cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF METABOLIC FACTORS ON THE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF ALBINO MICE TO EXPERIMENTAL TUBERCULOSIS

Mice maintained on various types of diets were found to become more susceptible to tuberculosis when deprived of food for periods of 30 hours shortly after infection. In contrast, the susceptibility of the animals to the disease was unaffected by undernutrition resulting from limitation of food intake to a low but constant daily level. The resistance of mice to tuberculosis appeared to be independent—within wide limits—of the protein content of the diet. It is true that mice fed a diet very low in protein and high in carbohydrate proved highly susceptible, but resistance was normal if part of the carbohydrate was replaced by fat (peanut oil)—without any change in the protein content of the food. Resistance to tuberculosis could be consistently and markedly decreased by adding sodium citrate (or glutarate) to a variety of diets. The survival time following infection was greatly shortened if dinitrophenol or thyroxine were administered per os in amounts sufficient to limit the weight gains of non-infected controls. There was usually a lag period of several days before the infection-enhancing effect of these metabolic stimulants became manifest. The procedures which increased the susceptibility of mice to infection with virulent tubercle bacilli also made it possible to establish in these animals a fatal infection with BCG. There was no constant relation between weight gains of uninfected mice on the various regimens, and the effect of the latter on susceptibility to tuberculosis. These findings appear compatible with, but do not prove, the hypothesis that a decrease in resistance to infection can be brought about by metabolic disturbances which cause either a depletion of the glycogen reserves of the body, or a reduction in the glycolytic activity of inflammatory cells, or an increase in the concentration of certain polycarboxylic acids and ketones in the tissues.
Fatty Acid Supplementation and Skin Disease

The importance of dietary fatty acids to the health of the skin was recognized more than 60 years ago. Fatty acids are important in providing membrane fluidity and maintaining the cutaneous water permeability barrier. Fatty acids function as precursors of eicosanoids. Eicosanoids, which include prostaglandins and leukotrienes, influence cellular interactions, cellular proliferation, and inflammation. Certain diseases, such as atopy and hypothyroidism, are characterized by abnormalities in fatty acid metabolism. Dietary manipulations may be useful in the treatment of diseases mediated by eicosanoids.
Religion in the Subjunctive: Vaiṣṇava Narrative, Sufi Counter-Narrative in Early Modern Bengal

When VaiX>avas in 16th century Bengal first recognised KPX>a Caitanya (1486-1533) as divine, they attributed to him all the forms of the pur@>ic KPX>a, starting with the yug@vat@ra as the corrective for the ills of the Kali age. These and related martial forms quickly yielded to more comforting and benign images of divinity that ultimately emphasised the erotic sentiment in the play of R@dh@ and KPX>a, embodied in Caitanya as the androgyne. With Mughal ascendancy, the political landscape seemed to run counter to the successful implementation of the yug@vat@ra's mission until Satya Par—a figure with allegiance to both VaiX>ava and Sufi ideals—arrogated to himself that now-vacated role. In this new form of devotion, VaiX>avas and Sufis were united in finding a common solution to the decline. Though Satya Par was only a fictional character, his tales circulated widely, prompting numerous attempts to reconcile Hindu and Muslim theologies. One example each from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries will illustrate the novel strategies as authors tried to imagine a world wherein the multiple religious traditions of Bengal could share the land with a common cosmology and a common devotion, an innovative speculation that is subjunctive in its impulse yet explicit in its suggested solutions. The pur@>ic master narrative of decline
Investigation of A=152 radioactivities with mass-separated sources: Identification of Lu 152

Nuclides with A=152 were produced in $^{58}\mathrm{Ni}$ bombardments of $^{96}\mathrm{Ru}$ and their decay properties were investigated following on-line mass separation. The isotope $^{152}\mathrm{Lu}$ (${T}_{1/2}$=0.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1 s) was identified by \ensuremath{\gamma} rays in its \ensuremath{\beta}-decay daughter, $^{152}\mathrm{Yb}$. Based on its decay characteristics, the parent state has a probable spin and parity assignment of (4,5,${6}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$). Several new transitions were observed to follow the \ensuremath{\beta} decays of $^{152}\mathrm{Yb}$ and the $^{152}\mathrm{Tm}$ low-spin isomer; they established previously unknown levels in both $^{152}\mathrm{Tm}$ and $^{152}\mathrm{Er}$. The additional \ensuremath{\gamma} rays in $^{152}\mathrm{Yb}$ decay reduce from 100% to 88% the direct feeding to the one excited state in $^{152}\mathrm{Tm}$ that had been known earlier. Nevertheless, the corresponding logft value is calculated to be 3.5, indicating that this is an allowed \ensuremath{\beta} transition which connects the ${0}^{+}$ parent with a ${1}^{+}$ excited state in $^{152}\mathrm{Tm}$. By comparing the \ensuremath{\beta}-decay rates of $^{148}\mathrm{Dy}$ and $^{152}\mathrm{Ho}$, and the \ensuremath{\alpha}- and \ensuremath{\beta}-decay rates of $^{152}\mathrm{Er}$, an \ensuremath{\alpha} branch of 90\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}4 % was deduced for $^{152}\mathrm{Er}$.
The impact of entry costs on export market participation in agriculture

