cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Validation of decision support systems

In science, the validity of a model refers to how well the model agrees with reality. On the surface this seems to be a precise definition, but one must deal with terms like“agrees with reality”. As we move from natural to social sciences, the imprecision becomes more glaring. Indeed, models of natural phenomena assume a universal truth that does not vary; the scientists’ job is to discover that truth. This is done with a model based on a theory, and validation is the process of observing the prediction error, that is, the difference between what the model calculates and what is observed. In social science, like economic decisionmaking, it is unclear whether there is an unchanging, universal truth; and, even if so, its observation seems impossible. This distinction is an uncomfortable, but important one. The fact that scientists’ knowledge of truth is changing is not the same statement as the assertion that truth, itself, is invariant (this is called the epigenic principle, and it is fundamental to the scientific method). The importance of our distinction is that we can abandon attempts to apply the same meaning of validation as scientists apply to models (or theories) of natural phenomena. Here we consider social science models to include representations of social phenomena, including all human behavior, notably economic, that must necessarily be (perhaps tacitly) assumed in a decision support system (DSS).
String Theory at LHC Using Jet Production From String Regge Excitations vs String Balls

If we find extra dimensions in the second run of the LHC in the pp collisions at p s = 14 TeV, then the string mass scale Ms can beTeV and we should produce QCD jets in 2 ! 2 partonic collisions via string Regge excitations at the LHC. QCD jets can also be produced from string balls via thermal radiation at Hagedorn temperature. In this paper we study jet production from string Regge excitations vs string balls in pp collisions at p s = 14 TeV at LHC and make a comparison with the standard model QCD jets. We find that high pT jet production from string Regge excitations can be larger than that from string balls and from standard model QCD jets. We also find resonances in the jet production cross section in string Regge excitation scenario which is absent in the other two scenarios. Hence TeV scale high pT jets can be a good signature to study string Regge excitations in the pp collisions at p s = 14 TeV at the LHC.
Heat-aware transmission strategies

A novel framework for the optimization of the transmission/interference strategy of secondary users in cognitive networks is proposed. The framework models the dynamics of the transmission protocols implemented by the wireless terminals, as well as the dynamics of important characteristics of the transmission circuitry such as on-board heat generation and temperature. By generating interference to the primary user's receiver, and cooperating with primary user's packet delivery, the secondary user biases the statistics of the primary user's packet service. As the activation of the transmission circuitry generates heat, the activity of the secondary user impacts the temporal evolution of the primary user's internal temperature. The framework, based Markov Decision Process theory, enables the optimization of the transmission strategy of the secondary user under constraints on the primary user's average throughput. Numerical results show that the activity of the secondary user is beneficial to the hardware state even when the secondary user only aims at maximizing its achieved throughput.
Towards laws of the 3d-printable design web

This is a preliminary descriptive study of a new form of digital content: 3D-printable designs of physical things. We introduce a new dataset collected from one of the most popular sites for publishing and sharing physical object designs. We describe the data and its properties, and present an interactive visualization to facilitate further exploration of this space.
The antecedents of customer satisfaction with online travel services: a conceptual model

Purpose – The purpose of this study is: to examine the travel web sites quality dimensions that ultimately influence customers' satisfaction; and to conduct content analyses on the five prominent travel web sites.Design/methodology/approach – A content analysis was conducted on the six prominent travel web sites as ranked by J.D. Power Consumer Report. A list of 53 attributes were selected, named, and categorized around the six web quality dimensions explored in this study.Findings – The findings of the content analysis provide evidence to suggest that online travel companies are underperforming in terms of providing web service quality attributes that enhance customer satisfaction.Research limitations/implications – The focus of this study was only on the six prominent travel sites. However, the results cannot be generalized to all travel services. Additionally, only 53 attributes were extracted from the six web quality dimensions. There is a possibility that this study did not cover all the attributes t...
Tissue expansion and cutaneous blood flow

The effect of controlled skin expansion in blood flow was investigated using the dermofluorometer. Twenty-eight subcutaneous pockets in seven pigs were divided into three groups. Group 1: subcutaneous pockets with a gradually inflated 200-cc tissue expander over 12 days, then deflated and observed for 6 days. Group 2: subcutaneous pockets with a noninflated 200-cc tissue expander. Group 3: subcutaneous pockets elevated without placement of a tissue expander. Measurements taken 30 to 45 minutes after partial inflation of the tissue expander showed a decrease in blood flow while blood flow was increased 30 to 45 minutes after deflation of the tissue expander. The increase in blood flow, however, was not evident 6 days after the expander in group 1 was deflated.
Teachers' Perceptions of Instructional Planning Skills: Development of a Scale

This study reports on the development of the Teachers' Perceptions of Planning Skills Scale. The 34-item scale is designed for use with either preservice or inser vice teachers. This factor-analytic study suggests the existence of five empirically verified dimensions of planning skills (preactive and postactive thoughts, imple mentation, pre-interactive thoughts, student needs, and teachers' theories and beliefs). Internal consistency of the scale was high (Cronbach's alpha = 0.89). This instrument can be used to contribute to the research base on teachers' thought processes associated with instructional planning.
AGILE: Axially Graded Index LEns as a non-tracking solar concentrator

The Axially Graded Index Lens (AGILE) explicitly takes advantage of the fact that the density of electromagnetic radiation modes is proportional to the square of the Refractive Index to create non-tracking solar concentrators.
Penalized Bregman divergence for large-dimensional regression and classification.

