cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Discovery of novel ligands for mouse olfactory receptor MOR42-3 using an in silico screening approach and in vitro validation

The ligands for many olfactory receptors remain largely unknown despite successful heterologous expression of these receptors. Understanding the molecular receptive range of olfactory receptors and deciphering the olfactory recognition code are hampered by the huge number of odorants and large number of olfactory receptors, as well as the complexity of their combinatorial coding. Here, we present an in silico screening approach to find additional ligands for a mouse olfactory receptor that allows improved definition of its molecular receptive range. A virtual library of 574 odorants was screened against a mouse olfactory receptor MOR42-3. We selected the top 20 candidate ligands using two different scoring functions. These 40 odorant candidate ligands were then tested in vitro using the Xenopus oocyte heterologous expression system and two-electrode voltage clamp electrophysiology. We experimentally confirmed 22 of these ligands. The candidate ligands were screened for both agonist and antagonist activity. In summary, we validated 19 agonists and 3 antagonists. Two of the newly identified antagonists were of low potency. Several previously known ligands (mono- and dicarboxylic acids) are also confirmed in this study. However, some of the newly identified ligands were structurally dissimilar compounds with various functional groups belonging to aldehydes, phenyls, alkenes, esters and ethers. The high positive predictive value of our in silico approach is promising. We believe that this approach can be used for initial deorphanization of olfactory receptors as well as for future comprehensive studies of molecular receptive range of olfactory receptors.
Characterization of adsorption on the stationary phase using high-performance immunoaffinity chromatography

Low-level adsorption on the stationary phase has been studied using immunochemical reagents. An immunoaffinity column has been evaluated using affinity-purified radioisotope-labeled monoclonal antibodies. Recovery experiments including continuous immunosorbent monitoring have been performed. Proper characterization of an immunoaffinity separation can result in the recovery of immunologically active material in high yield.
Locus of selective depression of human natural killer cells by azathioprine.

Abstract Azathioprine (Aza) was shown to reduce the FcR population and, even more markedly, natural killer (NK) and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC)-defined killer (K) cell activities. Patients with multiple sclerosis received Aza, Aza plus prednisone (pred) or methylprednisone (Mpred), or pred alone, or were not treated. A profound deficiency in NK and K activity measured by 51 Cr release was produced in patients treated with Aza alone or Aza plus corticosteroid (ster). In contrast to the decrease in FcR + cells, T cells were not reduced by Aza. Pred alone had no effect. Monocyte removal did not correct the Aza-induced impairment, indicating that NK deficiency reflects a property of nonphagocytic and, presumably, lymphocytic cells. Single-cell NK assays showed a decrease in target-binding cells as well as a reduction in target-killing lymphocytes. Furthermore, exposure of lymphocytes from Aza-treated multiple sclerosis subjects to in vitro interferon did not result in the normal augmentation of NK activity. Thus, the loss of NK activity with Aza treatment is attributable to reductions of active NK cells and interferon-activatable pre-NK cells. A primary target cell for Aza at clinically used dosages is postulated to be a precursor of pre-NK cells.
Taxonomy and Genetic Differentiation among Wild and Cultivated Germplasm of Solanum sect. Petota

Because of their adaptation to a diverse set of habitats and stresses, wild species of cultivated crops offer new sources of genetic diversity for germplasm improvement. Using an Infinium array representing a genome-wide set of 8303 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), phylogenetic relationships and allelic diversity were evaluated within a diversity panel of germplasm from Solanum sect. Petota. This panel consists of 74 plant introductions (PIs) representing 25 species and provides a diverse representation of tuber-bearing Solanum germplasm. Unlike other molecular markers, genome-wide SNPs have not been widely implemented in potato. To determine relatedness between current species classifications and SNP-based genetic distances, a phylogeny was generated based on random individuals from each core collection PI. With few exceptions, SNP-based estimates of species relationships revealed general agreement with the existing taxonomic grouping of species in Solanum sect. Petota. Genotype comparisons between the Solanum sect. Petota diversity panel and a panel of 213 tetraploid cultivars and breeding lines indicated a greater extent of diversity between populations of native Andean landraces than among modern cultivated varieties. Comparison of SNP allele frequencies between the Solanum sect. Petota panel and tetraploid cultivars identified loci with extreme divergence between cultivated potato and its tuber-bearing relatives. Several of these loci are associated with genes related to carbohydrate metabolism and tuber development, suggesting potential roles in potato domestication. The Infinium SNP data offer a new taxonomic view of potato germplasm, while further identifying candidate alleles likely to differentiate wild germplasm and cultivated potato, possibly underlying key agronomic traits.
Dose-dependent effects of atropine on behavioral and physiologic responses in humans

