cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Four-Day Workweek and the Construction Industry

Like other industries, engineers, contractors, and construction/project managers in the construction industry are continuously searching for means, methods, and materials that will give them an edge to be more efficient in terms of cost and/or time. Some of these tools come in the form of a new piece of equipment or breakthrough product with multiple uses. It is people, though, that are the key resource of the construction industry. Thus, construction workers can also be looked to for gaining an advantage. This can be done by setting up projects so that the workers can make better use of their time while on the job. One such example is implementing the four day, 40 h workweek in lieu of the traditional five 8 h days. This paper will explore the merits of utilizing such a system in the construction industry, outline some of its impacts on a project and the workers, present a multiattribute utility function for determining its effectiveness, and conclude with a recommendation on its use.
Women and literacy in rural Mali: a study of the socio-economic impact of participating in literacy programs in four villages

Abstract This article describes a study assessing the socio-economic impact of participation in literacy programs on women in rural Mali. The study found that lives of literate women in the communities studied differed little from their nonliterate counterparts. Despite the presence of literacy programs in the villages, it was difficult for women to become literate, and women who had obtained literacy skills rarely used them. The author argues that subtle ideological forces in the communities made it difficult for literacy to bring about socio-economic change in women’s lives. Rather, ‘women’s literacy’ had been appropriated into the prevailing male-dominant socio-political culture. The study indicates that simply providing literacy skills may not guarantee positive consequences for women in certain contexts.
Chemical evolution of viscously evolving galactic discs

The ability of the Lin-Pringle (1987) model of galactic disk formation to reproduce the observed radial distributions of total gas surface density and metals in disk galaxies is investigated. It is found that a satisfactory fit is obtained provided that there exists an outer cut-off to the star-forming disk beyond which gas is allowed to viscously evolve. The metallicity gradient is then established by radial inflow of gas from beyond this cut-off.
Spring Stopover Ecology of Migrant Western Sandpipers

We describe stopover ecology for 132 migrant radiomarked Western Sandpipers (Calidris mauri) relocated repeatedly along the Pacific Flyway of North America. Eighty-eight percent of radiomarked birds were detected at 1-5 sites north of their banding sites, at distances ranging from 240-4,000 km away. We compare length of stay and physical indices of Western Sandpipers banded at coastal sites (San Francisco Bay, California and Grays Harbor, Washington), and an interior, western Great Basin site (Honey Lake, California). Western Sandpipers radiomarked at the interior site had significantly shorter length of stays than birds radiomarked at coastal sites, and they had significantly lower fat scores. The ephemeral nature of Great Basin stopover sites and an increased risk of predation may explain some of this variation. Fat and body condition indexes explained little of the observed variation in length of stay of Western Sandpipers at banding and other stopover sites. Length of stay of birds radiomarked at Grays Harbor were significantly longer compared to birds radiomarked to the south that also stopped at Grays Harbor, suggesting a potential capture effect on length of stay of birds at banding sites. Mean length of stays at seven sites other than banding sites ranged from 1.1-3.3 days and were not significantly affected by sex of bird, year of study, or banding location. Length of stay of male Western Sandpipers at the Copper River Delta, Alaska became significantly shorter later in the migration period, but not for females. Coastal sites along the Pacific Flyway from San Francisco to the breeding grounds generally function as stopovers for Western Sandpipers instead of staging areas.
A Non-Blocking Buffer Mechanism for Real-Time Event Message Communication

It is desirable to facilitate data communications among concurrent computation threads without incurring non-essential synchronizations in real-time computing systems. An interaction mechanism, called the non-blocking writer (NBW) mechanism and invented by Kopetz, is useful in facilitating state message communication from a producer to a consumer thread in real-time applications. A more widely applicable practical interaction mechanism called the non-blocking buffer (NBB) is presented here. The NBB mechanism can be viewed as a significant extension of the NBW mechanism. The NBB mechanism facilitates communication of event messages from a producer to a consumer without causing any party to experience blocking. Therefore, its application scope includes all conceivable producer-consumer situations. The NBB mechanism is not a replacement of but rather a companion to the NBW mechanism since the latter facilitates the most efficient state message communication. The application of NBBs in building middleware supporting real-time objects is discussed as a demonstration of the utility of the NBB mechanism.
Plunger Lift Versus Velocity Strings

Plunger lift and velocity strings are two common methods of attacking liquid loading problems in gas wells. This paper shows how to compare the calculated performance of both methods at downhole producing conditions on one plot.
The Effect of Preinjected Gas Atoms on Depth Dependent Damage in Self-Ion Irradiated Nickel

The effect of interstitial gas atoms on cavity formation in self-ion irradiated nickel specimens is studied utilizing a 700-kV accelerator to inject H+ or He+ ions into nickel foils. A tandem accelerator then irradiates the foils with 14-MeV nickel to produce displacement damage. Details of the irradiation facilities are presented. Sample preparation and analysis techniques are described. Preliminary results and plans for future experiments are described.
Synthetic studies on the icetexones: enantioselective formal syntheses of icetexone and epi-icetexone

