cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Peptide synthesis and deamidation with chemically modified immobilized carboxypeptidase Y

Abstract Carboxypeptidase Y was immobilized by glutaraldehyde onto microparticulate aminopropyl-silica and subsequently modified with mercuric derivatives and phenacyl-bromide. The chemically modified immobilized enzymes were used in stirred batch and recirculating packed-bed reactors to catalyse peptide synthesis and deamidation. Mercuric derivatives of the immobilized enzyme were used to synthesize peptide esters from N- benzoyl- l -alanine methyl esters and various amino acid methyl esters. While these reactions resulted in generally higher yields than those obtained with the unmodified enzyme, the mercuric derivatives of the immobilized enzyme were unstable, rendering their use in immobilized form impractical. On the other hand, phenacyl-bromide-modified immobilized carboxypeptidase Y was stable under deamidation conditions and was used to catalyse the deamidations of N- benzoyl- l -arginyl- l -methioninamide , N- benzoyl- l -arginyl- l -methionyl- l -leucinamide , and N- benzoyl- l -arginyl- l -methionyl- l -leucyl- l -phenylalaninamide in higher yields than the unmodified immobilized enzyme. Immobilized phenacylated carboxypeptidase Y offers an efficient means to deamidate peptide amide intermediates in enzymatic peptide synthesis.
Two first-year students’ strategies for writing from sources: Patchwriting or plagiarism?

Abstract In this paper we report a case study of two first-year students at a university in Hong Kong doing the same writing assignment that required the use of sources. We explore the students’ understanding of plagiarism, their strategies for composing, the similarity between their texts and source texts, and the lecturer's assessment of their work. The analyses in the study drew upon textual comparisons between student texts and source texts, interview data, and observation notes. The data indicated that both students appeared to understand the university's plagiarism policy yet their texts were characterized by patchwriting and inappropriate citation. Only one student's problems were spotted by the lecturer and checked with Turnitin while the other's was hidden to the lecturer. We speculate about the reasons, and then discuss these issues related to students’ writing from sources: the place of reading in a source-based assignment, the difficulty level of sources for an assignment in an introductory course, complexities of attribution in source-based writing assignments, and the place of patchwriting in the work of novice writers. We conclude by highlighting the challenges faced by teachers and researchers and echo with others that different labels need to be given to plagiarism as cheating versus misuse of source texts.
The 120-yr period for Dr. Beal's seed viability experiment

After 120 yr of burial in moist, well-aerated sand, 23 seeds of Verbascum blattaria and two seeds of a Verbascum sp. germinated and produced normal plants (50% germination for Verbascum). After a 6-wk cold treatment, a single seed of Malva rotundifolia germinated also, producing a normal plant (2% germination). Plants were grown to maturity in a greenhouse, and flowering was induced by exposure to a 6-wk cold treatment. Flowers were artificially pollinated to produce seed of both Verbascum blattaria and Malva rotundifolia. The Verbascum sp. failed to set seed. Collected seeds were subsequently germinated, producing normal plants. F 1 seeds of V. blattaria had a germination of 64%. Seeds (6%) of M. rotundifolia germinated after a cold treatment.
Neutron Diffraction Measurement of Stress Redistribution in Parallel Seven-Wire Strands after Local Fracture

We report results from neutron diffraction experiments where partitioning of applied tensile load between the inner and outer wires of seven-wire parallel and quasi-parallel wire strands were measured while 1-all wires were undergoing elastic deformation, 2-where one wire within the bundle was undergoing plastic flow and, 3-when one or more wires fractured under load. The results indicate that mechanical interference and friction mechanisms have similar contributions to the load transferred to fractured wires, and both mechanisms should be included in analytical or numerical formulations of strain partitioning in quasi-parallel wire cables.
Evaluating the contributions of interactive problem solving to the resolution of ethnonational conflicts

Interactive problem solving is a form of unofficial diplomacy, centering on problem-solving workshops and related activities with political elites in conflicting societies. Its dual purpose is producing changes in individual participants that are transferred to the policy process. The most relevant criterion for evaluating the effectiveness of interactive problem solving is its contribution to changes in the political cultures of the parties that would make them more receptive to negotiation. The article describes the difficulties in evaluating such changes in political culture, because of the inapplicability of the standard experimental model of evaluation and the ethical and methodological obstacles to the use of procedures that may interfere with the practice of conflict resolution. It then presents two models of evaluation research, based on gradual accumulation of evidence in support of the assumptions of interactive problem solving: the “links-in-the-chain” model, testing by appropriate means each o...
Harmonic analysis in microwave power active devices

The effect of synthesizing High Power Active Microwave devices employing the reflection network concept is examined. This is conducted by employing the fundamental device nonlinearities extracted from a precision active device model. The conclusions yield a, perhaps surprising, result in contrast with a commonly held belief.
Spectrophotometric determination of scandium with anthrarufin-2,6-disulfonic acid (disodium salt)

