cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seismic gaps and earthquakes

[1] McCann et al. [1979] published a widely cited seismic gap'' model ascribing earthquake potential categories to 125 zones surrounding the Pacific Rim. Nishenko [ 1991] published an updated and revised version including probability estimates of characteristic earthquakes with specified magnitudes within each zone. These forecasts are now more than 20 and 10 years old, respectively, and sufficient data now exist to test them rather conclusively. For the McCann et al. forecast, we count the number of qualifying earthquakes in the several categories of zones. We assume a hypothetical probability consistent with the gap model ( e. g., red zones have twice the probability of green zones) and test against the null hypothesis that all zones have equal probability. The gap hypothesis can be rejected at a high confidence level. Contrary to the forecast of McCann et al., the data suggest that the real seismic potential is lower in the gaps than in other segments, and plate boundary zones are not made safer by recent earthquakes. For the 1991 Nishenko hypothesis, we test the number of filled zones, the likelihood scores of the observed and simulated catalogs, and the likelihood ratio of the gap hypothesis to a Poissonian null hypothesis. For earthquakes equal to or larger than the characteristic magnitude, the new seismic gap hypothesis failed at the 95% confidence level in both the number and ratio tests. If we lower the magnitude threshold by 0.5 for qualifying earthquakes, the new gap hypothesis passes the number test but fails in both the likelihood and likelihood ratio tests at the 95% confidence level.
Linear pressure coupled frequency response of heterogeneous solid propellants

Classical Quasi-Steady Homogeneous One-Dimensional (QSHOD) transient propellant combustion theory is revisited with the objective of extending it to heterogeneous propellants through a statistical averaging technique. The linearized QSHOD response of burning rate to pressure is rederived. Throughout the derivation, the response function is viewed as a relation among the boundary conditions at the propellant surface. This viewpoint helps clarify how the properties of the response function arise from the mathematics. Heterogeneous propellants are treated as a statistical ensemble of small, quasi-one-dimensional pieces, each having a QSHOD-like response. Including compositional fluctuations at the burning surface in the local response function is briefly discussed. However, modeling these sorts of fluctuations as linear perturbations about some mean surface composition is probably not representative of typical heterogeneous propellants, because local compositional fluctuations are not infinitestinal and can be quite large depending on the length scale one is considering. For situations in which the time scale of the oscillatory perturbation is smaller than the time scale of the local fluctuations in burning rate inherent to the steady-state burning of a heterogeneous propellant, the framework can be used to examine the effects that local scaling can have of the burning-rate response. Some elementary calculations are performed to show how the bulk-mode response can differ significantly from the local response when the burning rate is not constant over the propellant surface.
On Simultaneous Stabilization with Almost Disturbance Decoupling

In this paper we study the problem of stabilization with almost disturbance decoupling for a family of linear time-invariant finite dimensional uniform rank plants with a fixed controller. It is shown that for a family of minimum phase plants which have a fixed and known upper bound on their order of infinite zeros and have high frequency gain matrices satisfying a certain condition, such a fixed controller exists.
Bias analysis for ESPRIT-type estimation algorithms

A statistical analysis using perturbation expansion is applied to the DOA estimation bias for ESPRIT, state-space realization (TAM), and matrix-pencil algorithms, assuming that only a finite amount of array data is available. The authors have obtained an analytical expression for the DOA estimation bias in a simple and self-contained fashion. The tractable formula provides insight to the algorithms. Simulation results verify the analytically predicted performance. >
Evidences for zeolite nucleation at the solid-liquid interface of gel cavities

The entire sequence of crystallization events, starting with formation of the initial organic-cation-free gel, proceeding through the zeolite nucleation stage, and finishing with complete transformation into LTA-type zeolite crystals, has been monitored by means of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Formation and development of voids, containing highly hydrated material transformed later into negative crystals, has been discovered in the solid part of the system. The evolution of these areas has been found to be an integral and noteworthy part of the chemical transformation of the gel that preceded the nucleation in the system. These void structures and, in particular, their solid-liquid interfaces have been identified as the specific locations where the formation of protozeolite nuclei took place. Further development of the system followed the classical for zeolite-yielding systems of crystallization that could be described by the autocatalytic model.
Efficacy of Metrifonate in Improving the Psychiatric and Behavioral Disturbances of Patients with Alzheimer's Disease:

