cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Physics-informed neural networks: A deep learning framework for solving forward and inverse problems involving nonlinear partial differential equations

Abstract We introduce physics-informed neural networks – neural networks that are trained to solve supervised learning tasks while respecting any given laws of physics described by general nonlinear partial differential equations. In this work, we present our developments in the context of solving two main classes of problems: data-driven solution and data-driven discovery of partial differential equations. Depending on the nature and arrangement of the available data, we devise two distinct types of algorithms, namely continuous time and discrete time models. The first type of models forms a new family of data-efficient spatio-temporal function approximators, while the latter type allows the use of arbitrarily accurate implicit Runge–Kutta time stepping schemes with unlimited number of stages. The effectiveness of the proposed framework is demonstrated through a collection of classical problems in fluids, quantum mechanics, reaction–diffusion systems, and the propagation of nonlinear shallow-water waves.
Structural Connectivity of the Anterior Cingulate Cortex, Claustrum, and the Anterior Insula of the Mouse

The claustrum is a narrow subcortical brain structure that resides between the striatum and insular cortex. The function of the claustrum is not fully described, and while our previous work supports a role for the claustrum in top-down cognitive control of action, other evidence suggests the claustrum may be involved in detecting salient changes in the external environment. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the anterior insular (aINS) are the two major participants in the salience network of human brain regions that activate in response to salient stimuli. While bidirectional connections between the ACC and the claustrum exist from mouse to non-human primate, the aINS connectivity with claustrum remains unclear, particularly in mouse. Here, we explored structural connections of the aINS with the claustrum and ACC through adeno-associated virus neuronal tract tracer injections into the ACC and aINS of the mouse. We detected sparse projections from the claustrum to the aINS and diffuse projections from the aINS to the borders of the claustrum were observed in some cases. In contrast, the insular cortex and endopiriform nucleus surrounding the claustrum had rich interconnectivity with aINS. Additionally, we observed a modest interconnectivity between ACC and the aINS. These data support the idea that claustrum neuron responses to salient stimuli may be driven by the ACC rather than the aINS.
The sexual double standard in the real world: Evaluations of sexually active friends and acquaintances.

Abstract. The sexual double standard (SDS) has traditionally been studied by examining evaluations of hypothetical targets. Although much knowledge has been gained regarding the SDS by using this m...
An investigation of flaw-size independence of cohesive traction-separation law at the nanoscale: A molecular dynamics study

Abstract The objective of this paper is to investigate and evaluate, through the application of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, the validity of obtaining cohesive traction-separation law at the nanoscale using three different approaches: (1) stress data from near the crack tip, (2) stress data from the far-field, and (3) changes in potential energy of the structure due to applied loads. The motivation for this research comes from the fact that the traction-separation law, which is a material property, can exhibit significant dependence on flaw size at the nanoscale if the correct methodology is not employed. The objective of this paper is to mathematically demonstrate that (a) the traction separation law at the nanoscale is a material property independent of flaw size only if stresses near the crack tip are employed to obtain the traction-separation law, and (b) the use of far-field data to define traction-separation law and fracture toughness makes the traction-separation law flaw-size dependent, and hence, it is no longer a material property and therefore inaccurate. Results for a single graphene sheet with and without a center crack under pure Mode I loading are presented to validate these concepts. Future work will focus on verifying these concepts under mixed-mode conditions.
Talent Potential in Minority Group Students

Pointing out the nature and scope of talent loss among low socioeconomic and minority group members, the author identifies and explores some of the issues in the retrieval of talent potential. Strategies are suggested for identifying and maximizing the development of this unidentified and understimulated segment of our school population. Identification procedures are based on a broadened conception of talent, and the author discusses some new, more appropriate instruments as well as more extensive uses of existing instruments such as tests of creativity. Suggestions for developing talent potential are discussed in terms of teacher characteristics and curricular relevancy.
Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors Associated With Metastases at Presentation in HPV–Related Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: An NCDB Analysis

PURPOSE:Human papillomavirus (HPV)–related squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHNs) tend to have a distinct prognosis. Socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with metastatic...
Board diversity and firm performance in the U.S. tourism sector: The effect of institutional ownership

Abstract This study examines the relationship between board diversity and firm performance in the U.S. tourism sector by using institutional ownership as a contingency that moderates this relationship. The study's sample includes publicly-traded companies from the U.S. restaurant, hotel and airline industries. The hypotheses are tested via two-way fixed-effects regression, and the findings of the study indicate that board diversity is positively associated with financial performance (Tobin's Q), and the effect of board diversity on performance is contingent on the degree of institutional ownership. More precisely, the study finds that board diversity has a larger effect on financial performance when institutional ownership is low on a tourism firm's ownership structure. Overall, the findings suggest that boards' internal control and monitoring on management is important to derive higher financial performance, and even yet it is more important when external monitoring by institutional owners, proxied by percentage of institutional ownership, is weak.
Hypoalbuminemia and Elevated CRP are Risk Factors for Deep Infections and Urinary Tract Infections After Lumbar Spine Surgery in a Large Retrospective Patient Population.

