cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Search Failures in Document Retrieval Systems: A Review.

This paper examines search failures in document retrieval systems. Since search failures are closely related to overall document retrieval system performance, the paper briefly discusses retrieval effectiveness measures such as precision and recall. It examines four methods used to study retrieval failures: retrieval effectiveness measures, user satisfaction measures, transaction log analysis, and the critical incident technique. It summarizes the findings of major failure analysis studies and identifies the types of failures that usually occur in document retrieval systems.
Noise Analysis of a SFS Algorithm Formulated under Various Imaging Conditions

Many different shape from shading (SFS) algorithms have emerged during the last three decades. Recently, we proposed [1] a unified framework that is capable of solving the SFS problem under various settings of imaging conditions representing the image irradiance equation of each setting as an explicit Partial Differential Equation (PDE). However, the result of any SFS algorithm is mainly affected by errors in the given image brightness, either due to image noise or modeling errors. In this paper, we are concerned with quantitatively assessing the degree of robustness of our unified approach with respect to these errors. Experimental results have revealed promising performance against noisy images but has also lacked in reconstructing the correct shape due to error in the modeling process. This result emphasizes the need for robust algorithms for surface reflectance estimation to aid SFS algorithms producing more realistic shapes.
contra deficient child perception: a husserlian analysis

In this paper we use Husserl’s theory of perception to explore how child and adult perception works through the same mechanisms. First, we explore Husserl’s description of sensory perception, showing that the child, like the adult, will be able to enrich the total perception of the object through access to successive appearances of an object. Next, we explore how the child’s ability to perceive objects can be enriched in complex ways, showing that an adult or a child will both be able to access a greater ‘enduring entity’ of the object. Finally, we consider the child’s ability to remember their perceptions through memory, showing how the child and the adult use the ego’s intentionality, rather than active remembering, as a component of the memory of a perception.
Measurements in Environmental Engineering

The quality of environmental decisions depends on reliable environmental data. These data are obtained from field samples that are either analyzed on site or collected for laboratory analysis. Measurements of air, water, soil, sediment, and biota are used either directly, for example, monitoring wells around a hazardous waste site, or indirectly, for example, extrapolations in time and space. Extrapolations of environmental conditions are often accomplished using models. This chapter provides guidance on selecting sites to be sampled, preparing environmental monitoring plans based on data quality objectives, and analyzing the samples. The numerous sources of variability and uncertainty are introduced, including means of expressing data limitations. The chapter concludes with examples of how measurement data have been used, notably as environmental indicators and in environmental indices. Keywords: abiotic; Beer–Lambert Law; biochemical oxygen demand (BOD); biotic; chromatography; composite sample; data quality objectives (DQO); dissolved oxygen (DO); environmental contaminant; environmental index; environmental indicators; environmental sampling and analysis; extraction; geographic information systems (GIS); grab sample; limit of detection (LoD); limit of quantification (LoQ); mass spectroscopy; Monte Carlo method; uncertainty; variability
A direct role for the Sec1/Munc18-family protein Vps33 as a template for SNARE assembly

Fusion of intracellular transport vesicles requires soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) and Sec1/Munc18-family (SM) proteins. Membrane-bridging SNARE complexes are critical for fusion, but their spontaneous assembly is inefficient and may require SM proteins in vivo. We report x-ray structures of Vps33, the SM subunit of the yeast homotypic fusion and vacuole protein-sorting (HOPS) complex, bound to two individual SNAREs. The two SNAREs, one from each membrane, are held in the correct orientation and register for subsequent complex assembly. Vps33 and potentially other SM proteins could thus act as templates for generating partially zipped SNARE assembly intermediates. HOPS was essential to mediate SNARE complex assembly at physiological SNARE concentrations. Thus, Vps33 appears to catalyze SNARE complex assembly through specific SNARE motif recognition.
Optical coherent transient true-time delay generator programmed with linear phase chirp

Summary form only given. The process of true time delay (TTD) has become a highly desired tool for processing of phased array antenna signal for beam steering and coherent detection. Typically phase shifting devices (PSD) are used in phased arrays, which produce beam squint when used at wide bandwidths (>1 GHz) and when fraction bandwidths approach 100%. The inherent problem with PSDs is that they do not impart each frequency component of the signal with the same time delay, whereas TTD device delay each frequency component by the same delay time. In this paper, we describe a novel optical coherent transient (OCT) technique for programming high bandwidth TTDs with large time-bandwidth products (TBP). Linear frequency chirped lasers significantly reduced the cost and delay programming complexity of OCT TTD, but these lasers currently lack the frequency stability needed for accumulated programming, a desired feature. Linear phase chirps, where a frequency stabilized external cavity diode laser is externally phase modulated by a chirped rf drive signal, offer the advantages of chirped lasers, plus excellent frequency stability. Linear phase chirps are easily created with integrated optical phase modulators, which can have broad bandwidths (0-40 GHz). To demonstrate the concept, we created up to 3 GHz linear phase chirps by driving our phase modulators with chirped square waves from a 12 Gbit/sec pulse pattern generator. Frequency shifts were introduced with acousto-optic modulators and time delays from 100 ns to 1 /spl mu/s were demonstrated.
Effect of Dietary Carbohydrates on Glucagon and Insulin Receptors in Genetically Obese Female Zucker Rats

