cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gamete interaction in the white sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus: a morphological and physiological review

Sturgeon gametes differ from those of most fish in that the sperm possess acrosomes that undergo exocytosis and filament formation while the eggs possess numerous micropyles. Acipenser transmontanus eggs are encased by multilayered envelopes that consist of outer adhesive jelly coats and three structured layers interior to the jelly. The glycoprotein jelly layer only becomes adhesive upon exposure to freshwater. The layer interior to the jelly, layer 3, is the other carbohydrate-containing component of the egg envelope. This layer consists of a water-insoluble glycoprotein that, upon freshwater exposure, is hydrolyzed by a trypsinlike protease to yield a water-soluble, lower molecular weight carbohydrate-containing component. This component can be identified in the surrounding medium when unfertilized eggs are incubated in freshwater. This egg water component elicits acrosome reactions only in homologous sperm. The A. transmontanus sperm acrosome reaction is a Ca++ and/or Mg++ dependent event that includes the formation of a 10 μ long fertilization filament. A. transmontanus fertilization can occur at low sperm per egg ratios; however, crossfertilization of A. transmontanus eggs with lake sturgeon, A. fluvescens, sperm results in a very low number of fertilized eggs, even at high sperm per egg ratios. The morphological, physiological, and biochemical phenomenon reviewed in this paper are related to the environment in which they occur. Also, the possible role of the acrosome and the presence of numerous micropyles are discussed.
Synthesis of a novel bifunctional chelate designed for labeling proteins with technetium-99m

Abstract A novel bifunctional chelate, 1, was designed and synthesized for the facile and efficient incorporation of technetium-99m into biomolecules under mild conditions. The agent features a thiolactone moiety which upon direct protein coupling via amine residues, liberates the diaminedithiol ligand system for chelation with technetium-99m.
Study of nuclear excitations in 10B, 11B and 14N by inelastic electron scattering at 180°

Abstract A study is made of nuclear energy states in 10B, 11B and 14N by means of inelastic electron scattering at 180°. Radiation widths were derived for the excited states and the results are compared with the single-particle model predictions. For the magnetic dipole transitions in 10B and 11B a comparison is made of the experimental data with recently calculated M1 transition strengths in p-shell nuclei by Cohen and Kurath.
Activation energy for nucleation of the supercooled hard-sphere fluid

Abstract The free energy change following the (conceptual) process of a germ formation in the supercooled hard-sphere fluid is calculated. A minimal activation free energy must be delivered to the nucleus if growth of the germ be continued. This activation energy decreases with increase in the degree of undercooling and disappears at the density at which structural instability was found.
Mars Hesperian Magmatism as Revealed by Syrtis Major and the Circum-Hellas Volcanic Province

Review of morphologic, morphometric and compositional data from Mars suggests that volcanism in the early Hesperian Syrtis Major edifice was predominantly ultramafic, in contrast to the abundant basaltic volcanism of the Hesperian to Amazonian Tharsis and Elysium provinces. Comparisons of edifice characteristics between Syrtis Major and the large, circum-Hellas Noachian to Hesperian volcanoes suggest that these structures may also be formed by ultramafic volcanic activity. The data suggest that a global scale magma compositional change occurred on Mars during the late Hesperian. The occurrence of widespread ultramafic volcanism suggests that a high degree of partial melting in a relatively hot mantle characterized Mars’ early thermal history, conditions that may be analogous to those that prevailed in the Archean Earth.
Synthesis of adamantyl analogs of analgesics.

The synthesis of adamantyl esters related to heroin, meperidine, and aspirin is reported. Preliminary comparisons in mice indicate the adamantyl ester (V) is more potent and longer acting than meperidine hydrochloride.
The effect of seed preparation on the chirality of the secondary nuclei

Previous secondary nucleation experiments were conducted with chiral NaClO3 crystal seeds prepared by “regular” cooling (1.6°C/h). In these experiments seeds were used prepared by “slow” cooling (0.1°C/day) and by evaporation. In all cases, at low supercoolings almost all the nucleated crystals have the same chirality as the seed. Above a certain supercooling, however, crystals of both chiralities are obtained. This transition is consistent with the embryos coagulation secondary nucleation mechanism, and it was found to be a strong function of the way the crystals are prepared. The transition supercoolings vary from 2.5–4°C for seeds prepared by evaporation, to 6.8–9°C by “regular” cooling and to 10.5–11°C by “slow” cooling. ESEM observations of the seed surface link the above variations to variations in the surface roughness and the bulk crystal strain. These findings have implication for the separation of chiral compounds by crystallization.
A Blueprint for Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support: Implementation of Three Components

