cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The anguibactin biosynthesis and transport genes are encoded in the chromosome of Vibrio harveyi: a possible evolutionary origin for the pJM1 plasmid–encoded system of Vibrio anguillarum?

Many Vibrio anguillarum serotype O1 strains carry 65-kb pJM1-type plasmids harboring genes involved in siderophore anguibactin biosynthesis and transport. The anguibactin system is an essential factor for V. anguillarum to survive under iron-limiting conditions, and as a consequence, it is a very important virulence factor of this bacterium. Our comparative analysis of genomic data identified a cluster harboring homologs of anguibactin biosynthesis and transport genes in the chromosome of Vibrio harveyi. We have purified the putative anguibactin siderophore and demonstrated that it is indeed anguibactin by mass spectrometry and specific bioassays. Furthermore, we characterized two genes, angR and fatA, in this chromosome cluster that, respectively, participate in anguibactin biosynthesis and transport as determined by mutagenesis analysis. Furthermore, we found that the V. harveyi FatA protein is located in the outer membrane fractions as previously demonstrated in V. anguillarum. Based on our data, we propose that the anguibactin biosynthesis and transport cluster in the V. anguillarum pJM1 plasmid have likely evolved from the chromosome cluster of V. harveyi or vice versa.
Regulation of Endogenous Human Gene Expression by Ligand- Inducible TALE Transcription Factors

The construction of increasingly sophisticated synthetic biological circuits is dependent on the development of extensible tools capable of providing specific control of gene expression in eukaryotic cells. Here, we describe a new class of synthetic transcription factors that activate gene expression in response to extracellular chemical stimuli. These inducible activators consist of customizable transcription activator-like effector (TALE) proteins combined with steroid hormone receptor ligand-binding domains. We demonstrate that these ligand-responsive TALE transcription factors allow for tunable and conditional control of gene activation and can be used to regulate the expression of endogenous genes in human cells. Since TALEs can be designed to recognize any contiguous DNA sequence, the conditional gene regulatory system described herein will enable the design of advanced synthetic gene networks.
On angular-spectrum representations for scattering by infinite rough surfaces

A plane acoustic wave insonifies an infinite rough surface. The reflected field is written as an angular-spectrum representation (plane-wave expansion), with an unknown amplitude function A. It is pointed out that A must be considered as a generalized function, and not as a continuous function. Various decompositions of A are suggested and analysed. Energy considerations lead to relations between the coefficients in these decompositions, generalizing some known results for scattering by periodic surfaces (gratings). It is shown that the reflected field must include at least one propagating plane wave.
Reactive lysines of yeast glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Attachment of a reporter group to a specific non-essential residue

Abstract The lysine-183 residues of yeast glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, in contrast to the cysteine-149 residues, react independently with acylating and alkylating agents. Modification of all four residues is required to inactivate the enzyme in spite of the fact that this residue is apparently in the neighborhood of the cysteine-149 involved in half-of-the-sites activity. The modification of the lysine-183 residue, however, influences the half-of-the-sites effect since alkylation of the cysteine-149 residues of the enzyme whose lysine-183 residues are acetylated follows a linear pattern with each subunit acting independently. Four lysine residues outside the active site can be modified with fluorodinitrobenzene, causing 80% loss in enzyme activity. Once again each subunit acts independently. This same residue can also be modified by a fluorescein label which can serve as a reporter group for binding and conformational changes occurring at the active site. The results add support for the functional symmetry of the apo-enzyme and demonstrate how the co-operativity between subunits can be altered by amino acid modification.
Flash-yield pattern for photosynthetic oxygen evolution in Chlorella and chloroplasts as a function of excitation intensity

Abstract A study was carried out of the changes in flash-yield pattern for oxygen evolution at various light intensities. Oxygen measurements were made on algal and chloroplast samples, using a Joliot-type polarographic electrode. A mathematical model to describe the behavior of oxygen-evolving systems at various flash intensities was developed based on the binomial distribution. This model is capable of accurately predicting the oxygen flash-yield pattern over two orders of magnitude change in light intensity. The observed oxygen flash yields are accounted for at all flash intensities without changing the probability for misses and double hits by oxygen-evolving systems. It is concluded that intrinsic misses and double hits are observed, which are nearly independent of flash intensity. Also, the apparent optical cross section for oxygen evolution is found to increase as flash intensity decreases. It is suggested that inhomogeneity exists in the size of antenna-pigment aggregates associated with photosystem II reaction centers.
Unconscious Processes as Explanations of Behavior in Cognitive, Personality, and Social Psychology

