cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Generic phytosanitary radiation treatment for tephritid fruit flies provides quarantine security for Bactrocera latifrons (Diptera: Tephritidae).

ABSTRACT Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a quarantine pest of several solanaceous crops and tropical fruits that are treated using irradiation before export from Hawaii to the U.S. mainland. A dose of 150 Gy is approved as a generic irradiation treatment for tephritid fruit flies, but no confirmation of efficacy has been reported for B. latifrons. Dose response of B. latifrons was used to determine the most tolerant life stage and identify a dose that prevents adult emergence. Data indicated doses (plus 95% confidence limits) required to prevent adult emergence of 13.4 (10.0–29.6), 17.5 (14.4–24.8), and 88.1 (68.0–133.8) Gy for eggs, first instars and third instars, respectively. In large-scale confirmatory tests of the most radiotolerant life stage, a radiation dose of 150 Gy applied to B. latifrons late third instars in bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) resulted in no survival to the adult stage of 157,112 individuals, a treatment efficacy consistent with Probit 9-level mortality...
Why Our Educational System Is Not Working.

Abstract This article reaches a different than usual conclusion regarding the answer to the question posed: why our educational system is not working. Critics of the American school system abound, and seldom, if ever, do they view themselves as part of the problem. This article turns the tables somewhat after analyzing the situation and pointing out the need for additional resources. Such resources will be provided only when the majority of Americans decide that schooling needs to move up the lists of priorities on the local, state, and national levels. Educators must lead the way if this is ever to happen.
Interprocedual data flow testing

As current trends in programming encourage a high degree of modularity, the number of procedure calls and returns executed in a module continues to grow. This increase in procedures mandates the efficient testing of the interactions among procedures. In this paper, we extend the utility of data flow testing to include the testing of data dependencies that exist across procedure boundaries. An interprocedural data flow analysis algorithm is first presented that enables the efficient computation of information detailing the locations of definitions and uses needed by an interprocedural data flow tester. To utilize this information, a technique to guide the selection and execution of test cases, that takes into account the various associations of names with definitions and uses across procedures, is also presented. The resulting interprocedural data flow tester handles global variables, reference parameters and recursive procedure calls, and is compatible with the current intraprocedural data flow testing techniques. The testing tool has been implemented on a Sun 3/50 Workstation.
New compact and noncompact solutions for two variants of a modified Camassa-Holm equation

In this paper exact solutions of two variants of a modified Camassa-Holm equation are determined by using direct ansatze. As a result, compactons solutions: solitons with the absence of infinite tails, solitons: nonlinear localized waves of infinite support, solitary patterns solutions having infinite slopes or cusps, and plane periodic solutions are established. It is also found that the qualitative change in the physical structure of solutions depends mainly on whether the exponent of the wave function u(x,t) and the expression (2k-c) are positive or negative.
Observations of sediment flux to the Eel continental slope, northern California

Abstract Sediment flux on the northern California slope off the Eel River was observed using time-series sediment traps between September 1995 and January 1997. A mooring that held three sediment traps (at 60, 220 and 435 m) and three current meters/transmissometers was placed in 450 m water depth. Thirty-three sampling periods of 10–16 days in length covered 394 days. All samples were analyzed for total mass, calcium carbonate, combustible matter and biogenic silica, and from these, lithogenic fluxes were determined. Total sediment-trap fluxes ranged from 0.1 to 24.2 g m −2 d −1 , and annually averaged 1.1, 4.5 and 11.8 g m −2 d −1 at the top, middle and bottom traps, respectively. Lithogenic fluxes were 53, 70 and 83% at the top, middle and bottom traps. The middle trap experienced the greatest absolute variability as a result of intermediate-nepheloid-layer activity; 6 of the 33 intervals accounted for more than 50% of the flux. River, wind, wave, current, transmissometer and satellite data reveal that the magnitude of sediment flux was controlled by a variable mix of shelf sediment resuspension, river discharge, and margin circulation.
Bronchoscopy in childhood

Abstract One hundred and seventeen patients underwent 183 bronchoscopies with no fatalities. Thirteen patients had complications related to their bronchoscopy and not the underlying disease state. Only the 33 patients with a diagnosis of foreign body aspiration had a high (88%) correlation of the preoperative diganosis or condition and the postoperative findings. Fifty-one of the 117 patients had normal bronchoscopies and the number of normal bronchoscopies in patients who had wheezing, croup, hoarseness, stridor, and chronic cough was high. Assessing justification for bronchoscopies despite the negative correlation of pre- and postoperative diagnosis is difficult due to many factors, including pediatrician and parental anxiety, and the recognized consequences of missing a foreign body or other lesion in the airway of a child. Using liberal criteria for justification, fewer than 10% of the patients in this series had an unwarranted bronchoscopy, and the safety of the procedure would indicate that bronchoscopy in a pediatric medical center should be performed with minimal clinical justification.
Teacher Education Reform: Issues of Equity and Accountability.

