cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fault gouge evolution and its dependence on normal stress and rock strength—Results of discrete element simulations: Gouge zone properties

[1] In order to study the process of gouge zone evolution, and its dependence on normal stress, σn, and uniaxial compressive strength, σucs, we simulate the breakdown of fault blocks and growth of fault gouge zones using the distinct element method (DEM) in two dimensions. Breakable elastic bonds were added between adjacent, closely packed particles to generate the fault blocks with a given σucs ranging from 100 to 260 MPa. DEM experiments were conducted by shearing the fault blocks along an initially flat surface for a range of σn from 10 to 100 MPa. The simulated fault gouge zones experience two distinct stages of evolution, i.e., fast growth and slow growth, distinguished by a switch in deformation mechanism from dominantly wear of the fault blocks to dominantly shearing of existing fault gouge. The rate of the gouge zone thickening decreases exponentially during the fast growth stage (to about 20% shear strain, i.e., 7.4 mm shear displacement) and then reaches a relatively constant value, marking the beginning of the slow growth stage. The thickening rate increases with increasing σn and decreasing σucs during the fast growth stage, but the dependency reverses during the slow growth stage. The mean grain size of the gouge shows a first-order dependence on shear displacement, and varies less significantly with σn and σucs. In our simulated shear zones that undergo both surface wear and grain comminution, gouge grains develop power law size distributions characterized by a two-dimensional fractal dimension D ranging from 0.6 to 2.4.
An Isotope Coding Strategy for Proteomics Involving Both Amine and Carboxyl Group Labeling

A stable isotope coding strategy is described for the analysis of all types of tryptic peptides, including those that are N-terminally blocked and from the C-terminus of proteins. The method exploits differential derivatization of amine and carboxyl groups generated during proteolysis as a means of coding. Carboxyl groups produced during proteolysis incorporate 18O from H2(18)O. Peptides from the C-terminus of proteins were not labeled with 18O unless they contained a basic C-terminal amino acid. Primary amines form controls, and experimental samples were differentially acylated after proteolysis with either 1H3- or 2H3-N-acetoxysuccinamide. When these two types of labeling were combined, unique coding patterns were achieved for peptides arising from the C-termini and blocked N-termini of proteins.
Policy views, constituency pressure, and congressional action on flag burning

Much of the rational choice literature suggests that constituency considerations will dominate decision-making when constituency concerns are pronounced and the issue is conducive to citizen audit. The 1990 House of Representatives vote on a constitutional amendment banning flag burning provides a good test of this argument. Drawing from a survey of legislators and polling data we argue that even in the face of salient constituency views legislators demonstrated a willingness to vote their policy views and cross their constituents. We explore how concerns about reputation and other considerations contributed to this phenomenon. We also suggest directions for future research.
Patrilineal Descent and Personal Kindred in Japan1

S YSTEMS of descent may be conveniently divided into three major categories, following Davenport (1959): unilineal, nonunilineal, and bilateral. The unilineal category includes patrilineal, matrilineal, double, and other less frequently occurring rules of descent.2 Non-unilineal descent is "ascription or exclusion through specified kin relationships, but where societal norms provide more than one possibility or where no single alternative rule approaches a frequency of 100 percent" (Davenport 1959:558). This descent rule gives rise to the nonunilineal descent group, or Davenport's sept, a permanently organized corporate and often property-owning group in which the members trace their relationship lineally, through either or both sexes, to a common known or unknown ancester. In bilateral descent, a set of kinsmen are related through males and females within a specified degree of collaterality to a particular common relative, and results in non-perpetuating kin groupings, or Davenport's personal kindred, which we shall simply call "kindred." Davenport maintains (1959:565) that a kindred may be a property-owning, permanent group, a type which he calls stem kindred. Much theoretical literature on kinship commonly assumes that the descent rule of a given society is either unilineal or nonunilineal or bilateral. Consequently, a combination of the bilateral rule with either of the other types has not been given adequate theoretical consideration.3 Logically speaking, the bilateral rule of descent may be combined with patrilineal, matrilineal, double and/or any other rule of unilineal descent, or with the nonunilineal descent rule. Whether all these combinations are represented by empirical cases is a subject reserved for another occasion (Befu 1964). Suffice it to say at this point that many ethnographic examples of such combinations have been reported from various parts of the world. Murdock and his associates list, in the first three installments of their Ethnographic Atlas (1962), more than twenty such societies. Examination of their sources indicates that most ethnographic reporters of these societies are not very explicit concerning the structure and function of the bilateral aspect of the kinship system4 although their analysis of the unilineal rule as practiced in these societies is, on the whole, adequate. The purpose of this paper is to discuss how these two systems of descent, the unilineal (in this case, patrilineal) and the bilateral, operate together in a given society, namely, Japan. That the Japanese practice both patrilineal and bilateral rules of descent is suggested by some writings on Japanese kinship. Beardsley et al. (1959:261275), for example, describe practices centering around patrilineal descent, while others, e.g., Gam6 (1958), discuss functions of the personal kindred.
Semi-Supervised Rank Learning for Multimedia Known-Item Search

