cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Monitoring Ancient Buildings: Real Deployment of an IoT System Enhanced by UAVs and Virtual Reality

The historical buildings of a nation are the tangible signs of its history and culture. Their preservation deserves considerable attention, being of primary importance from a historical, cultural, and economic point of view. Having a scalable and reliable monitoring system plays an important role in the Structural Health Monitoring (SHM): therefore, this paper proposes an Internet of Things (IoT) architecture for a remote monitoring system that is able to integrate, through the Virtual Reality (VR) paradigm, the environmental and mechanical data acquired by a wireless sensor network set on three ancient buildings with the images and context information acquired by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle UAV. Moreover, the information provided by the UAV allows to promptly inspect the critical structural damage, such as the patterns of cracks in the structural components of the building being monitored. Our approach opens new scenarios to support SHM activities, because an operator can interact with real-time data retrieved from a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) by means of the VR environment.
Calibration and Academic Performance in Students of Health Sciences

Abstract Purpose Accurate metacognitive control is an essential component of effective clinical reasoning, as the inability to accurately pass judgment over knowledge has been associated with greater diagnostic error than lack of knowledge or poor memory. As such, it is necessary for educators of students in health sciences to assess metacognition in addition to academic performance. Calibration is a quantitative measurement used to operationalize metacognitive control, as it indicates the relationship between perceived and actual performance. Method This study explored the relationship between local-level calibration and academic performance in 34 students of health sciences in an authentic, classroom setting. The class was designed to have five quizzes across the 15-week semester. Performance on each of the five quizzes was used to track academic performance of each student over time. Results Statistically significant correlations are reported between local-level calibration and performance on five quizzes. Local-level calibration scores accounted for 51-81% of the variance in quiz scores throughout the 15-week semester course. Discussion This study was able to generalize the previously reported relationship between calibration and academic performance as found in laboratory settings and educational psychology courses to students of the health sciences. These findings translate metacognitive research into the health sciences to further the theoretical framework for research in the area of clinical reasoning.
Cutting-edge research at the Laboratory for Physical Sciences

The Laboratory for Physical Sciences is a DOD lab performing research in quantum computing, novel computer architectures, high performance computing, brain-inspired systems for learning, and application of machine learning to cybersecurity problems. This talk will provide an overview of ongoing research efforts at the lab, and then will drill down into work applying machine learning and other techniques to the task of malware analysis. This includes development of classifiers to determine if a given file is malware, generation of features through static analysis, disassembly, decompilation and dynamic analysis, aides to the human malware reverse engineer, and automated signature generation for family identification.
Energy Efficient Opportunistic Spectrum Access Strategy In Time-Slot Networks

Aiming at the problem of secondary user energy restriction in cognitive radio Ad Hoc networks, a opportunistic spectrum access strategy based on energy efficiency is proposed. Considering both the time-varying channel state and the accuracy of secondary user spectrum perception, an analysis framework to maximize energy efficiency is established based on partially observable Markov decision-making process, which guides secondary users to select the most energy-efficient channel, and adaptively controls transmission power according to belief state, channel gain and detection probability. The simulation results show that this strategy can improve the energy efficiency of secondary user transmission, and achieve an effective compromise between transmission rate and energy overhead by effectively controlling transmission power.
Language Use and Development in Third-Person Singular Contexts: Assessment Implications.

Purpose The purpose of this assessment-focused clinical focus article is to increase familiarity with African American English (AAE)–speaking children's pattern of language use in third-person sing...
A Fragment-Based Approach to Discovery of RAGE Inhibitors.

The Receptor for Advanced Glycation End products (RAGE) is a pattern recognition receptor that signals for inflammation via the NF-κB pathway. RAGE has been pursued as a potential target to suppress symptoms of diabetes and is of interest in a number of other diseases associated with chronic inflammation, such as inflammatory bowel disease and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Screening and optimization have previously produced small molecules that inhibit the activity of RAGE in cell-based assays, but efforts to develop a therapeutically viable direct-binding RAGE inhibitor have yet to be successful. Here, we show that a fragment-based approach can be applied to discover fundamentally new types of RAGE inhibitors that specifically target the ligand-binding surface. A series of systematic assays of structural stability, solubility, and crystallization were performed to select constructs of the RAGE ligand-binding domain and optimize conditions for NMR-based screening and co-crystallization of RAGE with hit fragments. An NMR-based screen of a highly curated ~14 000-member fragment library produced 21 fragment leads. Of these, 3 were selected for elaboration based on structure-activity relationships generated through cycles of structural analysis by X-ray crystallography, structure-guided design principles, and synthetic chemistry. These results, combined with crystal structures of the first linked fragment compounds, demonstrate the applicability of the fragment-based approach to the discovery of RAGE inhibitors. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Bridging Reinforcement Learning and Online Learning for Spacecraft Attitude Control

