cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Controlled Chemistry Through Merging of Two Droplets in an Acoustic Levitator Via Low-Frequency Modulation of the Carrier Wave

While chemical reactions studied under single-collision conditions and laser manipulation of reactants have transformed our understanding of elementary gas-phase reactions, the versatile control of reactions in the liquid phase by merging two chemically distinct droplets has not been accomplished to date. We report on a unique, material-independent approach to merge two chemically distinct droplets suspended in an acoustic levitator by low-frequency modulation of the ultrasonic carrier wave (Figure 1). The performance of this approach is demonstrated by first studying the oxidation of a hypergolic ionic liquid [BMIM][DCA] with nitric acid, while tracing the physical and chemical changes via Raman, Fourier-transform infrared, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopies. Our versatile approach is extended to merging of a solid particle of anhydrous copper sulfate (CuSO 4) and a water-liquid droplet. These results may fundamentally change how scientists explore and control chemical reactions in liquids relevant to combustion systems, material sciences, medicinal chemistry, planetary sciences, and biochemistry.
The Role of Age-Structure in the Optimal Germination Fraction of Seeds

When a plant living in an unpredictable environment produces seeds, its ideal strategy might not be to have all seeds germinate at once. What is the germination fraction that will maximize a plant's fitness, allowing the plant to hedge its bets in case of a poor year? To answer this question, in his now classic 1966 paper, Dan Cohen worked out the optimal annual germination fraction for seeds in a fluctuating environment. His result was elegant, but relied on a series of simplifying assumptions. We focus here on two specific assumptions. Namely, Cohen assumed that the population consists of annual plants, which have no adult age-structure, and that a seed's age has no effect on whether or not it will germinate. We review empirical and theoretical papers that have considered what happens when one or both of these assumptions is relaxed. More than a half-century has passed since Cohen's landmark study, and yet the existing literature has yet to provide theoretical solutions for perennial species as Cohen was able to do for annuals . Empirical studies have addressed short-lived perennials with minimal seed dormancy. However, perennials with longer lifespans and significant dormancy, such as many species of trees, are left largely unexplored. In this light, we conclude our review with ideas that we hope will encourage future research on both theoretical and experimental aspects of this important problem.
Big data begets big database theory

Industry analysts describe Big Data in terms of three V's: volume, velocity, variety. The data is too big to process with current tools; it arrives too fast for optimal storage and indexing; and it is too heterogeneous to fit into a rigid schema. There is a huge pressure on database researchers to study, explain, and solve the technical challenges in big data, but we find no inspiration in the three Vs. Volume is surely nothing new for us, streaming databases have been extensively studied over a decade, while data integration and semistructured has studied heterogeneity from all possible angles.
Molecular Genetics of Addiction

Addictions to both licit and illicit drugs are common chronic brain disorders that are extremely costly to the individuals and society. Although genetics contributes significantly to vulnerability to these affective disorders, the susceptibility genes underlying them are largely unknown. Recent genome-wide linkage and association studies have implicated several common genomic regions and genes in the aetiology of addiction to multiple substances. For example, variants in the α2 subunit of gamma-aminobytric acid type A (GABAA) receptor have been found repeatedly in association with alcoholism and alcohol-related phenotypes. Recently, a cluster on chromosome 15q24/q25.1 that encompasses the genes for nicotine acetylcholine receptor subunits α5, α3 and β4 was implicated in addiction to tobacco and other substances as well. Current efforts aim not only to replicate these findings in independent samples, but also to determine the functional mechanisms of these associations. Key Concepts: Drug addiction is a chronic brain disorder. Both human and animals studies reveal that addiction is determined not only by genetic and environmental factors, but also by their interactions. Significant genetic overlaps exist among addictions to different substances. It is important to determine not only genetic but also environmental factors involved in the aetiology of addictions. Several genomic regions have been revealed to harbour susceptibility genes for multiple addictive disorders. Genes such as those encoding GABAA and GABAB receptor subunits, neurexins 1 and 2, and some nicotinic receptor subunits are associated with addictions. Determination of gene–environmental interactions is as important and challenging as determining gene–gene interactions. Small microRNAs may play important roles in the mediation of expression of genes implicated in addictions. Keywords: genetics; addiction; dependence; alcohol; smoking; opioid; interaction
Police and Crime in Developing Economies: Evidence from Firm Surveys

Economic theory predicts that a rise in police presence will reduce criminal activity. However several studies in the literature have found mixed results. This study adds to the literature by exploring the relationship between the size of police and crime against firms. Using survey data for about 12,000 firms in a cross-section of 27 developing countries we find that increasing the police force is negatively associated with crime against firms. Results are confirmed using a panel of firms for a subset of countries for which data are available. We also find that this negative relationship is stronger under certain macro-economic circumstances.
DoD and the untethered communications world

