cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis of the genetic variability within the Q-type C2H2 zinc-finger transcription factors in the economically important cabbage, canola and Chinese cabbage genomes

Brassica oleracea, B. rapa and B. napus encompass many economically important vegetable and oil crops; such as cabbage, broccoli, canola and Chinese cabbage. The genome sequencing of these species allows for gene discovery with an eye towards discerning the natural variability available for future breeding. The Q-type C2H2 zinc-finger protein (ZFP) transcription factors contain zinc finger motifs with a conserved QALGGH as part of the motif and they may play a critical role in the plants response to stress. While they may contain from one to five ZF domains (ZFD) this work focuses on the ZFPs that contain two zinc-fingers, which bind to the promoter of genes, and negatively regulate transcription via the EAR motif. B. oleracea and rapa are diploid and evolved into distinct species about 3.7 million years ago. B. napus is polyploid and formed by fusion of the diploids about 7500 years ago. This work identifies a total of 146 Q-type C2H2-ZFPs with 37 in B. oleracea, 35 in B. rapa and 74 in B. napus. The level of sequence similarity and arrangement of these genes on their chromosomes have mostly remained intact in B. napus, when compared to the chromosomes inherited from either B. rapa or oleracea. In contrast, the difference between the protein sequences of the orthologs of B. rapa and oleracea is greater and their organization on the chromosomes is much more divergent. In general, the 146 proteins are highly conserved especially within the known motifs. Differences within subgroups of ZFPs were identified. Considering that B. napus has twice the number of these proteins in its genome, RNA-Seq data was mined and the expression of 68 of the 74 genes was confirmed. Alignment of these proteins gives a snapshot of the variability that may be available naturally in Brassica species. The aim is to study how different ZFPs bind different genes or how dissimilar EAR motifs alter the negative regulation of the genes bound to the ZFP. Results from such studies could be used to enhance tolerance in future Brassica breeding programs.
Control Theories and Crime

Control theories of crime focus on the inhibiting effects of conventional social institutions on criminal behavior. In general, control theories of crime emphasize how strong social ties to institutions, such as one's family (e.g., parents, spouses, and children), peer group, school, church, community, and workplace, among others, are expected to reduce the likelihood of crime by highlighting the negative consequences of criminal acts for those social ties. The cumulative body of contemporary criminological research is largely supportive of the key expectations of control theories of crime.
Efficacy of Tea Tree Oil in the Treatment of Equine Streptothricosis

Abstract Streptothricosis is a dermatitis characterized by matted tufts of hair and coalescing, pustular crusts that affects many livestock species, including horses. It results from cutaneous infection by the actinobacterium Dermatophilus congolensis. For economic reasons, the ailment is often treated with commercially available over-the-counter (OTC) products or home remedies rather than prescribed medications. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of tea tree oil (TTO), an essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia, as an OTC treatment for streptothricosis. Bacteria were isolated from presumptive streptothricosis lesions on horses at a farm in Forest, Virginia. These isolates were microbiologically and genetically confirmed to be D. congolensis. The antimicrobial activity of TTO against D. congolensis isolates was determined by minimum inhibitory concentration and disc diffusion assays and compared with three OTC products advertised specifically for the treatment of “rain rot,” a colloquial term for streptothricosis. A 1% TTO solution (v/v, in baby oil) and the three selected OTC products were applied to equine streptothricosis lesions to evaluate in vivo resolution of the lesions. Tea tree oil exhibited antimicrobial behavior against D. congolensis in vitro and produced marked improvement of streptothricosis lesions in vivo. These results have implications for development of TTO as a possible treatment for streptothricosis.
Prepper-Worthy Identity Work: A Cultural Repertoire for Constructing a Secure Self in an Insecure World

The purpose of this research was to gain knowledge of why and how people engage in prepping. Their beliefs, values, life circumstances, and practices were studied. Preppers seek to be self-sufficie...
Mitigating the apprenticeship of observation

Educational landscapes shift and change, and beginning teachers are poised to breathe new life into existing educational practices. However, not all nascent teachers are equipped to lead educationa...
Topology and stochasticity of turbulent magnetic fields.

