cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optical constants of V 1-x W x O 2 thermochromic films and their application to the selective radiating material

Tungsten doped vanadium oxide (V1-xWxO2) films are known to be reliable thermochromic materials for their semiconductor/metal transition temperature which can be controlled by the doping level x. In this paper, firstly, the optical constants of V1-xWxO2 films on glass substrate were determined from the reflectance spectra and the transmittance spectra measured at 25 degree(s)C and 80 degree(s)C in the wavelength region from 300 to 2500 nm. In the determination we used Drude model in the high temperature metallic-phase and the least square method in the low temperature semiconductor-phase. The calculated reflectance spectra and the transmittance spectra using the Drude model with adequate values of the parameters are consistent with the measured ones in whole spectral region in the high temperature phase. Secondarily, we carried out a simulation of radiative cooling power of some selective radiating materials whose substrates were V1-xWxO2 films, using the optical constants in IR region obtained by the extrapolation of the obtained ones in visible and near IR region. As the high temperature phase of V1-xWxO2 has high reflectivity, we can use this thermochromic film as a substrate of the selective radiating material which consists of an adequate film on a high reflective substrate. The simulation shows the capability of automatic temperature control of the radiative cooling system tandemed by SiO film, V1-xWxO2 film, and the black substrate by different doping level x.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
How Tort Reform Affects Insurance Markets

The impact of a statute that is currently in effect depends on expectations about its future constitutionality. We investigate the effect of tort reform by segmenting reforms into those that are eventually declared unconstitutional (temporary) and those that are unchallenged or upheld (permanent). We find permanent tort reforms lower medical malpractice insurance losses and premiums and increase insurer profitability. In contrast, the effects of temporary reforms are never statistically significant. Measures that combine temporary and permanent reforms, the norm in the literature, significantly misestimate the impact of tort reform. Our results suggest that examining the effect of a current law without accounting for its future treatment produces misleading results. (JEL K13, K4, H7, G22) The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Yale University. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com, Oxford University Press.
A Solid‐Phase Radioimmunoassay for Anti‐Histone Antibodies in Human Sera: Comparison with an Immunofluorescence Assay

A solid-phase assay for anti-histone antibodies is described, in which antibodies bound to calf thymus total histones, specific histone classes, or chromatin were detected by radioactive anti-human IgG, IgA or IgM. The reactivity of human sera from various rheumatic diseases was analyses by this assay and compared with results obtained from an indirect immunofluorescence assay (FANA) previously described. Sera that were positive in the FANA assay were usually positive in the solid-phase assay when total histones were the solid-phase antigen. However, many sera had IgM antibodies to total histones in the solid-phase assay but gave no detectable reaction in the FANA assay. Results from the solid-phase assay, using individual histones and chromatin, showed that the anti-histone antibodies in these sera were predominantly reactive with histones H3-H4 and did not bind well to histones complexed to DNA in the form of chromatin.
Age-specific profiles of tissue-level composition and mechanical properties in murine cortical bone.

There is growing evidence that bone composition and tissue-level mechanical properties are significant determinants of skeletal integrity. In the current study, Raman spectroscopy and nanoindentation testing were co-localized to analyze tissue-level compositional and mechanical properties in skeletally mature young (4 or 5 months) and old (19 months) murine femora at similar spatial scales. Standard multivariate linear regression analysis revealed age-dependent patterns in the relationships between mechanical and compositional properties at the tissue scale. However, changes in bone material properties with age are often complex and nonlinear, and can be missed with linear regression and correlation-based methods. A retrospective data mining approach was implemented using non-linear multidimensional visualization and classification to identify spectroscopic and nanoindentation metrics that best discriminated bone specimens of different age-classes. The ability to classify the specimens into the correct age group increased by using combinations of Raman and nanoindentation variables (86–96% accuracy) as compared to using individual measures (59–79% accuracy). Metrics that best classified 4 or 5 month and 19 month specimens (2-age classes) were mineral to matrix ratio, crystallinity, modulus and plasticity index. Metrics that best distinguished between 4, 5 and 19 month specimens (3-age classes) were mineral to matrix ratio, crystallinity, modulus, hardness, cross-linking, carbonate to phosphate ratio, creep displacement and creep viscosity. These findings attest to the complexity of mechanisms underlying bone tissue properties and draw attention to the importance of considering non-linear interactions between tissue-level composition and mechanics that may work together to influence material properties with age. The results demonstrate that a few non-linearly combined compositional and mechanical metrics provide better discriminatory information than a single metric or a single technique.
Dual Biochemical Oscillators May Control Cellular Reversals in Myxococcus xanthus

