cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simplified formulations for two-dimensional TE-polarization field computations

Techniques in solving integrodifferential equations for two-dimensional transverse electric polarization field computations are discussed. Analytical simplifications are presented to efficiently and accurately evaluate the impedance elements, especially the diagonal ones, without loss of accuracy in the moment-method solution to the integral equations using pulse expansion and point matching. With such a choice, one can minimize the efforts in the software development of a two-dimensional electromagnetics code. Meanwhile, analytical simplifications on the evaluation of the impedance elements are developed based on the principle that the error due to simplifications is of a higher-order small argument than the error caused by the discretization. >
Correlation of hepatic metallothionein concentrations with acute cadmium toxicity in the mouse

Abstract Dose-dependent induction of metallothionein by cadmium was measured by gel filtration of liver supernatants prepared from mice 48 hr following single doses of 0.2–2.0 mg of Cd/kg (ip). Hepatic metallothionein concentrations increased in proportion to the cadmium pretreatment dose. A dose-dependent tolerance to acute cadmium toxicity was simultaneously evidenced by elevated LD50 values in cadmium-pretreated mice. A positive correlation between dose-related increases in hepatic metallothionein and cadmium LD50 suggests a protective function for metallothionein. The data suggest that a threshold dose of cadmium must be exceeded in order to induce concentrations of metallothionein adequate to ameliorate acute cadmium toxicity.
3,4-Dichlorophenylhydroxylamine cytotoxicity in renal cortical slices from Fischer 344 rats.

Abstract 3,4-Dichlorophenylhydroxylamine (3,4-CPHA) is the N-hydroxyl metabolite of 3,4-dichloroaniline. 3,4-Dichloroaniline is a breakdown product of the herbicide Propanil. Previous work has shown that 3,4-dichloroaniline is acutely toxic to the kidney and bladder. The purpose of this study was to examine the in vitro toxicity of 3,4-dichlorophenylhydroxylamine. Renal cortical slices were prepared from male Fischer 344 rats (190–250 g) and were incubated with 0–0.5 mM 3,4-CPHA for 30–120 min under oxygen and constant shaking. 3,4-CPHA produced a concentration and time dependent alteration in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, organic ion accumulation and pyruvate stimulated gluconeogenesis. Glutathione levels were diminished within 60 min below control values by 0.1 and 0.5 mM 3,4-CPHA. A 30 min pretreatment with 0.1 mM deferoxamine did not alter 3,4-CPHA toxicity. Alterations in pyruvate stimulated gluconeogenesis and LDH leakage were comparable between vehicle and deferoxamine pretreated tissues. Other studies examined the effect of (1 mM) glutathione, 2 mM ascorbic acid and 1 mM dithiothreitol (DTT) on toxicity. Pretreatment for 30 min with vehicle or 1 mM DTT induced comparable changes in LDH leakage and pyruvate stimulated gluconeogenesis. Pretreatment for 30 min with 1 mM glutathione or 2 mM ascorbic acid reduced 3,4-CPHA toxicity. LDH leakage was not elevated as markedly in renal slices pretreated with glutathione relative to slices pretreated with vehicle. These results indicate that 3,4-CPHA toxicity is through an iron independent mechanism. 3,4-CPHA cytotoxicity was reduced by pretreatment with glutathione or ascorbic acid suggesting formation of a reactive intermediate.
Acetylator Genotype-Dependent Metabolic Activation of N-Hydroxy-2-Aminofluorene in Syrian Hamster Lines Congenic at the NAT2 Locus

Abstract Two separate sets (Bio. 1.5/H and Bio. 82.73/H) of Syrian hamster lines congenic at the NAT2 gene locus were constructed. In both sets, N-acetylation capacity was NAT2-dependent in vivo and in vitro, with highest levels in homozygous rapid acetylators, intermediate levels in heterozygous acetylators and lowest levels in homozygous slow acetylators. NAT1 and NAT2 acetyltransferase isozymes from liver and colon cytosols activated N-hydroxy-2-aminofluorene (N-OH-AF) to DNA adducts. NAT2-catalyzed metabolic activation of N-OH-AF was acetylator genotype-dependent. NAT1-catalyzed metabolic activation of N-OH-AF was independent of acetylator genotype. Hamster NAT1 and NAT2 were cloned, sequenced, and expressed. Recombinant NAT1 from rapid and slow acetylators activated N-OH-AF at equivalent rates, but rapid acetylator recombinant NAT2 activated N-OH-AF at rates over 750-fold higher than slow acetylator recombinant NAT2. These results provide clear evidence for metabolic activation of arylamine carcinoge...
Transition in the thin-filament arrangement in rat skeletal muscle.

