cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of genetic algorithms, random restart and two-opt switching for solving large location-allocation problems

This paper examines the application of a genetic algorithm used in conjunction with a local improvement procedure for solving the location-allocation problem, a traditional multifacility location problem. This problem is difficult to solve using traditional optimization techniques because of its multimodal, nonconvex nature. The alternate location-allocation (ALA) method has been shown to be an effective local improvement procedure for the location-allocation problem. Using the ALA method, an empirical analysis was done to determine the number and size of the local minima of the location-allocation problem to demonstrate the reduction of the size of the search space that can be achieved through the use of the ALA method as an evaluator. A genetic algorithm that evaluates a series of ALA solutions was developed and compared to two traditional heuristic procedures for the problem: random restart and H4, a two-opt procedure. Like the genetic algorithm, both procedures evaluate a series of ALA solutions. A statistical analysis of the quality of the solutions provided by the three procedures for several problems of varying size demonstrated that the genetic algorithm provides the best solutions. An examination of the number of ALA evaluations performed by each procedure showed that the genetic algorithm also found solutions to the larger size problems much quicker than either the random restart or the H4 procedures.
Small-Sample Properties of Simultaneous Equation Estimators with Multicollinearity

Abstract A Monte Carlo simulation is employed to reinvestigate the general disagreement in the literature regarding the small-sample properties of simultaneous equation estimators under widely different levels of multicollinearity. This disagreement has been attributed to the greater use by more complex estimators of information on variables excluded from each equation, producing the advantage in inference of increasing precision at low levels of collinearity, but the disadvantage of greater estimator sensitivity with higher collinearity. Although simulation results indicate improvement of some less complex techniques relative to their more complex counterparts as collinearity rises, extreme collinearity is required to generate substantial reversals in relative performance.
Effective Born radii in the generalized Born approximation: the importance of being perfect.

Generalized Born (GB) models provide, for many applications, an accurate and computationally facile estimate of the electrostatic contribution to aqueous solvation. The GB models involve two main types of approximations relative to the Poisson equation (PE) theory on which they are based. First, the self-energy contributions of individual atoms are estimated and expressed as "effective Born radii." Next, the atom-pair contributions are estimated by an analytical function f(GB) that depends upon the effective Born radii and interatomic distance of the atom pairs. Here, the relative impacts of these approximations are investigated by calculating "perfect" effective Born radii from PE theory, and enquiring as to how well the atom-pairwise energy terms from a GB model using these perfect radii in the standard f(GB) function duplicate the equivalent terms from PE theory. In tests on several biological macromolecules, the use of these perfect radii greatly increases the accuracy of the atom-pair terms; that is, the standard form of f(GB) performs quite well. The remaining small error has a systematic and a random component. The latter cannot be removed without significantly increasing the complexity of the GB model, but an alternative choice of f(GB) can reduce the systematic part. A molecular dynamics simulation using a perfect-radii GB model compares favorably with simulations using conventional GB, even though the radii remain fixed in the former. These results quantify, for the GB field, the importance of getting the effective Born radii right; indeed, with perfect radii, the GB model gives a very good approximation to the underlying PE theory for a variety of biomacromolecular types and conformations.
Nonequilibrium conditions and diffusive transfer of primary excitations in superconducting tunnel-junction detectors

The nonequilibrium behavior of superconducting tunnel junctions in the high-injection regime is examined. A model based on asymmetric coupled diffusion equations for quasiparticles and phonons, including a phonon escape term, is presented. A solution consisting of a two-dimensional perturbative algorithm to the equation of phonons and a self-iterative expansion to the quasiparticles equation has been developed. A characteristic length scale L = (D/sub p/d/u)/sup 1/2/ associated with phonon propagation and the detector geometry where D/sub p/ is the diffusion coefficient for the phonon pulse, d is the detector film thickness, and u is the average phonon velocity. The quasiparticles and phonon pulses almost uncouple with similar spatial and time distributions and with a minimum escape rate of the phonons when L/sup 2/ is equal to XT/..mu../sub min/, where X is a numerical factor, T is the intrinsic phonon transmission probability at the film substrate boundaries and ..mu.. is a phase-space factor defined by ..mu..(i,j) = (Pi/sup 2//4)((2i+1)/sup 2/ /a/sup 2/+(2j+1)/sup 2//b/sup 2/), when i,j = 0,1,2,. . . . The parameters a and b are half the longitudinal and transverse dimensions of the junction film. The implications of these new results on previous experimental measurements are discussed.
Orchestral Performance Companion: Using Real-Time Audio to Score Alignment