Recent policy changes in teacher education have had a significant impact on equality of educational opportunity for the teaching profession. Improving standards of excellence in the school system while at the same time insuring equality of opportunity has become a major concern. The policy maker interested in promoting equality of opportunity will have to balance the need for teacher quality with the notion of equity. This paper examines some of the policy changes in teacher education and focuses on how they impact the recruitment and retention of minority students.
Embedded Digital Speckle Pattern Interferometry for Three-dimensional Strain Analysis

The extension of Digital Speckle Pattern Interferometry to three-dimensional cases poses new challenges from both the practical and the theoretical points of view. In the present research, a scattering surface was created within a transparent Plexiglas specimen with the aid of atomized aluminum particles, and strain was measured in the interior plane. Test specimen configurations included a beam in bending and a disc in diametral compression. The tests on the beam in bending showed excellent agreement between Embedded DSPI results and resistance strain gages. However, for the disc in compression, large discrepancies were found. The main source of errors was identified in the effect of the refractive index gradient. Based on the assumption that the index of refraction changes proportionally to the local dilatation, the error was calculated and the predicted results were ultimately in good agreement with the DSPI data. In conclusion, the Embedded DSPI technique was found to be a viable tool for direct experimental strain investigation of complex 3-D cases.
Acetamide--a metabolite of metronidazole formed by the intestinal flora.

Abstract Metronidazole is metabolized to acetamide in yields of between 8 and 15 per cent by cultures of rat cecal contents or Clostridium perfringens . The yield of acetamide is 6- to 9-fold greater than that of N -(2-hydroxyethyl)-oxamic acid which is also derived from metronidazole. When [2- 14 C] metronidazole is administered by gavage to conventional rats, 1.3 to 1.8 per cent of a 200 mg/kg dose is recovered as acetamide in the urine. An additional 0.9 to 2.4 per cent is recovered as acetamide in the feces. Acetamide is not detected, however, in either urine or feces when metronidazole is administered to germfree rats. The appearance of acetamide derived from metronidazole in conventional rats appears to be mediated by the intestinal microflora. The cleavage of the imidazole ring of metronidazole to yield both acetamide and N -(2-hydroxyethyl)-oxamic acid is consistent with nucleophilic attack at carbons 2 and 4 of a partially reduced nitroimidazole ring, which is then cleaved between positions 1 and 2 and between positions 3 and 4. Since acetamide has been shown previously to be a liver carcinogen for rats, its presence in the urine and the feces should be considered, together with other indirect evidence, when determining the possible risk of cancer to patients given metronidazole.
The interactions of androgen receptor with poly(A)-containing RNA and polyribonucleotides.

The androgen receptor from mouse kidney cytosol binds not only to DNA but also to RNA as assayed by competition with DNA-cellulose centrifugation or by direct binding with agarose-polynucleotides. The dihydrotestosterone-receptor complex interacts more strongly to poly(A)-containing mRNA than to native natural DNA; it binds much more tightly to synthetic poly(G) than to natural DNA and other homopolyribonucleotides such as poly(U), poly(A), or poly(C). Poly(U) is moderately effective in competing for the complex, whereas poly(A) and poly(C) re not effective. Competition studies with heteropolyribonucleotides show that polymers containing G are most effective on binding to the androgen receptor, whereas those containing U are moderately effective, and those containing only A and C are least effective. Several analogues of poly(G), such as poly(X), poly(I), and poly(m7G) interact very well with the dihydrotestosterone-receptor with some differences in the bindings. A double-stranded polymer, poly(I) . poly(C) competes poorly for the androgen receptor. The observations that the androgen receptor binds to RNA and interacts with polyribonucleotides selectively suggest that androgen receptor-RNA interaction could play important roles in gene regulation.
Models for Instruction and Curriculum.

Abstract As a means of making recommendations on public relations curricula, a task team of 24 educators reviewed research on public relations education including preliminary results from a study conducted for the 1998 NCA summer conference. After brain storming sessions, the task team developed three models of course-specific curricula and a content curriculum model for undergraduate public relations education. The task team also proposed core and elective areas for a master's of public relations curriculum. Team members agreed that public relations curricula should have a broad liberal arts and science basis. They recommended advancing public relations education with more attention to studies of ethics, multiculturalism, international issues and to the use of technology.
An ultrastructural study of the pathology of the retinal pigment epithelium, Bruch's membrane, and the choriocapillaris in the aged Fischer 344 rat.

