cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Asymptotic Convergence Rates of the Length of the Longest Run(s) in an Inflating Bernoulli Net

In image detection, one problem is to test whether the set, though mainly consisting of uniformly scattered points, also contains a small fraction of points sampled from some (a priori unknown) curve, for example, a curve with $C^{\alpha }$ -norm bounded by $\beta $ . One approach is to analyze the data by counting membership in multiscale multianisotropic strips, which involves an algorithm that delves into the length of the path connecting many consecutive “significant” nodes. In this paper, we develop the mathematical formalism of this algorithm and analyze the statistical property of the length of the longest significant run. The rate of convergence is derived. Using percolation theory and random graph theory, we present a novel probabilistic model named, pseudo-tree model. Based on the asymptotic results for the pseudo-tree model, we further study the length of the longest significant run in an “inflating” Bernoulli net. We find that the probability parameter $p$ of significant node plays an important role: there is a threshold $p_{c}$ , such that in the cases of $p and $p > p_{c}$ , very different asymptotic behaviors of the length of the significant runs are observed. We apply our results to the detection of an underlying curvilinear feature and prove that the test based on our proposed longest run theory is asymptotically powerful.
The source of self: genetic parasites and the origin of adaptive immunity

Stable colonization of the host by viruses (genetic parasites) can alter the systems of host identity and provide immunity against related viruses. To attain the needed stability, some viruses of prokaryotes (P1 phage) use a strategy called an addiction module. The linked protective and destructive gene functions of an addiction module insures both virus persistence but will also destroy cells that interrupt this module and thereby prevent infection by competitors. Previously, I have generalized this concept to also include persistent and lytic states of virus infection, which can be considered as a virus addiction module. Such states often involve defective viruses. In this report, I examine the origin of the adaptive immune system from the perspective of a virus addiction module. The likely role of both endogenous and exogenous retroviruses, DNA viruses, and their defective elements is considered in the origin of all the basal components of adaptive immunity (T-cell receptor, RAG-mediated gene rearrangement, clonal lymphocyte proliferation, antigen surface presentation, apoptosis, and education of immune cells). It is concluded that colonization by viruses and their defectives provides a more coherent explanation for the origin of adaptive immunity.
On the Lipschitz Continuity of the Solution Map in Some Generalized Linear Complementarity Problems

This paper investigates the Lipschitz continuity of the soluiion map in the settings of horizontal, vertical, and mixed linear complementarity problems. In each of these cases, we show that the solution map is (globally) Lipschitzian if and only if the solution map is single-valued. These generalize a similar result of Murthy, Parthasarathy, and Sabatini proved in the LCP setting.
Deconstructing Dispositions: Toward a Critical Ability Theory in Teacher Education

When attending to dispositions, or educators’ assumptions and beliefs about teaching, learning, and students, teacher educators must develop a discourse that examines disability in terms of power and privilege. This article synthesizes literature related to critical race theory (CRT) and disability theory to elucidate the need for a critical ability theory in teacher education. Combining the tenets of CRT and disability theories provides a lens for viewing how power and privilege affect public and private conceptions of what it means to have a special need. Because recognition of privilege and identity serve as the cornerstones of dispositional development, prospective teachers should be asked to examine their dispositions through this lens. This article offers a novel way to explore the dispositions construct, as previous literature has not examined the ways that privilege and identity intersect with disability and teacher dispositions.
Male germ cell expression of murine beta 4-galactosyltransferase. A 796-base pair genomic region, containing two cAMP-responsive element (CRE)-like elements, mediates male germ cell-specific expression in transgenic mice.

In murine somatic cells, transcription of the single gene encoding beta 4-galactosyltransferase results in two transcripts of 4.1 and 3.9 kilobases (kb), as a consequence of the use of two transcriptional start sites that are located on exon one separated by 200 base pairs (bp). In early male germ cell development, spermatogonia use only the 4.1-kb start site to yield a transcript that is identical to its somatic cell counterpart. As these cells enter meiosis, there is a switch from the use of this somatic cell start site to the exclusive use, beginning in pachytene spermatocytes, of a male germ cell-specific start site. Germ cell-specific transcripts are distinguished from their somatic counterparts by an additional approximately 560 nucleotides of 5'-untranslated sequence that is located immediately upstream and contiguous with the transcriptional start site defined for the 4.1-kb mRNA (Harduin-Lepers, A., Shaper, N.L., Mahoney, J.A., and Shaper, J.H. (1992) Glycobiology 2, 361-368). This observation predicts the use of a different upstream male germ cell-specific promoter. In this study we show that a 796-bp fragment containing 543 bp of genomic sequence upstream of the germ cell specific transcriptional start site and 253 bp of flanking downstream sequence, directs expression of the reporter gene, beta-galactosidase, exclusively to the pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids of transgenic mice. This pattern of cell type-specific expression of the transgene is comparable with that of the endogenous beta 4-galactosyltransferase gene.
Barriers to and facilitators of clinical practice guideline use in nursing homes.

