cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Unnecessary Computations in Web Applications

Web applications are widely used in many different daily activities-such as online shopping, navigation through maps, and social networking-in both desktop and mobile environments. Advances in technology, such as network connection, hardware platforms, and software design techniques, have empowered Web developers to design Web pages that are highly rich in content and engage users through an interactive experience. However, the performance of Web applications is not ideal today, and many users experience poor quality of service, including long page load times and irregular animations. One of the contributing factors to low performance is the very design of Web applications, particularly Web browsers. In this work, we argue that there are unnecessary computations in today's Web applications, which are completely or most likely wasted. We first describe the potential unnecessary computations at a high level, and then design a profiler based on dynamic backward program slicing that detects such computations. Our profiler reveals that for four different websites, only 45% of dynamically executed instructions are useful in rendering the main page, on average. We then analyze and categorize unnecessary computations. Our analysis shows that processing JavaScript codes is the most notable category of unnecessary computations, specifically during page loading. Therefore, such computations are either completely wasted or could be deferred to a later time, i.e., when they are actually needed, thereby providing higher performance and better energy efficiency.
Indirect traumatic optic neuropathy induced by primary blast: a fluid-structure interaction study

Current knowledge of traumatic ocular injury is still limited as most studies have focused on the ocular injuries that happened at the anterior part of the eye, whereas the damage to the optic nerve known as traumatic optic neuropathy is poorly understood. The goal of this study is to understand the mechanism of the traumatic optic neuropathy following the primary blast through a fluid-structure interaction model. A 3D eye model with detailed orbital components was developed to capture the dynamics of the eye under the blast wave. Our numerical results demonstrated a transient pressure elevation in both vitreous and cerebrospinal fluid. A high strain rate over 100 s-1 was observed throughout the optic nerve during the blast with the most vulnerable part located at the intracanalicular region. The optic nerve deformed at such a high strain rate may account for the axonal damage and vision loss in patients subjected to the primary blast. Results from this work would enhance the understanding of indirect traumatic optic neuropathy and provide guidance in the design of protective eyewear against such injury.
How To Stop Paying Lip-service to Class—And Why It Won’t Happen

Literary and cultural scholars now generally agree that where gender, ethnicity, and class are concerned, class for some decades has been bringing up the rear, not only in the attention it receives but also in the practical results of this attention as compared with the attention given gender and ethnicity. Many feel distressed by the imbalance and sometimes strive to correct it, and here I will argue that this is easier said than done in our intellectual situation of these recent decades. For it is not as if we have deliberately shied away from the subject of class for fear of being accused of fomenting class warfare. It is rather that our efforts have been discouraged or aborted because class continues to resist the analytical methods, categories, and vocabulary that have become hegemonic among us because they have proved so productive for gender and ethnicity while also keeping class invisible. Gender and ethnicity, along with sexual orientation, post-coloniality, and other forms of difference, have been analyzed primarily as geographical sites of identity and oppression. But when you try to analyze class in that way, either you must resort to the conceptually problematic upper, middle, and lower, as sites whose origins, parameters, and persistence remain fundamentally inexplicable, or for all practical purposes you must come up empty. Class cannot be understood as a geographical site because, in the imperishable words of my marxist mentors, “class is an adjective, not a noun” (Resnick & Wolff 1997: 159). It is a particular form of the temporal process of human exploitation in the daily work that we do rather than our physical characteristics or political disempowerment. Class exploitation in all of its forms produces poverty, of course, and poverty can indeed be construed as a geographical site with its own problematic of identity and culture. But when we speak of the culture of poverty, we don’t mean at
Waltzing in Weimar: disability culture perspectives at the Bauhaus

In March 2015, the international dance laboratory Metabody kindly invited me to their performance research session at the Bauhaus Universitat in Weimar, to give a lecture on community performance a...
End-to-End Drug Supply Management in Multicenter Trials

As clinical trials are increasingly globalized with complex footprints over hundreds of sites worldwide, sponsors and contract research organizations constantly seek to make better and faster decisions on their investigational products, and drug supply planning must evolve to ensure efficient, effective supply chain for every study. This endeavor is challenging due to several characteristics of multi-center trials including randomization schemes for treatment arms, finite recruitment target (that is, across all sites, only a finite number of subjects need be satisfied) and uncertainty in recruitment, etc. In this paper, we provide an operational framework for end-to-end supply management for global trials. In particular, we utilize the Poisson-gamma model for patient recruitment since it facilitates accurate predictions of remaining time as well as the number of future recruits. Further, we can also derive closed-form formulas for parameters of inventory policies used in a multi-echelon system, which provides the foundation for analytically-based simulation. Finally, thorough numerical studies show insights into influencing factors to drug supply decisions.
3D-Printed Microfluidic Devices for Enhanced Online Sampling and Direct Optical Measurements