Abstract A new spectrophotometric method for the determination of scandium, is described using anthraru-fin-2, 6-disulfonic acid (disodium salt) as a reagent. The color reaction has a sensitivity of 0.004 μg Sc per cm2 for log I 0 1 = 0.001 and obeys Beer's law up to 2 p.p.m. The effects of p h , time, order of addition of the reagents, temperature, and diverse ions were investigated. A separation procedure was developed and applied to six salt solutions containing scandium plus a variety of foreign ions.
Overview of: “Statistical Procedures for Forecasting Criminal Behavior: A Comparative Assessment”

Research Summary A substantial and powerful literature in statistics and computer science has clearly demonstrated that modern machine learning procedures can forecast more accurately than conventional parametric statistical models such as logistic regression. Yet, several recent studies have claimed that for criminal justice applications, forecasting accuracy is about the same. In this article, we address the apparent contradiction. Forecasting accuracy will depend on the complexity of the decision boundary. When that boundary is simple, most forecasting tools will have similar accuracy. When that boundary is complex, procedures such as machine learning, which proceed adaptively from the data, will improve forecasting accuracy, sometimes dramatically. Machine learning has other benefits as well, and effective software is readily available. Policy Implications The complexity of the decision boundary will in practice be unknown, and there can be substantial risks to gambling on simplicity. Criminal justice decision makers and other stakeholders can be seriously misled with rippling effects going well beyond the immediate offender. There seems to be no reason for continuing to rely on traditional forecasting tools such as logistic regression.
Manipulation of particle size distribution of poly(l-lactic acid) nanoparticles with a jet-swirl nozzle during precipitation with a compressed antisolvent

Abstract The precipitation with a compressed-fluid antisolvent (PCA) process is a useful technique for producing biodegradable polymer microparticles for controlled drug delivery applications. Based on the mechanism that particles precipitate from a gaseous jet rather than atomized liquid droplets, we have designed and manufactured a nozzle capable of producing nanoscale poly( l -lactic acid) (PLLA) particles during PCA processing. A key design feature of the nozzle is the combination of a swirl flow and a micro-mixing swirl chamber to optimize gas-like mixing between the solvent and compressed antisolvent. Increasing the power input into the swirl chamber from 1.9×106 to 6.5×109 W/m3 acts to enhance the degree of mixing occurring within the confines of the swirl chamber. This is shown by a reduction in jet mixing length from 2627±14 to 0 μm and a decrease in the average particle diameter of 100 000 M.W. PLLA from 1430±90 to 193±20 nm (volume weighted diameter). Nozzles designed to optimize gas-like mixing are inherently different from conventional PCA spray nozzles, and allow production of nanoscale PLLA particles with a sharper size distribution than previously attainable.
The portable community: envisioning and examining mobile social connectedness

The idea that mobile, 'portable' groupings should be considered genuine communities, the site of the formation of authentic social bonds, has been widely debated and contested, particularly as such groupings take new shape and form. This article delineates key concepts which can be used to bring these discussions into greater focus, providing a recommended vocabulary for conceptualising mobile and online connections and communities. It also provides an overview of key types of technologically generated communities. Finally, it discusses some of the sociological implications of mobile technology, including the rise in personal availability and societal cohesion, attendant risks and dangers, and the extent to which social interaction has become increasingly harnessed or controlled.
Evolution of alpha q- and beta-tubulin genes as inferred by the nucleotide sequences of sea urchin cDNA clones.

Evolutionary studies on the tubulin multigene families were initiated by nucleotide sequence analysis of cDNA clones complementary to sea urchin (Lytechinus pictus) tesits α- and β-tubulin mRNAS. Sequence comparisons of three partial β-tubulin cDNA clones (pβ1, pβ2, pβ3) demonstrated the existence of tubulin mRNA heterogeneity. pβ2 and pβ3 contain identical tubulin-coding regions and extremely similar 3′ untranslated sequences, including a polyadenylation signal (AAUAAA). However, pβ2 contains an additional region of 3′ untranslated sequence which includes a second plyadenylation signal. These two sequences may be allelic, representing products of alternative transcription termination or processing pathways. pβ1 and pβ2 (or pβ3) cDNAs almost certainly correspond to transcripts of distinct but evolutionarily related genes. Examination of the available coding portions showed that they differ only by a few silent nucleotide substitutions and the deletion/insertion of one codon; most of the differences are clustered within the last 15 3′-end codons. In contrst, their 3′ untranslated sequences are considerably divergent. Nucleotide alignment in this region was feasible by considering specific point and segmental mutations, mainly T↔C transitions and small deletions/insetions associated with small direct repeats. The sea urchin α- and β-tubulin cDNA and corresponding protein sequences were compared with previously described tubulin cDNA and protein sequences from other organisms. Both α and β tubulins are very conserved proteins, evolving with a rete comparable to that of histones. Analysis of the nucleotide divergence of the coding cDNA regions showed that relacement sites have changed with a rate 20–175 times lower than that of the silent sites. Among the 177 codons compared between the sea urchinb testic and chick brain β-tubulin cDNAs, there are 7 conservative amino acid replacements and the deletion/insertion of two codons. Most of these changes are clustered near the C-terminus. The 161-amino acid portion of chick brain, rat and porcine α-tubulin sequences differs by 3 conservative amino acid replacements from the corresponding sea urchin testis α-tubulin sequence. The compared interspecies 3′ untranslated sequences are very divergent.
Cns Glial-Cells Express Neurotrophin Receptors Whose Levels Are Regulated by Ngf

