cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The critical role of fossils in inferring deep-node phylogenetic relationships and macroevolutionary patterns in Cornales.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY The basal asterid order, Cornales, experienced a rapid radiation during the Cretaceous, which has made it difficult to elucidate the early evolution of the order using extant taxa only. Recent paleobotanical studies, however, have begun to shed light on the early diversification of Cornales. Herein, fossils are directly incorporated in phylogenetic and quantitative morphological analyses to reconstruct early cornalean evolution. METHODS A morphological matrix of 77 fruit characters and 58 taxa (24 extinct) was assembled. Parsimony analyses including and excluding fossils were conducted. A fossil inclusive tree was time-scaled to visualize the timing of the initial cornalean radiation. Disparity analyses were utilized to infer the morphological evolution of cornaleans with drupaceous fruits. KEY RESULTS Fossil inclusive and exclusive parsimony analyses resulted in well-resolved deep-node relationships within Cornales. Resolution in the fossil inclusive analysis is substantially higher, revealing a basal grade including Loasaceae, Hydrangeaceae, Hydrostachyaceae, Grubbiaceae, a Hironoia+Amersinia clade, and Curtisiaceae, respectively, that leads to a "core" group containing a clade comprising a Cretaceous grade leading to clade of Nyssaceae, Mastixiaceae, and Davidiaceae that is sister to a Cornaceae+Alangiaceae clade. The time-scaled tree indicates that the initial cornalean diversification occurred before 89.8 Ma. Disparity analyses suggest the morphological diversity of Cornales peaked during the Paleogene. CONCLUSIONS Phylogenetic analyses clearly demonstrate that novel character mosaics of Cretaceous cornaleans play a critical role in resolving deep-node relationships within Cornales. The post-Cretaceous increase of cornalean disparity is associated with a shift in morphospace occupation, which can be explained from ecological and developmental perspectives.
A Review of Population Dynamics of Furbearers

The term “furbearer” is loosely applied to mammals that are, or have been, harvested primarily for their pelts. Furbearers typically include species ranging from 1–20 kg mass in the orders Marsupialia, Rodentia, and Carnivora. Studies of demography and regulation of populations have important implications to furbearer management and conservation, as well as to population ecology generally. Reproductive potential varies considerably among species, although most species attain sexual maturity within 1 year and have high fertility rates. There is solid evidence for inverse density-dependence in fertility and/or recruitment in muskrats. In longer-lived omnivores and carnivores, variation in reproduction is most often related to changes in pregnancy rates, and/or survival of young. Generalization about density-dependent reproduction among these groups is not warranted from the evidence. For many North American furbearers, the largest fraction of mortality is human-related, primarily from legal harvest, but also vehicle collisions and accidents in some areas. Shorter-lived species respond to increased harvest mortality in a compensatory fashion. However there is evidence that increased harvest may be more additive than compensatory among longer-lived carnivores. Disease may periodically affect annual losses, but evidence that harvest reduces disease outbreaks is equivocal. Dispersal is a prominent behavior among most species and, along with other social behaviors, may influence population regulation. Density-dependent effects in reproduction, mortality, and dispersal often limit effectiveness of controlling population levels of many furbearers. Where lightly-harvested populations are dependent on a single prey species, food supply may regulate carnivore populations — a situation especially apparent in northern landscapes. Simulation has been used effectively to study disease, exploitation, and other aspects of population dynamics. We need a quantitative, theoretical framework to more completely understand how competing sources of mortality interact, particularly the effects of time-lagged responses. Managers need efficient methods to assess population density and rates of change. Population genetics of species of special concern are poorly known and potentially significant to conservation efforts. Although we recognize that habitat heterogeneity and fragmentation influence population dynamics, we are only beginning to quantify the consequences at the metapopulation level. There is need for manipulative, replicated, long-term field experiments to study all aspects of population dynamics.
Extension: an Obligation of all Wood-Products Pathologists to Society

Deterioration of wood products costs hundreds of millions of dollars each year in developed and developing countries throughout the world. Most of these losses could be prevented by simple, reliable, effective, safe, and inexpensive methods developed in the past. Wood-products pathologists have a duty to help reduce these losses by disseminating existing knowledge about the prevention and control of wood deterioration, as well as by seeking new knowledge. This involvement is particularly necessary because so few extension (advisory) personnel are active in wood-products pathology. Greater extension efforts in this field will provide substantial benefits to society, give the pathologist a broader perspective, increase his relevance in the eyes of the public, and enhance his personal job satisfaction. Such extension efforts should include: 1) development of educational and advisory programs for producers and consumers of wood products, 2) preparation of well-illustrated popular publications, films and television programs for various target audiences, and 3) improvement of building codes and other specifications for use of wood products. Techniques by which these challenges are being met in North Carolina and in other parts of the world are discussed in the hope that every wood-products pathologist will join in a world-wide effort to increase the dissemination of existing knowledge about the prevention and control of wood deterioration.
Tonometry comparison: Goldmann versus Tono-Pen.

