cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Subspecific genetic differences in the saddle-back tamarin (Saguinus fuscicollis) postcranial skeleton

Saddle-back tamarins (Saguinus fuscicollis) have been differentiated into subspecies based on coat color and facial morphology. Morphology of first-generation genetic hybrids can provide an understanding of population differences and evolution that may otherwise be difficult to obtain. This study compares postcranial morphology in two hybrids of saddle-back tamarins (S. f. illigeri x S. f. lagonotus and S. f. illigeri x S. f. leucogenys) to the purebred subspecies. We examine whether postcranial morphology differs between the purebred subspecies and their hybrids, and whether hybrids exhibit heterosis indicative of genetic differences between the parental subspecies. Fifty postcranial dimensions, or traits, were measured on 287 S. fuscicollis skeletons. Measurements were corrected for sex differences and environmental differences (wild-derived or laboratory-born). Females were larger than males for most postcranial dimensions, especially in the pelvis. Significant environmental differences were found throughout the postcranial skeleton, with wild-derived animals generally larger than animals born in the laboratory. Significant heterosis was found for six postcranial traits in the S. f. illigeri x S. f. leucogenys cross, and heterosis was found for 15 postcranial traits in the S. f. illigeri x S. f. lagonotus cross. These results suggest that subspecies differences in skeletal morphology are generally due to genetic rather than environmental differences. The subspecies appear to represent geographic isolates that differ in gene frequencies and directional dominance for skeletal traits.
A Simple Model for Simulating Tornado Damage in Forests

Abstract An analytical model is presented to describe patterns of downed trees produced by tornadic winds. The model uses a combined Rankine vortex of specified tangential and radial components to describe a simple tornado circulation. A total wind field is then computed by adding the forward motion of the vortex. The lateral and vertical forces on modeled tree stands are then computed and are compared with physical characteristics of Scots and loblolly pine. From this model, patterns of windfall are computed and are compared to reveal three basic damage patterns: cross-track symmetric, along-track asymmetric, and crisscross asymmetric. These patterns are shown to depend on forward speed, radial speed, and tree resistance. It is anticipated that this model will prove to be useful in assessing storm characteristics from damage patterns observed in forested areas.
Ultrastructural Study of the Mitochondria in the Skeletal Muscle Fibers in the Diabetic Chinese Hamster

An ultrastructural study of skeletal muscle fiber biopsies from the tongue and soleus muscle of diabetic Chinese hamsters revealed the presence of lipid droplets within the muscle fibers. These droplets often were found in the cyptoplasm near mitochondira, sometimes inside or surrounded by one or more mitochondria. Glycogen granules were found in great quantities in the cytoplasm of the tongue and soleus muscle. Granules which appeared to be glycogen were also found within the mitochondria of the tongue muscle.
AN AUTOMATED 3D FACILITIES PLANNING AND OPERATIONS MODEL GENERATOR FOR SYNTHESIZING GENERIC MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS IN VIRTUAL REALITY

One of the basic building blocks in virtual manufacturing is a 3D facility. An automated method for reconstructing a 3D facility from a 2D layout is presented here. The 3D facility is reconstructed using spacefilling curves (SFC), and simultaneously creating hierarchy levels within a scenegraph structure, which is a directed acyclic graph (DAG). An iterative process is used to acquire knowledge about the layout, and reorganize the scenegraph structure based on the acquired knowledge, and cell formation within the layout. Additional CAD data models for the equipment within the facility provide depth within the scenegraph framework to synthesize generic manufacturing operations, such as load, unload, move and process, in a virtual manufacturing environment. The objects within the 3D facility have been modified to provide the links required for synthesizing the generic manufacturing operations in the virtual manufacturing environment. The generic manufacturing operations are realized by updating the hierarch...
The synthetic retinoid (4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide decreases collagen expression in vitro and in the tight-skin mouse

Objective. We documented the effect of the retinoid (4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide on collagen expression in a tissue culture and in an animal model of scleroderma. Methods. We used RNA analysis, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assays, organ culture, and histologic evaluation. Results. We showed that (4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide decreases αl(I) collagen messenger RNA and transcription in cultured cells, and decreases collagen levels in the dermis of tight-skin mice. Conclusion. These results provide a basis for further experiments to address the efficacy of (4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide in the treatment of scleroderma.
What type of landowner would supply marginal land for energy crops

Abstract Landowner perspectives can inform policy to encourage expansion of energy crop production onto non-crop, marginal land. This paper analyzes a survey of owners of non-crop marginal land in southern Michigan to classify landowners by their attitudes toward energy crop production. A factor analysis identifies common factors underlying their perceptions of bioenergy production, and those factors are used in a cluster analysis that classifies landowners into four types: disamenity-sensitive, profit-oriented, bioenergy supporters, and bioenergy skeptics. Multinomial logit regression using the identified landowner types elucidates how these types are grounded in landowners' perceptions of bioenergy production and their socioeconomic characteristics. Policy makers aiming to encourage bioenergy production should target the profit-oriented landowners and the bioenergy supporters as they are most open to energy crop production.
Model for estimating loss cost