This article provides a case study (focus on an eighth-grader with autism) within a case study (focus on an urban middle school) in terms of the implementation of positive behavior support (PBS). Information is provided on the characteristics of three key components of schoolwide PBS-universal support, group support, and individual support. For each component, information is presented on policy, assessment, and intervention in terms of an evolving approach to schoolwide PBS with descriptions of how the components were implemented at the middle school with a particular emphasis on the eighth-grade student. The authors conclude with implications for practice in terms of assessing current resources, providing professional development, and intensifying universal support within urban schools to address some of the complex issues associated with poverty.
Is blue phase II fcc

On pense generalement que la phase bleue II (BP II) est une structure cubique simple. On demontre que la BP II dans le (+)p-[p-methoxybenzylidene) amino] cinnamate de methyl-2 butyle est cfc et on montre que c'est probablement vrai pour toutes les autres BP II
A cross-sectional examination of birth rates among adolescent girls in foster care

Abstract Although research has suggested that girls in foster care are at high risk of teen birth, limited data have been available from which rates could be calculated and characterized. This California study was based on a dataset constructed by probabilistically matching foster care records to statewide birth records. Using these linked data, we computed cross-sectional birth rate estimates for 15- to 17-year-old girls who were in foster care during each year from 2006 to 2010, characterizing the placement-related experiences and timing of births. Results indicated that although only a small number of 15- to 17-year-old girls in foster care gave birth each year, their birth rate was somewhat higher than the rate observed in the general population. Girls who were in foster care for less time or experienced greater placement instability had higher rates of birth. In terms of race and ethnicity, Black and Latina adolescents in foster care were more likely to give birth than their White counterparts. During the 5-year period, there were no detectable trends in the overall birth rate of girls in foster care, despite significant declines in the birth rates of 15–17 year olds in California overall. This linked data contributes new information that can be used to inform the targeting of prevention and intervention resources to girls involved with child protective services.
Binding of Alkyl Polyglucoside Surfactants to Bacteriorhodopsin and its Relation to Protein Stability

The binding of alkyl polyglucoside surfactants to the integral membrane protein bacteriorhodopsin (BR) and the formation of protein-surfactant complexes are investigated by sedimentation equilibrium via analytical ultracentrifugation and by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). Contrast variation techniques in SANS enable measurement of the composition of the protein-surfactant complexes and determination of the thickness of the surfactant shell bound to the protein. The results indicate that alkyl polyglucosides can bind to BR as single surfactant layers or as a thicker shell. The thickness of the surfactant shell increases with increasing surfactant tail length, and it is generally unrelated to the aggregation number of the micelles even for a small and predominantly hydrophobic membrane protein such as BR. The aggregation numbers determined by sedimentation equilibrium methods match those measured by SANS, which also allows reconstruction of the shape of the protein-detergent complex. When the surfactant is present as a single layer, the BR loses activity, as measured by absorption spectroscopy, more quickly than it does when the surfactant forms a thicker shell.
Second-Best Pigouvian Taxation: A Clarification

This paper argues that the search for a “purely environmental” component of a tax on goods or factors of production that impact the environment—separate from its redistributive and distortive effects—is fraught with difficulties. The quest is often impossible because of the interconnectedness between labor supply, consumption decisions and the environmental quality. The paper differentiates between two conceptualization for “the Pigouvian tax” that have been employed in the literature and argues that each has tried to isolate the environmental component in its own way. One conceptualization, due to Cremer et al. (J Public Econ 70:343–364, 1998) does so by ruling out direct feedback from changes in environmental quality on the incentive effect of the tax. In the second conceptualization, due to Bovenberg and Ploeg’s (J Public Econ 55:349–390, 1994), incentive effects are ruled out by making consumers’ valuation of environmental quality independent of the labor supply. This is achieved by assuming separability between labor supply and other goods (including environmental equality). To convey its message, the paper studies the properties of optimal polluting and non-polluting non-labor input taxes in a Mirrleesian model with endogenously determined wages.
Projectile impact on an infinite, viscoplastic plate

Abstract An analysis is presented for the problem of a rigid/viscoplastic infinite plate subjected to normal projectile impact. The solution is first obtained in Laplace transform space for the finite clamped plate and then limiting conditions and numerical inversion methods are used to get the solution for the infinite plate in the time domain. The results are compared with experimental data for projectile impact on mild steel and aluminum alloy plates. The theory presents a useful analytical method for the evaluation of the response of large plates composed of strain rate dependent material subjected to projectile impact.
World class worldwide: transforming research universities in Asia and Latin America

Philip Altbach and Jorge Balan, Baltimore, The John Hopkins University Press, 2007, 322pp., £53.67 (hardback), ISBN 10 0-8018-8662-7, ISBN 13 978-0-8018-8662-1 This book focuses on research univers...
Complications of infection in pediatric spine surgery

