cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rate of formation of N-(hydroxymethyl)benzamide derivatives in water as a function of pH and their equilibrium constants

The third-order rate constants for the pH-dependent formation of the carbinolamides generated from the reaction of formaldehyde and benzamide, 4-chloro, 4-nitro, 4-methyl and 4-methoxybenzamide, are reported. The acid-catalyzed reaction was found to occur via rate-limiting proton transfer, whereas the hydroxide-dependent reaction occurred via a specific-base process. Coupling the rate constants for carbinolamide formation reported herein with the previously established rates for carbinolamide breakdown yielded equilibrium constants for the carbinolamides studied in water.
Transcriptional activation of Fsp27 by the liver-enriched transcription factor CREBH promotes lipid droplet growth and hepatic steatosis.

Fat-specific protein 27 (Fsp27) is a lipid droplet-associated protein that promotes lipid droplet (LD) growth and triglyceride (TG) storage in white adipocytes. Fsp27 is also highly expressed in the steatotic liver and contributes to TG accumulation. In this study we discovered that the liver produces Fsp27β, an alternative Fsp27 isoform, which contains 10 additional amino acids at the N-terminus of the original Fsp27 (Fsp27α). White adipose tissue (WAT) and the liver specifically expressed Fsp27α and Fsp27β transcripts, respectively, which were driven by distinct promoters. The Fsp27β promoter was activated by the liver-enriched transcription factor cyclic-AMP-responsive-element-binding protein H (CREBH) but not by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), which activated the Fsp27α promoter. Enforced expression of the constitutively active CREBH strongly induced Fsp27β and the human ortholog CIDEC2 in mouse hepatocytes and HepG2 cells, respectively. In contrast, loss of CREBH decreased hepatic Fsp27β in fasted mice, suggesting that CREBH plays a critical role in Fsp27β expression in the liver. Similar to Fsp27α, Fsp27β localized on the surface of lipid droplets and suppressed lipolysis. Consequently, enforced expression of Fsp27β or CREBH promoted lipid droplet enlargement and TG accumulation in the liver. Conclusion: The CREBH-Fsp27β axis is important for regulating lipid droplet dynamics and TG storage in the liver. (Hepatology 2015;61:857–869)
Ciliary polypeptides and glycoconjugates of wild-type and mutant Tetrahymena thermophila: starved versus nonstarved.

To investigate the role of cilia in mating interactions of Tetrahymena thermophila, ciliary membrane-rich fractions were isolated from two wild-type strains, a non-discharge mucocyst mutant which possesses mating behavior similar to wild-type, and a mating mutant which is able to costimulate cells of complementary mating type but cannot enter into pair formation. In each case, proteins from the ciliary membrane-rich fractions of starved, mating-competent (“initiated”) cells were compared with those from non-starved, mating-incompetent (“non-initiated”) cells, by gel electro-phoresis and lectin blotting. In stained gels, a 43 kDa polypeptide was reduced or absent in initiated cells but present in non-initiated cells, in all strains. In silver-stained gels, a 25 kDa polypeptide was present in all strains, both initiated and non-initiated. In blots probed with Con A-peroxidase, a 25 kDa glycoprotein was present in ciliary membrane fractions from non-initiated cells and absent in membranes of initiated cells of the two wild-type strains and the mucocyst mutant, but is present in initiated and non-initiated cells of the mating mutant (several hypotheses are presented to explain these findings). In addition, ciliary proteins of the mating mutant included at least two unique Con A-binding polypeptides. Our results support the idea that development of mating competence during starvation involves an extensive remodeling of ciliary membranes, and identify a 25 kDa glyco-conjugate as having a potential role in control of pair formation during mating. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Real-Time Production Scheduler for Digital-Print-Service Providers Based on a Dynamic Incremental Evolutionary Algorithm

We present a high-performance and real-time production scheduling algorithm for digital print production based on a dynamic incremental evolutionary algorithm. The optimization objective is to prioritize the dispatching sequence of orders and balance resource utilization. The scheduler is scalable for realistic problem instances and it provides solutions quickly for diverse print products that require complex fulfillment procedures. Furthermore, it dynamically ingests the transient state of the factory, such as process information and resource failure probability in print production; therefore, it minimizes the management-production mismatch. Discrete-event simulation results show that the production scheduler leads to a higher and more stable order on-time delivery ratio compared to a rule-based heuristic. Its beneficial attributes collectively contribute to the reduction or elimination of the shortcomings that are inherent in today's digital printing environment and help to enhance a print factory's productivity and profitability.
Hygrothermal effects on properties of highly conductive epoxy/graphite composites for applications as bipolar plates