Theoretical models of market entry imply that sunk costs are an important factor in the decision to export. Following Helpman, Melitz, and Rubinstein (2008), we develop a simple model of foreign market participation and use a Bayesian method to estimate the resulting dynamic discrete-choice model with lagged dependent variable. Employing a balanced panel data that follows 81 trading partners for 30 years from 1971 to 2000, we estimate our model and compute the marginal effect of sunk costs on the likelihood of export market participation. We find that such costs are economically and statistically important for trade in all of the six major agricultural commodities (Cereals, Dairy, Fish, Meat, Vegetables and Fruits, and Sugar), for agricultural producers in both developed and developing countries. We also find evidence suggesting that, in general, market access for both developed and developing exporters had improved in the years following the Uruguay round of trade negotiations (1995–2000).
Trypanosoma cruzi: effect on B-cell-responsive and -responding clones.

Abstract During the course of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in C57BL/6 mice, which are relatively resistant to the parasite, the hosts developed antibody activity against previously unencountered antigens. The anti-sheep erythrocyte and antitrinitrophenyl antibody levels increased rapidly from Day 7 of infection, reached a peak by the 21st day, and were maintained at this level through 120 days postinfection in these mice. In contrast, highly susceptible C3H(He) mice did not have demonstrable antibody responses to SRBC or TNP during the 24-day infection period. Autoantibody activity against the selfantigens presented on isologous erythrocytes or thymocytes, however, were reduced in infected C57BL/6 mice. No significant reduction in autoreactivity to the self-antigens on erythrocytes or thymocytes was observed in C3H(He) mice infected with T. cruzi although a trend of reduced autoresponsiveness toward erythrocytes appeared to be developing by the time of death. C57BL/6 mice immunized with sheep erythrocytes as neonates and infected with T. cruzi as adults, or adult mice primed with low doses of sheep erythrocytes prior to infection, had elevated antibody responses to sheep erythrocytes unless the mice were immunized with sheep erythrocytes during the course of infection, in which case suppression of the response against sheep erythrocytes resulted. The nonspecific synthesis of immunoglobulins in infected C57BL/6 mice was, in part, a result of the lymphocyteactivating properties of T. cruzi-associated antigens. The T. cruzi-associated antigens induced proliferative and differentiative responses in spleen cells in vitro. It is proposed that the T. cruzi-associated antigens differentially affect lymphocytes capable of responding to antigen and those lymphocytes previously stimulated by antigen.
Close-range remote sensing of aquatic macrophyte vegetation cover.

This study used ground-based hyperspectral radiometry to examine variations in visible and near-infrared spectral reflectance of spatterdock (Nuphar polysepalum Engelm.) as a function of vegetation cover. Sites were sampled in Swan Lake in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, using a 512-band spectroradiometer to measure reflectance over the range 326.5-1055.3nm (visible-nearinfrared) and simultaneous estimates of spatterdock cover. Linear correlations between spatterdock cover and spectral reflectance were statistically significant at the 0.05 significance level in two specific ranges of the spectrum: 518-607 nm; and 697-900nm. Predictability of spatterdock cover using spectral variables was best using an NDVI transformation of the data in a non-linear equation (r 2 = 0.95).
Breast cancer: do specialists make a difference?

Background: Many believe that breast cancer should be treated by specialists. We studied the effect of surgeon and hospital specialization on survival after breast cancer treatment in a large, well-defined patient population.
Isolated Lymphoid Follicles are Dynamic Reservoirs for the Induction of Intestinal IgA

IgA is one of the most important molecules in the regulation of intestinal homeostasis. Peyer’s patches have been traditionally recognized as sites for the induction of intestinal IgA responses, however more recent studies demonstrate that Isolated Lymphoid Follicles (ILFs) can perform this function as well. ILF development is dynamic, changing in response to the luminal microbial burden, suggesting that ILFs play an important role providing an expandable reservoir of compensatory IgA inductive sites. However, in situations of immune dysfunction, ILFs can over-develop in response to uncontrollable enteric flora, resulting in ILF hyperplasia. The ability of ILFs to expand and respond to help control the enteric flora makes this dynamic reservoir an important arm of IgA inductive sites in intestinal immunity.
Yolk protein endocytosis by oocytes in Drosophila melanogaster: immunofluorescent localization of clathrin, adaptin and the yolk protein receptor

