cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the reduction and effect of non-metallic impurities in mechanically alloyed nanocrystalline Ni-W alloys

Abstract Non-metallic contamination is a practically unavoidable byproduct of commercial synthesis processes; however, non-metallic impurities are often overlooked when considering material design and performance of nanostructured materials. Importantly, there is disputing evidence as to whether non-metallic contamination stabilize or destabilize nanocrystalline materials against grain growth. Furthermore, it is unclear if non-metallic contamination has a significant impact on hardness of nanocrystalline systems. In this work, two nanocrystalline Ni-28at%W alloys with different impurity concentrations were produced via mechanical alloying to directly evaluate the effect of contamination on thermal stability and hardness of nanostructured materials. The alloys were isothermally annealed at several temperatures, and the microstructures were compared by applying atom probe tomography and aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy. It was determined that impurity concentrations can be substantially reduced by using specific milling media and pre-milling reduction processes. Furthermore, the clean and contaminated alloys exhibited similar thermal stabilities against grain growth, but the clean alloy displayed a 100% improvement in hardness despite a similar grain size and distribution of second phases. Impurity phases including CrOx, Ni6W6C, and trapped Ar pores were also identified and likely contributed to the thermal stability and mechanical properties observed in this study. Overall, this work suggests that impurities my not always be detrimental to thermomechanical behavior of nanocrystalline systems.
Efficacy of JAK1/2 and BCL2 inhibition on human T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in vitro and in vivo

Abstract Relapsed/refractory T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is difficult to salvage especially in heavily pretreated patients, thus novel targeted agents are sorely needed. Hyperactivated JAK/STAT and BCL2 overexpression promote increased T-ALL proliferation and survival, and targeting these pathways with ruxolitinib and venetoclax may provide an alternative approach to achieve clinical remissions. Ruxolitinib and venetoclax show a dose-dependent effect individually, but combination treatment synergistically reduces survival and proliferation of Jurkat and Loucy cells in vitro. Using a xenograft CXCR4+ Jurkat model, the combination treatment fails to improve survival, with death from hind limb paralysis. Despite on-target inhibition by the drugs, histopathology demonstrates increased leukemic infiltration into the central nervous system (CNS), which expresses CXCL12, as compared to liver or bone marrow. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy shows that neither ruxolitinib nor venetoclax can effectively cross the blood-brain barrier, limiting efficacy against CNS T-ALL. Deletion of CXCR4 on Jurkat cells by CRISPR/Cas9 results in prolonged survival and a reduction in overall and neurologic clinical scores. While combination therapy with ruxolitinib and venetoclax shows promise for treating T-ALL, additional inhibition of the CXCR4-CXCL12 axis will be needed to eliminate both systemic and CNS T-ALL burden and maximize the possibility of complete remission.
In the Mirror: Introducing Teachers to Practitioner Inquiry as Professional Development

Chief among the challenges faced by science teachers is issues related to student learning. The teachers engaged in the PD program were being prepared to teach the 3-dimensional approach to science consistent with the current reforms. This chapter describes the formal graduate level science education course in which teachers were introduced to practitioner inquiry as a systematic study of their professional practice with the intent of improving students’ science learning. The course allowed them insights into practitioner inquiry as educational research and afforded them an understanding of the principles and procedures in the cycle of inquiring into their practice. Through a blend of online and in-person one-day per month face-to-face sessions, the teachers were guided through the completion of a formal cycle of practitioner inquiry. Engaging in the practitioner inquiry during the course allowed them to teach and raise questions about their problems of practice, observe and reflect, and make thoughtful adjustments to better facilitate their students learning while generating new questions.
Toward improved in vitro models of human cancer

Cancer is a leading cause of death across the world and continues to increase in incidence. Despite years of research, multiple tumors (e.g., glioblastoma, pancreatic cancer) still have limited treatment options in the clinic. Additionally, the attrition rate and cost of drug development have continued to increase. This trend is partly explained by the poor predictive power of traditional in vitro tools and animal models. Moreover, multiple studies have highlighted that cell culture in traditional Petri dishes commonly fail to predict drug sensitivity. Conversely, animal models present differences in tumor biology compared with human pathologies, explaining why promising therapies tested in animal models often fail when tested in humans. The surging complexity of patient management with the advent of cancer vaccines, immunotherapy, and precision medicine demands more robust and patient-specific tools to better inform our understanding and treatment of human cancer. Advances in stem cell biology, microfluidics, and cell culture have led to the development of sophisticated bioengineered microscale organotypic models (BMOMs) that could fill this gap. In this Perspective, we discuss the advantages and limitations of patient-specific BMOMs to improve our understanding of cancer and how these tools can help to confer insight into predicting patient response to therapy.
An exploratory examination of internalized weight stigma in a sample living with food insecurity.