Many people enjoy the symphony, but those without prior training often find it difficult to relate to the music. The authors have developed a system that guides listeners through orchestral performances in real time by presenting time-relevant annotations in a manner similar to that of a personal museum guide. These annotations are authored in partnership with musical experts prior to a performance to provide appropriate contextual information for a given concert program. Using acoustic features of the music, they align the live performance with that of a previously time-stamped recording. The aligned position is transmitted to an application on the users' handheld devices, which present the annotations using an intuitive and unobtrusive interface. To assess its utility, the system underwent a user beta testing stage accompanying orchestra concert broadcasts. It has since been adopted by the Philadelphia Orchestra for use during live concerts in its 2012-2013 subscription season and beyond.
Does psychopathology predict counseling duration

Many university counseling centers have adopted case management policies in an effort to conserve limited resources. Fearing that students with more severe problems will consume too many clinical resources, many counseling centers have decided to refer such students to external agencies or providers for mental health services. However, this fear might be unwarranted because empirical research has not shown a substantial relationship between psychopathology and counseling duration. This investigation examined whether a new treatment-planning inventory, the Butcher Treatment Planning Inventory, might be useful for better understanding the relationships between various problem areas and counseling duration. Participants were new clients (students and staff members) at a university counseling center in the southeastern USA. Professional staff members and graduate students in counselor education, clinical psychology, and clinical social work provided counseling services to the participants. Lower scores on several scales predicted counseling duration. In other words, clients with lower scores on these scales (representing less psychopathology) attended more counseling sessions than clients with greater psychopathology. Therapists' background also predicted counseling duration; clients who worked with either a professional staff member or graduate student in counselor education attended more sessions than clients who worked with a graduate student in clinical psychology. The results of this study, combined with previous research, suggest that measures of psychopathology are not very useful for identifying which clients will complete long-term counseling. Until better information becomes available, actuarial tables remain the most efficient means for predicting counseling duration.
Anisotropic Biaxial Stretch Slows Longitudinal and Transverse Conduction in Micropatterned Mouse Ventricular Myocyte Cultures

The effects of stretch on cardiac conduction velocity are controversial, and several counteracting mechanisms have been proposed. Conflicting reports of conduction velocity increase and decrease under cardiac loading have been reported. These changes have been attributed to stretch modulation of ion channels, cell-cell junctions, cell capacitance, and properties of the interstitium. To separate the effects of tissue geometrical changes from intrinsic changes in myocyte conduction and to eliminate effects of stretch on interstitial electrical properties, neonatal murine cardiomyocytes were cultured on micropatterned stretchable substrates for optical mapping of excitation conduction velocity. A homogeneous anisotropic biaxial strain field of 14% in the primary direction and 3.6% in the secondary direction was applied to these substrates, where the primary direction of stretch was oriented either parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aligned cell culture. When the primary direction of strain was oriented parallel to the longitudinal cell culture axis, the longitudinal conduction velocity slowed to 72% ± 3% and recovered to 95% ± 14% of baseline conduction following unloading, while the transverse conduction velocity slowed to 75% ± 3% and recovered to 137% ± 19% (n=3, mean ± SEM). When the primary direction of strain was oriented along the transverse cell culture axis, the transverse conduction velocity slowed to 77% ± 6%, while the longitudinal conduction velocity slowed to 84% ± 9%, neither recovering following unloading (n=3, mean ± SEM). Conduction velocity slowed in both longitudinal and transverse directions under biaxial strain and substantially recovered following unloading in the case of primarily axial stretch.
Ukraine Crisis 2014: A Study of Russian-Western Strategic Interaction

This paper presents an analysis of the Ukrainian crisis of 2014 through the lens of the Theory of Moves as formalized by (Willson, S.J., (1998), Long-term Behavior in the Theory of Moves, Theory and Decision, vol. 45, no. 3, pp. 201-240). It derives the equilibrium (ultimate outcome) states under various assumptions about Western and Russian preferences over outcomes. The "paths" of their gener- ation, i.e., the sequences of strategic choices made by each side, are also explored, casting light on the structure of incentives guiding behavior in the conflict, and perhaps predicting what the actual outcome will be when the world moves beyond this crisis. Incomplete information on preferences prevents derivation of a unique prediction of the outcome of the crisis, but the analysis enables us to substantially narrow the range of possibilities.
Cretaceous–Tertiary inversion history of the Dampier Sub-basin, northwest Australia: Insights from quantitative basin modelling

