cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Combinatorial auctions with structured item graphs

Combinatorial auctions (CAs) are important mechanisms for allocating interrelated items. Unfortunately, winner determination is NP-complete unless there is special structure. We study the setting where there is a graph (with some desired property), with the items as vertices, and every bid bids on a connected set of items. Two computational problems arise: 1) clearing the auction when given the item graph, and 2) constructing an item graph (if one exists) with the desired property. 1 was previously solved for the case of a tree or a cycle, and 2 for the case of a line graph or a cycle. We generalize the first result by showing that given an item graph with bounded treewidth, the clearing problem can be solved in polynomial time (and every CA instance has some treewidth; the complexity is exponential in only that parameter). We then give an algorithm for constructing an item tree (treewidth 1) if such a tree exists, thus closing a recognized open problem. We show why this algorithm does not work for treewidth greater than 1, but leave open whether item graphs of (say) treewidth 2 can be constructed in polynomial time. We show that finding the item graph with the fewest edges is NP-complete (even when a graph of treewidth 2 exists). Finally, we study how the results change if a bid is allowed to have more than one connected component. Even for line graphs, we show that clearing is hard even with 2 components, and constructing the line graph is hard even with 5.
Experimental Evaluation of Energy Behavior of Iteration Space Tiling

Optimizing compilers have traditionally focused on enhancing the performance of a given piece of code.With the proliferation of embedded software, it is becoming important to identify the energy impact of these traditional performance-oriented optimizations and to develop new energy-aware schemes. Towards this goal, this paper explores the energy consumption behavior of one of the widely-used loop-level compiler optimizations, iteration space tiling, by varying a set of software and hardware parameters. Our results show that the choice of tile size and input size critically impacts the system energy consumption. Specifically, we find that the best tile size for the least energy consumed is different from that for the best performance. Also, tailoring tile size to the input size generates better energy results than working with a fixed tile size. Our results also reveal that tiling should be applied more or less aggressively based on whether the low power objective is to prolong the battery life or to limit the energy dissipated within a package.
Nonadditive Gaussian watermarking and its application to wavelet-based image watermarking

This paper extends our game-theoretic approach to design and embed watermarks in Gaussian signals in the presence of an adversary. The detector solves a binary hypothesis testing problem. The system is designed to minimize probability of error under the worst-case attack in a prescribed class of attacks. The embedder is allowed to filter the host signal and add a watermark, thereby making the scheme nonadditive. The theory is applied to wavelet-based image watermarking. We find that, in this framework, additive watermarks are clearly suboptimal.
NGF/BDNF chimeric proteins: analysis of neurotrophin specificity by homolog-scanning mutagenesis

Despite their extensive sequence identities at the amino acid level (approximately 55%), NGF and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) display distinct neuronal specificity toward neurons of both the PNS and CNS. To explore which region(s) within these neurotrophic factors might determine their differential actions on various subpopulations of peripheral neurons, a systematic series (homolog-scanning mutagenesis) of chimeric NGF/BDNF molecules was prepared using PCR overlap-extension techniques. After expression in COS-7 cells, the chimeric proteins were tested for their biological activities in neurite outgrowth and neuronal survival assays. This approach led to the functional expression of 12 NGF/BDNF chimeras. Surprisingly, despite replacing successive amino acid segments throughout the entire length of NGF with the corresponding parts of BDNF, all chimeras displayed full NGF-like activity in bioassays carried out with PC12 cells, embryonic chick dorsal root ganglion explants, sympathetic ganglion explants, and dissociated cultures of dorsal root ganglion neurons. Most of the chimeras additionally showed BDNF-like activity as defined by neurite outgrowth on chick nodose ganglion explants. However, none of the chimeras supported the survival of dissociated nodose ganglion neurons. Our results suggest that NGF and BDNF must share very similar higher- order protein structures, and we propose that the overall structure or conformation of NGF, in contrast to short amino acid –active-site” segments, may determine its exact neuronal specificity.
Cold Smoke: smoke-induced density currents cause unexpected smoke transport near large wildfires

Abstract. The first observations of smoke-induced density currents originating from large wildfires are presented. Using a novel mobile Doppler lidar and additional in situ measurements, we document a deep (~ 2 km) smoke-filled density current that propagates more than 25 km at speeds up to 4.5 m s−1 near a large forest fire in northern California. Based on these observations we show that the dynamics governing the spread of the smoke layer result from differential solar heating between the smoke-filled and smoke-free portions of the atmospheric boundary layer. A calculation of the theoretical density current speed agrees well with the observed propagation speed. Additional lidar and photographic documentation of other smoke-filled density currents demonstrate that these previously unknown phenomena are relatively common near large wildfires and can cause severe and unexpected smoke inundation of populated areas.
Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis [Article in English]

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a monophasic autoimmune postinfectious demyelinating disease that predominantly affects children. It appears to occur in a seasonal distribution (winter and early spring) and is characterized by the acute onset of diffuse neurological signs and symptoms. The diagnosis is often made by exclusion, and it is strongly suggested by preceding infection or immunization coupled by evidence of multifocal lesions of demyelization on neuroimaging. High dose corticosteroid therapy is the treatment of choice. Prognosis in pediatric patients is generally favorable.
Ten-year trends (1992 to 2002) in sociodemographic predictors and indicators of alcohol abuse and dependence among whites, blacks, and Hispanics in the United States.

