cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reach-to-grasp movements during obstacle avoidance

The transport and grip components are two controlled components of a prehensile movement. These components are coordinated so that objects of varying size and shape resting in diverse locations can be grasped easily. It has been suggested that the timing between these two components is a specified parameter, although the origin of such timing is unknown. The present study examines the interdependency of the reach and grasp components when the transport component is modified by placing an obstacle of varying height (9 cm and 11 cm) in the hand path between the starting position and the target object location. Subjects were asked to reach over a Plexiglas barrier and grasp a 2-cm dowel. To reach the object, the subject had to elevate the hand. At issue in this experiment is whether changes in hand path trajectory caused by obstacle avoidance produce corresponding changes in the kinematics of grip aperture. The findings showed that reaching in the presence of an obstacle resulted in the prolongation of most transport component time parameters except peak acceleration and a few amplitude parameters. Changes in the transport component also produced systematic prolongation in all time parameters of grip kinematics, including grip closure time. Temporal prolongation was also reflected in a significant decrease in grip opening and closing velocity; only relative time-to-peak closing velocity was maintained. Closure distance and maximum grip aperture were smaller for the obstacle conditions. Together with the observed smaller variability for the distance to peak aperture, these findings suggest that spatial localization of the hand aperture is an important prehensile movement control feature. Parameterization processes for the grip component are closely linked to those of the transport component, and their organization appears to be interdependent.
A Comparison of Short and Medium Range Statistical Forecasting Methods

Exponential Smoothing, Moving Average, and Least Squares forecasting models were tested by simulating their operation on seven years of actual data for various sewing machine product groups. The relative accuracy of the forecasts varied according to the length of the period being forecasted and the characteristics of the data. Tests were also conducted on synthetic series designed to isolate the cyclical, trend and noise components. For the series tested, the Exponential Smoothing and Moving Average methods were about equal in overall performance for intermediate range forecasts next six months' demand. For the short range next month's demand, the Exponential Smoothing gave slightly better over-all results. The difference in relative performance between the Exponential Smoothing and Moving Average methods for intermediate versus short range forecasts appears to be due to a subcomponent identified as “caused noise.”
The European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, French Language Laws, and National Identity

The European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, a treaty emanating from the Council of Europe, is part of the increasing body of linguistic human rights law in Europe. However, since this kind of law typically consists of principles rather than legally binding rules, its effects are different in each country. Through an analysis of French, Council of Europe, and European Union legal texts, this paper argues that although France did not ratify the Charter, regional or minority languages are increasingly taken into account in French language laws and language policies. However, this recognition is mostly symbolic: ultimately, regional or minority languages participate in emerging definitions of France as a diverse, multilingual nation, thus reflecting the construction of a new, multicultural European identity.
Liganded and Unliganded Steroid Receptor Modulation of Beta 1 Adrenergic Receptor Gene Transcription

The classical model of gene regulation by hormones involves a hormone-bound receptor interacting with a DNA response element to increase or decrease gene transcription. Steroid hormone regulation more commonly involves atypical cis-elements, co-receptors, accessory proteins, and unique modes of interaction on different genes. The thyroid hormone and retinoic acid receptors belong to the super family of steroid nuclear receptors and may modify gene expression even in the absence of ligand binding. In these studies, we characterized thyroid receptor- and retinoic acid receptor-mediated regulation of beta1 adrenergic receptor (beta1AR) gene expression. Using cloned fragments of the ovine beta1AR in a luciferase reporter vector, we examined the effects of thyroid receptor and retinoic acid receptor, alone and in combination with T3 or retinoic acid on beta1AR expression. We examined expression in SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells, CV-1 fibroblasts, and, in neonatal rat, primary cardiomyocytes. We demonstrated that even in the absence of ligand binding, thyroid receptor and retinoic acid receptor can significantly increase beta1AR transcription activity. This effect is important in the developmental transition in beta1AR expression during fetal and postnatal life.
Response of the Female Southern Green Stink Bug and Its Parasite, Trichopoda pennipes, to Male Stink Bug Pheromones

Data are presented to support the theory that male Nezara viridula (L.) produce a pheromone that is highly attractive to females of the same species and to the tachinid parasite Trichopoda pennipes (F.). Laboratory studies with a “Y” tube olfactometer showed 60% of the virgin female stink bugs responding to the males within I hour. Virgin female stink bugs released in large outdoor screened cages were attracted to confined unmated male stink bugs. Field studies with sticky-board traps using caged male stink bugs as an attractant captured 1 ♂ and 4 ♀ stink bugs and 14♂ and 113 ♀ parasites within a 12• or 13-day exposure period. Dissections of the female stink bugs indicated they were young virgins and that the female parasites had mated. Female stink bugs, copulating-pairs and 5th-stage nymphs, were not so attractive to the female parasite as male stink bugs. Field collections of parasitized bugs had significantly higher numbers of tachinid eggs on the males. Parasitism of males in 2 experimental areas was 72.1 and 68.1% and for females in the same areas 68.1 and 38.5%.
Modeling temporal phenomena in variable environments with parametric models: An application to migrating salmon

