cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Creative design of color palettes for product packaging

This paper describes our latest work on assisting CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) companies with their product packaging designs by providing color palettes that are visually appealing, novel and consistent with desired marketing messages for a particular brand and product. Specifically, we start by mining a large collections of images of different products and brands to learn about all the colors and color combinations that frequently appear among them. Meanwhile, a color-message graph is constructed to represent messages conveyed by different colors as well as to capture the interrelationship among them. Knowledge from both color psychology and information sources like Thesaurus are extensively exploited in this case. Now, given a particular product and brand to be designed for its packaging, along with the company's desired marketing message, we apply a computational method to generate quintillions of novel color palettes that can be used for the design. This process will leverage existing palettes used by same products of different brands or different products of the same brand, take in optional color preferences from users, identify then utilize the right colors to convey the desired marketing message. Finally, we rank the palettes based on assessment of their visual aesthetics, novelty and the way that different messages of the same palette interact with each other, so as to guide human designers to choose the right ones. Our initial demonstrations of this work to colleagues of subject matter have received very positive feedback. We are now exploring opportunities to collaborate with them to validate this technology in a controlled experimental setting.
An Introduction to Digital Philosophy

Digital Philosophy (DP) is a new way of thinking about how things work. This paper can be viewed as a continuation of the author's work of 1990[3]; it is based on the general concept of replacing normal mathematical models, such as partial differential equations, with Digital Mechanics (DM). DP is based on two concepts: bits, like the binary digits in a computer, correspond to the most microscopic representation of state information; and the temporal evolution of state is a digital informational process similar to what goes on in the circuitry of a computer processor. We are motivated in this endeavor by the remarkable clarification that DP seems able to provide with regard to many of the most fundamental questions about processes we observe in our world.
Transverse Urea‐Gradient Gel Electrophoresis

Monitoring the cooperative unfolding transition induced when a protein is exposed to elevated temperature or a chemical denaturant is an important strategy for characterizing the conformational properties of a globular protein. This transition may be analyzed quantitatively by a variety of spectroscopic techniques, but a simpler alternative is described in this unit: urea-gradient gel electrophoresis. The pattern produced in the resulting gel can be used to estimate both the free energy change for unfolding and the rate of the unfolding transition. In addition, the technique can help identify either covalent or conformational heterogeneity in a protein sample. Because urea-gradient gel patterns are sensitive to several parameters, including hydrodynamic volume, net charge, and conformational stability, the technique can be particularly useful for comparing two forms of a protein, e.g., a natural form and the product of recombinant bacteria.
Secondary structure and thermostability of the phage P22 tailspike. XX. Analysis by Raman spectroscopy of the wild-type protein and a temperature-sensitive folding mutant.

Abstract The thermostable tailspike endorhamnosidase of bacteriophage P22 has been investigated by laser Raman spectroscopy to determine the protein's secondary structure and the basis of its thermostability. The conformation of the native tailspike, determined by Raman amide I and amide III band analyses, is 52 to 61% β-sheet, 24 to 27% α-helix, 15 to 21% β-turn and 0 to 10% other structure types. The secondary structure of the wild-type tailspike, as monitored by the conformation-sensitive Raman amide bands, was stable to 80 °C, denatured reversibly between 80 and 90 °C, and irreversibly above 90 °C. The purified native form of a temperature-sensitive folding mutant (tsU38) contains secondary structures virtually identical to those in the wild-type in aqueous solution at physiological conditions (0.05 m -Na + (pH 7.5)), at both permissive (20 °C) and restrictive (40 °C) temperatures. This supports previous results showing that the mutational defect at 40 °C affects intermediates in the folding pathway rather than the native structure. At temperatures above 60 °C the wild-type and mutant forms were distinguishable: the reversible and irreversible denaturation thresholds were approximately 15 to 20 °C lower in the mutant than in the wild-type protein. The irreversible denaturation of the mutant tailspikes led to different aggregation/polymerization products from the wild-type, indicating that the mutation altered the unfolding pathway. In both cases only a small percentage of the native secondary structure was altered by irreversible thermal denaturation, indicating that the aggregated states retain considerable native structure.
Characterization of Amylolytic Enzyme Activities Associated with the Hyperthermophilic Archaebacterium Pyrococcus furiosus

Abstract The hyperthermophilic archaebacterium Pyrococcus furiosus produces several amylolytic enzymes in response to the presence of complex carbohydrates in the growth medium. These enzyme activities, α-glucosidase, pullulanase, and α-amylase, were detected in both cell extracts and culture supernatants. All activities were characterized by temperature optima of at least 100°C as well as a high degree of thermostability. The existence of this collection of activities in P. furiosus suggests that polysaccharide availability in its growth environment is a significant aspect of the niche from which it was isolated.
Study of electric field distribution and line characteristics of a syntactic foam insulated transmission line