Background: The objective of this paper is to examine 10-year trends (1992 to 2002) in the number and type of indicators of DSM-IV abuse and dependence among whites, blacks, and Hispanics in the United States. Methods: Data are from the 1991 to 1992 National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey (NLAES; n = 42,862) and the 2001 to 2002 National Epidemiologic Study on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC; n = 43,093). Both surveys used multistage cluster sample procedures to select respondents 18 years of age and older from the U.S. household population. Results: Increases in the prevalence of alcohol abuse between 1992 and 2002 seem associated with a rise in the prevalence of the indicator for "hazardous use." which usually means reports of driving after drinking. The decrease in dependence was not associated with changes in a particular indicator. In addition, both in 1992 and 2002, 12.3 to 15.4% of the men and 5.2 to 7.9% of the women were diagnostic "orphans." These respondents reported 1 or 2 indicators of alcohol dependence as present. Conclusions: The observed trends in number and types of indicators of DSM-IV alcohol abuse and dependence were probably triggered by a complex interplay between individuals' volume and pattern of drinking and reactions from the drinkers' social environment. The close association between hazardous use of alcohol and the prevalence of abuse deserves further discussion. A medical diagnostic category should not be so dependent on a criterion that may be influenced by social situations. It is necessary to understand more about diagnostic "orphans" to better design interventions to address their problems. Language: en
Using GAs to estimate confidence intervals for missing spatial data

A technique for conditional spatial simulation using genetic algorithms is described. This technique can be used to characterize regions of missing data in regularly sampled data. The proposed technique is much faster than simulated annealing, the current state of the art in spatial simulation. An application of this technique for determining confidence intervals for missing data in optical measurements of gas turbines is discussed.
The Impact of the Campus Culture on Students' Civic Activities, Values, and Beliefs.

A supportive campus culture is critical to institutionalizing civic engagement and instilling the principles of active citizenship. This chapter explores a model that quantitatively measures the impact of the campus environment on civic engagement outcomes.
Living with aliens: effects of invasive shrub honeysuckles on avian nesting.

Invasive species have come to the forefront of conservation biology as a major threat to native biodiversity. Habitats dominated by shrub honeysuckles (Lonicera spp.) in the United States have been characterized as “ecological traps” by ecologists. Here we tested this hypothesis by investigating the effects of shrub honeysuckles on the nesting ecology of native birds in seven study sites in central Pennsylvania, USA. We examined how the abundance of shrub honeysuckles influenced the selection of nesting substrates and habitat for a community of common songbirds, and the parental-care behavior and nestling development of gray catbirds (Dumetella carolinensis). We found that birds had a strong bias towards nesting in honeysuckle shrubs, but not necessarily for nesting in honeysuckle-dominated habitats. Nest predation rates were affected by the density of nests in a habitat, but not by the overall abundance of honeysuckles in such habitats. Honeysuckle abundance in the habitat did show significant effects on some parental-care behavioral parameters: catbirds had higher nest visitation rates and shorter visit lengths in areas of high honeysuckle density. On average, Gray catbirds fed fruit 12%±0.31 s.e. of their nestling-feeding bouts, mostly fruits of shrub honeysuckles. Nestlings in sites with high honeysuckle density also showed higher mass:tarsus ratios, suggesting a good (possibly better) physiological condition of catbird nestlings at the time of fledging. Our study shows that honeysuckle-dominated habitats could have equivocal effects on nesting parameters of common species of native birds. We advise more caution in the widespread denomination of novel plant communities with high densities of honeysuckle as “ecological traps” as effects can be null or positive on native birds in certain localities.
Technical education and research in India

MY KNOWLEDGE of technical education in India1 was acquired through a twoyear (1955–57) tour of duty at the University of Roorkee, Roorkee, U. P., India, under a contract between Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N. Y., and the International Co-operation Administration, Washington, D. C.
Sodium channel enhancer restores baroreflex sensitivity in conscious dogs with heart failure

We compared the cardiac inotropic, lusitropic, and chronotropic responses to the Na+ channel enhancer LY-368052 in conscious dogs before and after development of congestive heart failure (CHF). We ...
The Effect of Thyroid Hormone on in Vitro Rat Liver Mitochondrial RNA Synthesis

