cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Regulatory Network Analysis of Phenotypic Plasticity in Yeast

Abstract: Models for the evolution of phenotypic plasticity suggest when and why plasticity might evolve. However, relatively little is known about the genetic basis of plasticity. Molecular studies have recently demonstrated that gene networks can provide a powerful way to infer phenotype from genotype. Information on the structure of the yeast gene regulatory network was combined with data on variation in gene expression in yeast across multiple environments in order to explore the genetic basis of phenotypic plasticity. The phenotypic plasticity of a gene was positively correlated with the number of transcription factors regulating that gene and was significantly lower for transcription factors than for downstream, nonregulatory genes. Plasticity of a gene was also affected by the local substructure of the network in which it was found and by the gene’s function. These results illustrate how network analyses can be used to understand the complex genetic architecture of quantitative traits.
Emission Spectra Of Hemoglobin In The Picosecond Range

We describe steady state emission spectra and fluorescent decay times from highly purified solutions of human hemoglobin, and the precautions necessary to obtain reliable measurements on the highly quenched intrinsic tryptophan emission. Hemoglobin displays a wide range of decay times (10 ps to 8 ns). The ps component are probably due to Hb itself, and the ns components are probably due to impurities. The ps emission appears to have emission maxima near 320 nm, which is characteristic of tryptophan residues which are shielded from contact with water. The ns components appear to have emission maxima near 340 nm. Our results indicate that the intrinsic emission of Hb can be a useful probe for its functional behavior.
Predicting the Presence of Purpose Through the Self-Efficacy Beliefs of One’s Talents

AbstractIndividuals with greater levels of purpose and meaning tend to be happier, demonstrate greater selfcontrol, strong values, and have healthier mental attitudes (Molasso, 2006a; Steger, 2009). It has been suggested that knowing one’s talents may be related to the development of purpose, but this hypothesis has not been previously tested. This study examines the self-efficacy belief in one’s talents identified through the Clifton StrengthsFinder® and its relationship to hope, well-being, and meaning in life among college students. Results from a path analysis indicate that these self-efficacy beliefs can predict hope and the presence of meaning in life, and the results may suggest that this inventory can be a practical assessment tool.
Stepwise assembly of fibrin bilayers on self-assembled monolayers of alkanethiolates : Influence of surface chemistry

Fibrin bilayers are formed in a stepwise manner on four model surfaces: hydrophobic, neutral hydrophilic, positively charged, and negatively charged. These surfaces are self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiolates on gold with different terminal groups. A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor is used to monitor the formation of fibrin bilayers in real time. The structures of the fibrin bilayers formed on SAMs of different surface chemistries are proposed, based on the amount of fibrinogen in each layer. The efficiency of the physically adsorbed fibrinogen to promote fibrin formation is assessed by the ratio of the amount of fibrinogen in the second layer to that in the first layer. It is shown for the first time that the orientation/ conformation of an adsorbed fibrinogen layer determined by underlying surface chemistry affects its reactivity with soluble fibrinogen, resulting in fibrin bilayers with different molecular arrangements. Bovine aortic endothelial cells cultured on fibrin bilayers formed on CH 3 - and OH- SAMs exhibited different morphologies and growth characteristics. Results show that fibrin bilayers with different molecular arrangements and thus different mechanochemical properties lead to different cellular responses.
Group Effects on Deviant Behavior

Two determinants of conformity were examined: distance of a deviant individual from the mean of a group's judgments and homogeneity of the judgments about the group mean. The consequences of knowing four others' judgments of weights were assessed. After initial estimates of each weight were obtained, Ss were given fictitious estimates representing others' judgments. Ss farther from the group norm were more influenced; movement toward the group was enhanced by homogeneity of group judgments.
A framework for evaluating technology readiness, system quality, and program performance of U.S. DoD acquisitions

Although U.S. weapon systems are among the best in the world, defense acquisition programs have a historical track record for being vulnerable to enormous risks in the form of cost overruns, schedule delays, and poor technical performance. Based on assessments of selected defense acquisition programs, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) concluded that premature selection and use of insufficiently mature technologies is a driving cause of these risks. By means of policies, initiatives, and best practices, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is mandating the use of Technology Readiness Assessments (TRAs) throughout the acquisition lifecycle in an effort to curtail these risks. However, the extent to which defense acquisition programs adhere to assessing technology maturity through the TRA process and the degree of relationship to quality of U.S. military systems and performance of programs is debatable. To address this shortcoming, a framework was developed to measure the extent of correlation between TRA and key enabling engineering activities, system quality, and program performance. The framework was developed in conjunction with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from the DoD, the Intelligence Community (IC), and the Institute of Defense Analysis (IDA) and empirically examined using a sample of 223 engineers, program managers, and executives from various U.S. DoD acquisition programs. The results suggest that, although conducting a formal TRA is not a significant predictor of system quality or program performance, there are engineering activities called for in a TRA that have strongly correlation to these factors. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Accelerating flap maturation by vascular endothelium growth factor in a rat tube flap model

