cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Left-Invariant Affine Structures on Reductive Lie Groups

We describe left-invariant affine structures (that is, left-invariant flat torsion-free affine connections ∇) on reductive linear Lie groupsG. They correspond bijectively to LSA-structures on the Lie algebra g ofG. Here LSA stands for left-symmetric algebra. If g has trivial or one-dimensional center z then the affine representation α=λ⊕1 of g, induced by any LSA-structure gλon g isradiant, i.e., the radiance obstructioncα∈H1(g, gλ) vanishes. If dim z=1 we prove that g=s⊕z, where s is split simple, admits LSA-structures if and only if s is of typeAl, that is, g=gln.Here we have the associative LSA-structure given by ordinary matrix multiplication corresponding to the bi-invariant affine structure on GL(n), which was believed to be essentially the only possible LSA-structure on gln. We exhibit interesting LSA-structures different from the associative one. They arise as certain deformations of the matrix algebra. Then we classify all LSA-structures on glnusing a result of Baues. Forn=2 we compute all structures explicitly over the complex numbers.
Stability analysis and design of stable DC distribution systems through positive feed-forward control using a novel passivity-based stability criterion

DC distribution systems, consisting of several feedback-controlled converters integrated together to form a complex interconnected system, suffer from potential degradation of stability caused by negative incremental impedances due to the presence of constant power loads. Due to the complexity of integrated DC distribution systems, analysis and design of such systems to guarantee system stability and performance is a difficult problem. As an active technique to solve subsystem interaction problem and improve system stability, the Positive Feed-Forward (PFF) Control is proposed in combination with a novel Passivity-Based Stability Criterion. In particular, the PFF control is designed based on imposing passivity of the overall bus impedance. If passivity of the overall DC bus impedance is ensured, stability is guaranteed as well. The design formulation for the PFF controller, so that both stability and performance are guaranteed, is discussed in detail. The approach results in greatly improved stability and damping of transients on the DC bus voltage and is validated by both simulations and experimental results.
Neutron diffraction study on the defect structure of indium--tin--oxide

The defect structure of undoped and Sn-doped In2O3 (ITO) materials was studied by preparing powders under different processing environments and performing neutron powder diffraction. The effect of tin doping and oxygen partial pressure was determined. Structural information was obtained by analyzing neutron powder diffraction data using the Rietveld method. The results include positions of the atoms, their thermal displacements, the fractional occupancy of the interstitial oxygen site, and the fractional occupancies of Sn on each of the two nonequivalent cation sites. The tin cations show a strong preference for the b site versus the d site. The measured electrical properties are correlated with the interstitial oxygen populations, which agree with the proposed models for reducible (2SnIn•Oi″)x and nonreducible (2SnIn•3OOOi″)x defect clusters.
Cone-beam tomography with discrete data sets.

Sufficiency conditions for cone-beam data are well known for the case of continuous data collection along a cone-vertex curve with continuous detectors. These continuous conditions are inadequate for real-world data where discrete vertex geometries and discrete detector arrays are used. The authors present a theoretical formulation of cone-beam tomography with arbitrary discrete arrays of detectors and vertices. The theory models the imaging system as a linear continuous-to-discrete mapping and represents the continuous object exactly as a Fourier series. The reconstruction problem is posed as the estimation of some subset of the Fourier coefficients. The main goal of the theory is to determine which Fourier coefficients can be reliably determined from the data delivered by a specific discrete design. A Fourier component will be well determined by the data if it satisfies two conditions: it makes a strong contribution to the data, and this contribution is relatively independent of the contribution of other Fourier components. To make these considerations precise, the authors introduce a concept called the cross-talk matrix. A diagonal element of this matrix measures the strength of a Fourier component in the data, while an off-diagonal element quantifies the dependence or aliasing of two different components. One reasonable approach to system design is to attempt to make the diagonal elements of this matrix large and the off-diagonal elements small for some set of Fourier components. If this goal can be achieved, simple linear reconstruction algorithms are available for estimating the Fourier coefficients. To illustrate the usefulness of this approach, numerical results on the cross-talk matrix are presented for different discrete geometries derived from a continuous helical vertex orbit, and simulated images reconstructed with two linear algorithms are presented.
Developmental lag of visuospatial attention in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) present a specific deficit of voluntary attention but to date there has been no clear characterization of their attentional skills. The present study investigated the hypothesis that DMD patients present deficits of both voluntary and automatic visuospatial attention systems and that their performance could be equivalent to that of younger healthy males. Twenty males (mean age 10 years) with diagnosis of DMD, 20 age-matched healthy males (10 years 3 months) and 20 healthy younger males (7 years 6 months) were required to perform two visuospatial attention tasks: voluntary and automatic. In the voluntary task, the performance of the DMD group was significantly worse than that of the age-matched group, and equal to that of the younger controls. In the automatic attention task also, the performance of the DMD patients was less efficient than that of the age-matched controls and equal to that of the younger children. This study supports the previous report of voluntary attention deficit in DMD and extends the evidence to include also an automatic attention system deficit. The development level of attention in DMD patients is below that expected for their age and corresponds to a delay of about three years.
The Rare Cuboid-Navicular Coalition Presenting as Chronic Foot Pain