Neuropsychiatric and behavioral symptoms are frequent and problematic components of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In two previously reported studies, metrifonate was shown to benefit behavioral symptoms as assessed by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). In this post hoc analysis, detailed studies were completed to determine the effects of metrifonate on individual symptoms. This study was a retrospective analysis of pooled NPI data from two double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter 26-week studies of metrifonate that had achieved similar levels of cholinesterase inhibition. Mild-to-moderate probable AD patients received placebo (n = 222) or metrifonate (n = 450) 30 to 60 mg by weight or a 50-mg fixed dose once daily. At 26 weeks, metrifonate-treated patients had significantly reduced NPI total scores (P = .001) and fewer neuropsychiatric symptoms when compared with placebo-treated patients, including hallucinations (P = .004), agitation/aggression (P = .006), depression/dysphoria (P = .011), apathy (P = .019), and aberrant motor behavior (P = .008). Metrifonate reduced or stabilized neuropsychiatric disturbances in 60% of symptomatic patients. Almost 40% of metrifonate-treated patients had a clinically relevant reduction (> or = 30% decrease in NPI score) in their neuropsychiatric disturbances (P = .002). High proportions of metrifonate-treated patients manifested clinically relevant reductions in anxiety (58%, P = .009), apathy (51%, P = .020), and depression/dysphoria (50%, P = .021) compared to placebo. The metrifonate-associated reductions in NPI scores were evident by week 12 and were maintained for the 26-week study period. There was an overall effect size of metrifonate of approximately 15% on total NPI scores when compared to placebo. Metrifonate significantly reduced many of the psychiatric and behavioral symptoms of AD. The observations suggest that enhancement of cholinergic functions in AD has beneficial effects on behavior.
Prospects for quantifying structure, floristic composition and species richness of tropical forests

Airborne spectral and light detection and ranging (lidar) sensors have been used to quantify biophysical characteristics of tropical forests. Lidar sensors have provided high-resolution data on forest height, canopy topography, volume, and gap size; and provided estimates on number of strata in a forest, successional status of forests, and above-ground biomass. Spectral sensors have provided data on vegetation types, foliar biochemistry content of forest canopies, tree and canopy phenology, and spectral signatures for selected tree species. A number of advances are theoretically possible with individual and combined spectral and lidar sensors for the study of forest structure, floristic composition and species richness. Delineating individual canopies of over-storey trees with small footprint lidar and discrimination of tree architectural types with waveform distributions is possible and would provide scientists with a new method to study tropical forest structure. Combined spectral and lidar data can be used to identify selected tree species and identify the successional status of tropical forest fragments in order to rank forest patches by levels of species richness. It should be possible in the near future to quantify selected patterns of tropical forests at a higher resolution than can currently be undertaken in the field or from space.
The 26 December 2004 tsunami source estimated from satellite radar altimetry and seismic waves

The 26 December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was the first earthquake tsunami of its magnitude to occur since the advent of both digital seismometry and satellite radar altimetry. Both have independently recorded the event from different physical aspects. The seismic data has then been used to estimate the earthquake fault parameters, and a three-dimensional ocean-general-circulation-model (OGCM) coupled with the fault information has been used to simulate the satellite-observed tsunami waves. Here we show that these two datasets consistently provide the tsunami source using independent methodologies of seismic waveform inversion and ocean modeling. Cross-examining the two independent results confirms that the slip function is the most important condition controlling the tsunami strength, while the geometry and the rupture velocity of the tectonic plane determine the spatial patterns of the tsunami.
Culturing MDCK Cells in Three Dimensions for Analyzing Intracellular Dynamics

Epithelial cells grown in three-dimensional (3-D) cultures of extracellular matrix differentiate into a multicellular structure of polarized cells. This process shares many characteristics with the physiological development of an epithelial tissue and the formation of polarity in epithelial cells. Imaging 3-D cultures of polarized epithelial cells is therefore a powerful tool to study epithelial architecture and morphogenesis under close-to-physiological conditions. The new generation of confocal microscopes allows live-cell imaging of fluorescently tagged molecules in these cultures. This opens up new opportunities for studying how molecules behave and are distinguished asymmetrically within a 3-D setting. This unit discusses technical aspects for culturing and imaging MDCK 3-D culture for both fixed 3-D cultures and live-cell imaging.
Exploring the DNA Binding Interactions of the Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Lytic Switch Protein by Selective Amplification of Bound Sequences In Vitro

The lytic switch protein RTA of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) can be targeted to DNA by either direct sequence-specific recognition or via protein-protein interactions with host transcription factors. We have searched for sequences capable of direct RTA binding by screening synthetic oligonucleotide pools and KSHV genomic libraries for RTA-interacting elements, using repeated cycles of in vitro binding followed by amplification of the bound sequences. Multiple low-affinity sequences were recovered from the random pools, with generation of only a weak consensus sequence. The genomic library, by contrast, yielded many biologically relevant fragments, most of which could be shown to interact with RTA in vitro and some of which likely play important regulatory roles in vivo. Surprisingly, the most highly selected fragment came from the promoter of a late gene (gB) and contained at least two direct RTA binding sites, as well as one RBP-Jkappa binding site. This raises the possibility that some late KSHV genes may also be subject to direct RTA regulation, though indirect models are not excluded.
Functional Analysis of the Exported Type IV HSP40 Protein PfGECO in Plasmodium falciparum Gametocytes

