cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phospholipid bilayer free volume analysis employing the thermal ring-closing reaction of merocyanine molecular switches.

The free volume properties of phospholipid bilayers have been determined using a new assay that applies the photochromic and solvatochromic properties of merocyanines. The orientation and embedding...
Amino acid immunoreactivity in corticospinal terminals.

Anterogradely labeled corticospinal axons and their terminals were identified after injections of wheat germ-agglutinin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase in the sensorimotor cortex of rats. Thin myelinated axons were labeled in the corticospinal tract. Terminal labeling was densest in the internal basilar nucleus and laminae III–IV of the dorsal horn throughout the spinal cord; electron microscopical observations were mainly from the cervical enlargement. Labeled terminals were most often small and dome-shaped with densely packed, clear round vesicles and sparse mitochondria. These terminals established asymmetric synapses with small dendrites or spines and were never involved in axoaxonic contacts.
Use of an anatomic marking form as an alternative to the Universal Protocol for Preventing Wrong Site, Wrong Procedure and Wrong Person Surgery.

Abstract Background The Universal Protocol for Preventing Wrong Site, Wrong Procedure, Wrong Person Surgery was approved by the Joint Commission Board of Commissioners in July 2003 and became effective July 1, 2004. It requires the performance of a preprocedural verification process, marking of the procedure site, and performing a “time out” immediately before the start of a procedure. Compliance with the Universal Protocol requirements remains cumbersome because of the inherent characteristics of the surgical work flow process. Methods By working directly with the Joint Commission, their medical staff, perioperative nursing staff, and members of the hospital quality department, the authors were able to develop an innovative anatomic marking form, which serves as a surrogate for marking patients. Results The marking form has been used on 112,500 patients over 4.5 years, with a single implementation error that led to minimal patient harm. Conclusion This article describes the development of the anatomic marking form and the practical implications the process has on patient safety.
Virtual patients get real.

and sophistication by creating a forum where students can work collaboratively with faculty facilitation in addressing an issue or working through a patient case. What was done We developed a web-based cyber classroom that hosts classrooms for individual tutorial groups. Students discuss 1 case each week in the classroom. Each student is assigned to serve as the discussion leader for 1 week of the classroom, providing an opportunity to build leadership skills. Faculty facilitators talk offline with discussion leaders at the start of the week to determine the case and review the discussion leader’s responsibilities. Students work collaboratively in the classroom to assess the patient and develop a differential diagnosis, thus building the teamwork skills needed in clinical practice. Faculty members act as facilitators to guide, rather than lead, discussion. Cases presented in the cyber classroom are in addition to the standard tutorial curriculum reviewed in weekly face-to-face meetings. Each classroom is analysed to assess the pattern of the conversation. The quality of students’ posts is also assessed on a 4-point scale, based on the sophistication of students’ reasoning, use of evidence-based medicine, integration of material learned in different clinical scenarios or educational environments, and discussion of non-biomedical issues, such as ethical or cultural issues. Evaluations of the cyber classroom are correlated with other quantitative and qualitative assessments of the students, such as their performance on objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), shelf examinations and faculty evaluations. Evaluation of results and impact We analysed 8 classrooms, 4 each from 2 8-week clinical clerkships, including 70 students and 8 faculty facilitators with 8)9 students per classroom. We sampled weeks 3 and 6 of each classroom, analysing the differences in quality and discussion patterns between weeks 3 and 6 of each classroom and across classrooms. Based on this small sample, we expect to see a measurable increase in quality and a progression from facultycentred to student-centred discussions from weeks 3–6 across the academic year’s 6 rotations. In addition, faculty report an improved ability to differentiate among students and to assess students’ knowledge and reasoning skills.
Bu-2, a novel avian cell surface antigen on B cells and a population of non-lymphoid cells, is expressed homogeneously in germinal centers.

A monoclonal antibody (mAb), Hy30, was generated against bursal cells. Under reducing conditions, it immunoprecipitates a cell surface antigen with an apparent molecular weight of 66 kD that is dis...
The importance of phonological awareness for the development of early English reading skills among bilingual Singaporean kindergartners

Abstract To examine the relationship between phonological awareness (PA) and English word-level reading among a multilingual sample, a random sample of 297 Singaporean kindergartners, stratified by ethnicity (169 Chinese, 65 Malay, and 63 Indian), were tested on their PA, receptive vocabulary, and word-level reading skills. Singaporean kindergartners are all bilingual or early second-language (L2) learners of English and learn English reading through logographic (look-say) instruction. Overall, Singaporean kindergartners scored lower than mostly monolingual US norming groups on English vocabulary and PA but higher than US norms on English reading, confirming findings in other contexts that L2 learners of English can be successful at word-level reading despite low levels of oral proficiency. However, these findings challenge the hypothesis based on Seymour's dual foundations model of reading that learning an alphabetic language logographically slows reading acquisition. Despite a curriculum which did not t...
Laser fluorescence study of the S(1D) + CD4 reaction: determination of the SD product internal state distribution

Abstract The dynamics of the S( 1 D) + CD 4 → SD + CD 3 reaction has been studied in a photolysis-probe experiment. S( 1 D) reagent was prepared by laser photolysis of CS 2 , and the SD(X 2 Π) product was detected by laser fluorescence excitation. The nascent rotational/fine-structure state distribution of the SD(X 2 Π) product was determined. The experimentally determined rotational state distribution within each fine-structure manifold agrees well with the predictions of a statistical ‘prior’ distribution, while the F 1 to F 2 fine-structure branching ratio is higher than predicted statistically. The product state distribution is consistent with reaction through the formation and decay of an energized CD 3 SD complex.
Purification and properties of versiconal cyclase from Aspergillus parasiticus.