Summary form only given. The growth in the use of wireless communications in the commercial sector is paralleled with increased use by the military. However, the requirements for commercial and military applications, while similar in some regards, differ in substantial ways. Future network systems need to be highly mobile, flexible, and untethered. They must maintain high data rate connectivity between mobile units and command centers located both within and outside the combat theatre. Current and near-term networks are not capable of providing sufficient connectivity because of an inability to adapt to the highly dynamic operational environment resulting from the mobility of nodes in the air, land, and sea. Adaptive network protocols are required to address these issues. In addition, the traditional circuit approaches and communications systems concepts used in the commercial sector are inadequate for certain military applications. For example, there is interest for military applications in the development of ultra-wideband communications where the bandwidth exceeds the bandwidth of current spread spectrum systems by more than two orders of magnitude. Such systems offer the possibility of entirely new waveforms and coding techniques, and new approaches to circuit functionality become possible. The systems concept must provide reliable communications in a mobile, distributed network, without elevated base stations, and in demanding terrain such as urban areas. To support the development of next generation wireless systems the DoD provides basic research support both through the Services' core programs, and through the University Research Initiative (URI) offered through the Office of the Director of Defense Research and Engineering. Funding opportunities and program initiatives specifically focused upon wireless technologies that address DoD requirements are discussed and programs such as the Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) that support teaming arrangements involving the academic community are described.
Presenting micro-theories of program comprehension in pattern form

We present the notion of cognitive patterns, and provide several examples. A cognitive pattern is the written record of a solution to a recurring cognitive problem typically employed by experienced practitioners. We focus on those relevant to program comprehension, which we have developed through studying the literature and conducting field studies. Collectively the set of patterns constitute a rich theory of program comprehension, which is why we call each one a micro-theory. We expand on one pattern, temporal details, which is also a 'pattern language since it breaks down into sub-patterns'. A key use of cognitive patterns is to suggest useful features for tool designers to implement.
Two DNA polymorphisms in the lipoprotein lipase gene and their associations with factors related to cardiovascular disease.

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) plays a crucial role in plasma lipoprotein processing by catalyzing the hydrolysis of core triglycerides of chylomicrons and very low density lipoproteins. Several polymorphic restriction sites have been reported in the LPL gene, including those identified by the en- zymes HindIII and PvuII. We have determined the HindIII and PvuII polymorphisms in diabetic (D) and non-diabetic (ND) Hispanics (D = 195; ND = 384) and non-Hispanic Whites (D = 76; ND = 539) from the San Luis Valley, Colorado. Both polymorphisms showed comparable gene frequencies between diabetics and non-diabetics, and between the two ethnic groups. The HindIII and PvuII polymorphisms were in strong linkage disequilibrium in both Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites (P < 0,001). We estimated whether the two DNA polymor- phisms have significant impact in determining interindividual differences in plasma levels of total cholesterol, HDL- cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose, and fasting insulin. Plasma triglyceride levels varied significantly among the HindIII genotypes in the normoglycemic sample. There was a clear gene dosage effect among the three HindIII genotypes, with the (-/-) genotype having the lowest and the (+/+) genotype having the highest triglyceride levels; these levels were intermediate in the (+/-) genotype. The average effect of the (-) allele of the HindIII polymorphism was to lower triglycerides by 12.85 mg/dl in non-Hispanic White males, 8.06 mg/dl in non-Hispanic White females, 10.91 mg/d in Hispanic males, and 12.47 mg/dl in Hispanic females. The HindIII poly- morphism also showed a significant association with HDL- cholesterol levels in the normoglycemic sample. The (+/+) genotype was associated with lower levels of HDL-cholesterol although no clear gene dosage effect was seen. Unlike the Hin- dIII analysis in the normoglycemic sample, no significant associ- ation was detected between PvuII genotype and any quantitative trait in the normoglycemic sample. Among diabetics, the Hin- dIII polymorphism was significantly associated with fasting in- sulin levels in Hispanic males only (P = 0.009), while the PvuII polymorphism showed no association with any quantitative trait level. I Thus, this study confirms an association between genetic variation at the LPL locus and plasma triglyceride levels.-Ahn, Y. I., M. I. Kamboh, R. F. Hamman, S. A. Cole, and R. E. Ferrell. Two DNA polymorphisms in the lipoprotein lipase gene and their associations with factors related to cardiovascular disease. J. Lipid Res. 1993. 34: 421-428.
Complexes of the [K(18-Crown-6)]+ Fragment with Bis(tetrazolyl)borate Ligands: Unexpected Boron−Nitrogen Bond Isomerism and Associated Enforcement of κ3-N,N′,H-Ligand Chelation