During Plasmodium falciparum infection, host red blood cell (RBC) remodeling is required for the parasite's survival. Such modifications are mediated by the export of parasite proteins into the RBC that alter the architecture of the RBC membrane and enable cytoadherence. It is probable that some exported proteins also play a protective role against the host defense response. This may be of particular importance for the gametocyte stage of the life cycle that is responsible for malaria transmission, since the gametocyte remains in contact with blood as it proceeds through five morphological stages (I to V) during its 12-day maturation. Using microarray analysis, we identified several genes with encoded secretory or export sequences that were differentially expressed during early gametocytogenesis. One of these, PfGECO, encodes a predicted type IV heat shock protein 40 (HSP40) that we show is expressed in gametocyte stages I to IV and is exported to the RBC cytoplasm. HSPs are traditionally induced under stressful conditions to maintain homeostasis, but PfGECO expression was not increased upon heat shock, suggesting an alternate function. Targeted disruption of PfGECO indicated that the gene is not essential for gametocytogenesis in vitro, and quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) showed that there was no compensatory expression of the other type IV HSP40 genes. Although P. falciparum HSP40 members are implicated in the trafficking of proteins to the RBC surface, removal of PfGECO did not affect the targeting of other exported gametocyte proteins. This work has expanded the repertoire of known gametocyte-exported proteins to include a type IV HSP40, PfGECO.
A method of acceleration for a class of multiplicative programming problems with exponent

Multiplicative programming problems with exponent (MPE) have many practical applications in various fields. In this paper, a method for accelerating global optimization is proposed for a class of multiplicative programming problems with exponent under multiplicative constraints using a suitable deleting technique. This technique offers the possibility of cutting away a large part of the currently investigated region in which the globally optimal solution of the MPE does not exist. The deleting technique can accelerate the convergence of the proposed global optimization algorithm. Two numerical examples are given to illustrate the feasibility of the deleting technique.
The Curse of the Law (Galatians 3.13): Crucifixion, Persecution, and Deuteronomy 21.22-23:

It is widely accepted that Christians were persecuted for preaching a crucified messiah because, according to Deut. 21.22-23, one who is crucified is also accursed. However, the arguments in favor of that position are weak. A larger examination of Jewish texts on Deut. 21.22-23 and crucifixion per se demonstrate that attitudes toward crucifixion and its victims were generally very different. The article concludes that Deut. 21.22-23 is an unlikely basis for early Jewish rejection and persecution of Christianity and that other causes should be sought.
Variability of Carotenoid Biosynthesis in Orange Colored Capsicum spp.

Pepper, Capsicum spp., is a worldwide crop valued for heat, nutrition, and rich pigment content. Carotenoids, the largest group of plant pigments, function as antioxidants and as vitamin A precursors. The most abundant carotenoids in ripe pepper fruits are β-carotene, capsanthin, and capsorubin. In this study, the carotenoid composition of orange fruited Capsicum lines was defined along with the allelic variability of the biosynthetic enzymes. The carotenoid chemical profiles present in seven orange pepper varieties were determined using a novel UPLC method. The orange appearance of the fruit was due either to the accumulation of β-carotene, or in two cases, due to only the accumulation of red and yellow carotenoids. Four carotenoid biosynthetic genes, Psy, Lcyb, CrtZ-2, and Ccs were cloned and sequenced from these cultivars. This data tested the hypothesis that different alleles for specific carotenoid biosynthetic enzymes are associated with specific carotenoid profiles in orange peppers. While the coding regions within Psy and CrtZ-2 did not change in any of the lines, the genomic sequence contained introns not previously reported. Lcyb and Ccs contained no introns but did exhibit polymorphisms resulting in amino acid changes; a new Ccs variant was found. When selectively breeding for high provitamin A levels, phenotypic recurrent selection based on fruit color is not sufficient, carotenoid chemical composition should also be conducted. Based on these results, specific alleles are candidate molecular markers for selection of orange pepper lines with high β-carotene and therefore high provitamin A levels.
Configuration considerations for multi-layered packaged conductor-backed coplanar waveguide MICs

Packaged conductor-backed coplanar waveguides (CBCPW) can support waveguide and cavity modes within the substrate region. Various multi-layered configurations are presented to avoid and minimize the coupling effects of the structure with the dominant CBCPW mode. The results are demonstrated using the spectral domain method, waveguide theory and experimental data. >
Genetics of asthma.

Asthma is a complex disease with a phenotype that has been clinically difficult to define. Associated phenotypes including bronchial hyperresponsiveness and atopy have provided useful objective alternatives in genetic and epidemiologic studies. Although asthma genes have not yet been identified, much progress has been made toward this goal. Genetic studies indicate that multiple genes are involved in the pathogenesis of this disease, and chromosomal regions likely to harbor asthma susceptibility genes have been replicated in several studies. Environmental factors, including smoking, diet, and viral respiratory infections, have also been implicated in the etiology of asthma. Directly linking these exposures as causes of asthma, however, has also proved difficult. Furthermore, interaction between susceptibility genes and environmental factors is probable and is a challenge currently being pursued by investigators worldwide. Understanding the fundamental gene-environmental interactions in the development of asthma should lead to earlier identification of susceptible individuals and more effective approaches for disease prevention.
Movement encoding by a stretch receptor in the soft-bodied caterpillar, Manduca sexta.