Abstract Versiconal cyclase catalyzes the dehydration of versiconal to versicolorin B or versicolorin C [versicolorin B(C)]. The enzyme was purified from mycelia of Aspergillus parasiticus by DEAE-cellulose, hydroxylapatite, and Mono Q column chromatography. The protein contains two identical subunits of molecular weight 72,000 per molecule of native protein. The p I of the enzyme is 3.95. The pH activity curve had a broad maximum with a peak at 5.5. The K m and V max for versiconal at 30 °C and pH 6.0 are 3.1μ m and 0.15 μmol min −1 mg −1 , respectively. Most of the formation of versicolorin B(C) in the cell is attributed to the action of versiconal cyclase.
Experimental measurement of the modulation transfer function of differential phase contrast CT systems

This paper concerns an experimental method to quantify the spatial resolution of an experimental DPC-CT system via modulation transfer function (MTF) measurement. Note that conventional metal wire-based MTF measurement methods are no long applicable to DPC-CT, because: (i) The refractive signal generated by the high density metal is out of the dynamic range of DPC-CT, and (ii) A DPC-CT system is not sensitive to input pulse finer than a detector pixel. These technical challenges were overcome by a new experimental design, in which a graphite rod was used as the probe to simultaneously measure the MTFs of the DPC-CT and the associated absorption CT. An appreciable difference in MTFs between DPC-CT and absorption CT was observed in our experimental benchtop system: At the 10% MTF level, the MTFs of the DPC-CT and the absorption CT are 4.7 cycles/mm and 5.2 cycles/mm, respectively. Such a difference in MTF leads to the conclusion that the grating interferometer used by the DPC-CT system has a frequency-dependent response to input DPC-CT signals.
Prevalence of Arcobacter species in market-weight commercial turkeys

The prevalence of Arcobacter in live market weight turkeys was determined for six Midwestern commercial flocks at three intervals. Samples (n = 987) were collected from cloaca, feathers, ceca, crop, drinkers and environmental samples on farms and from carcasses at slaughter. Initially, EMJH-P80 and CVA isolated Arcobacter from 7.1% (40 of 564) of samples, while Arcobacter enrichment broth and selective agar recovered the microbe in 4.7% of samples (23 of 489 samples). Although EMJH-P80 coupled with CVA yielded Arcobacter more frequently, the selectivity of the modified Arcobacter agar enhanced the recognition of Arcobacter colonies. A multiplex PCR was used to identify all Arcobacter species and to differentiate Arcobacter butzleri. The low prevalence of Arcobacter detected in cloacal swab (2.0%, 6 of 298 samples) and cecal contents (2.1%, 3 of 145 samples) suggests that Arcobacter infrequently colonizes the intestinal tract. Despite its low prevalence in live turkeys, Arcobacter spp. were identified in 93% of carcass swabs (139 of 150 samples). The overall prevalence of Arcobacter in drinker water decreased from 67% (31 of 46 samples) in the summer of 2003 to 24.7% (18 of 73 samples) during resampling in the spring of 2004 and was inversely related to the chlorination level.
TRACTION SINGULARITIES ON SHARP CORNERS AND EDGES IN STOKES FLOWS

An integral identity developed by Brenner (1964) is used in the “reversed” context to derive a fixed point iterative scheme for the surface tractions on a rigid particle of arbitrary shape submerged in Stokes flows. The iterative approach facilitates the solution of very large systems of equations and thus the employment of high resolution discretization schemes. The utility of the approach is demonstrated by illustrative computations of the tractions on regular polyhedra, with special emphasis on the results near the edges and corners where (integrable) singular behavior is expected to provide a stringent test for the numerical method. Excellent agreement between our numerical estimates for the exponent of these singularities with the analytical result (local 2-D analysis) were obtained. The emphasis in this work is on validation of the approach, but references to applications, such as fluidic self-assembly of semiconductor microstructures, are provided.
Rank one perturbation and its application to the laplacian spectrum of a graph

Characterization of rank one perturbations of symmetric matrices which change only one eigenvalue are given. Then the result is applied to study how the Laplacian spectrum of a graph changes when adding an edge.
From paleo to policy: partitioning the historical point and nonpoint phosphorus loads to the St. Croix River, Minnesota-Wisconsin, USA

