cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Do Career Concerns Create Incentives for Independent Directors to Monitor Executives

We empirically examine the effect on independent directors’ careers of a firm’s decision to publicly investigate and reveal misbehavior. Using a sample of directors who joined boards after stock option backdating ceased, but before the scandal broke, we compare director career outcomes among firms that issued a restatement, announced a clean investigation and remained silent, despite strong evidence of backdating (“suspect backdating” firms). We find that director turnover, and votes withheld increased by 6% and 5% for directors at firms that restated relative to directors at suspect backdating firms. Further, we find limited benefit to directors if the firm publicly announced a backdating investigation that did not lead to a restatement. Overall, directors are penalized upon the revelation of misbehavior, do not benefit from publicly disclosed investigations that do not uncover misbehavior, and are not penalized for failing to act upon the inference of misbehavior. While these penalties could be rational, they may not create incentives for independent directors to monitor firms.
Secure Estimation of CPS with a Digital Twin

Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs) play an increasingly significant role in many critical applications. These valuable applications attract various sophisticated attacks. This chapter considers a stealthy estimation attack, which aims to modify the state estimation of the CPSs. The intelligent attackers can learn defense strategies and use clandestine attack strategies to avoid detection. To address the issue, we design a Chi-square detector in a Digital Twin (DT), which is an online digital model of the physical system. We use a Signaling Game with Evidence (SGE) to find the optimal attack and defense strategies. Our analytical results show that the proposed defense strategies can mitigate the impact of the attack on the physical estimation and guarantee the stability of the CPSs. Finally, we use an illustrative application to evaluate the performance of the proposed framework.
Medicare Physician Payment Reform - Enhancing Incentives for Value-Based Care.

Medicare Physician Payment Reform Models that hold organizations responsible for managing patients’ total cost of care are an important tool for payment reform. Bringing more clinicians into such m...
Preventing Adolescent and Young Adult Suicide: Do States With Greater Mental Health Treatment Capacity Have Lower Suicide Rates?

Abstract Purpose Youth suicide is increasing at a significant rate and is the second leading cause of death for adolescents. There is an urgent public health need to address the youth suicide. The objective of this study is to determine whether adolescents and young adults residing in states with greater mental health treatment capacity exhibited lower suicide rates than states with less treatment capacity. Methods We conducted a state-level analysis of mental health treatment capacity and suicide outcomes for adolescents and young adults aged 10–24 spanning 2002–2017 using data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other sources. Multivariable linear fixed-effects regression models tested the relationships among mental health treatment capacity and the total suicide, firearm suicide, and nonfirearm suicide rates per 100,000 persons aged 10–24. Results We found a statistically significant inverse relationship between nonfirearm suicide and mental health treatment capacity (p = .015). On average, a 10% increase in a state’s mental health workforce capacity was associated with a 1.35% relative reduction in the nonfirearm suicide rate for persons aged 10–24. There was no significant relationship between mental health treatment capacity and firearm suicide. Conclusions Greater mental health treatment appears to have a protective effect of modest magnitude against nonfirearm suicide among adolescents and young adults. Our findings underscore the importance of state-level efforts to improve mental health interventions and promote mental health awareness. However, firearm regulations may provide greater protective effects against this most lethal method of firearm suicide.
Evaluation of thermo-chemical conversion temperatures of cannabinoid acids in hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) biomass by pressurized liquid extraction.

Background Cannabinoids are increasingly becoming compounds of medical interest. However, cannabis plants only produce carboxylated cannabinoids. In order to access the purported medical benefits of these compounds, the carboxylic acid moiety must be removed. This process is typically performed by heating the plant material or extract; however, cannabinoids being thermolabile can readily degrade, evaporate, or convert to undesired metabolites. Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) operates using a pseudo-closed system under pressure and temperature. While pressure is maintained at 11 MPa, temperature can be varied from ambient to 200 °C. Methods Temperatures were evaluated (80 to 160 °C) using PLE for the thermo-chemical conversion of cannabinoid acids utilizing water as the solvent in the first step of extraction with subsequent extraction with ethanol. Optimum temperatures were established for the conversion of 6 cannabinoid acids to their neutral cannabinoid forms. Cannabinoid acid conversion was monitored by HPLC. Results The use of PLE for thermo-chemical decarboxylation has resulted in a rapid decarboxylation process taking merely 6 min. The temperatures established here demonstrate statistically significant maxima and minima of cannabinoids and their parent cannabinoid acids. One-way ANOVA analysis shows where individual cannabinoids are statistically different, but the combination of the maxima and minima provides temperatures for optimum thermo-chemical conversion. CBC, CBD, CBDV, and CBG have an optimum temperature of conversion of 140 °C, while THC was 120 °C for 6 min. Discussion Decarboxylation of cannabinoid acids is necessary for conversion to the bioactive neutral form. The pseudo-closed chamber of the PLE makes this an ideal system to rapidly decarboxylate the cannabinoid acids due to pressure and temperature, while minimizing loss typically associated with conventional thermal-decarboxylation. This study established the optimum temperatures for thermo-chemical conversion of the cannabinoid acids in water and provides the groundwork for further development of the technology for industrial scale application.
The Problem of Substantiating Initial Axioms

The model described in this Part is constructed on axioms. First we formulate several fundamental statements: then we deduce their consequences. It is important to note, however, that our axioms represent an intuitive, rather than an empirical, basis.
Student Research Award 1999: comparative contrast of voice measurements.

