cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chapter 7 Decadal variability of sea level

Publisher Summary It is difficult to address the sea-level rise problem using tide gauge data because water level records reflect many processes in addition to a secular trend. The tide gauge records appear very noisy because of seasonal-to-interannual and longer variations of water level. This chapter uses the longest tide gauge records, along with the wind data and appropriate physics, to see if there is hope for improving the signal-to-noise ratio. The results are very positive; interannual and longer variations of sea level on the U.S. East Coast can be explained and modeled. Some natural processes—such as the astronomical tides—have known, simple periods associated with them. It is surprising, therefore, to find energetic frequency bands (that is, certain periods) in which the conspicuous variability is associated with an almost random forcing. The term “decadal” in the chapter is used loosely. The periods of “decadal” sea-level signals are longer than can be rigorously treated: existing measurement records are not long enough to enable treating them rigorously in a statistical sense.
Explaining the Decline in the Offer Rate of Employer Retirement Plans between 2003 and 2012

Workplace retirement plans (deferred compensation plans [DCs] and deferred benefit plans [DBs]) help workers save for retirement conveniently, consistently, and automatically. But the percentage of...
Getting Our Feet Wet: The Politics of Footwashing

This article is an attempt to supplement John Howard Yoder’s thesis in his book Body Politics that the Church is in fact a polis, and to highlight the act of footwashing as another New Testament practice that is still observed in Churches today, especially Pentecostal ones. The article proceeds by engaging in a conversation with Yoder’s work on the political import of Christian practices and specifically addresses his indifference for footwashing. It then lifts up this practice with the intent of prompting Pentecostals to think about it in a fresh light so as to encourage its observance more frequently.
Trivial pursuit and IT applicant exams

Relying on trivia tests is risky at best and might cost you a good employee. The article suggests that the use of personality tests is also of doubtful effectiveness. It is suggested that candidates be required to talk in depth abut their past projects, that their behaviour over the course of time (including at lunch) be carefully observed, and that background checks be thoroughly conducted.
Reduction of infectious epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus associated with in vitro produced bovine embryos by non-specific protease.

Abstract Infectious viruses bind more tenaciously to the zonae pellucidae of in vitro produced bovine embryos than to zonae of in vivo derived embryos. Currently, the International Embryo Transfer Society recommends that all in vivo derived embryos be subjected to a rigorous washing procedure in combination with exposure to trypsin to remove viruses adherent to the zonae. In contrast to in vivo derived embryos, this method is not effective for disinfecting in vitro produced embryos. Our hypothesis was that a more potent, non-specific protease from Streptomyces griseus ( S. griseus ) would provide a more effective treatment for virus removal from in vitro produced bovine embryos. Bovine oocytes were matured, fertilized, and cultured in completely defined in vitro conditions. Zygotes were washed according to the procedure outlined by the International Embryo Transfer Society, replacing trypsin with the experimental protease. Experimental incubations were with 0.1% (4 units/ml) protease for 0, 30, 45, 60 and 75 s intervals. Embryos were able to withstand exposure to this enzymatic treatment for only 45 s before their developmental potential was significantly reduced; 60 s exposure was detrimental ( P 6 TCID 50 /ml) during in vitro maturation. Resulting zygotes were washed according to the International Embryo Transfer Society procedure and either exposed to trypsin or protease. Exposure to EHDV-2 prevented cumulus expansion and markedly reduced embryonic development ( P
Aqueous two-phase protein partitioning using textile dyes as affinity ligands.

Abstract A simple and inexpensive aqueous two-phase system for the affinity partitioning of proteins is introduced. An aqueous solution consisting of maltodextrin (M100; molecular mass, 1800) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP360; molecular mass, 360,000) formed two phases at 4°C when the concentration of the polymers was 22.5% (w/w) and 4.0% (w/w), respectively. When the amino derivatives of chlorotriazine textile dyes or other azo textile dyes were added to the two-phase system they partitioned asymmetrically, favoring the upper, less dense, PVP360-rich phase. The association of the textile dyes with PVP360 did not prevent them from acting as affinity ligands for proteins. Three of the dyes screened increased the partition coefficient of purified lysozyme nearly 50-fold over a control containing no dye. Parameters such as pH, ionic strength, and dye concentration modulated the affinity-partitioning effect of the system. The partition coefficient of lysozyme in an egg white protein mixture increased severalfold as the total protein content of the system approached 4% (w/w), indicating that protein concentration is also important in determining the partitioning characteristics of this two-phase system. Proteins were efficiently freed of PVP360 and textile dye by recovery in a high-salt solution when another two-phase system was formed upon the addition of a solution of concentrated potassium phosphate to the isolated upper phase of a PVP360/M100/textile dye two-phase system. The affinity-partitioning system presented here allows one to screen large numbers of potentially useful protein ligands to optimize protein separation, followed by direct scaleup to a system size determined by the user.
Fast infrared imaging of static and dynamic crush tests of composite tubes

We describe fast infrared imaging of both static and dynamic crush tests on glass-fiber composite tubes. The results are compared with video images of the same tests.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Distinct lung-colonizing and lung-metastasizing cell populations in B16 mouse melanoma.

