cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonopioid receptor‐mediated effects of U‐50,488H on [Ca2+]i and extracellular dopamine in PC12 cells

The present studies were carried out to determine the effects of a kappa-opioid receptor agonist on cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration, [Ca(2+)](i), and extracellular dopamine in undifferentiated PC12 cells. The kappa-opioid receptor agonist U-50,488H caused concentration-dependent increases in [Ca(2+)](i) and extracellular dopamine. Neither effect was blocked by the selective kappa-opioid receptor antagonist nor-binaltorphimine. Increases in extracellular dopamine content and [Ca(2+)](i) caused by U-50,488H were correlated positively in the presence of extracellular Ca(2+); however, reduction of extracellular Ca(2+) abolished the increase in [Ca(2+)](i), but not that in dopamine. The latter observation suggests that stimulation of exocytotic release is not the primary mechanism involved in the increase in extracellular dopamine caused by U-50,488H. Effects on dopamine synthesis or catabolism also seem unlikely because the enhancement of extracellular dopamine occurred rapidly, and the amount of a major metabolite of dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), was not affected. In any event, neither the increase in [Ca(2+)](i) nor the increase in extracellular dopamine caused by U-50,488H is mediated by the kappa-opioid receptor.
The Covariance Of External Shot Noise At A Sensor Array

Noise (of seismic and other origins) is often modeled as a shot process, i.e., as a random combination of wavelets. Specifically, if X is the random noise process and g is the deterministic waveform of the wavelet, then X(t)=∑ig(t-Ti),where the Ti are Poisson points in time. One useful result (derived by Backus et al., 1964) under this model is that if the wavelets are propagating across a sensor array, and if the wavelet origins are uniformly distributed in azimuth, then the cross‐power spectrum for a pair of sensors is the product of the power spectrum at a single sensor and a zero‐order Bessel function. In the notation of Backus et al., Φ01(f)=Φ00(f)J0(2πfΔx/c).
Affirmative Action, Unintentional Racial Biases, and Intergroup Relations.

This paper examines whether affirmative action is still needed, investigates why it may be needed in terms of contemporary racial attitudes, and considers ways of reducing intergroup conflict and tension surrounding this issue. Although the nature of contemporary bias is more subtle than traditional forms, this unintentional bias can produce barriers to the employment and advancement of well-qualified members of historically disadvantaged groups, as well as resistance to affirmative action. Nevertheless, affirmative action policies may address contemporary biases more effectively than passive equal employment opportunity policies because they emphasize outcomes rather than intentions, provide unambiguous standards of behavior, and establish monitoring systems that insure accountability. Strategies for improving intergroup relations and reducing intergroup conflict associated with this issue are considered.
Comparison of Nonparametric and Parametric Methods in Repeated Measures Designs - A Simulation Study

This study investigates the performance of parametric and nonparametric tests to analyze repeated measures designs. Both multivariate normal and exponential distributions were simulated for varying values of the correlation and ten or twenty subjects within each cell. For multivariate normal distributions, the type I error rates were lower than the usual 0.05 level for nonparametric tests, whereas the parametric tests without the Greenhouse-Geisser or the Huynh-Feldt adjustment produced slightly higher type I error rates. Type I error rates for nonparametric tests, for multivariate exponential distributions, were more stable than parametric, Greenhouse-Geisser or Huynh-Feldt adjusted tests. For ten subjects within each cell, the parametric tests were more powerful than nonparametric tests. For twenty subjects per cell, the power of the nonparametric and parametric tests was comparable.
Uptake of [6,7-3H]Estradiol-17β in ovariectomized rats, guinea pigs, and hamsters: Correlation with species differences in behavioral responsiveness to estradiol

Abstract Activation of female copulatory behavior requires a far lower dose of esterified estradiol in rats and guinea pigs than in hamsters. Thus, rats and guinea pigs can be said to be behaviorally more responsive to estradiol than hamsters. In the current experiment, the time-course of uptake and metabolism of [6,7-3H]estradiol-17β was studied in ovariectomized rats, guinea pigs, and hamsters in an attempt to correlate possible species differences in these measures to the afore-mentioned species differences in behavioral responsiveness to estradiol. It was found that rats and guinea pigs had a much higher affinity for [6,7-3H]estradiol-17β (as indicated by tissue/plasma concentration ratios) than hamsters in uterus, anterior pituitary, and hypothalamus. These results suggest that one factor involved in species differences in response to a hormone is differential target tissue affinity for the hormone. Some species differences in metabolism of [6,7-3H]estradiol-17β were also noted, but estrone appeared to be the principal metabolite in all three species.
Mechanisms and clinical consequences of critical illness associated adrenal insufficiency.

Purpose of reviewAdrenal insufficiency is being diagnosed with increasing frequency in critically ill patients. There exists, however, much controversy in the literature as to the nature of this entity, including its pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment. The review summarizes our c
Phyllostachys edulis compounds inhibit palmitic acid-induced monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) production.

