cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Plasmonic gold nanostar for biomedical sensing

Cancer has become one of most significant death reasons and causes approximately 7.9 million human deaths worldwide each year. The challenge to detect cancer at an early stage makes cancer-related biomarkers sensing attract more and more research interest and efforts. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) provides a promising method for various biomarkers (DNA, RNA, protein, et al.) detection due to its high sensitivity, specificity and capability for multiple analytes detection. Raman spectroscopy is a non-destructive photon-scattering technique, which provides molecule-specific information on molecular vibrational energy levels. SERS takes advantage of plasmonic effects and can enhance Raman signal up to 10 15 at “hot spots”. Due to its excellent sensitivity, SERS has been capable of achieving single-molecule detection limit. Local pH environment has been identified to be a potential biomarker for cancer diagnosis since solid cancer contains highly acidic environments. A near-infrared (NIR) SERS nanoprobe based on gold nanostars for pH sensing is developed for future cancer detection. Near-infrared (NIR) light is more suitable for in vivo applications because of its low attenuation rate and tissue auto fluorescence. SERS spectrum of pH reporter under various pH environments is monitored and used for pH sensing. Furthermore, density functional theory (DFT) calculation is performed to investigate Raman spectra changes with pH at the molecular level. The study demonstrates that SERS is a sensitive tool to monitor minor molecular structural changes due to local pH environment for cancer detection.
Modeling of analog film-file radiographic retrievals. A Markov chain.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Existing retrieval models for radiology film libraries have not incorporated the influence of previous retrievals. A Markov chain model for the retrieval rates from an analog film library is proposed as a means of considering this effect. METHODS A Markov chain model was developed for the retrieval rates of an analog film library. The Markov chain model required identification of the states of the Markov chain, the required one-step transition probabilities between states, and the initial state probabilities. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS The results from the Markov chain model compared favorably with the 30-day measurements (25,775 retrievals), but a large enough sample to determine a statistical confidence level was not considered.
A new method for the preparation of Δ1-pyrroline 5-carboxylic acid and proline

Abstract Hydroxylysine was oxidized with sodium metaperiodate and the major product characterized as Δ 1 -pyrroline 5-carboxylic acid by the visible spectrum of its o -aminobenzaldehyde complex and by its reduction to proline by subsequent treatment with sodium borohydride. The reduction product was positively identified as proline by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectral analysis. The pH dependence for the preparation of Δ 1 -pyrroline 5-carboxylic acid was determined by a study of the yields of proline obtained by variation of the pH values of the oxidative step. These observations support the hypothesis of intramolecular cyclization of α-aminoglutaric γ-semialdehyde as the second step in the reaction mechanism.
Predicting recurrent maltreatment among high-risk families: applying the Decision-Making Ecology Framework

Recurrent maltreatment is an easily measured indicator of the extent to which CPS agencies have met their primary objective; achieving safety for children reported as suspected victims of maltreatment. The familial and community factors that are important to the risk of maltreatment generally are likely to also affect the probability of recurrent maltreatment. However, recurrent maltreatment adds an important new dimension -- specifically; an initial maltreatment report requires some interaction with a CPS system. That is, many families encounter CPS, but, even among higher risk cases, only a portion of those experience recurrent involvement. It may be the case that the families who experience recurrent involvement have different initial risk factors, but the interaction between the family and the CPS system may also affect the probability that subsequent maltreatment will occur. The current study used hierarchical linear modeling to analyze data from the National Study of Child and Adolescent Well-being II. Specifically, in an application of the Decision-Making Ecology Framework (Baumann, Dalgeish, Fluke, & Kern, 2011), this study sought to understand what family, caseworker, agency, and community factors contribute to the risk of recurrent maltreatment among high-risk families.
Accuracy Assessment of Traffic Monitoring Devices Vehicle by Vehicle

Traffic monitoring devices count or classify vehicles or measure characteristics such as vehicle speed to portray traffic movement. The accuracy of these devices is often assessed by a comparison of aggregate or binned outputs with reference values. However, this process overlooks errors in the detection or measurement of individual vehicles. If vehicle-by-vehicle data are available, the accuracy analysis may be improved. Several methods are presented to assess traffic monitoring devices with vehicle-by-vehicle data. The approach taken is to use measures of agreement based on a frequency table, called a confusion matrix, which cross-classifies the data from traffic monitoring devices and a reference standard. In addition to the overall accuracy, several forms of the kappa statistic with and without weighting are presented. Prevalence is treated by normalization. Findings are illustrated by data from a study of automatic vehicle classifiers.
Low temperature synthesis of CaO-SiO2 glasses having stable liquid-liquid immiscibility by the sol-gel process

