cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Graphical-model-based multivariate analysis of functional magnetic-resonance data

We propose a method for the analysis of functional magnetic-resonance (fMR) data, based on a Bayesian-network representation. Our method identifies multivariate linear/nonlinear voxel-activation pattern differences across groups, which may provide information complementary to that resulting from a general linear model (GLM)-based analysis. In addition, we describe a model-stabilization method based on data resampling, which may be helpful in the presence of small numbers of subjects, or when data are noisy.
Compensation for substrate elasticity in the kinematics of leaping by infant pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina).

Abstract The means whereby animals adapt their locomotor behavior to variation in environmental conditions is an important and neglected problems in the area of motor control. To investigate this problem, young (3-month-old) pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina) were filmed leaping a fixed distance from both rigid and elastic take-off supports. Sixteen of 17 subjects exhibited substantial invariance in the trajectories described by the major joints of the hind limb (hip, knee and ankle) during the leap. By contrast, the patterns of angular joint movement varied between performances involving the rigid and elastic supports. Maintaining invariant joint trajectories may enable the leaping animal to land safely at the target and prepare for subsequent action, and requires compensation for substrate elasticity. This compensation is effected, in part, by changing the patterns of joint flexion and extension.
Mechanical Signal Transduction via Phosphorylation of the Focal Adhesion Targeting Domain of Focal Adhesion Kinase

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a key component of the ECM-to-cytoskeleton signaling pathway triggered by mechanical stimulation. FAK's C-terminal focal adhesion targeting (FAT) domain, which binds to the LD motifs of the scaffold protein paxillin, localizes FAK to focal adhesions. Phosphorylation of FAT's Y925 promotes association between FAK and GRB2, activating the Erk2/MAPK pathway. Results of equilibrium and mechanically loaded MD simulations on FAT, bound at its two hydrophobic patches by LD motifs, are presented. Equilibrium simulations reveal that (i) FAT's N- and C-terminal tails shield Y925 from solvent exposure and (ii) FAT exhibits no proclivity for unfolding or loss of tertiary structure required for Y925 phosphorylation. Conversely, applied loads pull these tails away from Y925 and assist FAT's α-helix 1 unfolding. Thus, the degree of H1 unfolding provides a demonstration of a mechanism for Y925 phosphorylation under moderate loads over timescales ineffective in exposing Y925 in the absence of load. This provides a novel, atomically detailed illustration of mechanotransduction across a single protein-protein interaction--FAT/paxillin LD motif--at physiologically relevant load levels and time scales, all while mimicking mechanical constraints imposed by focal adhesions.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Development of a grain boundary pinning model that considers particle size distribution using the phase field method

In this work, we expand a grain boundary (GB) pinning model that considers a range of different spatial distributions of particles to also account for a distribution of particle sizes. We begin by developing a phase field model that describes GB and pore interactions and verify it by comparing to molecular dynamics simulations. We then develop an analytical pinning model that considers the impact of the particle size distribution, in terms of the mean and standard deviation of the particle radius. The analytical model is verified by comparing to simulation results of our phase field model and those of a simple Monte Carlo model. A significant finding from the model is that the mean value of the resistive pressure decreases with increasing standard deviation of the particle radius.
Nitrogen and water use efficiency of zucchini squash for a plastic mulch bed system on a sandy soil

Abstract Zucchini squash ( Cucurbita pepo L.) is an economically important vegetable crop in Florida. Typically, it is intensively managed with high inputs of fertiliser and irrigation water. Our objectives were to evaluate the interaction between fertilisation rates and irrigation treatments, and to quantify nitrate leaching in a plastic mulched/drip irrigated zucchini squash production systems. Three studies were carried out. The first study evaluated different depth placement of drip and fertigation lines on plant growth and fruit yield. Treatments included SUR (both irrigation and fertigation drip lines placed on the surface); SS and SDI (irrigation line placed 0.15 m below the fertigation line on the surface). The second and third studies compared three different N-rates and different soil moisture sensor-based irrigation strategies. Nitrate-N leaching was monitored by zero tension drainage lysimeters and soil samples. N leaching increased when irrigation and N-rates increased, with values ranging from 2 to 45 kg ha −1 of N. Use of SDI increased yields by 16% compared to the S&S treatment, and reduced nitrate leaching by 93% while increasing the water use efficiency by 75% compared to a fixed 2-h irrigation event per day treatment. Application of N above the standard recommended rate of 145 kg ha −1 did not increase yield, although yields were reduced at the lowest N-rate. The use of soil moisture sensors for automatic irrigation control reduced irrigation application and minimized nitrogen leaching. In addition, combining the soil moisture controlled SDI system that had surface applied fertigation resulted in similar or higher yields, while reducing both water use and potential N leaching because of improved nutrient retention in the root zone.
Appendix A—Flood- and drought-events