Liver mitochondrial preparations from normal, thyroidectomized, and triiodothyroninetreated thyroidectomized rats were assayed for in vitro RNA synthetic activity. Thyroidectomized rat mitochondrial preparations incorporated UTP into RNA at 70% the rate of normal control preparations. Mitochondrial preparations from triiodothyroninetreated thyroidectomized rats incorporated UTP at rates 35%–45% greater than those of sham-injected thyroidectomized rats. These differences were statistically significant and could not be attributed to inequalities in mitochondrial sampling, dilution of labeled precursor specific activity, nucleotide substrate concentrations, or differences in ribonuclease activities.
Efficient multiple beam ion optics for quantitative surface analysis: from simulations to a fully operational instrument

A new ion optics system was developed and experimentally tested, which allows for high-resolution multiple beam characterization of materials. This system enables: (1) efficient, quasi-simultaneous measurements of the mass spectra of laser post-ionized sputtered species and secondary ions as well as secondary electron imaging, that can be accompanied and assisted by (2) low energy ion milling and (3) in-situ optical imaging and laser desorption with submicron resolution. Altogether, this ion optics system provides a versatile, sensitive combination of an analytical mass spectrometer and ion, electron and optical microscopes, which can efficiently detect one out of four sample atoms consumed during the analysis.
Polarization entropy transfer and relative polarization entropy

Abstract The concept of polarization entropy is extended to include its transfer by an optical system (or scattering medium) characterized by a Jones matrix (or equivalently, a Mueller-Jones matrix) and also by a general Mueller matrix. It is shown that physical realizability for a deterministic, passive medium governed by a Jones matrix implies enpolarization (i.e., output degree of polarization is greater than input degree of polarization) and that the output entropy is less than the input entropy. Thus enpolarization leads to a decrease in the uncertainty of the output relative to the input as characterized by the respective degree of polarization. General Mueller matrices can depolarize (i.e., output degree of polarization is less than input degree of polarization), leading to an output entropy that is greater than the input entropy. Thus depolarization leads to an increase in the uncertainty of the output relative to the input. An entropic measure of the “distance” between input and output degrees of polarization, the relative entropy, is introduced and studied.
A Role for Kinesin in Insulin-stimulated GLUT4 Glucose Transporter Translocation in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

Insulin regulates glucose uptake in adipocytes and muscle by stimulating the movement of sequestered glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) proteins from intracellular membranes to the cell surface. Here we report that optimal insulin-mediated GLUT4 translocation is dependent upon both microtubule and actin-based cytoskeletal structures in cultured adipocytes. Depolymerization of microtubules and F-actin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes causes the dispersion of perinuclear GLUT4-containing membranes and abolishes insulin action on GLUT4 movements to the plasma membrane. Furthermore, heterologous expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes of the microtubule-binding protein hTau40, which impairs kinesin motors that move toward the plus ends of microtubules, markedly delayed the appearance of GLUT4 at the plasma membrane in response to insulin. The hTau40 protein had no detectable effect on microtubule structure or perinuclear GLUT4 localization under these conditions. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that both the actin and microtubule-based cytoskeleton, as well as a kinesin motor, direct the translocation of GLUT4 to the plasma membrane in response to insulin.
Recruitment of Xenopus Scc2 and Cohesin to Chromatin Requires the Pre-Replication Complex

Cohesin is a multi-subunit, ring-shaped protein complex that holds sister chromatids together from the time of their synthesis in S phase until they are segregated in anaphase. In yeast, the loading of cohesin onto chromosomes requires the Scc2 protein. In vertebrates, cohesins first bind to chromosomes as cells exit mitosis, but the mechanism is unknown. Concurrent with cohesin binding, pre-replication complexes (pre-RCs) are assembled at origins of DNA replication through the sequential loading of the initiation factors ORC, Cdc6, Cdt1 and MCM2-7 (the 'licensing' reaction). In S phase, the protein kinase Cdk2 activates pre-RCs, causing origin unwinding and DNA replication. Here, we use Xenopus egg extracts to show that the recruitment of cohesins to chromosomes requires fully licensed chromatin and is dependent on ORC, Cdc6, Cdt1 and MCM2-7, but is independent of Cdk2. We further show that Xenopus Scc2 is required for cohesin loading and that binding of XScc2 to chromatin is MCM2-7 dependent. Our results define a novel pre-RC-dependent pathway for cohesin recruitment to chromosomes in a vertebrate model system.
Membrane fusion: stalk model revisited.

