cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An adaptive approach to data placement

Programming distributed-memory machines requires careful placement of data to balance the computational load among the nodes and minimize excess data movement between the nodes. Most current approaches to data placement require the programmer or compiler to place data initially and then possibly to move it explicitly during a computation. This paper describes a new, adaptive approach. It is implemented in the Adapt system, which takes an initial data placement, efficiently monitors how well it performs and changes the placement whenever the monitoring indicates that a different placement would perform better. Adapt frees the programmer from having to specify data placements, and it can use run-time information to find better placements than compilers. Moreover, Adapt automatically supports a "variable block" placement, which is especially useful for applications with nearest-neighbor communication but an imbalanced workload. For applications in which the best data placement varies dynamically, using Adapt can lead to better performance than using any statically determined data placement.
Transient current pulses in rocket‐extended wires used to trigger lightning

[1] We analyze current, electric field, and optical signatures of the sudden electrical breakdown processes (precursors) that occur at the top of the upward extending, grounded, Kevlar-covered copper wires used to artificially trigger lightning. For one launch, before the sustained upward positive leader initiated, we estimate that up to 10,000 precursors occurred (one every few hundred microseconds) with peak currents from 1 to more than 100 A. Luminosity at the wire tip was observed for 339 of 410 precursors examined in detail and, in seven cases, discharge channels developed to lengths of 3 to 8 m over times of several hundred microseconds. The measured propagation speeds of current pulses on the triggering wires were less than the speed of light, and decreased from about 2.8 × 108 m s−1 to about 2.3 × 108 m s−1with increasing wire-top heights from about 80 m to about 340 m. The triggering wire and its grounding system are modeled as uniform transmission lines with model predictions that are consistent with the measured wire-base precursor current signatures. The modeling shows that (1) the characteristic impedance of the triggering wire, the ratio of the propagating precursor voltage pulse to its associated current pulse, is between 600 and 800 Ω; (2) the 25 m ground rod grounding impedance for the peak precursor current is about 100 Ω, while the DC grounding resistance is 20 Ω; and (3) the current reflection coefficient at ground for peak precursor current is ∼0.9.
Communications/network standards in the textile industry

The need for standards in communications and networks in the textile and related industries is discussed. The types of protocols used in the industry from the machine level to a computer-integrated manufacturing environment are described. Several case studies are given to illustrate specific problems and needs. A summary of the current status and potential future development of standards in this area is presented. >
Ab initio Study on the Complex Forming Reaction of OH and H 2 O in the Gas Phase

The estimation of the concentration of hydroxyl radical (OH) in the atmosphere is essential to build atmospheric models and to understand the mechanisms of the reactions involved in OH. Although water vapor is one of the most abundant species in the troposphere, only a few studies have been performed for the reaction of OH and water vapor. Here I demonstrate an ab initio study on the complex forming reation of OH with H₂O in the gas phase performed based on density functional theory to calculate the reaction rate and the energy states of the reactant and the OH-H₂O complex. The structure of the complex, which belongs to the Cs point group, was optimized at global minima. The transition state was not found at the B3LYP and MP2 levels of theory. Rate constants of the forward and the reverse reactions were calculated as 1.1×10 -16 cm³ molecule -1 s -1 and 5.3×10 9 s -1 , respectively. The extremely slow rates of complex forming reaction and the resulting hydrogen atom exchange reaction of OH and H₂O, which are consistent with experimentally determined values, imply a negligible possibility of a change in OH reactivity through the title reaction.
Trade openness and the effectiveness of fiscal policy: some empirical evidence

Is the potency of fiscal policy lower for more open economies, as suggested by economic theory? Using annual data from the period 1951–2007, for 62 developed and developing economies, the paper’s empirical findings show that the effectiveness of fiscal policy is indeed reduced by an economy’s trade openness, and that the effect is quantitatively substantial. In particular, the paper’s estimates suggest that an increase in trade openness by 10% of GDP reduces the magnitude of the long-run fiscal multiplier by 5–6%.
Study of the electronic structure of M(CO)5Cl complexes (M = Mn, Re) using X-ray spectroscopy and density-functional theory

The electronic structure of M(CO)5Cl metal complexes (M = Mn, Re) has been investigated by X-ray emission spectroscopy. The obtained X-ray emission C Kα, OKα, Cl Kβ1, MnLα, and MnKβ5 spectra for Mn(CO)5Cl and ReLβ5 spectra for Re(CO)5Cl have been interpreted on the basis of the quantum-mechanical calculations by the method of density-functional theory, using the Gaussian-98 program. The investigation of Mn(CO)5Cl and Re(CO)5Cl showed similarity of the electronic structure of both complexes. Only small differences have been revealed in the energy structure and orbital occupancies of the atomic orbitals of the corresponding molecular orbitals; these differences are caused by the difference of the type of metal ions and the molecule geometry. On the basis of the performed quantum-mechanical calculations, theoretical X-ray emission spectra have been constructed, which reproduce well the characteristic features of the corresponding experimental spectra of M(CO)5Cl metal complexes (M = Mn, Re).
New and Emerging Theories of Cardiovascular Disease: Infection and Elevated Iron:

