cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling and Studying Proteins with Molecular Dynamics

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the modeling and studies of proteins using molecular dynamics. A number of protein structure–function questions can be addressed with a molecular dynamics program, such as CHARMM. Simple geometric quantities, such as distance between two atoms, the angle between three atoms, the dihedral angle between four atoms, locations of holes in a protein, or the surface area of a protein, can be determined. The interaction energies between any atoms or residues and any other atoms or residues can be calculated. The potential function used by CHARMM, from which energies and the forces needed for trajectory calculations are derived, approximates the forces on an atom as the sum of its pairwise interactions with the other atoms in the system. It is found that files containing coordinates and coordinate trajectories that are produced by CHARMM are also often used as an input to molecular display programs.
Transforming Medical Imaging: The First SCAR TRIP™ Conference: A Position Paper from the SCAR TRIP™ Subcommittee of the SCAR Research and Development Committee

The First Society for Computer Applications in Radiology (SCAR) Transforming the Radiological Interpretation Process (TRIP™) Conference and Workshop, “Transforming Medical Imaging” was held on January 31–February 1, 2005 in Bethesda, MD. Representatives from all areas of medical and scientific imaging—academia, research, industry, and government agencies—joined together to discuss the future of medical imaging and potential new ways to manage the explosion in numbers, size, and complexity of images generated by today's continually advancing imaging technologies. The two-day conference included plenary, scientific poster, and breakout sessions covering six major research areas related to TRIP™. These topic areas included human perception, image processing and computer-aided detection, data visualization, image set navigation and usability, databases and systems integration, and methodology evaluation and performance validation. The plenary presentations provided a general status review of each broad research field to use as a starting point for discussion in the breakout sessions, with emphasis on specific topics requiring further study. The goals for the breakout sessions were to define specific research questions in each topic area, to list the impediments to carrying out research in these fields, to suggest possible solutions and near- and distant-future directions for each general topic, and to report back to the general session. The scientific poster session provided another mechanism for presenting and discussing TRIP™-related research. This report summarizes each plenary and breakout session, and describes the group recommendations as to the issues facing the field, major impediments to progress, and the outlook for radiology in the short and long term. The conference helped refine the definition of the SCAR TRIP™ Initiative and the problems facing radiology with respect to the dramatic growth in medical imaging data, and it underscored a present and future need for the support of interdisciplinary translational research in radiology bridging bench-to-bedside. SCAR will continue to fund research grants exploring TRIP™ solutions. In addition, the organization proposes providing an infrastructure to foster collaborative research partnerships between SCAR corporate and academic members in the form of a TRIP™ Imaging Informatics Network (TRIPI2N).
Urban Place: Reconnecting with the Natural World

Urban Place: Reconnecting with the Natural World. Peggy F. Barlett, ed. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2005. 330 pp.
Chelation of chitosan derivatives with zinc ions. I. O,N-carboxymethyl chitosan

The chelation between O,N-carboxymethyl chitosan (ONCMCh) and zinc sulfate in aqueous solution was studied by kinetic experiments and characterized by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and UV spectrophotometry. The experimental data indicated that the chelating processes were greatly controlled by the reaction conditions (i.e., reaction time, temperature, and Zn2+ ionic and ligand concentrations). The consequence of chelating Zn2+ onto ONCMCh was the formation of complexes with different solubilities. The favorable complexes for ONCMCh-Zn2+ chelate were at the low zinc ionic and ligand concentrations, as well as at the appropriate temperature. The evidence provided by the kinetic parameters and the changes in zinc concentration by ICP analysis further confirmed the plausible complexing mechanisms. While the formation of water-soluble products was occasioned by the electrostatic attraction mechanism, the water-insoluble products were predominantly formed by chelation of Zn2+ with O,N-carboxymethyl chitosan. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 2246–2253, 2000
Do anticonvulsants reduce the efficacy of oral contraceptives

Women in our area with epilepsy who were also taking oral contraceptives were identified. Of 82 patients taking oral contraceptives, 41 had used both anticonvulsants and oral contraceptives for a total of 955 months. Three documented oral contraceptive (pill) failures occurred during this period, whereas the expected number of 0.12 (relative risk, 25; 95% confience interval, 5 to 73). No pill failures were observed in 2,278 months among women with epilepsy who were taking oral contraceptives but who were not taking anticonvulsants at this time. Thus our data support the suggestion that there is an increased rate of pill failure among women taking anticonvulsants. In view of this diminished effectiveness, the advisability of using oral contraceptives rather than one of the other forms of contraception when anticonvulsant medication is being used concurrently may need to be reevaluated.
Calculation of effective diffusivities and reactivities in immobilized cell systems using finite difference methods