Paleolimnological studies show that phosphorus (P) loads to the federally protected St. Croix River, a tributary of the Upper Mississippi River, have increased about threefold over the last century. Ongoing management efforts to protect and restore the river hinge on the question of whether the increased nutrient load results from point-source discharges or nonpoint runoff from agricultural intensification and urban expansion. Here we determine the historical contribution of point source phosphorus (P) loads to the St. Croix watershed from 1900–2000 A.D. Historical point source loads were estimated based on discharge volumes, demographics, industrial sources, wastewater technologies, and facility discharge records, where available. Sewering in the basin began in 1905, and since that time, there have been as many as 169 permitted point source dischargers basinwide, including municipal, industrial, and agricultural facilities. Early wastewater management typically discharged untreated sewage; technological advances had secondary treatment in place at most facilities by the 1960s–1970s and much of the municipal population was served by tertiary treatment by the 1990s. Peak nutrient discharges from point sources occurred in the 1960s–1970s. Detergent phosphorus bans instituted in the late 1970s for Minnesota and Wisconsin, greater use of land and groundwater effluent disposal, and improvements in treatment technology brought about decreases in P loads in the 1980s and 1990s. Point-source discharges were compared to historical total phosphorus loads estimated in a whole-basin phosphorus mass balance to calculate the historical contribution of point sources, anthropogenic nonpoint sources, and natural or background sources. We estimated 1990s point source loads at 48 t P yr−1, which represents about 10% of the total phosphorus load (459 t P yr−1, flow-corrected to 412 t P yr−1) to the basin. Without further controls on nutrient inputs to the St. Croix River, annual flow-corrected P loads are projected to increase to 498 t P yr−1 by the 2020s with point source phosphorus loading contributions at 65 t P yr−1 or 13% of the total load. However, if we exclude background P loads to the St. Croix (166 t P yr−1), recent nutrient loads are primarily from anthropogenic nonpoint sources. Point sources also contribute over 19% of the current and future phosphorus load that can be attributed to human activities in the watershed. Interstate and federal efforts to decrease P loading to the St. Croix River by 20% will need to target both point and nonpoint sources.
Venous cryopreservation: Endothelial fibrinolytic activity and histology☆

Cryopreserved venous allografts have demonstrated excellent patency when used as arterial conduits after short-term storage. Maintenance of endothelial biochemical function after cryopreservation has not been documented. To date, the histologic data regarding changes in venous endothelium after cryopreservation have been variable. This study evaluates changes in canine jugular vein endothelial histology and fibrinolytic activity following cryopreservation. Compared to fresh, noncryopreserved veins there was no statistically significant difference in venous endothelial fibrinolytic activity after storage periods ranging from 24 hr to 3 months (P < 0.05). Light microscopy failed to demonstrate significant endothelial changes between fresh, noncryopreserved veins and vein specimens from all storage periods; however, scanning electron microscopy demonstrated endothelial changes which appeared to linearly correlate with the duration of storage. Minimal endothelial changes were noted in all storage periods up to 1 month by scanning electron microscopy; however, after a 3-month storage there was widespread, severe endothelial injury. To the best of our knowledge, this report is the first documentation of maintenance of at least one endothelial biochemical parameter after venous cryopreservation. These data do not suggest, however, that cryopreserved venous endothelial cells can function normally after cryopreservation. Analysis of our combined fibrinolytic and histologic data suggests that cryopreservation can be used for the short-term storage (1 month) of viable venous allografts.
Study of needle penetration speeds on frictional properties of nonwoven webs: A new approach

H1 technology needlepunching machinery is one of the recent developments in the needleloom technology. H1 technology needlepunching nonwoven machinery has been effectively utilized to develop a set of nonwoven substrates at different punching rates. The effect of needlepunching speeds on the frictional properties of H1 technology polyester nonwoven webs is reported in this article. The frictional properties of nonwoven webs have been characterized using a simple normalized friction factor. In addition, the surfaces of the nonwoven substrates were scanned using scanning electron microscopy. The results show that for the three different penetration rates studied there seems to be a marginal difference in the frictional properties. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 3626–3631, 2003
Centennial‐scale compound‐specific hydrogen isotope record of Pleistocene–Holocene climate transition from southern New England

[1] Northeastern North America experienced major climate shifts during the Pleistocene–Holocene transition. However, there have been no high-resolution isotopic records of climate change from this region. Here, we present a centennial-scale record of climate change during the transition based on D/H ratios of behenic acid (C22 nacid) or dDBA from a sediment core in Blood Pond, Massachusetts. Surface calibrations from a transect of 19 lakes in eastern North America show that dDBA values track mean annual atmospheric temperature variations. The abrupt climate events observed in Blood Pond records show remarkable similarity with Greenland ice core d 18 O records during the Pleistocene. During the early Holocene, the northeastern North America dDBA record was more variable than Greenland, possibly due to the close proximity of the Laurentide ice sheet, and impact of freshwater outbursts as the ice sheet rapidly retreated. Citation: Hou, J., Y. Huang, W. W. Oswald, D. R. Foster, and B. Shuman (2007), Centennialscale compound-specific hydrogen isotope record of Pleistocene – Holocene climate transition from southern New England, Geophys. Res. Lett., 34, L19706, doi:10.1029/2007GL030303.
High quality factor polymeric Fabry-Perot resonators utilizing a polymer waveguide

