cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Officer differences in traffic stops of minority drivers

Abstract This paper uses a finite mixture model to demonstrate that some police officers are more likely than others to stop black drivers. The conclusion is one that though widely believed has proven challenging to establish empirically. By doing so, the paper makes two contributions, one conceptual and one statistical. First, it more closely aligns with the understanding of racial profiling as signifying that black individuals experience more frequent interaction with the police. While disproportional susceptibility to vehicle searches also exemplifies profiling, being pulled over is a much more common margin for potential profiling, which this paper models a tractable way of identifying. Second, studies of secondary decisions such as searches frequently assume that there is no bias in the initial stop decision. An analysis of traffic stops across eight states questions this assumption, concluding that stopped drivers constitute a selected sample. Although bias is theoretically continuous, average behavior actually fits well into two distinct groups, with 30–40% of officers in the group that exhibits a relatively high propensity to stop black drivers. The implication is that race-based policing is more prevalent than the “rotten apples” theory might suggest.
Dual State - Parameter Estimation for Series Arc Fault Detection on a DC Microgrid

In this paper, a detection and localization technique based on dual State and Parameter Estimation (SE and PE respectively) for series dc arc faults is presented. Detection of series arc faults in dc microgrids is challenging due to its low fault current. By using the available set of sensor measurement data over a period of time, a Least Squares (LS) based SE algorithm estimates the dc microgrid’s bus voltages and injection currents. Kalman Filter (KF) is then used to estimate the line conductances in the network, which are used to detect and localize (with respect to the faulted line) the series arc fault. Simulation results are presented with different case studies to demonstrate the robustness of the algorithm to normal operating conditions and different number and placement of sensors. Finally, Control Hardware in the Loop (CHIL) results are shown.
The sarcoma microbiome as a diagnostic and therapeutic target.

11541Background: Sarcoma is a heterogeneous group of malignant tumors that consist of distinct histological and molecular subtypes, each with unique features. Despite immunotherapy’s promise in man...
Social disparities in neighborhood heat in the Northeast United States

Abstract Upward trends in ground-level warming are expected to intensify, affecting the health of human populations. Specific to the United States, the Northeast (NE) region is one of the most vulnerable to these warming trends. Previous research has found social disparities in the distribution of heat, while recent studies have examined associations between metropolitan racial/ethnic segregation and heat exposures. We advance upon previous research by including a novel measure of neighborhood-level racial/ethnic diversity in our examination of social inequalities in heat for NE neighborhoods (census tracts). We paired data derived from the United States Geological Survey on mean land surface temperature (LST) for the summer months of 2013–2017 with sociodemographic data from the American Community Survey (5-year estimates, 2013–2017). We use multivariable generalized estimating equations (GEEs) that adjust for geographic clustering. Findings reveal heat exposure disparities across NE neighborhoods. Neighborhoods with higher proportions of racial/ethnic minorities, people of lower socioeconomic status, households without access to an automobile, and greater diversity experience higher temperatures. Diversity was more strongly related to increased heat in neighborhoods with lower Latinx and lower Black composition suggesting that neighborhood homogeneity confers a differentially greater cooling effect based on higher White composition. The social groups that carry the unequal thermal burdens are also those who are most vulnerable. Interventions to reduce heat risks in the NE should therefore prioritize reducing the burden on historically disadvantaged communities.
Nuclei isolation and super-resolution structured illumination microscopy for examining nucleoporin alterations in human neurodegeneration

The nuclear pore complex (NPC) is a complex macromolecular structure comprised of multiple copies of ~30 different nucleoporin proteins (Nups). Collectively, these Nups function to regulate genome organization, gene expression, and nucleocytoplasmic transport (NCT). Recently, defects in NCT and alterations to specific Nups have been identified as early and prominent pathologies in multiple neurodegenerative diseases, including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's Disease (AD)/Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), and Huntington's Disease (HD). Advances in both light and electron microscopy allow for a thorough examination of sub-cellular structures, including the NPC and its Nup constituents, with increased precision and resolution. Of the commonly used techniques, super-resolution structured illumination microscopy (SIM) affords the unparalleled opportunity to study the localization and expression of individual Nups using conventional antibody-based labeling strategies. Isolation of nuclei prior to SIM enables the visualization of individual Nup proteins within the NPC and nucleoplasm in fully and accurately reconstructed 3D space. This protocol describes a procedure for nuclei isolation and SIM to evaluate Nup expression and distribution in human iPSC-derived CNS cells and postmortem tissues.
Building a Better Speed Trap: Measuring the Speed of Policy Innovation Diffusion