Abstract Profitability of many risk-oriented companies, especially insurance companies, depends on being able to estimate loss cost so that premiums or pricing for services can be established accurately. In this paper, a simulation model for estimating loss cost is developed. The methodology developed is within the context of an insurance business; however, the same techniques and concepts can be used for other risk-oriented ventures.
Physiologic Underpinnings for Clinical Problems in Moderately Preterm and Late Preterm Infants

This article highlights some of the important developmental characteristics that underpin common problems seen in moderate and late preterm infants. Preterm birth is associated with an increased prevalence of clinical problems caused by functional immaturities in a wide variety of organ systems, acquired problems, and problems associated with inadequate monitoring and/or follow-up plans. There are variations in the degree of maturation among infants of similar gestational ages because the developmental process is nonlinear. Therefore, different organ systems mature at rates and trajectories that are specific to their functions. A better understanding of these principles can help guide optimal treatment strategies.
Assessing the Academic Library's Role in Campus-Wide Research Data Management: A First Step at the University of Houston

In an effort to support the University of Houston's goal of becoming a Carnegie-designated Tier One research university, several science librarians within the Department of Liaison Services have undertaken a study to assess current data management practices on campus. The goal of this study was to determine if data management needs are being met on campus and how the library might help meet those needs. We found that rather than physical storage capacity, researchers need assistance with funding agencies' data management requirements, the grant proposal process, finding campus data-related services, publication support, and targeted research assistance attendant to data management.
Land Tenure and Tropical Forest Carbon Management

Summary This essay introduces five papers investigating land tenure issues related to conserving tropical forests via incentive-based strategies (e.g., PES, REDD+). After briefly reviewing key terms and concepts, we point to important contributions from the papers regarding (a) a deeper theoretical and empirical understanding of the relationship between land tenure and forest outcomes, and (b) policy lessons from early efforts to address tenure in sites targeted for forest carbon projects.
Reclaiming Agents for Synthetic Rubber

Abstract Some highly alkylated phenol sulfides have proved to be among the most active reclaiming agents for GR-S and other synthetic rubbers. A study has been made of the activities of these materials as related to molecular structure and to the fate of sulfur during the reclaiming process. The nature and mechanism of the chemical reactions taking place during the reclaiming of natural and synthetic rubbers have been discussed in the light of the results obtained.
Accuracy of energy intake data estimated by a multiple-pass, 24-hour dietary recall technique.

Abstract Objective This study examined the accuracy of a multiplepass, 24 hour dietary recall method for estimating energy intakes of men and women by comparing it with energy intake required for weight maintenance. Design Threeday, multiplepass, 24-hour recalls were obtained on randomly selected days during a selfselected diet period when subjects were preparing their own meals and during a controlled diet period when all meals were provided by the study. During the dietary intervention, weight was maintained; body weight and dietary intake were monitored closely, thereby allowing estimation of the energy intake required for weight maintenance. Subjects/setting Seventyeight men and women (22 to 67 years old) from the Dietary Effects on Lipoprotein and Thrombogenic Activity (DELTA) study participated in this study. All 24-hour recalls were collected using a computerassisted, interactive, multiplepass telephone interview technique. Energy requirements for each individual were determined by the energy content of the DELTA study foods provided to maintain weight. Statistical analysis Paired and independent t tests were conducted to examine differences among study variables. Agreement between recalled energy intake and weight maintenance energy intake was analyzed using the BlandAltman technique. Results Compared with weight maintenance energy intake, during the selfselected diet period men and women underestimated energy intake by 11% and 13%, respectively. During the controlled diet period, men underestimated energy intake by 13%, whereas women overestimated energy by 1.3%. Applications/conclusions Men had a tendency to underestimate energy intake irrespective of the recording period. The accuracy of the recalled energy intake of women may be influenced by recording circumstances. Researchers should examine the factors influencing underreporting and overreporting by individuals and their impact on macronutrient and micronutrient intakes. Also, strategies need to be developed to minimize underreporting and overreporting. J Am Diet Assoc. 2000; 100:303-308,311.
A comparison of younger vs older women with vulvar cancer in the United States

