cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sequential and parallel block-structured shortest-path ray-tracing algorithms

ABSTRACT Shortest path network algorithms have been applied to geophysical raytracing by Nakanishi and Yamaguchi7 and Moser6 . In the present work two new algorithms are introduced which further exploit the special structure ofnetwork models as applied to geological structures. The algorithms differ in the scanning order of network blocks ina processing queue. An early version of this concept, with computed examples was given'2.Mathematical correctness of both algorithms, "block-greedy" and "block-breadth" , is established. It is then shown that block-greedy limits the updating cycles per block but is inherently sequential whereas block-breadthmay incur back-tracking but allows parallel execution. Shared memory architectures allow block level parallelizationwith guided self-scheduling on a global queue. Message-passing architectures allow direct parallel counterparts tosequential breadth-first executioii. 1. INTRODUCTION Traditionally, geophysists have computed seismic raypaths between given points by shooting methods or bybending methods"4'10. It was not until 1986 that shortest path algorithms from network theory were discovered tohave utility in this context. Dijkstra's method3 was applied to networks of nodes which were imbedded in an arrayof square cells representing discrete blocks of acoustically propagating materials in which the velocity coefficient wasassumed to be constant within each cell, but variable from cell to cell7. An improved, faster, algorithm which utilizedthe heap data structure was proposed6.Networks of this type are more specialized than general networks. Direct connections between nodes are restrictedto nodes within the same cell which are uniformly spaced around its perimeter. Each network edge value is the timerequired for an acoustic ray to travel from one node to the other. The nodes have been points in a plane in applicationsto date but the concept is easily modifiable to points in three space.The importance of the application leads to the consideration of improved shortest path algorithms in networkswhich have a regular structure and in which the edge values (costs) have known constraints. Here, we improve onMoser's algorithm. We use the same network structure but we introduce the concept of processing by cell or blockrather than by individual node. An early version of this concept, with computed examples had been given'2.Since modification for 3-D networks is obvious, in our discussion graph G with node set V and edge set E will beused to represent a 2-D rectangular model, consisting of tiled square blocks such that acoustic velocity is constantwithin each block. In this tiled grid, h + 1 nodes are evenly placed on a single boundary line of each block, one nodeat each corner and h —
Community Diversity: Relative Roles of Local and Regional Processes

The species richness (diversity) of local plant and animal assemblages—biological communities—balances regional processes of species formation and geographic dispersal, which add species to communities, against processes of predation, competitive exclusion, adaptation, and stochastic variation, which may promote local extinction. During the past three decades, ecologists have sought to explain differences in local diversity by the influence of the physical environment on local interactions among species, interactions that are generally believed to limit the number of coexisting species. But diversity of the biological community often fails to converge under similar physical conditions, and local diversity bears a demonstrable dependence upon regional diversity. These observations suggest that regional and historical processes, as well as unique events and circumstances, profoundly influence local community structure. Ecologists must broaden their concepts of community processes and incorporate data from systematics, biogeography, and paleontology into analyses of ecological patterns and tests of community theory.
Dancing elves and a flower’s view of euclid’s algorithm

This column is a place for those bits of contagious mathematics that travel from person to person in the community, because they are so elegant, suprising, or appealing that one has an urge to pass them on. Contributions are most welcome.
Pairwise comparisons of means under realistic nonnormality, unequal variances, outliers and equal sample sizes

A Monte Carlo simulation evaluated six pairwise multiple comparison procedures for controlling Type I error rates, any-pair power, and all-pairs power. Realistic conditions of nonnormality were based on a previous survey, and the effects of outliers were investigated. Variance ratios varied from 1:1 to 8:1. Evaluated procedures included Tukey's honestly significant difference (HSD) preceded by an F-test, the Hayter–Fisher, the Games–Howell procedure tested at 0.9α, the Peritz with F-tests, the Peritz with Brown–Forsythe tests, and the Peritz with Alexander–Govern tests. Peritz with Brown–Forsythe procedure shows the greatest robustness in Type I error control. Any-pair power is generally best with the Hayter–Fisher, whereas all-pairs power is best with the Peritz F-test procedure. Even though the Hayter–Fisher shows only slightly lower all-pair power rates than the Peritz, it is still much easier to perform.
Historical perspectives on crime in England

A ppraising these two books requires a context--namely, the flood of historical scholarship that has been directed in recent years toward uncovering the secrets of English crime. Some would point to the origins of this endeavor in the pioneering works of Frank Aydelotte and A.V. Judges, whose English Rogues and Vagabonds (1913) and Elizabethan Underworld (1930), respectively, gave a new dimension to the era of Elizabeth I. J.J. Tobias's Crime and Industrial Society in the Nineteenth Century (1967) and G.R. Elton's Policy and Police: The Enforcement of the Reformation in the Age of Cromwell (1972) similarly broke new ground in the "modern" era. A good case can be made that criminal justice history as we know it really began in the 1970s, with the appearance ofJ, S. Cockburn's History of English Assizes, 1558-1714 (1971), J.M. Beattie's "Pattern of Crime in En-
The psychology of self-esteem: A potential common ground for humanistic positive psychology and positivistic positive psychology.

