cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Symposium Foreword: Bombshell or Baby Step? The Ramifications of Miller v. Alabama for Sentencing Law and Juvenile Crime Policy

This short essay, which serves as the Symposium Foreword, argues that the rationale of Miller is incoherent insofar as it permits juvenile LWOP sentences and that the Court misidentifies the foundational principle of Roper. First, in banning mandatory juvenile LWOP sentences, the Court invokes Woodson, which bans mandatory death sentences. The Court maintains that Woodson, from its capital jurisprudence, applies because juvenile LWOP is “akin to the death penalty” for juveniles. But if the Court’s capital jurisprudence is binding based on that equivalence, Roper should imply that juvenile LWOP, like the death penalty, is unconstitutional for juveniles. This essay briefly explores whether there is a principled reason for the Court to invoke Woodson but not Roper from its capital jurisprudence. Second, the Court does cite Roper for its “foundational principle,” which is, according to the Court, “that imposition of a State’s most severe penalties on juvenile offenders cannot proceed as though they were not children.” However, this principle cannot be the bedrock of Roper. Since Lockett, state capital sentencing schemes have not proceeded as though juvenile offenders were not children. Juvenile capital defendants could introduce their youth and accompanying characteristics in mitigation. Roper, therefore, is based on a much stronger principle, one that requires categorical removal of juveniles from the universe of death-eligible defendants and, thus, should imply the same for penalties equivalent to death.This Foreword also provides a guide to the symposium’s wonderful contributions by Nancy Gertner, Will Berry, Frank Bowman, Josh Gupta-Kagan, Michael O’Hear, Clark Peters, Mary Price, and Mae Quinn. In doing so, it highlights a fascinating theme running through many authors’ answer to whether Miller represents a “bombshell or babystep”: Miller’s implications for the Court’s methodology for conducting proportionality analyses and, specifically, for the role of “objective indicia” of public attitudes in such analyses.
A scale-up procedure for substrate co-digestion in anaerobic digesters through the use of substrate characterization, BMPs, ATAs, and sub pilot-scale digesters

The main objective of this thesis was to develop a system for predicting methane production and anaerobic digestion performance of multiple substrates prior to implementation of full-scale application. This thesis is prepared in the journal paper format and includes three papers that were prepared for submission to a journal or conference proceedings. The objective of the first paper was to analyze multiple substrates using various laboratory techniques so that optimum mixture ratios could be formed. Biochemical methane potentials (BMPs) and anaerobic toxicity assays (ATAs) were used to select and in some cases rule out substrates based on their contribution to methane production. Mixtures were created using constraints arising from the full-scale system. This included the use of all available manure, keeping total solids below 15% to facilitate pumping, maintaining pH between 6.5 and 8.2 for microbial ecology, providing high COD concentrations to maximize methane production, and limiting ammonia levels to avoid toxicity (Speece, 1996). The BMP and ATA results from each mixture were analyzed and compared. The mixture with the best performance was selected for subsequent testing in 100-L sub pilot-scale anaerobic digesters. The objective of the second paper was to analyze the performance of three 100L sub pilot-scale anaerobic digesters. These plug flow digesters operated at a 21-d hydraulic retention time (HRT) and were fed the mixture selected in the first paper in a semi-continuous manner twice weekly (6 loadings per HRT). Methane production was measured using submerged tipping buckets. Methane production from the sub-pilot
Tetrasomy 18p: Report of cognitive and behavioral characteristics

Our purpose was to describe intellectual and behavioral characteristics of persons with tetrasomy 18p. This is a more detailed investigation into the cognitive and behavioral characteristics of our previously reported tetrasomy 18p cohort of 43 plus six additional participants. We evaluated the intellectual functioning using standard measures of cognitive ability, measures of executive functioning, adaptive and maladaptive behaviors. Intellectual abilities ranged from mild impairment/borderline normal to severe/profound impairment calling into question the assumption that severe cognitive limitation is always a feature of tetrasomy 18p. For persons with tetrasomy 18p with mild cognitive deficits, the main barriers to successful functioning stems from limited social and metacognitive skill development and behavior regulation problems rather than being solely determined by cognitive deficits alone.
A method for measuring the relative information content of data from different monitoring protocols

Summary 1. Species monitoring is an essential component of assessing conservation status, predicting effects of habitat change and establishing management and conservation priorities. The pervasive access to the Internet has led to the development of several extensive monitoring projects that engage massive networks of volunteers who provide observations following relatively unstructured protocols. However, the value of these data is largely unknown. 2. We develop a novel cross-data validation method for measuring the value of survey data from one source (e.g. an Internet checklist program) relative to a second, benchmark data source. The method fits a model to the data of interest and validates the model using benchmark data, allowing us to isolate the training data's information content from its biases. We also define a data efficiency ratio to quantify the relative efficiency of the data sources. 3. We apply our cross-data validation method to quantify the value of data collected in eBird – a western hemisphere, year-round citizen science bird checklist project – relative to data from the highly standardized North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). The results show that eBird data contain information similar in quality to that in BBS data, while the information per BBS datum is higher. 4. We suggest that these methods have more general use in evaluating the suitability of sources of data for addressing specific questions for taxa of interest.
Bioactive lipid metabolism by carboxylesterase 1 (CES1) in macrophages (LB154)