Establishment of distant metastases by solid tumours requires that some tumour cells separate from the primary growth, infiltrate surrounding normal tissues, invade blood vessels or lymphatic channels, and extravasate into microenvironments favourable for proliferation1. It is probable that only a small subpopulation of tumour cells is endowed with these special attributes2. The biological properties of potentially metastatic tumour cells are being investigated extensively by means of an ‘experimental metastasis’ assay, in which cultured cells are introduced directly into blood vessels and, several weeks later, organs examined for tumour growths1–8. Although this assay allows controlled and quantitative experimentation, the suitability of experimental metastasis (colonization) as a valid representation of true metastasis is uncertain. I report here that organ colonization after injection of cells directly into the blood vasculature is not necessarily predictive of spontaneous metastatic potential from subcutaneous transplants. Indeed, some cell lines derived from the B16 mouse melanoma produce numerous lung colonies when injected intravenously (i.v.) but rarely metastasize, whereas others are spontaneously metastatic to the lungs but produce few lung colonies after i.v. injection. These differences in behaviour are evident only when the possibility of colonization occurring due to accidental introduction of melanoma cells into blood vessels is excluded.
Electromagnetic Field Enhancement and Spectrum Shaping through Plasmonically Integrated Optical Vortices

We introduce a new design approach for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates that is based on molding the optical powerflow through a sequence of coupled nanoscale optical vortices “pinned” to rationally designed plasmonic nanostructures, referred to as Vortex Nanogear Transmissions (VNTs). We fabricated VNTs composed of Au nanodiscs by electron beam lithography on quartz substrates and characterized their near- and far-field responses through combination of computational electromagnetism, and elastic and inelastic scattering spectroscopy. Pronounced dips in the far-field scattering spectra of VNTs provide experimental evidence for an efficient light trapping and circulation within the nanostructures. Furthermore, we demonstrate that VNT integration into periodic arrays of Au nanoparticles facilitates the generation of high E-field enhancements in the VNTs at multiple defined wavelengths. We show that spectrum shaping in nested VNT structures is achieved through an electromagnetic feed-mec...
Endoscopic Evidence of Calculus Attachment to Randall’s Plaque

Purpose: It has been proposed that calcium oxalate calculi begin as small stones attached to the renal papillae at sites of Randall’s plaque. However, no study has investigated the prevalence of attached stones in calcium oxalate stone formers or the relationship between stone attachment site and Randall’s plaque. In this study we used endoscopic examination of renal papillae in stone formers undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy to investigate both issues.Materials and Methods: Idiopathic calcium oxalate stone formers undergoing PNL for stone removal were enrolled in this study. Multiple papillae were examined and images were recorded by digital video. The presence or absence of papillary plaque and attached stones was noted, as was the site of stone attachment.Results: In 23 patients, 24 kidneys and 172 renal papillae were examined. All kidneys were found to have papillary plaque and 11 of the patients had attached stones. Most papillae (91%) contained plaque.Conclusions: The prevalence of attached st...
The influence of ferucarbotran on the chondrogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells

For in vivo applications of magnetically labeled stem cells, biological effects of the labeling procedure have to be precluded. This study evaluates the effect of different ferucarbotran cell labeling protocols on chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) as well as their implications for MR imaging. hMSC were labeled with ferucarbotran using various protocols: cells were labeled with 100 microg Fe/ml for 4 and 18 h and additional samples were cultured for 6 or 12 days after the 18 h labeling. Supplementary samples were labeled by transfection with protamine sulfate. Iron uptake was quantified by ICP-spectrometry and labeled cells were investigated by transmission electron microscopy and by immunostaining for ferucarbotran. The differentiation potential of labeled cells was compared with unlabeled controls by staining with Alcian blue and Hematoxylin and Eosin, then quantified by measurements of glucosaminoglycans (GAG). Contrast agent effect at 3 T was investigated on days 1 and 14 of chondrogenic differentiation by measuring signal-to-noise ratios on T(2)-SE and T(2)*-GE sequences. Iron uptake was significant for all labeling protocols (p < 0.05). The uptake was highest after transfection with protamine sulfate (25.65 +/- 3.96 pg/cell) and lowest at an incubation time of 4 h without transfection (3.21 +/- 0.21 pg/cell). While chondrogenic differentiation was decreased using all labeling protocols, the decrease in GAG synthesis was not significant after labeling for 4 h without transfection. After labeling by simple incubation, chondrogenesis was found to be dose-dependent. MR imaging showed markedly lower SNR values of all labeled cells compared with the unlabeled controls. This contrast agent effect persisted for 14 days and the duration of differentiation. Magnetic labeling of hMSC with ferucarbotran inhibits chondrogenesis in a dose-dependent manner when using simple incubation techniques. When decreasing the incubation time to 4 h, inhibition of chondrogenesis was not significant.
Dynamics of dynamin during clathrin mediated endocytosis in PC12 cells.