Known Item Search (KIS) is a specialized task of the general multimedia search problem. It describes the scenario where a user has previously seen a video and wants to find it again in a large collection using a text description. While there exists only one correct answer to a query (or topic), the goal is to return a ranked list of videos most likely to satisfy the request. This search problem includes content from speech, visual, and meta-data, and it is not clear how the individual modalities should be combined in the final result. Reranking models have been shown to be effective in problems such as image search, but the single ground truth video for a topic presents a challenge for building a model. In this paper, we propose a semi-supervised rank learning approach to the multimedia problem. We use a large training set of topics and ground truth videos to learn a pairwise ranking model based on gradient boosted regression trees. We define a learning feature space that consists of features derived from topics, videos, and topic-video dependent results. To overcome the KIS class imbalance problem, a set of pseudo positive training examples are identified from each of the multimedia modalities. This semi-supervised approach uses a ground truth video to select similar videos in each of the individual modalities. We then model the similarities as a graph and use a K-Step Markov approach to estimate the importance of nodes in the graph relative to the truth root node.
Psychotherapy in anorexia nervosa

The long term psychotherapeutic treatment of anorexia nervosa is discussed. Questions are raised ragarding how early disturbances among these patients can be recongnized, how anorexia nervosa patients express theur understanding of their mental attitude and behavior, and what they consider the reasons and causes behind it. A case study is used to illustrate these points.
Some implications for interstellar molecules of a low electron abundance in dense clouds.

Steady-state abundances of a number of interstellar molecules are calculated with various values of metal depletion and cosmic-ray ionization rate. To reproduce the low fractional ionization recently suggested for dense clouds, metals must be depleted by a factor of at least 10/sup 4/ compared with the solar metal abundance. The effect of such strong depletion on the abundances of several important molecules is briefly discussed.
Mitochondrial tRNAthr mutation in fatal infantile respiratory enzyme deficiency

Abstract The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of two unrelated infants with lethal respiratory chain defects was studied using denaturing gradient gel analysis. This analysis revealed melting behavior differences suggesting a point mutation(s) in a restriction fragment containing the apocytochrome b and tRNA thr genes. Sequencing revealed that patient 1 had an A to G mutation at nt 15924 which is the last base pair of the anticodon stem adjacent to the anticodon loop of tRNA thr . Patient 2 had an A to G mutation at nt 15923 which is the last base of the anticodon loop. The results suggest that mtDNA mutations affecting the anticodon loop structure of tRNA thr cause mitochondrial disease that is fatal in infancy.
Missense mutations in the 3′ end of the Escherichia coli dnaG gene do not abolish primase activity but do confer the chromosome-segregation-defective (par) phenotype

Isogenic dnaG strains of Escherichia coli with the parB and dnaG2903 alleles in the MG1655 chromosomal background displayed the classic par phenotype at the nonpermissive temperature of 42 °. These strains synthesized DNA at 42 °, but remained chromosome segregation defective as determined by cytology. A strain with the dnaG2903 allele was tested for its ability to support DNA replication of a primase-dependent G4oric-containing M13 phage derivative by quantitative competitive PCR (QC-PCR). The dnaG2903 strain converted the single-stranded DNA into double-stranded replicative form DNA at 42 °. These results indicate that DnaG2903 retains primase activity at the restrictive temperature. Nucleoids remained unsegregated in the central region of cell filaments at 42 °. The observed suppression of cell filamentation in dnaG sfiA or dnaG lexA double mutants suggests that the SOS response is induced at the restrictive temperature in parB and dnaG2903 strains but fails to account entirely for the cell filamentation phenotype. ParB and DnaG2903 presumably can synthesize primer RNA for DNA replication, but may be defective in their interactions with DNA replication proteins, cell cycle regulatory factors, or the chromosome segregation apparatus itself.
Intense and directional emission from three-dimensional photonic crystal

We observe intense and directional photoluminescence from the ZnO inverse opal. It originates from the stationary inflection point of high-order band structure, which enhances the density of states and coupling efficiency.
The School Classroom as Frontier

