cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Cupric Hydroxide-treated Containers on Bougainvillea Propagation and Growth after Transplanting

Abstract Cupric hydroxide (100g Cu(OH)2/liter; 13.3 oz/gal) in a latex paint was sprayed to the interior of propagation cups to evaluate the effects on rooting of Bougainvillea glabra Choisy ‘Sande...
Structure and function relationships in mammalian DNA polymerases

DNA polymerases are vital for the synthesis of new DNA strands. Since the discovery of DNA polymerase I in Escherichia coli, a diverse library of mammalian DNA polymerases involved in DNA replication, DNA repair, antibody generation, and cell checkpoint signaling has emerged. While the unique functions of these DNA polymerases are differentiated by their association with accessory factors and/or the presence of distinctive catalytic domains, atomic resolution structures of DNA polymerases in complex with their DNA substrates have revealed mechanistic subtleties that contribute to their specialization. In this review, the structure and function of all 15 mammalian DNA polymerases from families B, Y, X, and A will be reviewed and discussed with special emphasis on the insights gleaned from recently published atomic resolution structures.
Use of endoscopic ultrasound in pre-treatment staging of esophageal cancer did not alter management plan.

Background Initial staging of esophageal cancer relies on EUS in addition to FDG-PET/CT. It is our hypothesis that with the advancement of FDG-PET/CT staging, endoscopic ultrasound may not be required for initial staging in all cases. The purpose of this study is to analyze whether EUS affects initial treatment stratification in patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Methods A retrospective database at the University of Virginia was queried for patients diagnosed with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma who underwent EGD with EUS and FDG-PET/CT at their initial evaluation from 10/2013 to 5/2017. Two thoracic surgeons were asked to determine appropriate management for each case. Options included surgical resection, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by resection, definitive chemoradiotherapy, or chemotherapy with or without palliative radiation. Both surgeons received the FDG-PET/CT report along with the EGD report. For each case, one or both surgeons were randomly allocated to review EUS results in addition to the clinical information. The treatment decisions of each thoracic surgeon were compared to determine if EUS reports impacted clinical management. Simple and weighted correlation coefficients (kappa) were calculated to compare agreement of treatment choices between the two surgeons using McNemars test. Conditional logistic regression was used to assess the influence of EUS on the treatment recommendations. Results A total of 50 patients (44 male and 6 female) were enrolled and data was collected. The thoracic surgeons agreed on treatment decisions in 39 cases and disagreed on 11 cases. Agreement between surgeons was good despite lack of EUS information for one surgeon on each case (weighted Kappa =0.73, 95% CI: 0.57-0.89). Using conditional logistic regression, EUS did not have a statistically independent association with agreement on treatment plan (P for model =0.17). Conclusions EUS did not have a statistically independent association with agreement on treatment plan for newly diagnosed esophageal cancer (P for model =0.17). Our findings suggest that EUS may not be necessary in the algorithm for the initial staging of every case of esophageal cancer. Selective, rather than mandatory use of EUS seems warranted.
Doing a Conference Presentation

Many emerging ELT/ESL/language professionals attend conferences and conventions. Some of them consider sharing their expertise by giving a presentation. Others would like to be an accepted presenter to further their career and to work towards a promotion. And some want to improve their professional standing before applying for a new position. However, it is often difficult for many emerging leaders to understand the process of submitting a proposal and then giving a presentation. Much of the knowledge on how to be successful in this area is only available anecdotally from other colleagues. This chapter makes the knowledge of sending in a conference proposal and presenting it later accessible to all readers in easy to follow steps, thus enabling all professionals to pursue their goal of participating in the profession in a new way.
The study of ethical issues in social work practice: Organisational ethical audit

In recent years, auditors have become more aware about ethical challenges, issues and risks in the organizational audit. Social work education, continuing education and staff development now routinely include discussions of ethical dilemmas; ethics risk management and ethical audit. The purpose of this research paper is a way of measuring, understanding, reporting and ultimately improving an organizations social and ethical performance. An organisational social audit helps to narrow gaps between vision/goal and reality between efficiency and effectiveness. It is a technique to understand, measure, verify, report on and to improve the ethical performance of the organization.
Young Intertrochanteric Femur Fractures Are Associated With Fewer Complications than Young Femoral Neck Fractures.

