cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structure of superoxide dismutase from Pyrobaculum aerophilum presents a challenging case in molecular replacement with multiple molecules, pseudo‐symmetry and twinning

The crystal structure of superoxide dismutase from the hyperthermophilic crenarchaeon Pyrobaculum aerophilum was determined by molecular replacement at 1.8 A resolution. The structure determination was made especially challenging by the large number of molecules (24) in the asymmetric unit, the presence of a pseudo-crystallographic twofold operator close to a twinning operator and the inability to detect twinning by conventional means. Molecular replacement proceeded at low resolution in pseudo (apparent) space group P3(2)12 and was facilitated by examination of the self-rotation function and native Patterson map. Refinement, however, stalled at an R factor of 40% when high-resolution data were included. Expanding to the lower symmetry space group P3(2) decreased R (to 22%) and R(free) (to 26%), but not by as much as expected for the quality of data. Finally, despite the apparent lack of evidence from conventional twinning tests [i.e. plots of the second moment of I and N(Z) distributions], a twinning operator was included in the refinement, lowering R and R(free) to 16.2 and 21.7%, respectively. The early detection of twinning appears to have been masked by a deviation in the expected intensity distribution caused by the presence of non-crystallographic translational symmetry. These findings suggest the importance of testing twinning operators in cases where pseudo-translational symmetry can explain negative results from conventional twinning tests. The structure reveals a tetrameric assembly with 222 symmetry, similar to superoxide dismutase structures from other organisms. The current structural model represents the metal-free state of the enzyme.
Self-Consistent Approximation to the Hubbard Model

The Hubbard model is studied by employing a random-potential approximation, which incorporates the effects of magnetic ordering and dynamical processes. Comparison of our results to existing data on one-dimensional systems shows that the present approximation is very accurate over the whole range of values of the physical parameters.
Development of a Seismic Isolation System for Commercial Storage Racks

This paper provides an overview of an analysis performed on a new base isolation system developed for seismic isolation of steel pallet storage racks. Pallet storage racks are often found in warehousing for material storage and are designed to store materials on pallets in horizontal rows with multiple levels which are accessed by forklift trucks. The new isolation system provides seismic isolation in the cross-aisle direction by incorporating heavily damped elastomeric bearings (referred to here as seismic mounts) and low-friction bearing plates. The objective of the base isolation system is to reduce horizontal accelerations of the rack to eliminate product shedding and structural damage during a major earthquake without interfering with normal, day-to-day material handling operations. The paper presents a summary of numerical results (transient structural, finite element analysis simulation) comparing storage rack response against actual tests performed on a triaxial shake table in the Structural Engineering and Earthquake Simulation Laboratory (SEESL) at the University at Buffalo (see Filiatrault[1] et al. 2008 for comprehensive test details). The simulation model was then used to determine a set of optimal seismic isolation parameters that satisfy the practical range of rack shelf loads and configurations that can be expected in typical warehouse and store installations.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Stress and other environmental factors affecting fertility in men and women: overview.

To understand how environmental factors contribute to fertility or infertility in humans, it is first necessary to define environment. A view that will guide this review is that environment represents the "external milieu," analogous to the well-defined concept of "internal milieu" first introduced by Claude Bernard. Within this context, the environment provides both positive and adverse influences on reproductive health and development. Environmental factors can then be classified into categories such as physical, chemical, biological, behavioral, and socioeconomic. In many circumstances, multiple environmental factors may contribute to adversely modify human health. It has been suspected and in some cases demonstrated that stress can adversely affect reproductive function. Both animal and human data support this contention; however, the human data are clear in extreme situations (e.g., inmates of concentration camps) but less so under less drastic conditions. In recent years many advances have been made concerning the neurochemical mechanisms that mediate the effects of stress on reproductive functions and on the identification of "stress hormones" that may not only be involved in the stress response but also serve as biochemical markers to identify and correlate stress with different fertility parameters. Nutrition also plays an important role in infertility, and undernutrition or nutrition disorders are associated with stress in infertility. Environmental factors are often invoked as contributing to many cases of unexplained infertility. However, the direct causal relationship between those factors and the ensuing infertility of the couple are seldom well established and remain largely anecdotal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Movements of Ilyanassa obsoleta (Gastropoda) on an intertidal sandflat

