cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Minimal search as a restriction on Merge

In this paper I argue that a stricture in which Merge between a root and another element must take place across the smallest search domain possible. Only when the smallest search domain is exhausted or otherwise inapplicable are wider search domains open to Merge. This in effect results in internal Merge being the first option, external Merge being the second, and sideward movement being the last. The results of this minimal search condition are that Merge as an explanation for displacement is made more explicit, ungrammatical phase-escape is ruled-out as a possibility (as opposed to ungrammatical, yet possible), sideward movement is effectively ruled-out as movement option, and the generalization the displacement result in a c-command configuration is enforced without need of explicit encoding. These results obtain due to a plausible implementation of the notion that some of human language is shaped by so-called third factor constraints like minimal search.
Ribonuclease J: How to lead a double life

New structures of RNase J reported by Dorleans et al. and Newman et al. in this issue of Structure suggest how an enzyme whose identical subunits each contain a single buried active site can function as both a 5′ exonuclease and an endonuclease.
Predicting osseous changes in ankle fractures

A quantitative assay of subtle morphologic changes that are induced in the trabecular structure of weight-bearing bones as a result of immobilization prescribed as part of routine clinical management is investigated. It is postulated that a clinically meaningful structural measure can be inferred from comparatively small, relatively uniform regions of trabecular bone, which are easily isolated from conventional transmission radiographs. This approach derives from the observation that common transmission radiographs of alveolar bone contain trabecular regions with spatial attributes that are statistically independent of image magnification over a reasonable range of spatial frequencies. Selecting these regions for analysis is advantageous because certain attributes of the resulting data are theoretically independent of the focal-object distance used to produce the original radiograph. Therefore, the size and shape of the irradiated tissue mass do not influence the measurement, as they do in morphometric-based analysis. >
A minmax distribution free procedure for the (Q, R ) inventory model

We are concerned with the continuous review (Q, R) model with backorder costs when only the mean and the variance of the distribution of the lead time demand are known. For each (Q, R) the minmax approach consist of finding the most unfavorable distribution fitting these two moments and then minimizing over (Q, R). The most unfavorable distribution turns out to have positive mass at only two points. This allows a closed form expression for the expected number of backorders per cycle. Given this closed form expression, the optimal (Q, R) pair is easy to find.
The Incest Motif in Louise von François's Der Katzenjunker: A Veiled yet Scathing Indictment of Patriarchal Abuse

Although the German novelist Louise von Francois was recognized by contemporaries as a writer of high artistic merit and her works were praised for their probing psychological insights, Francois's name was seldom mentioned among the writers of the nineteenth century German women's movement. Her narratives carry a covert feminist message which is presented discreetly through the use of subtleties. Cast into intricately interwoven artistic shape, her stories probe the insufficiencies of contemporary patriarchal society which violated women psychologically, socially and economically. The plight of women fettered by male-dominated institutions, one of the important themes of nineteenth century feminists, is no where more clearly developed than in her story Der Katzenjunker. The narrative lodges a powerful protest against patriarchal family structures, made emblematic in the quasi-incestuous relationship between “father” and “daughter.” This study examines how Francois used the dark and frightening undercurrent of incest to systematically depict male brutality and women's humiliating dependency. It analyses her psychologically complex characters and their emotional and sexual relationships, and elucidates her bitter view of the topos of romantic love. The subtle shift from a depiction of female subordination to one of female self-identity offers hope for nineteenth century women and suggests a vision of more egalitarian social patterns.
Mini-colpostats in the treatment of carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

Abstract Between 1976 and 1982, 293 patients were treated for carcinoma of the uterine cervix at Washington University by definitive radiotherapy consisting of external beam therapy and two standard Fletcher-Suit applications (tandem plus vaginal colpostats). In ninety-nine patients (34%) mini-colpostats (MC) were used for one or both of their intracavitary insertions while 194 (66%) patients were treated twice with regular Fletcher-Suit colpostats (RC). The frequency of MC use was related to the age and parity of the patients. The distribution by stage of MC and RC groups was not significantly different. Pelvic failure in the MC group was similar to that of the RC group (21% vs 24%). Five-year disease-free survival was also similar between the two groups: 86% vs 80% Stage IB, 57% vs 61% Stage IIA, 47% vs 52% Stage IIB, and 27% vs 45% Stage III for MC and RC groups, respectively. The rate of major complications (grade 3) was 15% in the MC group and 8% in the RC group (p = 0.08). Careful phantom dosimetric studies in both types of colpostats and correlations of dose distributions at various points in the pelvis with frequency of rectal and bladder complications were carried out. The bladder and rectum received a 5–10% higher mean radiation dose (Gy) in the MC group than in the RC group despite lower overall exposure (milligram-hours). Thermoluminescent dosimetry in a polystyrene phantom demonstrates that approximately 10% higher doses are delivered to the bladder, rectum, and point A with an MC system as compared to an RC system, for constant exposure in mgh. Phantom measurements of a newer MC with bladder and rectal shielding demonstrate no influence on the bladder and rectal point dose at a source separation of 3 cm; midline points of the bladder and rectum are not within the full shadow of the shields even if the colpostats are flush with the tandem. Implications for therapy are discussed.
Intrinsic viscosity and molecular weight measurement of nylon 66 polymers