The transition in thin-filament arrangement from tetragonal near the Z-band to trigonal in the A-band was investigated by computer-assisted analysis of thin-filament arrangement in serially cross-sectioned rat muscle. Extensor digitorum longus (EDL; fast) muscle from adult rats and adult, 9-day and 3-day neonatal soleus (slow) muscle were serially cross-sectioned from the H-zone of one sarcomere to the H-zone of an adjacent sarcomere. Thin-filament arrangement was analysed throughout the I-band, and particularly at three levels of the sarcomere: in the I-band, one section (0.06 µm) from the Z-band; six sections (0.36 µm) from the Z-band; in the A-band, two sections from the A-I junction (0.72 µm from the Z-band). Data for radial distributions and annular distributions were obtained by computer.
Are monoterpene emissions influenced by humidity

Monoterpene mixing ratios and fluxes were measured above a ponderosa pine plantation in the Sierra Nevada mountains from July to October 1998. Data were obtained during a variety of weather regimes including periods of extreme heat and dryness as well as during rain. Monoterpene emissions were highly elevated during and after the rain events, and the expected exponential increase of emissions with temperature did not occur during extremely hot and dry conditions, suggesting an influence of ambient humidity levels on monoterpene emissions. Therefore, we propose a modified emission algorithm based on responses to both temperature and humidity.
Advances in ambulatory monitoring: Regulatory considerations

Conventional ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG) (Holter) monitoring involves 2 or 3 surface leads recorded with electrode positions and signal characteristics that are different from diagnostic quality 12-lead ECGs due to the limitations imposed by technology on the ambulatory recorders. The rapid pace of technological development for medical devices, particularly electrocardiography, has now enabled the recording of diagnostic quality 12-lead ECG waveforms for extended time periods. This capability allows Holter recording to become another source for diagnostic 12-lead ECG records on a par with other modalities such as resting ECG and exercise stress testing. Additionally, other diagnostic techniques such as S-T segment analysis and Q-T interval analysis that rely on diagnostic quality waveforms can now be applied. All of these enhancements to the traditional Holter modality have altered the regulatory perspective of these devices, since the enhancements may represent a new intended use for the device.
The Fiscal Impact of Legalized Casino Gambling

We examine the fiscal impact of legalized casino gambling, including Indian casinos. Our study examines the impact this legalization had on counties where casinos were located. Using county-level data between 1987 and 2007 and difference-in-differences estimation, we examine the impact of casino openings on county area government revenues, expenditures, sales tax revenues, and education expenditures. Our results indicate that casinos did not have a statistically significant impact on per capita government expenditures and revenues. However, this was due to differential impacts between commercial and Indian casinos and revenue-sharing legislation between states and counties. There is minimal evidence of a net impact on sales tax revenues in the counties where new casinos opened and some evidence, albeit weak, that Indian casinos are associated with lower county education expenditures. The results are robust when using propensity score matching results accounting for the endogeneity of casino location and s...
The secretory granule matrix: a fast-acting smart polymer

The secretory granule matrix is a miniature biopolymer that consists of a charged polymer network that traps peptides and transmitters when it condenses and releases them on exocytotic decondensation. Models of exocytotic fusion have treated this matrix as a short circuit and have neglected its electrical contributions. This matrix responded to negative voltages by swelling, which was accompanied by a large increase in conductance, and to positive voltages by condensing. Thus, the matrix resembled a diode. The swollen matrix exerted large pressures on the order of 12 bar. The responses took place within milliseconds of the application of the electric field. These findings suggest that matrix decondensation, and therefore product release, is controlled by potential gradients.
Titanium carbide rectifying contacts on boron-doped polycrystalline diamond

Abstract TiC contacts on B-doped polycrystalline diamond were studied. The as-deposited TiC formed rectifying contacts with a reverse leakage current of 0.4 μA at 5 V. After the contacts had been annealed at 850 C at a vacuum of approximately 1 × 10−8 Torr, the current-voltage (I–V) characteristics of the contacts changed little and the rectifying nature was retained. The primary observable change was that the leakage current at 5 V reverse bias increased from 0.4 to 0.7 μA. The thermal stability of the rectifying contacts was attributed to the chemically non-reactive interface between the diamond and TiC.
Fertility Therapy in the Setting of a History of Invasive Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

A link between fertility drugs and epithelial ovarian cancer has been suggested by at least one case-control study, and by multiple case reports of such tumors developing following fertility drug therapy. We report the case of a woman with stage IC grade 1 mucinous epithelial ovarian cancer who died of recurrent disease shortly after receiving gonadotropin therapy for ovulation induction. The patient was initially treated with a staging procedure, unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and 3 courses of cytoxan and carboplatinum. Over the next 3 years she underwent 2 cycles of ovulation induction with exogenous gonadotropins. Five months after the second cycle, the patient presented with a bowel obstruction and extensive recurrence of disease. Two months later she died despite extensive surgical debulking, and cis-platinum and Taxol chemotherapy. Although a causal relationship between fertility therapy and ovarian cancer has not been established, this case report suggests ovulation induction may be inadvisable in a woman with a prior diagnosis of invasive epithelial ovarian cancer.
A review of portable random number generators

Abstract Portable random number generators for personal computers can be evaluated quickly and effectively by plotting their two- and three-dimensional serial patterns. An examination of about 40 published generators yielded only a few that had acceptable serial patterns.
The language of state action

“Language as a model! To rethink everything through once again in terms of linguistics! What is surprising, it would seem, is only that no one ever thought of doing so before ... (Jameson 1972, p. viii) “The deeper justification for the use of the linguistic model or metaphor ... lies in the concrete character of the social life of the so‐called advanced countries today, which offer the spectacle of a world from which nature as such has been eliminated, a world saturated with messages and information, whose intricate commodity network may be seen as the very prototype of a system of signs. There is therefore a profound consonance between linguistics as a method and that systematized and disembodied nightmare which is our culture today.” (Jameson 1972, p. ix)
High-temperature potentiometry: modulated response of ion-selective electrodes during heat pulses.