Background Phyllostachys edulis Carriere (Poaceae) is a bamboo species that is part of the traditional Chinese medicine pharmacopoeia. Compounds and extracts from this species have shown potential applications towards several diseases. One of many complications found in obesity and diabetes is the link between elevated circulatory free fatty acids (FFAs) and chronic inflammation. This study aims to present a possible application of P. edulis extract in relieving inflammation caused by FFAs. Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1/CCL2) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine implicated in chronic inflammation. Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and activator protein 1 (AP-1) are transcription factors activated in response to inflammatory stimuli, and upregulate pro-inflammatory cytokines such as MCP-1. This study examines the effect of P. edulis extract on cellular production of MCP-1 and on the NF-κB and AP-1 pathways in response to treatment with palmitic acid (PA), a FFA. Methodology/Principal Findings MCP-1 protein was measured by cytometric bead assay. NF-κB and AP-1 nuclear localization was detected by colorimetric DNA-binding ELISA. Relative MCP-1 mRNA was measured by real-time quantitative PCR. Murine cells were treated with PA to induce inflammation. PA increased expression of MCP-1 mRNA and protein, and increased nuclear localization of NF-κB and AP-1. Adding bamboo extract (BEX) inhibited the effects of PA, reduced MCP-1 production, and inhibited nuclear translocation of NF-κB and AP-1 subunits. Compounds isolated from BEX inhibited MCP-1 secretion with different potencies. Conclusions/Significance PA induced MCP-1 production in murine adipose, muscle, and liver cells. BEX ameliorated PA-induced production of MCP-1 by inhibiting nuclear translocation of NF-κB and AP-1. Two O-methylated flavones were isolated from BEX with functional effects on MCP-1 production. These results may represent a possible therapeutic application of BEX and its compounds toward alleviating chronic inflammation caused by elevated circulatory FFAs.
Incidence and treatment of metabolic syndrome in newly referred women with confirmed polycystic ovarian syndrome.

In 138 oligo-amenorrheic white women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (31+/-9-years-old), our first specific aim was to assess the incidence of the metabolic syndrome and to compare metabolic syndrome abnormalities in women with PCOS to those in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III cohort of 1,887 white women. Our second aim was to determine whether metformin (2.55 g/d) and a diet of 1,500 calories, 26% protein, 44% carbohydrate (42% of carbohydrate complex), 30% fat (polyunsaturate/saturate ratio [P/S]=2/1), would ameliorate metabolic syndrome abnormalities in women with both PCOS and metabolic syndrome. The metabolic syndrome was present in 64 (46%) of the women with PCOS. In these 64 women, there were abnormalities in waist circumference (98%), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (95%), blood pressure (70%), triglycerides (56%), and glucose (11%). In these 64 women, mean +/- SD waist circumference was 116+/-15 cm, triglyceride 192+/-152 mg/dL, HDL-C 39+/-7 mg/dL, systolic blood pressure 131+/-13 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure 83+/-7 mm Hg, and serum glucose 94+/-22 mg/dL. Serum insulin was high (>17 microU/mL) in 42 of the 64 women (66%). After age adjustment, 46.4%+/-4.2% of women with PCOS had the metabolic syndrome (> or =3 abnormalities) versus 22.8%+/-1.1% of NHANES III women, P or =150 mg/dL), 47 had low HDL-C ( or =130 mm Hg), 16 had high diastolic blood pressure (> or =85 mm Hg), and 5 had glucose > or = 110 mg/dL. On metformin plus diet at 6 months, triglycerides moved within guidelines in 10 of 29 (34%) women, HDL-C in 6 of 47 (13%), systolic blood pressure in 16 of 26 (62%), diastolic blood pressure in 10 of 16 (63%), and glucose in 3 of 5 (60%). Metformin and diet ameliorate many of the features of the metabolic syndrome, present in 46% of women with PCOS in the current study, and should reduce risk for atherothrombosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in PCOS.
Special cases of the flow‐shop problem

The paper examines all known special cases of the mXn flow-shop problem. It provides solution procedures to three new special cases along with the optimality proofs. The theory of the new special cases is based on the critical path concept.
The use of cutsets in Monte Carlo analysis of stochastic networks

Abstract Monte Carlo methods utilizing a new network concept, Uniformly Directed Cutsets (UDCs), are presented for analyzing directed, acyclic networks with probabilistic arc durations. The procedures involve sampling arc values for arcs not on a UDC and utilizing known probability information for arcs on a UDC. This approach results in less sampling effort and less associated variance than a straightforward simulation approach. A proof of this variance reduction is offered. The procedures provide estimates for project completion time distributions, criticality indices, minimum time distributions and path optimality indices. All of these network performance measures are useful to decision makers in project planning. Application areas include PERT-type network planning, equipment replacement analysis, reliability modeling, stochastic dynamic programming problems and maximal flow problems.
SU-E-T-628: A Cloud Computing Based Multi-Objective Optimization Method for Inverse Treatment Planning