Obese Zucker rats are hyperlipemic and mildly hyperglycemic. Because insulin and glucagon are involved in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and they act via their receptors, we investigated the role of insulin and glucagon receptors in obese and lean female Zucker rats. Because dietary sucrose is more lipogenic than starch, we also studied the effect of dietary carbohydrates on the receptors. Significant phenotypic effect (obese greater than lean) was observed on plasma levels of glucose, triglyceride and insulin. Binding of insulin and glucagon to liver plasma membranes was significantly lower in obese rats than in lean rats. Lower insulin binding was due to a lower number of receptors as well as a lower affinity, whereas the lower glucagon binding was due only to a lower receptor number. Insulin binding in lean rats but not in obese rats was lower in sucrose-fed than in starch-fed rats. Diet had no effect on glucagon binding. We propose that in obese Zucker rats, in addition to hyperinsulinemia, impaired glucagon activity as manifested by decreased glucagon binding to target tissues may be an important contributor to the hyperlipemia and obesity.
Novel Mechanism for Scavenging of Hypochlorite Involving a Periplasmic Methionine-Rich Peptide and Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase

ABSTRACT Reactive chlorine species (RCS) defense mechanisms are important for bacterial fitness in diverse environments. In addition to the anthropogenic use of RCS in the form of bleach, these compounds are also produced naturally through photochemical reactions of natural organic matter and in vivo by the mammalian immune system in response to invading microorganisms. To gain insight into bacterial RCS defense mechanisms, we investigated Azospira suillum strain PS, which produces periplasmic RCS as an intermediate of perchlorate respiration. Our studies identified an RCS response involving an RCS stress-sensing sigma/anti-sigma factor system (SigF/NrsF), a soluble hypochlorite-scavenging methionine-rich periplasmic protein (MrpX), and a putative periplasmic methionine sulfoxide reductase (YedY1). We investigated the underlying mechanism by phenotypic characterization of appropriate gene deletions, chemogenomic profiling of barcoded transposon pools, transcriptome sequencing, and biochemical assessment of methionine oxidation. Our results demonstrated that SigF was specifically activated by RCS and initiated the transcription of a small regulon centering around yedY1 and mrpX. A yedY1 paralog (yedY2) was found to have a similar fitness to yedY1 despite not being regulated by SigF. Markerless deletions of yedY2 confirmed its synergy with the SigF regulon. MrpX was strongly induced and rapidly oxidized by RCS, especially hypochlorite. Our results suggest a mechanism involving hypochlorite scavenging by sacrificial oxidation of the MrpX in the periplasm. Reduced MrpX is regenerated by the YedY methionine sulfoxide reductase activity. The phylogenomic distribution of this system revealed conservation in several Proteobacteria of clinical importance, including uropathogenic Escherichia coli and Brucella spp., implying a putative role in immune response evasion in vivo. IMPORTANCE Bacteria are often stressed in the environment by reactive chlorine species (RCS) of either anthropogenic or natural origin, but little is known of the defense mechanisms they have evolved. Using a microorganism that generates RCS internally as part of its respiratory process allowed us to uncover a novel defense mechanism based on RCS scavenging by reductive reaction with a sacrificial methionine-rich peptide and redox recycling through a methionine sulfoxide reductase. This system is conserved in a broad diversity of organisms, including some of clinical importance, invoking a possible important role in innate immune system evasion.
Insulin-like growth factor-II as a paracrine growth factor in human neuroblastoma cells.

Abstract The human neuroblastoma line, SK-N-SH, has been subcloned into SH-SY5Y, a neuroblast N cell line, and SH-EP, an epithelial Schwann S cell line. We have previously shown that SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells produce insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II), which acts by an autocrine mechanism to stimulate cell growth. In the current study, we examined the effect of IGF-II on SH-EP neuroblastoma cells. Northern blot and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analyses indicate that SH-EP cells do not produce IGFI or IGF-II but express the type I and type II IGF receptors (IGF-IR and IGF-IIR). Cell surface expression of IGF-IR, assessed by fluorescence-activated sorting, was lower in SH-EP cells than in SH-SY5Y cells. Immunoprecipitation of IGF-IR, followed by anti-phosphotyrosine or anti-IGF-IR immunoblotting, demonstrated functional expression of these receptors in both cell types and confirmed the lower level of IGFIR expression in SH-EP cells. IGF-II promoted SH-EP cell growth in the presence of low concentrations of calf serum (0.1-0.3%) or 10 ng/ml epidermal growth factor (EGF). IGF-II stimulation of SH-EP growth was eliminated by the IGF-IR blocking antibody (αIR-3) but not by an IGF-IIR blocking antibody. Stimulation of cell growth via this receptor was also indicated by the ligand specificity for IGF analogs and insulin (IGFII ∼ IGF-I ∼ des(1-3)IGF-I ⪢ insulin). These results indicate that in the presence of a permissive factor such as calf serum or EGF, IGF-II stimulates SH-EP cell growth via the IGF-IR. Collectively, these data suggest that within primary neuroblastomas, IGF-II may act as a paracrine factor to contribute to the promotion of S cell growth.
Part II. Introduction