We present a mathematical formalism for the topology and stochasticity of vector fields based on renormalization group methodology. The concept of a scale-split energy density, ${\ensuremath{\psi}}_{l,L}={\mathbf{B}}_{l}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}{\mathbf{B}}_{L}/2$ for vector field $\mathbf{B}(\mathbf{x},t)$ renormalized at scales $l$ and $L$, is introduced in order to quantify the notion of the field topological deformation, topology change, and stochasticity level. In particular, for magnetic fields, it is shown that the evolution of the field topology is directly related to the field-fluid slippage, which has already been linked to magnetic reconnection in previous work. The magnitude and direction of stochastic magnetic fields, shown to be governed, respectively, by the parallel and vertical components of the renormalized induction equation with respect to the magnetic field, can be studied separately by dividing ${\ensuremath{\psi}}_{l,L}$ into two ($3+1$)-dimensional scalar fields. The velocity field can be approached in a similar way. Magnetic reconnection can then be defined in terms of the extrema of the ${L}_{p}$ norms of these scalar fields. This formulation in fact clarifies different definitions of magnetic reconnection, which vaguely rely on the magnetic field topology, stochasticity, and energy conversion. Our results support the well-founded yet partly overlooked picture in which magnetic reconnection in turbulent fluids occurs on a wide range of scales as a result of nonlinearities at large scales (turbulence inertial range) and nonidealities at small scales (dissipative range). Lagrangian particle trajectories, as well as magnetic field lines, are stochastic in turbulent magnetized media in the limit of small resistivity and viscosity. The magnetic field tends to reduce its stochasticity induced by the turbulent flow by slipping through the fluid, which may accelerate fluid particles. This suggests that reconnection is a relaxation process by which the magnetic field lowers both its topological entanglements induced by turbulence and its energy level.
Multiparameter Regression Modeling for Improving Quality of Measured Rainfall and Runoff Data in Densely Instrumented Watersheds

AbstractThe Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed is a semi-arid experimental watershed and long-term agro-ecosystem research (LTAR) site managed by the USDA-Agricultural Research Services (ARS) Sout...
Air infiltration in low-income, urban homes and its relationship to lung function.

Previous research has found increased home ventilation, which may affect health by altering the composition of indoor air, is associated with improvement of respiratory health, but evidence linking home ventilation to objectively measured lung function is sparse. The Colorado Home Energy Efficiency and Respiratory health (CHEER) study, a cross-sectional study of low-income, urban, nonsmoking homes across the Northern Front Range of Colorado, USA, focused on elucidating this link. We used a multipoint depressurization blower door test to measure the air tightness of the homes and calculate the annual average infiltration rate (AAIR). Lung function tests were administered to eligible participants. We analyzed data from 253 participants in 187 homes with two or more acceptable spirometry tests. We used generalized estimating equations to model forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC z-scores as a function of AAIR. AAIRs ranged from 0.10 to 1.98 air changes per hour. Mean z-scores for FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC were −0.57, 0.32, and −0.43, respectively. AAIR was positively associated with increased FEV1/FVC z-scores, such that a 1-unit change in AAIR corresponded to a half of a standard deviation in lung function (β = 0.51, CI: 0.02–0.99). These associations were strongest for healthy populations and weaker for those with asthma and asthma-like symptoms. AAIR was not associated with FEV1 or FVC. Our study is the first in the United States to link home ventilation by infiltration to objectively measured lung function in low-income, urban households.
A deterministic mathematical model to support future investment decisions for developing inland container terminals

Abstract Agriculture is a leading sector in the Midwest economy. Grain production is particularly important to the natural resource-based economy of the upper Midwest. Exporters are at a competitive disadvantage when they are unable to obtain containers at a reasonable cost. To mitigate this shortage of containers and avoid excessive empty vehicle miles, it is proposed to strategically establish inland depots in regions with sufficiently high trade volumes. Inland depots would minimize total system costs for empty container repositioning while providing customers with desired levels of service. Mathematical models are formulated to evaluate the proposed system and implementation is performed as a case study for soybean container shipments in the study region of Minnesota. The proposed system has been demonstrated to significantly reduce empty vehicle miles travelled and total system costs, yielding benefits to regional exporters and individual stakeholders. Findings show that even if soybean trade volumes in the region remain static or decrease, inland depots will still result in noteworthy system cost and empty vehicle mile savings. Finally, the model can be applied similarly to other commodities and/or be used to analyze the potential for new intermodal points.
Use of graded responsibility and common entrustment considerations among United States emergency medicine residency programs

Purpose The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requires all residency programs to provide increasing autonomy as residents progress through training, known as graded responsibility. However, there is little guidance on how to implement graded responsibility in practice and a paucity of literature on how it is currently implemented in emergency medicine (EM). We sought to determine how emergency medicine (EM) residency programs apply graded responsibility across a variety of activities and to identify which considerations are important in affording additional responsibilities to trainees. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of EM residency programs using a 23-question survey that was distributed by email to 162 ACGME-accredited EM program directors. Seven different domains of practice were queried. Results We received 91 responses (56.2% response rate) to the survey. Among all domains of practice except for managing critically ill medical patients, the use of graded responsibility exceeded 50% of surveyed programs. When graded responsibility was applied, post-graduate year (PGY) level was ranked an "extremely important" or "very important" consideration between 80.9% and 100.0% of the time. Conclusion The majority of EM residency programs are implementing graded responsibility within most domains of practice. When decisions are made surrounding graded responsibility, programs still rely heavily on the time-based model of PGY level to determine advancement.
Sleep Ecologies: Tools for Snoozy Autoethnography

