cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Association between Audit Committee Characteristics and Audit Fees

This study examines the association between audit committee characteristics and audit fees, using data gathered under the recent SEC fee disclosure rules. We hypothesize that audit fees will be positively associated with audit committee independence, financial expertise, and meeting frequency. We examine a sample of 492 nonregulated, Big 5‐audited firms that filed proxy statements with the SEC in the period from February 5, 2001 to June 30, 2001. We find that audit committee independence (defined as an audit committee comprised entirely of outside, independent directors) and financial expertise (defined as an audit committee containing at least one member with financial expertise) are significantly, positively associated with audit fees. This is in contrast to the findings of Carcello et al. (2002a), who find that audit committee characteristics are not significant in the presence of board‐related variables. Meeting frequency (defined as an audit committee that meets at least four times annually) was not ...
ImmunoPET using engineered antibody fragments: fluorine-18 labeled diabodies for same-day imaging.

Combining the specificity of tumor-targeting antibodies with the sensitivity and quantification offered by positron emission tomography (PET) provides tremendous opportunities for molecular characterization of tumors in vivo. Until recently, significant challenges have been faced when attempting to combine antibodies which show long biological half-lives and positron-emitting radionuclides with comparably short physical half-lives, in particular 18F (half-life, 109 min). A fast and simple microwave-assisted method of generating N-succinimidyl-4-[18F]fluorobenzoate has been developed and employed for radiolabeling a small, rapidly targeting HER2-specific engineered antibody fragment, the cys-diabody. Using this tracer, HER2-positive tumor xenografts in mice were detected at 1–4 h post-injection by microPET. This confirms the rapid kinetics of [18F]fluorobenzoyl cys-diabody localization, and demonstrates the feasibility of same-day immunoPET imaging. This approach can be broadly applied to antibodies targeting cell surface biomarkers for molecular imaging of tumors and should be highly translatable for clinical use.
Kinetics of zircon dissolution and zirconium diffusion in granitic melts of variable water content

The experimental dissolution of zircon into a zircon-undersaturated felsic melt of variable water content at high pressure in the temperature range 1,020° to 1,500° C provides information related to 1) the solubility of zircon, 2) the diffusion kinetics of Zr in an obsidian melt, and 3) the rate of zircon dissolution. Zirconium concentration profiles observed by electron microprobe in the obsidian glass adjacent to a large, polished zircon face provide sufficient information to calculate model diffusion coefficients. Results of dissolution experiments conducted in the virtual absence of water (<0.2% H2O) yield an activation energy (E) for Zr transport in a melt ofM=1.3 [whereM is the cation ratio (Na+K+2Ca)/(Al·Si)] of 97.7±2.8 kcal-mol−1, and a frequency factor (D 0) of 980 −580 +1,390 cm2-sec−1. Hydrothermal experiments provide an E=47.3±1.9 kcal-mol−1 andD 0=0.030 −0.015 +0.030 cm2-sec−1. Both of these results plot close to a previously defined diffusion compensation line for cations in obsidian. The diffusivity of Zr at 1,200° C increases by a factor of 100 over the first 2% of water introduced into the melt, but subsequently rises by only a factor of five to an apparent plateau value of ∼2×10−9 cm2-sec−1 by ∼6% total water content. The remarkable contrast between the wet and dry diffusivities, which limits the rate of zircon dissolution into granitic melt, indicates that a 50 μm diameter zircon crystal would dissolve in a 3 to 6% water-bearing melt at 750° C in about 100 years, but would require in excess of 200 Ma to dissolve in an equivalent dry system. From this calculation we conclude that zircon dissolution proceeds geologically instantaneously in an undersaturated, water-bearing granite. Estimates of zircon solubility in the obsidian melt in the temperature range of 1,020° C to 1,500° C confirm and extend an existing model of zircon solubility to these higher temperatures in hydrous melts. However, this model does not well describe zircon saturation behavior in systems with less than about 2% water.
Cooperativity and the slow isomerization of deta-chymotrypsin.

δ-Chymotrypsin has previously been reported to undergo a slow isomerization between a high pH form and a neutral pH form (pK = 9) as observed by its reactivity towards a variety of substrates. [Garel, J-R and Labouesse, B. (1973) Eur. J. Biochem., 39, 293–300, Fersht, A. R. (1972) J. Mol. Biol. 64, 497–509] Since slow transitions, e.g., isomerizations, between two or more enzyme forms which have different kinetic properties can produce kinetic cooperativity for either monomeric or oligomeric enzymes [Ainslie, G. R., Jr., Shill, J. P. and Neet, K. E. (1972) J. Biol. Chem. 247, 7088–7096], we have investigated whether δ-chymotrypsin might show cooperativity with some substrates. Careful statistical analysis of the steady state kinetics has demonstrated that negative cooperativity with the substrate N-CBZ-l-tryptophan p-nitrophenyl ester occurs at pH 9 and 25 °C, with a Hill coefficient of about 0.6. Mechanisms which involve interactions between catalytic sites cannot be the source of the cooperativity of δ-chymotrypsin since it is monomeric and has only a single catalytic site. For these reasons the δ-chymotrypsin kinetics presented here have been interpreted in terms of the slow transition mechanism for kinetic cooperativity. 1. The negative cooperativity with the tryptophan substrate disappears if the temperature is decreased or the pH is lowered. This observation is in accord with the slow transition mechanism since the fraction of δ-chymotrypsin present in the high pH form is kinetically insignificant under these conditions. 2. Alterations in the nature of the substrate and ionic strength also eliminate the observation of negative cooperativity. Such a loss in cooperativity is consistent with the slow transition mechanism in which the cooperativity may be sensitive to small changes in kinetic constants.
A comprehensive model for arbitrary result extraction

