cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Agents and conflict: Adaptation and the dynamics of war

Civil wars pose one of the most challenging threats to peace in the post-WWII era. The successful resolution of ongoing civil wars is particularly difficult. Parties opposing peace successfully subverted negotiated agreements in contexts as diverse as Rwanda, Northern Ireland, and Bosnia. Despite growing attention to civil wars in the empirical literature, little formal-theoretic work addresses the dynamics of civil wars. Empirical work demonstrates that the resolution of civil wars is both complex and uncertain: civil war combatants are heterogeneous in their traits, incompletely informed, and thus, boundedly rational, capable of learning from history and adapting their behavior—all hallmarks of a complex adaptive system. I employ an agent-based model, therefore, to capture these characteristics and address the conditions affecting the dynamics and evolution of civil wars. In particular, I focus on the evolutionary context of civil wars including learning and adaption and find that civil wars with adaptive combatants exhibit vastly different behavior than those without adaptive agents. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity, 2008
NuA4 Initiates Dynamic Histone H4 Acetylation to Promote High-Fidelity Sister Chromatid Recombination at Postreplication Gaps

CAG/CTG trinucleotide repeats are unstable, fragile sequences that strongly position nucleosomes, but little is known about chromatin modifications required to prevent genomic instability at these or other structure-forming sequences. We discovered that regulated histone H4 acetylation is required to maintain CAG repeat stability and promote gap-induced sister chromatid recombination. CAG expansions in the absence of H4 HATs NuA4 and Hat1 and HDACs Sir2, Hos2, and Hst1 depended on Rad52, Rad57, and Rad5 and were therefore arising through homology-mediated postreplication repair (PRR) events. H4K12 and H4K16 acetylation were required to prevent Rad5-dependent CAG repeat expansions, and H4K16 acetylation was enriched at CAG repeats during S phase. Genetic experiments placed the RSC chromatin remodeler in the same PRR pathway, and Rsc2 recruitment was coincident with H4K16 acetylation. Here we have utilized a repetitive DNA sequence that induces endogenous DNA damage to identify histone modifications that regulate recombination efficiency and fidelity during postreplication gap repair.
Insurance-related differences in the presentation of pediatric appendicitis

In the pediatric population, there is strong evidence to suggest that a delay in treatment results in an increased risk of appendiceal perforation. However, it is not clear whether this delay arises from the parent seeking medical advice, the referring physician seeking surgical consultation, or the surgeon deciding to operate. To resolve this issue, the authors performed a retrospective chart review of all cases of confirmed acute appendicitis that presented to the pediatric surgical service of the Children's Hospital of Buffalo during a 4-year period (January 1990 through December 1993). All children (< or = 16 years of age) were categorized with respect to type of insurance coverage:Medicaid (or uninsured), health maintenance organization (HMO), or private fee-for-service. Their time until emergency room (ER) presentation, operating room (OR) presentation, and hospital discharge were recorded and compared. Their complications and perforation rates also were noted. Two hundred eighty-eight cases were reviewed. The rate of appendiceal perforation was significantly higher among the Medicaid patients (Medicaid, 44%; HMO, 27%; private, 23%; P < .05); their duration of symptoms before presentation was significantly longer (Medicaid, 47.3 +/- 4.1 hours; HMO, 29.3 +/- 1.9 hours; private, 23.1 +/- 2.5 hours; P < .01), and their hospital stay was longer (Medicaid, 7.9 +/- 0.9 days; HMO, 4.8 +/- 0.27 days; private, 4.6 +/- 0.44 days; P < .01). However, there were no significant differences in the time from presentation to the ER until definitive surgery in the OR. Children covered by Medicaid (or uninsured) presented later, had a higher risk of appendiceal perforation, and required a longer hospital stay. The parents of these children either failed to recognize the significance of their children's symptoms, or delayed seeking medical advice because of financial or logistical reasons. The gatekeeper consultation, required by the health maintenance organizations (HMO) did not result in a delay in presentation or have a negative impact on morbidity. Providing easier access to a primary care physician and improving parental health education/awareness may shorten the time until presentation for the uninsured/Medicaid patient.
Declining Sediments and Rising Seas: an Unfortunate Convergence for Tidal Wetlands

The availability of suspended sediments will be a dominant factor influencing the stability of tidal wetlands as sea levels rise. Watershed-derived sediments are a critical source of material supporting accretion in many tidal wetlands, and recent declines in wetland extent in several large river delta systems have been attributed in part to declines in sediment delivery. Little attention has been given, however, to changes in sediment supply outside of large river deltas. In this study, significant declines in suspended sediment concentrations (SSCs) over time were observed for 25 of 61 rivers examined that drain to the East and Gulf Coasts of the USA. Declines in fluvial SSC were significantly correlated with increasing water retention behind dams, indicating that human activities play a role in declining sediment delivery. There was a regional pattern to changes in fluvial sediment, and declines in SSCs were also significantly related to rates of relative sea level rise (RSLR) along the coast, such that wetlands experiencing greater RSLR also tend to be receiving less fluvial sediment. Tidal wetlands in the Mid-Atlantic, Mississippi River Delta, and Texas Gulf especially may become increasingly vulnerable due to rapid RSLR and reductions in sediment. These results also indicate that past rates of marsh accretion may not be indicative of potential future accretion due to changes in sediment availability. Declining watershed sediment delivery to the coastal zone will limit the ability of tidal marshes to keep pace with rising sea levels in some coastal systems.
Urinary incontinence detection in elderly inpatient men

