cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Observation of Charge-2 Photonic Weyl Point

We present the experimental realization of a charge-2 Weyl point in a low index-contrast (n = 1.52) photonic crystal fabricated using two-photon polymerization and characterized at mid-infrared wavelengths.
Defining the relative impact of muscle versus Schwann cell denervation on functional recovery after delayed nerve repair.

Abstract Functional recovery following peripheral nerve injury worsens with increasing durations of delay prior to repair. From the time of injury until re-innervation occurs, denervated muscle undergoes progressive atrophy that limits the extent to which motor function can be restored. Similarly, Schwann cells (SC) in the distal nerve lacking axonal interaction progressively lose their capacity to proliferate and support regenerating axons. The relative contributions of these processes to diminished functional recovery is unclear. We developed a novel rat model to isolate the effects of SC vs. muscle denervation on functional recovery. Four different groups underwent the following interventions for 12 weeks prior to nerve transfer: 1) muscle denervation; 2) SC denervation; 3) muscle + SC denervation (negative control); 4) no denervation (positive control). Functional recovery was measured weekly using the stimulated grip strength testing (SGST). Animals were sacrificed 13 weeks post nerve transfer. Retrograde labeling was used to assess the number of motor neurons that regenerated their axons. Immunofluorescence was performed to evaluate target muscle re-innervation and atrophy, and to assess the phenotype of the SC within the distal nerve segment. Functional recovery in the muscle denervation and SC denervation groups mirrored that of the negative and positive control groups, respectively. The SC denervation group achieved better functional recovery, with a greater number of reinnervated motor endplates and less muscle atrophy, than the muscle denervation group. Retrograde labeling suggested a higher number of neurons contributing to muscle reinnervation in the muscle denervation group as compared to SC denervation (p > 0.05). The distal nerve segment in the muscle denervation group had a greater proportion of SCs expressing the proliferation marker Ki67 as compared to the SC denervation group (p The deleterious effects of muscle denervation are more consequential than the effects of SC denervation on functional recovery. The effects of 12 weeks of SC denervation on functional outcome were negligible. Future studies are needed to determine whether longer periods of SC denervation negatively impact functional recovery.
State-Space Models

A very general model that subsumes a whole class of special cases of interest in much the same way that linear regression does is the state-space model or the dynamic linear model, which was introduced in Kalman [112] and Kalman and Bucy [113]. The model arose in the space tracking setting, where the state equation defines the motion equations for the position or state of a spacecraft with location x t and the data y t reflect information that can be observed from a tracking device such as velocity and azimuth.
Piperacillin triggers virulence factor biosynthesis via the oxidative stress response in Burkholderia thailandensis.

Natural products have been an important source of therapeutic agents and chemical tools. The recent realization that many natural product biosynthetic genes are silent or sparingly expressed during standard laboratory growth has prompted efforts to investigate their regulation and develop methods to induce their expression. Because it is difficult to intuit signals that induce a given biosynthetic locus, we recently implemented a forward chemical-genetic approach to identify such inducers. In the current work, we applied this approach to nine silent biosynthetic loci in the model bacterium Burkholderia thailandensis to systematically screen for elicitors from a library of Food and Drug Administration–approved drugs. We find that β-lactams, fluoroquinolones, antifungals, and, surprisingly, calcimimetics, phenothiazine antipsychotics, and polyaromatic antidepressants are the most effective global inducers of biosynthetic genes. Investigations into the mechanism of stimulation of the silent virulence factor malleicyprol by the β-lactam piperacillin allowed us to elucidate the underlying regulatory circuits. Low-dose piperacillin causes oxidative stress, thereby inducing redox-sensing transcriptional regulators, which activate malR, a pathway-specific positive regulator of the malleicyprol gene cluster. Malleicyprol is thus part of the OxyR and SoxR regulons in B. thailandensis, allowing the bacterium to initiate virulence in response to oxidative stress. Our work catalogs a diverse array of elicitors and a previously unknown regulatory input for secondary metabolism in B. thailandensis.
REBOA (Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta) Catheter

REBOA is a minimally invasive technique using a balloon catheter to temporarily occlude large vessels in support of hemorrhage control.
Substructure design optimization and nonlinear responses control analysis of the mega-sub controlled structural system (MSCSS) under earthquake action

The newly proposed mega sub-controlled structure system (MSCSS) and related studies have drawn the attention of civil engineers for practice in improving the performance and enhancing the structural effectiveness of mega frame structures. However, there is still a need for improvement to its basic structural arrangement. In this project, an advanced, reasonable arrangement of mega sub-controlled structure models, composed of three mega stories with different numbers and arrangements of substructures, are designed to investigate the control performance of the models and obtain the optimal model configuration (model with minimum acceleration and displacement responses) under strong earthquake excitation. In addition, the dynamic parameters that affect the performance effectiveness of the optimal model of MSCSS are studied and discussed. The area of the relative stiffness ratio RD, with different mass ratio MR, within which the acceleration and displacement of the optimal model of MSCSS reaches its optimum (minimum) value is considered as an optimum region. It serves as a useful tool in practical engineering design. The study demonstrates that the proposed MSCSS configuration can efficiently control the displacement and acceleration of high rise buildings. In addition, some analytical guidelines are provided for selecting the control parameters of the structure.
Ethical and Trans-Economic Decisions Inside Regulatory Cost-Benefit Analysis