Purpose: Multi‐objective (MO) plan optimization entails generation of an enormous number of IMRT or VMAT plans constituting the Pareto surface, which presents a computationally challenging task. The purpose of this work is to overcome the hurdle by developing an efficient MO method using emerging cloud computing platform. Methods: As a backbone of cloud computing for optimizing inverse treatment planning, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud with a master node (17.1 GB memory, 2 virtual cores, 420 GB instance storage, 64‐bit platform) is used. The master node is able to scale seamlessly a number of working group instances, called workers, based on the user‐defined setting account for MO functions in clinical setting. Each worker solved the objective function with an efficient sparse decomposition method. The workers are automatically terminated if there are finished tasks. The optimized plans are archived to the master node to generate the Pareto solution set. Three clinical cases have been planned using the developed MO IMRT and VMAT planning tools to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed method. Results: The target dose coverage and critical structure sparing of plans are comparable obtained using the cloud computing platform are identical to that obtained using desktop PC (Intel Xeon® CPU 2.33GHz, 8GB memory). It is found that the MO planning speeds up the processing of obtaining the Pareto set substantially for both types of plans. The speedup scales approximately linearly with the number of nodes used for computing. With the use of N nodes, the computational time is reduced by the fitting model, 0.2+2.3/N, with r2>0.99, on average of the cases making real‐time MO planning possible. Conclusions: A cloud computing infrastructure is developed for MO optimization. The algorithm substantially improves the speed of inverse plan optimization. The platform is valuable for both MO planning and future off‐ or on‐line adaptive re‐planning.
Evaluation of the Tetracore Orthopox BioThreat® antigen detection assay using laboratory grown orthopoxviruses and rash illness clinical specimens.

Abstract The commercially available Orthopox BioThreat® Alert assay for orthopoxvirus (OPV) detection is piloted. This antibody-based lateral-flow assay labels and captures OPV viral agents to detect their presence. Serial dilutions of cultured Vaccinia virus (VACV) and Monkeypox virus (MPXV) were used to evaluate the sensitivity of the Tetracore assay by visual and quantitative determinations; specificity was assessed using a small but diverse set of diagnostically relevant blinded samples from viral lesions submitted for routine OPV diagnostic testing. The BioThreat® Alert assay reproducibly detected samples at concentrations of 107 pfu/ml for VACV and MPXV and positively identified samples containing 106 pfu/ml in 4 of 7 independent experiments. The assay correctly identified 9 of 11 OPV clinical samples and had only one false positive when testing 11 non-OPV samples. Results suggest applicability for use of the BioThreat® Alert assay as a rapid screening assay and point of care diagnosis for suspect human monkeypox cases.
Using assembly language to teach concepts in the introductory course

While current trends in the teaching of the introductory course are very positive, several problems still remain to be faced. Among these are: A basic understanding of the operation of a computer.An emphasis on concept development rather than skill development.A proper historical perspective of computer science.To help remove these deficiencies, a very simple virtual machine is introduced. Beginning students learn to program on this machine with a very limited instruction set. Many topics related to software engineering, data structures, algorithm design, etc. are introduced in a top down fashion with details being developed with the aid of the virtual machine. When a high level language is introduced, students progress more rapidly and with a greater understanding of what is taking place in the machine. Students also develop a feel for computer science as a dynamic field and tend not to think of a particular language as being what computer science is.
Cell-cell fusion

Cell-cell fusion is a highly regulated and dramatic cellular event that is required for development and homeostasis. Fusion may also play a role in the development of cancer and in tissue repair by stem cells. While virus-cell fusion and the fusion of intracellular membranes have been the subject of intense investigation during the past decade, cell-cell fusion remains poorly understood. Given the importance of this cell-biological phenomenon, a number of investigators have begun analyses of the molecular mechanisms that mediate the specialized fusion events of a variety of cell types and species. We discuss recent genetic and biochemical studies that are beginning to yield exciting insights into the fusion mechanisms of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mating pairs, Caenorhabditis elegans epithelial cells and gametes, Drosophila melanogaster and mammalian myoblasts, and mammalian macrophages.
Dividend tax capitalization and liquidity

We provide a new explanation for cross-sectional variation in dividend tax capitalization. Our analysis is twofold. First, we conduct a theoretical analysis that shows that liquidity (illiquidity) mitigates (magnifies) the positive effect of dividend taxes on expected rates of return documented in prior literature. Second, we conduct an empirical analysis centered around the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief and Reconciliation Act of 2003, which reduced the difference between the maximum statutory dividend and capital gains tax rates, and find results consistent with our theory. We also provide results suggesting that institutional ownership’s mitigating effect on dividend tax capitalization documented in prior studies is attributable to stocks with greater institutional ownership being more liquid and not to the “marginal investor” being insensitive to dividend taxes.
Optical design of the Magellan Project 6.5-meter telescope