Human carboxylesterases (CES) have an emerging role in lipid metabolism. CES1 in macrophages is a hydrolase with broad endogenous substrate specificity, including cholesteryl ester, triacylglycerol, and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), which may be relevant to cardiovascular disease and other pathologies related to lipid metabolism dysfunction. 2-AG is an endogenous ligand of the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) which are involved in the regulation of numerous processes, including lipogenesis, inflammation, and cholesterol flux in macrophages. To characterize the cholesterol homeostatic functions of CES1, its expression was stably knocked-down in a THP-1 monocyte/macrophage line (CES1KD/THP-1) and the extent of in situ 2-AG catabolism and cholesterol uptake and efflux from foam cells was evaluated. Expression levels of several genes involved in cholesterol and 2-AG homeostasis were also determined. Perturbation of CES1 function altered in situ 2-AG levels as well as the expression of multiple genes invol...
Zigzag theory for composite laminates

the simplest failure model is given. The authors explain that the optimization problem of the present study becomes a min-max problem. This analysis is applied to a realistic problem based on a three-ring tetrahedral truss example. So far as investigated here, an actuator location with high fault tolerance for static shape control can be obtained by an optimization with actuator failure consideration.
QP-QS relations in a sedimentary basin using converted phases

Abstract Determining Q in near-surface sedimentary rocks is important both for earthquake seismology and hydrocarbon exploration. Measurements can be performed in the laboratory or in situ . We present an in situ estimation of the relation between Q S and Q P in a 1.4-km-thick Tertiary sedimentary basin in the Gazli region, Uzbekistan, USSR, using the spectral ratio method. The data consist of three-component accelerograms from aftershocks of the 19 March 1984 M S = 7.0 Gazli earthquake. Theoretically, the spectral ratio between a low-frequency direct S phase and a high-frequency S -to- P converted phase from the basin / basement interface should fit a straight line in log-amplitude-frequency space. The slope of this straight line yields a relation between the average apparent Q S and Q P for the sedimentary section. Results for stations with well-constrained spectral ratio slopes give a Q S between 10 and 25 for Q P between 10 and 70. Those with smaller, poorly constrained slopes give relations with a higher Q S / Q P ratio. These relations are compared with laboratory and in situ measurements of Q S and Q P and some theoretical relations. Effects of scattering on the apparent Q values are also considered. The well-constrained relations are consistent with a theoretical Q P - Q S relation with Q S = 20 to 25 for Q P = 50 to 70, with laboratory measurements on either dry or fully saturated rocks, and some in situ measurements. The poorly constrained relations are incompatible with any theoretical relation or in situ measurement. The poor fit and large Q S / Q P ratio are attributed to near-surface, frequency-dependent amplification effects.
Screening by pulse CO-oximetry for environmental tobacco smoke exposure in preanesthetic children.

Summary Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of multiple wavelength pulse CO-oximetry (SpCO) to screen for environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in children. Background: Exposure to ETS is associated with an increased risk of perioperative respiratory complications in children. It is often difficult to obtain an accurate history for ETS exposure, so a preoperative screening tool is desirable. Carbon monoxide is a measurable product of tobacco combustion. Multiple wavelength pulse CO-oximetry is a recently developed point-of-care monitor. Methods: Following IRB approval and parental consent, 220 children aged 1–16 years having outpatient surgical procedures were enrolled. SpCO was measured preoperatively three times with the Radical-7 Rainbow SET CO-oximeter (Masimo, Irvine, CA, USA). Immediately following induction of anesthesia, a blood sample for laboratory measurement of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) and serum cotinine was obtained. Regression analysis determined the correlation of SpCO with serum cotinine values. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves analyzed the discriminating ability of SpCO or COHb to predict ETS exposure based on cotinine cutoff values known to be present in children exposed to ETS. Agreement of SpCO and COHb values was assessed using Bland–Altman plots. Results: SpCO did not correlate with cotinine (R2 = 0.005). Both SpCO and COHb had poor discriminating ability for ETS exposure (area under the ROC curve = 0.606 and 0.562, respectively). SpCO values had poor agreement with COHb values. Conclusions: The point-of-care multiple wavelength pulse CO-oximeter does not appear to be a useful preoperative screening tool for ETS exposure in children.
Mutually repressive interactions between the gap genes giant and Kruppel define middle body regions of the Drosophila embryo