Regularization methods are characterized by loss functions measuring data fits and penalty terms constraining model parameters. The commonly used quadratic loss is not suitable for classification with binary responses, whereas the loglikelihood function is not readily applicable to models where the exact distribution of observations is unknown or not fully specified. We introduce the penalized Bregman divergence by replacing the negative loglikelihood in the conventional penalized likelihood with Bregman divergence, which encompasses many commonly used loss functions in the regression analysis, classification procedures and machine learning literature. We investigate new statistical properties of the resulting class of estimators with the number pn of parameters either diverging with the sample size n or even nearly comparable with n, and develop statistical inference tools. It is shown that the resulting penalized estimator, combined with appropriate penalties, achieves the same oracle property as the penalized likelihood estimator, but asymptotically does not rely on the complete specification of the underlying distribution. Furthermore, the choice of loss function in the penalized classifiers has an asymptotically relatively negligible impact on classification performance. We illustrate the proposed method for quasilikelihood regression and binary classification with simulation evaluation and real-data application.
Effect of ternary elements on a martensitic transformation in β-NiAl

Abstract A diffusion-multiple method was applied to determine the effect of nine ternary elements (Pt, Ta, Cr, Mo, Re, W, Zr, Si, and Co) on the martensitic transformation in β-NiAl. The results show that martensite formation is highly sensitive to composition, temperature, and kinetics. Electron microprobe analysis was employed to establish the composition of the ternary martensitic regions on the diffusion multiples. With the exception of Pt, Cr, and Co, the solubility limits of the ternary additions in β-NiAl were low (less than ∼2 at%) and the elements with the highest solubilities, Pt and Co, appeared to substitute predominantly with Ni. The implications of the aforementioned ternary additions are also discussed with regards to the overall performance of NiAl-based thermal barrier coating bond coat alloys.
Stochastic Independence and Causal Connection

Assumptions of stochastic independence are crucial to statistical models in science. Under what circumstances is it reasonable to suppose that two events are independent? When they are not causally or logically connected, so the standard story goes. But scientific models frequently treat causally dependent events as stochastically independent, raising the question whether there are kinds of causal connection that do not undermine stochastic independence. This paper provides one piece of an answer to this question, treating the simple case of two tossed coins with and without a midair collision.
Real-time projection MR angiography : Feasibility study

Intraarterial injections of small doses of gadopentetate dimeglumine were combined with a fast spoiled-gradient-echo magnetic resonance (MR) sequence to obtain real-time projection angiographic images of the rabbit aorta and canine coronary arteries. Arterial filling and washout, as well as venous and perfusion phases, were clearly displayed, demonstrating that arterial fluoroscopy in which an MR technique is used is feasible.
Development of Visual, Name, and Conceptual Memory Codes for Pictures.

Abstract In a recognition memory task, 4-, 8-, and 16-year-olds quickly decided whether or not probe pictures were identical to remembered study pictures. Conceptual and visual, but not acoustic, confusion were evidenced by the longer latencies when probes were visually or conceptually related to study items than when unrelated or rhyming. Visual confusion arose only when seven or fewer pictures intervened between study and probe items, and the kinds of visual similarity that produced confusion changed with age. Conceptual confusion resulted only at longer lags, and the same kinds of conceptual relationships produced confusion at all ages. These findings are discussed in terms of the development of visual and semantic encoding processes.
I know I have to earn your love: how the family environment shapes feelings of worthiness of love

Parental conditional regard is a parenting practice which may lead to negative outcomes for the child. Yet, no research has examined whether feelings of love worthiness may be dependent upon conditional parental regard. Furthermore, certain conditions within the family environment may exacerbate this effect. Across two studies, undergraduate students were asked to report on perceptions of parental conditional regard, aspects of the family life growing up and how often they felt worthy of love (WOL). In Study 1, 91 individuals were asked to respond to open-ended questions about their feelings of parental conditional regard, as well as complete Likert-type questions about their family environment and feelings of love worthiness. In Study 2, 211 individuals completed Likert-type scales assessing their perceptions of parental conditional regard, family environment and feelings of love worthiness. Overall, perceptions of parental conditional regard were associated with feeling WOL less often, and this associat...
Characterization of a Teflon® coated semiconductor detector flow cell for monitoring of pertechnetate in groundwater