3D printing has emerged as a robust technique to fabricate reliable and reproducible microfluidic devices. However, a limitation of 3D-printed devices has been the low transparency even when printed in a "clear" material. There are currently no reports regarding direct optical measurements through a 3D-printed device. Here, we present for the first time that the printing orientation can affect the transparency of a 3D-printed object. With the optimal orientation, we printed a microfluidic detector that was sufficiently transparent (transmittance ≈ 80%) for optical quantitation. This finding is significant because it shows the feasibility to directly 3D-print optical components for analytical applications. In addition, we created a novel microfluidic dialysis device via 3D printing, which enabled higher flow rates (for sampling with high temporal resolution) and increased extraction efficiency than commercially available ones. By coupling the microfluidic detector and dialysis probe, we successfully measured the release kinetics of indole from biofilms in a continuous, automated, and near real-time fashion. Indole is an intercellular signaling molecule in biofilms, which may regulate antibiotic resistance. The release kinetics of this molecule had not been quantitated likely because of the lack of a suitable analytical tool. Our results fill this knowledge gap.
Monteiro’s Hornbills Tockus monteiri do not exhibit addition indeterminacy

Birds that respond to the addition/removal of eggs by laying fewer/extra eggs are known as indeterminate layers. Species that are insensitive to additions/removals are said to be determinate layers...
The Importance of Interest Development Across STEM Learning Environments

Interest drives our vocations and avocations. It influences what we do and enjoy at home, at school, at work, and at play. This chapter will define interest and explore the nature of interest and learning, especially in the STEM classroom. Pedagogical recommendations are offered to educators and instructional designers based on viewing learning through the lens of interest development.
Development and Applications of the ReaxFF Reactive Force Field for Biological Systems

The ReaxFF method has been successfully applied to study a wide range of chemistries in the fields of materials and biomolecular science, e.g., hydrocarbons, metal/metal oxides, combustion, catalysis, atomic layer deposition, DNA oxidation, and hydrolysis. In this work, we focus on current and potential future applications of ReaxFF to biological systems using various ReaxFF force field parameterizations specifically developed for the study of common reactive processes in biochemistry, including (1) RNA/DNA cleavage, (2) protonation/deprotonation of imidazole-Zn-ligand complexes, and (3) Cu-catalyzed and noncatalyzed peptide bond hydrolysis. First, ReaxFF reproduced the cleavage mechanism for phosphodiester linkage of RNA and DNA with the atomic level picture. Cleaving RNA yields a 2′-OH,3′-phosphate and a 5′-OH nucleoside via 3′,5′-cyclic phosphate intermediate. Also, due to the absence of a 2′-hydroxyl group in DNA, DNA is cleaved by the nucleophilic attack of water on the phosphorus center, producing a 5′-OH nucleoside and a nucleotide. Second, the interactions between Zn(II) metal and various ligands were successfully compared between ReaxFF and the earlier DFT work, which the ligand dissociation energies and proton affinities are systematically examined in Zn-ligand (L) complexes (L = NH2, NH3, NHCH2, NCH2, and NCH2CH3 functional groups, imidazole, and H2O). Using this force field, we performed a reactive MD simulation for the formation of Zn(Im)n(H2O)m in aqueous at 300 K. The results show that the mixed ligand Zn(Im)n(H2O)m complexes are allowed to have various coordination numbers, due to the dynamic nature of Zn(II) coordination. One of the common and important ligands in metalloprotein is imidazole in a histidine residue. The role of imidazole as a proton donor and acceptor is very essential for the proton transfer occurring at enzyme active sites. We showed that ReaxFF can describe the pH-dependent protonation state of imidazole by investigating the energy barriers for the protonation and performing a reactive MD simulation for the formation of imidazolium cations at low pH. Finally, we compared ReaxFF results for catalyzed and uncatalyzed peptide bond hydrolysis mechanisms. It is found that the transition state is stabilized significantly by the formation of a Cu(II)-complex. The ReaxFF potential energy profiles along the reaction pathway for both catalyzed and uncatalyzed hydrolysis reactions are in excellent agreement with the DFT. The role of imidazole as a bridge for the proton transfer and its biological significance in the Ser-His-Asp catalytic triad were further discussed.
Differentiating instruction in the pre-service science education classroom

In today’s increasingly diverse classrooms, instructors must be prepared to use a variety of teaching methods in an attempt at reaching all students. Students enter the classroom with a vast array of experiences, backgrounds, and other diversity markers that can impact their perceptions and skill level in science courses. This is of particular importance in the field of teacher training, where students need to not only study innovative teaching techniques but authentically experience these techniques that are varied. The purpose of this paper is to demystify differentiated instruction in the science methods classroom and provide strategies for assessment, materials access, and activities. Throughout instruction and assessment, students are given voice, the opportunity to provide input regarding what and how they learn, and choice, the opportunity to opt for activities/assessments they find interesting, stimulating, or match their learning preferences. Finally, differentiation is a philosophy of education that not only acknowledges but celebrates diversity and differences in students. As we prepare these students to become teachers, it is imperative that students not only discuss instructional strategies but authentically experience them as well. Differentiation gives the professor the ability to be the “guide on the side” and provide the students a wider range of discussion and demonstration of common goals.
Increased integration between default mode and task-relevant networks in children with ADHD is associated with impaired response control