Autoethnographic and other first-person research methods are a topic of increasing interest in design and HCI. This focus parallels the boom in self-tracking and personal informatics, perhaps most intriguingly in the intersection of quantitative and qualitative data and the noticing of patterns in one's own life and everyday wellbeing. But how can design support this? One opportunity is for research probes, or tools, which enable forms of self-inquiry, by design researchers themselves, or others. In this paper-with the broad scope of healthier student sleep as a domain-we present a series of artifacts designed by undergraduates as tools to enable autoethnographic exploration, and detail how they have been used to investigate bedtime routines, personal scheduling of time, focus, sleep data, and sleeping in non-traditional places. We also reflect on the notion of combination autoethnographic 'kits' as a way forward for forms of self-inquiry.
5-Aminolevulinate dehydratase porphyria: Update on hepatic 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase induction and long-term response to hemin.

Abstract Background 5-Aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) porphyria (ADP) is an ultrarare autosomal recessive disease, with only eight documented cases, all of whom were males. Although classified as an acute hepatic porphyria (AHP), induction of the rate limiting hepatic enzyme 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase-1 (ALAS1) has not been demonstrated, and the marrow may also contribute excess 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). Two patients have died and reported follow up for the others is limited, so the natural history of this disease is poorly understood and treatment experience limited. Methods We report new molecular findings and update the clinical course and treatment of the sixth reported ADP patient, now 31 years old and the only known case in the Americas, and review published data regarding genotype-phenotype correlation and treatment. Results Circulating hepatic 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase-1 (ALAS1) mRNA was elevated in this case, as in other AHPs. Gain of function mutation of erythroid specific ALAS2 – an X-linked modifying gene in some other porphyrias – was not found. Seven reported ADP cases had compound heterozygous ALAD mutations resulting in very low residual ALAD activity and symptoms early in life or adolescence. One adult with a germline ALAD mutant allele developed ADP in association with a clonal myeloproliferative disorder, polycythemia vera. Conclusions Elevation in circulating hepatic ALAS1 and response to treatment with hemin indicate that the liver is an important source of excess ALA in ADP, although the marrow may also contribute. Intravenous hemin was effective in most reported cases for treatment and prevention of acute attacks of neurological symptoms.
Towards taming the bugs to improve the drugs for breast cancer

The identification of microbial networks that are predictive of disease progression and response to therapy will not only increase our understanding of the connection between microbiota and breast cancer, but also pave the way for the development of novel microbiota-based therapeutic interventions. The study by Di Modica and colleagues points to the existence of specific microbiota in patients with HER2+ breast cancer that can influence their response to trastuzumab. This information can potentially be used to develop novel therapeutic regimens combining fecal microbiota transplant with standard cancer therapy.See related article by Di Modica et al., p. 2195.
Correlates of sun protection behaviors among melanoma survivors

The study objective was to assess potential correlates of sun protection behaviors among melanoma survivors. Participants were 441 melanoma survivors recruited from three health centers and a state cancer registry in the United States. Sun protection behaviors (sunscreen, shade, protective shirts, and hats) were assessed through an online survey, as were potential correlates (demographic, melanoma risk, knowledge and beliefs, psychological and social influence factors). Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted. Correlates of sun protection behaviors included education, skin cancer risk factors, melanoma knowledge and beliefs, melanoma worry and distress, physician recommendation for sun protection, injunctive norms, and pro-protection beliefs (e.g., perceived barriers, self-efficacy). Future efforts to improve sun safety among melanoma survivors may benefit from targeting individuals with lower education levels, and addressing sun protection social influence, barriers, and self-efficacy.
Scientific Note: Dictyostelid Cellular Slime Molds Associated with Limestone and Dolomite Glades in Northwest Arkansas

Samples for isolation of dictyostelid cellular slime molds (dictyostelids) were collected from two types of glades (limestone and dolomite) in northwest Arkansas. Glades are non-forest habitats which typically have shallow and usually rather xeric soils. As such, they would not appear to be particularly suitable for dictyostelids. In the present study, only seven species were recovered, and just three of these were recorded from both limestone and dolomite glades. Total densities (clones/gram) were rather low for both types of glades, with 25 clones/gram in dolomite glades and 23 clones/gram in limestone glades.
The Quality of Residential Community Governance: Subdivision (HOA) versus Rental

