cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A proposed simulation system for modeling cell growth and assessing the effect of drug treatment on tumors

The use of simulation techniques to develop schedules for chemotherapy of solid tumors is discussed. In recent years the Gompertz model has been verified as an accurate model of tumor cell growth. Interest in describing the growth of cell systems has resulted in the development of generalized cell growth simulation systems, enabling models of cell growth, cell kills and reaction to different stimuli to be simulated.This paper discusses the development of GOMPSIM, a hybrid system based on one such cell growth simulation system, CELLSIM, and an algorithm that fits actual tumor growth data to the Gompertz model. GOMPSIM modifies the CELLSIM parameters in successive trials until the simulated cell growth matches the Gompertz description of the tumor growth. Once the CELLSIM parameters describing the actual tumor growth are determined, the model created by these parameters is used to determine if effective chemotherapy is possible by simulating "cell kills" similar to events resulting from administering a drug. By observing the simulated reaction of the tumor (continued growth, attrition,...), it is hoped that a better understanding of cell kinetics and ultimately an effective drug treatment program can be determined.
Learning curves—an axiomatic approach

A systematic mathematical analysis of learning curves is presented. It is shown that while a learning curve with learning factor k does necessarily satisfy the functional equation f(2x) = kf(x), this equation admits numerous other analytic, convex solutions as well so that it cannot be used to uniquely characterize learning curves. Rather, it is shown that a pair of functional equations f(rx) = kf(x) and f(sx) = jf(x) where r" : s" for any positive integers n and m suffice to uniquely determine the learning curve; compatibility of the two equations requires that log,k = log,j or there will be no learning curve satisfying the pair of equations. Two classes of almost learning curves are generated and studied by means of suitable perturbation terms in the differential equation y' = by/x of the true or standard learning curve and these curves are applied to describe data not exhibiting exact learning-curve behavior. Finally the concept of average marginal hours or cost is introduced and its behavior is found to also exhibit the learning-curve phenomenon except for an initial deviation.
Case study: reconstruction, visualization and quantification of neuronal fiber pathways

It is of significant interest for neurological studies to determine and visualize neuronal fiber pathways in the human brain. By exploiting the capability of diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging to detect local orientations of neuronal fibers, we have developed a system of algorithms to reconstruct, visualize and quantify neuronal fiber pathways in vivo. Illustrative results show that the system is a promising tool for visual analysis of fiber connectivity and quantitative studies of neuronal fibers.
Sports-Related Concussion Testing

Due to the recent focus on concussion in sports, a number of tests have been developed to diagnose and manage concussion. While each test measures different brain functions, no single test has been shown to quickly and reliably assess concussion in all cases. In addition, most of the current concussion tests have not been validated by scientific investigation. This review identifies the pros and cons of the most commonly used noninvasive tests for concussion in order to provide a more complete picture of the resources that are available for concussion testing. The potential utility of research tools such as the head impact telemetry system, advanced magnetic resonance imaging protocols, and biomarkers are discussed in the context of the currently employed tools.
Shoulder torque changes in the swimming athlete

Torque production was assessed in the shoulders of competitive men and women swimmers for the motions of abduction, adduction, and external and internal rotation. Testing was performed on the Cybex II dynamometer and the results were compared to controls. In addition, the ratios of torque development for adduction:abduction and external rotation:internal rotation were evaluated. The results demonstrated a statistically significant increase in torque production in swimmers for most motions tested. Statistically significant ratio shifts were also noted. The ratio of adduction:abduction increased and that for external rotation:internal rotation decreased. We think these shifts in the torque ratios in swimmers' shoulders resulted from sport-specific repetitive activity that emphasizes adduction and internal rotation.
Luminescence of germanate garnets with terbium on dodecahedral and octahedral lattice sites

Abstract {Ca(Tb)} 3 Ga 2 Ge 3 O 12 and Sr 3 [Y(Tb)] 2 Ge 3 O 12 garnets provide a cubic lattice with trivalent terbium, a luminescent rare earth, in dodecahedral (8 oxygen neighbors) and in octahedral (6 oxygen neighbors) sites, respectively. In the materials examined, Tb 3+ in octahedral sites has a narrower fluorescence emission spectrum, higher luminescence efficiency and a longer lifetime than in dodecahedral sites. The luminescence properties and the unit cell size of the Ca 3 Y 2 Ge 3 O 12 garnet, where Tb 3+ is expected to be located on octahedral sites, are between those of the CaGa and SrY garnets. All these garnets are phosphorescent. On the basis of the variation with temperature of the phosphorescence decay law, it is proposed that the radiative electron-hole recombination process proceeds via a tunneling mechanism at temperatures below the thermal glow peaks, and via a free carrier diffusion mechanism at temperatures above the thermal glow peaks. All three Tb 3+ -doped germanate garnets have sufficiently high efficiency and persistence under electron beam excitation to be suitable for practical phosphor applications. The strontium yttrium germanate-Tb material has a cathodoluminescence decay time nearly three times that of the commercial P53 garnet phosphor.
Increased Scleral Rigidity and Age-related Macular Degeneration