Background Members of the dynamin super-family of GTPases are involved in disparate cellular pathways. Dynamin1 and dynamin2 have been implicated in clathrin-mediated endocytosis. While some models suggest that dynamin functions specifically at the point of vesicle fission, evidence also exists for a role prior to fission during vesicle formation and it is unknown if there is a role for dynamin after vesicle fission. Although dynamin2 is ubiquitously expressed, dynamin1 is restricted to the nervous system. These two structurally similar endocytic accessory proteins have not been studied in cells that endogenously express both. Methodology/Principal Findings The present study quantitatively assesses the dynamics of dynamin1 and dynamin2 during clathrin-mediated endocytosis in PC12 cells, which endogenously express both proteins. Both dynamin isoforms co-localized with clathrin and showed sharp increases in fluorescence intensity immediately prior to internalization of the nascent clathrin-coated vesicle. The fluorescence intensity of both proteins then decreased with two time constants. The slower time constant closely matched the time constant for the decrease of clathrin intensity and likely represents vesicle movement away from the membrane. The faster rate may reflect release of dynamin at the neck of nascent vesicle following GTP hydrolysis. Conclusions/Significance This study analyses the role of dynamin in clathrin-mediated endocytosis in a model for cellular neuroscience and these results may provide direct evidence for the existence of two populations of dynamin associated with nascent clathrin-coated vesicles.
Whirling Disease in California: A Review of Its History, Distribution, and Impacts, 1965–1997

Abstract Myxobolus cerebralis, the causative agent of whirling disease, has become widely established in wild California salmonid populations since its initial discovery in Monterey County in 1965. Most significant is the occurrence of the parasite in the “blue ribbon” trout waters of the Owens Valley basin of the eastern Sierra. From the Lahontan basin on the north to the Owens Valley basin 320 km to the south, the parasite has become well established. In spite of the presence of the parasite, streams of the eastern Sierra are considered by many to support high quality trout populations, attracting thousands of anglers annually to the region. Empirical observations suggest that fish populations are healthy in the Owens Valley drainage and in the M. cerebralis-positive waters of the Lahontan and Pacific drainages. These observations are supported by population data comparing populations of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and brown trout Salmo trutta on Sagehen Creek and the lower Truckee River in the La...
Effect of progesterone, mifepristone, and estrogen treatment during early pregnancy on conceptus development and uterine capacity in swine

A series of experiments was performed to investigate the influence of progesterone at Days 2 and 3 of pregnancy on conceptus development and uterine capacity. In experiment 1, unilaterally hysterectomized-ovariectomized (UHO) white crossbred gilts were given no treatment, estradiol valerate (5 mg given on Days 11 and 12), or progesterone (200 mg/day on Days 2 and 3 after mating). On Day 105 of pregnancy, each fetus and its associated placenta were weighed, and the number of live and dead fetuses was recorded for each litter. Early progesterone treatment reduced (P < 0.05) litter size (a measure of uterine capacity in UHO gilts). In experiment 2, intact white crossbred gilts were mated, given no treatment or progesterone treatment on Days 2 and 3 of pregnancy, and farrowed. Progesterone treatment decreased (P < 0.05) pregnancy rates. In pregnant gilts, progesterone had no effect on the number of live or stillborn piglets at birth, and gestation length was decreased (P < 0.05). Progesterone treatment did not affect the number of large or small piglets. In experiment 3, intact gilts were mated at estrus and then received 1) no treatment or treatment with 2) 100 mg, 3) 200 mg, or 4) 400 mg mifepristone (also known as RU486) on Day 2 of pregnancy. On Day 11 of pregnancy, both uterine horns were flushed, the number and diameter of each conceptus was recorded, and the flushed material was assayed for total protein and acid phosphatase. The 400 mg mifepristone treatment decreased conceptus diameter (P < 0.05) and total protein (P = 0.06) in the uterine flushings. In experiment 4, UHO gilts were mated at estrus, injected with either corn oil (control) or mifepristone (400 mg) on Day 2 of pregnancy, and killed on Day 105 of pregnancy, and the number and weight of live fetuses and placentas was recorded. In contrast to the effect of progesterone treatment, mifepristone decreased uterine capacity by decreasing the number of small conceptuses. These data suggest that progesterone concentrations on Days 2 and 3 of pregnancy in swine influence the rate of conceptus development during early pregnancy and uterine capacity during later pregnancy.
Multiquadric Equations and Optimal Areal Rainfall Estimation

