cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parallel Heuristics for Improved, Balanced Graph Colorings

The computation of good, balanced graph colorings is an essential part of many algorithms required in scientific and engineering applications. Motivated by an effective sequential heuristic, we introduce a new parallel heuristic, PLF, and show that this heuristic has the same expected runtime under the PRAM computational model as the scalable coloring heuristic introduced by Jones and Plassmann. We present experimental results performed on the Intel DELTA that demonstrate that this new heuristic consistently generates better colorings and requires only slightly more time than the JP heuristic. In the second part of the paper we introduce two new parallel color-balancing heuristics, PDR(k) and PLF(k). We show that these heuristics have the desirable property that they do not increase the number of colors used by an initial coloring during the balancing process. We present experimental results that show that these heuristics are very effective in obtaining balanced colorings and, in addition, exhibit scalable performance.
Characterization of surgical needles.

Abstract The acuity (sharpness) of surgical needle points was assessed by measuring the force required for repeat needle penetrations through a medium-gauge latex sheet glued to a perforated Plexiglas frame. The data on the variation in the applied force with repeat penetrations showed that needles obeyed the general relation: P = A + b.n; where P is the applied penetration force in grams, n is the number of penetrations and A and B are constants. Constant A characterized the needle-point acuity and B the maintenance of acuity. This relationship indicated both needle acuity and acuity maintenance with repeated passes through a reproducible target material. Determining the microhardness of needles provided data on their strength which helped to account for differences in the acuity of apparently similar needles. The tensile strength of the union between suture and needle was determined to evaluate the security of suture attachment.
Suramin: A Potential Therapy for Diabetic Nephropathy

Objective To determine whether delayed administration of a single dose of suramin, a drug that has been used extensively in humans to treat trypanosomiasis, attenuates renal injury in a leptin receptor deficient C57BLKS/J db/db type 2 diabetic nephropathy (T2DN) mouse model.
Hierarchical composites of carbon nanotubes on carbon fiber : Influence of growth condition on fiber tensile properties

Abstract Growing carbon nanotubes (CNT) on the surface of high performance carbon fibers (CF) provides a means to tailor the thermal, electrical and mechanical properties of the fiber–resin interface of a composite. However, many CNT growth processes require pretreatment of the fiber, deposition of an intermediate layer, or harsh growth conditions which can degrade tensile properties and limit the conduction between the fiber and the nanotubes. In this study, high density multi-wall carbon nanotubes were grown directly on two different polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon fibers (T650 and IM-7) using thermal Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). The influence of CVD growth conditions on the single-fiber tensile properties and CNT morphology was investigated. The mechanical properties of the resultant hybrid fibers were shown to depend on the carbon fiber used, the presence of a sizing (coating), the CNT growth temperature, growth time, and atmospheric conditions within the CVD chamber. The CNT density and alignment morphology was varied with growth temperature and precursor flow rate. Overall, it was concluded that a hybrid fiber with a well-adhered array of dense MWCNTs could be grown on the unsized T650 fiber with no significant degradation in tensile properties.
Conjugated linoleic acid concentrations in processed cheese containing hydrogen donors, iron and dairy-based additives

Abstract Hydrogen donors (butylated hydroxytoluene, propyl gallate, cysteine, ascorbic acid) and dairy additives (sodium caseinate, sweet whey powder and nonfat dry milk) are capable of increasing the conjugated linoleic acid content in processed cheese. Propyl gallate was the most effective hydrogen donor tested, increasing the total and 9 cis , 11 trans (9 c , 11 t ) CLA contents 1.59- and 1.42-fold, respectively. Among the dairy additives sodium caseinate at a concentration of 6% was the most effective, increasing the total CLA concentration 1.65-fold compared to processed cheese with no additive. Nonfat dry milk and whey powder produced 1.57- and 1.56-fold increases in CLA concentration, respectively. Lipid oxidation systems such as Fe 2+ and Fe 3+ /ascorbate were also effective at increasing the CLA content in processed cheese. At 500 ppm Fe, the increase in total CLA was 1.56-fold for Fe 2+ and 1.44-fold for Fe 3+ /ascorbate.
Translation frustration: The delicate art of Christian speech:

The article compares and reviews two recent books exploring the art of Christian speaking: Stanley Hauerwas’s Learning to Speak Christian (2011) and Marcus J. Borg’s Speaking Christian (2011). I ar...
Trends in acute coronary heart disease mortality, morbidity, and medical care from 1985 through 1997: the Minnesota heart survey.