The syntheses and solid-state structures of K(BH(2)(RCN(4))(2))(18-crown-6) (R = H, Me, NMe(2), and NiPr(2)) are described. Complexes where R = H and Me have B-N bonds to N(1) of the tetrazolyl groups and form one-dimensional polymers, whereas those with R = NMe(2) and NiPr(2) possess isomeric B-N bonds to N(2) of the tetrazolyl moieties and adopt chelating kappa(3)-N,N',H-coordination modes to the potassium ion.
Agents responsible for infection in chronic granulomatous disease of childhood

6. Ehlers KH, Engle MA, Levin AR, and Deely WJ: Eccentric ventricular hypertrophy in familial and sporadic instances of 46 XX, XY Turner phenotype, Circulation 45:639, 1972. 7. Phornphutkul C, Rosenthal A, and Nadas AS: Cardiomyopathy in Noonan's syndrome, Br Heart J 35:99, 1973. 8. Ellis FR, Keaney NP, Harriman DGF, Sumner DW, Kyei-Mensah K, Tyrrell JH, Hargreaves JE, Parikit RK, and Mulrooney PL: Screening for malignant hyperpyrexia, Br Med J 3:559, 1972. 9. Kyei-Mensah K, Tyrrell JH, and Sumner DW: Clinical and genetic aspects of malignant hyperpyrexia, Proc R Soc Med 66:63, 1973. 10. Bradley WG, and Murchison D: Screening for malignant hyperpyrexia, Br Med J 4:108, 1972. 11. Ellis FR, and Harriman DGF: A new screening test for susceptibility to malignant hyperpyrexia, Br J Anaesth 45:638, 1973.
Rapid loss of lampricide from catfish and rainbow trout following routine treatment.

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were exposed to 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM) and Bayluscide (niclosamide) during a sea lamprey control treatment of the Ford River, located in the upper peninsula of Michigan. Caged fish were exposed to a nominal concentration of 0.02 mg/L of niclosamide for a period of approximately 12 h. Samples of fillet tissue were collected from each fish species before treatment and at 6, 12, 18, 24, 48, 96, and 192 h following the arrival of the block of chemical at the exposure site. The fish were dissected, homogenized, extracted, and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The major residues found in the fillet tissues were TFM and niclosamide. Niclosamide concentrations were highest 12 h after arrival of the chemical block for rainbow trout (0.0395 ± 0.0251 μg/g) and 18 h after arrival of the chemical block for channel catfish (0.0465 ± 0.0212 μg/g). Residues decreased rapidly after the block of lampricide had pas...
The onion patch: migration in open source ecosystems

Past research established that individuals joining an Open Source community typically follow a socialization process called "the onion model": newcomers join a project by first contributing at the periphery through mailing list discussions and bug trackers and as they develop skill and reputation within the community they advance to central roles of contributing code and making design decisions. However, the modern Open Source landscape has fewer projects that operate independently and many projects under the umbrella of software ecosystems that bring together projects with common underlying components, technology, and social norms. Participants in such an ecosystems may be able to utilize a significant amount of transferrable knowledge when moving between projects in the ecosystem and, thereby, skip steps in the onion model. In this paper, we examine whether the onion model of joining and progressing in a standalone Open Source project still holds true in large project ecosystems and how the model might change in such settings.
AN AGENT-BASED FUZZY RECOMMENDATION SYSTEM USING SHOPPERS' PREFERENCES FOR E-COMMERCE APPLICATIONS

In e-commerce applications, the magnitude of products and the diversity of venders cause confusion and difficulty for the common consumer to choose the right product from a trustworthy vender. Although people have recognized the importance of feedback and reputation for the trustworthiness of individual venders and products, they still have difficulty when they have to make a shopping decision from a massive number of options. This paper introduces fuzzy logic into rule definition for users' preferences and designs a novel agent-based decision system using fuzzy rules. This system can help users to find the right product recommendation from a trustworthy vender following users' own preferences.
Bound states and solitons in the Gross-Neveu model

The results for the spectrum of bound states and of solitons first deduced by Dashen, Hasslacher, and Neveu for a model of interacting fermions by techniques of functional integration are obtained here by methods based on Heisenberg field mechanics analogous to those applied previously to models of self-interacting bosons. The method of solution is suggested by a simplified physical picture of the bound states: These are computed in a Hartree approximation in which the self-consistent potential is a sum of contributions from the fermions (and antifermions) occupying orbitals in the conventional many-body picture and from the vacuum fluctuations of single-closed-loop type. In the same approximation the self-consistent field generated by the heavy soliton is a result of the vacuum fluctuations alone. As the main new technical contribution, we deduce and solve directly equations determining the self-consistent fields as well as the amplitudes (''wave functions'') from which these are constructed. We comment on the degeneracy of the heavy soliton state. (AIP)
Vitamins and hormones in nutrition.

