cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Gaussian Mixture Model layer jointly optimized with discriminative features within a Deep Neural Network architecture

This article proposes and evaluates a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) represented as the last layer of a Deep Neural Network (DNN) architecture and jointly optimized with all previous layers using Asynchronous Stochastic Gradient Descent (ASGD). The resulting “Deep GMM” architecture was investigated with special attention to the following issues: (1) The extent to which joint optimization improves over separate optimization of the DNN-based feature extraction layers and the GMM layer; (2) The extent to which depth (measured in number of layers, for a matched total number of parameters) helps a deep generative model based on the GMM layer, compared to a vanilla DNN model; (3) Head-to-head performance of Deep GMM architectures vs. equivalent DNN architectures of comparable depth, using the same optimization criterion (frame-level Cross Entropy (CE)) and optimization method (ASGD); (4) Expanded possibilities for modeling offered by the Deep GMM generative model. The proposed Deep GMMs were found to yield Word Error Rates (WERs) competitive with state-of-the-art DNN systems, at the cost of pre-training using standard DNNs to initialize the Deep GMM feature extraction layers. An extension to Deep Subspace GMMs is described, resulting in additional gains.
Corporate bankruptcy: The costs of corporate bankruptcy: A U.S.–European comparison

Both Britain and France have adopted new bankruptcy/ insolvency laws since 1985 and a new bankruptcy law has also been proposed in Germany. Bankruptcy laws in the three European countries have traditionally been oriented toward liquidation, but the new laws move in the direction of allowing reorganization in some circumstances. This paper has several purposes. First, it identifies and compares basic differences in bankruptcy procedures in the four countries. Second, the costs (losses in economic efficiency) attributable to bankruptcy are identified. Bankruptcy costs incurred before it is known whether firms will be financially distressed are shown likely to be more important determinants of whether bankruptcy policy is economically efficient than bankruptcy costs incurred after firms have become financially distressed and/or have filed for bankruptcy. Third, the costs of bankruptcy under the laws of the four countries-- as well as under various proposed bankruptcy reforms--are analyzed. The analysis suggests that bankruptcy costs incurred before it is known whether firms will be financially distressed are likely to pull bankruptcy policy in the opposite direction from costs incurred after firms become financially distressed. As a result, it is impossible to determine from theory whether the more liquidation-oriented bankruptcy policies of the European countries or the more reorganization-oriented policy of the U.S. is more economically efficient.
Continuum Models for Bayesian Image Matching

The task of determining the mapping between a pair of images is called image matching and is fundamental in image processing. Prior information is essential to the inference of the mapping because the image features on which matching is based are sparsely distributed and, consequently, underconstrain the problem. In this paper, we describe the Bayesian approach to image matching and introduce suitable priors based on idealized models of continua.
Heat Transfer to Subcooled He I

Designers of cryostable superconducting magnets, which operate in pool boiling He I, are aware of critical heat flux densities. The regions of most general interest are the peak nucleate boiling and recovery heat fluxes at a conductor temperature no more than a few hundred millikelvin above the pool temperature. Systems which depend on nucleate boiling can face a convective region prior to the nucleate boiling transition. Thermal fluctuations can easily effect the pressure to an extent where the liquid becomes subcooled. Depending on the degree of subcooling the temperature difference at the transition to nucleate boiling, can exceed the temperature difference in all of the nucleate boiling region.
Bid, a BH3-only multi-functional molecule, is at the cross road of life and death

Bid, BH3-interacting domain death agonist, was initially cloned based in its ability to interact with both Bcl-2 and Bax. Bid contains only the BH3 domain, which is required for its interaction with the Bcl-2 family proteins and for its pro-death activity. Bid is susceptible to proteolytic cleavage by caspases, calpains, Granzyme B and cathepsins. Bid is important to cell death mediated by these proteases and thus is the sentinel to protease-mediated death signals. Protease-cleaved Bid is able to induce multiple mitochondrial dysfunctions, including the release of the inter-membrane space proteins, cristae reorganization, depolarization, permeability transition and generation of reactive oxygen species. Thus Bid is the molecular linker bridging various peripheral death pathways to the central mitochondria pathway. Recent studies further indicate that Bid may be more than just a killer molecule. Deletion of Bid inhibits carcinogenesis in the liver, although this genetic alteration promotes tumorigenesis in the myeloid cells. This is likely related to the function of Bid to promote cell cycle progression into S phase. Bid could be also involved in the maintenance of genomic stability by engaging at mitosis checkpoint. These novel findings indicate that this BH3-only Bcl-2 family protein has a diverse array of functions that are important to both the life and death of the cell.
Performance of Lake Trout Fed Selected Starter Diets

Abstract The performance of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) fed seven commercially available starter diets was tested for 113 d. Two diets yielded the greatest increases in weight and length and were comparable to a third for highest rank in wet-weight feed conversion efficiency. The addition of 5% propylene glycol to one of the diets improved weight gain, feed conversion, survival, total length, and condition factor. Cost for different feeds ranged from $0.74 to $3.64/kg of fish produced. Diet success appeared to be related to high fat and low moisture levels in the feed.
Sub-ice geology inland of the Transantarctic Mountains in light of new aerogeophysical data