Abstract The process of yolk protein (YP) uptake by developing oocytes in Drosophila melanogaster has been investigated by immunofluorescent localization of the endocytosis proteins, clathrin, α-adaptin and the putative yolk protein receptor (YP receptor). Data suggests that YPs from the follicle cells are trafficked into the oocyte during early stages of vitellogenesis, and that hemolymph YPs are sequestered by nurse cells adjacent to the developing oocyte during late stages of vitellogenesis. Yolk proteins were immunolocalized to both follicle cells and nurse cells during these processes. Diapausing female Drosophila melanogaster undergo a pre-vitellogenic arrest of ovarian development associated with the absence of ovarian α-adaptin, clathrin and putative YP receptor. Diapause termination by transfer of whole animals from 11°C to 25°C, or by 20-hydroxyecdysone injection, results in the appearance of immunopositive material in the nurse cells for all three proteins between 12 h and 16 h post upshift and within four days of injection. Immunopositive material was not noted in the follicle cells during diapause termination. In vitro warming of diapausing ovaries, or incubation in the presence of 1 μM 20-hydroxyecdysone failed to initiate early vitellogenic development suggesting that diapause termination requires factor(s) external to the ovary. Western blotting analysis of extracts of 24 h post-eclosion wild type and ap56f females identified putative yolk protein receptor with a molecular weight of 208 kDa and clathrin with a molecular weight of 178 kDa.
Actions of neomycin on neuronal L-, N-, and non-L/non-N-type voltage-sensitive calcium channel responses

The effects of neomycin on neuronal voltagesensitive calcium channel (VSCC) responses were investigated by evaluating its effects on calcium-dependent neuronal responses that are sensitive and insensitive to the N-type voltage-sensitive calcium channel antagonist ω-conotoxin GVIA and the L-type VSCC antagonist nitrendipine. Chick synaptosomal45Ca2+ influx and K+-evoked release of [3H]norepinephrine from chick cortical brain slices were ω-conotoxin GVIA sensitive and nitrendipine insensitive, suggesting that these responses are mediated predominantly by N-type VSCC. The K+-evoked increase of intracellular calcium in cortical neurons and the K+-evoked release of [3H]norepinephrine from rat brain cortical slices was partially sensitive to ω-conotoxin GVIA and nitrendipine, suggesting that these responses are mediated by N-, L- and non-L/non-N-type VSCC. Rat synaptosomal45Ca2+ influx and the K+-evoked release of [3H]d-aspartate from rat hippocampal slices were completely insensitive to ω-conotoxin GVIA and nitrendipine, suggesting that these responses were mediated predominantly by non-L/non-N-type VSCC. Neomycin caused a concentration-dependent and virtually complete inhibition of all response parameters, with IC50 values ranging from 90 to 400 μM. The results suggest that neomycin is a nonselective inhibitor of neuronal responses mediated by L-, N-, and non-L/non-N-type VSCC.
A neurotransmitter specific functional recovery mediated by fetal implants in the lesioned spinal cord of the rat

Abstract In the electrophysiologic test of the hindlimb withdrawal reflex where the long latency component is found to be dependent on noradrenaline (NA), implants of fetal NA tissue in lesioned animals results in a recovery of NA dependent function proportional to the number of catecholamine fluorescent cells in the implants.
Ectopia of the vas deferens.

Abstract Ectopic location of the vas deferens in a rare congenital abnormality that has a spectrum of presentations. Such cases have been associated with anorectal anomalies. knowledge of distal Wolffian duct embryology may help to explain the developmental steps involved in these anomalies, as well as provide theories for the variations that may be encountered. Vas deferens development is reviewed, and two cases of vas ectopia are presented to illustrate and lend support to current theories of normal and abnormal vasal embryology.
The properties of clusters in the gas phase: ammonia about Bi+, Rb+, and K+

Abstract Thermodynamic data are reported for NH 3 clustered about Bi + , Rb + , and K + in the gas phase. Unusually strong bondings of NH 3 to Bi + suggests the probable importance of partial covalent bonding in stabilizing the first ligand cluster. Differences in relative bond strengths for NH 3 and H 2 O about Rb + andK + are consistent with the results of extended Huckel calculations reported herein.
Six Sigma arises from the ashes of TQM with a twist

Purpose – This paper sets out to analyse the use of the Six Sigma methodology to improve quality in healthcare. It looks at how Six Sigma grew out of the concept of Total Quality Management (TQM).Design/methodology/approach – Six Sigma is a quality improvement methodology that has been widely adopted by companies since the early 1990s and has grown exponentially in the healthcare industry during the past five years. Some of the main tenets of Six Sigma have emerged from the principles of TQM, including the notion that the entire organization must support the quality effort; that there should be a vigorous education effort; and that a quality improvement process should emphasize root cause analysis.Findings – In spite of its early success, TQM “crashed and burned” for several reasons including the fact that financial benefits were difficult to assign to TQM efforts, root cause was not always determined resulting in recurring errors, there was no common metric to measure the level of quality attained, and q...
Source contributions to airborne particle deposition at the Yungang Grottoes, China