OBJECTIVES: To identify barriers to and facilitators of the diffusion of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) and clinical protocols in nursing homes (NHs). DESIGN: Qualitative analysis. SETTING: Four randomly selected community nursing homes. PARTICIPANTS: NH staff, including physicians, nurse practitioners, administrative staff, nurses, and certified nursing assistants (CNAs). MEASUREMENTS: Interviews (n=35) probed the use of CPGs and clinical protocols. Qualitative analysis using Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation stages-of-change model was conducted to produce a conceptual and thematic description. RESULTS: None of the NHs systematically adopted CPGs, and only three of 35 providers were familiar with CPGs. Confusion with other documents and regulations was common. The most frequently cited barriers were provider concerns that CPGs were “checklists” to replace clinical judgment, perceived conflict with resident and family goals, limited facility resources, lack of communication between providers and across shifts, facility policies that overwhelm or conflict with CPGs, and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act regulations interpreted to limit CNA access to clinical information. Facilitators included incorporating CPG recommendations into training materials, standing orders, customizable data collection forms, and regulatory reporting activities. CONCLUSION: Clinicians and researchers wishing to increase CPG use in NHs should consider these barriers and facilitators in their quality improvement and intervention development processes.
United States Foreign Policy Toward Africa: Note on interview techniques

A fascinating aspect of the research process was interviewing approximately 100 individuals who, as either current or past members of the US policymaking establishment, contributed to the framing of the various policies described in this volume. It is the remembrances of these individuals that provided a context and tone for the various periods examined which were simply impossible to obtain from written sources. Rather than provide a laundry list of interview techniques which have been examined exhaustively by other researchers in the field, I simply wish to note four issues of the interview process which were of particular relevance to this study. The first issue revolved around whether to use a standardized set of questions or a more open-ended interview technique. Due to the historical nature of the project which focused on US foreign policies toward four African countries during a period spanning more than fifty years, interviews were used as an important means of filling in controversial gaps in the historical record. For example, as discussed in Chapter 4, interviews were crucial in determining the extremely controversial role of the CIA in successfully promoting certain Somali candidates in that country's 1967 parliamentary elections. As a result, each interview inevitably required the formulation of questions unique to that country or historical period.
Insider Threat: Language-action Cues in Group Dynamics

Language as a symbolic medium plays an important role in virtual communications. Words communicated online as action cues can provide indications of an actor's behavioral intent. This paper describes an ongoing investigation into the impact of a deceptive insider on group dynamics in virtual team collaboration. An experiment using an online game environment was conducted in 2014. Our findings support the hypothesis that language-action cues of group interactions will change significantly after an insider has been compromised and makes efforts to deceive. Furthermore, the language used in group dynamic interaction will tend to employ more cognition, inclusivity and exclusivity words when interacting with each other and with the focal insider. Future work will employ finely tuned complex Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count dictionaries to identify additional language-action cues for deception.
Effects of pelletized anticoagulant rodenticides on California quail

A moribund, emaciated California quail (Callipepla californica) that was found in an orchard in the state of Washington had an impacted crop and gizzard. Pellets containing the anticoagulant chlorophacinone (Rozol®, RO) were in the crop; the gizzard contents consisted of a pink mass of paraffin that was selectively accumulated from the paraffinized pellets. The plasma prothrombin time of 28 sec was near that determined for control quail. The signs of RO intoxication seen in the moribund wild quail were duplicated in captive quail given ad libitum diets of either RO or another paraffinized chlorophacinone pellet (Mr. Rat Guard II®, MRG). This left little doubt that paraffin impaction of the gizzard was the primary problem. All captive quail fed RO or MRG pellets showed no increases in prothrombin times compared to control values, died in an emaciated condition, and had gizzards impacted with paraffin.
Development and validation of a macroinvertebrate index of biotic integrity (IBI) for assessing urban impacts to Northern California freshwater wetlands

Despite California policies requiring assessment of ambient wetland condition and compensatory wetland mitigations, no intensive monitoring tools have been developed to evaluate freshwater wetlands within the state. Therefore, we developed standardized, wadeable field methods to sample macroinvertebrate communities and evaluated 40 wetlands across Northern California to develop a macroinvertebrate index of biotic integrity (IBI). A priori reference sites were selected with minimal urban impacts, representing a best-attainable condition. We screened 56 macroinvertebrate metrics for inclusion in the IBI based on responsiveness to percent urbanization. Eight final metrics were selected for inclusion in the IBI: percent three dominant taxa; scraper richness; percent Ephemeroptera, Odonata, and Trichoptera (EOT); EOT richness; percent Tanypodinae/Chironomidae; Oligochaeta richness; percent Coleoptera; and predator richness. The IBI (potential range 0–100) demonstrated significant discriminatory power between the reference (mean = 69) and impacted wetlands (mean = 28). It also declined with increasing percent urbanization (R 2 = 0.53, p < 0.005) among wetlands in an independent validation dataset (n = 14). The IBI was robust in showing no significant bias with environmental gradients. This IBI is a functional tool to determine the ecological condition at urban (stormwater and flood control ponds), as well as rural freshwater wetlands (stockponds, seasonal wetlands, and natural ponds). Biological differences between perennial and non-perennial wetlands suggest that developing separate indicators for these wetland types may improve applicability, although the existing data set was not sufficient for exploring this option.
Behavioral recovery induced by applied electric fields after spinal cord hemisection in guinea pig