Abstract The hygrothermal effects on mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of highly conductive graphite-based epoxy composites were investigated. The highly conductive graphite-based epoxy composites were found to be suitable for applications as bipolar plates in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. The hygrothermal aging experiments were designed to simulate the service conditions in PEM fuel cells. Specifically, the composite specimens were immersed in boiling water, aqueous sulphuric acid solution, and aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide. The water uptake, changes in surface appearance and dimensions, glass transition behavior and thermal stability, and electrical and mechanical properties were evaluated. The water uptake at short time increased linearly with the square root of time as in linear Fickian diffusion. The presence of graphite significantly reduced both the rate and extent of water uptake. No discernible changes in specimen dimensions, surface appearance, and morphology of the composites were observed. The electrical conductivity and mechanical properties remained almost unchanged. The wet specimens showed slight reduction of glass transition temperature (Tg) due to plasticization of epoxy networks by absorbed water, while the re-dried specimens showed small increase of Tg. The composites maintained high electrical conductivity of about 300–500 S cm−1 and good mechanical properties and showed thermal stability up to 350 °C.
Examining intimate partner aggression assessment among returning veterans and their partners.

There is a growing research base focusing on intimate partner aggression (IPA) in combat veterans, although little work has focused on IPA assessment. In the current study, the authors investigated IPA assessment among 65 male Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) combat veterans and their female partners. Specifically, we compared overall levels of veteran- and partner-perpetrated IPA, conducted concordance analyses to examine the degree of interpartner agreement on IPA occurrence and frequency, and investigated both veterans' and partners' relationship satisfaction and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms as correlates of concordance. Results indicated that female partners perpetrated higher levels of physical IPA than did the male veterans, according to both veteran and combined reports. Concordance analyses revealed low to moderate levels of agreement between veterans and their partners on the perpetration of physical and psychological IPA, with particularly low agreement on the veterans' physical IPA. Female partners' relationship satisfaction was associated with reporting less of the veterans' and their own IPA relative to the veterans' reports, and their PTSD symptoms were associated with reporting more of the veterans' and their own IPA. In contrast, the veterans' PTSD symptoms were associated with reporting less of their own IPA relative to their partners' reports. The findings emphasize the need for those researching and treating IPA among military couples to assess IPA perpetrated by both members of the relationship and to consider possible factors that might impact the accuracy of IPA reporting. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved). Language: en
Effects of extensive forest management on soil productivity

This paper focuses on the effects of extensive forest management on soil productivity, its capacity to produce plants. Forest productivity, the summation of the productivities of the individual landscape elements (stands) that comprise the forest, is the integration of soil productivity, climate, species composition and stocking, and stand history. Extensive forest management can be operationally defined by the monetary investment per unit area of land, or by the number of stand entries per rotation, or by a combination of those metrics. A stand entered once during a rotation, for harvest, is extensively managed while a stand that has been subjected to site preparation, planted with genetically improved stock, and thinned and fertilized is intensively managed. The distinction blurs between those extremes. Many reviews have summarized the effects of forest harvest, the major extensive management activity, on soil properties and hence on productivity. Rather than simply reiterating those reviews, I have framed the paper in a series of axioms (which all agree upon), corollaries (consequences to productivity that follow from the axioms and are also agreed upon), and postulates (proposed consequences that are subject to some uncertainty). It is axiomatic that forest management activities alter soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. Changes have been well-documented, although their intensity and duration varies among locations and associated soil and forest types. Consequences of the changes in soil physical properties are clearly corollaries, and include reduced productivity due to surface erosion, mass flow, soil compaction, and rutting and puddling. Although the negative consequences of roads and skid trails to stand-level productivity may be considered to be corollaries, extrapolations of those consequences to the landscape is less clear and should be considered to be postulates. Similarly, consequences of changes in soil chemical and biological properties due to forest management should be considered to be postulates; not fully tested. Although soil chemical and biological properties are changed by management, the duration of those changes and their influence on productivity are not clear. Forest ecosystems are dynamic and resilient. Assessment of the consequences of changes in properties should recognize that shifts in preferred species may not be equated with changes in soil productivity, and that short-term effects may not be indicative of longer-term effects. Both ethical and economic considerations demand good stewardship of our natural resources. Extensive forest management, if carried out with both wisdom and prudence, is not antithetical to good stewardship.
Tax avoidance through re-imports: The case of redundant trade

Abstract Many countries have participated in re-imports, a type of round-trip trade originating from a country and back to the same country. China, as the largest re-importer, has imported more from itself than from the U.S. since 2005. As the first empirical study on re-imports, this paper shows that China's re-imports are at least partially driven by the imperfection of the value-added tax (VAT) rebate policy for processing trade. In principle, firms should be able to claim input VAT credits after selling their finished products in China, or receive input VAT rebates after exporting their products. Some processing firms, however, are not qualified for the credits or rebates when selling in China; hence, they may export their products to obtain rebates. Some downstream processing firms can benefit from re-importing these products duty-free as inputs because they cannot obtain the rebates when buying inputs in China even after exporting their final goods.
Defect-induced melting and solid-state amorphization