The gap genes play a key role in establishing pair-rule and homeotic stripes of gene expression in the Drosophila embryo. There is mounting evidence that overlapping gradients of gap gene expression are crucial for this process. Here we present evidence that the segmentation gene giant is a bona fide gap gene that is likely to act in concert with hunchback, Kruppel and knirps to initiate stripes of gene expression. We show that Kruppel and giant are expressed in complementary, non-overlapping sets of cells in the early embryo. These complementary patterns depend on mutually repressive interactions between the two genes. Ectopic expression of giant in early embryos results in the selective repression of Kruppel, and advanced-stage embryos show cuticular defects similar to those observed in Kruppel- mutants. This result and others suggest that the strongest regulatory interactions occur among those gap genes expressed in nonadjacent domains. We propose that the precisely balanced overlapping gradients of gap gene expression depend on these strong regulatory interactions, coupled with weak interactions between neighboring genes.
Photodissociation of acrylonitrile at 193 nm: A photofragment translational spectroscopy study using synchrotron radiation for product photoionization

We have investigated the photodissociation of acrylonitrile (H2CCHCN) at 193 nm using the technique of photofragment translational spectroscopy. The experiments were performed at the Chemical Dynamics Beamline at the Advanced Light Source and used tunable vacuum ultraviolet synchrotron radiation for product photoionization. We have identified four primary dissociation channels including atomic and molecular hydrogen elimination, HCN elimination, and CN elimination. There is significant evidence that all of the dissociation channels occur on the ground electronic surface following internal conversion from the initially optically prepared state. The product translational energy distributions reflect near statistical simple bond rupture for the radical dissociation channels, while substantial recombination barriers mediate the translational energy release for the two molecular elimination channels. Photoionization onsets have provided additional insight into the chemical identities of the products and their ...
Response of Green-Ampt Mein-Larsen simulated runoff volumes to temporally aggregated precipitation

Data collection frequency in automated systems is user determined and can range from seconds to hours or days. Currently, there is no standard or recommended frequency interval for collecting precipitation data from automated systems for input to event-based models such as Green-Ampt Mein-Larsen (GAML). Data from 47 storm events at seven locations were used to simulate the response of GAML excess rainfall to temporally aggregated precipitation data. No difference in model efficiency was recognized when comparing one-minute interval data (R 2 = 1.00) to five-minute data (R 2 = 1.00). Very little model efficiency was lost at a 10-minute (R 2 = 0.96) interval. After 10-minutes, decline in efficiency became more rapid with R 2 = 0.16 at one hour. The combined effect of time interval with respect to drainage area, hydraulic conductivity, maximum 30-minute intensity, and total precipitation also revealed similar results.
The rise of the Jewish professional: Case studies of intergenerational mobility

(1986). The rise of the Jewish professional: Case studies of intergenerational mobility. Ethnic and Racial Studies: Vol. 9, No. 4, pp. 502-513.
Model fluorogenic ligand-actinide and lanthanide coordination chemistry. Formation and crystal and molecular structure of [(i-C 3 H 7 O) 2 P(O)CH(CH 2 C 6 H 4 NO 2 - p )C(O)N(C 2 H 5 ) 2 ]UO 2 (NO 3 ) 2

Abstract The ligands (i-C 3H 7O) 2P(O)CH(CH 2C 6H 4NO 2-p)C(O)N(C 2H 5) 2 ( 1), (i-C 3H 7O) 2P(O)CH(CH 2C 6H 4NH 2-p)C(O)N(C 2H 5) 2 ( 2) and (i-C 3H 7O) 2P(O)CH(CH 2C 6H 4N(CH 3) 2-p)C(O)N(C 2H 5) 2 ( 3) have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic methods. Coordination chemistry of the ligands with UO 2(NO 3) 2·6H 2O, La(NO 3) 3·6H 2O and Er(NO 3) 3· 5H 2O has been surveyed and the complexes La(NO 3) 3·( 1) 2, Er(NO 3) 3·( 1) 2·H 2O, UO 2(NO 3) 2·( 1) and UO 2(NO 3) 2·( 2) have been isolated and characterized. A single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of UO 2(NO 3) 2[(i-C 3H 7O) 2P(O)CH(CH 2C 6H 4NO 2-P)C(O)N(C 2H 5) 2] has been completed at 25 °C. The complex crystallized in the triclinic space groupP 1 with a = 9.524(2), b = 10.111(2), c = 17.692(2)A, α = 70.27(1), β = 72.48(2), γ = 70.01(2)°, Z = 2, V = 1473.5A 3, and Dx(calc.) = 1.82 g/cm 3. The structure was solved by using heavy atom techniques and least- squares refinement converged at RF = 5.4%, RwF = 6.6% on 2936 independent reflections with I> 2σ(I). The molecular structure was found to have a linear UO 22+ ion bonded to six equatorial oxygen atoms contributed by two bidentate nitrate ions and a bidentate carbamoylmethylphosphonate ligand. Important bond distances include U O(uranyl) avg. 1.73(1)A, U O(P) 2.40(1)A, U O(C) 2.39(1)A, P O 1.49(1)Aand C O 1.28(2)A.
Self-Control Theory and Nonlinear Effects on Offending