Numerical surface-fitting methods such as kriging, reciprocal distance, and multiquadric equations have often been employed for interpolation of discrete spatial data such as rainfall depth observations. Such methods have been used occasionally for estimation of average areal rainfall depth. When these or similar surface-fitting techniques are used for areal rainfall depth estimation, a weighted average of the discrete rainfall depth observations results. The rainfall depth estimates are unbiased if the numerical surface can fit a nonzero uniform depth exactly everywhere in the region. The unbiased conic multiquadric surface yields optimal gauge weighting coefficients for rainfall data correlated by a linear covariance function. The unbiased conic multiquadric method is a robust estimator of average areal rainfall that does not require extensive rainfall data with which to characterize the stochastic nature of the rainfall process. Unbiased multiquadric analysis appears to reduce the problem of negative g...
Hidden in plain sight: Automatically identifying security requirements from natural language artifacts

Natural language artifacts, such as requirements specifications, often explicitly state the security requirements for software systems. However, these artifacts may also imply additional security requirements that developers may overlook but should consider to strengthen the overall security of the system. The goal of this research is to aid requirements engineers in producing a more comprehensive and classified set of security requirements by (1) automatically identifying security-relevant sentences in natural language requirements artifacts, and (2) providing context-specific security requirements templates to help translate the security-relevant sentences into functional security requirements. Using machine learning techniques, we have developed a tool-assisted process that takes as input a set of natural language artifacts. Our process automatically identifies security-relevant sentences in the artifacts and classifies them according to the security objectives, either explicitly stated or implied by the sentences. We classified 10,963 sentences in six different documents from healthcare domain and extracted corresponding security objectives. Our manual analysis showed that 46% of the sentences were security-relevant. Of these, 28% explicitly mention security while 72% of the sentences are functional requirements with security implications. Using our tool, we correctly predict and classify 82% of the security objectives for all the sentences (precision). We identify 79% of all security objectives implied by the sentences within the documents (recall). Based on our analysis, we develop context-specific templates that can be instantiated into a set of functional security requirements by filling in key information from security-relevant sentences. Index Terms— Security, requirements, objectives, templates, access control, auditing, text classification, constraints, natural language parsing.
Anionic substitutes for catalytic aspartic acids in phosphoribulokinase

Abstract Mutagenic substitution of the invariant D42 and D169 residues in phosphoribulokinase (PRK) with amino acids that contain neutral side chains (e.g., alanine or asparagine) results in large decreases in catalytic efficiency (10 5 - and 10 4 -fold for replacement of D42 and D169, respectively). To further evaluate the importance of anionic side chains at residues 42 and 169, substitutions of glutamic acid (D42E, D169E) and cysteine (D42C and D169C in an otherwise cysteine-free protein) have been engineered. All purified mutant enzymes bind the fluorescent alternative substrate trinitrophenyl–ATP and the allosteric effector NADH similarly to wild-type PRK. For D42E and D42C, V max exhibits substantial decreases of 135- and 220-fold, respectively. Comparable substitutions for D169 result in smaller effects; D169E and D169C exhibit decreases in V max of 39- and 26-fold, respectively. Thus, regardless of the type of substitution, changes at D42 more profoundly affect catalytic rate than do comparable changes at D169. Precedent with enzymes in which cysteine replaces an acidic residue suggests that oxidation of the thiolate to a sulfinate can convert low-activity cysteine mutants into enzymes with improved activity. Periodate oxidation of cysteine-free PRK results in a slight decrease in activity. In contrast, comparable treatment of D42C and D169C proteins increases activity by 5- and 7-fold, respectively. Thus, for reasonably efficient catalysis, PRK requires anionic character in the side chains of residues 42 and 169. The enzyme can, however, tolerate substantial structural and chemical variability at these residues.
Isolation, characterization and localization of bovine adrenal medullary myosin

Myosin was isolated in high purity from the bovine adrenal medulla by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography. The purified myosin was analyzed by electrophoresis in gels containing SDS and found to contain a 200,000 molecular weight heavy chain and major light chains of molecular weights 20,000 and 17,000 in a 1∶1∶1 molar ratio. At high ionic strength the myosin had high Ca-ATPase and K-EDTA-ATPase activities and low Mg-ATPase activity. At low ionic strength, the Mg-ATPase was activated to a low level by rabbit muscle actin. The myosin was found to decorate F-actin in the absence, but not the presence of ATP. In low ionic strength solutions, the myosin assembled into characteristic bipolar filaments. The distribution of this myosin in the adrenal medulla and of cross-reacting myosin in several other bovine tissues was determined with the use of antimedullary myosin immunoglobulin G as a specific stain that was detected by direct and indirect immunofluorescence. In the medulla strong staining was seen between the chords of chromaffin cells indicating the presence of a highly muscular vasculature that may perform functions analogous to those of the myoepithelium of exocrine glands. The chromaffin cells showed weak positive staining around the nuclei and in a pattern radiating toward adjacent blood vessels. Cells of the inner zone of the adrenal cortex showed strong staining in the peripheral cytoplasm while cells in the intermediate and outer zones did not stain. In a blood smear, platelets and the cytoplasm of leukocytes stained strongly while erythrocytes did not stain. In striated muscle and the gray and white matter of the cerebrum only the capillaries and larger vessels stained. In the liver the phagocytic cells bordering vascular sinuses stained strongly while the hepatocytes were separated from one another by a 2 micron trilaminar band possibly representing the microfilament web surrounding the bile canaliculi and associated with junctional complexes. The results suggest that myosin is present in several highly differentiated, non-motile tissue cells where it may play a role in secretion or other specialized functions.
The Effects of Peer Group Heterogeneity on the Production of Human Capital at West Point

