cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What a Hassle! Consumer Perceptions of Costs Associated with Sales Promotions

This study reports the results of two consumer surveys that examine how the hassles associated with different types of promotions affect their use and to discuss the implications for marketing managers. The findings indicate promotions that offer monetary savings can backfire if they impose too much hassle on consumers. Consumers strongly prefer promotions that require little or no effort, such as BOGO (buy one, get one) and price cuts. Ease of use is a factor in consumer promotions that may be as important as amount of savings. In addition, the majority of our respondents reported failures in completing requirements of promotions, particularly rebates.
Mutagenesis of the a subunit of the F1F0-ATP synthase from Escherichia coli in the region of Asn-192

Abstract Site-directed cassette mutagenesis was used to generate a series of amino acid substitutions in the a subunit of the Escherichia coli F1F0-ATP synthase. The following substitutions for Asn-192 were analyzed and shown to inhibit partially the ATP-dependent proton translocation without disrupting F1-F0 interactions: Leu, Val, Pro, Ser, Thr, and Arg. A group of multiple substitutions at residues Gln-181, Asn-184, and His-185 had no significant effect on ATP synthase function, as judged by growth yields, or by assays of ATP-dependent proton translocation, indicating that this region of the a subunit is not involved in function. Three double mutants were constructed in order to assess the independence of residues Asn-192, Glu-196, and Asn-214. Results of proton translocation assays of membranes from cells containing these double mutations are consistent with the interpretation that each of these residues is involved with proton movement, and that residues Asn-192 and Glu-196 may be coupled. Finally, the relationship between the mechanism of proton translocation by the E. coli ATP synthase and the chloroplast enzyme was probed by constructing variants of the E. colia subunit containing several features of homologous chloroplast proteins. It was determined that these chloroplast features, in the region of Glu-196 of the E. colia subunit, were detrimental to ATP synthase function.
Phase Transition and Thermal Expansion of MgSiO3 Perovskite

Results from in situ x-ray diffraction experiments with a DIA-type cubic anvil apparatus (SAM 85) reveal that MgSiO3 perovskite transforms from the orthorhombic Pbnm symmetry to another perovskite-type structure above 600 kelvin (K) at pressures of 7.3 gigapascals; the apparent volume increase across the transition is 0.7%. Unit-cell volume increased linearly with temperature, both below (1.44 x 10-5 K–1) and above (1.55 x 10–5 K–1) the transition. These results indicate that the physical properties measured on the Pbnm phase should be used with great caution because they may not be applicable to the earth9s lower mantle. A density analysis based on the new data yields an iron content of 10.4 weight percent for a pyrolite composition under conditions corresponding to the lower mantle. All current equation-of-state data are compatible with constant chemical composition in the upper and lower mantle; thus, these data imply that a chemically layered mantle is unnecessary, and whole-mantle convection is possible.
Serotonergic control of prolactin release in male rats.

Abstract To further clarify the relationship between the central serotonergic system and the control of prolactin secretion, we studied the effect of dorsal raphe' lesions, electrical stimulation of the midbrain raphe' nucleus and treatment with parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA) on prolactin secretion. Radio frequency destruction of serotonergic cell bodies in the midbrain dorsal raphe' nucleus or PCPA decreased forebrain serotonin (5HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) concentration and prolactin secretion. Electrical stimulation of the raphe' increased forebrain serotonin turnover and prolactin secretion. These observations indicate that serotonergic neurons located in the raphe' nuclei may be involved in regulating prolactin secretion in male rats.
Epidemiology of a Daphnia-Multiparasite System and Its Implications for the Red Queen

The Red Queen hypothesis can explain the maintenance of host and parasite diversity. However, the Red Queen requires genetic specificity for infection risk (i.e., that infection depends on the exact combination of host and parasite genotypes) and strongly virulent effects of infection on host fitness. A European crustacean (Daphnia magna) – bacterium (Pasteuria ramosa) system typifies such specificity and high virulence. We studied the North American host Daphnia dentifera and its natural parasite Pasteuria ramosa, and also found strong genetic specificity for infection success and high virulence. These results suggest that Pasteuria could promote Red Queen dynamics with D. dentifera populations as well. However, the Red Queen might be undermined in this system by selection from a more common yeast parasite (Metschnikowia bicuspidata). Resistance to the yeast did not correlate with resistance to Pasteuria among host genotypes, suggesting that selection by Metschnikowia should proceed relatively independently of selection by Pasteuria.
Social networks in time and space : Homeless women in Skid Row, Los Angeles.