Technology is the last of the five major forces shaping higher education but technology itself is influenced and moulded by the other four forces. The concept of technological autocatalysis describes the role of technology in stimulating change but the reader is reminded of the fallacy of transformational thinking, and the risk of believing in deterministic technological change.
Fre Is the Major Flavin Reductase Supporting Bioluminescence from Vibrio harveyi Luciferase in Escherichia coli

Unlike the vast majority of flavoenzymes, bacterial luciferase requires an exogenous source of reduced flavin mononucleotide for bioluminescence activity. Within bioluminescent bacterial cells, species-specific oxidoreductases are believed to provide reduced flavin for luciferase activity. The source of reduced flavin in Escherichia coli-expressing bioluminescence is not known. There are two candidate proteins potentially involved in this process in E. coli, a homolog of the Vibrio harveyi Frp oxidoreductase, NfsA, and a luxG type oxidoreductase, Fre. Using single gene knock-out strains, we show that deletion of fre decreased light output by greater than two orders of magnitude, yet had no effect on luciferase expression in E. coli. Purified Fre is capable of supporting bioluminescence in vitro with activity comparable to that with the endogenous V. harveyi reductase (Frp), using either FMN or riboflavin as substrate. In a pull-down experiment, we found that neither Fre nor Frp co-purify with luciferase. In contrast to prior work, we find no evidence for stable complex formation between luciferase and oxidoreductase. We conclude that in E. coli, an enzyme primarily responsible for riboflavin reduction (Fre) can also be utilized to support high levels of bioluminescence.
Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) in cancer

Raf kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP) was initially identified as phosphatidylethanolamine binding protein in bovine brain. It was later identified as a protein that inhibits Raf kinase activation of MEK. Further exploration has revealed that RKIP modulates several other signaling pathways including NF-κB and G-protein signaling. A gene array screen revealed that RKIP expression was low in a metastatic compared with non-metastatic prostate cancer cell line. Further experiments revealed that RKIP fits the criteria for a metastasis suppressor gene. RKIP expression has been shown to be downregulated in metastatic tissues, compared with non-metastatic tissue in multiple cancers, suggesting that loss of RKIP metastasis suppressor activity is a broad mechanism leading to metastasis. Additionally, loss of RKIP has been shown to impact therapy through conferring radioresistance and chemoresistance. Taken together, these data indicate understanding RKIP's contributions to cancer may lead to important therapeutic strategies to prevent metastasis and promote therapeutic efficacy.
Clinical presentations of peripheral neuropathies

This article addresses the clinical presentations of different peripheral neuropathies. The topic is discussed briefly with emphasis on the most important clinical features. MR imaging of the peripheral nerves is a rapidly advancing field, and it is hoped that the basic understanding of the clinical presentations of peripheral neuropathies will encourage radiologists to get more involved in MR imaging of the peripheral nerves.
Analyses of electromagnetic scattering from wire-mesh structures

Various analytical and numerical methods have been developed recently to calculate the interaction of wire-mesh structures with electromagnetic waves. An intercomparison of these methods is reported for the two cases where the wire junctions are bonded and unbonded. In particular, it is found that the average boundary condition method of Kontorovich and Astrakhan appears to give valid results only if the interwire spacing of the mesh is small compared with a wavelength. However, we may safely conclude from both their work and ours that bonding the wire junctions may degrade the shielding performance of such meshes.
Kinship and Religious Practices as Institutionalization of Trade Networks: Manangi Trade Communities in South and Southeast Asia

This paper examines social and religious institutions that create and sustain a trade network among Nepali traders in South and Southeast Asia. It looks at how kinship and religious practices sanction a system of social and economic cooperation in their community. By pooling labor, information, material and financial resources, ensured by trust and mutual obligation, they can lower their operating costs. By extending kinship relations to societies abroad, such as through marriages with local women, they can have access to both local and translocal trade networks, as well as reduce protection costs. Because the trade network is embedded in institutionalized social practices, it is resilient and keeps a geographically dispersed community connected and competitive throughout their trading history. The paper is based on field research in Nepal, India, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore. Dans cet article l'auteur mene une analyse des institutions sociales et religieuses qui creent et maintiennent un reseau de commercants nepalais dans l'Asie du Sud et du Sud-est. L'article s'adresse aux moyens par lesquelles les liens de parente et des pratiques religieuses soutiennent un systeme de cooperation sociale et economique dans cette communaute diasporique. En partageant du travail, des renseignements et de certaines ressources materielles et financieres, c'est-a-dire en suivant un processus dont la bonne foi et le sens d'obligation reciproque garantissent le bon fonctionnement, ils savent reduire les depenses d'operation. En elargissant les reseaux de parente vers l'etranger, par exemple par des rapports matrimoniaux, ils reussissent en meme temps a gagner l'acces aux economies locales et trans-locales en reduisant egalement les frais de la sauvegarde contre l'extorsion et les razzias. C'est grâce a l'enracinement du reseau de commerce dans des pratiques sociales institutionelles que celuici reste toujours flexible et de longue duree, ce qui lui permet de survivre dans une communaute geographiquement disperse et de maintenir un haut niveau de concurrence a travers une longue histoire d'activites commerciales. Les enquetes sur lesquelles s'appuie cet article furent menees a Kathmandu et a plusieurs comptoirs en d'autres pays.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the risk of Barrett's esophagus.

