cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of activated porcine factor IX by dansyl-glutamyl-glycyl-arginyl-chloromethylketone.

Activated porcine Factor IX is irreversibly inhibited by an active site histidine-directed serine protease inhibitor, dansyl-glutamyl-glycyl-arginyl-chloromethylketone (DEGR-CK). The kinetics of inhibition are second order up to inhibitor concentrations of 10(-5) M. The apparent second-order rate constant (in 0.20 M NaCl, pH 8.0) is 1.7 X 10(4) M-1 min-1, which is considerably lower than values reported for Factor Xa, thrombin, plasmin, and kallikrein. Reaction of increasing concentrations of DEGR-CK with Factor IXa, followed by analysis of residual enzymatic activity, yields 1.2 mol DEGR-CK/mol protein, indicating 1:1 stoichiometry for the DEGR-CK/Factor IXa interaction. DEGR-Factor IXa is a potent anticoagulant in vitro. A concentration of 1 nM causes 50% inhibition of the ability of normal porcine-citrated plasma to correct either Factor VIII- or Factor IX-deficient plasmas (intrinsic pathway factors). In contrast, more than 100 nM DEGR-Factor IXa is required to cause 50% inhibition of Factor VII (extrinsic pathway) or Factor X (common pathway) assays. Activation of porcine Factor VIII:C by thrombin in the presence of DEGR-Factor IXa and phosphatidylcholine-phosphatidylserine vesicles reveals that DEGR-Factor IXa markedly stabilizes the spontaneous loss of Factor VIII:Ca activity as does unmodified Factor IXa [P. Lollar, G.J. Knutson, and D. N. Fass (1984) Blood 63, 1303-1308]. These results suggest that DEGR-Factor IXa incorporates into the intrinsic pathway Factor X-activator enzymatic complex, and also that stabilization of Factor VIII:Ca by this complex is independent of the active site of Factor IXa. Inhibition of Factor IXa by DEGR-CK results in the first reported irreversible active-site-modified derivative of this enzyme. DEGR-CK promises to be a useful reagent in the study of the Factor X activator complex. Conceivably, its specific anticoagulant properties could have future clinical benefit.
Controlling state populations of enantiomers of real chiral molecules by using a circularly polarized pulsed laser

The interaction of a pulsed circularly polarized laser with the enantiomers of a chiral molecule is described within the rotating-wave approximation as a means for studying the possibility of separating chiral species from a racemic mixture. For freely tumbling molecules, it is found that the separation efficiency depends on the magnitude of electric and magnetic transition dipole moments, and on the angle between them. The method is applied to evaluating the separation efficiency of five small organic molecules, whose molecular properties are computed by time-dependent density functional theory. By choosing an appropriate transition, the efficiency of chiral separation can be increased significantly.
Tracking Large-Scale Propagating Coronal Wave Fronts (EIT Waves) using Automated Methods

Recently developed mapping algorithms allow automated tracking of a propagating coronal wave, enabling the finding of reproducible fronts and propagation trajectories. Coronal observations taken by the Transition Region and Coronal Explorer (TRACE) on 1998 June 13 show a large-scale bright wave front, comparable to "EIT waves" seen with the Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope aboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory ( SOHO EIT). Cross sections measuring density perturbations show roughly Gaussian wave structure, suggesting a single propagating compression front. The wave fronts are also found to propagate nonuniformly, unlike the circular fronts often seen with SOHO EIT. Any perceived dissimilarity between EIT waves and the bright propagating fronts seen by TRACE, however, can be explained by differences in the typical observing sequences of the two instruments.
Hypotonic activation of volume-sensitive outwardly rectifying chloride channels in cultured PASMCs is modulated by SGK.

The serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase (SGK) is a serine/threonine protein kinase (PK) transcriptionally regulated by corticoids, serum, and cell volume. SGK regulates cell volume of variou...
The Hospital for the Ruptured and Crippled: Knight to Gibney, 1870–1887

In 1870, R&C moved to its second site on the corner of Lexington Avenue and 42nd Street. A newly constructed building designed by a specialist in ecclesiastical architecture became the home of a 200-bed children's hospital planned entirely by Dr. James Knight, founder of the hospital and its first Surgeon-in-Chief. Expansion of the facilities and of the professional staff, although needed and welcomed, brought new challenges, changes, and conflicts. The root of these was to lie in the complex character of James Knight with his dogmatic approach to patient care vs the open nature of his newly appointed assistant, Virgil Gibney, who was to become his successor and eventually the second Surgeon-in-Chief. How these two personalities worked together for 13 years, abruptly parted, and then after Knight's death, the reappearance of Gibney, is a fascinating story of the early development of the first orthopedic hospital in this country. It was a period after the Civil War described as the “Gilded Age,” where not only the country, but the city, was going through its own challenges, changes and conflicts. Emerging was a new era for R&C introducing surgery, postgraduate medical education, and eventually, clinical and basic research.
Effect of Axial Magnetic Field Strengths on Radial Velocity Field in Liquid Bridge under Microgravity