Abstract The coefficient of scleral rigidity of the eyes of 29 patients with agerelated macular degeneration (ARIVID) was significantly higher than the rigidity of 25 control patients, frequency matched for age. The data suggest that an increased scleral rigidity may be a significant risk factor for the development of the disorder.
The Effect of Lithium on the Osmoregulation of Arginine Vasopressin Secretion

Human GH (hGH) consists of several molecular forms. Monomeric forms present in pituitary extracts include the single chain, 22,000 mol wt form (22K; hGH-B); a 20,000 mol wt, single chain variant (20K); three proteolytically cleaved, two-chain forms (hGH-C, -D, and -E), acetylated, deaminated, and slow-migrating forms. It is not known which of these forms are secreted in vivo or whether peripheral organs contribute to the interconversion between some of these hGH forms. To answer these questions, we studied the molecular forms of hGH excreted in urine from normal volunteers and from an acromegalic patient, as urinary hGH presumably reflects integrated plasma hGH. hGH was extracted from urine by hollow fiber diafiltration and concentration, followed by immunoadsorbent chromatography. The extracted hGH was examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under native as well as denaturing and reducing conditions and by isoelectric focusing. The predominant form of hGH in both normal urine and urine from the acromegalic patient was 22K, with small quantities (approximately 10%) of 20K and an unidentified acidic form also present. Cleaved forms with enhanced bioactivity (hGH-D and -E) and big hGH forms were not detectable. We conclude that 1) the pattern of urinary hGH suggests that spontaneously secreted and circulating hGH is composed of at least three hGH forms, with 22K predominating; 2) the pattern of urinary hGH is similar to that of plasma hGH after L-dopa stimulation; 3) hGH excreted in acromegaly is indistinguishable from hGH excreted by normal subjects; 4) only a minute fraction (less than 0.01%) of the hGH secreted reaches the final urine; and 5) renal interconversion among hGH forms does not appear quantitatively important.
Energy balance and turbulent flux partitioning in a corn–soybean rotation in the Midwestern US

Quantifying the energy balance above plant canopies is critical for better understanding of water balance and changes in regional weather patterns. This study examined temporal variations of energy balance terms for contrasting canopies [corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.)]. We monitored energy balance for 4 years using eddy-covariance systems, net radiometers, and soil heat flux plates in adjacent production fields near Ames, Iowa. On an annual basis, soybean exhibited 20% and 30% lower sensible heat flux (H) and Bowen ratio than corn, respectively. As canopies developed, a gradual shift in turbulent fluxes occurred with decreasing H and increasing latent heat flux (LE), but with a more pronounced effect for corn. Conversely, during mid-growing season and as both canopies progressively senesced, H in general increased and LE decreased; however, soybean exhibited slightly greater LE and much lower H than corn. These temporal variations in magnitude and partitioning of turbulent fluxes translated into a pronounced energy imbalance for soybean (0.80) and an enhanced closure for corn (0.98) in August and September. These discrepancies could be directly associated with differences in momentum transport as shown by friction velocities of 0.34 and 0.28 m s−1 for corn and soybean, respectively. These results support influential roles of plant canopy on intensity and mode of surface energy exchange processes.
Experimental study of nanoparticles penetration through commercial filter media

In this study, nanoparticle penetration was measured with a wide range of filter media using silver nanoparticles from 3 nm to 20 nm at three different face velocities in order to define nanoparticle filtration characteristics of commercial fibrous filter media. The silver particles were generated by heating a pure silver powder source via an electric furnace with a temperature of 870°C, which was found to be the optimal temperature for generating an adequate amount of silver nanoparticles for the size range specified above. After size classification using a nano-DMA, the particle counts were measured by an Ultrafine Condensation Particle Counter (UCPC) both upstream and downstream of the test filter to determine the nanoparticle penetration for each specific particle size. Particle sampling time continued long enough to detect more than 105 counts at the upstream and 10 counts at the downstream sampling point so that 99.99% efficiency can be detected with the high efficiency filter. The results show a very high uniformity with small error bars for all filter media tested in this study. The particle penetration decreases continuously down to 3 nm as expected from the classical filtration theory, and together with a companion modeling paper by␣Wang et al. in this same issue, we found no significant evidence of nanoparticle thermal rebound down to 3 nm.
Graft copolymers by acyclic diene metathesis and atom transfer radical polymerization techniques

Precise graft copolymer architectures were achieved by combining the macromonomer technique with the acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) reaction. These well-defined copolymer structures were the result of proper monomer design before metathesis polymerization. Features such as length of the graft, nature, and concentration of the graft site along the backbone were manipulated via the combination of living atom transfer radical polymerization methods with ADMET chemistry. Furthermore, the physical behavior of these materials was altered such that they presented dissimilar thermal properties of either the homopolymers or random copolymers.
The Enzymes, Regulation, and Genetics of Bile Acid Synthesis