DESPITE the strong interest in melting over the past 100 years, a general theory for the crystal–liquid transition has not been established1. Lattice-instability models, which are either vibrational2, elastic3, isochoric4, defective5 or entropic6 in nature, all predict a melting point somewhat above the experimentally observed thermodynamic melting temperature, with the ultimate stability limit of a superheated crystal being determined by the equality of crystal and liquid entropies4,6; this forces regular melting to be a first-order transition. Here I present a model of melting that is driven by the incorporation into the lattice of randomly frozenin defects. An isentropic condition limits the stability of the crystal as a function of defect concentration; above the glass transition temperature the crystal melts to a liquid, whereas below it 'melting' produces an amorphous solid. This model yields a generic melting diagram with a tunable parameter (defect concentration) that can characterize the static disorder present in solid-state amorphization7–9, the thermodynamic stability of small clusters10 and nanocrystalline materials11, and the frustration present in spin glasses12. The model is also relevant to glacial13, geological14 and stellar-atmospheric15 melting processes.
A supramolecular approach to combining enzymatic and transition metal catalysis

The ability of supramolecular host-guest complexes to catalyse organic reactions collaboratively with an enzyme is an important goal in the research and discovery of synthetic enzyme mimics. Herein we present a variety of catalytic tandem reactions that employ esterases, lipases or alcohol dehydrogenases and gold(I) or ruthenium(II) complexes encapsulated in a Ga(4)L(6) tetrahedral supramolecular cluster. The host-guest complexes are tolerated well by the enzymes and, in the case of the gold(I) host-guest complex, show improved reactivity relative to the free cationic guest. We propose that supramolecular encapsulation of organometallic complexes prevents their diffusion into the bulk solution, where they can bind amino-acid residues on the proteins and potentially compromise their activity. Our observations underline the advantages of the supramolecular approach and suggest that encapsulation of reactive complexes may provide a general strategy for carrying out classic organic reactions in the presence of biocatalysts.
Errors of diagnosis in pediatric practice: a multisite survey.

OBJECTIVE: We surveyed pediatricians to elicit their perceptions regarding frequency, contributing factors, and potential system- and provider-based solutions to address diagnostic errors. METHODS: Academic, community, and trainee pediatricians (N = 1362) at 3 tertiary care institutions and 109 affiliated clinics were invited to complete the survey anonymously through an Internet survey administration service between November 2008 and May 2009. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 53% (N = 726). More than one-half (54%) of respondents reported that they made a diagnostic error at least once or twice per month; this frequency was markedly higher (77%) among trainees. Almost one-half (45%) of respondents reported diagnostic errors that harmed patients at least once or twice per year. Failure to gather information through history, physical examination, or chart review was the most-commonly reported process breakdown, whereas inadequate care coordination and teamwork was the most-commonly reported system factor. Viral illnesses being diagnosed as bacterial illnesses was the most-commonly reported diagnostic error, followed by misdiagnosis of medication side effects, psychiatric disorders, and appendicitis. Physicians ranked access to electronic health records and close follow-up of patients as strategies most likely to be effective in preventing diagnostic errors. CONCLUSION: Pediatricians reported making diagnostic errors relatively frequently, and patient harm from these errors was not uncommon.
Pyrimidines. XIII. Novel pyrimidine to pyrimidine transformation reactions

Novel pyrimidine to pyrimidine transformation reactions are described. 1,3-Dimethyl-(or diethyl)-uracil(1) are converted into isocytosine, 2-thiouracil or uracil derivatives by treatment with guanidine, thiourea or urea, respectively. The latter two cases require base catalysis. The effects of some substituents at C-5 and C-6 of 1,3-dialkylated uracils (1a 1e) on this transformation were examined and a plausible mechanism is offered for their reaction. The utility of this reaction is exemplified by the facile two-step conversion of pseudouridine into the anlileukemic agent, pseudoisocytidine, in good overall yield.
Environmental and biological controls on Mg and Li in deep-sea scleractinian corals