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women in industrialized countries. Despite the tremendous gains made in decreasing the number of deaths due to cardiovascular disease, it still is health care's greatest challenge. Traditional risk factors account for only 50% of the incidence of cardiac disease. In fact, many individuals who develop heart disease have normal cholesterol and blood pressure levels. This suggests that other less well-studied risk factors may also play a role. The purpose of this report is to examine the role that recently suggested risk factors may play in the development of heart disease: coronary artery infection, specifically from Chlamydia pneumoniae, and elevated iron levels. Both initiate an inflammatory response, which might explain the elevated C-reactive protein levels frequently found in those who suffer from cardiac disease.
Control of TRAPATT oscillations by optically generated carriers

It is demonstrated that, by generating carriers optically within a TRAPATT oscillator, startup jitter can be held to a short duration over a wider range in operating conditions, and intrapulse frequency drift may be virtually eliminated. In addition, optical carrier generation is shown to provide the basis of a novel frequency tuning technique capable of producing extremely fast intrapulse frequency switching.
Thematic metaphors in relational communication: A conceptual framework

A framework is presented for analyzing the role of episodic communication in relationship construction. The framework consists of two key concepts: metaphor and theme. A detailed case study is presented to support and illustrate the framework. Conceptual linkages are made between main metaphors (such as “relationship is captivation,” “relationship is worship”) and themes (such as “commitment,” “manipulation,” “respect”). The external systematicity between these metaphors and themes also is discussed.
31P chemical shift imaging of the regionally ischemic perfused heart

The application of one-dimensional 31P chemical shift imaging to the study of the isolated perfused rat heart is described. Its applicability for the examination of regional ischemia in the isolated perfused rat heart is demonstrated. The data sets show clearly the localization to the ischemic and nonischemic regions of the heart. Such studies will permit the correlation of cardiac metabolism and function in a controlled manner that is not possible in the application of these techniques to the intact animal. In particular, the time resolution of the experiments will enable spatially localized metabolic studies to be performed during the onset of ischemia and during reperfusion.
Effective use of color in computer graphics

Color is a significant component of computer aided visualization of information, concepts and ideas. The use of color in all applications of computer graphics enhances the image, clarifies the information presented, and helps distinguish features that are obscure in black and white pictures. Color is used to differentiate elements in the diagrams so that the comparative information is read and understood rapidly and accurately. Color visualization techniques increase the amount of information that can be integrated into the visual message or picture, and thus create layers of information. It is clear that research and discovery can be supported and enhanced by color application, or inhibited by ineffectual use of color. In order to effectively utilize color in the visualization of ideas, information, or concepts, the role of color in various applications must be examined, and the perceptual behavior of color must be delineated. The basic principles of color theory have been discussed to provide a fundamental understanding of the characteristics of color and the manner in which colors interact with one another. Based on these principles, the user will be better able to utilize color in an effective manner relative to specific applications in color graphics.
Experimental performance evaluation of location distinction for MIMO links

A radio channel-based location distinction system monitors physical layer measurements of received signals to detect if a transmitter has changed position since its previous transmission. This paper explores the design space for MIMO-based location distinction systems. Using extensive channel measurements collected with two different MIMO testbeds, we make several observations about the tradeoffs inherent in MIMO location distinction, and the scaling of performance with respect to bandwidth, history size and insertion delay, and number of antenna elements. We show that MIMO location distinction is very reliable. For example, a 2×2 MIMO channel with a bandwidth of 80 MHz allows a 64-fold reduction in miss rate over the single-input single-output (SISO) channel for a fixed false alarm rate, achieving false alarm rates as low as 4 × 10−4 for a 2.4 × 10−4 probability of missed detection.
Real-time, in situ detection of 90Sr and 238U in soils via scintillating-fiber-sensor technology

A revolutionary sensor has been developed for observing the highly energetic beta particles that originate from the decay daughters of {sup 238}U and {sup 9O}Sr. This is accomplished through (1) constructing flat ribbons that are each composed of numerous square scintillating fibers, (2) stacking these ribbons and coupling each bundled end to a photomultiplier tube, and (3) using custom-designed electronic circuitry to measure both interlayer and intralayer coincident events. By observing the relative penetration depths of incident particles, this sensor is able to discriminate between the highly energetic betas of interest and those of lower energy. After placing the sensor on the target surface and initiating data acquisition, one obtains in a few seconds to a few minutes an accurate indication of the contaminant activity per unit weight of material (in the uppermost millimeters) directly below the sensor. This combination of speed and efficiency allows rapid surface coverage in a relatively short period of time, thereby facilitating the timely removal of these contaminants. Laboratory evaluations of a prototype version of this sensor have indicated that contamination levels less than 5 pCi/g (1.8 x 10{sup 2} Bq/kg) can be determined within a few minutes.
The Rhetorical Construction of Multilingual Students.