Summary The effect of exogenous vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) on the survival of the distal skin paddle with early pedicle division was studied in a rat tubed pedicle flap model. In part I, tubed pedicle skin flaps were created on the backs of 14 rats. The pedicle was divided after an interval of 3, 4, 5 or 7 days, and the survival area of each distal skin paddle was measured 5 days after the pedicle was divided. The percentages of survival were 0, 24.9%, 89.9% and 100%, respectively. In part II, tube flaps were created in 20 rats. In the experimental group, 2 ml of VEGF (50 μg ml −1 ) was injected into the recipient bed during tube flap creation in each rat. In the control group, 2 ml of saline was given. The tubed pedicle was divided 4 days after creation. The mean survival area of the distal skin paddle in the group treated with VEGF was 7.32±1.36 cm 2 (80.91%) at 5 days after pedicle division, which was of statistical significance when compared with the survival in the control group of 2.70±1.89 cm 2 (27.9%). The histology showed angiogenesis at the skin paddle-recipient bed interface following VEGF injection. These results demonstrate that the subcutaneous administration of VEGF into the recipient bed of the tube flap transfer can induce angiogenesis at the junction between the donor and the recipient bed, and improve skin paddle survival with early pedicle division.
Acute transplantation of glial-restricted precursor cells into spinal cord contusion injuries: survival, differentiation, and effects on lesion environment and axonal regeneration

Transplantation of stem cells and immature cells has been reported to ameliorate tissue damage, induce axonal regeneration, and improve locomotion following spinal cord injury. However, unless these cells are pushed down a neuronal lineage, the majority of cells become glia, suggesting that the alterations observed may be potentially glially mediated. Transplantation of glial-restricted precursor (GRP) cells--a precursor cell population restricted to oligodendrocyte and astrocyte lineages--offers a novel way to examine the effects of glial cells on injury processes and repair. This study examines the survival and differentiation of GRP cells, and their ability to modulate the development of the lesion when transplanted immediately after a moderate contusion injury of the rat spinal cord. GRP cells isolated from a transgenic rat that ubiquitously expresses heat-stable human placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) were used to unambiguously detect transplanted GRP cells. Following transplantation, some GRP cells differentiated into oligodendrocytes and astrocytes, retaining their differentiation potential after injury. Transplanted GRP cells altered the lesion environment, reducing astrocytic scarring and the expression of inhibitory proteoglycans. Transplanted GRP cells did not induce long-distance regeneration from corticospinal tract (CST) and raphe-spinal axons when compared to control animals. However, GRP cell transplants did alter the morphology of CST axons toward that of growth cones, and CST fibers were found within GRP cell transplants, suggesting that GRP cells may be able to support axonal growth in vivo after injury.
The Role of Liver-directed Surgery in Patients with Hepatic Metastasis from a Gynecologic Primary Carcinoma

Background The management of patients with liver metastasis from a gynecologic carcinoma remains controversial, as there is currently little data available. We sought to determine the safety and efficacy of liver-directed surgery for hepatic metastasis from gynecologic primaries.
Applying Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) to Social Work Administration Research

Multi-level structures are common in social work administration research, where individuals are hierarchically nested within organizations. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) is a statistical method developed to address issues associated with the unique nature of multilevel data. We introduce the basic notion of HLM, highlighting the need for using this technique in multilevel data. We also present analytical procedures, illustrating the major issues involved in the application of HLM to social work administration research. Currently, there has been an increasing interest in promoting a multilevel approach in social work administration research. To comprehend and benefit from the results of research dealing with the multilevel approach, administrators as well as researchers are expected to understand the basic logic of HLM. This paper delivers sufficient practical knowledge for research consumers to appreciate the results of research that has employed HLM, especially for those consumers who are not famili...
The Political-Media Complex at 50 Putting the 1996 Presidential Campaign in Context

Placing the 1996 presidential campaign in its broader historical and institutional context reveals changes taking places in the “political-media complex.” These changes include a shift in control o...
Youth-Based Participatory Research: Lessons Learned From a Transition Research Study

Transitions to postsecondary education for youth with disabilities, special health care needs, or both are often challenging. Adults design most interventions aimed at assisting youth in the transition process. In this article, we report on how youth can enhance transition interventions and research. Youth representing a variety of community-based organizations that serve diverse immigrant populations served as co-researchers in a randomized controlled study called OPT4College, a program that provides postsecondary education transition support for youth with disabilities, special health care needs, or both. This youth-based participatory study used an iterative process that is quite different from the traditional research-study flow. The involvement of empowered youth and communities, in concert with academic and public health partners, increases the probability of creating interventions that ensure successful postsecondary transitions for youth with disabilities, special health care needs, or both.
The existence and convergence of subsequences of Padé approximants