Myxococcus xanthus is a Gram-negative, soil-dwelling bacterium that glides on surfaces, reversing direction approximately once every 6 min. Motility in M. xanthus is governed by the Che-like Frz pathway and the Ras-like Mgl pathway, which together cause the cell to oscillate back and forth. Previously, Igoshin et al. (2004) suggested that the cellular oscillations are caused by cyclic changes in concentration of active Frz proteins that govern motility. In this study, we present a computational model that integrates both the Frz and Mgl pathways, and whose downstream components can be read as motor activity governing cellular reversals. This model faithfully reproduces wildtype and mutant behaviors by simulating individual protein knockouts. In addition, the model can be used to examine the impact of contact stimuli on cellular reversals. The basic model construction relies on the presence of two nested feedback circuits, which prompted us to reexamine the behavior of M. xanthus cells. We performed experiments to test the model, and this cell analysis challenges previous assumptions of 30 to 60 min reversal periods in frzCD, frzF, frzE, and frzZ mutants. We demonstrate that this average reversal period is an artifact of the method employed to record reversal data, and that in the absence of signal from the Frz pathway, Mgl components can occasionally reverse the cell near wildtype periodicity, but frz- cells are otherwise in a long nonoscillating state.
Spectroscopy: Combs grow bigger teeth

A combination of two Nobel ideas circumvents the trade-off between power and accuracy in ultraviolet spectroscopy.
40Ar/39Ar geochronology and exhumation of high-pressure to ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks in east-central China

New 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages from rocks in the high-pressure and ultra-high-pressure (HP-UHP) metamorphic complex in the Hong9an and Dabie Mountains areas, east- Central China, document a two-phase cooling and exhumation history following Triassic continental collision and metamorphism. Phengite ages from blueschist through kyanite-bearing eclogite facies rocks in Hong9an record initial exhumation from the collision zone between 230 and 195 Ma. Biotite and hornblende ages from migmatites and eclogite-bearing gneisses from the Dabie Mountains record a cooling event between 128 and 117 Ma, corresponding to a regional episode of crustal anatexis and emplacement of granitic plutons. The Triassic through Early Jurassic 40 Ar/ 39 Ar cooling ages corroborate U-Pb and Sm-Nd metamorphic ages from previous studies and suggest that initial exhumation of these rocks was rapid. Emplacement of granitic melts within the HP-UHP sequences ∼80 m.y. after metamorphism suggests that the metamorphic rocks were either exhumed at slower rates or became arrested at depth subsequent to the initial, rapid exhumation episode.
Cell cycle analysis of stimulated lymphocytes of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

To clarify the cell cycle duration of stimulated cells in B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), sister chromatid differentiation (SCD) methodology was utilized. So-called polyclonal B-cell activators (PBA), i.e., staphylococcus bacteria strain Cowan I (Cowan I), pokeweed mitogen (PWM), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and lipopolysaccharide W from E. coli 055:B5 (LPS), were examined. Most metaphases on day 2 (48 hr) of culture were in first division (M1), and about half of the metaphases on day 3 (72 hr) of culture were in the second division (M2), and many of the metaphases on day 4 (96 hr) of culture were in the third division. These facts suggest that the optimal culture time for cytogenetic study of B-CLL should be 3 days or less to avoid in vitro artifacts.
LTRES: A loss-tolerant reliable event sensing protocol for wireless sensor networks

Many Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) transport protocols proposed in recent studies focus on providing end-to-end reliability as in TCP. However, traditional end-to-end reliability enforcement is energy and time consuming for common loss-tolerant applications in WSNs. In this paper, a Loss-Tolerant Reliable Event Sensing protocol (LTRES) is proposed based on the particular reliability requirements for dynamic event observation in WSNs. According to the application-specific requirements, a reliable event sensing threshold at the transport layer is determined by the sink. A distributed source rate adaptation mechanism is designed, incorporating a loss rate based lightweight congestion control mechanism, to regulate the data traffic injected into the network so that the reliability requirements can be satisfied. An equation based fair rate control algorithm is designed to improve the fairness among the traffic flows sharing the congestion path. The performance evaluations show that LTRES can provide event-based loss-tolerant reliable data transport service for multiple events with short convergence time, low loss rate and high overall bandwidth utilization.
Impact of Different Strategies and Amounts of Preferential Treatment on Various Methods of Bull-Dam Selection

Abstract Three records of milk yield, fat yield, and type were simulated for each cow in 20 herds of 200 cows over 13 yr. Preferential treatment or bias was simulated by increasing milk and fat yields by an average of 0, 16, and 32% for separate copies of the simulation. The bias was given to a limited number of cows from the original herds based on four strategies. Five methods of bull-dam selection that used an index with a 2:2:1 ratio of milk to fat to type to select the top 2% of cows were compared: ETA using first lactation, using all lactations, after phenotypic minima were required, after preselection on three-generation pedigree index, and on pedigree index alone. Selection on ETA for first or all lactations gave the highest average of true breeding values at 0 and 16% for all strategies studied. In general, selection on pedigree index alone or after phenotypic minima were required gave poor results and should not be considered to be viable. Preselection of bull-dams on pedigree index proved to be extremely useful for biased and unbiased data. The optimal policy was to preselect the top 12% of the population before reranking and selecting on ETA for all lactations.
A Simple buoyant craft for autonomous exploration

Abstract A simple, autonomous, floating craft is described that was designed to take digital images of approximately 1 m 2 areas of the ground in rocky terrain. The vehicle (Monty) consisted of a helium-filled balloon and rolling framework that successfully traversed a wide variety of features, including steep rocky slopes with boulders >1 m in diameter and at wind speeds as high as 5 m / s at the Haughton Impact Crater in the Canadian Arctic. This vehicle concept has obvious implications for the exploration of other planetary bodies that have an atmosphere.
The role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in ER quality control.

