cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EMAC, Katrina, and the Governors of Louisiana and Mississippi

State and local governments along the Louisiana and Mississippi coasts were overwhelmed by Hurricane Katrina and lacked the capacity to function without outside assistance. Mutual aid agreements are common among communities and provide essential surge capacity when catastrophes strike. The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) is just such a mechanism for sharing resources. How well or how poorly governors use EMAC depends on their familiarity with the system and how prepared their state and local agencies are to integrate EMAC personnel and other resources. Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco of Louisiana was less familiar with EMAC than was Governor Haley Barbour in Mississippi and had less assistance in using the system. State and local officials in Louisiana were also less familiar with mutual assistance compacts than their counterparts in Mississippi. The integration of EMAC assets into state and local operations was easier in Mississippi because officials had set up an area command to coordinate operations.
Can salespeople lead themselves? Thought self-leadership strategies and their influence on sales performance

Abstract Sales leadership has attracted a good deal of research attention during the past thirty years. Prior work, however, has largely taken a dyadic, interpersonal approach where leadership originating at one level (i.e., the sales leader) influences others (i.e., salespeople) thus paying no attention to the intrapersonal level whereby leadership originates within the individual with the purpose to influence oneself. Importantly, the realities of the modern sales position (e.g., self-managing teams, virtual work away from direct supervision) requires attention to other forms of leadership that may stem from and manifest at the individual level – namely, self-leadership strategies. Here we address this gap by focusing on a particular form of self-leadership – that is, thought self-leadership (TSL). We draw on social cognitive and self-regulation theories to ground hypothesis development and investigate the relationship between self-monitoring behaviors, TSL, self-efficacy, organizational-based self-esteem (OBSE), and salesperson performance. Findings from a sample of 301 salespeople in five companies demonstrate positive relationships between self-monitoring behaviors and TSL, TSL and self-efficacy, and self-efficacy and salesperson performance. Moderation analysis shows that TSL will result in higher levels of self-efficacy only when moderate to high levels of OBSE exist. Further, results suggest full mediation of self-efficacy on the relationship between TSL and salesperson performance. Theoretical and managerial implications of the study are discussed.
Optimization of electromechanical coupling for a thin-film PZT membrane: II. Experiment

In this two-part paper, the optimization of the electromechanical coupling coefficient for thin-film piezoelectric devices is investigated both analytically and experimentally. The electromechanical coupling coefficient is crucial to the performance of piezoelectric energy conversion devices. A membrane-type geometry is chosen for the study. In part I a one-dimensional model is developed for a membrane composed of two layers, a passive elastic material and a piezoelectric material. The lumped-parameter model is then used to explore the effect of design and process parameters, such as residual stress, substrate thickness, piezoelectric thickness and electrode coverage, on the electromechanical coupling coefficient. The model shows that the residual stress has the most substantial effect on the electromechanical coupling coefficient. For a given substrate material and thickness an optimum piezoelectric thickness can be found to achieve the maximum coupling coefficient. The substrate stiffness affects the magnitude of the maximum coupling coefficient that can be obtained. Electrode coverage was found to be important to electromechanical coupling. The model predicts an optimum electrode coverage of 42% of the membrane area. The model developed in part I formed the basis for the parameters studied experimentally in part II.
Radiocarbon dating and the “old shell” problem: direct dating of artifacts and cultural chronologies in coastal and other aquatic regions

Abstract Archaeologists have long recognized the problem of the “old wood” effect in radiocarbon dating charcoal and wood samples, the age of which may be hundreds of years older than their use by humans. Such problems have resulted in significant changes in how most researchers select wood and charcoal samples for 14 C dating, with many now using relatively short-lived carbonized materials for dating. Despite the significant strides made in our understanding of the potential biases of the “old wood” effect, little emphasis has been placed on the possible impacts of dating “old shell” in archaeological deposits. The use of marine shell for 14 C dating is widespread in coastal areas around the world, including a growing emphasis on the dating of individual shell artifacts via Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS). In dating shell artifacts, we have obtained several dates older than associated 14 C dates for short-lived subsistence remains from the same deposits, including great disparities (>10,000 years) and more subtle differences (≥100 years). These discrepancies appear to be due to the use of old shells by humans to make beads and other artifacts, including shells collected from fossil deposits, older archaeological sites, and beaches. The problems caused by the use of old shells to make beads and other artifacts are surmountable through careful sample selection, analysis of multiple 14 C dates on a variety of materials, and proper calibration procedures.
Prediction of the Elastic Moduli of Composites

The description of the elastic behavior of composite materials by mathematical expressions presently in the literature is restricted by the microstructural models on which they were based. An extension has been made to one of these expressions in which the shape of the included phase is considered as well as the moduli of the individual phases. The results allow a more general application of the theoretical expressions to composite materials in which the included phase is contained at low concentrations.
The Irony of Stereotypes: Toward an Anthropology of Ethnicity