Timing phenomena are integral to many ecological processes but are difficult to analyze due to the unique nature of timing data and because environmental conditions and behavior can vary during the observation period. We demonstrated methods, based on parametric hazard-rate modeling, to analyze “time-to-event” data under time-varying conditions. We developed routines in R to apply parametric models, based on the exponential, Weibull, and modified Weibull distributions, to time-to-event data. We applied the models to data on the time for migrating adult salmonids to successfully pass a hydroelectric dam. The model captured pronounced diel behavior and the effects of time-varying covariates river flow, spill, and water temperature on passage times. The methods we demonstrated have potential application to a broad range of ecological questions.
Ambipolar diffusion drifts and dynamos in turbulent gases

Ambipolar drift in turbulent fluids are considered. Using mean-field electrodynamics, a two-scale theory originally used to study hydromagnetic dynamos, it is shown that magnetic fields can be advected by small-scale magnetosonic (compressional) turbulence or generated by Alfvenic (helical) turbulence. A simple dynamo theory is made and is compared with standard theories in which dissipation is caused by turbulent diffusion. The redistribution of magnetic flux in interstellar clouds is also discussed.
Regulation of trespin expression by modulators of cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis in prostatic epithelial cells

We recently identified a novel rat ov-serpin, Trespin, which inhibits the trypsin-like serine proteinase plasmin and is expressed in several tissues, including prostate. In this report Trespin expression was studied in prostatic cell lines, NRP-152, NRP-154, and DP-153, derived from the Lobund-Wistar rat. Northern blots revealed Trespin mRNA is expressed in NRP-152 and DP-153 basal epithelial cell lines but not in the luminal line, NRP-154. Similarly, Trespin levels drop >30-fold following transdifferentiation of NRP-152 cells toward a luminal variant, further suggesting Trespin expression is specific for basal prostatic epithelial cells. Trespin expression in NRP-152 cells is up-regulated by dexamethasone (Dex) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), each of which stimulate growth and prevent differentiation and apoptosis. However, Dex (alone) facilitates loss of Trespin by TGF-beta, yet enhances the ability of LR(3)-IGF-I to reverse such loss, similar to the pattern of apoptosis induced by TGF-beta. Likewise, several apoptosis inducers markedly decrease Trespin mRNA levels. HEK293 cells stably overexpressing Trespin display increased cell proliferation and partial resistance to growth inhibition and phosphorylation of c-Jun induced by the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). Together these data strongly suggest that Trespin has critical functions tied to the regulation of growth, differentiation, and apoptosis of prostatic epithelial cells.
Hardy nonlocality via few-body fragmentation imaging

We consider a detection of pair of recoiling reaction fragments, each by its own interferometer, to demonstrate Hardy's contradiction between quantum mechanics and local hidden variables. Our interferometry is based on momentum entanglement and is independent of the identity and internal state of the fragments.
Microstructural Effects on Thermal Conductivity of Uranium Oxide: A 3D Multi-Physics Simulation

Transport mechanisms, such as mass and heat transfer, are critical to the efficiency and the reliability of nuclear fuels such as uranium oxide. These properties can be significantly affected by the microstructure of the material. This paper looks into the effects of grain boundary (GB) Kapitza resistance on the overall heat conductivity of UO2 using a 3-D finite element model with microstructurally explicit information. The model developed is created with a 3-D reconstruction of the microstructure of depleted uranium samples performed using serial sectioning techniques with Focused Ion Beam (FIB) and Electron Backscattering Diffraction (EBSD). The model treats grain bulks, GBs and triple junctions using elements of different dimensionalities, and it is thus capable of incorporating information of all three entities in one model while keeping a manageable computational cost. Furthermore, the properties of these microstructural entities are characterized by misorientation angles and Coincident Site Lattice (CSL) models, which provide a framework to assign spatially dependent thermal and mass transfer properties based on the location and connectivity of these entities in actual microstructures. Coupling between heat transfer and mass transfer of fission products is also taken into account in the study, to make it a multi-physics model capable of following the evolution of thermal performance as fission products are produced. These simulations can provide input and insight into the fuel pellet behaviors at the initial stage of power generation when burnups are low.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Wicking: A Rapid Method for Manually Inserting Ion Channels into Planar Lipid Bilayers