Many economists argue that homeowners associations (HOAs) are a promising form of privatization. But critics argue that HOAs suffer from conflict and resident dissatisfaction. However, Demsetz observes that a governance institution may only fail by comparison to some relevant, superior alternative. This paper explores the puzzle of HOA failure by comparing the respective governance incentives of the HOA and the residential landlord. The residential landlord is an alternative to the HOA because both landlords and HOAs provide collective goods and governance to residents. I show that landlords will tend to have longer time horizons and a greater residual claimancy. I argue that federal promotion of HOAs may be the result of rent-seeking by real-estate developers who sought to evade residual claimancy. I conclude that federal support for home ownership should be reconsidered, and that in the future, studies of HOAs should more explicitly compare HOAs to a relevant alternative.
Graph Encoder Embedding.

In this paper we propose a lightning fast graph embedding method called graph encoder embedding. The proposed method has a linear computational complexity and the capacity to process billions of edges within minutes on standard PC -- an unattainable feat for any existing graph embedding method. The speedup is achieved without sacrificing embedding performance: the encoder embedding performs as good as, and can be viewed as a transformation of the more costly spectral embedding. The encoder embedding is applicable to either adjacency matrix or graph Laplacian, and is theoretically sound, i.e., under stochastic block model or random dot product graph, the graph encoder embedding asymptotically converges to the block probability or latent positions, and is approximately normally distributed. We showcase three important applications: vertex classification, vertex clustering, and graph bootstrap; and the embedding performance is evaluated via a comprehensive set of synthetic and real data. In every case, the graph encoder embedding exhibits unrivalled computational advantages while delivering excellent numerical performance.
Excision of Thymine Dimers In Vitro by Extracts of Bacteriophage-Infected Escherichia coli

Extracts of DNA polymerase I defective Escherichia coli infected with phage T4 contain an exonuclease activity that removes thymine dimers from uv- irradiated DNA previously nicked with T4 uv endonuclease. This activity is not expressed if cells are infected in the presence of chloramphenicol. The enzyme has a requirement for divalent cation and is not affected by caffeine, but excision is inhibited in the presence of proflavine. The enzyme is present in all phage T4 mutants thus far examined, including 25 uv-sensitive mutants isolated during the course of the experiments, all of which are defective in the v gene. A similar activity can be detected in cells infected with phages T2, T3, and T6, but not in cells infected with phage T7. (auth)
Neuron-specific expression of the human dopamine beta-hydroxylase gene requires both the cAMP-response element and a silencer region.

Dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH), the enzyme catalyzing the conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine, is specifically expressed in adrenergic and noradrenergic neurons in the central nervous system. DNase I hypersensitive sites were found in the 5'-flanking region of the DBH gene in noradrenergic human neuroblastoma SK-N-BE(2)C cells, but not in DBH-nonexpressing HeLa cells. We report here that the 4.3-kilobase upstream sequence of the human DBH gene confers cell type-specific expression as assessed by transient expression assay. Furthermore, deletional and mutational analyses revealed two genetic regulatory elements required for the regulation of cell type specificity. First, deletion of the cAMP-response element (CRE) abolished > 95% of the transcriptional activity by the DBH upstream promoter, thus implicating the CRE as an essential positive genetic element. Second, deletion of a region between -490 and -263 base pairs resulted in 10-fold increase of reporter gene activity only in HeLa cells, indicating that this region contains a cell-specific silencer. A 13-base pair fragment residing within that region shows 77% sequence identity with the neuron-specific silencer motif recently identified in two neuronal genes, i.e. SCG10 and type II sodium channel genes. We propose that the interplay between the CRE and this neuron-specific silencer region plays an important role in the tissue-specific expression of the DBH gene in noradrenergic cells.
Next place predictions based on user mobility traces

Collecting user's current location(s) and place-to-place transitions, predicting future destinations, equipping users with location sensitive information, and handling relevant communication requests are core ingredients of new generation of service provider applications on mobile devices. Periodic place-to-place transitions are inherent in human movements. Next place predictions are the atomic units in constructing end-to-end user mobility trajectories based on historical trace data. We make next place predictions by recognizing and utilizing periodicity in user mobility traces. We start with a baseline of the user's current place, start time, and end time to predict the next place. We demonstrate the efficiency of our algorithms through aggregated average prediction accuracies across all users over a large set of diverse participants. We improve these predictions through existing semantic information in the trace data sets, deduced place semantics, and other temporal considerations from the trace data.
Impact of Ranch and Market Factors on an Index of Agricultural Holding Period Returns