Two strategies for the synthesis of the icetexane diterpenoids icetexone and epi-icetexone that rely on Ga(III)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of alkynyl indene substrates to yield fused [6-7-6] tricycles have been explored. In the first approach, access to a tricycle bearing a gem-dimethyl group paved the way for explorations of C–H functionalization of one of the methyl groups in close proximity to a hydroxyl-directing group. This approach was ultimately unsuccessful and led only to ring cleaved products. In the second approach, an alkynyl indene substrate bearing a cyano substituent was utilized, which was effective in providing a functional handle to access the icetexone subclass of diterpenoids. A key epoxide opening/diazene rearrangement sequence was utilized to complete a formal synthesis of icetexone and epi-icetexone, which is discussed in detail. Furthermore, the cyano-containing substrate has been prepared in enantioenriched form using a Rh-catalyzed conjugate addition reaction, which now provides a route to the enantioselective synthesis of these natural products.
Police and Illicit Drug Markets: Some Economic Considerations*

The role and effects of police activity in the enforcement of drug laws are examined using the economic tools of supply and demand analysis. In view of the epidemic nature of the drug abuse problem and its obvious economic aspects, the infrequent application of economic analysis in the area seems an anomaly. This analysis suggests that some of our current enforcement practices are apparently futile. It is clear, however, that no simple solution to illicit drug abuse exists because of the interdependence of the markets for different drugs, because of the interplay between the supply and demand sides of most clandestine drug markets, and because of changing social mores and legal standards. Several important implications for the activities of police are evident. Vigorous drug law enforcement by police appears to be counterproductive and dysfunctional when it is: (1) directed at drugs such as heroin which are addictive in nature and which have price inelastic (unresponsive) demands; and (2) directed primarily at the supply side of the market. Supply-reducing law enforcement activities will apparently not be counterproductive and will not greatly increase the number and character of crimes if it is directed at drugs which are nonaddictive in nature (for example, marihuana), and which have price elastic (responsive) demands. Demand-reducing policies are more appropriate for addicting drugs such as heroin. Demand-reducing polices analysed include; (1) education; (2) rehabilitative incarceration; and (3) drug substitutes such as methadone. The role of police in demand-reducing policies is probably smaller, however, than their corresponding role in supply-reducing policies. The role of police in a medically-oriented approach similar to that existing in Geat Britain is also minimal.
Rethinking Susceptibility: Examining the Cognitive and Emotional Processing of Other-Directed Persuasive Fear Appeal Messages

This article examines the message processing of men in response to an other-directed persuasive fear appeal regarding sexual assault against women. A sample of men read a persuasive message and completed attitude, intention, and mood assessments, and a paired message recall and thought/feeling listing task. One week later they again completed attitude and intention assessments. Results indicated that men experienced fear for the women they care about, primarily recalled threatening message information, and were motivated to speak with women regarding the protective message recommendations.
Partially adaptive estimation via a normal mixture: some further monte carlo evidence

This paper provides Monte Carlo evidence indicating that, when regression errors come from a long-tailed distribution, a partially adaptive estimator based on a normal mixture produces regression estimates with sampling efficiency comparable to that of adaptive estimators appearing in the literature.
In-Situ Control of DNAPL Density Using Polyaphrons

Once spilled into soils, dense nonaqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) such as chlorinated solvents migrate deep into the subsurface because of their high density. Their downward migration typically continues until capillary forces balance gravitational forces or until essentially impermeable strata are reached. Efforts to mobilize the DNAPL for remediation purposes risks driving the contaminants deeper, which has spurred research for modifying buoyancy forces in situ. In this paper, a novel means of controlling the density of a DNAPL phase using polyaphrons is presented. Polyaphrons are a class of high internal phase ratio emulsions (HIPREs) that have unusual properties such as indefinite stability and flow properties through porous media. They provide a means of selectively delivering a light organic phase liquid to the vicinity of the DNAPL phase. Upon destabilization of the polyaphron by a polyvalent cation, the light internal phase mixes with the DNAPL to produce a nonaqueous phase of lower density than the original contaminant. The negative buoyancy of the DNAPL can thus be reversed. This approach holds great promise for manipulating DNAPL densities prior to or during remediation treatments.
Three approximations to the nonlocal and energy‐dependent correlation potential in electron propagator theory