OBJECTIVE To compare the complication profile of femoral neck (FN) and intertrochanteric (IT) femur fractures in young patients. DESIGN A retrospective database review. SETTING Large, national private insurer claims database with longitudinal follow-up. PATIENTS Individuals undergoing surgical fixation of IT or FN fractures from 2010 to 2017 were identified. Patients were included if they were 18-50 years of age and had 1-year postoperative follow-up. Those with comorbid conditions of chronic kidney disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes, or coronary artery disease were excluded from the primary analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Complication data, including a diagnosis of nonunion, malunion, avascular necrosis (AVN), or need for revision surgery at 1-year follow-up, were compared. In addition, medical complication data at 90 days postoperatively were evaluated. RESULTS In total, 808 patients were identified: 392 (48.5%) patients with IT femur fractures and 416 (51.5%) patients with FN fractures. On multivariate analysis, FN fractures had nearly twice the risk of nonunion compared with IT femur fractures (odds ratio = 1.89; confidence interval, 1.09-3.30). IT femur fractures had a 5.4% rate of nonunion, a 3.6% rate of revision surgery, a 1% rate of AVN, and a 0.8% rate of conversion into total hip arthroplasty. By contrast, FN fractures had significantly higher rates of nonunion (10.3%; P = 0.009), revision surgery (9.4%; P = 0.001), AVN (5.8%; P < 0.001), and conversion to total hip arthroplasty (6%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The results of this study demonstrate that IT fractures in young patients have superior outcomes when compared with their intracapsular counterparts. This is the only series of its kind to evaluate the complication profile of young IT femur fractures on a large scale. This information will be helpful in counseling patients in the perioperative setting. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Smart Governance: Analyzing 5 Years of Academic Output on the Subject Matter

In 2014, Scholl and Scholl presented their now frequently cited “roadmap for research and practice” broken down into a matrix of eight “focus areas” and seven “elements of smart governance.” This “Roadmap” intended to help researchers navigate their paths through the relatively complex subject matter of smart governance in the public sector given the multiple interdependencies and topical interconnections within the proposed matrix. Since that time, scholastic research on the subject matter has indeed mushroomed and covered almost the entire spectrum that Scholl and Scholl’s Roadmap had laid out. With 171 identified research studies this chapter documents the actual overall coverage and pinpoints the few open spots. It also briefly reviews and discusses examples of research in the eight focus areas. Furthermore, the chapter determines major themes that permeate the research on smart governance in the public sector. Based on the illustrative review, it is concluded that the 2014 Roadmap has indeed been useful to identify potential gaps in research but also further guide empirical and theoretical research on the subject matter.
Decoding Speech from Dorsal Motor Cortex

Dr. Stavisky and his team won first place in the BCI Research Award 2019 with their project. Here, we interviewed him to learn more about his project, including the technologies involved and possible clinical applications. Several figures introduce the team and elucidate details about their winning project. The interview concludes with new work and references.
Early Aggressive Treatment Approaches for Multiple Sclerosis

This review presents a comprehensive analysis of the current high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) available for treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). We discuss the existing approved and emerging therapeutics in patients with relapsing and progressive forms of MS using data from clinical trials and observational studies. Treatment considerations in pediatric and pregnant populations are also reviewed. Finally, we discuss the treatment paradigms of the escalation and early aggressive approaches to treatment of MS, with review of ongoing clinical trials to compare these approaches. Natalizumab has shown promising data on efficacy in not only randomized trials but also observational studies when compared with placebo, the injectable DMTs, and fingolimod. The anti-CD20 B cell depleting therapies (rituximab, ocrelizumab, and ofatumumab) have also demonstrated superiority in randomized clinical trials compared to their comparator group (placebo, interferon, and teriflunomide, respectively) and rituximab has shown in observational studies to be more effective than older injectable therapies and some of the oral therapies. Alemtuzumab has shown good efficacy in randomized controlled trials and observational studies yet has several potentially severe side effects limiting its use. Mitoxantrone has similarly demonstrated significant reduction in new disease activity compared to placebo but is rarely used due to its severe side effects. Cladribine is an oral DMT often grouped in discussion with other higher efficacy DMTs but may be slightly less effective than the other therapies described in this review. Many emerging targets for therapeutic intervention are currently under investigation that may prove to be beneficial in early aggressive MS, including autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Traditionally, MS has been treated with an escalation approach, starting patients on a modestly effective DMT and subsequently escalating to a higher efficacy DMT when there is evidence of clinical and/or radiologic breakthrough activity. With the development of higher efficacy therapies and emerging data showing the potential positive long-term impact of these therapies when started earlier in the disease course, many clinicians have shifted to an early aggressive treatment approach in which patients are initially started on a higher efficacy DMT. Two clinical trials, the TRaditional versus Early Aggressive Therapy for MS (TREAT-MS) trial and the Determining the Effectiveness of earLy Intensive Versus Escalation approaches for the treatment of Relapsing-remitting MS (DELIVER-MS) trial, aim to directly compare these treatment strategies and their impact on clinical and radiologic outcomes.
WOrk and LIfe in the Early Industrial City: Social Economy of Cotton Production, Carlisle, 1838–1861*

The discussion is focused on changes in the structure of the cotton industry and their effects on social and political life in Carlisle in the years from 1838 to 1861. The geographic framework of t...
Do Fiduciary Duties of Managers and Members of Limited Liability Companies Exist as with Majority Shareholders of Closely Held Corproations