Recent research demonstrates how characteristics of policy innovations condition the likelihood they will spread throughout the American states, as well as the likelihood that they will be adopted quickly. I build on this work in two ways. First, I develop a continuous measure of speed that allows researchers to examine how innovation attributes affect how quickly a policy spreads. Second, I propose measures of four general innovation attributes --- relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, and observability --- and test their relationship with diffusion speed using a dataset of 116 policies from 15 different policy domains. I am able to confirm the interactive effect of complexity and observability on diffusion speed, while also identifying the positive impact of both relative advantage and compatibility. Furthermore, these results demonstrate that attributes can be measured reliably for a broad range of policies.
Scale decoherence in inhomogeneous potentials

Finite precision measurement factors the Hilbert space of a quantum system into a tensor product $H_{coarse} \otimes H_{fine}$. This is mathematically equivalent to the partition into system and environment which forms the arena for decoherence, so we describe the consequences of the inaccessibility of $H_{fine}$ as scale decoherence. Considering the experimentally important case of a harmonic oscillator potential as well as a periodic piecewise constant potential, we show that scale decoherence occurs for inhomogeneous potentials and may explain part of the decoherence observed in recent and proposed experiments on mesoscopic superpositions of quantum states.
TESTING OF WATER-HEATING COLLECTORS ACCORDING TO ASHRAE STANDARD 93-77

ABSTRACT A proposed procedure for testing and rating solar collectors was published by the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) in 1974. In early 1977, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) adopted ASHRAE Standard 93–77 which is a modified version of the NBS procedure. A test facility for water-heating collectors has been built at NBS in accordance with this Standard. The purpose of this paper is to briefly explain the recently adopted test procedure, describe the NBS test facility, and to give typical test results for collectors commercially available in the United States.
The structure of silicon-selenium glasses: I. Short-range order☆

Abstract The structures of SixSe1−x glasses with 0.0 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.40 have been investigated with neutron diffraction and Se K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine-structure measurements. Nearest-neighbor bonding is characterized by coordination numbers for Si and Se of 4 and 2, independent of concentration. Heteropolar bonding is highly favored. The second-neighbor coordination shell undergoes a systematic increase in area with increasing x and indicates, near the stoichiometric SiSe2 composition, a structure that is consistent with the presence of edge-sharing of mSi ( Se 1 2 ) 4 tetrahedra. “First sharp diffraction peaks” are well defined for the x ⩽ 0.17 glasses and exhibit remarkable systematics.
Studies on Cytochrome c Peroxidase: XVI. RECOMBINATION OF APOENZYME WITH SPIN-LABELED PROTOHEME

Abstract Protohemin, labeled with 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-3-aminopyrrolidine-1-oxyl at positions 6 and 7 of the porphyrin ring, was combined with apocytochrome c peroxidase, followed by purification with chromatography on a DEAE-cellulose column. The synthetic enzyme containing the spin-labeled heme had optical properties similar to those of the enzymes containing protoheme dialkyl esters. The enzyme formed well defined complexes with fluoride, azide, and cyanide, and reacted with hydrogen peroxide to form a peroxide intermediate (Complex ES). The reduced enzyme reacted with CO to form a CO complex. The enzymic activity of the synthetic enzyme was, however, of the order of 1% of the native enzyme. The synthetic cytochrome c peroxidase containing spin-labeled protoheme showed an electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum of strongly immobilized label, while spin-labeled protohemin showed only weak immobilization. On addition of hydrogen peroxide or azide, the degree of immobilization was further enhanced but it was diminished on binding with cyanide. These changes were reversible, because the original spectra were obtained by removal of the ligands. Fluoride had no effect on the electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum of the enzyme. From these results it was concluded that the interaction of the heme to the protein was altered by ligand binding.
Translation of human hepatitis C virus RNA in cultured cells is mediated by an internal ribosome-binding mechanism.

Abstract The human hepatitis C virus (HCV) contains a long 5' noncoding region (5' NCR). Computer-assisted and biochemical analyses suggest that there is a complex secondary structure in this region that is comparable to the secondary structures that are found in picornaviruses (E.A. Brown, H. Zhang, L.-H. Ping, and S.M. Lemon, Nucleic Acids Res. 20:5041-5045, 1992). Previous in vitro studies suggest that the HCV 5' NCR plays an important role during translation (K. Tsukiyama-Kohara, N. Iizuka, M. Kohara, and A. Nomoto, J. Virol. 66:1476-1483, 1992). Dicistronic and monocistronic expression vectors, in vitro translation, RNA transfections, and deletion mutagenesis studies were utilized to demonstrate unambiguously that the HCV 5' NCR is involved in translational control. Our data strongly support the conclusion that an internal ribosome entry site exists within the 5' noncoding sequences proximal to the initiator AUG. Furthermore, our results suggest that the HCV genome is translated in a cap-independent manner and that the sequences immediately upstream of the initiator AUG are essential for internal ribosome entry site function during translation.
Economy and Discourse in Brazil