Although much has been written about the ethical implications of choosing to use cost-benefit analysis as a regulatory decision procedure, the ethical choices made “inside” cost-benefit analysis tend to be obscured by the technicality of cost-benefit procedures. Indeed, Congress, courts, and commentators often treat cost-benefit methodologies as either negligible or as falling well within the ambit of technical agency expertise. While the practice of cost-benefit analysis does implicate substantial technical skill, a number of internal methodological decisions, particularly about valuation, are fundamentally ethical choices as well. Such ethically weighty choices include scoping decisions about whether to consider global or only domestic scope of harms; benefits transfer decisions about whether to value mortality risks differently depending upon whether the people at risk are poor or rich; and whether to value people’s altruistic preferences about others. In some cases—as where agencies have adopted income-blind methods for valuing mortality risk, so that risks to the rich and the poor are treated the same—regulators’ ethical choices may map onto common ethical intuitions. In other cases, however—as where regulators have chosen to purposefully excise people’s “other-regarding” or altruistic preferences—regulators’ ethical choices may be worrisomely removed from most people’s ethical intuitions and resulting preferences. These seemingly technical “trans-economic” choices—which in fact imbed potentially controversial ethical positions—can have extraordinary practical impacts. As an example of such impacts, the essay points to a concern that traditional excising of other-regarding preferences from regulatory cost-benefit analyses may undermine the ability of the regulatory state to adequately account for the type of harms that COVID-19 generates. This is because current practices fail to recognize deeply held ethical commitments and resulting preferences, including preferences not to cause harm, and to observe special obligations where there are close personal relationships. In the midst of a global pandemic, where infectious disease passed through close contagion raises the tragic and pervasive risk of people killing and harming their loved ones, the implications of current practice are particularly disturbing.
The (Un)Sustainability of the U.S. International Debt Position: Do Not Rely Too Much on Valuation Effects

In this paper, I claim that there are sound theoretical and empirical reasons to believe that the valuation channel is unimportant for the sustainability of the American international debt, in spite of the role it plays in the adjustment dynamics of the external imbalances. First, I observe that the theoretical relevance of the valuation channel does not pertain to stochastic general equilibrium models; it emerges only in deterministic or linearized setups. Then, I use a Bayesian VAR to confirm the different theoretical predictions of the two types of models. My final results restore the traditional primary role of the trade channel for the sustainability of debt.
Abstract 311: Genome-wide Dissection of Wnt- and BMP-dependent Pathways: Identification of Sox17 as Essential for Cardiac Myocyte Formation by Embryonic Stem Cells

Early steps for cardiac specification are problematic to study in mammalian embryos, which has favored using pluripotent cells that recapitulate cardiac myogenesis. Furthermore, circuits governing cardiac specification have relevance to the use of embryonic stem (ES) cells and other cells for cardiac repair. In pluripotent mouse teratocarcinoma cells, canonical Wnts that are inhibitors of heart formation in avian or amphibian explants activate cardiogenesis, paradoxically. Here, we address the following inter-related questions: Do canonical Wnts activate cardiogenesis in mouse ES cells, a more natural and translationally applicable model? What molecular targets in differentiating mouse ES cells are dependent on canonical Wnts and BMPs? And, which, if any, of such targets is essential for cardiogenesis? We have used embryoid body culture as an ES cell differentiation model and complementary Wnt antagonists, soluble Frizzled protein and Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1), to evaluate the requirement of Wnts in cardiogenesis. Genome-wide expression profiling was used to dissect Wnt- and BMP-dependent pathways, and small hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated RNA interference was used to determine the function of potential candidates. We determined that inhibiting Wnt signaling with soluble Frizzled protein or Dkk-1 blocked the induction of cardiogenic transcription factors, cardiac structural genes, and spontaneous beating in mouse ES cells. Early targets shared by the Wnt and BMP pathways were associated with gastrulation, mesoderm formation, and mesoderm patterning. Sox17, the endodermal HMG-box transcription factor, was also contingent on both pathways. Two independent lentiviral Sox17 shRNA vectors specifically suppressed endogenous Sox17, as well as the associated induction of cardiogenic transcription factors, cardiac structural genes and spontaneous beating. In conclusion, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is essential for cardiac myogenesis in ES cells, acting at a gastrulation-like stage. Sox17 is essential for cardiomyocyte formation from undifferentiated mouse ES cells.
Compensation Techniques for Servos with Friction

