cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Localized modes in finite and phase-inhomogeneous Josephson tunnel junctions

We have investigated the spectrum of localized modes in both finite and phase inhomogeneous long one-dimensional Josephson junctions in the presence of an external magnetic field. For finite junctions these excitations correspond to evanescent waves localized near the edges. Both the frequency and the characteristic decay lengths depend on the magnetic field. In particular, a different behavior is expected for the Meissner state and the mixed state in which wholesale penetration of Josephson vortices occurs. The related problem of the spectrum of modes localized near phase inhomogeneities occurring well inside a long junction has been also tackled. This problem is relevant to the case in which Abrikosov vortices penetrate the electrodes and become pinned near the junction plane.
The role of communication values in swift starting action teams: IT insights from flight crew experience

We define a new subset of action teams termed swift starting action teams. These high technology groups of professional, well trained strangers perform from the moment they start working and face high stakes from the beginning. For these teams, we present evidence that the expression of communication values precedes effective task communication and team performance. IT professionals increasingly team with other professionals in high technology environments, such as swift starting action teams. Communication and communication values are important to the success of action team interactions common to IT professionals, such as requirements analysis, knowledge discovery interviews, and end user service engagements.
An electron microscopic study of the human epidermal keratinocyte.

1. The epidermis of the flexor surface of the upper arm of human subjects was studied with the electron microscope. 2. The cytoplasm of the keratinocytes in the basal layer contained many tonofilaments, ribosomes and other cell organelles. The tonofilaments were arranged singly or in loose bundles and many were attached to the inner membrane of the desmosomes. Along the basal border of the cells pinocytotic vesicles could be seen at different stages of development. 3. The keratinocytes in the stratum spinosum differed from those in the basal layer in two main ways: (a) The tonofilaments were grouped together into large compact bundles known as tonofibrils and it was possible to determine a definite beading or cross banding along the length of some of the filaments. (b) The cells were assuming a flattened shape. 4. The keratinocytes in the stratum granulosum possessed large numbers of irregularly shaped keratohyaline granules. The granules were strongly osmiophilic and were always situated on a meshwork of tonofibrils. The keratohyaline granules had no internal structure. The nuclei and mitochondria showed evidence of degeneration. 5. The keratinocytes in the stratum corneum were long and flattened. The cell walls showed increased electron density and were considerably thickened. The cytoplasm was filled with closely packed fibres separated by a small amount of lucent matrix. The fibres were grouped together in bundles running in different directions within the flattened squames. The fibres had along their entire length alternating areas of high and low electron density. The keratohyalin granules had disappeared and nothing remained of the nuclei or the organelles. In the deepest cells of this region the fibres were sometimes loosely packed leaving large irregular open spaces. This area corresponded to the stratum lucidum. In the most superficial layers of the stratum corneum the fibres appeared to be breaking down so that little remained within the keratinocyte except large lucent spaces. The desmosomes showed distinct structural changes. 6. An attempt was made to correlate the structural changes in the different epidermal layers with the process of keratinization. The possible part that keratohyalin may play in the process of thickening of the cell walls was discussed. The relationship between the desmosome and its dynamic environment was considered.
Implicit models of Gaussian mixture densities and locally optimum detectors

Abstract In the classical kernel approximation of a probability density function, a fixed zero-mean smooth approximation of the Dirac delta function is translated to each sample value of the random variable to form a family of density functions. The sample values are the means of the density functions in the corresponding family. The kernel approximation is the average over all members of this family. In certain applications, there may be too few sample values to give a good approximation. In this paper, we propose an approach that utilizes the sample values as the variances of a family of density functions. This approach works particularly well with a Gaussian mixture density.
The reduction of iron in soda-lime-silicate glasses by reaction with hydrogen

Abstract The reduction of ferric iron in commercial soda-lime-silicate glasses by reaction with hydrogen was studied as a function of time, temperature, and hydrogen pressure by means of optical spectroscopy and electron spin resonance. The results indicate that the reduction process is controlled by the permeation of hydrogen molecules in the glass and can therefore be described by the tarnishing model for permeation-controlled reactions.
An examination of the tripartite approach to commitment: An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model Analysis of the effect of relational maintenance behavior:

A consistently reported finding is that indicators of relationship quality reflect a strong association with relational maintenance behaviors (Stafford, 2002). The present study conceptualized one such indicator, commitment, as a multidimensional, tripartite phenomenon (Johnson, 1991, 1999) to examine its persistent association with maintenance behaviors over two time periods. Using an Actor-Partner Interdependence Model Analysis (APIM; Kashy & Kenny, 2000), the overall results revealed that actors' and partners' experience of personal commitment at time 2 was significantly associated with maintenance strategy use reported at time 1. Whereas the analysis of moral commitment showed a similar pattern of actor effects, the partner effects suggest spouses' experience of moral commitment may be more strongly connected to their partners' use of maintenance behavior than that of personal commitment. However, analysis of actors' and partners' experience of structural commitment revealed few significant associatio...
Finding algorithms in scientific articles