Abstract Immobilized cell systems typically consist of a single cell type encased in a semi-rigid polymer support. The rates at which nutrient molecules diffuse and react in these materials determine the feasible longevity and the amount of desirable product generated by the cells. Finite difference techniques were developed to calculate effective diffusivities and rates of reaction of small molecules in such immobilized cell systems. The structures analyzed consist of multiple cellular inclusions distributed in a continuous phase where molecules diffuse more slowly in the cells than in the continuous phase. Diffusivities are in excellent agreement with available theoretical bounds. Under typical reactive conditions, the depth to which oxygen can penetrate ranges from 24–200 μm, depending on the cell volume fraction, oxygen supply, and cellular uptake kinetics. Increases in the cell fraction beyond 0.55 yield minimal increases in the oxygen consumption rate, suggesting that such materials are limited by the diffusive supply of oxygen.
The application of robust Bayesian analysis to hypothesis testing and Occam's Razor

Robust Bayesian analysis deals simultaneously with a class of possible prior distributions, instead of a single distribution. This paper concentrates on the surprising results that can be obtained when applying the theory to problems of testing precise hypotheses when the “objective” class of prior distributions is assumed. First, an example is given demonstrating the serious inadequacy of P-values for this problem. Next, it is shown how the approach can provide statistical quantification of Occam's Razor, the famous principle of science that advocates choice of the simpler of two hypothetical explanations of data. Finally, the theory is applied to multinomial testing.
Binge eating disorder: Disorder or marker?

Objective To describe the evidence for the constellation of symptoms known as binge eating disorder (BED) and to evaluate the utility of this diagnosis. Methods Examination of the definition, prevalence, psychiatric comorbidity, and treatment of BED through a selective review of the literature. Results The objective definition of a binge (its size and duration) remains problematic. Persons with BED have extensive comorbid psychopathology. Pharmacologic treatments effectively reduce binge eating, but only somewhat more than placebos, whereas psychotherapeutic treatments reduce binge eating, but do not produce weight loss. Traditional behavioral weight loss programs produce both weight loss and decreases in binge eating. The course of BED is variable and often remits with nonspecific attention or during wait-list conditions. Conclusions Although there is consensus on the criteria for BED, its great variability limits the implications that can be drawn from its diagnosis, and it may be most useful as a marker of psychopathology. © 2003 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 34: S107–S116, 2003.
Divergent perspectives in abortion counseling

Attribution theory predicts that actors have a tendency to see their own behavior as being caused by external factors, whereas observers may perceive the causes to be internal. This study investigated the accuracy of observers' predictions in abortion counseling clinics. As part of intake procedures, 40 clients from 8 abortion clinics completed the Rotter Internal-External scale. The scale was also completed by 40 professional counselors from the same clinics. Contrary to predictions from attribution theory, clients perceived themselves to have substantial internal control in this situation, whereas the counselors expected clients to feel primarily externally controlled. This disparate perspective is suggested as having a possibly counter-productive effect on the counseling process.
Ultrastructure of alarm substance cells in the epidermis of the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)

The cytoplasm of the alarm substance cells in the epidermis of an ostariophysian fish, channel catfish, contained fine homogeneously dispersed fibrillar material. Most cyto-plasmic organelles were concentrated perinuclearly. The mitochondria were of the tubular type and had matrix granules 30-50 nm in diameter. The saccules of the Golgi bodies did not form a parallel array and were comparatively widely separated. The nucleus was irregular in shape and had a distinct nucleolus made up of deeply stained granules meshed with areas of less granulation. The nuclear envelope was in the form of a double membrane having a wavy appearance and occasionally it showed invaginations penetrating deeply into the nucleoplasm. Lysosomes and lipid inclusions were encountered in the vicinity of the nucleus. Proteins were demonstrated histochemically, but carbohydrates were not detected. Differences between the alarm substance cells of channel catfish and those of other ostariophysian fish were described and discussed.
Luminosity and solar corona related to rate of rotation

Recently, observations and theory have been combined to relate sunspot activity, luminosity, and even X ray corona structure with the sun's rate of rotation. According to W. Waller of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, who reported recently on a workshop on magnetic activity in lab-type stars, a new theory is emerging which tries to link rotation to stellar activity. It is based on the model of a magnetic dynamo, whereby swirling motions within the stellar core induce a large-scale magnetic field. Because some parts of the star rotate faster than others, the magnetic field becomes frayed and twisted at its extremities.
Superpulsed Lasers: Minimizing Thermal Damage with Short Duration, High Irradiance Pulses

. Superpulsed carbon dioxide lasers emit a controlled train of short duration, high-power pulses which minimize the protein coagulation effects of the laser. Very high irradiances can be used with superb control of vaporization without significant peripheral heating. In incisional work, superpulsing permits the surgeon to advance the hand piece as slowly and as accurately as desired, while experiencing a fraction of the necrosis attendant to conventional continuous-wave lasers. In va-porizational applications, target tissue volumes are flash vaporized before significant heat can be transferred to surrounding tissue, promoting faster wound healing and reduced scarring. The superpulse feature may significantly change the way in which the carbon dioxide laser is used in cutaneous surgery.
Male and Female Sexual Vocabulary in Different Interpersonal Contexts