SUMMARY In a wide variety of animals, stretch receptors provide proprioceptive feedback for motion control. However, for animals that lack a stiff skeleton, it is unclear what information is being detected and how this is incorporated into behavior. Because such animals can change their body shape from moment-to-moment, information about body configuration could be particularly important for coordination. This study uses larval stage Lepidoptera ( Manduca sexta ) to examine how the longitudinal stretch receptor organ (SRO) responds to behaviorally appropriate movements. We characterized the responses of the SRO to changes in strain using magnitudes and velocities matching those seen physiologically. We found that the SRO response characteristics are compatible with the regulation of stance and with the defensive response to noxious stimuli. However, we also found that movements during crawling produce SRO responses that are dominated by the interdependence of phasic, tonic and slowly adaptive components. Ablation of stretch receptors in the proleg-bearing, fourth abdominal segment did not have any observable effect on behaviors, which suggests that the SROs are not essential for coordinating overt movements. We discuss the implications of these findings in the context of specific behaviors, and explore how the SRO response might be utilized during animal behavior.
Do Politicians Racially Discriminate Against Constituents? A Field Experiment on State Legislators

We use a field experiment to investigate whether race affects how responsive state legislators are to requests for help with registering to vote. In an email sent to each legislator, we randomized whether a putatively black or white alias was used and whether the email signaled the sender’s partisan preference. Overall, we find that putatively black requests receive fewer replies. We explore two potential explanations for this discrimination: strategic partisan behavior and the legislators’ own race. We find that the putatively black alias continues to be differentially treated even when the emails signal partisanship, indicating that strategic considerations cannot completely explain the observed differential treatment. Further analysis reveals that white legislators of both parties exhibit similar levels of discrimination against the black alias. Minority legislators do the opposite, responding more frequently to the black alias. Implications for the study of race and politics in the United States are discussed.
Comparison between dew-retted and enzyme-retted flax fibers as reinforcing material for composites

Two kinds of retted Canadian linseed flax fibers, dewretted (F1) and enzyme-retted flax fibers (F2) were characterized in detail for their applications in composites, such as retting degree, thermal stability, tensile strength, and interfacial behavior in polypropylene (PP) matrix. It’s clear from Scanning Electron Micrograph that the aspect ratio of F2 was much higher than that of F1 in the light of their separated elementary fibers in most cases. Instead, the elementary fibers of F1 remained tightly bundled into technical fiber wrapping with more non-cellulose portions. This reflected its lower retting degree and resulted in its lower thermal stability. Single fiber tensile test and single fiber pull-out test were used to evaluate the fiber tensile properties and fiber/PP interfacial shear strength, respectively. Better retting degree and fewer damages on F2 endowed F2 better tensile property. Consequently, higher aspect ratio, retting degree, and tensile strength proved F2 to be a kind of better reinforcing material than F1 for composites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 52:165–171, 2012. 2011 published by Society of Plastics Engineers*
Dissociation of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists from platelets does not result in fibrinogen binding or platelet aggregation.

Background— The primary mechanism of action of glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa antagonists is inhibition of the final common pathway of platelet aggregation: fibrinogen binding to the GP IIb/IIIa complex. However, it has been reported that induction of fibrinogen binding and platelet aggregation is an intrinsic prothrombotic property of low-dose GP IIb/IIIa antagonists. These apparently paradoxical results have been extensively referenced in the cardiology literature. Methods and Results— By platelet aggregation and flow cytometry, we demonstrate that (1) dissociation of GP IIb/IIIa antagonists (abciximab, tirofiban, eptifibatide, or xemilofiban) from platelets does not result in platelet aggregation; (2) tirofiban and eptifibatide can induce a fibrinogen-binding–competent conformation of the GP IIb/IIIa receptor, but stable fibrinogen binding does not occur without fixation; (3) the slow off-rate of abciximab exposes only a small proportion of unblocked GP IIb/IIIa receptors at any time, and these also fail t...
Population modeling in muscle cell culture: Comparisons with experiments

Abstract A specific model is developed for the kinetics of fusion which provides a temporal description of the myoblast and myotube populations. The predictions of the model are compared with experimental results on the rate of DNA accumulation, the rate of thymidine incorporation, and the relationship between fusion and data in the literature for several parameters: the rate of decline in cytoplasmic DNA polymerase activity, the cellular distribution of AChE activity, and the initiation of myosin synthesis.
Measuring the earth to within an inch using GPS satellites

In 1991, NASA-JPL coordinated the GPS for International Earth Rotation Service and Geodynamics '91, or GIG'91, three-week experiment; this had as its fundamental purpose the demonstration of GPS monitoring of earth rotation. Distance precisions of 3-20 ppb, or several cm across the diameter of the earth, were demonstrated by several analysis groups by means of their software systems; these results are approximately 100 times more precise than commercial GPS software. While satellite laser ranging and VLBI have been capable of such precision for several years, GPS is more cost-effective in many cases.
Advanced Fire Blankets for Spacecraft Use