5 state analysis of fiduciary duties of managers and members of limited liability companies finding their duties largely akin to majority shareholder fiduciary duties. Consider both statutory and common law.
“The Answer My Friend is Blowin’ in the Wind”: A stochastic assessment of wind farms financial feasibility and economic efficiency

Abstract Two financial incentives that have spurred the growth of renewable energy including wind farms are Production Tax Credits (PTC) and Property Tax Abatement (PTA). PTC provides a tax credit of 1¢–2¢ per kilowatt-hour for the first 10 years of electricity generation for utility-scale wind, and PTA is a rebate provided by the local governments to wind farms in the U.S. Midwestern states. Past researches suggest that the breaking-even of renewable energy projects can partly be attributed to PTC. However, in cognizance of the irregular availability of such incentives, there seems to exist a need for financial feasibility analysis of the wind farms. The study uses a stochastic method and a scenario approach to address this research question. The analysis considers the capital and operating costs, interest payments, local and federal taxes, and production of wind energy and sales revenues, and inherent uncertainties in key parameters. The results shed some light on the impacts of PTC and PTA on the financial feasibility of wind farms in the U.S. Midwestern states. It is observed that PTC is a more effective instrument compared to PTA. The paper concludes by discussing policy implications of local government rebates and federal incentives.
Rapid and early export of Phaeocystis antarctica blooms in the Ross Sea, Antarctica

The Southern Ocean is very important for the potential sequestration of carbon dioxide in the oceans1 and is expected to be vulnerable to changes in carbon export forced by anthropogenic climate warming2. Annual phytoplankton blooms in seasonal ice zones are highly productive and are thought to contribute significantly to pCO2 drawdown in the Southern Ocean. Diatoms are assumed to be the most important phytoplankton class with respect to export production in the Southern Ocean; however, the colonial prymnesiophyte Phaeocystis antarctica regularly forms huge blooms in seasonal ice zones and coastal Antarctic waters3. There is little evidence regarding the fate of carbon produced by P. antarctica in the Southern Ocean, although remineralization in the upper water column has been proposed to be the main pathway in polar waters4,5. Here we present evidence for early and rapid carbon export from P. antarctica blooms to deep water and sediments in the Ross Sea. Carbon sequestration from P. antarctica blooms may influence the carbon cycle in the Southern Ocean, especially if projected climatic changes lead to an alteration in the structure of the phytoplankton community6,7.
Fluents: A Refactoring of Prolog for Uniform Reflection an Interoperation with External Objects

On top of a simple kernel (Horn Clause Interpreters with LD-resolution) we introduce Fluents, high level stateful objects which empower and simplify the architecture of logic programming languages through reflection of the underlying interpreter, while providing uniform interoperation patterns with object oriented and procedural languages. We design a Fluent class hierarchy which includes first-class stateful objects representing the meta-level Horn Clause Interpreters, file, URL, socket Readers and Writers, as well as data structures like terms and lists, with high-level operations directly mapped to iterative constructs in the underlying implementation language. Fluents melt naturally in the fabric of Logic Programming languages and provide elegant composition operations, reusability, resource recovery on backtracking and persistence. The Web site of our Kernel Prolog prototype, http://www.binnetcorp.com/kprolog/Main.html allows the reader to try out online the examples discussed in this paper.
An Unnecessary Consternation: An Analysis of the Future of EU Arbitration in the Wake of the West Tankers Decision

Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/drlj Part of the Civil Law Commons, Civil Procedure Commons, Commercial Law Commons, Comparative and Foreign Law Commons, Consumer Protection Law Commons, Contracts Commons, Courts Commons, Dispute Resolution and Arbitration Commons, European Law Commons, Foreign Law Commons, Insurance Law Commons, Jurisdiction Commons, Jurisprudence Commons, Law and Economics Commons, Law and Society Commons, Litigation Commons, Other Law Commons, Remedies Commons, Torts Commons, and the Transnational Law Commons
The demography of American Indian families

This paper uses data from the decennial censuses to examine family structure and changes in family structure over time among American Indians. The information about the national Indian population indicates that the trends in family structure among American Indians are parallel in many respects to those in the general US population. That is, the percentage of young American Indian women who have never married has increased over time, the percentage of American Indian women who are divorced has increased over time, and the percentage of American Indian children who reside with a single parent has increased as well. The percentage of American Indian women who have never married and who are divorced and the percentage of American Indian children who live with a single parent are higher than those among the general population. The incidence of children living with single parents is especially high on some reservations which also have high levels of poverty and unemployment. Family patterns, however, vary considerably across reservations in ways that are not easily explained by differences in other demographic characteristics. These variations may be due to cultural and historical differences that are not captured in data collected in the censuses.
Synthetic Studies of Structure-Function Relationships in Staphylococcal Nuclease SYNTHETIC ANALOGUES OF FRAGMENT P2