Currently, a variety of objective and subjective measures are available to describe voice and voice function. Despite these various tools, there is no standard measure of voice function that incorporates both objective and subjective measures. The goal of this research was to study the relationship between objective, subjective, and patient-based measures of voice function. Objective voice function was measured with 4 laboratory-based parameters (subglottic pressure, airflow at the lips, maximum phonation time, and vocal efficiency), subjective function with the GRBAS (grade, rough, breathy, asthenic, strained) scale, and patient-based function according to an overall global rating of quality. The objective and subjective measures were significantly related to each other (P < 0.05); the objective and patient-based measures were also related (P = 0.019), but the subjective and patient-based measures were not related. We demonstrate a significant relationship between some but not all measures of voice function. We believe that subjective measures provide additional valuable information not obtained from objective measures alone. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2000;123:164–9.)
Dominance of temperature-sensitive phenotypes: I. Studies of the mechanism of inhibition of the growth of wild-type vesicular stomatitis virus

Abstract It has been reported previously that temperature-sensitive (ts) mutants of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) with an RNA − phenotype interfere with the growth of wild-type (wt)-VSV at both the permissive (34°) and nonpermissive (39.5°) temperatures ( J. S. Youngner and D. O. Quagliana (1976) , J. Virol , 19 , 102–107). Investigation of the mechanism of this interference has revealed the following information. In double infection with RNA − ts mutants and wt-VSV, the cumulative synthesis of viral RNA is inhibited. By varying the relative multiplicities of the two viruses, it was observed that the level of RNA synthesis reflects the level of interference with wt-VSV growth. Although viral RNA synthesis was severely compromised in double infections, this inhibition was not at the level of primary transcription or the translation of primary transcripts. Rather, secondary transcription and genome RNA replication were drastically reduced. Sequential infection with wt-VSV and the ts mutants revealed that there is an early point in the replication cycle of wtVSV (1 to 2 hr) after which the is mutants can no longer interfere with the growth of wtVSV. Ultraviolet irradiation of is G 41, a mutant belonging to complementation group IV, was used to determine the target size of the interference function. The calculated value for the target size was very close to the target size of the N gene. Additional experiments showed that RNA + ts mutants representing complementation groups III and V also were able to interfere with the growth of wt-VSV.
Phonon modes in graphite, C 60 , and C 60 -based fibers

The influence of curvature on the radial vibrational modes in ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ and ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$-based fibers is considered and is shown to lead to a softening of these modes in comparison with the out-of-plane phonon mode in graphite. The effect on the restoring force constants of doping these systems with an alkali metal is then considered. In graphite, intercalation with an alkali metal leads to mode softening: in ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ and ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$-based fibers, on the other hand, it is shown that doping softens the tangential modes, while the curvature stiffens the radial modes.
Connectionism and Systematicity

Connectionists claim that human cognitive computational architecture is connectionist. Proponents of classical computational architectures have challenged this claim, arguing that a pervasive feature of human cognition, its ‘systematicity’, cannot be explained in connectionist terms. Keywords: connectionism; systematicity; cognitive architecture; mental representation
An advanced layered MPP architecture for industrial imaging

