cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel Circuit and Method for Fault Reconfiguration in Cascaded H-Bridge Multilevel Inverters

Solar photovoltaics and wind turbine generators achieved 10% of US electricity generation in March 2017. This percentage is expected to increase in future years. The electricity generated from wind and solar sources requires power electronic circuits in order to make this energy available to the electric utility grid. Consequently, there is a need for improved fault detection and isolation in power electronic converters for maximizing the reliability of renewable energy sources. In addition, there will be power electronics needed for utility-scale battery storage systems to provide back-up energy for times of reduced wind and solar generation output and to provide black-start capability for restoration after power outages. This paper presents a new and novel power electronic circuit and method for isolating faults in power electronic inverter-rectifiers. This paper provides a significant improvement compared to existing methods by isolating faulted devices and reconfiguring the converter in a manner that reduces the disruption of electricity delivery. In addition, this is achieved with minimal cost impact to the overall system.
Z.17, A Fresh Start

Z.17 starts with substance as a principle and cause. This principle and cause is form, and it is a matter-form composite’s cause of being. Form also isn’t an element of such a composite. All of this allows individual composites to be basic constituents. Although they depend for their being on the cause of their being, substantial forms, substantial forms depend for their being on being instantiated by individual composites. Either of these dependencies could determine which things are basic constituents. But Z.13–16 opts for the latter. Individual composites also aren’t compounds that depend for their being on their components. If they were, form would be an element of them. Thus, substantial forms constitute substantial being, and individual composites are the basic constituents that have this being.
Identification of the immediate-early products of bovine herpesvirus-1

Bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) is a member of the alphaherpesvirinae. Productive infections of the alphaherpesvirinae have short infectious cycles that progress through three stages of viral transcription and translation. The first stage, immediate-early (IE), does not require prior viral gene expression and is re­ quired for the second, delayed-early (DE), and third, late (L), stages of the infectious cycle. Like other herpesviruses, BHV-1 frequently establishes latent infections. The L stage of BHV-1 infections has been well characterized at the molecular level. The DE stage has been less thoroughly investigated, while the IE stage has remained poorly characterized. The molecular biology of establish­ ment of and reexpression from the latent state is also poorly characterized.This study was undertaken to better characterize the IE stage of the productive BHV-1 infection. The number and location of IE genes and the size of IE polypeptides and IE mKNAs were investigated. Probing genomic Southern blots of BHV-1 cloned in pBK322 with ^^P-in vivo labeled cytoplasmic lE-RNA reveals six regions of hybridization located in Hindin clones D (two regions of 5.9 and 3.2 kilobase pairs [kb]), J (two regions of 2.7 and 1.5 kb), and K (two regions of 3.0 and 1.35 kb). These results suggest as many as six IE genes. Sodium dodecylsulphate-polyacrylamide gel electro­ phoresis of 35S-methionine (met)-in vivo labeled BHV-1 polypeptides reveals at least three IE polypeptides of 180,140, and 46 kilodaltons (kD). While 3%methionine (met) labeled in vitro translation of poly A+ lE-KNA reveals four polypeptides of 180,150,140, and 46 kD. 35s-met labeled hybrid arrested-in vitro translation of poly A+ lE-RNA shows that two subclones of D (pHDP6.5 and pHDP4.3) encode the three polypeptides of 180,140, and possibly, 46 kD. The polypeptide profile of hybrid arrestedin vitro translated poly A+IE-RNÂ using clones J and K to block translation were identical to unhybridized lE-RNA controls. Northern analysis of lE-RNA using pHDP4.3 as probe reveals only one transcript of 5.2 kb. These data suggest the 180 kD product is processed to the 140 and possibly the 46 kD products or that two or three polypeptides may be translated from the same mRNA. Thus, BHV-1 (Cooper) contains at least one IE gene located within HindlH fragment D. This gene is transcribed to an mRNA of 5.2 kb The 5.2 kb mRNA encodes two poly­ peptides of 180 and 140 kD, and possibly, a third of 46 kD. It was not determined if the 180 kD polypeptide is processed to yield the 140 and 46 kD polypeptides or if the 5.2 kb mRNA contains multiple sites for initiation of translation. One in vitro translation ecperiment of poly A+ lE-RNA labeled with leucine (leu) revealed seven polypeptides of 180,150,140,46,39,37, and 35 kD. This suggests that several IE polypeptides may not contain methionine. The relationship among the other Ave possible IE genes and the leu-containing polypeptides of 150,39,37, and 35 kD was not investigated.
Lithium Ion Diffusion Mechanism and Associated Defect Behaviors in Crystalline Li1+xAlxGe2–x(PO4)3 Solid-State Electrolytes

One of the key challenges of developing next-generation solid-state lithium ion batteries is to discover solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) with high lithium ion conductivity and interfacial stability...
Do assignments with required GUI's help students learn?