Background—Coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality continued to decline from 1985 to 1997. Methods and Results—We tabulated CHD deaths (ICD-9 codes 410 through 414) in the Minneapolis/St Paul, Minnesota, area. For 1985, 1990, and 1995, trained nurses abstracted the hospital records of patients 30 to 74 years old with a discharge diagnosis of acute CHD (ICD-9 codes 410 or 411). Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) events were validated and followed for 3-year all-cause mortality. Between 1985 and 1997, age-adjusted CHD mortality rates in Minneapolis/St Paul fell 47% and 51% in men and women, respectively; the comparable declines in US whites were 34% and 29%. In-hospital mortality declined faster than out-of-hospital mortality. The rate of AMI (ICD-9 code 410) hospital discharges declined almost 20% between 1985 and 1995, whereas the discharge rate for unstable angina (ICD-9 code 411) increased substantially. The incidence of hospitalized definite AMI declined ≈10%, whereas recurrence rates fell 20% to 30%. Th...
Development of AFM-based techniques to measure mechanical properties of nanoscale structures

Abstract Mechanical property evaluation of nanometer-sized structures is necessary to help design reliable MEMS/NEMS devices. Most material properties are known to exhibit dependence on specimen size and such properties of nanoscale structures are not well characterized. Silicon and SiO 2 nanometer-scale beams (nanobeams) with a 6 μm length and widths ranging from 200 to 600 nm were fabricated using lithography-based techniques. A quasi-static bending test technique for these nanobeams was developed using an atomic force microscope (AFM). This technique was used to evaluate elastic modulus, bending strength and estimate fracture toughness of the beams and beam materials. The beams failed in a linear elastic and brittle manner. Results indicate that elastic modulus and fracture toughness values are comparable to bulk values, whereas bending strength appears to be much higher for these nanobeams than for larger scale specimens, thus revealing a size effect. We also report results from monotonic cyclic loading tests of the nanobeams that reveal nanoscale fatigue performance of the beam materials. SEM observations of the fracture surfaces suggest cleavage as the fracture mechanism for both Si and SiO 2 beams.
The use of an arc plasma rotating in a magnetic field for metal coating glass substrates

First results are reported about deposition of metals on glass substrate using a low current arc plasma source at atmospheric pressure. The arc source consists of a graphite cathode rod placed on the axis of a graphite anode cylinder aligned in a magnetic field. The carrier gas is argon. The deposition material, zinc or gold, is evaporated from a reservoir in the cathode. Depositions on flat substrates positioned on the periphery of the rotating plasma within the anode tube and in a jet outside the anode have been investigated. The investigations are planned to lead towards laser fusion target pusher layer fabrication. This fabrication would be facilitated by a high pressure deposition process where target levitation is readily performed.
Imports and the income-expenditure model: implications for fiscal policy and recession fighting

This paper modifies the textbook income-expenditure model to properly account for imports. This modification causes government spending to have an even larger relative impact compared to tax cuts than conventionally thought. It also shows that increased government spending can have a smaller impact on the trade deficit than tax cuts despite spending having a larger multiplier effect on income. Consequently, spending may be doubly advantaged over tax cuts as a means of reflating economic activity. Last, the paper shows that consumption tax cuts can be an antistimulus that reduces aggregate demand and output.
Association of Size of Myocardial Scar and Persistence of ST-Segment Elevation After Healing of Anterior Wall Myocardial Infarction

Half the patients who survive ST-segment elevation anterior myocardial infarction continue to have ST elevation (STE) 6 months after the event. The mechanism for this and its clinical significance are unclear. There are data to suggest that larger infarcts are more likely to have persistent changes in the ST segment. This study is designed to test this association further using a novel means of assessing the presence and magnitude of myocardial scar using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Delayed imaging by MRI after injection of gadolinium is commonly used to detect myocardial scar through the appearance of delayed contrast hyperenhancement. Consecutive patients referred for myocardial viability imaging were reviewed. The volume of scar as a percentage of anterior wall volume was calculated, and the 26 patients with scar involving ≥10% of the anterior wall were selected for inclusion. All had an electrocardiogram recorded within 15 days of MRI, and none had an intervening cardiac event. Observers unaware of MRI findings independently measured ST-segment changes. Nine patients had STE >1 mm and 17 did not. Mean anterior scar volume in the group without STE was 31.9 ± 17.1% of the anterior wall volume compared with 50.3 ± 15.9% in the group with STE >1 mm (p = 0.01). The larger the myocardial scar, the more likely STE was to be present. Only 1 of 10 patients (10%) with scar in the anterior wall
The use of restrictive labels in juvenile corrections: The case of Ohio☆

Abstract A study was conducted to determine the ramifications of the use of restrictive categories imposed within correctional settings, and an analysis of such classifications within one juvenile correctional institution—The Fairfield School for Boys—was undertaken.
Electron-Transfer Mechanisms with Photoactivated Quinones. The Encounter Complex versus the Rehm−Weller Paradigm