The planar lipid bilayer technique has a distinguished history in electrophysiology but is arguably the most technically difficult and time-consuming method in the field. Behind this is a lack of experimental consistency between laboratories, the challenges associated with painting unilamellar bilayers, and the reconstitution of ion channels into them. While there has be a trend towards automation of this technique, there remain many instances where manual bilayer formation and subsequent membrane protein insertion is both required and advantageous. We have developed a comprehensive method, which we have termed “wicking”, that greatly simplifies many experimental aspects of the lipid bilayer system. Wicking allows one to manually insert ion channels into planar lipid bilayers in a matter of seconds, without the use of a magnetic stir bar or the addition of other chemicals to monitor or promote the fusion of proteoliposomes. We used the wicking method in conjunction with a standard membrane capacitance test and a simple method of proteoliposome preparation that generates a heterogeneous mixture of vesicle sizes. To determine the robustness of this technique, we selected two ion channels that have been well characterized in the literature: CLIC1 and α-hemolysin. When reconstituted using the wicking technique, CLIC1 showed biophysical characteristics congruent with published reports from other groups; and α-hemolysin demonstrated Type A and B events when threading single stranded DNA through the pore. We conclude that the wicking method gives the investigator a high degree of control over many aspects of the lipid bilayer system, while greatly reducing the time required for channel reconstitution.
Plant Morphogenesis: A Role for Mechanical Signals

The current paradigm for plant morphogenesis dictates that cortical microtubules serve as a template for the assembly of the cellulosic wall which, in turn, controls cell expansion. A new study provides direct evidence that tissue-level tension can serve as a mechanical signal to align cortical microtubules, thus establishing a critical feedback mechanism for the morphogenetic process.
Pathways database system: an integrated set of tools for biological pathways

During the next phase of the Human Genome Project, research will focus on functional studies of attributing functions to genes, their regulatory elements, and other DNA sequences. To facilitate the use of genomic information in such studies, a new modeling perspective is needed to examine and study genome sequences in the context of many kinds of biological information. Pathways are the logical format for modeling and presenting such information in a manner that is familiar to biological researchers. In this paper we present an integrated system, called Pathways Database System, with a set of software tools for modeling, storing, analyzing, visualizing, and querying biological pathways data at different levels of genetic, molecular, biochemical and organismal detail. The novel features of the system include: a) genomic information integrated with other biological data and presented from a pathway, rather than from the DNA sequence, perspective; b) design for biologists who are possibly unfamiliar with genomics, but whose research is essential for annotating gene and genome sequences with biological functions; c) database design, implementation and graphical tools which enable users to visualize pathways data in multiple abstraction levels, and to pose predetermined queries; and d) an implementation that allows for web(XML)-based dissemination of query outputs (i.e., pathways data) to researchers in the community, giving them control on the use of pathways data.
Numerical computation of electric arc with annular attachment on the cathode butt end

The results of computing a stationary arc with annular attachment on the butt end of a solid cylindrical cathode are presented. The influence of the discharge external parameters on the characteristics of arc plasma and the anode thermal state are considered.
EBT stability theory

Abstract The theory of unfavorable curvature-driven instabilities is developed for a plasma interacting with a hot electron ring whose drift frequencies are larger than the growth rates predicted from conventional magnetohydrodynamic theory. A Z-pinch model is used to emphasize the radial structure of the problem. Stability criteria are obtained for the five possible modes of instability: The conventional hot electron interchange, a high-frequency hot electron interchange (at frequencies larger than the ion-cyclotron frequency), a magnetic compressional instability, a background pressure-driven interchange, and an interacting pressure-driven interchange. The effect of F.L.R. stabilization on the low-frequency modes (less than the ion-cyclotron frequency) will be discussed.
Growth of Wheeler Ridge anticline, California: geomorphic evidence for fault-bend folding behaviour during earthquakes

Abstract Unique landforms, which we term fold-growth terraces and alluvial fan ridges, are interpreted to be produced by kink-band migration of the front limb of Wheeler Ridge anticline, an active fault-bend fold in the southern San Joaquin Valley. Based on a folding-related model, these features form by onlap of alluvium across an active axial surface along the tip of a thrust-wedge structure. Alluvial fan ridges record the sense of slip on the underlying blind thrust, which is composed of both thrust and left-lateral components. Our model predicts formation of fold-growth terraces by upward propagation of an active axial surface through onlapped alluvium during a folding ‘event’ to produce a prism of translated but otherwise undeformed sediment. Alternative hypotheses for the terraces include flexural slip faulting, solifluction and erosive processes. The width of fold limb between adjacent terraces is equivalent to fault displacement at depth, which we interpret to be related to slip caused by earthquakes on the underlying blind thrust. Earthquake magnitudes derived from the terraces are much larger than expected for the length of the active fold and thrust belt, and may indicate a kinematic link with the San Andreas fault that drives shortening in the region.
Materials Science Research to Open Doors for Economically Disadvantaged High School Students: The ACS Project SEED Program at Clark Atlanta University