Abstract Previous investigators have demonstrated a wide divergence in a number of linguistic units and patterns of non‐verbal communication between men and women. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the vocabulary usage of men and women when discussing sexual concepts in a variety of interpersonal contexts. Two hundred two subjects at a Midwestern university anonymously reported their preference of sexual terminology for male and female genitalia and the act of copulation when discussing these terms with same sex friends, mixed company, parents, and lovers. The results demonstrate that the interpersonal context and the sex of the speaker often determine both the specific word(s) used and the amount of response variation. Females, more than males, have more stringent limitations on their sexual vocabulary repertoire. The differences between males and females are a function of both the interpersonal context and the specific sexual concept under discussion. The possible relationship between voc...
Is speech therapy really preventing recovery in stutterers? A reply to Pothier, Monteiro and Bredencamp

We recently published the results of a survey that asked speech therapists in the North Carolina school system to provide us with the number of stuttering children on their caseload that completely...
Raman spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction of phase transitions in Cr 2 O 3 to 61 GPa

Raman spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction measurements have been performed for pure ${\mathrm{Cr}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ to 61 GPa at ambient temperature with and without laser heating. Several changes were found at 15--30 GPa under cold compression: splittings of two ${E}_{g}$ phonons, steep selective increase of some phonon intensities, softening of low-frequency phonon modes, selective broadening of some diffraction lines, systematic deviation of diffraction positions relative to the corundum structure assignment, and eventual splitting of the ${(110)}_{H}$ diffraction line at 58 GPa. These changes are consistent with those expected for a phase transition to the monoclinic ${\mathrm{V}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$-type $(I2/a)$ structure. Another phase transition has been found above 30 GPa after laser heating. This is accompanied by considerable changes in Raman spectra and diffraction patterns, which implies that the transition is reconstructive. The diffraction patterns of this phase can be well explained by either of the orthorhombic structures, perovskite or ${\mathrm{Rh}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$-II type. This confirms the recent prediction of stability of an orthorhombic phase in ${\mathrm{Cr}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ at high pressure by first-principles calculations. Color changes of ${\mathrm{Cr}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ were also detected: from green to red at 14 GPa during cold compression and from red to green during the phase transition to the orthorhombic phase above 30 GPa. Detailed analyses on diffraction patterns show that the color changes are relevant to Cr-O bond-length change. Furthermore, the observed variation trends of bond lengths in ${\mathrm{Cr}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ during cold compression are similar to those in ${\mathrm{Al}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ with much more pressure sensitivity, which is consistent with recent first-principles calculations, but are opposite to those in ${\mathrm{V}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ and ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ at high pressure.
Toward making the mean spherical approximation of primitive model electrolytes analytic: an analytic approximation of the MSA screening parameter.

The mean spherical approximation (MSA) for the primitive model of electrolytes provides reasonable estimates of thermodynamic quantities such as the excess chemical potential and screening length. It is especially widely used because of its explicit formulas so that numerically solving equations is minimized. As originally formulated, the MSA screening parameter Γ (akin to the reciprocal of the Debye screening length) does not have an explicit analytic formula; an equation for Γ must be solved numerically. Here, an analytic approximation for Γ is presented whose relative error is generally ≲10−5. If more accuracy is desired, one step of an iterative procedure (which also produces an explicit formula for Γ) is shown to give relative errors within machine precision in many cases. Even when ion diameter ratios are ∼10 and ion valences are ∼10, the relative error for the analytic approximation is still ≲10−3 and for the single iterative substitution it is ≲10−9.
Thermal conductivity anisotropy in superconducting UPt3

Abstract Recent thermal conductivity measurements on UPt 3 single crystals by Lussier et al. indicate the existence of a strong b–c anisotropy in the superconducting state. We calculate the thermal conductivity in various unconventional candidate states appropriate for the UPt 3 “B phase” and compare with experiment, specifically the E 2 u and E 1 g (1, i ) states predicted in some Ginzburg-Landau analyses of the phase diagram. For the simplest realizations of these states over spherical or ellipsoidal Fermi surfaces, the normalized E 2 u conductivity is found, surprisingly, to be completely isotropic. We discuss the effects of inelastic scattering and realistic Fermi surface anisotropy, and deduce constraints on the symmetry class of the UP t 3 ground state.
High-resolution three-dimensional imaging of the rich membrane structures of bone marrow-derived mast cells

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) enables high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) imaging of cultured bone marrow-derived mast cells. Cells were immobilized by a quick centrifugation and fixation to preserve their transient cellular morphologies followed by AFM characterization in buffer. This "fix-and-look" approach preserves the structural integrity of individual cells. Well-known membrane morphologies, such as ridges and microvilli, are visualized, consistent with prior electron microscopy observations. Additional information including the 3D measurements of these characteristic features are attained from AFM topographs. Filopodia and lamellopodia, associated with cell spreading, were captured and visualized in three dimensions. New morphologies are also revealed, such as high-density ridges and micro-craters. This investigation demonstrates that the "fix-and-look" approach followed by AFM imaging provides an effective means to characterize the membrane structure of hydrated cells with high resolution. The quantitative imaging and measurements pave the way for systematic correlation of membrane structural features with the biological status of individual cells.
Role of surface reactions in the stabilization of n-CdS-based photoelectrochemical cells