A new flow-cell detection system using a TeflonOcoated passivated ion-implanted planar silicon semiconductor detector was developed for detection of pertechnetate (99TcO4 - E b
Dynamics of Large-Scale Plastic Deformation and the Necking Instability in Amorphous Solids

We use the shear transformation zone (STZ) theory of dynamic plasticity to study the necking instability in a two-dimensional strip of amorphous solid. Our Eulerian description of large-scale deformation allows us to follow the instability far into the nonlinear regime. We find a strong rate dependence; the higher the applied strain rate, the further the strip extends before the onset of instability. The material hardens outside the necking region, but the description of plastic flow within the neck is distinctly different from that of conventional time-independent theories of plasticity.
The effect of taxation on labor supply when on-the-job amenities are endogenous

Abstract In a labor supply model where on-the-job amenities are endogenous, the tax on earnings affects both the net price of leisure and the net price of amenities. Contrary to the traditional model of labor supply, the compensated tax effect on desired work hours in this case is not necessarily negative.
Anti-periodic Traveling Wave Solutions to a Forced Two-Dimensional Generalized Korteweg-deVries Equation

Abstract The two-dimensional generalized Kortewg-deVries equation with a forcing function is considered. The existence of anti-periodic traveling wave solutions is proved with the aid of monotonicity methods and schauder′s fixed point theorem.
Compounds and commands in the evolution of human language

My conclusion is that the grammar behind VN compounds is the best candidate for a living fossil of proto-syntax. Little about these compounds makes sense except in the light of evolution. Their rudimentary flat combinatorial strategy, defying the most fundamental principles of modern morpho-syntax (e.g. headedness) is accompanied by the semantics and use that point to ritual insult and sexual selection, specializing for derogatory reference. Adding to the exotic nature of VN compounds, their verb surfaces in a(n) (proto-) imperative form. If VN compounds started to be coined in the ancient oneword stage of human language, a stage characterized by the use of imperative verb forms, it is to be expected that they would have been tinkered from what was already available, the imperative forms. These crude compounds, typically exhibiting the most basic of vocabulary, can nonetheless express abstract (human) traits not only with astounding succinctness, but also with humor and playfulness. Using this kind of compounding strategy at the dawn of language would have not only augmented the expressive power of human language enormously, but it would have also provided a foundation for future vocabulary and structure building.
Stable isotope labeling for matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry and post‐source decay analysis of ribonucleic acids

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry is a powerful analytical tool for the structural characterization of oligonucleotides and nucleic acids. Here we report the application of stable isotope labeling for the simplified characterization of ribonucleic acids (RNAs). An (18)O label is incorporated at the 3'-phosphate of oligoribonucleotides during the enzymatic processing of intact RNAs. As implemented, a buffer solution containing a 50 : 50 mixture of H(2)O and (18)O-labeled H(2)O is used during endonuclease digestion. Upon digestion, characteristic doublets representative of the isotopic distribution of oxygen are noted for those products that contain 3'-phosphate groups. This approach is used to distinguish readily endonuclease digestion products from incomplete digestion products and non-specific cleavage products. In addition, RNase digestion products containing the characteristic isotopic doublet can be selected for further characterization by post-source decay (PSD) analysis. PSD products carrying the 3'-phosphate group will appear as a doublet, thereby simplifying fragment ion assignment.
Analysis of error motions of ultra-high-speed (UHS) micromachining spindles

Abstract This paper presents an experimental approach to analyze radial and axial error motions of miniature ultra-high-speed (UHS) spindles. The present work focuses on identifying the sources of error motions and quantifying them, specifically for the UHS spindles with hybrid ceramic bearings. Since effective application of micromachining processes, which commonly utilize miniature UHS spindles, require a high level of dimensional accuracy, form accuracy, and surface finish, the (unwanted) motions of the UHS spindles (and the associated tool-tip runout) must be well-understood. In this work, a laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV)-based measurement technique is used to measure radial and axial motions of the spindle from a sphere-on-stem precision artifact. The influence of temperature fluctuations, dynamically-induced effects, contact-bearing defects, and tool-attachment errors are analyzed. The spindle speeds are varied from 40 krpm to 160 krpm, and the over-hang lengths of 15 mm and 7.5 mm are considered. The variations arising from tool attachment to the collet are also studied. It is seen that (1) the thermal state of the spindle exhibits a cyclic behavior that results in significant changes to the spindle motions, (2) spindle speed and over-hang length significantly affect the spindle motions, and (3) the variations arising from the tool attachment to the collet can be described using a normal distribution, and may cause more than ±50% amplitude variations to the spindle motions.
Behavior of coaxial cable connectors for pulses with nanosecond risetimes