Abstract Seismic sequence analysis has been combined with a kinematic and flexural model for the deformation of the lithosphere to define the history, distribution and magnitude of inversion within the Dampier Sub-basin, northwest Australia, during the Cretaceous and Tertiary. Inversion tends to be focused along the trend of pre-existing border fault systems and/or internal to the basin across the roll-over anticlines of collapsed hangingwall blocks. The spatial distribution of inversion varied with different faults involved in the inversion process at different times. Whereas Cretaceous inversion concentrated along major boundary faults of the northeast–southwest oriented Rankin, Madeleine, and Rosemary–Legendre trends, the locus of Miocene inversion was located adjacent to the northwest limits of the Rosemary–Legendre Trend. Total shortening of the lithosphere during the Santonian and Tertiary was modelled to be ∼2.6 and 0.16 km, respectively, with northeast–southwest trends being preferentially reactivated. The amplitudes of inversion structures range from ∼1000 m over the eastern Rankin Trend to hundreds of metres for inversion structures comprising the Rosemary–Legendre Trend. Although responsible for the development of relatively subtle features, inversion has critically controlled the major structures for trapping hydrocarbons within the Dampier Sub-basin.
An Assessment Model as Best Practice in Student Affairs

The phrase “best practice” is often used in student affairs, but the term lacks a common and accepted definition. This results in the implementation of programs and services that are neither grounded nor assessed. A model is proposed here that suggests a best practice process that integrates foundational student affairs documents and applies the principles of comprehensive assessment. Using this model, student affairs professionals can develop, implement, and improve programs and services to impact students and the profession.
Cancer Imaging Informatics Workshop Report from the Biomedical Imaging Program of the National Cancer Institute

A group of experts on very large databases, quantitative imaging, data format standards development, image management and communications, and related technologies for cancer imaging met at a recent workshop sponsored by the BIP and discussed the key issues confronting this field. The BIP received recommendations regarding steps that can be taken to advance the technology and take advantage of the opportunities to improve collaboration and utility in cancer imaging. There are tremendous opportunities to change radically the way we use image information. These opportunities are most obvious in clinical research, in which we seek to advance the dissemination and use of cancer image data in research and practice. Important opportunities and new modes of information use are provided by supporting the entire "information cycle" of creation, dissemination, and collaboration in addition to image organization, access, presentation, and preservation. To learn more, visit the BIP Web site at www3 .cancer.gov/bip/steer_iasc.htm and join the image archive listserver at the NIH (ARCHIVE-COMM-L, available online at list.nihgov). These resources are open and available to all.
Energy performance of stripper configurations for CO2 capture by aqueous amines

Aqueous absorption/stripping is the state-of-the-art technology for the capture of CO2 from coal-fired power plants. This technology is energy-intensive and has been applied to CO2 removal from natural gas, ammonia, and hydrogen gas streams. Energy requirements can be reduced by the use of a more-reactive solvent, operating the cross exchanger at a lower temperature, optimizing the stripper operation, and using innovative stripper configurations (vacuum and multipressure). This work calculates stripper performance with an algorithm in Aspen Custom Modeler (ACM) that incorporates thermodynamic studies, reaction rate measurements, physical properties, and contactor-specific information for three stripper configurationsa simple stripper operating at 160 kPa, a multipressure stripper operating at three pressures (330/230/160 kPa), and a vacuum stripper (30 kPa) for two solvents: 7m (30 wt %) monoethanolamine (MEA) and 5m K+/2.5m piperazine. The temperature approach is varied from 5 to 10 °C. With some approx...
Lymphocyte and Fibroblast Chalones: Some Chemical Properties

Experiments with lymphocyte and fibroblast chalones indicate that they are complexed strongly with RNA in tissue extracts; have a molecular weight of less than 10,000 and more than 1,000 daltons, and probably about 5,000 daltons; are strongly cationically charged; and contain mannose and perhaps other carbohydrates.
The affine geometry of the Lanczos H-tensor formalism

We identify the fiber-bundle-with-connection structure that underlies the Lanczos H-tensor formulation of Riemannian geometrical structure. We consider linear connections to be type (1,2) affine tensor fields, and we sketch the structure of the appropriate fiber bundle that is needed to describe the differential geometry of such affine tensors, namely the affine frame bundleA12M with structure groupA12 (4) =GL(4) ⓈT12ℝ4 over spacetimeM. Generalized affine connections on this bundle are in 1-1 correspondence with pairs(Γ, K) onM, where thegl(4)-componentΓ denotes a linear connection and the T12ℝ4-componentK is a type (1,3) tensor field onM. We show that the Lanczos H-tensor arises from a gauge fixing condition on this geometrical structure. The resulting translation gauge, theLanczos gauge, is invariant under the transformations found earlier by Lanczos. The other Lanczos variablesQμmandq are constructed in terms of the translational component of the generalized affine connection in the Lanczos gauge. To complete the geometric reformulation we reconstruct the Lanczos Lagrangian completely in terms of affine invariant quantities. The essential field equations derived from ourA12 (4)-invariant Lagrangian are the Bianchi and Bach-Lanczos identities for four-dimensional Riemannian geometry.
Anomalous connection of right pulmonary veins to superior vena cava with interatrial communications; hemodynamic data in eight cases.