"Greek" is a ubiquitous stereotype in the discourse of Greek Americans. They know "Greek" reflects on themselves, though they are sometimes puzzled by the "Greek" component of their identities. Constructing these identities is problematic for them principally because there is no single "Greek" identity. "Greek" is refracted by various images and tropes, or figures of speech, each operating in different structural settings. My argument here is that this simple observation about tropes in American talk about ethnicity opens up a new way to think about ethnicity in the United States. My aim is to pose the problem of ethnicity at home in radically cultural terms. My examination of the operations of one trope-irony-on ethnic stereotypes in Greek American talk leads me to suggest that an anthropology of ethnicity must take note of irony and, more, may use it to make a new beginning in the analysis of systems of meaning. Ethnicity belongs to that assortment of cultural operators (Boon 1973) with which anthropology has made distinctive contributions among the social sciences and humanities to understanding social life: the rendering of complex cultural processes as cultural (rather than psychological or economic). This anthropological collection houses les pensees sauvage of tricksters (Beidelman 1980), totemism (L6vi-Strauss 1963, 1966), animal categories and verbal abuse (Leach 1964), food (Douglas 1975; Feeley-Harik 1981), rites of affliction (Turner 1968), and more. However, since they are not exotic, each is a worker that engages the fundamental and fundamentally social tasks of fitting the categorical around the situational. All are transformers in cultures-hence they are moral, as emphasized by social anthropologists-and rendering their powers makes the theoretical enterprise of anthropology worthwhile. But the lessons of the cultural operations of ethnicity abroad have never been brought home. Drummond (1980), for example, observed that a "creole" ethnic intersystem is not a static structure, but variant possibilities connected by transformations in a continuum. The inconsistencies and contradictions in everyday use of ethnic and racial categories in Guyana are products of shifting within a continuum. He writes, "Internal variation and change are methodologically and
Optimizing the Sunday Singles Lineup for a Ryder Cup Captain

The Ryder Cup competition between Team USA and Team Europe is the premier team event in professional golf, largely because of the drama associated with head-to-head matches on the final day (Sunday). The captain of each team must determine the exact sequence of his 12 golfers in the 12 Sunday singles matches, and neither captain is precisely aware of the other captain's intended lineup. Because the losing captain has often been criticized for choosing what the critics deem to be a poor lineup, we develop a quantitative methodology that a captain can use to determine his Sunday singles lineup to maximize the probability that his team is in possession of the Ryder Cup upon completion of the competition. As part of our effort, we develop a statistical model for estimating the three possible outcomes (win, lose, tie) of each singles match. Using the 1989–2008 Ryder Cup competitions as examples, we find that using our statistical model within our methodology indicates that the Sunday singles competition is not greatly impacted by the lineup selected by the captain. However, we define another example that indicates our methodology can be of great benefit if a player's performance is affected by who his singles match opponent is.
Field studies on seed germination and seedling development in Zostera marina L.

Abstract Seeds of Zostera marina L. were collected in July 1978 and July 1979 and planted within two weeks in sediment-filled containers in shallow water at Northwest Creek, New York. The containers were retrieved at periodic intervals over the next 12 months and the seeds and seedlings examined. Between 76 and 93% of the recovered seeds germinated; primarily during October–December, 3–4 months after release. Seedling growth and development occurred during the autumn and spring, but not in winter. A progressive loss of seedlings was observed during the winter and spring, however, and none survived past May. Three stages of seedling development were distinguished. Stage 1 represented germination including emergence and straightening of the cotyledon. Stage 2 seedlings exhibited continued growth of the cotyledon and variable, but often extensive, elongation (2–50 mm) of the axial hypocotyl. The plumule remained undeveloped (length ⩽ 3 mm), and there were no hairs on the basal hypocotyl. Stage 3 seedlings showed the same range in axial hypocotyl length, but they were distinguished by the onset of plumule growth and hypocotyl hair formation.
Active fault detection in nonlinear systems using auxiliary signals

In recent years active approaches for fault detection using test signals have been developed. This paper reports on progress in extending one of these approaches from linear systems to nonlinear systems. Theoretical results are presented on the use of linearizations which is based on sufficiently small nonlinearities. An optimization based approach is also presented for large nonlinearities. Examples are given.
Selective inhibition of flagellar activity in Chlamydomonas by nickel.

