cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE COEFFICIENTS OF THE ω(q) MOCK THETA FUNCTION

In 1920, Ramanujan wrote to Hardy about his discovery of the mock theta functions. In the years since, there has been much work in understanding the transformation properties and asymptotic nature of these functions. Recently, Zwegers proved a relationship between mock theta functions and vector-valued modular forms, and Bringmann and Ono used the theory of Maass forms and Poincare series to prove a conjecture of Andrews, yielding an exact formula for the coefficients of the f(q) mock theta function. Here we build upon these results, using the theory of vector-valued modular forms and Poincare series to prove an exact formula for the coefficients of the ω(q) mock theta function.
Gravity granular flows of slightly frictional particles down an inclined bumpy chute

Gravity-driven granular flow of slightly frictional particles down an inclined, bumpy chute is studied. A modified kinetic model which includes the frictional energy loss effects is used, and the boundary conditions for a bumpy wall with small friction are derived by ensuring the balance of momentum and energy. At the free surface, the condition of vanishing of the solid volume fraction is used. The mean velocity, the fluctuation kinetic energy and the solid volume fraction profiles are evaluated. It is shown that steady granular gravity flow down a bumpy frictional chute could be achieved at arbitrary inclination angles. The computational results also show that the slip velocity may vary considerably depending on the granular layer height, the surface boundary roughness, the friction coefficient and the inclination angles. The model predictions are compared with the existing experimental and simulation data, and good agreement is observed. In particular, the model can well predicate the features of the variation of solid volume fraction and fluctuation energy profiles for different particle-wall friction coefficients and wall roughnesses.
Zinc-air batteries for forward field charging

In order to realize the operational and service cost savings through the use of rechargeable batteries, the dismounted soldier is burdened with the weight, volume and/or charging logistics of the batteries. By providing the soldier with a high energy density source and a lightweight compact battery charger, the burden imposed by rechargeable batteries in the forward field can be minimized. Zinc-air batteries have the potential for meeting the energy demands of forward battlefield charging. They are attitude insensitive, have a high specific energy and are inherently inexpensive, lightweight and safe.
The estimation of order and parameters in a process of stochastic differential equations with uncertain observations

In this paper we consider a continuous-time stochastic process which is described by a differential equation with unknown order and unknown coefficients. The input to the process is unobservable and assumed to be white; the output can be measured but is corrupted by noise. The problem is to estimate the order and coefficients of the differential equation solely from the output data. The approach taken here is to form sample correlations from output data and then derive the spectral density function from these correlations. The order can be determined from observing the degree of dependency among sample correlations and the coefficients are calculated from the spectral density function. The concept of optimally spacing the sample correlations for the purpose of order and coefficient estimation is introduced and discussed in detail.
Levee crest elevation profiles derived from airborne lidar-based high resolution digital elevation models in south Louisiana

Abstract This study explores the feasibility of using airborne lidar surveys to construct high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) and develop an automated procedure to extract levee longitudinal elevation profiles for both federal levees in Atchafalaya Basin and local levees in Lafourche Parish, south Lousiana. This approach can successfully accommodate a high degree of levee sinuosity and abrupt changes in levee orientation (direction) in planar coordinates, variations in levee geometries, and differing DEM resolutions. The federal levees investigated in Atchafalaya Basin have crest elevations between 5.3 and 12 m while the local counterparts in Lafourche Parish are between 0.76 and 2.3 m. The vertical uncertainty in the elevation data is considered when assessing federal crest elevation against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers minimum height requirements to withstand the 100-year flood. Only approximately 5% of the crest points of the two federal levees investigated in the Atchafalaya Basin region met this requirement.
Schistosoma mansoni: cercarial eicosanoid production and penetration response inhibited by esculetin and ibuprofen.

Cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni produce a wide variety of eicosanoids when stimulated by 3.3 m M linoleate. High-performance liquid chromatography indicated that 10 −5 M esculetin dramatically decreased eicosanoid production by cercariae. Ibuprofen (10 −4 M ) also decreased eicosanoid production, but to a lesser extent. These results were confirmed by radioimmunoassay using time—dose curves for esculetin and time curves for ibuprofen. The results reported here indicated that, for cercariae, ibuprofen was neither a specific cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, as has been reported for platelet and endothelial cells, nor was esculetin a specific inhibitior of lipoxygenase, as has been reported for platelets and mastocytoma cells. Rather, both drugs inhibited cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase enzyme systems. Further, the data indicated that two forms of cyclo-oxygenase exist in cercariae (isozymes?), one initiating the conversion of γ -dihomolinolenate into the 1-series prostaglandins and another acting on arachidonate forming the 2-series prostaglandins. The cyclo-oxygenase acting on arachidonate has a greater sensitivity to both ibuprofen and esculetin than the enzyme acting on γ -dihomolinolenate. Cercarial lipoxygenases also varied greatly in their sensitivity to ibuprofen.
The Lagrange-Galerkin Method for the Two-dimensional Shallow Water Equations on Adaptive Grids