Misfolded endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteins are eliminated by the retrotranslocation pathway in eukaryotes, which is an important physiological adaptation to ER stress. This pathway can be hijacked by certain viruses to destroy folded cellular proteins, such as MHC class I heavy chain. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) in this process.
Resistance evolution in HIV — Modeling when to intervene

The treatment of HIV is complicated by the evolution of antiviral drug resistant virus and the limited availability of antigenically independent antiviral regimens. The consequences to the patient of successive virological failures is such that many strategies to minimize the occurrence of such failures are being investigated. In this paper, a Markov chain-based model of virological failure is introduced. This model considers sequential failure events, and differentiates between several modes of virological failure. This model is then used to evaluate the resistance- targeted interventions by means of testing the impact of a viral load preconditioning strategy on total treatment regimen longevity in HIV patients. It is shown that a proposed intervention targeting pre-existing resistance has the potential to increase the expected time to three sequential virological failures by an average of 3.3 years per patient. When combined with an intervention targeting patient compliance, the total potential increase in the time to three sequential virological failures is as high as 11.2 years. The impact on patient and public health is discussed.
Expression of copper-responsive genes in HepG2 cells

The hypothesis that copper modulates the activity of intracellular signal transduction pathways to affect transcription, which ultimately disrupts normal development was investigated. Preliminary analysis of transcriptomes from HepG2 cells exposed to copper for 4 and 24 h identified 19 and 7 up-regulated genes (twofold; p ≤ 0.05), respectively. Among the up-regulated genes, several have been previously reported to be responsive to metals or oxidative stress. Differentially expressed genes were grouped by the functional categories based on gene ontology (GO). Significantly enriched GO categories (p < 0.01) included copper ion homeostasis, cadmium and copper ion binding, and heme oxygenase and oxidoreductase activities. Real-time RT-PCR confirmed the effect of copper on the levels of MT2A, HSPA1A, CYP1A1 and HMOX1 expression.
Supports and convex envelopes

The construct of anL 1-Support is extended to the environment of a lower semicontinuous function over a solid, finite union of polytopes by utilizing the convex envelope of the function. The existence of and a characterization for theL 1-Support of the convex envelope are established. The characterization is solely dependent upon the original function’s characteristics and thus the need to calculate the functional form of the convex envelope explicity is eliminated.
S14-04 - New pharmacological strategies in the treatment of alcohol dependence: results from recent clinical trials

In the last few years aripiprazole and pregabalin showed to be promising medication in alcohol use disorders, due to their action on the mesolimbic dopaminergic reward pathway (aripiprazole) and as a presynaptic modulator of the excessive release, in hyperexcited neurons, of excitatory neurotransmitters (pregabalin). In a recent trial run by our group (Martinotti et al., 2009a) aripiprazole at low dosage (5-10 mg) was compared with naltrexone, one of the approved drugs used in alcohol relapse prevention. The study showed that the number of subjects remained alcohol free for the entire study period and the number of subjects relapsed was not significantly different in the two groups, whereas the survival function showed that patients treated with aripiprazole remained abstinent from any alcohol amount for a longer time with respect to those treated with naltrexone. In another randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study (Anton, 2008), there was no difference between aripiprazole (at high dosage, up to 30 mg) and placebo on the primary end point possibly because of dose-related attrition. In a recent trial the combination of aripiprazole and topiramate has proposed with positve results (Kenna, 2009). As to pregabalin, a recent clinical trial of comparison versus naltrexone (Martinotti et al., 2009b) showed, in fevour of pegabalin, an improvement of specific symptoms in the areas of anxiety, hostility and psychoticism. Pregabalin also resulted in better outcome in patients reporting a comorbid psychiatric disorder. In another study (Martinotti 2009c) pregabalin was also efficacious in the treatment of withdrawal symptoms.
On the bandwidth of T-septum waveguide

The single T-septum waveguide is analyzed using the Rayleigh-Ritz-Galerkin technique. The method is a variation of that used by previous groups with reported conflicting results. The results of the analysis agree closely with those of G.G. Mazumder and P.K. Saha (1985) and those of F.J. German and L.S. Riggs (ibid., vol.37, no.5, p.917-9, 1989). >
Molecular-dynamics simulation of thin-film growth and relaxation