Student learning in a class depends on time on task. Many students study harder on assignments that interest them. It was postulated that programming assignment with GUI's required would interest them more, leading to more time on task and consequently more learning. This paper describes a study done on a class to determine student attitudes about programming assignments requiring a GUI.
Gender, Religion, and Pro-Life Activism

Political mobilizations for and against legal abortions are cyclical entities. Studies on people who joined pro-life movements in the peak of abortion protests (1980s) are relatively common but recent critical studies of right-to-life activists are almost non-existent. To address this lack of recent research, this work combines “political resource” theories and feminist scholarship to explain why certain people are involved in anti-abortion social movements. After analyzing data from the 2010–12 version of the American National Election Surveys (n = 3,860), this study concludes that pro-life activism was primarily driven by absolutist stances on abortion, the minimization of perceived sexism in society, being exposed to religious conversations about politics, and membership in explicitly political groups. The study also found that people's gender, social class, and educational levels failed to predict their pro-life political behaviors.
Identification and classification of interstitial cells in the mouse renal pelvis.

Key points Platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α (PDGFRα) is a novel biomarker along with smooth myosin heavy chain for the pacemaker cells (previously termed 'atypical' smooth muscle cells) in the murine and cynomolgus monkey pelvis-kidney junction. PDGFRα+ cells present in adventitial and urothelial layers of murine renal pelvis do not express smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (smMHC) but are in close apposition to nerve fibres. Most c-Kit+ cells in the renal pelvis are mast cells. Mast cells (CD117+ /CD45+ ) are more abundant in the proximal renal pelvis and pelvis-kidney junction regions whereas c-Kit+ interstitial cells (CD117+ /CD45- ) are found predominantly in the distal renal pelvis and ureteropelvic junction. PDGFRα+ cells are distinct from c-Kit+ interstitial cells. A subset of PDGFRα+ cells express the Ca2+ -activated Cl- channel, anoctamin-1, across the entire renal pelvis. Spontaneous Ca2+ transients were observed in c-Kit+ interstitial cells, smMHC+ PDGFRα cells and smMHC- PDGFRα cells using mice expressing genetically encoded Ca2+ sensors. Abstract Rhythmic contractions of the renal pelvis transport urine from the kidneys into the ureter. Specialized pacemaker cells, termed atypical smooth muscle cells (ASMCs), are thought to drive the peristaltic contractions of typical smooth muscle cells (TSMCs) in the renal pelvis. Interstitial cells (ICs) in close proximity to ASMCs and TSMCs have been described, but the role of these cells is poorly understood. The presence and distributions of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α+ (PDGFRα+ ) ICs in the pelvis-kidney junction (PKJ) and distal renal pelvis were evaluated. We found PDGFRα+ ICs in the adventitial layers of the pelvis, the muscle layer of the PKJ and the adventitia of the distal pelvis. PDGFRα+ ICs were distinct from c-Kit+ ICs in the renal pelvis. c-Kit+ ICs are a minor population of ICs in murine renal pelvis. The majority of c-Kit+ cells were mast cells. PDGFRα+ cells in the PKJ co-expressed smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (smMHC) and several other smooth muscle gene transcripts, indicating these cells are ASMCs, and PDGFRα is a novel biomarker for ASMCs. PDGFRα+ cells also express Ano1, which encodes a Ca2+ -activated Cl- conductance that serves as a primary pacemaker conductance in ICs of the GI tract. Spontaneous Ca2+ transients were observed in c-Kit+ ICs, smMHC+ PDGFRα cells and smMHC- PDGFRα cells using genetically encoded Ca2+ sensors. A reporter strain of mice with enhanced green fluorescent protein driven by the endogenous promotor for Pdgfra was shown to be a powerful new tool for isolating and characterizing the phenotype and functions of these cells in the renal pelvis.
A mixed experimental-CFD-data science approach for rheological measurement of polishing fluids

We discuss a novel means for obtaining rheological properties of polishing slurries by combining statistical inference techniques (the Akaike Information Criterion), CFD and Torque vs Speed Data. T...
Developing a Measure of the Impact of COVID-19 Social Distancing on Household Conflict and Cohesion.

This report introduces the COVID-19 Family Environment Scale (CHES), which aims to measure the impact of social distancing due to COVID-19 on household conflict and cohesion. Existing measures do not capture household experiences relevant to the pandemic, in which families are largely confined to their homes while sharing a life-threatening situation. Using best practice guidelines, we developed a pool of items and revised them with review by a panel of experts, and cognitive interviewing with community respondents. We administered the CHES by online survey to 3,965 adults. The CHES consists of 15 items for each of two subscales, household conflict (α = .847) and household cohesion (α = .887). Exploratory factor analysis yielded two factors, corresponding to the intended conflict and cohesion items, which accounted for 29% of variance. Confirmatory factor analysis partially supported the 2-factor model (RMSEA = .057; CFI = .729, TLI = .708, and SRMR = .098). The CHES also contains 25 optional items to describe respondent and household characteristics, and household-level COVID-19 exposure. The CHES, publicly available at https://elcentro.sonhs.miami.edu/research/measures-library/covid-19/index.html, provides a tool for measuring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on important determinants of resilience in the face of major stressful events. Further work is needed to address the factor structure and establish validity of the CHES.
Interview 18 Randall Collins