The Magellan Project 6.5-meter telescope includes focal stations at both Cassegrain and Nasmyth locations. Instruments which use the f/15 infrared secondary will be mounted at the Cassegrain position. The Nasmyth foci will be fed by an f/11 Gregorian secondary. Rapid changes between the Cassegrain and Nasmyth configurations will be accomplished using a flip-tertiary diagonal mirror. The tertiary mirror turret includes a two-element field corrector and atmospheric dispersion compensator for use with the Gregorian secondary. The turret and the tertiary rotate in order to direct the light to one of 5 Gregorian focal stations, as well as to select or to bypass the field corrector/ADC for any focal station. The optical design of the corrector produces a 30 arc-min diameter field. The Gregorian focal ratio has been chosen to accurately match the field curvature of a particular collimator design, which is the first part of an imaging spectrograph with a 30 arc-min field of view. A variety of cameras will be used with this spectrograph. The wide-field camera should cover the entire field of view with a typical rms image diameter of 0.5 arc-sec. The high-resolution camera should cover the central 15 arc-min with a typical rms image diameter of 0.1 arc-sec.
Kinetics of xylene isomerization over silica-alumina catalyst

Eleven mixtures of the three isomers of xylene and ethylbenzene were isomerized over a silica-alumina catalyst in a differential tubular reactor at temperatures from 700° to 900°F. and pressures from 0 to 100 lb./sq. in. gauge. Analysis showed that meta-xylene isomerizes reversibly to ortho- and para-xylene, but the direct interconversion of ortho-xylene to meta-xylene does not occur. Further, it appears that the isomerization reactions are first order and, by the Hougen-Watson technique, follow a single-site reaction model.
Galvanic corrosion over a semi-infinite, planar surface

We derive the governing equations for the galvanic coupling of two dissimilar materials in a planar surface wherein the transport phenomena in the liquid phase are controlled by ionic migration or diffusion. The problem statement corresponds to two semi-infinite materials located in the same plane and coupled along a single boundary, resulting in a two-dimensional analysis. A single dimensionless group arises in the analyses of the corrosion problems, which greatly simplifies the presentation of numerical results and subsequent implementation. An example application of this work is presented that demonstrates how the results can be used to set requirements for protective films (e.g., paint) utilized for reducing corrosion rates.
Influence of the adrenal gland on the pressor effect and antagonistic potency of angiotensin II analogs.

Abstract In ganglion blocked vagotomized rats, several 1,8-substituted angiotensin II analogs (250 ng/kg/min, i.v.) antagonized the pressor effect of angiotensin II. Dose ratios measured at the ED20 levels were: [Sar1, Ile8]-28; [Gac1,Ile8]- 19; [MeAla1,Ile8]- 16; [MeIle1,Ile8]- 10; [Sar1,Ala8]- 9; [Me2Gly1,Ile8]- 4. Elimination of aspartic acid in position 1 of [Ile8]-angiotensin II significantly reduced the antagonistic potency of the analog. No antagonistic effect was observed with [Phe4,Ile8] and [Ala4, Il 8]-angiotensin II even when infused at 6 μg/kg/min. During infusion, a partial rise in blood pressure was observed with all the above 1,8-substituted angiotensin II analogs. Phentolamine (100 μg/rat) injected 30 min after the start of the analog infusion reduced and sometimes abolished the pressor effect. However, phenoxybenzamine (Pbz, 2mg/kg) injected 30 min prior to the analog infusion diminished but did not completely abolish the initial pressor effect. In adrenalectomized rats, the pressor effect was reduced by approximately 50% and disappeared completely 15–30 min after start of the infusion. Under these conditions, dose ratios of [Sar1,Ile8]-, [MeAla1,Ile8]- and [Gac1,Ile8]-angiotensin II were significantly reduced. Noradrenaline, 83 ng/kg/min, increased the ED20 value of angiotensin II (ratio 1.79) in normal rats but did not do so in adrenalectomized rats. In these rats no regular correlation was found between the angiotensin II ED20 values and initial blood pressure. These data indicate that under the present experimental conditions, the low pressor effect observed with these angiotensin II antagonists apears to be due to both adrenal catecholamine release and a direct vasoconstrictor effect. Variations in antagonistic activity of angiotensin II analogs, apart from changes introduced in the molecule, may be the manifestation of a complex interaction between angiotensin II, its antagonists, and the sympathoadrenal system.
Effect of large spatial uncertainty on foveal luminance increment detectability

In principle, the ability to detect a luminance increment is lowered when there is uncertainty for its spatial location. Frequency-of-seeing curves were generated for small foveal targets. When fixed in space the target’s detectability was more than 10 times higher than when it could occur at one of 140 locations.
MRI assessment of LV relaxation by untwisting rate: a new isovolumic phase measure of τ

Most noninvasive measures of diastolic function are made during left ventricular (LV) filling and are therefore subject to “pseudonormalization,” because variation in left atrial (LA) pressure may ...
A Mixture IRT Analysis of Risky Youth Behavior.