Abstract Social networks operate within a specific time-space fabric. This paper develops a theoretical framework for understanding the role of social networks among the homeless. The concept of time-space discontinuity is offered as a way to conceptualize the impacts of homelessness on social network formation, daily paths, life paths, personal identity and self-esteem. Ethnographic research among homeless women in Skid Row, Los Angeles is used to illustrate the theoretical framework. Results indicate that homeless women develop both peer and “homed'’social networks as a means of coping with their circumstances and reestablishing time-space continuity. Network relationships can also serve as substitutes for place-based stations in the daily path such as home and work. The characteristics of social networks and daily time-space paths appear to have affected the identities and self-esteem of the homeless women.
Serious psychological distress and health outcomes for persons with epilepsy in poverty.

Abstract Epidemiology literature demonstrates socioeconomic status as an important variable for outcomes in persons with epilepsy. However, no previous studies have analyzed the association between poverty and epilepsy in the United States. Forty-one percent (246/604) of persons with a history of epilepsy (PWHE) in the 2005 California Health Interview Survey ( n =43,020) had an annual income
On the question of co-operative interaction of myosin heads with F-actin in the presence of ATP.

The actin-activated enzymic activity of partially modified heavy meromyosin molecules has been compared to the unmodified protein in order to examine the possibility of co-operative interactions between the two myosin heads. The modification of the myosin heads with the bifunctional thiol reagent p-phenylenedimaleimide proceeded at the same rate with subfragment-1 preparations containing either the alkali 1 chain or alkali 2 chain. The modified, inactivated heads did not bind actin. Enzymic assays of the reacted heavy meromyosin solutions, combined with the analysis of their sedimentation in the presence of F-actin, verified that the two heads reacted with p-phenylenedimaleimide independently. Well-defined heavy meromyosin samples containing fractions of zero, one and two inactivated heads were then examined for their interaction with F-actin in the presence of ATP. Maximum ATP turnover rates, Vmax, were found to be linearly dependent upon the total fraction of unmodified heads and independent of the relative fraction of the one-head modified molecules. The apparent dissociation constants of actin from heavy meromyosin, Kapp, increased somewhat with the increasing fraction of one-head modified molecules. These results are consistent with an independent binding of myosin heads to actin in the presence of ATP.
An injectable extracellular matrix derived hydrogel for meniscus repair and regeneration.

Abstract Tissue-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) biomaterials to regenerate the meniscus have gained increasing attention in treating meniscus injuries and diseases, particularly for aged persons and athletes. However, ECM scaffold has poor cell infiltration and can only be implanted using surgical procedures. To overcome these limitations, we developed an injectable ECM hydrogel material from porcine meniscus via modified decellularization and enzymatic digestion. This meniscus-derived ECM hydrogel exhibited a fibrous morphology with tunable compression and initial modulus. It had a good injectability evidenced by syringe injection into mouse subcutaneous tissue. The hydrogel showed good cellular compatibility by promoting the growth of both bovine chondrocytes and mouse 3T3 fibroblasts encapsulated in the hydrogel for 2 weeks. It also promoted cell infiltration as shown in both in vitro cell culture and in vivo mouse subcutaneous implantation. The in vivo study revealed that the ECM hydrogel possessed good tissue compatibility after 7 days of implantation. The results support the great potential of the newly produced injectable meniscus-derived ECM hydrogel specifically for meniscus repair and regeneration.
The fatigue crack growth of a ship steel in seawater under spectrum loading

Abstract Fatigue crack growth of ABS EH36 steel under spectrum loading intended to simulate sea loading of offshore structures in the North Sea was studied using fracture mechanics. A digital simulation technique was used to generate samples of load/time histories from a power spectrum characteristic of the North Sea environment. In constant load-amplitude tests, the effects of specimen orientation and stress ratio on fatigue crack growth rates were found to be negligible in the range 2 × 10 −5 to 10 −3 mm/cycle. Fatigue crack growth rates in a 3.5% NaCl solution were two to five times faster than those observed in air in the stress intensity range 25 to 60 MPa √m. The average fatigue crack growth rates under spectrum loading and constant-amplitude loading were in excellent agreement when the fatigue crack growth rate was plotted as a function of the appropriately defined equivalent stress intensity range. This procedure is equivalent to applying Miner's summation rule in fatigue life calculations.
Dry Weather Water Quality Loadings in Arid, Urban Watersheds of the Los Angeles Basin, California, USA