SYNOPSIS Flagellar activity in the biflagellate chlorophyte Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is selectively inhibited by Ni2+ or by treatment with Ca2+-chelating agents. Inhibitions of swimming speed, geotaxis, phototaxis, and pattern swimming result from qualitative and quantitative losses in the activity of individual flagella and in the coordination of activity beween the 2 flagella of each cell. Addition of Ca2+ (a) prevents inhibition and (b) restores normal flagellar activity in inhibited cells. Mg2+ is partially effective in reversal of inhibition. Other ions do not cause similar inhibition or reversal of nickel inhibition. The characteristics of inhibition and reversal suggest that the prmary target for nickel is a component of the flagellar apparatus, and that this component uses Ca2+ to perform its normal function in the regulation of flagellar activity. A 2nd target for nickel is a Carequiring process specific to phototaxis (and not involved in the photophobic response).
HYDRODYNAMIC BEHAVIORS OF PACHYCEPHALOSAURID DOMES IN CONTROLLED FLUVIAL SETTINGS: A CASE STUDY IN EXPERIMENTAL DINOSAUR TAPHONOMY

The hydrodynamic behaviors of isolated dinosaur bones have been largely overlooked in the paleontological literature. Investigations into the hydrodynamic properties of dinosaur remains with unique taphonomic signatures, such as pachycephalosaurid frontoparietal domes, have the potential to aid in the interpretation of preservation for skeletal elements for which modern analogues are not available. For this study, a series of transport experiments were conducted to assess the entrainment velocities and settling orientations of a collection of pachycephalosaurid specimens. Casts of four pachycephalosaurid frontoparietal domes and skulls were composed of a urethane resin with a comparable average density to compact and cancellous bone, and placed in a flume with manual velocity control. Data were recorded for competent velocity, transport distance, and settling orientations upon resting and burial of specimens for 35 trials per cast. Though specimens vary considerably in mass, the results suggest specimen shape has a greater influence on transport and hydrodynamic behavior than size; significantly lower velocities are required to transport complete skulls than isolated domes. Resting and burial orientations of specimens vary significantly for domes and complete skulls. The highly variable transport velocities and settling orientations of pachycephalosaurid crania offer insight into pachycephalosaurid taphonomy and illustrate the importance of future taphonomic studies on large fossil vertebrate remains.
DESIGN CRITERIA FOR FLOATING TIRE BREAKWATERS

Wave-transmission and peak-mooring force design curves were generated for the Goodyear and Wave-Guard floating tire breakwaters from measurements on ⅛-scale and ¼-scale models using regular and irregular waves, and found to be in good agreement with available full-scale data. These curves may be used to determine the breakwater size needed to attenuate a given regular design wave to an acceptable level, and also to determine the maximum mooring load associated with this. A simple semi-empirical energy-dissipation model was developed and found to simulate measured wave-transmission characteristics with sufficient precision to be useful in many engineering applications; e.g., the ratio of transmitted to incident wave height is stated as an exponential function of wave steepness, ratio of wavelength to breakwater-beam-size, breakwater porosity, and a drag coefficient. An empirical relationship for the peak mooring force was obtained.
Towards Efficient and Stable Low Frequency Time Domain Integral Equation Solvers

This paper proposes some improvements to the electric field time domain integral equation (TDIE) solvers. Tree and loop functions were used to test the differential and integral forms of TDIE separately. This testing procedure removed the DC instability. The basis rearrangement was adopted to reduce the condition numbers of the impedance matrices. At each time step in the marching on in time (MOT) solution procedure, a "block pre-conditioner" was invoked. Likewise, the bandlimited extrapolator was used to provide a better initial guess for the iterative matrix equations solver. Collectively, improvements drastically reduced the iteration count of the iterative solver. A fast algorithm was integrated with the low-frequency MOT (LF-MOT) solver to accelerate the evaluation of transient fields due to past currents, which is by far the most costly in the entire MOT process, so it greatly reduces the cost of the overall solver. Numerical experiments below show significant efficiency and stability gains
Spike-Timing-Dependent Hebbian Plasticity as Temporal Difference Learning

A spike-timing-dependent Hebbian mechanism governs the plasticity of recurrent excitatory synapses in the neocortex: synapses that are activated a few milliseconds before a postsynaptic spike are potentiated, while those that are activated a few milliseconds after are depressed. We show that such a mechanism can implement a form of temporal difference learning for prediction of input sequences. Using a biophysical model of a cortical neuron, we show that a temporal difference rule used in conjunction with dendritic backpropagating action potentials reproduces the temporally asymmetric window of Hebbian plasticity observed physio-logically. Furthermore, the size and shape of the window vary with the distance of the synapse from the soma. Using a simple example, we show how a spike-timing-based temporal difference learning rule can allow a network of neocortical neurons to predict an input a few milliseconds before the input's expected arrival.
Smoking is Unlawful in Islam