Membrane fusion is believed to proceed via intermediate structures called stalks. Mathematical analysis of the stalk provided the elastic energy involved in this structure and predicted the possible evolution of the overall process, but the energies predicted by the original model were suspiciously high. This was due to an erroneous assumption, i.e., that the stalk has a figure of revolution of a circular arc. Here we abandon this assumption and calculate the correct shape of the stalk. We find that it can be made completely stress free and, hence, its energy, instead of being positive and high can become negative, thus facilitating the fusion process. Based on our new calculations, the energies of hemifusion, of complete fusion, and of the pore in a bilayer were analyzed. Implications for membrane fusion and lipid phase transitions are discussed.
Threat, Knowledge, and Support for a Collective Response to Urban Flooding1

The most realistic solution to recurring urban flooding in most American cities is some form of land use planning (zoning), i.e., an integrated, collective response to this type of threat to the community. Yet there is frequently little public support for such action. The present study surveyed persons living in and around a notorious urban floodplain to assess support for such land use planning as a function of (a) threat, i.e., the motivational effect of proximity to the floodplain, ownership of property at risk, personal flooding history, perceived likelihood of one's home being flooded in the next 5 years, and the presence of small children in the home; and (b) amount of knowledge about variables affecting flooding, i.e., the cognitive element. Although proximity was related strongly to expressions of concern, none of the measures of threat was related to support for land use planning. Knowledge of the variables involved, however, was positively related to support for a planning solution. The findings are discussed in terms of theoretical implications of the cognitive element in collective responses to environmental hazards.
Effects of estrogen and testosterone on specific prolactin binding in the kidneys and adrenals of rats

Abstract The effects of estradiol benzoate in the female rat, testosterone propionate in the male rat, and castration in both sexes on specific prolactin binding sites in the particulate membranes of the kidneys and adrenals were studied. Castration resulted in a significant increase in PRL binding activity in the kidneys of both males and females, and in a significant increase in PRL binding activity in the adrenals of the females. The increase in PRL binding with castration and the decrease seen with testosterone treatment were similar in both immature and mature rats. Progesterone administration to castrate females failed to alter PRL binding in both tissues. The present results suggest that estrogen and testosterone participate in the PRL osmoregulatory system in the rat.
Estimation of Vital Rates for Populations in the Process of Destabilization

El empleo de tecnicae de estimaciones estoblee requiere idealmente que la poblacion se encuenire en un esiado de perfecta estabilidad. Sabido es que en la practica esta condicion rara vez se cumple, aunque por lo qeneral se toleran pequenas desoiaciones de la estabilidad. Sin embargo, no seha prestado suficiente atencion a la conveniencia de definir los limites de las desoiacionee permieiblee y de cuantificar los sesgos que en las estimaciones estables provocan las desviaciones con respecio a la estabilidad perfecta. En el esiudio se analiza la extension de tales sesqos en una situacion particular, especialmente en poblaciones que han sido estobleeen algun momento del pasado pero cuya mortalidad ha empezado a bajar posteriormente. Por circumeianciae historicas, es este el caso de la mayoria de las situacionee actuales, donde la escasez de datos disponibles ha conducido al empleo de las tecnicas estables. Ademas, el coso merece atencion porque la muy conocida insensibilidad de la distribucion segun la edad a los cambios en la mortalidad, ha llevado a suponer que la cuasi estabilidad de la distribucion segun la edad, justifica una aplicacion franca de las tecnicas estables.
State incentives for energy generation from renewable sources in the United States

This article summarizes state legislation to provide incentives for the development of renewable energy. We briefly review interviews with private sector decision makers regarding the effectiveness of state incentives.
Wavefunction engineering in quantum confined semiconductor nanoheterostructures for efficient charge separation and solar energy conversion

Colloidal quantum-confined semiconductor nanoheterostructures (SNHs) that are composed of multiple component materials in rationally designed spatial arrangements are promising light harvesting and charge separation materials for solar energy conversion. SNHs can be engineered to exhibit type I, quasi-type II and type II carrier localization, affecting their photophysical properties and photochemical performances. Unlike bulk semiconductor heterostructures, the electron and hole energy levels and spatial distributions in SNHs can be continuously tuned by adjusting the material dimension through the quantum confinement effect, providing additional control of their properties through wavefunction engineering. In this article, we review recent progress in using wavefunction engineering to control the absorption and emission spectra, single and multiple exciton dynamics and charge transfer properties of SNHs (core/shell QDs and dot-in-rod nanorods) as well as to improve their performance as light harvesting and charge separation materials for solar energy conversion.
APOMIXIS IN SIDE‐OATS GRAMA

104-112. JOHANSEx, D. A. 1940. Plant microtechnique. McGrawHill. New York. KRAUS, E. J., NELLIE A. BROWN, AND K. C. HAMWER. 1936. Histological reactions of bean plants to indoleacetic acid. Bot. Gaz. 98:370-420. LEVAN, A. 1939. Cytological phenomena connected with the root swelling caused by grow h substances. Hereditos Genetiskt Arkio. 25: 87-96. LOCKE, S. B., A. J. RIKER, AND B. M. DIGGAR. 1938. Growth substances and the development of crowngall. Jour. Agric. Res. 57:21-39. MARMER, DINA R. 1937. Growth of wheat seedlings in solutions containing chemical growth substances. Amer. Jour. Bot. 24.139-145. Ropp DE, R. S. 1947. The response of normal plant tissues and of crown-gall tumor tissues to synthetic growth hormones. Amer. Jour. Bot. 34: 53-62. SKooG, F. 1944. Growth and organ formation in tobacco tissue culture. Amer. Jour. Bot. 31:19-24. . 1947. Growth substances in higher plants. Ann. Rev. Biochem. 16:529-564. WHITE, P. R. 1939. Potentially unlimited growth of excised plant callus in an artificial nutrient. Amer. Jour. Bot. 26: 59-64.
Survey: Combating online in-auction fraud: Clues, techniques and challenges