Study Design:Retrospective cross-sectional study.Objectives:To determine if pre-operative albumin and CRP can predict post-operative infections after lumbar surgery.Methods:Patients who underwent a...
Phosphatidylethanol in Whole Blood of Rhesus Monkeys Correlates with Ethanol Consumption

BACKGROUND Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) homologs are ethanol metabolites used to identify and monitor alcohol drinking in humans. In this study, we measured levels of the 2 most abundant homologs, PEth 16:0/18:1 and PEth 16:0/18:2, in whole blood samples from rhesus macaque monkeys that drank ethanol daily ad libitum to assess the relationship between PEth levels and recent ethanol exposure in this animal model. METHODS Blood samples were obtained from The Monkey Alcohol Tissue Research Resource. The monkeys were first induced to consume 4% (w/v) ethanol in water from a panel attached to their home cage. Then, monkeys were allowed to drink ethanol and water ad libitum 22 h daily for 12 months and the daily amount of ethanol each monkey consumed was measured. Whole, uncoagulated blood was collected from each animal at the end of the entire experimental procedure. PEth 16:0/18:1 and PEth 16:0/18:2 levels were analyzed by HPLC with tandem mass spectrometry, and the ethanol consumed during the preceding 14 days was measured. Combined PEth was the sum of the concentrations of both homologs. RESULTS Our results show that (1) PEth accumulates in the blood of rhesus monkeys after ethanol consumption; (2) PEth homolog levels were correlated with the daily average ethanol intake during the 14-day period immediately preceding blood collection; (3) the application of established human PEth 16:0/18:1 cutoff concentrations indicative of light social or no ethanol consumption (<20 ng/ml), moderate ethanol consumption (≥ 20 and < 200 ng/ml) and heavy ethanol consumption (≥ 200 ng/ml) predicted significantly different ethanol intake in these animals. PEth homologs were not detected in ethanol-naive controls. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms that PEth is a sensitive biomarker for ethanol consumption in rhesus macaque monkeys. This nonhuman primate model may prove useful in evaluating sources of variability previously shown to exist between ethanol consumption and PEth homolog levels among humans.
Implications of doping on microstructure, processing, and thermoelectric performance: The case of PbSe

In this work, we highlight the often-overlooked effects of doping on the microstructure and performance of bulk thermoelectric materials to offer a broader perspective on how dopants interact with their parent material. Using PbSe doped with Na, Ag, and K as a model material system, we combine original computational, experimental, and microscopy data with established trends in material behavior, to provide an in-depth discussion of the relationship between dopants, processing, and microstructure, and their effects on thermoelectric efficiency and thermal stability. Notable observations include differences in the microstructure and mass loss of thermally treated samples of Na- and Ag-doped PbSe, as well as findings that Na and K cations exist predominantly as substitutional point defects while Ag also occupies interstitial sites and exhibits lower solubility. We discuss how these differences in point defect populations are known to affect a dopants’ ability to alter carrier concentration and how they may affect the mechanical properties of PbSe during processing.
The Role of Macrophages in the Production of Lymphokines by T and B Lymphocytes

The role of macrophages in the production of two lymphokines, monocyte chemotactic factor and macrophage activating factor, was investigated. Lymphokine production by guinea pig lymph node and spleen cells required macrophages for thymus-dependent antigens and mitogens. In contrast, B cell stimulants which also induce the synthesis of lymphokines were macrophage independent. When populations of relatively pure B or T lymphocytes were isolated, it was found that T cells required viable macrophage cooperation to produce these two lymphokines and to undergo proliferation in response to specific antigens, whereas B cells could be directly activated in the absence of macrophages. These findings suggest that T and B cells have different requirements for activation and for macrophage cooperation. Furthermore, since lymphokine synthesis is evident within the first 4 hr of stimulant presentation, these observations demonstrate that macrophages play an essential role in the earliest events of lymphocyte activation.
Space efficiency in synopsis construction algorithms

Histograms and Wavelet synopses have been found to be useful in query optimization, approximate query answering and mining. Over the last few years several good synopsis algorithms have been proposed. These have mostly focused on the running time of the synopsis constructions, optimum or approximate, vis-a-vis their quality. However the space complexity of synopsis construction algorithms has not been investigated as thoroughly. Many of the optimum synopsis construction algorithms (as well as few of the approximate ones) are expensive in space. In this paper, we propose a general technique that reduces space complexity. We show that the notion of "working space" proposed in these contexts is redundant. We believe that our algorithm also generalizes to a broader range of dynamic programs beyond synopsis construction. Our modifications can be easily adapted to existing algorithms. We demonstrate the performance benefits through experiments on real-life and synthetic data.
Cost-Optimal job allocation schemes for bandwidth-constrained distributed computing systems

This paper formulates the job allocation problem in distributed systems with bandwidth-constrained nodes. The bandwidth limitations of the nodes play an important role in the design of cost-optimal job allocation schemes. In this paper, we present a pricing strategy for generalized distributed systems by formulating an incomplete information bargaining game on two variables (price and percentage of bandwidth allocated for distributed computing jobs at each node). Next, we present a cost-optimal job allocation scheme for single class jobs that involve the communication delay and hence link bandwidth. We show that our algorithms are comparable to existing job allocation algorithms in minimizing the expected system response time.
Analysis of nuclear fiber cell compaction in transparent and cataractous diabetic human lenses by scanning electron microscopy.