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5915/15-4-12420 Cigarette smoking is the most widespread example of drug dependence in the United States and in all the Islamic countries as well. The U.S. Surgeon General's Office considers cigarette smoking to be America's worst drug addiction problem. Medical investigations show that cigarette smoking is a major factor in the development of many cases of cancer, heart trouble, chronic lung and respiratory diseases and other ailments. Smoking causes more illnesses and death than all other drugs. Cigarette smoking by pregnant women results in deleterious health effects on their newborn children. These findings and the revelations in the Holy Qur'an clearly prohibit smoking of tobacco by Muslims. Hence smoking is considered unlawful in Islam.
Path Dependence, VRIN Resource Endowments, and Managers: Towards an Integration of Resource-Based Theory and Upper Echelons Theory

Path dependencies associated with the firm’s evolving resource endowments lead to redundancies, which makes it sub-optimal to attain sustainable competitive advantage based on these resource bundles. In this context, managers can play a proactive role by ensuring that resource endowments continue to remain beneficial for their organizations. By suggesting such a linkage and the enabling role of managers, I provide a way to integrate core arguments of two of the foremost organizational theories in vogue: resource-based theory (RBT) and upper echelons theory (UET).
Noetherian Spaces of Integrally Closed Rings with an Application to Intersections of Valuation Rings

Let H be an integral domain, and let Σ be a collection of integrally closed overrings of H. We show that if A is an overring of H such that , and if Σ is a Noetherian subspace of the space of all integrally closed overrings of H, then there exists a weakly Noetherian subspace Γ of integrally closed overrings of H such that , and no member of Γ can be omitted from this intersection. Restricting to the case where Σ consists of valuation overrings, we obtain stronger results.
Deformation micromechanisms of collagen fibrils under uniaxial tension

Collagen, an essential building block of connective tissues, possesses useful mechanical properties due to its hierarchical structure. However, little is known about the mechanical properties of collagen fibril, an intermediate structure between the collagen molecule and connective tissue. Here, we report the results of systematic molecular dynamics simulations to probe the mechanical response of initially unflawed finite size collagen fibrils subjected to uniaxial tension. The observed deformation mechanisms, associated with rupture and sliding of tropocollagen molecules, are strongly influenced by fibril length, width and cross-linking density. Fibrils containing more than approximately 10 molecules along their length and across their width behave as representative volume elements and exhibit brittle fracture. Shorter fibrils experience a more graceful ductile-like failure. An analytical model is constructed and the results of the molecular modelling are used to find curve-fitted expressions for yield stress, yield strain and fracture strain as functions of fibril structural parameters. Our results for the first time elucidate the size dependence of mechanical failure properties of collagen fibrils. The associated molecular deformation mechanisms allow the full power of traditional material and structural engineering theory to be applied to our understanding of the normal and pathological mechanical behaviours of collagenous tissues under load.
Quality of life of men treated with brachytherapies for prostate cancer

Most studies of men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer examine physical symptoms as predictors of Quality of Life (QOL). However, symptoms vary by treatment modality in this population, and psychosocial variables, shown to be important to QOL, have rarely been examined. Litwin noted a need for analysis of QOL data in men treated for prostate cancer with different modes of therapy, as studies focusing on specific treatments will increase the homogeneity of research findings. This cross-sectional study explored physical and psychosocial predictors of QOL in men receiving one of two types of radiation treatment for prostate cancer: Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) + High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy or IMRT + seed implantation. Subjects completed a biographic questionnaire; quality of life measures, which were the eight subscales of the Medical Outcome Study Short Form Health Survey (SF-36); measures of physical symptoms including the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (RTOG/EORTC) and the Prostate Symptom Self-Report (PSSR); and measures of psychological factors, the Ways of Coping Scale (WOC), Perceived Stress Scale, the Anxiety Subscale of the SCL-90, and Strategies Used by Patients to Promote Health (SUPPH). Eight regression models including both physical and psychosocial variables were used to predict quality of life. Sixty-three subjects with complete data on all variables were studied. Treatment effect sizes were medium to large in predicting each of the quality of life subscales of the SF-36. Psychosocial variables were related to physical function, role function, bodily pain, general health, social function, emotional role, and mental health. Physical symptoms were related to subjects' perceived general health and mental health. The number of significant relationships among psychosocial variables and indicators of QOL exceeded the number of relationships among symptoms and QOL suggesting that psychosocial variables associate strongly with prostate cancer patients' reports of quality of life. Findings of the study may provide patients and families with knowledge that contributes to their understanding of quality of life outcomes of IMRT+ HDR and IMRT + seed implantation and their ability to make more informed treatment choices.
Angiotensin II Stimulates Tyrosine Phosphorylation of Phospholipase C-γ–Associated Proteins: Characterization of a c-Src–Dependent 97-kD Protein in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Stimulation of phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma) is a critical event in angiotensin II (Ang II) signal transduction. We have previously shown that in rat aortic smooth muscle (RASM) cells Ang II stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-gamma via activation of c-Src. Because we failed to demonstrate a direct association between c-Src and PLC-gamma, we hypothesized that a linker protein mediates the interaction between these molecules. To identify PLC-gamma-associated proteins, RASM cells were labeled with [32P]orthophosphate and stimulated with 100 nmol/L Ang II for 5 minutes. PLC-gamma was immunoprecipitated, and associated proteins were characterized by autoradiography and Western blotting with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies. Ang II stimulated the phosphorylation of 47-, 60-, 84-, and 97-kD PLC-gamma-associated proteins. Because Ang II increased tyrosine phosphorylation of only the 97-kD protein, we characterized p97 further. An important role for Src in tyrosine phosphorylation of p97 was suggested by findings that p97 phosphorylation was inhibited by the selective Src-family kinase inhibitor CP-118,556, diminished in mouse aortic smooth muscle (MASM) cells from c-Src knockout mice compared with wild-type MASM cells, and increased in v-Src-transformed NIH-3T3 cells compared with wild-type NIH-3T3 cells. These studies are the first to define a PLC-gamma-associated protein that may be required for Ang II-mediated signal transduction.
Program CC's implementation of Classical and Sampled-Data Control Algorithms

