cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adoption of preoperative radiation therapy for rectal cancer from 2000 to 2006: A surveillance, Epidemiology, and end results patterns-of-care study

Purpose The German rectal study determined that preoperative radiation therapy (RT) as a component of combined-modality therapy decreased local tumor recurrence, increased sphincter preservation, and decreased treatment toxicity compared with postoperative RT for rectal cancer. We evaluated the use of preoperative RT after the presentation of the landmark German rectal study results and examined the impact of tumor and sociodemographic factors on receiving preoperative RT. Methods and Materials In total, 20,982 patients who underwent surgical resection for T3–T4 and/or node-positive rectal adenocarcinoma diagnosed from 2000 through 2006 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results tumor registries. We analyzed trends in preoperative RT use before and after publication of the findings from the German rectal study. We also performed multivariate logistic regression to identify factors associated with receiving preoperative RT. Results Among those treated with RT, the proportion of patients treated with preoperative RT increased from 33.3% in 2000 to 63.8% in 2006. After adjustment for age; gender; race/ethnicity; marital status; Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry; county-level education; T stage; N stage; tumor size; and tumor grade, there was a significant association between later year of diagnosis and an increase in preoperative RT use (adjusted odds ratio, 1.26/y increase; 95% confidence interval, 1.23–1.29). When we compared the years before and after publication of the German rectal study (2000–2003 vs. 2004–2006), patients were more likely to receive preoperative RT than postoperative RT in 2004–2006 (adjusted odds ratio, 2.35; 95% confidence interval, 2.13–2.59). On multivariate analysis, patients who were older, who were female, and who resided in counties with lower educational levels had significantly decreased odds of receiving preoperative RT. Conclusions After the publication of the landmark German rectal study, there was widespread, rapid adoption of preoperative RT for locally advanced rectal cancer. However, preoperative RT may be underused in certain sociodemographic groups.
Recognition of Occluded Objects

Pattern completion is a ubiquitous and critical component of visual recognition under natural conditions whereby we need to make inferences from partial information. Pattern recognition from sparse information is essential when objects are rendered under poor illumination or when they are significantly occluded. Here we provide an overview of the behavioral, physiological and computational studies of pattern completion. We argue that the computational mechanisms subserving recognition of heavily occluded objects rely on neural circuits with recurrent connectivity that are capable of interpreting incoming inputs in the context of prior knowledge.
Performance Variations in Resource Scaling for MapReduce Applications on Private and Public Clouds

In this paper, we delineate the causes of performance variations when scaling provisioned virtual resources for a variety of MapReduce applications. Hadoop MapReduce facilitates the development and execution processes of large-scale batch applications on big data. However, provisioning suitable resources to achieve desired performance at an affordable cost requires expertise into the execution model of MapReduce, the resources available for provisioning and the execution behavior of the application at hand. As an initial step towards automating this process, we characterize the difference in execution response for different MapReduce applications while varying the number of virtualized CPUs and memory resources, number of map slots as well as cluster size on a private cloud. This characterization helps illustrate the performance variation, 5x compared to 36x speedup, of Reduce-intensive and Map-intensive applications at effectively utilizing provisioned resources at different scales (1-64 VMs). By comparing the scalability efficiency, we clearly indicate the under-provisioning or over-provisioning of resources for different MapReduce applications at large scale.
Rabble of Robots Effects: Number and Type of Robots Modulates Attitudes, Emotions, and Stereotypes

Robots are expected to become present in society in increasing numbers, yet few studies in human-robot interaction (HRI) go beyond one-to-one interaction to examine how emotions, attitudes, and stereotypes expressed toward groups of robots differ from those expressed toward individuals. Research from social psychology indicates that people interact differently with individuals than with groups. We therefore hypothesize that group effects might similarly occur when people face multiple robots. Further, group effects might vary for robots of different types. In this exploratory study, we used videos to expose participants in a between-subjects experiment to robots varying in Number (Single or Group) and Type (anthropomorphic, zoomorphic, or mechanomorphic). We then measured participants’ general attitudes, emotions, and stereotypes toward robots with a combination of measures from HRI (e.g., Godspeed Questionnaire, NARS) and social psychology (e.g., Big Five, Social Threat, Emotions). Results suggest that Number and Type of observed robots had an interaction effect on responses toward robots in general, leading to more positive responses for groups for some robot types, but more negative responses for others. Categories and Subject Descriptors H.1.2 [Models and Principles]: User/Machine Systems - human factors. J.4 [Social and Behavioral Sciences]: Psychology. I.2.9 [Artificial Intelligence] Robotics. General Terms Experimentation, Human Factors. General Terms Experimentation, Human Factors.
Ethnicity and perceptions of being a “typical American” in relationship to ethnic identity development