Abstract The Transantarctic Mountains are a major geologic boundary that bisects the Antarctic continent, separating the low-lying, tectonically active terrains of West Antarctica from the East Antarctic craton. A new comprehensive aerogeophysical data set, extending 1150 km from the Ross Sea into the interior of East Antarctica provides insights into the complex structure inland of the Transantarctic Mountains. Geophysical maps, compiled from 21 000 km of gravity, magnetic and subglacial topography data, outline the boundaries of several geologic and tectonic segments within the survey area. The coherent pattern in magnetic data and mesa topography suggests a subglacial extent of the Transantarctic Mountains 400–500 km inland the last exposed rock outcrops. We estimate the maximum thickness of a potential sediment infill in the Wilkes Subglacial Basin to be less than 1 km, based on gravity modeling and source depth estimates from magnetic data. The coherent nature of the potential field and topography data, together with the northwest–southeast trends, define the Adventure Subglacial Trench and the Resolution Subglacial Highlands as a tectonic unit. The crustal structure and the strong similarity of the observed gravity with fold-and-thrust belts suggest a compressional scenario for the origin of the Adventure Subglacial Trench and the Resolution Subglacial Highlands. The complexity and apparent structural control of the Wilkes Subglacial Basin raise the issue of what influence pre-existing structures may have played in the formation of the Transantarctic Mountains system. The previous hypothesis of a thermal boundary beneath the mountains is difficult to reconcile with our new gravity data. The apparent difficulties to match our new data with certain key aspects of previous models suggests that a reassessment of the existing uplift models is necessary. We have modeled the prominent gravity anomaly over the Transantarctic Mountains with thicker crust.
Favorable early results of gastric banding for morbid obesity: the American experience.

Background: In 2001 a new device for surgical weight loss was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (Lap-Band, Inamed Health). We describe initial results of laparoscopic gastric banding for morbid obesity in two American academic centers. Methods: Prospective data was collected on consecutive morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, and evaluated retrospectively. Results: Four hundred forty-five consecutive patients underwent Lap-Band from May 2001 through December 2002. The 103 men and 341 women had an average age of 42.1 years (range 17–72 years) and an average body mass index (BMI) of 49.6 kg/m2 (range 35.2–92.2 kg/m2). One operation required conversion to laparotomy due to bleeding; the rest were completed laparoscopically. Mean length of stay was 1.1 days (range 1–10 days). There was one death. Additional complications included band slippage in 14 patients (3.1%), gastric obstruction without slip in 12 (2.7%), port migration in 2 (0.4%), tubing disconnections in 3 (0.7%), and port infection in 5 (1.1%). Two bands (0.4%) were removed due to intraabdominal abscess 2 months after placement. There was one band erosion (0.2%) and no clinically significant esophageal dilation. Ninety-nine patients have 1-year follow-up and have lost an average of 44.3% excess body weight. Conclusion: Laparoscopic gastric banding has much to offer the morbidly obese. We present data showing weight loss rivaling gastric bypass and acceptably low complications. These results parallel success with this device outside America.
Senescence of human skeletal muscle impairs the local inflammatory cytokine response to acute eccentric exercise

The impact of aging on the cytokine response of human skeletal muscle to exercise-induced injury remains poorly understood. We enrolled physically active, young (23-35 years old, n=15) and old (66-78 years old, n=15) men to perform 45 min of downhill running (16% descent) at 75% VO2max. Biopsies of vastus lateralis were obtained 24 h before and 72 h after acute eccentric exercise. Transcripts for inflammatory (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TGF-beta1) were quantified by real-time PCR. Before exercise, cytokine transcripts did not differ with age. At old age, exercise induced a blunted accumulation of transcripts encoding the pan-leukocyte surface marker CD18 (young: 10.1-fold increase, P<0.005; old: 4.7-fold increase, P=0.02; young vs. old: P<0.05). In both age groups, CD18 transcript accumulation strongly correlated with TNF-alpha (young, r=0.87, P<0.001; old, r=0.72, P=0.002) and TGF-beta1 transcript accumulation (young, r=0.80, P<0.001; old, r=0.64, P=0.008). At old age, there was no correlation between IL-1beta and CD18 transcript accumulation. Furthermore, exercise induced IL-6 transcript accumulation in young (3.6-fold, P=0.057) but not in old men. Our results suggest that aging impairs the adaptive response of human skeletal muscle to eccentric exercise by differential modulation of a discrete set of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine genes.
Temperature oscillation in a tin liquid bridge and critical Marangoni number dependency on Prandtl number