Photoexcited quinones (Q*) are efficiently quenched by polymethylbenzenes (ArH) via electron transfer (ET). However, the second-order rate constants (k2) exhibit Rehm−Weller (outer-sphere) dependence on the free energy (ΔGET), despite our new findings that the quenching occurs via a series of rather strong encounter complexes [Q*, ArH] with substantial (charge-transfer) bonding. The relatively high formation constants (KEC) of the encounter complexes indicate that any mechanistic interpretation of the driving-force dependence of the observed rate constants is highly ambiguous since k2 must be a composite of KEC and the intrinsic rate constant (kET) for electron transfer within the intermediate (inner-sphere) complex. As such, the reorganization energies extracted from Rehm−Weller plots lack thermodynamic significance. On the other hand, the unambiguous driving-force dependence of kET represents a unique example for the “normal” Marcus behavior of the endergonic electron transfer between the donor/acceptor...
Cardiovascular risk factors in women with and without rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective The risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objective of this study was to examine the distribution of known CVD risk factors and biomarkers of CVD in women with and without RA. Methods This study included two components: an examination of clinical CVD risk factors among women participating in the Nurses' Health Study, a prospective longitudinal cohort, and an analysis of CVD biomarkers among a subgroup of women from this cohort who provided a blood specimen in 1989 (biospecimen cohort). Data regarding clinical risk factors for CVD were collected in 1990 by mailed questionnaire. The diagnosis of RA was confirmed through a structured medical record abstraction. We compared clinical risk factors for CVD and biomarkers of CVD between women with and without RA, adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, and menopause status. Results Women with RA (n = 287) were significantly more likely than women without RA (n = 87,019) to report no alcohol use (48.2% versus 39.4%) and past cigarette smoking (47.8% versus 38.0%). No significant differences between these groups were observed for current smoker status, BMI, regular aspirin use, diabetes, hypertension, physical activity, and family history of early myocardial infarction. In the biospecimen cohort (69 RA cases and 491 controls), the levels of several inflammatory biomarkers linked to CVD were significantly elevated in women with RA, including CRP, fibrinogen, sICAM-1, sTNFRI, sTNFRII, and osteoprotegerin. Levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, apolipoprotein B, and Lp(a) were similar between groups. Levels of homocysteine were similar, but vitamin B12 was significantly higher among women with RA than among the controls. Conclusion In women participating in the Nurses' Health Study, most traditional CVD risk factors were similar between those who had RA and those who did not. However, as expected, biomarkers of inflammation associated with CVD were generally elevated in women with RA.
Mechanism Design with Interdependent Valuations: Efficiency

ggAgents' valuations are interdependent if they depend on the signals, or types, of all agents. Under the implicit assumption that agents cannot observe their outcome-decision payoffs, previous literature has shown that with interdependent valuations and independent signals, efficient design is impossible. This paper shows that an efficient mechanism exists in an environment where first the final outcome (e.g., allocation of the goods) is determined, then the agents observe their own outcome-decision payoffs, and then final transfers are made.
A DC-flux-injection approach for thermal monitoring of induction machines with direct torque control

This paper proposes a parameter-based approach for thermal monitoring of direct-torque-controlled (DTC) induction machines (IM), where the stator resistance Rs is used as a direct indicator of average stator winding temperature. The stator resistance is estimated via the DC current injection method. In a DTC drive system, the ultimate challenge is how to impose the DC current offset via the existing flux and torque control loop. In this paper, the quantitative relationship between desired current injection and the corresponding flux linkage offset is firstly derived; and the current injection is then achieved by superimposing flux linkage offset in the flux control loop. Simulation results validate the proposed methodology, and the experimental data proves that this method achieves accurate temperature estimation under various operating conditions. This simple and efficient thermal monitoring technique is particularly advantageous since it eliminates the need for embedded thermocouples, requires no hardware change to conventional DTC drive systems and has a minimal impact on the IM's normal operation.
A combination of exact algorithms for inference on Bayesian belief networks

Abstract Cutset conditioning and clique-tree propagation are two popular methods for exact probabilistic inference in Bayesian belief networks. Cutset conditioning is based on decomposition of a subset network nodes, whereas clique-tree propagation depends on aggregation of nodes. We characterize network structures in which the performances of these methods differ. We describe a means to combine cutset conditioning and clique-tree propagation in an approach called aggregation after decomposition (AD), which can perform inference relatively efficiently for certain network structures in which neither cutset conditioning nor clique-tree propagation performs well. We discuss criteria to determine when AD will perform more efficient belief-network inference than will clique-tree propagation.
Safety Responsibilities for Owner and Example in Public Works