The TESOL Quarterly invites commentary on current trends or practices in the TESOL profession. It also welcomes responses or rebuttals to any articles or remarks published here in The Forum or elsewhere in the Quarterly.
Conventional and 3-Dimensional Computerized Tomography in Eagle’s Syndrome, Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia, and Asymptomatic Controls

ObjectiveEagle’s syndrome (ES) is an aggregate of symptoms, including recurrent throat pain, foreign body sensation, dysphagia, or facial pain related to an elongated styloid process (SP). It resembles glossopharyngeal neuralgia and has been linked to irritation of the glossopharyngeal nerve. This study was designed to determine whether computerized tomography (CT) imaging of the stylohyoid chain (SHC) differs between asymptomatic controls (ACs), patients with glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GN), and patients with ES.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingTertiary otolaryngology practice.Subjects and MethodsConventional and 3-dimensional CT reconstructions of the SHC were reviewed for 10 ES, 17 GN, and 30 AC patients. Demographic and clinical symptom data were recorded. Anatomic data collected from CT scans included length of the ossified SP, anterior-posterior and medial-lateral styloid process angulation, ossification pattern of the SHC, and minimum distances between the SP tip, the internal carot...
Novel structure of a high molecular weight FK506 binding protein from Arabidopsis thaliana.

We have isolated clones of an Arabidopsis gene (ROF1, forrotamaseFKBP) encoding a high molecular weight member of the FK506 binding protein (FKBP) family. The deduced amino acid sequence of ROF1 predicts a 551-amino acid, 62 kDa polypeptide which is 44% identical to human FKBP59 — a 59 kDa FKBP which binds to the 90 kDa heat shock protein and is associated with inactive steroid hormone receptors. ROF1 contains three FKBP12-like domains in the N-terminal portion of the protein (in contrast to two domains in mammalian FKBP59), an internal repeat structure associated with protein-protein interactions (tetratricopeptide repeats), and a putative calmodulin binding domain near the C-terminal region of the protein. No sequences associated with protein translocation out of the cytosol were found in ROF1.ROF1 mRNA was found at equivalent low levels in light-grown roots, stems, and flowers and at slightly higher levels in leaves. The abundance ofROF1 mRNA increased several-fold under stress conditions such as wounding or exposure to elevated NaCl levels.
Converting Amino Acid Alignment Scores into Measures of Evolutionary Time: A Simulation Study of Various Relationships

Amino acid substitution tables are essential for the proper alignment of protein sequences, and alignment scores based on them can be transformed into distance measures by various means. In the simplest case, the negative log of the score is used. This Poisson relationship assumes that all sites are equally likely to change, however. A more accurate relationship would correct for different rates of change at each residue position. Recently, Grishin (J. Mol. Evol. 41:675–679, 1995) published a set of simple equations that correct for various circumstances, including different rates of change at different sites. We have used these equations in conjunction with similarity scores that take into account constraints on amino acid interchange. Simulation studies show a linear relationship between these calculated distances and the numbers of allowed mutations based on the observed variation of rate at all sites in various proteins.
ChainFarm: A novel authentication protocol for high-rate any source probabilistic broadcast

Broadcast communication prevails for data dissemination and resource discovery. In mission-critical applications, extensive information sharing and coordination endow broadcast with new features: a large number of active broadcast sources, probabilistic broadcast reception and high receiving rate. We identify this type of broadcast traffic as ASP Bcast traffic. Many efforts have been made to authenticate broadcast source and prevent content modification in a light-weighted way using one-way hash chain (TESLA). However, they do not scale to a large number of senders. In addition, authentication delay increases under packet losses and probabilistic broadcast. The longer authentication is postponed, the longer packets are buffered, which poses a memory-based denial-of-service (DoS) threat. In this paper, we will present an efficient authentication protocol for ASP Bcast traffic, called ChainFarm. We propose an algorithm for parameter configuration to satisfy both memory and delay requirements with maximal resilience against compromise. Simulation results agree with our analysis and show distinct performance improvement.
A multi-phase mathematical programming approach for effective supply chain design