Artificial intelligence is expected to revolutionize all areas of space operations in the coming years. The most advanced space systems will possess the ability to adapt and improve performance ove...
CRC Dictionary of Agricultural Sciences

Contemporary agriculture is a wide-ranging field with its own unique language. As an aid for improving scientific communication for everyone from students to public decision-makers, the CRC Dictionary of Agricultural Sciences provides a comprehensive guide to the terminology of agriculture. It includes every area of agriculture, from traditional fa
Holmes, Alice, and Ezeulu: Western Rationality in the Context of British Colonialism and Western Modernity

HOLMES, ALICE, AND EZEULU: WESTERN RATIONALITY IN THE CONTEXT OF BRITISH COLONIALISM AND WESTERN MODERNITY Andrew Boyce Schultz Department of English Master of Arts This thesis examines Western rationality, contextualizing that subject in British colonialism and Western modernity. Using Scott Lash’s description of academic characterizations of modernity, I explore the “high” modernity of the social sciences represented in the books Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll and The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle. I then explore the cultural studies critique of that characterization of modernity in the book Arrow of God by Chinua Achebe. Using the theory of Jean Francois Lyotard, Martin Heidegger, and Theodor Adorno, I look at Western rationality through its manifestation in British colonialism. I argue that colonialism is a site where rationality’s negative legacy is manifest, and that the paradoxical representations of rationality in the books by Carroll and Doyle indicate a problem with the assumption that Western rationality was a universal epistemology. Contrary to the British’s own ideas of their rationality, I find that Western rationality is ultimately a culturally-grounded discourse. Using Chinua Achebe’s Arrow of God, I examine the intersection between Western rationality and other forms of cultural knowledge, an intersection that occurred through British colonialism. Achebe argues against the universal model of Western rationality and posits instead a relative valuing of each culture’s methods of arriving at truth. I use his novel to illustrate the limits of Western rationality and its claim to universality.
Health message framing: Moderators, mediators, and mysteries.

Health message framing is an important aspect of health communication. Over the past 20 years, researchers have sought to identify the contexts in which gain-framed and loss-framed health messages are most likely to motivate healthy behavior. Two major approaches have emerged: One approach focusing on matching the frame of the message to how people perceive the risks and uncertainties of the advocated health behavior and the other approach focusing on matching the frame of the message to the motivational orientation of the recipient. In this review, we describe these two major approaches to health message framing, identify the most likely psychological mediators that explain why these approaches motivate behavior, suggest a way to integrate these two approaches, and outline several key future directions for both basic and applied research in health message framing.
Female morphology, web design, and the potential for multiple mating in Nephila clavipes: do fat‐bottomed girls make the spider world go round?

In animal species where females mate with multiple males, female mating success might be expected to covary with aspects of female morphology, such as size or shape. Spiders are especially interesting in this regard, as the females of several spider groups weave intricate webs that often accommodate multiple male spiders, all of whom are potential mates. Because web design is likely to be dependent on female size/shape, we use multivariate methods to assess the relationships among female morphology, web design, and reproductive ecology over a range of body sizes in the orb-weaving spider Nephila clavipes . Of the measured variables, only abdomen size explained a significant amount of the variation in number of males on a web, and this relationship holds even after statistically accounting for body size. Because abdomen size is an indicator of body condition in spiders, we suggest that condition is likely to be an important factor relating to potential mating success in female spiders. We found no evidence for an association between web design and number of males on a web, although our data indicate that larger females build webs that are both larger and further from the ground than those of smaller females. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 87 , 95 − 102.
Load Characterization and Measurement

Timely detection of changes in traffic is critical for initiating appropriate traffic engineering mechanisms. Accurate measurement of traffic is an essential step towards change detection and traffic engineering. However, precise traffic measurement involves inspecting every packet traversing a link, resulting in significant overhead, particularly on routers with high speed links. Sampling techniques for traffic load estimation are proposed as a way to limit the measurement overhead. Since the efficacy of change detection depends on the accuracy of traffic load estimation, it is necessary to control error in estimation due to sampling. In this paper, we address the problem of bounding sampling error within a pre-specified tolerance level. We derive a relationship between the number of packet samples, the accuracy of load estimation and the squared coefficient of variation of packet size distribution. Based on this relationship, we propose an adaptive random sampling technique that determines the minimum sampling probability adaptively according to traffic dynamics. Using real network traffic traces, we show that the proposed adaptive random sampling technique indeed produces the desired accuracy, while also yielding significant reduction in the amount of traffic samples, yet simple to implement.We also investigate the impact of sampling errors on the performance of load change detection.
ABCG2 expression, function and a SNP variant in the NCI drug screen cell lines