Urinary incontinence is a serious medical and social problem affecting approximately 40% of elderly inpatients. Evaluating the extent of the illness and response to therapy requires an accurate method for quantitative measurement of urinary incontinence. Quantitative parameters of urinary loss include the frequency and volume of urinary incontinence. A telemetric incontinence detection instrument designed to measure incontinence frequency is described and the instrument is compared with a standard „wet check” incontinence detection technique. The electronic instrument appears to be an accurate method for detection of urine loss and is nonobtrusive to the patients.
Comparative Analysis of Travel Impacts between the Design-Build and Traditional Building Methods

A 25 kilometer section of the I-15 freeway crosses the metropolitan region of Salt Lake City, Utah. The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) built the road the fast track way: “Design and build.” The project disrupted traffic for four and a half years. Had the freeway been rebuilt by several traditional “design-bid-build” contracts, traffic would have been disrupted for about a decade. This paper compares the disruptive impacts of fast track and traditional construction. Traffic delays, accidents, and emissions estimates for each approach provide a highly detailed assessment of the implications of building quickly. The road closure schedules for each alternative are based on recorded events and UDOT standard practice. The travel modeling is done through VISUM with diurnal traffic assignments. The results show that fast track construction is superior to the traditional approach in terms of user delays. While the impact of emissions and accidents is measurable, it proves to be less significant. The pape...
Semidefinite relaxations for optimization problems over rotation matrices

Optimization problems with variables constrained to be in SO(d)—orthogonal matrices with determinant one—arise in attitude estimation, molecular imaging, and computer vision applications, among others. Recently it has been shown that the convex hull of SO(d) can be described in terms of linear matrix inequalities. This allows us to devise new semidefinite programming-based reformulations and relaxations of problems involving rotation matrices. In this paper we illustrate the use of these techniques for two different types of optimization problems over SO(d). The first type of problem arises in jointly estimating the attitude and spin-rate of a spin-stabilized satellite. We show how to exactly reformulate such problems as semidefinite programs. The second type of problem arises when estimating the orientations of a network of objects (such as cameras, satellites or molecules) from noisy relative orientation measurements. For this class of problems we formulate new semidefinite relaxations that are tighter than those existing in the literature, and show that they are exact when the underlying graph is a tree.
Crystal structure of eta-crystallin: adaptation of a class 1 aldehyde dehydrogenase for a new role in the eye lens.

η-Crystallin is a retinal dehydrogenase that has acquired a role as a structural protein in the eye lens of elephant shrews, members of an ancient order of mammals. While it retains some activity toward retinal, which is oxidized to retinoic acid, the protein has acquired a number of specific sequence changes that have presumably been selected to enhance the lens role. The crystal structure of η-crystallin, in common with class 1 and 2 ALDHs, is a dimer of dimers. It has a better-defined NAD binding site than those of related mammalian ALDH1 enzymes with the cofactor bound in the “hydride transfer” position in all four monomers with small differences about the dimer dyads. Although the active site is well conserved, the substrate-binding site is larger in η-crystallin, and there are some mutations to the substrate access tunnel that might affect binding or release of substrate and product. It is possible that η-crystallin has lost flexibility to improve its role in the lens. Enhanced binding of cofactor c...
Joint Consistency of Nonparametric Item Characteristic Curve and Ability Estimation.

The simultaneous and nonparametric estimation of latent abilities and item characteristic curves is considered. The asymptotic properties of ordinal ability estimation and kernel smoothed nonparametric item characteristic curve estimation are investigated under very general assumptions on the underlying item response theory model as both the test length and the sample size increase. A large deviation probability inequality is stated for ordinal ability estimation. The mean squared error of kernel smoothed item characteristic curve estimates is studied and a strong consistency result is obtained showing that the worst case error in the item characteristic curve estimates over all items and ability levels converges to zero with probability equal to one.
Building Blocks of Tropical Diabatic Heating

Rotated EOF analyses are used to study the composition and variability of large-scale tropical diabatic heating profiles estimated from eight field campaigns. The results show that the profiles are composed of a pair of building blocks. These are the stratiform heating with peak heating near 400 hPa and a cooling peak near 700 hPa and the convective heating with a heating maximum near 700 hPa. Variations in the contributions of these building blocks account for the evolution of the large-scale heating profile. Instantaneous top-heavy (bottom-heavy) large-scale heating profiles associated with excess of stratiform (convective) heating evolve toward a stationary mean profile due to exponential decay of the excess stratiform (convective) heating.
A note on a question of Bass