Abstract Default mode network (DMN) dysfunction is theorized to play a role in attention lapses and task errors in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In ADHD, the DMN is hyperconnected to task-relevant networks, and both increased functional connectivity and reduced activation are related to poor task performance. The current study extends existing literature by considering interactions between the DMN and task-relevant networks from a brain network perspective and by assessing how these interactions relate to response control. We characterized both static and time-varying functional brain network organization during the resting state in 43 children with ADHD and 43 age-matched typically developing (TD) children. We then related aspects of network integration to go/no-go performance. We calculated participation coefficient (PC), a measure of a region’s inter-network connections, for regions of the DMN, canonical cognitive control networks (fronto-parietal, salience/cingulo-opercular), and motor-related networks (somatomotor, subcortical). Mean PC was higher in children with ADHD as compared to TD children, indicating greater integration across networks. Further, higher and less variable PC was related to greater commission error rate in children with ADHD. Together, these results inform our understanding of the role of the DMN and its interactions with task-relevant networks in response control deficits in ADHD.
Control of Transcription Termination and Antitermination

This chapter provides a review of the current structural and kinetic models for transcription elongation and termination. It describes the regulatory molecules that are known to influence the elongation/termination decision by RNA polymerase (RNAP), with the emphasis on the most recent findings and on the mechanism of ‘‘active’’ regulators whose actions are not limited to changes in RNA folding. Interactions between RNAP and the nucleic acid chains, as well as the RNA:DNA pairing in the hybrid, all contribute to the extraordinary stability of the elongating transcription elongation complexes (TECs). RNA release is triggered at sites where the nascent RNA folds into a stable, GC-rich hairpin followed by a stretch of the U-rich RNA. Rho is the main termination protein in Escherichia coli, where it is thought to control ~ 50% of all termination events. Feedback control of the operons that encode ribosomal protein synthesis is commonly accomplished by autogenous regulation by one of the products. Alc protein terminates transcription at several sites on a nonmodified host DNA, but not on the phage DNA that contains hydroxymethyl cytosine residue. The bgl operon in E. coli is regulated in response to the availability of a substrate β-glucoside by BglG induced antitermination. The RNA binding by BglG is regulated by BglF-mediated phosphorylation: in the absence of inducer, BglF phosphorylates BglG and inhibits its RNA binding activity; when β-glucosides are available, BglF dephosphorylates BglG, which now binds to its target and prevents transcription termination.
Real-time hybrid simulation in a shaking table configuration for parametric studies of high-voltage equipment and IEEE693 development

Abstract This paper presents extensive discussion on seismic qualification of substation equipment in conventional shake table tests and its comparison to real-time hybrid simulation (RTHS). The hybrid simulation technique is based on a sub-structuring idea where a portion of a test specimen with well-predicted performance can be replaced by its finite element model. The rest of the test specimen is experimentally studied as part of the coupled system, where the test object and the mathematical model are interacting with each other in real time. The real-time hybrid simulation technique has a strong potential of complementing and in some cases replacing seismic qualification testing. In addition to that, it has a strong potential as a comprehensive and reliable tool for IEEE693 development, where code provisions can be developed from parametric hybrid simulation studies of actual pieces of substation equipment which are otherwise difficult to model. As a typical example of successful application of hybrid simulation, a comprehensive study related to RTHS of electrical disconnect switches is discussed in the paper. First, the RTHS system developed for this purpose is described and the results of a RTHS test are compared with a benchmark conventional shaking table test as a validation of the system. Second, effect of the support structures of the disconnect switches on the global and local responses of different insulator types is evaluated using the results of a series of RTHS tests. Third, the paper investigates the advantages of using a sophisticated control approach for RTHS conducted on a long-stroke high-velocity shaking table. Finally, results of an application that uses the sophisticated control approach on a fully assembled phase of a disconnect switch are presented.
Jump in specific heat at the superconducting transition temperature in Ba(Fe1−xCox)2As2 and Ba(Fe1−xNix)2As2 single crystals