The historical dilemma that pits accuracy against interpretability in molecular electronic structure calculations may be resolved with electron propagator theory. In the interpretation of electron binding energies, electron propagator theory provides a systematically improvable description of electron correlation while retaining one-electron concepts, such as Dyson orbitals, of wide-ranging interpretive facility. The nonlocal, energy-dependent correlation potential, known as the self-energy, which occurs in the one-electron equations of electron propagator theory may be approximated in practical calculations. The partial third-order approximation has been employed in many calculations on large molecules. Applications to fragments of nucleic acids show how qualitative, orbital-based insights emerge from calculations that suffice to quantitatively assign photoelectron spectra. A quasiparticle virtual orbital method for improving the efficiency of this method shows considerable promise. Simple perturbative approaches may be combined with renormalizations that incorporate final- state orbital relaxation effects with the use of reference ensembles that correspond to Slater's transition state method. Such approximations produce useful predictions for core as well as valence electron binding energies. Another approximation that is based on highly correlated reference states and a renormalized treatment of the self-energy shows considerable flexibility in the accurate prediction of electron binding energies. This method suffices to make definitive assignments of photoelectron spectra of double Rydberg anions, species whose ground state electronic structure requires assignment of electrons to nonvalence orbitals. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 110: 706 -715, 2010
Persistent Organic Pollutants in Children: Commentary on the article by Karmaus et al . on page 331

Persistent Organic Pollutants in Children: Commentary on the article by Karmaus et al . on page 331
The Puzzle of Presidential Leadership: Persuasion, Bargaining, and Policy Consistency

Political science can offer few theoretical generalizations about the exercise of presidential power. From one perspective, this is no disadvantage: there are few presidents, and presidential leadership so intrinsically involves the interplay of ideas and persuasive deliberation that success depends on personal traits and the fit of the president's ideas with the times. Striving for inductive generalizations in such a case would mistake rote scientific method for the pursuit of knowledge. Others argue, however, that the dearth of theoretical generalizations is a temporary weakness, remediable by shifting to a deductive approach. Deductive theorizing can claim insights in other areas once typified by historiographic methods, notably in studies of Congress, and formal models of legislation have been extended to generate hypotheses about transactions between president and Congress. I suggest that neither side of the dilemma offers a satisfactory and complete approach to the puzzle of presidential leadership; it then goes on to specify how the contributions from each side fit together. Rational choice models, based on bargaining as the mode of influence and the repeated game as the image of process, show how institutional structures can produce stable decisions where majority rule tends toward endless cycling. But the cost is that the resulting decisions are typically ad hoc and disjointed. Achieving consistent and coherent policy requires more subtle coordination of individual expectations than legislative organizations can manage, and it is this limitation of bargaining that establishes the potential for presidential leadership. Presidents can attempt to capitalize on this opportunity either by intervening as an additional (but situationally advantaged) bargainer, or by employing persuasion, the explicit appeal to collective goals rather than particularistic trades. I develop the distinction between bargaining and persuasion as alternative strategies of advocacy, and illustrate their use with examples from President Reagan's interactions with Congress over his key economic policy proposals.
Ist der Bis(μ-oxo)dikupfer-Kern fähig, ein Aren zu hydroxylieren?

Der direkte Angriff des Bis(μ-oxo)dikupfer-Kerns auf ein Aren scheint auf der Grundlage von Studien an neuen [CuIII2(μ-O)2]2 +-Verbindungen, die durch zweizahnige Imin/Amin-Liganden stabilisiert werden, in Tyrosinase und Modellkomplexen moglich zu sein. Anhand der Reaktivitat eines Bis(μ-oxo)dikupfer-Kerns wird gezeigt, das der Zerfall dieses Intermediates einen gebundenen Phenylring in einer Reaktion, die der durch Tyrosinase katalysierten analog ist, hydroxyliert [Gl. (a)].
The stereoselective synthesis of (Z)-HFCCFZnI and stereospecific preparation of (E)-1,2-difluorostyrenes from (Z)-HFCCFZnI via an unusual Pd(PPh3)4–Cu(I)Br co-catalysis approach or (Z)-HFCCFSnBu3

Abstract (Z)-HFC CFZnI was stereoselectively synthesized from activated zinc dust and (Z)-HFC CFI that was synthesized from chlorotrifluoroethene in a sequential manner. Compared to (E)-HFC CFZnI, (Z)-HFC CFZnI was more challenging to prepare in terms of sluggish metallation and formation of by-products, and underwent slower and incomplete Negishi coupling with aryl iodides. In a modification of Negishi coupling, (E)-α,β-difluorostyrenes were stereospecifically prepared in good to excellent yields under mild conditions from aryl iodides and (Z)-HFC CFZnI with the co-catalysis of Pd(PPh3)4/Cu(I)Br. Experimental investigation and mechanistic rationalization suggested that Cu(I)Br would be a scavenger of free ligands for the facilitation of Pd(PPh3)2 formation, and a supplier of ligand for the metathesis process. Alternatively, (Z)-HFC CFSnBu3 and aryl iodides with an electron-withdrawing group underwent Stille–Liebiskind coupling to afford (E)-α,β-difluorostyrenes.
Characterization of antibiotic and disinfectant susceptibility profiles among Pseudomonas aeruginosa veterinary isolates recovered during 1994-2003.