Tarsal coalitions are relatively rare diagnoses affecting adolescent patients that typically present with progressive foot pain. Cuboid-navicular coalition, a type of tarsal coalition, is extremely rare with less than 10 reported cases to date. Most prevailing theories reported have described this specific type of coalition as asymptomatic except at specific moments of stress and exercise. The purpose in presenting this case is to demonstrate that cuboid-navicular coalition can be associated with chronic unremitting pain, as in our patient. We present a case of cuboid-navicular fibrocartilaginous coalition in an adolescent patient presenting with chronic foot pain. Furthermore, from an imaging standpoint, radiographic findings are often subtle and radiologists cannot rely on indirect signs such as talar beak in clinching the diagnosis of cuboid-navicular coalition. Instead, abnormal articulation between the cuboid and navicular must be sought.
A new concept of frost-heave characteristics of soils

Abstract Improvements are being developed to the concept of frost-susceptibility testing in order to reflect complex frost-heaving mechanisms of soils. The main objective is to develop a better laboratory assessment of the frost-heave potential of soils, specifically for road construction applications.
Evidence of construct validity of the interest scales on the Campbell Interest and Skill Survey

Abstract This study explored evidence of the construct validity of the interest scales on the Campbell Interest and Skill Survey (CISS; Campbell, Hyne, & Nilsen, 1992 ) by testing evidence for convergent validity with the Strong Interest Inventory (SII; Hansen & Campbell, 1985 ). Two hypotheses were formulated. First, matching CISS and SII scales were expected to be more positively correlated compared to non-matching scales. Second, Holland's hexagonal calculus assumption ( Holland, 1973 ) was expected to emerge in the pattern of intercorrelations among CISS and SII scales. These hypotheses were tested using correlational and factor analyses. Results supported the hypotheses and demonstrated evidence of good convergent and construct validity for scores on the CISS interest scales. Implications for the use of the CISS in counseling and for research on Holland's theory are discussed, and directions for future research are presented.
Miocene biochronology and paleoceanography of the North Pacific

Abstract Biostratigraphic correlation based on microfossil datum levels, directly or indirectly tied to the paleomagnetic time scale, provides a high resolution time control for the Miocene in the equatorial and middle latitude North Pacific. Faunal changes and abundance fluctuations of planktic foraminiferal species combined with the oxygen Pacific. Faunal changes and abundance fluctuations of planktic foraminiferal species combined with the oxygen isotope record of foraminifers, reveal the paleoclimatic and paleoceanographic history. The planktic foraminiferal assemblage change in the early Miocene, extinction of Oligocene fauna and rise of a highly diverse Neogene fauna, appears to be related to increased water mass stratification in the world oceans presumably resulting from the establishment of circum-Antarctic circulation. An increase in the siliceous productivity in the eastern equatorial Pacific region between 20 and 18 Ma suggests that the vertical and horizontal circulation was intensified at that time. Climates cooled rapidly during the middle Miocene between 14 and 13 Ma suggesting the growth of a major east Antarctic ice sheet. Paleoclimatic conditions remained generally cool, although oscillating, during the late Miocene. In the late early to middle Miocene faunal provincialism developed between low and middle latitudes, and by late Miocene time a distinct provincialism similar to the present was established.
The constipation severity instrument: a validated measure.

Purpose This study was designed to develop and test the validity and reliability of the Constipation Severity Instrument.
Rat hepatic 6-phosphofructo 2-kinase/fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase: A unique bifunctional enzyme