Anomalous connection of the right pulmonary veins to the superior vena cava associated with an interatrial communication in an unusually cephalad location has been diagnosed at cardiac catheterization in 8 patients. These patients had the clinical features seen in patients who have atrial septal defects in the region of the fossa ovalis. Differentiation was accomplished by (1) the roentgenographic position of the catheter in the right superior pulmonary vein, (2) demonstration of an abnormally high oxygen saturation of the blood in the superior vena cava, (3) the presence of a small right-to-left shunt from the superior vena cava and the absence of such a shunt from the inferior vena cava, and (4) demonstration of similar drainage of blood from the right superior pulmonary vein and superior vena cava. The syndrome is considered to be an anomaly of pulmonary venous development while the atrial septum forms normally.
Ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation at the yeast endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear envelope.

AbstractThe endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the primary organelle in eukaryotic cells where membrane and secreted proteins are inserted into or across cell membranes. Its membrane bilayer and luminal compartments provide a favorable environment for the folding and assembly of thousands of newly synthesized proteins. However, protein folding is intrinsically error-prone, and various stress conditions can further increase levels of protein misfolding and damage, particularly in the ER, which can lead to cellular dysfunction and disease. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is responsible for the selective destruction of a vast array of protein substrates, either for protein quality control or to allow rapid changes in the levels of specific regulatory proteins. In this review, we will focus on the components and mechanisms of ER-associated protein degradation (ERAD), an important branch of the UPS. ER membranes extend from subcortical regions of the cell to the nuclear envelope, with its continuous outer and...
Electron localization effects on the low-temperature high-field magnetoresistivity of three-dimensional amorphous superconductors

he electrical resistivity ρ of three-dimensional amorphous superconducting films a-Mo3Si and a-Nb3Ge is measured in magnetic fields μ0H up to 30 T. At low temperatures and at magnetic fields above the upper critical field Hc2, ρ is temperature independent and decreases as a function of magnetic field. This field dependence is consistent with localization theory in the high-field limit [μ0H≫ħ/(4eLφ2), where Lφ is the phase-coherence length]. Above the superconducting transition temperature Tc, the temperature dependence of the conductivity is consistent with inelastic scattering processes which are destructive to the phase coherence for electron localization, thereby allowing estimates for Lφ(T). The Hall effect data on a-Mo3Si, in conjunction with the resistivity data, allow the determination of the carrier concentration and mean free path. The upper critical field is comparable to (in a-Mo3Si) and significantly larger than (in a-Nb3Ge) the Clogston-Chandrasekhar paramagnetic limit. This phenomenon is discussed in the context of electron localization.
Restoring public trust in the accounting profession by developing anti‐fraud education, programs, and auditing

The public trust in auditors’ judgments and reputation plays an important role in substantiating audit functions as value‐added services, which lend credibility to published financial reports. Recent numerous financial restatements by high profile companies coupled with bankruptcies of major companies caused by reported financial statement fraud have eroded public confidence in financial reports and related audit functions. Restoring the public confidence requires considerable efforts by legislators, regulators, standard‐setting bodies, the business community, and the accounting profession. This article suggests 12 ways that the accounting profession can rebuild public trust in financial reports and related audit functions.
Analysis of Alternative to Kentucky Weight-Distance Tax

This study reviewed the existing literature on vehicle mileage taxes, details weight-distance tax repeal and replacement in other states, and provided a policy alternative to Kentucky's weight-distance tax. The authors developed a consolidation plan in which the International Registration Plan and intrastate license plate fees were increased by 129% and the weight-distance tax was eliminated. Revenue projections for the weight-distance tax and registration fees (for the current policy and its alternative) were compared to assess the impact on the state's road fund. In addition, the tax and fee liabilities for individual motor carriers were assessed to see whether the proposed changes would help or hurt firms of various sizes and operational tendencies. Interstate carriers that logged a high percentage of total miles on Kentucky roads or logged a low number of overall miles per vehicle would generally have seen an increased financial obligation to the state. Interstate carriers that logged a low percentage...
Clinical Outcomes of Critical Illness Polyneuropathy

It is often difficult to isolate the origin of acute weakness in the critically ill population because of multiple etiologies. Aminoglycosides, corticosteroids, and neuromuscular blockers frequently are implicated as the source of acute weakness. Recently, critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP), a syndrome of unknown etiology, was added to the differential diagnosis. The frequency of CIP is approximately 70% in patients with sepsis. Early studies of CIP, which were mostly retrospective, underestimated its frequency due to the complexity of the diagnosis and unfamiliarity with the syndrome. Prospective studies have explored the causality and clinical outcomes of CIP Clinical outcomes of patients with CIP include difficulty weaning from mechanical ventilation, increased length of stay, prolonged recovery, and an overall mortality rate of 26-71%. The association of CIP with sepsis, multiorgan failure, and drugs is still unclear.
Radar observations of Mars