The article of record as published may be located at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/1097-0363(20000730)33:6 3.0.CO;2-1
Abnormal granulocyte morphology in patients with psoriasis

SUMMARY In this report we describe significant alterations in the appearance of peripheral blood granulocytes (PMNs) from psoriasis patients when compared with PMNs from normal control subjects. Psoriasis PMNs are polar in shape and exhibit ruffled cell membranes.
THE GENERATION OF LATENT-ION-TRANSPORT CAPACITY

Of the various hypotheses designed to explain the movement of ions from the environment into the plant cell, the most attractive suggests that ions traverse cell membranes in combination with an endogenously produced carrier substance.(1,2) The hypothesis stems from the recognition that absorption kinetics are not first-order, but are, rather, best represented by a formulation analogous to that which describes the reversible combination of substrate and enzyme.(3) The carrier hypothesis is at least consistent with the known characteristics of the absorption process. Thus the remarkable specificity of the absorption process may be imputed to specificity on the part of the carriers; the requirement for respiratory energy may be related either to the production of carrier or to the degradation of ion-carrier complex; and the ability of ions to penetrate ion-impermeable cellular membranes may be ascribed to the formation of a permeating ion-carrier complex.
Computers for Political Change: PeaceNet and Public Data Access

Presentation de deux projets de reseaux d'ordinateurs developpes aux USA, le premier international cree par 4 associations pacifiques pour l'amelioration de la communication a l'interieur de ce mouvement, le deuxieme national permettant un acces plus large a l'information gouvernementale
Global Discourse, Local Practice: Female Circumcision and Inter-Generational Conflict in a Somali Diaspora Community

Abstract The purpose of this research is to contribute to ongoing efforts to eradicate the practice of female circumcision worldwide. To fully eliminate this practice we need to deeply understand the reasoning behind it. And so this work integrates global discussion and local practice, extending the dialogue about female circumcision beyond the realm of academics to include people for whom FC is a part of their daily lives. Through focus group sessions with members of the Somali diaspora in the US, I find a pronounced generational divide on opinions relating to FC, with the younger generation expressing adamant opposition to the practice. The views of the younger generation reflect a higher status for women of the Somali diaspora, which is borne out of a struggle with adjustment to a new culture.
NF-κB family of transcription factor facilitates gene conversion in chicken B cells.

Abstract Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) is critical for immunoglobulin (Ig) diversification in B cells. The majority of evidence supports the model that AID modifies Ig genes at the DNA level by deaminating cytosines into uracils. The mutagenic activity is largely restricted to Ig genes to avoid genomic damage in general, but the underlying mechanism is not understood. We addressed this question in chicken B cell line DT40. We characterized a regulatory region within the Igλ locus. This regulatory region is important for AID-mediated gene conversion at the Igλ locus, and is capable of targeting AID activity to ectopic loci. This regulatory region contains binding sites for transcription factors NF-κB, Mef2 and octamer binding proteins. Mutation of these binding sites or ablation of NF-κB family member, p50 or c-Rel, impairs the AID targeting function of this regulatory region. These results suggest that NF-κB family of transcription factors contribute to AID-mediated gene conversion.
Effect of the OH Radical Scavenger Hydrogen Peroxide on Secondary Organic Aerosol Formation from α-Pinene Ozonolysis

Hydrogen peroxide (HOOH) is a potentially valuable hydroxyl radical (OH) scavenger in secondary organic aerosol experiments focused on ozonolysis yields. Here, we present results for α-pinene ozonolysis. The OH scavenging produces solely HO2 radicals and the resulting high [HO2]/[RO2] ratio causes an increase in aerosol formation from α-pinene ozonolysis, compared to experiments performed with butanol OH scavengers. The majority of the increase comes in the 100 μg m−3 volatility range, suggesting that instead of more volatile products formed under higher RO2 conditions, less volatile, multifunctional hydroperoxides form under the high-HO2 conditions here. This dependence on the [HO2]/[RO2] ratio can be parameterized in a similar fashion to the way high- and low-NO x yields are currently treated in models.
Parathyroid hormone‐related protein is a developmental regulatory molecule

Parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) was discovered as the tumor product that is responsible for most instances of the syndrome of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy. It is now known that the PTHrP and PTH genes arose on the basis of an ancient duplication event. One result of this heritage is a short stretch of highly homologous sequence at the N-terminus of each of the peptides, and another is the fact that these N-terminal products seem to be serviced by a single G protein-coupled receptor referred to as the type I receptor. Overexpression and null strategies in mice have recently provided convincing evidence that one such PTHrP function is as a developmental regulatory molecule. For example, overexpression of PTHrP in keratinocytes, mammary epithelial cells and chondrocytes results in a developmental phenotype in each case, while knockout of the gene is associated with a chondrodystrophy that is lethal at birth. Rescue of the PTHrP-null mouse via a genetic strategy involving a cross between the knockout mouse and a transgenic mouse with targeted PTHrP overexpression in chondrocytes provides a window on previously unappreciated PTHrP developmental regulatory effects in multiple tissues that share a common epithelial-mesenchymal morphogenetic background.
Planar holographic spectrum-splitting PV module design