Fructose 2,6-bisphosphate is a potent allosteric activator of 6-phosphofructo 1-kinase and an inhibitor of fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase. It potentiates the effect of AMP on both enzymes. A great deal of compelling evidence supports the hypothesis that fructose 2,6-bisphosphate plays a key role in the hormonal and substrate regulation of substrate cycling at the fructose 6-phosphate/fructose 1,6-bisphosphate level in liver. This regulation is exerted at the level of the enzyme activities responsible for the synthesis and degradation of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate. Synthesis of the compound is catalyzed by a unique enzyme which transfers the gamma-phosphate of ATP to the C2 position of fructose 6-phosphate (ATP:D fructose 6-phosphate 2-phosphotransferase) while degradation is catalyzed by a phosphohydrolase activity which is specific for the C-2 position of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (D-fructose 2,6-bisphosphate 2-phosphohydrolase). These activities are distinct from the classical 6-phosphofructo 1-kinase and fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase with regard to molecular weight, interaction with ligands, and the efficiency with which phosphoryl transfer occurs. Both activities have been purified to homogeneity and have been shown to be present in a single enzyme protein, i.e. the enzyme is bifunctional. Incubation of the 6-phosphofructo 2-kinase/fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase with cAMP-dependent protein kinase and ATP leads to phosphorylation of the enzyme resulting in inactivation of the phosphotransferase activity and stimulation of the phosphohydrolase activity. Since fructose 2,6-bisphosphate is not further metabolized and can only be recycled to fructose 6-phosphate, simultaneous modulation of the synthesis and degradation of the compound by covalent modification of a single protein provides a very efficient and sensitive regulatory mechanism. The bifunctional enzyme was also shown to possess an ATPase activity which was nearly equal to the activity of the kinase reaction. However, in the presence of fructose 6-phosphate the enzyme did not transfer phosphate to water but rather to the C-2 position of the phosphorylated sugar. The ability of the enzyme to catalyze a partial reaction at a rate nearly equal to that of the forward reaction suggested that the reaction mechanism of the kinase proceeds by a two step transfer, i.e. via a phosphoryl enzyme intermediate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Information Fusion Technique for Evaluating Radiation Embrittlement of Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels

A new approach that utilizes the information fusion technique was developed to predict the radiation embrittlement of reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steels. The Charpy transition temperature-shift data is used as the primary index of the RPV radiation embrittlement in this study. Six parameters, Cu, Ni, P, neutron fluence, irradiation time, and irradiation temperature are used in the embrittlement prediction models. The results indicate that this new embrittlement predictor achieved about 66% and 53% reductions, respectively, in the uncertainties for the update General Electric (GE) Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) plate and weld data compared to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Regulatory Guide 1.99, Rev. 2 (RG1.99/R2). The implications of irradiation temperature effects for the development of radiation embrittlement models are also discussed.
Effect of movement on human spinal and subcortical somatosensory evoked potentials

Sensory transmission in dorsal column nuclei is inhibited during voluntary movement in experimental animals. We have studied the human response by recording spine and scalp somatosensory evoked potentials. Finger movement attenuated the amplitude and duration of the cervical N13 and the scalp N18 and N20 waves. Foot movement did not alter the lumbar N22 after foot stimulation, but the scalp P38 was attenuated. N22 results solely from activation of interneurons in the dorsal gray of the cord at the root entry zone, but N13 may receive contributions from the nucleus cuneatus. Therefore, the movement-induced attenuation of N13 is attributed to decreased contribution from the nucleus cuneatus.
The Best Lexical Metric for Phrase-Based Statistical MT System Optimization

Translation systems are generally trained to optimize BLEU, but many alternative metrics are available. We explore how optimizing toward various automatic evaluation metrics (BLEU, METEOR, NIST, TER) affects the resulting model. We train a state-of-the-art MT system using MERT on many parameterizations of each metric and evaluate the resulting models on the other metrics and also using human judges. In accordance with popular wisdom, we find that it's important to train on the same metric used in testing. However, we also find that training to a newer metric is only useful to the extent that the MT model's structure and features allow it to take advantage of the metric. Contrasting with TER's good correlation with human judgments, we show that people tend to prefer BLEU and NIST trained models to those trained on edit distance based metrics like TER or WER. Human preferences for METEOR trained models varies depending on the source language. Since using BLEU or NIST produces models that are more robust to evaluation by other metrics and perform well in human judgments, we conclude they are still the best choice for training.
Decomposition, Coordination, and Multilevel Systems

General approaches to the design of hierarchical systems are indicated which are particularly relevant to problems of optimal control of discrete systems. A decomposition technique for interacting linear dynamic systems is shown to lead to an optimum 2-level technique having equivalent performance. Comments on computational algorithms for realizing this technique are included.
Resurrecting DNAzymes as Sequence-Specific Therapeutics

In a mouse model of skin cancer, intratumoral injection of a sequence-specific mRNA-cleaving DNA enzyme caused potent inhibition of tumor growth and unusually benign pharmacodynamic profiles.
Comparison of radii sets, entropy, QM methods, and sampling on MM-PBSA, MM-GBSA, and QM/MM-GBSA ligand binding energies of F. tularensis enoyl-ACP reductase (FabI).