Calcium silicate glass compositions lying within the liquid-liquid immiscibility dome of the phase diagram, which could not have been prepared by the conventional melting method, have been synthesized by the sol-gel process. Hydrolysis and polycondensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) solutions containing up to 20 mol% calcium nitrate, resulted in the formation of clear and transparent gels. The gel formation time decreased with increase in water:TEOS mole ratio, calcium content and the reaction temperature. Smaller values of gel times in the presence of calcium nitrate are probably caused by lowering of the ionic charge on the sol particles by the salt present. The gelation activation energy,Egel was evaluated from the temperature dependence of the gel time. Neither the presence of Ca2+ ions nor the water:TEOS mole ratio had any appreciable effect on the value ofEgel The presence of glycerol in the solution helped in the formation of crack-free monolithic gel specimens. Chemical and structural changes occurring in the gels, as a function of the heat treatments, have been monitored using differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, surface-area and pore-size distribution measurements.
Synthesis of gold and palladium nanoshells by in situ generation of seeds on silica nanoparticle cores

This report describes the synthesis of silica–metal core–shell nanostructures by in situ generation of metal seeds on polyethyleneimine silane functionalized silica core surfaces eliminating the need for pre-synthesized metal seeds and a subsequent aging step, currently essential for synthesis of these materials. Specifically, gold nanoshells are generated on silica cores of two different sizes (∼150 and ∼40 nm diameter), following this in situ seed generation method. In addition, an aqueous suspension of gold nanoshells with ∼150 nm silica core and ∼18 nm shell thickness shows characteristic photo-thermal properties with ∼16 °C temperature change occurring from room temperature (25 °C) within ∼10 minutes when exposed to an 808 nm wavelength laser. This in situ seed-mediated synthesis is further extended to palladium nanoshells (on a ∼200 nm diameter silica core), and this paper reports for the first time the synthesis of palladium nanoshells from in situ generated palladium seeds on a silica core, unlike earlier reports of palladium nanoshell synthesis using solely gold nanoparticles as seeds to grow the final palladium shell. Different palladium shell thicknesses are generated by varying the concentration of seed-attached silica cores during the final synthesis step. For both gold and palladium nanoshell synthesis, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy are used to follow the different steps of this synthesis process. The results demonstrate that this in situ seed generation method is effective for gold nanoshell synthesis with varying core sizes as well as being able to produce nanoshells with different metal overlays.
The Impact of Distributive Systems and Gender on Perceptions of Social Relations1

A total of 120 male and female students were assigned to one of three distributive systems. After completing four tasks, subjects wcre shown a picture of a group and asked to write a story about the people and events in the picture. Judges then rated the stories on four dimensions of social relations. The written responses of individuals working under variable bonus systems were rated significantly more “competitive,”“task-oriented,”“formal,” and “unequal (in power)” than those of subjects assigned to a flat-rate system. Stories written by males were significantly more competitive than those of females.
Intracranial adenoid cystic carcinoma: Case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Adenoid cystic carcinoma (cylindroma) is a relatively common head and neck tumor that is slow growing, but locally aggressive and thus prone to recurrence. It is of particular interest to neurosurgeons and neurologists because of its tendency to locally infiltrate neural structures and to spread perineurally. Intracranial involvement has been regarded as rare. METHODS A case report of a patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma involving the Gasserian ganglion region is presented. The world literature on intracranial involvement of adenoid cystic carcinoma is reviewed. A discussion of the characteristics of this lesion is provided. RESULTS Our literature review revealed 119 previously reported cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma with intracranial involvement. Our case represents only the tenth reported intracranial case with an unknown primary site. CONCLUSIONS Although intracranial adenoid cystic carcinoma is regarded as rare, we have accumulated over 100 such reports. A wide variety of primary sites and intracranial sites have been described.
Permanent migrants to cities in China: hukou origin and earnings among men in an era of economic transformation

The massive volume of internal migration in China since the late 1970s has attracted considerable research attention. However, the integration of permanent migrants in cities during a time of economic transformation is understudied. Using information on earnings from the 2003 general social survey of China, this research examines whether permanent migrants are economically advantaged or disadvantaged in comparison to non-migrants in cities. We find that permanent migrants in cities tend to be economically advantaged and that their advantage depends more on human capital than on political capital. Nevertheless, this does not mean that political capital can be ignored. A nuanced view requires attention to how political and human capitals jointly affect earnings in specific economic sectors.
Oakland City Center: The Plan to Reposition Downtown within the Bay Region