Randall Collins is currently Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania and well known as one of the non-Marxist conflict theorists in the world. He received his A.B. (1963) from Harvard College where he studied with Talcott Parsons and received his M.A. in psychology (1964) from Stanford University, M.A. in sociology (1965) from the University of California at Berkeley where he continued to finish his Ph.D. (1969). He has taught in many prestigious universities. The first position in academia was at the University of California, Berkeley, followed by the University of Wisconsin, University of California, San Diego, University of Virginia and University of California, Riverside, ultimately at University of Pennsylvania. He once quit from academia twice as a novelist and private scholar. Collins has been recognized as a leading contemporary social theorist whose areas of expertise include both micro sociology, such as face to face interaction, sociology of intellectuals and social conflict, and the macro-historical sociology of political and economic change. He was elected as a member of Academy of American Arts and Sciences in 2000, and served as the president of the American Sociological Association from 2010 to 2011.
Utilization of treatment by Medicaid enrollees with opioid use disorder and co-occurring substance use disorders.

Abstract Background Multiple substance use is common among adults who misuse opioids. Adverse consequences of drugs are more severe among multisubstance users than among single drug users. This study sought to determine whether adults with opioid use disorder (OUD) and at least one other substance use disorder (SUD) are less likely than adults with OUD only to receive certain services. Methods We conducted a retrospective longitudinal study using the IBM® MarketScan® Multi-State Medicaid Database. We used logistic regression to measure associations between clinical characteristics and service utilization. The sample included non-Medicare-eligible adults aged 18–64 years with at least one claim in 2016 with a primary diagnosis of OUD who were continuously enrolled in Medicaid in 2016 and 2017. Results Of the 58,745 Medicaid enrollees with an initial OUD diagnosis in 2016, 29,267 had one or more additional SUD diagnoses. In the year following diagnosis, these adults were less likely than adults with OUD only to receive OUD medication treatment (OR = 0.88, p Conclusions Adults with OUD and at least one co-occurring SUD received more intensive services, which may reflect severity and lack of OUD medication treatment before misuse escalation. Programs should account for barriers to connecting these individuals to appropriate OUD treatment.
Prospective investigation of serial ultrasound for transient tachypnea of the newborn.

Abstract Background Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN), which is diagnosed using typical clinical course and radiographic findings, is the most common cause of respiratory distress in late-preterm and term neonates. Lung ultrasound (LUS) is increasingly used to identify TTN according to the distinct characteristics of the disease. However, few studies have reported the application of LUS to monitor the clinical evolution of TTN. Using serial LUS, this prospective study assessed and monitored TTN severity. Methods From November 2018 to October 2019, neonates ≥ 34 weeks of gestation admitted to the newborn center of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital were enrolled. Neonates diagnosed with TTN and requiring respiratory support comprised the TTN group (n = 29), whereas those without respiratory disease served as the control group (n = 23). LUS was performed and scored in both groups within 4 hours of admission and followed up at 24 and 48 hours. Results A total of 65 infants were screened for enrollment and 13 were excluded. Most of the enrollees in both groups exhibited a peak LUS score on the first day, which then gradually declined thereafter. In comparison with the control group, the LUS score of the TTN group was higher on day 1 and day 2, and it had a significantly greater decrease from day 1 to day 2. In the TTN group, LUS scores moderately correlated with respiratory severity scores. Conclusion We conducted a serial and quantitative LUS investigation in late-preterm and term infants with TTN. The LUS score mirrored the respiratory status relatively well, and it can help to monitor the clinical course of TTN, in the case of either resolution or deterioration.
Measuring plate vibration using deflectometry: The advantages and limitations of add-on reflective material

Deflectometry is a full field optical method which utilizes the slope fields on the surface of a planar object to track deformations. The use of a high speed camera gives the ability to measure all points on the surface instantaneously and with high spatial resolution, providing more knowledge on how structures react to transient excitations. Here, the reflected grid method will be used, as it involves geometry that allows for simple calculation of curvature distributions. This method of deflectometry relies on specular reflections to create amplifications of the measured deformations in the test plate. Therefore, this requires the plate under test to have a reflective surface. An experiment was constructed to test the vibration of a flat plate excited by an automatic force hammer. A collection of adhesive tapes, films, and spray were applied to the test object in order to increase the reflectivity of the plate. The advantages and limitations of each type of add-on reflective material will be discussed. Finally, the add-on material was used on a more complex structure to showcase the potential of deflectometry for measuring plate vibration.
The Neuroplastic Adaptation Trident Model: A Suggested Novel Framework for ACL Rehabilitation

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries are common in athletic populations and there are many factors that contribute to a return to play decision. Human movement is diverse and variable, and it is important for patients recovering from an ACL injury to develop a variety of movement strategies for athletic performance. Variability of movement during sport may help to decrease injury risk by preparing the individual to handle many different situations and improve problem solving. ACL injuries result in neurophysiological dysfunction due to a disruption of the afferent information from the native mechanoreceptors in the ligament. Following injury, the brain enters a neuroplastic state and can adapt and change positively or negatively based on the rehabilitation or lack thereof. This commentary presents a novel framework for rehabilitation called the Neuroplastic Adaptation Trident Model that takes into account respected methods for attempting to achieve positive neuroplastic changes. This structured framework provides clinicians with reproducible methods to employ as part of the rehabilitation process to maximize motor control and motor learning. Suggested dosage and implementation are proposed to lead to a consistent and gradually progressive challenge throughout the entire rehabilitation process that takes advantage of the time from surgery until return to play. The purpose of this clinical commentary is to describe the Neuroplastic Adaptation Trident model and provide examples for clinical implementation. This method should be studied further to determine true effectiveness; currently, it is presented as a theoretical model based on best current evidence regarding ACL injury and rehabilitation of neurophysiologic dysfunction. # Level of Evidence 5
Odorization of Natural Gas: What are the Challenges?