Recent research on the acquisition of cognitive dispositions indicates that the cognitive system is capable of unconsciously processing even nonsalient and "hidden" patterns of stimuli that, due to the limited controlled processing capabilities of the cognitive system, cannot be detected on the level of conscious cognition. The information about such unconsciously processed patterns of stimuli is stored in memory and it unconsciously influences subsequent cognitive processes. It is argued that to account for observable phenomena of social behavior and to explain the development of stable (personality) dispositions, research in personality and social psychology should focus on reconstructing the process of such unconscious earning and investigate the dynamics of the development of the unconscious algorithms of encoding social stimuli. Recent cognitive research on unconscious information processing is demonstrated to provide a conceptual framework for addressing issues of particular relevance to personality...
A Monte Carlo program for generating QED radiative decay W and Z events

Abstract The program WZRAD which generates Monte Carlo weak gauge boson events including QED radiative decay is described. The program uses the single-photon approximation when generating three-body decays of W or Z to lepton, antilepton, and photon. The validity of this approximation is discussed, the formulae used to generate kinematic variables for the boson and its decay products are given, the common blocks and subroutines of the program are described, the procedure for obtaining and running the program is given, and examples of program output are provided.
Phase I clinical trial of vinorelbine in tumor-bearing cats.

Background Vinorelbine (VRL) has been investigated in dogs, but its use in cats has not been studied. Hypothesis/Objectives To determine the maximal tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of VRL in tumor-bearing cats. Animals Cats were included in this prospective phase I trial if they had confirmed malignancy, received ≥1 VRL treatment, and had adequate follow-up. Previous treatment was acceptable, but concurrent chemotherapy or radiotherapy was not permitted. Methods Using a modified phase I design, cats were enrolled in cohorts of 3 at a starting dosage of 9 mg/m2. Cats tolerating the first treatment well were eligible to receive additional VRL treatments at escalating dosages; escalations beyond the perceived MTD were permitted based on individual tolerance. Intended treatment interval was 7 days. Patient histories, physical examinations, and complete blood counts were performed weekly. Results Nineteen cats were included. Sixty-one VRL treatments were administered. Median number of treatments was 2 (range, 1–9). Starting dosages were 9–12 mg/m2. Maximal dosage administered was 15.5 mg/m2. The MTD was 11.5 mg/m2. Acute DLTs were neutropenia, vomiting, and nephrotoxicity. Other notable toxicities were weight loss and anemia. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Vinorelbine is tolerated in cats at a weekly interval. Recommended starting dosage is 11.5 mg/m2. Neutropenia was transient, lasting <7 days; vomiting was self-limiting in most cases. Although VRL-associated nephrotoxicity has not been reported, potential attribution of this toxicity to VRL must not be discounted. Further investigation of the efficacy of VRL in feline malignancies is warranted.
Analysis of systemic sclerosis in twins reveals low concordance for disease and high concordance for the presence of antinuclear antibodies.

Objective To examine concordance for systemic sclerosis (SSc) in monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins. Methods MZ and DZ twins were recruited nationwide. Zygosity was confirmed by DNA fingerprint analysis. The presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) was determined using indirect immunofluorescence with HEp-2 cells as substrate. Identification of SSc-associated serum autoantibodies was performed by immunoprecipitation and double immunodiffusion. Major histocompatibility complex class II alleles were identified by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Results Concordance for SSc was found to be similar in MZ and DZ twins. Overall concordance for SSc was low in the twins (4.7%). Concordance for the presence of ANAs was significantly higher in MZ twins compared with DZ twins. SSc-associated serum autoantibodies occurred exclusively in patients with SSc. The distribution of SSc-associated serum autoantibodies was similar to that observed in our large database of SSc patients. Increased HLA allele sharing was detected in DZ twins, irrespective of disease concordance. Conclusion These results indicate that inherited genetic factors are not sufficient to explain the development of SSc. Rather, these data indicate that inheritance may play a role in the development of serum autoantibodies in the “healthy” twin sibling of an SSc patient.
Differential expression of interleukins (IL)-13 and IL-15 in ectopic and eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis and normal fertile women.

PROBLEM: Interleukins (IL) 13 and 15 are key regulators of inflammatory and immune responses, processes that are central to endometriosis and associated abnormalities. The present study examined (1) whether ectopic endometrial tissue expresses IL-13 and IL-15 (2) if their expression differs compared with matched eutopic endometrium and control endometrium from normal fertile women, and (3) if peritoneal fluids (PF) content of these cytokines reflects the disease compared with PF from women with peritoneal adhesions unrelated to endometriosis and those without pelvic pathology. METHODS: The expression of IL-13 and IL-15 mRNA and protein was determined using quantitative RT-PCR, ELISA and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Ectopic endometrium expresses IL-13 and IL-15 mRNA and protein with elevated levels compared with eutopic and control endometrium, irrespective of the phases of the menstrual cycle, with predominance in IL-13 expression. Endometrial epithelial cells were found to be the primary site of IL-13 and IL-15 expression. The PF content of IL-13 and IL-15 show a trend toward higher concentrations in women with adhesion and endometriosis, respectively, compared with fertile control without pelvic pathology. CONCLUSION: Interleukins 13 and 15 are expressed in ectopic endometrium and present in PF of women with endometriosis and their elevated expression in ectopic endometrium suggests that these cytokines play a key role in local inflammatory/immune responses that are critical in endometriosis-associated abnormalities.
Chromosome variations in the plains woodrat: A pericentric inversion involving constitutive heterochromatin