Friction compensation is a broad area that has recently been surveyed in [3]. The survey considers over 250 references from the journals of controls, tribology, lubrication engineering, acoustics and general engineering and physics and is perhaps 20 times too large to fit in this conference paper and its companion. Rather than trating one or a few topics to the neglect of many others; this paper is composed as an outline of topics literature references important for the analysis and compensation of servos with friction.
Curvature‐based nonrigid motion analysis from three‐dimensional correspondences

We describe a curvature-based approach for estimating nonrigid motion of moving surfaces. We deal with conformal motion, which can be characterized by stretching of the surface. At each point, this stretching is equal in all directions but different for different points. The stretching function can be defined as additional (with global translation and rotation) motion parameter. We present a new algorithm for local stretching recovery from Gaussian curvature, based on polynomial (linear and quadratic) approximations of the stretching function. It requires point correspondences between time frames but not the complete knowledge of nonrigid transformation. Experiments on simulated and real data are performed to illustrate performance and accuracy of derived algorithms. Noise sensitivity of the algorithm is also evaluated using Gaussian noise on simulated data.©1993 John Wiley & Sons Inc
Band structure of InAsSb strained‐layer superlattices

Band structures of relaxed InSb/InAs1−xSbx strained‐layer superlattices (SLSs) were calculated based on Herman‐Skillman neutral atom ionization energies, effective dipole theory, and strain shift of band edges. The conduction‐band minimum and the valence‐band maximum of InAs1−xSbx are lower in energy than those of InSb, respectively. The band structures of InSb/InAs1−xSbx are type II SLSs and an extreme type II superlattice is predicted for x<0.82. This extreme type II superlattice with a proper structure factor can have favorable properties for infrared detectors covering the 8–12 μm wavelength range. The requirement for layer thickness of InSb/InAs1−xSbx SLSs with different absorption mechanisms was discussed.
Tumor Twitter: Cellular Communication in the Breast Cancer Stem Cell Niche

Summary: Communication between the diverse assortment of cells that constitute the tumor microenvironment plays an important role in tumor development. Using a p53-null mouse model, Zhang and colleagues describe a novel feedback loop involving breast cancer stem cells and their progeny mediated by WNT2, CXCL12, and IL6. Cancer Discov; 5(5); 469–71. ©2015 AACR . See related article by Zhang et al., [p. 520][1] [1]: /lookup/volpage/5/520?iss=5
Analysis of clinicopathologic factors predicting outcome after radical prostatectomy

BACKGROUND A variable biochemical failure rate has been reported for patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. The authors analyzed their 1987–1993 prostatectomy experience retrospectively to stratify the risk of failure in order to appropriately select patients who potentially may benefit from adjuvant therapy. METHODS A stepwise logistic regression was used to identify variables associated with biochemical failure in 265 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy only. Prostate tumors were examined by one pathologist using 4-mm step sections. Numerous clinicopathologic variables were evaluated, and the neoplasms were subclassified into five pathologic categories based on tumor extent and margin status. Actuarial projections of biochemical failure were created using the Kaplan–Meier method. RESULTS Pathologically, 56.2% of the tumors were organ-confined with negative margins, 12.8% had a positive surgical margin without evidence of extraprostatic extension (EPE), 24.2% had EPE (17% with negative margins and 7.2% with positive margins), and 6.8% had seminal vesicle involvement. The Gleason score was ≥ 7 in 86.4% of the total population. Values for the preoperative prostate specific antigen assay were ≤ 4.0 ng/mL in 23.4% of the men and > 10 ng/mL in 27.7%. The overall observed biochemical failure rate in this patient group with a minimum 48 months of follow-up was 15.5%. Overall, stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that pathologic category was the variable most strongly associated with biochemical failure and that vascular invasion was the only other examined variable associated with failure. CONCLUSIONS The combination of pathologic category and the prostatectomy Gleason score can stratify a patient's probability of biochemical failure into three distinct groups and can identify the appropriate patients who may benefit from novel adjuvant therapeutic strategies. Cancer 2001;91:1414–22. © 2001 American Cancer Society.
EEG predicts surgical outcome in lesional frontal lobe epilepsy.

