cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Media scaling for audiovisual communication with the Heidelberg transport system

HeiTS, the Heidelberg Transport System, is a multimedia communication system for real-time delivery of digital audio and video. HeiTS operates on top of guaranteed-performance networks that apply resource reservation techniques. To make HeiTS also work with networks for which no reservation scheme can be realized (for example, Ethernet or existing internetworks), we implement an extension to HeiTS which performs media scaling at the transport level: The media encoding is modified according to the bandwidth available in the underlying networks. Both transparent and non-transparent scaling methods are examined. HeiTS lends itself to implement transparent temporal and spatial scaling of media streams. At the HeiTS interface, functions are provided which report information on the available resource bandwidth to the application so that non-transparent scaling methods may be used, too. Both a continuous and discrete scaling solution for HeiTS are presented. The continuous solution uses feedback messages to adjust the data flow. The discrete solution also exploits the multipoint network connection mechanism of HeiTS. Whereas the first method is more flexible, the second technique is better suited for multicast scenarios. The combination of resource reservation and media scaling seems to be particularly well-suited to meet the varying demands of distributed multimedia applications.
Power management for small scale systems

Contemporary electronic systems often contain power circuits to support the unique power conversion or conditioning needs of each of the various subsystems. Each of these power circuits is generally implemented with discrete passive and active electronic components soldered next to the load devices on the printed circuit board. As greater levels of functionality are demanded within diminishing size and weight allowances, power management solutions will increasingly demand highly miniaturized power converters that are more tightly integrated into single-package solutions or even directly integrated onto the points of source and load. Experimental converters have demonstrated great potential in switching at very high frequencies (100+ MHz) to reduce the size of the requisite passive storage elements (inductors, transformers, and capacitors) to values that may be suitable for in-package or on-chip integration. However, integrating the passives into the same package as the active switching and control circuitry remains a significant fabrication challenge due to material incompatibility and inadequate performance of the passives. This paper discusses progress towards a fully integrated power converter module with a focus on microfabrication processes for both passive component development and wafer-level packaging. The passive components have been optimized for high performance at hundreds of MHz through the use of thick copper traces, intricate three-dimensional winding patterns. The capability of detaching the passives from the fabrication wafer produces a passives substrate that can serve directly as a routing platform for full integration of all components into a single-package solution.
The Effect of Somatostatin on the Release of Thyrotropin and Its Subunits from Bovine Anterior Pituitary Cells in Vitro

The effects of somatostatin (SRIF) on the production and release of TSH and its subunits have been investigated in bovine anterior pituitary monolayer cultures. SRIF caused a dose-dependent inhibition of TSH and subunit release by TRH, with a half-maximal effective dose of 3 X 10(-8) M. This effect was time dependent and was greater for TSH than for its subunits. However, the basal release and total production of TSH and its subunits over a 24-h period were not affected by SRIF. The effect of SRIF was additive to that of thyroid hormones in suppressing the release of TSH and its subunits by TRH. A combination of SRIF and thyroid hormone completely suppressed the release of TSH and its subunits by TRH. In contrast, thyroid hormones caused a dose-dependent inhibition of the total production, as well as the release, of TSH and its subunits induced by TRH. Furthermore, thyroid hormones produced a dose-dependent increase (r = 0.81; P less than 0.001) in the effectiveness of a single dose of SRIF in suppressing TSH release by TRH. Analysis of these data revealed that thyroid hormones interacted synergistically with the SRIF effect to suppress TRH-mediated TSH and subunit release.
Electronic Education and Lifelong Learning.

Due to de-institutionalization and open system, it is inappropriate to equate education with youth education. In the new century, education has been delivered electronically to accommodate lifelong learning. It has become a reality that the four walled classrooms have been used to complement and supplement E-learning. No need to argue that electronic education has become the norm for most universities and organizations including governmental agencies. For any providers of education to remain highly competitive, they must engage in electronic education by â€œbreaking downâ€ the four walls of the traditional classroom. Lifelong learning has become the impetus resulting in the extensive and intensive application of electronic education.
An analysis of stochastic shortest path problems

We consider a stochastic version of the classical shortest path problem whereby for each node of a graph, we must choose a probability distribution over the set of successor nodes so as to reach a certain destination node with minimum expected cost. The costs of transition between successive nodes can be positive as well as negative. We prove natural generalizations of the standard results for the deterministic shortest path problem, and we extend the corresponding theory for undiscounted finite state Markovian decision problems by removing the usual restriction that costs are either all nonnegative or all nonpositive.
Cottonseed extraction with mixtures of acetone and hexane

