cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Negotiating between communication and cooperation for multiple unmanned aerial vehicles

The emerging technologies of multiple, cooperative unmanned systems have brought in an exciting period of possibilities, possibilities of solving challenging problems in medical, social, engineering, and military communities. The technologies have also introduced a growing number of new challenges such as resource allocation, communication and coordination, establishment of consensus, and control optimization among cooperative systems. In this paper, we address one of these challenges for cooperative unmanned aerial systems (UASs): trade-off between maintaining communication reliability among, and collective target search efforts by, a team of unmanned systems. We evaluate the impact on the overall search capability of a cooperative system when the movements of its members are constrained due to the requirement of communication reliability. Our comparative study is based on an adaptation of work reported in [3] and we show our findings using simulation and flight experiment results.
Evolution of natural and anthropogenic fluxes of atmospheric CO 2 from 1957 to 2003

An analysis is carried out of the longest available records of atmospheric CO 2 and its 13 C/ 12 C ratio from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography network of fixed stations, augmented by data in the 1950s and 1960s from ships and ice floes. Using regression analysis, we separate the interhemispheric gradients of CO 2 and 13 C/ 12 C into: (1) a stationary (possibly natural) component that is constant with time, and (2) a time-evolving component that increases in proportion to fossil fuel emissions. Inverse calculations using an atmospheric transport model are used to interpret the components of the gradients in terms of land and ocean sinks. The stationary gradients in CO 2 and 13 C/ 12 C are both satisfactorily explained by ocean processes, including an ocean carbon loop that transports 0.5 PgC yr -1 southwards in the ocean balanced by an atmospheric return flow. A stationary northern land sink appears to be ruled out unless its effect on the gradient has been offset by a strong rectifier effect, which seems doubtful. A growing northern land sink is not ruled out, but has an uncertain magnitude (0.3–1.7 PgC yr -1 centred on year 2003) dependent on the rate at which CO 2 from fossil fuel burning is dispersed vertically and between hemispheres. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0889.2010.00507.x
Selective Colloid Mobilization Through Surface-Charge Manipulation

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the use of amine hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA) to enhance the mobilization and subsequent transport of colloidal iron oxides by selectively blocking negatively charged sites within soil or aquifer sediments. Two materials were used in a series of column leaching studies, a surface soil (Orangeburg Series) and an iron oxide-rich subsurface sediment (Tobacco Rd. Formation) both from Aiken, SC. For comparison, the same materials were leached with sodium hexametaphosphate (Na−P) as a nonselective dispersing agent. As a cationic surfactant, HDTMA is generally considered a strong flocculent for soils because of its ability to shield the electrostatic repulsion on opposing negatively charged clays, which was observed in leaching experiments for the surface soil material. Leaching HDTMA solutions through the iron oxide-coated aquifer sediments resulted in the selective dispersion and transport of iron oxides, relative to the more abundant kaolinite. ...
Neomycin in experimental tuberculosis of guinea pigs.

Twenty-one days after infection with virulent human tubercle bacilli 10 guinea pigs were started on treatment with neomycin as follows: 2,000 units twice daily for 6 days, 4,000 units twice daily for 20 days, 6,000 units twice daily for 24 days and finally 8,000 units twice daily for 27 days for a total of 77 days of treatment. Six other animals similarly infected were treated with 6 mg. of streptomycin daily for 77 days and 10 untreated animals served as controls. When all the animals, including the controls, were killed after the treatment period there was found to be very little grossly evident disease in the animals treated with streptomycin and in those treated with neomycin in contrast to the extensive tuberculous involvement in the untreated animals. Microscopic evidence of healing such as fibrosis and calcification in tissues from the animals treated with neomycin indicated that this antibiotic was capable of effecting a reversal of the progressive tuberculosis that was present when treatment started. The effect of neomycin was not as great as that produced by streptomycin in the doses used. Preliminary observations indicate that neomycin is effective against experimental infections due to streptomycin-resistant tubercle bacilli. The kidneys from animals treated with neomycin reveal small lesions in the cortex characterized by tubular degeneration and cellular infiltration. The results reported here warrant further study of this antibiotic.
The crystal and molecular structure of sesqui(acetamide)(diacetamide) (perchlorato)lithium(I)

Abstract The structure of sesqui(acetamide)(diacetamide) (perchlorato)lithium(I), Li(CH3CONH2)1 1 2 (CH3 CONHCOCH3)ClO4, has been determined from three-dimensional X-ray data. The unit cell is orthorhombic, space group Fdd2, having dimensions a = 13.742(5) A, b = 50.69(1) A, c = 7.854(1) A, and Z = 16. The intensity data were collected on an Enraf-Nonius CAD-4 automated diffractometer using monochromatic CuKα radiation. The structure was determined by the heavy atom method and refined anisotropically to a conventional unweighted R-factor of 0.087. The compound is a structural dimer and contains octahedral lithium. The lithium ion is coordinated to six oxygens, two from the diacetamide, one from the perchlorate ion, and three from acetamides. The acetamide oxygens form bridges between two lithium ions. The coordination sphere about each lithium is a distorted octahedron, and the dimer consists of two of these octahedra having a face in common. Intermolecular hydrogen bonds exist between the diacetamide nitrogen and a perchlorato oxygen, linking the molecules in a three-dimensional network. Lithium-oxygen bond distances are 1.99–2.16A for the diacetamide and acetamide oxygens and 2.77 A for the perchlorato oxygen. The Li-Li distance is 2.74 A, indicating metal-metal interaction.
Porous Shape Persistent Fluorescent Polymer Films: An Approach to TNT Sensory Materials

