cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Normalized natural gradient adaptive filtering for sparse and non-sparse systems

This paper introduces a class of normalized natural gradient algorithms (NNGs) for adaptive filtering tasks. Natural gradient techniques are useful for generating relatively simple adaptive filtering algorithms where the space of the adaptive coefficients is curved or warped with respect to Euclidean space. The advantage of normalizing gradient adaptive filters is that constant rates of convergence for signals with wide dynamic ranges may be achieved. We show that the so-called proportionate normalized least mean squares (PNLMS) algorithm, an adaptive filter that converges quickly for sparse solutions, is in fact an NNG on a certain parameter space warping. We also show that by choosing a warping that favors diverse or dense impulse responses, we may obtain a new adaptive algorithm, the inverse proportionate NLMS (INLMS) algorithm. This procedure converges quickly to and accurately tracks non-sparse impulse responses.
An existence theorem for recursion categories

Recursion theory has been dominated by one example. The notion of a dominical category was introduced (see [2] and [3]) at least in part in the hope of subverting this dominance. The structures of number theory, freed from this original context, led to much of modern algebra with a consequent enrichment of number theory itself: it seemed not unreasonable to attempt to contribute, however modestly, to a similar development of recursion theory. Thus (in the loosest sort of analogy) recursion categories are intended to stand in relation to the class of partial recursive functions as rings do to the rational integers.But if such a generalization is to serve its intended purpose, it ought to allow examples substantially different in spirit from the prototype. Recursion categories are, of course, the proper generalization of classical recursion theory. As a novice in this formidable field I am incapable of encompassing its full extent and must rely on the advice of others (I thank in particular R. DiPaola) in concluding that most of these earlier generalizations are not of this character. Indeed, the examples of recursion categories so far adduced (cf., in addition to the references above, [1] and [4]) are themselves closely tied to the classical one.We attempt here to open the door to radically disparate examples by proving an existence theorem allowing the construction of recursion categories in a wide, and so far unexplored, variety of contexts very distant from that of the natural or ordinal numbers and their subsets, the locus of the traditional theory.In order to do this, it has been necessary to introduce a number of unfamiliar notions—unfamiliar, that is, even in the context of the earlier discussion of dominical categories. This novelty is perhaps mitigated by the fact that, however unfamiliar, they cannot be said to be unusual, as the discussion later will show. We mention in particular those of a “formally free semigroup”, which retains the indexation function of a free semigroup, while giving up the characteristic universal property and that of “uniform generation”, which generalizes finite generation in the fashion assorted to our argument.
Mucosal growth effect of vitamin D on the duodenum.

Nach mehrmonatiger Vitamin-D-freier Diat erhielt eine Testgruppe von Ratten Vitamin D. Diese zeigte in Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe eine Zunahme des Schleimhautgewichtes im Duodenum, nicht aber im Ileum.
Jews, Gentiles, and Synagogues in the Book of Acts

Modern criticism of the book of Acts began with a hyper-Cartesian decision to doubt everything simultaneously. The author was not to be trusted as a reliable reporter on any issue of significance—the character and fate of the believers in Jerusalem, the status and role of Peter, the teaching of Paul, and so on. Recently, a former student of Krister Stendahl, A. T. Kraabel, has proposed that we should extend our skepticism to yet another area of Acts, to wit, the presence of Gentiles in all of the synagogues visited by Paul on his missionary journeys.
Aorto–Right Atrial Tunnel: Fetal Heart Failure, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Aorto–right atrial tunnel (ARAT) is a rare clinical entity. Although it is a benign finding in most cases; it can present with significant right ventricular volume overload and congestive heart failure. This report describes the first fetal diagnosis of congenital aorto–right atrial tunnel and successful management of the heart failure by surgical intervention.
Vapor phase homogeneous nucleation of acetonitrile: the effect of dipole—dipole interaction

Abstract The critical supersaturation ( S c ) required for the homogeneous nucleation of CH 3 CN vapor has been measured over the temperature range 240–300 K by use of a diffusion cloud chamber. The experimental results are in serious disagreement with the predictions of the classical nucleation theory. The discrepancy has been explained in terms of dipole—dipole interaction within the curved surface of the embryonic droplets. This correction seems to be necessary to explain the homogeneous nucleation of highly polar liquids (μ
Automatic segmentation editing for cortical surface reconstruction

Segmentation and representation of the human cerebral cortex from magnetic resonance images is an important goal in neuroscience and medicine. Accurate cortical segmentation requires preprocessing of the image data to separate certain subcortical structures from the cortex in order to generate a good initial white-matter/gray-matter interface. This step is typically manual or semi-automatic. In this paper, we propose an automatic procedure that is based on a careful analysis of the brain anatomy. Following a fuzzy segmentation of the brain image, the method first extracts the ventricles using a geometric deformable surface model. A region force, derived from the cerebrospinal membership function, is used to deform the surface towards the boundary of the ventricles, while a curvature force controls the smoothness of the surface and prevents it from growing into the outer pial surface. Next, region-growing identifies and fills the subcortical regions in each cortical slice using the detected ventricles as seeds and the white matter and several automatically determined sealing lines as boundaries. To make the method robust to segmentation artifacts, a putamen mask drawn in the Talairach coordinate system is also used to help the region growing process. Visual inspection and initial results on 15 subjects show the success of the proposed method.
How to teach robotic pulmonary resection.