The massively parallel hardware approach to computer vision is a relatively new area. The traditional approach uses a parallel general-purpose computer that runs software to take advantage of the parallel processors. The number of parallel processors has varied from two up to a processor per pixel, at least in theory. The proposed approach is ideologically different. This research advocates the processing to be accomplished in layers that are totally parallel, especially at the lower levels. This approach uses dedicated hardware architectures, as opposed to the general-purpose processor, which are customer-oriented and application specific in nature. The system is composed of a new image layer, local communicator layer, processing element layer, and a main control unit. The PE design is facilitated by the development of a CAD designer tool. The goals of this research are to reduce PE complexity, reduce communication bottlenecks, provide for higher speed and throughput, and provide accessibility to portability requirements. The issues that require consideration includes: speed, throughput, system flexibility, system tolerance, and portability. This is why it is critical to determine at what stage of the VLSI design the designer should start to consider these effects. This research proposes to solve the aforementioned problems, in addition to presenting the advantages of the application-specific massively parallel hardware architecture for image recognition systems. This paper presents the background and developments, the technical summary, recommended areas of application, and conclusion.
Acute care of pediatric patients with sickle cell disease: a simulation performance assessment.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common genetic disorderidentiﬁedbynewbornscreeningintheUnitedStates[1].Fewerthan100,000individualshavebeenidentiﬁedashavingSCD,resultinginthisdiseasebeingclassiﬁedasrare[2].Causedbyapointmutationincodon6oftheb-globingene,theresultanthemoglobinSpolymerizeswhendeoxygenatedanddistortsredbloodcellsintothesickleshapedescribed by Herrick in 1910 [3,4]. The combination of decreasedRBC deformability, membrane dysfunction, abnormal nitric oxidemetabolism, and endothelial damage lead to vaso-occlusion andhemolysis [5]. SCD causes tissue ischemia, anemia, and organdamage.Vaso-occlusivepainepisodesarethediseasehallmarkfromwhich life-threatening complications, including acute chest syn-drome and multiple organ failure, can arise [6–8].Vaso-occlusive episodes require health care providers to be asastute in recognizing an impending event as they are in managingclinicalcomplications.AcuteeventsinSCDarerelativelyinfrequentin pediatric medicine [9], and limited patient encounters result infewer educational opportunities for medical students and resi-dents [10]. Acquiring adequate skill for the medical care of indivi-duals with SCD is further hampered by variable clinical exposure,patient geographic distribution, and restrictions on resident workhours[11,12].ThelowrateofacuteeventsinSCD,whileatestamenttomedicaladvances,paradoxicallyplacespediatricresidentsatriskofbeing underprepared when such events do occur [13]. Despite thesechallenges, physicians-trainees require opportunities to learn, teachand provide the deﬁnitive medical care for individuals with rarediseases who present with time sensitive medical complications.Medical simulation is a form of deliberate practice, whichpresentsthelearnerwithataskthathaswell-deﬁnedgoals, aforumfor feedback, and the opportunity for repetition [14]. Byreproducingevents,simulationensuresatrainee’sinitialexperiencein the management of an acutely ill child does not put an actualpatient at risk. In prior studies from our institution, residentsmanaged simulated acute events from a wide range of clinicalencounters[10,15–17].Thepurposeofthisstudywastocreateasetof SCD-speciﬁc acute care scenarios and determine if theassessment could provide reliable and valid measures of pediatrictrainees’ performance. Reliability would be supported throughuniformity in rater scoring and consistency of participantperformance over scenarios. Evidence to support the validity ofthe scores would be obtained by demonstrating more experiencedtrainees outperformed those early in training.
The Biochemistry of Cells

The purpose of this chapter is to present the structure of some of the molecules that make up a cell and to show how they are constructed under the supervision of hereditary elements of the cell. This will lead the way to a mathematical description of biological catalysis at the end of this chapter and is a necessary prelude to the discussion of the human immunodeficiency virus in Chapter 10. As a result, this chapter contains a lot of biological information. We will see that biological molecules can be created outside of a cellular environment, but only very inefficiently. Inside a cell, however, the information for biomolecules is encoded in the genetic material called nucleic acid. Thus we will establish a direct relationship between the chemicals that constitute a cell and the cell’s hereditary information. The topical material of this chapter is organized along the lines of small to large. We begin by presenting a description of the atoms found in cells and then show how they are assembled into small organic molecules. Some of these small molecules can then be polymerized into large biochemical molecules, the biggest of which have molecular weights on the order of billions. These assembly processes are mediated by certain macromolecules which are themselves molecular polymers and whose own assembly has been mediated by similar molecular polymers. Thus we develop a key process in biology—self-replication.
Ferric Uptake Regulator Fur Control of Putative Iron Acquisition Systems in Clostridium difficile

ABSTRACT Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic, Gram-positive, spore-forming opportunistic pathogen and is the most common cause of hospital-acquired infectious diarrhea. Although iron acquisition in the host is a key to survival of bacterial pathogens, high levels of intracellular iron can increase oxidative damage. Therefore, expression of iron acquisition mechanisms is tightly controlled by transcriptional regulators. We identified a C. difficile homologue of the master bacterial iron regulator Fur. Using targetron mutagenesis, we generated a fur insertion mutant of C. difficile. To identify the genes regulated by Fur in C. difficile, we used microarray analysis to compare transcriptional differences between the fur mutant and the wild type when grown in high-iron medium. The fur mutant had increased expression of greater than 70 transcriptional units. Using quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR), we analyzed several of the Fur-regulated genes identified by the microarray and verified that they are both iron and Fur regulated in C. difficile. Among those Fur- and iron-repressed genes were C. difficile genes encoding 7 putative cation transport systems of different classes. We found that Fur was able to bind the DNA upstream of three Fur-repressed genes in electrophoretic mobility shift assays. We also demonstrate that expression of Fur-regulated putative iron acquisition systems was increased during C. difficile infection using the hamster model. Our data suggest that C. difficile expresses multiple iron transport mechanisms in response iron depletion in vitro and in vivo. IMPORTANCEClostridium difficile is the most common cause of hospital-acquired infectious diarrhea and has been recently classified as an “urgent” antibiotic resistance threat by the CDC. To survive and cause disease, most bacterial pathogens must acquire the essential enzymatic cofactor iron. While import of adequate iron is essential for most bacterial growth, excess intracellular iron can lead to extensive oxidative damage. Thus, bacteria must regulate iron import to maintain iron homeostasis. We demonstrate here that C. difficile regulates expression of several putative iron acquisition systems using the transcriptional regulator Fur. These import mechanisms are induced under iron-limiting conditions in vitro and during C. difficile infection of the host. This suggests that during a C. difficile infection, iron availability is limited in vivo.
Pneumotaxic area neuronal discharge during sleep-waking states in the cat