A design is presented for a planar spectrum-splitting photovoltaic (PV) module using Holographic Optical Elements (HOEs). A repeating array of HOEs diffracts portions of the solar spectrum onto different PV materials arranged in alternating strips. Several combinations of candidate PV materials are explored, and theoretical power conversion efficiency is quantified and compared for each case. The holograms are recorded in dichromated gelatin (DCG) film, an inexpensive material which is easily encapsulated directly into the panel. If desired, the holograms can focus the light to achieve concentration. The side-by-side split spectrum layout has advantages compared to a stacked tandem cell approach: since the cells are electrically isolated, current matching constraints are eliminated. Combinations of dissimilar types of cells are also possible: including crystalline, thin film, and organic PV cells. Configurations which yield significant efficiency gain using relatively inexpensive PV materials are of particular interest. A method used to optimize HOE design to work with a different candidate cells and different package aspect ratios is developed and presented. (Aspect ratio is width of the cell strips vs. the thickness of the panel) The relationship between aspect ratio and HOE performance properties is demonstrated. These properties include diffraction efficiency, spectral selectivity, tracking alignment sensitivity, and uniformity of cell illumination.
Recurrence of Dysembryoplastic Neuroepithelial Tumor following Resection

Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNT) is an increasingly recognized surgically curable tumor that characteristically presents with seizures in children. We report a case of a patient who underw
Institutions offering graduate training in school psychology: 1973–1974

Abstract Based on a detailed questionnaire sent to 180 institutions of higher education believed to offer training in school psychology during 1973–74, a list was compiled of all responding programs in the United States and Canada. Information is presented by state for programs in the following format: (a) name and address of institution, (b) responsible administrative unit, (c) degree(s) conferred, (d) type and quantity of financial assistance available, Fall, 1973, (e) program emphases.
Diazoxide enhances basal metabolic rate and fat oxidation in obese Zucker rats

Persistent suppression of hyperinsulinemia in genetically obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats by diazoxide (DZ) reduces food intake and weight gain; improves insulin sensitivity, glycemic control, and lipid profile; and enhances beta(3)-adrenergic function and lipolysis in adipose tissue. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of DZ on basal metabolic rate (BMR), fat oxidation, and adrenergic function of lean and obese Zucker rats. Diazoxide (150 mg/kg/d) or vehicle (control) was administered for 4 weeks in 7-week-old obese and lean Zucker rats (n = 8-9 per subgroup). Animals underwent indirect calorimetry, body composition analysis, and determination of uncoupling proteins (UCPs) messenger RNA (mRNA) in brown and white adipose tissues (BAT and WAT) and skeletal muscle (SM), beta(3)-adrenergic receptor (AR) mRNA in BAT and WAT, beta(2)-AR in SM as well as WAT, and SM adenylate cyclase (AC) activity at the completion of study. Diazoxide treatment decreased food intake, weight gain, and body fat in obese rats (P < .01). Although DZ treatment lowered fasting plasma glucose, insulin, leptin, adiponectin, and lipids in obese rats (P < .01), it increased adiponectin-leptin ratio (P < .01). Plasma adiponectin-leptin ratio was inversely correlated with fat mass in obese and lean rats (r = -0.86, P < .0001). Diazoxide treatment resulted in higher BMR and fat oxidation rate in obese compared with control animals (P < .01), without any effect in lean animals. Furthermore, plasma adiponectin was inversely correlated with BMR (-0.56, P < .001) and lipid oxidation rate (-0.61, P < .0005) and was positively correlated with nonprotein respiratory quotient (r = 0.41, P < .01) in obese and lean rats. This was associated with increased beta(3)-AR mRNA expression in BAT and WAT (P < .01), UCP-1 and UCP-3 in BAT and AC activity in WAT (P < .02), and AC activity in SM of DZ obese rats compared with controls (P < .01), without significant change in SM beta(2)-AR mRNA expressions. Diazoxide attenuation of hyperinsulinemia decreased the rate of weight gain but enhanced insulin sensitivity, BMR, and fat oxidation in obese rats. This was associated with increased receptor- and non-receptor-mediated adrenergic function in adipose and muscle tissues in obese rats, respectively. These metabolic changes in obese Zucker rats suggest that antiobesity effects of DZ appear to be not only through its anorectic effect, modification of disturbed insulin metabolism, and inhibition of lipogenesis, but also due to augmentation of adrenergic function, energy expenditure, and fat utilization.
Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis in a pediatric patient

