cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Garlic: a new flavor of federated query processing for DB2

In a large modern enterprise, information is almost inevitably distributed among several database management systems. Despite considerable attention from the research community, relatively few commercial systems have attempted to address this issue. This paper describes new technology that enables clients of IBM's DB2 Universal Database to access the data and specialized computational capabilities of a wide range of non-relational data sources. This technology, based on the Garlic prototype developed at the Almaden Research Center, complements and extends DB2's existing ability to federate relational data sources.The paper focuses on three topics. Firstly, we show how the DB2 catalogs are used as an extensible repository for the metadata needed to access remotely-stored information. Secondly, we describe how the Garlic approach to query planning, in which source-specific modules and the federated server cooperate to develop an optimized execution plan, has been realized in DB2. Lastly, we describe how DB2's query execution engine has been extended to support queries and functions that are evaluated remotely.
Holding Techniques for Hatchery Wastes

Abstract Fresh hatchery wastes can be converted into quality animal feeding meals when processed by renderers. Small hatcheries, however, have difficulty accumulating sufficient quantities of unspoiled hatchery wastes to allow an economical delivery schedule to renderers. Several methods of treatment to retard spoilage during holding of hatchery wastes were investigated. Passing wastes through a disposer to reduce volume coupled with a type of ensiling proved satisfactory. Blending in 10% w/w of feed grade cane molasses during grinding of the collected wastes retained adequate freshness for 1 week of storage at about 22 C; adding 10% cane molasses plus 10% ground corn gave storage protection up to 14 days.
Effect of complete hepatic vein ligation on portal pressures and ascites formation in dogs with porta-caval shunts.

Summary1. A successful technic for individual ligation and division of the hepatic veins in the dog is described. 2. Complete occlusion of the hepatic veins is uniformly fatal in dogs. However, if a porta-caval shunt is also done, the dogs will survive. 3. Fifteen dogs prepared in this manner were studied, and 66% of them developed a significant elevation of the portal pressure. 4. Ascites developed in 53% of the dogs, but the ascites could not be correlated with the increased portal pressures, decreased serum proteins, or pathological changes in the liver.
Conformational stability from temperature dependent FT-IR spectra of liquid rare gas solutions, barriers to internal rotation, vibrational assignment, structural parameters and ab initio calculations for 3-bromopropene

Abstract The infrared spectra of 3-bromopropene (allyl bromide), CH 2 CHCH 2 Br, dissolved in liquid krypton (−110 to −155°C) and liquid xenon (−55 to −110°C) at concentrations of about 1×10 −2 M are reported. The temperature dependence of the infrared spectra of three conformer pairs in the xenon solution has been used to obtain an enthalpy difference of 184±12 cm −1 (2.20±0.14 kJ/mol ) with the gauche conformer the more stable rotamer. Utilizing the asymmetric torsional fundamental of the cis conformer at 133 cm −1 along with two accompanying hot bands, the gauche fundamental at 99 cm −1 , the enthalpy difference of 184 cm −1 , and the gauche dihedral angle (BrCCC) of 116.1°, the potential function governing the conformational interchange has been determined. The cis to gauche and gauche to gauche barriers have been determined to be 707 and 848 cm −1 , respectively. The adjusted r 0 structural parameters have been obtained from the previously reported rotational constants and ab initio predicted values. The conformational stability and infrared intensities, along with the vibrational frequencies and structural parameters have been obtained from ab initio calculations. These data are compared to the corresponding experimental quantities when appropriate. A complete vibrational assignment is proposed for the gauche conformer and most of the fundamentals have been assigned for the cis conformer. The overall results are compared and contrasted to those for some similar molecules.
Laparoscopic colectomy: A critical appraisal

A multicenter retrospective study was undertaken to assess the efficacy and safety of laparoscopy in colon and rectal surgery. To minimize potential bias in interpretation of the results, all data were registered with an independent observer, who did not participate in any of the surgical procedures. Sixty-six patients underwent a laparoscopic procedure. Operations performed included sigmoid colectomy (19), right hemicolectomy (15), low anterior resection (6), colectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) (5), and abdominoperineal resection (APR) (3). The conversion rate from laparoscopic colectomy to celiotomy was 41 percent. Major morbidity and mortality were 24 percent and 0 percent, respectively. Length of stay, hospital costs, and lymph node harvest were compared between the sigmoid resection and right hemicolectomy subgroups. Data from traditional sigmoid colectomies and right hemicolectomies were obtained from the same institutions for comparison. Mean postoperative stay for laparoscopically completed sigmoid and right colectomies was significantly less than that for either the converted or the traditional groups (P<0.02). Total hospital cost for traditional right hemicolectomy was significantly less than that for the converted group (P< 0.05) but not the laparoscopic group. Laparoscopic sigmoid resection showed no significant total hospital cost difference among traditional, converted, and laparoscopic groups. Lymph node harvest in resections for carcinoma was comparable in all groups. These preliminary data suggest that laparoscopic colon and rectal surgery can be accomplished with acceptable morbidity and mortality when performed by trained surgeons. Length of stay is shorter, but there is no proven total hospital cost benefit. Appropriate registries will be necessary to adequately assess long-term outcome.
Density and Distribution of Hemileuca oliviae (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) in Chihuahua, Mexico