Objective The purpose of this study was to compare the prognostic variables and survival of younger ( Study Design Subjects with invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva were identified from the limited use Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program 1988-2005. Comparisons between younger and older women were accomplished with χ 2 and t -tests. Survival analysis was accomplished with Kaplan-Meier for univariate analysis and Cox proportional hazards model for multivariate analysis. Results A total of 6965 patients met inclusion criteria, of whom 1345 patients (19.3%) were younger and 5620 patients (80.7%) were older. The 5-year survival was 87.5% for younger women and 52.5% for older women ( P Conclusion A striking survival difference exists between younger and older women with squamous cell vulvar cancer, which supports the view that etiopathogenesis of this disease may vary between age groups.
Heterogeneity of cell response to early anoxia and reoxygenation in rat heart

Summary Heterogeneous cell injury and increased tissue calcium levels were observed in the isolated rat hearts perfused with anoxic medium for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 min. These changes were intensified after reoxygenation of the anoxic hearts. The cell injury was quantitated using a score of 0, 1, 2 or 3 (0 being normal and 3 being severe injury). All four classes of cells were present even after 5 min of anoxia. The injury and calcium content increased with increase in duration of anoxia. Reduction in the percentage of injured cells was observed on reoxygenation of hearts perfused with anoxic medium for 5 to 20 min. However, reoxygenation of hearts initially perfused with anoxic medium for 25 to 30 min resulted in a higher percentage of injured myocytes. Beneficial effects of reoxygenation were observed in the anoxic hearts when the percentage of cells with an injury score of 1 and glycogen deposit were high, coupled with low calcium levels.
Radiation effects under multiply charged ion impacts

Abstract In experiments by a joint group of Livermore Sandia National Laboratories, and Kansas State University and a group of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory some nanometer-size shallow craters and blisters on mica surface exposed to Xe 44+ bombardment have been observed. No ion energy dependence of their size was recorded. The electrostatic Coulomb repulsion is an appropriate model to describe the origin of shallow circular features on mica surface. The protruding bumps are created after the binding forces between cations and former anions disappear due to local charge depletion during the near surface Auger neutralization of slow highly charged ion.
Application and feasibility of systemic lupus erythematosus reproductive health care quality indicators at a public urban rheumatology clinic

ObjectivesQuality indicators (QIs) are evidence-based processes of care designed to represent the current standard of care. Reproductive health QIs for the care of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have recently been developed, and examine areas such as pregnancy screening for autoantibodies, treatment of pregnancy-associated antiphospholipid syndrome, and contraceptive counseling. This study was designed to investigate our performance on these QIs and to explore potential gaps in care and demographic predictors of adherence to the QIs in a safety-net hospital.MethodsWe performed a record review of patients with a diagnosis of SLE at Denver Health Medical Center (DH) through an electronic query of existing medical records and via chart review. Data were limited to female patients between the ages of 18 and 50 who were seen between July 2006 and August 2011.ResultsA total of 137 female patients between the ages of 18 and 50 were identified by ICD-9 code and confirmed by chart review to have ...
The dynamics of three vortices revisited

The dynamics of three vortices was studied by Synge using the length of the sides of the triangle formed by three vortices as prime variables. The critical states at which the lengths of the sides remain fixed throughout the motion were found to be either equilateral triangles or collinear configurations. The equilateral configurations were shown to be stable or unstable depending on whether the sum of the products of strengths K was greater or less than zero, respectively. In the case K=0, a one‐parameter family of solutions of contracting and another of expanding similar triangles were found. In this paper, it is shown that for this special case, the family of contracting similar solutions is always unstable while the family of expanding ones is stable. The critical states for collinear configurations in the general case are then studied where K is greater than or less than 0. It is shown that there are either six or four critical states depending on the strengths of the vortices. When there are six collinear critical states, three of them are always stable, one is not while the remaining two are unstable (stable) if the equilateral triangle configuration is stable (unstable). When there are only four collinear critical states, they are all stable while the equilateral triangle configuration is always unstable. Since there are two equilateral triangle configurations, clockwise and counterclockwise arrangements of the three vortices, the sum of the indices of all the critical states is equal to +2 regardless of whether K is greater than or less than 0. An integral invariant in trilinear coordinates is derived. When all the critical points and the integral invariant are known, the global behavior of the trajectories is obtained.
Surface Boundaries of the Southern Plains: Their Role in the Initiation of Convective Storms

The nature of the different types of surface boundaries that appear in the southern plains of the United States during the convectively active season is reviewed. The following boundaries are discussed: fronts, the dryline, troughs, and outflow boundaries. The boundaries are related to their environment and to local topography. The role these boundaries might play in the initiation of convective storms is emphasized. The various types of boundary-related vertical circulations and their dynamics are discussed. In particular, quasigeostrophic and semigeostrophic dynamics, and the dynamics of solenoidal circulations, density currents, boundary layers, and gravity waves are considered.
Architectural style requirements for self-healing systems