Cottonseed flakes were extracted with mixtures of n-hexane and acetone, with the concentration of acetone varying between 10 and 75%. Adding small amounts of acetone (≤25%) to n-hexane significantly increased the extraction of free and total gossypol from cottonseed flakes. Sensory testing detected no difference in the odor of cottonseed meals produced either by extraction with 100% n-hexane or by extraction with a 10∶90 (vol/vol) mixture of acetone/hexane. More than 80% of the free gossypol was removed by the 10∶90 mixture of acetone/hexane, whereas pure n-hexane extracted about 47% of the free gossypol from cottonseed flakes. A solvent mixture containing 25% acetone removed nearly 90% of the free gossypol that was removable by extraction with pure acetone; the residual meal had only a minimal increase in odor. In contrast, cottonseed meals produced by extraction with pure acetone had a much higher odor intensity. The composition of the cottonseed crude oil was insignificantly affected by the acetone concentration of the extraction solvent. The results indicate that mixtures of acetone and n-hexane can be used as extraction solvents to produce cottonseed crude oil without the concomitant development of odorous meals.
Off-axis sample spinning in the slow-spinning regime

The past few years have witnessed an increasing interest in the study of solids by means of high-resolution NMR techniques (I, 2). Of the various approaches that have been developed, the combination of polarization transfer and dipolar decoupling (3) together with magic-angle sample spinning (MASS) (4, 5) has become a popular tool in the study of a wide variety of amorphous and polycrystalline samples (6). In this case, heteronuclear dipolar broadening is attenuated by irradiation of the proton spectrum by a strong resonant rf field, and residual broadening due to the chemicalshift anisotropy of the dilute spins is removed by spinning the sample around the magic angle. When the frequency, UR, is fast compared to the shift anisotropy (in hertz), then a high-resolution “liquid-like” spectrum, devoid of all information other than the isotropic chemical shifts, is observed. Because these experiments lead to a suppression of the chemical-shift anisotropy, they have stimulated a search for methods to reintroduce this information in a manner consistent with the goal of high resolution. The two methods most frequently discussed for this purpose involve application of a train of pulses synchronized with the sample spinning (7-11) or analysis of the sideband intensities in the slowspinning regime (12, 13). The former approach results in a distorted (but calculatable) powder lineshape or sideband pattern which must be resolved in some cases by twodimensional techniques. In the latter case, the spinning speed is reduced so that the condition VR AC this approach leads to a centerband consisting of a powder pattern of much reduced breadth and which changes sign as the spinning angle moves from one side of 54.7” to the other. However, in the limit vR < AU we have observed some unexpected results. In particular, the centerband and sidebands consist of
RHEOLOGIC PARAMETERS IN DISEASE STATES OF INFANCY AND CHILDHOOD

Alterations in rheologic parameters may play an important role in many disease states. Hyperviscosity secondary to polycythemia, leukocytosis or abnormal blood proteins may contribute to the pathogenesis of serious symptomatology due to sludging of blood flow. Decreased erythrocyte (RBC) deformability may contribute both to hyperviscosity and to the premature removal of sclerocytic erythrocytes by the spleen. In a study of 68 patients during 1970-73 the following rheologic abnormalities were found. (1) Hyperviscosity due to polycythemia in: neonatal hyperviscosity, cyanotic heart disease and cystic fibrosis. (2) Decreased RBC deformability alone in: respiratory distress syndrome, infants of diabetic mothers, immune hemolysis, infantile pyknocytosis, advanced liver disease, nephrosls, renal failure and intrinsic RBC defects. (3) Hyperviscosity of whole blood due to both polycythemia and decreased RBC deformability in: neonatal hyperviscosity syndrome, infants of diabetic mothers and cystic fibrosis. (4) Hyperviscosity due to increased leukocytes in: the myeloproliferative syndrome of trisomy 21 and acute leukemia. (5) Hyperviscosity due to parenteral protein concentrates in: hemophilia after intensive transfusion. Investigation into the role of altered rheology in these conditions may increase our knowledge of disease mechanisms and associated laboratory and clinical findings.
Coupled Nonlinear Finite-Element Analysis of Soil-Steel Pipe Structure Interaction

AbstractNumerical simulation of staged-construction modeling of large-diameter steel pressure pipes is accompanied by several complexities. Finite-element (FE) analysis was performed to simulate the behavior of buried steel pipes during staged-construction installation. The model deflections during the staged-construction process were verified with four different experimental soil box test results. The FE model and its associated analysis algorithm considered large deformation using total Lagrangian formulation. The material and contact nonlinear algorithms were also included in the analysis for both soil and steel pipe materials. The contact between each soil layer and soil-to-pipe was carefully implemented. Uniform thermal loading was applied to simulate the stresses induced by compaction forces on the pipe and trench walls. Finally, the vertical and lateral load-deformation plots obtained from the FE analysis results were compared with the full-scale experimental test results during the staged construc...
Family processes within three-generation households and adolescent mothers' satisfaction with father involvement.