Applied electric fields were used to promote axonal regeneration in spinal cords of adult guinea pigs. A propriospinal intersegmental reflex (the cutaneous trunci muscle reflex) was used to test lateral tract function after hemisection of the thoracic spinal cord. An electrical field (200 microvolts per millimeter, cathode rostral) applied across the lesion led to functional recovery of the cutaneous trunci muscle reflex in 25 percent of experimental animals, whereas the functional deficit remained in control animals, which were implanted with inactive stimulators.
Newton, the Parts of Space, and the Holism of Spatial Ontology

This article investigates the problem of the identity of the parts of space in Newton’s natural philosophy, as well as the holistic or structuralist nature of Newton’s ontology of space. Additionally, this article relates the lessons reached in this historical and philosophical investigation to analogous debates in contemporary space-time ontology. While previous contributions, by Nerlich, Huggett, and others, have proven to be informative in evaluating Newton’s claims, it will be argued that the underlying goals of Newton’s views have largely eluded prior analysis and that Newton’s approach is similar, and lends support, to several current structuralist trends in the conception of space-time ontology.
The projections of single thalamic neurons onto multiple visual cortical areas in the cat.

Fluorescent dyes Fast Blue and Nuclear Yellow injected into pairs of visual cortical and parietal ‘association’ cortical areas in the cat revealed the presence of retrogradely double-labeled cells in the intralaminar nuclei and lateral posterior-pulvinar complex of the thalamus. These results demonstrate the projection of individual thalamic neurons onto multiple cortical areas.
Computerized 3-GHz multichannel soft X-ray diode spectrometer for high density plasma diagnosis*

Investigations of high density plasma conditions, particularly those used in laser fusion and X-ray laser schemes often demand a quantitative characterization of the X-ray spectral emission in the 100–2000 eV range covering the peak of the thermal radiation energy distribution. We describe a 3 GHz bandwidth, 4-channel soft X-ray diode spectrometer coupled to a computerized digital oscillographic system. The characteristics of this system, and examples of its use in high density plasma experiments are described in detail.
A perspective on the hormonal abnormalities of obesity: are they cause or effect?

Studies in our laboratory and elsewhere have demonstrated numerous abnormalities of steroid and polypeptide hormone secretion in obesity: hyperestrogenemia and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in obese men; diminished SHBG levels in both sexes; elevated free testosterone and free estradiol in obese women; PCOS-like gonadotropin and sex-hormone abnormalities in obese women; elevated serum insulin in both sexes; blunted stimulability of prolactin, growth hormone, and vasopressin in both sexes; and elevated basal levels and blunted stimulability and suppressibility of beta-endorphin in both sexes. All of these abnormalities have been clearly shown to be partly or completely reversible with weight loss, with the exception of the endorphin abnormalities. In that area, four out of the five studies reported show no reversibility with weight loss. Reversibility of nearly all the hormonal abnormalities of obesity (i.e., all but the hyperendorphinemia) by weight loss suggests that none of them is causative of obesity. Nevertheless, some of the reversible abnormalities may secondarily amplify the morbidity associated with obesity: the hyperinsulinemia may be related to the increased risk of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary disease, and Type II diabetes; the elevated levels of free estradiol in obese women may be related to their increased risk of breast and endometrial cancer. The role of hyperendorphinemia in obesity clearly requires further investigation, since it is the only observed hormonal abnormality that appears to be non-reversible by weight loss, and also since there seems to be increased sensitivity to beta-endorphin in obesity. The possibility that endorphin abnormalities may be causal in obesity cannot be ruled out.
Molecular Cloning of a Novel mRNA (Neuronatin) That Is Highly Expressed in Neonatal Mammalian Brain

As differential gene expression governs the progression of development into senescence, we attempted to define the genes that are selectively expressed during postnatal brain development. A cDNA fragment selectively expressed in neonatal rat brain was identified by differential display and used to screen a cDNA library prepared from the same mRNA sample. The full length cDNA, neuronatin, was 1195bp long and coded for a novel protein of 81 amino acids. The cDNA detected an mRNA species of similar size that was highly expressed in rat neonatal and human fetal brain. The deduced protein exhibited a hydrophobic N-terminal and hydrophilic C-terminal, suggesting that it is membrane bound and might function in signal transduction. The selective expression of this novel mRNA in late fetal and early postnatal brain development, and loss of expression in adulthood and senescence, suggests that downregulation of neuronatin may be involved in terminal brain differentiation.
Frankincense and myrrh

While frankincense and myrrh have been harvested from a multitude of species, certain species have predominated in history.Boswellia carteri andB. frereana are the main sources of frankincense today, whileB. papyrifera was the principal source of antiquity andB. sacra was the principal species of classical times.Commiphora myrrha is the chief source of myrrh today, butC. erythraea was the principal source of ancient and classical times. Each of these oleo-gum-resins has a characteristic odor that is predominately due to a mixture of complex sesquiterpenes.
The structure of (dichloro) (DI-μ-acetato)(bis-triphenyl phosphine) dimolybdenum(II)