This article studies on the effect of magnetic field strengths on the flow field in a liquid bridge under zero gravity. The mass conservation level set method is used to track the two-phase interface. The results show that inhibitory effect of additional axial magnetic field on thermocapillary convection within liquid bridge is obvious, and this kind of inhibitory effect increasing as the magnetic field strength is strengthened.
Spatial relationships between snow contaminant content, grain size, and surface temperature from multispectral images of Mt. Rainier, Washington (USA)

Abstract We use multispectral MODIS/ASTER Airborne Simulator (MASTER) data collected at Mt. Rainier, Washington (USA) to map spatial covariance between snowpack properties and to evaluate techniques for quantitative estimation of reflectance, grain size, and temperature. The late-August MASTER images reveal a distinct pattern of snow contaminant content, grain size, and temperature related to a recent snowfall and late-summer melting. Spatial correlation between grain size and temperature patterns suggests that rapid destructive metamorphism of the fresh snow occurred when temperatures were near 0 °C. We use 10 specific locations to evaluate hemispherical–directional reflectance factor (HDRF), grain size, and temperature retrievals. We map relative snow contaminant content using visible (0.4–0.8 μm) HDRF spectra. Atmospheric correction and topographic modeling limit the accuracy of HDRF estimates. We use MASTER-derived spectra near 1.8 and 2.2 μm to estimate optical grain size (by comparison to modeled layers of ice spheres) and physical grain size (by comparison to measured spectra with known physical grain size and by correlation to ground measurements). Estimated physical grain sizes were less than estimated optical grain sizes. Differing definitions of optical and physical grain sizes could contribute to this discrepancy. Limitations at 1.8 and 2.2 μm, including reduced discrimination between larger grain radii (>∼500 μm physical, >∼200 μm optical) and low signal-to-noise ration with atmospheric effects and decreasing solar irradiance, suggest that grain size retrieval may be improved at other wavelengths (e.g., 1.1 μm). Accounting for uncertainty in emissivity, atmospheric correction, and detector noise, we estimate systematic errors in our radiant temperatures at
Spectrally enhanced image resolution of tooth enamel surfaces

Short-wavelength 405 nm laser illumination of surface dental enamel using an ultrathin scanning fiber endoscope (SFE) produced enhanced detail of dental topography. The surfaces of human extracted teeth and artificial erosions were imaged with 405 nm, 444 nm, 532 nm, or 635 nm illumination lasers. The obtained images were then processed offline to compensate for any differences in the illumination beam diameters between the different lasers. Scattering and absorption coefficients for a Monte Carlo model of light propagation in dental enamel for 405 nm were scaled from published data at 532 nm and 633 nm. The value of the scattering coefficient used in the model was scaled from the coefficients at 532 nm and 633 nm by the inverse third power of wavelength. Simulations showed that the penetration depth of short-wavelength illumination is localized close to the enamel surface, while long-wavelength illumination travels much further and is backscattered from greater depths. Therefore, images obtained using short wavelength laser are not contaminated by the superposition of light reflected from enamel tissue at greater depths. Hence, the SFE with short-wavelength illumination may make it possible to visualize surface manifestations of phenomena such as demineralization, thus better aiding the clinician in the detection of early caries.
Metal Embedded Micro Sensors for Manufcaturing Applications

A novel batch production of metal embedded micro sensor units was realized by transferring thin film sensors from silicon wafers directly into nickel substrates through standard microfabrication and electroplating techniques. Ultrasonic metal welding (USMW) was used to integrate nickel embedded thin film thermocouple (TFTC) units into copper workpieces. The embedded TFTCs successfully survived the welding tests, validating that USMW is a viable method to integrate micro sensors to metallic tool materials. Moreover, the embedded micro sensors were also able to measure the transient temperature in situ at 50 mum directly beneath the welding interface during welding. Metal embedded micro sensors yield great potential to improve fundamental understanding of numerous manufacturing processes by providing in-situ sensing data with high spatial and temporal resolution at critical locations.
Associations of Social Personality Factors with Personal Habits

125 university students indicated how frequently they performed 15 different personal habits that ordinarily are socially disapproved, e.g., nail-biting, nose-picking. They also responded to the Na...
A mixed element for laminated plates and shells

Formulation and numerical evaluation of a simple shear-flexible four-noded quadrilateral laminated composite plate/shell finite-element is presented. The element developed is based on a generalized mixed variational principle with independently assumed displacement and laminate internal strain fields. For the latter, a layer-number-independent polynomial interpolation is utilized, together with a judicious selection of the in-plane (spanwise) distributions for the strain components. This was facilitated by the use of a set of bubble functions as additional kinematic degrees of freedom, which was shown to be crucial for eliminating the locking phenomenon. For dynamic applications, a simplified lumped mass matrix is employed. Finally, an extensive number of critical test cases are given to access the element's preformance and to illustrate its effectiveness in static as well as vibration problems for anisotropic laminated plates and shells.
Proteins caught in the proteome of the unloaded remodeling pump