Forty-four more or less distinct flood-events are listed chronologically in Table 1. A flood-event as used herein is a flood of such magnitude as to be newsworthy. Any event may or may not have been associated with a single meteorological disturbance. It will be noted on Figure 1 that these events occurred during three more or less distinct periods and frequently are grouped on an areal basis. Twelve of the events occur between March and November, 1941, 28 between March, 1942, and August, 1943, and three during January, February, and March, 1944. There was almost a complete absence of flood-events during 18 of the 40 months. Nation-wide, December, 1942, was the wettest with respect to departure of stream-flow from normal. Seven of the 44 flood-events were associated with high temperatures, melting snow, and rain. Fourteen were widespread and record-breaking and confined most generally to the central and southeastern states. The remaining 23 events were generally of a local nature but many broke existing records. Geographically the largest number of events were in the central part of the United States embracing Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa and adjacent areas, and another is now in progress (May, 1944). Oregon was an exception so far as the West was concerned, with continuous flood-events from November, 1942, to April, 1943. Events No. 36 (May, 1943) and 44 (April, 1944) are probably of greatest National importance and Nos. 19 and 20 (July, 1942) and No. 41 (August, 1943) of greatest local importance and are of special significance in that precipitation-rates may have set new limits for storm-magnitudes.
Introduction to the Molecular Recognition and Self-Assembly Special Feature

Molecular recognition is a mature branch of chemical science, and why shouldn't it be? Decades of studies in physical organic chemistry have defined and evaluated the weak intermolecular forces involved when 2 molecules encounter each other. Every bimolecular reaction, whether it occurs in the gas phase, dilute solution, or an enzyme's interior, begins with a recognition event. It is an apt time to explore recognition in a larger context, that of multicomponent assemblies, and this special issue of 14 contributions is a beginning.
Systems constraints imposed on spacecraft utilizing long extendable rods with attached tip masses.

Systems constraints imposed on spacecraft utilizing long flexible rods with attached tip masses, specifically deployment and retraction problems
An Overview of the Genetics of Psychopathology

The suggestion that psychopathologies are in part mediated by aberrant catecholamine metabolism has resulted in one of the more rapidly growing areas of pharmacogenetics. Collectively, the studies conducted to date indicate that psychopathological conditions have multiple causes which cannot be related to single genetic or biochemical deficits. However, through multidisciplinary research integrating behavioral, genetic, and biochemical approaches, a great deal of insight may be gained concerning the causes of psychopathological disorders and the use of drug therapy to modify the course of these illnesses.
Blunted stress responses in delayed type hypersensitivity in mice lacking the neuronal isoform of nitric oxide synthase.

Abstract Nitric oxide (NO) is implicated in inflammation and hypothalamic–pituitary responses to immune stimuli; however, the specific role of NO from neurons during stress-induced immune responses remains unspecified. We measured antigen-specific delayed-type-hypersensitivity (DTH) responses in the skin of wild-type (WT) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase knockout (nNOS −/− ) mice at baseline and after 2 h of restraint. Baseline corticosterone concentrations were higher in nNOS −/− than WT mice. However, stress-induced increases in corticosterone were dampened in nNOS −/− mice, and restraint suppressed DTH only in WT animals. Furthermore, WT mice lost more body mass after stress, and exhibited more anxiety-like behavior in the open field, than nNOS −/− mice. Neuronal NO appears to be involved in the neuroendocrine-immune response to stress, perhaps via glucocorticoid regulation.
The Sexual Maltreatment of Students with Disabilities in American School Settings

This study presents results from the first nationwide survey of students with disabilities who were sexually maltreated in American schools. The Web survey results, which were mostly provided by caregivers, parents/guardians, and professional advocates, illuminate the types of sexual maltreatment committed, the characteristics of the victims and the abusers, where in the school setting the maltreatment occurred, the manner in which the maltreatment was reported, and the school’s response to the maltreatment. More than two-thirds of the maltreated students experienced at least one form of contact sexual maltreatment, and fully 35% of all incidences of maltreatment occurred more than 10 times. The majority of the incidences of maltreatment were committed by school personnel.
Automated rich presentation of a semantic topic

To have a rich presentation of a topic, it is not only expected that many relevant multimodal information, including images, text, audio and video, could be extracted; it is also important to organize and summarize the related information, and provide users a concise and informative storyboard about the target topic. It facilitates users to quickly grasp and better understand the content of a topic. In this paper, we present a novel approach to automatically generating a rich presentation of a given semantic topic. In our proposed approach, the related multimodal information of a given topic is first extracted from available multimedia databases or websites. Since each topic usually contains multiple events, a text-based event clustering algorithm is then performed with a generative model. Other media information, such as the representative images, possibly available video clips and flashes (interactive animates), are associated with each related event. A storyboard of the target topic is thus generated by integrating each event and its corresponding multimodal information. Finally, to make the storyboard more expressive and attractive, an incidental music is chosen as background and is aligned with the storyboard. A user study indicates that the presented system works quite well on our testing examples.
Surface waves in anisotropic elastic materials for which the matrix N(υ) is extraordinary degenerate, degenerate, or semisimple