Today there are 2 positive psychologies: 1 that is humanistic and 1 that is not. Both focus on researching, understanding, and fostering well-being, optimal functioning, and healthy social institutions. However, in addition to emerging at different times, the 2 psychologies are characterized by major philosophical and methodological differences that help determine what is seen and not seen from each point of view. One area where these distinctions show up most strikingly is in the psychology of self-esteem. Although humanistic positive psychology understands self-esteem as playing a key role in human behavior, the more positivistic positive psychology seems to have largely missed such an important factor. This article examines how the psychology of self-esteem could be a meeting ground between these 2 approaches.
Linguistic extension of abstract machine modelling to aid software development

The traditional use of abstract machine models is to provide a conceptual framework for software design and to aid portability and machine independence. Access to the abstract machine model from the higher-level system on which it is based provides a powerful tool for software development. This paper describes a technique in which the higher-level system is interfaced to the underlying abstract machine, thus allowing use of the higher-level system to analyse and debug its own implementation. The application of this technique in the implementation of SL5 is given as an example. Experience with the use of the facility and a discussion of basic design considerations are included.
The Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Pathway Selectively Controls sIL-1RA Not Interleukin-1β Production in the Septic Leukocytes

Microbial components such as bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can trigger highly lethal septic shock. The cardinal features of septic leukocytes include the repressed production of inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and elevated production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as secretory interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (sIL-1RA). Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine gene transcriptions are equally repressed in septic leukocytes due to disruption of the LPS signaling pathway at the level of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase. The selective elevation of sIL-1RA protein in septic blood is caused by efficient translation of residual sIL-1RA message. In this study, we report that the LPS-inducible phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase)-dependent signaling pathway contributes to the elevated translation of sIL-1RA in septic/LPS-adapted leukocytes. We also observe that this pathway is gene specific and does not affect the production of proinflammatory IL-1β protein.
Cosmogony and the magnitude of the dimensionless gravitational coupling constant

SIMPLE arguments involving gravitational fragmentation indicate that for the Universe to contain galaxies and stable nuclear-burning stars, the dimensionless gravitational coupling constant αg(= Gmp2/ħc) must lie within several orders of magnitude of its actual value (5×10−39). The characteristic mass of a galaxy is shown to be α5 αg−2 nucleons. If galaxies and galaxy clusters form by gravitational instability and fragmentation of inhomogeneities in the early Universe, the large-scale structure of the Universe imposes a lower bound, and the instability requirement an upper bound (equal to αg−1/4), on the entropy per particle.
A Stochastic Model for Growing Sandpiles and its Continuum Limit

We study a stochastic model for the sandpile growth. The height of the sandpile above every site of a d-dimensional lattice is denoted by an integer. The height changes randomly and after a suitable scaling of the time and space, we show that the rescaled height converges to a deterministic function. The limit is governed by a nonlinear evolution equation.
Absence of Proper Nondegenerate Generalized Self-Similar Singularities

We present a general covariance property and use it to prove that proper nondegenerate self-similar blow-up is not possible for active scalar equations.
An ultra-low power power management unit with −40dB switching-noise-suppression for a 3×3 thermoelectric generator array with 57% maximum end-to-end efficiency

A high efficiency, dynamically adaptable Power Management Unit (PMU) consuming less than 3μW, for an energy harvesting system based on a thermoelectric generator (TEG) array is presented. A boost converter with a cascaded low drop-out (LDO) voltage regulator comprises the proposed PMU. The design approach allows the PMU to reach maximum power transfer by matching the TEG's dynamic series resistance and simultaneously provide adaptive switching noise rejection. The boost converter's switching frequency (fsw) is tracked via a background sense-and-control loop which modifies the LDO's power supply rejection (PSR) characteristics to place a notch around the average fsw. Overall system efficiency is better than 57%, and PSR of -40dB at fsw are achieved. The total active area is 0.93 mm 2 in 0.5 μm CMOS.
Long-Term Tendencies in Budget Deficits and Debt

The last two decades have diverged from earlier experience, with many countries having peacetime deficits. Widespread deficits are shown to be linked to expansion of social programs, unmatched by tax revenue increases. Contributing to this were the output slowdowns in the 1970s, and inflation declines and increases in real interest rates in the 1980s. Anticipated effects on pension and health-care spending of population aging make future prospects worrisome, and urgent measures are needed to limit increases in spending. Developing countries have typically not put in place such generous social programs. In designing pension systems, they need to ensure fiscal sustainability by limiting the scope of public pensions and encouraging funding.
Parallel Discrete-Event Simulation

The availability of commercial multiprocessors gives a new importance to distributed simulation. However, while existing techniques exploit some levels of parallelism in the discrete-event simulation algorithm, they are usually targeted to specific applications and architectures. In the general scheme presented here, the algorithm is executed in parrallel using a compilation strategy that can be implemented on shared-memory multiprocessors.
Chelating agent inhibition of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes in vitro.