Abstract We prove the existence of an infinite number of Pade approximants, and thereby remedy a defect in Nuttall's theorem. It is proved that the sequences of Pade approximants shown by Perron, Gammel, and Wallin to be everywhere divergent contain subsequences which are everywhere convergent. It is further proved that there always exist, for entire functions, everywhere convergent [1, N ] and [2, N ] subsequences of Pade approximants. There must exist subsequences of [ m , N ] Pade approximants ( N → ∞) which converge almost everywhere in ¦z¦ ⩽ ϱ to functions f ( z ) which are regular except for a finite number ( n ⩽ m ) of poles in ¦z¦ . We prove convergence of the [ N , N + j ] Pade approximants in the mean on the Riemann sphere for meromorphic functions.
XLII. The observation of the resolution of light into its circular components in the faraday “effect”

(1901). XLII. The observation of the resolution of light into its circular components in the faraday “effect”. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: Vol. 1, No. 4, pp. 464-475.
Faulting Processes of Historic (1917–1962) M≥ 6.0 Earthquakes Along the North-central Caribbean Margin

—The plate boundary along the north-central Caribbean margin is geologically complex. Our understanding of this complexity is hampered by the fact that plate motions are relatively slow (1 to 2 cm/yr), so that recent seismicity often does not provide a complete picture of tectonic deformation. Studies of the faulting processes of instrumentally recorded earthquakes occurring prior to 1962 thus provide important information regarding the nature and rate of seismic deformation within the region, and are essential for a comprehensive assessment of seismic hazard. We have conducted body waveform modeling studies of eight earthquakes which occurred along the north-central Caribbean plate margin, extending from southeastern Cuba to the Swan Island fracture zone (75 to 83°W). None of these earthquakes has been previously studied and several occurred in regions where no recent (post-1962) seismicity has been recorded. The plate margin in the western portion of our study area is characterized by a transform fault-spreading center system. In the central and eastern portions of our study area the plate margin is a complex, diffuse region of deformation that couples transform motion in the Cayman trough to subduction along the Lesser Antilles arc. Our results show that the western portion of the study area has only experienced large strike-slip earthquakes. Off southeastern Cuba two earthquakes appear to have occurred on high angle, northward dipping, reverse faults with south to southeastward directed slip vectors. An earthquake in northern Jamaica in 1957 shows pure strike-slip faulting, most likely along an east-west trending fault. Finally, an unusual sequence of events located in the Pedro Bank region ∼70 km southwest of Jamaica has a mainshock with a reverse-oblique mechanism, suggesting continuity of the plate interface stress field well south of the northern Caribbean margin.
Frequency domain measures of heart period variability to assess risk late after myocardial infarction.

Objectives. To determine whether spectral measures of heart period (RR) variability predict death when measured late after infarction, we studied patients in the Cardiac Arrhythmia Pilot Study (CAPS) who survived for 1 year and had a 24-h electrocardiographic (ECG) recording made after the CAPS drug wa, washed out. Background. Four components of the heart period power spectrum—ultra low frequency (<0.0033 Hz), very low frequency (0.0033 to <0.04 Hz), low frequency (0.04 to <0.15 Hz) and high frequency power (0.15 to <0.40 Hz)—plus total power (1.157 x 10−5to <0.40 Hz) and the ratio of low to high frequency power predict mortality when measured <30 days after myocardial infarction. However, these variables increase to steady state values by 3 months after infarction and the prognostic significance of recovery values is unknown. Methods. The 24-h power spectral density was computed from ECG recordings made 1 year after infarction using fast Fourier transforms and the six measures listed were calculated. The values were dichotomized at cut points that maximized the association with mortality. Results. Each measure of RR variability had a strong and significant univariate association with mortality; the relative risks for these variables ranged from 2.5 to 5.6. After adjustment for age. New York Heart Association functional class, rales in the coronary care unit, left ventricular ejection fraction and ventricular arrhythmias, some measures of heart period variability still had a strong and significant independent association with all-cause mortality. Conclusions. Spectral measures of heart period variability, measured late after infarction, predict death.
Pulse Shape Analysis of the Proportional Counter Data from the Third Phase of the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory

Abstract This poster presented a pulse shape-based analysis of the proportional counter data from the third phase of the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory. It was shown that the neutron signal from the 3He-filled proportional counters could be maintained at about 75% for a suppression of 98% for the alpha background signal.
Psychosocial dwarfism: Normal Somatomedin (SM)