This paper argues for a set of requirements that an architectural style for self-healing systems should satisfy: adaptability, dynamicity, awareness, autonomy, robustness, distributability, mobility, and traceability. Support for these requirements is discussed along five dimensions we have identified as distinguishing characteristics of architectural styles: external structure, topology rules, behavior, interaction, and data flow. As an illustration, these requirements are used to assess an existing architectural style. While this initial formulation of the requirements appears to have utility, much further work remains to be done in order to apply it in evaluating and comparing architectural styles for self-healing systems.
A weakly nonlinear evolution model for long internal waves in a large lake

A wind-forced weakly nonlinear weakly dispersive evolution model is derived for a continuously stratified circular lake of slowly varying depth under the effect of the Earth's rotation. The model was numerically integrated to investigate the evolution of long internal waves of vertical mode one for various sets of environmental parameters. It is demonstrated that the Kelvin wave steepens as it propagates, and the steepened front subsequently generates a train of oscillatory waves. It is demonstrated that Poincare waves do not steepen, but their amplitude is modulated in an oscillatory manner with time, exhibiting a pseudo recurrence character. The model was applied to the wind forced problem, confirming that Kelvin and Poincare waves are the dominant response. Energy partition among Kelvin and Poincare wave modes is estimated as a function of wind-forcing parameters. For large lakes, the most significant wave amplitude is found in the Kelvin wave mode, but the gross field energy is most significantly contained in Poincare wave modes.
Analysis of plasma polymerization of allylamine by FTIR

The plasma polymerization of allylamine in an inductively coupled rf plasma reactor is analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Comparison of the infrared spectra of the as-received monomer and the plasma polymerized film reveals a conversion of the primary amine in the monomer (CH2NH2) to an imine (CHNH) and a nitrile (CN). Plasma polymerization of ethylenediamine yields the same results, suggesting that this polymerization scheme may be typical of primary amines. Increasing the plasma power seems to increase the proportion of nitrile groups in relation to the imine groups. The infrared spectra of the vapor phase polymerized monomer was similar to that of the substrate-grafted allylamine film implying a similar structure. Aging of this vapor phase polymer at 120°C for 1 h in vacuum and at 295°C for 15 min in an oxygen free environment reveals nitrile group reaction similar to that observed in polyacrylonitrile. Thermogravimetric analyses of the vapor phase polymers in a nitrogen atmosphere at 20°C/min demonstrated the thermal stability, with the polymer produced at a plasma power level of 50 W retaining 20% of its weight at 1000°C. This was better than the stability shown by the polymer produced at 150 W and is attributed to the ease of nitrile group polymerization in the former.
Pooled Association Tests for Rare Variants in Exon-Resequencing Studies

Deep sequencing will soon generate comprehensive sequence information in large disease samples. Although the power to detect association with an individual rare variant is limited, pooling variants by gene or pathway into a composite test provides an alternative strategy for identifying susceptibility genes. We describe a statistical method for detecting association of multiple rare variants in protein-coding genes with a quantitative or dichotomous trait. The approach is based on the regression of phenotypic values on individuals' genotype scores subject to a variable allele-frequency threshold, incorporating computational predictions of the functional effects of missense variants. Statistical significance is assessed by permutation testing with variable thresholds. We used a rigorous population-genetics simulation framework to evaluate the power of the method, and we applied the method to empirical sequencing data from three disease studies.
Micro-Macro Linkages in High-Performance Employment Systems

This paper draws upon data from an investigation of U.S. and Japanese employment and pay systems. Most studies of high-performance workplace organizations have been concerned with 'internal fit', focusing on organizational practices within the firm. In this contribution, the emphasis is upon the 'external fit' between high-performance organizations and their wider environments. The conclusion is that the effectiveness of an organizational system critically depends upon the macroeconomic and institutional contexts within which it is located.
Multiphoton ionization spectroscopy of germanium atoms produced by multiphoton dissociation of Ge(C2H5)4

Abstract The first reported multiphoton ionization spectrum (2 + 1) for atomic germanium has been obtained by multiphoton dissociation of a tetraethylgermane (TEG) precursor. The germanium spectrum indicates that the atoms were produced primarily in the ground electronic state. Time-of-flight mass spectrometry was employed to examine the dissociation mechanism of the parent molecule. Tetraethylgermane was observed to dissociate via both a sequential, neutral channel and an ionic pathway. The results indicate that Ge(C 2 H 5 ) 4 , is a suitable precursor for chemical vapor deposition in that it may result in ‘clean’ atomic germanium. The ionization scheme may also be of use in the monitoring of processes at germanium surfaces.
I Hope: A Phenomenological Study of the Lived Experience of Fragile Families