Abstract Individuals who are ethnic minorities in the US form both an ethnic identity and an American identity. Some ethnic minorities may not view themselves as part of being a typical American. A total of 372 college students (female=350, male=22) completed the multigroup ethnic identity measure (MEIM) [Phinney, 1992. Journal of Adolescent Research, 7 , 156–176] and responded to a questionnaire on perceptions of being like and unlike a “typical American.” In this study, Asian Americans and Latinos have the highest levels of ethnic identity and see themselves as not being typical Americans more than other ethnic groups. However, Latinos who report not being typical Americans have higher levels of ethnic identity. For Asian Americans, perception of being a typical American made no difference in levels of ethnic identity.
Neural regulation of mRNA for the α-subunit of acetylcholine receptors: role of neuromuscular transmission

Abstract Levels of mRNA for acetylcholine receptor (AChR) subunits are relatively low in innervated skeletal muscles. Following denervation they rise rapidly, leading to increased AChR synthesis. The mechanism by which motor nerves normally regulate these mRNA levels is not yet known. In order to determine the possible role of synptic transmission in this process, we have compared the effect of blockade of cholinergic ACh transmission with that of surgical denervation. Blockade of quantal ACh transmission was produced by injection of type A botulinum toxin into the soleus muscles of rats. We measured mRNA for the α-subunit of the AChR (α-AChR mRNA) in RNA extracts of botulinum-treated, denervated, and normal control muscles by hybridization with a highly specific cDNA probe. Our findings show that treatment with botulinum toxin resulted in an increase in α-AChR mRNA which was similar to the effect of surgical denervation, although slower in its time course. Since botulinum toxin specifically inhibits quantal ACh release, these results support the concept that cholinergic synaptic transmission plays a key role in mediating the neural control of the α-AChR message. The difference between the effects of denervation and botulinum-treatment may be explained by the fact that botulinum toxin does not block the spontaneous nonquantal component of ACh transmission, which has previosly been shown to have a partial influence in regulating certain properties of muscles. The present results suggest that synaptic transmission has an important influence in regulating gene expression in the target cell.
Low‐temperature surface oxidation of hydrogen sulfide by oxygen

Abstract The oxidation of H2S by O2 at 25°C was investigated over the surface of MgO, NaY and MnNaY zeolites and silica‐alumina. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS or ESCA) evidence suggests that the oxidation produces elemental sulfur, sulfide ions and sulfite ions on the surface of MgO; whereas, H2S dissociates on zeolites, forming elemental sulfur. The manganese ions in the zeolite enhance the formation of sulfur. The oxidation was negligibly slow on the acidic silica‐alumina surface. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) evidence confirms that the ions S3 ‐, S2O‐, SO2 ‐, SO3 ‐ and Sn ‐ are formed on the surface of MgO during various stages of the oxidation reaction.
Exploring Halo Substructure with Giant Stars. IV. The Extended Structure of the Ursa Minor Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy

We present a large-area photometric survey of the Ursa Minor dwarf spheroidal galaxy and its environs. This survey is intended to trace the distribution of stars outside the nominal tidal radius of this system. Observations were made with the Washington M, Washington T2, and DDO51 filters, which in combination have been shown to provide reliable stellar luminosity classification for K-type stars. We identify giant star candidates with the same distance and metallicity as known Ursa Minor red giant branch stars extending to approximately 3° from the center of the dSph. Comparison with catalogs of stars within the tidal radius of Ursa Minor that have been observed spectroscopically suggests that our photometric luminosity classification is 100% accurate. Over a large fraction of the survey area, our photometry is deep enough that blue horizontal branch stars associated with Ursa Minor can also be identified. The spatial distribution of both the candidate Ursa Minor giant stars and the candidate blue horizontal branch stars are remarkably similar, and for both samples a large fraction of the stars are found outside the nominal tidal radius of Ursa Minor. An isodensity contour map of the surface density of stars within the tidal radius of Ursa Minor reveals several morphological peculiarities: (1) The highest density of dSph stars is not found at the center of symmetry of the outer isodensity contours but instead is offset southwest of center. (2) The overall shape of the outer contours does not appear to be elliptical, but appears S-shaped. A surface density profile was derived for Ursa Minor and compared with those derived from previous studies. We find that previously determined King profiles with ~50' tidal radii do not fit well the distribution of candidate UMi stars identified in this study, which extends to greater radii than these other surveys. A King profile with a much larger tidal radius produces a reasonable fit; however, a power law with index -3 provides an even better fit to the densities at radii greater than 20'. The existence of stars associated with Ursa Minor at large distances from the core of the galaxy, the peculiar morphology of the galaxy within its tidal radius, and the shape of its surface density profile all suggest that this system is evolving significantly because of the tidal influence of the Milky Way. However, the photometric data on Ursa Minor stars alone do not allow us to determine if the candidate extratidal stars are now unbound or if they remain bound to the dSph within an extended dark matter halo.
Iterative Model Development for Natural Resource Managers: A Case Example in Utah's Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Abstract Non-native plant species, which threaten native plant diversity, are a major concern to managers of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah. Predictive spatial maps with Inverse Distance Weighting provided an effective way to identify “hot spots” of occurrence for three cover types of interest: native species richness, cryptobiotic soil crust cover (lichen, moss, algae, and bacteria), and cover of non-native cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). Maps based on regression tree analysis showed that B. tectorum was found throughout the Monument with cover usually <0.1%, but has heavily invaded mesic sites and areas of disturbance, (cover ranging from 3.4 to 17.8 %). The analysis also showed that B. tectorum cover could be predicted by positive correlations with percent soil nitrogen and phosphorous (ppm). We also found a significant inverse relationship between high native plant species cover and cryptobiotic soil crust cover. These methods provide managers with an effective way to concentrate mi...
Evidence for an increased rate of choline efflux across erythrocyte membranes in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the major dementing disorder of the elderly, is associated with cholinergic neuronal loss and decreased activity of choline acetyltransferase (CAT). Previous biophysical studies had suggested an altered conformation of membrane proteins in AD erythrocyte ghosts. Since erythrocytes have a choline transport system and cholinergic neurons are implicated in AD, the present experiments were undertaken to determine if the efflux rate of [14C]choline was altered in AD erythrocytes. The mean efflux rate constant was highly significantly increased (P less than 0.01) by greater than 25% in 9 drug-free AD patients compared to 9 sex-matched, drug-free controls of similar age. These results are discussed in terms of potential molecular mechanisms to account for cholinergic neuronal loss in AD.
Some remarks on Korn's inequality