Abstract Reflections and risetime distortion caused by connector mismatches were measured for several common cable-connector combinations, using a fast pulser and sampling oscilloscope (system risetime = 0.4 nsec). It was found that excellent connectors are available for 125 Ω (RG 63/U) cable, as well as for 50 Ω cables. In addition, details are given for the construction of a connector which may be used with 185 Ω (RG 114/U) cable. Measurements are also reported for 125 Ω attenuators and a 125 Ω pulse inverting transformer.
HIF-1 and mechanisms of hypoxia sensing

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is an oxygen-regulated transcriptional activator that plays essential roles in mammalian development, physiology and disease pathogenesis. The HIF-1 alpha subunit is subjected to oxygen-dependent ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation that is mediated by the von Hippel-Lindau protein. Interaction of HIF-1 alpha transactivation domains with coactivators is induced by hypoxia. The signal transduction pathway remains enigmatic, but involves generation of reactive oxygen species. Nitric oxide induces HIF-1 alpha under non-hypoxic conditions but inhibits hypoxia-induced HIF-1 alpha expression.
INHIBITION OF PROSTATE DUCTAL MORPHOGENESIS BY RETINOIC ACID

AbstractPurpose: To examine the effect of retinoic acid on prostate ductal morphogenesis.Materials and Methods: Newborn male Balb/C mice were injected with 25 mg./kg. all-trans retinoic acid or vehicle alone. Animals were sacrificed at 60 days of age and prostate ductal morphology was quantitatively assessed by microdissection. Total prostate DNA was quantitated by DPA assay.Results: The greatest effect was seen in the ventral prostate. Retinoic acid treated animals showed a 20% decrease in mean number of branch-points (p = 0.0006) with a corresponding 13% decrease in duct tips (p = 0.026). The combined ventral and dorsal prostate showed an effect with a 12% decrease in ductal branchpoints (p = 0.048). There was no effect on animal or organ weight and no effect on DNA content within the prostate. There was no difference in the prostate histology of treated and control animals.Conclusion: Retinoic acid administration in the newborn period inhibits mouse prostate ductal morphogenesis. This effect appears in...
Design and provisioning of WDM networks with many-to-many traffic grooming

A large number of network applications today allow several users to interact together using the many-to-many service mode. In many-to-many communication, also referred to as group communication, a session consists of a group of users (we refer to them as members), where each member transmits its traffic to all other members in the same group. In this paper, we address the problem of designing and provisioning of WDM networks to support many-to-many traffic grooming. Our objective is to minimize the overall network cost, which is dominated by the cost of higher layer electronic ports (i.e., transceivers) and the number of wavelengths used. Based on different WDM node architectures, we propose four different WDM networks for many-to-many traffic grooming. For each network, we analyze the many-to-many traffic grooming problem and provide an optimal as well as a heuristic solution. A comprehensive comparison between the four networks reveals that each of the networks is the most cost-effective choice for a certain range of traffic granularities.
Postural effects on biomechanical and psychophysical weight-lifting limits

Many believe that biomechanical models and data are not sufficiently refined and validated to be used as the basis for setting 'safe' population load lifting limits. Rather, they advocate that such limits should be based on what a sample of the population demonstrate to be 'maximum acceptable weight limits' (MAWL) resulting from psychophysical tests performed with different populations. Yet, biomechanical models are becoming more robust and valid. Computerized versions of these models are readily available, and these models now can provide a more complete understanding of the pathophysiology of a person's spinal column and supporting structures, thereby providing a means to predict the risk of tissue trauma in given lifting situations for large size populations. NIOSH has recognized the validity of both biomechanics and psychophysics for establishing a Recommended Weight Limit (RWL) in the United States. The implications of using both types of methods and data are explored in this paper. Three case studies are presented that involve infrequent lifting of varied size boxes from near floor level to explore how MAWL and biomechanically determined limits differ. The cases include symmetric, sagittal plane lifting using a freestyle posture, a similar lift but with freestyle and squat lift postures, and an asymmetric load lifting task. In all three case comparisons it is shown that a recommended load to be lifted based solely on a spinal disc compression force tolerance of 3400 N would be much lower than published MAWL values representing 75% or even 90% of young males under 40 years old (i.e. MAWL values may not be protective of some young males). It also is shown that MAWL values do not have as much population variance as the spinal motion segment failure values. Hence, many younger males would be expected to have spinal columns that can tolerate the highest published MAWL values. Several mitigating factors, including load lifting trajectories, lifting dynamics, and biomechanical modeling limitations are discussed, as well as differences in compressive force tolerances and MAWLs associated with age and gender.
Lysolecithin Affects the Viscosity, Permeability, and Peptic Susceptibility of Gastric Mucin