Tono-Pen and Goldmann tonometers were compared in 152 eyes of healthy subjects (Group A) and 69 eyes of patients after intraocular procedures (Group B). In Group A, the readings from both the tonometers showed no statistically significant difference in the 0 to 15mmHg range. However, the Tono-Pen values were lower in eyes with intraocular pressures between 16 and 30mmHg (P less than .0001). This questions the reliability of Tono-Pen as an adequate screening instrument. The correlation between the two instruments was acceptable in Group B (r = .89), indicating that the Tono-Pen may be used cautiously to determine intraocular pressure in postoperative patients.
Paving the Way for the Next Financial Crisis

Twenty years from now, we may look back on 2009 as the year when Congress paved the way for the next financial crisis. One of the most important contributors to the financial crisis of 2008 was the proliferation of opaque and complex financial instruments that effectively withheld key information from market participants. Without detailed, reliable information about debtors’ off-balance-sheet debts and conditional liabilities such as derivatives exposures, creditors cannot accurately evaluate the creditworthiness of debtors and the markets cannot appropriately price risk.A simple and relatively low cost regulatory response is therefore to mandate disclosures that would provide market participants with the information they need to conduct their own credit analyses and make their own judgments. The derivatives market reform proposals winding through Congress take a different approach. Rather than broadly disseminate information about the exposures of entities that participate in the derivatives market, these proposals would confidentially aggregate such information through intermediaries such as clearing agencies and exchanges.These intermediaries and government regulators would be charged with policing counter-party risk for the entire derivatives market, and would only release sanitized, anonymous, aggregated information about price and volume of various derivatives contracts. Such aggregate information is not very helpful for measuring counterparty risk.Rather than co-opt the skills and motivation of sophisticated market participants, journalists, and scholars, these regulatory proposals would force market participants to accept the judgments and assurances of intermediaries with monopolistic access to critical information. And such unavoidable dependence would obligate taxpayers - morally if not legally - to make good on those judgments and assurances if intermediaries prove mistaken.Worse yet, regulation aimed specifically at protecting derivatives counter-parties might exacerbate counter- party risk in other markets. Other creditors will have neither the protection of a dedicated regulator nor the ability to protect themselves by conducting their own credit analysis.It is this unique combination of secrecy from other creditors and priority in bankruptcy - what common law judges refer to as “secret liens” - that enabled off- balance-sheet debt and derivatives to play a critical role in the financial crisis of 2008.What follows is a summary of an article that first appeared in the American Bankruptcy Law Journal as Michael Simkovic, Secret Liens and the Financial Crisis of 2008, 83 Am. Bankr. L.J. 253 (2009).
Three-Dimensional Structure of Megasynthases—Mammalian Fatty Acid Synthase, Type I Modular Polyketide Synthase, and Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetase

Abstract The assembly line megasynthase enzymes which are responsible for the biosynthesis of fatty acids, polyketides, and nonribosomal peptides have evaded structure elucidation for decades despite intensive effort by leading laboratories. But finally, in the past 10 years, representative structures of all three megasynthase families have emerged and provided an unprecedented amount of new structural and mechanistic information. This achievement was made possible by unrelenting effort in crystallizing these extremely large and flexible proteins for X-ray crystallography as well as advances in new structural biology techniques such as size-exclusion chromatography in line with small-angle X-ray scattering and single-particle cryo-electron microscopy. We examine these representative structures and outline the major findings. We also reexamine previous crosslinking and domain supplementation studies in the context of the latest megasynthase structural models.
Mixed Race Individuals: A Solution for Race Relations in America?

Have you or any of your friends who identify as mixed-race ever felt that there are challenges in developing an individual identity that is different than those people you know who identify themselves as a single race? Do you think that the general population in the United States thinks about mixed-race individuals in the same manner as they view single race people in terms of social matters such as friendship and marriage? Are public policy laws designed to prevent discrimination in the public sphere applied equally to mixed race people? This paper explores these and other issues regarding the different experience of mixed race individuals navigating life in the society of the United States of America.
Identification of two novel trace impurities in mobile phases prepared with commercial formic acid.

While liquid chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC/HRMS) is a versatile analytical technique, it is also sensitive to trace impurities. These impurities may come from a variety of sources, including reagents, solvents, and the sample matrix itself. Impurities in reagents may become concentrated and elute as peaks when a gradient method is used, and these peaks may cause suppression of peaks of interest both in the electrospray source, as well as in the C-trap in systems that contain one. Methods We observed a notable increase in the size of several impurity peaks in a reversed-phase gradient method upon switching suppliers of formic acid. We used LC/HRMS to separate and fragment these impurity compounds and assign probable formulae. Results The mass spectra were compared with those of compounds found in the literature with the same formulae, and the observed peaks were matched to two amine compounds not previously reported as impurities in LC/MS systems: trihexylamine and N-methyldihexylamine. The identities were confirmed by high-resolution accurate mass and retention time matching against commercially available standards of these compounds. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that trihexylamine and N-methyldihexylamine have been reported in such systems. We hypothesize that these are derived from the formic acid manufacturing process and recommend that users monitor purchased formic acid for the presence of impurities.
MULTIPLE MOLECULAR FORMS OF TRANSGLUTAMINASES IN HUMAN AND GUINEA PIG