Abstract A liquid bridge of molten tin was held between two stainless-steel rods to study thermocapillary convection in liquid metal. The experiment was conducted in a vacuum chamber in order to prevent oxidation. Molten tin was injected into the liquid bridge with a graphite syringe, which acted as a filter to keep oxide scum from entering the liquid bridge. The liquid bridge was 4 mm diameter by 4 mm height. The upper rod was kept at a higher temperature than the lower rod to induce thermocapillary convection in the liquid bridge. The dynamic Bond number Bo=0.26, suggesting predominance of thermocapillary convection over buoyancy convection. Temperature oscillation was detected by a thermocouple in contact with the free surface at its mid-height. Oscillation was observed when the temperature difference between the rods was increased to 18.8±1.5°C. The frequency of oscillation was 1.1±0.1 Hz and the amplitude of oscillation was about 0.1°C. This temperature difference corresponds to a critical Marangoni number Ma c =194±14 for the onset of flow oscillation. For low Prandtl number (Pr) materials such as metals and semiconductors, this appears to be the first Ma c measured in a liquid bridge with a clean free surface (without scum). The following Ma c vs. Pr relationship fits reasonably well the experimental data of low Pr materials such as Sn, Si, Bi, GaSb and GaAs, and higher Pr materials such as KCl, NaNO 3 and C 24 H 50 : Ma c =2000 Pr 0.6 with 10 − 2 Pr 2 .
Developing Complex Understandings: On the Relation of Mathematics Education Research to Mathematics.

This article explores some of the intellectual bases of the apparent cultural divide between the fields of mathematics and mathematics education research. The chasm is in part attributable to epistemologies or theoretical `paradigms', fashionable in education, that dismiss or deny the integrity of fundamental aspects of mathematical and scientific knowledge. The solution offered is for the next generation of mathematics education researchers to knowledgeably and thoughtfully abandon such `isms' in favor of a unifying scientific and eclectic approach to research.
Structural mechanism of oxidative regulation of the phosphatase Cdc25B via an intramolecular disulfide bond.

Cdc25B phosphatase, an important regulator of the cell cycle, forms an intramolecular disulfide bond in response to oxidation leading to reversible inactivation of phosphatase activity. We have obtained a crystallographic time course revealing the structural rearrangements that occur in the P-loop as the enzyme goes from its apo state, through the sulfenic (Cys-SO-) intermediate, to the stable disulfide. We have also obtained the structures of the irreversibly oxidized sulfinic (Cys-SO2-) and sulfonic (Cys-SO3-) Cdc25B. The active site P-loop is found in three conformations. In the apoenzyme, the P-loop is in the active conformation. In the sulfenic intermediate, the P-loop partially obstructs the active site cysteine, poised to undergo the conformational changes that accompany disulfide bond formation. In the disulfide form, the P-loop is closed over the active site cysteine, resulting in an enzyme that is unable to bind substrate. The structural changes that occur in the sulfenic intermediate of Cdc25B ...
Nampt/PBEF/visfatin serum levels: a new biomarker for retinal blood vessel occlusions

The main objective of the study was to quantify serum levels of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt/pre-B-Cell colony-enhancing factor 1/visfatin) in subjects with a history of retinal vascular occlusions (RVOs), disease conditions characterized by pronounced ischemia, and metabolic energy deficits. A case-control study of 18 subjects with a history of RVO as well as six healthy volunteers is presented. Serum Nampt levels were quantified using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Serum Nampt levels were 79% lower in patients with a history of RVO compared with that in healthy volunteers (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference among the types of RVOs, specifically branch retinal vein occlusions (n=7), central retinal vein occlusions (n=5), hemiretinal vein occlusions (n=3), and central retinal artery occlusions (n=3; P=0.69). Further studies are needed to establish the temporal kinetics of Nampt expression and to determine whether Nampt may represent a novel biomarker to identify at-risk populations, or whether it is a druggable target with the potential to ameliorate the long-term complications associated with the condition, ie, macular edema, macular ischemia, neovascularization, and permanent loss of vision.
Depth EEG studies in a patient with fourteen and six per second positive spikes

Abstract Report of an 18-year-old patient with minor seizures, rare grand mal and recent personality change. Nine EEG studies with combined depth and scalp recording revealed 14 and 6/sec positive spikes. This pattern was seen at different levels, especially in the thalamo-capsular region and in the neighborhood of the putamen. However, the polarity of the deep “14 and 6” bursts was equivocal in the depth while unequivocal positivity was seen in the scalp recording.
Phase behaviour of blends of polyesters and polycarbonates

Abstract The phase behaviour of binary blends of polyesters and polycarbonates has been reviewed with reference to predictions of the enthalpic interaction, calculated using a binary interaction model, and with published information. Supplementary investigations of the mixing behaviour of additional blends are also reported and the results compared to model predictions. Calculations have been scaled using segmental interaction parameters derived from previous investigations of blends involving polyamides and copolyesteramides. By establishing boundary conditions for interactions in blends of polyesters and bisphenol A polycarbonate, the segmental interaction parameters involving carbonate segments have been estimated and found to be quantitatively similar to those involving the ester moiety. Results confirm that interactions in blends of polyesters and polycarbonate can be exothermic when certain compositional requirements are satisfied; however, the model predicts exclusively endothermic mixing for all binary polyester blends and that in these situations, miscibility occurs only when the entropic contribution to the free energy of mixing overwhelms the unfavourable interaction. Events that may moderate the mixing behaviour of blends, such as transesterification, have also been addressed. Exploratory projections are also presented for blends involving aliphatic polycarbonates and liquid crystalline polyesters. The results presented are broad in scope and exceptions to predictions are accounted for by considering the simplifications introduced to perform the analysis.
Structural characterization of nanofiber silk produced by embiopterans (webspinners).