The following paper analyzes the possibility of application of epoxy based syntactic foam as an insulator to replace SF 6 from Gas Insulated Transmission Lines (GIL). A small section of syntactic foam is modeled in Coulomb Software to study electric field distribution. For the simulation purpose, an epoxy resin matrix with forty percent concentration of glass microspheres is used. The electric field concentrates inside the microspheres due to comparatively smaller dielectric constant. The second part of the paper focuses on the calculation of line inductance, capacitance and resistance, at voltage level of 345 kV. The model with distributed parameters is used to study no-load as well as load characteristics of the transmission line. The no-load voltage at the receiving end increases by 8% and by 20% for the line lengths of 200 km and 300 km respectively. Also, power-voltage curves indicate that the maximum power transfer capacity of the line depends on the power consumed by the load as well as length of the line when only voltage stability conditions are under consideration.
Commentary on Psychometric concerns in neuropsychological testing.

Dr. Williams raises interesting concerns in his article, however, I feel that the issues he raises extend beyond the scope of test validation, battery selection, test norms, and standardized assessment. The utilization of an assessment measure involves not only the use of that specific measure within a test battery, but also the validation and normative research for that measure. The Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing address much needed standards concerning test construction, evaluation, and use [1]. In 1996, the American Psychological Association’s Board of Scientific Affairs organized a Task Force on Statistical Inference. Their initial report outlined means of enhancing the quality of data usage in order to protect against potential misrepresentation of quantitative results. They recommended that more extensive descriptions of the data be provided, that researchers characterize analytical results (beyond simple p value statements) to include effect sizes and directions, provide confidence intervals, and assure that reported results are not produced by anomalous data [2]. Utilizing normative or validating studies which do not adhere to these standards may ultimately influence clinical decisions. While published psychometric research is generally sound with respect to methodology and statistical analysis, publications providing effect sizes and confidence intervals are all too often not the norm. To simply report a Bonferonni correction as a means of guarding against spurious results (when conducting multiple analyses) in the absence of documenting effect sizes provides incomplete data. Ancillary to this issue is the emphasis on the “standard” alpha level of 0.05. There exist excellent overviews of the relationship between p level, sample size, and effect size [3,4]. An alpha level of 0.10 or 0.15 is reasonable for smaller sample sizes [5]; the ultimate result of an empirical study is characterized not by alpha level, but by effect size. So, while APA’s Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing provide much needed guidance for developing and utilizing assessment measures, basing clinical decisions upon studies which do not similarly adhere to APA’s Task Force on Statistical Inference may prove counterproductive.
Health Reports as Facility Performance Measures: The Role Of Environmental and Occupational Factors in the Genesis of Building-Related Illness

The use of health reports as a metric for evaluating the performance of offices is examined. Assumptions about the associations between objective measures of ventilation and indoor air quality and subjective reactions arecritically reviewed. Results from recent investigations of the "sick" building syndrome and evidence for a mediating role for demographic and occupational variables is described. Finally, issues of operationally defining performance criteria for offices based on health reports are discussed.
Design, analysis and implementation of discontinuous mode Dyna-C AC/AC converter for solid state transformer applications

The paper presents an improved control strategy for Dynamic Current (Dyna-C) Converter. Dyna-C is a bidirectional current-source based AC/AC converter for Solid State Transformer (SST) application. The proposed controller facilitates discontinuous mode operation which leads to zero current turn on and turn off. A non-linear average phase charge based controller is presented which ensures zero harmonic current in the input phase currents. The switching scheme has been so arranged that the diodes always turn off at zero voltage thereby reducing the reverse recovery stress and losses. These modifications lead to a considerable reduction of switching loss and device stress as compared to the conventional control scheme of Dyna-C. Owing to soft switching states, the frequency of operation can therefore be pushed further higher thereby reducing the size of the passive components. An alternate switching pattern has also been discussed which enables soft switched turn off of active switches. Design Considerations of packaging such a switch structure has also been discussed. It has been shown that direct connection of Emitter of IGBT to the Anode of the Diode leads to considerably lower parasitic inductance. Design guidelines to construct an optimized inductor has also been discussed. Simulation and experimental results are presented to validate operation of the control scheme. A comparison study has been carried out to choose the appropriate set of devices for this application. It has been shown that SiC-MOS with low cost Si-PiN Diode shows impressive reduction in overall losses.
Partial structural analysis of the oligosaccharide moieties of the vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein by sequential chemical and enzymatic degradation.