A number of chelating agents and some of their derivatives are as effective as, or superior to, benznidazole, the compound currently in clinical use, in the suppression of the reproduction of epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoa that causes Chagas' disease. All compounds were examined at a culture concentration of 5 μg/mL. The most effective compounds included N, N, N′, N′-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine, sodium diethylamine-N-carbodithioate, piperidine-N-carbodithioate and several of its analogs, a number of other carbodithioates with two nonpolar groups on the nitrogen, and tetraethylthiuram disulfide, a prodrug of sodium diethylamine-N-carbodithioate and widely used in the treatment of alcoholism. The introduction of additional ionic or nonionic polar groups on the chelating molecule generally results in a loss of tyrpanocidal activity. Common commercially available chelating agents which exhibited no activity included d-penicillamine, meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid, and triethylenetetramine tetrahydrochloride. Dose-response data on the culture indicated that some of these compounds exhibited inhibition of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes at concentrations as low as 0.625 μg/mL. It is proposed that the mechanism of action of these compounds is based on their ability to interface with the essential metal metabolism at intracellular sites of the epimastigote involving iron, copper, or zinc. The results also indicate that a certain degree of hydrophobicity may be necessary for the groups attached to the literal metal-bonding structure if the compounds are to successfully inhibit the epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi. The development of antiprotozoal drugs which are chelating agents specifically designed to selectively disrupt the essential metal metabolism of Trypanosoma cruzi should furnish a new generation of drugs which can be used in the treatment of Chagas' disease.
A proposed strength classification test for fine-grained soils

Abstract It is proposed that the linear semi-log relation of water content to soil strength be used as a means of identifying and classifying soils. The relation can be specified by two parameters proposed to be named trafficability limit and strength index. Together these two parameters will provide more useful information about a soil for the conduct and analysis of traction and mobility testing than any other classification system now in use. The parameters also have potential for additional correlations with measures of soil behavior in dynamic testing. Data are presented to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposal.
Fourier analysis of real-world data

Biological time-series data pertaining to human circadian and ultradian hormonal rhythms are often short, sparse, irregularly spaced, and noisy. In addition, they often have missing data points and have variable experimental uncertainties. The objective of collecting and analyzing such data is to find the amplitude, phase, and period of the primary rhythmic component contained within the data. Often the question is simply: Does a rhythm exist. The theoretical aspects of some Fourier techniques are discussed, including methods for detrending non-stationary time-series and the evaluation of confidence intervals. Analysis of typical biological data are also presented.
Novel flow-injection analysis method for bioprocess monitoring

Abstract A technique for process analysis was developed based on flow-injection analysis (FIA) combined with diode-array spectrophotometry. The method demonstrates the advantages of coupling single-line FIA with diode-array detection, utilizing the stopped-flow and double injection techniques with a dual-wavelength monitoring approach. A simple, robust FIA hardware system was designed and rigorously tested for on-line process application. A fed-batch fermentation served as the test bed for the development of this system, monitoring selected analytes of interest, viz., glucose, ammonium ion and total protein.
PSA regulates androgen receptor expression in prostate cancer cells.

BACKGROUND Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is a pivotal downstream target gene of the Androgen Receptor (AR), and a serum biomarker to monitor prostate cancer (PrCa) progression. It has been reported that PSA transactivates AR, but the mechanistic requirements of this response have not been investigated.
Initial clinical evaluation of stationary digital chest tomosynthesis

Full field digital mammography (FFDM) has been the gold standard for mammography. It detects the presence, distribution, and morphology of microcalcifications (MCs), helping predict malignancy. Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) has overcome some limitations of FFDM such as poor sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values, due to superimposition of tissue, especially in dense breasts. Current DBT systems move an x-ray tube in either continuous (CM), or step-and-shoot motion (SSM). These systems are less effective than FFDM in MC detection due to lower spatial resolution. Motion of the x-ray source and system mechanical instability cause image blur. The image quality is further affected by patient motion due to the relatively long scan time. We developed a stationary DBT (s-DBT) system using a carbon nanotube (CNT) X-ray source array. The CNT array is electronically controlled, rapidly acquiring projection images over a large angular span, with zero tube motion. No source motion, coupled with a large angular span, results in improved in-plane and depth resolution. Using physical phantoms and human specimens, this system demonstrated higher spatial resolution than CM DBT. The objective of this study is to compare the diagnostic clinical performance of s-DBT to that of FFDM. Under UNC’s IRB regulations, 100 patients with breast lesions are being recruited and imaged with both modalities. A reader study will compare the diagnostic accuracy of the modalities. We have successfully imaged the first 30 patients. Initial results indicate that s-DBT alone produces comparable MC sharpness, and increased lesion conspicuity compared to FFDM.
Heteroepitaxial copper phthalocyanine on Au(0 0 1) studied by high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Abstract We report the formation of heteroepitaxial copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) thin film grown on a reconstructed Au(0 0 1) surface and the high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study thereof. The deposition of CuPc onto the “5 × 20” reconstructed Au(0 0 1) surface at room temperature results in a well-ordered CuPc overlayer. The angle-resolved XPS data reveal that adsorbed CuPc is molecular and stoichiometric. The low energy electron diffraction (LEED) further shows that the overlayer is incommensurate to the substrate with its square unit mesh measured approximately 12.7 A by 12.7 A along 〈1 1 0〉 and 〈1 1 0〉 of the substrate. From the combined XPS and LEED data, a model of one flat-lying CuPc molecule per unit cell, which is different from the structures of the well-known α- and β-polymorphs, is proposed.
Tunable diode-laser measurements of the 14 μm line strengths in C2H2