Dry weather runoff in arid, urban watersheds may consist entirely of treated wastewater effluent and/or urban nonpoint source runoff, which can be a source of bacteria, nutrients, and metals to receiving waters. Most studies of urban runoff focus on stormwater, and few have evaluated the relative contribution and sources of dry weather pollutant loading for a range of constituents across multiple watersheds. This study assessed dry weather loading of nutrients, metals, and bacteria in six urban watersheds in the Los Angeles region of southern California to estimate relative sources of each constituent class and the proportion of total annual load that can be attributed to dry weather discharge. In each watershed, flow and water quality were sampled from storm drain and treated wastewater inputs, as well as from in-stream locations during at least two time periods. Data were used to calculate mean concentrations and loads for various sources. Dry weather loads were compared with modeled wet weather loads under a range of annual rainfall volumes to estimate the relative contribution of dry weather load. Mean storm drain flows were comparable between all watersheds, and in all cases, approximately 20% of the flowing storm drains accounted for 80% of the daily volume. Wastewater reclamation plants (WRP) were the main source of nutrients, storm drains accounted for almost all the bacteria, and metals sources varied by constituent. In-stream concentrations reflected major sources, for example nutrient concentrations were highest downstream of WRP discharges, while in-stream metals concentrations were highest downstream of the storm drains with high metals loads. Comparison of wet vs. dry weather loading indicates that dry weather loading can be a significant source of metals, ranging from less than 20% during wet years to greater than 50% during dry years.
Pulmonary lymphomas and other pulmonary lymphoid lesions. A clinicopathologic and immunologic study of 64 patients

Sixty-four patients with lymphoid lesions involving the lung were separated into three groups. In 32 patients, the predominant lymphoid cell population consisted of small, mature-appearing round lymphocytes with or without plasmacytoid features. This group, designated small lymphocytic proliferation (SLP), represents a heterogeneous group of pulmonary lymphocytic lesions including small lymphocytic lymphoma, lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia, and lymphoid hyperplasia (pseudolymphoma). Thirteen SLP patients were identified as having small lymphocytic lymphoma on the basis of monoclonality, progressive disease in other sites, or both. This group was morphologically identical to the remainder of the SLP patients, except for a higher incidence of plasmacytoid features (P = 0.003) and a greater degree of mast cell infiltration (P less than 0.05). Four of these 13 patients subsequently developed an aggressive large cell lymphoma resulting in death in three patients. The median survival for all of the SLP patients has not yet been reached. Patients in whom a monoclonal cell population could be established showed a slightly worse prognosis of borderline statistical significance (P = 0.09); however, the presence of a serum monoclonal gammopathy conveyed a significantly worse prognosis (P = 0.003). The remaining two groups of patients had various forms of malignant lymphoma other than the small lymphocytic type. One group of 12 patients, designated as having presumed primary lymphoma limited to one or both lungs (PL), had a prolonged course with a median survival of 117 months. The remaining 20 patients had disseminated lymphoma also involving lung (DL); DL patients had a shorter median survival of 33 months.
Rheology of fetal and maternal blood.

ABSTRACT: Rheological parameters were measured in 10 pairs of mothers and newborns. Whole blood viscosity was similar despite a higher fetal hematocrit (47.0 ± 5.1 versus 35.5 ± 12.0%, mean ± SD, p < 0.05). When the hematocrit of the suspension of red cells in plasma was adjusted to 45%, the viscosity was significantly lower in the fetal blood over a wide range of shear rates (0.52-208 s-1). The main reason for the lower viscosity in the fetal blood was the lower plasma viscosity as compared to the maternal blood (1.08 ± 0.05 versus 1.37 ± 0.08 centipoise, p < 0.05); this in turn was attributable to a lower total plasma protein concentration (4.74 ± 0.71 versus 6.47 ± 0.64 g/dl, p < 0.05). All protein fractions were lower in the fetal plasma. The assessment of red cell deformability by filtration through polycarbonate sieves revealed that the resistance of a fetal red cell was three times higher than that of a maternal red cell in a 2.6-μm pore, but there was no significant difference in resistance for these red cells in 6.9-μm pores. This higher filtration resistance of fetal red cells through the small pores was mainly due to their large volume (115.4 ± 10.8 versus 93.5 ± 5.9 fl, p < 0.001). Measurements on membrane-free hemoglobin solutions indicated that the internal viscosity of these two types of red cells was not different. We conclude that in fetal blood the higher hematocrit and the presence of larger red cells, which cause impaired passage through pores < 5 μm, are counterbalanced by a decreased plasma viscosity, resulting in a whole blood viscosity comparable to that of adults.
Correlation between Cord Blood (UCB), 24 Hour Postnatal (24H) Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) Values and Postnatal Transition in Elective C/S (ECS) Born Full Term (FT)

Correlation between Cord Blood (UCB), 24 Hour Postnatal (24H) Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) Values and Postnatal Transition in Elective C/S (ECS) Born Full Term (FT)
HABITUATION OF THE ORIENTING REFLEX IN BRAIN DAMAGED PATIENTS

Habituation and dishabituation of the heart rate, skin conductance, and alpha blocking components of the orienting reflex to an auditory stimulus were examined for brain-damaged and non-brain-damaged Ss. The non-brain-damaged group displayed the expected habituation for all of these response variables but the brain-damaged group displayed evidence of habituation only for the skin conductance measure. The brain-damaged group also displayed higher initial skin conductance response amplitudes and smaller initial alpha blocking responses to the auditory stimulus than did the non-brain-damaged group. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for mechanisms of habituation and for other psychological deficits in brain-damaged patients.
The Gut and Energy Balance: Visceral Allies in the Obesity Wars