The 6 x 6 real matrix N (υ) for anisotropic elastic materials under a two-dimensional steady-state motion with speed υ is extraordinary degenerate when N (υ) has three identical complex eigenvalues p but has only one associated eigenvector. It has been an open question if such an N (υ) exists for surface waves. In this paper we first modify the solution for ordinary surface waves to the case when N (υ) is extraordinary degenerate. The displacement consists of three waves. One of which decays exponentially, as in the ordinary surface waves, according to e ndash;λκ2 where λ is a positive constant. The other two waves decay in proportion to κ2endash;λκ2 and x κ22endash;λκ2. We then consider a class of materials that has seven independent elastic constants for two-dimensional deformations. For this class of materials it is shown that there is a five-parameter family of extraordinary degenerate N (υ) for surface waves. Thus, not only an extraordinary degenerate N (υ) for surface waves exists, its existence is not as rare as one might have expected. We also study surface waves for which N (υ) is degenerate or semisimple . In the former, N (υ) has two or three identical complex eigenvalues but has two independent eigenvectors. In the latter, two of the three eigenvalues are identical but N (υ) has three independent eigenvectors. It is shown that there are families of degenerate and semisimple N (υ) for surface waves.
Matrix models and KDV

Abstract The derivation of the string and flow equations for single hermitian models is outlined and the connection to the simplest KdV hierarchy is explained.
Designing for dark silicon: a methodological perspective on energy efficient systems

The emergence of dark silicon - a fundamental design constraint absent in the past generations - brings intriguing challenges and opportunities in microprocessor design. To gracefully embrace dark silicon, design methodologies must adapt themselves to identify progressive systems that can effectively exploit the growing dark silicon. We demonstrate that relying on traditional design metrics may lead to sub-optimal design choices with the rise of the dark silicon area. We provide a new metric to guide a dark silicon aware system design and propose a stochastic optimization algorithm for dark silicon aware multicore system design. Our design approach shows 7-23% benefit in upcoming technology generations.
The search for nitrogen compounds on the surface of Mars

Abstract Nitrogen is an essential element for life. Specifically, “fixed nitrogen” (i.e., NH3, NH4+, NOx, or N that is chemically bound to either inorganic or organic molecules and is releasable by hydrolysis to NH3 or NH4+) is the form of nitrogen useful to living organisms. To date no direct analysis of Martian soil nitrogen content, or content of fixed nitrogen compounds has been done. Consequently, the planet's total inventory of nitrogen is unknown. What is known is that the N2 content of the present-day Martian atmosphere is ∼0.2 mbar. It has been hypothesized that early in Mars' history (3 to 4 billion years ago) the Martian atmosphere contained much more N2 than it does today. The values of N2 proposed for this early Martian atmosphere, however, are not well constrained and range from 3 to 300 mbar of N2. If the early atmosphere of Mars did contain much more N2 than it does today the question to be answered is, Where did it go? The two main processes that could have removed it rapidly from the atmosphere include: 1) nonthermal escape of N-atoms to space; and 2) burial within the regolith as nitrates and nitrites. Nitrate will be stable in the highly oxidized surface soil of Mars, and will tend to accumulate in the soil. Such accumulations are observed in certain desert environments on Earth. Some NH4+N may also be fixed and stabilized in the soil by inclusion as a structural cation in the crystal lattices of certain phyllosilicates replacing K. Analysis of the Martian soil for traces of NO3− and NH4+ during future missions will supply important information regarding the nitrogen abundance on Mars, its past climate as well as its potential for the evolution of life.
Symbolic-substitution-based operations using holograms: multiplication and histogram equalization

Holographic content-addressable memory is used in an optical symbolic-substitution-based system to realize an efficient and high speed optical multiplier. Such a system is also capable of performing image processing operations. Consequently, it is used to obtain a fast gray-level histogram and histogram equalization of an input image.
Soil Temperature and Planting Depth Effects on Tef Emergence

Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is an annual C4 grass crop that originated in Ethiopia. It has potential as a grain crop in the Great Plains because of its tolerance to drought and high temperatures. In Ethiopia, tef seed is typically broadcast on the soil surface and lightly incorporated. Shallow planting depths are used because the seed is very small and emergence can be limited by soil crusting. If planting equipment is to be used, planting depth may be important for successful tef production. The objective of this study was to identify optimal depths and soil temperatures to aid in developing tef planting recommendations for the central Plains. Tef was planted at five depths (0, 0.6, 1.3, 2.5 and 5.0 cm) in pots filled with a silt loam soil, and pots were placed in growth chambers at four temperature regimes (day/night: 15/19 °C; 19/23 °C; 23/27 °C and 27/31 °C). No plants emerged from the 5.0-cm depth, so this depth was not included in the analysis. Emergence was greatest for planting depths of 0.6 and 1.3 cm and lower at 0 and 2.5 cm depths. Temperature did not affect final emergence, measured 21 days after planting (DAP), but did influence emergence rates during the first 9 DAP. Plant dry matter production increased as planting depth increased, but plant dry matter per pot was not different among planting depths greater than 0.9 cm, suggesting that compensation between plants across different plant densities began early in the plants' life cycles. Our results show that tef seed can emerge from depths between 0.6 and 1.3 cm and that soil temperatures below 19 °C can slow emergence but should not affect final stands.
Asset Pricing with Estimation-risk and Uncertain Information Quality