Abstract A supply chain is an alliance of independent business processes, such as supplier, manufacturing, and distribution processes that perform the critical functions in the order fulfillment process. Effective design and management of supply chains assists in production and delivery of a variety of products at low cost, high quality, and short lead times. Although the importance of supply chain design is emphasized in the literature, few formal decision models have been proposed for this purpose. This paper presents a multi-phase mathematical programming approach for effective supply chain design. More specifically, the methodology develops and applies a combination of multi-criteria efficiency models, based on game theory concepts, and linear and integer programming methods. Model application and insights are detailed through numerical illustrations.
Palladium-Mediated Surface-Initiated Kumada Catalyst Polycondensation: A Facile Route Towards Oriented Conjugated Polymers

Palladium-mediated surface-initiated Kumada catalyst transfer polycondensation is used to generate poly(3-methyl thiophene) films with controlled thickness up to 100 nm. The palladium initiator density is measured using cyclic voltammetry and a ferrocene-capping agent, where the surface density is found to be 55% (1.1 × 10(14) molecules per cm(2)). UV-Vis spectroscopy and AFM show increased aggregation in palladium-initiated films due to the higher grafting density of palladium initiators on the surface. The anisotropy of the P3MT films is determined using polarized UV-Vis spectroscopy, which indicates a degree of orientation perpendicular to the substrate. Evidence that palladium can maintain π-complexation even at elevated temperatures, is also shown through the exclusive intramolecular coupling of both a phenyl and thiophene-based magnesium bromide with different dihaloarenes.
In-circuit test techniques cut programming requirements

Screening printed-circuit cards for assembly and component defects simplifies the entire testing programme.
The Other Side of MMPs: Protective Roles in Tumor Progression

The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family of extracellular proteinases have long been associated with cancer invasion and metastasis by virtue of their ability to collectively degrade all components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The general belief that overexpression of a specific MMP, either by tumor cells or the surrounding stroma, is pro-tumorigenic led to the development of synthetic MMP inhibitors for the treatment of cancer. However, there is an increasing amount of literature demonstrating that the expression of certain MMPs, either at the primary or the metastatic site, provides a beneficial and protective effect in multiple stages of cancer progression. Here, we review the evidence for protective effects of MMPs and contrast this with pro-tumorigenic effects of either the same enzyme, or a different MMP of the same family. These studies highlight the importance of targeting specific MMPs for cancer treatment, and point to a potential reason why clinical trials of pharmaceutical inhibitors for MMPs were disappointing. In order to effectively target MMPs in cancer progression, a better understanding of both their pro- and anti-tumorigenic effects is required.
First laboratory observation of freely propagating electrostatic waves produced by intense, localized field structures

Freely propagating electrostatic waves (free modes) are observed to be produced by intense, localized field structures in laboratory measurements performed in an unmagnetized plasma in a state of strong Langmuir turbulence. The freely traveling waves conform to the Langmuir dispersion relation and have an average frequency which is approximately $11%$ higher than the average frequency of the localized field structures. The observations are consistent with the predictions of strong Langmuir turbulence theory.
A facile fabrication technique for stretchable interconnects and transducers via laser carbonization

This paper presents a facile, low-cost approach for fabricating highly-porous conductive carbon patterns on elastomeric substrates using laser carbonization of polyimide and its subsequent transfer onto a PDMS sheet. Using this technique, we fabricated stretchable interconnects and an array of piezoresistive tactile sensors. Raman spectra of pyrolyzed carbon regions revealed that under optimal laser settings, one can obtain highly porous carbon particles, nanotubes, and graphite sheets with sheet resistances as low as 50 Ω/. Characterizations of the stretchable patterns showed linear sensitivities of 8.912 kΩ/e% and 518Ω/N in response to strain and normal force, respectively.
Transformation between fractionally charged and integrally charged quarks induced by rishons

Although there is no unitary transformation between the fractional and integrally charged quark states the rishon model can be used to map exactly the standard quark model of hadrons into the integrally charged-quark model, orvice versa, in particular into the (ev)-model. Only a rearrangement of quarks and a rishon pair process\(T\overline T \leftrightarrow VV\) is needed.
Spatial Distribution of the Geomagnetic Spectral Composition for Disturbed Days

Seven geomagnetically disturbed days were studied at a number of stations in the American Hemisphere for the purpose of determining the systematic spectral composition changes with activity level, Ap, and geomagnetic latitude. The spectral amplitudes, A, at 5, 10, 30, 60, and 120-min period, T, from a Fourier analysis of magnetograms showed a linear relationship with Ap that varied with T. There was an auroral latitude maximum of activity at all periods (which shifted poleward for lower Ap), a low latitude minimum, and a daytime equatorial enhancement of the spectra. Calling m the spectral slope from A=kTm, where k is a constant, the slopes were determined for the period ranges of 5 to 10, 10 to 60, and 60 to 240min. Average slope values in these ranges were about 2.4, 1.0, and 0.8 respectively. The 10 to 60-min slope values increased linearly with increasing Ap and decreased at auroral latitudes.
Hematein, a casein kinase II inhibitor, inhibits lung cancer tumor growth in a murine xenograft model