The concept of locally heated polymeric membrane potentiometric sensors is introduced here for the first time. This is accomplished in an all solid state sensor configuration, utilizing poly(3-octylthiophene) as the intermediate layer between the ion-selective membrane and underlying substrate that integrates the heating circuitry. Temperature pulse potentiometry (TPP) gives convenient peak-shaped analytical signals and affords an additional dimension with these sensors. Numerous advances are envisioned that will benefit the field. The heating step is shown to give an increase in the slope of the copper-selective electrode from 31 to 43 mV per 10-fold activity change, with a reproducibility of the heated potential pulses of 1% at 10 μM copper levels and a potential drift of 0.2 mV/h. Importantly, the magnitude of the potential pulse upon heating the electrode changes as a function of the copper activity, suggesting an attractive way for differential measurement of these devices. The heat pulse is also sho...
Why Didn’t Agriculture Develop in Japan? A Consideration of Jomon Ecological Style, Niche Construction, and the Origins of Domestication.

Over the course of some 12,000 years, Jomon cultures developed a highly refined adjustment to the Japanese landscape. Japanese archaeologists have exposed Jomon culture in great detail, but because it rested on wild resources, the Jomon era attracts little worldwide archaeological interest. This paper discusses Jomon ecological style in light of niche construction theory to consider the conditions that gave rise to agriculture and domestication. Jomon communities clearly managed much of their landscape and many plant and animal populations. Drawing on ideas from niche construction theory, we argue that qualities of potential domesticates are a central factor in the development of agriculture.
Theoretical analysis of predictive miscibility of carbohydrate polymers – Software calculations for inulin–amylopectin systems

Abstract In this paper, the quantitative understanding of predictive miscibility gained with dextrans (which was demonstrated in our earlier paper, [Icoz, D. Z., & Kokini, J. L. (2007c). Quantitative prediction of miscibility in dextran systems as model carbohydrate polymers using Painter–Coleman association model. Carbohydrate Polymers , doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2007.03.012 ] was tested on predictive miscibility/immiscibility in inulin–amylopectin blends at limited moisture conditions. Painter–Coleman association model was used with its capability to account for hydrogen bonding interactions on predictive miscibility. Thermodynamics of mixing, including free energy of mixing and its 2nd derivative, enthalpy and entropy of mixing, and free energy of hydrogen bonding contribution were calculated. The approximate prediction rules set with dextran systems using Painter–Coleman association model (i.e., use of hydrogen bond formation of analogue compounds to approximate hydrogen bonding in carbohydrates; using the intra-molecular screening parameter of γ = 0.30; and selecting low M w polymer as the self-associating component) was shown to successfully predict miscibility/immiscibility in inulin–amylopectin systems as an example for real carbohydrate blends.
Automated Vehicle Occupancy Verification Systems: Policy and Legal Implications

Managed lanes require effective vehicle occupancy enforcement policies and programs to operate successfully. Several semi- and fully automated techniques for determining the number of persons in a moving vehicle, including operator-monitored video cameras and infrared composite imaging, have undergone limited field testing. The technical merits of invehicle and roadside systems for automated vehicle occupancy verification systems have been examined extensively. This paper complements those efforts by providing the policy and legal implications of automated systems for occupancy enforcement. The primary form of automated enforcement technology currently used in the United States is photographic imagery recorded by automated violation detection systems. For moving violations, these systems almost exclusively take the form of red light and speed enforcement, unlike toll evasion, which is typically punishable as an infraction. Principal objections to automated enforcement for occupancy purposes have involved ...
Organizations and Ethical Individualism

The article reviews the book “Organizations and Ethical Individualism,” edited by Konstantin Kolenda.
Redox-sensitive contrast agents for MRI based on reversible binding of thiols to serum albumin