In past decades, outcomes of chronic cardiac disease supported the irreversibility of ventricular remodeling, with cardiac transplantation the only option for extending life. The irrevocable rightward shift of the end-diastolic pressure-volume relationship (EDPVR) accompanying progressive end-stage heart failure promoted an imbalance between matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors, ultimately altering myocyte shape and size and leading to gradual ventricular balloon dilation of the structural cardiac skeleton, increased fibrosis, impaired ventricular function, and terminal pump failure. Subsequent clinical blockade of the sympathetic nervous system and the rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis now forms the cornerstone of modern pharmacologic therapy implicating these biomarkers are part of the direct pathway causing cardiovascular system failure. The later emergence of mechanically unloading the failing heart has captured the potential for reversing pump remodeling and restoring a gradual shift, leftward, back toward normal—the EDPVR. In practice, left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support restores normal cardiac output and blood pressure, thereby diminishing inotropic and pressor support. In turn, secondary effects of LVAD therapy are LV pressure and volume unloading and reductions in pulmonary venous and arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance. The consequences of these hemodynamic changes are improved endorgan perfusion and tissue oxygen delivery. Cellular resuscitation restores autonomic function and subdues the neurohormonal and cytokine storm accompanying heart failure, promoting system recovery. The arrival of LVAD therapy has provided some mechanistic insight to reverse myocardial remodeling, enabling an understanding of the
Binasal hemianopias from presumed intrageniculate myelinolysis: report of a case with MR images of bilateral lateral geniculate involvement after emergency cesarean section and hysterectomy

A 33-year-old woman developed dense bilateral nasal hemianopias after near-fatal uterine hemorrhage and hysterectomy. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed unique hyperintense lateral geniculate lesions presumed to represent osmotic demyelination from extrapontine myelinolysis.
Association between Dopamine D4 Receptor Polymorphism and Age Related Changes in Brain Glucose Metabolism

Aging is associated with reductions in brain glucose metabolism in some cortical and subcortical regions, but the rate of decrease varies significantly between individuals, likely reflecting genetic and environmental factors and their interactions. Here we test the hypothesis that the variant of the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) gene (VNTR in exon 3), which has been associated with novelty seeking and sensitivity to environmental stimuli (negative and positive) including the beneficial effects of physical activity on longevity, influence the effects of aging on the human brain. We used positron emission tomography (PET) and [18F]fluoro-D-glucose (18FDG) to measure brain glucose metabolism (marker of brain function) under baseline conditions (no stimulation) in 82 healthy individuals (age range 22–55 years). We determined their DRD4 genotype and found an interaction with age: individuals who did not carry the 7-repeat allele (7R−, n = 53) had a significant (p<0.0001) negative association between age and relative glucose metabolism (normalized to whole brain glucose metabolism) in frontal (r = −0.52), temporal (r = −0.51) and striatal regions (r = −0.47, p<0.001); such that older individuals had lower metabolism than younger ones. In contrast, for carriers of the 7R allele (7R+ n = 29), these correlations with age were not significant and they only showed a positive association with cerebellar glucose metabolism (r = +0.55; p = 0.002). Regression slopes of regional brain glucose metabolism with age differed significantly between the 7R+ and 7R− groups in cerebellum, inferior temporal cortex and striatum. These results provide evidence that the DRD4 genotype might modulate the associations between regional brain glucose metabolism and age and that the carriers of the 7R allele appear to be less sensitive to the effects of age on brain glucose metabolism.
Role of dietary salt in hypertension

Certain things have not changed since my colleague and I last reviewed the role of dietary salt in hypertension [Haddy, F.J., Pamnani, M.B., 1995. Role of dietary salt in hypertension. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 14, 428-438]. Over half of hypertensives are still salt sensitive, i.e., they respond to a high NaCl intake with a rise in blood pressure. This can be ameliorated by restricting NaCl intake, supplementing potassium intake, and consuming diuretics. Some things have changed. We now have more insight into mechanism; we suspected that volume expansion and endogenous Na(+),K(+)-ATPase inhibitors were the connection between excessive salt intake and the hypertension, but we were not certain as to the nature of the inhibitors. Now it appears that the inhibitors are steroids released from the adrenal gland and are members of the cardenolide family, e.g., ouabain, and the bufadienolide family, e.g., marinobufagenin. This presents new possibilities in therapy, including antibodies to these agents and competitive inhibitors to their binding to Na(+),K(+)-ATPase.
Preservation of bone mass in hypogonadal female monkeys with recombinant human growth hormone administration.