ABSTRACT. The multiple molecular forms of transglutaminases in human and guinea pig may be classified into three distinct groups on the basis of physical, chemical, immunological, and enzymatic properties. These enzymes are: 1) the protransglutaminases (Factor XIII) of plasma, platelet, placenta, prostate gland, uterus, and liver, 2) the tissue transglutaminase of various organs and tissues, 3) the hair follicle transglutaminase. Each transglutaminase catalyzes a simple acyl-transfer reaction by a common catalytic mechanism (Folk, 1969). Tissue and plasma transglutaminases appear to have a common spatial arrangement within their glutamine side chain binding sites. However, each enzyme displays pronounced differences in its catalytic efficiency toward the various peptide substrates. Each of the transglutaminases plays a specified role in its respective physiological processes although the exact role of the tissue enzyme is not yet certain.
Bayesian Model Checking

This chapter discusses the Bayesian approach to checking the reasonableness of the model, which consists of both the aleatory model describing the occurrence of observable quantities, and the prior distribution for the parameters of the aleatory model. It focuses on the use of posterior predictive checks on the putative model. Approaches include direct use of the posterior predictive distribution and summary statistics derived from this distribution. Both graphical checks and quantitative checks are covered. The latter utilize a so-called Bayesian p-value.
Abstract B30: Joint control of epidermal cell fate by Yorkie and Bonus

Dysregulation of the Hippo pathway results in organ overgrowth and contributes to carcinogenesis in humans. Although the Hippo pathway has been intensively studied for its regulation of cell proliferation and organ growth, its role beyond growth control remains elusive. To explore possible novel functions of the Hippo pathway, we carried out an affinity purification-mass spectrometry (AP-MS) analysis in Drosophila embryos and cultured cells, using transcriptional coactivator Yorkie (Yki, YAP1 homolog) as bait. Prominent groups of identified interactors included all of the core pathway components and known accessory regulators, as well as subunits of RNA polymerase II and components of the Trithorax-related (Trr) complex. Among putative novel interactors we found Bonus (Bon), the Drosophila homolog of the mammalian transcriptional intermediary factor-1/tripartite motif containing (TIF1/TRIM24/TRIM33) family of proteins. Protein interaction between Bon and Yki requires the WW domains in Yki and PPxY motifs in Bon. Interestingly, Bon overexpression leads to formation of epidermal extensions (trichomes) on the surface of adult eyes. This phenotype requires Yki and Scalloped (Sd, TEAD homolog), as well as Bon-Yki interaction. To obtain a mechanistic understanding of this apparent switch towards an epidermal cell fate, we searched for novel genes that may be jointly regulated by Bon and Yki, and identified several candidates based on published ChIP-seq and RNA-seq analyses. These putative target genes are not canonical Hippo pathway effectors, but include factors involved in early eye specification as well as genes controlled by steroid hormone signaling. Loss or gain of function of a subset of these genes modified the trichome phenotype, suggesting that they are under the control of Bon and Yki and are involved in establishing a choice between a “generic” epidermal cell fate and eye field specification. In summary, our study reveals a novel function of the Hippo pathway in the regulation of epidermal cell differentiation. This regulation occurs through the interaction between Yki and Bon as well as their joint transcriptional control of nonclassical target genes. This work broadens our understanding of the Hippo pathway beyond its role in growth control. Citation Format: Heya Zhao, Can Zhang, Kenneth Moberg, Alexey Veraksa. Joint control of epidermal cell fate by Yorkie and Bonus [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on the Hippo Pathway: Signaling, Cancer, and Beyond; 2019 May 8-11; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2020;18(8_Suppl):Abstract nr B30.
Polynomial Approximation of Value Functions and Nonlinear Controller Design with Performance Bounds.

For any suitable Optimal Control Problem (OCP) which satisfies the Principle of Optimality, there exists a value function, defined as the unique viscosity solution to a HJB PDE, and which can be used to design an optimal feedback controller for the given OCP. Solving the HJB analytically is rarely possible, and existing numerical approximation schemes largely rely on discretization - implying that the resulting approximate value functions may not have the useful property of being uniformly less than or equal to the true value function (ie be sub-value functions). Furthermore, controllers obtained from such schemes currently have no associated bound on performance. To address these issues, for a given OCP, we propose a sequence of Sum-Of-Squares (SOS) problems, each of which yields a polynomial sub-solution to the HJB PDE, and show that the resulting sequence of polynomial sub-solutions converges to the value function of the OCP in the $L^1$ norm. Furthermore, for each polynomial sub-solution in this sequence we define an associated sublevel set, and show that the resulting sequence of sublevel sets converges to the sub-level set of the value function of the OCP in the volume metric. Next, for any approximate value function, obtained from an SOS program or any other method (e.g. discretization), we construct an associated feedback controller, and show that sub-optimality of this controller as applied to the OCP is bounded by the distance between the approximate and true value function of the OCP in the $W^{1,\infty}$ (Sobolev) norm. This result implies approximation of value functions in the $W^{1,\infty}$ norm results in feedback controllers with performance that can be made arbitrarily close to optimality. Finally, we demonstrate numerically that by solving our proposed SOS problem we are able to accurately approximate value functions, design controllers and estimate reachable sets.
SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein S1-Mediated Endothelial Injury and Pro-Inflammatory State Is Amplified by Dihydrotestosterone and Prevented by Mineralocorticoid Antagonism