Background: Because of the relatively poor results of frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) surgery, identification of prognostic factors for surgical outcome is of great importance. Methods: To identify predictive factors for FLE surgery, we analyzed the data of 61 patients (mean age at surgery 19.2) who had undergone presurgical evaluation and resective surgery in the frontal lobe. Postoperative follow-up ranged from 0.5 to 5 years (mean 1.78). Fifty-nine patients had MRI-detectable lesions. Histopathologic examination showed dysplasia (57.4%), tumor (16.4%), or other lesions (26.2%). Thirty postoperatively seizure-free patients were compared with 31 non–seizure-free patients with respect to clinical history, seizure semiology, EEG and neuroimaging data, resected area, and postoperative data including histopathology. Results: Three preoperative and two postoperative variables were related to poor outcome: generalized epileptiform discharges, generalized slowing, use of intracranial electrodes, incomplete resection detected by MRI, and postoperative epileptiform discharges. The only preoperative factor associated with seizure-free outcome was the absence of generalized EEG signs. Multivariate analysis showed that only the absence of generalized EEG signs predicts the outcome independently. Moreover, the occurrence of a somatosensory aura, secondarily generalized seizures, and negative MRI was identified as additional independent risk factors for poor surgical results. Conclusions: The absence of generalized EEG signs is the most predictive variable for a seizure-free outcome in FLE surgery. Furthermore, nonlesional MRI, somatosensory aura, and secondarily generalized seizures are risk factors for poor surgical results.
Republicanism and geopolitical domination

Philip Pettit’s neo-Roman republican theory of non-domination is billed as a more egalitarian alternative to classical liberal theories of non-interference. As a theory of geopolitical affairs, however, his republicanism fails to fulfill this egalitarian promise in ways that closely echo John Rawls’s liberal law of peoples. Pettit’s republican law of peoples is ill equipped to address structural sources of transnational and global domination because it exaggerates the ontological separateness of peoples, it overvalues the self-sufficiency of states for purposes of achieving internal non-domination, and it conceives of domination too narrowly as an evil that must be intentionally or negligently imposed by identifiable agents.
Identification of specificity h-2.7 As an erythrocyte antigen. Control by an independent locus, h-2g between the s and d regions.

Specificity H-2.7 is expressed predominantly on erythrocytes and controlled by a gene that maps within the H-2 gene complex at a locus, designated as H-2G, which apparently lies between regions S and D. Three phenotypes have been observed with respect to this antigen: a) positive by direct test and absorption (haplotypes 11-2 f, H-2 j, H-2 p, H-2~); b) positive only by absorption (H-2k); and c) negative (H-2 b, H-2 d, 11-2~ New crossover positions have been established for several H-2 recombinants based on classifications for the H-2G locus.
Detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in ground beef by a bead-free quantum dot-facilitated isolation method.

Abstract The aims of this study were to introduce a new immunological bead-free cell detection method using quantum dots (QDs) as reporter markers for foodborne pathogen detection. QDs are nanosized particles with long-term photostability, high quantum yield, broad absorption spectra, and narrow, symmetric emission and high signal-to-noise ratio. The chemical compound [(1-ethyl-3-3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride] (EDC) and protein A were used as crosslinkers for manufacturing QD–antibody conjugates. To minimize the inhibition of QD fluorescence by the magnetic beads, the beads were removed after the primary pathogen isolation and before fluorescence measurement. Detection signals were increased four-fold after employing the bead-free isolation method. With a 24-h enrichment, the bead-free QD-facilitated detection method was able to detect 10 CFU/g Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella from artificially contaminated ground beef. To our knowledge, this detection method is the first research that combined a new EDC–protein A QD-labeling technique and bead-free fluorescence measurement to detect E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in ground beef.
Effect of Agitation, Sampling Location and Protective Films on Light-Induced Riboflavin Loss in Skim Milk

Photodegradation of riboflavin in skim milk as influenced by continuous agitation, location within the container and protective films was studied. High performance liquid chromatography was used to monitor the riboflavin concentration in the milk. Retention of riboflavin in light-exposed, continuously agitated milk samples was significantly lower than in unagitated samples. Sampling positions within blow-molded polyethylene milk containers also had a significant effect on light-induced riboflavin loss. After 5 days of light exposure, riboflavin retention at the top of the unagitated milk containers averaged 58% compared to 92% retention for milk located at the bottom of the containers. Metallized-oriented, polyethylene-terephthalate films used as overwraps decreased penetration of visible light into milk samples and decreased the riboflavin photodegradation.
Separation of Motile Populations of Spermatozoa Prior to Freezing Is Beneficial for Subsequent Fertilization In Vitro: A Study with Various Mouse Strains