This article is the winner of the Agricultural Real Estate Investment manuscript prize (sponsored by Hancock Agricultural Investment) presented at the 1999 American Real Estate Society Annual Meeti...
Modification of Bacteriophage φ25 Adsorption to Bacillus subtilis by Concanavalin A

Abstract The phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A (Con A), interacts specifically and reversibly with the α-d-glucose-substituted polyglycerol phosphate teichoic acids of Bacillus subtilis 168. Teichoic acids from nonglucosylated strains (mutants resistant to phage 25) interact weakly, if at all, with Con A. Prior treatment of glucosylated cell walls with Con A results in a concentration-dependent inhibition of phage 25 adsorption. The inhibition of adsorption to glucosylated cell walls occurs immediately upon the formation of the Con A-cell wall complex and is reversed upon dissociation of the complex by addition of α-methyl glucose. Examination of the interaction between Con A and whole cells, cell walls, or wall digests from glucosylated (phage-sensitive) and non-glucosylated (phage-resistant) strains further demonstrates the specificity of the reaction. A conditional phage 25-resistant mutant only forms complexes with Con A when grown under permissive conditions.
The Process of Capturing Innovation

Due to the sheer number of market analysis tools available, no standard strategic planning methodology has been consistently adopted. Businesses can quickly lose focus and become guilty of instilling ‘form-over-substance’ as they implement tools they don’t completely understand, or which they execute without understanding the relevance of the steps they are taking, nor where these steps fall within the overall strategic planning process. This paper addresses these shortcomings by defining an overarching process framework for leveraging innovative tools and techniques to develop strategies that result in competitive advantage. A highlight of the paper is a series of work flow diagrams that have been gradually decomposed into increasing levels of detail. They describe in complex terms a strategic planning process asserted to capture innovation. The result is a framework of detailed processes that businesses can use to capture innovative market strategies. Within this framework some key market analysis tools have been integrated to promote effective decision making. Altman’s Z-scores, Pareto’s rule, Trend analysis, SWOT analysis, environmental analysis, Ansoff’s matrix, PUV charts, customer value matrices, Gaussian life cycle curves, inflection analysis graphs, and several forms of slope analysis curves are relied on to estimate future market conditions. Sixteen figures have been incorporated into this paper to demonstrate how to use the recommended market analysis tools. The functions indicated in the work flow diagrams can be treated as a knowledge map used to store the information required for an organization’s innovation strategies. Organizing the information behind these strategies allows us to capture the innovation built into them.
Enabling Housing Cooperatives: Policy Lessons from Sweden, India and the United States

Housing cooperatives became active in urban areas in Sweden, India and the United States during the interwar period. Yet, after the second world war, while housing cooperatives grew phenomenally nationwide in Sweden and India, they did not do so in the United States. This article makes a comparative institutional analysis of the evolution of housing cooperatives in these three countries. The analysis reveals that housing cooperatives' relationship with the state and the consequent support structures explain the divergent evolution. Although the relationships between cooperatives and the state evolved over time, they can be characterized as embedded autonomy, overembeddedness and disembeddedness in Sweden, India and the United States respectively. Whereas the consequent support structures for housing cooperatives became well developed in Sweden and India, such structures have been weak in the United States. The article highlights the need for embedded autonomy and the need for supportive structures to enable the growth of housing cooperatives.
A Spline-Based Semiparametric Maximum Likelihood Estimation Method for the Cox Model with Interval-Censored Data

Abstract. We propose a spline-based semiparametric maximum likelihood approach to analysing the Cox model with interval-censored data. With this approach, the baseline cumulative hazard function is approximated by a monotone B-spline function. We extend the generalized Rosen algorithm to compute the maximum likelihood estimate. We show that the estimator of the regression parameter is asymptotically normal and semiparametrically efficient, although the estimator of the baseline cumulative hazard function converges at a rate slower than root-n. We also develop an easy-to-implement method for consistently estimating the standard error of the estimated regression parameter, which facilitates the proposed inference procedure for the Cox model with interval-censored data. The proposed method is evaluated by simulation studies regarding its finite sample performance and is illustrated using data from a breast cosmesis study.
Mechanism of cytokine stimulation of prostaglandin biosynthesis in human decidua

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanism of action of the cytokines tumor necrosis factory-alpha (TNF alpha) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) on the stimulation of prostaglandin (PG) production in human decidua.
Religious Fundamentalism: Cultural Concerns