This study examined the effect of human recombinant GH supplementation on bone loss in female monkeys made hypogonadal with GnRH agonist (GnRH-Ag). Animals were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: vehicle, GnRH-Ag, and GnRH-Ag and GH. After an initial 5-month pretreatment period during which all animals were maintained on a normal monkey chow diet containing a high level of calcium (1%) animals were maintained on a normal monkey chow diet containing a high level of calcium (1%), animals were shifted to a lower calcium diet (0.1%) for 4 to 5 months before the beginning of treatment and were maintained on this diet throughout the remainder of the study. Monkeys were treated continuously for 10 months with 25 micrograms/day GnRH-Ag or vehicle. GH was administered by im injection three times per week at a dose of 100 micrograms/kg body wt/day. Animals treated with GnRH-Ag were amenorrheic throughout the treatment period, and serum estradiol and progesterone levels were below minimum levels of detecti...
Sap flow of black ash in wetland forests of northern Minnesota, USA: Hydrologic implications of tree mortality due to emerald ash borer

Abstract Black ash (Fraxinus nigra) mortality caused by the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) is of concern to land managers in the upper Great Lakes region, given the large areas of ash-dominated forest and potential alteration of wetland hydrology following loss of this foundation tree species. The importance of changes in evapotranspiration (ET) following black ash mortality is currently unknown and is the focus of this study. Sap flux density rates were evaluated at three black ash stands with differing moisture regimes within the Chippewa National Forest, Minnesota, USA using the Granier thermal dissipation method. Sapwood area and sap flux density were combined to determine sap flow. Tree level sap flux density estimates were comparable to other reported values and averaged 4.59, 2.31, and 1.62 m3 m−2 day−1, respectively, for the very wet, wet, and moderately wet field sites. However, black ash exhibited small sapwood area in general, resulting in lower overall sap flow values. Scaled stand-level transpiration followed a similar trend as the tree-level estimates; mean daily transpiration over 10 weeks was 1.62 (80% of PET), 1.15 (53% of PET), and 0.90 (42% of PET) mm for the very wet, wet, and moderately wet site, respectively. Sap flux density was positively related to vapor pressure deficit when soil moisture was at or near saturation and negatively related when soil moisture content was lower. There was also a significant positive relationship between sap flux density and relative soil moisture saturation at the stand scale. Our results indicate that hydrologic regime has substantial influence on sap flow with highest transpiration when soil moisture is at saturation, underscoring the unique ecological role that black ash plays in these wetland forest types. The effects of EAB-induced black ash mortality on overall ET and related hydrologic processes will likely be greatest in the wettest hydrologic regimes.
Accurate caloric compensation in rats for electively consumed ethanol-beer or ethanol-polycose mixtures.

Abstract High elective intake of ethanol was achieved in rats by presenting ethanol in palatable vehicles. We simultaneously measured intake of food (chow) to assess the accuracy of caloric compensation for the energy in the alcoholic commodity. In the first study, we used beer; nonalcoholic beer was consumed in large amounts, and when 5% or 10% ethanol was added, intake amounted to ∼10% of daily calories. In the second study, Polycose in either solution or a gel matrix was used as the palatable vehicle for ethanol. The intake of ethanol was even higher than in the beer study, particularly in the gel preparation. In all cases, both male and female rats showed accurate caloric compensation by a reduction in chow intake. In a final study, we showed that restricted time access to the Polycose–alcohol gel produced high elective intakes and substantial blood alcohol levels. Over 24 h, caloric compensation was again accurate. Thus, unlike some reports in humans, rats seem able to compensate accurately for alcohol calories and in particular when, as with most alcohol consumption by humans, these are presented in palatable vehicles.
Efficient Inference of Parsimonious Phenomenological Models of Cellular Dynamics Using S-Systems and Alternating Regression

The nonlinearity of dynamics in systems biology makes it hard to infer them from experimental data. Simple linear models are computationally efficient, but cannot incorporate these important nonlinearities. An adaptive method based on the S-system formalism, which is a sensible representation of nonlinear mass-action kinetics typically found in cellular dynamics, maintains the efficiency of linear regression. We combine this approach with adaptive model selection to obtain efficient and parsimonious representations of cellular dynamics. The approach is tested by inferring the dynamics of yeast glycolysis from simulated data. With little computing time, it produces dynamical models with high predictive power and with structural complexity adapted to the difficulty of the inference problem.
Reduced dietary intake of vitamin B12 and folate in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

J Oral Pathol Med (2010) 39: 420–423 Background: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), commonly referred to as canker sores, is a very common and painful oral mucosal disease. Although the etiology of RAS is not well understood, a number of factors may play a role, including nutritional deficiencies. The objective of this study was to compare dietary vitamin intake in RAS patients to that of a control group. Methods: One hundred subjects, who had suffered at least three episodes of minor RAS in the previous 12 months, completed a detailed Diet History Questionnaire designed and validated by the US National Institutes of Health. DietCalc software was used to calculate daily dietary intakes of nine different vitamins in the study subjects. Daily intakes were energy-adjusted and compared to age- and gender-matched nutrient intake data on 9033 subjects from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Results: The study subjects had significantly lower daily intake of vitamin B12 (P < 0.0002) and folate (P < 0.0001) as compared to the controls. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis are more likely to have lower dietary intakes of vitamin B12 and folate than a control group. These results support and extend previous studies indicating a link between the etiology of RAS and hematological deficiencies of vitamin B12 and folate. These findings suggest that consuming sufficient amounts of these vitamins may be a useful strategy to reduce the number and/or duration of RAS episodes.
2H NMR demonstration of amino acid - nucleotide interactions.