Within the realms of workflow management and grid computing, scheduling of distributed services is a central issue. Most schedulers balance time and cost to fit within a client's budget, while accepting explicit data dependencies between services as the best resolution for scheduling. Results are extracted from one service in total, and then simply forwarded to the next service. However, distributed objects and remote services adhere to various standards for data delivery and result extraction. There are multiple means of requesting results and multiple ways of delivering those results. By examining several popular and idiosyncratic methods, we have developed a comprehensive model that combines the functionality of all component models. This model for arbitrary result extraction from distributed objects provides increased flexibility for object users, and an increased audience for module providers. In turn, intelligent schedulers may leverage these result extraction features.
SIRT3 regulation of mitochondrial oxidative stress

Mitochondria play a central role in the production of reactive oxygen species as byproducts of metabolism and energy production. In order to protect cellular structures from oxidative stress-induced damage, cells have evolved elegant mechanisms for mitochondrial ROS detoxification. The mitochondrial sirtuin, SIRT3, is emerging as a pivotal regulator of oxidative stress by deacetylation of substrates involved in both ROS production and detoxification. This review will summarize recent findings on the regulation of mitochondrial ROS homeostasis by SIRT3.
Beyond the Game: Perceptions and Practices of Corporate Social Responsibility in the Professional Sport Industry

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an area of great interest, yet little is known about how CSR is perceived and practiced in the professional sport industry. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, including a survey, and a qualitative content analysis of responses to open-ended questions, to explore how professional sport executives define CSR, and what priorities teams have regarding their CSR activities. Findings from this study indicate that sport executives placed different emphases on elements of CSR including a focus on philanthropic activities and ethical behaviors. The data suggest that professional sport executives view CSR as a strategic imperative for their business. Sport executives indicated that a number of factors influenced the practice of their CSR including: philanthropy (altruistic giving), an emphasis on the local community, partnerships, and ethical concerns. We also examine important organizational variables for sport (winning, revenues, and team value) and highlight their relationship with reported CSR involvement. We discuss the implications of the findings and propose recommendations for both theory and practice.
Linking rumen function to animal response by application of metagenomics techniques

Metagenomics techniques applied to the rumen microbiota have demonstrated tremendous diversity originally among populations of bacteria and, more recently, among the methanogenic archaea, including those associated with protozoa. Although with some potential limitations, cluster analyses of sequences recovered from clone libraries have revealed differences in populations among animals fed forage v. grain, including amylolytic ruminococci and novel groups of clostridia adhering to the rumen particulates. Rapid profiling procedures, such as denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), can be used to infer likely differences in community structure of bacteria and archaea among numerous replicates of animals and times after feeding diets that are more representative of intense ruminant animal production. Metagenomics procedures also are being applied to issues related to ruminal output of fatty acid isomers influencing milk fat composition and consumer acceptance, the environmental impact of nitrogen in animal waste and methane emissions, and future potential approaches to improve ruminal fibre digestibility. If varying concentrations of ruminal metabolites and fluxes quantified from microbial processes can be combined with results from metagenomics applied to rumen microbiota, then we should reduce the unexplained variability in models in which the prediction of nutrient supply to the intestine is synchronised with nutritional guidelines for more efficient feed conversion by ruminants.
Pathways to dementia diagnosis: evidence for cross-ethnic differences.

UNLABELLED The diagnosis of dementia often occurs well after the onset of the disease. Studies of help-seeking behavior may help illuminate why delays occur. SPECIFIC AIMS (1) To describe pathways to diagnosis from the perspective of family caregivers and (2) to compare help-seeking patterns and experiences across three ethnic groups. METHODS Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 39 ethnically diverse family dementia caregivers. Interviews were coded for help-seeking events (initial help-seeking, referrals to secondary helpers, and site of final diagnosis), pathway types, and adverse experiences within the healthcare system along pathways to diagnosis. RESULTS Help-seeking was most often initiated by family members or formal care providers (ie, healthcare providers or social workers), usually in outpatient primary care settings but also elsewhere (eg, social service agencies, hospitals). "Secondary" formal helpers were often involved, usually through self-referral by families rather than by healthcare providers. While most families reported receiving a "final" diagnosis, a small minority of predominantly Chinese-American families did not. Four distinct pathways to diagnosis were identified and found to vary significantly (p < 0.03) across the three ethnic groups, which we label as smooth pathways, crisis events pathways, fragmented pathways, and dead-end pathways. Adverse experiences in the healthcare system were common and included unsatisfactory diagnosis disclosure and explanation, inadequate workup, uncaring or insensitive attitude, language barriers, and discrimination. CONCLUSIONS Cross-ethnic differences were found in both pathway types and in adverse experiences.
Some physiological consequences of neonatal cochlear destruction in the inferior colliculus of the gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus.