1. The synergistic action of vitamins and hormones has been indicated. 2. The influence on vitamin absorption of such contributing factors as hormone dyscrasias, infection, gastro-intestinal disease, reduced dietary intake, emotional upset, trauma, has been discussed. 3. Careful examination, complete history, proper evaluation of apparently insignificant symptoms, with routine laboratory tests whenever practicable, are essential for correct diagnosis. 4. Therapeutic recommendations consist of clearing all foci of infection and contributing factors, restoring the endocrine balance by substitution therapy, and administration of vitamins.
Assay of ezlopitant, a substance P receptor antagonist, and metabolites in biological matrices by gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection: simultaneous analysis of a benzyl alcohol and alkene

A method for the analysis of the substance P antagonist ezlopitant and two active metabolites in serum using solid-phase extraction followed by GC-MS analysis is described. The linear dynamic range was 1.0 to 100 ng/ml and precision and accuracy over this range were within 15%. Upon injection of reconstituted sample extracts into the hot injector port of the gas chromatograph, the benzyl alcohol metabolite undergoes a small amount of spontaneous dehydration to the alkene metabolite. We have incorporated an additional hexadeuterated internal standard of the benzyl alcohol into the assay to permit measurement of the extent of dehydration in each sample. This novel approach should be generally applicable to the simultaneous determination of benzyl alcohols and corresponding alkenes by GC-MS when the possibility exists that the alcohol can undergo spontaneous dehydration to the alkene in the injector port of GC instrumentation.
Generating precision nonlinear FM chirp waveforms

It is well-known that Non-Linear FM (NLFM) chirp modulation can advantageously shape the transmitted signal's Power Spectral Density such that the autocorrelation function (i.e. matched filter output) exhibits substantially reduced sidelobes from its Linear FM (LFM) counterpart. Consequently, no additional filtering is required and maximum Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) performance is preserved. This yields a 1-2 dB advantage in SNR over the output of a LFM waveform with equivalent sidelobe filtering. However precision NLFM chirps are more difficult to design, produce, and process. This paper presents design and implementation techniques for Nonlinear FM waveforms. A simple iterative design procedure is presented that yields a NLFM phase/frequency function with the desired inherent sidelobe response. We propose to then generate the NLFM waveform by using a cascaded integrator/accumulator structure. Several specific architectures are examined to meet target performance criteria, including bandwidth constraints and sidelobe reduction goals. We first examine a fixed parameter set to generate a fixed polynomial phase function. Polynomial coefficients are selected to be constant during the pulse. Alternatively, a NLFM waveform can be generated via integrating a stepped parameter set, whereby parameters are constant over specific intervals, with the pulse width encompassing multiple intervals. The parameter changes in steps during the course of the pulse as a function of time. Alternatively yet, the parameter steps can be made a function of the pulse's instantaneous frequency.
When is the composition of two power series even

If h is the composition of two formal power series f and g , and if h is even, what can be said about f and g ? Some partial answers are given here.
Measurement and Simulation of the IAQ Impact of Particle Air Cleaners in a Single-Zone Building

This article describes the first phase of an effort to evaluate the ability of multizone airflow and pollutant transport models to predict the impact of residential IAQ control technologies. Measurements of the performance of several particulate air cleaning devices and related particle transport parameters were performed in a one-room test house. These measurements were used to calculate building air change rates, particle deposition rates and penetration factors, and air cleaner removal efficiencies. Two separate 24 h tests were performed with two of the tested air cleaners, and the measured air change rates and particle concentrations were compared to predicted values obtained with the CONTAM model. For both tests, simulated 24 h average air change rates were within 5% of measured air change rates and simulated 24 h average particle concentrations were within 30% of measurements for all particle sizes.
Nonlinear Theory of Salient Pole Machines

The partial differential equation for the vector potential of salient-pole heteropolar machines is established by considering nonlinearities of the iron and current density fields. The nonlinear equation, similar to Poisson's equation, is transformed into a partial difference equation to find the magnetic induction at discrete points in the cross section of the heteropolar machine. Alternating relaxation methods are used to obtain numerical solutions. The relaxation procedure is accelerated considerably by a new method of adjusting the vector potential between successive iterations. The method is used to find the no-load characteristic and the no-load air-gap flux distributions of a medium-sized 8-pole salient-pole alternator. Calculated voltages and test results show good agreement.
Effects of temperature and blank holding force on biaxial forming behavior of aluminum sheet alloys