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is a reversible metabolic disorder that is characterized by acute muscle weakness and hypokalemia. It predominantly affects males of Asian descent. We describe the youngest such patient yet reported, a 13-year-old Asian male with a history of transient attacks of weakness who presented to our emergency department with weakness in his extremities and mild tachycardia. Laboratory test results initially revealed marked hypokalemia and later confirmed associated hyperthyroidism. Correction of the hypokalemia reversed the patient's weakness in the emergency department.
Locomotor step training with body weight support improves respiratory motor function in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury

a b s t r a c t This prospective case-controlled clinical study was undertaken to investigate to what extent the manu- ally assisted treadmill stepping locomotor training with body weight support (LT) can change respiratory function in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). Pulmonary function outcomes (forced vital capacity /FVC/, forced expiratory volume one second /FEV1/, maximum inspiratory pressure /PImax/, maximum expiratory pressure /PEmax/) and surface electromyographic (sEMG) measures of respiratory muscles activity during respiratory tasks were obtained from eight individuals with chronic C3-T12 SCI before and after 62 ± 10 (mean ± SD) sessions of the LT. FVC, FEV1, PImax, PEmax, amount of overall sEMG activity and rate of motor unit recruitment were significantly increased after LT (p < 0.05). These results suggest that these improvements induced by the LT are likely the result of neuroplastic changes in spinal neural circuitry responsible for the activation of respiratory muscles preserved after injury. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Synthesis of tetrachloro-, pentachloro-, and hexachlorodibenzofurans from the pyrolysis of polychlorinated biphenyls

Abstract We have used a pyrolysis procedure described by Mazer et al. and reaction routes described by Buser and Rappe to synthesize and characterize the 38-Tetrachlorodibenzofurans, 28-Pentachlorodibenzofurans, and 16-Hexachlorodibenzofurans. By using quantitative aliquots of the reaction product mixtures and a quantitative internal standard we were able to semiquantitatively assess the relative importance of various reaction pathways. We propose a number of general mechanistic rules concerning polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) pyrolysis.
Properties of Entanglement Monotones for Three-Qubit Pure States

Various parametrizations for the orbits under local unitary transformations of three-qubit pure states are analyzed. The interconvertibility, symmetry properties, parameter ranges, calculability, and behavior under measurement are looked at. It is shown that the entanglement monotones of any multipartite pure state uniquely determine the orbit of that state under local unitary transformations. It follows that there must be an entanglement monotone for three-qubit pure states which depends on the Kempe invariant defined in Phys. Rev. A 60, 910 (1999). A form for such an entanglement monotone is proposed. A theorem is proved that significantly reduces the number of entanglement monotones that must be looked at to find the maximal probability of transforming one multipartite state to another.
Hemangiomas of the esophagus.

Two cases of hemangioma of the esophagus are reported. The literature, etiology, clinical and radiologic findings, and therapeutic approach are reviewed.
Prevalence and risk factors for prolonged QTc in a multiethnic cohort in rural Hawaii

Abstract Background: Few studies have examined the biochemical risk factors for prolonged QTc, a predictor of mortality in numerous studies. We report on the prevalence and risk factors for prolonged QTc in a multiethnic population in rural Hawaii. Methods: Electrocardiograms were collected from 1415 participants in a cross-sectional survey. The QT interval lengths were corrected for heart rate using Bazett's formula. Linear and logistic regression models were used to examine associations between various cardiovascular risk factors with QTc. Results: Among the CVD risk factors examined, only age, gender, 2-h glucose, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were independently associated with QTc interval length. Significant ethnic differences in prevalence were also observed, which persisted after controlling for other risk factors. Conclusions: Significant associations between prolonged QTc and ethnic ancestry, but not cholesterol or triglyceride levels, suggest that genetic factors may play a more important role in determining QTc interval length than conventional biochemical and metabolic CVD risk factors.
An effect of speed on induced motion

Reciprocating horizontal motion of a pattern of vertical lines caused horizontal induced motion of a dot that underwent vertical reciprocating motion. The real vertical motion and the induced horizontal motion of the dot resulted in a circular or oval apparent path. Increasing the two motion speeds caused the horizontal component of this resultant path to become smaller, a change that indicated a diminished induced effect. This effect of high motion speed was not due to a blurring of the moving line pattern at high speeds, since strong objective blurring of the line pattern did not diminish the extent of the induced motion it caused. When the eyes pursued the line pattern, speed increases that changed the apparent path of the dot when the dot was tracked had only a small effect, which was shown to result from incomplete tracking. We concluded that, in that case, the dot’s apparent path was not due to induced motion, but rather to the retinal path of the dot’s image.
Differential mRNA fingerprinting by preferential amplification of coding sequences.