This article examines the Oakland Redevelopment Agency's efforts (from the late 1950s through early 1980s) to revitalize the downtown core - the City Center project that leveled more than a score of older blocks and buildings, constructed a hotel and close to a dozen office buildings, yet failed to realize a regional shopping mall. City Center was premised on the idea that urban renewal, combined with Oakland's emerging centrality within the Bay Area's freeway and mass transit networks, would enable downtown to compete successfully with both San Francisco and the burgeoning suburbs. Yet unlike contemporaneous mega-projects that seemingly established Oakland as a key regional commercial attractor (e.g., the new container port and major-league sports complex), head-on competition with San Francisco (and the suburbs) for office, retail and hotel development proved a more difficult endeavor.
Benchmarking Current Conceptual High-Rise Design Processes

This paper presents an analysis of current conceptual design processes for high-rise buildings. We synthesize a method to document and measure these processes and use it to analyze data from several case studies and a survey of leading architectural and engineering design firms. We describe current high-rise conceptual design process in terms of the following: design team size, composition, and time investment; clarity of goal definition; number and range of design options generated; number and type of model-based analyses performed; and the criteria used for decision making. We identify several potential weaknesses in current design processes including lack of clarity in goal definition and a low quantity of generated and analyzed options. We argue that potentially higher performing designs are being left unconsidered and discuss the potential reasons and costs.
A Three-Dimensional Inviscid Flow Solver in Chimera Flow Simulation.

Abstract : Application of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to complex three-dimensional configurations is constrained by generation of the computational grid, accuracy limitations imposed by the discretization of the governing equations, and requirements for computational efficiency. The chimera grid technique seeks to take advantage of the computational efficiency and numerical accuracy developed for structured-grid CFD techniques and to take advantage of the geometric flexibility offered by overset grid mechanisms. The chimera method can provide the flexibility to employ boundary-conformal grids on aerodynamic components, refine the mesh selectively in regions of interest, and allow different flow models to be solved in different zones of the grid. The primary objective of this research is to develop the methodology for using the chimera technique on general three-dimensional configuration problems. This work focuses primarily on inviscid analysis, both as proof-of-concept and development for zonal CFD techniques.
Biomass Feedstock Harvest from Conservation Reserve Program Land in Northwestern Oklahoma

Development of a biofuel industry based on biomass will require large quantities of cellulosic feedstock. Among the proposals for acquiring this feedstock, without impacting other land uses such as food or forage, is the use of up to 50% of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land. Our objective was to determine CRP biomass production in northwestern Oklahoma and record the harvest impact on plant species composition, plant growth, and soil characteristics. Six CRP sites were harvested on three dates, early August, early October, and postfrost, for three consecutive years, 2004, 2005, and 2006. Three sites were Old World bluestem (OWB; Bothriochloa spp.) and three sites were native mixed species (NM). Across all years and harvest dates OWB produced 3790 kg ha -1 and NM produced 1920 kg ha -1 of dry biomass. Maximum yields were obtained at the October harvest for both OWB (4170 kg ha -1 ) and NM (2180 kg ha -1 ). There was no observed change in species composition or soil characteristics. Among all species evaluated, nitrogen, neutral detergent fiber, carbon, and ash concentrations varied significantly. Within NM, production of dry biomass among native grass species differed and ranged from 213 g plant -1 for big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) to 14 g plant -1 for sand lovegrass [Eragrostis trichodes (Nutt.) Alph. Wood]. Biomass production consistently declined at all sites and for all harvest dates over the three harvest years, but the greatest decline in yield was for OWB.
Comparison of DOE and Army Advisory Boards: Application of a Conceptual Framework for Evaluating Public Participation in Environmental Risk Decision Making

This article is part of a growing body of literature evaluating public participation approaches and implementation efforts. It compares the characteristics and performance of citizen advisory boards established by the U.S. Department of Energy's Environmental Restoration and Waste Management Program (DOE/EM) and by the U.S. Department of Defense's Army (DoD/Army) as a major part of the public participation programs that were undertaken to help the agencies plan and implement the cleanup of their contaminated installations. We first present the elements of the Acceptability Diamond, an evaluative framework developed by the authors through extensive fieldwork on public-federal agency interactions that identify five objectives of agency/public interactions and public participation programs, and link them to existing literature. We then use the Acceptability Diamond as a basis for comparing the performance of the DOE/EM and DoD/Army advisory boards. In the early 1990s, both DOE and DoD participated in the Federal Facilities Environmental Restoration Dialogue Committee (known as the FFER Dialogue Committee) and were influenced by the Committee's recommendations on public participation. However, the Site Specific Advisory Boards (SSABs) subsequently established by DOE/EM and the Restoration Advisory Boards (RABs) subsequently established by DoD and the Army were governed by significantly different policies and management.more » We describe some of these key differences and compare the performance of the SSABs and RABs. The article draws on a series of research studies conducted by the authors on the DOE/EM public participation program from its inception in the early 1990s through its transition to accelerated cleanup in 2002 and also on a recently completed study of seven Army RABs.« less
A Rasch-Based Validation of the Vocabulary Size Test.