We examined the spontaneous activity of single neurons within the nucleus parabrachialis medialis (NPBM; pneumotaxic center) of unanesthetized, unrestrained cats in relation to the respiratory cycle during different sleep-waking states. State-related changes were found in the mean discharge rate of NPBM neurons and in the relationship of their activity to the respiratory cycle. These changes in pneumotaxic center neuronal activity paralleled the variations in respiratory patterns associated with different sleep-waking states. State-related changes in NPBM neuronal activity could partially account for the different respiratory patterns of each sleep-waking state by modulating inspiratory-expiratory phase transitions.
Supraophthalmic carotid infusion with low dose cisplatin and BCNU for malignant glioma

Arterial infusion of select chemotherapeutic agents has been shown to deliver increased drug concentration to brain tumors with reduced systemic toxicity. In this study, nine patients with histologically confirmed malignant glioma received cisplatin 110 mg and BCNU 300 mg fixed dose. All patients had received standard doses of cranial radiation after their initial surgical procedures. In three patients, intraoperative modification of the cerebral circulation was accomplished prior to the actual infusion because the vascular supply of the tumor arose from major arteries other than a single internal carotid artery. Supraophthalmic catheterization technique was employed. No neurological deficits occurred post infusion. The radiographic response rate was 25%. No responses were seen in patients who received less than 69 mg/M2 cisplatin this combination. The longest survival is 11+ months in a patient with anaplastic astrocytoma. Our first thirteen patients received cisplatin 150–200 mg and BCNU 300 mg for each infusion with a response rate of 83% in evaluable patients. Since modest reduction in cisplatin dose dramatically reduced the response rate, future studies should be directed at fine tuning the dose of this drug, or at neutralizing recirculating drug after its high dose first pass through the arterial circulation.
Effect of hyperthermia on cisplatin (CDDP) disposition to isolated perfused skin.

Hyperthermia has previously been postulated to enhance tissue uptake of systemically administered chemotherapeutic drugs. Normothermic (36.2°C) and hyperthermic (42.1°C) isolated perfused porcine skin flaps (IPPSF) were infused with cisplatin (CDDP) to assess any influence of heat on drug disposition to skin. A three-compartment physiologically relevant model was employed to interpret kinetically the measured arterial and venous flux profiles. Additionally, non-parametric methods were applied to these data in an effort to confirm the propriety of the model. Results of both approaches suggest that heat does not increase tissue uptake of CDDP after infusion in isolated perfused skin, although it does increase the mobility of CDDP as evidenced by shorter transit times through the IPPSF. These findings are similar to those seen in skin in vivo, but do not predict the enhanced in vivo uptake seen with hyperthermia in more highly perfused tissues.
Electromagnetic and Conventional Guns Comparison from a Mechanics and Material Perspective

Electromagnetic (EM) railguns are similar to conventional guns in that both provide forward acceleration to the projectile, while sustaining the EM force or pressure during launch of projectiles. They both are subjected to an extreme thermal and erosive condition resulting from electrical resistance or combustion gas. While there are similarities, there are also striking differences due to the difference of propulsion mechanisms. Both are explored and compared in the present paper with emphasis placed on the aspect of materials and mechanics.
Active Vibration Control of Rotating Machinery With a Hybrid Piezohydraulic Actuator System

An integrated, compact piezohydraulic actuator system for active vibration control was designed and developed with a primary application for gas turbine aircraft engines. Copper tube was chosen as the transmission line material for ease of assembly. Liquid plastic, which meets incompressibility and low-viscosity requirements, was adjusted to provide optimal actuator performance. Variants of the liquid plastic have been prepared with desired properties between {minus}40 F and 400 F. The effectiveness of this hybrid actuator for active vibration control (AVC) was demonstrated for suppressing critical speed vibration through two critical speeds for various levels of intentionally placed imbalance. A high-accuracy closed-loop simulation, which combines both finite element and state space methods, was applied for the closed-loop unbalance response simulation with/without AVC. Good correlation between the simulation and test results was achieved.
Inheritance of hypophosphatasia