Psychosocial Dwarfism (PSD) is a syndrome of severe growth failure in an abnormal home environment with a hostile or a depriving parent. We studied an 8 yr. old boy with PSD. While in the hospital after an initial 3 week period of poor growth he demonstrated rapid catch-up growth (growth velocity 3 cm/month). During the period of poor growth the mean caloric intake was 1663 cal/day, in the period of catch-up growth it was 1515 cal/day. The maximum stimulable growth hormone (GH) was 5.9 ng/ml initially and 13.6 ng/ml during rapid growth. SM was normal (0.79 and 0.84 U/ml) in both periods. While under continued observation, with separation from his favorite nurse, his growth velocity dropped to 0.5 cm/month, but there was no change in his stimulable GH or SM. The caloric intake remained unchanged at 1504 cal/day. With the return of his favorite nurse he resumed his pre.ious growth velocity 01 3 cm/ month and caloric intake during this period was 1521 cal/day. Again GH and SM were normal. He returned to his depriving home and growth velocity decelerated again to 0.4 cm/month, SM acitvity remained normal at 0.91 U/ml. We conclude from these data that growth failure in this patient with PSD is not due to caloric under-nutrition nor to defective GH release or SM generation, but to an as yet unidentified factor inhibiting growth during emotional stress.
Design parameters for concentrators without gap losses

Presentation d'une methode de calcul des parametres des facettes de concentrateurs solaires a recepteurs cylindriques avec elimination des pertes optiques dues a l'intervalle entre reflecteur et absorbeur. Tableau donnant les parametres pour un nombre de facettes allant de 2 a 100
Synthesis and Characterization of Organoboron Quinolate Polymers with Tunable Luminescence Properties

A modular one-pot approach for the synthesis of well-defined organoboron quinolate polymers and the tuning of their photoluminescence is reported. Highly selective borylation of poly(4-trimethylsilylstyrene) (PSSiMe3) followed by replacement of one of the bromine substituents in the resulting reactive polymer PSBBr2 with tert-butylphenyl groups led to the common intermediate PSBPhBr. A series of organoboron quinolate polymers PSBPhQ were then obtained in high isolated yields (65−85%) by in situ treatment of PSBPhBr with differently substituted 8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives. All the quinolate polymers were fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, gel permeation chromatography in-line with multiangle laser light scattering (GPC-MALLS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Luminescence measurements revealed distinct emission bands, ranging from the blue to the red region (486−615 nm), depending on the substitution pattern on the qu...
An effective learning system for large quantitative methods courses

This paper describes a learning system for an undergraduate quantitative methods course. The system overcomes the usual shortcomings of such courses while motivating the students. The role of a learning system is described; the design criteria and principles of learning‐system design are discussed. The elements of this application are justified in terms of their role in the learning system. Data gathered from the course is used to characterize student performance. Student ratings are presented which measure reactions to this approach and to this approach vis‐a‐visother comparable courses.
A possible role in protein synthesis for the ribosomal-bound aminopeptidase in Escherichia coli B.

Abstract : During an extensive study on the substrate specificity of a ribosomal-bound aminopeptidase in E, coli B it became apparent that the peptidase showed a rather narrow substrate specificity of such a nature to suggest it might be involved in the selective removal of the methionyl group from newly synthesized proteins. Some of the pertinent data is summarized in the communication. (Author)
Pregnancy in a patient with porcine valve xenografts

Abstract The course of pregnancy and successful vaginal delivery of a healthy infant in a 23-year-old woman with previous aortic and mitral valve replacement with porcine xenografts is presented. Unlike the management of pregnant patients with conventional mechanical prostheses, anticoagulation may not be necessary with xenografts, particularly when there are no other thrombogenic conditions. Other management issues include congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, prophylaxis against subacute bacterial endocarditis, and expeditious labor and delivery.
Geochemistry of colloidal silica precipitates in altered Grande Ronde Basalt, northeastern Oregon, U.S.A.

Abstract Opal-CT-rich fillings in tree molds and interstitial to breccia clasts in flow-top breccia reduce porosity and contain textures indicative of colloidal deposition. The opal-CT occurs in uniformly textured layers and porous laminated layers of particles and agglutinates cemented by chalcedony. Celadonite, smectite, clinoptilolite, quartz, chalcedony and minor calcite are associated with the opal-CT. These minerals occur in two settings: (1) within interstitial spaces between particles of opal-CT; and (2) within particles and agglutinates of opal-CT. Concentrations of trace and major elements are closely related to the textural setting of the secondary minerals within the layers of opal-CT. Layers of opal-CT that are enriched relative to other layers in REE and Th are red-brown in color, uniformly cryptocrystalline with some microcrystallinity, and lack secondary minerals interstitial to opal-CT particles.
Naloxone's anorectic effect is dependant upon the relative palatability of food

It has been suggested that opioids modify food intake by enhancing palatability. In the present series of studies we evaluated the effect of naloxone on food intake of a preferred food (chocolate chip cookies), normal rat chow, and an "aversive" food (high fiber chow). We found that naloxone decreased 18- and 48-h deprivation-induced intake of chocolate chip cookies much more potently than that of chow, when these foods were presented on separate occasions. When these foods were presented concurrently, this difference in naloxone's potency was no longer apparent. When rats were offered high fiber chow, only the 10 mg/kg dose of naloxone decreased intake. In these same rats naloxone significantly decreased normal chow intake at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg. Thus, naloxone's ability to decrease food intake appears to be dependent upon the palatability of the food.
Converging self-consistent field equations in quantum chemistry – recent achievements and remaining challenges