Radar observations in the past were used to investigate the astronomical properties of the planet and its reflectivity in radar frequencies. Because of the difficulties in signal detection and processing due to the low level of return signal, the data were published only in the form of Doppler spectrograms. In view of the increasing interest in Mars and the practicability of missions to Mars this paper uses the published data to evaluate the angular behavior of the radar backscattering characteristics of Mars; a required information for the design of radar equipment of spacecrafts. In addition, results of past observations are summarized, analyzed and discussed in terms of a general interpretation of the Martian surface. It is found that the generally accepted suggestion that Mars is a relatively smooth planet, smoother than the Moon, is confirmed by most of the results, but not all observations agree with this hypothesis. A surface model of relief and composition based on radar information in conjunction with other observations is reviewed. The processing methods of radar return signals are compared for a better understanding of the handling of the Doppler spectrogram, a form which is most widely used for the presentation of processed data. An extensive bibliography of available papers and reports relevant to radar observations and the surface and lower atmosphere of Mars is included. The literature is concerned mainly with post-Mariner IV experiment, the mission which changed considerably many conceptions of Mars.
Application of a Model of Ecological Succession to Conservation and Land-use Management

Ecological succession theory can be used in land-use planning to develop self-maintaining systems that meet conservation needs. This paper presents a management succession model and outlines methods that can be applied to regional land-use, rangeland, and agro-ecosystem, management. Traditionally, succession has been viewed as a repeatable and deterministic change in an ecosystem. Unlike the traditional view, the management succession model suggests that the successional process can be regulated to develop management designed communities. The model is based on current succession theory and consists of five steps; designed disturbance, selective colonization, inhibitory persistence, removal, and regeneration. Through the steps of the model, community interactions, life-history characteristics, and those abiotic factors that are to some extent controllable, are manipulated. The objective in manipulating these factors is to regulate successional sequences and rates of species replacement.To implement these steps a management practice, such as burning, can be used as a designed disturbance. The timing, intensity, and extent, of burning are regulated to insure that ‘selected colonizers’ become established. The design of the disturbance, and the selection of species and proportions of colonizers, is based upon the type of community structure that is wanted. Often a stable, persisting community is the goal. How long a community persists can be controlled by planned removal, which deliberately interrupts a successional sequence. The removal process can, in itself, be considered a type of disturbance, and can be used to regulate subsequent successional sequences and rates of replacement. In some instances a regenerating community is the goal, and management efforts can be adjusted to prevent successional sequences from occurring.
Overview of laser-radiofrequency double-resonance studies of atomic, molecular, and ionic beams

Abstract The molecular-beam laser-rf double-resonance method, first demonstrated about 15 years ago, has been used extensively in the years since to study properties of many electronic levels of both neutral and ionic atoms and molecules. The technique affords high precision (typically 1 ppm for hyperfine structure measurements), very high selectivity, and high sensitivity. In addition to revealing a wealth of details concerning hyperfine interactions, the method, when applied to molecules, allows precise measurement of rotational structure and electric-dipole moments (through the Stark effect). In applying the method to studies of the analogous properties of atomic and molecular ions, arranging the ion and laser beams colinearly is usually advantageous and much work has been done in this area as well. This review illustrates the types of results achieved so far. The extent of agreement between theory and experiment and the impact of the method on the further development of the theory are discussed more briefly. The conclusion attempts to suggest profitable areas for further exploration.
Interhemispheric Comparison of TDIM E- and F-Region Ionospheres on 14 January 1988

Abstract The USU time-dependent ionospheric model (TDIM) simulated the northern (winter) and southern (summer) ionospheres as they responded to the changing solar wind and geomagnetic activity on 14 January 1988. This period began with moderately disturbed conditions, but as the IMF turned northward, the geomagnetic activity decreased. By 1400 UT, the IMF By component became strongly negative with Bz near zero; and eventually Bz turned southward. This began a period of intense activity as a magnetic storm developed. The magnetospheric electric field and auroral electron precipitation drivers for these simulations were obtained from the Naval Research Laboratories (NRL) Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) magnetospheric simulation for this event. The F-region ionospheric simulations contrast the summer–winter hemispheres. Then, the difference in how the two hemispheres respond to the geomagnetic storm is related to the differences in magnetospheric energy deposition in the two hemispheres. This also emphasizes the role played by the E-region in the magnetosphere–ionosphere (M–I) coupling and subsequent lack of conjugacy in the two hemispheres. The F-region’s response to the changing geomagnetic conditions also demonstrates a striking lack of conjugacy. This manifests itself in a well-defined ionospheric morphology in the summer hemisphere and a highly irregular morphology in the winter hemisphere. These differences are found to be associated with the differences in the magnetospheric electric field input.
Angiotensin II maintains cerebral vascular relaxation via EGF receptor transactivation and ERK1/2.