It has become one headstream leading to construction accident frequently for owner's violating action according to accident statistics, especially for public work owner. However, it is difficult to inspect owner's action for its strength situation. In this paper the best safety management practice of the abroad owner participating in safety management has been concluded, cooperating with the present situation of domestic owner on safety, this paper looks into how the owners could assume safety responsibilities with focusing on safety management. It is recommended that higher legal standards should be set forth for public work so as to promote and develop construction industry safety and health.
MARICULTURE POTENTIAL OF SHALLOW-WATER BAHAMIAN BIVALVES

A survey of shallow-water bivalves of the Bahamas has revealed numerous under-utilized species. This study investigates the general ecology and mariculture potential of two large species, Asaphis deflorata and Codakia orbicularis. Population studies indicate patchy but often dense (28/.25 m2) assemblages of C. orbicularis in muddy intertidal creeks and turtle grass beds. A. deflorata is found in concentrations up to 64/.25 m2, usually in sandy gravel. Linear relationships of shell dimensions are correlated with total wet weight for both species over a range of shell sizes. Measurements of shell weight, meat plus liquor, and dry meat are related to shell length and total wet weight for C. orbicularis. Compositional analysis of C. orbicularis shows meats high in protein, carbohydrate, and calories, but very low in cholesterol. C. orbicularis exhibits peaks of gonad ripeness in spring and late fall, with a large percentage of the population remaining ripe throughout the summer. Maximum periods of gonad ripeness occur in July for A. deflorata. Adults of both species were induced to spawn in the laboratory and these larvae reared through metamorphosis. Deposit-feeding bivalve clams are suggested as mariculture candidates due to the lack of phytoplankton biomass in Bahamian coastal waters. The discovery of clams having potential for chemoautotrophic nutrition through a relationship with procaryotic cells within the gill tissue introduces exciting possibilities for mariculture.
Influence of short-range order on devitrification in Zr70Pd20Cu10 metallic glasses

Abstract The initial stages of the devitrification for the Zr70Pd20Cu10 metallic glass prepared by two processing routes, melt-spinning (MS) and mechanical milling (MM), is investigated using high energy synchrotron X-rays (124.63 keV). The short-range order of the as-prepared alloys differ. This resulted in different phase selection processes during annealing for the two alloys. To determine the initial nucleating phases, we analyzed the differences in the total scattering function S(Q) as a function of time at a temperature ∼50 K below the crystallization temperature. Both alloys undergo a structural relaxation prior to nucleation and growth. Devitrification proceeds from nucleation of the icosahedral phase for the MS alloy and by nucleation of the high temperature stable MoSi2-type structure for the MM alloy.
On the analyses of sprocket load distribution

Abstract This paper presents a spring model analysis for the load distribution in chains and in sprocket teeth and compares the results with those from a traditional force-balance analysis which does not include a consideration of elastic properties.
Increased in vitro cell-mediated immunity in protein-malnourished guinea pigs

Abstract Young guinea pigs on three protein-deficient, isocaloric diets represented models of severe, marked, and moderate protein malnutrition. Antibody responses to antigenic stimulation were reduced in proportion to the protein intake. Animals on severe restriction (3% protein), immunized with a high dose of antigen, developed immunity and produced in vitro migration inhibition factor (MIF) activity equal to that of controls fed 27% protein diets. Animals fed 6 and 9% protein had higher MIF activity than controls. With low doses of antigen, animals fed 6% protein demonstrated higher MIF activity and increased lymphocyte transformation after sensitization than controls. No differences in responses to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were noted between the animals fed 6 and 27% protein diets. Peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) from animals fed 6 or 27% protein diets reacted equally well in the MIF assay systems. Although the severely protein-deprived animals displayed equivalent or increased levels of in vitro cell-mediated immunity (CMI), they had no or reduced CMI, revealed by skin test reactions. Groups fed diets moderately restricted in protein had delayed allergic skin test reactions as frequently as normally fed controls, but the reactions were quantitatively reduced and were histologically different from those of controls. We conclude that guinea pigs fed reduced protein diets frequently have increased responses of T cells to T-dependent antigens, and that this occurs in the face of decreased numbers of T cells and an apparent decrease in the number and function of B cells.
FDTD analysis of electromagnetic wave radiation from systems containing horn antennas

The application of the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method to various radiating structures is considered. These structures include two- and three-dimensional waveguides, flared horns, a two-dimensional parabolic reflector, and a two-dimensional hyperthermia application. Numerical results for the horns, waveguides, and parabolic reflectors are compared with results from using the method of moments (MM). The results for the hyperthermia application are shown as extensions of the previously validated models. This new application of the FDTD method is shown to be useful when other numerical or analytic methods cannot be applied. >
Maximum entropy inverse reinforcement learning