Intrinsic viscosity of several nylon 66 polymers in the molecular weight range 25,000–105,000 was measured in hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP). The experimentally measured viscosity was compared with the data obtained by least-squares fit of the classical equations of Huggins and Kraemer. The utility of the single-point viscosity measurement is also discussed and compared with the measured data. The apparent hydrodynamic parameters obtained from the Huggins equation indicate the applicability of HFIP for studying polyamide polymers. The molecular weight of these polymers was also determined by the gel permeation and low-angle laser light scattering technique (GPC–LALLS). The molecular weight data combined with the viscosity data provide the Mark–Houwink parameters. The agreement between these parameters and the same parameters obtained in tetrafluoropropanol (TFP) is excellent.
URIC ACID EXCRETION IN OBESE SUBJECTS DURING PERIODS OF TOTAL FASTING.

Abstract The mechanisms involved in the renal excretion of uric acid were studied in obese subjects undergoing short-term total fasts. On such a regimen with the caloric needs derived from endogenous fat stores, the serum uric acid increases above normal levels while the urinary excretion of uric acid decreases. A similar effect on serum and urine uric acid levels with diets high in exogenous fat has been noted by other investigators. Probenecid was found to be effective in reversing these changes in the fasting subject, suggesting that the mechanism involved is an increased uric acid reabsorption in the proximal renal tubules. Both glycine and glucose taken orally lowered the elevated fasting uric acid levels and increased the uric acid output in the urine. It is concluded that in a fasting subject (or subjects on high fat diets), decreased levels of amino acids and carbohydrate in the serum result in reduced amounts of these substances in the glomerular filtrate, thereby diminishing the competition with uric acid for the proximal renal tubular reabsorptive pathways and accounting for the increased uric acid reabsorption.
Spatial resolution of pace mapping of idiopathic ventricular tachycardia/ectopy originating in the right ventricular outflow tract.

Background Pace mapping has been used to identify the site of origin of focal ventricular arrhythmias. The spatial resolution of pace mapping has not been adequately quantified using currently available three-dimensional mapping systems. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the spatial resolution of pace mapping in patients with idiopathic ventricular tachycardia or premature ventricular contractions originating in the right ventricular outflow tract. Methods In 16 patients with idiopathic ventricular tachycardia/ectopy from the right ventricular outflow tract, comparisons and classifications of pace maps were performed by two observers (good pace map: match >10/12 leads; inadequate pace map: match ≤10/12 leads) and a customized MATLAB 6.0 program (assessing correlation coefficient and normalized root mean square of the difference (nRMSd) between test and template signals). With an electroanatomic mapping system, the correlation coefficient of each pace map was correlated with the distance between the pacing site and the effective ablation site. The endocardial area within the 10-ms activation isochrone was measured. Results The ablation procedure was effective in all patients. Sites with good pace maps had a higher correlation coefficient and lower nRMSd than sites with inadequate pace maps (correlation coefficient: 0.96 ± 0.03 vs 0.76 ± 0.18, P P 0.94 for correlation coefficient (sensitivity 81%, specificity 89%) and ≤0.54 for nRMSd (sensitivity 76%, specificity 80%). Good pace maps were located a mean of 7.3 ± 5.0 mm from the effective ablation site and had a mean activation time of −24 ± 7 ms. However, in 3 (18%) of 16 patients, the best pace map was inadequate at the effective ablation site, with an endocardial activation time at these sites of −25 ± 12 ms. Pace maps with correlation coefficient ≥0.94 were confined to an area of 1.8 ± 0.6 cm 2 . The 10-ms isochrone measured 1.2 ± 0.7 cm 2 . Conclusion The spatial resolution of a good pace map for targeting ventricular tachycardia/ectopy is 1.8 cm 2 in the right ventricular outflow tract and therefore is inferior to the spatial resolution of activation mapping as assessed by isochronal activation. In approximately 20% of patients, pace mapping is unreliable in identifying the site of origin, possibly due a deeper site of origin and preferential conduction via fibers connecting the focus to the endocardial surface.
Spring and summer phytoplankton communities in the Chukchi and Eastern Beaufort Seas

Abstract Phytoplankton pigments and size-fractionated biomass in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas showed spatial and temporal variation during the spring and summer of 2002. Cluster analysis of pigment ratios revealed different assemblages over the shelf, slope and basin regions. In spring, phytoplankton with particle sizes greater than 5 μm, identified as diatoms and/or haptophytes, dominated over the shelf. Smaller (
High-frequency financial statistics with parallel R and Intel Xeon Phi coprocessor