DOTA-based complexes of gadolinium (Gd) bearing a thiol moiety on a propyl or hexyl arm were synthesized. It was hypothesized that these complexes would form reversible covalent linkages with human serum albumin (HSA), which contains a reactive thiol at cysteine-34. The binding constant of the hexyl complex to HSA was measured to be 64 mM 1 and decreased to 17, 6.1, and 3.6 mM 1 in the presence of 0.5, 1, and 2 mM homocysteine, respectively. The binding constant of the propyl complex to HSA was significantly lower (5.0 mM 1 ) and decreased to 2.0, 1.5, and 0.87 mM 1 in the presence of 0.5, 1, and 2 mM homocysteine, respectively. The longitudinal water-proton relaxivities of the hexyl and propyl complexes at 37°C and 4.7 T were 2.3 and 2.9 mM 1 s 1 , respectively, in saline. The relaxivities of the HSA-bound forms of the hexyl and propyl complexes were calculated to be 5.3 and 4.5 mM 1 s 1 , respectively. The in vivo pharmacokinetics of both thiol complexes were altered by a chase of homocysteine but not saline, while the washout of GdDTPA was unaffected by either chase. Such redox-sensitive reversible binding of Gd complexes to plasma albumin can be exploited for imaging tissue redox and the blood-pool by MRI. Magn Reson Med 55:1272–1280, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Poem: A is for alanine

The poem below presents a brief review of amino acid abbreviations and structures. Among the featured facts are the following: histidine has a pKa close to the normal pH of the cytosol and therefore is an effective intracellular buffer, the R group of isoleucine is hydrophobic, and many protein kinases add a phosphate at the -OH site of tyrosine. This work is just one of many science songs and poems that may be used for educational purposes. A comprehensive database of over 2,000 songs is available online at www.science-groove.org/MASSIVE/.
Comment on “Splines and Restricted Least Squares”

Abstract The flexibility of the restricted least squares (RLS) method described by Buse and Lim (1977) for cubic spline regression models is used to consider other polynomial splines. Some of the conclusions of the analysis of a sample data set in the Buse and Lim article are criticized for failing to consider less restrictive models. The data are reanalyzed, the end result being a simpler quadratic spline regression model.
Extracellular poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) depolymerase from Penicillium funiculosum: General characteristics and active site studies

An extracellular poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) depolymerase has been isolated from Penicillium funiculosum cultural medium by a single hydrophobic column chromatography. The enzyme is a glycoprotein composed of a single polypeptide chain with a molecular mass of about 37,000 Da as analyzed by denatured sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and by native gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. Its optimum activity occurs at pH 6.0. It has an isoelectric point of 5.8 and has a Km for PHB (average molecular weight = 45,000 Da) of 0.17 mg/ml. Various nonionic detergents competitively inhibit the enzyme with Ki values of 0.56 and 0.014% for Tween 80 and Triton X-100, respectively. The enzyme is extremely sensitive to diisopropyl fluorophosphate, mercuric ion, and dithiothreitol (DTT). However, sulfhydryl reagents have little or no effect on its activity. The inactivation by mercuric ion and DTT is reversible by mercaptoethanol and hydrogen peroxide, respectively. These data suggest that the enzyme may be a serine esterase and may contain an important disulfide bond. The enzyme is also inactivated by diazoacetyl and epoxide compounds at low pH, which can be prevented by PHB, indicating the presence of a critical carboxyl group at the active site. These characteristics of the enzyme are compared to other extracellular polymerases isolated from bacterial culture media.
Duality theory for maximizations with respect to cones

Generalizations of Pareto optimality have been studied by a number of authors. In finite dimensions such work is exemplified by Corley [S 1, DaCunha and Polak [lo], Goeffrion [ 131, Hartley [ 151. Lin [ 171, Tanino and Sawaragi 1211, Wendell and Lee [22], and Yu [23]. The optimization of functions into possibly infinite dimensions has been considered by Borwein 121, Cesari and Suryanarayana [3], Christopeit [4], Corley [6,7], Craven [S, 91, Hurwicz [ 16 1, Neustadt [ 19 1. and Ritter [20]. An extensive bibliography on Pareto optimality, its extensions, and applications is given in 111. In this paper a duality theory is developed using the concept of saddlepoints for a problem in which the maximization of a function into possibly infinite dimensions is defined in terms of a cone. The results here extend the work of Tanino and Sawaragi [21] to infinite dimensions. A distinction is also made here between the notions of weak and strong optimality. Distinguishing between the two concepts allows the removal of the assumption of properness in [ 211 in establishing a relationship between the primal and dual problems, as well as permits additional duality relationships to be proved.
The Role of First-Semester GPA in Predicting Graduation Rates of Underrepresented Students:

Academic performance is a primary predictor of college graduation, yet few studies have examined one of the earliest indicators of academic performance—first-semester grade point average (GPA). Giv...
Response to “Commentary by Dr. Henryk Drulis”