A system of multiple, codominant alleles (HN, HC, HI) is proposed for the inheritance of hypophosphatasia. These alleles are associated with a single autosomal locus which determines the presence or absence of hypophosphatasia among human subjects. Either HC or HI conditions hypophosphatasia whereas HN conditions the absence of this disorder. Only one genotype, HNHN, produces the absence of hypophosphatasia. Either HNHC or HNHI produces adult hypophosphatasia. Either HCHC or HCHI produces childhood hypophosphatasia. Only HIHI produces infantile (neonatal) hypophosphatasia. HI is lethal only in a homozygous state. HN occurs at a much higher frequency in human populations than either HC or HI. Any one of the hypophosphatasic genotypes is thought to exert the same degree of epistatic effect on enzyme activity within the bone/liver/kidney complex of alkaline phosphatases. These alleles and genotypes are considered to be completely penetrant but show variable expressivity within each class of hypophosphatasia.
Grain boundary niobium carbides in Inconel 718

A coordinated, multidisciplinary investigation was conducted to determine the mechanisms and rate controlling processes for environmentally assisted crack growth under sustained (static) loading in Inconel 718 at elevated temperatures. The results showed that oxygen had a significant influence on crack growth, increasing the crack growth rate, for example, by nearly four orders of magnitude at 973 K. Based on results from the companion surface chemical and metallurgical studies, it was suggested that the mechanism for crack growth enhancement by oxygen was the formation and fracture of a brittle niobium oxide (Nb{sub 2}O{sub 5}-type) film on the grain boundary surfaces. The Nb came principally from the oxidation and decomposition of NbC (or Nb-rich carbides) at the grain boundaries, and crack growth was controlled by the rate of oxidation and decomposition of these carbides. Because there was extensive oxidation of the primary NbC, these carbides were implicitly considered to be the primary source of Nb. Although these carbides were large and contained substantial amounts of Nb, they were too few and spaced too far apart to be of concern (averaging one NbC for two grain boundary facets and spaced about 25 {micro}m apart). To wit, whether the freed Nb could diffuse overmore » such a large distance and be oxidized to support the postulated mechanism for crack growth? The presence of other Nb-rich carbides elsewhere on the grain boundaries, or other sources for Nb, therefore, needs to be re-examined and is the focus of this study. In this paper, the results of a study of grain boundary niobium carbides and their distribution in Inconel 718 are reported, and are discussed in terms of their contribution to crack growth.« less
Effect of intravenous ethanol on pancreatic secretion in the conscious rat

To study whether the secretory state of thein vivo pancreas affects its response to ethanol, we administered ethanol intravenously to conscious rats in the presence and absence of exogenous secretin. In the absence of secretin when pancreatic secretion was maintained at basal levels, intravenous ethanol produced a significant stimulation of the flow rate, bicarbonate concentration, and protein concentration. This response persisted despite elimination of gastric acid production by infusion of the H2 receptor antagonist cimetidine. In contrast, intravenous ethanol inhibited the flow rate and bicarbonate concentration when pancreatic secretion was augmented by the infusion of GIH secretin. Thus, the rat pancreas responds differently to intravenous ethanol in the basal and secretin-stimulated states. These results may account for the lack of agreement regarding the pancreatic effects of systemic ethanol.
Listening to Students: Creating Democratic Spaces

It was Stephen Bloch-Schulman's turn to facilitate class, and he was about to begin. However, he paused for a moment, and a smile crept onto his face. “Everyone, follow me.” He grabbed his hat and ...
Toward an understanding of implant occlusion and strain adaptive bone modeling and remodeling

Abstract Statement of problem. Dental implant failure rates for osseointegration are greater in the highly atro-phic maxilla. Presuming higher failure rates relate to strain-driven adaptation, an enhanced understanding of formative bone response to loading (modeling) and maintenance of an integrated state (remodeling) should improve treatment. Purpose. To understand the role of occlusal loading on long-term osseointegration in areas of compromised cancellous bone, a review of the salient features of adaptive bone modeling and remodeling is presented with an emphasis on cancellous bone responses. Conclusions. The ability for dental implants to maintain a long-term stable interface in the maxilla lies in the ability of trabecular bone to maintain adequate local material (strength) and architectural (connectivity) properties. In this discussion, an emphasis has been placed on understanding how trabecular bone can respond to the mastication-induced loading environment on an implant. (J Prosthet Dent 1999;81:553-61.)
An overview of the BEB method for electron‐impact ionization of atoms and molecules

An accurate and simple method for the calculation of electron-impact ionization cross sections of atoms and molecules was developed by Kim and Rudd in 1994. Since then, many articles by Kim and coworkers have demonstrated the validity of the technique and have applied it to various atomic and molecular systems. The method is particularly useful for computational modeling, where numerous cross sections are needed. This paper presents the basic formulas and method of calculation, shows applications to some neutral atoms, and describes the NIST website where results of recent calculations are available. The limitations of the method as well as the advantages are outlined. Published in 2005 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reproduction in the California Red Scale, Aonidiella aurantii. II. Mating Behavior and Postinsemination Female Changes