Abstract The need for rapid identification of differentially expressed genes will persist even after the complete human genomic sequence becomes available. The most popular method for identifying differentially expressed genes acquires expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from the extreme 3′ non-coding end of mRNAs. Such ESTs have limitations for downstream applications. We have developed a method, termed preferential amplification of coding sequences (PACS), that was applied to identify differentially expressed coding sequence tags (dCSTs) between osteoblasts and osteosarcoma cells. PACS was achieved by PCR with a set of primers to anchor at sequences complementary to AUG sequences in mRNAs and another set of primers to anchor at a PCR-amplifiable distance from AUG sequences. An initial screen identified 103 candidate dCSTs after screening ∼15% of the expressed genes between the two cell types. Of these sequences, 27 represent CSTs of known genes and two are from 3′-ESTs of known mRNAs. Thus, PACS identified CSTs ∼13.5 times more often than it identified 3′ ESTs, attesting to the objective of the method. Since many of the dCSTs represent known genes, their identity and potential relevance to osteosarcoma could be immediately hypothesized. Differential expression of many of the dCSTs was further demonstrated by northern blotting or RT-PCR. Since PACS is not dependent on the existence of a poly A tail on an mRNA, it should have application to identify dCSTs for both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Additionally, PACS should aid in the identification of cell-specific or tissue-specific genes and bidirectional acquisition of cDNA sequence enabling rapid retrieval of full-length cDNA sequence of novel genes.
A Continuous-Adaptive DDR2 Interface with Flexible Round-Trip-Time and Full Self Loop-Backed AC Test

An experimental chip for a 32b wide DDR2 SDRAM interface for SoC is fabricated in a 90nm CMOS process and achieves 960Mb/s/pin operation. Impedance-calibration circuits and flexible round-trip circuits in a continuous-adaptive DDR2 interface are used to suppress skew and allow a longer round-trip time.
External current-waveform measurements of high-efficiency oscillations in silicon avalanche diodes

A coaxial current-monitoring assembly, introducing negligible phase error up to 9 GHz, has enabled the precise determination of high-efficiency current waveforms in Si avalanche diodes. No deterioration of performance occurred for diode areas <10-4cm2. Observed waveforms were of `spike´ or `sawtooth´ shape.
Evolving expert agent parameters for capture the flag agent in Xpilot

Xpilot is an open source, 2d space combat game. Xpilot-AI allows a programmer to write scripts that control an agent playing a game of Xpilot. It provides a reasonable environment for testing learning systems for autonomous agents, both video game agents and robots. In previous work, a wide range of techniques have been used to develop controllers that are focused on the combat skills for an Xpilot agent. In this research, a Genetic Algorithm (GA) was used to evolve the parameters for an expert agent solving the more challenging problem of capture the flag.
Characterization of Resistance to Brown Stem Rot of Soybean in Five Accessions from Central China

Brown stem rot (BSR) of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], caused by Phialophora gregata (Allington & Chamberlain) W. Gams f. sp. sojae Kobayashi, Yamamoto, Negishi, and Ogoshi, can be effectively controlled with genetic resistance. Although three BSR resistance genes have been described, they all map to the same genetic region on linkage group (LG) J. In a previous screening of plant introductions (Pb) for BSR resistance, PI 567296B, PI 567323A, PI 567479, PI 567535B, and PI 567544 from central China were identified as having a high level of resistance. The objective of this study was to determine if resistance in these PIs maps to the same region on LG J where BSR resistance genes were previously identified. To map the resistance genes in these accessions, each PI was crossed to the susceptible cultivar Century 84 and 94 F 2-3 lines were developed from each cross. Lines were evaluated for BSR resistance in the greenhouse and screened with molecular markers from LG J. In all five populations, a quantitative trait locus (QTL) conferring BSR resistance was mapped to the same region on LG J where resistance has already been reported. These results suggest that the BSR resistance genes identified in these five PIs from central China are likely allelic with previously reported BSR resistance genes.
Thermal Conductivity of Borosilicate Glass

The thermal conductivity of a borosilicate glass has been measured in the temperature range 0.05-50 K. The samples contained well-defined holes to provide a source of phonon scattering. The results are consistent with the predictions of the Debye model using experimentally measured sound velocities. The results also indicate that thermal transport at temperatures below \ensuremath{\approx} 30 K is provided by low-frequency phonons having a characteristic temperature \ensuremath{\lesssim} 3 K.
Prospecting for cellulolytic activity in insect digestive fluids

article i nfo Efficient cellulolytic enzymes are needed to degrade recalcitrant plant biomass during ethanol purification and make lignocellulosic biofuels a cost-effective alternative to fossil fuels. Despite the large number of insect species that feed on lignocellulosic material, limited availability of quantitative studies comparing cellulase activity among insect taxa constrains identification of candidate species for more targeted identification of effective cellulolytic systems. We describe quantitative determinations of the cellulolytic activity in gut or head-derived fluids from 68 phytophagous or xylophagous insect species belonging to eight different taxonomic orders. Enzymatic activity was determined for two different substrates, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), approximating endo-β-1,4-glucanase and complete cellulolytic activity, respectively. Highest CMC gut fluid activities were found in Dictyoptera, Coleoptera, Isoptera, and Orthoptera, while highest MCC gut fluid activities were found in Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, and Orthoptera. In most cases, gut fluid activities were greater with CMC compared to MCC substrate, except in Diptera, Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera. In contrast, cellulolytic activity levels in most head fluids were greater on the MCC substrate. Our data suggests that a phylogenetic relationship may exist for the origin of cellulolytic enzymes in insects, and that cellulase activity levels correlate with taxonomic classification, probably reflecting differences in plant host or feeding strategies.
Addition of thianthrene cation radical to non-conjugated dienes—Part II: Addition to two double bonds