Background Compaction of human ocular lens fiber cells as a function of both aging and cataractogenesis has been demonstrated previously using scanning electron microscopy. The purpose of this investigation is to quantify morphological differences in the inner nuclear regions of cataractous and non-cataractous human lenses from individuals with diabetes. The hypothesis is that, even in the presence of the osmotic stress caused by diabetes, compaction rather than swelling occurs in the nucleus of diabetic lenses.
A possible conflict between renormalized perturbation theory and an exact solution of the two-dimensional federbush model describing the pseudoscalar interaction of two massive fermions

The backscattering probability amplitude between two massive fermions whose interactions are described by the two-dimensional Federbush model is calculated to second order in renormalized perturbation theory. The calculation yields a nonvanishing amplitude which is in direct conflict with the prediction of a trivial scattering matrix derived from an exact solution of this model studied by Federbush and Wightman.
Load adaptive control scheme to improve converter efficiency and performance

A voltage regulator (VR) design with improved efficiency especially at light load and with good steady-state ripple and dynamic performance is discussed in this paper. The presented VR utilizes a proposed "pulse-sliding" load adaptive control scheme to satisfy the VR requirements. Such VR design is important in many applications including those that are battery powered and has energy consumption constrains. In this paper, the concept, design, analysis, simulation and experimental circuit of the improved VR design are presented.
Public Preferences for Bipartisanship in the Policymaking Process

At a time of a high level of polarization in Congress, public opinion surveys routinely find that Americans want politicians to compromise. When evaluating legislation, does the preference for bipartisanship in the legislative process trump partisan identities? We find that it does not. We conduct two experiments in which we alter aspects of the political context to see how people respond to parties (not) coming together to achieve broadly popular public policy goals. Although citizens can recognize bipartisan processes, preferences for bipartisan legislating do not outweigh partisan desires in the evaluation of public policies.
Bilateral attachment of corneal endothelium to lens implants in corneal collapse at death: a pseudophakic eye with a Fuchs' epithelioma

The pathological situation of bilateral attachment of corneal endothelium to iris plane lens implants, due to collapse of the anterior chambers, is recorded in a patient who died of heart failure. The additional observation of a Fuchs' epithelioma on the ciliary body adjacent to the implant in one of the eyes is used to start a discussion about possible interactions between lens implants and unsuspected intraocular tumors.
Development of dispersion in the mixing of calcium carbonate into polymer blends in an internal mixer

An experimental study of agglomeration tendency and the compounding of calcium carbonates of varying particle size into polypropylene and polystyrene melts in an internal mixer and in a two roll mill is described. The tendency of particles to agglomerate was studied using the sedimentation volume method. Agglomeration increased with decreasing particle size. It was sharply reduced by coating with stearic acid. Agglomerate size distributions in thermoplastic matrices were measured using optical microscopy. The greatest problems in dispersing fillers were with the smallest particles. One unexpected result with the polystyrene compounds was that the number of large agglomerates of the smallest particles actually increased with time. This was associated with uncoated small CaCO3 particles clinging to the chamber walls of the internal mixer and being only gradually incorporated. The phenomenon was less pronounced in the polypropylene compounds. Generally large agglomerates were broken down with increased mixing. Stearic acid coating reduced the number of large agglomerates.
Supporting feature location and mining of software repositories on the Amazon EC2

Software maintenance makes up the majority of a software project. For this reason, multiple tools have been developed to aid the developer in this process. Often times, such tools involve analyzing the entire source code or code repository before providing feedback. These tools are resource dependent and can be obtrusive and costly to the developer. In this paper, we introduce a system and methodology that leverages the Amazon EC2 to support two common types of tools.
3D Metamorphosis Between Different Types of Geometric Models

We present a powerful morphing technique based on level set methods, that can be combined with a variety of scan conversion/model processing techniques. Bringing these techniques together creates a general morphing approach that allows a user to morph a number of geometric model types in a single animation. We have developed techniques for converting several types of geometric models (polygonal meshes, CSG models and MRI scans) into distance volumes, the volumetric representation required by our level set morphing approach. The combination of these two capabilities allows a user to create a morphing sequence regardless of the model type of the source and target objects, freeing him/her to use whatever model type is appropriate for a particular animation.
Fund closings as a signal to investors: Investment performance of open-end mutual funds that close to new shareholders

Abstract This article examines the growing phenomenon of mutual fund closings by analyzing the investment performance of open-end funds that close to new investors. We find that: (1) the average excess return (estimated by Jensen's alpha) was positive in the 24 months prior to closing, (2) the average excess return was not significantly different from zero in the 24 months after closing, and (3) the funds in the sample on average exhibited a significant decline in investment performance after closing. These findings suggest that the fund managers' strategic decision to close the fund in order to slow down the growth in net assets does not prevent investment performance from declining. For the individual investor, an impending fund closing is a signal not to invest in the fund. It is also a signal that current shareholders consider alternative investments.
Alpha 7 integrin preserves the function of the extensor digitorum longus muscle in dystrophin-null mice.

