cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modulation of bone’s sensitivity to low-intensity vibrations by acceleration magnitude, vibration duration, and number of bouts

Variables defining vibration-based biomechanical treatments were tested by their ability to affect the musculoskeleton in the growing mouse. Duration of a vibration bout, but not variations in vibration intensity or number of vibration bouts per day, was identified as modulator of trabecular bone formation rates. Low-intensity vibrations (LIV) may enhance musculoskeletal properties, but little is known regarding the role that individual LIV variables play. We determined whether acceleration magnitude and/or the number and duration of daily loading bouts may modulate LIV efficacy. LIV was applied to 8-week-old mice at either 0.3 g or 0.6 g for three weeks; the number of daily bouts was one, two, or four, and the duration of a single bout was 15, 30, or 60 min. A frequency of 45 Hz was used throughout. LIV induced tibial cortical surface strains in 4-month-old mice of approximately 10 μe at 0.3 g and 30 μe at 0.6 g. In trabecular bone of the proximal tibial metaphysis, all single daily bout signal combinations with the exception of a single 15 min daily bout at 0.3 g (i.e., single bouts of 30 and 60 min at 0.3 g and 15 and 30 min at 0.6 g) produced greater bone formation rates (BFR/BS) than in controls. Across all signal combinations, 30 and 60 min bouts were significantly more effective than 15 min bouts in raising BFR/BS above control levels. Increasing the number of daily bouts or partitioning a single daily bout into several shorter bouts did not potentiate efficacy and in some instances led to BFR/BS that was not significantly different from those in controls. Bone chemical and muscle properties were similar across all groups. These data may provide a basis towards optimization of LIV efficacy and indicate that in the growing mouse skeleton, increasing bout duration from 15 to 30 or 60 min positively influences BFR/BS.
Dynamics of high sound-speed metal confiners driven by non-ideal high-explosive detonation

Abstract The results of 14 tests examining the behavior of aluminum (Al) confiners driven by non-ideal ANFO detonation in a cylinder test configuration are presented. In each test, the measured detonation phase velocity is slower than the aluminum sound speed. Thus, in the detonation reference frame, the flow in the Al is both shockless and subsonic. The tests involve: 3-in. inner diameter (ID) cylinders with Al wall thicknesses of 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 1 and 2 in.; a 4-in. ID cylinder with a 1/2-in. Al wall thickness; and 6-in. ID cylinders with Al wall thicknesses of 1/2, 1 and 2 in. The ANFO detonation velocity is seen to increase with increasing wall thickness for both the 3- and 6-in. ID tests, with no limiting velocity reached for the wall thicknesses used. The motion of the outer Al wall due to precursor elastic waves in the Al running ahead of the detonation is also measured at various axial locations along the cylinders. It is found that the magnitude of the outer wall motion due to the precursor elastic waves is small, while the associated wall motion is unsteady and decays in amplitude as the elastic disturbances move further ahead of the detonation front. The variations in the expansion history of the main outer wall motion of the cylinders are presented for increasing wall thickness at fixed ID, and for increasing cylinder inner diameter at a fixed wall thickness. Finally, we also explore the existence of a geometric similarity scaling of the wall expansion history for three geometrically scaled tests (3- and 6-in. ID cylinders with 1/4- and 1/2-in. walls, 3- and 6-in. ID cylinders with 1/2- and 1-in. walls and 3- and 6-in. ID cylinders with 1- and 2-in. walls respectively). We find that the wall velocity histories for each of the three scaled tests, when plotted directly against time relative to start of main motion of the wall, are similar over a certain range of wall velocities without any geometric based rescaling in time. The range of wall velocities where the overlap occurs increases as the ratio of the wall thickness to inner diameter decreases. This is in contrast to ideal high explosives, where the outer wall velocity histories are only similar when the geometric scale factor (in this case a factor of 2) is applied to the wall velocity motion.
Expression, Purification, and Characterization of an Active RNase H Domain of the Hepatitis B Viral Polymerase

The replication of the hepatitis B viral DNA genome proceeds through a pregenomic RNA intermediate. This pregenomic RNA subsequently serves as the template for the formation of the viral DNA by the reverse transcriptase activity of the viral P gene product. The P gene product is believed to be a multifunctional enzyme with DNA-dependent DNA polymerase, RNA-dependent DNA polymerase, and RNase H activities. Detailed biochemical studies of this protein have not been performed because of the inability to obtain sufficient amounts of the enzyme from the virus and by the inability to produce the enzyme in heterologous expression systems. The RNase H activity is essential for viral replication and is believed to be responsible for the degradation of the RNA pregenomic intermediate as well as for generating the short RNA primer that is required for DNA second strand synthesis. We have assembled an expression vector which directs the synthesis of a protein that corresponds to the putative RNase H domain of the P gene product and having a carboxyl-terminal polyhistidine tag to facilitate purification. The protein has been expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to yield 1-2 mg of protein/liter of culture. This protein has RNase H activity as defined by its ability to degrade the RNA component of RNA-DNA hybrids but not the DNA component. The RNase H has a basic optimum pH, is active only in the presence of reducing agents, and is dependent on the presence of divalent cations, with magnesium being preferred over manganese.
System power consumption minimization for multichannel communications using cognitive radio