Editors' Note: With this article, AEQ introduces a new feature section, Reflections on the Field. Here, CAE's first President and 1998 Spindler Awardee Murray L. Wax examines the development of applied social research during the mid-20th century, out of which grew his landmark study, with Rosalie H. Wax and Robert V. Dumont, Jr., of schooling and children's peer society among the Oglala Sioux. Murray Wax concludes with a critique of a science of culture and a call for an educational anthropology oriented toward fieldwork. A Dog, a U.S. Senator, and a Novice among Indians The tale unfolds as if it were a folk story, beginning in 1957 with Laika, a dog propelled into global orbit via a rocket (Sputnik 2) fired by our supreme enemy, the Soviet Union. The consternation in high governmental circles resulted in large sums of money being authorized for improving science education in the United States. Of that educational largess, a modest portion became available to anthropology: Interesting projects were funded, and innovative curricular materials developed (e.g., MACOS, or Man: A Course of Study), although the cultural relativism (not the masculine title) proved upsetting to some influential members of Congress. Causal agent number two in our story was the demagogic Senator Joseph McCarthy, who cunningly exploited fears of the Evil Empire. I was among those blacklisted and denied employment in academia (regardless of the fact that, as a "Trotzkyite," I also was an avowed enemy of the Empire). Despite that ideological stigma, I found employment and refuge in commercial market research, whose managers cared not a whit about my radical politics, so long as my research contributed to resolving weighty problems, such as how to market shampoo, hair spray, or cough syrup. A decade earlier, when Rosalie A. Hankey and I were married, we were members of the faculty of the College of the University of Chicago. Disregarding the fact that we each had been recruited independently, the university's wedding gift was the edict that one (or both) of us must
Prognostic significance of [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography in peripheral T-cell lymphoma treated with stem cell transplantation: a retrospective analysis

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL), representing 5-10% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas, are a heterogeneous group of disorders associated with an overall poor prognosis (1). Autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT) shows some efficacy in relapsed or refractory PTCL, with 3- to 5-year survival rates ranging from 33% to 69% in various retrospective studies (2). Several prospective studies have also evaluated up-front autologous SCT in first remission for PTCL, and some experts endorse this approach as the current standard of care (3). Given the relatively rare and heterogeneous nature of these malignancies, and the lack of large prospective trials, better means of assessing response to chemotherapy and identifying candidates for transplantation are needed.
Clearing Secondary Cable Faults can be Affected by Cable Temperature Rise

A very important aspect to be considered in the protection against secondary cable faults, by a transformer secondary breaker or internal fuse, is the rapid decay of fault-current magnitude as a function of cable resistance change with respect to time. This is particularly true where small AWG conductor, such as in service leads, is associated with large kVA size transformers. This paper intends to show that for such secondary systems, routine fault coordiantion may not be correct.
Polymerization of substituted dithieno[3,4-b:3',4'-d]thiophenes

Alkyl substituted dithieno[3,4-b:3',4'-d]thiophenes are subject to electrooxidative polymerization to afford electronically conductive polymer films. Whereas the parent fused heterocycle has four α-thienyl positions through which polymerization can occur, disubstituted monomers afford well-defined polymer structures. The 2,5-dioctyl analog is soluble in common organic solvents.
Reducing planned outages for book hardware maintenance with concurrent book replacement

The IBM System z9TM introduces the enhanced book availability (EBA) feature to reduce the number of planned system outages. Included as part of the EBA feature is the concurrent book replacement (CBR) function, which allows a single book in a multibook server to be concurrently removed from the system in order for service personnel to perform a repair or to physically upgrade the hardware on the book. This repaired or upgraded book is then concurrently replaced and reintegrated into the server configuration. In this paper, we describe the benefits that the concurrent book replacement function offers a customer during a planned repair or upgrade of the System z9. We also describe a tool, developed to analyze the server in order to determine whether the server is "prepared" for the concurrent book replacement operation, and we provide an overview of the actions performed by this tool. The paper also contains a description of the concurrent book replacement operation, with an emphasis on the unique functions developed as part of this design.
FRIP, a Hematopoietic Cell-Specific rasGAP-Interacting Protein Phosphorylated in Response to Cytokine Stimulation

Abstract The human IL-4 receptor contains a sequence (the I4R motif) centered on Y497 that, when phosphorylated, interacts with phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domain proteins. Here, we describe a PTB domain protein, FRIP, that is phosphorylated in response to cytokine stimulation. FRIP is related to the rasGAP-associated protein p62 dok and is bound by the N-terminal SH2 domain of rasGAP. The frip gene maps to the hairless ( hr ) locus on mouse chromosome 14. hr/hr mice exhibit lymphadenopathy, and their lymph node T cells proliferate more vigorously to anti-CD3 with IL-4 or IL-2 stimulation than +/ hr T cells. FRIP expression is significantly reduced in T cells from hr/hr mice. FRIP may negatively regulate proliferation by acting as an adapter molecule between rasGAP and receptor complexes.
Secondary orbital effect in the electrocyclic ring closure of 7-Azahepta-1,2,4,6-tetraeneA CASSCF molecular orbital study.