This paper reviews popular acceleration techniques to converge the non-linear self-consistent field equations appearing in quantum chemistry calculations with localized basis sets. The different methodologies, as well as their advantages and limitations are discussed within the same framework. Several illustrative examples of calculations are presented. This paper attempts to describe recent achievements and remaining challenges in this field.
Stand dynamics over 18 years in a southern mixed hardwood forest, Texas, USA

Summary 1 Using 18 years of permanent-plot data from a 4-ha stand, we investigated whether stand dynamics is predictable, i.e. driven by competition (inferred from species shade tolerances), or unpredictable (driven by frequent exogenous disturbance or other factors). We also considered whether small disturbance might accelerate or retard succession. The study involved dynamics of stems ≥ 4.5 cm diameter at breast height (d.b.h.) for 10 important species in a southern mixed hardwood forest 80 years after selective removal of Pinus taeda. 2 Shade-tolerant species (Ilex opaca, Fagus grandifolia, Magnolia grandiflora, Acer rubrum, Nyssa sylvatica) increased in small d.b.h. classes, whereas intermediate (Quercus alba) and shade-intolerant species (Q. nigra, Q. hemisphaerica, Liquidambar styraciflua, Pinus taeda) did not. 3 Per-capita ingrowth was higher for shade-tolerant species (0.016–0.024) than for intermediate and shade-intolerant species (0–0.006), whereas mortality was lower ((0.006–0.015 vs. 0.019–0.035). 4 Over 18 years, ingrowth exceeded mortality loss slightly, resulting in an increase in number of stems of about 1%, from 995 to 1029 stems ha−1; average live basal area (BA; 35.9 m2 ha−1) varied by less than 2% over eight surveys spanning 18 years. Basal area increased substantially for three species (Ilex opaca, Pinus taeda, Acer rubrum), and declined strongly for three others (Quercus nigra, Q. hemisphaerica and Fagus grandifolia). 5 The stand d.b.h. distribution had a rotated sigmoid form which became flatter over time. Species d.b.h. distributions were mostly bell-shaped for intolerant species, and irregular-to-monotonic declining for shade-tolerant species. Over time, bell-shaped distributions moved to the right and irregular distributions remained irregular. 6 A hurricane in 1986 caused loss of 4.5% of standing BA. Compositional change was most rapid during the hurricane interval and ingrowth was highest in the two intervals following the hurricane. Effects on species trends in density, basal area, mortality or recruitment were minor. 7 Temporal trends in species abundances mostly supported the hypothesis of predictable successional change related to competition for light. However, d.b.h. distributions of shade-tolerant species and rapid declines in BA of Quercus nigra and Fagus indicated that other processes are also important and will limit predictability of change.
Self-Directed Assembly of Photoactive Hybrid Silicates Derived from an Azobenzene-Bridged Silsesquioxane

Hybrid silicate materials derived from organo-bridged silsesquioxane precursors, RO3−Si−R‘−Si−OR3, where R and R‘ are organic ligands, represent a remarkably diverse class of nanocomposites capable of forming both Si−O−Si and Si−C−Si bonds with molecular scale homogeneity. Recently, in an effort to better control their structure and function, surfactant-directed self-assembly or self-directed assembly has been used to synthesize hierarchical organo-bridged polysilsesquioxanes that exhibit order over multiple length scales. Here we report the synthesis and self-directed assembly of an optically active azobenzene-bridged silsesquioxane, 4,4‘-bis(3-triethoxysilylpropylureido)azobenzene 1. Hydrogen-bonding interactions between the three active centers of the bis-ureide groups (−NH−CO−NH) combined with π−π interactions between the azobenzene groups serve to self-assemble 1 into a highly ordered lamellar mesostructure in which the d-spacing is optically controlled through photoisomerization of the azobenzene mo...
Taxation of Business by US State and Local Governments

The US federal system is undergoing significant change in numerous respects, one of which is the tax treatment of business. Taxes with an initial impact on business have traditionally provided a large amount of revenue to state and local governments, and they still do. But the business share of state and local taxes has decreased significantly compared with what it was several decades ago. Moreover, since interstate tax competition has intensified, the business share of taxes may continue to decline. The intensification of interstate tax competition is related to the increased priority of economic development as a goal of state policy. The severe unemployment of the early 1980s is probably the single most important factor in heightened concern about job creation. The increased openness of the US economy—implying especially acute problems for state economies dependent on heavy industry and farming—has also contributed. The decrease in federal corporation tax rates has made state taxes loom larger, and corp...
Laser generated ultrasound: a thermoelastic analysis of the source