Data are presented on range, density, and distribution of Hemileuca oliviae Cockerell in Chihuahua, Mexico. Populations were found near Cuauhtemoc, Anahuac, and at various locations between Chihuahua City and El Sueco, but were absent from overgrazed and agricultural lands, and grasslands in the Chihuahua Desert. Egg clusters were distributed randomly at a height of 21.2 ± 9.5 cm from the base of grass stems, primarily Bouteloua gracilis (H.B.K.) Lag. Development of H. oliviae was asynchronous within and between sites. Sixth instars had a clumped distribution and a maximum recorded density of 24.44 per 100 m2
The Role of the Epigenome in Translating Neighborhood Disadvantage Into Health Disparities

The possible causal role of the environment in health disparities is not well understood, even though it has been a national priority for many years. Progress to investigate the relationship between genetics, environmental exposures, and health outcomes has been hampered by the lack of analytical tools to quantify the combined or cumulative effect of multiple chemical and non-chemical stressors on gene expression. The studies cited here provide a strong rationale for using epigenomic analysis to assess cumulative risk from multiple environmental exposures over the life course. The environment-specific "imprints" on the genome, coupled with transcriptomics and metabolomics, can be used to advance our understanding of the relationship between neighborhood disadvantage and health disparities.
Regulation of the ecdysone receptor, USP, E75 and MHR3 mRNAs by 20‐hydroxyecdysone in the GV1 cell line of the tobacco hornworm,Manduca sexta

The responsiveness of several nuclear transcription factor genes to 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) was characterized in an embryonic cell line, GV1, from Manduca sexta. The mRNA for the Manduca ecdysone receptor (MsEcR) was present in the GV1 cells and transiently increased 2.3-fold by 5 h after the addition of 2 micrograms/ml (4 x 10(-6) M) 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). In contrast, Manduca ultraspiracle (MsUSP) mRNA level in the GV1 cells decreased slowly to half of its initial level by 12 h when exposed to the same concentration of 20E. The mRNAs for two putative transcription factors, MsE75 and MHR3, were induced in the GV1 cells by 20E, with that for E75 appearing within 1 h whereas that for MHR3 within 2 h. The ED50S for induction of MsE75 and MHR3 gene expression in GV1 cells were 1.2 x 10(-6) and 2.5 x 10(-6) M 20E, respectively.
A coding variant in SR-BI (I179N) significantly increases atherosclerosis in mice.

Human coding variants in scavenger receptor class B member 1 (SR-BI; gene name SCARB1) have recently been identified as being associated with plasma levels of HDL cholesterol. However, a link between coding variants and atherosclerosis has not yet been established. In this study we set out to examine the impact of a SR-BI coding variant in vivo. A mouse model with a coding variant in SR-BI (I179N), identified through a mutagenesis screen, was crossed with Ldlr −/− mice, and these mice were maintained on a Western-type diet to promote atherosclerosis. Mice showed 56 and 125 % increased atherosclerosis in female and male Ldlr −/− Scarb1 I179N mice, respectively, when compared to gender-matched Ldlr −/− control mice. As expected, HDL cholesteryl ester uptake was impaired in Ldlr −/− Scarb1 I179N mice compared to Ldlr –/– control mice, with a net effect of increased small and very small LDL cholesterol in Ldlr −/− Scarb1 I179N mice being the most probable cause of the observed increased atherosclerosis. Our data show that non-null coding variants in SR-BI can have a large significant impact on atherosclerosis, even if plasma lipid levels are not dramatically affected, and that human mutations in other candidate lipid genes could significantly impact atherosclerosis.
Intraspecific variation in the response of Taxodium distichum seedlings to salinity

Abstract Seedlings of 15 open-pollinated families of baldcypress ( Taxodium distichum ) were tested for their tolerance to combined salinity and flooding strees. Ten of the families were from coastal locations in Louisiana or Alabama, USA, that were slightly brackish. The other families were from locations not affected by saltwater intrusion. Five salinity levels were investigated — 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 g l −1 artificial seawater—all with flooding to approximately 5 cm above the soil surface. Survival, height growth, leaf area and total biomass all declined with increasing salinity. Significant variation was found among salinity levels, families, and salinity×family interactions for leaf area and total biomass. Two tolerance indices were also developed to compare family response with salinity. In generalm families from brackish sources had greater total biomass, leaf area, and tolerance index values than families from freshwater sources at the higher salinity levels. A selection and breeding program designed to develop moderately salt-tolerant baldcypress seedlings for use in wetland restoration projects and other applications appears to be well-justified.
The thermal neutron activation cross section of105Ru