Results of (10,9)CASSCF/6-31G* and B3LYP/6-31G* level calculations on the potential surface for the electrocyclic ring closure of E-7-azahepta-1,2,4,6-tetraene 3 to 1-aza-6-methylidenecyclohexa-2,4-diene ( 4) are reported, as well as parallel calculations on the electrocyclizations of hepta-1,2,4,6-tetraene 5, hexa-1,3,5-triene 7, Z and E-1-aza-1,3,5-hexatrienes 9 and 10, and Z-7-azahepta-1,2,4,6-tetraene 12 for purposes of careful comparison. The 3 --> 4 rearrangement has been studied computationally with density functional theory (DFT) by others, leading to disagreement over whether it is pseudopericyclic (de Lera, A. R.; Alvarez, R.; Lecea, B.; Torrado, A.; Cossio, F. P. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2001, 40, 557-561; de Lera, A. R.; Cossio, F. P. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2002, 41, 1150-1152) or pericyclic (Rodriguez-Otero, J.; Cabaleiro-Lago, E. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2002, 41, 1147-1150). In accordance with disrotatory motion, the normal mode vectors for TS 3-->4 calculated at the (10,9)CASSCF/6-31G* level show a greater magnitude of rotation of the N1-H group relative to the N1-C2 bond being formed than in TS 3-->4 calculated at the B3LYP/6-31G* level. Furthermore, comparison of orbital correlation diagrams constructed entirely from localized complete active space (CAS) molecular orbitals (MOs) for the electrocyclizations of 3, 5, 7, 9, and 10 suggest that it is the highest occupied delocalized pi-MO of 3 that is primarily responsible for sigma-bond formation in 4, not the terminal allenyl pi-bond MO. However, there does appear to be a special secondary orbital effect role for the nitrogen lone-pair and hence the process is likely neither purely pericyclic nor pseudopericyclic.
Number Impairments Following Hypokalemia: A Case Study

Abstract A case study is reported of a 55 year old female (B.B.) who complained of significant difficulty manipulating and remembering numbers. Twenty-four years prior to the present complaint, B.B. had been hospitalized for idiopathic hypokalemia and secondary hyperaldosteronism. The present study examined the nature and extent of B.B.'s cognitive impairments. On standardized and experimental tests of intelligence and general cognitive ability, she scored quite well. However, she demonstrated significant impairments in digit span, number processing and calculation, memory for biographical details involving numbers and general number knowledge. The implications of such a constellation of impairments are discussed from both cognitive and neurological perspectives.
From "Male Bonding Rituals" to "Suicide Tuesday": A Qualitative Study of Issues Faced by Gay Male Ecstasy (MDMA) Users

Abstract Use of MDMA and other club drugs has increased among gay men, but questions remain concerning the use, context, and popularity of these drugs; and views of their side effects. We interviewed in-depth 12 gay MDMA users in New York. MDMA had specific appeals to gay men, who often described isolation and stigmatization. Users underwent a period of initiation and social networks often became comprised of greater numbers of other users. Club environments fostered drug use and vice versa. Awareness of potential adverse effects varied and was minimized. Appropriate educational and prevention programs are needed to address these issues, and must take into account the specific contexts of these gay men's lives.
Photoaffinity labeling of muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and neuronal/nicotinic α-bungarotoxin binding sites with a derivative of α-bungarotoxin

Neuronal/nicotinic alpha-bungarotoxin binding sites (nBgtS) found in the nervous system are not well characterized. In this study, photolabile toxin derivatives have been used in affinity labeling protocols to investigate the subunit composition of nBgtS expressed by different neuron-like cell lines. Data obtained was compared to the known subunit composition of toxin-binding muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). Muscle-type nAChR-rich membranes prepared from Torpedo electroplax contain components with corrected apparent molecular sizes of 41, 46, 50, 62 and 66 kDa that are reactive with toxin. The photoaffinity labeling patterns for preparations derived from cells of the TE671 clone, which express muscle-type nAChR, are very similar to that of cells of the IMR-32 or SH-SY5Y clonal lines, which express nBgtS. There is consistent labeling of four polypeptides with corrected apparent molecular weights of 40, 43, 47 and 56 kDa. These results suggest that both mammalian muscle-type nAChR and mammalian nBgtS are similarly composed of at least four kinds of subunits.
VASCULAR LESIONS SIMULATING THE ACUTE ABDOMEN.

Abstract Mesenteric vascular insufficiency is characterized by abdominal pain, often following meals (intestinal angina). It may be caused by occlusion of vessels and be amenable to surgical correction, or it may occur from the compensatory vasospasm in the splanchnic bed associated with congestive heart failure, coronary occlusion or acute hypotension. In either case, intestinal infarction may result. Awareness of the significance of the abdominal pain is necessary for proper diagnosis.
BAC talk about cell type-specific regulation of human IL-10