Abstract Deuterium ( 2 H) NMR was used to investigate the interaction of L-Phenylalanine [with aromatic protons replaced by deuterons (Phe-D 5 )], with 5′-AMP and polyadenylic acid (poly A). A considerable change in line width of the aromatic deuteron signals of Phe was observed. These data were plotted using a Scatchard-type equation, and yielded apparent binding constants for L-Phe to 5′-AMP and poly A of 7 and 11 M −1 , respectively. Future applications of 2 H-NMR in the study of nucleic acid-protein interactions are discussed.
A reliable broadcast algorithm with selected acknowledgements in mobile ad hoc networks

Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) suffer from transmission contention and congestion because of the broadcast nature of radio transmission. The broadcast operation, as a fundamental service in MANETs, will cause the broadcast storm problem if the forward nodes are not carefully managed. It is a major challenge to reduce broadcast redundancy while still providing high delivery ratio for each broadcast packet in a dynamic environment. In this paper, we propose a simple broadcast algorithm to provide high delivery ratio. Among the 1-hop neighbors of the sender, only selected forward nodes will send acknowledgements to confirm their receipt of the packet. Forward nodes are selected in such a way that all the senders 2-hop neighbors are covered. Moreover, no acknowledgment is needed from non-forward 1-hop neighbors, each of which is covered by at least two forward neighbors. The sender waits for the acknowledgements from all of its forward nodes. If not all acknowledgments are received, the sender will resend the packet until the maximum number of retries is reached. Simulation results show that the algorithm has high delivery ratio and low end-to-end delay for a broadcast operation.
Hold my calls: an activity for introducing the statistical process

Summary Working with practicing teachers, this article demonstrates, through the facilitation of a statistical activity, how to introduce and investigate the unique qualities of the statistical process including: formulate a question, collect data, analyze data, and interpret data.
Object indexing using an iconic sparse distributed memory

A general-purpose object indexing technique is described that combines the virtues of principal component analysis with the favorable matching properties of high-dimensional spaces to achieve high-precision recognition. An object is represented by a set of high-dimensional iconic feature vectors comprised of the responses of derivatives of Gaussian filters at a range of orientations and scales. Since these filters can be shown to form the eigenvectors of arbitrary images containing both natural and man-made structures, they are well-suited for indexing in disparate domains. The indexing algorithm uses an active vision system in conjunction with a modified form of Kanerva's (1988, 1993) sparse distributed memory which facilitates interpolation between views and provides a convenient platform for learning the association between an object's appearance and its identity. The robustness of the indexing method was experimentally confirmed by subjecting the method to a range of viewing conditions and the accuracy was verified using a well-known model database containing a number of complex 3D objects under varying pose. >
Patterns and consequences of differential vascular sectoriality in 18 temperate tree and shrub species

Summary 1Resource delivery within plants depends on supply pathways. Some species have relatively constrained (sectored) vascular connections, while others have relatively unconstrained (integrated) vascular connections. 2In this study, patterns of vascular hydraulic sectoriality, anatomy and ecological tolerance were examined for 18 Northern Hemisphere temperate woody species growing at Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain, MA, USA. A hydraulic technique was used to measure axial and tangential conductivity on branch segments. From a ratio of these values, a sectoriality index was calculated. 3Species that were more hydraulically sectored had greater vessel size, variation in vessel area and tangential nearest-neighbour distance, as well as lower vessel density, than did integrated species. 4Ecologically, higher tolerance to drought and wind was correlated with being sectored, while higher tolerance to flood and shade was correlated with being integrated. 5These results suggest that sectored species should be especially prominent in xeric environments where sectoriality may reduce embolism spread by minimizing vessel-to-vessel contact and pitting, and integrated species should be especially prominent when resources are spatially patchy or heterogeneous.
Water Requirements for Large‐Scale Solar Energy Projects in the West