We present detailed heat capacity measurements for $\text{Ba}{({\text{Fe}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\text{Co}}_{x})}_{2}{\text{As}}_{2}$ and $\text{Ba}{({\text{Fe}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\text{Ni}}_{x})}_{2}{\text{As}}_{2}$ single crystals in the vicinity of the superconducting transitions. The specific-heat jump at the superconducting transition temperature $({T}_{c})$, $\ensuremath{\Delta}{C}_{p}/{T}_{c}$, changes by a factor of $\ensuremath{\sim}10$ across these series. The $\ensuremath{\Delta}{C}_{p}/{T}_{c}$ vs ${T}_{c}$ data of this work [together with the literature data for $\text{Ba}{({\text{Fe}}_{0.939}{\text{Co}}_{0.061})}_{2}{\text{As}}_{2}$, $({\text{Ba}}_{0.55}{\text{K}}_{0.45}){\text{Fe}}_{2}{\text{As}}_{2}$, and $({\text{Ba}}_{0.6}{\text{K}}_{0.4}){\text{Fe}}_{2}{\text{As}}_{2}$] scale well to a single log-log plot over two orders of magnitude in $\ensuremath{\Delta}{C}_{p}/{T}_{c}$ and over about an order of magnitude in ${T}_{c}$, giving $\ensuremath{\Delta}{C}_{p}/{T}_{c}\ensuremath{\propto}{T}_{c}^{2}$.
A Wide-Band Fully-Integrated CMOS Ring-Oscillator PLL-Based Complex Dielectric Spectroscopy System

A fully-integrated sensing system is proposed for wideband complex dielectric detection of materials under test (MUT). The system utilizes a ring oscillator-based phase-locked loop (PLL) for wide tuning range and precise control of the sensor's excitation frequency. Characterization of both real and imaginary MUT permittivity is achieved by measuring the frequency difference between two voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs): a sensing oscillator, with a frequency that varies with MUT-induced changes in capacitance and conductance of a delay-cells' sensing capacitor loads, and a MUT-insensitive reference oscillator that is controlled by an amplitude-locked loop (ALL). The fully integrated system is fabricated in 0.18 $\mu{\rm m}$ CMOS, and occupies 6.25 ${\rm mm}^{2}$ area. When tested with common organic chemicals $(\epsilon_{r}^{\prime} , the system operates between 0.7–6 GHz and achieves 3.7% maximum permittivity error. Characterization is also performed with higher $\epsilon_{r}^{\prime}$ water-methanol mixtures and phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solutions, with 5.4% maximum permittivity error achieved over a 0.7–4.77 GHz range.
RELIABILITY ANALYSIS BASED ON TIME TO FIRST FAILURE

The new approach to structural reliability analysis based on order statistics and the expected time to first failure in a fleet of specified magnitude is developed in more detail and applied to structures subject to progressive fatigue damage. It is shown that the concept of fatigue sensitivity previously developed by the author is improved by relating it to the expected time to first failure rather than to the expected time to failure. The modified fatigue sensitivity factor becomes an effective parameter for the correlation of ultimate load and fatigue design and for the classification of fatigue sensitive structures.
Reducing Noise in Labels and Features for a Real World Dataset: Application of NLP Corpus Annotation Methods

This paper illustrates how a combination of information extraction, machine learning, and NLP corpus annotation practice was applied to a problem of ranking vulnerability of structures (service boxes, manholes) in the Manhattan electrical grid. By adapting NLP corpus annotation methods to the task of knowledge transfer from domain experts, we compensated for the lack of operational definitions of components of the model, such as serious event . The machine learning depended on the ticket classes, but it was not the end goal. Rather, our rule-based document classification determines both the labels of examples and their feature representations. Changes in our classification of events led to improvements in our model, as reflected in the AUC scores for the full ranked list of over 51K structures. The improvements for the very top of the ranked list, which is of most importance for prioritizing work on the electrical grid, affected one in every four or five structures.
Structure of Alternative and Jordan Bimodules

The notion of a bimodule for a class of algebras defined by multilinear identities has been introduced by Eilenberg [13]. If \( \mathfrak{A} \) is in the class of associative algebras or in the class of Lie algebras, then this notion is the familiar one for which we are in possession of well-worked theories. The study of bimodules (or representations) of Jordan algebras was initiated by the author in a recent paper [21]. Subsequently the alternative case was considered by Schafer [32]. In our paper we introduced the basic concepts of the Jordan theory and we proved complete reducibility of the bimodules and the analogue of Whitehead’s first lemma for finite dimensional semi-simple Jordan algebras of characteristic 0. Similar results on alternative algebras, based on those in the Jordan case, were obtained by Schafer. The principal tool in our paper was the notion of a Lie triple system. This permitted the application of important results on the structure and representation of Lie algebras to the problems on Jordan and alternative algebras. This method has one nice feature, namely, it is a general one which does not require a consideration of cases.
The Pyramid as a Structure for Efficient Computation

Many basic image operations may be performed efficiently within pyramid structures. Pyramid algorithms can generate sets of low-and band-pass filtered images at a fraction of the cost of the FFT. Local image properties such as texture statistics can be estimated with equal efficiency within Gaussianlike windows of many sizes. Pyramids support fast “coarse-fine” search strategies. Pyramids also provide a neural-like image representation which is robust, compact and appropriate for a variety of higher level tasks including motion analysis. Through “linking,” pyramids may be used to isolate and represent image segments of arbitrary size and shape. Here the pyramid will be viewed primarily as a computational tool. However, interesting similarities will be noted between pyramid processing and processing within the human visual system.
Mobile Moods: regulating emotions through color theory on mobile devices

Mobile technologies have been expanding their role as communication devices with developments such as multimedia messaging (MMS) and hardware sensors. More recent developments focus on relating to users on an emotional level, such as with the context-aware phone, SenSay, which blocks calls if the user is in a coversation, and Seimens, first multimedia handset that allows consumers to express their feelings to others via MMS with 3D-animated emotional characters.
The efficacy of brief dynamic psychotherapy: a meta-analysis.