In addition to digesting and assimilating nutrients, the intestine and associated visceral organs play a key sensing and signaling role in the physiology of energy homeostasis. The gut, the pancreatic islets of Langerhans, elements in the portal vasculature, and even visceral adipose tissue communicate with the controllers of energy balance in the brain by means of neural and endocrine pathways. Signals reflecting energy stores, recent nutritional state, and other parameters are integrated in the central nervous system, particularly in the hypothalamus, to coordinate energy intake and expenditure. Our understanding of regulatory neural circuits and the signaling molecules that influence them has progressed rapidly, particularly after the discovery of the adipocyte hormone leptin. These discoveries have led to exploration of novel routes for obesity control, some of which involve gut-derived pathways.
The efficacy of ibrutinib in the treatment of Richter syndrome

To the editor: Richter syndrome (RS) is defined as the transformation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) to a more aggressive lymphoma, most commonly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).[1][1] Traditional anthracycline- or platinum-based chemotherapy is associated with complete response (CR)
A Continuum Three-Zone Model for Swarms

We present a progression of three distinct three-zone, continuum models for swarm behavior based on social interactions with neighbors in order to explain simple coherent structures in popular biological models of aggregations. In continuum models, individuals are replaced with density and velocity functions. Individual behavior is modeled with convolutions acting within three interaction zones corresponding to repulsion, orientation, and attraction, respectively. We begin with a variable-speed first-order model in which the velocity depends directly on the interactions. Next, we present a variable-speed second-order model. Finally, we present a constant-speed second-order model that is coordinated with popular individual-based models. For all three models, linear stability analysis shows that the growth or decay of perturbations in an infinite, uniform swarm depends on the strength of attraction relative to repulsion and orientation. We verify that the continuum models predict the behavior of a swarm of individuals by comparing the linear stability results with an individual-based model that uses the same social interaction kernels. In some unstable regimes, we observe that the uniform state will evolve toward a radially symmetric attractor with a variable density. In other unstable regimes, we observe an incoherent swarming state.
Characteristics of Human Adenovirus Type 12 Induced Hamster Tumor Cells in Tissue Culture.

SummaryCharacteristics of a human adenovirus type 12 induced hamster tumor serially propagated in vitro are described. These include small cell size, epithelioid appearance, rapid growth rate, resistance to superinfection with A-12, and transplantability to weanling hamsters. These cells grew either as monolayers or as balls of aggregated cells detached from the glass, depending on whether calf serum or horse serum was added to the Eagle's medium. Attempts to demonstrate virus activity by subculture of supernatant fluids and lysed cells into HeLa cells, mixed culture with human and hamster cells, electron microscopy, and inoculation of newborn hamsters with irradiated tumor cells were negative.
Valve-sparing aortic root reconstruction using in situ three-dimensional measurements.

Background The truncated cone overall geometry of the native aortic root, an important factor in maintaining valvular competence, is significantly altered in cases of root aneurysms. We hypothesized that an early trial restoration of valve competence within the native aortic root followed by in situ three-dimensional measurements may lead to a more predictable functional reconstruction. Methods The operation started with downsizing annuloplasty followed by sinotubular junction plication until full valve competence was observed and tested with the saline squirt test. Subsequent measurements (basal ring and sinotubular junction size, the depth of each sinus of Valsalva) formed the basis of graft sizing and tailoring. Reconstruction was completed with a new proximal suture line technique combining David subannular pledgeted fixation with Yacoub remodeling. Results Ten patients were operated on during a 3-year period. Intraoperative (nonpressurized) competence by open testing translated into good postoperative valve function seen on transesophageal echocardiography. In situ measurements were done in the last 7 patients, and in 5 of them the restored root geometry was of a reverse cone (sinotubular junction 2 to 4 mm larger than basal ring size). Conclusions Rebuilding the aortic root based on in situ measurements with a fully competent aortic valve is a conceptually new surgical approach. Our observations suggest that postoperative valve competence, particularly with elongated valve leaflets, may not depend on the normal truncated cone geometry.
Upstream Elements Involved in the Embryonic Regulation of the Sea Urchin CyIIIb Actin Gene: Temporal and Spatial Specific Interactions at a Single cis-Acting Element