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an important antiinflammatory cytokine that dampens potentially harmful immune responses in sites of infection or allergen exposure. By inhibiting production of proinflammatory cytokines and suppressing multiple antigen presentation functions of dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages, IL-10 can limit collateral tissue damage resulting from exuberant responses to microbial antigens, with the caveat that effective clearance of the pathogen can be compromised and the infection can become chronic. These dual clinical outcomes can be illustrated in critically ill patients with low IL-10 production associated with polymorphisms in the IL-10 promoter, who are more likely to die from sepsis (1), and in HIV patients with polymorphisms associated with high IL-10 production, who are more likely to progress to AIDS (2). Moreover, systemic treatment with IL-10 in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus, although shown to moderate liver fibrosis, also increased viral loads (3). The article by Ranatunga et al. (4) in this issue of PNAS addresses the function and source of human IL-10 (hIL-10) in the context of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a parasitic disease that is endemic throughout tropical regions, most notably Brazil, Sudan, and northeast India, and is invariably fatal in the absence of treatment. Human VL is strongly associated with elevated levels of IL-10, which may serve to limit immune-mediated pathology, especially in the liver, while at the same time promoting parasite replication and disease progression (reviewed in ref. 5).
The Ordovician Graptolite Beds of Ping Liang, E. Kansu

(Abstract) The specimen is collected from a small outcrop near the Lolo village of Mao Mao Kou, some 30 km. N.N.W. of Hui Li district in S. Szechuan, on the N. slope of Lung Tsao Shan, a prominant mountain some 8,000 feet above the sea, entirely covered by a basaltic lava of Permian age. The latter weathers into a residual red clay which covers the lower slopes. The contact of the syenite with the Lung Tsao Shan lava was not observed owing to the thick cover. East of the occurrence a series of steep dipping red shales appears. The exact relation of this series with the syenite is not clear, but it is probable that they are in actual contact. Further east the red shale series is thrown into contact with a coal series containing Rhaetic plant fossils—probably by an overthrust as the whole coal series is highly folded.
What Resources Are Needed for Volunteerism? A Life Course Perspective

Using secondary data analysis of three waves of data from the Americans’ Changing Lives surveys, this study examines what resources in terms of human, social, and cultural capital are needed in volunteerism and whether there is any age cohort difference in the relationships of volunteerism with human, social, and cultural capital. Interaction terms between age cohort and resources were created and the effects were tested through the generalized estimating equations method. The findings show older cohorts relied more on human capital and social integration to expand volunteer hours and organizational involvement, whereas younger people needed more spiritual and social supports to increase volunteer commitment. These research findings point to the importance of developing resources for lifelong volunteerism. The findings suggest that volunteer organizations should take cohort-specific strategies to recruit and facilitate potential volunteers, especially in the older population, based on the resources needed...
Advances in pacing therapy for bradycardia.

Abstract Advances have been made rapidly in the field of cardiac pacing. The most significant technologic advance is that of pacemakers capable of rate-adaptive pacing. Multiple types of sensors are now used for rate-adaptive pacing; some are commercially available and many are undergoing clinical investigation. In the near future, clinical investigation will begin on pacemakers that incorporate dual simultaneous sensors for rate-adaptive pacing. Significant improvement has been made in electrode design. Electrodes with low thresholds allow improved battery longevity. Steroid-eluting leads have proven reliable and capable of avoiding the early threshold rise seen with other electrodes. Standardization of pacemaker connector dimensions is now under way. The International Standards Organization has established the guidelines for connector standardization, and the guidelines have been adopted by the major manufacturers. The ultimate "smart" pacemaker would be capable of autoprogramming most or all of its programmable features. Many autoprogramming features have already been incorporated, and several others such as automatic programming of output and sensitivity are under investigation.
Moral Distress: A Labor and Delivery Nurse's Experience

Moral distress occurs when nurses make moral decisions they cannot implement. This article contains a true account of such a case. A nurse was present at the delivery of a premature infant who was allowed to expire without intervention. A moral distress equation is used as a framework for describing the nurse's experience and its effects on her and her patient care.
Amino acid metabolism and inflammatory burden in ovarian cancer patients undergoing intense oncological therapy.

Summary Background & aims Cancer and oncological therapy are associated with a progressive physical deterioration, malnutrition, and enhanced inflammatory burden. Our considerable data showing the strong anabolic potential of amino acids (AA) led us to test whether AA can acutely stimulate muscle protein synthesis in cancer patients (CA) undergoing intense chemotherapy. Methods Mixed muscle fractional synthesis rate (FSR), rates of phenylalanine appearance and disappearance (Ra and Rd), and net phenylalanine balance (NB) were measured during a primed constant infusion of l -[ring- 2 H 5 ]phenylalanine. Blood and muscle tissue samples were collected in the basal state and following ingestion of 40 g of AA given in 30 mL boluses every 10 min for 3 h. Serum and tissue cytokines and NF-κB expression in skeletal muscle were measured and compared to normative, healthy older controls (OC). Results Skeletal muscle TNF-α, IL-6, and NF-κB were elevated in CA. FSR and model-derived protein synthesis (Rd) increased significantly from basal to AA (FSR: 0.052±0.009 vs. 0.120±0.008% h −1 , P −1 100 mL leg −1 , P ⩽0.05). Model-derived protein breakdown (Ra) remained unchanged from basal to AA. Phenylalanine NB improved from a negative basal value (−16±2) to zero (0.8±6 nmol min −1 100 ml leg −1 , P ⩽0.05) following AA. Conclusion Despite advanced cancer, ongoing therapy, and an enhanced inflammatory burden, AA were capable of acutely stimulating muscle protein synthesis in these patients.
Cyclophosphamide and antithymocyte globulin to condition patients with aplastic anemia for allogeneic marrow transplantations: the experience in four centers.