Atropine is an antimuscarinic which has been frequently studied with learning and performance tasks using both human and animal subjects. However, interpretation of data from human studies is limited by the relatively narrow range of doses used in most such studies. In the present study a wide range of atropine doses (0, 1.5, 3.0, 6.0 mg/70 kg) were given, intramuscularly, to human volunteers to assess the effects of atropine on a variety of behavioral measures, subject ratings, and physiologic function. The time course of responses was examined over 24 hours. Behavioral measures were a computerized Performance Assessment Battery (PAB) which contained measures of logical reasoning, short-term memory and rapid arithmetic, a Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), and a psychomotor test of hand-eye coordination (Circular Lights). Administration of atropine produced both time- and dose-dependent effects on most measures used, although sensitivity varied across measures. At the 1.5 mg dose, no effects on performance were detected, however, after 6.0 mg reliably and 3.0 mg occasionally, impairments occurred on measures of accuracy and speed of performance. These effects generally began by 1.5 hours postdrug and returned to baseline by 7-9 hours postdrug. In contrast, certain subject ratings and physiologic variables were affected by lower doses of atropine, showing deviations from baseline at 1.5 mg and producing a time course of effects that was both earlier in onset and longer in duration than was observed with the performance measures. The present results have practical implications for the clinical utilization of atropine in situations in which optimal performance is required.
Hispanic Health Disparities After a Flood Disaster: Results of a Population-Based Survey of Individuals Experiencing Home Site Damage in El Paso (Texas, USA)

In 2006, El Paso County, a predominantly Hispanic urban area, was affected by a flood disaster; 1,500 homes were damaged. We assessed the health impacts of the disaster upon 475 individuals whose homes were flood-damaged using mail survey data and logistic regression. Substantial proportions of individuals had one or more physical (43 %) or mental (18 %) health problem in the four months following the floods; 28 % had one or more injury or acute effect related to post-flood cleanup. Adverse event experiences, older age, and lower socioeconomic status were significantly associated with negative post-flood health outcomes in all three logistic regression models. A lack of access to healthcare, non-US citizenship, and English proficiency were significant predictors of negative outcomes in both the physical and mental health models, while Hispanic ethnicity (physical), native-birth (mental), and more serious home damage (cleanup) were significant predictors in one model each. The disaster had disproportionate negative health impacts on those who were more exposed, poorer, older, and with constrained resource-access. While a lack of US citizenship and Hispanic ethnicity were associated with higher risks, being less acculturated (i.e., English-deficient, foreign-born) may have protected against health impacts.
Don't sweat the small stuff - a sensitivity analysis of cost estimate input parameters

When estimating the cost of a large system development project, many assumptions have to be made. Early in a project's development, many of these assumptions will have large uncertainties. This paper examines the effect on the final results of varying many of the input assumptions. Parametric estimating techniques used in probabilistic estimates are the primary focus, but some assumptions apply to other estimate types. It is expected that some assumptions, such as correlation and input distribution shape, will have a negligible effect on the results while others, such as mass uncertainty and inflation assumptions, will have a more significant effect. The results of this study will allow analysts to focus their efforts on areas that are more likely to impact the results and minimize the effort spent on areas with less impact. 1 2
Differences in amino acid composition of papain Fd fragments from rabbit γG-immunoglobulins carrying different H chain allotypic specificities

Abstract Significant differences were found in the amino acid composition of Fd fragments prepared by papain digestion of normal γG-immunoglobulin isolated from serum pools of rabbits homozygous for the heavy chain allotypic specificities Aa1, Aa2 and Aa3. The magnitude of compositional variation between two Fd fragments of different allotype ranged from 6 to 12 residues and involved from 5 to 9 amino acids. These findings taken together with recent data from other studies indicate that much of the compositional variations which may be associated with H chain allotypy occurs within the Fd region, i.e., the N-terminal sequence of H chains consisting of approximately 180 amino acid residues.
The synthesis and reagent properties of magnesium tetrakis(4-tert.butylphenyl)borate.

Magnesium tetrakis(4-tert.butylphenyl)borate, Mg(BAr(4))(2), has been synthesized and screened for its properties as an analytical reagent. Although rather more selective than tetraphenylborate, the compound surprisingly precipitates sodium and proves a good gravimetric reagent for its determination. Quaternary ammonium and trialkylamine ions are precipitated only slowly (in contrast to the rapid precipitation with tetraphenylborate). The new compound exhibits better resistance to proton-initiated decomposition and to free radical attack than the other known tetra-arylborates. The presence of the parent peak, NaBAr(+)(4), in the mass spectrum of the sodium salt is further proof of the remarkable stability. The other tetra-arylborates do not produce parent peaks in the mass spectra of their precipitates.
Spatial price discrimination and the locations of firms with different product selections or product varieties

Abstract The equilibrium locations of two firms are partially centralized to the socially optimal extent if there is spatial price discrimination, and if each firm has two out of three products, or else one variety of a differentiated product with some consumers indifferent between varieties.
Increased Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression in Human Hearts with Microvascular Fibrin