A deacri tion is presented of how classical and sampled-data control design methods are implemeniJin Program CC, a personal computer based computer-aided-control-systemdesign-package (CACSD). A design example for a telescope pointing cmtrol system is included.
Toxicity and efficacy of the acetylcholinesterase (AChe) inhibitor donepezil in childhood brain tumor survivors: a pilot study.

Background Neurocognitive deficits are a recognized late effect of curative brain tumor therapy. We evaluated the feasibility, tolerance, and impact of a pilot pharmacologic intervention with the acetylcholinesterase (AChe) inhibitor, donepezil, in pediatric brain tumor (BT) survivors at risk for neurocognitive dysfunction. Procedure A single institution open-label pilot study was conducted in childhood BT survivors: ≥1 year from cancer treatment; and who received >23.5 Gy cranial radiation therapy (RT). Toxicity, adherence and neurocognitive outcomes were evaluated at baseline and serially during 24 weeks of donepezil, and following a 12-week washout period off drug. Results From a pool of subjects, 13 were successfully contacted and screened, and 11 met all eligibility criteria to initiate donepezil at a median of 4.7 (1.9–11.9) years from RT. Seventy-two percent of patients completed the 24-week drug study visit. Despite transient gastrointestinal toxicity (vomiting and diarrhea) in 30% of patients there was no weight loss on donepezil. Significant improvement in performance was noted at 24 weeks on the Dellis–Kaplan Executive Function (D-KEF) Tower test (P < 0.001), the Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning, 2nd Edition (WRAML-2) Visual memory (P = 0.007), and the Number/Letter task (P = 0.018). Conclusions Donepezil was well tolerated among childhood BT survivors who had received substantial prior therapy. Based on improved executive function and memory performance in this pilot trial, a randomized placebo controlled trial of this pharmacologic agent is warranted to fully evaluate its efficacy in remediating neurocognitive dysfunction. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012;59:540–547. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Re‐examining informative prior elicitation through the lens of Markov chain Monte Carlo methods

Summary. In recent years, advances in Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques have had a major influence on the practice of Bayesian statistics. An interesting but hitherto largely underexplored corollary of this fact is that Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques make it practical to consider broader classes of informative priors than have been used previously. Conjugate priors, long the workhorse of classic methods for eliciting informative priors, have their roots in a time when modern computational methods were unavailable. In the current environment more attractive alternatives are practicable. A reappraisal of these classic approaches is undertaken, and principles for generating modern elicitation methods are described. A new prior elicitation methodology in accord with these principles is then presented.
A Novel Design of Fuzzy PID Controllers for Dual-Sensor Cardiac Pacemaker Systems

This work proposes to design a fuzzy proportional-integral derivative (FPID) controller for dual-sensor cardiac pacemaker systems, which can automatically control the heart rate to accurately track a desired preset profile. The combination of fuzzy logic and conventional PID control approaches is adopted for the controller design based on dual-sensors. This controller offers good adaptation of the heart rate to the physiological needs of the patient under different states (rest and walk). Through comparing with the conventional fuzzy control algorithm, FPID provides a more suitable control strategy to determine a pacing rate in order to achieve a closer match between actual heart rate and a desired profile. To assist the heartbeat recovery, the stimuli with adjustable pacing rate is generated by the pacemaker according to the FPID controller, such actual heart rate may track the preset heart rate faithfully. Simulation results confirm that this proposed control design is effective for heartbeat recovery and maintenance. This study will be helpful not only for the analysis and treatment of bradycardias but also for improving the performance of medical devices.
FDA Drug Approval Summary: Pegaspargase (Oncaspar®) for the First-Line Treatment of Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