In order to calculate the thermal neutron activation cross section of105Ru, the enriched104Ru was exposed to a thermal neutron flux of 1.2·1014 neutrons cm−2s−1. After the decay of the 40-day activity of103Ru, the silver impurity was removed and the contributions from Co and Eu impurities were subtracted. The γ-ray energies and the coincidence results were consistent with the previously established results for106Ru-106Rh. From γ-ray intensities consideration, the thermal neutron activation cross section of105Ru was calculated to be (0.20±.02) barn.
In-plane magnetization-induced quantum anomalous hall effect

The quantum Hall effect can only be induced by an out-of-plane magnetic field for two-dimensional electron gases, and similarly, the quantum anomalous Hall effect has also usually been considered for systems with only out-of-plane magnetization. In the present work, we predict that the quantum anomalous Hall effect can be induced by in-plane magnetization that is not accompanied by any out-of-plane magnetic field. Two realistic two-dimensional systems, Bi2Te3 thin film with magnetic doping and HgMnTe quantum wells with shear strains, are presented and the general condition for the in-plane magnetization-induced quantum anomalous Hall effect is discussed based on the symmetry analysis. Nonetheless, an experimental setup is proposed to confirm this effect, the observation of which will pave the way to search for the quantum anomalous Hall effect in a wider range of materials.
Identification of QTL in soybean underlying resistance to herbivory by Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica, Newman)

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] was one of the most important legume crops in the world in 2010. Japanese beetles (JB; Popillia japonica, Newman) in the US were an introduced and potentially damaging insect pest for soybean. JBs are likely to spread across the US if global warming occurs. Resistance to JB in soybean was previously reported only in plant introductions. The aims here were to identify loci underlying resistance to JB herbivory in recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the cross of Essex × Forrest cultivars (EF94) and to correlate those with loci with factors that confer insect resistance in soybean cultivars. The RIL population was used to map 413 markers, 238 satellite markers and 177 other DNA markers. Field data were from two environments over 2 years. Pest severity (PS) measured defoliation on a 0–9 scale. Pest incidence (PI) was the percentage of plants within each RIL with beetles on them. Antibiosis and antixenosis data were from feeding assays with detached leaves in petri plates. Five QTL were detected for the mean PS field trait (16% < R 2 < 27%). The loci were within the intervals Satt632–A2D8 on linkage group (LG) A2 (chromosome 8); Satt583–Satt415 on LG B1 (11); Satt009–Satt530 on LG N (3); and close to two markers OB02_140 (LG E; 20 cM from Satt572) and OZ15_150 LG (19 cM from Satt291 C2). Two QTL were detected for the mean PI field trait (16% < R 2 < 18%) close to Satt385 on LG A1 and Satt440 on LG I. The no choice feeding studies detected three QTL that were significant; two for antixenosis (22% < R 2 < 24%) between Satt632–A2D8 on LG A2 (8) and Sat_039–Satt160 on LG F (13); and a major locus effect (R 2 = 54%) for antibiosis on LG D2 (17) between Satt464–Satt488. Therefore, loci underlying resistance to JB herbivory were a mixture of major and minor gene effects. Some loci were within regions underlying resistance to soybean cyst nematode (LGs A2 and I) and root knot nematode (LG F) but not other major loci underlying resistance to nematode or insect pests (LGs G, H and M).
Repetitive, monomorphic ventricular tachycardia: Clinical and electrophysiologic characteristics in patients with and patients without organic heart disease

The clinical and electrophysiologic characteristics of 6 patients who had repetitive monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) after a remote myocardial infarction (group A) were compared with those of 22 patients who had this arrhythmia without structural heart disease (group B). VT had a right bundle branch block morphologic pattern in 5 of 6 group A patients and a left bundle branch block morphologic pattern in all group B patients. Endocardial catheter activation mapping was performed in 4 group A patients and in 9 group B patients during VT. In all group A patients, the site of VT origin was on the border of the previous infarction; in all group B patients VT originated at the right ventricular outflow tract. Pacing and programmed stimulation induced VT in 5 of 6 group A patients and 7 of 22 group B patients (p = 0.03). Isoproterenol infusion provoked VT in 4 group A patients and 9 group B patients. Type I antiarrhythmic agents suppressed VT in 4 group A patients and in 14 group B patients, whereas propranolol suppressed VT in 3 of 3 group A patients tested and in 12 of 20 group B patients. Verapamil suppressed spontaneous VT in 1 group A patient and in 4 group B patients. During a mean follow-up of 19 months for group A and 40 months for group B, no patient had died suddenly or had cardiac arrest.
The Culture of the Kitchen: Recipes for Transformative Education within the African American Cultural Experience.