Biaxial forming behavior is investigated for three aluminum sheet alloys (Al 5182 containing 1% Mn (5182+Mn), Al 5754, and 6111-T4) using a heated die and punch in the warm forming temperature range of 200–350 °C. It is found that, while all three alloys exhibit significant improvement in their formability compared with that at room temperature, the non-heat-treatable alloys 5182 + Mn and 5754 give higher part depths than that of heat-treatable 6111-T4. The formability generally increases with decreasing BHP (BHP), but increasing the forming temperature and/or BHP minimizes the wrinkling tendency and improves the forming performance. The stretchability of the sheet alloys increase with increasing temperature and increasing BHP. For the alloys and forming conditions involved in the current study, the formability, measured in terms of part depth, comes mainly from the drawing of metal into the die cavity, although stretching effects do influence the overall forming behavior. The optimum formability is achieved by setting the die temperature 50 °C higher than the punch temperature to enhance the drawing component. Setting the die temperature higher than the punch temperature also improves the strain distribution in a part in such a manner that postpones necking and fracture by altering the location of greatest thinning.
Poetic Duels and Political Change in the Gayo Highlands of Sumatra

Discourse, and particularly discourse in dialogue form, recently has been proposed as a privileged arena for the interaction of language and society. This article examines the process by which performances of public dialogue have been structured and restructured in Gayo society, Indonesia, from 1900 to 1945. I trace changes in the formal, semantic, and contextual features of Gayo poetic duels. The integration of Gayo society into colonial and postcolonial sociopolitical frameworks is shown to have opened up performance to competing political voices, in Bakhtin's sense. Implications are drawn for current research on dialogues as models for social relations.
Improved WCTSE method for the generation of 2D weight functions through implementation into a commercial finite element code

Abstract The WCTSE (Weight function Complex Taylor Series Expansion) method was recently proposed as a new method for generating 2D weight functions. WCTSE uses a complex variable finite element formulation (ZFEM) to directly compute the derivative of the crack opening displacement with respect to crack length needed for 2D weight functions. The original WCTSE method is further refined in this manuscript through two significant advancements: (1) the methodology has been implemented in the Abaqus commercial finite element program through the use of a user element, and (2) the complex Taylor series expansion method is also used to compute the energy release rate directly from the complex variable finite element analysis; therefore, an independent reference solution for the stress intensity factor is not required. The mode I weight function for a through crack approaching a hole is computed using Abaqus and verified against explicit J-integral results. The results are shown to be very accurate.
Consumption and growth of hybrid grass carp fed four vegetation diets and trout chow in circular tanks

Grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella, and hybrid grass carp (grass carp ♀× bighead carp ♀Aristichthys nobilis), were fed duckweed (Lemna sp.), hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), chara (Chara sp.), filamentous algae (Odogonium sp., Spirogyra sp.), and trout chow. Grass carp consumed all plants in greater amounts than hybrids. Grass carp grew best when fed hydrilla and trout chow and showed positive growth on all diets. Hybrids grew equal to grass carp when fed trout chow but did not grow on the vegetation diets. Low consumption rates of aquatic plants may indicate that hybrids are questionable as a plant biocontrol agent.
Introgressive hybridization as a mechanism for species rescue

Rapid evolution on ecological time scales can play a key role in species responses to environmental change. One dynamic that has the potential to generate the diversity necessary for evolution rapid enough to allow response to sudden environmental shifts is introgressive hybridization. However, if distinct sub-species exist before an environmental shift, mechanisms that impede hybridization, such as assortative mating and hybrid inferiority, are likely to be present. Here we explore the theoretical potential for introgressive hybridization to play a role in response to environmental change. In particular, we incorporate assortative mating, hybrid inferiority, and demographic stochasticity into a two-locus, two-allele population genetic model of two interacting species where one locus identifies the species and the other determines how fitness depends on the changing environment. Simulation results indicate that moderately high values for the strength of assortative mating will allow enough hybridization events to outweigh demographic stochasticity but not so many that continued hybridization outweighs backcrossing and introgression. Successful introgressive hybridization also requires intermediate relative fitness at the allele negatively affected by environmental change such that hybrid survivorship outweighs demographic stochasticity but selection remains strong enough to affect the genetic dynamics. The potential for successful introgression instead of extinction with greater environmental change is larger with monogamous rather than promiscuous mating due to lower stochasticity in mating events. These results suggest species characteristics (e.g., intermediate assortative mating and mating systems with low variation in mating likelihood) which indicate a potential for rapid evolution in response to environmental change via introgressive hybridization.
Testing expectation theories of decision making without measuring utility or subjective probability

Abstract Certain empirical implications of those decision-making theories which involve maximizing an expectation are derived. These implications are all measurement-free, so neither subjective probability nor utility need be measured. Two experiments are reported, the first exploratory and the second intensive and substantial. EV, EU, and SEV theory were inadequate to account for the behavior of 12% or more of the subjects in either experiment. SEU theory was inadequate in 10% or less of the cases in the first experiment and 5% of the cases in the second experiment.
Liberal Eugenics & Human Nature: Against Habermas

In the course of developing his arguments against making genetic enhancements to one's children, Habermas assumes that a clear line can be drawn between the natural and the manufactured. But given the current state of medical science, this is precisely what we can no longer take for granted.
The stereoselective O-methylation of isoprenaline in the isolated rabbit thoracic aorta.