Purpose: The neural retinal degeneration in the aging Fischer 344 (F344) rat has been previously characterized. Here we describe the ultrastructural changes that occur in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), Bruch's membrane, and choriocapillaris in the periphery of the aged Fischer 344 rat. Methods: F344 eyes from 24-month-old animals (n = 4 animals, 8 eyes) were fixed and embedded for ultrastructural study. Serial mid-sagittal sections were taken from the superior peripheral retinas within 300 μ m of the ora serrata. Pathology within the RPE, Bruch's membrane, and choriocapillaris was described. Results: Progressive changes were seen in the RPE/Bruch's/choriocapillaris complex, increasing anteriorly as the ora serrata was approached. Early pathology of the RPE included increased number of basal infoldings, increased number of phagolysosomes and lipofuscin deposits, attenuation, inclusion of vasculature, vesicle formation, and whirling extensions of the basement membrane into the cytoplasm. Bruch's memb...
Models of Dysfunction in Developmental Psychopathology

The central thesis of this article Is that several premises and strategies that guide research on psychopathology in children and adolescents greatly limit our understanding of the characteristics, onset, and course of functioning and adaptation. Specifically, the article questions the assumption of single pathways of dysfunction, the focus on main effects and linear relations, the preference for analyzing psychological dimensions rather than categories of individuals, lack of attention to “packages” or clusters of influences and outcomes and to their dynamic relations, and, finally, indifference to the sources of information for assessing major constructs. The strategies that will augment understanding include: more diverse sources of information, aggregation of risk factors, analyses within individuals as well as within groups, models based on changes during development, and, finally, inquiry Into the processes that mediate psychopathology.
Decade in review—targeted therapy: Successes, toxicities and challenges in solid tumours

The rise of targeted therapy for solid tumours over the past decade has yielded a cornucopia of novel agents across an array of cancers. Amidst multiple acclaimed successes, targeted therapies are associated with considerable toxicity, and durable responses are often thwarted by genomic chaos driving the evolution of resistant clones; key examples of successes in solid tumours are highlighted herein.
Computation of the Roll Moment Coefficient for a Projectile with Wrap- Around Fins

Abstract : Flow field solutions of projectile with wrap-around fins have been computed for velocities ranging from Ma 1.3 to Mach 3. The flow field solutions were computed with a time-marching, 3-D. zonal, full Navier-Stokes code. The roll moment coefficient was computed from the flow field solutions and compared to the roll moment coefficient obtained experimentally for a similar wrap-around fin projectile. The roll moment coefficient computations show favorable agreement with experimental measurements in predicting changes of the roll moment coefficient magnitude and sign as a function of-the Mach number. This demonstrates computational fluid dynamics' capability as a promising method for reliably predicting the roll moment coefficient of projectiles with wrap-around fins.
Against the quiet revolution: The rhetorical construction of intersex individuals as disordered:

There has been a widespread change in nomenclature surrounding intersex since a consortium of doctors issued a consensus document that stated the term intersex was imprecise and outdated. Suggestin...
Thermal Stability of Silver Nanorod Arrays

Silver nanorod arrays fabricated by glancing angle deposition have found application as substrates for surface enhanced Raman scattering. A critical issue in the continued development of these substrates is their stability over time. The thermal stability of the arrays was systematically investigated. Thermally induced changes in surface morphology were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction and correlated with changes in SERS enhancement. The findings presented herein suggest that the shelf life of silver nanorod arrays is limited by migration of silver on the surface. This rate of migration is enhanced by the presence of a surface layer of chemisorbed oxygen.
Conscious sedation for patients undergoing enteroclysis: comparing the safety and patient-reported effectiveness of two protocols.

Abstract Objective To compare the safety and patient-reported effectiveness of two regimens for conscious sedation during enteroclysis. Materials and methods We surveyed two groups of outpatients and retrospectively reviewed procedure records for conscious sedation and complications. Patients were divided into Group One (received sedative/amnesic diazepam), and Group Two, (received amnesic/sedative, midazolam and analgesic fentanyl). Results All enteroclyses were successfully completed; there were no hospital admissions due to complications. In Group One ( n = 106), mean dose of diazepam was 12.7 mg. 25% had oxygen desaturation ( n = 25), and post-procedure vomiting without aspiration ( n = 1). 56% of outpatients completed phone surveys, and 68% recalled procedural discomfort. In Group Two ( n = 45), mean doses were 3.9 mg midazolam and 108 mcg fentanyl. 31% had desaturation ( n = 13), and post-procedure vomiting without aspiration ( n = 1). 87% had only a vague recall of the procedure or of any discomfort. Conclusion A combination of amnesic and fentanyl prevented the recall of discomfort of nasoenteric intubation and infusion in most patients who had enteroclysis compared to diazepam. Most of the patients would undergo the procedure again, if needed.
Cultivation and characterisation of avian lymphocytes with natural killer cell activity.