To validate a method for predicting the binding affinities of FabI inhibitors, three implicit solvent methods, MM-PBSA, MM-GBSA, and QM/MM-GBSA were carefully compared using 16 benzimidazole inhibitors in complex with Francisella tularensis FabI. The data suggests that the prediction results are sensitive to radii sets, GB methods, QM Hamiltonians, sampling protocols, and simulation length, if only one simulation trajectory is used for each ligand. In this case, QM/MM-GBSA using 6 ns MD simulation trajectories together with GBneck2, PM3, and the mbondi2 radii set, generate the closest agreement with experimental values (r2 = 0.88). However, if the three implicit solvent methods are averaged from six 1 ns MD simulations for each ligand (called “multiple independent sampling”), the prediction results are relatively insensitive to all the tested parameters. Moreover, MM/GBSA together with GBHCT and mbondi, using 600 frames extracted evenly from six 0.25 ns MD simulations, can also provide accurate prediction to experimental values (r2 = 0.84). Therefore, the multiple independent sampling method can be more efficient than a single, long simulation method. Since future scaffold expansions may significantly change the benzimidazole's physiochemical properties (charges, etc.) and possibly binding modes, which may affect the sensitivities of various parameters, the relatively insensitive “multiple independent sampling method” may avoid the need of an entirely new validation study. Moreover, due to large fluctuating entropy values, (QM/)MM-P(G)BSA were limited to inhibitors’ relative affinity prediction, but not the absolute affinity. The developed protocol will support an ongoing benzimidazole lead optimization program. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Altering a pseudo-random bit sequence for scan-based BIST

This paper presents a low-overhead scheme for the built-in self-test (BIST) of circuits with scan. Complete (100%) fault coverage is obtained without modifying the function logic and without degrading system performance (beyond using scan). Deterministic test cubes that detect the random-pattern-resistant faults are embedded in a pseudo-random sequence of bits generated by a linear feedback shift register (LFSR). This is accomplished by altering the pseudo-random sequence by adding logic at the LFSR's serial output to "fix" certain bits. A procedure for synthesizing the bit-fixing logic for embedding the test cubes is described. Experimental results indicate that complete fault coverage can be obtained with low hardware overhead. Also, the proposed approach permits the use of small LFSRs for generating the pseudo-random bit sequence. The faults that are not detected because of linear dependencies in the LFSR can be detected by embedding deterministic cubes at the expense of additional bit-fixing logic. Data is presented showing how much additional logic is required for different size LFSRs.
Bayesian Resolution of the “Exchange Paradox”

Abstract In this article we present a paradox that can be used to illustrate Bayesian principles in the classroom. The paradox is also resolved using a frequentist argument and illustrates how the misapplication of a symmetry argument causes problems.
Young's Modulus and Fracture Strength of Three Polysilicons

Polysilicon specimens from Cronos, Sandia, and Standard MEMS, Inc. were tested in tension. The specimens were nominally 6 or 20 ώm wide and 250 or 1000 ώm long. The Cronos and the Standard MEMS specimens had thicknesses of 1.5, 2.0, and 3.5 ώm; whereas, the Sandia specimens were all 2.5 ώm thick. There was no dramatic difference in Young’s modulus for the three materials. A total of 117 tests were run, and the average modulus for all three materials was 157 ± 9 GPa. However, the strengths were quite different: 1.56 ± 0.25 GPa for the Cronos material, 2.85 ± 0.40 GPa for Sandia’s, and 2.04 ± 0.30 GPa for the SMI polysilicon.
Chicano Clergy and the Emergence of Liberation Theology

This study examines the relationship between Chicano clergy and liberation theology. It is argued that religion can be a significant element in the empowerment of Chicanos, when religious leaders join the side of Chicano laity. Using datafrom a 1986 national study of Chicano Catholic priests and bishops, thefindings show that the respondentsfeel Chicanos do not have an adequate voice in Catholic social policy, the church has discriminated against Chicanos, and the church has not adequately responded to the socialproblemsfacing Chicanos. Many support and have participated in Latino lay movements (i.e., national encuentros, community organizations, and comunidades de base) and pastoral centers (i.e., Mexican American Cultural Center). The results also reveal that the majority of clergy are influenced by liberation theology and accept a U. S. version of liberation theology as an appropriate modelfor Chicanos wishing to bring about both ecclesiastical and social change.
Time complexity and consistency issues in using the AHP for making group decisions

Two different ways of using the AHP in making group decisions are compared and evaluated. The first method combines different experts’ opinions before applying an eigenvalue method to obtain final weights for decision alternatives. The second, in contrast, derives each expert's rating for the decision alternatives before combining them. Both methods take into account the relative importance of different experts in making decisions. Comparison and evaluation of these two methods are made by using two criteria: time complexity and consistency indices. A numerical example is provided to illustrate the use of these two methods, and results of a mathematical simulation are presented for comparing the time complexity in different-sized problems. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
COOH-terminal sequence motifs target the T cell protein tyrosine phosphatase to the ER and nucleus