The gastropod Ilyanassa obsoleta (Say) is native to the east coast of North America where it is locally abundant on sandflats, mudflats, and in saltmarsh creeks. The local disturbances created by snails and their movements affect soft-sediment community composition. Movements of individually marked snails were followed on an intertidal sandflat on Cape Henlopen, Delaware, U.S.A. In June 1991, 1,200 snails that had tested as trematode-uninfected were released and over 5 months 554 were sighted 971 times. Mean daily net distance moved was 1.7 m, but snails often moved 10–20 m day−1 and one snail was 180 m distant after 130 days. Net dispersal of the released population was attained in ≈10 days, by which time, a typical distance from release was 15–20 m. Snails were not found crossing sandbars and most moved away from shore into a tidal gully. In June 1993, 500 snails, both uninfected and trematode-infected, were released at the same position and over 6 months, 350 snails were sighted 949 times. Sandbars were again barriers to movement, but their changed positions allowed wider dispersal. Net dispersal was complete in ≈20 days by which time a typical distance from release was 30–40 m. Mean daily net distance moved was 2.2 m, but within 10 days snails had moved 50–100 m. In both years, following initial dispersal, snails (infected or not) took up random directions from move to move. Infected and uninfected snails dispersed equal distances, but had different mean final dispersal directions. Dispersal of I. obsoleta individuals was extensive and affected by shifting sandbar positions and parasitism. Recognizing this will be important in appreciating the ecological dynamics of this gastropod and in determining its effects on soft-bottom communities.
A guide to public sector debt and deficits

Government deficits reinterpreted Willem H. Buiter Public sector debt and deficits are a matter of concern to governments throughout the world. After presenting data on the public debt and deficits in the UK and abroad, this paper considers four key issues. First, does an increase in the budget deficit today make an increase in inflation in the future more likely? In economies like the UK the answer is no, because the scope for raising revenue by money creation is limited compared to raising taxes. Second, how does one evaluate the consistency of a given spending and tax programme? A number of measures are presented which indicate the adjustment that must be made to spending and tax plans if the government is to remain solvent. Third, it is often argued that an increase in budget deficits will merely crowd-out private spending. The paper shows that the truth of this proposition depends critically on the state of the economy, the time horizon, and whether the increased deficit is temporary or permanent. Finally the question of deriving a suitable measure of fiscal stance is considered. Developing an index of fiscal impact requires a suitable economic model and a number of different measures are considered and criticized. Conventional deficit measures, whether actual, cyclically-corrected, or inflation corrected, are a poor indicator of the government's true fiscal stance.
An Axiomatic Approach to Information Flow in Programs

A new approach to information flow in sequential and parallel programs is presented. Flow proof rules that capture the information flow semantics of a variety of statements are given and used to construct program flow proofs. The method is illustrated by examples. The applications of flow proofs to certifying information flow policies and to solving the confinement problem are considered. It is also shown that flow rules and correctness rules can be combined to form an even more powerful proof system.
GM1 Ganglioside in the Nuclear Membrane Modulates Nuclear Calcium Homeostasis During Neurite Outgrowth

GM1 in the nuclear membrane, previously shown to be up-regulated during neurite outgrowth, has been found to influence nuclear Ca 2+ flux during differentiation of Neuro-2a cells. Nuclei were isolated from cultured Neuro-2a cells before and after neuraminidase-induced neuritogenesis and incubated with 45 Ca 2+ for varying periods to determine uptake/efflux of Ca 2+ . At 5, 10, and 15 min 45 Ca 2+ levels in nuclei from differentiated cells were significantly lower than those in nuclei from untreated cells. The same result was obtained when the GM1 level was elevated artificially by preincubation of the nuclei in 10 μM GM1. In experiments designed to measure efflux specifically, isolated nuclei preincubated in GM1 released 45 Ca 2+ more rapidly than untreated nuclei. We conclude that one role of GM1 in the nuclear membrane is to alter Ca 2+ regulatory mechanisms in the nucleus following onset of neuronal process outgrowth.
Simultaneous localization of steroid and peptide hormones in rat pituitary by combined thaw-mount autoradiography and immunohistochemistry: localization of dihydrotestosterone in gonadotropes, thyrotropes and pituicytes.

The immunocharacteristics of androgen target cells in the anterior pituitary of male rats are assessed by a combined thaw-mount autoradiography and immunoperoxidase staining method permitting the simultaneous identification of steroid-hormone target cells and protein or polypeptide hormone-producing cells in the same preparation. After injection of 3H-dihydrotestosterone, nuclear concentration of radioactivity is observed in cells of the anterior lobe, in “ectopic” cells in the intermediate and posterior lobes as well as in certain pituicytes. The radioactively labeled cells in the anterior lobe are identified immuno-histochemically as gonadotropes and thyrotropes with the use of antiserum to ovine LH or its subunit β-LH and bovine β-TSH. The results suggest genomic effects of androgen on gonadotropes and thyrotropes as well as pituicytes.
The Role of Catalysis in Replacing Oil by Renewable Methanol Using Carbon dioxide Capture and Recycling (CCR)

Fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) are nature’s major gift to humankind. Use of coal followed by petroleum oil and natural gas since the dawn of the industrial revolution in the eighteenth century brought us into a modern and increasingly technologically adept society. Limited resources, primarily depleting petroleum oil reserves and increasing world population and its demand for better standard of living, has already led to the end of cheap petroleum oil. Despite new oil discoveries, better technology, savings, efficient use etc., we must in the following decades wean ourselves out of our dependence on oil. Synthetic oil and hydrocarbons derived from coal and natural gas based on Fischer–Tropsch syngas chemistry have been at times used since the 1920s but the processes are costly, complex and limited. I have with my colleagues proposed and developed a new “Methanol Economy” approach based on metgas (CO–2H2) to methanol via bi-reforming or oxidative bi-reforming of shale or natural gas as well as carbon dioxide capture and recycling. Methanol can serve as a fuel and feed-stock to replace petroleum oil. Heterogeneous catalysis is playing key role in this fast developing field, which serves to achieve the quest for petroleum oil independence, one of the major challenges of our time. The scope and progress toward renewable methanol chemistry from the laboratory to practical industrial use are discussed.
The Physical Church–Turing Thesis: Modest or Bold?

AbstractThis article defends a modest version of the Physical Church-Turing thesis (CT). Following an established recent trend, I distinguish between what I call Mathematical CT—the thesis supporte...
Electrochemically initiated chain polymerization of pyrrole in aqueous media

The electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance has been employed to investigate the electropolymerization of pyrrole in a variety of aqueous electrolytes. In contrast to the generally accepted cation–radical coupling process for the electropolymerization of pyrrole, an electrochemically initiated chain polymerization, featuring a high polymerization rate and involving little charge transport, was found under specific conditions in the presence of ClO−4, BF−4, and PF−6 electrolytes. The more typical cation-radical coupling mechanism, characterized by a constant polymerization charge to mass deposited ratio, is observed in the presence of Cl−, NO−3, dodecyl sulfate, copper phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate, β-cyclodextrin tetradecasulfate, and poly(styrene sulfonate). Electrochemical characterizations of polypyrrole films prepared in aqueous ClO−4 electrolytes reveal that the polymer formed via chain polymerization exhibits the ability to transport both cations and anions during electrochemical switching between redox states, while the polymer synthesized through cation-radical coupling is only capable of transporting a single ionic species.
Long-term persistence and recall of immune responses in aged mice after mucosal immunization

To evaluate the retention of memory in the mucosal immune system of aged animals, 2-year-old mice that had been immunized intragastrically at 3 months of age with Streptococcus mutans protein AgI/II coupled to the B subunit of cholera toxin (CTB) were evaluated by ELISA for antibodies to AgI/II and CT in serum, saliva, and vaginal wash. To evaluate recall responses, mice were then immunized intragastrically with AgI/II-CTB, in comparison with previously unimmunized controls. Those that had been primed in their youth showed a more rapid antibody response in serum (immunoglobulin G (IgG)) and secretions (IgA), but all animals eventually responded to a similar degree after the third dose. Mice immunized at 3 months also retained for 2 years spleen cells capable of proliferating in vitro in response to AgI/II. These data show that aged mice retain the ability to mount immune responses to mucosally presented immunogens and that memory to mucosally presented immunogens can persist for almost the whole lifetime of a mouse.
Assessment of physical activity in middle-aged and older adults with schizophrenia.

Abstract Background Regular physical activity (PA) decreases morbidity in the general population; yet, information about the amount and effects of PA in persons with schizophrenia is scant. To develop interventions to increase PA and to assess its potential benefits in this group, accurate measurement of PA is needed. The purpose of this study was to characterize PA and determine the test–retest reliability and concurrent validity of the Yale Physical Activity Scale (YPAS), a self-report measure, in persons with schizophrenia. Methods PA was assessed with the YPAS, a scale of motivational readiness for PA, and accelerometry in middle-aged and older persons with a diagnosis of schizophrenia ( n = 54) and in a comparison group with no known psychiatric diagnosis ( n = 27). Results On the YPAS measures, persons with schizophrenia reported on average 11 h per week of PA, whereas the non-psychiatric comparison group reported about 32 h per week. Only about 30% of schizophrenia subjects were classified as being regularly active relative to 62% of the comparison group on PA motivational stages of readiness. On the accelerometry measures, the schizophrenia group had lower levels of light activity than the comparison group, but there were no differences in moderate and vigorous activity or sedentary behavior. Only in the comparison group were there significant associations between YPAS and accelerometer variables. Several YPAS scores demonstrated high test–retest reliability in both groups, and concurrent validity was supported between the YPAS and PA motivational stages of readiness. Conclusions We found that the YPAS is a reliable measure of PA in schizophrenia for some indices. Although the YPAS demonstrated concurrent validity with other self-report measures, it did not demonstrate concurrent validity when compared to PA measured by accelerometry in persons with schizophrenia. Use of multiple measures, both subjective and objective, is recommended when assessing PA in schizophrenia.
Reactivity of NH3 over (Fe)/H-ZSM-5 zeolite: Studies of temperature-programmed and steady-state reactions