Objective Insurance companies, legislators, and funding agencies have become increasingly concerned with efficacy and accountability in regard to psychotherapy, and psychodynamic therapy is a primary target of concern because it is widely practiced in outpatient settings. This paper is a meta-analytic review of recent well-controlled studies of the efficacy of brief dynamic therapy. Method The meta-analysis included both published studies, located through an extensive computerized search of psychiatry and psychology journals, and studies reported at conferences. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria: use of a specific form of short-term dynamic psychotherapy as represented in a treatment manual or manual-like guide; comparison of brief dynamic therapy and a waiting list control condition, nonpsychiatric treatment, alternative psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, or other form of dynamic therapy; provision of the information necessary for calculation of effect sizes; at least 12 therapy sessions; and therapists who were trained and experienced in brief dynamic therapy. The outcome measures compared were target symptoms, psychiatric symptoms generally, and social functioning. Results Brief dynamic therapy demonstrated large effects relative to waiting list conditions but only slight superiority to nonpsychiatric treatments. Its effects were about equal to those of other psychotherapies and medication. Conclusions These data confirm previous indications that various psychotherapies do not differ in effectiveness, although this finding should not be generalized to all patient populations, outcome measures, and treatment types. Also, the highly controlled conditions of these studies limit conclusions about actual practice. Future studies should address various treatment lengths, follow-up assessments, and specific treatments, patient groups, and outcome measures.
Nigel Bowles, James T. Hamilton & David A. L. Levy (Eds.), Transparency in Politics and the Media: Accountability and Open Government

Copyright © 2014 (Mark Hannah, Review, mhannah@usc.edu). Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives (by-nc-nd). Available at http://ijoc.org. Nigel Bowles, James T. Hamilton, & David A. L. Levy (Eds.), Transparency in Politics and the Media: Accountability and Open Government. New York, NY: I.B. Tauris & Co. Ltd in association with the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, University of Oxford, 2013, 272 pp., $28.00 (paperback).
A RE-EVALUATION OF THE STRUCTURE OF WEEKSITE, A URANYL SILICATE FRAMEWORK MINERAL

The structure of weeksite, K 1.26Ba0.25Ca0.12((UO2)2(Si5O13))H2O, orthorhombic, a 14.209(2), b 14.248(2), c 35.869(4) A, V 7262(2) A 3 , space group Cmmb, has been solved by direct methods using data collected with Mo KX-radiation and a CCD- based detector and refined by full-matrix least-squares techniques, on the basis of F 2 for all unique reflections, to an agreement factor (R1) of 7.0% and a goodness-of-fit ( S) of 1.04, calculated using the 1565 unique observed reflections ( Fo ≤ 4� F). The structure contains four unique U 6+ positions, each of which is part of a nearly linear (UO 2) 2+ uranyl ion. The uranyl ions ( Ur) are further coordinated by five atoms of oxygen arranged at the equatorial corners of UrO5 pentagonal bipyramids. There are ten silicon atoms, each of which is tetrahedrally coordinated by oxygen atoms. The uranyl polyhedra share equatorial edges to form chains, which in turn share polyhedron edges with silicate tetrahedra. The uranyl silicate chains are linked to crankshaft-like chains of vertex-sharing silicate tetrahedra, resulting in layers that are connected by the sharing of vertices between silicat e tetrahedra to form an open framework. Potassium, barium, calcium and H 2O are located in the channels within the uranyl silicate framework. Displacement of some atoms from their corresponding special positions indicates that the results represent an averag e structure.
Some new bromine-amine complexes

Abstract Bromine reacts with 2-bromopyridine or 2-chloropyridine to produce an unusual type of amine-halogen complex. Elemental analyses and “free” bromine analyses suggest the formulation (C5H4BrNH)+Br−·C5H4BrN·Br2 and (C5H4ClNH)+Br−·C5H4ClN·Br2. Infra-red studies and preliminary X-ray data support these formulations. The concentration equilibrium quotient for the system 2-chloropyridine-iodine has also been studied spectrophotometrically. The average value for the association equilibrium quotient of the 1:1 complex has been found to be 3·3 at 28°C.
Evidence for the location of bicyclomycin binding to the Escherichia coli transcription termination factor Rho.