Abstract The title compound was obtained in crystalline form suitable for X-ray structure determination. It forms crystals in the monoclinic space group P21/c with two centrosymmetric molecules in a unit cell of dimensions, a = 10.888(1) A, b = 10.182(2) A, c = 17.929(4) A, β = 104.33(1)°. The central Mo2Cl2(O2C)2P2 core has effectively C2h-symmetry with the following principal dimensions: MoMo = 2.091(1) A, MoCl = 2.405 A, MoP = 2.566(2) A, MoO(av.) = 2.103[4] A, MoMoP = 104.38(7)°, and MoMoCl = 116.23(8)°.
Effect of crowding on alcohol consumption and adrenal functioning in rats.

Summary.-The effects of crowding-induced stress on alcohol consumption and adrenal activity were investigated. The subjects were 28 Sprague-Dawley rats (Tier 1) and 33 of their offspring (Tier 2), placed in Grouped or Isolated housing conditions. Consumption (without constant access to alcohol) and corticosterone levels were measured in Exp. I. Housing conditions had no significant impact on consumption or corticosterone levels for either tier. Females in both tiers consumed significantly more alcohol than males and had significantly higher corticosterone levels. Alcohol consumption and corticosterone levels were not significantly correlated. In Exp. 11, alcohol consumption (with constant access to alcohol) and adrenal weights were measured. Grouped rats consumed significantly more alcohol than Isolated ones in Tier 1 but not in Tier 2. For both tiers, Grouped rats had significantly larger adrenal glands than Isolated rats, and females had significantly larger glands than males. The correlations between alcohol consumption and adrenal size were positive for both tiers but significant for Tier 2 only. One of the major techniques used in attempts to induce excessive oral
Hydrothermal Synthesis of Metal Poly chalcogenides. Structural Characterization of [Mo12Se56]12-. A Cluster of Clusters

Recently, the authors have been exploring the chemistry of metal polychalcogenides with various synthetic methods such as traditional room temperature solution and unusual molten salt techniques with considerable success. In order to expand the synthetic repertoire in this area, they have been experimenting with hydrothermal conditions to assess their potential as variable synthetic routes to novel metal polychalcogenides. Hydrothermal synthesis of chalcogenides is very little studied, despite its demonstrated usefulness in the synthesis of a variety of other important, and often inaccessible by other techniques, materials such as quartz and zeolites. Hydro(methano)thermal conditions have been used to prepare some very interesting metal monochalcogenide compounds by using alkali carbonates as mineralizers. Using Se{sub x}{sup 2{minus}} as mineralizers, the authors have uncovered a new route to novel polychalcogenides. They report here the first hydrothermal synthesis of a metal polychalcogenide complex, the remarkable (Mo{sub 12}Se{sub 56}){sup 12{minus}} (I), possessing an extraordinary structure.
A 1.2V 23nm 6F 2 4Gb DDR3 SDRAM with local-bitline sense amplifier, hybrid LIO sense amplifier and dummy-less array architecture

We present a sensing scheme with local bitline sense amplifier (L-BLSA) for sub-1V DRAM core operation, which activates a low-Vt latch locally in time, the same as [1] but shares a common ground with a high-Vt latch. Hybrid LIO sense amplifier (H-LSA) is developed for robust LIO read operation at low voltage and high clock frequency. In order to reduce the die area, we develop a dummy-less 6F2 array architecture with no edge dummy array. These schemes are employed in a 1.2V 23nm 6F2 4Gb DDR3 SDRAM.
Evaluation of the role of oxygen radicals in polymorphonuclear leukocyte aggregation.

Oxygen radicals have been shown to alter granulocyte function by injury to the cell membrane or cytoskeleton. We have investigated the effect of such injury on the aggregation of granulocytes upon C5a or PMA stimulation. Granulocyte aggregation was not altered in the presence of the oxygen radical scavengers SOD, catalase, mannitol, or benzoate. To test whether oxygen radicals were required for aggregation, we evaluated three patients with chronic granulomatous disease of childhood. The response of PMNs from these patients was no different from controls. Hydrocortisone, an inhibitor of both granulocyte aggregation and oxygen radical generation, was then studied to decide whether its impairment of radical production contributed to its effect on aggregation. Five times the concentration of hydrocortisone needed to inhibit radical generation was required to impair aggregation by 50%. In addition, hydrocortisone was able to impair the aggregation of the PMNs of a patient with chronic granulomatous disease. These data suggest that oxidative injury to the cell membrane or cytoskeleton does not significantly contribute to the aggregation of granulocytes. In addition, inhibitors of aggregation, such as hydrocortisone, work through mechanisms other than by scavenging radicals.
Effect of added reactive aluminum on aldicarb adsorption by a high organic soil.