Pediatric spinal surgery postoperative infections are highly variable, ranging from acute postoperative infections necessitating urgent, and probably repeated, irrigation and debridement with retention of spinal implants to delayed, insidious-appearing infections that smolder. Appreciation of the pathophysiology, bacterial organisms, risk factors and preventative measures are paramount in minimizing not only potentially devastating individual patient outcomes but also in recognizing the tremendous economic burden placed on our healthcare system. The history, physical examination, laboratory values and radiographic imaging of these delayed infections can be underwhelming. Awareness and heightened clinical suspicion must be maintained in order to accurately diagnose these surgical site infections. Experience and keen clinical intuition effectively preserve the ultimate goals of pediatric spinal surgery, mainly halting the progression of deformity and safely correcting existing deformity, allowing physiologi...
Quality In-Training Initiative—A Solution to the Need for Education in Quality Improvement: Results from a Survey of Program Directors

Background The Next Accreditation System and the Clinical Learning Environment Review Program will emphasize practice-based learning and improvement and systems-based practice. We present the results of a survey of general surgery program directors to characterize the current state of quality improvement in graduate surgical education and introduce the Quality In-Training Initiative (QITI). Study Design In 2012, a 20-item survey was distributed to 118 surgical residency program directors from ACS NSQIP-affiliated hospitals. The survey content was developed in collaboration with the QITI to identify program director opinions regarding education in practice-based learning and improvement and systems-based practice, to investigate the status of quality improvement education in their respective programs, and to quantify the extent of resident participation in quality improvement. Results There was a 57% response rate. Eighty-five percent of program directors (n = 57) reported that education in quality improvement is essential to future professional work in the field of surgery. Only 28% (n = 18) of programs reported that at least 50% of their residents track and analyze their patient outcomes, compare them with norms/benchmarks/published standards, and identify opportunities to make practice improvements. Conclusions Program directors recognize the importance of quality improvement efforts in surgical practice. Subpar participation in basic practice-based learning and improvement activities at the resident level reflects the need for support of these educational goals. The QITI will facilitate programmatic compliance with goals for quality improvement education.
‘Disdaining Bounds of Place and Time,’ Staining Language with Furze and Burvine: John Clare’s Nomadic Poetics

This essay was runner-up in the 2005 Literature Compass Graduate Essay Prize, Romanticism Section. This article argues that the green Romanticist John Clare’s poetic œuvre has a “nomadic” orientation that troubles late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century enclosures of all kinds: spatial, grammatical, taxonomic, linguistic, and finally, political. This orientation was influenced in part by the gypsies who camped in and around Clare’s native Helpston, a people with whom he shared a similar rhizomatic relationship to language and space. Clare’s poetry and prose – like the itinerant gypsy population and Clare’s own wanderings – ambles over smooth space, cutting across the monolithic, totalizing systems of the state apparatus. Clare’s cited and uncited borrowings from gypsy oral and musical expression inflect his work, ultimately vexing state logics that on the one hand consider the gypsies to be foreigners, and on the other, believe local provincial language to be “pure,” native, and free from outside influences. Instead, Clare, peasant poet of little England and perhaps England’s best nature writer, is not particularly “England’s” possession at all: His poetic nomadology does not recognize state logics that parse out who is a citizen and who falls outside the sovereign’s protection. The unacknowledged force in John Clare’s work, I argue, is the implication that we are all “gangs” or gypsies, and all language is “argot” or slang: it is the law of the sovereign that has drawn the lines between people, language, and nation.
Fuzzy neural network models for liquefaction prediction

Abstract Integrated fuzzy neural network models are developed for the assessment of liquefaction potential of a site. The models are trained with large databases of liquefaction case histories. A two-stage training algorithm is used to develop a fuzzy neural network model. In the preliminary training stage, the training case histories are used to determine initial network parameters. In the final training stage, the training case histories are processed one by one to develop membership functions for the network parameters. During the testing phase, input variables are described in linguistic terms such as ‘high’ and ‘low’. The prediction is made in terms of a liquefaction index representing the degree of liquefaction described in fuzzy terms such as ‘highly likely’, ‘likely’, or ‘unlikely’. The results from the model are compared with actual field observations and misclassified cases are identified. The models are found to have good predictive ability and are expected to be very useful for a preliminary evaluation of liquefaction potential of a site for which the input parameters are not well defined.
Management of Sweet Potato Leaf Curl Virus in Sweetpotatoes Using Insecticides1,2

ABSTRACT Sweet potato leaf curl virus (SPLCV), which is transmitted by the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), species complex, can severely affect yields of sweetpotatoes, Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. (Convolvulaceae). This virus is endemic in sweetpotato fields at the U.S. Vegetable Laboratory (USVL), Charleston, S.C. In 2010 and 2011, experiments were conducted to determine if repeated insecticide applications were useful for protecting ‘Beauregard’ sweetpotato from SPLCV infection. In 2010, plots were untreated or treated twice weekly with imidacloprid. A row of SPLCV-infected sweetpotato genotype ‘W-258’ was planted between ‘Beauregard’ plots to serve as a source of whiteflies and SPLCV. A similar test was performed in 2011, except that the plots were sprayed only once a week, and a rotation of four insecticides (in the order of imidacloprid, pyriproxyfen, acetamiprid, and pymetrozine) was used. Yellow sticky traps were placed horizontally in the center of each plo...
The Behavior of Foreign Exchange Rates – Comment