Abstract The sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus CyIIIb actin gone codes for a cytoskeletal type actin and is activated in the early embryo specifically in the cells destined to become the aboral ectoderm. Deletion constructs of its upstream region fused to the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene were expressed in developing embryos following microinjection into eggs. These studies revealed the segments of the upstream region which are necessary for embryonic expression. We mapped the protein:DNA interaction sites in this upstream region by DNase I footprinting. At least five binding sites were identified in the 2173 nucleotide flanking sequence, which seem to include all the necessary elements for quantitative expression. One of these elements (E 1 ) showed different patterns of association in vitro with nuclear proteins isolated from different stages in development. These different interactions are separated when nuclear extracts from ectodermal or endodermal-mesodermal tissues were used. When S. purpuratus eggs were injected with a CAT fusion construct mutated at this site, a decrease in CAT activity was observed only in late stage embryos (plutei), whereas early stage embryos (blastulae) exhibited wild-type CAT activity. These results suggest that the E 1 element is involved in the temporal regulation of the CyIIIb gene.
Initial Management of the Patient With Cervical Spine Injury

Abstract Initial management, beginning at the scene of the accident, plays a pivotal role in determining the long-term prognosis of patients with cervical spine injury. Early and appropriate measures increase the likelihood of neurological recovery and subsequently reduce complications from prolonged immobilization and recumbency. This manuscript discusses the prehospital and hospital management of a patient with cervical spine injury, including the techniques of immobilization, initial clinicoradiographic evaluation, the current consensus on "clearance" of the cervical spine, medical management of spinal cord injuries, and the issue of timing of surgery.
Managing Arrhythmias in the Intensive Care Unit

Patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) are at increased risk for cardiac arrhythmias, the most common of which can be subdivided into tachyarrhythmias and bradyarrhythmias. These arrhythmias may be the primary reason for ICU admission or may occur in the critically ill patient. This article addresses the occurrence of arrhythmias in the critically ill patient, and discusses their pathophysiology, implications, recognition, and management.
An Interpretation of Pressure and High Velocity Vapor Jets at Cathodes of Vacuum Arcs

Tanberg's conclusion, that the evaporating vapor from the cathode of a copper vacuum arc escapes with a temperature of about 500,000\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, which is based upon measurements of the repulsive force against the cathode, is shown to be unnecessary. The observed pressures can reasonably be explained in terms of the "accommodation coefficient" of the incoming Cu ions. It is thus shown that the observed pressures are accounted for if the positive ions retain about 2 percent of their incident kinetic energy after neutralization at the cathode.
Revisiting Hrdlička and Boas: Asymmetries of Race and Anti-Imperialism in Interwar Anthropology

ABSTRACT Physical anthropologist Ales Hrdlicka is often remembered as an institutional and political opponent of Franz Boas and as an advocate of racial typology against which the Boasian antiracialist position in American anthropology developed. I argue that Hrdlicka nonetheless also has more subtle lessons to offer about the political limits of Boasian antiracism. Examining Hrdlicka's engagement with the politics of Europe and East Asia from the 1920s to the 1940s, particularly with the intellectual grounding of Japanese imperialism, I suggest that he was perhaps uniquely cognizant of a “second problem of race in the world”—the racist assimilationism of the Japanese empire—vis-a-vis the Boasian grasp of race, rooted in a response to U.S. and Nazi racisms, as a category of invidious difference. Moreover, I contend that the lacuna that Hrdlicka helps us identify has continued to haunt the discipline at certain key moments of Boasian critique of other ideological forces.
Tree representation of digital picture embeddings

It is often the case that the same object is imaged in different ways, resulting in digital pictures of (some parts of) it at different resolutions. This leads to the combinatorial problem of ''embedding'' one of these pictures into the other in a way that corresponds to physical truth. In this paper we present a mathematical formulation of this intuitive concept of embedding. We also show, using a tree representation of digital pictures, how picture embedding relates to tree embedding, which has been a subject of much study in combinatorial computer science (mostly for reasons other than application to digital pictures).
Effect of dietary calcium and lead status on intestinal calcium absorption.

Dietary lead intake was demonstrated to result in two very different effects on intestinal calcium absorption and associated parameters, depending on dietary calcium status. Normal growing 14-day-old chicks were fed diets either low (0.05%) or adequate (1.2%) in calcium and containing varying levels of lead (0%–0.8%) for an additional 10 days. In chicks fed the low calcium diet, ingested lead inhibited intestinal 47 Ca absorption, and intestinal calbindin D and alkaline phosphatase synthesis in a dose-dependent fashion. Even at the highest levels of lead, however, this inhibition was limited to the stimulation of these parameters by low dietary calcium. In chicks fed the normal calcium diet, lead exposure did not diminish intestinal 47 Ca absorption, or calbindin D or alkaline phosphatase synthesis, but actually elevated the values of these parameters at the higher lead exposure levels. The results indicate that the primary effect of lead, in both cases, occurs at or prior to intestinal protein synthesis and most likely involves the cholecalciferol endocrine system rather than any direct interactions between lead and calcium at the intestinal level.
Remote life-detection criteria, habitable zone boundaries, and the frequency of Earth-like planets around M and late K stars