Fluorescence is a leading signal transduction method for the formation of chemosensory devices.1,2 Conjugated polymer-based fluorescent chemosensors have been proven to further amplify this inherently sensitive method.2 Although solid-state (thin film) fluorescent chemosensory devices are generally required, most systems have limited solid state utility with the lack of stable (reproducible) spectroscopic features and low fluorescence quantum yields, presumably due to the excimer formation and selfquenching.3,4 These processes have been an impediment to other applications of conjugated polymers and general solutions also have implications for electroluminescent polymer devices.4 We report herein an approach to stable fluorescent conjugated polymer films by the incorporation of the rigid three-dimensional pentiptycene moieties,5 1, which prevent π-stacking or excimer formation. In comparison to the planar model polymer 3, thin films of the pentiptycene polymer, 2, display enhanced fluorescence quantum yield and stability. Moreover, their potential for the trace detection of high explosives such as 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) is also reported.6 Polymer 2 has unprecedented high sensitivity as an artificial fluorescent chemosensor for the vapors of TNT and 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT).
Abelian groups in which endomorphic images are fully invariant

In this paper we concern ourselves with the following problem due to Szele and Szendrei [lo] and listed as Problem 47 in [4] : Is the endomorphism ring commutative if every endomorphic image is fully invariant ? In [8], Reid gave a counterexample to the Szele-Szendrei problem by constructing a ring of rank 4 with specified properties to guarantee, by A. L. S. Corner’s excellent work [3], a torsion free group of rank 8 for which endomorphic images are fully invariant but whose endomorphism ring is isomorphic to the constructed non-commutative ring. The investigation here will show that for every positive integer n there are torsion free counterexample groups of rank 8n with endomorphism rings of rank 4n. We will also indicate to what extent this list is exhaustive and show that there are no counterexamples of a specified type of rank less than 8. In Section 2 we discuss preliminary concepts (particularly stability and n-stability for abelian groups and rings) and restrict our attention to torsion free abelian groups of finite rank. In Section 3 we indicate the sufficiency of studying strongly indecomposable groups and n-stable subrings of division rings. In Section 4 we characterize all n-stable subrings of the rational quaternions which generalize to give the counterexamples of rank gn found in Section 5. Finally, in Section 6, we point out that 8 is the minimum rank of groups having endomorphism rings isomorphic to n-stable non-commutative subrings of the quaternions.
Initiation of home mechanical ventilation in children with neuromuscular diseases.

Abstract Objective To determine how often home mechanical ventilation (HMV) is instituted electively in children with respiratory failure from neuromuscular diseases and whether there were opportunities to discuss therapeutic options with patients/families before respiratory failure. Methods Patients with neuromuscular disease (n = 73) requiring HMV (age, 2 months to 24 years) were studied. Whether HMV was initiated nonelectively because of acute respiratory failure or electively before acute respiratory failure, and opportunities for health care providers to discuss therapeutic options with patients/families before acute respiratory failure (hospitalization with pneumonia, clinic visits for preoperative evaluation, pulmonary function testing [PFT] and/or polysomnography [PSG]) were recorded. Results HMV was initiated electively in 21% of patients with neuromuscular disease; 69% of the nonelective HMV group had HMV initiated after respiratory failure caused by pneumonia. In the nonelective group, opportunities for discussion of therapeutic options with the patients and families could have occurred before respiratory failure during 111 hospitalizations for pneumonia, 13 preoperative evaluations, 43 abnormal PFTs, and 24 abnormal PSGs. Conclusions Most patients with neuromuscular disease had HMV initiated nonelectively after acute respiratory failure caused by pneumonia. Opportunities for discussing the therapeutic options with patients and families before respiratory failure were missed or ineffective. (J Pediatr 2003;142:481-5)
Effect of a finite semiconductor substrate on the faraday rotation and ellipticity in a metal-oxide-semiconductor system

Abstract In this work we study the effect of a finite semiconductor substrate on the Faraday rotation and ellipticity in a metal-oxide-semiconductor system. We find that the multiple reflections within the semiconductor substrate can give an enhancement by factors of up to 2.5 over the case where the semiconductor is considered semi-infinite. In addition, the ellipticity is markedly changed and, in particular, null values may be obtained in contrast with the results obtained without multiple reflections within the semiconductor.
Kupffer cell inactivation prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced structural changes in the rat liver sinusoid: An electron-microscopic study