Es wird eine Methode zur Bestimmung der Kornschen Konstante fur eine Klasse von Gebieten entwickelt. Diese Methode wird auf den Fall eines Kreisrings angewandt. Zusatzlich werden obere Grenzen der Kornschen Konstante in der Vereinigung zweier Gebiete abgeleitet.
Linear response of charged and neutral semions

Abstract The semion model of superconductivity is analysed on cylinder × time . The linear response for both charged and neutral semions is calculated using the self-consistent field approximation, keeping translational invariance and gauge invariance manifest. We observe the Meissner effect for the charged system. The dispersion relations are also evaluated for these systems. For small momentum transfer, the neutral system is shown to support sound waves and the charged system is shown to support plasma oscillations.
Third Generation Infrared Optics

The advancement from 2 nd Gen FLIR to 3 rd Gen FLIR provides a significant improvement in capability, but at the cost of increased optical complexity. It is not feasible to utilize optics from previous generations image adequately with a 3 rd Gen FLIR engine. Incorporating new technologies such as dual f/number dewars and dual band detectors results in very different optical design requirements from previous generations. Lack of broadband optical materials and coatings adds further complexity to the 3 rd Gen optical problem. This paper examines the new complexities that are being introduced by 3 rd Gen, some of the generic approaches that are necessary, and areas where more work is required.
US-Reliance on foreign mineral resources

The purpose of this paper is to explore one of the more subtle problems facing the United States. The problem concerns retaining economic and political power In the face of decreasing self-sufficiency in natural resources and raw materials.
Blade and shaft crack detection using torsional vibration measurements Part 2: Resampling to improve effective dynamic range

The primary goal of the development project was to demonstrate the feasibility of detecting changes in blade bending natural frequencies (such as those associated with a blade crack) on a turbine using non-contact, nonintrusive measurement methods. The approach was to set up a small experimental apparatus, develop a torsional vibration detection system, and maximize the dynamic range and the signal to noise ratio. The results of the testing and analysis clearly demonstrated the feasibility of using torsional vibration to detect the change in natural frequency of a blade due to a change in stiffness such as those associated with a blade crack. However, it was found that harmonics of shaft operating speed, created as an unwanted artifact of the measurement method, resulted in spectral regions in which the effective dynamic range was inadequate to detect low-level torsional vibration associated with the natural frequencies. The loss of effective dynamic range was due to the "skirts" created by the sampling w...
EVERY CALL IS AN OPPORTUNITY: Supporting Breastfeeding Mothers Over the Telephone

Health professionals are given a golden opportunity to support the breastfeeding family when advice is solicited over the telephone. This article reviews commonly asked questions, suggests appropriate responses, and provides resource references to aid health professionals in offering the best breastfeeding telephone advice possible.
Stability of supported organometallic clusters probed by a mass-sensitive TEM technique

Using a refined quantitative TEM technique, we measure the relative mass of individual organometallic rhenium clusters on a graphite support. We observe that whereas 6-Re atom species preserve integrity on precipitation from solution, fragmentation and sintering occur in 7- and 8-Re atoms cluster species. These organometallics are candidates as catalytic materials. The technique is based on high-angle dark-field scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) imaging. The emphasis in this analysis is on using very high angles of scattering to suppress coherence effects from these clusters and on reliably measuring their relative experimental elastic scattering cross sections.
FAN ASSESSMENT NUMERATION SYSTEM (FANS) DESIGN AND CALIBRATION SPECIFICATIONS

