cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Temporal databases with two-dimensional time: modeling and implementation of multihistory

Abstract In this paper, we present an interpretation of the temporal database with two-dimensional time (also termed bitemporal databases in the literature) and propose an implementation. We define the notions of two-dimensional temporal validity and valid pattern. Using valid patterns, the notion of multihistory, which is a collection of a data object's history at every viewpoint, is developed. We show how a multihistory can be modeled using the relations. We define data manipulation operations over multihistory. Algorithms for implementing a multihistory are couched in the relational data model using the temporal data manipulation operations. Finally, set operations over multihistory are illustrated.
An Appraisal of Fathers' Perspectives on Fatherhood and Barriers to Their Child Welfare Involvement

The present study provides insight into the extent and rationale of fathers' involvement with their children and the child welfare system. This qualitative study explored 12 child welfare–involved fathers' perceptions of fatherhood and factors that facilitate and inhibit case planning involvement. The findings indicate that most fathers strongly desired to stay involved with their children but felt they needed to overcome social workers' negativity, unfair agency policies and practices, and economic difficulties in order to complete their case plan goals and remain in their children's lives. Recommendations are provided for child welfare policy, practice, and research.
Conceptually coherent categories support label-based inductive generalization in preschoolers.

Abstract Why do words support inductive generalization in preschoolers? The current study provides evidence that they do so, at least in part, by working with conceptual knowledge to establish kind membership. A sample of 30 4-year-olds learned new labels for novel items, sometimes along with additional non-obvious information, and were then asked to generalize a novel object property to a target item based on either visual similarity or shared label. Children were more likely to generalize properties based on shared labels (over perceptual similarity) if they initially learned causally coherent properties of items referenced by those labels than if they initially learned non-causal properties of those items or learned no properties at all. This finding suggests that novel words best support inductive inference when they are known by children to reference conceptually coherent categories. Therefore, conceptual information permeates the process of inductive inference in young children. Results are discussed with respect to their implications for the “word-as-feature” and “knowledge-based” accounts of early inductive inference.
Selective surface staining of bladder tumors by intravesical methylene blue with enhanced endoscopic identification

Intravesical instillation of methylene blue resulted in selective surface staining of bladder tumors in vivo without staining the background of normal urothelium. Staining of human bladder tumors in vivo was accomplished by the intravesical instillation of 0.1% methylene blue in 0.9% saline through a foley catheter under 20 cm of hydrostatic pressure up to a maximum volume of 400 ml. After 5 minutes contact time, the methylene blue solution was drained, and the bladder was washed with saline. Thereafter, either endoscopic or open surgery was performed. The transitional cell carcinomas in 45 of 48 patients bound methylene blue to the surfaces of the tumors but not to normal urothelium. Higher grade tumors usually bound the dye more extensively than lower grades. The three patients, whose tumors did not bind methylene blue, had received previous chemotherapy, which might account for their being falsely negative. Carcinoma in situ and dysplasia did stain blue. Areas of hyperplasia and cystitis, however, did not bind methylene blue. In vivo intravesical staining with methylene blue has been a simple and safe procedure which has enhanced the endoscopic localization for biopsy and fulguration/resection of transitional cell carcinomas.
PSA velocity: A systematic review of clinical applications

Abstract Background The value of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) for screening and management of prostate cancer (CaP) continues to engender much controversy in the medical and lay literature. This review is intended to critically analyze the literature to assess the utility of adding the calculation of PSA velocity (PSAV) in the screening and management of CaP. Methods A systematic review of electronic databases including Medline PaperChase, PubMed, and Scopus was conducted to identify English-language studies in the peer-reviewed literature from 1992 to 2013. The free text search was extended by adding the following keywords: prostate cancer, screening, surgery, radiation therapy, active surveillance, and PSAV. All matches from the searches were read, and the articles pertinent to an analysis of PSAV in clinical practice were included in this review. Results The design of much of the recent published literature on PSAV does not conform to the original description of PSAV or to the published guidelines regarding the number of PSA values and the interval of time over which the PSA values are obtained. This heterogeneity of definition is the source of much of the controversy regarding the clinical applications of PSAV. The preponderance of evidence suggests that there is high collinearity between PSA and PSAV and therefore the calculation of PSAV adds little to the measurement of PSA level. Conclusions PSAV calculation has been advocated by many investigators as a strategy to improve the screening and clinical management of patients with CaP. However, when PSAV definitions are rigorously applied, its calculation does not significantly enhance the clinical performance of PSA alone.
Empirical Evidence on Shareholder Value and the Sale‐Leaseback of Corporate Real Estate