The primary purpose of this study was to provide preliminary validity evidence for a 140-item form of the Vocabulary Size Test, which is designed to measure written receptive knowledge of the first...
Bacillary angiomatosis of the anterior orbit, eyelid, and conjunctiva.

Abstract PURPOSE: To report a case of bacillary angiomatosis of the lower eyelid, conjunctiva, and anterior orbit. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: A 76-year-old immunocompromised male patient developed a firm vascularized nodule in his left lower eyelid and anterior orbit. RESULTS: An excisional biopsy was performed. Histopathologic examination revealed an abnormal vascular proliferation and a mixed inflammatory infiltrate. A Warthin-Starry stain showed numerous bacilli. These findings are characteristic of bacillary angiomatosis. A serologic specimen was positive for antibodies to Bartonella Quintana . CONCLUSION: The lower lid and anterior orbit are rare locations for bacillary angiomatosis. Our case brings to attention the increasing importance of Bartonella infection as a causative agent of ophthalmic diseases.
Inflammation-induced atrial fibrillation: Pathophysiological perspectives and clinical implications

Although atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia, its etiology is unknown in nearly 10% of cases. Growing evidence suggests that inflammation plays a significant role in the onset and recurrence of AF. The role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of AF has important clinical implications of which many practitioners are unfamiliar. In this article, we describe a case of a 29-year-old male, who presents the emergency department with inflammation-induced AF, secondary to acute appendicitis. The latter condition was initially missed due to the unclear link between both presentations. By the time the AF was pharmacologically managed, the inflamed appendix perforated, resulting in unnecessary pain and suffering. After the perforated appendix was drained and removed surgically, the patient recovered well, and a follow up echocardiogram was normal. Here we give a brief overview of the pathophysiological perspective linking AF to inflammation and subsequent clinical considerations in patient management.
Pax6 regulation of Math5 during mouse retinal neurogenesis

Activation of the bHLH factor Math5 (Atoh7) is an initiating event for mammalian retinal neurogenesis, as it is critically required for retinal ganglion cell formation. However, the cis-regulatory elements and trans-acting factors that control Math5 expression are largely unknown. Using a combination of transgenic mice and bioinformatics, we identified a phylogenetically conserved regulatory element that is required to activate Math5 transcription during early retinal neurogenesis. This element drives retinal expression in vivo, in a cross-species transgenic assay. Previously, Pax6 was shown to be necessary for the initiation of Math5 mRNA expression. We extend this finding by showing that the Math5 retinal enhancer also requires Pax6 for its activation, via Pax6 binding to a highly conserved binding site. In addition, our data reveal that other retinal factors are required for accurate regulation of Math5 by Pax6.
Changes in physical activity beliefs and behaviors of boys and girls across the transition to junior high school

Abstract Purpose: This longitudinal study investigated gender-specific changes in physical activity beliefs and behaviors across the elementary to junior high school transition. Methods: Physical activity beliefs and behaviors were measured in a cohort of 132 racially diverse youth during the year prior to and following the transition. Questionnaires assessed variables hypothetically linked to activity. Physical activity was monitored with the Child/Adolescent Activity Log. Results: Gender differences in physical activity beliefs emerged. Across the transition, boys reported decreased efficacy, social support, and expectations (norms) to be physically active. Although girls also reported decreased social support for physical activity, they further reported exposure to fewer active role models and were less likely to perceive that the benefits of regular activity outweighed the barriers following the transition. Gender differences in activity levels were apparent, with girls being less active than boys. Despite changes in physical activity beliefs across the school transition, no significant changes in actual level of activity occurred over this period. Although beliefs were significantly related to behaviors in the domain of physical activity, pretransition activity level was the best predictor of posttransition activity level. Conclusions: These data indicate that physical activity beliefs of adolescents change over the school transition. These changes are significantly, but not highly, related to level of physical activity. Future research should explore the influences of activity-related affect and social and physical contexts on physical activity across adolescence.
Fluoride ion encapsulation by Mg2+ ions and phosphates in a fluoride riboswitch.