This investigation used a family systems perspective to examine how family dynamics within 3-generation households were associated with mothers' satisfaction with father involvement. The participants were low-income African American adolescent mothers (n = 148) and grandmothers recruited at delivery and followed over 6 months. The overall model explained 68% of the variance in satisfaction with father involvement. Fathers who were involved with caregiving activities had positive relationships with adolescent mothers and grandmothers. Grandmothers served as gatekeepers; when grandmothers reported positive relationships with the 2 young parents, adolescent mothers reported positive relationships with their male partners. Mothers who reported positive partner relationships also reported high parenting efficacy and satisfaction with father involvement. Efforts to increase paternal involvement should focus on role clarification for grandmothers and fathers and on parenting activities for mothers and fathers, regardless of their romantic relationship.
Ionic excesses and entropies in mean-field screening models

We examine how the mean-field ionic screening excess associated with a charged macromolecule depends upon the macromolecule's geometric conformation and net charge. Our approach involves expanding about Debye–Huckel theory, which allows us to derive a series of general results that establish explicit connections between the ionic excess, non-linear screening mechanisms, and the mobile ion entropy. We conclude with an analysis of the ionic screening entropy in familiar models for polyelectrolyte force-extension behavior, and we find the changes in this entropy are often quite substantial relative to the total free energy differences characterizing a polyelectrolyte's extended and compact states.
Control quality loss in analytical control of input-constrained processes

Since the introduction of model predictive control (MPC), control practitioners have been faced with the following question: for what class of processes MPC should be implemented? MPC provides a control sequence that is optimal in the presence or absence of constraints. However, it requires (i) numerically solving a constrained optimization problem repeatedly on-line and (ii) an adequately reliable model. Alternatively, one can implement analytical control, such as proportional−integral−derivative (PID) control and differential geometric control, which does not require the on-line optimization but generally cannot provide the optimal performance. This paper presents an answer to the following question: for what class of processes can analytical control provide control quality that is close to the optimal control quality that MPC can provide? Here, an analytical controller is defined as the one whose implementation does not require solving a constrained optimization problem numerically. A measure that qu...
Design of adaptive MC-CDMA receiver using low power parallel-pipelined FFT architecture

A design of multicarrier code division multiple access (MC-CDMA) receiver is proposed in this paper with novel low power parallel-pipelined FFT. The receiver is constructed based on number of sub-carrier systems which include two FFT blocks for demodulation, combiners for dispreading and equalizing the FFT outputs to recover the transmitted signals, and Viterbi decoder. The FFT architecture is constructed based on parallel-pipelined technique which includes different combination of hybrid low power techniques such as parallel-pipelined architectures, multiplier-less units which replace the complex multipliers in FFTs, low-power commutators based on an advanced interconnection, and low power butterfly architecture. Clock gating is extensively used in combiner to reduce power consumption by disabling the clock for the inactive circuits in FFT architecture. Viterbi decoder is implemented using trace back technique. It reduces the total power consumption to a considerable amount. By utilizing all the above techniques the design of proposed MC-CDMA receiver is implemented with Verilog HDL and synthesized in Cadence design tool using TSMC 0.18µm technology file. The result shows the overall power reduction about 48%, area reduction 23%.
Inferring the geographic origins of refugee chimpanzees in Uganda from mitochondrial DNA sequences

Wild chimpanzee populations in Africa are rapidly declining due to deforestation, mining, and other practices that destroy chimpanzee habitat (Hamilton 1981; Struhsaker 1981; Hamilton 1984; Weber 1987; Teleki 1989; Howard 1991; Harcourt 1996). The hunting of chimpanzees for food and for trade on the international pet market exacerbates this trend. The pet trade has been particularly damaging; at least 10 chimpanzee infants die for every one that survives to its final destination (Teleki 1989). A secondary consequence of these threats is the proliferation of "refugee" chimpanzee populations. Increasing numbers of confiscated chimpanzees are being crowded into underftnded zoos and rehabilitation centers. In most countries in which chimpanzees live, conservation resources are desperately scarce. Knowing the principal areas from which chimpanzees are being captured could help governments direct conservation efforts and distribute law-enforcement resources optimally. Determining the origins of captive chimpanzees could also help with reintroduction efforts. Reintroduction is generally problematic (Campbell 1980) and is relatively unexplored as a prospect for chimpanzees. Nevertheless, individuals could in theory be reintroduced to their natal populations if these could be determined. More realistically, entire captive populations could be relocated to islands or to ecologically suitable but unoccupied mainland habitats (e.g., forests from which chimpanzees have become extinct). Knowing the geographic origins of captive chimpanzees would be invaluable for
Assessment of myocardial viability after myocardial infarction.