Power consumption has been a significant issue for many mobile and wireless devices, especially those with high rate applications. This paper presents a methodology and framework to minimize system power consumption for multichannel communications using cognitive radio (CR) based on the application quality of service requirement, the channel condition, and the radio capabilities and characteristics. The CR framework enables an adaptation process that is aware of the radio (component) capabilities and characteristics. This paper mathematically formulates a system power consumption minimization problem under a rate constraint for multichannel communications and develops numerical solutions. Simulation results show that the knowledge of the radio capabilities and characteristics can help to reduce system power consumption significantly (e.g., up to 55% for a multichannel system with Class A power amplifiers).
Fatal unrecognized cutaneous and systemic Kaposi's sarcoma in an AIDS patient with acute cryptococcal meningoencephalitis.

A 45-year-old African-American male was admitted to the hospital complaining of back and chest discomfort and general malaise of 4 days’ duration. He also reported unquantified weight loss, occasional low-grade fever, drenching night sweats, productive cough, whitish expectoration, and pleuritic chest pain. He denied headache, vomiting, diarrhea, dysuria, and abdominal pain. The married father of six children, he was a former crack user, moderate smoker, nonalcoholic known to have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), on the basis of CD4 cell count of 5L pulse rate (PR) 80, regular; respiration rate (RR) 16; and Gkisgow Coma scale, 15. In the emergency department, the patient’s temperature was 966°F (3588°C); PR 78; RR 16; and BP 1 lOnO. He was noted to have poor oral hygiene, and tender lumbar vertebrae 1 5. No gross abnormality was found on examination of respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal systems.
Pharmacotherapy Impacts Functional Connectivity Among Affective Circuits During Response Inhibition in Pediatric Mania

Abstract Objective The aim of the current study was to determine the influence of implicated affective circuitry disturbance in pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) on behavioral inhibition. The differential influence of an antipsychotic and an anti-epileptic medication on the functional connectivity across affective and cognitive neural operations in PBD was examined. Methods This was a six-week double blind randomized fMRI trial of risperidone plus placebo vs. divalproex plus placebo for patients with mania ( n = 22; 13.6 ± 2.5 years). Healthy controls (HC; n = 14, 14.5 ± 2.8 years) were also scanned for normative comparison. Participants performed a response inhibition fMRI task where a motor response, already ‘on the way’ to execution, had to be voluntarily inhibited on trials where a stop signal was presented. Independent component analysis was used to map functional connectivity across the whole brain. Results While there were no behavioral differences between the groups at pre- or post-drug trial, there was significant improvement on manic symptoms in the patient groups. All participants engaged an evaluative affective circuit (EAC: bilateral inferior frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), middle temporal gyrus, insulae, caudate and putamen) and a reactive affective circuit (RAC: bilateral occipital cortex, amygdala, medial frontal gyrus and insula) during task performance. Within the EAC, post-treatment and relative to HC, greater engagement was seen in left insula in risperidone group and left subgenual ACC in divalproex group. Within the RAC, greater baseline amygdala connectivity in patients did not alter with treatment. Conclusion EAC and RAC are two key circuits that moderate emotional influence on response inhibition in PBD. Risperidone and divalproex differentially engage the EAC. Limited change in amygdala activity with treatment in all patients indicates a likely trait deficit in PBD.
The effect of naproxen and interleukin-1 on proteoglycan catabolism and on neutral metalloproteinase activity in normal articular cartilage in vitro.

The events in inflammatory and degenerative joint diseases involve major changes in the metabolic events in the articular cartilage. The effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on articular cartilage metabolism remain unclear, however. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of one commonly used NSAID, naproxen sodium, on the catabolism of proteoglycans in articular cartilage expiants maintained in culture. Release of proteoglycan from the cartilage was compared with release of neutral metalloproteinase activity. The effect of the drug also was determined on the IL-1-stimulated release of proteoglycan and neutral metalloproteinase activity from the expiants. At concentrations that included those present in synovial fluids of patients treated with the drug, naproxen sodium was found to suppress the release of proteoglycan and neutral metalloproteinase activity from the articular cartilage extracts. This is in contrast to the well-documented effect of interleukin-1 (IL-1), which was shown to stimulate release of proteoglycan and neutral metalloproteinase activity from articular cartilage. The effect of naproxen sodium on the IL-1-stimulated release was to suppress, but not totally overcome, the increased release of proteoglycan and neutral metalloproteinase activity. In summary, these in vitro studies of cartilage metabolism indicate that naproxen sodium has the potential to suppress catabolic activities in articular cartilage, including those that are motivated by IL-1.
Shock wave-induced phase transition in RDX single crystals.