Background & Aims Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been suggested to protect against esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). This study examined the effect of NSAIDs on the risk of developing Barrett's esophagus (BE), the precursor lesion to EAC. Methods We conducted a case-control study among eligible patients scheduled for either elective esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) or recruited from primary care clinics to undergo a study EGD. We compared 323 patients with BE (296 nondysplastic and 27 dysplastic) with 2 separate control groups: 1347 patients from the elective EGD group (endoscopy controls) and 502 patients from the primary care group (primary care controls) with no endoscopic or histopathologic BE. Use of aspirin products and 23 nonaspirin NSAIDs was ascertained from detailed, self-reported questionnaires. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using multivariable logistic regression models. Results There were no significant differences in self-reported NSAID use between all BE cases and all controls (58.2% vs 54.6%; P = .33); this was seen for aspirin products (43.0% vs 37.4%; P = .08) and nonaspirin NSAIDs (7.7% vs 8.9%; P = .46). These findings persisted in the multivariable model for any NSAIDs (adjusted OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.75–1.28), aspirin (adjusted OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.90–1.51), and nonaspirin NSAIDs (adjusted OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.55–1.39). Use of a combination of aspirin and nonaspirin NSAIDs was reported in 7.4% of cases and 8.3% of controls, and a nonsignificant inverse association with BE was seen (adjusted OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.44–1.11). There was no significant association between BE and daily NSAID use (adjusted OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.78–1.37). Similar findings were observed for comparisons involving nondysplastic or dysplastic BE cases, and endoscopy or primary care control groups separately or combined. Conclusions The use of NSAIDs was not associated with a reduced risk of BE. It is likely that the protective mechanism of NSAIDs on EAC occurs subsequent to the development of BE.
Diamniotic twin gestation discordant for renal dysplasia and oligohydramnios

Abstract Severe oligohydramnios and renal dysplasia were detected in one of diamniotic, monochorionic twins at 19 weeks’ gestation. At birth (37 weeks), the affected twin had only minimal extrarenal Potter’s features and mild pulmonary hypoplasia, despite severe renal dysplasia due to posterior urethral valves. The effects of virtual absence of amniotic fluid during the latter half of gestation from bilateral renal dysplasia were ameliorated by the presence of a normal co-twin and its normal amniotic fluid levels, even though the affected twin did not share the same amniotic fluid.
Assessing spatial gaps in sexually transmissible infection services and morbidity: an illustration with Texas county-level data from 2007

Background In the United States, sexually transmissible infection (STI) and family planning (FP) clinics play a major role in the detection and treatment of STIs. However, an examination of the spatial distribution of these service sites and their association with STI morbidity and county-level socioeconomic characteristics is lacking. We demonstrate how mapping and regression methods can be used to assess the spatial gaps between STI services and morbidity. Methods: We used 2007 county-level surveillance data on chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis), gonorrhoea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) and syphilis. The geocoded STI service (STI or FP clinic) locations overlaid on the Texas county-level chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis morbidity map indicated that counties with high incidence had at least one STI service site. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between having STI services and county-level socioeconomic characteristics. Results: Twenty-two percent of chlamydia high-morbidity counties (>365 out of 100 000); 32% of gonorrhoea high-morbidity counties (>136 out of 100 000) and 23% of syphilis high-morbidity counties (≥4 out of 100 000 and at least two cases) had no STI services. When we controlled for socioeconomic characteristics, high-morbidity syphilis was weakly associated with having STI services. The percent of the population aged 15–24 years, the percent of Hispanic population, the crime rate and population density were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with having STI services. Conclusion: Our results suggest that having an STI service was not associated with high morbidity. The methods used have demonstrated the utility of mapping to assess the spatial gaps that exist between STI services and demand.
Parylene protection coatings for thin film V[TCNE]x room temperature magnets

The magnetic and electrical properties of chemical vapor deposited V[TCNE]x magnetic films rapidly degrade (<1 min) in the presence of oxygen and water. V[TCNE]x magnetic films coated with ∼8 μm of...
Influx and net flux of amino acids into larval and juvenile European flat oysters, Ostrea edulis (L.)

Abstract Influx and net flux of amino acids into veliger, pediveliger, and juvenile stages of the oyster, Ostrea edulus (L.), were examined. Influx of alanine and glycine was determined using 14 C-labelled substrates and monitoring the disappearance of radioactivity in the medium. Net influx was determined fluorometrically by following the disappearance of primary amines from solutions containing known substrates. Rates of influx and net influx are comparable for juvenile Ostrea down to ambient substrate levels of 2 μM. Net influx of amino acids into veliger and pediveliger larvae occurs at all concentrations examined (9 μM minimum). Rates of maximum influx ( J max i ) and ambient substrate concentration at which influx is half-maximal ( K t ) are reported for each stage. The K t for glycine and alamine influx is 35–40 μM, decreasing to ≈ 15 μM in 1.5 mm sized juvenile oysters.
Absorption of intact protein by colonic epithelial cells of the rat.