Significant advances in our understanding of RNA architecture, folding and recognition have emerged from structure–function studies on riboswitches, non-coding RNAs whose sensing domains bind small ligands and whose adjacent expression platforms contain RNA elements involved in the control of gene regulation. We now report on the ligand-bound structure of the Thermotoga petrophila fluoride riboswitch, which adopts a higher-order RNA architecture stabilized by pseudoknot and long-range reversed Watson–Crick and Hoogsteen A•U pair formation. The bound fluoride ion is encapsulated within the junctional architecture, anchored in place through direct coordination to three Mg2+ ions, which in turn are octahedrally coordinated to water molecules and five inwardly pointing backbone phosphates. Our structure of the fluoride riboswitch in the bound state shows how RNA can form a binding pocket selective for fluoride, while discriminating against larger halide ions. The T. petrophila fluoride riboswitch probably functions in gene regulation through a transcription termination mechanism. A riboswitch that binds fluoride was identified recently, which is surprising because both RNA and fluoride are negatively charged; here it is shown that the fluoride ion is coordinated to three positively charged magnesium ions, which are further encased in a negatively charged shell of RNA backbone phosphates and water molecules. Riboswitches are untranslated, structured regions of messenger RNA molecules that adopt and bind a ligand to affect its expression. The recent identification of a riboswitch that binds fluoride was a surprise, because both fluoride and RNA are negatively charged. Dinshaw Patel and colleagues have now determined the structure of the fluoride riboswitch from Thermotoga petrophila, and show how this unlikely contribution can occur. The fluoride ligand is coordinated to three positively charged magnesium ions, which are further encased in a negatively charged shell of backbone phosphates and water molecules. The size of the binding pocket excludes the binding of larger halide ions.
LINKERS: A simulation programming system for generating populations with genetic structure

Abstract Significant features are described of a Monte Carlo simulation system. LINKERS, that generates nuclear family data conforming to one locus and two loci genetic models. Software engineering techniques help to produce a user friendly environment for studies of genetic ascertainment. LINKERS' 39 code modules are maintained and optimized using VAXset. Within a VAX/VMS workstation environment LINKERS generates a useful population of 10,000 families in 1 min. An example is presented to illustrate the use of LINKERS. Generated data were analysed using the segregation program POINTER. Likelihood ratio tests showed the effects of multiple alleles, gene frequency and incorrect specification of disease prevalence.
Low-contrast enhancement for electro-optic data

Laser line scan imagery has been found to have fluctuating brightness regions due to high/low signal strengths when scanning data. The low signal strength regions can obscure visibility of potential mines, sometimes to the point of preventing identification by an operator inspecting the data. Two contrast enhancement routines have been developed to enhance obscured objects in the low signal strength regions: a background equalization routine that equalizes the high/low signal strength regions and a local histogram clipping routine that applies a moving window histogram clip to enhance details in the low strength regions without effecting the high strength regions.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Current Management of Infectious Complications in the Injecting Drug User

Abstract The diagnosis and management of infectious complications associated with injection drug use (IDU) are among some of the more challenging aspects of working with substance abusing populations. As the population of injection drug users age, we expect the number and severity of these complications to increase. Commonly seen infections, such as bacterial endocarditis and bacterial infections of bones, joints, and soft tissue, are now frequently complicated by concurrent immunodeficiency. Parenterally and sexually transmitted viral hepatitis is responsible for significant IDU morbidity and mortality. The human leukemia/lymphoma virus types I and II are increasing in prevalence in the IDU with uncertain long-term clinical effects. Immune dysfunction has been described in the IDU for decades, but the impact of host immune compromise on the transmission and the course of HIV-1 has yet to be fully appreciated. The integration of the treatment of substance abuse and its concurrent psychiatric disorders with the management of infectious complications, including immunodeficiency, promises to improve patient compliance with possible savings of overall medical costs. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.
Optimization of Coordinated–Actuated Traffic Signal System: Stochastic Optimization Method Based on Shuffled Frog-Leaping Algorithm

Study has shown that about half of the traffic signalized intersections in the United States need to be reoptimized. Even though many traffic signal control systems have been upgraded from pretimed controllers to actuated and adaptive controllers, traffic signal optimization software has not kept up with such advances. For example, existing commercial traffic signal timing optimization programs such as SYNCHRO and TRANSYT-7F do not optimize advanced controller settings (e.g., minimum green time, extension time, detector settings) available in modern traffic controllers. This deficiency is due partly to existing programs, which are based on macroscopic simulation tools that do not explicitly consider individual vehicular movements. To overcome such a shortcoming, a stochastic optimization method (SOM) was proposed and successfully applied to a few case studies. This study presents some enhancements made in the SOM and case study results from an arterial network consisting of 16 signalized intersections. Th...
The removal of nutrients and organics by activated algae