This study examines the valuation effect of the sale-leaseback of corporate real estate on the stock prices of the selling and purchasing firms. The issue tested is whether the sale-leaseback transaction offers a net benefit to the corporate seller/lessee or purchaser/lessor. The empirical evidence suggests that the sale-leaseback of corporate real estate has substantial benefits for the seller/lessee common stockholders. Additionally, the sale-leaseback transaction produces an insignificant loss for the corporate purchaser/lessor.
Clinical Reasoning: A 9-year-old girl with seizures and encephalopathy

A 9-year-old girl presented to the emergency department with seizures and altered mental status. Her seizures were characterized by left eye deviation and head version followed by generalized tonic-clonic movements. She received 20 mg of phenytoin equivalents per kilogram of IV fosphenytoin and 4 mg of IV lorazepam. She was febrile (102°F), but otherwise had normal vital signs. On examination, she was lethargic without focal cranial nerve findings or weakness. She experienced mood lability and visual hallucinations, but had no further seizures. She previously had normal development with no decline in cognition or school performance. She was on levothyroxine for hypothyroidism resulting from prior thyroiditis with a goiter. There were no recent medication changes or infections. Family history included hypothyroidism and lupus; there was no family history of epilepsy or neuropsychiatric disorders. ### Questions for consideration: 1. What is the differential diagnosis for seizures and encephalopathy in a pediatric patient? 2. How do the patients' history and physical examination narrow or broaden the differential diagnosis? 3. What diagnostic tests would you order? The differential diagnosis for seizures with persistent altered mental status includes nonconvulsive status epilepticus, CNS infections, metabolic encephalopathies, structural lesions, toxins, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, and inflammatory encephalopathies. In this patient, pertinent data included pyrexia, seizures, and thyroiditis. Meningitic doses of antibiotics and acyclovir were initiated on presentation. …
Modeling borehole breakout by mixed mode crack growth, interaction, and coalescence

This technical note describes a numerical model that has been developed to simulate the progression of borehole breakout in heterogeneous and discontinuous rock
Total Band Absorption Models for Absorbing-Emitting Liquids: CCl4

Predictions of the total band absorption are useful for describing the absorption process in calculations dealing with radiation interaction in absorbing-emitting liquids. Two two-parameter models, similar to the Elsasser and the statistical narrow band models used in gas radiation work, are developed for predicting the total band absorption in regions of the liquid CCl4 spectrum. The parameters, which are considered to be adjustable, can be determined from experimental total band absorption data or, if available, basic spectroscopic information. Results from the models are compared to experimental total band absorption measurements for CCl4 as well as a prediction based on spectral integration.
Coagulopathic-induced membrane dysfunction during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a case report:

This paper describes an unusual complication of membrane dysfunction during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for treatment of neonatal respiratory distress. A 2.8-kg term infant presented to our facility in severe respiratory distress and was diagnosed with primary pulmonary hypertension. After routine priming of the extracorporeal circuit, the patient was placed on veno-arterial ECMO with 8 F arterial and 12 F venous cannulae. Transfusion criteria were established which included trigger values of the following: platelet count 100,000/microliters, fibrinogen 150 mg/dl, haematocrit 40%. The ECMO course was uneventful until approximately the 132nd hour on support when the patient developed a consumptive coagulopathy, as evidenced by 55-60% reductions in both platelet count and fibrinogen concentrations, despite transfusion therapy. Total autogeneic blood product transfusion during the first 120 h of ECMO averaged 4.4 +/- 2.2 ml/h, while the transfusion rate for the final 35 h was 7.8 +/- 3.5 ml/h. Coinciding with this rise in transfusion requirements was an increase in transmembrane pressure from 0.29 to 1.52 mmHg/ml blood flow. The patient was separated from ECMO after 175 h due to a continuing coagulopathy and haemothorax. The patient was then treated with nitric oxide therapy before succumbing on the twelfth postoperative day due to refractory respiratory failure. The circuit was dissected and significant clots found in both the venous bladder and oxygenator. In addition, approximately one-third of the membrane compartment had a 'fused' circumferential pattern of dessicated clot which interrupted blood path continuity. In conclusion, this report describes an unusual complication of the ECMO oxygenator that occurred during long-term extracorporeal life support which most likely resulted from a coagulopathy.
Color-flow duplex ultrasound scan versus computed tomographic scan in the surveillance of endovascular aneurysm repair.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study is to compare both computed tomographic scan (CT) and color flow duplex ultrasound scanning (CDU) as surveillance modalities for clinically significant endoleaks and to evaluate concordance in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) diameter measurements in patients after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in a busy hospital vascular laboratory. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of all patients who underwent endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms between February 1996 and November 2002 and had same-day CT and CDU studies. Ninety-seven patients enrolled in phase II clinical studies of Ancure devices had long-term follow-up with both modalities. The other patients underwent simultaneous studies, usually only at the 1-month postoperative visit. Peripheral vascular studies were performed by two certified vascular technicians; all CT scans were reviewed by one vascular surgeon. CT was used as the standard against which the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value of CDU in endoleak detection was determined. Statistics were performed by using the paired t test; a P value Results Four hundred ninety-five same-day CT and CDU examinations were reviewed in 281 patients. Patients had an average follow-up of 34.6 months (range, 1 to 72 months). Thirty-five leaks were identified among the patients studied (12.4% overall). In comparison with CT, diagnosis of endoleak with ultrasound scanning was associated with a sensitivity of 42.9%, specificity of 96.0%, positive predictive value of 53.9%, and negative predictive value of 93.9%. The correlation between the two modalities was modest (κ statistic 0.427). The minor axis transverse diameter as measured by ultrasound and CT scans (4.81 ± 1.1 cm on CT and 4.55 ± 1.1 cm on ultrasound) correlated closely ( r = .93, P P t test. Conclusions Although CDU demonstrates a high degree of correlation with CT scan in determining aneurysm size change over time, it has a low sensitivity and positive predictive value in endoleak detection. In the hospital vascular laboratory at a large tertiary care center, CDU cannot effectively replace CT scan in surveillance after EVAR.
Regulation of carbon mineralization rates by soil structure and water in an agricultural field and a prairie-like soil