The dystrophin-associated glycoprotein complex (DGC) and the α7β1-integrin complex are two independent protein complexes that link the extracellular matrix with the cytoskeleton in muscle cells. Th...
Genome-wide survey of Tribolium castaneum microsatellites and description of 509 polymorphic markers

We survey the Tribolium castaneum whole genome sequence for 1-6 bp microsatellite motifs. Of the > 12 000 microsatellites discovered, we screened 981 primer pairs which yielded 509 polymorphic markers. We report polymorphism data for pooled DNA samples from three to 11 geographically widespread T. castaneum populations as well as heterozygosity for a subset of the markers. The composition and chromosomal distribution of microsatellites is briefly discussed in relation to previous studies.
Thin-layer chromatography of sugar phosphates from muscle.

SEPARATION of sugar phosphates occurring in plant material was achieved by Bandurski and Axelrod1 using paper chromatography, while Bove2 and Randerath3,4 separated a mixture of known nucleotides by thin-layer chromatography. Since the usual methods for separating and identifying the sugar phosphates in muscle are long and tedious, separation and identification by thin-layer chromatography were investigated.
Moderately increased protein intake predominately from egg sources does not influence whole body, regional, or muscle composition responses to resistance training in older people

The effects of increased dietary protein on resistance training (RT)-induced changes in body composition and skeletal muscle fiber size are uncertain in older people. We hypothesized that the ingestion of more animal-based foods, especially eggs, to achieve a higher protein intake would enhance RT-induced changes in body composition. West Lafayette, IN. 36 older people (age 61±1 y; mean ± SEM). Subjects completed RT three d/wk for 12 weeks, and consumed omnivorous diets that contained either 0.9±0.1 (lower protein) or 1.2±0.0 (higher protein) g protein·kg−1·d−1 (12±3 and 17±5 % of energy intakes, respectively), with the higher protein intake achieved by consuming more eggs, meats, and dairy foods. The lower and higher protein diets contained 213±21 and 610±105 mg cholesterol/d, respectively. Strength, body composition, serum lipid-lipoprotein profile, urinary creatinine, skeletal muscle fiber type and size. Among all subjects, over time (i.e. with RT) body weight was unchanged, lean mass (1.1±0.2 kg) increased, and fat mass (−1.4±0.2 kg) decreased (all changes P<0.05). Regional (i.e. trunk, legs, arms) lean mass increased and fat mass decreased. Whole body muscle mass (24-h urinary creatinine excretion) increased, but skeletal muscle (vastus lateralis) type 1, type 2a, and type 2x fiber cross-sectional areas did not change from baseline. Serum total and LDL cholesterol decreased (P<0.05) and HDL cholesterol and triacylglycerol were unchanged. Dietary protein and cholesterol intakes did not influence these responses to RT. Consumption of diets that contained moderately higher protein and variable amounts of cholesterol did not differentially affect body composition, skeletal muscle fiber size, or serum lipid-lipoprotein profile responses to resistance training in older people.
Mechanistic Studies of the Oxidative N-Dealkylation of a Substrate Tethered to Carboxylate-Bridged Diiron(II) Complexes, [Fe2(μ-O2CArTol)2(O2CArTol)2(N,N-Bn2en)2]

Carboxylate-bridged diiron(II) centers activate dioxygen for the selective oxidation of hydrocarbon substrates in bacterial multicomponent monooxygenases. Synthetic analogues of these systems exist in which substrate fragments tethered to the diiron(II) core through attachment to an N-donor ligand are oxidized by transient species that arise following the introduction of O2 into the system. The present study describes the results of experiments designed to probe mechanistic details of these oxidative N-dealkylation reactions. A series of diiron(II) complexes with ligands N,N-(4-R-Bn)Bnen, where en is ethylenediamine, Bn is benzyl, and R-Bn is benzyl with a para-directing group R = Cl, F, CH3, t-Bu, or OCH3, were prepared. A Hammett plot of the oxygenation product distributions of these complexes, determined by gas chromatographic analysis, reveals a small positive slope of rho = +0.48. Kinetic isotope effect (KIE(intra)) values for oxygenation of [Fe2(mu-O2CAr(Tol))2(O2CAr(Tol))2(N,N-(C6H5CDH)2en)2] and [Fe2(mu-O2CAr(Tol))2(O2CAr(Tol))2(N,N-(C6H5CD2)(C6H5CH2)en)2] are 1.3(1) and 2.2(2) at 23 degrees C, respectively. The positive slope rho and low KIE(intra) values are consistent with a mechanism involving one-electron transfer from the dangling nitrogen atom in N,N-Bn2en to a transient electrophilic diiron intermediate, followed by proton transfer and rearrangement to eliminate benzaldehyde.
Induction of Fas Ligand-Mediated Apoptosis by Interferon-α