Abstract Modern natural gas (NG) has little or no odor, so other compounds, usually mercaptans and thiols, are added as warning odorants. Federal regulations state that NG must be odorized so that it is readily detectable by people with normal senses of smell at one fifth the lower explosive limit, but regulations don’t define “readily detectable” or “normal senses of smell.” Methods to measure human odor detection have been available for decades. However, most previous work on NG odorants has underestimated human sensitivity, and measurements need to be repeated using the latest methods. More work is also needed to determine how odor sensitivity measured under optimal laboratory conditions is affected by real-world factors such as distraction and exposure to other odors in the environment. Regarding a “normal sense of smell,” healthy people vary over orders of magnitude in the concentrations they can detect, so samples of subjects should be chosen to reflect the range of differences in the population.
Using machine learning to evaluate the fidelity of heavy equipment acoustic simulations

Abstract Audio quality is an important consideration when creating acoustic simulations. However, there has been a longstanding tradeoff in evaluating the quality or fidelity of sound: subjective listening tests are time consuming and expensive, but objective measures often fail to capture the nuances of human perception. The research presented here seeks to address this problem by investigating the use of machine learning to evaluate the fidelity of heavy equipment acoustic simulations. The developed models are designed to classify sounds into one of two categories, based on whether the audio is “natural” sounding or “artificial” sounding. Two distinct datasets are presented. The first, made up of a library of compressed recordings of heavy equipment, is used primarily for developmental purposes. The second, made up of a library of simulated audio clips, is used to test performance for the intended purpose of evaluating simulated audio fidelity. Several common algorithms are compared and various audio features considered in developing the machine learning models. The final model consists of a logistic regression algorithm and uses the input features loudness, sharpness, roughness, fluctuation strength, and Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients. The developed models accurately predict human perceptions of audio fidelity, achieving approximately 98% accuracy for both datasets. The accuracies achieved provide evidence that machine learning models could potentially supplant listening tests, although limitations including the scope of the dataset and the small number of listening test participants necessitate further validation.
Interpretation of the Videofluoroscopic Study

Years ago there was a coffee and doughnut shop in New York City called “Mayflower,” which emphasized as part of its advertising slogan that one should keep an eye on the doughnut and not on the hole. In analyzing videofluoroscopic studies, we, on the other hand, should pay equal attention to the hole (velopharyngeal portal) and the doughnut (palate and pharyngeal walls ringing the VP portal). When the sphincter does not close, there is a hole. Unlike the doughnut, however, this hole is not symmetrically round but has different contours along different margins. In order to understand the manner in which the velopharyngeal portal closes, we must examine the contributions that the palate (velum) and pharyngeal walls each make. This understandably is best appreciated by examining the component movements of the palate and pharyngeal walls in the lateral, frontal, and base views.
The neutral axis location for structural health monitoring: an overview

Structural health monitoring (SHM) is the process of continuously or periodically measuring structural parameters over time and the transformation of the acquired data into information about the actual structural behavior. The main goal of SHM is to provide quantitative and actionable information to infrastructure managers on a system-wide level. However, to achieve this goal, damage sensitive universal parameters need to be researched, identified, and implemented into SHM processes and data analysis. The neutral axis location has been identified as a potential parameter for damage detection, performance evaluation, and condition assessment of beam-like structures. This paper is intended to serve as a reference for researchers who are interested in the state of the art in evaluation of the neutral axis location, facts about the neutral axis behavior, and challenges associated with using the neutral axis for SHM purposes. Studies of the neutral axis in laboratory settings, controlled on-site testing, and on real structures in on-site conditions are presented and discussed. The main difficulties in using the neutral axis location for SHM purposes that are identified in this paper are: (1) its sensitivity to environmental effects such as temperature, humidity, and loading positions, (2) its natural variation in healthy cross-sections, (3) quantification of its sensitivity to damage, i.e. its damage detection capabilities in terms of the damage size and its distance from sensors, and (4) correlation between the neutral axis location and the capacity, performance, and condition of the monitored structure. The proof of concept has been provided with numerical modeling, and in the laboratory, and to some extent through controlled testing; however, a general on-site validation still remains a major challenge.
Conditional survival of extremity soft-tissue sarcoma: results beyond the staging system.