Algorithms are an integral part of computer science literature. However, none of the current search engines offer specialized algorithm search facility. We describe a vertical search engine that identifies the algorithms present in documents and extracts and indexes the related metadata and textual description of the identified algorithms. This algorithm specific information is then utilized for algorithm ranking in response to user queries. Experimental results show the superiority of our system on other popular search engines.
Elementary steps in the formation of highly dispersed palladium in NaY: I. Pd ion coordination and migration

TPR, TPD, TPO, and TPMS have been used to determine the location and chemical state of Pd supported on NaY. Oxidation of the ammine ligands of Pd(NH3)2+4 is found to be a stepwise process, producing Pd(NH3)2+2 ions in supercages and Pd(NH3)2+ and Pd2+ ions in sodalite cages. The relative abundance and location of these ions can be controlled by the calcination program. The size of Pd particles after reduction depends on the location and coordination of Pd ions after calcination. Calcination below 250 °C leaves Pd ions in the supercages, where their coordination to ammine ligands decreases with increasing calcination temperature. The H/Pd ratio after reduction shows a strong positive correlation with the calcination temperature. It is concluded that the Pd particle size in the kinetic regime is controlled by the relative rates of nucleation and crystal growth, which in this case are determined by the relative abundances of the Pd tetraammine and diammine ions. At a calcination temperature of 300 °C Pd ions lose the third ammine ligand allowing the monoammine Pd ions to migrate into sodalite cages, where the remaining ligand is destroyed at 400 °C.
The high cost of a bargain: Winning the right to use part-time transit drivers

Abstract Over the past decade most transit districts have gained the right to use part-time drivers. The change was strongly opposed by their unions and required substantial contract concessions on other issues to win union consent. This paper estimates the cost of these concessions: how much did transit management pay for the right to use part-time labor? It appears the cost was very large: during the early period of the innovation (1978–1981) the “give-backs” necessary to win labor consent were probably as large as, or larger than, the financial gains from use of part-time labor. Furthermore, these initial bargaining costs have carried over into subsequent contracts. In contrast, the transit agencies that adopted part-time labor in 1982–1983 paid a much lower cost, probably zero. The study is based on cross-section regression analyses of data from 1979, 1981, and 1983. Each regression estimates the effects of a series of part-time labor dummy variables while holding constant the effects of agency size and the general wage level in the operating area.
Short Communication: A faster optimal algorithm for the measure problem

The measure problem involves computing the area of the union of a set of n iso-oriented rectangles in the plane. Recently, it has been shown that for a set of n such rectangles, the measure problem can be solved in O(log n log log n) time, using O(n/log log n) processors in the CREW PRAM model of computation. In this note we show that the measure problem can be solved optimally in O(log n) time using O(n) processors in the same model of computation, thus settling an open problem posed in [8].
Tectonic development of Upper Cretaceous to Eocene strata of southwestern Utah

Upper Cretaceous to Paleogene nonmarine sedimentary rocks of southwest Utah record Sevier foreland basin sedimentation, Laramide-style folding and intermontane sedimentation, and cessation of Laramide deformation. The formations that record this tectonic evolution are, from oldest to youngest, the Iron Springs, Kaiparowits, Canaan Peak, Grand Castle (informal name), Pine Hollow, and basal part of the Claron. The upper part of the Santonian to lower Campanian(?) Iron Springs Formation represents synorogenic, fluvial deposits derived from the Wah Wah and Blue Mountain thrust sheets of southwestern Utah. The middle to upper Campanian Kaiparowits and upper Campanian(?) to lower Paleocene Canaan Peak Formations are an upward-coarsening sequence derived from southeastern California and southern Nevada. Initial Laramide-style deformation occurred during latest Cretaceous or early Paleocene time, influencing the depositional pattern of the Canaan Peak fluvial system. The lower Paleocene Grand Castle formation represents an east- to southeast-flowing, braided-river system with the same source as the Iron Springs Formation (the Wah Wah and Blue Mountain thrust sheets). Conglomerate of Grand Castle onlaps the easternmost Sevier thrusts and is folded by Laramide structures. Although strata of the Grand Castle formation represent post-thrust and, in part, pre-Laramide deposition, initial development of a south-southwest-trending, Laramide-style upwarp controlled the geometry of the Grand Castle basin. The lower Paleocene to middle Eocene Pine Hollow Formation unconformably overlies post-Sevier conglomerates and records Laramide partitioning of the foreland basin. The Pine Hollow basin received sediment from both the west and northeast, and it is associated with development of the Johns Valley anticline and possibly the Circle Cliffs uplift. Small alluvial fans developed on the limbs of these structuresand graded laterally into playa mudflats. Fluvial, deltaic, and lacustrine deposits of the basal part of the Claron Formation are coeval with the Pine Hollow Formation, but they developed in a separate basin to the southwest. Lacustrine deposits of the Claron Formation overlap paleotopographic highs of the Pine Hollow basin and indicate cessation of Laramide deformation by middle Eocene time.
Assessment and prevention of head motion during imaging of patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Abstract The present study serves to detail the specific procedures for a mock scanner protocol, report on its use in the context of a multi-site study, and make suggestions for improving such protocols based on data acquired during study scanning. Specifically, a mock scanner compliance training protocol was used in a functional imaging study with a group of adolescents and adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and a matched sample of healthy children and adults. Head motion was measured during mock and actual scanning. Participants across groups exhibited excess motion (> 2 mm) on 43% of runs during the mock scanner. During actual scanning, excessive motion was limited to 10% of runs. There was a clear task-correlated head motion during a go/no-go task that occurred even after the compliance training: participants had a tendency to respond with increased head motion immediately after committing an error. This study illustrates the need to (1) report data attrition due to head motion, (2) assess task-related motion, and (3) consider mock scanner training in functional imaging protocols.
Feasibility and kinetics study on the direct bio-regeneration of perchlorate laden anion-exchange resin