Understanding how heterogeneity in peer group composition affects academic attainment has important implications for how schools organize students in group settings. The random assignment of cadets to companies at West Point affords an opportunity to investigate this issue empirically. Estimates of the impact of peer group heteroge neity in math SAT scores on freshmen-year academic performance reveals that more heterogeneous peer groups have positive effects on individual grades. High-ability peers account for most of the positive effect, while low-ability peers have no measureable effect. (JEL 123, J24, M54)
Modeling and Analysis of a Wind/PV/Fuel Cell Hybrid Power System in HOMER

In this paper, a hybrid power generation system suitable for remote area application is proposed. This system consists of three renewable energy sources, namely photovoltaic panels, a wind turbine, and a fuel cell. For the production and uniform supply of hydrogen for fuel cell, an electrolyzer and a reformer are also considered in the proposed system. A fuzzy logic power flow controller has been proposed to provide continuous power based on the economic power generation for preliminary analysis. The analysis of such a hybrid system feeding a load center is carried out with the application of HOMER software. Based on simulation results, it has been found that these renewable energy sources would be a feasible solution for distributed generation of electric power for standalone applications at remote locations.
Evidence collection in cases of child abuse: The detection of seminal fluid

Abstract Study Objective: To measure the effects of time and fabric composition on the ability of the forensic laboratory to recover and detect semen and sperm. Design: Samples of five different commonly used fabric types were treated with either human semen or egg-water mixture. The samples were submitted to the laboratory at different times, then analyzed for the presence of sperm, acid phosphatase, and enzyme p30. Setting: A forensic laboratory that evaluates a large number of kits collected from victims of sexual assault. Main Outcome Measures: Detection of seminal fluid and semen. Results: The overall accuracy rate was 96.0%, the false-negative rate 1.8%, and the false-positive rate 2.2%. There was no correlation between the lag interval from collection to evaluation and the likelihood of obtaining an erroneous result. Similarly, all commonly used fabrics were amenable for correct laboratory determination. Most erroneous findings occurred in the testing for acid phosphatase, which appears to be the least sensitive and the least specific method. In all but one case, visual identification of spermatozoa and the presence of enzyme p30 were accurate. Conclusions: The quality of physical evidence is not compromised by extended periods of time in storage. All three methods must be used to reduce the likelihood of an incorrect determination.
Lipid Mediator Mechanisms in Fish

Abstract Salmonids synthesize platelet-activating factor (PAF: 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine), and much of the interest in the potential use of lipids to mediate physiological events in fish metabolism is focused on this compound. In sharp contrast to mammalian cells, salmonid cells acylate lysoPAF with a high degree of specificity for omega-3 fatty acids. Polyunsaturated fatty acids in the lipids in tissues of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss are compartmentalized differently than in mammalian tissues. On extracellular challenge by PAF, trout leukocytes exhibit both chemotaxis and respiratory burst responses. During the metabolism of PAF in rainbow trout leukocytes, acylation of lysoPAF appears highly selective for docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6 n-3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5 n-3) and is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum. The acyl moiety in the sn-2 position of the acylation product 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-glycero-3-phosphocholine may be removed by hydrolysis to produce lysoPAF in the...
K-means-based color palette design scheme with the use of stable flags

We propose a fast palette design scheme based on the K-means algorithm for color image quantization. To accelerate the K-means algorithm for palette design, the use of stable flags for palette entries is introduced. If the squared Euclidean distances incurred by the same palette entry in two successive rounds are quite similar, the palette entry is classified to be stable. The clustering process will not work on these stable palette entries to cut down the required computational cost. The experimental results reveal that the proposed algorithm consumes a lower computational cost than those comparative schemes while keeping approximately the same image quality.
A mixed-integer optimization model for electricity infrastructure development

We formulate a mixed-integer program that can be used to analyze the decision between centralized and decentralized technologies for new energy infrastructure development. The formulation minimizes the cost of meeting both average and peak power demand in each specified demand node. We demonstrate our methodology with a case study of Rwanda, accounting for existing generation and transmission infrastructure. Thirteen ongoing or proposed projects are considered as potential new centralized generation facilities and the decentralized technology is modeled after a small ( $$\sim $$ 50 W) solar home system. The case study is repeated using population data at four different resolutions while varying demand levels and decentralized technology cost. A tipping point effect is observed, where the optimal infrastructure tips from being primarily centralized to primarily decentralized under certain combinations of the demand and cost parameters. These tipping points are largely consistent across the four data resolutions. Finding a solution within 1 % of optimal was often found to be computationally expensive in formulations with greater than approximately 200 nodes and 800 edges. However, formulations using less dense population data are shown to accurately identify the same tipping points while requiring fewer computational resources. Examples of the minimum cost electricity infrastructure in Rwanda are also shown for several specific combinations of parameters.
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in a patient with multiple risk factors.