Toby S. Jenkins uses the cultural space of the African American kitchen as a guide for creating academic spaces of liberation and inclusion.
Development of a programmable photoreceiver module integrated in a multitechnology field-programmable gate array

We present her a user programmable photoreceiver block that is monolithically integrated in a new generation of multi-technology field programmable gate array (MT-FPGA). Implemented with a photonic VLSI technology the device is suitable for prototyping photonic information processing systems. We also report here on the photoreceiver design methodology in a mixed signal environment and simulation results indicating the device performance.
Noradrenergic responses in rat hippocampus: Evidence for mediation by α and β receptors in the in vitro slice

Summary The effect of perfused norepinephrine (NE) on evoked potentials in CA1 of the in vitro rat hippocampus was examined. Weak and variable effects on population spike amplitude were observed, with lower doses of NE generally producing excitations and higher doses more often producing inhibitions. Clonidine, an α-receptor agonist, produced a dose-dependent inhibition of population spike amplitude; this inhibition was effectively antagonized by the α-antagonist, phentolamine. Isoproterenol (ISO), a β-agonist, produced marked increases in population spike amplitude which could be antagonized by timolol, a β-receptor antagonist. Phentolamine did not antagonize the excitations produced by ISO, and timolol had no effect on the inhibitions seen with clonidine. After pretreatment with either phentolamine or timolol, NE perfusion elicited robust and consistent elevations or reductions in the population spike, respectively. A potent cyclic AMP derivative, 8-p-chlorophenylthio cyclic AMP, produced large increases in population spike amplitude which appeared similar to the responses seen with β-agonists. No changes in field EPSP amplitudes were observed with any of the drugs tested. Taken together, these results suggest that NE may interact with α-adrenergic receptors to decrease pyramidal cell excitability, and with β-adrenergic receptors to increase pyramidal cell excitability; the β-effect may involve cAMP.
Role of superior colliculus serotonin in the grooming behaviour of cats.

Abstract The present study provides evidence that a serotonergic system in the superior colliculus is involved in the regulation of grooming behaviour. Significant decreases in tryptophan hydroxylase activity and serotonin content were found in the superior colliculi of cats with pontile lesions and frontal neocortical lesions, which display a dissociation of appetitive and consummatory grooming behaviours. Neither tryptophan hydroxylase activity nor serotonin content were significantly changed in thyroidectomized cats, which display the same abnormal grooming behaviour. 5-Hydroxytryptophan administration or monoamine oxidase inhibition plus tryptophan administration abolished the abnormal grooming behaviour in each of the three groups of cats, suggesting that the change in a serotonergic system is a critical aspect of the abnormal behaviour in cats with pontile lesions and frontal neocortical lesions, and that a serotonergic system may also be involved in the genesis of the abnormal grooming behaviour in thyroidectomized cats. Functional inactivation of the serotonergic system by lysergic acid diethylamide administration or by serotonin receptor blockade did not induce the abnormal grooming behaviour in normal cats, indicating that other factors are involved in the genesis of the abnormal behaviour. Previous studies indicated that glucocorticoids are the other critical factor. Thus, a serotonergic system in the superior colliculi, operating at some level of glucocorticoid function, is involved in the integration of appetitive and consummatory grooming behaviours. These data provide the first demonstration of the biological mechanisms underlying the integration of the appetitive (learned) and consummatory (unlearned) components of instinctive behaviour.
Kalman filtering for target (mine) tracking in the presence of antenna motion

Detection of mines is an important problem to the Army. A stand-off detection radar has been developed to detect mines in real time mode at stand-off distances ranging from 5 to 30 m. This active radar consists of three horn antennas, one transmitter and two receivers, carried by a moving vehicle. The transmit horn generates 36 sinusoidal carrier signals which have frequencies ranging from 0.5 to 4 GHz, in 100 MHz steps. At each frequency, the carrier signals are modulated by a train of 16 pulses having a 10 ns pulse width and a repetition rate of 3.9 MHz. These signals resonate targets including non-metallic and metallic mines and other objects. The mines and objects' return signals will be detected by the two receive antennas. The detection algorithm is used to identify an anomaly if it exists above background. Then, the discrimination algorithm is used to distinguish between mines and other objects. Finally, the location algorithm and the differential global positioning satellite system are used to mark the position of the detected mines. Test results from last year showed that some of the mines were not detected and the positions of some of the detected mines were not marked precisely enough. This resulted in missed detections and in increasing false alarm rate. Therefore, we propose to investigate Kalman filtering to improve the performance of the radar system. A preliminary study on the use of Kalman filtering algorithm for a single target tracking is provided in this paper. We believe that accurate tracking will result in accurate locating the detected target. Kalman filtering algorithm is selected for target tracking because we consider the fact that the source as well as the receivers are moving relative to the mine. This causes the delay to be also varying with time. Therefore, a dynamic algorithm such as Kalman filtering is a good technique to track the target by estimating the variable time delay.
Sudanophilic lipid accumulation in astrocytes in periventricular leukomalacia in monkeys.