Les bandes C et G des fivroblastes en culture deNeotoma micropus, Baird (le Plains Woodrat), indiquent que la base de la variation chromosomique de cette espece est une inversion pericentrique comprenant un bloc d'heterochromatine constitutive. On trouve aussi chez cette espece une rature encore non-decrite affectant une partie de ce meme bloc.
Pressure-Induced Color Mutation of Euglena gracilis

Photosynthetic cultures of Euglena gracilis Z which were illuminated during growth were more resistant to the lethal effect of high hydrostatic pressures than nonphotosynthetic cultures grown in the dark. A high percentage of mutants permanently lacking chlorophyll and with altered carotenoids was obtained after subjecting cultures to high pressure. A minimum pressure of 500 atmospheres was critical for color mutation and morphological change. The highest effective pressure used was 1000 atmospheres.
Range and Velocity Components for Satellite-to-Satellite Communication Links

Range and velocity components for ray paths between tracking and data relay satellite and user communication satellite
Hydrothermal Synthesis of Rare-Earth Oxide Nanocatalysts for Automotive Exhaust Clean-Up

Three rare-earth metal oxide nanopowders (CeO2, PrO2, and TbO2) were synthesized using a facile hydrothermal method in a Teflon-lined autoclave. The rare-earth metal oxide nanocrystals with variable morphology were prepared by controlling the synthesis conditions with temperatures in the range of 70−220 °C. X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and temperature programmed reduction (TPR) were used to characterize the average structures and redox properties of these materials. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to investigate the morphology, particle size, and formation and growth mechanisms of the rare-earth metal oxide nanoparticles in solution-based environment.
Physics of nonthermal radio sources

The fundamental observational problem in radio‐astronomical investigations of discrete sources is the determination of the precise positions and spectra of these objects, as well as measurement of the brightness distributions of those sources large enough to be resolved by existing equipment. Recently, polarimeter measurements at a number of frequencies have provided data on the percentage of linear polarization and position angle of the electric vector for some of the more intense sources. This work, in turn, has made it possible to study the effects of Faraday rotation on the cosmic radio waves, leading to model‐dependent estimates of the electron density and magnetic field strength in interstellar and intergalactic space.
Effects of environmental complexity and deprivation on brain anatomy and histology: A review

During the last 20 years the anatomical plasticity of the brain in response to sensory stimulation has been clearly demonstrated. This paper reviews the effects of environments rich in sensory stimulation versus those which are stimulus poor. Effects have been noted at all levels from the gross anatomical to the electromicroscopic. As compared to their stimulus-deprived counterparts, animals reared in complex environments tend to display greater cerebral weight and length and cortical depth. The greatest effects occur in the occipital cortex where histological studies have revealed expanded neuron perikaryonal and nuclear size and dendritic branching, more dendritic spines, alterations in synaptic numbers and morphology, and greater numbers of neuroglia. Different cortical areas and layers respond to different degrees. Some responses have also been noted in the underlying hippocampus, particularly in the dentate gyrus. The emerging data present a picture of a dynamic, plastic brain adapting homeostatically to the demands of its environment.
Phase relationships, electrical conductivities and vaporization rates in the system La(Fe0.5Cr0.5)O3Sr(Fe0.5Cr0.5)O3SrZrO3 in air

Abstract The properties of the mixed perovskite (La,Sr)FeO 3 SrZrO 3 with LaCrO 3 additions were investigated. In general, an increased melting point is achieved with these additions without significant change of the electrical conductivity. However, phase separation into end-member compounds was observed up to 1700°C. The vaporization rates were measured for several compositions by the weight loss at 1700°C in still air, and it has been found that the additions of SrZrO 3 up to 20 mol% reduced the vaporization rate greatly.
Imaging Properties of Scanning Photon Microscope

Scanning photon microscopy techniques as a method of bio-imaging with further gain in resolution and focal depth is demonstrated. The use of position-sensitive detector enables the determination of 3D features of the imaged surface.
Effect of carbon sources differing in oxidation state and transport route on succinate production in metabolically engineered Escherichia coli

