cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human DNA ligases I and III, but not ligase IV, are required for microhomology-mediated end joining of DNA double-strand breaks

DNA nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination are two distinct pathways of DNA double-strand break repair in mammalian cells. Biochemical and genetic studies showed that DNA ends can also be joined via microhomology-mediated end joining (MHEJ), especially when proteins responsible for NHEJ, such as Ku, are reduced or absent. While it has been known that Ku-dependent NHEJ requires DNA ligase IV, it is unclear which DNA ligase(s) is required for Ku-independent MHEJ. In this study, we used a cell-free assay to determine the roles of DNA ligases I, III and IV in MHEJ and NHEJ. We found that siRNA mediated down-regulation of DNA ligase I or ligase III in human HTD114 cells led to impaired end joining that was mediated by 2-, 3- or 10-bp microhomology. In addition, nuclear extract from human fibroblasts harboring a mutation in DNA ligase I displayed reduced MHEJ activity. Furthermore, treatment of HTD114 nuclear extracts with an antibody against DNA ligase I or III also significantly reduced MHEJ. These data indicate that DNA ligases I and III are required in MHEJ. DNA ligase IV, on the contrary, is not required in MHEJ but facilitates Ku-dependent NHEJ. Therefore, MHEJ and NHEJ require different DNA ligases.
Gas chromatographic analysis of chlorophenylmercapturic acid lindane metabolites.

Abstract An analytical method for phenols hab been adapted for the analysis of chlorophenylmercapturic acids in rat urine. Chlorothiophenols were produced from the mercapturic acids by hydrolytic cleavage with sodium hydroxide. Acetate esters of the chlorothiophenols were formed by addition of acetic anhydride to the aqueous alkaline solution. After acylation, the acetate derivatives were extracted into hexane. Forming the acetate esters of the chlorothiophenols prevented their oxidation to disulfides and significantly improved their chromatographic properties. Electron-capture gas chromatographic analysis of the acetate esters was performed on a mixed phase column, 4% SE-30 + 6% OV-210. Recoveries of four chlorothiophenols ranged from 82 to 93%. This method required no sample transfer steps; therefore, sample loss and analysis time were minimized.
The Reflectance Spectrum of Acetone-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone

THE advantages afforded by the use of spectral reflectance for in situ studies of biochemical systems have been pointed out recently1. Characterizing reflectance spectra of the haem pigments in tuna meat were obtained which were identical with the absorption curves found from transmission measurements made on the same pigments in solution. Although the extension of this technique for the purpose of obtaining useful spectra of organic compounds directly on filter paper would appear both logical and desirable, published studies on this aspect of spectral reflectance are meagre2,3. The studies, primarily concerned with the visible region, apparently have overlooked the equally important ultra-violet portion of the spectrum.
CNN-based language and interpreter for image processing on GPUs

The inherent massive parallelism of cellular neural networks (CNNs) makes them an ideal computational platform for kernel-based algorithms and image processing. General-purpose graphics processing units (GPUs) provide similar massive parallelism, but it can be difficult to design algorithms to make optimal use of the hardware. In this paper, we present a programming environment based on CNNs that can run on GPUs, multi-core CPUs or simply simulated in software. The platform offers a simplified view of massively parallel computation which remains universal and reasonably efficient. An image processing library with visualisation software has been developed using the abstraction to showcase the flexibility and power of cellular computation on GPUs. A simple virtual machine and language is presented to manipulate images using the library for single-core, multi-core and GPU backends.
Experimental investigation into the interfacial shear strength of AGS-FRP tube confined concrete pile

Abstract Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) tube confined concrete piles have been increasingly used in the infrastructure industry. However, debonding is one of the critical issues that need to be adequately addressed before FRP confined concrete pile can reach its full market potential. To improve drivability of conventional FRP tube confined concrete cylinders for pile applications, Li [Li G, Experimental study of hybrid composite cylinders, Compos Struct 2007; 78 (2): 170–181] proposed a novel advanced grid stiffened (AGS) FRP tube encased concrete cylinder. The AGS-FRP tube was made of a lattice of interlaced FRP ribs that was wrapped by a thin layer of FRP skin. The AGS-FRP tube was then filled with concrete. Test results show a considerably increased compressive strength, elastic range, and positive composite action due to the enhanced interfacial bonding strength through mechanical interlocking. The purpose of the current study was to experimentally investigate the effect of the thickness of the FRP ribs and the FRP skin on the interfacial bonding strength through push-out test. Five groups of specimens were manufactured. Groups A and B consisted of regular FRP tube confined concrete cylinders with different wall thicknesses. Groups C, D, and E consisted of the AGS-FRP tube confined concrete cylinders of varying rib thicknesses. The push-out test results indicated that the AGS-FRP tube confined concrete cylinders had stronger interfacial bonding than the regular FRP tube confined concrete cylinders. Skin thickness was positively related to the interfacial bonding in the regular FRP tube confined concrete columns. To the opposite of the common belief that the interfacial bonding strength increases as the rib thickness increases, the interfacial shear strength decreases as the rib thickness increases, due to the lower concrete strength used. It is thus suggested that the rib thickness should match the concrete strength in order to fully display the efficiency of mechanical interlocking.
Long Head of the Biceps Tenodesis With Cortical Button Technique