The potential use of II–VI semiconductor–aqueous junction cells for the conversion of optical energy to electricity has previously been limited by semiconductor photodecomposition processes combined with low energy conversion efficiencies. Decomposition processes in the prototypical n-CdS photoelectrochemical cell can be efficiently suppressed by addition of an appropriate polychalcogenide redox couple to the electrolyte1–3. However, conversion efficiencies remain low (∼5% at 488 nm)4. Moreover, although increased optical to electrical energy conversion rates can be obtained by using a redox couple such as Fe(CN)4−/3−6 (∼8% conversion efficiency at 488 nm), the cell lifetime is greatly diminished5–7 (t1/2∼1/2h). We report here that the photodecomposition of n-CdS in a Fe(CN)4−/3−6 electrolyte can be dramatically decreased and cell output parameters significantly improved by the presence of an appropriate combination of K+ and Cs+ ions. Monochromatic (488 m) conversion efficiencies in excess of 20% have been observed, with fill factors (a measure of the ideality of the cell) in the range of 65%. The enhanced stability and efficiency are associated with in situ chemical derivatization of the n-CdS surface with a layer of Kx Csy[CdIIFeII(CN)6]. (This species is an analogue of Prussian blue having a C-bound FeII/III centre and a nitrogen bound CdII centre. See, for example, ref. 8.)
Regular Article: Calculation of Two-Phase Navier–Stokes Flows Using Phase-Field Modeling

Phase-field models provide a way to model fluid interfaces as having finite thickness. This can allow the computation of interface movement and deformation on fixed grids. This paper applies phase-field modeling to the computation of two-phase incompressible Navier-Stokes flows. The Navier-Stokes equations are modified by the addition of the continuum forcing [email protected]?->@f, where C is the composition variable and @f is C's chemical potential. The equation for interface advection is replaced by a continuum advective-diffusion equation, with diffusion driven by C's chemical potential gradients. The paper discusses how solutions to these equations approach those of the original sharp-interface Navier-Stokes equations as the interface thickness @e and the diffusivity both go to zero. The basic flow-physics of phase-field interfaces is discussed. Straining flows can thin or thicken an interface and this must be resisted by a high enough diffusion. On the other hand, too large a diffusion will overly damp the flow. These two constraints result in an upper bound for the diffusivity of O(@e) and a lower bound of O(@e^2). Within these two bounds, the phase-field Navier-Stokes equations appear to generate an O(@e) error relative to the exact sharp-interface equations. An O(h^2/@e^2) numerical method is introduced that is energy conserving in the sense that creation of interface energy by convection is always balanced by an equal decrease in kinetic energy caused by surface tension forcing. An O(h^4/@e^4) compact scheme is introduced that takes advantage of the asymptotic, comparatively smooth, behavior of the chemical potential. For O(@e) accurate phase-field models the optimum path to convergence for this scheme appears to be @[email protected]^4^/^5. The asymptotic rate of convergence corresponding to this is O(h^4^/^5) but results at practical resolutions show that the practical convergence of the method is generally considerably faster than linear. Extensive analysis and computations show that this scheme is very effective and accurate. It allows the accurate calculation of two-phase flows with interfaces only two cells wide. Computational results are given for linear capillary waves and for Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities. The first set of computations is compared to exact solutions of the diffuse-interface equations and of the original sharp-interface equations. The Rayleigh-Taylor computations test the ability of the method to compute highly deforming flows. These flows include near-singular phenomena such as interface coalescences and breakups, contact line movement, and the formation and breakup of thin wall-films. Grid-refinement studies are made and rapid convergence is found for macroscopic flow features such as instability growth rate and propagation speed, wavelength, and the general physical characteristics of the instability and mass transfer rates.
Dual Networks in European Regional Development Policy

This article seeks to extend the general analytical powers of the ‘multi-level governance’ (MLG) model of politics in the European Union. Empirically, we investigate the political dynamics of networks linking supranational, national, and subnational actors in EU regional development policy. Theoretically, we argue that interaction in these networks can be illuminated by an approach based on the structuralist logic of sociological network theory. Structuralist logic emphasizes how particular patterns of relationships—in this case, a supranational–national–subnational triad—shape actors' roles and strategies. Triads create opportunities for constantly shifting alliances, as relations between any two actors are affected by appeals to the third. The resulting pattern of interaction, which we call ‘dual network dynamics’, corresponds well to observed conflict and co-operation in EU regional development policy.
Episodic Central Nervous System Ischemia of Undetermined Cause: Relation to Occult Left Atrial Myxoma