Abstract One safety aspect of a material-based hydrogen storage system is the exposure of such system to a high-temperature environment (e.g., a fire) causing an increase in pressure. A simple analysis, based on a material balance, is provided to estimate the effect of temperature on equilibrium storage pressure in a material-based hydrogen storage system. Jiann C. Yang in Int J Hydrogen Energy 33 (2008) 4424–4426.
Improved quantitative detection of 11 urinary phthalate metabolites in humans using liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Phthalates are widely used as industrial solvents and plasticizers, with global use exceeding four million tons per year. We improved our previously developed high-performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-tandem mass spectrometric (HPLC-APCI-MS/MS) method to measure urinary phthalate metabolites by increasing the selectivity and the sensitivity by better resolving them from the solvent front, adding three more phthalate metabolites, monomethyl phthalate (mMP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl)phthalate (mEOHP) and mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl)phthalate (mEHHP); increasing the sample throughput; and reducing the solvent usage. Furthermore, this improved method enabled us to analyze free un-conjugated mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (mEHP) by eliminating interferences derived from coelution of the glucuronide-bound, or conjugated form, of the mEHP on measurements of the free mEHP. This method for measuring phthalate metabolites in urine involves solid-phase extraction followed by reversed-phase HPLC-APCI-MS/MS using isotope dilution with (13)C(4) internal standards. We further evaluated the ruggedness and the reliability of the method by comparing measurements made by multiple analysts at different extraction settings on multiple instruments. We observed mMP, monoethyl phthalate (mEP), mono-n-butyl phthalate (mBP), monobenzyl phthalate (mBzP), mEHP, mEHHP and mEOHP in the majority of urine specimens analyzed with DEHP-metabolites mEHHP and mEOHP present in significantly higher amounts than mEHP.
Hollywood Incoherent: Narration in Seventies Cinema by Todd Berliner. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2010

When we aren't busy overwhelming the Social Security system by retiring and ruining Medicare by getting decrepit, we cineastes of a certain age like to reminisce about periods in film history that ...
Do lingual behaviors and locomotion by two gekkotan lizards after experimental loss of bitten prey indicate chemosensory search

Poststrike elevation in tongue-flicking rate (PETF) and strike-induced chemosensory searching (SICS) were assessed experimentally in two species of gekkonoid lizards belonging to families differing in foraging mode. PETF is an increase in rate of lingual protrusions after a prey item has been bitten and escapes or is removed from the mouth of a squamate reptile, whereas SICS is PETF combined with locomotory searching behavior. Eublepharis mucularius, the leopard gecko, is an actively, albeit slowly, foraging eublepharid. This species exhibited PETF for a duration of about five minutes based on total lingual protrusions. Labial-licks were initially much more frequent than tongue-flicks. A substantial increase in movement occurred during minutes 5-8, hinting that SICS might be present, but was not quite significant. SICS is likely present, as in other actively foraging lizards, but was not conclusively demonstrated. Handling the lizards induced increased locomotion in both the experimental condition and a control condition, presumably accounting for the apparent delay in onset of increased movement. The tokay gecko, Gekko gecko, a gekkonid ambush forager, performed no tongue-flicks, but exhibited PETF based on labial-licks during the first minute. SICS was absent. These findings support the hypothesis that SICS is absent in ambush foraging lizards, which do not use the lingual-vomeronasal system to search for prey. They are suggestive, but equivocal regarding the hypothesis that SICS is present in actively foraging lizards that exhibit lingually mediated prey chemical discrimination. The finding of PETF in G. gecko suggests that this species and several iguanians previously found to increase rates of labial-licking after biting prey may be able to detect prey chemicals.
Understanding the relationship between gender and extradyadic relations: The mediating role of sensation seeking on intentions to engage in sexual infidelity

Abstract This study investigated the well-established finding that males are more likely than females to engage in extradyadic relations by seeking to determine if the personality trait sensation seeking mediates the relationship between gender and sexual extradyadic behaviors. A total of 174 participants, aged 17–36 years, indicated the extent to which they intended to engage in a hypothetical sexual extradyadic behavior (i.e., kiss or casual sex) and completed the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale (BSSS-4). Multiple linear regressions revealed that initial gender differences in sexual extradyadic intention (β = −.17, p .10). Sobel and bootstrapping tests further demonstrated that sensation seeking fully mediated the aforementioned relationship between gender and extradyadic intention. Discussion presents two perspectives that help explain the results and offers suggestions for future research.
Inheritance of the stay green trait in sunflower

The stay green trait of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) inbred lines and hybrids has been observed in the field. These genotypes have greener stems at physiological maturity, potentially resulting in improvements in overall plant health, resistance to drought and pests, and standability. Research on inheritance of the stay green trait may provide valuable information to plant breeders for developing new cultivars with this important trait. This study was conducted to investigate inheritance of the stay green trait between two maintainer (HA234 and HA290) and between two restorer (RHA377 and RHA274) sunflower inbred lines. The inheritance study included parents, F i , F 2 , and backcross generations. Change in stem color was used as the criterion for the stay green characteristic. Color slide pictures of stems were taken at 10- to 15-d intervals in the field between flowering and physiological maturity, and stem color was analyzed by a computer program called Map and Image Processing System. Generation mean analysis indicated that additive effects were the main source of genetic variation for the stay green trait in both crosses. In addition to additive and dominance gene effects, additive x dominance epistatic effects contributed significantly to the variability in the restorer line cross. Since additive effects were predominant, selection for this trait could be made in early generation segregating populations. Significant but small correlation coefficients between stem color at physiological maturity and stem color at earlier stages of development indicated that selection for stay green would be most effective at physiological maturity.
Designing maximally permissive deadlock avoidance policies for sequential resource allocation systems through classification theory