Abstract Physiological consequences of neonatal cochlear ablation were assessed in the inferior colliculus of adult gerbils subjected at 2 days of age to ablation of one cochlea. Responses to tonal stimulation of the unoperated ear were evaluated at 100 μm intervals in the ipsilateral inferior colliculus. Compared with excitatory responses to ipsilateral stimulation in the inferior colliculus of unoperated animals, responses recorded in experimental animals are more widespread, stronger and occur at lower thresholds. The ubiquity of excitatory responses to ipsilateral stimulation in neonatally ablated animals indicates that responses to ipsilateral stimulation in normal gerbils are partly dependent upon interactions during development between pathways conveying information from each ear.
An Econometric Model of Electricity Distribution Systems in Urban Areas

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the production structure of electricity distribution systems in urban areas. Under the assumption that electric utilities minimize their distribution capital and operating costs, input demand functions are developed for the various distribution facilities (for example, poles, wires, streetlights) and are econometrically estimated, using cross-sectional data on communities served by a major utility. These functions are then used to allocate total costs on the basis of marginal costs and to assess the extent of economies of scale and density in electricity distribution.
A measure and initial test of managers’ perceptions of relationship marketing in inter-organizational exchanges

This manuscript develops a new measure of how managers perceive relationship marketing and provides an initial test of its utility. The analysis reveals that relationship marketing is a second-order factor consisting of four dimensions: an ongoing bonding process, mutual value creation, a cooperative atmosphere, and information technology use. This second-order, four-factor model is useful in understanding the association between managers’ perceptions of what constitutes relationship marketing and their perceptions of its institutionalization (i.e., adoption as a standard practice). The survey data that are used to develop the relationship marketing scale were obtained from two independent samples of marketers, purchasers, and engineers. Because these professions are involved in inter-organizational exchange relationships, they are the most likely respondents within firms to be knowledgeable about relationship marketing. The scale development sample of 33 engineers, 36 marketers and 18 purchasing agents is derived from multiple industries, while the utility test sample of 61 engineers, 22 marketers and 33 purchasing agents is taken from firm members in the automotive and earth moving equipment industries.
Break-induced replication and telomerase-independent telomere maintenance require Pol32

Break-induced replication (BIR) is an efficient homologous recombination process to initiate DNA replication when only one end of a chromosome double-strand break shares homology with a template. BIR is thought to re-establish replication at stalled and broken replication forks and to act at eroding telomeres in cells that lack telomerase in pathways known as 'alternative lengthening of telomeres' (reviewed in refs 2, 6). Here we show that, in haploid budding yeast, Rad51-dependent BIR induced by HO endonuclease requires the lagging strand DNA Polalpha-primase complex as well as Poldelta to initiate new DNA synthesis. Polepsilon is not required for the initial primer extension step of BIR but is required to complete 30 kb of new DNA synthesis. Initiation of BIR also requires the nonessential DNA Poldelta subunit Pol32 primarily through its interaction with another Poldelta subunit, Pol31. HO-induced gene conversion, in which both ends of a double-strand break engage in homologous recombination, does not require Pol32. Pol32 is also required for the recovery of both Rad51-dependent and Rad51-independent survivors in yeast strains lacking telomerase. These results strongly suggest that both types of telomere maintenance pathways occur by recombination-dependent DNA replication. Thus Pol32, dispensable for replication and for gene conversion, is uniquely required for BIR; this finding provides an opening into understanding how DNA replication re-start mechanisms operate in eukaryotes. We also note that Pol32 homologues have been identified both in fission yeast and in metazoans where telomerase-independent survivors with alternative telomere maintenance have also been identified.
Life cycle assessment of fuel cell vehicles a methodology example of input data treatment for future technologies