Abstract The commercial antibiotic bicyclomycin (Bcm) has been shown to target the essential transcription termination factor Rho in Escherichia coli. Little is known about the Bcm binding domain in Rho. A recent structure-activity relationship study led us to evaluate the reductive amination probe, 5a-(3-formylanilino)dihydrobicyclomycin (FD-Bcm). Biochemical studies showed that FD-Bcm possessed inhibitory activities comparable to Bcm in Rho-dependent ATPase and transcription termination assays. Incubation of Rho with FD-Bcm, ATP, and poly(C) followed by NaBH4 reduction and dialysis led to an appreciable loss of ATPase activity. Inclusion of Bcm with FD-Bcm in the reductive amination reaction protected Rho, indicating that Bcm and FD-Bcm competed for the same binding site in Rho. Incubation of Rho with FD-Bcm and poly(C) followed by NaBH4 reduction provided a sample with residual ATPase activity (12%). Mass spectrometric analysis indicated the presence of two proteins in an approximate 1.2:1 ratio, whose masses corresponded to wild-type Rho (47,010 Da) and lysine-modified Rho (47,417 Da), respectively. Trypsin digestion of the Rho sample followed by high performance liquid chromatography separation and tandem mass spectrometry analysis identified the site of modification as Lys181 within the combined tryptic fragment, Gly-Leu-Ile-Val-Ala-Pro-Pro-Lys-Ala-Gly-Lys (residues 174–184). Similar analysis of a lesser modified sample (following incubation with inclusion of ATP) showed that addition had again occurred at Lys181. These findings provide the first structural information concerning the site of Bcm binding in Rho.
Ligand-independent phosphorylation of Y869 (Y845) links mutant EGFR signaling to stat-mediated gene expression.

Activating mutants of EGFR have been identified in a subset of non-small-cell lung cancers. To investigate mutant-driven signaling, we focused on Y869, a residue in the same activation loop where the L858R and L861Q mutations are located. We observed ligand-independent phosphorylation of Y869 in 32D cells EGFRL858R and EGFRL861Q. The EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) erlotinib inhibited Y869 P-EGFR in intact cells as well as in a cell-free kinase reaction. Expression of kinase domain of EGFRL858R and EGFRL861Q exhibited auto-phosphorylation of Y869; this was inhibited by EGFR TKIs but not by Src kinase inhibitor. P-Y859 of EGFR-mediated downstream component, STAT5, was also analyzed. Y694 P-STAT5 was eliminated by erlotinib treatment. Analysis of immune-complexes showed constitutive association of mutant EGFRs with STAT5 and Src which was unaffected by erlotinib or PP1. On the other hand, 32D-EGFRWT exhibited constitutive STAT5 phosphorylation and association of EGFR with JAK2. In these cells, a JAK2 inhibitor abrogated P-STAT5 whereas mutant EGFRs did not associate with JAK2. Expression of c-myc was regulated by EGFR/STAT5 signaling in cells expressing EGFRL858R and EGFRL861Q. Our results suggest that ligand-independent and Src activity-independent phosphorylation of Y869 in mutant EGFR regulates STAT5 activation and c-myc expression.
Thermodynamic behavior of inorganic and organic systems with eight and more components

We investigated the partial enthalpy of mixing in the eight component system (Ag-Bi-Cd-Ga-In-Pb-Sn-Zn), calculated the solubility of Anthracene in a seven component organic solvent and studied the properties of n-alkanes with 20 to 42 carbon atoms. In systems with 8 components, we have 28 binary interaction parameters: thus uncertainty in one, two or three parameters affects the calculated values only slightly. In the inorganic system, adding Ag to the seven component systems changes the partial enthalpies at the center of gravity of the components slightly. In the solubility data, one cannot differentiate between two significantly different interaction parameters. From the fusion properties of the n-alkanes and binary phase diagrams, the solidification behavior of diesel fuels could be explained.
Using soil records with atmospheric dispersion modeling to investigate the effects of clean air regulations on 60 years of manganese deposition in Marietta, Ohio (USA)