Abstract Eutrophication is a historical as well as contemporary problem facing the environmental health engineer. The problem of eutrophication has been attributed to the abundance of nutrients available for algal proliferation. Specifically, the nutrients identified as the major etiological elements in combination with other factors, are nitrogen and phosphorus. This research developed and evaluated a process by which nitrogen and phosphorus could be removed from waste water. The nutrient removal process was entitled “Activated Algae” and was developed for the removal of organic wastes as well as nutrient elements. The underlying theory for this nutrient removal process is that of an algal—bacterial symbiosis. The main objective of this study was the determination of fundamental operating parameters such as a light-dark cycle, detention period, light intensity, and biomass concentration, which engender an effective nutrient and organic waste removal process. The results of this research indicate that the activated algae system is an effective nutrient and organic waste removal process, which possesses the property of bioflocculation that produces a relatively solids-free effluent. The development of a workable field-size activated algae system is very much dependent upon pilot plant research, which has to be founded on fundamental operating precepts developed at the laboratory scale. Thus, it is at the laboratory scale that this research attains its full significance in the systems approach to the development of a field-size activated algae process.
Impact of Leader Racial Attitude on Ratings of Causes and Solutions for an Employee of Color Shortage

Diversity scholars have emphasized the critical role of corporate leaders for ensuring the success of diversity strategic initiatives in organizations. This study reports on business school leaders’ attributions regarding the causes for and solutions to the low representation of U.S. faculty of color in business schools. Results indicatethat leaders with greater awareness of racial issues rated an inhospitable organizational culture as a more important cause and cultural change and recruitment as more important solutions to faculty of color under-representation than did less racially aware respondents. Aware leaders also rated individual minority-group member responsibility for performance a less important solution than did less racially aware respondents. Implications are discussed.
Identification and Characterization of GFRα-3, a Novel Co-receptor Belonging to the Glial Cell Line-derived Neurotrophic Receptor Family

Abstract A new family of neuronal survival factors comprised of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and neurturin has recently been described (Kotzbauer, P. T., Lampe, P. A., Heuckeroth, R. O., Golden, J. P., Creedon, D. J., Johnson, E. M., Jr., and Milbrandt, J. (1997)Nature 384, 467–470). These molecules, which are related to transforming growth factor-β, are important in embryogenesis and in the survival of distinct neuronal populations. These molecules signal through a novel receptor system that includes the Ret receptor tyrosine kinase, a ligand (i.e. GDNF or neurturin), and an accessory glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-linked molecule that is responsible for high affinity binding of the ligand. Two accessory molecules denoted GDNF family receptor 1 and 2 (GFRα-1 and GFRα-2) have been described that function in GDNF and neurturin signaling complexes. We have identified a novel co-receptor belonging to this family based on similarity to GFRα-1, which we have named GFRα-3. GFRα-3 displays 33% amino acid identity with GFRα-1 and 36% identity with GFRα-2. Despite the similarity of GFRα-3 to GFRα-1 and GFRα-2, it is unable to activate Ret in conjunction with GDNF, suggesting that there are likely additional undiscovered ligands and/or Ret-like receptors to be identified. GFRα-3 is anchored to the cell membrane by a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C-resistant glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol linkage. GFRα-3 is highly expressed by embryonic day 11 but is not appreciably expressed in the adult mouse.In situ hybridization analyses demonstrate that GFRα-3 is located in dorsal root ganglia and the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion. Comparison of the expression patterns of GFRα-3 and Ret suggests that these molecules could form a receptor pair and interact with GDNF family members to play unique roles in development.
Accuracy of a Lactometric Field Test for Measuring Solids-Not-Fat Content of Milk,

Summary The solids-not-fat (SNF) content of milk can be measured with sufficient accuracy in the field by DHIA supervisors using the small Watson-pattern lactometer if readings are made at 102 ± 0.5° F. In the first of two trials, comparisons between field and laboratory measurements showed small differences due to improper temperature control. No practical differences between field and laboratory were observed in the second trial. The mean difference between lactometer readings in the field and in the laboratory was 0.28 lactometer degree. Accuracy to 0.5 lactometer degree is comparable to the accuracy of the Babcock test for fat. Correlations between field and laboratory tests, between duplicate samples in the field, and between duplicate samples in the laboratory were .96, .98, and .98, respectively, for the first trial, and .97, .99, and .99, respectively, for the second trial.
Breakdown of the local density approximation in interacting systems of cold fermions in strongly anisotropic traps

We consider spin-polarized mixtures of cold fermionic atoms on the BEC side of the Feshbach resonance. We demonstrate that a strongly anisotropic confining potential can give rise to a double-peak structure in the axial distribution of the density difference and a polarization-dependent aspect ratio of the minority species. Both phenomena appear as a result of the breakdown of the local density approximation for the phase-separated regime. We speculate on the implications of our findings for the unitary regime.
Sojourner in the Promised Land: Forty Years Among the Mormons

