cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The formation and properties of grains in the interstellar medium

Abstract The present state of the observational data and theories on interstellar grains is reviewed. The models which are based to some degree on the observational data are examined in detail. The nucleation and growth of grains, the grain temperature, and the electric charge on the grains are critically discussed. A discussion of the observational and experimental data on the grains obtained to date is reviewed. Particular reference is made to graphite and to the likelihood that in the interstellar medium disordered carbon grains are more likely than graphite, based on present theoretical and experimental data of crystal formation and growth. Also recommendations are made for future work which needs to be accomplished in order to yield better parameters which are essential to grain analyses.
The CorA Mg2+ Transport Protein of Salmonella typhimurium MUTAGENESIS OF CONSERVED RESIDUES IN THE THIRD MEMBRANE DOMAIN IDENTIFIES A Mg2+ PORE

The CorA transport system is the major Mg2+ influx pathway for bacteria and the Archaea. CorA contains three C-terminal transmembrane segments. No conserved charged residues are apparent within the membrane, suggesting that Mg2+ influx does not involve electrostatic interactions. We have mutated conserved residues within the third transmembrane segment to identify sites involved in transport. Mutation of conserved aromatic residues at either end of the membrane segment to alternative aromatic amino acids did not affect total cation uptake or cation affinity. Mutation to alanine greatly diminished uptake with little change in cation affinity implying that the conserved aromatic residues play a structural role in stabilizing this membrane segment of CorA at the interface between the bilayer and the aqueous environment. In contrast, mutation of Tyr292, Met299, and Tyr307 greatly altered the transport properties of CorA. Y292F, Y292S, Y292C, or Y292I mutations essentially abolished transport, without effect on expression or membrane insertion. M299C and M299A mutants exhibited a decrease in cation affinity for Mg2+, Co2+, or Ni2+ of 10–50-fold without a significant change in uptake capacity. Mutations at Tyr307 had no significant effect on cation uptake capacity; however, the affinity of Y307F and Y307A mutations for Mg2+and Co2+ was decreased 3–10-fold, while affinity for Ni2+ was unchanged compared with the wild type CorA. In contrast, the affinity of the Y307S mutant for all three cations was decreased 2–5-fold. Projection of the third transmembrane segment as an α-helix suggests that Tyr292, Met299, and Tyr307 all reside on the same face of the α-helix. We interpret the transport data to suggest that a hydroxyl group is important at Tyr307, and that these three residues interact with Mg2+ during transport, forming part of the cation pore or channel within CorA.
The incompatibility of valued money and equilibrium policy

Abstract In an overlapping generations economy, an equilibrium is defined such that at each date, the young agent determines values for that period's monetary and fiscal instruments. A proposition showing money cannot have value in any such equilibrium is proved.
A study of particle unstable 4H

The charged particles from the breakup of the 7Li nucleus following π− capture have been identified in coincidence through a measurement of their energy loss and total energy. A detailed study of the triton energy spectra revealed strong evidence for a particle unstable 4H state. The energy of this resonance was found to be 8±3 MeV above the unbound triton-neutron mass with a width of Γ < 4 MeV. The branching ratios for the reactions are both 1 × 10−4.
Forms as Boundary Genres in Medicine, Science, and Business

This article examines medical treatment forms as boundary genres, drawing on genre and disciplinary studies theories to argue that medical forms represent a commingling of the business, science, an...
Framework for Determining Load Equivalencies with DARWin-ME

This paper presents a methodology for use of mechanistic-empirical design procedures to determine load equivalencies for various axle configurations and loads with a focus on oversize and overweight vehicles. The study uses the DARWin-ME system for pavement analysis and computation of equivalent damage factors (EDFs). In the context of the study, the EDFs for a given axle load and configuration consist of two partial factors: the axle load factor and the group equivalency factor. The framework adopted in this study defines a given axle load and configuration equivalent to a reference axle load based on equivalent pavement responses that results in the same distress level. The EDFs for single, tandem, tridem, and quad axles were evaluated for a wide spectrum of varying loads, and three failure criteria were applied: rutting, fatigue cracking, and roughness. Except in the case of rutting, there was no evidence that EDFs are affected by the structural capacity of the pavement sections. For single axles, it w...
Robust control of uncertain systems with polynomial nonlinearity by output feedback

The problem of global robust stabilization by output feedback is investigated for two classes of uncertain systems with polynomial nonlinearity—one is with controllable/observable linearization and the other is not. The uncertainties in the systems are assumed to be dominated by both lower- and higher-order nonlinearities multiplying by an output-dependent growth rate. There are two ingredients in this study. One is to exploit the idea of how to handle polynomial growth conditions via homogeneity and domination without introducing an observer gain updated law. The other is the development of a recursive design algorithm for the construction of reduced-order observers, which is not only interesting in its own right but also has a valid counterpart, capable of dealing with strongly nonlinear systems, even lack of uniform observability and smooth stabilizability. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Body image and depressive symptoms in patients with head and neck cancer: an important relationship