Abstract Atmospheric emissions of metals from anthropogenic activities have led to deposition and contamination of soils worldwide. We quantified addition of manganese (Mn) to soils around the largest emitter of Mn in the United States (U.S.) using chemical analyses and atmospheric dispersion modeling (Second-Order Closure Integrated Puff (SCIPUFF)). Concentrations of soil-surface Mn were enriched by 9-fold relative to that of the parent material within 1 km of the facility. Elevated concentrations of Mn and chromium (Cr), another potentially toxic element that was emitted, document contamination only within 1 m of the soil surface. Total mass of Mn added per unit land area integrated over 1 m, m Mn , equals ~ 80 mg Mn cm − 2 near the facility. Values of m Mn remained above background up to tens of kilometers from the source. Air concentrations of Mn particles of 7.5-micron diameter simulated with SCIPUFF using available data for the emission rate and local meteorological conditions for 2006 were consistent with measured air concentrations. However, the Mn deposition calculated for 2006 with SCIPUFF yielded a cumulative value over the lifetime of the refinery (60 years) that is a factor of 15 lower than the Mn observed to have been added to the soils. This discrepancy can be easily explained if Mn deposition rates before 1988 were more than an order of magnitude greater than today. Such higher emissions are probable, given the changes in metal production with time and the installation of emission controls after the Clean Air Act (1970). This work shows that atmospheric dispersion models can be used with soil profiles to understand the changes in metal emissions over decadal timescales. In addition, the calculations are consistent with the Clean Air Act accounting for a 15-fold decrease in the Mn deposition to soils around the refinery per metric ton of Mn alloy produced.
Neutrino-induced nucleosynthesis and deuterium

DOMOGATSKY and Nadyozhin1 have suggested that the neutrino flux from a collapsing stellar core might induce nuclear transformation in the mantle and envelope of the surrounding pre-supernova star. They further suggest that such weak interactions might be responsible for producing the so called ‘p-process’ nuclei which are the rare heavy elements bypassed by the neutron capture chains responsible for synthesising most nuclei heavier than iron. This letter points out a weakness in their model as a mechanism for p-nucleosynthesis and concurrently suggests a rather novel method for the synthesis of deuterium that may have been operative during an early generation of supermassive stars (M∼106–108M⊙).
The Solubility Rate of Large Particle Oyster Shell and Limestone In vivo and In vitro

Abstract Apparent solubility rates for oyster shell (OS) and limestone (LS) were determined in two experiments. Twelve hours after force-feeding 10 grams of either hen size oyster shell or hen size limestone to 30 fasting hens, retention of hen size LS in the gizzard was significantly (P
Using differential evolution for symbolic regression and numerical constant creation

One problem that has plagued Genetic Programming (GP) and its derivatives is numerical constant creation. Given a mathematical formula expressed as a tree structure, the leaf nodes are either variables or constants. Such constants are usually unknown in Symbolic Regression (SR) problems, and GP, as well as many of its derivatives, lack the ability to precisely approximate these values. This is due to the inherently discrete encoding of GP-like methods which are more suited to combinatorial searches than real-valued optimization tasks. Previously, several attempts have been made to resolve this issue, and the dominant solutions have been to either embed a real-valued local optimizer or to develop additional numerically oriented operators. In this paper, an entirely new approach is proposed for constant creation. Through the adoption of a robust, real-valued optimization algorithm known as Differential Evolution (DE), constants and GP-like programs will be simultaneously evolved in such a way that the values of the leaf nodes will be approximated as the tree structure is itself changing. Experimental results from several SR benchmarks are presented and analyzed. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed algorithm and suggest that exotic or computationally expensive methods are not necessary for successful constant creation.
Cell cycling? Check your brakes.

If there was any pervasive theme at the Cold Spring Harbor Cell Cycle Meeting (May 15–19, 2002), it was negativity. This is clearly the age of the negative cell cycle regulator, as a large percentage of the talks focused on the critical roles of cell cycle inhibitory networks.
Discussion of The Interrelationship between Estimated Tax Payments and Taxpayer Compliance

CONTRIBUTION Feltham and Paquette (2002) (hereafter the paper) examine the effect of a taxpayer’s prepayment position on the taxpayer’s reporting strategy and the government’s auditing strategy in a tax compliance game. Chang and Schultz (1990) find a positive association between noncompliance and an underpayment position. Dusenbury (1994) asserts, ‘‘The prepayment level determines the additional payment due or the refund available, but logically should not influence the reported tax liability.’’ Dusenbury (1994) goes on to argue that the link between noncompliance and prepayment position can be explained using prospect theory. This paper offers a competing explanation. The authors argue that because a taxpayer’s prepayment position is endogenously determined, the prepayment itself provides information regarding the taxpayer’s true tax liability to the tax authority, which in turn affects the strategic interaction in the tax compliance game. It shows that behavior that appears to be illogical when tax compliance is framed as a single-person decision theory problem is optimal if one assumes that tax compliance is a multiplayer, strategic game.
Structural Origins of High Apparent Dielectric Constants Experienced by Ionizable Groups in the Hydrophobic Core of a Protein