Summary Conditioned medium (CM), as a presumed source of lymphokines including interleukin‐2, was prepared from chicken spleen cell cultures stimulated with concanavalin A (con A). When CM was used to cultivate spleen cells from 6‐ to 8‐week‐old P‐2 chickens, eight of nine spleens yielded cell lines which grew continuously for at least 50 days. Six of the cultures were tested for natural killer (NK) cell activity against LSCC‐RP9, a lymphoblastoid cell Une known to be susceptible to NK cells, and against several Marek's disease lymphoblastoid cell lines (MDCC‐CU2, ‐CU36 and ‐MSB‐1). All six cultures lysed the RP9 cells in a chromium release assay with high levels of specific release (30 to 50%) at effector cell to target cell ratios of 5:1 or 10:1. CU2 and CU36, which are NK‐cell resistant, were not lysed, while there was a low level of specific activity against MSB‐1. The cells were characterised for surface and internal antigens with monoclonal antibodies and were negative for thymocyte antigen, IgM, a ...
An academic relational algebra database management system

This paper describes a relational algebra database management system written by two graduate students at West Virginia University. The system is designed to be used in an undergraduate database class to demonstrate queries posed in the relational algebra and to introduce the notions of integral constraints, referential integrity and functional dependencies. The system runs in either an interactive mode or interfaces with either Pascal or PL/1.
Best replies and adaptive learning

Abstract This paper discusses the relationships between learning processes based on the iterated elimination of strictly dominated strategies and their myopic and more naive counterparts. The concept of a monotone game, of which games with strategic complementarities are a subclass, is introduced. Then it is shown that convergence under best reply dynamics and dominance solvability are equivalent for all two-player (and some many-player) games in this class.
The thermal decomposition of ammonia borane

Abstract The thermal decomposition of ammonia-borane has been studied by thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, and decomposition product measurements. Vigorous decomposition with hydrogen evolution begins near 120°C and proceeds in stages as the temperature is increased to 200°C leaving a white residue. The composition of the residue was approximately BNH 2.1 after heating to 170°C and BNH (0.8–1.2) after heating to 200°C The ??? spectrum gave evidence of further slow hydrogen loss above that temperature.
Human spaceflight: Find asteroids to get to Mars.

Asteroid retrieval is a distraction, says Richard P. Binzel. Better steps to interplanetary travel abound.
Amorphous fluoropolymer: next-generation optical coating candidate

Anti-reflective (AR) and high reflector (HR) optical coatings were made by physical vapor deposition (PVD) of Teflon AF2400, a perfluorinated amorphous polymer. The AR had the highest laser damage thresholds recorded for PVD coatings at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory damage facility. The HR was a multilayer of ZnS and AF2400. The bandwidth was 550 nm, centered at 1064 nm. Single layers of Teflon AF2400 deposited by PVD were characterized optically. The refractive index could be intentionally reduced below the bulk value by varying either deposition rate or substrate temperature. Scanning electron microscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance observations indicated that morphological changes caused the variations in the refractive index rather than compositional changes.
Praying for Others, Financial Strain, and Physical Health Status in Late Life

The purpose of this study is to see if praying for other people buffers the effects of financial strain on the physical health status of the person who offers the prayer. In the process, race differences in the frequency of praying for others are evaluated. Three main findings emerge from the nationwide survey of older people that was conducted for this study. First, the data suggest that the deleterious effects of chronic financial problems on physical health are reduced significantly for older people who pray for others often. In contrast, the findings further reveal that praying for material things fails to offset the pernicious effects of economic difficulty on health. Finally, the results indicate that older African Americans are more likely to pray for others than older whites.
Displacement‐cyclization reactions of mono‐substituted hydrazines with chloronitrobenzenes and chloronitropyrimidines. New routes to 8‐azapurine and benzopyrazole derivatives

Reactions of different chloronitrobenzenes and chloronitropyrimidines with monosubstituted hydrazines, R-NHNH2, where R is methyl, carbomethoxy and phenyl, are described. The reactivity of these hydrazines in displacement-ortho substituent cyclizations varies substantially, depending on the nature of the aromatic substrate and the hydrazine R group. New routes to 8-azapurine and benzopyrazole derivatives are decribed.
Human-assisted neuroevolution through shaping, advice and examples

Many different methods for combining human expertise with machine learning in general, and evolutionary computation in particular, are possible. Which of these methods work best, and do they outperform human design and machine design alone? In order to answer this question, a human-subject experiment for comparing human-assisted machine learning methods was conducted. Three different approaches, i.e. advice, shaping, and demonstration, were employed to assist a powerful machine learning technique (neuroevolution) on a collection of agent training tasks, and contrasted with both a completely manual approach (scripting) and a completely hands-off one (neuroevolution alone). The results show that, (1) human-assisted evolution outperforms a manual scripting approach, (2) unassisted evolution performs consistently well across domains, and (3) different methods of assisting neuroevolution outperform unassisted evolution on different tasks. If done right, human-assisted neuroevolution can therefore be a powerful technique for constructing intelligent agents.
A modular instrumentation panel for monitoring the status of accelerator cooling systems at Los Alamos

A modular instrumentation panel has been designed and built for testing and installation on a linear accelerator at Los Alamos National Laboratory. This type of panel uses a modular approach to the monitoring of water-cooling system parameters. The panel design allows for its installation in various line sizes while using essentially the same design concept. The data taken from this instrumentation panel can be read locally or remotely and are used in calorimetric measurements and fail-safe systems and alarms. A description of the panel and applications is presented. >
A Distributed Optimization Algorithm for Multi-Hop Cognitive Radio Networks