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 609 ABCG2 is a member of the ATP-binding cassette family of xenobiotic transporters. Expression can be induced by exposure to cytotoxic substrates, leading to drug resistance. High expression of ABCG2 in a 'side population’ of cells –potentially representing stem cells –may characterize the early stem cell phenotype, and explain multidrug resistance in these cells. A number of non-synonymous SNPs have been found in the ABCG2 gene, including the Q141K variant which has a high frequency in normal volunteers. Different researchers have identified the Q141K variant with a loss of membrane expression, reduced drug efflux, and decreased ATPase activity. The NCI Anticancer Drug Screen (NCI-ADS) has been used successfully to identify new cancer therapies, novel cellular targets, common mechanisms of action, and mechanisms of drug resistance. For example, the 60-cell line profile of both expression and function of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) was used to identify Pgp substrates and inhibitors through correlation with cytotoxicity patterns. We pursued a similar strategy by using measured expression and function of ABCG2 in the NCI-ADS cell lines. We also explored what effect the Q141K SNP had on transporter function. ABCG2 expression was determined by RT-PCR. A wide range in expression level was found, with high levels in H460, A549, RPMI 8226, MDA-MB 231, and HT29 cells. Function was measured as the efflux of the fluorescent substrate, pheophorbide a (PhA), detected by flow cytometry with and without the ABCG2 inhibitor fumitremorgin C. High function was found in H460, A549, RPMI 8226, H23, KM12, HCC 2998, and SF-295 cells. We found a statistically significant correlation between expression and function across the cell lines (r2 = 0.67). The expression and function of cell lines containing the Q141K variant were compared to those with a wildtype ABCG2 sequence. Ten lines have the Q141K variant, with two lines also containing the 944-949 deletion variant. Plasma membrane efflux of PhA as a function of expression was calculated and categorized by SNP variant. There was a strong trend towards lower function in the lines with the Q141K SNP. When the expression and function of ABCG2 was re-plotted with just wildtype cell lines, a stronger correlation was found (r2 = 0.80). The functional data from all 60 cell lines was used as a profile to probe the NCI-ADS database using the COMPARE program, and Pearson correlation coefficients were generated. Positive correlations identified possible substrates while negative correlations identified potential inhibitors. We identified 12 agents with a positive correlation above 0.50, and 11 agents with a negative correlation above 0.60. Experiments are ongoing to determine whether these agents are substrates and inhibitors, and final results will be presented. Further preclinical studies will be necessary to determine whether ABCG2 inhibition is an effective antitumor strategy, including targeting cancer stem cells.
Changes in the synthesis and phosphorylation of cellular proteins in chick fibroblasts transformed by two avian sarcoma viruses

35S- and 32P-labeled proteins from control chick embryo fibroblasts and from fibroblasts transformed by UR2 sarcoma virus, or by a temperature-sensitive mutant (tsLA29) of Rous sarcoma virus, were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis on giant gels to detect transformation-specific changes in protein synthesis and total phosphorylation. A nontransforming avian retrovirus, UR2-associated virus (UR2AV), was also studied. Virus-coded proteins appear in whole cell lysates of all infected cells. The structural proteins can be identified by comparison with proteins immunoprecipitated with antivirus serum. The transforming proteins pp60src and p68ros, present in cells transformed with Rous sarcoma virus and UR2, respectively, are phosphorylated in vivo. Eighteen increases and eight decreases in cellular phosphoproteins are associated with transformation, and revert toward normal levels when cells infected with tsLA29 are incubated at 42 degrees C. These changes are more extensive than previously reported, but none represent new phosphorylations, since all phosphoproteins seen in transformed cells also appear to be phosphorylated to a certain extent in control cells. Fifteen cellular proteins show increased relative rates of synthesis apparently related either to transformation or to growth at 42 degrees C. Four other proteins are increased exclusively in cells incubated at 42 degrees C, but not at 37 degrees C, whether transformed or not. Eleven additional increases in the synthesis of cellular proteins, many quite large, and one seemingly a de novo induction, appear to be specific for transformation. These changes occur in cells transformed by either UR2 or Rous sarcoma virus at 37 degrees C, do not occur with UR2AV infection, and tend to revert in cells infected with tsLA29 incubated at 42 degrees C. These 11 changes may represent increases in cellular gene expression that are related specifically to the maintenance of the transformed state.
Error Simulation in a Maturity Environment for Software Engineering Teaching

The software industry blames universities for their graduates lacking necessary skills, meaning that just the possession of knowledge does not necessarily imply the competent performance required by the profession. Professional maturity in software engineering is one of software industry’s major needs and in-office training can not address this need as efficiently as university education can. This paper exposes the experience reached in a software engineering course in which students develop their software projects in a mature environment. The emphasis here is to use a tool inside a maturity environment that can simulate user errors when operating the software, so that students can learn how to prevent them in their software projects.
Source separation with scattering Non-Negative Matrix Factorization