Anion exchange is one of the most promising treatment technologies for the removal of low levels of perchlorate. The spent anion-exchange resins, however, need to be disposed of or regenerated because they contain high contents of perchlorate. This study investigated the feasibility and kinetics of a direct bio-regeneration method. The method accomplished resin regeneration and biological perchlorate destruction concurrently, by directly contacting the spent resin with the perchlorate-reducing bacteria (PRB). The results indicated that the method was effective in regeneration of perchlorate and nitrate loaded resin and the resin could be repeatedly regenerated with the method. The regenerated resin was effective, stable, and durable in the filtration treatment of perchlorate in well water from the Saddle River area, NJ. Moreover, the method was also effective in regeneration of the spent A-530E resin, which had high perchlorate affinity and was yet very difficult for regeneration with the conventional brine desorption technique. Besides, the results further suggested that the perchlorate and nitrate desorption from the loaded resin coupling with their subsequent biological reduction could be the direct bio-regeneration mechanism. No biofilm was formed on the regenerated resin surface according to a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis.
The state of resident education in urogynecology and pelvic floor disorders

To determine the state of resident education in the areas of pelvic floor dysfunction and urogynecology a survey was sent to program directors (or their designees) of United States residency training programs. A six-page 14-question survey was sent to 274 approved residency programs. The response rate was 46.4%. Program directors were queried on educational objectives and materials, diagnostic and therapeutic techniques and evaluation of resident performance. To confirm results, the responses were checked against data published in the APGO/CIBA Directory of Residencies in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Eighty per cent of programs used the objectives established by the American Uro-Gynecologic Society or the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Resident lectures or textbooks were the most frequent sources of educational information used. The annual CREOG in-training exam was the most frequently utilized evaluation process. Ninety-three per cent of residents obtained hands-on experience with urodynamics and all residents were exposed to retropubic techniques for the surgical treatment of incontinence. Resident education in non-surgical techniques to treat urinary incontinence, however, was lacking in approximately 50% of programs. The survey suggests that the basic foundation may be in place to provide residents with adequate exposure to diagnostic and therapeutic measures for dealing with pelvic floor disorders and urogynecology. There are, however, many aspects which need attention in our educational objectives for resident education. A broader focus on the non-surgical management of incontinence needs to be encouraged.
Treatment Outcomes, Common Factors, and Continued Neglect of Mechanisms of Change

In this commentary, three key theses are advanced. First, the presence or absence of differences among two or more treatments in a therapy outcome study does not necessarily have implications for the role of common factors as an explanation of treatment effects. Common factors can vary widely among conditions, whether they are veridical treatment or control conditions, and might explain outcome differences or the absence of differences. Second, the therapeutic alliance literature, although vast, also cannot be used to support or refute a common-factors view. Fundamental issues include establishing the timeline of alliance and symptom changes; delineating alliance from other client, therapist, and other aspects of treatment; and identifying and testing the specific ways in which alliance produces change are far from resolved. Third, key lines of research continue to be neglected that could elaborate the role of common factors. Direct tests of common factors, especially experimental studies that manipulate factors to alter outcome, would be enormously valuable. In addition, attention to the mechanisms of therapeutic change where specific mechanisms have been proposed is needed.
Gases produced by Human Intestinal Microflora

NITROGEN, carbon dioxide and hydrogen are normally present in samples of human colonic flatus, although they may occur in widely differing proportions; oxygen is nearly always found and, sometimes, methane and hydrogen sulphide1. The hydrogen and methane must clearly be produced endogenously, presumably from bacterial metabolism, because both are almost absent from or present in extremely low concentration in air. Fermentation can also account for at least part of the carbon dioxide and a preliminary study indicated that gaseous nitrogen was produced in vitro when the caecal contents of rats were incubated with mixed diets2. More recently, Costa et al. have briefly reported isotopic evidence of the evolution of nitrogen by man and both conventional and axenic mice3. Both groups of investigators have suggested that such loss of nitrogen might account for reports of prolonged positive nitrogen balance in adult man and animals in the absence of commensurate growth. Our studies show, however, that egestion as flatus of gaseous nitrogen produced in the intestine is not normally an important route of nitrogen loss.
A specific inhibitor design approach by means of molecular dynamics calculation for porcine pancreatic elastase