Left atrial myxoma should be considered seriously in patients with unexplained cerebral dysfunction, particularly those in whom there are multiple recurrent cerebral vascular episodes, despite the absence of suggestive heart findings. Substantiating this observation are two such illustrative cases with embolic disease leading to neurological involvement who otherwise lacked cardiac symptomatology and did not exhibit auscultatory, roentgenological or electrocardiographical evidence of heart disease. The first patient died without antemortem recognition of the tumor and, in the second, the myxoma was removed after eventual identification by cardiac angiography and histological examination of embolic material. Thus, it is recommended that left atrial myxoma be definitely sought by heart catheterization with contrast study as a potentially curable cause of chronic nervous system disease with transient episodes of vascular insufficiency even in patients without cardiac manifestations.
Loss-on-ignition corrections in the XRF analysis of silicate rocks

An empirical method for loss-on-ignition (LOI) corrections in XRF analysis is presented. It is based on a polynomial relationship between the disc weight ratio (D/Dz) and the analyte concentration ratio (Ciz/Ci) for a series of synthetic standards with various known LOI contents, where Dz and Ciz are disc weight and analyte concentration, respectively, at zero LOI. The coefficients derived from regression analysis of the relationships are unique to each analyte element, and may be used to adjust the disc weight ratio. The adjust disc weight ratios are than applied to correct the apparent concentration to a standard measurement condition, which is zero LOI The effectiveness of this LOI correction method was verified experimentally by the analysis of some well characterized geochemical reference samples with various LOI contents and the results were found to be in good agreement with the recommended values.
Industry Signals Relayed by Corporate Earnings Restatements

This study finds that downward earnings restatements are associated with negative industry valuation effects. These effects are more pronounced when the valuation effects and the change in earnings of the firm restating its earnings are worse, when the restatement is initiated for reasons other than fraud, when the bubble was bursting, and when the restatement is subsequent to the publicity regarding Enron's fraud. The negative industry effects are more pronounced in industries that have a higher level of accruals and intangible assets, weaker sales growth, and a higher degree of stock volatility.
About prayer Abjection and urgency in an American Holiness Church

This article explicates how, among members of the Nazarene church in upstate New York, forms of social abjection become a religious good through the pastor's sermons and the symbolic labor of prayer. It examines what it means to circulate issues, weaknesses, and bodily ailments in prayer, and to transform them into power, chosenness, and the promise of the wrath of God. More specifically, the appeal and efficacy of sermon and prayer is largely dependent on the experience of social abjection of the parishioners. The expectation of relief that the community so intensely desires enables the pastor to create the hallucinatory reality he is summoning. Reflecting on a series of religious experiences of one particular member of that community, this article demonstrates how Nazarene religiosity is nurtured by mundane experiences of loneliness and social neglect, which find their most acute expression in the identification of malevolent intent and evil.
Active On-Die Suppression of Power Supply Noise

An active on-chip circuit is demonstrated in 130nm CMOS for the suppression of on-chip power supply noise due to power distribution resonance. Testchip measurement results indicate up to 40% reduction in power supply noise during clock/power gating at a 2% power and 6% area overhead cost. Oscillation time is reduced by 50%. Simulation results show that comparable overshoot/undershoot and ringing control via on-chip decoupling would require significantly more area and power due to leakage, particularly at 90nm and below.
Extreme weather events

Models that try to forecast the detailed geographical distribution of oceanic and atmospheric variables affected by the ENSO cycle are briefly discussed. Combinations of singular-spectrum analysis and the maximum entropy method that hold promise for predicting the ENSO cycle 2-3 yrs in advance are addressed.
Simplifying the economics of test and repair in both the factory and depot

When it comes to understanding the Cost of Test, we all tend to start philosophizing on the multitude of factors that must go into such an equation. In fact, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Cost Analysis Improvement Group took over 149 pages to layout all the attributes and assumptions in 1992. This paper explores a different way of approaching the problem. Instead of developing algorithms and defining attributes bottoms- up for every and all factors of a test strategy, this approach looks at a top down methodology. Taking a systems view of the process, and associated costs of test, a minimum set of data and related cost are all that are needed to get a 90% understanding of the cost of test. More importantly, these models can show gaps in strategies and leverage areas for eliminating test and process steps and thus associated costs.
Purification and properties of arylsulfatase B from high- and low-activity mouse strains

Arylsulfatase B (arylsulfate sulfohydrolase; EC 3.1.6.1) activities in C57BL/6J, SWR/J, and A/J mouse liver approximate a 5:3:1 ratio. Each enzyme was purified to apparent homogeneity, and the properties of the three purified enzymes were compared. The purified enzyme behaved as a monomer with an apparent molecular weight of 50,000. The purified enzyme catalyzed the hydrolysis ofp-nitrocatechol sulfate (pNCS), 4-methylumbelliferyl sulfate (4MUS), and chondroitin-4-sulfate (C4S) heptasaccharide. Purified SWR/J arylsulfatase B possessed a higher relative electrophoretic mobility atpH 4.0 than the A/J and C57BL/6J isozymes, and the SWR/J enzyme was more thermostable than either the C57BL/6J or the A/J enzyme. No differences were observed among the three enzymes with respect to their Michaelis constants for 4MUS and pNCS, isoelectric points, responses to inhibitors,pH optima, or electrophoretic mobilities atpH 8.3. The relativein vivo rates of synthesis of C57BL/6J, A/J, and SWR/J arylsulfatase B were comparable.
Analyzing equity impacts of transit fare changes: Case study of Alameda–Contra Costa Transit, California