BACKGROUND: With increasing interest in adult cancer survivorship, currently available prognostic estimates for long-term survivors of extremity soft-tissue sarcoma (ESTS) are limited. We assessed determinants of survival in adults surgically treated for nonmetastatic ESTS, conditional on specific survival periods. Methods: We identified 6215 persons aged >18 in the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results program who were surgically treated for nonmetastatic ESTS from 1991 to 2006. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to assess demographic, tumor, and treatment factors associated with 10-year sarcoma-specific survival (SSS) at diagnosis and conditional on surviving 3 and 5 years postdiagnosis. RESULTS: At the time of diagnosis, age, tumor, and treatment factors predicted SSS. Although older age significantly predicted worse SSS for all age groups at diagnosis (HR 3.78 for age >81 vs 18-35; P 80 years). Tumor size, grade, and histologic subtypes continued to be important predictors of SSS for all periods of conditional survival. Persons who underwent limb amputation were at 3 times the risk of mortality for all conditional survival periods. CONCLUSIONS: In this large population-based experience of ESTS survivors, age >80, tumor, and treatment factors continued to affect long-term survival, whereas the effect of age dampened over time. These estimates provide important counseling information for changing risk factors as survival time increases, help to streamline future surveillance programs, and provide insights into the design of adult survivorship care. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
A soluble ribonucleic acid intermediate in protein synthesis.

The cell-free rat liver system in which Cl*-amino acids are incorporated irreversibly into cY-peptide linkage in protein has been used in our laboratories for a number of years as a measure of protein synthesis. The essential components of this system are the microsomal ribonucleoprotein particles, certain enzymes derived from the soluble protein fraction, adenosine triphosphate, guanosine dior triphosphate, and a nucleoside triphosphate-generating system (l-3). The ribonucleoprotein particles of the microsomes appear to be the actual site of peptide condensation. The soluble enzymes and ATP’ have been found to effect the initial carboxyl activation of the amino acids (4). The role of GTP is not yet understood, although the present paper sheds light on its probable locus of action. Much evidence has accumulated in the past 8 years, beginning with the studies of Caspersson (5) and Brachet (6), implicating a role for cellular RNA in protein synthesis. The intermediate stages between amino acid activation and final incorporation into protein in the rat liver in vitro system offered us unexplored regions in which to seek more direct evidence for a chemical association of RNA and amino acids. A preliminary report of such an association has recently been presented by us (7). There it was shown that the RNA of a particular fraction of the cytoplasm hitherto uncharacterized became labeled with Cl*-amino acids in t,he presence of ATP and the amino acid-activating enzymes, and that this labeled RNA subsequently was able to transfer the amino acid to microsomal protein
Atomic data needed for FUV astronomy with HUT and FUSE

The important atomic and molecular data needed by astrophysicists who analyze far ultraviolet spectra include accurate wavelengths, ocsillator strengths, molecular data for six molecules, and especially electron collisional exciatation cross sections.
Finding the tipping point for a CEO to say yes to an ERP: a case study

Purpose – Most small- and medium-sized enterprises use some business management software to manage day-to-day operations. Eventually they consider transitioning to an enterprise resources planning (ERP) system. The purpose of this paper is to find what motivates the top management to consider a transition from an existing system to an ERP especially as such a transition can be painful, expensive, and involve considerable business risk. The research posits a decision model that top management may use to aid their decision. Design/methodology/approach – The research question is about examining the organizational phenomenon of transition to an ERP system and so a case study research methodology is followed to understand the phenomenon. Findings – The research concludes it is usually a change in scale of operations that drives the transition. The motivators are abstracted as: scalability – increased hierarchical controls and systems scalability driven by increasing number of employees; complexity – more busin...
Isolation of mRNA from bovine pituitary. The cell-free synthesis of the alpha and beta subunits of luteinizing hormone.

RNA derived from bovine steer pituitary was translated in wheat germ cell-free extracts containing [35S]methionine. Antisera generated against purified denatured α and β subunits of lutropin were used to demonstrate the synthesis of both proteins in vitro. The immunoprecipitated products of the cell-free system were resolved on sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gels and it was observed that the molecular weight of the immunoprecipitated α subunit protein was approximately 14000, while that of the β protein was estimated to be 16000. Since the molecular weights of authentic α and β subunits are 10600 and 14000 respectively, the cell-free products presumably represented their pre-protein forms. The ratio of the immunoprecipitated subunit pre-proteins was dependent on the magnesium concentration in the translation mixtures; at 2.1 mM, translation of lutropin α and β mRNAs was comparable. RNA isolated from cow pituitary tissue directed the synthesis of fivefold less of the α and β immunoprecipitated proteins than did steer RNA. Since the blood levels of gonadal steroids are higher in the cow, the results supported the hypothesis that lutropin α and β mRNA biosynthesis is repressed by these steroids. The data also suggest that synthesis of lutropin α and β subunits is coordinately expressed in certain physiological situations.
Taking a systems approach to ecological systems

Increasingly, there is interest in a systems-level understanding of ecological problems, which requires the evaluation of more complex, causal hypotheses. In this issue of the Journal of Vegetation Science, Soliveres et al. use structural equation modeling to test a causal network hypothesis about how tree canopies affect understorey communities. Historical analysis suggests structural equation modeling has been under-utilized in ecology.
A Parts Selection Expert System to Increase Manufacturability