The number of Internet auction shoppers is rapidly growing. However, online auction customers may suffer from auction fraud, sometimes without even noticing it. In-auction fraud differs from pre- and post-auction fraud in that it happens in the bidding period of an active auction. Since the in-auction fraud strategies are subtle and complex, it makes the fraudulent behavior more difficult to discover. Researchers from disciplines such as computer science and economics have proposed a number of methods to deal with in-auction fraud. In this paper, we summarize commonly seen indicators of in-auction fraud, provide a review of significant contributions in the literature of Internet in-auction fraud, and identify future challenging research tasks.
Mechanisms of failed recovery following postural perturbations on a motorized treadmill mimic those associated with an actual forward trip

Abstract Objective . To examine the recovery strategies employed during a treadmill acceleration task, to determine if mechanisms that contributed to failed recoveries on a motorized treadmill are the same general biomechanical mechanisms that contributed to falls from a trip, and to determine if failed recovery responses could be modified to allow for successful recoveries on subsequent trials. Design . A motorized treadmill was used to induce postural perturbations in healthy older adults. Background . Previously, we induced trips in older adults to identify the mechanisms of failed recovery. However, inducing trips is not a clinically practical test for identifying older adults who are predisposed to falling. Methods . Safety-harnessed older adults stood on a treadmill that was accelerated from 0 to 0.89 m/s to impose a postural perturbation. Recoveries were classified as successful ( n =42) or failed ( n =23). Selected biomechanical variables were calculated using motion analysis methods. Results . Initial failed recoveries had slower reaction times, shorter step lengths, and greater trunk flexion angles and velocities. Subjects who failed on the initial attempt modified their recovery strategy to successfully recover. The biomechanics of these recoveries resembled those used by subjects who successfully recovered on their initial attempt. Conclusions . The biomechanical mechanisms involved with a failed treadmill recovery mimic those responsible for failed recoveries from an induced trip. Subjects who failed on their initial recovery response made modifications allowing successful recoveries on subsequent attempts. Relevance This protocol may be useful as a testing and rehabilitation tool for fall recovery.
SU-FF-I-17: An Evaluation On the Influence of MU Number and Field Length On MV-CBCT Image Quality On a Siemens Oncor Linac Machine

Purpose: We present an empirical evaluation of several factors influencing image quality in megavoltage cone beam CT (MV‐CBCT) to provide guidance for optimization of these parameters in a clinical setting. Method and Materials: A commercial system capable of MV‐CBCT imaging was recently installed in our clinic (MVision, Siemens Oncology Care Solutions). The system uses a 41 cm × 41 cm electronic portal imaging device specially optimized for 6 MV cone beam acquisition. Images are reconstructed from a 200 degree rotation of the gantry, resulting in a field of view of approximately 27×27×27 cm3. In preparation for routine use in image guided radiotherapy, we investigated the effect of varying the MU number and scan length on soft tissue contrast and system resolution. MV‐CBCT images were acquired of several phantoms using the Y‐jaws to vary the scan length, from 1.0 to 27.4 cm while keeping the X‐aperture fixed at 27.4 cm. Imaging was repeated for three MU setting of 5, 10, and 20. The signal to noise ratio (SNR) and the contrast to noise ratio (CNR) were determined in a low‐contrast CT phantom. A second phantom containing a series of line pair objects was used to assess spatial resolution. The image quality in terms of SNR,CNR, and spatial resolution were scored with respect to the MU and field length. Results: The SNR distribution exhibited a clear dependence on field length and MU number used in the acquisition. SNR improved significantly with increasing MU and with decreasing field length. CNR showed a similar dependence on both parameters, and was optimal at field lengths between 2 and 5 cm. Spatial resolution was independent of both parameters providing MU>5. Conclusion: With 20 MU and 2∼3 cm field length, MV‐CBCT can produce very good soft tissue contrast providing the possibility of MV‐CBCT based target delineation.
Braces, wheelchairs, and iron lungs: the paralyzed body and the machinery of rehabilitation in the polio epidemics.

The successful fund raising appeals of the March of Dimes employed images of cute crippled children standing on braces and forearm crutches, sitting in wheelchairs, or confined to iron lungs. Those who had to use these devices as a result of polio, however, were often stigmatized as cripples. American cultural antipathy to these assistive devices meant that polio survivors often had to overcome an emotional and psychological resistance to using them. Whatever their fears, polio survivors quickly discovered the functionality of braces and wheelchairs. By confronting the cultural stigma associated with these devices and in some sense embracing these mechanical “friends,” polio survivors compensated for their paralyzed bodies and became active in the wider world of home, school and work.
A family of flux-limited diffusion theories.