Abstract Soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization is influenced by soil structure such as pore size distribution and aggregation, both of which result in heterogeneity in the distribution of soil water and microbial activity. This study investigated the effects of soil structure and its interaction with soil water content on C mineralization. Dry aggregate samples (0–2, 2–4, 4–8, 8–16 mm) obtained from agricultural field (AGRIC) and an adjacent less-disturbed area maintained under prairie vegetation (PRAIRIE) were subjected to a short-term incubation where soil water was maintained at four gravimetric water contents ranging from 5% to 50%. More water was needed to maximize C mineralization in larger sized aggregates supporting the notion that biological activity is located at the surface of aggregates or within pores located adjacent to their surface. Mean C mineralization rate was 54% greater from the PRAIRIE than the AGRIC soils, which contained 66.1 and 24.9 mg SOC g − 1 soil, respectively. However, mean specific C mineralization rates (mg C–CO 2 / mg-SOC ) were 45% lower from the PRAIRIE than from the AGRIC treatment, suggesting that physical protection of SOC was greater in that soil. The greater volume of macropores (> 300 μm) in the PRAIRIE aggregates may have contributed to its accumulation of humified SOC by limiting microbial usage of C in air filled pores. The volume of water holding pores (
Virtual decisions: video game ethics, Just Consequentialism, and ethics on the fly

Video games are ethically controversial. Some video games are effective training tools for learning various skills and approaches to problem-solving, but some video games are notorious for promoting discriminatory and barbaric behavior. We consider such ethical pros and cons of video games, but we also present a more fundamental ethical issue about video games. Most video games have a bias toward self-centered decision-making. Often the decision-making driver is not the impact of the decision on society but rather the quantity of rewards for their individual character. This bias can be an obstacle to employing good ethical analysis and good ethical decision-making in video games. In this paper we discuss the ethical theory of Just Consequentialism and show how it can be used to introduce ethical values into video game design and how it can be useful for ethical decision-making, even rapid ethical decision-making, in both virtual world and real worlds.
Are Apple's security measures sufficient to protect its mobile devices?

Apple Computer's iPad tablet computer has taken a commanding lead in the tablet market and history has shown that whenever a computer platform becomes dominant, it also becomes a target for malicious intruders and malware. Apple computers have long been touted as being safer from malware than their Windows counterparts, largely because of their smaller market share. This paper examines the current state of security for the iPad and mobile devices running Apple's iPhone Operating System. Does the iPad have any vulnerabilities that need to be addressed by Apple, or is it as safe and malware-proof as some Apple devotees attest?
CREATING VALUE: THE APPROPRIATE USE OF CAPITAL BUDGETING

Traditional approaches to capital budgeting may be inadequate in today's complex business environment. This paper identifies problems with a narrow approach to capital budgeting and suggests several improvements. In particular, an example illustrates an option‐based approach to valuing managerial flexibility.
Towards Cyber-Physical Systems in Social Spaces: The Data Reliability Challenge