The habitable zone (HZ) around a star is typically defined as the region where a rocky planet can maintain liquid water on its surface. That definition is appropriate, because this allows for the possibility that carbon-based, photosynthetic life exists on the planet in sufficient abundance to modify the planet’s atmosphere in a way that might be remotely detected. Exactly what conditions are needed, however, to maintain liquid water remains a topic for debate. In the past, modelers have restricted themselves to water-rich planets with CO2 and H2O as the only important greenhouse gases. More recently, some researchers have suggested broadening the definition to include arid, “Dune” planets on the inner edge and planets with captured H2 atmospheres on the outer edge, thereby greatly increasing the HZ width. Such planets could exist, but we demonstrate that an inner edge limit of 0.59 AU or less is physically unrealistic. We further argue that conservative HZ definitions should be used for designing future space-based telescopes, but that optimistic definitions may be useful in interpreting the data from such missions. In terms of effective solar flux, Seff, the recently recalculated HZ boundaries are: recent Venus—1.78; runaway greenhouse—1.04; moist greenhouse—1.01; maximum greenhouse—0.35; and early Mars—0.32. Based on a combination of different HZ definitions, the frequency of potentially Earth-like planets around late K and M stars observed by Kepler is in the range of 0.4–0.5.
FRACTURE OF GEOMETRICALLY SCALED, NOTCHED THREE-POINT-BEND BARS OF HIGH STRENGTH STEEL

Abstract The purpose of the experimental work reported in this paper was to provide data that may serve for the development of scaling rules for ductile fracture initiation at blunt notches. Fracture experiments were performed with three sizes of geometrically scaled notched bend specimens of high strength low hardening HY-130 steel using carefully scaled fixturing. Fracture initiation, defined as the appearance of the first sub-millimeter crack with a tensile opening, was reliably detected, using acoustic emission and direct visual inspection with a microscope. Comparison of the normalized load versus load-point displacement curves revealed a significant scale effect on the condition for fracture initiation, with large specimens fracturing at smaller normalized displacement than smaller specimens. The normalized displacement at fracture does not decrease in direct proportion to specimen size. Metallographic cross-sections of the specimens and fractographic observations revealed that at the microscale, fracture initiates by shear localization followed by nucleation and growth of voids under shear and tension in the localization zone. This mechanism profoundly modifies the stress and strain gradients at the notch root so that microstructural length scales become fracture controlling parameters. Both changes are probably responsible for the observed scaling behavior.
Generalized messengers of supersymmetry breaking and the sparticle mass spectrum

We investigate the sparticle spectrum in models of gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking. In these models, supersymmetry is spontaneously broken at an energy scale only a few orders of magnitude above the electroweak scale. The breakdown of supersymmetry is communicated to the standard model particles and their superpartners by ``messenger'' fields through their ordinary gauge interactions. We study the effects of a messenger sector in which the supersymmetry-violating F-term contributions to messenger scalar masses are comparable to the supersymmetry-preserving ones. We also argue that it is not particularly natural to restrict attention to models in which the messenger fields lie in complete SU(5) ground unified theory multiplets, and we identify a much larger class of viable models. Remarkably, however, we find that the superpartner mass parameters in these models are still subject to many significant contraints.
Wavelet-based correlation (WBC) of zoned crystal populations and magma mixing

Magma mixing is a common process and yet the rates, kinematics and numbers of events are difficult to establish. One expression of mixing is the major, trace element, and isotopic zoning in crystals, which provides a sequential but non-monotonic record of the creation and dissipation of volumes of distinct chemical potential. We demonstrate a wavelet-based correlation (WBC) technique that uses this zoning for the recognition of the minimum number of mixing, or open-system events, and the criteria for identifying populations of crystals that have previously shared a mixing event. When combined with field observations of the spatial distribution of crystal populations, WBC provides a statistical link between the time-varying thermodynamic and fluid dynamic history of the magmatic system. WBC can also be used as a data mining utility to reveal open-system events where outcrop is sparse. An analysis of zoned plagioclase from the Tuolumne Intrusive Suite provides a proof of principle for WBC. 1 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Generalized Variational Problems and Euler-Lagrange equations