The study reported in this manuscript used a mixture item response model with data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2009 (N = 16,410) to identify subtypes of adolescents at-risk for engaging in unhealthy behaviors, and to find individual survey items that were most effective at identifying such students within each subtype. The goal of the manuscript is twofold: 1) To demonstrate the utility of the mixture item response theory model for identifying subgroups in the population and for highlighting the use of group specific item response parameters and 2) To identify typologies of adolescents based on their propensity for engaging in sexually and substance use risky behaviors. Results indicate that 4 classes of youth exist in the population, with differences in risky sexual behaviors and substance use. The first group had a greater propensity to engage in risky sexual behavior, while group 2 was more likely to smoke tobacco and drink alcohol. Group 3 was the most likely to use other substances, such as marijuana, methamphetamine, and other mind altering drugs, and group 4 had the lowest propensity for engaging in any of the sexual or substance use behaviors included in the survey. Finally, individual items were identified for each group that can be most effective at identifying individuals at greatest risk. Further proposed directions of research and the contribution of this analysis to the existing literature are discussed.
Low-loss ytterbium-doped polarization maintaining solid photonic bandgap fiber

A low loss ytterbium-doped polarization maintaining solid photonic bandgap fiber (SPBGF) is fabricated using a new fabrication method. A high efficient fiber laser operated at the low-gain wavelengths is prospected by the fiber.
Matched field tomographic inversion

Matched field processing (MFP) is a signal processing technique that has only recently been applied to the environmental inverse problem, i.e., to determine the characteristics of an unknown ocean environment. In particular, a 3D tomographic approach has been previously proposed and studied which promises to determine deep water sound-speed profiles as they vary with range, cross-range, and depth. This technique in its most efficient form suggests shot sources (either air or ship deployed) and either multiple vertical arrays, multiple horizontal arrays, or a single array re-deployed several times. This paper discusses work which extends those results to more complicated simulated environments, and also a further generalization of the approach to determine 3D bottom parameters, e.g., sediment sound-speeds and thicknesses. >
What's up CAPTCHA?: a CAPTCHA based on image orientation

We present a new CAPTCHA which is based on identifying an image's upright orientation. This task requires analysis of the often complex contents of an image, a task which humans usually perform well and machines generally do not. Given a large repository of images, such as those from a web search result, we use a suite of automated orientation detectors to prune those images that can be automatically set upright easily. We then apply a social feedback mechanism to verify that the remaining images have a human-recognizable upright orientation. The main advantages of our CAPTCHA technique over the traditional text recognition techniques are that it is language-independent, does not require text-entry (e.g. for a mobile device), and employs another domain for CAPTCHA generation beyond character obfuscation. This CAPTCHA lends itself to rapid implementation and has an almost limitless supply of images. We conducted extensive experiments to measure the viability of this technique.
Challenging foster caregiver–maltreated child relationships: The effectiveness of parent–child interaction therapy

Abstract This study describes the effectiveness of parent–child interaction therapy (PCIT), an evidence-based treatment for abused children, for 75 non-relative foster parents and their foster children compared with 98 non-abusive biological parent–child dyads referred for treatment because of the children's behavior problems. Results showed decreases in child behavior problems and caregiver distress from pre- to post-treatment for both foster and biological parent–child dyads, revealing no differences in the effectiveness of this treatment for foster parents compared with non-abusive biological parents.
Combined Radar and Radiometer Analysis of Precipitation Profiles for a Parametric Retrieval Algorithm

A methodology to analyze precipitation profiles using the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Microwave Imager (TMI) and precipitation radar (PR) is proposed. Rainfall profiles are retrieved from PR measurements, defined as the best-fit solution selected from precalculated profiles by cloud-resolving models (CRMs), under explicitly defined assumptions of drop size distribution (DSD) and ice hydrometeor models. The PR path-integrated attenuation (PIA), where available, is further used to adjust DSD in a manner that is similar to the PR operational algorithm. Combined with the TMI-retrieved nonraining geophysical parameters, the three-dimensional structure of the geophysical parameters is obtained across the satellite-observed domains. Microwave brightness temperatures are then computed for a comparison with TMI observations to examine if the radar-retrieved rainfall is consistent in the radiometric measurement space. The inconsistency in microwave brightness temperatures is reduced by iterating the retrieval procedure with updated assumptions of the DSD and ice-density models. The proposed methodology is expected to refine the a priori rain profile database and error models for use by parametric passive microwave algorithms, aimed at the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission, as well as a future TRMM algorithms.
A 23Na‐nmr study of sodium–DNA interactions in concentrated DNA solutions at low‐supporting electrolyte concentration