A device for insitu fan airflow measurement, known as the Fan Assessment Numeration System (FANS) device, previously developed and constructed at the USDAARS Southern Poultry Research Laboratory, was refined at University of Kentucky as part of a project for quantifying building emissions from mechanically ventilated poultry and livestock facili- ties. The FANS incorporates an array of five propeller anemometers to perform a realtime traverse of the airflow entering fans of up to 137 cm (54 in.) diameter. Details of the updated design, including hardware, software, and calibration methodolo- gy are presented. An error analysis of the flow rate, and calibration results from ten FANS units, is provided. Sufficient details of fabrication and calibration are presented so that interested readers can replicate a FANS for their use. Full design details are available at www.bae.uky.edu/IFAFS/FANS.htm.
A model with switching costs and pulsing optima with some economic applications

Feinberg has recently shown that chattering control can be optimal for a class of control problems with a concave response function and that in such problems, the optimal steady state solution is characterized by: lim $ This result is remarkable because it replaces the usual static condition that the state must assume a fixed value as time becomes infinite, with a condition for a steady state in terms of the integral of the constraint over a finite period of time. Because Feinberg's results state the transversality conditions as an integral, there is the possibility that a pulsing control can be optimal. Yet, Feinberg's results hold only for an infinitely small period, and in the limit, the steady state is still a constant. This paper shows that the introduction of switching costs lead to a solution where the optimal control is pulsing with a finite period.
Smoking survey at a midwestern U.S. medical center.

Abstract Background. In an effort to learn more about the smoking behavior of hospital employees, a study was conducted at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) regarding tobacco usage and secondhand smoke exposure. Methods. An anonymous voluntary survey was distributed to 4177 full-time employees in Kansas City and Wichita during June and July of 1998. Questions included tobacco usage and exposure to secondhand smoke. The survey results were assimilated in a data base, which was analyzed in a variety of ways to arrive at several conclusive findings. Results. Of the 1187 respondents (28.4%), 35.1% had smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their life (41% of those had at least a 10 pack-year history), and 11.8% currently smoked. The groups with the highest percentage of current smokers were females (12%), blacks (17%), Kansas City campus employees (12%), and nonfaculty (13%). Sixty-seven percent of respondents were exposed to secondhand smoke in the previous week, and 25% were exposed at KUMC. Conclusions. After arriving at the results of this study, recommendations include starting an educational campaign against smoking, promoting cessation programs, moving the current smoking area to a less populated area on campus, and investigating a total campus ban on smoking.
Anterior scleritis: three case reports and a review of the literature.

Background Scleritis is a rare ocular condition involving vasculitis. It can result in severe ocular morbidity and has a high association with underlying systemic disease and mortality. Management can be challenging and under-diagnosis is a concern. Treatment usually requires systemic medications and co-management with a medical specialist in the appropriate field to manage any underlying systemic etiology. Methods Three cases are presented: idiopathic nodular scleritis with complete recovery; bilateral, diffuse anterior scleritis with rheumatoid arthritis; and scleromalacia perforans treated with chemotherapeutic agents and co-managed with a rheumatologist. A search of the English language literature is reported, also. Results The reported cases exemplify much of our knowledge regarding scleritis. The literature review focuses on the challenges of an accurate diagnosis and management. Management is challenging and, although standards exist, controversy remains. The literature discusses the relationship of scleritis to underlying systemic disease and the significant implication of this association. Conclusion Knowledge of scleritis may aid in determining a timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment of both the ocular and any underlying systemic conditions, thus decreasing morbidity and mortality.
Oxidative coupling of peptides to a virus capsid containing unnatural amino acids

This Communication describes the chemo- and site-selective coupling of cell type-specific targeting peptides to a virus capsid containing aminophenylalanine residues.
Quantitative Determination of HD Internal State Distributions via (2+1) REMPI

The relationship between quantum state populations and ion signals in (2+1) resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) detection of HD is investigated both experimentally, by measurements of hot-nozzle population distributions, and theoretically, by calculations of the two-photon E,F 1Σg+—X1Σg+ transition moments. The experimental and theoretical relative rotational cross-sections are in good agreement for v″ = 0 and v″ = 1, but differ for v″ = 2 and for the relative vibrational cross-sections. Arguments are presented that saturation of the E,F-X transition is the main cause of these discrepancies. In spite of the presence of saturation, this calibration gives confidence in determining the relative internal state populations of HD from its (2+1) REMPI spectrum.
Making Monsters: The Greenwich Village Halloween Parade and the Politics of Representation

THE GREENWICH VILLAGE Halloween Parade evolved since 1974 from intimate street theater into a major New York City event. Despite such apparent success, some veteran participants have become highly critical of the event, seeing it as an appropriation of a community celebration. In his book on the parade, the author gave voice to such criticisms. In doing so, the author found himself on a collision course with the current organizer of the parade who questioned the authority of individual voices. The essay examines the problematic nature of attempting to find a balance among informants' contradictory points of view.
Metabolic stereoisomeric inversion of 2-arylpropionic acids. On the mechanism of ibuprofen epimerization in rats