On July 24, 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted approval to pegaspargase (Oncaspar; Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Bridgewater, NJ; hereafter, O) for the first-line treatment of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) as a component of a multiagent chemotherapy regimen. O was previously approved in February 1994 for the treatment of patients with ALL who were hypersensitive to native forms of L-asparaginase. The trial supporting this new indication was an open label, randomized, multicenter clinical trial that enrolled 118 children (age, 1-9 years) with previously untreated, standard risk ALL. Patients received either native Escherichia coli asparaginase (Elspar; Merck, Whitehouse Station, NJ; hereafter, E) or O along with multiagent chemotherapy during remission induction and delayed intensification (DI) phases of treatment. O, at a dose of 2,500 IU/m(2), was administered i.m. on day 3 of the 4-week induction phase and on day 3 of each of two 8-week DI phases. E, at a dose of 6,000 IU/m(2), was administered i.m. three times weekly for nine doses during induction and for six doses during each DI phase. This study allowed direct comparison of O and E for asparagine depletion, asparaginase activity, and development of asparaginase antibodies. An unplanned comparison of event-free survival (EFS) was conducted to rule out a deleterious O efficacy effect. Following induction and DI treatment there was complete ( 0.03 IU/ml in O-treated subjects was greater than the number of days in E-treated subjects during both the induction and DI phases of treatment. There was no correlation, however, between asparaginase activity and serum asparagine levels, making the former determination less clinically relevant. Using the protocol-prespecified threshold for a positive result of >2.5 times the control, 7 of 56 (12%) O subjects tested at any time during the study demonstrated antiasparaginase antibodies and 16 of 57 (28%) E subjects tested at any time during the study had antiasparaginase antibodies. In both study arms EFS was in the range of 80% at 3 years. The most serious, sometimes fatal, O toxicities were anaphylaxis, other serious allergic reactions, thrombosis (including sagittal sinus thrombosis), pancreatitis, glucose intolerance, and coagulopathy. The most common adverse events were allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis), hyperglycemia, pancreatitis, central nervous system thrombosis, coagulopathy, hyperbilirubinemia, and elevated transaminases. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
The membrane-associated enzyme phosphatidylserine synthase is regulated at the level of mRNA abundance.

Abstract To precisely define the functional sequence of the CHO1 gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, encoding the regulated membrane-associated enzyme phosphatidylserine synthase (PSS), we subcloned the original 4.5-kilobase (kb) CHO1 clone. In this report a 2.8-kb subclone was shown to complement the ethanolamine-choline auxotrophy and to repair the defect in the synthesis of phosphatidylserine, both of which are characteristic of cho1 mutants. When this subclone was used as a hybridization probe of Northern and slot blots of RNA from wild-type cells, the abundance of a 1.2-kb RNA changed in response to alterations in the levels of the soluble phospholipid precursors inositol and choline. The addition of inositol led to a 40% repression of the 1.2-kb RNA level, while the addition of choline and inositol led to an 85% repression. Choline alone had little repressive effect. The level of 1.2-kb RNA closely paralleled the level of PSS activity found in the same cells as determined by enzyme assays. Disruption of the CHO1 gene resulted in the simultaneous disappearance of 1.2-kb RNA and PSS activity. Cells bearing the ino2 or ino4 regulatory mutations, which exhibit constitutively repressed levels of a number of phospholipid biosynthetic enzymes, had constitutively repressed levels of 1.2-kb RNA and PSS activity. Another regulatory mutation, opi1, which causes the constitutive derepression of PSS and other phospholipid biosynthetic enzymes, caused the constitutive derepression of the 1.2-kb RNA. When cho1 mutant cells were transformed with the 2.8-kb subclone on a single-copy plasmid, the 1.2-kb RNA and PSS activity levels were regulated in a wild-type fashion. The presence of the 2.8-kb subclone on a multicopy plasmid, however, led to the constitutive overproduction of 1.2-kb RNA and PSS in cho1 cells.
Autonomous mobile robotic system with onboard vision using configurable logic

Robotic systems with real-time onboard vision processing capabilities are normally bulky or expensive. To process vision locally in real-time requires hardware resources capable of fast and efficient vision processing. Vision processing utilizes a lot of computational power. So onboard vision processing can present a challenge to a designer of robotic systems. In this paper we describe our design using a configurable computing environment for high-speed onboard vision processing to create a truly autonomous small scale robotics system. Using only onboard processing, the robotic system is able to navigate in an enclosed environment with vision cues. The target application in this case was robot soccer, but the concept of using configurable logic in vision systems can be extended to other applications. The functioning of the system was verified in a robot soccer competition which was held in the department. In the competition the robots successfully scored multiple goals using the vision system described in the paper. Video of the competition will be available for the conference presentation.
Maximum Likelihood Estimation of a Stochastic Integrate-and-Fire Neural Model