Abstract Internalized weight stigma (IWS) is associated with various health concerns, regardless of body size. One weakness of existing IWS research is that it largely lacks diverse study populations. One recent exception, however, found increasing IWS was associated with higher levels of food insecurity (FI) in a low-income, majority Latinx sample. Using the same sample (N = 530), the present study further explored levels of IWS as compared to documented (mostly White/European) samples; we also investigated IWS in relation to three dichotomous eating disorder (ED) outcomes (e.g., any/no vomiting). Finally, based on previous qualitative findings regarding dietary restraint in the most severe level of FI, we explored the independent contribution of dietary restraint and IWS to cross-sectional risk of ED pathology. Results indicated that individuals living with FI experience IWS at concerning levels. Additionally, IWS played a small yet significant role in cross-sectional risk for ED pathology regardless of FI severity, while dietary restraint contributed to independent risk only in those with the most severe FI. Findings suggest that IWS is prevalent in this marginalized population, associated with ED pathology, and that the effect of dietary restraint on risk for ED pathology appears to uniquely impact those living with severe FI.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection has an estimated global incidence of 33 million cases in children younger than 5 years, with 10% requiring hospital admission and up to 199,000 dying of the disease. There is growing evidence that severe infantile RSV bronchiolitis, a condition characterised by an inflammatory reaction to the virus, is associated with later childhood wheeze in some vulnerable children; however, a direct causal relationship with asthma has not yet been established. It is also increasingly recognised as a cause of morbidity and mortality in those with underlying airway disease, immunocompromise and frail elderly persons. Novel molecular based diagnostic tools are becoming established but treatment largely remains supportive, with palivizumab being the only licensed agent currently available for passive prophylaxis of selected pre-term infants. Whilst effective treatments remain elusive, there is optimism about the testing of novel antiviral drugs and the development of vaccines that may induce long-lasting immunity without the risk of disease augmentation.
Structure–Activity Relationship Assessment of Sophorolipid Ester Derivatives against Model Bacteria Strains

Sophorolipids (SLs) are glycolipids that consist of a hydrophilic sophorose head group covalently linked to a hydrophobic fatty acid tail. They are produced by fermentation of non-pathogenic yeasts such as Candida Bombicola. The fermentation products predominantly consist of the diacetylated lactonic form that coexists with the open-chain acidic form. A systematic series of modified SLs were prepared by ring opening of natural lactonic SL with n-alkanols of varying chain length under alkaline conditions and lipase-selective acetylation of sophorose primary hydroxyl groups. The antimicrobial activity of modified SLs against Gram-positive human pathogens was a function of the n-alkanol length, as well as the degree of sophorose acetylation at the primary hydroxyl sites. Modified SLs were identified with promising antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive human pathogens with moderate selectivity (therapeutic index, TI = EC50/MICB. cereus = 6–33). SL-butyl ester exhibited the best antimicrobial activity (MIC = 12 μM) and selectivity (TI = 33) among all SLs tested. Kinetic studies revealed that SL-ester derivatives kill B. cereus in a time-dependent manner resulting in greater than a 3-log reduction in cell number within 1 h at 2×MIC. In contrast, lactonic SL required 3 h to achieve the same efficiency.
Trends in Outpatient Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Implications for Primary Care, 2000 to 2019.

BACKGROUND Despite the central role of primary care in improving health system performance, there are little recent data on how use of primary care and specialists has evolved over time and its implications for the range of care coordination needed in primary care. OBJECTIVE To describe trends in outpatient care delivery and the implications for primary care provider (PCP) care coordination. DESIGN Descriptive, repeated, cross-sectional study using Medicare claims from 2000 to 2019, with direct standardization used to control for changes in beneficiary characteristics over time. SETTING Traditional fee-for-service Medicare. PATIENTS 20% sample of Medicare beneficiaries. MEASUREMENTS Annual counts of outpatient visits and procedures, the number of distinct physicians seen, and the number of other physicians seen by a PCP's assigned Medicare patients. RESULTS The proportion of Medicare beneficiaries with any PCP visit annually only slightly increased from 61.2% in 2000 to 65.7% in 2019. The mean annual number of primary care office visits per beneficiary also changed little from 2000 to 2019 (2.99 to 3.00), although the mean number of PCPs seen increased from 0.89 to 1.21 (36.0% increase). In contrast, the mean annual number of visits to specialists increased 20% from 4.05 to 4.87, whereas the mean number of unique specialists seen increased 34.2% from 1.63 to 2.18. The proportion of beneficiaries seeing 5 or more physicians annually increased from 17.5% to 30.1%. In 2000, a PCP's Medicare patient panel saw a median of 52 other physicians (interquartile range, 23 to 87), increasing to 95 (interquartile range, 40 to 164) in 2019. LIMITATION Data were limited to Medicare beneficiaries and, because of the use of a 20% sample, may underestimate the number of other physicians seen across a PCP's entire panel. CONCLUSION Outpatient care for Medicare beneficiaries has shifted toward more specialist care received from more physicians without increased primary care contact. This represents a substantial expansion of the coordination burden faced by PCPs. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE National Institute on Aging.
Quantitative imaging in whole-mount zebrafish embryos traces morphogen gradient maintenance and noise propagation in BMP signaling