A 27-picosecond (ps) molecular dynamics calculation has been carried out for the 1:2 enzyme-ligand complex between porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) and acetyl-alanine-proline-alanine (APA). A data analysis has been carried out using a total of 450 structures. During the simulation, the root-mean-square fluctuations (RMSF) increased compared with the x-ray data. Some differences of the hydrogen bond arrangement in the MD average structures are found especially for SER 195, suggesting the fluctuations of the ligand molecules. The radius of gyration decreased a little during the simulation. Although intermolecular hydrogen bonds between two substrates (APA1 and APA2) has not been found by a 1.65-A high-resolution x-ray diffraction study, the MD calculation showed the intermolecular hydrogen bond between them to be 3.2 A. The extended active site of PPE is so wide compared with the size of a tripeptide that such a hydrogen-bound hexapeptide can be more specific than tripeptides, which is consistent with the kinetic data previously reported.
COL3A1 haploinsufficiency results in a variety of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV with delayed onset of complications and longer life expectancy

Purpose:To characterize the clinical outcome of heterozygosity for COL3A1 null mutations in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV, the vascular type.Methods:We identified mutations that produced premature termination codons and resulted in nonsense-mediated messenger RNA decay in 19 families. We reviewed t
Early loss, reappearance and extended half-life of circulating antibody activity to myelin basic protein (MBP) in passively immunized Lewis rats: further evidence for accessible endogenous MBP neuroantigens.

Antibody to rat myelin basic protein (MBP), produced in rat or rabbit, and antibodies to bovine serum albumin (BSA) raised in rats, were transferred to normal adult Lewis rats. Recipients were assayed at similar intervals over a period of 4 weeks for serum-borne antibody activity in a radioimmunoassay. It was found (1) that the activity of both rat and rabbit antibodies to MBP showed a more rapid decline in the first 4 hr after injection than did the rat anti-BSA: (2) that both rat and rabbit and anti-MBP activity showed a preferential loss in antibodies of higher affinity; (3) that anti-MBP activity eventually reappeared and actually had more than twice the half-life of that found for anti-BSA or expected for normal immunoglobulin; (4) that antibody activity to MBP did not decay smoothly, but tended rather to oscillate widely between consecutive assays as it declined; and (5) that antibody activities distinguished on the basis of their relative affinities for MBP decayed at slightly different rates, and sometimes fluctuated asynchronously. These observations are consistent with the view that endogenous factors, antigenically resembling small fragments of MBP (MBP-SF) are readily accessible to, and react with, humoral antibody in the normal rat; that the fragments are too small to cause immune clearance of anti-MBP from the circulation; and that fragments representing different regions of the MBP molecule do not necessarily appear at the same time. On the basis of in-vivo studies with radioiodinated anti-MBP antibodies, in which no observable localization of anti-MBP antibodies was obtained, it was concluded that the fluctuations, longer half-lives, and asynchronous affinity variations in activities more likely reflected variable levels of site saturation of circulating antibodies rather than actual temporary clearance of antibody molecules from the circulation.
Mindfulness and Cognitive Therapy in Depression Relapse Prevention: A Case Study

Depression is the most commonly diagnosed mental illness in the United States with relapse rates as high as 80–90% in some circumstances (Chen et al. in Res Soc Work Pract 16(5): 500–510, 2006; Mintz et al. in Arch Gen Psychiatry 49: 761–768, 1992; Teasdale et al. in J Consult Clin Psychol 68(4): 615–623, 2000). Cognitive therapy (CT) and psychopharmacology have been the mainstays of treatment for depression and relapse prevention, yet relapse remains a significant risk of this mental illness (DeRubeis et al. in Arch Gen Psychiatry 62: 409–416, 2005; Meyer and Scott in Behav Cogn Psychother 36: 685–693 2008; Rush et al. in Cognit Ther Res 1: 17–37, 1977). The literature review, case illustration and analysis examines the rationale for integrating mindfulness practice, and demonstrates the application of this practice in conjunction with cognitive therapy to reduce the risk of relapse in Major Depression.
Freud's work in constructive function theory

Constructive function theory seeks out the connections between the structural properties of a function and its degree of approximation. It began early in this century with the work of Jackson and Bernstein on polynomial approximation. They were interested in the error of approximation to a function j’e C(U) by the class rn of trigonometric polynomials of degree d n,
Osteopontin: regulation in tumor metastasis