Reaction of thianthrene cation radical tetrafluoroborate with 1,5-hexadiene, 1,7-octadiene, 1,8-nonadiene and 1,9-decadiene in the molar ratio 4:1 caused addition to occur to one and both of each diene’s double bonds. A mixture of four adducts was thus obtained, namely a bisadduct (12a–d), a monoadduct (13a–d), a di(bis)adduct (14a–d) and a di(mono)adduct (15a–d). The di(mono)adducts (15b–d) were isolated and characterized with 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Under the same condition of excess of cation radical, addition occurred to only one double bond of 1,4-cyclohexadiene and 1,5-cyclooctadiene. Addition to both double bonds was not observed. The bisadduct (16) of 1,4-cyclohexadiene was characterized with 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. On activated alumina, 15b–d underwent fast opening of dicationic rings to form mixtures of (E, E) – (17b–d) and (E, Z)-di(5-thianthreniumyl)diene (18b–d) in which the (E, E)-isomer was dominant and was characterized with 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy.
Optimized User Revocation for Group Signature Based Privacy-Aware PKI

Privacy-aware public key infrastructure (PKI) can maintain user access control and yet protect user privacy, which is important for many applications. The applicability of privacy-aware PKI highly relies on the performance of user revocation. The requirements of user revocation are various in general, such as subscription expiration, violation of access policy, group changing, and key exposure. To satisfy different requirements, multiple revocation approaches may interact each other. In this paper, we study how to achieve optimized user revocation cost with respect to various revocation approaches. We also propose a practical scheme Delta -RL that can fulfill an optimal overall performance on the base of extensive analysis.
Pharmacologic characteristics of statins

Considerable effort has been devoted to improving the pharmacologic characteristics and clinical effects of statins. Desirable pharmacologic properties include potent inhibition of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, selectivity of uptake in hepatocytes, low systemic bioavailability to reduce systemic adverse effects, prolonged elimination half-life, and no or minimal hepatic metabolism to avoid drug-drug interactions. The desirable effects on lipid variables would include increased effectiveness in reducing levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and other atherogenic lipoproteins and measurable beneficial effects on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. As a product of the ongoing efforts regarding statin pharmacology, the new statin rosuvastatin exhibits significant improvements in several of these characteristics.
Quantitation of flavanols, proanthocyanidins, isoflavones, flavanones, dihydrochalcones, stilbenes, benzoic acid derivatives using ultraviolet absorbance after identification by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A general method was developed for the systematic quantitation of flavanols, proanthocyanidins, isoflavones, flavanones, dihydrochalcones, stilbenes, and hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives (mainly hydrolyzable tannins) based on UV band II absorbance arising from the benzoyl structure. The compound structures and the wavelength maximum were well correlated and were divided into four groups: the flavanols and proanthocyanidins at 278 nm, hydrolyzable tannins at 274 nm, flavanones at 288 nm, and isoflavones at 260 nm. Within each group, molar relative response factors (MRRFs) were computed for each compound based on the absorbance ratio of the compound and the group reference standard. Response factors were computed for the compounds as purchased (MRRF), after drying (MRRFD), and as the best predicted value (MRRFP). Concentrations for each compound were computed based on calibration with the group reference standard and the MRRFP. The quantitation of catechins, proanthocyanidins, and gallic acid derivatives in ...
Network-based control adaptation for network QoS variation

Networks and their applications have been evolving substantially in the last two decades. A new and promising use of networks is in the area of high performance control and automation, which is developing into attractive and widespread military applications such as autonomous unmanned vehicles and telerobotics. Some of the major concerns in using networks to perform remote network-based control are QoS issues such as time delay and bandwidth constraints. Disturbances and unanticipated events often happen to network-based applications. When anomalies happen, if the network cannot provide the required QoS, the application may have to lower its performance requirement and use the assigned QoS to do the best as it can to maintain the application availability. This paper proposes the use of real-time application gain adaptation to compensate for QoS variations and deterioration. A network-based controlled dc motor, which is often used in military vehicles for actuation and propulsion systems, is used in this paper to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme. In addition, this proactive use of application adaptability provides an extra degree of freedom for network QoS negotiation, protocol design and implementation.
TMC Information for authors