The effect of lysolecithin and lecithin on gastric mucin viscosity, permeability to hydrogen ion, and degradation by pepsin was investigated. Preincubation with lysolecithin produced a marked decrease in the glycoprotein viscosity. This decrease was concentration-dependent and at 10 mM lysolecithin reached a value of 74%. A 25% increase in mucin viscosity was obtained with 10 mM lecithin. Permeability measurements showed that 10 mM lecithin increased the retardation ability of the glycoprotein to hydrogen ion by 11%, whereas a 12% decrease in the retardation capacity of the glycoprotein was obtained with 10 mM lysolecithin. The results of peptic activity assay indicated that whereas lecithin had no effect on the rate of mucin proteolysis, the lysolecithin exerted significant (75%) stimulatory effect. The results suggest that lysolecithin in the stomach weakens the integrity of the protective mucus layer by promoting peptic degradation, reducing the ability to resist acid penetration, and decreasing viscosity of its mucin component.
Rapid reaction of singlet molecular oxygen (1O2) with p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) in aqueous solution

The reaction of singlet molecular oxygen (1O2) with p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) is quite rapid. The rate constant for reaction of 1O2 with PABA was measured in buffered aqueous solution by the method of competition kinetics and found to be 8.9 x 10(8) M-1 sec-1. The results of a Stern-Volmer analysis indicate that additional loss of 1O2 does not occur through physical quenching by PABA. Although illuminated PABA solutions are known to form 1O2, it appears that PABA is also a very efficient sink for 1O2.
Novel coordination complexes of tetrathiafulvalene derivatives

Abstract We have been investigating the use of tetrathiafulvalene tetrahiolate (1) as a ligand for a variety of new tetrathifulvalene based coordination compounds (2). In the generation of 1, we have found that dithiolates and trithiolates are formed by the incomplete metallation of TTF. Herein is presented a method for the clean generation of 1, the synthesis of a Pt(II) complex and a Ni(II) complex of 1, and the results from the use of 1 as a difunctional bridging ligand in the synthesis of self-assembled CdSe nanocrystalline semiconductor (quantum dot) networks. The resultant TTFS4-quantum dot networks show greatly enhanced luminescence (a 50-fold increase) over the typical butanethiol capped CdSe quantum dots.
Linking corporate culture to strategic planning

Rohit Deshpand~ is an associate professor of marketing at the University of Texas, Austin. A. Parasuraman is an associate ~rofessor of marketing at Texas A&M niversity. His last appearance in Business Horizons was as coauthor of "Quali ty Counts in Services, Too" (May-June 1985). When they make major changes in strategy or enter different phases of their life cycles, firms run into trouble if they don't take into account their corporate cultures. How can companies avoid this pitfall? To ensure compatibility between culture and strategy, the authors develop a contingency model of strategic culture planning.
Eliza Haywood, Savage Love, and Biographical Uncertainty

The surmise that Eliza Haywood (1693?-1756) was the cast-off mistress of Richard Savage and mother of one (or two) bastard children by him is generally accepted by Haywood scholars. This speculation is, however, almost groundless; it grows out of a misunderstanding of the dynamics of the circle that gathered around Aaron Hill in the early 1720s. Coterie verse and satire produced by Savage, Haywood, Hill, and Martha Fowke Sansom suggest that it was not Savage but Hill who was the focus of erotic interest in the circle, and that Haywood was furious with both Sansom and Savage for their role in alienating the affections of Hill, whom she regarded as a mentor and collaborator in a poetry of the sublime. Too much of the Haywood biography as now understood is deformed by undue respect for the veracity of sexualising lampoons by the likes of Savage and Pope as well as the tendency to cast her as one of her own seduced and abandoned heroines.
An automated system for primate instruction for behavioral neurophysiology

This paper describes a flexible hardware/software system developed for use with a PDP-8I computer for conducting research in behavioral neurophysiology. A real time monitor was designed to facilitate development, debugging, and modification of programs to run experiments. It relieves the programmer of the burden of dealing with hardware dependent functions such as interrupt handling and input/output. In addition, it provides the user with a large library of callable routines to perform functions commonly needed for conducting experiments. The monitor is modular in design and could be expanded or modified for use with many configurations of the PDP-8 family of computers.
Characterization of Inhibin/Activin Subunit, Activin Receptor, and Follistatin Messenger Ribonucleic Acid in Human and Mouse Oocytes: Evidence for Activin's Paracrine Signaling from Granulosa Cells to Oocytes

Inhibin, activin, and follistatin (FS) are gonadal proteins that appear to have a role in regulating folliculogenesis through possible paracrine and/or autocrine interactions. To further examine the potential role of activin in oocyte-granulosa cell communication, we developed a sensitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction protocol to analyze mRNA for the alpha, betaA, and betaB inhibin/activin subunits, FS, and the four activin receptor subtypes in individual human and mouse oocytes. The resulting expression pattern was further compared to that in human cumulus granulosa cells. Our results indicate that neither ssA nor betaB mRNA was detectable in any human or mouse oocyte, that alpha subunit was marginally present in some of the human oocytes, and that FS mRNA was detectable in human but not mouse oocytes. On the other hand, inhibin/activin subunit and FS mRNAs were abundantly expressed in cumulus cells. In addition, mRNAs for all four activin receptor subtypes (ActRIA, ActRIB, ActRIIA, and ActRIIB) were easily detectable in both oocytes and granulosa cells and appeared to be differentially expressed in oocytes during nuclear maturation. Finally, RNAs for both zona pellucida 3 and growth-differentiation factor-9, which were originally used as oocyte-specific markers, were detected in human but not mouse cumulus cells, although at lower levels than observed in oocytes. Taken together with previous studies, these results indicate that oocytes may be capable of responding to, but not synthesizing, activin.
Preservation of skin DNA for oligonucleotide array CGH studies: a feasibility study