Life cycle assessment (LCA) will always involve some subjectivity and uncertainty. This reality is especially true when the analysis concerns new technologies. Dealing with uncertainty can generate richer information and minimize some of the result mismatches currently encountered in the literature. As a way of analyzing future fuel cell vehicles and their potential new fuels, the Fuel Upstream Energy and Emission Model (FUEEM) developed at the University of California—Davis, pioneered two different ways to incorporate uncertainty into the analysis. First, the model works with probabilistic curves as inputs and with Monte Carlo simulation techniques to propagate the uncertainties. Second, the project involved the interested parties in the entire process, not only in the critical review phase. The objective of this paper is to present, as a case study, the tools and the methodologies developed to acquire most of the knowledge held by interested parties and to deal with their — eventually conflicted—interests. The analysis calculation methodology, the scenarios, and all assumed probabilistic curves were derived from a consensus of an international expert network discussion, using existing data in the literature along with new information collected from companies. The main part of the expert discussion process uses a variant of the Delphi technique, focusing on the group learning process through the information feedback feature. A qualitative analysis indicates that a higher level of credibility and a higher quality of information can be achieved through a more participatory process. The FUEEM method works well within technical information and also in establishing a reasonable set of simple scenarios. However, for a complex combination of scenarios, it will require some improvement. The time spent in the process was the major drawback of the method and some alternatives to share this time cost are suggested.
Docosahexaenoic acid--induced vasorelaxation in hypertensive rats: mechanisms of action.

The authors investigated the vasorelaxant properties of the omega-3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic (DHA, 22:6n-3), and the possible involvement of endothelium-derived nitric oxide, prostanoids, openin...
Microfluidics: Fluid physics at the nanoliter scale

Microfabricated integrated circuits revolutionized computation by vastly reducing the space, labor, and time required for calculations. Microfluidic systems hold similar promise for the large-scale automation of chemistry and biology, suggesting the possibility of numerous experiments performed rapidly and in parallel, while consuming little reagent. While it is too early to tell whether such a vision will be realized, significant progress has been achieved, and various applications of significant scientific and practical interest have been developed. Here a review of the physics of small volumes (nanoliters) of fluids is presented, as parametrized by a series of dimensionless numbers expressing the relative importance of various physical phenomena. Specifically, this review explores the Reynolds number Re, addressing inertial effects; the Peclet number Pe, which concerns convective and diffusive transport; the capillary number Ca expressing the importance of interfacial tension; the Deborah, Weissenberg, and elasticity numbers De, Wi, and El, describing elastic effects due to deformable microstructural elements like polymers; the Grashof and Rayleigh numbers Gr and Ra, describing density-driven flows; and the Knudsen number, describing the importance of noncontinuum molecular effects. Furthermore, the long-range nature of viscous flows and the small device dimensions inherent in microfluidics mean that the influence of boundaries is typically significant. A variety of strategies have been developed to manipulate fluids by exploiting boundary effects; among these are electrokinetic effects, acoustic streaming, and fluid-structure interactions. The goal is to describe the physics behind the rich variety of fluid phenomena occurring on the nanoliter scale using simple scaling arguments, with the hopes of developing an intuitive sense for this occasionally counterintuitive world.
Fulling-Unruh effect in general stationary accelerated frames

We study the generalized Unruh effect for accelerated reference frames that include rotation in addition to acceleration. We focus particularly on the case where the motion is planar, with the presence of a static limit in addition to the event horizon. Possible definitions of an accelerated vacuum state are examined and the interpretation of the Minkowski vacuum state as a thermodynamic state is discussed. Such a thermodynamic state is shown to depend on two parameters, the acceleration temperature and a drift velocity, which are determined by the acceleration and angular velocity of the accelerated frame. We relate the properties of the Minkowski vacuum in the accelerated frame to the excitation spectrum of a detector that is stationary in this frame. The detector can be excited both by absorbing positive energy quanta in the ``hot'' vacuum state and by emitting negative energy quanta into the ``ergosphere'' between the horizon and the static limit. The effects are related to similar effects in the gravitational field of a rotating black hole.
Constrained synthesis of cobalt oxide nanomaterials in the 12-subunit protein cage from Listeria innocua.

The protein cage of the 12-subunit ferritin-like protein from Listeria innocua has been utilized as a size and shape constrained reaction environment for the synthesis of two cobalt oxide minerals, Co3O4 and Co(O)OH. Reaction of Co(II) with H2O2 at pH 8.5 under either elevated temperature (65 °C) or ambient temperature (23 °C) resulted in the formation of cobalt oxide nanoparticles encapsulated within the protein cage. At elevated temperatures, Co3O4 was formed while at lower temperature the oxyhydroxide Co(O)OH was found. Mineral particles, commensurate in size with the internal dimensions of the protein (5 nm), were imaged by transmission electron microscopy and shown to be surrounded by the intact protein cage. The minerals were investigated by electron diffraction and revealed a crystalline Co3O4 phase and an amorphous Co(O)OH phase. Further investigation of these composite materials using size exclusion chromatography, gel electrophoresis, dynamic light scattering, and ζ potential measurements indica...
Stretchability of indium tin oxide (ITO) serpentine thin films supported by Kapton substrates