Abstract The NH3 reactivity was investigated over H-ZSM-5 and iron oxide deposited H-ZSM-5 by temperature-programmed surface interaction (TPSI) of adsorbed NH3 (NH3(ad)) with NO, O2, and “NO + O2”, and by steady-state dynamic reactions consisting of “NH3 + NO”, “NH3 + O2”, and “NH3 + NO + O2” systems. It was found that O2 primarily interacts with NH3(ad) on Bronsted acid sites. NO mainly interacts with NH3(ad) on Lewis acid sites, whereas its interaction with NH3(ad) on Bronsted acid sites results in N2O formation. TPSI provides direct evidence of the “fast” reaction of NO/NO2 with NH3(ad) on Bronsted acid sites in “NO + O2” environment, where O2 concentration plays a critical role. Iron oxide enhances all interactions, particularly those with NH3(ad) on Bronsted acid sites, as witnessed by both TPSI and steady-state reactions. But, iron oxide does not change the activation energy barrier for NH3 conversion, indicating that both acid sites and iron oxide are essential for NH3 SCR of NOx. As a result, a dual mechanism over Lewis and Bronsted acid sites was proposed.
Individual variation in the rate of use of tree-hole tools among wild orang-utans: implications for hominin evolution

Primate tool use varies among species, populations, and individuals. Individual variation is especially poorly understood. Orang-utans in the Sumatran swamp forest of Suaq Balimbing varied widely in rates of tool use to extract honey, ants or termites from tree holes and in the degree to which they specialized on this tree-hole tool use. We tested whether individual variation was best explained by effects of social dominance, habitat differences, or by opportunities for socially learning the skills during ontogeny. There was no evidence for the first two hypotheses. However, we found a strong relationship between tool use specialization and mean female party size, which was used as a proxy for the opportunities for socially mediated learning in a foraging context during their development. This use was justified because females are rather philopatric and their mean party size remained stable over time, thus reflecting long-term tendencies. The correlation was not an artifact of a direct effect of party size on tool use tendencies, and did not hold for males, the dispersing sex. Thus, variation in the number of opportunities for social learning explains tool use variation within populations, corroborating hypotheses for between-population variation. The emergence of human culture was accompanied by vastly improved mechanisms of social learning. In order for these improvements to be favored by natural selection, the cultural potential must have actually been expressed. Thus, a combination of strong sociability and a reliance on tool-using or other technical skills acquired through social learning must have characterized early hominins.
Processing of medical images in compressed format

Hundreds of thousands of medical images are produced daily in the United States and must be stored. In addition, many of these images must be processed. Due to the large volume, such processing can strain even current computer capabilities. However, these images will be stored in compressed format to conserve memory storage space in the near future. Compression ratios of 50 to 100 to 1 are not uncommon. Because medical images will be available in compressed format and to help accelerate the processing of medical images, we are proposing that the image processing be carried out on the greatly restricted number of compressed parameters rather than on the pixels themselves as is usual. The processing of the substantially smaller number of compressed parameters for an image should be faster in many cases than the processing of images in a pixel by pixel mode. The feasibility of this approach is discussed based upon components of the JPEG image compression standard.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Synchrotron Radiation Based Aerosol Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry for Organic Constituents

A synchrotron radiation based aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer using tunable vacuum−ultraviolet (VUV) light is described for real-time analysis of organic compounds in ultrafine and large aerosol particles. Particles are sampled from atmospheric pressure and are focused through an aerodynamic lens assembly into the mass spectrometer. As the particles enter the source region, they impinge on a cartridge heater and are vaporized. The particle vapor expands back into the source region and is softly ionized with tunable, quasicontinuous VUV light generated with synchrotron radiation. The radiation can be tuned to an energy close to the ionization energy of the sample molecules, thus minimizing the complications resulting from ion fragmentation. Photoionization efficiency scans (photon scans) can be readily collected, which permit measurement of the molecule's ionization energy and fragmentation onsets. Four high molecular weight, low vapor pressure organic compounds of importance in atmospheric aeroso...
Building a framework for the senior capstone experience in an information computer technology program

In developing an undergraduate capstone experience the fundamental focus characteristically centers on individual reflection of the college experience and demonstration, in a very practical sense, of the newly developed skill, methodology, and knowledge gleaned through the study of each student's chosen course of study. Capstone experiences typically encourage students to integrate facets of their area of concentration into a final effort typically coinciding with their last or senior year of study.Today's technology-focused academic programs face some unique challenges, not the least of which is maintaining a level of relevance as well as timeliness about the effort. In building a framework for technology-focused capstone experiences, there must also be a forward-looking agenda that further prepares students for coming challenges in today's globally-active workforce. Softer skills such as teaming, collaboration, project management, technical writing and oral presentation are all critical to the success of the capstone experience.This effort describes the early considerations taken in the development of a capstone experience for an undergraduate Information Computer Technology (ICT) degree program. The capstone experience describes the thought process behind the development of a traditional face-to-face course offering that covers the last two semesters of each undergraduate's program. Further discussions cover identification of capstone projects, scalability and class management, student team establishment and requirements, capstone project proposal and execution, classroom presentation requirements, and a brief review of student feedback from the first full year's experience. Finally, there is a brief discussion of the issues associated with development of a capstone experience for distance education students within the program that looks to yield many of the same objectives that are outlined for the face-to-face students.
Open confocal resonators with quasi-optical arrays to measure THz dynamics of quantum tunneling devices