Aqueous solutions of DNA fragments with a contour length (500 A) near the persistence length at DNA concentrations ranging from 10 to 290 mg/mL solvent and a constant supporting electrolyte concentration of 0.01 M (predominantly NaCl) were examined by 23Na-nmr spectroscopy at temperatures of 20, 40, and 60 degrees C. Over the higher portion of this concentration range (greater than 100 mg/ml) the DNA solutions undergo a complex series of transitions between different anisotropic, liquid crystalline phases (T. E. Strzelecka and R. L. Rill, Biopolymers, in press). Counterions in solutions of strong polyelectrolytes are usually described in terms of a two-state model as free or "bound" (influenced by the electrostatic field of the polyanion). The longitudinal relaxation rate (R1 = 1/T1) at all DNA concentrations decreased with increasing temperature, demonstrating fast exchange between free and bound counterions. R1 increased nearly linearly with increasing DNA phosphate/sodium ratio in the isotropic domain until the onset of anisotropic phase formation, in agreement with similar nmr studies conducted at low DNA concentrations. The value of R1,b = 194 +/- 7 Hz obtained for the isotropic phase from 10 to 100 mg DNA/mL at 20 degrees C was in agreement with values reported previously. A nonlinear increase in R1 with DNA concentration was observed upon onset of anisotropic phase formation, indicating an increase in the product of the fraction of bond ions times their relaxation rate (r.R1,b). The spectral lineshape of all isotropic samples was Lorentzian. Spectra of anisotropic samples exhibited low magnitude quadrupole splitting of less than or equal to 400 Hz correlated with appearance of a cholesteric phase with pitch approximately 2 microns. The magnitude of the quadrupole splitting decreased with increasing DNA concentration at low temperatures and increased with concentration at high temperatures. At all concentrations the quadrupole splitting decreased then increased with temperature. These temperature- and concentration-dependent changes in quadrupole splitting are consistent with an angle between the DNA helix axis and the principal component (VZZ) of the local electric field gradient tensor near the "magic angle" of 54.7 degrees.
Highly uniform GaAs/AlGaAs GRIN-SCH SQW diode lasers grown by organometallic vapor phase epitaxy

Broad-area graded-index separate-confinement-heterostructure (GRIN-SCH) diode lasers were fabricated with a single 10-nm-thick Al/sub 0.07/Ga/sub 0.93/As quantum-well active layer. For the characteristics measured during pulsed operation of 175-192 lasers with a cavity length of 500 mu m, distributed over a 16 cm/sup 2/ wafer, the mean values and standard deviations are, respectively: threshold current density 288 and 11.3 A/cm/sup 2/; differential quantum efficiency 83.0 and 2.5%; and emission wavelength 804.9 and 0.6 nm. For lasers from ten wafers grown under the same nominal conditions, the wavelengths range from 803.5 to 807.4 nm. >
Bed Allocation in a Public Health Care Delivery System

Due to changing patient loads and demand patterns over time, assigning bed complements for various medical services in a hospital is a recurring problem facing the administrators. For a large public health care delivery system, we present an approach for periodically reallocating beds to services to minimize the expected overflows. Using a queueing model to approximate the patient population dynamics for each service-with admission rates provided by forecasts-the expected overflows under each configuration are computed via a Normal loss integral. Bed allocation is done in two stages. First, we establish a base line requirement for each service so that it can handle a prescribed amount of patient load based on a yearly projection of demand. We then use marginal analysis to distribute the remaining beds to minimize the expected total average overflows while taking month-to-month demand fluctuations into account. The proposed model requires only a modest amount of computation, because of several simplifying assumptions, which were tested for reasonableness. For the two largest services, we used empirical data to evaluate the nonhomogeneous Poisson representation of admissions, and we performed simulation experiments to assess the extent of discrepancy in performance characteristics caused by the ignorance of day-of-week effect on admission rates. In view of the intrinsic complexity of the underlying system, the results obtained from the validation studies suggest that the model is relatively "robust" with respect to the case under consideration. It is hoped that the simplicity of the model and the usefulness of the results will induce practitioners to use this type of formal analysis for bed allocation in an institutional setting on a routine basis.
Evaluation of Largemouth Bass Length Limits and Catch-and-Release Regulations, with Emphasis on the Incorporation of Biologists' Perceptions of Largemouth Bass Length Frequency Distributions

Abstract A survey of fisheries biologists was used to assess changes in size structure of populations of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides in relation to additional harvest regulations and to associate biologists' perceptions with various measures of length frequency changes. Biologists were presented with largemouth bass population data from regulated and control fisheries and then were asked to judge whether they perceived that the population size structure had improved over time. A blind survey approach was used (biologists did not know which populations received the additional regulations or which were control fisheries). We developed statistical models that include lake, regulation type, and biologist effects and compared them with traditional statistical analyses of regulation effectiveness. Based on perceptions of fisheries biologists about length frequency changes, 12-in maximum length limits and catch-and-release regulations were about four times more likely to improve the size structure than...
Structural adjustment and the japanese textile industry: a production theory approach

The production theory approach for modelling trade in intermediate goods is applied to dervie export supply and import demand functions for the Japanese textile industry. The estimated elasticities provide insight into the process of internal adjustment and structural change reflected in the declining international competitiveness of the Japanese textile sector. Estimation issues related to endogeneity tests and the concavity restictions implied by economic theory are highlighted in the econometric results. Estimated trade balance adjustments are derived from the parameter estimates of the export supply and import demand functionf for the Japanese textile sector.
Effects of a Biological Control Introduction on Three Nontarget Native Species of Saturniid Moths