Aldicarb and its metabolites have been detected in the ground water of 19 states (Lorber et al. 1989). Eleven of these states have reported aldicarb residue levels at greater than the health advisory of 10 pg/L (Lorber et al. 1989). There is little argument that soil factors such as soil moisture, aeration, and soil pH may influence the disappearance of aldicarb and other pesticides in soil (Kuhr & Leistra 1980). Aldicarb is less likely to reach groundwater when applied to moist, alkaline soils than when applied to dry, acidic soils. Other factors which may affect aldicarb's movement to groundwater include ground water vulnerability, agricultural practices and the chemical characteristics of aldicarb. These factors are discussed in detail elsewhere (Bromilow & Leistra 1980, Dierbert & Given 1986, Jones & Back 1984, Jones et al. 1986, Leistra et al. 1976, Wyman et al. 1985).
Theoretical study of passivated small fullerenes C24X4 (XN, P, As) and their isoelectronic equivalents (BN)12X4

We present a first-principles theoretical study of complexes formed by combination of C rings and group-V atoms, which are the passivated analogs of the C28 fullerene. We study structural and electronic properties of C24X4 clusters, with XN, P, As, in comparison to C28 and C28H4. All clusters with group-V atoms are predicted to be stable and chemically passive, with large HOMO—LUMO gaps. The conditions under which these clusters may be formed experimentally are considered. We also study the (BN)12N4 cluster, in isoelectronic equivalent of C28N4, and find a particularly stable and chemically passive isomer.
Corticotropin-releasing factor administration elicits a stress-like activation of cerebral catecholaminergic systems

Abstract The cerebral content of the biogenic amines, dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), and serotonin (5-HT) and their catabolites 30 min after CRF or saline injections was determined using HPLC with electrochemical detection. Injection of CRF (1.0 μg) into the lateral ventricles (ICV) of mice produced a behavioral activation in which their motor movements appeared as bursts of activity followed by periods of immobility. CRF administration (ICV or SC) did not alter the concentrations of DA, NE, tryptophan, 5-HT, or 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in any brain region measured. ICV CRF increased the concentrations of dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), the major catabolite of DA, and of 3-methoxy,4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol (MHPG), the major catabolite of NE, in several brain regions. DOPAC:DA ratios were consistently increased in prefrontal cortex, septum, hypothalamus, and brain stem relative to animals injected with saline. MHPG:NE ratios were also increased in the prefrontal cortex and hypothalamus, with a marginal effect (p=0.06) in brain stem. SC CRF significantly increased DOPAC:DA in prefrontal cortex, and MHPG:NE in prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus and brain stem. Pretreatment with naloxone did not prevent any of the neurochemical responses to ICV CRF, but naloxone alone increased DOPAC:DA in medial profrontal cortex, and decreased MHPG:NE in nucleus accumbens in CRF-injected mice. These results suggest that administration of CRF either centrally or peripherally induces an activation of both dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems in several regions of mouse brain. The pattern resembles that we observe in mice following stressful treatments such as footshock or restraint, but the effect of CRF on noradrenergic systems is less pronounced. Also, brain free tryptophan which is consistently increased in all brain regions by footshock or restraint was not altered by CRF. Thus CRF triggers a response in CNS catecholamine systems that resembles, but does not precisely mimic, that observed following commonly used stressors. This activation of CNS catecholamine metabolism may be related to some of the behavioral effects of CRF, but not all of them because naloxone, which prevents the effects of CRF on exploratory behavior, did not alter the catecholamine responses to CRF.
Cultural reactions of rhizobia with special reference to strains isolated from Sesbania species.

1. All the sesbania strains employed in these studies were strikingly similar to other well-known rhizobia as shown by a wide variety of tests involving a diverse collection of mineral salts media containing a variety of carbon and nitrogen sources. 2. In comparative tests the 39 strains of sesbania rhizobia are divided into two well-defined groups. Those fromS. macrocarpa andS. longifolia, designated as Group 1, were culturally similar to the fast-growing rhizobia from clover, peas and beans. These strains produced mucilaginous colonies on all agar media, did not grow inHofer's alkaline media, veal infusion broth,Clark andLub's, Koser's uric acid andZoBell's media and did not reduce nitrate. Others fromS. grandiflora, S. tomentosa, S. aculeata andS. sesban, comprising Group 2, produced compact opaque colonies, grew in the above media and reduced nitrate slowly. 3. Question is raised that Congo red agar is a completely reliable medium for the separation of rhizobia from closely allied bacteria, as judged by dye absorption. 4. The strains of sesbania rhizobia showed considerable variation in their abilities to tolerate crystal violet in a peptone-sucrose medium. The majority of fast-growing strains of the designated rhizobial species did not grow in concentrations greater than 1∶10,000 crystal violet; none of the slow-growing strains tolerated concentrations above 1∶30,000. All the strains of species in the genusAgrobacterium resisted a 1∶2,500 concentration. 5. Evidence is presented that a relationship exists between tolerance of rhizobial strains to crystal violet dye in media and their abilities to produce gum. 6. Various cultural tests are described which permit reliable differentiations between rhizobia and related bacteria, exemplified by diverse strains ofA. tumefacines andA. radiobacter.
Percentile Norms for the Adjective Check List (ACL) Creativity Scale