Background: Men are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and experience higher mortality as compared to women. The vascular effects of androgen signaling and inflammatory cytokines in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)-mediated endothelial damage are not defined. Methods: Here, we determined the effects of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-mediated endothelial damage under conditions of exposure to androgens and TNF-α. We tested the therapeutic effects of approved drugs: angiotensin receptor blockade by valsartan and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism by spironolactone. Circulating endothelial injury markers VCAM-1 and E-selectin were measured in the plasma from men and women diagnosed with COVID-19. Findings: Exposure of endothelial cells (ECs) in vitro to androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT) exacerbated spike protein S1-mediated endothelial injury transcripts for cell adhesion molecules E-selectin, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1 and anti-fibrinolytic PAI-1 (P<0.05), as well as increased THP-1 monocyte adhesion to ECs (P=0.032). Spironolactone dramatically reduced DHT+S1-induced endothelial activation. Pre-treatment of ECs with valsartan did not increase endothelial activation by S1. TNF-α exacerbated S1-induced EC activation and spironolactone abrogated this effect. Analysis of plasma from patients hospitalized with COVID-19 showed concordant higher VCAM-1 in men as compared to women. Interpretation: Androgen exposure promotes spike protein-mediated endothelial injury by increasing markers of inflammation and thrombosis. A beneficial therapeutic effect of the FDA-approved drug spironolactone was observed, supporting a rationale for further evaluation as an adjunct treatment in COVID-19. Funding: This work was supported by the Michigan Biological Research Initiative on Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Disease, COVID-19 Ignitor Award, and University of Michigan Taubman Medical Research Institute. Declaration of Interests: No conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise, are declared by the author(s). Ethics Approval Statement: Study involving measurement of circulating endothelial injury markers in the plasma of COVID-19 patients was approved by the Institutional Review Board (HUM00180521) at the University of Michigan.
A Partial Property Rights Theory of the Fourth Amendment

Fourth Amendment doctrine has struggled to meet its two objectives: providing meaningful restraints on government action and a conceptually workable basis for deciding what those restraints are. This doctrine’s evolution has often placed these objectives at odds. The prevailing reasonable expectation of privacy test often gets intuitively good results at the expense of conceptual clarity, while the older, property-based approach offers clearer tests but risks being ascetic in application. This Article provides a new alternative: Fourth Amendment protection should be anchored in a flexible conception of property rights—what this Article terms a “situational right to exclude.” Note: attached draft is the draft that will be workshopped at the 2021 Privacy Law Scholars Conference.
Quick Multiple Test Procedures and p-Value Adjustments

We develop a family of logarithmic time stepwise multiple test procedures, called the Quick procedures. Comparing with existing linear time and quadratic time procedures, the Quick procedure not on...
Enhanced Fluorescence in a Scattering Medium.

Often only small amounts of sample are available for spectroscopic analytical determinations. This work investigates the enhancement of signal in columns packed with silica particles. We propose th...
An Approach to Post-Discharge Care to Reduce COPD Readmissions

Background: COPD is the third-leading cause of death in the United States and 20% of patients readmit within 30 d; many of these readmissions are preventable. The current paradigm only allows patients to see providers when appointments are available, not when they need us. BBT is an innovative transition-to-home program that connects patients to a pulmonary navigator (PN) who helps identify early onset of symptoms and implement proactive interventions. Developed by our partners at Penn Medicine Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), the program significantly decreased readmissions. Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health (LGH) adapted BBT in a new context to duplicate the results seen at HUP, launching a 6-month pilot program beginning January 2021. Methods: The PN identifies eligible, hospitalized patients with a COPD diagnosis. During the admission, the PN educates and prepares the patient for successful discharge and follows up with a phone call at 48 hours. Post discharge, enrolled patients receive a daily text at 10:00 am Monday–Friday to evaluate their breathing and identify early clinical decline. Patients respond either A (breathing is better than usual), B (breathing is same as usual) or C (breathing is worse than usual). A worse response (C or Call) triggers an immediate alert to the PN who conducts a phone evaluation within 30 min to assess symptoms, provide treatment guidance, and/or triage care based on the escalation algorithm. Results: Since the beginning of the pilot, the PNs have reviewed 234 COPD patients for BBT eligibility. BBT enrollment rate was 55.4% (36 enrolled/65 offered). All patients who responded worse received a return call within the 30-min goal and were thoroughly assessed by the PN. Thirty day readmissions in the pilot group occurred at a rate of 11.1% due to breathing difficulties, compared to pre-BBT intervention rate of 11.7%. It was estimated that 17 emergency department visits were mitigated by the BBT escalation algorithm. Conclusions: Although readmission rates did not significantly decline for those with breathing difficulties, the BBT program at LGH represents the evolution of an innovative, evidence-based intervention that is effective and scalable. It is an easy application that allows patients to interact with a PN when services are needed, not when they are available. Continued research is needed to identify how telemedicine interventions can affect the overall health of this vulnerable population.
Research and Technology Activities Supporting Closed-Brayton-Cycle Power Conversion System Development