This paper examines Gottfredson and Hirschi’s (A general theory of crime. Stanford University Press, Stanford, 1990) self-control theory and develops theoretical arguments for why self-control may have a differential effect on offending depending on the level of self-control. We test the argument that the association between self-control and violent offending (n = 5,681) and non-violent offending (5,672) is nonlinear by using generalized propensity score analyses of data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. The results indicate that self-control and offending are nonlinearly related in a manner that involves two thresholds. Specifically, among individuals at the high end of the self-control spectrum, there was little evidence of an association between variation in self-control and offending. However, among individuals in the middle part of the self-control spectrum, a positive association obtained—that is, the greater the level of low self-control, the greater the likelihood of offending. Finally, among individuals at the low end of the self-control spectrum, there was, once again, little evidence of an association. A nonlinear association between self-control and offending may exist and have implications for self-control theory and tests of it. Studies are needed to investigate further the possibility of a nonlinear association and to test empirically the mechanisms that give rise to it.
Method for the quantitative measurement of collecting lymphatic vessel contraction in mice

Collecting lymphatic vessels are critical for the transport of lymph and its cellular contents to lymph nodes for both immune surveillance and the maintenance of tissue-fluid balance. Collecting lymphatic vessels drive lymph flow by autonomous contraction of smooth muscle cells that cover these vessels. Here we describe methods using intravital microscopy to image and quantify collecting lymphatic vessel contraction in mice. Our methods allow for the measurement of the strength of lymphatic contraction of an individual lymphangion in a mouse, which has not yet been demonstrated using other published methods. The ability to study murine collecting lymphatic vessel contraction—using the methods described here or other recently published techniques—allows the field to dissect the molecular mechanisms controlling lymphatic pumping under normal and pathological conditions using the wide variety of molecular tools and genetic models available in the mouse. We have used our methods to study lymphatic contraction in physiological and inflammatory conditions. The methods described here will facilitate the further study of lymphatic function in other pathological conditions that feature lymphatic complications.
A practical path-planning algorithm for a simple car: a Hamilton-Jacobi approach

We consider the problem of optimal path planning of a forward moving simple car with a minimum turning radius (a Dubins' car), in a known environment possibly containing inpenetrable obstacles. We model this problem in the Hamilton-Jacobi partial differential equation framework, and provide a finite difference numerical method to solve it. Furthermore, we introduce and demonstrate a scheme based on this framework to steer a bidirectional micro-car on a testbed [29].
Laser myringoplasty for tympanic membrane atelectasis

ObjectiveTo review our experience with laser myringoplasty using a potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser for pars tensa atelectasis.Study DesignRetrospective review.MethodsA pulsed diode KTP laser (532 nm) was used to tighten the tympanic membrane after lysis of middle ear adhesions through a myringotomy. A tympanostomy tube was then placed. Operative reports and clinic notes were reviewed.ResultsWe reviewed 34 procedures performed on 31 ears in 29 patients. The average time of follow-up was 10.5 months with a range of 1 to 30 months. Seventeen of 34 tubes (50%) extruded during the follow-up period. Eleven cases had follow-up with the tube extruded and TM intact. Two (18%) of those had progression of atelectasis. Two (6%) cases had operative perforations and both healed spontaneously.ConclusionLaser myringoplasty using a KTP laser for pars tensa atelectasis appears to be beneficial in selected patients. Patients should be followed closely for early tube extrusion and recurrent disease.
Detection of point mutations associated with genetic diseases by an exon scanning technique.

Abstract A major challenge in genetics is identifying the basis of human heritable disease. We describe an “exon scanning” technique which surveys exons in genomic DNA for sequence alterations. By hybridizing genomic DNA to RNA probes derived from cDNAs, we can use RNase A to survey entire coding regions, comprising exons spread across extensive regions of genomic DNA, for mutations associated with genetic disease. Exon scanning of the β-globin locus in the DNA of patients with 12 different hemoglobinopathies detected all of the culpable single base substitutions and deletions, but not single base insertions. Our analysis also revealed unsuspected polymorphisms and corrected a diagnosis originally based on hemoglobin electrophoresis. Exon scanning of the ornithine aminotransferase gene in a gyrate atrophy patient detected and localized a mutation in the sixth exon. Subsequent PCR amplification and sequencing characterized this as a missense mutation (proline → glutamine). Exon scanning of genomic DNA for sequence alterations, in combination with PCR amplification and sequencing, should be a generally useful strategy for evaluating suspect genes in disorders of unknown etiology, as well as for clinical diagnosis.
Social class and psychiatric inpatient care: a twenty-five year perspective.