Abstract Understanding of acetylene spectral features observed in the laboratory with high resolution is a prerequisite for quantitative analyses of acetylene spectra in the planetary atmospheres of Titan, Saturn, and Jupiter. Line-intensity measurements on 12 C 2 H 2 near 13.7 μm were made using a tunable diode-laser spectrometer with a resolution of at least 0.0005 cm -5 . Vibrational band intensities S 0 V at 296 K which were determined from the line-intensity measurements are 581(10)cm -2 atm -2 for the v 5 -fundamental band of 12 C 2 H 2 and 13.7(3) cm -2 atm -1 for the ( v 4 + v 5 ) 0- - v 1 4 hotband of 12 C 2 H 2 .
Screening materials and soluble compounds for mineralized tissue engineering

As more materials and soluble molecules are developed, the ability to screen these materials for applications in tissue engineering becomes increasingly important. A combinatorial library of poly(s-amino ester)s was screened to identify an osteoconductive material based on material properties and cellular interactions. The optimal material, A6, was then implanted into a critical-sized cranial defect loaded with a known osteoinductive factor to promote mineralized tissue formation. The identification of new osteoinductive cues from a library of known compounds was completed using high-throughput screening techniques. Several potential ‘hits’ were then screened in a dose response study that found 5 compounds to be the most potent. These methods of rapidly identifying materials and compounds from large libraries will be increasingly important in the field of tissue engineering.
Laser patterning of Fe–Si–B amorphous ribbons in magnetic field

Site-specific nano-crystallization in an amorphous soft magnetic Fe–Si–B alloy was induced via laser processing on a magnetic substrate. The microstructure evolution was characterized using site-specific transmission electron microscopy, and the results are rationalized by diffusion-based calculations. A clear variation in grain-size and spatial distribution is observed at the center region compared with edge regions of the laser track. Additionally, the nano-crystalline phase exhibits a crystallographic texture at the edge region, whereas a random texture is obtained at the center of the laser track. The evolution of structure, size, and morphology of grains are explained by the influence of magnetic field-enhanced thermal effect on nucleation rate during crystallization.
SANS STUDY OF DIALKYLSUBSTITUTED DIPHOSPHONIC ACIDS AND THEIR COMPLEXES WITH CA, FE, LA, TH AND U IN TOLUENE

The aggregation of di(2ethylhexyl) methane-, ethane- and butanediphosphonic acids and their complexes with various metal cations at different concentrations in toluene has been studied in detail using Small Angle Neutron Scattering. The diphosphonic acids are being employed as novel solvent extraction reagents in the Chemistry Division of ANL. These compounds exhibit extraordinarily strong affinity for actinide ions and for Fe(III). The growth of large metal-diphosphonate aggregates depends on the metal species, metal to extractant ratio, and the length of the carbon bridge between the two acid groups. Fe(III) complexes with the methane and butane (but not the ethane) bridged diphosphonic acid aggregate to form large polymeric rods at high metal to extractant ratios. Actinide ions likewise give large aggregates with di(2ethylhexyl) methanediphosphonic acid. Ca{sup 2+} and La{sup 3+} show only the usual formation of small `monomeric` chelates.
Quantifying Evapotranspiration from Urban Green Roofs: A Comparison of Chamber Measurements with Commonly Used Predictive Methods

Quantifying green roof evapotranspiration (ET) in urban climates is important for assessing environmental benefits, including stormwater runoff attenuation and urban heat island mitigation. In this study, a dynamic chamber method was developed to quantify ET on two extensive green roofs located in New York City, NY. Hourly chamber measurements taken from July 2009 to December 2009 and April 2012 to October 2013 illustrate both diurnal and seasonal variations in ET. Observed monthly total ET depth ranged from 0.22 cm in winter to 15.36 cm in summer. Chamber results were compared to two predictive methods for estimating ET; namely the Penman-based ASCE Standardized Reference Evapotranspiration (ASCE RET) equation, and an energy balance model, both parametrized using on-site environmental conditions. Dynamic chamber ET results were similar to ASCE RET estimates; however, the ASCE RET equation overestimated bottommost ET values during the winter months, and underestimated peak ET values during the summer months. The energy balance method was shown to underestimate ET compared the ASCE RET equation. The work highlights the utility of the chamber method for quantifying green roof evapotranspiration and indicates green roof ET might be better estimated by Penman-based evapotranspiration equations than energy balance methods.
Biophysical Characterization of the Multivalent Gli3/SPOP Interactions