Cognitive radio (CR) is a revolution in radio technology and is viewed as an enabling technology for dynamic spectrum access. This paper investigates how to design distributed algorithm for a future multi-hop CR network, with the objective of maximizing data rates for a set of user communication sessions. We study this problem via a cross-layer optimization approach, with joint consideration of power control, scheduling, and routing. The main contribution of this paper is the development of a distributed optimization algorithm that iteratively increases data rates for user communication sessions. During each iteration, there are two separate processes, a Conservative Iterative Process (CIP) and an Aggressive Iterative Process (AIP). For both CIP and AIP, we describe our design of routing, minimalist scheduling, and power control/scheduling modules. To evaluate the performance of the distributed optimization algorithm, we compare it to an upper bound of the objective function, since the exact optimal solution to the objective function cannot be obtained via its mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) formulation. Since the achievable performance via our distributed algorithm is close to the upper bound and the optimal solution (unknown) lies between the upper bound and the feasible solution obtained by our distributed algorithm, we conclude that the results obtained by our distributed algorithm are very close to the optimal solution.
FEM and SIE modeling of layered uniaxial crystals for compact directive antennas

We present a 3-D design and realization of degenerate band edge (DBE) periodic assemblies forming anisotropic photonic crystals to achieve highly directive radiation characteristics when operated close to band edge frequencies. For the design, we employ a method of moments implementation of the surface integral equation in presence of uniaxial dielectric materials using closed form dyadic Green's functions. To our knowledge, this is the first time that closed form uniaxial dyadic Green's functions are used in a surface integral equation formulation. The proposed method of moments implementation is then adapted to design DBE crystals using an engineered composition of Barium-titanate and Alumina platelets. This paper points out the computational challenges associated with the DBE antenna design procedure.
Experimental determination of growth rate effect on U6+ and Mg2+ partitioning between aragonite and fluid at elevated U6+ concentration

Abstract Results are reported from an experimental study in which the partitioning of U and Mg between aragonite and an aqueous solution were determined as a function of crystal growth rate. Crystals, identified as aragonite by X-ray diffractometry and micro-Raman spectroscopy, were grown by diffusion of CO2 from an ammonium carbonate source into a calcium-bearing solution at temperatures of 22 and 53 °C. Hemispherical bundles (spherulites) of aragonite crystals were produced, the growth rates of which decreased monotonically from the spherulite interiors to the edges and thus provide the opportunity to examine the influence of growth rate on crystal composition. Element concentration ratios were measured using electron microprobe (EMP) and fluid composition was determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and atomic absorption (AA). Growth rates were determined directly by addition of a Dy spike to the fluid during the experiment that was subsequently located in an experimentally precipitated spherulite using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). At 22 °C both U/Ca and Mg/Ca partition coefficients exhibited a strong growth rate dependence when crystal growth rates were low, and became independent of growth rate when crystal growth rates were high. The U/Ca ratios in aragonite increase between 22 and 53 °C; in contrast Mg/Ca ratios show inverse dependence on temperature.
Context shapes: Efficient complementary shape matching for protein–protein docking

We describe an efficient method for partial complementary shape matching for use in rigid protein-protein docking. The local shape features of a protein are represented using boolean data structures called Context Shapes. The relative orientations of the receptor and ligand surfaces are searched using precalculated lookup tables. Energetic quantities are derived from shape complementarity and buried surface area computations, using efficient boolean operations. Preliminary results indicate that our context shapes approach outperforms state-of-the-art geometric shape-based rigid-docking algorithms.
Fusion methods for boosting performance of speaker identification systems

Two important components of a speaker identification system are the feature extraction and the classification tasks. First, features must be robust to noise and they must also be able to provide discriminating information that the classifier can use to determine the speaker's identity. Second, the classifier must take the features that have been extracted from a sentence and label them as corresponding to one of the enrolled speakers. However, sets of features may be even more beneficial than any single feature by itself. There may be information present in one feature that other features do not have. Therefore, we present analysis of features and fusion by employing probabilistic averaging and weighted majority voting. Weighted voting will require that the weights are determined in a non-heuristic methodology and are robust to data with a large amount of channel distortion. Results using the King database show that both fusion methods lead to enhanced performance.
Biochemical and biological characterization of a dodecameric CD4-Ig fusion protein: implications for therapeutic and vaccine strategies.