Abstract Interferon-α (IFN-α) was among the first cytokines studied and the earliest to be used in clinical medicine for the treatment of viral infections and malignancies. Although the capacity of IFN-α to augment NK cell cytotoxicity against virus-infected target cells or tumor cells is well established, the mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Here we report that IFN-α stimulation of PBMC from healthy donors induces Fas (CD95) ligand (FasL) transcription and leads to increased cell surface FasL expression exclusively on the NK cell fraction. Furthermore, IFN-α augments the FasL-mediated cytotoxicity of normal PBMC against Fas-sensitive lymphoid tumor cells. In the context of innate immunity, induction of FasL by IFN-α can be viewed as an efficient mechanism to potentiate NK cell cytotoxicity in the presence of harmful targets, such as virally infected or transformed cells.
Stability of Tetrahydrocannabinols I

Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, as monitored by flame-ionization GLC at various temperatures, degrades by a biphasic semilogarithmic curve with time in acidic aqueous solutions (<1 mg/ liter) below pH 4 to GLC-observable products with separate retention times and the degradations are specific hydrogen-ion catalyzed. The products are considered as Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol, P1, P2, and P3 and can be observed and isolated by TLC. These products do not appear above pH 4 in the neutral region, and these degradations are primarily first order, are not biphasic, and are pH independent. The half-life of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol is about 15 min at 37° and pH 1, typical stomach conditions. The product P1 may give rise to cannabinol by the GLC and TLC procedures since the IR, UV, TLC, NMR, and GLC of thin-layer chromatographed P1 and cannabinol are coincident, but chloroform extracts do not show the higher absorbances expected if the product that forms in solution to give P1 is cannabinol. The products P2 and P3, isolated by TLC, are consistent with the expected properties of Δ9-hydroxycannabidiol and 9-hydroxycannabinol, respectively, by IR, UV, NMR, and mass spectroscopy. The final amounts of Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol, P1, P2, and P3 are in a constant ratio independent of pH below pH 4. Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, as monitored by flame-ionization GLC, degrades solely by a first-order process to an equilibrium with P2 and Pa at acidic pH values and the process is specific hydrogen-ion catalyzed. The equilibrium appears to be independent of pH below pH 4 and is the same when TLC-isolated P2 or P3 is used as the starting material. It follows that the acidcatalyzed isolated double-bond migration favors Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol over the Δ9 compound, and it is most probable that the equilibrating P2 and P3 are results of water addition to the isolated double bond and ether solvolysis. The product that gives rise to the P1 retention time that ultimately gives cannabinol is structurally indeterminate at present.
Participation and Strength of Interaction of Lysine 95(β) in the Polymerization of Hemoglobin S as Determined by Its Site-directed Substitution by Isoleucine

The role of Lys-95(β), which is on the exterior of the hemoglobin (HbS) tetramer, in the aggregation process has been addressed because there is a lack of agreement on its importance. The early studies on the aggregation of HbS in the presence of other mutant hemoglobins are consistent with the subsequent electron microscopic studies in demonstrating the participation of Lys-95(β) in gelation; the results of the crystal structure do not agree with these conclusions. Therefore, with the objective of clarifying its role we have carried out site-directed substitution of Lys-95(β) to an isoleucine residue. The mutation was introduced by polymerase chain reaction recombination methodology, and the absence of other mutations in the β-globin gene was established by sequencing the gene in its entirety. The recombinant mutant hemoglobin was expressed in yeast and characterized by peptide mapping and sequencing, which demonstrated that the only different tryptic peptide had the Ile substitution at position 95(β). The recombinant hemoglobin had the correct amino acid composition and molecular weight by mass spectrometric analysis. It was also pure as judged by isoelectric focusing. It was fully functional because it had an average Hill coefficient of 3.1 and responded normally to the allosteric regulators, chloride, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, and inositol hexaphosphate. Of particular interest was the finding that this hemoglobin mutant aggregated at a concentration of about 40 g/dl, nearly twice that at which HbS itself aggregated (24 g/dl). Therefore, Lys-95(β) has a very important role in the aggregation process and is a good candidate site for the design of a therapeutic agent for sickle cell anemia.
Prosecutorial Discretion and Real-Offense Sentencing: An Analysis of Relevant Conduct under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines

The primary objective of the federal sentencing guidelines is to reduce judicial discretion and unwarranted disparity by prescribing like sentences for like defendants convicted of the same offense. The guidelines are based on real-offense sentencing, which links relevant conduct or actual offense behavior to the sentencing process. This study analyzes the indictment stage where the charging decisions by the federal prosecutor in conjunction with relevant conduct are first conceived. Our major finding is that the number of counts within the indictment has a statistically significant effect on the length of sentence, the magnitude of the discount for downward departures, and the ratio of the difference between the presumptive sentence and the sentence discount. The number of counts has no effect on the offender’s likelihood of receiving either a downward departure or a substantial assistance departure. This suggests that offenders convicted of the same crime do not necessarily receive the same sentence.
Representation of locality in a biological information system

Some 5,000 dorsal root axons innervate 100,000 hairs on the rabbit ear, and each hair is innervated by 4–6 axons. Assuming predetermined cause, it is shown that this biological information system transmits information specifying locality and force of stimulation in such a way that error is effectively controlled for minimal natural stimuli. Under conditions of maximal stimulation, however, absolute representation of locality of all stimulated hairs is not achieved. This limitation is probably of little importance for the animal and is compensated for by the large reduction in volume of transmission lines. The biological system is compared with von Neumann's theoretical model for the control of error in automata by multiplexing.
The American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in World War I

Big wars create big literatures, and World War I was the biggest war to hit Europe since Napoleon. The United States joined the fight in 1917 and proceeded to create a military force exceeding four million men. Because of its enormous impact on the American fabric, the war has created an extensive number of writings by participants as well as by later historians who sought to make some sense out of the slaughter.
Perceptual discrimination in monkeys: Retroactive visual masking ☆

Abstract Five monkeys were trained to discriminate between a square and a triangle presented in a 5 msec tachistoscopic flash with 95–100 per cent accuracy. An essential feature of this trained performance was a programmed sequence of events in which the monkey learned to attend following self-triggering of the stimulus flash. When the monkeys had learned to make the perceptual discrimination with nearly 100 per cent accuracy, the test flash (T) presenting the patterns was followed by a nonpatterned blanking flash (B) at various interstimulus intervals (ISI). When the ISI was 40 msec or greater B had no effect on the perceptual discrimination of T and correct performance of the task remained at 95–100 per cent as in the case of T presented alone. At ISIs of 30–40 msec performance level decreased, suggesting partial masking of T by B; at ISIs of 15–25 msec performance in the visual discrimination task fell to a chance level indicating complete retroactive or backward masking of T by B. These results are in accord with human perceptual blanking or masking studies and have opened the way to investigation of the locus of visual masking by electrophysiological recording in the visual system of monkeys.
The esterase-like activity of covalently bound human third complement protein.

Abstract The acyl ester bond between the third complement protein, C3, and a variety of molcules is hydrolyzed spontaneously at neutral pH (Venkatesh et al. , 1984). Modification of the free, single sulfhydryl group of bound C3 by thiol reagents suggested that a functional group other than the —SH acts as a “catalytic” group in this intramolecular hydrolytic reaction. Complete inhibition of the esterase-like activity is observed with stoichiometric amounts of mercuric chloride, palladium chloride, and the bifunctional organic mercurial, 3,6-bis-(acetoxymercuri)- o -toluidine [BAMT]. Since alkyl and aryl mercuric ions do not inhibit the esterase-like activity of C3-[ 3 H]glycerol, it is conjectured that divalent mercury, palladium, and BAMT will form a complex with the —SH group and an atom of the “catalytic” group X having a lone pair of electrons. The structural features of C3 that are essential for the esterase-like activity remain intact after subjecting C3-[ 3 H]glycerol to covalent chromatography on organomercurial agarose. Based on the observed effects of chemical reagents and the kinetic deuterium solvent isotope effect on the esterase-like activity, a general-base mechanism is proposed for the intramolecular hydrolysis of the acyl ester bond in covalently bound C3. The “catalytic” group X is located in the C3d region (residues 317–632 of the α chain), since C3d-[ 3 H]glycerol also has esterase-like activity. A general-base mechanism mediated by the same “catalytic” group X may also apply to the formation of acyl ester bonds following the hydrolysis of the internal thiolester bond in native C3.
Interleukin-7 Facilitates HIV-1 Transmission to Cervico-Vaginal Tissue ex vivo