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between body image and depressive symptoms in patients who have been treated for head and neck cancer.
Inhibition of antigen-induced lymphocyte proliferation by Tat protein from HIV-1

The purified human immunodeficiency virus type-l (HIV-l) Tat protein inhibited lymphocyte proliferation induced by tetanus toxoid or Candida antigens by 66 to 97% at nanomolar concentrations of Tat. In contrast, Tat did not cause a significant reduction of lymphocyte proliferation in response to mitogens such as phytohemagglutinin or pokeweed mitogen. Inhibition was blocked by oxidation of the cysteine-rich region of Tat or by incubation with an antibody to Tat before the assay. A synthetic Tat peptide (residues 1 to 58) also inhibited antigen-stimulated proliferation. Experiments with H9 and U937 cell lines showed that Tat can easily enter both lymphocytes and monocytes. The specific inhibition of antigen-induced lymphocyte proliferation by Tat mimics the effect seen with lymphocytes from HIV-infected individuals and suggests that Tat might directly contribute to the immunosuppression associated with HIV infection.
Antimicrobial therapy for infections of the central nervous system

A variety of physiologic characteristics of the central nervous system (CNS) and pharmacologic characteristics of the antimicrobial agents can influence the effectiveness of therapy in the treatment of CNS infections. The cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) is a large, unique extravascular compartment that is supplied by a nonporous capillary bed. The capillary bed does not allow for the ready diffusion of hydrophilic compounds in the abscence of inflammed meninges. These compounds include the aminoglycosides, β-lactam antimicrobials, and vancomycin. Compounds that are more lipophilic, such as metronidazole, enter the CSF much more readity. The entry of β-lactam agents is facilitated by a transport system. Penetration of the CSF by vancomycin is poor in the absence of meningeal inflammation, raising concern regarding the adjunctive use of cortiosteroids. Methods of circumventing the poor penetration of these agents in patients with meningitis include the use of higher doses and, occasionally, clirect instillation of vancomycin and the aminoglycosides into the intraventricular fluid.
UNEP in Global Environmental Governance: Design, Leadership, Location

As debates on reform of global environmental governance intensify, the future of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has come into acute political focus. Many argue that the organization has faltered in its role as the UN's leading agency for the environment. In this article, I use historical institutional analysis in combination with current international relations and management theory to explain UNEP's creation and evolution. Having described how the creators of UNEP envisioned the nascent organization, I analyze its subsequent performance, identifying the key factors that have shaped its record. I argue that the original vision for UNEP was ambitious but fundamentally pragmatic, and that the organization's mixed performance over the years can be explained by analysis of three factors: its design, leadership, and location. Thus, this article clarifies the record on UNEP's intended function, and lays the foundation for a systematic methodology for evaluating international organizations.
Integrated experimental-computational characterization of TIMETAL 21S

Abstract Accurate material constitutive parameters are important for the finite element simulation of processing, and component and structural loading. Simulations have shown that standard mechanical testing and data reduction practices can produce material property uncertainties of the order of the desired manufacturing tolerances for future components. The present study refines an integrated experimental–computational constitutive response characterization methodology that yields more accurate finite element simulations. Contrary to the previous data reduction techniques, where the goal was to produce a single uniform stress state, the new methodology seeks to generate a wide range of multiaxial stress states and then deconvolve the material response from the specimen behavior through simulation. This methodology extracts the constitutive response from experimental load-displacement test data and specimen shape evolution by constructing the material input curve from finite element simulations of the test specimen. This research includes the development of a novel test specimen to supplement the ASTM E8 specimen design, which exhibits variations in the position of strain localization along the gage length and generates a limited range of multiaxial stress states induced in the material undergoing testing. The novel specimen design examined in the present study uses a single through-thickness hole to generate the multiaxial stress and strain states. This has the added benefit of more nearly matching the stress states in actual structural components.
Response latencies to auditory stimuli in autistic children engaged in self-stimulatory behavior ☆

Abstract We studied three groups of children (mute autistics, autistics with echolalic speech, and normals) under two conditions (while the children were engaged in self-stimulation vs. free from self-stimulatory behavior). The children were trained to approach a dispenser, for candy reinforcement, at the sound of a tone. The time interval between the onset of the tone and Ss approach was labelled his response latency. We found that (1) the presence of self-stimulatory behavior was associated with increased response latencies for the mute autistics; (2) the response latencies of the latter group decreased as Ss received increased training in responding to the auditory stimulus; (3) the amount of self-stimulatory behavior varied with the magnitude of reinforcement for other behavior; (4) in a preliminary way, we obtained some control over the response latencies by experimentally manipulating the amount of self-stimulatory behavior. The data were conceptualized in terms of competing reinforcers.
Enthalpimetry of non-aromatic alkenes.