Aims To evaluate susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa veterinary isolates to antibiotics and disinfectants. Methods and Results Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates collected from dogs (n = 155) and other animals (n = 20) from sixteen states during 1994–2003 were tested for susceptibility. Most isolates were resistant to twenty-one antimicrobials tested, and the highest prevalence of resistance was to β-lactams (93·8%) and sulphonamides (93·5%). Fluoroquinolone resistance did not increase from 1994 to 2003. Ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin had a 5 and 16% prevalence of resistance, respectively, while sarafloxacin and nalidixic acid had a prevalence of resistance of 97 and 98%, respectively. Strains were pan-resistant to triclosan and chlorhexidine, were highly resistant to benzalkonium chloride and demonstrated high susceptibility to other disinfectants. Didecyldimethylammonium chloride was the most active ammonium chloride. Inducible resistance was observed to cetyl ammonium halides, chlorhexidine and benzyl ammonium chlorides, which formulate disinfectants used in veterinary clinics and dairies. Organic acid inhibition was associated with the dissociated acid species. Conclusions Dissociated organic acids appear able to inhibit Ps. aeruginosa, and rates of fluoroquinolone resistance merit sustained companion animal isolate surveillance. Significance and Impact of the Study This is the first report of Ps. aeruginosa susceptibility to 24 disinfectants and illustrates the high resistance of Ps. aeruginosa to both antibiotics and disinfectants.
Scope of International Hospital Pharmacy Practice

OBJECTIVE:To review the published English literature regarding international hospital pharmacy practice.DATA SOURCES:A computer search of all English-language articles in MEDLINE (1966–June 2004) and other Internet sources and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1971–June 2004).STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:All studies that discussed hospital pharmacy or clinical hospital pharmacy activities outside of the US were considered for inclusion.DATA SYNTHESIS:The scope of international hospital pharmacy practice is quite varied, both inter- and intra-country, and varying degrees of specialization exist. Although clinical pharmacy is well developed in some countries, it is still in infancy stages in others. In addition, there is disparity in the actual definition of clinical pharmacy throughout the world.CONCLUSIONS:Since very few data have been published regarding hospital pharmacy practice on an international scale, we suggest a survey be conducted to objectively capture this information and increase...
Intimacy, Differentiation, and Personality Variables as Predictors of Marital Satisfaction:

This study attempted to integrate theories of intimacy and differentiation with previously studied relationship variables to generate a predictive model of marital satisfaction. Findings from this ...
Performance of a modified polling strategy for broadband wireless LANs in a harsh fading environment

A radio-based communication network is considered in which a single, high-speed radio channel is shared by some plurality of small portable notebooks. Such a system has the potential to provide LAN-like service within buildings, allowing the portable notebooks to access the CPU and database resources of a wired network. In this harsh indoor fading environment, a base-station approach is used. A modified polling scheme for the indoor radio LAN channel is proposed. The base station regularly polls each remote, in response to which the remote either generates a keep alive packet or a request packet, allowing the base to fetch the requested information from the wired network and scheduling a reply to that remote. The efficiency of such a scheme is studied and the expected turn-around delay as a function of network loading is obtained. For a polling cycle of 20 ms and a network containing 10 or 50 users, for example, the maximum link efficiency is 97% and 87%, respectively. >
Valence-Bond calculations and matrix elements between two tableau functions of non-orthogonal orbitals

An integral formula is derived involving a new type of determinantal function which reproduces the effect of the Young operator θNPN. This result is used to calculate matrix elements between tableau functions of non-orthogonal orbitals. Matrices which transform this representation into the traditional valence-bond scheme are also given.
The Empirically Validated Treatments Movement: A Practitioner/Educator Perspective

In this commentary, I discuss the empirically validated treatments movement from the perspective of a practitioner and educator. I review the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 12 Task Force report (APA, 1995) on empirically validated treatments, its effects, and its critics. I also consider the APA Division 29 Task Force report (Norcross, 2001) on empirically supported therapy relationships and Westen and Morrison's (2001) metaanalysis of a set of efficacy studies. After highlighting the dilemmas that the empirically validated treatments movement creates for practitioners, I discuss how the endeavor of clinical practice differs from that of science and close by considering the definition of evidence-based practice adopted by the Institute of Medicine (2001).
Risk estimation via weighted regression

In this paper we propose a method based on weighted regression for the estimation of risk in nested Monte Carlo simulation. The mean squared error (MSE) of a standard nested simulation converges at the rate k−2/3, where k is the computational budget. Similar to the regression method proposed in Broadie, Du, and Moallemi (2011b), the MSE of the proposed weighted regression method converges at the rate k-1 until reaching an asymptotic bias level, which depends on the size of the regression error. However, the weighted approach further reduces MSE by emphasizing scenarios that are more important to the calculation of the risk measure. We find a globally optimal weighting strategy for general risk measures in an idealized setting. For applications, we propose and test a practically implementable two-pass method, where the first pass uses an unweighted regression and the second pass uses weights based on the first pass.
mTOR-blocking agents in advanced renal cancer: an emerging therapeutic option