When a surgeon first sits at a robotic console and sees the thoracic cavity in a 3-dimensional, 10 magnified view, most can see the advantage of robotic surgery and are eager to learn more. The visibility is far better than the current video-assisted thoracoscopic views. However, improved visibility does not necessarily guarantee improved outcomes. And this improved view comes at a cost. For example, I can drive my car home at night almost as safely using an old pair of windshield wipers in the light rain as I can with a new pair. But the trip is far more enjoyable and perhaps safer when I see the road better. In addition to the enhanced view of the operative field, the robot offers smaller instruments with more degrees of movement and freedom. These and other factors often lead the surgeon to develop a desire to learn “how to do thoracic robotic surgery.” In this article, we will focus on the “how to learn robotic pulmonary resection” as opposed to why to learn.
Genetic control of intestinal stem cell specification and development: a comparative view

Stem cells of the adult vertebrate intestine (ISCs) are responsible for the continuous replacement of intestinal cells, but also serve as site of origin of intestinal neoplasms. The interaction between multiple signaling pathways, including Wnt/Wg, Shh/Hh, BMP, and Notch, orchestrate mitosis, motility, and differentiation of ISCs. Many fundamental questions of how these pathways carry out their function remain unanswered. One approach to gain more insight is to look at the development of stem cells, to analyze the “programming” process which these cells undergo as they emerge from the large populations of embryonic progenitors. This review intends to summarize pertinent data on vertebrate intestinal stem cell biology, to then take a closer look at recent studies of intestinal stem cell development in Drosophila. Here, stem cell pools and their niche environment consist of relatively small numbers of cells, and questions concerning the pattern of cell division, niche-stem cell contacts, or differentiation can be addressed at the single cell level. Likewise, it is possible to analyze the emergence of stem cells during development more easily than in vertebrate systems: where in the embryo do stem cells arise, what structures in their environment do they interact with, and what signaling pathways are active sequentially as a result of these interactions. Given the high degree of conservation among genetic mechanisms controlling stem cell behavior in all animals, findings in Drosophila will provide answers that inform research in the vertebrate stem cell field.
Can You Find the People You Can Help? Can You Help the People that You Find?

Because of recent upsurges in medical costs, health plans, employers, and the government will increasingly demand solutions that stretch performance boundaries with regard to quality of care, provider and member satisfaction, and near term cost benefits.
Reminiscences of A.F. Losev

L.P.: Earlier, Georgii Liudvigovich, we spoke at some length about your personal acquaintance with such distinguished Russian emigre scholars and thinkers as Fr. Vasilii Zen'kovskii, N.O. Losskii, and Fr. Georgii Florovskii.1 Today I'd like to ask you about your meetings in Moscow with the late A.F. Losev.
Obstacles facing the venus radar mapper - The implications of gestalt formation in stereo-radargrammetry

The question of adapting to radar images the existing hardware that form topographic maps through stereo-photogrammetric models, is examined in principle. Such hardware utilizes a human/ computer hybrid. Although the problem of brightness differentials between corresponding landmarks can be dealt with pseudo-photoclinometrically, the main problem is whether the perspective in a radar image can be conceived to mimic that of a photographic image obtained by a suitably positioned camera. This conception is found to be possible, providing the characteristic relief subtends to a very small angle at the radar and at the fictitious camera. The photogrammetric model parameters must be determined a priori.
SeMoP: a new computational strategy for the unrestricted search for modified peptides using LC-MS/MS data.

A novel computational approach, termed Search for Modified Peptides (SeMoP), for the unrestricted discovery and verification of peptide modifications in shotgun proteomic experiments using low reso...
Transition from extended-chain to once-folded behaviour in pure n-paraffins crystallized from the melt

Abstract Nucleation theory is applied to extended-chain crystallization as background to the extended-chain to once-folded transition problem and certain unusual effects found in recent experiments. In the ‘partial stem attachment’ model employed, the activated complex leading to stem addition involves most of the length of the molecule, but only in the form of occasional contacts with the substrate. Here the lateral surface free energy σ is of mostly entropic origin. With a normal σ, the model gives the main features of the striking maximum in the extended-chain growth rate found by Ungar and Keller for n-C246H494. Complete register of the chain ends is not attained during nucleation, resulting in a transient layer of cilia on the crystal (‘kinetic ciliation’). This layer leads to an end surface free energy σ′, which is deduced from the growth rate data and used to estimate the initial thickness la of the unstable ciliated surface layer for n-C246H494. Shrinkage of la through annealing is discussed, with special reference to its effect on increasing the melting point toward its equilibrium value. This leads to an interpretation of the remarkable T′ versusTx plot for extended-chain n-C192H386 given by Stack and co-workers. Nucleation theory is employed to predict the temperature T∗ 1 at which once-folding begins in n-C246H494. With a normal value of the fold surface free energy (acting in a ‘mean field’ to account for chain end effects) the theory predicts both T∗ 1 and a marked increase in the growth rate of the once-folded species relative to that of the extended-chain at T∗ 1 . This explains the extended-chain to once-folded transition in n-C246H494, and also accounts for the previously unexplained minimum in the overall growth rate at T∗ 1 observed by Ungar and Keller. The treatment of the onset of once-folding is supported by data on other systems. The disordered nature of the initially-formed once-folded structure and its fate on annealing are discussed.
Fitting Job Performance into Turnover Model: An Examination of the Form of the Job Performance-Turnover Relationship and a Path Model