Success with in vitro fertilization (IVF) using inbred strains of mice varies considerably and appears to be related to the proportion of motile spermatozoa present in epididymal sperm samples of different strains. In this study, motile spermatozoa were separated from the original samples using a column of Sephadex G25. IVF rates were compared between separated and nonseparated samples of epididymal spermatozoa before and after cryopreservation. Oocytes and spermatozoa were obtained from FVB, DBA/2, C57BL/6J, and BALB/c inbred mice; and from F1 (C57BL/6J;ts DBA/2) hybrid mice, and isogenic gametes were used for IVF. These strains of mice were chosen because of their common use in transgenesis and mutagenesis studies. Dulbecco PBS was used for sperm separation on Sephadex, 18% raffinose, and 3% skim milk for cryopreservation; T6 medium for IVF; and mKSOM(AA) for embryo culture. There was a marked improvement in the rate of fertilization using fresh spermatozoa after motile spermatozoa were separated in C57BL/6J and BALB/c strains (92% vs. 58%, 79% vs. 44%) but no differences were found in fertilization rates between separated and nonseparated spermatozoa in F1, FVB, and DBA/2 strains (99% vs. 83%, 95% vs. 93%, 86% vs. 87%, respectively). After cryopreservation, higher rates of fertilization were obtained with separated motile samples in all strains; the greatest improvements were obtained with spermatozoa from C57BL/6J and BALB/c strains (40% vs. 16% and 51% vs. 14% for separated and nonseparated spermatozoa, respectively). No differences were found between the proportions of 14.5-day fetuses developing from embryos derived from separated and nonseparated spermatozoa with or without cryopreservation (33% to 46%). In conclusion, the fertility of frozen-thawed mouse epididymal spermatozoa improves significantly when highly motile populations of spermatozoa are separated for freezing.
Phytoplankton production in the Great Salt Lake, Utah, and a laboratory study of algal response to enrichment1

The annual production by phytoplankton in the southern basin of the Great Salt Lake as estimated at two stations in 1973 averaged 145 g C m−2. The majority of the production occurred during March and April and was due to an unidentified species of Dunaliella. Daily carbon fixation rates averaged 2.13 g C m−2 at both locations during this period. A minor phytoplankton bloom in August, due to a small, unidentified green flagellate contributed 5% of the total annual phytoplankton production. Phytoplankton production was probably limited during April by self-shading and during the remainder of the year by the availability of nitrogen, as shown by laboratory bioassays. Grazing by Artemia salina reduces the phytoplankton population in late summer when nutrient levels have partially increased due to regeneration. The meromictic character of the lake was indicated by profiles of temperature and density. The monimolimnion is postulated to act as a nutrient sink, reducing the rate of nutrient release to the mixolimnion.
Diagnostic value of a miracidium in urinary sediment.

Although rarely encountered in the United States, urinary tract schistosomiasis occurs commonly in many countries in the eastern hemisphere. Travel and immigration may contribute to imported cases of schistosomiasis, Excessive morbidity and increased mortality, including the development of urinary-tract squamous-cell carcinoma, are associated with untreated Schistosoma haematobium infection. Therefore, in the appropriate clinical context, all efforts should be made to rule out infectious and readily treatable causes of chronic hematuria. The presence of characteristic eggs in the urinary sediment is the usual means of diagnosing a S. haematobium infection. Additionally, the small and less commonly encountered miracidium stage of S. haematobium may also be present in the urine, which is another means of diagnosing urinary tract schistosomiasis. The present report describes a case in which a miracidium was detected in a fresh, unstained urine specimen. As detection of miracidia can be made in specimens also processed by routine cytologic methods, it behooves cytologists to be aware of this entity for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis.
Usable Authentication in EBusiness: Challenges and Opportunities

AbstractThe traditional approach of system centered security seems to be inadequate for consumer ebusiness models where the user plays a critical role to ensure computer security. Moreover, human factors are increasingly being exploited for defeating security as evidenced by ever increasing trend in human-centered attacks. Although many of the attacks exploiting human aspects generally do not require high technical skills, their detection and prevention are usually complex. Valid user authentication requires both customer and ebusiness correctly authenticating each other. As would be seen in the paper, usable security plays a crucial role in this mutual authentication process. The paper surveys the major research findings in the area, explores the cotemporary industry practices and discusses some potential future directions.
Evidence for chitin synthesis in an insect cell line

Cells from the continuous MRRL-CH line derived from embryos of the tobacco hornworm synthesized chitin. Digestion of the washed pellet from [14C]-N-acetylglucosamine-labeled cells by chitinase yielded a water-soluble labeled compound. The lyophilized residue from the supernatant of the chitin digestion was analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography as its trimethylsilyl derivative. The major component cochromatographed with derivitized chitobiose. The presence of chitobiose was confirmed by gas chro-matography-mass spectrometry. The synthesis of chitin by this cell line is inhibited by diflubenzuron.
The anthocyanin of Spirodela oligorrhiza.

Abstract The anthocyanin of Spirodela oligorrhiza is not cyanin. Its behavior in paper chromatography and partition between solvents, and the effect of aluminum chloride on its absorption spectrum indicate that it does not possess vicinal hydroxyl groups in the 2-aryl ring, but bears a polyhydroxylated nuclear substituent. The flavone constituents and the anthocyanin of the plant appear to be structurally closely related.
Binding of a thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 agonist [3H]U46619 to washed human platelets