In this paper we study the following question raised by Bass: Is a local ring with a finitely generated module of finite injective dimension Cohen-Macaulay? We prove that the answer is in the affirmative when a certain local cohomology of the ring is either decomposible or cyclic. We also study the above question in some special cases and some of its implications. 0. Introduction. In [B], Bass raised the question of the validity of the following: CONJECTURE. If a local ring A possesses a module M of finite injective dimension, then A is Cohen-Macaulay. In this note we are going to describe a partial solution to this problem. First, remarkable work was done by Peskine and Szpiro [PS]. They proved the conjecture for almost all geometrically important local rings containing a field. Their main tool of attack was the following conjecture which is known as "The intersection conjecture". CONJECTURE. Let A be a local ring and let T be a module of finite projective dimension over A. If P is a prime ideal of A with l(A/P X T) O for depth M dim A 1. In §1 our main tool of attack is the dualizing complex. We prove the following theorem in 1.5. THEOREM 1. Let A be a local ring of dimension n and depth n-r. Let M be a module of finite injective dimension. Then A is C-M if (i) Hm-r(A) is decomposible, (ii) Hm r( A ) &' is cyclic. E1 Received by the editors October 16, 1984. 1980 Mclthemcltics Subject Clclssificcltion. Primary 13H10. l Supported in part by NSF grant MCS-8108814(A02). ¢)1985 American Mathematical Society 0002-9947/85 $1.00 + $.25 per page
On Luck, Responsibility and the Meaning of Life

Abstract A meaningful life, we shall argue, is a life upon which a certain sort of valuable pattern has been imposed by the person in question—a pattern which involves in serious ways the person having an effect upon the world. Meaningfulness is thus a special kind of value which a human life can bear. Two interrelated difficulties face ths proposal. One concerns responsiblity: how are we to account for the fact that a life that satisfies the above criteria can have more meaning than a life with the same positive outcomes but which lacks responsiblity on the part of the agent? The other turns on these outcomes themselves: how can the meaningfulness engendered by actions you perform now be affected by what those actions go on to produce in the future, perhaps even after your death? We provide a response to both of these difficulties.
An Explanation for Observed Compression Ratios in Internal Combustion Engines

In this paper comparisons of the compression ratios, efficiencies, and work of the ideal Otto and Diesel cycles are presented at conditions that yield maximum work per cycle. The compression ratios that maximize the work of the Diesel cycle are found always to be higher than those for the Otto cycle at the same operating conditions, although the thermal efficiencies are nearly identical. The compression ratios that maximize the work of the Otto and Diesel cycles compare well with the compression ratios employed in corresponding production engines.
Capital inflows and the real exchange rate: An empirical study of sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract This paper investigates the question of whether capital inflows, particularly Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), cause the real exchange rate to appreciate. It also examines whether different forms of captial inflow have variable effects on the real exchange rate. The paper estimates an empirical real exchange rate model specifying a set of capital inflow variables using dynamic panel techniques. Based on data for a sample of sub-Saharan African countries for the period 1980 – 2000, the study reveals FDI as the category of private capital inflow that causes the real exchange rate to appreciate. The results also show that an increase in official aid causes a real appreciation, the magnitude being greater compared to that associated with FDI.
Lifetimes of metastable spherical carbon cluster dianions

Semiclassical calculations are made of the lifetimes of metastable spherical carbon cluster dianions using a model potential based on electrostatics. The metastability is attributed to shape resonances resulting from the combination of the long range Coulomb repulsion and the shorter range electron-molecule interaction. Results for fullerene dianions show a strong dependence of the lifetimes on the molecular size. The transition from stable to metastable dianions is estimated to occur when the radius of the spherical molecule is about 5.5 A. This simple model potential might provide a starting point for experimental and theoretical searches for the existence of stable dianions
Predicting chemical-concentration effects on transformation rates of dissolved organics by complex microbial assemblages