Abstract This report summarizes the experience with a conditioning regimen of cyclophosphamide and antithymocyte globulin in patients with severe aplastic anemia given HLA-matched related marrow grafts at 4 transplantation centers. Enrolled were 94 consecutive patients, of whom 87 had received multiple transfusions and 38 had failed immunosuppressive therapy. Their ages ranged from 2 to 59 years. After transplantation, 89 patients received a methotrexate/cyclosporine regimen for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prevention. Cyclosporine with or without prednisone was given in 4 patients, and no immunosuppression was given in 1 patient. Ninety-six percent of patients had sustained grafts, whereas 4% rejected grafts between 2 and 7 months after transplantation. Of the 4 rejecting patients, 3 are alive with successful second engraftments. Acute grade II GVHD was seen in 21% of patients, grade III in 7%, and grade IV in 1% of patients. Chronic GVHD was seen in 32% of patients, most of whom responded completely to immunosuppressive therapy. With a median follow-up of 6.0 years (range, 0.5-11.6 years), the survival rate was 88%. No unusual long-term side effects have been seen with the regimen. We conclude that the cyclophosphamide/antithymocyte globulin regimen combined with methotrexate/cyclosporine after transplantation is well tolerated and effective in heavily pretreated patients with aplastic anemia. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2001;7(1):39-44.
Municipalities' Possible Use of 100% Recycled Asphalt

Approximately 95 million metric tons of asphalt is recycled each year in the US; making it one of the most recycled materials. The technology for use of close to 100% recycled asphalt (RAP) is available. This study examines how owners of projects view the idea of using 100% RAP. The objectives of this study were to obtain city, town, county, and state government officials’ opinions on the use of 100% RAP and to find out how respondents felt about the use of RAP in their current asphalt roads. A survey was sent to 250 industry officials from all over the country. Statistical tests were conducted to see if the results were indicative of the population. Results show that there is some hesitation in the use of 100% recycled asphalt due to the unknown properties of the asphalt, past performance issues dealing with asphalt containing less than 100% RAP, and the unknown life expectancy of the 100% recycled asphalt. Also it was determined that 100% recycled asphalt would have to be less expensive than current asphalt on the market for it to be attractive.
Detecting subsecond dopamine release with fast-scan cyclic voltammetry in vivo.

Background: Dopamine is a potent neuromodulator in the brain, influencing a variety of motivated behaviors and involved in several neurologic diseases. Measurements of extracellular dopamine in the brains of experimental animals have traditionally focused on a tonic timescale (minutes to hours). However, dopamine concentrations are now known to fluctuate on a phasic timescale (subseconds to seconds). Approach: Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry provides analytical chemical measurements of phasic dopamine signals in the rat brain. Content: Procedural aspects of the technique are discussed, with regard to appropriate use and in comparison with other methods. Finally, examples of data collected using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry are summarized, including naturally occurring dopamine transients and signals arising from electrical stimulation of dopamine neurons. Summary: Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry offers real-time measurements of changes in extracellular dopamine concentrations in vivo. With its subsecond time resolution, micrometer-dimension spatial resolution, and chemical selectivity, it is the most suitable technique currently available to measure transient concentration changes of dopamine. © 2003 American Association for Clinical Chemistry
Fractional-order signal processing using a polymer-electrolyte transistor

Fractional-order systems have applications in the areas of flight control, robotics, missile guidance, control of structural vibrations of space platforms and sensor technology. Fractional-order transfer functions can characterize complex nonlinear dynamics with many fewer parameters than integer-order functions. This paper addresses the use of a polymer-electrolyte transistor (PET) for use in implementating fractional-order algorithms for signal processing. The PETpsilas advantage over the conventional RC and RL circuits is that it can be both functionally scaled and varied for dynamic fractional-order parameter controllability.
Ice & Fire: Missions to the most difficult solar system destinations… on a budget