Normal CNS glial cells manufacture neurotrophin receptors and are competent to respond to NGF. Neurotrophins bind a common receptor (LNGFR) and ligand-specific, tyrosine kinase-containing subunits (TrkA, TrkB, or TrkC). Northern blots and transcription assays reveal complex transcriptional regulation of LNGFR in astrocytes; from undetectable basal levels, NGF dramatically induces LNGFR within 4-6 h. Oligodendrocytes' relatively high basal levels are unaffected by NGF. TrkA mRNA was undetectable, however, TrkB was present and upregulated by NGF in astrocytes but not oligodendrocytes. The results are consistent with receptor autoregulation by its ligand and suggest that NGF plays a role in normal glial functions.
Visualization of Solidification in a Simulated Czochralski System

Solidification of water from a crystal seed in a simulated Czochralski growth system is investigated for various rotation rates of the crystal and crucible. Under the influence of a differentially heating condition imposed by the crystal seed and the surrounding melt, a complex flow and thermal field is visualized. Three convection-driving currents, temperature gradient, surface tension gradient, and centrifugal forces due to rotation, along with the density inversion of water are responsible for the resulting flow and thermal field. Liquid Crystal Thermography is employed to capture the images of the temperature field and the transport phenomena in the melt. The liquid crystals have a bandwidth of 10°C; starting with red at ;1.2°C, green at ;2.1°C, blue at ;3.6°C and clearing at 10°C. These crystals are employed in 0.005 percent by volume to
Biological Citizen Publics: Personal Genetics as a Site of Public Engagement with Science

Low-cost genetic sequencing, coupled with novel social media platforms and visualization techniques, present a new frontier for scientific participation, whereby people can learn, share, and act on data embedded within their own bodies. Our study of 23andMe, a popular genetic testing service, reveals how users make sense of and contextualize their genetic results, critique and evaluate the underlying research, and reflect on the broader implications of genetic testing. We frame user groups as citizen science publicsgroups that coalesce around scientific issues and work towards resolving shared concerns. Our findings show that personal genetics serves as a site for public engagement with science, whereby communities of biological citizens creatively interpret, debate, and act on professional research. We conclude with design trajectories at the intersection of genetics and creativity support tools: platforms for aggregating hybrid knowledge; tools for creative reflection on professional science; and strategies for supporting collaborations across communities.
Who Is Afraid of Death? Religiousness, Spirituality, and Death Anxiety in Late Adulthood

SUMMARY Data from a sample of predominantly white, Christian men and women born in Northern California in the 1920s (N = 155) were used to test the hypothesis that traditional, church-centered religiousness and de-institutionalized spiritual seeking exemplify distinct, but equally adaptive, ways of approaching fear of death in old age. Although both religiousness and spirituality were related to positive psychosocial functioning (an integrated identity and involvement in everyday activities), only religiousness served as a buffer against the fear of death. This effect was consistent with the greater emphasis on conventionality and acceptance of social norms that characterized individuals high in religiousness. The absence of a relation between spirituality and fear of death reflected the spiritual individual's emphasis on personal searching, creativity, and the positive use of reminiscence. The implications of the findings for the management of death anxiety in old age are discussed.
Ecology and biology of the lake sturgeon: a synthesis of current knowledge of a threatened North American Acipenseridae

The lake sturgeon is one of the largest North American freshwater fish and was once common in most inland rivers and lakes of the US and Canadian Midwest. World demand for caviar and sturgeon meat led to a dramatic decline of lake sturgeon populations throughout much of its range. Along with overfishing, lake sturgeon populations have been negatively affected by habitat degradation. Recruitment factors and early life history are poorly understood. Today, renewed interest in lake sturgeon restoration has led to numerous state and federally-funded research activities. Research has focused on identifying and assessing the size structure of remnant stocks, the availability of spawning habitat, and factors affecting reproductive success. Additional studies are needed to improve hatchery techniques, to better understand recruitment mechanisms, and how genetic diversity among and within meta-populations may affect long-term recovery of depleted populations.
Effect of van der Waals Interactions on the Raman Modes in Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes

We have measured the Raman spectrum of individual single walled carbon nanotubes in solution and compare it to that obtained from the same starting material where the tubes are present in ordered bundles or ropes. Interestingly, the radial mode frequencies for the tubes in solution are found to be approximately 10 cm (-1) higher than those observed for tubes in a rope, in apparent contradiction to lattice dynamics predictions. We suggest that there is no such contradiction, and propose that the upshift is due rather to a decreased energy spacing of the Van Hove singularities in isolated tubes over the spacings in a rope, thereby allowing the same laser excitation to excite different diameter tubes in these two samples.
Book Review Essay: (Not) Just the Facts, Ma’am: Books to Flesh Out A Criminal Procedure Class

ISBN 1 58778 983 3. pp. 502, pb. Carolyn N. Long (2006). Mapp v. Ohio: Guarding Against Unreasonable Searches and Seizures. Lawrence, KS: University Press of Kansas. ISBN 0 7006 1441 9. pp. 223, pb...
Proof of the Macdonald Conjecture.