1. This investigation examined the stereoselective nature of the steroid-sensitive extraneuronal O-methylation process for the isomers of isoprenaline in the rabbit aorta. 2. The rate of O-methylation of (-)- and (+)-isoprenaline was linear with substrate concentration in the range 0.24 to 4.7 μmol·l−1. There was marked preference for the O-methylation of (-)-isoprenaline rather than (+)-isoprenaline at low (<0.94 μmol·l−1) substrate concentrations. In contrast, at concentrations equal to or greater than 9.4 μmol·l−1 the rates of O-methylation of (-)- and (+)-isoprenaline were similar. 3. Phenoxybenzamine (30 μmol·l−1) inhibited but did not abolish the O-methylation of both (-)- and (+)-isoprenaline when the isomers were present in a concentration range of 0.24 μmol·l−1 to 9.4 μmol·l−1. Phenoxybenzamine did not significantly influence the O-methylation of either (-)- or (+)-isoprenaline when the isomers were present at a concentration of 24 μmol·l−1. 4. Deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) produced an equipotent and marked inhibition of the O-methylation of both (-)- and (+)-isoprenaline at a low (0.24 μmol·l−1) substrate concentration. When higher substrate concentrations were used, there was a significantly greater resistance to the inhibition of O-methylation of (-)-isoprenaline than was the case for (+)-isoprenaline. At a concentration of 9.4 μmol·l−1, the steroid failed to inhibit the O-methylation of (-)-isoprenaline but was effective in inhibiting the O-methylation of (+)-isoprenaline. 5. The selective inhibitory influence of DOCA on the O-methylation of (+)-isoprenaline was unaltered in cocainetreated tissues and in tissues incubated with propranolol. The latter observations suggest that neuronal uptake mechanisms and beta adrenoceptor mediated processes were not involved in the selective actions of DOCA upon the (+)-isomer of isoprenaline. 6. It is concluded that the phenoxybenzamine- and steroid-sensitive extraneuronal O-methylation of isoprenaline is stereoselective. Moreover the resistance of O-methylation to phenoxybenzamine and DOCA particularly at high substrate concentration is due to non-stereoselective diffusional entry of isoprenaline to a site or sites of O-methylation.
Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of the soluble α-glycerophosphate oxidase from Streptococcus sp.

Single crystals of soluble FAD-dependent α-glycerophosphate oxidase (GlpO) from Streptococcus sp. were obtained using the microseeding and hanging-drop vapor-equilibrium methods. Synchrotron X-ray radiation was used to collect diffraction data to 2.4 A resolution from these crystals. GlpO shares >30% identity with several bacterial and mitochondrial α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenases, although the GlpOs contain a 50–52-residue unique insert that appears to be important for efficient flavin reduction. The present work is an important first step in determining the structure of GlpO, which should provide insights on the function of this interesting flavoenzyme and its homologs.
Biophysical properties of human astrocytic brain tumor cells in cell culture.

For malignant cells cultured from a human astrocytoma, electrophysiological characteristics of the plasma membrane included specific resistivity of 446.82 +/- 279.5 ohm . cm2, specific capacitance of 0.758 +/- 0.52 microfarads/cm2, time constant 0.318 +/- 0.10 msec. The resting membrane potential averaged--14.07 +/- 7.4 mV; the mean input resistance 8.1 +/- 4.0 megohms. The average cell area was 1638 +/- 585 mu2 for contactual and and 1919 +/- 989 mu2 for noncontactual cells. Changes in input resistance and resting membrane potential were observed with increasing time in culture, possibly reflecting cel cycling. There did not appear to be electrical coupling in this cell line.
Living with uncertainty: concept advancement.

Aim. This paper reports a study to demonstrate how the scientific understanding of the concept of uncertainty was advanced through a phenomenological study of living with uncertainty. Background. Techniques for concept analysis have evolved to subsume strategies for advancing a concept towards greater clarity and utility for research and practice. Recently, it has been argued that a clear delineation of techniques for concept analysis as separate and distinct from techniques of concept advancement is warranted. This article applies such delineated processes to demonstrate the advancement of the concept of uncertainty. Method. Concept analysis was used to establish an integrated understanding of the state of the science. Gaps in understanding were carefully analysed, resulting in the research question guiding the next phase of concept advancement: what is the nature of the lived experience of uncertainty? A phenomenological investigation of the experience of uncertainty among family caregivers was conducted. Then, using methods of template comparison, the conceptual attributes identified through the phenomenological study were compared and contrasted with the theoretical definition derived through concept analysis. Finally, a new conceptual definition of higher order abstraction, with greater pragmatic utility, was derived. Findings. Uncertainty is rooted in the individual's perception of outcomes or meaning of a situation. Such perceptions challenge one's sense of confidence and/or control to yield varied types and modes of uncertainty. Uncertainty is present oriented. Both cognitive and precognitive ways of knowing are influential in ascribing meaning, anticipating outcomes and adapting strategies. Conclusions. One's sense of confidence and sense of control are primary essences that determine the nature of the experience of uncertainty. The experience of living with uncertainty is dynamic, with fluctuations in the types and modes of uncertainty in response to precognitive and cognitive ways of knowing. Probabilistic paradigms preclude existential and situational modes of uncertainty for which probabilities cannot be appreciated.
Quarkonium correlators and spectral functions at zero and finite temperature from the Fermilab action