The Center for Functional Nanoscale Materials (CFNM), an NSF Center for Research Excellence in Science and Technology, at Clark Atlanta University has partnered with ACS (American Chemical Society) Project SEED. The ACS project SEED program is recognized nationally as providing hands-on research opportunities to disadvantaged high school students who historically lack exposures to scientific careers. The University is a minority serving institution (MSI) and has an excellent relationship with Atlanta area school systems, which serve the African American community. Students entering their junior and senior years in high school were selected based on their academic performance, an essay and letters of recommendation for participation the Center’s eight week summer nanoscholar Program. Professors served as advisors and/or mentors and graduate students and doctoral fellows served as mentors. The Program included a variety of enrichment activities. All summer nanoscholars had personal research projects that were integral to the research programs of their advisors, and they presented their work in the form of a symposium at the end of the Program. We have completed three summers as an ACS Project SEED site. So far we have had one SEED scholar submit a major manuscript, two were invited to present at ACS National Meetings and one was awarded an eight year Gates-Millennium fellowship. Evaluation of the project strongly suggests that our approach is effective for opening doors for the economically disadvantaged students and tapping the best and the brightest for careers in the sciences and engineering. In the words of one of our young scholars “I realized that research is a continuous learning process. You can never know everything. Even a professor has credentials but they’re still continuing to learn”.
LOW-FREQUENCY BEHAVIOR OF TURBULENCE FLUCTUATIONS AT MOUNT WILSON OBSERVATORY

Measurements and analysis of large-scale turbulent irregularities in the atmosphere are reported. Results were obtained from precision measurement of atmospheric temperature fluctuations at 24 and 70 feet above ground for a variety of wind velocities at the Mount Wilson Observatory. Measurements were made as wind blew air past detectors, at frequencies of 0.01-10 Hz, corresponding to distances in the atmosphere between about 1 and 250 m. Analysis shows that large-scale turbulences fit the Greenwood-Tarazano model well, and notably better than the von Karman model of turbulence.
A behavioral seal: An apparatus alternative to behavioral observation of thumbsucking

An apparatus alternative to the behavioral observation of thumbsucking is offered which eliminates many of the problems inherent in the latter. A description of construction and procedural use is provided, in addition to specific research and intervention possibilities that allow for more reliable and efficient data collection and treatment of thumbsucking.
Repeatability and prediction from a telephone questionnaire measuring diet and activity level in cats.

Abstract A telephone questionnaire was developed to collect information on diet, activity level, and health as part of a prior study examining long-term outcome of early-age vs. traditional-age gonadectomy in cats. The objectives of our current study were to measure the repeatability of the questionnaire through time, to describe changes in diet and activity level over a period of 1–2 years, and to determine whether current diet and activity level characteristics might influence owner ability to recall past information. A total of 100 previously interviewed cat owners completed the second administration of the telephone questionnaire. The interval between the first and second administration of the questionnaire ranged from 0.5 to 2.6 years (median=1.5 years). Owners answered multiple-choice questions related to activity level, appetite, body condition, diet type and brand (open-ended), frequency of feeding, indoor/outdoor status, and time spent outdoors. All variables measured in the questionnaire were analyzed using kappa and a 95% confidence interval. Agreement between the original and current interviews was poor for questions referring to activity level, appetite, body condition, type and brand of treats fed, and table scraps. Agreement was moderate for questions referring to brand of dry and canned foods fed, frequency of feeding, and time spent outdoors. Agreement was high for questions referring to whether dry and canned foods were fed and indoor/outdoor status. Change over time as assessed by kappa was moderate-to-high for all variables measured with the exception of whether dry diet was fed and indoor/outdoor status. Recall of all variables that changed appeared to be at least moderately influenced by current characteristics.
Sterols: Tritium-labeling and selective oxidations