A plane partition of n is an array ~=(a i ) , not necessarily square, of positive integers, which has non-increasing rows and columns, such that the sum of its elements is n. With such an array we associate the set D(~) which is the set of all integer points (i,j,k) in the first octant such that aij is defined and 1 <_k<aij. A plane partition ~ is cyclically symmetric if D(~) is invariant under the mapping (i,j,k)-.O',k,i). Let M(m,n) be the number of such cyclically symmetric partitions of n such that none of i, j, aij exceed m. Macdonald has conjectured that the generating function
Normative Influence and Desired Family Size among Young People in Rural Egypt

Research has identified the lack of acceptance of a two-child-family norm as the biggest obstacle to achieving replacement-level fertility in Egypt. This analysis examines norms about desired family size for 1366 males and 1367 females aged 15-24 in 2004 in rural Minya governorate. Two-level random-effects multivariate logistic regression models stratified by sex and grouped by neighborhood are used to assess normative influence at the household and neighborhood levels controlling for individual- and household-level covariates. In the final model young males in neighborhoods where more people desire a small family are 33 percent more likely to desire a small family than are young males in other neighborhoods. Young females in households with one or more adults preferring a small family are 78 percent more likely to desire a small family and young females in households with one or more young people who prefer a small family are 37 percent more likely to desire a small family themselves compared with those living with adults or with young people respectively who do not prefer a small family. Programs aiming to reduce fertility should be aware of gender differences in the sources of normative influence on desired family size.
THE UK HOUSING MARKET AND THE MONETARY POLICY TRANSMISSION MECHANISM: AN SVAR APPROACH

Abstract I estimate an eight variable structural vector autoregression (SVAR) model of the UK economy based upon that of Kim and Roubini [Kim, S., Roubini, N., 2000. Exchange rate anomalies in the industrial countries: a solution with a structural VAR approach. J. Monet. Econ. 45(3), 561–586] for the purpose of investigating the role of the housing market in the transmission of monetary policy. Retail sales fall by just under 0.4% following a temporary positive 100 basis points shock to short-term domestic interest rates; inflation is also lowered. House prices fall by 0.75%. House price shocks increase consumption, the price level and interest rates. Combining the central estimates for interest rate and house price shocks suggests that house price movements can explain about one-seventh of the fall in consumption following an interest rate shock. A counterfactual simulation comes to a similar figure.
Mobile Offshore Production Systems: An Analysis of Technical and Commercial Trends

Analysis of the rapidly growing mobile offshore production system (MOPS) market provides a revealing statistical description of technical fleet characteristics and commercial/contractual approaches toward ownership and operation of MOPS units. Based on a proprietary database of existing and planned MOPS units, in-house studies, and a review of published sources, this analysis correlates fleet technical and commercial data with the characteristics and requirements of various field applications and geographical areas. Current MOPS market trends are illustrated by reviewing units recently installed or under construction. MOPS unit design and key component technologies are becoming more mature, but applications continue to show a high degree of innovation and further development of some components is needed to extend MOPS use into very deep water. Future applications will likely reinforce the present trend toward FPSOs and provide increasing opportunity for broader contractor participation, responsibility and ownership. The MOPS market will remain vital and expanding into the next century and will continue to be characterized by a diversity of technical solutions and commercial arrangements.
Evidence for a high-Th, evolved lithology on the Moon at Hansteen Alpha

[1] We have revisited a previous interpretation of lunar Th abundances at Hansteen Alpha, which is thought to be a nonmare volcanic construct. Previous studies concluded that while Th abundances were higher than the surrounding mare basalts, Th abundances at Hansteen Alpha were not high enough to be indicative of known, evolved rock types. However, a forward modeling analysis of the Lunar Prospector gamma-ray data provides evidence that Hansteen Alpha may have Th abundances up to 25 μg/g. This indicates Hansteen Alpha may be composed of a rhyolitic, volcanic lithology. We propose that a possible formation process for Hansteen Alpha is underplating where basaltic magma intrudes into and partially melts the overlying crust. The resulting partial melt is compositionally and thermally buoyant and can be erupted to produce rhyolite. Based on Earth-analogues, underplating could explain both the composition and the relatively large volume (∼100 km3) of material represented by Hansteen Alpha.
On the Use of Net Present Value in Investment Capacity Planning Models

Net present value has been widely used in several investment planning models. This article examines the validity of this objective function, discusses its merits, and also provides some simple alternatives.
Epidermal cell development and control of cuticle deposition during the last larval instar of Manduca sexta