Background: The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway inhibition has emerged as one of the main directions for the development of new targeted agents in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). A prominent member in its class of medications, temsirolimus has already been shown to improve overall survival in advanced kidney cancer, when compared with the previous standard, IFN-α. Objective: The aim of this study was to review the most relevant preclinical and clinical data on the mTOR inhibitors, both in clinical use or in current development. Methods: The authors give a comprehensive review of the existing English literature on the role of the mTOR pathway in renal tumorigenesis, as well as a detailed safety and efficacy analysis of older and newer rapamycin analogs. Results/conclusions: Rapamycin derivatives temsirolimus and everolimus have significant clinical activity in patients with advanced-stage RCC. Both parenteral and oral formulations of mTOR inhibitors have shown clinical efficacy and are currently b...
Effects of substratum morphology on cell physiology.

Among the host of substratum properties that affect animal cell behavior, surface morphology has received relatively little attention. The earliest effect of surface morphology on animal cells was discovered almost a century ago when it was found that cells became oriented in response to the underlying topography. This phenomenon is now commonly known as contact guidance. From then until very recentrly, little progress has been made in understanding the role of surface morphology on cell behavior, primarily due to a lack of defined surfaces with uniform morphologies. This problem has been solved recently with the development of photolithographic techniques to prepare substrata with well defined and uniform surface morphologies. Availability of such surfaces has facilitated systematic in vitro experiments to study influence of surface morphology on diverse cell physiological aspects such as adhesion, growth, and function. For example, these studies have shown that surfaces with uniform multipls parallel grooves can enhance cell adhesion by confining cells in grooves and by mechanically interlocking them. Several independent studies have demosterated that cell shape is a major determinant of cell growth and function. Because surface morphology has been shown to modulate the extent of cell spreading and cell shape, its effects on cell growth and function appear to be mediated via this biological coupling between cell shape and function. New evidence in the cell biology literature is emerging to suggest that surface morphology could affect other cell behavioral properties such as post-translational modifications. Further elucidation of such effects will enable better designs for implant and cell culture substrata.
THE SPECIFICATION OF LEAF IDENTITY DURING SHOOT DEVELOPMENT

A single plant produces several different types of leaves or leaf-like organs during its life span. This phenomenon, which is termed heteroblasty, is an invariant feature of shoot development but is also regulated by environmental factors that affect the physiology of the plant. Invariant patterns of heteroblastic development reflect global changes in the developmental status of the shoot, such as the progression from embryogenesis through juvenile and adult phases of vegetative development, culminating in the production of reproductive structures. Genes that regulate these phase-specific aspects of leaf identity have been identified by mutational analysis in both maize and Arabidopsis. These mutations have revealed that leaf production is regulated independently of leaf identity, implying that the identity of a leaf at a particular position on the shoot may depend on when the leaf was initiated in relation to a temporal program of shoot development.
Mock-object generation with behavior

Unit testing is a popular way to guide software development and testing. Each unit test should target a single feature, but in practice it is difficult to test features in isolation. Mock objects are a well-known technique to substitute parts of a program which are irrelevant for a particular unit test. Today mock objects are usually written manually supported by tools that generate method stubs or distill behavior from existing programs. We have developed a prototype tool based on symbolic execution of .NET code that generates mock objects including their behavior by analyzing all uses of the mock object in a given unit test. It is not required that an actual implementation of the mocked behavior exists. We are working towards an integration of our tool into Visual Studio Team System.
Correlates of Low-Income African American and Puerto Rican Fathers' Involvement with Their Children:

Determinants offathers 'involvement with theirchildren were examined in a study of 60 low-income African American and 25 low-income Puerto Rican men residing with their children in two-parent famil...
Opportunism, backpressure, and stochastic optimization with the wireless broadcast advantage

This paper provides a tutorial treatment of recent stochastic network optimization techniques, including Lyapunov network optimization, backpressure, and max-weight decision making. A new technique of place holder bits that improves delay for networking problems with general costs is also presented. An example application is given for the problem of energy-aware scheduling and routing in a wireless mobile network with channel errors and multi-receiver diversity. The diversity backpressure routing algorithm (DIVBAR, Neely and Urgaonkar 2006, 2008) is illustrated and simulated in comparison to the extremely opportunistic routing strategy (ExOR, Biswas and Morris 2005).
Creating and Validating Embedded Assertion Statecharts

Integrating formal assertions into the modeling, implementation, and testing of statechart-based designs can enhance a rapid system prototyping system's robustness by providing runtime monitoring and recovery from assertion failures. An iterative process for developing and verifying statechart prototype models augmented with statechart assertions using the StateRover tool lets system designers write formal specifications using statechart assertions. It also enables them to use JUnit-based simulation to validate statechart assertions and to test statechart prototype models augmented with statechart assertions. A case study using a safety-critical computer assisted resuscitation algorithm software prototype for a casualty intravenous fluid infusion pump illustrates the process.
Analysis Methods for Characterizing Salinity Variability from Multivariate Time Series Applied to the Apalachicola Bay Estuary