Abstract Scanning and transmission electron-microscopic examination of the rat liver sinusoid was performed in this study after in vivo treatment of rats with gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 mg/Kg(-1) body weight), with or without pretreatment with gadolinium chloride (GdCl3 10 mg(Kg(-1) body weight). Twenty-seven and 48 hours after GdCl3 administration, to inactivate/eliminate part of the Kupffer cell population, a decrease in the number of visualized Kupffer cells was observed, without evident effects on the sinusoidal endothelial cell or on the hepatocyte. Three and 24 hours after its administration, LPS produced ultrastructural changes in the sinusoid characterized by morphological evidence of Kupffer cell activation (i.e., swelling and expanded philopodia anchoring the Kupffer cell to the luminal surface of the sinusoidal wall), and a marked decrease in the population of endothelial cell fenestration. The reduction in the number of fenestrae was associated with a change in the diameter of fenestrae and can be interpreted as a component of the "capillarization" process of the hepatic sinusoid. Such ultrastructural changes were prevented by the administration of GdCl3 24 hours before LPS injection. Hence, these findings suggest that LPS-induced structural changes in the liver sinusoid are mediated by an LPS-induced Kupffer cell activation. Coupled with previous experimental data, showing similar effects of GdCl3 on one of the hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cell (SEC) functions, i.e., hyaluronan scavenging, the data presented in this study strongly support the view that Kupffer cells modulate both the hepatic SEC's functional as well as ultrastructural properties. (Hepatology 1996 Apr;23(4):788-96)
Effect of footwear on high and low arched runners' mechanics during a prolonged run.

Abstract Introduction Running shoes are designed specifically for different foot types in order to reduce injuries. Running in the correct footwear matched for foot type may have a greater influence on mechanics when runners become exerted. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in kinematics and kinetics over the course of a prolonged run when low (LA) and high (HA) arched runners wear motion control and cushioning shoes. Methods Twelve HA and 12 LA recreational runners were recruited for this study. Subjects ran in a motion control (MC) and cushion trainer (CT) shoe. Lower extremity kinematics and tibial accelerometry were collected while the runners ran at a self-selected training pace. The data were analyzed using a two-way (footwear × time) repeated measures ANOVA ( p = 0.05) for each arch type. Results Low arched runners : Peak tibial internal rotation decreased in the MC shoe and was increased in the CT over the course of the prolonged run. However, no interactions or main effects were noted for peak eversion or eversion excursion. High arched runners : No shoe by time interaction was observed for tibial shock. However, there was a main effect for shoe, with lower tibial shock associated with the CT shoe. Conclusion In LA runners, MC shoes decreased tibial internal rotation compared to CT shoes over the course of a prolonged run. In HA runners, running in the CT shoes reduced tibial shock compared to the MC shoes.
Time reversal adaptive waveform in MIMO radar

EM multipath propagation is common in radar and wireless communications. Most radar systems are designed assuming line-of-sight (LOS), not multipath. In this paper, we extend our prior work on Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) radar in the absence of interference [1], to consider MIMO radar detection in high clutter. We develop a subspace MIMO target model and a statistical model for MIMO radar clutter that accounts for the spatial and spectral properties of radar returns. We show that, using orthogonal waveform signaling, the time reversal MIMO radar yields higher detection performance than conventional statistical MIMO radar in high clutter.
The effects of isoflurane on arterial pressure, pulse rate, autonomic nervous activity, and barostatic reflexes

The effects of isoflurane on arterial pressure, preganglionic sympathetic activity, vagal nervous activity, pulse rate, and barostatic reflexes were studied in cats. When the end-expired isoflurane concentration did not exceed 1.0 per cent tachycardia was observed which was abolished when the anaesthetic concentration was increased to 1.8 per cent. Arterial pressure, sympathetic nervous activity and vagal activity declined progressively with increasing depth of anaesthesia, but the reduction of vagal activity at all levels of anaesthesia always significantly exceeded the reduction of sympathetic activity. Barostatic reflexes, measured as the reduction in arterial pressure, pulse rate and sympathetic nervous activity when an aortic depressor nerve was stimulated electrically, were found to be normal, except that the response of arterial pressure was depressed at high isoflurane concentration. The authors therefore conclude that isoflurane depresses the cardiovascular system not only by direct action, but also by depression of the sympathetic nervous system. The tachycardia seen during isoflurane anaesthesia can be explained in part by a greater depression of parasympathetic than of sympathetic tone. The fact that barostatic reflexes were active during isoflurane anaesthesia while the reflex response of arterial pressure was diminished leads the authors to believe that isoflurane depresses the response of vascular smooth muscle to sympathetic impulses.
Estrogen Induces Retinoid Receptor Expression in Mouse Cervical Epithelia