Osteopontin is a secreted phosphoprotein that has been implicated as an important mediator of tumor metastasis and has been investigated for use as a biomarker for advanced disease and as a potential therapeutic target in the regulation of cancer metastasis. The OPN DNA sequence is highly conserved and the protein contains several important functional domains including αvβ integrin and CD44 binding sites. High levels of OPN expression correlate with tumor invasion, progression or metastasis in multiple cancer. Studies demonstrate that osteopontin mediates the molecular mechanisms which determine metastatic spread, such as prevention of apoptosis, extracellular matrix proteolysis and remodeling, cell migration, evasion of host-immune cells and neovascularization. Transcriptional regulation of OPN is complex and involves multiple pathways, including AP-1, Myc, v-Src, Runx/CBF, TGF-B/BMPs/Smad/Hox, and Wnt/s–catenin/APC/GSK–3s/Tcf-4. The current state of knowledge of OPN biology suggests that it is an attractive target for therapeutic modulation of metastatic disease.
FAP with concurrent duodenal adenomatous polyposis and carcinoid tumor

We report a patient with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) who developed duodenal adenomatosis with high-grade dysplasia and a periampullary carcinoid tumor several years after total colectomy. Only two prior case reports exist revealing carcinoid tumors in association with FAP. No genetic basis exists explaining the link between FAP and carcinoid tumors. However, the presence of two rare entities in the same patient might suggest an association and further research may be indicated.
Effect of Insecticide Treatments to Reduce Infestation by Citrus Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on Growth of Nonbearing Citrus

We assessed the value of chemical control used to protect young orange trees from foliar damage caused by citrus thrips, Scirtothrips citri (Moulton). As many as 17 insecticide applications to individual navel orange, Citros sinensis L. Osbeck, trees during the first 3 yr after planting failed to result in an increase in tree size during years 2 through 5 or yield during years 3 through 5. Similarly, 19 applications to O.44-ha blocks of 'Valencia' oranges during the first 3 yr after planting failed to result in increases in trunk circumference during years 1 through 4 or yield in the first 2 yr of fruit production. In contrast to the practice of many growers, we suggest that intensive control of citrus thrips populations on young, non bearing trees is not warranted and could lead to increased problems with citrus thrips resistance to the limited number of available and effective insecticides.
On the Mechanics of Thin-Walled Laminated Composite Beams:

A formal engineering approach of the mechanics of thin-walled laminated beams based on kinematic assumptions consistent with Timoshenko beam theory is pre sented. Thin-walled composite beams with open or closed cross section subjected to bend ing and axial load are considered. A variational formulation is employed to obtain a com prehensive description of the structural response. Beam stiffness coefficients, which account for the cross section geometry and for the material anisotropy, are obtained. An explicit expression for the static shear correction factor of thin-walled composite beams is derived from energy equivalence. A numerical example involving a laminated I-beam is used to demonstrate the capability of the model for predicting displacements and ply stresses.
The decline of broadcast ethics: U.S. v. NAB

Theoretical discussions of ethics in the broadcasting industry remain abstract, intellectual exercises until they go to court. U.S. v. National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) in 1982, led to the death of the NAB Code of Good Practice. This article examines objections to codes and evidence of need for a revised set of broadcast ethics, visible to a media‐conscious public. It calls for adoption of a new ethics code in broadcasting.
Degree of Closeness: Does it Affect the Bereaved's Attitudes toward Selected Funeral Practices?.

This research project investigated the attitudes of bereaved individuals toward selected funeral practices. Six selected variables (three characteristics of the bereaved and three conditions of the...
REYNOLDS NUMBER EFFECTS ON LEADING EDGE RADIUS VARIATIONS OF A SUPERSONIC TRANSPORT AT TRANSONIC CONDITIONS

A computational study focused on leading-edge radius effects and associated Reynolds number sensitivity for a High Speed Civil Transport configuration at transonic conditions was conducted as part of NASA's High Speed Research Program. The primary purposes were to assess the capabilities of computational fluid dynamics to predict Reynolds number effects for a range of leading-edge radius distributions on a second-generation supersonic transport configuration, and to evaluate the potential performance benefits of each at the transonic cruise condition. Five leading-edge radius distributions are described, and the potential performance benefit including the Reynolds number sensitivity for each is presented. Computational results for two leading-edge radius distributions are compared with experimental results acquired in the National Transonic Facility over a broad Reynolds number range.
Electrohydrodynamic Flow Control with a Glow-Discharge Surface Plasma

Multiplee ow diagnostics have been applied to planarpanels covered by strips of glow-discharge surface plasma in atmospheric pressure air generated by the one atmosphere uniform glow discharge plasma. Direct drag measurements, smoke wire and titanium tetrachloride e ow visualization, and boundary-layer velocity proe les were obtained. The plasma generated along streamwise-oriented, symmetric strip electrodes is shown to cause a large increase in drag, whereas the plasma along spanwise-oriented, asymmetric strip electrodes can generate a signie cant thrust. Flow visualization and mean velocity measurements show the primary cause of the phenomena to be a combination of mass transport and vortical structures induced by strong electrohydrodynamic body forces on the e ow, known as paraelectric forcing.
Response to Comments on “Drought-Induced Reduction in Global Terrestrial Net Primary Production from 2000 Through 2009”