Today's cyber-physical systems (CPS) increasingly operate in social spaces. Examples include transportation systems, disaster response systems, and the smart grid, where humans are the drivers, survivors, or users. Much information about the evolving system can be collected from humans in the loop, a practice that is often called crowd-sensing. Crowd-sensing has not traditionally been considered a CPS topic, largely due to the difficulty in rigorously assessing its reliability. This paper aims to change that status quo by developing a mathematical approach for quantitatively assessing the probability of correctness of collected observations (about an evolving physical system), when the observations are reported by sources whose reliability is unknown. The paper extends prior literature on state estimation from noisy inputs, that often assumed unreliable sources that fall into one or a small number of categories, each with the same (possibly unknown) background noise distribution. In contrast, in the case of crowd-sensing, not only do we assume that the error distribution is unknown but also that each (human) sensor has its own possibly different error distribution. Given the above assumptions, we rigorously estimate data reliability in crowd-sensing systems, hence enabling their exploitation as state estimators in CPS feedback loops. We first consider applications where state is described by a number of binary variables, then extend the approach trivially to multivalued variables. The approach also extends prior work that addressed the problem in the special case of systems whose state does not change over time. Evaluation results, using both simulation and a real-life case-study, demonstrate the accuracy of the approach.
Open-book tests and student-authored exam questions as useful tools to increase critical thinking.

Open-book exams, sometimes used in courses more associated with math ([1][1]), have been touted as an evaluation method that promotes more active learning. Reported empirical benefits include the creative use of knowledge gained, “deep” probing of the study material, student self-evaluation of
Reciprocity in Staff/Resident Interactions in Nursing Homes

ABSTRACT Social Exchange Theory holds that reciprocity in relationships is essential to well-being. Reciprocity is difficult for dependent elders in nursing homes to manage. A study to identify the extent to which nursing assistants in nursing homes recognized reciprocation needs of residents demonstrated that a variety of caring behaviors were observed and were considered a means to achieving reciprocity; however, opportunities for engaging in them were seldom created. Attitudes were significantly related to race, educational level and time employed in the nursing home, but not related to age, gender or total time worked in nursing homes. Inservice education to help nursing assistants use principles of reciprocity is encouraged.
THEORY OF MARINE COMMUNITIES: THE INTERMEDIATE DISTURBANCE HYPOTHESIS

The theoretical validity of the intermediate disturbance hypothesis is investigated with a model for hierarchical competition between marine species that have space-limited, benthic adults and pelagic larvae. The model explicitly incorporates larval and adult dynamics for two species, one of which overgrows the other. Conclusions include: (1) The subordinate must be a stress tolerator or ruderal for coexistence with a competitive dominant. (2) The intermediate disturbance principle is a moderate-to-high settlement phenomenon: coexistence is possible at sufficiently low settlement even without the aid of disturbance, but at high settlement, a dominant with greater benthic ability excludes the subordinate at all levels of disturbance. (3) Given coexistence, increasing disturbance drives the dominant extinct first. (4) For a fixed level of disturbance, an “intermediate recruitment hypothesis” holds: at low settlement only the subordinate exists, at intermediate settlement there is coexistence, and at high se...
A Newborn Infant with Tachypnea, Intercostal Retractions. and Poor Oxygen Saturation

This case presentation from a clinical pathology conference discussed diagnoses, and clinical aspects, pathological findings and diagnoses for a newborn with tachypnea, intercostal retracticus, and poor oxygen saturation.
Historia Mentem Armet: Lessons of the Past

It is a distressing paradox of our time, when we are concerned as never before with military problems on whose solution may depend our national existence and even the survival of civilization, that we should turn our backs on history and deny that the lessons of the past have any validity for the present.There are many reasons for this. The problems we face are enormously complex and highly technical; the weapons on which we must rely and which threaten our existence are so revolutionary in character as to make past experience seem highly irrelevant. And there are few to tell us that this is not so, for military history has never really been seriously studied in this country. The historian has stood on the sidelines while his academic colleagues, the political scientists, the economists, the physicists, and others, have become increasingly active, officially and unofficially, in the study of national security problems.
Hydrogen Storage in a Microporous Metal−Organic Framework with Exposed Mn2+ Coordination Sites

Use of the tritopic bridging ligand 1,3,5-benzenetristetrazolate (BTT3-) enables formation of [Mn(DMF)6]3[(Mn4Cl)3(BTT)8(H2O)12]2·42DMF·11H2O·20CH3OH, featuring a porous metal−organic framework with a previously unknown cubic topology. Crystals of the compound remain intact upon desolvation and show a total H2 uptake of 6.9 wt % at 77 K and 90 bar, which at 60 g H2/L provides a storage density 85% of that of liquid hydrogen. The material exhibits a maximum isosteric heat of adsorption of 10.1 kJ/mol, the highest yet observed for a metal−organic framework. Neutron powder diffraction data demonstrate that this is directly related to H2 binding at coordinatively unsaturated Mn2+ centers within the framework.
Accounting for inherent circuit resilience and process variations in analyzing gate oxide reliability