The Buddhist cave temple complex at Yungang in northern China is affected by a rapid accumulation of airborne particles that settle onto the thousands of statues contained within those caves. Experiments have been conducted to identify the most important air pollution sources that contribute to the dust deposition problem. The spatial distribution of the deposition rate of airborne particles within a 2 km × 2 km area surrounding the grottoes was measured during a 2-day period in April, 1991. Peak particle deposition rates of > 60 μg m−2 s−1 were found at locations within the village of Yungang itself and along the adjacent coal-haul highway. Moving away from the village and coal-haul highway, deposition rates decline to much lower values, indicating that the village and highway are significant sources of airborne particles. A comparison of the mineralogical composition of the dust deposits in the caves with the composition of local soil dust, paved road dust from the coal-haul highway and deteriorated cave ceiling rock material indicates that the dust deposits in the caves are a combination of the above sources, with the paved road dust from the coal-haul highway providing the closest match to the largest quantity of the material deposited in the caves.
Low-cost high-manufacturability and thermal stability optical front-end for 10 Gb ethernet applications

With the drastic expansion of internet usage, the demand of 10Gb/s transmission optoelectronic devices for local-area-network (LAN) and storage-area-network (SAN) are increasing. The key issues of these applications are to improve cost, manufacturability and reliability of optoelectronic devices in high speed transmission. The authors have demonstrated extremely low cost, high manufacturability and thermal stability optical fron-end for 10Gb/s Ethernet applications in this paper. High performance and high sensitivity of 10Gb/s transmitter optical sub-assembly (TOSA) and receiver optical sub-assembly (ROSA) with TO-Can packages are discussed and demonstrated to overcome the critical points in high speed applications, respectively. Moreover, 10km interconnection of 10Gb/s optical front-end without isolated elements inside are also proved to be error free at 10.3125Gb/s. In order to improve the signal integrity and manufacturability of 10Gb/s OSA in small form factor transceiver modules assembly, the authors also integrate high speed flex board and OSA package to extend the signal path, and to minimize the effect of crosstalk in modules. Furthermore, the integration of flex board and OSA package more release the difficulties in conjuunction OSA and electrical sub-assembly (ESA) in module to fulfill the request of 10Gb/s transeivers' Multi-Source Agreement (MSA). The performance of temperature stabilized TOSA over wide case temperature range is also experimented. The optical eye diagram of 10Gb/s TOSA developed in this study showing excellent eye quality passing 10Gb/s Ethernet mask test between 0°C to 85°C.
The Balkans: Revolution, War, and Political Violence since 1878. By Mark Biondich. (New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2011. Pp. xi, 384. $99.00.)

Since even before the end of the violent dissolution of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, any number of Balkan specialists have been trying to counter the common conception of the Balkans as inordinately vi...
Numerical solution of reactive-diffusive systems

Four time linearization techniques and two operator-splitting algorithms have been employed to study the propagation of a one-dimensional wave governed by a reaction-diffusion equation. Comparisons amongst the methods are shown in terms of the L 2-norm error and computed wave speeds. The calculations have been performed with different numerical grids in order to determine the effects of the temporal and spatial step sizes on the accuracy. It is shown that a time linearization procedure with a second-order accurate temporal approximation and a fourth-order accurate spatial discretization yields the most accurate results. The numerical calculations are compared with those reported in Parts 1 and 2. It is concluded that the most accurate time linearization method described in this paper offers a great promise for the computation of multi-dimensional reaction-diffusion equations.
Diverse developmental mechanisms contribute to different levels of diversity in horned beetles.

SUMMARY An ongoing challenge to evolutionary developmental biology is to understand how developmental evolution on the level of populations and closely related species relates to macroevolutionary transformations and the origin of morphological novelties. Here we explore the developmental basis of beetle horns, a morphological novelty that exhibits remarkable diversity on a variety of levels. In this study, we examined two congeneric Onthophagus species in which males develop into alternative horned and hornless morphs and different sexes express marked sexual dimorphism. In addition, both species differ in the body region (head vs. thorax) that develops the horn. Using a comparative morphological approach we show that prepupal growth of horn primordiaduringlate larval development,as well as reabsorption of horn primordia during the pupal stage, contribute to horn expression in adults. We also show that variable combinations of both mechanisms are employedduringdevelopmentto modify horn expression of different horns in the same individual, the same horn in different sexes, and different horns in different species. We then examine expression patterns of two transcription factors, Distal-less (Dll) and aristaless (al), in the context of prepupal horn growth in alternative male morphs and sexual dimorphisms in the same two species. Expression patterns are qualitatively consistent with the hypothesis that both transcription factors function in the context of horn development similar to their known roles in patterning a wide variety of arthropod appendages. Our results suggest that the origin of morphological novelties, such as beetle horns, rests, at least in part, on the redeployment of already existing developmental mechanisms, such as appendage patterning processes. Our results also suggest, however, that little to no phylogenetic distance is needed for the evolution of very different modifier mechanisms that allow for substantial modulation of trait expression at different time points during development in different species, sexes, or tissue regions of the same individual. We discuss the implications of our results for our understanding of the evolution of horned beetle diversity and the origin and diversification of morphological novelties.
Update on peanut allergy in children