Abstract Three radii from the surface of the Sun… more natural radiation around Jupiter than would be encountered immediately following a nuclear war… to the farthest planet and beyond… these challenges are faced by the three “Ice & Fire” missions: Solar Probe, Europa Orbiter, and PlutoKuiper Express. These three missions will be beneficiaries of the X2000 and related advanced technology development programs. Technology developments now in progress make these missions achievable at costs recently thought adequate only for missions of relatively short durations to “nearby” destinations. The next mission to Europa after Galileo will determine whether a global subsurface liquid water ocean is currently present, and will identify locations where the ocean, if it exists, may be most accessible to future missions. Pluto-Kuiper Express will complete the reconnaissance of the known planets in our Solar System with geological, compositional, and atmospheric mapping of Pluto and Charon while Pluto remains relatively near the Sun during its 248 year orbit. An extended mission to a Kuiper Disk object may be possible, depending on remaining sciencecraft resources. Using a unique combination of Sun shield/high gain antenna and quadrature encounter geometry, Solar Probe will deeply penetrate our nearest star's atmosphere to make local measurements of the birth of solar wind, and to remotely image features as small as 60 kilometers across on the Sun's surface. Avionics technology, leading to integration of functions among a set of multichip modules with standard interfaces, will enable lower production costs, lower power and mass, and the ability to package with modest shielding to enable survival in orbit around Europa inside Jupiter's intense radiation belts. The same avionics and software can be utilized on the other Ice & Fire missions. Each mission is characterized by a long cruise to its destination, facilitated by planetary flybys. The flight systems will represent a unique early integration of science “payload” and “spacecraft,” becoming a more integrated “sciencecraft.” To reduce operations and tracking costs, sciencecraft will be more autonomous. They will self-monitor and self-command, while sending a continuous beacon alerting ground receivers to general sciencecraft health and any need for immediate attention. Where solar power proves impractical for achieving mission goals, an advanced radioisotope power source may be utilized with a much smaller amount of fuel than on prior missions. The three missions described are to begin the Outer Planets/Solar Probe exploration program, as first proposed in the FY1998 Federal Budget. Sciencecraft, launch systems and mission operations must all fit within a single program, encouraging system- and program-wide tradeoffs to minimize costs. Some of the system and technological solutions utilized by these missions may find application in a variety of other science-driven missions.
A new species of the genus Actium (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) from boreal old-growth forests of Quebec, Canada

Une nouvelle espece, Actium abitibiense Chandler et Paquin sp. nov., est decrite. Cette espece est associee aux forets boreale anciennes de l'ouest du Quebec.
Interacting dipoles in type-I clathrates: Why glass-like though crystalline?

Almost identical thermal properties of type-I clathrate compounds to those of glasses follow naturally from the consideration that off-centered guest ions possess electric dipole moments. Local fields from neighbor dipoles create many potential minima in the configuration space. A theoretical analysis based on two-level tunneling states demonstrates that interacting dipoles are a key to quantitatively explain the glass-like behaviors of low-temperature thermal properties of type-I clathrate compounds with off-centered guest ions.
Poor response inhibition as a predictor of problem drinking and illicit drug use in adolescents at risk for alcoholism and other substance use disorders.

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the predictive power of executive functions, in particular, response inhibition, in relation to alcohol-related problems and illicit drug use in adolescence. Method A total of 498 children from 275 families from a longitudinal high-risk study completed executive function measures in early and late adolescence and lifetime drinking and drug-related ratings at multiple time points including late adolescence (ages 15-17). Multi-informant measures of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder were obtained in early childhood (ages 3-5), middle childhood, and adolescence. Results In multilevel models, poor response inhibition predicted aggregate alcohol-related problems, the number of illicit drugs used, and comorbid alcohol and drug use (but not the number of drug-related problems), independently of IQ, parental alcoholism and antisocial personality disorder, child attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and conduct symptoms, or age. Multivariate models explained 8% to 20% of residual variance in outcome scores. The incremental predictive power of response inhibition was modest, explaining about 1% of the variance in most outcomes, but more than 9% of the residual variance in problem outcomes within the highest risk families. Other measured executive functions did not independently predict substance use onset. Conclusion Models of alcoholism and other drug risks that invoke executive functions may benefit from specifying response inhibition as an incremental component. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 2006;45(4):468-475.
Experiments with the subsumption architecture

The subsumption architecture (SA) is a special case of behavior-based control for robotics. Behavioral modules are added as 'layers', with each layer performing a complete behavior. Higher-level behaviors override lower level ones by taking control of their effectors or manipulating their internal states. The control layers are built of finite-state machines connected by links that act essentially like wires. A prototype airplane controller made with the architecture was developed. This controller flies a simulated aircraft from take-off to landing and was run on a C-based implementation of the subsumption architecture. It was noted that the SA as currently defined is not sufficiently modular, a clean interface between different behaviors would be desirable, and a more general relationship than strict hierarchy between high-level and low-level modules is required. None of these problems is insoluble within the behavior-based approach, but all must be solved if realistic problems are to be dealt with. Some candidate solutions are given. >
Why are offices for sale in China?: A case study of the office-selling chain in Heilongjiang Province

Abstract This article analyzes how and why buying and selling offices (BSO) has re-emerged in China since the 1990s, from the perspective of demand and supply in a case study. The major causes are the weaknesses of the Chinese cadre management systems—concentration of power over personnel issues and the difficulties of monitoring top administrators.
A LOGICAL SEMANTICS FOR FEATURE STRUCTURES