We derive a conditional CAPM in a general equilibrium model where investors face estimation-risk on mean returns, and learn from information of uncertain quality or precision. In equilibrium, the loading on market risk augments the standard beta with the random or information-dependent conditional covariance matrix of the unknown mean returns. Therefore, announcement effects on equilibrium asset prices can occur because of changes in the required rate of return due to event-induced variations in estimation-risk, rather than revisions in estimated cash flows. In support of this prediction, we find that firms initiating cash payouts through repurchases during 1988-2000 show significant reduction in the post-event betas and their standard errors. The model is consistent with post-earnings-announcement drifts, and generates refutable predictions on the deviation of cross-sectional expected returns from the unconditional CAPM. Quantitatively, numerical simulations with an appropriately calibrated version of the model indicate that information quality risk has a substantial effect on equilibrium asset prices.
Low CMB quadrupole from dark energy isocurvature perturbations

We explicate the origin of the temperature quadrupole in the adiabatic dark energy model and explore the mechanism by which scale invariant isocurvature dark energy perturbations can lead to its sharp suppression. The model requires anticorrelated curvature and isocurvature fluctuations and is favored by the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe data at about the 95% confidence level in a flat scale invariant model. In an inflationary context, the anticorrelation may be established if the curvature fluctuations originate from a variable decay rate of the inflaton; such models however tend to overpredict gravitational waves. This isocurvature model can in the future be distinguished from alternatives involving a reduction in large scale power or modifications to the sound speed of the dark energy through the polarization and its cross correlation with the temperature. The isocurvature model retains the same polarization fluctuations as its adiabatic counterpart but reduces the correlated temperature fluctuations. We present a pedagogical discussion of dark energy fluctuations in a quintessence and k-essence context in the Appendix.
Culture or Disability? Examining Deaf Characters in Children’s Book Illustrations

Picture books can influence how children perceive those from backgrounds and cultures different from their own. Studies have been conducted examining how the text of children’s literature portrays multicultural characters or characters with disabilities. However, few have looked specifically at the portrayal of characters through illustrations, despite growing understanding of the importance that illustrations play in text comprehension. Fewer still have analyzed children’s literature for depictions of deaf characters and characteristics of Deaf culture. One recent study examined children’s picture books for portrayals of deaf individuals in the text; however, examining illustrations may provide additional information for both hearing and d/Deaf (For the purpose of this paper, capital “D” Deaf refers to people who are recognized part of the Deaf community; “d” deaf refers to the inability to hear or people unable to hear; d/D includes both populations.) readers about deafness and the Deaf population. In addition, while illustrations are important for all young readers, they may be particularly important for d/Deaf readers who are by nature visual learners. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to conduct a content analysis of illustrations in 20 picture books targeted to ages 4 to 8 years for messages linked to pathological and cultural models of deafness. In addition, results were compared to previous analyses of the text in the picture books. Results indicated that the illustrations do not represent deaf characters from a cultural perspective. Instead, similar to the text, illustrations present deaf characters more frequently as having a pathological condition or disability, that should be fixed through medical interventions in order to fit into a hearing world.
A Preliminary Study of Body Image and HIV Sexual Risk Behavior in Black Gay and Bisexual Men: Implications for HIV Prevention

Nearly three decades since the onset of the AIDS epidemic, Black gay and bisexual men (BGBM) experience increasingly disproportionate rates of HIV and AIDS in the United States. The aim of this exploratory research investigation was to examine the relationship between body image and HIV sexual risk behavior in a community-based sample of 481 BGBM in the New York metropolitan area. Multivariable analyses demonstrated that men with a negative body image were less likely to use condoms during anal intercourse with a male sexual partner as compared to those respondents with a positive body image. These findings pose considerable implications for the influence of body image on HIV sexual risk behavior in BGBM.
Liquid and solid solution interactions of primary certified colorants with pharmaceutical gelatins