The literature surrounding fragile families, low-income, unwed couples that are expecting a baby or that are new parents, is quickly expanding as there is a growing interest in understanding demographics, barriers to marriage, desire to marry, and patterns of relationships. This is due in large part to the federal government's healthy marriage initiative, which provided millions of dollars nationwide in demonstration grants designed to improve relationships among fragile families. In the midst of the expansion of literature, however, there is a deficit of deep, qualitative understanding of the experiences, beliefs, and attitudes of fragile families regarding relationship formation and marriage. Therefore, this article describes a phenomenological study that explores the lived experience of fragile families.
Anomalous course of the left brachiocephalic vein

An anomalous course of the left brachiocephalic vein beneath the aortic arch was identified in 7 patients undergoing surgical repair of congenital cardiac malformations. Six of these patients had the morphologic features of tetralogy of Fallot including severe obstruction to the right ventricular outflow tract and a right aortic arch. A review of the literature reveals this to be an uncommon anomaly. When it is present, however, it is frequently associated with a ventricular septal defect, obstruction of the right ventricular outflow, and aortic arch anomalies. This anomaly can be documented by echocardiography, at cardiac catheterization, or intraoperatively. The presence of a subaortic left brachiocephalic vein may have implications for the conduct of surgical procedures, especially in the setting of tetralogy of Fallot.
Mixed-signal Simulation of a Power Amplifier Predistortion Linearization System

This paper introduces a mixed-signal simulator for the RF power amplifier predistortion linearization. System-level simulation approaches are in demand for designing mixed-signal power amplifier systems and tight time-to-market requirements. A predistortion system using self-adjusting function provides both precise and stable distortion compensation performance. The system performs the linearization for a physical model of a power amplifier (PA) using the dynamic feedback of the difference signal between input and output envelops to adaptively compensate the gain and phase. The simulator was developed on the simulation environment in the HP Advanced Design System (HP ADS). The performance of the simulator is examined by a mixed-signal example. The presented performance illustrates potential applications for DSP implementation in the future wireless systems.
THE ENZYMATIC DEFECT IN TYPE II HYPERPROLINEMIA: ABSENCE OF Δ-PYRROLINE-5-CARBOXYLIC ACID DEHYDROGENASE ACTIVITY

THE ENZYMATIC DEFECT IN TYPE II HYPERPROLINEMIA: ABSENCE OF Δ-PYRROLINE-5-CARBOXYLIC ACID DEHYDROGENASE ACTIVITY
Perry, Kelvin, and the age of the sun

Lord Kelvin argued that the Sun had to be between 20 and 100 million years old, based on the assumption that the Sun’s energy source was gravitational contraction. As everyone now knows, the Sun’s actual power source is the thermonuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium. But Kelvin’s number is based on a physical assumption for which he could give no justification: the Sun’s density is approximately constant. Had Kelvin assumed instead that the Sun had a small core near a black hole radius – an assumption allowed by the knowledge of physicists at the end of the nineteenth century – he would have obtained an age for the Sun as long as 10 trillion years, completely consistent with the long time scale required for evolution. Conversely, had Kelvin accepted the geologists’ time scale, he would have been forced to acknowledge the existence of very dense objects, making it easier for twentieth century astronomers to accept the existence of black holes and neutron stars.
Novel heterochronic functions of the Caenorhabditis elegans period-related protein LIN-42

LIN-42, the Caenorhabditis elegans homolog of the Period (Per) family of circadian rhythm proteins, functions as a member of the heterochronic pathway, regulating temporal cell identities. We demonstrate that lin-42 acts broadly, timing developmental events in the gonad, vulva, and sex myoblasts, in addition to its well-established role in timing terminal differentiation of the hypodermis. In the vulva, sex myoblasts, and hypodermis, lin-42 activity prevents stage-specific cell division patterns from occurring too early. This general function of timing stage-appropriate cell division patterns is shared by the majority of heterochronic genes; their mutation temporally alters stage-specific division patterns. In contrast, lin-42 function in timing gonad morphogenesis is unique among the known heterochronic genes: inactivation of lin-42 causes the elongating gonad arms to reflex too early, a phenotype which implicates lin-42 in temporal regulation of cell migration. Three additional isoforms of lin-42 are identified that expand our view of the lin-42 locus and significantly extend the homology between LIN-42 and other PER family members. We show that, similar to PER proteins, LIN-42 has a dynamic expression pattern; its levels oscillate relative to the molts during postembryonic development. Transformation rescue studies indicate lin-42 is bipartite with respect to function. Intriguingly, the hallmark PAS domain is dispensable for LIN-42 function in transgenic animals.
Global finite-time stabilization by dynamic output feedback for a class of continuous nonlinear systems

This note studies the problem of global finite-time stabilization by dynamic output feedback for a class of continuous but nonsmooth nonlinear systems. By extending the adding-a-power-integrator technique and a special continuous observer design, a dynamic output feedback controller is explicitly constructed to render the systems globally finite-time stable. The novelty of the note is the development of a recursive design procedure, which takes full advantage of the continuous structure of the systems in constructing the state feedback stabilizer and the continuous observer with rigorously selected gains.
General Relativistic Description of the Observed Galaxy Power Spectrum: Do We Understand What We Measure?