Antonius C. G. M. Robben Sons of the Sea Goddess: Economic Practice and Discursive Conflict in Brazil. New York: Columbia University Press. 1989. xiii. 310 pp.
Time Sidelobe Correction of Hardware Errors in Stretch Processing

To obtain high-range resolution profiles of a target, stretch processing is often used when the required instantaneous bandwidth (sampling rate) is not available. Hardware errors introduce amplitude and phase distortions to radar signals that increase the time sidelobes (TSLs) of the dechirped returns. Calibration and digital correction of the transmitter and receiver hardware errors are required to obtain acceptably low TSLs. Prior work on calibration focused on providing conceptual frameworks without experimental detail. We implemented a complete TSL calibration procedure by modifying a technique from the literature and described the experimental setup that we used to study TSL behavior. We obtained an average TSL value of -55 dB for a waveform bandwidth of 512 MHz and instantaneous bandwidth of 15 MHz, when the same calibration data measurements were used in TSL correction. We also showed that TSL performance remained stable with an average TSL of -48 dB for 16 hr after calibration in a laboratory environment and with varying pulse lengths.
Geographic patterns and demographic correlates of paramedic runs in San Bernardino, 1977.

Abstract Data from the 1977 records of a private provider of paramedic service in the city of San Bernardino were abstracted in order to map the geographical pattern of demand by census tract, and to obtain information as to age, sex and reason for service. These data were also compared to income data from the 1970 decennial census and to data from the 1975 special census. Race and income, but not age, were-related to the pattern identified. More men than women and more old people than young use this service. The demand for service from a few census tracts greatly exceeds their proportion of the population.
Drive Cycle Powertrain Efficiencies and Trends Derived from EPA Vehicle Dynamometer Results

Vehicle manufacturers among others are putting great emphasis on improving fuel economy (FE) of light-duty vehicles in the U.S. market, with significant FE gains being realized in recent years. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data indicates that the aggregate FE of vehicles produced for the U.S. market has improved by over 20% from model year (MY) 2005 to 2013. This steep climb in FE includes changes in vehicle choice, improvements in engine and transmission technology, and reducing aerodynamic drag, rolling resistance, and parasitic losses. The powertrain related improvements focus on optimizing in-use efficiency of the transmission and engine as a system, and may make use of what is termed downsizing and/or downspeeding. This study explores quantifying recent improvements in powertrain efficiency, viewed separately from other vehicle alterations and attributes (noting that most vehicle changes are not completely independent). A methodology is outlined to estimate powertrain efficiency for the U.S city and highway cycle tests using data from the EPA vehicle database. Comparisons of common conventional gasoline powertrains for similar MY 2005 and 2013 vehicles are presented, along with results for late-model hybrid electric vehicles, the Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt and other selected vehicles.
The value of fluoroscopic defecography in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of defecation disorders in children

Defecography is a study to assess anorectal function during evacuation. To investigate the value of fluoroscopic defecography in directing diagnostic and therapeutic management in children with defecation disorders. We reviewed all fluoroscopic defecography studies performed (2003–2009) in children with defecation problems and normal anorectal motility studies. Results were classified into three groups: (1) normal pelvic floor function; (2) pelvic floor dyssynergia, including incomplete relaxation of pelvic musculature, inconsistent change in anorectal angle and incomplete voluntary evacuation; (3) structural abnormality, including excessive pelvic floor descent with an intra-rectal intussusception, rectocele or rectal prolapse. We included 18 patients (13 boys, median age 9.1 years). Indication for fluoroscopic defecography was chronic constipation in 56%, fecal incontinence in 22% and rectal prolapse in 22%. Defecography showed pelvic floor dyssynergia in 9 children (50%), a structural abnormality in 4 (22%) and normal pelvic floor function in 5 (28%). In 12 children (67%) the outcome of fluoroscopic defecography directly influenced therapeutic management. After defecography 4 children (22%) were referred for anorectal biofeedback treatment, 4 children (22%) for surgery, 2 children (11%) for additional MR defecography, and 1 child to the psychology department, and medication was changed in 1 child. In 6 children (33%) the result did not change the management. In 9 children (75%) the change of management was successful. Fluoroscopic defecography can be a useful tool in understanding the pathophysiology and it may provide information that impacts management of children with refractory defecation disorders.
Only fixation for lumbar canal stenosis: Report of an experience with seven cases