Abstract We present a family of diffusion approximations to the equation of radiative transfer, parameterized functionally by a function χ(ω, R ). Here ω is the effective (treating emission as scattering) single scatter albedo, and R is roughly speaking the magnitude of the dimensionless spatial gradient of the energy density. For any member of this family, i.e., for any function χ, this diffusion theory is flux-limited, properly predicts a single asymptotic mode in a sourcefree homogeneous medium, and gives the correct weak gradient limit. If the choice χ ≡ 1 is made, this family reduces to the flux-limited diffusion theory proposed earlier by Levermore and Pomraning. We suggest a function χ that depends only upon the single variable ω. Simple test problems indicate that this choice leads to improved accuracy over both classic and the earlier flux-limited diffusion theory. This choice also allows the radiative flux and energy density gradient to have independent directions, and this may result in increased accuracy in multidimensional problems.
Characterization of the passive responses of live skeletal muscle using the quasi-linear theory of viscoelasticity

The tensile viscoelastic responses of live, innervated rabbit skeletal muscle were measured and characterized using the quasi-linear model of viscoelasticity. The tibialis anterior (TA) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles of anesthetized New Zealand white rabbits were surgically exposed and tested under in vivo conditions. Rate sensitivity of the force-time history was observed in response to constant velocity testing at rates from 0.01 to 2.0 Hz. Average hysteresis energy, expressed as a percentage of maximum stored strain energy, was 39.3 +/- 5.4% and was insensitive to deformation rate. The quasi-linear model, with constants derived from relaxation testing, was able to describe and predict these responses with correlation exceeding the 99% confidence interval for the 132 constant velocity tests performed (rmean = 0.9263 +/- 0.0373). The predictive ability of this model was improved when compressive loading effects on the muscle were neglected, rmean = 0.9306 +/- 0.0324. The rate insensitivity of hysteresis energy was predicted by the model; however, the absolute value of the hysteresis was underestimated (30.2 +/- 4.0%). Both muscles demonstrated strikingly different elastic functions. Geometric normalization of these responses (stress and strain) did not result in a single elastic function capable of describing both muscles. Based on these results, the quasi-linear model is recommended for the characterization of the structural responses of muscle; however, further investigation is required to determine the influence of muscle geometry and fiber architecture on the elastic function.
Learning Disabilities Identification: Do Researchers Have the Answer?

One hundred and thirteen studies were reviewed to determine how researchers identify their LD samples. Populations were compared on academic, process, intelligence, exclusion, and discrepancy components as well as the demographic characteristics of age, sex, and grade. Researchers were found most often to select the academic and intelligence components and the demographic characteristics of age and sex to identify their populations. However, these components were described in a variety of ways. Less than half of the researchers used the process or exclusion components or included a description of grade placement. The article includes suggestions for obtaining more generalizability of research findings based on results of the review of existing research studies.
Application of MEMS in microwave and millimeter wave systems

This paper provides a brief review of applications for MEMS based systems in microwave and millimeter wave systems. MEMS based switches, capacitors, inductors, phase shifters and micromachined transmission lines and antennas find increasing applications in recent years. Approaches towards the design and fabrication of two MEMS components such as phase shifters and switches, both making use of high dielectric barium strontium titanate (BST) thin films to improve the performance characteristics are also presented. Electrostatic micro switches made with this approach can be actuated with very low voltages.
Implementation of an embedded image-based tracker in a distributed architecture

A major purpose of targeting systems is to ease operator workload by keeping the line of sight (LOS) pointed on a designated target. Our airborne electro-optic targeting system uses the latest technology to accomplish this end. If the latitude, longitude and altitude (geo-position) of a stationary ground target are known in advance, this system can use the aircraft's GPS-aided inertial navigation system to keep the LOS pointed at the target. If the operator wants to point at a target whose geo-position is unknown, this system can compute latitude, longitude and altitude using LOS attitude and range. The role of the image-based tracker in this system is to track airborne or moving ground targets and to compensate for drift and other limitations of geo-point for stationary ground targets. The algorithms implemented in our targeting system are not only processing intensive, but also diverse, incorporating a variety of information from numerous sources in order to provide the operator with the best LOS control solution for a given scenario. This, balanced against the low latency requirements of a real-time control system, has resulted in a software design that spans four separate processor boards. We present the implementation of a successful real-time embedded image-based tracker on a distributed architecture.
Segment reporting in the European Union: Analyzing the effects of country, size, industry, and exchange listing