In mixed-acid fermentation, succinate synthesis requires one mole of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), one mole of CO2, and two moles of NADH for every mole of succinate to be formed. Different carbon sources with different properties were used to address these requirements. Sorbitol generates one more mole of NADH than glucose. Fermentation of sorbitol was shown in this study (and by others) to produce significantly more succinate than fermentation of glucose, due to increased NADH availability. Xylose fermentation conserves the intracellular PEP pool, since its transport does not require the phosphotransferase system normally used for glucose transport. The extra PEP can then be assimilated in the succinate pathway to improve production. In this study, fermentation of xylose did yield higher succinate production than glucose fermentation. Subsequent inactivation of the acetate and lactate pathways was performed to study metabolite redistribution and the effect on succinate production. With the acetate pathway inactivated, significant carbon flux shifted toward lactate rather than succinate. When both acetate and lactate pathways were inactivated, succinate yield ultimately increased with a concomitant increase in ethanol yield.
Nutrient transport in a riverine-influenced, tidal freshwater bayou in Louisiana

Transport of ammonium (NH4+), nitrate + nitrite (NO3−), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), soluble reactive phosphate (SRP), and total suspended solids (TSS) was measured in a freshwater tidal bayou located in a marsh system near the mouth of the Atchafalaya River in Louisiana. Sampling was conducted six times over one year and was timed to assess effects of seasonal variation in river flow and mean sea level of the Gulf of Mexico on material fluxes. Net fluxes of all materials were large and ebb directed in all seasons except fall, when net transport was 2 to 3 orders-of-magnitude smaller than in any other season. These results demonstrate that riverine forcing was the primary influence on materials transport in all seasons except fall when tidal forcing was most important. The range of net fluxes (g s−1) for each nutrient was as follows (a negative sign indicates a net export toward the Gulf): NO3−, −0.006 to −6.69; TKN, 0.09 to −10.41; NH4+, −0.02 to −1.36; SRP, −0.001 to −0.53; TSS, −2 to −81. Analysis of nutrient concentrations indicated the marsh/aquatic system removed NO3−, SRP, and TSS from the water column from late spring through early fall and released NH4+ and TKN in summer. The results of this study show that net materials export per unit cross section channel area increased as riverine influence increased.
State condition, foreign influence and alternative models of market reforms in China, Russia and Eastern Europe

China, Russia and Eastern Europe can be considered the principal examples of a massive globalization in the last two decades. All expanded their use of market forces but in terms of growth rates only China is an obvious success story; Russia is a failure, while Eastern Europe's record is lackluster. The diverse experience of these countries indicates that whether globalization succeeds or fails is a function of the condition of the state. With a strong state, China was able to undertake a gradual pattern of reforms that allowed firms to thrive. Because in Russia the state almost collapsed, reforms followed a chaotic model, throwing firms into a two-decade period of no growth. With less severe but still major state crises, Eastern Europeans followed a radical approach which locked firms into a massive downturn followed by weak growth thereafter. These economic outcomes validate the theoretical argument in favor of gradual reforms advanced by the so-called evolutionary (Austrian) economics of Joseph Schumpe...
Update on the functional biology of Lrrk2

The etiology of Parkinson’s disease (PD) was long thought to be due to environmental factors. Following the discovery of autosomal-dominant mutations in the α-synuclein gene, and later recessive mutations in the DJ-1, Parkin and PINK-1 genes, the field of PD genetics exploded. In 2004, it was discovered that mutations in the PARK8 locus – leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2, Lrrk2) – are the most important genetic cause of autosomal-dominant PD. Lrrk2 substitutions also account for sporadic PD in certain ethnic populations and have been shown to increase the risk of PD in Asian populations. Drug therapies targeting Lrrk2 activity may therefore be beneficial to both familial and sporadic PD patients, hence understanding the role of Lrrk2 in health and disease is critical. This review aims to highlight the research effort concentrated on elucidating the functional biological role of Lrrk2, and to provide some future therapeutic perspectives.
Transmutation of silicon carbide in fusion nuclear environment

Abstract The amount and type of metallic transmutants produced in SiC/SiC when used in magnetic (MFE) and inertial (IFE) confinement fusion systems are determined and compared to those obtained following irradiation in fission reactors. Up to ∼1.3% metallic transmutants are generated at the expected lifetime of the fusion blanket. Irradiation in fission reactors to the same fast neutron fluence produces about an order of magnitude lower metallic transmutation products than in fusion systems. While the dominant component in fusion systems is Mg, P is the main transmutation product in fission reactors. The impact on the SiC/SiC properties is not fully understood. The results of this work will help guide irradiation experiments in fission reactors to properly simulate the conditions in fusion systems by possible ion implantation. In addition, the results represent a necessary input for modeling activities aimed at understanding the expected effects on properties.
Antimicrobial Resistance in Bovine Respiratory Disease Pathogens: Measures, Trends, and Impact on Efficacy