Study Design and Objective: The author reports experience with treatment of degenerative lumbar canal stenosis that involved fixation-arthrodesis of the affected spinal segment using double insurance transarticular screws for each joint. No direct bone, ligament or disc resection is done for decompression of the spinal dural tube or root canal. Methods and Summary of Background Data: During the period March 2011-September 2011, seven patients having lumbar canal stenosis were treated with a modification of transarticular method of screw fixation that involved insertion of two or double insurance screws at each articular joint. The operation involved section of the spinous process at its base, opening up of the facet joint, denuding of articular cartilage, insertion of intra-articular bone graft and insertion of two transarticular screws at each facet joint. The fixation was done in four levels in two patients, at three levels in four patients and at two levels in one patient. Oswestry disability index and visual analog scale were used to clinically assess the patients before and after the surgery and at follow-up. Results: During the average period of follow-up of 26.9 months (range 24-30 months), there was varying degree of recovery of symptoms. The procedure resulted in firm stabilization and fixation of the spinal segment and provided a ground for arthrodesis. During the period of follow-up, one patient underwent re-exploration and decompressive laminectomy as she continued to have significant pain symptom. Conclusions: Vertical instability and telescoping, listhesis or overriding of the facets on physical activity seems to be the defining phenomenon in the pathogenesis of lumbar canal stenosis. The clinical outcome in our patients suggest that fixation of the spinal segment can be a rationale form of treatment. Double insurance transarticular method of treatment is a simple, safe, and effective method of spinal stabilization.
Orthogonal Complement Based Divide-and-Conquer Algorithm for constrained multibody systems

A new algorithm, Orthogonal Complement based Divide-and-Conquer Algorithm (O-DCA), is presented in this paper for calculating the forward dynamics of constrained multi-rigid bodies including topologies involving single or coupled closed kinematic loops. The algorithm is exact and noniterative. The constraints are imposed at the acceleration level by utilizing a kinematic relation between the joint motion subspace (or partial velocities) and its orthogonal complement. Sample test cases indicate excellent constraint satisfaction and robust handling of singular configurations. Since the present algorithm does not use either a reduction or augmentation approach in the traditional sense for imposing the constraints, it does not suffer from the associated problems for systems passing through singular configurations. The computational complexity of the algorithm is expected to be O(n+m) and O(log(n+m)) for serial and parallel implementation, respectively, where n is the number of generalized coordinates and m is the number of independent algebraic constraints.
Selective inhibitors of monoamine oxidase (MAO). 5. 1-Substituted phenoxathiin inhibitors containing no nitrogen that inhibit MAO A by binding it to a hydrophobic site.

It is believed that a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor specific for MAO A, which is reversibly bound to this enzyme and displaceable by tyramine, will be an antidepressant which will not cause a rise in blood pressure when tyramine-containing foods are ingested. Some linear tricyclic compounds with a larger and a smaller group forming the central ring and with a lipophilic group ortho to the larger group (here mostly the SO2 function of phenoxathiin 10,10-dioxide) are reported to have the sought properties. Potency appears to require short length and relatively small cross section for the substituent. The 1-ethyl (13), 1-vinyl (22), 1-trifluoromethyl (27), and 1-iodo (76) phenoxathiin dioxides had the best profiles. Structure−activity relationships, syntheses, and a possible rationale for the selectivity of these compounds and related tricyclics are given. Compound 13 was selected for further development. A summary of pharmacological data for 13 is given.
Effective infrared optical depths associated with the clear ocean

The approximation that the effective optical depth of the clear ocean is equal to the reciprocal of the water optical absorption coefficient is considered for the 1-16-microm spectral region. The exact effective optical depth in general lies closer to the ocean surface than does the approximate result and depends on the specific temperature profile of water that underlies the thermal boundary layer. The effective optical depth is better approximated by the reciprocal of the absorption coefficient as the wavelength increases; errors in subsequent calculations by using the approximate result also decrease with increasing wavelength. The application of two-wavelength radiometry to infer properties of the thermal boundary layer becomes more accurate at wavelengths increasing beyond about 6 microm.
Spreadsheet Modeling of Electrical Sounding Experiments

Electrical resistivity sounding is useful for solving a variety of ground-water problems. To model apparent resistivities for a specific model requires one to evaluate a convolution integral. This calculation, using linear filtering, is rapid and convenient with a commercial spreadsheet. In comparison to traditional programming languages, the high-level language and built-in screen graphics provided by the spreadsheet save much programming time.
Weights for computing vertex normals from facet normals

Abstract I propose a new equation to estimate the normal at a vertex of a polygonal approximation to a smooth surface, as a weighted sum of the normals to the facets surrounding the vertex. The equation accounts for the difference in size of these facets by assigning larger weights for smaller facets. When tested on random cubic polynomial surfaces, the equation is superior to other popular weighting methods.
Coronary Embolism Following Repair of a Ventricular Septal Defect

A unique cause of coronary embolism is described: open-heart surgery for correction of a ventricular septal defect.
Smart grid - transforming power system operations