Abstract Microbial transformation rate data and theoretical considerations were analyzed for selected organic chemicals with respect to the general utility of mathematical models for predicting microbial transformation rates for risk assessment and regulatory purposes. By recognizing the unique problems associated with predicting microbial transformation rates within specific substrate concentration ranges, [S], the research, development, and testing of predictive mathematical models for environmental exposure assessment can be better focused. Lacking site-specific data, such an approach may yield useful interim models to meet our current needs as our understanding of environmental processes continues towards developing models more capable of accurately predicting transformation rates over broader ranges of conditions. One range of [S] considered for separate treatment was a sub-maintenance range (⩽0.05 μ M), where microbial transformation rates may depart from pseudo-first-order kinetics (first-order in [S] with constant biomass) as a result of an insufficient substrate concentration for cell biomass maintenance. In another range of [S] considered for separate treatment, the toxic range (⩾5 mM), organic substrates may be sufficiently toxic to the general metabolic activities of the organism transforming the substrate that transformation rates do not follow Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Without site-specific data, mirobial transformation rates in these ranges of [S] should probably either be disregarded or assumed to occur at the maximum possible rate, depending, respectively, on whether the environmental concern lies in the disappearance of a toxic parent compound or in the formation of a toxic metabolite. Between these ranges lies an area characterized by multisystem kinetics , a region of [S] where microbial transformation rates appear to be reasonably predictable, albeit at a wide range of rates depending on the particular microorganisms dominating the transformation process, their concentrations, and the associated environmental conditions. For this region of [S], we suggest that there are important considerations to be made whenever a set of apparent kinetic parameters determined by conventional plots of kinetics data at low [S] are used to predict microbial transformation rates at much highest [S], and vice versa. To accomodate the possible effects of multiple systems operating over a wide range of [S], either the Michaelis - Menten equation with K m and V max values experimentally determined at moderately high [S] (approximately 0.1–1 mM), or an empirical equation for extrapolating pseudo-first transformation rate coefficients and half-life values to higher ranges of [S], should be used.
Continuum-Based Design Sensitivity Analysis and Optimization of Springback in Stamping Process

The springback is a significant manufacturing defect in the stamping process. A serious impediment to the use of lighter-weight, higher-strength materials in manufacturing is the relative lack of understanding about how these materials respond to the complex forming process. The springback problem can be reduced by using appropriate designs of die, punch, and blank holder shape together with friction and blank holding force. That is, an optimum stamping process can be determined using a gradient-based optimization to minimize the springback. However, for an effective optimization of the stamping process, development of an efficient analytical design sensitivity analysis method is crucial. In this paper, a continuum-based shape and configuration design sensitivity analysis (DSA) method for the stamping process has been developed. The material derivative concept is used to develop the continuum-based design sensitivity. The design sensitivity equation is solved without iteration at each converged load step in the finite deformation elastoplastic nonlinear analysis with frictional contact, which makes the design sensitivity calculation very efficient. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method is illustrated by minimizing springback in an S-rail part, which is often used as an industrial benchmark to verify the numerical procedures employed for stamping processes.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Positive end-expiratory pressure during KL4 surfactant instillation enhances intrapulmonary distribution in a simian model of respiratory distress syndrome.

Positive End-Expiratory Pressure during KL 4 Surfactant Instillation Enhances Intrapulmonary Distribution in a Simian Model of Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Response Time as a Cue in Person Perception

The information conveyed by the delay preceding response of stimulus persons (SPs) to problem solutions offered by S was evaluated in terms of S‘s imputations of competence or compliance to the SP. It was observed that induction of a “set” in S in which one of the above traits was relevant resulted in S's preference for an SP whom he inferred to possess the relevant trait from SP‘s response time. It was also observed that the nature of these inferences varied with the difficulty of the problems for which SP's rapid or delayed responses were relevant.
Myogenic stem cell commitment probability remains constant as a function of organismal and mitotic age

Chicken myogenic stem cells can undergo symmetric and asymmetric cell divisions. Symmetric divisions produce two stem cells or two cells committed to terminal muscle differentiation. Asymmetric divisions produce one stem cell and one committed cell. Committed cells undergo four divisions, and their progeny differentiate into postmitotic, biochemically distinct muscle cells, which can be identified immunocytochemically. The control of stem cell commitment was investigated in vitro by means of cell cloning and subcloning experiments, and computer modeling. We found that stem cell commitment is a process which can be modeled as a stochastic event, with a central tendency or probability of 0.2 +/- 0.1. This value is independent of organismal or mitotic age of the stem cells, cell density, or growth in a mitogen-poor environment. Myogenic stem cells stop dividing after approximately 30 divisions in vitro. Since the probability of commitment to terminal differentiation remains below 0.5, clonal senescence and terminal differentiation are separate processes in this system.
Phthalate ester leachates in aquatic mesocosms: Implications for ecotoxicity studies of endocrine disrupting compounds