Casein kinase II (CK2) inhibitors suppress cancer cell growth. In this study, we examined the inhibitory effects of a novel CK2 inhibitor, hematein, on tumor growth in a murine xenograft model. We found that in lung cancer cells, hematein inhibited cancer cell growth, Akt/PKB Ser129 phosphorylation, the Wnt/TCF pathway and increased apoptosis. In a murine xenograft model of lung cancer, hematein inhibited tumor growth without significant toxicity to the mice tested. Molecular docking showed that hematein binds to CK2α in durable binding sites. Collectively, our results suggest that hematein is an allosteric inhibitor of protein kinase CK2 and has antitumor activity to lung cancer.
A Comparison of Cambodian-American Adolescent Substance Use Behavior to National and Local Norms

Abstract Introduction This study was designed to compare rates of alcohol, marijuana, and cigarette use in Cambodian-American adolescents with norms from nationally- and regionally-representative peers. Methods Substance use data from 439 10th grade Cambodian-American adolescents in Long Beach, California were compared to grade- and gender-matched nationally representative data from the Monitoring the Future study and data from the California Healthy Kids Survey of students within the same school district. Results Overall, the Cambodian-American youth were less likely than nationally- and regionally-representative youth to use alcohol, marijuana, and cigarettes. Specifically, relative to estimates obtained for the general population and students attending school in the same school district, Cambodian-American youth were significantly less likely to use alcohol and marijuana. Cambodian-American youth were also less likely than youth in the general population to smoke cigarettes, but did not differ statistically from youth within their same school district. Conclusions As a group, Cambodian-American youth may not be at especially high risk for substance use. As is the case with virtually all populations, some individuals within the Cambodian-American group are likely to have more difficulty than others with substance use concerns. Thus, additional research is needed to identify factors that might help to identify high users with potential service needs.
Filling the gap between neuropsychological assessment and therapy: The collaborative therapeutic neuropsychological assessment model: A review of Tad T. Gorske & Steven R. Smith. (2009). Collaborative therapeutic neuropsychological assessment

Following the work of Finn (1996) in the area of Therapeutic Assessment, and Miller and Rollnick (2002) in the area of Motivational Interviewing, a text that outlined a more collaborative and patie...
Effect of transforming growth factor-β on human chorionic gonadotropin in induced testosterone production by cultured rat testicular cells

Abstract The potential role of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) as an intragonadal regulator in the testis was investigated by studying the effect of TGF-β on tostesterone (T) production by neonatal rat testis cells in primary cultures. After 3 days of preincubation in serum-free medium, testis cells were treated with hormones for 3 additional days. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) treatment (0.3–30 ng/ml) of testis cells elicited a dose-dependent increase of T levels with maximum values > 9-fold over baseline. Although TGF-β alone did not affect T levels, a dose-dependent inhibition of hCG-stimulated T production was observed when cells were cotreated with TGF-β. Maximal inhibition was > 85% and the IC50 value was 5 ng/ml (2 × 10−10 M; n = 5 experiments). This inhibitory effect was evident 48h after the initiation of treatment and could be reversed 1 day after the cessation of TGF-β exposure of cells. TGF-β also reduced forskolin and (BU)2 cAMP-induced T production (> 85% decrease), indicating that TGF-β can inhibit steroidogenesis distal to the formation of cAMP. The conversion of exogenously added androgen precursors (progesterone (P) and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone) to T by hCG-stimulated cells was suppressed by the addition of TGF-β. In contrast, endogenous P accumulation did not change in cultures treated with TGF-β. Because TGF-β-like activity has been found in the testis, the observed inhibitory effect of TGF-β suggests a potential intratesticular regulatory role of this growth factor.
Kanengamah and Pohnpei's Politics of Concealment

Kanengamah is an abstract quality and a manner of behaving fundamental to social life on Pohnpei, in Micronesia's Eastern Caroline Islands. It entails the habit of concealment; most social interactions are conditioned by the expectation that all parties are engaged in dissembling. Kanengamah enables Pohnpeians simultaneously to exalt their leaders and to remain remarkably free from their authority. As a consequence, “hierarchical” and “egalitarian” social forms are interdependent rather than mutually exclusive categories.
Eddy Asymmetry in the Sheared Heated Boundary Layer