Embiopterans produce silken galleries and sheets using exceptionally fine silk fibers in which they live and breed. In this study, we use electron microscopy (EM), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) techniques to elucidate the molecular level protein structure of webspinner (embiid) silks. Silks from two species Antipaluria urichi and Aposthonia ceylonica are studied in this work. Electron microscopy images show that the fibers are about 90–100 nm in diameter, making webspinner silks among the finest of all known animal silks. Structural studies reveal that the silk protein core is dominated by β-sheet structures, and that the protein core is coated with a hydrophobic alkane-rich surface coating. FTIR spectra of native embiid silk shows characteristic alkane CH2 stretchings near 2800–2900 cm−1, which decrease approximately 50% after washing the silk with 2 : 1 CHCl3 : MeOH. Furthermore, 13C ssNMR data shows a significant CH2 resonance that is strongly affected by the presence of water, supporting the idea that the silk fibers are coated with a hydrocarbon-rich layer. Such a layer is likely used to protect the colonies from rain. FTIR data also suggests that embiid silks are dominated by β-sheet secondary structures similar to spider and silkworm silk fibers. NMR data confirms the presence of β-sheet nanostructures dominated by serine-rich repetitive regions. A deconvolution of the serine Cβ NMR resonance reveals that approximately 70% of all seryl residues exist in a β-sheet structure. This is consistent with WAXD results that suggest webspinner silks are 70% crystalline, which is the highest crystalline fraction reported for any animal silks. The work presented here provides a molecular level structural picture of silk fibers produced by webspinners.
Nesting behavior and nest site selection in monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) in the Pantanal of Brazil

We examined nesting behavior in monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) in their native habitat in the Brazilian Pantanal. Unique among parrots, monk parakeets build communal nest structures that contain many cavities, each belonging to an individual pair. We studied 41 parakeet colonies that had 104 nest structures. We hypothesized that nest structures would be located in trees providing the greatest support and protection from predators and inclement weather, and that nest sites and nest cavities would differ from random locations with respect to tree characteristics, location of houses, and presence of jabiru stork (Jabiru mycteria) nests, as suggested anecdotally by other authors. Fewer than half of the colonies were close (<350 m) to houses. There was a strong association with jabiru storks; 21 of 23 stork nests had monk parakeet nest cavities attached, accounting for 51% of parakeet colonies. Of the 21 jabiru-associated colonies, 6 had additional parakeet structures and 15 had only the jabiru-attached parakeet structure. Monk parakeet colonies associated with jabiru nests had significantly more nesting cavities than did monospecific monk parakeet colonies, due mainly to those attached directly to the jabiru nest. In jabiru-associated colonies, parakeet nest structures were located higher and in taller trees than in monospecific colonies. There was no difference in trunk diameters of parakeet nesting trees with or without jabirus. Although we tabulated 24 tree species as nest trees, nearest-neighbor trees, or matched-point trees, only 6 species were used for nesting. When compared to matched points, monk parakeet structures were preferentially located in piuva (Tabebuia spp.) and mandovi trees (Sterculia apetela). Parakeet structures were in taller trees with thicker trunk diameters than matched points. Most nest cavities (71%) faced in a northerly direction (northwest to northeast), away from cold southerly winds. Choice of a nest site and orientation appears to reflect structural, weather, and predator constraints. Thick, tall trees with stout branches provided stable sites for their large nest structures, which are known to collapse because of their own weight and strong winds. Nesting with jabirus confers structural advantages (they could attach many nests to the bottom of the jabiru nest, potentially gaining benefits from social facilitation), early warning, and predator defense.
Shape, Size, and Distribution of Ca2+ Release Units and Couplons in Skeletal and Cardiac Muscles

Excitation contraction (e-c) coupling in skeletal and cardiac muscles involves an interaction between specialized junctional domains of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and of exterior membranes (either surface membrane or transverse (T) tubules). This interaction occurs at special structures named calcium release units (CRUs). CRUs contain two proteins essential to e-c coupling: dihydropyridine receptors (DHPRs), L-type Ca(2+) channels of exterior membranes; and ryanodine receptors (RyRs), the Ca(2+) release channels of the SR. Special CRUs in cardiac muscle are constituted by SR domains bearing RyRs that are not associated with exterior membranes (the corbular and extended junctional SR or EjSR). Functional groupings of RyRs and DHPRs within calcium release units have been named couplons, and the term is also loosely applied to the EjSR of cardiac muscle. Knowledge of the structure, geometry, and disposition of couplons is essential to understand the mechanism of Ca(2+) release during muscle activation. This paper presents a compilation of quantitative data on couplons in a variety of skeletal and cardiac muscles, which is useful in modeling calcium release events, both macroscopic and microscopic ("sparks").
Ecological modeling from time-series inference: insight into dynamics and stability of intestinal microbiota.