Contrary to traditional protein binding mechanisms, many ubiquitin ligase substrates have multiple weak degrons instead of one strong one. These proteins are largely disordered, allowing for access to each degron. The biological function of these multiple degrons is unclear. Gli3, an intrinsically disordered, zinc-finger-containing transcription factor, is an effector of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling. Gli3 degradation is mediated by the E3 cullin-RING ubiquitin ligase SPOP (speckle-type POZ protein). Ser/Thr rich SPOP-binding consensus (SBC) motifs were identified as interaction sites for SPOP. Based upon sequence analysis, Gli3 contains 13 of these motifs. Each SPOP monomer binds a single SBC motif, implying the abundance of motifs serves a function other than stoichiometric binding. This suggests several models for SPOP/Gli3 binding: (1) a dynamic complex, wherein single SPOP oligomers interact with single Gli3s in fast equilibrium; (2) a static multi-valent complex wherein each Gli3 has multiple SPOP binding partners; or (3) a high-order oligomeric complex wherein multiple Gli3 molecules interact with multiple SPOP oligomers, assembling into large complexes that can lead to phase transitions. In this study, biophysical techniques were used to probe the function of motifs in the regulation of SPOP binding. Preliminary results suggest that individual degrons have similar weak binding affinities, with no site preferentially bound. These binding sites may also play a function in the regulation of Gli3 degradation in vivo. Gli3 function as an activator or a repressor is determined by cellular Hh availability. In its active form, Gli3 enters the nucleus and, as a labile transcription activator, is rapidly degraded. The function SBC motifs play in this degradation process will be analyzed in vivo using various truncations and deletions of Gli3. Further studies will elucidate the role of multiple dispersed degrons for the temporal and spatial control of Hh signaling.
Isolated Metal Atom Geometries as a Strategy for Selective Heterogeneous Hydrogenations

Facile dissociation of reactants and weak binding of intermediates are key requirements for efficient and selective catalysis. However, these two variables are intimately linked in a way that does not generally allow the optimization of both properties simultaneously. By using desorption measurements in combination with high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy, we show that individual, isolated Pd atoms in a Cu surface substantially lower the energy barrier to both hydrogen uptake on and subsequent desorption from the Cu metal surface. This facile hydrogen dissociation at Pd atom sites and weak binding to Cu allow for very selective hydrogenation of styrene and acetylene as compared with pure Cu or Pd metal alone.
Mass transfer with chemical reaction inside single droplets and gas bubbles: Mathematical mechanisms

The effect of a first order homogeneous chemical reaction on the rate of mass transfer inside liquid droplets and gas bubbles was determined. One of the models presented assumes the non-oscillating dispersed phase is moving in the creeping flow region and the Hadamard stream functions are applicable. The results of the numerical solution of this model are presented graphically as a function of the Peclet number, reaction number, and dimensionless contact time. An oscillating droplet model is also presented which considers the effect of reaction within the dispersed phase. On a determine l'effet d'une reaction chimique homogene de premier ordre sur la vitesse de transfert de masse a l'interieur de gouttelettes liquides et de bulles gazeuses. L'un des modeles presentes suppose que la phase dispersee et non-oscillante se deplace dans la region de l'ecoulement ascendant et que les functions d'Hadamard pour le courant s'y appliquent. On represente graphiquement les resultats de la solution numerique du dit modele en fonction du nombre de Peclet, du nombre do reaction et du temps de contact sans dimensions. On presente aussi un modele de gouttelette oscillante, dans lequel on considere l'effet de la reaction dans la phase dispersee.
Heme axial methionine fluxion in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Asn64Gln cytochrome c551.

Heme axial methionine ligands in ferricytochromes c 5 5 2 from Hydrogenobacter thermophilus (HT) and Nitrosomonas europaea, both members of the cyt c 8 family, display fluxional behavior. The ligand motion, proposed to beinversion at sulfur, results in an unusually small range of hyperfine shifts for heme substituents in these proteins. Herein, heme axial Met fluxion is induced in a structurally homologous cytochrome c 5 5 1 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) by substituting heme pocket residue Asn64 with Gln. The mutant, PA-N64Q, displays a highly compressed range of heme substituent hyperfine shifts, temperature-dependent heme methyl resonance line broadening, low rhombic magnetic anisotropy, and a magnetic axes orientation consistent with Met orientational averaging. Analysis of NMR properties of PA-N64Q demonstrates that the heme pocket of the mutant resembles that of HT. This result confirms the importance of peripheral interactions and, in particular, residue 64 in determining axial Met orientation and heme electronic structure in proteins in the cyt c 8 family.
Perception of vowels and consonant-vowels of varying duration in language impaired children

Abstract Twenty language-impaired children and nine normal controls were examined for ability to discriminate synthetic syllables. Three sub-groups of language-impaired children, one with normal phonologic production (Group A), one with abnormal phonologic production (Group B), and one with verbal auditory agnosia (Group C), were formed on the basis of neurologic evaluation. The tasks required discrimination of two vowel stimuli of varying durations and two consonant-vowel stimuli with varying transition durations. The subgroups responded differentially to the two kinds of stimuli. Children with phonologic deficits (Groups B and C) were relatively less impaired on brief steady-state vowels and more impaired on stimuli containing rapid transitions, while the reverse was true for children with normal phonologic production (Group A). The latter subgroup also had difficulty with recall of order.
Interference by ethanol of coupling between gluconeogenesis and ureagenesis from proline in isolated hepatocytes.