Steroid hormones and retinoids are powerful regulators of normal epithelial differentiation and function in the mouse female reproductive tract, where their actions are mediated by nuclear receptors. The expression pattern, heterodimeric interactions, and availability of ligand of these transcription factors are thought to contribute to the biological response. Estrogen (E2) induces proliferation and squamous differentiation of the cervical and vaginal epithelium during the mouse estrous cycle, while progesterone and retinoids maintain the simple columnar epithelium of the endocervix and uterine horns. We wanted to investigate whether retinoid receptors are responsive to estrogen status during cervical epithelial differentiation induced by a single dose of estrogen in ovariectomized adult mice. Northern blot analysis demonstrated a prolonged induction of RXR alpha and RAR gamma gene expression by E2 in the mouse cervix and vagina. When the induction of RXR alpha and RAR gamma was compared to genes known to be responsive to E2, including estrogen receptor (ER) and c-fos, RXR alpha was induced within 0.5 h of hormone treatment, while RAR gamma induction was evident by 4 h. The induction of these retinoid receptors suggests that they may be implicated in epithelial growth and differentiation in response to E2. Moreover, potential heterodimeric interactions among these receptors indicate that normal, cyclical epithelial differentiation results from the interplay of these molecules. Using in situ hybridization analysis, RXR alpha transcripts were localized preferentially in the basal cells, while ER mRNA was expressed throughout the epithelium of the ectocervix and vagina. Furthermore, ER transcripts were highly expressed in the stratified squamous foci induced by mild vitamin A depletion in the columnar epithelium of the endocervix and uterine horns. Therefore, the induction of RXR alpha and RAR gamma by E2 and their expression pattern in relation to ER suggest that they are needed to coordinate specific genetic programs that result in cervical epithelial growth and differentiation.
Structural chromosomal abnormalities in human medulloblastoma

Seven human medulloblastomas (four primary cerebellar, three recurrent or metastatic) were karyotyped in direct preparation and/or short-term or early culture. One tumor had a 46,XX stem line. Four of the six remaining tumors contained one or more i(17q), and three of these six tumors had deletions of extra copies of chromosome #1, resulting in trisomy of 1p, 1q, or both. Two tumors had near-centromeric breaks of chromosome #3, two tumors contained unbalanced translocations with breakpoints at 20q13, and two tumors contained double minutes. These findings suggest that the primary karyotypic deviations of human medulloblastomas are gains of whole chromosomes, which are then either deleted or involved in unbalanced translocations, resulting in partial trisomies.
Development of an Intelligent Hypertext Manual for the Space Shuttle Hazardous Gas Detection System

A computer-based Integrated Knowledge System (IKS), the Intelligent Hypertext Manual (IHM), is being developed for the Space Shuttle Hazardous Gas Detection System (HGDS) at the Huntsville Operations Support Center (HOSC). The IHM stores all HGDS related knowledge and presents them in an interactive and intuitive manner. The IHM's purpose is to provide HGDS personnel with the capabilities of: enhancing the interpretation of real time data; recognizing and identifying possible faults in the Space Shuttle sub-system related to hazardous gas detections; locating applicable documentation related to procedures, constraints, and previous fault histories; and assisting in the training of personnel.
Validation of a Clinically Sensitive, Observational Coding System for Parenting Behaviors: The Parenting Clinical Observation Schedule

SYNOPSIS Objective. The psychometric properties of a newly developed, clinicallysensitive, observational measure of parenting behavior, the Parenting Clinical Observational System (P-COS), are presented. The P-COS expands on existing observational coding systems by integrating qualitative and quantitative aspects of parenting behavior to directly inform clinical decision-making with parents of young children with disruptive behaviors. Design. Reliability and validity data were examined in a sample of mother-preschooler dyads (N = 335), and test—re-test reliability was assessed on an independent sample (N = 29). Results. Evidence was found for the reliability and validity of the P-COS, including evidence of inter-rater reliability, internal consistency, and distinctness of the three theorized P-COS domains: Responsive Involvement, Constructive Discipline, and Problematic Discipline. Convergent and divergent validity data are presented as well. The P-COS demonstrated incremental validity in predicting child...
Full-Scale Experimental Study of Impact Demands Resulting from High Mass, Low Velocity Debris

AbstractTsunamis can generate a considerable amount of flow velocity on land. The associated hydrodynamic effects coupled with the plethora of unrestrained objects and frangible structures produce significant debris that can travel similar velocities as the flow. Design of structures to resist the tsunami-driven debris requires a conservative estimation of the forces generated at impact. To quantify the forces generated, an experimental study was conducted on a full-scale wood utility pole, steel tube, and ISO shipping container subjected to in-air axial impacts. The impact force is found to vary linearly with the impact velocity and the impact duration remains constant for elastic response of the debris. For inelastic axial impact of the debris, the duration of the impact event increases and the impact force demands reach a limit. The results are compared with a simplified method, which is found to provide an accurate estimate of the impact demands. The model presented in this paper is developed for use ...
Antineutrinos from nuclear reactors: recent oscillation measurements