Abstract Drug toxicities associated with HAART lend urgency to the development of new anti-HIV therapies. Inhibition of viral replication at the entry stage of the viral life cycle is an attractive strategy because it prevents de novo infection. Soluble CD4 (sCD4), the first drug in this class, failed to suppress viral replication in vivo. At least three factors contributed to this failure: sCD4 demonstrated poor neutralizing activity against most primary isolates of HIV in vitro; it demonstrated an intrinsic capacity to enhance viral replication at low concentrations; and it exhibited a relatively short half-life in vivo. Many anti-gp120 monoclonal antibodies, including neutralizing monoclonal antibodies also enhance viral replication at suboptimal concentrations. Advances in our understanding of the events leading up to viral entry suggest strategies by which this activity can be diminished. We hypothesized that by constructing a sCD4-based molecule that is large, binds multiple gp120s simultaneously, and is highly avid toward gp120, we could remove its capacity to enhance viral entry. Here we describe the construction of a polymeric CD4-IgG1 fusion protein. The hydrodynamic radius of this molecule is ∼12 nm. It can bind at least 10 gp120 subunits with binding kinetics that suggest a highly avid interaction toward virion-associated envelope. This protein does not enhance viral replication at suboptimal concentrations. These observations may aid in the design of new therapeutics and vaccines.
U.S. Senate Elections before the 17th Amendment: Political Party Cohesion and Conflict 1871–1913

From 1789 to 1913, U.S. senators were indirectly elected by state legislatures; this electoral mechanism ostensibly girded U.S. senators against the instability of public opinion and insulated them from direct public pressures. The adoption of the 17th Amendment in 1913 replaced this system with the direct election of senators. In this article, we use an original data set of recorded ballots for U.S. Senate elections in state legislatures from 1871 to 1913 to illustrate the dynamics of indirect elections. Our broad goal is to identify components of the process that shed light on who was elected to the Senate under this type of electoral system and how indirect elections fared as a mechanism of representation. We find significant evidence that under the indirect electoral mechanism, Senate elections were contentious, and winning majority control of the state legislature did not always ensure an easy electoral process. Specifically, the breakdown of caucus nominating processes, the size of majority coalitio...
RANGE - robust autonomous navigation in GPS-denied environments

This video highlights our system that enables a Micro Aerial Vehicle (MAV) to autonomously explore and map unstructured and unknown GPS-denied environments. While mapping and exploration solutions are now well-established for ground vehicles, air vehicles face unique challenges which have hindered the development of similar capabilities. Although there has been recent progress toward sensing, control, and navigation techniques for GPS-denied flight, there have been few demonstrations of stable, goal-directed flight in real-world environments. Our system leverages a multi-level sensing and control hierarchy that matches the computational complexity of the component algorithms with the real-time needs of a MAV to achieve autonomy in unconstrained environments.
Expression of c‐FLIP is primarily detected in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma and correlates with lack of caspase 8 activation

AIMS: Inhibition of apoptosis is important in the pathogenesis of lymphomas. c-FLIP, a regulator of caspase 8-mediated apoptosis, plays an important role in protecting normal B and T cells from apoptosis and possibly also in lymphomas. Because of contradictory reports about immunohistochemical detection of c-FLIP expression, the aim was to test the specificity of four antibodies in c-FLIP-transfected cells and subsequently to investigate expression of c-FLIP in different types of lymphoma. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two of four antibodies were specific. In primary lymphomas c-FLIP expression was restricted to Hodgkin's lymphomas (> 90%) and diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (44%). Burkitt lymphomas and indolent B-cell lymphomas were negative in all cases. No expression was detected in primary T-cell lymphomas, although expression was observed in one relapsed ALK+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Expression of c-FLIP was inversely correlated with caspase 8 activation. CONCLUSIONS: c-FLIP is important in escape of B cells from apoptosis during normal follicle centre cell reaction and may thus be an important early event in the development of B-cell-derived lymphomas. Moreover, non-specific staining of frequently used antibodies might explain discrepancies in different reports of c-FLIP expression.
Alcohol availability and alcohol-related crashes: does distance make a difference?

Variations in alcohol control laws can cause problems if individuals travel to less restrictive jurisdictions to purchase alcohol to circumvent more restrictive regulations. The establishment of a national minimum drinking age of 21 is an example of an attempt to eliminate the phenomenon known as “border drinking.” However, it exists today in many southern states that have dry counties. The present study analyzes Kentucky's 77 dry counties to determine if rates of six types of motor vehicle crashes are affected by distance to legal alcohol. The analysis indicates that the distance variable is significantly and negatively related to rate of alcohol-related injury crashes but does not appear to be a substantial determinant of accident rates in dry counties.
Computing Real Time Jobs in P2P Networks