Unlike other food allergies commonly seen in childhood, peanut allergy is often severe and life-long. The current literature on pediatric peanut allergy focuses on the increasing prevalence, risk factors, genetics and clinical characteristics. Diagnosis of clinically-relevant peanut allergy involves the combination of patient history with testing for the presence of peanut-specific IgE. There is currently no available cure for food allergy, so primary therapy concentrates on the prevention of exposure to peanut and readiness to manage a reaction. Life-saving treatment of anaphylaxis secondary to accidental peanut exposure involves immediate epinephrine injection. Future research will involve the generation of novel therapeutic approaches including immunotherapy and vaccinations, which will hopefully improve the quality of life for peanut-allergic patients and their families. This article reviews the latest reported findings and ongoing scientific research on these topics.
Verification of shear live-load distribution factor equations for I-girder bridges

The “S-over” Load Distribution Factor (LDF) has been used for many years for determining the distributed moments and shear forces of a girder. Only until recently after the adaptation of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specification, new LDF equations are proposed using power functions. Although these new equations can more accurately predict the distributed moments and shear forces similar to both field and finite element analysis results, they are complex and they do not represent the fundamental background of LDF but rather based on regression analysis. Therefore, a more fundamental equation such as the S-over LDF is needed for the engineer to have a better understanding of the relationship between the girder sizes and spacing. The primary objective of this study is to develop a simplified S-over LDF for shear for steel and prestressed concrete I-girder bridges. Actual field testing of seven I-girder bridges were evaluated and validated to the developed Finite Element Analysis (FEA) model. A parametric study of bridges with various girder spacing and length were performed to develop the proposed equations. Results show that the proposed equations have excellent correlation with the more exact FEA model as well as the computer-based analysis.
Hypothetical superhard carbon metal

We describe a hypothetical new phase of carbon. The proposed structure is a rigid three-dimensional network with sp2 (threefold) coordination only. Tight-binding calculations indicate that the proposed material is a metastable metal significantly harder than diamond. Although it is unclear at present whether such a material can be produced in significant quantity, we speculate that it (and related structures) plays a role in the chemical vapor deposition of diamond films.
Left atrial myopathy in cardiac amyloidosis: implications of novel echocardiographic techniques

Aims To assess left atrial (LA) function and determine the prevalence of LA dysfunction in AL amyloidosis (AL) using conventional and strain echocardiography. Methods and results LA ejection fraction, LA filling fraction, LA ejection force, peak LA systolic strain rate (LAsSR), and LA systolic strain (LA e) were determined in 95 AL patients (70 with and 25 without echocardiographic evidence of cardiac involvement, abbreviated CAL and NCAL, respectively), 30 age-matched controls (CON), and 20 patients with diastolic dysfunction and LA dilatation (DD). Peak LAsSR >2 standard deviations below mean CON value was used as the cut-off for normal LA function. LA ejection fraction was lower in CAL when compared with CON (40.4±13.6 vs. 67.0±6%, P =0.01). Left atrial septal strain rate and strain were lower in CAL (0.8±0.5 s–1 and 5.5±4%, respectively) compared with CON (1.8±0.8 s–1 and 14±4%, respectively, P =<0.0001), NCAL (1.6±0.8 s–1 and 13±7%, respectively, P <0.0001) and DD (1.3±0.4 s–1 and 10±2%, respectively, P <0.0001). Based on peak LA systolic strain rate criteria, the cut-off values for normal LA function were –1.1 s–1 and –1.05 s–1 for lateral and septal walls. Using these criteria, LA dysfunction was identified in 32% (lateral LA criteria) and 60% (septal LA criteria) of CAL patients. Lateral and septal LAsSR were lower in CAL patients with vs. those without symptoms of heart failure. Inter- and intra-observer agreement was high for LA strain echocardiography. Conclusion LA function assessment using strain echocardiography is feasible with low intra- and inter-observer variability. LA dysfunction is observed in AL patients without other echocardiographic features of cardiac involvement and may contribute to cardiac symptoms in CAL.
Adenoviral gene transfer of PDGF downregulates gasgene product PDGFαR and prolongs ERK and Akt/PKB activation

The delivery of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) for tissue engineering of skin and periodontal wounds has become an active area of interest. However, little is known regarding the extended ef...
Phenolic Compounds and Their Role in Disease Resistance

Antibiotic phenols have been found in all plants investigated to date. Some occur constitutively and are thought to function as preformed inhibitors associated with nonhost resistance (84, 94, 128, 134). Others, which are the subject of this review, are formed in response to the ingress of pathogens, and their appearance is considered as part of an active defense response. Since the first suggestions that phenolic intermediates have a role in the active expres­ sion of resistance, an underlying problem in ascertaining that such secondary metabolites are of primary (rather than secondary) importance has been the localization and timing of the host response. In this review we address the problem of response localization and localization of phenolics relative to the sequential development of stages of disease that lead ultimately to resistance expression. Initial demonstrations that phenols are significant components of the host
MEMS Courses for Undergraduates