Nuclear reactors are the most intense man-made source of antineutrinos, providing a useful tool for the study of these particles. Oscillation due to the neutrino mixing angle is revealed by the disappearance of reactor over ?km distances. Use of additional identical detectors located near nuclear reactors reduce systematic uncertainties related to reactor emission and detector efficiency, significantly improving the sensitivity of oscillation measurements. The Double Chooz, RENO, and Daya Bay experiments set out in search of using these techniques. All three experiments have recently observed reactor disappearance, and have estimated values for of 9.3? ? 2.1?, 9.2? ? 0.9?, and 8.7? ? 0.4? respectively. The energy-dependence of disappearance has also allowed measurement of the effective neutrino mass difference, ? . Comparison with ? from accelerator measurements supports the three-flavor model of neutrino oscillation. The current generation of reactor experiments are expected to reach ?3% precision in both and . Precise knowledge of these parameters aids interpretation of planned measurements, and allows future experiments to probe the neutrino mass hierarchy and possible CP-violation in neutrino oscillation. Absolute measurements of the energy spectra of deviate from existing models of reactor emission, particularly in the range of 5?7 MeV.
Observations on the histochemical and chemical distribution of glycogen in the chick heart.

The distribution of glycogen in chick hearts was studied during incubation and one week following hatching. Concurrent histochemical and chemical studies revealed a gradual increase in the deposition of glycogen during the first half of incubation. During the latter half of incubation the average content of chemically extractable glycogen remained relatively stable until day 19 when a significant decline (p < 0.001) was noted. This decrease was attributed chiefly to the decline in the acid-soluble fraction. Throughout the incubation period significantly greater (p = 0.05) amounts of chemically extractable glycogen were present in the left chambers and interventricular septum than in the right chambers. These differences were not evident in the post-hatched chick. Histochemically, glycogen was demonstrated in the chick hearts throughout the incubation period, but no appreciable amount was detected in the hearts one week after hatching. Chemical analysis of the latter revealed that the glycogen content was below the threshold thought to be necessary for its histochemical demonstration. Parallel decreases noted in both the depth of stain intensity and the acid-soluble fraction serve as further evidence that the acid-soluble fraction is primarily responsible for the histochemical reaction observed with glycogen stains.
Functional Analysis of an Aspartate‐Based Epoxidation Catalyst with Amide‐to‐Alkene Peptidomimetic Catalyst Analogues

The biosynthesis of natural products that contain epoxides represents a powerful stimulus for the study of “epoxidase” enzymes.[i] Likewise, these processes have inspired a generation of science focused on small molecule catalysts that mediate selective epoxidations through a variety of mechanisms.[ii] With respect to the naturally occurring epoxidases, the mechanistic basis of O-atom transfer is often associated with the chemistry of either flavinoid cofactors, P450 enzymes containing a heme group, or chloroperoxidases that lead to stepwise ring formation.[iii] In thinking about the known biosynthetic apparatus for epoxide formation, we became curious about an alternative mode for O-atom transfer – one based on functional groups available in proteins, but perhaps not well-documented in the biosynthesis of epoxides. In particular, we speculated and recently showed that aspartic-acid-containing peptides (e.g., 1; Figure 1a) might shuttle between the side-chain carboxylic acid and the corresponding peracid (e.g., 2) creating a catalytic cycle competent for asymmetric epoxidation with turnover of the aspartate-derived catalyst. Such an approach is orthogonal to the Julia-Colonna epoxidation, a complementary peptide-based epoxidation based on a nucleophilic mechanism.[iv] Indeed, as shown in Figure 1b, this new electrophilic epoxidation catalytic cycle mediates the asymmetric epoxidation of substrates like 3 to give products like 4 with up to 92% ee.[v]
Assessment of errors associated with harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) faecal sampling

Six harbour seals, ages 4–8 years, were held as pairs in a 10 times 20 times 2 m tank filled with sea water, and on 60 occasions were fed a meal of a specific species of fish or cephalopod of known size. The tank was drained periodically, and harbour seal faeces were collected on a 0.5 mm sieve. Number and size of otoliths and beaks found in faeces were determined. Fifty-eight percent of 670 fish and 37% of 36 cephalopods fed to harbour seals were represented by their otoliths or beaks in faeces. Estimated number of prey consumed was determined from the greatest number of left or right otoliths or upper or lower beaks collected in faeces. Estimated length ofprey was determined from measurements of otoliths and beaks recovered in the tank and relationships of otolith and beak measurements to prey length. Estimated number of fish eaten was not significantly different among pairs of harbour seals, but was different among species of fishes. Only 24–35% of fish species with small otoliths were represented in faeces, whereas more robust otoliths from other species were less apt to be completely dissolved. Estimated length of fishes was significantly less than lengths of fishes fed to harbour seals in 39 (76.5%) of 51 trials. Cephalopod beaks were not affected by passage through the harbour seal digestive tract. Amount of otolith dissolution was not related to species of fish; estimated fish length was underestimated by an average 27.5%. Although some (7.4%) of the otoliths were collected within 100 h after the fish were ingested, more than 90% were recovered within 24 h after the fish was eaten. Correction factors were developed which will allow researchers to estimate more reliably number and size of fish and cephalopod prey eaten by harbour seals.
An Efficient Load Balancing Scheme for Grid-based High Performance Scientific Computing