Kinetic and mechanistic studies are described for the metabolic stereoisomeric inversion of R-ibuprofen in rats. After oral administration of R-ibuprofen to rats, the plasma levels and enantiomeric compositions of ibuprofen and its major metabolite were monitored. Although individual animals exhibited great variations in metabolic rates, the concentration ratios of the S- and R-enantiomers of ibuprofen and also its metabolite remained roughly unchanged within 90 min. Even though it is generally believed that this bioconversion is strictly stereospecific in nature, chromatographic analysis revealed that S-ibuprofen also underwent metabolic inversion, however, at a much slower rate, than its R counterpart. The inversion mechanism was assessed by monitoring the loss of labeled deuterium from specifically deuterated ibuprofen. No significant isotope effect was observed for the metabolism of these deuterated derivatives. One deuterium atom was lost in the S-ibuprofen resulted from R-[2-2H]ibuprofen metabolism, whereas all the three deuterium atoms were retained when R-[3,3,3-2H3]ibuprofen was used as the substrate. These results reinforce the proposed mechanism that the inversion proceeds via a thioester carbanion intermediate. The pKa of the alpha-methine proton of ibuprofen N-acetylcysteamine thioester was shown to be 10.34 +/- 0.06, which excludes the possibility that ibuprofen may undergo inversion through the nonenzymatic isomerization of its acyl thioester.
Towards Multiphysics Modeling of Chlorine Dilution

Electrodes of Impressed Current Cathodic Protection systems used to inhibit corrosion of ship hulls, are areas where Chlorine is produced. It has been observed that certain concentrations of such oxidants can lead to the reduction or even reversal of the accumulation of biological fouling on ship hulls. In this paper a multiphysics modeling and simulation framework of such a process is developed and applied for a typical electrolytic cell. The framework is based on a coupled chemical reaction – electric currents – convection – diffusion and electromigration model aiming at providing transient solutions of the Chlorine species concentration in the volume of the cell. Finite element analysis results are presented for the relevant partial differential equations of the spatio-temporal evolution of the involved species and current density for the geometry of the electrolytic cell.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
The Impact of Minor Adverse Event Tracking on Subject Safety: A Web-Based System:

Based on the assumption that minor symptoms may presage serious events, we report four years' experience with a web-based adverse event (AE) tracking system (eAETS) designed to capture AEs of a minor nature that would not meet criteria for ethical review. The eAETS has supported 175 diverse clinical protocols, is user-friendly and navigationally intuitive, and restricts access based on protocol ownership. The user creates an initial risk profile for comparison to subsequent AEs to identify unanticipated patterns. Out of 2,440 AE reports, 1,053 did not match the risk profile. Corrective modification was recommended in 6 (13%) protocols. The eAETS provides a framework for weighing the impact of AEs on subject safety.
The prediction of corporate failures

Abstract The prediction of corporate failures has received widespread attention over the past 15 years. Numerous articles on the subject in accounting and financial journals attest to this fact, stating that the failure of a business organization often has significant economic effects for its owners, creditors and employees. Past efforts have been quite successful in classifying firms as bankrupt or non-bankrupt ex-post , but much remains to be done in terms of developing better predictive models. This paper is intended to review the literature and to focus on some problems where research seems likely to yield improved models. It starts with a comprehensive, though not exhaustive, guided tour of the bibliography. It then discusses some recent attempts to improve the effectiveness of these models. Finally it points to some promising areas for future research.
Effective potentials and chaos in quantum systems.

The dynamic usage of the technique of effective potentials is motivated and established. The one-loop effective potential and the Gaussian effective potential are derived from Ehrenfrest's theorem by using adiabatic elimination. An application is made to the H\'enon-Heiles problem, and comparison is made with previous results; it is shown that quantum effects destroy chaos in two ways: (a) quantum fluctuations make the curvature more positive and (b) tunneling dominates the dynamics.
Talkative children: verbal fluency as a marker for problematic peer relationships in clinic-referred children with attention deficits.

The relationships between attention deficits, hyperactivity, neurodevelopmental performance, and problematic peer relationships were examined in 99 consecutive children (ages 9 to 11 years) referre...
A Longitudinal Examination of Print Advertising by Professional Accounting Firms

This study provides a longitudinal analysis of print advertising by professional accounting firms for the period 1988 to 2012. Findings indicate that the most common messages of recent ads pertain to general image of the firm, auditing services, and tax services. The majority of ads in the most recent time period include a web address. Print advertisements were used by firms of all sizes in all three time periods examined. Print advertising would appear to continue to be an effective way to market a CPA firm's services to potential clients.
Interaction of the c-cbl proto-oncogene product with the Tyk-2 protein tyrosine kinase.