The elements of Brayton technology development emphasize power conversion system risk mitigation. Risk mitigation is achieved by demonstrating system integration feasibility, subsystem/component life capability (particularly in the context of material creep) and overall spacecraft mass reduction. Closed-Brayton-cycle (CBC) power conversion technology is viewed as relatively mature. At the 2-kWe power level, a CBC conversion system Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of six (6) was achieved during the Solar Dynamic Ground Test Demonstration (SD-GTD) in 1998. A TRL 5 was demonstrated for 10 kWe-class CBC components during the development of the Brayton Rotating Unit (BRU) from 1968 to 1976. Components currently in terrestrial (open cycle) Brayton machines represent TRL 4 for similar uses in 100 kWe-class CBC space systems. Because of the baseline component and subsystem technology maturity, much of the Brayton technology task is focused on issues related to systems integration. A brief description of ongoing technology activities is given.
Loss of the Y chromosome in meningiomas: A molecular genetic approach☆

Abstract Loss of the Y chromosome in meningiomas from 17 male patients was examined by cytogenetic analysis and by Southern blot hybridization with a series of Y-specific DNA probes. Cytogenetic analysis revealed loss of the Y chromosome in seven of 17 (41%) of the tumors whereas Southern blot hybridization showed loss of Y-associated sequences in only three of 17 (18%). Although the incidence of Y-chromosome loss was less by Southern blot hybridization than by cytogenetic analysis, the finding that loss of Y is present in the original uncultured tumor speciment suggests that a gene or genes on the Y chromosome may play a role in growth control of meningioma cells, and loss of this gene may be associated with tumor progression. The difference in the incidence of Y loss between the two methods indicates that both methods should be used when examining chromosome losses.
Pathway-assisted investigation of atypical antipsychotic drugs and serotonin receptors in schizophrenia

Clozapine and its four related drugs (olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone and ziprasidone) are the most frequently used treatments for schizophrenia in the world. The underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the features of these five drugs through their related genes at the pathway level. For each drug, we first identified pathways that the drugs might be involved in. We found that these five drugs are all significantly involved in five pathways, i.e., G-protein coupled receptor signaling, cAMPmediated signaling, serotonin receptor (5-HT) signaling, AMPK signaling, and cardiac hypertrophy signaling. Among these pathways, the serotonin receptor (5-HTR) pathway is an important neurotransmitter-related pathway implicated in psychiatric disorders. Therefore, we further investigated the functional relationship between these five drugs and serotonin receptors based on the experimental data of activation, chemical-protein interaction, expression, inhabitation, and binding regulation. We constructed a drug-5-HTR network including these five drugs, serotonin receptors, and their relationships and found that clozapine has more interactors and more complicated connections with serotonin receptors than the other four drugs. Additionally, clozapine has two unique relationships with HTR2A, one of the most susceptible candidate genes for schizophrenia. These results indicated that clozapine might have a different action during the treatment process of schizophrenia from the other four drugs.
Isoenzymes of transaldolase in Candida utilis. I. Isolation of three isoenzymes from yeast extracts.

Abstract Extracts of frozen or dried cells of Candida utilis have been shown to contain three transaldolase isoenzymes which can be separated by DEAE-Sephadex chromatography. These have been designated as I, II, and III, respectively. Purification procedures for isoenzymes I and III are described, based on the chromatographic separation of all three isoenzymes on DEAE-Sephadex, and on the fact that isoenzyme III is the only form to crystallize. Isoenzyme I is readily extracted from frozen yeast; the other two forms appear during autolysis. Isoenzyme II was identified as a hybrid form which could be prepared from isoenzymes I and III and isolated by DEAE-Sephadex chromatography. In disc-gel electrophoresis isoenzymes I and III separated readily, but the hybrid form II did not separate from isoenzyme I.
Optimal detection and separation of chirp signals

The finite Zak transform is introduced into the problem of signal detection in a noisy environment. The main advantage of the Zak transform over the Wigner distribution approach is the linearity. Thus there are no cross terms in a multicomponent signal environment. The theory has been applied to separate chirp signals. >
Quantum information processing in ion traps II

Abstract These notes focus on two aspects of ion-trap quantum information processing: (1) linear RF (Paul) ion traps that appear to be scalable for making a processor array, and (2) ion qubits where single- and two-qubit gates are based on driving two-photon stimulated Raman transitions. Reviews on the current status of ion traps for information processing are also cited.
Measurement and Application of Paralysis Factor for Improved Detector Dead-Time Characterization