Abstract Deep-sea scleractinian corals precipitate aragonite skeletons that provide valuable archives of past ocean conditions. During calcification biological mediation causes variability in trace metal incorporation and isotopic ratios of the aragonite such that signals caused by environmental controls can be overwhelmed. This complicates the interpretation of geochemical proxies used for paleo-reconstructions. In this study we examine the environmental controls on the Mg/Li ratio of 34 individuals from seven genera of deep-sea scleractinian corals: Desmophyllum, Balanophyllia, Caryophyllia, Enallopsammia, Flabellum, Trochocyanthus, and Lophelia. In addition we examine the microscale distributions of Mg and Li in Desmophyllum and Balanophyllia using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Both Mg/Ca and Li/Ca ratios increased by more than a factor of two in the center of calcification regions compared to the outer, fibrous regions of the coral skeleton. As a result, replicate ~ 10 mg subsamples of coral show less variability in the Mg/Li ratio than Mg/Ca. Microscale Mg and Li results are consistent with Rayleigh-type incorporation of trace metals with additional processes dominating the composition within centers of calcification. Comparison of Mg/Li to seawater properties near the site of collection shows that the ratio is not controlled by either carbonate ion or salinity. It appears that temperature is the major control on the Mg/Li ratio. For all 34 samples the temperature correlation (R2 = 0.62) is significantly better than for Mg/Ca (R2 = 0.06). For corals of the family Caryophyllidae the R2 value increases to 0.82 with the exclusion of one sample that was observed to have an altered, chalky texture. Despite this excellent correlation the scatter in the data suggests that the Mg/Li ratio of deep-sea corals cannot be used to reconstruct temperature to better than approximately ± 1.6 °C without better temperature control and additional calibration points on modern coral samples.
Shades of Othering: Reflections on Female Circumcision/Genital Mutilation

L'A. porte son attention sur les mutilations genitales rituelles des femmes. Elle souligne que les femmes tendent a etre fustigees en tant que sujets passifs de ce type de pratique. Elle rappelle que pour un certain nombre de feministes cette perception releve de l'ethnocentrisme et temoigne d'une certaine arrogance culturelle. Elle passe en revue les travaux qui ont propose une vision alternative des pratiques d'excision et notamment ceux d'Isabelle R. Gunning, Robyn C. Smith et Jean-Claude Muller. Elle souligne que la declaration universelle des droits de l'homme peut servir de norme sociale permettant de definir les droits fondamentaux de chaque individu. Elle porte son attention sur les travaux ethnographiques de Jean-Claude Muller qui a etudie les pratiques de circoncision des Dii, une ethnie installee au Cameroun. Ce dernier a analyse la signification de la souffrance induite par ce type de pratique. Il a montre que cette souffrance etait partagee egalement par les hommes et par les femmes lors des rites d'initiation et du meme coup que les femmes n'etaient pas seules a subir des mutilations genitales douloureuses
Idaho sets its house in order

New York tried to departmentalize its state administration in 1915, Illinois did it in 1917 with strking success, Delaware is headed in that direction and Idaho has just done it.
Graphical Overlays: Using Layered Elements to Aid Chart Reading

Reading a visualization can involve a number of tasks such as extracting, comparing or aggregating numerical values. Yet, most of the charts that are published in newspapers, reports, books, and on the Web only support a subset of these tasks. In this paper we introduce graphical overlays-visual elements that are layered onto charts to facilitate a larger set of chart reading tasks. These overlays directly support the lower-level perceptual and cognitive processes that viewers must perform to read a chart. We identify five main types of overlays that support these processes; the overlays can provide (1) reference structures such as gridlines, (2) highlights such as outlines around important marks, (3) redundant encodings such as numerical data labels, (4) summary statistics such as the mean or max and (5) annotations such as descriptive text for context. We then present an automated system that applies user-chosen graphical overlays to existing chart bitmaps. Our approach is based on the insight that generating most of these graphical overlays only requires knowing the properties of the visual marks and axes that encode the data, but does not require access to the underlying data values. Thus, our system analyzes the chart bitmap to extract only the properties necessary to generate the desired overlay. We also discuss techniques for generating interactive overlays that provide additional controls to viewers. We demonstrate several examples of each overlay type for bar, pie and line charts.
Effect of interferon on integrity of vaccinia virus and ribosomal RNA in infected cells.

Abstract The state of vaccinia and ribosomal RNAs in IFN-treated, vaccinia virus-infected mouse L cells grown in suspension is examined. In these cells a drastic inhibition (∼90%) of both viral and cellular protein synthesis occurs after virus infection of IFN-treated cells. The findings show that (1) primary transcription of vaccinia virus is not impaired by IFN, but is rather enhanced; (2) viral RNAs produced in IFN-treated, infected cells are predominantly of the early class; (3) these viral RNAs can be translated in a cell-free protein-synthesizing system; (4) in IFN-treated, infected cells there is extensive cleavage of 28 and 18 S rRNA at early times post infection, resulting in a characteristic cleavage pattern; (5) cleavage of rRNA is viral RNA dependent. The results indicate that in this virus-cell system the IFN-mediated inhibition of vaccinia and cellular protein synthesis is correlated with an alteration in ribosomal integrity.
Theoretical determination of the CD of proteins containing closely packed antiparallel beta-sheets.