We simulate the growth of a thin film in two dimensions with a computer implementation of the molecular dynamics (MD) method. The system consists of a krypton substrate maintained at a temperature of about 10 degrees Kelvin, toward which argon atoms are periodically directed (with a velocity corresponding to 120 degrees Kelvin). The resulting argon film follows the (horizontal) spacing of the krypton lattice until the thickness of the film approaches an average thickness of about 10 monolayers. As deposition proceeds, the configuration of the film changes to incorporate an edge misfit dislocation at the film-substrate interface; this relieves the interfacial stress. We also apply the MD method to study the relaxation of thin-film structures predicted by a hard-disk growth model. We consider two variations of the growth model; the first is similar to that described by Henderson et al.,6 the second is a variation which incorporates the effect of surface diffusion. The voids in the relatively open microstructure predicted by the Henderson model are very effective in relieving interfacial stress. The numerous lattice defects (grain boundaries, dislocations, and vacancies) in the denser microstructure predicted by the second type of hard-disk model result in a film with high stress.
Simulation fidelity issues when using gamma-ray simulators for TREE testing CMOS SRAM

Factors that influence the fidelity of gamma-ray TREE testing are investigated. Specifically, package-induced dose enhancement in 256K CMOS static-random-access-memories (SRAMs) and dose enhancement from finite-range electrons produced (by gamma-ray interactions) in materials external to the SRAM packages are studied. Two gamma-ray simulators with significantly different spectra are used in the studies. The spectral differences produced less change in SRAM upset levels than did surrounding materials of equal mass density but differing atomic number. The implication for gamma-ray simulation testing is that individual devices within electronic systems may respond quite differently in gamma-ray TREE testing because of the structural materials within the system than when tests are performed on these individual devices without the system present. >
Evidence that ibogaine releases dopamine from the cytoplasmic pool in isolated mouse striatum.

We measured the effect of ibogaine on the tritium efflux from isolated mouse striatum preloaded with [3H]dopamine ([3H]DA). Ibogaine increased the basal tritium outflow in a concentration-dependent manner, but it was without effect on electrical stimulation-induced tritium overflow. Separation of the released radioactivity after ibogaine administration showed that this drug increased the release of [3H]DA and [3H]-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid ([3H]DOPAC), but the efflux of O-methylated-deaminated metabolites was not changed. The dopamine (DA)-releasing effect of ibogaine was reduced by the DA uptake inhibitors cocaine and nomifensine. The tritium efflux evoked by ibogaine was not altered by omission of Ca2+ from the perfusion buffer or by inhibition of the voltage-sensitive Na+ channels with tetrodotoxin. Ibogaine maintained its effect on release from superfused striatum prepared from reserpine-pretreated mice. The ibogaine-induced tritium release measured from mouse striatum that was preloaded with [3H]DA was not affected by the D-2 DA receptor ligands (−)-quinpirole and (+/−)-sulpiride, indicating that the ibogaine-induced release is not subject to presynaptic autoreceptor regulation. Ibogaine failed to affect [3H]DA uptake and retention in mouse striatum. These data indicate that at the nerve terminal level ibogaine releases DA, and the primary source for the release is probably the cytoplasmic pool. The DA-releasing effect of ibogaine may have importance in mediation of its hallucinogenic action, as seen in a frequent practice in African cults.
Multivariate and Multimodal Wind Distribution Model Based on Kernel Density Estimation

This paper presents a new method to accurately characterize and predict the annual variation of wind conditions. Estimation of the distribution of wind conditions is necessary (i) to quantify the available energy (power density) at a site, and (ii) to design optimal wind farm configurations. We develop a smooth multivariate wind distribution model that captures the coupled variation of wind speed, wind direction, and air density. The wind distribution model developed in this paper also avoids the limiting assumption of unimodality of the distribution. This method, which we call the Multivariate and Multimodal Wind distribution (MMWD) model, is an evolution from existing wind distribution modeling techniques. Multivariate kernel density estimation , a standard non-parametric approach to estimate the probability density function of random variables, is adopted for this purpose. The MMWD technique is successfully applied to model (i) the distribution of wind speed (univariate); (ii) the distribution of wind speed and wind direction (bivariate); and (iii) the distribution of wind speed, wind direction, and air density (multivariate). The latter is a novel contribution of this paper, while the former offers opportunities for validation. Ten-year recorded wind data, obtained from the North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network (NDAWN), is used in this paper. We found the coupled distribution to be multimodal. A strong correlation among the wind condition parameters was also observed.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Angular distribution of ions transmitted by an anodic nanocapillary array

The transmission of highly collimated multicharged ions through alumina nanocapillary arrays was studied using 200 MeV and 10- to 20-keV/q ion beams. The aligned nanopores each have a diameter and length of 100 nm and 60 μ, respectively. Emergent charge-state-selected angular distributions were measured at low energy. The distributions consist of sharp two-dimensional peaks that sit on a continuum distribution. Analysis of the results from target tilting experiments indicate that the observed structure can be explained simply by multiple collisions of the projectile with nanopore walls. We discuss these results and other effects produced by applying a fine wire mesh and Au thin films to the nanocapillary array.
An Adaptive Pattern Classification System