The data presented above suggest that assessment of myocardial viability after MI, particularly in those patients with severe LV dysfunction, is important for the identification of those with the highest risk, in whom revascularization can be of clinical benefit. There is growing and consistent evidence that patients with relatively large areas of dysfunctional but viable myocardium after MI have improved function, symptoms, and survival with prompt revascularization compared with medical therapy alone. Most importantly, long-term survival with revascularization in these patients is comparable with that achieved with cardiac transplantation. There are several methods available to the clinician with which to investigate the presence of tissue viability, and the evidence suggests that the scintigraphic approaches are the most sensitive. These observations suggest that noninvasive investigation of the amount of ischemic myocardium should be an important component of the diagnostic evaluation of patients with severe LV dysfunction after MI. This approach will likely enhance the often difficult process of selecting patients with poor cardiac function in whom revascularization will likely improve both the quality and quantity of life.
A super-compact super-broadband tapered uniplanar PBG structure for microwave and millimeter-wave applications

A novel uniplanar photonic bandgap (PBG) structure, consisting of a tapered array of stepped-impedance slot resonators, is introduced. This structure, which is of low cost and easy design/fabrication, exhibits a low-pass behavior, and is characterized by a super-compact size (much smaller than conventional PBGs), a huge gap (about 150%), an excellent insensitivity to circuitry location on top of it and a very low return loss (negligible radiation) in the stop-band. The working principle of the PBG is explained and its performances are demonstrated by simulation and measurement results for different configurations. Simple design guidelines are provided.
EXERCISE CAPACITY OF HOUSE WREN NESTLINGS: BEGGING CHICKS ARE NOT WORKING AS HARD AS THEY CAN

We measured the aerobic capacity for exercise in House Wren (Troglodytes ae- don) nestlings from 3 to 10 days of age. Exercise data were compared with previous mea- surements of the energy cost of begging (Eg) to determine if begging chicks are working at maximal exercise capacity. We also compared exercise with the peak metabolic rate during digestion and, in older chicks, with thermogenic heat production. Rates of oxygen con- sumption (902) during exercise increased rapidly with age, but the factorial aerobic scope for exercise (exercise 902/resting 902) averaged only 1.4 (at three to four days) to 1.7 (at 8 to 10 days). The mean Eg was consistently lower than exercise 902, but maximal E.bg was similar to exercise 902. The peak 902 during digestion was higher than exercise VO2 for young chicks (three to six days) but not significantly different for older chicks. In older chicks (8 to 10 days), regulatory thermogenesis at 22oC was significantly higher than exercise 'O2. These results suggest that some begging by House Wren chicks can be at maximal muscular effort, but the average output during begging probably is not constrained by exercise ca- pacity. The metabolic capacity for muscular activity of any kind is lower than the metabolic capacity for digestion (at least in young chicks), which presumably reflects a high priority for food processing and growth. Received 2 October 1997, accepted 6 February 1998.
Genetic associations with schizophrenia: meta-analyses of 12 candidate genes.

Abstract Genetic association studies on schizophrenia (SZ) have been repeatedly performed over the last two decades, resulting in a consensus that results are generally inconsistent. This consensus has begun to change as a result of meta-analyses ( e.g. , [ Glatt, S.J. and Jonsson, E.G., 2006 . The Cys allele of the DRD2 Ser311Cys polymorphism has a dominant effect on risk for schizophrenia: evidence from fixed- and random-effects meta-analyses. Am. J. Med. Genet. B. Neuropsychiatr. Genet. 141, 149–154.]). The SchizophreniaGene database ( http://www.schizophreniaforum.org/res/sczgene/default.asp ) has been a leader in meta-analyses of SZ association data, by dynamically and comprehensively cataloging all public genetic association studies, and preparing meta-analyses of case–control data. There are 19 “top” candidate genes from these analyses (access on December 20, 2007), showing the highest effect sizes and nominally significant associations of at least one variant in the meta-analyses of all ethnic samples or of samples of Caucasian ancestry. We selected 40 polymorphisms in 12 selected “top” genes for additional meta-analyses, which had at least one familial association data. We found gene-wide (correction for the number of meta-analyses for each gene) significant allelic association evidence for seven genes in the combined samples. The odds ratios (ORs) of the associated minor risk alleles range from 1.072 to 1.121, for DRD4 , MTHFR , PPP3CC and TP53 . For protective allele associations, the ORs are between 0.842 and 0.886, for DAO , IL1B , and SLC6A4 . In population-based sub-analyses, we found significant results in four genes in Asians (ORs between 1.084 and 1.309 for DRD4 , GABRB2 , PPP3CC , and TP53 ), and one gene in European (OR of 0.888 for SLC6A4 ). The association of rs1816072 of GABRB2 with SZ in Asians was significant (adjusted P = 0.048 after correction for 80 tests). No significant heterogeneity between case–control and family-based study designs was detected in 35 out of 40 polymorphisms. Our results further support eight potential SZ candidate genes and suggest that family data can reasonably be included in the meta-analysis of genetic associations.
Phase II study of methotrexate, vincristine, pegylated-asparaginase, and dexamethasone (MOpAD) in patients with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Newer approaches are needed for the treatment of relapsed and refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Asparaginase-based regimens are active in the treatment of pediatric ALL and may be important in salvage therapy for adult patients. We conducted a pilot trial combining methotrexate, vincristine, PEGylated-asparaginase, and dexamethasone (MOpAD) in adults with relapsed or refractory ALL. We added tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) ALL and rituximab in patients with CD20 positive B-cell ALL. Among 37 patients treated (median age 42 years; median 2 prior therapies), the complete remission (CR) rate was 28% and an overall response rate (ORR) was 39%. The median CR duration was 4.3 months. Patients with Ph+ ALL had CR and ORR of 50% and 67%, respectively and the CR and ORR in patients with T-cell leukemia were 45% and 56%, respectively. The median survival in patients with CR/CRp was 10.4 versus 3.4 months in nonresponders (P =0.02). The most common grade 3 or 4 nonhematologic toxicities were elevations in bilirubin and transaminases, nausea, peripheral neuropathy, and hyperglycemia, which were managed with supportive care, dose adjustments, and interruptions.
The Rationale and Use of Three-Dimensional Radiation Treatment Planning for Lung Cancer