The authors present the major inpatient findings of the final survey conducted by the Trends in Mental Health project. This project, initiated by F.C. Redlich in 1975, is a limited follow-up of Hollingshead and Redlich's,Social class and mental illness. In spite of an enormous proliferation in psychiatric services in the survey's study region over the past 25 years, social class remains a major predictor of locus of inpatient care. In general, class II–IV patients have made significant shifts toward receiving private inpatient care. However, certain subgroups of lower-class patients — blacks, women and those with serious psychiatric disorders — still have limited access to private inpatient treatment. In addition, class V patients continued to exclusively utilize the public system. Deinstitutionalization and the shift of class IV and higher patients to private facilities have created a pooling of the most socially disabled patients on the public inpatient units. For example, almost 80% of all public inpatients were chronically unemployed and 60% lived alone when not hospitalized. The public policy implications of limited social access and the increased relative percentage of socially debilitated patients on public inpatient facilities are addressed.
Endocrinopathies and uric acid metabolism

Abstract Evidence for the presence of uric acid abnormalities in acromegaly is equivocal, and the hyperuricemia seen post-adrenalectomy is related to the primary hypertensive state rather than to adrenal dysfunction. Hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism have all been documented to have alterations in uric acid metabolism. In these endocrinopathies, abnormalities of renal function appear to be the primary mechanistic factors in the pathogenesis of these changes in urate metabolism. However, nonrenal factors and parathyroid and thyroid hormones have not been fully evaluated as to their roles in altered purine metabolism. The relationship between carbohydrate intolerance and hyperuricemia or gout represents an extremely complex problem. It is clear that diabetic ketoacidosis is associated with increased serum uric acid concentrations concomitant with a decreased urinary urate excretion, and the mechanism for these derangements is well established. Despite the accumulated evidence favoring an increased incidence of carbohydrate intolerance in gouty patients, the actual incidence and the mechanism which relates carbohydrate and purine abnormalities remains elusive. Even though many factors such as race, obesity, age, and other parameters may effect both carbohydrate and uric acid metabolism, recent data point toward insulin deficiency and not insulin resistance as the cause for carbohydrate intolerance in gout.
The effect of non-migrating tides on the morphology of the equatorial ionospheric anomaly: seasonal variability

Recent observations of the low-latitude F-region ionosphere at times near equinox have shown that it varies with a predominant zonal wavenumber-four pattern in a fixed local-time frame. It has been shown that this pattern corresponds well to the non-migrating diurnal eastward wavenumber-three atmospheric tide (DE3) at E-region altitudes simulated by the Global Scale Wave Model (GSWM). Here we present details of the morphology of the F-region ionosphere from TIMED GUVI with simultaneous observations of the non-migrating diurnal tides at E-region altitudes from TIMED SABER. For the case of equinox (March 2002), the correspondence of the SABER and GUVI observations confirms the relationship previously established using the GSWM simulations. There is also a wavenumber-one signature that is present which may be related to the semi-diurnal westward wavenumber-three, possibly in conjunction with changes in the magnetic field with longitude. During July 2002, when the amplitude of the DE3 maximizes, the amplitude of the wavenumber-four pattern in the F-region ionosphere intensifies. There is also evidence of a strong wavenumber-three pattern in the F-region ionosphere, which can be attributed to the strong diurnal eastward wavenumber-two tide during this period. During January 2003, the amplitude of all non-migrating components observed by SABER are either small or asymmetric and the ionosphere does not display either a wavenumber-three or -four pattern. During both solstice periods, a strong wavenumber-one is seen that is attributed to the offset of the subsolar point and the geomagnetic equator that maximizes at solstice, possibly in conjunction with other geomagnetic effects. During all seasons, significant hemispheric asymmetries in the airglow wavenumber spectra are seen. The combined GUVI and SABER observations presented here demonstrate that the large-scale periodic longitudinal structure of the F-region ionosphere responds significantly to changes in the forcing by non-migrating diurnal tides at E-region altitudes.
Cerebrovascular and cerebral metabolic responses of aged rats to changes in arterial PCO2.

Abstract —Cerebrovascular and cerebral metabolic responses to changes in arterial PCO 2 were tested in young (4 month) and aged (24 month) Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were anesthetized with 70% nitrous oxide and 30% oxygen, paralyzed with tubocurare and artificially ventilated. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured with radioactive microspheres and cerebral oxygen metabolism (CMRO 2 was analyzed from arterial and sagittal sinus oxygen content differences. CBF increased in both young and aged rats with increasing arterial PCO 2 . Aged rats had significantly depressed cerebrovascular reactivity to changes in CO 2 compared to young rats ( p 2 was not significantly different between young and aged rats and did not significantly change with changes in arterial PCO 2 .
Cryptolembus gongi n. gen., n. sp., a Philasterine Scuticociiiate from the Intestine of the Tunicate Ascidia ceratodes (Huntsman, 1912)1

A philasterine scuticociiiate 82-133 μm in length and 29-51 μm in width is described from the intestine of the solitary tunicate Ascidia ceratodes. It has 44 somatic kineties, an anterior dorsal bald spot, and a triangular scutico-vestige which lies above recessed posterior oral polykinetids.
The local convergence of the Byrd-Schnabel algorithm for constrained optimization