Financial statistics covers a wide array of applications in the financial world, such as (high frequency) trading, risk management, pricing and valuation of securities and derivatives, and various business and economic analytics. Portfolio allocation is one of the most important problems in financial risk management. One most challenging part in portfolio allocation is the tremendous amount of data and the optimization procedures that require computing power beyond the currently available desktop systems. In this article, we focus on the portfolio allocation problem using high-frequency financial data, and propose a hybrid parallelization solution to carry out efficient asset allocations in a large portfolio via intra-day high-frequency data. We exploit a variety of HPC techniques, including parallel R, Intel Math Kernel Library, and automatic offloading to Intel Xeon Phi coprocessor in particular to speed up the simulation and optimization procedures in our statistical investigations. Our numerical studies are based on high-frequency price data on stocks traded in New York Stock Exchange in 2011. The analysis results show that portfolios constructed using high-frequency approach generally perform well by pooling together the strengths of regularization and estimation from a risk management perspective. We also investigate the computation aspects of large-scale multiple hypothesis testing for time series data. Using a combination of software and hardware parallelism, we demonstrate a high level of performance on high-frequency financial statistics.
An improved scintillation beta spectrometer

Abstract A scintillation beta spectrometer using NaI(Tl) as detector has been constructed and tested. The spectrometer shows a resolution of 8.3% on the 624 keV conversion electron peak of Ce 137 .
Rugosity in Grimontia hollisae

Grimontia hollisae, formerly Vibrio hollisae, produces both smooth and rugose colonial variants. The rugose colony phenotype is characterized by wrinkled colonies producing copious amounts of exopolysaccharide. Cells from a rugose colony grown at 30°C form rugose colonies, while the same cells grown at 37°C form smooth colonies, which are characterized by a nonwrinkled, uncrannied appearance. Stress response studies revealed that after exposure to bleach for 30 min, rugose survivors outnumbered smooth survivors. Light scatter information obtained by flow cytometry indicated that rugose cells clumped into clusters of three or more cells (average, five cells) and formed two major clusters, while smooth cells formed only one cluster of single cells or doublets. Fluorescent lectin-binding flow cytometry studies revealed that the percentages of rugose cells that bound either wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) or Galanthus nivalis lectin (GNL) were greater than the percentages of smooth cells that bound the same lectins (WGA, 35% versus 3.5%; GNL, 67% versus 0.21%). These results indicate that the rugose exopolysaccharide consists partially of N-acetylglucosamine and mannose. Rugose colonies produced significantly more biofilm material than did smooth colonies, and rugose colonies grown at 30°C produced more biofilm material than rugose colonies grown at 37°C. Ultrastructurally, rugose colonies show regional cellular differentiation, with apical and lateral colonial regions containing cells embedded in a matrix stained by Alcian Blue. The cells touching the agar surface are packed tightly together in a palisade-like manner. The central region of the colony contains irregularly arranged, fluid-filled spaces and loosely packed chains or arrays of coccoid and vibrioid cells. Smooth colonies, in contrast, are flattened, composed of vibrioid cells, and lack distinct regional cellular differences. Results from suckling mouse studies showed that both orally fed rugose and smooth variants elicited significant, but similar, amounts of fluid accumulated in the stomach and intestines. These observations comprise the first report of expression and characterization of rugosity by G. hollisae and raise the possibility that expression of rugose exopolysaccharide in this organism is regulated at least in part by growth temperature.
Chemoselective Pd(0)-catalyzed peptide coupling in water.

Highly charged peptides ranging in length from 17 to 33 residues have been efficiently tricoupled to a trialkyne nucleus by using a Sonogashira Pd(0) coupling strategy under both acidic (pH 5.0) and basic (pH 7.5) conditions. These results demonstrate the utility of Pd(0) to construct protein-sized structures (12,000 mol wt) in aqueous milieu.
Simulations of Molecular Packing on a Non-Interacting Hexagonal Lattice Substrate

The isomeric effects on the adsorption geometry of di-halobenzene (C6H4X2; X = F, Cl, Br, I) and pentacene (C22H14) on the idealized non-interacting substrate are analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively by means of Monte Carlo simulations. The shape of pentacene isomers and the relative positions of halogen atoms in di-halobenzene may be important in determination of the favored adsorption geometry, contributing to the thermodynamic and chemical factors affecting the determination of the adsorbate geometry for these system. These simple methods may be applied to any planar molecules to quantify the contributions to the adsorption geometry that arises solely from the topological or geometrical isomeric differences in the molecules of interest.
The influence of age, relative weight, smoking, and alcohol intake on the reproducibility of a dietary questionnaire