Religious fundamentalisms, reactions to the real or perceived threats to religion, have appeared in many nations, societies, and religions. Not merely individual responses to change, fundamentalisms appear in cultural forms, which means that they cohere as assemblages of beliefs and behavior patterns that become instruments for dealing with change and assaults. The content of each fundamentalistic response will be distinctive since it takes its character from existing but differing religions, but forms and practices appear to have some common characteristics across the boundaries of the religions.
Uniform stability and performance in H/sub infinity /

Robust stability and performance analysis problems are considered for continuous-time single-input single-output plants in the H/sub infinity / setting. For a multiplicative uncertainty model, it is shown that well-known conditions for stability and performance are not necessary conditions. It is shown that there is no equivalence between the stability and performance problems. It is argued that stability of the M- Delta configuration is not always equivalent to robust stability. Uniform stability and uniform performance are considered and their relationship with each other is examined. >
Competition and the evolution of the capitalist mode of production

Any economic theory of capitalism must include some concept of competition. Through out the history of economic analysis theories of competition have served as the basis for systematising the fundamental forces at work in the capitalist economy. In particular, theories of price from the classical economists through to the present day have depended critically on the notion of factors seeking their highest reward, moving from areas of low returns to areas of high returns. Perfect competition is a particular theory of competition that arose only at the origin of neoclassical value theory in the late 19th century (Stigler, 1957). The concept of competition used by the classical economists and Marx did not require atomism of independent agents—the essential 'perfection' of perfect competition. With the develop ment of neoclassical price theory perfect competition was modified to imperfect com petition, in order to add realism to the analysis. Although imperfect competition was viewed at the time as being a significant improvement in the neoclassical theory, it did not really stand apart from perfect competition, which was seen as an ideal or 'bench mark', from which capitalist reality deviated to a greater or lesser degree as history unfolded. Many theorists, including one of the founders of imperfect competition herself, now recognise that imperfect competition has failed to rectify the fundamental weaknesses of neoclassical price theory (Robinson, 1933, preface to the 1969 edition). But some explicit remnants of imperfect competition are to be found in the indeterminacy of oligopoly theory and the cost plus or 'degree of monopoly' models of price behaviour. Another remnant of imperfect competition remains, however : the vision of capitalist development implicit in the evolution of neoclassical theory from perfect to imperfect competition. It is only under conditions of perfect competition that competition freely reigns in the neoclassical system. The development of oligopolistic markets which has occurred with the concentration of capital is, within the context of neoclassical theory, proof that capitalism has become less competitive over time. In this essay I shall argue that this perception of capitalist development, which is also espoused by many non neoclassical economists, is false, and that the neoclassical theory of price and the theory
Therapeutic Targeting of Circulating Tumor Cells: An Important Problem That Deserves Careful Study

In cancer research, the discovery and study of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have seemed to open a world of possibilities. We now have the potential to gain cellular and molecular understanding of individual cases of metastatic cancer without invasive procedures. This area of research is, however, not without some basic pitfalls. In this commentary, we address some of these pitfalls by considering two recent examples in the published literature and discuss ways to overcome their limitations with the hope of informing those who may be entering the growing field of CTC research. Careful research design should always be followed to prevent incomplete or misleading studies from entering the literature, and thereby avoid setting back this burgeoning field.
A Comparison of Classical, Item Response, and Generalizability Theories of Measurement

This article compares important concepts from Classical Measurement Theory, Item Response Theory, and Generalizability Theory. A brief, somewhat technical overview of each of these measurement theories is given. Important conceptual and technical similarities and differences between each of these theories are then noted. Several hundred responses on Hudson's Generalized Contentment Scale are analyzed using each of these measurement theories and the results used to illustrate concepts from, and similarities and differences between, each of these theories.
Synthesis of dual-band microwave duplexers

In this paper a synthesis procedure for duplexers that can work simultaneously at two different frequency bands is presented. The proposed method typically works well for duplexers with narrow bandwidths and allows flexibility for the designers to achieve desired return loss levels at different frequencies. Non-resonanting node (NRN) based dual-band duplexers are then investigated using the proposed synthesis technique.
Colonic diverticulosis in the aged.