Proteins containing two closely packed β-sheets comprise an important class of biopolymers. Rotational and dipole strengths have been determined by the excition coupling model for interacting pairs of two idealized flat β-sheets and for the double β-sheets of seven globular proteins: plastocyanin, human prealbumin, immunoglobulin VREI, concanavalin A, Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase, staphylococcal nuclease, and elastase. The effects of various geometrical factors on the CD spectra were investigated. Results for the idealized sheets indicate that two sheets display through-space interactions that are large at distances of 5–7 A and remain significant even at distances typical of the intersheet separations in globular proteins (12–15 A). The CD spectra are sensitive to the angle (Ω) between the strand directions of the two sheets, with maximum intersheet contributions at Ω = ±45°. Both the intrastrand and interstrand twisting were determined in the seven proteins, and their effects on the calculated CD are discussed. This work represents the first theoretical CD study on the interactions of two regular protein secondary structures, including rotational strength calculations on large sections (up to 135 residues) of globular proteins.
Superstructure in the stratum corneum of neonatal rat.

Abstract The photographic light scattering technique was utilized in observing the superstructure in the stratum corneum layer of the epidermis of neonatal rat. The data imply that in normal corneum there are optically anisotropic rodlike structures having dimensions comparable with the wavelength of light. This new evidence lends further support to the earlier model proposed by Swanbeck (Swanbeck, G. (1959) Acta Dermato-Venereol. 39, 5–37) based on small angle X-ray diffraction.
An evaluation of recent NOx toxicity data and an attempt to derive an ambient air standard for NOx by established toxicological procedures

Abstract A brief description is given of the present air standards for NO x and of the controversial issues which currently concern this gaseous pollutant and have led to efforts to discredit the NO x standards. A brief review is also made of NO 2 (NO x ) toxicity studies, especially those conducted at low concentrations ( x standards for ambient air by first estimating the maximal no-effect dose to be ∼0.6 ppm NO 2 , and then applying toxicological principles espoused by leading international authorities for the formulation of environmental standards appropriate to general populations. This exercise indicates that the current ambient air quality standard of 0.05 ppm NO x (100 μg/m 3 ) is not conservative but probably excessive. Risk-benefit analysis is cited as an alternative procedure for setting NO x standards but the approach is deemed untested and probably unsuitable for general populations.
Simple computation of projection matrix for bearing estimations

In the paper the idea of computing a projection matrix for bearing estimations by using any M rows of the covariance matrix, where M is the number of sources, is extended to the cases of low signal/noise ratio (SNR) and totally correlated sources. For low SNR, the projection matrix can be obtained by using off-diagonal terms of M rows of the covariance matrix, and a reduced search vector can be used. For totally correlated sources, the idea of spatial averaging is adapted to compute the projection matrix. However, no averaging is actually carried out.
Modulation of resistance to Salmonella typhimurium infection in mice by mouse hepatitis virus (MHV).

Abstract Prior infection of mice with a field strain of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) increased the early resistance of euthymic mice to virulent Salmonella typhimurium strain SR-11 infections (as defined by significantly fewer salmonella colony-forming units (cfu) present in spleens and livers 4 days after salmonella infection). This increase in salmonella resistance was observed when the interval between MHV and salmonella infections was 6 days, but not at 3, 10, or 14 day intervals. The mouse lty locus, which controls the number of intracellular salmonella, had a significant effect on the ability of MHV to induce resistance to salmonella. MHV caused an increase in resistance to salmonella in ltys (salmonella susceptible) mice at all doses of salmonella tested (100 to 10000 cfu). In the ltyr (salmonella resistant) mice tested the beneficial effect of MHV on salmonella resistance was small and when observed, was only present at salmonella doses of 10000 cfu or greater. Neither the Lpsd nor Xid mutations affected the ability of MHV to increase resistance to salmonella infection. In contrast to euthymic mice, MHV infection greatly decreased the resistance of athymic (nude) mice to salmonella infection. Since the Nu locus does not affect the resistance of mice to salmonella (at 4 days post salmonella infection), these results indicate that MHV infection and the nude phenotype interact to increase susceptibility to salmonella. These findings re-emphasize the importance of keeping laboratory mice used in research free of MHV and other immunomodulatory pathogens.
Atmospheric Concentrations and Air−Water Flux of Organochlorine Pesticides along the Western Antarctic Peninsula

Air, seawater, sea ice, and snow were collected during the austral winter (September−October 2001) and summer (January−February 2002) along the Western Antarctic Peninsula. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) > heptachlor > α- and γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and heptachlor epoxide, were the most frequently detected organochlorine pesticides in air. HCB and HCH levels declined over the past 20 years, with a half-life of 3 years for ΣHCH in Antarctic air. However, heptachlor epoxide levels have not declined in Antarctic air over the past decade, possibly due to continued use of heptachlor in the southern hemisphere. Peak heptachlor concentrations in air were measured coincident with air masses moving into the region from lower latitudes. Levels of lindane were 1.2−200 times higher in annual sea ice and snow compared to α-HCH, likely due to greater atmospheric input of γ-HCH. The ratio of α/γ-HCH in Antarctic air, sea ice and snow was <1, illustrative of a predominance of influx of lindane versus technical HCH to the ...
On the practical calculation of resonance energies and widths by basis set methods