Aquatic mesocosm experiments have become common throughout the fields of ecology and ecotoxicology. Mesocosm containers are often composed of plastic materials as these are lighter and cheaper than steel cattle tanks. Plastics may contain phthalate esters which may leach from containers, potentially confounding experiments via toxicity or endocrine disruption. The objective of this experiment was to determine the extent to which plastic containers (="tanks") used for mesocosms leach phthalates, and if there are significant differences between tank types and phthalate profiles. We investigated four tank types: fiberglass, polyethylene, poly-vinyl chloride, and polyethylene tanks containing an established aquatic community. We measured six common phthalate esters in water samples collected from each tank every 2 weeks for 8 weeks. There was a significant effect of tank type, time, and time x type interactions on phthalate ester concentrations. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate was the predominant congener measured in all samples. Fiberglass tanks had greater concentrations of dimethyl phthalate compared to other tank types (more than 600x larger concentration), but no other differences in phthalate profiles among tank types were evident. In addition, tanks with established communities had much higher concentrations of most phthalates at the 6 and 8 week timepoints. Our study confirms that mesocosm tanks of different materials leach phthalates starting immediately after they are filled and continuing for at least 8 weeks, but do so at different rates. Future ecotoxicity experiments should consider the potentially confounding effects of phthalates that may leach from tanks used in experimental mesocosms.
Technology assessment in health care: the U.S. perspective

Formal programs in medical technology assessment in the United States have become increasingly prominent in health care during the last 10 years in large part stimulated by remarkable technologic innovation, expansion in medical knowledge and increasing health care expenditures. The establishment of the Consensus Development Program of the National Institutes of Health initiated a decade of activities in technology assessment in both the public and private sectors and it was intensified by efforts to contain expenditures, particularly the Prospective Payment System. However, in spite of the wide range of evaluation activities, deficiencies remain which will have to be remedied if medical and policy decisions regarding technologies are to be made on sound bases.
An inexpensive, recording tide gauge1

An inexpensive, recording tide gauge has been constructed and tested in a small tidal pond on the north shore of Long Island. The instrument costs less than $50 if a 0–1 mA recorder is already available.
Spectral emission and quantum yield of firefly bioluminescence

1. 1. The emission spectrum of in vitro firefly bioluminescence has been found to be identical with the in vivo bioluminescence. 2. 2. One light quantum is emitted for every luciferin molecule oxidized, the yellowgreen emission band peaking at 562 mμ. 3. 3. A low quantum yield red emission appears in acid pH and at high phosphate buffer concentrations even at neutral pH. 4. 4. An energy stabilization role is postulated for the luciferase molecule in view of the high quantum yields measured.
Diagnosis of stroke by emergency medical dispatchers and its impact on the prehospital care of patients

Background Emergency medical dispatchers represent the first line of communication with a patient, and their decision plays an important role in the prehospital care of stroke. We evaluated the rate and accuracy of stroke diagnosis by dispatchers and its influence in the prehospital care of potential stroke patients. Methods We analyzed the 2009 National Emergency Medical Services Information System. Study population was based on the diagnosis of stroke made by emergency medical technicians (EMT). This was then divided in those coded as stroke/cerebrovascular accident versus others reported by dispatchers and compared with each other. Results In all, 67,844 cases were identified as stroke by EMT, but transportation time was available for 52,282 cases that represented the final cohort. Cases identified as stroke by dispatchers were 27,566 (52.7%). When this group compared with stroke cases not identified by dispatchers, we found that the mean age was significantly higher (71.2 versus 68.6 years, P P P Conclusions Recognition of symptoms and diagnosis of a potential stroke by dispatchers positively affect the care of patients by decreasing the arrival time to a hospital and providing the highest level of prehospital care possible. Education is needed to increase dispatcher's detection of stroke cases.
Intimate Partner Violence and HIV Risks among Female Sex Workers of Mumbai, India

This research explored intimate partner violence (IPV) and HIV risks among female sex workers of Mumbai, India. In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 sex workers to explore their experiences of IPV in the context of commercial sex work. Severe forms of physical, sexual, and emotional violence were reported by sex workers. Outcomes of IPV were inability to negotiate safe sex, substance abuse, and negative perceptions of men. This article also discusses sex workers’ responses and methods of resisting IPV. With increasing HIV infections among sex workers in Mumbai, this study draws attention to the need for field-based, gender-sensitive HIV prevention efforts that incorporate violence prevention.
Electronic structure and transport properties of doped PbSe

Understanding the electronic structure and transport properties of doped PbSe for its thermoelectric applications is an urgent need. Using a first-principles approach, we first explore the band structures of PbSe doped with a series of impurities, including cation-site substitutional impurities (Na, K, Rb; Mg, Ca, Sr; Cu, Ag, Au; Zn, Cd, Hg; Ga, In, Tl; Ge, Sn; As, Sb, Bi) and anion-site substitutional impurities (P, As, Sb; O, S, Te). Then we calculate the density of states (DOS) difference between the doped samples and pure host sample, which is a useful quantity to recognize the possibility of improving transport properties. The exhibited chemical trends and the nature of the impurity states are well explained with a simplified linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO) picture. Finally, we calculate the transport properties of these doped systems within the framework of Boltzmann theory and constant relaxation time approximation. Typical competing behavior between the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient is exhibited, and a significant enhancement of thermoelectric power factor is found in the cation-site Au-doped $p$-type samples, and cation-site As-doped $n$-type samples.
The use of a collegiate cyber defense competition in information security education

A Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition was conducted this spring with five universities fielding teams. This event was designed to provide student led teams a simulated operational business environment in which they could test their skills at information security and system operation. This three day event included external hackers attacking the student networks, as well as business users placing operational and administrative demands on the teams. Teams were scored based on their ability to maintain mandated business services, keeping hackers out and answering business scenario injects. The objective was to provide an environment where the teams could exercise their information technology abilities and do so in an operational mode where most information was not freely provided, but must be uncovered and discovered by the students in real time. Issues such as prioritization, resource allocation and technical skill application were tested using real world examples on a known instrumented network. The objective of providing feedback to each team as to its skill level and abilities was achieved and then some over the course of this successful event. Lessons were learned which are being used to move this local event to a national level event.
Quasi-residual quasi-symmetric designs

It is shown that for each @l >= 3, there are only finitely many quasi-residual quasi-symmetric (QRQS) designs and that for each pair of intersection numbers (x, y) not equal to (0, 1) or (1, 2), there are only finitely many QRQS designs. A design is shown to be affine if and only if it is QRQS with x = 0. A projective design is defined as a symmetric design which has an affine residual. For a projective design, the block-derived design and the dual of the point-derivate of the residual are multiples of symmetric designs.
Utrophin lacks the rod domain actin binding activity of dystrophin.

Abstract We previously identified a cluster of basic spectrin-like repeats in the dystrophin rod domain that binds F-actin through electrostatic interactions (Amann, K. J., Renley, B. A., and Ervasti, J. M. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 28419–28423). Because of the importance of actin binding to the presumed physiological role of dystrophin, we sought to determine whether the autosomal homologue of dystrophin, utrophin, shared this rod domain actin binding activity. We therefore produced recombinant proteins representing the cluster of basic repeats of the dystrophin rod domain (DYSR11–17) or the homologous region of the utrophin rod domain (UTROR11–16). Although UTROR11–16 is 64% similar and 41% identical to DYSR11–17, UTROR11–16 (pI = 4.86) lacks the basic character of the repeats found in DYSR11–17 (pI = 7.44). By circular dichroism, gel filtration, and sedimentation velocity analysis, we determined that each purified recombinant protein had adopted a stable, predominantly α-helical fold and existed as a highly soluble monomer. DYSR11–17 bound F-actin with an apparentK d of 7.3 ± 1.3 μm and a molar stoichiometry of 1:5. Significantly, UTROR11–16 failed to bind F-actin at concentrations as high as 100 μm. We present these findings as further support for the electrostatic nature of the interaction of the dystrophin rod domain with F-actin and suggest that utrophin interacts with the cytoskeleton in a manner distinct from dystrophin.
Carotenoid hydroxylation--P450 finally!

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases are involved in the biosynthesis of various compounds in plants such as phenylpropanoids, lipids and phytohormones. Hydroxylation of the carotenoid e-ring is an essential reaction for the formation of lutein, the most abundant carotenoid in photosynthetic tissues. Recently, Li Tian and colleagues reported that a new P450 is responsible for this reaction. This discovery not only adds to the list of various functions of plant cytochrome P450s but also identifies one of the missing pieces of the puzzle of carotenoid biosynthesis.
Mating Pheromone Reception and Induced Behavior in Ovulating Female Sea Lampreys

Abstract This study was conducted to determine how ovulating female sea lampreys Petromyzon marinus respond to water conditioned with spermiating males (spermiating male washings) and how trap efficiency can be improved through their use. The capture rate of ovulating female sea lampreys was observed in traps baited with continuous or pulsed spermiating male washings. The behavior of ovulating females around baited traps was quantified. Within 2 h, traps baited with continuous spermiating male washings captured 52% of ovulating females (n = 27) and traps baited with pulsed washings captured 28% (n = 25) of ovulating females. Unbaited traps did not capture ovulating females. The behavior of females near traps baited with pulsed spermiating male washings was characterized by significantly more downstream and side-stream movements than that of females near traps with continuous washings. We occluded the olfactory organ of ovulating females and tested whether they were attracted to spermiating male washings i...
Inflammatory talk: linking obesity, NF-κB, and Aromatase.

Obesity is associated with increased risk and worsened prognosis for postmenopausal breast cancer, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.Elegant work reported by Subbaramaiah andcolleagues in this issue of the journal (beginning on page 329) adds important insights, particularly into the connections between obesity, inflammation, and aromatase via cross-talk among adipocytes, macrophages, and epithelial cells. This work provides several new molecular targets and strategies to test in model systems for preventing or controlling obesity-related breast cancer and provides a framework for studying the linkages among the complex mechanistic pathways underlying the obesity-cancer relationship. Cancer Prev Res; 4(3); 285–7. � 2011 AACR. Findings from epidemiological and animal studies have established obesity as an important risk and prognostic factor for postmenopausal breast cancer. Unfortunately, we still lack a clear understanding of the mechanisms underlying the association of obesity with postmenopausal breast cancer. Given that the prevalence of obesity in U.S. women remains very high and that childhood obesity rates are rising, we urgently need new targets and strategies for breaking the obesity–breast cancer link. Historically,discussionsaboutthepotentialmechanisms
Identical Particle interferometry at STAR