In this paper, we present a distributed computing framework designed to support higher quality of service and fault tolerance for processing deadline-driven tasks in a P2P environment. Our proposed strategy strives to build an open infrastructure that is accessible by ordinary users for both cycle donation and consumption. For jobs that fail to be locally accommodated, the proposed scheduler MET (maximum efficiency tree) builds a dynamic multi-level resource tree with minimal yet sufficient power to process the job prior to its deadline. The peer selection policy is based on a joint evaluation of the computational power and communication bandwidth at the nodes. Further, with an optimal load sharing scheme, the resulting resource tree is guaranteed to be power efficient. The proposed computing protocol offers an approach for utilizing idle computing cycles of peer computers on the Internet in a P2P manner. The protocol exhibits three attractive features - decentralized operation, optimized load balancing and guaranteed resource utilization. Extensive simulation experiments are conducted to study the effectiveness of the proposed framework under various network conditions. We compare our strategy with two other tree construction algorithms, namely MST (minimum spanning tree) and MCT (maximum computation tree). It is demonstrated that MET outperforms both MST and MCT consistently. Further, sensitivity results with random node failure/join are also furnished
Equalization and Clock and Data Recovery Techniques for 10-Gb/s CMOS Serial-Link Receivers

Two equalizer filter topologies and a merged equalizer/CDR circuit are described that operate at 10 Gb/s in 0.13-mum CMOS technology. Using techniques such as reverse scaling, passive peaking networks, and dual- and triple-loop adaptation, the prototypes adapt to FR4 trace lengths up to 24 inches. The equalizer/CDR circuit retimes the data with a bit error rate of 10-13 while consuming 133 mW from a 1.6-V supply.
Benchmarking the effects of operating system interference on extreme-scale parallel machines

We investigate operating system noise, which we identify as one of the main reasons for a lack of synchronicity in parallel applications. Using a microbenchmark, we measure the noise on several contemporary platforms and find that, even with a general-purpose operating system, noise can be limited if certain precautions are taken. We then inject artificially generated noise into a massively parallel system and measure its influence on the performance of collective operations. Our experiments indicate that on extreme-scale platforms, the performance is correlated with the largest interruption to the application, even if the probability of such an interruption on a single process is extremely small. We demonstrate that synchronizing the noise can significantly reduce its negative influence.
Histochemistry of the foetal human temporomandibular joint articular disc.

The human temporomandibular joint (TMJ) develops from mesenchymal cells that form condensations appearing as condylar and temporal blastema which give rise to the respective anterior and posterior regions of the TMJ articular disc. Previous reports have shown the foetal disc to be avascular, with a high content of organized collagen fibres and a lesser content of elastic fibres. In this study, the articular discs from TMJs of a human foetus at age 22 weeks were evaluated. At this stage of intrauterine (iu) development, the disc was found to be a highly cellular, biconcave structure with a dense arrangement of collagen fibres. Cell density was not uniform, with increased density in the intermediate band relative to the anterior and posterior bands. In contrast to earlier reports, capillaries containing red blood cells were observed along the inferior surface of the disc. Immunohistochemical staining for proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans (GAGS) revealed abundant chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan (CSPG) and hyaluronic acid in the disc while relatively little amounts of dermatan sulphate proteoglycan II (DSPGII) were found. No keratin sulphate proteoglycan (KSPG) was detectable. Foetal human TMJ articular discs at this age were found to have morphology and regional characteristics similar to adult discs.
Sequential deformation and physiological considerations in unipolar right or left ventricular pacing.

Objective: To determine the effects of ventricular pacing on the normal contraction sequence of the helical ventricular myocardial band, and its’ impact on left ventricular function. Methods: Ten pigs (25—68 kg) underwent analysis of percent segmental shortening (%SS) by sonomicrometry, with crystals placed along the fiber orientation of the ascending and descending segments, and posterior LV wall of the geometry of the helical heart. Unipolar pacing electrodes stimulated either the right atrium (RA), right ventricular apex (RVA) and outflow tract (RVOT), or posterior LV wall. Systemic hemodynamics, QRS-interval, cardiac index (CI), systolic and diastolic LV function and pressure—dimension (P—D) loops were analyzed and cardiac motion was monitored by video analysis. Results: Normal sinus heart rate (NSR) was elevated from 84 15 beats/min to 113 22 beats/min by pacing (p < 0.05). The variables of NSR were not changed by atrial pacing. Conversely, compared with NSR, ventricular pacing (RVA, RVOT, LV) significantly (p < 0.05) prolonged the QRS-interval (94—111 ms vs 52 7 ms, p < 0.05) decreased mean arterial pressure (46—47 mmHg vs 62 11 mmHg), CI (2.7—3.4 L/(min m 2 ) vs 4.9 0.9 L/(min m 2 )) and systolic LV pressure (56—61 mmHg vs 92 10 mmHg). Furthermore, ventricular pacing decreased peak (+)dP/dt and ()dP/dt (p < 0.05) and lowered PRSW to 59—77%, with most profound change after RVA pacing (p < 0.05). Each ventricular pacing intervention decreased SS% significantly in the descending, ascending, and posterior LV segments compared with NSR. Disruption of the normal NSR sequence of shortening (progression from descending to posterior to ascending regions) followed each pacing intervention. Changes were characterized by premature stimulation of the segment adjacent to the pacer stimulus, with associated (1) decrease of pressure—dimension loop area, (2) desynchronization of P—D loops and (3) consistent loss of the twisting pattern of visible cardiac motion. Conclusions: Ventricular pacing disrupts the natural sequence of shortening along the myocardial
On a multistable competitive network model in the case of an inhomogeneous growth rate spectrum: With an application to priming