Fire extinguishers aboard spacecraft have historically been gaseous agents (US) or aqueous foams (Russian). Use of these extinguishers can result in collateral damage and will involve extensive cleanup. An additional fire suppression approach is proposed here to use a fire blanket. The performance of lightweight, thin, fire blanket materials have been evaluated for extinguishing time of burning samples at the 6” flame size associated with the pass/fail limit of NASA Test 1. General trends of faster extinguishment for thicker or heavier blankets are noted. Manual deployment of the fire blanket in space may be best for smaller, easily encapsulated burning materials. For larger fires, a deployment device could telescope and stretch the blanket to cover the burning areas while keeping the crew well away from the fire. Cleanup of the fire blanket may simply involve restowing the blanket or throwing it away if damaged. More work in this area is warranted.
Coordination of two redundant robots

The authors present a solution to the optimal force distributions for two redundant coordinating robots. Two coordinating robots whose end-effectors firmly grasp a common inertial load form a closed-chain structure. In these closed kinematic chains, the two robots must observe a set of constraint conditions on the end-effectors' positions, orientations, linear and angular velocities and the forces and torques inserted onto the end-effectors by the load. To achieve the maximum load capability, the optimal force distribution under the known posture is developed. If both robots are redundant, joint solutions may be obtained if some optimization criterion such as manipulability is imposed. The singularity, manipulability, and force ellipsoid are investigated for the two coordinating redundant robots in terms of the two manipulator Jacobian matrices. The manipulability is shown to correspond to the cascade structure while the force ellipsoid corresponds to the parallel structure in terms of their manipulator Jacobian matrices. Null-space contributions towards singularity escapement and mechanical advantage are found. >
Screening for RET and ROS1 fusions in an enriched cohort of pan-negative never-smokers with advanced lung adenocarcinomas to identify patients for treatment in targeted therapy trials.

8067 Background: RET and ROS1 fusions have been identified pre-clinically as drivers of tumor growth in lung adenocarcinomas. In addition, based on response to crizotinib in ROS1-positive tumors an...
Mediating Multilateral Trade Negotiations

When states negotiate multilaterally they often call on ambassadors, ministers, or secretariat leaders to play the role of broker or mediator to help them overcome impasses. Yet little is known about how this role is played, what choices these mediators make with what consequences, or how the role might be played better. Preliminary research on GATT and WTO negotiations suggests that this function has three related dimensions. The task is partly organizational - creating and managing an organization to help carry out this function. The task is partly intellectual and subjective - gathering information, identifying the parties’ true reservation values, and imagining a formula or focal point that will create value and become an equilibrium. And the task is partly tactical - the mediator makes choices among communication, formulation, and manipulation tactics. This paper describes these three dimensions using examples collected through interviews with former mediators and other participants, and suggests directions for future research.
Towards a Guide for Constructing and Disseminating Counternarratives to Reduce Support for Terrorism

ABSTRACTDespite widespread recognition that the use of counternarratives is an important strategic component of countering violent extremism, to date, there are no comprehensive guidelines on how to develop and distribute counternarratives to effectively reduce support for terrorism. To redress this, we offer communication and psychology theory-based procedures for (1) analyzing terrorist narratives, (2) constructing counternarratives that challenge terrorist narratives, and (3) disseminating the counternarratives to overcome barriers to persuasion. Analysts and practitioners can use such guidelines in developing counternarratives to reduce support for violent extremism.
Traps and Insecticide-Treated Foliage for Use Against the Japanese Beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Several insecticides (bendiocarb, malathion, carbaryl, and methoxychlor) were applied to soybean foliage surrounding traps for Popillia japonica Newman baited with phenethyl propionate + eugenol + geraniol (3:7:3) + Japonilure. Bendiocarb was also applied to parts of some of the traps. Although carbaryl and bendiocarb on foliage killed more beetles than the other insecticides, none of the trap-insecticide combinations killed more beetles than the traps alone. Applications of bendiocarb to traps significantly decreased captures, an indication that this compound is repellent to the insect.
A Chinese Reader’s Response To Maxine Hong Kingston’s China Men

Although China Men is generally classified as nonfiction, that term is a misnomer. In my view, China Men falls under historical fiction. The freedom of fictionalization enables Kingston to transcend the limits of historical events and individuals to reveal a reality truer in essence and spirit than biography and autobiography or any history book can reveal. The Chinese are accustomed to viewing the whole nation in the metaphor of a large family. That Kingston presents Chinese-American history in the form of a family saga is an invention, but one which is familiar and appealing to Chinese readers. Within the broad category of historical fiction, the style of talk-story is the hallmark of Kingston's writing. In China Men, Kingston mentions "the talk-story time after dinner" (97). The Chinese storytelling tradition covers the talk-story and the talk-book;' the former involves short popular tales, and the latter blends fantastic romances with historical figures and events. Both belong to the oral tradition. Because over 70 percent of the Chinese people are peasants and about half of them are still illiterate, storytelling remains the most popular form of literary entertainment in the countryside. Many villages in China today still keep a storytelling tradition. Of the 1,100 inhabitants of Geng Village in Hebei Province, more than 800 are reputed to be artful storytellers.2 Those storytellers attract large crowds in the evenings and at rural fairs with their lively presentations. The talk-stories, which are also broadcast over radio at dinner time, have a large audience in
Incremental learning in trust-based vehicle control