Abstract Evidence is presented which shows that in the preparation of radiolabeled cholesterol and other Δ5-sterols via the technique of tritium exchange-labeling of keto steroids and their subsequent conversion to sterol, 3H is introduced primarily into positions 2 and 6 ([2,2,4.6-3H]-cholest-5-en-3β-ol) rather than exclusively at 2 and 4 as the literature claims. The stoppered-vial method using sodium methoxide versus column using basic alumina was the preferred method of labeling. It gave labeled keto steroids of reproducible specific activity indicative of the number of exchangeable protons. Because the initial oxidation step is critical to the preparation of 3H-sterols especially on the small scale, four common oxidants: pyridinium chlorochromate (Corey reagent), silver carbonate on Celite (Fetizon reagent), aluminum isopropoxide (modified Oppenhauer reagent) and chromic acid (Jones reagent) were compared using as starting materials, cholesterol, cholest-8-en-3β-ol, ergosterol, 24-methylenecholesterol, 24(25)-dihydrolanosterol, lanosterol, sitosterol and stigmasterol. The effectiveness of the oxidant was markedly influenced by the molecular features of the sterol.
The arthritis severity locus Cia5d is a novel genetic regulator of the invasive properties of synovial fibroblasts.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common chronic autoimmune diseases. RA affects ~1% of the population and is commonly associated with disability and deformities (1,2). RA is a complex trait with a significant genetic contribution to disease susceptibility and severity (1). The basic joint pathology in RA is characterized by pronounced synovial hyperplasia, which is also called pannus. Pannus produces several proinflammatory cytokines and proteases and, like a malignant tumor, invades and destroys cartilage and bone (2–4). Complex cell–cell interactions (5,6), paracrine and autocrine factors such as cytokines and growth factors (7,8), NF-κB (9), and angiogenesis (10) are involved in pannus formation. Synovial fibroblasts, also called fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), have been considered key players in this process, and their numbers are significantly increased in the hyperplastic synovial pannus of patients with RA and in rodent models of arthritis (2). RA FLS invade cartilage (11) and produce increased amounts of several proteolytic enzymes that further contribute to joint destruction (3,4). The invasive properties of RA FLS have also been studied in vitro and associated with radiographic damage in RA, under-scoring their direct clinical relevance (12). Nonetheless, the regulation of the invasive properties of FLS remains incompletely understood. We have been working with unique congenic strains generated between arthritis-susceptible DA rats and arthritis-resistant F344 and ACI rats studied for pristane-induced arthritis (PIA) (13–15). In these congenic strains, a significantly milder form of arthritis develops, and normal joint architecture is preserved, with nearly no synovial hyperplasia and no cartilage or bone erosions (14,15). These observations led us to hypothesize that arthritis susceptibility and severity genes located within quantitative trait loci could modulate disease via regulation of the invasive properties of synovial pannus and, more specifically, of FLS. This study is the first to provide evidence that the invasive properties of FLS are genetically regulated. We further implicate the arthritis quantitative trait locus Cia5d in the control of FLS invasion via regulation of the production of soluble membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) and MMP-2 activation.
The roentgenkymogram in myocardial infarction

Abstract Characteristic abnormalities in left ventricular pulsation as recorded roentgenkymographically in 200 cases of myocardial infarction were as follows: 1. (1) Localized diminution or absence of pulsation. 2. (2) Complete systolic expansion or paradoxical pulsation. 3. (3) Partial systolic expansion, indicated by expansion early in systole or a delay in the completion of systole. 4. (4) Marked diastolic splintering. These changes are found in cases of either recent or old infarction. In cases of recent infarction, even slight irregularities and diminution of pulsation may be of significance. These changes were found in 75 per cent of our cases of myocardial infarction, and are likely to be permanent, although progression and regression have been noted often. A persistently normal kymogram does not exclude the possibility of myocardial infarction. In most cases abnormalities appear within three weeks of the attack, if they appear at all, but occasionally characteristic changes do not appear for several months. Characteristic roentgenkymographic findings usually permit one to make the diagnosis of myocardial infarction secondary to coronary artery occlusion.
A Multilayer Integration Technique for Low-loss, Low-crosstalk Interconnects and Circuits for RF Silicon MMICs

This paper reports our latest progress in developing the Silicon/Metal/Polyimide (SIMPOL) architecture for high-performance RF interconnects. This 3D MMIC process utilizes polyimide for an interlayer dielectric on low-resistivity CMOS-grade silicon substrates. The SIMPOL structure exhibits low noise-crosstalk (<?80dB up to 18GHz and <?40dB up to 50GHz) along with excellent insertion loss (<?0.25dB/mm up to 45GHz). A branch line coupler was implemented and a bandpass filter was designed at 37 GHz using the SIMPOL process. The results demonstrate the multilayer capability, superior performance, and applicability of SIMPOL to advanced millimeter-wave wireless communication systems.
Antioxidation activity of tetrahydrobiopterin in pheochromocytoma PC 12 cells

Rat pheochromocytoma PC 12 cells are susceptible to the oxidative toxicity caused by H2O2, nitrofurantoin, dopamine, and xanthine/xanthine oxidase reaction. The cytotoxicities of these agents are greatly reduced by the simultaneous presence of 0.1 mM tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), 3 units/ml horseradish peroxidase, 0.2 mM NADH, and 0.1 units/ml sheep liver dihydropteridine reductase (DHPR). Individually, BH4, NADH and DHPR have no protection against H2O2 toxicity in PC 12 cells. Peroxidase alone offers 58% of protection if cells are incubated in the medium but only 3% in Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline. The efficiency of the BH4-mediated antioxidation system in PC 12 cells is equal to or better than ascorbic acid and catalase, depending on the source of the reactive O2 species (ROS). The reactions responsible for the BH4-antioxidation system may consist of the non-enzymatic and the peroxidase-catalyzed reduction of H2O2 to H2O by BH4 and the regeneration of BH4 by DHPR using NADH as the cofactor. The components of this defence mechanism against ROS are all normal cellular constituents and are ubiquitous in nature. This DHPR-catalyzed redox cycling of BH4 may constitute an as yet little-known antioxidation system in mammalian cells.
Accuracy of Partial Trapnest Records: 1. Repeatability of Daily Egg Records