Most of the past research on the problem of deadlock avoidance for sequential resource allocation systems (RAS) has acknowledged the fact that the maximally permissive deadlock avoidance policy (DAP) possesses super-polynomial complexity for most RAS classes, and it has resorted to solutions that trade off maximal permissiveness for computational tractability. In this work, we seek the effective implementation of the maximally permissive DAP for sequential RAS, by distinguishing between the off-line and the on-line computation required for the specification of this policy, and developing a representation of the derived result that will require minimal on-line computation. The particular representation that we adopt is that of a compact classifier that will effect the underlying dichotomy of the reachable state space into safe and unsafe subspaces. The reported results establish that the proposed method can support the effective deployment of maximally permissive DAP for RAS with very large state spaces.
Efficient variable-length coding under an assigned maximum code-length constraint

Given a maximum allowable codeword length for a source S, an algorithm is developed to produce a set of optimal variable-length binary codes for the symbols in S. It is shown that no matter what the maximum size of the codewords is the algorithm always generates a set of optimal variable-length codes. And if no limit for the maximum code-length is specified the variable-length code becomes ultimately Huffman code. A maximum allowable codeword length is often necessary for data compression and transmission used in different applications. The limit for the codeword size might be necessary and essential because of the data-word size, the data buffers or even the data transmission rate. The ability to optimally control the length of the codewords provides a definite advantage over either a fixed code-length or a full variable-length code. Depending on particular applications and constraints, in the former case, one is able to choose the growth of the codewords that best suits the application and resources.
Electoral Context and MP Constituency Focus in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom

The job description for legislators in western democracies includes constituency-focused activities such as casework and district visits. Unfortunately we have a limited theoretical and empirical understanding of the factors affecting legislators’ constituency-oriented activities, in large part because most studies focus on single nations; even studies that are comparative do not span a variety of electoral systems. In this article we examine the constituency focus of MPs in six chambers that do
Brucella abortus HtrA Functions as an Authentic Stress Response Protease but Is Not Required for Wild-Type Virulence in BALB/c Mice

A second mutation has recently been identified in the previously described Brucella abortus htrA mutant PHE1. As a result of this finding, a new B. abortus htrA mutant, designated RWP11, was constructed to evaluate the biological function of the Brucella HtrA protease. RWP11 is more sensitive to oxidative killing in vitro and less resistant to killing by cultured murine neutrophils and macrophages than the virulent parental strain 2308 but is not attenuated in BALB/c mice through 4 weeks postinfection. The in vitro phenotype of B. abortus RWP11 is consistent with the proposed function of bacterial HtrA proteases as components of a secondary line of defense against oxidative damage. The in vivo phenotype of this mutant, however, indicates that, unlike the corresponding Salmonella and Yersinia proteins, Brucella HtrA does not play a critical role in virulence in the mouse model.
Adequacy, Accuracy, Scalability, and Uncertainty of Architecture-based Software Reliability: Lessons Learned from Large Empirical Case Studies

Our earlier research work on applying architecture-based software reliability models on a large scale case study allowed us to test how and when they work, to understand their limitations, and to outline the issues that need future research. In this paper we first present an additional case study which confirms our earlier findings. Then, we present uncertainty analysis of architecture-based software reliability for both case studies. The results show that Monte Carlo method scales better than the method of moments. The sensitivity analysis based on Monte Carlo method shows that (1) small number of parameters contribute to the most of the variation in system reliability and (2) given an operational profile, components? reliabilities have more significant impact on system reliability than transition probabilities. Finally, we summarize the lessons learned from conducting large scale empirical case studies for the purpose of architecture-based reliability assessment and uncertainty analysis.
PolyAML: a polymorphic aspect-oriented functional programming language

This paper defines PolyAML, a typed functional, aspect-oriented programming language. The main contribution of PolyAML is the seamless integration of polymorphism, run-time type analysis and aspect-oriented programming language features. In particular, PolyAML allows programmers to define type-safe polymorphic advice using pointcuts constructed from a collection of polymorphic join points. PolyAML also comes equipped with a type inference algorithm that conservatively extends Hindley-Milner type inference. To support first-class polymorphic point-cut designators, a crucial feature for developing aspect-oriented profiling or logging libraries, the algorithm blends the conventional Hindley-Milner type inference algorithm with a simple form of local type inference.We give our language operational meaning via a type-directed translation into an expressive type-safe intermediate language. Many complexities of the source language are eliminated in this translation, leading to a modular specification of its semantics. One of the novelties of the intermediate language is the definition of polymorphic labels for marking control-flow points. These labels are organized in a tree structure such that a parent in the tree serves as a representative for all of its children. Type safety requires that the type of each child is less polymorphic than its parent type. Similarly, when a set of labels is assembled as a pointcut, the type of each label is an instance of the type of the pointcut.
Treg suppressive activity involves estrogen-dependent expression of programmed death-1 (PD-1)