▪ Abstract The synthesis and excretion of bile acids comprise the major pathway of cholesterol catabolism in mammals. Synthesis provides a direct means of converting cholesterol, which is both hydrophobic and insoluble, into a water-soluble and readily excreted molecule, the bile acid. The biosynthetic steps that accomplish this transformation also confer detergent properties to the bile acid, which are exploited by the body to facilitate the secretion of cholesterol from the liver. This role in the elimination of cholesterol is counterbalanced by the ability of bile acids to solubilize dietary cholesterol and essential nutrients and to promote their delivery to the liver. The synthesis of a full complement of bile acids requires 17 enzymes. The expression of selected enzymes in the pathway is tightly regulated by nuclear hormone receptors and other transcription factors, which ensure a constant supply of bile acids in an ever changing metabolic environment. Inherited mutations that impair bile acid synth...
Introductory Life Science Mathematics and Quantitative Neuroscience Courses

We describe two sets of courses designed to enhance the mathematical, statistical, and computational training of life science undergraduates at Emory College. The first course is an introductory sequence in differential and integral calculus, modeling with differential equations, probability, and inferential statistics. The second is an upper-division course in computational neuroscience. We provide a description of each course, detailed syllabi, examples of content, and a brief discussion of the main issues encountered in developing and offering the courses.
In situ distinction between steroid receptor binding and transactivation at a target gene.

Abstract We have developed a DNA interference assay in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that is designed to indicate the intracellular DNA-binding status of the estrogen receptor. The assay utilizes a promoter containing multiple copies of a GAL4-estrogen receptor binding sequence. This element is designed so that either an estrogen receptor or a GAL4 molecule, but not both, can occupy it simultaneously. The assay is extremely sensitive, and at concentrations of estrogen receptor below that required for maximal transcriptional activation of its target estrogen response element, a quantitative inhibition of GAL4-mediated transcription is seen. Inhibition occurs thought the disruption of complex cooperative interactions among the GAL4 molecules in this reporter. The data obtained from our experiments show that at low concentrations of receptor, hormone is required to promote DNA binding. Overexpression of receptor leads to occupation of the estrogen receptor element in the absence of ligand. In contrast, this latter receptor form will not activate transcription. Our results are consistent with a two-step process for receptor activation. Ligand first causes dissociation of receptor from an inhibitory complex within the cell and produces a DNA-binding form. Second, it converts receptor to a transcriptionally competent form. With use of this yeast model system, these two steps can be distinguished in situ.
Systematic review: comparative effectiveness of radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Background Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained arrhythmia. Medical treatment often fails to control symptoms. Purpose To compare the benefits and harms of radiofrequency catheter ablation and medical therapy in adults with atrial fibrillation. Data sources MEDLINE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (2000 to December 2008) were searched for English-language reports of studies in adults. Study selection 6 independent reviewers screened abstracts to identify longitudinal studies of adults with atrial fibrillation who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation. Studies reported arrhythmia or other cardiovascular outcomes at least 6 months after ablation or any adverse events. Data extraction Data were extracted by 1 of 4 reviewers and were verified by a cardiac electrophysiologist. Study quality and overall strength of evidence for each question were rated by 2 independent reviewers; disagreements were resolved by consensus. Data synthesis 108 studies met eligibility criteria. Moderate strength of evidence (3 trials; n = 30 to 198) showed that radiofrequency ablation after a failed drug course was more likely than continuation of drug therapy alone to lead to maintained sinus rhythm. Low strength of evidence (4 trials [n = 30 to 137] and 1 retrospective study [n = 1171]) suggested that radiofrequency ablation improved quality of life, promoted avoidance of anticoagulation, and decreased readmission rates compared with medical treatment. Major adverse events occurred in fewer than 5% of patients in most of 84 studies. Limitations Study follow-up was generally 12 months or less. Large heterogeneity of applied techniques and reporting of outcomes precluded many definitive conclusions. Reporting of adverse events was poor. Publication and selective reporting biases could not be ruled out. Studies with small samples and studies reported in a language other than English were excluded. Conclusion Radiofrequency catheter ablation is effective for up to 12 months of rhythm control when used as a second-line therapy for atrial fibrillation in relatively young patients with near-intact cardiac function. Longer studies that use primary end points of stroke and mortality are needed.
Electronic and magnetic properties of deformed and defective single wall carbon nanotubes

Abstract The combined effect of radial deformation and defects on the properties of semiconducting single wall carbon nanotubes are studied using density functional theory. A Stone–Thrower–Wales defect, a substitutional nitrogen impurity, and a mono-vacancy at the highest curvature side of a radially strained nanotube are considered. The energies characterizing the deformation and defect formation, the band gap energies, and various bond lengths are calculated. We find that there is magneto-mechanical coupling behavior in the nanotube properties which can be tailored by the degree of radial deformation and the type of defect. The carbon nanotube energetics and magnetism are also explained in terms of electronic structure changes as a function of deformation and types of defects present in the structure.
Distribution of dendritic cells in normal human salivary glands.