The intestinal microbiota is a microbial ecosystem of crucial importance to human health. Understanding how the microbiota confers resistance against enteric pathogens and how antibiotics disrupt that resistance is key to the prevention and cure of intestinal infections. We present a novel method to infer microbial community ecology directly from time-resolved metagenomics. This method extends generalized Lotka–Volterra dynamics to account for external perturbations. Data from recent experiments on antibiotic-mediated Clostridium difficile infection is analyzed to quantify microbial interactions, commensal-pathogen interactions, and the effect of the antibiotic on the community. Stability analysis reveals that the microbiota is intrinsically stable, explaining how antibiotic perturbations and C. difficile inoculation can produce catastrophic shifts that persist even after removal of the perturbations. Importantly, the analysis suggests a subnetwork of bacterial groups implicated in protection against C. difficile. Due to its generality, our method can be applied to any high-resolution ecological time-series data to infer community structure and response to external stimuli.
Mimetic Isomorphism and Its Effect on the Audit Services Market

Une dynamique d'imitation entre entreprises produit un niveau eleve d'isomorphisme observable dans la selection des experts (audit). La probabilite d'imitation varie en fonction de la position de l'acteur au sein du groupe de pairs et de la dimension statutaire. Les leaders d'un secteur cherchent a se differencier de leurs principaux concurrents. Les moyennes entreprises imitent les leaders de leur secteur en choisissant parmi le meme ensemble d'experts. Les entreprises du bas de l'echelle semblent etre exclues. Cette interaction entre l'inclusion et l'exclusion chez les acteurs socialement differencies produit une polarisation substantielle de taille dans les entreprises et la concentration extreme de la part du marche qui caracterise le marche des services d'audit
‘Who you callin’ nappy‐headed?’ A critical race theory look at the construction of Black women

The spring 2007 furor over New York City syndicated radio personality Don Imus’ racist and demeaning characterization of a group of African American women on a college basketball team set off a firestorm of debate and discussion throughout US media. However, little of this discussion focused on the broader constructions of Black women as unattractive, undesirable, and morally suspect. These constructions from popular culture find their way into education when Black women as teachers and mothers continue to face a separate and different set of standards about what it means to be a good teacher and/or a good mother. This paper uses a set of films about teaching and teachers as ‘texts’ that define and re‐define what it means to be a teacher or a mother and explores the implications of these constructions for teaching and teacher education through a critical race theory perspective.
Acetaminophen-induced liver damage in mice is associated with gender-specific adduction of peroxiredoxin-6.

The mechanism by which acetaminophen (APAP) causes liver damage evokes many aspects drug metabolism, oxidative chemistry, and genetic-predisposition. In this study, we leverage the relative resistance of female C57BL/6 mice to APAP-induced liver damage (AILD) compared to male C57BL/6 mice in order to identify the cause(s) of sensitivity. Furthermore, we use mice that are either heterozygous (HZ) or null (KO) for glutamate cysteine ligase modifier subunit (Gclm), in order to titrate the toxicity relative to wild-type (WT) mice. Gclm is important for efficient de novo synthesis of glutathione (GSH). APAP (300 mg/kg, ip) or saline was administered and mice were collected at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 h. Male mice showed marked elevation in serum alanine aminotransferase by 6 h. In contrast, female WT and HZ mice showed minimal toxicity at all time points. Female KO mice, however, showed AILD comparable to male mice. Genotype-matched male and female mice showed comparable APAP–protein adducts, with Gclm KO mice sustaining significantly greater adducts. ATP was depleted in mice showing toxicity, suggesting impaired mitochondria function. Indeed, peroxiredoxin-6, a GSH-dependent peroxiredoxin, was preferentially adducted by APAP in mitochondria of male mice but rarely adducted in female mice. These results support parallel mechanisms of toxicity where APAP adduction of peroxiredoxin-6 and sustained GSH depletion results in the collapse of mitochondria function and hepatocyte death. We conclude that adduction of peroxiredoxin-6 sensitizes male C57BL/6 mice to toxicity by acetaminophen.
Minimal coupling of electromagnetic field in riemann-cartan spacetime for perfect fluids

We minimally couple the electromagnetic field to gravity in Riemann-Cartan spacetime in the self-consistent formalism for perfect fluids by treating the internal energy of matter as a function of the electromagnetic field. The overall LagrangJan of the gravitational field, perfect fluid, and the electromagnetic field is constrained to be gauge invariant under gauge transformations of the vector potential. The theory preserves both charge conservation and particle number conservation, and gives the usual form of the free field equations.
Classification of singular Sobolev connections by their holonomy

For a connection on a principalSU(2) bundle over a base space with a codimension two singular set, a limit holonomy condition is stated. In dimension four, finite action implies that the condition is satisfied and an a priori estimate holds which classifies the singularity in terms of holonomy. If there is no holonomy, then a codimension two removable singularity theorem is obtained.
Liquid crystalline gels self-assembled from block copolymers