Linear and curvilinear components of job performance were studied in relation to turnover. Neither the linear nor the curvilinear hypothesis was supported as job performance was unrelated to turnover. Other higher-order effects were also not evident as job satisfaction did not moderate the job performance-turnover relationship. Using a path model, indirect linkages between job performance and job satisfaction and job performance and job search were investigated. Niether linkage was supported suggesting that job performance is not central to the turnover process. Implications of these findings for future research were discussed.
Uptake of heavy metals by Plectonema boryanum (cyanophyceae) into cellular components, especially polyphosphate bodies: An X-ray energy dispersive study

Abstract In situ X-ray energty dispersive analysis has been used to study heavy metal uptake in Plectonema boryanum . Air-dried cells observed in the STEM mode of the SEM show numerous polyphosphate bodies in the cells. By using this system as a probe to analyse cell sectors it was determined that the heavy metals Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn are all taken up and sequestered in the cell sectors with polyphosphate bodies. Smaller amounts of the metals Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn are also concentrated in the cell sectors without polyphosphate bodies. Control polyphosphate bodies cell sectors generate high P and K signals and a low Mg signal. Sometimes a Ca peak is also generated. In Cd-exposed cells the K and Mg signal is lost from the polyphosphate body cell sectors. In Cu-treated cells the Mg and K peaks are lost from the polyphosphate body cell sectors. In Pb-treated cells the K signal is reduced from both the bodies and the cell sectors without bodies. In Hg-treated cells the K signal is lost and the Ca signal is enhanced. The other metals did not significantly affect the elemental peaks generated in the polyphosphate body cell sectors or the cell sectors without polyphosphate bodies. The sequestering of heavy metals in the polyphosphate bodies is suggested as serving a dual purpose in cells by providing a storage site for essential metals and acting as a detoxification mechanism.
Observation of Pendellösung Fringe Structure in Neutron Diffraction

Observations are reported on the appearance of Pendell\"osung interference fringes within neutron Bragg reflections. These have been used to determine the atomic scattering amplitude of silicon for neutrons as (0.41646\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.00022)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}12}$ cm. Conclusions are drawn concerning the spatial extent of the neutron wave packet from the fringe characteristics.
Effects of Deaeration Methods on Dissolution Testing in Aqueous Media: A Study Using a Total Dissolved Gas Pressure Meter *

Dissolution testing is a critical method for the determination of pharmaceutical product quality and bioequivalence. For some products, dissolved gases in the dissolution medium affect dissolution results thus requiring degassing of the medium prior to use. In this study, we use a total dissolved gas and oxygen meter to measure both oxygen and total gases in dissolution media before and after application of a variety of deaeration methods. Dissolution testing results using a 10 mg Prednisone tablet (NCDA #2) are compared with the percent saturation of oxygen and total gases found in the medium. Reaeration of the medium during different stirring rates was also measured. This study confirms that measurement of total gases and not just oxygen in the medium is necessary to assess adequacy for dissolution testing. For those deaeration techniques that are performed at room temperature, the percent saturation of the total dissolved gases must be well below 100% to prevent outgassing once medium is brought to dissolution test method temperature, typically 37 degrees C.
Estudio morfométrico in vivo con microscopía confocal en tiempo real de las alteraciones epidérmicas de la piel tras dosis bajas y repetitivas de radiación ultravioleta A (UVA)