Electric power systems are entering a new realm of operations. Large amounts of variable generation tax our ability to reliably operate the system. Couple this with a greater reliance on the electricity network to serve consumer demand that is likely to rise significantly even as we drive for greater efficiency. Trade-offs between energy and environmental needs will be constantly negotiated, while a reliable supply of electricity needs even greater assurance in a world where threats of disruption have risen. Smart grid capabilities are being proposed to help address the challenges confronting system operations. This paper reviews the impact of smart grid functionality on transforming power system operations. It explores models for distributed energy resources (DER - generation, storage, and load) that are appearing on the system. It reviews the evolving nature of electricity markets to deal with this complexity and a change of emphasis on signals from these markets to affect power system control. Smart grid capabilities will also impact reliable operations, while cyber security issues must be addressed as a culture change that influences all system design, implementation, and maintenance. Lastly, the paper explores significant questions for further research and the need for a simulation environment that supports such investigation and informs deployments to mitigate operational issues as they arise.
Tissue reactions to 2-chloroethanol in rabbits.

Abstract 2-Chloroethanol is a potential reaction product between ethylene oxide and a free chloride ion. Certain plastic devices, such as those of the polyvinyl chloride types, contain such free chloride ions and are often sterilized by ethylene oxide. Depending on the chloride ion content and residual ethylene oxide, varying amounts of 2-chloroethanol (a chlorohydrin) may be formed as the reaction product. Since this agent is less volatile than the ethylene oxide, standard degassing procedures may leave residual 2-chloroethanol in the plastic device. If these devices come into prolonged contact with tissues, as might occur with tracheotomy tubes, the possibility exists for tissue damage from leaching 2-chloroethanol. This paper reports on the effect of pure 2-chloroethanol, and various dilutions of this material, on several of the tissue types with which a tracheotomy tube might come into contact in a patient. It was found that pure 2-chloroethanol is quite destructive to most of the tissues, including ophthalmic, mucosal, muscular, and subcutaneous tissues; however, on dilution, the toxicity potential decreased sharply. dilutions of 1:10 were still toxic, but in most cases, dilutions of 1:100 were practically innocuous. A cell culture evaluation correlated almost perfectly with in vivo techniques.
Night-time location of the auroral oval and mid-latitude thermospheric temperature

Abstract The thermospheric response to the energy input into the polar regions can be studied by monitoring the thermospheric temperature at mid-latitudes using optical techniques. During the course of thermospheric temperature measurements at Albany, New York it was noticed that an increase in the auroral oval radius is followed by an increase in the thennospheric temperature. In order to obtain a possible relationship between the mid-latitude thennospheric temperature and the location of the auroral oval (that is in turn related to the energy input into the polar region), a cross-correlation analysis of temperature measurements and the oval radius was done for time lags from 0 to 75 min, at 15 min intervals. The results show that the correlation coefficient ranged between 0.38 and 0.79 for different time lags, with the best coefficient at a time lag of about 45 min, and that for every 1° change in the radius of the oval, the temperature varies by about 137°.
Knowledge-based model construction for simulating information systems

The process of constructing a correct simulation model for a system is a difficult and time-consuming task in the simulation life-cycle. Simulation is a widely used methodology for checking the performance requirements of information systems. This paper describes a knowledge-based approach to constructing a simulation model of an information system. The approach consists of two major steps: first, the information system is modeled as a Petri Net and implemented in a logic-based language. Second, the executable representation of the Petri Net is used to automatically construct a simulation model of the information system in GPSS. The approach offers several benefits such as reducing system development time, allowing the flexibility of easy modifications to the information system configuration, and requiring little knowledge of simulation methodology. The knowledge-based system is implemented in PROLOG.
Parameter estimation in a structural acoustic system with fully nonlinear coupling conditions

A methodology for estimating physical parameters in a class of structural acoustic systems is presented. The general model under consideration consists of an interior cavity which is separated from an exterior disturbance by an enclosing elastic structure. Piezoceramic patches are bonded to or embedded in the structure; these can be used both as actuators and sensors in applications ranging from the control of interior noise levels to the determination of structural flaws through nondestructive evaluation techniques. The presence and excitation of the patches, however, changes the geometry and material properties of the structure as well as involves unknown patch parameters, thus necessitating the development of parameter estimation techniques which are applicable in this coupled setting. In developing a framework for approximation, parameter estimation and implementation, strong consideration is given to the fact that the input operator is unbonded due to the discrete nature of the patches. Moreover, the model is weakly nonlinear as a result of the coupling mechanism between the structural vibrations and the interior acoustic dynamics. Within this context, an illustrating model is given, well-posedness and approximation results are discussed and an applicable parameter estimation methodology is presented. The scheme is then illustrated through several numerical examples with simulations modeling a variety of commonly used structural acoustic techniques for system excitation and data collection.
Bridging the gap between HRA research and HRA practice: A Bayesian network version of SPAR-H