Abstract We present preliminary results from a two-particle intensity interferometry analysis of charged pions and neutral kaons emitted from Au+Au collisions at S N N = 130 and 200 GeV measured in the STAR detector at RHIC. The dependence of the apparent pion source on beam energy, multiplicity, transverse momentum and emission angle with respect to the reaction plane are discussed.
A 14-MeV beam-plasma neutron source for materials testing

The design and performance of 14-MeV beam-plasma neutron sources for accelerated testing of fusion reactor materials are described. Continuous production of 14-MeV neutron fluxes in the range of 5 to 10 MW/m/sup 2/ at the plasma surface are produced by D-T reactions in a two-component plasma. In the current designs, 14-MeV neutrons result from collisions of energetic deuterium ions created by transverse injection to 150-keV deuterium atoms on a fully ionized tritium target plasma. The beam energy, which is deposited at the center of the tritium column, is transferred to the warm plasma by electron drag, which flows axially to the end regions. Neutral gas at high pressure absorbs the energy in the tritium plasma and transfers the heat to the walls of the vacuum vessel. The plasma parameters of the neutron source (in dimensionless units), have been achieved in the 2XIIB high- beta plasma. The larger magnetic field of the present design permits scaling to the higher energy and density of the neutron-source design. >
Novel circuits for neural information processing

Abstract Information processing in the visual cortex of the mammalian brain allows compact image coding and representation. Receptive field structures found in the visual cortex of the mammalian brain resemble Gabor filters. There has been recent interest in the use of such receptive field profiles for image coding and texture processing. Systems employing such Gabor filters have been implemented in software for a variety of applications. We believe a hardware implementation of such cells will be helpful in artificial visual processing. We have implemented analog VLSI cells which perform such Gabor-like functions. We describe experimental results of our circuit. We have implemented both the sine and cosine type of circuits. The sine and cosine circuits described can be used as edge detection units and on–off center-surround units respectively. Our circuit is the first hardware implementation of a Gabor approximation circuit.
Even Abstract Motion Influences the Understanding of Time

Many metaphor theorists argue that our mental experience of time is grounded in our understanding of space, including motion through space. Results from recent experiments – in which people think about motion, which in turn influences their thinking about time – support this position. Still, many questions remain about the nature of the metaphorical connection between time and space. Can the mere suggestion of motion influence how people reason about time, and if so, when and how? Three experiments investigated how thinking about “abstract” motion through sequences of numbers or letters would influence reasoning about time. Our results extend earlier psychological work on the link between time and space by showing that even motion in non-physical domains can influence temporal reasoning. The results provide further evidence that metaphorical understanding is grounded in our everyday physical and conceptual experience.
Glyphosate-resistant soybean response to various salts of glyphosate and glyphosate accumulation in soybean nodules

(dry weight), and leghemoglobin content was reduced by as much as 10%. Control of five predominant weed species 14 d after LPOST was . 83% with one application and . 96% with two applications regardless of the glyphosate salts used. Soybean yields were generally higher with two applications than with one application regardless of glyphosate formulation. These results indicate that soybean injury and inhibition of nodule development with certain glyphosate formulations can occur, but soybean has the potential to recover from glyphosate stress.
Disturbance Attenuation of Uncertain Nonholonomic Systems in Chained Forms

Nonlinear Hinfin control is considered for uncertain nonholonomic systems with external disturbances in their chained form kinematic models. State feedback controllers are explicitly constructed to guarantee an Lscr2 gain performance from the disturbance to the system output. Without the presence of the disturbance, the system states are regulated to the origin. Recent results in robust and adaptive control of uncertain nonholonomic systems are extended to include external disturbance inputs. An simulation example shows the effectiveness of the proposed control schemes
Evidence for an inositol hexakisphosphate-dependent role for Ku in mammalian nonhomologous end joining that is independent of its role in the DNA-dependent protein kinase

Nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) is an important pathway for the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and plays a critical role in maintaining genomic stability in mammalian cells. While Ku70/80 (Ku) functions in NHEJ as part of the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), genetic evidence indicates that the role of Ku in NHEJ goes beyond its participation in DNA-PK. Inositol hexakisphosphate (IP(6)) was previously found to stimulate NHEJ in vitro and Ku was identified as an IP(6)-binding factor. Through mutational analysis, we identified a bipartite IP(6)-binding site in Ku and generated IP(6)-binding mutants that ranged from 1.22% to 58.48% of wild-type binding. Significantly, these Ku IP(6)-binding mutants were impaired for participation in NHEJ in vitro and we observed a positive correlation between IP(6) binding and NHEJ. Ku IP(6)-binding mutants were separation-of-function mutants that bound DNA and activated DNA-PK as well as wild-type Ku. Our observations identify a hitherto undefined IP(6)-binding site in Ku and show that this interaction is important for DSB repair by NHEJ in vitro. Moreover, these data indicate that in addition to binding of exposed DNA termini and activation of DNA-PK, the Ku heterodimer plays a role in mammalian NHEJ that is regulated by binding of IP(6).
A systematic review and lessons learned from early lung cancer detection trials using low-dose computed tomography of the chest