Resumen Introduccion es bien conocido que la exposicion de la piel a dosis eritemogenicas de rayos ultravioleta B (UVB) y A (UVA) produce importantes alteraciones epidermicas y dermicas. El objetivo de este estudio es examinar in vivo , mediante microscopia confocal en tiempo real, los cambios producidos en el grosor de la epidermis y sus distintas capas tras la exposicion de la piel no expuesta a dosis suberitemogenicas diarias de UVA. Material, metodos y resultados cuatro voluntarias fueron irradiadas con la mitad de la dosis minima eritemogenica de UVA en un area de 1 cm 2 en la cara interna del antebrazo durante 5 dias consecutivos por semana hasta alcanzar un total de 15 dosis acumuladas. Los cambios epidermicos fueron evaluados in vivo una vez por semana con microscopia confocal midiendo en cada evaluacion el grosor del estrato corneo, de la epidermis suprapapilar y de los procesos epidermicos interpapilares. La epidermis mostro un aumento progresivo, tanto del grosor de la capa cornea como de la epidermis suprapapilar, a partir de la segunda evaluacion (9 dosis) en el caso del estrato corneo y de la primera (4 dosis) en el caso de la epidermis suprapapilar. Este incremento fue significativo ya desde la tercera evaluacion. Por el contrario, el grosor de los procesos interpapilares no mostro cambios significativos. Conclusiones el caracter no invasivo y la posibilidad de visualizar in vivo y en tiempo real secciones opticas transversales de la piel con alta resolucion y contraste convierte a la microscopia confocal en una tecnica de gran utilidad para el estudio de procesos dinamicos como el fotoenvejecimiento. Los hallazgos del presente estudio demuestran que dosis pequenas y repetitivas de UVA producen una serie de alteraciones epidermicas, consistentes fundamentalmente en un aumento en el grosor de la epidermis, que probablemente representan una respuesta protectora de la piel contra la radiacion ultravioleta y que deben ser consideradas como las alteraciones precoces del fotoenvejecimiento cutaneo.
Taste or health : A study on consumer acceptance of corn chips

Abstract This study examined the relative contributions of taste and health considerations on consumer liking and purchase intent of corn chips. Eight types of commercial corn chips were evaluated by 305 adult consumers who also completed a brief questionnaire on food habits. Data were analysed using factor analysis. Results revealed that purchase intent of corn chips was strongly related to degree of liking and to several key sensory attributes including saltiness, corn flavor and greasiness. These variables emerged as the first factor in the analysis, suggesting that consumers perceive these characteristics as being most important in their choice of corn chips. Factor 2 described a health dimension and was related to respondents' attitudes toward fat in the diet. Factor 3 comprised two remaining sensory attributes (color and crunchiness), which apparently were of minor importance to the respondents. These data suggest that in spite of current concern about reducing dietary fat, health remains secondary to taste in the selection of corn chips for consumers in this population.
Nanostructured Biomaterials and Their Applications

Some of the most important advances in the life sciences have come from transitioning to thinking of materials and their properties on the nanoscale rather than the macro or even microscale. Improvements in imaging technology have allowed us to see nanofeatures that directly impact chemical and mechanical properties of natural and man-made materials. Now that these can be imaged and quantified, substantial advances have been made in the fields of biomimetics, tissue engineering, and drug delivery. For the first time, scientists can determine the importance of nanograins and nanoasperities in nacre, direct the nucleation of apatite and the growth of cells on nanostructured scaffolds, and pass drugs tethered to nanoparticles through the blood-brain barrier. This review examines some of the most interesting materials whose nanostructure and hierarchical organization have been shown to correlate directly with favorable properties and their resulting applications.
Preparation of isotopic sulfur targets

Abstract An evaporation technique for making sulfur isotope targets of approximately 200 μg/cm2 in thickness or greater is discussed.
Enzymatic synthesis of aromatic polyketides using PKS4 from Gibberella fujikuroi.

Iterative fungal polyketide synthases (PKSs) use a unique set of biochemical rules in the synthesis of complex polyketides. These rules dictate polyketide starter unit selection, chain length control, and post-PKS processing. We have demonstrated the E. coli expression and reconstitution of an iterative, unreduced fungal PKS. The Gibberella fujikuroi PKS4 was expressed at high levels, purified to homogeneity, and functionally characterized. In the presence of malonyl-CoA, PKS4 was able to synthesize the nonaketide 3,8,10,11-tetrahydroxy-1-methyl-12H-benzo[b]xanthen-12-one (2) as the predominant product. PKS4 selectively used octanoyl-CoA as the starter unit and synthesized two novel benzopyrone-containing polyketides. Our work sets the stage for a comprehensive characterization of the intact PKS and its domains and offers significant opportunity toward the enzymatic synthesis of additional compounds.
Transonic shock reflection problems for the self-similar two-dimensional nonlinear wave system

Abstract We discuss the regular transonic shock reflections for a model problem of multidimensional conservation laws, the nonlinear wave system. We consider two incident shocks that create reflected shocks, and the state behind the reflected shocks becomes subsonic. We present the existence of the global solution to this configuration, and provide an analysis to handle a degeneracy occurred in the problem and Lipschitz estimates near the sonic boundary. We further implement Lax–Liu positive schemes and Strang splitting, and obtain linear correlations of the incident shock strength and the reflected shock strength. The result obtained in this paper develops a mathematical theory of transonic shock reflection problems. Furthermore the numerical result provides better understanding of the solution structure. This paper provides an application of an important physical problem.
Competency-Based Teacher Education Versus the Real World: Some Natural Limitations to Bureaucratic Reform

"CBTE': Rationalization of teacher education has attractions as 'folk philosophy" and as a spurious science.
On the Betrothal of Bela-Alexius