Estrogen [17-b-estradiol (E2)] is a potent driver of the FoxP3+ regulatory T cell (Treg) compartment. Recently, Tregs were further characterized by intracellular expression of the negative co-stimulatory molecule, programmed death-1 (PD-1). To clarify the role of PD-1 versus FoxP3 in E2-enhanced Treg suppression, we evaluated both markers and functional suppression in wild-type, estrogen receptor knockout (ERKO) mice and PD-1 KO mice. We demonstrate that intracellular PD-1 expression is also E2 sensitive, since E2 treatment increased intracellular PD-1 levels in CD4+FoxP3+ cells, and PD-1 expression and Treg suppression were reduced in ERKO mice. Surprisingly, PD-1 KO mice retained normal levels of FoxP3 expression, but Tregs from these mice lacked functional suppression. However, E2 pre-treatment of PD-1 KO mice partially restored functional Treg suppression without enhancing FoxP3 expression. Thus, functional Treg suppression in immunized mice without E2 pretreatment was more closely linked to PD-1 expression than to FoxP3 expression. However, although enhanced PD-1 expression was E2 dependent, functional suppression was still enhanced by E2 pretreatment in the absence of PD-1. These data clearly demonstrate that E2 can affect multiple regulatory elements that influence Treg suppression, including both PD-1-dependent and PD-1independent pathways.
Sophorolipid-induced dimpling and increased porosity in solvent-cast short-chain polyhydroxyalkanoate films: Impact on thermomechanical properties

Sophorolipids (SL; microbial glycolipids) were used as additives in solvent-cast short-chain polyhydroxyalkanoate (sc-PHA) films to enhance surface roughness and porosity. Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), poly-(6%)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-(94%)-3-hydroxyvalerate (PHB/V), and poly-(90%)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-(10%)-3-hydroxyhexanoate (PHB/HHx) films were evaluated with up to 43 wt % of SL. Sophorolipid addition caused surface dimples with maximum diameters of 131.8 µm (PHB), 25.2 µm (PHB/V), and 102.8 µm (PHB/HHx). A rise in the size and number of pores in the polymer matrix also occurred in PHB and PHB/V films. Surface roughness and film porosity were visualized by scanning electron microscopy and quantitated using confocal microscopy by correlating the surface area (A′) to the scanned area (A) of the films. The phenotypic alterations of the films caused a gradual decline in tensile strength and modulus and increased the elongation to break. Reductions in the enthalpies of fusion (ΔHf) in both the PHB (41% reduction) and PHB/HHx (36% reduction) films implied diminished crystallinity as SL concentrations increased. Over the same SL concentrations the Tan δ maxima shifted from 4 to 30°C and from 2 to 20°C in these respective films. These results provide a novel means by which sc-PHA properties can be controlled for new/improved applications. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40609.
Polarization-sensitive second harmonic imaging of collagen fibers in biological tissue

The second order nonlinear optical properties and orientation of collagen fibers were measured simultaneously using polarization modulation and phase sensitive detection.
The Protective Effects of Parent-College Student Communication on Dietary and Physical Activity Behaviors

Purpose Recent studies suggest that parents maintain influence as their adolescents transition into college. Advances in communication technology make frequent communication between parents and college students easy and affordable. This study examines the protective effect of parent-college student communication on student eating and physical activity behaviors.
A Hierarchical Model of Shape and Appearance for Human Action Classification

We present a novel model for human action categorization. A video sequence is represented as a collection of spatial and spatial-temporal features by extracting static and dynamic interest points. We propose a hierarchical model that can be characterized as a constellation of bags-of-features and that is able to combine both spatial and spatial-temporal features. Given a novel video sequence, the model is able to categorize human actions in a frame-by-frame basis. We test the model on a publicly available human action dataset [2] and show that our new method performs well on the classification task. We also conducted control experiments to show that the use of the proposed mixture of hierarchical models improves the classification performance over bag of feature models. An additional experiment shows that using both dynamic and static features provides a richer representation of human actions when compared to the use of a single feature type, as demonstrated by our evaluation in the classification task.
The Zwin: From Golden Inlet to Nature Reserve

Abstract Artists of the XVII Provinces contributed considerably to cartography. For instance, Peter Pourbus, a Bruges painter, is the author of maps of Zeeland and of the Zwin Region, an area that Emperor Charles V (1500–1577) was anxious to protect against a seaborne enemy invasion. The coastal areas of Flanders and Zeeland were repeatedly covered, in prehistoric, protohistoric, and historic times, by the North Sea waters. The storm of the 13th century broke through continental barriers, opening a channel whose draught allowed ships to sail up to such towns as Sluis, Damme, and Hoek, sites that became, for several centuries, outer harbors of Bruges. The trade thus generated is at the origin of Bruges's wealth, leading to the Zwin inlet being nicknamed the “Golden Inlet.” Sadly, silting set in and occlusion of the inlet progressed inexorably. This benefited Antwerp, which took up the declining trade of Bruges. The richest city of northwestern Europe yielded thus to a sister city that would be, for several...
Electrosurgical excision technique for the treatment of multiple cutaneous lesions in neurofibromatosis type I