Two MEMS courses have been developed for all science and engineering majors to learn basics of design, fabrication, and characterization of MEMS devices. The first course introduction to MEMS is to introduce the essentials of microfabrication technique by making heat actuators for laboratory component. While the second course, Advanced Topics in MEMS, covers in depth modeling, process flow, photolithography, and microfluidics with projects for the laboratory components.
The role of the symbolic-to-numerical mapping in the detection of DNA periodicities

The detection of many forms of periodicities in DNA sequences has been an active area of research in recent years. Most of the signal processing based methods have used the simple Voss mapping to map the symbolic DNA sequence into binary indicator ones before computing some form of the so-called DNA spectrum to locate these repeats. A key research issue that remains however open is whether the success of these techniques is Voss specific. In this paper, we first propose a new and generic matrix based framework that comprises most of the widely used mappings in the literature as special cases. By using this approach, we can then show that the standard DNA spectrum is in fact in variable under most of these mappings. Finally, we demonstrate that a number of potential new mappings naturally follow from the suggested framework.
RPD-enabled agents teaming with humans for multi-context decision making

Team decision making under stress involving multiple contexts is an extremely challenging issue faced by various real world application domains. This research is targeted at coupling cognitive agent technology and human-centered teamwork to address the informational challenges associated with Command and Control (C2) teams in contemporary military operations. Two sets of experiments, each with various settings of context switching frequencies and tasking complexities, were conducted. To ensure that the human subjects were familiar with the C2 context, they were selected from US Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) students. Experiments on C2 teams that involve human subjects only were conducted first. We observed the decision making behavior of human subjects and incorporated expert behaviors into R-CAST---an agent architecture built upon a naturalistic decision making model that captures how domain experts make decisions based on experiences and situational similarity recognition. We then conducted another set of experiments with R-CAST agents as teammates and decision aids for human subjects. The results show that RPD-enabled agents can significantly improve the tasking capacity of C2 teams in multi-context decision making under stress. It also suggests that higher demand situations require more competent teammates.
Genomic organization of the 5′ end of human β-ENaC and preliminary characterization of its promoter

The mRNA for the β-subunit of the epithelial Na+ channel (β-ENaC) is regulated developmentally and, in some tissues, in response to corticosteroids. To understand the mechanisms of transcriptional ...
Effect of manganese on the superconductivity of aluminum

The superconducting critical fields of pure aluminum and of two AlMn alloys, containing 440 and 900 ppm Mn, have been measured as a function of temperatureT from their transition temperaturesT c down toT=0.07 K. The observedT c depression can be understood in terms of Kaiser's theory for nonmagnetic localized states in superconducting alloys, with an effective Coulomb “coupling constant”N d (0)U eff equal to 0.43 for the AlMn alloys. Additional evidence that the Mn impurities do not possess a well defined magnetic moment in aluminum in this temperature range is obtained from the critical field results. In particular, the BCS law of corresponding states is obeyed by these alloys. We conclude that these AlMn alloys can be considered BCS superconductors, with a pairing interaction which is weaker than that in pure aluminum.
The present of things past: Ethnography and career studies

This article first provides something of an informal narrative of my own academic career and suggests just what is idiosyncratic to that narrative and what seems to me to be rather general. This is followed by a swift look at ethnography as a social practice and some of its defining features highlighting the relatively recent burgeoning of ethnographic studies in organizational research. The following sections examine what I think are exemplary ethnographic career studies and just how these ethnographic studies have changed over time. The next section notes what seems to have not changed much over the years. I conclude by revisiting some of my introductory remarks on academic careers and the always provisional character of ethnographic studies. My normative argument is that while ethnographic work has contributed a great deal to our understanding of both occupational and organizational careers – then and now – such studies are too often overlooked by current variable and measurement-driven career researchers.
The hot bath test in multiple sclerosis: comparison with visual evoked responses and oligoclonal bands

We studied 50 patients with definite, probable, and possible multiple sclerosis (MS), prospectively (20 patients) and retrospectively (30 patients), to determine the value of the hot bath test for diagnosing MS and to compare it to visual evoked responses and oligoclonal bands. The hot bath test was abnormal in 8 of the 23 patients with definite MS (35%), and 4 of the 27 patients with probable or possible MS (15%). Only one patient with an abnormal hot bath test did not also have other evidence of definite multiple sclerosis. Our results suggest that the hot bath test seldom adds diagnostic information, especially when tests for evoked responses and oligoclonal bands are available.
Temporal shift in nutrient input to cold-seep food webs revealed by stable-isotope signatures of associated communities