Treatment of lung cancer with conventional radiation therapy isassociated with suboptimal local tumor control and poor long-termsurvival. Poor local tumor control may result from inaccurate tumortargeting, failure to satisfactorily conform to dose distribution withthe target volume, and/or inadequate radiation doses. Three-dimensionaltreatment planning is a radiotherapy technique that provides moreaccurate dose targeting via the direct transfer of three-dimensionalanatomic information from diagnostic scans into the planning process. This technology can assist treatment planning by providing dose-volumehistograms, an estimation of normal tissue complication probabilities, and facilitate dose escalation. Preliminary clinical studies suggestthat this is a feasible approach worthy of additional study. Thethree-dimensional tools provide new opportunities to better understandradiation-induced changes in pulmonary function.
Securing medical records on smart phones

There is an inherent conflict between the desire to maintain privacy of one's medical records and the need to make those records available during an emergency. To satisfy both objectives, we introduce a flexible architecture for the secure storage of medical records on smart phones. In our system, a person can view her records at any time, and emergency medical personnel can view the records as long as the person is present (even if she is unconscious). Our solution allows for efficient revocation of access rights and is robust against adversaries who can access the phone's storage offline.
The Relationships among Momentary Emotion Experiences, Personality Descriptions, and Retrospective Ratings of Emotion

In psychological research, respondents often make retrospective ratings of their emotional experiences after an extended period of time. The present study sought to determine whether such memory-based ratings are influenced by respondents' descriptions of their own emotionality, over and above a summary of their momentary emotion ratings. Participants completed self-report measures of neuroticism and extraversion and made momentary ratings of their emotions across 90 days. At the end of the study, participants recalled what their emotions had been during the course of the study. Findings indicated that retrospective ratings of emotion contained accurate information about momentary emotion reports. Also, the retrospective ratings were influenced in the direction of respondents' personality descriptions. Individuals who described themselves as neurotic remembered experiencing more negative emotion than they reported on a momentary basis; individuals who described themselves as extraverted displayed a trend ...
A computational toolkit for applied z-transforms

The authors present a computational toolkit which operates on rational polynomial structures. This family of structures represent almost all sequences whose z-transforms can be written as the ratio of two finite order polynomials in z. The toolkit may be applied to a variety of practical filter design problems. Some of the algorithms developed include spectral factorization, separation into causal and anticausal subsequences, computation of greatest common denominator, and derivation of equivalent minimum-phase polynomials. The authors briefly develop each algorithm and then present condensed pseudo code versions of each tool. >
Multiple factors are required for poly(A) addition to a mRNA 3' end.

Polyadenylation of pre-mRNAs in the nucleus involves a specific endonucleolytic cleavage, followed by the addition of -200 adenylic acid residues. We have assayed HeLa nuclear extracts for the activity that catalyzes the poly(A) addition reaction. The authenticity of the in vitro assay was indicated by the observation that the poly(A) addition reaction requires an AAUAAA element near the 3' terminus of the substrate and that the poly (A) tract added in vitro is -200 nucleotides in length. We have fractionated nuclear extracts in order to define components involved in specific poly(A) addition. No single fraction from DEAE-Sephacel chromatography of a HeLa nuclear extract possessed the specific poly{A) addition activity. However, if the various fractions were recombined, activity was restored, indicating the presence of multiple components. Further fractionation revealed the presence of at least two factors necessary for the poly(A) addition reaction. The reconstituted system retains the characteristics and specificity seen in the crude extract. Additional purification of one of the factors strongly suggests it to be a previously characterized poly(A) polymerase which, when assayed in the absence of the other factor, can add AMP to an RNA terminus but without specificity. Thus, the other component of the reaction may provide specificity to the process. In contrast to the 3' cleavage reaction, the poly{A) addition machinery does not possess an essential RNA component, as assayed by micrococcal nuclease digestion, nor do anti-Sm sera inhibit the reaction. Thus, the total process of formation of a polyadenylated mRNA 3' end is complex and requires the concerted action of distinct nuclear components.
Renal lesions induced by ochratoxin A exposure in the F344 rat.