The distributors of foreign exchange rates are important for model building and empirical analysis. For example, many studies have examined foreign exchange market efficiency and currency portfolio management under the assumption that foreign exchange rates are normally distributed. The statistical tests in these studies, and thus their conclusions, may not be reliable if the foreign exchange rates follow non-normal distributions. Realizing the importance of the distribution of exchange rates, Professors Calderon-Rossell and Ben-Horim (1982) (hereafter C-B) have conducted a study analyzing these distributions. Based on the skewness of the distribution, C-B have classified foreign currencies into three groups. In the first group, the skewness statistic was not significantly different from zero for all currencies and subperiods. In the second group, the distribution of changes in the foreign exchange rates was close to symmetric except for at least one subperiod. In the third group, the skewness statistic suggests strongly that all the distributions were asymmetric. Their results reveal that:
Linkage analysis of circulating levels of adiponectin in Hispanic children.

Adiponectin, a hormone produced exclusively by adipose tissue, is inversely associated with insulin resistance and proinflammatory conditions. The aim of this study was to find quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that affect circulating levels of adiponectin in Hispanic children participating in the VIVA LA FAMILIA Study by use of a systematic genome scan. The present study included extended families with at least one overweight child between 4 and 19 years old. Overweight was defined as body mass index (BMI) 95th percentile. Fasting blood was collected from 466 children from 127 families. Adiponectin was assayed by radioimmunoassay (RIA) technique in fasting serum. A genome-wide scan on circulating levels of adiponectin as a quantitative phenotype was conducted using the variance decomposition approach. The highest logarithm of odds (LOD) score (4.2) was found on chromosome 11q23.2–11q24.2, and a second significant signal (LOD score=3.0) was found on chromosome 8q12.1–8q21.3. In addition, a signal suggestive of linkage (LOD score=2.5) was found between 18q21.3 and 18q22.3. After adjustment for BMI-Z score, the LOD score on chromosome 11 remained unchanged, but the signals on chromosomes 8 and 18 dropped to 1.6 and 1.7, respectively. Two other signals suggestive of linkage were found on chromosome 3 (LOD score=2.1) and 10 (LOD score=2.5). Although the region on chromosome 11 has been associated with obesity and diabetes-related traits in adult populations, this is the first observation of linkage in this region for adiponectin levels. Our suggestive linkages on chromosomes 10 and 3 replicate results for adiponectin seen in other populations. The influence of loci on chromosomes 18 and 8 on circulating adiponectin seemed to be mediated by BMI in the present study. Our genome scan in children has identified a novel QTL and replicated QTLs in chromosomal regions previously shown to be linked with obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D)-related phenotypes in adults. The genetic contribution of loci to adiponectin levels may vary across different populations and age groups. The strong linkage signal on chromosome 11 is most likely underlain by a gene(s) that may contribute to the high susceptibility of these Hispanic children to obesity and T2D.
Agronomic and Economic Analyses of Cotton Starter Fertilizers

None of the published literature has focused on the response of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) to various starter fertilizer sources. This study was conducted to determine (1) if cotton grown on Coastal Plain soils in South Georgia would respond to different starter fertilizer sources and (2) if use of starter fertilizers would result in an economic gain. Experiments were conducted in 1997 and 1998 at the Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton on a Tifton loamy sand (fine-loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Plinthic Kandiudults), the Southeast Georgia Branch Station in Midville on a Dothan loamy sand (fine-loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Plinthic Kandiudults), and the Southwest Branch Experiment Station in Plains on a Greenville sandy clay loam (fine, kaolinitic, thermic Rhodic Kandiudults). Five starter fertilizer sources were applied 5 cm to the side of and 5 cm below the seed drill at planting in each study. Total shoot N and Ca were increased in two of the six studies with starter fertilizers. Likewise, plant height, leaf area index, and shoot dry weight was increased with starter fertilizers in two of the six studies. With the exception of micronaire, starter fertilizers did not significantly influence the fiber properties investigated. Differences in fiber properties did result in small differences in cotton price premiums or discounts. Lint yields were significantly increased with starter fertilizers at Midville and Plains in 1997, when the crop was exposed to an extended period of cool weather immediately after planting. The most appropriate cotton starter fertilizer appeared to depend on soil type.
The effects of task complexity on learner–learner interaction