We have shown that microvascular changes that promote fibrin deposition in human cardiac allografts adversely affect clinical outcome. However, some allografts exhibit phenotypic changes in capillaries following the deposition of fibrin, which subsequently provide a significant survival advantage. The mechanism(s) involved in these capillary changes is(are) unknown. Similarly, although we have shown a significant temporal relationship between microvascular fibrin deposition and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) immunoreactivity in cardiac allografts, the cellular source and relative changes in VEGF gene expression under these conditions are not known. Using immunocytochemical techniques, biopsies devoid of fibrin deposition lacked detectable VEGF immunoreactivity, whereas biopsies with fibrin deposition showed VEGF immunoreactivity in cardiocytes, interstitium, and some microvessels. By in situ hybridization, biopsies without microvascular fibrin deposition showed faint VEGF hybridization signals confined primarily to cardiocytes. In biopsies with fibrin deposition, strong VEGF hybridization signals were detected in cardiocytes, arteriolar smooth muscle cells were occasionally labeled, and endothelial cells were rarely labeled. By quantitative RT-PCR, biopsies with fibrin deposition (n=5) relatively expressed approximately three-fold more VEGF mRNA than biopsies without fibrin deposition (n=5 P=0.02). Serum VEGF titers also were greater (P=0.01) in recipients with fibrin deposition (372.9+/-66.7 pg/ml n=18) compared to recipients without fibrin deposition (172.1+/-25.0 pg/ml n=16). Collectively, these results support the hypothesis that increased myocyte-derived VEGF production following microvascular fibrin deposition in transplanted human hearts may act in a paracrine manner to promote activational and phenotypic changes in capillaries that provide a survival advantage for the allografts.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate during steady state and painful crisis in sickle cell anemia

To define its diagnostic utility in sickle crisis, the erythrocyte sedimentation rates of oxygenated blood were studied in patients with sickle cell anemia and healthy normal subjects using the Guest-Westergren method. A normal range for sedimentation rate as a function of hematocrit was established in 22 normal subjects. Twenty-seven asymptomatic patients with sickle cell anemia had abnormally low sedimentation rates in relation to their hematocrits. Those low sedimentation rates were not increased by substituting plasma from healthy control subjects, which suggests that the low sedimentation rate was a cell-related phenomenon. Sedimentation rates measured in 28 patients with sickle cell anemia at the end of uncomplicated painful crisis increased to levels appropriate for their degree of anemia. In patients with sickle crisis and medical complications, the sedimentation rates were even higher. At the end of an uncomplicated painful crisis, the mean plasma fibrinogen level was significantly higher than at the onset (p less than 0.005). When red cells from patients with sickle cell anemia at the end of crisis were suspended in normal plasma from control subjects, the sedimentation rates remained high. It is concluded that the erythrocyte sedimentation rate of asymptomatic patients with sickle cell anemia is abnormally low due to cellular factors, and the increase during painful crisis is due primarily to red cell changes, modified by plasma factors.
Multi-sample inference for the simple-tree alternative based on one-sample confidence intervals

The problem of testing homogeneity of several group means is considered against some patterned alternatives for the one-way classified data. The patterns of interest include the simple-tree and the trend alternatives. The approach is to begin with some suitably defined one-sample confidence intervals for the groups in a graphical display. Depending on the pattern of interest, orientation features of the display are examined, more formally, using proposed overall tests or rules. In the classical setup under normality, the case of known common variance is treated in detail; extensions to the case of unknown variance are indicated. When normality is in doubt, a nonparametric procedure based on the sign test is proposed. The necessary critical values are percentiles of either a multivariate normal distribution or a multivariate t-distribution. Although some existing tables can be used for the critical values (or the P-values) in some special cases, in general, the use of simulations is recommended and the ste...
A surrogate for emulating the physical and chemical properties of conventional jet fuel

Abstract Two surrogates are developed using a model-based optimizer to emulate the fuel properties affecting the spray development and gas phase ignition of a conventional jet fuel. The first surrogate, UM1, is a mixture of n-dodecane/iso-cetane/methylcyclohexane/toluene (0.3844/0.1484/0.2336/0.2336 mol fraction), while the second, UM2, is a mixture of n-dodecane/iso-cetane/decalin/toluene (0.2897/0.1424/0.3188/0.2491 mol fraction). The developed surrogates contain hydrocarbon species that are available in existing chemical mechanisms, and emulate both the physical and chemical properties of a representative real jet fuel, Jet-A POSF-4658. POSF-4658 is suitable as a surrogate target fuel since the properties of POSF-4658 are representatives of a nominal Jet-A, and a wide range of experimental POSF-4658 data is readily available, including multiple ignition delay measurements. While the UM1 surrogate gives a much tighter match for temperature-independent properties, UM2 is shown to better emulate liquid density and volatility, properties which are known to be important to spray predictions under engine relevant conditions. The new UM surrogates improve upon emulation of the chemical and physical properties of POSF-4658 compared with surrogates that currently exist in the literature. Ignition delay times predicted with a detailed chemical mechanism and the newly developed surrogate compositions under diesel relevant conditions show reasonable agreement with shock tube and rapid compression machine experiments.
Brain stem somatic reflex activity in neonatal kittens during sleep and wakefulness