Over the course of four decades, Jan Shipps has become the preeminent non-Mormon interpreter of Mormonism. This important work assembles Shipps's writing about this tradition over the past thirty years, much of it published here for the first time. It also does something more. "Sojourner in the Promised Land" presents an unusual parallel history in which Shipps surrounds her professional writings about the Latter-day Saints with an ongoing personal description of her encounters with them. By combining a portrait of the dynamic evolution of contemporary Mormonism with absorbing intellectual autobiography, Shipps illuminates the Mormons and at the same time reveals her experience of being an intimate outsider in a culture that remains for her both familiar and strange. Among an array of other topics, Shipps discusses the methods she developed for researching and writing about the Mormon religion and its history. She reflects on how her circumstances made her - even as she maintained her Methodist standing - a virtual extension of the LDS public communications division. She also assesses media images of the Mormons and addresses the question of whether Mormonism is Christian. Most important, this volume reveals how, by being in the right place at the right time, Shipps was able to observe firsthand Mormonism's conversion from an provincial to a universal belief system. Her insights into this dramatic transformation reveal the implications, highly pertinent to contexts far removed from Mormonism, of dislodging a faith system from the specific cultural context of its origins and translating it into an adaptive system capable of adjusting to the conditions of many cultures. Infused with Shipps's lively curiosity, her scholarly rigor, and her contagious fascination with a significant subculture, "Sojourner in the Promised Land" stands as a major addition to Mormon scholarship.
The drosophila schnurri gene acts in the Dpp/TGFβ signaling pathway and encodes a transcription factor homologous to the human MBP family

Abstract Decapentaplegic (dpp), a TGFβ-related ligand, plays a key role in Drosophila development. Although dpp receptors have been isolated, the downstream components of the signaling pathway remain to be identified. We have cloned the schnurri(shnn) gene and show that it encodes a putative zinc finger transcription factor homologous to the human major histocompatibility complex-binding proteins 1 and 2. Mutations in shn affect multiple events that require dpp signaling as well as the transcription of dpp-responsive genes. Genetic interactions and the strikingly similar phenotypes of mutations in shn and the dpp receptors encoded by thick veins and punt suggest that shn plays a downstream role in dpp signaling.
Modulation of Atrioventricular Nodal Function by Metabolic and Allosteric Regulators of Endogenous Adenosine in Guinea Pig Heart

Background There has been increasing interest in the development of agents that utilize endogenous adenosine to exert their actions. We tested the hypothesis that substances that either potentiate the activity (allosteric enhancers) or increase the interstitial concentration (inhibitors of metabolism) of endogenous adenosine may cause event (tachycardia)-specific depression of AV nodal conduction. Methods and Results The frequency-dependent effects of iodotubercidin (ITU, an inhibitor of adenosine kinase), erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine (EHNA, an inhibitor of adenosine deaminase), draflazine (a nucleoside transport blocker), and PD81,723 (an allosteric enhancer of the A1 adenosine receptor binding) on the stimulus-to–His bundle (SH) interval, a measure of AV nodal conduction, were determined in guinea pig hearts and compared with those of adenosine and diltiazem. All drugs depressed AV nodal conduction in a frequency-dependent manner. The ratios of SH interval prolongations at fast to slow pacing ra...
Interlaminar fracture toughness of woven fabric composite laminates with carbon nanotube/epoxy interleaf films

The Mode I interlaminar fracture behavior of woven carbon fiber/epoxy composite laminates incorporating partially cured carbon nanotube/epoxy composite films has been investigated. Laminates with films containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the as-received state and functionalized with polyamidoamine were evaluated, as well as laminates with neat epoxy films. Double-cantilever beam (DCB) specimens were used to measure GIc, the critical strain energy release rate (fracture toughness) versus crack length. Post-fracture microscopic inspection of the fracture surfaces was performed. Results show that initial fracture toughness was improved with the amino-functionalized CNT/epoxy interleaf films, but the important factor appears to be the polyamidoamine functionalization, not the CNTs. The initial fracture toughness remained relatively unaffected with the incorporation of neat epoxy and as-received CNT/epoxy interleaf films. Plateau fracture toughness was unchanged with the use of functionalized CNT/epoxy interleaf films, and was reduced with the use of neat epoxy and as-received CNT/epoxy interleaf films. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Influence of evaporation in semi-arid regions on the July circulation: A numerical study