: Colonic diverticulosis, a common disorder in the elderly, may have life-threatening complications, e.g., diverticulitis, hemorrhage or obstruction. Important causative factors in diverticulosis are high intraluminal pressure and weakness of the colonic muscular wall. A high-residue rather than a low-residue diet may be preferable in treatment and prevention. Psyllium-seed hydrophilic mucilloid bulking agents are useful in therapy. Anticholinergic medication may be used if the patient has symptoms or fluoroscopy shows colonic spasm. Morphine, which induces high intracolonic pressure, should never be used. Surgery is rarely indicated if there are no complications.
Significance of the enzymatic properties of yeast S39A enolase to the catalytic mechanism

The S39A mutant of yeast enolase (isozyme 1), prepared by site-directed mutagenesis, has a relative Vmax of 0.01% and an activation constant for Mg2+ ca. 10-fold higher, compared with native enzyme. It is correctly folded. There is little effect of solvent viscosity on activity. We think that the loop Ser36-His43 fails to move to the 'closed' position upon catalytic Mg2+ binding, weakening several electrostatic interactions involved in the mechanism.
A software cost model with error removal times and risk costs

A cost model subject to times to remove errors in the software system and risk cost due to software failure is developed. A software reliability model based on the non-homogeneous Poisson process is used. The optimal release policies to minimize the expected total software cost are discussed. A software is also developed using Excel and Visual Basic tools to facilitate the task of determining the optimal software release time. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the results.
Terahertz photo-conductive antenna array power scaling simulations

In this paper, measurements for multiple photoconductive switch arrays have been performed using an accurate and efficient finite element method for the second order wave equation using mass lumped basis functions. These simulations confirm the ability of an array of photoconductive antennas to increase the output power even with slight time delays in the current density source. Future work includes antenna geometry variations and the inclusion of a carrier dynamics solver for more accurate system power measurements.
Human valacyclovir hydrolase/biphenyl hydrolase-like protein is a highly efficient homocysteine thiolactonase.

Homocysteinylation of lysine residues by homocysteine thiolactone (HCTL), a reactive homocysteine metabolite, results in protein aggregation and malfunction, and is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular, autoimmune and neurological diseases. Human plasma paraoxonase-1 (PON1) and bleomycin hydrolase (Blmh) have been reported as the physiological HCTL detoxifying enzymes. However, the catalytic efficiency of HCTL hydrolysis by Blmh is low and not saturated at 20 mM HCTL. The catalytic efficiency of PON1 for HCTL hydrolysis is 100-fold lower than that of Blmh. A homocysteine thiolactonase (HCTLase) was purified from human liver and identified by mass spectrometry (MS) as the previously described human biphenyl hydrolase-like protein (BPHL). To further characterize this newly described HCTLase activity, BPHL was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. The sequence of the recombinant BPHL (rBPHL) and hydrolytic products of the substrates HCTL and valacyclovir were verified by MS. We found that the catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) of rBPHL for HCTL hydrolysis was 7.7 × 104 M−1s−1, orders of magnitude higher than that of PON1 or Blmh, indicating a more significant physiological role for BPHL in detoxifying HCTL.
Computer simulation of biological models using the Inners approach.

Abstract The “Inners” approach is introduced and utilized to develop a criterion that determines the capability of a linear model to approximate a physical system. The technique essentially involves the determination of the class of physical systems which includes the particular mechanism of interest, the quantification of system characteristics of linear models in this class using the roots of associated transfer functions, the development of a region in the complex plane which encompasses these roots, and the utilization of Inners method using a computer algorithm to determine whether the model of the system of interest has its roots within the region. The merit of this approach is that it is an immediate and inexpensive means of determining the accuracy of a model prior to extensive simulation of a possible faulty model. The particular class of systems of interest here are the neuromuscular control mechanisms. Model of muscle, versional and vergence eye tracking, accommodation, the pupil light reflex, the semicircular canals, the vestibular system and the hand will be discussed. The roots of these models will determine a region in the complex plane which describe the characteristics of these systems. A model of vergence eye tracking mechanism will be briefly mentioned; it is shown that the Inners approach and simulation both predict the validity of this model. A specific model for the saccadic eye movement mechanism will be proposed and the Inner's approach will predict the inaccuracies of this model. Subsequent simulation will support the conclusions of the Inner method.
Ventricular Assist Devices (VAD) Therapy: New Technology, New Hope?

Ventricular assist devices are commonly utilized in the treatment of end-stage heart failure. Advances in continuous flow technology have improved efficiency, size, implantability, extended support, and overall patient outcomes. This has led to an expanded role of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) clinical use and applications. This review describes the advances and current state of LVAD devices and provides a future outlook for this technology.
The Organization of Foraging in the Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta

Although natural selection in ants acts most strongly at the colony, or superorganismal level, foraging patterns have rarely been studied at that level, focusing instead on the behavior of individual foragers or groups of foragers. The experiments and observations in this paper reveal in broad strokes how colonies of the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), allocate their available labor to foraging, how they disperse that force within their territory, and how this force changes with colony size, season and worker age. Territory area is positively related to colony size and the number of foragers, more so during the spring than fall. Changes of colony size and territory area are driven by seasonal variation of sexual and worker production, which in turn drive seasonal variation of worker age-distribution. During spring sexual production, colonies shrink because worker production falls below replacement. This loss is proportional to colony size, causing forager density in the spring to be negatively related to colony and territory size. In the fall, colonies emphasize worker production, bringing colony size back up. However, because smaller colonies curtailed spring worker production less than larger ones, their fall forager populations are proportionally greater, causing them to gain territory at the expense of large colonies. Much variation of territory area remains unexplained and can probably be attributed to pressure from neighboring colonies. Boundaries between territories are characterized by “no ants' zones” mostly devoid of fire ants. The forager population can be divided into a younger group of recruitable workers that wait for scouts to activate them to help retrieve large food finds. About one-third of the recruits wait near openings in the foraging tunnels that underlie the entire territory, while two-thirds wait in the nest. Recruitment to food is initially very rapid and local from the foraging tunnels, while sustained recruitment gradually involves the recruits waiting in the nest. As recruits age, they become scouts searching for food on the surface, and die about two weeks later. Foraging tunnels decrease in cross-sectional area with distance from the nest, in keeping with the gradual bleeding off of workers to the surface with distance. Foragers lack route-faithfulness, and having been marked and released at one point within the territory, they can be recaptured at any other point a day later. The size of the territory actually occupied may be limited during dry weather, resulting in very large no-ants' zones.
A Dynamic Programming Model of Fractional Flows with Application to Maintenance and Replacement Problems

This paper studies a deterministic dynamic programming model of fractional flows in an n-sector system, characterizing its solutions under general conditions, and developing algorithms for their computation. The calculations that the latter entail are not much more difficult than those needed for an n-state Markovian decision process in certain restrictive cases, the model is “isomorphic” to an n-state MDP. Some of our results extend to a stochastic model as a “certainty equivalence.” Applications include a maintenance/replacement/sales model, a manpower retention model that extends Flynn Flynn, J. 1970. Linear Production Models with Incentives: A Dynamic Programming Approach. Ph.D. dissertation, University of California, Berkeley; Flynn, J. 1975. Retaining productive units: A dynamic programming model with a good steady state solution. Management Sci.21 753--764., Grinold-Stanford Grinold, R., R. Stanford. 1974. Optimal control of a graded manpower system. Management Sci.8 1201--1216. and Stanford Stanford, R. 1976. Analytical solution of a dynamic transaction. Math. Programming10 214--229., and a constrained version of Pliska's Pliska, S. 1976. Optimization of multitype branching processes. Management Sci.23 117--124. branching model.
Parameter sweeps for exploring GP parameters

This paper describes our procedure and a software application for conducting large parameter sweep experiments in genetic and evolutionary computation research. Both procedure and software allows a researcher to examine multivariate nonlinearities that are common in genetic and evolutionary computation. Experiments of this nature are well suited to distributed computing environments (such as Grids and clusters) and we present an automated system for conducting parameter sweep experiments on heterogeneous networks. Emphasis is placed on experimental sampling, distributed robustness, and data analysis. The parameter sweep experimental procedure is easily applicable to any experiment involving computer simulations but is particularly well suited for evolutionary computation experiments.
The evolving ethics of infant dialysis

In this paper, we review ethical issues that arise when families and doctors face clinical decisions about renal replacement therapy for an infant with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Over the last 20 years, many centers have begun to routinely offer renal replacement therapy. However, doctors and nurses both continue to view such therapy as optional, rather than mandatory. We speculate that the burdens of therapy on the family, and the uncertainties about satisfactory outcomes have led to a situation in which renal replacement therapy remains desirable, but non-obligatory. We discuss the reasons why this is likely to remain so, and the ways in which renal replacement therapy for infants with ESRD is similar to, or different from, other clinical situations in pediatrics. Finally, we propose a research agenda to answer questions that are crucial to making good ethical decisions about infant dialysis.
Efficient vertical-cavity lasers

Recent experimental and theoretical results from strained InGaAs/GaAs quantum-well vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers indicate that relatively high-power, efficient devices are possible. On 10 μm square devices cw output powers of more than 3mW at room temperature and 0.4 mW at 100°C are observed. Broad-area, 100 μm diameter devices gave pulsed outputs of over 0.5 W and 60 μm diameter devices provided more than 12 mW cw. The device parameters have been modelled and found to be consistent with theoretical predictions. The results generally indicate that considerable device improvements are still possible by reducing internal losses, series resistance and voltage and improving heat sinking. With current internal loss levels ∼ 30 cm−1, three InGaAs quantum-wells have been found to be optimum.