Abstract Many public transit agencies consider increasing fares when faced with budget shortfalls. This paper analyzes the Alameda–Contra Costa (AC) Transit District's five alternative fare proposals introduced for public discussion in March 2005. The proposals combined fare hikes, base fare reductions, eliminations of free transfers, and discontinuation of periodic passes. Using the agency's 2002 on-board survey data, the study assessed the impacts of individual fare proposals on different subsets of riders and evaluated if they were equitable; and estimated potential fare revenues, using alternative price elasticities to estimate changes in ridership due to changes in price. The analysis revealed that proposals that increased the cost of transfers or eliminated unlimited-use passes produced dramatically unequal impacts on certain riders. Proposals for flat fares per ride were found to be least equitable, even when the base fare was lowered, because lower income riders, youth, and minorities made more trips and transferred more frequently than their more affluent counterparts. Proposals that maintained existing pass instruments and allowed transfers for small fees were the most favorable. The paper demonstrates the utility of on-board surveys and details an approach that could be widely used for evaluation of equity in public transit and other areas.
3D CT baggage image enhancement based on order statistic decomposition

Baggage scanning systems are widely used at security checkpoint in airports for homeland security applications. However, the CT baggage images suffer from background noise and the presence of low contrast. To address this problem, this paper introduces a new 3D CT baggage image enhancement algorithm using order statistic decomposition. Computer simulation and comparisons are given to demonstrate the excellent enhancement performance of the presented new algorithm and its capability of significantly improving visual quality of CT images while removing the background noise.
Conflict Resolution or Transformation? An Analysis of the South African and Mozambican Political Settlements

How much conflict must be resolved for a political settlement and its implementation to be successful? This article argues that a political settlement must satisfy the combatants' expectations regarding the resolution of the causes of the conflict. How deeply do these causes need to be resolved for the parties to be satisfied? To answer this question two concepts are introduced: the immediate and underlying causes of a conflict. Immediate causes (grievances) are specific, concrete policies that provoke some subset of a state's population to rebel against the government. Underlying causes are diverging interests that led to the introduction of these policies that caused the grievances. This article examines the political settlements in South Africa and Mozambique that terminated armed hostilities, overcame the conflict, and opened the door to normal politics. The research indicates that in both cases the political settlement satisfactorily resolved the immediate causes of the conflict. There was greater dissatisfaction in South Africa because the political settlement did not resolve the underlying causes of the conflict. A major reason for this dissatisfaction was that although the electoral outcome gave the ANC strong popular support, the political settlement limited its ability to grapple with root causes. In Mozambique, fears of reigniting another protracted armed confrontation and the close electoral outcome dissuaded either side from addressing the underlying causes of the conflict.
Nitric oxide formation in droplet diffusion flames

A theoretical study of the formation of NO in the spherical (no gravity, no forced convection) diffusion flames around ethanol drops burning in air is presented. The Zeldovich chemical kinetic mechanism for the formation of NO is used, together with the standard equations for the diffusion flame. It is concluded that diffusion flames around hydrocarbon fuel drops, burning in high-temperature air, could be significant sources of NO. It is also found that NO diffusion must be considered in order to calculate properly its concentration, that the mass of NO produced per unit mass of fuel burned increases with the droplet radius, that finer fuel sprays produce less NO than coarse ones (all other conditions being the same) and that fuelbound nitrogen could enhance the production of NO at lower air temperatures.
Bioavailability of Phosphorus in Commercial Phosphate Supplements for Turkeys

Abstract Forty-seven commercial phosphorus supplements were obtained from feed manufacturers and subjected to biological phosphorus availability assay using the turkey poult. Bone ash was the response criterion. Compared to a reference source of commercial mono/dicalcium phosphate (assigned 100), 7 other mono/dicalcium phosphates averaged 97.1 (range 88.6 to 110.0), 20 dicalcium phosphate sources averaged 90.6 (76.3 to 104.8), and 20 defluorinated phosphate sources averaged 78.4% (68.6 to 89.6) availabilities. Combining equal parts of all sources of each type of phosphorus supplement and using purified grade calcium phosphate monobasic monohydrate as a defined standard, the commercial mono/dicalcium phosphates, dicalcium phosphates, and defluorinated phosphates averaged (with 95% confidence limits) 93.6 ± 7.6, 88.3 ± 8.2, and 70.2 ± 7.2% phosphorus availability in a slope ratio bioassay. Calculating the requirement intercepts utilizing the blended phosphorus supplements indicated apparent requirements using mono/dicalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, and defluorinated phosphate of .74, .76, and .83% total phosphorus in the diet, respectively. Considering 1) the variability in availability of the sources, 2) variation in feed mixing, 3) the National Research Council requirement of .80%, and 4) that newly hatched poults are completely dependent on one batch of prestarter feed during 0 to 10 days of life, it is suggested that in certain instances field rickets could result from deficiency of dietary phosphorus.
Personalized medicine: Factors influencing reimbursement