Abstract RESULTS pertaining to the accuracy of partial trapnest records have varied, depending on the type of partial trapping scheme employed, but generally have been favorable. Hays (1946) summarized previous work concerning the value of limited trapnesting in poultry breeding. The objective of this phase of the present study was to determine the accuracy of trapnesting 1, 2, 3, …, 6 days a week in estimating annual records and breeding values of hens which had been selected to the extent that each had five or more daughters which completed annual records. DATA The data were first year production records for White Leghorns at the Kimber Poultry Breeding Farm, Niles, California, during the period 1934–1940. Date of first egg, daily, monthly, and annual records (number of eggs laid during a 365 day period from date of first egg) for 403 dams and for each of the annual records …
A distributed task environment for teaching artificial intelligence with agents

It is not uncommon to teach Artificial Intelligence (AI) by asking students to implement agents that embody intelligent behavior. This helps students gain a fuller understanding of the many concepts taught in the course. There are two issues with this approach that deserve attention. First, students come into an AI course knowing how to program in different languages and having different levels of programming ability. Second, it's useful for the students to have a single task environment for all of the agents they program. A solution to both issues lies in a distributed system where the agents are clients communicating with a server that handles a configurable task environment. This allows the students to program their agents in any language and on any platform they desire, so long as they can communicate with the task environment server. If the task environment can be configured to provide additional levels of complexity and difficulty, this allows students to program at a level they are comfortable with. They can then challenge themselves by incorporating more advanced capabilities into their agents. This paper presents just such a distributed and configurable task environment that was developed for an undergraduate AI course.
THERMOLUMINESCENCE AND STYLE IN THE AUTHENTICATION OF CERAMIC SCULPTURE FROM OAXACA, MEXICO

Oaxacan urns, the most characteristic esthetic expression of Zapotec culture in ancient Mesoamerica, are an important potential source of information for archaeologists and art historians, but relatively few exist with specific archaeological context and many are suspect as forgeries. This paper reports the thermoluminescent authenticity determinations of over one hundred Oaxacan urns as a first step toward confirmining a sequence previously determined by stylistic analysis. We tested a collection of 117 urns on loan to the St Louis Art Museum, mostly acquired after 1960, and another group of 6 from the Peabody Museum, Harvard, acquired before 1930. Our hypothesis that more recent collections would contain fewer forgeries was confirmed and a number of stylistic criteria for determining authenticity are critically examined in the light of the results.
Construction of antisense RNA expression vectors and correction of splicing defect in human β-globin gene (IVS-2-654 C→T mutant) in HeLa cells

The antisense fragments, which were available inin vitro system, were cloned into the mammalian expression vector pcDNA3, and were transfected into H654 cells, a mammalian cell line stably expressing the thalassaemic (IVS-2-654 C→T) human β-globin gene. In these transfected cells, the level of correctly spliced β-globin mRNA in total β-globin mRNA (β/(β + β*)) was improved from 0.07 (0 d) to 0.22 (3 d), and this effect persisted for up to 15 d post transfection. All the results demonstrated that antisense RNAs were able to be transcribed from the antisense fragment expression vectors stably and effectively suppressed aberrant splicing pattern of the mutated β-globin gene (IVS-2-654 C→T) and restored correct splicing pathway. This work provided a novel approach with potential clinical significance to gene therapy of this kind of splicing mutants including β-thalassaemia (IVS-2-654 C→T) by antisense RNAs.
The Size and Composition of the Buying Firm's Negotiation Team in Rebuys of Component Parts:

This manuscript reports the findings from a field study which focused on the buying firm’s negotiation team in one commonplace industrial purchase, the rebuy of a component part. The buying firm’s negotiators are described, and several variables hypothesized to affect the team’s size and functional composition are investigated. The results suggest a number of recommendations for marketers in terms of how they might tailor their approach to these negotiations.
Age and geomorphic history of Meteor Crater, Arizona, from cosmogenic 36Cl and 14C in rock varnish

Abstract Using cosmogenic 36 Cl buildup and rock varnish radiocarbon, we have measured the exposure age of rock surfaces at Meteor Crater, Arizona. Our 36 Cl measurements on four dolomite boulders ejected from the crater by the impact yield a mean age of 49.7 ± 0.85 ka, which is in excellent agreement with an average age of 49 ± 3 ka obtained from thermoluminescence studies on shock-metamorphosed dolomite and quartz. These ages are supported by undetectably low 14 C in the oldest rock varnish sample.
FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF TRANSLATIONAL SHELLS