Sudanophilic lipid accumulation is a characteristic feature of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) of infants. At least two types of lipid-containing cells have been identified, one being the macrophage, the other the “pre-myelin glial cell”. A third type of lipid-containing cell has been seen in two monkeys with spontaneous PVL. Electron microscopically this cell appears to be an astrocyte. This probably represents a reaction of the astrocyte to hypoxia and may be the equivalent of the “hypertrophic” astrocytes found in human infants.
Noise-mediated enhancements and decrements in human tactile sensation

Recently, it has been shown that noise can enhance the detection and transmission of weak signals in certain nonlinear systems. Here we demonstrate noise-mediated improvements in human sensory perception. We show that the ability of an individual to detect a subthreshold tactile stimulus can be significantly enhanced by introducing a particular level of noise. We demonstrate that this effect is robust over time. We also show that the ability of an individual to detect a suprathreshold tactile stimulus can be degraded by the presence of noise. These findings indicate that noise can serve as a ``negative masker'' for the perception of weak stimuli and a ``positive masker'' for the perception of strong stimuli. We discuss the possibility of developing a noise-based technique for improving tactile sensation in humans.
The pH-Responsive Regulon of HP0244 (FlgS), the Cytoplasmic Histidine Kinase of Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori colonizes the acidic gastric environment, in contrast to all other neutralophiles, whose acid resistance and tolerance responses allow only gastric transit. This acid adaptation is dependent on regulation of gene expression in response to pH changes in the periplasm and cytoplasm. The cytoplasmic histidine kinase, HP0244, which until now was thought only to regulate flagellar gene expression via its cognate response regulator, HP0703, was found to generate a response to declining medium pH. Although not required for survival at pH 4.5, HP0244 is required for survival at pH 2.5 with 10 mM urea after 30 min. Transcriptional profiling of a HP0244 deletion mutant grown at pH 7.4 confirmed the contribution of HP0244 to σ54 activation via HP0703 to coordinate flagellar biosynthesis by a pH-independent regulon that includes 14 flagellar genes. Microarray analysis of cells grown at pH 4.5 without urea revealed an additional 22 genes, including 4 acid acclimation genes (ureA, ureB, ureI, and amiE) that are positively regulated by HP0244. Additionally, 86 differentially expressed genes, including 3 acid acclimation genes (ureF, rocF [arginase], and ansB [asparaginase]), were found in cells grown at pH 2.5 with 30 mM urea. Hence, HP0244 has, in addition to the pH-independent flagellar regulon, a pH-dependent regulon, which allows adaptation to a wider range of environmental acid conditions. An acid survival study using an HP0703 mutant and an electrophoretic mobility shift assay with in vitro-phosphorylated HP0703 showed that HP0703 does not contribute to acid survival and does not bind to the promoter regions of several genes in the HP0244 pH-dependent regulon, suggesting that there is a pathway outside the HP0703 regulon which transduces the acid-responsive signal sensed by HP0244.
“A Chain of Marvels”: Botany and Autobiography in Rousseau

Rousseau’s turn to nature at the end of his life is often interpreted as an attempt to take flight from the world and return to an idyllic state of timeless, pre‐reflective innocence. By reading the botanical works of Rousseau alongside his autobiographical works, particularly the Confessions and the Reveries, this essay argues that the turn to nature is, instead, a strategy for continuing his meditations on the historical nature of society and of the individual developed in his earlier writings. A close reading of the botanical works reveals a conception of nature that diverges sharply from the timeless and transcendent vision of nature usually ascribed to Rousseau. Rousseau’s focus on the dynamic structure of plant forms, his temporalization of nature, and his refusal to organize his findings into a static, atemporal tableau, describe a natural world that is above all a function of time and history. Rousseau’s historicizing approach to nature in the botanical works informs his representation of human na...
Effects of melatonin on water metabolism and renal function in male Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus).

The pineal indoleamine, melatonin, has been shown to influence many physiological systems within the mammalian body. Few studies, however, have examined the influence of melatonin on renal function. This study investigated the effects of melatonin on water metabolism and renal function. Young adult male Syrian hamsters were maintained on a long photoperiod (LD 14:10) in metabolic cages. The animals received daily (1700) injections of either control vehicle or 25 micrograms of melatonin for 85 consecutive days. Melatonin administration resulted in significant increases in water consumption and urine production. Water budgets were also significantly influenced by melatonin, as were urinary osmolality, urinary sodium, and potassium concentrations, but urinary calcium concentrations were essentially unaltered. When excretion rates for sodium, potassium, and calcium were calculated, no differences were observed between the vehicle control and melatonin-treated groups. Injections of melatonin also significantly decreased plasma antidiuretic hormone (ADH). These results demonstrate that afternoon injections of melatonin can alter renal function, which may involve direct (i.e., on ADH secretion and/or thirst mechanisms) or indirect (i.e., behavioral) effects.
Aberrant activation of p53 due to loss of MDM2 or MDMX causes early lens dysmorphogenesis