Abstract The c-cbl proto-oncogene product (p120 cbl ) forms a stable complex with the Tyk-2 protein tyrosine kinase in various human cell lines of diverse hematopoietic origin. In U-266 myeloma and 293T embryonic kidney cells, p120 cbl is rapidly phosphorylated on tyrosine in an IFNα-dependent manner. p120 cbl also acts as a specific substrate for the Tyk-2-associated SHP-1 phosphatase in vitro, suggesting that this phosphatase plays a regulatory role on the phosphorylation of the protein. These data provide evidence that p120 cbl interacts with the functional Type I IFN receptor complex, and suggest its involvement in IFNα signaling.
Ionization of a gas by radiation from a discharge

ABS>Measurements of ionization of a gas by radiation from the positive column of a glow discharge indicated that ionizing radiation is produced primarily by collision processes rather than by recombination. The ratio of ions produced by radiation to ions produced in the discharge is plotted as a function of distance from the discharge for oxygen, nitrogen, and air. Application of these data to the initiation of positive corona can account for the observed corona starting voltage. (auth)
Minimum weight design of continuous beams

Abstract If frictionless hinges are placed at all the points in the beam where the bending moment is zero, it is shown that the number and positions of these hinges are such as to render the elastic or plastic minimum weight beam statically determinate. This fact can be used to obtain particular designs. In the plastic design a collapse mechanism exists such that there is no change in slope at these hinges. In the elastic design the deformed beam will in general have a change in slope at these points, although under special circumstances the change is zero. Both the elastic and plastic designs are shown to be fully stressed.
Is the Yardstick for Estimating Individual Engineering and Scientific Potential Reliable

This paper is based on the case histories of twelve persons who were hired as B.S. degree graduates about twelve years ago to do electronic work at the Naval Research Laboratory. The potential value of the employees, based on information available at the time they were hired, is compared with their now established record. It is concluded that no reliable means existed for estimating the engineering and scientific potential of the individuals considered.
A mechanics-induced complication of impression creep and its solution: application to Sn–3.5Ag solder

Abstract Impression creep, wherein a flat-tipped cylindrical punch is used to load a small area of the specimen in nominally uniaxial compression, enables testing of very small material volumes and miniaturized components with minimal sample preparation. One of the attractive features of the impression creep test is its ability to establish steady-state within very short times for rapidly creeping materials. However, for relatively slowly creeping materials, a considerable time is necessary for the evolution of a steady-state plastic zone under the punch, resulting in a prolonged period of decreasing creep rate even when the constitutive creep behavior is strain-independent. This test-dependent transient behavior, where the creep rate decreases slowly even at very long test times, complicates the determination of true material creep parameters. Here, we discuss the source of this problem, and prescribe a methodology to substantially shorten the required test times in order to make the test technologically attractive. Because of the emerging importance of lead-free solders in microelectronics packaging, the analysis presented here is based on finite element simulations of eutectic Sn–3.5Ag solder, deforming via power-law creep.
Mary Parker Follett, managerial responsibility, and the future of capitalism

Abstract In this paper we examine the work of Mary Parker Follett as it relates to current management practice. Specifically, we focus on her development of the concepts of integration and participation with respect to the employer–employee relationship in the context of the low-skill workforce. At their core, both of these concepts relate to the idea that management should attend to the concerns of workers. However, recent trends that have had the effect of reducing the attachment of workers to their organizations, particularly changes in the psychological employment contract and the use of contingent and temporary workforces, also reduce the likelihood of genuine integration and participation in organizations. We then connect these changes to the problem of income inequality and suggest that the same organizational practices that have reduced employee attachment may also lead many people to question the legitimacy of capitalism as an economic system through the absence of a societally shared prosperity. We suggest that by reconnecting to Follett's concepts of integration and participation in the employer–employee relationship, better results can be obtained for both organizations and workers, leading to restored faith in capitalism. We close with an agenda for future research based on the implications of Follett's work for present-day organizations and society.
Diel behavior of rare earth elements in a mountain stream with acidic to neutral pH

Abstract Diel (24-h) changes in concentrations of rare earth elements (REE) were investigated in Fisher Creek, a mountain stream in Montana that receives acid mine drainage in its headwaters. Three simultaneous 24-h samplings were conducted at an upstream station (pH = 3.3), an intermediate station (pH = 5.5), and a downstream station (pH = 6.8). The REE were found to behave conservatively at the two upstream stations. At the downstream station, REE partitioned into suspended particles to a degree that varied with the time of day, and concentrations of dissolved REE were 2.9- to 9.4-fold (190% to 830%) higher in the early morning vs. the late afternoon. The decrease in dissolved REE concentrations during the day coincided with a corresponding increase in the concentration of REE in suspended particles, such that diel changes in the total REE concentrations were relatively minor (27% to 55% increase at night). Across the lanthanide series, the heavy REE partitioned into the suspended solid phase to a greater extent than the light REE. Filtered samples from the downstream station showed a decrease in shale-normalized REE concentration across the lanthanide series, with positive anomalies at La and Gd, and a negative Eu anomaly. As the temperature of the creek increased in the afternoon, the slope of the REE profile steepened and the magnitude of the anomalies increased. The above observations are explained by cyclic adsorption of REE onto suspended particles of hydrous ferric and aluminum oxides (HFO, HAO). Conditional partition coefficients for each REE between the suspended solids and the aqueous phase reached a maximum at 1700 hours and a minimum at 0700 hours. This pattern is attributed to diel variations in stream temperature, possibly reinforced by kinetic factors (i.e., slower rates of reaction at night than during the day). Estimates of the enthalpy of adsorption of each REE onto suspended particles based on the field results averaged +82 kJ/mol and are similar in magnitude to estimates in the literature for adsorption of divalent metal cations onto clays and hydrous metal oxides. The results of this study have important implications to the use of REE as hydrogeochemical tracers in streams.
Rapidly reconfigurable pulse-shaping using injection-locked VCSELs