A new 59-item creativity scale for the Adjective Check List was developed by Domino (1970). The present paper presents percentile norms based on 1092 undergraduate students for that scale.
Contribution of Long-Bone Radiographs to the Management of Congenital Syphilis in the Newborn Infant

Objective To determine the contribution of long-bone radiographs to the diagnosis and management of newborn infants at risk for congenital syphilis. Design Historical cohort. Setting Three large hospitals in Houston, Tex. Patients Eight hundred fifty-three live born infants who were evaluated for the presence of congenital syphilis. Intervention Long-bone radiographs done as part of the diagnostic evaluation for the presence of congenital syphilis. Main Outcome Measure Changes in diagnostic classification or management decisions that were based on radiographic findings in the long bones. Results For 450 infants, radiographic results did not affect management because clinical or historical factors were present that dictated treatment: 26 infants had clinical symptoms of congenital syphilis (65% [17] had abnormalities on radiographs); and 424 infants were born to mothers who were untreated or reinfected (5.9% [25] had abnormalities on radiographs). All of these infants required a full course of therapy regardless of radiologic findings. Born to mothers with possibly inadequate therapy (according to 1993 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines), 237 asymptomatic newborn infants were candidates for a single injection of penicillin G benzathine if the results of their evaluations were normal; of these, 2 (0.8%) had abnormal radiographic findings. Of the 166 infants born to adequately treated mothers with appropriately falling serologic titer levels, 1 (0.6%) had abnormal radiographic findings ( P =.99 between groups). The results of the long-bone radiographs did not alter management for any of the 853 infants who were evaluated for congenital syphilis. Conclusions Long-bone radiographic findings, often abnormal in symptomatic infants, do not differentiate between active infection and past infection. The use of long-bone radiographs should be reconsidered in the routine evaluation of infants for congenital syphilis.
Potential function construction by use of an adaptive mesh algorithm for a class of singular integral equations

Abstract An effective adaptive mesh algorithm for the numerical solution of Fredholm singular integral equations of the first kind is presented. These integrals occur in engineering and mathematical physics. Important examples include their use as boundary conditions for certain elliptic partial differential equations. In this latter case, an ability to solve such boundary integral equations can lead to a closed form answer for the differential equation itself. The method is to fashion a potential function, as an integral, which is the solution to the partial differential equation over its region. The answer from the Fredholm integral equation appearing on the boundary is needed since it forms part of the integrand of the potential function. This paper gives both the adaptive mesh algorithm for solving the integral equation and examples of the use of first kind Fredholm singular integral equations on the boundary to compute integral potential functions. The method herein has special value when jumps and discontinuities in derivatives are present in the boundary conditions.
Catalytic Mechanism of Benzylsuccinate Synthase, a Theoretical Study

Density functional theory calculations using the hybrid functional B3LYP have been performed to study the catalytic mechanism of benzylsuccinate synthase. This enzyme catalyzes the novel addition of the methyl carbon of toluene to fumarate, forming benzylsuccinate and thereby initiating the anaerobic metabolism of toluene in denitrifying bacteria. Benzylsuccinate synthase was suggested to contain a stable glycyl radical, based on sequence similarity to the two known glycyl radical containing enzymes pyruvate-formate lyase and class III anaerobic ribonucleotide reductase. This suggestion was recently confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance experiments. The calculations demonstrate that an overall homolytic radical mechanism is thermodynamically very plausible. The radical is transferred from the stable glycyl radical to toluene via a cysteinyl radical in two hydrogen atom transfer steps. The rate-limiting step is shown to be the addition of benzyl radical to fumarate, forming a benzylsuccinyl radical ...
Integrated social and quality of service trust management of mobile groups in ad hoc networks

We propose to combine social trust derived from social networks with quality-of-service (QoS) trust derived from communication networks to obtain a composite trust metric as a basis for evaluating trust of mobile nodes in mobile ad hoc network (MANET) environments. We develop a novel model-based approach to identify the best protocol setting under which trust bias is minimized, that is, the peer-to-peer subjective trust as a result of executing our distributed trust management protocol is close to ground truth status over a wide range of operational and environment conditions with high resiliency to malicious attacks and misbehaving nodes.
Some security alternatives for encrypting information on storage devices

Almost every few weeks there is some breaking news about some organization that has lost information via the physical loss of an unencrypted storage device. This paper reviews some alternatives for encrypting information on storage devices and how those alternatives might be used. The open source TrueCrypt system is covered is some detail. Some suggestions for information security policy guidelines are provided. From personal data to enterprise data, information security is becoming increasingly important.
Cropping Activities in Agricultural Sector Models: A Methodological Proposal

Sector models may be constructed using two fundamentally different approaches. First, there are the large price-endogenous (reviewed in McCarl and Spreen) or cost-minimizing (reviewed in Heady and Srivastava) sector models, hereafter called SM. Second, there are modeling systems which contain a large number of representative farms (Sharples and Schaller, Walker and Dillon, or Thomson and Buckwell), hereafter called RFSM. The representative farm models, not emphasized in this paper, consist of many farm models which usually are iteratively solved into an equilibrium. Bell and Hazell present an application in which simultaneous equilibrium is determined. On the other hand, the SM sector models divide a country into regions, each containing aggregate activities and constraints. Typically, these models exhibit a rather poor replication of regional crop mix (e.g., Schaller or Burton). Flexibility constraints often are used to correct these deficiencies (Sahi and Craddock, Sharples and Schaller).
Fixation of molecular tritium by bacterial suspensions.