Dendritic cells (DC) are believed to contribute to development of autoimmune sialadenitis, but little is known about their distribution in normal salivary glands. In this study, DC were identified and their distribution was determined in normal human parotid and submandibular glands. For light microscopy, salivary gland sections were stained with H&E or immunocytochemically using antibodies to DC markers. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to evaluate the ultrastructural characteristics of DC. In H&E sections, elongated, irregularly shaped nuclei were occasionally seen in the striated and excretory duct epithelium. Immunolabeling with anti-HLA-DR, anti-CD11c and anti-S100 revealed DC with numerous processes extending between ductal epithelial cells, often close to the lumen. Morphometric analyses indicated that HLA-DR-positive DC occupied approximately 4–11% of the duct wall volume. Similar reactive cells were present in acini, intercalated ducts and interstitial tissues. TEM observations revealed cells with indented nuclei containing dense chromatin, pale cytoplasm with few organelles, and lacking junctional attachments to adjacent cells. These results indicate that DC are abundant constituents of normal human salivary glands. Their location within ductal and acinar epithelium suggests a role in responding to foreign antigens and/or maintaining immunological tolerance to salivary proteins.
Case report of tetanus in an immunized, healthy adult and no point of entry

We report the case of a 58-year-old man born in the United States with a history of complete childhood immunizations who presented to the Emergency Department with trismus. Past medical history was significant only for Elephantiasis. After an exhaustive workup the patient was found to have Tetanus, with no identifiable portal of entry. The patient was successfully treated for Tetanus with complete recovery. Tetanus is caused by the organism Clostridium Tetani, which usually requires an open lesion to cause infection. Our patient was unique in that he was previously immunized with no obvious lesion. Tetanus should be suspected and treated empirically in any patient presenting with typical signs and symptoms even without an apparent entry site.
Exudative Pleural Diseases in Small Animals

Exudative pleural diseases are a common cause of respiratory distress and systemic illness in dogs and cats. This article addresses the pathophysiology, development, and classification of exudative pleural effusions. The most current diagnostic strategies, causes, imaging findings, and medical or surgical treatment options for select diseases are reviewed in detail.
Estimation with Information Loss: Asymptotic Analysis and Error Bounds

In this paper, we consider a discrete time state estimation problem over a packet-based network. In each discrete time step, the measurement is sent to a Kalman filter with some probability that it is received or dropped. Previous pioneering work on Kalman filtering with intermittent observation losses shows that there exists a certain threshold of the packet dropping rate below which the estimator is stable in the expected sense. That work assumes that packets are dropped independently between all time steps. However we give a completely different point of view. On the one hand, it is not required that the packets are dropped independently but just that the information gain π g , defined to be the limit of the ratio of the number of received packets n during N time steps as N goes to infinity, exists. On the other hand, we show that for any given π g , as long as π g > 0, the estimator is stable almost surely, i.e. for any given E > 0, the error covariance matrix P k is bounded by a finite matrix M, with probability 1 -E.We also give explicit formula for the relationship between M and E. We consider the case where the observation matrix is invertible.
The nuclear waste problem and reconsideration of the ocean disposal option

The continuation of the nuclear power option around the world requires an eventual resolution for nuclear waste disposal. The United States now has about 70,000 tons of high level nuclear waste stored on site of about 100 nuclear power plants around the country. Another 3,000 tons is being produced each year. Over the last forty years many plans have been made but none implemented. The announcement that Yucca Mountain in Nevada will be used has resulted in intense resistance. While the author's proposal to consider the ocean dumping option for nuclear waste may now be publicly and politically unacceptable it may ultimately represent the best of the difficult options. The subsequent analysis shows that the amount of radiation released from all nuclear waste form nuclear weapons and nuclear power reactors is negligible compared to the reactivity from the decay of the natural uranium in the ocean. The historic considerations for nuclear waste disposal have been defined as retrievable or non retrievable. A new issue that may further motivate ocean disposal is its non vulnerability to terrorist attacks. The author also suggests that nuclear waste should be recognized as a global problem as compared to a problem for each nation. Accordingly, it should become the responsibility of an international agency with the goal of determining the best global option and site.
Sequence‐adapted molecular tensors: Algebraic methods and application to crystal field theory