Samanta et al. and Medlyn challenge our report of reduced global terrestrial net primary production (NPP) from 2000 through 2009. Our new tests show that other vegetation indices had even stronger negative changes through the decade, and weakening temperature controls on water stress and respiration still did not produce a positive trend in NPP. These analyses strengthen the conclusion of drought-induced reduction in global NPP over the past decade.
Physical Model Evaluation of Topical Prodrug Delivery—simultaneous Transport and Biocnversion of Vidarabine-5′-valerate II: Parameter Determinations

Results of initial studies on methods for determining various model parameters are reported. By employing excised hairless mouse skin in a diffusion cell system, numerous model parameter values were deduced. The stratum corneum permeability was estimated from steady-state fluxes with preparations of heat-separated epidermal membranes. Determinations of dermis diffusivities and enzyme rate constants in situ involved considering the simultaneous transport and the enzyme processes and factoring the diffusivities and enzyme rate constants from the overall kinetics. Dermal diffusivities were on the order of 10−6 cm2/sec for vidarabine and its 5′-valerate ester. The enzyme rate constants were 1.70 × 10−3 sec−1 for the esterase and 8.68 × 10−3 sec−1 for the deaminase.
Global, unpredictable bit generation without broadcast

We investigate the problem of generating a global, unpredictable coin in a distributed system. A fast, efficient solution is of fundamental importance to distributed protocols, especially those that rely on broadcast channels. We present two unpredictable bit generators, based on the Blum-Blum-Shub generator, that can be evaluated non-interactively; that is, each bit (or group of bits) requires each processor merely to send one message to the other processors, without requiring a broadcast or Byzantine Agreement.The unpredictability of our generators (and the security of our protocols) are based provably on the QRA or the intractability of factoring. Remarkably, their structure seems to violate an impossibility result of [8], but our generators escape that lower bound because they achieve a slightly weaker goal: producing unpredictable bits directly, rather than producing "shares" of random bits. In doing so, they avoid the extra machinery (eg., "sharing shares") of similar results discovered independently in [8].
Segregation Analyses of Partial Self-Incompatibility in Self and Cross Progeny of Solanum carolinense Reveal a Leaky S -Allele

Natural populations of self-incompatible species often exhibit marked phenotypic variation among individuals in the strength of self-incompatibility (SI). In previous studies, we found that the strength of the SI response in Solanum carolinense, a weedy invasive with RNase-mediated SI, is a plastic trait. Selfing can be particularly important for weeds and other successional species that typically undergo repeated colonization and local extinction events and whose population sizes are often small. We applied a PCR-based protocol to identify the S-alleles present in 16 maternal genotypes and their offspring and performed a two-generation greenhouse study to determine whether variation in the strength of SI is due to the existence of weak and strong S-alleles differing in their ability to recognize and reject self-pollen. We found that allele S9 sets significantly more self seed than the other S-alleles in the population we sampled and that its ability to self is not dependent on interactions with other S-alleles. Our data suggest that the observed variations in self-fertility are likely due to factors that directly influence the expression of SI by altering the translation, turnover, or activity of the S-RNase. The variability in the strength of SI among individuals that we have observed in this and our previous studies raises the possibility that plasticity in the strength of SI in S. carolinense may play a role in the colonization and establishment of this weedy species.
Clinical Psychology versus Allied Disciplines

Clinical psychology shares similarities with several other disciplines, especially in regard to providing psychotherapy or counseling services, such as counseling psychology, psychiatry, psychiatric nursing, social work, marriage and family therapy, psychoanalysis, and various counseling subspecialties (e.g., substance abuse counselors). Although the term “psychologist” is often equated with “therapist,” there are many types of psychologists, including developmental, social, and cognitive psychologists who are not trained in applied (clinical) practice. Within the practice of psychology there are many specialties (e.g., clinical neuropsychology, forensic psychology, clinical health psychology); however, currently, the American Psychological Association accredits only the clinical, counseling, and school training programs. Compared to the other disciplines, clinical and counseling psychology are unique in their training to conduct comprehensive psychological assessments and are more likely to conduct scientific research. On the other hand, the vast majority of clinical psychologists do not prescribe psychiatric medication—a purview of professionals in the medical field. Keywords: clinical psychology; counseling psychology; marriage and family therapy; psychiatric nursing; social word; psychiatry; psychoanalysis
Stereological analysis of the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus in schizophrenia: Volume, neuron number, and cell types