The real-time, molecular-level response of oriented single crystals of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-s-triazine (RDX) to shock compression was examined using Raman spectroscopy. Single crystals of [111], [210], or [100] orientation were shocked under stepwise loading to peak stresses from 3.0 to 5.5 GPa. Two types of measurements were performed: (i) high-resolution Raman spectroscopy to probe the material at peak stress and (ii) time-resolved Raman spectroscopy to monitor the evolution of molecular changes as the shock wave reverberated through the material. The frequency shift of the CH stretching modes under shock loading appeared to be similar for all three crystal orientations below 3.5 GPa. Significant spectral changes were observed in crystals shocked above 4.5 GPa. These changes were similar to those observed in static pressure measurements, indicating the occurrence of the α−γ phase transition in shocked RDX crystals. No apparent orientation dependence in the molecular response of RDX to shock compres...
Managing the middle ground: forests in the transition zone between cities and remote areas

In many parts of the world there are extensive landscapes where forests and people strongly intermingle, notably in the suburbs and exurbs of cities. This landscape of transitional forest generally receives limited attention from policy makers and researchers who tend to be rooted in traditions centered on either urban planning or management of natural resources in rural areas. The transitional forest is on the periphery of both perspectives, but it is a large area that provides numerous important values (biodiversity, ecosystem function, forest products, and amenities) to the people that live in them and their neighboring cities. Here we argue for increased attention to transitional forests, identify major challenges, and suggest changes to planning and management practices needed to ensure that the values of these forests are sustained.
Prospective randomized trial of thoracostomy removal algorithms.

Introduction: The preferred chest tube (CT) removal algorithm has not yet been established. The purpose of this study was to determine which technique, water seal or suction, allowed for shorter CT duration. In addition, the recurrent pneumothorax (PTX) rate, the need for CT reinsertion, and the total number of chest x-ray films (CXR) were determined. Methods: Prospective randomized trial of 205 trauma patients, older than 15 years of age, requiring tube thoracostomy for blunt and penetrating trauma. Patients requiring mechanical ventilation more than 24 hours were excluded from the study. Informed consent was obtained from all patients. Chest tubes were randomized for removal when output was less than 150 mL/24 hours, CXR revealed no significant PTX, and no air leak was present. Patients in the water seal group were disconnected from low wall suction and a CXR was obtained 6 to 8 hours later. Chest tubes in the no water seal group were disconnected from wall suction and pulled immediately. All tubes were removed by using standard protocol with patients at maximal inspiratory effort. A follow-up CXR was obtained after removal. Results: Of the 205 patients, 93 patients (45%) were randomized to the water seal group and 112 patients (54%) to the no water seal group. Four patients in the water seal group developed a PTX before CT removal and were considered treatment failures. After CT removal, repeat PTX was seen in 13 patients in the water seal group and in 9 patients in the no water seal group. However, seven patients in the no water seal group required CT reinsertion compared with one in the water seal group (p < 0.05). Average number of CXR in the water seal group was 6.5 compared with 5.5 radiographs in the no water seal group. There was no difference in chest tube duration or hospital length of stay between groups for either all patients or only those patients with isolated chest injuries. Patients who required another CT had a hospital length of stay twice that of patients who did not. Conclusions: It is possible that patients in the no water seal group did not have sufficient time for a possible PTX to evolve, which resulted in a larger and more significant PTX requiring another CT. Although there was no difference in chest tube duration between the no water seal and water seal groups, a short trial of water seal appears to allow occult air leaks to become clinically apparent and reduces the need for another CT.
Optimizing quality collaboratives

While the evidence base for the effectiveness of quality collaboratives is emerging, valuable knowledge can be gained from experts in order to design and optimize implementation of collaboratives. “Quality collaborative” is the term used to describe a technique which is increasingly being used in a number of countries and is perceived by participants as a valuable method of sharing experience, accessing expertise, and providing an environment which supports quality improvement endeavours. Although the name is rather generic, the form and functions of quality collaboratives are constantly being refined through real world learning. Regrettably, the published evidence base is not as replete as one would hope when such a resource intensive intervention is enjoying popularity. Anecdotal reporting and insights of experts are therefore important for designing and implementing collaboratives to optimize their effectiveness. In this issue of QSHC Ovretveit and colleagues1 present their …
High-Pressure Liquid Chromatographic Assay of Azlocillin and Mezlocillin with an Anion-Exchange Extraction Technique

Abstract An anion-exchange column deproteination technique has been employed with the high-pressure liquid chromatographic (LC) assay for azlocillin and mezlocillin. The anionexchange extraction gave excellent (97%-99%) drug recovery. Quantitation of antibiotics using the LC method compares favorably to the traditional biological assay technique with correlation coefficients for azlocillin = 0.998 and mezlocillin = 0.988. The anion-exchange extraction provides an interference-free chromatogram which aids in the LC assay of these drugs.
Monoclonal antibody-tagged receptor-targeted contrast agents for detection of cancers