With the emergence of computational grids, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of available processing and storing resources available for parallel execution of large-scale compute and data intensive scientific applications. However, large computing power in itself is not sufficient for high performance computing (HPC). In this context, (application) partitioning and load balancing strategies play a critical role in meeting the high performance requirements and in achieving high processor utilization. In HPC applications such as molecular simulations, protein synthesis, drug design et cetera parallel loops constitute the greatest percentage of program parallelism. The degree to which parallelism can be exploited during parallel execution of a nested loop directly depends on partitioning and load balance, i.e., the number of iterations mapped onto each processor, between the different processors. Thus, partitioning of parallel loops is of key importance for grid-based high performance scientific computing. Although a significant amount of work has been done in partitioning of iteration spaces of nested loops, both rectangular and non-rectangular iteration spaces, for homogeneous multiprocessor systems, the problem of partitioning of iteration spaces for heterogeneous systems has not been given enough attention so far. In this paper, we present a geometric approach for partitioning N-dimensional non-rectangular iteration spaces for optimizing performance on heterogeneous parallel processor systems. Speedup measurements for kernels (loop nests) of linear algebra packages, scientific applications such as climate modeling and literature are presented
Confidence intervals on stratigraphic ranges with nonrandom distributions of fossil horizons

A generalized method for calculating confidence intervals on the position of the true end point of a stratigraphic range when the distributions of fossil horizons is nonrandom is presented. The method requires a quantitative measure of collecting and/or preservation biases with stratigraphic position. This fossil recovery potential function may be based on (among other variables) bedding-plane surface areas, or, given a water depth curve, an a priori estimate of the preservation potential with water depth. The approach assumes that the observed distribution of fossil horizons is consistent with the distribution predicted by the fossil recovery potential function, an assumption that must be tested before the method is applied. Unlike previous methods for calculating confidence intervals on the end points of stratigraphic ranges, this method may be applied when the number of fossil horizons is correlated with stratigraphic ranges, this method may be applied when the number of fossil horizons is correlated with stratigraphic position. The approach should only be applied to sections that have been sampled continuously, or approximately continuously. Its efficacy will depend on how accurately fossil recovery potentials can be determined. A method is also presented for estimating the probability that a species became extinct during a major hiatus in the rock record.
Parallel Processing of Large-Scale XML-Based Application Documents on Multi-core Architectures with PiXiMaL

Very large scientific datasets are becoming increasingly available in XML formats. Our earlier benchmarking results show that parsing XML is a time consuming process when compared with binary formats optimized for largescale documents. This performance bottleneck will get exacerbated as size of XML data increases in e-science applications. Our focus in this paper is on addressing this performance bottleneck. In recent times, the microprocessor industry has made rapid strides towards chip multi processors (CMPs). The widely available XML parsers have been unable to take advantage of the opportunities presented by CMPs, instead, passing the task of parallelization to the application programmer. The paradigms used thus far to process large size XML documents on uniprocessors are not applicable for CMPs. We present the design, implementation, and performance analysis of PiXiMaL, a parallel processing library for large-scale XML-data files. In particular, we discuss an effective scheme to parallelize the tokenization process to achieve an overall performance increase when parsing large-scale XML documents that are increasingly in use today. Our approach is to build a DFA-based parser that recognizes a useful subset of the XML specification and converts the DFA into an NFA which can be applied on any subset of the input.
Some Consumer Surplus Estimates for North Carolina Beaches

We estimate consumer surplus of a beach day using the single-site travel cost method. Onsite visitation data for seven North Carolina beaches were collected between July and November of 2003. Two pooled count data models, corrected for endogenous stratification and truncation, are estimated to account for bias stemming from onsite sampling. One model pertains to beach visitors that make single day trips to the beach, while the other is for visitors that stay onsite overnight. In each model, we allow for heterogeneity across sites through intercept-shifting and demand slope-shifting dummy variables. Depending upon the site, the estimated net benefits of a day at a beach in North Carolina range between $11 and $80 for those users making day trips and between $11 and $41 for those users that stay onsite overnight. These estimates are of the same order of magnitude as the results from earlier studies using travel cost methods but are considerably larger than the previous findings based upon stated preference ...
Comments on research in the social sciences pertaining to Alzheimer's disease: A more humble approach

This paper suggests that social scientists should make greater efforts to study those questions that truly address the daily needs of the AD community; that they should be more creative in their approach to future care, especially with regard to the social implications of new anti-dementia drugs and other treatments that may alter the course of the disease; and that more research is needed with respect to end of life care, and the controversies surrounding the use of tube-feeding and antibiotics.
Vitamin C–mediated Maillard Reaction in the Lens Probed in a Transgenic‐mouse Model