Abstract The oligosaccharide moieties of the vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein have been characterized by sequential chemical and enzymatic degradation of the peptidyloligosaccharides obtained after Pronase digestion of the purified glycoprotein. The amino acid and carbohydrate constituents have been analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography. The number-average molecular weight of the peptidyloligosaccharides is estimated to be 3150 by gel filtration analysis and the weight-average molecular weight is estimated to be 3450 by the molar composition of the amino acid and sugar residues. Sequential removal of neuraminic acid, galactose, and the distal N -acetylglucosamine residues results in peptidyloligosaccharides with average molecular weights estimated to be 2300, 1900, and 1350–1450, respectively. The data indicate that the two major oligosaccharide moieties of the glycoprotein have similar structures. These structures are acidic oligosaccharides, each having two or three branches terminating in the sequence sialic acid-galactose- N -acetylglucosamine at the nonreducing end of the oligosaccharide chain. These terminal branch structures are attached to a tetramannosyl-di- N -acetylchitobiose core structure. Periodate oxidation indicates that the sialic acid is linked to galactose with α-2,3 bonds and the galactose to N -acetylglucosamine with β-1,3 or β-1,4 bonds.
Some applications of positive formulas in descriptive set theory and logic

Le theoreme de Louveau sur la relation entre les phenomenes de separation classiques et effectifs constitue le point de depart du travail. On en presente une version «positive» pour la logique propositionnelle infinitaire. On obtient une formulation du resultat principal en termes d'espaces topologiques qui generalise directement celui de Louveau. On obtient egalement une forme du type «interpolation de Lyndon» pour le calcul des predicats L ω1ω
The acute lethality of acrylonitrile is not due to brain metabolic arrest

Acrylonitrile (AN) is an organic compound produced in large quantities by the chemical industry and is acutely toxic. One mechanism proposed to explain the toxicity of AN is metabolism by P450 into cyanide (CN). Although blood and brain levels of CN in rats following an LD90 dose of AN are consistent with acute toxicity, blocking CN formation with P450 inhibitors does not prevent lethality. Another mechanism implicated in toxicity is covalent binding of AN to cysteine residues in tissue proteins. Previous work in our laboratory has shown that AN can irreversibly inactivate the catalytically active cysteine-149 in glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). Inactivation of GAPDH by AN would be expected to impair glycolytic ATP production and, when coupled to the inhibition of mitochondrial ATP synthesis by the AN metabolite CN, would result in metabolic arrest, particularly in brain. In this study we have measured the high energy metabolites phosphocreatine (PCr), ATP, ADP and AMP by HPLC and compared their levels in the brains of rats treated with an LD90 dose of AN, when respiration ceased, vs. controls. Two methods of rapid brain freezing in liquid nitrogen were used: funnel freezing (FF) and head immersion (HI). AN administration resulted in large decreases in PCr of 74% (FF) and 80% (HI) but relatively minor decreases in ATP of 5% (FF) and 21% (HI) and Energy Charge of 6% (FF) and 10% (HI). Thus, although substantial depletion of PCr was observed, possibly due to inhibition of creatine kinase by AN, we found no evidence that brain ATP is depleted when respiration ceases in AN-intoxicated rats.
Role of neurotrophins in recovery of phrenic motor function following spinal cord injury

Many individuals who sustain a cervical spinal cord injury are unable to maintain adequate ventilation due to diaphragm muscle paralysis. These patients become dependent on mechanical ventilators and this situation is associated with ongoing problems with pulmonary clearance, infections, and lung injury leading to significant morbidity and reduced life expectancy. Therefore, functional recovery of rhythmic phrenic activity and the ability to generate expulsive forces would dramatically affect the quality of life of patients with cervical spinal cord injury. Neurotrophins are very promising in that they have been shown to play an important role in modulating functional neuroplasticity. Specifically, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) acting via the tropomyosin-related kinase receptor type B (TrkB) has been implicated in neuroplasticity following spinal cord injury. Our central hypothesis is that functional recovery of rhythmic phrenic activity after cervical spinal cord injury is enhanced by an increase in BDNF/TrkB signaling in phrenic motoneurons, providing a novel therapeutic target for patients.
Decomposition of N2O over CuxMg1−xAl2O4 catalysts

The results show that there is not difference between the catalytic activities of two series of CuxMg1−xAl2O4 catalysts, despite a small but significant difference in cation distribution. The activity is mainly affected by the presence of CuO.
Mitochondria: new drug targets for oxidative stress-induced diseases

The identification of the mitochondrion as the gatekeeper of the life and death of a cell and the appreciation of the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in a range of clinical disease processes have made the mitochondrion a target for drug delivery. Accordingly, strategies are being developed for the targeted delivery of antioxidants to mitochondria. Recent studies show that triphenylphosphonium-based antioxidants and amino acid- and peptide-based antioxidants protect mitochondria against oxidative insult. Future studies will undoubtedly exploit the unique biophysical and biochemical properties of mitochondria, including mitochondrial activation of prodrugs, for the targeted delivery of cytoprotective agents.
Effects of Added Dietary Fat and Amino Acids on Performance of Lactating Cows