Multihomed mobile hosts in physical proximity may spontaneously team up to form a community and run high-bandwidth applications by pooling their low wireless wide-area network (WWAN) bandwidths together for communication with a remote application server. Utilizing their high-bandwidth wireless local-area network (WLAN), the thus-teamed mobile hosts can aggregate and distribute the application content among themselves. This paper first justifies the need for such a mobile collaborative community (MC2), or a community, to improve user-perceived network bandwidth and utilization. Then, existing one-to-one communication protocols like TCP are shown to suffer significant performance degradation due to frequent out-of-order packet deliveries. To address this TCP problem, we propose a proxy-based inverse multiplexer, called PRISM, that enables TCP to efficiently utilize the community members' WWAN connections while avoiding the performance degradation. PRISM runs at the proxy's network layer as a routing component and stripes each TCP flow over multiple WWAN links by exploiting the transport-layer feedback information. Moreover, it masks a variety of adverse effects specific to each WWAN link via an intelligent ACK-control mechanism. Finally, PRISM enables TCP to respond correctly to dynamically changing network states through a sender-side enhancement of congestion control. PRISM has been evaluated with experimentation on a testbed as well as in ns-2-based simulation. Our experimental evaluation has shown PRISM to improve TCP's performance by up to 310 percent, even with two collaborative mobile hosts. Our in-depth simulation study has also shown that PRISM delivers a near-optimal aggregated bandwidth in the community and improves network utilization significantly.
Improved results on global stability of network congestion control based on iterative bounding

We study a "primal-dual" nonlinear network congestion control law in the presence of time delays, for which a global stability condition has been recently given using singular perturbation analysis. We show that stronger results can be obtained through direct study of the system trajectories. In particular, we first extend earlier results on boundedness of trajectories to general networks. We then proceed to iteratively refine those bounds in the single link case, through iterations that can be proven to be globally contractive, under appropriate parameter conditions, leading to the global stability result.
TAM Optimization for Mixed-Signal SOCs using Analog Test Wrappers

We present a new approach for TAM optimization and test scheduling in the modular testing of mixed-signal SOCs. A test planning approach for digital SOCs is extended to handle analog cores in a plug-and-play fashion. A test wrapper based on an ADC/DAC pair and a digital configuration circuit is designed for analog cores such that these cores can be accessed through digital TAMs. In this way, there is no dependence on an analog test bus and expensive mixed-signal testers. Experimental results are presented for several ITC'02 SOC test benchmarks to which three analog cores are added. The results show that the testing of analog cores can be interleaved with the testing of digital cores to reduce the overall testing time for a mixed-signal SOC.
A Shelter to Protect a Passive Sampler for Coarse Particulate Matter, PM10-2.5

This work designed and tested a shelter to protect a passive sampler for measuring coarse particulate matter, PM 10 − 2.5 . The shelter protects the sampler from precipitation and reduces the effects of wind on the deposition of particles to its collection surface. Six shelters were tested in a wind tunnel at three wind speeds: 2, 8, and 24 km hr −1 . Shelter performance was expressed as the ratio of PM 10 − 2.5 measured with the passive samplers to that measured with a filter-based dichotomous sampler. For most shelters, the PM 10 − 2.5 ratio averaged across wind speeds was well above one (2.4 to 8.5) and was generally dependent on wind speed. However, the PM 10 − 2.5 ratio for one shelter, the Flat Plates shelter, was 1.04 with substantially less effect on particle deposition from wind speed. Eight week-long field tests were conducted to compare PM 10 − 2.5 measured with a passive sampler installed in a Flat Plates shelter to that measured with a collocated filter-based dichotomous sampler. In these tes...
ProDy: protein dynamics inferred from theory and experiments.

Summary: We developed a Python package, ProDy, for structure-based analysis of protein dynamics. ProDy allows for quantitative characterization of structural variations in heterogeneous datasets of structures experimentally resolved for a given biomolecular system, and for comparison of these variations with the theoretically predicted equilibrium dynamics. Datasets include structural ensembles for a given family or subfamily of proteins, their mutants and sequence homologues, in the presence/absence of their substrates, ligands or inhibitors. Numerous helper functions enable comparative analysis of experimental and theoretical data, and visualization of the principal changes in conformations that are accessible in different functional states. ProDy application programming interface (API) has been designed so that users can easily extend the software and implement new methods. Availability: ProDy is open source and freely available under GNU General Public License from http://www.csb.pitt.edu/ProDy/. Contact: ude.ttip@21bha; ude.ttip@rahab
Lessons from Haiti on disaster relief.

Recent disasters have raised awareness within the nephrology community of the challenges faced by patients with ESRD and by those at risk for acute kidney injury (AKI) during these devastating situations (1–3). Given time constraints during disasters, limited resources, and the vulnerable populations who are often involved, the kidney community recognizes the value of an organized response. The term “renal disaster” was introduced by the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) Commission on Acute Renal Failure to underscore the many crush syndrome victims who required medical treatment or dialysis support after earthquakes in Armenia, China, and Turkey (4–8). ISN founded the Renal Disaster Relief Task Force (RDRTF) in 1989 to support patients with kidney injury or disease in disaster areas. Having a partnership with Medecins Sans Frontieres (also known as Doctors Without Borders), ISN RDRTF sends medical personnel, offers logistical advice on handling and distributing medical supplies, provides education on crush syndrome and AKI, and supplements local dialysis efforts (9–11). ISN provided clinical and dialysis support during the 1999 earthquake in Marmara, Turkey (11), the 2003 Bam earthquake in Iran, and the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir, Pakistan (7,12,13) and provided advice and assessment during the recent earthquakes in Southeast Asia and L'Aquila, Italy, last year (14,15). In the United States, a different type of disaster occurred after Hurricane Katrina struck the U.S. Gulf Coast in August 2005, causing widespread destruction. Katrina—the deadliest and costliest U.S. hurricane since 1928—forced more than 1 million people to evacuate the region. Although hurricanes typically provide enough advance warning for dialysis patients to leave the affected areas, many patients did not evacuate before Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. Many ESRD patients missed treatments and required hospitalization for medical and psychosocial problems (16 …
Variation in home range and use of habitat in the striped skunk ( Mephitis mephitis )