Abstract The development of the epidermis and the control of cuticle deposition in last instar larvae and pharate pupae of Manduca sexta were investigated by light microscopy and in vitro techniques. On day 1 after ecdysis to the fifth instar the epidermis exhibits cuboidal morphology, but columnar morphology is soon manifested with the onset of cell growth. At the time of epidermal “reprogramming” from larval-pupal syntheses (day 3), intercellular spaces appear which persist throughout the remainder of the instar. Calculations of cell density and nuclear diameter suggest that a mitotic wave occurs between days 5 and 6; the remainder of the instar is marked by slow cellular growth. Secretion of larval cuticle continues until the time of larval-pupal apolysis, but the greatest rate of secretion occurs throughout days 2–4. In vivo and in vitro experiments indicate that the brain and fat body play a permissive role in the secretion of cuticle. Evidence is presented which suggests that the brain may elicit the release of cuticular precursors or regulatory agents from the fat body. These findings are compared to previous descriptions of epidermal development in other species and discussed in light of the “quantal mitosis” theory of cellular differentiation.
The role of small firms in the transfer of disruptive technologies

Abstract The transfer of technologies from government-operated research laboratories to commercial firms can be a challenging process especially for small and emerging entrepreneurial firms. Since the National Laboratories have become major creators of disruptive technologies and small firms are more apt to commercialize disruptive technologies, it is important to get small firms involved in these processes. This paper covers an innovative program used by Sandia National Laboratories to transfer micro-electro-mechanical systems' technology to small firms through training, prototyping and access provided to all small and large firms alike providing the impetus to small and entrepreneurial firms to create successful innovations that can generate new industries. The effect of the model on small and large firms is also shown over the last few years.
Age and origin of the Stone Mountain Granite, Lithonia district, Georgia

Petrographic, geochemical, and strontium isotopic studies have been conducted on samples of the Stone Mountain Granite (leucocratic quartz monzonite) from the Lithonia district, within the Inner Piedmont province of Georgia. A Rb-Sr isochron obtained from 10 whole-rock and 3 mineral samples yielded an age of 291 ± 7 m.y. and an initial Sr 87 Sr 86 ratio of 0.7250 ± 0.0005. Petrologic and geochemical data, combined with the high initial strontium isotopic ratio, suggest that the origin of this peraluminous quartz monzonite can best be explained by the anatexis of an older peraluminous, granitic crustal material during Late Pennsylvanian time. The depth of intrusion was probably around 12 km, with initial magma temperatures of 700°C or less. Magma generation could have occurred at depths of 22 to 28 km, depending on the regional geothermal gradient at the time. The most likely source material is the Lithonia Gneiss, which has a peraluminous, granitic composition and underlies the area. The Stone Mountain pluton extends the 300-m.y.-old intrusive belt in the southern Appalachians across the Piedmont province to just south of the Brevard lineament. Its implied depth of intrusion fits well with certain models for the development of the Inner Piedmont and Blue Ridge provinces in the Carolinas because it requires rapid removal of considerable overburden. The origin and magmatic history of this intrusive unit may find use as a model for other peraluminous granitic plutons having similar petrologic, geochemical, and isotopic characteristics.
H-Y antigen expression patterns in human X- and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa.

PROBLEM: Restricted expression of H-Y antigen on Y-chromosome-bearing sperm has been reported in some species, although such preferential expression for H-Y antigen in human sperm has yet to be described. In this study, an immunomagnetic approach was used to characterize antigen expression patterns as a function of sex-chromosome content. METHOD OF STUDY: Human sperm was treated with monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) M antibodies directed against H-Y antigen. This preparation then was incubated with sheep antimouse IgM antibody affixed to paramagnetic beads, which then were exposed to a magnetic field and sorted. X- and Y-chromosome frequencies in the two subgroups of sperm were assayed by multiprobe fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). RESULTS: Sperm were immunomagnetically separated into two populations: a reactive group (presumably, H-Y Ag+); and a nonreactive group (presumably, H-Y Ag-). Triple-color FISH analysis of 1,600 spermatozoa (800 in each group) showed the antigen's expression to be somewhat more prevalent among Y-chromosome-bearing sperm (54.1%), but a large proportion of Y-chromosome-bearing sperm (49.0%) did not express this antigen. The difference was not significant (P = 0.43). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of H-Y antigen has a slightly higher frequency in human sperm containing the Y-chromosome, but its expression among X-chromosome-bearing sperm also is considerable. Current immunologic techniques relying on this antigen are unlikely to effect the sex selection of human sperm.
Liposomes for Use in Gene Delivery

Liposomes have a wide array of uses that have been continuously expanded and improved upon since first being observed to self-assemble into vesicular structures. These arrangements can be found in many shapes and sizes depending on lipid composition. Liposomes are often used to deliver a molecular cargo such as DNA for therapeutic benefit. The lipids used to form such lipoplexes can be cationic, anionic, neutral, or a mixture thereof. Herein physical packing parameters and specific lipids used for gene delivery will be discussed, with lipids classified according to overall charge.
The Ideology of Anti‐Fat Attitudes1