Abstract The binding characteristics of [ 3 H]U46619 to washed human platelets were studied. [ 3 H]U46619 binding to washed human platelets was saturable and displaceable. Kinetic studies yielded a K d of 11 ± 4 nM (n=4). Scatchard analysis of equilibrium binding studies revealed one class of high affinity binding sites with a K d of 20 ± 7nM and a B max of 9.1 ± 2.3 fmole/10 7 platelets (550 ± 141 binding sites per platelet) (n=4). A number of compounds that act as either agonists or antagonists of the TXA 2 /PGH 2 receptor were tested for their ability to inhibit the binding of [ 3 H]U46619 to washed human platelets. The K d s of the agonists and antagonists were similar to their potencies to induce or inhibit platelet aggregation. These data provide some evidence that [ 3 H]U46619 binds to the putative human platelet TXA 2 /PGH 2 receptor.
SOME IMPLICATIONS OF THE LAPLACE TRANSFORM INVERSION ON SEM COUPLING COEFFICIENTS IN THE TIME DOMAIN

ABSTRACT The issues associated with the choice of.coupling coefficient forms in the singularity expansion and the closely-related subject of whether expansions may be written without an entire function present have persisted as major points of concern and confusion in the development of singularity expansion method theory. In this paper we show that the variety of choices available to one in constructing a singularity expansion relates directly to the large-s asymptotic behavior of the resolvent kernel for the integral equation from which the expansion is derived. The choices range from a cautious extreme in which causality is enforced explicitly to a bold extreme where one depends upon the expansion to sum to a causal result well ahead of the time of arrival of the excitation. By appealing to recently-reported estimates of this asymptotic behavior we define what the acceptable constructions are and discuss them on a comparative basis. A geometrical interpretation of the domain of integration for specific...
Correction for interferometric synthetic aperture radar atmospheric phase artifacts using time series of zenith wet delay observations from a GPS network

[1] Radar interferograms provide precise (millimeter level) measurements of crustal deformation at fine resolution over wide areas. The dominant error source in many interferograms results from spatial heterogeneity of the wet component of atmospheric refractivity, resulting in excess path length of the radar signal propagating through the neutral atmosphere. In this report, we introduce a method to compensate for atmospheric phase artifacts in a radar interferogram using spatially interpolated zenith wet delay (ZWD) data obtained from a network of Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers in the region imaged by the radar. Our method, based on Taylor's “frozen-flow” hypothesis, uses GPS data recorded prior to and after the individual radar acquisition times to infer denser spatial networks of control points for interpolation than is suggested by the sparse and irregular spatial distribution of GPS receivers. We test this approach by correcting phase fluctuations observed in a radar interferogram over an area covered by the Southern California Integrated GPS Network stations, using maps of atmospheric delay interpolated from the denser network of GPS ZWD measurements generated by our method. We find that the largest improvement results from removing an altitude-dependent model derived from the GPS data: the uncorrected interferogram in our example has an RMS fluctuation of 16.1 mm, which falls to 8.6 mm after the altitude correction. A map derived from ZWD measurements recorded only at the instances of radar acquisition reduced overall fluctuations in the data from 8.6 to 8.1 mm RMS, while using the inferred denser network reduces the error further to 7.5 mm RMS. Most of this residual variation is due to decorrelation of the signal and does not result from atmospheric propagation, however. After smoothing to remove decorrelation noise, the residual drops from 4.7 to 3.9 mm (GPS stations only) and then to 2.7 mm RMS when the denser network algorithm is used.
Benchmark assemblies of the Los Alamos Critical Assemblies Facility

Abstract Several critical assemblies of precisely known materials composition and easily calculated and reproducible geometries have been constructed at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Some of these machines, notably Jezebel, Flattop, Big Ten, and Godiva, have been used as benchmark assemblies for the comparison of the results of experimental measurements and computation of certain nuclear reaction parameters. These experiments are used to validate both the input nuclear data and the computational methods. The machines and the applications of these machines for integral nuclear data checks are described.
n-dimensional generalizations of the Friedmann–Robertson–Walker cosmology

Abstract Within the n -dimensional spatially flat Friedmann–Robertson–Walker cosmology, determined for a single scalar field minimally coupled to gravity, we derive the n -dimensional Lucchin–Mataresse (LM), Barrow–Burd–Lancaster–Madsen (BBLM), and Barrow–Saich (BS) cosmological solutions. No matter the dimensions one is dealing with, the potentials follow patterns similar to those ones of the corresponding standard 4-dimensional case; the self interacting potential for the n -LM inflationary model exhibits an exponential slow roll behavior as function of the scalar field, the potential of the n -BBLM model presents a Mexican-hat shape, while the potential for the n -BS cosmology, allowing for the simultaneous presence of a matter perfect fluid and a scalar field, follows a squared cosecant hyperbolic pattern.
Reserch and Development on Recycling and Reuse Treatment Technologies for Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Modules