Although forming a heterodimer or heterooligomer is essential for MDM2 and MDMX to fully control p53 during early embryogenesis, deletion of either MDM2 or MDMX in specific tissues using the loxp-Cre system reveals phenotypic diversity during organ morphogenesis, which can be completely rescued by loss of p53, suggesting the spatiotemporal independence and specificity of the regulation of p53 by MDM2 and MDMX. In this study, we investigated the role of the MDM2–MDMX-p53 pathway in the developing lens that is a relatively independent region integrating cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Using the mice expressing Cre recombinase specifically in the lens epithelial cells (LECs) beginning at E9.5, we demonstrated that deletion of either MDM2 or MDMX induces apoptosis of LEC and reduces cell proliferation, resulting in lens developmental defect that finally progresses into aphakia. Specifically, the lens defect caused by MDM2 deletion was evident at E10, occurring earlier than that caused by MDMX deletion. These lens defects were completely rescued by loss of two alleles of p53, but not one allele of p53. These results demonstrate that both MDM2 and MDMX are required for monitoring p53 activity during lens development, and they may function independently or synergistically to control p53 and maintain normal lens morphogenesis.
Emission spectra from ZnS:Mn due to low velocity impacts

Triboluminescence (TL) is the emission of light due to crystal fracture and has been known for centuries. One of the most common examples of TL is the flash created from chewing wintergreen Lifesavers. Since 2003, the authors have been measuring triboluminescent properties of phosphors, of which zinc sulfide doped with manganese (ZnS:Mn) is an example. Preliminary results indicate that impact velocities greater than 0.5 m/s produce measurable TL from ZnS:Mn. To extend this research, the investigation of the emission spectrum was chosen. This differs from using filtered photodetectors in that the spectral composition of fluorescence can be ascertained. Previous research has utilized a variety of schemes that include scratching, crushing, and grinding to generate TL. In our case, the material is activated by a short duration interaction of a dropped mass and a small number of luminescence centers. This research provides a basis for the characterization and selection of materials for future spacecraft impact detection schemes.
Transforming the frontier: peace parks and the politics of neoliberal conservation in southern Africa

The international conservation community has increasingly come to talk about, think about and pursue biodiversity conservation in terms of market language and market solutions. Transforming the fro...
The effects of young brood on the foraging behavior of two strains of honey bees (Apis mellifera)

Honey bee foragers specialize on collecting pollen and nectar. Pollen foraging behavior is modulated by at least two stimuli within the nest: the presence of brood pheromone and young larvae and the quantity of stored pollen. Genetic variation in pollen foraging behavior has been demonstrated repeatedly. We used selected high and low pollen-hoarding strains of bees that differ dramatically in the quantity of pollen collected to determine if the observed differences in foraging could be explained by differential responses to brood stimuli. Workers from the high and low pollen-hoarding strains and wild-type bees were co-fostered in colonies with either brood or no brood. As expected based on previous studies, returning high pollen-hoarding foragers collected heavier pollen loads and lighter nectar loads than low pollen-hoarding bees. Effects of brood treatment were also observed; bees exposed to brood collected heavier pollen loads and initiated foraging earlier than those from broodless colonies. More specifically, brood treatment resulted in increased pollen foraging in high pollen-hoarding bees but did not affect pollen foraging in low pollen-hoarding bees, suggesting that high pollen-hoarding bees are more sensitive to the presence of brood. However, response to brood stimuli does not sufficiently explain the differences in foraging behavior between the strains since these differences persisted even in the absence of brood.
The Role of Solution Architects in Systems Integration

The roles and responsibilities of programmers, analysts, and project managers are well understood, but there is still ambiguity about the roles of the various architects such projects require. Without understanding how architects contribute to a systems integration project, it will be difficult to use them effectively. Much of the confusion stems from the inability to differentiate the roles of architects and designers, yet in large complex projects, the failure to recognize these important differences represents a missed opportunity to achieve an integrated perspective on the complete system solution. This paper discussed that a key step toward regaining this opportunity is to identify the different architect types that a typical systems integration project requires and to understand their roles and responsibilities. Armed with this understanding, an organization can harness the diverse talents into a solution architects group that will be a single point of responsibility through all stages of the project's life-cycle
USING STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELING TO EXAMINE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POLITICAL CYNICISM AND RIGHT-WING AUTHORITARIANISM

The government's ability to gain and hold a high proportion of citizens' trust is essential to the functioning of an efficient and successful administration at all levels. This study aims to examine the relationship between an individual's demographic and psychosocial characteristics and their associated levels of trust in the local government. Results show that, while authoritarian attitudinal clusters are a significant predictor of government trust, they are not significant predictors of trust controlling for all related demographic controls. This finding can be explained using a Social Identity theoretical framework concerned with an individual's perceived place within their given community.
Resource-efficient task assignment and scheduling in optical grids

We propose a resource-efficient list scheduling heuristic for the problem of task scheduling in an optical Grid with the objectives of maximizing the network utilization efficiency and minimizing the task completion time.
Model of Disablement and Recovery: Knowledge Translation in Rehabilitation Research and Practice