There are several options for long head of the biceps (LHB) tenodesis and yet no standard of care. This technical note describes a cortical button technique for LHB tenodesis. We have taken the BicepsButton (Arthrex, Naples, FL) for distal biceps acute primary repair and applied it to the LHB. The biceps tenotomy is completed arthroscopically, and a standard subpectoral approach is used. The biceps is pulled out and whipstitched starting at the myotendinous junction and moving proximally. The humerus is drilled in a unicortical manner slightly larger than the tendon, and the button is passed through a small hole to the posterior cortex. A suture through the tendon provides additional fixation strength to the construct. This is an elegant and effective method of tenodesis that uses a smaller-diameter drill hole in the humerus. The goals of LHB tenodesis are to restore function, reduce pain, and improve cosmesis. This technique offers comparable function and cosmesis with the potential advantage of improving postoperative pain outcomes and lowering the rate of complications.
Complexity and the geometry of voting

Geometry is used to analyze the surprisingly complex topic of ''voting:'' It is used to find classes of profiles where different rules have conflicting outcomes, to uncover new voting paradoxes, to determine the likelihood of disagreement among election outcomes, to explain classical mysteries such as the ''paradox of voting,'' and to analyze a variety of seemingly disparate topics such as strategic behavior, monotonicity, and the ''no-show'' paradox. Another geometric approach identifies all possible positional and Approval Voting election outcomes generated by a profile: the converse creates a geometric tool to identify new election relationships. A geometric ''profile decomposition'' identifies and explains all possible differences in positional and pairwise voting outcomes.
Liver injury diagnosed on computed tomography after use of an automated cardiopulmonary resuscitation device.

We report a case of an 89-year-old female with active extravasation and hemoperitoneum from a liver laceration demonstrated on multidetector computed tomography (CT), attributed to the use of an automated mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) device. Although iatrogenic internal injuries related to manual CPR and CPR devices have previously been reported [1, 2], there has been no reported CT evidence of liver injury related to automated CPR devices to the authors’ knowledge. Imaging findings of complications related to the use of automated CPR devices are important to recognize and also help explain the possible mechanisms of injury. Liver injuries with active bleeding following CPR may have devastating consequences related to hemodynamic instability and may have an increased incidence when CPR is performed using an automated chest compression device.
Acidity is involved in the development of neuropathy caused by oxidized cellulose

Recently we demonstrated that oxidized cellulose (OC), a surgical topical hemostatic agent, induces subjacent nerve fiber degeneration by a diffusible chemical mechanism. Since OC is highly acidic, we examined the role of acidity in the development of neuropathy by OC in this study. Fifteen minutes' exposure to culture media containing OC (2 mg/ml, pH 3.47 or 10 mg/ml, pH 2.57) suppressed the subsequent neurite outgrowth of precultured rat DRG neurons in vitro. However, the neurotoxicity of OC disappeared when the pH of the media was restored to 7.42. Topical application of 20 mg OC lowered the pH in the subperineurium of the adjacent rat sciatic nerve to around 3, and kept it below 4 for 2 h in vivo. Application of 0.1 ml neutralized physiological saline containing 40 mg OC did not produce pathological changes in the adjacent rat sciatic nerve in vivo, in contrast to the marked subperineurial nerve damage by direct application of 20 or 40 mg OC observed in our previous study. These results strongly indicate that local neurotoxicity of OC is due to its high acidity. Further care is needed to avoid direct application of large amounts of OC to peripheral nerve.
Graphite: A molecular mechanics treatment

Graphite is the limiting case of an infinite aromatic hydrocarbon, and as such is an important benchmark in force-field calculations. Using experimentally determined physical properties for graphite, a force-field parameter set was developed for molecular mechanics calculations with unsaturated hydrocarbons and is described and discussed.
Gas Permeability of Rigid Fibrous Refractory Insulations