Abstract The solid phase technique of peptide synthesis has been used to study structural features related to the activity of Fragment P2 (Residues 6 through 48) of nuclease-T. Binding of synthetic analogues to the complimentary native Fragment P3 (Residues 49 through 149) may be detected by affinity chromatography upon an agarose column containing covalently bound P3. Binding in free solution was detected by changes in the fluorescence spectrum of the single tryptophan residue in P3. Previous studies have shown that the synthetic 6-47 peptide, after purification by specific binding to an agarose P3 column, can generate approximately 30% of the maximum enzymic activity when added in an equivalent molar quantity to Fragment P3 Deletion of the NH2-terminal tripeptide from synthetic P2 (yielding synthetic 9-47) leaves both binding and activating abilities intact. Two shorter analogues, synthetic 18-47 and synthetic 33-47, have no activity, although the 18-47 analogue appears to retain some binding affinity for native P3. The methionine residues at positions 26 and 32 may be replaced by norleucine to give an analogue capable of both binding to and activating P3. Replacement of glutamic acid by glutamine at position 43 leads to an inactive derivative which retains its ability to bind specifically to Fragment P3.
A Probabilistic Model for Classification of Multiple-Record Web Documents

The amount of information available on the World Wide Web, which appear in various Web documents, have been increasing dramatically in recent years. Classification of Web documents is becoming a more significant method for organizing such information. In this paper, we adopt a probabilistic model to classify Web documents into relevant documents and irrelevant documents with respect to an application ontology. Our model is based on the multivariant statistical analysis and is different from the conventional probabilistic information retrieval models. The experiments we have conducted using our probabilistic model look promising in terms of classification of multiple-record Web documents.
Timing Diagrams: Formalization and Algorithmic Verification

Timing diagrams are popular in hardware design. They have been formalized for use in reasoning tasks, such as computer-aided verification. These efforts have largely treated timing diagrams as interfaces to established notations for which verification is decidable; this has restricted timing diagrams to expressing only regular language properties. This paper presents a timing diagram logic capable of expressing certain context-free and context-sensitive properties. It shows that verification is decidable for properties expressible in this logic. More specifically, it shows that containment of ω-regular languages generated by Buchi automata in timing diagram languages is decidable. The result relies on a correlation between timing diagram and reversal bounded counter machine languages.
Clinical and histopathologic features of canine oxygen-induced proliferative retinopathy.

PURPOSE. In previous studies the morphologic features of the acute vaso-obliterative and vasoproliferative stages of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) were quantified and described in the dog model of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). In the present study the sequelae of these events were examined using fluorescein angiography and histologic, enzyme, and immunohistochemical techniques. METHODS. Thirty newborn animals were exposed to 95% to 100% oxygen for 4 days and returned to room air until they were 22 to 45 days of age. Before death some animals were anesthetized, and fluorescein angiography was performed. Retina and vitreous from some animals were processed for adenosine diphosphatase (ADPase) flat-embedding. In other cases, eyes were prepared for full-thickness eyewall sectioning or frozen for histochemical analysis. RESULTS. Fluorescein angiography, funduscopic examination, and ADPase preparations showed dilated and tortuous retinal vessels, pigmentary changes, incomplete vascularization of peripheral retina, vitreous hemorrhage. and persistence of massive intravitreal neovascularization. Full-thickness eyewall sections showed tractional retinal folds, tented intravitreal vascularized membranes, and vitreous synchysis. Immunohistochemical analysis showed inner retinal astrogliosis. Enzyme histochemistry showed high alpha glycerophosphate dehydrogenase activity in poorly differentiated neovascular formations and low activity in formations with mature pericytes and endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS. End-stage OIR in the neonatal dog shares many features with the chronic human disease. These results provide additional support for the use of this model in experimental studies of ROP.
Spectral variations in rocks and soils containing ferric iron hydroxide and(or) sulfate minerals as seen by AVIRIS and laboratory spectroscopy

Analysis of Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) data covering the Big Rock Candy Mountain area of the Marysvale volcanic field, west-central Utah, identified abundant rocks and soils bearing jarosite, goethite, and chlorite associated with volcanic rocks altered to propylitic grade during the Miocene (23–21 Ma). Propylitically-altered rocks rich in pyrite associated with the relict feeder zones of convecting, shallow hydrothermal systems are currently undergoing supergene oxidation to natrojarosite, kaolinite, and gypsum. Goethite coatings are forming at the expense of jarosite where most pyrite has been consumed through oxidation in alluvium derived from pyrite-bearing zones. Spectral variations in the goethitebearing rocks that resemble variations found in reference library samples of goethites of varying grain size were observed in the AVIRIS data. Rocks outside of the feeder zones have relatively low pyrite content and are characterized by chlorite, epidote, and calcite, with local copperbearing quartz-calcite veins. Iron-bearing minerals in these rocks are weathering directly to
Treatable chondral injuries in the knee: frequency of associated focal subchondral edema.