Abstract The activity of the brain stem masseteric (jaw closing) and digastric (jaw opening) reflexes was examined in neonatal kittens during states of sleep and wakefulness. In kittens less than two weeks of age both reflexes were smallest during the waking state, of intermediate amplitude during quiet sleep and largest during active sleep. By the third or fourth postnatal week the adult pattern of reflex modulation was present, i.e. the largest amplitude responses for the masseteric reflex occurred during wakefulness and for the digastric reflex during quiet sleep; both reflexes were smallest during active sleep. The discussion emphasizes the importance of distinguishing those variations from the adult pattern which specifically reflect immaturity of the intrinsic anatomy and physiology of the reflex arc, and those variations which are due to influences expressed upon the reflex by immature extrasegmental systems.
Are Minimum Wages to Blame for Informality in the Labour Market

The paper estimates the impact of the minimum wage on formal and informal employment in a developing country combining the use of aggregate time series data with modern time-series methods. The analysis is carried out for the case of Brazil over the period 1982–2002. The hypothesis under investigation is that minimum wage rises price workers out of the formal labour market and into the informal sector. The modelling strategy involves the estimation of the long-run structure as well as the short-term dynamics of employment equations in which the minimum wage enters as an explanatory variable.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in a patient with Hodgkin lymphoma treated with brentuximab vedotin.

A 47-year-old human immunodefi ciency virus (HIV)-negative man with relapsed stage IIIB mixed cellularity Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) presented with progressive neurologic defi cits while undergoing treatment with the CD30 directed antibody – drug conjugate, brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris). His prior therapies included eight cycles of ABVD (adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine) in 2004, three cycles of ESHAP (etoposide, solumedrol, cytarabine, cisplatin) in 2007 followed by a BEAM (busulfan, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan) autologous stem cell transplant, involved fi eld radiotherapy to the neck and mediastinum in 2008, and GVD (gemcitabine, vinorelbine, doxil) in 2009. He relapsed in 2011 and started treatment with brentuximab vedotin 1.8 mg/kg every 3 weeks. Th ree weeks following treatment initiation, the patient complained of impaired coordination and exhibited mild left-greater-than-right dysdiadokinesis. Prior to receiving the third dose of treatment (6 weeks after treatment initiation), the patient reported that his coordination had improved, yet his Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status declined considerably from 0 at baseline evaluation to 3. Th e patient had lost signifi cant
The Validity of Categorical Learning Disabilities Services: The Consumer's View:

Using qualitative methodology, this study investigated the effects of special education placement from the perspectives of nine high school students receiving learning disabilities services in separate classrooms. Three topics were investigated: peer acceptance, perceptions of self, and perceived efficacy of learning disabilities programs. Results indicated that students did not view their special education experiences as either socially or academically efficacious. Nevertheless, they valued the services because separate settings had provided means to avoid an unresponsive general education system. Students viewed the movement for integration of general and special education services as unrealistic. They perceived existent general education as unable and unwilling to adapt to individual student needs.
Knowledge acquisition from simplified text

The problem of entering and integrating new knowledge into a logic-based knowledge base is substantial. Our solution is to provide a natural language interface, which reads simplified English, enabled by a knowledge-based memory-retrieval driven natural language understander. This paper presents a set of tools and interfaces for interacting with such a system, and a discussion of the underlying Reader system, the reading component of the Learning Reader project. The interfaces presented provide direct feedback about what portions of the text are understood, and what interpretations are being produced from it. In addition tools are presented to, among other things, provide example sentences, to facilitate users producing simplified English text suitable for the Reader.
Mutator transposon activity reprograms the transcriptomes and proteomes of developing maize anthers

Despite the high conservation of anther gene expression patterns across maize lines, Mu transposition programmed by transcriptionally active MuDR results in a 25% change in the transcriptome, monitored over 90 h of immature anther development, without altering the morphology, anatomy or pace of development. Most transcriptome changes are stage specific: cases of suppression of normal transcripts and ectopic activation are equally represented. Protein abundance changes were validated for numerous metabolic enzymes, and highlight the increased carbon and reactive oxygen management in Mutator anthers. Active Mutator lines appear to experience chronic stress, on a par with abiotic treatments that stimulate early flowering. Despite the diversity of acclimation responses, anther development progresses normally, in contrast to male-sterile mutants that disrupt anther cell fate or function completely, and cause fewer transcriptome changes. The early flowering phenotype ultimately confers an advantage in Mu element transmission.
Human frequency response as a function of visual feedback delay.