Abstract The objective of this trial was to determine whether the effect of added dietary fat to reduce milk protein percentage could be modified by Met and Lys sources that escape ruminal degradation. Holstein cows were assigned to treatments of 1) control diet; 2) 3.5% added fat (whole cottonseeds and Ca salts of long-chain fatty acids); 3) added Met (6.6 g/d) as Zn Met and Lys (8.2 g/d) as Zn Lys; and 4) combination of added fat, Met (5 g/d), and Lys (6.2 g/d). Cows were fed these diets for 16 wk. Milk yield was recorded daily and averaged by week, and composition was determined on samples taken monthly. Milk yield was increased significantly by the added AA. The percentage of total CP in milk was reduced by the added dietary fat and unaffected by the added AA. Percentage of milk fat was unaffected by treatment, but yield of milk fat was increased by the AA. Additional analyses were conducted on milk samples collected during wk 12 to determine the concentration of N in casein, whey, and urea fractions. Percentages of casein N, whey N, and urea N were not significantly affected by treatment. The concentration of Zn in milk and whey was not changed by treatment, nor were there changes in plasma Zn, Cu, Ca, P, or urea N. Yields of FCM, protein, and fat were increased by the added dietary AA.
Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of a DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase from Haemophilus aegyptius bound covalently to DNA.

Abstract A DNA (cytosine)-5-methyltransferase from Haemophilus aegyptius (M.Hae III), which catalyzes methyl transfer from S -adenosyl- l -methionine to DNA, has been crystallized as a covalent complex with a suicide oligonucleotide substrate. Crystals of the co-complex were grown by vapor diffusion with hanging droplets, using polyethylene glycol 3500 as the precipitant. The crystals belong to the orthorhombic space group P212121; the unit cell parameters are a = 57·6 A, b = 108·0 A, c = 155·8 A with two protein—DNA complexes in the asymmetric unit. Complete sets of native and derivative data have been collected to 2·7 A using a laboratory source.
Determination of mononuclear dissolved aluminum in near-neutral waters

Abstract Concentrations of mononuclear dissolved Al are determined in samples of natural waters and of solutions separated from experimental suspensions of clay minerals, by solvent extraction and spectrophotometry of aluminum 8-hydroxyquinoline. Samples are treated with a solution of 8-hydroxyquinoline buffered at pH 5.0 by sodium acetate-acetic acid. The resulting Al-hydroxyquinoline complex is extracted immediately into 2.00 ml toluene, to prevent inclusion of secondary mononuclear Al released from poly-nuclear Al(OH)x ions or aluminous solids. After centrifugation-separation of the toluene and aqueous phases, the overlying toluene layer is transferred to a spectrophotometer equipped with a miniature fixed quartz cell. A detection limit of 0.2 μg Al l−1 can be attained with 100-ml samples, and at 1.0 μg Al l−1, the analytical uncertainty is ± 10% or less. Preliminary extractions with chloroform solutions of diethylammonium diethyldithiocarbamate eliminate interferences due to dissolved V, Fe, Ni, Cu, Ga, Mo and U. Extracting the Al-hydroxyquinoline complex at pH 8.3 eliminates any interference due to F. The procedure was used to measure the solubility of gibbsite over the pH range 5–8.
Correlation of measured range of hip motion following total hip arthroplasty and responses to a questionnaire

Twenty-eight patients (with 30 primary and 8 revision total hip arthroplasties) completed a standardized questionnaire containing the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index and Harris hip score questions prior to an office visit a minimum of 1 year after surgery. The range of hip motion measured by an orthopaedic surgeon was compared with the responses to questions on stiffness and function as well as with global scores in the WOMAC osteoarthritis index. Patient responses to the questions asking if they could cut their toenails on the operated side and the Harris hip score question asking if they could put on socks and tie a shoe correlated significantly with postoperative hip motion (P < .005). The WOMAC global pain and stiffness scores did not correlate with range of motion. The WOMAC physical function score correlated significantly only with hip flexion (P < .05). Of the WOMAC physical function questions, difficulty bending to pick an object off the floor (P < .05) and getting on and off the toilet (P < .05) correlated with the sum of the range of motion in all planes and weighted Harris hip score range of motion calculation. These data suggest that the points allocated in the Harris hip score for range of motion can be estimated reasonably accurately from questionnaire or phone response to a series of questions on a standardized questionnaire. The question on ability to cut toenails or the Harris hip score question regarding ability to put on socks and tie a shoe correlated with the most individual planes of motion, but several WOMAC physical function questions also correlated with total and weighted range of motion calculations.
Geometric method to create coherent structures in chaotic flows

In this Letter, we show that coherent structures are related to folds of horseshoes which are present in chaotic systems. We develop techniques that allow us to construct coherent structures by manipulating folds in three prototypical problems: a 1D chaotic map, a 2D chaotic map, and a chaotically advected fluid. The ability to construct such structures is of practical importance for the control of chaotic or turbulent extended systems such as fluids, plasmas, and coupled oscillator arrays.
Virial theorem and energy partitioning in systems with mixed power-law potentials