Optical resonators are used in a variety of applications ranging from sensors to lasers and signal routing in high volume communication networks. Achieving a high quality (Q) factor is necessary for higher sensitivity in sensing applications and for narrow linewidth light emission in most lasing applications. In this work, we propose a new approach to achieve a very high Q-factor in polymeric Fabry-Perot resonators by conquering light diffraction inside the optical cavity. This can be achieved by inducing a refractive index feature inside the optical cavity that simply creates a waveguide between the two mirrors. This approach eliminates diffraction loss from the cavity and therefore the Q-factor is only limited by mirror loss and absorption. To demonstrate this claim, a device has been fabricated consisting of two dielectric Bragg reflectors with a 100 μm layer of photosensitive polymer between them. The refractive index of this polymer can be modified utilizing standard photo-lithography processes. The measured finesse of the fabricated device was 692 and the Q-factor was 55000.
Influence of Colorado potato beetle sample counts and plant defoliation on potato tuber production

Field experiments were designed to subject Superior potato plants to various levels of defoliation by the Colorado potato beetle (CPB)Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae. Defoliation occurred during each of five consecutive plant growth periods and CPB population, plant leaf area, and tuber weight data were recorded for each period. A visual defoliation rating scheme provided an accurate estimate of actual potato plant leaf area of defoliated plants. Data generated from regression analysis demonstrated a significant dependence of leaf area on CPB numbers per plant during some plant growth periods, but numbers of CPB accounted for very little of the total variation in tuber weight. Plant leaf area was the most important independent variable in the tuber weight regression model.
Analytic solution of a set of discrete Boltzmann equations

Abstract An analytical solution to the discrete Boltzmann equations corresponding to a hexagonal lattice gas cell automata are derived and the information entropy is computed and compared to that of a numerical simulation of the gas.
Gas-phase ion-molecule chemistry of borate and boronate esters

Borate esters B(OR)3 and boronate esters RB(OR)2 undergo ion-molecule reactions to yield both addition products (by an implied radiative emission mechanism), ligand exchange, and proton transfer products, in both positive and negative ion modes. Although an acidity for CH3B(OR)2 could not be determined, HOB(OR)2 has an acidity between acetaldehyde and nitromethane. In light of the negligible polar electron acceptor properties of the -B(OR)2 group, that functionality must therefore be one of the best resonance electron acceptor groups known, almost half again as effective as the nitro group.
Image-based global registration system for bronchoscopy guidance

Previous studies have shown that bronchoscopy guidance systems improve accuracy and reduce skill variation among physicians during bronchoscopy. In the past, we presented an image-based bronchoscopy guidance system that has been extensively validated in live bronchoscopic procedures. However, this system cannot actively recover from adverse events, such as patient coughing or dynamic airway collapses. After such events, the bronchoscope position is recovered only by moving back to a previously seen and easily identifiable bifurcation such as the main carina. Furthermore, the system requires an attending technician to closely follow the physician's movement of the bronchoscope to avoid misguidance. Also, when the physician is forced to advance the bronchoscope across multiple bifurcations, the system is not able to detect faulty maneuvers. We propose two system-level solutions. The first solution is a system-level guidance strategy that incorporates a global-registration algorithm to provide the physician with updated navigational and guidance information during bronchoscopy. The system can handle general navigation to a region of interest (ROI), as well as adverse events, and it requires minimal commands so that it can be directly controlled by the physician. The second solution visualizes the global picture of all the bifurcations and their relative orientations in advance and suggests the maneuvers needed by the bronchoscope to approach the ROI. Guided bronchoscopy results using human airway-tree phantoms demonstrate the potential of the two solutions.
Mining spatio-temporal patterns and knowledge structures in multimedia collection

Detection and recognition of semantic events has been a major research challenge for multimedia indexing. An emerging direction in this field has been unsupervised discovery (mining) of patterns in spatial-temporal multimedia data. Patterns are recurrent, predictable occurrences of one or more entities that satisfy associative, statistical, or relational conditions. Patterns at the feature level may signify the occurrence of events (e.g., passing pedestrians). At the event level, patterns may represent multi-event transitions, e.g., play-break alternations in sports. Patterns in an annotated image collection may indicate collocations of related semantic concepts and perceptual clusters.Mining of patterns of different types at different levels offers rich benefits, including automatic discovery of salient events in a new domain, automatic alert generation from massive real-time data (such as surveillance data in a new environment), and discovery of novel event relationships.Many challenging issues emerge. What are the adequate representations and statistical models for patterns that may exist at different levels and different time scales? How to handle patterns that may have relatively sparse occurring frequencies? How do we evaluate the accuracy and quality of mining results given its unsupervised nature?In this talk, we will present results of our preliminary attempts in mining patterns in structured video sequences (such as sports and surveillance video) and large annotated image collections. Specifically, we will discuss the potential of statistical models like Hierarchical HMM for video mining, and the integrative exploration of electronic knowledge (such as WordNet) and statistical clustering for image knowledge mining.
Caveolin-mediated regulation of signaling along the p42/44 MAP kinase cascade in vivo. A role for the caveolin-scaffolding domain.