Adaptive pattern classification is the assignment of patterns to classes based on typical patterns or training samples, used by the system to determine the decision procedure. The system is adaptive in the sense that the decision procedure is optimized according to some criterion of the system's performance on the training samples. An adaptive pattern classification system is described that does not require a priori knowledge of the probability density of the pattern vectors for each class, as do the classical statistical techniques. Any decision rule, consisting of a discriminant function, that is a linear combination of arbitrary scalar functions of the pattern vector, may be chosen on the basis of a priori knowledge about the classes, engineering judgment, and economic considerations. The system optimizes itself by adjustment of the decision parameters according to a weighted mean-square-error performance criterion, using a multivariable search technique. The proposed performance criterion is well suited for self-optimizing search procedures. It also has the property that, as the number of training samples approaches infinity, the resulting disciminant function belongs to the class of discriminant functions, chosen at the outset, which approximates the optimum Baye's discriminant function with minimum variance. Some results from simulation studies are presented which include comparison with classical statistical techniques.
Reproducibility and reliability of middle cerebral artery occlusion using a silicone-coated suture (Koizumi) in rats

The best technical approach to rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) using a nylon-monofilament suture remains unsettled, regarding the usefulness of coated or uncoated sutures. Three investigators with different degrees of experience: A, well skilled; B, 2 years of experience; C, a novice with 6 months of experience, each subjected 10 Sprague-Dawley rats to permanent MCAO using low-viscosity silicone-coated sutures with a mean diameter 0.468+/-0.013 mm (mean+/-S.D.) at the tip and 0.361+/-0.013 mm in the body. Post-mortem corrected infarct size 24 h after MCAO was similar among the three investigators: A, 204.7+/-33.2 mm3; B, 212.6+/-42.8, and C, 195.9+/-44.4. The coefficient of variation was 16.2% to 22.7%, and 19.4% for the three investigators. This study suggests that experimental stroke with silicone-coated sutures (Koizumi's method) provides good reproducibility and reliability, among investigators of varying experience.
What types of safety nets would be most efficient and effective for protecting small farmers and the poor against volatile food prices

Smallholder farmers in dryland areas, including the Arab region, face many risks, including those relating to weather and markets. While risk taking is necessary for economic development, many risks are so severe that responses to them entail long-term losses. Social risk management is a family of tools that facilitates efficient risk management and can help eliminate risk-related poverty traps. Safety nets form an important part of the social risk management toolkit; it is therefore important to evaluate their effectiveness. This review has identified several considerations for the design and implementation of safety nets to improve food security among small-scale producers in dryland areas. The main conclusions are: safety nets must be part of an integrated risk management strategy; they should be designed to contribute to long-term agricultural growth; and more effort is needed to establish efficient risk management mechanisms prior to crises.
Theoretical studies of the Cp2ZrR+-catalyzed propylene polymerization reactions and a comparison with ethylene polymerization

Abstract The polymer chain initiation and two chain termination processes, β-H elimination and hydrogenolysis, were studied with density functional calculations for polymerization of propylene using Cp 2 ZrCH 3 + as the model catalyst. The first step of the chain initiation, coordination of propylene to the metal center of the bare catalyst to form the π-complex, is calculated to be 35 kcal/mol exothermic, which is about 15 kcal/mol larger than for coordination of ethylene. The rate-determining insertion barrier from the π-complex is calculated to be 12 kcal/mol, significantly higher than 6.5 kcal/mol for ethylene. Thus, propylene polymerization using this catalyst is expected to be slower than ethylene polymerization, which agrees well with experimental observations. Three β-agostic intermediates, with two methyl groups positioned cis , trans and gem to each other, are found. The activation of the β-agostic C–H bond from these intermediates, with an activation energy of 4–6 kcal/mol, is more facile and causes more branching for propylene polymerization than for ethylene polymerization, in agreement with the experiments. The olefin dissociation after β-H elimination is difficult and is not likely to be a major mechanism for chain termination for propylene polymerization. Hydrogenolysis of the β-agostic intermediates, proceeding through a metathesis transition state, is a facile chain termination process.
Impaired spatial working and reference memory in segmental trisomy (Ts65Dn) mice

To evaluate the cognitive phenotype of the segmental trisomy 16 (Ts65Dn) mouse, a model of Down Syndrome (DS, trisomy 21), we assessed spatial working and reference memory using a 12-arm radial maze (RAM). Ts65Dn mice made a greater number of reference memory errors across trials compared to control mice. Both genotypes showed improvement across trials, although improvement was slower in Ts65Dn mice. Ts65Dn mice also made a greater number of working memory errors on the RAM, and in contrast to control mice, did not improve across trials, always performing at near-chance levels. These results provide evidence for both spatial working and reference memory deficits in Ts65Dn mice, characteristics of cognitive dysfunction.
Calcium Independent Positive Inotropy By Fast Cardiac Myosin Motor Gene Transfer In Slow Myosin Dominant Ventricular Myocytes