The majority of HIV-1 infections in women occur through vaginal intercourse, in which virus-containing semen is deposited on the cervico-vaginal mucosa. Semen is more than a mere carrier of HIV-1, since it contains many biological factors, in particular cytokines, that may affect HIV-1 transmission. The concentration of interleukin (IL)-7, one of the most prominent cytokines in semen of healthy individuals, is further increased in semen of HIV-1-infected men. Here, we investigated the potential role of IL-7 in HIV-1 vaginal transmission in an ex vivo system of human cervico-vaginal tissue. We simulated an in vivo situation by depositing HIV-1 on cervico-vaginal tissue in combination with IL-7 at concentrations comparable with those measured in semen of HIV-1-infected individuals. We found that IL-7 significantly enhanced virus replication in ex vivo infected cervico-vaginal tissue. Similarly, we observed an enhancement of HIV-1 replication in lymphoid tissue explants. Analysis of T cells isolated from infected tissues showed that IL-7 reduced CD4+ T cell depletion preventing apoptosis, as shown by the decrease in the number of cells expressing the apoptotic marker APO2.7 and the increase in the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2. Also, IL-7 increased the fraction of cycling CD4+ T cells, as evidenced by staining for the nuclear factor Ki-67. High levels of seminal IL-7 in vivo may be relevant to the survival of the founder pool of HIV-1-infected cells in the cervico-vaginal mucosa at the initial stage of infection, promoting local expansion and dissemination of HIV infection.
Calponin phosphorylation does not accompany contraction of various smooth muscles

Abstract Calponin phosphorylation was quantitated in 32 P-labeled porcine arterial, uterine, tracheal, stomach and bladder smooth muscles. The negligible amount of 0.003–0.008 mol [ 32 P]phosphate/mol calponin in resting muscles did not increase upon contraction induced by various agents, under conditions when myosin light-chain phosphorylation increased several-fold. The results indicate no involvement of calponin phosphorylation in smooth-muscle contraction.
Pulsed laser deposition as a materials research tool

Abstract Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) is currently being used to deposit a variety of multicomponent electronic ceramic thin films as a materials research tool for the development of next generation electronic devices. Examples include YBa2Cu3O7−δ/ferromagnetic multilayers, ferroelectrics and rare earth doped manganite thin films. In YBa2Cu3O7−δ/ferromagnetic multilayers, the injection of spin-polarized electrons from the ferromagnetic material into the superconductor produces a local reduction in the superconducting order parameter. This effect is being used to develop HTS-based digital logic. The electric field effect in SrxBa(1−x)TiO3 thin films is being used to develop tunable microwave circuits. A 4 : 1 change in the dielectric constant has been observed for fields ≤80 kV/cm. Microstructural defects associated with cation and anion vacancies have been observed in SrxBa(1−x)TiO3 films. These defects have been correlated with dielectric loss and can be reduced by the use of a compensated targets and a post-deposition anneal of the deposited films. A large temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) has been observed in rare earth doped manganite thin films. A TCR as large as ∼30% has been observed for well annealed La0.67Ca0.33MnOδ thin films. These materials can be used to increase the sensitivity of uncooled IR focal plane arrays by more than an order of magnitude making them comparable to HgCdTe detectors. This paper presents the advances in thin film processing and the importance of PLD as a tool for research in the physics of thin films, materials science and the fabrication of devices based on electronic ceramics.
Transfer function matrix

Given a multivariable system, it is proved that the numerator matrix N(s) of the transfer function evaluated at any system pole either has unity rank or is a null matrix. It is also shown that N(s) evaluated at any transmission zero of the system has rank deficiency. Examples are given for illustration.
Reducing child poverty by promoting child well-being: Identifying best practices in a time of great need

Abstract Child poverty in the United States persists despite a range of social services designed to reduce poverty rates and improve the economic self-sufficiency of families. The economic downturns resulting in job losses and the housing crisis have converged to create a new group of families who were managing to remain out of poverty prior to the recession but are now slipping into poverty, putting additional strain on services. In light of these pressing issues, this article synthesizes the literature examining child poverty to take a long-range view of the relationship between economic strain, system involvement, and impacts on children and the systems attempting to serve these children. The effectiveness of various policy and program efforts aimed at reducing child poverty rates and/or ameliorating the negative effects of living in poverty is reviewed. The article concludes by suggesting a major shift in focus from reducing child poverty as a singular goal to a comprehensive approach to promoting child and family well-being.
Radioligand binding assay of progesterone receptors in the primate corpus luteum after in vivo treatment with the 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitor, trilostane