We surveyed over 1,000 undergraduates about their attitudes toward fatness and fat people. A consistent pattern of attitudes emerged: People who were anti-fat shared an ideologically conservative outlook on life. Those who disliked fatness tended to be politically conservative, racist, in favor of capital punishment, and less supportive of nontraditional marriages. By contrast, negative attitudes toward fatness were not associated with conservative sexual attitudes (which are less likely to be ideologically based), although they were related to less tolerance of sexuality among the handicapped, homosexuals, and the elderly. Antifat attitudes seem to be based on ideology, and not on one's own weight situation: Anti-fat attitudes were virtually unrelated to one's own degree of fatness. The relationship between ideology and anti-fat attitudes was stronger among men than among women, which indicates that a variety of other, perhaps more self-relevant factors, play into the anti-fat attitudes of women. For example, when women held a conservative, anti-fat ideology, and were in the heaviest weight group, they suffered from low self-esteem. This relationship did not hold for men, indicating that the relationship between ideology and self-derogation may be based on the greater self-relevance weight holds for women. In a second study, we found that anti-fat attitudes were substantially correlated with authoritarianism, indicating that prejudice against fat people may be another manifestation of a collection of political and social attitudes predicated on conventionalism and a narrow latitude of acceptance of others' behaviors.
Some further cryptographic applications of permutation polynomials

A cryptographic system is described based on the use of systems of permutation polynomials over finite fields or rings. The method involves two steps of encipherment, but more than two steps can be used if desired.
Illuminating COPII coat dynamics.

A FRET-based approach to monitor the assembly of membrane-associated COPII coat proteins provides new insights into how the COPII–cargo complex is maintained on the membrane during continuous rounds of Sar1p-GTP hydrolysis.
Prediction of emulsion color from droplet characteristics: dilute monodisperse oil-in-water emulsions

Abstract The influence of droplet characteristics on the transmission of light through dilute monodisperse oil-in-water emulsions was investigated in the presence and absence of dye. The turbidity spectra and tristimulus color coordinates ( L *, a *, b *) of a series of n -hexadecane oil-in-water emulsions with different disperse phase volume fractions ( φ =0–0.02 wt%), mean droplet radii ( r= 0.1–1 μm) and red dye concentration (0 and 0.002 wt%) were measured. The dependence of the optical properties of colored and non-colored emulsions on droplet size and concentration could be qualitatively described by light scattering theory. Nevertheless, there was relatively poor quantitative agreement between theory and experiment because of the influence of the measurement system on the optical properties of emulsions. The information presented in this paper will facilitate the formulation of dilute food and beverage emulsions with specific optical characteristics.
Curvature-driven capillary migration and assembly of rod-like particles

Capillarity can be used to direct anisotropic colloidal particles to precise locations and to orient them by using interface curvature as an applied field. We show this in experiments in which the shape of the interface is molded by pinning to vertical pillars of different cross-sections. These interfaces present well-defined curvature fields that orient and steer particles along complex trajectories. Trajectories and orientations are predicted by a theoretical model in which capillary forces and torques are related to Gaussian curvature gradients and angular deviations from principal directions of curvature. Interface curvature diverges near sharp boundaries, similar to an electric field near a pointed conductor. We exploit this feature to induce migration and assembly at preferred locations, and to create complex structures. We also report a repulsive interaction, in which microparticles move away from planar bounding walls along curvature gradient contours. These phenomena should be widely useful in the directed assembly of micro- and nanoparticles with potential application in the fabrication of materials with tunable mechanical or electronic properties, in emulsion production, and in encapsulation.
Integrated Diver Display Mask (IDDM) System for Special Diving Applications

The United States Navy’s Coastal Systems Station (CSS) - Panama City, Florida has developed an Integrated Diver Display Mask (IDDM) system for special diving applications. The IDDM contains a miniature liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, multi-element optics, microcontroller, depth transducer, RF (radio frequency) receiver, replaceable battery, and controlling software – all built directly into a dive mask. The miniature LCD displays the diver’s depth, bottom time, and bottle pressure. In addition, the display has a number of annunciators that are illuminated when certain warning, or limit conditions are reached (i.e. ascent/descent rate too fast, low bottle pressure, or low battery). The multi-element optical lens provides a clear, highly magnified image of the LCD which is viewable regardless of environmental conditions. A commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) RF transmitter module transmits the diver’s bottle pressure to the mask. The system is operational to depths of 135 FSW. The IDDM Project was funded by the Office of Special Technology (EOD/LIC Program), Ft. Washington, Maryland. It was conducted as a joint-development project under a Cooperative Research And Development Agreement (NCRADA - NSWCCSS-98-015) between the US Navy’s Coastal Systems Station of Panama City, Florida; and American Underwater Products, Inc. (parent company of Oceanic USA and Pelagic Pressure Systems) of San Leandro, California. The paper will describe the development of the IDDM system and suggest military, scientific, and other special applications for this unique diving technology.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Prediction of Malignancy in Cystic Neoplasms of the Pancreas: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Prediction of Malignancy in Cystic Neoplasms of the Pancreas: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Microvascular decompression for glossopharyngeal neuralgia: long-term effectiveness and complication avoidance.