Individual males of Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) inseminated an average 11.9 females (range of 0–30). Neither age of males (up to 4 hours after emergence) nor abundance of females influenced mating capacity of males. Females mated with a maximum of 8 different males, but the multiple matings did not influence the reproductive potential. Virgin females were attractive from the time the gray margin began to develop for as long as 84 days thereafter (107 days from crawlers) as long as they had not been inseminated. They were most attractive during the 1st and 2nd weeks after the gray margin began (4–5 weeks from crawler stage). Within 24 hours after insemination, the females (distinguishable by the irreversible retraction of the pygidium) became unattractive. Mating occurred at levels of illumination from 0 to 200–240 foot-candles and during all periods of the day, but was most frequent during the late afternoon when males normally emerge.
Metal-organic frameworks from zinc sulfite clusters, chains, and sheets: 4-connected, (3,4)-connected 3-D frameworks and 2-D arrays of catenane-like interlocking rings.

Even though open-framework solids have been made in a variety of compositions such as silicates, phosphates, germanates, borates, and phosphites, few are known that are based on trigonal-pyramidal sulfite anions. We report here the first synthetic and structural studies of metal−organic framework materials in the zinc sulfite composition. It is demonstrated here that Zn2+ and SO32- can form various neutral inorganic subunits that can be 0-D clusters, 1-D chains, or 2-D sheets. These inorganic subunits of different dimensionality can subsequently be connected into extended frameworks of higher dimensionality through bifunctional ligands. In (ZnSO3)2en, infinite corrugated ZnSO3 layers are pillared by ethylenediamine (en) molecules into a 3-D network that can be classified as a (3,4)-connected net based on tetrahedral Zn nodes and trigonal-pyramidal S nodes. In (ZnSO3)pip, infinite ZnSO3 chains are cross-linked with piperazine molecules into a 3-D framework that can be classified as 4-connected net based on...
Bacterial Adaptation through Loss of Function

The metabolic capabilities and regulatory networks of bacteria have been optimized by evolution in response to selective pressures present in each species' native ecological niche. In a new environment, however, the same bacteria may grow poorly due to regulatory constraints or biochemical deficiencies. Adaptation to such conditions can proceed through the acquisition of new cellular functionality due to gain of function mutations or via modulation of cellular networks. Using selection experiments on transposon-mutagenized libraries of bacteria, we illustrate that even under conditions of extreme nutrient limitation, substantial adaptation can be achieved solely through loss of function mutations, which rewire the metabolism of the cell without gain of enzymatic or sensory function. A systematic analysis of similar experiments under more than 100 conditions reveals that adaptive loss of function mutations exist for many environmental challenges. Drawing on a wealth of examples from published articles, we detail the range of mechanisms through which loss-of-function mutations can generate such beneficial regulatory changes, without the need for rare, specific mutations to fine-tune enzymatic activities or network connections. The high rate at which loss-of-function mutations occur suggests that null mutations play an underappreciated role in the early stages of adaption of bacterial populations to new environments.
Analysis of Resin Transfer Molding With High Permeability Layers

In resin transfer molding (RTM) a high permeability layer (HPL) is placed on top of the fiber mat lay-up to reduce mold filling time and increase the ultimate distance resin can be drawn into the mold. HPL's are particularly useful in vacuum bag resin transfer molding (VBRTM), where driving pressures are relatively low. When compared to traditional closed mold RTM, VBRTM has the advantages of low capital costs and short start up time. The goal of the current research is to investigate how an HPL can be used to improve quality and process efficiency for parts of complex geometry made by both conventional and vacuum bag RTM. As a first step towards this goal, the effect of the HPL on the flow field has been studied through analysis, experiment and simulation. As expected, the use of the HPL creates a transverse (i.e., top-to-bottom) flow in the fiber mat, facilitating mold filling. The thickness of the HPL has been varied to determine the effects on the flow front. The experimental results validate the capability of the simulation to model two-dimensional flow in a porous medium with heterogeneous permeability.
In vivo dissociation kinetics of [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate: relationship to muscarinic receptor concentration and in vitro kinetics

Abstract The in vivo washout kinetics of [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate ([3H]QNB) varies significantly in various structures in the rat brain. The slowest washout rates are from the hippocampus, corpus striatum, and cortex, intermediate rates are exhibited from the thalamus and colliculi, while the fastest washout rate is from the cerebellum. We have also demonstrated a difference in the in vitro dissociation rates (k−1) of [3H]QNB from various structures. The k−1 for the hippocampus, corpus striatum and cortex, is two-fold slower than that observed in the thalamus, colliculi, and cerebellum. The differences in the in vitro dissociation kinetics are not, however, sufficient to explain the differences in the in vivo washout kinetics. We have developed a theoretical formulation which describes conditions under which the washout kinetics are a function of the concentration of receptor in a structure. Furthermore, we present a graphical method in which a plot of the reciprocal of the observed washout rate constant, 1/kobs, vs receptor concentration is linear. Analysis of the washout kinetics of [3H]QNB from various structures of the CNS of rat were well described by this theory when the differences in in vitro k−1 are included.
Omnidirectional resonance in microcavity for high resolution filter