Abstract 1. 1. Tritium can be oxidized to water apparently through the activity of the enzyme hydrogenase. 2. 2. Oxidation of tritium can be carried out at very low partial pressures e.g. 0.002 ml./l. air. It has been possible to demonstrate this because of the extremely sensitive method provided by tritium. 3. 3. The fact that Streptococcus faecalis not known to contain hydrogenase, was demonstrated to “fix” tritium suggests the possibility that the method may be useful for detecting low concentrations of hydrogenase.
Recycled Expanded Polystyrene Nanofibers Applied in Filter Media

Abstract In this work polystyrene (PS) nanofibers are electrospun from recycled expanded polystyrene (EPS). These fibers are mixed with micro glass fibers to modify the glass fiber filter media. The filter media are tested in the separation of water droplets from an emulsion of water droplets in oil. Water-in-oil emulsion separations are important to the petrochemical industries for product quality, safety, ecologic and economic reasons. The experimental results in this work show that polystyrene nanofibers with diameters of around 600 nm were produced by the electrospinning method. The addition of the nanofibers to conventional micron sized fibrous filter media improves the separation efficiency of the filter media from 68 to 88%.
Anti‐Symmetry and Non‐Extensional Mereology

I examine the link between extensionality principles of classical mereology and the anti-symmetry of parthood. Varzi's most recent defence of extensionality depends crucially on assuming anti-symmetry. I examine the notions of proper parthood, weak supplementation and non-well-foundedness. By rejecting anti-symmetry, the anti-extensionalist has a unified, independently grounded response to Varzi's arguments. I give a formal construction of a non-extensional mereology in which anti-symmetry fails. If the notion of ‘mereological equivalence’ is made explicit, this non-anti-symmetric mereology recaptures all of the structure of classical mereology.
Polymer processing and characterization of LLDPE films loaded with α‐tocopherol, quercetin, and their cyclodextrin inclusion complexes

Natural antioxidant additives were compounded into linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) using a twin-screw counter-rotating mixer and compression molded into films. Manufactured LLDPE films contained 2715 mg kg−1 α-tocopherol in its free and β-cyclodextrin complexed form and 1950 mg kg−1 quercetin in its free and γ-cyclodextrin complexed form. Both cyclodextrin complexes were loaded into films at 1.5% by weight. These natural antioxidants were incorporated into LLDPE resins with two different catalyst types, Ziegler-Natta and metallocene. Films were characterized by optical microscopy, oxidation induction time (OIT), oxygen transmission rate, contact angle analysis, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). All antioxidant additives increased the oxidative stability of LLDPE as measured by increased OIT, particularly quercetin. Natural antioxidants and their cyclodextrin inclusion complexes may provide a dual function in packaging to protect the polymer from oxidative degradation during melt processing and to delay the onset of oxidation of the packaged food during storage. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Experimental Models of Vascular Occlusions for Evaluation of Thrombectomy Devices

Stroke attributed to a large vessel occlusion is a multi-factorial disease and it has to be understood that one model does not exactly reproduce all the facets of ischemic stroke in humans. In this paper, we review currently available vascular occlusion models used for the assessment of thrombectomy devices. Vascular occlusions are often created in animal models such as rats, mice, rabbits, canine, swine and sheep. Depending on the source of the occlusion, two subtypes of vascular occlusion, thrombotic and embolic, are simulated in the aforesaid animal models. Embolic occlusion may also be reproduced in-vitro by injecting a clot into the vascular replica. In-vitro models are capable of simulating precisely human cerebrovascular anatomy and hemodynamics. Quantitative measurements, such as size and number of disrupted clots produced during the procedure, can be obtained in the in-vitro studies. Due to the small vessel size, occlusions created in rodents are not suitable for evaluation of thrombectomy devices. It is not feasible to create a focal intracranial vascular occlusion in the anterior circulation of sheep and swine amenable to thrombectomy due to the rete mirabile. An alternative is thrombectomy device testing in non-human primates, the posterior circulation of the dog, and extracranial circulation of the pig. Although the role of stroke models is not to perfectly mimic a human stroke with all its characteristics, choosing an appropriate model enables us to answer the unsolved questions in an objective manner.
A comment on ‘democratic theory: A preliminary mathematical model.’