Dorsoventral (DV) embryonic patterning relies on precisely controlled interpretation of morphogen signaling. In all vertebrates, DV axis specification is informed by gradients of Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs). We developed a 3D single-molecule mRNA quantification method in whole-mount zebrafish to quantify the inputs and outputs in this pathway. In combination with 3D computational modeling of zebrafish embryo development, data from this method revealed that Sizzled (Szl), shaped by BMP and Nodal signaling, kept a consistent inhibition level with Chordin (Chd) to maintain the BMP morphogen gradient. Intriguingly, BMP morphogen intrinsic expression is highly noisy at the ventral marginal layer in early zebrafish gastrula, where the gradient for DV patterning is established, which implies an unexpected role for noise in gradient shaping.
Transcriptional Regulation of Insulin Gene Expression

The insulin gene is expressed exclusively in the beta cells of the islet of Langerhans. The release of this polypeptide hormone into the bloodstream, principally in response to elevated glucose levels, is essential for controlling carbohydrate metabolism in peripheral tissues. A fundamental cause of diabetes, a disease that affects millions of people and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, is the inability of beta cells to produce sufficient amounts of insulin, resulting in hyperglycemia. A large effort is underway to identify and characterize the transcriptional regulators of genes, like insulin, that are important in islet beta cell function. It is hoped that this knowledge will provide information into how beta cell function is disrupted in type 2 diabetic individuals, and to provide a foundation for cell-based therapies that may be effective in diabetes treatment. Many of the cis-acting sequences, essential in directing both selective and glucose-inducible transcription within the 5′-flanking region of the insulin gene, have been defined and several of the key trans-activators isolated, including PAX-6, PDX-1, MafA, and BETA2/NeuroD1. In addition, the inactivation of genes encoding these regulatory proteins in mice has established that most play a role in islet cell differentiation during pancreas development. In this review, the regulatory role of the islet-enriched transcription factors of the insulin gene will be discussed, with a focus on their role in adult beta cell function.
Carbachol excites sublaterodorsal nucleus neurons projecting to the spinal cord

Considerable electrophysiological and pharmacological evidence has long suggested an important role for acetylcholine in the regulation of rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep. For example, injection of the cholinergic agonist carbachol into the dorsomedial pons produces an REM sleep-like state with muscle atonia and cortical activation, both of which are cardinal features of REM sleep. Located within this region of the pons is the sublaterodorsal nucleus (SLD), a structure thought to be both necessary and sufficient for generating REM sleep muscle atonia. Subsets of glutamatergic SLD neurons potently contribute to motor inhibition during REM sleep through descending projections to motor-related glycinergic/GABAergic neurons in the spinal cord and ventromedial medulla. Prior electrophysiological and pharmacological studies examining the effects of acetylcholine on SLD neurons have, however, produced conflicting results. In the present study, we sought to clarify how acetylcholine influences the activity of spinally projecting SLD (SLDsp) neurons. We used retrograde tracing in combination with patch-clamp recordings and recorded pre- and postsynaptic effects of carbachol on SLDsp neurons. Carbachol acted presynaptically by increasing the frequency of glutamatergic miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents. We also found that carbachol directly excited SLDsp neurons by activating an Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger. Both pre- and postsynaptic effects were mediated by co-activation of M1 and M3 muscarinic receptors. These observations suggest that acetylcholine produces synergistic, excitatory pre- and postsynaptic responses on SLDsp neurons that, in turn, probably serve to promote muscle atonia during REM sleep.
Intelligent Hydrogels in Nanoscale Sensing and Drug Delivery Applications

The sections in this article are Introduction Intelligent Hydrogels Ionic Hydrogels Temperature-Responsive Hydrogels Biohybrid Hydrogels Imprinted Hydrogels Sensor Applications Actuation Detection Optical Detection Electrical Detection Drug Delivery Applications Micro/nanoscale Devices Nanoscale Macromolecular Structures Conclusions
Climbing the social ladder: the molecular evolution of sociality

Genomic tools are allowing us to dissect the roles of genes and genetic architecture in social evolution, and eusocial insects are excellent models. Numerous hypotheses for molecular evolution of eusociality have been proposed, ranging from regulatory shifts in ‘old' genes to rapid evolution of ‘new' genes. A broad model to explain this major transition in evolution has been lacking. We provide a synthetic framework centered on the idea that different evolutionary processes dominate during different transitional stages, beginning with changes in gene regulation and culminating in novel genes later on. By considering multiple mechanisms as we ‘climb the social ladder', we can test whether the transitions from solitary to simple sociality to complex sociality represent incremental changes or genetic revolutions.
Пространственная Гравитационная Модель Внешней Торговли(Spatial Gravity Model of Foreign Trade)