Current inotropic drug therapies used to boost cardiac muscle performance focus on elevating the amount of calcium that is mobilized for activation of the myofilaments. These calcium based therapies can provide short term benefits, but when administered long term can actually increase mortality due to calcium overload and the development of fatal arrhythmias. Calcium mobilization has also been the key target for current gene therapy strategies (i.e. SERCA2a over-expression, PLN knockdown, S100 protein expression) to treat the failing heart. Here we present a novel form of calcium independent positive inotropy by fast cardiac myosin motor gene transfer. We designed a recombinant adenovirus to express the full length human α-myosin heavy chain (α-MyHC, MYH6) gene in rabbit or human ventricular myocytes that endogenously express almost exclusively β-MyHC. Healthy or diseased adult cardiac myocytes were isolated by enzymatic digestion and maintained in primary culture for 48 hours. Highly efficient α-MyHC gene transfer was confirmed by fluorescent immunocytochemistry and Western blotting. In all cases contractility of single cardiac myocytes was measured 48 hours after gene transfer of α-MyHC by measuring sarcomere shortening and intracellular calcium transients. Sarcomere shortening was ∼35% greater in cardiac myocytes transduced with the α-MyHC adenovirus when α-MyHC made up ∼30% of the total myosin protein. Intracellular calcium transient amplitudes, however, were not affected by α-MyHC gene transfer. In permeabilized myocyte experiments we found that α-MyHC gene transfer did not affect myofilament calcium sensitivity, but did speed the kinetics of myosin cross bridge transitions from weakly-bound to strongly-bound states. We conclude that α-MyHC gene transfer offers a novel form of calcium independent positive inotropy for β-MyHC dominant adult ventricular myocytes.
Microstructure and Properties of Laser Deposited and Wrought Alloy K-500 (UNS N05500)

Feasibility tests were performed by manufacturing transition joints between Nickel-200 (Ni-200) and Alloy K-500 (K-500) with direct laser deposition. Both sharp and functionally graded interfaces were manufactured with no apparent issues. In addition, Alloy K-500 specimens were manufactured with direct laser deposition to analyze the isothermal hardening response of Alloy K-500. The laser deposited and wrought materials were precipitation hardened at three different temperatures (600 °C, 650 °C, and 700 °C) and various times. A relationship between the hardness and the volume fraction of Ni3(Ti,Al) was developed, and the subsequent analysis showed that the corresponding Johnson-Mehl-Avrami time constants (or n-values) ranged from 1.1 to 1.3 at an aging temperature 600 °C, and decreased to values ranging from 0.6 to 0.66 at an aging temperature of 700 °C. For site saturation and spherical precipitates, the expected n-value is 1.5. This analysis showed that the mechanism for precipitation changed as a function of temperature. The results of the analysis at higher temperatures were rationalized by the possibility of the decay of quenched-in vacancies, precipitation along the grain boundaries, and precipitation along the dislocations. It was, however, difficult to confirm these possibilities with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), since imaging the precipites is difficult at very early aging times. Finally, it was determined that the heat treatment schedule of laser welded or laser clad Alloy K-500 should be similar to that of wrought Alloy K-500.
Expression of diphtheria toxin A-chain in mature B-cells: a potential approach to therapy of B-lymphoid malignancy.

Specifically targeted expression of a toxin gene potentially represents a novel approach to cancer therapy. With a view to the ablation of B-cell malignancies, we have constructed a plasmid, designated pTHA71, which expresses the A-chain of diphtheria toxin (DT-A) with high efficiency and specificity in transfected, mature B-lymphoid cells. The construction incorporated immunoglobulin (Ig) kappa light chain gene regulatory sequences, including a kappa promoter, small intron, partial constant region exon, and 3′-flanking sequence (but lacking a known enhancer). These sequences conferred substantially more efficient expression of DT-A in mature B-cells than was seen from constructs that included only Ig promoters and enhancers. When transfected into the 70Z/3 murine pre-B-cell line, pTHA71 was only expressed efficiently if the cells were induced to express their endogenous, rearranged Ig kappa gene by prior exposure to lipopolysaccharide. The insertion of the enhancer from the Ig kappa large intron into pTH...
Strategic Change Implementation and Performance Loss in the Front Lines

Adopting a frontline employee (FLE) perspective, this study models a performance loss process during an organization’s strategic change implementation. The process is activated by changes in unit management’s emphases on cost containment and revenue-generating strategies and is governed by FLE detachment. The authors also examine an intervention mechanism for mitigating performance loss by including the influence of FLE participation in change decisions. The model is tested with data from five service organizations that employ 843 FLEs. The results indicate that (1) FLE detachment is effective in separating out the negative and positive effects of change, (2) FLE change perceptions are sensitive to the focus of strategic change (cost containment versus revenue enhancement strategies), and (3) FLE participation significantly enhances the positive effects of change and mitigates performance loss.
Thermal Conductivity of Wood-Based Panels