Neurofibromatosis I (NF1) is an autosomal dominant disease that presents with multiple cutaneous lesions often numbering into the 500-1000 range. In addition to the psychosocial implications, there are limited surgical options for this condition. A series of 97 consecutive patients with NF1 presented with numerous cutaneous lesions. Treatment involved electrocautery excision of the lesions using a handheld device in one or more stages. This technique resulted in the removal of large numbers of lesions in limited stages, with minimal scarring, minor discomfort and high patient acceptance. For patients with NF1, single or multistage excision of cutaneous lesions using electrocautery produces an acceptable aesthetic result with high patient satisfaction.
Feed and manure use in low-N-input and high-N-input dairy cattle production systems

In most parts of Sub-Saharan Africa fertilizers and feeds are costly, not readily available and used sparingly in agricultural production. In many parts of Western Europe, North America, and Oceania fertilizers and feeds are relatively inexpensive, readily available and used abundantly to maximize profitable agricultural production. A case study, dairy systems approach was used to illustrate how differences in feed and manure management in a low-N-input dairy cattle system (Niger, West Africa) and a high-N-input dairy production system (Wisconsin, USA) impact agricultural production and environmental N loss. In Niger, an additional daily feed N intake of 114 g per dairy animal unit (AU, 1000 kg live weight) could increase annual milk production from 560 to 1320 kg AU?1, and the additional manure N could greatly increase millet production. In Wisconsin, reductions in daily feed N intake of 100 g AU?1 would not greatly impact milk production but decrease urinary N excretion by 25% and ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions from manure by 18% to 30%. In Niger, compared to the practice of housing livestock and applying dung only onto fields, corralling cattle or sheep on cropland (to capture urinary N) increased millet yields by 25% to 95%. The additional millet grain due to dung applications or corralling would satisfy the annual food grain requirements of 2?5 persons; the additional forage would provide 120?300 more days of feed for a typical head of cattle; and 850 to 1600 kg ha?1 more biomass would be available for soil conservation. In Wisconsin, compared to application of barn manure only, corralling heifers in fields increased forage production by only 8% to 11%. The application of barn manure or corralling increased forage production by 20% to 70%. This additional forage would provide 350?580 more days of feed for a typical dairy heifer. Study results demonstrate how different approaches to feed and manure management in low-N-input and high-N-input dairy cattle systems impact milk production, manure N excretion, manure N capture, N recycling and environmental N loss.
Models of the Thermal Evolution of the Intergalactic Medium After Reionization

Recent years have brought more precise temperature measurements of the low-density intergalactic medium (IGM). These new measurements constrain the processes that heated the IGM, such as the reionization of H I and of He II. We present a semi-analytical model for the thermal history of the IGM that follows the photoheating history of primordial gas. We compare this model with recent temperature measurements spanning z = 1:6 4:8, finding that these measurements are consistent with scenarios in which the He II was reionized at z = 3 4 by quasars. Significantly longer duration or higher redshift He II reionization scenarios are ruled out by the measurements. For hydrogen reionization, we find that only low redshift and high temperature scenarios are excluded. For example, a model in which the IGM was heated to 30;000 K when an ionization front passed, and with hydrogen reionization occurring over 6 3.
Compulsory Lending Schemes (Systèmes d'emprunts forcés) (Esquemas de préstamos forzosos)

Este trabajo consiste en el estudio de una serie de esquemas mediante los cuales los gobiernos en anos recientes han obligado al sector privado a que les proporcionen prestamos. En la Seccion I se define el campo exacto del estudio. Se entiende que un prestamo es forzoso cuando cada una de las personas comprendidas en una amplia clasificacion estan obligadas a entregar, por un cierto plazo, al gobierno una suma de dinero, en el entendido de que dicha suma les sera devuelta con relativa prontitud. En la Seccion II y en el Apendice se exponen las principales caracteristicas de los esquemas que se han encontrado en funcionamiento durante los ultimos anos en 19 distintos paises. Se dan detalles, por ejemplo, sobre el periodo de funcionamiento, la base de las contribuciones, la duracion maxima del prestamo y la tasa de interes abonada. La Seccion III es analitica. Se efectuan comparaciones entre el prestamo forzoso y varias otras alternativas, especialmente la del impuesto sobre la renta en lo que respecta a sus efectos en cuanto a incentivos, equidad y conveniencia administrativa. Con referencia a los incentivos la conclusion general es que al prestamo forzoso probablemente se lo considere como una carga mas liviana que una tasa equivalente de impuesto sobre la renta; pero no existen conclusiones sencillas en cuanto a la equidad y a la conveniencia administrativa. En la Seccion IV se examina la experiencia practica. En muchos casos estos esquemas constituyeron medidas de emergencia para hacer frente a una crisis financiera; sin embargo, se puede obtener un buen numero de ensenanzas. En la Seccion V se examina el futuro de este procedimiento. Una vez examinados todos los aspectos del esquema, la conclusion general es que algo puede decirse en favor del sistema de prestamos forzosos, especialmente si al establecerlo y administrarlo se toman varias precauciones.