Abstract The shortcomings of Human Reliability Analysis (HRA) have been a topic of discussion for over two decades. Repeated attempts to address these limitations have resulted in over 50 HRA methods, and the HRA research community continues to develop new methods. However, there remains a gap between the methods developed by HRA researchers and those actually used by HRA practitioners. Bayesian Networks (BNs) have become an increasingly popular part of the risk and reliability analysis framework over the past decade. BNs provide a framework for addressing many of the shortcomings of HRA from a researcher perspective and from a practitioner perspective. Several research groups have developed advanced HRA methods based on BNs, but none of these methods has been adopted by HRA practitioners in the U.S. nuclear power industry or at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. In this paper we bridge the gap between HRA research and HRA practice by building a BN version of the widely used SPAR-H method. We demonstrate how the SPAR-H BN can be used by HRA practitioners, and we also demonstrate how it can be modified to incorporate data and information from research to advance HRA practice. The SPAR-H BN can be used as a starting point for translating HRA research efforts and advances in scientific understanding into real, timely benefits for HRA practitioners.
Characterization of the aggregation-prevention activity of p97/valosin-containing protein.

The 97 kDa valosin-containing protein (VCP) belongs to a highly conserved AAA (ATPases associated with a variety of activities) family and contains two ATPase domains, D1 and D2. VCP participates in numerous cellular activities, such as membrane fusion, postmitotic Golgi reassembly, endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation, ubiquitin−proteasome-mediated proteolysis, and many others. In performing these activities, VCP presumably acts as a molecular chaperone that prevents protein aggregation and modifies protein conformation. In this study, we characterized the aggregation-prevention activity of VCP and identified the structural requirement for this activity. We used multiple methods to treat aggregation-prone luciferase (Luc) and showed that VCP prevents the aggregation of Luc in vitro. These results are in agreement; in vivo RNA interference analyses showed that a reduction of VCP level results in more aggregation of Luc in cells. Structural and functional analyses further demonstrated that the D1 d...
Consumer Preference and Individualized Job Search

This article describes the obstacles and strategies used to increase attention to consumer preferences and individualized job search. This is a case study of one supported employment (SE) program involved in the National Evidence-based Practice Project. The centerpiece strategy was the development and implementation of systematic job development methods.
Base sequence effects in bending induced by bulky carcinogen-DNA adducts: experimental and computational analysis.

The covalent binding of bulky mutagenic or carcinogenic compounds to DNA can lead to bending, which could significantly alter the interactions of DNA with critical replication and transcription proteins. The impact of adducts derived from the highly reactive bay region enantiomeric (+)- and (−)-anti-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide derivatives of benzo[a]pyrene (BPDE) are of interest because the (+)-7R,8S,9S,10R-anti-BPDE enantiomer is highly tumorigenic in rodents, while the (−)-7S,8R,9R,10S-anti-BPDE enantiomer is not. Both (+)- and (−)-anti-BPDE bind covalently with DNA predominantly by trans addition at the exocyclic amino group of guanine to yield 10S (+)- and 10R (−)-trans-anti-[BP]-N2-dG adducts. We have synthesized a number of different oligonucleotides with single (+)- and (−)-trans-anti-[BP]-N2-dG adducts (G*) in the base sequence context XG*Y, where X and Y are different DNA bases. The G* residues were positioned at or close to the center of 11 base pair (∼1 helical turn) or 16 base pair (∼1.5 turns) dupl...
Clinical implications for the treatment of obesity.

Combining Behavior and Biology This conference has underscored the magnitude and complexity of the obesity problem across the globe (1). Efforts to effectively prevent and treat obesity must be grounded in a precise understanding of etiology and pathophysiology. Although the fundamental energy imbalance is well known, the myriad of factors that affect that imbalance are less well understood (2). In addition, obese person are quite heterogeneous both behaviorally and biologically, making one size fits all treatments less likely to succeed in the long term. Given the complex and refractory nature of obesity, it is useful to employ treatment strategies that attempt to address both the biology and behavior of obesity. This conference has focused on the considerable science around the regulation of food intake, including the brain, the gut, and beyond (3–7). These systems are complex and, unfortunately, for weight reduction purposes, redundant. Therefore, efforts to trick the physiological system are likely to be subject to habituation, compensation, and/or adaptation. As Mela (7) suggests, consumers are eager for products that manage hunger, although it is less clear what is meant by hunger (8). It may be internally mediated by going long periods without eating or more externally driven by multiple triggers associated with eating (sight, smell, activities and emotions, places). Attempts to develop products or agents that modify the internal milieu are best complemented by behavioral strategies that seek to manage the multiple external prompts to eat more and move less. The remainder of this paper will describe the principles of behavior treatment and its efficacy. Behavioral Treatment Behavioral treatment is based largely on principles of classical conditioning, which posit that eating is often prompted by antecedent events (i.e., cues) that become strongly linked to food intake (9). Behavioral treatment, as described below, helps patients identify cues that trigger inappropriate eating (and activity) and learn new responses to them (10,11). Treatment also seeks to reinforce (or reward) the adoption of positive behaviors, while also reducing the aversiveness associated with some types of behavior change. In the last 20 years, cognitive therapy also has been incorporated in the behavioral treatment of obesity. The underlying assumption of cognitive therapy is that thoughts (or cognitions) directly affect feelings and behaviors (12). Negative thoughts frequently are associated with negative outcomes, as in the case of a male, who overeats, tells himself he has blown his diet, and then proceeds to eat triple the original amount because of feelings of disgust and despair. With cognitive therapy, patients learn to set realistic goals for weight and behavior change, to evaluate their success in modifying eating and activity habits, and to correct negative thoughts that occur when they do not meet their goals (11,13,14). Cognitive interventions for weight management are based on those developed for the treatments of depression and anxiety (15,16).
DETERMINATION OF AMPHETAMINE IN DOSAGE FORMS BY PARTITION CHROMATOGRAPHY.