Disablement is a multifactorial and complex process that creates a challenge for both the rehabilitation researcher and the clinical practitioner; however, each seeks to improve quality health outcomes for the adult or child with disability. Knowledge translation (KT) is an approach to evidence-based medicine where various evidence sources are aggregated so that clinical decisions regarding intervention selection and dosing result in beneficial care for an individual. Structural equation modeling was used to test a theoretical model of disablement based on the impairment, activity, and participation categories of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) level of functioning. Using available cohort data from a randomized controlled trial of people with poststroke walking disability, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the latent variables-impairment and activity-are separate disablement constructs that limit participation for a person with disability. Path analysis revealed that the direct effect of impairment on participation was not statistically significant; however, the indirect path from impairment to participation through activity was significant (indirect effect). The direct effect of activity on participation was significant. Model assumptions were tested with postintervention data from the same cohort. For people with disability after stroke, the probability that functional tasks could be performed with less effort was greater for those individuals who met or exceeded a physiologic walking threshold after a structured, progressive intervention provided by a physical therapist 6 months earlier. This article discusses how structural equation modeling can be used as a statistical method to explore the causal paths from disability to ability. The knowledge inquiry and synthesis phases of the knowledge-to-action KT framework parallel the essential elements of structural equation modeling; knowledge is created that is theoretically driven, supported by prior research, and analyzed, refined, validated, and tailored to address real-world problems. Using a theoretical framework of disablement with clinical judgment and quantitative research methods, a clinically intuitive model of disablement was validated. The positive dimension is a model of recovery where causal paths lead from disablement to ablement. Innovative approaches in rehabilitation research design along with pragmatic application of research to practice are needed to improve today's health outcomes for people with disability.
Analysis of Residential Irrigation Distribution Uniformity

Irrigation has become commonplace for residential homeowners desiring high quality landscapes in Florida. The goal of this project was to document irrigation system uniformity in Central Florida and to quantify distribution uniformity of residential sprinkler equipment under controlled conditions. The catch-can testing procedure used was a modified version of both the American Society of Agricultural Engineers standard and Florida Mobile Irrigation Laboratory ~MIL! procedures. The modified version included a larger sample size to ensure complete sample collection over the entire irrigated area. The standard MIL procedure may overestimate the uniformity for residential systems. From the tests on residential irrigation systems, the average low quarter distribution uniformity sDUlqd value was calculated as 0.45. Rotary sprinklers resulted in significantly higher DUlq compared to fixed pattern spray heads with 0.49 compared to 0.41, respectively. From uniformity tests performed on rotor and spray heads under ideal conditions, rotor heads had more uniform distributions than the spray heads of 0.55 compared to 0.49, respectively. Spray heads had better uniformity when fixed quarter circle nozzles were used as opposed to adjustable nozzles. Both residential irrigation system and controlled tests resulted in sDUlqd at the low end of industry guidelines. Residential irrigation system uniformity can be improved by minimizing the occurrence of low pressure in the irrigation system and by ensuring proper spacing is used in design and installation.
Additive modeling of English F0 contour for speech synthesis

In this paper, we present an approach to fundamental frequency contour modeling of English for speech synthesis, based on a statistical learning technique called additive models that was successfully applied to the modeling of Japanese F/sub 0/ contours previously. In an attempt to model English F/sub 0/ contours, we defined a three-layer additive model consisting of an intonational phrase component, a word-level component representing lexical stress types, and a pitch-accent component related to accented syllables. These component functions are estimated simultaneously using a backfitting algorithm derived from a regularized least-squares error criterion specified on the model with regard to the training data. The proposed method was trained and tested using the widely used ToBI-labeled speech corpus and promising results were obtained.
Single-word multiple-bit upsets in static random access devices

Presents the results of an investigation of the SMU (single-word multiple-bit upset) vulnerability of a number of high density SRAM (static random-access memory) device types. The primary objectives of this study were to examine the extent of SMUs in SRAMs, determine design characteristics that predispose devices to this type of upset, and investigate SMU mitigation techniques applicable to space-based electronic systems. The results reported suggest that a nonnegligible SMU rate can be expected for most high-density SRAM types when exposed to the space radiation environment. However, the range of SMU rates is also very large, suggesting that careful selection of device types should be emphasized during the design phase. Furthermore, susceptibility to SEU is not necessarily a reliable indicator of SMU vulnerability. A more important determinant, in many cases, is the architecture of the device, especially the physical separation between logically adjacent cells. It is therefore inappropriate to consider SEU (single event upset) studies to be a proxy for SMU investigations. >
Photoluminescence of a Single-Crystal Silicon Quantum Well

Single crystal-silicon quantum well layers with SiO2 barriers were grown from silicon-on-insulator substrates. Photoluminescence in the red and near-infrared was observed for average layer thickness < 8 nm, with peak signal for 2-nm thickness. The luminescence spectrum was essentially independent of well width for SiO2 barriers, but the photoluminescence intensity decreased sharply after annealing in Ar. These results suggest the importance of radiation from surface states. In contrast to oxide-passivated silicon nanocrystals and to porous silicon, the room-temperature photoluminescence quantum efficiency is low (10-4-10-5), probably due to variations in layer thickness and to diffusion of photoexcited carriers to fast nonradiative recombination centers.
Mixing and chemical reaction in the laminar wake of a flat plate