This paper describes the finding of an experimental study to measure the detector paralysis factor and the use of this parameter in conjunction with detector dead time to better model detector dead...
Pre- and post-impoundment nitrogen in the lower Missouri River

Large water-sample sets collected from 1899 through 1902, 1907, and in the early 1950s allow comparisons of pre-impoundment and post-impoundment (1969 through 2008) nitrogen concentrations in the lower Missouri River. Although urban wastes were not large enough to detectably increase annual loads of total nitrogen at the beginning of the 20th century, carcass waste, stock-yard manure, and untreated human wastes measurably increased ammonia and organic-nitrogen concentrations during low flows. Average total-nitrogen concentrations in both periods were about 2.5 mg/l, but much of the particulate-organic nitrogen, which was the dominant form of nitrogen around 1900, has been replaced by nitrate. This change in speciation was caused by the nearly 80% decrease in suspended-sediment concentrations that occurred after impoundment, modern agriculture, drainage of riparian wetlands, and sewage treatment. Nevertheless, bioavailable nitrogen has not been low enough to limit primary production in the Missouri River since the beginning of the 20th century. Nitrate concentrations have increased more rapidly from 2000 through 2008 (5 to 12% per year), thus increasing bioavailable nitrogen delivered to the Mississippi River and affecting Gulf Coast hypoxia. The increase in nitrate concentrations with distance downstream is much greater during the post-impoundment period. If strategies to decrease total-nitrogen loads focus on particulate N, substantial decreases will be difficult because particulate nitrogen is now only 23% of total nitrogen in the Missouri River. A strategy aimed at decreasing particulates also could further exacerbate land loss along the Gulf of Mexico, which has been sediment starved since Missouri River impoundment. In contrast, strategies or benchmarks aimed at decreasing nitrate loads could substantially decrease nitrogen loadings because nitrates now constitute over half of the Missouri's nitrogen input to the Mississippi. Ongoing restoration and creation of wetlands along the Missouri River could be part of such a nitrate-reduction strategy. Published 2013. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Fluid–structure interaction simulations of the Fontan procedure using variable wall properties

SUMMARY Children born with single ventricle heart defects typically undergo a staged surgical procedure culminating in a total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) or Fontan surgery. The goal of this work was to perform physiologic, patient-specific hemodynamic simulations of two post-operative TCPC patients by using fluid–structure interaction (FSI) simulations. Data from two patients are presented, and post-op anatomy is reconstructed from MRI data. Respiration rate, heart rate, and venous pressures are obtained from catheterization data, and inflow rates are obtained from phase contrast MRI data and are used together with a respiratory model. Lumped parameter (Windkessel) boundary conditions are used at the outlets. We perform FSI simulations by using an arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian finite element framework to account for motion of the blood vessel walls in the TCPC. This study is the first to introduce variable elastic properties for the different areas of the TCPC, including a Gore-Tex conduit. Quantities such as wall shear stresses and pressures at critical locations are extracted from the simulation and are compared with pressure tracings from clinical data as well as with rigid wall simulations. Hepatic flow distribution and energy efficiency are also calculated and compared for all cases. There is little effect of FSI on pressure tracings, hepatic flow distribution, and time-averaged energy efficiency. However, the effect of FSI on wall shear stress, instantaneous energy efficiency, and wall motion is significant and should be considered in future work, particularly for accurate prediction of thrombus formation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Wearable antenna design for spacesuit

A textile co-planar monopole antenna is designed with electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structure for on body communication system of a spacesuit. The monopole antenna has −10dB bandwidth from 2.8 GHz to 10 GHz. The communication system is designed for 5.8 GHz band. The antenna gain at 5.8 GHz has been improved by 3.55dB by introducing EBG. Simulation results are shown for the single antenna, antenna integrated with the EBG, and when the antenna with EBG is placed on the part of the chest of the spacesuit.
Ti-substituted Li[Li0.26Mn0.6−xTixNi0.07Co0.07]O2 layered cathode material with improved structural stability and suppressed voltage fading

Despite considerable effort, practical application of high-energy-density, lithium (Li)- and manganese (Mn)-rich layered cathode materials remains difficult due to the low first cycle efficiency, poor structural stability, and the consequent voltage fading. In the present work, the Li- and Mn-rich layered cathodes of Li[Li0.26Mn0.6−xTixNi0.07Co0.07]O2 (0 < x < 0.1) with various titanium (Ti) compositions were synthesized and their electrochemical properties were evaluated. It was found that Ti substitution greatly improves the structural stability of the Li- and Mn-rich layered cathode materials, extending the cathode’s cycle life and mitigating the voltage fading. The present first-principles analyses of the cohesive energy, phonon force constants, and charge density of these materials indicate that Ti substitution increases the stability of the layered structure and prevents Mn ions migration from transitional metal layer to adjacent Li-ion layer. These theoretical analyses coincide with the present experimental results and provide the underlying mechanism behind the improved cycling stability and weakened voltage fading.
Multi-party, Multi-issue, Multi-strategy Negotiation for Multi-modal Virtual Agents