This paper describes the Parts Selection Advisor, a prototype expert system applied to component selection. The Parts Selection Advisor (PSA) condenses the diffuse knowledge of several manufacturing experts into a system that design engineers can use. By leveraging this store of manufacturing knowledge, an engineer can produce a product that will be more economical to manufacture. Manufacturing costs are reduced because the PSA helps the engineer select parts which fit the manufacturing process. In addition, the parts chosen are reliable components from preferred suppliers. This paper also addresses practical issues of expert system construction.
University of Michigan Digital Library Project

The University of Michigan Digital Library Project (NSF-UMDL) is a multidisciplinary collaboration among faculty and staff throughout the University of Michigan. Initial use and evaluation of the NSF-UMDL will take place in science classes in Ann Arbor, Mich. high schools and the Stuyvesant High School in New York City, as well as instruction and research at the university. Access will also be available through Ann Arbor and New York City public libraries. External partners to the project include: IBM, Elsevier Science, Apple Computer, Bellcore, UMI International, McGraw-Hall, Encyclopaedia Britannica Educational Corporation, and Kodak.
Computational System Analysis of Ca2+ Signaling in the Pancreatic Beta-Cells

The Ca2+ ion serves as a ubiquitous second messenger in pancreatic beta-cells. Beta-cells are equipped with sophisticated machinery to precisely regulate Ca2+ signal in a localization-specific manner to regulate insulin secretion. Based on our mathematical models of beta-cell electrophysiology, Ca2+ oscillations, cAMP signaling, metabolism and mitochondrial functions we present an updated complex computational model for beta-cells to clarify the mechanisms underlying intracellular Ca2+ responses to varying stimuli. The system employs a Hodgkin-Huxley-type ionic model for plasma membrane action potentials with equations for key currents and pumps including Na+/Ca2+ exchangers, TRP and store-operating Ca2+ channels. The model incorporates modern data for Ca2+ extrusion/uptake systems in the endoplasmic reticulum. The role of mitochondria in regulation of Ca2+ signaling is also evaluated. The values of most of the model parameters were inferred from available experimental data. This model simulates and explains the Ca2+ dynamics under a wide range of experimental conditions, including changes in islet electrical activity due to ion channel blockade and action of several specific G-protein receptor agonists. Our analysis of the dynamic data provides evidence for a pivotal role of store-operated Ca2+ channels in maintenance of physiological cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration even at low glucose levels while voltage-dependent calcium channels are blocked. The role of endoplasmic reticulum, TRP and store-operated Ca2+ channels in cytoplasmic Ca2+ oscillations was also investigated. This computational systems approach provides a framework to analyze the regulatory mechanisms related to release of calcium stores in beta-cell insulin secretion.
Quaternary structure and geminate recombination in hemoglobin: flow-flash studies on alpha 2CO beta 2 and alpha 2 beta 2CO.

The kinetics of geminate recombination for the diliganded species alpha 2CO beta 2 and alpha 2 beta 2CO of human hemoglobin were studied using flash photolysis. The unstable diliganded species were generated just before photolysis by chemical reduction in a continuous flow reactor from the more stable valency hybrids alpha 2CO beta 2+ and alpha 2+ beta 2CO, which could be prepared by high pressure liquid chromatography. Before the flash photolysis studies, the hybrids had been characterized by double-mixing stopped-flow kinetics experiments. At pH 6.0 in the presence of inositol hexaphosphate (IHP) both of the diliganded species show second order kinetics for overall addition of a third CO that is clearly characteristic of the T state (l' = 1–2 x 10(5) M-1 s-1), whereas at higher pH and in the absence of IHP they show combination rates characteristic of an R state. The kinetics of geminate recombination following photolysis of a bound CO, however, showed little dependence on pH and IHP concentration. This surprising observation is explained on the basis that the kinetics of geminate recombination of CO primarily depends on the tertiary structure of the ligand binding site, which apparently does not differ much between the R state and the liganded T state formed on adding IHP in this system. Since this explanation requires distinguishing different tertiary structures within a particular quaternary structure, it amounts to a contradiction to the two-state allosteric model.
Influence of Constraining Barrier on the 5th Lumbar and 1st Sacral Joint Compressive Force during Manual Lifting.