We studied home-range size, home-range overlap and use of habitat in a population of striped skunks Mephitis mephitis in eastern Tennessee. Variables determined to influence home-range size were season and body weight: skunks had larger ranges in the spring than in winter and heavier females had larger ranges. Habitat, sex and sample sizes of radio-fixes did not correlate with home-range size. All home ranges overlapped by 1.4–100% of the range area. There was no pattern of greater intersexual than intrasexual overlap; this differs from many other carnivore studies. Movements of individuals and distribution of den sites indicated that striped skunks, irrespective of sex or size, prefer edge habitat in comparison to forest or field.
Venture Capitalists as Catalysts to New Venture Internationalization: The Impact of Their Knowledge and Reputation Resources:

Venture Capitalists (VC) play an important role in influencing the strategic direction of the firms in which they invest. The findings of this study reveal that VCs can serve as a catalyst to new venture internationalization through the provision of knowledge and reputation resources. Furthermore, the international knowledge of a VC is more positively related to new venture internationalization when the VC is also reputable.
Space technology: Reporting the new dimension

Certain problems of technical writing have persisted throughout the entire development of science and engineering during the past 150 years. This paper describes the classic approach to effective report writing as used by the early scientists who laid the groundwork for our present space studies. Their techniques are recommended for use in scientific reporting in the space age.
EGF-R signaling through Fyn kinase disrupts the function of integrin α6β4 at hemidesmosomes: role in epithelial cell migration and carcinoma invasion

We have examined the mechanism and functional significance of hemidesmosome disassembly during normal epithelial cell migration and squamous carcinoma invasion. Our findings indicate that a fraction of EGF receptor (EGF-R) combines with the hemidesmosomal integrin α6β4 in both normal and neoplastic keratinocytes. Activation of the EGF-R causes tyrosine phosphorylation of the β4 cytoplasmic domain and disruption of hemidesmosomes. The Src family kinase inhibitors PP1 and PP2 prevent tyrosine phosphorylation of β4 and disassembly of hemidesmosomes without interfering with the activation of EGF-R. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments indicate that Fyn and, to a lesser extent, Yes combine with α6β4. By contrast, Src and Lck do not associate with α6β4 to a significant extent. A dominant negative form of Fyn, but not Src, prevents tyrosine phosphorylation of β4 and disassembly of hemidesmosomes. These observations suggest that the EGF-R causes disassembly of hemidesmosomes by activating Fyn, which in turn phosphorylates the β4 cytoplasmic domain. Neoplastic cells expressing dominant negative Fyn display increased hemidesmosomes and migrate poorly in vitro in response to EGF. Furthermore, dominant negative Fyn decreases the ability of squamous carcinoma cells to invade through Matrigel in vitro and to form lung metastases following intravenous injection in nude mice. These results suggest that disruption of hemidesmosomes mediated by Fyn is a prerequisite for normal keratinocyte migration and squamous carcinoma invasion.
Baldness and Myocardial Infarction in Men The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Because hair loss may be a surrogate measure of androgenic activity-possibly a determinant of coronary atherosclerosis-several studies have explored the presence and magnitude of an association between male pattern baldness and myocardial infarction (MI). In particular, vertex baldness, but not frontal baldness alone, was strongly associated with incident MI in a large, hospital-based, case-control study. The authors examined these associations in a cross-sectional sample of 5,056 men aged 52-75 years, of whom 767 had a history of MI. The sample was derived from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study (1987-1998). As compared with a baldness-free reference group, the estimated odds ratios for prevalent MI from a multivariable model were 1.28 (frontal baldness), 1.02 (mild vertex baldness), 1.40 (moderate vertex baldness), and 1.18 (severe vertex baldness). Other regression models have yielded similar results, including the absence of a monotonic "dose-response relation" between the extent of vertex baldness and prevalent MI. The authors also examined the relation of baldness pattern to carotid intimal-medial thickness, a measure of atherosclerosis, among those who were free of clinical cardiovascular disease. The estimated mean differences in carotid intimal-medial thickness between groups of men with various types of baldness and their baldness-free counterparts were all close to zero. The results of this study suggest that male pattern baldness is not a surrogate measure of an important risk factor for myocardial infarction or asymptomatic atherosclerosis.