• To our knowledge, we report the first case of a homosexually active man with severe hemophilia A in whom acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) developed. Alterations in cell-mediated immunoregulation and development of AIDS have been described in both healthy homosexually active men and heterosexual men with hemophilia A. Patients with multiple risks may be more likely to have AIDS develop. Physicians should be aware of the risk factors associated with AIDS; persons with multiple predisposing factors require intensive examination and close follow-up. (Arch Intern Med1983;143:2310-2311)
Modelling force deployments from army installations using the Transportation System Capability (TRANSCAP) model: A standardized approach

Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne) developed the transportation system capability (TRANSCAP) model to simulate the deployment of forces from Army bases, in collaboration with and under the sponsorship of the Military Transportation Management Command Transportation Engineering Agency (MTMCTEA). TRANSCAP's design separates its pre- and post-processing modules (developed in Java) from its simulation module (developed in MODSIM III^(R)). This paper describes TRANSCAP's modelling approach, emphasizing Argonne's highly detailed, object-oriented, multilanguage software design principles. Fundamental to these design principles is TRANSCAP's implementation of an improved method for standardizing the transmission of simulated data to output analysis tools and the implementation of three Army deployment/redeployment community standards, all of which are in the final phases of community acceptance. The first is the extensive hierarchy and object representation for transport simulations (EXHORT), which is a reusable, object-oriented deployment simulation source code framework of classes. The second and third are algorithms for rail deployment operations at a military base.
Achieving centimetre-scale supercollimation in a large-area two-dimensional photonic crystal.

Diffraction, a fundamental process in wave physics, leads to spreading of the optical beams as they propagate. However, new photonic crystal (PhC) meta-materials can be nano-engineered to generate extreme anisotropy, resulting in apparent propagation of light without diffraction. This surprising phenomenon, called supercollimation, effectively freezes the spatial width of a light beam inside a PhC, observed over a few isotropic diffraction-lengths1,2,3,4,5,6. However, using such experiments to predict the behaviour for longer propagation lengths is difficult, as a tiny error in a measured width can extrapolate to order unity uncertainty in the width at distances over hundreds of diffraction-lengths. Here, supercollimation is demonstrated in a macroscopic PhC system over centimetre-scale distances, retaining spatial width confinement without the need for waveguides or nonlinearities. Through quantitative studies of the beam evolution in a two-dimensional PhC, we find that supercollimation possesses unexpected but inherent robustness with respect to short-scale disorder such as fabrication roughness, enabling supercollimation over 600 isotropic diffraction-lengths. The effects of disorder are identified through experiments and understood through rigorous simulations. In addition, a supercollimation steering capability is proposed.
Displacement/pressure mixed interpolation in the method of finite spheres

The displacement-based formulation of the method of finite spheres is observed to exhibit volumetric ‘locking’ when incompressible or nearly incompressible deformations are encountered. In this paper, we present a displacement/pressure mixed formulation as a solution to this problem. We analyse the stability and optimality of the formulation for several discretization schemes using numerical inf–sup tests. Issues concerning computational efficiency are also discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mobilizing Restraint: Economic Reform and the Politics of Industrial Protest in South Asia

The study draws on evidence from South Asia to explore how union partisan ties condition industrial protest in the context of rapid economic change. It argues that unions controlled by major political parties respond to the economic challenges of the postreform period by facilitating institutionalized grievance resolution and encouraging restraint in the collective bargaining arena. By contrast, politically independent unions and those controlled by small parties are more likely to ratchet up militancy and engage in extreme or violent forms of protest. The difference between the protest behavior of major party unions and other types of unions is explained by the fact that major political parties are encompassing organizations that internalize the externalities associated with the protest of their affiliated unions. Using original survey data from four regions in South Asia, the study shows that party encompassment is a better predictor of worker protest than other features of the affiliated party or the union, including whether the party is in or out of power, the ideological orientation of the party, or the degree of union encompassment. The analysis has implications for the policy debate over whether successful economic reform is contingent upon the political exclusion or repression of organized labor.
Active (air-cooled) vs. passive (phase change material) thermal management of high power lithium-ion packs: Limitation of temperature rise and uniformity of temperature distribution