Clausius’ Virial Theorem is often invoked to predict the partitioning of kinetic and potential energies in either classical or quantum systems with simple power-law potentials. Here, the Virial Theorem, and related statistical mechanical identities, are used to investigate energy partitioning in classical systems with mixed power-law potentials, in either one or three dimensions, with either positive or negative mixed power-law exponents. Such classical systems are found to have temperature-dependent heat capacities reminiscent of quantum behaviour, as well as other unusual properties. Closed form analytical expressions are obtained for energy partitioning in a family of one-dimensional generalised asymmetric oscillators. Unlike the corresponding symmetric oscillators, these systems are predicted to undergo a thermally driven migration of energy between spatially separated regions. Analogous behaviour is obtained for three-dimensional systems with mixed inverse power-law potentials, as exemplified by non-...
Drivers of agile software development use: Dialectic interplay between benefits and hindrances

Context: Agile software development with its emphasis on producing working code through frequent releases, extensive client interactions and iterative development has emerged as an alternative to traditional plan-based software development methods. While a number of case studies have provided insights into the use and consequences of agile, few empirical studies have examined the factors that drive the adoption and use of agile. Objective: We draw on intention-based theories and a dialectic perspective to identify factors driving the use of agile practices among adopters of this software development methodology. Method: Data for the study was gathered through an anonymous online survey of software development professionals. We requested participation from members of a selected list of online discussion groups, and received 98 responses. Results: Our analyses reveal that subjective norm and training play a significant role in influencing software developers' use of agile processes and methods, while perceived benefits and perceived limitations are not primary drivers of agile use among adopters. Interestingly, perceived benefit emerges as a significant predictor of agile use only if adopters face hindrances to their agile practices. Conclusion: We conclude that research in the adoption of software development innovations should examine the effects of both enabling and detracting factors and the interactions between them. Since training, subjective norm, and the interplay between perceived benefits and perceived hindrances appear to be key factors influencing the adoption of agile methods, researchers can focus on how to (a) perform training on agile methods more effectively, (b) facilitate the dialog between developers and managers about perceived benefits and hindrances, and (c) capitalize on subjective norm to publicize the benefits of agile methods within an organization. Further, when managing the transition to new software development methods, we recommend that practitioners adapt their strategies and tactics contingent on the extent of perceived hindrances to the change.
Regulation of the FGF-4 gene by a complex distal enhancer that functions in part as an enhanceosome.

Abstract The exact mechanisms by which enhancers regulate transcription are currently under investigation. For some genes, activation is accomplished by an intricate array of enhancer cis -regulatory elements that direct the assembly of a gene-specific activation complex known as an “enhanceosome”. Transcription of the fibroblast growth factor-4 (FGF-4) gene during early development is controlled by a powerful distal enhancer located 3 kb downstream of the transcription start site within the 3' untranslated region of the gene. Previous studies have shown that FGF-4 enhancer function is mediated by at least three critical positive cis -regulatory elements: an HMG, a POU, and a GT-box motif, which bind the transcription factors Sox-2, Oct-3, and Sp1/Sp3, respectively. In this study, we identify a second essential HMG motif within the FGF-4 enhancer that binds the transcription factor Sox-2. Moreover, we demonstrate that spatial alignment of the new HMG motif, relative the other enhancer cis -regulatory elements, is important. Based on findings presented in this report, and work published earlier, we propose that the previously identified core HMG and POU cis -regulatory elements of the FGF-4 enhancer are dependent on one another and function in an enhanceosome-like manner. In contrast, the HMG motif identified in this study is only partially dependent on the other enhancer cis -regulatory elements for its function.
On the origin of shocked and unshocked CM clasts in H-chondrite regolith breccias

CM chondrite clasts that have experienced different degrees of aqueous alteration occur in H-chondrite and HED meteorite breccias. Many clasts are fragments of essentially unshocked CM projectiles that accreted at low relative velocities to the regoliths of these parent bodies. A few clasts were heated and dehydrated upon impact; these objects most likely accreted at higher relative velocities. We examined three clasts and explored alternative scenarios for their formation. In the first scenario, we assumed that the H and HED parent bodies had diameters of a few hundred kilometers, so that their high escape velocities would effectively prevent soft landings of small CM projectiles. This would imply that weakly shocked CM clasts formed on asteroidal fragments (family members) associated with the H and HED parent bodies. In the second scenario, we assumed that weakly shocked CM clasts were spall products ejected at low velocities from larger CM projectiles when they slammed into the H and HED parent bodies. In both cases, if most CM clasts turn out to have ancient ages (e.g., ~3.4-4.1 Ga), a plausible source for their progenitors would be outer main belt objects, some which may have been dynamically implanted 3.9 Ga ago by the events described in the so-called Nice model. On the other hand, if most CM clasts have recent ages (<200 Ma), a plausible source location for their parent body would be the inner main belt between 2.1-2.2 AU. In that case, the possible source of the CM-clasts progenitors parent fragments would be the breakup ~160 Ma ago of the parent body 170 km in diameter of the Baptistina asteroid family (BAF).
Estimating the Risk of Cancer Associated With Imaging Related Radiation During Surveillance for Stage I Testicular Cancer Using Computerized Tomography