Abstract A procedure is presented for the assay of preparations of amphetamine and several other sympathomimetic amines. The amine is isolated by extraction from the stationary aqueous phase of a partition column with a chloroform solution of tri-ethylamine. The chloroform solution is then extracted with aqueous acid and the amine determined spectrophotometrically. Data obtained on several commercial samples of dextro-amphetamine sulfate tablets by three different assay procedures are reported, and the inapplicability of the U.S.P. XVI assay procedure to some of the commercial products is demonstrated. An analysis by the proposed column-ultraviolet procedure can be completed in about 1 hour.
Data on past climate warmth may lead to better of warm future

Weather bureaus around the world have accumulated daily historical records of atmospheric conditions for more than a century to help forecast meteorological conditions 3 to 5 days ahead. To gain insight into the impact of possible future climate warming and constrain predictive models for a warm future, climatologists are seeking paleoclimatologic and paleoceanographic records from recent intervals of the late Quaternary, when conditions were demonstrably warmer than today. Results of past research on Brunhes-age paleoclimate suggest that Marine Isotope Stage 11 (MIS 11), an interval between 420 and 360 ka, was the longest and warmest interglacial interval of the past 500 kyr (see the recent review by Howard [1997]). This interval was characterized by warmer seasurface temperatures in high latitudes, strong thermohaline circulation, unusual carbonate plankton blooms in high latitudes, higher than present sea level, coral reef expansion resulting in large accumulation of neritic carbonates, and overall poor pelagic carbonate preservation.
Early-labelled haem in erythroid and hepatic cells.

SEVERAL lines of evidence point to the existence of a rapidly synthesised haem fraction which is unrelated to any of the known haemoproteins. Much of this evidence has come from studies of the early-labelled fraction of bilirubin which, unlike most bilirubin produced in normal conditions, is derived from sources other than haemoglobin in senescent red cells1,2. As measured with 14C-glycine, the early bilirubin fraction consists of both a rapid and a slow component3,4. In rats in normal conditions, the slow component seems to be derived chiefly from haemoproteins with different rates of turnover5,6. The metabolic source of the initial sharp component remains more enigmatic. The rapidity of its formation, only 1–2 h after 14C-glycine administration3, does not conform to the turnover rate of any known haemoprotein. Here we describe a rapid peak of haem labelling, just preceding the initial bilirubin component, in both liver and young erythroid cells, suggesting that rapidly synthesised haem may be of importance in all the major sites of haem production.
Distribution and clearance of pentachloronitrobenzene in chickens.

Abstract Pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) is an effective, broad-spectrum fungicide. Grains used in animal feeds may contain residues of PCNB. Technical grade PCNB (10% corn oil solution) was added to laying mash and fed to Comet Red and White Leghorn chickens at dietary levels of up to 300 ppm for 16 weeks. The hens were then returned to control diet (clearance phase). The concentrations of PCNB; its impurities, pentachlorobenzene (PCB), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and tetrachloronitrobenzene (TCNB); and its metabolites, pentachloroaniline (PCA) and pentachlorothioanisole (PCTA), were determined periodically in eggs and excreta, and in various tissues taken at necropsy. Concentrations of PCNB, PCA, and PCTA reached a plateau in tissues and eggs by the second week while HCB and PCB concentrations continued to increase throughout the feeding phase. Excreta were found to contain traces of PCNB, PCA, and PCB. TCNB was not detected in any samples. There were no detectable strain differences in distribution or biotransformation. No effects upon weight gain or egg production were observed nor were there any gross pathologic lesions. During the clearance phase, PCNB, PCA, and PCTA were undetectable by the 16th-week, while HCB and PCB remained at levels > 0.002 ppm through 1 year of clearance. The half-life of HCB was determined to be 90 days. The level of HCB in edible tissues and eggs, extrapolated to their maximum possible steady-state concentration, were determined not to pose a health hazard to humans, when chickens are fed diets containing PCNB at 300 ppm.
Incoherent Landau-Zener-Stückelberg transitions in single-molecule magnets