Abstract 1. 1. Proline stimulated equally the production of glucose and urea by isolated hepatocytes. 2. 2. Ethanol suppressed glucose production much more strongly than urea synthesis. The proline-derived carbon not reaching glucose was found as lactate. 3. 3. Inhibition of phosphoenolpyruvate synthesis with 3-mercaptopicolinate blocked gluconeogenesis, but was without effect on lactate production. 4. 4. Acetate was formed from endogenous sources, as well as from ethanol. Its accumulation from ethanol was enhanced both by proline and lactate. 5. 5. The differential effect of ethanol on gluconeogenesis and ureagenesis appears to be related to its effect on the redox state of the cell.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Characteristics and Treatment in Hispanics and Caucasians

Many inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) studies have focused on Caucasian patients and little data exist on IBD in Hispanics living in the United States. The aim of our study was to compare IBD characteristics between Hispanic and Caucasian patients in the Harris County Hospital District (HCHD). We identified patients within the HCHD with a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) recorded during 2000–2006. Primary medical record review was performed to confirm the diagnosis and to abstract data on patient demographics, disease characteristics and treatment. A total of 69 Hispanic and 83 Caucasian patients with confirmed IBD were analyzed. Hispanics were diagnosed with IBD at an older age than Caucasians (mean age 37.8 SD 16 vs. mean age 29.0 SD 14, P < 0.01). In Hispanics with IBD, there was a lower proportion of patients with CD compared to Caucasians with IBD (36% vs. 65%, P < 0.01). Although there were no significant differences in diagnostic examinations or medication prescription between the two groups, there was a higher number of bowel resections per patient in Caucasians compared with Hispanics (0.5 vs. 0.22, P = 0.01). Hispanics with IBD were diagnosed at a significantly older age than Caucasians and had a lower number of bowel resections per patient. In Hispanics with IBD, UC was more common than CD while CD was more common than UC among Caucasians with IBD. Further research is required to confirm these observations and determine if these findings reflect genetic or environmental differences.
A step-sector for use with intermittent light sources

Abstract Tests are described on the use of a “focal plane” step-sector with intermittent source units. This sector consists of a band of jet-black film with stepped shapes cut from it. By making the spacing between the shapes irregular, a more random sample of the exposure time is taken than with a disk type sector. It was found that, except under conditions so extreme as to be insignificant, this sector eliminated troubles due to stroboscopic effect and that it could be used with intermittent and interrupted light sources just as easily as with the direct current arc.
La Appalachia y "Las Comunidades": UNA Introducción

La existencia de la "Appalachia" como region es una conjetura, algo "inventado" por burocratas federales, falsos expertos en politica, algunos medios de comunicacion, escritores y poetas de ficcion y algunos academicos durante los pasados 50 anos o mas. A traves de estos impactos primarios noindignenos, la Appalachia ha logrado, tanto una identidad heuristica materialista, como una identidad imaginaria incorporea. (Powell 2007). En el centro de ese proceso geogenico de la Appalachia hay proyectos multi-billonarios auspiciados por la Comision Regional de la Appalachia, (ARC) la cual es una agencia Federal. Miles de organizaciones locales e investigaciones universitarias han aceptado la definicion de la ARC sobre esta region para solicitar fondos para varios proyectos de infraestructura y desarrollo economico desde la decada de los anos 1960s, de tal forma que la mayoria ahora aceptan esta definicion de la ARC como la definicion de la region (Couto 1995). La definicion de la ARC sobre la Appalachia es demas...
Carbohydrate metabolism in insulin-treated chick embryos.

Abstract 1. 1. Free sugar, glycogen, and total carbohydrate have been assayed in insulin-treated and control chick embryos and yolk-sac membranes at 6, 8, 10, and 12 days (5 units of insulin injected into the yolk sac at 5 days). “Bound carbohydrate” was calculated. 2. 2. The glycogen content and total carbohydrate of the yolk-sac membranes increased after insulin treatment, and the other carbohydrate components were diminished. All carbohydrate fractions decreased in the embryo proper. 3. 3. Free sugar in the fluid yolk was not altered by the insulin. 4. 4. It is concluded from these data that insulin which is injected into the yolk sac at 5 days produces its hypoglycemic effect by inhibiting glycogenolysis in the yolk-sac membrane. 5. 5. It is not certain that the lowered carbohydrate content of the embryo results solely from the hypoglycemia or from an additional direct effect of the insulin. 6. 6. These data are discussed with reference to the phenomenon of the “transitory liver” of Claude Bernard and to the action of insulin in the apparent absence of other hormones.
Optimum tip angle and relaxation delay for quantitative analysis