Self-assembly of coil-SGLCP-coil block copolymers provides a route to model liquid crystalline (LC) gels in concentrations ranging from bulk polymer to gels with as little as 5 wt % polymer in a small-molecule LC host. Triblock copolymers with LC-phobic endblocks associate in a nematic liquid crystal to create crosslinks. An SGLCP midblock allows for solubilization of the network. These materials have a precisely tailored network structure ideal for comparison to theory1 of liquid crystalline elastomers. In addition, the gel responds readily to external fields since the concentration of polymer can be relatively low. In this report we discuss rheological measurements that demonstrate gelation at low polymer concentrations. We show that the association of the PS blocks at low concentration is driven by the presence of the SGLCP, rather than incompatibility between PS and 5CB. We then discuss the alignment of the gels via shear, magnetic fields, electric fields, and alignment surfaces. Finally, we present results on a distinctive striped texture observed in aligned gels when subjected to an applied electric field or normal force. The exceptional electro-optic and mechano-optic responsiveness of these gels coupled with thermally reversible gelation suggests they would be ideal candidates for use in large-area printable display technology.
Use of silver alloys to oppose lingual bladed denture teeth.

T he lingual bladed tooth (U. S. Shizai, Los Angeles, Caiif.) was originally designed in 1974 and reported in i! 977.‘In 1980 McCartney* expressed concern regarding the rapid wear usually associated with resin teeth and described a technique for fabrication of cast metal occlusal surfaces for mandibular teeth that oppose bladed teeth. Since then extended use of bladed teeth for removable partial dentures in younger and/or more vigorous patients has demonstrated that McCartney was correct, because excessive wear has been observed. Because of these observations we realize that a harder chewing surface is needed for mandibular teeth for patients who would predictably have more rapid wear. The following technique, originally developed for removable partial denture and implant patients, is now used for about 30% of all patients with lingual bladed dmtures. Fig. 1. Tips of bladed teeth are easily identified in wax.
Using a relational database for scalable XML search

XML is a flexible and powerful tool that enables information and security sharing in heterogeneous environments. Scalable technologies are needed to effectively manage the growing volumes of XML data. A wide variety of methods exist for storing and searching XML data; the two most common techniques are conventional tree-based and relational approaches. Tree-based approaches represent XML as a tree and use indexes and path join algorithms to process queries. In contrast, the relational approach utilizes the power of a mature relational database to store and search XML. This method relationally maps XML queries to SQL and reconstructs the XML from the database results. To date, the limited acceptance of the relational approach to XML processing is due to the need to redesign the relational schema each time a new XML hierarchy is defined. We, in contrast, describe a relational approach that is fixed schema eliminating the need for schema redesign at the expense of potentially longer runtimes. We show, however, that these potentially longer runtimes are still significantly shorter than those of the tree approach. We use a popular XML benchmark to compare the scalability of both approaches. We generated large collections of heterogeneous XML documents ranging in size from 500 MB to 8 GB using the XBench benchmark. The scalability of each method was measured by running XML queries that cover a wide range of XML search features on each collection. We measure the scalability of each method over different query features as the collection size increases. In addition, we examine the performance of each method as the result size and the number of predicates increase. Our results show that our relational approach provides a scalable approach to XML retrieval by leveraging existing relational database optimizations. Furthermore, we show that the relational approach typically outperforms the tree-based approach while scaling consistently over all collections studied.
Influence of molecular weight distribution on the structure and properties of melt-spun polypropylene filaments

The role of molecular weight distribution on the spinnability, structure, and properties of melt-spun isotactic polypropylene filaments was studied with the aim of clearly distinguishing the effect of the breadth of the distribution from the effect of the average molecular weight and resin melt flow rate (MFR). Nine resins were chosen for this purpose, ranging in MFR from 16 to 78 and in polydispersity from 2.6 to 5.4. It was observed that the spinnability, structure, and properties of the spun filaments were all strong functions of the breadth of the distribution. Spinnability decreased with increasing breadth. At given spinning conditions and polydispersity, an increase in the weight-average molecular weight (decrease in MFR) produces an increase in crystallinity, birefringence, tensile strength, and tensile modulus. But at given spinning conditions and resin MFR, broadening the molecular weight distribution (increasing the polydispersity) produces an increase in crystallinity, tensile modulus, and elongation-to-break while birefringence and tensile strength decrease. The major influence of the polydispersity on the structure and properties developed was attributed to its effect on both the elongational viscosity of the resin and the ability of high molecular weight tails in the distribution to influence the stress-induced crystallization that occurs in the spinline. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Soil surface characteristics and variability in the growth of millet in the plateau and valley region of Western Niger

Abstract Short-range (less than 10 m) spatial variability in crop growth in the Sahelian zone of West Africa is a common occurrence. This phenomenon has been attributed to variability in soil chemical and physical properties, which are influenced by the effects of wind and water erosion and can be associated with micro-topographic features of the landscape. This study was conducted to quantify the association of variability in the growth of local millet ( Pennisetum glaucum (L) R.Br.) with soil surface characteristics that can be easily evaluated. Millet yield and soil characteristics were measured in transects throughout farmers fields within a 500 ha experimental watershed located in the plateau and valley geomorphic unit in Western Niger. Best millet growth was associated with micro-topographic high positions within the landscape, which comprised 30% of the surface area planted to millet. The worst growth was associated with eroded soils (10% of the surface area). Micro-topographic highs were associated with the growth of a tree species, primarily Guiera senegalensis, Combretum glutinosum or Piliostigma reticulatum , which are the predominant species of the savanna in this ecological zone.
Conducting risk evaluations for future violence: Ethical practice is possible.