Objective To establish the long-term safety, efficacy, and durability of microvascular decompression (MVD) for the treatment of glossopharyngeal neuralgia, this study presents the immediate ( Methods Operative reports and hospital charts were analyzed to collect demographic information, clinical presentation, and surgical findings. Surgical results and complications were ascertained by direct patient contact or by contact with the patient's family or physician if the patient was dead. Long-term (>10 yr) personal follow-up was available for 29 of 47 patients. Results Forty-six (98%) of 47 patients experienced complete relief of pain immediately after MVD. Long-term follow-up was available for 29 of these 47 patients (range, 125-211 mo; median, 152 mo, or 12.7 yr), and 28 of these 29 patients continued to be pain-free. Permanent neurological deficits (>6 mo) attributed to the surgery were observed in 5 (11%) of 47 patients. Of these patients, 4 of 5 had mild hoarseness or dysphagia or both, and one had a Grade II/VI facial nerve paresis. Conclusion This study demonstrates that MVD is a safe, effective, and durable surgical procedure for producing prolonged pain relief in patients with medically intractable glossopharyngeal neuralgia.
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF SWALLOWING IN ADULTS AND GERIATRICS

The basic anatomy and physiology of swallowing has been covered elsewhere in this issue. This article will concentrate on aspects of anatomy and physiology that are of greater importance in the adult and geriatric population. A more detailed description of the neurologic control of swallowing will be described. Also covered in greater detail are the anatomy and physiology of the esophagus and the upper and lower esophageal sphincter. Finally, specific changes seen in swallowing with aging will be described.
4B-1 Diffuse Targets for Improved Contrast in Beamforming Adapted to Target

Adaptive beamforming (ABF) algorithms reduce the contribution of undesired off-axis signals, while maintaining a desired response along a specific look direction. Previously, we have described a novel ABF that can be applied to medical ultrasound, entitled time-domain optimized near-field estimator (TONE) and demonstrated its ability to achieve significant gains in spatial resolution when compared to conventional, delay-and-sum beamforming (CBF). However, several characteristics of TONE hinder its adoption into medical ultrasound, including the discretized appearance of its images as well as clouds surrounding bright targets, which reduce the overall image contrast. Here, we have altered the system model of TONE from a grid of discrete hypothetical targets to a grid of diffuse hypothetical targets in order to suppress these clouds and the discretized appearance of the image. This modification imposes no additional computational cost at the time of beamforming. We performed a series of simulations and experiments, using both point targets and anechoic regions within speckle backgrounds, to test the performance of diffuse-TONE (dTONE) and compare it to both TONE and CBF. In all instances, dTONE showed a reduced appearance of these clouds and improved image contrast. We also analyzed the performance of dTONE in the presence of varying amounts of electronic noise, finding dTONE to be more robust than TONE to decreases in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
Understanding the contributions of aerosol properties and parameterization discrepancies to droplet number variability in a global climate model

Abstract. Aerosol indirect effects in climate models strongly depend on the representation of the aerosol activation process. In this study, we assess the process-level differences across activation parameterizations that contribute to droplet number uncertainty by using the adjoints of the Abdul-Razzak and Ghan (2000) and Fountoukis and Nenes (2005) droplet activation parameterizations in the framework of the Community Atmospheric Model version 5.1 (CAM5.1). The adjoint sensitivities of Nd to relevant input parameters are used to (i) unravel the spatially resolved contribution of aerosol number, mass, and chemical composition to changes in Nd between present-day and pre-industrial simulations and (ii) identify the key variables responsible for the differences in Nd fields and aerosol indirect effect estimates when different activation schemes are used within the same modeling framework. The sensitivities are computed online at minimal computational cost. Changes in aerosol number and aerosol mass concentrations were found to contribute to Nd differences much more strongly than chemical composition effects. The main sources of discrepancy between the activation parameterizations considered were the treatment of the water uptake by coarse mode particles, and the sensitivity of the parameterized Nd accumulation mode aerosol geometric mean diameter. These two factors explain the different predictions of Nd over land and over oceans when these parameterizations are employed. Discrepancies in the sensitivity to aerosol size are responsible for an exaggerated response to aerosol volume changes over heavily polluted regions. Because these regions are collocated with areas of deep clouds, their impact on shortwave cloud forcing is amplified through liquid water path changes. The same framework is also utilized to efficiently explore droplet number uncertainty attributable to hygroscopicity parameter of organic aerosol (primary and secondary). Comparisons between the parameterization-derived sensitivities of droplet number against predictions with detailed numerical simulations of the activation process were performed to validate the physical consistency of the adjoint sensitivities.
Test-retest reliability of auditory brainstem responses to chirp stimuli in newborns.