Целью работы является разработка и калибровка пространственной гравитационной модели, описывающей внешнюю торговлю регионов Российской Федерации через различные участки государственной границы. Для достижения указанной цели в работе решены следующие задачи: проведен обзор теоретических и эмпирических работ, посвященных построению и практическому применению гравитационных моделей торговли; предложена модификация теоретической модели, позволяющая учитывать пространственные эффекты, связанные с наличием пунктов пропуска и большой площадью российской внутренней территории; проведена калибровка предложенной модели на данных российской внешней торговли ФТС. В качестве исходных данных для проведения работы использованы данные официальной статистики Росстата и ФТС России, научные, аналитические и статистические публикации российских и зарубежных источников, в том числе международных организаций. The aim of the work is the development and calibration of spatial gravity model that describes the regions of the Russian foreign trade Federation through the various sections of the border. To achieve said purpose in the following tasks: A review of theoretical and empirical work on the construction and the practical application of the gravity model of trade; a modification of the theoretical model, which allows to take into account spatial effects associated with the presence of checkpoints and a large area of ​​the Russian hinterland; the calibration of the proposed model to the data of Russian foreign trade TCF. The intial data for the work used data from official Statistics Rosstat and Russian Federal Customs Service, scientific, analytical and statistical publications Russian and foreign sources, including international organizations.
A Probabilistic Learning Approach to Whole-Genome Operon Prediction

We present a computational approach to predicting operons in the genomes of prokaryotic organisms. Our approach uses machine learning methods to induce predictive models for this task from a rich variety of data types including sequence data, gene expression data, and functional annotations associated with genes. We use multiple learned models that individually predict promoters, terminators and operons themselves. A key part of our approach is a dynamic programming method that uses our predictions to map every known and putative gene in a given genome into its most probable operon. We evaluate our approach using data from the E. coli K-12 genome.
Responsibility: Philosophical Aspects

Three analyses of the judgment that a person is a morally responsible agent are discussed. One is the reactive-attitudes analysis, whereby a person is responsible when the person is liable to a response on the part of others marked by attitudes such as gratitude and resentment. A second analysis focuses on the phenomenon of holding an agent answerable for his or her actions. The third analysis holds that judgments of responsibility are essentially statements of attribution, which focus on the ethical appraisal of conduct that can be imputed to an individual as the author or adopter of ends.
Kinetic and structural probing of the precleavage synaptic complex (type 0) formed during phage Mu transposition. Action of metal ions and reagents specific to single-stranded DNA.

In an earlier kinetic study (Wang, Z., and Harshey, R. M.(1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 91, 699-703), we showed that supercoiling free energy was utilized during Mu transposition to lower the activation barrier of some rate-limiting step in the formation of the cleaved Mu end synaptic complex (type I complex). We report here results from kinetic studies on the assembled but uncleaved synaptic complex (type 0). Based on the estimated rate constants for the formation of type 0 and type I complexes, as well as their temperature and superhelicity dependence, we infer that the type 0 complex is an authentic intermediate in the pathway to Mu end cleavage. Our results are consistent with type 0 production being the rate-limiting step in the overall type I reaction. The conversion of type 0 to type I complex is a fast reaction, does not show strong temperature dependence, and is apparently independent of substrate superhelicity. We have explored the DNA structure within the type 0 complex using chemical and enzymatic probes. The observed susceptibility of DNA outside the Mu ends to single-strand-specific reagents suggests that a helix opening event is associated with type 0 formation. This structural perturbation could account, at least partly, for the high activation barrier to the reaction. There is a close correlation between the appearance of single strandedness near the Mu ends and the superhelicity of the DNA substrate. It is possible that supercoiling energy is utilized in effecting specific conformational transitions within DNA. We have found that Zn2+ and Co2+ ions, like Mg2+ and Mn2+ ions, can efficiently cleave the type 0 complex. However, unlike Mg2+ and Mn2+ ions, Zn2+ and Co2+ ions cannot support assembly of type 0. We discuss the implications of our findings for the mechanism of Mu transposition.
The Effectiveness of Online and Blended Learning: A Meta-Analysis of the Empirical Literature

Background/ContextEarlier research on various forms of distance learning concluded that these technologies do not differ significantly from regular classroom instruction in terms of learning outcom...
Development of a high fidelity CFD code for wind farm control

In this paper we describe an effort recently completed at UT Dallas to develop a high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics code to test and develop control algorithms aimed at maximizing power production and load mitigation. Preliminary results of three aligned turbines operating at different tip speed ratios (TSRs) are discussed to show the wealth of details available from the present code. The finer solution of the flow physics allows to gain a better understanding of how control algorithms should be designed and implemented in practical configurations. The paper includes a detailed analysis of the power and loads for optimal TSRs obtained by applying dynamic programming to a low-fidelity analytical model.
Photoresponse comparison of indium oxide (In 2 O 3 ) nanomaterials