Tensorial sets adapted to sequences of finite subgroups are applied to the crystal field problem, and a general method for generating sequence-adapted molecular tensors using finite group algebra is formulated. All subgroup sequences of the abstract finite group G(24), isomorphic to the octahedral, O, tetrahedral, Td, and symmetric, S(4), groups are tabulated with explicit isomorphisms provided. The sequences fall into eight equivalence classes. A catalog of irreducible representations of G(24) adapted to a member of each of the eight sequence classes is given together with the transformations which generate representations adapted to all other sequences. With this data it is possible to systematically generate tensorial sets adapted to any sequence of a realization of G(24). Unitary transformations which adapt conventional forms of first- and second-rank irreducible tensorial sets of the rotation group to the eight sequences of the octahedral group are provided. Forms suitable for use with magnetic fields are included. The problem of a d1 ion in a trigonal crystal field is treated with sequence-adapted molecular tensors, and the utility of different sequences for descent in symmetry is discussed.
Technology novelty, project complexity, and product development project execution success: a deeper look at task uncertainty in product innovation

This paper applies the construct of task uncertainty to study relationships between product development project characteristics and project outcomes. The authors characterize product development projects in terms of their technology novelty and project complexity levels. This characterization is based on product development literature and organizational information processing theory. They hypothesize that technology novelty and project complexity characteristics contribute to project task uncertainty and are in turn associated with project execution outcomes. A cross-sectional survey of 120 new product development projects for assembled goods was employed to test relationships between project characteristics and project success. Success measures include achievement of individual project goals, such as technical performance, unit-cost, time-to-market and overall achievement of project goals.
An inexpensive bounding representation for offsets of quadratic curves

We describe a simple mechanism for bounding the portion of the plane lying between a quadratic Beizer curve segment and its offset curve at distance d. Instead of comprising one or more partial bounding polygons, our representation consists of only a single approximate offset curve segment, also in quadratic Bezier form. Evaluated on a corpus of real-world curves, this technique avoids 68--99% of antialias-distance queries and 41--96% of brush-parameter queries. A proof of correctness is provided.
Psoriatic arthritis: current therapy and future approaches

PsA is a systemic inflammatory condition that affects 20-30% of patients with psoriasis. It is characterized by potential involvement of diverse tissues, including peripheral and axial joints, enthesitis, dactylitis and skin and nail disease. The degree of involvement in each domain can vary over time in individual patients and can differ substantially between PsA patients. The clinical heterogeneity along with the varying extent of severity and activity can pose significant challenges to treatment. Although some studies had suggested immunopathophysiological similarities between PsA and RA, more recently important distinctions have been defined. Similarly, although some immunomodulatory therapies have proved effective for both PsA and RA, recent data suggest distinct responses to certain targeted therapies. Herein, current DMARDs and biologic agents as well as the potential role of emerging therapeutics will be reviewed.
Arrangement of DNA in Living Sperm: A Biophysical Analysis

The submicroscopic arrangement of DNA molecules in living sperm is analyzed by new, highly sensitive polarization optical techniques. It is concluded that the molecules are arranged as a coil of a coil in sperm chromosomes, which in turn appear to be arranged in single file with a definite sequence.
Formation Mechanism of Pt Single-Crystal Nanoparticles in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

In proton exchange membrane fuel cells, hydrogen permeated from the anode to the cathode was found to reduce soluble Pt species and produce faceted and dendritic Pt nanoparticles in the cathode ionomer. Moving away from the carbon support particles, the morphology of Pt nanoparticles changed from dendritic shapes to truncated tetrahedrons, truncated octahedrons, and truncated square cuboids. Transmission electron microscopy results suggest that the homogeneity of the driving force (supersaturation) for reduction of soluble Pt at the growing surface could dictate the transition from dendritic to faceted growth, and the competition between surface energy and interfacial kinetics of Pt reduction could govern the shape of faceted Pt nanoparticles.
A Methodology and Framework for Creating Domain-Specific Development Infrastructures

Domain-specific architectures, middleware platforms, and analysis techniques leverage domain knowledge to help engineers build systems more effectively. An integrated set of these elements is called a domain-specific development infrastructure (DSDI). DSDIs are commonly created in a costly, ad-hoc fashion because current model-driven engineering (MDE) technologies lack sufficient mechanisms for capturing the semantics of domain concepts. In this paper, we propose a methodology for incorporating semantics within MDE frameworks to simplify and automate DSDI integration. We also present and evaluate a framework, called XTEAM, that implements our approach, resulting in structured processes and enforceable guidelines for DSDI integration. We have applied our approach to several DSDIs, and report on the benefits accrued.
Zur Mitfällung von FeIII und CuII mit Bismutphosphat und Calciumfluorid