Abstract Over the past few decades, due to the increasing use of interactional tasks in second language (L2) classrooms, researchers have become interested in examining the factors affecting the learners’ interactional processes as well as L2 learning. For instance, the Cognition Hypothesis states that requiring L2 learners to engage in complex tasks facilitates L2 learning by promoting interaction, focus on form, and attention to more complex linguistic structures [Robinson, P., 2001a. Task complexity, task difficulty, and task production: exploring interactions in a componential framework. Applied Linguistics 22, 27–57; Robinson, P., 2001b. Task complexity, cognitive resources and syllabus design: a triadic framework for examining task influences on SLA. In: Robinson, P. (Ed.), Cognition and Second Language Instruction. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 287–318; Robinson, P., 2005. Cognitive complexity and task sequencing: Studies in a componential framework for second language task design. IRAL 43, 1–32]. The purpose of the current study was to identify the impact of task complexity on the occurrence of language-related episodes (LREs) during task-based interaction in two task types (i.e., picture narration and picture difference tasks). Thirty-four ESL students with two different proficiency levels carried out four tasks which differed in terms of task complexity and task type. Their interaction was transcribed and analyzed in terms of the occurrence and resolution of LREs. The results indicated that the effects of task complexity on the occurrence of learning opportunities differed depending on task types and learner proficiency. The findings are discussed in terms of the theoretical implications for Robinson’s Cognition Hypothesis and pedagogical implications for task-based interaction in L2 classrooms.
ICLUST: A cluster analytic approach to exploratory and confirmatory scale construction

A common problem in the social sciences is to form a set of relatively independent and internally consistent scales from a large pool of items. Frequently, these scales are formed by simply summing the responses to keyed items. The problem, then, is to determine how best to partition the initial set of items into subsets or scales that are highly internally consistent and relatively independent. A common alternative is to factor analyze the interitem correlation matrix and then to select items on the basis of factor loadings. Those items with a high loading on a particular factor are combined into a scale by applying unit weights to the items. This method, although probably the most common scale construction procedure, has several drawbacks: Inter­ item correlations are usually small (average interitem correlations ~.3) and the sample sizes are usually not much larger than the number of items. These problems tend to lead to overfactoring (extracting too many factors), unstable rotations, and generally nonsensical solutions. In fact, because of the problems encountered in factoring items, many experienced factor analysts recommend against such procedures (Cattell, 1973; Comrey, 1961; Nunnally, 1967). However, a sampling of journals in the social sciences suggests that this advice is rarely followed. When the item pool is large (greater than 10-20 items), when the item intercorrelations are small (between 0.0 and .5), or when the sample sizes are small, an alterna­ tive method that is particularly appropriate is cluster analysis. Cluster analysis is a loosely defined set of procedures associated with the partitioning of a set of objects into nonoverlapping groups or clusters (Everitt, 1974; Hartigan, 1975). Although normally used to group objects, occasionally cluster analysis has been applied to the problem of grouping variables and, as such, is similar to procedures of group factor analysis (Loevinger, Gieser, & Dubois, 1953; Revelle, in press; Tryon & Bailey, 1970). A disadvantage for scale construction of many clustering procedures is that they do not include basic psychometric decision rules to evaluate either the quality or the number of clusters to extract. It is possible, though, to combine psychometric principles with clustering procedures. This combination results in a simple but useful approach to scale construction, and, for forming scales from items, may be compared
Desegregating Urban School Administration a Pursuit of Equity for Black Women Superintendents

Les auteurs analysent la nature des defis que doivent relever les femmes, directrices d'un etablissement, faisant partie de la communaute afro-americaine dans un contexte scolaire urbain. Ils montrent la necessite pour les administrateurs de s'impliquer dans le processus de desegregation et identifient les dilemmes qui peuvent potentiellement faire obstacle a l'accomplissement de leur fonction en milieu urbain. Les auteurs proposent une variete d'actions dans le but de retablir un equilibre des inegalites sociales historiques et legales.
Power Optimization of Solar-Powered Aircraft with Specified Closed Ground Tracks

This paper considers the optimization of flight trajectories for solar-powered aircraft. This work is unique relative to past work because flight path is constrained to repeatedly traverse a specified closed ground path. Constraints of this form are of interest in a variety of missions where the goal is to loiter near a fixed point on the ground. The performance index to be maximized is the average input power to the battery over each cycle of the ground path. It is advantageous to allow the periodic flight path to have altitude variations because during both ascent and descent there are opportunities to increase the angle of sun exposure to the aircraft solar array. A novel procedure for solving the related optimization problem is described that addresses the implementation of a difficult state constraint: the flight path must belong to the surface of the vertical cylinder whose base is the closed ground path. Results for a wide collection of optimization examples are described, which lead to an importan...
Design and development of NIRSPEC: a near-infrared echelle spectrograph for the Keck II telescope

The design and development of NIRSPEC, a near-IR echelle spectrograph for the Keck II 10-meter telescope is described. This instrument is a large, facility-class vacuum-cryogenic spectrometer with a resolving power of R equals 25,000 for a 0.4 inch slit. It employs diamond-machined metal optics and state-of-the-art IR array detectors for high throughput, together with powerful user-friendly software for ease of use.
On-line motion planning: case of a planar rod