In his youth Bela III, king of Hungary (1172-1196) lived in Constantinople as the betrothed of the emperor Manuel Comnenus' daughter and was appointed to be heir to the Byzantine throne. There he was called Alexius probably owing to an oracle, according to which Manuel's successor's name would start with the letter alpha. However, when a son - also named Alexius - was born to Manuel, he had him crowned co-emperor and had the betrothal of Bela and Maria dissolved on the pretext of a ruling of the 1166 Synod of Constantinople, which banned marriage between relations by marrige to the seventh degree. It is this ruling that is referred to in a sentence in Cinnamus, which has been ignored this far because of the assumption that Bela and Maria were related in the eighth degree. As a matter of fact, they were related in the seventh degree by the marriage of the Hungarian king Stephen IV and Maria Comnena, daughter of Isaac Sebastokrator.
Does Lower Uterine Segment Involvement in Grade 3 Endometrial Cancer Impact Recurrence Patterns and Patient Outcomes

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the impact of lower uterine segment (LUS) on progression free survival (PFS), recurrence patterns and outcomes in women with high-grade endometrial cancer. Methods: A single-institution, retrospective cohort study was performed to evaluate the impact of LUS involvement in women with stage I-III high-grade endometrial cancer diagnosed between January 2005 and September 2010. Clinical and pathology data were collected from electronic medical records. Univariate tests and multivariate Cox modeling were applied. Results: Of 282 cases, 48.6% (137/282) were LUS-positive. Body mass index, age, hypertension and diabetes did not differ by LUS status. LUS involvement was associated with lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) (52.9% vs. 30.5%, P < 0.001), deep myometrial invasion (48.9% vs. 24.1%, P < 0.001), and nodal metastases (38.7% vs. 11.6%, P < 0.001). Even after adjusting for obesity, deep myometrial invasion, LVSI, nodal status, stage, histology, and adjuvant therapy, LUS-positive cases had significantly worse PFS (HR 1.83, 95% CI 1.11 - 3.02, P = 0.02). LUS-positive cases recurred more frequently despite adjuvant therapy including radiation, chemotherapy or both. Recurrence patterns did not differ by LUS status (P = 0.22). Conclusions: LUS involvement in high-grade endometrial cancers is associated with worse PFS independent of other poor prognostic factors. Future studies evaluating volume-directed therapy may improve patient outcomes. J Clin Gynecol Obstet. 2014;3(3):85-92 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jcgo264w
Theory Behind Vibration-Based, Onboard Asphalt Density Measuring System

For more than 25 years, the hot-mix asphalt paving industry has been searching for a device that can produce accurate, real-time asphalt density readings during the compaction process. A system was developed using data gathered from department of transportation (DOT) paving projects in five states and validated through testing on DOT projects in two other states. The results indicate that through a system of sensors, an onboard computer, and radio transmissions, the onboard density-measuring system provides accurate asphalt density readings in real time and transmits the information to remote locations while building and maintaining a file of all pertinent data on the asphalt compaction process. Insight into the asphalt paving process and results showing the relationship between the vibratory signature of a vibratory asphalt compactor and the density of the asphalt mat compacted are provided.
Use of a shape memory alloy for the design of an oscillatory propulsion system

This study investigates the potential for incorporating the elastic mechanisms found in fish propulsive systems into mechanical systems for the development of underwater propulsion. Physical and kinematic information associated with the steady swimming of the bonito and other scombrid species was used for the design. Several electroactive materials were examined for simulating muscle behavior and their relative suitability was compared. A dynamic analysis method adapted for muscle, which is a work-loop technique, would provide valuable information. However, the lack of such information on engineering materials made any direct comparison between the biological and mechanical systems difficult. Based on available information, nickel-titanium shape memory alloy (SMA) was better suited to produce relatively slow and powerful steady swimming of scombrid species. The simplified geometry of muscular systems and axial tendons was adapted. These arrangements alleviate the limited strain of the SMA by trading force for distance and provide an effective force transmission pathways to the backbone.
Cardiovascular effects of microgravity: Evolution of understanding ☆ ☆☆

The understanding of cardiovascular effects of spaceflight has evolved throughout the course of the American manned spaceflight program. Originally descriptive in nature, the present understanding is based on empiric measurements of vascular volume, cardiac output, vascular reflexes, and peripheral and central autonomic control. More detailed understanding of cardiovascular effects has allowed us to separate those symptoms from symptoms caused by musculoskeletal or neurovestibular abnormalities.
HEMOGLOBIN DEGRADATION IN THE HUMAN MALARIA PATHOGEN PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM: A CATABOLIC PATHWAY INITIATED BY A SPECIFIC ASPARTIC PROTEASE