Damage to nontarget (native) invertebrates from biological control introductions is rarely docu- mented. We examined the nontarget effects of a generalist parasitoid fly, Compsilura concinnata (Diptera: Tachin- idae), that has been introduced repeatedly to North America from 1906 to 1986 as a biological control agent against 13 pest species. We tested the effect of previously established populations of this fly on two native, nontar- get species of moths (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), Hyalophora cecropia and Callosamia promethea , in Massachusetts forests. We estimated survivorship curves for newly hatched H. cecropia larvae ( n 5 500), placed five per tree in the field and found no survival beyond the fifth instar. We simultaneously deployed cohorts ( n 5 100) of each of the first three instars to measure the effect of parasitoids during each stage of development. C. concinnata was re- sponsible for 81% of H. cecropia mortality in the first three instars. We deployed semigregarious C. promethea in aggregations of 1-100 larvae in the field and recorded high rates of parasitism by C. concinnata among C. promethea larvae exposed for 6 days (69.8%) and 8 days (65.6%). We discovered a wild population of a third spe- cies of silk moth, the state-listed (threatened) saturniid Hemileuca maia maia , and found that C. concinnata was re- sponsible for 36% ( n 5 50) mortality in the third instar. Our results suggest that reported declines of silk moth populations in New England may be caused by the importation and introduction of C. concinnata .
Complement-Mediated Microglial Clearance of Developing Retinal Ganglion Cell Axons

In many parts of the developing vertebrate nervous system, axons are pruned to establish mature patterns of connectivity. In this issue of Neuron, Schafer et al. (2012) show that microglia may play a role in developmental axon pruning in the thalamus by engulfing presynaptic retinal ganglion cell terminals via a C3- and CR3-dependent mechanism.
Sources of crime guns in Los Angeles, California

There is agreement in the literature that offenders often acquire guns through unregulated private encounters with friends, family members and petty criminals. Although anecdotes suggest that licensed gun dealers also play a role, most studies have ignored or discounted the possibility that dishonest retailers are a significant source of supply. This effort explores gun markets in Los Angeles by examining the redistributive history of firearms seized by police and by reviewing Federal gun trafficking investigations. One finding, that corrupt licensed dealers diverted sizeable quantities of guns to end users and to unlicensed street vendors, suggests that retail sources may serve as a far more important source of firearms for criminals than is commonly supposed.
Role identification, community socio-economic status demands, and stress outcomes in police officers

Abstract This study applied the job demands–resources and conservation of resources models to police work, with the specific aim to examine the possible interaction between objectively measured work demands (community socio-economic status (SES)) and personal resources (role identification) on stress-related outcomes. A total of 89 officers from 10 small, suburban police departments (five from high SES areas and five from low SES areas) completed surveys that focused on community SES demands and role identification as factors that potentially influence positive and negative psychological outcomes. Results indicated that community (SES) demands and role identification interacted to predict a variety of the outcomes. Role identification as a psychological resource served to reduce the effects of high community SES demands on emotional exhaustion. Implications of these results for future police research are discussed.
Id4 dependent acetylation restores mutant-p53 transcriptional activity

Background The mechanisms that can restore biological activity of mutant p53 are an area of high interest given that mutant p53 expression is observed in one third of prostate cancer. Here we demonstrate that Id4, an HLH transcriptional regulator and a tumor suppressor, can restore the mutant p53 transcriptional activity in prostate cancer cells.
Food capture kinematics in the deep-water chain catshark Scyliorhinus retifer

The chain catshark (Scyliorhinus retifer) is a member of one of the most well studied groups of elasmobranchs (Order: Carcharhiniformes), yet its feeding strategy is unknown due to the inaccessible deep water environment in which it lives (greater than 200 m). To investigate the feeding biology of captive S. retifer, high-speed videography was used to document the kinematic events during capture of two differently sized fish pieces, ‘large’ (scaled to the mouth width), and ‘small’ (scaled to one-half the mouth width). Despite a significant delay in the timing of select kinematic variables for large food captures, a multivariate analysis of the feeding behaviour indicated that overall, food capture kinematics and strike behaviour in S. retifer were not statistically different between large and small items (MANOVA, Wilks’ Lambda P =0.598, df=4,24). Food capture in S. retifer was suction-dominant, with items being drawn into the mouth about twice the distance that the predator moved. While suction-dominant food capture appears to be an advantage to benthic predators, it contrasts sharply with the phylogenetic position of S. retifer among several ram-feeding carcharinoid sharks including Cephaloscyllium ventriosum, a member of the same family (Scyliorhinidae). Thus, feeding mode in carcharinoid sharks seems to reflect their ecology and does not appear to have been phylogenetically constrained.
Directly Measuring Material Proportions Using Hyperspectral Compressive Sensing

A compressive sensing framework is described for hyperspectral imaging. It is based on the widely used linear mixing model, LMM, which represents hyperspectral pixels as convex combinations of small numbers of endmember (material) spectra. The coefficients of the endmembers for each pixel are called proportions. The endmembers and proportions are often the sought-after quantities; the full image is an intermediate representation used to calculate them. Here, a method for estimating proportions and endmembers directly from compressively sensed hyperspectral data based on LMM is shown. Consequently, proportions and endmembers can be calculated directly from compressively sensed data with no need to reconstruct full hyperspectral images. If spectral information is required, endmembers can be reconstructed using compressive sensing reconstruction algorithms. Furthermore, given known endmembers, the proportions of the associated materials can be measured directly using a compressive sensing imaging device. This device would produce a multiband image; the bands would directly represent the material proportions.
Hepatitis C Virus F Protein Is a Short-Lived Protein Associated with the Endoplasmic Reticulum