For the quantitative analysis of NMR spectra, the relationship between the tip angle and the relaxation delay is examined. It is shown that the common procedure of using a small tip angle combined with a short delay is not the optimum. Instead, an angle of approximately 83° with a pulse-repetition period of 4.5 multiplied by the longest T1 is the optimum procedure. However, the results obtained from this procedure are only slightly better than those obtained from the standard „90 - wait 5T1,” method. It is further shown that the 83° angle is independent of T1, but that the integral accuracy is relatively dependent on the estimate of T1.
Ethanol-induced response stereotypy: Simple alternation, fixed-interval rates of response, and response location

Three experiments, carried out to examine ethanol-induced response stereotypy, noted the rat’s performance on a two-bar operant alternation task, on a fixed-interval 10-sec schedule of reinforcement, and on two-bar response-location variability. Low and moderate (.5–1.2 g/kg) doses reduced the number of errors in simple alternation, whereas higher doses (1.5 g/kg) increased errors. The change in rate of responding (scallop) within the fixed interval of reinforcement was reduced by moderate doses, but no relationship was found between ethanol doses and response-location variability. The results are discussed as they relate to similar findings with alcohol and other drug treatments.
Thermodynamic Analysis of Biological Systems

Copyright: © 2012 Ram D. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. The laws of thermodynamics traditionally describe the physical quantities (energy, entropy, temperature, volume, etc) of a thermodynamic system and the relationship between heat and work. Given that these laws are universal and represent the epitome of physical sciences, it is somewhat disconcerting to note that biologists have not always had a comfortable relationship with thermodynamics! This discomfort originates in the seemingly irreconcilable differences between the physical (simple) processes described by thermodynamics and the biological (complex) processes. As we all know, thermodynamic system tend to equilibrium, which for an isolated system implies a state of maximum disorder or maximum entropy. However, almost all biological systems do not ever reach equilibrium and seem to “evolve” to states of higher order, rather than disorder. Clearly, this discrepancy can be explained by simply noting that biological (living) systems are not isolated and are not in equilibrium with their surroundings. But this only explains why biological systems can be ordered but it does not explain how they came to be so. Of all the innumerable processes that increase entropy in the universe why does nature choose to create order in a few of its subsystems? Simply, put why does life create order out of disorder?
Down-Regulation of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen Gene Expression Occurs during Cell Cycle Arrest Induced by Human Fecal Water in Colonic HT-29 Cells

Cancer is a disease in which the cell cycle is altered, and the elucidation of the mechanisms by which constituents of human fecal water influence the cell cycle can lead to noninvasive measurement of colon cancer risk. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of human fecal water on HT-29 cell-cycle progression with sodium selenite as a reference for comparison. Both human fecal water (2.5-5.0%) and selenite (3- 4 mol/L) significantly inhibited cell growth. Cell-cycle analysis revealed that human fecal water decreased the proportion of S G2 phase cells and increased that of G1 phase cells. In contrast, selenite decreased G1 phase cells and increased proportions of S and G2 phase cells. Both 5% human fecal water and 4 mol/L selenite greatly increased the mRNA level of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor gene p21 waf1 . Interestingly, the mRNA levels of cyclin A and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were dramatically decreased by 69 and 62%, respectively, in HT-29 cells treated with fecal water but not selenite. In contrast, the mRNA level of DNA damage-inducible transcript 1, gadd45, was significantly increased by 2.28-fold in HT-29 cells treated with selenite but not fecal water. Furthermore, a PCNA gene promoter was cloned into a luciferase reporter construct and its activity was significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner in cells treated with fecal water but not selenite. Collectively, these results suggest that human fecal water and selenite can differentially induce growth arrest genes, and that PCNA gene expression is uniquely and highly sensitive to human fecal water. J. Nutr. 133: 2682-2687, 2003. The colonic epithelium is in an equilibrium between cell proliferation and cell death. Alterations in the control of cell cycle progression and programmed cell death (apoptosis) have been implicated in many human diseases including cancer (1). Colon cancer results from the accumulation of mutations in certain genes that control cell cycle, apoptosis and DNA repair (2). The association between colon cancer and diet has been well established in human epidemiologic studies as well
Symbolic analysis with Mathematica in power electronics and electromechanical systems

Mathematica 5.0 software is used to develop a first-principles analysis of an induction machine represented by a planar layered structure subject to a sinusoidal current sheet excitation. A brief review is also given of mathematical application to problems in both power electronic and electric machine systems. The program presented is capable of calculating the time-harmonic steady-state magnetic field, current density, ohmic loss, and torque-speed curve for an n-layered structure. When it is used to optimize both two- and three-layer rotor structures, the program shows that the smaller the air gap, the better the performance of the design.
Using activated clotting time to estimate intraoperative aprotinin concentration.