Groups of 80 male and female F344 rats were exposed by gavage to ochratoxin A, a naturally occurring mycotoxin, at levels of 21, 70, and 210 μg/kg body weight for up to 2 years. Ochratoxin A induced nonneoplastic renal tubular epithelial changes consisting of cytoplasmic alteration, karyomegaly, degeneration, and cysts. Exposure-related renal tubular proliferative lesions included focal hyperplasia, tubular cell adenoma, and tubular cell carcinoma. Renal tubular cell adenoma occurred as early as 9 months in 1 high-dose male rat, and both adenomas and carcinomas were seen in males by 15 months. At the terminal sacrifice, renal tubular cell tumors were found in both male and female rats, but the response was more pronounced in the males. The incidence of renal tumors in the high-dose rats was the highest of any National Toxicology Program (NTP) study completed to date. In the high-dose males approximately one-third of the renal carcinomas developed metastases. This study demonstrates that ochratoxin A is a ...
A lower bound on the performance of sequential prediction

We consider the problem of sequential linear prediction of real-valued sequences under the square-error less function. For this problem, a prediction algorithm has been demonstrated whose accumulated squared prediction error, for every bounded sequence, is asymptotically as small as the best fixed linear predictor for that sequence, taken from the class of all linear predictors of a given order p. The redundancy, or excess prediction error above that of the best predictor for that sequence, is upper bounded by A/sup 2/pln(n)/n, where n is the data length and the sequence is assumed to be bounded by some A. In this paper, we show that this predictor is optimal in a min-max sense, by deriving a corresponding lower bound, such that no sequential predictor can ever do better than a redundancy of A/sup 2/pln(n)/n.
The amide oxygen donor. Metal ion coordinating properties of the ligand nitrilotriacetamide. A thermodynamic and crystallographic study

The metal ion coordinating properties of ntam (nitrilotriacetamide) are reported. The protonation constant (pK) for ntam is 2.6 in 0.1 M NaClO4 at 25 °C. Formation constants (log K1) in 0.1 M NaClO4 at 25 °C, determined by 1H NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopy are: Ca(II), 1.28; Mg(II), 0.4; La(III), 2.30; Pb(II), 3.69; Cd(II), 3.78; Ni(II), 2.38; Cu(II), 3.16. The measured log K1 values for the ntam complexes are discussed in terms of the low basicity of the N-donor, as evidenced by the pK, and the effect of metal ion size on complex stability. The amide O-donors of ntam lead to the stabilization of complexes of large metal ions (Pb(II), Cd(II), La(III), Ca(II)) relative to log K1 for the NH3 complexes, while for small metal ions (Ni(II), Cu(II)) the amide O-donors lead to destabilization. This is discussed in terms of the role of chelate ring size in controlling metal ion size-based selectivity. The structures of [Pb(ntam)(NO3)2]2 (1) and [Ca2(ntam)3(H2O)2](ClO4)4·3H2O (2) are reported. For 1: triclinic, space group P, a = 7.4411(16), b = 9.0455(19), c = 11.625(3) A, α = 69.976(4), β = 79.591(4), γ = 67.045(3)°, Z = 2, R = 0.0275. For 2: monoclinic, space group P21/c, a = 10.485(2), b = 11.414(2), c = 38.059(8) A, β = 92.05(3)°, Z = 4, R = 0.0634. Structure 1 is dimeric with two Pb atoms linked by bridging O-donors from the two ntam ligands. The coordination sphere consists of one N-donor and 3 O-donors from the ntam ligand, two O-donors from nitrates, and one bridging O-donor. The variation in bond length suggests a stereochemically active lone pair of electrons on the Pb. Structure 2 consists of two Ca(II) ions held together by 3 bridging O-donors from ntam groups. One Ca is 9-coordinate with two ntam ligands present, plus one bridging O-donor from the other Ca(II) ntam complex. The other Ca is 8-coordinate, with a single coordinated ntam, plus two coordinated H2O molecules, and two bridging O-donors from the other half of the complex. The role of M–OC bond angles in controlling selectivity for metal ions on the basis of their size is discussed.
Fusion: a system for business users to manage program variability

In order to make software components more flexible and reusable, it is desirable to provide business users with facilities to assemble and control them without their needing programming knowledge. This paper describes a fully functional prototype middleware system where variability is externalized so that core applications need not be altered for anticipated changes. In this system, application behavior modification is fast and easy, making this middleware suitable for frequently changing programs.
Acute Humoral Rejection of an Abo-Unmatched Liver Allograft in a Pediatric Recipient

Acute humorally mediated rejection of organ allografts has long been recognized in kidney transplantation as the syndrome of hyperacute rejection. This reaction precludes renal transplantation across the major blood-group system and in many other instances in which preformed antibodies are present in the host. There is increasing evidence of the importance of humoral rejection in graft survival following liver transplantation. Although the antibodies responsible for this process have seldom been definitively identified, it is clear that the antibodies of the major blood-group system are of particular importance. Humoral rejection of a transplanted liver has not been well documented previously in a pediatric recipient. We present a case illustrating acute hepatic graft failure resulting from circulating anti-B IgM isohemagglutinins following an ABO-unmatched liver transplantation.
The Impact of Psychological Science on Policing in the United States Procedural Justice, Legitimacy, and Effective Law Enforcement