In many multi-agent teams, entities fully trust their teammates and the information that they provide. But we know that this can be a false assumption in many cases, which can lead to sub-optimal performance of the team. In this paper, we build off of prior work in developing a simple model of estimating and responding to different levels of trust between team members. We have chosen to use a vehicle convoy application to generate data and test the operation of the trust estimation algorithm and its evolution. We build on prior work, where a cruise control algorithm to maintain following distance was implemented, as were algorithms to adjust follow distance based on trust in the leader and the capability for a lead vehicle to “look back” and adjust its speed based on the follow distance of the vehicle behind. In this paper we introduce a mechanism, based on trust, which negotiates between two follow behaviors, either follow the vehicle ahead or drive towards a set of fixed waypoints. We also add a nonlinear relationship between trust and follow distance to provide a knob to adjust convoy performance and the paper shows that it does adjust performance, somewhat as expected.
Inclusive Co-Design within a Three-Dimensional Game Environment

Co-design research with children is a field that continues to find new ground and expand as it explores new, and more effective ways to design. As children become more enveloped in a world of technology and video games, it follows to leverage these kinds of experiences for use in our design toolbox. In addition, continuing to explore how to include a larger global audience through distributed co-design can advance the design process. The study presented in this paper serves as a preliminary exploration of virtual sandbox game environments as a co-design tool. Utilizing a design inclusive research approach, we discuss what led us to explore this environment as a co-design tool, how it evolved over time, and our success in using it to include those who could not attend in-person sessions.
Paradigm Shifters in Retailing

In this global market of intense competition, some retail firms consistently stand out as market leaders. These firms have achieved success in spite of the intense ­competition; they appear to have assumed a different and more compelling strategic orientation – the “service.” This conceptual but organization-wide orientation to “service” has helped them to orchestrate and focus on the “customer” from a fundamentally different perspective than that of their competition. We call these firms “paradigm shifters,” – firms that operate within a different paradigm of thinking. These paradigm shifters appear to perceive their “service concept” as their “north star,” the guiding principle that drives all strategies, principles, and directions. The unique advantage gained in the market by these paradigm shifters is the effect of a meticulous and consistent focus on the “customer” – the ability to “think for the customer” – and therefore the focus on exemplary service.
Corporate Governance Relationships: Patterns and Explanations

Perhaps more than universality of services, formal relationship building with nonfinancial firms constitutes both a keystone of the German commercial banking system and a fundamental point of divergence between the German and Anglo-American corporate financial systems. Three practices typically associated with the German universal banks fall under the heading of relationship banking: equity stakeholding, proxy voting of customers' shares, and representation in the supervisory boards of industrial firms. In other words, relationship banking relates to those bank activities that cede to them at least partial control over the decisions and actions of their client firms. In theory, corporate ownership and governance relationships between banks and firms discipline banks and firms to behave in each other's long-term interest. Thus, relationship banking is seen as an important advantage of the German system and is seen as integral to the operations of the universal banks, even though the two characteristics are theoretically and empirically distinct from one another. BANK-HELD EQUITY STAKES IN NONFINANCIAL FIRMS One of the most prevalent notions in the literature on German corporate finance is that the universal banks held significant equity stakes in firms and used those positions to exert influence over those firms' decisions. Long-term holdings of equities – or anything held over the close of a business year – should appear in the balance sheets of the banks. One measure of the importance of equity stakes relative to the other activities of the banks is their size and variety.
Determination of Methotrexate, 7-Hydroxymethotrexate, and 2,4-Diamino-N10-methylpteroic Acid by LC-MS/MS in Plasma and Cerebrospinal Fluid and Application in a Pharmacokinetic Analysis of High-Dose Methotrexate.

ABSTRACTA rapid and robust method for measuring methotrexate (MTX) and its two primary metabolites, 7-hydroxymethotrexate (7-OHMTX) and 2,4-diamino-N10-methylpteroic acid (DAMPA), was developed for use in pharmacokinetic studies of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid samples collected from infants with malignant brain tumors. Sample aliquots (100 µL) were prepared for bioanalysis of MTX and metabolites using a Waters Oasis HLB microelution solid-phase extraction (SPE) plate. Chromatography was performed using a Phenomenex Synergi Polar-RP 4 µ 75 × 2.0 mm ID column heated to 40°C. A rapid gradient elution on a Shimadzu HPLC system was used, with mobile phase A consisting of water/formic acid (100/0.1 v/v) and mobile phase B consisting of acetonitrile/formic acid (100/0.1 v/v). Column eluent was analyzed using AB Sciex QTRAP 5500 instrumentation in electrospray ionization mode. The ion transitions (m/z) monitored were 455.2 → 308.1, 471.1 → 324.1, and 326.2 → 175.1 for MTX, 7-OHMTX, and DAMPA, respectively. The ...
KIF6 719Arg Genetic Variant and Risk for Thoracic Aortic Dissection.