We study charmonium and bottomonium systems at zero and finite temperatures using lattice QCD with the Fermilab action on anisotropic lattices.
Development of the Advanced Practice Nurse Role in Wound Management

The current health care environment affords the advanced practice nurse with a specialty certification a unique opportunity to integrate the role components of clinician, consultant, educator, researcher, and manager. The advanced practice nurse with a Wound, Ostomy, and Continence certification is able to impact multiple facets of patient care in a multitude of settings. This provides patients with excellent care in a cost-effective manner.
Oxidation of Si implanted with nondopant, metallic ions

The effect of implantation of low-solubility, metallic impurities into Si on the oxidation kineties in steam was studied. The list of impurities that were studied include Ti, Co, Ni, Fe, Yb, Pb, Sn, and Ag. Kinetic data from Pb+ -implanted Si is correlated with the impurity behavior during the oxidation. It will be shown that the oxidation rate is dependent both on the impurity segregation phenomena at the oxide/Si interface and on the nature of the ion-induced damage that is stable at the oxidation temperature. Also, it is shown that novel morphologies can develop in the Si substrate during oxidation. Transmission electron microscopy and Rutherford backscattering/channeling spectroscopy were used to characterize these structures. Mechanisms responsible for the morphological changes in the substrate during oxidation are discussed.
Brief announcement: subgraph isomorphism on a multithreaded shared memory architecture

Graph algorithms tend to suffer poor performance due to the irregularity of access patterns within general graph data structures, arising from poor data locality, which translates to high memory latency. The result is that advances in high-performance solutions for graph algorithms are most likely to come through advances in both architectures and algorithms. Specialized MMT shared memory machines offer a potentially transformative environment in which to approach the problem. Here, we explore the challenges of implementing Subgraph Isomorphism (SI) algorithms based on the Ullmann and VF2 algorithms in the Cray XMT environment, where issues of memory contention, scheduling, and compiler parallelizability must be optimized.
QUANTITATIVE EFFECTS OF NUTRITIONAL ESSENTIAL AMINO ACID DEFICIENCY UPON IMMUNE RESPONSES TO TUMORS IN MICE

Mice were fed diets deficient in a single essential amino acid, and the primary immune responses to inoculation of allogenic tumor cells was measured by in vitro assay of cellular immunity. Moderate reduction of the amino acids phenylalanine-tyrosine, valine, threonine, methionine-cystine, isoleucine, and tryptophane in the diet produced profound depression of hemagglutinating and blocking antibody responses, although cytotoxic cell-mediated immunity remained intact. These diets had previously been shown to result in a selective depression of tumor growth in mice. Limitation of the amino acids arginine, histidine, and lysine in the diets gave rise to only slight depression of the immune responses. These diets had previously been shown to produce a proportional decrease in both tumor growth and host body weight. Moderate leucine restriction resulted in a paradoxical depression of cytotoxic cell-mediated immunity with little effect on serum blocking activity. Slight increases had previously been noted in the weight of tumors in mice fed leucine-restricted diets. Deficiency or imbalance of essential amino acids in the diet may produce profound depression of immune responses and apparent, marked changes in the immune resistance of the host animal to tumors.
Purification and characterization of extracellular β-xylosidase and α-arabinosidase from the plant pathogenic fungus Cochliobolus carbonum

Abstract The filamentous fungus Cochliobolus carbonum produces extracellular β-xylosidase (Xyp) and α-arabinofuranosidase (Arf) when grown on maize cell walls. Low concentrations of sucrose in a medium containing other carbon sources stimulate production of both enzymes, while high sucrose concentrations partially repress enzyme production. Xyp and Arf were purified 49-fold and 162-fold with 24% and 15% yields, respectively, by cation-exchange, hydrophobic-interaction, and gel-filtration HPLC. Xyp has a molecular mass of 42 kDa, a low level of α-arabinosidase, but no arabinanase activity, a pH optimum of 5.5–6.5, and a temperature optimum of 37 °C. Two peptides derived from Xyp show strong similarity to a bacterial bifunctional β- d -xylopyranosidase/α- l -arabinofuranosidase. Arf has a molecular mass of 63 kDa, a low level of β-xylosidase and arabinanase activity, a pH optimum of 3.5–4.0, and a temperature optimum of 50 °C. Xyp but not Arf is glycosylated. Xyp liberates xylose from oat spelt xylan, while Arf releases both arabinose and larger oligosaccharides, suggesting that while Xyp behaves as a β-xylosidase on natural substrates, Arf acts as both an α-arabinosidase and an arabinanase.
A Case Study of Simulation as a Computer System Design Tool