This paper introduces three new operators and presents some of their properties. It defines a new class of variational problems (called Generalized Variational Problems, or GVPs) in terms of these operators and derives Euler-Lagrange equations for this class of problems. It is demonstrated that the left and the right fractional Riemann-Liouville integrals, and the left and the right fractional Riemann-Liouville, Caputo, Riesz-Riemann-Liouville and Riesz-Caputo derivatives are special cases of these operators, and they are obtained by considering a special kernel. Further, the Euler-Lagrange equations developed for functional defined in terms of the left and the right fractional Riemann-Liouville, Caputo, Riesz-Riemann-Liouville and Riesz-Caputo derivatives are special cases of the Euler-Lagrange equations developed here. Examples are considered to demonstrate the applications of the new operators and the new Euler-Lagrange equations. The concepts of adjoint differential operators and adjoint differential equations defined in terms of the new operators are introduced. A new class of generalized Lagrangian, Hamiltonian, and action principles are presented. In special cases, these formulations lead to fractional adjoint differential operators and adjoint differential equations, and fractional Lagrangian, Hamiltonian, and action principle. Thus, the new operators introduce a generalized approach to many problems in classical mechanics in general and variational calculus in particular. Possible extensions of the subject and the concepts discussed here are also outlined.
Immune modulatory strategies: a playground with a swing and a seesaw.

Immune modulation occurs as part of a normal immune process. Different tissues exert different restrictions on immune reactivity; for example, innate immunity in antigen-laden mucosal tissues has a...
Mainstream and Alternative Medicine: Converging Paths Require Common Standards

Ignoring complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is not an option. The widespread use of CAM by patients is a mandate to the scientific community to improve our relatively weak scientific unde...
Reconciling Semantic Dispositionalism with Semantic Holism

Dispositionalist theories of mental content have been attacked on the grounds that they are incompatible with semantic holism. In this paper, I resist important worries of this variety, raised by Paul Boghossian. I argue that his objections can be avoided by a conceptual role version of dispositionalism, where the multifarious relationships between mental contents are grounded on the relationships between their corresponding, grounding dispositions.
Management of Pavement Maintenance, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Through Network Partition

This paper presents a new optimization model for addressing the problem of planning pavement maintenance, rehabilitation, and reconstruction (MRR) for a large-scale road network. In the past, this problem has usually been formulated as a linear programming or integer programming model. The solutions obtained from those models determine the timing, location, and type of treatment needed to perform the MRR operation for a given planning horizon. A shortcoming of such models is that the sections selected for MRR are usually distributed spatially across the network, and this distribution makes it difficult to plan and implement MRR activities in a coordinated manner. To take advantage of economies of scale, adjacent road sections with similar MRR needs should be maintained within a single project. However, the idea of automatically combining adjacent sections into one large project has not been given serious attention in existing optimization models for pavement MRR planning. This paper proposes a new approac...
Tyrosine accelerates catecholamine synthesis in hemorrhaged hypotensive rats.

Abstract Tyrosine, the amino acid precursor of catecholamines, increases blood pressure (BP) in rats made hypotensive by hemorrhage. Since this amino acid also accelerates catecholamine synthesis in and release from frequently-firing neurons, we tested the hypothesis that tyrosine's pressor action resulted from this mechanism. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (500 g) were anesthetized with chloralose (50 mg/kg) and urethane (500 mg/kg) and tracheostomized. The carotid artery was cannulated allowing BP to be recorded continuously. Blood was removed until systolic BP fell to half of each animal's starting value; 45 min later, animals received tyrosine or other treatments in volumes of 1 ml/kg. Tyrosine (100 mg/kg) increased BP by 58%, while saline caused an insignificant increase. Pretreatment with carbidopa, which inhibits tyrosine's conversion to catecholamines, blocked the amino acid's effect. Tyrosine also failed to increase BP in rats made hypotensive with phentolamine, suggesting that it acts via catecholamine receptors. Adrenal epinephrine significantly (P
Suggestions for a method of analyzing binary images using Langlet's parity logic

This paper describes an extension to the system of parity logic operations developed by Gerard Langlet and subsequently elaborated by Michael Zaus. Two operations, A and B, are introduced which can be used both to analyze and to synthesize arbitrary patterns of l's and O's in square Boolean matrices. The A and B operations are, like most of the operations in Langlet's system, completely reversible (i.e., the input to A or B can be exactly reconstructed its output). The B operation is shown to be connected with Langlet's Helical and Cognitive transforms. Manipulations of binary images are used to illustrate the properties of A and B, but no claim made that they have real-world applications at this time. The A and B algorithms, their supporting operations, and the programming examples are in Q'Nial; however, they can be easily translated APL, J, or other may programming language.
Nematode community changes associated with decomposition of Crotalaria juncea amendment in litterbags