BACKGROUND Carriers of the 719Arg variant in KIF6, compared with noncarriers, have been reported to be at greater risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) in six prospective studies. Because CHD, thoracic aortic dissection, and nondissection thoracic aortic aneurysm share some risk factors and aspects of pathophysiology, we investigated whether carriers of the 719Arg variant also have greater odds of thoracic aortic dissection or nondissected thoracic aortic aneurysm than noncarriers. METHODS We genotyped 140 thoracic aortic dissection cases, 497 nondissection thoracic aortic aneurysm cases, and 275 disease-free controls collected in the United States, Hungary, and Greece and investigated the association between KIF6 719Arg carrier status and thoracic aortic dissection, and between KIF6 719Arg carrier status and nondissection thoracic aortic aneurysm, using logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, hypertension, smoking, and country. RESULTS The odds of aortic dissection were two-fold greater in KIF6 719Arg carriers compared with noncarriers (odds ratio (OR) 2.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18-3.9). To account for the potential of concomitant CHD to confound the association between the KIF6 719Arg and thoracic aortic dissection, we repeated the analysis after removing subjects with concomitant CHD; the estimates for association of KIF6 719Arg carrier status remained essentially the same (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.11-3.77). In contrast, KIF6 719Arg carrier status was not associated with risk for nondissection thoracic aortic aneurysm. CONCLUSIONS We observed an association of the KIF6 719Arg genetic variant with thoracic aortic dissection in this multicenter case-control study. This association may enhance our management of patients with thoracic aortic disease.
Proton and Heavy Ion Sensitivity of Commercial Instrumentation and Precision Operational Amplifiers

Commercial operational amplifiers are common components in electronics in a high radiation environment such as for spacecraft. We performed proton and heavy-ion testing of selected commercial instrumentation and precision operational amplifiers. Based on these tests, we present cross section results for single event effects.
Differences in Parotid Dosimetry and Expected Normal Tissue Complication Probabilities in Whole Brain Radiation Plans Covering C1 Versus C2.

OBJECTIVES There is no consensus standard regarding the placement of the inferior field border in whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) plans, with most providers choosing to cover the first versus (vs.) second cervical vertebrae (C1 vs. C2). We hypothesize that extending coverage to C2 may increase predicted rates of xerostomia. METHODS Fifteen patients underwent computed tomography (CT) simulation; two WBRT plans were then produced, one covering C2 and the other covering C1. The plans were otherwise standard, and patients were prescribed doses of 25, 30 and 37.5 gray (Gy). Dose-volume statistics were obtained and normal tissue complication probabilities (NTCPs) were estimated using the Lyman-Burman-Kutcher model. Mean parotid dose and predicted xerostomia rates were compared for plans covering C2 vs. C1 using a two-sided patient-matched t-test. Plans were also evaluated to determine whether extending the lower field border to cover C2 would result in a violation of commonly accepted dosimetric planning constraints. RESULTS The mean dose to both parotid glands was significantly higher in WBRT plans covering C2 compared to plans covering C1 for all dose prescriptions (p<0.01). Normal tissue complication probabilities were also significantly higher when covering C2 vs. C1, for all prescribed doses (p<0.01). Predicted median rates of xerostomia ranged from <0.03%-21% for plans covering C2 vs. <0.001%-12% for patients treated with plans covering C1 (p<0.01), dependent on the treatment dose and NTCP model. Plans covering C2 were unable to constrain at least one parotid to <20 Gy in 31% of plans vs. 9% of plans when C1 was covered. A total parotid dose constraint of <25 Gy was violated in 13% of plans covering C2 vs. 0% of plans covering C1. CONCLUSIONS Coverage of C2 significantly increases the mean parotid dose and predicted NTCPs and results in more frequent violation of commonly accepted dosimetric planning constraints.
Multipath emission enhancements in quantum dot-plasmon coupling

We report the mechanism of plasmon-enhanced quantum dot (QD) emission as a result of interactions between QDs via plasmon, and interactions between QDs and the plasmon excited by both QD emission and external illumination.
Modeling Evaporation and Particle Assembly in Colloidal Droplets

Evaporation-induced assembly of nanoparticles in a drying droplet is of great importance in many engineering applications, including printing, coating, and thin film processing. The investigation of particle dynamics in evaporating droplets can provide fundamental hydrodynamic insight for revealing the processing–structure relationship in the particle self-organization induced by solvent evaporation. We develop a free-energy-based multiphase lattice Boltzmann method coupled with Brownian dynamics to simulate evaporating colloidal droplets on solid substrates with specified wetting properties. The influence of interface-bound nanoparticles on the surface tension and evaporation of a flat liquid–vapor interface is first quantified. The results indicate that the particles at the interface reduce surface tension and enhance evaporation flux. For evaporating particle-covered droplets on substrates with different wetting properties, we characterize the increase of evaporate rate via measuring droplet volume. We...
TLR-dependent anti-commensal antibodies regulate intestinal immune homeostasis (MUC9P.750)