Oral cancer and precancer overexpress the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and monoclonal antibodies against EGFR coupled to photoactive dyes may have a potential both as a diagnostic and treatment modalities for oral premalignancy. We asked whether an anti-EGFR mab (C225) conjugated with the fluorescence dye indocyanine Cy5.5 could detect dysplastic changes in the hamster cheek pouch carcinogenesis model. Secondly, we tested whether the same antibody conjugated with the photosensitizer chlorin (e6) could be used together with illumination to reduce levels of expression of EGFR as evaluated by the immunophotodetection procedure. Increased fluorescence appeared to correlate with development of premalignancy when the C225-Cy5.5 conjugate was used. Areas with increased fluorescence signal were found in carcinogen-treated but clinically normal cheek pouches, that revealed dysplastsic changes by histology. The immunophotodetection procedure was carried out after photoummunotherapy with the C225-ce6 conjugate, and showed a significant reduction in fluorescence in the illuminated compared to the non-illuminated areas in the carcinogen- treated but not the normal cheek pouch. The results demonstrate that the use of anti-EGFR Mab targeted photoactive dyes may serve as a feedback controlled optical diagnosis and therapy procedure for oral premalignant lesions.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Wave height variation across beaches of arbitrary profile

An intuitive expression for the spatial change in energy flux associated with waves breaking in the surf zone is developed. Using shallow water linear wave theory, analytical solutions for wave height transformation due to shoaling and breaking on a flat shelf, a plane slope, and an “equilibrium” beach profile are derived and then compared to laboratory data with favorable results. The effect of beach slope on wave decay is included explicitly, while wave steepness effects are included implicitly by specification of the incipient conditions. Set-down/set-up in the mean water level, bottom friction losses, and bottom profiles of arbitrary shape are introduced, and solutions are obtained numerically. The model is calibrated and verified using laboratory data with very good results for the wave decay but not so favorable results for set-up. A test run on a prototype scale profile containing two bar and trough systems demonstrates the model's ability to describe the shoaling, breaking, and wave re-forming process commonly observed in nature. Bottom friction is found to play a negligible role in wave decay in the surf zone when compared to shoaling and breaking.
Reactions of Ph3Sb═S with copper(I) complexes supported by N-donor ligands: formation of stable adducts and S-transfer reactivity.

In the exploration of sulfur-delivery reagents useful for synthesizing models of the tetracopper-sulfide cluster of nitrous oxide reductase, reactions of Ph3Sb=S with Cu(I) complexes of N,N,N’,N’-tetramethyl-2R,3R-cyclohexanediamine (TMCHD) and 1,4,7-trialkyltriazacyclononanes (R3tacn; R = Me, Et, iPr) were studied. Treatment of [(R3tacn)Cu(NCCH3)]SbF6 (R = Me, Et, or iPr) with one equivalent of S=SbPh3 in CH2Cl2 yielded adducts [(R3tacn)Cu(S=SbPh3)]SbF6 (1–3), which were fully characterized, including by X-ray crystallography. The adducts slowly decayed to [(R3tacn)2Cu2(µ-η2: η2-S2)]2+ species (4–6) and SbPh3, or more quickly in the presence of additional [(R3tacn)Cu(NCCH3)]SbF6 to 4–6 and [(R3tacn)Cu(SbPh3)]SbF6 (7–9). The results of mechanistic studies of the latter process were consistent with rapid intermolecular exchange of S=SbPh3 between 1–3 and added [(R3tacn)Cu(NCCH3)]SbF6, followed by conversion to product via a dicopper intermediate formed in a rapid pre-equilibrium step. Key evidence supporting this step came from the observation of saturation behavior in a plot of the initial rate of loss of 1 versus the initial concentration of [(Me3tacn)Cu(NCCH3)]SbF6. Also, treatment of [(TMCHD)Cu(CH3CN)]PF6 with S=SbPh3 led to the known tricopper cluster [(TMCHD)3Cu3(µ3-S)2](PF6)3 in good yield (79%), a synthetic procedure superior to that previously reported (Brown, E. C.; York, J. T.; Antholine, W. E.; Ruiz, E.; Alvarez, S.; Tolman, W. B. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127, 13752–13753).
The Nonlinear Response of Cracked Aluminum Shells Subjected to Combined Loads

The results of a numerical study of the nonlinear response of thin unstiffened aluminum cylindrical shells with a longitudinal crack are presented. The shells are analyzed with a nonlinear shelf analysis code that accurately accounts for global and structural response phenomena. The effects of initial crack length on the prebuckling, buckling and postbuckling responses of a typical shell subjected to axial compression loads, and subjected to combined internal pressure and axial compression loads are described. Both elastic and elastic-plastic analyses are conducted. Numerical results for a fixed initial crack length indicate that the buckling load decreases as the crack length increases for a given pressure load, and that the buckling load increases as the internal pressure load increases for a given crack length. Furthermore, results indicate that predictions from an elastic analysis for the initial buckling load of a cracked shell subjected to combined axial compression and internal pressure loads can be unconservative. In addition, the effect of crack extension on the initial buckling load is presented.
X-ray photoemission investigation of binding sites in polymer-bound thiacrowns used for environmental remediation of Hg in aqueous solutions