Hemoglobin is an important nutrient source for intraerythrocytic malaria organisms. Its catabolism occurs in an acidic digestive vacuole. Our previous studies suggested that an aspartic protease plays a key role in the degradative process. We have now isolated this enzyme and defined its role in the hemoglobinolytic pathway. Laser desorption mass spectrometry was used to analyze the proteolytic action of the purified protease. The enzyme has a remarkably stringent specificity towards native hemoglobin, making a single cleavage between alpha 33Phe and 34Leu. This scission is in the hemoglobin hinge region, unraveling the molecule and exposing other sites for proteolysis. The protease is inhibited by pepstatin and has NH2-terminal homology to mammalian aspartic proteases. Isolated digestive vacuoles make a pepstatin-inhibitable cleavage identical to that of the purified enzyme. The pivotal role of this aspartic hemoglobinase in initiating hemoglobin degradation in the malaria parasite digestive vacuoles is demonstrated.
The Homework Experience: Perceptions of Low-Income Youth

Homework is a cornerstone of students' academic lives. Using a social cognitive view of achievement beliefs as a theoretical framework, we conducted a qualitative study to examine perceptions of ho...
Towards pairing Java applications on SMT processors

This paper investigates various issues of pairing Java applications for multithreaded execution on Intel's hyper-threading Pentium 4 processor. We first quantify the overall performance of multiprogrammed Java applications using a metric called combined speedup. Using the performance counters provided by the Pentium 4, we then quantitatively evaluate the performance of underneath micro-architecture components and their implications to the combined speedup. A statistical model is proposed to analyze the collected data. This novel approach reveals that trace cache is the major factor determining the pairing performance. In particular, we find that the trace cache miss rates of Java applications can be utilized to predict the combined speedups. Three new scheduling strategies are proposed based on these observations and then evaluated. The experimental results show that the proposed strategies have better performance than the conventional round-robin scheduling scheme. Overall, our best strategy enables a reduction in execution time of 10.5% over the serial execution, comparing with a reduction of 5.92% achieved by the round-robin scheduling. The improvement will be increasingly significant on future SMT processors.
On the capacity of vector antenna MIMO systems

Most wireless communication systems currently employ single- or dual-polarized antennas which measure one or two components of the received electromagnetic (EM) signal. In this paper, we investigate the performance gains achievable by using "vector antennas" that can detect or excite up to six independent degrees of freedom.
HIV Co-receptor usage in HIV-related non-hodgkin's lymphoma

In this study 15 banked samples of HIV-related Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) cases were tested for HIV co-receptor usage and SDF1 3'A polymorphism. Reportable tropism from 9 plasma samples had 1 (11.1%) HIV case with CXCR4 and 8 (88.9%) with CCR5 usage, even though most of the cases occurred at a late stage of HIV (2/3 had CD4 counts below 200), where expected CXCR4 usage would be 60%. Based on the expected proportion of less than 50% CCR5 in chronically infected individuals, this would suggest that in NHL may be associated with CCR5 usage (P = 0.04).
Repurposing an endogenous degradation system for rapid and targeted depletion of C. elegans proteins

The capability to conditionally inactivate gene function is essential for understanding the molecular basis of development. In gene and mRNA targeting approaches, protein products can perdure, complicating genetic analysis. Current methods for selective protein degradation require drug treatment or take hours for protein removal, limiting their utility in studying rapid developmental processes in vivo. Here, we repurpose an endogenous protein degradation system to rapidly remove targeted C. elegans proteins. We show that upon expression of the E3 ubiquitin ligase substrate-recognition subunit ZIF-1, proteins tagged with the ZF1 zinc-finger domain can be quickly degraded in all somatic cell types examined with temporal and spatial control. We demonstrate that genes can be engineered to become conditional loss-of-function alleles by introducing sequences encoding the ZF1 tag into endogenous loci. Finally, we use ZF1 tagging to establish the site of cdc-42 gene function during a cell invasion event. ZF1 tagging provides a powerful new tool for the analysis of dynamic developmental events.
ENTRY-LEVEL LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT HIRING ISSUES.

Successful job placement of logistics graduates is highly beneficial to organizations offering logistics positions as well as to university logistics programs. A critical aspect of successful job placement involves understanding the preferences and perceptions of both students and employers regarding logistics positions. In this paper, we report the results of surveys of U.S. undergraduate logistics student and employer preferences and perceptions regarding logistics positions. The research results provide employers and logistics educators with information that can be used to improve job placement success.
Syntheses of the first N-mono- and N, N′-dipolyfluoroalkyl-4,4′-bipyridinium compounds

Reactions of 4,4′-bipyridine (1) with excess of polyfluoroalkyl iodides (2a–d) at 100–110 °C, under neat conditions, led to the formation of monoquaternary salts (3a–d) in >90% yields. Salts 3a–d were metathesized with LiN(SO2CF3)2 either in water or water/acetone mixtures to form ionic liquids (4a–d), respectively, in >88% yields. When 1 was reacted with 2.5 equivalent of 2a–c in DMF at 110 °C, the diquaternary salts 5a–c were formed in >85% yields. Alternatively, 5a–c were also synthesized by heating a mixture of 3a–c and 2a–c (1.25 equivalent) in DMF. The metathesis reaction of 5a–c with LiN(SO2CF3)2 produced dicationic ionic liquids (6a–c) in >86% yield.
Mixed-Order Testing Functions on Triangular Patches for the Locally Corrected NystrÖm Method

The use of polynomial-complete representations for the current in the locally corrected Nystrom method has been identified as a major cause of inaccuracy in the solution of the electric field integral equation. Mixed-order quadrature rules for quadrilateral patches were proposed to provide a self-consistent basis for the charge, which alleviated much of the inaccuracy. Here, this idea is extended to triangular patches. Rather than modifying the integration rule, a set of mixed-order testing functions for the current can provide a self-consistent polynomial basis for the charge. Plots of the divergence of the current on a flat plate show that the use of mixed-order testing functions provides more accurate solutions
Description of an Early Intervention to Prevent Substance Abuse and Psychopathology in Recent Rape Victims.