With the rapid spreading of photovoltaic power generation systems in recent years, power generation by this method in Japan expanded to 1100 MW in the year 2004. Assuming that large quantities of solar batteries will become widespread, no doubt we will see an age in which existing photovoltaic power generation systems will become worn out one after another in conjunction with expanded demand. Therefore we developed the way to recycle and reuse treatment of the crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules. It was found that the silicon materials were able to be removed from the modules and to recycle to solar cells again. The electric characteristics of these recycled cells showed an enough performance again. Also, as the result of the durability test of our repaired modules, it can be expected that the lifetime of these modules is prolonged compared with used ones in the insulation performance and so on
Attraction as a function of similarity of perceptual judgments

The aim of the present study was to establish a relationship between similarity and attraction using task performance as the stimulus variable. Sixty-four Ss performed a perceptual task involving 20 trials. Attraction toward a partner was greater when the partner’s perceptual judgments were similar to the S’s than when they were dissimilar (p <.007). The findings thus extend Byrne’s “attraction paradigm” to include task performance as a stimulus variable.
The Number of Irreducible Character Degrees of Solvable Groups Satisfying the One-Prime Hypothesis

Let G be a finite group, and write cd(G) for the set of degrees of irreducible characters of G. We say G satisfies the one-prime hypothesis if whenever a and b are distinct degrees in cd(G), then the greatest common divisor of a and b is either 1 or a prime. We show that if G is a solvable group satisfying the one-prime hypothesis, then |cd(G)|≤9. We also construct a solvable group G satisfying the one-prime hypothesis with |cd(G)|=9 which shows that the bound found in this paper is the best possible bound.
Fast Li+ conduction in fluoroborate glasses

Abstract Following recent measurements of very high d.c. conductivities in complex Li fluoride-borate-sulfate glasses, we have performed systematic measurements in the Li2OLiFB2O3 system. All glasses studied have essentially the same Arrhenius pre-exponential constant. Converting the data to conductivity relaxation times the pre-exponential constant corresponds to a frequency considerably higher than the Li+ - cage “rattling” frequency. Connections between the a.c. conductivity and the IR absorptivity are discussed.
EFFECT OF VEHICLE AND CRASH FACTORS ON OLDER OCCUPANTS

PROBLEM: The expected substantial increase in people aged 65 or older is important for those concerned about transportation injuries. However, much of the previous research concentrates on older drivers and overlooks the fact that vehicle and crash factors may provide significant explanations of older occupant injury rates. METHOD: Differences across age groups are explored using two nationwide travel surveys, crash involvement, fatalities, and injuries from crash databases and an ordered probit model of injury severity. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Two noticeable differences that help explain injury risk are that older people are more likely to travel in passenger cars than younger people who frequently use light trucks, and that seriously injured older occupants are more likely to be involved in side-impact crashes than their younger counterparts. IMPACT: Increased attention to vehicle engagement in side-impact crashes and to vehicle technologies that can help drivers avoid side collisions would be particularly helpful for older occupants.
The cost-effectiveness of treating women with a cervical vaginal smear diagnosis of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance

Abstract OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to determine the optimal treatment protocol for women with a cervical vaginal diagnosis of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance. STUDY DESIGN: By means of decision analysis, 8 strategies were compared in terms of cost, life expectancy, cost-effectiveness, and the number of cancers and complications from treatment. Data were obtained from the medical literature and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. RESULTS: Compared with more aggressive strategies, such as those that use immediate colposcopy, strategies featuring repeated smears were less expensive and carried fewer complications but had lower life expectancies per patient and more cancers. The strategy of repeating a smear annually had a lower cost per patient than did the other strategies, ranging from $112 to $989, and had a similar discounted life expectancy to that of the strategy with the longest discounted life expectancy. CONCLUSIONS: In most clinical scenarios strategies that used repeated smears were the most cost-effective. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1998;179:411-20.)
Bio-oxidation of aliphatic and aromatic high molecular weight alcohols by Pichia pastoris alcohol oxidase

The alcohol-oxidase-mediated oxidation of hexanol to hexanal was conducted by whole cells of Pichia pastoris in a biphasic reaction medium consisting of 3% water and 97% (v/v) water-saturated hexane. At substrate levels of ca. 10 g/l, hexanal was produced at a rate of 0.2 g/g cell dry wt. per hour with product yields and carbon recoveries of 96% or greater. Although the substrate range of P. pastoris alcohol oxidase has been documented as C1–C5 aliphatic alcohols and benzyl alcohol, the use of a biphasic organic reaction medium showed that this enzyme can also oxidize higher molecular weight aliphatic alcohols of C6–C11, as well as the aromatic alcohols phenethyl alcohol and 3-phenyl-1-propanol. The ability of alcohol oxidase to oxidize low-water-soluble alcohols greatly extends the utility of this enzyme.
Career Assessment as a Learning Tool

Career assessment instruments summarize the consequences of past learning experiences and have traditionally been used to match respondents with occupations and educational institutions. However, the instruments can also be used to suggest additional learning experiences needed by clients. Clients need not merely match current interests to occupations but can learn new interests. Current beliefs may not be nearly as useful as beliefs learned after a new look at the evidence. Values, traditionally sacrosanct, are similarly subject to change as the result of new learning. Personality preferences and inclinations were learned in the past and continue to be modified by daily interactions. Career counseling can thus be seen as a complex process of helping people design and implement a continuing series of learning experiences to enhance their lives.
Toxicity of terpenes secreted by the predator Xylocoris flavipes (Reuter) to Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.)