The liquid and solid solution interactions of eight FD&C dyes in 1% concentration with pharmaceutical gelatins and the effects of the dyes on the disintegration behavior of gelatins were observed. In liquid solution by visible region spectroscopy, all FD&C dyes interacted with a type A gelatin. The xanthene dye, FD&C Red No. 3 (erythrosine), interacted to the greatest extent by a combination of ionic, hydrogen, and hydrophobic types of bonds. The FD&C dyes did not appear to interact with a type B gelatin. A method for simulating a gelatin capsule shell wall was devised to examine solid-state interactions by visible and IR-attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy, dye release patterns, and the effect of the dyes on gelatin disintegration. FD&C Red No. 3 and Violet No. 1 in solid solution appeared to interact to a greater extent than the other FD&C dyes. Hydrogen bonding changes in the solid solution films of both gelatins were not observable by IR-attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy until very high (1:10 to 1:5) dye-protein ratios were attained. The same two dyes (FD&C Red No. 3 and Violet No. 1) that showed the greatest spectral changes exhibited the slowest release times from both gelatins at temperatures both below and within the temperature range at which gelatins disintegrate and go into colloidal solution. In simulated gastric fluid USP without pepsin, the FD&C Red No. 3 dye greatly diminished the average disintegration rate of both gelatins. The addition of pepsin essentially eliminated the effect of FD&C Red No. 3 on gelatin disintegration. In simulated intestinal fluid USP without pancreatin, both gelatins disintegrated slower than in simulated gastric fluid without pepsin. FD&C Red No. 3 also had a detrimental effect on gelatin disintegration in simulated intestinal fluid without pancreatin. Pancreatin was not added to the simulated intestinal fluid because of its interference with visualization of disintegration.
Eddy current inspection of bonded composite crack repair

The aging of the US aircraft fleet poses serious economic and safety challenges. Fatigue cracks in the 7079-T6 aluminum fuselage skin of aging transports have presented zn opportunity to test a prototype repair. GLARE, a fiber metal laminate, has been applied to repair fuselage cracks in the fuselage skin of a US transport aircraft. This affordable prototype solution to extend the life of aging aircraft requires an inspection method to track crack growth and monitor the effectiveness of the patch on repaired fuselage skin. The fiber metal laminate patch is opaque and the fuselage skin at the damage location generally can only be accessed from the outside surface requiring the use of a non-destructive means to monitor crack length. Advances in eddy current inspection technology have provided a means to detect and track crack growth beneath patches on fuselage skins. This paper describes the development of low-frequency eddy current techniques to monitor cracks under bonded composite repair patches applied to stiffened fuselage structures. The development involved the use of a rugged portable eddy current inspection unit. The results show crack growth can be monitored to ensure the continued structural integrity of repaired flawed structures; however, the influence of substructure present a challenge to the inspector in detecting crack growth.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Structure of the genome of equine herpesvirus type 1

Abstract The molecular structure of the genome of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) was determined by restriction endonuclease mapping studies. Primary restriction enzyme digestion of purified EHV-1 DNA, either unlabeled, 32P04 labeled, or [3H]TdR labeled, gave the following cleavage patterns: EcoRI yielded 17 fragments of 23.4 to 1.3 megadaltons (Mdalton); BglII, 16 fragments of 24.5 to 1.0 Mdalton; XbaI, 15 major fragments of 18.6 to 1.7 Mdalton; and BamHI,17 fragments of 13.7 to 2.8 Mdalton. Several fragments were present in 0.5 M amounts while all others were 1.0 M no 0.25 M fragments were detected. Secondary restriction enzyme digestion of these isolated fragments with various enzymes, analysis of terminal fragments using both the methods of λ 5′ exonuclease digestion and end labeling with polynucleotide kinase, and blot hybridization experiments with 32P-labeled BamHI fragments indicated that this herpesvirus genome is a 92-Mdalton linear, double-stranded DNA molecule and is comprised of two segments designated as L (Long) and S (Short) which are 71.6 and 20.4 Mdalton, respectively. The 0.5 M fragments are located at the ends of the S region, an arrangement which allows the S region to invert relative to the L region; thus, two structural arrangements (isomers) of the genome exist. In addition, areas of heterogeneity were detected at the L terminus, within the S segment, and at a split variable locus in the L region.
Structure and motion of junctions between coherent and incoherent twin boundaries in copper

Abstract The atomic mechanisms of twin boundary migration in copper under externally applied mechanical loads and during thermal annealing are investigated utilizing molecular dynamics computer simulations. The migration dynamics of the incoherent Σ = 3 [ 1 1 0 ] ( 1 1 2 ) twin boundary (ITB), pinned between two Σ = 3 [ 1 1 0 ] ( 1 1 1 ) twin boundaries, is determined. A three-dimensional structural model is described for the junction between intersecting coherent and incoherent twin boundaries, and migration velocities are calculated under thermal annealing conditions. It is shown that the coherent twin boundary (CTB)/ITB junction results in breaking the crystal symmetry by creation of either an edge dislocation or a mixed (edge/screw) at the intersection. These two types of defects can lead to pronounced differences in the observed migration (and hence annealing) rates of ICT/CTB junctions. The annealing rate resulting from the migration of ITBs with a mixed dislocation is found to be more than twice that of the edge dislocation. The mechanism of ITB motion is shown to be governed by successive kink-like motion of neighboring atomic columns, each of which is shifted by 1/4[1 1 0], followed by structural relaxation to accommodate boundary motion.
Does Service Affect Citizenship