Array-based comparative genomic hybridization (a-CGH) is a promising tool for clinical genomic studies. However, pre-analytical sample preparation methods have not been fully evaluated for this purpose. Parallel sections of normal male human skin biopsy samples were collected and immediately immersed in saline, formalin and a molecular fixative for 8, 12 and 24 h. Genomic DNA was isolated from the samples and subjected to amplification and labeling. Labeled samples were then co-hybridized with normal reference female DNA to Agilent oligonucleotide-based a-CGH 44k slides. Pre-analytic parameters such as DNA yield, quality of genomic DNA and labeling efficacy were evaluated. Also microarray analytical variables, including the feature signal intensity, data distribution dynamic range, signal to noise ratio and background intensity levels were assessed for data quality. DNA yield and quality of genomic DNA—as evaluated by spectrophotometry and gel electrophoresis—were similar for fresh and molecular fixative-exposed samples. In addition, labeling efficacy of dye incorporation was not drastically different. There was no difference between fresh and molecular fixative material comparing scan parameters and stem plot analysis of a-CGH result. Formalin-fixed samples, on the other hand, showed various errors such as oversaturation, non-uniformity in replicates, and decreased signal to noise ratio. Overall, the a-CGH result of formalin samples was not interpretable. DNA extracted from formalin-fixed tissue samples is not suitable for oligonucleotide-based a-CGH studies. On the other hand, the molecular fixative preserves tissue DNA similar to its fresh state with no discernable analytical differences.
An Experimental and theoretical study of the transient response of an isothermal tubular reactor with recycle

Experimental and theoretical transient response data are presented for a tubular reactor with recycle, illustrating the distributed nature of this feedback system. The transient concentration response of an isothermal tubular reactor with recycle was studied experimentally and theoretically for inlet concentration and flow upsets. The reaction studied experimentally was the second order homogeneous liquid phase saponification of methyl acetate with sodium hydroxide. Theoretical models using residence time distribution (RTD) techniques have been developed. The fact that the theoretical model (RTD) predicts the dynamic response data for the recycle reactor with and without reaction in the recycle line for both single flow and concentration upsets verifies that this model is satisfactory for simulation of recycle tubular reactor dynamics.
Formation of halloysite from feldspar:low temperature, artificial weathering versus natural weathering.

Weathering products formed on surfaces of both potassium and plagioclase feldspar (An70), which were continuously leached in a Soxhlet extraction apparatus for 140 days with 7·21 of distilled water per day at a temperature of approximately 78°C, are morphologically identical to natural products developed on potassium feldspars weathered under conditions of good drainage in the humid tropics. The new products, which first appear as tiny bumps on the feldspar surface, start to develop mainly at exposed edges but also at apparently random sites on flat cleavage surfaces. As weathering continues, the bumps grow outward from the feldspar surface to form tapered projections, which then develop into wide-based thin films or sheets. The thin sheets of many projections merge laterally to form one continuous flame-shaped sheet. The sheets formed on potassium feldspars may then roll to form tubes that are inclined at a high angle to the feldspar surface. Etch pits of triangular outline on the artificially weathered potassium feldspars serve as sites for development of continuous, non-rolled, hollow tubes. It is inferred from its morphology that this weathering product is halloysite or its primitive form. The product of naturally weathered potassium feldspars is halloysite · 4H2O.
Use of a parallel path nebulizer for capillary-based microseparation techniques coupled with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer for speciation measurements

A low flow, parallel path Mira Mist CE nebulizer designed for capillary electrophoresis (CE) was evaluated as a function of make-up solution flow rate, composition, and concentration, as well as the nebulizer gas flow rate. This research was conducted in support of a project related to the separation and quantification of cobalamin (vitamin B-12) species using microseparation techniques combined with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) detection. As such, Co signals were monitored during the nebulizer characterization process. Transient effects in the ICP were studied to evaluate the suitability of using gradients for microseparations and the benefit of using methanol for the make-up solution was demonstrated. Co signal response changed significantly as a function of changing methanol concentrations of the make-up solution and maximum signal enhancement was seen at 20% methanol with a 15 Al/min flow rate. Evaluation of the effect of changing the nebulizer gas flow rates showed that argon flows from 0.8 to 1.2 l/min were equally effective. The Mira Mist CE parallel path nebulizer was then evaluated for interfacing capillary microseparation techniques including capillary electrophoresis (CE) and micro high performance liquid chromatography (AHPLC) to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A mixture of four cobalamin species standards (cyanocobalamin, hydroxocobalamin, methylcobalamin, and 5Vdeoxyadenosylcobalamin) and the corrinoid analogue cobinamide dicyanide were successfully separated using both CE-ICP-MS and AHPLC-ICP-MS using the parallel path nebulizer with a make-up solution containing 20% methanol with a flow rate of 15 Al/min. D 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Lipectomy in obese hyperglycemic mice (ob/ob)