Abstract A finite element procedure is presented for solving thin shell problems of arbitrary geometry and boundary conditions. The actual smoothly curved shell surface is approximated by the assemblage of flat triangular plate elements. A quadratic displacement function for the tangential displacements in the triangular element is assumed and the membrane stiffness is derived accordingly. A complete fourth order displacement function is used to derive the flexural stiffness of the triangular element. These higher order displacement functions, resulting in 27 generalized displacements, are used for the purpose of obtaining a more accurate solution to the stress conditions especially in the regions near supporting edge members for various doubly curved shells. The paper includes shells which are supported by edge beams or is stiffened by ribs. A beam type member is idealized as an assemblage of segments of straight beam elements. The twisting and axial stiffnesses, the eccentricity and the bending stiffness of the beam element are all considered.
Refining binomial confidence intervals

A method for refining an equivariant binomial confidence procedure is presented which, when applied to an existing procedure, produces a new set of equivariant intervals that are uniformly superior. The family of procedures generated from this method constitute a complete class within the class of all equivariant procedures. In certain cases it is shown that this class is also minimal complete. Also, an optimally property, monotone minimaxity, is investigated, and monotone minimax procedures are constructed.
Volumetric Filtering, Modeling and Visualization for Nano‐Medicine

The 3D structures of individual proteins or small complexes, such as most of the Protein Data Bank entries, are still unable to yield the ''full picture'' of a functional biological complex. The study of large macromolecular complexes, such as viruses, ion channels, the ribosome and other macromolecular machines of various types, offer more complete structural and functional description of the nano-machinery of life. In addition to x-ray crystallography. NMR spectroscopy, electron cryomicroscopy (cryoEM) imaging of single particles, and in-vivo molecular tomographic imaging has become indispensable at revealing the structures of large macromolecular complexes at subnanometer resolutions. In this talk, I shall describe some of the recent computational advances in filtering, modeling, analysis and visualization, that have propelled structure determination by cryoEM and tomographic imaging, to steadily increasing accuracy.
Characterizations and validations of novel antibodies toward translational research.

One of the most challenging issues in the post-genome era is to explore and understand the function of all proteins encoded by the genome of an organism. Advances in tissue-based proteomic profiling have led to the discovery of many candidate molecular biomarkers and therapeutic targets. For this reason, we have focused on the development and validation of antibodies to proteins associated with cancer. We developed a new antibody validation and characterization method that is systematic and high-throughput. This novel strategy is based on a novel protein array coupled with immunohistochemistry. In the first phase, we screened NCI60 panel of cell lines by means of protein array. Subsequently, we validated selected antibodies with the NCI60 cell microarray. In the final stage, we created a tissue-based protein expression map using multi-tumor tissue microarray. The success rate of this systematic antibody-screening tool, based on our antibody cohort to date, was 92.7% as measured by the results from the protein array. The present strategy of antibody validation and characterization provides a new tool for exploration of the human proteome.
Introduction to systems application architecture

Systems Application Architecture is a framework in which applications are developed so that they run consis-tently on major IBM computing systems. This paper presents the motivation and requirements for this framework and describes the main elements of its structure. It also discusses the effect on current processing technologies and on application development.
Recovery from UV-induced potentially lethal damage in systemic lupus erythematosus skin fibroblasts.

SummaryThe repair of ultraviolet light-induced potentially lethal damage was investigated in density-inhibited skin fibroblast cell strains derived from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. The effect of exposure to polychromatic ultraviolet light composed of environmentally relevant wavelengths or to the more commonly studied, short wavelength (254 nm) ultraviolet light was studied. Systemic lupus erythematosus cells, which are hypersensitive to ultraviolet light under growth promoting conditions, were able to repair potentially lethal damage as well as normal cells.
Observations of warm plasma in the dayside plasma trough at geosynchronous orbit

Positive ions in the energy range E = 3-50 eV have been measured on the dayside at geosynchronous orbit with the University of California at San Diego auroral particles experiment on ATS 6. It is found that the near-equatorial plasma trough contains a warm plasma component with a relatively stable temperature 11 eV and a low 'isotropic component' of density typically in the range 0.1-0.4 ion/cc. The pitch angle distributions of these warm ions are typically field-aligned, indicating an ionospheric origin, and have pitch angle half widths in the range 20-40 deg. Pancake and conical distributions are also observed. Abrupt enhancements of the plasma density to 1-10 ions/cc, or more, are seen in the late afternoon and last from several minutes to a few hours.
Rapid relapse generally follows treatment for substance use disorders among adolescents.