AbstractObjective: The purpose of this study was to examine the test-retest reliability of auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) to air- and bone-conducted chirp stimuli in newborns as a function of intensity. Design: A repeated measures quasi-experimental design was employed. Study sample: Thirty healthy newborns participated. ABRs were evoked using 60, 45, and 30 dB nHL air-conducted CE-Chirps and 45, 30, and 15 dB nHL bone-conducted CE-Chirps at a rate of 57.7/s. Measures were repeated by a second tester. Results: Statistically significant correlations (p .05). As expected, significant differences in wave V latencies and amplitudes were seen as a function of stimulus intensity for air- and bone-conducted CE...
LIBERTY AFTER LEHMAN BROTHERS

The financial Crunch of 2008 was easily explained by both the left and right–too easily. Each insisted that events thoroughly confirmed its own long-held views and utterly refuted those of the opposed camp. This essay argues that there are indeed new lessons to be drawn from the Crunch, lessons that involve balancing the bounty of the Invisible Hand against perils of the Prisoner's Dilemma. Liberal moral imperatives are traced to variables of Personal Choice and External Cost that are typically in tension with each other and thus generate needs for institutional reconstructions that change according to time and circumstance. Personal bankruptcy protection, limited liability corporations, and intellectual property are cited as examples. It is argued that the Crunch occurred because of failure adequately to balance these variables. Three paradoxes came to a head in 2008: Paradox of Efficient Markets; Paradox of Reduced Risk; Paradox of Hard-won Knowledge. The essay concludes with suggestions concerning specific lessons to be drawn from the Crunch and a corresponding list of lessons not to be drawn.
Make Your Own Cigarettes: Characteristics of the Product and the Consumer

Introduction: Despite a worldwide increase in the use of Make Your Own (MYO) cigarettes, there is little research characterizing MYO smokers in the United States and the cigarettes they make.
A Review of “Youthscapes: The Popular, The National, The Global”

“Youth cannot just be seen as cultural dupes but as the active creators of their own lives” (131). This quote, hidden halfway through Youthscapes and written by Susan Shepler in her discussion of c...
Unified performance analysis of suboptimum detection methods for multi-h CPM

It is well understood that the pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) representation of continuous phase modulation (CPM) can lead to reduced-complexity detection methods with near optimum performance. It has recently been shown that the PAM representation also extends to multi-h CPM schemes. In this paper we present a class of reduced-complexity detectors for multi-h CPM which are based on the PAM representation. We show that it is possible to achieve complexity savings greater than a factor of ten with these detectors in terms of trellis states and matched filtering requirements, in exchange for minor performance losses. We also give an exact expression for the pairwise error probability for these detectors over the additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel. In arriving at this expression we show that PAM-based detectors for CPM are a special case of the broad class of mismatched CPM detectors. We also show that the metrics for PAM-based detectors accumulate distance in a different manner than metrics for other CPM detectors. These distance properties are particularly useful in this setting where the trellis size is greatly reduced. We give thorough examples of the analysis for two signaling formats: the multi-h satellite communication standard MIL-STD-188-181B and the advanced range telemetry (ARTM) multi-h CPM waveform.
Measuring very complex ultrashort pulses using Frequency-Resolved Optical Gating (FROG)

For very complex pulses (TBP ~ 100), the XFROG, PG FROG, and SHG FROG pulse-retrieval algorithms converged for 100%, 99%, and 80%, respectively, of the pulses tried in our simulations, which included noise.
Apoptotic pathways targeted by α-MSH in human melanocytes

It is well established that treatment of human epidermal melanocytes with α-melanocortin (α-MSH) stimulates eumelanin synthesis and proliferation (1–3). Also, α-MSH enables human melanocytes to overcome the arrest in G1 and induces melanogenesis following UV exposure (4). Recently, we discovered a new role of α-MSH as a survival factor that inhibits the UV-induced apoptosis of human melanocytes. The survival effect of α-MSH is mediated by the activation of the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) and is absent in melanocytes with the loss of function MC1R. Also, the survival effect of α-MSH is independent of stimulation of melanogenesis, because it is evident in tyrosinase-negative albino melanocytes. The anti-apoptotic effect of α-MSH involves the activation of the IP3kinase pathway and is inhibited by LY 294002. Moreover, treatment of UV-irradiated melanocytes with α-MSH activates Akt/PKB, the substrate for IP3kinase. α-MSH suppresses the apoptotic effect of UV by inhibiting the reduction in Bcl2 levels, possibly as a consequence of activating the transcription factor Mitf in melanocytes. α-MSH confers photoprotection not only by stimulating eumelanin synthesis but also by enhancing DNA repair, particularly nucleotide excision repair. We have found that α-MSH enhances the repair of UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and pyrimidine (6-4) pyrimidone photoproducts, thus maintaining the genomic stability and inhibiting mutagenesis of melanocytes. Our findings offer an explanation for the increased susceptibility of individuals with the loss of function mutations in the MC1R gene to sun-induced skin cancer, including melanoma. Supported by NIH grant R01 ES009110 and by Skin Research Grant from Johnson and Johnson Skin Research Center.