We report a high sensitive (FWHM~50nm) microcavity comprising a metal-dielectric-metal (MDM) geometry with omnidirectional resonance behavior theoretically and experimentally. Applications of such a microcavity for angle-insensitive high resolution spectrum filters will be presented.
KERATINOCYTES DIFFERENTIATE IN RESPONSE TO INHIBITORS OF DEOXYRIBONUCLEOTIDE SYNTHESIS

We previously reported that methotrexate (MTX) caused an irreversible inhibition of growth and induced terminal differentiation of human keratinocytes. These effects of methotrexate were prevented by thymidine and thus, were attributed to depletion of thymine deoxyribonucleotides. The purpose of the research reported in this paper was to determine whether differentiation was induced by the general class of agents which are known to interfere with synthesis or utilization of deoxyribonucleotides. Agents examined included 5-fluorouracil, 5-bromodeoxyuridine, hydroxyurea, high-dose thymidine, aphidicolin, and AG#85, a newly reported thymidylate synthase inhibitor. All these agents increased the expression of involucrin and increased the amount of cornified envelope protein at doses that inhibited proliferation by > 75%. We demonstrated, however, that in our cell culture system not all conditions producing inhibition of proliferation induced differentiation; withdrawal of growth factors and supplemental amino acids inhibited proliferation but did not increase involucrin expression or production of cornified envelope protein.
The Political Foundations of Bureaucratic Autonomy: A Response to Kernell

Bureaucrats are politicians of a sort, and bureaucracies are organizations of political actors. Bureaucracies gain a measure of autonomy when they are able to successfully practice a politics of legitimacy. When and where they are found, autonomous bureaucrats launch policy innovations that differ materially from the designs of elected authorities. Autonomous bureaucrats build these program innovations slowly, and they try to generate visible efficiency from these innovations. The most successful bureaucrats, however, transcend achievements such as “innovation” and “efficiency.” They get their hands dirty, and they engage in coalition politics. They assemble broadbased alliances behind their new programs, coalitions wrought from the multiple networks in which these unique bureaucrats travel.
Interaction of sodium dodecyl sulfate with tyrosyl chromophores in ribonuclease A and model compounds.

Abstract Ultraviolet difference spectra, solvent perturbation difference spectra, and temperature perturbation difference spectra indicate that tyrosyl residues of model compounds are affected by sodium dodecyl sulfate. This effect is dependent on the nature of the model compound, being enhanced by positive charges, and is attributed to partial masking of the tyrosyl chromophores by sodium dodecyl sulfate. With reduced carboxymethylated ribonuclease as a model, all three difference spectral methods can be interpreted as indicating nearly complete externalization of tyrosyl chromophores in ribonuclease in the detergent. With small tyrosyl model compounds the calculated number of external tyrosyl residues depends on the nature of the model compound. Using net positively charged tyrosyl compounds as models, nearly 6 external tyrosyl residues are calculated for RNase. N-Acetyltyrosine amide or N-acetyltyrosine esters appear to be inadequate models for tyrosine in proteindetergent solutions because of their weak interactions with detergents.
The peripheral blood flow in hyperthyroidism

Abstract This report concerns studies of the circulation in eighteen patients who were suffering from hyperthyroidism, with special reference to peripheral blood flow. A modification of the method of Hardy and Soderstrom was used to measure peripheral blood flow. The results may be summarized as follows: 1. 1. The peripheral blood flow in c.c./M2/min. was increased in hyperthyroidism at a time when the basal metabolic rate was elevated, decreased during iodine therapy, with a parallel fall in basal metabolic rate, and decreased still further after subtotal thyroidectomy. 2. 2. There was a linear relationship between peripheral blood flow and basal metabolic rate in hyperthyroidism, in that, “during iodine” and “after operation,” the fall in basal metabolic rate was associated with a decrease in peripheral blood flow. 3. 3. In hyperthyroidism the peripheral resistance was low; it increased with iodine therapy, and increased still further after subtotal thyroidectomy. These changes were roughly in inverse ratio to the basal metabolic rate and peripheral blood flow. 4. 4. The cardiac output, in the one case in which it was estimated before treatment, was increased, and showed changes parallel to those in basal metabolic rate and peripheral blood flow in the subsequent periods. 5. 5. Velocity of blood flow, basal metabolic rate, and peripheral blood flow followed the same trend. When the basal metabolic rate and peripheral blood flow were high, the velocity of blood flow was increased. Under iodine therapy and after subtotal thyroidectomy, successive decreases in all occurred. 6. 6. Average skin temperature, measured with a Hardy-Soderstrom radiometer, pulse rate, and pulse pressure followed roughly the fall in basal metabolic rate. 7. 7. No direct relationship was observed between average skin temperature and the temperature of the hand and foot; this was particularly the case with respect to the foot.
Comparison of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in interruption of the aortic arch and in coarctation of the aorta, with diagnostic, developmental, and surgical implications.