Indium tin oxide (ITO) has been widely used as the electrode material in touch-screen displays and solar cells attributing to its combined high electrical conductivity and optical transparency. Moving forward from wafer based electronics to flexible/stretchable electronics, brittle electronic materials like ITO are significantly hindering the deformability of the integrated systems. To minimize strains in inorganic materials when subjected to stretch, thin metallic and ceramic films can be patterned into serpentine shapes. Although metallic serpentines have received extensive studies, experimental investigations on ceramic serpentines have not been reported. We perform uniaxial tension tests on Kapton-supported ITO serpentine thin films with in situ electrical resistance measurements. It is found that the narrower serpentine ribbons are more stretchable than their wider counterparts. We propose a generic empirical equation to predict the stretchability using three dimensionless geometric parameters. Conclusions reached for Kapton-supported ITO serpentine films are generally applicable to gold, silicon, and other stiff serpentine films bonded to stiff polymer substrates such as Kapton and polyethylene terephthalate.
Engaging computer science students through cooperative education

Computer science educators continuously seek creative and effective ways of engaging students. The model of cooperative education, in which students systematically combine academic learning with practical work experiences, provides opportunities to deepen student learning, promote student retention, and prepare students for professional life. We discuss ways in which cooperative learning can engage students in the broader discipline of computer science.
Projected Climate Change Effects on Winterkill in Shallow Lakes in the Northern United States

was obtained from the output of the Canadian Climate Center General Circulation Model. To illustrate the effect of projected climate change on lake DO characteristics, we present herein DO information simulated, respectively, with inputs of past climate conditions (1961–1979) and with a projected 2 × CO2 climate scenario, as well as differences of those values. Specific parameters obtained were minimum under-ice and lake bottom DO concentration in winter, duration of under-ice anoxic conditions (<0.1 mg/liter) and low DO conditions (<3 mg/liter), and percentage of anoxic and low DO lake volumes during the ice cover period. Under current climate conditions winterkill occurs typically in shallow eutrophic lakes of the northern contiguous United States. Climate warming is projected to eliminate winterkill in these lakes. This would be a positive effect of climate warming. Fish species under ice may still experience periods of stress and zero growth due to low DO (<3 mg/liter) conditions under projected climate warming.
Synthesis of titanium polythioethers

The synthesis of polythioethers of the form was effected, where Cp denotes cyclopentadienyl. Four reaction systems were studied and evaluated. Two proved to be undesirable (the “reverse” interfacial and organic solution methods), while two proved acceptable (the “normal” interfacial and aqueous solution methods). A number of added bases were evaluated. Et3N and NaOH were found to be acceptable. Yield increases with reaction time for aqueous solution syntheses, while yield remains constant with reaction time for synthesis via the normal interfacial method.
Facilitated Diffusion of the EcoRI DNA Methyltransferase Is Described by a Novel Mechanism

The contribution of nonspecific DNA to binding parameters (Kd, koff, and kon) was determined for the EcoRI DNA methyltransferase under noncatalytic conditions. An increase in DNA size from 14 to 775 base pairs causes a 20-fold decrease in Kd, while koff remains constant over the same range. The calculated kon increases with longer substrates, consistent with a facilitated diffusion mechanism. However, the combined results deviate from the model developed to describe facilitated diffusion [Berg, O.G., Winter, R. B., & von Hippel, P. H. (1981) Biochemistry 20, 6929−6948]. Our results were successfully simulated using numerical integration of a kinetic scheme invoking protein dissociation via the ends of DNA. Consistent with this scheme, the methyltransferase dissociates more slowly from a circularized DNA molecule than from the identical linearized form. The simulation strategy correctly models our data with the methyltransferase and should be generally useful for routine modeling of facilitated diffusion i...
Space–time compressive imaging

Compressive imaging systems typically exploit the spatial correlation of the scene to facilitate a lower dimensional measurement relative to a conventional imaging system. In natural time-varying scenes there is a high degree of temporal correlation that may also be exploited to further reduce the number of measurements. In this work we analyze space–time compressive imaging using Karhunen–Loeve (KL) projections for the read-noise-limited measurement case. Based on a comprehensive simulation study, we show that a KL-based space–time compressive imager offers higher compression relative to space-only compressive imaging. For a relative noise strength of 10% and reconstruction error of 10%, we find that space–time compressive imaging with 8×8×16 spatiotemporal blocks yields about 292× compression compared to a conventional imager, while space-only compressive imaging provides only 32× compression. Additionally, under high read-noise conditions, a space–time compressive imaging system yields lower reconstruction error than a conventional imaging system due to the multiplexing advantage. We also discuss three electro-optic space-time compressive imaging architecture classes, including charge-domain processing by a smart focal plane array (FPA). Space–time compressive imaging using a smart FPA provides an alternative method to capture the nonredundant portions of time-varying scenes.
Initiation of Cracks in Dental Amalgam

The force required to initiate cracks in dental amalgam beams was measured and related to the microstructure. The force measured was dependent on age and on the distribution of phases on the tension side of the beam. The Ag-Cu phase is most resistant to failure in Dispersalloy and an experimental alloy.
High amounts of soyhulls for pelleted concentrate diets.