Abstract The purpose of this work is to study the behavior of laser ultrasound sources in isotropic metals using ultra-short laser pulses in the thermoelastic regime. Temporally Gaussian and high frequency modulated laser pulses are investigated, and numerical results show that the thermal response rates of both steel and aluminum are much faster than their mechanical response rates. This indicates that the temporal point source limit in laser ultrasonics is a mechanical rather than thermal limitation. Two temporal point source limits are identified. For waves generated by the SCOE (surface center of expansion), it is shown that the temporal point source limit occurs at a Gaussian rise time of 1 ns in both aluminum and steel. However, the precursor is a result of thermal diffusion and does not display a temporal point source limit within the range of parameters considered here. A dimensional analysis of the laser source is conducted, and it is found that a single dimensionless parameter defines thermal similarity for laser sources, but no single parameter can define acoustic similarity. The physical dimensions of the laser source are estimated for steel and aluminum, and it is found that for temporally and spatially Gaussian laser pulses the outer edge of the source is 1.65 times the Gaussian spot radius over a wide range of rise times and spot sizes. Also, a dimensionless parameter is given for three dimensional problems which predicts minimum rise times and maximum modulation frequencies for which hyperbolic heat conduction effects will be of no significance in the ultrasonic displacements.
HNO+ and NOH+ Potential energy surfaces for the lowest two electronic states. including the barrier to isomerization

Ab initio quantum-mechanical calculations on the triatomic ions HNO+ and NOH+ in their lowest two electronic states are reported, which approximate complete configuration interaction results in a double-zeta plus polarization quality basis. Relative energies of key points on the potential energy surfaces are determined as a function of wavefunction accuracy and used to give best estimated values. Ground-state HNO+ has an equilibrium geometry with r NH = 1·063 A, r NO = 1·127 A, < HNO = 125·9°, and an energy 54 kJ/mol lower than isomeric NOH+, whose ground-state equilibrium geometry is r OH = 1·006 A, r NO = 1·180 A and < NOH = 116·4°. The lowest barrier to isomerization on the ground-state surface is 247 kJ/mol. The HNO+ dissociation energy to H + NO+ is 147 kJ/mol. The NOH+ dissociation energy to the same dissociation limit is 88 kJ/mol. Vertical excitation from the ground-state equilibrium HNO+ molecule is at an energy of 1·78 eV, in good agreement with the 7200 A (1·73 eV) absorption system reported by...
Personal dose equivalent conversion coefficients for photons to 1 GeV.

The personal dose equivalent, H{sub p}(d), is the quantity recommended by the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU) to be used as an approximation of the protection quantity Effective Dose when performing personal dosemeter calibrations. The personal dose equivalent can be defined for any location and depth within the body. Typically, the location of interest is the trunk where personal dosemeters are usually worn and in this instance a suitable approximation is a 30 cm X 30 cm X 15 cm slab-type phantom. For this condition the personal dose equivalent is denoted as H{sub p,slab}(d) and the depths, d, are taken to be 0.007 cm for non-penetrating and 1 cm for penetrating radiation. In operational radiation protection a third depth, 0.3 cm, is used to approximate the dose to the lens of the eye. A number of conversion coefficients for photons are available for incident energies up to several MeV, however, data to higher energies are limited. In this work conversion coefficients up to 1 GeV have been calculated for H{sub p,slab}(10) and H{sub p,slab}(3) using both the kerma approximation and by tracking secondary charged particles. For H{sub p}(0.07) the conversion coefficients were calculated, but only to 10 more » MeV due to computational limitations. Additionally, conversions from air kerma to H{sub p,slab}(d) have been determined and are reported. The conversion coefficients were determined for discrete incident energies, but analytical fits of the coefficients over the energy range are provided. Since the inclusion of air can influence the production of secondary charged particles incident on the face of the phantom conversion coefficients have been determined both in vacuo and with the source and slab immersed within a sphere in air. The conversion coefficients for the personal dose equivalent are compared to the appropriate protection quantity, calculated according to the recommendations of the latest International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) guidance. « less
Childhood abuse, family history and stressors in older patients with bipolar disorder in relation to age at onset

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study is to explore the family history of psychiatric disorders, childhood abuse, and stressors in older patients with Bipolar Disorder (BD) and the association of these variables with the age at onset of BD. Methods The Questionnaire for Bipolar Disorder (QBP) and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI-Plus) were obtained from 78 patients aged 60 and over to determine diagnosis, age at onset of the first affective episode, childhood abuse, family history of psychiatric disorders and past and recent stressful life events. Results Increased family history of psychiatric disorders was the only factor associated with an earlier age at onset of BD. Less family history of psychiatric disorders and more negative stressors were significantly associated with a later age at onset of the first (hypo)manic episode. Limitations Age at onset, history of childhood abuse, and past stressful life events were assessed retrospectively. Family members of BD patients were not interviewed. Conclusions Our findings suggest that age at onset can define distinct BD phenotypes. More specifically there was a stronger heredity of BD and other psychiatric disorders in patients with an early age of onset of BD. Negative stressors may play a specific role in patients with a late age at onset of a first (hypo)manic episode.
Angle diversity for nondirected wireless infrared communication