We and others have detected progesterone receptors (PR) in the primate (macaque and human) corpus luteum by immunocytochemistry. However, we have been unable to measure PR in the corpus luteum by conventional ligand binding assay, presumably because high endogenous concentrations of progesterone (P) in luteal tissue prevented specific binding of radiolabeled hormone to PR during the assays. To test this hypothesis, we treated monkeys with the 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitor, Trilostane, to reduce levels of endogenous P before conducting binding assays for PR in luteal tissue. To obtain adequate tissue for saturation analysis, rhesus monkeys (n = 6) were superovulated by treating them with hFSH beginning at menses (day 1) for 6 days, then with hFSH and hLH (days 6-9), followed by hCG (day 10). Trilostane (600 mg) was given 5 days after hCG treatment (day 15), and binding assays were conducted 18 h later. Trilostane significantly reduced mean (+/- SE) serum levels of P from 97.8 +/- 16 to 2.7 +/- 1.3 nmol/L within 18 h (P < 0.001). Strong nuclear staining of PR was detected by immunocytochemistry in both Trilostane-treated and control (not Trilostane-treated) tissue, but ligand binding was measurable only in Trilostane-treated monkeys. Scatchard transformations of saturation curves revealed high affinity binding of [3H] R5020 in luteal cytosol and nuclear extracts with an approximate dissociation constant (Kd) of 4.8 and 1.37 nmol/L, respectively. Also, the PR-specific monoclonal antibody, JZB-39, shifted a [3H]R5020-bound luteal macromolecule on sucrose gradients. Mean cytosolic and nuclear binding of [3H]R5020 were 0.31 +/- 0.09 and 0.06 +/- 0.02 fmol/micrograms DNA, respectively. Similar binding of [3H]R5020 was demonstrated in corpora lutea obtained during spontaneous menstrual cycles after Trilostane treatment (n = 3). These results show unequivocally that the PR in macaque luteal tissue can bind P with high affinity and suggest a receptor-mediated action of P in the primate corpus luteum.
Dihydrodiol dehydrogenases regulate the generation of reactive oxygen species and the development of cisplatin resistance in human ovarian carcinoma cells

We have previously demonstrated that overexpression of dihydrodiol dehydrogenase isoform 1 (DDH1) or DDH2 leads to the induction of drug resistance to platinum based drugs in human ovarian, lung, cervical and germ cell tumor cell lines. DDH belongs to a family of aldoketo reductases that are involved in the detoxification of several endogenous and exogenous substrates. DDH1 and DDH2 in particular have been shown to be involved in the detoxification (activation?) of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Based on the involvement of DDH in the detoxification of electrophilic PAH intermediates, the effect of DDH on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a cisplatin-sensitive and -resistant human ovarian carcinoma cell line was investigated in the current study. In addition to the overexpression of DDH1 and DDH2, increased expression of DDH3 was demonstrated in the cisplatin-resistant 2008/C13* cells, compared to the parental 2008 cells. However, as assessed by RT-PCR, neither cell line expressed DDH4. The 2008/C13* cells were eightfold resistant to cisplatin, and transfection experiments utilizing cisplatin-sensitive 2008 cells suggest that this could be mediated by overexpression of either DDH1, DDH2, or DDH3. The 2008/C13* cells had lower basal intracellular ROS level as compared to the 2008 cells and ROS production was decreased in the recombinant 2008 cells with forced, constitutive overexpression of either, DDH1, DDH2, or DDH3. Transfection of siRNA against DDH1 or DDH2 in the cisplatin-resistant 2008/C13* cells not only significantly decreased their cisplatin-resistance index (as assayed by MTT and colony formation assay) but also led to an increase in the basal levels of ROS production (although transfection of siRNA against DDH3 resulted in cell death). The 2008/C13* cells were found to be cross-resistant to the cytotoxic effects of hydrogen peroxide and tert-butyl hydroperoxide and knockdown of either DDH1 or DDH2 expression (using siRNA) resulted in sensitization of the resistant cells to these agents. These results support the conclusion that the increased levels of DDH in the 2008/C13* cells are directly responsible for the reduced production of ROS and that this may play a role in the development of cisplatin resistance.
Axial gauge propagators for quarks and gluons on the Polyakov-Wilson lattice

Abstract We discuss problems encountered in defining gauge-dependent propagators in a confining theory. For precision we use a finite Polyakov-Wilson lattice to define the Yang-Mills theory and to provide the ultraviolet and infrared regularization. Gauge fixing in a class of superaxial gauges is natural in this framework. A variety of approaches for defining the propagators for quarks and gluons is discussed and the propagators are evaluated explicitly in the strong coupling limit. We speculate upon the infrared behavior of these propagators in the weak coupling limit and upon the utility and validity of the Schwinger-Dyson equations for these propagators. In conclusion we propose that the leading infrared behavior is strongly gauge dependent and governed by the masses of low-lying color singlet states in the hadron spectrum. In the ultraviolet limit, however, with a properly constructed propagator, we find no reason to question the conventional wisdom derived from perturbation theory. Our conclusions should not depend in any fundamental way on the lattice formulation of the gauge theory, except insofar as that formulation serves to give precision to the continuum functional integration.
Corporate entrepreneurship as knowledge creation and conversion: the role of entrepreneurial hubs

Corporate entrepreneurship (CE) is an important means for inducing innovation, revitalizing organizations, and enhancing productivity. It is also the source of new knowledge that allows companies to create capabilities to enter new markets and achieve growth. This article highlights key findings from a 25-year-long stream of research, conducted in several countries, that shows how CE creates knowledge and the variety of knowledge that emerges from different CE activities. It also explains the role of entrepreneurial hubs in capturing, accumulating, converting and translating, and integrating this knowledge, enabling companies to build new revenue streams. The role of these hubs is pervasive, calling for engaged management and creativity in building linkages within and across the different units of an organization. Knowledge, the foundation of competitive superiority, is clearly one of the most important products of CE in today’s dynamic global markets.