Gate oxide breakdown is a major cause of reliability failures in future nanometer-scale CMOS designs. This paper develops an analysis technique that can predict the probability of a functional failure in a large digital circuit due to this phenomenon. Novel features of the method include its ability to account for the inherent resilience in a circuit to a breakdown event, while simultaneously considering the impact of process variations. Based on standard process variation models, at a specified time instant, this procedure determines the circuit failure probability as a lognormal distribution. Experimental results demonstrate this approach is accurate compared with Monte Carlo simulation, and gives 4.7--5.9x better lifetime prediction over existing methods that are based on pessimistic area-scaling models.
Advanced communications technology satellite (ACTS) and potential system applications

A description of the advanced communications technology satellite (ACTS) system is given with special emphasis on the communication characteristics. Potential satellite communications scenarios, including future operational ACTS-like satellite systems, are discussed. The description of the ACTS system updates previously published ACTS system references. Detailed information on items such as experimental ground stations is presented. The potential services can be generically described as voice, video, and data services. The implementation of these services on future operational ACTS-like systems can lead to unique quality, flexibility, and capacity characteristics at lower service costs. The specific service applications that could be supported range from low to high data rates and include both domestic and international applications. >
The stress response neuropeptide CRF increases amyloid-β production by regulating γ-secretase activity

The biological underpinnings linking stress to Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk are poorly understood. We investigated how corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF), a critical stress response mediator, influences amyloid-β (Aβ) production. In cells, CRF treatment increases Aβ production and triggers CRF receptor 1 (CRFR1) and γ-secretase internalization. Co-immunoprecipitation studies establish that γ-secretase associates with CRFR1; this is mediated by β-arrestin binding motifs. Additionally, CRFR1 and γ-secretase co-localize in lipid raft fractions, with increased γ-secretase accumulation upon CRF treatment. CRF treatment also increases γ-secretase activity in vitro, revealing a second, receptor-independent mechanism of action. CRF is the first endogenous neuropeptide that can be shown to directly modulate γ-secretase activity. Unexpectedly, CRFR1 antagonists also increased Aβ. These data collectively link CRF to increased Aβ through γ-secretase and provide mechanistic insight into how stress may increase AD risk. They also suggest that direct targeting of CRF might be necessary to effectively modulate this pathway for therapeutic benefit in AD, as CRFR1 antagonists increase Aβ and in some cases preferentially increase Aβ42 via complex effects on γ-secretase.
Immunodominant T-cell epitopes of rubella virus structural proteins defined by synthetic peptides.

Abstract Sets of overlapping synthetic peptides containing predicted T-cell epitope motifs were designed from the murine monoclonal antibody-defined map of linear B-cell epitope domains within each of the structural proteins of rubella virus (RV). The peptides represented well-defined subsequences of two capsid domains (C1 to C29 and C64 to C97), of a domain of glycoprotein E1 containing neutralizing determinants (E1(202) to E1(283), and of a domain of glycoprotein E2 (E2(31) to E2(105). With the exception of peptides representing C64 to C97, each set of peptides stimulated varied but individually specific lymphoproliferative responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 25 to 50% of a representatively large number of normal, RV-immune human donors with diverse human leukocyte antigen (HLA) backgrounds. Responses were mediated by CD4+ T cells in association with HLA class II antigens, though lymphoproliferative responses to a given peptide were usually not HLA-DR allele specific. Correlation analysis of responses to overlapping peptides suggests that there is an immunodominant T-proliferative epitope within C14 to C29 recognized by approximately 50% of the donor population. However, limiting-dilution analysis indicated much variability between individuals in lymphocyte recognition of this T-cell determinant, even within similar HLA-DR contexts. Thus, the fine specificity of relatively immunodominant T-cell epitopes may vary from individual to individual. Synthetic peptides with predicted T-cell motifs have proved to be useful probes of the molecular determinants of cellular immunity to RV and should expand the rational basis for the design of synthetic RV vaccines.
Secure aggregation in a publish-subscribe system

A publish-subscribe system is an information dissemination infrastructure that supports many-to-many communications among publishers and subscribers. In many publish-subscribe systems, in-network aggregation of input data is considered to be an important service that reduces the bandwidth requirements of the system significantly. In this paper, we present a scheme for securing the aggregation of inputs to such a publish-subscribe system. Our scheme, which focuses on the additive aggregate function, sum, preserves the confidentiality and integrity of aggregated data in the presence of untrusted routing nodes. Our scheme allows a group of publishers to publish aggregate data to authorized subscribers without revealing their individual private inputs to either the routing nodes or the subscribers. In addition, our scheme allows subscribers to verify that routing nodes perform the aggregation operation correctly. We use a message authentication code (MAC) scheme based on the discrete logarithm property to allow subscribers to verify the correctness of aggregated data without receiving the digitally-signed raw data used as input to the aggregation. In addition to describing our secure aggregation scheme, we provide formal proofs of its soundness and safety.
Hypoglycemia prevention via pump attenuation and red-yellow-green "traffic" lights using continuous glucose monitoring and insulin pump data.