Approximately 683,000 adult women are raped each year. Only one in seven of these victims report the assault to police and receive forensic exams and other professional services. For many rape victims, this may be the only professional contact with service providers; however these services are typically limited to evidence collection and prophylactic STD treatment. Yet this exam also presents a unique opportunity for a preventive intervention to help prepare women to cope with potential stress related to rape-exam procedures and to address potential post rape psycho-pathology. This article reviews psychological interventions for trauma victims used in the acute post rape time frame and provides data from an ongoing clinical trial that evaluates delivery of a preventive intervention for victims presenting for forensic rape exams.
Nanoscale devices for solid state refrigeration and power generation

A brief review of various techniques to engineer nanoscale thermal and electrical properties of materials is given. The main emphasis is on various energy conversion mechanisms, particularly, thermo electric refrigeration and power generation. Recent experimental and theoretical results on superlattice and quantum dot thermoelectrics and solid-state and vacuum thermionic thin film devices are reviewed. We also present an overview of the research activities at the multi university Thermionic Energy Conversion Center on the design of solid-state and vacuum devices that could convert heat into electricity with hot side temperatures ranging from 300 to 650C and with high conversion efficiency.
GIANT CELL FORMATION IN BLADDER TUMOR CELLS FOLLOWING HEMATOPORPHYRIN DERIVATIVE-SENSITIZED PHOTOIRRADIATION

— Giant cell induction was studied in cultured bladder tumor cells (MGH-Ul; commonly referred to as “EJ”) following hematoporphyrin derivative (HpD)-sensitized photoirradiation. Eight days after treatment, control colonies (no treatment, HpD alone, light alone) were generally uniform in size and density and contained few giant cells. Colony heterogeneity and giant cell frequency increased with light dose in the presence of HpD. The morphology and frequency of giant cell formation, with respect to survival levels, were comparable to those observed in 280 kVp X-irradiation of the same cells.
Requirement of the MADS-box transcription factor MEF2C for vascular development

The embryonic vasculature develops from endothelial cells that form a primitive vascular plexus which recruits smooth muscle cells to form the arterial and venous systems. The MADS-box transcription factor MEF2C is expressed in developing endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells (SMCs), as well as in surrounding mesenchyme, during embryogenesis. Targeted deletion of the mouse MEF2C gene resulted in severe vascular abnormalities and lethality in homozygous mutants by embryonic day 9.5. Endothelial cells were present and were able to differentiate, but failed to organize normally into a vascular plexus, and smooth muscle cells did not differentiate in MEF2C mutant embryos. These vascular defects resemble those in mice lacking the vascular-specific endothelial cell growth factor VEGF or its receptor Flt-1, both of which are expressed in MEF2C mutant embryos. These results reveal multiple roles for MEF2C in vascular development and suggest that MEF2-dependent target genes mediate endothelial cell organization and SMC differentiation.
An on-line graph coloring algorithm with sublinear performance ratio

Abstract One of the simplest heuristics for obtaining a proper coloring of a graph is the First-Fit algorithm: Fix an arbitrary ordering of the vertices and, using the positive integers as the color set, assign to each successive vertex the least integer possible (keeping the coloring proper). This is an example of an on-line algorithm for graph coloring. In the on-line model, a graph is presented one vertex at a time. Each new vertex is given together with all edges joining it to previous vertices. An on-line coloring algorithm assigns a color to each vertex as it is received and once assigned, the color cannot be changed. The performance function , ϱ A ( n ), of an on-line algorithm A is the maximum over all graphs G on n vertices of the ratio of the number of colors used by A to color G to the chromatic numbers of G . The First-Fit algorithm has performance function n /4. We exhibit an algorithm with sublinear performance function.
Application of MoL to shielded microstrip lines with bi-anisotropic biaxial substrates and cover layers

The method of lines (MoL) is applied to the analysis of shielded microstrip lines with bi-anisotropic biaxial substrates and superstrates (cover layers). Two coupled differential equations for the tangential electric field components, which govern the field behavior within anisotropic region, are derived using differential matrix operators. The MoL procedure is employed to discretize above equations along the transverse direction of the transmission line. Numerical results emphasize effects of strip-width, thickness of the substrate, and thickness of the superstrate on propagation characteristics of the line. In addition, the propagation constants of higher order modes are calculated for frequencies ranging from 1 to 35 GHz for substrates also exhibiting magnetic anisotropy. It is found that for this structure higher order modes tend to exist in clustered pairs. >
Incentives For Nonpoint Pollution Control