This paper uses a light-matching tracking study to determine the human frequency band pass characteristics in the presence of significantly large external transmission delays which are introduced into the stimulus-response information loop. Such delays occur in real time operation of vehicles and other equipment which is at some distance from the operator (near earth or deep orbit, surface of the moon, etc.). When information in the visual sensory channel is delayed because of transmission times between man's controlling action and the displayed results, this interacts with the relatively short normal delay of the other sensory feedback loops such as tactual and kinesthetic information loops, causing substantial phase interference problems between otherwise in-phase parallel sensory information channels. A representative model was used for the human transfer function for the system studied, which matched the experimental data reasonably well. The maximum frequency at which a person could meaningfully acce...
Vocabulary-independent indexing of spontaneous speech

We present a system for vocabulary-independent indexing of spontaneous speech, i.e., neither do we know the vocabulary of a speech recording nor can we predict which query terms for which a user is going to search. The technique can be applied to information retrieval, information extraction, and data mining. Our specific target is search in recorded conversations in the office/information-worker scenario-teleconferences, meetings, presentations, and voice mails. The focus of this paper is on how to index phonetic lattices. We will show that an index should provide expected term frequencies (ETFs) of query terms. Since, at indexing time, it is unknown which phoneme sequences constitute valid query terms, we will introduce an approximation of ETFs of a query's phoneme sequence by M-gram phoneme language models, which are estimated on lattices and organized in an inverted index-like structure for fast access. We will discuss ranking, estimation, and integration of phoneme/word hybrid approaches. Compared with an unindexed baseline without approximation, our approximation leads only to a 3.4% relative loss of search accuracy on the Linguistic Data Consortium (LDC) voicemail task. We also propose a two-stage method for locating individual keyword occurrences using the above method as a fast match. A 20-times speedup is achieved over unindexed search at under a 2-point accuracy loss. Last, we will briefly introduce a prototype applet based on the above techniques.
Mechanism of ion exclusion by sub-2nm carbon nanotube membranes

Carbon nanotubes offer an outstanding platform for studying molecular transport at nanoscale, and have become promising materials for nanofluidics and membrane technology due to their unique combination of physical, chemical, mechanical, and electronic properties. In particular, both simulations and experiments have proved that fluid flow through carbon nanotubes of nanometer size diameter is exceptionally fast compared to what continuum hydrodynamic theories would predict when applied on this length scale, and also, compared to conventional membranes with pores of similar size, such as zeolites. For a variety of applications such as separation technology, molecular sensing, drug delivery, and biomimetics, selectivity is required together with fast flow. In particular, for water desalination, coupling the enhancement of the water flux with selective ion transport could drastically reduce the cost of brackish and seawater desalting. In this work, we study the ion selectivity of membranes made of aligned double-walled carbon nanotubes with sub-2 nm diameter. Negatively charged groups are introduced at the opening of the carbon nanotubes by oxygen plasma treatment. Reverse osmosis experiments coupled with capillary electrophoresis analysis of permeate and feed show significant anion and cation rejection. Ion exclusion declines by increasing ionic strength (concentration) of the feed and by lowering solution pH; also, the highest rejection is observed for the C A z z mn AC salts (A=anion, C=cation, z= valence) with the greatest zA/zC ratio. Our results strongly support a Donnan-type rejection mechanism, dominated by electrostatic interactions between fixed membrane charges and mobile ions, while steric and hydrodynamic effects appear to be less important. Comparison with commercial nanofiltration membranes for water softening reveals that our carbon nanotube membranes provides far superior water fluxes for similar ion rejection capabilities.
Albuterol HFA for the management of obstructive airway disease

Albuterol (salbutamol outside the USA) is used to acutely relieve symptoms related to airway obstruction and prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm. Albuterol is most commonly administered by metered-dose inhaler (MDI). MDIs had used chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) propellants, but CFCs accumulate in the stratosphere and contribute to ozone catabolism. Loss of the 'ozone layer', which filters UVB rays, has public health concerns. Albuterol has been reformulated in MDIs using hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellants, which do not affect the ozone layer. Albuterol HFA MDIs deliver the same amount of drug per puff with similar particle size distributions as albuterol CFC MDIs, resulting in comparable bronchodilator efficacy of the two products. The highly favorable safety profile of albuterol has not been altered with reformulation. The propellant HFA-134a appears to be devoid of safety concerns.
Simple semiclassical model for the rotational states of mesons containing massive quarks

We present a semiclassical relativistic model for the orbital spectra of mesons, based on the assumption of a universal, flavor-independent linear confining interaction. Flavor dependence of the spectra arises from the quark masses.
Optical Manipulation with Planar Silicon Microring Resonators