The mediodorsal thalamic nucleus (MD) is the principal relay nucleus for the prefrontal cortex, a brain region thought to be dysfunctional in schizophrenia. Several, but not all, postmortem studies of the MD in schizophrenia have reported decreased volume and total neuronal number. However, it is not clear whether the findings are specific for schizophrenia nor is it known which subtypes of thalamic neurons are affected. We studied the left MD in 11 subjects with schizophrenia, 9 control subjects, and 12 subjects with mood disorders. Based on morphological criteria, we divided the neurons into two subclasses, presumably corresponding to projection neurons and local circuit neurons. We estimated MD volume and the neuron number of each subclass using methods based on modern unbiased stereological principles. We also estimated the somal volumes of each subclass using a robust, but biased, approach. In addition, we investigated the left MD in four cynomolgus monkeys chronically exposed to haloperidol and in four control monkeys in order to assess the possible effects of antipsychotic medications. The three human subject groups did not differ in any of the measures. In addition, no differences were observed between the two groups of monkeys. Thus, these findings do not support the hypothesis that the MD is a locus of pathology in schizophrenia, although they cannot rule out important functional or structural changes in parameters not measured. Like other studies, this investigation is subject to the limitations involved in sampling from a heterogeneous population emphasizing the need to continue to improve the application of robust, unbiased techniques to quantitative studies of this complex brain disorder.
From Highly Enantioselective Monomeric Catalysts to Highly Enantioselective Polymeric Catalysts: Application of Rigid and Sterically Regular Chiral Binaphthyl Polymers to the Asymmetric Synthesis of Chiral Secondary Alcohols

A 1,1‘-binaphthyl-based polymeric chiral catalyst with the most general enantioselectivity for the alkylzinc addition to a broad range of aldehydes has been obtained. This polymer can be easily recovered, and the recycled polymer shows the same catalytic properties as the original polymer. A highly enantioselective catalytic diphenylzinc addition to aldehydes has also been achieved by using the chiral binaphthyl monomer and polymer catalysts. Particularly, the excellent enantioselectivity observed for the addition of diphenylzinc to aromatic aldehydes allows the preparation of optically active diaryl carbinols that are synthetically useful but difficult to access by asymmetric catalysis. A novel asymmetric reduction of ketones catalyzed by the mono- and polybinaphthyl zinc complexes has been discovered. Our work on the asymmetric organozinc addition to aldehydes and the asymmetric reduction of ketones catalyzed by the zinc complexes of chiral binaphthyl monomer (R)-12 and polybinaphthyl (R)-43 has not onl...
On Inferring Application Protocol Behaviors in Encrypted Network Traffic

Several fundamental security mechanisms for restricting access to network resources rely on the ability of a reference monitor to inspect the contents of traffic as it traverses the network. However, with the increasing popularity of cryptographic protocols, the traditional means of inspecting packet contents to enforce security policies is no longer a viable approach as message contents are concealed by encryption. In this paper, we investigate the extent to which common application protocols can be identified using only the features that remain intact after encryption---namely packet size, timing, and direction. We first present what we believe to be the first exploratory look at protocol identification in encrypted tunnels which carry traffic from many TCP connections simultaneously, using only post-encryption observable features. We then explore the problem of protocol identification in individual encrypted TCP connections, using much less data than in other recent approaches. The results of our evaluation show that our classifiers achieve accuracy greater than 90% for several protocols in aggregate traffic, and, for most protocols, greater than 80% when making fine-grained classifications on single connections. Moreover, perhaps most surprisingly, we show that one can even estimate the number of live connections in certain classes of encrypted tunnels to within, on average, better than 20%.
Fractionation of multi-component hydrocarbon droplets in water at supercritical or near-critical conditions

Abstract The mixing of a hydrocarbon droplet, containing a mixture of toluene and either n-decane or tetralin, in a reservoir of supercritical or near-critical water is modeled. This study is an extension of our previous work on the mixing of a single-component hydrocarbon droplet in SCW. The current study provides microscale information, such as multi-component partitioning, and insight into large scale mixing in applications that include supercritical water oxidation, supercritical water desulfurization, etc. Transport, thermodynamics, and phase equilibrium sub-models are used to estimate the relevant physical properties. Results show that fractionation, i.e., the preferred dissolution of a specific hydrocarbon component into the water-rich phase, characterizes the transport and mixing process at various water temperatures. We find that the upper critical solution temperature (UCST) for binary water–HC mixtures control the mixing or fractionation of ternary water–HC–HC mixtures. Fractionation is: modest at water temperatures less than the water–toluene binary UCST (which is the lower UCST); substantial at water temperatures greater than the water–toluene binary UCST but less than the water–decane binary UCST (which is the higher UCST); and negligible at water temperatures greater than the ternary UCST. At water temperatures when fractionation is noticeable, the less water-soluble hydrocarbon (e.g., decane) composition in the droplet may increase over time and the water fraction in the droplet may go through a maximum, as more of the more water-soluble hydrocarbon (e.g., toluene) diffuses into the water-rich phase than the less water-soluble hydrocarbon. Varying the initial toluene concentration can either increase or decrease the droplet radius depending on the water temperature relative to the UCSTs.
Extracellular matrix rigidity promotes invadopodia activity