Psychologists frequently testify in court about an individual's risk for future violence. Decades ago, the basis for such testimony was problematic, but the field has made significant progress. However, recent criticisms raise ethical concerns about risk evaluations and state that current methods do not meet admissibility standards. Responding to such criticisms is important for expert witness involvement in these evaluations. We note that it is feasible to conduct thorough ethical evaluations that will aid judicial and clinical decision making. We argue that the courts find this information necessary, and well-informed professionals can make valid and important contributions in these proceedings. To leave the courts without access to the best science available could cause more harm than good.
Inflammation and the development of pancreatic cancer.

Abstract Objective . Pancreatic cancer has an extremely poor prognosis and the cellular mechanisms contributing to pancreatic cancer are relatively unknown. The goals of this review are to present the epidemiological and experimental data that supports inflammation as a key mediator of pancreatic cancer development, to explain how inflammatory pathways may create an environment that supports tumor formation, and to discuss how the use of novel agents directed at these pathways may be used for the treatment of pancreatic malignancy. Summary Background Data . Inflammation has been identified as a significant factor in the development of other solid tumor malignancies. Both hereditary and sporadic forms of chronic pancreatitis are associated with an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. The combined increase in genomic damage and cellular proliferation, both of which are seen with inflammation, strongly favors malignant transformation of pancreatic cells. Cytokines, reactive oxygen species, and mediators of the inflammatory pathway (e.g., NF- κ B and COX-2) have been shown to increase cell cycling, cause loss of tumor suppressor function, and stimulate oncogene expression; all of which may lead to pancreatic malignancy. Anti-cytokine vaccines, inhibitors of pro-inflammatory NF- κ B and COX-2 pathways, thiazolidinediones, and anti-oxidants are potentially useful for the prevention or treatment of pancreatic cancer. Redirection of experimental interests toward pancreatic inflammation and mechanisms of carcinogenesis may identify other novel anti-inflammatory agents or other ways to screen for or prevent pancreatic cancer. Conclusion . Pancreatic inflammation, mediated by cytokines, reactive oxygen species, and upregulated pro-inflammatory pathways, may play a key role in the early development of pancreatic malignancy.
High dielectric constant SU8 composite photoresist for embedded capacitors

A novel, photodefinable, high dielectric constant (high-k) nanocomposite material was developed for embedded capacitor applications. It consists of SU8 as the polymer matrix and barium titanate (BT) nanoparticles as the filler. The UV absorption characteristics of BT nanoparticles were studied with a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The effects of BT nanoparticle size, filler loading, and UV irradiation dose on SU8 photopolymerization were systematically investigated. The dielectric properties of the photodefined SU8 nanocomposites were characterized. Embedded capacitors using the novel high dielectric constant SU8 composite photoresist were demonstrated on a flexible polyimide substrate by the UV lithography method. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 1523–1528, 2007
Numerical simulation of drops inside an asymmetric microchannel with protrusions

Abstract Microfluidic channels with asymmetric protrusions have been utilized previously to enhance mixing in the drops that travel through the channels. To study the flow pattern in the drops and help explain the mixing phenomenon, in this work an immersed-boundary method is developed to simulate dynamics of a drop in arbitrary channel geometries. In this method, the fluid–solid interface is handled by the sharp-interface approach in which the interface maintains its singularity and the boundary conditions are satisfied at the exact location of the interface. On the other hand, the fluid–fluid interface is handled by a diffuse-interface approach in which the interfacial discontinuities are regularized by an approximated delta function. The simulation results show that for the drop in a channel with bumps on one side, the flow pattern inside the drop largely depends on the viscosity ratio and the geometry of the bumps. When the viscosity ratio or the curvature of the bumps is increased, the vortex pair inside the drop become skewed or even reduce to one single circulation. In three dimensions, the circulations in the spanwise direction are also developed. The mixing enhancement of these flow patterns is demonstrated by simulating the passive tracers in the drop.
Network homeostasis: a matter of coordination

Brain circuits undergo distributed rearrangements throughout life: development, experience and behavior constantly modify synaptic strength and network connectivity. Despite these changes, neurons and circuits need to preserve their functional stability. Single neurons maintain their spontaneous firing rate within functional working ranges by regulating the efficacy of their synaptic inputs. But how do networks maintain a stable behavior? Is network homeostasis a consequence of cell autonomous mechanisms? In this article we will review recent evidence showing that network homeostasis is more than the sum of single-neuron homeostasis and that high-order network stability can be achieved by coordinated inter-cellular interactions.
Identification of the genetic alterations in nitrous acid-induced ad-3 mutants of Neurospora crassa.