Background: Computed tomography (CT) screening of the chest has shown promise for early detection of lung cancer, but evidence for a reduction in lung cancer mortality by CT screening is not available. Methods: We reviewed 208 articles to synthesize available evidence for efficacy of CT screening in detecting potentially curative stages of lung cancer and for evidence in reducing lung cancer mortality. Other outcomes of interest included detection rate of cancer and of suspicious lesions, histology and stage of cancer at detection, screening-related morbidity, and the identification of populations uniquely suited for CT screening. We identified eight papers that reported the outcomes for CT of the chest in lung cancer screening. Results: Since none of the studies utilized a control group, quantitative pooling was not done. In two studies, both CT and chest radiography (CXR) were used as screening tools in the same cohorts. A total of 19,107 subjects were screened using CT. The detected prevalence rate for lung cancer ranged from 0.40% to 13.6% and was a function of the subjects’ age and smoking history. CT screening resulted in a 3-fold higher detection rate and a 5-fold increase in the rate of resectable cancers compared to CXR. Data on lung cancer and overall mortality and screening-related morbidity and mortality were incomplete. CT screening resulted in selective detection of adenocarcinomas with an approximately 2- to 3-fold oversampling of this histologic subtype. The positive predictive value of CT screening was highest for subjects in the 8th decade of life, and it was virtually nil for those in their 5th decade. Conclusions: Evidence regarding lung cancer screening by CT shows that this technology detects earlier-stage and smaller lung cancers with greater frequency than other screening methods. To date, no trials have demonstrated that CT screening leads to a reduction in lung cancer mortality. Until mortality trials are completed, low-dose CT screening should be considered an investigative tool rather than the standard of care.
Crime and Peace: A Walk With Richard Quinney

Two paths are inspired by Richard Quinney's deep insights into self and society: a path that stimulates sociological imagination and helps us analyze the political economy of crime, and a path of personal and collective transformation. Following the first path, we discover that the problem of crime is a problem with social arrangements that thwart individual and collective potential; foster economic inequality; generate physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering; and necessitate participatory injustice. Following the second path, we recognize that personal and collective well-being is dependant on the understanding that the more we become conscious of being bound to others'well-being, the more the true self emerges and peace becomes our way.
Parental Imprisonment, the Prison Boom, and the Concentration of Childhood Disadvantage

Although much research has focused on how imprisonment transforms the life course of disadvantaged black men, researchers have paid little attention to how parental imprisonment alters the social experience of childhood. This article estimates the risk of parental imprisonment by age 14 for black and white children born in 1978 and 1990. This article also estimates the risk of parental imprisonment for children whose parents did not finish high school, finished high school only, or attended college. Results show the following: (1) 1 in 40 white children born in 1978 and 1 in 25 white children born in 1990 had a parent imprisoned; (2) 1 in 7 black children born in 1978 and 1 in 4 black children born in 1990 had a parent imprisoned; (3) inequality in the risk of parental imprisonment between white children of college-educated parents and all other children is growing; and (4) by age 14, 50.5% of black children born in 1990 to high school dropouts had a father imprisoned. These estimates, robustness checks, and extensions to longitudinal data indicate that parental imprisonment has emerged as a novel—and distinctively American—childhood risk that is concentrated among black children and children of low-education parents.
Regional patterns in foliar 15 N across a gradient of nitrogen deposition in the northeastern US

Recent studies have demonstrated that natural abundance 15 N can be a useful tool for assessing nitrogen saturation, because as nitrification and nitrate loss increase, d 15 N of foliage and soil also increases. We measured foliar d 15 N at 11 high-elevation spruce-fir stands along an N deposition gradient in 1987e1988 and at seven paired northern hardwood and spruce-fir stands in 1999. In 1999, foliar d 15 N increased from � 5.2 to � 0.7& with increasing N deposition from Maine to NY. Foliar d 15 N decreased between 1987e1988 and 1999, while foliar %N increased and foliar C:N decreased at most sites. Foliar d 15 N was strongly correlated with N deposition, and was also positively correlated with net nitrification potential and negatively correlated with soil C:N ratio. Although the increase in foliar %N is consistent with a progression towards N saturation, other results of this study suggest that, in 1999, these stands were further from N saturation than in 1987e1988. Published by Elsevier Ltd.