Recent research has shown the benefit of framing problems of imitation learning as solutions to Markov Decision Problems. This approach reduces learning to the problem of recovering a utility function that makes the behavior induced by a near-optimal policy closely mimic demonstrated behavior. In this work, we develop a probabilistic approach based on the principle of maximum entropy. Our approach provides a well-defined, globally normalized distribution over decision sequences, while providing the same performance guarantees as existing methods. We develop our technique in the context of modeling real-world navigation and driving behaviors where collected data is inherently noisy and imperfect. Our probabilistic approach enables modeling of route preferences as well as a powerful new approach to inferring destinations and routes based on partial trajectories.
The Phr1 Ubiquitin Ligase Promotes Injury-Induced Axon Self-Destruction

Axon degeneration is an evolutionarily conserved process that drives the loss of damaged axons and is an early event in many neurological disorders, so it is important to identify the molecular constituents of this poorly understood mechanism. Here, we demonstrate that the Phr1 E3 ubiquitin ligase is a central component of this axon degeneration program. Loss of Phr1 results in prolonged survival of severed axons in both the peripheral and central nervous systems, as well as preservation of motor and sensory nerve terminals. Phr1 depletion increases the axonal level of the axon survival molecule nicotinamide mononucleotide adenyltransferase 2 (NMNAT2), and NMNAT2 is necessary for Phr1-dependent axon stability. The profound long-term protection of peripheral and central mammalian axons following Phr1 deletion suggests that pharmacological inhibition of Phr1 function may be an attractive therapeutic candidate for amelioration of axon loss in neurological disease.
Fitting Multilevel Models When Predictors and Group Efiects Correlate

Random effects models (that is, regressions with varying intercepts that are modeled with error) are avoided by some social scientists because of potential issues with bias and uncertainty estimates. Particularly, when one or more predictors correlate with the group or unit effects, a key Gauss-Markov assumption is violated and estimates are compromised. However, this problem can easily be solved by including the average of each individual-level predictors in the group-level regression. We explain the solution, demonstrate its effectiveness using simulations, show how it can be applied in some commonly-used statistical software, and discuss its potential for substantive modeling.
On the existence of equilibria to Bayesian games with non-finite type and action spaces

Abstract Equilibria are shown to exist in non-finite Bayesian games if the type and action spaces are compact and convex subsets of finite dimensional Euclidean space, utility functions are continuous, expected utility functions are strictly quasiconcave in the agent’s action, the set of rationalizable mappings have a uniformly bounded slope and posterior beliefs are suitably continuous.
The sphenoparietal sinus.

Objective There is minimal detailed information regarding the sphenoparietal venous sinus found in the extant medical literature. Furthermore, there is controversy in the literature regarding drainage of the Sylvian vein into this sinus. The sphenoparietal sinus can potentially be encountered with cranial base approaches near the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone and may be found as one surgically traverses the superior orbital fissure. Methods To further elucidate the anatomy of this structure, we injected this intracranial venous sinus with blue latex in 15 adult cadavers (30 sides) via cannulation of the cavernous sinus near the posterior part of the oculomotor trigone. Observations and measurements of this and nearby structures were then made. Results A left and right sphenoparietal sinus were found in all specimens and had a mean diameter of 2.5 mm for left sides and 3 mm for right sides. No statistical difference was noted between sides or sexes (P > 0.05). This structure generally began at the lateral tip of the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone and ended in the cavernous sinus near the passage of the ophthalmic nerve. In seven left sides and eight right sides, no discernible connection with the middle meningeal veins was noted. This sinus was found to have a connection with the Sylvian vein in all but one side. One sinus did not drain into the cavernous sinus but rather into the veins of the foramen rotundum. Ten specimens were noted to have previously undocumented temporal veins from the anterior temporal tip that drained into the sphenoparietal sinus. Conclusion We think that these data will aid the clinician in the diagnosis of the pathology of this region and decrease morbidity that may follow manipulation of this venous sinus.
Innovation in urban agricultural practices: Responding to diverse production environments