This paper presents a single-channel source separation method that extends the ideas of Nonnegative Matrix Factorization (NMF). We interpret the approach of audio demixing via NMF as a cascade of a pooled analysis operator, given for example by the magnitude spectrogram, and a synthesis operators given by the matrix decomposition. Instead of imposing the temporal consistency of the decomposition through sophisticated structured penalties in the synthesis stage, we propose to change the analysis operator for a deep scattering representation, where signals are represented at several time resolutions. This new signal representation is invariant to smooth changes in the signal, consistent with its temporal dynamics. We evaluate the proposed approach in a speech separation task obtaining promising results.
The incidence of endometriosis interna in 120 cases of carcinoma of the endometrium

Abstract 1. 1. In a study of 120 uteri containing endometrial carcinoma, 40, or 33 per cent, had endometrial glands well within the myometrium. 2. 2. In a study of a control group comprised of 264 uteri of the same age distribution without carcinoma, removed surgically with a variety of clinical diagnoses, 48, or 18 per cent, showed uterine endometriosis. 3. 3. Application of the chi-square formula indicated that the greater incidence of endometriosis interna in these cases of carcinoma of the uterine body was statistically significant. 4. 4. Extensive endometriosis interna was found more often in the cancer group than in the control group, whereas the incidence of endometriosis did not vary significantly with either the type of carcinoma or its degree of differentiation. 5. 5. The result of this study places endometriosis interna among the disturbances in growth associated with endometrial carcinoma and suggests a possible common etiological background.
Bayesian inference with historical data-based informative priors improves detection of differentially expressed genes

MOTIVATION Modern high-throughput biotechnologies such as microarray are capable of producing a massive amount of information for each sample. However, in a typical high-throughput experiment, only limited number of samples were assayed, thus the classical 'large p, small n' problem. On the other hand, rapid propagation of these high-throughput technologies has resulted in a substantial collection of data, often carried out on the same platform and using the same protocol. It is highly desirable to utilize the existing data when performing analysis and inference on a new dataset. RESULTS Utilizing existing data can be carried out in a straightforward fashion under the Bayesian framework in which the repository of historical data can be exploited to build informative priors and used in new data analysis. In this work, using microarray data, we investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of deriving informative priors from historical data and using them in the problem of detecting differentially expressed genes. Through simulation and real data analysis, we show that the proposed strategy significantly outperforms existing methods including the popular and state-of-the-art Bayesian hierarchical model-based approaches. Our work illustrates the feasibility and benefits of exploiting the increasingly available genomics big data in statistical inference and presents a promising practical strategy for dealing with the 'large p, small n' problem. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION Our method is implemented in R package IPBT, which is freely available from https://github.com/benliemory/IPBT CONTACT: yuzhu@purdue.edu; zhaohui.qin@emory.edu SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Global arginine bioavailability, a marker of nitric oxide synthetic capacity, is decreased in PTSD and correlated with symptom severity and markers of inflammation

Psychiatric, physical and biological aspects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be associated with dysfunctions in several cellular processes including nitric oxide (NO) production. NO is synthesized from arginine in a reaction carried out by NO synthase (NOS) enzymes. The recently introduced "global arginine bioavailability ratio" (GABR; ratio of arginine to [ornithine+ citrulline]) has been proposed as a reliable approximation of NO synthetic capacity in vivo. The objectives of the present study were to test the hypotheses that (i) subjects with combat-related PTSD have lower GABR scores than combat controls, (ii) GABR score is inversely associated with the severity of psychopathological measures, (iii) GABR score is inversely associated with markers of inflammation. (Less)
Auditors’ Role in Level 2 versus Level 3 Fair-Value Classification Judgments

This study addresses auditors’ role in determining the quality of their client’s fair value classification judgments for investment securities under ASC 820. The standard requires companies to classify fair value assets into one of three levels (i.e., Level 1, 2, or 3) and there is often significant subjectivity in determining whether a particular security should be classified as Level 2 or Level 3. We examine how auditors react to management’s preferred classification of securities that a pre-test indicates could reasonably be classified as either Level 2 or Level 3. We test whether experienced fair value auditors respond skeptically to management’s preferred classifications that are aligned with management’s incentives. Our experiment examines whether auditors spontaneously incorporate into their judgments the risk and regulatory scrutiny inherent in the fair value environment, even when those risks are not made salient. We find that auditors are diagnostically skeptical of management's preferred fair-value classifications. That is, auditors respond most skeptically to a classification management prefers when it is aligned with management’s reporting incentives, which is consistent with auditors having internalized regulators’ warnings not to be too lenient in such cases. We discuss the implications for audit quality in fair-value auditing settings.
Evaluating laser range scanner lateral resolution in 3D metrology

In this study, laser range scanner lateral resolution is investigated for laser range scanners. A standardized method is proposed and demonstrated for quantifying the lateral surface resolvability of a laser range scanner through the use of an appropriately-designed artefact. A new metric for lateral surface resolution, the limit of surface resolvability, is presented and is obtained using what is referred to as the wedge test. The results of applying this metrics using this test method to laser range scanners is also presented.
Identification of non-peptide Malignant Brain Tumor (MBT) repeat antagonists by Virtual Screening of commercially available compounds