The noncatalytic domain of the human T cell protein tyrosine phosphatase (TCPTP) is alternatively spliced to generate a 45-kD form, p45TC, and a 48-kD form, p48TC (Champion-Arnaud et al., 1991; Mosinger et al., 1992). This manuscript concerns structural motifs in the noncatalytic segment of the enzyme responsible for targeting the two forms to different subcellular compartments. Endogenous and transiently expressed p48TC associates with the ER, as determined by sucrose gradient fractionation and indirect immunofluorescence, respectively. By contrast, p45TC localizes in the nucleus even though upon cell lysis it is not retained and fractionates with markers for soluble enzymes. Using fusion proteins consisting of beta-galactosidase and COOH-terminal fragments of p48TC, two motifs necessary for ER retention within a 70-residue targeting segment have been identified. These include the terminal 19 hydrophobic residues which comprise a potential membrane-spanning segment and residues 346-358 which encompass a cluster of basic amino acids that may represent another type of ER retention motif. The sequence RKRKR, which immediately precedes the splice junction, functions as a nuclear localization signal for p45TC.
The Effects of Sublethal Levels of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid Herbicide (2,4-D) on Feeding Behaviors of the Crayfish O. rusticus

The widespread use of herbicides across the globe has increased the probability of synthetic chemicals entering freshwater habitats. On entering aquatic habitats, these chemicals target and disrupt both physiological and behavioral functioning in various aquatic organisms. Herbicides, such as 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), can have negative impacts on chemoreception because these receptor cells are in direct contact with water-soluble chemicals in the environment. Studies focusing on lethal concentration (LC50) levels may understate the impact of herbicides within aquatic habitats because damage to the chemoreceptors can result in modified behaviors or lack of appropriate responses to environmental or social cues. The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether exposure to sublethal levels of 2,4-D alters the foraging behaviors of crayfish Orconectes rusticus. We hypothesized that crayfish exposed to greater concentrations of 2,4-D would be less successful in locating food or on locating food would consume smaller amounts possibly due to an inability to recognize the food odors in the contaminated waters. Crayfish were exposed to three sublethal levels of 2,4-D for 96 h and placed into a Y-maze system with a fish gelatin food source placed randomly in the right or left arm. Average walking speed, average time spent in the correct arm, and percent consumption were analyzed. Our data show that crayfish were impaired in their ability to forage effectively. These inabilities to locate and consume adequate amounts of food could result in lower body weights and decreased fitness in populations of crayfish exposed to 2,4-D in natural habitats.
Using administratively collected hospital discharge data for AIDS surveillance

The objectives of this study were twofold: to improve methods of identifying possible and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related hospital discharges in administrative databases and to measure AIDS-reporting completeness in Massachusetts both overall and by subgroup. We used fiscal year 1988 discharge data from the Massachusetts Rate Setting Commission (RSC) and data from the Massachusetts AIDS Reporting System (ARS). We identified 3362 discharges of adult patients (> 12 years old) from the RSC file that had diagnosis codes which are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-specific (042.x, 043.x, 044.x, or 795.8) or pertain to AIDS-defining "manifestations." Medical records of 650 patients apparently not reported to the ARS were reviewed. THe best set of codes overall consisted of either (a) the 042.x code or (b) the 043.x, 044.x, or 795.8 code plus selected manifestation codes (sensitivity, 93%; specificity, 86%; predictive value positive, 71%). Of the 927 AIDS cases identified from the 3362 discharges, only 36 had not been reported. AIDS cases among women (odds ratio (OR) = 2.9; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.33 to 6.33), intravenous drug users (OR = 4.2; 95% CI: 2.20 to 8.02), and persons residing outside the Boston metropolitan area (OR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.18 to 4.57) were more likely to be unreported than those among comparison groups.
A hybrid approach for mutual exclusion in distributed computing systems

We propose a hybrid algorithm to achieve mutual exclusion in distributed systems. In our algorithm we propose a logical grouping of the sites into a hierarchical structure. We have used different algorithms to achieve mutual exclusion at each level of the hierarchy. The hierarchical structure is not rigid and can be modified to achieve different performance criteria. We demonstrate the adaptable nature of this approach which leads to better overall performance. The hybrid algorithm needs only a maximum of 2/spl radic/N+1 messages where N is the number of sites in the distributed system. This can be further reduced to just 5 messages per CS invocation at high loads by making small modifications to the original hybrid algorithm. The best features of this algorithm are its deadlock-free nature and its low message traffic at high loads. >
Science and Politics in the U.S.S.R.: The Genetics Debate

In the Soviet Union, views on all intellectual subjects—the social sciences, philosophy, and even the biological and physical sciences—are frequently regarded as expressions of political views. As a consequence, all intellectual fields are considered appropriate arenas for the struggle against “reaction” and other supposed manifestations of “bourgeois” ideology. To consider science a-political and supra-national, or to speak approvingly of “world science” or “world culture,” is to subscribe to the “bourgeois” ideology of “cosmopolitism”—an ideology which is assumed by virtue of its universalist emphasis to deprecate the contributions to culture made by individual nations.
Environment-Adaptive Concurrent Companding and Bias Control for Efficient Power-Amplifier Operation