Abstract The purpose of this study is to provide an analysis of segment reporting practices of firms in the European Union and to identify factors which potentially influence the quality of disclosure. The quality of segment reporting is defined as the number of financial statement items (e.g., sales, profits, assets) disclosed per segment. Segment reporting by line of business and by geographic area are analyzed separately. The four variables hypothesized to influence the quality of segment reporting are country, firm size, industry, and exchange listing. The descriptive analysis individually examines the effect of each of these four variables on the quality of segment reporting. The multiple regression analysis measures the marginal effect of each variable while holding the effects of all other variables constant. The results indicate that the quality of segment reporting is significantly affected by country, firm size, and exchange listing. No evidence is found for an industry effect.
Fluid lives: subjectivities, gender and water in rural Bangladesh

This article seeks to contribute to the emerging debates in gender–water and gender–nature literatures by looking at the ways that gendered subjectivities are simultaneously (re)produced by societal, spatial and natural/ecological factors, as well as materialities of the body and of heterogeneous waterscapes. Drawing from fieldwork conducted in Bangladesh on arsenic contamination of drinking water, the article looks at the ways that gender relations are influenced by not just direct resource use/control/access and the implications of different types of waters, but also by the ideological constructs of masculinity/femininity, which can work in iterative ways to influence how people relate to different kinds of water. Conflicts and struggles over water inflect gendered identities and sense of self, where both men and women participate in reproducing and challenging prevailing norms and practices. As a result, multiple social and ecological factors interact in complex and interlinked ways to complicate gende...
Access to library materials:a global fundamental service

Purpose – The purpose of this column is to discuss the importance of recognition for libraries and librarians as the providers of a “fundamental” service in society.Design/methodology/approach – The article comprises a literature review and commentary on this topic that has been addressed by writers and researchers.Findings – It is imperative that there is recognition that the library fulfills the need that a community is not considered whole unless a library is in place.Originality/value – The value in addressing this issue is to recognize the importance of the library as an institution serving one of the fundamental needs of a society.
Sodium-dependent steady state L-alanine accumulation by the body wall of Glycera dibranchiata

The time course of alanine accumulation in vitro by body wall of the marine polychaete, Glycera dibranchiata, was studied in the presence and absence of sodium and metabolic inhibitors. Utilizing acute exposure-retention techniques, the body wall was found to accumulate alanine against a 343:1 (tissue/sea water) concentration gradient at steady state when exposed to an amino acid concentration approximately that of its natural habitat (8.6 × 10−5 M). In the absence of sodium, or in the presence of the metabolic inhibitors 2,4-dinitrophenol, sodium azide, and ouabain, the steady state alanine gradient is equal to unity. Accumulated alanine probaby resides intracellularly in the body wall, since the apparent extracellular space in body wall accounts for only 6% of the total tissue water. The 343:1 alanine gradient generated by the body wall is thermodynamically plausible in light of the proposed model of alanine influx in body wall epithelial membrane (Stevens and Preston, '80b). The energy available for such influx and accumulation can be derived directly from the sodium chemical gradient plus the membrane electrical potential or potassium gradient.
Self-control as a general theory of crime

Low self-control theory will have an impact on criminological theory. G&H's arguments are too forcefully and intelligently made to be ignored. I anticipate that the theory will inspire a great deal of attention and research (and much of it may be in an attempt to prove them wrong). The value of self-control theory would be advanced even more, however, if G&H would grapple with the tautology problem, attend to theoretical linkages with prior control theory, and ease off a bit from the oppositional strategy in comparing their theory with other theories.
A growing role for hypertrophy in senescence

Numerous observations support the existence of senescence factors in yeast. Historically, the asymmetric propagation and accumulation of extra-chromosomal ribosomal DNA circles (ERCs) has been proposed to fulfill this function. On the other hand, several recent papers have re-invigorated the discussion of a potential role for cell size and/or hypertrophy in yeast senescence. While studies have revealed evidence both in favor of and against the hypertrophy model, the prevalent dogma largely discounts a potential role for cell size in the control of cellular lifespan. However, new results not only demonstrate a correlation between cell size and senescence, but allude to a causative role of cell size and hypertrophy in aging. In particular, the degree of hypertrophy, as determined by the rate of cell growth per generation, appears to function as a major determinant of cellular lifespan. Herein, in light of these new data, we examine the recent debate regarding a potential role for cell size in yeast aging, address criticisms of this model, and suggest that the balance is tipping in favor of hypertrophy having a causative role in aging, albeit not as the sole “aging factor.”
A parallel error diffusion implementation on a GPU

In this paper, we investigate the suitability of the GPU for a parallel implementation of the pinwheel error diffusion. We demonstrate a high-performance GPU implementation by efficiently parallelizing and unrolling the image processing algorithm. Our GPU implementation achieves a 10 - 30x speedup over a two-threaded CPU error diffusion implementation with comparable image quality. We have conducted experiments to study the performance and quality tradeoffs for differences in image block sizes. We also present a performance analysis at assembly level to understand the performance bottlenecks.
Active citizenship, education and service learning