The malignant brain tumor (MBT) repeat is an important epigenetic-code “reader” and is functionally associated with differentiation, gene silencing, and tumor suppression.(1-3) Small molecule probes of MBT domains should enable a systematic study of MBT-containing proteins and potentially reveal novel druggable targets. We designed and applied a virtual screening strategy that identified potential MBT antagonists in a large database of commercially available compounds. A small set of virtual hits was purchased and submitted to experimental testing. Nineteen of the purchased compounds showed a specific dose-dependent protein binding and will provide critical structure−activity information for subsequent lead generation and optimization.
Retrovirus DNA termini bound by integrase communicate in trans for full-site integration in vitro.

Integration of linear retrovirus DNA involves the concerted insertion of the viral termini (full-site integration) into the host chromosome. We investigated the interactions that occur between long terminal repeat (LTR) termini bound by avian retrovirus integrase (IN) for full-site integration in vitro. Wild-type (wt) or mutant LTR donors that possess gain-of-function ("G") or loss-of-function ("L") for full-site integration activity were used. G LTR termini are characterized as having significantly higher strand transfer activity than the wt and the L LTR termini. L LTR mutations are classified as partially or extremely defective for strand transfer activity. The L mutations were further classified by their ability to either permit or block the assembly of G or wt LTR termini into nucleoprotein complexes capable of full-site strand transfer. We demonstrated that avian myeloblastosis virus IN bound to G LTR termini increased the incorporation of partially defective L LTR termini into nucleoprotein complexes that were capable of full-site integration. The observed full-site integration activity of these assembled nucleoprotein complexes appeared to be influenced by each individual IN-LTR complex in trans. In contrast, extremely defective L LTR termini exhibited the ability to effectively block the assembly of wt LTR termini into nucleoprotein complexes capable of full-site strand transfer. Data from nonspecific DNA competition experiments suggested that IN had an apparent higher affinity for G LTR donor termini than for partially defective L LTR donor termini as measured by full-site integration activity. However, assembled nucleoprotein complexes containing either two G or two L LTR donors were stable, having a similar half-life of approximately 2 h on ice. The results suggest that LTR termini bound by IN exhibit an allosteric effect to modulate full-site integration in vitro. Similar regulatory controls also appear to exist in vivo between the wt U3 and wt U5 LTR termini in retroviruses as well as purified retrovirus preintegration complexes that promoted full-site integration in vitro.
Evaluation of commercial lithium-ion cells based on composite positive electrode for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle applications. Part II. Degradation mechanism under 2 C cycle aging

Abstract Degradation phenomena and inference of their underlying mechanisms during 2 C cycle aging in a cell design comprising {LiMn1/3Ni1/3Co1/3O2 + LiMn2O4} composite positive electrode are studied and reported in this work. We describe how aging phenomena in the cells were studied and incremental capacity analysis applied to infer cell degradation mechanisms in the cycle aging process. Two stages of degradation were observed in the life cycle under this aging regime. In the first stage, we conclude that loss of lithium inventory was the cause of capacity fade. As a result of such parasitic loss, the cell further suffered from loss of active materials in the second stage, in which the positive electrode kinetics was hampered and the capacity loss accelerated.
SEVERE COMBINED IMMUNODEFICIENCY WITH B LYMPHOCYTES, ANTIBODY SYNTHESIS AND RESPONSE TO ALLOGENEIC CELLS IN MLC

A male infant with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) presented at 8 mos of age with failure to thrive and Staph pyoderma. Quant, immunoglobulins were: IgG 150 mg/dl; IgM 31 mg/dl and no detectable IgA. He had 20% complement receptor rosetting peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). Lymphocyte membrane immunofluorescence was positive only for IgM (18%). Total lymphocyte counts varied between 1200-2000/mm3. Antibodies (Abs) to tetanus and polio virus antigens were present. Following a submandibular salpingitis and a severe bilateral pneumonia, Abs to rubella virus were detected. Red cell ADA and NP were normal. Anergy to Candida and failure to sensitize to DNCB were demonstrated. Lymphocyte proliferative responses were absent to all mitogens and specific antigens but normal (SI ratios) to allogeneic cells in MLC. E-rosetting lymphocytes in the PB were very low, 3-8% (nl 50-65%). An increased proportion of cells bearing the HTLA marker, a T-cell surface antigen, was demonstrated after incubation of bone marrow cells (fraction 3) and PBL with bovine and human thymosin and upon thymic epithelial monolayers. However, these same thymic factors could not induce E-rosette formation or responsiveness to mitogens. The cells inducible for the HTLA T-cell marker with thymic factors may represent a precursor T-cell subpopulation responsible for the ontogenically primitive MLC response and perhaps play a role in the production of Abs.
The electronic transport mechanism in amorphous tetrahedrally-coordinated carbon films