Abstract A method of increased sensitivity for hydrogen enthalpimetry of olefins in μmole quantities is reported. The method depends on a linear relationship between the amount of alkene present and the heat given off on hydrogenation at slightly more than 2 atm pressure over palladium catalyst on charcoal. Least-squares analysis of the results shows that the measured heat effect is a linear function of amount of alkene taken, with a relative standard deviation of 1–3% for samples ranging in size from 1·4 to 37·5 μmole. Extension of the method to samples in submicromolar quantities was only partially successful; in a series of measurements extending to a minimum amount of 0·64 μmole, the relative standard deviation rose to 9·6%.
TU-EE-A2-05: TomoDose: A Daily Quality Assurance Device for Helical TomoTherapy

Purpose: We have characterized TomoDose (Sun Nuclear Corp.), a daily QA device for TomoTherapy, which monitors in‐plane and cross‐plane beam profiles as well as machine output. These parameters were tracked over a one‐year period to determine the stability of the device. Method and Materials: Daily measurements were carried out over a one‐year period. The data included in‐plane, and cross‐plane measurements with TomoDose and ion chambers. Periodic measurements with a water scanner and film profiles were also carried out for comparison. For consistency, these measurements were carried out at equivalent depths. An Exradin A1SL chamber was used for the point dose measurements, and a TomoScanner (Standard Imaging) water scanning systems used for profile verification. Kodak EDR2 film was also used for profile verification. Machine profile analysis using TomoDose, as well as film/water scanning comparisons, were carried out using DTA criteria (distance to agreement criteria of VanDyk et al). Results: TomoTherapy Output varied by +/− 1.75% based on TomoDose output analysis and by +/‐ 1.56% based on ion chamber measurements. In‐plane profile analysis indicates that 100% of the DTA are less than 4 mm and 95% less than 3 mm. Cross‐plane profile analysis indicates that 100% of the DTA are less than 3 mm. TomoDose retained its calibration for approximately 8 months after which recalibration was required. There is a significant linear relationship (P<0.01) between TomoDose unit and ion chamber outputs based on SPSS correlation analysis. Conclusion: TomoDose accurately predicted increases and decreases in machine daily variation. The results demonstrate that TomoDose is an acceptable QA device capable of carrying out daily, as well as periodic, verification of TomoTherapy output and profile parameters.
3D nonlinear finite element/fracture mechanics analysis of pressurized nuclear reactor container ring

Abstract Nuclear reactor containers, without inner liners, must withstand internal pressurization with minimal leak to the outside through the cracks. This paper reports on a 3D finite element (FE) simulation of a prestressed nuclear reactor container ring subjected to internal pressure. Discrete cracks are used, and the effect of crack surface pressurization on crack openings is investigated. It is shown that the discrete crack model can provide a suitable alternative to the smeared crack one, and that for the selected ring, the effect of additional crack pressurization is minimal.
The OST4 Gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Encodes an Unusually Small Protein Required for Normal Levels of Oligosaccharyltransferase Activity

Abstract Sodium vanadate is an effective drug for the enrichment of yeast mutants defective in glycosylation reactions that are carried out in the Golgi complex(1). We have isolated vanadate-resistant, hygromycin B-sensitive mutants that act at very early steps of N-linked glycosylation, occurring in the endoplasmic reticulum. Here we describe the phenotypic characterization of ost4, a vanadate-resistant mutant that is defective in oligosaccharyltransferase (OTase) activity both in vivo and in vitro. The OST4 open reading frame is unusual in that it predicts a protein of only 36 amino acids. We demonstrate that the OST4 gene product is, in fact, an unusually small protein of approximately 3.6 kDa, predicted to lie almost entirely in the hydrophobic environment of the membrane. Strains carrying a disruption of the OST4 gene are viable but grow poorly at 25°C. The null mutant is inviable at 37°C, demonstrating that the OST4 gene product is essential for growth at high temperatures. Deletion of the OST4 gene greatly diminishes OTase activity but does not abolish it. These results suggest that the OST4 gene encodes a subunit or accessory component of OTase that is essential at high temperature.
Method for the drawing of Newman projections: Understanding Newman projections with the help of hands

The interconversion between the perspective formulae and Newman projections is illustrated here. The method describes how students can look at their own hands as models for the visualization and interconversion. The procedure is also applicable for drawing Newman projections of chair conformations.
Sample plug tailing and cold trap effect in hot split sampling

Sample plug tailing together with a cold trap effect brings about discrimination against low boiling components at an initial column temperature above the boiling point of the solvent. In conventional split injection, this compensates for the opposite effects of such factors as the gas phase viscocity change and the pressure wave during the split period, and reasonable results are obtained. In stop-flow injection, however, since the influences of the opposite factors are diminished, the sample plug tailing and the cold trap effect may produce results showing lower than true concentrations for the low boiling components.
Effect of strain rate on the electroplastic effect in Nb