We present a model of negotiation for virtual agents that extends previous work to be more human-like and applicable to a broader range of situations, including more than two negotiators with different goals, and negotiating over multiple options. The agents can dynamically change their negotiating strategies based on the current values of several parameters and factors that can be updated in the course of the negotiation. We have implemented this model and done preliminary evaluation within a prototype training system and a three-party negotiation with two virtual humans and one human.
Determination in regenerating tissues of Dugesia dorotocephala: the influence of nerve cord grafts

Lateral fragments which contained no nerve cord were isolated from the postpharyngeal body section of Dugesia dorotocephala and fused with nerve cord grafts soon after isolation and at daily intervals through 8 days of regeneration. Fragments fused soon after isolation formed "headless" regenerates but had normal body proportions. If the lateral cordless fragment was allowed to regenerate for 1 day or longer before fusion with the nerve cord fragment, the head always developed and the body proportions were normal. Therefore, head structures become determined in the lateral fragment within the first 24 h of regeneration; during this time these tissues can also respond to the head-inhibiting influence of the nerve cord. The competence to form particular structures of the postcerebral body regions must emerge after head-forming competence is lost, that is about 24 h after isolation; however, it persists at least through the first 8 days of regeneration. Normal body proportions can be induced by nerve cord grafts throughout the first 8 days of regeneration. Lateral fragments fused at any time after isolation with another fragment containing no nerve cord developed head structures but failed to differentiate tissues of the postcerebral regions. This confirms that the nerve cord is responsible for inhibition of head structures and induction of differentiation of body regions and normal body proportions.
Extending theSTUFormalism for Electroweak Oblique Corrections to the Case of Light New Physics

Abstract The STU formalism, which parametrizes oblique electroweak corrections due to heavy new physics, has recently been extended to the case of light new physics. In principle, this extended formalism, which involves the six parameters STUVWX , must be used if loop contributions to the oblique corrections entail light new particles with masses in the range ∼ M Z or less. Applying classical equations of motion to manipulate the effective lagrangian, we present here a thorough introductory discussion of the STUVWX formalism, elucidating such subtleties as the connection between S − X and the star formalism of Kennedy and Lynn, the connection between S − X , and the e parameters of Altarelli and Barbieri, and the loss of definite symmetry properties which S and U undergo as the STU parameter set is extended to the case of light new physics. This paper provides a significantly more detailed, expanded, and pedagogic presentation than previous expositions of the STUVWX parameters.
Monthly demand variability through a product's market cycle

Monthly retail unit sales of clothes washers and dryers in eastern Washington state were regressed on average employment during the current and preceding two months, the average advertised price of these appliances relative to the Consumer Price Index, the expected change in consumer stocks of such applicances for each year on the basis of a hypothetical rate of accumulation, and the unit volume of newspaper advertising in order to determine the viablity of alternative models for analysing and forecasting monthly sales in a localized retail market during the periods of growth, maturity, and decline in market demand. Employment and advertising, the two most useful variables in the functions tested, were able to account for 70–75 per cent of the monthly sales variance for automatic washers and dryers. Employment elasticity coefficients, though not linearly related to income elasticity coefficients for these products, appear to be a useful measure of purchasing power for localized demand and forecasting func...
Radioactive species produced by cosmic rays in iron meteorites

The radioactive isotopes Be/sup 10/, Al/sup 26/, Cl/sup 36/, K/sup 4/ / sup 0/, and Mn/sup 53/ were measured in four iron meteorites: Grant, Williamstown, Odessa, and Canyon Diablo. Each sample was recycled to constant activity, using a different chemistry for each recycle wherever possible. The samples were counted with a low-level beta -counter, except for Mn/sup 53/ whose x-rays were measured. The isotope ratios were approximately constant for each meteorite, except for Mn/sup 53/ where a depth effect is visible. The cosmic-ray ages of Williamstown and Grant are about the same. (auth)
Individualized chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer: Is it necessary? Is it feasible?

Individualized selection of chemotherapy regimens based on the molecular characteristics of the cancer would be desirable. However, it is not currently feasible. The development of clinically useful predictors of response to chemotherapy has proven to be difficult. Recently, novel analytical tools particularly transcriptional profiling, have shown promise as potential predictive tests in several small exploratory studies. However, many of the practical challenges of clinical pharmacogenomics are the same that have plagued prognostic and predictive marker research for decades. Perhaps, the most important challenge is to prospectively design and conduct validation trials that demonstrate clinical utility by showing improved patient outcomes with the use of a proposed new test.
Detection of the major DNA adducts of benzo[b]fluoranthene in mouse skin: Role of phenolic dihydrodiols