The p42/44 mitogen-activated protein (MAP)-kinase cascade is a well-established signal transduction pathway that is initiated at the cell surface and terminates within the nucleus. More specifically, receptor tyrosine kinases can indirectly activate Raf, which in turn leads to activation of MEK and ERK and ultimately phosphorylation of Elk, a nuclear transcription factor. Recent reports have suggested that some members of p42/44 MAP kinase cascade can be sequestered within plasmalemmal caveolae in vivo. For example, morphological studies have directly shown that ERK-1/2 is concentrated in plasma membrane caveolae in vivo using immunoelectron microscopy. In addition, constitutive activation of the p42/44 MAP kinase cascade is sufficient to reversibly down-regulate caveolin-1 mRNA and protein expression. However, the functional relationship between the p42/44 MAP kinase cascade and caveolins remains unknown. Here, we examine the in vivo role of caveolins in regulating signaling along the MAP kinase cascade. We find that co-expression with caveolin 1 dramatically inhibits signaling from EGF-R, Raf, MEK-1 and ERK-2 to the nucleus. Using a variety of caveolin-1 deletion mutants, we mapped this in vivo inhibitory activity to caveolin-1 residues 32–95. Peptides derived from this region of caveolin 1 also inhibit the in vitro kinase activity of purified MEK-1 and ERK-2. Thus, we show here that caveolin-1 expression can inhibit signal transduction from the p42/44 MAP kinase cascade both in vitro and in vivo. Taken together with previous data, our results also suggest that a novel form of reciprocal negative regulation exists between p42/44 MAP kinase activation and caveolin-1 protein expression, i.e. up-regulation of caveolin-1 protein expression down-modulates p42/44 MAP kinase activity (this report) and up-regulation of p42/44 MAP kinase activity down-regulates caveolin-1 mRNA and protein expression.
Corn Root Effects on the Nitrogen-Supplying Capacity of a Conditioned Soil

The design of sustainable N management strategies requires a better understanding of the processes influencing the ability of soils to supply N to a growing crop. Although commonly ignored, the release of C by plant roots may have a tremendous impact on soil organic matter turnover under certain soil conditions. The main objective of this study was to determine if living corn (Zea mays L.) roots would increase the N-supplying capacity of a soil with an enhanced mineralizable N pool. A rotation of corn-corn-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in combination with cover crops and the application of composted manure were used to increase the mineralizable N pool. The N-supplying capacity of bare soil and soils planted with corn and wheat was calculated, and changes in N and C pool sizes were determined by laboratory incubations. Living corn roots increased the inorganic N-supplying capacity of the conditioned soil by >50%. We suggest that this increase is caused by an increase in net N mineralization. This is supported by the considerable size reduction of the 70-d N pool in the soil planted with corn. No significant increase in the soil N-supplying capacity was observed when wheat was planted, indicating the possibility that this effect may vary dramatically among plant species. The contribution of corn and wheat root rhizodeposition to the active C pool and as energy source to enhance microbial activity and organic matter turnover is discussed.
Binding and electron transfer reactions between methanol dehydrogenase and its physiologic electron acceptor cytochrome c-551i: a kinetic and thermodynamic analysis

The quinoprotein methanol dehydrogenase and cytochrome c-551i form a physiologic complex in which electrons are transferred from pyrroloquinoline quinone to heme. The reoxidation of methanol dehydrogenase by the cytochrome was studied by stopped-flow spectroscopy. The rate constant for the electron transfer reaction and the dissociation constant for complex formation were each determined at temperatures ranging from 20 to 50 degrees C. The electron transfer rates varied from 1.4 to 4.6 s-1. Analysis of the electron transfer reaction by Marcus theory yielded values of 1.9 eV for the reorganizational energy and 0.071 cm-1 for the electronic coupling and predicted a theoretical distance between redox centers of 15 A. Kinetically determined dissociation constants correlated well with a Kd of 375 microM which was determined in a direct ultrafiltration binding assay. Thermodynamic analysis of the dissociation constants indicated the importance of the hydrophobic effect in complex formation.
Hemangioblasts in adults

The intimate association between developing vascular endothelial and hematopoietic cells was noted almost a century ago. Based on microscopic analyses of chick embryos, it was hypothesized that these lineages share a common progenitor, the “hemangioblast.” Since then, it has become apparent that
Inferior Vena Cava Thrombosis after Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Revision with a Covered Stent