It has been found that the application of a high density electric current pulse during the plastic deformation of metals produces an enhancement of the deformation rate in addition to that caused by the side effects of the current such as Joule heating and the magnetic pinch effect. This additional effect has been termed an electroplastic effect (EPE). EPE consists of two contributions: (a) an electron wind force which is proportional to the current density j and a second still unclear effect which is proportional to j/sup 2/. Little work has been done on the influence of the initial strain rate epsilon/sub j=o/ on the EPE. The objective of the present study was therefore to investigate further the effect of the prior plastic strain rate on the EPE. Nb was chosen for this study because only limited prior work has been carried out on this BCC transition metal.
The Fourier transforms of the laser-induced absorption decay from glycogen phosphorylase and DOPA decarboxylase.

Abstract Fourier analysis of the laser-induced absorption decay curves of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) decarboxylase and glycogen phosphorylase demonstrates a powerful technique in the analysis of complicated decay behavior. Phosphorylase which uses the pyridoxal 5′-phosphate cofactor in an unknown manner exhibits over weak absorption an intense decay while decarboxylase demonstrates only weak absorption. Fourier analysis of the decay curves clearly shows that phosphorylase has an intense absorption decay in the midst of three weaker ones and that decarboxylase only has three weak decays. This conclusion justifies the isolation and use of the intense decay of phosphorylase as an observable in the study of protein dynamics at the active site about the cofactor. The decay has demonstrated a movement of positive charge to substrate in the mechanism of phosphorylation of glycogen units.
A novel delta current method for transport stoichiometry estimation.

The ion transport stoichiometry (q) of electrogenic transporters is an important determinant of their function. q can be determined by the reversal potential (Erev) if the transporter under study is the only electrogenic transport mechanism or a specific inhibitor is available. An alternative approach is to calculate delta reversal potential (ΔErev) by altering the concentrations of the transported substrates. This approach is based on the hypothesis that the contributions of other channels and transporters on the membrane to Erev are additive. However, Erev is a complicated function of the sum of different conductances rather than being additive. We propose a new delta current (ΔI) method based on a simplified model for electrogenic secondary active transport by Heinz (Electrical Potentials in Biological Membrane Transport, 1981). ΔI is the difference between two currents obtained from altering the external concentration of a transported substrate thereby eliminating other currents without the need for a specific inhibitor. q is determined by the ratio of ΔI at two different membrane voltages (V1 and V2) where q = 2RT/(F(V2 –V1))ln(ΔI2/ΔI1) + 1. We tested this ΔI methodology in HEK-293 cells expressing the elctrogenic SLC4 sodium bicarbonate cotransporters NBCe2-C and NBCe1-A, the results were consistent with those obtained with the Erev inhibitor method. Furthermore, using computational simulations, we compared the estimates of q with the ΔErev and ΔI methods. The results showed that the ΔErev method introduces significant error when other channels or electrogenic transporters are present on the membrane and that the ΔI equation accurately calculates the stoichiometric ratio. We developed a ΔI method for estimating transport stoichiometry of electrogenic transporters based on the Heinz model. This model reduces to the conventional reversal potential method when the transporter under study is the only electrogenic transport process in the membrane. When there are other electrogenic transport pathways, ΔI method eliminates their contribution in estimating q. Computational simulations demonstrated that the ΔErev method introduces significant error when other channels or electrogenic transporters are present and that the ΔI equation accurately calculates the stoichiometric ratio. This new ΔI method can be readily extended to the analysis of other electrogenic transporters in other tissues.
ENISI SDE: A novel web-based stochastic modeling tool for computational biology

Stochasticity is part of the nature of many biological processes and an important aspect in modeling and simulations of computational biology. Gillespie's algorithm was developed for modeling stochasticity of chemical reactions and has been broadly applied to stochastic modeling in computational biology. The Gillespie's algorithm accounts for the particle effect in chemical reactions. However, many biological processes including cellular and molecular immunological mechanisms have many other sources of stochasticity such as cell movement, ligand binding, or unaccounted variation in experimental settings. In this paper, we propose stochastic differential equations (SDE) being used as a generic stochastic modeling technique for systems immunology. SDE has been widely used in statistics and economics areas; but only a few isolated studies in computational biology are found using SDE to model stochastic behaviors of cells and molecules. In addition, to the best of our knowledge, there is no user-friendly SDE-based modeling tool available for computational biologists. This paper presents ENISI SDE, a web-based user-friendly stochastic modeling tool for computational biologists. This work provides three major contributions: (1) we discuss SDE and propose it as a generic approach for stochastic modeling in computational biology; (2) we develop ENISI SDE, a web-based user-friendly SDE modeling tool that only requires little extra effort beyond regular ODE-based modeling; (3) we use the model SDE modeling tool to study stochastic sources of cell heterogeneity in the context of a CD4+ T Cell differentiation process. The case study clearly shows the effectiveness of SDE as a stochastic modeling approach in biology in general and immunology in particular and the power of the SDE modeling tool we developed.
Psychological theories of persuasion: An auditor's report