To evaluate factors that affect the reproducibility of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire used in a large prospective study we compared an extended 99-item questionnaire with a shorter, 61-item form completed by 1497 women with an interval of nine months between. Correlation coefficients for individual items assessed by the two questionnaires were highest for beverages (Spearman r = 0.70). For other foods, coefficients ranged from 0.60 to 0.70 for items eaten frequently (or habitually), to values between 0.34 and 0.45 for foods, such as sweet potatoes and ready made pie, that were eaten less frequently. For food items, the correlation between mean frequency of consumption and the reproducibility coefficient (Spearman r) was 0.51 (p less than 0.01), formally confirming that the reproducibility of measurements was positively associated with frequency of use. Pearson correlation coefficients for calorie-adjusted intakes of nutrients between the two questionnaires ranged from 0.40 for trans-fatty acids to 0.71 for vitamin E (including supplements). These correlation coefficients did not vary materially between subjects in different categories of smoking status or tertiles of age or relative weight. Moderate alcohol use had minimal effect on correlation coefficients, but reproducibility was slightly reduced among heavier drinkers. These data indicate that this self-administered dietary questionnaire can provide reproducible information about individual food and nutrient intakes which is not altered materially by age and a number of important health habits.
Biogeochemistry of methylmercury in sediments of Long Island Sound

Cycling of toxic monomethylmercury (MMHg) in biologically productive coastal marine systems is affected by geochemical and macro/microbiological factors that control its production and mobilization from sediment. We examined the biogeochemistry of MMHg in sediment at three sites in Long Island Sound (LIS) in March, June, and August. Bioturbation homogenizes profiles of inorganic Hg (Hg(II)=total Hg−MMHg) in the upper 10 cm of sediment, whereas MMHg is enriched in surface material, indicating rapid and dynamic cycling of the toxic species. Sediment–water partitioning of MMHg and Hg(II) is controlled largely by sedimentary organic matter. Distribution coefficients (KD; l kg−1) of MMHg and Hg(II) are correlated with those for organic carbon, which suggests that adsorption/desorption of Hg species with sediment particles is mediated by partitioning of associated organic ligands. A fraction of MMHg and Hg(II) on sediment particles is associated with Fe complexes, presumably oxyhydroxides. Bioturbation enhances Hg methylation; subsurface peaks in 200Hg methylation potentials coincide with anomalies in a bioturbation index (d[organic matter]/dz) that indicate non-local disturbance of sediment. The estimated diffusive sediment–water flux of MMHg in LIS (55±20 mol year−1) exceeds inputs from external sources. This indicates that in situ production is the major source of MMHg to LIS, and by extension, other comparable near-shore systems. Furthermore, sedimentary methylation can account for most of the MMHg in primary producers of LIS. Hence, through dietary bioaccumulation, much of the MMHg in higher trophic levels within the Sound may be attributed to MMHg production in the sediments.
Abstract 4873: Functional interactions between lysine 20 methylation and lysine 16 acetylation on histone H4 in DNA damage responses

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Individual histone post-translational modifications have been implicated in regulating many cellular events. Modifications can occur at high densities in the N-terminal tail domains of core histones, enabling the possibility that combinations of modifications regulate chromatin processes differently than modifications occurring individually. However, surprisingly little is known about the nature and functions of multi-site histone modification. This study investigates functional interactions between acetylation of lysine 16 (K16ac) and methylation of lysine 20 (K20me), two modifications that frequently occur together on molecules of histone H4. Methylation state-specific binding of p53-binding protein 1 (53BP1) to dimethyl K20 H4 (K20me2) and the formation of 53BP1 nuclear foci near double strand breaks are early events in DNA damage responses (DDR) that provide a platform for the assembly of downstream effectors. Since global levels of K20me2 are relatively stable and are established independently of DNA damage, we propose that reversible changes in the levels of K16ac co-modification act like a dynamic switch to modulate DDR responses mediated by K20me2. Analyses of the interaction of the K20me2 binding domain of 53BP1 with H4 peptides in vitro reveal that K16ac co-modification attenuates specific recognition of K20me1/2 by 53BP1. The possibility that K16ac and K20me2 interact functionally in vivo is demonstrated by our finding that K16 deacetylation accompanies the induction of H2AX phosphorylation, a well-known marker for DDR, following DNA damage by either UV irradiation or bleomycin treatment. Moreover, the effects of expressing K16 mutants of H4 and inhibition of histone deacetylases on 53BP1 foci formation induced by DNA damage are consistent with our hypothesis that K16ac co-modification negatively regulates the formation of 53BP1 foci. DDR mechanisms are frequently deregulated in cancer cells. Further investigation of the role of H4 modifications in DDR will enhance our understanding of how genome integrity is maintained in normal cells and may identify novel targets for future therapies. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4873.
TWODQD an adaptive routine for two-dimensional integration

Abstract This is an adaptive subroutine that computes an approximation to the integral of a function f ( x, y ) over a two dimensional region made up of triangles. Lyness–Jespersen rules form the basis for a local quadrature module that is used to estimate the integral and the error over each triangle. The triangle with the largest error is subdivided and the local quadrature module is applied to each sub-triangle to obtain new estimates of the integral and the error. This process is repeated until either (1) an error tolerance is satisfied, (2) the number of triangles exceeds an input parameter MAXTRI, (3) the number of integrand evaluations exceeds an input parameter MEVALS, or (4) the subroutine senses that round-off error is beginning to contaminate the result.
Recognition of U-rich RNA by Hfq from the Gram-positive pathogen Listeria monocytogenes