This study identified, on the integrative level, two components of the ANG II signaling pathway that lay downstream from the ANG II type 1 (AT1) receptor and are critically involved in maintaining ...
Combining information about … combining information

Purpose – This editorial aims to consider certain aspects of the parallel development of statistics and actuarial science that are instructive in understanding the value of intellectual cross‐fertilization in research.Design/methodology/approach – The paper addresses the fundamental problem of combining information from the perspectives of both formal statistical inference and actuarial science, and discusses how the two fields not only have benefited from exchanges of ideas, but also have suffered from research isolation.Findings – The “credibility” problem of actuarial science, which involves the combining of statistical observations, may be formulated in the language of conventional statistical estimation. However, its unique concept of “collateral” information helped stimulate the development of empirical Bayesian techniques in statistics, and the actuarial literature itself has benefited from the rigorous statistical treatment of the credibility problem by conventional estimation theory. Interestingl...
The direct effects of metolazone diuresis on the isolated bloodless perfused canine kidney.

Renal bloodless perfusions under normothermic, normobaric conditions with oxygen or helium gas equilibrations were conducted in 14 canine kidneys. A new diuretic, metolazone (SR-720—22), a quinazolinone compound, was evaulated for possible direct renal effects. Metolazone exerts direct renal effects with or without oxygen characterized by (1) fall in renal resistance; (2) rise in urine flow rate and osmolar clearance; (3) no change in GFR, in inulin extraction, or in the proximal tubular reabsorption of sodium. The agent at low doses is thus a potent and direct active diuretic. Lack of alteration in renal acidification processes as well as activity under anoxic conditions may indicate future usefulness in renal insufficiency states.
Sources of Variation in Holstein Descriptive Classification Traits

Abstract First-available classification records of 78,151 Holstein cows in 2117 herds were used to determine the effects of herds, classifiers, and their interaction on the variability of overall type score, scorecard ratings (general appearance, body capacity, dairy character, and mammary system), and the 12 descriptive traits scored in the Holstein-Friesian Descriptive Classification Program. The relative contribution of descriptive traits to final score and scorecard ratings, and differences among classifiers in these contributions also were examined. The percent of variance due to herds and classifiers was small for all traits. Herd by classifier interactions were more important than classifiers for all traits and more important than herds for all descriptive traits. Within-herd standard partial regression coefficients for each classifier indicated that classifiers differed in the emphasis placed on specific descriptive traits in arriving at final score. The descriptive classification program appears to be supplemental rather than superfluous to traditional classifications of final score and scorecard traits.
γ-Tubulin Is Asymmetrically Distributed in the Cortex of Xenopus Oocytes

Abstract Stage VI Xenopus oocytes contain an extensive network of cytoplasmic microtubules (MTs), with no evidence of a functional centrosome. Recently, Stearns et al. (1991) demonstrated that Xenopus eggs contain a substantial pool of the centrosomal protein γ-tublin (γ-Tb). For this report, I have used confocal immunofluorescence microscopy to examine the distribution of γ-Tb during the later stages of oogenesis in Xenopus laevis . γ-Tb was apparent surrounding the germinal vesicle (GV) of stage VI oocytes, consistent with previous results suggesting that the GV serves as an microtubule organizing center in later oogenesis. Surprisingly, γ-Tb was also concentrated in the cortex of stage VI oocytes, and the distribution of cortical γ-Tb was polarized along the animal-vegetal (A-V) axis. In the vegetal cortex, γ-Tb was observed in brightly stained foci, often organized into short linear arrays. In the animal hemisphere, γ-Tb was more evenly distributed as small cortical foci. Dual immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that γ-Tb in the vegetal hemisphere was associated with MTs in the cortical cytoplasm. The distribution of γ-Tb was not significantly affected by either cold or nocodazole, but was partially disrupted by cytochalasin B. γ-Tb thus may serve as a link between the oocyte MT network and cortical actin. Finally, polarization of the distribution of cortical γ-Tb temporally coincides with formation of the A-V axis and polarization of the oocyte MT cytoskeleton during stage IV of oogenesis. These observations raise a number of questions regarding the organization and orientation of MTs during Xenopus oogenesis and the role of γ-Tb in the polarization of the oocyte cytoskeleton during A-V axis formation.
Research and Application of PDM Borehole Technology for HDD