Abstract The basis set calculation of Siegert eigenvalues, which provides the energies and lifetimes of electronic resonance states, has been carried out for a one-dimensional model system using a trial wavefunction which asymptotically behaves as a complex gaussian function. The high accuracy of the results demonstrates that the asymptotic form of the wavefunction is not important when the complex gaussian exponent is chosen by a stationary condition rather than by an asymptotic boundary condition. This indicates that molecular resonances can be computed using relatively small gaussian orbital basis sets. For the resonances studied here, we also show that the modifications in the basis-set calculation of Siegert eigenvalues proposed by Yaris, Lovett and Winkler lead to accurate results only when all of the basis functions go to zero at the origin and when an accurate estimate of the resonance position is already available. In addition, application of the analytic continuation of stabilization graphs to this system is shown to yield results of limited accuracy.
Human piebald trait resulting from a dominant negative mutant allele of the c-kit membrane receptor gene.

Abstract Human piebald trait is an autosomal dominant defect in melanocyte development characterized by patches of hypopigmented skin and hair. Although the molecular basis of piebaldism has been unclear, a phenotypically similar "dominant spotting" of mice is caused by mutations in the murine c-kit protooncogene. In this regard, one piebald case with a point mutation and another with a deletion of c-kit have been reported, although a polymorphism or the involvement of a closely linked gene could not be excluded. To confirm the hypothesis that piebaldism results from mutations in the human gene, c-kit exons were amplified by polymerase chain reaction from the DNA of 10 affected subjects and screened for nucleotide changes by single-stranded conformation polymorphism analysis. In one subject with a variant single-stranded conformation polymorphism pattern for the first exon encoding the kinase domain, DNA sequencing demonstrated a missense mutation (Glu583----Lys). This mutation is identical to the mouse W37 mutation which abolishes autophosphorylation of the protein product and causes more extensive depigmentation than "null" mutations. In accord with this "dominant negative" effect, the identical mutation in this human kindred is associated with unusually extensive depigmentation. Thus, the finding of a piebald subject with a mutation that impairs receptor activity strongly implicates the c-kit gene in the molecular pathogenesis of this human developmental defect.
Finite additive utility representations for preferences over menus

Abstract I characterize a finite additive utility representation for preferences over menus. The numbers of both positive and negative components in this representation are expressed explicitly in terms of preference. These expressions can be used to characterize models of temptation, perfectionism, context effects, and other phenomena.
Polarimetric Signatures above the Melting Layer in Winter Storms: An Observational and Modeling Study

AbstractPolarimetric radar observations above the melting layer in winter storms reveal enhanced differential reflectivity ZDR and specific differential phase shift KDP, collocated with reduced copolar correlation coefficient ρhv; these signatures often appear as isolated “pockets.” High-resolution RHIs and vertical profiles of polarimetric variables were analyzed for a winter storm that occurred in Oklahoma on 27 January 2009, observed with the polarimetric Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) in Norman. The ZDR maximum and ρhv minimum are located within the temperature range between −10° and −15°C, whereas the KDP maximum is located just below the ZDR maximum. These signatures are coincident with reflectivity factor ZH that increases toward the ground. A simple kinematical, one-dimensional, two-moment bulk microphysical model is developed and coupled with electromagnetic scattering calculations to explain the nature of the observed polarimetric signature. The microphysics model includes nuc...
The Census Bureau and Its Accountability

Since the early 1980s, the decennial census has been embroiled in unrelenting controversies concerning the proposed use of statistical sampling to combat the undercount. These controversies have produced numerous analyses by statisticians, legal scholars, political scientists, and historians with different attributes and analytical frameworks. This article presents these controversies from an administrative perspective, with emphasis on accountability and accountability conflicts. As an administrative agency with its mission to produce accurate and credible statistics?free from political manipulation?the Census Bureau is accountable to its hierarchical authority in the Department of Commerce, Congress, the statistical community, and the courts. Conflicts often take place among these accountability dimensions, breeding controversies in census operations, hindering the bureau's efficiency, and threatening the credibility of census statistics. This article analyzes the causes and consequences of these conflicts and presents ideas for further exploration on the issue of accountability conflict and its impact on the quality and credibility of census statistics.
Ultrafast energy migration in chromophore shell-metal nanoparticle assemblies.