A pattern of succession has been demonstrated at Gulf of Mexico cold seeps proceeding from a high-biomass endemic community dominated by grazers to a diverse community of endemic and nonendemic species in multiple trophic levels to a low-biomass community comprising primarily nonendemic predatory species. We test the hypothesis that these shifts in community structure are due to a decline in the availability and reliance on local chemosynthetic productivity. Isotopic signatures were measured in 134 individuals from 34 different species in three tubeworm aggregations in different stages of succession. The average stable isotope delta values of the fauna were more positive in the older aggregations, suggesting a decreased reliance on local chemosynthetic productivity. These trends were also apparent in the species that were present in all three aggregations and for the grazer trophic group as a whole. The proportion of biomass in the lower trophic levels declined in the older aggregation. Food webs were reconstructed on the basis of variable trophic shifts and included the error in stable isotope measurements. The majority of potential trophic links supported by carbon and nitrogen isotopes alone were rejected when sulfur stable isotope values were included. Food webs consisted of relatively few trophic links overall, with the most complex food web in the more diverse community of the middle aggregation. These results suggest that many of the species in the tubeworm aggregations are generalists, and these species may feed on prey outside the aggregation, especially in the older aggregation, where few trophic links could be detected.
Avoided demand charges and behind‐the‐meter wind: insights from an application at the University of Minnesota

One common ownership structure for community-scale wind development in the USA is a behind-the-meter installation. In addition to allowing the displacement of retail energy, such installations may also affect peak demand, which is frequently an important component of electricity tariffs (via ‘capacity’ or ‘demand’ charges). This paper uses Monte Carlo simulation techniques on original wind and load data for the University of Minnesota at Morris in order to estimate the savings associated with lower peak demand, as a result of the installation of a 1.65-MW turbine in 2005. Results represent the first (to our knowledge) quantitative effort to estimate this aspect of the economics of wind power projects, and they suggest these previously ignored savings comprise nearly 10% of this project's gross projected revenue stream, even though the local utility's demand charge in this case is only 63% of the industry average. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Cell Cycle Cdc25A Tyrosine Phosphatase Is Activated in Degenerating Postmitotic Neurons in Alzheimer's Disease

The Cdc25 phosphatases play key roles in cell-cycle progression by activating cyclin-dependent kinases. The latter are absent from neurons that are terminally differentiated in adult brain. However, accumulation of mitotic phosphoepitopes, and re-expression and activation of the M phase regulator, Cdc2/cyclin B, have been described in neurons undergoing degeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). To explain this atypical mitotic activation in neurons we investigated the Cdc2-activating Cdc25A phosphatase in human brain. The structural hallmarks of AD neurodegeneration, neurofibrillary tangles and neuritic plaques, were prominently immunolabeled with Cdc25A antibodies. In addition numerous neurons without visible structural alterations were also intensely stained, whereas control brain was very weakly positive. After immunoprecipitation from control and AD tissue, we found that the tyrosine dephosphorylating activity of Cdc25A against exogenous Cdc2 substrate was elevated in AD. Accordingly, Cdc25A from AD tissue displayed increased immunoreactivity with the mitotic phosphoepitope-specific antibody, MPM-2, and co-localized with MPM-2 immunoreactivity in AD neurons. These data suggest that Cdc25A participates in mitotic activation during neurodegeneration. The involvement of Cdc25A in cellular transformation, modulation of the DNA damage checkpoint, and linkage of mitogenic signaling to cell cycle machinery, also implicates one of these cell-cycle pathways in AD pathogenesis.
Ensuring dependable processor performance: an experience report on pre-silicon performance validation

The focus of today's processor validation methodology is primarily on ensuring functional integrity. Increasingly, however, pre-silicon performance validation is becoming part of the design verification challenge. Identification and elimination of performance deficiencies and bugs in the design prior to tape-out is an important aspect of building robust and dependable hardware. Many performance bugs are caused by latent functional defects in the pre-silicon software model of the machine. Besides, robust performance can be a key determinant of quality of service in applications like Web-serving. The authors review the performance validation methodology that they have developed and experimented with over the past few years. They also present examples and experimental results illustrating the use of this methodology in high end PowerPC processor development projects. The scope of the paper is limited to architectural performance, measured by metrics like instructions per cycle (IPC) or its inverse, CPI.
Children without parents in the TANF caseload: Thinking beyond the child-only label

Abstract Child welfare policy has historically emphasized the positive impact relative caregivers can have on foster children. This emphasis coupled with recent changes in the composition of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) caseload has led to interest in child-only, relative caregiver cases. Child-only research, however, ignores cases in which the relative caregiver is also receiving benefits. Using the universe of welfare cases in Maryland in October 2005, this article compares and contrasts the demographic and case characteristics of parental and relative caregiver cases, also analyzing differences between cases with and without an adult receiving benefits. Findings indicate that relative caregivers have service needs that differ from those of parents and that recipient relative caregivers are more disadvantaged than child-only cases.
A Timing-Dependent Power Estimation Framework Considering Coupling