The design of power-efficient orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) transmitters suffers from a major bottleneck due to the high peak-to-average ratio (PAR) of OFDM signals as the efficiency of a linear RF power amplifier (PA) reduces drastically due to backoff requirements. In this paper, we propose a system-level approach for dynamic power reduction in OFDM transmitters with varying channels. The proposed methodology uses adaptive baseband companding/expanding of the OFDM signal along with concurrent PA rebiasing to save power. Using channel quality information for dynamic PAR adaptation, the proposed approach achieves a PAR reduction of as high as 7.25 dB, under favorable channels. This translates to a power savings of 5.5× compared with static PAs and 3.6× compared with adaptive PAs with only output-power adaptation.
The adaptive value of sociality in mammalian groups

According to behavioural ecology theory, sociality evolves when the net benefits of close association with conspecifics exceed the costs. The nature and relative magnitude of the benefits and costs of sociality are expected to vary across species and habitats. When sociality is favoured, animals may form groups that range from small pair-bonded units to huge aggregations. The size and composition of social groups have diverse effects on morphology and behaviour, ranging from the extent of sexual dimorphism to brain size, and the structure of social relationships. This general argument implies that sociality has fitness consequences for individuals. However, for most mammalian species, especially long-lived animals like primates, there are sizable gaps in the chain of evidence that links sociality and social bonds to fitness outcomes. These gaps reflect the difficulty of quantifying the cumulative effects of behavioural interactions on fitness and the lack of information about the nature of social relationships among individuals in most taxa. Here, I review what is known about the reproductive consequences of sociality for mammals.
Application of Kronecker products to the analysis of systems with uniform linear coupling

In this paper, we show how the Kronecker product can be useful in simplifying the notation encountered in the analysis of linearly coupled systems where the cells are identical and the coupling is uniform. We give two applications where this is useful. First we use it in the analysis of Turing patterns in reaction-diffusion systems to obtain conditions for the coupling to destabilize the uniform equilibrium point. In the second application we use the Kronecker product to obtain simple sufficient conditions for an array of linearly coupled dynamical systems to synchronize. We discuss briefly extensions to additive nonlinear coupling. >
454 life sciences: illuminating the future of genome sequencing and personalized medicine.

Imagine going to the doctor with a migraine headache and knowing the next day whether your DNA is to blame. Or better yet, imagine knowing whether your DNA encodes a risk for migraines even before a headache strikes. If 454 Life Sciences’ dream is realized, doctors will be able to quickly and inexpensively unlock the mysteries of patients’ genomes, revealing indicators of disease susceptibility and shedding light on the potential efficacy of particular drug regimens. Due to advances in technology made by companies like 454 Life Sciences in Branford, Connecticut, personalized genomic medicine is becoming a reality and is sure to revolutionize not only your doctor’s visits, but also the way society views human health and disease
Induction of spermine oxidase by enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis in colon models results in DNA damage

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 12-16, 2008; San Diego, CA 3131 It is estimated that the etiology of 20-30% of epithelial cancers is directly associated with inflammation, though the molecular events linking inflammation and the necessary carcinogenic mutations remain to be clarified. In the context of gastrointestinal disease, bacterial infection by Helicobacter pylori and enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) are significant sources of chronic inflammation and have been identified as risk factors for the development of gastric and colon cancer, respectively. We have previously demonstrated that H. pylori and the cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) rapidly induce spermine oxidase (SMO), resulting in increased cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DNA damage, in gastric and lung epithelial cells. To test the hypothesis that ETBF-induced SMO expression may be a source of oxidative damage in the colon, HT29/c1 and T84 human colon epithelial cell lines were treated with purified recombinant B. fragilis toxin (BFT). BFT treatment resulted in a rapid induction of SMO expression as measured by quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting, increased ROS detected by flow cytometry utilizing a H2DCFDA probe, and increased formation of 8-oxodeoxyguanosine measured by mass spectrometry. BFT treatment resulted in increased phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) by western blotting and pre-treatment of HT29/c1 cells with the selective JNK inhibitor SP600125 abrogated SMO induction, suggesting a role for the activator protein-1 (AP-1) signaling pathway in the ETBF-mediated induction of SMO. These results are consistent with a recent report demonstrating the importance of AP-1 in ETBF-induced enteritis and our previous studies in gastric and lung epithelial cells. Our studies suggest that induction of SMO by inflammatory stimuli occurs in multiple epithelial systems and results in oxidative DNA damage, suggesting that SMO may represent one molecular link between chronic inflammation and epithelial carcinogenesis.
Application of the Tiberian Accentuation System for colometry of biblical Hebrew poetry

This article briefly presents a most recent movement "delimitation criticism", in which scholars have utilized the Tiberian Accentuation System as a means to establish the colometry of Hebrew verses and critically evaluates this movement's methodology. Based on the critical evaluation, the present study deals with proper application of the Tiberian Accentuation System to biblical Hebrew poetry for its colometric divisions and also provides a guideline for the colometry of the poetic texts in the Hebrew Bible: (1) Major disjunctive accents (silluq, atnah, zaqef qaton, and revia) end a colon as main dividers. Several minor disjunctive accents may also end a colon under certain conditions; (2) A colon usually contains two disjunctive accents; (3) A line with a sequence of three disjunctive accents (in which the first two disjunctives are not major ones) is considered monocolon; (4) No conjunctive accent ends a colon.
Outside options and wages: What can we learn from subjective assessments?