(1971). Psychological theories of persuasion: An auditor's report. Quarterly Journal of Speech: Vol. 57, No. 4, pp. 383-392.
Application of Molecular Connectivity Indices to the Design of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide‐Soluble Metal Ion Extractants: SC‐CO2 Solubilities of Symmetrically Substituted Alkylenediphosphonic Acids

Abstract Using a dynamic flow method, the supercritical carbon dioxide (SC‐CO2) solubilities of two series of symmetrically substituted alkylenediphosphonic acids, bearing 2‐ethylhexyl and 3‐trimethylsilyl‐1‐propyl ester groups, respectively, were determined as a function of the number of methylene groups separating the two phosphorus atoms. An even–odd effect, similar to that observed previously for the aggregation of these compounds in nonpolar diluents, was observed, with compounds that form more highly aggregated species in nonpolar diluents exhibiting lower solubility in SC‐CO2. Differences in the relative solubilities of analogous members of these series prompted the study of the SC‐CO2 solubilities of symmetrically substituted methylenediphosphonic acids bearing seven‐ and eight‐carbon ester groups of various degrees of branching to determine the relative importance of steric and electronic effects in determining SC‐CO2 solubilities. When molecular connectivity indices were used to quantify the ext...
Impact of the CKD-EPI equation for estimating renal function on eligibility for cisplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with urothelial cancer.

Abstract Background Although a creatinine clearance (CrCl) of Methods All patients pathologically diagnosed with muscle invasive and/or metastatic bladder urothelial carcinoma (T2-4, N or M positive) at Mount Sinai Medical Center between January 1, 2000, and January 27, 2011, were identified. For each patient, CrCl was estimated by using the CG equation and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated by using the CKD-EPI equation. The patients were considered cisplatin-ineligible if CrCl Results A total of 116 patients were included. The median CrCl estimated by CG was 58.93 mL/min, whereas the median GFR estimated by CKD-EPI was 64.67 mL/min per 1.73 m2. When using the CG formula, 53% of our cohort was cisplatin ineligible, whereas 46% of the cohort was ineligible when using the CKD-EPI formula. The probability of deeming a patient ineligible when using the CG formula was 17% higher than the probability of deeming a patient ineligible when using the CKD-EPI formula: PR 1.17 (95% CI, 1.03-1.34); P = .0203. Conclusion In our retrospective study, the CKD-EPI formula was less likely to deem a patient ineligible for cisplatin-based therapy compared with the CG formula. This finding was hypothesis generating, and prospective evaluation is necessary to determine the clinical relevance of using this more accurate method of renal function assessment in chemotherapy decision making.
Estimation of Electromigration-Aggravating Narrow Interconnects Using a Layout Sensitivity Model

During semiconductor manufacturing, particles undesirably depose on the surface of the wafer causing "open" and "short" defects to interconnects. In this paper, a third type of defects called "interconnect narrowing" defect is defined. Interconnect narrowing occurs when a defect intervenes the lithographic printing of interconnects causing the formation of a narrow interconnect. The narrow sites of defective interconnects favor electromigration that makes narrow interconnects more likely to induce a chip failure than regular interconnects. In this paper, a layout sensitivity model accounting for narrowing defects is derived. A methodology for predicting the probability of narrow interconnects using the sensitivity model is then proposed. The layout sensitivity model for narrow interconnects is tested and compared to actual and simulated data. Our layout sensitivity model for narrow interconnects predicts the probability of narrowing with 3.1% error, on average. The model is then combined with electromigration constraints to predict mean-time-to-failure of chips manufactured in future technology down to 32 nm node. The paper concludes with some other possible applications of the narrow interconnect predictive model.
An inventory of learning at a distance in Economics

This article examines the variety of institutions offering economics courses via the Internet in the fall 2000 semester and the methods of instruction used in those courses. Both 2- and 4-year colleges offer courses via the Internet and in about equal numbers. Research universities lag behind teaching institutions in web course offerings. Most institutions teaching economics via the Internet are located in metropolitan areas with 250,000 inhabitants or more and very few courses are offered by institutions in the plains states. Streaming audio and video are relatively uncommon, used in less than 20% of the courses, but 76% involved what the instructor considered to be active learning techniques. There is no statistically significant correlation between use of active learning techniques and use of streamed video or audio.
A divide-and-conquer direct differentiation approach for multibody system sensitivity analysis