We demonstrate optically trapping of microparticles on silicon microring resonators. Once trapped on a microring, a particle can be confined in an optical potential with a depth of 25 k(B)T over the entire microring's circumference. The particles are propelled around the microring at hundreds of micrometers per second, producing periodic revolutions at a few hertz. We anticipate that the increased force and highly accurate positioning obtainable with this system will lead to various nanomanipulation applications.
Utilizing Spectral Analysis of Coastal Discharge Computed by a Numerical Model to Determine Boundary Influence

Abstract In the present study, a spectral analysis was applied to field data and a numerical model of southeastern Everglades and northeastern Florida Bay that involved computing and comparing the power spectrum of simulated and measured flows at the primary coastal outflow creek. Four dominant power frequencies, corresponding to the S1, S2, M2, and O1 tidal periods, were apparent in the measured outflows. The model seemed to reproduce the magnitudes of the S1 and S2 components better than those of the M2 and O1 components. To determine the cause of the relatively poor representation of the M2 and O1 components, we created a steady-base version of the model by setting the time-varying forcing functions—rainfall, evapotranspiration, wind, and inland and tidal boundary conditions—to averaged values. The steady-base model was then modified to produce multiple simulations with only one time-varying forcing function for each model run. These experimental simulations approximated the individual effects of each ...
The Parable of the Rebellious Son(s)

The parable which we know as as ‘The Parable of the Prodigal Son’ and which the Germans call ‘Das Gleichnis vom verlorenen Sohn’ is the best loved of all Jesus' parables. It has given inspiration to Rembrandt and countless other artists. It has provided the theme for novels, ballet and film. It touches the human condition like no other story. It holds a mirror up to ourselves, whether we identify ourselves with the returning prodigal or see those around us unmasked as the elder brother. The parable has been examined by the best exegetes of the past and present.
Role of solid insulating materials in the flow electrification of power apparatus

High static voltages can be generated as a result of the flow of a low conductivity fluid over a solid surface. While past work has concentrated mainly on the properties and conditions of the fluid component, the fundamental charge generation process was studied in this research emphasizing the role of solid insulating materials. Streaming potential was measured by means of a streaming potential apparatus, under well controlled moisture and temperature conditions as well as oil charging properties. Characterization of solid insulating materials was performed using image analysis, dc conductivity measurement, and time-domain dielectric spectroscopy (TDDS). The results showed a linear relationship between streaming potential and pressure drop as predicted by theory. Statistical analysis indicated that the surface roughness significantly affects the streaming potential in the laminar flow regime, but the dielectric constant has no effect. >
Open-loop power-stage transfer functions relevant to current-mode control of boost PWM converter operating in CCM

This paper presents the analysis of open-loop power-stage dynamics relevant to current-mode control for a boost pulsewidth-modulated (PWM) dc-dc converter operating in continuous-conduction mode (CCM). The transfer functions from input voltage to inductor current, from duty cycle to inductor current, and from output current to inductor current are derived. The delay from the MOSFET gate drive to the duty cycle is modeled using a first-order Pade/spl acute/ approximation. The derivations are performed using an averaged linear small-signal circuit model of the boost converter for CCM. The transfer functions can be used in modeling the complete boost PWM converter when current-mode control is used. The theory was in excellent agreement with the experimental results, enforcing the validity of the transfer functions derived.
How many are affected? A real limit of epidemiology

A person can experience an effect on the occurrence of an outcome in a defined follow-up period without experiencing an effect on the risk of that outcome over the same period. Sufficient causes are sometimes used to deepen potential-outcome explanations of this phenomenon. In doing so, care should be taken to avoid tipping the balance between simplification and realism too far toward simplification. Death and other competing risks should not be assumed away. The time scale should be explicit, with specific times for the occurrence of specified component causes and for the completion of each sufficient cause. Component causes that affect risk should occur no later than the start of the risk period. Sufficient causes should be allowed to have component causes in common. When individuals experience all components of two or more sufficient causes, the outcome must be recurrent. In addition to effects on rates and risks, effects on incidence time itself should be considered.
Configuration-sensitive process scheduling for FPGA-based computing platforms

Reconfigurable computing has become an important part of research in software systems and computer architecture. While prior research on reconfigurable computing have addressed architectural and compilation/programming aspects to some extent, there is still not much consensus on what kind of operating system (OS) support should be provided. In this paper, we focus on OS process scheduler, and demonstrate how it can be customized considering the needs of reconfigurable hardware. Our process scheduler is configuration sensitive, that is, it reuses the current FPGA configuration as much as possible. Our extensive experimental results show that the proposed scheduler is superior to classical scheduling algorithms such first-come-first-serve (FCFS) and shortest job first (SJF).
Phase Locking in the Heisenberg Helimagnet