Rigid fibrous refractory insulations (TPS tiles) are integral components of many spacecraft thermal protection systems. These materials are composed of refractory fibers With diameters on the order of 1 to 15 micrometers. They are lightweight and have an open, highly porous microstructure. Typical densities are less than 500 kilograms per cubic meters, and porosities generally exceed 0.8. Because of their open porosity, these materials are permeable to gas glow. There are numerous instances in which internal gas transport in a thermal protection system could be important; examples include the penetration of hot boundary-layer gases into the insulation, the flow of decomposition (pyrolysis) products from the interior, the use of convective flows to mitigate ice formation caused by cryopumping, and the design of refractory vents for pressure equilibration during atmospheric entry. Computational analysis of gas flow through porous media requires values of permeability which have not previously been available for the rigid fibrous insulations used in thermal protection systems. This paper will document measurements of permeability for a variety of insulations from NASA's LI, FRCI, and AETB families of lightweight ceramic ablators. The directional anisotropy of permeability and its dependence on gas pressure and material density will be presented. It will be shown that rarified-flow effects are significant in the flow through such materials. Connections will be drawn between the insulation microstructure and permeability. The paper will also include representative computations of flow through rigid fibrous insulations.
A comparison of techniques for generating forest ownership spatial products

To fully understand forest resources, it is imperative to understand the social context in which the forests exist. A pivotal part of that context is the forest ownership. It is the owners, operating within biophysical and social constraints, who ultimately decide if the land will remain forested, how the resources will be used, and by whom. Forest ownership patterns vary substantially across the United States. These distributions are traditionally represented with tabular statistics that fail to capture the spatial patterns of ownership. Existing spatial products are not sufficient for many strategic-level planning needs because they are not electronically available for large areas (e.g., parcels maps) or do not provide detailed ownership categories (e.g., only depict private versus public ownership). Thiessen polygon, multinomial logit, and classification tree methods were tested for producing a forest ownership spatial dataset across four states with divergent ownership patterns: Alabama, Arizona, Michigan, and Oregon. Over 17,000 sample points with classified forest ownership, collected as part of the USDA Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program, were divided into two datasets, one used as the dependent variable across all of the models and 10 percent of the points were retained for validation across the models. Additional model inputs included a polygon coverage of public lands from the Conservation Biology Institute’s Protected Areas Database (PAD) and data representing human population pressures, road densities, forest characteristics, land cover, and other attributes. The Thiessen polygon approach predicted ownership patterns based on proximity to the sample points in the model dataset and subsequent combining with the PAD ownership data layer. The multinomial logit and classification tree approaches predicted the ownership at the validation points based on the PAD ownership information and data representing human population, road, forest, land cover, and other attributes. The percentage of validation points across the four states correctly predicted ranged from 76.3 to 78.9 among the methods with corresponding weighted kappa values ranging from 0.73 to 0.76. Different methods performed slightly, but statistically significantly, better in different states Overall, the Thiessen polygon method was deemed preferable because: it has a lower bias towards dominant ownership categories; requires fewer inputs; and is simpler to implement.
The Phylogeny of Ceratosauria (Dinosauria: Theropoda)

Synopsis Recent discoveries and analyses have drawn increased attention to Ceratosauria, a taxonomically and morphologically diverse group of basal theropods. By the time of its first appearance in the Late Jurassic, the group was probably globally distributed. This pattern eventually gave way to a primarily Gondwanan distribution by the Late Cretaceous. Ceratosaurs are one of several focal groups for studies of Cretaceous palaeobiogeography and their often bizarre morphological developments highlight their distinctiveness. Unfortunately, lack of phylogenetic resolution, shifting views of which taxa fall within Ceratosauria and minimal overlap in coverage between systematic studies, have made it difficult to explicate any of these important evolutionary patterns. Although many taxa are fragmentary, an increase in new, more complete forms has clarified much of ceratosaur anatomy, allowed the identification of additional materials and increased our ability to compare specimens and taxa. We studied nearly 40...
Ecological effects of major injuries in diamondback terrapins: implications for conservation and management

1. Many turtle species frequently suffer major injuries due to attempted predation or anthropogenic factors. Diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) are one species known to be affected by anthropogenic activity, but little is known about the causes of injuries. In declining diamondback terrapin populations, learning more about causes and results of injuries can be helpful in developing sound management plans. 2. Patterns of limb loss and major shell injuries were examined in a population of terrapins studied for 24 years at Kiawah Island, South Carolina to infer the causes and effects of injuries and possible predators on terrapins. 3. The rate of shell injuries increased temporally, possibly as a result of increased watercraft activity. Because no differences in rates of limb loss were found between males and females, limb loss probably results from aquatic encounters (i.e. limb loss does not appear to be the result of terrestrial predation during nesting). Furthermore, males experienced reduced body condition when injured, and terrapins with a major injury had lower survivorship than uninjured terrapins. 4. Therefore, in addition to reducing sources of mortality and protecting nesting habitat, measures to protect terrapins from watercraft activity may increase the survivorship of adult terrapins. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relational template-matching algorithm for FLIR automatic target recognition