The initial value problem presented by mixing and chemical reaction in the wake of a flat plate is solved using the boundarylayer approximation. When a cool combustible mixture and its hot combustion products are separated by a finite, perfectly insulating flat plate, the velocity, temperature, and combustible concentration are determined in the vicinity of the trailing edge.The mixing problem without chemical reaction is solved in terms of a ‘universal solution’ for a given initial temperature ratio and Prandtl number from which the solution for arbitrary temperature ratios can be obtained.The mixing problem with chemical reaction is solved in terms of a ‘universal solution’ for the first two terms of an assumed series solution for the temperature. In this case the ‘universality’ is with respect to a parameter B characterizing the chemical and hydrodynamic initial conditions.The axial distance from the trailing edge to the first local temperature maximum is given in terms of the initial conditions and is shown to be greatly shortened by the presence of the viscous wake as compared with non-viscous mixing.
Factors related to in-house agricultural animal caseloads in US veterinary teaching hospitals.

A retrospective observational study was conducted to determine whether agricultural animal caseloads at veterinary teaching hospitals declined between 1995 and 1998. Thereafter, the effect of organizational and demographic factors on 1998 in-house agricultural animal caseloads was examined. Caseload data were obtained from the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges. Demographic and organizational data were obtained by surveys, telephone interviews, and web-based resources. Complete data were available from 25 veterinary colleges, and data from these schools were used in subsequent analyses. In 1998, in-house food animal caseload decreased relative to 1995 in 17 schools and increased relative to 1995 in 8 schools. This trend was not significant (P= .053); however, the power of the test was limited (.50). Mean 1998 caseload was 886± 504. Among schools with a discipline-based organizational structure, annual mean caseload was 464 ± 220. Among schools with a species-based organizational structure, mean caseload was 1,167 ± 463. The regression model that best predicted caseload was a forward-stepping model that included only organizational structure as an independent variable. No additional independent variable was significantly associated with caseload.
Identification of a haem-utilization protein (Hup) in Haemophilus influenzae

Haemophilus influenzae has an absolute growth requirement for a porphyrin source. This growth requirement can be satisfied in vitro by haem, haemoglobin or the haemoglobin-haptoglobin, haem-haemopexin and haem-albumin complexes. A family of proteins, termed the Hgp proteins, which are essential for utilization of the haemoglobin-haptoglobin complex, has previously been identified. A strain lacking the Hgp proteins also has a residual ability to utilize haemoglobin, indicating that additional moieties contribute to haemoglobin utilization. Using a haemoglobin affinity method an approximately 105 kDa protein was isolated. Mutation of the identified gene in an Hgp null background reduced the ability of the mutant strain to utilize haemoglobin in vitro. The mutation also resulted in a reduced ability to utilize haem, haem-haemopexin, haem-albumin and haemoglobin-haptoglobin, thus identifying a general haem-utilization protein (Hup) in Haemophilus influenzae.
On the Placement of Serbo-Croatian Clitics: Evidence from VP-Ellipsis

In this squib I present evidence against the syntactic accounts of the second-position effect in Serbo-Croatian (SC) (see, among others, Franks and Progovac 1994, Cavar and Wilder 1994, Progovac 1996, Roberts 1994, Halpern 1992, 1995, Schutze 1994). Most of these syntactic accounts of the second-position effect crucially assume that in overt syntax SC clitics are found in a cluster adjoined to each other and very high in the tree, allowing enough space for at most one element to precede them. Considering the behavior of SC clitics in VP-ellipsis, I show, however, that in overt syntax clitics need not be adjoined to each other and that each clitic may be located in a separate maximal projection. I further show that these new facts fit nicely into Boskovic's (1995, 1997) account of the second-position effect
Assessing Affirmative Action

This article, written for a Vanderbilt conference on affirmative action, considers the state of race-based affirmative action by public universities after the Supreme Court’s decision in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin (2013). It criticizes many aspects of the Court’s jurisprudence in this area, including its application of strict scrutiny, its notions of diversity, remediation, critical mass, consideration of applicants as individuals, race-neutral alternatives, the duration of preferences, the putative benefits of diversity, and the social costs of preferences.
Double-Blind Clinical Assessment of Ribavirin (Virazole) in the Prevention of Induced Infection with Type B Influenza Virus

The prophylactic effectiveness of oral administration of ribavirin (1-P-D-ribofuranosyl-l,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide, virazole) against artificially induced influenza B infection was evaluated in a double-blind clinical trial. Fifteen seronegative men received ribavirin capsules (600 mg/day in three divided doses), and 15 other men received placebo capsules two days before the inoculation of 6.4 X 104 50% tissue culture infective doses of influenza virus B/Georgia/26/74 and for eight days after challenge. Ten men (69%) in each of the two groups developed mild to severe influenzal illness. Of these, five placebo-treated men developed severe febrile illness, while only one drug-treated man had illness of comparable severity. Illness of moderate severity was observed in three placebo-treated controls and two drug recipients. There was no difference between the frequencies of isolation of virus or the antibody responses in the two groups. Ribavirin suppressed signs and symptoms induced by influenza B challenge, but its effectiveness was marginal.