Hfq is a post-transcriptional regulator that binds U- and A-rich regions of sRNAs and their target mRNAs to stimulate their annealing in order to effect translation regulation and, often, to alter their stability. The functional importance of Hfq and its RNA-binding properties are relatively well understood in Gram-negative bacteria, whereas less is known about the RNA-binding properties of this riboregulator in Gram-positive species. Here, we describe the structure of Hfq from the Gram-positive pathogen Listeria monocytogenes in its RNA-free form and in complex with a U6 oligoribonucleotide. As expected, the protein takes the canonical hexameric toroidal shape of all other known Hfq structures. The U6 RNA binds on the "proximal face" in a pocket formed by conserved residues Q9, N42, F43, and K58. Additionally residues G5 and Q6 are involved in protein-nucleic and inter-subunit contacts that promote uracil specificity. Unlike Staphylococcus aureus (Sa) Hfq, Lm Hfq requires magnesium to bind U6 with high affinity. In contrast, the longer oligo-uridine, U16, binds Lm Hfq tightly in the presence or absence of magnesium, thereby suggesting the importance of additional residues on the proximal face and possibly the lateral rim in RNA interaction. Intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence quenching (TFQ) studies reveal, surprisingly, that Lm Hfq can bind (GU)3G and U6 on its proximal and distal faces, indicating a less stringent adenine-nucleotide specificity site on the distal face as compared to the Gram-positive Hfq proteins from Sa and Bacillus subtilis and suggesting as yet uncharacterized RNA-binding modes on both faces.
Modulation of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Pulse Generator Sensitivity to Progesterone Inhibition in Hyperandrogenic Adolescent Girls—Implications for Regulation of Pubertal Maturation

Context: Adult women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have decreased GnRH pulse generator sensitivity to progesterone (P)-mediated slowing. This defect is androgen mediated because it is reversed with androgen receptor blockade. Adolescent hyperandrogenism often precedes PCOS. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate GnRH pulse generator sensitivity to P-mediated slowing in normal and hyperandrogenic girls. Design: We conducted a controlled interventional study. Setting: The study was conducted in a general clinical research center. Participants: A total of 26 normal control (NC) and 26 hyperandrogenic (HA) girls were studied. Intervention: Frequent blood sampling was performed for 11 h to assess LH pulse frequency before and after 7 d of oral estradiol and P. Main Outcome Measure: We measured the slope of the percentage reduction in LH pulse frequency as a function of d 7 P (slope). Results: Overall, Tanner 3-5 HA subjects were less sensitive to P-mediated slowing than Tanner 3-5 NC (slope, 4...
Identification of Naturally Processed CD4 T Cell Epitopes from the Prostate-Specific Antigen Kallikrein 4 Using Peptide-Based In Vitro Stimulation

Kallikrein (KLK)4 is a recently described member of the tissue kallikrein gene family that is specifically expressed in normal and prostate tumor tissues. The tissue-specific expression profile of this molecule suggests that it might be useful as a vaccine candidate against prostate cancer. To examine the presence of CD4 T cells specific for KLK4 in PBMC of normal individuals, a peptide-based in vitro stimulation protocol was developed that uses overlapping KLK4-derived peptides spanning the majority of the KLK4 protein. Using this methodology, three naturally processed CD4 epitopes derived from the KLK4 sequence are identified. These epitopes are restricted by HLA-DRB1*0404, HLA-DRB1*0701, and HLA-DPB1*0401 class II alleles. CD4 T cell clones specific for these epitopes are shown to efficiently and specifically recognize both recombinant KLK4 protein and lysates from prostate tumor cell lines virally infected to express KLK4. CD4 T cells specific for these KLK4 epitopes are shown to exist in PBMC from multiple male donors that express the relevant class II alleles, indicating that a CD4 T cell repertoire specific for KLK4 is present and potentially expandable in prostate cancer patients. The demonstration that KLK4-specific CD4 T cells exist in the peripheral circulation of normal male donors and the identification of naturally processed KLK4-derived CD4 T cell epitopes support the use of KLK4 in whole gene-, protein-, or peptide-based vaccine strategies against prostate cancer. Furthermore, the identification of naturally processed KLK4-derived epitopes provides valuable tools for monitoring preexisting and vaccine-induced responses to this molecule.
Seismic Discrimination of the May 11, 1998 Indian Nuclear Test with Short-period Regional Data from Station NIL (Nilore, Pakistan)