Abstract Twelve multiparous Holstein cows were used in a balanced, two-period, changeover design to evaluate soyhulls as a replacement for corn grain in lactation diets. Soyhulls constituted 0 (corn), 50 (corn-soyhull), and 95% (soyhulls) of the concentrate mixture, which was prepared as a 4.8-mm pellet. These concentrate mixtures were mixed with alfalfa silage (50:50 DM) and fed ad libitum as complete diets. Mean DM intakes averaged 23.7 kg/d and were similar for corn, cornsoyhulls, and soyhull diets. Corresponding daily milk yields averaged 29.8, 28.9, and 27.3 kg and milk fat averaged 3.13, 3.33, and 3.49%, resulting in similar 3.5% FCM yields and feed efficiency. Dry matter digestibility was higher for the corn diet (70%) and the corn-soyhull diet (69%) compared with the soyhull diet (61%). Digestibilities (%) of NDF were 55, 63, and 58; ADF were 56, 62, and 55; and CP were 66, 64, and 59 for corn, corn-soyhull, and soyhull diets, respectively. The gastrointestinal passage rate of alfalfa and of soyhulls was similar among diets. The energy value of soyhulls appears to be equal to corn in pelleted concentrates. The fat-depressing effect of pelleting a high starch (corn) concentrate was minimized by including soyhulls.
Common Industry Format approved as international standard

Hot off the press! The ink is barely dry on the release about the newest User Experience ISO standard---Common Industry Format (CIF)---and it is already settling arguments. Indeed, some big companies are quickly moving to adopt CIF as a standard because of the weight of an ISO stamp of approval. CIF is sure to have a big impact on how we "do business" in the usability realm---both for internal folks and external consultants.---Susan Dray and David Siegel
Random generalized linear model: a highly accurate and interpretable ensemble predictor

Ensemble predictors such as the random forest are known to have superior accuracy but their black-box predictions are difficult to interpret. In contrast, a generalized linear model (GLM) is very interpretable especially when forward feature selection is used to construct the model. However, forward feature selection tends to overfit the data and leads to low predictive accuracy. Therefore, it remains an important research goal to combine the advantages of ensemble predictors (high accuracy) with the advantages of forward regression modeling (interpretability). To address this goal several articles have explored GLM based ensemble predictors. Since limited evaluations suggested that these ensemble predictors were less accurate than alternative predictors, they have found little attention in the literature. Comprehensive evaluations involving hundreds of genomic data sets, the UCI machine learning benchmark data, and simulations are used to give GLM based ensemble predictors a new and careful look. A novel bootstrap aggregated (bagged) GLM predictor that incorporates several elements of randomness and instability (random subspace method, optional interaction terms, forward variable selection) often outperforms a host of alternative prediction methods including random forests and penalized regression models (ridge regression, elastic net, lasso). This random generalized linear model (RGLM) predictor provides variable importance measures that can be used to define a “thinned” ensemble predictor (involving few features) that retains excellent predictive accuracy. RGLM is a state of the art predictor that shares the advantages of a random forest (excellent predictive accuracy, feature importance measures, out-of-bag estimates of accuracy) with those of a forward selected generalized linear model (interpretability). These methods are implemented in the freely available R software package randomGLM.
Evaporation of phenols from synthetic liquid fuel spills

Abstract The environmental impact of a synthetic-fuel spill on a waterway will be determined in part by the rate of dissolution of toxic components into the underlying water and by the rate of removal of those components from the oil by evaporation. In this study, the two film mass transfer model of volatilization was applied to the study of the evaporation of phenols from two synthetic liquid fuels. The rates of evaporation of phenol and alkylated phenols were measured under laboratory conditions. Liquid and gaseous mass transfer coefficients were measured experimentally, and used to calculate Henry's Law coefficients for various phenol-oil pairs from the observed evaporation rates. It was concluded that evaporation rates of phenols from synthetic oils would be significantly less than rates of dissolution in most spills.
Use of a Voltage-Sensitive Phosphatase Highlights Two PiP2-Binding Sites in the C-Terminus of KCNQ3 Channels