We demonstrate independent modulation of four optical comb lines at rates of up to 3.125 GHz by injection-locking a VCSEL to each of the comb lines. The comb-lines are separated by 6.25 GHz, as determined by the channel separation of the fiberized, matched-pair of demultiplexer and multiplexer. The currents to the VCSELs are modulated at frequencies between 0.78125 and 3.125 GHz and the resulting optical waveforms are measured using a fast photodiode and a high-bandwidth, real-time oscilloscope. The electronic waveforms have envelopes with periodicities corresponding to the current-modulation frequencies, and the pulse-shapes within one period of the envelope vary. The measurements prove that dynamic reconfiguration of the optical pulse-shape has been achieved at rates approaching the repetition rate of the comb source.
A kinetic study on reactions of OBrO with NO, OClO, and ClO at 298 K

Abstract Kinetics for reactions of OBrO with NO, OClO, and ClO were examined using discharge flow coupled with mass spectrometer (DF/MS) technique at 298 K and total pressure of 1 torr under the pseudo-first-order condition in which OBrO was a minor reactant. The rate constant for the reaction of OBrO with NO was determined to be k 2 =(1.77±0.32)×10 −12 cm 3 molecule −1 s −1 . NO 2 was found to be the product for OBrO+NO. The rate constants for OBrO reactions with OClO and ClO were estimated to be k 3 −14 and k 4 −13 cm 3 molecule −1 s −1 , respectively.
Low NEP pyroelectric radiometer standards

Verification of the low measurement uncertainty of a group of eight newly developed pyroelectric detectors at the output of a traditional monochromator is described. The frequency compensated hybrid detector-amplifier packages have fixed 1010 Ω feedback resistors. The characterizations verified that the 3 dB upper roll-off frequencies of the signal-gain curves are close to 100 Hz and the temperature coefficient of responsivity is 0.14 %/oC. The hybrid packages were tested for noise performance in the f/8 beam of a grating monochromator between 900 nm and 2.7 μm. The monochromator output beam-power, the output signal, and the output noise of the hybrid packages were measured and compared. The NEPs were between 3.3 nW/Hz1/2 and 10 nW/Hz1/2. The relative standard uncertainty of the noise measurements was 20 % (k=1). The noise tests were utilized to select hybrid packages with NEPs that are one order of magnitude lower than that of traditional pyroelectric detectors and current-amplifiers. The power responsivity of one hybrid was calibrated against an absolute cryogenic radiometer. With this detector, the measured signal-to-noise ratios were higher than 400 between 1.1 μm and 2.1 μm and 250 at 2.5 μm using a lock-in integrating time-constant of 1 s. The noise test results show that using a hybrid detector with an NEP equal to the group average of about 6 nW/Hz1/2, spectral responsivity measurements with a relative standard uncertainty of 0.2 % to 0.4 % (k=1) can be achieved.
The “dark figure” and composite indexes of crime: Some empirical explorations of alternative data sources

Abstract This paper compares composite crime indexes across two alternative data sources—the Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) and the National Crime Survey (NCS). A variety of indexes are constructed based on weights derived from Sellin and Wolfgang's “seriousness” scale. The results reveal that indexes weighted by offense seriousness are not very highly correlated across data sources for a sample of twenty-six American cities. The substantive importance of the discrepancies between UCR and NCS estimates is illustrated by examining the ecological correlates of weighted crime rates for the twenty-six city sample and by assessing changes in weighted crime rates at the national level for the 1973-81 period. The results also reveal that if estimates of homecide are included in the composite indexes by supplementing the NCS data with data from the Center for Health Statistics, then under certain weighting conditions the correlations across data sources are nearly perfect. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of this latter finding for the measurement of overall levels of criminal activity and for the scaling of the relative gravity of different offenses.
THE ADVANTAGES OF CLONAL INTEGRATION UNDER DIFFERENT ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS: A COMMUNITY-WIDE TEST