Purpose: Computerized tomography has a critical role in the surveillance of stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis. Some protocols call for up to 16 computerized tomography scans over 5 years, thereby exposing young patients to a significant amount of radiation. We estimated the lifetime risk of cancer incidence and cancer death from imaging related radiation received during surveillance of stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumor.Materials and Methods: Using a model with a 64-slice computerized tomography scanner obtaining images of the abdomen and pelvis with or without chest in a standardized, phantom male patient, organ specific radiation doses were estimated using Monte Carlo simulation techniques. Lifetime attributable risks of cancer were estimated using the approach outlined in the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation VII Phase 2 report.Results: With a 5-year surveillance protocol as suggested by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, lifetime cancer risk ranged from 1 in 52...
Ultraviolet optical absorptions of semiconducting copper phosphate glasses

Results are presented of a quantitative investigation of the change in UV optical absorption in semiconducting copper phosphate glasses with batch compositions of 40, 50, and 55 percent CuO, as a function of the Cu(2+)/Cu(total) ratio in the glasses for each glass composition. It was found that optical energy gap, E(opt), of copper phosphate glass is a function of both glass composition and Cu(2+)/Cu(total) ratio in the glass. E(opt) increases as the CuO content for fixed Cu(2+)/Cu(total) ratio and the Cu(2+)/Cu(total) ratio for fixed glass composition are reduced.
Solution of the Sylvester matrix equation AXBT + CXDT = E

A software package has been developed to solve efficiently the Sylvester-type matrix equation AXBT + CXDT = E. A transformation method is used which employs the QZ algorithm to structure the equation in such a way that it can be solved columnwise by a back substitution technique. The algorithm is an extension of the Bartels-Stewart method and the Hessenberg-Schur method. The numerical performance of the algorithms and software is demonstrated by application to near-singular systems.
Differential effects of type I and II interferons on myeloid cells and resistance to intracellular bacterial infections

The type I and II interferons (IFNs) play important roles in regulating immune responses during viral and bacterial infections and in the context of autoimmune and neoplastic diseases. These two IFN types bind to distinct cell surface receptors that are expressed by nearly all cells to trigger signal transduction events and elicit diverse cellular responses. In some cases, type I and II IFNs trigger similar cellular responses, while in other cases, the IFNs have unique or antagonistic effects on host cells. Negative regulators of IFN signaling also modulate cellular responses to the IFNs and play important roles in maintaining immunological homeostasis. In this review, we provide an overview of how IFNs stimulate cellular responses. We discuss the disparate effects of type I and II IFNs on host resistance to certain intracellular bacterial infections and provide an overview of models that have been proposed to account for these disparate effects. Mechanisms of antagonistic cross talk between type I and II IFNs are also introduced.
Feasibility study of radioimmunoguided iodine‐125 brachytherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer

The radioimmunoguided brachytherapy (RIGBY) approach was developed to identify and treat occult residual disease after resection. Between September 1989 and March 1992, 30 patients with metastatic recurrent colorectal cancer were implanted with iodine-125 (125I) seeds using the RIGBY technique. These patients would otherwise have died of disease progression. Patients were injected with 125I radiolabeled antibody. A hand-held gamma-detecting probe (GDP) was used to detect and resect areas of high radioactivity representing tumor. Areas which had persistent high probe counts after resection represented areas of occult residual disease which were then implanted with a median dose of 160 Gy 125I. The GDP was used to demarcate the occult tumor volume in 20 of 30 patients (67%). Patients were followed for 7–36 months (median 17 months); local control was 73% by clinical assessment; the median survival was 17.5 months, with 1-year survival of 73% and 2-year survival of 27%. There were no intraoperative deaths. Major surgical morbidity was seen in 9 patients (30%), comparable to the high morbidity seen in recurrent colorectal cancer patients undergoing major surgery. The RIGBY procedure did not significantly increase the morbidity. Further close follow-up and additional accural of patients is warranted to evaluate the efficacy and morbidity of the RIGBY procedure, as well as evaluation of its other possible uses. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Reply to comments on "Study of wave propagation in nanowires with surface effects by using a high-order continuum theory" by Ugur Guven

Thanks for the discusser’s correction. We went through the derivation in the paper and believe that the corrected expressions of the strains in Eqs. (1) and (2) are used in the derivation. Therefore, the results and conclusions presented in the paper are not affected by the typos. (ii) Based on a simple dimensional analysis inspection, the discusser declares that Eq. (38) is not correct, if the unknown constant “l” used in the reduced model is regarded to be dimensional. However, detailed derivation shows that the unknown constant “l” in the reduced model is inherently dimensionless. Let us start from the original definition of the local radial displacement
Economic Experiments for the Management Accounting Classroom