Abstract Statistical measures are developed to study the influence of mean shear on the asymmetry of eddy updrafts as observed from low-level aircraft flights in HAPEX, FIFE, and SESAME. This asymmetry involves formation of microfronts between updrafts with slow horizontal motion and downdrafts with faster horizontal motion. The variance of the Haar-wavelet transform (step-function basis) is found to be a superior indicator of the dominant scales of such eddies compared to the structure function. For those analyses where scale dependence is not of interest, the simpler structure function is applied. The coherent structures at the dominant scale are examined by computing eigenvectors of the lagged correlation matrix based on conditionally sampled events. With strong mean shear and weak surface heating, the horizontal motion field of the main coherent eddies is more in phase with the vertical motion which corresponds to efficient vertical transport of horizontal momentum. With stronger heating and weaker me...
Burned area in Kalimantan, Indonesia mapped with NOAA-AVHRR and Landsat TM imagery

(2001). Burned area in Kalimantan, Indonesia mapped with NOAA-AVHRR and Landsat TM imagery. International Journal of Remote Sensing: Vol. 22, No. 4, pp. 691-697.
Dynamic regulation of spike-timing dependent plasticity in electrosensory processing

This study investigates the control of spike-timing dependent plasticity (STDP) by regulation of the dendritic spike threshold of the postsynaptic neuron. The control of synaptic plasticity may be implemented in the electrosensory system of mormyrid electric fish by feedback control. Dendritic spikes constitute the timing signal of the STDP learning rule that regulates the output of this initial electrosensory processing structure, and the threshold of these spikes appears to be regulated by recurrent inputs from an external nucleus. However, the control dynamics must be shown to be stable, and the conditions for stability would constrain potential models of synaptic regulation. The global stability conditions for the control of STDP are derived using nonlinear control dynamical theory.
Some chemical properties of rat testicular lactate dehydrogenase.

Abstract 1. 1. Sperm-specific homotetrameric lactate dehydrogenase LDH-X (C 4 ) has been purified from rat testes to homogeneity by employing the technique of affinity chromatography. 2. 2. The amino acid composition and tryptic peptide map of rat LDH-X were obtained and were compared to those of a variety of lactate dehydrogenase isozymes, including LDH-M(A 4 ), LDH-H(B 4 ) and LDH-X(C 4 ) from the mouse. 3. 3. The compositional relatedness as well as tryptic peptide maps appear to suggest that subunit C of rat is more similar to subunit C of mouse than to either subunit A or B of mouse.
Thermostatistically approaching living systems: Boltzmann–Gibbs or nonextensive statistical mechanics?

Abstract Boltzmann–Gibbs ( BG ) statistical mechanics is, since well over one century, successfully used for many nonlinear dynamical systems which, in one way or another, exhibit strong chaos . A typical case is a classical many-body short-range-interacting Hamiltonian system (e.g., the Lennard–Jones model for a real gas at moderately high temperature). Its Lyapunov spectrum (which characterizes the sensitivity to initial conditions) includes positive values. This leads to ergodicity , the stationary state being thermal equilibrium , hence standard applicability of the BG theory is verified. The situation appears to be of a different nature for various phenomena occurring in living organisms. Indeed, such systems exhibit a complexity which does not really accommodate with this standard dynamical behavior. Life appears to emerge and evolve in a kind of delicate situation, at the frontier between large order (low adaptability and long memory; typically characterized by regular dynamics, hence only nonpositive Lyapunov exponents) and large disorder (high adaptability and short memory; typically characterized by strong chaos, hence at least one positive Lyapunov exponent). Along this frontier, the maximal relevant Lyapunov exponents are either zero or close to that, characterizing what is currently referred to as weak chaos . This type of situation is shared by a great variety of similar complex phenomena in economics, linguistics, to cite but a few. BG statistical mechanics is built upon the entropy S BG = − k ∑ i p i ln p i . A generalization of this form, S q = k ( 1 − ∑ i p i q ) / ( q − 1 ) (with S 1 = S BG ), has been proposed in 1988 as a basis for formulating what is nowadays currently called nonextensive statistical mechanics . This theory appears to be particularly adapted for nonlinear dynamical systems exhibiting, precisely, weak chaos. Here, we briefly review the theory, its dynamical foundation, its applications in a variety of disciplines (with special emphasis to living systems), and its connections with the ubiquitous scale-free networks.
An Analysis of Score Patterns of Children With Attention Disorders on the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests

Objectives The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the score patterns of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT) and to determine whether their score patterns differ significantly from those of children without ADHD. Method In this retrospective study, the score patterns of 309 children with ADHD were compared with a group of 309 children without ADHD. The children were matched by norm group (reflecting age), gender, and the presence or absence of a learning disability. Both descriptive statistics and multivariate techniques were used. Results Subjects with ADHD demonstrated relative strengths in the areas of nonmotor visual perception and localization of tactile input and weaknesses with vestibular processing and in most areas of praxis or motor planning. Certain SIPT scores of subjects with ADHD were found to differ significantly from those of subjects without ADHD. The SIPT test that best discriminated the two groups was Space Visualization. Conclusions The results suggest that it may be helpful for therapists to consider the areas of praxis and vestibular processing in the evaluation and treatment of children with ADHD and that in clinical practice, it would be difficult to distinguish children with ADHD from those without on the basis of their SIPT scores. However, the ways in which the SIPT score patterns of children with ADHD differed from those without assist our understanding of the brain areas and neurological systems involved in children with ADHD.
Modern Railway Passenger-Car Auxiliary-Power Equipment

Immediately after the close of World War II, the railroads began to order a large number of passenger cars in an effort to retain part of the passenger business that had come to them during the war years. As might have been expected, a large number of different ideas were given a quick try-out and adopted by different railroads. Many of these ideas had as their basis a very large increase in the amount of power which would be required for electric devices on the cars.
Alterations in transforming growth factor‐α and epidermal growth factor receptor expression during rat esophageal tumorigenesis

Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) stimulates cell proliferation through interaction with its receptor, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), by activating its tyrosine kinase activities. The simultaneous overexpression of TGF-alpha and EGFR by tumor cells is thought to trigger the autocrine growth pathway, leading to uncontrolled proliferation. To examine their roles in rat esophageal tumorigenesis induced by the chemical carcinogen N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBA), TGF-alpha, and EGFR expression was evaluated in normal rat esophageal epithelium, in NMBA-induced preneoplastic lesions, and in papillomas by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemical analyses. Compared with the levels in normal epithelium, the TGF-alpha and EGFR mRNA levels in esophageal papillomas were 3.6 and 1.9 times higher, respectively. In the preneoplastic epithelium, although a trend of increased TGF-alpha and EGFR mRNA levels was observed, collectively there were no significant differences between preneoplastic and normal samples by RT-PCR analysis. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining showed increased levels of TGF-alpha and EGFR mRNA and protein products in papillomas and in pronounced hyperplastic and dysplastic lesions. TGF-alpha and EGFR expression correlated with each other and with the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, a marker for cell proliferation. These results suggest that disregulation of TGF-alpha and EGFR expression may contribute to autonomous cell growth and may play an important role in rat esophageal tumorigenesis induced by NMBA.
Effect of a clinical pharmacy service on lipid control in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Objective Our group and others have previously established that patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) are significantly undertreated with respect to overall cardiovascular risk factor management, despite national guidelines to the contrary. In an effort to maximize risk factor control in our patients with PAD, we established a pharmacist-managed, physician-monitored algorithmic approach to the outpatient management of lipids in patients with PAD. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of this service on lipid screening and control in patients with PAD. Methods We analyzed the records of patients treated at a large, group-model, not-for-profit regional managed care system serving approximately 405,000 members. An electronic medical record provided full examination, laboratory, and pharmacy data for all patients. Pharmacy data were analyzed to determine prescriptions for lipid-lowering agents. Lipid control was assessed through fasting lipid data. Patients with validated PAD and the absence of clinical coronary artery disease (CAD) were offered the service between May 2003 and September 2004 and followed up for a minimum of 6 months. Results We administratively identified 5159 active patients with a diagnosis of PAD. Of these, 1075 could be validated with a noninvasive arterial study. The exclusion of 384 patients with a diagnosis of CAD resulted in a cohort of 691 patients. Of these, 90 patients were enrolled in the lipid service (study group), and 601 received standard care. Mean follow-up was 17.1 months. Screening fasting lipid profiles were found in 95.6% (86/90) of patients in the study group and only 66.9% (402/601) of the standard care patients ( P P P P Conclusions Despite national consensus of PAD as a CAD equivalent, patients are currently undertreated with regard to atherosclerotic risk factor modification. Initiation of a pharmacist-managed, physician-monitored lipid service provides improved compliance with national guidelines.
Effects of time, surface area, pH and some ions on protein adsorption by bovine enamel.

Some aspects of protein adsorption were studied by measuring nitrogen uptake on 100–200 mesh bovine enamel. Using casein, it was found that after initial rapid adsorption uptake continued at a slowing rate for 60 min. Protein adsorption increased with decreasing size of enamel powder, with mesh size below 270 taking up more than 7 times that of 20–40 mesh particles. Less casein, bovine serum gamma globulin and gelatin were adsorbed from 0.01M phosphate buffer as the pH was raised from pH 6 to pH 8. Comparisons of the effect of various ions showed that potassium phosphate and sodium citrate interfered with adsorption of gelatin, while calcium chloride gave evidence of increasing it. Sodium fluoride gave ambiguous results.
A singular hybrid finite element analysis of boundary-layer stresses in composite laminates