This paper studies the correlates of subjective assessments of how easy it would be for a worker to find another job as good as the present one and how easy it would be for an employer to replace a worker. First, I study the correlates of these two subjective assessments. Second, I study whether respondents who report better chances of reemployment receive higher wages and whether respondents who think they are easy to replace receive lower wages. The results are consistent with the standard job-matching model, which predicts that wages increase with better outside opportunity of the worker and fall with better outside opportunity of the employer.
An Evaluation of Display/Control Gain

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the adequacy of identifying the optimum display/control gain for an interface as a method of control-display interface optimization. The first study examined the effects of changes in both the maximum control input and the display width on target acquisition performance with a touch tablet and a trackball. The second study evaluated the effects of changes in the display amplitude, the display target width, and the control amplitude. Results from both studies indicate that gain is an insufficient specification for performance. In addition, the inadequacy of Fitts' Law in this context is discussed.
Determination of volatile chlorinated disinfection by-products in drinking water by purge and trap-GC/MS

Objective:To establish a method for the determination of volatile chlorinated disinfection by-products in drinking water.Methods: Purge and trap sampling-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with full scan modes were used for qualitative analysis and the external standard method for quantitative analysis.Results: The method had good linearity in experimental concentration range(r0.9991) and the detection limits of the method for the VOCs were 0.02 μg/L~0.13 μg/L.The average recoveries of the method were 95%~103% with relative standard deviation of 3.3%~9.5%.Conclusion: The method provides the advantages of rapid,simple,accurate,sensitive,noninterference,so it is suitable for routine analysis of volatile chlorinated disinfection by-products in piped water samples.
Rapid detection of a Salmonella typhimurium Outbreak

Objective In June 2013,a cluster of fever cases with fatigue,headache,diarrhea as main symptoms occurred in Meishan,Sichuan province,To rapidly detect the pathogen,identify the infection source and control outbreak,the samples were collected from the cases and people engaged in food preparation,and food samples were collected too.Salmonella typhimurium was detected in 6 case samples and 2 food samples.Same PFGE pattern after digestion with Xba I enzymes was observed for the strains isolated from case samples and food samples.The result indicated that the outbreak was caused by contamination of food by Salmonella typhimurium.
Site-Selective Passivation of Defects in NiO Solar Photocathodes by Targeted Atomic Deposition

For nanomaterials, surface chemistry can dictate fundamental material properties, including charge-carrier lifetimes, doping levels, and electrical mobilities. In devices, surface defects are usually the key limiting factor for performance, particularly in solar-energy applications. Here, we develop a strategy to uniformly and selectively passivate defect sites in semiconductor nanomaterials using a vapor-phase process termed targeted atomic deposition (TAD). Because defects often consist of atomic vacancies and dangling bonds with heightened reactivity, we observe—for the widely used p-type cathode nickel oxide—that a volatile precursor such as trimethylaluminum can undergo a kinetically limited selective reaction with these sites. The TAD process eliminates all measurable defects in NiO, leading to a nearly 3-fold improvement in the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells. Our results suggest that TAD could be implemented with a range of vapor-phase precursors and be developed into a general strategy ...
Immunological considerations in renal transplantation in young patients.

A propos de 28 transplantations chez des receveurs jeunes (entre 3 et 20 ans): maladie sous-jacente, histocompatibilite, reactivite immunologique, criteres de rejet, traitement immunodepresseur, resultats. Resultats tres favorables dans ce groupe d'un programme particulier: splenectomie et nephrectomie bilaterale, transfusions preoperatoires et posologie forte d'immunodepression precoce
Reductions in carotid chemoreceptor activity with low-dose dopamine improves baroreflex control of heart rate during hypoxia in humans.

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the contribution of the carotid body chemoreceptors to changes in baroreflex control of heart rate with exposure to hypoxia. We hypothesized spontaneous cardiac baroreflex sensitivity (scBRS) would be reduced with hypoxia and this effect would be blunted when carotid chemoreceptor activity was reduced with low‐dose dopamine. Fifteen healthy adults (11 M/4 F) completed two visits randomized to intravenous dopamine or placebo (saline). On each visit, subjects were exposed to 5‐min normoxia (~99% SpO2), followed by 5‐min hypoxia (~84% SpO2). Blood pressure (intra‐arterial catheter) and heart rate (ECG) were measured continuously and scBRS was assessed by spectrum and sequence methodologies. scBRS was reduced with hypoxia (P 0.05). Present findings are consistent with a reduction in scBRS with systemic hypoxia. Furthermore, we show this effect is partially mediated by the carotid body chemoreceptors, given the fall in scBRS is attenuated when activity of the chemoreceptors is reduced with low‐dose dopamine. However, the improvement in scBRS with dopamine appears to be specific to rising blood pressures. These results may have important implications for impairments in baroreflex function common in disease states of acute and/or chronic hypoxemia, as well as the experimental use of dopamine to assess such changes.
Impact Of Amyloid Beta Imaging On Diagnosis And Clinical Management Of Hypothetical Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment Or Dementia. (P3.210)

OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential impact of amyloid beta imaging information on diagnostic judgments and management recommendations by clinicians evaluating patients presenting with a cognitive complaint. BACKGROUND: Positron emission tomography (PET) can detect beta-amyloid plaque accumulations, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). FDA has approved this technology based on its accuracy relative to post-mortem assessment. This study further assesses amyloid PET imaging by measuring its potential to influence diagnostic judgments and patient management recommendations. DESIGN/METHODS: We surveyed 315 practicing neurologists (N = 159), geriatricians (N = 22), and psychiatrists (N = 134), presenting each with a vignette describing one of three randomly selected hypothetical patients with a cognitive complaint (unexplained MCI, possible AD, or atypically young-onset dementia). Each vignette also included (at random) amyloid PET imaging findings consistent with AD (“positive finding”), findings inconsistent with AD (“negative finding”), or no mention of amyloid PET imaging findings. We then asked respondents about diagnosis and patient management. We tested associations using multiple logistic regression (two possible outcomes) or ordered logistic regression (ordinal outcomes), controlling for multiple factors simultaneously. RESULTS: DIAGNOSIS - Compared to respondents shown no amyloid PET imaging information, respondents given positive findings were 5.9 times more likely to include AD as a sole or contributing factor; respondents shown negative findings were 10 times less likely to include AD in their diagnosis. Positive amyloid PET imaging findings increased diagnostic confidence, while negative findings had no effect. MANAGEMENT - Relative to no amyloid PET imaging, findings did not in general alter care, although for young-onset dementia patients, negative amyloid PET imaging findings made respondents more likely to say they would refer patients to other clinicians. CONCLUSIONS: Because this large-scale survey indicates amyloid PET imaging influences dementia diagnosis, this technology can potentially help clinicians make more appropriate care recommendations. However, additional research is required to understand the extent of the impact. Study Supported by: GE Healthcare Disclosure: Dr. Cohen has received research support from GE Healthcare. Dr. Zhong has received research support from GE Healthcare. Dr. Karlawish has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Dr. Karlawish has received license fee payments.
Kinetics of self-assembled monolayer formation on individual nanoparticles

Self-assembled monolayer (SAM) formation of alkanethiols on nanoparticle surfaces is an extensively studied surface reaction. But the nanoscale aspects of the rich microscopic kinetics of this reaction may remain hidden due to ensemble-averaging in colloidal samples, which is why we investigated in real-time how alkanethiol SAMs form on a single Ag nanoparticle. From single-nanoparticle trajectories obtained using in situ optical spectroscopy, the kinetics of SAM formation appears to be limited by the growth of the layer across the nanoparticle surface. A significant spread in the growth kinetics is seen between nanoparticles. The single-nanoparticle rate distributions suggest two distinct modes for SAM growth: spillover of adsorbed thiols from the initial binding sites on the nanoparticle and direct adsorption of thiol from solution. At low concentrations, wherein direct adsorption from solution is not prevalent and growth takes place primarily by adsorbate migration, the SAM formation rate was less variable from one nanoparticle to another. On the other hand, at higher thiol concentrations, when both modes of growth were operative, the population of nanoparticles with inherent variations in surface conditions and/or morphology exhibited a heterogeneous distribution of rates. These new insights into the complex dynamics of SAM formation may inform synthetic strategies for ligand passivation and functionalization of nanoparticles and models of reactive adsorption and catalysis on nanoparticles.
Learning task goals interactively with visual demonstrations

Abstract Humans are extremely good at quickly teaching and learning new tasks through situated instructions; tasks such as learning a novel game or household chore. From studying such instructional interactions, we have observed that humans excel at communicating information through multiple modalities, including visual, linguistic, and physical ones. Rosie is a tabletop robot implemented in the Soar architecture that learns new tasks from online interactive language instruction. In the past, the features of each task’s goal were explicitly described by a human instructor through language. In this work, we develop and study additional techniques for learning representations of goals. For game tasks, the agent can be given visual demonstrations of goal states, refined by human instructions. For procedural tasks, the agent uses information derived from task execution to determine which state features must be included in its goal representations. Using both approaches, Rosie learns correct goal representations from a single goal example or task execution across multiple games, puzzles, and procedural tasks. As expected, in most cases, the number of words required to teach the task is reduced when visual goal demonstrations are used. We also identify shortcomings of our approach and outline future research.