A multifunctional ligand-coated nanoparticle system containing ∼2000 highly two-photon absorptive chromophores has been investigated by means of steady-state and femtosecond time-resolved spectroscopy. This system with a high local concentration of chromophores showed remarkably low self-quenching and a high fluorescence quantum yield, which is important for a variety of two-photon sensing and imaging applications. We have observed evidence for ultrafast energy migration in these chromophore shell−metal nanoparticle systems. Time-resolved experiments also showed non-zero residual anisotropy after the initial fast decay, which can be interpreted as due to the formation of the specific domains on the metal surfaces. This investigation opens new avenues toward the development of multi-chromophoric efficient TPA fluorescence sensing/imaging systems with large numbers of chromophores per one metal particle nanoparticle.
The Cost of Superconducting Magnets as a Function of Stored Energy and Design Magnetic Induction Times the Field Volume

By various theorems one can relate the capital cost of superconducting magnets to the magnetic energy stored within that magnet. This is particularly true for magnet where the cost is dominated by the structure needed to carry the magnetic forces. One can also relate the cost of the magnet to the product of the magnetic induction and the field volume. The relationship used to estimate the cost the magnet is a function of the type of magnet it is. This paper updates the cost functions given in two papers that were published in the early 1990's. The costs (escalated to 2007 dollars) of large numbers of LTS magnets are plotted against stored energy and magnetic field time field volume. Escalated costs for magnets built since the early 1990's are added to the plots.
The Logical Structure of Physics

Crystallizations of genuinely new concepts that are not combinations of concepts already established often mark turning points in the evolution of physics. In retrospect it is possible to view such processes of concept formation as interplays of two types of procedures. The first is what might be called conceptual differentiation. It arises as concepts distilled from past experience are brought to bear on experimental situations that are either novel, or at least more detailed and discriminating than those of the past. In such cases the original concept is usually modified and subdivided leading to a bifurcation or differentiation. An example is the splitting of the undifferentiated concept of calor (heat) into temperature and caloric, and the further subdivision of the latter into energy, entropy and heat quantity.
Rejection of CW Interference in QPSK Systems Using Decision-Feedback Filters

In this paper, the performance of QPSK systems using complex transversal filters with additional decision-feedback taps, in the presence of Gaussian noise and a single CW interferer, is analyzed. Both one-sided (with lagging taps) and two-sided transversal filters with additional decision-feedback taps are considered. Analytic expressions for the tap weights and the minimum mean square errors are obtained. The effect of error propagation on the error probability is discussed and an approximate solution for the error probability is obtained. The transient behavior of the filters using the LMS adaptation algorithm is analyzed. It is shown that if the filter is used for rejecting CW interference only, the one-sided decision-feedback filter is preferred.
Changes in species diversity of arboreal spiders in Mexican coffee agroecosystems: untangling the web of local and landscape influences driving diversity

Agricultural intensification is implicated as a major driver of global biodiversity loss. Local management and landscape scale factors both influence biodiversity in agricultural systems, but there are relatively few studies to date looking at how local and landscape scales influence biodiversity in tropical agroecosystems. Understanding what drives the diversity of groups of organisms such as spiders is important from a pragmatic point of view because of the important biocontrol services they offer to agriculture. Spiders in coffee are somewhat enigmatic because of their positive or lack of response to agricultural intensification. In this study, we provide the first analysis, to our knowledge, of the arboreal spiders in the shade trees of coffee plantations. In the Soconusco region of Chiapas, Mexico we sampled across 38 sites on 9 coffee plantations. Tree and canopy connectedness were found to positively influence overall arboreal spider richness and abundance. We found that different functional groups of spiders are responding to different local and landscape factors, but overall elevation was most important variable influencing arboreal spider diversity. Our study has practical management applications that suggest having shade grown coffee offers more suitable habitat for arboreal spiders due to a variety of the characteristics of the shade trees. Our results which show consistently more diverse arboreal spider communities in lower elevations are important in light of looming global climate change. As the range of suitable elevations for coffee cultivation shrinks promoting arboreal spider diversity will be important in sustaining the viability of coffee.
SPATIALLY SELECTIVE AUDITORY RESPONSES IN THE SUPERIOR COLLICULUS OF THE ECHOLOCATING BAT

When a bat approaches a target, it continuously modifies its echolocation sounds and relies on incoming echo information to shape the characteristics of its subsequent sonar cries. In addition, acoustic information about the azimuth and elevation of a sonar target elicits orienting movements of the head and pinnae toward the sound source. This requires a common sensorimotor interface, where echo information is used to guide motor behaviors. Using single-unit neurophysiological methods and free-field auditory stimulation, we present data on biologically relevant specializations in the superior colliculus (SC) of the bat for orientation by sonar. In the bat’s SC, two classes of spatially tuned neurons are distinguished by their sensitivity to echoes. One population shows facilitated, delay-tuned responses to pairs of sounds, simulating sonar emissions and echoes. Delay tuning, related to encoding target range, may play a role in guiding motor responses in echolocation, because the bat adjusts its emissions with changes in target distance. The delay-facilitated response depends on the direction of stimulation and on the temporal relationship between the simulated emission and echo in the sound pair, suggesting that this class of neurons represents the location of a target in three dimensions. A second population encodes the target in two dimensions, azimuth and elevation, and does not show a facilitated response to echoes delivered from any locus. Encoding of azimuth and elevation may be important for directing head aim, and this class may function in transforming auditory spatial information into signals used to guide acoustic orientation.
Vertical and lateral distribution of lacustrine carbonate lithofacies at the parasequence scale in the Miocene Hot Spring limestone, Idaho: An analog addressing reservoir presence and quality