We extend the general relativistic description of galaxy clustering developed in Yoo, Fitzpatrick, and Zaldarriaga (2009). For the first time we provide a fully general relativistic description of the observed matter power spectrum and the observed galaxy power spectrum with the linear bias ansatz. It is significantly different from the standard Newtonian description on large scales and especially its measurements on large scales can be misinterpreted as the detection of the primordial non-Gaussianity even in the absence thereof. The key difference in the observed galaxy power spectrum arises from the real-space matter fluctuation defined as the matter fluctuation at the hypersurface of the observed redshift. As opposed to the standard description, the shape of the observed galaxy power spectrum evolves in redshift, providing additional cosmological information. While the systematic errors in the standard Newtonian description are negligible in the current galaxy surveys at low redshift, correct general relativistic description is essential for understanding the galaxy power spectrum measurements on large scales in future surveys with redshift depth z ≥ 3. We discuss ways to improve the detection significance in the current galaxy surveys and comment on applications of our general relativistic formalism in future surveys.
Specification and Verification of LambdaRAM- A Wide-area Distributed Cache for High Performance Computing

LambdaRAM is a high-performance, multidimensional, wide-area, distributed cache that takes advantage of massively available memory from multiple clusters interconnected by ultra high-speed networking to provide data-intensive scientific applications with rapid access to both local and remote data without suffering the latency bottlenecks often associated with large storage systems and wide-area data access. LambdaRAM has been demonstrated to yield significant performance speed-ups for geophysical and Bioscience applications accessing extremely large datasets. Currently, LambdaRAM is being integrated by NASA for the modelling, analysis and prediction (MAP) program applications to study tropical cyclones. Formal verification o/LambdaRAM is important to NASA to ensure that LambdaRAM operates reliably in real-time mission critical deployments. We present our preliminary steps towards full formal verification of LambdaRAM. We first give an abstract description of the system and then verify several of its properties. Most of the proofs are accomplished by automatic techniques, while some require deductive steps.
Heat Shock-Enhanced Conjugation Efficiency in Standard Campylobacter jejuni Strains

Campylobacter jejuni, the leading bacterial cause of human gastroenteritis in the United States, displays significant strain diversity due to horizontal gene transfer. Conjugation is an important horizontal gene transfer mechanism contributing to the evolution of bacterial pathogenesis and antimicrobial resistance. It has been observed that heat shock could increase transformation efficiency in some bacteria. In this study, the effect of heat shock on C. jejuni conjugation efficiency and the underlying mechanisms were examined. With a modified Escherichia coli donor strain, different C. jejuni recipient strains displayed significant variation in conjugation efficiency ranging from 6.2 × 10(-8) to 6.0 × 10(-3) CFU per recipient cell. Despite reduced viability, heat shock of standard C. jejuni NCTC 11168 and 81-176 strains (e.g., 48 to 54°C for 30 to 60 min) could dramatically enhance C. jejuni conjugation efficiency up to 1,000-fold. The phenotype of the heat shock-enhanced conjugation in C. jejuni recipient cells could be sustained for at least 9 h. Filtered supernatant from the heat shock-treated C. jejuni cells could not enhance conjugation efficiency, which suggests that the enhanced conjugation efficiency is independent of secreted substances. Mutagenesis analysis indicated that the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats system and the selected restriction-modification systems (Cj0030/Cj0031, Cj0139/Cj0140, Cj0690c, and HsdR) were dispensable for heat shock-enhanced conjugation in C. jejuni. Taking all results together, this study demonstrated a heat shock-enhanced conjugation efficiency in standard C. jejuni strains, leading to an optimized conjugation protocol for molecular manipulation of this organism. The findings from this study also represent a significant step toward elucidation of the molecular mechanism of conjugative gene transfer in C. jejuni.
Mapping borehole-accessed karst solutional features and culvert conduits using remote sensor technology

Prior papers have described prototype sensors that were developed to autonomously map pathway, flow velocity, and dimensions as they flow through karst conduits. The prototype sensors are equipped with sonar and magnetometers to measure conduit morphology and orientation. The sensors are developed to be approximately neutrally buoyant but have been equipped with a propulsion system to enable the sensors to negotiate around impediments in the flow channel and avoid stalling at the walls of the conduit or cave. Data collected during an excursion are downloaded from the sensor upon completion of the survey mission. An autonomous sensor was successfully used to characterize a segment in Honey Creek Cave, a wet cave in south-central Texas. Sonar proved to be effective in measuring the cave dimensions and the velocity of flow. A magnetometer was used to orient the pathway taken by the sensor. Together, these data provided a representative reproduction of the oriented morphology of the wet cave. Two variations of the initial generation of sensors have been developed to meet the requirements of projects funded by the United States Army Corps of Engineers for mapping borehole-accessed karst solution cavities and by the Federal Highway Administration for mapping, monitoring, and diagnosing damage to roadway culverts. The first variation is tethered to map karst voids intersected by a drill hole but where discharge to a spring is not anticipated. The second features an enhanced sonar scheme to overcome the extreme multipath environments found inside a partially filled metal culvert and to provide localization information in a magnetically shielded environment.
A Formal Approach to Handling Conflicts in Multiattribute Group Decision Making