The side chains of Lys66, Asp66, and Glu66 in staphylococcal nuclease are fully buried and surrounded mainly by hydrophobic matter, except for internal water molecules associated with carboxylic oxygen atoms. These ionizable side chains titrate with pK(a) values of 5.7, 8.8, and 8.9, respectively. To reproduce these pK(a) values with continuum electrostatics calculations, we treated the protein with high dielectric constants. We have examined the structural origins of these high apparent dielectric constants by using NMR spectroscopy to characterize the structural response to the ionization of these internal side chains. Substitution of Val66 with Lys66 and Asp66 led to increased conformational fluctuations of the microenvironments surrounding these groups, even under pH conditions where Lys66 and Asp66 are neutral. When Lys66, Asp66, and Glu66 are charged, the proteins remain almost fully folded, but resonances for a few backbone amides adjacent to the internal ionizable residues are broadened. This suggests that the ionization of the internal groups promotes a local increase in dynamics on the intermediate timescale, consistent with either partial unfolding or increased backbone fluctuations of helix 1 near residue 66, or, less likely, with increased fluctuations of the charged side chains at position 66. These experiments confirm that the high apparent dielectric constants reported by internal Lys66, Asp66, and Glu66 reflect localized changes in conformational fluctuations without incurring detectable global structural reorganization. To improve structure-based pK(a) calculations in proteins, we will need to learn how to treat this coupling between ionization of internal groups and local changes in conformational fluctuations explicitly.
Impacts of the mountain–plains solenoid and cold pool dynamics on the diurnal variation of warm-season precipitation over northern China

Abstract. Convection-permitting numerical experiments using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model are performed to examine the impact of a thermally driven mountain–plains solenoid (MPS) on the diurnal variation of warm-season precipitation over northern China. The focus of the analyses is a 15-day simulation that uses the 8-day average of the NCEP GFS gridded analyses at 00:00 UT between 17 and 24 June 2004 for the initial conditions and the 8-day averages at 00:00, 06:00, 12:00, and 18:00 UT for the lateral boundary conditions. Despite differences in rainfall intensity and location, the control experiment captures the essence of the observed diurnal variation of warm-season precipitation in northern China. Consistent with observations, the simulated local precipitation peak initiates in the afternoon on the eastern edge and the immediate lee of the mountain ranges due to the upward branch of the MPS. The peak subsequently propagates downslope and southeastward along the steering-level mean flow, reaching the central North China Plain around midnight and early morning hours, resulting in a broad area of nocturnal precipitation maxima over the central plains. Sensitivity experiments show that, besides the impact of the MPS, cold pool dynamics play an essential role in the propagation and maintenance of the precipitation peak over the plains.
Climatic limits on foliar growth during major droughts in the southwestern USA

[1] Pronounced droughts during the 1950s and 2000s in the American Southwest provide an opportunity to compare mesoscale ecosystem responses to anomalously dry conditions before and during the regional warming that started in the late 1970s. This year-round warming has produced fewer cool season freezes, losses in regional snowpack, an 8–10 day advance in spring onset, and hotter summers, all of which should affect vegetation differently across seasons and elevations. Here, we examine indices that represent climatic limits on foliar growth for both drought periods and evaluate these indices for areas that experienced tree mortality during the 2000s drought. Relative to the 1950s drought, warmer conditions during the 2000s drought decreased the occurrence of temperatures too low for foliar growth at lower elevations in winter and higher elevations in summer. Higher vapor pressure deficits (VPDs), largely driven by warmer temperatures in the more recent drought, were more limiting to foliar growth from spring through summer at lower and middle elevations. At many locations where tree mortality occurred during the 2000s drought, low-temperature constraints on foliar growth were extremely unlimiting, whereas VPD constraints were extremely limiting from early spring through late autumn. Our analysis shows that in physiographically complex regions such as the Southwest, seasonality and elevational gradients are important for understanding vegetative responses to warming. It also suggests that continued warming will both increase the degree to which VPD limits foliar growth during future droughts and expand its reach to higher elevations and other seasons.
Information systems planning and effectiveness: An empirical analysis

Abstract The relationship between information systems (IS) planning and IS planning effectiveness has been an important issue discussed in the literature. Most prior studies in this area have been conceptual; the few empirical studies which have addressed this issue have used rather simple conceptualizations of the notion of planning. This present research study is an attempt to propose and test an empirical model of IS planning effectiveness. The study identifies and uses five distinct dimensions of planning systems which are generally believed to influence IS planning effectiveness. Planning effectiveness is also conceptualized as a multi-faceted construct and a set of multiple objectives are used for assessing planning effectiveness. Data for the study consist of responses by a random sample of IS executives to a questionnaire survey. Results indicate that the effectiveness of IS planning systems vary significantly along four of the five dimensions and suggest that the attention given to these dimensions can influence the effectiveness of planning systems.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL TELECASTS: WHERE ARE THEY GOING?

Observed Nielsen ratings for college football games show a decreasing trend in the number of viewers in recent years. As the market for these telecasts becomes more competitive, both buyers and sellers should adjust rights fees for quality differences. A model of full income allocation is proposed to isolate pure quality changes from true changes. Using a sample of weekly national collegiate telecasts the optimum optimorum is determined from the set of generalized Box-Cox forms. Regional data provide an application of the model. Quality and hedonic indexes show not only a deterioration in quality over time but also a downward trend in demand for quality-adjusted units. Implications for alternative television policies are discussed.