Statistical analysis methods are developed to quantify the impacts of multiple forcing variables on the hydrographic variability within an estuary instrumented with an enduring observational system. The methods are applied to characterize the salinity variability within Apalachicola Bay, a shallow multiple-inlet estuary along the northeastern Gulf of Mexico coast. The 13-yr multivariate time series collected by the National Estuary Research Reserve at three locations within the bay are analyzed to determine how the estuary responds to variations in external forcing mechanisms, such as freshwater discharge, precipitation, tides, and local winds at multiple time scales. The analysis methods are used to characterize the estuarine variability under differing flow regimes of the Apalachicola River, a managed waterway, with particular focus on extreme events and scales of variability that are critical to local ecosystems. Multivariate statistical models are applied that describe the salinity response to winds from multiple directions, river flow, and precipitation at daily, weekly, and monthly time scales to understand the response of the estuary under different climate regimes. Results show that the salinity is particularly sensitive to river discharge and wind magnitude and direction, with local precipitation being largely unimportant. Applying statistical analyses with conditional sampling quantifies how the likelihoods of high-salinity and long-duration high-salinity events, conditions of critical importance to estuarine organisms, change given the state of the river flow. Intraday salinity range is shown to be negatively correlated with the salinity, and correlated with river discharge rate.
Sterile neutrino at the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment

We investigate the potential for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) to probe the existence and effects of a fourth neutrino mass eigenstate. We study the mixing of the fourth mass eigenstate with the three active neutrinos of the Standard Model, including the effects of new sources of $CP$-invariance violation, for a wide range of new mass-squared differences, from lower than ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{eV}}^{2}$ to higher than $1\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{eV}}^{2}$. DUNE is sensitive to previously unexplored regions of the mixing angle--mass-squared difference parameter space. If there is a fourth neutrino, in some regions of the parameter space, DUNE is able to measure the new oscillation parameters (some very precisely) and clearly identify two independent sources of $CP$-invariance violation. Finally, we use the hypothesis that there are four neutrino mass eigenstates in order to ascertain how well DUNE can test the limits of the three-massive-neutrinos paradigm. In this way, we briefly explore whether light sterile neutrinos can serve as proxies for other, in principle unknown, phenomena that might manifest themselves in long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiments.
Abstract B132: Functionalization of the primary amino group of (Z)-3-(2-aminoethyl)-5-(4-ethoxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione enhances selectivity and specificity of the inhibition of ERK substrate docking domains.

Extracellular signal-related kinase-1 and 2 (ERK1/2) are hyperactivated in several human cancers, predominantly due to gain-of function mutations in the upstream Ras and Raf proteins. However, its complete inhibition through targeting its active site is expected to be detrimental, since ERK is crucial in various “housekeeping” roles in normal cells. Therefore, our aim is to block specific substrate docking domains on the surface of ERK and, hence, inhibit functions involved in cancer cell proliferation, such as the phosphorylation (activation) of the transcription factor Elk-1 and the enzyme ribosomal S6 kinase-1 (RSK-1). We have previously used computer-aided drug design (CADD) to identify ERK docking domain inhibitors, which led to the discovery of (Z)-3-(2-aminoethyl)-5-(4-ethoxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione (referred to in the literature as 76) that is believed to target the groove in between the common docking (CD) and ED domains. A fluorescence quenching assay showed that 76 binds ERK2 with a KD of 5 μM, exhibits minimal selectivity over the structurally related p38α MAP kinase, and inhibits the proliferation of A375 melanoma cells, which harbor constitutive ERK pathway activation owing to a B-Raf mutation, with an IC50 value of about 20 μM. Through functionalization of the primary amino group of our lead to afford a focused library of amides, carbamates, sulfonamides and anilines, we have been able to improve binding affinities for ERK2 to as low as 70 nM. Importantly, selectivity for ERK2 over p38α was increased to more than 70-fold. Mutation studies suggested that several of our best compounds bind in the vicinity of Thr157 (located at the ED domain) and, to a lesser extent, Asp319 of the CD domain (a residue that was predicted by CADD to bind the primary amino group of 76). Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that new lead SF-2-054 (ERK2: KD = 170 nM) is a more potent inhibitor of Elk-1 phosphorylation than the parent compound 76. Furthermore, negligible effects on the levels of activated ERK2 suggested that SF-2-054 does not operate upstream of ERK2. Consistent with the mutation binding data, SF-2-054 exhibits minimal effects of the levels of phosphorylated Rsk-1, which is known to bind the CD site, opening the door for the development of substrate-specific ERK inhibitors. At the same time, it is noteworthy that this data suggests that SF-2-054 does not bind the catalytic domain of ERK2. In addition, SF-2-054 was found to inhibit proliferation of A375 cells with an IC50 value of Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2011 Nov 12-16; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2011;10(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B132.
A Grading System for Lymphocytic Plasmacytic Colitis in Dogs