Abstract Objectives Personalized medicine (PM) has attracted tremendous interest, but yielded few marketed products. We examined factors influencing the reimbursement of existing PM technologies. Methods We conducted six case studies of the following paired genetic tests and treatments: HER2/neu with trastuzumab (Herceptin); hepatitis C genotyping with ribavirin/pegylated interferon; Oncotype DX with chemotherapy; UGT1A1 with irinotecan (Camptosar); VKORC1 / CYP2C9 with warfarin; BRCA1/2 with prophylactic surgical measures; and Oncotype DX with chemotherapy. We developed a framework for categorizing PM technology, and assessed factors influencing reimbursement, including quality of evidence, type of regulatory oversight, presence of clinical guidelines, and cost-effectiveness. Results PM is not a monolithic concept, but rather encompasses different types of technology. The strength of evidence available for existing PM technology varies widely and, along with endorsement of clinical guidelines, appears to be the strongest predictor of reimbursement. In the absence of reimbursement, direct-to-consumer marketing has continued for some PM technology. The type of regulatory oversight and the results of cost-effectiveness analysis do not appear to be associated with reimbursement to date. Conclusions To date, the promise and hype of PM has outpaced its evidentiary support. In order to achieve favorable coverage and reimbursement and to support premium prices for PM, manufacturers will need to bring better clinical evidence to the marketplace and better establish the value of their products.
Fatigue damage initiation and growth from artificial defects in Zr-based metallic glass

An array of well-defined and micrometer-sized circular and line defects were produced on the surface of Zr-based bulk metallic glass bend specimens using a focused ion beam (FIB) in order to study the effect of the defect size, orientation and shape on fatigue damage initiation and growth. Damage evolution was recorded using a surface-replicating technique. Damage was observed to initiate and grow as shear bands or mixed-mode cracks before reaching a characteristic length when they abruptly changed growth direction and propagated orthogonal to the maximum stress axes. Additionally, specimens with circular defect pairs were fabricated so that defect interaction under fatigue loading could be observed. Analysis of the stress state around the defect pairs indicated that damage initiation occurred in regions of highest equivalent (von Mises) stress. Stress-life measurements for bending specimens with FIB surface defects were found to be similar to those for bending specimens without defects at the same applied stress amplitude.
Breakdown of the Continuum Stokes−Einstein Relation for Nanoparticle Diffusion

Cadmium selenide nanoparticles are found to diffuse approximately 200 times faster in a polymeric liquid than predicted by the Stokes-Einstein relation. This remarkable behavior is hypothesized to be due to the nanoparticles being smaller than the entanglement mesh to create a frictional drag that does not follow continuum expectations, in line with a theoretical calculation presented before. This is one of the first demonstrations of X-ray photo correlation spectroscopy applied to polymeric liquids, which we use to explain the simultaneous 60% viscosity reduction of the mixture through a proposed constraint release mechanism.
An Instrument for the Measure of Dabrowskian Overexcitabilities to Identify Gifted Elementary Students

The ElemenOE is a Likert-scaled observation checklist developed in this study to measure 5 personality characteristics in elementary school children, with predictive validity for identifying gifted...
Dual Dynamical Systems and their Representation by System Functions

ABSTRACT The system function concept is an extension of the usual application of the transform method to linear systems. In this paper it is shown that there are two system functions which can be naturally associated with a given system and that each one can be interpreted in two ways. These alternate interpretations are used to show that the same system function provides a means for calculating the time-domain output of a given system and the transform-domain output of the dual system (defined as the adjoint of the given system with reversal of the time scale ordering).
The Use of hafnia/silica multilayer coatings on large mirrors and polarizers for the National Ignition Facility

Multilayer coatings with high damage resistance at I 054 nm can be produced with a metallic hafnium starting material and silicon dioxide (the damage characteristics of these coatings are discussed in detail in a companion paper submitted to this conference). These films have the potential of exhibiting good performance for a high fluence laser if all other optical specifications can be met by the coating. This paper discusses the methods used to prepare a large substrate and coat it with a multilayer meeting damage, spectral, surface flatness, and uniformity specifications.
High-resolution interleaved water-fat MR imaging of finger joints with chemical-shift elimination