This study estimates how much water would be required to meet Renewable Portfolio Standards for electricity generation in five western states if 100 percent of this demand were supplied by solar power. Future renewable electricity demand (net of current supplies) is estimated for 2025 and 2035. One scenario assumes the most water-intensive solar thermal technology supplies all this future demand. Although not a feasible scenario, the assumed water intensity (1057 gallons/MWh) provides an upper-bound estimate of solar power water consumption that may be compared with regional water balances. A second scenario assumes the water intensity of future projects is comparable to the average of solar projects actually being deployed. Water intensity for these 34 projects with 8.7 GW of capacity averages 228 gallons/MWh - a lower rate than many conventional electricity facilities (i.e., coal, natural gas, nuclear). Water requirements by 2035 would be 0.8 percent of regional consumptive use of water under the upper bound scenario and 0.2 percent of consumptive use based on current, average water intensities.
Single-hop probing asymptotics in available bandwidth estimation: sample-path analysis

In this paper, we take the sample-path approach in analyzing the asymptotic behavior of single-hop bandwidth estimation under bursty cross-traffic and show that these results are provably different from those observed under fluid models of prior work. This difference, which we call the probing bias, is one of the previously unknown factors that can cause measurement inaccuracies in available bandwidth estimation. We present an analytical formulation of "packet probing," based on which we derive several major properties of the probing bias. We then experimentally observe the probing bias and investigate its quantitative relationship to several deciding factors such as probing packet size, probing train length, and cross-traffic burstiness. Both our analytical and experimental results show that the probing bias vanishes as the packet-train length or packet size increases. The vanishing rate is decided by the burstiness of cross-traffic.
Unemployment Benefit Systems in Central and Eastern Europe: A Review of the 1990s

One of the most conspicuous consequences of the transition of former socialist economies has been the emergence of large-scale, open unemployment - a phenomenon unheard of before the transition. These economies have thus been confronted with the difficult task of protecting the unemployed while avoiding undue fiscal costs and minimizing work disincentives created by such protection. Faced with the prospect of high unemployment, many transition economies introduced traditional, OECD-style unemployment insurance programs. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate those programs by examining their distributive and efficiency effects. To address distributive issues (an aspect so far neglected by researchers), we analyze data from household expenditure surveys and try to answer the following to questions: Which groups of workers benefited most? How have these programs changed the pre-transfer distribution of income? To examine efficiency effects, we review the existing literature. The questions that have received the most attention are: Have unemployment benefits created work disincentives? In particular, have more generous replacement rates and longer benefit durations affected the length of unemployment spells? We also examine whether the introduction of unemployment benefit programs has helped to speed up enterprise restructuring.
Confirmatory factor analysis of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale in black and white dementia caregivers.

Objectives: In order to better understand if measurement problems underlie the inconsistent findings that exist regarding differences in depression levels between Black and White caregivers, this study examined the factor structure and invariance of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) Scale. Method: A confirmatory factor analysis of the 20-item CES-D was performed on a sample of 167 Black and 214 White family caregivers of older adults with dementia from Los Angeles County. Results: The relationships between the 20 items and the four factors, as well as the relationships among each of the factors, were equivalent across both caregiver groups, indicating that the four-factor model fit the data for both the racial groups. Conclusion: These findings offer further evidence that the standard four-factor model is the best fitting model for the CES-D and is invariant across racial groups.
Underground physics without underground labs: large detectors in solution-mined salt caverns

A number of current physics topics, including long-baseline neutrino physics, proton decay searches, and supernova neutrino searches, hope to someday construct huge (50 kiloton to megaton) particle detectors in shielded, underground sites. With today's practices, this requires the costly excavation and stabilization of large rooms in mines. In this paper, we propose utilizing the caverns created by the solution mining of salt. The challenge is that such caverns must be lled with pressurized uid and do not admit human access. We sketch some possible methods of installing familiar detector technologies in a salt cavern under these constraints. Some of the detectors discussed are also suitable for deep-sea experiments, discussed briey. These sketches appear challenging but feasible, and appear to force few major compromises on detector capabilities. This scheme oers avenues for enormous cost savings on future detector megaprojects.
A method for selecting optimal analogies

Graphical user interfaces (and their analogies) make human interaction with computers "easier" by constraining a user's actions and expectations. We adopt this view of analogy as an active participant in cognition rather than a passive data structure and use it to develop a psychological model accounting for the ubiquity and role of analogy in human cognition. This model is significant because: it operationalizes and provides a measure of "intuitiveness", operationalizes the term "mental model" encompassing both the dynamic and concreteness effects associated with the term, accounts for the ubiquity and effectiveness of analogy in human cognition, provides a basis for ordering analogical representations by difficulty, and provides a unified framework for describing mental and environmental representations. Consequences of this model include identifying analogues which minimize the difficulty of translating between representations as well as predicting the relative difficulty for analogous problems. Data from experiments in which subjects solved problems by manipulating problem tableaux support the ordering of analogues and translations by difficulty. >
A new perception to the transformed score (student performance)

The statistical grading scale based on transformed score provides a meaningful comparison of students' performance in both classroom evaluation and national scholastic tests. The effective use of transformed score depends on the linear transformation applied to the standard score. The authors consider how to obtain a linear transformation which will give a better distribution of grades, a wider range between each letter grade, and better psychological satisfaction. The application of this new transformation to various classes shows that this is a viable approach. >
Does How I Feel About It Matter? The Role of Affect in Cognitive and Behavioral Reactions to an Illness Diagnosis

