpolated Markov models and cross-species comparison

Despite recent advances in experimental approaches for identifying transcriptional cis-regulatory modules (CRMs, ‘enhancers’), direct empirical discovery of CRMs for all genes in all cell types and environmental conditions is likely to remain an elusive goal. Effective methods for computational CRM discovery are thus a critically needed complement to empirical approaches. However, existing computational methods that search for clusters of putative binding sites are ineffective if the relevant TFs and/or their binding specificities are unknown. Here, we provide a significantly improved method for ‘motif-blind’ CRM discovery that does not depend on knowledge or accurate prediction of TF-binding motifs and is effective when limited knowledge of functional CRMs is available to ‘supervise’ the search. We propose a new statistical method, based on ‘Interpolated Markov Models’, for motif-blind, genome-wide CRM discovery. It captures the statistical profile of variable length words in known CRMs of a regulatory network and finds candidate CRMs that match this profile. The method also uses orthologs of the known CRMs from closely related genomes. We perform in silico evaluation of predicted CRMs by assessing whether their neighboring genes are enriched for the expected expression patterns. This assessment uses a novel statistical test that extends the widely used Hypergeometric test of gene set enrichment to account for variability in intergenic lengths. We find that the new CRM prediction method is superior to existing methods. Finally, we experimentally validate 12 new CRM predictions by examining their regulatory activity in vivo in Drosophila; 10 of the tested CRMs were found to be functional, while 6 of the top 7 predictions showed the expected activity patterns. We make our program available as downloadable source code, and as a plugin for a genome browser installed on our servers.