Abstract A singular hybrid finite element method for studying boundary-layer stresses in composite laminates is presented. The laminate elasticity basis and the fundamental solution structure for the boundary-layer field are briefly reviewed first. Formulation of a singular composite-edge element is based on the recently developed boundary-layer theory and the variational principle of a modified hybrid functional. The singular hybrid element is used conveniently in conjunction with displacement-based conventional elements. Numerical solutions for the well-known Pipes-Pagano problem are presented for illustration. Comparisons of the present solution with the laminate elasticity solution and conventional finite element results are made to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the present approach. Influences of eigenfunction truncation, size and aspect ratio of the singular hybrid element as well as mesh configuration are studied.
A Family of Distributions for the Error Term in Linear Mixing Models for Hyperspectral Images

A traditional linear-mixing model with a structured background used in the hyperspectral imaging literature often assumes normality (Gaussianity) of the error term. This assumption is often questioned. In previous research, we show that the normal (Gaussian) distribution gives only a very crude approximation to the actual error term distribution. In this paper, we use a broader class of distributions called exponential power (or error) distributions. We investigate suitability of those distributions using a specific example of an AVIRIS hyperspectral image. We demonstrate that the exponential power distributions provide a satisfactory description of the marginal error term distributions for the AVIRIS hyperspectral image used in this paper.
SASS: self-adaptation using stochastic search

Future-generation self-adaptive systems will need to be able to optimize for multiple interrelated, difficult-to-measure, and evolving quality properties. To navigate this complex search space, current self-adaptive planning techniques need to be improved. In this position paper, we argue that the research community should more directly pursue the application of stochastic search techniques -- search techniques, such as hill climbing or genetic algorithms, that incorporate an element of randomness -- to self-adaptive systems research. These techniques are well-suited to handling multi-dimensional search spaces and complex problems, situations which arise often for self-adaptive systems. We believe that recent advances in both fields make this a particularly promising research trajectory. We demonstrate one way to apply some of these advances in a search-based planning prototype technique to illustrate both the feasibility and the potential of the proposed research. This strategy informs a number of potentially interesting research directions and problems. In the long term, this general technique could enable sophisticated plan generation techniques that improve domain specific knowledge, decrease human effort, and increase the application of self-adaptive systems.
General Background on the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid (HPT) Axis

This article reviews the thyroid system, mainly from a mammalian standpoint. However, the thyroid system is highly conserved among vertebrate species, so the general information on thyroid hormone production and feedback through the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis should be considered for all vertebrates, while species-specific differences are highlighted in the individual articles. This background article begins by outlining the HPT axis with its components and functions. For example, it describes the thyroid gland, its structure and development, how thyroid hormones are synthesized and regulated, the role of iodine in thyroid hormone synthesis, and finally how the thyroid hormones are released from the thyroid gland. It then progresses to detail areas within the thyroid system where disruption could occur or is already known to occur. It describes how thyroid hormone is transported in the serum and into the tissues on a cellular level, and how thyroid hormone is metabolized. There is an in-depth description of the alpha and beta thyroid hormone receptors and their functions, including how they are regulated, and what has been learned from the receptor knockout mouse models. The nongenomic actions of thyroid hormone are also described, such as in glucose uptake, mitochondrial effects, and its role in actin polymerization and vesicular recycling. The article discusses the concept of compensation within the HPT axis and how this fits into the paradigms that exist in thyroid toxicology/endocrinology. There is a section on thyroid hormone and its role in mammalian development: specifically, how it affects brain development when there is disruption to the maternal, the fetal, the newborn (congenital), or the infant thyroid system. Thyroid function during pregnancy is critical to normal development of the fetus, and several spontaneous mutant mouse lines are described that provide research tools to understand the mechanisms of thyroid hormone during mammalian brain development. Overall this article provides a basic understanding of the thyroid system and its components. The complexity of the thyroid system is clearly demonstrated, as are new areas of research on thyroid hormone physiology and thyroid hormone action developing within the field of thyroid endocrinology. This review provides the background necessary to review the current assays and endpoints described in the following articles for rodents, fishes, amphibians, and birds.
Isolation and characterization of several aromatic sesquiterpenes from Commiphora myrrha

The puriﬁcation and structure characterization of seven aromatic sesquiterpenes from scented Commiphora myrrha are reported. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectral data, especially of NMR evidence. Among them, compound 1 is a new furanosesquiterpene and compound 2 is identiﬁed as a new natural aroma found in Commiphora spp. All compounds except 4 were isolated, for the ﬁrst time, from Commiphora myrrha. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ethical Issues on Campus: Respecting Religious Pluralism

How can colleges and universities, especially public institutions, affirm religious and spiritual pluralism and support expressions of particular faiths within their sacred spaces?