Individuals often have low rates of compliance with treatment recommendations. We examined the role that experienced affect at the time of illness diagnosis might play in influencing thoughts and feelings relating treatment compliance. Participants were randomly assigned to receive a positive, neutral, or negative affect induction after imagining they were diagnosed with kidney cancer. They then reported on thoughts and feelings about the illness and the treatment regimen. Participants also reported interest in additional information about the illness and behavioral intentions for complying with the treatment regimen. Affect significantly influenced interest in information and behavioral intentions. Both effects were mediated by the influence of affect on participants' self-efficacy beliefs. These mediational findings support a mood-as-resource interpretation of the role of affect in treatment compliance.
Recent Advances with the AMPX Covariance Processing Capabilities in PUFF-IV

was modified to take advandage of Basic Linear Algebra Subprograms (BLAS) routines for the most time-consuming matrix multiplications. This led to a substantial decrease in execution time. This faster processing capability allowed us to investigate the conversion of File 32 data into File 33 data using a larger number of user-defined groups. While conversion substantially reduces the ENDF/B file size requirements for evaluations with a large number of resonances, a trade-off is made between the number of groups used to represent the resonance parameter covariance as a point-wise covariance matrix and the file size. We are also investigating a hybrid version of the conversion, in which the low-energy part of the File 32 resonance parameter covariances matrix is retained and the correlations with higher energies as well as the high energy part are given in File 33.
An experimental evaluation of some design knowledge compilation mechanisms

This paper describes an experimental evaluation of the use of some simple learning mechanisms in design expert systems. These Knowledge Compilation methods act to improve the knowledge in the system so as to improve its efficiency and effectiveness.
Hybrid excitation topologies for three-phase mutually coupled reluctance machine with standard inverters

New winding configurations for mutually coupled salient pole switched reluctance machines (MCSRMs) have been proposed that enables the application of three-phase standard inverters for variable speed drives. The proposed topologies comprise phase windings carrying balanced three phase currents from standard inverters along with DC excitation coils in the stator slots. Both concentrated and distributed hybrid winding configurations are proposed and performances of these MCSRMs are compared with that of the conventional SRM under the same machine geometry and phase excitation levels. The analysis and results show that the proposed machine configurations with standard inverters are more suitable for low cost, variable speed drives with higher power densities and lower torque ripples compared to conventional SRM drives.
Standardization of APTT Reagents for Heparin Therapy Monitoring: Urgent or Fading Priority?

Tremendous improvements have been made in the outcomes of patients with acute venous thromboembolic events (VTE) since Murray et al. successfully administered heparin to postsurgery patients in 1937 (1). Advances include accurate methods for diagnosis of deep vein thromboses (DVT) and pulmonary emboli (PE); effective regimens for initial and long-term anticoagulation; and wide acceptance of a system for standardization of thromboplastin sensitivities to the anticoagulant effects of warfarin (International Normalized Ratio; INR). In this issue of Clinical Chemistry , van den Besselaar et al. (2) address an unresolved aspect of anticoagulation therapy: standardization of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) reagents for monitoring heparin therapy. Heparin is a glycosaminoglycan extracted from mast cells of porcine intestinal mucosa or bovine lung. It is composed of long chains of alternating d-glucuronic acid and N -acetyl-d-glucosamine sugar residues, which undergo a series of chemical modifications, primarily sulfation, leading to unique pentasaccharide sequences that serve as a binding site for antithrombin III (AT III) (3). The anticoagulant effect of heparin is mediated through this interaction, which markedly accelerates the rate of AT III inhibition of thrombin (factor IIa) and factor Xa. Heparin polysaccharides are heterogeneous in length and anticoagulation activity and range in mass from 5000 to 30 000 kDa. Commercial preparations are calibrated in USP units, 1 unit being defined as the quantity that prevents 1.0 mL of citrated sheep plasma from clotting for 1 h after the addition of 0.2 mL of 10 g/L CaCl2 (3). Low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH) are produced from unfractionated heparin to yield smaller polysaccharides with average molecular masses of 4000–5000 kDa. These shorter molecules lose the ability to accelerate AT III inhibition of thrombin but retain the ability to catalyze factor Xa inhibition. Decreased in vivo protein binding improves LMWH bioavailability and leads to …
Leaving London: Three Autoethnographic Sketches

ABSTRACTIn this essay, I use autoethnographic sketching (Rambo, 2007) to explore the experience of arriving at and withdrawing from the London School of Economics and its impact on my life and work. I especially draw on the importance of close relationships with family, which helped me cope with and overcome limitations associated with my physical disability, cerebral palsy, as I work toward personal and professional fulfillment. It is my hope that these words will motivate others to better cope with and overcome challenges in pursuit of their goals.
Slot harmonic frequency detection as a technique to improve stator current spectrum approach for broken rotor bars fault diagnosis