Optical properties of In 2 O 3 nanoparticles coated with polyvinyl-alcohol (PVA) are studied. Compared with uncoated In 2 O 3 nanoparticles, PVA coated sample show enhanced UV-blue emission and suppressed parasitic green emission. Ultraviolet (UV)-blue photodetectors were then fabricated by depositing aluminum (Al) as contacts on top of PVA coated and uncoated samples. The photodetector with PVA coating, exhibits lower dark current and higher responsivity than the photodetector without PVA coating. The rise and fall time of the PVA coated photodetector is about 500 s and 1600 s respectively, one half of the uncoated device. These improvements are attributed to surface passivation of In 2 O 3 nanoparticles by PVA, which reduces the surface defects density and increase free carrier concentration of In 2 O 3 nanoparticles.
Computing in Context: Teaching Intelligence and Security Informatics in Computer Science Courses

The importance of applying context in pedagogy has been the subject of research for decades and has been explored in many subject areas. Context in pedagogy refers to linking the teaching of a particular subject or topic to some other subject area that is meaningful, making the topic being taught seem less abstract or irrelevant. In this paper, the subject of Intelligence and Security Informatics (ISI) is used to provide context for the teaching of other topics in computer science such as data structures, web application development, database management, and data analytics. A number of possible learning modules are proposed, each linked to one of two ISI contexts. With national security and computer and network security being highly relevant and relatable to students, teaching various computer science subject matters with this context in mind may help make the material seem more concrete and understandable.
Conditional covariance structure of generalized compensatory multidimensional items

Some nonparametric dimensionality assessment procedures, such as DIMTEST and DETECT, use nonparametric estimates of item pair conditional covariances given an appropriately chosen subtest score as their basic building blocks. Such conditional covariances given some subtest score can be regarded as an approximation to the conditional covariances given an appropriately chosen unidimensional latent composite, where the composite is oriented in the multidimensional test space direction in which the subtest score measures best. In this paper, the structure and properties of such item pair conditional covariances given a unidimensional latent composite are thoroughly investigated, assuming a semiparametric IRT modeling framework called a generalized compensatory model. It is shown that such conditional covariances are highly informative about the multidimensionality structure of a test. The theory developed here is very useful in establishing properties of dimensionality assessment procedures, current and yet to be developed, that are based upon estimating such conditional covariances. In particular, the new theory is used to justify the DIMTEST procedure. Because of the importance of conditional covariance estimation, a new bias reducing approach is presented. A byproduct of likely independent importance beyond the study of conditional covariances is a rigorous score information based definition of an item's and a score's direction of best measurement in the multidimensional test space.
Constrating short-term and long-term effects of predation risk on consumer habitat use and resources

I contrasted the short-term and long-term effects of predation risk on snail habitat use and resource dynamics. Pulmonate snails (PkystUa gyrina) were placed into experimental pools and exposed to four levcb of predation risk while holding their density constant. Periphyton resources were made available in two habitats: open and covered. I hypothesized that a behavioral response by snails to predation risk would influence periphyton standing crop in the open and covered habitats. Snails responded to increasing predation risk by moving into safer (covered) habitats, and the magnitude of their response was sensitive to the actual level of risk: intermediate levels of risk resulted in intermediate habitat use. However, use of the risky (open) habitat by snails was time dependent Snails initially responded strongly to predation risk, but they exhibited similar patterns of habitat use at all risk levels by the end of the experiment Periphyton standing crop was positively related to predation risk. In contrast to snail habitat use, this response was initially weak and became stronger as the experiment progressed. Thus, the short-/and long-term responses of snail habitat use and periphyton standing crop contrasted sharply. I suggest that the changing patterns of snail habitat use over time are consistent with the idea that snails balance predation risk against foraging gains when selecting habitats and that the manner in which they balance foraging gains and predation risk determines the pattern of periphyton standing crops across habitats. Kty words: habitat selection, indirect effects, induced defenses, periphyton, PkystUa, predation risk, refuges, trade-offs, trophic cascades. [Behav Ecol 8:120-125 (1997)]
Work in progress: Real world relevant security labware for mobile threat analysis and protection experience

To address the need for innovative mobile security learning materials and for promoting mobile security education, this paper presents our work-in-progress effort on developing a real-world relevant security labware to provide students with mobile threat analysis and protection experience. A preliminary evaluation has been conducted on the pilot labs and positive feedback has been received.
Social Class as a Neglected Variable in Organizational Behavior