Colonic mucosal samples were obtained every 4 weeks for 13 months from 6 clinically normal dogs and from 47 dogs with a clinical diagnosis of chronic inflammatory bowel disease. All samples were graded on a scale of 0–5, based upon the quantity of lymphocytes and plasma cells in the lamina propria, epithelial changes, and the presence of ulcers and erosions. A grade of ≤2.0 was considered normal and was assigned to 77 of 78 samples from clinically normal dogs and 28 of 48 samples from dogs with diarrhea. A transient increase in cellulaiity was noted in 1 sample from 1 control dog. Nineteen dogs with clinical disease had obvious histologic abnormalities. The grading scheme described provides the pathologist with an objective criterion for the microscopic evaluation of colonic mucosal samples obtained by endoscopic techniques and offers clinicians a method of assessing the dog's progress and response to therapy.
Line-Tunable Electronic-to-Vibrational Energy Transfer Lasers in the Mid-Infrared

Applications of laser technology like sensing and tracking of atmospheric gases require high power, line — tunable lasers in the mid — infrared, where most molecules show characteristic absorption spectra. Laser based chemical analysis in the wavelength region 2.8µm ≤ λ ≤8.5µm usually employs lead sulfide diode lasers, which are tuned by varying the diode current and diode temperature in the temperature range below 100K. However, these lasers do not achieve the efficiency and beam quality of III-V-semiconductor based diode lasers, emitting in the near infrared or visible spectral region while operating at room temperature. The possibility of collecting the output power a large number of III-V-semiconductor diodes arranged in diode arrays is now widely used for efficient pumping of high power Nd:YAG-lasers.
Some things just have to be done in vivo: GPIHBP1, caloric delivery, and the generation of remnant lipoproteins.

The recent discovery of a dysfunctional mutation of GPIHBP1 in a man with chylomicronemia implicates this protein in human physiology. GPIHBP1 can be placed in the larger context of other molecular participants in chylomicron docking and hydrolysis on microvascular endothelium, caloric delivery, and remnant lipoprotein generation. Critical questions include the regulation—and dysregulation—of these processes in states of overnutrition, underexertion, obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes.
PSEUDO RELATIVE VELOCITY SPECTRA OF EARTHQUAKE GROUND MOTION AT HIGH FREQUENCIES

SUMMARY The currently available empirical scaling laws for estimation of spectral amplitudes are limited to periods longer than 0.04 s. However, for design of equipment and stiff structures on multiple and distant supports, exposed to strong shaking near faults where peak accelerations can exceed 1g, specification of design ground motions at higher frequencies is required. This paper presents a method for extrapolation of pseudo-relative velocity spectral amplitudes of strong earthquake shaking to short periods (0.01 < T < 0.04 sec). The extrapolated spectra can be used as a physical basis for defining design spectral amplitudes in this higher-frequency range. The analysis in this paper implies that for typical strong motion accelerations, particularly on sedimentary sites in California, the peak ground accelerations are projected to be unaffected by frequencies higher than those recorded. Consequently, in California, the high-frequency pseudo-acceleration spectra can be approximated from the recorded absolute peak accelerations.
Dynamic programming approximation algorithms for the capacitated lot-sizing problem

This paper provides a new idea for approximating the inventory cost function to be used in a truncated dynamic program for solving the capacitated lot-sizing problem. The proposed method combines dynamic programming with regression, data fitting, and approximation techniques to estimate the inventory cost function at each stage of the dynamic program. The effectiveness of the proposed method is analyzed on various types of the capacitated lot-sizing problem instances with different cost and capacity characteristics. Computational results show that approximation approaches could significantly decrease the computational time required by the dynamic program and the integer program for solving different types of the capacitated lot-sizing problem instances. Furthermore, in most cases, the proposed approximate dynamic programming approaches can accurately capture the optimal solution of the problem with consistent computational performance over different instances.
Notes On Hoplopleurid Lice From Taiwan (Anoplura, Insecta)

The sucking lice of 3 genera and 5 species are discussed: Phthirunculus sumatranus Kuhn & Ludwig, Neohaematopinus callosciuri Johnson, Neohaematopinus petauristae Ferris, Polyplax asiatica Ferris, and Polyplax reclinata (Nitzsch). Nymphal stages of 4 species and adult stage of P. sumatranus are described and illustrated on the basis of Taiwanese specimens.
Pulmonary mechanical and immunologic dysfunction in a murine model of AIDS