The electronic transport mechanism in tetrahedrally coordinated amorphous carbon was investigated using measurements of stress relaxation, thermal evolution of electrical conductivity, and temperature dependent conductivity measurements. Stress relaxation measurements were used to determine the change in 3-fold coordinated carbon concentration, and the electrical conductivity was correlated to this change. It was found that the conductivity was exponentially proportional to the change in 3-fold concentration, indicating a tunneling or hopping transport mechanism. It was also found that the activation energy for transport decreased with increasing anneal temperature. The decrease in activation energy was responsible for the observed increase in electrical conductivity. A model is described wherein the transport in this material is described by thermally activated conduction along 3-fold linkages or chains with variable range and variable orientation hopping. Thermal annealing leads to chain ripening and a reduction in the activation energy for transport.
Wealth effects of foreign expansion by U.S. banks

Abstract The effects of foreign expansion on the market values of U.S. banks (USBs) are examined in this study. The results show that shareholders of USBs experience significant abnormal returns of −0.17 percent when banks announce foreign expansions. Abnormal returns are insignificant when the announced mode of expansion is through a representative office, are significantly positive for announcements related to branches, and are significantly negative when the announced mode of expansion is through formation of a joint venture or a subsidiary, or through an acquisition. Abnormal returns are significantly negative when banks announce expansion into developed countries, and are significantly positive when announcements relate to risky developing countries. Post-announcement changes in the total variance of returns and in the unsystematic risk of USBs are inversely related with abnormal returns. Higher wealth effects are associated with higher levels of prior overseas experience.
Purine and pyrimidine 5'-nucleotide catabolism in Tetrahymena pyriformis W.

SYNOPSIS Deamination at pH 7.5 of adenosine, deoxyadenosine, cytidine and deoxycytidine by cell-free preparations of Tetrahymena pyriformis W was observed both in the presence and absence of fluoride. Deamination of 5′-AMP, 5′-dAMP, 5′-CMP, and 5′-dCMP was found only in the absence of fluoride. Dephosphorylation of the above nucleotides by acid phosphatases occurred at pH 4.5; reduced activity was noted at pH 7.5. Fluoride effectively blocked acid phosphatase activity at both pH values. This correlation of phosphatase and deaminase activities suggests a catabolic pathway for 5′-AMP and 5′-CMP whereby dephosphorylation precedes deamination. Radiolabelled substrates were used to test this hypothesis. The experiments were designed so that conversion of as little at 1.0% of the radiolabelled substrate to the deaminated product could be detected. No 5′-IMP or 5′-UMP, the expected deamination products of 5′-AMP and 5′-CMP, respectively, was recovered after incubation of the radiolabelled substrates with cell-free enzyme preparations. Thus, it appears that Tetrahymena has no 5′-AMP or 5′-CMP deaminases and that these compounds are deaminated only after conversion to nucleosides. Acid phosphatase activity toward 5′-GMP, 5′-dGMP, 5′-TMP, 5′-UMP, and 5′-XMP was also found.
Polarization catastrophe model of static electrification and spokes in the B-ring of Saturn

A Clausius-Mossotti polarization catastrophe is presented as the operative charging mechanism in the Saturn B-ring. A review is undertaken of the polarization effect appearing in ice at the crystallization temperature. The ice crystals in the Saturn rings are in the 68-85 K temperature range, close to the ferroelectric transition temperature. An analytical treatment of the interaction of the ice crystals with the Saturn electric discharge field indicates that once polarization is initiated, it propagates toward the direction of the initial polarization. The spokes form in the radial direction, following the radial direction of the Saturn electric field. The polarization is cancelled by free plasma in the planet shadow. The charges are freed and are observed as the Saturn electric discharge phenomena, which has a periodicity which corresponds with the superrotation of the Saturn ionosphere.
Large Alfvén wave power in the plasma sheet boundary layer during the expansion phase of substorms

Observations by the Polar satellite of large Poynting flux in the plasma sheet boundary layer at geocentric distances of 4 to 6 RE and between 22 and 3 hrs magnetic local time were correlated with H-bay signatures from ground magnetometer records. We provide evidence that large Poynting fluxes occur during the substorm expansion phase. The Poynting fluxes exceeded 1 ergs/cm²s (125 ergs/cm²s when mapped to 100 km), were dominantly directed toward the ionosphere, and were associated with Alfven waves. These observations demonstrate the importance of Alfven wave power as a means of energy transport from the distant magnetotail to the ionosphere during the most dynamic phase of substorms.
Implementing geoportals: applications of distributed GIS