One of the central issues in environmental economics since the 1960s has been the relative efficiency of alternative instruments for pollution control. The traditional theoretical context in which the choice among instruments is examined presumes that polluters can control their emissions deterministically, emissions can be monitored accurately at little or no cost, and the contributions of each polluter to ambient concentrations are known. These assumptions are not usually characteristic of nonpoint pollution problems.1 The fundamental characteristic of nonpoint pollution is that pollutants follow diffuse pathways from their sources to receiving environmental media. In addition, discharges of pollutants or precursors often cannot be observed directly. The nonpoint problem is therefore characterized by considerable uncertainty about the contribution of individual polluters to ambient concentrations. In many instances it may not be possible to identify who is or is not a contributor from a given set of candidates.
Chemical Environment Effects on the Photophysical Behavior of Two-Photon Materials

A set of six new two-photon engineered diethylamino-substituted styryl pyrazine (DEASP) dyes have been developed as chemically responsive chromophores. This work employs UV/Vis spectroscopy to draw structure-optical property relationships and to quantify the solvatochromic effect observed for these dyes. Absorbance profiles for each of these dyes have been measured in 22 solvents ranging from very nonpolar (TMS) to very polar (water). Absorbance maxima of the longest wavelength π→π transitions have been correlated to nine empirical scales of solvent polarity, and a comparative analysis is presented. Dimroth & Reichardt's and Kamlet & Taft's single parameter scales have been recalculated with spectral data obtained for the six DEASP dyes. The correlation of these established and recalculated scales are shown and discussed. DEASP chromophores are found to exhibit high sensitivity to their chemical environment and exceptional range as solvatochromic probes. Current models of solvatochromism, based on dipolar probes, cannot account for the solvatochromism observed in our quadrupolar dyes, and fail to describe the effect of the chemical environment on this family of twophoton dyes. The need to develop a more universal model of solvation incorporating higher order moment contributions is apparent.
Technology and International Negotiations

International law needs to respond to the dual pressures for change brought on by rapid technological development and the promulgation of the “New International Economic Order.” While a number of major international negotiations have been mounted in recent years to respond to these pressures, all of them have failed to meet expectations. The value of international law in shaping and stabilizing international behavior will certainly diminish unless the performance of these international negotiations is improved or other methods for effectuating change are found. It is the purpose of this article to explore some of the procedures that the international community has used to respond to these pressures and to suggest areas for improvement or further exploration.
Formation and Grain Analysis of Spin-Cast Magnetic Nanoparticle Monolayers

Ligand-stabilized magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) with diameters of 4-7 nm were spin-cast into monolayers on electron-transparent silicon nitride (SiN) substrates. SiN membranes facilitate detailed high-resolution characterization of the spin-cast monolayers by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and approximate spin-casting onto wafers. Suspending the NPs in hexanes and pretreating the substrate with ultraviolet light and ozone (UVO) gives the best results. Computer-aided analysis of the arrays elucidates their grain structures, including identification of the grain boundaries and defects and measurements of the grain orientations and translational correlation lengths. Narrow NP size distributions result in close-packed arrays with minimal defects and large grains containing thousands of NPs. Edge dislocations, interstitials, vacancies, and overlapping NPs were observed. Deviations from close packing occur as the normalized standard deviation of the sample's size distribution increases above approximately 11%. Polydisperse size distributions and deviations from spherical NP shapes frustrate assembly and prevent ordered packing.
Optimal Dopant Selection for Water Splitting with Cerium Oxides: Mining and Screening First Principles Data

We propose a powerful screening procedure, based on first principles computations and data analysis, to systematically identify suitable dopants in an oxide for the thermochemical water splitting process. The screening criteria are inspired by Sabatier’s principle, and are based on requirements placed on the thermodynamics of the elementary steps. Ceria was chosen as the parent oxide. Among the 33 dopants across the periodic table considered, Sc, Cr, Y, Zr, Pd and La are identified to be the most promising ones. Experimental evidence exists for the enhanced activity of ceria for water splitting when doped with Sc, Cr and Zr. The surface oxygen vacancy formation energy is revealed as the primary descriptor correlating with enhanced water splitting performance, while the dopant oxidation state in turn primarily governs the surface oxygen vacancy formation energy. The proposed screening strategy can be readily extended for dopant selection in other oxides for different chemical conversion processes (e.g., \({\text {CO}_2}\) splitting, chemical looping, etc.).
Femtosecond IR Study of Ultrafast Electron Injection in Nanocrystalline Thin Film Electrodes

Ultrafast electron transfer dynamics from Re(CO)3CI(dcbpy) and derivatives on TiO2 nanocrystalline thin films were studied by simultaneously measuring the injected electron absorption and the transient absorption of the sensitizer by femtosecond IR spectroscopy.