BACKGROUND The use of aprotinin during cardiopulmonary bypass may be associated with renal dysfunction due to renal excretion of excess drug. We hypothesized that the difference between standard celite activated clotting time (ACT), which is prolonged by aprotinin, and kaolin ACT could provide an estimate of aprotinin blood level. METHODS Fresh porcine blood was collected from six donor pigs and heparinized. Blood was stored at 4 degrees Celsius, rewarmed and aprotinin was added: 0, 100, 200, and 400 kallikrein inhibitor units/ml. Specimens were incubated at 37 degrees Celsius. Two pairs of ACT tubes (one celite and one kaolin) were measured at 37 degrees Celsius and 20 degrees Celsius using two Hemochron 401 machines. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) statistical approach was used to estimate actual aprotinin from differences in celite and kaolin ACT. RESULT There was a significant relationship of the form y = exp(a+bx) between aprotinin concentration and the difference between celite and kaolin ACT at both 37 degrees Celsius (R(2) = 0.858) and 20 degrees Celsius (R(2) = 0.743). CONCLUSION The time difference between celite and kaolin ACT may be a simple and inexpensive method for measuring the blood level of aprotinin during cardiopulmonary bypass. This technique may improve patient-specific dosing of aprotinin and reduce the risk of postoperative renal complications.
The importance of in-stream uptake for regulating stream concentrations and outputs of N and P from a forested watershed: evidence from long-term chemistry records for Walker Branch Watershed*

Long-term, weekly measurements of streamwater nitrogen and phosphorus concentra- tions in the West Fork of Walker Branch, a 1st order forested stream in eastern Tennessee, were used to assess the importance of in-stream processes for controlling stream concentrations and watershed exports. Over the period from 1991 to 2002, there was a slight declining trend in watershed export of dissolved inorganic N via streamflow, despite relatively high and constant wet N deposition rates (5 kg/ha/y). The watershed retains >90% of N deposition inputs. Concentra- tions of NO3 � and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) showed distinct seasonal patterns with autumn and early spring minima and summer maxima. An end-member mixing analysis indicated that these seasonal concentration patterns were largely a result of seasonal variations in in-stream uptake processes, with net uptake of NO3 � and SRP having the greatest impact on streamwater concentrations in November (reductions of 29 lg N/l and 2.5 lg P/l, respectively). This was likely a result of high rates of uptake by microbes colonizing new inputs of leaf detritus. For NO3 � there was a secondary peak in net uptake in March and April (about 9 lg N/l) resulting from increased uptake by stream algae and bryophytes. Summer was a period of net release of NO3 � to stream- water (peaking at 9 lg N/l in July) and minimal net effects on SRP concentrations. On average, in-stream processes resulted in removal of about 20% of the NO3 � and 30% of the SRP entering the stream from the catchment annually. This study, as well as other recent work, suggests that in-stream processes are important buffers on stream nutrient concentrations and exports reducing the effects of changes in inputs and retention in terrestrial portions of watersheds.
Optimal robot selection and workstation assignment for a CIM system

In this paper, a mathematical program and solution algorithm is developed for optimal robot selection and workstation assignment for a CIM system. In specific, our model considers selection of a proper mix of multiple-type robots such that operational requirements from a given number of work- stations are satisfied at minimal system cost. Each robot is characterized by its fixed charge, and subject to limits on machine time and work envelope. Each workstation has known demands on both robot machine time and work space. The model is formulated as a pure 0-1 mathematical program and is shown harder than two-dimensional bin packing, a well-known NP-hard problem. A three-phase optimization algorithm is implemented and tested by solving 450 randomly generated problems. Computational results indicate the solution algorithm is effective in solving problems of a practical size (i.e., 50 workstations and a maximum of 20 robots) within acceptable computational times. >
Genome-wide patterns of nucleotide polymorphism in domesticated rice

Domesticated Asian rice (Oryza sativa) is one of the oldest domesticated crop species in the world, having fed more people than any other plant in human history. We report the patterns of DNA sequence variation in rice and its wild ancestor, O. rufipogon, across 111 randomly chosen gene fragments, and use these to infer the evolutionary dynamics that led to the origins of rice. There is a genome-wide excess of high-frequency derived single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in O. sativa varieties, a pattern that has not been reported for other crop species. We developed several alternative models to explain contemporary patterns of polymorphisms in rice, including a (i) selectively neutral population bottleneck model, (ii) bottleneck plus migration model, (iii) multiple selective sweeps model, and (iv) bottleneck plus selective sweeps model. We find that a simple bottleneck model, which has been the dominant demographic model for domesticated species, cannot explain the derived nucleotide polymorphism site frequency spectrum in rice. Instead, a bottleneck model that incorporates selective sweeps, or a more complex demographic model that includes subdivision and gene flow, are more plausible explanations for patterns of variation in domesticated rice varieties. If selective sweeps are indeed the explanation for the observed nucleotide data of domesticated rice, it suggests that strong selection can leave its imprint on genome-wide polymorphism patterns, contrary to expectations that selection results only in a local signature of variation.