Abstract Social class is a variable with considerable predictive power in sociology and other social sciences. Within marketing, social class is a common independent variable in studies of consumer behavior. The absence of social class as a variable in organizational behavior studies is documented, and several partial surrogates are identified. Reasons for the avoidance of the use of social class as a variable in studies of organizational behavior are proposed.
Alethic Functionalism and Our Folk Theory of Truth

According to alethic functionalism, truth is a higher-order multiply realizable property of propositions. After briefly presenting the view’s main principles and motivations, I defend alethic functionalism from recent criticisms raised against it by Cory Wright. Wright argues that alethic functionalism will collapse either into deflationism or into a view that takes “true” as simply ambiguous. I reject both claims.
Evaluation of "Shotgun" Proteomics for Identification of Biological Threat Agents in complex Environmental Matrixes: Experimental Simulations

There is currently a great need for rapid detection and positive identification of biological threat agents, as well as microbial species in general, directly from complex environmental samples. This need is most urgent in the area of homeland security, but also extends into medical, environmental, and agricultural sciences. Mass-spectrometry-based analysis is one of the leading technologies in the field with a diversity of different methodologies for biothreat detection. Over the past few years, “shotgun” proteomics has become one method of choice for the rapid analysis of complex protein mixtures by mass spectrometry. Recently, it was demonstrated that this methodology is capable of distinguishing a target species against a large database of background species from a single-component sample or dual-component mixtures with relatively the same concentration (Dworzanski, J. P.; Snyder, A. P.; Chen, R.; Zhang, H.; Wishart, D.; Li, L. Anal. Chem. 2004, 76, 2355−2366). Here, we examine the potential of shotgu...
Garnet polycrystals and the significance of clustered crystallization

Polycrystalline garnets are common in metamorphic rocks and may form as a result of close spacing of nuclei (if clustering is early) or impingement of larger grains (if clustering occurs later in the growth history). The timing of clustering relative to garnet growth is relevant to understanding the formation and evolution of porphyroblasts and evaluating the significance (if any) of clustering. Electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) analysis of garnet-bearing metamorphic rocks reveals the presence of polycrystalline garnet in nine localities examined in this study: the northern Appalachians (Vermont, Maine, New York, USA); North American Cordillera (North Cascades Range, Washington; Snake Range, Nevada, USA); western Rocky Mountains (British Columbia, Canada); southern Menderes Massif (Turkey); Santander Massif (Colombia); and the Sanandaj–Sirjan zone (Hamadan, Iran). In some samples, polycrystals comprise ~20–30% of garnets analyzed, and chemical and textural evidence suggests that early coalescence of garnet polycrystals is common. Some early-coalescing polycrystals exhibit growth zoning that is concentric about the geometric center of the polycrystal. In thin section, these garnets may be undetectable as polycrystals based on morphology or zoning. In some polycrystals, zoning is unrelated to the location of internal grain boundaries; in others, Fe–Mn–Mg zoning has a different pattern than that of Ca; zoning patterns may vary on the scale of a single thin section. In addition, some polycrystals are characterized by high-angle misorientation boundaries that may be in special (non-random) orientations, an observation that indicates that these polycrystals are not random clusters of grains. The presence of internal grain boundaries may affect diffusion pathways and length scales, and may facilitate communication of porphyroblast interiors with matrix phases, thereby influencing reaction history of the rock and the composition/zoning of garnet.
Solar cycle 23 prediction update

The smoothed sunspot number (SSN) and the planetary index (Ap) data for the period 1932 to 1998 are used to derive a relationship to compute future smoothed solar cycle maxima. We show that the amplitudes of the last six cycles (17 to 22) bear a linear correlation with the annual mean values of Ap one year into the new cycle. The observed correlation coefficient (cc) of 0.82 has a confidence level (cl) of > 95%. Based on an annual mean value of 8.5 for Ap in 1997, we predict a moderate cycle 23 with the smoothed SSN at the maximum of 131.5 + 33−20, expected to occur late in 1999 or early in the year 2000.
Brand loyalty and sequential learning theory

Capaldi's Sequential Theory is presented as an alternative learning explanation of brand loyalty. Several hypotheses are derived which predict the effects of delay of reward, intertrial interval, and magnitude of reward upon strength of brand loyalty. To integrate Sequential Theory into the literature of consumer behavior, refinements are proposed, such as requirements for measuring purchasing behavior, a better definition of reward, and the joining of Sequential Theory to the prevailing cognitive theories in consumer behavior.
Quantitative error estimates for coefficient idealization in linear elliptic problems

We give a thorough quantitative error analysis for the effect of coefficient idealization on solutions of linear elliptic boundary value problems. The a posteriori error estimate is derived by a tactful application of the duality theory in convex analysis. The estimate involves an auxiliary function subject to certain constraint. We discuss in detail the selection of a good auxiliary function for various cases. Numerical examples show the effectiveness of our a posteriori error estimate.
6β-HYDROXYCORTISOL AND OTHER POLAR CORTICOSTEROIDS: MEASUREMENT AND SIGNIFICANCE IN HUMAN URINE*†