A semi-confocal etalon has been sued as a quasi-optical cavity to explore the dynamical conductance of Bloch- oscillating superlattices at terahertz frequencies. To maintain both DC and irradiated field uniformity and to maximize the coverage of the cavity mode with the devices of interest, the tunneling structures have been photolithographically fabricated into micro-sized mesa- isolated devices forming a quasi-optical square array interconnected by a metal grid with a period which is less than the wavelength in the semiconductor of the IR probe radiation. At a given bias on the device array and scanning the cavity through a resonance, the loss and reactance of the tunneling devices embedded in the array is measured by detecting a change in the position and line shape of the cavity resonance. Transmission measurements of the cavity loading by the biased quasi-optical arrays at frequencies from 250GHz to 3.0THz will be presented and compared to theoretical predictions.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Hamilton operators and dual-number-quaternions in spatial kinematics

Abstract Dual-number-quaternions are used frequently in spatial screw motion of a rigid body. In this paper, two Hamilton operators are defined and the algebra of dual-number-quaterinions is developed using these operators. Properties of Hamilton operators are then used to find some mathematical expressions for screw motion of a line and a point. The formulation presented establishes a relationship between dual-number-quaternions and its equivalent matrix algebra.
The Localizing Yield of Sphenoidal and Anterior Temporal Electrodes in Ictal Recordings: A Comparison Study

Summary: Purpose: To compare the localizing yield of sphenoidal electrodes placed under fluoroscopic guidance (SEs) and anterior temporal electrodes (ATEs) in ictal recordings from a group of patients with seizure disorders of anterior temporal origin. Methods: We compared ictal recordings of 156 seizures obtained with SEs and ATEs from 40 consecutive patients with seizures of anterior temporal origin. Four electroencephalographers reviewed ictal recordings independently and blind to the patients' identity, presurgical data, and inclusion of ATEs or SEs. Outcome variables included (a) number of correctly localized seizures with SE and ATE recordings by at least three raters; (b) number of ictal foci in which all seizures were localized only with SEs; and (c) number of seizures in which SEs identified the ictal onset ≥5 s earlier than ATEs. Results: Interrater agreement among the four raters was significantly greater with SE than with ATE recordings (p < 0.0001). The number of seizures correctly localized was significantly greater with SEs (n = 144) than with ATEs (n = 99; p < 0.0001). All the seizures [n = 36 (23%)] originating from 14 ictal foci (29%) in 11 patients (27.5%) were localized only with SEs. Finally, the ictal onset was detected at SEs ≥5 s earlier than at ATEs in 67 (43%) seizures originating from 33 (69%) foci in 30 (75%) patients. Conclusions: SEs improve interrater agreement in the localization of seizures of anterior temporal origin, and in about one fourth of patients, SEs add ictal data not identified by ATEs.
Spatial Aspects of Capacity Change by U.S. Integrated Steel Producers

This paper examines changes in the location of ore-based steel-making capacity in the U.S. over the period 1974 to 1991 using data on each of the 45 ore-based mills that were in operation in 1974. We find that the geographic distributions of demand and of competition from minimills and imports were important in determining where capacity reductions occurred and which plants were closed. Technology in use at the plant also affected capacity adjustment. However, we find that regional variation in prices of raw materials were not important factors in determining where steel-making capacity was reduced.
Special feature: cardiovascular-kidney interactions in health and disease

this issue contains 11 refereed manuscripts that describe work presented at the eighth Cardiovascular-Kidney Interactions in Health and Disease Meeting at Amelia Island Plantation, FL, on May 27–30, 2005. The three-day meeting featured original contributions on a broad range of topics including
Methionine-selenomethionine parallels in rat liver polypeptide chain synthesis.

It has been demonstrated in our laboratory that in E. coli, selenomethionine (Se Met) is incorporated into polypeptides via the methionine (Met) pathway, including the initiation mechanism involving the Nformylated aminoacyl-tRNA [l-3]. The question may be asked whether there are methionine-selenomethionine parallels in rat liver polypeptide chain synthesis as were observed in E. coli. We wish to present experimental evidence which demonstrates that in rat liver as in E. coli, Se Met is incorporated into polypeptides via the Met pathway.
Specific degradation of myosin in meat by bromelain

Abstract The specificity of bromelain and papain for degradation of actin and myosin in meat was compared. Meat was treated with 0·1% enzyme for 0–60 min at 24°C and proteins, extracted with 6 m urea containing 2% sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) solution, were separated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The profile of the extracted proteins clearly indicated that papain degrades myosin and actin at similar rates, whereas bromelain degrades myosin preferentially. This distinction could be useful in the development of freeze-dried meat products in which toughening of the meat due to the formation of high molecular weight aggregates from myosin cross-linking is minimized.
Reply: A reply to Tarone et al., Campobasso and Introna, and Michaud et al.