In this paper we develop an algorithm for planning the motion of a planar “rod” (a line segment) amidst obstacles bounded by simple, closed polygons. The exact shape, number and location of the obstacles are assumed unknown to the planning algorithm, which can only obtain information about the obstacles by detecting points of contact with the obstacles. The ability to detect contact with obstacles is formalized by move primitives that we callguarded moves. We call ours theon-line motion planning problem as opposed to the usualoff-line version. This is a significant departure from the usual setting for motion planning problems. What we demonstrate is that the retraction method can be applied, although new issues arise that have no counterparts in the usual setting. We are able to obtain an algorithm with path complexityO(n 2) guarded moves, wheren is the number of obstacle corners. This matches the known lower bound. The computational complexityO(n 2logn) of our algorithm matches the best known algorithm for the off-line version.
Structure–Function Studies Using Deletion Mutants Identify Domains of gC1qR/p33 as Potential Therapeutic Targets for Vascular Permeability and Inflammation

The endothelial cell (EC) receptor complex for kininogen (HK) comprises gC1qR, cytokeratin 1, and urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and is essential for activation of the kinin system that leads to bradykinin (BK) generation. Of these, gC1qR/p33 constitutes a high affinity site for HK—the BK precursor—and is therefore critical for the assembly of the kinin-generating cascade. Previous studies have identified a putative HK site within the C-terminal domain (residues 204-218) of gC1qR recognized by mAb 74.5.2. In these studies, we used information from the crystal structure of gC1qR, to engineer several deletion (Δ) mutants and test their ability to bind and/or support BK generation. While deletion of residues 204-218 (gC1qRΔ204-218), showed significantly reduced binding to HK, BK generation was not affected when tested by a sensitive bradykinin immunoassay. In fact, all of the gC1qR deletion mutants supported BK generation with the exception of gC1qRΔ154-162 and a point mutation in which Trp 233 was substituted with Gly. Binding studies also identified the existence of two additional sites at residues 144-162 and 190-202. Moreover, binding of HK to a synthetic peptide 190-202 was inhibited by mAbs 48 and 83, but not by mAb 74.5.2. Since a single residue separates domains 190-202 and 204-218, they may be part of a highly stable HK binding pocket and therefore a potential target for drug design to prevent vascular permeability and inflammation.
Germanium radiation detector manufacturing: Process and advances

Abstract The germanium radiation detector manufacturing process from material refining and crystal growing to detector machining and fabrication is outlined. Several new advances in detector mounting and cooling are also described. Trends in detector and crystal development are discussed, and current achievements in the growth of large size crystals are presented.
A comparison of patient attitudes toward asthma self-management among acute and preventive care settings

This study characterizes the attitudes regarding asthma and asthma care of low-income, African-American adults who receive care from acute care settings. As a point of reference, their attitudes and knowledge were compared with those of a group of patients receiving asthma care from a private setting that stresses preventive asthma self-management. Patients were assessed regarding attitudes toward (1) routine asthma self-care and decisions as to when to self-treat versus seek asthma care, (2) administration of asthma medications, (3) satisfaction with acute-care services, and (4) the desire for asthma education. Asthma morbidity, sociodemographic characteristics, awareness of environmental triggers, and daily stressors were also assessed. Responses of adults receiving most of their asthma care from acute care settings suggest the same pattern of failure to treat asthma regularly and delay in seeking care as implicated in asthma deaths among children. Emphasis on self-treatment of asthma symptoms, not prev...
Life history response of female Mediterranean fruit flies, Ceratitis capitata, to periods of host deprivation

Female medflies were subjected to four different patterns of host deprivation at each of three levels for a 24-day period. Treatments ranged from host absence 8 days post-eclosion to host absence 2 out of 3 days. Survival was recorded daily and egg production was recorded on the days in which hosts were present. The direct effect of host deprivation is to deny females the opportunity to oviposit. This disrupts their reproductive cycle and reduces their overall reproductive effort. Reduced reproductive effort at young ages increases survival (up to 2-fold) and daily reproduction (up to 8-fold) at older ages. Therefore, the long term effect of host deprivation is to postpone senescence. The implications of these findings regarding medfly sensescence are discussed in relation to: (i) reduction in population extinction rates during periods of host scarcity and (ii) egging strategies in medfly mass-rearing. Resume Modifications apportees a la biologie de Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann privees d'hotes pendant differentes periodes Les femelles de C. capitata ont ete privees d'hotes suivant 4 modalites pendant 3 durees (33, 50 et 67% de leur vie) par periode de 24 heures. Les modalites se repartissaient de la privation pendant 8 jours apres l'eclosion jusqu'a 1 jour sur 3. La survie a ete notee chaque jour et la ponte pour tous les jours ou il y avait des hotes. L'effect direct de l'absence d'hote est d'empecher la femelle de pondre. Ceci interrompt leur cycle de ponte et reduit leur activite reproductrice totale. Un effort reproductif reduit des femelles jeunes augmente la survie (jusqu'a 2 fois) et la ponte quotidienne (jusqu'a 8 fois) chez les femelles plus âgees. Ainsi, l'effet a long terme de la privation d'hotes est d'ajourner la senescence. Les implications de ces observations sur la senescence de C. capitata sont discutees quant a: (1) la reduction des taux d'extinction des populations pendant les periodes de rarete d'hotes; et: (2) les strategies d'obtention de pontes dan les elevages de masse de C. capitata.
Treatment of human chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib promotes apoptosis