Regional seismic discriminants for the May 11, 1998 Indian underground nuclear test(s) and earthquakes recorded at station NIL (Nilore, Pakistan) provide new data to test strategies that can be used to monitor the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). Three categories of regional discriminants (ratios of P- and/or S- wave energy) were measured on short-period (0.5-6 Hz) seismograms: P/S amplitude ratios (phase ratios) measured in the same frequency band, P- and S -wave spectral ratios (i.e., low frequency to high frequency for the same phase) and P/S cross-spectral ratios (i.e., low frequency S- wave to high frequency P -wave). The P/S amplitude ratios show good separation of the Indian nuclear test and regional earthquakes for Pn/Lg and Pn/Sn, however Pg/Lg does not discriminate as well. Pn/Lg and Pn/Sn discriminate well at frequencies as low as 0.5-2 Hz, especially after accounting for path effects. This observation differs from previous studies that report poor separation of earthquakes and explosions at lower frequencies. The P/S amplitude ratios do not show any magnitude dependence, suggesting that forming the ratios in a fixed frequency band cancels the effects of source size-corner frequency scaling. Spatial variability of the observed discriminants arises from variations in crustal waveguide and/or attenuation structure (path propagation effects). Grouping amplitude ratios for earthquakes with paths similar to the Indian test greatly improves discrimination. Removing distance trends does not generally improve discrimination. Accounting for path effects with Bayesian kriging significantly improves discrimination. Spectral ratios (e.g., Pn [0.5-1 Hz]/Pn [4-6 Hz]) and cross-spectral ratios (e.g., Lg [1-2 Hz]/Pn [4–6 Hz]) show distance and magnitude dependence. We developed a technique for simultaneously removing the effects of distance and source size-corner frequency scaling on amplitude and spectral ratios. The technique uses a gridsearch to find several parameters that characterize the observed distance and magnitude dependence. Discrimination of the Indian test improved dramatically after the distance and magnitude trends were removed from the spectral and cross-spectral ratio data.
Coupled-mode theory for guided-wave optics

The problem of propagation and interaction of optical radiation in dielectric waveguides is cast in the coupled-mode formalism. This approach is useful for treating problems involving energy exchange between modes. A derivation of the general theory is followed by application to the specific cases of electrooptic modulation, photoelastic and magnetooptic modulation, and optical filtering. Also treated are nonlinear optical applications such as second-harmonic generation in thin films and phase matching.
The Adoption of Mental Health Drugs on State AIDS Drug Assistance Program Formularies

Objectives. We sought state-level factors associated with the adoption of medications to treat mental health conditions on state formularies for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program.Methods. We interviewed 22 state and national program experts and identified 7 state-level factors: case burden, federal dollar-per-case Ryan White allocation size, political orientation, state wealth, passage of a mental health parity law, number of psychiatrists per population, and size of mental health budget. We then used survival analysis to test whether the factors were associated with faster adoption of psychotropic drugs from 1997 to 2008.Results. The relative size of a state's federal Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program allocation, the state's political orientation, and its concentration of psychiatrists were significantly associated with time-to-adoption of psychotropic drugs on state AIDS Drug Assistance Program formularies.Conclusions. Substantial heterogeneity exists across states in formulary adoption of drugs to treat menta...
Effects of salinity on growth and cation accumulation of Sporobolus virginicus (Poaceae)

Optimal growth of euhalophytes requires moderate concentrations of salt and, in dicotyledons, is associated with succulence and accumulation of Na1 in plant tissues. However, reports of salt-stimulated growth in monocotyledons are rare. Relative growth rate (RGR), biomass accumulation, and water content were studied in Sporobolus virginicus (Poaceae), a C4 chloridoid grass, grown hydroponically with different concentrations of NaCl. Cation concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Optimal growth occurred at 100‐150 mmol/L NaCl and was not dependent on nitrogen levels or accompanied by accumulation of Na1 in leaves. Biomass accumulation and RGR in plants grown at 450 mmol/L NaCl were greater than in plants grown at 5 mmol/ L. The Na : K ratios were lower in leaves than in roots, indicating discrimination in Na 1 and K1 transport. Secretion of Na1 increased from 166.5 to 336.7 mmol · g21 dry biomass · d21 as the NaCl concentration of the nutrient solution increased from 125 mmol/L to 450 mmol/L. Water concentrations of leaves and shoots were significantly greater in plants grown at optimal levels of salinity than in plants grown at lower or higher salinities. These results demonstrate salt-stimulated growth in a monocotyledon.
Growth Hormone Therapy for Adults: Not Ready for Prime Time?

Human growth hormone is now readily available and approved for treatment of the growth hormone deficiency syndrome in adults. However, physicians have been slow to adopt this therapeutic modality. Reasons for skepticism about the use of growth hormone for the growth hormone deficiency syndrome include doubts about whether growth hormone deficiency causes increased morbidity and mortality in patients with hypopituitarism; availability of highly efficacious, easier to use, and less expensive agents for certain aspects of the growth hormone deficiency syndrome, especially cardiovascular disease; and concerns about possible toxicity in adults. Long-term studies in patients receiving appropriate comprehensive management for other hormonal deficiencies and for concomitant abnormalities will be required to convince physicians of the utility and safety of growth hormone replacement therapy.
Identifying modifier loci in existing genome scan data