Abstract X-ray photoemission spectroscopy has been used to examine how Hg is bound to a polymer-bound thiacrown shown to be effective in extracting HgII from acidic aqueous solutions. High resolution Hg 4f and S 2p core-level spectra were acquired for a set of well-characterized sulfur-containing model compounds and their corresponding Hg complexes. Results from these materials were used to interpret the Hg 4f and S 2p core-level spectra of the polymer-bound thiacrown material, the thiacrown monomeric precursors and the Hg-containing reacted polymer. The thiacrown structure was found to be unaffected by incorporation into the polymer and Hg appears to be bound to the polymer complex in a similar manner as Hg is bound in monomeric thiacrowns containing five sulfur atoms.
Mitochondrial Phosphate Transport Protein. Replacements of Glutamic, Aspartic, and Histidine Residues Affect Transport and Protein Conformation and Point to a Coupled Proton Transport Path†

The homodimeric mitochondrial phosphate transport protein (PTP), which has six transmembrane helices per subunit, catalyzes inorganic phosphate transport in an electroneutral and pH gradient-dependent manner across the inner membrane. We have replaced the Glu, Asp, and His residues of the yeast PTP to assess their role in the transport mechanism. Mutants with physiologically relevant transport activity were identified by their ability to rescue the PTP null mutant yeast from glycerol medium. Five residues appear critical for transport: His-32 in helix A, Glu-126 and -137 in helix C, and Asp-39 and -236 at the matrix ends of helices A and E. These mutant PTPs are expressed at near normal levels in yeast. This yeast PTP and the mutants were expressed in Escherichia coli as inclusion bodies, solubilized, purified, and reconstituted. Their transport activities correlate well with the physiological assays. None of the transport inactivating mutations appear to be due to major protein conformation changes as a...
Factors Affecting the Successful Application of PERT/CPM Systems in a Government Organization

PERT/CPM in project management scheduling systems is applied and used less frequently than the literature would seem to suggest. Eighteen almost-identical government units were studied to document a situation that appears to be ideally suited to PERT/CPM but where the success ratio was 4 out of 18 cases. We then identify some factors to explain why or why not the PERT/CPM techniques were not successful. Of nine factors identified, the two important factors turned out to be 1 the level of person making the introduction and 2 the stated purpose of the introduction. Suggestions for improving acceptance then conclude the paper.
Quadrilaterals with Integer Sides.

(2000). Quadrilaterals with Integer Sides. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 73, No. 4, pp. 296-301.
Well-Posedness Theory for Aggregation Sheets

In this paper, we consider distribution solutions to the aggregation equation \({\rho_{t} + \mathrm{div}(\rho \mathbf{u} ) = 0, \; \mathbf{u} = -\nabla V * \rho}\) in \({\mathbb{R}^{d}}\) , where the density ρ concentrates on a co-dimension one manifold. We show that an evolution equation for the manifold itself completely determines the dynamics of such solutions. We refer to such solutions aggregation sheets. When the equation for the sheet is linearly well-posed, we show that the fully non-linear evolution is also well-posed locally in time for the class of bi-Lipschitz surfaces. Moreover, we show that if the initial sheet is C1 then the solution itself remains C1 as long as it remains Lipschitz. Lastly, we provide conditions on the kernel \({g(s) = -\frac{\mathrm{d}V}{\mathrm{d}s}}\) that guarantee the solution remains a bi-Lipschitz surface globally in time, and construct explicit solutions that either collapse or blow up in finite time when these conditions fail.
Considering failure: eight years of ITID research

This paper examines forty articles published in the journal Information Technologies & International Development between 2003 and 2010 in an effort to identify commonalities among projects that failed to meet some or all of their development objectives. We considered whether the selected papers articulated clear development objectives, and whether baseline data was used to inform project design. We then considered two factors associated with how development objectives are implemented: the development perspective (top-down vs. bottom-up), and the project focus (the technology vs. the community). Our goal was not to find fault with our colleagues or their work, rather to advance the debate about the effectiveness of ICTD initiatives at a particularly important point in the history of the discipline. We conclude that top-down, technology-centric, goal-diffuse approaches to ICTD contribute to unsatisfactory development results. Careful consideration of development objectives, perspective and focus is essential in all phases of an ICTD project, from design to deployment. Honest and comprehensive reporting of failure (and success) helps ICTD researchers and practitioners focus on best practices in meeting critical development needs.
Grounding needs: achieving common ground via lightweight chat in large, distributed, ad-hoc groups