Under the Army Night Vision & Electronic Sensors Directorate and the Army Research Laboratory (S3I) sponsored ATR Relational Template Matching (ARTM) program, we have developed a novel model-based forward-looking infrared (FLIR) automatic target recognition (ATR) algorithm with superior performance over other model-based and template matching algorithms. The ARTM algorithm represents a significant advance over other approaches because its performance is relatively insensitive to the extreme variations of target signatures in FLIR imagery. The algorithm has been extensively evaluated in Army-sponsored competitive tests on low-depression ground target scenarios. The ARTM algorithm correctly recognizes target signatures at less than one-half the signal-to-noise level required by other approaches. Also the algorithm performs consistently over signature variations with up to 30 percent shape error.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Personalities and presence of hyperaggressive males influence male mating exclusivity and effective mating in stream water striders

Male expected reproductive success can be enhanced by increased mating success (mate number) or, when females can mate multiply, by increased mating exclusivity (i.e., reduced partner promiscuity). A positive or negative covariance between these two mating outcomes could substantially increase or decrease overall variation in male expected reproductive success, yet the relationship between these mating outcomes is relatively understudied. We examined this relationship and the influence of male personality traits, female personality traits, and the social environment on mating outcomes in stream water striders, Aquarius remigis, at two experimental sex ratios: equal and 2:1 male-biased. To our knowledge, this study is the first to quantify this full set of effects. We found that mating frequency (mating success) and mating exclusivity were positively correlated in the male-biased treatment, but were not related at equal sex ratios. At both sex ratios, males that were more active and aggressive had both higher mating frequency and higher mating exclusivity. A male’s effective mating (the product of mating frequency and mating exclusivity) was also higher if on average he mated with females that tended to hide in refuges (and were presumably less available for future matings). Finally, males that were more often in pools with extremely aggressive (“hyperaggressive”) males actually had increased mating exclusivity, potentially because hyperaggression reduced average female promiscuity. This study highlights the importance of considering mating outcomes beyond mating success and examining the simultaneous contribution of male behaviours, female behaviours and social factors to mating dynamics.
What Drives Household Borrowing and Credit Constraints? Evidence from Bosnia & Herzegovina

Although Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has experienced rapid growth in credit to households in recent years, most individuals are still credit constrained. This paper analyzes the determinants of household credit demand and credit constraints in BiH. To our knowledge, it is the first study on this topic employing household survey data (2001 and 2004) from Emerging Europe. Our results highlight the impact of the post-conflict and transitional nature of the country on the behavior of borrowers and lenders. As expected, age, income, wealth and education qualifications are the main factors driving credit market participation, while high income and high wealth lower credit constraints. In BiH, the probability of credit market participation peaks at 45 years old, considerably higher than in the advanced countries. At the same time, older individuals are significantly more constrained than their peers in the advanced countries. The results imply that the current credit boom may largely reflect the overall post-war demand, and indicate the worse-off position of the older generation in transition economy. Moreover, the results underscore the structural nature of unemployment as well as the mismatch between education qualifications and earning prospects in BiH. Education variables have no significant effect on the likelihood of being constrained, while, unlike in the advanced countries, being unemployed significantly increases the likelihood.
Vascular anatomy of the fish gill.

The fish gill is the most physiologically diversified vertebrate organ, and its vasculature the most intricate. Application of vascular corrosion techniques that couple high-fidelity resins, such as methyl methacrylate, with scanning electron microscopy yields three-dimensional replicas of the microcirculation that have fostered a better appreciate gill perfusion pathways. This is the focus of the present review. Three vascular networks can be identified within the gill filament. The arterioarterial (respiratory) pathway consists of the lamellae and afferent and efferent segments of the branchial and filamental arteries and lamellar arterioles. The body of the filament contains two post-lamellar pathways: the interlamellar and nutrient. The interlamellar system is an extensive ladder-like network of thin-walled, highly distensible vessels that traverses the filament between, and parallel to, the lamellae and continues around the afferent and efferent borders of the filament. Interlamellar vessels are supplied by short, narrow-bore feeder vessels from the medial wall of the efferent filamental artery. A myriad of narrow-bore, tortuous arterioles arise from the basal efferent filamental artery and efferent branchial artery and anastomose to form the nutrient circulation of the arch and filament. In the filament body, nutrient capillaries and interlamellar vessels are often closely associated, and the former may ultimately drain into the latter. Many of the anatomical characteristics of interlamellar vessels are strikingly similar to those of mammalian lymphatic capillaries, with the exception that interlamellar vessels are directly fed by arteriovenous-like anastomoses. It is likely that gill interlamellar and mammalian lymphatics are physiologically, if not embryologically, equivalent.
The puzzle of the self-torturer