New options are needed for the treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Proteasome inhibitors represent a potential therapeutic strategy. One such agent, bortezomib, was recently approved for the treatment of refractory multiple myeloma. In this study, lymphocytes were isolated from the blood of CLL patients, treated in vitro with bortezomib, and evaluated for apoptosis by flow cytometry. Bortezomib promoted apoptosis in CLL cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. At 18 h incubation time, 10 nM bortezomib induced an average 4.27 fold (+/-2.57) increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells versus untreated controls. These data indicate that bortezomib has in vitro activity in CLL and support further investigations of this promising new drug.
Estimating exposure distributions: A caution for Monte Carlo risk assessment

Abstract Monte Carlo studies of risk assessment commonly require estimates of exposure distributions. The exposure distribution may be estimated by assuming the distribution follows a specified functional form (lognormal), and estimating parameters of the assumed distribution from observed sample exposure data. Alternatively, to avoid the distributional assumption, the exposure distribution may be estimated directly from the observed exposures measured on a sample of subjects. We discuss problems with this second approach for estimating exposure distributions when exposures are measured with error. Specifically, we show that when the true exposure varies from day to day, or the observed exposure differs from the true exposure due to measurement error, then the tails of the observed exposure distributions will be biased, with the magnitude of the bias increasing toward the tails of the distribution. The bias may be severe, and lead to overestimation of upper percentile exposure. The size of the bias is dir...
Plasma injection events in Saturn's magnetosphere

Periodic radio emissions, including the strong radio emissions known as the Saturn kilometric radio (SKR) emissions, originate from the northern and southern polar regions and are observed throughout Saturn's magnetosphere. Scientists have been studying these phenomena but have not been able to pin down the physical mechanism linking periodicities between the inner and outer magnetospheres.
Detonation wave in electromagnetic field

Oxy-acetylene detonation waves are passed through MHD-type channels having crossed transverse electric and magnetic fields. Various electrode geometries are used. The total electric current flowing through the conducting gas is of the order of a few amperes, and the interaction parameters are small except for the Hall parameter, which can be of order unity. It is observed that the magnitude of the electric current is altered by the magnetic field. Further, appreciable wave-speed deficits (up to 10%) occur if all of the following conditions apply: (1) the Hall parameter is not small compared to unity; (2) the electrode voltage is not less than a certain threshold value; (3) the j×B force is directed against the wave propagation; and (4) the surface area of the electrodes is large. A conceptual model is offered to explain the observed interactions. It is found that Hall effects alter the current distribution in the channel, leading to localized arcing at the cathode surface. The explanation of the speed effect is based on boundary-layer considerations. It is shown that Hall effects can play a very important role in determining the structure and speed of detonation waves propagating through an electromagnetic field.
Dendritic arbor development and synaptogenesis

In vivo studies indicate that synaptic activity promotes dendritic arbor elaboration at early stages of brain development. At later stages of development, synaptic activity stabilizes dendritic structure. The different roles of synaptic activity with respect to structural plasticity probably reflect the regulated spatiotemporal expression of key components within signaling pathways.
Generalized and lateralized effects of concurrent verbalization on a unimanual skill

After practice, subjects balanced a dowel rod on the right and on the left index finger while speaking and while remaining silent. As compared to control, the verbal condition yielded shorter balan...
On the influence of strong-ground motion duration on residual displacement demands

This paper summarizes results of a comprehensive analytical study aimed at evaluating the influence of strong ground motion duration on residual displacement demands of single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) and multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) systems. For that purpose, two sets of 20 earthquake ground motions representative of short-duration and long-duration records were considered in this investigation. While the influence of strong ground motion duration was evaluated through constantstrength residual displacement ratios, Cr, computed from the nonlinear response of elastoplastic SDOF systems, its effect on the amplitude and height-wise distribution of residual drift demands in MDOF systems was studied from the response of three one-bay two-dimensional generic frame models. In this investigation, an inelastic ground motion intensity measure was employed to scale each record, which allowed reducing the record-to-record variability in the estimation of residual drift demands. From the results obtained in this study, it was found that long strong-motion duration records might trigger larger median Cr ratios for SDOF systems having short-to-medium period of vibration than short strong-motion duration records. However, taking into account the large record-to-record variability of Cr, it was found that strong motion duration might not be statistically significant for most of the combinations of period of vibration and levels of lateral strength considered in this study. In addition, strong motion duration does not have a significant influence on the amplitude of peak residual drift demands in MDOF systems, but records having long strong-motion duration tend to increase residual drift demands in the upper stories of long-period generic frames.
Scanned Probe Imaging of Single-Electron Charge States in Nanotube Quantum Dots