Lacustrine carbonate lithofacies in the Hot Spring limestone vary systematically at meter to decameter scales and record paleobathymetry, limnologic conditions, and paleogeographic influences. This unit accumulated during the late Miocene in a lake system in an extensional basin complex, closely associated with lava flows and volcaniclastics. Sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy enable understanding and prediction of the occurrence, distribution, and character of lacustrine carbonates. Occurrence of lacustrine carbonates is a function of lake-basin type, in this case a volcanically mediated balanced-filled lake basin that contains various lithofacies: microbialite, grainstone, packstone, wackestone, and carbonate mudstone. Distribution of lithofacies is strongly controlled by depositional subenvironment and gradient (through water depth, bottom energy, circulation, and accommodation). Internal character of microbialites (i.e., type, size, porosity, vertical and horizontal permeability, associated lithotypes, diagenesis) is influenced by stratal position (at the parasequence scale) and location along the depositional profile. Depositional reservoir quality characteristics, such as microbialite porosity and thickness, grainstone size and sorting, and overall carbonate continuity and connectivity peak in the medial sublittoral zone. Conversely, secondary diagenetic effects, such as dissolution, carbonate and quartz cement, and possible authigenic clays, are highest in the updip lake-plain–littoral zones and are less common lakeward. Thus, the medial sublittoral zone has the optimum potential, where primary depositional characteristics are best developed, and negative secondary diagenetic effects are minimal. These strata share many attributes with the Cretaceous presalt systems of the south Atlantic and can provide insights about controls on potential reservoir character, distribution, and connectivity for exploration and development.
How Displaced Are Nondisplaced Fractures of the Medial Humeral Epicondyle in Children? Results of a Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography Analysis

Background: The management of fractures of the medial humeral epicondyle is controversial, but the primary issue is the relationship of outcomes to the extent of fracture displacement. This study compares the use of radiographs and three-dimensional computed tomography for determining the amount of displacement in medial humeral epicondylar injuries deemed to be minimally displaced (<5 mm) or nondisplaced. Methods: A retrospective review was performed on the cases of all patients with a fracture of the medial humeral epicondyle that had been diagnosed as minimally displaced or nondisplaced who were seen over a one-year period at our institution. Measurements of medial and anterior displacement on both the radiographs and three-dimensional computed tomography scan were recorded. Measurements of displacement were also recorded on internal oblique radiographs of the elbow, if available. Demographics, treatment, and any additional findings by computed tomography scans were noted. Means and Student t tests were utilized for statistical analysis. Results: The eleven patients who met the inclusion criteria had a mean age of 12.2 years (range, 7.3 to 15.4 years). One fracture that involved the medial condyle on the computed tomography scan was excluded from the analysis. Anterior displacement was immeasurable on all but one lateral radiograph and recorded as 0 mm; the mean was 0.9 mm, which was significantly less than the anterior displacement on the three-dimensional computed tomography scan (mean, 8.8 mm; range, 0 to 15 mm) (p ≤ 0.001). Conversely, mean medial displacement on anteroposterior radiographs was 3.5 mm (range, 0 to 8 mm), which was significantly more than that measured on three-dimensional computed tomography scans (mean, 0.3 mm; range, 0 to 1.9 mm) (p ≤ 0.001). Mean displacement on internal oblique radiographs of the elbow was 6.6 mm (range, 0 to 10.5 mm) and matched the anterior displacement measurement on the three-dimensional computed tomography scan in three of the six patients (p = 0.037). Five of the six fractures with >1 cm of displacement by three-dimensional computed tomography scan underwent surgical treatment. Conclusions: Standard radiographs (anteroposterior and lateral views) are not sufficient to measure anterior displacement nor accurate enough to measure medial displacement of medial humeral epicondylar fractures. Internal oblique radiographs of the elbow appear to approximate the true anterior displacement, but three-dimensional computed tomography is the most accurate method to assess true displacement. The results of this study demonstrate that fractures that are found to be minimally displaced or nondisplaced by radiographs may have >1 cm of anterior displacement, for which surgery is usually recommended. Level of Evidence: Diagnostic Level I. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.