OBJECTIVE. In the knee, chondral flaps and fractures are radiographically occult articular cartilage injuries that can mimic meniscal tears clinically; once correctly diagnosed, these injuries can be treated surgically. We investigated an associated MR imaging finding—focal subchondral bone edema—in a series of surgically proven lesions.MATERIALS AND METHODS. Two musculoskeletal radiologists retrospectively reviewed the MR studies of 18 knees with arthroscopically proven treatable cartilage infractions, noting articular surface defects and associated subchondral bone edema; subchondral edema was defined as focal regions of high signal intensity in the bone immediately underlying an articular surface defect on a T2-weighted or short inversion time inversion recovery (STIR) image.RESULTS. The first observer saw focal subchondral edema deep relative to a cartilage surface defect in 15 (83%) of the 18 cases; in two additional cases a surface defect was seen without underlying edema. The second observer identi...
Matrix metalloproteinase-sensitive hydrogel microparticles for pulmonary drug delivery of small molecule drugs or proteins

Hydrogel microparticles are particularly attractive for pulmonary drug delivery. Their size can be engineered for efficient delivery into the bronchi, where they subsequently swell, avoiding macrophage uptake. In this study, enzyme-responsive peptide functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) based hydrogel microparticles were synthesized by an emulsion polymerization. Here, we demonstrate that these microparticles are nontoxic and demonstrated their viability as a drug carrier by studying the encapsulation and release of three types of drugs: a hydrophobic (dexamethasone), a hydrophilic (methylene blue) and a protein (horseradish peroxidase)-based drug. The release of each of these three drugs was studied in the presence of varying concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP). Each of the three types of drugs were able to be encapsulated in the microparticles, and we further showed that the protein is still functional after release.
A Review of Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus truncatus) in the Northern Gulf of Mexico: Population Biology, Potential Threats, and Management

Abstract Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus truncatus) are one of the most abundant marine mammal species in the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOMx), a region where they are exposed to a variety of man-made and natural threats. In order to assess and minimize the impacts of these threats, it is important to understand how Bottlenose Dolphins live within and utilize their habitat in the GOMx. Much of what is understood regarding the biology, ecology, genetic, and life-history characteristics of Bottlenose Dolphins in the GOMx has been gathered from small-scale research projects conducted within inshore waters, and much less is understood about dolphins inhabiting coastal and offshore waters. Over thirty years ago, Shane et al. (1982) reviewed the literature on Bottlenose Dolphin research in the GOMx. The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill has highlighted the environmental risks to wildlife in the GOMx and the need for an updated, comprehensive review of the current knowledge base and status of Bottlen...
A Job Half Done: The Road to Intelligence Testing in the Year 2000.

Abstract After a brief historical review of the development of the intelligence test and the study of individual differences, it is suggested that the major impediment to an understanding of human intelligence is the fragmented way it is studied. This fragmented approach is in contradiction to the very factors which make the intelligence test successful. An orientation is suggested which integrates the various aspects of the study of human intelligence. If this approach, or one like it, is adopted and applied until the year 2000 it is suggested that intelligence tests will have a very different appearance than they do today. They will be an integral, but indescriminable, part of a systematic theory of the acquisition of knowledge.
Design of peptides that bind in the minor groove of DNA at 5'-(A,T)G(A,T)C(A,T)-3' sequences by a dimeric side-by-side motif

The designed peptides pyridine-2-carboxamide-netropsin (2-PyN) and 1-methylimidazole-2-carboxamide-netropsin (2-ImN) are crescent-shaped synthetic analogs of the natural products netropsin (N) and distamycin A (D). Footprinting experiments indicate that the peptides 2-PyN and 2-ImN bind specifically the 5 base pair sequence 5'-TGTCA-3'. Affinity cleaving data suggest that the complexes, 2-ImN.5'-TGTCA-3' and 2-PyN.5'-TGTCA-3', are composed of two equivalent orientations which disfavor a 1:1 model. The footprinting and affinity cleaving data are in accord with a 2:1 complex where a novel side-by-side antiparallel dimer binds in the minor groove of double-helical DNA.
Edge Effects in Angle-Ply Composite Laminates*:

This paper presents the results of a zeroth-order solution for edge effects in angle-ply composite laminates obtained using perturbation techniques and a limiting free body approach. The general solution for edge effects in laminates of arbitrary angle ply is applied to the special case of a (+ or - 45)s graphite/epoxy laminate. Interlaminar stress distributions are obtained as a function of the laminate thickness-to-width ratio and compared to finite difference results. The solution predicts stable, continuous stress distributions, determines finite maximum tensile interlaminar normal stress and provides mathematical evidence for singular interlaminar shear stresses in (+ or - 45) graphite/epoxy laminates.
Barriers to vortex-line cutting in high-T c superconductors

Calculations are presented of the energy barriers between topologically different configurations of two entangled vortex lines in a superconductor. The results suggest that the line-cutting barriers in high-[ital T][sub [ital c]] superconductors are somewhat larger than previous numerical estimates indicated, but not large enough to support a kinetic polymer glass'' interpretation of the irreversibility line in fields much greater than [ital H][sub [ital c]1]. The consequences of a crossing barrier for transport properties are discussed briefly.
Adenyl cyclase of cell nuclei isolated from rat ventral prostate.