The commensurability energy ΔE is calculated for a Heisenberg helimagnet whose wavelength is three lattice constants at zero temperature with a small but nonzero uniform field applied in the plane of polarization of the spins. It is shown that ΔE=0 for classical spins but ΔE≠0 for quantum spins when spin‐wave interactions are considered.
Impact of Corruption on Foreign Direct Investment in Africa

A new area of research has recently emerged that analyzes the impact of corruption on foreign direct investment (FDI) in developing countries. The FDI literature comprises two opposing views of corruption—the grabbing hand hypothesis holds that corruption impedes FDI by raising uncertainty and transaction costs and the helping hand hypothesis holds that corruption facilitates FDI by greasing the wheels of commerce in the presence of weak regulatory frameworks. This study analyzes the impact of corruption on FDI inflows in 53 countries in Africa over the 1995–2012 period. Using the dynamic System Generalized Method of Moments modeling framework (Arellano-Bover/Blundell-Bond linear dynamic panel), this study finds support for the helping hand hypothesis, i.e., corruption facilitates FDI inflows in Africa. It is likely that the overall regulatory environment in Africa is weak, which helps explain the context in which the helping hand hypothesis can be validated. In addition, this study finds that past levels of FDI, market size, government effectiveness, infrastructure, and economic freedom also affect FDI significantly. These results further our knowledge of the FDI dynamics in Africa, which policymakers should find helpful in devising pro-FDI strategies.
The focus of computer integrated manufacturing in the Japanese semiconductor industry

In Japan, the focus of CIM (computer integrated manufacturing) for semiconductor manufacturing is to implement the CIM concept in synchronization with a business vision, human resources, an organization design, and new technology. It is a long-term strategy backed by a team of dedicated people, capital, and a meticulous plan based on the individual company culture. It is suggested that, to bring US semiconductor manufacturing back into the competitive arena of the 1990s, US industry should learn from the Japanese and map out a feasible US strategy. An intelligent computer integrated manufacturing strategy is proposed. >
From prions to prionic viruses

The pathogens causing scrapie and other similar degenerative neurological diseases are called "prions" and classified either as viruses or, more often, as a novel class of pathogens. It is argued herein that prions are not the pathogens producing these diseases. The pathogens involved are endogenous viral systems inherited by the host. These endogenous parasites, tentatively named prionic viruses, produce the prions which are horizontally transmitted. The prions trigger the pathological manifestation of prionic viruses.
Recent developments in tight-binding approaches for nanowires

Full-band nanowire simulations pose significant computational challenges. Nanowires and nanostructures in general have many interfaces, may be composed of alloys, and feature confinement on a scale of a few tens of nanometers. The empirical tight-binding approach is well-suited for modeling these devices: Its basis consists of atomic-like orbitals with limited-range interactions and reasonably-sized basis sets can accurately reproduce the bands of a wide range of semiconductors. The method easily accommodates strain and electromagnetic fields. Over the years the application of the tight-binding approach to nanodevices such as superlattices and resonant-tunneling diodes has led to the development of many useful computational techniques. Recently, its application to random-alloy nanowire calculations has led to the development of approximate bandstructure methods superior to the Virtual-Crystal Approximation for these nanostructures, and its use in nanowire transmission calculations has led to a highly efficient method for transmission calculations. I discuss tight-binding models generally and then give a more in-depth discussion of the recent developments in tight-binding models as applied to nanowires.
A marine sink for chlorine in natural organic matter

Chloride is abundant in oceans, but is relatively unreactive. Spectroscopic imaging reveals the presence of a chloride sink in organochlorine compounds that can be produced abiotically or by phytoplankton.
Cast Off the Shackles of Academia! Use Participatory Approaches to Tackle Real-World Problems With Underserved Populations

On the Ground When scientists or change agents engage other cultures to problem-solve, there is a high risk of miscommunication and project failure. This process can be further crippled by traditionally rigid, top-down academic approaches that focus investigators on predefined issues lacking relevance to the top-priority concerns of local communities. Participatory, adaptive methods of public engagement, in contrast, are now being increasingly used in such situations. They help researchers work more effectively by building more authentic partnerships with stakeholders so that real problems and sustainable solutions can be identified. Such methods can also promote insightful, interdisciplinary science and more effective public service.
The Influence of Scientific Research on Nineteenth-Century Musical Thought: The Work of Richard Wallaschek