*Department of Political Science, State University of New York at Stony Brook. 1"Democratic Organization: A Preliminary Mathematical Model," Public Choice 16 (Fall 1973), 17-26. 2Essai sur l'Application de l'Analyse a la Probabilite des Decisions Rendue a la Pluralite des Voix, Paris, 1876. 3The Theory of Committees and Elections, London: Cambridge University Press, esp. pp. 159-178. As Black has pointed out, Condorcet's discovery of the paradox of cyclical majorities, in significant ways, anticipated Arrow's Impossibility Theorem. (See Kenneth Arrow, Social Choice and Individual Values, 2nd Edition, New York: Wiley, 1962, and Duncan Black, "An Examination of Professor Arrow's Impossibility Theorem," Vienna, 1968.) The most extensive treatment of Condorcet's mathematical contributions to political and economic theory is Gilles-Gaston Granger, La Mathematique Sociale du Marguis de Condorcet, Paris: Presses Universitaires de France, 1956.
ACTIVATION OF MITOCHONDRIAL ATP-DEPENDENT POTASSIUM CHANNELS BY NITRIC OXIDE

Background —Nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated as a mediator of “second-window” ischemic preconditioning, and mitochondrial ATP-dependent K + (mitoK ATP ) channels are the likely effectors. The links between NO and mitoK ATP channels are unknown. Methods and Results —We measured mitochondrial redox potential as an index of mitoK ATP channel opening in rabbit ventricular myocytes. The NO donor S -nitroso- N -acetyl-dl-penicillamine (SNAP, 0.1 to 1 mmol/L) oxidized the mitochondrial matrix dose-dependently without activating sarcolemmal K ATP channels. SNAP-induced oxidation was blocked by the selective mitoK ATP channel blocker 5-hydroxydecanoate and by the NO scavenger 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4′,5,5′-tetramethylimidazole-1-oxyl-3-oxide. SNAP-induced mitochondrial oxidation was detectable either by photomultiplier tube recordings of flavoprotein fluorescence or by confocal imaging. SNAP also enhanced the oxidative effects of diazoxide when both agents were applied together. Exposure to 1 mmol/L 8Br-cGMP failed to mimic the effects of SNAP. Conclusions —NO directly activates mitoK ATP channels and potentiates the ability of diazoxide to open these channels. These results provide novel mechanistic links between NO-induced cardioprotection and mitoK ATP channels.
Effects of central leptin infusion on the reward-potentiating effect of d-amphetamine

Abstract It was previously reported that chronic food restriction and maintenance of rats at 75–80% of initial body weight enhanced the reward-potentiating effect of d -amphetamine in the lateral hypothalamic self-stimulation (LHSS) paradigm. Moreover, the enhancement reversed in parallel with body weight recovery when ad libitum access to food was reinstated. The present study tested the hypothesis that hypoleptinemia during food restriction is necessary for expression of enhanced drug reward. In Experiment 1, intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of leptin (0.5 μg/0.5 μl/hr for 8 days) in food-restricted rats did not alter the rewarding effect of d -amphetamine (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.). Considering that i.c.v. leptin may not diffuse into deep brain regions where direct effects on drug reward sensitivity may be exerted, effects of acute bilateral microinjection of leptin (0.5 μg) in ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens were tested in Experiment 2 and found to have no effect. In Experiment 3, chronic i.c.v. leptin infusion in ad libitum fed rats decreased food intake and body weight and enhanced the rewarding effect of d -amphetamine. Sensitivity to d -amphetamine returned to normal as body weight recovered following cessation of leptin infusion. This result suggests that weight loss, whether from hormone-induced appetite suppression or experimenter-imposed food restriction, is sufficient to enhance drug reward sensitivity. Experiment 4 tested whether food restriction in the absence of body weight loss alters drug reward sensitivity. Rats received chronic i.c.v. infusion of the orexigenic melanocortin receptor antagonist, SHU9119 (0.02 μg/0.5 μl/hr for 12 days), and a subset were pair-fed to vehicle-infused controls. Although these subjects ingested ∼50% of the amount of food ingested by free-feeding SHU9119-infused rats, they displayed no weight loss and no change in sensitivity to d -amphetamine. Together, results of this study support the importance of weight loss, but not leptin, in the enhancement of drug reward sensitivity.
Automated Operation With Redundant Ultrasonic Reactor Water Level Monitoring System

The proposed ultrasonic Reactor water Level Monitoring system is intended for monitoring water level in the hot leg of a nuclear reactor during Operation at Reduced Inventory (ORI) with the core in place as may be needed for certain maintenance activities. Since the existing fuel bundles continue the production of heat thorough the decay process, it is critical to maintain a certain water flow rate through the reactor. The Residual Heat Removal System (RHRS) handles this task during the reactor shutdown. The free water surface during ORI subjects the RHRS to the risk of air intake. Such an event would trigger a set of emergency procedures for priming the RHRS and bringing it back online. Some of the possible outcomes of such an event are: extension of outage, handling of the extra regulatory reporting tasks, potential requirements for extra testing after system recovery, possible damage to RHR pump, boiling of reactor water, generation of airborne contamination, and fuel damage. Another risk during ORI is reactor overflow. The major immediate concern is the safety of personnel in case of accidental overflow. This event could result in contamination and the related outage delays. The previously existing systems have always had problems with transducer reliability. This has lead to the need for removal and re-installation of their transducers from outage to outage. However, the proposed system uses a redundant design with permanently mounted transducers. The system uses advanced digital signal processing techniques to determine the water level.© 2009 ASME