A 42-year-old woman who had undergone multiple revisions of a bare-stent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was treated for in-stent stenosis by insertion of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-covered stent. Immediately after revision with the covered stent, she developed inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis. The potential causes and implications of this complication are discussed.
Maximum likelihood estimators of the variance components based on the Q-reduced model

In a variance component model, $$\underset{\raise0.3em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle-}$}}{Y} \sim \left( {\chi \underset{\raise0.3em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle-}$}}{\beta } ,\sum\limits_{j = 1}^C {\sigma _j^2 } V_j } \right)$$ , Pukelsheim (1981) proved that the non-negative and unbiased estimation of the variance componentsσ 2 ,j=1, …,c, entails a transformation of the original model toQ $$\underset{\raise0.3em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle-}$}}{Y} $$ (calledQ-reduced model). The maximum likelihood (ML) approach based on the likelihood ofQ $$\underset{\raise0.3em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle-}$}}{Y} $$ (denotedQ-ML) is considered and applied to an incomplete block design (IBD) model. TheQ-ML estimators of variance components and are shown to be more efficient in the mean squared error sense than the non-negative MINQUE’s (minimum norm quadratic unbiased estimators) in the IBD. The effect of usingQ-ML estimators of the variance components to estimate the variance ratio in the combined estimator of the treatment contrast is also considered.
Field Experiments and the Study of Voter Turnout

Although field experiments have long been used to study voter turnout, only recently has this research method generated widespread scholarly interest. This article reviews the substantive contributions of the field experimental literature on voter turnout. This literature may be divided into two strands, one that focuses on the question of which campaign tactics do or do not increase turnout and another that uses voter mobilization campaigns to test social psychological theories. Both strands have generated stubborn facts with which theories of cognition, persuasion and motivation must contend.
Post-Laramide removal of the Farallon slab, western United States

I propose that post-Laramide removal of the subhorizontally subducting Farallon slab occurred by buckling downward along an approximately east-northeast–trending axis. This process was accomplished by a tearing or necking separation of the subducted slab near the northern and southern boundaries of the United States and propagation of the separated edges toward the central axis of downwelling, accompanied by aesthenosphic upwelling behind the trailing edges. Initial buckling probably began near 50 Ma, and slab removal was complete by 20 Ma. This model is based primarily on the space-time evolution of the “ignimbrite flare-up” (a major mid-Tertiary igneous event of mantle origin), which involved two propagating fronts of initiation of volcanism that followed the proposed motions of the separated slab edges as they converged on central Nevada from the north and southeast. Post-Laramide uplift, extension, establishment of the Cascadia subduction zone, and active magmatism may be consequences of lithosphere-scale modifications caused by the Laramide removal of the slab and the resulting asthenospheric upwelling.
Chloroperoxidase-mediated asymmetric epoxidation. Synthesis of (R)-dimethyl 2-methylaziridine-1,2-dicarboxylate—a potential α-methylamino acid synthon

Abstract Methoxycarbonyl-protected methallyl amine serves as an excellent substrate for chloroperoxidase-mediated asymmetric epoxidation. The resulting (R)-epoxide (94% ee) was converted to the title compound in three steps with nearly complete maintenance of stereochemical integrity. Titanium tetrachloride ring-opening of the epoxide provided the chlorohydrin with excellent selectivity and inversion of the stereogenic center. Oxidation with pyridinium dichromate was followed by ring-closure to the aziridine which was esterified in situ with methyl iodide.
Subsurface failure in spherical bodies: A formation scenario for linear troughs on Vesta’s surface

Abstract Many asteroids in the Solar System exhibit unusual, linear features on their surface. The Dawn mission recently observed two sets of linear features on the surface of the asteroid 4 Vesta. Geologic observations indicate that these features are related to the two large impact basins at the south pole of Vesta, though no specific mechanism of origin has been determined. Further, the orientation of the features is offset from the center of the basins. Experimental and numerical results reveal that the offset angle is a natural consequence of oblique impacts into a spherical target. Here we demonstrate that a set of shear planes develops in the subsurface of the body opposite to the point of first contact. These subsurface failure zones then propagate to the surface under combined tensile-shear stress fields after the impact to create sets of approximately linear faults on the surface. Comparison between the orientation of damage structures in the laboratory and failure regions within Vesta can be used to constrain impact parameters (e.g., the approximate impact point and likely impact trajectory).
Enrichment of dissolved gallium relative to aluminum in natural waters

Abstract Gallium has a crustal geochemistry similar to that of aluminum; however, its behavior in natural waters is uncertain. In this report paired analyses of dissolved Ga and Al are presented in a preliminary examination of the comparative behaviors of these elements in natural waters. Seawater and some rivers were found to have dissolved Ga Al ratios an order of magnitude higher than crustal rock ratios. This enrichment probably results from a combination of factors including preferential dissolution of Ga from solid phases and enhanced removal of Al from solution. In rivers, complexation of Al by organic matter appears to play an important role in determining dissolved Ga Al ratios.
Inline sidewall angle monitoring of memory capacitor profiles