In the design and analysis of multibody dynamics systems, sensitivity analysis is a critical tool for good design decisions. Unless efficient algorithms are used, sensitivity analysis can be computationally expensive, and hence, limited in its efficacy. Traditional direct differentiation methods can be computationally expensive with complexity as large as O(n4+n2m2+nm3), where n is the number of generalized coordinates in the system and m is the number of algebraic constraints. In this paper, a direct differentiation divide-and-conquer approach is presented for efficient sensitivity analysis of multibody systems with general topologies. This approach uses a binary tree structure to traverse the topology of the system and recursively generate the sensitivity data in linear and logarithmic complexities for serial and parallel implementations, respectively. This method works concurrently with the forward dynamics problem, and hence, requires minimal data storage. The differentiation required in this algorithm is minimum as compared to traditional methods, and is generated locally on each body as a preprocessing step. The method provides sensitivity values accurately up to integration tolerance and is insensitive to perturbations in design parameter values. This approach is a good alternative to existing methodologies, as it is fairly simple to implement for general topologies and is computationally efficient.
After shame; before corporate moral obligation (CMO): ethical lag and the credit crisis

The global financial crisis brought down some of the world's largest and most well-established financial institutions. In an area of business activity where tradition and trust are said to count for much, astonishing levels of open criminality, venality, and willingness to exploit weak regulatory structures were brought to light by the financial crisis. This paper is a paraenetic comment on that crisis. It is an exhortation to better business practices, a recognition that the crisis was brought about because the old sanctions of shame and regulation failed to deter unethical behaviour. The paper reviews some of the reasons for this and introduces the idea of corporate moral obligation (CMO) as an alternative ethic. We suggest that CMO better captures a universal commitment to unwavering values than does the more utilitarian approach of weighing the interests of various stakeholders, many of whom lack the power to secure what is their rightful due. In commending CMO, we do not aim to anticipate every objection but rather to encourage consideration of one possible way of overcoming the ethical lag exposed by the global credit crisis.
Molecular Genetics of Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer

: The initial paradigm developed for colorectal carcinogenesis was derived from the observation that these tumors suffer a large number of chromosomal losses. This phenomenon results from unbalanced mitoses, and to date there is no clear explanation for this type of genomic instability. In 1993, a second type of genomic instability was detected and linked to 12–15% of sporadic tumors, as well as 90% or more of the colon cancers in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). HNPCC tumors are typically diploid and do not have the inactivating mutations at the tumor suppressor genes commonly found in the other cancers. These tumors were found because they have a very large number (perhaps in excess of 105) of insertion or deletion mutations at microsatellite sequences; as a result, this has been termed microsatellite instability (MSI). The majority of HNPCC families can be linked to germline mutations in the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes hMSH2 or hMLH1. Germline mutations in hMSH6 and hPMS2 in HNPCC families are much less common. HNPCC tumors develop through the accumulation of mutations at genes that control cellular growth, and these genes are not the same as those recognized in the initial pathway outlined by Vogelstein et al.1 The genetic targets of MSI all contain repetitive sequences in coding regions that are unstable when the DNA MMR system is inoperative. Certain pathological features have been identified that suggest that colon cancers have developed in the setting of defective DNA MMR.
Reconstructive explanation: explanation as complex problem solving

Existing explanation facilities are typically far more appropriate for knowledge engineers engaged in system maintenance than for end-users of the system. This is because the explanation is little more than a trace of the detailed problem-solving steps. An alternative approach recognizes that an effective explanation often needs to substantially reorganize the line of reasoning and bring to bear additional information to support the result. Explanation itself becomes a complex problem-solving process that depends not only on the line of reasoning, but also on additional knowledge of the domain. We present a new computational model of explanation and argue that it results in significant improvements over traditional approaches.
Senior Surfing: Computer Use, Aging, and Formal Training

In this article, we describe data from two case studies of seniors (one younger senior and one older senior) in learning to use computers. The study combined interviews, observations, and documents to take a close look at their experiences with computers, as well as the influences of aging and computer training on their experiences. The study revealed that seniors benefited from their use of computers, ranging from the magic of email and the World Wide Web to the personal fulfillment of lifelong learning, independence, and enrichment. It further suggests that the kind of structured guidance formal computer classes provide to seniors matters more than aging or if seniors have higher formal education.
Analysis of response systems in Pavlovian conditioning reveals rapidly versus slowly acquired conditioned responses: Support for two factors, implications for behavior and neurobiology