The idea of citizen service has been given increasing attention as a remedy for problems of civic disengagement. This study reviews 37 empirical studies about the relationship between service and citizenship. A formal model of change is used to guide the review. Six types of citizenship outcomes are discussed: citizenship-related cognitive understanding, citizenship attitudes, citizenship skills, institutional change, philanthropic and civic behaviors, and political behavior. Based on the review, several conclusions are drawn about what is known about the service-citizenship relationship.
Understanding Adoption of Livestock Health Management Practices: The Case of Bovine Leukosis Virus

Herd-level livestock health management decisions have implications for farm profitability and the potential public impact of a livestock disease outbreak. Thus, adoption of health management practices is of interest to government officials concerned with managing the risk of disease outbreak and controlling the spread of infection. This paper uses a fractional logit model to estimate the disease risk reduction for livestock health management practices on farms, and then uses the economic benefits of these risk reductions as explanatory variables in an econometric model of adoption of these practices. We find that the economic damages from disease associated with a particular practice are statistically significant but ultimately of little practical economic importance in adoption decisions. Implications for policy and relation to prior research findings are discussed. Les decisions entourant la gestion sanitaire du troupeau ont des repercussions sur la rentabilite des fermes et sur l'impact qu'une eclosion de maladies animales pourrait avoir sur la population. Par consequent, l'adoption de pratiques de gestion sanitaire interesse les representants du gouvernement soucieux de gerer le risque d'eclosion de maladies et de maitriser la propagation d'une infection. Dans le present article, nous avons utilise un modele logit fractionnaire pour estimer la diminution du risque de maladies lorsque des pratiques de gestion sanitaire du troupeau sont adoptees a la ferme et nous avons ensuite utilise les avantages economiques de cette diminution du risque comme variables explicatives dans un modele econometrique d'adoption de ces pratiques. Les resultats ont montre que les dommages economiques lies aux maladies associees a une pratique en particulier sont statistiquement significatifs, mais qu'ils sont finalement sans importance economique dans les decisions d'adoption. Nous avons examine les repercussions sur la politique agricole et avons fait le lien avec des resultats de recherche anterieurs.
The Cereal Box Problem Revisited

The Cereal Box problem is fascinating for students of ail levels. Rich in mathematical content, this problem offers students the opportunity to collect data, make conjectures, and derive mathematical models. Using Monte Carlo methods, the Cereal Box problem is investigated in this paper, using both an experimental and theoretical framework. This investigation extends previous considerations of the Cereal Box problem. Using empirical data, students can discover patterns and relationships that help them understand the origin of the theoretical solution to the problem. Building on experimental findings, a theoretical model is derived, showing that the expected solution of the Cereal Box problem is formed from the sum of successive geometric series.
Faster Ridge Regression via the Subsampled Randomized Hadamard Transform

We propose a fast algorithm for ridge regression when the number of features is much larger than the number of observations (p ≫ n). The standard way to solve ridge regression in this setting works in the dual space and gives a running time of O(n2p). Our algorithm Subsampled Randomized Hadamard Transform- Dual Ridge Regression (SRHT-DRR) runs in time O(np log(n)) and works by preconditioning the design matrix by a Randomized Walsh-Hadamard Transform with a subsequent subsampling of features. We provide risk bounds for our SRHT-DRR algorithm in the fixed design setting and show experimental results on synthetic and real datasets.
Response to Coomes

1988 Rio Negro, Rich Life in Poor Water: Amazonian Diversity and Foodchain Ecology as Seen through Fish Communities. The Hague: SPB Academic Publishing. Junk, Wolfgang, Peter B. Bayley, and Richard Sparks 1989 The Flood Pulse Concept in RiverFloodplain Systems. In Proceedings of the International Large River Symposium (LARS). Douglas P. Dodge, ed. Pp. 110127. Canadian Special Publication of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, No. 106. Ottawa: Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
Seismic velocities and Poisson's ratio of shallow unconsolidated sands

We determined P- and S-wave velocity depth profiles in shallow, unconsolidated beach sand by analyzing three-component surface seismic data. P- and S-wave velocity profiles were calculated from traveltime measurements of vertical and tangential component seismograms, respectively. The results reveal two discrepancies between theory and data. Whereas both velocities were found to be proportional to the pressure raised to the power of 1/6, as predicted by the Hertz-Mindlin contact theory, the actual values of the velocities are less than half of those calculated from this theory. We attribute this discrepancy to the angularity of the sand grains. Assuming that the average radii of curvature at the grain contacts are smaller than the average radii of the grains, we modify the Hertz-Mindlin theory accordingly. We found that the ratio of the contact radius to the grain radius is about 0.086. The second disparity is between the observed Poisson’s ratio of 0.15 and the theoretical value (0.008 for random pack of quartz spheres). This discrepancy can be reconciled by assuming slip at the grain contacts. Because slip decreases the shearing between grains, Poisson’s ratio increases.
Red algal parasites: Models for a life history evolution that leaves photosynthesis behind again and again