This paper reports on the emergent use of lightweight text chat to provide important grounding and facilitation information in a large, distributed, ad-hoc group of researchers participating in a live experiment. The success of chat in this setting suggests a critical re-examination and extension of Clark and Brennan's work on grounding in communication. Specifically, it is argued that there are some settings characterized by reduced information and clarification needs, where the use of extremely lightweight tools (such as basic text chat) can be sufficient for achieving common ground - even when conversational participants are unknown to each other. Theoretical and design implications are then presented.
Invasion of the Public Forum Doctrine

The public forum doctrine is like an invasive weed that has expanded luxuriantly after being transplanted beyond its native habitat. The metaphor of the “forum” was first used as a way to explain why the government cannot engage in prior restraint or content discrimination with regard to speaking, picketing, or leafleting on city parks and sidewalks. It has since outgrown these locations, becoming so pervasive that courts frequently assert that all government property must be some kind of forum. The reflex to invoke the public forum doctrine where it does not belong leads to a number of awkward results. When used in inapt situations, the doctrine does little to help lawyers and judges reach correct results, but instead introduces a branching series of dead ends, redundancies, and inefficiencies. Continued use of the public forum doctrine in these settings may hinder the development of better-fitting legal rules. A larger problem arises when the doctrine goes beyond inelegance to create genuinely unjust results. For all of the debate that occurs over designating particular government properties as a traditional, designated, limited, or nonpublic forums, almost no effort has been applied to defining a forum itself. The law would be better served by recognizing that some locations for speech are simply not forums at all. As a step towards a better definition of a forum, this article identifies five features of a traditional public forum that help explain why these are spaces where the government must allow free-ranging discourse. It then examines the difficulties that result from invoking the public forum doctrine in factual situations lacking different combinations of these features.
Electronic properties of single semiconductor nanocrystals : optical and electrostatic force microscopy measurements

We review the room temperature optical and electronic properties of single semiconductor nanocrystals, which are made by chemical synthesis. Confocal luminescence spectroscopy of single nanocrystals reveals a blinking behavior apparently due to an intermittent photoionization. To investigate this further, the dielectric constant and electrostatic charge of single CdSe nanocrystals was measured. The static dielectric constant among single CdSe nanocrystals is uniform, and its value is consistent with the value of the dielectric constant of the bulk material. However, the electrostatic polarization among individual nanocrystals is non-uniform, with a significant fraction of the nanocrystals possessing a partial positive charge (Q 0.5 e), and:or a permanent dipole (P35 D). A small fraction of the nanocrystals has a positive polarization, which blinks ‘on’ and ‘off’ over time. In addition, photoexcitation with frequencies greater than the band gap of the nanocrystal results in photoionization. © 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.
Electrophysiological Effects of Remodeling Cardiac Gap Junctions and Cell Size Experimental and Model Studies of Normal Cardiac Growth

The increased incidence of arrhythmias in structural heart disease is accompanied by remodeling of the cellular distribution of gap junctions to a diffuse pattern like that of neonatal cardiomyocytes. Accordingly, it has become important to know how remodeling of gap junctions due to normal growth hypertrophy alters anisotropic propagation at a cellular level (V(max)) in relation to conduction velocities measured at a macroscopic level. To this end, morphological studies of gap junctions (connexin43) and in vitro electrical measurements were performed in neonatal and adult canine ventricular muscle. When cells enlarged, gap junctions shifted from the sides to the ends of ventricular myocytes. Electrically, normal growth produced different patterns of change at a macroscopic and microscopic level. Although the longitudinal and transverse conduction velocities were greater in adult than neonatal muscle, the anisotropic velocity ratios were the same. In the neonate, mean V(max) was not different during longitudinal (LP) and transverse (TP) propagation. However, growth hypertrophy produced a selective increase in mean TP V(max) (P<0.001), with no significant change in mean LP V(max). Two-dimensional neonatal and adult cellular computational models show that the observed increases in cell size and changes in the distribution of gap junctions are sufficient to account for the experimental results. Unexpectedly, the results show that cellular scaling (cell size) is as important (or more so) as changes in gap junction distribution in determining TP properties. As the cells enlarged, both mean TP V(max) and lateral cell-to-cell delay increased. V(max) increased because increases in cell-to-cell delay reduced the electric current flowing downstream up to the time of V(max), thus enhancing V(max). The results suggest that in pathological substrates that are arrhythmogenic, maintaining cell size during remodeling of gap junctions is important in sustaining a maximum rate of depolarization.
Experimental demonstration of nonlinear phase jitter compensation in DPSK modulated fiber links

A nonlinear phase jitter compensator is demonstrated in a differential-phase-shift-keying modulated fiber link. The compensator emulates a negative nonlinear refractive index, correcting phase impairments caused by the combination of amplified spontaneous emission noise and the Kerr effect.
Direct visuomotor transformations for reaching