The "connectedness" of clonal plants has been shown to promote survival and growth in a variety of single-species, single-factor studies, but experiments comparing the relative advantages of clonality across multiple habitats and species are rare, raising the concern that generalizations about the benefits of clonality might be biased by the particular species or habitat studied. We studied the importance of clonal integration in southeastern USA salt marsh plants, using all six of the common clonal species in the community, by following the success of intact and severed clonal fragments invading three habitat treatments. Clonal integration was most important for growth of clonal fragments invading hyper- saline salt pans, likely because parent clones supplied salt-stressed fragments with water; of moderate importance for fragments invading the neighbors-clipped treatment, likely because parent clones supplied fragments with resources enabling rapid exploitation of unused patches; and least important when neighbors were present, consistent with sugges- tions that size-based asymmetrical competition is relatively unimportant in clonal plants. Our results indicate that the importance of clonal integration can differ between habitats and species within a community. We encourage explicit consideration of these potential sources of variability to best understand the importance of clonal integration in the field.
Magnetic Quantum Tunneling in the Single-Molecule Magnet Mn12-Acetate

The symmetry of magnetic quantum tunneling (MQT) in the single molecule magnet Mn2-acetate has been determined by sensitive low-temperature magnetic measurements in the pure quantum tunneling regime and high frequency EPR spectroscopy in the presence of large transverse magnetic fields. The combined data set definitely establishes the transverse anisotropy terms responsible for the low temperature quantum dynamics. MQT is due to a disorder induced locally varying quadratic transverse anisotropy associated with rhombic distortions in the molecular environment (2nd order in the spin-operators). This is superimposed on a 4th order transverse magnetic anisotropy consistent with the global (average) S4 molecule site symmetry. These forms of the transverse anisotropy are incommensurate, leading to a complex interplay between local and global symmetries, the consequences of which are analyzed in detail. The resulting model explains: (1) the observation of a twofold symmetry of MQT as a function of the angle of the transverse magnetic field when a subset of molecules in a single crystal are studied; (2) the non-monotonic dependence of the tunneling probability on the magnitude of the transverse magnetic field, which is ascribed to an interference (Berry phase)effect; and (3) the angular dependence of EPR absorption peaks, including the fine structure in the peaks, among many other phenomena. This work also establishes the magnitude of the 2nd and 4th order transverse anisotropy terms for Mn12-acetate single crystals and the angle between the hard magnetic anisotropy axes of these terms. EPR as a function of the angle of the field with respect to the easy axes (close to the hard-medium plane) confirms that there are discrete tilts of the molecular magnetic easy axis from the global (average) easy axis of a crystal, also associated with solvent disorder. The latter observation provides a very plausible explanation for the lack of MQT selection rules, which has been a puzzle for many years.
Opiorphin-dependent upregulation of CD73 (a key enzyme in the adenosine signaling pathway) in corporal smooth muscle cells exposed to hypoxic conditions and in corporal tissue in pre-priapic sickle cell mice

The precise molecular mechanisms underlying priapism associated with sickle cell disease remain to be defined. However, there is increasing evidence that upregulated activity of the opiorphin and adenosine pathways in corporal tissue, resulting in heighted relaxation of smooth muscle, have an important role in development of priapism. A key enzyme in the adenosine pathway is CD73, an ecto-5'-nucleotidase (5'-ribonucleotide phosphohydrolase; EC 3.1.3.5) which catalyzes the conversion of adenosine mononucleotides to adenosine. In the present study we investigated how sickle cell disease and hypoxia regulate the interplay between opiorphin and CD73. In the corpora of sickle cell mice we observed significantly elevated expression of both the mouse opiorphin homolog mSmr3a (14-fold) and CD73 (2.2-fold) relative to non-sickle cell controls at a life stage before the exhibition of priapism. Sickle cell disease has a pronounced hypoxic component, therefore we determined if CD73 was also modulated in in vitro corporal smooth muscle (CSM) models of hypoxia. Hypoxia significantly increased CD73 protein and mRNA expression by 1.5-fold and 2-fold, respectively. We previously demonstrated that expression of another component of the adenosine signaling pathway, the adensosine 2B receptor, can be regulated by sialorphin (the rat opiorphin homolologue), and we demonstrate that sialorphin also regulates CD73 expression in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Using siRNA to knockdown sialorphin mRNA expression in CSM cells in vitro, we demonstrate that the hypoxic upregulation of CD73 is dependent on the upregulation of sialorphin. Overall, our data provide further evidence to support a role for opiorphin in CSM in regulating the cellular response to hypoxia or sickle cell disease by activating smooth muscle relaxant pathways.
An Overview of First-Trimester Screening for Chromosomal Abnormalities

The last decade has witnessed the transformation of first-trimester Down syndrome screening from an aspiration to a clinical reality. First-trimester screening now equals or exceeds the diagnostic accuracy of conventional midtrimester screen while realizing an important desire of pregnant women for early diagnosis. Beyond the obvious benefits to individual patients, this accomplishment emphatically affirms the centrality and value of clinical research.