Unification-based grammar formalisms use structures containing sets of features to describe linguistic objects. Although computational algorithms for unification of feature structures have been worked out in experimental research, these algorithms become quite complicated, and a more precise description of feature structures is desirable. We have developed a model in which descriptions of feature structures can be regarded as logical formulas, and interpreted by sets of directed graphs which satisfy them. These graphs are, in fact, transition graphs for a special type of deterministic finite automation.This semantics for feature structures extends the ideas of Pereira and Shieber [11], by providing an interpretation for values which are specified by disjunctions and path values embedded within disjunctions. Our interpretation differs from that of Pereira and Shieber by using a logical model in place of a denotational semantics. This logical model yields a calculus of equivalences, which can be used to simplify formulas.Unification is attractive, because of its generality, but it is often computationally inefficient. Our model allows a careful examination of the computational complexity of unification. We have shown that the consistency problem for formulas with disjunctive values is NP-complete. To deal with this complexity, we describe how disjunctive values can be specified in a way which delays expansion to disjunctive normal form.
Fast learning for multi-layer perceptrons using statistical techniques

The authors describe a new learning algorithm for the multi-layer perceptron. The learning problem is stated formally as an optimization problem that is solved through a series of systematic approximations. The solution uses the moments of the training data to design the network. This procedure has several advantages, most importantly the reduction in training time. The algorithm is verified and compared to backpropagation. In a speech recognition experiment the total training time was reduced by more than 75% when compared to backpropagation. >
Understanding Global Digital Inequality: The Impact of Government, Investment in Business and Technology, and Socioeconomic Factors on Technology Utilization

This paper presents a model of governmental, investment, social, and economic factors that influence technological utilization for 110 countries. Structural equation modeling is applied to conceptualize and test the model. This model uses latent and observable variables and the application tests the hypothesis that technology use can be accounted for in a multidimensional model composed of four factors: Government Support/Legal Framework/Openness, Investment in Business and Technology, Socioeconomic Level, and Technology Utilization. Findings indicate a critical pathway of influences between the factors of government support/legal framework/openness, socioeconomic level, and technology utilization. The results are important because they model complex path relationships between factors identified in the literature, but not previously available for SEM analysis. The paper suggests policy steps for national governments of developed and developing nations especially for policies stressing investment in ICT, strengthening of R&D, societal openness, a strong legal system, prioritization of ICT, and betterment of education.
411 HEPATITIS C DONOR HEARTS IN NONINDUCTION IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE REGIMENS PORTEND POOR OUTCOME AFTER HEART TRANSPLANTATION.

Background Outcome of patients transplanted with hepatitis C (hep-C) donor hearts has been reported to be poor. Induction therapy may confer increased risk to these patients. The outcome of hep-C in a noninduction cardiac transplant (CTx) population has not been established. Methods We reviewed 455 patients between 1/1994 and 3/2002. We found 18 patients who received hep-C donor hearts. 8 patients were status IA, and 10 were on our alternate CTx waiting list, which justified the use of these donor organs at that time. 5 of these patients were also hep-C positive prior to transplant (after undergoing liver biopsy demonstrating only mild disease). All patients were treated with cyclosporine/tacrolimus, and 12 also received azathioprine (AZA) while 6 received mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) without cytolytic induction therapy. Results The 18 patients who received a hep-C-positive donor heart had significantly lower 1- and 5-year survival compared to CTx patients without hep-C (1-year survival 77.8% vs 81.2%, p = .028; 5-year survival 38.9% vs 71.9%, p = .007). The development of rejection and cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) were not significantly increased compared to the control group. The 5 patients who were hep-C positive at the time of transplant had similar poor outcomes (5-year survival 20%). However, 4 of these 5 hep-C-positive recipients developed CAV compared to 1/13 hep-C-negative recipients. All patients were divided into those patients receiving AZA vs MMF immunosuppression, but there was no significant difference in outcomes between the use of these medications. Conclusion Donor or recipient hep-C is associated with poor outcome in CTx patients with noninduction immunosuppressive regimens. Donor hearts with hep-C should not be used. In addition, hep-C-positive recipients appear to be at higher risk for the development of CAV.
Sparse temporal sampling for fast time-domain wide-field fluorescence molecular tomography

Fluorescence Molecular Tomography (FMT) is a powerful optical imaging tool for preclinical research. Especially, its implementation with time-domain (TD) techniques allows lifetime multiplexing for simultaneously imaging multiple biomarkers and provides enhanced data sets for improved resolution and quantification compared to continuous wave (CW) and frequency domain (FD) methodologies. When performing time-domain reconstructions, one important aspect is the selection of a temporal sub-data set. Typically, such selection is performed a posteriori after dense temporal sampling during the acquisition. In this work, we investigate the potential to collect a priori sparse data sets for fast experimental acquisition without compromising FMT performances.
Implications of Big Data for cell biology

“Big Data” has surpassed “systems biology” and “omics” as the hottest buzzword in the biological sciences, but is there any substance behind the hype? Certainly, we have learned about various aspec...