This article explores how active citizenship can be encouraged through education and community action. It proposes that service learning and a renewed focus on voluntarism can both promote social cohesion between different ethnic and cultural groups while also fostering among the population a greater understanding of and commitment to civic culture. It reviews the international evidence on service programmes and the newly created National Citizen Service programme in the United Kingdom, arguing for a greater role for service learning in the citizen educational offer.
Use of a quantitative product-enhanced reverse Transcriptase assay to monitor retrovirus levels in mAb cell-culture and downstream processing

Murine hybridoma cells used in the production of monoclonal antibodies (mAb's) produce endogenous type C retrovirus particles. Regulatory agencies require a demonstration that mAb's intended for human use are free of retrovirus with an adequate margin of safety. This is usually achieved by validation studies, performed at small scale, to demonstrate that the manufacturing process is capable of removing or inactivating several different model viruses, including a murine retrovirus. In this report, we assess the utility of the TaqMan fluorogenic 5'-nuclease Product-Enhanced Reverse Transcriptase (TM-PERT) assay for measuring reverse transcriptase (RT) activity in cell-culture samples and RT removal by models of processing steps. The levels of RT activity contained in laboratory-scale cell-culture harvests (10(8)-10(13) pU/mL) were substantially above the detection limit of the TM-PERT assay ( approximately 10(6) pU/mL). The nature of the RT activity from cell culture was complex, but the bulk of RT activity in clarified mAb harvests appears to be contained in large molecular weight viral particles. In laboratory-scale chromatographic runs, sufficient RT activity was present in mAb-containing eluates to accurately calculate its log(10) reduction value (LRV), typically between 2 and 4 log(10) per step. Monoclonal antibody purified using a model purification scheme consisting of three serial columns contained some residual RT activity near the limit of detection. The data indicate that the TM-PERT assay, because it is quantitative and highly sensitive and can be used to analyze a large number of samples in a short period, is ideally suited to investigate and optimize retrovirus clearance in purification processes.
Anthropometric asymmetry in chronically undernourished children from Southern Mexico.

In previous studies, environmental stress has been associated with increased structural asymmetry, indicating differential rates of development on either side of the median plane. To analyse the effect of environmental stress upon anthropometric asymmetry, six bilateral measurements and one derived measurement were compared between chronically mild-to-moderately undernourished school children (7-13 years of age) and a well-nourished control sample (5-35 years of age). The undernourished sample was from a subsistence agricultural community in Southern Mexico. The well-nourished comparison (control) sample was middle class, White children and young adults in Texas. Anthropometric asymmetry of the skeleton was not consistently increased in the undernourished school children compared to the well-nourished controls. Arm and estimated mid-arm muscle circumferences had significantly increased asymmetry, but these differences are likely due more to laterality in function or physical work than to undernutrition. G...
Molecular characterization of squalene synthase from the green microalga Botryococcus braunii, race B.

The green microalga Botryococcus braunii produces large amounts of liquid hydrocarbons and is classified into three races, depending on the type of the hydrocarbon produced. The B race produces two types of triterpenoid hydrocarbons, squalene and botryococcene, both of which are putative condensation products of farnesyl diphosphate. In an attempt to better understand the regulation involved in the production of squalene and botryococcene, we have isolated and characterized a squalene synthase (SS) gene from the B race of B. braunii. A 366-bp cDNA fragment was initially obtained from the B race utilizing a reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction and degenerate primers based on conserved amino acid sequences found in all SS enzymes. Using this putative SS fragment as a probe, a 2632-bp cDNA clone was isolated from a cDNA library. This cDNA contained an open reading frame coding for a protein with 461 amino acids and a predicted molecular mass of 52.5 kDa. Comparison of the Botryococcus SS (BSS) with SS from different organisms showed 52% identity with Nicotiana tabacum, 51% with Arabidopsis thaliana, 48% with Zea mays, 40% with rat, 39% with yeast, and 26% with Zymomonas mobilis. Expression of full-length and carboxy-terminus truncated BSS cDNA in Escherichia coli resulted in significant levels of bacterial SS enzyme activity but no botryococcene synthase activity. RNA blot hybridization analysis of algal cultures during a culture cycle indicated that BSS gene expression is preferential during rapid growth. Given that the DNA blot analysis indicated only a single copy of the SS gene in the algal genome, these results suggest either that there exists coordinate expression of separate synthase genes for squalene and botryococcene biosynthesis or that there might be unique physiological conditions controlling the SS vs botryococcene synthase activity of a single peptide species.
New rodenticide, 'MR-100', containing a taste enhancer.

IT has usually been assumed that the more acceptable a rodenticide is, the more effective it will be in the field control of rats, but this has not been verified experimentally: we now report data supporting this supposition. The most effective rodenticides for domestic and agricultural use are the anticoagulants, and grain has hitherto been the most suitable carrier1.