Although discussion of the role of urban agriculture in developing nations has occurred over the past decade, dialogue relating to urban agriculture in industrialized countries, including the United States (US) has only recently begun to attract significant attention. The unique factors that influence urban agriculture, including limited and non-traditional land access, use of reclaimed soils and alternative growing mediums, local legal and political environments, social and community-based missions, and involvement of non-traditional farmers, create a production system distinct from rural agricultural enterprises. In many cases, specific local environmental and external factors drive urban farms to develop unique innovations for space-intensive production systems, often creating a dominant paradigm for urban farming for a given location. Furthermore, non-production-related organizational goals are often the primary focus of urban agricultural operations, with the food production becoming a secondary objective. In order to address this information gap regarding the status of urban agriculture in the US, our project, centered at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, gathered datathrough site visitsto and interviewsof organizations in sevencities, examining how structural and strategic food system factors shape urban agricultural efforts. A broad range of operations are considered, including diverse business and production models based on both commercial and community-based management strategies and production in parking and vacant lots, warehouses, public land and peri-urban locations. Based on these observations, the unique innovations in space-intensive agricultural production that have arisen in response to urban food system factors are discussed. We conclude with an assessment of the most significant challenges continuing to face urban agriculture.
Priorities in Residential Water Use: A Trade-Off Analysis

A trade-off paradigm was used to examine priorities in residential water use. A total of 426 participants allocated either a small or large budget to various household water uses. A comparison of allocations across budget conditions revealed which water uses were regarded as most important, as well as the amount of water regarded as sufficient for each use. Further analyses focused on the perceived importance of outdoor water use, which accounts for the majority of the water used in residences. Data indicated that indoor uses, especially those related to health and sanitation, were consistently higher priorities for participants in this study. The finding that residents are more willing to curtail outdoor water use than indoor water use has important implications for behavior change campaigns. Individual difference variables of environmental orientation and duration of residence in the desert accounted for some of the variance in water choices.
Griots at War: Conflict, Conciliation, and Caste in Mande

Griots at War: Conflict, Conciliation, and Caste in Mande. Barbara G. Hoffman. in collaboration with Kassim Kone. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2000. 298 pp.
A Developmental Model of Ocular Dominance Column Formation on a Growing Cortex

We derive an activity-based developmental model of ocular dominance column formation in primary visual cortex that takes into account cortical growth. The resulting evolution equation for the densities of feedforward afferents from the two eyes exhibits a sequence of pattern forming instabilities as the size of the cortex increases. We use linear stability analysis to investigate the nature of the transitions between successive patterns in the sequence. We show that these transitions involve the splitting of existing ocular dominance (OD) columns, such that the mean width of an OD column is approximately preserved during the course of development. This is consistent with recent experimental observations of postnatal growth in cat.
A systematic partitioning approach for LS and SVD problems to fixed size arrays with constraints

Design methodologies which incorporate partitioning in the projection of an algorithm onto a physical array of processors are of theoretical and practical interest in systolic/wavefront designs. A systematic partitioning technique utilizing the integral matrix approach for designing fixed-size arrays with desired user-imposed constraints is presented. These include I/O and interconnection constraints to obtain efficient communication link properties. Applications to the QR algorithm for eigenvalue decomposition and least square problems are given. >
Gesturing Gives Children New Ideas About Math

How does gesturing help children learn? Gesturing might encourage children to extract meaning implicit in their hand movements. If so, children should be sensitive to the particular movements they produce and learn accordingly. Alternatively, all that may matter is that children move their hands. If so, they should learn regardless of which movements they produce. To investigate these alternatives, we manipulated gesturing during a math lesson. We found that children required to produce correct gestures learned more than children required to produce partially correct gestures, who learned more than children required to produce no gestures. This effect was mediated by whether children took information conveyed solely in their gestures and added it to their speech. The findings suggest that body movements are involved not only in processing old ideas, but also in creating new ones. We may be able to lay foundations for new knowledge simply by telling learners how to move their hands.
Aspects of methane flow from sediment through emergent cattail (Typha latifolia) plants

We measured the flow of methane in Typha latifolia L. (cattail)-dominated wetlands from microbial production in anoxic sediment into, through, and out of emergent T. latifolia shoots (i.e. plant transport). The purpose was to identify key environmental and plant factors that might affect rates of methane efflux from wetlands to the Earth's atmosphere. Methane accumulated in leafy T. latifolia shoots overnight, reaching concentrations up to 10000 μl l−1 (vs. atmospheric concentrations 2·0 μmol m−2 (leaf) s−1) and (b) a decrease in shoot methane concentration to <70 μl l−1. Very short fluctuation in stomatal conductance during the day did not affect the methane efflux rate unless, possibly, the rate of photosynthesis decreased. A strong relationship between the maximum daily rate of methane efflux and shoot methane concentration (measured before the onset of convective gas flow) suggests T. latifolia plants behave like a capacitor (filling with methane at night, emitting the stored methane during the day). Experimentally cutting leaves (to prevent pressurization) reduced plant capacitance for methane.
Local protein dynamics and catalysis: detection of segmental motion associated with rate-limiting product release by a glutathione transferase.