The introduction of newer antimicrobial agents over the past two decades has dramatically improved the treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD). In the same time period, the implementation of standardized susceptibility test methods and BRD-specific interpretive criteria has substantially improved the ability to detect clinical resistance in the BRD pathogens. Although overall levels of resistance to the newer antimicrobial agents are generally low, recent data have indicated the potential for emergence and dissemination of a resistant clone in cattle. These data indicate the need for long-term surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in the BRD pathogens and a better understanding of the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance in these pathogens.
Solar neutrino oscillations and neutrino-gravity couplings

Abstract In this talk I review a proposal by Halprin and Leung to set limits on a possible breakdown of universality in neutrino-gravitational interactions from solar neutrino experiments and report the result of a recent application to the current data. We find (with certain caveats) that an adiabatic solution exists which can accommodate both the Homestake and Kamiokande data. This solution leads to a value of the universality violation parameter, Δf ≈ 2 × 10−14. This is three orders of magnitude less than the universality violation bound for ordinary matter inferred from weak equivalence principle experiments.
The Thermal Ecology of Some Colias Butterfly Larvae

Summary. The thermal ecology of Colias butterfly larvae has been studied, using simple modifications of previous thermistor implantation technology. Like their adults, these larvae rely on a repertoire of thermoregulatory behavior to control body temperature in relation to external heat sources and sinks. They neither heat nor cool by metabolic means. They display narrow, well-marked body temperature ranges for their major activity, feeding. These are 10-15 ~ C lower than the maximum activity temperatures of the adults. Also in contrast to the adults, the locations of the larval activity maxima differ by several degrees C between the taxa studied. In each taxon studied the rate of feeding reaches a maximum in a body temperature range corresponding roughly to the temperature range maximizing the occurrence of feeding. The overall larval growth rate is maximized under constant temperature regimes corresponding to the maximum feeding range. A qualitative model for larval activity in the field in relation to daily temperature changes is constructed and apparently supported in its essentials. These results are discussed in relation to other aspects of larval ecology, notably predator pressure, and some speculation on ~heir meaning for larval metabolic organization is raised.
Conscientious objection as a basis for refugee status: protection for the fundamental right of freedom of thought, conscience and religion

It is beyond dispute that sovereign nations have the right to raise and maintain armies. This right may come in conflict with the right to conscientious objection, which has increasingly been recognized as a legitimate exercise of freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Individuals who face mandatory military service in contravention of their deep moral convictions, may flee their home countries, and seek refugee status abroad as a solution. Their recognition as refugees depends on a broad constellation of factors, including the particular basis for their refusal to serve, the nature of the military conflict itself, and the degree to which the State in which they seek asylum follows the guidance of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on the issue of draft evasion and desertion as a basis for protection.This article will examine the trends regarding the protection of the individual whose claim to refugee status is premised upon a conscientious objection to military service. It will begin by examining the internationally recognized right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and discuss its relationship to conscientious objection. It will then examine the position and underlying rationale of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on the issue. It will look at the trends in a number of common law countries, and evaluate the degree to which UNHCR guidance and other relevant human rights norms are respected. It will conclude by recommending a more robust protection of individuals of conscience who do not want to participate in the military.
Parental perceptions of the effects of exercise on behavior in children and adolescents with ADHD

Background: Anecdotally, parents often report that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who engage in regular physical activity (PA) experience positive behavioral changes. The purpose of this study was to examine this anecdotal relationship to provide preliminary evidence relevant to the potential benefits of PA on ADHD symptoms. Methods: Parents (n = 68) of children diagnosed with ADHD completed an Internet survey assessing perceptions of how PA influences their child's symptoms. Results: A significantly greater percentage of parents reported that regular PA positively impacted symptoms. However, there were no uniform effects for all types of ADHD symptoms. The results indicate that there may be more positive benefits for symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity than for those of impulsivity. Conclusion: This is the first study to empirically document parents' perceptions of how PA influences ADHD and suggests that PA can be a viable strategy for reducing symptoms. PA may have greater benefits for specific symptoms of ADHD, providing critical information for developing PA interventions for children and adolescents.
VAGUENESS HAS NO FUNCTION IN LAW

Islamic building codes require mosques to face Mecca. The further Islam spreads, the more apt are believers to fall into a quandary. X faces Y only when the front of X is closer to Y than any other side of X. So the front of the mosque should be oriented along a shortest path to Mecca. Which way is that? Does the path to Mecca tunnel through the earth? Or does the path follow the surface of the earth?
On‐Line Separation of Macromolecules by Membrane Filtration with Cryogelation