We outline the benefits and challenges of using angle diversity in nondirected wireless infrared (IR) communications systems. Multiple transmitter beams and multiple narrow field-of view receivers reduce the path loss, multipath distortion, and background noise of the channel, which leads to improved range. We also discuss practical considerations for multielement angle diversity systems, including channel characterization and suboptimal detection techniques. Maximal-ratio combining provides nearly optimal performance up to 100 Mb/s for the angle diversity systems considered. The design and performance of a prototype angle diversity IR communication system are discussed. The prototype can maintain 70 Mb/s at a P/sub e/ of 10/sup -9/ over a 4-m range.
Characteristics of the Synchronization of Brain Activity Imposed by Finite Conduction Velocities of Axons

The electrical activity of neurons in brains fluctuates erratically both in terms of pulse trains of single neurons and the dendritic currents of populations of neurons. Obviously the neurons interact with one another in the production of intelligent behavior, so it is reasonable to expect to find evidence for varying degrees of synchronization of their pulse trains and dendritic currents in relation to behavior. However, synaptic communication between neurons depends on propagation of action potentials between neurons, often with appreciable distances between them, and the transmission delays are not compatible with synchronization in any simple way. Evidence is on hand showing that the principal form of synchrony is by establishment of a low degree of covariance among very large numbers of otherwise autonomous neurons, which allows for rapid state transitions of neural populations between successive chaotic basins of attraction along itinerant trajectories. The small fraction of covariant activity is extracted by spatial integration upon axonal transmission over divergent–convergent pathways, through which a remarkable improvement in signal-to-noise ratio is achieved. The raw traces of local activity show little evidence for synchrony, other than zero-lag correlation, which appears to be largely a statistical artifact. Brains rely less on tight phase-locking of small numbers of periodically firing neurons and more on low degrees of cooperativity achieved by order parameters influencing very large numbers of neurons. Brains appear to be indifferent to and undisturbed by widely varying time and phase relations between individual neurons and even large semi-autonomous areas of cortex comprising their mesoscopic neural masses.
Floating-point division and square root using a Taylor-series expansion algorithm

Hardware support for floating-point (FP) arithmetic is a mandatory feature of modern microprocessor design. Although division and square root are relatively infrequent operations in traditional general-purpose applications, they are indispensable and becoming increasingly important in many modern applications. Therefore, overall performance can be greatly affected by the algorithms and the implementations used for designing FP-Div and FP-Sqrt units. In this paper, a single-precision fused floating-point multiply/divide/square root unit based on Taylor-series expansion algorithm is proposed. We extended an existing multiply/divide fused unit to incorporate the square root function with little area and latency overhead since Taylor's theorem enables us to compute approximations for many well-known functions with very similar forms. The implementation results of the proposed fused unit based on standard cell methodology in IBM 90nm technology exhibits that the incorporation of square root function to an existing multiply/divide unit requires only a modest 18% area increase and the same low latency for divide and square root operation can be achieved (12 cycles). The proposed arithmetic unit exhibits a reasonably good area-performance balance.
Calcisphere Ultrastructure and Skeletal Aragonite from the Alga Acetabularia Antillana

ABSTRACT The dasycladacean green alga Acetabularia antillana periodically appears in large numbers in shallow-water sheltered environments in the Florida Keys. The calcified aplanospores or reproductive cysts are known as calcispheres when fossilized. The hollow calcispheres from this alga are characteristically 140 to 185 µm in dia. with a 10 to 25 µm thick wall, and are composed of granular to acicular aragonite. The crystals are radiaxially oriented on the outer surface of the calcisphere and randomly oriented within the wall. A circular operculum 40 µm diameter is present in intact calcispheres. When found in abundance calcispheres are excellent indicators of inshore well-sheltered environments. The heavily calcified growth form of A. antillana is approximately 74% skeletal carbonate by dry weight and produces up to 720 gm of aragonite per standing crop per m2 of bottom area. This alga is an important local producer of aragonitic sediments in the less than 10 µm size range.
Coactivator PC4 mediates AP-2 transcriptional activity and suppresses ras-induced transformation dependent on AP-2 transcriptional interference

ras oncogene-transformed PA-1 human teratocarcinoma cells have abundant AP-2 mRNA but, paradoxically, little AP-2 transcriptional activity. We have previously shown that overexpression of AP-2 in nontumorigenic variants of PA-1 cells results in inhibition of AP-2 activity and induction of tumorigenicity similar to that caused by ras transformation of PA-1 cells. Evidence indicated the existence of a novel mechanism of inhibition of AP-2 activity involving sequestering of transcriptional coactivators. In this study, we found that PC4 is a positive coactivator of AP-2 and can restore AP-2 activity in ras-transformed PA-1 cells. Relative to vector-transfected ras cell lines, ras cell lines stably transfected with and expressing the PC4 cDNA have a diminished growth rate and exhibit a loss of anchorage-independent growth, and they are unable to induce the formation of tumors in nude mice. These data suggest that a transcriptional coactivator, like a tumor suppressor, can have a growth-suppressive effect on cells. Our experiments are the first to show that ras oncogenes and oncogenic transcription factors can induce transformation through effects on the transcription machinery rather than through specific programs of gene expression.
A new formulation of yield enhancement problems for reconfigurable chips