Es wird das Mitfallungsverhalten von FeIII und CuII aus Ammonium-phosphat- bzw. Ammoniumfluorid-Modellosungen mit den durch Anfallen der Matrices erzeugten Kollektorniederschlagen BiPO4 und CaF2 betrachtet. Radiochemische Untersuchungen mit 59Fe und 64Cu und EPR-Messungen machen deutlich, das in jedem Fall die Adsorption der Spurenmetalle an der Niederschlagsoberflache Hauptursache ihrer Mitfallung ist. Die Verteilung zwischen Losung und Niederschlag last sich durch Henry- und Freundlich-Isothermen beschreiben. FeIII und CuII werden mit BiPO4 als Gegenionen zu primar adsorbierten Phosphatspezies mitgefallt. Zwischen beiden Metallen treten Unterschiede quantitativer Art auf. Auch die Mitfallung des CuII mit CaF2 erfolgt als Gegenion, hier zu primar adsorbiertem F−. Das FeIII hingegen wird in Konkurrenz zu den Matrixanionen als FeF63− adsorbiert. About the Coprecipitation of FeIII and CuII with Bismuth Phosphate and Calcium Fluoride The mechanism of FeIII and CuII coprecipitation with BiPO4 and CaF2 as carriers from ammonium phosphate and ammonium fluoride solutions was investigated. Using the radioactive tracers 59Fe and 64Cu and by means of EPR measurements surface adsorption was shown to be main reason causing coprecipitation. Trace metals distribution was possible to be described by means of Henry and Freundlich isotherms. FeIII and CuII are coprecipitated with BiPO4 as counterions to excess phosphate species at the surface. Differences in the behaviour between these metals are of quantitative nature. CuII is coprecipitated with CaF2 as a counterion to excess F−, whereas FeIII adsorption takes place as FeF63− in competition with matrix fluoride.
3D Printing Disrupts Manufacturing: How Economies of One Create New Rules of Competition

(2013). 3D Printing Disrupts Manufacturing: How Economies of One Create New Rules of Competition. Research-Technology Management: Vol. 56, No. 6, pp. 12-16.
USBR’S Lower-Cost Canal Lining Program

Report on practices carried out by Bureau of Reclamation in canal lining; evaluation of linings on 1000 mi of canals using unreinforced concrete, shotcrete, asphalt, and earth, as well as some reinforced concrete; methods used to place linings, thicknesses required, and advantages of each type under varying soil conditions; note on experimental sediment and plastic linings.
Does Sales-Only Apportionment Violate International Trade Rules?

There has been a pronounced change in the formulas states use to apportion the income of multistate corporations from one that placed equal weight on payroll, profits, and sales to one that places at least half the weight on sales, and eight states base apportionment solely on sales. This report, which is intended to stimulate further analysis and debate, rather than provide a definitive conclusion, suggests that sales-only apportionment may violate international trade rules that prohibit export sales.
Role of Jumonji C-domain containing protein 6 (JMJD6) in infectivity of foot-and-mouth disease virus

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) utilizes four integrins (αvβ1, αvβ3, αvβ6, and αvβ8) as its primary cell receptor. During cell culture propagation, FMDV frequently adapts to use heparan sulfate (HS), and rarely utilizes an unidentified third receptor. Capsid mutations acquired by a soluble integrin resistant FMDV cause (i) adaptation to CHO-677 cells (ii) increased affinity to membrane-bound Jumonji C-domain containing protein 6 (JMJD6) (iii) induced JMJD6 re-localization from the cell surface and cytoplasm to the nucleus. Interestingly, pre-treatment of cells with N- and C-terminal JMJD6 antibodies or by simultaneous incubation of mutant virus with soluble JMJD6 (but not by treatment with HS or αvβ6) impaired virus infectivity in cultured cells. JMJD6 and mutant virus co-purified by reciprocal co-immunoprecipitation. Molecular docking predictions suggested JMJD6 C-terminus interacts with mutated VP1 capsid protein. We conclude when specific VP1 mutations are displayed, JMJD6 contributes to FMDV infectivity and may be a previously unidentified FMDV receptor.
Abstract IA04: Searching for GxE interactions in genome-wide association studies.

Abstract Although both genetic and environmental factors play important roles in the etiology of many complex human traits, scans for gene(G)-environment(E) interaction have been mostly neglected in current GWAS. This is mainly due to the substantial lack of power for interaction tests coupled with the massive number of interactions available for testing. The conventional statistical approach for interactions, the case-control analysis, suffers from low power. The alternative case-only analysis can be more powerful but slight violations in the underlying assumption of independence can greatly bias the results. In this talk, I discuss several recently proposed alternatives ranging from two-step analyses to Bayesian approaches. Each approach attempts to leverage various aspects of the data, from ascertainment, to marginal test, to estimates of G-E association in the controls. For example, in the two-step approach proposed by Murcray et al. (2009), a preliminary screening step tests the association of G with E in the combined sample of cases and controls, thus capturing any G-E association that may be present in the study sample by leveraging the oversampling of cases from the population. This step is followed by a conventional case-control analysis. Overall, there is a substantial increase in power compared to a genome-wide scan of interactions due to the drastic reduction in the number of tests evaluated. In contrast, several Bayesian approaches (Mukherjee and Chatterjee, 2008; Li and Conti 2009) attempt to obtain an estimate of interaction that is a combined estimate between the case-only and case-control estimates. While originally conceived as an approach for a single GxE interaction test, I will discuss recent extensions leveraging the fact that most SNPs in a GWAS are not associated with either the outcome nor the environmental factor. For these and several other approaches, I will discuss the underlying assumptions and the sensitivity of the performance of each to G-E association in the population, population prevalence, and the assumed causal model. Citation Format: David V. Conti. Searching for GxE interactions in genome-wide association studies. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Post-GWAS Horizons in Molecular Epidemiology: Digging Deeper into the Environment; 2012 Nov 11-14; Hollywood, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2012;21(11 Suppl):Abstract nr IA04.
Basic Mechanisms in the Differentiation of Pigment Cells