Recent work has examined the estimation of models of stimulus-driven neural activity in which some linear filtering process is followed by a nonlinear, probabilistic spiking stage. We analyze the estimation of one such model for which this nonlinear step is implemented by a noisy, leaky, integrate-and-fire mechanism with a spike-dependent aftercurrent. This model is a biophysically plausible alternative to models with Poisson (memory-less) spiking, and has been shown to effectively reproduce various spiking statistics of neurons in vivo. However, the problem of estimating the model from extracellular spike train data has not been examined in depth. We formulate the problem in terms of maximum likelihood estimation, and show that the computational problem of maximizing the likelihood is tractable. Our main contribution is an algorithm and a proof that this algorithm is guaranteed to find the global optimum with reasonable speed. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our estimator with numerical simulations.
On interfacial solitary waves over slowly varying topography

The propagation of long, weakly nonlinear interfacial waves in a two-layer fluid of slowly varying depth is studied. The governing equations are formulated to include cubic nonlinearity, which dominates quadratic nonlinearity in some parametric neighbourhood of equal layer depths. Numerical solutions are obtained for an initial profile corresponding to either a single solitary wave or a rank-ordered pair of such waves incident in a monotonic transition between two regions of constant depth. The numerical solutions, supplemented by inverse-scattering theory, are used to investigate the change of polarity of the incident waves as they pass through a ‘turning point’ of approximately equal layer depths. Our results exhibit significant differences from those reported by Knickerbocker & Newell (1980), which were based on a model equation. In particular, we find that more than one wave of reversed polarity may emerge.
Using objects of measurement to detect spreadsheet errors

There are many common spreadsheet errors that traditional spreadsheet systems do not help users find. This paper presents a statically-typed spreadsheet language that adds additional information about the objects that the spreadsheet values represent. By annotating values with both units and labels, users denote both the system of measurement in which the values are expressed as well as the properties of the objects to which the values refer. This information is used during computation to detect some invalid computations and allow users to identify properties of the resulting values.
Design of Protein-Producing Bioreactors for Self-Assembling Systems.

Proteins, due to their complex structures, possess infinite possibilities for assembling themselves as well as other biological and nonbiological materials into complex, multicomponent structures. Many examples from nature demonstrate the high degree of flexibility, strength and “intelligence” offered by protein-organized, self-assembling systems. However, several problems must be overcome before self-assembling protein-based products can become commercially feasible. One problem is the high cost of protein production. A second problem involves the question of producing nonidentical protein subunits in the proper stoichiometry for self-assembly. A third problem involves the stability of the protein components of larger structures. We have been developing protein-producing bioreactors to address the problems associated with the commercial production of proteins, both as individual products as well as components of self assembling systems. The approach that we have taken is to clone the gene or cDNA that encodes the desired protein(s) and tailor the expression of the protein so that it can be produced at high levels under conditions where cell division is blocked. This assures that supplied nutrients go into product and not biomass, and at the same time provides conditions where cells can be immobilized without fracturing the support matrix during division. The blocking of cell growth also allows for the adjustment of protein stoichiometry by setting the ratios of cells that produce different subunits of complex structures. To simplify downstream processing and purification, we have designed a system where nearly pure protein is secreted directly into the medium. This approach allows for automated downstream processing and separation of product from cells before it is degraded. The model system that we are using for the development of the protein-producing bioreactors utilizes genetically modified strains of Escherichia coli that secrete proteins which are usually found in the periplasmic space directly into the medium. The phosphatebinding protein serves as an ideal model protein for bioreactor development, since the regulatory elements that control its production are turned on by phosphate limitation, which also arrests cell division. We are presently determining if these regulatory and secretory elements can be used to direct the synthesis and secretion of heterologous proteins.
Loss of HP1 causes depletion of H3K27me3 from facultative heterochromatin and gain of H3K27me2 at constitutive heterochromatin