Human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients occasionally exhibit alveolar septal wall thickening and decreases in gas diffusion capacity, but the mechanism underlying these abnormalities is unknown. The present study evaluated septal wall thickness and gas exchange properties in a murine model of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and determined whether there were alterations in lung lymphocyte deposition and activation that could contribute to changes in respiratory structure and function. Although alveolar septal wall thickness did not differ from control at 1, 2, and 4 wk postimmunosuppressive virus infection, at 8 wk after infection, septal wall thickness was substantially increased. Immunohistochemical evaluation at this time revealed marked increases in the septal wall deposition of fibronectin and collagen type IV. Pulmonary function tests on anesthetized mice with virus-induced septal wall thickening demonstrated that, although total lung capacity, compliance, and functional residual capacity were unaltered, diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide was significantly impaired. A diffuse nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis was present in lungs of immunodeficient mice, and flow cytometry indicated that both lymphocytes and macrophages were activated. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis of lung lymphocytes demonstrated enhanced mRNA expression for several cytokines known to affect lung structure. These results show that impaired gas exchange occurs in a murine model of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and suggest that such alterations may be mediated by elaboration of cytokines from activated lung lymphocytes and macrophages.
Effect of Interferon Inducing Agents (Polyriboinosinic Acid· Polyribocytidylic Acid and Tilorone) on the Heme Turnover of Hepatic Cytochrome P-450

The cytochrome P -450 and heme contents of microsomes are lowered markedly in livers of rats treated with the interferon inducing agents, tilorone and poly(rI·rC) (polyriboinosinic acid·polyribocytidylic acid). The turnover of cytochrome P -450 heme was studied to determine whether the loss of cytochrome P -450 and heme was due to a decreased synthesis or to an increased degradation of the hemoprotein. Two populations of cytochrome P -450 exist in hepatic microsomes, one with a relatively short and one with a long half-life. The half-lives of cytochrome P -450 heme in control animals were determined to be about 8 and 40 h. After the administration of tilorone or poly(rI·rC), the half-life of the short-lived cytochrome P -450 was lowered to about 5 h but that of the long-lived cytochrome P -450 was not changed. These interferon inducing agents produced no appreciable decrease in the incorporation of the radioactivity of administered ALA-3,5-3H or glycine-2-14C into the heme of cytochrome P -420 derived from cytochrome P -450. However, a rise in specific activity was observed 10 and 24 h after the administration of poly(rI·rC) and tilorone, respectively. This increase in specific activity is interpreted to mean that interferon inducing agents increase the rate of breakdown of preformed cytochrome P -450 heme and that some of this is replaced by newly synthesized labeled heme. It is concluded from these results that poly(rI·rC) and tilorone lower the concentration of hepatic hemoproteins by increasing their degradation rather than by depressing their synthesis.
Effects of somatostatin and glucose infusion on glucose kinetics in fetal sheep.

We examined the contribution of glucose, independently of insulin, on fetal glucose kinetics in the sheep by infusing somatostatin (SRIF), followed by SRIF plus glucose (protocol A) or reversing the initial infusion sequence (protocol B). In protocol A (n = 8), infusion of SRIF at 200 micrograms/h decreased plasma insulin (IRI) and blood glucose (G) by 2.8 +/- 1.0 microU/ml and 1.34 +/- 0.2 mg/dl from their respective basal concentrations of 6.8 +/- 1.4 microU/ml and 16.47 +/- 0.91 mg/dl (P less than 0.05; P less than 0.005). There were no significant changes in plasma glucagon (IRG) or the rates of umbilical G uptake or of G utilization, but G turnover decreased by 1.77 +/- 0.34 mg.kg-1.min-1 (P less than 0.005). Addition of G at a rate of 5.6 +/- 0.8 mg.kg-1.min-1 had no effect on IRI and IRG. Total G uptake (G infusion rate plus umbilical G uptake) increased from 6.37 +/- 0.77 to 10.25 +/- 1.0 mg.kg-1.min-1 (P less than 0.01), despite suppression of umbilical G uptake by 33%. Fetal G reached a new steady state of 23.08 +/- 1.37 mg/dl, and G turnover increased by 4.81 +/- 0.96 mg.kg-1.min-1 from its SRIF-induced nadir (P less than 0.005). Since G concentration was maintained at steady state, the rate of G utilization was equivalent to the rate of total G uptake, an increase of 60% from basal despite suppressed IRI.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Single center experience of 90Y-Ibritumomab tiuxetan in the older population with non-hodgkin lymphoma.

e19035Background: 90Y-Ibritumomab tiuxetan (90Y-IT) as radioimmunotherapy in the treatment of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) has been approved for consolidation and salvage treatment of follicul...
Do sex hormones play a role in ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has a striking disease marker, i.e., HLA-B27, indicating the major genetic predisposition; however, expression of disease is also strongly influenced by age- and sex-related factors. Sex steroids studies suggest greater androgenicity in AS than normal control persons. Therapeutic interventions that normalize such sex steroid status have shown clinical improvements in males and females. Muscle histopathology in AS shows frequent changes early in disease consistent with neuropathic and myopathic mechanisms of a noninflammatory nature. Accepting the available, aggregate data, one may infer that sex steroid imbalance in persons susceptible to AS may target axial and proximal muscle tissues, resulting in relative functional hypertonicity. Such phenomenon, developing in preteen and younger adult ages, may contribute to peripheral and axial manifestations of enthesopathy in this disease by complex and currently unknown mechanisms.