As GIS implementations mature and GIS use expands beyond the current core GIS community the need to discover and disseminate GIS capabilities grows. The Internet and the age of distributed computing provide the technical framework on which distributed GIS is built. As key application of distributed GIS, geoportals provide a gateway to discover and access geographic Web services. Four key geoportal projects are presented that help to define distributed GIS, and illustrate the challenges to be met in order to achieve the goal of wider GIS usage.
One-to-One and One-to-Many Business Relationship Marketing: Toward a Theoretical Framework

ABSTRACT Purpose. This work addresses mixed findings in relationship marketing literature regarding the importance of micro-level (interpersonal) relationships on firm outcome. Methodology/Approach: The article leverages impression formation theory to advance a framework to understand one-to-one and one-to-many marketing relationships to better predict firm outcome. Findings: The authors suggest that 5 framework moderators—the type and consistency of the encounters, relationship age, purchase frequency, relationship interruptions, and two customer side characteristics (i.e., need to evaluate [NTE] and need for cognitive closure [NFCC]”)—can qualify the relationship building process and impact the effectiveness of interpersonal and/or group relationships on firm outcome. Practical Implications: The framework suggests that (1) highly consistent sales team behaviors reduce the risk of losing business in case of a sales team member leaving; (2) low frequency purchases are better suited for one-to-many selling...
The basicity of [tris-(trimethylphosphine)(cyclooctadiene)iridium(I)]

Abstract [Tris-(trimethylphosphine)(cyclooctadiene)iridium(I)]chloride, [Ir(COD)(PMe3)3]Cl, is very electron rich. In this report, that electron rich character is probed by examining the protonation of the complex at the metal center to form the dicationic [tris-(trimethylphosphine)(cyclooctadiene)(hydrido)iridium(III)], [HIr(COD)(PMe3)3]+2. The exact formulation of the species formed depends on the nature of the Bronsted acid's counterion. Protonation with hydrogen chloride, fluoroboric acid, and triflic acid are all described and the structure of the dication and some products from further reaction of the dication are elucidated. Simple aqueous acid/base titration of [Ir(COD)(PMe3)3]Cl is described yielding a pKa for [HIr(COD)(PMe3)3]+2 of 4.2.
A shared imitation: Cistercian convents and crusader families in thirteenth-century Champagne☆

This article examines the relationship between Cistercian nunneries and the crusade movement and considers the role of gender in light of the new emphasis on penitential piety and suffering prevalent during the thirteenth century. Focused on evidence from the region of Champagne in northern France, it argues that female family members of male crusaders adopted Cistercian spirituality as a means of participating in the experience of suffering and the pursuit of the imitation of Christ that had come to be associated with the act of crusading. The connection between Cistercian nuns and crusaders was further strengthened during this period as the Cistercian order expanded its liturgy to include specific rounds of prayers for success in the east and in southern France, for Jerusalem, and for the well-being of crusaders. Many crusader families in Champagne founded Cistercian nunneries to function as family necropolises, further sharpening the connections between crusaders, memory, and suffering as experienced in female Cistercian houses.
Load carriage using packs: a review of physiological, biomechanical and medical aspects

This paper reviews the biomedical aspects of transporting loads in packs and offers suggestions for improving load-carriage capability. Locating the load mass as close as possible to the body center of gravity appears to result in the lowest energy cost when carrying a pack. Thus, the double pack (half the load on the front of the body and half the load on the back) has a lower energy cost than the backpack. However, backpacks provide greater versatility in most situations. The energy cost of walking with backpack loads increases progressively with increases in load mass, body mass, walking speed or grade; type of terrain also influences energy cost. Predictive equations have been developed for estimating the energy cost of carrying loads during locomotion but these may not be accurate for prolonged (>2 h) or downhill carriage. Training with loads can result in greater energy efficiency since walking with backpack loads over several weeks decreases energy cost. Load-carriage speed can be increased with physical training that involves regular running and resistance training. Erector spinae electrical activity (EMG) is lower during load carriage than in unloaded walking until loads exceed 30-40 kg, at which point erector spinae EMG activity is higher than during unloaded walking. EMGs of the quadriceps and gastrocnemius, but not the tibialis anterior or hamstrings, increase with load. Framed packs with hip belts reduce the electrical activity of the trapezius muscles, presumably by shifting forces from the shoulders to the hips. Increases in the backpack load mass result in increases in forces exerted on the grounds, amount of knee flexion and the forward inclination of the trunk. Compared to backpacks, double packs produce fewer deviations from normal walking. Common injuries associated with prolonged load carriage include foot blisters, stress fractures, back strains, metatarsalgia (foot pain), rucksack palsy (shoulder traction injury) and knee pain. Closed-cell neoprene insoles and use of an acrylic or nylon sock, combined with a wool sock, reduce blister incidence. A framed pack with a hip belt reduces the incidence of rucksack palsy. Backpack load carriage can be facilitated by lightening loads, optimizing equipment, improving load distribution and by preventive action aimed at reducing the incidence of injury.
Enzymatic Catalysis and Transition-State Theory