The posterior parietal cortex (PPC) is thought to have a function in the sensorimotor transformations that underlie visually guided reaching, as damage to the PPC can result in difficulty reaching to visual targets in the absence of specific visual or motor deficits. This function is supported by findings that PPC neurons in monkeys are modulated by the direction of hand movement, as well as by visual, eye position and limb position signals. The PPC could transform visual target locations from retinal coordinates to hand-centred coordinates by combining sensory signals in a serial manner to yield a body-centred representation of target location, and then subtracting the body-centred location of the hand. We report here that in dorsal area 5 of the PPC, remembered target locations are coded with respect to both the eye and hand. This suggests that the PPC transforms target locations directly between these two reference frames. Data obtained in the adjacent parietal reach region (PRR) indicate that this transformation may be achieved by vectorially subtracting hand location from target location, with both locations represented in eye-centred coordinates.
S-Parameters for Three and Four Cascaded Two-Ports

This paper presents explicit formulas for the resultant Sparameters for cascaded three and four two-ports in terms of the S-parameters of the individual two-ports. The formulas are derived in two ways (multiplication of the T-parameters and signal flow graph) giving the same result. They are also confirmed by simulation.
Acidosis Potentiates the Host Proinflammatory Interleukin-1β Response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection

Infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and bacteria in general, frequently promotes acidification of the local microenvironment, and this is reinforced by pulmonary exertion and exacerbation. However, the consequence of an acidic environment on the host inflammatory response to P. aeruginosa infection is poorly understood. Here we report that the pivotal cellular and host proinflammatory interleukin-1β (IL-1β) response, which enables host clearance of the infection but can produce collateral inflammatory damage, is increased in response to P. aeruginosa infection within an acidic environment. Synergistic mechanisms that promote increased IL-1β release in response to P. aeruginosa infection in an acidic environment are increased pro-IL-1β induction and increased caspase-1 activity, the latter being dependent upon a functional type III secretion system of the bacteria and the NLRC4 inflammasome of the host. Using an in vivo peritonitis model, we have validated that the IL-1β inflammatory response is increased in mice in response to P. aeruginosa infection within an acidic microenvironment. These data reveal novel insights into the regulation and exacerbation of inflammatory responses to P. aeruginosa.
Analysis and application of frozen orbits for the TOPEX mission

This paper identifies and analyzes frozen orbits for use by the Topography Experiment (TOPEX) mission. Frozen orbits are characterized by almost no long-term change in eccentricity or argument of periapsis. The standard method of frozen orbit prediction is shown to be inadequate for TOPEX inclinations due to the effect of higher degree zonal harmonic gravity terms. A method is described from which long-term motion in mean eccentricity, argument of periapsis, and inclination can be predicted without numerical integration and is used to locate frozen orbits. A zonal gravity field of degree 13 is shown to be necessary and sufficient for TOPEX frozen orbit prediction. Results are verified by numerical integration methods. Frozen orbits are available for most TOPEX orbits under consideration and short-term altitude variations and maximum altitude rates are specified. Alternatives to the frozen orbit which may result in lower altitude variations and rates are briefly examined.
Sales Quota Plans: Mechanisms For Adaptive Learning

A vexing problem in managing sales forces occurs when the sales manager does not know the characteristics of a sales territory. In this paper we show how sales quota-bonus plans can be optimally used to learn about unknown territory characteristics over a multiperiod horizon. We demonstrate this process in two scenarios—one in which the sales manager and the rep are symmetrically informed about the territory characteristics, and the other in which the rep is better informed than the manager. Overall our analysis underscores the importance of Bayesian techniques in sales force management.
A Correlation for the Heat Conduction Effects in Counterflow Rotary Regenerative Heat Exchangers

Equations that predict the dependence of regenerator effectiveness on heat conduction in the matrix both parallel to and perpendicular to the fluid flow are derived from numerical simulations. The equations developed use Biot numbers parallel to the direction of fluid flow and perpendicular to the fluid flow direction, the ratio of heat capacity rates, the heat capacity rate ratio, and the overall number of transfer units to characterize the regenerator performance. Comparison of numerical predictions with those obtained using the equations developed in this paper show excellent agreement. These equations enable designers to accurately account for two-dimensional conduction effects when regenerators are designed.
O'Banion Revisited: Now More Than Ever

First 1 would like to commend Howard Schein and Virginia Gordon for devloping the idea of devoting a significant portion of the journal to a discussion of developmental academic advising. As common as this concept is to those who have been active in the field, 1 suspect there are still many who are not familiar with it. A person new to the field will be able to turn to this issue, read two of the cornerstones, and then gain valuable insights by reading the differing perspectives offered by the invited respondents. This is sure to be an issue that will be used and cited frequently. 1 am going to speak in favor of the O'Banion model as a framework for working with students. First 1 will address two commonly held misconceptions concerning the applicability of the model for advisors across institutional lines. Next 1 will attempt to explain why the O'Banion model holds promise as a method of enhancing a student's educational experience. And finally 1 will discuss the role this model plays within the larger context of working with students with their developmental needs in mind.
Chicken homeobox gene prox 1 related to Drosophila prospero is expressed in the developing lens and retina