In this paper, a timing-dependent dynamic power estimation framework that considers the impact of coupling in combinational circuits is proposed. Relative switching activities and delays of coupled interconnects significantly affect dynamic power dissipation in parasitic coupling capacitances (coupling power). To enable capturing the switching and timing dependence, detailed switching distributions and timing information are essential in accurate estimation of dynamic power consumption. An approach to efficiently represent and propagate switching and timing distributions through circuits is developed. Based on propagated switching and timing distributions, power consumption in coupling capacitances is accurately calculated. Experimental results using ISCAS'85 benchmarks demonstrate that ignoring timing dependence of coupling power consumption can cause up to 25% error in dynamic power estimation (corresponding to 59% error in coupling power estimation).
The Linear Response of ENSO to the Madden–Julian Oscillation

The possibility that the tropical Pacific coupled system linearly amplifies perturbations produced by the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) is explored. This requires an estimate of the low-frequency tail of the MJO. Using 23 yr of NCEP–NCAR reanalyses of surface wind and Reynolds SST, we show that the spatial structure that dominates the intraseasonal band (i.e., the MJO) also dominates the low-frequency band once the anomalies directly related to ENSO have been removed. This low-frequency contribution of the intraseasonal variability is not included in most ENSO coupled models used to date. Its effect in a coupled model of intermediate complexity has, therefore, been studied. It is found that this “MJO forcing” (MJO) can explain a large fraction of the interannual variability in an asymptotically stable version of the model. This interaction is achieved via linear dynamics. That is, it is the cumulative effect of individual events that maintains ENSOs in this model. The largest coupled wind anomalies are initiated after a sequence of several downwelling Kelvin waves of the same sign have been forced by MJO. The cumulative effect of the forced Kelvin waves is to persist the (small) SST anomalies in the eastern Pacific just enough for the coupled ocean–atmosphere dynamics to amplify the anomalies into a mature ENSO event. Even though MJO explains just a small fraction of the energy contained in the stress not associated with ENSO, a large fraction of the modeled ENSO variability is excited by this forcing. The characteristics that make MJO an optimal stochastic forcing for the model are discussed. The large zonal extent is an important factor that differentiates the MJO from other sources of stochastic forcing.
The Spectrum of the Laplacian on the Pentagasket

The spectrum of the fully symmetric Laplacian on the fractal pentagasket is studied by theoretical and experimental methods. We show how to construct derived eigenspaces of high multiplicity for both Dirichlet and Neumann spectrum starting from primitive Neumann eigenspaces. We prove that both spectra may be parceled into groups of five dimensional spaces which decompose in a prescribed way under the D 5 symmetry group. We show that D 5 invariant eigenfunctions possess additional local symmetries that in particular force them to be constant along the Cantor set bordering the inner deleted pentagon. Numerical approximations for eigenfunctions and eigenvalues obtained using the finite element method are reported. We formulate several conjectures based on this data. More data can be found at http://www.mathlab.cornell.edu/~sas60/
Housing, Credit Constraints, and Macro Stability: The Secondary Mortgage Market and Reduced Cyclicality of Residential Investment

Author(s): Peek, Joe; Wilcox, James A. | Abstract: As secondary mortgage markets developed and grew over the past two decades, fluctuations in residential investment and in mortgage balances were much smaller than they had been prior to the 1980s. We hypothesize that, by reducing the volatility of the total supply of funds to mortgage markets, larger secondary mortgage markets (SMM) dampened the responses of residential investment to income and to interest rates and thereby contributed importantly to the “Great Moderation” in volatility of the U.S. economy. Our empirical results provide some evidence that the SMM did continually reduce the volatility of residential investment over the past two decades by tempering its sensitivities to income and to interest rates.
Between Tradition and Automation in Special Collections: A Memoir

Insofar as my career in libraries straddled the time when “scholar librarians” dominated special collections to the time when “techie librarians” had pretty much taken over, and as I was in the middle of this change at several institutions, I would like to offer a few observations on this radical transition in special collections librarianship. Early Days My first library job was in 1973 in the cataloging department of Bowdoin College. A few weeks after I started, this library entered the computer age by acquiring its first OCLC terminal. OCLC had been founded in 1967 as the Ohio College Library . . .
Epigenetic Factors and Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that has significant phenotypic overlap with several diseases, many of which fall within the broader category of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The etiology of the disorder is unclear and seems to involve a complex interplay of polygenic as well as environmental factors. We discuss evidence that suggests that epigenetic dysregulation is highly implicated as a contributing cause of ASDs and autism. Specifically, we examine neurodevelopmental disorders that share significant phenotypic overlap with ASDs and feature the dysregulation of epigenetically modified genes including UBE3A, GABA receptor genes, and RELN. We then look at the dysregulated expression of implicated epigenetic modifiers, namely MeCP2, that yield complex and varied downstream pleiotropic effects. Finally, we examine epigenetically mediated parent-of-origin effects through which paternal gene expression dominates that of maternal contributing to contrasting phenotypes implicated in ASDs. Such preliminary evidence suggests that elucidating the complex role of epigenetic regulations involved in ASDs could prove vital in furthering our understanding of the complex etiology of autism and ASDs.