An atomic force microscope was used to study single-electron motion in nanotube quantum dots. By applying a voltage to the microscope tip, the number of electrons occupying the quantum dot could be changed, causing Coulomb oscillations in the nanotube conductance. Spatial maps of these oscillations were used to locate individual dots and to study the electrostatic coupling between the dot and the tip. The electrostatic forces associated with single electrons hopping on and off the quantum dot were also measured. These forces changed the amplitude, frequency, and quality factor of the cantilever oscillation, demonstrating how single-electron motion can interact with a mechanical oscillator.
Symmetrical Properties of Transistors and Their Applications

Transistors have certain characteristics which are not present in vacuum tubes. Some of these characteristics may be best classified as symmetrical properties. The first kind of symmetry may be found in the complementary characteristics of the n-p-n and p-n-p transistors. Circuits using both kinds of transistors in combination provide unique advantages in reduction of components and other circuit simplifications. A second kind of symmetry is displayed by single units since the emitter and collector may be interchanged. This symmetry permits a current flow of either direction controlled alike by the base current. This basic property is useful in switching circuits for clamping, phase and frequency comparison, modulation, and so forth. A high efficiency deflection-current circuit for television was developed using this principle.
An Improved Synthesis of Spiro [2.6]Nonatriene The Addition of Cycloheptatrienylidene to Ethylene

Abstract A few years ago the synthesis of spiro [2.6]nona-4,6,8-triene (2) was accomplished in a multistep low overall yield sequence which began with the acid chloride of cyclopropane carboxylic acid.2 A more direct route to 2 via the addition of cycloheptatrienylidene (1) to ethylene seemed unlikely since at that time only highly electron deficient olefins such as dimethyl fumarate had been found to successfully trap this carbene.3 With the recent discovery that cycloheptatrienylidene adds to less deficient double bonds such as styrene4 and 1,3-pentadiene5, it was decided to explore its reaction with ethylene.
Influence of non-linear interactions on electromagnetic-field propagation in quantized many-electron systems

Non-linear interactions involving pump-probe optical phenomena, such as electromagnetically induced transparency, in quantized many-electron systems are investigated using a reduced-density-matrix approach. Time-domain (equation-of-motion) and frequency-domain (resolvent-operator) formulations are developed in a unified manner and self-consistent manner. The standard Born (lowest-order perturbation-theory) and Markov (short-memory-time) approximations are systematically introduced within the framework of the general non-perturbative and non-Markovian formulations. A preliminary semiclassical perturbation-theory treatment of the electromagnetic interaction is adopted. However, it is emphasized that a quantized-electromagnetic-field approach is essential for a self-consistent quantum-mechanical formulation. Our primary result is the derivation of compact Liouville-space operator expressions for the linear and the general (n'th order) non-linear macroscopic electromagnetic-response tensors for moving many-electron system. These expressions can be evaluated for coherent initial electronic excitations and for the full tetradic-matrix form of the Liouville-space self-energy operator representing the environmental interactions in the Markov approximation. Environmental interactions can be treated in various approximations for the self-energy operator, and the influence of Zeeman coherences on electromagnetic-field propagation can be investigated by including an applied magnetic field on an equal footing with the electromagnetic fields.
A CMOS Compatible MEMS-based Voltage Multiplier for On-chip Generation of Large DC Voltages

Operation of many electrostatically-activated MEMS devices, such as signal processors and inertia! sensors, is reliant on the on-chip availability of large DC voltage (>50 V). Although, voltage multipliers are suitable structures for achieving high DC voltages, the reduced junction breakdown-voltage of today's CMOS technology and body-effect complications restrict the maximum output voltage of these integrated circuits to voltages lower than the required. In order to circumvent these restrictions, a micro-electromechanical switch architecture is proposed to replace the ordinary MOS-based voltage multipliers. In this paper, required modifications to the conventional voltage multiplier architecture are proposed. A study on the suitable switch configuration is also reported.
A ubiquitin-selective AAA-ATPase mediates transcriptional switching by remodelling a repressor–promoter DNA complex

Yeast mating-type switching requires ubiquitylation of the transcriptional repressor α2. This results in removal of α2 from its DNA targets by the ubiquitin-selective AAA-ATPase Cdc48, thus revealing a nuclear function of Cdc48 and an ubiquitin-dependent extraction pathway for dismantling transcription factor—DNA complexes.