Abstract Four terpene alcohols, linalool, geraniol, α-terpineol, and nerol, which are compounds produced by Xylocoris flavipes (Reuter), were tested for toxicity against adults of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) using a Petri dish assay. Dose-response studies were conducted for each compound singly and in a combination that mimicked the concentrations of these volatiles in exocrine secretions of X. flavipes . Linalool and α-terpineol were toxic to T. castaneum in a dose-dependent fashion, but geraniol and nerol were not toxic during the 24 h bioassay. The mixture of the four compounds was several times less toxic than linalool and α-terpineol for T. castaneum , even when exposed to large amounts. All four terpene alcohols and the mixture were toxic to O. surinamensis , with α-terpineol proving most toxic and linalool the least toxic. Toxic effects of linalool and α-terpineol against O. surinamensis occurred within very narrow ranges, suggesting the possibility of a threshold concentration. Variation in toxicity among similar compounds and between insect species for the same compounds should be examined in studies that assess terpenoids for toxicity against stored-product insects.
Alternate pathways of DNA replication in Escherichia coli.

Abstract We have described the pcbA1 mutation which enables E. coli cells to replicate DNA in the absence of a functional dnaE gene product if DNA polymerase I (the polA gene product) is present. The pcbA1 mutation phenotypically suppresses multiple dnaEts and dnaEam alleles. The pcbA1 / PolI replication pathway differs from normal in sensitivity to certain DNA-damaging agents such as methylmethane sulfonate (MMS) and a lack of damage-directed mutagenesis. We report here cloning of the pcbA1 gene in a multicopy plasmid. The pcbA1 mutation is detected only in cis ; therefore, cloning necessitated gene eviction. The pcbA1 gene lies closely- linked to gyrB . We have demonstrated the physical presence of DNA polymerase I in the replicating holoenzyme complex by immunoblotting using dnaEam strains. We conclude that E. coli has two alternate replisome structures: REP-A, in which DNA polymerase I is the functional synthetic subunit; and REP-E, in which the α-subunit, product of the dnaE gene, is functional. To investigate further the role of individual DNA polymerases in replication, we have isolated the polB gene on multicopy plasmids.
The identification of grey mullet species by disc electrophoresis

Abstract Electrophoresis was carried out on the water-soluble muscle protein (myogen) of six grey mullets (Mugilidae), caught off the Mediterranean coast of Israel. With the obtained electropherograms it was possible to identify the adults and juveniles of five species of grey mullet. A tentative key for species determination based on the myogen electrophoretic pattern of five species ( Liza ramada (Risso, 1826), L. aurata (Risso, 1810), L. provensalis (Risso, 1826), L. saliens (Risso, 1810) and Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758)) is given. Of the sixth species, Oedalechilus labeo (Cuvier, 1829), only one small adult and six juvenile specimens were obtained. A fast moving band occurred in the pattern of all juveniles of the investigated species. This fraction decreased during growth of all species, it became faint in adults of L. saliens, L. provensalis and L. ramada and was not observed in adult L. aurata and M. cephalus .
Nutrient utilization during bioreactor culture, and maturation of somatic embryo cultures of Picea mariana and Picea glauca-engelmannii

Embryogenic cell cultures ofPicea mariana (black spruce) and the species complexPicea glauca-engelmannii (interior spruce) were maintained either as suspensions in liquid medium in 250 or 500-ml-capacity shake-flasks, 7-liter-capacity airlift or mechanically stirred bioreactors, or on agar-solidified medium. Cultures from each of the maintenance conditions were subsequently transferred to agar-solidified LP medium containing 40µM (±) -abscisic acid for maturation into cotyledonary stage embryos. For both species, the highest maturation frequency resulted from cultures grown in the airlift bioreactor. With black spruce cells grown in the airlift bioreactor containing LP medium with 60 mM sucrose, a maximum of 7.1 g·liter−1 dry weight and 2892 embryos·ml−1 were obtained after 15 days. For interior spruce cells, a maximum dry weight of 5.9 g·liter−1 and 2698 embryos·ml−1 were obtained after 21 to 30 days. During culture over 2 wk, ammonia was almost completely utilized by both species, wherease nitrate was depleted to 40% of the initial concentration. Sucrose was rapidly hydrolyzed to glucose and fructose by both species. Black spruce cultures preferentially metabolized glucose, whereas interior spruce preferentially metabolized fructose. Improved growth of interior spruce cells in mechanically stirred bioreactors occurred when cultured in LP medium with 60 mM fructose as the sole carbon source.