Methylated lysine 27 on histone H3 (H3K27me) marks repressed "facultative heterochromatin," including developmentally regulated genes in plants and animals. The mechanisms responsible for localization of H3K27me are largely unknown, perhaps in part because of the complexity of epigenetic regulatory networks. We used a relatively simple model organism bearing both facultative and constitutive heterochromatin, Neurospora crassa, to explore possible interactions between elements of heterochromatin. In higher eukaryotes, reductions of H3K9me3 and DNA methylation in constitutive heterochromatin have been variously reported to cause redistribution of H3K27me3. In Neurospora, we found that elimination of any member of the DCDC H3K9 methylation complex caused massive changes in the distribution of H3K27me; regions of facultative heterochromatin lost H3K27me3, while regions that are normally marked by H3K9me3 became methylated at H3K27. Elimination of DNA methylation had no obvious effect on the distribution of H3K27me. Elimination of HP1, which "reads" H3K9me3, also caused major changes in the distribution of H3K27me, indicating that HP1 is important for normal localization of facultative heterochromatin. Because loss of HP1 caused redistribution of H3K27me2/3, but not H3K9me3, these normally nonoverlapping marks became superimposed. Indeed, mass spectrometry revealed substantial cohabitation of H3K9me3 and H3K27me2 on H3 molecules from an hpo strain. Loss of H3K27me machinery (e.g., the methyltransferase SET-7) did not impact constitutive heterochromatin but partially rescued the slow growth of the DCDC mutants, suggesting that the poor growth of these mutants is partly attributable to ectopic H3K27me. Altogether, our findings with Neurospora clarify interactions of facultative and constitutive heterochromatin in eukaryotes.
Volatility Pricing in the Stock and Treasury Markets

Unexpected shifts in stock market volatility, often associated with financial crises, carry a significantly negative risk premium across the stock and Treasury markets, which suggests the existence of a unified pricing model for these markets. Results show that investors require a premium for holding the risky assets (stocks), which correlate negatively to volatility surprises, while they are willing to pay a premium for holding the safe assets (Treasury bonds), which correlate positively (the so-called "flight-to-safety"). Interestingly, when I break down stocks into large-cap and small-cap, I find that the former have a greater ability to weather volatility surprises, which partially accounts for their lower expected returns.
A Seat at the Table of Social Change through Service Design

Services and access to them are related to core societal concerns such as sustainability and the role of families and communities in people's lives, themes of enduring concern to the discipline of anthropology. Our aim in this paper is to begin to outline arguments for why anthropology and the EPIC community more broadly should have a prominent seat at the table of understanding and engaging social change emanating from innovations in the service economy. The discourse on services advises that we are in the middle of a major transformation akin to the move from agriculture to manufacturing, where modern economies are becoming service economies and people's relations to material possessions are being reconfigured through services. We suggest that if a major shift is underway in how people get on in the world then it is incumbent upon the EPIC community to consider the opportunities and limitations for shaping this transformation.
"Irony" of managing refractory anemia with transfusional support in hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening derangement of the immune system in which host macrophages phagocytose the patient's own blood cells. Herein, we present the case of a patient with HLH and associated refractory anemia who developed rapid iron deposition in the liver after transfusion of sixteen units of packed red blood cells (RBCs). Before transfusion, neither a liver biopsy nor computed tomography scan demonstrated iron deposition in the organ parenchyma. After receiving sixteen units of packed RBCs, liver iron concentration rose to 6.7 mg/g dry weight, which is highly unusual in other diseases requiring transfusional support.
Characterizing the Conformational Ensembles of the E. coli Hsp70, DnaK Reveals the Role of the Intermediate State

DnaK is a molecular chaperone that helps protein folding and protects cells from stress. The allosteric mechanism of DnaK enables ATP binding to the N-terminal nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) to alter substrate affinity to the C-terminal substrate-binding domain (SBD) and in turn substrate binding enhances ATP hydrolysis. Cycling between ATP-bound and ADP/substrate-bound states requires DnaK to visit an “ATP+substrate” state with high ATPase activity and fast on/off kinetics of substrate binding. The short interdomain linker transduces the allosteric signal between NBD-SBD and the β-SBD-α-lid interfaces. We used pulsed dipolar ESR and ion mobility mass spectroscopy technologies to characterize the conformational ensembles of DnaK in its allosteric states to better understand how the nucleotide and substrates modulate the allosteric landscape. We found that DnaK has a narrow distance distribution in ATP-bound state, but broader distance distributions in all other states exhibit multiple coexisting components. The ATP+substrate ensemble reflects the tug-of-war between the forces of NBD-SBD interaction driven by the binding of nucleotides, and the force of β-SBD-α-lid interaction driven by the binding of substrates. The ATP+substrate state contains 24% of docked and 76% of undocked conformers. The ADP+substrate state has a smaller fraction of docked conformers and an additional species, which we may represent as a “domain rotamer” around the unbound linker. Rotation of the NBD and SBD around the interdomain linker may play an important role in the allosteric mechanism. The ATP+substrate state releases the SBD's helical lid from the NBD bound in the ATP-bound state to an SBD bound position and a “free” position; and the ADP+substrate state pushes the equilibrium from the free position to the SBD bound position. The allosteric states can be modulated by mutations to dissect the energetic contributions.