INTRODUCTION This paper presents three management accounting experiments designed for classroom use. Our approach is similar to that in Boylan (2004) and Schwartz et al. (2005), who describe audit experiments that can be administered without the aid of computers in a relatively short amount of time. Further, the experiments employ simplified settings, which facilitate a focus on first-order effects and ease both implementation and interpretation. However, despite their simplicity, we maintain they can be introduced successfully into courses ranging from introductory management accounting through first-year doctoral seminars. The advantage of using an experimental economics approach to instruction, where students assume decision-making roles, is it allows complex material to be introduced intuitively. Role-playing helps students experience both the economic and non-pecuniary aspects of the settings, without much preparatory work on the tools of economic analysis. This approach can be especially helpful when students have not had a lot of real-world business experience to use as a reference. A further advantage of economic experiments is, due to their enjoyable nature, they often stimulate student interest in the material beyond that achieved by traditional instruction alone. Schwartz et al. (2005) cite evidence on the efficacy of classroom experiments in promoting interest and learning. The experiments described herein address the issue of misaligned goals within an organization, a condition that afflicts almost all organizations to some degree. Naturally, organizations attempt to design mechanisms and protocols to alleviate such goal incongruence; these activities are known as management control. Management control is a broad topic, and our intent is to provide experiments especially suited for management accounting courses. Therefore, the experiments concentrate on the role of information in management control settings. Information voids are often at the heart of management control problems,
Mutant fibrillin 1 from tight skin mice increases extracellular matrix incorporation of microfibril-associated glycoprotein 2 and type I collagen

Objective Skin fibrosis in the TSK mouse, a model of skin fibrosis seen in systemic sclerosis (SSc), is caused by a large in-frame duplication in the Fbn1 gene, tsk-Fbn1. We investigated whether tsk-Fbn1 might cause dermal fibrosis by affecting Fbn1 and associated extracellular matrices. We also studied whether deposition of microfibril-associated glycoprotein 2 (MAGP-2), a protein that is associated with fibrillin 1, was altered in the skin of patients with SSc. Methods An in vitro model of the TSK mouse was created by conditionally expressing tsk-Fbn1 in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). Cell cultures were examined by immunofluorescence and Western and Northern blotting to determine the effect of tsk-Fbn1 on the structure, expression, and deposition of fibrillin 1 (Fbn-1), type I collagen, and MAGP-2. The skin of TSK mice and SSc patients was analyzed by immunohistochemistry for MAGP-2 expression. Results Expression of tsk-Fbn1 in cultured MEF cells altered the morphology of Fbn-1 fibers and increased the deposition of type I collagen into the extracellular matrix (ECM) without concomitantly changing messenger RNA expression, secretion, or processing of type I procollagen. Moreover, MEF cells expressing tsk-Fbn1 showed increased MAGP-2 matrix. MAGP-2 was increased in the dermis of TSK mice. Fibrotic SSc skin also showed higher levels of MAGP-2 in the dermis than nonfibrotic SSc skin and normal skin. Conclusion Tsk-Fbn1 altered ECM organization and caused fibrosis by affecting the deposition of MAGP-2 or other Fbn-1–associated proteins. Alterations in microfibril structure or deposition might contribute to fibrosis in SSc.
The Relationship Between Alliance and Client Involvement in CBT for Child Anxiety Disorders

Little is known about the nature of the relationship between the alliance and client involvement in child psychotherapy. To address this gap, we examined the relationship between these therapy processes over the course of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for child anxiety disorders. The sample was 31 child participants (M age = 9.58 years, SD = 2.17, range = 6–13 years, 67.7% boys; 67.7% Caucasian, 6.5% Latino, 3.2% Asian/Pacific Islander, and 22.6% mixed/other) diagnosed with a primary anxiety disorder. The participants received a manual-based individual CBT program for child anxiety or a manual-based family CBT program for child anxiety. Ratings of alliance and client involvement were collected on early (Session 2) and late (Session 8) treatment phases. Two independent coding teams rated alliance and client involvement. Change in alliance positively predicted late client involvement after controlling for initial levels of client involvement. In addition, change in client involvement positively predict...
Preference for information about shock duration in rats

Rats were permitted to control, by means of a changeover response, the amount of time spent in either a “differentiated” or an “undifferentiated” condition. Shock occurred in both conditions on the same variable-time schedule, half of the shocks being short (.75 sec) in duration, the other half, long (5 sec). In the differentiated (informative) condition, all short shocks were preceded by one signal and all long shocks were preceded by a discriminatively different signal. No information about shock duration was available in the undifferentiated condition, as the same signal preceded short and long shocks. A clear and consistent preference emerged for the differentiated condition, i.e., for information about shock duration. The relevance of this finding for theories which attempt to account for the preference-for-signaled-shock phenomenon was discussed.
Concentration quenching of nd(3+) fluorescence.