Invadopodia are actin-rich subcellular protrusions with associated proteases used by cancer cells to degrade extracellular matrix (ECM) [1]. Molecular components of invadopodia include branched actin-assembly proteins, membrane trafficking proteins, signaling proteins, and transmembrane proteinases [1]. Similar structures exist in nontransformed cells, such as osteoclasts and dendritic cells, but are generally called podosomes and are thought to be more involved in cell-matrix adhesion than invadopodia [2-4]. Despite intimate contact with their ECM substrates, it is unknown whether physical or chemical ECM signals regulate invadopodia function. Here, we report that ECM rigidity directly increases both the number and activity of invadopodia. Transduction of ECM-rigidity signals depends on the cellular contractile apparatus [5-7], given that inhibition of nonmuscle myosin II, myosin light chain kinase, and Rho kinase all abrogate invadopodia-associated ECM degradation. Whereas myosin IIA, IIB, and phosphorylated myosin light chain do not localize to invadopodia puncta, active phosphorylated forms of the mechanosensing proteins p130Cas (Cas) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) are present in actively degrading invadopodia, and the levels of phospho-Cas and phospho-FAK in invadopodia are sensitive to myosin inhibitors. Overexpression of Cas or FAK further enhances invadopodia activity in cells plated on rigid polyacrylamide substrates. Thus, in invasive cells, ECM-rigidity signals lead to increased matrix-degrading activity at invadopodia, via a myosin II-FAK/Cas pathway. These data suggest a potential mechanism, via invadopodia, for the reported correlation of tissue density with cancer aggressiveness.
Expression library immunization: a road map for discovery of vaccines against infectious diseases.

Expression library immunization (ELI) is a novel protocol for the systemic screening of any given genome to identify potential vaccine candidates. The basic concept of ELI introduced by Barry et al. is simple yet powerful ([9][1]) and can be applied to screen sequenced or unsequenced genomes of
Learning Constraints for Consistent Timeline Extraction

We present a distantly supervised system for extracting the temporal bounds of fluents (relations which only hold during certain times, such as attends school). Unlike previous pipelined approaches, our model does not assume independence between each fluent or even between named entities with known connections (parent, spouse, employer, etc.). Instead, we model what makes timelines of fluents consistent by learning cross-fluent constraints, potentially spanning entities as well. For example, our model learns that someone is unlikely to start a job at age two or to marry someone who hasn't been born yet. Our system achieves a 36% error reduction over a pipelined baseline.
A Highly Sensitive Assay for Monitoring the Secretory Pathway and ER Stress

Background. The secretory pathway is a critical index of the capacity of cells to incorporate proteins into cellular membranes and secrete proteins into the extracellular space. Importantly it is disrupted in response to stress to the endoplasmic reticulum that can be induced by a variety of factors, including expression of mutant proteins and physiologic stress. Activation of the ER stress response is critical in the etiology of a number of diseases, such as diabetes and neurodegeneration, as well as cancer. We have developed a highly sensitive assay to monitor processing of proteins through the secretory pathway and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in real-time based on the naturally secreted Gaussia luciferase (Gluc). Methodology/Principle Findings. An expression cassette for Gluc was delivered to cells, and its secretion was monitored by measuring luciferase activity in the conditioned medium. Gluc secretion was decreased down to 90% when these cells were treated with drugs that interfere with the secretory pathway at different steps. Fusing Gluc to a fluorescent protein allowed quantitation and visualization of the secretory pathway in real-time. Expression of this reporter protein did not itself elicit an ER stress response in cells; however, Gluc proved very sensitive at sensing this type of stress, which is associated with a temporary decrease in processing of proteins through the secretory pathway. The Gluc secretion assay was over 20,000-fold more sensitive as compared to the secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP), a well established assay for monitoring of protein processing and ER stress in mammalian cells. Conclusions/Significance. The Gluc assay provides a fast, quantitative and sensitive technique to monitor the secretory pathway and ER stress and its compatibility with high throughput screening will allow discovery of drugs for treatment of conditions in which the ER stress is generally induced.
Low-Frequency Noise in Integrated N-WELL Resistors

Low-frequency noise in integrated N-WELL resistors is studied. Noise at low frequencies is 1/fγ, where γ ~ 1. The origin of flicker 1/fγ noise is mainly due to trapping and detrapping of charge carriers at n+Si/shallow trench isolation (STI) interface, supporting number fluctuation theory. The noise coefficients were comparable for varying process conditions, mainly due to smaller process deltas, but varied significantly with STI depth. Based on simulated doping profiles, the distance between dopant peak and the n+Si/STI interface is the primary factor that impacts noise. In this case, the peak coincides with the interface in deeper STI resistors, leading to higher 1/f noise.