Effects of sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) residue (C:N = 18.9:1) decomposition on the dynamics of free-living nematodes involved in soil nutrient cycling were examined in plots planted with sweet corn (Zea mays). Abundance of bacterivorous and fungivorous nematodes in litterbags containing sunn hemp residues peaked at 14 days after burial (DAB) followed by increase of omnivorous nematodes at 28 DAB. Another peak of fungivorous nematodes occurred at 56 DAB. A succession of bacterivorous and fungivorous nematodes was observed in the litterbags. Enhancement of predatory nematode abundance by sunn hemp residues was not significant, but abundance of herbivorous nematodes appeared to respond to the increase in crop biomass over time. Although sunn hemp had great impact on the percentages of nematode trophic groups, several nematode fauna indices had reverted by 70 DAB to values found in untreated soil. Succession patterns of the nematode trophic groups and community indices in this sunn hemp-amended soil are consistent with a food web response to disturbance from an N-rich resource. The nematode succession dynamics suggested that decomposition of sunn hemp material occurred rather quickly (within 2 weeks after burial), which is consistent with data on weight loss of the residue. These results provide insight into efficient use of an organic residue to optimize succession of nematodes involved in decomposition, and to provide a way to maintain enrichment of the soil food web.
Phase II Trial with Gemcitabine, Paclitaxel and Bevacizumab for the First Line Treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Background: Both gemcitabine and paclitaxel in combination, and paclitaxel and bevacizumab in combination, have shown higher response rates and improved time to progression (TTP) over single agent paclitaxel for the first line treatment of metastatic breast cancer. This phase II study was initiated to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of combination gemcitabine, paclitaxel and bevacizumab as first line treatment for HER2 negative metastatic breast cancer.Methods: Women with HER2 negative metastatic breast cancer who have not received prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease are eligible for the study. The primary end point is time to progression (TTP). Secondary endpoints include duration of response, objective response rate and toxicities. Patients receive gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 IV on days 1, 8, & 15, paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 IV on days 1, 8, & 15, and bevacizumab 10 mg/kg on days 1 & 15, on an every four week cycle. Patients are evaluated with imaging studies including CT and bone scan at baseline and every 3 months. Response to treatment is evaluated using RECIST methods. Treatment continues until disease progression or unacceptable toxicities and at which point the drug thought to cause the toxicity will be discontinued.Results: As of January 2009, 21 patients with a median age of 54 years (range: 30-76) have been enrolled. Estrogen and progesterone receptor was positive in 16 and 10 patients, respectively and 4 patients were negative for both. Among 17 evaluable patients, the clinical benefit rate (CR+PR+SD ≥ 24 weeks) is 88%. 10 patients have reached the study endpoint with a median TTP of 12 months (mean TTP of 13.3 months). In addition, the combination treatment with bevacizumab has been well tolerated without clinically significant bleeding and with less than 10% of patients experiencing grade 3 peripheral neuropathy, grade 3 hypertension and less than 5% experiencing grade 3 proteinuria. 4 patients experienced a thrombotic event, of which 2 were catheter-related. The primary toxicities were hematological which were expected. 16 patients experienced grade 3/4 hematological toxicities and responded to dose reductions. 9 patients remain on treatment.Discussion: The addition of bevacizumab to combination chemotherapy with gemcitabine and paclitaxel is well tolerated for first line therapy of HER2 negative metastatic breast cancer. Clinical activity has been observed and phase II enrollment is ongoing. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 6089.
Strategic approach to disaster management: lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina

Purpose – The aftermath of hurricane Katrina has reinforced the role of communication networks and information management in providing effective response to a large‐scale disaster. The purpose of this paper is to examine the performance of communication networks and information systems during hurricane Katrina, list causes of failure and propose design for reliable and scalable networks.Design/methodology/approach – A detailed study of communication networks and information systems was undertaken in the Gulf Coast area.Findings – Breakdown of backhaul circuits, flooding of PSTN and disruption of electricity contributed to failure of communication systems. Overall wireless voice and data networks had faster recovery time and performed better than the landline networks. Absence of inter‐agency information system contributed towards delayed response.Practical implications – During the reconstruction activity in Gulf Coast and to prepare strategy for disasters in future, officials will need to refocus on the ...
Serotonin receptors involved in regulation of pituitary-adrenocortical function in rats

Drugs that enhance brain serotonin function (direct agonists, serotonin uptake inhibitors and serotonin releasers) increase serum corticosterone concentration in rats, and in many cases ACTH has been shown to be similarly increased. At least two distinct serotonin receptor subtypes can mediate this effect. One is the 5-HT1A receptor, and the other seems to be a 5-HT2A receptor. Possibly, the 5-HT2C receptor or other receptors can also mediate these effects. The increase in serum corticosterone seems to be one useful marker in characterizing drug effects on serotonergic function. Much needs to be learned about the physiological importance and roles of this serotonergic influence on pituitary-adrenocortical function. Some studies have suggested it may be important in the diurnal rhythmicity of glucocorticoid secretion and perhaps in some stress effects. Serotonergic activation can also increase plasma levels of ACTH and cortisol in humans. Although the effects in humans are less well characterized than in rats, they seem to be useful as a way of probing brain serotonergic function in disease or after drug treatment. As more drugs that act selectively on a single receptor subtype become available for use in humans, more precise information about particular receptor subtypes should be attainable.