Abstract Genetic analysis of nitrous acid-induced ad-3 mutants of Neurospora crassa have been made to determine the mechanisms of mutation induction at the molecular level. Studies of the reversibility of these mutants have shown that (1) 65% revert with nitrous acid and either diethyl sulfate or ethyl methanesulfonate, (2) 19% revert only with nitrous acid, (3) 10% only spontaneous, and (4) 6% do not revert at all. Those mutants that revert with both nitrous acid and diethyl sulfate or ethyl methane-sulfonate do not fall into discrete groups but show a highly significant correlation between the reversion frequencies. These observations lead to the conclusion that 84% of the nitrous acid-induced mutants in Neurospora are base-pair substitutions: the genetics alterations comprising the remaining 16% have not been identified.
Metabolism of prostaglandin endoperoxide by microsomes from cat lung.

Abstract It has been reported that the prostaglandin (PG) precursor, arachidonic acid, produces divergnet hemodynamic responses in the feline pulmonary vascular bed. However, the pattern of arachidonic acid products formed in the lung of this species is unknown. In order to determine the type and activity of terminal enzymes in the lung, prostaglandin biosynthesis by microsomes from cat lung was studied using the prostaglandin endoperoxide, PHG 2 , as a substrate. The major products of incubations of PGH 2 with mcirosomes were thromboxane (TX) B 2 (the major metabolite of TXA 2 ), 6-keto-PGF 1α (the breakdown product of PGI 2 ) and 12L-hydroxy-5,8,10-heptadecatrienoic acid (HHT). Formation of TXB 2 was markedly reduced by imidazole. Tranylcypromine decreased the formation of TXB 2 and HHT and inhibited the formation of 6-keto-PGF 1α . At low PGH 2 concentrations, equal production of TXB 2 and 6-keto-PGF 1α was observed. However, as PGH 2 concentration increased, 6-keto-PGF 1α production approached early saturation while TXB 2 production increased in a linear fashion. These results suggest that enzymatic formation of TXA 2 and PGI 2 is a function of substrate availability in the lung. These findings provide a possible explanation for the divergent hemodynamic responses to arachidonic acid infusions at high and low concentrations in the feline pulmonary vascular bed.
A Study on Gross Motor Skills of Preschool Children.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a creative movement program on gross motor skills of preschool children. Sixty children between the ages of 3 to 5 were drawn from the population of a preschool in Taichung, Taiwan. An experimental pretest-posttest control-group design was utilized. The children enrolled in the experimental group participated in a creative movement program twice a week for 30 minutes each time. Meanwhile, the children enrolled in the control group participated in unstructured free play. Data were collected from the administration of a pretest and posttest to both groups to investigate the effects of a creative movement program on the scores of the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-Second Edition (PDMS-2). Analysis of covariance was utilized to test four questions to investigate the effects of the creative movement program on gross motor skills. Results of this study showed that students participating in the creative movement program in gross motor skill...
Effect of fetal size on fetal placental hyaluronan and hyaluronoglucosaminidases throughout gestation in the pig.

The trophoblast-endometrial epithelial cell bilayer of porcine placenta undergoes microscopic folding during gestation, and the folded bilayer is embedded in fetal placental stroma. We hypothesized that hyaluronan was a component of fetal placental stroma, and that hyaluronoglucosaminidases played a role in bilayer folding. Gilts were unilaterally hysterectomized-ovariectomized (UHO) at 160 days of age, mated at estrus and killed on days 25, 45, 65, 85 or 105 of gestation. Fetal placental tissues were collected to evaluate hyaluronan and hyaluronoglucosaminidase content. Fetal placental hyaluronan concentration increased (P < 0.01) between day 25 and 45 of gestation, remained high throughout gestation, and was greater (P < 0.05) in the fetal placenta of the smallest compared to the largest fetuses on day 105 of gestation. Hyaluronan was localized to fetal placental stroma. Three cDNAs for hyaluronoglucosaminidase 1 (two 1379 and one 1552 bp) and one cDNA (1421 bp) for hyaluronoglucosaminidase 2 were cloned from day-85 fetal placental RNA. Gene expression analysis indicated that the 1379 bp form of hyaluronoglucosaminidase 1 mRNA did not differ, the 1552 bp form increased, and the 1421 bp form of hyaluronoglucosaminidase 2 decreased during pregnancy. Amount of all three mRNAs was greater (P < 0.05) in fetal placenta of the smallest compared to the largest fetuses. Zymography indicated 70 and 55 kd protein isoforms of hyaluronoglucosaminidase in fetal placental tissue. Both forms increased with advancing gestation and were greater in fetal placenta of the smallest compared to the largest fetuses (P < 0.05). These results are consistent with a role for hyaluronan and hyaluronoglucosaminidases in the development of the microscopic folds of the pig placenta during gestation. Published by Elsevier B.V.