Abstract By introducing the structure character and working principle of PDM, borehole technologies of PDM directional drilling were studied in this text, including borehole technology principle, directional method, technology flow, drilling technology parameters, branch borehole technology etc. Shaanxi Tingnan Coal .Ltd field application was taken as an example to do a simple introduction on PDM matching equipment and technology promotion. The borehole technology and related result can be used as reference for horizontal directional drilling research and construction.
Dynamic Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Rat Brain during Forepaw Stimulation

A magnetic resonance (MR) imaging brain mapping method was used to localize an activated volume of brain tissue in chloralose-anesthetized rats during electrical stimulation of the forepaw. Physiologically-induced changes are characterized by alterations of the magnetic properties of blood as determined by the oxygenation state of hemoglobin. Stimulation of the left forepaw led to an increase in MR signal intensity of the contralateral frontal and parietal cortices, which corresponded to forelimb motor and somatosensory areas. The activation was contiguous in coronal planes between +5 and +2 mm anterior to the bregma, and its volume was calculated to be 20–30 mm3. Each activated region was revealed using a paired t-test statistical analysis method and the activated volume was calculated from regions exposed by thresholding at p < 0.005. Physiologically-induced fractional signal changes, ΔS/S, in the motor and somatosensory areas were 0.06 ± 0.04 and 0.17 ± 0.06, respectively.
Flux of particles in the optical model

Abstract The flux of 18 MeV α-particles in argon is calculated with two optical model potentials which give similar elastic scattering and reaction cross sections. Although these potentials are similar in the nuclear surface, they give different fluxes inside the potential and in particular different values for the divergence of the flux which represents the probability of absorption of the beam at a point. The divergence for α-particles in both potentials is peaked more strongly at the surface than that for protons of the same momentum in a realistic potential, but it is not negligible in the centre. The divergence peaks are of different heights in the two potentials and hence may give different total cross sections for direct interactions.
Electrical properties of RF sputtering systems

A theory is developed that gives a relatively complete electrical characterization of rf sputtering systems. Three types of systems are analyzed: tuned substrate, driven substrate, and controlled area ratio of electrode (CARE) systems. The theory is applicable to any of these systems that do not use magnetic fields to confine the plasma. Given the input rf power and voltage at the target, and any other parameters that can be specified as independent variables (e.g., pressure, substrate drive voltage, tuning impedance, and system geometry), the theory provides explicit values for all dc and rf electrical parameters of the system. The dc bias developed ut the substrate is explained and related to the resputtering energy. In addition, an approximate calculation is presented for the ion density in the plasma; this calculation allows a semiquantitative estimate of the rf voltage developed at the target for a given value of rf input power. It also shows the influence of pressure and frequency on rf sputtering system operation. Comparisons are made with real rf sputtering systems; these show that the theory is quite successful in predicting the operation of these systems. In addition, a much better understanding is achieved of some of the complex electrical phenomena encountered in these systems. The theory should prove useful both for new system design and for diagnostic work on existing equipment.
Self-Reported Fears and Electrodermal Responsiveness of High and Low trait Anxious Subjects to Fear of Failure and Other Stressors.

We examined the relationship between self-reported fears on the Wolpe-Lang Fear Survey Schedule and scores on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) among hospitalized male veterans and evaluated the effects of threat of failure and loss of self-esteem on the electrodermal activity of 32 male college students classified as high or low trait anxious. Results showed a significant relationship between trait anxiety and fearfulness with HA-trait individuals demonstrating greater overall fearfulness than those classified as LA-Trait with the most significant differences indicated for fears of failure. There were no differences in electrodermal activity between HA- and LA-Trait participants in response to manipulation of instructions designed to increase the level of A-State. Though high stress instructions involving ego and failure threat produced an increased frequency of nonspecific EDRs in both groups, there was no evidence that HA-Trait participants responded with any greater increase in electrodermal activity.
Highly parallelizable route planner based on cellular automata algorithms

An overview is presented of our work on a highly parallelizable route planner that efficiently finds an optimal route between two points; both serial and massively parallel implementations are described. We compare the advantages and disadvantages of the associated search algorithm relative to other search algorithms, and conclude with a discussion of future extensions and related applications.
Modified Radiative Transfer Theory for a Two-Layer Anisotropic Random Medium

The modified radiative transfer (MRT) equations which describe propagation and scattering of the electromagnetic field intensity in a layered anisotropic random medium are derived from the Bethe-Salpeter equation with the ladder approximation and the Dyson equation with the nonlinear approximation. The extinction matrices and scattering phase matrices for both mean and incoherent field intensities are obtained. Backscattering enhancement is observed due to the spatial coherent effect between upward and downward propagating waves. It also occurs for the half-space case, because of coupling between ordinary and extraordinary waves. The depolarization effect is predicted in the first-order renormalization approximation to the MRT equation.
Social Status, the Status Distribution, and Performance in Small Groups1