Concentration quenching of the 1.06-μ Nd3+ fluorescence in glass is investigated to help determine the nature of the Nd3+–Nd3+ interaction that causes quenching. The relative fluorescent efficiency vs Nd3+ concentration is measured for thin, polished plates of glass in an apparatus designed to minimize instrumental distortion of the resulting curve. Fluorescent efficiency decreases exponentially with increasing Nd3+ concentrations for concentrations less than 13 × 1020 cm−3 but deviates from the exponential at higher concentrations. Comparison between the data and theoretical curves indicates that Nd3+ concentration quenching cannot be described by a dipole–dipole interaction, by the Perrin model, or by the Stern-Volmer model. Interactions that can describe the data are exchange interactions, multipole–multipole interactions of higher order than the dipole–dipole, and the Johnson–Williams model.
A WRF–CMAQ study on spring time vertical ozone structure in Southeast Texas

Abstract A WRF–SMOKE–CMAQ modeling system was used to simulate vertical profiles of ozone, temperature and wind as well as surface ozone and meteorology during the Study of Houston Atmospheric Radical Precursors (SHARP) in May 2009. WRF and CMAQ sensitivity studies were conducted to define a proper combination of model configurations. With objective analysis WRF showed considerable skills in simulating temperature and wind profiles. CMAQ did well in replicating daily regional average ozone, with only minor overprediction for most of the days. According to the surface ozone statistics and the ozone biases along the vertical profiles, the model displayed little sensitivity to the two CMAQ model options: (i) fixed night time PBL height vs. WRF calculated night time PBL heights, and (ii) the combination of the Euler-backward iterative chemistry schemes and Yamartino advection (EBI/YAMO) vs. the Sparse-Matrix Vectorized Gear chemistry and Parabolic Method advection (SMV-GEAR/PPM) schemes. CMAQ shows substantial underprediction of ozone in the upper troposphere, but demonstrated fair skills in reproducing the ozone profile in the lower to middle troposphere, with typically a few ppb negative biases which tend to increase with height. However, the model usually cannot reproduce high variability in the ozone profiles due to the fixed default profiles and lack of data assimilation capability. While the default CMAQ static profile setup for boundary condition (BC) does not properly reflect the actual dynamic atmosphere, it remains a reasonable choice, since using downscaled real-time global chemistry model BCs demands considerable efforts and would still depend on the performance of the global model.
Positron emission tomography: imaging and quantification of neurotransporter availability

Over the last decade, a large number of radiotracers have been developed to image and quantify transporter availability with positron emission tomography (PET) or single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Radiotracers suitable to image dopamine transporters (DATs) and serotonin transporters (SERTs) have been the object of most efforts. Following a brief overview of DAT and SERT radiotracers that have been demonstrated to be suitable for quantitative analysis in vivo, this article describes the principal methods that have been used for the analysis of these data. Kinetic modeling is the most direct implementation of the compartment models, but with some tracers accurate input function measurement and good compartment configuration identification can be difficult to obtain. Other methods were designed to overcome some particular vulnerability to error of classic kinetic modeling, but introduced new vulnerabilities in the process. Reference region methods obviate the need for arterial plasma measurement, but are not as robust to violations of the underlying modeling assumptions as methods using the arterial input function. Graphical methods give estimates of distribution volumes without the requirement of compartment model specification, but provide a biased estimator in the presence of statistical noise. True equilibrium methods are quite robust, but their use is limited to experiments with tracers that are suitable for constant infusion. In conclusion, no universally "best" method is applicable to all neurotransporter imaging studies, and careful evaluation of model-based methods is required for each radiotracer.
Late Capitalism and the Decline of Trade Union Power in the United States

The power of organized labor in the United States, measured by union representation in the labor force, political influence in Congress, and by public support for trade unions, has been in decline for two decades. During the 1980s a historic shift in political, economic and social power in favor of large corporations has altered the configuration of American society. As a result, a number of Business Administration faculties and industrial relations specialists believe that a new American industrial relations system may be emerging that will eliminate unions altogether or at least make organized labor irrelevant as an influence on the American social order. This article traces the causes and effects of the erosion of union power in the United States and suggests that no decisive gains by American workers in the direction of economic and industrial democracy can be expected in the absence of a strong labor movement. A new cooperative era of industrial relations is not at hand.
Measurement of work of adhesion on wafers for direct bonding

The displacement loaded double cantilever beam (DCB), often referred to as the blade-insertion test or crack-opening method by the wafer bonding community, has become a common method for evaluating the work of adhesion of bonded wafer pairs. The test, while easy to perform, often yields results with large scatter and questionable accuracy. The mechanics of the specimen are investigated in detail in the current work. Expressions that demonstrate how wafer bow may lead to residual stresses that result in large errors in the calculated work of adhesion are developed. A three-dimensional finite element model is used to show that due to the circular wafer geometry and silicon anisotropy there is a large variation of the strain energy release rate across a straight crack front. The model is used to predict the actual crack front shape and shows good agreement with experiments. The results of the finite element simulations are compared to the traditional expression used for data reduction and implications of the model highlighted.