The May 2015 release of the report of the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing highlighted a fundamental change in the issues dominating discussions about policing in America. That change has moved discussions away from a focus on what is legal or effective in crime control and toward a concern for how the actions of the police influence public trust and confidence in the police. This shift in discourse has been motivated by two factors—first, the recognition by public officials that increases in the professionalism of the police and dramatic declines in the rate of crime have not led to increases in police legitimacy, and second, greater awareness of the limits of the dominant coercive model of policing and of the benefits of an alternative and more consensual model based on public trust and confidence in the police and legal system. Psychological research has played an important role in legitimating this change in the way policymakers think about policing by demonstrating that perceived legit...
Framatome et la maintenance du contrôle commande des réacteurs

La competence acquise par la conception et la onstruction de 68 REP dans le monde, dont 57 pour le parc nucleaire francais, a permis a Framatome d'etre un acteur majeur dans le domaine des services nucleaires et plus particulierement dans la maintenance en arret de tranche. Voici plus de 20 ans que Framatome y participe.Cette activite de service s'est appliquee naturellement a la maintenance du controle commande des centrales, pour laquelle elle a developpe des outils specifiques.
Consequences of breast-feeding for mother and child.

Breast-feeding is an integral part of the reproductive process. This paper reviews the consequences of breast-feeding and bottle-feeding for the child and the mother with emphasis on health parameters and child spacing. Controversies that have arisen in this field are considered. Methodological problems in study design and areas for further research are discussed.
Dietary Fructose and GLUT5 Transporter Activity Contribute to Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain

Receptors for antipsychotics in the hypothalamus contribute to antipsychotics-induced weight gain; however, many of these receptors are also expressed in the intestine. The role of these intestinally-expressed receptors, and their potential modulation of nutrient absorption, have not been investigated in the context of antipsychotics-induced weight gain. Here we tested the effect of dietary fructose and intestinal fructose uptake on clozapine-induced weight gain in mice. Weight gain was determined in wild type mice and mice lacking the GLUT5 fructose transporter that were "orally-administered" 20mg/kg clozapine for 28 days. To assess the role of dietary fructose, clozapine-treated mice were fed controlled diets with different levels of fructose. Effect of clozapine treatment on intestinal fructose transport activity and expression levels of various receptors that bind clozapine, as well as several genes involved in gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis were measured using real-time RT-PCR and western blotting. Oral administration of clozapine significantly increased body weight in wild type C57BL/6 mice but not in GLUT5 null mice. The clozapine-induced weight gain was proportional to the percentage of fructose in the diet. Clozapine-treated mice increased intestinal fructose uptake without changing the intestinal expression level of GLUT5. Clozapine-treated mice expressed significantly higher levels of intestinal H1 histamine receptor in the wild type but not GLUT5 null mice. Clozapine also increased the intestinal expression of fructokinase and several genes involved in gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis. Our results suggest that increased intestinal absorption and metabolism of fructose contributes to clozapine-induced weight gain. Eliminating dietary fructose might prevent antipsychotics-induced weight gain.
Effect of implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy on the mortality of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy

Objective:Patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (EF 40%) and ventricular tachyarrhythmias have a poor outcome. We compared the effect of ICD with traditional drug therapy on the mortality rate of these patients. Method:Between January 2002 and March 2006, 152 patients [97 males, 55 females, (58.2±23.4) yrs] with ischemic cardiomyopathy (EF40%) and history of ventricular tachyarrhythmias were treated at our institution. Patients who had ICD implantation (group A, 15 cases) were compared with those only received traditional medicine (group B, 137 cases). All the patients were followed up for 14±3 months. The primary endpoint is all-cause death. Result:During the follow up, one patient (6.7%) of group A died, but not of ventricular tachyarrhythmia. Of group B patients, 19 (13.9%) died and 6 were sudden death. The difference of mortality rate between the two groups is not significant (P=NS). However, successful terminations of 21 ventricular fibrillations and 65 sustained ventricular tachycardias were found in group A.Conclusion:In the study, ICD appears to reduce the incidence of sudden cardiac death by termination of ventricular tachyarrhythmia for patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.
Research Report on Evaluation of Career Interest among English Majors in Higher Vocational Colleges

From the connotation of interest and career, it briefly reviews the research and evaluation of career interest at home and abroad. To help students realize scientific job-hunting and effective employment, achieve the ideal match of "people and post ", based on the Self-Directed Search by professional expert J. L. Holland, an evaluation of career interest is conducted among English majors in Kunming Metallurgy College as a case study. Some suggestions on cultivating career interest among English majors in higher vocational college are put forward after analyzing related statistic of the evaluation.
Intracytoplasmic Signaling from Cilia in Ciliates