In many genetic disorders in which a primary disease-causing locus has been identified, evidence exists for additional trait variation due to genetic factors. These findings have led to studies seeking secondary 'modifier' loci. Identification of modifier loci provides insight into disease mechanisms and may provide additional screening and treatment targets. We believe that modifier loci can be identified by re-analysis of genome screen data while controlling for primary locus effects. To test this hypothesis, we simulated multiple replicates of typical genome screening data on to two real family structures from a study of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. With this marker data, we simulated two trait models with characteristics similar to one measure of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Both trait models included 3 genes. In the first, the trait was influenced by a primary gene, a secondary 'modifier' gene, and a third very small effect gene. In the second, we modeled an interaction between the first two genes. We examined power and false positive rates to map the secondary locus while controlling for the effect of the primary locus with two types of analyses. First, we examined Monte Carlo Markov chain (MCMC) simultaneous segregation and linkage analysis as implemented in Loki, for which we calculated two scoring statistics. Second, we calculated LOD scores using an individual-specific liability class based on the quantitative trait value. We found that both methods produced scores that are significant on a genome-wide level in some replicates. We conclude that mapping of modifier loci in existing samples is possible with these methods.
Regulation and Targeting of the Fission Yeast Formin cdc12p in Cytokinesis

Formins are conserved actin nucleators which promote the assembly of actin filaments for the formation of diverse actin structures. In fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the formin cdc12p is required specifically in assembly of the actin-based contractile ring during cytokinesis. Here, using a mutational analysis of cdc12p, we identify regions of cdc12p responsible for ring assembly and localization. Profilin-binding residues of the FH1 domain regulate actin assembly and processive barbed-end capping by the FH2 domain. Studies using photobleaching (FRAP) and sensitivity to latrunculin A treatment show that profilin binding modulates the rapid dynamics of actin and cdc12p within the ring in vivo. Visualized by functional GFP-fusion constructs expressed from the endogenous promoter, cdc12p appears in a small number of cytoplasmic motile spot structures that deliver the formin to the ring assembly site, without detectable formation of an intermediate band of "nodes." The FH3/DID region directs interphase spot localization, while an N-terminal region and the FH1-FH2 domains of cdc12p can target its localization to the ring. Mutations in putative DID and DAD regions do not alter regulation, suggesting that cdc12p is not regulated by a canonical autoinhibition mechanism. Our findings provide insights into the regulation of formin activity and the mechanisms of contractile ring dynamics and assembly.
State-local coordination in managing land use and transportation along state highways

The access that state highways provide to adjacent land enables the development of that land. Although access alone does not ensure that development will occur, land with access from a state highway has considerably greater development potential than land without such access. City governments regulate the development of the land, while state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) wield authority over the adjacent state highways. This separation of authority creates a significant challenge for state DOTs as they work to expand state highway facilities in a bid to stay apace with the explosive growth of U.S. metropolitan areas. This paper identifies methods adopted by local governments and state DOTs to coordinate land use policies and manage development along state highways. We find that, regardless of whether a state has legislation that supports state-local cooperation, the city government's willingness to partner with the DOT remains a critical factor in the success of coordination efforts for managing land use along state highways.
Vimentin expression in human squamous carcinoma cells: relationship with phenotypic changes and cadherin-based cell adhesion.

Phenotypic changes resembling an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition often occur as epithelial cells become tumorigenic. Two proteins that have been implicated in this process are vimentin and N-cadherin. In this study, we sought to establish a link between expression of vimentin and N-cadherin as oral squamous epithelial cells undergo a morphologic change resembling an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. We found that N-cadherin and vimentin did not influence the expression of one another.
Data-Driven and Conceptually Driven Academic Discourse

Writing in the humanities may, typically, be distinguished from writing in the social sciences in its treatments of abstractions. Writing about literature is here characterized as data-driven, in that it begins with a text and proceeds up the ladder of abstraction by interpretive classifications which are likely to diverge from one interpreter to another. Social science writing is described as conceptually driven, in that writers begin with communally defined abstractions which then drive the selection and discussion of data; the divergence between writers' abstractions characteristic of data-driven writing is less likely to occur in conceptually driven writing. This article describes how the difference shows up in professional academic writing, some of the confusion students experience in trying to shift from one kind of writing to another, the strengths and weaknesses of each kind of writing, and the benefits to be gained from alternating between the two kinds.
Discrete-time nonlinear observer design with general criteria

A class of discrete-time nonlinear system and measurement equations having incrementally conic nonlinearities and finite energy disturbances is considered. A linear matrix inequality-based design approach is presented, which guarantees the satisfaction of a variety of performance criteria ranging from simple estimation error boundedness to dissipativity. Some simulation examples are included to illustrate and provide support to the proposed design methodology.
The role of DNA in the mechanism of NFκB dimer formation: crystal structures of the dimerization domains of the p50 and p65 subunits