Colonic absorption of intact protein was examined in adult rats using histological and ultrastructural procedures. Horseradish peroxidase was introduced into ligated colonic loops and retained therein for 5, 10, 20, or 30 minutes prior to excision of the loops, and their processing for microscopy. Morphological evaluation revealed evidence of peroxidase absorption via pinocytosis. Tracer particles were observed adherent to the mucosal border, in apical pinocytotic vesicles, in vesicles adjacent to and fusing with lateral and basal cell membranes, in extracellular spaces throughout the mucosa, in lymphatic channels of the submucosa, and occasionally in blood capillaries of mucosal and submucosal regions. The significance of these findings is discussed in light of the frequent presence of dietary and/or microbial macromolecules in the luminal milieu of the large intestine. It is suggested that pinocytotic uptake and subsequent vesicular transport and exocytosis of intact protein may occur in the colon of some species, and that such a phenomenon may be responsible for penetration of the mucosal barrier by macromolecular antigens or toxins.
Observation and Prediction of the Effects of Water Chemistry and Mechanics on Environmentally Assisted Cracking of Inconels 182 Weld Metal and 600

Abstract Experiments were performed on compact tension specimens to determine the interdendritic stress corrosion cracking behavior of lnconel 182 weld metal in 288 water. Crack growth rates were measured using a reversing DC potential drop technique as a function of post-weld heat treatment, oxygen concentration, water purity, and loading condition. This data and other available fracture mechanics data for Inconels 600 and 182 tested in ∼288 water containing dissolved oxygen (91 total points) were compared with a crack growth rate predictive model. Agreement was very good, with 70% of the predictions within a factor of 2 of the observations.
Optimal die design for work-hardening metals

Abstract This paper discusses a die design problem for rigid-plastic metals under plane strain conditions. The strain distribution in the end product is required to be uniform, a condition which is satisfied when the principal stress directions coincide with streamlines of the flow. All possible deformations corresponding to a linear work hardening rule will be described.
Associations between free fatty acids, cumulus oocyte complex morphology and ovarian function during in vitro fertilization

Objective To determine if follicular free fatty acid (FFA) levels are associated with cumulus oocyte complex (COC) morphology. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting University in vitro fertilization (IVF) practice. Patient(s) A total of 102 women undergoing IVF. Intervention(s) Measurement of FFAs in serum and ovarian follicular fluid. Main Outcome Measure(s) Total and specific follicular and serum FFA levels, correlations between follicular and serum FFAs, and associations between follicular FFA levels and markers of oocyte quality, including COC morphology. Result(s) Predominant follicular fluid and serum FFAs were oleic, palmitic, linoleic, and stearic acids. Correlations between follicular and serum FFA concentrations were weak ( r = 0.252, 0.288, 0.236, 0.309, respectively for specific FFAs; r = 0.212 for total FFAs). A receiver operating characteristic curve determined total follicular FFAs ≥0.232 μmol/mL distinguished women with a lower versus higher percentage of COCs with favorable morphology. Women with elevated follicular FFAs (n = 31) were more likely to have COCs with poor morphology than others (n = 71; OR 3.3, 95% CI1.2–9.2). This relationship held after adjusting for potential confounders, including age, body mass index, endometriosis, and amount of gonadotropin administered (β = 1.2; OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.1–10.4). Conclusion(s) Elevated follicular FFA levels are associated with poor COC morphology. Further work is needed to determine what factors influence follicular FFA levels and if these factors impact fertility.
Characterization of Strains of Staphylococcus aureus by Their Lipolytic Activity on Various Agar Media

Staphylococcus aureus strains 100-A, 196-E, 254, 473, 505 and 521 were plated on Spirit Blue Agar, Spirit Blue Milk Fat Agar, Nutrient Milk Fat Agar, and Double-Layer Agar plates containing milk fat to determine lipolytic activity. All strains produced dark blue colonies surrounded by blue zones and clearing on Spirit Blue Milk Fat Agar. Results varied for Spirit Blue Agar, Nutrient Milk Fat Agar, and double-layer agar plates, although all strains were at least weakly lipolytic on all agars. S. aureus strains 100-A, 196-E, 505 and 521 demonstrated greater lipolytic acitivity on milk fat than did strains 254 and 473. Degree of lipolytic activity on agars containing milk fat is a means for characterizing different strains of S. aureus.
Upper-subband transport in GaAs heterostructures

We have made magnetotransport measurements on two-dimensional electronic systems with two subbands occupied. We have determined the mobility for electrons in the lowest and first excited subband and find that the electrons in the upper subband have a higher mobility. This is consistent with our recent determination of the single-particle relaxation time but contrary to previous results and assumptions concerning two-subband transport.
Surface Science Studies of NF3 Plasma and Ion Beam Interactions with Silicon