The integration of embedded ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM) into a standard CMOS flow requires significant control and characterization of the patterned capacitor sidewall angle. The electrical functionality of the FRAM capacitor is highly dependent on the post-etch sidewall characteristics of the TiAlN hardmask and Ir/PZT/Ir capacitor film stack. In this study, we explored various options for determining the sidewall profile of these capacitors including scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scatterometry. A series of capacitor samples with ranges of sidewall slopes from 60 degrees to 80 degrees was generated to test each measuring technique's robustness. All of the techniques demonstrated relatively accurate sidewall angle measurements of the high-angle capacitor profiles relative to cross-section SEMs. However, the CD SEM had difficulty identifying the top edge of the low-angle capacitor samples due to the large amount of profile roughness, which induced a large measurement error range. Additional optimization is required to improve the CD SEM's precision, before it would be a viable in-line monitor for the FRAM process. The AFM provided good accuracy and precision on the high-angle capacitor profiles, but the tip size limited the measurements to spaces larger than 120 nm. Furthermore, the AFM had a long move-acquire-measure (MAM) time of 5 minutes/site, which limited its throughput as an inline monitor. The scatterometer predicted bottom-stack sidewall angle measurements (2 trapezoid model) that were consistent with the cross-section SEMs, and it produced the lowest across wafer sidewall angle range. It also had the fastest MAM time of 5 seconds/site compared to the other techniques. However, it was difficult to generate an accurate scatterometry model due to the complex optical film stack that incorporated low surface reflectivity and higher surface roughness. While each technique had limitations, scatterometry appeared to be the most capable of inline sidewall angle monitoring.
Comparison of Power Consumption for Motion Compensation and Deblocking Filters in High Definition Video Coding

From a computational perspective, it is known that motion compensation and deblocking constitute the two most time consuming components in the video decoding standard. This paper presents a comparison study of the commonly used motion compensation and deblocking filters in terms of the number and type of instructions to indirectly analyze the level of power consumption. Video quality is also taken into consideration as part of this comparison. The comparison results show that the motion compensation and deblocking filters adopted by the H.264 standard provide the highest video quality at the lowest power consumption level for low bit rate video coding applications.
Stem cell differentiation: Multipotency retained.

Stem cells that are cultured in the laboratory differentiate in response to the mechanical properties of the substrate and its topography. It is now shown that mesenchymal stem cell multipotency is prolonged when the cells are cultured on a surface patterned with an ordered arrangement of nanoscale pits.
SEM Observations of Nickel-Titanium Rotary Endodontic Instruments that Fractured During Clinical Use

Numerous discarded ProFile GT, ProFile, and ProTaper nickel-titanium rotary instruments obtained from two graduate endodontic clinics were examined by scanning electron microscopy. These instruments had an unknown history of clinical use and had fractured or experienced considerable permanent torsional deformation without complete separation. The failure processes generally exhibited substantial ductile character, evidenced by a dimpled rupture fracture surface. Crack propagation at grain boundaries and cleavage surfaces indicative of transgranular fracture were observed for some specimens. It appeared that oxide particles from the manufacturing process served as nucleating sites for the microvoids, leading to dimpled rupture. A previously unreported fracture mode also was observed, in which crack propagation, approximately parallel to the local flute orientation, connected pitted regions on the surface. Combining present and previous scanning electron microscopy observations of clinically failed instruments, suggestions are offered for improving their fracture resistance.
PROGESTERONE IN BOVINE REPRODUCTION. A REVIEW.

Abstract Portions of an extensive literature were reviewed to evaluate the status of our knowledge relative to progesterone in the bovine. Studies related to the secretion and metabolism of progesterone have been hampered by the lack of chemical methods sufficiently sensitive and specific to quantitate the hormone in small samples. Certain bioassays are extremely sensitive but lack specificity and have undefined limits of error. Spectrophotometric determination of progesterone or progesterone derivatives appears specific but is sensitive to only 0.1–0.5 μ g. Fluorometric, gas chromatographic, and double-isotope derivative methods promise sensitivity to 0.01 μ g with adequate specificity and precision. Progesterone and 20 β -hydroxy-Δ 4 -pregnene-3-one appear to be the principal progestins in the corpus luteum (CL) of cycling and pregnant cows. Progestins have also been reported in bovine ovaries, adrenals, and blood. The CL appears to be the most important source of progesterone throughout bovine pregnancy. The CL from a previous cycle contains measurable progesterone for two or three days after estrus. Progestin in the CL and ovarian vein blood declines rapidly during proestrus from maximum levels observed 14–16 days post-estrus. In the pregnant cow, CL progestin levels decline about 40% from mid-cycle levels by 42–56 days of pregnancy, further decline slowly until 200 days, then rise again to the 28-day level; after 250 days, a decline to parturition begins. Similar changes are seen in blood levels of the hormones during pregnancy. Progesterone appears important in pregnancy maintenance, expression of estrus, normal cyclic function, and in hypophyseal-gonad interrelationships.
Computational Prediction and Experimental Validation of a Novel Binding Site for Platelet Integrin AlphaIIb-Beta3