Background:Hypoglycemia has been identified as a primary barrier to optimal management of diabetes. This observation, in conjunction with the introduction of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices, has set the stage for achieving tight glycemic control with systems that adjust the insulin pump settings based on measured glucose concentrations. Because system safety and system reliability are key considerations, there is a need for algorithms that reduce the risk of hypoglycemia in closed-loop, open-loop, and advisory-mode systems. More specifically, the algorithm presented here is formulated as a component of the independent safety system module proposed in the modular control-to-range architecture.Methods:We developed two algorithms for attenuating insulin pump injections, which we refer to as Brakes and Power Brakes: Brakes is a pump attenuation function computed using CGM information only, while Power Brakes is an attenuation function in which a metabolic state observer with insulin input is used ...
thiBPQ Encodes an ABC Transporter Required for Transport of Thiamine and Thiamine Pyrophosphate inSalmonella typhimurium

In Salmonella typhimurium, thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) is a required cofactor for several enzymes in central metabolism. Herein we identify a new thi operon,thiBPQ (designated sfuABC in Escherichia coli), required for the transport of thiamine and TPP into the cell. Insertions in the operon result in strains that are phenotypically and biochemically defective in thiamine and TPP transport. Data presented herein show that this operon is transcriptionally repressed in the presence of exogenous thiamine, with TPP the likely regulatory molecule. This work represents the first identification of thiamine transport genes in bacteria and demonstrates the function of a proposed ABC transporter in E. coli.
Integrating cognition, perception and action through mental simulation in robots

We argue that many problems in robotics arise from the difficulty of integrating multiple knowledge representation and inference techniques. We describe an architecture that integrates disparate reasoning, planning, sensation and mobility algorithms by composing them from strategies for managing mental simulations. Since simulations are conducted by modules that include high-level knowledge representation and inference techniques in addition to algorithms for sensation and reactive mobility, cognition, perception and action are continually integrated. An implemented robot using this framework in object-tacking and human–robot interaction tasks demonstrates that knowledge representation and inference techniques enable more complex and flexible robot behavior. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Experimental Analysis of Adaptive Concurrent Mapping and Localization Using Sonar

This paper describes the experimental verification a method for performing concurrent mapping and localization (CML) adaptively using sonar. Predicted sensor readings and expected dead-reckoning errors are used to evaluate different potential actions of the robot. The action that yields the maximum information is selected. The performance of this approach to CML is investigated via experiments with a dynamic underwater sonar sensing system in a 9 meter by 3 meter by 1 meter testing tank. Increased navigation and mapping accuracy are demonstrated in comparison to results obtained with non-adaptive sensor motion.
Random Exchange Ising Chains and Effects of Random xy Interaction

exchange interaction J are studied exactly in the case of distributions of the type P(J) =AIJI' for Jm!n'S:.J'S:.Jmax and P(J) =0, otherwise. The results are compared with those for a periodic chain. We find that the specific heat C~T•+l for Jm1n=O and kT<t:..Jmax· The dependence of spin-spin correlation function on distance and temperature is discussed. The absence of the peak in the zero field Xl. as a function of temperature when v=O is noted in contrast to the case of the periodic chain. The effect of randomness on the low temperature behaviour of these thermodynamic quantities is different. For instance whereas C becomes analytic at T=O, XII either remains singular (ferromagnetic) or becomes analytic (antiferromagnetic). The effect of random x:y interaction (~J, J,.L (S,zSH1.+S,.S,+l.)) on the high temperature behaviour of x 11 and X1. is discussed.
Adding Nuance to the Study of Political Humor Effects: Experimental Research on Juvenalian Satire Versus Horatian Satire

This study extends political humor effects research by focusing on two distinct types of satire, juvenalian and horatian. Theoretical arguments grounded in the elaboration likelihood model culminated in the positing of a series of interactions between message (juvenalian, horatian, traditional opinion-editorial) and recipient ability (high, low) relative to three outcome variables: perceived humor, counterarguing, and attitudes concerning Hillary Clinton’s universal health care plan. An experiment was conducted during the 2008 Democratic primary election. The Message × Ability interactions revealed a need to step beyond the study of satire as monolithic; different types of satire produce divergent effects depending on the ability of the audience member. Future lines of research and the need for additional theory building are discussed.
Many-pairs mutual information for adding structure to belief propagation approximations