Abstract Cell nuclei isolated from rat ventral prostate synthesize significant amounts of adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) from ATP in the presence of Mg 2+ or Mn 2+ . The nuclear adenyl cyclase activity is stimulated by the addition of KF or certain hormones such as glucagon, epinephrine, or adenocorticotropin. It is suggested that certain hormonal regulations of the concentrations of cyclic nucleotides may occur in various intracellular compartments of the cells, such as nuclei, to influence local biochemical activities.
Environmental and Evolutionary Stability in Bivalve Mollusks

There is no relationship between environmental stability [as indicated by infaunal (stable) versus epifaunal (unstable) habits] and the generic duration of extinct marine bivalve mollusks when the effects of cosmopolitanism (which is associated with long generic durations) and other paleontological "noise" are excluded. This is contrary to the "depauperate gene pool" hypothesis of extinctions.
Spatial segregation in stage-structured populations with an application to Tribolium

Spatial segregation among life-cycle stages has been observed in many stage-structured species, including species of the flour beetle Tribolium. We investigate density-dependent dispersal of life-cycle stages as a possible mechanism responsible for this separation. We explore this hypothesis using stage-structured, integrodifference equation (IDE) models that incorporate density-dependent dispersal kernels. We first investigate mechanisms that can lead to spatial patterns in juvenile–adult IDE models. We show, via numerical simulation, that density-dependent dispersal can lead to the spatial segregation of life-cycle stages in the sense that each stage peaks in a different spatial location. We then construct a three-stage spatial model to describe the population dynamics of Tribolium castaneum and Tribolium confusum and assess density-dependent dispersal mechanisms that are able to explain spatial patterns that have been experimentally observed in these species.
The TNF Receptor 1: A Split Personality Complex

The tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1), a prototypic member of the death receptor family signals both cell survival and apoptosis. In this issue of Cell, Micheau and Tschopp (2003) report that apoptotic TNFR1 signaling proceeds via the sequential formation of two distinct complexes. Since the first complex can activate survival signals and influence the activity of the second complex, this mechanism provides a checkpoint to control the execution of apoptosis.
Post-fire low velocity impact response of marine grade sandwich composites

Abstract Fire resistance is an important issue in marine grade sandwich structures because core materials tend to degrade rapidly following degradation of the facesheet(s) when exposed to fire. This study investigates the impact behavior of E-glass/vinyl ester (VE) balsa wood core sandwich panels subjected to a 1250 °C, 175 kW m −2 flame for 0, 50, 100, and 200 s. The impact response of fire exposed sandwich panels was evaluated under low velocity impact (LVI) using an instrumented drop tower apparatus. The impact response of the sandwich panels was found to decrease as a function of fire exposure. A loss of stiffness associated with fire exposure was found to change the mechanism of impact energy absorption. A greater nominal wood core density was found to provide more structural integrity and impact resistance as fire exposure increases. In the marine grade sandwich panels tested, the total average ‘peak load’, initial stiffness, and propagation energy impact response characteristics were found to reduce by 73, 81, and 54% following 200 s exposure of a 1250 °C, 175 kW m −2 fire, respectively.
Electron states near surfaces of solids

Abstract The mathematical theory of electron eigenstates near the surfaces of solids is developed in stages. The first stage is the study of the eigenstates of solids which terminate at a surface but are otherwise unperturbed; it is proved that near the surface the three-dimensional band edges are “softened” and that van Hove's singularities in the density of states are eliminated. A set of “vacuum states” lying primarily outside the solid is constructed out of plane waves orthogonalized to the eigenstates of the solid. This set of vacuum states is not orthonormal, and it must be orthonormalized by a procedure different from that of Schmidt (which is unsuitable). Effects of surface perturbations are studied. An exact method is elaborated for obtaining eigenfunctions in closed form, for a variety of perturbing potentials that extend arbitrary distances from the surface and include interband matrix elements. It consists of calculating the effects of one surface layer at a time and cumulating the results. The intrinsic instability of certain surfaces against the formation of bands of surface states is shown to be the consequence of the vanishing of a bulk quantity α zz , one of the components of the inverse-effective mass tensor, at certain points in the B.Z.
The Effect of the Finite deBroglie Wavelength in the Theory of Beta-Decay