Resume" The scientific study of music blossomed in the second half of the nineteenth century, particularly in Germany and Austria. Researchers such as Hermann von Helmholtz and Carl Stumpf investigated the physiological and psychological bases of music but did not focus on higher-level musical topics. It was not until the early twentieth century that scientific methods were applied to the study of large-scale musical issues, such as musical style or compositional techniques. However, one late nineteenth-century scholar, Richard Wallaschek, addressed musical issues from a scientific perspective. Wallaschek used empirical methods to develop two theories, one of music perception and one of music expression. He used his theory of music perception to characterize musical style, an issue of importance to the new discipline of musicology. He argued that Classical style music requires a process of mental representation that focuses on individual musical elements while Romantic style music requires a mental representation that focuses on the holistic, global structure of music. Wallaschek's theory of music expression helped formulate his criticisms of programme music. He argued that music is an expression of emotion while a programme is an expression of intellectual thought. In Wallaschek's view, emotional and intellectual expression are separate brain processes that cannot be combined; therefore, it is impossible to perceive both music and programme at the same time. Wallaschek's focus on higher-level musical issues made him unique among scholars who used scientific methods to study music in the late nineteenth century.
QUANTITATIVE GENETICS OF SHELL FORM OF AN INTERTIDAL SNAIL: CONSTRAINTS ON SHORT-TERM RESPONSE TO SELECTION.

We investigated the genetic and environmental determinants of shell form in an intertidal snail (Prosobranchia: Littorina sp.) to identify constraints on the short-term response to selection. Our quantitative genetic parameters were estimated from a half-sib experimental design using 288 broods of snails. Each brood was divided into two treatments differing in snail population density, and therefore in grazing area per snail. Differences in population density induced marked differences in shell form. Snails in the low density treatment grew faster and had lighter shells with narrower whorls and narrower apertures than their siblings at high density. Despite this environmental plasticity in shell shape we found significant additive genetic variance for components of shell shape. We discuss two mechanisms that may maintain additive genetic variance for shell shape in intertidal snail populations: migration between environments with different selective pressures and migration between environments with different mean growth rates. We also estimated a genetic variance-covariance matrix for shell form traits and used the matrix to identify constraints on the short-term response to selection. We predict the rate of response to selection for predator-resistant morphology such as would occur upon invasion of predatory crabs. The large negative genetic correlation between relative spire height and shell weight would facilitate simultaneous selection for a lower spire and a heavier shell, both of which would increase resistance to predatory crabs.
GALECTIN-3 LEVELS AND OUTCOMES IN PERIPARTUM CARDIOMYOPATHY: RESULTS FROM THE MULTICENTER IPAC INVESTIGATION

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among women. The IPAC (Investigations in Pregnancy-Associated Cardiomyopathy) study is a prospective multicenter cohort study that evaluated outcomes in women with PPCM. The biomarker galectin-3 is linked to fibrosis and
The Vocabulary of Sociology

i. accidental i. automatic 1. concrete L. conscious i. conventionality i. custom i. direct i. fashion i. mimetic i. non-mimetic i. non-personal i. personal i. personality i. projective i. psychic i. purposive i. rational . suggestion L. symbolic i. unconscious i. immobility, social imperative, social impersonal group impulse, -ive i. action (activity) i. behavior individual i. social i. in-breeding
Fast Crystal Growth Induces Mobility and Tension in Supercooled o-Terphenyl.

A photobleaching method was used to measure the reorientation of dilute probes in liquid o-terphenyl near a crystal growth front. Near the glass-transition temperature Tg, mobility in the supercooled liquid was enhanced within ∼10 μm of the crystal growth front, by as much as a factor of 4. This enhanced mobility appears to be caused by tension created in the sample as a result of the density difference between the supercooled liquid and crystal. The maximum observed mobility enhancement corresponds to a tension of about −8 MPa, close to the cavitation limit for liquid o-terphenyl. Whereas the observed mobility near the growing crystal is not large enough to explain the extraordinary fast crystal growth observed near Tg in o-terphenyl and some other low-molecular-weight glassformers, these observations suggest that cavitation or fracture plays a key role in releasing tension and allowing fast crystal growth to occur at a steady rate.
Automaticity and cognitive anatomy: is word recognition "automatic"?

Recent progress in neural imaging technologies such as positron emission tomography and dense-array recording of event-related potentials has greatly increased the capacity for in vivo measurement of cognitively relevant processing activity within the human brain. Data from these neural imaging technologies can be combined with behavioral data from standard chronometric techniques to enhance computational modeling of human cognition. Applications of neural data to issues of attention and automaticity are illustrated in the domain of visual word recognition, addressing the question "Is word recognition automatic?"
Inflation Risk and Asset Class Performance

This paper investigates the historical relationship between inflation rates and asset class returns in order to give perspective on which classes perform best when inflation rates are high. This is important to investors as the monetary base has tripled since July 2008, which may be “sowing the seeds” for future above normal inflation levels. Several Federal Open Market Committee members have expressed concern about monetary policy recently and believe that the Federal Reserve needs to focus more on inflation and less on economic recovery. Our research suggests that gold is not only an excellent inflation hedge, but it also improves Sharpe ratios when added to traditional stock/bond portfolios.