A detailed description of extraction and paper ehromatographie techniques for themeasurement of urinary 6β-hydroxycortisol is presented, together with experimental data from which this and other separation procedures have been devised. 6β-Hydroxycortisol appears to be the chief unconjugated urinary metabolite of cortisol. Increased levels, both absolutely and in relation to total steroid excretion, were noted in cases of Cushing's syndrome and after administration of ACTH. Evidence for the presence of several new urinary steroids is presented, and definitive identification of one, 6α-hydroxycortisol, is reported in human urine for the first time.
Temperature and pressure derivatives of isotropic sound velocities of α quartz

Temperature and pressure derivatives of isotropic sound velocities and adiabatic bulk moduli of alpha-quartz
A framework for quality control and parameter optimization in diffusion tensor imaging: theoretical analysis and validation

Abstract In this communication, a theoretical framework for quality control and parameter optimization in diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is presented and validated. The approach is based on the analytical error propagation of the mean diffusivity ( D av ) obtained directly from the diffusion-weighted data acquired using rotationally invariant and uniformly distributed icosahedral encoding schemes. The error propagation of a recently described and validated cylindrical tensor model is further extrapolated to the spherical tensor case (diffusion anisotropy ∼0) to relate analytically the precision error in fractional tensor anisotropy (FA) with the mean diffusion-to-noise ratio (DNR). The approach provided simple analytical and empirical quality control measures for optimization of diffusion parameter space in an isotropic medium that can be tested using widely available water phantoms.
Pressure dependent optical phonon anharmonicity in GaP

Abstract The asymmetric Raman line shape of the TO(Γ) phonon in GaP has been carefully measured under hydrostatic pressure up to 87 kbar (room temperature). At high pressure the peak becomes symmetric and a weak sideband emerges. These results can be explained as due to the third order anharmonic interaction of TO(Γ) with the combination modes TA + LA(≈ X). A calculation of this effect, based on the measured phonon dispersion of GaP, is successful in fitting the observed line shape at all pressures. The anharmonic coupling strength for the decay TO(Γ) → TA + LA(≈ X) is found to decrease linearly with pressure by an appreciable amount.
Complex gamma function with error control

An algorithm to compute the gamma function and the loggamma function of a complex variable is presented. The standard algorithm is modified in several respects to insure the continuity of the function value and to reduce accumulation of round-off errors. In addition to computation of function values, this algorithm includes an object-time estimation of round-off errors. Experimental data with regard to the effectiveness of this error control are presented. A Fortran program for the algorithm appears in the algorithms section of this issue.
The impact and politics of entry regulation on intrastate telephone rates

This paper examines the effects of regulatory barriers to the entry of the interstate long-distance carriers into the intraLATA toll service market. With these barriers, the local telephone companies can charge supracompetitive rates for intraLATA toll calls and use the excess revenues to price local exchange service below cost. We use a reduced form econometric price model to see whether these entry barriers have increased intraLATA toll rates. The results indicate that intraLATA toll rates in states that enjoin all types of long distance carriers from providing intraLATA service are about 7.5 per cent higher than in states that allow some sort of competition. In contrast, only preventing the entry of the largest facilities-based carriers does not affect intraLATA rates.
Failure to deliver? Linking online order fulfillment glitches with future purchase behavior

Abstract This study investigates operations failures in online retailing. Specifically, it examines the relationship between an operations glitch (order fulfillment delay) and subsequent shopping behavior for previously loyal customers in an online retailing environment. Using archival data from a moderate-sized online retailer of printed material, this study employs expectancy disconfirmation and distributive justice theories to empirically show that adverse post-glitch reactions are seen in several dimensions of customer shopping behavior – order frequency and order size decrease, while customer anxiety level increases. The study thus demonstrates that online retailers need to deliver on order fulfillment promises, since a failure to live up to these promises can be detrimental. This study is unique in that, unlike previous studies on order fulfillment in online retailing investigating the tie between fulfillment success and future behavior, we examine the repercussions of order fulfillment failures upon future purchase behavior.
Electrocardiographic studies in rheumatic heart disease with reference to interpretation of multiple unipolar precordial leads

Abstract 1.1. In the majority of subjects having rheumatic heart disease, left, rather than right, ventricular hypertrophy is responsible for clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation of the manifest mean electrical axis (A QRS ) according to whether the electrical position of the heart is vertical or horizontal. 2.2. Typical electrocardiograms are presented illustrating "ventricular hypertrophy" in the various heart positions with associated diversions of A QRS . 3.3. Myocardial, rather than endocardial (valvular), lesions play the primary role in producing ventricular enlargement. 4.4. Abnormalities of the final ventricular deflections in the first three precordial leads are of added value in the diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever. 5.5. Curves are presented which illustrate that standard positions V 1 through V 6 may, in certain instances, represent the potential variations from the surface of one ventricle, either the right or left, depending upon the position of the heart. In one such curve the proper interpretation of incomplete right bundle branch block was made only after a reconsideration of the limb leads, together with Leads V 1 through V 8 .
Enhanced auditory reversal learning by genetic activation of protein kinase C in small groups of rat hippocampal neurons