Mature, female obese-hyperglycemic mice (obob) were subjected to partial ablation of abdominal adipose tissue. Between operation and sacrifice, the amount of body fat gained by these mice was significantly greater than that of the “sham-operated” animals. It is not known whether the restoration of body fat to normal in the lipectomized animals was achieved by hypertrophy of the remaining adipose tissue or by compensatory expansion of adipocyte number. The data suggest that the total body fat rather than the fat per adipocyte is the regulated variable in obob.
Serotonin binding protein:enhancement of binding by Fe2+ and inhibition of binding by drugs.

— The binding of serotonin to a soluble, high affinity binding protein, present in synaptosomes and associated with serotonergic tracts, has now been studied for the effects of metallic ions and various drugs. At optimal concentration (10-4 M) of Fe2+ the enhancement of binding was close to 20-fold. A much smaller effect was noted with Cu2+. With other ions (Fe3+, Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cr3+, Mg2+, Ca2+) little or no effect was seen. For the effect with Fe2+. preincubation was required (10 min, 25°C) and concentrations higher than 10-4M were inhibitory. Studies based on equilibrium dialysis show that the effect of Fe2+ was on the affinity of the binding of serotonin to the protein, rather than on the binding capacity. In polydcrylamide gels at pH 8.6 the migratory properties of thc serotonin-protein complex formed in the presence of Fe2+ differ from those of the complex formed without Fe2+. Nucleotides (ATP, GTP, ADP, AMP) inhibited thc binding. The effects of several classes of drugs (inhibitors of biogenic amine storage and uptake, psychotomimetics, MAO) inhibitors and drugs binding to contractile proteins) were also studied. The only effective inhibitors of serotonin binding were reserpine, vinblastine and CZ-74, which caused 50% inhibition at 2 × 10-6 M, 7.5 × 10-6 M and 0.2 × 10-6M respectively.
Ultrasensitive frequency-modulation spectroscopy enhanced by a high-finesse optical cavity: theory and application to overtone transitions of C 2 H 2 and C 2 HD

The sensitivity of FM spectroscopy can be dramatically enhanced by location of the sample in a high-finesse cavity, for example, ∼5 orders of magnitude in this study. To avoid conversion of laser frequency noise into amplitude noise by the cavity, we choose the rf modulation frequency to match the cavity’s free spectral range. In this way small frequency fluctuations produce no additional noise, and a pure FM dispersion signal is recovered in transmission. We present a systematic study of the detection sensitivity, signal line shape and size, and slope at the central tuning. Experimentally, using a weakly absorbing gas such as C2H2 or C2HD placed inside an external high-finesse resonator, we obtained an integrated absorption sensitivity of 5×10-13(1×10-14/cm) for the gas’s weak near-IR molecular overtone transitions. As an interesting application, a Nd:YAG laser was well stabilized on the P(5) line of the C2HD(ν2+3ν3) band by this technique. The high attainable sensitivity permitted selection of slow molecules with low power and gas pressure to give a linewidth 13 times below the room-temperature transit-time limit.
Cine flow measurements using phase contrast with undersampled projections: In vitro validation and preliminary results in vivo

Purpose To assess the accuracy of flow measurements in vitro and in vivo during scan times shorter than a breath-hold using a 2D cine phase contrast (PC) undersampled radial acquisition method, which may be useful for measuring flow, especially in vessels subject to motion during respiration. Materials and Methods For in vitro assessment, a flow phantom was imaged at various flow rates and undersampling factors. For in vivo assessment, five normal subjects were imaged and the flow rate in the aorta was compared with the sum of the flow rates in the iliac arteries. Results For results in vitro, the accuracy of flow measurements was maintained with scan times as low as 13–17 seconds. For results in vivo, scans acquired in less than 25 seconds provided flow measurements in the aorta that corresponded well to the sum of flow measurements in the iliac arteries. Conclusion The undersampled radial acquisition cine PC technique provided accurate flow measurements in a flow phantom and in healthy human volunteers in scan times shorter than a typical breath-hold. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Fishing rights and small communities: Alaska halibut IFQ transfer patterns