We consider the problem of computing mutual information between many pairs of variables in a Bayesian network. This task is relevant to a new class of Generalized Belief Propagation (GBP) algorithms that characterizes Iterative Belief Propagation (IBP) as a polytree approximation found by deleting edges in a Bayesian network. By computing, in the simplified network, the mutual information between variables across a deleted edge, we can estimate the impact that recovering the edge might have on the approximation. Unfortunately, it is computationally impractical to compute such scores for networks over many variables having large state spaces. So that edge recovery can scale to such networks, we propose in this paper an approximation of mutual information which is based on a soft extension of d-separation (a graphical test of independence in Bayesian networks). We focus primarily on polytree networks, which are sufficient for the application we consider, although we discuss potential extensions of the approximation to general networks as well. Empirically, we show that our proposal is often as effective as mutual information for the task of edge recovery, with orders of magnitude savings in computation time in larger networks. Our results lead to a concrete realization of GBP, admitting improvements to IBP approximations with only a modest amount of computational effort.
An Assessment of the Impact that Participation in Local Climate Networks Has on Cities’ Implementation of Climate, Energy, and Transportation Policies

Much of the attention surrounding local climate protection in the United States is associated with two networks: ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability's Cities for Climate Protection and the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement (MCPA). However, the impact of these networks on member-city actions has not been clearly established. This paper examines whether, and to what extent, participation in climate networks leads to the implementation of greenhouse gas (GHG)-reducing policies, above and beyond what would have been done in their absence. To account for the possibility that cities which join climate networks are systematically different from those that do not and control for self-selection induced bias, three statistical techniques—propensity score matching, Heckman full information maximum likelihood, and instrumental variables—are employed to estimate the “treatment effect” of participation. Results suggest that impact is network specific: ICLEI membership causes small to moderate increases in cities’ GHG-relevant activity, whereas the MCPA has no such effect. The characteristics of each network are evaluated in light of these findings.
Benefits and limitations of current antiplatelet therapies.

Purpose. The benefits and limitations of current antiplatelet therapies in the management of patients experiencing acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are reviewed. Summary. Antiplatelet agents, including aspirin, thienopyridines, and platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors, have become the foundation of antithrombotic therapy in the management of patients experiencing ACS. Despite aspirin’s ability to reduce the risk for adverse thrombotic events in a broad range of patients, it has variable antiplatelet activity in individual patients. The term “aspirin resistance” describes the inability of aspirin to produce an anticipated effect on one or more tests of platelet function. Because a substantial proportion of patients are “resistant” to the antiplatelet effects of aspirin, and other pathways for platelet aggregation are not inhibited by aspirin, current guidelines recommend a dual antiplatelet regimen with a thienopyridine or GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor in addition to aspirin for patients with ACS, including patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention and stent placement. These guidelines are based on observational and randomized clinical trials supporting the effectiveness of dual antiplatelet therapy in reducing mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and the need for urgent revascularization compared with placebo, aspirin therapy alone, or an anticoagulant regimen. Studies in small numbers of patients have also revealed that some patients may be resistant to a thienopyridine, with some suggestion of a genetic etiology. Additional studies are needed to provide more definitive answers. Conclusion. Improved awareness by healthcare professionals of the benefits and limitations of various antiplatelet therapies should aid in the development of strategies to ensure patient compliance and thereby reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with premature discontinuation of dual antiplatelet therapy.
Agricultural Conversion Without External Water and Nutrient Inputs Reduces Terrestrial Vegetation Productivity

Driven by global population and standard of living increases, humanity co-opts a growing share of the planet's natural resources resulting in many well-known environmental trade-offs. In this study, we explored the impact of agriculture on a resource fundamental to life on Earth: terrestrial vegetation growth (net primary production; NPP). We demonstrate that agricultural conversion has reduced terrestrial NPP by ~7.0%. Increases in NPP due to agricultural conversion were observed only in areas receiving external inputs (i.e., irrigation and/or fertilization). NPP reductions were found for ~88% of agricultural lands, with the largest reductions observed in areas formerly occupied by tropical forests and savannas (~71% and ~66% reductions, respectively). Without policies that explicitly consider the impact of agricultural conversion on primary production, future demand-driven increases in agricultural output will likely continue to drive net declines in global terrestrial productivity, with potential detrimental consequences for net ecosystem carbon storage and subsequent climate warming.
Absence of Centrioles in the First and Second Meiotic Spindles of Mouse Oocytes

Centrioles are present in oogonia and oocytes of hamsters, mice, rats, gerbils and man up to the pachytene stage. In subsequent meiotic stages, centrioles are absent. At the time of germinal vesicle breakdown in the mouse several foci composed of electron-dense fibrillar material from which microtubules radiate appear near the nucleus. These fibrillar aggregates, referred to as microtubule foci, form small asters and collectively perform the role of the spindle pole during the two meiotic divisions. There are multiple centres at each pole and their number may vary. Thus, centrioles are not obligatory organelles of the spindle apparatus.
Spatial pattern in barnacle settlement: day to day changes during the settlement season