An accurate numerical evaluation of the $Z$ and energy dependent parts of the correction factors for allowed and forbidden beta-transitions has been carried out. The range of parameters considered is: 88 values of $Z$ (from 10 to 96 inclusive in steps of 2 and for positrons ($Zl0$) as well as electrons ($Zg0$)); 33 values of $p$, the electron momentum, in mc units ($0.1l~pl~25$) for $|Z|$ through 24 and 31 values of $p$ (0.1\ensuremath{\le} p\ensuremath{\le} 15) for $|Z|g24$; four values of $j(\mathrm{the}\mathrm{electron}\mathrm{momentum}(\frac{1}{2}l~jl~\frac{7}{2})$. For each value of $Z$, $p$, and $j$ the six wave-function combinations (${L}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}, {M}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}, {N}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}, {P}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}, {Q}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}, {R}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}$) needed for the general mixed beta-interaction are obtained. For the given range of $j$, analysis of beta-spectra can be carried out through third forbidden transitions. The results given here show that the theoretically allowed spectra should be modified by an energy-dependent factor. For not-too-low maximum energies, this modification in the shape of the allowed beta-spectrum may be observable with presently attainable precision.
A deterministic run-time environment for Ada-05 on the ATmega16 microcontroller

Microcontrollers account for more than 90% of total microprocessors sold, yet their capabilities are seldom explored in computer science courses. A simple 8-Bit microcontroller can be used in a computer language programming course to facilitate the study of computer architecture and fundamental programming concepts. Through hands-on experience, students can appreciate using a computer language such as Assembly or ADA to develop applications for embedded devices. ADA is not often used in small embedded systems because of ADA's high overhead. We can overcome this problem by using a subset of ADA, such as the Ravenscar Profile. The goal of this paper is to describe how ADA can be used to develop high-integrity real-time systems supporting the Ravenscar tasking model of ADA-05 on the Atmel AVR ATmega16 microcontroller.
Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of the engrailed homeodomain and of an engrailed homeodomain/DNA complex.

Abstract The homeodomain from the engrailed protein of Drosophila has been crystallized from ammonium phosphate at pH 6.8. The crystals form in space group P6 1 22 (or P6 5 22), with cell dimensions a = b = 44.8 A and c = 118.2 A. These crystals diffract to 1.8 A resolution. A complex containing the engrailed homeodomain and a duplex DNA site also has been crystallized. The cocrystals form in space group C2 with a = 131.2 A, b = 45.5 A, c = 72.9 A and β = 119.0°. These crystals diffract to 2.6 A resolution.
Cdk5 in neuroskeletal dynamics.

Signal transduction in a broad sense refers to intracellular, molecular changes triggered by cues outside the cell in order to bring about behavioral responses such as migration, differentiation, secr
Molecular Evidence of Ocular Epstein-Barr Virus Infection

Ocular manifestations have been attributed to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), largely on the basis of seroepidemiologic data. Two patients who developed conjunctival disease as the presenting feature of EBV infection are reported, each confirmed by in situ hybridization of EBV genome in affected tissue biopsy specimens. Recognition of EBV-induced ocular disease as an initial presentation of clinical EBV infection is important to the practitioner because of the ubiquitous nature of this herpesvirus.
Modeling the Laser Ablation Process Using Neural Networks

Laser ablation has become an increasingly important process in the fabrication of microelectronic packaging substrates. In this research, laser ablation has been applied to drilling via holes during the sequential build-up process of a multilayer substrate. Since the quality of the process is influenced considerably by the process set points, studies that characterize the relationship between these conditions and the characteristics of the vias formed are necessary. This paper examines vias with diameters of 30, 40, and 50 μm ablated in DuPont Kapton® E polyimide using an Anvik HexScan™ 2150 SXE excimer laser. A statistical experiment using a 25−1 fractional factorial design was conducted to determine the significance of laser energy, shot frequency, number of pulses, and vertical and horizontal positions of the debris removal system in the laser tool affecting the top via diameter, via wall angle, and the ablated thickness of the dielectric. Several input factors and two-factor interactions were found to be statistically significant (p-value < 0.05). Following the collection of the experimental data, neural networks (NNs) were trained using the error back-propagation algorithm to model the average values of the responses. The prediction error for all the NN models was less than 5.5%.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
PREDATORY BEHAVIOR OF THE CLERID BEETLE THANASIMUS DUBIUS (COLEOPTERA: CLERIDAE) ON THE SOUTHERN PINE BEETLE (COLEOPTERA: SCOLYTIDAE)

The behavior of adults of clerid beetle Thanasimus dubius (F.) preying upon adult southern pine beetles, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmerman, in an arena in the laboratory is described by classifying the acts according to their consequences. A sequence of five stereotyped acts is performed by the predator: either searching or ambush, seizure of prey, alignment of prey, consumption of prey, and grooming. Handling time by the predator consists of the sums of the durations of the four acts of seizure through grooming, which was not significantly different for male and female predators, but was significantly longer for male prey (13.81 min) than for female prey (10.49 min). Consumption of prey (8–9 min) is the major component of handling time. Predators searched or waited in ambush an average of 5.8 mm before seizing a prey, and captured prey with an efficiency of 72%. Blinding predators had no significant effect on their efficiency at capturing prey. Maxillary and labial palpectomy alone or in combination significantly reduced efficiency of capture, and reduced numbers of prey consumed.
Identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the human γ-glutamyl hydrolase gene and characterization of promoter polymorphisms