Wood-based panels are used in a variety of structural and industrial applications, in which their thermal properties may influence their overall performance. Although the thermal properties of individual panel products are relatively uniform, different panel types, and similar panels produced by different manufacturers, have different thermal properties. These products are composite materials and their properties are different from those of solid wood. Since most product standards that encompass these materials are based on mechanical properties, there are few guidelines to aid in the evaluation of the thermal properties of wood-based panels.
Laser-induced fluorescence detection on multichannel electrophoretic microchips using microprocessor-embedded acousto-optic laser beam scanning

An improved method for fast scanning and fluorescence detection on multimicrochannel microchips is presented using acousto-optic-deflection-driven laser-beam scanning. A microprocessor embedded subsystem used in conjunction with LabView program as the human-machine interface for control of laser-beam scanning and data preprocessing allowed faster scanning and addressing speeds to be attained and improved attenuation calibration and the data sampling speed. This system allows for flexible, high-resolution fluorescence detection for multimicrochannel electrophoresis in a manner that can be applied to a number of high-throughput analysis applications. Incorporating an F-theta focusing lens into the optical set-up allowed for a laser spot as small as 10 /spl mu/m to accurately be addressed to the center of microchannels. With this spot size, it will be possible to further increase the channel density in the scanning range without encountering crosstalk. Using a six-channel microchip (four separation channels, two alignment channels), the simultaneous separation and fluorescence detection of amino acids and DNA digest samples in four channels is illustrated. User-friendly interpretation of the separation data is facilitated not only by a peak alignment/normalization routine developed within the software, but also through improved signal-to-noise ratios obtained through exploitation of signal processing.
First CDMS II WIMP Search Results from the Soudan Underground Laboratory

D.S. Akerib, M.S. Armel-Funkhouser, M.J. Attisha, L. Baudis, D.A. Bauer, P.L. Brink, R. Bunker, B. Cabrera, D.O. Caldwell, C.L. Chang, M.B. Crisler, P. Cushman, R. Dixon, M.R. Dragowsky, D.D. Driscoll, L. Duong, R. Ferril, J. Filippini, R.J. Gaitskell, D. Holmgren, M.E. Huber, S. Kamat, A. Lu, R. Mahapatra, V. Mandic, P. Meunier, N. Mirabolfathi, H. Nelson, R. Nelson, R.W. Ogburn, T.A. Perera, E. Ramberg, W. Rau, A. Reisetter, R.R. Ross, T. Saab, B. Sadoulet, J. Sander, C. Savage, R.W. Schnee, D.N. Seitz, B. Serfass, A.J. Sirois, K.M. Sundqvist, J-P.F. Thompson, G. Wang, S. Yellin, and B.A. Young
A qualitative study of factors influencing science teaching self-efficacy of elementary level teachers.

Science teaching self-efficacy may be one area of importance which has been over-looked in implementing change to improve science teaching in elementary schools. This qualitative study was designed to examine factors which influence personal science teaching efficacy and science teaching outcome expectancy in elementary teachers. Based on Bandura's psychological construct of self-efficacy, science teaching self-efficacy has been related to teachers' belief in their ability to teach science, called personal science teaching efficacy (PSTE), and their belief in students' ability to learn, called science teaching outcome expectancy (STOE). Data were collected from 23 elementary teachers involved in a project to enhance science, mathematics, and technology education. Initially, data on variables identified as related to science teaching self-efficacy were collected and triangulated from several self-reporting instruments, including the Science Teaching Efficacy Beliefs Instrument, In-service version (STEBI-A) Teachers' scores on personal science teaching efficacy (PSTE) and science teaching outcome expectancy (STOE), two subscales of the STEBI-A, along with other data were used to develop in depth interview questions. Ten of the teachers, with varying PSTE and STOE levels (high, moderate, and low), were purposefully selected for interviews regarding their teacher preparation, professional development, and science-related antecedent experiences. The qualitative data analysis methods of constant-comparison and clustering were used to identify patterns and themes within the interview data. Qualitative analysis of triangulated data provided insights as to development of PSTE and STOE. Results of the interview analysis revealed more definitive findings for the dimension of personal science teaching efficacy than for science teaching outcome expectancy. Theme in the data indicated that antecedent experiences influenced interest in science teaching. Preservice and in-service experiences such as success in high quality science courses and workshops, access to a lesser degree STOE. Findings on experiences which influenced STOE were limited. Implications for early science experiences, teacher preparation and teacher professional development are presented. Recommendations for further research are made for PSTE and STOE. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Pesticide Accumulation Rates in a Managed Marsh along Lake Erie