Simulation can be a powerful design tool, allowing system architects and programmers to optimize both hardware and software before a final design is chosen.
Managing job strain : A randomized, controlled trial of an intervention conducted by mail and telephone

A randomized, clinical intervention focused on alleviating job strain was conducted over 6 months by mail and/or telephone with a total of 136 employees of Bank of America. Both the mail and mail plus telephone interventions evidenced positive results, with the mail plus telephone intervention being the more effective. Given the relative low cost of such mediated interventions, the results provide a basis for the further development of interventions that may demonstrate both clinical and cost effectiveness.
On mass shell gaugino condensation in Z(N) orbifold compactifications

Abstract We discuss non-perturbative aspects of string effective field theories with N = 1 supersymmetry in four dimensions. By the use of a scalar potential, which is on-shell invariant under the supersymmetric duality of the dilaton, we study gaugino condensation in (2,2) symmetric ZN orbifold compactifications. The duality under consideration relates a two-form antisymmetric tensor to a pseudoscalar. We show that our approach is independent of the superfield-representation of the dilaton and preserves the U(1)PQ Peccei-Quinn symmetry exactly.
Process clustering with an algorithm based on a coupling metric

Abstract Process management has received considerable attention in recent years as a means to improve productivity and quality in the software industry. Quite often, it might be advantageous to group related processes to reduce and control the amount of effort needed to measure and manage the processes in the organization. Here we present an algorithm for grouping processes into process clusters. The article begins with the development of a coupling metric that measures the strength of the linkage between processes. Next, the algorithm is presented. Finally, we report on the results obtained while analyzing the processes in a large software development organization.
Reliability of Reaction Time

Various statistical models for assessing the reliability of repeated measures of reaction time are compared. The results indicate that the intraclass correlation for scores is appropriate for asses...
Objective structured clinical examination use in advanced orthodontic dental education

Introduction: Continuous evaluation of residents and the advanced education curriculum is required to maintain the quality of a program and ensure appropriate accreditation status. The purpose of this project was to describe the process of introducing the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) into an advanced orthodontic education program and to evaluate its impact on the curriculum. Methods: To determine the content of the examination, 60 orthodontic practitioners were consulted to identify the most important clinical skills that an entry-level practitioner must be able to perform proficiently. From 18 critical clinical skills, 13 were evaluated by the OSCE in the areas of diagnosis, clinical evaluation and synthesis, and orthodontic technique. The OSCE was given to 3 classes of residents each year for 3 years (n = 46). Results: The classes were tracked longitudinally, and the students’ levels were evaluated cross-sectionally. Curriculum changes were evaluated for impact in areas of deficiency. There were no significant correlations between student confidence and performance or faculty prediction of proficiency and performance beyond the first year. Great gains in performance were observed between the first and second years of the 3-year program. All skills did not reach proficiency levels, and peak performance did not always occur during the third year. Some curriculum changes were fruitful, and others were not sustained by improved performance. Conclusions: An OSCE can provide important information regarding students and the curriculum in a clinically meaningful way that might be otherwise unattainable.
Sensor configuration for error detection and recovery

Much of the early work in robotics focused on developing guaranteed plans for accomplishing tasks specified at a high level. Such task specifications might be of the form `mesh these two gears', or `place part A inside region B'. It is now always possible, however, especially in the realm of assembly planning, to generate guaranteed plans. For example, errors in tolerancing of the parts might render an assembly infeasible. The Error Detection and Recovery (EDR) framework of Donald was developed to deal with these inadequacies of the guaranteed planning framework. EDR strategies will either achieve a goal if it is recognizably reachable, or signal failure. Given a geometrically-specified goal region G, an EDR strategy involves computing a failure region H and a motion plane that will terminate recognizably either in G or H. The question addressed in this work is that of computing sensing strategies for distinguishing which of G and H have been attained. We propose a method with which we can strengthen the guarantee of reaching G or H into a guarantee of recognizability. In particular, we show how to configure a sensor or set of sensors so that a target object in G or in H can be distinguished. Our approach assumes a general sensor model, and builds on algorithms for computing partial visibility maps based on point-to-point visibility between objects in an environment. We characterize recognizability and confusability regions, that is, sensor placement regions from which an object in G or in H can be distinguished, and regions from which attainment of G or H could be confused.