The interaction of nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) with silicon (Si) surfaces has been investigated by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Si (100) surfaces were subjected to plasmas created by NF3 gas mixtures and ion bombardment from NF3-generated ion beams as a means of approximating the ion component of plasma processing under controlled conditions. NF3 plasma processing has lead to the appearance of an interesting high binding energy component in F 1s XPS spectra. Investigation into the mechanism responsible for the high binding energy component suggests that the unusual component is directly influenced by diluent gas ions in the gas mixtures. It is postulated that the high binding energy component is the result of neutral fluorine incorporated in the Si lattice as a result of an ion damage mechanism.
Spatial interpolation of traffic counts based on origin–destination centrality

This paper presents a new method to estimate Annual Average Daily Traffic. Often traffic volumes are estimated based on roadway characteristics, such as number of lanes, speed limit, and adjacent land use. However, for many communities, especially small communities, these attributes are uniform across roadway types and therefore unable to adequately explain observed variation in traffic volumes. The new method uses novel explanatory variables that are intrinsically derived through a modified form of centrality, a network analysis metric that quantifies the topological importance of a link in a network. The new approach requires minimal data collection and is easily executed using a geographic information system. The case study showed high quality results (out-of-sample validation R2 = 0.95). The new approach can be used for various activities related to transportation planning and investment decision making.
Culture in the transitions to modernity: seven pillars of a new research agenda

How did cultural dynamics help bring about the societies we now recognize as modern? This article constructs seven distinct models for how structures of signification and social meaning participated in the transitions to modernity in the West and, in some of the models, across the globe. Our models address: (1) the spread, via imitation, of modern institutions around the world (memetic replication); (2) the construal, by socio-cultural forces and by state organizations, of the modern citizen-subject (social subjectification); (3) the continual search for new meanings to replace traditional religious meaning-systems (compensatory reenchantment); (4) repeated attempts, in modern revolutions, to remake society completely, according to a utopian vision (ideological totalization); (5) the cultural origins and social consequences of scientific and humanistic worldviews (epistemic rift); (6) the gendered politics of state formation (patriarchal supercession); (7) the invention and production of race in the colonial encounter (racial recognition). We explicate the models in reverse chronological order, because in our synthesis, we argue that the original modern break results from a dynamic combination of racial recognition, patriarchal supercession, and epistemic rift; these changes set the stage for the four other processes we theorize. In addition to our synthesis, we also consider, from a more neutral perspective, the kinds of causal arguments upon which these models tend to rely, and thus explicate the analytical undergirding for the application of any of these models to empirical research on transitions to modernity. Throughout the article, we consider how these models might, and might not, mesh with other families of explanation, such as the politico-economic.
U.S. and South African Images of Black Success: A Pilot Study in Transnationalization and Hegemony

The authors compare and contrast two editions of Ebony Magazine, one printed in the United States and another in South Africa.
Evidence for Targeting of Yop Effectors by the Chromosomally Encoded Ysa Type III Secretion System of Yersinia enterocolitica

Yersinia enterocolitica O:8 has two contact-dependent type III secretion systems (TTSSs). The Ysa TTSS is encoded by a set of genes located on the chromosome and exports Ysp proteins. The Ysc TTSS and the Yop effector proteins it exports are encoded by genes located on plasmid pYVe8081. In this study, secretion of YspG, YspH, and YspJ by the Ysa TTSS was shown to require pYVe8081. Furthermore, mutations that blocked the function of the Ysc TTSS did not affect YspG, YspH, and YspJ production. This indicated that YspG, YspH, and YspJ are encoded by genes located on pYVe8081 and that they may correspond to Yops. A comparison of Ysps with Yop effectors secreted by Y. enterocolitica indicated that YspG, YspH, and YspJ have apparent molecular masses similar to those of YopN, YopP, and YopE, respectively. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that antibodies directed against YopN, YopP, and YopE recognized YspG, YspH, and YspJ. Furthermore, mutations in yopN, yopP, and yopE specifically blocked YopN, YopP, and YopE secretion by the Ysc TTSS and YspG, YspH, and YspJ secretion by the Ysa TTSS. These results indicate YspG, YspH, and YspJ are actually YopN, YopP, and YopE. Additional analysis demonstrated that YopP and YspH secretion was restored to yopP mutants by complementation in trans with a wild-type copy of the yopP gene. Examination of Y. enterocolitica-infected J774A.1 macrophages revealed that both the Ysc and Ysa TTSSs contribute to YopP-dependent suppression of tumor necrosis factor alpha production. This indicates that both the Ysa and Ysc TTSSs are capable of targeting YopP and that they influence Y. enterocolitica interactions with macrophages. Taken together, these results suggest that the Ysa and Ysc TTSSs contribute to Y. enterocolitica virulence by exporting both unique and common subsets of effectors.
Neural-Network Control of a Free-Flying Space Robot