Suppose there is a medical device that enables doctors to apply electric current to the body in increments so tiny that the patient cannot feel them. The device has 1001 settings: 0 (off) and 1 … 1000. Suppose someone (call him the self-torturer) agrees to have the device, in some conveniently portable form, attached to him in return for the following conditions: The device is initially set at 0. At the start of each week he is allowed a period of free experimentation in which he may try out and compare different settings, after which the dial is returned to its previous position. At any other time, he has only two options – to stay put or to advance the dial one setting. But he may advance only one step each week, and he may never retreat. At each advance he gets $10,000 . Since the self-torturer cannot feel any difference in comfort between adjacent settings, he appears to have a clear and repeatable reason to increase the voltage each week. The trouble is that there are noticeable differences in comfort between settings that are sufficiently far apart. Indeed, if he keeps advancing, he can see that he will eventually reach settings that will be so painful that he would then gladly relinquish his fortune and return to 0. The self-torturer is not alone in his predicament. Most of us are like him in one way or another. We like to eat but also care about our appearance.
Radio Telescope Gets Star Treatment

Actress Jodie Foster, who played a scientist in search of extraterrestrial life in the 1997 film Contact, narrates a new promotional film to reintroduce the public to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory's (NRAO) renovated Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) radio telescope in New Mexico. The 24-minute film, Beyond the Visible, which will air in the VLA Visitor Center, focuses on the operation of the telescope and scientific achievements associated with it.
Damping Factor Links Periodic Focusing and Uniform Field Ion Mobility for Accurate Determination of Collision Cross Sections

The methodology for obtaining accurate ion-neutral collision cross section (Ω) values for peptides and proteins using periodic focusing ion mobility spectrometry (PF IMS) is presented. A mobility dampening factor (represented by the term α) is introduced to account for the relative increase in ion-neutral collisions in PF IMS compared to uniform field ion mobility spectrometry (UF IMS) for equivalent operating conditions. The results show that α may be easily quantified both theoretically and empirically for a specific PF IMS design operating at a given pressure based upon the charge state of the analyte. By simply incorporating an α term into traditional UF IMS expressions, accurate Ω values were obtained with excellent agreement (≤4% difference) compared to UF IMS measurements found in the current literature.
Derivation of the Gribov—Lipatov reciprocity relation in a scaling bootstrap model☆

Abstract The Gribov—Lipatov reciprocity relation ν W 2 (ω) = − ω -3 νW 2 (ω -1 ) is shown to be valid in scaling bootstrap model under certain assumptions.
Virtual surgical modification for planning tetralogy of Fallot repair

Goals for treating congenital heart defects are becoming increasingly focused on the long-term, targeting solutions that last into adulthood. Although this shift has motivated the modification of many current surgical procedures, there remains a great deal of room for improvement. We present a new methodological component for tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair that aims to improve long-term outcomes. The current gold standard for TOF repair involves the use of echocardiography (ECHO) for measuring the pulmonary valve (PV) diameter. This is then used, along with other factors, to formulate a Z-score that drives surgical preparation. Unfortunately this process can be inaccurate and requires a mid-operative confirmation that the pressure gradient across the PV is not excessive. Ideally, surgeons prefer not to manipulate the PV as this can lead to valve insufficiency. However, an excessive pressure gradient across the valve necessitates surgical action. We propose the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to improve preparation for TOF repair. In our study, pre-operative CT data were segmented and reconstructed, and a virtual surgical operation was then performed to simulate post-operative conditions. The modified anatomy was used to drive CFD simulation. The pressure gradient across the pulmonary valve was calculated to be 9.24mmHg, which is within the normal range. This finding indicates that CFD may be a viable tool for predicting post-operative pressure gradients for TOF repair. Our proposed methodology would remove the need for mid-operative measurements that can be both unreliable and detrimental to the patient.
The aspiration level interactive method (AIM) reconsidered: Robustness of solutions

Abstract In this paper we explore theory and practice for the aspiration-level interactive model (AIM), a useful decision tool that takes advantage of the concepts of satisficing as well as other concepts of multiple criteria decision making (MCDM). We examine the relationship between aspiration levels and their mapped-to solutions in the MCDM context using AIM. We extend the concept of robustness in decision making, by defining a solution to be robust if many (suitably defined) aspiration levels map to it. We use simulation to help explore robustness, by generating three groups of random test problems. Each problem has twenty alternatives. For each group of problems, the top 5 (most-mapped-to) alternatives out of 20 are mapped to by at least 50% of the aspiration levels. We also relate the concept of robustness in decision making to the ideas of simply ranking alternatives using equal weights. There is a strong correlation between the robustness ranking and the equal-weights ranking. Based on our analyses, we then randomly generate additional problems to explore certain other factors. We also discuss practical aspects of robustness.
Acquisition of rotation-induced taste aversion as a function of drinking-treatment delay

Four groups of rats received rotation treatment.5, 15, 30, or 120 min after consumption of a saccharin solution. Taste aversion to saccharin developed after a single drinking-rotation session in the.5-min delay group and after three trials in the 15- and 30-min delay groups. No aversion to saccharin was found in the 120-min delay group. Rotation failed to produce learning to nongustatory cues in either CER or passive avoidance paradigms. It was concluded that rotation shared common effects with poisoning and irradiation.
DIII-D accomplishments and plans in support of fusion next steps