The primary mechanism of activation of benzo[b]fluoranthene (B[b]F) to a genotoxic agent does not involve the bay region dihydrodiol epoxide trans-9,10-dihydroxy-anti- 11,12-epoxy-9,10,11,12-tetrahydrobenzo[b]fluoranthene (B[b]F-9,10-DE). Previous results have suggested that the major DNA adduct(s) formed in vivo with B[b]F are more polar than those formed from B[b]F-9,10-DE. Employing newly-developed synthetic methods for the formation of B[b]F derivatives, trans-9,10-dihydro-5,9,10-trihydroxybenzo[b]fluoranthene (5-OH-B[b]F-9,10-diol) and trans-9,10-dihydro-6,9,10-trihydroxybenzo[b]fluoranthene (6-OH-B[b]F-9,10-diol) were synthesized and evaluated for tumor-initiating activity at initiation doses of 0.04, 0.12, and 0.4 mumol per mouse. In contrast to previous bioassay results, both of these phenolic dihydrodiols exhibited tumor-initiating activity. 5-OH-B[b]F-9,10-diol was the more potent tumor initiator, inducing a 90% incidence of tumor-bearing mice with an average of 7.50 tumors per mouse at a total initiator dose of 0.4 mumol. 6-OH-B[b]F-9,10-diol was significantly less active as a tumor initiator in this bioassay, inducing a 50% incidence of tumor-bearing mice with an average of 0.60 tumor per mouse at a total dose of 0.4 mumol. 32P-Postlabeling analysis was employed to evaluate the DNA adducts formed in vivo in mouse skin from both 5- and 6-OH-B[b]F-9,10-diol. HPLC analysis of B[b]F-DNA adducts formed in mouse skin demonstrated the presence of a single major adduct together with four additional minor adducts. The DNA adducts formed with 5-OH-B[b]F-9,10-diol had identical HPLC retention to the major and one of the minor adducts observed for B[b]F. These two DNA adducts account for 58% of the modified nucleotides detected in mouse skin following the topical application of B[b]F. Methods for the preparation of trans-9,10-dihydroxy-anti-11,12-epoxy-5-hydroxy-9,10,11,12- tetrahydrobenzo[b]fluoranthene (5-OH-B[b]F-9,10-DE) were developed. The DNA adducts formed with 5-OH-B[b]F-9,10-DE were similar to the adducts formed with 5-OH-B[b]F-9,10-diol. The results of the DNA binding studies along with the tumor-initiating data indicate that 5-OH-B[b]F-9,10-diol is the major proximate tumorigenic metabolite of B[b]F on mouse skin. Studies performed with deoxyguanosine 3'-phosphate suggest that the principal adducts formed with anti-5-OH-B[b]F-9,10-DE are the result of the interaction with deoxyguanosine.
A GIS and statistical approach to identify variables that control water quality in hydrothermally altered and mineralized watersheds, Silverton, Colorado, USA

Hydrothermally altered bedrock in the Silverton mining area, southwest Colorado, USA, contains sulfide minerals that weather to produce acidic and metal-rich leachate that is toxic to aquatic life. This study utilized a geographic information system (GIS) and statistical approach to identify watershed-scale geologic variables in the Silverton area that influence water quality. GIS analysis of mineral maps produced using remote sensing datasets including Landsat Thematic Mapper, advanced spaceborne thermal emission and reflection radiometer, and a hybrid airborne visible infrared imaging spectrometer and field-based product enabled areas of alteration to be quantified. Correlations between water quality signatures determined at watershed outlets, and alteration types intersecting both total watershed areas and GIS-buffered areas along streams were tested using linear regression analysis. Despite remote sensing datasets having varying watershed area coverage due to vegetation cover and differing mineral mapping capabilities, each dataset was useful for delineating acid-generating bedrock. Areas of quartz–sericite–pyrite mapped by AVIRIS have the highest correlations with acidic surface water and elevated iron and aluminum concentrations. Alkalinity was only correlated with area of acid neutralizing, propylitically altered bedrock containing calcite and chlorite mapped by AVIRIS. Total watershed area of acid-generating bedrock is more significantly correlated with acidic and metal-rich surface water when compared with acid-generating bedrock intersected by GIS-buffered areas along streams. This methodology could be useful in assessing the possible effects that alteration type area has in either generating or neutralizing acidity in unmined watersheds and in areas where new mining is planned.
Computation on Parametric Curves with an Application in Grasping

Curved shapes are frequent subjects of maneuvers by the human hand. In robotics, it is well known that antipodal grasps exist on curved objects and guarantee force closure under proper finger contact conditions. This paper presents an efficient algorithm that computes, up to numerical resolution, all pairs of antipodal points on a simple, closed, and twice continuously differentiable plane curve. Dissecting the curve into segments everywhere convex or everywhere concave, the algorithm marches simultaneously on a pair of such segments with provable convergence and interleaves marching with numerical bisection recursively. It makes use of new insights into the differential geometry at two antipodal points. We have avoided resorting to traditional nonlinear programming, which would neither be quite as efficient nor guarantee to find all antipodal points. A byproduct of our result is a procedure that constructs all common tangent lines of two curves, achieving quadratic convergence rate. Dissection and the co...