Dear Editor, I was gratified to see so many people respond to my letter concerning recent forensic entomology publications (Campobasso and Introna 2014, Tarone et al. 2014, Michaud et al. 2014, Wells 2014). However, most of the issues raised did not address what I wrote. I said nothing about conceptual models, assumptions made by forensic analysts, forensic pathology, or research agendas. I didn't find fault …
Dynamics of the Lamellar-Cylindrical Transition in Weakly Segregated Diblock Copolymer Melts

We investigate the dynamics of the lamellar-cylindrical transition in weakly segregated diblock copolymer melts. We find the limit of stability of the lamellar phase with respect to the cylindrical phase and vice versa. We consider front propagation for stable phases invading metastable phases and compute the velocity and shape of such fronts close to coexistence.
Evaluation of the Potential of a Charge-Injection Device for DNA Sequencing by Multiplexed Capillary Electrophoresis

Despite the rapid growth in the use of imaging detectors in spectroscopy, the charge-injection device (CID) has unique features that have not been fully exploited. The advantages of the CID as a two-dimensional array detector for laser-induced fluorescence detection in highly multiplexed capillary electrophoresis are evaluated. In such a system, the CID maintains both high sensitivity and high sampling rate, which are usually difficult to achieve simultaneously with other array detectors. Applying the electronic windowing function significantly improves the scan rate and greatly reduces the volume of data generated. With 1-s exposure time and 488-nm excitation, the detection limit of the system is 10-12 M fluorescein with the device cryogenically cooled and 10-11 M fluorescein at ambient temperature. The low dark current of the CID imager allows operation at room temperature without significantly affecting sensitivity when combined with moderate laser powers. We demonstrate that the CID is well suited for high-speed, high-throughput DNA sequencing based on multiplexed capillary electrophoresis with on-column laser-induced fluorescence detection.
Diurnal cortisol decline is related to coronary calcification: CARDIA study.

OBJECTIVE Chronic stress may be a risk factor for coronary heart disease and is associated with dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. We tested the hypotheses that two markers of HPA axis dysregulation, elevated average level (area under the curve, adjusted for time awake) and diurnal decline of salivary cortisol, were associated with presence of coronary calcification (CaC). METHOD Seven hundred eighteen black and white middle-aged adults enrolled in an ancillary study of Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults provided six salivary cortisol samples throughout one full day and had measurements of CaC. RESULTS The prevalence of any calcification was low, 8.1% in the participants of the ancillary study, with white men having the highest proportion. Average cortisol did not differentiate groups, means = 2.15 and 2.08. Those with any CaC declined approximately 6% per hour in cortisol over the course of the day, whereas those with no CaC declined more than 8% per hour (p < .003). Those persons with slope scores in the flattest quartile had a greater likelihood of any CaC than did those in the remaining quartiles adjusted for sex-race group, age, smoking, treatment for diabetes, systolic blood pressure, logged triglycerides, average cortisol, and educational attainment (odds ratio = 2.58; 95% confidence interval = 1.26-5.30). CONCLUSIONS Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that HPA axis dysregulation may affect risk for atherosclerosis.
Multi-touch sensing through frustrated total internal reflection

High-resolution, scalable multi-touch sensing display systems and processes based on frustrated total internal reflection employ an optical waveguide that receives light, such as infrared light, that undergoes total internal reflection and an imaging sensor that detects light that escapes the optical waveguide caused by frustration of the total internal reflection due to contact by a user. The optical waveguide when fitted with a compliant surface overlay provides superior sensing performance, as well as other benefits and features. The systems and processes described provide true multi-touch (multi-input) and high-spatial and temporal resolution capability due to the continuous imaging of the frustrated total internal reflection that escapes the entire optical waveguide. Among other features and benefits, the systems and processes are scalable to large installations.
Capture Kinetics of Electron Traps in MBE-Grown n-GaN

The carrier capture kinetics of the E c -0.59 eV and E c -0.91 eV electron traps found in molecular beam epitaxy (MBE)-grown n-GaN have been determined by means of deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS). The 0.59 eV trap does not show the behaviour of either ideal point defects or line defects. In contrast, the 0.91 eV trap displays the kinetics of linearly arranged interacting point defects, which generate a time-dependent local Coulombic potential with a characteristic time constant of 8.6 μs.
Adapting collagen/CNT matrix in directing hESC differentiation