Supporting the decision of a group in engineering design is a challenging and complicated problem when issues like consensus and compromise must be taken into account. In this paper, we present the foundations of the group hypothetical equivalents and inequivalents method and two fundamental extensions making it applicable to new classes of group decision problems. The first extension focuses on updating the formulation to place unequal importance on the preferences of the group members. The formulation presented in this paper allows team leaders to emphasize the input from certain group members based on experience or other factors. The second extension focuses on the theoretical implications of using a general class of aggregation functions. Illustration and validation of the developments are presented using a vehicle selection problem. Data from ten engineering design groups are used to demonstrate the application of the method.
Think beyond simple pneumonia.

A 30-year-old African–American man, a truck driver, with a known history of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, presented with shortness of breath, dry cough and malaise. He was recently hospitalised for community-acquired pneumonia and treated with moxifloxacin, initially intravenously and later orally, after discharge. He felt subjectively better for a few days and then started having more symptoms, which prompted him to return to the emergency department. On examination, he was febrile, tachycardic and tachypnoeic. On auscultation, he had coarse crackles on the right side of his lung fields. Laboratory data showed a white cell count of 18.5, with neutrophil predominance. Chest X-ray revealed infiltrates bilaterally but most prominently on the right (figure 1). He was started on broad-spectrum antibiotics for presumed atypical or nosocomial infection. Within the next 2 days his condition deteriorated and …
A Performance Study of Mobile Handoff Delay in IEEE 802.11-Based Wireless Mesh Networks

Wireless mesh networks (WMNs) have recently emerged to be a cost-effective solution to support large-scale wireless Internet access. One important component of realizing large-scale WMNs is mobility management. Although mobility management has been extensively studied in cellular and Mobile IP networks, these mobility management schemes can cause significant performance degradation when directly applied to WMNs. In this paper, a performance study of handoffs in IEEE 802.11-based hybrid WMNs is conducted. Since no existing handoff schemes are specifically designed for hybrid WMNs taking into consideration the multihop wireless links in both the wireless mesh backbone and mesh client networks, new handoff schemes for hybrid WMNs are designed. A simulation approach for handoff performance analysis based on OPNET Modeler v12 is adopted and new OPNET models to enable handoff simulations, including both layer-2 and layer-3 handoff models, are developed. A comprehensive study on the handoff performance is investigated and important factors affecting the handoff delay are explained. Performance results demonstrate that the multihop routing protocol plays an important role in the handoff performance.
The Role and Impact of Affect in the Process of Resistance to Persuasion

This investigation dealt with the role and impact of affect in the process of resistance. A total of 597 participants took part in the study in 4 phases spanning 6 weeks. Initial results indicated that the cognitive, affective-anger, and affective-happiness inoculation treatments all conferred resistance to persuasive attacks. Structural equation analyses were conducted on the cognitive, affective-anger, and affective-happiness experimental inoculation conditions in order to examine the process of resistance. The results across all 3 conditions revealed a direct path in which inoculation treatments directly induced resistance to persuasive attacks. However, indirect paths to resistance varied across the 3 experimental conditions. Cognitive inoculation treatments contributed to receiver threat and counterarguing output, which, in turn, enhanced resistance. Thus, the cognitive inoculation treatments triggered a process that is consistent with McGuire's theoretical explanation for resistance. By contrast, both affective-anger and affective-happiness inoculation treatments relied more heavily on elicited emotional responses. Finally, the results indicated that greater receiver involvement was positively associated with experienced anger and, therefore, indirectly contributed to resistance, whereas greater receiver self-efficacy tended to dampen resistance.
A pilot study examining perceived rejection and secrecy in relation to illicit drug use and associated stigma