Abstract Most reduced Hessian methods for equality constrained problems use a basis for the null space of the matrix of constraint gradients and possess superlinearly convergent rates under the assumption of continuity of the basis. However, computing a continuously varying null space basis is not straightforward. Byrd and Schnabel [1] propose an alternative implementation that is independent of the choice of null space basis, thus obviating the need for a continuously varying null space basis. In this note, we prove that the primary sequence of iterates generated by one version of their algorithm exhibits a local 2-step Q-superlinear convergence rate. We also establish that a sequence of “midpoints,” in a closely related algorithm, is (1-step) Q-superlinearly convergent.
23Na-NMR study of ion transport across vesicle membranes facilitated by phenylalanine analogs of gramicidin

The transport of Na+ ions across phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylglycerol large unilamellar vesicle membranes facilitated by phenylalanine analogs of gramicidin A has been studied using 23Na-NMR spectroscopy. The four analogs studied were Phe9-, Phe11-, Phe13-and Phe15-gramicidin A. These analogs were found to transport Na+ ions in the following order Phe15 > Phe13 > Phe11 > Phe9. The entropy and enthalpy of activation for the transport of Na+ ions were determined for each analog. A correlation is made between the activation enthalpies and the single channel conductance values of the analogs.
Separation of Newcastle disease virus proteins by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Abstract Electrophoresis of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) proteins in polyacrylamide gels containing sodium dodecyl sulfate resolved three major components and five minor components. One of the major components and a minor component corresponded in electrophoretic mobilities to proteins in a hemagglutinin-neuraminidase fraction isolated from virus treated with ether. Another major component was identified as the viral nucleocapsid protein. The third major component and four minor components were not correlated with structural elements of the virus. Molecular weights of the three major NDV protein components were estimated by comparing their electrophoretic mobilities with standard proteins. This indicated a molecular weight of 90,000 for the principal hemagglutinating protein and 62,000 for the nucleocapsid protein, while the unidentified major component had a molecular weight of approximately 42,000.
Effect of case selection on the performance of computer-aided detection schemes.

The choice of clinical cases used to train and test a computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) scheme can affect the test results (i.e., error rate). In this study, we deliberately modified the components of our testing database to study the effects of this modification on measured performance. Using a computerized scheme for the automated detection of breast masses from mammograms, it was found that the sensitivity of the scheme ranged between 26% and 100% (at a false positive rate of 1.0 per image) depending on the cases used to test the scheme. Even a 20% change in the cases comprising the database can reduce the measured sensitivity by 15%-25%. Because of the strong dependence of measured performance on the testing database, it is difficult to estimate reliably the accuracy of a CAD scheme. Furthermore, it is questionable to compare different CAD schemes when different cases are used for testing. Sharing databases, creating a common database, or using a quantitative measure to characterize databases are possible solutions to this problem. However, none of these solutions exists or is practiced at present. Therefore, as a short-term solution, it is recommended that the method used for selecting cases, and histograms or mean and standard deviations of relevant image features be reported whenever performance data are presented.
Hardwood growth and foliar nutrient concentrations best in clean cultivation treatments

Abstract Nine hardwood species were planted at a 3 m by 3 m spacing on a Mississippi River front soil (Aeric Fluvaquents) in western Mississippi and subjected to three intensities of cultural treatments. Because of the death of yellow-poplar during a severe spring flood (1973) and severe iron deficiency in three oaks caused from high soil pH, only five species are discussed in this paper. Periodic disking substantially increased heights, diameters, and survival of trees through 4 years. Disked plots had significantly lower soil N than mowed and control, while Mg was considerably higher in disked than control plots. Cultural treatments did not affect other measured soil nutrient levels. Trees growing on disked plots had significantly higher N and significantly lower P, K, and Mg concentrations than those in control plots. Foliar concentrations of K and Mg in disked and mowed plots were similar. Cultural treatments did not affect foliar Ca concentrations. Sweetgum had the lowest nutrient concentrations and cottonwood or green ash the highest for most nutrient elements tested. Other species were intermediate, and no ranking was readily apparent.
SEM image sharpening by reversing the effect of a nonideal beam spot

This paper presents a method for increasing the contrast-to- noise ratio and spatial resolution of SEM images. The method uses de-convolution to eliminate the blur caused by an electron beam spot that covers more than a single pixel. An approximating de-convolution algorithm with low computational complexity is also shown.
A Mechanistic Model for Ncd Directionality

Ncd is a kinesin-related protein that drives movement to the minus-end of microtubules. Pre-steady-state kinetic experiments have been employed to investigate the cooperative interactions between the motor domains of the MC1 dimer and to establish the ATPase mechanism. Our results indicate that the active sites of dimeric Ncd free in solution are not equivalent; ADP is held more tightly at one site than at the other. Upon microtubule binding, fast release of ADP from the first motor domain is stimulated at 18 s(-1), yet rate-limiting ADP release from the second motor domain occurs at 1.4 s(-1). We propose that the head with the low affinity for ADP binds the microtubule first to establish the directional bias of the microtubule.Ncd intermediate where one motor domain is bound to the microtubule with the second head detached and directed toward the minus-end of the microtubule. The force generating cycle is initiated as ATP binds to the empty site of the microtubule-bound head. ATP hydrolysis at head 1 is required for head 2 to bind to the microtubule. The kinetics indicate that two ATP molecules are required for a single step and force generation for minus-end directed movement generated by this non-processive dimeric motor.
A determination of the f72-d32 effective interaction using multipole sum rule methods