The covering problem assigns redundant elements to replace defective elements so that the chip will function properly. A general model that can be used to represent the relationship between redundant elements and defective elements in a uniform way is presented. This model subsumes many of the models discussed in previous approaches. A complete characterization of the complexity of the covering problems in all the subcases of the model, most of which have not been studied before, is given. It is hoped that the formulation will also lead to new ways of designing reconfigurable chips. >
Hybrid Propellant Rocket Engine Test Fixture and Research on the Combustion of Non-Conventional Fuels

This paper introduces the first step of the research performed by the Central Connecticut State University faculty/student research team on the combustion of nonconventional fuels in a small-scale Hybrid Propellant Rocket Engine (HPRE). The long-term goal of the research was to investigate the combustion of non-conventional bio-derived fuels such as beeswax, lard, with different oxidizers (oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, nitrous oxide) along with additives such as aluminum powder; and to obtain approximation formulas for the calculation of regression rates for listed propellants and propellants with additives. A small-scale HPRE, test fixture and instrumentation system have been designed, manufactured and assembled. To validate proper operation of the engine, test facility and instrumentation system, the first tests focused primarily on the combustion of paraffin and bee’s wax with oxygen. Initial experiments were performed; experimental data were collected and followed by comparison with theoretical data, calculated using computer code, created by authors. The approximation formulas for the calculation of the regression rates of the paraffin with oxygen were obtained and compared with existing data of other researchers.
Differences in cuticular lipid composition of the antennae of Helicoverpa zea, Heliothis virescens, and Manduca sexta

Analyses of the hexane washes of antennae, forelegs and whole bodies of Helicoverpa zea, Heliothis virescens, and Manduca sexta revealed notable differences in the components of the cuticular coatings of each species. Most striking were the differences between the cuticular coatings of male and female antennae of both H. zea and H. virescens. Novel esters of short-chain acids (C2-C4) and long-chain secondary alcohols (C25-C32) were identified in the hexane washes of the male antenna and forelegs of H. zea and H. virescens. These compounds were found in only small amounts or were completely absent on the female antennae of both species. In H. zea, butyrates of 7- and 8-pentacosanol and 8- and 9-heptacosanol were found, whereas, in the foreleg extracts of H. virescens, acetates and propionates were detected in addition to butyrates. While cholesterol is a major component of antennal washes (10-15%), only traces were found in the foreleg extracts. Although the composition of the cuticular coating of M. sexta differed greatly from that of the other two species, the extractable coatings of the antennae of male and female M. sexta were nearly identical.
Asian Invasive Earthworms of the Genus Amynthas Kinberg in Vermont

Abstract We are reporting on established populations and sightings of species in the genus Amynthas in Vermont, from Quechee (43°38′N) central-eastern Vermont to Alburgh (44°58′N) on the northwest border to Canada. To our knowledge, these are the first sightings of Amynthas spp. reported for Vermont. Invasive Asian earthworms of the genus Amynthas were found at three of twelve forested locations surveyed for invasive European earthworms. In addition, Amynthas was found in a number of horticultural settings. We evaluated soils and climate information for forested sites with Amynthas in Vermont and compared climate with the original range and more southern US sites. Our findings suggest that Amynthas may expand its range even further north than Vermont and that the freeze-free period required for maturation is approximately 90 days.
High-to-Low Dose Extrapolation: Issues and Approaches

The practice of risk assessment at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) often includes the estimation of risks at exposures or doses below the range of observation (USEPA 2004), a chall...
Falkon: a Fast and Light-weight tasK executiON framework

To enable the rapid execution of many tasks on compute clusters, we have developed Falkon, a Fast and Light-weight tasK executiON framework. Falkon integrates (1) multi-level scheduling to separate resource acquisition (via, e.g., requests to batch schedulers) from task dispatch, and (2) a streamlined dispatcher. Falkon's integration of multi-level scheduling and streamlined dispatchers delivers performance not provided by any other system. We describe Falkon architecture and implementation, and present performance results for both microbenchmarks and applications. Microbenchmarks show that Falkon throughput (487 tasks/sec) and scalability (to 54,000 executors and 2,000,000 tasks processed in just 112 minutes) are one to two orders of magnitude better than other systems used in production Grids. Large-scale astronomy and medical applications executed under Falkon by the Swift parallel programming system achieve up to 90% reduction in end-to-end run time, relative to versions that execute tasks via separate scheduler submissions.