DIII-D is using its flexibility and diagnostics to address the critical science required to enable next step fusion devices. Operating scenarios for ITER have been adapted to low torque and are now being optimized for transport. Three ELM mitigation scenarios have been developed to near-ITER parameters. New control techniques are managing the most challenging plasma instabilities. Disruption mitigation tools show promising dissipation strategies for runaway electrons and heat load. An off axis neutral beam upgrade has enabled sustainment of high βN capable steady state regimes. Divertor research is identifying the challenge, physics and candidate solutions for handling the hot plasma exhaust with notable progress in heat flux reduction using the snowflake configuration. This work is helping optimize design choices and prepare the scientific tools for operation in ITER, and resolve key elements of the plasma configuration and divertor solution for an FNSF.
Effective fusion and separation of distribution, fault-tolerance, and energy-efficiency concerns

As modern software applications are becoming increasingly distributed and mobile, their design and implementation are characterized by distributed software architectures, possibility of faults, and the need for energy awareness. Thus, software developers should be able to simultaneously reason about and handle the concerns of distribution, fault-tolerance, and energy efficiency. Being closely intertwined, these concerns can introduce significant complexity into the design and implementation of modern software. Thus, to develop reliable and energy efficient applications, software developers must understand how distribution, fault-tolerance, and energy efficiency interplay with each other and how to implement these concerns while keeping the complexity in check. This paper studies these concerns and their interaction; it also develops novel approaches, techniques, and tools that effectively fuse and separate these concerns as required by particular software development scenarios.
An Anatomy of Automation Business Opportunity in China in Times of High Wages: Taiwanese Businessmen Invested in China as a Case

China’s “The Twelfth Five-Year Plan” sets a tone to turn China “from a strong nation to a nation with wealthy people” in its national development policy. This policy is expected to increase hiring cost to foreign investors in China and indirectly creates potential business opportunities for automation. This research surveys a score of Taiwanese businessmen in China and finds their primary motivation for investing in China is to gain access to labor force. A majority of Taiwanese factories have longer working hours. Their needs for automation are mainly in quality control and testing, information system, and material handling and storage.
Comparison of intraarterial with continuous noninvasive blood pressure measurement in postoperative pediatric patients.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to estimate the accuracy, bias, and frequency response of continuous blood pressure monitoring using finger photoplethysmography in children.Methods. To compare arterial blood pressure measured using the Finapres device with simultaneously measured intraarterial blood pressure we studied 27 randomly selected postoperative pediatric patients who were receiving a variety of inotropic and vasoactive agents at a cardiac intensive care unit in university-affiliated pediatric hospital.Results. Sixty-two of 66 attempts (94%) to obtain a noninvasive blood pressure measurement were successful. A total of 37,351 paired blood pressure measurements from 53 records were compared, revealing a measurement bias of −18.6 mm Hg for systolic blood pressure and −13.4 mm Hg for diastolic blood pressure. The measurement bias increased proportionately to blood pressure, with systolic and diastolic gains between the noninvasive and intraarterial techniques of 0.86 and 0.75 mm Hg/mm Hg, respectively. The variation bias during each recording epoch, as measured by standard deviation of bias, was low (mean σsystolic=2.9 mm Hg; mean σdiastolic=2.0 mm Hg). The frequency response between the intraarterial and noninvasive pressure waveforms was flat to 10 Hz and approximately equal to 1.Conclusions. Substantial measurement bias exists between this noninvasive blood pressure measurement technique and intraarterial blood pressure. Measurements of the intrapatient variability and frequency response analysis suggest that the noninvasive technique accurately tracks intraarterial blood pressure over the short term. This technique may have useful applications in settings where intraarterial monitoring is undesirable or unobtainable.
Transcriptional repression directed by the yeast α2 protein in vitro

THE α2 protein, a homeodomain protein involved in specifying cell type in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is a transcriptional represser1,2. α2 binds cooperatively with Mcm1, a serum response factor-related protein, to the a-specific gene operator3–6. The α2-Mcm1 complex in turn recruits Ssn6 and Tup1 to the operator, and we believe that these latter two proteins are responsible for the transcriptional repression7–9. Placement of the a-specific gene operator in any of a variety of positions upstream of a test promoter leads to repression of that promoter in vivo9–11. In this respect, the a-specific gene operator resembles a negatively acting enhancer. Here we describe the in vitro reconstitution of this example of negative control from a distance. We observe repression in vitro in the absence of exogenously added activator protein and on templates that lack binding sites for known activator proteins, and we infer that α2-directed repression acts on the general transcription machinery.
Gradient index transmission cloak composed of arrays of dielectric elements

A 2D microwave transmission cloak composed of periodically arranged dielectric cylinders is designed and investigated by using full-wave simulations. It is shown that manipulating the periodicity of the dielectric elements can be used to provide the refractive index distribution required for bending waves around the concealed object. A possibility for obtaining the desired curvilinear wave paths in the cloak is confirmed by the simulated field patterns. The proposed all-dielectric cloak design is expected to provide low loss and broadband operation, since its performance is not related to resonance phenomena.
Expression and initial characterization of human ALDH3B1.

Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) are critical enzymes in the metabolism of endogenous and exogenous aldehydes. The human genome contains nineteen putatively functional ALDH genes; ALDH3B1 belongs to the ALDH3 family. While recent studies have linked the ALDH3B1 locus to schizophrenia, nothing was known, until now, about the properties and significance of the ALDH3B1 protein. The aim of this study was to characterize the ALDH3B1 protein. Human ALDH3B1 was baculovirus-expressed and found to be catalytically active towards medium- and long-chain aliphatic aldehydes and the aromatic aldehyde benzaldehyde. Western blot analyses indicate that ALDH3B1 is highly expressed in kidney and liver and moderately expressed in various brain regions. ALDH3B1-transfected HEK293 cells were significantly protected against cytotoxicity induced by the lipid-peroxidation product octanal when compared to vector-transfected cells. This study shows for the first time the functionality, expression and protective role of ALDH3B1 and indicates a potential physiological role of ALDH3B1 against oxidative stress.
Sequencing, targeted mutagenesis and expression of a recA gene required for the extreme radioresistance of Deinococcus radiodurans

Deinococcus radiodurans and other members of the same genus share extreme resistance to ionizing radiation and many other agents that damage DNA. A DNA damage-sensitive and natural transformation-deficient strain generated by chemical mutagenesis (strain rec30) was found to be defective in a gene that has extended homology with recA of Escherichia coli. Upon transformation with a chromosomal DNA fragment that contained this deinococcal recA gene from wild-type (wt) D. radiodurans both DNA damage resistance and full transformation competence were restored in the rec30 mutant. Targeted insertional mutagenesis of the deinococcal recA gene was used to construct a mutant isogenic with the wt. The insertional mutant was phenotypically indistinguishable from strain rec30, indicating that the recA defect alone was responsible for observed phenotypic alterations. For example, in the case of ionizing radiation, the D37 of the wt was about 1.75 Mrad, while the D37 of rec30 and the insertional mutant were both 25 krad, a 70-fold decrease. Evidence is presented that expression of the deinococcal recA gene in E. coli is lethal, suggesting that the mode of interaction of the deinococcal RecA protein with nucleic acids or other cellular proteins differs at least in part from RecA of E. coli.
SCA1 transgenic mice: A model for neurodegeneration caused by an expanded CAG trinucleotide repeat

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder characterized by degeneration of cerebellar Purkinje cells, spinocerebellar tracts, and selective brainstem neurons owing to the expansion of an unstable CAG trinucleotide repeat. To gain insight into the pathogenesis of the SCA1 mutation and the intergenerational stability of trinucleotide repeats in mice, we have generated transgenic mice expressing the human SCA1 gene with either a normal or an expanded CAG tract. Both transgenes were stable in parent to offspring transmissions. While all six transgenic lines expressing the unexpanded human SCA1 allele had normal Purkinje cells, transgenic animals from five of six lines with the expanded SCA1 allele developed ataxia and Purkinje cell degeneration. These data indicate that expanded CAG repeats expressed in Purkinje cells are sufficient to produce degeneration and ataxia and demonstrate that a mouse model can be established for neurodegeneration caused by CAG repeat expansions.
Descentralización de los servicios de salud: estudios de caso en seis estados mexicanos

OBJETIVO: Este articulo presenta los resultados de la segunda descentralizacion de la Secretaria de Salud de Mexico (1994-2000). MATERIAL Y METODOS: Ademas de revisar documentos oficiales y de archivo, estadisticas de salud y de productividad, se realizaron observaciones en los centros asistenciales y 232 entrevistas de profundidad en los estados de Baja California Sur, Colima, Guanajuato, Nuevo Leon, Sonora y Tamaulipas con directivos de las secretarias de salud estatales y jurisdiccionales, dirigentes de sindicatos, prestadores de servicios y representantes de la sociedad civil. RESULTADOS: Se identifican los problemas que los estados tuvieron que enfrentar para implementar la descentralizacion. CONCLUSIONES: No se alcanzaron los objetivos trazados por los promotores de la descentralizacion.
The stimulation of arginine phosphokinase in lobster axons by GABA.