Prox 1 is the vertebrate homolog of Drosophila prospero, a gene known to be expressed in the lens-secreting cone cells of fly ommatidia. Chicken Prox 1 cDNAs were isolated from 14 day embryonic chicken lenses, and a complete open reading frame encoding an 83 kDa protein was elucidated. The homeodomains of chicken and mouse Prox 1 are identical at the amino acid level and are 65-67% similar to the homeodomains of Drosophila and C. elegans prospero. The homology between these proteins extends beyond the homeodomain. There is 56% identity between chicken Prox 1 and Drosophila prospero in the C-terminal region downstream of the homeodomain, whereas there is little similarity upstream of the homeodomain. Prox 1 is expressed most actively in the developing lens and midgut and at lower levels in the developing brain, heart, muscle, and retina. cDNA sequencing has established that there are alternatively spliced forms of the single Prox 1 gene, which probably account for the two abundant RNAs of about 2 and 8 kb and two less abundant RNAs close to 3.5 kb in length in the lens. In the lens fibers, only the shortest mRNA was present, whereas, in the epithelial cells, both short and long mRNAs were detected. By using in situ hybridization, expression of the Prox 1 gene was first detected at stage 14 in the early lens placode and slightly preceded the expression of delta 1-crystallin, the first crystallin gene expressed in the developing chicken lens. At later stages of development, Prox 1 mRNA was observed throughout the lens, but it appeared more abundant around the bow region of the equator than in the anterior epithelium or the fibers. In the retina, expression of the Prox 1 gene was detected mainly in the inner nuclear layer during later stages of histogenesis. The conserved pattern of Prox 1/prospero gene expression in vertebrates and Drosophila suggests that Prox 1, like Pax-6, may be essential for eye development in different systematic groups.
Networked simulators and computer-supported wargame simulations

Networked simulators and computer-supported wargames approaches to simulated training environments that support military collective training of units are discussed. The author attempts to clarify the role of the two technologies in order to facilitate better understanding and to aid further development of each using the most promising scientific ideas. The networking of simulators approach is compared to computer-supported wargaming first in a cognitive perspective. Then, they are compared in terms of the computer technologies they use, both in their hardware and software designs. Some significant directions for basic research to improve both approaches are considered. >
Using the proper tool for the task: RCTs are the gold standard for estimating programme effects – a response to Stewart‐Brown et al.

Purpose – The article's purpose is to critique a paper (Stewart‐Brown et al., 2011) in a previous issue of the Journal of Children's Services, which challenges the utility of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effectiveness of preventive interventions for children.Design/methodology/approach – The article is a critical reflection on the primary issue discussed by Stewart‐Brown et al. namely that RCTs do not work well in the evaluation of complex social interventions.Findings – The author finds fault with several of the claims made in the earlier essay and concludes that RCTs remain the most credible research methodology for estimating programme impacts. It is certainly true that RCTs do not tell us everything about programmes and implementation. However, if researchers are attempting to assess whether social interventions have the intended measured impact on their participants, then RCTs do indeed represent the “gold standard” research design.Originality/value – The article is a re‐assert...
Contribution of genetic effects to genetic variance components with epistasis and linkage disequilibrium

Cockerham genetic models are commonly used in quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis with a special feature of partitioning genotypic variances into various genetic variance components, while the F∞ genetic models are widely used in genetic association studies. Over years, there have been some confusion about the relationship between these two type of models. A link between the additive, dominance and epistatic effects in an F∞ model and the additive, dominance and epistatic variance components in a Cockerham model has not been well established, especially when there are multiple QTL in presence of epistasis and linkage disequilibrium (LD). In this paper, we further explore the differences and links between the F∞ and Cockerham models. First, we show that the Cockerham type models are allelic based models with a special modification to correct a confounding problem. Several important moment functions, which are useful for partition of variance components in Cockerham models, are also derived. Next, we discuss properties of the F∞ models in partition of genotypic variances. Its difference from that of the Cockerham models is addressed. Finally, for a two-locus biallelic QTL model with epistasis and LD between the loci, we present detailed formulas for calculation of the genetic variance components in terms of the additive, dominant and epistatic effects in an F∞ model. A new way of linking the Cockerham and F∞ model parameters through their coding variables of genotypes is also proposed, which is especially useful when reduced F∞ models are applied. The Cockerham type models are allele-based models with a focus on partition of genotypic variances into various genetic variance components, which are contributed by allelic effects and their interactions. By contrast, the F∞ regression models are genotype-based models focusing on modeling and testing of within-locus genotypic effects and locus-by-locus genotypic interactions. When there is no need to distinguish the paternal and maternal allelic effects, these two types of models are transferable. Transformation between an F∞ model's parameters and its corresponding Cockerham model's parameters can be established through a relationship between their coding variables of genotypes. Genetic variance components in terms of the additive, dominance and epistatic genetic effects in an F∞ model can then be calculated by translating formulas derived for the Cockerham models.