Guest Editor's Introduction: This paper was presented at the International Symposium on Plasma Exchange, Cologne, June 6–7, 1980. It was printed in its proceedings, Plasma Exchange Plasmapheresis and Plasmaseparation, (ed) Sieberth H.G., 1980, pages 133–139. It was published by F.K. Schattauer Verlag, Stuttgart, Germany. This paper describes the first clinical application of cryofiltration. The efficiency of double filtration was enhanced by keeping the plasma fractionator filter (cryofilter) at near zero temperature. Cryogel is formed inside the cryofilter and selective removal of macromolecules was achieved without any supplemental albumin supplement.
Mass Evaluations of the Problem of Political Corruption: A Comparative Study

Large numbers of people in many countries see political corruption as a serious problem - an attitude that serves as an obstacle to effective governance, among other negative repercussions. The current study examines the sources of mass perceptions about corruption with the aims of assessing the extent of perception-based measurement problems and of potentially identifying ways to facilitate more effective governance. The analysis shows alignment between aggregate measures and mass perceptions of corruption, with such correspondence increasing and with more positive perceptions over time. Though not directly supporting the hypothesis of clientelism, certain results suggest a role for self-interest. Experiences with bribery also have little bearing on problem perceptions. Instead, this study finds robust association between corruption perceptions and subjective evaluations of macro conditions, certain coping strategies for dealing with uncertainty and insecurity, and affect toward government. Additionally, the impact of transparency on individual-level evaluations of corruption changes over time.
QueueTrak: Automated line length detection using a wireless sensor network

We describe QueueTrak, an automated wireless sensor system designed to detect and report the length of lines in retail environments. QueueTrak has two components. First, it uses a series of custom active infrared sensors to detect the length of a line in a store or restaurant. Second, a web interface publishes the data, at the discretion of the shopkeeper, for use by customers, city planners, and other shopkeepers. We empirically evaluate the system design and find that it can accurately estimate line length despite noise caused by variations in natural sunlight or moving people and furniture in the store.
Constitutional Frameworks and Democratic Consolidation: Parliamentarianism versus Presidentialism

A fundamental political-institutional question that has only recently received serious scholarly attention concerns the impact of different constitutional frameworks on democratic consolidation. Little systematic cross-regional evidence has been brought to bear on this question. This article reports the findings of the analysis of numerous different sources of data, all of which point in the direction of a much stronger correlation between democratic consolidation and the constitutional framework of pure parliamentarianism than between consolidation and pure presidentialism. The systematic analysis of these data leads the authors to conclude that parliamentarianism is a more supportive constitutional framework due to the following theoretically predictable and empirically observable tendencies: its greater propensity for governments to have majorities to implement their programs, its greater ability to rule in a multiparty setting, its lower propensity for executives to rule at the edge of the constitution and its greater facility in removing a chief executive if he or she does so, its lower susceptibility to a military coup, and its greater tendency to provide long party-government careers, which add loyalty and experience to political society. In contrast, the analytically separable propensities of presidentialism also form a highly interactive system, but they work to impede democratic consolidation by reducing politicians' degrees of freedom.
Exploiting WSRF and WSRF.NET for remote job execution in grid environments

The Web service resource framework (WSRF) was announced in January 2004 as a new way for manipulating "stateful resources" to perform grid computing tasks using Web services. This paper discusses, to our knowledge, the most complex application built to date utilizing WSRF concepts. We describe a remote job execution system that handles scheduling, data movement, security and inter-job dependencies. The application is built on top of WSRF.NET, the first publicly-available toolkit for constructing WSRF-compliant Web services. WSRF.NET is an open-source project that implements both the WSRF and WS-notification family of specifications and runs on the Microsoft.NET platform. Our explicit goal in the effort reported in this paper is not to replace the existing tools such as GRAM/GlobusRun, MDS and Condor/Condor-G but rather to evaluate - via a concrete implementation - the new capabilities provided for such grid operations via WSRF. We find that, in general, WSRF and WS-notification facilitate far richer client-side and server-side interactions than previously accomplished in the state of the art in grid computing.
Tolerance Levels of Seleniferous Grains in Laying Rations

Abstract LOW hatchability of eggs produced in certain sections has been closely associated with the selenium content of the grains used in the laying rations. As reviewed by Moxon (1937), selenium has been found in the soils of at least 12 states of the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain areas, as well as in some foreign countries, and is often taken up by certain plants and grains and used in live stock feeding. That considerable harm may arise from continuous use of selenium in the diet has been pointed out. Investigations having a particular bearing upon the experiments reported herein include the reports of Franke and Tully (1935), Tully and Franke (1935), and Poley et al (1937). The objectives of this experiment were to determine: 1. The amount of selenium, laying hens will tolerate without affecting hatchability. 2. Whether or not levels of selenium too small to reduce hatchability might affect . . .
A continuum damage mechanics framework for modeling micro-damage healing