This prospective study involved 59 adolescents with drug and alcohol disorders who had just completed outpatient treatment. They participated in a comprehensive baseline assessment, and then participated in monthly telephone assessments of substance use and reasons for use. Despite their recent treatment, two-thirds (66%) of the participants in this study had relapsed to drug use within 6 months. The median time to drug relapse was only 54 days (+/-14 days), or slightly less than 2 months. The three most commonly given reasons for relapse were social pressure, withdrawal, and negative affect. These findings provide a first confirmation of the results of S.A. Brown [Recovery patterns in adolescent substance abuse. (1993). In J. S. Baer, G. A. Marlatt, & R. J. McMahon (Eds.), Addictive behaviors across the life span (pp. 160-183). London: SAGE.] in showing that most adolescents relapse quickly following treatment for substance use disorders.
Tongan grandparents and grandchildren: The impact of grandparenting

This article is part of a study on the phenomenon of grandparenting in the Tongan culture among grandparents and grandchildren living in the state of Hawaii and the island kingdom of Tonga (Vakalahi et al., 2008). Explored in this article are grandparent-related family, social, cultural, spiritual, systemic, and economic-based factors that serve as possible sources of risk and/ or protection for grandchildren who are expectant carriers of cultural customs and traditions. Grandparenting remains intrinsic to the Tongan cultural structure and central to the survival of the culture, particularly as Tongan immigrants experience cultural duality and acculturation. Because grandchildren are central to the preservation of the culture, understanding how the practice of grandparenting impacts them is critical. Themes identified as possible risk factors included cultural duality, language and acculturative barriers, low socioeconomic status, and low educational level. Possible protective factors included uncondition...
POWER STRATEGIES IN INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS The Effects of Expertise and Gender

The present study was designed to examine the effects of both power and gender in the use of influence strategies. Women and men responded to three scenarios in which they interacted with an imagined partner in situations with different levels of interpersonal power: more power than their partner (expert), less power (novice), and the same amount of power (equivalent). Partners were either same sex or other sex. Participants used more direct strategies when they were experts and more indirect strategies when they were novices, and women and men were very similar in the strategies they selected. Overall, power differences had a more profound effect than gender in predicting the choice of influence strategies. What are often construed as gender differences in social influence probably are perceived power differences. As such, gender differences in behavior must be understood within a context of status and power.
Scalable fusion with mixture distributions in sensor networks

Mixture distributions such as Gaussian mixture model (GMM) have been used in many applications for dynamic state estimation. These applications include robotics, image and acoustic processing, distributed tracking, and multisensor data fusion. However, the recursive processing of the mixture distributions incurs rapidly growing computational requirements. In particular, the number of components in the mixture distribution grows exponentially when multiple of them are combined. In order to keep the computational complexity tractable, it is necessary to approximate a mixture distribution by a reduced one with fewer components. Mixture reduction is traditionally done by iteratively removing insignificantly components or merging similar ones. However, a systematic procedure is needed in order to ensure scalability while trading-off performance. In this paper, we propose a recursive mixture reduction algorithm for Gaussian mixture distribution with a given error bound. To meet the error bound, we applied a constraint optimized weight adaptation to minimize the integrated squared error (ISE) between the reduced distribution and the original one. With extensive simulations, we showed that the proposed algorithm provides an efficient and effective mixture reduction performance in distributed fusion applications.
MODULES WITH THE QUASI-SUMMAND INTERSECTION PROPERTY

Given a torsion-free abelian group G, a subgroup A of G is said to be a quasi-summand of G if nG ≤ A ⊕ B ≤ G for some subgroup B of G and some positive integer n. If the intersection of any two quasi-summands of G is a quasi-summand, then G is said to have the quasi-summand intersection property. This is a generalisation of the summand intersection property of L. Fuchs. In this note, we give a complete characterisation of the torsion-free abelian groups (in fact, torsion-free modules over torsion-free rings) with the quasi-summand intersection property. It is shown that such a characterisation cannot be given via endomorphism rings alone but must involve the way in which the endomorphism ring acts on the underlying group. For torsion-free groups G of finite rank without proper fully invariant quasi-summands however, the structure of its quasi-endomorphism ring QE(G) suffices: G has the quasi-summand intersection property if and only if the ring QE(G) is simple or else G is strongly indecomposable.
Respiration rates in eggs of the honey bee, Apis mellifera

SUMMARYRespiration rates in queen-laid and worker-laid eggs of the honey bee, Apis mellifera, were determined for the 3days of embryonic development. Respiration was quantified by measuring the amount of CO2 produced during 13 h of artificial incubation at four temperature treatments: 28°C, 31°C, 34°C, 36°C (± 0.5°C). The mean respiration rates for fertilized and unfertilized eggs from queens were 140.3 ± 4.0 and 141.2 ± 12.2 nl CO2/h/egg, respectively. The mean respiration rate for unfertilized eggs from laying workers was 125.1 ± 6.3 nl CO2/h/egg. Mortality results, as indicated by pre-emergence embryos, showed that 75% developed at 34°C compared to 37.5% at 36°C. Low temperatures of 28°C and 31°C had 12.5% and 50% embryos developing to pre-emergence stage, respectively. Respiration results showed significant differences (P = 0.05) between the different days of incubation and temperature treatments, respectively. No significant difference was observed between the fertilized eggs and unfertilized eggs fr...