Purpose To study the use of an interleaved water-fat (IWF) sequence with a custom-made radiofrequency (RF) coil for high-resolution imaging of arthritic finger joints. Materials and Methods High-resolution finger magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed using a custom-made dedicated RF receiver coil and an IWF sequence. A phantom, a cadaver finger specimen, and the fingers of two normal controls and six arthritic subjects were imaged with a resolution of 156 × 156 × 600 μm. The appearance of anatomic structures on the IWF images were compared with images acquired with a regular sequence. The images were reviewed by two musculoskeletal radiologists for the depiction of anatomical structures and for the presence of abnormalities. Results The high-resolution images revealed detailed structures of the finger joints not detectable using typical clinical resolution. The IWF sequence gave more realistic depiction of subchondral bone thickness, and avoided false bone erosions displayed in the regular sequence. It also allowed better visualization of ligaments and tendons. Conclusion This pilot study shows the feasibility and the potential usefulness of high-resolution IWF imaging for finger joint evaluation. This technique may be useful for the diagnosis and treatment assessment of arthritis, and for the study of joint disease pathogenesis. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;33:245–251. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Molecular Analyses of a Putative CTXφ Precursor and Evidence for Independent Acquisition of Distinct CTXφs by Toxigenic Vibrio cholerae

The genes encoding cholera toxin ( ctxA and ctxB ) are encoded in the genome of CTXφ, a filamentous phage that infects Vibrio cholerae . To study the evolutionary history of CTXφ, we examined genome diversity in CTXφs derived from a variety of epidemic and nonepidemic Vibrio sp. natural isolates. Among these were three V. cholerae strains that contained CTX prophage sequences but not the ctxA and ctxB genes. These prophages each gave rise to a plasmid form whose genomic organization was very similar to that of the CTXφ replicative form, with the exception of missing ctxAB . Sequence analysis of these three plasmids revealed that they lacked the upstream control region normally found 5′ of ctxA , as well as the ctxAB promoter region and coding sequences. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that a CTXφ precursor that lacked ctxAB simultaneously acquired the toxin genes and their regulatory sequences. To assess the evolutionary relationships among additional CTXφs, two CTXφ-encoded genes, orfU and zot , were sequenced from 13 V. cholerae and 4 V. mimicus isolates. Comparative nucleotide sequence analyses revealed that the CTXφs derived from classical and El Tor V. cholerae isolates comprise two distinct lineages within otherwise nearly identical chromosomal backgrounds (based on mdh sequences). These findings suggest that nontoxigenic precursors of the two V. cholerae O1 biotypes independently acquired distinct CTXφs.
Diffusion of Copper and Gallium in Single Crystals of Zinc

The sectioning technique was used to study the diffusion of radioactive tracers in high-purity zinc single crystals. Diffusion both parallel and perpendicular to the hexagonal axis was measured. The diffusion of ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{64}$ was measured over the temperature range from about 338\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C to 415\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C with the results ${D}_{\mathrm{II}}=(2.22\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.57)\mathrm{exp}[\ensuremath{-}(29.53\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.29)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\frac{{10}^{3}}{\mathrm{RT}}] \frac{{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}}{sec},$ ${D}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}=(2.00\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.54)\mathrm{exp}[\ensuremath{-}(29.92\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.30)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\frac{{10}^{3}}{\mathrm{RT}}]\frac{{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}}{sec},$ The diffusion of ${\mathrm{Ga}}^{72}$ was measured over the range from about 240\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C to 403\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C with the results ${D}_{\mathrm{II}}=(0.016\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.001)\mathrm{exp}[\ensuremath{-}(18.40\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.06)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\frac{{10}^{3}}{\mathrm{RT}}]\frac{{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}}{sec},$ ${D}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}=(0.018\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.001)\mathrm{exp}[\ensuremath{-}(18.15\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.08)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\frac{{10}^{3}}{\mathrm{RT}}]\frac{{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}}{sec},$ Copper diffused at a rate faster than gold but slower than silver. As in silver and gold, ${D}_{\mathrm{II}}g{D}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}$; but the anisotropy was much smaller in Cu than in Ag or Au. The measured values of gallium fall somewhat below those for indium and show ${D}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}g{D}_{\mathrm{II}}$. The relative diffusion rates are qualitatively in accord with the predictions of LeClaire's theory of homovalent diffusion. The sign of anisotropy is explained in terms of the electrostatic interaction between the diffusing ion and the vacancy, and the reduced anisotropy of copper diffusion is interpreted as evidence of a size effect.
Normal mapping for precomputed radiance transfer

Normal mapping is a variant of bump mapping that is commonly used in computer games. It models complex surface variations by explicitly storing a surface normal in a texture map. However, it has not been used with precomputed radiance transfer (PRT), a technique for modeling an object's response to a parameterized model of lighting, which enables interactive rendering of complex global illumination effects such as soft shadows and interreflections. This paper presents several techniques that effectively combine normal mapping and precomputed radiance transfer for rigid objects. In particular, it investigates representing the convolved radiance function in various bases and borrowing concepts from the separable decomposition of BRDF's.