Some of the basic mechanisms of cellular differentiation have been elucidated by an experimental analysis of the underlying factors and conditions which control the processes of differentiation of the pigment cell in the chick embryo. The pigment cell, owing to its singular capacity to synthesize melanin pigment granules, is an ideal cell for locating its site of origin and tracing its subsequent pathways to the skin and derivatives, the feather papillae. It has the further advantage that its specific behaviour is recorded as colour or colour pattern in the mature feather. In other words, by using the pigment-forming cell as a ‘marker’ many of its properties in time and space may be ascertained from the moment that it is first set aside as a specialized strain of cell until it reaches its ultimate position and visible expression in the growing feather papilla.
Isolation of small, primitive human hematopoietic stem cells: distribution of cell surface cytokine receptors and growth in SCID-Hu mice

Human CD34+ cells were subfractionated into three size classes using counterflow centrifugal elutriation followed by immunoadsorption to polystyrene cell separation devices. The three CD34+ cell fractions (Fr), Fr 25/29, Fr 33/37, and Fr RO, had mean sizes of 8.5, 9.3 and 13.5 microns, respectively. The majority of cells in the large Fr RO CD34+ cell population expressed the committed stage antigens CD33, CD19, CD38, or HLA-DR and contained the majority of granulocyte- macrophage colony-forming units (CFU-GM), burst-forming units-erythroid (BFU-E), and CFU-mixed lineage (GEMM). In contrast, the small Fr 25/29 CD34+ cells were devoid of committed cell surface antigens and lacked colony-forming activity. When seeded to allogeneic stroma, Fr RO CD34+ cells produced few CFU-GM at week 5, whereas cells from the Fr 25/29 CD34+ cell population showed a 30- to 55-fold expansion of myeloid progenitors at this same time point. Furthermore, CD34+ cells from each size fraction supported ontogeny of T cells in human thymus/liver grafts in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Upon cell cycle analyses, greater than 97% of the Fr 25/29 CD34+ cells were in G0/G1 phase, whereas greater proportions of the two larger CD34+ cell fractions were in active cell cycle. Binding of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-1 alpha, IL-3, IL-6, stem cell factor (SCF), macrophage inhibitory protein (MIP)-1 alpha, granulocyte colony- stimulating factor (G-CSF), and granulocyte-macrophage (GM)-CSF to these CD34+ cell populations was also analyzed by flow cytometry. As compared with the larger CD34+ cell fractions, cells in the small Fr 25/29 CD34+ cell population possessed the highest numbers of receptors for SCF, MIP1 alpha, and IL-1 alpha. Collectively, these results indicate that the Fr 25/29 CD34+ cell is a very primitive, quiescent progenitor cell population possessing a high number of receptors for SCF and MIP1 alpha and capable of yielding both myeloid and lymphoid lineages when placed in appropriate in vitro or in vivo culture conditions.
Democratic Cultural Values as Predictors of Cross-National Homicide Variation in Europe

This study examines the extent to which variations in homicide rates across Europe, particularly differences between Western and Eastern Europe, can be explained by democratic cultural values. Prior studies have shown that individualism and egalitarianism promoted by democratic regimes are usually associated with lower levels of interpersonal violence. This study tests this relationship on a sample of 33 countries circa 2010. Not only does this relationship hold, but further analysis also shows that democratic values have both a direct and indirect effect on homicide rates as they are mediated by the strength of democratic institutions and practices.
Unique Objects, Special Deposits and Elite Networks in Bronze Age Europe

Summary Most material culture of later prehistoric Europe comprises common forms of pottery, personal ornaments, and tools of different kinds. But some objects stand out by virtue of their unique decoration. These special objects were often ornamented with motifs and patterns that were intended to capture and hold the viewer's attention. Many such objects were purposefully deposited, sometimes in graves, sometimes in ‘structured deposits’. In the Early and Middle Bronze Age, ornate cups played special roles, both in expressing the status of elites and in serving as common elements in long-distance connections between elites in different regions of Europe. An unusual pit at Kelheim in Bavaria, Germany, serves as a case study to explore the connections between uniquely decorated cups, the emergence of elites during the Early and Middle Bronze Age, and the formation and maintenance of long-distance connections between communities throughout Europe.
The first four years of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Graduate School of Nursing