Two recent developments in neural- network control are presented. First, a "Fully-Connected Architecture" (FCA) is developed for use with backpropagation (BP). This FCA has functionality beyond that of a layered network, and these capabilities are shown to be particularly beneficial for control tasks. A complexity control method is applied successfully to manage the extra connections provided, and prevent over-fitting. Second, a technique that extends BP learning to discrete-valued functions (DVFs) is presented. This algorithm is applicable whenever a gradient-based optimization is used for systems with DVFs. The modification to BP is very small, simply requiring replacement of the DVFs with continuous approximations and injection of noise on the forward sweep.The viability of both of these neural- network developments is demonstrated by applying them to a thruster-mapping problem characteristic of space robots. Real-world applicability is shown via an experimental demonstration on a 2-D laboratory model ...
Quantifying the remineralization of artificial caries lesions using PS-OCT

New optical imaging methods are needed to determine whether caries lesions (tooth decay) are active and progressing or have become remineralized and arrested and are no longer progressing. The objective of this study was to use Polarization Sensitive Optical Coherence Tomography (PS-OCT) to image the fluoride enhanced remineralization of artificial enamel lesions. Artificial lesions were created by an acetate buffer on smooth enamel surfaces and were exposed for 20 days to a 2 ppm fluoride containing remineralization solution. PS-OCT images revealed the presence of a low scattering surface zone after the artificial lesions were remineralized. These samples displayed intact nondepolarizing surface zones when analyzed with Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM). No statistical difference in lesion depth before and after remineralization was found with both PS-OCT and PLM. The remineralized lesions showed a significant decrease in the overall integrated reflectivity compared with the demineralized lesions. Digital Microradiography confirmed the increase in mineral volume of the remineralized surface zone. This study determined that PS-OCT can image the restoration of the surface zone enamel after fluoride-enhanced remineralization of artificial in vitro dental caries.
Quantitation of antibody-complement mediated lysis of tumor cells.

Abstract An assay for quantitating antibody-complement mediated killing based on the release of 125 I from 125 IUdR labelled target cell is described. The temporal delay between antibody—complement damage and the release of nuclear material was shortened by treatment of the cells with a combination of trypsin and DNase. This treatment increased the rate of release of the labelled nuclear material from damaged cells without causing labelled nuclear material to be released from undamaged cells. The low level of spontaneous release of 125 I from the target cells allows this assay to be used for experiments carried out over long time periods or in experiments involving extensive manipulations of the cells.
Stabilization in vivo and in vitro of the spermatozoon head and tail to detachment induced by primary amine, thiol, and detergent

Rabbit spermatozoa recovered from the reproductive tract of females 12–13 hr postcoitum resisted head/tail separation induced by n-butylamine and dithiothreitol, but not sodium dodecylsulfate. Stabilization of the sperm head/tail junction also developed in vitro at 37°C in physiological media and in saline-Tris-HCl (pH 7.4). Resistance to dithiothreitol occurred in motile, but not immotile spermatozoa. Only nonmotile spermatozoa developed resistance to sodium dodecylsulfate in vitro, whereas both motile and immotile spermatozoa became resistant to n-butylamine. Stabilization to n-butylamine was time and temperature dependent and was accelerated by Cu2+, Mg2+, and Zn2+, but not Mn2+. The resistance of hamster and rabbit spermatozoa to n-butylamine developed in physiological media over the same time intervals as required for capacitation and the acquisition of hyperactivated motility. Reagents that react with sulfhydryl groups had no effect on the development of resistance to n-butylamine but inhibited stabilization to sodium dodecylsulfate, suggesting that the latter stabilization may result from the formation of disulfide crosslinks at the head/tail junction. Reduction of aldehyde groups by sodium cyanoborohydride did not prevent stabilization to sodium dodecylsulfate, but did reduce detachment by dithiothreitol. Aldehyde groups thus are not involved in the stabilization of the head/tail junction to sodium dodecylsulfate, but may participate in new crosslinks stabilizing the head/tail junction to dithiothreitol. Inhibitors of transglutaminase did not prevent development of resistance to n-butylamine, sodium dodecylsulfate, or dithiothreitol indicating that head/tail stabilization does not involve intermolecular γ-glutamyl-ϵ-dysine bonds.
The Role of Environmental Predictability and Costs in Relying on Automation

There is a growing need to understand how automated decision aids are implemented and relied upon by users. Past research has focused on factors associated with the user and automation technology to explain reliance. The purpose of the present study was determining how the predictability of the environment affects reliance. In this paper, we present the results from an experiment using a digital game where participants had access to a free environmental cue of varying predictive validity. Some participants also had access to automated advice at varying costs. We found that participants underutilized automated advice in more predictable environments and when advice was more costly; however, when costs were low and the environment was less predictable, participants tended to overutilize automated advice. These findings provide insights for a more complete model of automation use, and offer a framework for understanding automation biases by considering how automation use compares to a model of optimality.
Nuclear Receptor-Binding Sites of Coactivators Glucocorticoid Receptor Interacting Protein 1 (GRIP1) and Steroid Receptor Coactivator 1 (SRC-1): Multiple Motifs with Different Binding Specificities