A novel continuum damage mechanics-based framework is proposed to model the micro-damage healing phenomenon in the materials that tend to self-heal. This framework extends the well-known Kachanov’s (1958) effective configuration and the concept of the effective stress space to self-healing materials by introducing the healing natural configuration in order to incorporate the micro-damage healing effects. Analytical relations are derived to relate strain tensors and tangent stiffness moduli in the nominal and healing configurations for each postulated transformation hypothesis (i.e. strain, elastic strain energy, and power equivalence hypotheses). The ability of the proposed model to explain micro-damage healing is demonstrated by presenting several examples. Also, a general thermodynamic framework for constitutive modeling of damage and micro-damage healing mechanisms is presented.
Free-Surface Proximity Effects in Developed and Super-Cavitation

This paper summarizes a number of large-scale multiphase computation fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses of relevance to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Underwater Express Program. The specific focus of this paper is on developed and supercavitating configurations related to submerged vehicles and control surfaces where proximity to the free-surface is relevant. The results and interpretation of several large scale simulations, enabled by adaptive and overset meshing technology, Large Eddy Simulation technology, a hybrid volume-fraction based level-set approach and high performance computing (HPC) resources, are reported.
Molecular imaging of atherosclerosis with nanoparticle-based fluorinated MRI contrast agents

As atherosclerosis remains one of the most prevalent causes of patient mortality, the ability to diagnose early signs of plaque rupture and thrombosis represents a significant clinical need. With recent advances in nanotechnology, it is now possible to image specific molecular processes noninvasively with MRI, using various types of nanoparticles as contrast agents. In the context of cardiovascular disease, it is possible to specifically deliver contrast agents to an epitope of interest for detecting vascular inflammatory processes, which serve as predecessors to atherosclerotic plaque development. Herein, we review various applications of nanotechnology in detecting atherosclerosis using MRI, with an emphasis on perfluorocarbon nanoparticles and fluorine imaging, along with theranostic prospects of nanotechnology in cardiovascular disease.
An Introduction to Transcription and Gene Regulation

Having been offered the opportunity to contribute one of the episodes of this series of personal history accounts, I have chosen to write about circumstances that led me to the start of the scientific path that I have followed for the past forty odd years. My account deals with a period of approximately six years and with events that I have written about recently (1); although I have been conscientious about avoiding overt self-plagiarism (at least the kind that is detected by computer programs), I also hope to have added some additional perspective. To the extent that Reflections are accounts of the development of our science, they cover the same terrain as textbooks, albeit in a very different style and with somewhat different intent. To my mind, a potential source of wider interest (or at least different interest) of Reflections is that they provide a view of how greatly the ways of practicing our craft, of doing science, change within a single functional lifetime. That thought comes repeatedly to mind as I struggle to write this account. Having also read diligently what others have written for these occasions, I have been struck by how differently scientists view the circumstances of their scientific lives. I hope to have added to that variety. The special role of the bacterial viruses in laying the foundations of molecular biology has been recounted at length in widely read histories of the subject (2,–5). I came late to learning about phage, but they served as my introduction to enzymology, and they have been my companions for nearly fifty years. This brief personal account is about the role that phage played in my early biochemical education.
The effect of pH on the uptake of zinc and cadmium in marine phytoplankton: Possible role of weak complexes

In natural samples from the New Jersey coast and the Gulf of Alaska, zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) uptake rates by phytoplankton decreased on average about 30% as pH was decreased from 8.5 to 7.9 or 7.7, and the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) increased accordingly. The underlying mechanism was explored with the model species, Thalassiosira weissflogii and Emiliania huxleyi, using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), desferrioxamine B, phytochelatin, and cysteine as complexing agents. Experiments with single complexing agents did not reproduce the effect of pH seen in field samples, ruling out two possible mechanisms: a direct effect on the uptake machinery or down-regulation of uptake at high PCO2. Zn and Cd bioavailability must thus somehow decrease at low pH in natural seawater, which is counterintuitive since the protonation of complexing agents at low pH should increase the total free concentration of metals. However, in the presence of both a strong and a weak complexing agent, metal uptake rate may decrease at low pH if formation of the weak complex decreases and the metal in the weak complex is more ‘‘available’’ than in the strong complex. We obtained proof of concept for such a two-ligand mechanism for Zn uptake in the presence of EDTA + phytochelatin and EDTA + cysteine. Weak ligands that bind a small fraction of essential metals in surface seawater may thus be important in metal uptake by phytoplankton, and the dual effects of strong and weak complexing agents may control not just the magnitude but also the sign of the effect of pH–PCO2 on metal uptake rates.
Reasoning with vectors: A continuous model for fast robust inference