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) is necessary for the activation of KCNQ K+ channels. Many studies have investigated the location of the PIP2-binding site on those channels, which have implicated PIP2 interactions with the C-terminus. Our lab has suggested PIP2 to bind to the linker between helices A and B in the C-terminus of KCNQ3 (Hernandez et al., 2008, JGP, 132). Here, we find that deletion of this linker in well-expressing KCNQ3 A315T (KCNQ3T) channels decreased current amplitudes. Use of a voltage-sensitive phosphatase from danio rerio (Dr-VSP), which dephosphorylates PIP2 upon strong membrane depolarizations, suggests this decrease of current to be due to a lower PIP2 affinity for the channels, as assayed by the rates of current decay at 120 mV, and of current recovery at 30 mV. However, other labs have reported PIP2 to interact with the initial (pre-A helix) domain of the C-terminus (Zhang et al., 2003, Neuron, 37; Thomas et al., 2011, JBC, 286; Telezhkin et al., 2013, Pflugers Arch, 465). Residues (K354, K358, R360, and K362) in KCNQ1 and (H328 and R325) in KCNQ2 have been suggested to interact with PIP2. Since these residues are conserved in KCNQ2-5 channels, those residues may play a role in PIP2-channel interactions for KCNQ3. We found the R364A (corresponding to R360 in KCNQ1 and R325 in KCNQ2) and the H367C (corresponding to H328 in KCNQ2) mutations in KCNQ3T decreased current amplitudes. Dr-VSP showed the PIP2 affinity of these mutants to be decreased, suggesting the decrease of current for these mutants is also due to a lower PIP2 affinity for the channels. Our results suggest that PIP2 likely binds both to the linker between helices A and B and to the initial C-terminal domain in KCNQ3 channels.
Genomic organization of a cellulase gene family in Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Southern blot and nucleotide sequence analysis of Phanerochaete chrysosporium BKM-F-1767 genomic clones indicate that this wood-degrading fungus contains at least six genes with significant homology to the Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase I gene (cbh1). Using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to separate P. chrysosporium chromosomes, the six cellulase genes were found to hybridize to at least three different chromosomes, one of which is dimorphic. The organization of these genes was similar in another P. chrysosporium strain, ME 446. It is clear that, unlike T. reesei, the most well-studied cellulolytic fungus, P. chrysosporium contains a complex, cbh1-like gene family.
DURATIONS OF RECOGNITION FOR SINGLE LETTERS, WITH AND WITHOUT VISUAL MASKING, BY DYSLEXICS AND NORMAL READERS

Two sets of letters, i.e., those subject to reversal/rotation such as b, d, p, and q, and others, e, i, u, w, x, and o, were tachistoscopically presented singly to 15 normal readers (aged 6 to 14 yr.) and 29 dyslexic children (aged 7 to 13 yr.). Half the presentations were subject to masking by visual noise. Contrary to a prediction based on temporal-sequencing deficiency, the dyslexics required a significantly longer time than normals for recognition. This occurred under both the masked and non-masked conditions. Reversible/rotational letters gave more difficulty than other letters only when masked, for both normals and dyslexics. This supports the hypothesis that these letters have no special relation to dyslexia. The view that dyslexia is a developmental anomaly was supported by the finding of a significant correlation between recognition-speed and age for the normal readers only.
A Zonal Pathway for NADW in the South Atlantic

Several large deployments of neutrally buoyant floats took place within the Antarctic Intermediate (AAIW), North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW), and the Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) of the South Atlantic in the 1990s and a number of hydrographic sections were occupied as well. Here we use the spatially and temporally averaged velocities measured by these floats, combined with the hydrographic section data and various estimates of regional current transports from moored current meter arrays, to determine the circulation of the three major subthermocline water masses in a zonal strip across the South Atlantic between the latitudes of 19°S and 30°S. We concentrate on this region because the historical literature suggests that it is where the Deep Western Boundary Current containing NADW bifurcates. In support of this notion, we find that a net of about 5 Sv. of the 15–20 Sv that crosses 19°S does continue zonally eastward at least as far as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Once across the ridge it takes a circuit to the north along the ridge flanks before returning to the south in the eastern half of the Angola Basin. The data suggest that the NADW then continues on into the Indian Ocean. This scheme is discussed in the context of distributions of dissolved oxygen, silicate and salinity. In spite of the many float-years of data that were collected in the region a surprising result is that their impact on the computed solutions is quite modest. Although the focus is on the NADW we also discuss the circulation for the AAIW and AABW layers.
Process development of a chocolate-flavoured peanut–soy beverage

Summary A new beverage product was developed utilising two protein-rich oilseed sources, namely peanut and soy. Medium-roasted peanut flour and chocolate flavour were incorporated to offer pleasant flavour profile. The peanut–soy combination would also improve essential amino acid profile, especially that of lysine, compared with an all-peanut product. A pilot-plant scale beverage-processing protocol involved filtration, homogenisation and pasteurisation as the major operating steps. Beverage formulation employed a three-component constrained mixture design. The low- and high-bound constraints were determined for peanut (30.6–58.7%), soy (28.3–43.5%) and chocolate syrup (13.0–25.9%) based on lysine content, viscosity and visual stability index values of 51-mg g−1 protein, 36.9 mPa s and 1.00, respectively. The beverage formulation and processing protocol thus developed were the basis for further study on consumer acceptability of the new chocolate-flavoured peanut–soy beverage.
A Corpus of Fine-Grained Entailment Relations

This paper describes on-going efforts to annotate a corpus of almost 16000 answer pairs with an estimated 69000 fine-grained entailment relationships. We illustrate the need for more detailed classification than currently exists and describe our corpus and annotation scheme. We discuss early statistical analysis showing substantial inter-annotator agreement even at the fine-grained level. The corpus described here, which is the only one providing such detailed annotations, will be made available as a public resource later this year (2007). This is expected to enable application development that is currently not practical.
Oxime reactivation of RBC acetylcholinesterases for biomonitoring.