Abstract The effectiveness of passive cooling by phase change materials (PCM) is compared with that of active (forced air) cooling. Numerical simulations were performed at different discharge rates, operating temperatures and ambient temperatures of a compact Li-ion battery pack suitable for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) propulsion. The results were also compared with experimental results. The PCM cooling mode uses a micro-composite graphite–PCM matrix surrounding the array of cells, while the active cooling mode uses air blown through the gaps between the cells in the same array. The results show that at stressful conditions, i.e. at high discharge rates and at high operating or ambient temperatures (for example 40–45 °C), air-cooling is not a proper thermal management system to keep the temperature of the cell in the desirable operating range without expending significant fan power. On the other hand, the passive cooling system is able to meet the operating range requirements under these same stressful conditions without the need for additional fan power.
A NONLINEAR PROBABILISTIC METHOD FOR PREDICTING VESSEL CAPSIZING IN RANDOM BEAM SEAS

The capsizing of vessels in random beam seas is investigated using a single degree-of-freedom model which is limited to the roll motion. Several factors, including sea wave spectrum, nonlinear righting moment characteristics, and nonlinear damping, are taken into account in the analysis. A nonlinear probabilistic method is developed by combining ideas from modern nonlinear dynamics (specifically, the Melnikov function and the phase space area flux) and random vibrations. Conditions for the onset of vessel capsizing are obtained in terms of the sea state characteristics (significant wave height and characteristic wave period) and the vessel parameters (damping and stiffness coefficients). Extensive numerical simulations are carried out to demonstrate the validity of the analytical results. It is found that there exists an excellent correlation between the rate of phase space flux and the probability of capsizing.
Expression patterns reveal niche diversification in a marine microbial assemblage

Resolving the ecological niches of coexisting marine microbial taxa is challenging due to the high species richness of microbial communities and the apparent functional redundancy in bacterial genomes and metagenomes. Here, we generated over 11 million Illumina reads of protein-encoding transcripts collected from well-mixed southeastern US coastal waters to characterize gene expression patterns distinguishing the ecological roles of hundreds of microbial taxa sharing the same environment. The taxa with highest in situ growth rates (based on relative abundance of ribosomal protein transcripts) were typically not the greatest contributors to community transcription, suggesting strong top-down ecological control, and their diverse transcriptomes indicated roles as metabolic generalists. The taxa with low in situ growth rates typically had low diversity transcriptomes dominated by specialized metabolisms. By identifying protein-encoding genes with atypically high expression for their level of conservation, unique functional roles of community members emerged related to substrate use (such as complex carbohydrates, fatty acids, methanesulfonate, taurine, tartrate, ectoine), alternative energy-conservation strategies (proteorhodopsin, AAnP, V-type pyrophosphatases, sulfur oxidation, hydrogen oxidation) and mechanisms for negotiating a heterogeneous environment (flagellar motility, gliding motility, adhesion strategies). On average, the heterotrophic bacterioplankton dedicated 7% of their transcriptomes to obtaining energy by non-heterotrophic means. This deep sequencing of a coastal bacterioplankton transcriptome provides the most highly resolved view of bacterioplankton niche dimensions yet available, uncovering a spectrum of unrecognized ecological strategies.
A ray approximation to a PDE that arises in the study of tandem queues

We use singular perturbation methods to analyze a diffusion equation that arose in studying two tandem queues. Denoting by p(n1, n2) the probability that there are n1 customers in the first queue and n2 customers in the second queue, we obtain the approximation p(n1, n2)∼ɛ2P(X, Y)=ɛ2P(ɛn1, ɛn2), where ɛ is a small parameter. The diffusion approximation P satisfies an elliptic PDE with a nondiagonal diffusion matrix and boundary conditions that involve both normal and tangential derivatives. We analyze the boundary value problem using the ray method of geometrical optics and other singular perturbation techniques. This yields the asymptotic behavior of P(X, Y) for X and/or Y large.
Therapeutic angiogenesis for ischemic cardiovascular disease.

In animal models of ischemia, a large body of evidence indicates that administration of angiogenic growth factors, either as recombinant protein or by gene transfer, can augment nutrient perfusion through neovascularization. While many cytokines have angiogenic activity, the best studied both in animal models and clinical trials are vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF). Clinical trials of therapeutic angiogenesis in patients with end-stage coronary artery disease have shown large increases in exercise time and marked reductions in symptoms of angina, as well as objective evidence of improved perfusion and left ventricular function. Larger scale placebo-controlled trials have been limited to intracoronary and intravenous administration of recombinant protein, and have not yet shown significant improvement in either exercise time or angina when compared to placebo. Larger scale placebo-controlled studies of gene transfer are in progress. Future clinical studies will be required to determine the optimal dose, formulation, route of administration and combinations of growth factors, as well as the requirement for endothelial progenitor cell or stem cell supplementation, to provide effective and safe therapeutic myocardial angiogenesis.
Of Intractable Conflicts and Participatory GIS Applications: The Search for Consensus amidst Competing Claims and Institutional Demands