The hippocampus has a central role in specific types of learning, but there is only limited evidence identifying the requisite molecular changes in ensembles of hippocampal neurons. To investigate the role of protein kinase C (PKC) pathways in hippocampal mediated learning, a constitutively active, catalytic domain of rat PKC βII was delivered into hippocampal dentate granule neurons using a Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1) vector. This PKC causes a long-lasting, activation-dependent increase in neurotransmitter release from cultured cells. Activation of PKC pathways in a small percentage (≤0.26%) of dentate granule neurons was sufficient to enhance rat auditory discrimination reversal learning. The affected neurons altered hippocampal physiology as revealed by elevated NMDA receptor densities in specific hippocampal areas. Thus, these results directly suggest that activation of PKC pathways in a specific hippocampal area alters rat auditory discrimination reversal learning. Because each rat may contain a unique pattern of affected neurons, there appears to be considerable flexibility and/or redundancy in the groups of neurons that can modify learning.
Mobile association for wireless heterogeneous networks with cooperative relays: optimal framework and implementation schemes

Heterogeneous networks improve the spectrum efficiency and coverage of wireless communication networks by deploying low-power nodes on top of the conventional network nodes. In this paper, we consider a heterogeneous cellular network with multiple low-power relay nodes (RN) deployed in each cell using in-band wireless backhaul link between the RN and the base station (BS). The RNs work cooperatively with the BSs on the downlink communication towards the user equipments. Due to the disparity between the transmit powers of the BSs and the RNs, mobile association schemes developed for the conventional homogeneous networks may lead to a highly unbalanced traffic load distribution with most of the traffic being concentrated on the BSs. In this paper, we propose a new mobile association framework for the heterogeneous wireless networks with node cooperation. The proposed framework aims to maximize the network capacity and balance the traffic load among the network nodes. A pseudo-optimal solution is obtained for the proposed mobile association framework using a centralized gradient-descent algorithm. To enable online implementation, we further introduce a distributed algorithm using a pricing mechanism. Numerical results show that a prominent improvement in network capacity can be achieved by the proposed load balancing-based mobile association scheme compared with the conventional counterpart. Moreover, compared with the pseudo-optimal solution, the proposed pricing-based distributed algorithm only suffers a small loss in network capacity and thus can be considered as an efficient real-time implementation alternative.
An overview of the basic principles of the Q-Coder adaptive binary arithmetic coder

The Q-Coder is a new form of adaptive binary arithmetic coding. The binary arithmetic coding part of the technique is derived from the basic concepts introduced by Rissanen, Pasco, and Langdon, but extends the coding conventions to resolve a conflict between optimal software and hardware implementations. In addition, a robust form of probability estimation is used in which the probability estimate is derived solely from the interval renormalizations that are part of the arithmetic coding process. A brief tutorial of arithmetic coding concepts is presented, followed by a discussion of the compatible optimal hardware and software coding structures and the estimation of symbol probabilities from interval renormalization.
Statistical refocusing in the design of Phase II trials offers promise of increased R&D productivity.

Statistical refocusing in the design of Phase II trials offers promise of increased R&D productivity
Extension of Microwave Absorption Spectroscopy to 0.37-mm Wavelength

High-resolution sweep spectroscopy has been extended to submillimeter wavelengths as short as 0.37 mm. The sensitivity of microwave spectroscopy in the submillimeter region (0.37 to 1 mm) has been improved by more than an order of magnitude. The highest-frequency spectral lines measured are the $J=6\ensuremath{\rightarrow}7$ transition of $^{12}\mathrm{C}$$^{16}\mathrm{O}$ at 806 651.719 MHz and the $J=66\ensuremath{\rightarrow}67$ transition of $^{16}\mathrm{O}$$^{12}\mathrm{C}$$^{32}\mathrm{S}$ at 813 353.706 MHz. The rotational constant ${B}_{0}$ for DF is observed to be 325 584.96 MHz.
Single vibronic level resonant Raman scattering of molecular ions in solid glass: PMDA anion and naphthalene cation

Abstract Resonant Raman spectra were obtained for the radical anion of pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) in MTHF glass and the radical cation of naphthalene in alkyl halide glass at 77 K by using a pulsed tunable dye laser. The intensity pattern of the single vibronic level resonant Raman resembles that of hot fluorescence when the homogeneous line width of the intermediate level is narrow. Overtones and combinations of the excited vibrational mode prevail in the spectra.