A stability analysis of a network model proposed by Haken is carried out for the case of an inhomogeneous spectrum of growth rates. The degree of multistability as a function of the coupling strength between network units is determined. An application to priming shows that the network can reconstruct the fundamental phenomenon that primed items have shorter recall latencies than non-primed items when assuming that learning affects the inhomogeneity of the growth rate spectrum.
Computer Course Enrollment, Home Computer Access, and Gender: Relationships to High School Students' Success with Computer Spreadsheet Use for Problem Solving in Pre-Algebra

The increasing use of computer technology in schools has brought with it concerns about equity of access to this new resource. Research has documented gender, social class, and racial inequalities in access to computers, and has linked computer access and experience to success in computer-related courses. This study examined the effects of home computer access and computer course enrollment on mathematically weak high school students' success in applying computers as a learning resource in a pre-algebra course. The course featured regular use of teacher-designed spreadsheet activities that engaged students in mathematical investigation and problem solving. Enrollment in a computer course was a significant predictor of success during students' early experiences in applying computers for mathematical problem solving. Home computer access was related to initial success for females, and the advantage of enrollment in a computer course was greater for females who had access to home computers than for those who...
The Effects of External Modeling Errors on On-Line Security Analysis

The on-line security analysis function in a control center today processes the steady-state results of several hundred contingencies to periodically determine the security of the power system. For accurate results the analysis must be done on a representation of the total interconnected network. This requires the modeling of the external systems from which the control center does not receive real time data. In the absence of data links between control centers, the real time status and analog data for the external systems must be assumed or estimated. In this paper, the effects of errors in this assumed data on the security analysis results are presented. Using these effects as the criteria, the two most common external modeling methods are compared for their robustness by testing on two different power systems. The results show that status errors affect the security analysis results more than analog errors, that errors electrically closer to the internal system have larger effects than those further away, and that the reduced external models produce less accurate results than the more extensive models.
Strong light concentration at the subwavelength scale by a metallic hole-array structure

A metallic two-dimensional hole-array (2DHA) sample is successfully fabricated and its transmission property measured at mid-infrared wavelengths (λ~1.5-20 μm). At the plasmonic resonance, the 2DHA sample exhibits a normal incidence transmittance of 80% at λ=7.6 μm. This corresponds to more than twice as much light that is transmitted as it impinges directly on the holes at the maxima of transmittance. This exceedingly large enhancement is attributed to a strong plasmonic resonance and an effective light concentration through an ultrathin metal film of 50 nm. This advancement will pave the way to a much enhanced infrared detection using a simple and compact 2DHA architecture.
Hippocampal Interneurons Are Excited Via Serotonin-Gated Ion Channels

McMahon, Lori L. and Julie A. Kauer. Hippocampal interneurons are excited via serotonin-gated ion channels. J. Neurophysiol. 78: 2493–2502, 1997. Serotonergic neurons of the median raphe nucleus he...
The Effects of Prolonged Direct Muscle Stimulation on Biochemicals Associated with the Malate-Aspartate Shuttle in Rat Skeletal Muscle

It has been generally accepted that NADH (nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide) cannot penetrate the inner mitochondrial membrane. Thus NADH generated in the cytoplasm cannot be re-oxidized by the electron transport system unless first transported into the mitochondria by a reduced partner of a suitable cytoplasmic NAD-linked dehydrogenase [10]. The malate-aspartate shuttle appears to be one of the principal ways, in rat liver and heart muscle, by which reducing equivalents are transported. Since the shuttle involves the passage of malate, alpha-ketoglutarate, aspartate and glutamate across the mitochondrial membrane, the possibility exists that the shuttle could be controlled by these intermediates [10]. In other tissues, as well as heart and liver, the malate-aspartate shuttle appears to operate [9].
Tuning the Shape and Strain in Micro/Nanowires by a Sideways Physical Deposition Process

We studied the bending phenomenon of ZnO nanowires (NWs) by using three kinds of sideways physical deposition processes: laser deposition (PLD), sputtering, and evaporation. Room temperature PLD is the most efficient method to bend NWs. The bending is probably caused by the ion implantation into the surface layers. Temperature can influence the bending angle at low temperatures (below 120 °C). The shape-modified NWs may have applications in nanoelectronics, optics, and surface wettability tuning.
Analytical and Numerical Models of Transport in Porous Cementitious Materials

Fluid flow under applied pressure gradients and ionic diffusion under applied concentration gradients are important transport mechanisms that take place in the pore space of cementitious materials. This paper describes: 1) a new analytical percolation–theory–based equation for calculating the permeability of porous materials, 2) new computational methods for computing effective diffusivities of microstructural models or digitized images of actual porous materials, and 3) a new digitized-image mercury intrusion simulation technique.