A review of the literature on aversive Pavlovian (classical) conditioning was conducted to determine whether various conditioned responses (CRs) develop at the same or at different rates. Statistical analyses revealed a bimodal distribution of the rates of acquisition of various types of CRs. Rapid acquisition (M = 5.7 trials to first consistent CR) occurs for conditioned suppression and changes in galvanic skin response, blood pressure, respiration, pupil size, and heart rate. Slower acquisition (M = 71.3 trials) characterizes nictitating membrane, eyelid, and flexion CRs. Differences in conditioned stimulus intensity, unconditioned stimulus intensity, intertrial interval, and interstimulus interval between the two groups cannot explain the dichotomy. Studies of concurrent measurement of more than one type of CR further support the “fast/slow” CR distinction. The findings support two-factor theories of Pavlovian conditioning. The results are discussed with regard to various two-factor learning theories, and the implications for behavioral and neurobiological studies of learning are considered.
Space–Time Clustering of Crime Events and Neighborhood Characteristics in Houston:

Spatial-temporal interaction analysis is employed to identify repeat and near-repeat patterns of crime in time and space. Most research to date addresses burglary and shooting incidents. Using the Knox method for space-time interaction, this study analyzes crime data in 12 "super neighborhoods" located in Houston's crime-heavy southwest quadrant to explore spatial-temporal clustering of three types of crime, namely, residential burglary, street robbery, and aggravated assault. The findings suggest that each type of crime event has a unique clustering signature. Residential burglaries show significant space-time clustering in a relatively longer time range (up to 90 days) and distance interval (up to 1.55 miles). In contrast, street robberies present significant clustering only up to 6 days and a quarter of a mile. For aggravated assault, the clusters of pairs occur within the interval of 7 days and within a little more than 1 mile of an initial assault. Examination of the socioeconomic characteristics of the neighborhoods indicates that crime events cluster more often in low income and racially/ethnically diverse neighborhoods. Significant spatial correlations of crime clusters are detected. The findings offer insight into potential suppression of crime events that are time and space correlated. Language: en
Structural properties of optimal production controllers in failure-prone manufacturing systems

A failure-prone manufacturing system with one part-type and multiple machine states is considered. Each machine state has a given production capacity but is associated with several possible failure stages. Although transition times between failure stages are assumed exponential, the existence of multiple stages within each machine state allows failure times to have a distribution more general than the exponential distribution. For such a system, it is shown that the well-known hedging point policy minimizes inventory and backlog costs for a constant demand rate. The value of the optimal hedging points is now a function of failure stage as well as machine state. By ordering machine states according to increasing distance from the zero capacity state and failure stages according to distance from the capacity reduction transition, we show that hedging points increase monotonically when the machine state number decreases or the stage number increases. This can be intuitively interpreted as follows: the closer to the zero capacity state the system is, the larger the hedging point should be. This structural property of the optimal control is very useful in searching for the optimal control or designing near-optimal controls. >
A three‐component portable seismograph for the measurement of vibrations

General Features—This instrument was designed and constructed primarily for the registration of vibrations from dynamite blasts, traffic, machinery, and general Industrial sources. For vibrations of a frequency of three cycles per second or more, it gives a record directly proportional to displacement. With a magnification factor of 25 over this range, it gives clear, full registration from about 0.0005 to 0,035 inch. The maximum on-scale displacement which can be recorded usefully on any one of the components is 0.080 inch. Over a period of 15 years, experiments have shown that these constants are best adapted to the service for which this was designed.
Increasing and Decreasing Motor and Cognitive Output: A Model of General Action and Inaction Goals

General action and inaction goals can influence the amount of motor or cognitive output irrespective of the type of behavior in question, with the same stimuli producing trivial and important motor and cognitive manifestations normally viewed as parts of different systems. A series of experiments examined the effects of instilling general action and inaction goals using word primes, such as "action" and "rest." The first 5 experiments showed that the same stimuli influenced motor output, such as doodling on a piece of paper and eating, as well as cognitive output, such as recall and problem solving. The last 2 experiments supported the prediction that these diverse effects can result from the instigation of general action and inaction goals. Specifically, these last 2 studies confirmed that participants were motivated to achieve active or inactive states and that attaining them decreased the effects of the primes on behavior.
A molecular modeling analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon biodegradation by naphthalene dioxygenase

A theoretical analysis was performed to examine the role of naphthalene dioxygenase (NDO) enzymes in determining differences in biodegradability and biodegradation rates of two- to four-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) via oxygenation and desaturation reactions. Investigation of the thermodynamics of PAH biodegradation reactions catalyzed by NDO revealed that enthalpies of reaction can explain reaction patterns or regioselectivity of the enzyme in limited cases. Molecular modeling analysis of the size and shape constraints of PAH-enzyme interactions suggests that PAHs bigger than approximately four rings and compounds with alpha substituents or other structural features contributing to increased width at the end of the substrate near the active site are expected to have binding difficulties. This explains some regioselectivity observations, in that thermodynamically favorable sites on some PAH molecules cannot be positioned correctly to be oxidized at the active site. The enzyme fit analysis also suggests that slower biodegradation rates are expected for compounds with larger widths because of the unique positioning that is required for reaction to occur. An inverse relationship between a molecular descriptor of compound width and previously obtained biodegradation rates suggests that this descriptor may be valuable for predicting relative biodegradation rates of PAHs with dioxygenases other than NDO.
Status of the OPAL microvertex detector and new radiation monitoring and beam dump system