We present in this paper an overview of the slot harmonic frequency detection applied to the broken rotor bars faults diagnosis This technique uses the behavior of the current spectral analysis and the estimation of the rotor slot harmonic to detect broken rotor bars in three phase induction machine. Experimental tests performed with broken rotor bars show the effectiveness and merits of the proposed technique.
The insulin receptor substrate Chico regulates antibacterial immune function in Drosophila

Molecular and genetic studies in model organisms have recently revealed a dynamic interplay between immunity and ageing mechanisms. In the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, inhibition of the insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling pathway prolongs lifespan, and mutations in the insulin receptor substrate Chico extend the survival of mutant flies against certain bacterial pathogens. Here we investigated the immune phenotypes, immune signaling activation and immune function of chico mutant adult flies against the virulent insect pathogen Photorhabdus luminescens as well as to non-pathogenic Escherichia coli bacteria. We found that D. melanogaster chico loss-of-function mutant flies were equally able to survive infection by P. luminescens or E. coli compared to their background controls, but they contained fewer numbers of bacterial cells at most time-points after the infection. Analysis of immune signaling pathway activation in flies infected with the pathogenic or the non-pathogenic bacteria showed reduced transcript levels of antimicrobial peptide genes in the chico mutants than in controls. Evaluation of immune function in infected flies revealed increased phenoloxidase activity and melanization response to P. luminescens and E. coli together with reduced phagocytosis of bacteria in the chico mutants. Changes in the antibacterial immune function in the chico mutants was not due to altered metabolic activity. Our results indicate a novel role for chico in the regulation of the antibacterial immune function in D. melanogaster. Similar studies will further contribute to a better understanding of the interconnection between ageing and immunity and lead to the identification and characterization of the molecular host components that modulate both important biological processes.
Molecular Dynamic Study of the Swelling Behavior of Na-Montmorillonite

Swelling of clays due to water saturation causes structural damage in civil engineering structures. At the microstructural level, swelling is caused by interlayer and interparticle (double-layer) forces. The present article is focused on the interlayer force with the specific objective of developing a force-displacement relation. On the basis of the variation of the pressure tensor with distance, the interlayer repulsive force is evaluated. The interlayer force-displacement relation is thus established. It is found that (a) the interlayer force for small particle separations can be hundreds of times the double-layer force at the corresponding separations, and (b) the interlayer force decays very quickly with increasing particle separation. The results indicate that the fundamental mechanism controlling swelling changes as the specimen9s density changes, implying that mitigation strategies should depend on the density of the soil. The interlayer force-displacement relation is needed in assembly analyses such as the discrete element analysis. An ongoing study indicates that the interlayer force does not contribute to the overall swelling pressure when the void ratio is larger than a certain value.
Abstract 5414: Novel tissue-targeted adenoviral vector for squamous cell carcinoma therapy expressing cell cycle regulator cdk2ap1 and molecular imaging genes

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) affects about 30,000 Americans each year, and although the overall prognosis has improved in recent years for localized carcinomas, metastases can decrease survival rates by half. For tongue and palate lesions, surgery is usually the initial treatment, but metastases aggressively develop at sites where conventional therapies are ineffective. Therefore, our goal has been to develop more effective therapeutic modalities for the disease utilizing expression of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis-modulating genes. Our efforts have focused on gaining understanding of the biology and therapeutic potential of p12cdk2ap1 (p12), an S-phase growth suppressor and proapoptotic gene commonly downregulated in OSCC. In vivo, we have showed that expressing p12 using a nonviral vector can result in effective reduction in tumor size and a dramatically altered tumor phenotype. Moreover, we have showed that p12 can have cell growth inhibitory effects in a cell-autonomous as well as non-cell autonomous manner, rendering expression of this cell cycle regulator a very promising new gene therapy strategy. Therefore, we hypothesized that this growth regulator molecule will comprise a highly efficient antiumor gene therapy for OSCC. We have developed a novel viral delivery vector system with high activity and high specificity expression in oral tumor cells. This Adenovirus (Ad) utilizes a two-step transcriptional amplification system driven by the SCCA2 promoter and a bidirectional target cassette containing the sequences for the p12 and ether firefly luciferase (Luc) or thymidine kinase (TK) imaging genes. We constructed and are characterizing novel configurations of these dE1dE3 Ad-SCCA2-p12/Luc or p12/TK bidirectional vectors for gene therapy and molecular imaging applications. We are currently testing the specificity of these vectors and their effectiveness in tumor growth inhibition at either floor of mouth, orthotopic, or distant sites following intratumoral or systemic administration. We propose this new vector design may hold promise not only as a novel SCC-specific gene therapy but perhaps as a molecular imaging detection agent for tumor cells that have metastasized to distant and thus difficult to treat sites. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5414. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-5414