A morphometric comparison of the anatomic causes of left ventricular (LV) outflow obstruction in interruption of the aortic arch and in coarctation of the aorta with ventricular septal defect (VSD), based on 30 postmortem cases of each, revealed that posterior malalignment of the conal septum with a conoventricular VSD was significantly more prevalent with interruption (93%) than with coarctation (47%) (p <0.001). The ratio of the aortic valve diameter-to-the pulmonary valve diameter, which provided a quantitative index of the degree of posterior conal septal malalignment and of the consequent LV outflow tract obstruction at and immediately below the level of the aortic valve, was significantly smaller with interruption (≤0.50 in 67%) than with coarctation (≤0.50 in 17%) (p <0.001). A bicuspid or unicuspid aortic valve, both with interruption and with coarctation, was more prevalent with posterior conal septal malalignment (74%) than with normal conal septal alignment (42%) (p <0.05). Posterior conal septal malalignment was associated with LV outflow tract obstruction at 3 different sites: subvalvar, annular, and leaflet. The anatomic findings explain the incidence of postoperative LV outflow tract obstruction in patients with interrupted aortic arch after simple VSD closure, and may support a surgical strategy of elevating or otherwise removing the posteriorly malaligned conal septum from the LV outflow tract at the time of VSD closure.
Molecular-scale force measurement in a coiled-coil peptide dimer by electron spin resonance.

In this communication we demonstrate a new experimental method for measuring intercoil forces that is based on electron spin labeling and double electron-electron resonance (DEER) spectroscopy. The model system used for these measurements is derived from the R-helical coiled-coil leucine zipper (LZ) portion (residues 243-281) of the yeast transcriptional activator GCN4 6 (PDB entry 1YSA), which has recently been characterized by single-site spin labeling. 7 The 4.5 nm × 3 nm leucine zipper subdomain consists of two identical polypeptides. GCN4-LZ was prepared using solid-phase Fmoc-protection chemistry with a TOAC spin label at residue 248 as shown in Figure 1. Details of the peptide synthesis are given in the Supporting Information. The Multicoil score 8 for the GCN4-LZ sequence (neglecting TOAC) is 0.83, indicating a strong propensity to form a coiled-coil dimer that is reinforced by TOAC’s tendency to adapt
Elementary theory of Brownian motion of trapped domains in lipid monolayers

An elementary theoretical model is described for the Brownian motion of circular lipid domains electrostatically trapped within larger circular lipid domains in monolayers at the air-water interface. Earlier work is briefly reviewed, in which it is shown that the r.m.s. amplitude of the trapped Brownian motion follows a simple Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, and can be used to determine the absolute value of the difference of dipole densities in the two co-existing phases [mu]. A comparison of this dipole density difference with that obtained from surface potential measurements provides a critical test of the theoretical model. It is also shown that the kinetics of Brownian motion can be analyzed to provide information on monolayer fluid mechanics and to provide a further test of the model. It is pointed out that the ease with which domain movements can be observed in the fluorescence microscope, coupled with the fact that the energies involved are only of the order of magnitude of kT, suggests that lipid monolayers can be used to detect weak specific intermolecular bonds between ligands incorporated in the lipid monolayer, and receptors fixed in the aqueous subphase.
Influence of structural flexibility and wave interference on dynamic behavior of idealized offshore platform

Abstract An approximate method is presented to estimate the hydrodynamic loading and structural response of an idealized offshore platform subjected to a regular train of linear surface waves. The platform is taken to consist of four bottom-mounted, flexible, circular cylinders supporting a rigid deck and is assumed to be aligned parallel to the incident wave direction. The response of each column is assumed to be one-dimensional and to be governed by linear beam theory. The solution technique for the fluid velocity potential involves replacing scattered waves by equivalent plane waves together with non-planar, first-correction terms, and can be shown to be a large spacing approximation. Numerical results are presented which show the effect of hydrodynamic interference and structural flexibility on the platform response.
Seronegative spondyloarthropathies and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis in ancient northern Chile.

Bioarchaeological research of ancient Amerindians was undertaken to test the hypothesis that seronegative spondyloarthropathies (SNS) and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) existed in prehistoric South Americans. An osteological-radiographic model was developed from clinical literature and systematically applied to 504 archaeological human remains housed at the Universidad de Tarapaca in Arica, Chile, to search for evidence of these arthritides. The results showed that SNS existed with an average frequency of 7% for the adult sample and DISH averaged 4% in individuals over 40 years old. It was found that the antiquity of SNS date back at least 5,000 years in both New World and Old World populations. In contrast, the antiquity of DISH in the Americas is not clear because no previous studies have dealt with this subject; however, this research finds mild DISH cases dating back 4,000 years in northern Chile. It was also found that SNS and DISH exhibit a trend of increasing incidence with the advent of agro-pastoral activities and village formation.