In this study, two 47-day simulations were made with the general circulation model of the Goddard Laboratory for Atmospheric Sciences starting from the observed initial conditions for 15 June (00Z) 1979 as produced by NMC analysis. In the first simulation, the soil moisture was normally initialized and then allowed to vary by the model generated surface water balance. In the second simulation, the evaporation was prescribed and maintained zero in four chosen semi-arid regions: the Sahel, the Thar Desert border in the Indian subcontinent, the Great Plains in North America and north-east Brazil in South America. Elsewhere the soil moisture was calculated as in the first simulation. The two runs were identical in all other respects. The local climatology simulated by the GCM was analysed in the four anomaly regions. The mean July precipitation increased slightly in the Great Plains and Sahel regions, while it increased substantially (∼70 per cent) in the Thar Desert border region. However, in the north-east Brazil region it decreased slightly. Relative thermal lows were created in each region, along with enhanced rising motion. There was also an increase in the mean monthly diabatic heating in all four regions. An analysis of the vertical structure of the moisture convergence field revealed that there was an increase in the low level moisture convergence in all of the anomaly regions. This compensated for the local moisture deficit created by the lack of evaporation. These results are based on one set of simulations representing the month of July. Further simulations would be required in order to evaluate their statistical significance.
Identification of a second site compensatory mutation in the Fe-protein that allows diazotrophic growth of Azotobacter vinelandii UW97.

Abstract Azotobacter vinelandii UW97 is defective in nitrogen fixation due to a replacement of serine at position 44 by phenylalanine in the Fe-protein [Pulakat, L., Hausman, B.S., Lei, S. and Gavini, N. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 1884–1889]. Serine residue 44 is located in a conserved domain that links the nucleotide binding site and the MoFe-protein docking surface of the Fe-protein. Therefore, it is possible that the loss of function by A. vinelandii UW97-Fe-protein may be caused by global conformational disruption or disruption of the conformational change upon MgATP binding. To determine whether it is possible to generate a functional nitrogenase complex via a compensating second site mutation(s) in the Fe-protein, we have attempted to isolate genetic revertants of A. vinelandii UW97 that can grow on nitrogen-free medium. One such revertant, designated A vinelandii BG9, encoded a Fe-protein that retained the Ser44Phe mutation and also had a second mutation that caused the replacement of a lysine at position 170 by glutamic acid. Lysine 170 is highly conserved and is located in a conserved region of the Fe-protein. This region is implicated in stabilizing the MgATP-induced conformation of the Fe-protein and in docking to the MoFe-protein. Further complementation analysis showed that the Fe-protein mutant that retained serine 44 but contained the substitution of lysine at position 170 by glutamic acid was also non-functional. Thus, neither Ser44Phe nor Lys170Glu mutants of Fe-protein were functional; however, the Fe-protein in A. vinelandii BG9 that contained both substitutions could support diazotrophic growth on the strain.
Further Analysis of the Effects of Offshore Assembly Provisions on the US Tariff Structure

This article conceptually extends a previous analysis of the impact of Offshore Assembly Provisions (OAP) upon Effective Rates of Protection (ERPs). Allowance is made for the fact that the OAP incentive to foreign assemblers to use US components will bid up the price of the components. Expressions are obtained for the relationship between the “standard” ERP, the ERP with OAP in effect, and the nominal rate of protection.
Structure and Function in Rhodopsin. Single Cysteine Substitution Mutants in the Cytoplasmic Interhelical E−F Loop Region Show Position-Specific Effects in Transducin Activation†

The cytoplasmic interhelical E-F loop in rhodopsin is a part of the region that interacts with the G-protein transducin and rhodopsin kinase during signal transduction. In extending the previous work on systematic single cysteine substitutions of the amino acids in the cytoplasmic C-D loop, we have now replaced, one at a time, the amino acids Q225-I256 in the E-F loop region by cysteines. All the mutants formed the characteristic rhodopsin chromophore with 11-cis-retinal. While most of the mutants bleached normally, L226C, showed abnormal bleaching behavior. A study of the alkylation of the mutants by N-ethylmaleimide in dark showed low reactivity by some mutants, especially L226C. The rates of transducin activation (GT(alpha)-GTP gamma S complex formation) were measured for all the mutants. While these were normal for the bulk of the mutants, some (L226C, T229C, V230C, A233C, A234C, T242C, T243C, and Q244C) showed strikingly reduced transducin activation. The results suggest a specific structure in the E-F loop that interacts with transducin.
Simulation of strong turbulent buoyant flow in a vented complex enclosure

A three-dimensional field model for turbulent flow in an arbitrary compartment, taking into account strong buoyancy, full compressibility, turbulence, surface-surface radiation exchange, and wall heat losses is utilized to simulate a full-scale fire test in a fire room with open doorways located in a decommissioned nuclear reactor containment vessel in Germany. Results show that reasonable agreement in the numerical and test data in the unsteady temperature field at three locations inside the fire room was obtained, even though the numerical simulation underestimated the doorway instantaneous exit velocities by as much as 40%. The discrepancies are discussed in terms of both test uncertainties and adequacy of the physical submodels utilized in the field model.