A low-variability method to reactivate blood cholinesterases (ChEs) after prior exposure of mammals, including humans, to ChE-inhibiting organophosphate esters (OPs) is presented. A concentration of 10 mM pyridine 2-aldoxime methochloride (2-PAM Cl) was incubated with intact red blood cells (RBCs) and assayed virtually free of interfering oxime and hemoglobin (Hb). Variability was decreased by reducing the number of washing steps and sedimenting RBC ghosts through a 7% sucrose cushion. Statistically significant detections of reactivations as low as 5% with average “false positives” of 3.8% were achieved. Relative rates and extent of reactivation after OP treatment of rabbit RBC AChE in vitro were of the order dimethyl- (DDVP) > diethyl- (ethyl paraoxon) >, diisopropyl-substituted (diisopropyl fluorophosphate; DFP) OPs. Rabbit RBC AChE was reactivatable for up to 60 h following dermal exposure to ethyl parathion and reactivatable for only 12 to 24 h following exposure to methyl parathion. Reactivation of plasma ChEs with 0.1 mM 2-PAM Cl in the same animals was achievable for only 12 to 24 h after ethyl parathion and for only 1 to 4 h after methyl parathion.
Simple Rules Imposed on a Primitive Cubic Lattice Robustly Generate Structures that Mimic Features of Real Proteins

We introduce a set of simple and well-defined rules, which produce protein-like networks when they are imposed on a primitive cubic lattice. The resulting artificial structures successfully mimic the geometric and topological features of real proteins, and therefore, provide the opportunity to understand characteristics of protein structures and lead to the creation of synthetic proteins. The proposed method does not involve a chain-fitting step and does not require individual set of reference structures. We start with a cubic lattice, whose lattice sites contain beads representing protein residues. Many cubic lattices are emptied up to 60% vacancy concentration by randomly removing beads while maintaining a connected network of occupied sites. The maximum vacancy concentration of 60% was obtained from first and second nearest neighbor occupancies of real protein residues. A Reverse Monte-Carlo/Simulated Annealing (RMC/SA) simulation that is constrained to fit the average radial distribution function of residues of 278 proteins is then performed. Results indicate that the RMC/SA procedure recovers the average radial distribution function without disturbing other structural properties such as bond orientational order parameters and network topology. Based on various structural properties, our results indicate that these artificially created structures closely resemble real residue networks.
Uterine Fibroids: The Elephant in the Room

Uterine fibroids (leiomyomas) have historically been viewed as important chiefly as the major indication for hysterectomy. As new therapies are developed, the heterogeneity of this disease becomes therapeutically relevant. An awareness of the role of genetics, the extracellular matrix, and hormones in tumor etiology is key to understanding this disease.
Emergent mating topologies in spatially structured genetic algorithms

The application of network analysis to emergent mating topologies in spatially structured genetic algorithms is presented in this preliminary study as a framework for inferring evolutionary dynamics in recombinant evolutionary search. Emergent mating topologies of populations evolving on regular, scale-free, and small-world imposed spatial topologies are analyzed. When the population evolves on a scale-free imposed spatial topology, the topology of mating interactions is also found to be scale-free. However, due to the random initial placement of individuals in the spatial topology, the scale-free mating topology lacks correlation between fitness and vertex connectivity, resulting in highly variable convergence rates. Scale-free mating topologies are also shown to emerge on regular imposed spatial topologies under high selection pressure. Since these scale-free emergent mating topologies self-organize such that the most-fit individuals are inherently located in highly connected vertices, such emergent mating topologies are shown to promote rapid convergence on the test problem considered herein. The emergent mating topologies of populations evolving on small-world imposed spatial topologies are not found to possess scale-free or small-world characteristics. However, due to the decrease in the characteristic path length of the emergent mating topology, the rate of population convergence is shown to increase as the imposed spatial topology is tuned from regular to small-world.
Degradation of phenolic compounds by the lignocellulose deconstructing thermoacidophilic bacterium Alicyclobacillus Acidocaldarius

Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius, a thermoacidophilic bacterium, has a repertoire of thermo- and acid-stable enzymes that deconstruct lignocellulosic compounds. The work presented here describes the ability of A. acidocaldarius to reduce the concentration of the phenolic compounds: phenol, ferulic acid, ρ-coumaric acid and sinapinic acid during growth conditions. The extent and rate of the removal of these compounds were significantly increased by the presence of micro-molar copper concentrations, suggesting activity by copper oxidases that have been identified in the genome of A. acidocaldarius. Substrate removal kinetics was first order for phenol, ferulic acid, ρ-coumaric acid and sinapinic acid in the presence of 50 μM copper sulfate. In addition, laccase enzyme assays of cellular protein fractions suggested significant activity on a lignin analog between the temperatures of 45 and 90 °C. This work shows the potential for A. acidocaldarius to degrade phenolic compounds, demonstrating potential relevance to biofuel production and other industrial processes.