Abstract This article reviews the discourse about geographic information system's (GIS) potential as a tool for intervening in disputes over access to natural resources. GIS is a planning tool with striking analytical capabilities and a great public appeal that can be utilized for explicitly reasoned discussions to facilitate conflict resolution. However, the technology's reputation as an interventionist tool has been undermined by competing claims about human factors that sustain conflicts. Some scholars believe elements of a conflict are manageable and that meaningful communication between disputants will erase misconceptions and generate consensus. Others reject cooperation and instead emphasize self-interest and competition as the driving forces behind conflicts. This article investigates the two claims and argues that both the competitive push to claim independent rewards and the urge to create joint values are present in a conflict resolution. A more productive discussion of GIS's role in conflict m...
Patterns of multiple representation use by experts and novices during physics problem solving

It is generally believed that students should use multiple representations in solving certain physics problems, and earlier work in PER has begun to outline how experts and novices differ in their use of multiple representations. In this study, we build on this foundation by interviewing expert and novice physicists as they solve two types of multiple representation problems: those in which multiple representations are provided for them and those in which the students must construct their own representations. We analyze in detail the types of representations subjects use and the order and manner in which they are used. Expert and novice representation use is surprisingly similar in some ways, especially in that both experts and novices make significant use of multiple representations. Some significant differences also emerge. Experts are more flexible in terms of starting point and move between the available representations more quickly, and novices tend to move between more representations in total. In addition, we find that an examination of how often and when multiple representations are used is inadequate to fully characterize a problem-solving episode; one must also consider the purpose behind the use of the available representations. This analysis of how experts and novices use representations sharpens the differences between the two groups, demonstrates analysis techniques that may be useful in future work, and suggests possible paths for instruction.
Raf-1: a novel cardiac troponin T kinase.

Phosphorylation of cardiac troponin is a key mechanism involved in regulation of contractile function. In vitro kinase assays revealed that lysates prepared from resting cardiomyocytes contain cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and cTnT kinase activity. cTnI phosphorylation is inhibited by pharmacologic inhibitors of PKA, PKC, Rho kinase and PKC effectors such as RSK and PKD; these kinase inhibitors do not inhibit phosphorylation of cTnT. Rather, cTnT phosphorylation is decreased by the Raf inhibitor GW5074. In vitro kinase assays show that recombinant Raf phosphorylates cTnT, and that Raf-dependent cTnT phosphorylation is abrogated by a T206E substitution; Raf does not phosphorylate cTnI. These studies identify Raf-dependent cTnT-Thr206 phosphorylation as a novel mechanism that would link growth factor-dependent signaling pathways to dynamic changes in cardiac contractile function.
Some nonlinear iterated function systems

Abstract We give examples of Iterated Function Systems where the usual affine functions are replaced by complex polynomials. Since these are not global contractions, some care must be exerted with the domain on which the functions are applied. On the other hand, the lack of unique inverse functions gives rise to multiple addresses for the same regions of the attractor, thus providing another degree of information available for determining other attributes—for example, colors or textures—of the image. Traversing a loop through parameter space reveals an “explosion” of features and also what may be a curious cascade of self-intersections.
Calculating the elastic constants of graphite

Abstract The elastic constants of crystalline graphite are calculated from a fairly simple model. The bending and stretching force constants of the carbon-carbon bonds, along with the crystal geometry, determine the elastic compliances. The key ingredient to the success of the calculation is the selection of suitable bending and stretching force constants for the in-plane and out-of-plane bonds.
Population dynamics and Burgers’ equation

Abstract A brief review of recent results [D.R. Nelson, N.M. Shnerb, Phys. Rev. E 58 (1998) 1383] connecting population dynamics in the presence of disorder and convection with a noisy Burgers’ equation is given. In the limit of high convection velocity, linearized population growth in dimensions is described by a ( d −1)-dimensional Burgers’ equation with random noise. The Burgers mapping leads to universal results for the spreading and transverse profile of populations drifting downstream through a disordered medium with spatially varying growth rates.
Collective vibrations in even-mass mercury isotopes

Abstract The three even-mass mercury isotopes 198Hg, 200Hg and 202Hg are described as two proton holes coupled to harmonic surface vibrations. The single-hole states 3 s 1 2 , 2 d 3 2 , 1 h 11 2 and 2 d 5 2 , and the core states up to three phonons are included in the model space. The interaction between the two holes is assumed to be a finite-range, spin-dependent force. The energy spectra, the static moments, and the electromagnetic transition probabilities are calculated and compared with experiment. The results are satisfactory, indicating that collective vibrations may indeed play an important role in the description of the mercury isotopes.
Introduction to the special issue DAC09 After media: embodiment and context

This edition of Digital Creativity is drawn from the Digital Art and Culture 2009 conference, held at the University of California, Irvine, in December 2009. DAC09 was the eighth Digital Art and Cu...