Abstract Background: Members of the rel/NF κ B family of transcription factors play a vital role in the regulation of rapid cellular responses, such as those required to fight infection or react to cellular stress. Members of this family of proteins form homo- and heterodimers with differing affinities for dimerization. They share a structural motif known as the rel homology region (RHR), the C-terminal one third of which mediates protein dimerization. Crystal structures of the rel/NF κ B family members p50 and p65 in their DNA-bound homodimeric form have been solved. These structures showed that the residues from the dimerization domains of both p50 and p65 participate in DNA binding and that the DNA–protein and protein dimerization surfaces form one continuous overlapping interface. We desired to investigate the contribution of DNA to NF κ B dimerization and to identify the mechanism for the selective association of rel/NF κ B family peptides into transcriptionally active dimers. Results: We report here the crystal structures of the dimerization domains of murine p50 and p65 at 2.2 A and 2.0 A resolution, respectively. A comparison of these two structures suggests that conservative amino acid changes at three positions are responsible for the differences in their dimer interfaces. The presence of the target DNA does not change the dimer interface of either protein in any significant manner. Conclusions: These two structures suggest that the rel/NF κ B family of transcription factors use only a few conservative changes in their amino acid sequences to form a host of dimers with varying affinities for dimerization. Amino acids at positions corresponding to 254, 267, and 307 of murine p50, function as primary determinants for the observed differences in dimerization affinity. The DNA-contacting charged amino acid sidechains from the dimerization domains are held in a similar conformation in both the DNA-bound and free states, therefore, no major structural rearrangement is required to bring these residues into contact with the DNA.
Stability of poly(L-lysine)-complexed plasmid DNA during mechanical stress and DNase I treatment.

The aim of this study was to investigate the formation and stability of complexes between plasmid DNA (pDNA) and poly(l-lysine) (PLL). Formation of pDNA/PLL complexes with various ratios was determined by a fluorescence spectrophotometric method using fluorescamine. The effects of sonication, vortexing, and exposure to DNase I on the stability of free pDNA and pDNA/PLL complexes are discussed. A linear correlation between PLL added and PLL bound was obtained with overall reaction efficiency of 84.2–92.6%. Sonication degraded both free and PLL-complexed pDNA within 15 sec of vortexing. However, vortexing did not alter the stability of free and complexed pDNA. Dramatic increase in the protection of pDNA in pDNA/PLL complexes was observed in the DNase I digestion experiment; 68.1–89.0% of total pDNA in the pDNA/PLL complexes was protected from DNase I digestion compared to only 19.2% of total pDNA that remained undegraded after DNase I treatment of free pDNA. An increase in the PLL/pDNA ratio led to an incre...
Adaptive optic correction using microelectromechanical deformable mirrors

A micromachined deformable mirror (μ-DM) for optical wavefront correction is described. Design and manufacturing approaches for μ-DMs are detailed. The μ-DM employs a flexible silicon membrane supported by mechanical attachments to an array of electrostatic parallel plate actuators. Devices are fabricated through surface micromachining using polycrystalline silicon thin films. μ-DM membranes measuring 2 mm×2 mm×2 μm, supported by 100 actuators are described. Figures of merit include stroke of 2 μm, resolution of 10 nm, and frequency bandwidth dc to 7 kHz in air. The devices are compact, inexpensive to fabricate, exhibit no hysteresis, and use only a small fraction of the power required for conventional DMs. Performance of an adaptive optics system using a μ-DM is characterized in a closed-loop control experiment. Significant reduction in quasistatic wavefront phase error is achieved. Advantages and limitations of μ-DMs are described in relation to conventional adaptive optics systems and to emerging applications of adaptive optics such as high-resolution correction, small-aperture systems, and optical communication.
Understanding the link between information technology capability and organizational agility: an empirical examination

Information technology is generally considered an enabler of a firm's agility. A typical premise is that greater IT investment enables a firm to be more agile. However, it is not uncommon that IT can also hinder and sometimes even impede organizational agility. We propose and theorize this frequently observed but understudied IT-agility contradiction by which IT may enable or impede agility. We develop the premise that organizations need to develop superior firm-wide IT capability to successfully manage their IT resources to realize agility. We refine the conceptualization and measurement of IT capability as a latent construct reflected in its three dimensions: IT infrastructure capability, IT business spanning capability, and IT proactive stance. We also conceptualize two types of organizational agility: market capitalizing agility and operational adjustment agility. We then conduct a matched-pair field survey of business and information systems executives in 128 organizations to empirically examine the link between a firm's IT capability and agility. Business executives responded to measurement scales of the two types of agility and organizational context variables, and IS executives responded to measurement scales of IT capabilities and IS context variables. The results show a significant positive relationship between IT capability and the two types of organizational agility. We also find a significant positive joint effect of IT capability and IT spending on operational adjustment agility but not on market capitalizing agility. The findings suggest a possible resolution to the contradictory effect of IT on agility: while more IT spending does not lead to greater agility, spending it in such a way as to enhance and foster IT capabilities does. Our study provides initial empirical evidence to better understand essential IT capabilities and their relationship with organizational agility. Our findings provide a number of useful implications for research and managerial practices.