The lineage selection in human embryonic stem cell (hESC) differentiation relies on both the growth factors and small molecules in the media and the physical characteristics of the micro-environment. In this work, we utilized various materials, including the collagen-carbon nanotube (collagen/CNT) composite material, as cell culture matrices to examine the impact of matrix properties on hESC differentiation. Our AFM analysis indicated that the collagen/CNT formed rigid fibril bundles, which polarized the growth and differentiation of hESCs, resulting in more than 90% of the cells to the ectodermal lineage in Day 3 in the media commonly used for spontaneous differentiation. We also observed the differentiated cells followed the coarse alignment of the collagen/CNT matrix. The research not only revealed the responsiveness of hESCs to matrix properties, but also provided a simple yet efficient way to direct the hESC differentiation, and imposed the potential of forming neural-cell based bio-devices for further applications.
Therapeutic contraindications in exotic pets

Abstract Therapeutic drugs legally available for human use have gone through exhaustive pharacodynamic testing and clinical drug trials. Far fewer drugs have been evaluated for common companion animals such as dogs and cats, and practically none have been rigorously evaluated for the exotic patient. Much of our information on dosing, efficacy, and adverse reactions is anecdotal or based on extrapolation from other species. Very little information exists on drug-to-drug interaction in vivo. However, a few recognized therapeutic contraindications exist, and many have been well documented in the field of laboratory medicine. A common example is corticosteroid usage in laboratory rabbits. The exotic animal practitioner needs to be fully aware of these limitations and implications and be willing to perform a thorough literature search for already established information when contemplating the use of a novel drug in exotic animal species.
Anthropomorphism and mechanomorphism: two faces of the human machine

Abstract This paper explores the ambiguity of the “human machine”. It suggests that anthropomorphism results from a “default schema” applied to phenomena, including machines, that a perceiver finds otherwise inexplicable. Mechanomorphism, the attribution of machine characteristics to humans, is a culturally derived metaphor that presently dominates cognitive science. The relationships between anthropomorphism and mechanomorphism pose a special difficulty for the question, “Can machines think?” Does a positive response reflect a cognitive bias on the part of the perceiver or a genuine attribute of the computer? The problem is illustrated for Turing's “imitation game” for thinking machines, and a strategy for constraining anthropomorphic attributions is proposed.
750-mm Ruling Engine Producing Large Gratings and Echelles*

A ruling engine that has produced gratings of larger size and greater power than hitherto available is described, as are the characteristics of gratings and echelles ruled by it. This MIT C engine, now fitted to rule blanks of sizes up to 450 × 650 × 125 mm weighing up to several hundred kg, was constructed by applying interferometric translation and mirror-parallelism control to a modified Moore No. 4 Universal Measuring Machine without Y or Z motion. To the base of this were added monorail diamond ways, two diamond carriages and lifters, special end-thrust bearings, mountings for lasers, and a diamond drive with heavy flywheels. Developed by use of the results of experience with our B and A engines, the new machine shows greater mechanical and thermal stability than either, and has produced well-blazed echelles and gratings of superior quality up to the 580-mm (23 in.) diagonal size, at spacings between 632 and 31.6 grooves/mm. The total length of groove per grating is limited at present to about 80 km by diamond wear, and the speed of ruling by internal vibrations and electronic noise. Ghost, satellite, and scatter intensities are at the low levels characteristic of B-engine gratings.
The emperor of Japan and the aurora

On October 3, 1985, I gave a special lecture on the aurora for the Emperor of Japan in his palace in Tokyo. It seems the Emperor, a marine biologist, has an unusual interest in the aurora. After my slide presentation, he asked how we confirm ancient sighting reports of the aurora in Japan. He was not satisfied with my response that anomalous events in the sky were well documented in an ancient publication entitled Japanese Meteorological Data and asked further how one could confirm such sightings as auroral events. He was visibly pleased to learn that the dates of these sightings coincided with those recorded elsewhere in the world.
Gender and race differences in young adults’ body dissatisfaction

Abstract Differences by gender and race (White or Black) in two aspects of college students’ body dissatisfaction—dissatisfaction with specific body parts and physique anxiety—were examined. Four hundred and ninety-one students completed surveys assessing both aspects of body dissatisfaction and eight risk factors for body dissatisfaction from biological, psychological, and sociocultural domains. Mean levels of dissatisfaction with body parts varied by gender, race, and a Gender × Race interaction. Mean levels of physique anxiety varied by gender and race. Both dissatisfaction with body parts and physique anxiety were correlated with risk factors from each domain, and factors from each domain accounted for unique variance in each aspect of body dissatisfaction. Because the prediction of each aspect of body dissatisfaction did not vary by gender, race, or a Gender × Race interaction, findings validate a general multidimensional risk model of body dissatisfaction for young adults.
State-to-state chemistry with fast hydrogen atoms. Reaction and collisional excitation in H + CO2