This article reports two experiments on the effects of status and the status distribution on performance. Grade-school children were randomly assigned a label denoting high status or one denoting low status and then randomly assigned to small groups where they were the only ones of their status or where only one child had a status different from theirs. After completing a group task, the children individually took an anagram test, which served as the performance measure. Consistent with research on the effects of social status, in both experiments children with high status performed significantly better on the anagram test than did children with low status. More important, there were significant status by status distribution interactions. Performance among low-status children was even lower if their status was relatively uncommon than if it was relatively common, whereas performance by high-status children was either unaffected (Experiment 1) or enhanced (Experiment 2) if their status was relatively uncommon. The discussion centers on implications of the results for research and theory on tokenism and perceptions of the prevalence of status characteristics.
Chromosome 8 BAC array comparative genomic hybridization and expression analysis identify amplification and overexpression of TRMT12 in breast cancer

Genomic changes in chromosome 8 are commonly observed in breast cancer cell lines and tumors. To fine map such genomic changes by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), a high resolution (100 kb) chromosome 8 array that can detect single copy changes was developed using Phi29 DNA polymerase amplified BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome) DNA. The BAC array CGH resolved the two known amplified regions (8q21 and 8q24) of a breast cancer cell line (SKBR3) into nine separate regions including six amplicons and three deleted regions, all of which were verified by Fluorescence in situ hybridization. The extent of the gain/loss for each region was validated by qPCR. CGH was performed with a total of 8 breast cancer cell lines, and common regions of genomic amplification/deletion were identified by segmentation analysis. A 1.2-Mb region (125.3–126.5 Mb) and a 1.0-Mb region (128.1–129.1 Mb) in 8q24 were amplified in 7/8 cell lines. A global expression analysis was performed to evaluate expression changes associated with genomic amplification/deletion: a novel gene, TRMT12 (at 125.5 Mb), amplified in 7/8 cell lines, showed highest expression in these cell lines. Further analysis by RT-qPCR using RNA from 30 breast tumors showed that TRMT12 was overexpressed >2 fold in 87% (26/30) of the tumors. TRMT12 is a homologue of a yeast gene encoding a tRNA methyltransferase involved in the posttranscriptional modification of tRNAPhe, and exploring the biological consequence of its altered expression, may reveal novel pathways in tumorigenesis. This article contains Supplementary Material available at http://www.interscience.wiley.com/jpages/1045-2257/suppmat. Published 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Weight-Loss Diets: Weighing the Evidence

The prevalence of overweight and obesity as a public health issue is well established and reflects the overall lack of success in our ability to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight. Overweight and obesity is a risk factor for several of the leading causes of death, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and many types of cancer. The cornerstone of treatment has been diet and exercise. An estimated 1,000 weight-loss diets have been developed with more appearing in the lay literature and the media on a regular basis. The sheer number of existing diet plans would suggest that there is no one diet that has been universally successful at inducing and maintaining weight loss. Many of these dietary programs are based on sound scientific evidence and follow contemporary principles of weight loss. Others simply eliminate one or more of the essential food groups or recommend consumption of one type of food in excess at the expense of other foods with little to no supporting evidence. The focus of this chapter is on the weight-loss diet, specifically those with the most supporting scientific evidence and those which are most likely to succeed in achievement and maintenance of desirable body weight.
Simultaneous generation of many RNA-seq libraries in a single reaction

Although RNA-seq is a powerful tool, the considerable time and cost associated with library construction has limited its utilization for various applications. RNAtag-Seq, an approach to generate multiple RNA-seq libraries in a single reaction, lowers time and cost per sample, and it produces data on prokaryotic and eukaryotic samples that are comparable to those generated by traditional strand-specific RNA-seq approaches.
Colonialism, Biblical World-Making, and Temporalities in Olaudah Equiano's Interesting Narrative

The autobiography of Olaudah Equiano (1745–1797) offers an unusual portrait of the dynamic relationship between scripture and colonialism. In 1789 Equiano, who also went by the name Gustavus Vassa, related his experience of slavery to support abolitionism in Britain in the form of a best-selling, two-volume autobiography titled The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African, Written by Himself. Equiano's autobiography comprises a striking description of religion and culture among the Igbo of West Africa, the nation with which he identified by birth. According to Equiano, the Igbo were descended from ancient Jews, and their religion was a modern survival of ancient biblical religion. This claim, seemingly casual at first, is actually a complicated maneuver that reveals how deeply he had mined a trove of biblical commentary to shape his interesting narrative for a skeptical readership. The early modern genre of biblical commentary, which was deeply influenced by the exigencies of European colonialism, constitutes in its own right an authoritative literature that proved quite useful for Equiano.