Cores from two marshes along the southern shore of Lake Erie were 210 Pb age-dated and analyzed for persistent pesticide pollutants using column chromatographic separation and analysis with gas chromatography. Soils in both watersheds have low to very low permeability and are domin- ated by a very poorly drained silty clay. Land-use practices in the watersheds of either marsh changed little since 1950; however, both watersheds are marked by decreased area dedicated to orchards and concurrent increase in residential and road area. The increase in grain size in recent years may be associated with a period of high water in Lake Erie since the early 1970s. The pesticide accumulation rateswere calculated and indicate an airborne source for HCHsand endrin and possibly currentillegal usage of DDT. The ratio of metabolite to parent molecule did not appear to change with sediment age. Also, there appeared to be a delay between pesticide application and deposition in the marshes.
Schedule factors in the emission of distress calls

When ducklings have been imprinted to a moving stimulus, subsequent withdrawal of the stimulus usually leads to the emission of distress calls. Four Peking ducklings were imprinted and tested for the emission of distress calls under each of four different schedules of stimulus presentation and withdrawal. Although the total time for presentation and withdrawal was equal for the several schedules, fewer distress calls were emitted during short cycles of presentation and withdrawal than during long cycles.
Modeling of Sawyer planar sensor and motor dependence on planar yaw angle rotation

Planar motion systems based on commercial Sawyer motors provide uniform performance over their entire workspace, offering fairly high speeds (1.5 m/sec), accelerations (30 m/sec/sup 2/), and precision (sub-micron resolution). Using multiple motors over a common plateau provides an excellent basis for an agile table top, very high resolution, manufacturing system. Sawyer motors have 3 planar degrees-of-freedom X-Y-Yaw (rotation in the plane). The motor is very sensitive to yaw rotation, its force decreases rapidly, and it can lose synchronisation. This paper develops an analytical model of the motor, provides guidelines for the design and a real-time compensation method for errors resulting from yaw rotation. The model applies to magnetic, capacitive and optical position sensing using the platen as a reference grid.
A novel radiator for a 2.4 GHz wireless unit to monitor rail stress and strain from a train mounted receiver

In this paper, we present an antenna design which can be integrated near the rail and which is sufficiently rugged to withstand weather conditions and rail stresses without appreciable changes in its operational mode. The proposed concept is based on fabricating a metal package mounted to the side of the rail. This metal block serves the purpose of housing the transceiver as well as the antenna. The latter was based on a cavity resonator properly excited to generate the desirable pattern and gain characteristics. The cavity location and geometry presented a challenge and several configurations were considered. As part of the final design, effects on the pattern coverage due to rail presence were also considered. Below we discuss the system requirements, antenna design, and hardware evaluation of the entire sensor system.
The Feeding of Corn and its Parts to Mature Cockerels in Confinement

Abstract During recent years degerminated corn, sometimes known as pearl hominy or brewers’ grits, has become extensively used in the manufacture of commercial scratch feeds. It is also offered for sale unmixed, erroneously labeled “cracked corn.” In the process employed both the germ and the bran are removed, giving a product resembling cracked corn but of more attractive appearance and better keeping quality. The fat content of degerminated corn is usually about one-fourth the fat content of whole or cracked corn (See Table I). This low fat content apparently prevents rancidity from developing in degerminated corn. This explanation makes obvious the manufacturer’s reasons for using such a product in preference to cracked whole corn. Attention was called to the possible deficiency in nutritive value of this degerminated corn compared with cracked or whole corn, and experiments were planned to throw some light on this question. EXPERIMENTAL Ten vigorous mature cockerels of . . .
Gender Differences in Marital Satisfaction: A Meta-analysis

The purpose of the present meta-analysis was to empirically test the widely held assumption that women experience lower marital satisfaction than men. A total of 226 independent samples with a combined sum of 101,110 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Overall results indicated statistically significant yet very small gender differences in marital satisfaction between wives and husbands, with wives slightly less satisfied than husbands; moderator analyses, however, indicated that this difference was due to the inclusion of clinical samples, with wives in marital therapy 51% less likely to be satisfied with their marital relationship than their husbands. The effect size for nonclinical community-based samples indicated no significant gender differences among couples in the general population. Additional moderator analyses indicated that there were also no gender differences when the levels of marital satisfaction of husbands and wives in the same relationship (i.e., dyadic data) were compared.
Cache craftiness for fast multicore key-value storage

We present Masstree, a fast key-value database designed for SMP machines. Masstree keeps all data in memory. Its main data structure is a trie-like concatenation of B+-trees, each of which handles a fixed-length slice of a variable-length key. This structure effectively handles arbitrary-length possiblybinary keys, including keys with long shared prefixes. +-tree fanout was chosen to minimize total DRAM delay when descending the tree and prefetching each tree node. Lookups use optimistic concurrency control, a read-copy-update-like technique, and do not write shared data structures; updates lock only affected nodes. Logging and checkpointing provide consistency and durability. Though some of these ideas appear elsewhere, Masstree is the first to combine them. We discuss design variants and their consequences.On a 16-core machine, with logging enabled and queries arriving over a network, Masstree executes more than six million simple queries per second. This performance is comparable to that of memcached, a non-persistent hash table server, and higher (often much higher) than that of VoltDB, MongoDB, and Redis.