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) F protein is a newly discovered HCV gene product that is expressed by translational ribosomal frameshift. Little is known about the biological properties of this protein. By performing pulse-chase labeling experiments, we demonstrate here that the F protein is a labile protein with a half-life of <10 min in Huh7 hepatoma cells and in vitro. The half-life of the F protein could be substantially increased by proteasome inhibitors, suggesting that the rapid degradation of the F protein is mediated by the proteasome pathway. Further immunofluorescence staining and subcellular fractionation experiments indicate that the F protein is primarily associated with the endoplasmic reticulum. This subcellular localization is similar to those of HCV core and NS5A proteins, raising the possibility that the F protein may participate in HCV morphogenesis or replication.
A design by example regular structure generator

This paper investigates technical issues concerning the automated generation of highly regular VLSI circuit layouts (e.g. RAMs, PLAs, systolic arrays) that are crucial to the designability and realizability of large VLSI systems. The key is to determine the most profitable level of abstraction for the designer, which is accomplished by the introduction of macro abstraction, interface inheritance, delayed binding, and the complete decoupling of procedural and graphical design information. These abstraction mechanisms are implemented in the Regular Structure Generator, an operational layout generator with significant advantages over first generation layout tools. Its advantages are demonstrated by a pipelined array multiplier layout example.
Rheology and Expansion of Starch-Water-CO2 Mixtures with Controlled Gelatinization by Supercritical Fluid Extrusion

A slit die rheometer fitted to a twin-screw extruder was used to measure the viscosity and expansion characteristics of starch-based melts plasticized with water and supercritical CO2. Experiments were conducted for four intermediate moisture starch-water mixtures with varying degree of starch gelatinization (DG), achieved by blends of pregelatinized and native common corn starch. SC-CO2 was shown to be an effective plasticizer for starch-water mixture at 0.45 g SC-CO2/100 g sample, lowering the viscosity of the melt by an average of 14%. Apparent viscosity was measured for shear rate ranging from 100–200 s−1. The viscosity reduction factors based on DG and SC-CO2 indicated that the free volume added to starch-water mixtures with SC-CO2 is an effective mechanism for viscosity reduction. In addition, the higher water affinity of pregelatinized starch increased the water induced plasticization effect in the mixtures. SC-CO2 was a good blowing agent producing distinct expanded microcellular morphology for th...
Modes, Challenges and Opportunities for Risk Management in Modern Agri-Food Chains

This paper presents a holistic approach for analyzing and improving risk management in modern agri-food chains. First, it specifies the diverse (natural, technical, behavioral, economic, policy, etc.) agri-food risks and the alternative (market, private, public and hybrid) modes of their management. Second, it defines the efficiency of risk management and identifies (personal, institutional, dimensional, technological and natural) factors of governance choice. Next, it presents the stages in the analysis of risk management for the improvement of public intervention in risk governance. Finally, it identifies contemporary opportunities and challenges for risk governance in agri-food chains.
Political Socialization and Group-Centrism

The lasting impact of pre-adult experiences has been shown to affect a number of long-term political orientations, such as partisanship, issue opinions, and trust in government. In this project, I examine the effects of pre-adult experiences on perceptions of social groups, the persistence of those orientations over time, and the extent to which said orientations influence public opinion. Building from previous literature demonstrating the powerful effects group sentiment has on public opinion, this project seeks to determine the extent these orientations are developed in early adulthood, as opposed to over time. I test this expectation using the waves of the Political Socialization Study, examining the over-time relationship between youth perceptions of social groups, parental perceptions of groups, and opinion on issues arguably connected to those groups.
Robert Alexy's Radbruch Formula, and the Nature of Legal Theory

Gustav Radbruch is well known for a formula that addresses the conflict of positive law and justice, a formula discussed in the context of the consideration of Nazi laws by the courts in the post-War German Federal Republic, and East German laws in the post-unification German courts. More recently, Robert Alexy has defended a version of Radbruch's formula, offering arguments for it that are different from and more sophisticated than those that were adduced by Radbruch himself. Alexy also placed Radbruch's formula within a larger context of conceptual analysis and theories about the nature of law. Both Radbruch and Alexy claim that their positions are incompatible with legal positivism, and therefore count as a rejection (and perhaps, refutation) of it. This paper, presented at a Conference on the work of Gustav Radbruch, looks at Radbruch's formula and Alexy's version of it. It focuses not so much on the merit of the Radbruch-Alexy formula, as on its proper characterization, and its appropriate placement within the larger context of legal philosophy. The particular focus is the methodological question of what Radbruch and Alexy's formulations - and their strengths and weaknesses - can show us about the nature of theorizing about law.