Maternal antibodies have been suggested to be important for establishing intestinal immune homeostasis in developing offspring, yet the mechanisms by which maternal antibodies achieve this remain unclear. We analyzed the gut immune response in mice born to antibody-deficient dams and found that maternal antibodies regulate the activation of mucosal CD4+ T cells. Interestingly, maternal IgA, the dominant mucosal antibody isotype, was not necessary for this regulation. As such, we developed an unbiased flow cytometric based assay to assess the microbiota-specific antibody response, thereby allowing us to investigate if other antibody isotypes are important for enforcing intestinal immune homeostasis. Unexpectedly, we found that mice generate a robust anti-commensal IgG2b- and IgG3- response. This commensal-specific IgG response occurs through a pathway independent of T cells, yet dependent on signaling through TLR2 and TLR4. These TLR-dependent anti-commensal IgG antibodies are transmitted from mothers to their offspring. There, they function to regulate T follicular helper responses and subsequently dampen germinal center B cell responses. This work reveals a feedback loop whereby T cell-independent antibody responses function to regulate mucosal CD4+ T cell responses and thereby establish equilibrium between the host and its resident microbiota.
PEPTIDASES IN CONNECTIVE TISSUE DEGRADATION AND REMODELLING IN REPRODUCTIVE AND INVASIVE TISSUES

An outline is given of the properties and substrate specificities of three lysosomal peptidases, and of efforts to elucidate their potential role in the intracellular degradation of collagen. Use of specific fluorogenic substrates such as Gly-Phe-NNap*, Lys-Ala-NNap and Gly-Pro-Met-NMec allows direct assay of DPP I, DPP II and TPP I respectively. They may hydrolyze macromolecules as exemplified by insulin A and B chains and by poly(Gly-Pro-Ala) as a model collagen α-chain. These are extensively hydrolyzed at acidic pH by the coupled action of the three exopeptidases, which could explain the degradation of proline-rich, collagen-derived polypeptides within lysosomes lacking any known endopeptidases active at prolyl bonds.
Novel Determinants of Salinity Tolerance

A novel method for the isolation of plant cDNA clones that provide functional sufficiency for salinity tolerance in E. coli cells was developed. A cDNA library containing genes expressed in salt-adapted tobacco cells was constructed in the AZAPII vector. E. coli cells were infected with the rescued pBluescript phagemid library, and the infected bacterial cells were selected on agar plates containing LB medium supplemented with a non-permissive concentration of NaC1, and 10 mM IPTG. After repeated selections, 10 colonies were chosen. These colonies contained plasmids with inserts from 0.8 to 2.0 kb in size. The inserts were isolated and introduced into several strains of E. coll. Cells transformed with plasmids containing the selected inserts exhibited tolerance to 1.17 M NaCI in LB medium in the presence of IPTG. Southern blot analysis using the respective cDNA inserts confirmed the presence of the DNA sequences in the tobacco genome. Northern blot analysis demonstrated greatly increased expression of the corresponding genes in salt-adapted tobacco cells. Expression of any of these cDNA sequences in E. coli was sufficient to provide enhanced tolerance to salinity. Nucleotide sequence analysis and a subsequent search for homology with other genes in the GenBank database resulted in the identification of a homolog of a MIP protein similar to aquaporins, a novel elongation factor eFla, a CCAAT-box binding protein, and several novel genes not present in the gene bank. Functional sufficiency of plant cDNA clones in a prokaryotic model system provides a very powerful tool for the isolation of functionally important novel genes.
RLIP inhibition suppresses breast-to-lung metastasis

Breast tumor metastasis is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Breast cancer (BC) cells frequently metastasize to the lungs, where they pose a formidable therapeutic challenge. In the current study, we evaluated the anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic effects of 2'-hydroxyflavanone (2HF) and RLIP inhibition in an array of triple-negative BC cell lines and an orthotopic mouse model of breast-to-lung metastasis. Compared to control treatment, RLIP inhibition reduced in-vitro cell viability and suppressed the migratory and invasive potential of BC cells. In-vitro studies showed that 2HF treatment reduced the expression of RLIP, KRAS, pERK, pSTAT3, and pP70S6K. Further, mice orthotopically implanted with lung-seeking luciferase-expressing TMD231 cells were treated with 2HF (50 mg/kg, b.w.), RLIP antisense (RAS; 5 mg/kg, b.w.), RLIP antibody (Rab; 5 mg/kg, b.w.) or a combination of 2HF + RAS + Rab. 2HF-, RAS-, and Rab-treated mice exhibited significantly lower primary tumor weight and reduced lung metastasis compared to control mice. Mice treated with a combination of 2HF + RAS + Rab exhibited no metastasis and significantly lower tumor weight than the single agent-treated mice. Collectively, our results suggest that 2HF has potential to be combined with RLIP inhibition/depletion to more effectively suppress primary breast tumor growth and metastasis to the lungs.