Glutathione transferase rGSTM1-1 catalyzes the addition of glutathione (GSH) to 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, a reaction in which the chemical step is 60-fold faster than the physical step of product release. The hydroxyl group of Y115, located in the active site access channel, controls the egress of product from the active site. The Y115F mutant enzyme has a kcat (72 s-1) that is 3.6-fold larger than that of the native enzyme (20 s-1). Crystallographic observations and evidence from amide proton exchange kinetics are consistent with localized increases in the degree of segmental motion of the Y115F mutant that are coupled to the enhanced rate of product release. The loss of hydrogen bonding interactions involving the hydroxyl group of Y115 is reflected in subtle alterations in the backbone position, an increase in B-factors for structural elements that comprise the channel to the active site, and, most dramatically, a loss of well-defined electron density near the site of mutation. The kinetics of amide ...
Heteroatom-Doped Graphitic Carbon Catalysts for Efficient Electrocatalysis of Oxygen Reduction Reaction

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) plays an important role in renewable energy technologies, such as fuel cells and metal–air batteries. Along with the extensive research and development of nonprecious metal catalysts (NPMCs) to reduce/replace Pt for electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen, a new class of heteroatom-doped metal-free carbon catalysts has been recently developed, which, as alternative ORR catalysts, could dramatically reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of fuel cells and metal–air batteries. The improved catalytic performance of heteroatom-doped carbon ORR catalysts has been attributed to the doping-induced charge redistribution around the heteroatom dopants, which lowered the ORR potential and changed the O2 chemisorption mode to effectively weaken the O–O bonding, facilitating ORR at the heteroatom-doped carbon electrodes. Subsequently, this new metal-free ORR mechanism was confirmed by numerous studies, and the same principle has been applied to the development of various other eff...
Problems in Adaptation to Maintenance Hemodialysis

After the introduction of the permanent arteriovenous shunt in 1960 by Scribner and his associates,1 maintenance hemodialysis became a practical possibility for the long-term care of patients with terminal renal disease. Since then, many investigators have reported behavioral and psychologic observations in such patients2–12 and have formed hypotheses based on their observations.
Connecting Robots with Concurrent Exploration of Control and Communications

Multi-robot systems (MRS) have many applications and the efficient operation of MRS relies on coordination of robots. However, it is difficult to build network connections among randomly distributed robots in the presence of robot movements and weak wireless channels. In this work, we propose to jointly exploit communications and motion control to efficiently establish robot connections. To achieve this goal, we concurrently use MUSIC and particle filter to more accurately and efficiently estimate robot signal directions, built on which signal strength-based potential field is formed to control robot motion to establish and maintain communication links. Our studies based on test bed and simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithm in networking robots, with much higher number of robots connected compared to peer algorithms.
Alcohol and the Adaptive Immune Response in the Airway: Dendritic Cell and Lymphocyte Impairments

It is well established that alcoholics have an increased incidence of respiratory diseases. Further, chronic alcoholism predisposes for more severe disease following respiratory infections. While many studies have detailed the increase in disease severity during respiratory infections in alcoholics, much less is understood about the underlying mechanisms through which chronic alcohol consumption mediates this increase in disease severity or how alcohol alters pulmonary adaptive immune responses. It is well accepted that chronic alcohol ingestion is immunosuppressive and exerts inhibitory effects on adaptive immunity. However, these studies have largely focused on examining the immunosuppression of cell-mediated immunity in the spleen, skin, and liver. Importantly, for many pathogens the type of immune response generated in the respiratory and intestinal mucosa is distinct from that generated following intravenous, intraperitoneal, or subcutaneous exposures. Therefore, the type and extent of lesions that exist in the respiratory adaptive immune system of alcoholics and the consequences of these lesions, particularly during infections, remain in question. This chapter highlights and discusses the field’s current knowledge on chronic alcohol-induced lesions within the pulmonary dendritic cell and T cell compartments and the relationship of these lesions to increased respiratory disease.
Variable Screening via Quantile Partial Correlation

In quantile linear regression with ultra-high dimensional data, we propose an algorithm for screening all candidate variables and subsequently selecting relevant predictors. Specifically, we first employ quantile partial correlation for screening, and then we apply the extended Bayesian information criterion (EBIC) for best subset selection. Our proposed method can successfully select predictors when the variables are highly correlated, and it can also identify variables that make a contribution to the conditional quantiles but are marginally uncorrelated or weakly correlated with the response. Theoretical results show that the proposed algorithm can yield the sure screening set. By controlling the false selection rate, model selection consistency can be achieved theoretically. In practice, we proposed using EBIC for best subset selection so that the resulting model is screening consistent. Simulation studies demonstrate that the proposed algorithm performs well, and an empirical example is presented.
Evaluation of Abuse-Deterrent or Tamper-Resistant Opioid Formulations on Overall Health Care Expenditures in a State Medicaid Program.