The ciliates are model organisms for pioneering studies of ciliary signaling as it controls cell behavior through second messengers such as Ca2+ and cAMP. Signaling is initiated via special receptors uniquely or significantly localized to the ciliary membrane. The receptors initiate a cascade of molecular changes in the ciliary matrix and in certain cases molecules move from the ciliary matrix into the cytoplasm, and sometimes enter the cell nucleus to alter gene expression. Like the cell nucleus, the cilium is specialized compartment of the cytoplasm. The entrance to the ciliary membrane or matrix is defined by the ciliary necklace barriers—ciliary pores—whose composition and function seem related to the nuclear pores. A well-defined signaling cascade can be traced from the cilia-localized receptor tyrosine kinase (TtPTK1) (NEK1) in Tetrahymena. In this cascade, Rad 51 which localizes to both the cilia and the nucleus, presumably may shuttle from the cilium to the nucleus to affect DNA replication and repair. The signaling scaffold protein parafusin (PFUS) may also represent this class of molecules. PFUS is localized to Paramecium dense core secretory vesicles (DSCVs) but also to the cilium and the nucleus. Knockdown of PFUS shuts off overall DSCV production, suggesting an effect on gene expression. Localization of signaling molecules such as Rad 51, Rsk and PFUS to both cilium and nucleus is found in both ciliates and mammalian cells, but the dynamics of movement between compartments is generally unknown and needs further elucidation.
Map Kinases in Airway Disease: Standing at the Confluence of Basic and Clinical Science

Mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinases are a family of serineJthreonine protein kinases that currently include three major subgroups; the extracellular regulated kinase 2 (ERK2), the c-Jun NH2 terminal kinase (JNK), and the p38 kinase. Each of the three major subgroups of MAP kinase has additional isozymes (reviewed in 1). For example, there are three ERK isozymes, and up to 10 JNK isozymes, including differentially processed transcripts2. The nomenclature of the JNK MAP kinases is somewhat disjoined owing primarily to the contemporaneous cloning of these kinases. Kyriakis et al. cloned what they termed stress activated protein kinases (SAPK) α, β, γ, which are identical to the JNK MAP kinases cloned by Derijard et al.3.
Abstract A18: Understanding effective cancer communication in African American communities

Purpose: The aim of this research was to explore factors associated with effective cancer prevention and control communication to African Americans. Methodology: As part of the Meharry Community Networks Program (CNP) needs assessment, a series of focus groups were conducted at community health centers located in Nashville, Chattanooga, and Memphis. African American men and women representing low-income urban communities participated in 54 focus groups. The focus groups used semi-structured, open-ended questions to examine beliefs about cancer prevention and control information. Results: Participants frequently expressed the need for ongoing education in the African American community to encourage increased participation in cancer prevention and control activities. Also, they believed that there could be a variety of approaches in improving access to and effectiveness of cancer information. For example, fear of cancer might be lessened if the sources of cancer-related information included both health care providers as well as cancer survivors. Additionally, cancer communication could be applied in several settings, targeting specific audiences at both the individual and community levels. For instance, channels of communication thought to influence African Americans included existing social networks, such as neighborhood and civic organizations, and churches. African American media outlets, namely radio and television, were also viewed as credible suppliers of relevant cancer information. Conclusion: African Americans exhibit diverse perceptions of disease and illness at both the individual and community level. Effective cancer communication strategies are those that use research to identify the information needs and the relevant information pathways of targeted audiences. Greater efforts need to be expended in understanding and operationalizing such approaches in African American communities.
Genomics and Gene Expression

Abstract With the emergence of next-generation sequencing, whole genomes may be sequenced in less than a week, but the data generally consist of significantly shorter reads than with Sanger sequencing. To make up for the short read length, the number of reactions in a single sequencing run is huge, numbering in the millions. Depth of coverage is the number of individual reads for each section of the genome. Shorter reads are much harder to align by computer, so instead of de novo genome assembly, next-gen sequencing data are often compared to a reference genome that was partially determined by Sanger sequencing, or entirely determined by Sanger sequencing such as the Human Genome Project. Even with next-gen sequencing, most genome assembly would be impossible without Sanger sequencing and the genetic and physical mapping techniques developed by the Human Genome Project.
Synergistic effect of graphene-oxide-doping and microwave-curing on mechanical strength of cement

Abstract In this communication, efficient reinforcement of cement matrix was obtained by graphene-oxide (GO) doping and curing treatments. The compressive strength of plain cement is 14.3±0.2 MPa. When the cement contained 0.5 wt% GO, its strength reached 19.4±0.9 MPa. The strength can be further enhanced by curing, which follows the sequence: Microwave-cured GO-cement > Microwave and water-cured GO-cement > Water-cured GO-cement > GO-cement without curing. The highest compressive strength (32.4±0.7 MPa), which was achieved by combining GO-doping and microwave curing, is 126.6±8.1% higher than that without GO-doping and microwave curing. This demonstrates a synergistic effect of GO doping and microwave-curing on the strength of cement composite materials. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) characterizations revealed that the combination of GO doping and microwave-curing remarkably accelerated cement hydration, leading to the regular and compact structure and thus a high compressive strength. This work provides a new way to improve the mechanical properties of cement composites.