— GABA at physiological concentrations has been shown to stimulate the synthesis of arginine phosphate in lobster walking nerves. This effect can be observed both in intact axons and in axonal homogenates. The stimulatory activity of GABA on the synthesis of arginine phosphate appears to be on the Vmax of arginine phosphokinase whereas in the reverse reaction the effect is referable to the Km of ADP.
School culture in action

Many preservice teachers are concerned about finding the correct position in education when they graduate. In United States' schools mission statements have been in vogue for decades, but these statements often do not live up to the reality. This article describes an action research project that assists teacher candidates in assessing school culture and matching it against the institution's self‐description. The process includes experiences of culture, surfacing personal questions, photography and reflection upon institutional documents using a university then a partner basic school.
Gonorrhea and chlamydia screening in young women: the processes of change

Conclusion: Young women in the early Stages of Change for STD screening (PC C and P) were less likely to use behavioral processes than those in the later stages (A and M). These results are consistent with other studies exploring adoption of a new behavior. Interventions focusing on increasing young women’s use of experiential and behavioral processes of change maybe useful in increasing STD screening in at-risk young women. Thus the Transtheoretical Model of Change is a promising theoretical foundation for developing such interventions. (excerpt)
Y-family polymerase conformation is a major determinant of fidelity and translesion specificity.

Y-family polymerases help cells tolerate DNA damage by performing translesion synthesis opposite damaged DNA bases, yet they also have a high intrinsic error rate. We constructed chimeras of two closely related Y-family polymerases that display distinctly different activity profiles and found that the polypeptide linker that tethers the catalytic polymerase domain to the C-terminal DNA-binding domain is a major determinant of overall polymerase activity, nucleotide incorporation fidelity, and abasic site-bypass ability. Exchanging just 3 out of the 15 linker residues is sufficient to interconvert the polymerase activities tested. Crystal structures of four chimeras show that the conformation of the protein correlates with the identity of the interdomain linker sequence. Thus, residues that are more than 15 A away from the active site are able to influence many aspects of polymerase activity by altering the relative orientations of the catalytic and DNA-binding domains.
Single cell and neural process experimentation using laterally applied electrical fields between pairs of closely apposed microelectrodes with vertical sidewalls

Abstract As biomedical research has moved increasingly towards experimentation on single cells and subcellular structures, there has been a need for microscale devices that can perform manipulation and stimulation at a correspondingly small scale. We propose a microelectrode array (MEA) featuring thickened microelectrodes with vertical sidewalls (VSW) to focus electrical fields horizontally on targets positioned in between paired electrodes. These microelectrodes were fabricated using gold electroplating that was molded by photolithographically patterned SU-8 photoresist. Finite element modeling showed that paired VSW electrodes produce more uniform electrical fields compared to conventional planar microelectrodes. Using paired microelectrodes, 3 μm thick and spaced 10 μm apart, we were able to perform local electroporation of individual axonal processes, as demonstrated by entry of EGTA to locally chelate intra-axonal calcium, quenching the fluorescence of a pre-loaded calcium indicator dye. The same electrode configuration was used to electroporate individual cells, resulting in the targeted transfection of a transgene expressing a cytoplasmically soluble green fluorescent protein (GFP). In addition to electropration, our electrode configuration was also capable of precisely targeted field stimulation on individual neurons, resulting in action potentials that could be tracked by optical means. With its ability to deliver well-characterized electrical fields and its versatility, our configuration of paired VSW electrodes may provide the basis for a new tool for high-throughput and high-content experimentation in broad areas of neuroscience and biomedical research.
State residence restrictions and forcible rape rates: a multistate quasi-experimental analysis of UCR data.

This study examines whether the presence of state residence restrictions resulted in changes in statewide rates of forcible rape. It builds on the limited geographic coverage of prior studies by including state-level Uniform Crime Report (UCR) data across 19 years for 49 states and the District of Columbia. It uses a quasi-experimental research method based on a longitudinal fixed-effects panel model design, which can help control for relatively static differences between states. Results indicate that when a state residence restriction was present, regardless of how it was measured, rates of UCR forcible rape were higher in the state than when the policy was not present. This suggests that residence restrictions, at least at the state level, are not useful as an overall crime prevention measure, but may be useful for increasing detection or reporting levels of such crimes. However, results also suggest that the size of the increase varied by whether the policy only applied to offenders with child victims ...
4.8.1 Visualization of Multi‐Attribute Utility Models

Multi-attribute utility models are usually thought of as direct quantifications of stakeholder preferences. A system alternative that receives the highest utility score is the preferred solution. However, in practice users often attempt to use multi-attribute models for complex forms of decision making, such as new alternative synthesis or investment selection. Since more complex decision-making requires more insight into the multi-attribute data than a single number, we have investigated methods for visualizing high-dimensionality utility data, especially for utility-over-time applications. This paper discusses the visualization techniques and presents examples.
The Medical Model versus the Just Deserts Model

This paper traces the history of two models that have been influential in shaping modern views toward criminals. One of these two--the medical model--is based on the concept of rehabilitation, that is, treatment predicated on the attributes of the offender. The second of these two--the just deserts model--centers on retribution, that is, punishment deserved for the seriousness of the crime. Each model has been dominant in various periods of history.