BACKGROUND: The development of abuse-deterrent opioid prescription medications is a priority at the national level. Pharmaceutical manufacturers have begun marketing new formulations of currently available opioids that meet higher abuse resistance standards. Little information is available regarding the impact of these formulations on overall health care expenditures. OBJECTIVES: To (a) examine the relationship between health care expenditures and use of brand abuse-deterrent or tamper-resistant (ADTR) extended-release opioids versus standard dosage form (SDF) extended-release opioids in a state Medicaid population, and (b) determine whether this relationship was influenced by member-specific characteristics. METHODS: The study is a cross-sectional review of Oklahoma Medicaid members (aged ≥ 21 years) with at least 1 paid pharmacy claim for long-acting opioids between September 2013 and August 2014. Members who were adherent to extended-release opioid products were classified into ADTR and SDF opioid grou...
Effect of Bubbles on Flow Induced Vibration

The effects of a turbulent, bubbly boundary layer on wall skin friction have been investigated in numerous previous studies. However, the impact of such a multiphase flow on fluid-structure interactions has not been studied. To this end, the present project examines experimentally the effect of a bubbly boundary layer on the vibration of a vertical plate. Using a combination of accelerometers and pressure transducers, we simultaneously measure the plate vibrations and wall pressure fluctuations for varying flow rates, gas void fractions, and characteristic bubble sizes. The results show that the presence of bubbles substantially increases both the plate vibrations and the wall pressure fluctuations. The vibrations increase by up to 20 dB compared to the same flow without bubbles. The spectra of vibrations become broad and vary significantly with the characteristic bubble size. The variations with bubble size are consistent with the resonant frequency of the bubbles, indicating that, in addition to changing the compressibility of the medium, individual bubbles act at sources.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Problems in the use of herpes simplex virus as a vector.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes problems in the use of herpes simplex virus (HSV) as a vector for expression of foreign gene. The use of HSV1 as a vector has been investigated by a number of groups and these studies have included both replicating and nonreplicating viruses. The use of HSV1 as a vector became a practical goal with the discovery that the ICP4 gene could be deleted and the virus grown as a host range mutant. It is found that functional promoter expression during latency may require two elements, and that the upstream latency associated transcript (LAT) promoter and the long terminal repeats (LTR) together provide these functions. It is observed that as specific regions of the upstream part of the LAT promoter were removed, particularly between −330 and −250, expression in neurons decreased. It is suggested that targeted expression is nothing more than making a good match between transcription factor binding sites on the promoter and high levels of the same transcription factor in a given cell type. A reasonable explanation for the lack of expression of 8117-43 in the hypoglossal nucleus may have been a lack of transcription factors that could bind to either the LTR or the LAT enhancer. It is suggested that in neurons of the dorsal root ganglia, where the factors can bind to the LAT enhancer, expression is high, and in other neurons it is lower or not observed.
Vitamin D-Mediated Hypercalcemia: Mechanisms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Hypercalcemia occurs in up to 4% of the population in association with malignancy, primary hyperparathyroidism, ingestion of excessive calcium and/or vitamin D, ectopic production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D], and impaired degradation of 1,25(OH)2D. The ingestion of excessive amounts of vitamin D3 (or vitamin D2) results in hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria due to the formation of supraphysiological amounts of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] that bind to the vitamin D receptor, albeit with lower affinity than the active form of the vitamin, 1,25(OH)2D, and the formation of 5,6-trans 25(OH)D, which binds to the vitamin D receptor more tightly than 25(OH)D. In patients with granulomatous disease such as sarcoidosis or tuberculosis and tumors such as lymphomas, hypercalcemia occurs as a result of the activity of ectopic 25(OH)D-1-hydroxylase (CYP27B1) expressed in macrophages or tumor cells and the formation of excessive amounts of 1,25(OH)2D. Recent work has identified a novel cause of non-PTH-mediated hypercalcemia that occurs when the degradation of 1,25(OH)2D is impaired as a result of mutations of the 1,25(OH)2D-24-hydroxylase cytochrome P450 (CYP24A1). Patients with biallelic and, in some instances, monoallelic mutations of the CYP24A1 gene have elevated serum calcium concentrations associated with elevated serum 1,25(OH)2D, suppressed PTH concentrations, hypercalciuria, nephrocalcinosis, nephrolithiasis, and on occasion, reduced bone density. Of interest, first-time calcium renal stone formers have elevated 1,25(OH)2D and evidence of impaired 24-hydroxylase-mediated 1,25(OH)2D degradation. We will describe the biochemical processes associated with the synthesis and degradation of various vitamin D metabolites, the clinical features of the vitamin D-mediated hypercalcemia, their biochemical diagnosis, and treatment.