Fibrinogen mimetic drugs and a γ-chain peptide bind to both the αIIb and β3 subunits of integrin αIIbβ3, providing the final coordination site for the metal ion-dependent adhesion site (MIDAS) metal ion within the β3 I domain, and inducing a less compact conformation of the protein. We investigated the binding of a novel human-selective αIIbβ3 small molecular inhibitor (RUC-1) that we recently identified by high throughput screening, and predicted to bind preferentially to a pocket within the αIIb β-propeller domain by flexible ligand/rigid protein molecular docking studies. We first carried out both standard and enhanced molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the proposed RUC-1-bound form of human αIIbβ3 integrin. The results of these studies pointed to an energetically preferred conformation of RUC-1 into the αIIb β-propeller domain that had no contact with the MIDAS metal ion or other sites in the β3 I domain. This binding mode of RUC-1 appeared to be stabilized by interactions with specific human αIIb residues, such as D224 (already known to contribute to αIIbβ3 binding), Y190 (F in both mouse and rat), and (through two water molecules) D232 (H in rat). Well-tempered metadynamics simulations of Y190F and D232H mutants supported the contribution of normal residues to the stabilization of RUC-1 in a specific binding mode and location. Functional experiments on recombinant cell lines expressing Y190FαIIbβ3 or D232HαIIbβ3 validated this hypothesis by showing a ∼80-95% reduction in RUC-1 affinity. X-ray crystallography confirmed the RUC-1 binding pose suggested by MD simulations, while gel filtration and dynamic light scattering experiments showed that RUC-1 favored a compact αIIbβ3 conformation, in sharp contrast to the effect of fibrinogen-mimetic drugs.
Character correspondences induced by subgroups of operator groups

Let G and A be finite groups and suppose that A acts on G by automorphisms. Then A induces a permutation action on the set Irr(G) of irreducible characters of G. For x E Irr(G) and a E A, the character xa is defined by x”(g”) = x(g) for g E G. We let Irr,(G) = (x E Irr(G) 1 xa = x for all a E A). Assume further that (/ G /, 1 A 1) = 1. Then there is a “natural” one-to-one and onto map m(G, A): Irr,(G) + Irr(C,(A)). By “natural”, we mean that r(G, A) is completely determined by the action of A on G and is thus independent of any choices made in an algorithm used to compute the map. Since (I G 1, 1 A 1) = 1, the Odd-Order Th eorem implies that either A is solvable or / G / is odd. G. Glauberman [S] developed the correspondence for the case where A is solvable, and I. M. Isaacs [7] developed the correspondence when / G 1 is odd. The author [9] showed that the Glauberman correspondence and the Isaacs correspondence are equal when both are defined. We note E. C. Dade ([l], [2], and [3]), via his theory of Clifford systems, has done work inclusive of that of Isaacs [7]. We will follow Tsaacs methods. Let B < A. In this paper, we investigate the relationship between rr(G, A) and m(G, B). If B is subnormal in A, then much information is known about the relationship between m(G, A) and rr(G, B) (see Theorem 2.1(c)). Suppose B < A and C,(A) = C,(B). rt is then an easy consequence of the correspondence that Irr,(G) = Irr,(G). Th e main result of this paper will be to show that rr(G, A) = r(G, B) if G is solvable. The solvability of G is used heavily as we look at characters afforded A by chief sections of G. The more general question is unknown. In the event that G has odd order, we obtain a stronger result. For B < A, we have that C,(A) < C,(B). If / G 1 is odd and x E Irr,(G), then Theorem 2.14 shows that xm(G, A) is an irreducible constituent of the restriction of xrr(G, B) to C,(A). It is not known if this result holds when G is solvable of even order. All groups considered are finite.
Local Composition Models for Lattice Mixtures

A detailed comparison is made of several local-composition lattice models. The models considered include several popular activity coefficient models: the Wilson equation, Guggenheim`s quasi-chemical theory (GQC), the nonrandom two-liquid theory (NRTL), and the universal quasi-chemical (UNIQUAC) theory. Also considered are three recently developed lattice models: the Born-Green-Yvon (BGY) model, the nonrandom surface fraction (NRSF) model, and the Aranovich-Donohue (AD) model. Similarities and differences in the assumptions regarding the local compositions are examined. Detailed comparisons are made for both symmetric and asymmetric monomer mixtures as well as for polymer/solvent mixtures with Monte Carlo simulations.
Mars: Theoretical Aspects of Meteorology

The Mars atmosphere responds by radiative and convective heating to surface temperature changes in a time-scale of the order of one day. This is about 50 times as fast as the corresponding response on the earth. As a consequence, the mean wind distribution is under strong solar control but may be modified by latent heat release in CO2 condensation and by the mass flow required to balance such condensation. Unstable eddies, analogous to terrestrial cyclones, are to be expected in all seasons except summer. The thermally driven tides are likely to be strong on Mars, but a detailed theoretical solution to this problem has yet to be given.