Introduction and Aims. Illicit drug use is a stigmatised behaviour; therefore, users tend to experience rejection and remain secretive about use. However, stigma-related rejection and secrecy can adversely affect those who reject abstinence. This study aimed to modify measures to assess these concepts with regard to illicit drug use and examine how they relate to use of various drugs and associated perception of public stigma. Design and Methods. An Internet-based convenience sample (n = 700) was surveyed to pilot items modified from previous scales in order to assess these concepts with regard to drug use. As perceived rejection and secrecy are related and potentially overlapping constructs, exploratory factor analysis was conducted to examine the underlying structure of items previously used to assess these concepts. These variables were examined in relation to sociodemographic characteristics, perceived public stigma and use of various drugs (marijuana, powder cocaine, ecstasy and nonmedical use of opioids and prescription stimulants). Results. After factor reduction, perceived rejection and secrecy loaded as two distinct, but related concepts. These modified measures had moderate to high internal consistency and both concepts were positively related to perceived public stigma and use of various drugs. Discussion and Conclusions. This pilot study demonstrated validity evidence for these measures and results suggest that illicit drug use and associated stigma are related to increased feelings of rejection and secrecy in users. Research is needed to examine whether stigma towards users serves as a deterrent to use because rejection and secrecy are associated with adverse psychosocial outcomes.[Palamar JJ. A pilot study examining perceived rejection and secrecy in relation to illicit drug use and associated stigma. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:573–579]
Satanism in America: An Update

The Satanism scare was a significant moral panic in America in the 1980s and early 1990s. Scholars analyzed it from a social constructionist perspective, citing a number of factors and developments whose confluence contributed to this high-visibility moral panic. The authors examine those factors that were deemed of importance in the rise of the Satanism scare, to ascertain why the scare seems to have waned in recent years. Particular attention is given to developments within the justice system, the professions of psychology and psychiatry, and the waning of the Anti-Cult Movement to explain why the panic lost momentum. Other contributing factors are also discussed, including the weakening of Christian Fundamentalism as a force in society and the shift of attention of the mass media and the general public to other topics. Attention also is given to various behaviors among youth that have redefined and contributed to the maintenance of Satanism as a social phenomenon of note.
Whatever Happened to Solid State Physics

Subfields of physics are born, expand, and develop in intellectual scope, then can spawn new offspring by subdividing, can disappear by being absorbed in new definitions of the fields of physics, or may merely decline in vigor and membership. Textbooks, seminar programs, graduate courses, and the chosen structure of industrial laboratoriesallcontributedtomakingsolidstatephysicsavibrantsubfield for 30 years, to ultimately disappear into regroupings with names such as condensed matter, materials science, biological physics, complexity, and quantum optics. This review traces the trajectory of the subfieldsolidstatephysicsthroughtheexperiencesoftheauthorinrelationshiptomajoruniversitydepartmentsandBellLabs,withdigressionsintohowhebecameaphysicist,physicseducation,andchoosing research problems.
Perturbation analysis of eigenvalues of a class of self-adjoint operators

We consider a class of spatially invariant systems whose coefficients are perturbed by spatially periodic functions. We analyze changes in transient behavior under the effect of such perturbations. This is done by performing a spectral analysis of the state transition operator at every point in time. Computational complexity is significantly reduced by using a procedure that captures the influence of the perturbation on only the largest singular values of the state transition operator. Furthermore, we show that the problem of computing corrections of all orders to the maximum singular values collapses to that of finding the eigenvalues of a set of finite dimensional matrices. Finally, we demonstrate the predictive power of this method via an example.
Design and optimization techniques for the generation of intense, ultrafast pulses with nonlinear transmission lines

Solid-state systems that produce kW or MW pulses on nanosecond timescales typically consist of multiple stages composed of nonlinear components that compress and switch energy. The transient and nonlinear nature of these stages complicate the analysis of system dynamics to an extent that closed form expressions describing metrics such as output impedance, energy compression ratio, and efficiency in terms of circuit components or constitutive material parameters are difficult if not impossible to obtain. To address these challenges, a number of techniques, some closed-form and some numerical, have been developed to elucidate system dynamics and provide design rules. Specific attention will be paid to impedance matching between the pulse generator and nonlinear electromagnetic shockline presented in this paper. At only 1.5 kg, this light and compact system shows promise for a variety of pulsed power applications requiring the long lifetime, low jitter performance of a solid state pulse generator that can produce fast, high voltage pulses at high repetition rates.
Surgery for mitral valve incompetence after myocardial infarction.

Twenty-six patients were operated on for mitral insufficiency after myocardial infarction. The mean time between infarction and operation was 13 months (range 2 months to 5 years). The mitral valve was replaced in 17 patients; 9 patients had valvuloplasty or annuloplasty. In 12 patients, coronary arterial revascularization was performed concomitantly. There were eight postoperative deaths and eight late deaths during a mean follow-up period of 30 months (range 9 to 108 months). Seven of 17 patients are long-term survivors after mitral valve replacement, and 3 of 9 patients are long-term survivors after mitral valve repair. The main cause of death after operation was recurrent myocardial infarction. The mode of valvular surgery performed and concomitant coronary arterial revascularization did not alter the operative mortality rate.