gamma-Glutamyl hydrolase (GGH) plays a central role in folate metabolism and antifolate action. Increased GGH activity has been found in rat hepatoma cells resistant to the cancer drug methotrexate (MTX). The aim of this study was to identify polymorphisms in the GGH gene that modulate GGH activity and that may affect methotrexate resistance. Exons of the human gamma-glutamyl hydrolase (hGGH) gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from breast cancer tissue and leukemia cell lines. Single-stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis was performed, and PCR products containing different patterns were cloned and sequenced. Six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified, at bases -401C>T, -354G>T, -124T>G, +16T>C, +452C>T, and +1102A>G, relative to the A of the translation start codon being considered as +1. The SNP at +16, which changes codon -19 (relative to the start of the mature hGGH protein) in the endoplasmic reticulum targeting sequence of hGGH protein from cysteine to arginine, has previously been identified in this laboratory. The SNP at +452 changes the conserved hGGH protein codon 127 from threonine to isoleucine. The functions of SNPs in the promoter of the hGGH gene were studied by site-directed mutagenesis of a 516-bp region of the hGGH gene promoter in a luciferase reporter vector and transfection into HepG2 and MCF-7 cells. All of the promoter polymorphisms enhanced the production of luciferase compared to the wild-type hGGH gene promoter in HepG2 cells, and -401C>T and -124T>G enhanced luciferase expression in MCF-7 cells, suggesting that polymorphisms in the hGGH gene promoter may increase expression of hGGH protein.
Implications of plant polysaccharides for human health, especially obesity

Abstract The current status of the dietary-fibre hypothesis, which relates plant polysaccharides to human health, is considered together with other characteristics of the diet thought to be beneficial for health reasons. While there are associations between specific dietary components and health-risk factors, there is little information showing how a change in these factors eventually affects health. Moreover, research on the mechanisms by which dietary components act and interact to bring about changes in the state of health is still in its infancy. With regard to obesity, key experiments relating dietary type to energy balance have not yet been performed. Considering whether fibre-enriched products help with body weight loss and maintenance shows observed benefits to be slight. The value of lightly-processed complex-carbohydrate foods in the prevention of obesity in man is not known.
Music on MySpace

(2006). “Music on MySpace”. Music Reference Services Quarterly: Vol. 10, No. 3-4, pp. 127-131.
An audio DSP Toolkit for rapid application development in Flash

The Adobe Flash platform has become the de facto standard for developing and deploying media rich web applications and games. The relative ease-of-development and cross-platform architecture of Flash enables designers to rapidly prototype graphically rich interactive applications, but comprehensive support for audio and signal processing has been lacking. ActionScript, the primary development language used for Flash, is poorly suited for DSP algorithms. To address the inherent challenges in the integration of interactive audio processing into Flash-based applications, we have developed the DSP Audio Toolkit for Flash, which offers significant performance improvements over algorithms implemented in Java or ActionScript. By developing this toolkit, we hope to open up new possibilities for Flash applications and games, enabling them to utilize real-time audio processing as a means to drive gameplay and improve the experience of the end user.
Trapped electron acceleration by a laser-driven relativistic plasma wave

THE aim of new approaches for high-energy particle acceleration1 is to push the acceleration rate beyond the limit (∼100 MeV m−1) imposed by radio-frequency breakdown in conventional accelerators. Relativistic plasma waves, having phase velocities very close to the speed of light, have been proposed2–6 as a means of accelerating charged particles, and this has recently been demonstrated7,8. Here we show that the charged particles can be trapped by relativistic plasma waves—a necessary condition for obtaining the maximum amount of energy theoretically possible for such schemes. In our experiments, plasma waves are excited in a hydrogen plasma by beats induced by two collinear laser beams, the difference in whose frequencies matches the plasma frequency. Electrons with an energy of 2 MeV are injected into the excited plasma, and the energy spectrum of the exiting electrons is analysed. We detect electrons with velocities exceeding that of the plasma wave, demonstrating that some electrons are 'trapped' by the wave potential and therefore move synchronously with the plasma wave. We observe a maximum energy gain of 28 MeV, corresponding to an acceleration rate of about 2.8 GeV m−1.
Fixation-based filtering

Fixation and visual attention are central themes in active vision research, and are closely related. In this paper we discuss one of several ways in which they interact. We describe filtering methods that allow an agent to selectively extract features of the object it is fixating and suppress features of foreground and background objects. The methods are essentially depth filters; they use disparity or motion information to suppress image features that are far from the fixation point in depth. They share a simple computational structure based on the Laplacian pyramid, and are readily amenable to hardware implementation. We present the filters and the properties of fixation geometry that allow them to work, and discuss their behavior. We present methods of implementing them in real time and describe ways of extending them to other features besides depth.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.