Abstract Using the multipole sum rule technique of French and Bansal, data from a number of nuclei in the sd-shell have been analysed to estimate the matrix elements of the f 7 2 -d 3 2 effective interaction. The matrix elements obtained in this way are compared with those from other analyses using the more standard procedure of fitting energy levels, and reasonable agreement is obtained. A comparison with the results of reaction matrix calculations employing realistic two-body interactions is also presented.
Formation and stability of imogolite in a tephritic Spodosol, Cascade Range, Washington, U.S.A.

Chemical equilibrium modeling was used to examine the stability of imogolite in a Spodosol influenced by volcanic ash in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. Imogolite was found to be a major component of the clay fraction in the Bs and C horizons of these soils. Soil solutions were collected during the fall, winter and spring from the major genetic horizons. Following fractionation of Al into inorganic and organic complexes, saturation indices for various minerals were calculated. Weathering in the E and Bhs horizons was dominated by organic acids and Al transport occurred primarily as Al-organo complexes. Soil solutions in these horizons were highly undersaturated with respect to imogolite solubility. Therefore, imogolite soils would not be expected to form in these horizons and participate in transport of Al to the lower soil horizons. Soil solutions from the Bs and C horizons appeared to be in equilibrium with both the hydroxy aluminous interlayer of 2:1 layer silicates and imogolite. The hydrous aluminous interlayer appeared to control Al activities while imogolite regulates H{sub 4}SiO{sub 4} activities. This pattern suggests that the availability of soluble H{sub 4}SiO{sub 4} may limit the formation and dissolution of imogolite. Imogolite is a metastable mineral in themore » Bs and C horizons and its formation may occur under the present weathering environment which is dominated by H{sub 2}CO{sub 3}.« less
Multispectral imaging for medical diagnostics

We report the development of a multispectral imaging (MSI) device for medical diagnostic applications. The MSI device uses an acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) for wavelength selection and a two-dimensional charge-coupled device (CCD) for detection. Unlike a tunable grating or prism-based monochromator, the tunable filter has no moving parts, and can be rapidly tuned to any wavelength within its operating range. The large aperture of the AOTF and its high spatial resolution allows the optical image from an imaging fiber optic probe (IFP) to be recorded by the CCD. These characteristics, combined with their small size, make AOTFs important new alternatives to conventional monochromators, especially for spectral imaging in biomedical applications. Several applications of biomedical interest (fluorescence imaging, brain tissue imaging, etc.) are described to illustrate the usefulness of the MSI system.
Criminal justice theory: an introduction

Burke, Roger Hopkins. 2012. Criminal justice theory: an introduction. New York: Routledge. ISBN: 0415490979. pp. 277, pbk. Roger Burke’s Criminal Justice Theory is a continuation of his previous wo...
Combined treatment using adoptive cell therapy, extended pharmacokinetic IL-2, and tumor-specific antibodies leads to cures of established B16F10 tumors and extended in vivo T cell survival

IL2 is frequently given alongside adoptive cell therapy in order to enhance T cell function and survival, however, the protein has a poor pharmacokinetic profile and severe negative side effects. Fc-IL2 is a monovalent Fc fusion with IL2. The addition of the Fc domain to the cytokine significantly improved the persistence of the molecule in vivo, leading to enhanced activation of many types of immune cells, including T cells. The treatment described here is the combination of ACT, Fc-IL2, and/or antibodies targeting tumor associated antigens. The application of these three agents in preclinical experiments showed increased persistence of transferred cells, extended survival of treated animals, regression of tumor size (see Figure ​Figure1),1), and in some cases complete cures of established tumors with immune memory, as demonstrated by the rejection of secondary tumor challenge. Although the combination of all three agents was the most effective, the survival benefit of ACT and Fc-IL2 without antibody was significant enough to justify its use regardless of the availability of appropriate antibodies. The experimental model consisted of C57BL/6 mice subcutaneously injected with the B16F10 cell line. Following tumor establishment for 6 days, patient mice were lymphodepleted by total body irradiation and treated with a single injection of pmel-1 T cells, which express a T cell receptor (TCR) specific for B16F10 cells. In addition, over the next 24 days, 5 injections of Fc-IL2 and an antibody specific for B16F10 cells, TA99, were performed. Luciferase expressing pmel-1 cells were also injected in order to track the duration and intensity of the T cell response to the B16F10 tumors. These results show that effective adjuvants, such as Fc-IL2, have the potential to improve the clinical outcomes of adoptive cell therapy. Figure 1 Growth curves of B16F10 tumors treated with combination immunotherapy.
Decomposition methods for structural reliability analysis revisited