The purpose of this study was to examine the mechanical stresses on the lower back as the response of different heights of constraining barrier. Ten male subjects lifted a load from the floor to the knuckle height under the non- constrained and the constrained conditions with 4 different heights of constraining barrier (80%, 100%, 120% and 140% of knee height). The constrained condition was defined as the condition where a load was placed on the floor behind a certain level of bar. When lifting of the constrained conditions, subjects significantly increased the peak compressive forces at L5/S1 compared to the non-constrained (3868.8 ± 527.5 N, 4175.0 ± 486.0 N, 4162.4 ± 462.3 N, 4136.0 ± 553.1 N, 4079.4 ± 468.9 N for 0%, 80%, 100%, 120% and 140% barrier height conditions respectively). The subjects moved the load further from L5/S1 in the horizontal direction when lifting during the constrained conditions. While lifting during the constrained conditions subjects generated an increase in the sacral angle and a decrease of the knee flexion. The peak compressive forces at L5/S1 showed a statistically significant quadratic trend. However, the magnitude of the difference of peak compressive forces during the constrained conditions was small.
MEDCAT: an APL program for medical diagnosis, consultation, and teaching

This is a description of MEDCAT, a computer program which makes diagnoses, explains each step in its reasoning in response to questions, increases its knowledge and reasoning ability by conversing with expert physicians, and uses its logical and communicative skills to help and evaluate medical students in the proper approach to medical diagnosis. The mechanism for each of these features is discussed. MEDCAT is coded in APL and implemented on a 68000 based microcomputer.
Solid tumors of children: chromosome abnormalities and the development of cancer

Chromosome abnormalities in five solid tumors which occur predominantly in children and young adults are described. Four of the tumors are associated with rearrangements involving particular chromosome segments: deletion 13q14 in retinoblastoma, deletion 11p13 in Wilms' tumor, deletions/rearrangements of 1p (distal to band 1p31) in neuroblastoma, and translocation 22/autosome in Ewing sarcoma. Though aneuploidy for a number of chromosomes may occur in the fifth tumor, rhabdomyosarcoma, it has yet to be associated with a consistent marker arrangement. A general classification of chromosome abnormalities in cancer is presented. Possible roles for the gene changes produced by each class of chromosome abnormality in the development of cancer are discussed.
Rapid recovery, preservation, and phenotyping of milk proteins by a modified starch gel technique of superior resolving power.

Abstract 1. 1. A technique is presented for rapid recovery of casein from about 100 milk samples within 3 hr. 2. 2. The recovered proteins can be stored for as long as two years without undergoing any changes in their electrophoretic composition by impregnation on filter paper strips and air drying. Inserts cut from these strips can be applied directly to starch gel electrophoresis. 3. 3. A modified starch gel technique which gives excellent resolution and reproducibility is also described. 4. 4. These techniques are especially suitable for application in studies dealing with the phenotyping of milk proteins.
The molecular structure and electronic spectrum of the C@C60 endohedral complex: an ab initio study.

Abstract We performed ab initio quantum-chemical studies at the HF and B3LYP levels of theory to determine the geometry and electronic spectra of the C@C60 complex. The STO-3G and 6-31G(d) basis sets were employed. Two different types of stable conformations for the endohedral atom related to the centers of five- and six-member rings were found. The estimated potential barrier between those conformations is small; under certain conditions, the endohedral atom can transfer from one location in the molecular cage to another. The influence of the location of endohedral carbon atom on the electronic spectrum of C60 is discussed. © 2001 by Elsevier Science Inc.
Does attitudinal loyalty influence behavioral loyalty? A theoretical and empirical study

Abstract Despite a plethora of studies on brand loyalty spanning over last three decades, the research paradigm is unique in its inability to produce generalizable results. The research suffers from a lack of agreement over the operationalization of the construct of the brand loyalty. Many researchers [e.g., Kahn, B.E., Kalwani, M.U., Morrison, D.G., 1986. Measuring variety seeking and reinforcement behaviors using panel data. Journal of Marketing Research 23, 89–100; Ehrenberg, A.S.C., Goodhardt, G.J., Barwise, P.B., 1990. Double jeopardy revisited. Journal of Marketing 54, 82–91] have defined brand loyalty only from a behavioral perspective. They assumed that repeat purchasing can capture the loyalty of a consumer towards the brand of interest. Other researchers [e.g., Day, G.S., 1969. A two-dimensional concept of brand loyalty. Journal of Advertising Research 9, 29–35; Dick, A.S., Basu, K., 1994. Consumer loyalty: towards an integrated conceptual approach. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science 22 (2), 99–113; Baldinger, A.L., Rubinson, J., 1996. Brand loyalty: the link between attitude and behavior. Journal of Advertising Research 36 (6), 22–34; Rundle-Thiele, S.R., Bennett, R., 2001. A brand for all seasons: A discussion of loyalty approaches and their applicability for different markets. Journal of Product and Brand Management 10 (1), 25–37; Rundle-Thiele, S.R., 2005. Elaborating customer loyalty: exploring loyalty to wine retailers. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services 12 (5), 333–344], however, have suggested that attitude should be included along with behavior to define loyalty. In particular, Dick and Basu (1994) were precise in suggesting that a favorable attitude and repeat purchase were required to define loyalty. By viewing loyalty as an attitude–behavior relationship in their framework, Dick and Basu (1994) were able to investigate the concept from a causal perspective thereby permitting the identification of the factors that influence loyalty. Our research extends the idea proposed by Dick and Basu (1994) in two ways. First, we provide a conceptually clear, and an operationally meaningful way of segmenting the market on the basis of attitudes that govern this behavior. To be specific, we offer a unique way to measure attitudinal loyalty. And we use a unique survey data with a large sample of 1800 respondents that includes both behavioral (purchase) patterns and attitudes of the respondents for all major brands of toothpaste, to demonstrate that behavioral loyalty is influenced by attitudinal loyalty across many brands of the toothpaste category. Finally, we propose that a third behavioral pattern—non-user—should be also included along with two known behavioral patterns viz. single user and multiple user. This is because a non-user has the potential to become a consumer in future.
Plasmid-determined Transformation of cis-Abienol and Sclareol in Nocardia restricta JTS-162