Many of the most virulent and problematic eukaryotic pathogens have evolved from photosynthetic ancestors, such as apicomplexans, which are responsible for a wide range of diseases including malaria and toxoplasmosis. The primary barrier to understanding the early stages of evolution of these parasites has been the difficulty in finding parasites with closely related free-living lineages with which to make comparisons. Parasites found throughout the florideophyte red algal lineage, however, provide a unique and powerful model to investigate the genetic origins of a parasitic lifestyle. This is because they share a recent common ancestor with an extant free-living red algal species and parasitism has independently arisen over 100 times within this group. Here, we synthesize the relevant hypotheses with respect to how these parasites have proliferated. We also place red algal research in the context of recent developments in understanding the genome evolution of other eukaryotic photosynthesizers turned parasites.
Finite Element Modeling and Semiactive Control of Vibrations in Road Vehicles

A method for modeling vehicles as systems of interconnected rigid and flexible bodies is presented. Semiactive control techniques are then used for suppressing vibrations at some desired points, in the chassis, located away from suspension attachments. Remote measurement of local displacements and velocities at these points are used to implement a corrective control action into suspension dampers of adjustable damping characteristics
Barley bran flour accelerates gastrointestinal transit time

Abstract The effect of barley bran flour on colon physiology was studied in 44 volunteers. Twenty-two subjects followed the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) step 1 diet supplemented with 20 g cellulose and the other 22 followed the NCEP diet supplemented with 30 g barley bran flour. To measure gastrointestinal transit time, subjects ingested 20 polyethylene pellets impregnated with barium sulfate in two gelatin capsules. Subjects collected fecal samples for 5 days during the baseline period and again during the period of fiber supplementation. Each stool sample was radiographed, and the number of recovered markers was used to calculate mean transit time. Daily fecal weights were recorded and dry weights were determined. The group that consumed barley bran flour significantly decreased transit time by 8.02 hours from baseline, whereas the group that consumed cellulose increased transit time by 2.95 hours from baseline. Similarly, cellulose supplementation did not result in increased fecal weight, whereas daily fecal weight increased significantly by 48.6 g with supplementation with barley bran flour. This study shows that barley bran flour accelerates gastrointestinal transit and increases fecal weight.
Spatial Distribution and Diffusive Motion of RNA Polymerase in Live Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT By labeling the β′ subunit of RNA polymerase (RNAP), we used fluorescence microscopy to study the spatial distribution and diffusive motion of RNAP in live Escherichia coli cells for the first time. With a 40-ms time resolution, the spatial distribution exhibits two or three narrow peaks of 300- to 600-nm full width at half-maximum that maintain their positions within 60 nm over 1 s. The intensity in these features is 20 to 30% of the total. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) measures the diffusive motion of RNAP on the 1-μm length scale. Averaged over many cells, 53% ± 19% of the RNAP molecules were mobile on the 3-s timescale, with a mean apparent diffusion constant 〈DRNAP〉 of 0.22 ± 0.16 μm2-s−1. The remaining 47% were immobile even on the 30-s timescale. We interpret the immobile fraction as arising from RNAP specifically bound to DNA, either actively transcribing or not. The diffusive motion of the mobile fraction (fmobile) probably involves both one-dimensional sliding during nonspecific binding to DNA and three-dimensional hopping between DNA strands. There is significant cell-to-cell heterogeneity in both DRNAP and fmobile.
Behavior-dependent short-term assembly dynamics in the medial prefrontal cortex

Although short-term plasticity is believed to play a fundamental role in cortical computation, empirical evidence bearing on its role during behavior is scarce. Here we looked for the signature of short-term plasticity in the fine-timescale spiking relationships of a simultaneously recorded population of physiologically identified pyramidal cells and interneurons, in the medial prefrontal cortex of the rat, in a working memory task. On broader timescales, sequentially organized and transiently active neurons reliably differentiated between different trajectories of the rat in the maze. On finer timescales, putative monosynaptic interactions reflected short-term plasticity in their dynamic and predictable modulation across various aspects of the task, beyond a statistical accounting for the effect of the neurons' co-varying firing rates. Seeking potential mechanisms for such effects, we found evidence for both firing pattern-dependent facilitation and depression, as well as for a supralinear effect of presynaptic coincidence on the firing of postsynaptic targets.
Emotionally adapted games as a source for positive experiences

This paper discusses computer games as sources of positive experiences. An approach to customization of emotion and mood during gameplay is presented as an example of a possibility to facilitate positive emotional states. Different types of emotional regulation with games are discussed and implications to designing games with an emphasis on positive experiences are presented.
Nitisinone for the treatment of hereditary tyrosinemia type I