We present a detailed theoretical study of vibrational–rotational excitation and reaction in collisions of CO2 with 1.9–2.6 eV hydrogen atoms. Minima and saddle points on the potential surface have been characterized using ab initio configuration interaction calculations, and a global surface has been developed by a combination of many-body expansion and surface-fitting methods. The collision dynamics have been studied using quasiclassical trajectories, with the CO2 vibrational states characterized by a Fourier-transform action calculation. For non-reactive scattering there is reasonable correlation between the vibrational modes that are excited and the regions of the potential surface sampled during the collisions. Most of the lower states of CO2 are excited by direct collisions that do not sample potential wells. Collisions which do sample wells lead to short-lived HOCO and HCO2 complexes, in which either the H dissociates to produce highly excited overtone and combination states of CO2, or a CO bond breaks to give OH + CO having close to statistical vibrational–rotational distributions. Comparison of cross-sections and final-state distributions with experiment is excellent for the reactive collisions, and is good on a relative but not absolute basis for the non-reactive collisions.
Challenges in the diagnosis and management of interstitial and cornual ectopic pregnancies

Abstract Interstitial ectopic pregnancy is a term loosely used in the literature to describe three different entities. The first is the true interstitial ectopic pregnancy, which occurs in the interstitial or intramural segment of the Fallopian tubes. The term cornual ectopic pregnancy should be reserved for pregnancy in women with a single uterine horn, a bicornuate uterus, or a septate uterus. Angular pregnancy is a term that is rarely used and should be limited to a pregnancy in one of the angles of the uterus, but not inside the Fallopian tube. Historically, interstitial pregnancy was considered safe to manage conservatively until over 12 weeks because of the delayed risk of rupture as a result of the protection offered by the muscle of the uterus. However, over the last decade evidence now suggests that early rupture is not uncommon. The management of an interstitial pregnancy should be ascertained by ultrasonography, particularly three-dimensional ultrasonography. Depending on the size and viability of the pregnancy, management should be planned accordingly. Laparoscopic management is ideal for surgeons comfortable with the principles of laparoscopic surgery and suturing. However, laparotomy is a suitable alternative that will always provide a safe outcome. Adequate suturing of uterine cornua could prevent the risk of rupture during subsequent pregnancies. Minimizing blood loss during and after surgery is a priority.
Components of sexual identity.

This paper examines the four components of sexual identity: biological sex, gender identity, social sex-role, and sexual orientation. Theories about he development of each component and how they combine and conflict to form the individualAEs sexual identity are discussed. As defined here, social sex-role includes the individualAEs femininity and masculinity. Sexual orientation includes the individualAEs physical and offectional sexual preferences for relationships with members of the same and/or opposite biological sex. This paper may help to clarify meanings of the following terms used in research on sexual identity: sex, gender, femininity, masculinity, heterosexuality, and homosexuality.
Managed Pluralism: Vladimir Putin's Emerging Regime

A specialist on Russian politics and society examines the emerging regime in Russia under President Vladimir Putin in the context of hybrid regimes. Eschewing modified variants of both democracy and authoritarianism and the accompanying teleologies, Putin's regime is characterized as "managed pluralism." The model is presented through analysis of policy and practices affecting religion, political parties, the media, labor unions, civil society, business associations, and federal relations.
Akt regulates cell survival and apoptosis at a postmitochondrial level.

Phosphoinositide 3 kinase/Akt pathway plays an essential role in neuronal survival. However, the cellular mechanisms by which Akt suppresses cell death and protects neurons from apoptosis remain unclear. We previously showed that transient expression of constitutively active Akt inhibits ceramide-induced death of hybrid motor neuron 1 cells. Here we show that stable expression of either constitutively active Akt or Bcl-2 inhibits apoptosis, but only Bcl-2 prevents the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, suggesting that Akt regulates apoptosis at a postmitochondrial level. Consistent with this, overexpressing active Akt rescues cells from apoptosis without altering expression levels of endogenous Bcl-2, Bcl-x, or Bax. Akt inhibits apoptosis induced by microinjection of cytochrome c and lysates from cells expressing active Akt inhibit cytochrome c induced caspase activation in a cell-free assay while lysates from Bcl-2–expressing cells have no effect. Addition of cytochrome c and dATP to lysates from cells expressing active Akt do not activate caspase-9 or -3 and immunoprecipitated Akt added to control lysates blocks cytochrome c–induced activation of the caspase cascade. Taken together, these data suggest that Akt inhibits activation of caspase-9 and -3 by posttranslational modification of a cytosolic factor downstream of cytochrome c and before activation of caspase-9.
UNDERSTANDING SOFTWARE PRODUCTIVITY: TOWARDS A KNOWLEDGE-BASED APPROACH

What affects software productivity and how do we improve it? This report examines the current state of the art in understanding and measuring software productivity. In turn, it describes a framework for understanding software productivity, identifies some fundamentals of measurement, surveys selected studies of software productivity, and identifies variables that affect software productivity. Then, a radical alternative to current approaches is suggested: to construct, evaluate, deploy, and evolve a knowledge-based "software productivity modeling and simulation system."