Aging human lens crystallins are progressively modified by yellow glycation, oxidation, and cross-linked carbonyl compounds that have deleterious properties on protein structure and stability. In order to test the hypothesis that some of these compounds originate from oxidized vitamin C, we have overexpressed the human vitamin C transporter 2 (hSCVT2) in the mouse lens. We find that levels of ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acid are highly elevated compared to the wild type and that the lenses have accumulated yellow color and advanced Maillard reaction products identical with those of the human lens. Treatment of the mice with nucleophilic inhibitors can slow down the process, opening new avenues for the pharmacological prevention of senile cataractogenesis.
Development and validation of a microfluidic immunoassay capable of multiplexing parallel samples in microliter volumes

Immunoassays are widely utilized due to their ability to quantify a vast assortment of biomolecules relevant to biological research and clinical diagnostics. Recently, immunoassay capabilities have been improved by the development of multiplex assays that simultaneously measure multiple analytes in a single sample. However, these assays are hindered by high costs of reagents and relatively large sample requirements. For example, in vitro screening systems currently dedicate individual wells to each time point of interest and this limitation is amplified in screening studies when the investigation of many experimental conditions is necessary; resulting in large volumes for analysis, a correspondingly high cost and a limited temporal experimental design. Microfluidics based immunoassays have been developed in order to overcome these drawbacks. Together, previous studies have demonstrated on-chip assays with either a large dynamic range, high performance sensitivity, and/or the ability to process samples in parallel on a single chip. In this report, we develop a multiplex immunoassay possessing all of these parallel characteristics using commercially available reagents, which allows the analytes of interest to be easily changed. The device presented can measure 6 proteins in 32 samples simultaneously using only 4.2 μL of sample volume. High quality standard curves are generated for all 6 analytes included in the analysis, and spiked samples are quantified throughout the working range of the assay. In addition, we demonstrate a strong correlation (R2 = 0.8999) between in vitro supernatant measurements using our device and those obtained from a bench-top multiplex immunoassay. Finally, we describe cytokine secretion in an in vitro inflammatory hippocampus culture system, establishing proof-of-concept of the ability to use this platform as an in vitro screening tool. The low-volume, multiplexing abilities of the microdevice described in this report could be broadly applied to numerous situations where sample volumes and costs are limiting.
Corrosion and Stress Corrosion Cracking of Alloy 22 in Lead-Containing Solutions

The susceptibility of Alloy 22 to localized corrosion and stress corrosion cracking was evaluated in lead-containing solutions. Speciation calculations indicate that aqueous dissolution of PbCl2 resulted in the formation of Pb2+ and Pb-Cl complexes. PbCl2 was selected among several lead compounds for its high solubility and dissociation rate. The total dissolved lead species concentration was measured by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. Comparative anodic polarization tests were conducted in a range of deaerated, acidified PbCl2 solutions. The presence of lead species in a super-saturated PbCl2 solution with apH of 0.5 promotes the occurrence of apronounced anodic peak and significantly increases the passive current density. Enhanced dissolution of Alloy 22 resulted, as characterized by the presence of randomly distributed etch pits. At an applied potential of -100 mVSCE, which is the potential corresponding to the anodic peak, Alloy 22 was found to be resistant to stress corrosion cracking when tested in super-saturated PbCl2 solutions (pH 0.5) at 95 °C [203 °F]. Moreover, no deleterious effect of lead species on localized corrosion was observed in crevice specimens over a wide range of lead concentrations with the exception of acidified, super-saturated PbCl2 solutions. Provided that these high lead concentrations are not attainable in the anticipated repository environments, Alloy 22 is unlikely to be susceptible to stress corrosion cracking or localized corrosion.
Cinderella Wears a Hijab Neighborhoods, Islam, and the Everyday Production of Multiethnic Urban Cultures in Germany

This article examines lifeworlds and transformations in multiethnic and multireligious neighborhoods in Germany. The author illustrates how by way of minute everyday interactions and encounters, individuals and groups experience each other and devise new practices that aim to accommodate the cultural and religious needs of all involved. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in Stuttgart, this article argues that neighborhood spaces, everyday encounters, and ensuing cultural compromises are of fundamental importance for the construction of multiethnic and multireligious urban futures. The article focuses on the interaction of Muslim and non-Muslim individuals and groups in the context of individual, small group interactions, and larger neighborhood events. The author illustrates how concrete changes are negotiated and have become part of local practices and a distinct neighborhood ethos of cultural understanding and cooperation.
Identification of aluminum responsive genes in Al-tolerant soybean line PI 416937.