It is shown that in experiments on single molecule magnets in which transitions between two lowest spins states are induced by sweeping the applied magnetic field along the easy axis; the transitions are fully incoherent. Nuclear spins and the dipolar coupling of molecular spins are identified as the main sources of decoherence, and the form of the decoherence is calculated. The Landau-Zener-St\"uckelberg (LZS) process is examined in light of this decoherence, and it is shown that the correct formula for the spin-flip probability is better given by a more recent formula of Kayanuma than that of LZS. The two formulas are shown to be identical in the limit of rapid sweeps. An approximate way of incorporating the molecular spin dipole field into the rate equations for this process is developed.
Excitatory projection from the interpeduncular nucleas to central superior raphe neurons

Abstract The projection from the interpeduncular nucleus (IP) to the central superior raphe nucleus (CS) was studied using intracellular electrophysiologic methods. IP stimulation generates monosynaptic EPSPs in a large number of CS neurons studied with latency of 1–2 ms. Intracellular peroxidase injections into CS neurons responding to IP shock confirmed the location and somatic origin of intracellular potentials. These findings document the existence of a direct excitatory projection from IP onto CS neurons.
Disease-specific survival following routine prostate cancer screening by digital rectal examination: corrected patient classification.

To the Editor. —It has been brought to our attention that there are discrepancies between our recently published article in JAMA 1 and the two original publications 2,3 on prostate cancer screening on which the recent article was based. Specifically, the relative number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer in the first year of screening (group 1) and subsequent years of screening (group 2) was not the same between the individual studies. This discrepancy is due in part to the addition of some patients to the study group after the publication of the original articles. However, our review of the data has also revealed that three patients were misclassified in group 2 when they were truly diagnosed in the first year of screening. In addition, the correct classification of two other patients is unclear, despite review of all available information. To assess the impact of these errors on the conclusions
Imperatives for the enforceability of collective agreements in Nigera

This article examines the rationale behind the non-enforcement of collective agreements in Nigeria, theories propounded for the enforceability of collective agreements, and the need for courts in Nigeria to adopt a more liberal approach towards enforcement. This article argues that contrary to the position of the law in Nigeria that collective agreements are not enforceable, this parties, especially trade union leaders, academics and notable oil companies in Nigeria such as Shell, Chevron, etc. do intend to enter into legal relations whenever a collective agreement is arrived at and this is the reason why there is less industrial unrest in the private sector of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. This article argues that multinational oil companies honour collective agreements entered into with their trade unions because they see such agreements as intended to create legal relations. It is the Nigerian government and its agencies that have failed to honour collective agreements freely entered into with t...
The corral trap: fabrication and software development

We describe the fabrication of a corral trap, a new tool for the two-dimensional trapping of nanoscale particles, and present a software algorithm for automated trapping of a single particle and sequential trapping of multiple particles.
Personality profiles for generating believable bot behaviors

In this work, personality profiles are used to develop parameterized bot behaviors. While the personality profile structure was originally designed as a descriptive tool for human behavior, as used here it is a generative tool, allowing a plurality of different behaviors to result from a single rule set. This paper describes our use of the Five-Factor Model of personality to develop a bot that plays Unreal Tournament 2004, as an entry in the 2K BotPrize competition at the 2010 IEEE Computational Intelligence and Games conference.
Selection and characterization of NaCl tolerant cells from embryogenic cultures of Pennisetum purpureum schum. (Napier grass)

Abstract Sodium chloride (salt) tolerant callus was selected from leaf-derived embryogenic callus of Pennisetum purpureum . The tolerant callus was obtained after repeated subculture on medium containing 1.25% NaCl (direct selection), or after gradually increasing salt concentration to 2% during serial subculture (step-wise selection). For both types of callus optimal growth occurred on 0.25% NaCl. Fresh weight to dry weight ratios (FW/DW) decreased in unselected callus grown on high (1.25–2%) salt concentrations, but not in tolerant callus. The callus obtained by direct selection was less sensitive to KCl than unselected callus. After 30–40 weeks under selection, the tolerant callus became necrotic, but healthy callus was recovered from it after transfer to salt-free medium. The callus recovered showed no retention of tolerance and preliminary experiments indicated that plants regenerated from it were more sensitive to salt irrigation than those regenerated from unselected callus.