This paper describes the use of continuous vector space models for reasoning with a formal knowledge base. The practical significance of these models is that they support fast, approximate but robust inference and hypothesis generation, which is complementary to the slow, exact, but sometimes brittle behavior of more traditional deduction engines such as theorem provers. The paper explains the way logical connectives can be used in semantic vector models, and summarizes the development of Predication-based Semantic Indexing, which involves the use of Vector Symbolic Architectures to represent the concepts and relationships from a knowledge base of subject-predicate-object triples. Experiments show that the use of continuous models for formal reasoning is not only possible, but already demonstrably effective for some recognized informatics tasks, and showing promise in other traditional problem areas. Examples described in this paper include: predicting new uses for existing drugs in biomedical informatics; removing unwanted meanings from search results in information retrieval and concept navigation; type-inference from attributes; comparing words based on their orthography; and representing tabular data, including modelling numerical values. The algorithms and techniques described in this paper are all publicly released and freely available in the Semantic Vectors open-source software package.
Science and technology policy: is there more to it than just R&D funding?

When one attends a conference on science and technology policy, most of what one hears is a lament about how the government needs to spend more on research and development (R&D). This paper provides a brief history of science and technology policy, including the differing models of innovation (linear vs. chain-linked), and link those to debates of which institutions are responsible for funding and performing specific types of R&D. The paper then discusses the need of the policy community to go beyond funding debates by highlighting the industrial changes that have occurred over the past few decades and propose new avenues of research for the policy community. The paper also discusses the role that the IEEE-USA Technology Policy Committees could play.
Prevalence of the trichomycete fungus Harpella melusinae (Harpellales: Harpellaceae) in larval black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) across a heterogeneous environment

A total of 2063 mid- to late-instar larval black flies were collected from 64 stream sites in South Carolina and screened for the presence of the trichomycete fungus Harpella melusinae. Sixteen of 18 host species were colonized by H. melusinae on at least one occasion. Prevalence of H. melusinae in larvae of Simulium tuberosum cytospecies "A" was highest in acidic streams with low conductivity, whereas H. melusinae colonized larvae of Simulium verecundum most frequently in slower-moving streams. Ecological conditions, therefore, can serve as predictors of the prevalence of H. melusinae. Prevalence in host larvae was significantly lower in the Piedmont ecoregion than in the Mountain ecoregion. Prevalence did not differ in the host species S. verecundum across ecoregions, suggesting that different prevalences among host species might indicate some host preference. The prevalence of H. melusinae differed significantly between two univoltine host species (Simulium venustum and Prosimulium magnum) at the same site but not between two multivoltine host species (S. tuberosum cytospecies "FG" and S. tuberosum cytospecies "CDE"), suggesting that host life history could be important in determining fungal prevalence.
Coccolith Sedimentation by Fecal Pellets: Laboratory Experiments and Field Observations

Copepods readily ingested coccospheres during feeding experiments. Fecal pellets contained coccoliths in a state of excellent preservation, although some mechanical breakage occurred, especially among delicate forms. Fecal pellets collected in deep waters of the eastern tropical Pacific contained mainly siliceous plankton remains but also some coccoliths showing good to moderate preservation. Some coccolith-bearing fecal matter apparently reached the sea floor, even well below the carbonate compensation depth. The implications of fecal transfer to paleontology and geochemistry may be of the greatest importance.
Improving mechanical stability and electrical properties of silver nanowire films with a zinc tin oxide overcoat

Silver nanowire (AgNW)-based transparent contacts are promising alternatives to transparent conducting oxides for solar cells owing to their promising optoelectronic properties. However, there is a need to improve issues such as adhesion to substrate, surface roughness, thermal instability, and loose contact between wires. If these issues could be resolved, it should be possible to replace the conducting oxide layers by AgNWs. In the present work, we report electrical, optical, and surface properties of silver nanowires with amorphous zinc tin oxide (ZTO) as overcoat. Two different sizes of silver nanowires have been employed for this study with average diameters of 35 nm (length = 10 µm) and 90 nm (length = 25 µm). Various concentrations of the solution and spin-coating speeds have been used to optimize transmittance and conductivity of bare AgNW films. After deposition, it is possible to improve conductivity by fusing wires through various processes such as thermal annealing. It is observed that thermal annealing at 200°C or less shows improved conductivity. Sheet resistance of 9.8 Ω/sq and transmittance (at 550 nm) of 91% are obtained for 90 nm diameter wires at an annealing temperature of 200°C. AgNW networks of varying sheet resistance and transmittance were over-coated with sputtered ZTO films of 20-, 50-, or 200-nm thickness. Microscope analysis of scratch-tested samples shows that 50-nm-thick ZTO film is sufficient to give robustness to the 90-nm AgNW films with minor changes to conductivity and transmittance.