In the Alaska halibut individual fishing quota (IFQ) fishery, small remote fishing communities (SRFCs) have disproportionately lost fishing rights. Our analysis of quota market participation from 1995 to 1999 confirms that SRFC residents are more likely to sell than buy quota. Alaska Native heritage is another important predictor of quota market behavior. Residents of Alaska Native villages have an increased likelihood of selling quota. Loss of fisheries participation in small indigenous communities can be an unintended consequence of quota systems. Mitigation measures should take into account the social factors that can lead to such a redistribution of fishing rights in privatized access fisheries.
Design of conformal multiband antennas based on fractal concepts

In this paper we present some novel designs for conformal multiband antennas, based on fractal concepts, for application at three different frequencies. Although a whole host of conventional fractal type of monopole and dipole configurations have been designed in the past, they are not well suited for conformal applications. In this paper we describe a Sierpinski gasket type of fractal configuration, printed on a dielectric substrate backed by a ground plane, and propose a novel approach to enhancing its multiband performance, in terms of impedance matching characteristics as well as radiation patterns, at three operating frequencies. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 36: 333–338, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10758
Development of golden hamster embryos through the two‐cell block in chemically defined medium

The effect of increasing the embryo:medium volume ratio on overcoming the hamster two-cell block was examined. Two-cell golden hamster embryos from each superovulated female were cultured in microdrops (estimated at 0.75 microliter) or 100 microliter macrodrops of chemically defined medium (modified Tyrode's solution [TLP] plus glutamine, isoleucine, methionine, phenylalanine, and taurine). In 11 trials (i.e., with embryos from 11 donors), 28.6% of 269 embryos developed to the four-cell stage in microdrops, whereas only 2 (0.7%) embryos developed in the macrodrops. When two microdrops were used to culture the two-cell embryos from each donor (n = 8), 17.8% of 304 embryos developed to four cells. Increasing the embryo:medium volume ratio further by culturing all of the embryos from each donor (n = 10) in single microdrops resulted in 53.1% of 397 embryos developing to four cells. Conditioning of the culture medium by these embryos could not be demonstrated. Increasing the embryo:medium volume ratio may protect against loss of some intracellular component essential for growth of early-stage hamster embryos. Alternatively, increasing this ratio may permit embryos to reduce the concentration of a substance detrimental to their growth. This work represents the first report of cleavage of hamster two-cell embryos in vitro. These findings are a significant step towards our goal of obtaining complete preimplantation developmental of hamster embryos in vitro and may be helpful for solving the in vitro developmental blocks in embryos from other species.
15N enrichment in agricultural catchments: field patterns and applications to tracking Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Abstract Nitrogen isotopes were used to study the source of nitrate and its uptake into the food web of a northeastern river in Vermont, USA. In six tributaries of the White River (Vermont) nitrate concentrations were elevated in streams flowing through areas with agricultural land use as compared to streams flowing through pristine forested areas. We observed a strong positive correlation between δ15N values of stream water nitrate and percent of agricultural land-use within a given catchment. Agricultural sites had relatively high δ15N values of nitrate (+7.3‰) compared to forested sites (+2.0‰). These relatively high δ15N values coupled with relatively high concentrations of nitrate in agricultural streams suggest the introduction of 15 N -enriched nitrate draining from agricultural areas. Additionally, elevated δ15N values of algae, aquatic insects, and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in agricultural sites compared to lower δ15N values of their counterparts in forested sites suggest the uptake of nitrate from agricultural sources by stream organisms. We observe a similar positive correlation between the δ15N of Atlantic salmon and the percent of agricultural land in a catchment. The nitrogen isotope values of both Atlantic salmon and water nitrate reflect land-use. Thus, nitrogen isotope ratios in salmon, especially when coupled with strontium isotope ratios (which reflect catchment geology), create unique isotopic identities for Atlantic salmon stocking streams and thereby provide a means of determining the natal origin of juvenile salmon.
Characterization of a Negative Thyroid Hormone Response Element in the Rat Sodium, Potassium-Adenosine Triphosphatase α3 Gene Promoter1

The thyroid hormone L-T3 elicits either a stimulatory or an inhibitory effect on expression of the Na,K-adenosine triphosphatase alpha3-subunit gene in primary cultures of neonatal rat cardiac myocytes. The present study was undertaken to characterize a negative thyroid hormone response element present within the rat Na,K-adenosine triphosphatase alpha3-subunit gene proximal promoter. Transient transfection assays indicated that the DNA-binding domain of thyroid hormone receptor was essential for mediating repression of alpha3 gene transcription by thyroid hormone. This negative effect of thyroid hormone was enhanced in the presence of cotransfected retinoid X receptor and its ligand 9-cis-retinoic acid. Inhibition of alpha3 chimeric gene expression by thyroid hormone was dependent on the initial cell plating density. The negative thyroid hormone response element was localized to a region between nucleotides -68 to -6 of the alpha3 gene. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that thyroid hormone receptor binds in a synergistic manner as a heterodimer with retinoid X receptor to two sites at positions -62 to -41 and -39 to -17 of the alpha3 gene promoter. The upstream and downstream heterodimer binding sites coexist with CAAT and TATA elements, respectively.