The cis-abienol-transformable bacterium JTS-162 was identified as Nocardia restricta. This bacterium has three plasmids (pCA1, pCA2 and pCA3). Two types of cured strains were obtained by mitomicin C treatment or growth at the maximum temperature; one type had two plasmids (pCA2 and pCA3) and the other type had no plasmid. These two types of cured strains lost the ability to oxidize C-18 methyl and to split the A-ring of cis-abienol. These two types of cured strains were also devoid of the. ability to oxidize the C-18 methyl of sclareol. From these results, it was considered that C-18 methyl oxidation and A-ring splitting of these labdanes were determined by plasmid pCA1 in N. restricta JTS-162.
Try It, You Will Like It---Does Consumer Learning Lead to Competitive Price Promotions?

There is strong evidence that consumers learn from their brand consumption experiences and continuously update their brand purchase probabilities. However, in explaining why established competitive brands continuously compete through periodic price promotions, most of the existing theories do not attribute this phenomenon to underlying consumer learning. Yet, “try it, you will like it” is often the stated rationale of the practicing marketing manager in offering consumers a price promotion on a brand. This paper examines the connection between consumer learning and the offering of price promotions. The consumer model specified is Markovian in nature and encompasses in addition to consumer learning other empirical findings such as the increase in product class consumption in response to price reductions. The consumer models used in the existing game theoretic approaches to this problem are shown to be mostly special cases of the proposed model. It is demonstrated that for the commonly used price response functions the existence of consumer learning, at a level of intensity consistent with that identified in empirical works, makes it optimal for competing brands to periodically offer price promotions. Moreover, it is shown that the competing brands should promote in different periods as opposed to head to head.
Primary to secondary sphere coordination of 18-crown-6 to lanthanide (III) nitrates: Structural analysis of [Pr(NO3)3-(18-crown-6)] and [M(NO3)3(OH2)3]·18-crown-6 (M=Y, Eu, Tb−Lu)

The direct reaction of hydrated lanthanide nitrate salts with 18-crown-6 in 3∶1 CH3CN∶CH3OH has resulted in the isolation and structural characterization of [Pr(NO3)3(18-crown-6)] and [M(NO3)3(OH2)3]·18-crown-6 (M=Y, Eu, Tb−Lu). (The Eu and Yb analogs were confirmed with preliminary cell data only.) [Pr(NO3)3(18-crown-6)] is 12-coordinate icosahedral and crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca with (at 20°C)a=12.230(2),b=15.598(4),c=21.777(9)A andDcalc=1.89 g cm−3 forZ=8. The seven isostructural [Pr(NO3)3(18-crown-6)] complexes all contain 9-coordinate capped square antiprismatic metal centers hydrogen bonded via the bound water molecules to D3d 18-crown-6 within the lattice to form hydrogen bonded polymeric chains. Each complex is orthorhombic Pnma with cell parameters as follows: M=Tb (20°C):a=15.242(6),b=14.253(11),c=11.070(6)A,Dcalc=1.83 g cm−3 forZ=4; M=Dy (20°C):a=15.248(3),b=14.239(5),c=11.058(3)A,Dcalc=1.84 g cm−3 forZ=4; M=Y (19°C):a=15.260(2),b=14.238(2),c=11.048(3) A,Dcalc=1.64 g cm−3 for Z=4; M=Ho (20°C):a=15.226(4),b=14.208(15),c=11.028(3)A,Dcalc=1.86 g cm−3 forZ=4; M=Er (20°C):a=15.250(3),b=14.208(7),c=11.028(3)A,Dcalc=1.87 g cm−3 forZ=4; M=Tm (20°C):a=15.246(6),b=14.190(16),c=11.013(6) A,Dcalc=1.88 g cm−3 forZ=4; M=Lu (21°C):a=15.244(9),b=14.158(6),c=10.980(7)A,Dcalc=1.90 g cm−3 forZ=4.
Generation and Propagation of Thermally Induced Acoustic Waves in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

The generation and propagation of thermally induced acoustic waves in a confined layer of supercritical carbon dioxide are investigated by solving the fully compressible unsteady Navier-Stokes equations. These waves are generated by rapidly heating/cooling a sidewall. Due to the high compressibility, thermally induced acoustic waves are generated along any heated/cooled surface. The acoustic wave reflects from the opposing sidewall and continues to reverberate between the opposing walls. Even though supercritical fluids have high thermal conductivity, heat diffusion is slow. However, the temperature of the layer of the supercritical carbon dioxide is found to increase due to the dissipation of the acoustic energy. Ideal-gas law does not apply to supercritical fluids. Furthermore the internal energy is also not a function of temperature only. The above property variation effects are considered in the present paper.Copyright © 2007 by ASME