Spatial pattern of settlement of cyprids of the barnacleBalanus balanoides (L.) was examined from photographs taken every low tide during the first 20 days of the settlement season. The locations of pits and cracks and the bases of detached adults were mapped in order to measure specificity of settlement in relation to surface contour and chemical cues associated with conspecifics. Cyprids were identified as to their date of settlement. Distances to nearest neighbours were computed for newly settling cyprids relative to each other, for newly settling cyprids relative to previously settled cyprids, and for newly settling cyprids relative to newly metamorphosed spat.
On the Effectiveness of Unit Test Automation at Microsoft

Instituting an automated unit testing practice across a large software development team can be technically challenging and time consuming. As a result, teams may question the economic value of instituting such a practice. One large Microsoft team consisting of 32 developers transitioned from ad hoc and individualized unit testing practices to the utilization of the NUnit automated unit testing framework by all members of the team. These automated unit tests were typically written by developers after they completed coding functionality, approximately every two to three days. After a period of one year of utilizing this automated unit testing practice on Version 2 of a product, the team realized a 20.9% decrease in test defects at a cost of approximately 30% more development time relative to Version 1 of the product. The product also had a relative decrease in defects found by customers during the first two years of field use. Comparatively, other industrial teams have experienced larger decreases in defects when automated unit tests are written iteratively, as is done with the test driven development practice, for a similar time increase. These results indicate automated unit testing is beneficial but additional quality improvements may be realized if the tests are written iteratively.
Microsurgical management of giant intracranial aneurysms: a single surgeon experience from Louisiana State University, Shreveport.

Background Surgical management of giant aneurysms is challenging because of multiple factors: aneurysm size, wide neck, thrombosis, and calcification. The risk of ischemic complications is higher when compared with smaller aneurysms. We present our surgical experience of clipping these difficult aneurysms. Methods A total of 59 giant intracranial aneurysms underwent surgical clipping by a single surgeon over the last 2 decades. The case records of these patients were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate the operative outcome. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, in compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act regulations. Results The mean age in our series was 50.57 years (range 19 to 77 years). There was a female preponderance (female–male ratio 2.47:1). Headache was the most common form of presentation (62.7%, n = 37), followed by cranial nerve deficits (32.2%, n = 19) and seizures (13.5%, n = 8). Subarachnoid hemorrhage was seen in 38.9% (n = 23). Eleven patients had posterior circulation aneurysm. At admission, 47.8% (n = 11) of the patients were in good grade (grade I and II). Multiple aneurysms were noted in 18.64% (n = 11) of cases, but none of the patients harbored more than 1 giant aneurysm. Mortality rate was 10.1% (n = 6). The majority of patients (71.9%) experienced a good outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale score [GOS] 4 and 5) at the last follow-up. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to find predictors of poor outcome. Poor clinical grade, ruptured aneurysm, and posterior location predicted independently for poor outcome. Conclusions Giant aneurysms impose a relatively higher risk of mortality and morbidity to patients. With proper case selection and appropriate surgical strategy, it is possible to achieve a favorable outcome in most cases.
Potential Dispersal of the Non-Native Parasite Myxobolus cerebralis in the Willamette River Basin, Oregon: A Qualitative Analysis of Risk

Myxobolus cerebralis, the myxosporean parasite responsible for whirling disease in salmonids, was first detected in the United States in 1958. It has since spread across the country, causing severe declines in wild trout populations in the intermountain west. This study qualitatively assesses the risk of introduction and establishment of the pathogen into the Willamette River basin, Oregon, by examining potential routes of dissemination and relationships among obligate hosts, the parasite, and the environment. The approach is a synthesis of historical data, literature, and original research. The risk of M. cerebralis introduction in the Willamette River basin is addressed as a function of three main elements of dispersal: (1) movement of infected fish by humans, (2) natural dispersal (via migratory birds and stray anadromous salmonids), and (3) recreational activities. Establishment of the parasite is dependent upon several environmental and biological factors, including water temperatures, density, and s...
Planning Programs: Social Security and Head Start

I shall begin with an example that was seared in my mind when I was 13 years old. Franklin Roosevelt had just taken office. In the campaign he had advocated conservative practices. By the time he was inaugurated he realized that he was facing an economic catastrophe. One of his first acts was to close all banks because they did not have adequate reserves to pay their depositors who already were withdrawing their money.
The Story That Is Never Told

This narrative accounting of one night on the border with the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps deals with how identity was re-storyed in the context of fieldwork, and the implications that this re-storying had on both the researcher and on the people touched by the research.