Abstract This paper presents new theoretical results to demonstrate that the referential dimensional decomposition (RDD) and cut-high-dimensional model representation (cut-HDMR), each developed independently and from a distinct perspective, lead to identical function approximations. Therefore, the reliability method stemming from the cut-HDMR approximation is precisely the same as the reliability method rooted in the RDD approximation. However, a second-moment error analysis finds neither the RDD approximation nor the cut-HDMR approximation to be optimal, whereas the approximation derived from the analysis-of-variance dimensional decomposition (ADD) results in minimum error for an arbitrary truncation. The expected errors from the RDD approximations are at least four to eight times larger than the errors from the ADD approximations. Therefore, further enhancements of decomposition-based reliability methods are possible by switching from RDD to ADD approximations. For both approximations, the decomposition can be truncated by an effective superposition dimension linked to respective approximation errors.
Probabilistic automata—a problem of Paz

Paz 1967 defines e -approximation of probabilistic finite acceptors (p.ac.) and proves that the class of e -approximable p.ac. languages is contained in the class of type 0 languages, but not in the class of regular sets. He conjectures that the class is not contained in the class of context-free languages. We prove that this conjecture is true. Our counter example is a modification of Paz's example of a nonregular language.
Bilateral processing of vestibular responses revealed by injecting lidocaine into the eighth cranial nerve in vitro.

Abstract Extracellular unit responses were recorded from the vestibular nucleus (VN) and medial longitudinal fasciculus during horizontal head rotation of an in vitro turtle brainstem in which the temporal bones remained attached. Units were characterized as type I or type II based on the responses to ipsiversive or contraversive rotation, respectively. Lidocaine injections (0.5–2 μl of 0.5%) into the root of the eighth cranial nerve within the cranium caused rapid effects on unit responses to head rotation. Responses of type I units were reduced by ipsilateral injection but enhanced following contralateral injection. On the other hand, type II units had their responses increased by ipsilateral injections yet decreased by contralateral injections. In approximately half of the type II cells, decrease of the contraversive response was accompanied by the appearance of latent ipsiversive activity. Our findings not only confirm that each eighth nerve has afferents that drive ipsiversive excitation of both vestibular nuclei but also suggest that both nerves compete to dominate a central neuron's vestibular response. These results may be inconsistent with the push–pull vestibular model in which each nerve drives the central neuron with a complementary response that enhances the vestibular output. An alternate model is described in which vestibular neurons receive bilateral excitation, and that excitatory input is antagonized by crossed inhibition during contraversive motion.
Ultraradical surgery for advanced carcinoma of the vulva: an update

From July 1, 1955 to March 31, 1989 24 patients with locally advanced vulvar cancer underwent ultraradical resection. Three patients had received prior radiotherapy. Seventeen of the 24 patients underwent posterior exenteration, four underwent anterior exenteration, and the remaining three required a total pelvic exenteration. One patient died 3 months postoperatively of fulminating infection considered to be a complication of the operation. Three other patients experienced serious complications, including postoperative hemorrhage, severe urinary sepsis, and colostomy stoma necrosis. Eleven (46%) of the 24 patients have remained alive without evidence of recurrent cancer for at least 3 years. Of the 10 patients known to have died of recurrent cancer, nine had positive lymph nodes at the time of surgery. It may be reasonable to utilize ultraradical surgery in patients with clearly resectable lesions who have negative or perhaps 1 or 2 microscopically positive regional lymph nodes.
Effects of Training and Melodic Features on Mode Perception

The two modes most widely used in Western music today convey opposite moods—â€”a distinction that nonmusicians and even young children are able to make. However, the current studies provide evidence that, despite a strong link between mode and affect, mode perception is problematic. Nonmusicians found mode discrimination to be harder than discrimination of other melodic features, and they were not able to accurately classify major and minor melodies with these labels. Although nonmusicians were able to classify major and minor melodies using affective labels, they performed at chance in mode discrimination. Training, in the form of short lessons given to nonmusicians and the natural musical experience of musicians, improved performance, but not to ceiling levels. Tunes with high note density were classified as major, and tunes with low note density as minor, even though these features were actually unrelated in the experimental material. Although these findings provide support for the importance of mode in the perception of emotion, they clearly indicate that these mode perceptions are inaccurate, even in trained individuals, without the assistance of affective labeling.
Management of the Kidney Transplant Recipient

The short-term outcomes of kidney transplant recipients have improved dramatically in the past 20 years, in large part resulting from the availability of more potent immunosuppressive drugs capable of preventing or treating acute allograft rejection. Ironically, side effects from these same immunosuppressants play a role in the long-term morbidity and mortality of this patient population. As kidney transplant recipients survive for longer periods of time with functioning allografts, primary care physicians will likely become more involved in their management, mandating at least a basic understanding of immunosuppression and its complications.