Introduction: Nitisinone has transformed the management of hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 (HT1) and if combined with neonatal screening could abolish most of the clinical manifestations of the disease. Hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 is a rare genetic disease due to fumarylacetoacetase (FAH) deficiency, which usually presents with liver failure. There is a high lifetime risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The clinical manifestations stem from the cytotoxicity of tyrosine metabolites accumulating proximal to the metabolic defect. Nitisinone acts upstream of the defect to prevent the production of these metabolites. Nitisinone in combination with a tyrosine- and phenylalanine-restricted diet is the standard of care for patients with HT1, with transplantation reserved for where this fails. Where nitisinone is used preemptively, liver disease and HCC appear to be prevented, emphasizing the importance of effective neonatal screening. Treatment should be monitored by ensuring normal growth, close di...
Health Information Systems 2025

The next generation of health IT is poised to both evolve from the present and be quite different. We are in the early stages of an inevitable and much to be desired transition from a siloized, fragmented health care “non-system” to a more articulated, comprehensive health system. Information technology is both an enabler of the goals of this new system and a forcing function creating the technology imperative that is itself a driver. In this chapter we pull together many of the aspects of health and health care and the IT system to support them that have been discussed throughout this book. Our discussion will focus on eleven disruptive factors that together are creating a sort of “perfect storm” that will make the health system of 10 years from now quite different from, although derived from and combining significant parts of, our current system. The disruptive forces variously have scientific, technology, policy, regulation/standards, or social/cultural origins, but all have significant IT architecture and function implications. The mantra going forward can be summed up by three words: integration, interoperability, and innovation. As we continue to move ahead in the disparate developments and innovations of this field, there will be increasing emphasis on aligning our efforts, making them interoperable, and creating a more integrated ecosystem aimed at optimizing health.
SMAD PROTEINS IN APOPTOTIC AND SURVIVAL SIGNALING

Perhaps the most critical decision to be made during the life of a cell is whether to live or to die. Signaling events initiated by TGF-β superfamily cytokines play a critical role in specifying cell death and survival responses. Of particular importance in this signaling process are the Smad proteins. By interacting with general and tissue-specific transcription factors, R-Smad proteins regulate the expression of key target genes in apoptotic and survival signaling. The inhibitory Smad7 functions both as an antagonist of TGF-β signaling and as an integrator of multiple cellular pathways. Smad proteins can cooperate with other signaling pathways to regulate cell survival and can also function as the site of regulation by other pathways. Knowledge of how the Smads function in the generation of cell death and survival aids in our understanding of developmental disorders and cancer in which defective cell death responses have been implicated
Clinical considerations for the pharmacologic management of patent ductus arteriosus with cyclooxygenase inhibitors in premature infants.

When medical management is warranted for closure of a persistent patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants, treatment with a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor is indicated. Indomethacin, ava...
The use of lanthanum to characterize cell wall permeability in relation to deep supercooling and extracellular freezing in woody plants

Current theories suggest that the diameter of the pores within xylem cell walls plays a major role in defining the ability of a cell or tissue to exhibit deep supercooling. These proposals have been only generally defined and based on either theoretical calculations or model systems. The present study utilized the apoplastic tracer, lanthanum nitrate, to contrast the permeability of cell walls in stem tissues of species that deep supercool (P. persica andC. florida) with one that exhibits equilibrium freezing (S. babylonica). Results indicated that the distribution of lanthanum crystals was similar in all species regardless of their freezing behavior. Although the primary cell walls of cortical tissue were very permeable, in general, both primary (except portions associated with pit membranes) and secondary walls of xylem cells exhibited low permeability to lanthanum ions (La3+). The pit membranes, between all cell types, composed of both the middle lamella, primary walls of adjoining cells, and the protective layer (in xylem parenchyma) were very permeable. Based on these results it is suggested that, in the species examined, the size of the pores in the pit membrane, rather than the entire cell wall, play the major role in defining the freezing behavior of a tissue. Additionally, we speculate that the overall composition of the tissue, particularly the number of libriform fibers vs. other xylem cell types, may also play a role in determining the freezing behavior of a tissue.
Effects of insecticides on reproduction in the laboratory mouse. 3. Tranid and GC-9160.

Two new insecticides, Tranid® ( exo -5-chloro-6-oxo- endo -2-norbornanecarbonitrile O -(methylcarbamoyl)-oxime) and GC-9160 (ethyl 1, 1a, 3, 3a, 4, 5, 5, 5a, 5b, 6-decachlorooctahydro-2-hydroxy-l, 3, 4-metheno- 2H -cyclobuta [cd] pentalene-2-levu-linate) were fed to the inbred strain of BALB/c mice at 5 ppm dietary for 30 days before and 90 days after mating. No detectable influence on reproductive success was observed for either.
Computational Depth-Variant Imaging for Quantitative Fluorescence Microscopy

We show a performance analysis of a Depth-Variant Expectation Maximization algorithm previously developed for fluorescence microscopy concluding that a small number of point spread functions can be used for an accurate estimation result.