The application of transition-state theory to enzymatic catalysis provides an approach to understanding enzymatic catalysis in terms of the factors that determine the strength of binding of ligands to proteins. The prediction that the transition state should bind to the enzyme much more tightly than the substrate is supported by the experimental results with stable analogs of transition states. Transition-state analogs have great potential for use in understanding enzymatic catalysis and in inhibiting enzymes. Because of their potency and specificity as enzyme inhibitors, some of them may become very useful chemotherapeutic agents.
Methods for genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation in intestinal tumors

Recent studies show that colorectal cancer is strongly associated with aberrant DNA methylation, which has been linked to the origin and progression of the disease. This fact indicates a need for deep analysis of DNA methylation alterations during colorectal carcinogenesis. The knowledge obtained from such studies will elucidate the mechanisms of epigenetic changes and, through the identification and characterization of DNA methylation markers and disease-specific methylation patterns, will help improve the diagnosis and treatment options for patients. The introduction of new methods for genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation has been an important step towards achieving these goals. In this review, we discuss the role of DNA methylation in intestinal carcinogenesis as well as the different methodological approaches that are currently being used for methylation analysis on a genome-wide scale.
When to start: as soon as possible

Debate regarding 'When to start' antiretroviral therapy has raged since the introduction of zidovudine in 1987. Based on the entry criteria for the original Burroughs Wellcome (002) study, the field has been anchored to 'CD4 counts' as the prime metric to indicate ARV treatment initiation for asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals. The pendulum has swung back and forth, based mostly on the efficacy and toxicity of available regimens. In today's world, several factors have converged that compel us to initiate therapy as soon as possible: (i) The biology of viral replication (1-10 billion viruses/day) screams that we should be starting early. (ii) Resultant inflammation from unchecked replication is associated with earlier onset of multiple co-morbid conditions. (iii) The medications available today are more efficacious and less toxic than in years past. (iv) Clinical trials have demonstrated benefit for all but the highest CD4 strata (>450-500 cells/μl). (v) Some cohort studies have demonstrated clear benefit of ARV therapy at any CD4 count and almost all cohort studies have demonstrated no detrimental effects of early treatment. (vi) In addition to the demonstrated and inferred benefits to the individual patient, we now have a public health benefit of earlier intervention: treatment is prevention. Finally, from a practical/common sense perspective: we are talking about life-long therapy. Whether we start at a CD4 count of 732/μl or 493/μl, the patient will be on therapy for over 40-50 years! There does not seem to be much benefit in waiting, and there is likely to be significant long-term harm. Treat early! (Published: 11 November 2012) Citation: Abstracts of the Eleventh International Congress on Drug Therapy in HIV Infection Saag M. Journal of the International AIDS Society 2012, 15 (Suppl 4):18070 http://www.jiasociety.org/index.php/jias/article/view/18070 | http://dx.doi.org/10.7448/IAS.15.6.18070
Matrix identity and tractional forces influence indirect cardiac reprogramming

Heart regeneration through in vivo cardiac reprogramming has been demonstrated as a possible regenerative strategy. While it has been reported that cardiac reprogramming in vivo is more efficient than in vitro, the influence of the extracellular microenvironment on cardiac reprogramming remains incompletely understood. This understanding is necessary to improve the efficiency of cardiac reprogramming in order to implement this strategy successfully. Here we have identified matrix identity and cell-generated tractional forces as key determinants of the dedifferentiation and differentiation stages during reprogramming. Cell proliferation, matrix mechanics, and matrix microstructure are also important, but play lesser roles. Our results suggest that the extracellular microenvironment can be optimized to enhance cardiac reprogramming.
Studies on the spread of excitation through the ventricular myocardium. II. The ventricular septum.

The spread of the excitatory process in the ventricular septum of the dog9s heart has been studied in the isolated organ perfused by the Langendorff technic. It has been possible to remove large portions of the free wall of the right and left ventricles and explore the septal surfaces under direct vision. The mean excitatory pathway in the muscular mass of the dog9s ventricular septum has been demonstrated to be from apex to base. The left side of the septum is activated before the right side, and the apical part of the right side is activated before its base.
Empirical Investigation of the Conflict and Flexibility Models of Bisexuality

ABSTRACT The present study was designed to investigate theoretical assumptions underlying Zinik's conflict and flexibility models of bisexuality (1985). Of particular interest were potential differences among heterosexual, gay/lesbian, and bisexual individuals on measures of flexibility and sexuality conflict. Participants were recruited from an urban jury pool and from gay, lesbian, and bisexual groups. The final sample included three gender-balanced sexual orientation groups of 46 individuals each. Results failed to support the prediction that bisexual individuals would score higher on flexibility measures than heterosexuals or gay/lesbian individuals. Bisexuals were found to be more conflicted about their sexuality than heterosexuals or gay/lesbian individuals. Other findings both supported and conflicted with the theoretical models, suggesting the need for further research.