The activity of the AF-2 transcriptional activation function of nuclear receptors (NR) is mediated by the partially homologous transcriptional coactivators, glucocorticoid receptor interacting protein 1 (GRIP1)/transcriptional intermediary factor 2 (TIF2) and steroid receptor coactivator 1 (SRC-1). GRIP1 and SRC-1 bound nine different NRs and exhibited similar, but not identical, NR binding preferences. The most striking difference was seen with the androgen receptor, which bound well to GRIP1 but poorly to SRC-1. GRIP1 and SRC-1 contain three copies of the NR binding motif LXXLL (called an NR Box) in their central regions. Mutation of both NR Box II and NR Box III in GRIP1 almost completely eliminated functional and binding interactions with NRs, indicating that these two sites are crucial for most of GRIP1's NR binding activity. Interactions of GRIP1 with the estrogen receptor were more strongly affected by mutations in NR Box II, whereas interactions with the androgen receptor and glucocorticoid receptor were more strongly affected by NR Box III mutations. One isoform of SRC-1 has an additional NR Box (NR Box IV) at its extreme C terminus with an NR-binding preference somewhat different from that of the central NR-binding domain of SRC-1. GRIP1 has no NR Box in its C-terminal region and therefore no C-terminal NR-binding function. In summary, GRIP1 and SRC-1 have overlapping NR-binding preferences, but specific NRs display both coactivator and NR Box preferences that may contribute to the specificity of hormonal responses.
Excited-State Dynamics in 6-Thioguanosine from the Femtosecond to Microsecond Time Scale

Patients treated with the immunosuppressant and anticancer drugs 6-thioguanine, azathioprine, or mercaptopurine can metabolize and incorporate them in DNA as 6-thioguanosine. The skin of these patients is sensitive to UVA radiation, and long-term treatment can result in extremely high incidence of sunlight-induced skin cancer. In this contribution the photophysics of 6-thioguanosine have been studied in aqueous buffer solution and in acetonitrile after excitation with UVA light to provide mechanistic insights about the origin of its phototoxicity. It is shown that most of the initial excited-state population in the S2(ππ*, La) state decays by ultrafast intersystem crossing to the triplet manifold. A triplet quantum yield of 0.8 ± 0.2 is determined in aqueous buffer solution. A minor fraction of the S2 population bifurcates on an ultrafast time scale to populate the S1(nSπ*) state, which decays back to the ground state in tens of picoseconds. Quantum-chemical calculations that include solvent effects suppo...
Theoretical Studies of CO and NO Adsorption on Cu+−ZSM-5 Zeolite

Molecular models of the form (H2O)n···Cu+···X, where n = 1, 2, 3 and X = CO, 2(CO), NO, (NO)2, and H2O are employed to investigate the catalytically active copper sites in Cu+−ZSM-5 zeolite. Structures, binding energies and vibrational frequencies are calculated for these molecular models by density functional theory with gradient-corrected functionals. The calculated vibrational frequencies are compared to experimental infrared spectra of CO and NO adsorbed in Cu+−ZSM-5 for each n value. The absence (presence) of an unpaired electron in the CO (NO) molecule is found to have effects in the structures, binding energies, and vibrational frequencies of the adsorbed species. Upon adsorption at a copper cation site, we find that, in agreement with experiment, (1) the stretching frequency of CO undergoes a small blue shift whereas that of NO is red shifted; (2) the formation of adsorbed dicarbonyl species is not as favored as the formation of adsorbed dinitrosyl species; and (3) the frequency separation between...
Arbitrage risk and market efficiency

This article explores arbitrage risk and models a testable hypothesis for studies in the treasury bill futures market efficiency. The modern mean-variance theory applied to a hedged arbitrage portfolio is used for the analysis. For a given expected arbitrage profit, we derive minimum variance arbitrage (MVA) conditions. A minimum variance arbitrage line (MVAL) is then derived to show the risk-return tradeoff for arbitrage. Market efficiency conditions are discussed by taking into account arbitrage risk along with bid-ask spreads. The analysis in this study helps explain the puzzle of inefficiencies in the T-bill futures market. Because refinancing and variation margin (due to marking-to-market) are required for arbitrage using futures trading in general, our ex ante arbitrage model using the case of T-bill futures can be applied to other futures markets.
On the determination of the rail support modulus k

Abstract With the adoption and use of equation EIwIV+kw=q for track analyses, various methods for the determination of k, the rail support modulus, were proposed during the past several decades. However, some of these methods are difficult to use or are of questionable validity. Therefore, at first, a simple yet accurate method that is consistent with this equation is presented and its use is illustrated on practical examples. Then, other published methods are critically reviewed and their shortcomings are pointed out.
Synthesis of Decision-Free Concurrent Systems for Prescribed Resources and Performance

This paper presents a method for synthesizing or growing live and safe marked graph models of decision-free concurrent comutations. The approach is modular in the sense that subsystems r represented by arcs (and nodes) are added one by one without the need of redesigning the entire system. The foliowing properties of marked graph models can be prescribed in the synthesis: liveness (absence of deadlocks), safeness (absence of overflows), the number of reachability classes, the maximum resource (temporary storage) requirement, computation rate (performance), as well as the numbers of arcs and states.