The Graduate School of Nursing (GSN) was established at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in 1993 to prepare advanced practice nurses, namely family nurse practitioners (FNPs) and nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), for the uniformed services. A study of needs for nurses in the uniformed services in these specialties indicated that by the year 2000 there would be a need requiring a total enrollment in educational programs of 268 CRNAs and 100 FNPs over a 5-year period. Offering the master of science in nursing degree, the GSN has enrolled 61 students in its two programs, and by the end of the 1997 academic year, it will have graduated 19 FNPs and 19 CRNAs. The GSN was authorized by the Department of Defense, Office of Health Affairs, in February 1996. Federal nursing chiefs serve as advisors to the GSN. The GSN received full accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs in 1994 and from the National League for Nursing in December 1996. All students who have graduated have successfully passed their certification examinations. Supplementing other educational resources, the GSN is helping to meet the educational needs of the uniformed nursing services by introducing pilot programs specifically designed to meet these needs.
Who Supports Islamist Militancy in Bangladesh: What the Data Say?

Bangladesh, one of the world’s largest Muslim countries, is generally viewed as a success story with a strong tradition of secular democracy. Unfortunately, this assertion rests on a weak empirical foundation. Since becoming independent from Pakistan in 1971, democracy and secularism have been consistently undermined. Moreover, since 2005 Bangladesh has experienced dozens of major attacks by Islamist militant groups many of which enjoy close linkages to Jamaat-e-Islami, an Islamist political party, as well as the Bangladesh National Party, a mainstream political party. More recently, the Islamic State and Al Qaeda Indian Subcontinent have perpetrated gruesome attacks upon religious and ethnic minorities as well as secular and liberal activists. While these turns of events are alarming, Islamist militancy in Bangladesh remains understudied. In this paper, we address this lacuna by undertaking regression analysis of recent Pew survey data to exposit the determinants of popular support of Islamist terrorism. We find that high levels of support for suicide bombing. Respondents who support literal interpretations of the Quran are more likely to support suicide terrorism whereas respondents who support traditional roles of Muslim leaders are less likely to do so. Males and those who view themselves as economically well-off are more supportive of suicide attacks, whereas those who are better educated are less supportive.
Gathering Meaningful Data From Novices and or in Simplified Operating Environments to Inform Us About Highly Complex Operational Environments

Much of the basis for current U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Human Factors Engineering (HFE) guidance comes from data from other domains (e.g. aviation, defense), qualitative data from operational experience in NPPs, and a limited amount from empirical studies in a nuclear environment. A simulator is one tool that can be used to gather more empirical nuclear specific human performance data. Although this may seem like a simple undertaking, getting trained operators for human-performance testing can be very challenging. In addition, when operators can be secured for human performance testing the operator sample is quite small, allowing for only qualitative analysis or limited quantitative analysis.Thus, the NRC initiated research to determine: 1) if novices can successfully perform realistic operator tasks, 2) if a simulator can create a cognitively similar environment to that which NPP operators face, and if 1 and 2 are successful, 3) how the resulting performance data can be used and interprete...
Isolation and Characterization of Yeast Mutants Defective in the Dolichol Pathway for N-Glycosylation

Since the discovery of the involvement of the long chain polyprenyl phosphate, dolichyl phosphate, in the pathway of assembly of the oligosaccharide chain of N-linked glycoproteins a great deal of progress has been made in understanding the individual steps of this complex process. As shown in Figure 1, the overall process can be considered to occur in three phases.
Fractionally Differenced and Fractionally Integrated Processes

The adjective “fractional” appears frequently in the names of processes related to long-range dependence; two immediate examples are the fractional Brownian motion of Example 3.5.1 and the fractional Gaussian noise introduced in Section 5.1
Towards a Universal Characterization of the Membrane Protein Expression Landscape

Integral membrane proteins (IMPs) are critical players in cellular homeostasis and as such represent over 60% of all drug targets. However, their complex biochemical makeup means that integration into membrane bilayers and heterologous overexpression in E. coli is particularly difficult—a major roadblock to biochemical and structural studies, and until now, a problem largely intractable to empirical and computational methods alike. Our recent work demonstrated that a statistical model can predict IMP expression in E. coli from sequence-derived features alone. Since this model can assign a score to any IMP, this enables us to rigorously investigate for the first time expression landscapes across a broad set of sequence spaces and modifications and extract principles therefrom for sequence redesign. Here, we assess the effect of synonymous codon substitutions on IMP expression, and explore the corresponding expression landscape. Using a custom-developed Metropolis-Hastings algorithm, a type of Markov chain Monte Carlo method well suited for searching high-dimensional and complex spaces, we generated random mutational walks in the synonymous-coding sequence space for several representative IMPs. We examined effects across entire sequences as well as across membrane topology-informed spans of the protein sequence. Our work confirms earlier reports that sequence modifications in the first 150 base pairs contribute disproportionately to improving expression, and further shows that very small portions of sequence have strong influence on expression score and display a Fujiyama-type landscape. We present a quantitative characterization of the expression fitness landscape, consider implications for broadly improving IMP expression in E. coli, and propose experiments that can be done to assess our predictions across the landscape.