Abstract The status of the OPAL Phase III microvertex detector is discussed briefly. This is followed by a more detailed description of the OPAL microvertex detector radiation monitoring and beam dump system. This system measures AC currents induced by radiation on each passing of the beams in silicon diodes mounted close to the microvertex detector front-end electronics. Examples are shown for incidents leading to a beam dump trigger. The integrated radiation dose is also discussed.
Dynamics of the coupled moist Kelvin-Rossby wave on an equatorial β-plane

Abstract A simple theoretical analysis on the stability of a resting tropical atmosphere to semigeostrophic perturbations is given using a free atmosphere–boundary layer coupled model on an equatorial β-plane. An unstable mode emerges when sea surface temperature is higher than a critical value. The growing mode is a moist Kelvin wave modified through coupling with a Rossby wave of the lowest meridional index. The modified Rossby modes, however, remain damped even for high SST. The unstable mode selection can be explained in terms of wave energy generation due to the latent heating induced by frictional moisture convergence. The horizontal mode-coupling has profound impacts on wave instability. It favors the amplification of long planetary-scale waves, slows down eastward propagation, and suppresses unrealistically fast growth of the uncoupled moist Kelvin mode by creating substantial meridional flows. These effects make the coupled unstable mode more resemble observed equatorial intraseasonal disturbance...
Submesh Allocation in 2D-Mesh Multicomputers: Partitioning at the Longest Dimension of Requests

Two adaptive noncontiguous allocation strategies for 2D-mesh multicomputers are proposed in this paper. The first is first-fit-based and the second is best-fit-based. That is; for a given request, the proposed first-fit-based approach tries to find a free submesh using the well-known first-fit strategy, if it fails, the request at hand is partitioned into two sub-requests that are allocated using the first-fit approach. Partitioning is performed at the longest dimension of the request. That is, for a given request of size αxβ and assuming β>α, the two partition-sizes are αx(β-1) and αx1 after removing one from the longest dimension of the request. The two new sub-requests are then allocated using the first-fit strategy. This procedure continues recursively until the request is fulfilled. The second approach is also based on PArtitioning at the Longest Dimension (PALD) of requests but a best-fit approach is used to allocate requests and sub-requests. The partitioning mechanism aims at (i) lifting the condition of contiguity, and (ii) at the same time maintaining good level of contiguity. Removing one from the longest dimension of a request is expected to produce two sub-requests one of which is relatively big and as close as possible to the square-shape and, thus; reducing communication latency caused by non-contiguity. Using extensive simulations, we evaluated the proposed strategies and compared them with previous contiguous and non-contiguous strategies. Simulation outcomes clearly show the proposed PALD-based schemes produce the best Average Response Time (ART), the Average System Utilization (ASU) and also produce relatively low communication overhead.
The NIST data science evaluation series: Part of the NIST information access division data science initiative

The Information Access Division (IAD) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) launched a new Data Science Initiative in the fall of 2015. This initiative focuses on evaluation-driven research and will establish a new Data Science Evaluation series to facilitate research collaboration, to leverage shared technology and infrastructure, and to further build and strengthen the data science community. The evaluation series will consist of a pre-pilot to be launched in the fall of 2015, a pilot evaluation to be launched in 2016, and a full-scale multiple-track evaluation in 2017. In addition to these evaluations, this new initiative aims to address several infrastructure challenges and to provide standards to encourage easier group collaboration.
Phase II trial of intravenous flourouracil and subcutaneous interferon alfa-2b for biliary tract cancer.

PURPOSETo assess the efficacy of systemic intravenous-fluorouracil (5-FU) and subcutaneous recombinant human interferon alfa-2b (rIFN alpha-2b) in patients with measurable cancer of the biliary tree.PATIENTS AND METHODSThirty-five patients (25 with cholangiocarcinoma and 10 with gallbladder carcinoma) were registered onto this phase II protocol between 1992 and 1995. Patients received a continuous infusion of 750 mg/m2/d of 5-FU on days 1 through 5 through a centrally placed venous catheter and a subcutaneous injection of 5 MU/m2 of rIFN alpha-2b on days 1, 3, and 5. Treatment cycles were repeated every 14 days; one course of therapy included four treatment cycles. Disease status was assessed every 8 weeks. Dosages were lowered for grade III mucositis. Fourteen patients had prior treatment and, before initiating this therapy, 17 patients required decompression of the biliary tree.RESULTSEleven of 32 (34%) assessable patients had a partial response. The median time to disease progression was 9.5 months, an...