Soybean is one of the most aluminum (Al) sensitive plants. The complex inheritance of Al tolerance trait has so far undermined breeding efforts to develop Al-tolerant soybeans. Discovering the genetic factors underlying the Al tolerance mechanisms would undoubtedly accelerate the pace of such endeavor. As a first step toward this goal, we analyzed the transcriptome profile in roots of Al-tolerant soybean line PI 416937 comparing Al-treated and untreated control plants using DNA microarrays. Many genes involved in transcription activation, stress response, cell metabolism and signaling were differentially expressed. Patterns of gene expression and mechanisms of Al toxicity and tolerance suggest that Cys2His2 and ADR6 transcription activators, cell wall modifying enzymes, and phytosulfokines growth factor play role in soybean Al tolerance. Our data provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of soybean Al tolerance and will have practical value in genetic improvement of Al tolerance trait.
Structural comparison of the Pichia pastoris alcohol oxidase genes

In methylotrophic yeasts, alcohol oxidase is the first enzyme in the methanol-utilization pathway. The genome of one such yeast, Pichia pastoris, contains two alcohol oxidase genes, AOX1 and AOX2. Sequence analysis indicated that each gene encodes a similar protein of 663 amino acids. The protein-coding regions of the genes were 92% and 97% homologous at the nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequence levels, respectively. In contrast to homology observed within the protein-coding portions of the AOX genes, no homology was found in either the 5' or 3' non-coding regions. Although alcohol oxidase is found in peroxisomes of P. pastoris, the AOX amino acid sequences did not contain a peptide sequence similar to the peroxisomal transport sequence found at the C-terminus of some peroxisomally located proteins in higher eukaryotes.
Trade, Institutions, Income and Human Development in African Countries

Analysing panel data for the period 1975–2001 from a large group of African countries, we find that trade and institutions (political rights, civil liberties and the rule of law) exert little influence on human development in the form of literacy. Interestingly, income appears to be, by far, the primary determinant of human development, measured by literacy and life expectancy, but with strong diminishing returns. Income also positively affects institutions, although there is a threshold effect, in the cases of political rights and civil liberties. Finally, the paper finds that trade and literacy exercise positive and negative effects, respectively, on political rights. Copyright 2013 , Oxford University Press.
A Method for Temperature Measurement in a Single-Point Cutting Tool

Abstract A method of computation by iteration techniques is used to determine the temperature at the tip of a single point tool during a cutting operation; temperature measurements are made by a thermocouple located at an accessible point on the tool. Exceptionally close agreement with experimentally measured temperatures is obtained. A computer program is developed to facilitate the computation of the temperature distribution of this three-dimensional body in point-contact with a heat source.
STUDIES ON BIOLUMINESCENCE : XIV. THE SPECIFICITY OF LUCIFERIN AND LUCIFERASE.

Among sixteen groups of luminous forms investigated by the author, in only four (fireflies, Pholas, ostracods, and Odontosyllis) is it possible to demonstrate the luciferin-luciferase reaction. In many groups this is probably due to the small amount of these substances present in the luminescent organism or to their instability. In the medusae and pennatulids, despite a large amount of luminescent material, luciferin and luciferase cannot be demonstrated. This does not appear to be due to the presence of luciferin and luciferase in equivalent proportion, or to their instability. In fact, one is led to the conclusion that luciferin and luciferase do not exist in these forms, but such a conclusion must be regarded as merely tentative, in view of the fundamental character of the luciferin-luciferase reaction. Luciferin of one form will not luminesce with the luciferase of another form or vice versa, unless very closely related (Cypridina and Pyrocypris). All experiments emphasize the specificity of the light producing substances of Cypridina.
The Role of Relational Embeddedness in Retail Buyers' Selection of New Products

Abstract Retailers face considerable risk in introducing new products because of high failure rates. Given the proliferation of new products juxtaposed against finite shelf space, retail buyers are confronted with a choice problem. To enhance understanding of this issue, the authors examine the role of buyer–salesperson and firm–firm relationships using data collected in the context of actual new product selection by retail buyers at two large grocery retailers in the United States. The findings indicate that buyer–salesperson and firm–firm relationships have a greater influence on new product acceptance when a new product's attractiveness is modest than when the new product is very unattractive or very attractive. At modest levels of product attractiveness, the likelihood of new product acceptance can increase by as much as 60% when the buyer has a strong relationship with the salesperson. The study provides insights into the complex interplay of marketing relationships and product attractiveness in reta...
A Brain–Machine Interface to Navigate a Mobile Robot in a Planar Workspace: Enabling Humans to Fly Simulated Aircraft With EEG

This paper presents an interface for navigating a mobile robot that moves at a fixed speed in a planar workspace, with noisy binary inputs that are obtained asynchronously at low bit-rates from a human user through an electroencephalograph (EEG). The approach is to construct an ordered symbolic language for smooth planar curves and to use these curves as desired paths for a mobile robot. The underlying problem is then to design a communication protocol by which the user can, with vanishing error probability, specify a string in this language using a sequence of inputs. Such a protocol, provided by tools from information theory, relies on a human user's ability to compare smooth curves, just like they can compare strings of text. We demonstrate our interface by performing experiments in which twenty subjects fly a simulated aircraft at a fixed speed and altitude with input only from EEG. Experimental results show that the majority of subjects are able to specify desired paths despite a wide range of errors made in decoding EEG signals.